10 Best Automatic Watches Under $1000 For 2024

In the 1970s, many believed that an automatic watch would need to be affordable to compete with quartz watches.  At present, it is easy for us to find a well-made automatic watch at a very reasonable price –  we are talking about the best automatic watch for under $1000.

As someone who worships simplicity, an automatic watch should be on your radar. It’s simple, has high longevity, and, most importantly, is “automatic”.  An automatic watch automatically gains power through the wearer’s wrist movement. Thanks to the rotor that a manual winding watch doesn’t have. 

A manual winding that always needs to be manually wound, the rotor in the automatic watch will always charge your watch every time you move your hands. Because it’s “automatic”, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need manual winding at all. Manual winding is still required, especially if you don’t wear your watch often or move it frequently. 

Things You Should Know Before Buying An Automatic Watch

What is an excellent entry-level automatic watch? It might be hard to make up your mind if it’s your first time buying an automatic watch. Thus, to give you some insights, here are some things that you should know before buying an automatic watch – or specifically the best automatic watch under $1000.

1. Mind Your Heart

First of all, follow your preference. You might get a lot of opinions about the best automatic watch under $1000 but not every option is suited to your taste. Your preference is unique to you and it eventually becomes a part of your identity.

A timepiece isn’t only a mere timekeeper. Thus, Whether it’s the choice of straps, dials, or the movement of the watch, make sure it is something you admire and are willing to wear.

2. Watch Winders Don’t Hurt Your Automatic Watch

it’s been a famous rumor that an automatic watch has fragile components. As a result, many people say that winding your crown frequently can harm your automatic watch.

Well, to set the records straight, the mainspring on an automatic watch can’t be easily destroyed by the winding. They’re equipped with a “slipping spring”, which glides the inside of the barrel once the watch is fully wounded. 

Read also: Watch 101: Do We Need a Watch Winder for Automatic Watches? 

3. Choosing A Skeleton Watch Could Be An Interesting Choice

If you’re a person who admires every detail of the movement of a watch, you should add a skeleton dial to your automatic watch collection.  An automatic watch has more components than others, imagine the fun of watching the components work through the skeleton dial. 

10 Best Automatic Watches Under $1000 for 2023

There are a variety of options for the best automatic watch under $1000.  To make it easier, we have selected the best 10 automatic watches under $1000 for you to choose from. 

1. Presage Automatic Sharp Edge Seiko

Seiko Presage Automatic Sharp Edge is a reliable timepiece with an excellent design and a reasonable price tag. With its highly accurate 6215 calibers, this edgy timepiece beats at 21.600 vibrations per hour and is able to provide a whopping 70 hours of power reserve.

Aside from its reliability, Automatic Sharp Edge also offers a “sharper” look for everyone. As part of the Presage lineup dress watch, this watch is designed with a slim profile of 11mm and a modest 39 mm case. Definitely one of the best automatic watches under $1000 for an elegant and sporty look.

Price: $894 

2. Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic

Since the previous century, Alpina has been well-known as a manufacturer of military aviation watches.  Worthy of this label, Alpina Startimer Pilot offers a perfect balance between functionality and elegance in men’s automatic watches for under $1000.

The details that are applied at the dial are a draw to every eye. Equipped with sharp print luminous markers, Alpina Startimer offers such a simple yet attractive watch for every wrist. In addition to that, it also has one unique thing that is rarely found on a modern pilot watch; a signed screw-down crown which makes it resistant to water up to 100m.

Price: $890

3. Citizen Automatic White

Housed in a 316L stainless steel case, Citizen Automatic White presents a marvelous dimension as one of the best automatic watches under $1000. Everything about the watch makes it a perfect balance between being a dress watch and a sporty dress watch.

Measuring 38mm in diameter with fine brushing at the top of the lugs and case, the Citizen Automatic is run by their in-house caliber 9011 automatic movement. With this caliber, it can perform at 28.800 beats per hour and provides 42 hours of power reserve. Equipped with 100m water resistance, it handles accidental splashes without a problem. 

Price: $580

Read more: How Long Do Automatic Watches Last? A Brief and How to Care 

4. Orient Star Contemporary Modern Green

Next, Orient Star Contemporary Modern is the next best automatic watch under $1000 with a premium dressy vibe that will elevate the style. Displayed through a flat sapphire crystal, the beautiful skeleton dial is decorated with a gold-trimmed numeral at 12 o’clock. 

This feature goes along with a familiar fan-shaped power reserve indicator as Orient Star Watches characteristics. Running the watch is the in-house automatic caliber F6F44,  crafted with 24 jewels, visible through the transparent case back. With this caliber, Orient Star Contemporary Modern can serve a 50-hour power reserve and tick at 21.600 bph. 

Price: $670 USD

5. Jazzmaster Hamilton Openheart Lady

Measuring 42mm wide and 11.44mm in height, Jazzmaster Open Heart Silver’s semi-skeleton dial displays a sporty yet beautiful contrast.  It is a versatile watch suitable for most wrists size, for both women and men. 

Not just the surface, the beauty of this timepiece is also embodied in its meticulous movement. Powered by Caliber H-10, it could stand up to 80 hours. You might consider this Hamilton watch to be one of the new entries in your automatic collection watch. 

Price: $940

6. Mido Rainflower Rose

Flaunting the elegant design of the Singapore ArtScience Museum, Mido Rainflowers offers a women’s automatic watch under $1000 that is shaped like a lotus flower. To make it fit ladies’ wrists, the PVD rose gold case is designed to measure 34mm. 

At the heart of the watch, lies an in-house Automatic Caliber 80 with 25 jewel automatic movements. It has a power reserve of 80 hours by reducing the beat rate to 21.600 beats per hour. Paired with a pink leather strap, Mido Rainflower is the best affordable luxury watch for every lady.

Price: $980 USD

Read more: Automatic Watch Accuracy: How Precise the Movement is? 

7. Steinhart Nav-B Uhr 47

What Is the top thing to expect from a pilot watch? Yes, readability. That’s exactly what you will get in a Steinhart Nav B-Uhr 47. As a pilot watch, the Steinhart Nav-B Uhr 47 features an authentic dial and crown design, with luminescent paint. 

In addition to that, it has a 316L stainless steel case, finely brushed, and transparent exhibition case back. For pilot watch enthusiasts, this is the best automatic watch under $1000 that you must have.

Price: $650

8. Glycine Combat Sub 36-2 Tone

Coming in a compact size, Glycine Combat Sub 36-2 Tone is an appealing tool watch for everyone, even the ladies. It only measures 36 mm in diameter, 42.5mm lug-to-lug distance, and 12mm in thickness. 

The exterior is outstanding, especially when it’s paired with an 18mm highly polished stainless steel bracelet. With GL224 Swiss automatic movement, it could provide a 38-hour reserve with a 4Hz beat rate of 28,800 BPH. Truly a unique and robust Swiss-made design.

Price: $630

9. Aristo Bauhaus Dessau Weimar Automatic

Applying the minimalistic value, Aristo Dessau Automatic Weimar has a clean, minimalistic dial that brings both classic appeal and elegance for the best automatic watch under $1000. More than that, this revival of the Bauhaus styling is also a part of Aristo’s effort to commemorate the centennial anniversary of this modernistic style. 

To keep it practical and playful, Aristo Bauhaus Dessau also features a date window and flaring steel hands. Its modern open caseback design also allows the wearer to admire the caliber ticking inside. Equipped with 50mm water resistance, it allows you to enjoy outdoor activities without worries.

Price: $480

10. Marathon MSAR NGM Diver Automatic 

Last but not least, we have Marathon MSAR NGM Diver Automatic.  As a dive watch, it has a 120-click bezel that allows the wearer to rotate it unidirectionally in almost any condition, even when your hand is wet.

Inside the 316L stainless steel case, there lies an SW200 automatic caliber that operates at 28.800 BPH with hacking and winding capabilities. Based on that movement, it is able to provide durable and accurate 38 hours of power reserve for the watch. 

Price: $990

Read more: An Insightful Tips for Automatic Watch Maintenance 

Final Thought

Now that you know some watches in the best automatic watch under the $1000 list, you may consider buying them. Besides their fashionable looks,  these automatic watches also allow you to keep time accurate. 

Since you don’t have to wind them daily, they are convenient to wear and you can wear them for a long time.  So, which of the ten catches your eye the most? If you like this article and want to read more about horology, visit our blog for more watch reviews and recommendations. 

You might also like: Quartz vs Automatic Watches: Comparing the Key Movements