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Here's Our Best Men's Watches Under £5,000 For The Ultimate Flexer

UPDATED MARCH 2024

You’ve read all the style magazines and scrolled endlessly through social media posts of the hottest celebs flaunting their wrists. One thing you may have noticed is a little something that occasionally flashes under cuffs or is sometimes on full show.

Wristwear isn’t going anywhere. Even with the emergence of smart watches, mechanical watches are becoming increasingly more stylish and attractive. You’ve seen the vintage Rolex Daytona 6239 from John Mayer, the stunning Jacob & Co Billionaire piece worn by Floyd Mayweather or The Richard Mille RM27-03 as worn by sportsman Rafael Nadal.

Worth millions of pounds each, we can see why you may be a little overwhelmed!

However, you need not hide under your duvet. There are plenty of watches out there that are accessible to your wage bracket, not to mention exceptionally well crafted with first rate materials that will fit into your hectic everyday lives.

Whether it’s a Grand Seiko SBGR325, iconic Gerald Genta inspired IWC Ingenieur or Cartier Tank, these watches are just a handful of the quality and brand heritage you can buy under £5,000.

Without any further chitter-chatter, let’s get into Chrono Hunter’s best watches under £5,000 for the ultimate flexer.

Grand Seiko SBGR325 - £4,900

The Grand Seiko SBGR325 is a great piece for horological lovers, especially since it is under £5,000, boasting its affordability when considering its great craftsmanship and signature Zaratsu polishing.

Source - SBGR325

Marking the 25th anniversary of the iconic 9S Calibre watch movement, this model is capped at 1,200 pieces boosting its desirability among collectors and enthusiasts. Crafted out of 37mm of stainless steel, the dial is given a gorgeous textured face which represents the view from Mount Iwate near the Shizukuishi Watch Studio.

Specifically, the sheen of the face is inspired by “mid-heaven” or ‘中天= Chūten’ to you Japanese academics, which is viewable from the top of the mountain. The model follows ‘The Nature of Time’ theme, boasting the contrasts of light and shadows.

You could bag a number of flights to Japan for under £5,000, or you can permanently live there with this stunner on your wrist!

The caseback is an exhibition sapphire crystal, allowing us to look into the similarly blue oscillating weight that’s made through anodic oxidation. Powered by the 9S65 movement, the calibre is an automatic manual winding model and boasts an accuracy of -3/+5 seconds per day and a strong weekend-proof power reserve of 72 hours.

You can buy a Grand Seiko SBGR325 for £4,900 as of March 2024.

Omega Speedmaster Chronograph 38 - £5,000

Feeling like a lunar gentleman? Taking astronauts to the moon costs around £27 million so why not enjoy the knowledge that your timepiece is capable of getting there for under £5,000!

Source - Brand’s Site

Of course this list would not be complete without Buzz Aldrin making an appearance. As worn by the man himself back in 1969, The Speedmaster 38mm prides itself on simplicity, veering away from the watches released following the 1969 moon landing.

Crafted out of stainless steel on both the case and bezel, the model boasts a tachymetric scale on a grey aluminium ring as per the sporty start of the Speedmaster. The face is given a silvery sheen with beautifully horizontal oval subdials and a vertical oval date window at 6 o’clock. The sub dials are given jolts of orange on the hands and the main seconds in similarly neon orange.

The indexes are beautifully crafted and finished out of 18K Sedna gold as well as the hands. Crafted with a beautiful Novo Nappa brown leather strap, the model features a Seahorse medallion on the caseback, showcasing the classic Omega emblem. Imagine owning this beauty for under £5,000!

Sedna gold is given a beautifully rose gold alloy sheen which is aptly named after Sedna, an orbiting planetoid that’s allegedly the reddest in the solar system.

You can buy an Omega Speedmaster 38 at retail for £5,000 as of March 2024.

TAG Heuer Carrera Date - £2,750

Wanted to buy a jewel for under £5,000? Well, we can’t promise crowns or diamonds, but we can give you The Carrera, the jewel of TAG Heuer’s portfolio.

Source - Brand’s Site

It was inspired by the Carrera Panamericana car race which first started in 1950. The race was based across Mexico and was noted for its lack of safety and precaution measures. Running around 3,500Km, the race featured all classes of cars and ran at an astonishing speed.

The model was subsequently released in 1963 by Jack Heuer as a chronograph piece that was geared towards racers. It has since become popularised and a staple of any gentleman looking for an affordable racing timepiece.

The model carries on the great legacy of the collection. Crafted out of stainless steel, the timepiece undergoes brushing on the case sides and polishing along the lugs and the bezel.

Coming in at 39mm, they are a more modern sizing, capable of being worn underneath the suit shirt cuffs. Zooming into the face, the navy blue sheen features silver batons which are tipped with luminescence and hands which have lume running through its centre.

The bracelet is similarly crafted out of the case material and undergoes the same brushing along the edge links and a polished finish through the centre.

The watch is powered by the Calibre 5 automatic, offering a fantastic 28,800VpH frequency and a 38 hour power reserve. Powering the hours, minutes, seconds and date function at 6 o’clock, this is the piece to get your engines purring, Timelords!

You can buy a TAG Heuer Carrera Date at retail for £2,750 as of March 2024.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 WBP2150.FT6210 - £4,400

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 prides itself on durability and a healthy dose of luxury with a yellow gold bezel.

Source - Brand’s Site

Coming in at 40mm of solid steel for the case, the watch prides itself on its durability as per the history of the Aquaracer. Capable of offering 200 metres of water resistance, the yellow gold screw down crown allows for the watch to cope with extensive depths.

Given an 18K 3N yellow gold, uni-directional bezel inlay and matching screw down crown, our eyes are drawn into the awesome smokey, navy dial with the ever stylish horizontal lines that caress the face. What a cracking piece for under £5,000!

Combining yellow gold edging on the applied hour markers and hands, the entire watch is seamless in its construction, blending a royal concoction of gold and blue into this sporty model. Powered by the Calibre 5 automatic, the watch offers a modest 38 hours of power reserve, a frequency of 28,800VpH and places it all on top of a navy rubber strap for that final sporty confirmation.

You can buy a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 at retail for £4,400 as of March 2024.

Breitling Superocean Heritage ‘57 - £4,650

The Superocean Heritage collection by its own admission is a throwback to the times of the free and easy 60s. Right on, man!

Source - Brand’s Site

Crafted out of stainless steel and given 18K red gold upgrades, this is one variation that adds a dose of luxury and elegance. The case is 42mm of solid steel and follows the traditional design codes of a concave bidirectional ceramic bezel and a face that boasts oversized indices.

Reaching 100 metres of water resistance, the watch is given a non screw-locked crown with two gaskets. The bezel has a thin serrated edge which is made out of pink gold, while the markers on the bezel are similarly made out of the luxury material. We feel for under £5,000, this is a gorgeous luxury piece from Breitling.

The hands are made of pink gold, standing out against the black face and the white teeth hour markers. Powered by the Breitling 10 movement, the watch offers 42 hours of power reserve and a strong, COSC certified beat of 28,800VpH. Weekend proof it aint, but stylish and sleek it certainly is.

You can buy a Breitling Superocean Heritage ‘57 at retail for £4,850 as of March 2024.

Cartier Tank - £4,850

The Cartier Tank finds its roots creeping all the way back to 1917, taking their inspiration from Renault F-17 tanks during WWI.

Source - Brand’s Site

Created by Louis Cartier after his stint in WW1, he witnessed atrocities and the immeasurable force of Renault tanks on the Western Front. The prototype was initially shown to General John J. Pershing of The American Expeditionary Force.

The watch itself follows the design codes of its predecessors, including the “brancard” (French for stretcher) design of the vertical sidebars and the integrated strap that blends into them.

Featuring bold Roman Numeral hour markers on the face, blued sword shaped hands and a sapphire cabochon crown, the latter is what the brand is famous for and has been on the wrists of many influential figures such as Rami Malek, Princess Diana and Jake Gyllenhaal.

This Tank Américaine WSTA0044 variation was originally released in 1989, follows the classic Tank design, but narrows the case down and adds a gentle curvature. Featuring a silvered face with black Roman numerals and blued Dauphine style hands, the watch is powered by a mechanical movement that offers a 36 hour power reserve.

Sufficient time for that all important meeting, why not pair this with a navy blue suit with brown brogues or a pink suit if you feel a little more outgoing!

Incorporating a solid movement with an iconic build means you can get a phenomenal heritage piece for a touch under £5,000. You can buy a Cartier Tank Américaine WSTA0044 at retail for £3,850 as of March 2024.

Bell & Ross 03-94 Black Matte - £5,000

Bell & Ross has long since been associated with the durable, the stylish, the quirky and the adventurous.

Source - Brand’s Site

The BR-03 links in with the legibility requirements necessary of professional aviators. The cockpit of an aeroplane closely relates to the style of this watch in its matte black case with bright white numerals and extremely legible white hands. The usage of photoluminescent coating allows for the face to be as lit up as a Christmas tree!

The ceramic case is closely associated with the aeronautical industry. Ceramic by its very nature is capable of withstanding high temps and being extremely resistant to corrosion and acid. To have a piece that’s so durable for under £5,000 is a fantastic price point for any budding horological connoisseur.

Showcasing many highly effective functions, this terrific piece has hours, minutes and small seconds based at 3 o’clock, elapsed time chronograph, a 30 minute timer at 9 o’clock, central chronograph seconds and a very useful minute track on the flange.

Powered by the BR-CAL.301, this automatic winding movement powers all the functions, including the chronograph features and a hacking function, not to mention offering a 40 hour power reserve.

You can buy a Bell & Ross 03-94 Black Matte at retail for £5,000 as of March 2024.

Longines Spirit Flyback L3.821.4.93.6 - £4,350

The Longines Spirit Flyback keeps with the sublime aviation heritage of the brilliant Spirit Flyback collection, but adds a very funky twist to keep it dressy!

Source - Brand’s Site

The stainless steel case is typical of the durable aviation piece, but it does feature polished bevel corners that allows for the watch to have a very dressy nature. The rest of the case undergoes a brushed aesthetic, giving a sporty feel to the piece which is perfect for those looking to buy a watch under £5,000.

The bi-directional rotating bezel is given a nice blue ceramic insert with a 60 seconds scale that's supported with luminous 5 seconds interval indications. The face is given a sun-ray finish, allowing its navy sheen to reflect light and enhance different aspects of the piece. Look closely above 6 o’clock and notice the iconic 5 star Longines emblem, boasting the quality of these luxury watches!

Part film review aesthetic in a newspaper and part brand symbol, some will be on the fence in terms of design. Equipped with bronze coloured hands that have a polished effect, they keep in tandem with the similarly bronzed hour markers, all of which are filled with Luminova. The dial is circled with a blue flange that has accompanying minutes/seconds making up a seconds track.

As an aviation piece, the watch boasts a chronograph function, including a flyback function that allows for the chronograph to instantly be restarted. Bolstered with a column wheel mechanism, it is ready for the plane or the catwalk! Powered by the L791.4 calibre, this COSC chronometer runs at 28,800VpH and has a strong power reserve of 68 hours.

You can buy a Longines Spirit Flyback L3.821.4.93.6 at retail for £4,350 as of March 2024.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 - £4,300

In the modern era, people are looking for the everyday watch, capable of being durable enough for the rough and tumble but smart enough to be pulled off with a fresh black suit.

Source - Brand’s Site

The IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic is one just model that competently demonstrates its modernisation due to it’s 10.4mm height and supple blue leather strap. Bringing the size down to 36mm, the watch is perfect for the slimmer wrist and is well under the £5,000 mark.

Crafted out of stainless steel, it features a sapphire convex glass and is coated with anti reflection to allow for the dial to be visible in all conditions. In addition, the glass is secured in to counteract any displacements in air pressure.

The blue sun-ray dial boasts a rapid-advance date display located at 3 o’clock, allowing for a quick change in an instant so you are good for several special occasions. This three handed watch is enhanced with a slightly recessed inner circle, allowing the face to look much more prominent.

Placed atop a fantastic blue Santoni alligator strap, Santoni is a recognised name for high quality leather, Italian craftsmanship. Fitting in with the blue face, it is seamless and looks exceptionally sharp under shirt cuffs, ideal for that

Water resistant to 60 metres, the movement is protected by a soft-iron inner case for increased security against magnetic fields. The 35111 calibre is an automatic movement that has a strong power reserve of 42 hours.

You can buy an IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 at retail for £4,300 as of March 2024.

Panerai Radiomir Officine - PAM01384 - £4,700

The Panerai Radiomir Officine gets its name from the heritage of the Panerai brand.

Source - Brand’s Site

Giovanni Panerai opened its doors of the Officine Panerai in Florence Ponte alle Grazie in 1860, resulting in patents of radiomir, the first luminescent substance used in horology and a legacy of highly durable watches with a strong relationship with the military, including the Italian Navy.

Nicknamed after the brand itself, The Panerai Radiomir Officine epitomises Panerai’s vision for large yet stylish watches. Coming in at 45mm, it is crafted out of steel and undergoes a beautifully polished finish on the top of the case. The subsequent aesthetic moves away from its sporty past and goes with a more fashionable finish.

The dial is snow white, but don’t expect a sea of dwarfs to come and march after you down the street! The face is made up of Arabic numerals and baton indices. Filled with luminescence, it is extremely legible which is perfect for its 100 metre water resistance. So in summary…Boasting a great water resistance?

Check. Under £5,000 for a beautiful model in a highly durable case? Definitely!

Featuring a small-seconds complication at 9 o’clock, it is the perfect melange of dressy and sporty. Powered by the mechanical P.6000 calibre, it offers a 3 day power reserve that’s supported by Incabloc anti-shock technology. Running at 21,100VpH, it is ideal for the everyday wearer.

Fitted with a beautiful black Scamosciato (Italian for suede) strap, the steel case compliments the suede complexion perfectly.

You can buy a Panerai Radiomir Officine at retail for £4,700 as of March 2024.

Breitling Avenger Chronograph 45 Night Mission - £4,950

The Breitling Avenger Chronograph 45 Night Mission prides itself on durability and an excellent degree of precision.

Source - Brand’s Site

As part of the Breitling Avenger collection, it is able to be navigated while using gloves. Perfect for the aviator gentleman or those cold winter nights sipping at that must see rooftop bar. It’s rugged bezel and ridged grip pattern on the crown and chronograph pushers means accessibility is easy at any time.

For around £5,000, this is a tough, everyday piece for gents as rugged as George Clooney. Nespresso not included? However, for a real pick me up, we recommend this piece for the more sporty ventures in your life

The Night Mission variation goes one step further. The 45mm diameter may be a tad oversized but it is made out of titanium and coated with DLC. Known as diamond-like carbon, it allows the titanium to be hardened and offers a fantastic degree of abrasion resistance.

Given a matte black face, it has highly legible Arabic numerals in a stencilled style. You may already know that the stencilled finish actually links to aeroplanes and the stencilled style that’s located on the decks of aircraft carriers.

Featuring a few tinges of yellow on the face, on the minute track and the 12 o’clock sub-dial, there’s a small date aperture located at 3 o’clock which features a white background for prime legibility.

It is powered by the Breitling 13 calibre. As a self-winding mechanical movement, the watch has a 48 hour power reserve and a solid frequency of 28,800VpH. Other not to miss highlights include running chronograph functions that read ¼ of a second, 30 minutes and 12 hours sub dials.

You can buy a Breitling Avenger Chronograph 45 Night Mission at retail for £4,950 as of March 2024.

Tudor Black Bay M7941A1A0RU-0003 - £3,790

The Tudor Black Bay was released this year, comes in at 41mm and is crafted out of stainless steel.

Source - Brand’s Site

The case combines both a satin and polished finish. Utilising both means that the watch can be used universally, including dressy events like abroad business trips and even for casual events like cheering on your favourite thoroughbred from the grandstands.

The dial is black, allowing the high contrast white hour markers and iconic “Snowflake” hands. Edged with gold and coated with lume, they are presented with a high degree of legibility. The combination of gold, black and white is universally accepted as both a dressy and a sporty piece which, for not so much as £5,000, is an absolute steal!

Offering 200 metres of water resistance, this is a piece that closely adheres to the ISO standard 22810:2010, confirming its water resistance.

The watch is given a visible red bezel with a 60-minute unidirectional feature. Crafted out of stainless steel, the bezel insert is crafted out of aluminium. It may not be Rolex’s Cerachrom, but we can still appreciate the use of classic materials within this particular piece.

Presented on a five-link stainless steel bracelet with a polished and satin finish, these watches are accompanied with a solid Tudor T-fit clasp, ensuring that it is secured onto your wrist at all times.

Powered by the MT5602-U calibre, they are given a self-winding mechanical functionality with a bidirectional rotor system. Given an impressive 70-hour power reserve, Tudor Black Bay has a great water resistance of 200 metres, meaning you are free to wear these watches for a spot of water-skiing and snorkelling.

You can buy a Tudor Black Bay M7941A1A0RU-0003 at retail for £3,910 as of March 2024.

Cartier Santos Dumont WSSA0022 - £4,000

The Cartier Santos Dumont has a storied history, based around it’s iconic status as the first ever wristwatch.

Source - Brand’s Site

In 1904, a Brazilian aviator named Alberto Santos-Dumont brought to Louis Cartier’s attention the difficulty of using a model while in flight. Typically using just pocket watches, Louis Cartier heard the complaints loud and clear. In turn, he created a thin wrist watch with a square bezel for Alberto Santos-Dumont to use.

Nowadays, these wonderful watches have since continued their strong horological legacy and have been updated in keeping with its status. At 43.5mm, the watch is crafted out of steel and undergoes a brushed aesthetic. The squared, polished bezel is fastened in with eight visible screws.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t guarantee a great water resistance as this is capped at 30 metres. Just enough for a vigorous shower!

For in and around £5,000, you get an iconic piece of watchmaking history, boasting a classic squared case and a stunning Roman Numeral dial face.

The dial has a satin-brushed aesthetic and is finished with a sunray effect. Featuring black Roman numerals, the watch features blued-steel sword shaped hands, a colour that matches the stunning blue synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel on the right hand side of the case.

The watches are fixed on a navy blue alligator-skin strap and secured with a steel ardillon buckle ensuring this goes well with a double breasted suit. Powered by a quartz calibre that runs both the hours and the minutes function, you can buy a Cartier Santos Dumont at retail for £4,000 as of March 2024.

Grand Seiko SBGN021 - £4,100

The Grand Seiko SBGN021 is a fantastic sports watch that combines resistance with effortless style. Everyday watches have never looked so hot!

Source - Brand’s Site

Crafted out of stainless steel, the watches feature polished chamfered edges, but predominantly prides itself on a brushed finish throughout. The crown is bizarrely placed at 4 o’clock, alongside the date aperture. This unusual placement goes to show Grand Seiko’s thoughtful engineering, doing away with conventional placement and making horological history. All for below £5,000!

This 40mm piece is given a ceramic bezel, boasting 24 hour markers to allow the user to determine the time in 2 different time zones. This is emphasised by the blued GMT hand with an arrow head which runs along the periphery of the dial.

The navy blue dial features blocky hour markers and tapered hands, all of which are dosed up with Lumibrite to ensure a high degree of legibility. The watch is powered by the calibre 9F86 which is a Quartz calibre, runs at -10/+10 second per year and offers 200 metres of water resistance.

You can buy a Grand Seiko SBGN021 at retail for £4,100 as of March 2024.

Omega DeVille Prestige - £4,840

The Omega DeVille Prestige is the ultimate collection for those vintage model lovers who love nothing more than a hardy dress piece.

Source - Brand’s Site

Based on masterful craftsmanship, the collection is elegant and fit for the gentleman looking to make his mark for shy of £5,000. Crafted out of both steel and red gold, the watch has the luxury of the precious metal, but also the steel that allows the piece to be accessible to most consumers.

Luckily, the precious metal is on the bezel and makes up the hands and hour markers, ensuring it’s centre stage when eyes glance down to it. We particularly enjoy the chestnut-brown dial that undergoes a sun-brushed finish, allowing light to promote various parts of the face.

The use of 18K red gold on the dial blends in well with the chocolate dial, but not too much that they are illegible. At 39.5mm in diameter, the watch is a perfect size for the modern wearer. The sapphire crystal is domed and scratch resistant with anti-reflective treatment to keep the piece visible from the sun.

The watch is powered by the Calibre 2500. Chronometer certified, it is as precise as Marcus Rashford’s right foot and features a gorgeous escapement calibre that is given a rhodium plated finish. Offering a 30 metre water resistance, the piece offers a power reserve of 48 hours and runs at 3.5Hz, making this is a great piece for you horological fiends!

Chronometer certified and being effortlessly stylish are just a few pointers for this cracking timepiece for downwards of £5,000.

You can buy an Omega DeVille Prestige at retail for £4,840 as of March 2024.

Bell & Ross GMT Sky Blue - £5,000

We understand that flying first class for all your business meetings may take a chunk out of the chequebook. Bell & Ross ensure that you can get yourself a GMT model that’s prime for aviation and considerably more affordable than its GMT competitors (no offence Rolex GMT-Master!).

Source - Brand’s Site

As part of The BR 05 family, the watches pride themselves on utilising an integrated bracelet with a beautiful squared case. At 41mm, these luxury timepieces are crafted out of steel which undergoes a beautiful satin-polished aesthetic.

The flange is rhodium plated and similarly satin-brushed, boasting the two tone, grey and light blue colour scheme to showcase the 24 hour scale. The crown is screwed down and features two blocky crown guards to ensure the 100 metre water resistance.

The face is sky blue and features a GMT complication that’s highly legible against the sunray finish, offering key information for travellers. Boasting a second time zone, it produces one revolution every 24 hours. Cast your eyes to the 24-hour scale on the flange ring.

Painted in both grey and blue for the daytime and nighttime, the GMT hand is given a broad arrow tipped hand with a Super-LumiNova lume filled head.

The watch is powered by the BR-CAL.325, an automatic mechanical movement with a lot of power for your buck. Offering a 40 hour power reserve, we love the exhibition caseback that showcases the stylish movement in all its steely glory.

You can buy a Bell & Ross GMT Sky Blue at retail for £5,000 as of March 2024.

Tudor Black Bay 54 - £3,260

The Tudor Black Bay takes inspiration from Tudor’s first ever dive model way back in 1954, The Tudor Submariner 7922.

Source - Brand’s Site

Tudor continued on the great legacy of the collection, keeping the timepiece with a decidedly modern case size of 37mm. Crafted out of steel, the strap is similarly crafted out of the material. Available in a three link structure, it features both a polished and satin finish, not to mention featuring the iconic Tudor T-fit clasp as released in 2021 on The Black Bay 58.

The domed sapphire crystal gives us an eagle eye into the matt black face. The hour markers are presented as dots and batons that are complemented with yellow gold gilting, and the same goes with the oh so classic “Snowflake hands”.

These have become an emblem of the brand since 1969 as first seen on the reference 7021 and 7016. Given a unidirectional black bezel, it references a 60-minute scale within an aluminium insert. Offering a water resistance of 200 metres, this is a piece that is more than capable of dealing with a private beach or a swimming pool.

The timepiece runs on the MT5400 self-winding calibre. Offering a 70 hour power reserve, the Black Bay 54 is COSC certified and ensures precision and longevity, no matter what 5 star hotel or private beach you may be lounging on. For under £5,000, you are getting a bucket load of technical prowess including a COSC certified calibre and strong build.

You can buy a Tudor Black Bay 54 at retail for £3,360 as of March 2024.

Omega Seamaster 300M - £3,750

The Omega Seamaster 300M has graced the horological world since 1993.

Source - Brand’s Site

The Omega Seamaster 300M was an upgrade to the previous 200M edition and had notable design features like a scalloped bezel and a unique wave pattern which runs across the entirety of the timepiece's face.

Used in the 1995 James Bond film, “Goldeneye”, Omega and Bond have been inseparable since, especially Mr Bond who adorns none other than the glorious Seamaster 300M. The latest variation of the Seamaster 300M follows the heritage of the piece while also including a few modernised aspects.

Coming in at 42mm of stainless steel, the model boasts a lug to lug measurement of 49.2mm and attains its whooping 300 metres water resistance. Given a blue bezel with a white enamel diving scale, the edition is fitted with a helium escape valve at 10 o’clock. After all, this is a diving timepiece!

The similarly blue dial face features laser engraved waves as an ode to the past and large baton and dot hour markers in a sharp, Super-Luminova coated white. The timepiece is given an exhibition caseback, allowing us to see into the mastery of the Calibre 8800.

The model is powered by the Omega Calibre 8800, a movement that looks great with its Geneva waves in Arabesque, but it has an incredible Master Chronometer Status, ensuring longevity and accuracy due its certifications from both COSC and METAS.

Given a 55 hour power reserve and a hardy 3.5Hz frequency rate, we reckon that for under £5,000, you will either be the most suave man under chandelier lights like Seamaster lover, Prince William, or the debonair gent in the boardroom.

You can buy an Omega Seamaster 300M on the secondary market for around £3,750 as of March 2024.

Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve - £3,500

The power reserve indicator is an instrumental complication which saw its heritage start in the 1880s under the careful eye of Abraham-Louis Breguet. When it comes to wristwatches, no other brand quite has claim to the complication like Longines.

Source - Longines

Joining the Conquest collection in 1959, just 5 years on from its inception, the power reserve was literally given the centre stage as it resided in the middle of the dial. Made up of two rotating discs, the crown moves the discs, with the outer one referencing 0 to 45.

As the crown winds, the disc turns until a small black arrow on the inner ring reaches 45, namely the maximum power reserve.

This works both ways. The inner disc will rotate counterclockwise as a representation of your watch's power depleting until it hits zero. With such a unique function, Longines have deemed it fair to bring it back in January 2024 to titillate the vintage lovers! And for less than £5,000 you cannot argue with that.

Sized at 38mm, this steel watch remains a true representation of the original reference 9028. Reaching 50 metres of water resistance, the satin-brushed and polished timepiece is the classy everyday piece for all men’s wardrobes.

Given a champagne dial the legendary discs remain in the centre with black edging pronouncing its purpose. The faceted hour markers are dressed appropriately in yellow gold and the hands take a syringe form. There is a date aperture at 12 o’clock which optimises legibility and adds yet another level of complexity.

Powered by the fresh Calibre L896.5, these watches have a power reserve of 64 hours. This is also shown on the main power reserve disc as the maximum capacity figure is 72 hours. The disc shows 64, but with a gap insinuating the potential to rise to 72. Fitted with a silicon balance spring for anti-magnetism, they run at around 25,200VpH.

A great pretender to another nice looking number, the 18ct gold Longines Master GMT, We can see you wearing this with a pair of brown brogues and your comfiest camel overcoat.

You can buy a Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve at retail for £3,500 as of March 2024.

Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW301 - £4,400

The instalment of the Grand Seiko Elegance SBW301 in December 2023 was not supposed to be an early Christmas gift. Au contraire, mes amis.

It was supposed to emit a fresh breath of horological air into a fairly quiet collection. Famed for the low-key designs of the GMT SBGM221 or the minimalist SBGW231, the sumptuous SBGW301 takes the best from the line and keeps things understated, yet appreciatively gorgeous.

Source - Grand Seiko

Given a highly compact 37.3mm steel case, the classic Grand Seiko Zaratsu polishing is maintained for that undeniable signature finish that many have become accustomed to with this Japanese brand. At just 11.7mm thick, the watch is only 30 metres water resistant, so just enough to cope with a brisk shower.

Sleek and neutral in tone, the curved case is complemented with chamfered lugs and thin bezel which draws the eyes into the beautiful ivory dial face. Ivory is perhaps the greatest colour for minimalist design, especially since it works with almost every other shade and style of suit.

Therefore, the steely, diamond-cut hour markers work in sync with the equally steely hands to produce optimal legibility. The rest of the dial is clear, aside from a GS logo located below 12 o’clock. In fact they are nearly as text and as fuss free as dials on some of the latest watches by H.Moser & Cie including the Streamliner Centre Seconds Smoked Salmon, one of our pick of the best men’s watches

Powered by the Calibre 9S64, there is a fully capable 3 day power reserve alongside a beat of around +5/-3 seconds per day. Kudos must go to the sapphire caseback for letting us gaze into the fabulous finish on the movement.

We see you adorning this with a navy suit when occasions call for optimal smartness. You can buy a Grand Seiko Elegance SBGW301 at retail for £4,400 as of March 2024.

Longines Flagship Heritage Moonphase Year of the Dragon - £2,770

If you are reading this article to find the best watches under £5,000, chances are that you are culturally observant and willing to show you are a man of many complexities. Why not show your knowledge with a Chinese New Year inspired Longines timepiece?

Source - Longines

2024 is the year of the Dragon and so flocks of brands from IWC to the expensive Chopard have been dropping their watches like it's hot on the event. However, Longines Flagship Heritage Moonphase is one of our top choices for less than 5 grand.

Measuring 38.5mm x 12.4mm thick these fire-breathing timepieces are given short lugs and chamfered edges in keeping with the refined design of the piece. This works wonderfully with the brushed and polished aesthetics across the bezel and case sides.

On this edition, Longines opt for a rich, wine-red as that's the main colour of the Chinese festivities with sleek golden hour markers and Dauphine hands to visibly stand out alongside the brand logo.

Given a moonphase indicator residing at 6 o’clock, the blue night sky is a perfect fit for the firey red shade, especially since the red graduates to a black periphery. The moon phase has a date ring which is home to two complications for the price of one, sitting at the bottom of the dial.

Given a solid caseback, we can’t see the movement, but we are presented with a Dragon’s head engraved medallion. Sultry and seductive, it is powered by the L899.5 calibre, skipping away at 25,200VpH and offers a 72 hour power reserve. We recommend pairing this with a charcoal suit shirt against black chinos for the man-who-means-business style.

With a limited edition run of 888 pieces, you can buy a Longines Flagship Heritage Moonphase at retail for around £2,770, as of March 2024.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf Edition - £4,840

The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra on its own accord is a top line for horophiles and connoisseurs alike. What if the line was fused with golf? Well, they have only just gone and scored a hole in one. Coming in at just under £5,000, it’s time to stroll down the fairway and shake on that big deal with the Aqua Terra Golf Edition.

Source - Omega

The go-to choice for 18 tournament winner, Major Championship and Masters winner, Sergio Garcia, this steel timepiece is the physical representation of Omega’s relationship with the sport. They have become the Official Timekeeper of the PGA Championship in 2011 and even the Ryder Cup in 2012.

Sized at 41mm, this line has been designed into a perfectly symmetrical case with evenly displayed lugs. Meanwhile, the caseback is given a wave-edged design, just like all of its predecessors.

Given a teak black dial which consists of fine horizontal lines running through its centre, they allow the tooth shaped silver hour markers to stand out with the Super-Luminova filled hands. Meanwhile, the green second hand is highly visible and fits in with the green and black NATO strap.

Finished with a small date aperture at 6 o‘clock, this compilation is neither too overbearing or insignificant to be present. The perfect melange of a luxury sports model, it has been flexed on the wrist of some well-renowned clientele…George Clooney klaxon alert.

Powered by the 8900 calibre, these watches are Master Chronometer certified which entitles you to a weekend-proof 60 hour power reserve alongside 150 metres of water resistance. We envisage you pulling this beauty off with a cream shirt and brown slacks.

As of March 2024, you can buy an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Golf Edition at retail for £4,840

IWC Portofino Pointer Date IW359201 - £4,700

Inspired by a coastal town on the Italian riviera, The IWC Portofino is a top horological line for those looking for an out and out dress watch less than £5,000.

Introduced in 1984 and noted for its circular case and classy dials, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything sweeter for an important event.

Source - IWC

Sized at 39mm, the IWC Portofino is around 10.7mm tall which isn’t too bad for a suit shirt accompaniment. Offering 50 metres of water resistance and a thoroughly polished bezel, we recommend keeping this solely for your smart-dress occasions, weddings or impressing your new squeeze.

Turning to the dial and the matte cream shade is a perfect canvas for the prominent gilt baton hour markers and slender hands. There is a very slight minute track along the periphery of the dial and a functional date sub-counter based at 6 o’clock.

The automatic in-house IWC 35160 calibre offers a 50 hour power reserve alongside a 28,800VpH. Totalling 25 jewels and utilising highly accurate central hacking seconds, the watches are precise to a tee and likely to be strong candidates for your evening wear.

Fitted onto a brown leather strap, looking good requires very little effort with this understated piece. Opt for slate-grey trousers and a burgundy suit shirt for a little vibrancy, or take things down a notch with an all black tux for those wining and dining soirees.

You can buy an IWC Portofino Pointer Date IW359201 at retail for £4,700 as of March 2024.

Breitling Navitimer Automatic 36 A17327361L1P1 - £4,100

Cartier has the Tank, Rolex has the Daytona…and Breitling? Well, they can bring out the Navitimer card from the timekeeping deck.

A very worthy collection for every type of horophile, is anyone up for a game of slide rule bezel?

Source - Breitling

Historically, it began in 1952 as a tool watch for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). In essence, the slide rule allows pilots to effectively measure distances and fuel consumption and has since become a highly versatile line which has garnered interest for more than seven decades.

Now, Breitling have released the 36mm Navitimer Automatic with a lean towards unorthodox chic-style, as opposed to another replay of a pilots timepiece. Measuring 36mm x 11.4mm thick, these watches offer a pretty low water resistance of 30 metres, but remember that this is a piece you’ll wear with a suit, not swimming trunks!

Retaining the classic bidirectional slide rule bezel, the dial is a big leap from Breitling into exciting new colourways and innovative design. First off, we cannot get enough of the minty fresh green, pastel style dial which is made up of a number of scales. These could appear daunting to the newbie horophile, but we promise it’s not as scary as it seems!

Want a frighteningly new look for your wrist? Check out our spooktacular guide to the best luxury watches for Halloween.

Back to the Navitimer and on the periphery, there is a tachymetric scale on the flange which is used to measure speed. This sits alongside a minutes and seconds track which is printed on. However, you don’t have to use these in order to appreciate these watches.

The sunray finish on the dial enhances the silver baton hour markers and hands, all of which are coated in luminescence for optimum legibility. Beating at 28,800VpH, this is powered by the chronometer certified Breitling 17 movement but has a mediocre 38 hour power reserve.

Rounded off with a dark green leather strap, we can see you pulling this off with a green suit jacket or a plain chequered shirt.

You can buy a Breitling Navitimer Automatic 36mm at retail for £4,100 as of March 2024.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Black & Green Bronze - £4,500

Dr. Spock spoke about boldly going where no one has gone before. Was he talking about the Rolex Deepsea Challenge? Maybe not.

Yet the Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Black & Green Bronze is Bell & Ross’ latest statement on bronze watches which dares to buck the trend and make a name for itself. Released in January 2024, it seeks to reinvent the brilliance of the BR 03-92 Diver White Bronze which was seen at Watches and Wonders 2023.

Is bronze the way forwards for the seafaring and fashionable man? We think so!

Source - Bell & Ross

Specifically named CuSn8, the bronze material is made up of 92% copper and 8% tin, ensuring maximum durability and the same qualities that make them so desirable on both yachts and luxury ships.

Inspired by the original Hydromax which holds the world record water resistance level of 11,100 metres, the BR 03-92 line is a much more attractive and palatable edition, but still with the same level of nautical inspiration.

Sized at 42mm, the Diver Black and Green Bronze has both a satin and polished finish. On the top is a solid bronze unidirectional bezel that features a black aluminium ring and 60-minute diving scale. Given legibility via Bilight dots, these luminous markers allow for sensational visibility in the dark of a private jet cabin or amid murky seas!

Fitted with a screw down crown and supported with two prominent crown guards, expect around 300 metres of water resistance which complies with ISO 6425 and certifies this as a 100% dive watch.

The dial is a rich British Racing green shade which we admire as it allows the black baignoire hands to stand out. The hour markers are made up of dots and batons which are filled with Super-Luminova. And once again, take note of the small date aperture between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Its heartbeat is provided by the BR-CAL.302 which offers around a 54 hour power reserve and supplies all functions like hours, minutes, seconds and the date. Linked onto a black rubber strap, it’s only fitting you pair this with smart chino shorts for when you’re hitting the beach, or short sleeved polo shirts for those sultry nights sipping on fine wines.

You can buy a Bell & Ross BR 03-92 at retail for £4,500 as of March 2024.

Panerai Radiomir Officine PAM01383 - £4,300

The Panerai Radiomir Officine is a top line for avid horophiles who like a piece with a touch of legacy.

Source - Panerai

Panerai were the inventors of Radiomir, a radium substance that allowed for maximum legibility in the dark following its patent in 1916. Commissioned by the Royal Italian Navy, the prototype was released in 1935 and became their flagship line.

The Radiomir Officine is a tribute to the classic line from this pre WW2 period. Crafted at 45mm of solid steel, the models are polished for maximum dressy effect. Sure, it’s a chunky timepiece, but we recommend you wear this as a centrepiece to your outfit.

Given a solid caseback alongside a prominent crown, these imposing watches offer 100 metres of water resistance. The blue dial features a sun-brushed finish to allow the luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers to clearly stand out. Powered by the hand-wound P.6000 movement, the Radiomir Officine has a fairly low 21,600VpH.

All is not lost as it makes up for it with a 3 day power reserve and Incabloc anti-shock device, repelling any knocks and impacts. Fitted onto a blue calfskin leather strap, we feel this would look sublime against a blue T-shirt or a cream suit if you are in the mood to paint the town red…or any other colour of your choosing.

You can buy a Panerai Radiomir Officine at retail for £4,300 as of March 2024.

Rest Of The Best Men’s Watches Under £5,000

There are a few honourable mentions that we feel more than obliged to mention that fit the bill for less than £5,000;

Brand Name	Brand Collection	Diameter	Material	Dial Colour	Retail Price (As of March 2024)
IWC	Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire	39mm	Steel	Black	£4,600
Panerai	Luminor Base Logo	44mm	Steel	White	£4,900
Grand Seiko	SBGA429	39mm	Steel	Grey	Around £4,500
Breitling	Super Avenger II	48mm	Steel	Black	£4,700
Bell & Ross	BR05 GMT	41mm	Steel	Black	£5,000
Longines	Spirit Zulu Time	42mm	Steel/18K Yellow Gold	Black	£4,000
Panerai	Radiomir Base Logo	45mm	Steel	Black	£4,300
Breitling	Superocean Automatic	42mm	Steel	Yellow	£4,100
Tudor	Black Bay Bronze	43mm	Bronze	Black	£3,870

Conclusion

There you have it, Timelords. Looking sharp doesn't have to be an extortionately priced endeavour and hopefully we’ve given you enough examples to offer you a little inspiration for under £5,000

There are a few other models you could choose from that may take your fancy if you want to buy a watch that is not as much as £5,000. We adore The Tudor Pelagos due to its highly modern 42mm titanium case with its 500 metres of water resistance. You can buy a Tudor Pelagos at retail for £4,040 as of March 2024.

Each of these beautiful luxury watches are based within the entry level category of high level horology. They are considerably more affordable than pieces from Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin, but they are all made to extremely high standards and in some instances are COSC certified.

We really hope you enjoyed reading this article! Now, I wonder where you can source any of these exciting luxury watches for less than £5,000?

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