The Diwali Watch Buyer's Guide: Watches Under ₹10 Lakhs Worth Considering

Diwali gifting has always been about more than just tradition. It's about finding something that actually means something, something that lasts. Watches fit that brief perfectly, especially if you're looking at the sub-₹10 lakh segment where you're getting genuine quality without the absurd price tags that come with certain Swiss brands. I've spent time with watches across this price range, and these nine stood out for different reasons. Some are classics you can't go wrong with. Others are bold moves that reward confidence. All of them justify their place on someone's wrist.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface (Ref. Q7168420)
The Reverso is one of those designs that doesn't need an introduction. Born in the 1930s for polo players who needed protection for their watch dials, it's survived nearly a century because the core idea—a reversible case—is just brilliant. This particular Tribute Monoface is reminiscent of the first 1931 models, both in aesthetics and proportions. 

The case dimensions are 40.1mm x 24.4mm—compact enough to feel classic without being oversized. The opaline silver-grey dial has that perfect Art Deco restraint—clean, legible, sophisticated without trying too hard. What's compelling here is the customizable reverse. You can leave it blank for pure minimalism, or personalize it with engraving—initials, a date, whatever matters. For gifting, that's significant. It transforms the watch from something beautiful into something personal. The strap is based on a Fagliano design, featuring a double finish: smooth calfskin flap with grained Saffiano leather on the strands. It's interchangeable with a folding clasp, so swapping it out is straightforward. The overall proportions make it genuinely versatile—formal enough for the boardroom but distinct enough that it doesn't disappear under a cuff.

Priced at ₹ 945,000

Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G (Ref. M79363N-0007)
Tudor's been on a roll lately, and the Black Bay Chrono in steel and gold is one of their strongest releases. The S&G designation means you're getting a stainless steel case with an 18k yellow gold bezel and crown. It's 41mm, which is manageable, and the champagne dial with black sub-counters keeps things legible. 

Inside is Tudor's Manufacture Calibre MT5813, a COSC-certified chronograph movement with a bidirectional rotor and a 70-hour power reserve. That's proper specification, not marketing talk. The movement is based on Breitling's B01, refined by Tudor, and it runs well. The combination of steel and gold could easily go wrong, but Tudor handled it smartly. The gold isn't screaming for attention—it's integrated into the design rather than slapped on top. The black tachymeter bezel provides contrast, and the overall aesthetic leans sporty without being aggressive. This is the watch for someone who wants a chronograph they can actually use daily. It's robust, well-made, and Tudor's reliability means you're not constantly worrying about service intervals or fragility. At this price point, that matters.

Priced at ₹ 7,80,000

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small (Ref. W2PN0006)
The Panthère is unapologetically a jewelry watch, and that's exactly why it works. Cartier revived this design from the 1980s because people never stopped asking for it. The small model here is two-tone—18k yellow gold and stainless steel—with a silvered dial, blued-steel sword-shaped hands, and an integrated bracelet that flows seamlessly from the case. It's a quartz movement, which will bother some people. But let's be practical: for a watch this size, with this design, a mechanical movement would add unnecessary thickness and weight. The quartz caliber keeps it slim, reliable, and maintenance-free. The crown is set with a blue synthetic spinel, which is a Cartier signature. This is for someone who understands that watches aren't just about complications and mechanical movements. The Panthère is about presence and style, and it delivers both without apology. It's also one of the few luxury watches that genuinely works as a gift—recognizable, timeless, and wearable in almost any context.

Priced at ₹ 950,000

Panerai Luminor Quaranta BiTempo (Ref. PAM01640)
Panerai finally figured out that not everyone wants a 47mm case strapped to their wrist. The Luminor Quaranta comes in at 40mm, which is civilized, and this particular version—limited to just 72 pieces—features a striking green dial that immediately differentiates it from the standard Luminor lineup.

The BiTempo designation means you're getting a GMT complication via the P.900/GMT caliber. It's an automatic movement with a second time zone display and a date function, all housed in a stainless steel case with Panerai's signature crown guard. Water resistance is 100 meters, the case back is sapphire so you can see the movement, and it comes on a steel bracelet. The green dial is what sells this watch. It's not subtle, but Panerai has never been about subtlety. The Arabic numerals and index markers are clearly legible, and the overall design remains unmistakably Panerai while being far more wearable than their larger cases. Limited to 72 pieces means this isn't everywhere. For someone who likes Panerai but doesn't want the bulk, or for anyone who appreciates a well-executed limited edition with actual visual appeal, this works.

Priced at ₹ 949,300

IWC Portugieser Chronograph (Ref. IW371616)
The Portugieser is IWC's most iconic collection, and the chronograph version is the one most people gravitate toward. This reference features a 41mm stainless steel case with a burgundy dial—a color that's been showing up more often lately and for good reason. It's distinctive without being loud. Inside is IWC's in-house Calibre 69355, an automatic chronograph movement with a column-wheel mechanism and visible through the sapphire case back. The dial layout is classic Portugieser: applied Arabic numerals, Feuille hands, and a clear quarter-second scale on the inner rehaut that nods to the watch's origins as a precision instrument.

What makes this version particularly appealing is how the thin bezel makes the dial feel larger than the 41mm case would suggest. It wears impressively, and the burgundy dial adds warmth that the standard white or blue dials lack. The black leather strap complements the dial perfectly. This is a dress chronograph done right. It's elegant enough for formal occasions but robust enough for daily wear. IWC's build quality is excellent, and the 8-year warranty (with registration) provides peace of mind.

Priced at ₹ 863,000

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 (Ref. SLGH019G)
Grand Seiko doesn't get the recognition it deserves outside enthusiast circles, which is mind-boggling considering what they're producing. The SLGH019G is part of their Evolution 9 collection, powered by the Hi-Beat 36,000 caliber 9SA5—a mechanical movement that beats at 36,000 vibrations per hour for exceptional accuracy.

The dial is inspired by Mt. Iwate in winter, featuring a textured pattern that resembles mountain ridges. It's not a simple sunray finish—there's depth and complexity to it that photographs poorly but looks stunning in person. The case follows Grand Seiko's Evolution 9 design language, which refines their classic 44GS proportions for modern wrists. What separates Grand Seiko from other brands at this price is their obsessive attention to finishing. The zaratsu polishing on the case creates distortion-free surfaces, the hands are perfectly executed, and the movement finishing rivals watches costing significantly more. This is haute horlogerie that doesn't rely on heritage to justify its price. For someone who appreciates technical excellence and understands that Swiss doesn't automatically mean better, this is the watch to buy. Grand Seiko's value proposition is unmatched in this segment.

Priced at ₹ 8,70,000

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph (Ref. CBS2219.FC6607)
TAG Heuer's Carrera Glassbox in smoky purple is one of those watches you either love or pass on completely. There's no middle ground with a purple dial. But if you're buying a gift for someone with confidence and a sense of style, this makes a statement. The 39mm stainless steel case houses TAG's in-house Calibre TH20-00, an automatic chronograph movement with a 4Hz beat rate. The glassbox design—meaning no bezel, just the sapphire crystal sitting proud of the case—is a nod to vintage Carrera models and gives the watch a clean, modern look despite the retro inspiration. The purple sunray-brushed dial shifts between dark and vibrant depending on the light. Black sub-dials provide contrast, and the overall design is legible despite the unconventional color choice. It comes on a leather strap, which keeps things versatile.

This isn't for everyone. But for someone who wants a chronograph that stands out without resorting to loud branding or excessive complications, the purple Carrera works. TAG Heuer's build quality is solid, and the manufacture movement means you're getting genuine in-house caliber at a reasonable price.

Priced at ₹ 7,64,750

Hermès Cut
Hermès doesn't approach watchmaking like traditional Swiss brands, and that's exactly why the Cut collection is interesting. The design is architectural—literally inspired by gemstone facets—with angular lugs and a case shape that's immediately recognizable as Hermès.

The Cut uses an automatic movement (details vary by specific model, but typically Swiss-made calibers), and the overall construction quality matches what you'd expect from Hermès: excellent materials, precise finishing, and a design philosophy that prioritizes elegance over technical showboating. What makes Hermès watches compelling is their refusal to play by standard watch industry rules. They don't care about heritage in the same way as Patek or Vacheron. They care about design, materials, and creating objects that feel considered. The Cut embodies that approach—it's a watch for someone who appreciates fashion-forward design without sacrificing quality.

If you're gifting to someone who values design as much as mechanics, Hermès deserves consideration. The Cut won't appeal to movement purists, but it will appeal to anyone who understands that great watchmaking isn't just about complications.

Priced at INR 898878 approximately 

Hublot Classic Fusion (Ref. 565.NO.1480.RX)
Hublot gets unfairly dismissed by watch snobs, usually by people who've never actually worn one. The Classic Fusion is their most restrained collection—no rainbow sapphires, no absurd complications, just a well-executed modern luxury watch. The specific reference matters here, but Classic Fusion models typically feature 42-45mm cases in various materials (ceramic, titanium, King Gold), automatic movements, and relatively simple dial layouts. The "fusion" concept—combining traditional watchmaking with contemporary materials—has been Hublot's philosophy since the 1980s, and the Classic Fusion executes it cleanly. What you're getting is a watch that's immediately identifiable as luxury without being ostentatious. The H-shaped screws on the bezel, the structured case design, and the integrated bracelet all signal "expensive watch" without requiring you to explain what you're wearing.

For someone who wants a modern luxury sports watch that isn't a Royal Oak or Nautilus (and let's be honest, those are unobtainable for most people anyway), the Classic Fusion makes sense. It's well-made, distinctive, and Hublot's service network in India is solid

Priced at ₹ 9,61,200

What Actually Matters
Buying a watch as a gift—especially at this price level—isn't just about specs or brand names. It's about understanding what the person actually wears, how they live, and what they value. A mechanical purist won't appreciate a quartz Panthère no matter how beautiful it is. Someone who values design over movements will be bored by a technically perfect but visually safe watch.