Not that long ago, racing watches were essential for timing races and determining speeds around the track. Even though we don’t rely on them nearly as much these days, the racing watch as remained one of the most popular watch styles for men.
And that’s probably because these watches are super functional and look great.
If you’re looking to add a racing watch to your collection and you’re working with a limited budget, don’ worry- there are some great options out there.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the best racing watches you’ll find for under $500. We’ll also talk about the key features that make a watch a true “racing watch”.
After reading, you’ll know everything you need to in order to find the perfect racing watch for your wrist (and without blowing your budget).
What Is A “Racing Watch”?
As you probably guessed, racing watches are timepieces specifically designed for timing race cars. Before the digital age, drivers and crew would have to rely on accurate watches for timing laps, pit stops, and pretty much anything else you have to time during a race.
It was out of this necessity that the race watch was born.
As we’ve seen with pilot’s watches and field watches, watchmakers often find a way to commercialize the success of their functional timepieces.
When it comes to racing watches, Rolex became one of the biggest names in the game when a famous driver broke the land speed while wearing one of their Oysters.
They later became the official timekeeper of Daytona, designing an entire lineup of racing watches under the same name (their Daytona lineup remains one of their most popular).
Style aside, there are a few features these watches must have in order to classify as a true racing watch. These include:
Chronograph
Any watch that claims to be a racing watch must have a chronograph function. A chronograph is just a fancy horological term for stopwatch.
This makes a lot of sense considering these watches were used for timing races.
A functional chronograph requires 2 push buttons on the case- one for starting and stopping the timer, the other for resetting it. Most chronographs require 3 small dials as well- one for recording seconds, one for minutes, and the last for hours.
There are a lot of chronograph watches out there that aren’t racing watches, but there aren’t any racing watches that aren’t chronographs.
Tachymeter
Another staple of the racing watch is a functional tachymeter on the bezel. A tachymeter is a scale used for calculating times and distances (as well as work completed per hour).
You can see how important this info could be to a driver. Using this scale, they can determine speed or distance if necessary.
To determine speed, you have to know your distance and time (which is easy thanks to the chronograph). To determine distance, you have to know your speed and time.
I doubt many folks who opt for a racing watch will actually use the tachymeter for making calculations, but I think it still adds a nice, sophisticated look to the watch.
And for those who do use the tachymeter, more power to ya.
Large Dial
The last feature that is crucial for a quality racing watch is a large dial. These watches usually come with larger dials because they need to be easy to read- even when driving a vehicle.
Some of the earlier racing watches even came with tilted dials, making it easier for the driver to read the time without removing his hands from the steering wheel.
This design element has been lost over the years, but the necessity for an easy to read dial remained.
Race watches today will usually come with cases that are well over 40 mm in diameter, making them one of the largest watch styles for men.
Keep size in mind when comparing these watches, especially if you’re a smaller person with narrow wrists.
For more info on racing watches in general, check out my racing watch guide.
The 5 Best Racing Watches For Under $500
#1 Tissot Supersport Chrono
When it comes to affordable, Swiss-made watches, it’s hard to beat Tissot. As a brand, they have a lot to offer in the under $500 price range, with many of their watches looking as if they’d cost 2x as much as they actually do.
This Swiss company started back in the 1850’s and is now a member of the huge Swatch family of brands.
Their Supersport Chrono is a great example of what a lot of us picture when we think about racing watches. The large dial and prominent bezel make for a very masculine look- and I’m a sucker for rose gold and black dial combo.
Tissot’s Supersport Chrono utilizes a quartz movement, meaning it does require a battery (which is typical for this price range).
This model comes with a 45 mm diameter, stainless steel case (rose gold coating) and a sapphire crystal (which is the most scratch resistant available).
The dial is black and all numerals, as well as minute/hour hands, are luminescent. There is a date window at 6 o’clock as well as the 3 expected chronograph dials.
Although I like the rose gold option, the Supersport Chrono comes in several color combinations. If you do chose this style, it’ll come with a black leather band that will tie in nicely with the dial’s color scheme.
Overall, if you’re looking for an elegant racing watch that’ll look good with any dress code, Tissot’s Supersport Chrono is a great choice.
#2 Citizen Eco-Drive Brycen
Believe it or not, Citizen watches have been around for over 100 years. The company has earned a reputation for making very attractive timepieces for very low prices.
The company also recently partnered with Disney, becoming the official timekeeper for their parks and many of their movie genres.
Well played Citizen, well played.
Anyway, their Eco-Drive Brycen is a very elegant looking racing watch. Unlike some of the more sporty models, the Brycen could easily be worn with more formal attire.
The midnight blue dial pairs wonderfully with the stainless steel bezel. And although the Brycen looks great with a stainless steel bracelet, I think I prefer it with the brown leather strap (both options are available).
Under the hood, the Brycen is packing a solar quartz movement. The battery can be charged with sunlight or artificial light, making it easy to keep the battery at full capacity throughout the day.
The crystal is sapphire and the case is solid steel. This watch measures 43 mm in diameter, making it a little smaller (and maybe a little more comfortable) than the Tissot above and the Seiko below.
Besides the chronograph and tachymeter functions, this watch also comes with a calendar and the ability to easily tell time using the 24 hr format. It’s also water resistant to 100 m.
I think Citizen has a great looking watch on their hands here. If you’re looking for a classy, dapper option, the Brycen is a nice pick.
#3 Citizen PCAT
Citizen ranks another watch on this list with their PCAT. Not only is this a great looking watch, but it’s got something else going for it that no other watch on this list can claim- it’s atomic.
This means that the PCAT uses radio waves to sync up with an atomic clock somewhere nearby to ensure it’s always showing the correct time.
In fact, atomic watches are said to be the most accurate timekeepers around.
And with the PCAT, you can choose between 5 different time zones- pretty cool, huh?
Atomic coolness aside, the PCAT is a really attractive looking watch. Personally, I’m a fan of the 2-tone gold/silver design. Technically speaking, this watch uses a solar powered, quartz movement that can be charged in daylight or artificial light.
The case is stainless steel and measures in at 42 mm, making it the smallest watch on this list. The black dial is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.
Besides the chronograph and tachymeter, the PCAT has a perpetual calendar as well as a day of the week function. There’s also a handy power reserve indicator that’ll let ya know when you better get in the light for a charge.
This watch comes with a stainless steel, 2-tone bracelet and is water resistant to 200 m.
If you’re looking for an extremely accurate time keeping race watch, Citizen’s PCAT is a good choice. Plus, having an atomic watch on your wrist works wonders as an ice breaker.
#4 Seiko Sportura Solar Perpetual Chronograph
Seiko is another watch brand that needs no introduction. This Japanese company has been instrumental in the development and progression of watchmaking for decades, especially when it comes to quartz movements.
This company offers many affordable racing watches in their lineup, but it’s their Sportura Solar Chronograph that caught my eye.
The black dial with accents of red on the bezel pairs nicely with the stainless steel bracelet, giving it a clean and sophisticated look. Looks aside, this watch has a little more going on than the Tissot in the functions department.
Besides the chronograph and tachymeter, the Sportura Solar comes with a calendar that tracks the day of the week as well as the day of the month.
Unlike the Tissot mentioned above, this is a solar watch, meaning it is powered by the sun (or artificial light). There is a battery inside that charges when it is exposed to light, meaning you shouldn’t ever have to worry about changing the battery.
The Sportura Solar comes with a stainless steel, 45 mm case as well as a sapphire crystal, making it durable and very scratch resistant.
This watch also comes with a stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over, button release clasp for easy donning/doffing.
If you’re looking for a racing watch with some more advanced calendar features, Seiko’s Sportura Solar Perpetual is worth considering. Just keep in mind the red hand is used for the calendar when the chronograph isn’t being used.
#5 Tissot T-Race Black Chronograph
Another Tissot model made the list- what can I say, I’m a fan of the brand. Their T-Race Chronograph is supposedly designed with motorcycles in mind.
Looking at this watch, I think that’s pretty easy to believe.
The rugged black case almost looks like it was cut right out of a tire. And pairing it with a black dial and black rubber band gives it a rugged look that can’t be denied- this watch just oozes pavement.
Again, I’m a sucker for the rose gold, but the T-Race comes in several other color schemes if that’s not your thing.
This is another quartz driven watch but unlike the 2 models just mentioned, this one isn’t solar. It too comes with a sapphire crystal though.
The case on this watch is stainless steel and measures in at 43 mm, making it large but very wearable.
The T-Sport is lacking the more advanced calendar functions, so if you’re looking for a simpler dial, you’ll probably appreciate only having to deal with the date window at 3 o’clock.
All of the numerals and hands are luminescent and this watch is water resistant to 100 m.
If you’re looking for a more rugged, street-ready racing watch, Tissot has got ya covered with their T-Race Chronograph. Truly a bad-a** looking watch.
Final Thoughts
If nothing else, I hope this guide goes to show there are some pretty cool racing watches out there for under $500. I also think this list is good proof that there’s a lot of variety out there in terms of style.
Although the design and functions can vary from model to model, there are a few key features that all racing watches share.
These include a chronograph, a tachymeter, and a large, easy-to-read dial.
Even though these features came to be out of necessity, racing watch aficionados have come to appreciate them for the style they add to these timepieces.
And whether you opt for one of these watches or not, it’s hard to deny the coolness factor that a quality racing watch brings with it.