The budget we get asked about the most when it comes to purchasing a watch is between $3,000 and $5,000. While you might think you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars, in 2024 there are plenty of excellent watches under $5000 that not only look great but are great quality too.
Because at the end of the day, around AU$5,000 is a sensible amount to spend on a watch. It’s an amount you can comfortably tell your partner you spent, without signalling to your boss that they’re paying you too much.
Fortunately, there are also a lot of quality brands to be explored and enjoyed at this budget, so here’s our list of the 18 best men’s watches under $5,000 you can get today. If your wallet has wiggle room, here’s our comprehensive list of the best watches for men.
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- Tissot PRX
- TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
- Baltic MR01
- Serica 8315 GMT Chronomètre
- Tudor Royal 41 Salmon
- Sinn U50
- Rado Captain Cook
- Raymond Weil Millésime Automatic Small Seconds
- Mido Ocean Star Tribute
- Longines HydroConquest GMT
- Seiko “King Seiko” SPB281J
- Furlan Marri Salmon Sector Ref. 2154-AÂ
- Grand Seiko SBGN029
- Lorca Model No.1 GMT
- Baume & Mercier Riviera 10660
- Breitling Endurance Pro Breitlight
- NOMOS Glashütte Club Sport Neomatik
Tissot PRX
- Case Diameter: 40mm
- Case Thickness: 10.9mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Blue
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: Powermatic 80
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
There’s a very good reason that the Tissot PRX collection (including the new 35mm references) has been so successful around the world. It hits all the spots, from a sporty design with an integrated steel case and bracelet to its interesting dial pattern and rock-solid movement. We can’t recommend this Tissot highly enough.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
- Case Diameter: 40mm
- Case Thickness: 10.96mm
- Case Material: Titanium
- Bezel Material: Titanium
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Titanium
- Dial Colour: Grey
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: TH50-00
- Power Reserve: 3yrs battery life
One of the newest members of the TAG Heuer catalogue, the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph is a super impressive watch with a dial that doubles as a solar cell and a case and bracelet made from titanium. Boasting a dark grey appearance and light blue highlights, it marks the beginning of a new era for TAG Heuer and we’re all here for it.
Baltic MR01
- Case Diameter: 36mm
- Case Thickness: 9.9mm
- Case Material: 316L Steel
- Bezel Material: 316L Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather strap
- Dial Colour: Salmon
- Water Resistance: 30m
- Movement: Automatic Hangzhou CAL5000a Micro-rotor
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
As far as classically styled dress watches go, the Baltic MR01 is truly special when you consider how affordable it is (Baltic is one of the best affordable watch brands out there). Featuring a detailed dial design with polished Breguet numerals and an off-centre small seconds subdial, perfectly proportioned case and visually impressive movement, there’s just so much to love.
Serica 8315 GMT Chronomètre
- Case Diameter: 39mm
- Case Thickness: 12.3mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Ceramic
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: Soprod C125
- Power Reserve: 40 hours
Just like Baltic, another relatively young watch brand doing affordable watchmaking the right way is Serica, which released the 8315 GMT Chronomètre in 2022 to critical and collector acclaim. Featuring a thoughtfully designed two-tone ceramic GMT bezel and a finely finished steel case, it could be the only travel watch you ever need.
Tudor Royal 41 Salmon
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Case Thickness: 10.6mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Salmon
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: Calibre T603
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
Launched at Watches & Wonders (alongside a host of other winners from Tudor), the Tudor Royal hasn’t received the praise it probably deserves, with dive watch highlights typically stealing the spotlight (we’re guilty of it too). However, with an extremely attractive salmon dial, an angular integrated case and bracelet that speaks to the charm of the 70s, and a reliable 100m of water resistance, there are plenty of reasons why it’s one of the best watches under 5k right now.
Sinn U50
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Case Thickness: 11.15mm
- Case Material: German Submarine steel
- Bezel Material: German Submarine steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: German Submarine steel
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 500m
- Movement: SW300-1
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
A classic from German watchmaker Sinn, the U50 is about as hard-wearing as dive watches come thanks to its German submarine steel case and bracelet, which are highly resistant to saltwater corrosion. With a wearable 41mm case that’s as bulletproof as they come, and a reliable and easy-to-service movement, it’s a winning combination.
Rado Captain Cook
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Case Thickness: 12.1mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Ceramic
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: Automatic
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
A famous member of the Rado catalogue, the Captain Cook dive watch is based on a 1962 design with a legible dial, sloped bezel and comfortable beads-of-rice bracelet. It features a comfortable 42mm steel case and matching bracelet, reliable automatic movement with a solid power reserve and a timeless look that will remain charming for decades to come.
Raymond Weil Millésime Automatic Small Seconds
- Case Diameter: 39.5mm
- Case Thickness: 10.25mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Anthracite sector dial
- Water Resistance: 50m
- Movement: Automatic mechanical
- Power Reserve: 38 Hours
In the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) awards, the team at Raymond Weil managed to claim first prize for the Challenge Watch Prize (Best Watch Under CHF 2,000) with this Millésime timepiece. Its approachable case proportions, attractive sector dial and solid mechanical movement combined into an award-winning watch and if you’re after a solid everyday performer, the Raymond Weil Millésime might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Mido Ocean Star Tribute
- Case Diameter: 40.5mm
- Case Thickness: 13.4mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: Automatic Mido Caliber 80
- Power Reserve: 80 Hours
The Mido Ocean Star Tribute is another classic dive watch that won’t break the bank, featuring a very wearable case and comfortable bracelet, with plenty of details to get excited by on the dial. With 200m of water resistance, it’s an ideal everyday watch that can handle anything you throw at it.
Longines HydroConquest GMT
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Case Thickness: 12.9mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Green
- Water Resistance: 300m
- Movement: Automatic L844
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
As a new addition to the Longines family in 2023, the HydroConquest GMT is a sensational collection that blends the best of the bulletproof dive watch collection we know and love, with the most functional wristwatch complication there is: the GMT. It arrives with a number of different dial colours and bracelet/strap options, and with its 41mm steel case, ceramic bezel and 72-hour movement, you can’t go wrong here.
Seiko “King Seiko” SPB281J
- Case Diameter: 37mm
- Case Thickness: 12mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Silver
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 6R31 automatic
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
In the history of Seiko as a watchmaker, King Seiko is a collection whose story deserves to be known better. Bringing back the range in recent years, the Seiko “King Seiko” SPB281J is a classic example of a Seiko dress watch design, with super sharp case lines and a clean dial appearance that gets better the closer you look at it.
Furlan Marri Salmon Sector Ref. 2154-A
- Case Diameter: 37.5mm
- Case Thickness: 10.5mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Leather
- Dial Colour: Salmon
- Water Resistance: 50m
- Movement: La Joux-Perret G100
- Power Reserve: 68 hours
Furlan Marri is a brand we’ve covered at length before at Boss Hunting, thanks to its remarkable ability to gain a cult following and the hype that is sometimes associated with such a grassroots movement. While the brand began on Kickstarter with mecha-quartz chronographs, the middle of 2022 saw the debut of its first automatic watch and a similar frenzy of enthusiasm ensued, praising its strong design and high-quality movement.
Grand Seiko SBGN029
- Case Diameter: 39mm
- Case Thickness: 12.3mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Blue
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: 9F86
- Power Reserve: 3yrs battery life (accurate to +/- 10 seconds a year)
While some folks turn their noses up at quartz watches, Grand Seiko produces the very best there are and the SBGN029 is no exception, with remarkable accuracy of +/- 10 seconds a year (most quartz watches are +/- 15 seconds per month) and a GMT function to track multiple time zones. If you’re not a snob about quartz watches, then you won’t be disappointed by the SBGN029.
Lorca Model No.1 GMT
- Case Dimensions: 36mm
- Case Thickness: 11.2mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel or leather
- Dial Colour: Silver or black
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: Soprod C125 R4 Automatic
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
Lorca is another of the younger brands on this list, but one that’s quickly made a name for itself as a meticulously designed, value-driven watchmaker, creating ideal everyday timepieces. So far, the GMT you see here is the only watch the Lorca has announced (available with either a black or silver dial), but the mid-century-inspired cleanliness of its design — without appearing as a pure homage — promises good things to come.
Baume & Mercier Riviera 10660
- Case Diameter: 42mm
- Case Thickness: 10.66mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Titanium
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
- Dial Colour: Grey
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: Swiss Made automatic
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
A classic sports watch design arriving on a comfortable rubber strap, the Baume & Mercier Riviera 10660 offers something interesting with its dark grey titanium bezel and intricately patterned dial. With a solid 100m of water resistance and a touch of warmth thanks to the rose gold-tone hour markers and hands, it’s an under-the-radar watch with plenty to love about it.
Breitling Endurance Pro Breitlight
- Case Diameter: 44mm
- Case Thickness: 12.5mm
- Case Material: Breitlight
- Bezel Material: Breitlight
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
- Dial Colour: Black
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: Thermocompensated SuperQuartz
- Power Reserve: 3yrs battery life
If you’re after a watch that was built to last no matter the environment (and is almost perfectly a $5000 watch), the Breitling Endurance Pro Breitlight is the chronograph you need on your wrist. The star of the show is the proprietary Breitlight case, which is more than three times lighter than titanium and nearly six times lighter than steel and is supremely comfortable on the wrist when paired with its rubber strap.
NOMOS Glashütte Club Sport Neomatik
- Case Diameter: 37mm
- Case Thickness: 8.3mm
- Case Material: Steel
- Bezel Material: Steel
- Bracelet/Strap Material: Steel
- Dial Colour: Green
- Water Resistance: 200m
- Movement: DUW 3001 Automatic
- Power Reserve: 43 hours
If you don’t like massive watches, but still want something that’s reliable, mechanically powered and serves up solid water resistance, the Club Sport Neomatik is one you need to take a closer look at. With a 37mm case diameter that stands just 8.3mm tall, it still has 200m of water resistance and an in-house manufactured automatic movement. Very impressive stuff from NOMOS Glashütte.
If you enjoyed this list of the best watches under $5,000 in Australia, check out some of Boss Hunting’s other watch content here:
