We might be biased, but we believe that a new wristwatch is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give or receive. And finding a quality watch doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg!
(You'll need that arm for your new watch!)
In this gift ideas post, check out a few of our favorite Nixon watches under $500. From unique stainless steel automatic watches to quartz movement dress watches, there's something here for everyone!
For more gifting ideas, visit our full holiday gift guide.
Top Nixon Watches Under $500 for the Holidays
If you're looking for a thoughtful gift that will last forever, and won't break you're bank, you're in the right place. We've compiled a handful of our favorite Nixon watches that we think make the perfect gift.
We've broken these gift ideas up by watch type and have included multiple men's watches and women's watches in each watch type section.
Let's get into it!
Dress Watches Under $500
If the person you're gifting a watch to has to dress up for work everyday, or just takes pride in looking nice, a new dress watch is a good place to start.
Here are a few of our best dress watches under $500.
For Men
Depending on what this gift recipient dresses up for, you might choose to go with a leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet watch. Here are three solid gift options for dress watches for men, two quartz watches and one automatic watch:
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- Fremont 40: The Nixon Fremont 40 is an excellent gift dress watch for men under $500. It has unique “squircle” design, blending modern style with classic appeal. Its 40mm solid stainless steel case, paired with a durable 3-link bracelet and a quick-adjust clasp, ensures both comfort and a premium look. The Japanese quartz movement offers reliable and accurate timekeeping, making it practical for daily wear. The Fremont 40 has water resistance up to 100 meters, adding extra versatility, so it can be worn confidently in a variety of settings.
- Sentry Wobble: The Nixon Sentry Wobble 4th Dimension is a standout gift idea thanks to its unique “wobble” case design with a bent and twisted silhouette that adds personality to a timeless classic. Its 42mm solid stainless steel case and durable stainless steel band offer a premium look and feel, paired with a dual locking clasp for secure, comfortable wear. Quick-release band attachments make swapping out bands effortless, adding versatility for any wardrobe or occasion. The gold and black color scheme elevates this watch with a modern, sophisticated look perfect for gifting.
- Spectra: Finally, the stainless steel bracelet Spectra rounds out this part of the list. The Spectra is an automatic movement watch with a classic skeleton face, giving wearers and admirers a view of the internal mechanics. Whether this is someone's first watch or another addition to a watch collection, the 40mm case size Spectra is guaranteed to impress. It is currently available in three colors (All Black, Black / Gold, Navy Sunray / Silver) for $375, and is one of the most affordable watches with an automatic movement you'll find anywhere.
Now, here are three options for ladies dress watches under $500.
For Women
There are plenty of options for women's dress watches under the $500 mark here at Nixon. Again, the options range from stainless steel bracelets to leather watch straps, depending on the style and needs of the person receiving the gift!
Here are three options:
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- Frankie: The Nixon Frankie is a fantastic gift watch for women under $500, blending mid-century inspiration with a bold, modern design that stands out. Its 24mm solid stainless steel rectangular case and stylish 14mm three-link bracelet ensure a perfect, comfortable fit for any wrist size. Featuring Japanese quartz movement, it delivers reliable accuracy and effortless timekeeping for everyday wear. The watch is water resistant up to 100 meters, making it practical and "cold plunge ready" for an active lifestyle.
- Time Teller Acetate: The Nixon Time Teller Acetate in Tortoise/Oxblood is an excellent option. It comes with a striking acetate case and bracelet that give it a rich, modern pop of color. Its 40mm handmade acetate case and 20mm acetate 3-link bracelet ensure a lightweight, comfortable fit that stands out from traditional metal or leather designs. The tortoise and oxblood colorway, topped with a jewelry-inspired bracelet and easy micro-adjust clasp, gives it a unique look that complements any wardrobe.
- Confidante: Wrapping up this section of women's gift ideas is the unique looking Confidante. Modeled to look very much like a piece of jewelry, the Confidante is equal parts distinct and subtle. When worn with the butterfly clasp closed, the Confidante looks just like a jewelry bracelet. Lifting the clasp reveals the watch dial. Currently, the Confidante is available in two colors (All Gold, Silver / Gold) for $250.
Next, let's check out some of the best everyday Nixon watches under $500.
Everyday Watches Under $500
A versatile watch that can be worn anytime can improve not just a single day, but an entire week, month, year, and beyond. These next watches are Nixon's best everyday watches under $500 for both men and women.
For Men
An important thing to consider when purchasing an everyday men's gift watch is what does the average day look like for the person receiving the gift? By understanding how he likes to spend his time, you can get him the perfect watch to fit his day-to-day routines and hobbies.
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- Mullet: The Nixon Mullet easily makes the list of top quartz watches for everyday use under $500. The Mullet is an analog watch with a 38mm watch case and water resistance up to 100 meters. A main reason the Mullet is such a perfect everyday watch is its versatility. Currently available to purchase with either a stainless steel or silicone bracelet, the Mullet utilizes a quick release watch strap. This means changing your band based on the occasion is extremely easy. The Mullet is available in three different colors (Black / Black, Silver / Teal, Light Gold / White) and is $200 for the stainless steel version and $150 for the silicone.
- Stinger 44: The Nixon Stinger 44 is a superb everyday watch for men, designed with a rugged 44mm stainless steel case and a stylish 5-link bracelet for durability and comfort. Its solar-powered Japanese movement means you’ll never worry about replacing batteries, just charge it with sunlight or ambient light for up to four months of power. Luminous indices and hands provide great visibility in low-light environments, making it practical for any situation.
- Smyth 44: The Smyth 44 is a new watch to the Nixon lineup, and as an everyday use watch for men it makes a ton of sense. The bezel is rugged and the durable sapphire crystal means it can withstand rougher use. This 44m watch is available in multiple colors for $300.
For Women
If you're looking for an every day watch for the woman in your life, look no further. These three watches are perfect for her to wear everyday, whether she's going to the office or to brunch with the girls.
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- Time Teller: The Nixon Time Teller is an excellent everyday watch for women under $500, featuring a timeless minimalist design with a modern silver case and delicate dawn-colored dial that suits any wardrobe. Its 37mm stainless steel case and slim, jewelry-style bracelet provide both comfort and elegance for daily wear. Adjustable links make it easy to fit most wrist sizes perfectly. With its versatile color palette and simple sophistication, the Time Teller is perfect for women seeking a stylish, practical, and affordable accessory.
- Thalia Leather: The minimalist aesthetic of the Thalia Leather is why this women's watch gets confidently placed in our list of best everyday women's watches for under $500. The 38mm Thalia Leather has a super slim profile and comes with a quality tapered leather watch strap. It is available in three color options (Light Gold / Black, Light Gold / Tan, Rose Gold / White) for $200.
- Siren Stainless Steel: The Siren Stainless Steel is the first digital watch to make our list. And it makes a ton of sense for this watch to appear in our list of women's everyday watches. Whether you're going to work on a Monday or the gym on a Saturday, the Siren Stainless Steel never looks out of place. This 36mm digital women's watch is water resistant up to 100 meters. It's available in five colors (Gold / White, Rose Gold / Black, Black / Fatigue, Gold / Black, All Black) for $150.
To wrap up this list of our favorite holiday watches under $500 for women and men, let's check out some sport watches.
Sport Watches Under $500 - CHANGE
Many of the sport watches we carry are unisex digital watches. Here are three Nixon sport watches under $500 that make for great gifts this holiday season.
Disk - $125
If you're looking for a digital sports watch that does the basics and won't break the bank, the Nixon Disk is just for you. This sport watch under $500 includes only the essentials: day, date, time, alarm, chronograph and a countdown timer. At 39mm, it will never get in the way! The Disk is available in four colors (Gunmetal / Black / Positive, Black / Negative, Orange / Orange / Negative, Oceanic / Positive) for $125.
Base Tide Pro - $175
The Nixon Base Tide Pro is an ideal sport watch for both men and women (especially surfers), featuring a lightweight 42mm case crafted from recycled ocean plastics for durability and environmental consciousness. It’s packed with performance features like pre-programmed tide information for 550 beaches worldwide, sunrise/sunset data, alarms, countdown timer, chronograph, and a backlit digital display for visibility in any condition.
Ripley - $200
Last but certainly not least is the Nixon Ripley. The Ripley is the perfect sports watch for the person who enjoys doing things outdoors like hiking. It is a 47mm watch that can be both analog and digital. The digital screen offers wearers an altimeter, temperature, timer and more. The Ripley can be purchased in four different colors (Gunmetal, Surplus / Black, Black / Red, All Black) for $200.
Best Men's and Women's Gift Watches Under $500 in Review
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding the right gift watch for a man or a woman under $500.
If you'd like to see more affordable watches, check out some of the other collections we've put together including:
