A Smart Buying Guide To The Best Luxury Watches In India Under Rs 2 Lakh
4 min read
If your watch budget tops out around two lakh rupees, you’re officially entering the sweet spot of luxury watchmaking. This is where Swiss precision, Japanese reliability, and contemporary design all shake hands. You can find seriously impressive watches here: pieces that look luxurious, feel substantial, and don’t break the bank. The key? Picking the style that matches your personality. Let’s dive into three broad types: Quartz, Automatic, and Sport/Diver watches.
Quartz: Precision Without the Fuss
If you’re the kind of person who just wants a watch that works, no winding, no babysitting, quartz is your best friend. They’re accurate, dependable, and super low-maintenance. And yes, even in the luxury segment, quartz watches can look and feel top-tier. Two models worth your attention: the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph and Baume & Mercier Classima Quartz.
The Formula 1 Solargraph channels racing energy with a clean, contemporary edge. Its 38 mm sand-blasted steel case houses TAG’s new TH50-00 solar-quartz movement, which charges with both sunlight and artificial light, running for up to ten months when fully charged. The sporty DNA is all here turning bezel, bold indices, and 100 m water resistance but with a sleeker, modern attitude. Priced at around Rs 2,01,250, it’s a stylish entry into TAG Heuer’s world of precision and performance.
On the other hand, Baume & Mercier’s Classima Quartz brings effortless elegance with its 42 mm sandblasted steel-ADLC case and opaline sand dial. It’s rugged yet refined, with Roman numerals and leaf hands giving it a touch of timeless charm. Powered by a dependable quartz movement with 5-year reliability, it’s priced at about Rs 94,500 perfect if you want something that transitions from boardroom polish to weekend cool.
Automatic: Where Tradition Meets Everyday Style
Step into the world of automatics, and you’re stepping into the soul of watchmaking. These are mechanical wonders that come alive with the motion of your wrist. Each tick feels like a personal conversation between engineering and artistry. Two brands dominate this segment for sheer value: Tissot and Seiko.
The Tissot PRX 40mm, at Rs 77,500, is a modern classic. Built in a 316L stainless steel case with sharp finishing, it pairs clean lines with serious watchmaking cred. Inside ticks a Swiss automatic movement offering up to 80 hours of power reserve, visible through a sapphire see-through caseback. The quick-release bracelet adds versatility, making it easy to switch straps whenever you feel like a style change. It’s everything you want from a Swiss automatic — cool, precise, and just the right amount of flash.
Meanwhile, the Seiko Presage Classic Series Sumi-iro Open Heart is pure Japanese poetry. Its charcoal-grey dial (Sumi-iro) captures quiet sophistication, and the open-heart window lets you peek at the 4R39 automatic movement in motion. Housed in a 40.2 mm stainless steel case and priced around Rs 1,10,000, this one’s all about understated elegance with mechanical charm. It’s the kind of watch that feels as calm as it looks.
Sport: Built for Adventure, Styled for Everyday
Now, for those who like a bit of thrill (or at least the look of it), diver and sport watches are where rugged performance meets everyday wearability. They’re bold, versatile, and effortlessly cool whether you’re diving, travelling, or just lounging poolside.
First up, the DOXA SUB 200T a cult favourite reborn in a more wearable 39 mm stainless steel case that’s just 10.7 mm thick. It’s powered by a Swiss automatic movement based on the SW-200, runs at 4 Hz, and packs about 38 hours of power reserve. With 200 m of water resistance, a unidirectional bezel with the US Navy no-decompression scale, and bright Super-LumiNova on the dial, it’s a legitimate diver that doesn’t scream for attention. Add in the signature sporty rubber strap at Rs 1,54,000 and you’ve got a watch that balances tool-watch toughness with modern style.
Then there’s Citizen’s Promaster Marine BJ8055-04E, an ISO-certified beast that proves professional dive specs don’t have to cost a fortune. Its 48.2 mm anti-magnetic stainless steel case is paired with a blue natural rubber strap, and the Eco-Drive B873 movement means it runs purely on light — no batteries needed. With 300 m water resistance, luminous markers, and a strap extension designed to fit over a wetsuit, this one’s made for serious underwater work. The kicker? It’s priced at just Rs 79,900, making it a total value buy for anyone who loves the diver aesthetic.
Take Your Pick
Think of this guide as your cheat sheet to great watches under rupees two lakhs. No brand wars here just a solid lineup of timepieces that tick all the right boxes for different tastes and lifestyles. Maybe you’re eyeing a Tissot PRX to wear everywhere, a Baume & Mercier Classima to dress things up, or a DOXA SUB 200T to take on your next seaside adventure. Whatever you pick, you’re picking up a little slice of watchmaking magic that’ll stay with you for years. So, what’s making it to your wrist?
