While the latest smartwatches bring cutting-edge technology and advanced features to your wrist, they will never entirely replace the classic dress watch. The best men’s watch is still and will always be an elegant analogue timepiece.
That sophisticated men’s watch can be a priceless diamond-encrusted wonder but it doesn’t have to be. You can elevate your personal style even with an investment in a relatively affordable men’s watch for under S$1,000.
Choosing the best men’s watch
When looking for the best men’s watch, here are the 10 key factors to consider.
- Design: Dress watches should be simple and understated. Go for a clean, uncluttered dial with easy-to-read markers and hands above excessive complications and busy designs common to sports watches and casual watches.
- Profile: A dress watch should be slim enough to fit under the cuff of a dress shirt or suit. Thick, bulky watches look out of place in formal settings.
- Case material: Stainless steel and precious metals like gold or rose gold are the best choices for a dress watch.
- Strap material: Leather straps and metal bracelets are the most common for dress watches. Colours such as black, brown or tan are popular but unique colours such as emerald green may complement some outfits.
- Movement type: The traditional craftsmanship of mechanical movements, especially automatic movements, is highly desirable in a dress watch. However, quartz movements can be more accurate and require less maintenance.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal gives superior scratch resistance and offers the best clarity. Mineral crystals and acrylic are not as durable.
- Water Resistance: While dress watches are obviously not designed for water-related activities, they should offer at least some water resistance to protect against accidental splashes or light rain.
- Clean look: Embrace subtlety. A dress watch should be discreet and free of large logos and branding, as well as ostentatious colours and designs.
- Versatility: A good dress watch should transition effortlessly from formal events to everyday wear. Remember, a versatile design allows you to get the most out of your investment.
Price: While price always plays a part in a purchase decision, it isn’t as strong a factor here as we have already narrowed these watches down to the sub-S$1,000 range. It’s much more important that you choose a model that fits your sense of style and fashion in terms of colour, design and material.
Best men’s watch in Singapore
Here are some of the best examples of horological craftsmanship priced under S$1,000. Some are from renowned Japanese manufacturers with decades of watchmaking heritage as well as specimens of Swiss precision engineering.
1. Orient Bambino Ver 2 Automatic Date (FAC00005W)
A light 68 grams and embodying Orient’s classic minimalist design, the Orient Automatic Date men’s watch favours subtlety. An affordably elegant timepiece for watch aficionados.
- Case diameter: 40.5 mm
- Case height: 11.8 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Leather
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 30 m
Buy now: S$224 on Amazon S$360 on Lazada S$456 on Shopee
2. Bulova Men’s Lunar Pilot Chronograph Watch (96B258)
At a hefty 109 grams, the Bulova Men’s Lunar Pilot Chronograph is based on the legendary Bulova Chronograph used by astronaut David Scott on the 1971 Apollo 15 mission.
- Case diameter: 45 mm
- Case height: 13.5 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now: S$792 on Amazon
Currently not available on Lazada & Shopee
3. Tissot Tradition Perpetual Calendar Men’s Watch (T0636371605700)
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Case height: 11 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Leather
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 30 m
Buy now: S$705 on Amazon
Currently not available on Lazada & Shopee
4. SEIKO PROSPEX Mini Turtle 200m Diver (SBDY083)
With its 200m resistance rating, the Seiko Prospex Mini Turtle 200m Diver is well and truly a diver’s watch.
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Case height: 9.65 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 200 m
Buy now: S$485 on Amazon S$538 on Lazada S$569 on Shopee
5. Seiko 5 Sports SKX GMT U.S. Special (SSK017J1)
The Seiko 5 Sports SKX GMT U.S. Special features a robust stainless steel case, a brilliant yellow dial, automatic GMT movement, and a 24-hour hand—perfect for adventurous travellers seeking bold style and reliability.
- Case diameter: 42.5 mm
- Case height: 13.6 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water Resistance: 100 m
Buy now: S$551 on Amazon S$784 on Lazada
Currently not available on Shopee
6. Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Watch (PMD56-2951)
The Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Watch boasts precision radio-controlled timekeeping, solar-powered Eco-Drive technology, and a lightweight titanium case for accuracy, durability, and low maintenance.
- Case diameter: 39 mm
- Case height: 11.4 mm
- Case material: Titanium
- Strap material: Titanium
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 100 m
Buy now: S$556 on Amazon S$591 on Shopee
Currently not available on Lazada
7. Citizen Nighthawk Eco-Drive Pilot Watch (BJ7000-52E)
A steal if you can get it as less than S$330, the Citizen Nighthawk Eco-Drive Pilot Watch is water resistant to 200m and has no batteries to be replaced.
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Case height: 13 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 200 m
Buy now: S$320 on Amazon S$654 on Lazada
Not currently available on Shopee
8. Fossil Nate Black Watch (JR1401)
A simple and affordable watch whose appeal lies in its large 50 mm case, and granular matte finish for a masculine, almost-steampunk look to the Fossil Nate Black Watch.
- Dial diameter: 50 mm
- Case height: 13 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now: S$163 on Amazon S$297 on Lazada S$301 on Shopee
9. Orient Bambino V3 Gen 2 Automatic (FAC0000DB)
The Orient Bambino V3 Gen 2 Automatic is revered for its striking Mona Lisa-esque beauty. A true timeless classic and surprisingly affordable.
- Case diameter: 40.5 mm
- Case height: 11.5 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Leather
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 30 m
Buy now: S$224 on Amazon S$310 on Lazada S$456 on Shopee
10. Hamilton Jazzmaster Power Reserve Auto (H32635521)
See exactly how much power of the 80 hours remains at any time on the reserve indicator and admire the beauty of the intricate mechanism with a see-through case back on the Hamilton Jazzmaster Power Reserve Auto.
- Case diameter: 41 mm
- Case height: 13 mm
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Strap material: Stainless steel
- Movement type: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 50 m
Buy now: S$948 on Amazon
Currently not available on Lazada & Shopee
11. Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to Pluto (SO33M101)
The Moonswatch collection consists of 11 gorgeous timepieces inspired by the (8+1) planets, sun and moon. Rarely available in Singapore, the superlight 29 gram Mission to Pluto is my favourite.
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Case height: 13.3 mm
- Case material: Bioceramic
- Strap material: Velcro
- Movement type: Quartz
- Crystal: Mineral
- Water Resistance: 30 m
Buy now: S$685 on Amazon
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