Best gift watches under $5,000

Borna Bošnjak

After picking some more budget-oriented options in the under US$500 and under US$1,000 category, we expand our horizons to the luxury realm. Should you look to spend more than US$5,000, you can also explore our under US$10,000, and under US$50,000 guides. To find a full list of our favourite watches of the year, make sure to pick up the latest copy of the NOW Magazine, too!

Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium 38mm

Hamilton’s place in watchmaking is deservedly legendary, going from one of America’s leading brands to a provider of high-quality Swiss watches at affordable price points. They know how to cram as much value as possible into a watch, and the Khaki Field Titanium is a great example. Titanium is less dense, but stronger, than stainless steel. That means it feels much lighter on the wrist, and can handle more abuse. Buy your Khaki Field Titanium from the T + T store. Price: A$1,850

Longines Master Collection Small Seconds

Longines stepped up, answering the prayers of many with the release of the new Master Collection, playing into the vintage styling even more. Dubbed the Longines Master Collection Small Seconds, the steel cases downsized to 38.5mm, and as the name suggests, sprouted a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock. The engraved dial is rendered in a highly textured salmon pink, which helps bring out the engraved numerals all the better. Price: A$3,875

Citizen Eco-Drive Black Washi Paper

Citizen’s new Eco-Drive Black Washi Paper Dial Limited Edition has all the necessary hallmarks for the perfect one-watch collection, combining beauty and function in a thoroughly compelling package. The case is hardened to protect the soft gold-coloured surface, while the stunning dauphine hands hover over a gold leaf-adorned washi paper dial hand-made with the sunago-maki technique. Being an Eco-Drive, the movement provides 18 months of autonomy on a full charge. Price: US$3,800

Nomos Ahoi Neomatik 38 Date Sand

Nobody does watches like Nomos, and their persistency in preserving the look even when designing a diver is most obvious in the Ahoi. Without the crown guard, you could easily mistake this for a Sandy-dialled Tangente, but its screw-down crown and robust build ensure 200 metres of water resistance, despite being less than 10mm in height. Add a neomatik calibre into the mix, and you’ve got a great everyday warrior. Price: A$6,310

Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition

Partnering with Alinghi Red Bull Racing, the somewhat niche FXD is finally given its chance to spread its wings and show off its versatility in the form of a tough, carbon-cased chronograph with a titanium bezel insert and matte blue dial. Considering the amount of novelty with this release, it’s surprising they didn’t pick up more traction, as it signalled not just a new material, but an entirely new model. In fact, I think it may be one of the best value-proposition watches out there, alongside its time-only sibling. Price: A$7,420