In most circles around the world, the idea that something is Swiss made is equal to high-quality and durability. When you apply the same label to watches, the result is absolutely spectacular! Most Swiss watchmakers feature impressive designs that are accurate, reliable, but also feature a luxurious style that’s unique and easy to recognize.
Still, the same label can also mean the watch is not exactly accessible to everyone. Usually, great craftsmanship and attention to detail don’t come at an affordable price. However, if you look close enough, there are some models that come with both the quality and the right price tag.
As such, we did the research, and found some of the best Swiss watches under $500 that anyone would be proud to wear. If you’re interested, make sure to read our reviews below.
Best Swiss Watches
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2Victorinox – Swiss Army Men’s Watch
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1. Tissot – Men’s ‘Tradition’ Swiss Quartz Dress Watch
The elegant design of this timepiece makes it the ideal gift for a special person. Moreover, the watch is delivered in a spectacular box, which enhances the purchasing experience.
Once it’s out of the box, you’ll notice the impressive build quality and craftsmanship that make Tissot one of the best brands on the market. The watch features a Swiss movement protected by a beautiful stainless steel case and an anti-reflective and durable sapphire lens. In addition, the black leather strap combines nicely with the black analog dial.
Under the lens, you’ll notice the same combination of silver tones and black, due to the stainless steel fixed bezel, silver-tone hands, and the hour markers (which are alternating Roman numerals). The watch also features a second hand, minute markers, and a date display at the 3 o’clock position.
Lastly, the Tissot Tradition design is water resistant, so you can keep it on if you go swimming. However, it is not a watch designed for diving, so it’s recommended to keep this in mind.
Specifications
Pros
- Beautiful & elegant design
- It fits most outfits, regardless of style
- Swiss-made movement with impressive accuracy
- High-quality materials
- Impressive packaging - perfect for gift-giving
Cons
- The strap is a bit rigid
- It is rather big, so it won’t fit small wrists
Why We Chose This
Tissot makes some of the most impressive Swiss watches for men and this timepiece is a testament to their skill. As such, the Tissot Tradition is highly accurate and it features an elegant face that goes well with almost any outfit, from casual to elegant.2. Victorinox – Swiss Army Men’s Watch
Both eye-catching and functional, the Victorinox Swiss Army watch cannot be ignored! The first thing you notice is the impressive attention to detail that went into making this gorgeous timepiece.
The beautiful combination of colors (brown leather strap, brown dial, and brown bezel), the stainless steel case, and the way the dial is organized show that Victorinox put a lot of thought into the design. In addition, the watch is also a chronograph that features tachymeter markings on the bezel.
At the heart of the watch, you’ll find a highly accurate Swiss quartz movement that feeds the luminous silver-toned hands, and the three subdials and date display. The movement is protected by a beautiful scratch-resistant triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal lens and a strong stainless steel case.
In addition, the watch will withstand a watery encounter and can even face some water sports such as swimming and/or snorkeling. However, it is not designed for diving or any other under the surface activities.
Specifications
Pros
- A gorgeous design that attracts the eye
- Chronograph and tachymeter functionality
- Luminous hands
- Good water resistance & overall durability
- Impressive accuracy
Cons
- It is rather large, so it doesn’t fit any wrists
- The hour markers are not luminous
Why We Chose This
The size, color combination, and general style make the Victorinox Swiss Army watch one of the best men’s watches on the market right now. Moreover, due to its impressive accuracy and high-end features, it fits well in the life of an active man with an office job.3. Louis XVI – Men’s Danton l’or Noir Swiss Watch
The Louis XVI Danton l’or Noir is an accessory worthy of a royal wrist! This timepiece attracts the eye from a distance and exudes confidence and style due to its imposing look and clever combination of black and gold tones. In addition, this watch is part of a limited edition series, which makes it even more desirable.
The face features a black dial with golden hour markings and hands, fueled by an accurate Swiss quartz movement and protected by sapphire crystal glass and 316-L stainless steel case. But this watch does more than just measure time the regular way. The face also features three complications for measuring hours, minutes and seconds, and a date window on the 4 o’clock position.
Now, considering the amount of information displayed, it’s easy to think that the dial would be crowded. But, due to the manufacturer’s genius and amazing attention to detail, the face looks well-organized and elegant.
Overall, the Louis XVI Danton l’or Noir is a beautiful dress watch that shows you have style and the necessary confidence to pull it off.
Specifications
Pros
- The design is absolutely fabulous
- Swiss-made movement that’s highly accurate
- Chronograph face with three complications
- Good water resistance & durability
- Limited edition
Cons
- The case is rather big, especially for small wrists
Why We Chose This
Louis XVI stands out of the crowd of Swiss watch brands through their gorgeous designs that attract the eye in any social setting. The Danton l’or Noir is a wonderful limited edition timepiece that features high accuracy and the characteristics of a well-designed chronograph.4. Salvatore Ferragamo – Men’s ‘Time Automatic’ Swiss Watch
This timeless Salvatore Ferragamo design is a clever combination of various accents of simplicity and luxurious elegance. The 41mm two-tone stainless steel case houses a Swiss Automatic ETA 2824-2 movement that powers an analog dial with three hands and date display on the 3 o’clock position.
The ensemble is completed by the two-toned stainless steel bracelet and the wonderfully-decorate octagonal crown with jewelry on top. Also, the dial is protected by a sapphire crystal lens (with an anti-scratching component) and an exhibition case back that lets users see the mechanism inside.
The watch is resistant to water for up to 20m (165ft), which means it won’t break down if you forget to take it off before a quick swim. However, it’s not recommended that you keep in on in the pool or in the shower.
Specifications
Pros
- Elegant design, that fits all elegant outfits
- Automatic movement
- Exhibition case back for increased visual appeal
- Secure stainless steel bracelet
- Easy to wear for long periods of time
Cons
- No luminous hands
- It’s not a watch to wear with casual or sporty outfits
Why We Chose This
An elegant, stainless steel watch that speaks about style and status using an impressive combination of colors and high-end materials. The attention to detail is so great that it’s rather difficult to believe that it actually fits our list of swiss watches under $500. So, if you’re looking for a Swiss-made watch that looks fantastic but doesn’t break the bank, this Ferragamo design may be your best choice.5. WTIF – Automatic Swiss Movement Luxury Watch
Featuring a luxurious and refreshing design, this WTIF Automatic watch also comes with a solid build and a beautiful leather band to complete the ensemble. In addition, it is powered by a reliable and accurate 26 jewels Swiss STP 1-11 automatic mechanical movement with a 44h power reserve.
Moreover, due to the transparent back case you get to see this movement at work, with the self-winding rotor. The visual aspect of the watch is enhanced by the sapphire crystal lens (that’s also resistant to scratches) and the genuine Italian leather strap with a crocodile pattern and matching stitching.
The analog dial is easy to read due to the black hour markings and white hands placed on top of a skeleton center. The watch also features a day window, in the 3 o’clock position, that works based on a rotary dial inside the hour markings.
Lastly, the watch is delivered in a beautiful wooden box, which makes it the perfect gift when you want to impress someone.
Specifications
Pros
- A beautiful and luxurious design
- Self-winding movement with 44h power reserve
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal case
- Skeleton dial and back case
- Comes in a collector wooden box
Cons
- It is too big for small wrists
- No luminous hands
- No extra features
Why We Chose This
As one of the best men’s swiss made watches, this WTIF model manages to deliver functionality and reliability together with a beautiful design. The watch looks and feels expensive, and the swiss-made automatic mechanism is a testament of quality and durability.6. Tissot – Gents Visodate Swiss Watch
Simple, elegant, efficient – these are the features that describe this eye-catching design from Tissot. The simplistic dial showcases a white background with silver-toned stainless steel markers and hands, which resembles the design of a classic watch.
In fact, the Visodate is styled to resemble one of the most popular Tissot models, their original 1957 watch. As such, the logo and domed sapphire crystal lens (no anti-reflective coating) were added in memory of this legendary timepiece. The dial also features a day and date complication at the 3 o’clock position.
The design of the watch is complemented by the high-polished stainless steel case, the alligator embossed leather strap and the exhibition case back which allows users to see the mechanism at work. Speaking of which, the Visodate is powered by a 25 jewel automatic movement with hand-winding and hacking, and a 38h power reserve.
Overall, the Visodate is a beautiful model that can easily be used as an accessory to an elegant outfit.
Specifications
Pros
- Great accuracy
- A classic design that’s impressive through its simplicity
- The dial visibility is good
- The movement supports hand-winding and hacking
- Good power reserve
Cons
- No anti-reflection coating on the lens
- The crown is a bit under-sized