Getting bit by the watch “bug” can be both exciting and overwhelming. Watch collecting may not seem like the most accessible hobby in the world (especially in the realm of mechanical watches), but with Orient Watch, starting a well-rounded collection doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This is our third installment on how we would start a fantastic mechanical watch collection for under $1000. And we’re not talking about just one watch; here are three to get you started. You can read our first and second installments here and here.

AA02, in Jet Black – Perhaps the dressiest diver in our collection. It sports new single crown look, along with a snappy 120-click rotating bezel. Aside from this, we kept its original design intact. $335

Sentinel, in Grey – We’re huge fans of this colorway: a dark, metallic grey dial with a dab of lime that just pops. Coupled with a soft rubber strap, it might be our most modern sport piece to date. $315

AC08 Version 4, in Midnight Blue – An uncluttered dial chalks up a classic feeling while its larger size (42mm) translates it to modern times. Like the two above, it can easily be dressed up or down. $310 The first thing to note is that each of the above models is powered by our latest movements, the Caliber F69 and F67. This enables each watch to be automatic, hand-winding, and hacking, features not seen in a majority of our collection until recently.

We feel that this trio really covers all the bases, especially in regard to casual, formal events, and everything in between. With the right strap pairing, each watch on its own is incredibly versatile. In fact, you could arguably swap the straps (bracelet, rubber, leather) between the three to create a different look each time. The total cost of these three watches? Just $960, which is $40 under the $1000 budget. An incredible price considering the range of colorways and designs, which open up a number of different options!