What are the best luxury watches under $10k? This is easily one of the most common questions that we receive on a daily basis, but there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer. First and foremost, it’s important to clarify that there are fantastic watches available at virtually every price point, but relative value is an important factor to consider. There are great watches that can be purchased for as little as a hundred bucks; however, you cannot realistically expect them to compete on the same level as a high-end luxury timepiece that costs several thousands of dollars.
It’s also important to explicitly state that “best” is a subjective term, and what is best for one person may not be the optimal choice for another. An elegant gold dress watch might be ideal for someone who spends most of their days in conference rooms while wearing finely-tailored suits, but it would arguably be the worst possible choice for a working commercial diver who needs a robust tool that can survive serious underwater use.
With that in mind, if you ask us to give you a shortlist of some of our favorite luxury watches that are available right now for under $10,000, we certainly have a few standouts that are worth considering, regardless of your lifestyle or aesthetic preferences.
Rolex Datejust 116233
Datejust 116233 Key Features:
- Reference Number: 116233
- Case Size: 36mm
- Materials: Stainless Steel & 18k Yellow Gold
- Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display
- Dial: Multiple Options Available
- Bezel: Fixed, 18k Yellow Gold, Fluted Style
- Crystal: Sapphire (Flat 2/ Cyclops Lens)
- Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135
- Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet
- Strap/Bracelet: Oyster or Jubilee Bracelet
Rolex is easily the world’s most famous luxury watch manufacturer and it is often said that the Datejust is the quintessential Rolex watch. First launched in 1945 and remaining part of Rolex’s catalog ever since, the classic 36mm Rolex Datejust (particularly the two-tone steel and gold version) is a cornerstone offering within the luxury watch industry, and it is one of the most iconic and instantly-recognizable timepiece designs of all time.
The reference 116233 is the two-tone model from the previous generation of the Rolex Datejust 36, which features modern design elements such as an updated case with thicker lugs and a redesigned bracelet with completely solid links and a machined clasp. The Rolex Datejust 116233 is a thoroughly modern watch; however, it is still powered by the tried and true Caliber 3135 movement, which makes it significantly less expensive to purchase on the open market compared to its current-production counterpart. Whether it’s the only timepiece you own or part of a much larger collection, the 36mm Rolex Datejust 116233 is a fantastic and versatile luxury watch with a timeless design that is built to last a lifetime.
Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600
Sea-Dweller 16600 Key Features:
- Reference Number: 16600
- Case Size: 40mm
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, Helium Escape Valve
- Dial: Black w/ Luminous Hour Markers
- Bezel: Unidirectional, Black Aluminum Insert w/ 60-Minute Scale
- Crystal: Sapphire (Flat)
- Movement: Rolex Caliber 3135
- Water Resistance: 1,220 Meters / 4,000 Feet
- Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
Although the Submariner is easily Rolex’s most famous dive watch, the Sea-Dweller is actually the more-capable and purpose-built diver between the two. Launched in 1967 as a highly-specialized professional dive watch created strictly for commercial use, the Rolex Sea-Dweller offers both an increased depth rating and a helium gas escape valve, which allows it to be used for saturation diving.
Possessing a very similar overall aesthetic to the Submariner yet offering even greater functionality, you can actually find certain Rolex Sea-Dweller watches that are priced below their Submariner counterparts. The reference 16600 represents the final evolution of the Sea-Dweller before Rolex updated the model to feature more angular proportions and a ceramic bezel insert. Although it is a favorite among many collectors, the Sea-Dweller 16600 is actually among the least expensive Rolex dive watches currently available, and it is slightly shocking that examples of this classic model can still be found below the $10k price point (at least for now).
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
Speedmaster Moonwatch Key Features:
- Reference Number: 310.30.42.50.01.002
- Case Size: 42mm
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, 12-Hour Chronograph
- Dial: Black w/ Luminous Hour Markers
- Bezel: Fixed, Black Aluminum Insert w/ Tachymeter Scale
- Crystal: Sapphire (Domed)
- Movement: Omega Co-Axial Caliber 3861
- Water Resistance: 50 Meters / 167 Feet
- Strap/Bracelet: Stainless Steel Bracelet
The classic Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is widely regarded as one of the most important and iconic wristwatches of all time. Celebrated for being the official flight-certified timepiece of NASA and the first watch worn on the surface of the moon, the classic Speedmaster’s core aesthetic has hardly changed in more than half a century. Despite its universally recognized design and space exploration heritage, the classic Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch still remains remarkably attainable.
A budget of $10k grants you access to the vast majority of the traditional stainless steel Moonwatch models with manual-wind movements (excluding vintage Speedmaster references with the Caliber 321). Additionally, even the premium current-production examples fitted with sapphire crystals and the advanced Co-Axial Caliber 3861 movement are available for around $7k, which means that you can get your hands on one of the most important chronograph watches ever created for significantly less than a five-figure investment.
Breitling Premier B15 Duograph
Premier B15 Duograph Key Features:
- Reference Number: AB1510171C1P1
- Case Size: 42mm
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, 30-Minute Split-Seconds Chronograph
- Dial: Blue w/ Arabic Numeral Hour Markers
- Bezel: Fixed, Stainless Steel, Smooth Style
- Crystal: Sapphire (Cambered)
- Movement: Breitling Caliber B15
- Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet
- Strap/Bracelet: Brown Leather Strap
Split-seconds chronographs rarely exist at anything that could even remotely be considered an attainable price point. Therefore, it is slightly shocking that you can get one from Breitling – a blue-chip luxury brand and the company that first invented the modern chronograph layout with independent pushers – for under $10k on the pre-owned market.
The Duograph is a historic split-seconds Breitling model from the 1940s that the brand reimagined for 2021 in the form of the Breitling Premier B15 Duograph. Powered by the in-house and COSC-certified Caliber B15 movement, the new model is manually-wound, just like the original, but benefits from modern enhancements such as a 42mm case diameter, sapphire crystal, and display case-back. All things considered, the B15 Duograph is a lot of watch for the money and it features an advanced complication that typically is only found on timepieces costing several times its price.
Rolex Explorer II 16570
Explorer II 16570 Key Features:
- Reference Number: 16570
- Case Size: 40mm
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, Second Time Zone/GMT Functionality
- Dial: Black or White w/ Luminous Hour Markers
- Bezel: Fixed, Stainless Steel, 24-Hour Scale
- Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)
- Movement: Rolex Caliber 3185 or Caliber 3186
- Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet
- Strap/Bracelet: Oyster or Jubilee Bracelet
Originally created for cave explorers but now enjoyed by countless individuals as a durable and highly practical travel watch, the Rolex Explorer II is a cult-favorite that has been experiencing a huge surge in popularity over the course of the last few years. While it was previously one of the more affordable Rolex collections on the pre-owned market, prices for Explorer II watches are now right up there with the rest of the brand’s coveted sports models.
The reference 16570 represents the last generation of Explorer II watches with 40mm case diameters before Rolex increased the model’s size to 42mm on the subsequent generation. Crafted entirely from stainless steel and fitted with either a black or white dial, the Explorer II is a no-frills tool watch and one of the very few Rolex sports models that has never been offered in precious metals. Additionally, the Caliber 3185 (or Caliber 3186 on later-production versions) grants the Rolex Explorer II 16570 dual timezone capabilities and allows it to function as a true GMT watch, making it a perfect traveling companion for active adventures.
Luxury Watch Financing Now Available Via Klarna
Luxury watches are inherently expensive, and their rising prices means that they tend to cost more the longer you wait to buy them.
To make it easy for you to get the watch of your dreams on your wrist today, we are happy to announce that we are now offering luxury watch financing for purchases up to $10,000 through Klarna.
How It Works
To finance the purchase of your luxury watch, just follow these three easy steps:
- First, choose the luxury watch that you want and then select Klarna as your payment method at checkout.
- From here, simply follow the instructions for approval and then choose the payment plan with Klarna that works best for you.
- And that’s it! Once your transaction is complete, your watch will ship with free and insured overnight shipping.
Split-Pay Available
Klarna can be used for total purchases up to $10,000, which means that you can essentially choose any watch on our site up to $9k and finance the purchase of it entirely.
However, split-pay is also available, which means that you can pay for part of the total cost up-front and then use Klarna to finance the remainder of the balance. This can be particularly useful if you already have some of the money saved for your dream watch and want to buy it now at its current price, so that you don’t have to worry about it costing more next year.
Click here to learn more about luxury watch financing.
If you are interested in using split-pay for your purchase, just give us a call at 1-800-494-3708 and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.
