Fratello’s Top 5 Quartz Watches Under €1,000

Another Friday, another list! Today, we’re completing our latest series focusing on budget-friendly watches. Not too long ago, we compiled a trio of lists covering the best available watches under €500. For the current series of three articles, we have doubled the budget and focused on the best watches under €1,000. In the first article, we covered five watches from big brands. Last week, we picked our five favorite watches from small brands. Today, we’ll close the series out with our five favorite quartz watches under €1,000. Let’s jump into the world of quartz precision and find out what we have chosen.

But before we get into it, let’s quickly recap what we are looking for in this third and last article. First, we already covered watches under €500, so this article is all about our favorite quartz picks between €500 and €1,000. Secondly, the sheer number of options is overwhelming. That’s why we tried to mix it up with watches from different categories and styles. Ultimately, it’s all about the watches that made a lasting impression on us. That doesn’t mean there aren’t many other options that could also be on this list, but let’s look at our five favorites.

Dennison ALD Dual Time

One of the hits from Geneva Watch Days that impressed us the most was the Dennison ALD Dual Time. Dennison is a brand that has quickly made its mark by offering affordable, stylish dress watches. On top of that, the design comes courtesy of the man who designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, Emmanuel Gueit. The new Dual Time series is the follow-up to last year’s inaugural ALD collection that started with five stone-dial options and a series of sunray dials that quickly became fan favorites.

Over the past 12 months, the collection expanded, and we also saw a stunning collaboration with Collectability. Only a few weeks ago, the new ALD Dual Time collection demonstrated what makes the ALD series so fun and special. Dennison shows that the deceivingly simple aesthetic lends itself perfectly to a dual-time watch.

The idea is super simple: the new models display the time in two time zones with two sets of hands on one dial made of natural stone. There are two dial configurations to choose from. The first has a split-screen style with two contrasting stones. The second has a dial made of a single natural stone and a sunburst sub-dial for one set of hands. The latter is the one we prefer and picked for this list.

The ALD Dual Time is still very wearable

It’s a very stylish and clever design that we rarely see. To make this happen, Gueit redesigned the case, which is now slightly wider. But at 37mm by 35.6mm case and 6.1mm thick, the watches are still very wearable. You can choose from a regular stainless steel case or a PVD-coated one to match the stone dials. Dennisson offers aventurine, tiger eye, malachite, or lapis lazuli dials with a second color-matching circular sunburst display.

Making this fun dual-time display possible are two Ronda quartz movements that power the watches, as Mike explained. All the different models come with an Epsom calfskin strap with a case-matching pin buckle. The color of the strap matches the dial colors.

These watches are perfect for switching between different straps for different occasions. This makes them a stylish and versatile first pick for this list, and one can be yours for just under €760. If this fun dual-time layout is a bit too much for you, the regular ALD Stone Dial models are also still available. But we enjoy this smart take on a travel watch, and that’s why the ALD Dual Time is our first pick.

Unimatic Toolwatch Series

Our second pick for this list of quartz watches under €1,000 is not one watch but a series of three. While Unimatic’s Toolwatch series consists of four models, the UT4 falls in the sub-€500 price bracket, so it’s not eligible for this list. The Unimatic Toolwatch series is about quartz watches combining a shock-protected construction with military-based specs.

As a result, these tough watches are perfect daily wearers that can take a beating. The trio of models you can choose from starts with two Modello Uno dive watches with a countdown bezel. The first is a regular dive watch, while the second model also includes a GMT function. The third option is the Modello Quattro GMT field watch.

We had that last watch in for review last year. What stood out immediately was that it combined Unimatic’s recognizable style with some new design elements. On top of that, the watch immediately felt like the usual super-tough Unimatic that I have come to love.

But the true magic is on the inside. The watches were developed according to the United States MIL-STD-810 testing standard. To pass the strict testing protocol, Unimatic developed an in-house shock-protection system. The test includes a series of 26 drops (one for each surface, corner, and edge) on industrial concrete from a height of 1.22 meters.

The Unimatic Modello Quattro UT4-GMT is super comfortable

The stainless steel case for the Modello Quattro UT4-GMT measures 40mm across, 49mm long, 12mm thick, and 22mm between the lugs. What stands out immediately is that the quartz Swiss Ronda 515.24D caliber allows for a relatively slim overall profile. Especially considering the special shock protective construction, the watches are nicely proportioned. The Ronda caliber has an accuracy of +20/-1 seconds per month and a 45-month battery life. It’s the perfect movement for this very wearable and tough tool watch, and it adds the practical benefit of a GMT function.

As you can see, the GMT function is integrated on the upper half of the dial with a 24-hour disc. Also, you will find a date window at 6 o’clock. This added functionality makes the UT4-GMT a great travel watch. On the wrist, it feels sturdy and ready for any adventure you have planned. It is available for €550, making it a perfect tool-watch pick for this list. And if you prefer a dive-ready version, the €640 UT1-GMT will fit the bill. Finally, for those who just want a great three-hand quartz diver, there’s the €520 UT1.

Furlan Marri Mechaquartz Chronograph Collection

What do you do when you want a stylish chronograph under €1,000? Our pick is one of the Furlan Marri Mechaquartz Chronographs. This was the brand’s first permanent collection, introducing three models in 2022 that Thor wrote about.

But earlier this year, Furlan Marri added two more models to the lineup. Just looking at the five options makes it hard to choose. The latest two additions, the Sabbia Rosa and Ardesia Blu models, look stunning. While I usually would pick a stainless steel version, the Sabbia Rosa is an absolute doozy!

The series consists of five vintage-inspired chronographs with either one- or two-register dial layouts. All five watches have a 38mm case with an 11.5mm thickness (including the crystal) and a 46mm lug-to-lug. This makes the classically styled case with sweeping Patek-like lugs and “Tasti Tondi” engraved pushers, flat crown, and brushed mid-case a perfect fit for various wrist sizes.

Two dial options for chronograph fans

If you ask me, the dials are the true stars of the show. One layout has a pulsometer scale and a 60-minute counter, while the other is a classic dial featuring a tachymeter scale and 60-minute and 24-hour counters. I’m a fan of symmetry, so you can guess which of the two I prefer. Inside the case, Furlan Marri uses the Seiko VK64 mechaquartz caliber. It’s become a favorite that offers quartz accuracy, the sweeping seconds hand, and an instant-reset chronograph from a mechanical movement.

The five watches are available for just over €600 each, making them excellent options for people looking for that classic chronograph feel without breaking the bank. On top of that, the production quality and overall level of detail in terms of design and finishing that Furlan Marri offers are top-notch. This series of five Furlan Marri Mechaquartz Chronographs is the perfect third pick on our list of great quartz watches under €1,000.

Seiko Prospex SFK001 and SFK003

We could not complete this list without a proper dive watch. While the Unimatic Modello Uno UT1 is a great option, I focused on the Modello Quattro UT4, so technically, I haven’t given a dive watch the space it deserves yet. This also brings up the next “issue” because there are so many great quartz divers to choose from many different brands. We picked a less obvious choice with the Seiko Prospex SFK001 and SFK003. The solar-powered quartz versions of the famous “Sumo” offer all the specs of a proper dive watch and add a GMT function that makes the two watches the perfect pick for active travelers.

The two watches feature a stainless steel case with a 45mm diameter, 52.5mm length, 13.2mm thickness, and a small 20mm lug spacing. While these watches are large, thanks to the smart case design, they wear like a dream.

I own a first-generation Sumo, and I have always greatly enjoyed wearing it despite its large case size. The main reason that it wears smaller than its numbers might suggest is the curved lugs and the ingenious way the bezel integrates into the case. They ensure that these watches never feel too big.

Dials that charge the battery of the solar-powered 5K65 quartz movement

The two available models are the SFK001, which has a blue dial, and the SFK003, which has a green dial. Both dials allow light to charge the battery that powers the watches, and they feature a wavy pattern for extra visual attraction. On top of that, a translucent layer reveals the dial’s function as the watch’s solar panel.

The watches integrate the GMT function flawlessly. As you can see, the dials are contrasted by an orange 24-hour hand and orange “GMT” lettering. The GMT indications are integrated into the dial design, with the 24-hour scale showing odd numbers between the regular hour markers. In addition, the dial rehaut features the day/night indication, showing the lower daytime portion in a lighter blue.

Inside the case, you will find a solar-powered 5K65 quartz movement. The movement is accurate to ±15 seconds per month. The 5K65 caliber lets you independently set the 12-hour hand if you pull the crown out to the first position. It makes these two new Sumo models flyer-style GMTs that offer great practicality when traveling. At €780, either the Seiko Prospex SFK001 or SFK003 is a great pick if you are looking for a serious dive watch with a 200m depth rating and the added practicality of a GMT.

Hamilton American Classic PSR Digital Quartz

Our fifth and final pick for our top quartz watches under €1,000 is the Hamilton American Classic PSR Digital Quartz. This is a fun watch that we love here at Fratello. Hamilton introduced the PSR in 2020, and it was a massive hit. The watch is a reissue of the original Pulsar from the 1970s, which introduced a unique way to tell the time — by pushing a button on the side of the case. When Hamilton reintroduced this classic, the brand offered it in stainless steel and gold PVD. Those are still available, but the PSR has grown into a full collection offering various options.

By that, I mean different colors for the cases, bracelets, and displays. But we can keep it simple because only the stainless steel versions stay within the set budget. The gold PVD and blacked-out versions are all over €1,000. That leaves us with two stainless steel options — the original with a red display and the version with a green display. Both feature a 40.8mm by 34.7mm case with a 13.3mm thickness. The watch wears comfortably thanks to the President-style bracelet that tapers from 24mm at the lugless case to 19mm at the clasp.

The combination of LCD and OLED technologies for the display

Both models utilize a hybrid display that mixes reflective LCD and emissive OLED technologies. The LCD shows the time permanently, although it is not too bright. But a simple push of the button lights up the OLED numerals in bright red or green. This technique allows for a longer battery life. While the red-display model is the original, the green-display version is the one that blends in a bit more and, therefore, is a better daily wearer. But there is no going wrong with either of these watches.

Additionally, you could opt for the Hamilton PSR 74. This model was introduced late last year and respects the original smaller case size. At 30.9mm wide by 25.6mm long and 12.4mm thick, it is a better pick for people with smaller wrists.

In addition, that model is available in stainless steel and gold PVD within the set budget, both with a red display. Now, I would go for the larger green-display version, which is available for €845. As I said, though, how can you go wrong with a watch worn by Joe Frazier, Gianni Agnelli, Roger Moore’s James Bond, and Elvis? Right, you can’t.

Final thoughts on our five favorite quartz watches under €1,000

There you have it — our five quartz picks under €1,000. As mentioned, these are just five out of the multitude of great options you can buy with €1,000. Consequently, we had to leave out many great options from bigger and smaller brands. That’s why I would love to turn the question to you. What are some of your favorite quartz watches between €500 and €1,000? Let us know in the comments section, and we will see you next week for a new list.