Sameera Gamage 
Looking for a luxury timepiece without breaking the bank? Whether you’re new to watches, need a reliable daily companion, or want a stylish piece on a budget, we’ve got you covered. Explore our top watch picks under $5,000 that deliver craftsmanship, heritage, and value in one package!
If you’re new to the luxury world of watches, buying a new timepiece can certainly seem overwhelming. With so many choices on offer from so many different brands, with varying price points, different complications, it can be so easy to get lost in the details. Whether you are in the market looking for that first luxury timepiece, or looking for an everyday beater that won’t break the bank, or even simply just a stylish timepiece on a budget, this guide that I have put together is there to help you get on the right track.
Luxury timepieces don’t have to come with a sky-high price tag. There are many watches on the market from brands that offer exceptional craftmanship, reliability and style, all at an accessible price point. From the classic timepieces to the hidden-gems, there are plenty of options that deliver quality without the premium cost.
Whether you’re searching for an elegant dress watch, a rugged sports model, or an all-rounder that fits any occasion, this buying guide will walk you through the best options under $5,000 AUD. We’ve curated a selection of timepieces that offer great value for money while still capturing the essence of luxury, making sure you can find a watch that suits your style, lifestyle, and appreciation for fine horology.
Baume & Mercier
Riviera
Reference: 10659
Starting off the list is the Baume & Mercier Riviera 10659. This timepiece has a lot of details that make it great value for money, which, in this case, is sitting at just under $5,000 AUD. In terms of aesthetics, we get a beautiful blue dial adorned with a wave motif, which is a reference to the Mediterranean in which the Riveria collection is inspired by. The is encased by a dodecagonal case that complements the stylishness of the model. Completing the look is a blue rubber strap, which offers comfortability and wearability all year round! In terms of functionality, the watch also comes with a GMT complication (indicated through the red hand on the dial), making this a great travelling timepiece, too.
Case Size: 42mm
Case Material: Steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $4,850
For more Information: Baume-et-mercier.com.au
Breitling
Endurance Pro 38
Reference: X83310D91B2S1
If you are into fitness and sporting, then the Breitling Endurace Pro 38 is a watch to consider! The timepiece was designed to be lightweight so that you barely feel it when worn. Catered for athletes and the everyday sports enthusiast, the Endurance Pro 38 comes with a case made from Breitlight®, which Breitling states is “a robust material 3.3 times lighter than titanium and 5.8 times lighter than stainless steel. Non-magnetic, thermally stable and hypoallergenic, Breitlight® is highly resistant to scratches, traction and corrosion.” The timepiece is also available in a range of colours to suit personal tastes!
Case Size: 38mm
Case Material: Breitlight
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $4,990
For more Information: Breitling.com.au
Bremont
Terra Nova 40.5 Date
Reference: N/A
Another timepiece made for the outdoors is the Bremont Terra Nova 40.5 Date. This timepiece, however, is designed for the adventurous and daring. If you love hiking, mountain climbing and everything in between, this is a great watch to consider for those adventures. This field watch was inspired by the military pocket watches of the early 20th century, and features a cushion stainless steel case for comfort and durability, while the attractive green dial with its oversized hour indices makes its easy to read the time at a glance. Simplistic and to the point.
Case Size: 40.5mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $4,990
For more Information: Bremont.com.au
DOXA
SUB 200 Emerald
Reference: 799.10.131.10
Another luxury timepiece that can be worn in the office or on an outdoor adventure is the DOXA Sub 200 Emerald. As the name suggests, this timepiece comes with a 200m water resistance, which means it’s the perfect timepiece to wear to the beach or swimming. What I particularly like about this timepiece is the beautiful stainless steel bracelet, which features beads of rice design, giving a luxurious shine under different lighting angles!
Case Size: 42mm x 46mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $1,850
For more Information: Doxawatches.com.au
Furlan Marri
Disco Verde
Reference: N/A
The Furlan Marri Disco Verde is a stunning modern interpretation of vintage chronographs, blending classic aesthetics with contemporary craftsmanship. Featuring a 38mm stainless steel case, the watch is characterized by its deep green sector dial, complemented by gilt accents and Breguet-style numerals, evoking a timeless elegance. The vintage appeal of this timepiece is drawn from the stepped case design, pump pushers and domed sapphire crystal. What truly sets this model apart is its striking lume display, showcased through the center circles on the dial. And as a testament to its exceptional design, this timepiece even earned a GPHG nomination in 2024!
Case Size: 38mm
Case Material: 316L Stainless steel
International Recommended Retail Price: CHF $2,500 (Approx. AU $4,500)
For more Information: Furlanmarri.com
Grand Seiko
Heritage Collection
Reference: SBGP013
Grand Seiko is synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship and high-precision movements, so if you can find one for below $5,000 AUD, it’s always a great buy! What started as the sister brand of Seiko in 1960 with the goal of creating a timepiece that would rival the best Swiss watchmaking had to offer at the time, the company has gone independent to elevate Japanese watchmaking to another level. This model is part of the brand’s heritage collection. A simple date and time model with a beautiful navy blue dial and, as expected, exceptional finishing on the case, which has a mirror-like polish. Even though it is equipped with a quartz movement, it has still been developed in pursuit of perfection as Grand Seiko states, “Calibre 9F85 has a time difference adjustment function that allows the hour hand to be adjusted without stopping the second’s hand and thus preserving its high precision when the wearer changes time zones.”
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $4,000
For more Information: Grand-Seiko.com.au
Longines
Conquest Heritage Year of The Snake Edition
Reference: l16514092
With 2025 being the Chinese Zodiac “Year of The Snake”, many watchmakers released their own interpretation of this Zodiac on unique limited edition timepieces. Longines answer to the celebration of the Year of The Snake is the Conquest Heritage Year of The Snake Edition. This timepiece features a stunning red sunray gradient dial that gets darker to black towards the edge of the dial. Adding to the beautiful aesthetics of the dial is the golden gilt hour indices and hands. The case back features a beautifully engraved drawing designed by Renowned Chinese artist Wu Jian’an, which features a mystical snakle holding a Lingzhi mushroom in its mouth.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $4,995
For more Information: Longines.com.au
Montblanc
Tradition Automatic Date
Reference: MB131275
The Montblanc Tradition Automatic Date is a great candidate for a dress piece with a unique twist. The timepiece features a 40mm stainless steel case with straight horns for a more traditional case design, along with a double-shaped bezel with a mirror-like polished finish that gives that luxurious shine and appearance. What sets this model apart from the rest, however, is the beautiful blue dial which depicts the topography of the Mont Blanc. The sword-shaped hands and the Roman hour indices contrast nicely against the blue, completing the contemporary, elegant appearance of the timepiece.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $3,770
For more Information: Montblanc.com.au
Oris
Divers 60th Anniversary Edition
Reference: 01 733 7772 4034-Set
While Oris’s Aquis line is the most popular, I have decided to look into their Diver’s range to offer something different. The Diver’s 60th Anniversary Edition is a great versatile timepiece that combines rugged looks with luxury to produce a timepiece that can be worn on a variety of different occasions. The black dial features a mixture of large Arabic and baton-style hour indices, which stand out attractively. This model, as the name suggests, celebrates the 60th anniversary of Oris’s first-ever dive watch. This timepiece features retro aesthetics that tie it back to the original model, such as old, luminescent numerals, a domed sapphire crystal and a bi-directional rotating bezel and the retro Oris logo.
Case Size: 40mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $3,900
For more Information: Oris.ch.au
Rado
True Square Automatic Open Heart
Reference: R27086162
If you are after something a little different, a bit more “out of the box” in terms of design, then do I have a great timepiece for you! The Rado True Square Automatic Open Heart is arguably one of the more budget-friendly square timepieces from a luxury Swiss brand, with the added kick of having a skeleton/open-worked dial showcasing the automatic movement underneath. The watch is also full-ceramic (case and bracelet), which means that it’ll be scratch-resistant and also light, making it comfortable to wear all day round on the wrist.
Case Size: 38mm
Case Material: High-Tech Ceramic
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $4,350
For more Information: Rado.com.au
Raymond Weil
Millesime
Reference: 2925-ST-80001
Raymond Weil’s Millesime is an award-winning line, with the brand collecting the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Challenge Watch Prize for the collection. This model, however, wasn’t the award-winning timepiece, although it bears a very similar design bar the lack of a constant seconds indicator. Raymond Weil pays homage to the heritage and traditions of horology while celebrating the simplicity of refined design with this model. While there are quite a few different Millesime models, this timepiece is for anyone who wants an attention-grabbing dial with a stunning colour while having the elegance and refined details of the beautiful case and bracelet design.
Case Size: 39.5mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $3,195
For more Information: Raymond-weil.com.au
Seiko
Presage Craftmanship Series Limited
Reference: SPB449
Seiko is a clear choice for the under $5,000 category. While they have many timepieces in their catalogue that sit around the $600-800 mark, they also do have the more expensive timepieces that step into the more pricey luxury category offering higher levels of craftsmanship and more advanced movements. I’ve chosen this model in particular because it pays homage to a very special watch for Seiko. Their most important timepiece actually, the 1913 Laurel, was the very first timepiece created by Seiko. From the onset, you can see that this is not an ordinary timepiece. The watch references the design of the 1913 Laurel, and in collaboration with the Japanese fashion brand Porter Classic, have created a modern rending that is simply stunning on the wrist. It is a timepiece that will have the enthusiasts
Case Size: 35mm
Case Material: Stainless Steel (Super Hard Coating)
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $3,600
For more Information: Seikowatches.com.au
TAG Heuer
Formula 1 Chronograph X Oracle Red Bull Racing
Reference: CAZ101AZ.FT8090
This one is for the racing enthusiasts, the Formula One devotees, and especially the die-hard Oracle Red Bull Racing fans. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph X Oracle Red Bull Racing is the perfect timepiece for those who live and breathe the high-speed world of Formula One. Designed in collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing, this chronograph embodies the adrenaline, precision, and bold styling of the team. The 43mm stainless steel case has black DLC coating, which is the perfect backdrop for the colour dial that shows Oracle Red Bull Racing’s team livery. TAG Heuer states that the timepiece comes “Complete with a blue rubber strap and the Oracle Red Bull Racing emblem on the caseback, this watch celebrates 20 years of success.”
Case Size: 43mm
Case Material: Steel Alu Fine-Brushed/Polished
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AU $3,850
For more Information: TAGHeuer.com.au
Tissot
PRX Powermatic 80 40mm
Reference: T137.407.33.041.00
Tissot’s catalogue of timepieces features budget-friendly Swiss-made watches with fantastic craftsmanship combined with reliable, robust mechanical movements. Their latest PRX drops are noteworthy, especially for their aesthetic designs. I myself own two PRX models, so I can attest to the reliability and craftsmanship of these budget-friendly luxury timepieces. This model in particular, however, grabbed my attention almost immediately for its case material “finish” and the complementing dial colour. I emphasize the finish because it isn’t actually made from rose gold, but rather a PVD coating (otherwise, expect to spend a few 10k more!). The deep blue with its sunburst finish works extremely well with the rose gold case and bracelet, making this timepiece visually appealing!
