Let’s get one thing straight – you don’t need to spend thousands to own a quality timepiece. Sure, we all drool over the odd Rolex Daytona or perhaps a Patek Nautical, or dream about getting that call from the boutique. But there’s a segment in the market that’s often overlooked by both people who are looking to buy their first ‘luxury watch’ and also your watch fanatic who already possess an impressive collection. This is the realm of best watches under 500 pounds. It’s where value, performance, and style come together without wiping out your bank account.
Whether you’re starting your collection, looking for a solid daily beater, or simply want something reliable for your wrist, this guide covers the top watches under 500 pounds, broken down by category: dive, dress, field, and sport. Expect some familiar names, a few microbrand heroes, and everything in between.
Let’s crack on.
Best dive watches under 500 pounds
Seiko 5 Sports Diver
The SRPD55 builds on the SKX legacy with an automatic movement (4R36), 100m water resistance, and Seiko’s signature lume – LumiBrite. It’s no-nonsense dial and stainless steel case looks the business on both steel and NATO. As part of Seiko’s 5 series, the Seiko 5 Sports Diver includes a day-date display at 3 o’clock, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock, a daily-wear durable case and bracelet as well as the previously mentioned automatic movement, and water resistance – not bad for all under 500 pounds!
Movement: Automatic with manual winding
Case size: 42.5mm
Price: £280
Orient Mako
The Orient Mako is a relatively straight forward watch, with some neat details to provide just enough detail, with a serious watch underneath. The deep, rich hues of the dial and two-toned bezel give it an aquatic charm, while the bright yellow-tipped seconds hand pops against its blue backdrop. Under the surface, Orient’s in-house F6922 automatic movement – with hacking and hand-winding and a solid 40-hour power reserve – keeps precision reliable and servicing simple. The day-date display at 3 o’clock sits neatly in the mix, while the 200m water resistance and screw-down crown ensure that it’s no desk diver – it’s a genuine everyday tool. It dresses up or dives in with equal ease, staying smart, sporty, and characterful the whole way.
Movement: Automatic with manual winding
Case size: 41.8mm
Price: £424.99
Citizen Promaster Diver
At 44 mm, the Citizen Promaster Diver is a big, purposeful chunk of stainless steel, with an industrial edge that says “tool watch” before you even clock the specs. Its Pepsi bezel is dominated by two-thirds of the ring in blue, leaving a third in red for a bolder, less predictable take on the classic colourway. Paired with a deep-blue polyurethane strap, complete with diver’s extensions, it’s clearly built for time in the water. Underneath the style, it’s still all business: ISO-certified to 200m, equipped with a grippy unidirectional bezel, luminous hands and markers, and Citizen’s Eco-Drive tech that powers the watch via light, so you’ll never need a battery change. It’s a diver with size and presence, slamming down in our top 10 list.
Movement: Quartz
Case size: 44mm
Price: £289
Best dress watches under 500 pounds
Tissot Everytime 40mm
The Tissot Everytime 40mm is proof that minimalism can be compelling, pairing a slim stainless steel case and sapphire crystal with a rich blue dial that feels endearing rather than plain. At just 46 grams, it disappears on the wrist yet still delivers Swiss build quality, powered by a no-fuss quartz movement with an end-of-life battery indicator for practical reliability. The 50m water resistance is enough for daily life but stops short of true sport versatility. It’s not flashy, nor is it trying to be – this is a quietly confident everyday watch that will age as gracefully as its design.
Movement: Quartz
Case size: 40mm
Price: £245
Bulova Super Seville
The Bulova Super Seville is a confident revival of its 1970s predecessor, swapping nostalgia for pure retro swagger backed by modern performance. The gold-tone TV-shaped case and integrated bracelet feel unapologetically bold – more “I’ve arrived” than quietly classic – while the green dial adds just enough eccentricity to make it a conversation starter – I’m getting major Wimbledon vibes. In fact, we’ve explored other timepieces that turn heads at the Championships in our Standout Watches at Wimbledon 2025 article, and the Super Seville would be right at home – at a fraction of the price. It’s powered by Bulova’s ultra-accurate Precisionist quartz, though its 30m water resistance makes it more boardroom than beach. This perhaps isn’t a watch for blending in; it’s for those who like their style with a dose of vintage attitude and contemporary confidence.
Movement: Quartz
Case size: 38mm
Price: £499
Brew Metric Titanium
The Brew Metric in titanium proves you don’t need wild colors to have serious personality – though those variants exist if you prefer your watch to pop. Here, the fun comes in through quirks and texture: a compact 36mm case, that gunmetal tone you’d expect from a titanium watch, and the trademark Brew coffee bean emblem embossed on the dial and etched in to the case back, winks at its espresso-timing heritage. The chronograph’s slightly unconventional subdial placement adds charm. It’s retro, it’s wearable, and it’s the sort of watch that rewards a second glance – not because it’s loud, but because it’s quietly clever, earning it a place in this list.
Movement: Meca-Quartz
Case size: 36mm
Price: £372
Best field watches under 500 pounds
Unimatic U2 Classic
The Unimatic U2 Classic takes the stripped-back ethos of a military field watch and filters it through Italy’s sharp design sensibilities. The result? A 38mm slab of brushed steel with an ultra-domed sapphire crystal, matte black dial, and just enough Super-LumiNova to read at midnight in the Alps or your back garden – this watch is pure function, without ignoring form. It’s overbuilt with 300m water resistance, and powered by the NH35A automatic movement, with a hacking seconds hand. This is a lot of performance from a watch under £500! The Unimatic watch provides easy strap switching with its lug width of 22mm – something that you may want to consider to elevate it from the underwhelming standard strap.
Movement: Automatic
Case size: 36mm
Price: £472
Timex Expedition Titanium
The Timex Expedition Titanium is at home in the outdoors, wearing its eco credentials proudly. Its 38mm titanium case is light yet rock-solid, pairing ISO-rated shock resistance with 200m water resistance, a screw-down crown, and a caseback that laughs in the face of soggy hikes. The dial is crisp and purposeful, with luminous hands, a date display, and just enough orange accent to keep it from feeling too serious. The titanium case is paired with an ethically sourced Italian leather strap, certified by the Leather Working Group – making it as kind to the planet as it is to your wrist.
Movement: Quartz
Case size: 38mm
Price: £240
Best sport watches under 500 pounds
Luminox Leatherback SEA Turtle Giant
At first glance, eagle-eyed watch fans might spot shades of the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 in the Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle – but some standout differences are the use of full Arabic numerals and a more conservative colourway. Across the 44mm case range, the theme stays firmly monochrome, with only the chapter ring and 24-hour scale injecting carefully measured pops of colour. (If you do want something different, there’s an all-white 39 mm version, plus a Red Bull Racing Limited Edition with some additional design deviations on the dial.) Built from Luminox’s CARBONOX – a carbon compound material – the case and bezel keep things ultra-rugged while tipping the scales at just 50 g, making it deceptively light for its size. Add a unidirectional rotating bezel and you’ve got a tool watch designed to take a beating, yet one that won’t weigh you down whether you’re timing laps, dives, or just your next coffee break from work.
Movement: Quartz
Case size: 44mm
Price: £319
Casio G Shock Full Metal
It was going to be difficult to pull together this list without a Casio earning a place on the best watches under 500. They have earned cult-favourite status with many – and naturally, the iconic square look lands here with authority. The G-Shock GMW-B5000D-1 bold, squared profile is immediately unmistakable as Casio’s signature. Opting for the full-metal execution instead of the usual resin brings the heft with toughness whilst remaining true to the name G-Shock: shock-resistant, thanks to the fine-resin cushioning between case and bezel that should absorb most hits. It’s smart too – wirelessly syncing to your phone via Bluetooth keeps the time accurate and fuss-free. It’s the square-case icon reimagined in steel – smart, sturdy, and set apart by that unmistakable Casio shape. Of course, there’s plenty more affordable models within the range if this one doesn’t hit the mark for you.
Movement: Quartz
Case size: 43mm
Price: £450
Some tips for buying a watch under £500
- Prioritise value: Focus on specs – sapphire crystal, movement, water resistance, and build quality matter more than hype. This ensures it will be one that lasts you a life time, not just a summer.
- Look at other market places: Authorised dealers are great, but platforms like Chrono24 or WatchNation often offer discounts for brand-new pieces. If you’re budget is slightly more, Subdial is another great option.
- Buy what you love: It’s tempting to follow trends, but this is about your wrist. Choose what excites you, whether that’s a bold diver or a stealthy field piece.
- Check the warranty: May sound boring, but some brands offer 2+ years even at this price point – a nice touch of peace of mind.
Final thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, you’ll know that the best wrist watch under £500 can be a serious contender. You’re not just paying for the name on the dial – you’re getting proven movements (many of them automatic), sapphire crystals, quality materials, and genuine brand heritage. With a few smart strap changes, these watches can take you from a weekend at the beach to a boardroom meeting without missing a beat.
Often, a watch in this range becomes someone’s first serious timepiece – and sometimes, the one they keep forever. You don’t need a five-figure budget to be part of the watch world; just a sharp eye, a bit of patience, and maybe an appreciation for a quirky lume plot or engraved caseback.
The best watches under £500 let you explore every style – dive, field, dress, sport – without breaking a sweat. They’re built to be worn, not locked away, and they have a knack for sparking conversations, whether it’s a compliment from a stranger or curiosity from a mate down the pub. Most importantly, they prove you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy something brilliant on your wrist.
And if you’ve got a little more to spend, we’ve got you covered – see our guide to the best watches under £1,000.
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