17 Watch Brands Like Christopher Ward for Affordable Luxury

Discover watch brands like Christopher Ward offering affordable luxury. Enjoy Swiss-made craftsmanship, modern design, and high-quality materials without the splurge.
Written by: 
Ash Read
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If you're into watches, you probably already know and love Christopher Ward. This British brand has built a huge following by offering beautifully crafted, Swiss-made watches with a luxury feel, but without the eye-watering price tag. Their blend of modern design, high-quality materials, and a direct-to-you business model makes top-tier watches accessible to more people.

But the world of affordable luxury is bigger than just one brand. Whether you're looking for a different design aesthetic, a specific style like a dive or pilot watch, or just want to expand your collection, plenty of other brands deliver that same high-value punch. Here are 17 watch brands similar to Christopher Ward that offer incredible style and quality for your money.

1. Junghans

Hailing from Germany, Junghans is the champion of clean, minimalist design inspired by the Bauhaus movement. Their watches are sleek, understated, and incredibly elegant, with prices usually in the $800 to $2,000 range. While Christopher Ward often incorporates bold, modern details, Junghans keeps things simple with refined dials and classic form factors. If you love the quality-for-price ratio of Christopher Ward but prefer an aesthetic that's less sporty and more architectural, Junghans is a perfect match.

Shop now at junghans.de

2. Tissot

As one of the biggest names in Swiss watchmaking, Tissot offers something for everyone, with prices typically landing between $300 and $1,200. This is your go-to for a reliable, well-made Swiss watch that won't drain your bank account. Tissot provides a much wider, more established range of styles - from sporty chronographs to classic dress watches - when compared to Christopher Ward's more curated collections. They're a fantastic entry point into the world of Swiss watches.

Shop now at tissotwatches.com

3. Longines

Longines occupies a similar space to Christopher Ward but with a stronger lean towards timeless elegance and heritage. With prices from $1,000 to $3,000, this Swiss heritage brand is known for its refined, classic designs that feel traditional without being stuffy. If you appreciate the Swiss movements and build quality of Christopher Ward but want a watch with a richer history and a more formal, sophisticated vibe, Longines is an excellent step up.

Shop now at longines.com

4. Seiko Presage

The Seiko Presage line is where Japanese craftsmanship meets stunning design, often for under $1,000. These watches punch way above their weight class, celebrated for their incredibly detailed and artistic dials inspired by anything from cocktail hours to Japanese gardens. Where Christopher Ward offers British design with Swiss precision, the Presage collection offers a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. If dial work and artistry are what you love, you'll get amazing value here.

Shop now at seikowatches.com

5. Squale

For lovers of dive watches, Squale is a legendary name. This Swiss brand specializes in robust, high-performance timepieces with a cool, vintage-inspired look, typically priced around $1,000 to $2,000. Like Christopher Ward, Squale delivers serious Swiss-made quality for the price, but they are hyper-focused on one thing: creating excellent dive watches. If your style leans more towards functional, aquatic tool watches than versatile daily wearers, Squale is your brand.

Shop now at squalewatches.com

6. Alpina

Alpina specializes in sporty, adventure-ready watches that blend rugged looks with Swiss precision, falling in a similar $800 to $2,500 price bracket as Christopher Ward. This brand is tailored for the outdoor enthusiast, offering durable designs built to withstand the elements without sacrificing style. While both brands share a commitment to quality and value, Alpina is the perfect choice if you need a reliable "tool watch" for hiking, skiing, or any other adventure.

Shop now at alpina-watches.com

7. Baltic

Baltic has become a microbrand superstar by mastering vintage-inspired design. With most watches priced well under $1,000, they offer mid-century aesthetics with a modern twist. The brand's focus on small-batch production and minimalist, retro appeal creates a strong community feeling, much like Christopher Ward. If you're drawn to the value proposition but prefer the charm of 1940s and 50s watch design, Baltic offers incredible style for the price.

Shop now at baltic-watches.com

8. Laco

Laco is a historic German brand that's a go-to for authentic, high-quality pilot watches, generally priced between $700 and $1,500. Their watches are all about function and legibility, sticking close to traditional designs with a rugged, utilitarian feel. Compared to Christopher Ward's more polished and versatile collections, Laco offers a more specific, tool-watch aesthetic steeped in aviation history. It's a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a watch with a story and a military-grade look.

Shop now at laco-watches.com

9. Stowa

Like Laco, Stowa is a celebrated German watchmaker known for its aviation and minimalist designs, also in the $700 to $1,500 range. Stowa's craftsmanship is exceptional, offering beautifully finished movements and clean, classic aesthetics that appeal to purists. They share Christopher Ward's dedication to quality and value but channel it through a more classic, often vintage-military design language. A great pick for those who appreciate understated German engineering.

Shop now at stowa.de

10. Mido

Mido nails the sweet spot between cutting-edge design and Swiss reliability, with prices falling between $800 and $2,000. Their watches often feature a sleek, modern, and sometimes architectural aesthetic that feels very contemporary. They share the same commitment to value and quality as Christopher Ward but cater to someone looking for a more urban and design-forward timepiece for daily wear. Think of them as the stylish city slicker of affordable Swiss brands.

Shop now at mido.com

11. Victorinox Swiss Army

Known for the iconic Swiss Army knife, Victorinox brings the same focus on durability and functionality to its watches. Priced from $300 to $1,200, these pieces are built to be tough, reliable companions for an active lifestyle. While Christopher Ward focuses on affordable luxury aesthetics, Victorinox is all about rugged performance. It's the perfect alternative if you need a durable, dependable Swiss watch that can handle anything you throw at it.

Shop now at victorinox.com

12. Frederique Constant

Frederique Constant delivers that classic, "old money" look without the outrageous price, typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. This Swiss brand specializes in elegant dress watches with sophisticated details like moon phases and intricate dial work. They offer a more traditional and refined style compared to Christopher Ward's sportier leanings, making them an ideal choice for someone who wants an accessibly priced luxury dress watch for the office or formal events.

Shop now at frederiqueconstant.com

13. Lorus

If you're looking for an ultra-affordable daily-wear watch, Lorus is your brand. With most models priced under $100, they aren't directly competing with Christopher Ward's luxury segment. However, they offer fun, reliable, and seriously accessible quartz watches that are perfect for a casual, no-fuss timepiece. Think of them as the perfect beater watch for when you don't want to risk your more expensive pieces.

Shop now at lorus.com

14. Cadisen

Cadisen has made a name for itself by offering trendy, automatic watches at jaw-droppingly low prices, usually between $100 and $300. This is the place to go if you want to try out a popular watch style - like a dive watch or integrated bracelet design - without a major financial commitment. While the build quality isn't on par with Christopher Ward, Cadisen offers a fun and stylish way to get into mechanical watches on a very tight budget.

Shop now at cadisenwatch.com

15. Orient

Orient is a hero in the world of affordable watches. This Japanese brand is beloved for producing its own reliable, in-house automatic movements and putting them in stylish cases that cost between $150 and $500. Models like the Bambino (dress watch) and Kamasu (dive watch) are legendary for their incredible value. Orient offers the same spirit as Christopher Ward - providing amazing mechanical quality for the cost - but at a significantly more accessible price point.

Shop now at orientwatchusa.com

16. Hamilton

With a cool blend of American heritage and Swiss precision, Hamilton is a direct and compelling alternative to Christopher Ward, sharing a similar price range of $800 to $2,500. They excel at versatile watches that pull from their rich history in aviation, cinema, and military timekeeping. Hamilton offers a slightly more rustic, heritage-driven aesthetic compared to Christopher Ward's modern British style, making them perfect for someone who loves a great backstory with their watch.

Shop now at hamiltonwatch.com

17. Citizen

Citizen is a Japanese powerhouse known for its groundbreaking Eco-Drive technology, which powers watches using any light source. Ranging from $150 to $1,200, their watches offer incredible reliability and innovation. While Christopher Ward focuses on traditional automatic movements, Citizen is the leader in set-it-and-forget-it convenience. If you value amazing reliability, eco-friendly tech, and never needing a battery change, Citizen provides excellent quality for the price.

Shop now at citizenwatch.com

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