10 of the best dress watches you can get in 2021 for under $500

[@icarusonice2350]

I got my brother an SRPE43 for Christmas. The dial is absolutely stunning to look at, showing such a wide range of blues

[@watsondna]

I agree with you regarding acrylic. I have polished and brought a number crystals that looked ruined.

[@tophmelonenlord5915]

Great list. Love the citizen. Looks really sharp. I recommend the Tissot Le Locle with 80h power reserve, sapphire crystal and a stunning dial as another affordable dress watch.

[@dreximax5634]

great point about the crystals, i want sapphire or something i can polish. once a seiko hardlex is scratched thats it in experience

[@MurrayRide]

I have a TImex Marlin Manual wind, my girlfriend got me a Timex Waterbury open heart for Christmas, I am still waiting for it due to slow shipping. Just thought I would share the start of my collection, nice video! Subscribed!

[@lucafwn]

A great list. I want them all - starting with the Vario Empire!

[@JimJPoggers]

Great video, check out the Vostok classica the problem is that it feels like it is never in stock.

[@akshaypotdar1840]

Could you make a video on 10 of the best dress square watches? Thanks.

[@kchappelle]

You got something against circles?

[@briancolyer8483]

Enjoyed this, great all round interaction....⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⌚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@JusttheWatch]

Thanks for dropping by the premier Brian!

[@chefduane3742]

I have an Orient Capitol in rose gold. The Capitol has both day and date complications. It is a very beautiful dress watch with a burgundy alligator band. I get very nice comments on it whenever I wear it.

[@thebaldwatchcollector]

Did not know that about the Visodate, great to know, I wanted this in my collection, even more so now

[@garytru563]

Great vid, really enjoyed it. Great job. Thank you.

[@NexDim.]

I have the jazzmaster, love it. Really well made, great dial. Only complaint is mine has a loud rotor.

[@ozludo]

Happy New Year Dave. I'll miss this series, but look forward to what's next.

[@yellowsubmarine6554]

Can u do a list of moonphase watches?

[@GodIsInHisHeaven]

Hopefully it's going to be a good year, shrug and awkward expression. Love it.

[@JusttheWatch]

Fingers crossed.

[@joelklein3720]

You are fantastic. Thank you, and all the best for 2021!

[@nakke3]

Got a hand written card with my Vario Empire and couple days ago a "happy new year" sms from Judy and Ivan. Really nice to see people having such passion towards their work 👌 They also gave me a discount since I missed some promotion code as I ordered 😁

[@mariog7213]

I like the subscriber lists. Maybe you can just do them every other month or something. One I want to see is thinnest automatic watches under 500. That would be cool

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Good advice on the Acrylic crystal, I love being able to polish out the scratches on my Vostoks ! Brasso metal polish for the win ! Love the dial on the Vario, but the band ? Kill it with fire !!

[@patricj951]

I am only a few months into watch collection but have already several watches. Or maybe it's more correct to say selection... Here I want to talk for Seiko's solar watches in different dial colors with sapphire crystal. I have SNE530P1(white dial with gold case and leather bracelet), SNE525P1(blue dial with stainless steel bracelet), and SNE 529(green dial with leather bracelet). These are really stylish watches available from ~ $170-250.

[@danc2700]

It would be nice if you could get a citizen stiletto for review

[@huckinator]

Picked up the junghans max bill! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@javierjimenez786]

I'll certainly miss this section, but I'm thrilled to see the new content you're planning for us Dave. Cheers for the upcoming refreshing of the channel's content!!!

[@duncanidaho2130]

Thank you for the video. Have a great day.

[@lulul]

i love that timex california. it looks like a very casual / go with everything kind of watch and the size is great too..

[@terrymoser2028]

You are full of positive information. Not able to afford what I want, and I don't like seedlings. This was a big help.

[@jancovanderwesthuizen8070]

Certina put an ETA movement in a $350 watch?! Aren’t there watches that have a hardlex crystal and an NH35 for more than that?

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

The Certina is the best pick on this list!

[@ThePlaiibox]

I have the grey dial version and its hands down amazing. From all the different finishes on the case to the bracelet where every piece of metal individually moves. Each link is made up of 5 separate pieces! Plus the domed sapphire is great and not overly reflective like Hamiltons can be. Should have done a review on this watch alone really. Rrp is about $750 and in the UK it goes for £550. So $350 is an absolute steal!

[@denisdaly1708]

@@AJMacDonaldJr ya, and the Hamilton second.

[@anonimushbosh]

Well said about advantages of acrylic vs coatings and mineral. Massively underrated sentiment.

[@AdAce21]

woah, that blue Orient Maestro is nnniiicccceeee! I just wish it had a sapphire crystal. The Vario Emipre Winter variant is stunning, Wow. Fun list, thanks for the heads up on these.

[@joostkiefte7683]

I have had my Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope with the acryclic crystal since 2017 and there is not a scratch on it. So if you are just a tad careful it should go a long while without scratching.

[@halfpastblog]

I can definitely see myself picking up a Certina and a Timex Cali dial. Especially if they make one in blue. 👍

[@craig2100]

Great job, and great conversation

[@steveb4012]

Dave strikes again, as a Citizen fan, that Stiletto is interesting. The new Citizen Day Date Corso looks very nice too.

[@paulc9588]

Great review, thanks. I have the Visodate quartz, Max Bill hand wound and a Stiletto on a leather strap. The Visodate is a great watch but reflections in the crystal are a nuisance on the black dial version and the strap quality is not great. I wish it was 38mm like the Max Bill which fits perfectly on my 6 and 1/2 inch wrists. That Stiletto looks cool and quite Rado-esque on a bracelet but does not have as much character as the Max Bill IMHO. For my money the Max Bill is the best of these three, iconic design and the best quality overall.

[@kathykolcun6791]

Some really beautiful ⌚. Great vid as usual, I'm looking to get new dress watch (I like Sieko

[@goseeaboutagirl]

Wow the Vario Empire Tuxedo is gorgeous

[@stefanseelmann3595]

Another great review. Check out the Junkers open heart. I just got one for under $350. It's so nice

[@zillsburyy1]

ORIENT SYMPHONY 3 AND ZEPPELIN LZ 126 FOR SURE!

[@spg5658]

Love Zeppelin watches. I own two at the moment. 👍

[@NathanChisholm041]

Nice collection but the Certina wins for me plus their prices are hard to beat. Some Certinas on Joma are just $199 for a swiss watch with a sapphire crystal...

[@SawyerSpainhoward]

Great video!! Happy New Year!

[@karlsenula9495]

I'd add the Seiko SUP880 ... looks very similar to the Cartier Tank.

[@jcm9698]

I like that Certina. I'd like to see some reviews on Biatec, Alba and some others that we typically don't see.

[@spg5658]

Vario, Timex, Junghans. Yes totally agree. All three are outstanding pieces. I own the Winter White Vario Empire and the Junghans (white dial, no numerals).

[@billrichardson6620]

Great video man, just subbed to the channel!

[@JusttheWatch]

Thanks Bill!

[@megasoid]

Great list, thank you.

[@michaelhargis7036]

That Timex California model, would have been a "must have" if it had a sapphire crystal. Yet again my ex- beloved Timex drops the ball. I guess some things weren't meant to be. Great review of some very nice dress watches. I appreciate your reviews on watches affordable to those of us who live on this side of the railroad tracks. Much more success to you through the years.

[@alextomlinson1725]

Excellent video and a great selection. The Dufrane Waterloo quartz is well worth considering in this price range (along with many others). Really like your emphasis on affordable pieces. Keep up the good work.

[@jimmylaw2136]

Awesome list! Is it really true that eco drive does not need any battery or capacitor change? I had an old eco drive, while doesnt need battery change, but the much more expensive capacitor needs to be replaced after a few years...

[@drwindsurf]

Another great list Dave. I love the watch of the month...I hope it returns eventually 😊👍

[@avinmaharaj8483]

Had some really great choices this round 👍🏼

[@Čangrizavi_Cinik]

I would want another filter. Smaller than 38mm.

[@simonthomas5113]

Really interesting choices there. Orient made the right choice with the Maestro not to print the impressive 100m water resistance details on the dial. It would have just been clutter.

[@dspserpico]

Thanks for including my recommendation on this video! Not the biggest fan of Roman numerals, but the California dial Marlin is growing on me. Timex executes clean mid-century modern like no other entry level watch brand. I want to add that Timex has the best leather straps of any entry level watch brand. I’m seriously considering buying Timex straps for my other watches and replacing the Timex branded pin buckle with a sterile one.

[@ryanbane]

Check out the Oceanus T200 or S100. For the price, you cannot find a more refined & accurate quartz.

[@woonfaseng8737]

hardlex is actually rather scratch resistant. i had a orange monster and till now only have a minor scratch that is not discernable unless using magnifying glass or have to look around the glass for at least 30 seconds.

[@MeteCanKarahasan]

That Certina and Citizen, wow.

[@marcdecock7946]

Thanks for including the Junghans! I also like the Certina-watches, this one is a bit more expensive, but with a special curbed dial, catches the light well: Certina DS 1 Powermatic 80 - C0298071605100... Certina advertises itself also with the 'turtle'-concept, extra shock protection.

[@nintendokings]

Your surname is interesting

[@bboooobbyy]

I love that Visodate!

[@Nefville]

Bauhaus is a movement alright, a bowel movement. Anyways, thanks Dave for doing a non-diver video. I absolutely love that Stiletto, I have a Swatch Skin something or other that is about the same thickness and without a seconds hand but to have it as a dress watch and solar... that is nice.

[@StuntpilootStef]

Dude, every single modern watch owes its design to the Bauhaus movement. Every single one.

[@MichaelMitchell-vk9lk]

Great choices

[@laserwave6012]

Great selection!

[@nubainphenergan]

great line-up!

[@triktrak_1451]

Nice picks, sir!

[@Othusdragonreviews]

just a small correction, that cocktail time model is not the manhattan but the old clock.

[@Domain_Man1]

I like the Hamilton, it's an underrated option as everyone goes for Rolex, Omega - ok the Jazzmaster may not be a £6k watch, but it's Swiss Made and for the price it's a great option.

[@nicsamazingpinballchannel7688]

Thank you for mentioning the Vario Empire. I have the white automatic w/black numerals which is perfectly proportioned, versatile with straps, and far classier than it has any business being at this price point. Now eagerly anticipating the Vario Trench WWI watch in black & white. Have you ever discussed Geckota watches in depth? The G-01 v1 and v2 (Space Age) series are superb! As is the silver jump hour with textured dial. Lots of compliments on them all.

[@NomadicPhoton]

Nice. I recently purchased a white dial white lume 1918 myself, the officer's watch. It's quickly become my daily watch.

[@jetcitysinatra7300]

Have you looked at the Reef Tiger or are they too low on the watch ladder?

[@benedictvoon812]

Without the date, the Orient Maestro looks quite like A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Thin (one of my favorite luxury watch :)) Nonetheless, Orient Maestro is sold.

[@davidgluskie8620]

My fav dress watch under 500AUD is the seagull simple business watch you can find it if you search all express it's got sapphire date at 6 pm and a great st2130 movt which is a high quality clone of ETA 2824-2

[@kimsinghrai]

Great Video!

[@christianjensen1100]

The Vario Empire would look even better with a California dial, imho 😊

[@thehorologychannel]

While this Certina appeals to me very much, I though that quartz and especially eco-drive usually makes more sense. As was mentioned in Vario review a lot of us wear dress watches occasionally. Maybe 3-5 times a year. Still it needs to be serviced at least once in 6 years. So, paying 150$ after wearing dress watch like 30 times seems a little bit pricy Thanks for the video! So many different options from ETA to Eco-drive

[@Diepvries11]

But needing a dress watch and finding out the battery died is worse.

[@MeteCanKarahasan]

You can purchase the whole movement off the shelf, if need be.

[@Phelipe7San]

My choice would be the Tissot Le Locle.

[@tomantony6495]

What about balmain watches

[@giorgiamondani]

Interesting video, subscribed, Regards, Giorgia Mondani.

[@citribell9159]

That Citizen joint was sliiiiick

[@Amilcar-Cortez]

Im looking to get the Citizen Men's Drive Watch BJ6535-51E as my first watch, does anyone recommend this one.

[@StuntpilootStef]

I so want that Tissot Visodate in 38mm. But it's not... 40mm for a dress watch is just too big for me.

[@GodIsInHisHeaven]

If you really really want the watch for it's design, I'm sure an extra 2mm would not be the end of the world.

[@StuntpilootStef]

@@GodIsInHisHeaven I have tried plenty of 40mm dress watches, my wrist is too small for them.

[@cjspillmann5576]

@@StuntpilootStef If there is a Tissot boutique or ad jewelry store near you I would suggest going in and trying one on. It is 40mm at the base, but it tapers up to 38mm at the bezel. As such it wears more like a 38mm than a 40mm. I think you would be pleasantly surprised.

[@StuntpilootStef]

@@cjspillmann5576 I have enough experience with watches of similar sizes and lug to lug lengths to know this is too big. I can wear an skx casually, no problem. But a 40mm at work is just physically too big for me to wear with a dress shirt. I will only wear 38 or smaller for those occasions. Besides, we're in full lock down here until at least the 19th.

[@johntate5050]

Water resistance is paramount to me, especially on a dress watch. When I attend a dinner party I inevitably end up diving 500 feet to the seabed. Happens every time.

[@fredsoldi9006]

What do you think about the Rotary Canterbury ?

[@JusttheWatch]

I think I want to get one but they're expensive over here in Japan so I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

[@fredsoldi9006]

@@JusttheWatch ok in Germany it cost approx 140€.

[@UTJMAN]

Awesome vid

[@anindyaghosh7907]

Why are the prices so high in Switzerland? The Jazzmaster is manufactured in Switzerland but it is cheaper in the USA, don't understand.

[@anonimushbosh]

Minimum wage in Switzerland is circa $300/hr

[@anindyaghosh7907]

@@anonimushbosh Yes but they are made in switzerland, so why would they be cheaper in the USA

[@JusttheWatch]

Maybe the gray market isn't as prevalent in Switzerland? Jomashop and most Amazon sellers are not authorized dealers, so they sell the watches at a discount from their retail prices. Often the consequence of this is that you don't get a manufacturer warranty, and instead get a warranty through the seller. So if you buy from Jomashop and it breaks during the warranty period, you contact them to get it fixed instead of the brand.

[@sambrowski1]

Can't locate the Orient Maestro with white dial and gold case anywhere 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JusttheWatch]

Might be a JDM only version. It's on Orient Japan's website, bit not on Orient USA.

[@esanof]

a couple years later and the certina ds1 is now 700 euros.

[@jacc88888]

Nice choices! My top 3 are the Tissot viso, the Citizen Stiletto and the Manhattan cocktail time. The best value dress watch ever (imo) is the Cadisen ‘Diamond’. It’s a step up from some of their other super budget Cadisen offerings. If you can bear to venture onto AliExpress that is.... it’s got the Miyota 9015 movement a domed sapphire (and a tiny diamond at 12 o’clock) and I bought one for $112. Absolutely staggering for the price. Even the leather strap is surprisingly good quality.

[@bboooobbyy]

That junghans crystal is just poorly thought out. An acrylic crystal that you can't buff out scratches?? What were they thinking

[@kongichago2748]

They want you to purchase the Saphire Crystal as an upgrade. It's intentional so they can upsell you.

[@jeb-zf4un]

Stiletto is the standout for me.

[@marcdecock7946]

looks a bit like a Rado...

[@deepb249]

Anything under $25?

[@christianbernard8254]

What’s the model of your laptop. ?

[@JusttheWatch]

It's a Dell Vostro from a couple years back.

[@christianbernard8254]

Thanks, I’m a computer tech, I just love computers

[@JusttheWatch]

@@christianbernard8254 I was a computer tech for 17 years before I became a missionary!

[@christianbernard8254]

@@JusttheWatch Missionary for Jesus ?

[@JusttheWatch]

@@christianbernard8254 yup! I'm working with a Japanese Baptist church over here to plant a new church in one of the cities that was hit by the Tsunami in 2011.

[@thomas181212]

Check Vandaag Watches, The new Primus Automatic also a good dress watch under 300 euros Great video thx !

[@JusttheWatch]

Just checked them out. They look really cool!

[@marcdecock7946]

First thing I noticed on their site: 'vandaag is low German for today'... The guts the Germans have for calling Dutch 'low German'... watches themselves are ok!

[@thomas181212]

@@marcdecock7946 today is also vandaag in Dutch language.

[@StuntpilootStef]

@@thomas181212 That's what he's saying.

[@marcdecock7946]

@@thomas181212 I'm just a bit annoyed about the fact that I happen to speak the low German and they get to speak the high German, could have also been East German and West German... although we live in two countries lower by the sea.

[@n3clar]

excelent

[@ThePlaiibox]

Hmm no sarb? I realise they're discontinued but still lol

[@JusttheWatch]

That was probably the most heavily recommended one in the comments, unfortunately at the time of the video I couldn't find it available for under $500. The price on that one fluctuates a lot though, so it may have dropped back down into that price range.

[@ThePlaiibox]

@@JusttheWatch yeah and I suppose its mainly an ebay thing these days. Not many left in the wild. Great channel BTW 👏 👍

[@inoname99]

Can you get on with it!

[@davidgluskie8620]

Sorry search Ali express not all express

[@Whyknot80]

"Do-Do"

[@edshatto9869]

too much for the quartz watch to me

[@toml.8210]

I would not buy anything that costs more than $100, and rather something under $5o 0 or $75.

[@dsbiddle]

California dials are an absolute scourge and are an offense to look at.

[@lavykhurana]

The logo on the orient is tacky.