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The Best Watches You Can Buy for Less Than $500

Serious quality tickers that won’t require a bank loan.
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Photographer: Matt Martin ; Prop Stylist: Claire Tedaldi

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Watches can be intimidating. There are more distinct types of watches than there are species of Pokémon. There's so much confusing terminology we have a 21-part (and counting!) series dedicated to breaking down horoligical words and phrases. If you think Trekkies and the Beyhive are obsessive about their fandoms—well, that means you've probably never met a watch geek. The one area where top quality watches aren't always quite so daunting, though? The pricetag. Sure, it's possible to spend[the GDP of a developing nation on a single vintage Rolex, but you can easily find a well built, finely tuned, exceedingly stylish watch for under $500 these days. So easily, in fact, we found you five. Whether you're looking to jumpstart a collection or just need a simple timepiece you can wear everyday, we've got a GQ-approved option for you.

The Best Affordable Dive Watch

Citizen Promaster Diver

Citizen Promaster Diver

$395 $316

Amazon

Water-resistant up to 200 meters, this rugged beaut runs on the Citizen’s signature Eco-Drive movement—which is powered entirely by light and should last a literal lifetime.

The Best Affordable Office Watch

Seiko Presage SRPB46

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB46

$495

Seiko

When it comes to affordable watches that watch snobs will actually respect, Seiko is the undisputed king. Take this particular model, for one: behind that head-turning sunburst dial is a high quality automatic movement that features a stop-seconds function, can be hand-wound if desired, and is visible in motion via an open caseback.

The Best Affordable Old School Watch

Timex x Todd Snyder Exclusive Timex Marlin Blackout

Timex + Todd Snyder Marlin Blackout

$199

Todd Snyder

The Marlin is a reissue of a '60s-era timepiece from Timex that looks extremely right now. A lot of that has to do with the case: the smaller—by today's mack truck sport watch standards—34 mm case size is something we're feeling at the moment. That, and the fact that it's just a handsome AF design, makes this guy a no-brainer buy.

Two More Watches We Love

Movado Museum Classic

Movado Museum Classic

$495 $445

Amazon

The original minimalist watch still turns heads with the best of 'em.
Bulova Aerojet

Bulova Aerojet

$250

Bulova

Nothing says summer like simple-faced watch on a preppy striped NATO strap.