Best Watches Under $50,000 Dollars

We’ve rounded out the best watches under $50,000 dollars with almost everything you need.

Best Watches Under $50,000 Dollars

1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Watch

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the world’s most iconic and popular luxury watches. First released in 1972, it was designed by Gérald Genta.

The Royal Oak was a groundbreaking watch at the time, as it was the first luxury sports watch made entirely of stainless steel. It also featured a distinctive octagonal bezel with hexagonal screws, which has become one of the most recognizable design elements in watchmaking.

The Royal Oak is powered by a variety of Audemars Piguet in-house calibers, all of which are renowned for their high quality and reliability. The watch is also available in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, 18K rose gold, platinum, and titanium.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding is a true classic. The octagonal porthole design and slim case are truly eye-catching. The collection is named after its precise automatic movements, such as the Caliber 2121 and the in-house movement 3120.

The Royal Oak has been Audemars Piguet’s flagship model since its introduction in 1972. Since then, the Swiss manufacturer based in Le Brassus has released this watch several times. Most Royal Oaks are self-winding models, meaning they wind themselves automatically.

These models are easily recognizable by the word “automatic” on the dial. Whether you’re looking for a two-hand or three-hand chronograph, perpetual calendar, moon phase display, or minute repeater, you’re sure to find something to suit your needs in this collection.

Most Royal Oak Selfwinding models have their own caliber ticking inside. However, some models still feature the legendary Caliber 2121, which was also featured in the original Royal Oak.

This movement was developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre in the 1960s and remains one of the flattest automatic movements with a date function at 3.05 mm. Today, Audemars Piguet is the only manufacturer that still uses this caliber, but it has also powered watches from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.

When purchasing an automatic Royal Oak, your options are not limited to a variety of movements and complications. You can choose your preferred case material from stainless steel or yellow, rose, or white gold. With case diameters ranging from 36 mm to 41 mm, the Royal Oak Selfwinding is a great choice for both men and women.

The 36 mm ref. 14790 is primarily aimed at women. Audemars Piguet has also chosen a caliber based on the Jaeger-Lecoultre movement for this model. That is, the JLC 889 that forms the basis of the AP calibers 2225 and 2325.

This movement is as thin as the 2121, but has a smaller diameter and includes a second hand and stop-seconds mechanism. In stainless steel, this watch will set you back between $11,100 and $14,000. A bicolor version with a stainless steel case and yellow gold bezel will set you back around $15,200.

A never-worn Royal Oak 5402ST in stainless steel will set you back around $43,100. A good one will sell for around $29,000. A yellow gold 5402BA model will set you back around $49,000 new, or $38,500 used.

The 5402SA, which combines a stainless steel case and bracelet with a gold bezel, is the least expensive. Plan on spending around $21,000 on one of these watches.

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2. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

The latest version of Rolex’s Daytona is powered by the stalwart Swiss Caliber 4130, a self-winding chronograph movement. Developed and manufactured entirely in-house, the 4130 features a Parachrom hairspring made from a combination of niobium, zirconium and oxygen alloys, ensuring precision and stability in all conditions.

Thanks to this movement, the Cosmograph Daytona is considered a chronometer of the highest caliber, with an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day.

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3. Bremont H-4 Hercules

Bremont is a British watchmaking company that is beloved by many watch enthusiasts. Most of the brand’s followers praise its association with British Airways and its exciting watch releases.

The Bremont H-4 Hercules collection is a series of watches made of stainless steel and precious metals developed and produced by Bremont.

This watch pays homage to the Spruce Goose, combining the H-4 Hercules with a famous element of military or aviation history. Bremont’s latest edition recalls the incredible story of the giant plane that almost took flight.

The watch also raises funds to continue the collection of the Evergreen Air and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

The details that set the H-4 Hercules apart from almost every other aircraft built before or since are that the flying boat was made of birch, a condition of the famous Hughes government contract to build it.

While the Spruce Goose, which flew only once at Cabrillo Beach, ended up being a minor feat in the sky, Bremont’s H4-Hercules watch is a reminder of long-term takeoff.

Bremont founders Nick and Giles English have a deep and profound passion for aviation. They invested a lot in this special edition, with the first platinum watch and the Hercules small parts built into the movement.

The watch itself is a very simple GMT in the style of a vintage pilot’s watch, a wonderful combination of micro-engineering, watch design and aviation history.

Over the years, Bremont has been particularly known for incorporating visible components of aircraft into the watch itself. The H-4 Hercules is a prime example of this, and is part of an ongoing series of luxurious and very limited tribute watches in this vein, and there is no doubt that aviation enthusiasts will be thrilled by what Bremont has achieved here.

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4. A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1

The iconic asymmetrical face of the Lange 1 is directly derived from the pocket watch that inspired Ferdinand Adolf Lange’s ingenious efforts and the wristwatch that brought the Glashütte-based craftsman back to the world of watches.

Quietly reintroduced to the public in 2015, the new Lange 1 is powered by the L121.1 manual-winding movement.

With 368 components and 43 jewels, the L121.1 is the 50th new in-house caliber to be introduced since the company was reborn in 1994, an unprecedented feat for such a small watchmaker. Measuring just 38.5mm wide and 9.8mm thick, the Lange 1 is the perfect size for black-tie events.

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5. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

So, everyone is a little wary about which Rolexes they can and can’t buy in stores. It really varies from store to store, and from model to model. So sometimes I go to a store and put my name on a waiting list for a watch and see if the salesperson contacts me.

(Expert advice: Always be friendly, and if it’s your first time in a store, bring a nice shopping bag or two from a nearby high-end store. The salespeople will sense that you’re ready to spend money and will be more than happy to chat and find the right fit for you.)

In late summer and into fall, I finally started hearing from Rolex employees about a model I had long ago registered. That said, I don’t know if I can actually afford this yellow gold watch.

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6. Omega Seamaster Ploprof Summer Blue

From a technical point of view, the new Summer Blue Ploprof offers the most novelty of all the pieces in the Gradient collection. The relaunch of this model not only brings the discontinued line back into the catalogue, but also includes a retrospective redesign of the case.

The big technical change here is that the case has returned to the dimensions of the 70s models, rendered in the brand’s exclusive O-Megasteel.

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7. Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph

The deep-cut Air Command was never adopted by the U.S. Air Force, but its 2019 reissue has found wide acceptance among avid collectors around the world.

This 18K rose gold version takes things up a notch, combining the Blancpain Caliber F88B flyback chronograph movement with a precious metal case, adding an even more luxurious feel to the otherwise exceptional tool watch design.

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8. Patek Philippe Calatrava

Produced for nearly three decades starting in the 1930s, the Reference 570 is a larger version of the original Calatrava, the Reference 96. Measuring 35mm, this white gold model features a satin-silver dial, applied indexes, and a ‘dauphine’ handset, and is simple, elegant, and versatile. Simply put, it’s everything you want in a dress watch, and nothing more.

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9. Breguet Tradition

Inspired by the company’s 19th-century ‘subscription’ pocket watches, this Breguet Tradition perfectly fuses classic watchmaking with a modern aesthetic in a breathtaking haute horlogerie.

With its engine-turned dial and exposed gear trains, it clearly showcases the Maison’s ingenuity and ingenuity in modern watchmaking.

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10. Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Moon Phase

The reference 5396 manages to squeeze an annual calendar into its 38.5mm white gold case without feeling overly busy or over-designed. No easy feat.

Dating back to the 2010s and powered by Patek’s own Caliber 324 S QA LU 24H self-winding movement, the satin silver dial features indexes that convey the day, date, month, and moon phase in addition to the time.

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11. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moonphase Retrograde Date

This watch was my favorite at Watches & Wonders in Geneva this year. I love the retrograde date feature because of the way it forces a rethinking of the engineering and dial design. This Overseas is available in a vibrant electric blue, so it’s not subtle (and it’s not cheap).

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12. IWC Portugieser

This historically significant and very cool IWC Portugieser Reference 325 from the 1940s comes from a time when 42mm wristwatches were not at all common.

Featuring the slim, manually-winding IWC Caliber 74 movement and a verdigris-black dial with radium lume and ‘Arabic’ numerals, it is a beautiful time capsule of a more elegant era.

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13. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Manual-Winding

As the name suggests, Traditionnelle is the collection that most closely follows the Maison’s design while also meeting contemporary expectations.

With its small seconds hand and pink gold case, the Traditionnelle epitomizes the model’s raison d’etre, with a case size that has become synonymous with the modern dress watch and a dial color that has dominated the scene over the past few years. Price: A$39,500, US$23,700

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14. Bulgari Octo Finissimo CarbonGold Automatic

Available in steel, titanium and precious metals, the new Octo Finissimo CarbonGold harkens back to 1993, when Bulgari first introduced the CarbonGold colorway.

Bulgari has opted for a swirling finish similar to the chopped-up look used by Lamborghini on its carbon fiber aero components. The dial, case and bracelet are all made of carbon, with just the right amount of gold to accentuate the monochromatic look.

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15. Rolex Daytona Le Mans

Rolex knew what to do when it came to writing this future classic. Released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the world’s most famous endurance race, the Daytona “Le Mans” is not only the first special edition Rolex to ride a donkey, but it also features the revered Newman subdial.

And just in case it needed to be even more special, it’s cased in white gold. Yes, it’s a bit unfair given the budget, but given the chance, I’m sure you’d pay $1,500 to get one.

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16. IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar

Perpetual calendars are typically more subtle, with modest proportions and elegant lines. The Reference IW503401, on the other hand, boldly announces itself with its 44.2mm white gold case, deep blue sunray-finished dial, and enormous moon phase display at 12 o’clock.

Packed with information and beautiful to look at, this watch combines everything we love about IWC into one watch.

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17. Audemars Piguet Signed Disco Volante Dress Watch

Until the introduction of the Royal Oak in 1972, Audemars Piguet focused on exceptional timepieces and complex dress watches, often made of precious metals.

This stunning ‘Disco Volante’, named for its resemblance to a flying saucer, was sold by Gubelin and is double-signed on a silver crosshair dial. Crafted from white gold and paired with a matching integrated bracelet, this piece is a standout from the Maison’s back catalogue.

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18. Universal Genève Tri-Compax Moonphase

Combining decades of innovation in complex watchmaking with advances in tool watch design, this Tri-Compax Moonphase Reference 881101/03 is simply a mid-20th century jewel.

Measuring 36mm in stainless steel, the colorful dial boasts a triple calendar display, triple register chronograph, and moon phase.

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19. Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon Stellar Rays Limited Platinum

Many complicated watches include a moon phase display, but few are as thoughtfully designed as Arnold & Son’s Perpetual Moon Stellar Rays Limited Platinum.

Housed in a 41.5mm platinum case, the top half of the breathtaking salmon-colored guilloche dial is almost entirely covered by a large moon phase indicator in beautiful blue and silver detailing.

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20. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day-Date Moonphase

Many people think of a particular Rolex when they think of the words “day” and “date,” but this 90s Royal Oak flips the concept on its head with a dual-register dial that displays the day at 9 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock.

Housed in a 36mm stainless steel case, this watch is a complicated version of a luxury sports watch that can be worn by both men and women.

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