10 Best Mid-Range Watch Brands

The beauty of modern horology is that you don’t have to break the bank just to slap some incredible style around your wrist. Indeed, the best mid-range watch brands are priced between AUD$1,000-$8,000, proving that great things can still come in (relatively) affordable packages. And while these killer timepieces might not be packing tourbillon and other luxury specs that some of the best watches in the world do, they remain optimal, fashionable, and beautiful inside and out. The best mid-tier watch brands are so brilliant and eye-catching that you should buy one and even go so far as to consider one over a Rolex or other high-end pieces. You could probably lie and say it costs twice as much. Perception is reality, after all.

Best Mid-Range Watch Brands at a Glance

Highlights from our list include the following options:

• Best overall: Longines
• For value for money: Seiko
• For luxury: Tudor

Now you’ve read our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.

RELATED: These are the best Australian watch brands, as chosen by us.

1. Longines

Price range: AUD$1,375-$30,450

History of the brand: Longines was co-founded in 1832 by Swiss watchmaker Auguste Agassiz under the name Raiguel Jeune & Cie. Agassiz later hired his enterprising nephew, Ernest Francillon, and the operation kicked into high gear. It was Francillon who oversaw the establishment of their first factory, making them the first Swiss company to assemble watches in one location. Around town, the factory was known as Les Longines (aka “long meadows”).

From the production of their first in-house movement in 1867 to the development of their mono-pusher chronograph in 1878, Longines kept an expert pace with production trends and innovations throughout the 19th century. Their stopwatches were the stuff of legend in equestrian sports, in particular, where timekeeping accuracy and precision were everything. The name Longines was officially trademarked in 1880, and the brand’s iconic winged hourglass logo debuted nine years later.

In the 1920s, Longines made good on the winged logo and soon became one of the foremost names in avigation. To this day, the brand retains close connections with the respective worlds of aviation, motorsport, diving, horse racing, and other athletic events. Robust and accurate, their watches are also elegant in terms of style and design. The brand is currently owned by Swatch Group and the hits keep on coming.

Country of origin: St-Imier, Switzerland
Date founded: 1832
Founder: Auguste Agassiz

Watches you should consider:

• Longines Hydroconquest 39mm Automatic (from AUD$2,250): This exceptional dive watch combines top-notch performance with a handsome design to epitomise the Longines ethos.
• Longines Conquest 41mm (from AUD$3,425): A long-running heritage continues with this sporty minimalist masterpiece.
• Longines Legend Diver 42mm (from AUD$4,125): Function becomes form on this reinterpreted version of a 1960s dive watch.
• Longines Avigation Bigeye 41mm (from AUD$4,900): This sturdy stunner makes up part of the “Heritage Avigation” range and thereby honours the brand’s enduring connection to aviation.

2. Tudor

Price range: AUD$2,760-$47,400

History of the brand: The name The Tudor was registered in 1926 by “Veuve de Philippe Hüther” on behalf of Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf, who took official possession of the company a decade later. In 1946, he created Montres TUDOR S.A., the brand we now know as Tudor Watches. A German businessman and savvy marketer, Wilsdorf envisioned Tudor as a more affordable but similarly reliable alternative to Rolex. Vision achieved.

To quote Wilsdorf directly: “For some years now, I have been considering the idea of making a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standard of dependability for which Rolex is famous.”

Rolex-tier quality at a mid-range price was too good to refuse by the 1950s, which is when Tudor really took off as a brand. The watches not only borrowed designs and mechanics from Rolex but began featuring waterproof Oyster cases (previously exclusive to Rolex), amongst other sturdy elements. In 1954, Tudor debuted the Oyster Prince Submariner, their first diving watch. The French Navy took notice and started wearing Tudor watches in the following decade.

While still an affordable alternative to Rolex, Tudor also now blazes their own horological trail. A brand overhaul in 2009 placed more emphasis on style and heritage, although the watchmaker is still known for accuracy and durability. Their iconic “Born To Dare” campaign launched in 2017 and featured partnerships with David Beckham, Lady Gaga, and rugby player Beauden Barrett.

Country of origin: Switzerland
Date founded: 1926
Founder: Hans Wilsdorf

Watches you should consider:

• Tudor Black Bay GMT ref. M79830RB-0010 (from AUD$6,460): Think of this one as a Rolex GMT Master II “Pepsi” at a fraction of the price and you get the idea.
• Tudor Black Bay Chrono ref. M79360N-0019 (from AUD$8,370): Premium performance specs plus an eye-popping pink dial equals horological perfection for modern trend-setters.
• Tudor Black Bay 58 (from AUD$5,440): This bold watch has adventure written all over it with a blue fabric strap that seals the deal.
• Tudor Pelagos 39 ref. M25407N-0001 (from AUD$6,940): Forged from titanium and equipped with a rotating bezel, the Tudor Pelagos 39 is dressed to impress and ready for action.

3. TAG Heuer

Price range: AUD$2,100-$200,000

History of the brand: Swiss clockmaker Edouard Heuer opened his first watch shop in 1860, founding TAG Heuer on the foundational pillars of “family leadership and technical innovation.” More than a founder, Heuer was also a true innovator, who patented a crown-operated keyless winding system in 1869 and later improved the oscillating pinion on chronographs (leading to the push-button technique that we still use to this day). The first Heuer died in 1892 at the age of 52, but his spirit of innovation lived on.

At the turn of the 20th century, TAG Heuer applied their timekeeping expertise to everything from car dashboards to major athletic competitions. The brand introduced the legendary Autavia dashboard timer in 1933 and started expanding their chronograph range during the same decade. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the company entered their golden age, with a little help from Jack Heuer.

Edouard Heuer’s great-grandson and a fourth-generation owner, Jack Heuer, began spearheading the family business in 1958. One of his earliest contributions was to oversee the launch of the brand’s first official chronograph collection, Autavia (named for the aforementioned dashboard timer). TAG Heuer debuted the iconic Carrera chronograph soon after, and it has been synonymous with motorsport ever since. Driving that connection home (no pun intended) was the Heuer Monaco, a sports chronograph famously worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans. It was powered by Calibre 11, TAG Heuer’s first automatic movement (introduced in 1969).

Nowadays, TAG Heuer remains at the forefront of the luxury sports category. While easily one of the best mid-range watch brands, they also have plenty of models—both new and secondhand—that qualify for top-shelf status. The brand’s current lines include updated versions of heritage classics like the Autavia, Monaco, and Carrera, as well as modern-day triumphs such as the Aquaracer dive watch.

Country of origin: Switzerland
Date founded: 1860
Founder: Edouard Heuer

Watches you should consider:

• TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date (from AUD$5,500): With its unique case contours, wavy-patterned dial, turning bezel, and automatic movement, this one checks all the right boxes.
• TAG Heuer Carrera Date (from AUD$4,600): The TAG Heuer Carrera takes on new life with this 36mm Date and its vibrant pink dial.

4. Breitling

Price range: AUD$4,990-$99,990

History of the brand: Switzerland was in the midst of a deep recession when watchmaker Léon Breitling founded his namesake brand, economy be damned. He opened his first workshop in 1884 and followed that with a full-blown watch factory just under a decade later. By the end of the 1800s, Breitling chronographs had won the hearts of athletes and aviators alike. At the turn of the next century, he patented a pocket-watch tachymeter, an important precursor to speedometers.

Léon’s son Gaston Breitling took over the company in 1914 (Léon died two years later) and placed a newfound emphasis on wearability. He created one of the first-ever wrist-worn chronographs with an independent pusher at 2 o’clock and helped improve chronograph functionality overall. Gaston died in 1927 (at just 43) and his son Willy assumed control of the company five years later. Like his father and grandfather, Willy would introduce plenty of new ideas and innovations.

Willy’s offspring weren’t interested in running the family business, and Breitling ceased production in 1978. The company name was purchased the following year, and operations were moved to the Sicura factory (eventually Breitling AG). Ownership would later change hands again, and the brand identity would remain intact. From the early 20th century to now, Breitling SA has been a master of the skies and the seas with elegant designs and chronometer-certified movements to match.

Country of origin: Switzerland
Date founded: 1884
Founder: Léon Breitling

Watches you should consider:

• Breitling Avenger Automatic 42 ref. A17328101B1A1 (from AUD$6,990): Built for jet pilots, Breitling’s Avenger Automatic is a military-inspired powerhouse.
• Breitling Top Time Deus ref. A233112A1A1X1 (from AUD$7,990): Aussie surf and moto brand Deus Ex Machina co-designed this handsome sports watch, which comes bursting with retro style.
• Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 ref. A17375E71C1S1 (from AUD$7,290): This shock-and-water-resistant dive watch was purpose-built for undersea adventure, hence the name.

5. Oris

Price range: AUD$3,200-$13,300

History of the brand: For over 100 years, legendary mid-tier brand Oris watches have coupled the best of engineering with downright brilliant designs to deliver masterpieces in the following areas: Motor Sport (like the Oris Williams), Aviation (think Oris Big Crown Propilot), Culture (Oris Artelier & Oris Classic and Diving (as pictured above with the Oris Aquis and the Oris Divers and Oris Prodiver). To this day, they produce only mechanical watches of exceptional quality. A premium red rotor remains their mark of distinction and perennial good luck charm. In this era of omnipresent tech, a solid mechanical watch is a signifier of timeless performance and vintage styling. Oris has championed the mechanical watch without charging the price and has earned glowing reviews.

Country of origin: Hölstein, Switzerland
Date founded: 1904
Founder: Georges Christian, Paul Cattin

Watches you should consider:

• Oris Divers Sixty-Five, Date (from AUD$4,200): A forest-inspired green dial hue lends this steel dive watch an extra touch of visual allure.
• Oris Big Crown Calibre 473 (from AUD$7,000): Putting an oversized crown on a 38mm case is a clever move but we can’t stop staring at the vibrant blue dial and the deer leather strap.
• Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Calibre 403 (from AUD$6,000): Oris prove themselves masters of detail yet again with the Big Crown Pointer Date, a modern iteration of a historic precursor.

6. Seiko

Price range: AUD$750-$3,300

History of the brand: In 1969, Japan’s Seiko introduced the first production of a quartz watch, which changed the game overnight. But that revolutionary innovation didn’t come out of nowhere. Seiko (which translates to “exquisite” or “success”) was making clocks under the name Seikosha as early as 1892. Pair that valuable experience with Japan’s flair for innovation, and it’s only natural that you will change the world. Nowadays, Seiko Men’s & Women’s watches maintain a full spectrum of styles that employ various movements. Within their portfolio (and among their subsidiary brands), you can find quartz, mechanical, solar and kinetic watches. Meanwhile, some of their luxury pieces are still produced entirely in-house. In other words, exploring Seiko and its respective branches involves exploring virtually all possibilities and designs, often with unbeatable value for money.

Country of origin: Tokyo, Japan
Date founded: 1881
Founder: Kintaro Hattori

Watches you should consider:

• Seiko 5 SRPK87K (from AUD$625): The vintage aesthetic and automatic movement of this superb wristwatch will have you doing a double-take at the price point.
• Seiko Presage Style60’s SRPL07 (from AUD$895): Here’s another Seiko classic that shows how some designs never go out of style.
• Seiko Prospex Sea SPB381 (from AUD$2,500): This Seiko Prospex is every bit the high-performer that its bold interface would suggest.
• Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC813 (from AUD$1,100): Running on a solar-powered movement, this Prospex Speedtimer exudes pure sportiness.

7. Tissot

Price range: AUD$750-$3,300

History of the brand: There are a few watches similar to Tissot. Swiss watchmaker Tissot came out the gate swinging in 1853. That was when they introduced the first pocket watch with two time zones. Other claims to fame include debuting the first mass-produced pocket watch, the first anti-magnetic watch, and the first watches made out of plastic, stone, mother of pearl and wood, respectively. The amazing mid-tier brand is also the official timekeeper for many professional sports leagues. All that history and expertise has amounted to tremendous success and watches that combine form and function with the utmost precision. The trusty PRS 516 Chronograph is a benchmark stunner. The T-Sport T-Tracx Chronograph pairs elegant vibes with sturdy performance to bring the best of all worlds. Look no further for active men seeking premium style and sportiness in equal measure.

Country of origin: Le Locle, Switzerland
Date founded: July 1, 1853
Founder: Charles-Émile Tissot, Charles-Félicien Tissot

Watches you should consider:

• Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (from AUD$1,150): The Tonneau case shape and waffle design of the Powermatic 80 is like a time machine in watch form…and for that, we love it.
• Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph (from AUD$3,050): Tissot cranks up the detail with subdials and other features while a retro sensibility persists.
• Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 (from AUD$1,305): This head-turning dive watch brings Tissot into modern territory on every front.

8. Hamilton

Price range: AUD$800-$6,000

History of the brand: As one of the top mid-range watch brands, Hamilton watches combine the best of two worlds: America and Switzerland. That means watches that are palpably American in spirit and design but run on the finest in Swiss mechanics. Along with achievements in the world of horology, the brand has left a substantial mark on the film, military, racing and aviation industries. Hamilton pocket watches are very popular and renowned for their luxury and vintage styling. The Hamilton Murph field watch was worn by Mathew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain in Christopher Nolan’s hit sci-fi film Interstellar. The Murph was specifically made for the film, named after the character Murph Cooper. Hamilton watches deliver not just a spectacular product, but every timepiece feels like history in the making, possibly because many of them are. Hamilton is one of the best mid-range watch brands in the market.

Country of origin: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Date founded: 1892
Founder: Andrew Hamilton

Watches you should consider:

• American Classic Intra-Matic Auto Chrono (from AUD$3,700): Hamilton reimagined a 1960s predecessor by way of modern mechanics and a panda dial and we’re here for it.
• Khaki Field Expedition Auto (from AUD$1,850): Sturdy construction, a minimalist dial, and a compass design make the Expedition Auto a quintessential field watch.

9. RADO

Price range: AUD$1,150-$9,250

History of the brand: Switzerland’s RADO consistently fuses elegant designs with extraordinary materials like high-tech ceramic and sapphire crystal. The top mid-tier watchmaker, Rado Watches, recently turned heads at Baselworld 2017 with the new DiaMaster Power Reserve and the glitzy limited edition True Blaze. Tradition meets innovation with the Hyperchrome Captain Cook  Automatic, an original look brought to life with a new and improved form for the 21st century. Ultimately, RADO makes sleek, sturdy and beautiful timepieces that look like they should cost far more than they do. The Rado watch price is arguably its best feature. Buy one and prepare to fall in love.

Country of origin: Lengnau, Switzerland
Date founded: 1917
Founder: Ernst Schlup, Werner Schlup, Fritz Schlup

Watches you should consider:

• RADO Anatom Automatic (from AUD$5,650): Past and future collide on the signature RADO Anatom Automatic and its timeless presentation.
• RADO HyperChrome Automatic (from AUD$4,700): This minimalist sports watch is like a work of art for your wrist that happens to tell the time.
• RADO Captain Cook Automatic (from AUD$4,050): Inspired by a vintage design, RADO’s Captain Cook Automatic nevertheless emanates with modern wearability.

10. Frederique Constant

Price range: AUD$1,950-$17,295

History of the brand: Married couple Aletta and Peter Stas combined the names of their great-grandparents (one of whom produced watch dials in the early 20th century) when launching this mid-range luxury watch brand in 1988. By that point, the field was already quite crowded, but it didn’t stop Frederique Constant from making a major impression. They released their first collection in 1992, followed by the iconic Heart Beat timepiece in 1994 (not to be confused with their Heart Beat movement, introduced years later).

Driven by passion, Frederique Constant has become such a contender that one would think they’ve been around for over a century. While the prices might say “mid-range,” the construction, innovations, and designs are top-of-the-line. The brand was purchased by Citizen Holdings back in 2016, but the benchmarks continue, such as the introduction of the world’s first mechanical smartwatch in 2018.

Country of origin: Switzerland
Date founded: 1988
Founders: Aletta Francoise Frédérique Stas-Bax and Peter Constant Stas

Watches you should consider:

• Frederique Constant Classics Automatic (from AUD$1,950): A guilloché dial, Roman numerals, and other classical elements impart luxurious vibes, making the purchase price of this automatic watch seem that much more spectacular.
• Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph (from AUD$4,500): Detail-packed and vintage-flavoured, this piece celebrates the ongoing partnership between Frederique Constant and British automaker Austin Healey.
• Frederique Constant Classics Carree Automatic (from AUD$1,950): The art deco aesthetic is alive and well, and this brilliant watch proves it.

Alternatives to These Mid-Range Watch Brands

• Alpina Watches: Alpina is a true workhorse of a brand that has stayed in the game through thick and thin. Since 1883, they’ve taken a conscious, innovative and quality-based approach toward production, sometimes to a fault. 1938’s Alpina 4–which joined anti-magnetic and anti-shock properties with water resistance and stainless steel construction, is considered by many to be the father of the modern-day sports watch. Recent endeavours include the acclaimed and affordable Horological Smartwatch series and the painstakingly reliable AL-760 Automatic Flyback Chronograph, which utilises a patented flyback mechanism invented in-house. Alpina crafts some of the finest mid-tier watches money can buy.
• Edox: Edox watches began when a brilliant Swiss watchmaker presented a handmade pocket watch to his wife in 1884. She was so impressed she convinced him to start a business. Her instincts were dead-on because it’s been (more or less) smooth sailing for Edox ever since, a remarkable feat given the ups and downs of horology. The stellar mid-tier watch brand stays in the game by championing technologies as they emerge and not over-extending itself. Their 1970 Geoscope watch was the first to cover every time zone simultaneously. Their 1998 Les Bémonts Ultra Slim collection remains the thinnest calendar watch in the world. Positive Edox watch reviews and current partnerships within the car and boat racing industries equate to exceptional timepieces that keep the momentum strong.
• Eterna: Swiss luxury watch brand Eterna has a small legion of milestones. Some (but not all) of Eterna Watches’ achievements include the first watch to be built entirely in-house in 1870, the patent for the first wrist alarm clock in 1908, and the creation of the friction-reducing ball-bearing mounted rotor system in 1948, still commonly used to this day. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the unique Eterna Matic range and the Soleure Moonphase Chronograph for a completely reasonable price for next-level functionality. Eterna produces some of the best mid-range watches in the world.
• Formex: For over 20 years, Formex Swiss Watches has produced high-quality timepieces that won’t break the bank. From its headquarters in Biel/Bienne, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking, the family-run independent watchmaker carves out elegant and robust watches for the modern man. Among the brand’s most popular releases is the Essence FortyThree, a stunning piece that features a COSC-certified Swiss Automatic movement and flawless hand-finished surfaces. In an industry where quality means everything, Formex has managed to carve out a niche for top-tier Swiss watches without the price tag.
• Victorinox: Victorinox is the maker of Swiss Army knives (and products), and their watches duly maintain the company’s high standards of precision while tossing copious amounts of visual appeal into the mix. These brilliant mid-range Victorinox Swiss Army watches are effortlessly functional, sharp in design and ready for any terrain. As such, they exude the utmost masculine appeal and sleek style. Take the acclaimed I.N.O.X Titanium 43mm, for example. It’s a watch built for any setting, made from durable, lightweight titanium, and hosts all sorts of irresistible specs. Take it into the jungle, and the natives will gather around it. Please take it to the bar and watch it draw eyeballs from across the room.
• Sinn: The name might sound overly indulgent at first, but Germany’s Sinn Watches are anything but (in fact, the word “Sinn” translates to “sense”). This top mid-range watch brand finds its calling in diving and aviation. Accordingly, many of their diving watches are officially classified as diving equipment, while most of their pilot’s watches are certified for professional use. The brand still offers plenty of extraordinary fare for average enthusiasts at prices too reasonable to refuse. Overall, Sinn-Spezialuhren timepieces offer maximum functionality and accuracy while making no sacrifices for aesthetics.
• SevenFriday: Just because you’re saving money doesn’t mean you can’t still find boldly creative concepts. For that look, no further than a SevenFriday watch; it is easily one of the best mid-range watch brands to debut in recent years. It’s all about those one-of-a-kind designs that somehow exude both futuristic and vintage vibes. Take, for example, the Industrial Engines Automatic P3-3. This sporty stunner conjures associations with vintage racing dashboards and classic movements.
  Meanwhile, the boxy design and unconventional layout are strikingly original, giving the piece a forward-thinking edge. Pair all that with a modest SevenFriday watch price tag, which sees many favourable SevenFriday reviews online. Customers enjoy rocking a truly distinct watch that everyone asks about.

Why You Should Trust Our List

We’ve been running one of the best watch blogs online for over a decade and have a team of experts dedicated to determining what makes a great mid-range watch. Each year, we travel from our home base in Sydney, Australia, to the other side of the world to visit the ‘Watches & Wonders’ convention, where we try out and test the best watches in the world, including plenty of mid-range options. We put these watches on our wrists, take notes, and then test them when we get back home to determine the quality of the pieces. However, on the rare occasion that we don’t have first-hand experience with a watch, we have to use our (and industry professional’s advice) to compile our lists.

If you think there’s a military watch we should test for inclusion on this list, please contact us via our contact form. Here’s a link to more information about How We Test products if you want to know more.

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