Watches Under Rs. 50,000: The Key to Flourishing in a Pricey Hobby

If there's a question that watch experts, or for the sake of it watch nerds, get asked a lot and try to answer more than any other is “What's the best watch at X price point?” People scour the internet, sifting through endless options, all in the hopes of making a decision they won't regret. That's how these simple lists end up getting made. However, in my view, the notion of a singular “best” or “best value” watch is a myth. Declaring one watch superior to another is subjective and often unhelpful. The true value lies in learning how the nuances of watchmaking manifest at various price points. It's crucial for buyers to understand what aspects to prioritize and what details to consider without undue stress. Today we’ll be looking at watches available under ₹50,000. At this price mark, most choices will yield a reasonably good watch. Together, we’ll figure out if we’re getting a good watch for the price.

The 50K Mark: An Entry Level Sweet Spot
Here’s a thought about collecting timepieces: Individual tastes or collective perceptions are poor references to understand or present a watch and prove to be weak frames to encompass what it is about. The essence of curation and recommendation is trying to learn what identity the watch is trying to establish for itself and how well it does it. Fairly speaking, not everyone is a Wall Street banker and no luxury watch is cheap. Watch collecting is unarguably an expensive indulgence and when looking at the intricacies of the product in question itself, it’s the execution that varies between price points, not the mechanical implementation. Although I’m not discrediting the amazing gyro-tourbillon perpetual calendar minute repeaters out there.
In all its fairness, watch collecting is a hobby that can be delectable at any price point. In support, we all gotta start somewhere and ₹50,000 is a fairly decent price mark to begin a rabbit hole exploration into the amazing horological universe.

Best Watches To Buy Under ₹50,000
The money-driven hobby of watch collecting offers ecstatic delights across a broad spectrum of price points. Well, this pastime indulgence isn’t however limited for the financially affluent and brands too understand the imperativeness of entry-level opulence. Well, ₹50,000 won’t get you Geneva hallmarks and COSC certifications, but neither does it counter this notion that defines the ethos for the ambitious, “fake it till you make it.” As we explore the sub ₹50,000 watches to buy in the text that follows, we’ll come to know it is something beyond just pretending. It is the first step towards earning the accreditation of a serious collector.

Seiko Prospex “Turtle” Manta Ray - SRPE39K1
For any writeup discussing the affordable segment of watchmaking, the mention of a Seiko timepiece is a natural call. The SRPE39K1 is a watch that is deeply enriched by the brand’s diving legacy while offering an effortlessly aquatic case shape. The cushioned profile is unconventionally attractive and makes the silhouette resemble a creature that finds a suitable habitat in deep seas - the turtle. There is something about a cushion case shape that purposefully feels dive friendly. Available at around today’s threshold price mark, the Seiko Prospex SRPE39K1 is an ideal starting point for serious watch collecting.

Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second Automatic - NK5010-51L
At well under 50k, Citizen offers its very-affordable integrated steel sports watch with a dial that is an appreciable departure from the saturated siblings of the earlier Tsuyosa offerings. The Tsuyosa Small Second Automatic features an elaborate stamped guilloché-style dial with a radial pattern. Available in three color variants, the Tsuyosa Small Second Automatic is by far the cheapest entry into the foray of integrated bracelet steel sports timepieces featuring an automatic movement. Its pairing with a solid bracelet, a case with finishing above its pay grade and the overall execution of the package make it convey a sense of quality that punches above its weight. The Tsuyosa Small Second Automatic is serious luxury attained without paying serious luxury dollars.

Luminox Bear Grylls Survival Outdoor Explorer Watch - XB.3749
Suited for extreme lifestyles, the Luminox Bear Grylls Survival Outdoor Explorer Watch is a perfect fit for anyone who loves the outdoors. This rugged and unbeatable-looking adventure-focused timepiece offers an aesthetic that might repel the aficionados of a reserved design approach. This watch is an equipment aimed at exploration and fulfills a specific purpose defined and driven by advenAdd ature. At 45mm, the watch is anything but understated and it packs in a chronograph functionality with 300m of water resistance. For a survival equipment, the Luminox Bear Grylls Survival Outdoor Explorer Watch surprisingly adorns a funky aesthetic impossible to miss.

Spinnaker Bradner Automatic - SP-5062-11

The compressor-style bezel is a horological rarity that despite being a more sensible approach to operate a rotating dive bezel has been relegated as a watchmaking idiosyncrasy. This feature is however a highlight in the Spinnaker Bradner Automatic - a reliable diver’s watch with 180m of water resistance. Serving a neo-vintage aesthetic, the watch leverages the tried and tested Seiko NH35 automatic caliber as its workhorse. This effortlessly classic timepiece comes with a 3 o’clock date window and offers all the charms and imperatives worthy of a modern dive watch.

Orient Bambino Sun and Moon - RA-AK0803Y10B

Modest pricing and a genuine approach to engineering are what make Orient garner a cult following among collectors of affordable horological inceptions. Their bargain alternative to the Breguet masterpieces is a watch very much deserving of all praise and appreciation. The watch is a complication-packed steal, featuring a day of the week indicator, a date window and the real party trick with a day-night display at 5 o’clock. Its solid cream dial is clean yet information abundant. The watch offers an aesthetic that’s exceptionally ingrained within the traditional codes of horological crafts and does so without even your wallet noticing!

Along with the usual suspects like Seiko and Citizen that dominate sub ₹50,000 timepieces, there are many brands offering a perfect dose of quirk and quality that make you raise the question: how so inexpensive?