The 25 best watches under £1,000 that'll upgrade any collection

From microbrands to Swiss budget gems, we’ve curated plenty of bang for your buck to present some of the best watches under £1000. If you choose to ignore the old-school wrist dress codes, the world’s your oyster and you can pair up a banging diver with a tailored shirt, or a dressy number with a wide-fit tee. What matters most is how your choice of wristwear makes you feel, and an elevated spirit means more than a 50-year-old dress code.

The lines between mid-priced Swiss quality and the best cheap watches are more blurred than ever. But there’s a hidden sweet spot between £500-1,000, and we’ve found it. For that price, you might even find your favourite watch. But don’t keep it stashed away for big occasions – quality and even limited edition wrist-cool has never been so affordable yet suave, so use it, don’t save it.

What are GQ's best watches under £1,000?

• Best watch under £1,000: Longines Conquest, £900 at jurawatches.co.uk
• Best dress watch under £1,000: Hamilton Ventura Quartz, £895 at goldsmiths.co.uk
• Best chronograph watch under £1,000: Seiko SSC813P1 Chronograph, £590 at goldsmiths.co.uk
• Best dive watch under £1,000: Doxa Sub 200 Professional Whitepearl, £950 at goldsmiths.co.uk
• Best G-Shock under £1,000: G-Shock GMW-B5000PS-1ER, £789 at g-shock.co.uk
• Best gold watch under £1,000: Tissot PRX 35mm Powermatic 80, £780 at goldsmiths.co.uk

SKIP TO: How to buy the best watch under £1,000 | What are the best entry-level watch brands? | How GQ chose the best watches under £1,000

If you're all set to spend on one of the best watches under £1,000 then chances are it might be the first timepiece you've spent a substantial chunk of change on. As much as you're spolied for choice when it comes to this price point, it's also worth paying attention to a few potential pitfalls such as fit, styling and function. Since the best watch collection is a one-watch collection, here's what to look out for…

• Movement: Quartz and mechanical are the two most common types of watch movement (AKA the thing in a timepiece that actually the keeps time for you). Whereas quartz movements are battery-powered meaning they're both cheaper to maintain and more accurate, mechanical hand-wound watches tend to have a bit more prestige to them – they're more of a design piece than a utilitarian necessity. That's why most models priced at just shy of £1,000 will feature a mechanical movement.
• Size: Most men's watches tend to scale up in size from a 36mm dial to somewhere around the 44mm mark. A bigger watch is by no means better, but largesse will dictate the style of any timepiece. More rugged and sporty watches can dominate a big chunk of your wrist's real estate, while dressier models tend to be smaller and thinner so they can sit comfortably under a dress shirt's cuff.
• Case material: Precious materials are off the table when your budget maxes out at £1,000, but the upside is that you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to stainless steel models. Since that's the same material favoured by Rolex, Omega and TAG Heuer's most iconic models from the Submariner to the Monaco, you're sure to find something sturdy, lightweight and hard-wearing below.
• Complication: Three hands form the basic configuration for any watch, and anything beyond that setup counts as a complciation. That can be something as simple as a date window for checking what day of the month it is or a stopwatch-enabled chronograph such as Seiko's Daytona-inspired SSC813P1. Generally speaking, the more complicated a watch is the more expensive it is, so you won't find too many kicking around for under £1,000.

The best thing about upping your watch-buying budget to in and around a grand is the sheer amount of choice you've suddenly got to hand. Of course, there's always space for yet another G-Shock in GQ's collection, but with anything over £500 to play with you can suddenly afford to spread your wings a little. Whether that's via upstart micro brands such as Studio Underdog, Brew Watches and Baltic or those with serious prestige like Longines, Hamilton and Doxa, you're going to find something with pedigree behind it.

However much money you have to spend on a watch, our advice remains the same when finding a brand that you can vibe with: browse around, figure out which models you like and then take a deeper look at the collections that accompany them. Why? You might find something you like even more. Case in point, Tissot's carbon fibre Sideral and the Oyster Perpetual-inspired curves of its Gentleman are world's apart in most respects, but they're both quality watches from one of horology's storied icons.

From Watches & Wonders to Dubai Watch Week and John Mayer's recent hookup with Audemars Piguet, British GQ has been covering all things watches since its inception in 1989. More than three decades later, we're perennially in search of our next grail, but that needn't mean a gemstone-studded Rainbow Daytona or Roger W Smith Series 1. If you love eye-catching dials and are less bothered by the movement powering them, then there's arguably no better price range to be shopping in than under £1,000.

Most of the choices in this guide were made by Thor Svaboe, a long-time watch writer with the likes of Wallpaper, Time + Tide Watches and Fratello Watches, whose Instagram is adorned with wrist candy of that's befitting of all budgets. The buying advice was written GQ's Senior Commerce Editor for Europe, Rob Leedham, who probably didn't need an excuse to reacquaint himself with the gloriously orange Doxa Sub 200.

Shop GQ's edit of the best watches under £1,000 in 2024…

The Hamilton Ventura’s claim to fame was being the mad-quirky dress watch fave of croon-tastic Elvis Presley in the fifties. But this deliciously dark version comes across as the sinister love child of a Sith and Elvis Aaron, taking the starship shape beyond retro and feeling like Darth Vader’s choice for the Death Star Christmas Party.

G-Shock Gravitymaster GR-B300

There’s no disputing G-Shock’s rep as the ultimate indestructible supplier of wristwear, as this Gravitymaster can attest. First, try and take in the design (inspired by jet fighters), the carbon core guard and its massive shock-resistant spec. Then there’s the features: dual-time zones, alarms, stopwatch, and built-in pilot flight log memory, obvs.

Swatch MoonSwatch Mission To The Moonphase New Moon

Surely no one actually wants the MoonSwatch era to end? For two years and counting now Swatch and Omega have been having a ball – finding new ways to tweak their bioceramic Speedmaster alternative. This time it’s a new Snoopy for the win, which has a cheeky twist on the legendary pooch’s important role in NASA lore. Look past the hype though and you’ll find a legit decent sports watch – albeit one you’ll have to be patient to get hold of.

Tissot T-Race MotoGP Chronograph

Tissot has a lot more to offer than slinky ’70s-looking PRXs – like this charming Hublot-ish 45mm T-Race MotoGP for days when you feel like rocking a tough bruiser. It is remarkably comfortable on the wrist thanks to a blue integrated rubber strap and the navy sunburst dial and bold red-framed numerals give this celebration of the 75th anniversary of MotoGP the finishing touches it deserves.

Hamilton American Classic Pan Europ

This rounded C-shape Pan-Europ from Swiss brand Hamilton knows exactly which buttons to press in the retro stakes. With some deep blue details and a ’60s-esque day-date setup, the 42mm Pan-Europ feels pretty vintage thanks to a colourful NATO strap. And for under a grand it’s also a mechanical piece, which is great value.

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide

Maurice Lacroix’s Aikon Tide watches aren’t going to be for everyone but no one can deny how fun and fresh they are. The bright dial and case colours mean that these pieces offer a much bigger presence on the wrist despite being only 40mm and incredibly light. This shouty yellow and black one, boasting crisp black and lume indices on a wavy dial makes for a brilliant summer piece especially considering its 100m depth rating.

Nivada Grenchen Super Antarctic

The absolute perfection of Nivada’s reissue of their Explorer-esque Super Antarctic is a proliferous box-ticker of a watch. On a tobacco-coloured calfskin strap the cream markings make it feel dressy, yet there is tool-watch history backing up the delicate twist of those lugs. Add an enviable combo of 100m depth-rated wearability with a sixties 38mm case, and you’ll have a taste of vintage for a mere £815.

Tissot Gentleman

Tissot has a Tiffany-tinged Rolex beater on its hands with the crisp arctic blue of the new Gentleman in 40mm. It’s not all about the fresh blue glamour though, as the silicium-tech in the Powermatic movement has the Gentleman scale the tiers of the budget Swiss ladder with steel-cased finesse. Rakish finesse for £800.

Certina DS Super PH1000M

Certina makes dress-cool Swiss for a very decent price, but the smash-hot yellow of their tool-tastic PH1000M has a damn fine trick up its brawny 43.5mm sleeve. This retro-perfect dive tool will accompany you (well, or a submarine) to the unfathomable depths of 1000m, beating a few quadruple-priced grails in the value-stakes. Fresh and tough, this is one of the best watches under £1000 you'll find.

Seiko “Deep Green” Speedtimer Solar Chronograph

It’s the season for having your cake and eating it all, so we’re all for the sustainable cool of the Seiko Speedtimer Solar Chronograph. Lusting after a classic Chronograph with a suave green dial and in-house perfectio to rival the Big Swiss? A broad black bezel frames the accurate and vintage-touched joy of a dependable Seiko.

Hamilton Classic Boulton

It looks like the most unlikely watch for adventure, but Hamilton’s Boulton proves us dead wrong. It gets battered on the wrist of Harrison Ford in his spectacular final crack of the whip as Indiana Jones. And looks less ruffled than a be-suited 007 after a motorbike chase across rooftops. At 27mm x 31.6 it’s a perfect 1930s dress watch, and a hell of a lot tougher than its golden looks suggest.

The Tissot PRX train seems unstoppable with its blend of value and glamour, and this week they released a killer version of the new 35mm. Positively jam-packed with goodness, this compact PVD-gold version has been fitted with Tissot’s Powermatic 80 movement. The 80-hour power reserve and silicon hairspring might not mean everything to everyone, but being offered in a svelte, vintage-sized case with moviestar lustre makes it pretty unbeatable for the price, trust us.

Certina DS Action Diver titanium

Certina is the big value arm of the Swatch Group and shares its Swiss, tech-packed Powermatic 80 movement with a Tissot in this story. This is however the best bang-for-buck titanium dive watch you’ll find for under £1K, hands down. It is a compact 38mm, and the grey tone of titanium comes with future-proof strength and is seriously lightweight. Resplendent for the summer on an aqua-blue striped NATO strap to match the lume on the tool watch dial.

We might have mentioned this particular Seiko before, for good reason. With all the right prerequisites to be a wrist-fave, it’s Panda-dialed perfection with added peace of mind. The Speedtimer Solar has the evocative name and looks of a vintage Chronograph, in a svelte 39mm case that’s everyday-proofed. Inspired by Seiko’s first mechanical chronograph of 1969, the crisp white dial and black vintage detailing is powered by an accurate Solar-powered movement. The 100m depth rating adds to an all-boxes ticked quality.

Alpina Big Pilot

Tool watch lovers can’t resist a big legible pilot’s watch. Add the functionality of a chronograph and Swiss pedigree, and this 44mm Alpina is an astute choice only just making our budget. The 100m depth rating and Swiss quartz movement give it a great everyday quality with über-cool looks. There’s a sharp instrument quality to the monochrome dial, which is packed with functionality including chronograph functionality, a discreet date window at 6, and a fresh delta wing-shaped pop of red.

Baltic Bicompax 003

Baltic has been the talk of small-brand town for a few years now, and we get it. For this summer they’ve re-engineered their beloved Bicompax, added polished applied details and managed to fit all the retro-goodness into a 36.5mm case. With this year’s best salmon pink dial for the money and a variety of straps, it packs a compact French punch. A chic, mid-century take on the twin register Chronograph.

Tissot Sideral

Tissot might the master of budget-bling luxury sports with the value-busting PRX series and Seastar range of contemporary diver’s watches. But, perfectly timed for the summer, the quirky-flash-cool of the Sideral range blew a few competitors out of the water. For the price, this is easily the best-value Swiss taste of carbon fibre-lightness today. A cushion-cased sixties vibe comes with colourful details and a red rubber strap, all in a modern 41mm case size. A term involving cake and eating is very prevalent.

Casio and their G-Shock sub-brand are a staple when it comes to big-value watches with massive wrist presence, often literally. This time we recommend what is a recognizable square-G silhouette with tech-Solar power, with a new suit that’s killing it. This is the silver version of their Recrystallized series, a glimmering gem boasting heat-treated steel with each watch having a unique crystalline-grained surface and lustre. As ever it’s packed with functionality (including Bluetooth functions) in a compact size with the solid 200m depth rating we’re used to.

Longines has a great line of period-perfect vintage watches and the smash-hit Spirit range. For the non-retro afflicted, however, the Conquest range is a no-nonsense sports watch. Its accurate quartz caliber means business on a budget, and the design is pure Swiss sports. Refined touches like great lume, applied indices, and numerals belie its potential. That means a 300m depth rating and a case finish that punches well above its price. Get the taste of premium Swiss for £900.

Tissot Everytime

Tissot has had a raging success with their PRX line, and deservedly so. But there is a lot to be said for their timeless and well-named Everytime range, especially in this deep blue dial. The versatile elegance of this Tissot comes with a solid Swiss quartz movement and a balanced vibe of minimalist cool. Even at this price point there is a maturity of Swiss design, and the padded navy strap makes it equally at home with a pair of jeans.

Doxa is synonymous with period-perfect sixties diver cool with a bright flash of colour, so what’s this? Contrasting wildly to their usual wares, this is not a color-it-yourself Doxa Sub 200, but their achingly fresh Whitepearl edition. Sans colour-pop it emphasises the arctic cool of its monochrome dial, and the reassuring 200m depth-rated case comes fitted with a tailored white rubber strap. And a white diver goes with everything don’t you know?

Citizen Promaster Dive Automatic

We love the allure of big-cased stealth, so the Citizen Promaster nails it for the money. The abyss blue dial looks remarkably similar to the Clous de Paris of a certain grail watch. Contrasting cheekily to this delicate finissage is an acid green minute hand, and Transformer-sized details. But this 46mm brute will wear light, thanks to a rubber strap and black titanium case. The depth rating of 200m means it’ll take a beating for its £895.

Bulova Octavo

If a bit of bling is the remit for a new watch but you don’t have Jay-Z levels of cash, this almost fits the bill in the sense it’s a lot of bling at an affordable price. Bulova may not be everyone’s go-to brand but it has major horology chops and has been making cool watches since 1875. So if you’re looking for a watch to catch the eye and tell the time, this 40mm three-handed dazzler does exactly that, for £369.

Furlan Marri Rosso Grigio

This is a micro brand with a difference. Furlan Marri was the runaway success of 2021 and sits on the wrists of Patek Philippe and Rolex collectors for a reason. The details are in a league of their own, and with a permanent collection, they have transcended the world of micros. Their GPHG award last year befits the tux-elegance of the Rosso Grigio, which has an elegantly festive red leather strap and dial details to die for.

Raymond Weil Toccata

Simplicity personified, Raymond Weil’s Toccata channels major Cartier Tank vibes and we're here for it. The rectangular shape, the Roman numerals – they resemble the aforementioned icon – as do the sleek, unadorned yellow gold PVD steel case and simple hands powered by a quartz movement. Raymond Weil often likes to draw comparisons between its watches and classical music; in this case, Bach comes to mind.