Finding The Best Watches Under €500 — Daan’s Picks From Seiko, Timex, Mr Jones, And More!

Which one is the best depends on whether you're looking for your one watch or just a quirky add-on to the collection

February 03, 2023

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This series on the best watches under €500 brings me back to around five years ago. The Seiko Kinetic Perpetual Calendar that I wore for about 15 years got stolen during a break-in. At that time, I wasn’t into watches like I am now, so I started looking for a replacement for about €500. In the end, I went with the all-time classic Seiko SKX007. But if I had to do it again today, I’d definitely go for a different watch. In addition, I’ll also go over some more quirky options if you’re looking for a nice on-the-side bonus watch.

Let me first tell you why that SKX007 didn’t work for me, though. I was just too used to the hassle-free Seiko Kinetic Perpetual Calendar (SNP005) that I wore for so long. It was great to be able to lay it down for a few days, pick it up, and see it readjust itself. In all those years, I never had to wind that watch. It even took into account leap years, so I only used the crown to adjust for summer and winter time. The automatic SKX007 didn’t have all those comfortable features. It couldn’t even be manually wound, and besides, I found it to be too big and heavy on my wrist. So that’s when I started looking for a new watch.

Best overall: Timex Giorgio Galli S1 Automatic (38mm)

In the end, I decided to go with a more “serious” watch, and that was the Oris Art Blakey. But I remember that another option was also very high on my list, especially because of what it had to offer at its price point of just below €500. And that was the Giorgio Galli S1 Automatic by Timex. The S1 combines a very straightforward time-only dial layout with a beautifully skeletonized side profile. When I look at it now, I still think it looks absolutely stunning, and I love that ruby at 6 o’clock indicating that there’s an automatic movement inside. Even the rubber strap looks great and unlike anything I’ve seen elsewhere before.

The problem was that it was a 41mm watch, and I promised myself to stay under 40mm after my experience with the 42mm SKX007. But there’s great news for everyone, including me, who’s still considering buying the Giorgio Galli S1: for a few years now, Timex has offered it in a 38mm size! Unfortunately, the original silver dial is not available in that size, but you can still choose between a black, blue, or green dial (my favorite). Honestly, anyone who’s looking for that one affordable automatic watch to start with can’t really go wrong with this one at €450. I might even get one for myself as a nice no-worry watch.

Best no-worry watch: Seiko SNE573

If you’re really looking for a watch you don’t have to worry about, though, I’d suggest taking a look at the Seiko SNE573. I considered getting this one for myself as my grab-and-go watch. That’s the watch sitting and waiting for me at the front door when I’m about to go out and don’t want to wear anything fancy or fragile. This solar-powered, no-nonsense 38.5mm Seiko diver is the perfect candidate for that job. It’ll always show you the right time and basically never runs out of power. All right, you might have to adjust the date every once in a while, but that’s about it.

Like the Timex, it also has a sapphire crystal and a screw-down case back. But whereas the Timex was water resistant to a respectable 50 meters, the SNE573 will hold out until 200 meters! So you can really bring this little diver anywhere and not have to worry about it. It’ll also eat all kinds of straps alive for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Combine that with its typical dive-style looks, and you can basically wear this watch for more or less any occasion. At €510, it’s slightly over budget for this series, but I’m sure you can find an extra tenner in a drawer somewhere around the house.

Fun bonus watch options

When I looked around a little before writing this piece, what I noticed is that there are so many great watches available for around €500. For example, Hamilton, Marathon, and even Furlan Marri have all been serious options for me in the past. And there are many more, of course. But what I notice when I buy a watch in that more affordable price bracket, is that in the end, I don’t wear them as much as my more expensive ones. It simply feels like I should give those the wrist time they deserve. So the cheaper ones just sit somewhere in a box and never come out, except for the more quirky and fun ones.

I own both a Jelly Casio G-shock Square and a MoonSwatch Mission to Saturn that I don’t wear all that much. But at least they’re quirky enough to wear them once in a while simply because it’s fun to do so. That’s also why I think I didn’t buy a Furlan Marri in the end. They look way too serious for their price point. However, two watches that I would really consider are the Paulin Neo B and the Mr Jones “swimming pool” watch. Those do look like very fun watches, especially at this price point.

Paulin Neo B (in orange)

Just look at it. Isn’t the Paulin Neo B in orange a very fun and original take on the classic field watch? It was designed by Charlotte Paulin and manufactured with the help of her husband Lewis Heath, the founder of anOrdain, in Glasgow. I love the bright orange color on the aluminum dial, the characteristic numerals, and the quirky hands. I surely wouldn’t wear this every day, but it would be a great watch every once in a while. And with its price of £395, it won’t hurt too much to see it sitting in the watch box while you’re not wearing it. Besides, it’ll probably put a little grin on your face.

Mr Jones Watches “A perfectly useless afternoon”

And the same is true for this watch, “A perfectly useless afternoon” by Mr Jones Watches. Have you ever seen a better use of the hour and minute hand on a watch? And I bet you’ve never worn a tiny little pool on your wrist before. I really think the design by Kristof Devos is so brilliant. Yes, it’s a watch, but you’re not wearing it to tell you what time it is. You’re wearing it because you should completely forget about what time it is. So together with its 50m water resistance, sapphire crystal, and £195 price tag, this is the ultimate summer vacation watch!

Final thoughts

I know Nacho intended for us to choose one best watch under €500 at the end of each article. But as I went over different use cases, I guess there are three winners for me. The Giorgio Galli S1 by Timex would be my pick as my first automatic watch. The Seiko SNE573 would be my do-it-all and don’t-worry-about-it watch. And finally, the “A perfectly useless afternoon” would be my ultimate bonus watch, just for fun. So I think there’s something for everyone on this little list.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my suggestions. And if you have any other watches in mind for the categories I mentioned above, please tell us about them in the comments!

You can also find and follow me on Instagram: @fliptheparrot

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Finding The Best Watches Under €500 — Daan’s Picks From Seiko, Timex, Mr Jones, And More!

Hi Daan. I love the iconic look of the Timex Giorgio Galli S1. The stainless steel case and white dial is timeless in its charm and simplicity. Other brands have very similar looks and I think the design translates well to many of them. My favourite is the many variations of the Omega dial on the older Seamasters and De Villes. I also like the Mr. Jones watch. I wouldn’t buy one but I love the joy and playfulness that it evokes.

I guess the „problem“ when it comes to Furlan Marri in particular is that their watches are super dressy in a time where the average person prefers a sports watch for everyday use.

Do not get me wrong, I love their design but I would not wear them on a daily basis just on special occasions when I have the chance to dress up.

And these occasions became a lot rarer with the pandemic. I had business meetings, where top managers of huge international corporations were wearing blue jeans and a hoodie instead of a suit and a tie, which they would have worn pre COVID19.

But of course I too own a bunch of affordable watches that basically became watch box queens. For example two Swatches x Hodinkee, my all black original CasiOak and the JellyOak. If each of these get two days of wrist time per annum it is already a lot.

DG
GoldenYears says:

Feb 03, 2023 at 13:35

I have two “affordable” (< €1,000) watches in my collection. I only use them for travel, sports and messy jobs like gardening. Otherwise I don’t use them at all. They just sit in one of my boxes until an appropriate occasion arises. I plan to reduce this number to one affordable watch (likely a Casio G-Shock) in the near future and limit myself to only one beater in my collection at any given time. I am getting more daring so I am using some of my more expensive watches for things I only used my affordable watches for in the past. Hope that makes sense.

1. Marc Schmitz says:
  
  Feb 03, 2023 at 16:12
  
  I sometimes put on the black CasiOak when I am on the playground with our daughter. But otherwise…
  
  My actual beater watch is an Unimatic U1-D on a Marine Nationale strap.
  
  1. DG
    GoldenYears says:
    
    Feb 03, 2023 at 17:10
    
    Yes, my affordable watches are basically dust magnets at this point but every once in awhile I need one so I always need an affordable watch like a G-Shock sitting in my box. It’s like a fire extinguisher. You almost never use it but need to keep it handy just in case…

The Seiko is a nice enough watch, if a little dull, and possibly a better bet than their mechanical options at this price. I’d still go with Citizen Promaster, though.

Andy727 says:

Feb 04, 2023 at 02:51

Same here, anything from Casio or Citizen Promaster. And if I fancy something more elaborated, perhaps the new Nivada Chronoking Meca Quartz

I have the Galli Timex. Great piece. ABTW reported in December that the whole line is now discontinued so once current stocks are exhausted that’s going to be the end of the S1 and then Timex and Galli will start work on a successor piece.

Enuona says:

Feb 03, 2023 at 14:36

A shame if discontinued,

Should have been a standard as far as Timex concerned. I pass on the goldielocks but for the rest, one could pick any and be good.

1. Mafrazel says:
  
  Feb 04, 2023 at 09:54
  
  Whether taking it out of production is a shame, depends on the successor model.
  The announcement that it will be driven by a Swiss movement, might be a hint towards a higher price point.
  
  1. Enuona says:
    
    Feb 04, 2023 at 12:51
    
    Agree, but then again, these were just fine by their own.
    
    There are unknowns and there are unknown unknowns 😉
    
Aurelius says:

Feb 05, 2023 at 18:01

I’ve wanted to pick up a Timex Galli for quite some time, but with import taxes and everything, it would become too expensive for what it is. 39 or 40 mm and 19,20 mm lug width would be perfect (for me).

Will buy a blue in 38 mm if I get the chance.

This is an interesting challenge – finding something affordable that can do the Sub trick of beach to boardroom.

I think I would settle for a microbrand retro diver(ish) – maybe a Lorier or a Baltic. I can’t say these are the best quality pieces under £500, but pretty good all-rounders.

MB
MarkB says:

Feb 03, 2023 at 14:06

Citizen Promaster Tough on a bracelet?

1. DE
  Davebakedpotato says:
  
  Feb 05, 2023 at 09:36
  
  It’s not a bad shout, personally I would feel it not quite right in a posh restaurant or at the office. Good watch tho.

My favourite here is the Timex. For me this is the ultimate no worries watch.
I do have a mechanical hand wound Wilman watch in my collection. No date with a domed crystal. I have it on a Navajo designed silver strap. I think this watch is 50 years old. Cost me $15NZD. The Navajo strap $350USD. But, looks awesome.

Options from brands such as Marloe and Geckota would be worthy contenders too, especially as this is the price bracket that many of their watches are in.

Owning the 41mm S1, I can agree that it is a fair package for the money.
But I would be happy to spend a few Euros for better regulation.

Can’t go wrong with the Seiko SNK805. My daily.

Great article and fun concept.