Watch collecting has become quite the hobby these days, with sales of pre-owned watches skyrocketing at incredible rates. One of the reasons for the second-hand market being so strong is the ability for consumers to get a watch at a better price than if it were new. However, there are ways to get great watches brand new that fit your budget. The trick: look for good brands that offer a great value proposition when it comes to style and performance.
Plenty of top-notch big-name watch brands offer great watches at prices that your handbag may be able to handle. This is especially true if you are in the market for a classic look or a daily wearer. Often, in order to please satisfy today’s demanding customers, watch brands will turn to stainless steel to achieve the desired price point and will simplify the functions, often offering just hours, minutes, seconds, and sometimes a date. What else do you need?
Additionally, with the holidays just around the corner, you may be looking for a gift for that special someone in your life. Watches make a great gift. They are the perfect way to tell someone you understand that time is precious and you went to the trouble of picking out a watch they might love. While a $1,000 gift may seem extravagant, for some it is just the right amount to spend. Either way — whether buying a gift for someone else or for yourself – there are plenty of timepieces to fit the under-$1,000 budget. Here we offer a look at seven top women’s watches that retail for less than a thousand dollars and that will have you looking stylish in a second.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Lady Automatic – USD 995
Once an American brand, Hamilton is now a Swiss brand, owned and operated by the Swatch Group. This ownership gives the brand a great advantage when it comes to being able to offer a value proposition because the Group makes movements and more. This Jazzmaster Open Heart Lady Automatic watch is a bit of a steal. The mechanical movement inside is automatic, meaning it winds itself with the moves of the wrist. It features an aperture on the dial that allows for viewing a portion of the movement. The Jazzmaster Open Heart Lady Auto watch is offered in an array of dial colors and strap options, but this stunning aqua hue is a heartthrob.
Frederique Constant Carrée Ladies – USD 995
While round watches are classic, square watches are also timeless. They take inspiration from the Art Deco era and recall the heady days of the 1920s. This Classic Carrée Ladies watch features a square case with cushioned edges as it attaches to the bracelet. Crafted in polished stainless steel with a gold-tone, the watch boasts a white dial with an intricate “Clous de Paris” guilloche in the center. The Roman numerals are stylized to fit the square dial and the concept of geometry is completed by the inner circle surrounding the guilloche and accented with 34 inset diamonds. It is powered by an in-house FC-200 quartz caliber that has six years of battery life. It is water resistant to 30 meters and features a sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment. This Frederique Constant watch exudes an air of self-confidence.
Rado Centrix – USD 1,000
Another brand owned by the Swatch Group, Rado has been setting trends in watches for decades. In fact, it was the first company to release a watch made in high-tech ceramic almost half a century ago. Teetering right at the $1,000 mark, the Rado Centrix three-hand watch with date is a highly versatile piece and is offered in a range of sizes as well as colors. This version is a petite 28mm case that is water resistant to 30 meters. It is crafted in stainless steel and PVD coated steel for the gold hue. Powered by a quartz movement, the watch is finished with a light-colored dial and sapphire crystal.
Citizen Arezzo – USD 450
The 32mm classic round shape takes on a new direction when paired with concentric circles on the outer portion of the dial for modernity. A dash of fluting for the diamond markers adds a touch of creative elegance. Meanwhile, the three-hands watch boasts an outer minute track that offers a useful flair. Created in polished stainless steel, the Arezzo is powered by an Eco-Drive movement, meaning it draws its energy from light. The stainless steel bracelet with supple links is finished with a deployment clasp.
Longines Conquest Classic – USD 950
The Longines Conquest collection is one of the brand’s best-selling lines and reflects the brand’s involvement ins prestigious sports, including horse racing. With its various involvements, Longines wanted a watch that could underscore the excitement of the competitions yet be elegant enough to be worthy of the event. The Conquest Classic is such a watch. This stainless steel piece features a mix of polished and brushed links in the bracelet and a polished bezel that shines beautifully around the silver sunray dial. The rose-gold toned hour markers and three hands add the perfect touch of sophistication. With a date aperture at 3:00, the watch boasts an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. It is powered by a quartz movement.
Movado Ultra Slim Modern 47 – USD 595
Movado has long been famous for its “Museum” dial. First created by Nathan George Horwitt in 1947 in the Bauhaus style of design, the dial was devoid of all markers. Instead, it featured a single dot at 12:00, representative of the sun. The dial has become world-renowned and even resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Movado regularly updates its collections, and this Ultra-Slim Modern 47 watch is a prime example. The case size is 35mm and is crafted in stainless steel with a pink dial and a color-coordinated pink strap. Water resistant to 30 meters, the Swiss-made watch is stylish, trendy, and yet incredibly classic.
Maurice Lacroix Eliros Green Smoked – CHF 690
If you are a little bit more daring and looking for something different the Maurice Lacroix Eliros Green Smoked could be for you. The rose gold plated 40mm case is paired with, as the name suggests, a rich sun-brushed green dial. The indexes and numerals are in rose gold plated steel giving the timepiece a svelte and elegant appearance. A matching green calf leather strap with light beige stitching and the distinctive “M” logo completes the look. And if you feel like changing it up a bit the Eliros comes with Maurice Lacroix’s “easy strap exchange” system and a host of strap color choices.
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