The best watches under $2,000

Between $1,000 and $2,000 the microbrands and German tool-watch makers compete directly with the big Swiss names, often with better specs per dollar.

Lug-to-lug matters here too: several of these watches wear far smaller than their case diameter suggests.

Our picks

Christopher WardC60 Trident Pro 300 40mm$1,320
A 300 m diver from Christopher Ward with a 47.5 mm lug-to-lug.
Lug-to-lug
47.5 mm
Fit
Fits 6.75"–8" wrists
Specs
40 mm case · 11.3 mm thick · automatic, 38 h reserve · 300 m
Sinn556 I$1,490
A plain, legible German tool watch with a 45.5 mm lug-to-lug that suits small wrists.
Lug-to-lug
45.5 mm
Fit
Fits 6.5"–7.5" wrists
Specs
38.5 mm case · 11 mm thick · automatic, 38 h reserve · 200 m
SeikoKing Seiko KSK$1,700
A sharply faceted 37 mm case and a 43.6 mm lug-to-lug: one of the most compact watches here.
Lug-to-lug
43.6 mm
Fit
Fits 6.25"–7.25" wrists
Specs
37 mm case · 12.1 mm thick · automatic, 70 h reserve · 100 m
DoxaSUB 200T Professional$1,790
Doxa's 200 m diver in a short case, at 41.5 mm lug-to-lug.
Lug-to-lug
41.5 mm
Fit
Fits 6"–7" wrists
Specs
39 mm case · 10.7 mm thick · 200 m
Christopher WardThe Twelve 40mm$1,635
Integrated-bracelet styling with a 44.5 mm lug-to-lug, far more wearable than most of the genre.
Lug-to-lug
44.5 mm
Fit
Fits 6.25"–7.5" wrists
Specs
40 mm case · 9.9 mm thick · automatic, 65 h reserve · 100 m
FarerLander IV GMT 36mm$1,575
A GMT in a 36 mm case with a 41.2 mm lug-to-lug, for small wrists that want a travel complication.
Lug-to-lug
41.2 mm
Fit
Fits 5.75"–6.75" wrists
Specs
36 mm case · 11 mm thick · automatic, 56 h reserve · 100 m
HamiltonKhaki Field Murph 38mm$995
Hamilton's 38 mm field watch with a 44.7 mm lug-to-lug.
Lug-to-lug
44.7 mm
Fit
Fits 6.25"–7.5" wrists
Specs
38 mm case · 11.1 mm thick · automatic, 80 h reserve · 100 m

Everything else that qualifies

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Fits	Retail
Casio F-91W	35.2 mm	38.2 mm	8.5 mm	5.5"–6.25"	$30
Casio A168	36.3 mm	38.6 mm	9.6 mm	5.5"–6.5"	$30
Casio W-800H	36.8 mm	44.2 mm	13.4 mm	6.25"–7.25"	$40
Casio AE-1200WH	42.1 mm	45 mm	12.5 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$40
Casio A700W	35.5 mm	37.4 mm	6 mm	5.5"–6.25"	$46
Timex Weekender 38mm	38 mm	45 mm	9 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$77
Casio Duro MDV-106	44.2 mm	48.5 mm	12.1 mm	6.75"–8"	$85
Timex Expedition Scout 40mm	40 mm	48 mm	11 mm	6.75"–8"	$95
Casio G-Shock DW-5600E	42.8 mm	48.9 mm	13.4 mm	6.75"–8.25"	$100
Casio G-Shock DW-6900	50 mm	53.2 mm	18.7 mm	7.5"–8.5"	$100
Casio G-Shock GA-2100	45.4 mm	48.5 mm	11.8 mm	6.75"–8"	$110
Casio G-Shock GA-B2100	45.4 mm	48.5 mm	11.9 mm	6.75"–8"	$165
Casio Edifice Slim EFR-S108D	39.9 mm	44.8 mm	7.8 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$170
Timex Q Timex 1979 Reissue 38mm	38 mm	45 mm	11.5 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$229
Timex Marlin 1965 Reissue Hand-Wound 34mm	34 mm	—	10 mm	—	$259
Timex Q Timex GMT 38mm	38 mm	—	12.5 mm	—	$269
Orient Mako II	41.5 mm	47 mm	13 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$285
Orient Ray II	41.5 mm	47 mm	13 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$290
Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler (Garrison)	37 mm	—	—	—	$295
Timex Marlin Automatic 40mm	40 mm	48 mm	13 mm	6.75"–8"	$299
Swatch Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon	42 mm	47.3 mm	13.3 mm	6.75"–8"	$300
Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style 36mm	36.4 mm	44.4 mm	12.5 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$315
Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style	39.4 mm	48.1 mm	13.2 mm	6.75"–8"	$315
Dan Henry 1970 Automatic Diver 40mm	40 mm	45.7 mm	14.8 mm	6.5"–7.5"	$320
Casio G-Shock GW-5000U	42.8 mm	48.9 mm	13.5 mm	6.75"–8.25"	$330
Seiko 5 Sports SKX Sports Style	42.5 mm	46 mm	13.4 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$350
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
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 Bambino Version 7 38mm	38.4 mm	44 mm	12.5 mm	6.25"–7.25"	$430
Islander Northport Automatic Dive Watch	40.5 mm	47 mm	12.5 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$449
Tissot PRX 40mm Quartz	40 mm	—	10.4 mm	—	$450
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
Citizen Promaster Dive Eco-Drive	44 mm	48 mm	11.5 mm	6.75"–8"	$450
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time	40.5 mm	—	11.8 mm	—	$475
Brew Metric Chronograph Retro Dial	36 mm	41.5 mm	10.8 mm	6"–7"	$475
Bulova Hack Watch 38mm	38 mm	—	—	—	$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
Seiko Prospex Sea Turtle	45 mm	47.7 mm	13.4 mm	6.75"–8"	$525
Tissot PR516 Chronograph 40mm (quartz)	40 mm	—	12.2 mm	—	$575
Orient Kamasu	41.9 mm	47 mm	12.8 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$580
Seiko Presage Style60's Open Heart	40.8 mm	47 mm	12.8 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$595
Citizen Zenshin Mechanical	40.5 mm	—	—	—	$650
Seiko Presage Style60's GMT	40.8 mm	47 mm	13 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$650
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm	38 mm	47 mm	9.5 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$675
Lorier Astra	36 mm	44 mm	10.4 mm	6.25"–7.25"	$699
Lorier Falcon	36 mm	44 mm	10.4 mm	6.25"–7.25"	$699
Lorier Neptune (Series V, no-date)	39 mm	46 mm	11.4 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$699
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph 39mm	39 mm	45.5 mm	13.3 mm	6.5"–7.5"	$750
Seiko Prospex Land Mechanical 38mm	38 mm	46.2 mm	12.9 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$750
Halios Seaforth IV	41 mm	46.5 mm	12.4 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$765
Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T Blue Angels	45 mm	—	14.5 mm	—	$795
Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 39.3mm	39.3 mm	—	9.8 mm	—	$795
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm	35 mm	44.9 mm	10.9 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$795
Traska Freediver	40.5 mm	48 mm	11.9 mm	6.75"–8"	$795
Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 42mm	42 mm	53 mm	11 mm	7.25"–8.5"	$795
Lorier Hyperion GMT	39 mm	46 mm	12.2 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$799
Bulova Oceanographer Devil Diver 41mm	41 mm	—	14.5 mm	—	$825
Tissot PR516 Powermatic 80 38mm	38 mm	44 mm	11.2 mm	6.25"–7.25"	$825
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 40mm	40 mm	51 mm	10.9 mm	7"–8.5"	$850
Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver	41 mm	—	12.3 mm	—	$875
Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 40mm	40 mm	46 mm	12.5 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$875
Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph 43.5mm	43.5 mm	—	—	—	$895
Seiko Prospex Alpinist	39.5 mm	46.4 mm	12.7 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$900
Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation	41 mm	46.9 mm	12.3 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$900
Tissot Visodate 39mm	39 mm	—	10.4 mm	—	$950
Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium 40mm	40 mm	48 mm	11.5 mm	6.75"–8"	$950
Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic Auto 40mm	40 mm	—	10.8 mm	—	$995
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Mechanical	39.5 mm	44.5 mm	12 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$995
Seiko Prospex Alpinist	39.5 mm	46.4 mm	12.7 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$995
Seiko Prospex Alpinist	39.5 mm	46.4 mm	12.7 mm	6.5"–7.75"	$995
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto 38mm	38 mm	—	11.4 mm	—	$1,075
Hamilton Ventura Quartz	32 mm	50 mm	9.3 mm	7"–8.25"	$1,075
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Day Date Auto 42mm	42 mm	51 mm	12.1 mm	7"–8.5"	$1,125
Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Auto 40mm	40 mm	—	11.1 mm	—	$1,295
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto 42mm	42 mm	—	11.4 mm	—	$1,345
Mido Ocean Star 200C	42.5 mm	—	12.3 mm	—	$1,360
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Automatic 39mm	39 mm	45 mm	10.9 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$1,430
Squale 1521 Militaire (bracelet)	42 mm	48 mm	12.5 mm	6.75"–8"	$1,510
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT 39mm	39 mm	45 mm	11.3 mm	6.25"–7.5"	$1,620
Christopher Ward C60 Trident GMT 300 40mm	40 mm	47.5 mm	11.7 mm	6.75"–8"	$1,675

How we picked

We considered every current watch in the almanac with a US retail price under $2,000 and picked the ones that stand out on movement, finishing and fit. “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.