5 Watches To Buy Under $10,000 (AED 37,000) in 2025
While there are a plethora of options available from various Swiss brands under this price point, I wanted to stick with the ones that are either popular picks or pieces that have gone underrated. All I want with this article is that you, as a consumer, should be able to invest that $10,000 right. Here are my picks.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual
One of the most obvious picks had to be the Oyster Perpetual, as it is probably the cleanest and most straightforward Rolex you can buy. If you stick with common dial colors like silver or black, you can easily get one for well under the $10,000 mark. And yes, I am talking about an unworn 2025 from a secondary market dealer. You would be paying a small premium over the sticker price but at least you can get one today.
And if you want to climb a step higher on the Rolex ladder, the Datejust is an option. But to fit under budget, you’ll need to go for an Oyster bracelet, a smooth bezel, and a dial in black, white, or silver. It might push your budget to the limit, but it’s doable.
Rolex Air King
Before I move to other brands, I would like to mention one more Rolex here. The Air-King is one of Rolex’s more understated models, but that’s exactly what makes it interesting. For around the price of a Datejust, you get something that feels a little more unique.
This one is sportier than both the Oyster Perpetual and Datejust, and at 40mm, it sits in that sweet spot of versatility. I personally don’t like wearing 41mm watches since I have a relatively thinner wrist, so if I were to pick a Rolex under $10,000, my eyes would be on the Air King. It is big enough to have the presence but not so large that it would look oversized on someone with my type of a wrist.
Cartier Santos
A list of watches under $10,000 will just not be complete without the mention of a Cartier Santos. While there are some other Cartier models as well that can be grabbed in the price range, but nothing looks as good as the Santos. The large Santos model is available in multiple dial colors, and all of them fit well under the AED 37,000 mark. While the white dial gives off a classy vibe, the green and blue dials stand out in their own way.
One of the biggest perks of the Santos is versatility. It comes with a bracelet and an extra strap right in the box. So you can wear it with a suit during the day and switch to a strap at night for a more casual look. Basically, you just got yourself two watches in one.
Omega Seamaster or Speedmaster
If I personally had to buy a watch under AED 37,000, it would probably be an Omega. Both the Speedmaster and Seamaster collections are packed with value. Since I am a chronograph fan, I would lean towards a pre-owned Speedmaster. But if you prefer a dial that looks less busy, the Seamaster is a perfect fit. The collections are broad enough that you’ll definitely find a model that matches your style and still stays within the $10k budget.
Tudor Black Bay
Now, if I already had an Omega and wanted something different, I would go for a Tudor. But, why would I go for a Tudor when I can also get a Rolex in that budge. Sure, you can still get an Oyster Perpetual or Datejust under $10k, but personally, I prefer chronographs and dive watches.
That’s where the Tudor Black Bay comes in. At this budget, you can even score the new Black Bay Chronograph with a turquoise or pink dial. While it retails around AED 23,000, it’s trading at a premium on the secondary market. But even with that premium, it’s still under $10k.
Which One Would I Pick?
If I had a job that required formal wear most days, I would go with either a Rolex Datejust or a Cartier Santos. Between the Oyster Perpetual and Datejust, I would always pick the Datejust because I like the practicality of having a date window. But I totally get why some people prefer the clean look of the OP.
On the other hand, if my lifestyle was more casual, I’d probably lean towards the Omega Speedmaster.
