The biggest mistake one can make when buying a watch is judging it by its price tag. Some $80 Seikos are as loved and respected by watch enthusiasts as $8,000 Rolexes and $80,000 masterpieces from A. Lange & Söhne. There are great timepieces to be found at every price level. That’s why we went and amassed all of our budget-focused guides — from dirt-cheap watches to Haute Horlogerie.
Under $150
Bargain watches get a bad rap, but there are plenty of dirt-cheap options with excellent design and solid build quality.
Under $500
For under $500, you can afford a chronograph, a GMT, a super-thin Bauhaus or a military-style dive watch. Take your pick of our favorites.
Under $1,000
There is an abundance of quality timepieces available for under $1,000. There are also many lesser choices. Let us help you choose wisely.
Under $2,500
The 10 best watches under $2,500 include big brands like Nomos, Sinn, Oris, Grand Seiko and more.
Under $5,000
This is the high-volume realm of entry-level luxury watches, and it’s tricky to navigate.
Under $10,000
Five figures means in-house movements, increasingly convoluted complications, and some of horology’s heaviest hitters.
Under $50,000
When you reach the $50,000 range, you become an investor. That adds a lot of extra pressure to ensure you’re not wasting dollars on a flash in the pan.
Under $250,000
A guide to watches that cost more than a house, including incredible picks from Seiko, A. Lange & Sohne, Patek Philippe and more.
Over $250,000
If we had the means, any one of these would be the watch of a lifetime.
