Choosing the best watches under €2,500 is not easy.
There are so many different options. Alongside the world of microbrands, the world of larger brands also opens up when you have €2,500 to spend. This makes the search for possible options quite extensive. You might even call it a mission because the goal of this list was to select a small number of watches that I would happily own. In the end, I found a selection of watches I'd gladly spend or have already spent my money on. Here are my favorites under €2,500.
You might think, "With a budget of €2,500, you should buy a watch that doesn't feel like a compromise." I completely agree with that statement. For this amount of money, you can buy a watch you will love and want to wear for a lifetime. But that's why the search becomes difficult because many watches appeal to the mind but not always the heart. As you will see, this easily makes me abandon the desire not to compromise. The simple fact is that if you love a watch visually, practicality sometimes takes a backseat. However, in my book, this doesn't mean a compromise choice, because choosing a watch is a matter of the heart, not a spec sheet. All my watches have heart. So, without further ado, let's spend some virtual money.
Best Watches Under €2,500 - Choice #1: Christopher Ward C65 Dune GMT
The first choice is simple, and it's a compromise choice. All because the Christopher Ward C65 Dune GMT is not a flyer GMT. Sure, for some, this means the watch is not suitable, but for me, it is not. Would I prefer it to be a flyer GMT? Yes, but I have repeatedly said that this desire is easy to cast aside if you love the design as much as I love the C65 Dune GMT. This watch simply meets all my other requirements. I've already written about the limited edition with the black dial that came out last year and its continuation this year with a white dial and green accents.
Although last year's limited edition with the black dial is my favorite, this year's continuation has a special charm. When I considered this version with a sand-colored dial, my initial mistake was wanting it to be the black dial model. But soon I realized I was hoping the watch would become something it is not and should not be. After that, I realized I really liked the sand-green C65 Dune GMT model.
Undisputed Choice #1
The watch features a 150-meter water-resistant stainless steel case with a width of 38 mm, a thickness of 11.9 mm, and a lug-to-lug length of 43.7 mm. The watch with the Bader bracelet from Christopher Ward offers true pleasure in wearing. The size and proportions make this watch perfect for my 19 cm wrist.
Inside the case is the Sellita SW330-2 with a 56-hour power reserve. With incredible build quality and stylish looks, Christopher Ward has created the best GMT watch under €2,500, in my opinion. Priced at €1,465 on the bracelet, the Christopher Ward C65 Dune GMT is my undisputed choice #1 on this list.
Best Watches Under €2,500 - Choice #2: Formex Reef 39.5
My next pick is an absolute specs monster, and therefore it will satisfy the desires of many specs-oriented watch enthusiasts. But it's not just about the incredible specs that the Formex Reef 39.5 can boast. I fell in love with the look of the limited edition Formex Reef Radiant Bronze. However, there was one "problem": at 42 mm, they were too big for my taste. But last year, Formex responded to the request for more compact Reefs, and I reviewed the new 39.5 mm model when it hit the market.
When these watches first arrived in our office, many of us, including you, couldn't wait to see if they were as good as we expected. And indeed, we confirmed that the small Reef is an everyday watch that boasts great style and incredible value for money. The watch features a 39.5 mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 11.8 mm, a length of 45.5 mm, and a 22 mm lug width. The watch is water-resistant up to 300 meters, and you can even easily change the bezel to give it a different look. Inside the case is a chronometer-certified Sellita SW300-1 with a 56-hour power reserve.
The Bracelet Could Use a Taper
The watch is beautifully finished and comes on a super-strong stainless steel bracelet with a quick-change system and a superb tool-free micro-adjustment clasp. If there's one thing I'd like to see different, it's the bracelet's width and lack of tapering. The powerful bracelet could use a taper to match the more modest size of the Reef.
Otherwise, the watch is an absolute winner. The Formex Reef 39.5 made a lasting impression when it arrived in our office, and it's far from just impressive specs. I love the technical design of the Reef in the reduced size, and I can easily imagine wearing them every day. That's why these watches deserve a place on my list. The watch can be purchased from Formex for €1,960.
Best Watches Under €2,500 - Choice #3: Raymond Weil Millésime Automatic Small Seconds
Although the brand has long been out of our sight, Raymond Weil quickly found a place in the hearts of the WatchTested team thanks to their latest releases. When I saw the Raymond Weil Millésime Automatic Small Seconds, I fell in love with the sector dial with a small seconds at the “6 o'clock” position. Raymond Weil also offers a cleaner version with a central seconds hand, but this Small Seconds version was the winner for me. It's the secret ingredient that makes this sector dial so special.
The devil is in the details of a great sector dial. On this silver dial, the hour track is smooth, the minute track is concentrically grained, and the central area of the dial has a fine vertical brushed finish. Additionally, the sub-seconds register at the 6 o'clock position is more dynamic. As a result, the dial takes center stage in a relatively simple round case with beautiful straight lugs and a curved profile. The stainless steel case has a diameter of 39.5 mm, a lug-to-lug length of 46.3 mm, and a thickness of 10.25 mm. The sapphire crystal perfectly complements the vintage style of the dial.
A Magnificent Example of a Brilliant Sector Dial
Turn the watch over, and you will see the RW4251 automatic movement. The movement is based on the Sellita SW261-1 and has a power reserve of 38 hours. Although the movement's finishing is basic, the custom rotor design provides visual delight. But you don't buy the Millésime Automatic Small Seconds for this. It's all about the style the watch offers from the front.
I'm usually not a big fan of dress watches, especially in more accessible segments. But this GPHG winner is a brilliant exception that I would happily wear daily as a stylish statement, reminding me of what makes the sector dial so brilliant. Thank you, Raymond Weil, for creating these remarkable Millésime Small Seconds and offering them at a price of €1,950.
Best Watches Under €2,500 - Choice #4: Unimatic Modello Uno U1S-PD5 Pro Diver
My last choice is very personal because these watches belong to me. I've been wearing them since they landed on my desk at the beginning of the year. They've become my everyday watch, and I love every second. With the launch of the Modello Uno U1S-PD5 and its younger brother U1S-PD3, Unimatic introduced two contemporary dive watches that represent the next step in the brand's evolution. These two models combine Unimatic's signature style with the functional demands required by professional diving watches.
This takes a back seat compared to the Milanese brand's usual minimalist solutions. But that's exactly why I fell in love with the Modello Uno U1S-PD5. In my opinion, it's the perfect modern diver in terms of both specifications and style. The brand has increased water resistance from 300 to 500 meters to meet professional requirements. Additionally, the bezel's ceramic insert with luminescent coating adds practicality, and the new bracelet is comfortable and bulletproof.
The U1S-PD5 Model Has Completely Won Me Over
The watch features a 40 mm stainless steel case, but 41.5 mm over the bezel. The case thickness is 12 mm (excluding the crystal), with a length of 49 mm and a lug width of 22 mm. A 3 mm thick domed sapphire crystal increases the overall thickness of the watch but gives it a distinctive presence. Additionally, the crystal and updated crown design increase water resistance to 500 meters. The watch is offered on a stainless steel bracelet, giving it a modern and attractive look. Although the finishing of the clasp and standard wetsuit extension is basic, these components do their job without any issues.
After four months of wearing the watch, I have been impressed by how solid and serious the U1S-PD5 looks and wears. But what impresses me most every day is the modern style and incredible comfort of the U1S-PD5. It's the perfect everyday model that I didn't even realize I needed, and it has completely won me over. Although the U1S-PD5 is a limited edition of 500 pieces, it is still available on the bracelet for €1,300 excluding taxes. For me, these are undoubtedly some of the best diver watches under €2,500.
A Few Honorable Mentions
These are the four watches I would spend my money on. I acknowledge that three of these four watches have their drawbacks. The Caller-style GMT movement in the Christopher Ward, the non-tapering bracelet in the Formex, and the clasp on the Unimatic are all details that could be improved. However, to be honest, none of these details bothered me when I wore the watches for several days in a row, which confirms that objectively imperfect watches can still be perfect for a person.
Before passing the baton to the next author, I would like to add a few honorable mentions to my list. The first is the Aquastar Deepstar II. As many of you know, we collaborated with Aquastar in creating two limited editions that still impress me every time I see them. While they are sold out, the regular model Deepstar II boasts tons of vintage character while standing out from the crowd with its signature Aquastar quirks. The watch is available with a black, gray, or blue dial and is priced at $2,090 USD on a rice bracelet.
The second honorable mention is the duo of recently introduced Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMTs. These watches continue Zodiac's brilliant line in two different styles. I've always loved the vibrant side of the Super Sea Wolf GMT, so the new version with a black dial and pink-white GMT bezel is to my liking. The second model is more traditional, with a silver dial and a black-gray GMT bezel. Whichever model you prefer, the Super Sea Wolf GMT offers great style, and priced at $1,995 USD, both models deserve an honorable mention.
That's it! These are all my recommendations for the best watches under €2,500. What do you think of them? Do you have other recommendations? Let me know in the Telegram channel.