Best Womens' Watches Under $1,000

Especially for those just getting into the world of watches, the price tag factor can feel like an extremely limiting entry barrier. And while, yes, of course, there are watches that I love that are completely out of my price range, there are plenty of others on the affordable end that I also love just as much. In this guide, I’m putting together a primer of watches for women that won’t send you into financial ruin, especially for those just getting into the hobby. Down below, you’ll find 15 women’s watches that punch above their weight class in terms of design, quality, and wearability, all of which are a great place to get your collection going. For the real watch newbies, I highly, highly recommend starting even lighter before spending any hard-earned cash on a watch – much of my own watch journey began at flea markets, thrift stores, and eBay as I refined what I really wanted and what worked for me. But for a more frictionless experience, all of the pieces below are currently available and can be ordered from the convenience of your own couch. Without further ado, let’s get into the good stuff. 

[toc-section heading="G-Shock Baby-G"]

Case: 45.9 × 42.6 × 16.4 mm (Lx Wx Hx), Material: Resin, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Quartz, Price: $99

There are plenty of classic G-Shocks that are super unisex-friendly, but the Baby-G subcollection will always have a special place in my heart of hearts. This definitely has a whole lot to do with the nostalgia factor of it all, and that it was the first watch in memory that really had a profound chokehold on me, all the way back in middle school. The whole ethos of Baby-G is that it’s made with young women and girls in mind, but I really don’t think the playful, fun spirit has an age limit. 

My current favorite model series is the BG-169, and I typically lean towards the transparent case renditions. A huge draw, aside from the nostalgia, is that, like all G-Shocks, these are made to be beaten up, worn outside, and hold up to your life. Most of them are water-activity friendly, and pack in up to 200 meters of water resistance. Though the resin band can get a little sweaty, the ease of use, bright colors, and G-Shock toughness really make for a perfect summer watch under the $100 mark. 

[toc-section heading="Shark Freestyle"]

Case: 38mm (width), Material: Resin, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Quartz, Price: $70 

The Shark Freestyle is spiritually aligned with the pick above, and I like it for many of the same reasons. Maybe the New York City winter is already getting to me if I’m kicking off this roundup with what I would deem as Summer watches. Still, I stand by my decision. Additionally, I think that with watches under the $100 mark, I tend to want to lean into something really playful, and not concern myself with a “this has to go with everything” philosophy that I would apply to more splurgy pieces. I’ve had my own Shark Freestyle for years now, and it's held up quite well. Again, I love the nostalgic bend to the design, and I am not one to shy away from some color. Made for surfing and similar water sports, the Shark Freestyle typically has about 300 feet of water resistance, or just under 100 meters. I also find the fabric strap to be more comfortable (and less sweaty) during the sweltering summer heat, though I will say that it does get pretty gnarly with time. Good thing Shark also sells replacement straps. 

[toc-section heading="Casio"]

G-Shock is under the larger Casio umbrella, but there are too many good, reasonably priced, and versatile options in the brand’s repertoire to leave it there. The best path forward seems to be to rapid-fire through my favorites.

For something more typically watch-y, analog, and a pretty decent Rolex Datejust alternative, I’d go for the 38.5mm MTP1302D-2AVT. I’m a big fan of the brand’s vintage collection, and am currently leaning towards the classic ABL100WE-1AVT, which has a slightly elevated bracelet and Smartphone connectivity compared to the more no-frills A158WA-1, which is one of my most-recommended pieces for my friends who want to get their first watch. Another from the Vintage collection I keep coming back to is the ana-digi AQ-230 series, which the brand has recently updated with a woven mesh bracelet that’s quite chic. It would also be remiss of me not to include the first watch I ever bought for myself, LA670WGA-9, which lasted me through the end of high school and all through college. Don’t sleep on Casio. 

 [toc-section heading="Breda Groove"]

Case: 16mm, Material: Steel, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Quartz, Price: $195

A young and ambitious brand with a really cohesive design ethos, Breda has quickly become another solid recommendation for my friends looking to buy their first watch. The vast majority of its catalog is under $200, and I still think that there are few brands out there that have been able to tap into what young, fashion-oriented people actually want, and can actually afford. 

I’ve already written about several pieces from Breda in other roundups like this, so I’m going to try to keep things fresh and go with the “Groove” watch. The watch itself is so tiny it hurts (in the best way) at 16mm by 16mm, and the bracelet itself is a really interesting, textural take on a Manchette style (or cuff) bracelet that’s been recently coming back into popularity. It’s subtle, minimal, but has just enough depth and dimension to keep things interesting.

[toc-section heading="Seiko Essentials"]

The Seiko catalog is vast and teeming with pieces that punch above their weight for all wrist sizes. But for this roundup, I’m going to pivot back to the basics for a second (bear with me, I promise I’ll get into the brand’s mechanical watch options later). Because the brand’s Essentials collection has a reputation of being the “department store Seiko,” it’s often slept on by the watch media. But its mass appeal and accessibility are the collection’s greatest strength. 

To rapid fire through a few favorites, there are some great classic designs that make for great Cartier alternatives, like the SWR085, among others, available at authorized retailers. Tiny, sports-meets-dress watches are among my favorite watch styles, and the Essentials SUR436 scratches that itch for me. At this price point, I lean towards designs more on the funky side, and the two-tone SUR550 with its cuff-like bracelet feels retro but still super versatile. All of these options are quartz-powered and priced under $400.

[toc-section heading="Bulova Classic Sutton Square"]

Case: 23mm, Material: Steel, Water Resistance: Splash-proof, Movement: Quartz, Price: $475

I love the Cartier Panthère, and the Sutton Square by Bulova has many similar design ingredients that draw me to it, but at a fraction of the price. We’ve got the soft square case shape that measures a perfectly dainty 23mm in diameter, and a minimal dial with applied numerals and some slight textural variations to keep things a little interesting. The seven-link steel bracelet also drapes nicely on the wrist, very similar to the famous bracelet on the Panthère. This watch is only splash resistant, so that does detract from its versatility a touch. But in its aesthetics, the Sutton Square is a win for me, particularly in the two-tone silver and yellow gold hues. 

[toc-section heading="Shinola Bike Lock Watch"]

Case: 20mm, Material: Steel, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Quartz, Price: Currently $490 ($650 at retail)

The Hermès Cape Cod is another one of my favorite designs, and this Bike Lock Watch from Detroit’s own Shinola has the unexpected case architecture that I find myself continuously gravitating towards. The brand has recently stopped making bikes, but this watch is a nod to that chapter in its own history. The architectural case, as we already know by its name, is directly inspired by bike lock bars and adds a whole lot of unexpected quirk that contrasts nicely with the simple watch itself. My favorite among the bunch is the Gold PVD model with the black leather strap, though the brand also offers it in silver-hued steel paired with a brown and double wrapped option. Similarly, I also really like the brand’s tiny Runabout watch collection, which has some interesting architectural details with the curved lugs and wavy three-link bracelet.

[toc-section heading="Dennison ALD"]

Case: 37mm by 33.5mm, Material: Steel, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Quartz, Price: $690

Another new kid on the block (though Dennison has a longstanding history as a casemaker), the brand’s classic ALD packs in a lot of personality for under $700. The curved, organic form of the 37mm by 33.5mm case is comfortable and versatile for smaller wrists, and is only 6mm thick. The stone- and wood-dial models are particularly compelling, with my favorite being the Aventurine-dial model. This is a more quirky, dressy option, but I think it’s among the more interesting watches out there for the price point. 

[toc-section heading="Tissot PRX"]

Case: 25mm, 35mm; Material: Steel; Water Resistance: 100 meters; Movement: Quartz, Powermatic 80; Price: $350, $875

The PRX is the classic recommendation for watches under $1,000. Sometimes you just have to play the hits. Given the continuous success of the line, the collection is now available in just about every size you can dream up. My small-watch-lover’s heart is, obviously, called to the brand’s relatively recent tiny 25mm take on the line, but we’re limited to quartz here. Still, I think the integrated style works particularly well on the smaller scale, and there are some sparkling options that aren’t over the top, like the black-dial model with diamond indices, if that’s your speed. If you want to get into mechanical movement territory, there’s also plenty of the 35mm size to take your picking from, which utilize the Swiss-made Powermatic 80 movement. You are not wanting for choice in PRX territory.

[toc-section heading="Hamilton Khaki Field"]

Case: 38mm; 33mm; Material: Steel; Water Resistance: 100 meters, 50 meters; Movement: H-10 Automatic, Quartz; Price: $845, $495

For the next pick, we’re rocking with the unrivaled champion of the attainable field-watch genre. Because this list is so quartz-heavy, I’m going to present two options here: the 38mm Khaki Field Auto and the 33mm Khaki Field Quartz for a little more variation. 

As is the case with the entire Khaki Field collection, the aesthetic foundation of both of these pieces is field watches of the 20th Century. The Khaki Field Auto has a little bit more going on dial-side, featuring both the regular hours and the military hours at the center of the dial, along with a date window at three o’clock. The 38mm is still perfectly comfortable for even smaller wrists, and we’re working with 100 meters of water resistance and the automatic H-10 caliber for added utility, all for under $900. The 33mm Khaki Field Quartz falls more into my preferred sizing parameters. The dial is more no-frills with its time-only functionality, and we’re only working with 50 meters of water resistance. These are the kinds of sacrifices a small-watch lover gets very familiar with. But, on the bright side, the Khaki field quartz is nearly half the price, and under $500. 

[toc-section heading="Longines Conquest 29.5mm"]

Case: 29.5mm, Material: Steel, Water Resistance: 300 meters, Movement: Quartz, Price: $900

Longines is a brand that comes to the forefront of my mind when I think of the gateway into the world of more luxury watches. Many of my favorite pieces, sadly, were just a touch over the $1,000 mark, but I did manage to find an option that comes in just under budget, with the 29.5mm take on the Conquest. Another one that speaks to my affection for teeny luxe sports watches, this piece offers the older Conquest style at a smaller scale. Given the line’s recent revamp, I have a hunch that this model is on its way to being quietly phased out, which does leave me a little bit sad. I like the visual weight of this take on the Conquest, particularly at this size, with its giant numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock, which feels a lot more charmingly mid-century than the more minimalist revamp. This piece is quartz-powered, but makes up for it with a whopping 300 meters of water resistance and a nicely decorated closed caseback.

[toc-section heading="Shinola Derby"]

Case: 30mm, Material: Steel, Water Resistance: 50 meters, Movement: Quartz, Price: $895

Given that Shinola isn’t a brand I feel has been over-covered in watch media, I’m going to give it another slot on this list with its 30mm Derby. This falls into the everyday-carry territory and also makes a great alternative to the Rolex Datejust for $895. 

I think I’ve made my love for two-tone watches quite clear by now, and the yellow-gold and steel model is the one that personally speaks to me. I will admit the Malachite and Petosky stone dial options are quite cool too, though they seem not to be immediately available at the moment. Again, we’re in quartz-powered territory here, and the splash-proof water resistance isn’t exactly robust. Do I think there are many watches out there with similar design language, more expansive depth ratings, and perhaps even have mechanical movements at a similar size? Yes, of course. But on a philosophical level, I am really drawn to the way the Shinola team is bringing back manufacturing to Detroit (all the watches are hand-assembled there), so they deserve some flowers for that. And, the Derby has a killer bracelet, quirky typography, and a lot of appeal for a one-and-done collection under $1,000. 

[toc-section heading="Mido Commander"]

Case: 23.5mm, 37.5mm; Material: Steel with yellow gold PVD; Water Resistance: 30 meters, 50 meters; Movement: Mido Automatic ETA, Mido Caliber 80; Price: $930, $960

For something super-mid-century inspired, I’ve been really loving the Commander collection by Mido lately, specifically the 1959 editions. By now, it should come as no surprise that I prefer the tiny, 23.5mm option among the two. I can’t help it. Surprisingly, this petite option is packed with an automatic caliber via the Mido Automatic ETA. But it would be remiss of me not to call out the larger 37.5mm size, which is, ultimately, just as versatile, and powered by the Mido Caliber 80 automatic movement. Both sizing options go for PVD in yellow-gold hues, are decked out with vintage-inspired typography for the logos and in the date windows, paired with Milanese mesh-style bracelets, and are priced under the $1,000 mark.

[toc-section heading="Frederique Constant Classic Carée"]

Case: 21mm (length), Material: Steel, Water Resistance: Splash resistant, Movement: Quartz, Price: $995

Another pick that strikes me as one of the best-value stainless steel women’s watches on the market today, the Classic Carée from Frederique Constant is among my favorites from the brand’s women’s collection. I think my current favorite is still the Classics Manchette, but that line is, sadly, slightly over our budgetary parameters. Drawing from Art Deco design ethos (one of the most enduringly timeless eras of watch design, in my opinion), the Classic Carée has a rectangular case that’s a petite 21mm in length and a profile of just 5.8mm. The dial is sleek and, well, uber classic (like its name), featuring black-printed Roman numerals marking the hours, a railroad minutes track at the center of the dial, and a gorgeous clous de Paris (or hobnail) textural motif at its center. The three-link bracelet gives this piece a nice visual weight, and the combination of the brushed surfaces at the center links and the polished case adds a more contemporary element into the mix. 

[toc-section heading="Seiko Presage SPB524"]

Case: 36mm, Material: Steel with yellow gold PVD, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: 6R51 Automatic, Price: $1,000

I promised to get into the mechanical-movement end of the Seiko catalog, and I’m going to close this roundup out with a bang with the all-yellow-gold-hued take on Seiko’s Presage. I think it’s fair to argue that the SPB524 is Seiko’s answer to the Rolex President, sans the day-date factor. Though it's technically in the “Men’s” section of the brand’s catalog, the 36mm diameter falls perfectly within my own Goldilocks sizing parameters. It’s all yellow gold as far as the eye can see (PVD-treated steel, of course), though the textured, cream champagne dial has a grounding effect on the overall look. Water resistant to 100 meters, this watch is powered by the 6R51 automatic movement with a weekend-proof power reserve of 72 hours.