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

Another Friday, another list! Today, we’re continuing our series focusing on budget-friendly watches. Not too long ago, we compiled a trio of lists covering the best available watches under €500. For this new series of three articles, we’ll double the budget and focus on the best watches under €1,000. Last week, we kicked off the series with our five picks from big brands. In this week’s article, we discuss our favorites from small brands. We will close the series out with five quartz picks next week. So, let’s jump into the world of small brands and find out what we have chosen.

As I explained last week, we could have just picked our five overall favorite watches under €1,000 and left it at that. However, 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, it’s great to see what separates the big brands from the small ones in terms of offerings. Smaller brands have truly pushed the envelope regarding value for money, which has also pushed the big brands to create better watches. As a result, we not only have a tremendous number of watches to choose from, but the quality has improved dramatically as well. Let’s find out what five of our favorites under €1,000 from small brands are.

Traska Commuter

A favorite that I reviewed not too long ago is the Commuter 38 from Traska. The young American brand has quickly made a name for itself with a solid collection of watches. The great thing about Traska’s strategy is that the existing models are improved and optimized with every generation. This approach has proven successful for the world’s biggest watch brand, so it seems like a solid path to follow for Traska. Additionally, the five current models all feature the same canvas in the basic case shape, giving them a clear design signature. The designated style of watch and functions of each watch then guide what the dial and bezel will look like.

The Commuter is Traska’s series of GADA watches that are available in 34mm, 36mm, and 38mm cases. At first glance, the visual reference is the popular Rolex Oyster Perpetual, but as soon as you start wearing the watches, you will quickly forget about that. For every size, the brand offers different dial colors that give the watch even more character. Additionally, you can choose between a date and a no-date version. I had a chance to wear the no-date version of the Commuter 38 Adriatic Blue with a beautiful sunburst blue dial. It quickly became one of my favorite affordable watches that I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing.

The Commuter 38 is a joy to wear

The watch has a 38.5mm case with a 46mm lug-to-lug and a 10.5mm thickness. The slim profile gets even more impressive when you realize that it includes the 1.75mm box-shaped sapphire crystal. Because of this, the watch feels super nice and slim on the wrist. Inside the case, you will find the reliable Miyota caliber 9039 that offers 42 hours of power reserve and an accuracy of -10/+20 seconds per day.

The Commuter comes on a super comfortable 20mm-wide Oyster-style bracelet with a beautiful 4mm taper to the clasp and quick-release spring bars. The fully articulated links are easy to remove thanks to their screw pins. Additionally, the clasp has a toolless micro-adjustment mechanism, making it very easy to size the watch perfectly. On the wrist, the Commuter is an absolute dream. It is comfortable and beautifully finished, and I couldn’t get enough of the handsome look. The prices for the different Traska Commuter models are all in the US$600–750 range (roughly €575–645), and considering what they offer for the money, they are a great first pick for this list.

Nodus TrailTrekker Clay

Nodus is another American brand with many great offerings that fit the set budget. The brand’s Contrail GMT is one that I particularly adore. In my book, it is the best GMT under €1,000, so why not include it? Well, Nacho recently reminded me of the equally brilliant TrailTrekker Clay. Nodus occasionally brings this watch back in small batches, and it is available for pre-order as we speak, with deliveries starting in late October 2025. The TrailTrekker is a collaborative effort with Raven Watches from Baltimore and is a great GMT to bring on any adventures you might have planned.

The watch shows clear inspiration from the great Rolex Explorer II, but I would label it a twist on the famous Rolex design. Besides a different dial design and handset, the Clay colorway also sets the TrailTrekker apart. With a 39.5mm diameter, 11.8mm thickness, and 46.6mm length, the watch is quite comfortable. The case gets a gray DLC coating with a matte finish, and it has a black DLC-coated screw-down crown protected by beveled gray guards. The fixed stainless steel bezel features a Cerakote ceramic coating that is slightly greener than the color of the case.

Plentiful details

Inside the watch lies a dark gray dial with a fine texture that adds a nice visual detail. On top of it are square, pentagonal, and triangular hour markers that nicely contrast the dial. The date window at 6 o’clock fits into the design well, and the sharp hands all feature cut-off tips that add even more character.

Finishing the look is the gray DLC-coated stainless steel flat-link bracelet that tapers nicely from 20mm at the end links to 16mm at the clasp. The proprietary NodeX clasp features two large integrated push buttons and a toolless micro-adjustment system. It offers you the ability to size the bracelet perfectly for great comfort.

Inside the case, Nodus uses the Miyota 9075 caliber. This is a popular option for small brands because it offers the practicality of a flyer-style GMT movement. Additionally, it keeps the price affordable. It is a great power train for this stealthy military-style GMT, which is currently available for pre-order for US$900 (roughly €760).

However, if you are not a fan of the TrailTrekker’s look, the equally brilliant Contrail GMT is another great GMT pick from Nodus.

RZE Resolute

Another brand that immediately came to mind when compiling this list was RZE, which offers a full range of lightweight titanium watches under €1,000. My favorite is the Fortitude GMT Nighthawk, a brilliant and awesome-looking pilot’s watch. But we decided to choose the popular RZE Resolute, a modern titanium field watch. As many of you know, we collaborated with RZE on a Fratello limited edition that we still love dearly, but that one sold out. The brand currently offers six dial options for the Resolute, and the black and green ones are our favorites.

All Resolute models have a nice and angular 40mm titanium case with a 10.5mm thickness and a 46mm lug-to-lug. As this is a modern field watch, the case also features a fully brushed finish. Additionally, the case and bracelet boast the brand’s proprietary UltraHex coating for increased scratch resistance. If this is your daily wearer, the coating is going to be a lifesaver that will ensure your watch continues to look good. Inside the lightweight case, RZE uses the Miyota 90S5, which offers 42 hours of power reserve.

The Resolute is a joy to wear

The Resolute comes on a titanium H-link bracelet with a folding clasp and a toolless micro-adjustment system. The titanium construction makes the watch so comfortable to wear, and due to its slim profile and low weight, it can even be easy to forget that it’s on your wrist. Thankfully, though, the beautiful enamel dials will draw you in time and again. I particularly love the dark green and the black enamel options for the great depth they offer. The long applied markers and slim hands contrast nicely with the dials and are filled with plenty of lume for legibility in the dark. Overall, the RZE Resolute is a great modern field watch that can be yours for €795, making it a great third pick for this list.

Tusenö Shellback V2

A list like this would not be complete without a proper dive watch. Our pick is the Tusenö Shellback V2. This dive watch quickly made the Swedish brand a popular name among fans of microbrands. After having worn the second version of the Shellback, I completely understand why. The watch offers plenty of character and great quality, making it a best-in-class diver under €1,000. The Shellback V2 has a 40mm stainless steel case with a 13.1mm thickness and a 47mm lug-to-lug. As it is a dive watch, the case has a 200m depth rating. It’s also modern in appearance thanks to its angular lines.

Tusenö offers eight variations of the Shellback V2, including two DLC-coated versions, six uncoated ones, four dial colors, and an equal number of bezel inserts. It’s great to check out the options and find your favorite. We particularly like the black and gold model we had in for review. The gold-colored details offer a nice vintage-inspired touch that gives the Shellback a bit of extra warmth.  For this version, the case features a 120-click unidirectional bezel with a polished black ceramic insert. The etched markings are filled with Super-LumiNova, which makes them light up in the dark. On top of that, it comes with a black high-polished enamel sandwich dial with textured gold printing and a date window at 6 o’clock.

The Shellback V2 is a great daily wearer

Inside the case, Tusenö uses the Sellita SW200-1 caliber. This automatic movement operates at 28,800vph, has 26 jewels, and offers 38 hours of power reserve. The brand uses the Elaboré grade, which is tested and adjusted in three positions to an accuracy of ±7–20 seconds per day. It is the perfect caliber for this great-looking diver. As mentioned, the quality of the Shellback V2 is tremendous. It’s something you also notice when you feel the bracelet. The sturdy three-row bracelet tapers nicely from 20mm at the case to 18mm at the clasp. Thanks to the screw pins and the toolless micro-adjustment system, the bracelet is easy to size and will always fit your wrist perfectly.

Like the Traska Commuter and RZE Resolute, the Tusenö Shellback features a surface-hardening coating. This helps make it a great daily watch that you can wear without worrying about scratches, as you would with many other watches. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Tusenö Shellback V2, which is probably the best option for your money. At €825, the watch offers incredible value and a handsome aesthetic. What more could you want from an affordable daily wearer?

Serica Ref. 6190

Our last pick comes courtesy of Serica. With its 6190, the Parisian brand offers a great, stylish tool watch that comes in just under €1,000. The 4512, the predecessor of the 6190, was the watch that started it all for the brand. I reviewed the 4512 California back in 2021 and was immediately impressed by the design and the great quality of the watch. Since then, Serica has replaced the 4512 with the redesigned and much-improved 6910 series. It consists of six models, of which the three “standard” ones are eligible for this list. The three 6190 M.S.L. models that came out last year are too expensive to qualify, but the Denali, Commando, and California are anything but standard.

Essentially, they are three dial variants that give the classically styled 6190 a ton of character. Let’s look at some specs to get an idea. The three watches all have a 37.7mm stainless steel case with a 10.8mm thickness and a 46.5mm lug-to-lug. The characteristic case features a nicely brushed and polished flat-top bezel and is matched with a stylish Bonklip bracelet. It is the perfect canvas for the three dial options.

Comprising these are the traditional Commando with a full set of Arabic numerals, the California with Roman numerals on the top and Arabic numerals on the lower half, and the Denali, which features Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 and the luminous markers placed toward the center of the dial. This is a Serica design element we know from other models. It gives the Denali a ton of character, which is why this version would be my pick.

A COSC-certified caliber to power the Serica 6190

Inside the case, Serica uses the chronometer version of the Soprod M100. This automatic movement offers 42 hours of power reserve and an average daily accuracy between -4 and +6 seconds. For a watch that costs €990, the inclusion of a chronometer-certified caliber is quite remarkable. Additionally, the modest 6190 is perfectly proportioned and fits wrists of various sizes very well. All these qualities make the Serica Ref. 6190 the perfect fifth and last pick for this list of our favorite watches under €1,000 from small brands. With the 6190, Serica offers a watch that not only ticks a lot of boxes in terms of specs but also has a ton of character, making it a standout pick in a full crowd of available options.

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 the small brands offer incredible bang for the buck. Regarding specs, it is hard to beat these five watches. We feel that they offer far more than some of the watches from big brands in terms of quality, accuracy, and materials. It’s not hard to understand why a lot of watch enthusiasts would pick a watch from a smaller brand for the set budget. Please come back next week for our top five quartz watches under €1,000. In the meantime, let us know in the comments section what your favorite pick from today’s list is!