Best 14 Automatic Watches For Men Under $500

TISSOT BLACK DIAL AUTOMATIC LEATHER WATCH

Feast your eyes on this smart and sophisticated timepiece, guys. Simple but elegant, the first on our list is this Gentleman Black Dial automatic watch from the Swiss watchmaking masters at Tissot. The Swiss company obviously have a fine reputation for making beautiful and functional pieces and this one is no exception.

Featuring a stainless-steel bezel or case with a rose-gold-tone to it, this watch has a black dial and hands in rose-gold also. With tiny minute markers etched around the outer rim within the casing, there are Arabic numeric for the hours.

Notable features of this attractive automatic watch include the date that is clearly displayed in the common three o’clock position on the watch, and the fact that it has water resistance of up to 100 meters.

Tissot have ensured that this watch also has scratch resistance in the casing and it comes complete with a robust and stylish brown leather strap. Although it has been stylized as a dress watch, we think it would work equally well as an everyday piece, thanks to its subtle good looks and design.

Considering the modest price tag, we also think it’s a steal for the quality and skill that has so obviously gone into its inception.

SEIKO MEN’S PROSPEX PADI SPECIAL EDITION WATCH

This conspicuous, audacious, but casual automatic watch is the first from the Japanese watchmaking wizards at Seiko. The Men’s Prospex Padi Special Edition is an automatic diver watch, that although it does stick out like a sore thumb, is surprisingly comfortable.

This fit is in part thanks to the concave curving of the case’s middle section, which eats into the back of the watch furiously, but also down to the accordion-style strap.

The accordion-style strap is not a new invention, but it is utilized to devastating effect here, as it contracts and expands so that it always sits comfortably around the wrist, no matter if it is sitting directly against skin or on a diving suit.

Seiko are known for their advancements in the world of diving watches, and they enjoy the prominence of their developments becoming global standards. The wristband is one example of this, while the helium-insulation of the watch’s case is another.

The curious thing about this watch, that really shows how the Japanese company sees its dive watches, is the price tag and the fact they’re aligned with the professional diver training organization, PADI. Unlike their fashion watches, which are considered as dressy accessories, their diver watches are considered by the company to be professional items.

By far the most noteworthy feature of this professional watch is the stunning blue bezel. This features almost of all of the markings for 60 minutes and turns into a secondary, oddly-shaped ring at the top of the case. The second ring is constructed from ceramic and is there to increase the piece’s ability to handle impacts and avoids the accidental repositioning of the bevel.

A must-have for professional divers.

JACK MASON MEN’S AUTOMATIC WATCH

The next watch on our list is this men’s nautical-style automatic watch from the Dallas, Texas-based manufacturer Jack Mason. The company’s Nautical Chronograph Collection matches clever, functional and useful instrumental design with intricate detailing and smart colors.

The already readable dial on this Jack Mason piece is enhanced somewhat thanks to the SuperLuminova applied indices and markings. Although a modern nautical timekeeping device, it pays homage to the navigation tools of old with its 42mm polished casing.

Although it comes fitted with a beautiful tan-toned Italian leather wrist strap, this can easily be removed and switched with a more water-resistant alternative that is better suited to sea dwelling.

There is a blink and you might miss it tribute paid to the Texas Flag and the company’s origins in the form of the second hand’s red, white and blue markings. While, the crown has a Lonestar etching for similar reasons. The back of the casing has a further tribute to the nautical influence of the collection the piece is part of in the form of a ship’s steering wheel etching and it has water resistance up to 100 meters.

Stylish and affordable, this timepiece will especially appeal to fishermen and guys who either spend a lot of time at sea or have a strong affinity to the watery roads.

SEIKO PROSPEX MEN’S WATCH

The second entry from Seiko on our list is also the second in the Prospex range of sports watches from the Japanese timepiece masters. If ever there was an example of their rightful place in watchmaking history, particularly when it comes to professional standard diving watches, this was it.

It features the same 5M82 caliber that was used in the incredibly popular SKA369P1 model, this watch has a day function and a visible power reserve that is accessed easily by simply pushing a button at the top right. Housed inside a beautifully-crafted, solid stainless-steel casing, the watch has a unidirectional rotating bezel in blue and red, that matches perfectly with the stunning blue dial.

As this is a professional diving watch and not a mere dress watch, it features a high level of water resistance level of up to 200 meters. It is completed with a durable and comfortable stainless-steel strap that features an extension for attaching it securely to your wetsuit and a special fold over clasp for deployment.

If you are looking at investing in a diver’s watch because you want to actually use it when you dive, you should always look to Seiko first. At well under the 500 bucks mark, as per the rules of engagement for this post, this is an ideal way to get the quality of workmanship and robust construction you need for taking it under water with you.

BULOVA MEN’S AUTOMATIC CASUAL WATCH

Bulova are an American company based in New York that have been designing and constructing watches since 1875 when Joseph Bulova first opened a store in Maiden Lane. Since then, Bulova have remained true to their legacy. This particular piece is from the company’s Automatic collection.

Featuring a new Sport style, it has a gun stainless steel casing with rose gold toning around the edges, with further golf-tone accents, a black dial and black inner dial ring. It features sapphire glass for a scratch resistant display and as an extension of the automatic operation, it includes a power reserve of 40 hours. Although it is not designed for anything too intensive it does feature water resistance of up to 100 meters and is competed by a smart matte-black bracelet strap in silicone.

Bulova have proven time and time again that they deserve to be mentioned with the instantly more memorable bigger names in the marketplace. You know when you buy a Bulova timepiece, like this one, that you are not only investing in a watch, but paying for a piece of history.

SEIKO DIVERS AUTOMATIC DEEP BLUE DIAL MEN’S WATCH

We are back in Japan for yet another example of Seiko’s dominance and prowess in the world of professional diving watches with the Divers Automatic Deep Blue Dial Men’s Watch.

At this juncture, it is worth highlighting the fact that finding a handful, let alone 14 great quality automatic watches can be a challenge these days.

It is reminiscent of the classic Seamaster from Omega and is ideal if you’re looking for an everyday watch that will be your timekeeping companion, even at 200 meters. One of Seiko’s major strengths, as we touched on in a previous review is the fact that they are able to produce affordable pieces that have all the technical functionality of higher priced items. It’s this commitment to ensuring their professional sports watches are at available prices that we find admirable.

This has a bezel with the Pepsi nickname, similar to the Rolex, because of the blue and red that emulates, accidentally, the colors of the other famous cola brand. the time markings and large hands are easy to see and read and even more so when visibility is poor thanks to the use of Lumibrite, Seiko’s take on Luminova, that covers the indices and hands.

BULOVA MEN’S ACCU SWISS AUTOMATIC CASUAL WATCH

Bulova’s next entry onto our fascinating list of automatic watches is this one from the Precisionist Collection. It is built around the proprietary Precisionist accuracy that Bulova are known for and is an advanced chronograph that provides 1/1000-second precision over 12 hours.

Beneath the robust sapphire crystal protective covering over the case, there is a black sunray dial with a striking yellow second hand that constantly sweeps around, and luminous coated markers, hour and minute hands. You’ll also find the standard calendar window and it benefits from having a tachymeter onboard too.

With its mixture of the aforementioned Precisionist technology and the torsional resonator movement, this is thought to be one of the most accurate automatic watches available and is at least three times as accurate as a quartz watch. If lab results are to be believed.

NEDSS TRITIUM MEN’S AUTOMATIC WATCH

While it’s fair to say that Nedss is not nearly as popular, reputable or well-known a brand as the other watch manufacturers on this list, we still think this Tritium Men’s military-style automatic watch from the company deserves to be included in the mix on our list.

The Tritium refers to the luminous gas used to make the markings around the edge of the dial glow along with the hour and minute hand. It may be a helluva lot simpler in design, but it has all you could want from a simple, but well-performing mechanical watch.

The casing is comprised of 316L stainless-steel and is able to withstand submersion up to 100 meters. The subtle but classy design is finished with a genuine leather strap that is just as robust as it is good looking.

TISSOT MEN’S V8 SWISSMATIC AUTOMATIC WATCH

Among the plethora of new watches released by Tissot this year, many of which that have made it onto our fun little list, one that particularly stands out is the cool named V8 Swissmatic. As you’d imagine with a name like V8 there is a decidedly, albeit subtle, automotive theme to this time and date piece.

It utilizes the company’s Swissmatic movement and takes its foundation from the Swatch Sistem51 model, making it easy for the Swiss watchmakers to release it for a very reasonable ticket price.

One of the big noteworthy points about this watch is the movement actually, because if you were to take it off after a week of work and day to day activities because you wanted to wear something else over the weekend, you could in theory just slip it back on and it would still be running time accurately.

TECHNOMARINE ‘MANTA’ AUTOMATIC WATCH

Another lesser known brand, Technomarine are still worthy of a place on our list thanks to this Manta automatic stainless-steel watch. Especially as it is at a much lower price point than the other watches on this list.

With a 48mm stainless-steel casing and flame-fusion crystal for scratch and shatter proofing, the charcoal dial has silver-toned luminous markers that are incredibly easy to read, even in low light and a clearly marked date display too.

If all of the above sounds par the course for the price point and style of timepiece, the really exciting part is just how much this piece lives up to its makers name. With 300 meters water resistance this is the perfect wrist companion for all serious and professional water-based activities. So, whether you’re looking to hit the surf in Hawaii, jet-ski around the West Coast or are a marine-biologist in the Everglades, this is a great choice.

Though it lacks the flair and reputation of others we have spoken of, it does what it says on the tin. Ideal for a scuba-diving instructor with an interest in fine watches.

ORIENT 2ND GENERATION BAMBINO VERSION I WATCH

Another low-priced model on our list, we are actually surprised at how low the price point is for this beautiful looking piece. It may not have the drama or complications higher end models on the list, but it does look stunning and has a lot of the core features you want from an automatic movement dress watch.

Manufactured by Orient, a Japanese watchmaker that have been making watches for some time now- 65 years in fact – this is a 2nd generation Bambino model. It still has the two things that stood out about the original and all others in the range, the domed dial and domed crystal.

The dial is sunburst, light and metallic and has dauphine hands and polished hour markers, with the date sitting where you’d expect it at the three o’clock marking. One of the improvements that has been made to the Bambino for this 2nd generation is that the F6724 movement has been used to provide an even more accurate and versatile timepiece.

TISSOT PRS 516 AUTOMATIC WATCH

The last Tissot automatic watch on our list is this model that uses the Tissot Calibre Powermatic 80 automatic movement. The Swiss masters have made another high functioning automatic watch that benefits from a much lighter construction and design.

Other than the 8-ounce weight, it’s a fairly straightforward, no-thrills automatic watch made to the same level of craftsmanship and micro-engineering mastery that the Swiss watchmakers are famous for.

Just don’t buy this if you intend on being very active in and around the water, as it is only designed to cope with 100 meters of the blue stuff. However, if you are looking for an elegant timepiece made by watchmakers that really know what they are doing and have a good reputation within the industry, then this might be the one for you.

FOSSIL MEN’S ME3039 DEAN AUTOMATIC WATCH

The last watch on our list is this stylish and highly functional piece from Fossil. Although it may only have water resistance of up to 50 meters, it is still a watch that looks like it means business. With the main dial, it also features two smaller dials, one that measures 30 minutes and other measuring an hour, for greater accuracy.

With its stainless-steel casing and bracelet this is a sturdy construction from the long-running watchmaker that has been in business for a long time, having made something in the region of 500 different models at least. Along with the watches, Fossil are also known for their accessories, including wallets and other related items.

With that in mind, though this watch may not have quite the technical detail or the complications of others on this list and only have a relatively low water resistance level, it’s still a great piece to wear as a dress or every day watch.