Good watches don't have to cost a fortune.

Clear, honest picks for automatic, field and dive watches under $500 from Seiko, Orient, Citizen and more, plus the gear that travels with them.

Best automatic watches under $500How I pick
Live watch dialThe main hands show your local time. The red GMT hand shows the time in Panama on the 24-hour bezel.246810121416182022WRIST & ROAMAUTOMATICGMT
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The Best Automatic Watches Under $500 (2026)

The 7 best automatic watches under $500 in 2026, compared: Orient Kamasu, Seiko 5 Sports, Citizen Tsuyosa, Orient Bambino, Seiko 5 GMT and more.

Updated November 9, 2026

Written by Juan Carlos Sosa. I've spent more than twenty years in banking, judging whether things are worth what they cost. Here I apply the same test to watches. Read how I pick