Top 11 Best German Watches Under 500 Dollars

Do you love German watches? What are the best German watches under 500 dollars?

German watches are known for their quality and durability. They are also known for being expensive watches. If you want a watch that is both durable and affordable, then you should consider the German watches in this guide.

Here are some of the best German watches under $500. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide and the top German brands to help you with your decision

In A Hurry? Here are Our Top German Watches under $500

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Best German Automatic Watches under 500 dollars

Junkers Bauhaus Automatic Watch – Model 6050-2

Junkers Bauhaus Swiss ETA Automatic Watch with Domed Hesalite Crystal 6050-2

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This minimalistic design ships with a modified 26-jewel Citizen self-winding movement. You can see the silver rotor that drives the automatic movement via an exhibition case back.

This elegant watch comes with a power reserve meter at 12 o’clock mark and a 24-hour sub-dial at 6 o’clock mark.

The striking black dial increases the readability of the dial featuring thin hour markers with luminous dots and a 60-minute scale.

All these results in a very handsome watch with a very handy power reserve indicator. For those who enjoy having their time in military format, the 24-hour dial gives you that option.

The timepiece also features a dome crystal made with Hesalite glass. It is very resistant to accidental drops but scratches easily. It is water-resistant for up to 30 meters, which means it can withstand a few splashes of water.

This is a minimalist watch, but it doesn’t lack useful key features.

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  • Has a two-year warranty
  • Comes with a power reserve meter
  • Very luxurous German design

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  • The Hesalite crystal scratches easily
  • The sound of the kinetic winding is loud

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FEICE FM301 Unisex Square Automatic Watch

FEICE Unisex Square Watch Men's Bauhaus Automatic Watch Mechanical Watches Analog Wristwatch -Sapphire Mirror -34mm Case -FM301

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This is a perfect watch for both men and women who love square face watches. This timepiece comes with an anti-reflective strong sapphire crystal glass that keeps the watch face scratch-resistant.

This minimalist watch is easy to read with black hands over the white background. The watch face watch is powered by a 20 jewel self-winding automatic movement. The case-back is transparent so users can see how the gears work.

Since it is an automatic movement, you can wind the timepiece by simply swinging your hand. The watch can store the extra energy in its 30-hour power reserve after it has been wound entirely. This means you don’t need to replace the battery all the time.

With a 30-meter water resistance rating, you’ll be able to go about your daily activities without worrying about water splashing on it.

Men’s Zeppelin Automatic Watch – Model 8670

Zeppelin 8670-1 Series 100 Year Zeppelin

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A list of the best German watches under 500 dollars is not complete without the men’s Zeppelin automatic watch.

This German watch ships with a Swiss automatic movement. You can locate its power reserve meter at the 12 o’clock mark. Its light beige dial window features black hour markers with an outer ring 60-minute scale.

The design looks impressive, and it complements both casual and formal outfits. If you are shopping for a good German dress watch, this fits the description perfectly. It is a must-have for every watch collector.

Some downside to this German watch may include the fact that the dial crystal lacks that desired doom shape. Also, the dial is not scratch-protected as it’s not durable sapphire crystal glass.

Despite some of its downsides, this watch is one of the best dress watches you can pick below the $500 mark.

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  • Unique dial
  • Super useful power reserve feature
  • Cool for a dress watch
  • General aesthetics are very attractive.

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  • Lacks luminous hands
  • Absence of a protective sapphire crystal
  • The date window is way too small

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Best German Pilot Watches under 500 dollars

Mil-Tec Aviator Luftwaffe Pilot Watch

Mil-Tec Vintage Aviator Watch Black Dial Flieger Luftwaffe Pilot Quartz Mens World War 2 Wristwatch

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This watch is an excellent example of a World War II military vintage design. This German Flier watch keeps time accurately thanks to the Japanese quartz movement inside.

To make the watch legible in low light conditions, this timepiece uses white phosphorescent indicators on its dial.

Other key features on this aviation watch include a doomed scratch-proof mineral crystal glass, a fashionable black leather strap to ensure comfort, and a 30-meter water resistance rating.

Casual and sporty outfits look great with this watch.

Laco Augsburg German Automatic Pilot Watch

Laco Augsburg Type A Dial German Automatic Pilot Watch 861688

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Laco Augsburg is an original World War II design, perfect for pilots. Owing to its design that fits a World War II type watch, the timepiece lacks a date function on the dial.

This German pilot watch ships with a resistant sapphire crystal and a Super Luminova technology. This technology enables you to read the dial under any lighting conditions.

The design is exquisite with a careful blend of thick brown comfortable leather straps and a stainless steel case. This is an automatic self-winding watch.

The numbers are bold enough and the dial is super clear and easy to read. Making it to our list of best German watches under 500 dollars, this pilot’s watch is very affordable for aviators.

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  • Comes with a two-year warranty
  • Dial numbers very legible
  • Weighs in as a beautiful pilot’s watch
  • The lume on the dial is outstanding

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  • Brown leather band don’t last long

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Junkers G38 6946-5 Watch

Junkers G38 6946-5 Watch Second Time Zone

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Junkers makes a variety of very attractive classic designs every year.

The Junkers G38 6946-5 is a piece of history on your wrist. Designed by Hugo Junkers, this timepiece was made in the memory of the Junker G38 plane.

This timepiece comes with some aviation key features that make it one of the best German pilot watches under $500. It has a dual time-zone feature, which is very useful for pilots flying across different cities and time zones.

This timepiece shows the dual time-zone with the extra hand with the red tip. The numbers are lumed giving pilots extra readability in a dark cockpit.

Also, the attractive dial design is large enough meaning pilots can easily read the time at a first glance. If you are a fan of watches with a doom crystal, then you’d probably like this one too. This timepiece has a doom mineral crystal.

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  • Very attractive design
  • The hands and numbers are lumed.
  • Dual-time functionality.
  • The dial is very legible

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  • Lacks the 12 o’clock marker for quick reading

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Mil-tec Luftwaffe

Mil-Tec Luftwaffe Me109 Aviator Vintage German WW2 Flieger Pilot Mens Watch - Military Easy to Read Calfskin Brown Leather Strap 3Atm Analog Quartz


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Mil-Tec, based in Rottenburg, is a reputable German company. It is a manufacturer of military equipment and tools. The company also produces mid-range watches.

The Luftwaffe is a vintage watch you’d like to wear on your wrist. It comes with the traditional classic German Pilot design.

Following the Braun model, this timepiece is also powered by a Japanese movement. As a pilot’s watch, it features a stainless steel 42mm case. This is a common feature on pilot watches.

This oil-stained aviator watch comes with luminous hour and minute hands. This allows for a legible dial in the dark. You can learn more about luminous watches.

In addition to the mineral crystal on the watch dial, the leather strap on this timepiece is genuine calfskin. Leather straps have their advantages.

This model is water-resistant up to 30 meters. It is also the least expensive timepiece on this list, which is a great bonus.

Best German Field Watches under 500 dollars

GPW German Military Titanium Watch

German Military Titanium Fieldwatch GPW. Automatic Movement. 200M W/R. Domed Sapphire Crystal.

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This military timepiece is among the best German military watches you can find on the market. The timepiece comes with an anti-reflective resistant sapphire crystal. This makes the dial very resistant to scratches.

To build a watch that withstands a hostile environment, the case is made from sandblasted Grade 2 titanium. This translates to the rugged design of the casing.

To increase the readability of this watch, the hands and markers are lumed making them readable in the dark. Also, this timepiece is water-resistant for up to 660 feet making it a perfect field watch. The design is classic, very typical of any military watch.

While this watch can serve as a field watch because of its rugged nature, it is no replacement for a perfect dive watch.

However, with a second-time zone feature and military time, it can be used for both maritime and aviation purposes.

Overall, if you are searching for the best German military Titanium watch, this timepiece fits that query.

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  • Very light and comfortable on wrist
  • Excellent lume and glows for a long time
  • The dial is scratch resistant
  • Perfect design

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  • The anti-reflective coating is not the best

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Other German Watches Under $500

GRAF Zeppelin Chronograph and Alarm Watch

GRAF Zeppelin Chronograph and Alarm Watch

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This Zeppelin watch comes at a very affordable price despite its classy design. Its overall appearance and style are impressive. Its white dial with black hands increases its readability.

If you are looking for a “Made in Germany” watch to add to your luxury collection of best German watches, then this timepiece might be the most suitable option for you.

This quartz watch comes with an alarm feature that is loud enough to hear as compared with other timepieces.

Also, it has a functional chronograph with a unique, distinctive crown and design. This watch is very precise at keeping time and it complements any formal or casual outfit. Its timekeeping is top-notch with the Swiss quartz movement that powers it.

Overall, you won’t regret picking this watch.

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  • Very good functional chronograph
  • Comes with a doom mineral glass
  • Very Affordable

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  • It’s not scratch resistant
  • Straps are stiff

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Braun Watch – Best Casual German Watch under $500

Braun Watch


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Braun is known for its health care products and home appliances. Do they manufacture watches too? Yes, they do. Braun watches look modern, but they are durable and well-crafted.

Although the BN0032 is an analog watch, it comes with a quartz Japanese movement. Its 40mm diameter stainless steel case fits comfortably on any medium-sized wrist.

In order to create a harmonious look, the color of the dial matches the case and bracelet in stainless steel mesh. The white hands over a black dial also increase its readability under any lighting condition.

You’d notice a date window at the 6 o’clock position white the whole dial protected with a mineral crystal. You can learn about this type of crystal.

It is safe to take this quartz watch for a swim. It comes with a 50-meter water resistance rating

Tauchmeister Diver Watch (T0253) – Best German Diver Watch under $500

Tauchmeister diver watch -automatic movt. sapphire glass helium velve T0253

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Tauchmeister specializes in making both large and extra-large watches. This German watch brand applies mostly to people who love large timepieces.

This watch brand was founded in 1937 and is known for its dive watches. The Tauchmeister diver watch comes with a quartz movement that helps the watch keep accurate time.

It features a screw-down crown to protect the watch from water, a uni-directional bezel, a steel case, and well-lumed hands and markers. Diving watches come with unique features such as these.

A 1000-meter depth limit is attainable with this watch. You can find out other dive watches that can survive this depth.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Shop For German-Made Watches

1) Decide on your budget

When you plan to buy a German watch, price is the number one factor.

German watchmakers produce watches within a range of a hundred and thousands of dollars.

Hardly would you find a German watch that falls below the $100 price tag. So you can see that setting your budget for these watches is obviously the first step.

With a pre-defined budget, you already know which affordable watches fit your needs. German timepieces are on the pricey side.

2) Take a look at the material

Another major decision you will unavoidably make is what material you want your watch to be made of. Each German watchmaker has a distinct material that they largely use in their watches.

If you’re looking to buy a leather watch, make sure it’s high-quality authentic leather bands. Also, if the stainless steel is the material used, make sure it’s of a 316L grade and above. Stainless steel of these grades would mean that the material is corrosion-resistant.

3) Consider the brand

When shopping for the best German timepieces, the brand is everything. There are some top German watch brands that specialize in aviation watches while others focus on dress watches.

Your needs for a German watch would align you with one brand over another.

For instance, Sinn and Zeppelin have a reputation for pilot and field watches while Nomos and Braun focus on dress watches.

So which German watch brands are you going for? We have taken some time out to review some (not a complete list) of the top German watch brands below.

4) Choose a design

Finally, the last aspect we discuss is rather subjective. Watches come in every shape, size, and color imaginable.

Make sure you get a watch that will fit in well with your everyday wardrobe.

Do you prefer a bold or sleek, elegant or glamorous watch?

Most German watch brands have you covered as they produce from minimalist designs to chronographs.

Top German Popular Watch Brands

Quality timepieces around the world are not solely manufactured by Swiss and Japanese brands.

German watchmakers have risen over the years too to become a major dominant force in this marketplace. Today, you’ll find some of the best watch brands in the world from Germany.

In this review, we take you through a tour of some top German watch brands. We start from cheap german watch brands to luxury and expensive brands.

1) Braun

Braun is a brand that is little known outside Germany and Europe. Braun has been around for decades.

Until 1977, Braun was a consumer products company whose headquarters was Kronberg.

Their first true classic watch released in 1989, called the AW10, placed the company as a major market force in the watch industry in Germany.

Today, Braun prides itself as one company that produces the best German timepieces that compete in price and quality.

Take a look at some cheap Braun watches under $500.

2) Junkers

Pointtec a parent company licensed the Junkers watch brand. Pointtec later in 2018 replaced this best-selling brand in favor of Iron Annie.

This decision was sole because of a sharp increase in royalty fees for the Junkers’ license. However, the Junkers family now uses the brand to make its own Junkers watches.

Junkers watches have a spotless design, easy-to-read dial, and a very distinctive glass doom.

Most of its models come with a triangular logo at the 12 o’clock mark, which is very typical of aviation watches, with clean lines, and fonts to sum up its beauty.

Check out some Junkers watch reviews here.

3) Zeppelin

Zeppelin is one of the top German watchmakers committed to making affordable German watches in the country.

They specialize in old-style watches that take their cues from early German watchmakers and the German aviation industry.

Most of their watches are simple pilot watches and field-style watches.

Zeppelin also majors in the chronograph sphere, producing some full-featured chronograph models.

Take a look at some top Zeppelin timepieces under $500.

4) Junghans

Founded by Ernhard Jungians, the Junghans brand has been around since the 1960s.

The brand came to light with its own distinctive, exciting style after they started working with Bauhaus designer Max Bill.

Junghans was one of the first brands to add lume to watches, which helps users read the dial in the dark.

Bauhaus still designs many of its watches today, adding a minimalist and attractive touch to them.

You can find varieties of all Junghans watches here.

5) MeisterSinger

Mainly known for its wide range of dress and dive watches, MeisterSinger is a relative newcomer in the German watch industry.

It was founded by Manfred Brassler in 2001. The brand specializes in mechanical timepieces with a great deal of care and thought going into each timepiece they produce.

If you are out looking for a German classic masterpiece that shines in all its features, the MeisterSinger answers it all.

Though on the expensive side, their single-handed timepieces are breathtaking.

Review every collection of this brand and see what fits your needs.

6) Nomos

Nomos is among the few brands that make their own in-house movements.

Founded by Roland Schwertner in Glashütte, they have become the biggest producer of mechanical watches in Germany.

Nomos embraced the same Bauhaus design that made Junghans a popular brand in the mid-90s.

They have a clean design. with larger dials and unique shades and colors.

They produce almost all their parts by hand, so their watches don’t come cheap but are still relatively cheaper than most Swiss luxury watches.

Check out the best Nomos watches on the market.

7) Sinn

In Frankfurt, Germany, Hemet Sinn started this company to cater to pilot watches and navigational clocks.

Unlike other companies, Sinn sold its watches directly to consumers with selected watch sellers now able to stock them.

They have a wide variety of modern watches that are very reliable.

Sinn’s watches are reliable enough that astronauts and marine units of the German federal police used them.

If you want a unique watch, consider Sinn watches. Check out the different models on their website.

FAQ

Breitling German or Swiss?

Grenchen, Switzerland is the headquarters of Breitling S.A. The company founded by Léon Breitling in 1884 is known for making high-quality chronometer aviator watches. Well-polished cases and bracelets characterize Breitling watches and a large watch face for improved visibility.

Where are Junghans watches made?

The Junghans brand was first created by Erhard Junghans and his brother-in-law Jakob Zeller-Tobler in Schramberg, Germany since 1861. Until this day, Junghans still makes these watches in Schamberg, Germany. Junghans watches combine innovation and attention to detail.

Which one is better between Swiss and German watches?

There is no straight answer to this question. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. In terms of design, for instance, German watches often look simple with a straightforward design whereas Swiss watches are detailed and luxurious.

Is Junghans a luxury brand?

The simple answer: Yes. Junghans has continued its quest for excellence and has created a range of watches from the simplistic design of Max Bill to the chronograph MEISTER Driver design.

Wrapping Things Up

German watchmaking is all about attention to detail. The timepieces above are affordable and worth considering. We might not have listed all the best German timepieces you have on the market right now, but we have taken the time to give you a few excellent ones.