Tiny Switzerland, with its deep lakes and majestic mountains, has been the global watchmaking epicenter for centuries. It all began in the 1500s when French Protestants called Huguenots fled violence from the French Wars of Religion and settled in Geneva. Along with talented Swiss natives, they wove the art of watchmaking into the country’s heritage and culture.

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After a long and colorful history, Swiss watches became world-famous for precision, dependability, and style with high-end watches like Rolex, Omega, and Tag Heuer. Fortunately, though, you don’t have to spend the price of a European luxury vacation on a Swiss-made watch.  Swiss brands like Victorinox, MovadoLuminox, and more have affordable watches.  These watches aren’t knockoffs for Swiss luxury watches; they’re quality Swiss-made watch brands that are long-lasting, well-made, and make a high fashion statement. Check them out in our collection of the best Swiss watches under $500.

Product overview

Victorinox Men's 241738.1 'I.N.O.X.' Swiss Quartz Stainless Steel Brown Leather Watch

Victorinox Swiss Army Men's I.N.O.X. Watch

  • stainless steel case
  • durable leather strap
Hamilton Men's H32515535 Jazzmaster Analog Display Brown Watch
Best Men's Watch

Hamilton Jazzmaster H32515535

  • analog display
  • Swiss automatic movement
Luminox Navy Seal Watch for Men Grey Display (XL.8882.F/ 8880 Series): 200 Meter Water Resistant + Sapphire Crystal + Constant Night Visibility

Luminox Navy Seal Watch

  • carbon compound case
  • analog display
Movado Women's BOLD Sugar Dial 2-Tone Watch with a Flat Dot, Silver/Gold/Pink (3600504)

Movado Bold Women's Watch

  • stainless steel case
  • rose gold accents
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch H82345141

Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Watch

  • stainless steel case
  • analog display
Swatch SISTEM SAND Automatic Unisex Watch YIS411
Best Value

Swatch SISTEM SAND Unisex Watch

  • plastic case
  • leather band
Luminox 0337 Leatherback SEA Turtle Giant Nylon Mens Watch

Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle Wrist Watch

  • Swiss quartz movement
  • always-on dial
Tissot Women's TIST0722102203800 T-Lady Analog Display Swiss Quartz Two Tone Watch
Best Women's Watch

Tissot T-Lady Women's Watch

  • stainless steel case
  • two-tone link bracelet
Glycine Men's 3874-999-LB9B 'Incursore' Stainless Steel Automatic Watch with Black Leather band

Glycine Incursore Men's Automatic Watch

  • stainless steel case
  • stationary bezel
Tissot unisex-adult Carson Stainless Steel Dress Watch Grey T1224101103300

Tissot Carson Unisex Dress Watch

  • 316L stainless steel case
  • analog display

Victorinox Men's 241738.1 'I.N.O.X.' Swiss Quartz Stainless Steel Brown Leather Watch

Victorinox Swiss Army Men's I.N.O.X. Watch

Water-resistance, corrosion, vibration, and shock resistance are just a few of the tests every Victorinox watch must pass. The Swiss Army I.N.O.X. can withstand 130 extreme endurance tests. The 42-mm case is super strong stainless steel and the grey leather made is made from the same robust material used to make firefighter’s boots.

The round gray dial has an analog display with luminous hands and indices with a Swiss Army-red seconds hand and the iconic Cross and Shield logo at 12 o’clock.. The dial cover is triple coated, anti-reflective sapphire watch crystal. It has a stainless steel stationary bezel, screw-down crown, and screw-in case back.

With Swiss quartz movement, the Victorinox features military time and a date display window at 3 o’clock. It’s water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet). Go diving, hiking, or use the Swiss Army I.N.O.X. as your daily go-to watch.

Specifications

  • stainless steel case
  • durable leather strap
  • sapphire crystal
  • analog display
  • Swiss quartz movement
  • military time
  • date display at 3 o'clock
  • water-resistant to 200 meters
  • case size: 42 mm
Hamilton Men's H32515535 Jazzmaster Analog Display Brown Watch
Best Men's Watch

Hamilton Jazzmaster H32515535

The Hamilton Jazzmaster combines Swiss precision with American ingenuity. Based in Bienne, Switzerland, the company established its USA roots in 1892. Production designers have chosen these handsome watches for over 450 major motion films including “The Martian” and “Interstellar”.

The Jazzmaster’s textured black dial features an analog display with 3 luminous hands, indices, and Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock and a display window at 3 o’clock. It’s covered by a durable, anti-reflective sapphire crystal. You can view the precise Swiss automatic movement through the 40-mm stainless steel case’s see-through back. It’s encircled by a stainless steel stationary bezel.

The Jazzmaster watch is water-resistant to 50 meters (165 feet) so it’s safe for surface swimming and showering. It comes with an attractive croc-embossed brown leather band.

Specifications

  • analog display
  • Swiss automatic movement
  • stainless steel case
  • leather band
  • see-through case back
  • stainless steel bezel
  • sapphire crystal
  • water-resistance to 50 meters
  • case size: 40 mm
Luminox Navy Seal Watch for Men Grey Display (XL.8882.F/ 8880 Series): 200 Meter Water Resistant + Sapphire Crystal + Constant Night Visibility

Luminox Navy Seal Watch

The Luminox Navy Seal Watch collection was created in tandem with the U.S. Navy Seals for tough night missions. This original Swiss-made 8882 model is one of the best buys in the collection. It takes durability and performance to the highest level with a black 45-mm case of a tough carbon compound, an ultra-lightweight material.

The grey dial with analog display, black Arabic numerals, and hands with red accents give the Navy Seal 8882 a smart, sporty look. It’s surrounded by an eye-catching black unidirectional bezel with markings. Quartz movement and self-powered illumination make the display visible in the dark with no need for a battery and no push of a button. The date is displayed at 3 o’clock. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal also provides high visibility in bright light.

The Navy Seal 8882 is shockproof and water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet). It comes with a 2-year manufacture’s warranty and is an affordable Swiss watch to add to your collection.

 

Specifications

  • carbon compound case
  • analog display
  • sapphire crystal
  • unidirectional bezel
  • date display at 3 o'clock
  • Swiss quartz movement
  • self-powered illumination
Movado Women's BOLD Sugar Dial 2-Tone Watch with a Flat Dot, Silver/Gold/Pink (3600504)

Movado Bold Women's Watch

The Movado Bold watch for women reflects the elegance and grace of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland where the Movaco flagship brand was established in 1881. It has a distinct design and is of excellent craftsmanship. The 34-mm stainless steel rose goldtone case has a plain silver analog dial encircled with a frosted ring. Rose gold hour and minute hands mark the time without numerals or indices. A rose gold dot is at the 12 o’clock position.

The Movado is complemented by a rose gold and silvertone link bracelet with a push-button deployment clasp. Swiss quartz movement gives this timepiece amazing precision. The dial lens is K1 mineral crystal which is even more scratch-resistant than sapphire. It’s water-resistant up to 30 meters (approximately 100 feet) so it’s suitable for shallow swimming and bathing.

Aesthetically modern, the Movado Bold Swiss-made watch has a rich heritage of innovation and artistry in watch crafting.

Specifications

  • stainless steel case
  • rose gold accents
  • two-tone link bracelet
  • K1 mineral crystal
  • Swiss quartz movement
  • water-resistant to 30 meters
  • case size: 34-mm
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Automatic Blue Dial Men's Watch H82345141

Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Watch

The Swiss-made Hamilton Navy Scuba Watch is both handsome and functional. With a water-resistance of 100 meters (330 feet), it keeps perfect time in the sun, surf, or near the ocean floor with automatic movement. The 40 mm stainless steel case is surrounded by a Pacific blue and white bezel with white Arabic numerals. The sporty good look is enhanced by a silvertone bracelet-style wristband with a fold-over clasp.

The Hamilton Khaki has a navy blue luminous dial with analog display and white hour and minute dauphine hands and shape indices. The white seconds hand is tipped with red. Military time is displayed with Arabic numerals on an inner circle. a date window is at the 4 o’clock position. It has a crew-down crown and sapphire crystal dial lens. The rotating uni-directional stainless steel bezel is encircled with an ocean blue and white ring with white Arabic numerals.

Wear the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba watch for extreme water sports or for business casual.

Specifications

  • stainless steel case
  • analog display
  • automatic movement
  • uni-directional bezel
  • luminous dial
  • silvertone bracelet
  • sapphire crystal
  • case size: 40 mm
Swatch SISTEM SAND Automatic Unisex Watch YIS411
Best Value

Swatch SISTEM SAND Unisex Watch

Based in Biel, Switzerland, Swatch produces more watches than any watch manufacturer in the world. The SISTEM SAND is an example of what Swatch calls the mechanical revolution. The 100 percent Swiss-made watch’s quartz movement is self-powered requires no battery and has a 90-hour power reserve.

The 42-mm plastic case has a metallic look and feel. The gold-colored dial with analog display features gold “stick” indices, black hour and minute hands tipped in white, and a black sweeping seconds hand. A date display is at the 6 o’clock position. It’s complemented by a grey leather band with a tang buckle.

The SISTEM SAND has a minimalist unisex design that looks great for any occasion. It’s water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet).

Specifications

  • plastic case
  • leather band
  • analog display
  • self-powered
  • Swiss quartz movement
  • date display at 6 o'clock
  • water-resistant to 30 meters
  • case size:42 mm
Luminox 0337 Leatherback SEA Turtle Giant Nylon Mens Watch

Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle Wrist Watch

The Swiss-made Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle is a military-grade wristwatch with character rather than a utilitarian look. It’s incredibly lightweight thanks to the 42-mm case made of Carbonex, the manufacturer’s own carbon material. The nylon strap is pliable, comfortable, and durable.

The highly visible army green dial features always-on lighting, analog display with black Arabic numerals, black hour and minute hands, an orange seconds hand, and orange and white accents. It has the Luminox logo is at 12 o’clock and a date window at 3
o’clock. The dial lens is hardened mineral crystal that won’t shatter or scratch. A marked rotating unidirectional bezel encircles the dial.

Of course, the Sea Turtle is right at home in the water with resistance up to 100 meters (330 feet). Wear it while swimming, diving, or snorkeling.

Specifications

  • Swiss quartz movement
  • always-on dial
  • military-grade
  • Carbonex case
  • mineral crystal
  • unidirectional bezel
  • water-resistant to 100 meters
  • case size: 42 mm
Tissot Women's TIST0722102203800 T-Lady Analog Display Swiss Quartz Two Tone Watch
Best Women's Watch

Tissot T-Lady Women's Watch

The Swiss quartz Tissot T-Lady is larger than most women’s watches yet it has a classic feminine look. The 34-mm case is stainless steel and the link bracelet is two-tone silver and gold PVD with a fold-over clasp with a push-button release. The stationary notched bezel is also stainless steel. It has a simple yet stylish white dial with gold indices and gold Roman numerals only at the 12 o’clock position.

The T-Lady’s gold hour and minute skeleton hands are distinctly effeminate along with a needle-thin gold seconds hand. A date window outlined in gold is at 3 o’clock. The dial lens is sapphire crystal. It’s water-resistant to 50 meters (165 feet) so it’s safe for shallow swimming and showering.

Specifications

  • stainless steel case
  • two-tone link bracelet
  • stationary bezel
  • Swiss quartz movement
  • date window at 3 o'clock
  • sapphire crystal
  • water-resistant to 50 meters
  • case size: 34 mm
Glycine Men's 3874-999-LB9B 'Incursore' Stainless Steel Automatic Watch with Black Leather band

Glycine Incursore Men's Automatic Watch

Founded in Bienne Switzerland in 1914, Glycine manufactures exquisite mechanical timepieces like the Incursore Men’s Watch. The 46 mm stainless steel case is black. The black dial features an analog display with alternating Arabic numerals and stick indices outlined in white for easier reading, black baton hands, and a sweeping seconds hand.

With Swiss automatic movement, it generates its power by your movement. The Incursore has a stationary stainless steel bezel and a synthetic sapphire crystal for extreme shatter and scratch resistance. The dial features a white crown logo, and the date is displayed at 4 o’clock. The black leather band is stitched in white.

The Incursore is water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet) and is suitable for diving and snorkeling, but it’s not the best watch for reading in the dark since it’s black on black with no backlight. However, it makes a great dress watch and will pair well with any outfit.

Specifications

  • stainless steel case
  • stationary bezel
  • Swiss automatic movement
  • synthetic sapphire crystal
  • leather band
  • date display at 4 o'clock
  • water-resistant to 200 meters
  • case size: 46 mm
Tissot unisex-adult Carson Stainless Steel Dress Watch Grey T1224101103300

Tissot Carson Unisex Dress Watch

The Swiss-made Tissot Carson is a dress watch with a classic look that can be worn by men or women featuring precise Swiss quartz movement. The 40 mm case is strong 316L stainless steel. A GMT bezel allows you to get the time in two time zones. The dial lens is indestructible sapphire crystal.

The Tissot Carson’s silver dial has an analog display with black Roman numerals and slender dark blue hour, minute, and seconds hands. It’s powered by precise Swiss quartz movement. A date display is at 6 o’clock. It’s water-resistant up to 50 meters (165 feet) so it’s suitable for surface swimming but not diving or snorkeling.

The Unisex Tissot is complemented by a handsome silvertone stainless steel bracelet with a push-button butterfly clasp. Wear it for special occasions or as your daily go-to watch.

 

Specifications

  • 316L stainless steel case
  • analog display
  • GMT bezel
  • sapphire crystal
  • Swiss quartz movement
  • date display at 6 o'clock
  • water-resistant to 50 meters
  • case size: 40 mm