Which automatic watch should you buy for under €1,000?
Our selection of genuinely relevant new models, straight to the point
When we talk about an automatic watch for under €1,000, we’re covering a fairly broad range of options: from simple, reliable models to more accomplished watches offered by established brands.
This guide isn’t meant to say you absolutely have to aim for the top end of the bracket—it’s more about showing what becomes possible when you give yourself that leeway, while still being free to spend less.
Before we get to our selection, let’s look at what this budget really allows in terms of quality, movement, design, and everyday wear.
What a budget up to €1,000 gets you
Setting a ceiling of €1,000 lets you cover a large part of the serious automatic-watch market, without straying into unreasonable budgets.
In this range, you’ll find simple but dependable models, as well as more fully developed watches from established watchmaking brands. It opens the door to proven movements, better build quality, and watches designed to be worn for the long haul.
The idea isn’t to say you need to spend €1,000 to choose well, but to show what becomes possible when you allow yourself that maximum headroom, while still being free to spend less.
The table below lets you quickly compare brand-new automatic watches, all priced under €1,000, before we go into the details of each model.
Comparison table: our selection of new automatic watches under €1,000
| Model | Style | Diameter | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 | Versatile | 40 mm | €700–€1,000 |
| Seiko Presage | Dress | 40 mm | €450–€900 |
| Hamilton Khaki Field Auto | Field | 38 mm | €600–€900 |
| Citizen automatic | Sport | 37–43 mm | €300–€900 |
| Seiko Prospex | Dive | 39–44 mm | €600–€1,000 |
| Mido Ocean Star | Dive | 36–44 mm | €800–€1,000 |
| Certina DS Action Diver | Dive | 38–43 mm | €700–€1,000 |
| Baltic Aquascaphe | Neo-vintage dive | 39 mm | €600–€900 |
| Yema Superman | Dive | 39 mm | €700–€1,000 |
Prices vary depending on versions and straps, but the idea is simple: keep it a realistic purchase—new, under €1,000.
Our detailed selection: 9 genuinely relevant new automatics
1) Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80
If you’re looking for a single, versatile automatic watch that works just as well at the office as it does at the weekend, this is a very serious contender. It doesn’t need to overdo it: it gets the job done—and it does it well.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- maximum versatility;
- a lasting look (you won’t be tired of it in three months);
- excellent value for money from a mainstream Swiss brand.
Who it’s for:
- if you want one automatic watch to do it all;
- if you like understated, efficient styles.
What it isn’t:
- a “statement” or extravagant watch;
- a buy for those who absolutely want a very distinctive design.
2) Seiko Presage
The Presage line has a real talent: offering watches with a strong aesthetic identity at a contained budget. Some versions are dressier, others more versatile, but the idea remains the same—character, often with very beautiful dials.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- a highly recognisable style;
- a great way to “treat yourself” while staying sensible;
- a solid entry point into the Seiko universe.
Who it’s for:
- if you want a dressier watch, or a dial with depth;
- if you like pieces with personality.
What it isn’t:
- the most “tool watch” watch on the market;
- the best option if you’re looking for a single ultra-go-anywhere watch.
3) Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic
It’s a modern icon of the field watch: legible, utilitarian, coherent, with real historical legitimacy. It’s exactly the kind of watch that reassures a beginner—you know why you’re buying it.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- legibility, simplicity, efficiency;
- a timeless field look;
- a very strong “everyday” choice.
Who it’s for:
- if you like tool watches;
- if you often wear casual outfits.
What it isn’t:
- a dress watch;
- a watch made to shine at an evening event.
4) Citizen automatic (sport / ProMaster depending on references)
Citizen is sometimes underestimated, even though the brand knows how to make solid watches designed to be worn, not to sit in a box. The idea here: a no-fuss automatic—robust and use-oriented.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- often an excellent toughness-to-price ratio;
- a watch made for real life;
- a good choice if you want a coherent sports watch.
Who it’s for:
- if you want a watch you can wear without thinking about it;
- if you lead an active life.
What it isn’t:
- a « dress watch« ;
- a buy for those who want something very minimalist.
5) Seiko Prospex (diver)
If you want an “obvious” diver, with a recognised lineage and real credibility, Seiko is a natural stop. The Prospex family includes several references, but the idea remains the same: a robust, legitimate watch built to be worn.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- a recognised diver’s DNA;
- many variants depending on your taste;
- a good balance between passion and everyday use.
Who it’s for:
- if you want an iconic diver;
- if you want a versatile sports watch.
What it isn’t:
- a discreet watch;
- a dress watch.
6) Mido Ocean Star
Mido is often the rational smart buy: a coherent, serious Swiss diver with an excellent balance of technical content, comfort, and price. It’s typically the “intelligent” choice under €1,000.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- a Swiss diver with strong value;
- good overall coherence;
- a very strong choice if you want something serious without paying for the image.
Who it’s for:
- if you want a robust Swiss diver;
- if you prioritise coherence.
What it isn’t:
- a fashion watch;
- a diver with an extravagant design.
7) Certina DS Action Diver
Certina is a brand that speaks to people who like solid watches. The DS Action Diver, depending on versions and configurations, remains an excellent contender for a durable, credible diver under €1,000.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- solid, technical, built to last;
- a strong reputation in real-world use;
- a very good “tool” choice.
Who it’s for:
- if you want a solid everyday diver;
- if you want a watch you won’t be afraid to knock about.
What it isn’t:
- an ultra-thin watch;
- a watch for those who want something very dressy.
8) Baltic Aquascaphe
Baltic is a French micro-brand that has pulled off something rare: making watches that are desirable, coherent, well designed, and backed by a real community. The Aquascaphe has become a “reference” model in its neo-vintage category.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- a well-executed neo-vintage design;
- a strong identity;
- an excellent “pleasure” option under €1,000.
Who it’s for:
- if you like the neo-vintage style;
- if you want to move beyond the most obvious brands without taking an absurd risk.
What it isn’t:
- a “big brute” diver;
- a buy for those who absolutely want a widely distributed brand.
9) Yema Superman
The Superman is a diver with a real identity and a French history. Depending on the versions, you can stay under €1,000 new. It’s an interesting model if you want a diver that doesn’t look like everyone else’s, while remaining horologically coherent.
Why it’s a relevant piece:
- strong DNA;
- a watch with character;
- a credible alternative to more expected choices.
Who it’s for:
- if you want an identity-driven diver;
- if you like brands with a story.
What it isn’t:
- a totally neutral watch;
- a “to please everyone” purchase.
How to choose the right watch for your profile
If you’re hesitating, simply ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want one watch that can do everything?
→ look first at the versatile options (Tissot Gentleman, certain Seiko Presage models). - Do you want an everyday “tool” watch—easy, legible, straightforward?
→ Hamilton Khaki Field Auto. - Do you want an iconic, credible diver?
→ Seiko Prospex, Mido Ocean Star, Certina DS Action Diver, Baltic Aquascaphe, Yema Superman.
And above all: prioritise a wearable size, a style you genuinely like, and a watch you’ll actually want to wear often.
What you’re better off avoiding under €1,000
- Buying purely “for prestige”: at this budget, coherence comes first.
- Buying a watch that’s too large: it’s the most common regret.
- Confusing watchmaking with marketing: a fashion brand can make a nice watch, but if your goal is to discover watchmaking, you’re better off with a specialist house.
For under €1,000, you can buy a real automatic watch—coherent, durable, and enjoyable to wear—without snobbery and without “paying for a story” that does nothing for you.
If you’re a complete beginner, start with these two reads as well:
