Last week I featured 13 of the best daily watches you can buy for under $500. It was a stacked line up that was mostly made up of quality watches from Seiko, Tissot and Orient. With a budget of up to $500, choices were limited to say the least. But I think it's fair to say that there was a fair variety of watches both interesting enough from an aesthetic stand point to be a consideration, and that featured in most cases a mechanical movement.
Now with the budget upped to $1,000, our options are virtually limitless. Watches from the likes of Hamilton, Bulova, Certina and some higher end Tissots feature, along with a handful of left-field pieces, too.
Tissot Viso Date
The Tissot Viso Date represents tremendous value and genuine practicality with an automatic movement and a day-date indicator. Add to that a metal mesh bracelet and what you have is a serious bit of kit that is super light on your wallet.
Bulova Gemini Chronograph
Like Tissot's Viso Date, the Bulova Gemini Chronograph offers a lot of bang for your buck. It features a chronograph and a day-date function, all the while looking every bit a solid daily wearer that can front as a something you can easily dress up.
Hamilton Jazzmaster
The Hamilton Jazzmaster holds its own as one of the best watches you can buy this side of $1,000. Its sleek dial, slim case and steel bracelet coupled with a day-date indicator make for a super compelling package.
Frederique Constant Slim Line
With the Frederique Constant Slim Line you have a traditional Swiss dress watch that pairs well with almost anything. Perhaps not the quintessential daily watch you might consider, the Frederique Constant Slim Line presents as a more classical option for the wearer who wants something a touch more sophisticated and restrained.
Alpina Automatic
Big, bold and brash, the Alpina Automatic is as loud as it is in your face. The aesthetic is about as inconspicuous as it is polarising, and while the Alpina Automatic might not fit the regular bill of the stereotypical daily watch, it does scream personality and charisma.
Enicar Red Label
The Enicar Red Label follows a similar format as the Hamilton Jazzmaster, with a day-date indicator split between 12 and 6 o'clock. A touch more expensive, the Enicar does have a rich history in the world of affordable Swiss watchmaking.
Certina DS Action Diver
From Certina we have the super stealthy DS Action Diver. A solid alternative to some other all-black timepieces, the Certina DS Action Diver is an interesting proposition and one that would suit someone looking for a blacked out daily watch that won't break the bank.
Tissot PRX
The PRX is a revelatory piece for Tissot, propelling it well into the hearts and minds of watch collectors and enthusiasts around the world. Sleek, trimmed down and looking far more expensive than its sub-$1,000 lets on, the Tissot PRX is a super avantgarde daily watch well worthy of your consideration.
Mido Ocean Star 200
The Mido Ocean Star 200 is my pick of the list. I love the functionality of a day-date. The comfort of a rubber band. And I think the best daily watches you can buy are divers watches. It's not a small watch, but the Mido Ocean Star 200 really is all you need from a daily watch that costs less than $1,000. If you want something a bit lighter, you can also get the Ocean Star 200 in titanium.
Citizen Promaster Dive
The Citizen Promaster Dive is actually priced under $500 and to be quite honest with you, I completely missed it when I was compiling the best sub-$500 daily watches list last week. But no harm no foul, so here it is. From a value proposition perspective, you really can't get better than this.
Hamilton Khaki Field Murph
Fans of Interstellar (one of my all-time favourite movies), I've got just the piece for you. Here is the stellar (sorry...) Hamilton Khaki Field Murph. A major part of the movie, the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph is the watch for all Interstellar fanatics, and it does pose as a very cool daily watch, too.
Seiko Presage SSA451
Oddly enough only one Seiko made the list, and it's the uber-cool Presage SSA451. The Seiko Presage SSA451 is the perfect combination of vintage styling and subtle finishing. Another one that falls well below the $1,000 budget, too.
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