The best automatic watches under $500
Under $500 is where most people buy their first mechanical watch. Japanese makers dominate, and several microbrands put the same movements in better-finished cases.
Every pick lists its lug-to-lug and the wrists it suits.
Our picks
The modern SKX-style Seiko automatic, with a 46 mm lug-to-lug that suits most wrists.
- Lug-to-lug
- 46 mm
- Fit
- Fits 6.5"–7.75" wrists
- Specs
- 42.5 mm case · 13.4 mm thick · automatic, 41 h reserve · 100 m
- OrientMako II$285
An automatic 200 m diver from Orient for under $300.
- Lug-to-lug
- 47 mm
- Fit
- Fits 6.5"–7.75" wrists
- Specs
- 41.5 mm case · 13 mm thick · automatic, 40 h reserve · 200 m
A domed automatic dress watch with a 44 mm lug-to-lug.
- Lug-to-lug
- 44 mm
- Fit
- Fits 6.25"–7.25" wrists
- Specs
- 38.4 mm case · 12.5 mm thick · automatic, 40 h reserve · 30 m
A 36 mm automatic field watch for smaller wrists, at 44.4 mm lug-to-lug.
- Lug-to-lug
- 44.4 mm
- Fit
- Fits 6.25"–7.5" wrists
- Specs
- 36.4 mm case · 12.5 mm thick · automatic, 41 h reserve · 100 m
A vintage-styled 200 m diver with a Seiko NH35 automatic for about $320.
- Lug-to-lug
- 45.7 mm
- Fit
- Fits 6.5"–7.5" wrists
- Specs
- 40 mm case · 14.8 mm thick · automatic, 41 h reserve · 200 m
A 40 mm, 200 m microbrand diver with a 46 mm lug-to-lug.
- Lug-to-lug
- 46 mm
- Fit
- Fits 6.5"–7.75" wrists
- Specs
- 40 mm case · 12 mm thick · automatic · 200 m
An automatic GMT for under $500.
- Lug-to-lug
- 46 mm
- Fit
- Fits 6.5"–7.75" wrists
- Specs
- 42.5 mm case · 13.6 mm thick · automatic, 41 h reserve · 100 m
Everything else that qualifies
| Watch | Case | Lug-to-lug | Thick | Fits | Retail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invicta Pro Diver Automatic 40mm | 40 mm | — | — | — | $180 |
| Seiko Recraft Series Automatic (cushion case) | 43.5 mm | — | 11.4 mm | — | $250 |
| Orient Bambino Version 2 | 40.5 mm | 46.5 mm | 12 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $275 |
| Fossil Townsman Automatic | 44 mm | — | — | — | $280 |
| Orient Ray II | 41.5 mm | 47 mm | 13 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $290 |
| Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm | 40 mm | 48 mm | 13 mm | 6.75"–8" | $299 |
| Seiko Recraft Series Automatic (rectangular case) | 39.5 mm | — | 11.8 mm | — | $300 |
| Orient Bambino Open Heart | 40.5 mm | 46 mm | 12 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $315 |
| Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style | 39.4 mm | 48.1 mm | 13.2 mm | 6.75"–8" | $315 |
| Seiko Essentials Automatic | 41.2 mm | 48.5 mm | 11.8 mm | 6.75"–8" | $315 |
| Seiko 5 Sports SKX Sports Style | 42.5 mm | 46 mm | 13.4 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $350 |
| Orient AC0Q Diver | 39.9 mm | 46.5 mm | 12.8 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $355 |
| Spinnaker Bradner Automatic | 42 mm | 50 mm | 14 mm | 7"–8.25" | $370 |
| Orient AA08 Diver | 41.8 mm | 46.8 mm | 12.8 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $390 |
| Dan Henry 1963 Pilot GMT 'Pepsi' | 42.5 mm | 50 mm | 13.9 mm | 7"–8.25" | $390 |
| Islander Greenport 39mm | 39 mm | 47 mm | 13.5 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $395 |
| Seiko 5 Sports SNXS Series | 37.4 mm | 44.7 mm | 12.5 mm | 6.25"–7.5" | $415 |
| Orient Stretto Day & Night | 41.5 mm | 48 mm | 13 mm | 6.75"–8" | $420 |
| Orient AK00 Version 3 (Sun and Moon) | 42.5 mm | 50.5 mm | 14 mm | 7"–8.5" | $420 |
| Islander Brookville Calligraphy Edition, Black Parchment Dial | 38 mm | 44.5 mm | 11 mm | 6.25"–7.5" | $429 |
| Swatch Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Atlantic Ocean | 42.3 mm | 48 mm | 14.4 mm | 6.75"–8" | $445 |
| Islander Northport Automatic Dive Watch | 40.5 mm | 47 mm | 12.5 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $449 |
| Seiko Presage Cocktail Time 38.5mm | 38.5 mm | 45.4 mm | 11.8 mm | 6.5"–7.5" | $450 |
| Seiko Presage Cocktail Time | 40.5 mm | 47.2 mm | 11.8 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $450 |
| Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT | 39.4 mm | 47.9 mm | 13.6 mm | 6.75"–8" | $450 |
| Seiko Presage Cocktail Time 33.8mm | 33.8 mm | 40.4 mm | 11.3 mm | 5.75"–6.75" | $475 |
| Seiko Presage Cocktail Time | 40.5 mm | 47.5 mm | 11.8 mm | 6.75"–8" | $475 |
| Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm | 37 mm | 41.9 mm | 11.5 mm | 6"–7" | $495 |
| Seiko 5 Sports SKX Sports Style GMT | 42.5 mm | 46 mm | 13.6 mm | 6.5"–7.75" | $495 |
| Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic | 40 mm | 49.5 mm | 11.7 mm | 7"–8.25" | $495 |
| Orient Kamasu GMT | 42.8 mm | 49.5 mm | 13.4 mm | 7"–8.25" | $495 |
How we picked
We considered every current automatic watch in the almanac with a US retail price under $500. “Fits” is the range of wrist sizes where the watch grades as an ideal fit on our lug-to-lug model. Prices are US retail and change often.