Ever wanted to own a nice Swiss timepiece? You can purchase a Rolex-like watch without spending beyond your budget. And if your dream timepiece is out of your reach, there are other options.

The watches we will be looking at in this post are not refurbished versions of the classic brands, but original luxury watches. No matter what you need a wristwatch for – from diving to running to dress wristwatches – there are luxury pieces that meet your budget.

With $3,000, you can have access to some of the top brands you love. And here they are: 

1. Oris Divers Sixty-Five 40mm

This Oris watch is designed with a sapphire crystal case giving it a distinguished vintage touch. If you are looking for a watch that goes with just about anything, the Divers Sixty-Five is a brilliant choice. It has a leather strap that makes wearing it comfortable and a classic go-to. The good part? With just $2,000, you can be the proud owner of this luxurious brand. The Oris brand designs their watches to be 100% mechanical.

The Divers watch is a modern, vintage, and classic watch. It is an affordable luxury piece that comfortably fuses that vintage charm with modern technology. 

Like all other Oris watches, it also has its red rotor trademark.

2. Tudor Heritage Ranger

The Tudor brand is a sister company to Rolex. It was founded as an affordable alternative to the expensive Rolex brand that would also increase sales. Thanks to that decision, you can have watches you would not need to go overboard for.  

The Tudor Heritage Ranger features a 41 mm dial with a crown, a Tudor rose stamp, a beveled case, a beveled buckle on the strap, and a gorgeous vintage style dial. The heritage ranger is designed with smooth brown leather, including clear, luminous Arabic, and baton dial markers.

Its modernized retro-style makes a good choice for formal settings or social events. The luminous watch hands are a gleaming combination of arrow and pencil style with a red second hand.

The Heritage Range watch is inspired by the iconic Tudor Oyster Price model from the 60s. The Oyster comes in with subtle features and performance optimization activities on the Heritage Range. It is worth a little under $3,000, depending on your location.

3. Omega Constellation Silver Dial Watch

This beautifully crafted timepiece shows expert craftsmanship from start to finish. It operates on one of the most accurate time movements, the quartz movement. Who says a high-priced watch has to be luxurious in appearance? With its all-silver color scheme, the Omega Constellation not only has a minimalistic design but an elegant feel. The 35mm measured watch is a unisex timepiece.

A good feature to note include the watch dial protected by sapphire crystal (the most durable watch case covering available). The sapphire crystal is mostly found in more luxurious watches and is scratch-resistant. The wristwatch also has a stainless steel case and is water-resistant up to 100m.

4. Panerai Luminor Base Logo

Like most watches, its prominent feature is embedded in its name, but unlike most, that feature is sought after by watch enthusiasts. Its Luminor look and hour and minute hands only distinguish it from other watches. The simple watch entered the horological world in the early 2000s. It has since set itself apart as a high-class watch for simple people.

Measuring at 44mm, this Panerai model is a timepiece that sits comfortably well on your wrist without being obvious yet easily recognizable. And did we mention that it can be your diving companion if you ever intend to go 300ft below sea level? 

Read More: The Top 9 Smartwatches of 2020

5. Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU

Are you a terrific diver who has been on the lookout for a hardcore diver’s watch (even though the majority of us like being in a pool)? The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon NEDU could be the diver’s watch you have been searching for.

Launched in 2011, the Engineer Hydrocarbon is designed to endure the troubles of the sea. That does not mean it is not functional on land too, it is also an exceptional terrestrial timepiece. You never have to strain your eyes too much to read the dial. Every element on the dial is visible irrespective of the lighting condition. It is also worth a little below $3k. 

6. Breitling Superocean Chronograph

This timepiece has been available for over six decades as a certified chronometer. With its 44mm case and rugged bracelet, getting precision performance from it whether at home or on the open waters is guaranteed.

Coming from a brand that has a reputation for creating pieces for both pilots and divers, you are certain you have got a watch you can trust.  

7. Laco Paderborn

Looking for a watch for pilots? The wristwatch is perfect for you and your budget. The iconic Paderborn is a product of the brand’s legacy. It is one of the many Laco pieces inspired by Beobachteruhren, aka pilot’s watch of World War II or Flieger watches.

The Paderborn features a movement of ETA 2824-2 automatic, the B dial arrangement having an inner 12-hour and outer 60-minute track graduated at intervals of just 5-minutes. It is water-resistant up to 50m. Just in case you like flying and swimming, this something for you. You can get a copy for $1,200. 

8. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date

We bet you didn’t see this coming – a Rolex brand for less than $3,000. Here we have a 1968 wristwatch, with a classic and timeless style. With its white watch face, the piece also comes with a brown leather strap and steel pin buckle. From the boardroom to the ballroom, it is a timepiece you would want to have in your closet. 

In Conclusion

 There are watches worth less than $1k that have high-class designs. But it is preferable to buy a piece just a little more than that and be sure you have something that could serve you forever.

A good recommendation if you are conflicted on what brand to go for is the Oris Watch. The integration of vintage touch and modern designs makes it stand out, making it more than a timepiece but an investment.