Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Field Watches Under $500 We’ve Ever Reviewed Hands-on
The best field watches under $500 aren't always the obvious ones. Read through our hands-on verdicts to find out the winners that earned lasting wrist time.
4,128 articles · 21 videos found · page 4 of 139
Two Broke Watch Snobs
The best field watches under $500 aren't always the obvious ones. Read through our hands-on verdicts to find out the winners that earned lasting wrist time.
Monochrome
Look at most analogue watches, and you’ll see central hour and minute hands, and the majority have central seconds as well. It’s a perfected design that can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, when sundial shadows moved across the dial plate in a clockwise rotation. We’ve already looked at Unconventional Ways Watches Can Relay Time […]
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Explore the five best quartz field watches for grab-and-go wear. Get honest hands-on insights on comfort, readability, durability, and everyday practicality.
Fratello
Last month, I attended the second — and soon-to-be annual — Hands On Horology event. Hosted by Oracle Time at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, London, the show brought together watch brands from around the world. Representatives from Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, China, Japan, Britain, Norway, the United States, and many other nations filled the venue. With […] Visit Hands On Horology 2026 Hosted By Oracle Time Magazine — Photo Report to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Our favorite weekend watches after hands-on testing, including relaxed quartz, dive, GMT, chronograph, and microbrand picks across every budget.
Video
Is the early 1980s two-tone Rolex GMT-Master the perfect vintage watch? From its gorgeous gilt nipple dial to the perfectly matching tritium hands, this classic proves that two-tone watches are incredible and making a...
Fratello
Sometimes, as a watch enthusiast, you just connect with a brand. Fears is such a brand for me. I find this revived English indie watch company a prime example of how to establish yourself in a slightly higher segment than most. As much as I appreciate the company from a distance, I had spent little […] Visit Don’t Sleep On These Cushions — Hands-On With Three Fears Brunswick Models to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
After 10 years of hands-on testing, we look at whether Omega watches live up to their reputation, from the Speedmaster and Seamaster to quieter enthusiast picks.
Worn & Wound
First impressions leave a lasting mark, which is why packaging can matter so much. I don’t typically start a hands-on article by discussing packaging, but with the Slomo Glance, it really got things off to a good start. The box is a simple, natural-colored craft paper-wrapped card/heavy stock with a simple black print, which I love. So much, in fact, that the strap boxes for our Model 2s have been made this same way for several years. Regardless, the box, which is several inches long, a few inches wide, and just a hair over one inch thick, features the brand’s logo in large print spanning most of the box’s length, with the central, extended O split down the middle. Though there are no instructions on the box, the design is intuitive and clearly opens by sliding these apparent covers off to expose the inside. As you begin to slide the covers off, you are treated to a pleasant graphic surprise: the inner box has lines that align with the O, creating the illusion that it is being stretched as you pull the covers. Additionally, text appears saying “hurry up and slow down.” It’s fun and clever, making you excited for what you’ll find. With the outer covers off, a new cover is revealed and lifted by a black ribbon, finally exposing the watch within. I’ll get to the rest in a bit… It doesn’t happen that often anymore, but sometimes I just see a new watch by a new brand, think it’s cool, and say, “Hey, can you send one over?” Something about the watch jus...
Two Broke Watch Snobs
After years of hands-on watch reviews, these are the field watches we think make the most sense for first-time mechanical buyers.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Should you buy one luxury dive watch or build a five-watch affordable collection? We break down the real ownership tradeoffs using watches we’ve reviewed hands-on.
Video
The new IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 in Pool Blue might just be my favourite Ingenieur yet. In this hands-on review, I take a closer look at IWC's latest integrated bracelet sports watch and explain why a simple dial ch...
Fratello
When I think of Farer, I don’t necessarily associate the brand with pilot’s watches. Moreover, I don’t link it to any particular watch category at all, even though I’ve previously reviewed a couple of iterations of the Farer World Timer. Instead, the brand is best recognized for its compelling use of color. That said, the […] Visit Hands-On With The Farer Pilot Series II Curtis — A Fresh Take On The Pilot’s Watch to read the full article.
Fratello
Charlie Paris has been designing and assembling accessible watches since 2014. The Alliance line represents the French indie brand’s take on a go-anywhere, do-anything (GADA) model. I got a chance to go hands-on with the Charlie Paris Alliance in two versions. This is how we got along. The Charlie Paris Alliance features a sunburst dial. […] Visit Hands-On With The Versatile And Thoroughly Modern Charlie Paris Alliance to read the full article.
Fratello
Few brands wear their history as comfortably as Doxa. While many heritage-driven watch companies seem trapped in endless cycles of archival recreation, Doxa has spent the better part of the last decade refining a formula that already worked. That consistency is precisely why the debut of the Doxa Sub 200 T.Graph II matters. The modern […] Visit Hands-On: The New Doxa Sub 200 T.Graph II — An Iconic Dive Chronograph Returns to read the full article.
Monochrome
Unveiled by Angelus at Watches & Wonders 2026, the Tinkler 1958 Quarter Repeater is a re-edition of the brand’s pioneering mid-century automatic, waterproof quarter repeater wristwatch, which was already a rarity in its day. Engaging sight, sound and touch, we’re going hands-on with the more luxurious, 15-piece limited edition of this charming chiming revival piece […]
Fratello
Since their official launch in the UK in 2025, Norqain has been on a tear. The brand is growing here and abroad, which says something in the current climate. Sure, the watches are a luxurious expenditure, but they’re fun, wearable, and capable. Today, I’ll briefly share some hands-on thoughts on two recently released Wild One […] Visit Hands-On: The Norqain Wild One Skeleton X-Lite & Wild One Skeleton Chrono to read the full article.
Video
After years of seeing the Rolex Le Mans Daytona from afar, I finally had the opportunity to spend proper hands-on time with what might be the most desirable modern Rolex ever made.
Fratello
When people ask me for the time, I naturally tend to show them my watch rather than tell them. I am not quite sure why I do this. Maybe I feel they won’t believe me unless I let them see for themselves. Maybe I have issues… In any case, this didn’t work at all when […] Visit Hands-On With The Wolbrook Pan4Timer Automatic — Brilliant Or Needlessly Complicated? to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
We reviewed 14 of the best business casual watches, from affordable everyday picks to luxury office-ready options with real hands-on testing behind them.
Fratello
Oris introduced its annual Hölstein Edition on June 1st, and unfortunately, the brand used renders (not very good ones) to showcase it. It was the accompanying press release, with all the information about this watch, that convinced me it could actually be interesting. Oris ensured we could go hands-on with the Hölstein Edition 2026 to […] Visit Renders Can Ruin A Watch — Hands-On With The Oris Hölstein Edition 2026 to read the full article.
Fratello
Ever since Raymond Weil won the GPHG Challenge Watch Prize in 2023 with the Millesime, the brand has been on a roll. The Millesime collection really shows that stylish Swiss-made watches don’t have to break the bank. The same goes for last year’s dressier Toccata Heritage Series. Now, the brand, led by Raymond Weil’s grandson […] Visit A Hands-On Introduction To The New Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection to read the full article.
WatchAdvice
I take Cartier’s titanium version of the Santos de Cartier hands-on to see if it really is the more versatile option in the brand’s signature collection. What We Love: A fresh take on a Cartier icon Much more suited as a daily wearer Light, robust and still has a sense of elegance What We Don’t: No open caseback for the 1847 MC movement Price point may feel high compared to other sports watches that also showcase movement Would love to see more dial colours for variation Overall Rating: 8.5/10 Value for Money: 8/10 Wearability: 9/10 Design: 8.5/10 Build Quality: 9/10 It’s not every day that we see Cartier venture outside the norm with the Santos de Cartier collection. For years, this collection has been one of the more appealing sporty-dressy everyday watches on the market, bringing together sporty proportions, a clean dial aesthetic, and a bracelet design that wraps beautifully around the wrist. But what has made it such a standout and appealing choice is that unmistakable Cartier charm: refined, instantly recognisable, and versatile enough to sit somewhere between a sports watch with dressy appeal and a daily wearer. The Santos’s history goes all the way back to 1904. As the story goes, Louis Cartier created a wristwatch for his friend, Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed a practical way to tell the time while flying. Rather than having to reach for a pocket watch mid-flight, which was the norm at the time, Santos-Dumont wanted something tha...
Video
Hands on review: Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 Bumblebee yellow dial
Fratello
By now, many of you should know what Albishorn is. It’s a unique approach in the indie watch scene, the love child of industry veteran Sébastien Chaulmontet, with a clever concept. Albishorn timepieces ask, “What if?” The brand’s models are modern “reinterpretations” of vintage watches that never existed. Their Marinagraph Paraíba Racing is the latest […] Visit Hands-On With The Albishorn Marinagraph Paraíba Racing to read the full article.
Fratello
A few weeks ago, my latest watch purchase, a Sinn 103 St Ty Hd, arrived. I can’t tell you how many times I have browsed the Sinn catalogs over the years, whether on the brand’s website or in the printed versions we receive in the mail every year. The company from Frankfurt holds a special […] Visit Hands-On With My Latest Purchase — The Sinn 103 St Ty Hd to read the full article.
Fratello
Today, we go hands-on with a watch that should prove to be a sure-fire winner. This, folks, is one of those pieces that feels like it was waiting to be made. Finally, that day is here, and we have the full rundown. It’s the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty in full stainless steel. If that doesn’t […] Visit Hands-On: The New Steel Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty to read the full article.
Fratello
The fun thing about my hands-on experience with the new Arken Alterum Sage Grey is that I went into it rather blindly. While that is nothing special in and of itself, when two Fratello team members actually own an Arken Alterum, it is slightly more remarkable. Obviously, I knew about the brand and the watch […] Visit Going Hands-On With The New Arken Alterum Sage Grey GMT to read the full article.
Fratello
After last year’s limited-edition ALD watches, Dennison and Collectability are back with another collaboration. Designer Emmanuel Gueit and Patek Philippe specialist John Reardon unveil four watches featuring a new asymmetric design. The Oblique Enigma features a stepped dial, just like last year’s ALD editions. The Oblique Vector features a sunburst dial enhanced by subtle printing […] Visit A Hands-On Introduction To The Limited-Edition Oblique Collection By Dennison And Collectability to read the full article.
Video
Welcome to the hands-on review of this beautiful watch from a French watch company called Awake Son Mài Fragments. This collection features one of the most unique dials I have ever seen. Enjoy the review:)
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