What’s The Best Everyday Watch? Here Are Seven Of Our Favorites (All Under $1000)

by   |  in Men's Jewelry » Buying Guides

If you’re looking for the best everyday watch at a fair price that can take a beating without giving you heart palpitations every time you accidentally bang it against a hard surface, we have you covered. Take a look at our curated selection of seven of our favorites, none of them cracking that $1000 mark.

There are those of us in this world who just might bring ourselves to ruin while trying to build a collection of watches so large we couldn’t wear them all in two lifetimes!

Then again, there are sane people who really just want a quality watch they can wear every day without having to worry about it. For those people, we’ve got you covered!

via Pexels

‘Beater’ is the term most often used for an ‘everyday’ watch, quite simply because they can take a beating. So, that was our first criteria when compiling this list.

The second was that the price wouldn’t be so high that, despite its resilience, you don’t hyperventilate every time your beater takes a knock.

And lastly, if you’re going to wear this watch every day then you need one that can go well with an array of outfits and leave your mind to focus on your daily life.

With that criteria in mind, let’s take a look at the winners (and a few ‘runners up’ I just couldn’t bear to leave out) in our search for the Best Everyday Watch for under $1000.

Best Everyday Watch Under $100: The Seiko SNK807

What’s not to love about this watch? The clarity of the dial is impeccable, with the minutes marked out numerically and by the bloodied-javelin of the second hand making its way around the dial.

Seiko 5 SNK807
$170.00

A sub-100 fan-favorite, the Seiko 5 SNK807 is the fun and modern colorway in the military-inspired SNK line. It’s definitely more style-forward than the traditional green or black versions! It runs on the in-house 7S26 workhorse, the brand’s legacy caliber that you can fully watch via the exhibition caseback.

Check Latest Price
02/18/2024 09:25 am GMT

The precedence the designers gave to the seconds over the hours (which appear in a smaller sub-dial) gives the SNK the feel of a watch you’d see on James Bond when he wasn’t glad-ragging it with dangerous elites.

The strap is fairly rudimentary but with a band width of 18mm you have plenty of options to change it, if you wish. Clockwork Synergy do some excellent ones that fit great!

If you’re not into changing straps, though, the SNK comes in 5 different colours: Beige/Cream, Green, Blue, Black and Red. This shockingly inexpensive beater is a fantastic starter watch for any collection, no matter how small, and it goes well with just about any casual daywear!

Details of the Seiko SNK807

MovementAutomatic
DisplayAnalog
Case Diameter37mm
Band Material TypeCanvas
Band Width18mm

Runner Up: Timex Men’s Expedition Field Chronograph

There’s something so satisfying about having a chronograph on your wrist, whether you use the feature or not.

Of course, any self-respecting watch-lover will find excuses to use it but that’s beside the fact. This classic chronograph contains everything you want in a beater and more, especially at this price!

Timex Expedition Field Chronograph Watch
$53.60

"The unique dial of the Timex Field Chronograph draws inspiration from vintage military watches, with numerals in increments of five up to sixty."

Check Latest Price
02/18/2024 06:24 am GMT

It contains the usual subdials and date window you’d expect but the detail that really tips the scale for me is the orange winged second hand, which blazes a trail around the dial.

Speaking of blazes, the Expedition comes with the Indiglo light-up dial too, so you get the best of an analog watch with the convenience of a digital watch whenever you need it.

With a brass case, mineral glass crystal and a sturdy leather strap that’ll dress up or down, this is great beater for any man.

Details of the Timex Men’s Expedition Field Chronograph

MovementQuartz
DisplayAnalog
Case Diameter43mm
Band Material TypeLeather
Band Width20mm

Best Everyday Watch Under $500: Junghans Max Bill Quartz

If you’re going to wear a watch everyday you really want one that’s going to remind you of why you bought it.

The Junghans Max Bill may seem familiar because it has spawned a barrage of modern copycats … but this, gentlemen, is the original master of form following function.

Junghans Max Bill Stainless Steel Watch
$950.00

"In addition to the classic mechanical drives, this design classic is also available with a high-quality quartz movement. Ready for use at all times, this puristic timekeeper is a reliable companion."

Check Latest Price
02/18/2024 07:00 pm GMT

Back in 1961 Junghans approached the Swiss genius of Bauhaus design, Max Bill, to design a kitchen clock. Quite standard fare for a Bauhaus designer but he went one further by designing a fleet of watches for Junghans which still take his name today.

The Max Bill line maintains the artist’s designs but Junghans has been sure to keep the movements up to date with modern technological finesse.

Blending the style that sparked an artistic movement with a price that won’t break the bank, the Junghans Max Bill holds a special place in my heart.

Details of the Junghans Max Bill Quartz

MovementQuartz
DisplayAnalog
Case Diameter38mm
Band Material TypeCalf Leather
Band Width20mm
via Pexels

Runner Up: Citizen Promaster Nighthawk Eco-Drive

Just as any choice of an everyday watch should, this one was made on a gut feeling of what I would wear most often.

Not necessarily because it’s comfortable or subtle, in fact is the quite the contrary, there’s just something about the insanity of the Promaster Nighthawk that makes me smile every time I see it.

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk Dual Time Date
$298.95

"A serious timepiece for the serious watch collector, the Citizen BJ7000-52E stainless steel men's watch offers powerful timekeeping functions for your favorite aeronaut."

Check Latest Price
02/18/2024 07:35 pm GMT

Although it is inspired by the ‘clean, sleek lines of military helicopters’, the Nighthawk’s dial makes me think of the matrix-like madness that makes up the info-addled minds of the helicopter pilots.

It boasts a subtle date window, dual-time zones and a record of the amount of fuel you have, which is not entirely practical for the average Joe but who wants practical when you can have fun?

Despite the copious amount of information on the dial, it’s surprisingly clear to read and the Eco-Drive movement means you’ll never have to replace its battery. Which also means, as the sales copy says, “it’s ready to go on any missions you might embark on”.

Details of the Citizen Promaster Nighthawk

MovementEco-Drive
DisplayAnalog
Case Diameter42mm
Band Material TypeLeather
Band Width22mm

Best Everyday Watch Under $1000: Shinola Runwell Chrono

When it comes to sturdy, hand-built mechanics the word Detroit once held a firm place in the minds of many around the world. And Shinola is bringing that back.

Founded in 2011, Shinola is a Detroit-based company that has been consistently producing impressive timepieces ever since.

Shinola "The Runwell"
$750.00

"With a glossy cool gray dial, brushed gunmetal PVD case, and a premium leather strap in cattail brown, it’s a wardrobe staple in the making."

Check Latest Price
02/18/2024 08:50 am GMT

In this case, we have a watch whose style beautifully reflects the automotive industry that put Detroit on the map. The Runwell boasts a dial that reads like a speedometer and a brushed gunmetal PVD case with pushers that jut out from it like gearshifts.

Even the cattail brown leather strap is reminiscent of those smooth leather driving gloves that creak melodies over a car engine’s rumbling bass line.

What’s more, the Runwell isn’t just a catchy name. Under its ‘hood’ lies the famous Argonite 5021 movement, hand-built in Detroit with imported parts from Switzerland, which reminds you that Quartz watches can still compete in accuracy with the best of them!

Details of the Shinola Runwell Chrono

MovementQuartz
DisplayAnalog
Case Diameter47mm
Band Material TypeLeather
Band Width22mm

Best Everyday Automatic Watch: Hamilton Khaki Field King

When it comes to an everyday beater in this price range you really can’t go wrong with the Khaki Field King. Hamilton’s watchmaking tradition has its roots in the heartland of the U.S.A and it created the Khaki range to reflect its history of providing service watches for the U.S. Army!

That’s right, this little beauty comes from a long line of the toughest beaters on the planet!

Hamilton Khaki King Automatic (H64455533)
$521.25

"Military time features prominently on the dial of the Khaki Field King Auto, underlining the military heritage of this handsome Hamilton."

Check Latest Price
02/18/2024 11:10 am GMT

Now, often when you hear the words ‘tough beater’ you think of robust-looking juggernauts but that’s not the case here. The stainless steel case is slick, with smooth, sloping protectors that guard the crown.

The thing I love most about the dial, from an ‘everyday wearer’ point of view, is the oversized day window right at the top.

Tucked underneath it is a small date window, both of which keep you up-to-date at a glance, whenever you need them. Oh and I did mention it has an 80-hour power reserve?

Take it off on Friday night for a weekend of detachment and it’ll be right there waiting for you on Monday morning to embark on a new week. Long live the King!

Details of the Hamilton Khaki Field King

MovementAutomatic
DisplayAnalog
Case Diameter40mm
Band Material TypeLeather
Band Width20mm
Photo by Ivan Zhukevich

Best Everyday Luxury Watch: Zeppelin 100 Years

When it comes to Zeppelin, a subsidiary of the POINTtec group, you’re not exactly buying into an extremely long heritage but that’s not all important in this case.

Founded in 1987, POINTtec launched Zeppelin watches in 2002 but, since then, they have had soaring success and produce some of the most coveted collections on the market today.

ZEPPELIN 100 Years

Not your typical luxury watch, but the ZEPPELIN 100 Years is certainly a conversation starter and something stunning to look at each and every day, with elegant, classic elements such as a domed dial and crystal mixed with modern accents.

Check Latest Price

For me, this is the star of their 100 Year collection because it epitomises the brand’s association with aviation.

When Zeppelin first came on the scene, they announced this thematic approach to their designs with vigour. Aside from the obvious Zeppelin Airship on the dial, its cream-white colour and the rivets set into each hour call to mind the billowing canvases of the ‘Airship Age’.

Not your typical ‘luxury’ watch but it’s certainly a conversation starter and something stunning to look at each and every day.

Details of the Zeppelin 100 Years 8640-3

MovementQuartz
DisplayAnalog
Case Diameter42mm
Band Material TypeLeather
Band Width22mm

But … there must be an overall winner, right?

Well, this is where the job of the writer dangerously skirts the murky waters of megalomania. Ultimately, the ‘winner’ is whichever of these picks best matches your budget, your usual style and, world be damned, your own taste!

That being said, while I’m wielding the keys, I’ll choose the winner. 

And that winner is: The Hamilton Khaki Field King!

Hamilton Khaki King Automatic (H64455533)
$521.25

"Military time features prominently on the dial of the Khaki Field King Auto, underlining the military heritage of this handsome Hamilton."

Check Latest Price
02/18/2024 11:10 am GMT

I just can’t get over how stylish this rugged service watch is. It can be dressed up or down as you like and, for the price, you get an automatic with one hell of a tradition!

Which everyday watch is your favorite?

You May Also Enjoy These Articles