The Best Watches Under $500, According to the Watch Illuminati

This initially appeared in Field + Papers, GQ staffer Cam Wolf’s watch e-newsletter. For extra tales prefer it, hit the hyperlink and subscribe.

Final week, I used to be perusing superstar wristwear, as I’m wont to do, and got here throughout Denzel Washington and his trusty $380 G-Shock. I considered Jack Nicholson and his Timex Straightforward Reader that prices loads lower than what an excellent meal out goes for these days. And I considered you, expensive reader, out right here within the watch wilderness making an attempt to place collectively a group that doesn’t require a aspect take care of a man who can provide you an excellent worth in your kidney, spleen, or first born. One in all my driving beliefs, except for my agency conviction that Honey Bunches of Oats with almonds is the GOAT cereal, is that watch amassing could be rather more accessible than it seems on the floor. A lot of my very own assortment is a hodgepodge of eBay finds and items from microbrands. However don’t take it from me. Listed here are six big-time collectors on their favourite items, starting from classic finds to fashionable fare, that value lower than $500. 

“Trendy, easy takes on confirmed basic fashions is what I like from the Unimatic staff. Their basic core U2 and U4 traces are all nice items which are below $500. I discover the U2 mannequin particularly interesting: its easy design and the oversize crown makes it stand out to a seasoned watch lover with a educated eye for cool particulars and perfection of stability in design.”

“My MoonSwatch Mission to Jupiter is my favourite watch below $500. It’s a watch that pays homage to a timeless basic, the Omega SpeedMaster Skilled, but in addition introduces a brand new enjoyable component to the watch with the assorted colorways. With a few of my costlier items, I’m sometimes a bit extra conservative with dials so this watch is essentially the most thrilling piece in my assortment for certain. I made a decision to throw it on the Perpetual Straps digi cam strap and it’s a celebration on the wrist.”