There are few pieces that are as essential to a man’s wardrobe as a dress watch. When you walk into a room well-dressed with a nice suit, the heels of your boots tapping on the hardwood floor, a shine in your eyes, and the subtle glint of a dress watch on your wrist, you’re undefeatable.
No matter what comes your way, no matter who crosses your path, and no matter how important the event is, you’ve got all of your bases covered, and you’re ready to face the day. That’s the power of wearing a good watch.
The dramatic entry aside, however, a wristwatch offers more than just a fashion statement. Being on time for a meeting, networking event, or just a fancy date night is vital if you want to earn the respect of the other person in question.
“But what about my smartphone?” you might be thinking…
Well, phones are all well and good- until the battery dies. In addition to this, always staring at your phone all the time just doesn’t look very professional. Watches, on the other hand, are timeless. Although some may be battery-powered, most last for years between battery replacements, and mechanical watches will keep on ticking forever without a watch.
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Types of Dress Watches
This brings us to our next point- the types of dress watches that you’ll come across. The two main types that you’ll come across are:
- Quartz dress watches
- Mechanical dress watches
In recent years, “smart” watches have also gained popularity. These watches are almost like smartphones for your wrist. They often connect directly to your phone and sync so that you can view and send messages, monitor your health and heart rate, stay on top of your calendar, and more.
Despite the popularity of smart watches in the mainstream media, however, traditional quartz and mechanical dress watches are still the go-to in making a classic fashion statement. When you’re in the middle of a meeting or a dinner date, you don’t want your smart watch constantly blinking, buzzing, and beeping as your messages and phone calls come in. Despite their excellent functionality for everyday use, they can also be quite distracting.
On the surface, quartz and mechanical watches look almost exactly alike. The only difference is their internal operating mechanism.
Quartz watches are battery-powered and utilize a small quartz crystal to regulate and measure time second-by-second. As the battery sends a small electric pulse through the crystal, it vibrates at a precise rate which is then translated by a small microchip into seconds, minutes, and hours. The microchip then triggers the hands of the watch to move accordingly.
Mechanical watches, on the other hand, are operated by a small spring within the watch. In the old days, the wearer would have to manually “wind” the watch every day before wearing it to reset the spring. However, today’s mechanical watches are automatically winding. As you wear them, your natural wrist movements throughout the day will rewind the watch and keep it ticking.
Best Dress Watches Under $500 | Our Top Picks
Now that you know a little bit more about what type of watches you’ll come across, it’s time to take a look at some of the dress watches on the market. When it comes to watches, the sky is the limit as far as price goes (just look at those fancy quarter-million-dollar Richard Millies, for example).
Today, however, we’re going to keep it simple. All of the watches on this list can be purchased for less than $500 and provide excellent quality and functionality level that will last you a lifetime.
1. Bulova Two-Tone Dress Watch
In 1971 during the Apollo 15 mission to the moon, Bulova made history as one of the first watches to be worn in space by the commander of the mission. Although Bulova has a wide range of different watches, their two-tone dress watch is a classic quartz watch that provides a subtle yet undeniable charm.
It has a 40mm stainless steel casing with two gold-plated stripes that go down the length of the wristband. The face features a beautiful deep blue tone with gold-plated hands and small quartz stones inset in the 5-minute markers. This watch goes perfectly with business or formal attire.
- Movement : Quartz
- Case Diameter : 40 mm
- Case Thickness : 6.7 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Mineral Glass
- Band Material : Stainless Steel
- Band Width : 20 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
2. Citizen Stainless Steel Watch with Date
Citizen is known for their simple, classy, and refined design. This model doesn’t feature all of the Bulova’s shine and bling but instead utilizes a black calfskin leather strap that goes well with a casual business appearance. The casing is 40mm and has an ultra-slim design that won’t interfere with the cuffs of a dress shirt or your blazer.
This watch also features Citizen’s patented Eco-Drive technology that uses natural sunlight to recharge the quartz watch battery so that you’ll never have to worry about replacing the battery!
- Movement : Japanese Quartz
- Case Diameter : 40 mm
- Case Thickness : 9 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Mineral Glass
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 21 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
3. Orient Bambino Version IV
The Orient Bambino Version IV is very similar in appearance to the Citizen Eco-Drive that we just showcased above. It features an ultra-comfortable black calfskin strap and 41mm stainless steel case. The watch’s face has a shimmering blue tone that perfectly accents the black strap and the silver trim to create a dark, elegant finish.
The most notable feature of the Bambino IV is the hands, which have a sleek sword shape with a needlepoint tip that allows you to tell time down to the exact minute. There’s also a handy date dial by the 15-minute marker in case you ever forget which day of the month it is.
- Movement : Japanese Automatic
- Case Diameter : 42 mm
- Case Thickness : 11.8 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Mineral Glass
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 22 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
4. Tissot Stainless Steel Dress Watch
Tissot’s stainless steel dress watch is a great example of a timepiece that combined a slightly rugged look with small, refined details that only a true watch enthusiast can appreciate. The strap is coffee brown and has an ultra-smooth finish that will never chafe your wrist or cause any discomfort. You could easily sleep with this watch on and not even notice the difference.
Like the other watches we’ve looked at so far, the casing is 40mm wide and 8.52mm thick with a brushed stainless finish. The watch’s face is a cobalt blue that accents the brushed stainless to create a beautiful contrast between blue and silver.
The “glass” also isn’t made from traditional glass. Instead, it’s engineered from synthetic sapphire- a material that is renowned for its superior durability and scratch-resistant qualities.
- Movement : Swiss quartz
- Case Diameter : 40 mm
- Case Thickness : 8.52 mm
- Case Material : 316L Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 21 mm
- Water Resistance : 100m
5. Seiko Stainless Steel Solar Watch
Seiko created their solar watches to compete with Citizen’s Eco-Drive pieces. As such, these quartz watches will never need their batteries replaced and can be charged with natural sunlight (or ambient light).
Seiko represents the best that Japanese watchmakers have to offer, and this model is no exception. Its rust-colored calfskin band has a slightly glossy tone, accentuating the light gold trim on the case and the matte black face. Unlike other watches that typically only feature a date number, this one also tells you the day of the week.
- Movement : Japanese Quartz
- Case Diameter : 39 mm
- Case Thickness : 10 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Hardlex
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 20 mm
- Water Resistance : 100m
6. Fossil Grant Chronograph Watch
The Fossil Grant looks like something that you’d expect Indiana Jones to wear! As such, it’s the type of watch that goes as well in the classroom or boardroom as it does with athletic gear. The hazelnut-colored leather band is thick, sturdy, and breathable, while the stainless steel casing and navy blue face draw attention from everybody who sees it.
Unlike other dress watches, the Fossil Grant Chronograph is also water-resistant up to 165-meters. While you wouldn’t want to go diving with it, it will hold up well at the beach or while walking down a rainy city street.
- Movement : Quartz
- Case Diameter : 44 mm
- Case Thickness : 12 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Hardened Mineral Crystal
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 22 mm
- Water Resistance : 50m
7. Orient 2nd Generation Bambino Version 2
The Orient Bambino Version 2 is completely different from the Version IV from above! Instead of a dramatic emerald-colored face, this watch features a cream-colored face, with silver-toned Roman numerals surrounding the timepiece. The dial is also incredibly detailed and allows you to tell time down to the exact minute and second.
The band is made from premium black leather and features beautiful caramel stitching down the length, which makes a big difference when compared to your average solid-colored band.
- Movement : Japanese Automatic: F6722 Movement
- Case Diameter : 40.5 mm
- Case Thickness : 12 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Domed Mineral Crystal
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 21 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
8. Bulova Classic Dress Watch
If you’re a fan of silver and white, then Bulova’s Classic dress watch is as clean as a watch can get. Both the casing and the band are made from stainless steel that has been brushed and polished for a bright sheen that looks almost like sterling silver.
The face of the watch has a snow-white outer ring, a white and silver inner ring with a star-shaped back pattern, and the dial markers have a mirror finish that you can see your own face in.
- Movement : Japanese Quartz
- Case Diameter : 38 mm
- Case Thickness : 7.6 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Domed Mineral Crystal
- Band Material : Stainless Steel
- Band Width : 22 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
9. Seiko Quartz Watch (SUP880)
Seiko’s SUP880 features a classic design reminiscent of some of its early pre-World War II designs. It has a slim black leather band and a unique rectangular-shaped casing with slight gold trim. The face of the watch is white and striped, the dial features bold black numerals, and the quartz watch is also solar-powered.
- Movement : Japanese Quartz
- Case Diameter : 28.5 mm
- Case Thickness : 6.1 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Hardlex
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 22 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
10. Citizen Eco-Drive Watch (BM7193-07B)
This particular watch differs in appearance from most of the other Eco-Drive models that Citizen produces. It’s one of the few watches we’ve seen that has both a brown face and a brown wristband. However, despite the bold design, it goes perfectly with the rose gold-colored stainless steel brushing and dial numerals. Like other Eco-Drives, the watch is solar-powered and this model would go great with light business casual wear or even a recreational outfit!
- Movement : Japanese Quartz
- Case Diameter : 40 mm
- Case Thickness : 11 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Protective Mineral Crystal
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 21 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
11. Orient 'Bambino Open Heart' Watch
Unlike most of the other watches on this list, which are battery-powered quartz models, Orients Bambino Open Heart is an automatic-winding mechanical watch. It features a classic Japanese dress watch style and has a deep blue leather band that matches the slightly lighter blue watch face.
The feature that sets the Open Heart apart from other Bambino models is the small circular glass opening that allows you to catch a glimpse into the watch’s cogs and mechanics. Although slight, this small design aspect makes the Open Heart a true eye-catcher.
- Movement : Japanese Automatic
- Case Diameter : 40.5 mm
- Case Thickness : 12 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Domed Mineral Crystal
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 20 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
12. Bulova Dress Watch (96C136)
This Bulova model features a triple chronograph and has design aspects similar to a dive watch, giving it a strong, heavy appearance that will pull any outfit together and draw attention from across the table.
The stainless steel case and band have heavy brushing, which gives it more of a matte finish as opposed to the shiny glossy appearance of the previous Bulova Classic dress watch we reviewed. There is a small dial that displays both the date and the day of the week, so you’ll never miss a beat, no matter how busy your week has been.
- Movement : Quartz
- Case Diameter : 42 mm
- Case Thickness : 12 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Curved Mineral Crystal
- Band Material : Stainless Steel
- Band Width : 20 mm
- Water Resistance : 30m
13. Seiko PRESAGE Cocktail Time "Blue Moon"
Although the watch face features Seiko’s timeless Japanese styling with the perfectly-circular case, slim trim, and large numerals, the Presage has more “impact” than other models. Like the Bulova above, it features a thick brushed stainless band that makes for a heavier watch, and it goes great with a suit and tie dinner (or cocktail time, as the name suggests)
- Movement : Automatic
- Case Diameter : 40 mm
- Case Thickness : 12 mm
- Case Material : Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Hardlex
- Band Material : Stainless Steel
- Band Width : 20 mm
- Water Resistance : 50m
14. Tissot Carson Dress Watch
Tissot is known for its simple, durable, high-quality Swiss timepieces. The Carson features a slim dark-brown leather wristband for superior breathability, a wide 41mm case, a matte white face, and an easy-to-read dial so you can tell the time even in a dimly-lit room. It has a triple chronograph for precise time-telling and even a small offset date dial for the precisionist.
- Movement : Swiss Quartz
- Case Diameter : 41 mm
- Case Thickness : 10.21 mm
- Case Material : 316L Stainless Steel
- Dial Window : Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal
- Band Material : Leather
- Band Width : 20 mm
- Water Resistance : 50m
