A chronograph is the most widely available and top-selling mechanism found in the top bracket watch brands.
For starters, the chronograph mechanism is used when one wants to know the exact length of time. It also has a stopwatch function and these can be manual, self-winding, or quartz powered.
Not just the features, but the structure of these watches adds to the aesthetic of it. There is no denying that it instantly amps up your personality. You will find all eyes on yourself once you wear this unique watch.
That is why, today, we are going to discuss the best chronograph watches under $500. Read till the end to learn some maintenance tips regarding watches. In case you wanted to know, how does a chronograph watch works, watch the video.
The caution that you would be treating the watch with: Always remember that water-resistant does not mean waterproof. Therefore, avoid keeping your watch in contact with water for a longer time. Make sure you do not leave your watch sitting in a drawer or a cupboard for days. This might damage it. In case you do not want to wear it, store it properly in its box. Not using a watch may not keep the lubricants in place.
Be aware of when to go to a professional: Always give your watch to a professional in case of any repair. Do not opt for a fast fix as watches require extreme precision and care.
Best Chronograph Watches under $500 in 2021
Here are our top picks for the top men’s chronograph watches:
This Bulova watch takes us 45 years back. This is a new reinvented model of a Bulova watch that was once worn during Apollo 15 moon landing. This chronograph watch under $500 is the replication of the orignal masterpiece with new features and changes.
It features a high-performance quartz movement that too with a frequency of 262 kHz to ensure on-point accuracy. Not just this, it has a beautiful textured leather black strap that might look a little retro but is still really cool.
In addition to this, the sapphire glass and the luminous markers steal the show. It is known to be the world’s most accurate watch, accurate to have the timing of 1/1,000th of a second. Other features include a calendar and a tachymeter.
Seiko needs no introduction. It is one of the oldest watch brands out there with an excellent collection of watches. This watch has a water resistance of up to 200 meters and has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42 mm.
To begin with, this watch is not your normal cup of tea, it is a complicated watch to get your hands on. This is so because of its build and the design. It has multiple subdials and bi-directional scales that might be hard to read because of precise printing. However, it is great for traveling.
With this watch, you can calculate everything you might need during travelings, such as calculating basic division and multiplication, conversion of units, calculating ground speed, fuel, and distance. Isn’t this one of the finest watches one could have? It’s amazing how this watch has so much but all of it as clear as a crystal. Kudos to the printing and precision.
This watch is a people’s pleaser. I bet, all eyes will be stuck on this stunning watch. The yellow second-hand amps up the beauty of the watch by a lot more.
If you are looking for the top budget chronograph watch, here you have it! Just under $500, you get a watch that is Eco friendly and has outstanding features. This Citizen watch is not just a stunning-looking watch but is genuinely making a difference in the environment as well.
It is a large-sized watch with a 47mm case diameter. The watch features a rotating inner dial, calendar, alarm, water-resistance up to 100 meters, and has the accuracy of one-twentieth of a second. You also get a dual time zone feature; a 12 hour and a 24 hour time.
Currently, eco-drive technology is the leading one out there, and you will just see why. You do not require any battery to operate this watch. The only way it recharges itself, over and over again, is through light. It can convert any source of natural or artificial light into energy. It stores the light in surplus and the watch can run in darkness for months.
Unlike other solar-powered watches, it can run for more than 30 days with accuracy like no other. Keep it in a drawer, or a cupboard, once you put it back on your wrist, it will be as good as before.
This is the topmost chronograph watch for under $500. This watch has such unique and amazing features. It is solar powered which means that it will operate by consuming and storing natural light. What's great about this chronograph watch is that it can operate for up to 5 months without having access to solar energy.
This men's chronograph watches under 500 shows the world time and has 29 other time zones along with the city names displayed around the dial. Moreover, it has daylight saving on/off feature as well as an alarm. You also get a pre-planned automatic calendar till the year 2099, day and date display, and a 1/100 second chronograph.
This is the most affordable chronograph watch with all the features that you get. It features a 12-hour and a 24-hour time format as well. The watch has a huge manual and it will take some time to understand how it works.
5- Luminox Navy Seal Men's Watch Chronograph - 3580 Series
Why we love it:
Tough and sturdy.
Night visibility.
Double security gasket.
Movement
Water Resistance
Diameter
Swiss Quartz
200 meters
45mm
Pros
Cons
✅Light weight
❌Not available in metal
If you are looking for an outstanding chronograph watch, here it is! It may not seem like all other watches, but it has its own beauty. This is the most affordable chronograph watch. It is built out of Carbonox which makes it tough and sturdy while being lightweight.
It provides night visibility due to the gas tube illumination. The glow is said to be lasting up to 25 years. The crown is protected by a double gasket which makes it more water-resistant. The red accent adds to the look of the watch. According to me, it is a very cool-looking watch. With this, there are really fewer chances of damage.
Brace yourself, we have found one of the most stunning chronograph watch under $500 for you! Trust me, this watch has everything you will ever need. Are you passionate about water sports? You are going to love this!
This Invicta watch has a water resistance of up to 1000 meters and is suitable for all kinds of water activities including swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Not only this, it features a unidirectional bezel to ensure your safety underwater.
For starters, let me explain what a unidirectional bezel is. To begin with, these bezels can only rotate one way which is counterclockwise. So basically it helps in keeping the track of time. It may take some time for you to learn it, but once you do, it will be of great help. In case you want to know more about it, go through this article.
Moving on, this chronograph watch is scratch-resistant, an added bonus. That's not all, it has flame fusion crystals which are as tough and durable as a real sapphire, however, at a low cost. With all these features, this is the top affordable chronograph watch.
We are all familiar with the brand, Citizen, and its amazing watches with outstanding features. Despite reviewing other Citizen watches, I consider this one as the cream of the crop. It is made in top-notch material that is a sapphire crystal which not only adds to the beauty of it but also showcases supreme quality.
The detailing on the watch is very detailed and precise. It has a perpetual calendar, automatic timekeeping in 43 different cities along with an alarm and calculation functions. In addition to this, it has bright illuminating hour and minute hands to help you read the time during the night as well.
What steals the show is its Eco-drive technology. This watch does not require any battery neither the need to recharge. It charges on its own using any natural or artificial light source. Moreover, it can operate for up to 5 months without having exposure to a light source.
As we come to an end, we hope that this article made finding the best chronograph watch under 500 easy for you. We have listed multiple options above, but you do need some basic information in order to learn how to use these.
Though, getting your hands-on is not as easy as it sounds. You need to be aware of a few things including the dials, water resistance, maintenance, functions, and a lot more. Also, keep in mind that within this range, you will not find premium watches. However, if you are looking for the most affordable chronograph watches, this range is good enough.
In case you want to buy premium watches, check this out.
Maintenance Tips for Chronograph Watches.
Always remember that water-resistant does not mean waterproof. Therefore, avoid keeping your watch in contact with water for a longer time.
Make sure you do not leave your watch sitting in a drawer or a cupboard for days. This might damage it. In case you do not want to wear it, store it properly in its box. Not using a watch may not keep the lubricants in place.
Keep your watch clean at all times to prevent dust from being stuck. Make sure to clean it with a damp cloth and finish it off with a dry cloth.
Avoid spritzing perfume on it and avoid contact with any cosmetics.
Always give your watch to a professional in case of any repair. Do not opt for a fast fix as watches require extreme precision and care.
In case you are winding your watch, do not wind at any cost if you feel rigidness in the circulation of the crown.
Have you been wondering "how does a chronograph watch work?", watch this video:
Get your hands on the finest chronograph watch as soon as possible!
I hope you agree with me when I say:
Why we love it:
Why we love it:
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