The Best Women’s Watches Under $500
Hand-picked selection of the best women’s watches you can buy for less than $500
Why do we consider these watches the best
You can easily find tons of “the best watches” lists online. Some are comprehensive, honest and detailed, while others consist of a few lines, copy-pasted from the watch manufacturer’s site. Most of these lists, however, share one thing in common.
They do not give you all the information you need.
They do not say WHY the watches they list are considered the best.
Now, almost every review or “the best of” list is somewhat biased, and that’s OK. They are written by people like me and you and everyone have his/hers own taste and reasons to like or dislike certain things. But, after reading through any of these lists, you as a customer have only 3 options, and none of them is good:
- You can blindly believe the authors of the list and buy one of the recommended watches;
- You can do your own research (then why should you bother reading through the list, in first place?);
- You can just hit the close button.
We are trying to be different. We know exactly why did we chose the watches we consider ‘the best’ among hundreds of others. Our ‘best of’ selection is based on a few criteria:
- The watch (or at least its movement) should be manufactured in Switzerland, EU, USA or Japan.
- The watch manufacturer should be well known and respected worldwide.
- Every watch should be covered by at least 2 years warranty.
- The online retailer should have a good reputation and should be either accredited or rated “A” by Best Business Bureau.
- There should be a statement on online retailer’s site, saying that the watch is brand new and comes in its original, unopened box.
This is how we at Watches Under $500 select the watches we recommend as “the best”. For every watch that we consider among the best in its category, we’ve worked hard to do all the necessary research for you. Now, the only thing you should do is to pick the one you like the most.
The shortest watch buying guide you will ever read
There are a lot of things you need to take into account when buying a watch. Only 2 things, however, are the of real importance. If you don’t consider these before you make your choice, chances are you will regret your buy.
The first one is obvious. You should consider when and where you will wear the watch. Choose a style which is most appropriate for your lifestyle. For example, a diamond-encrusted watch will not be a good choice if you are used wearing sweatshirts and jeans and you love biking.
Second – and most important – choose the watch you like the most. Yes, the criteria that we use to select and recommend the best women’s watches under $500 are important if you want the best for your money. But if you really like a certain watch that does not fulfill any (or even all) of our recommendations – buy it. Listen to your heart – that’s the only way to be happy with your new watch.
What’s on the list
The list is huge. It is not easy to put it together and perhaps it is even harder to read through it. That’s why we decided to split it into four parts. You are reading the first part. We are working hard on the next ones and they will be available very soon.
The list of watches we recommend is separated into categories so you can easily jump into the category you are interested in:
Automatic Watches
Quartz Watches
Sports Watches
Fashion Watches (coming soon)
Designer Watches (coming soon)
Digital Watches (coming soon)
Smart Watches (coming soon)
Disclaimer
For some of the products reviewed here, we may receive compensation from the companies whose products we review. For more details, please click here.
Online retailers change their list prices sometimes, and that’s good because they often have sales campaigns, hot weekly deals, and clearances. Sometimes, however, the prices may increase or a certain item may become temporarily unavailable. That’s why a certain watch from our list may not be available or may cost more than $500 by the time you check the price, although we are making every effort to keep the list up to date. In this case please let us know through our contact page or drop us a line at admin@watchesunder500.com so we can make an update.
Hint: Even if the watch you are looking for is out of stock, chances are you will find a similar one in “other items you may like” section on the retailer’s online store.
Last revision: January, 2019
The Best Automatic Women’s Watches Under $500
TISSOT Le Locle Automatic Ladies
Le Locle is one of Tissot’s flagship models, named after the city in Swiss Alps, the headquarters of the company. Tissot Le Locle Automatic Ladies is powered by the very reliable and light-weight ETA 2671 movement. The engraved creamy-white dial and steel-grey hands and numerals are in nice contrast with the polished stainless steel case and bracelet. The smooth, wavy guilloché pattern on the dial and the Tissot logo on the crown are another nice details, which redounds to Tissot Le Locle’s air of relaxed elegance.
ZEPPELIN Princess of the Sky Automatik
Zeppelin is one of these watch brands, which, although not widely known, fully deserve watch buyer’s attention. Zeppelin is a sister brand of the respected German brand Junkers and all their watches are assembled in Germany, which speaks highly about their quality.
Zeppelin’s Princess Automatik model is unique in many ways. At first glance, it’s just another open-heart watch – it looks cool, but open heart ladies watches have become quite common lately. Zeppelin’s Princess, however, has truly unique concept. It can be worn on the wrist as well as around the neck – a fancy choice for any fashionable lady.
The watch is powered by Miyota 8N24 Automatic caliber with 40 hours power reserve.
Note about WatchShop BBB rating: Better Business Bureau rates and accredits only North American companies. WatchShop is a UK online retailer and as such does not have a record in BBB. There is no equivalent of BBB in the UK, but we believe that a company rated 8.7/10 by 4200 customers (according to TrustPilot) IS a trustworthy one.
BULOVA 98P170 Diamond Accented Automatic
There’s only one word that can describe this watch, and it is ‘elegance’. Bulova 98P170 is a truly beautiful watch (although we have to admit that the reason for naming such a beautiful timepiece ’98P170′ is beyond us). The silk-smooth, gold-tone bezel and the mother-of-pearl dial accented with tiny diamonds give the watch its unique, luxurious look. The delicate decoration on the dial, the transparent caseback, and the particularly attractive open aperture at 7 o’clock position, through which you can see the Japanese automatic movement ticking inside, are the final touches that make the watch so highly desirable.
SWATCH Unisex Sistem Red Automatic
Everyone knows Swatch. It is playful, bright, cheap, childish. But this particular Swatch is not just that. It is… well, black. And it has all these constellations (or night sky map), and looks almost like a real watch.
Sistem Red (no, there’s no typo) is everything you would expect from Swatch, minus the cheap look, plus an excellent Swiss-made automatic movement visible through the transparent case back. And yes, in the flesh it is even more beautiful. A great watch for grown up girls, especially for those who do not want to grow up. Yet.
ROTARY Project/D London Automatic Beige Leather
Rotary is not one of the widely known Swiss watch companies, but it is old and respected, and it is still owned by Dreyfuss family – 120 years after Moise Dreyfuss founded Rotary Watches in 1895. Project/D is one of the best in Rotary’s model line. The thin beige band is made of genuine leather and the case back is transparent. The watch is svelte and very feminine, with transparent crystals encrusted in the bezel, encircling the simple yet elegant dial with an open heart window.
Porsamo Bleu Liza Automatic Skeleton
With their Liza model Porsamo Bleu achieved what we believe is the best balance between elegance, value and mechanical perfection. For less than $500 you can get a precise Japanese (Miyota 8N24) skeleton movement placed in nicely decorated stainless steel case (which looks more like an expensive bijou than just a watch case), a crown decorated with genuine topaz gemstone and smooth, satin-finished genuine leather band. The unparalleled feel of wearing an unique piece of art on your wrist comes at no additional cost.
ORIENT Fashionable Butterfly Automatic
Although not as widely known as Seiko or Citizen, Orient Watches is one of the most respected Japanese watchmaking brands, founded back in 1901. ‘Butterfly’ is a part of their Happy Stream collection. Although the unusual tonneau shaped case looks a bit big, the watch is neat and stylish and looks nicely even on a delicate wrist. The mother-of-pearl dial is partially skeletonized so you can see the work of the precise Japanese automatic movement through the wing of one of the butterflies fluttering all around the dial. The back of the watch is also skeletonized, with even more butterflies engraved around the opening. The satin-soft, white genuine leather strap is very pleasant to the touch.
The Butterfly is elegant and comfortable to wear and is an excellent choice for an everyday watch.
THOMAS EARNSHAW Lady Australis
In the price segment below $500, you can hardly think about a better choice than a watch from Lady Australis collection by Thomas Earnshaw. It is not easy to name the most prominent feature of the watch. The bezel is outlined with a set of 30 sparkling Baguette Cut Austrian crystals. The dial style is inspired by famous Jaquet Droz PETITE HEURE MINUTE collection. The main dial is engraved with Decor Flamme guilloche pattern, and the hands are set on a separate, smaller dial. The open aperture window at 6 o’clock allows you to see the work of the tiny wheels inside, and if you find that window too small, the back of the watch is also transparent so you can enjoy the movement in its full beauty. The band is made of genuine leather, soft and pleasant to touch.
Overall, Lady Australis by Thomas Earnshaw is a great dress watch. For a very reasonable price, it offers the look and feel of an expensive Swiss timepiece.
The Best Quartz Women’s Watches Under $500
CITIZEN Eco-Drive Two-Tone Diamonds
Citizen, as one of the biggest watchmaking brands, is well known for its zealousness in implementing new and high-end technologies. This particular timepiece, however, combines in a brilliant way the innovative technologies with the classic beauty. The watch is equipped with light-powered Eco-Drive movement. The beautiful mother-of-pearl dial is encrusted with seven genuine diamonds. Another three floating diamonds, nested between the bezel and the case, make this Citizen truly unique. Gold-toned bezel, half separated from the silver-toned case, is another unique feature of the watch. The elegant two-toned bracelet completes the luxurious look of this true watchmaking masterpiece.
MOVADO Harmony Bracelet Watch
Sleek, thin and elegant. Minimalist design, powered by precise and reliable Swiss movement. Highly rated by the customers (4.8 out of 5 from 27 customer’s reviews). Movado’s Harmony Bracelet watch is undoubtedly one of the best choices for the modern stylish woman.
* Overstock gives their customers the option to select (for an extra charge) between 2 or 3 years warranty on every purchased watch with their Jewelry Protection Plan. The listed price of the watch does not include this warranty. On Overstock.com site, make sure you select the desired Protection Plan from the Warranty dropdown before you order!
VICTORINOX Victoria Women’s Quartz
You can’t get wrong with Victorinox. The brand is highly praised for the quality and affordability of its timepieces and Victoria is among the best Victorinox models. With its wide, sturdy stainless steel bracelet and neat mother-of-pearl dial, encrusted with 11 delicate diamonds, Victoria wields a unique mixture of sturdiness and grace.
MONDAINE Helvetica Ladies
Mondaine Helvetica is powered by Swiss Ronda quartz movement, which is encased in a gold-plated stainless steel case. The simple yet appealing design will not leave anyone indifferent. With its 28mm case and the 18mm wide bracelet, Mondaine Helvetica is designed to be bold and eye-catching.
Note about WatchShop BBB rating: Better Business Bureau rates and accredits only North American companies. WatchShop is a UK online retailer and as such does not have a record in BBB. There is no equivalent of BBB in the UK, but we believe that a company rated 8.7/10 by 4200 customers (according to TrustPilot) IS a trustworthy one.
MOVADO ESQ Fusion Ladies
Movado ESQ Fusion is the perfect watch for women living an active life. It is rugged, durable and very reliable, but it is also so feminine. The white dial and the silver-tone hands are a perfect match to the perfectly polished stainless steel bracelet. Elevated hour markers, big date window, and the playfully looking bright orange second hand are the small details, which characterize every successful watch design. The crown is on the left side, which is quite uncommon for the Swiss watches, but makes Fusion an excellent choice for left-handers.
RADO Diastar Women’s Original
Rado is one of the most recognizable Swiss watch brands, famous for its uniquely designed timepieces and its zealousness in the research of new, sometimes even revolutionary materials to create some of the world’s most beautiful and durable watches. Very few things are as appealing as polished gold and sparkling crystals, and Rado’s ‘Original’ series watches prove that. The crystal pavé on the dial, hours index made of shining red crystals, tiny gold-toned hands, polished gold-tone dial and bracelet – everything in this watch exudes splendor and sheer elegance.
WENGER Mountaineer White
Wenger is the subsidiary brand of the Swiss watch manufacturer Victorinox and is famous for its reliability and robustness. Wegner Mountaineer has an excellent reputation among the mountain hikers and the bikers. The rugged looking, mid-sized case is topped by a unidirectional rotating bezel. The satin finished white dial with the Wenger’s trademark – the Swiss army insignia – includes big, easy to read silvery Arabic numeral markers, luminous black-outlined hands, red seconds hand, and a date window at 3 o’clock. The watch is water resistant at 100 meters (330 feet), which makes it suitable for water sports as well. These features make Wegner Mountaineer a great accessory for women who love active an lifestyle.
TISSOT Trend Pinky Silver Dial
Equipped with precise ETA F03.111 Swiss quartz movement and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, Pinky by Tissot is a paragon of Swiss craftsmanship and tradition in watchmaking. But, technical details aside, it is even more than just a watch. Worn loosely, it gives the impression of an elegant bracelet on the wrist. To this, a lovely clasp integrates perfectly as if it was in disguise and further adds to the gorgeous bracelet look. The shiny polished case gives the watch that finishing touch. Even by its name alone, Pinky evokes femininity – a perfect gift for every woman.
88 RUE DU RHONE Alexandra Diamonds
With its gray, satin-finished dial engraved with floral motifs, eleven pink diamond indexes, delicate silver-tone hands, and croco-embossed pink leather bracelet, Alexandra by 88 Rue du Rhone is exactly what the true feminine watch should be. The lovely and romantic character of the watch makes it a great complement to any type of outfit, but perhaps it will look best if worn together with a trendy white blazer.
MAURICE LACROIX Les Classiques
Nothing beats the classic. This timepiece from Maurice Lacroix’s Les Classiques collection proves that without qualification. Everything in this watch – the timeless design, the restrained elegance of the case, the simple beauty of the dial, the delicate hours, minutes and seconds hands in classically elegant setting – is designed with only one purpose: to emphasize the quality that this watch will display on your wrist.
NIXON Player Rose Gold Toned Ladies
Yet another classic, this time from the most trendy American watch brand. Powered by Japanese Miyota quartz movement, Nixon Player looks clean and elegant, with a tiny but genuine diamond at 6 o’clock for some extra splendor. The TV-style case with delicately domed crystal and the elegantly tapered bracelet are plated in rose gold. A timeless Nixon design, true to the Player series motto “business with pleasure”
ANNE KLEIN 1018BKBK
Sleek and sophisticated watch from American fashion designer Anne Klein. The black ceramic bracelet and the smooth black dial are in pleasing contrast with rose-gold plated lugs, hour indices, case, and hands, while the genuine 1mm diamond at 12 o’clock adds a spark of luxury. The trendy design of the watch makes it perfect suit for almost every occasion – from the business meeting in the morning to that unforgettable night out.
MICHAEL KORS Parker Glitz
It is not easy to design a stylish watch that stands out of the rest. There are so many watches that look classy and fashionable, after all. But Parker Glitz by Michael Kors does exactly that. It stands out, boldly. Its striking design is a real eye-catcher. The brilliant silver-tone chronograph dial, the crystal-encrusted bezel, the sparkling crystal indices and the wide, perfectly polished two-tone bracelet are impossible to remain unheeded.
DREYFUSS & CO. 1974 Ladies
Since that day, back in 1890, when Rene Dreyfuss has founded Dreyfuss & Co., every Dreyfuss & Co. watch has been handcrafted following the best traditions of Swiss watchmaking art. Even today, more than hundred years later, every Dreyfuss & Co. timepiece is handmade.
Tradition and style – that’s what you get with your Dreyfuss & Co. watch, plus incredible attention to detail. The refined elegance of this 1974 ladies’ model, the stern exquisiteness of the square-shaped case and the tried-and-true classic look of the dial guarantee that your 1974 by Dreyfuss & Co. will always look as fantastic as it does right now.
Note about WatchShop BBB rating: Better Business Bureau rates and accredits only North American companies. WatchShop is a UK online retailer and as such does not have a record in BBB. There is no equivalent of BBB in the UK, but we believe that a company rated 8.7/10 by 4200 customers (according to TrustPilot) IS a trustworthy one.
CITIZEN Women’s World Time A-T Eco-Drive
Citizen Eco-Drive World Time A-T is an engineering masterpiece – no more, no less. The watch is equipped with a bunch of advanced features: Eco-Drive, Atomic Timekeeping, and perpetual calendar, to name just a few. Citizen Eco-Drive World Time A-T features Atomic Timekeeping – a function that allows the watch to receive time calibration signals and correct the time automatically (the feature is available only in North America, UK, Europe, China and Japan, because it relies on radio signal received from six transmission stations, situated in these areas). Eco-Drive feature is based on technology that converts both natural and artificial light into energy to power the battery, so the watches equipped with Eco-Drive will never need a battery replacement.
But the technology is not the only amazing thing about Citizen Eco-Drive World Time A-T – the watch it is also very attractive. With its soft lines, delicately etched mother-of-pearl dial and dainty color pops this timepiece is so strikingly cool and yet very feminine.
Please share if you enjoyed this article
What Does Swiss Made Mark Mean
