Japanese watches have a certain flair. American watches are a beautiful thing at their very best. But, there truly is no parallel to the best Swiss watches in terms of craftsmanship, aesthetic quirks, and overall quality.
And the great thing about Swiss-made watches is that you don’t have to drive yourself deep into debt to procure one! You can buy a gorgeous water-resistance Swiss timepiece with top-tier features such as a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial window, black leather strap or brown leather strap, an easy-to-read date window, luminous hands, and a Swiss automatic movement with a lengthy power reserve for less than $500!
If you’re looking for the best men’s watches from the Swiss region for a price you can afford, we’ve got you covered. From dive watches to dress watches and plenty in between, here’s our definitive list of the 6 Best Swiss Watches Under $500 For 2o21.
The 6 Best Swiss Watches Under $500 For 2021
6) Movado Museum Sport Watch
The original Movado Museum Watch earned its place in the New York Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection, and the updated Movado Museum Sport Watch is an active take on a minimalist classic. The rubber watch strap is a real joy to wear and parallels the durability of the synthetic sapphire crystal dial window. And its black-on-black minimalist dial design goes well with anything you might have lurking in the back of your wardrobe.
Specs
Display Window Material: Synthetic Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Case Thickness: 11 mm
Strap Material: Rubber
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 22 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Automatic
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Pros
- The added chronographic sub-dials are a nice touch and evolution from the original design.
- Its synthetic sapphire crystal dial window is extremely efficacious at warding off scratches.
- The Swiss automatic movement is fun to use and fun to listen to.
Cons
- It’s water resistant only to a depth of 30 meters.
- The rubber watch band might be too short for some larger wrists.
5) Tissot Men’s Seastar Swiss Quartz Analog Watch
- Case Size: 45.50 millimeters, Bandwidth: 22 millimeters, Case Thickness: 12.82 millimeters
- Swiss quartz movement, 316L stainless steel case, Without dial type, Date
- Stainless steel bracelet, folding clasp with safety and diver extension closure
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 30 bar (300 m / 1000 Feet): Suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
Balancing a water-resistant construction safe to a depth of 300 meters with all the aesthetic hallmarks of a great dive watch, the Tissot Men’s Seastar Swiss Quartz Analog Watch is a modern masterpiece of budget-friendly horology. Equally in place on the dancefloor and in the ocean, this timepiece outpaces other Tissot offerings like the Tissot Heritage thanks to its striking blue dial, sturdy stainless steel casing, and the accurate time provided by its powerful Swiss quartz movement.
Specs
Display Window Material: Synthetic Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Folding Clasp with Safety and Diver Extension
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Thickness: 13 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Width: 16 mm
Strap Color: Silver
Dial Color: Blue
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 300 meters
Pros
- The blue dial has depth and absolute presence that turns heads.
- Its 300 meters of water resistance places it at the top of the Swiss-made dive watch heap.
- The anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window cuts down glare from all angles.
Cons
- Some might prefer a mechanical watch with this kind of build, but it’s not to be.
- The watch case is somewhat big for those watch enthusiasts with slender wrists.
4) Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Men’s Watch
There isn’t a tougher watch on this (or any) countdown of the best Swiss watches under $500 than the Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Men’s Watch. Released to the public only after passing through 130 grueling extreme endurance tests, this Victorinox marvel brings the highest quality of materials to the table for an affordable price. Its simple minimal design design is a real looker, too, and the watch strap is made of the same jerky-tough brown leather used for firefighting boots.
Specs
Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 42 mm
Case Thickness: 14 mm
Strap Material: Leather
Strap Length: 9 inches
Strap Width: 21 mm
Strap Color: Brown
Dial Color: Gray
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- It’s available in a dozen different colors and design schemes.
- This watch is nearly bulletproof. It can withstand nearly any peril it faces.
- The included Swiss quartz movement is quite accurate.
Cons
- It’s a little clunky in the looks department compared to other watches on this list.
- The brown leather strap is a little stiff out of the box.
3) Wenger Men’s Sea Force Black Swiss Quartz Watch
- Swiss-made quartz sea force watch with sapphire coated mineral crystal
- Rotating bezel
- Swiss-quartz Movement
- Case Diameter: 43mm
- Water resistant 200m (660ft): in general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not diving
In the watch market for a Swiss-made timepiece that looks like a million bucks both in the water and at the office? The Wenger Men’s Sea Force Black Swiss Quartz Watch is perfect for you! The stainless steel bezel and case are sealed tightly for water activities, and the silky silicone strap feels light as a feather around most wrist sizes. There are multiple designs and color schemes available for this nautical natural, so be sure to survey your options before shipping one to your house!
Specs
Display Window Material: Mineral Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 43 mm
Case Thickness: 12 mm
Strap Material: Silicone
Strap Length: 9.5 inches
Strap Width: 21 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- The all-black design is seamless, stunning, and straight to the point.
- Its Swiss quartz movement keeps time exceptionally well without much lag.
- It’s extremely light to wear and hits the water without any hesitation or slowdown.
Cons
- Be on the lookout for a relatively rare battery issue that zaps your watch’s power out of the gate.
- The date window is tiny and hard to see for wearers with sight issues.
2) Tissot Men’s Le Locle Stainless Steel Dress Watch
- Case Size: 39.30 millimeter; Band Width: 19 millimeter; Case Thickness: 9.75 millimeter
- Swiss automatic movement, 316L stainless steel case, Roman dial type, date
- Leather bracelet, butterfly clasp closure
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 3 bar (30 m / 100 ft): Suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
A beacon of simplicity and class without the luxury watch investment, the Tissot Men’s Le Locle Stainless Steel Dress Watch does dressy without draining your finances. We’re quite enamored with the no-fuss black dial with its elegant Roman numerals and sword-shaped silver-tone hands. In addition, the included mechanical movement is worth much more than the listed price of admission. Top it off with a stainless steel bracelet that hits the mark for comfort and looks, and you’ve got a real contender for the best Swiss watch at any price point!
Specs
Display Window Material: Synthetic Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Butterfly Clasp
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 39 mm
Case Thickness: 9 mm
Strap Material: Leather
Strap Length: 7.75 inches
Strap Width: 19 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Automatic
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Pros
- The curvature of the sword-shaped hour and minute hands really ties everything together.
- The Swiss automatic movement is easy to maintain and a joy to utilize.
- The leather strap is more pliable and easy to wear out of the box than those included with most watches at this price point.
Cons
- The stainless steel case itself looks a little cheaper than the rest of the watch.
- 30 meters of water resistance is generous for this moisture-fearing timepiece.
1) Hamilton Khaki King Automatic Stainless Steel Watch
- Stainless steel watch featuring round black dial with day/date display at 12 o'clock, sword-shape hands, and 24-hour time on inner dial
- 40 mm stainless steel case with anti-reflective sapphire dial window
- Automatic self-wind movement with analog display
- Leather band with contrast stitching and buckle closure
- Water resistant to 50 m (165 ft): In general, suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
A rugged field watch that doubles as a worthwhile dress watch, the Hamilton Khaki King Automatic Stainless Steel Watch is everything you could want out of a Swiss-made watch and more you’d never dream of. The harmonious balance between the suede leather watch strap, stark black dial, bold Arabic numerals, and top-shelf stainless steel case makes its low price point seem absolutely absurd. It also comes with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window, in case you didn’t think this was a steal of a deal already!
Specs
Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 40 mm
Case Thickness: 11 mm
Strap Material: Leather
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 19 mm
Strap Color: Brown
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Automatic
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Pros
- It’s the complete package of looks, length, and overall gravitas.
- The sapphire crystal dial window fights off scratches extremely well.
- The stock leather watch band doesn’t take much to break in and conform to your wrist.
Cons
- The 50 meters of included water resistance places it on the low end of this countdown.
- The display is set pretty deep in the casing, increasing its problems with glare from external light sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What differentiates a great Swiss watch from other watches?
Have you ever owned a watch with a Swiss movement, be it a Swiss quartz movement or a Swiss automatic? A high-quality Swiss watch is just different than the vast majority of everyday watch options out there. Whether you’re searching for a dive watch, dress watch, or classic watch with a unique look, a real watch enthusiast looks for a Swiss-made watch crafted with extraordinary care and ingenuity.
The best Swiss watches (and the best Swiss watches under $500) offer an extraordinary rare of top timepiece features including sapphire crystal glass dial windows, quality leather strap, and stainless steel bracelet offerings, automatic movement and manual-winding movement options, a day and date complication and/or a traditional day and date function, peak water resistance, a stainless steel casing, and a full construction made of nothing but high-quality materials.
What are the best Swiss watch brands?
According to a recent survey of watch brands from the Swiss region, the following are the top eight Swiss watch brands in operation today:
- Rolex
- Omega
- Cartier
- Patek Philippe
- Longines
- Tissot
- Audemars Piguet
- TAG Heuer
Most of the Swiss brand choices above craft luxury watches with four-figure price tags, but don’t fret! There are some great Swiss watch companies out there making affordable watches with all the watch features you need and desire. Other Swiss companies making quality watches include Wenger, Victorinox, Hamilton, and Movado.
Closing Thoughts
Swiss-made watches are Swiss Army knives of the watch world. They do everything that the best watches should do while providing a horological experience unlike anything else. The top Swiss watches are in a league of their own, whether you’re partial to sport or dress watches. And when you purchase one of the six Swiss watches under $500 on the list above, you know that you’re targeting quality timepieces that are a cut above other budget watches in their price range.