Three Luxury Watches Under $10,000

There are no two ways about it: luxury watches are objectively cool.

However, luxury watches are also objectively expensive.

High-end watchmakers are not known for selling affordable goods, and their lineups seem to get pricier by the day. Even the most ‘affordable’ timepieces of this caliber fetch tens of thousands of dollars at retail, if not more.

However, not every luxury watch is totally unattainable – you can buy several high-end pieces for much less than $10,000.

$10,000 is a lot of money – that much is certain – but it is probably the most attainable price ceiling for a piece from a widely recognized luxury watchmaker.

If you do manage to sock away ten large for a watch, it’s around this threshold that you’ll find plenty of options available.

These are three of our favorite luxury watches for less than $10,000:

1. Black Bay | TUDOR - $4,550

Tudor watches never fail to turn heads, and the Black Bay (ref. M7941A1A0RU-0003) is no exception. Constructed from silver-toned steel and powered by a self-winding mechanical movement with a bi-directional rotor system and a ~70-hour power reserve, this sleek timepiece is well-suited for professional settings and utilitarian endeavors alike.

The watch resists water up to 200 meters deep; divers will find the piece more than sufficient for underwater exploration. Tudor is so confident in the durability of the watch that buyers receive a five-year transferable manufacturer guarantee with no registration or periodic maintenance checks required.

Tudor also carries an exceptional pedigree as a luxury watchmaker. The company was initially created by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf, who launched Tudor as an affordable alternative to Rolex. Both brands remain under the same holding company today, maintaining their status as sister manufacturers.

In other words, buying. a Tudor is little more than half a step(-ish) away from buying a Rolex.

The Black Bay features a black dial with gold hardware, which contrasts heavily against a red 60-minute unidirectional bezel contrasts against the black dial with gold-toned hardware. As the least expensive watch on this list, it makes for an exceptional gateway into luxury watch ownership.

2. Santos de Cartier | CARTIER - $7,050

The Cartier Santos collection is currently experiencing a trending moment on social media, but that doesn’t change its long-standing roots as a staple in the Maison’s lineup. The price of this square-shaped timepiece varies extensively based on the specific model you choose – we chose the Santos de Cartier (medium), which is listed on Cartier’s website for $7,050.

The Santos de Cartier is powered by a caliber 1847 MC self-winding mechanical movement with a 40-hour power reserve. Cartier offers an assortment of case and dial combinations for the Santos models, but our favorite – and one of the most affordable – is the medium-sized (41.9mm x 35.1mm) steel with a white dial.

The combination is classic, elegant, and timeless. A Santos with these specifications is one of the most universal watches ever created.

Cartier’s “QuickSwitch” bracelet-changing technology gives the owner the ability to swap out the steel bracelet for any other that uses the same connection method. If you want to make your watch look a bit less utilitarian and a bit more chic, this technology is one of the most effective ways to do so.

3. Monaco Calibre 11 | TAG HEUER - $8,100

Tag HEUER has a variety of timepieces for less than $10,000, but the Monaco Calibre 11 is perhaps one of the most iconic watches in that category. Featured in LeMans (1971), this classic chronograph watch was worn by Steve McQueen – ‘The King of Cool’ – and won a lasting place as a fan favorite in the process. You can purchase this historic gem for $8,100, keeping you well under the $10,000 ceiling for this list.

Featuring a square 39mm stainless steel case with a royal blue dial and two white-faced square sub-dials, this Tag HEUER stands out from many luxury watches with its unique mid-century construction. Since its launch, the Monaco Calibre 11 has pushed boundaries in design and features. The original debuted as the first square and waterproof chronograph and utilized a left-mounted crown to show that manual winding was no longer needed.

Power is provided by an automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve. The case and dial elements contrast with a leather band featuring a polished folding steel clasp. Water-resistant up to 100 meters, the Tag HEUER Monaco Calibre 11 is the ultimate combination of style, luxury, and utility.

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