The Perfect Five-Watch Collection Under $1000

We’re back with our final installment of the Perfect Fivewatch collection under $1000.

Yes. Five watches for every possible occasion. Less than a grand.

Let’s get to it.

Longines Conquest with Blue Dial

This Conquest is one of the most dependable back-to-basics wristwatches out there. That it comes from a time-honored Swiss house doesn’t hurt either.

It features a reliable quartz movement and an exceedingly readable face due to the bold, clean 12 and 6-hour markers, and date window. Legibility-wise, this is one of the most efficiently designed analog faces I’ve seen.

The Conquest has a reasonable, comfortable wear because the case is tapered and thinner than an average 41mm. The bracelet is a classic H-link, with the first center link laying flat for an easy, classy look.

A design highlight for me is the case back. It’s engraved with Longine’s iconic winged hourglass logo, which is the oldest unchanged active trademark in the watch industry. 

Longines has been around since 1832, and like all the Swiss legends, has historically been linked to important sporting events like Formula 1 and the French Open. Conquest was launched in 1952, as Longine’s first integration of a line or model of watches.

Overall, the Conquest doesn’t beg for attention, but the elegant understated style with some polished highlights will catch the eye of hobbyists. Aficionados, however, will immediately know that you’re sporting the winged hourglass -inconspicuously of course, as a gentleman does. 

And naturally, this timepiece is water resistant at 300m, features a smart crown with three easy positions including a power save mode, and a sapphire crystal.

While we kicked off the last two lists with captains of industry, the leader of this pack is more like a dependable best friend with really good ancestry.

DETAILS of the Longines Conquest:

Movement	Quartz
Display	Analog
Case Diameter	41mm
Band Material Type	Stainless Steel
Band Width	21mm

Weekender 40 Chronograph

Is there anything more classic than a Timex? As an affordable brand whose admirers include multiple US Presidents and Chuck Norris, I consider Timex the patron saint of the cool guy.

The Weekender 40 Chronograph is a timeless but fun field watch look taken straight from Timex’s archives. 

Within our collection, I recommend getting a leather strap, but the Weekender’s face is versatile and goes great with any strap. 

I like the leather specifically because the subtle texturing elevates its moderate quality. It certainly doesn’t look under $60!

One design difference between the 38 and 40 is the 40’s second markers are Arabic numbers for every fifth second. It’s a small detail, but it’s an effective use of the slightly bigger face that makes the design really pop.

The chronograph is easy to use. I’ve heard people say that the subdials are more function than fashion, but I think the chrono look goes well with that weekend field style. 

After all, with watches there’s a thin line between fashion and function.

And speaking of function, I would be remiss not to mention Timex’s signature Indiglo backlight feature. You hit a button, and its entire face brightly lights up.

You can’t go wrong with a Timex Weekender’s fusion of bold and simple design elements. I used to think I wasn’t cool enough for Timex watches, but this Weekender looks good on all guys.

DETAILS of the Timex Weekender 40 Chronograph:

Movement	Quartz
Display	Analog
Case Diameter	40mm
Band Material Type	Leather
Band Width	20mm

Seiko SNK805 Seiko 5 Automatic in Green

This highly rated and popular Seiko 5 is a top-quality military-inspired watch. Despite being style-inspired, it’s a real deal timepiece, not just a fashion watch; this is Seiko after all.

It features a self-winding automatic movement, and Seiko’s legacy caliber, the 7S26. This is one of the best value movements out there, especially for this price range. The 7S26 is famously known as “the workhorse movement” for its reliability.

The SNK805 will definitely last you.

The face is a very dark green, quite a bit darker than a lot of the images online. It’s a smaller watch, but the military colors and NATO strap add aesthetic toughness.

Other design features include an excellent display case back, luminous accents, and day/date functions. The face is covered with Seiko’s mostly scratch-resistant Hardlex mineral composite glass.

DETAILS of the Seiko SNK805 Seiko 5:

Movement	Automatic
Display	Analog
Case Diameter	37mm
Band Material Type	Nylon
Band Width	18mm

Casio G-Shock GA140-4A Resin Sport Watch

If the Conquest is the quarterback of the team, this Casio G-Shock is the middle linebacker. It’s got strength, toughness, intelligence, and a heck of a lot of style!

The industry lauds Casio G-Shock watches for being basically indestructible. We mentioned in the last roundup that these tank timepieces are tested by being thrown out of a four-story building.

This exemplary model is water-resistant at up to 200m, shock resistant, and features an automatic movement with digital subdials. If the movie The Hunt for Red October were a watch, it would be this one — especially if it were just the action sequences.

My favorite design feature is the red resin band. It’s a nice pop of color but doesn’t take away from the utilitarian aesthetic. It’s like adding racing stripes to your car.

Just as all G-Shocks, this watch is great for active lifestyles, particularly for watersports. It’s crafted with sturdy hardware and mineral crystal to protect the face.

You don’t have to be jumping out of a plane or a burning building to wear this beater though. It’s a quality timepiece and effectively fulfills the tough watch prerequisite for every man’s collection.

DETAILS of the Casio G-Shock GA140-4A:

Movement	Automatic
Display	Analog
Case Diameter	51mm
Band Material Type	Resin
Band Width	22mm

Orient Bambino II

What impresses me most about the Bambino II’s aesthetic is how it incorporates almost every design element of a fancy watch, but avoids being stuffy.

The use of rose gold is just a bit bold for a men’s watch, but not over the top, as it’s balanced out with the white face and stainless steel case.

Same with the strap. The leather has an alligator-like grain, but the dark color keeps it subtle enough. 

The Bambino’s face features stately Roman numeral hour makers next to tiny Arabic numbers for every fifth second, and a date window. 

Orient is one of my favorite Japanese watch brands. Its heritage, which dates back to the turn of the century, is rooted in classic elegance and mechanical movements. This Orient, of course, features an automatic movement.

The Bambino II is more than just a pretty face. With this watch, you get horological excellence south of $120. It’s the undeniable dress watch of the group, and exudes class and tradition, with every hint of rebellion being delicate and well timed.

DETAILS of the Orient Bambino II:

Movement	Japanese Automatic
Display	Analog
Case Diameter	40mm
Band Material Type	Leather
Band Width	21mm

The Perfect 3 Watch Collection

If five watches under $1000 isn’t restrained enough for you, let’s get down to the basics with a three-watch collection.

Pulling from the perfect 5 watch collection under $1000 roundup, here’s all you’ll need and why:

• Longines Conquest. Anchor your collection with a basic, water-resistant heritage timepiece. 
• Casio G-Shock. This beat-em-up watch still has stylistic flair with its heavy incorporation of red.
• Orient Bambino II. While the Longines can hold its own in upscale situations, the Bambino II is an excellently made true dress watch.

The Perfect 5 Watch Collection for a $1000 Budget

Five watches under $1000? We may not be as adept with numbers as Einstein, but I certainly feel like we just made the impossible happen (you reading this, Nobel committee?).

I hope you had fun with this roundup and will incorporate these pieces to your perfect watch collection!