Fratello’s Top 5 Watches Under €1,000 From Big Brands

Another Friday, another list! We return to a series of budget-related lists after focusing on Geneva Watch Days for two weeks and finding the best collabs last week. Today, we’re starting another three-list series focusing on budget-friendly watches. Not too long ago, we compiled a trio of lists covering the best available picks under €500. For this new series of three articles, we’ll double the budget and focus on the best watches under €1,000. Once again, we will cover our top picks from major brands, followed by smaller brands, and conclude with the top quartz watches under €1,000.

Before we jump into the list, a quick word on why we’re making this a trio of articles. We could have also just picked our five favorites under €1,000, right? That’s true, but we wanted to show you a bit more than just five watches. With €1,000, you have an almost infinite number of great options. That’s why we divided it into a small series. Plus, at the end of the series, it’s great to see what separates the big brands from the small ones in terms of offerings. All in all, there are plenty of reasons to make it three articles rather than one. Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the first list with our five favorite picks from big brands.

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SPB513 and SPB515

You know that the first brand we would feature was always going to be Seiko. In all fairness, the Japanese brand has many models over €1,000 these days. Having said that, there are still more than enough options for this list.

We picked the recently released Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SPB513 and SPB515 for this list. These two retro-styled models are oddballs because they are not chronographs like the other Speedtimers. Instead, they are vintage-race-inspired sports watches with an internal countdown bezel.

Seiko launched these two regular references alongside the limited-edition Datsun model (SPB517), and all three have a distinct retro feel. However, their stainless steel cases also have modern dimensions, including a 39.5mm diameter and a 12mm profile.

The two regular-production versions also come with a great-looking 18mm stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp. You have the choice of a black-dial model with orange accents (SPB513) or a cream-colored dial encircled by a black minute track and black rehaut featuring a 60-minute countdown scale and an orange 15-minute highlight (SPB515).

Vintage charm in a modern-day package

Inside the case, you will find Seiko’s 6R55 caliber. The automatic movement operates at 21,600vph, has 24 jewels, and offers 72 hours of power reserve. At €990 for either of these two watches, they are great picks from Seiko. Sure, they aren’t your regular Prospex divers or even typical Speedtimers, but they offer plenty of vintage charm along with modern daily usability. That makes the SPB513 and SPB515 great first picks for this list.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

Four years after the unveiling of the mechanical PRX Powermatic 80, Tissot’s retro-styled success story is still a solid pick under €1,000. Multiple people on the Fratello team own the original 40mm PRX, and we all agree that it is still hard to top in terms of looks, build quality, and value for money. Over time, Tissot has extended the collection with 35mm models, different dial variations, and collaborative efforts. The ones that stand out to me are last year’s gradient dials that Lex wrote up and the all-black forged carbon version that Thomas reviewed. However, I must add that the last one is slightly over the budget at €1,075.

Let’s quickly recap what makes the PRX such a great pick. The first model was the 40mm PRX, which has a 10.9mm thickness and comes fitted with a super nice integrated bracelet. The PRX takes inspiration from a rare Tissot Seastar from the 1970s, so it is rooted in the brand’s history. But Tissot’s designers created a new design that maintains the retro charm while making it physically feel like a modern watch. The mechanical version features a square-patterned dial with slim applied hour markers and an open minute track. What I love about the PRX is how the hands are wider than the markers and even look almost disproportionally big. But I can tell you that this becomes a big part of its charm once you wear one.

The ETA Powermatic 80 caliber

You will find the Swatch Group’s Powermatic 80 caliber inside the case. The automatic movement operates at 21,600vph, has 23 jewels, and offers 80 hours of power reserve. It’s a great, reliable power train for the series. As mentioned, next to the 40mm versions, there are also 35mm models for people who love their PRX slightly smaller. You will get a similar design and caliber in a perfectly proportioned, smaller package. Whatever size or dial option fits your style best, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is a great watch at €775 and a logical second pick for this list.

Certina DS Action Diver 40.5mm

Another recent introduction that impressed us is the Certina DS Action Diver 40.5mm. The Swatch Group brand’s DS Action Diver family offers a series of great options under €1,000. The 38mm and 40.5mm steel models are just under €1,000 on either a strap or a stainless steel bracelet.

We had the model with a black dial and bezel with gold accents, which makes for a great-looking 40.5mm version. Usually, I would pick a diver on a stainless steel bracelet, but for this one, I love the black and golden-brown NATO strap. It gives the watch a proper luxury look.

As Mike explained, the watch has a 40.5mm case with a 14.1mm thickness and a 48mm lug-to-lug. Atop the glossy black dial are gold-colored applied markers filled with white lume. The handset is executed in a gold tone as well. Lastly, the black ceramic bezel insert also features gold-colored engraved markers, completing the stylish look. If this version is a bit much for you, the green and blue variants are less extravagant, but, if you ask me, they lack that little injection of extra character.

Stainless steel or titanium?

Inside the case, you will find the ETA Powermatic 80.611. This is from the same series as the caliber that powers the Tissot PRX. As mentioned, I love the look of the watch on the NATO strap, and that version costs €905. If you prefer it on a bracelet, that will set you back €955. But I’ll throw in a curveball that is worth considering.

As some of you might know, there is also a 38mm titanium version that Lex reviewed. It’s a brilliant lightweight alternative in a slightly darker metal with a dark gray dial and light blue lume. It looks really cool and is a wonderful option. The only “problem” is that, on the titanium bracelet, it’s a little over budget at €1,095. However, if you get it on the colorful black and light blue NATO strap, it is €995, making it a wonderful extra option worth considering from Certina.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

Hamilton is another Swatch Group brand that has you covered for a watch under €1,000. There are several options from the brand that fit the budget nicely. For this list, we picked our Fratello team favorite, the 38mm Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical.

While it would be easy to pick one of the standard models in stainless steel, it is fun to explore the full collection. Under €1,000, you could also opt for a character-packed bronze version, which is my favorite. Regardless of the material, the 38mm models all share a 9.5mm thickness and a 47mm lug-to-lug.

Inside the case, Hamilton uses the manual-winding H-50 movement. This is essentially a modern, upgraded version of the ETA 2801 with an 80-hour power reserve. In terms of different dial options, Hamilton added blue and white dials to its lineup last year. As Thomas explained in his review, the new white-dial version differs from the ones that were already in the collection and featured vintage-inspired and light green lume.

It creates a super clean and crisp overall aesthetic, whereas the blue version has a completely different appeal. That’s also what makes it fun to check out the different versions of the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. The variety is rather striking, but all of them are great picks that stay well within the set budget.

Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian

These days, Christopher Ward is no longer a small brand, so we felt it was appropriate to include it in this list. Also, CW has an abundance of great options under €1,000. From the C60 Trident Pro 300 diver and the C63 Sealander Automatic to the C60 Trident Reef diver and the C65 Dune Aeolian, they could have all been on this list. We picked the last one. This watch is the updated version of the C65 Dune Automatic that debuted in 2023. The brand decided to give the dial more character by changing and adding some dial colors.

What stayed is that the C65 Dune Aeolian is a great Rolex Explorer-esque daily wearer that offers incredible value for money at €950 on a canvas strap or €965 on a leather strap. If you want the bracelet, you will go over budget, as that variant costs €1,165. Nevertheless, it’s an option worth considering since the brand’s Oyster-style Bader bracelet is the best you can buy at this price point.

The C65 Dune Aeolian features a 38mm steel case with an 11.9mm profile and a 43.7mm lug-to-lug. The case is matched with a dune-inspired dial available in green, blue, off-white, and gray. Inside the case, you will find the trusted Sellita SW200-1. The automatic caliber operates at 28,800vph, has 26 jewels, and offers a 38-hour power reserve. If you want an adventure/Explorer-style watch that is built wonderfully well and can serve as a great daily wearer, look no further than the Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian.

Final thoughts

As always, our five picks are just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty more options that you could consider for this list. What stands out is that a €1,000 budget can buy you a wonderful daily watch from big brands. Three of the five featured here are part of the Swatch Group, making them the kings of the affordable watches among bigger players in the industry. As mentioned, though, there is plenty more to come. Please come back next week for our favorite picks from small brands. In the meantime, let us know in the comments section what your favorite pick from a big brand is for under €1,000.