Buying Guide Waqt Picks 6 Exceptional Watches Under $2,000

As a dedicated collector or an enthusiast, there’s always room to explore what’s new in horology. Perhaps you're a seasoned aficionado searching for the next captivating addition to your collection, a pursuit that, let’s face it, never truly ends. Or maybe you’re someone who’s just begun to appreciate the artful complexity of mechanical timepieces and are on the hunt for a stylish watch that turns heads without draining your bank account.

Waqt’s editorial team has done the hard work for you. After scouring the web and sifting through countless options, we’ve curated a list of exceptional timepieces that fit a modest yet flexible budget. If you’ve been with us for a while, you might recall our articles on the ten best watches under $1,000 or under $5,000. This time we narrowed it to six standout watches priced up to $2,000.

Nomos Tangente Ref. 166

Let’s begin with one of the most classic and elegant timepieces from the renowned German brand Nomos: the Tangente, specifically Ref. 166. This round steel watch features a sleek midnight blue dial protected by a sapphire crystal. Measuring 37.5 mm in diameter and just 6.7 mm in thickness, making it sit comfortably on the wrist.

Powered by the in-house Caliber Alpha, this hand-wound movement delivers a 43-hour power reserve. The watch comes with a vegan velour remborde anthracite strap, which adds a modern touch. While it offers 30 meters of water resistance, making it splash-proof, it’s best to keep it away from swimming pools. Priced at USD 2,030, approximately AED 7,500.

Doxa SUB 200T Emerald Green

However, If your plans involve lounging by the pool, or better yet, diving into the depths of the ocean, Doxa has you covered with its new SUB 200T collection. This release offers a fresh take on the brand's iconic SUB 300 design, now housed in a more compact 39mm stainless steel case. With 200 meters of water resistance, a unidirectional bezel, and a sapphire crystal, these timepieces are built for aquatic adventures. 

The collection is available in a variety of colors, but we’ve chosen to spotlight the stunning new Sea Emerald version, featuring a vibrant sunray green dial that was the first to debut in this lineup. Powered by the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, the watch is offered with two strap options, a rubber strap priced at USD 1,660 (AED 6,100) or the brand’s signature 'beads of rice' stainless steel bracelet for USD 1,700 (AED 6,300).

Raketa Big Zero Arabic

If you’re a regular Waqt reader, you’ve probably seen some of our reviews of the Russian brand Raketa. One watch that really stands out for us is the Big Zero Arabic, a special edition of their iconic "Big Zero" model designed specifically for the Arab region. This stainless steel beauty comes with sapphire crystal on both sides and, for the first time, features Eastern Arabic numerals on the dial, a unique twist on a classic design. 

It measures 40mm in diameter and 14.05mm thick, powered by Raketa’s in-house Caliber 2615 automatic movement. The Big Zero Arabic is paired with a sleek black leather strap, limited to just 100 pieces a year, and priced at USD 1,920 which is around AED 7,050.

Hamilton Khaki Field Murph Auto

If you’ve seen the movie Interstellar, and let’s face it, who hasn’t? you probably noticed the watch worn by Murph, one of the film’s main characters. That iconic piece is the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph Auto, recreated by the brand for both movie fans and Hamilton collectors. A cool touch added by Hamilton is the word “Eureka” in Morse code on the seconds hand, which, spoiler alert, plays a pivotal role in the film. 

The watch comes in a 42mm stainless steel case, sapphire crystal, and a sleek black dial. Powered by the H-10 automatic movement, it boasts a solid 80-hour power reserve. It comes with a black leather strap, and priced at USD 1,100, about AED 4,000.

Formex Essence Space Gold Automatic

For a slight step up in price, you can get your hands on the Formex Essence Space Gold Automatic, a modern and sporty timepiece that stands out with its innovative Muonionalusta meteorite dial, plated with 18k rose gold. The watch features a 39mm stainless steel case equipped with the brand’s patented case suspension system. This ingenious design integrates four springs between the upper and lower parts of the case, providing exceptional shock absorption to protect the mechanical movement while offering comfort on the wrist.

At just 10mm thick and water-resistant to 100 meters, it’s an excellent choice for everyday wear. Powered by the Sellita SW200-1 automatic caliber with a 41-hour power reserve, this piece is priced at USD 2,400, approximately AED 8,900.

Vulcain Skindiver Nautique 38mm Purple

Beyond Vulcain’s iconic "Cricket," the brand expanded its portfolio last year with the Skindiver Nautique 38mm, a diving watch inspired by the 1960s Nautique. The stainless steel case is packed with features tailored for underwater adventures, including a unidirectional fluted bezel with a black ceramic insert and contrasting white markers. Its Super-Luminova enhanced hands and indexes offer an elegant contrast during the day and excellent legibility in low-light conditions. With a water resistance of 200 meters, it’s built for the depths.

The watch’s striking Purple dial is protected by a double-domed sapphire crystal, while the ETA 2824 automatic movement inside delivers a reliable 38-hour power reserve. Available with a variety of strap options, the Skindiver Nautique is priced at USD 1,850, approximately AED 6,850. For those preferring a steel bracelet, it’s available for a slightly higher price of USD 1,920, around AED 7,100.