Look, we get it. When most people think about automatic watches, they picture price tags that make your wallet weep. But here's the thing—we've spent years at Tufina proving that you don't need to drop thousands to get a genuinely good mechanical watch.
There's something special about wearing an automatic. It's not just about checking the time. Your watch is literally powered by you moving around during the day. No batteries, no plugs—just gears, springs, and a bit of physics doing their thing on your wrist. It's old-school technology that still feels kind of magical.
We're going to walk you through five automatic watches that we're genuinely proud of. Each one costs under $500, and each one brings something different to the table.
What Actually Matters in an Automatic Watch
Before we get into specifics, let's talk about what you're really getting with an automatic movement. Inside that case, there's a self-winding mechanism with dozens of tiny components working together. The second hand sweeps smoothly instead of ticking. If your watch has an exhibition back (and ours do), you can flip it over and actually see all this happening.
We use quality materials and high engineering in our workshop. Higher jewel counts mean less friction and longer life. Complications like calendars and dual-time displays mean you're getting more than just a pretty face. These details matter because they're the difference between a watch that lasts a few years and one you'll still be wearing a decade from now.
Tufina Theorema Kingston GM-117-12 Blue - Full Calendar Automatic Watch for Men.
Kingston
Kingston is what happens when we stop overthinking things and just focus on making a really solid watch. It keeps accurate time—not "pretty good for the price" accurate, but actually accurate. We put a 35-jewel movement in this thing, which you usually only see in watches that cost way more.
Those jewels aren't decorative. They're synthetic rubies sitting at friction points inside the movement, keeping everything running smoothly. More jewels generally means a better movement, and 35 is honestly more than most watches in this price range bother with.
We gave Kingston both an open heart on the dial and a full exhibition back. The open heart shows you the balance wheel doing its back-and-forth dance, and when you flip the watch over, you get the whole picture. We're not hiding anything here—you can see exactly what you paid for.
The full calendar is probably the complication we use most on this watch. Day, date, and month right there on the dial. No pulling out your phone to check what day of the week it is.
We went with a blue case for this particular model, but you’ve got other styles available too. The blue gives it personality. It looks good in a meeting, and it looks good on the weekend. That's the kind of versatility we were going for.
Tufina Theorema Kingston → SHOP NOW
Tufina Theorema St. Petersburg GM-121-1 Blue - Skeleton Automatic Watch for Men.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg comes from our Theorema Germany line, and it's for people who want to see how a watch actually works. We stripped away everything that wasn't necessary—no solid dial hiding the movement, no decoration covering up the gears. What you get is a skeleton watch that shows you the whole mechanical picture.
It's got a 20-jewel movement with Inca-bloc shock protection. That shock protection is important because the balance staff is fragile, and if you're actually wearing this watch (which you should be), it's going to get bumped around. The Inca-bloc system keeps those impacts from wrecking the movement.
This movement runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour. That's a traditional and reliable beat rate. The components are rhodium-plated, which gives them that silvery look and makes them more durable.
We did the case in blue and paired it with a white leather band. It's sporty without looking like it's trying too hard. And because everything's visible through the skeleton dial, the design looks sophisticated at the same time.
Skeleton watches usually cost more because every component needs to look good enough to be visible. We managed to keep this one affordable, which we're pretty happy about.
Tufina Theorema St. Petersburg → SHOP NOW
Tufina Pionier London Diamonds GM-510-4 Gold - Skeleton Date Calendar Automatic Watch.
London Diamonds
London Diamonds is our answer to people who want something dressy and a mechanical movement. We set six diamonds into this watch—not because we had to, but because we could do it without making the whole thing gaudy.
The diamonds catch light without screaming for attention. They're part of the design from the ground up, not something we stuck on afterward. White case, skeleton dial elements, diamonds placed where they actually make sense. It works.
You can see parts of the movement through openings in the dial. Not everything—we kept some mystery—but enough that you remember you're wearing something mechanical. And there's a date complication positioned where it doesn't mess up the dial's balance.
This watch needs basically zero maintenance. Wear it regularly, and it keeps running. That's it. You get diamonds, you get an automatic movement, and you don't have to baby it.
If you're moving up from fashion watches to real watches, this is your one must-have piece. It's still got that visual punch, but now there's actual substance underneath.
Tufina Pionier London Diamonds → SHOP NOW
Tufina Pionier New York Tachymeter GM-511-5 Black - Diamond Automatic Watch for Men.
New York Tachymeter
New York Tachymeter is what we made when we wanted to combine precision with bolder American styling. The case finish is done exceptionally well—substantial without being heavy. When someone sees this watch on your wrist, they notice.
Another 35-jewel movement in here, same as the Kingston. We don't skimp on the movement quality across our line. Those jewels mean this watch will keep accurate time for years without significant wear.
Full calendar complication again—day, date, month. We think this is one of the most practical complications you can have. Actually useful in daily life instead of just being a technical flex.
We put eight diamonds on this one. The black dial makes them pop, but it still reads as masculine and sophisticated. Not trying to be a piece of jewelry—it's a tool that happens to have some flash.
The bridge design lets you see the mechanism working. The balance wheel oscillating, gears turning, the whole mechanical symphony. It's mesmerizing if you're into this stuff.
The tachymeter scale on the bezel isn't just for show. You can actually use it to measure speed or calculate distance. Traditional engineering philosophy: if it's on the watch, it should work.
Black and gold color scheme. Works with a suit, works with jeans. If you only want one automatic watch that handles everything, this is a solid choice.
Tufina Pionier New York Tachymeter → SHOP NOW
Tufina Theorema Macau T3011-3 Gold - Automatic Full Calendar Watch.
Macau Gold
The Macau Gold is from Theorema, and it's loaded with features. Dual-time, 24 jewels, full calendar—we packed in complications that other brands charge extra for.
The movement has 35 rubies, and it's made in-house. We don't just buy movements from suppliers and stick them in cases. Making our own movements means we control quality and can add unique touches.
The guilloché dial deserves a mention. Guilloché is an engraving technique that creates geometric patterns in the metal. Traditionally, it is done by hand using specialized machines called rose engines. It catches light beautifully and adds depth that you can't get with a printed dial. You see this technique on watches that cost five figures.
The dual-time function is genuinely useful if you travel or work with people in other time zones. Second timezone right there, no mental math required.
You can see the movement through openings in the dial and through the exhibition back. We want you to appreciate what's inside this watch, not just how it looks from the front.
The gold-tone case gives it warmth and presence. This watch photographs well, but it's better in person. The full calendar keeps you organized, the dual-time keeps you connected, and the guilloché dial makes it art. This is the most feature-rich watch in our entry-level collection.
Tufina Theorema Macau → SHOP NOW
Why We Do This
Tufina is family-owned and family-operated. We've got a workshop in Germany where we actually make these watches. No corporate middlemen marking everything up. We sell directly to you, which is how we keep prices down while the quality stays up.
Precise engineering, quality control that we personally oversee, and multiple generations of watchmaking experience in our family. We use quality materials because cutting corners on components means your watch won't last.
Ever since our beginning, we have wanted to bring quality timepieces to people who actually appreciate them. We believe solid craftsmanship should be accessible to everyone. So, we’ve remained faithful to our principles, and to this da,y we continue operating our watchmaking business on our terms.
Which One Should You Get?
Think about how you'll actually use your automatic watch.
Kingston gives you a full calendar and a versatile design that complements any outfit.
St. Petersburg is eye-catching due to its skeleton dial—the best choice if you want to see all the mechanics.
London Diamonds adds genuine luxury details without going overboard.
New York Tachymeter is robust and bold, and handles any situation.
Macau Gold has the most features—dual-time and that guilloché dial.
Whichever one you pick, you're getting a high-quality, hand-assembled watch that will run for years. We're not interested in making disposable products. These are built to last.
Bottom Line
You don't need to spend thousands to get an authentic automatic watch anymore. These five watches prove it. High jewel counts, actual complications, exhibition backs, design details that rival expensive pieces—all under $500.
Whether this is your first mechanical watch or you're a collector looking for value, these are authentic pieces that we're genuinely proud to make. Our family's been doing this for generations, and we're not cutting corners to hit a price point.
Check out our full automatic watch collection and see what speaks to you - SHOP NOW
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