For years, Swiss-made watches have ruled the watch industry, and they are known for their quality and precision. In the last few decades, we have seen the rise of many new companies, and there was a need for an independent organization to test the accuracy of these Swiss-made watches.
That’s why an institution named “Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute” was founded in 1973, which follows very strict criteria to test the precision of modern Swiss-made chronometer watches.
Here is an article on my website that you must read, its about the Best 10 Watches To Wear With NATO Straps In 2024.
If you buy the COSC Certified watch, it will come with a guarantee that it has passed the strict criteria of COSC, and you will get the accurate time.
If you are also interested in COSC certified watches and looking for some options under $500, $1000, and $2000, this guide is for you.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Why COSC Certified Watches Are The Best?
Before I get to our main topic, it’s important that you know why COSC Certified watches are the best. COSC is an independent institution that only accepts Swiss-made high precision smartwatches, and if any watch wants to get the COSC Certifications, it will have to go through a series of rigorous tests, including testing a watch at various temperatures in temperature-controlled closure and other defined tests.
Once a watch passes all the COSC tests, it gets the COSC Certification which is proof that it’s a highly precise chronometer watch.
When it comes to watches, most watch enthusiasts prefer COSC Certified watches because it gives them an assurance that the watch they are getting will offer precise time, which is the reason why most Swiss watchmaking companies such as Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Tudor, Tissot, Zenith, and others prefer to get COSC Certification for their watches. So, if you want a highly precise watch, you should consider one with COSC Certification.
Also, make sure to check out my post on the Best Smartwatches With An Oxygen Sensor (SPO2) In 2024.
Best COSC Certified Watches Under $500
Swiss watches are the best-in-class, and you can rarely find good Swiss-made watches under $500, and when it comes to COSC Certified Watches under $500, it’s extremely rare. But I did some research for you and found a rare COSC Certified watch which you can get under $500 on a good day.
1. Tissot Powermatic 80 Chronometer
Product Details
| Brand | Tissot Store |
| Department | Men’s |
| Item Weight | 15.98 Ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7 x 5 x 7 inches |
Tissot is a luxury Swiss watch brand that is known for its quality watches, and Tissot Powermatic 80 is one of the finest watches by the company. If you look at the prices of Tissot watches, you won’t find many under $500, but Tissot Powermatic 80 Chronometer is a rare gem that you can find under $500 on a good day.
When I say good day, it means that the actual price of the watch is above $500, but many dealers offer a discount on it from time to time, and if you get the deal, you can easily get it around $400 to $500.
When it comes to design, Tissot Powermatic 80 comes with an elegant and classy design. As it’s COSC Certified watch, you can expect great precision and performance. So, if you want a COSC Certified watch under $500, Tissot Powermatic 80 is arguably the best you can get.
Best COSC Certified Watches Under $1000
Once you expand your budget to $1000, it’s a range where you can variety of some really good COSC Certified watches. These are the Best COSC Certified Watches under $1000 in 2024.
1. MIDO Commander 1959
Product Details
| Brand | Mido |
| Item Weight | 2.96 Ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.72 x 4.72 x 4.72 inches |
MIDO is a well-known Swiss watch company that was founded in 1918, and it offers a wide range of premium COSC Certified watches that you can get in 2024. When it comes to MIDO COSC Certified watches under $1000, MIDO Commander 1959 is the one that the company offers.
When it comes to design, Commander 1959 comes with a very elegant and sleek design with a vintage MIDO Logo. The watch also comes with a Milanese bracelet, which goes well with most attires, making it a versatile option. Overall, if you are looking for a COSC Certified watch under $1000 with a solid design and Milanese strap, MIDO Commander 1959 is a solid option for you.
2. Formex Essence
Formex is another very popular Swiss watch company that offers one of the most affordable COSC Certified watches out there. Forex Essence is arguably one of the best looking COSC Certified watches under $1000.
The watch comes with a stainless-steel case, which is also waterproof, which means that the water won’t be able to damage the watch. Formex Essence also comes with a patented Case Suspension and Micro-Adjustment System, which will make your watch more durable and precise. As Formex Essence is a COSC Certified watch, you can also expect great time precision.
Another thing which I like the most about Formex Essence is that it comes with an Italian Leather watchband, which is very durable, and if you use it with care, it will last for years. The company offers blue and leather bands, but I’ll recommend that you go with Blue if you want a bolder look.
Otherwise, you can also go with a black look which is a safe and classic choice. Overall, Formex Essence is a very reliable watch, and if you are looking for COSC Certified watch under $1000 with a leather band, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Best COSC Certified Watches Under $2000
If you have checked the above watches, but still you are not satisfied, and you are also ready to expand your budget to $2000, then this section is for you. Under $2000, you get tons of great COSC Certified watches which offer both precise time and premium build quality. Let’s have a look at my picks.
1. Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles Powermatic 80
Product Details
| Brand | Tissot Store |
| Department | Mens |
| Item Weight | 5.08 Ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7 x 4.8 x 3.5 inches |
Tissot is mainly known for its luxury watches, and Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 is the true definition of it. The best thing about Chemin Des Tourelles is that it comes with a true luxury design without a ridiculous price tag. You can easily get this watch from a Tissot Authorized dealer for less than $1200.
The watch comes with stainless steel body and a black dial with roman indexes, which gives it a very premium look. Also, the stainless-steel strap of Chemin Des Tourelles complements the overall look of the watch. The company also offers leather and different colors of dials and body, but if you want a true luxury and attractive design, you should consider the Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles with a Black dial and stainless steel strap.
2. MIDO Commander Icὂne
Product Details
| Brand | MIDO |
| Color | Silver/Steel |
| Department | Men’s |
| Item Weight | 4.97 Ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.72 x 4.72 x 4.72 inches |
MIDO Commander Icὂne is one of the best COSC Certified watched under $2000 in 2024. It’s a premium watch by MIDO that comes with a very elegant design which gives it a very premium feel.
Another highlight of the watch is its metallic strap which is very different from conventional straps. In my understanding, it’s a unique combination of a Milanese strap and iron chain, which gives the strap a unique look.
As MIDO Commander Icὂne comes with COSC certification, you can expect that it will offer the precise time. Overall, if you are looking for a COSC Certified Premium watch under $2000 with a unique strap, MIDO Commander Icὂne is a solid option for you.
3. MIDO Ocean Star 600 Chronometer
Product Details
| Brand | Mido |
| Department | Unisex |
| Item Weight | 4.59 Ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.72 x 4.72 x 4.72 inches |
Diving watches are some of the most popular watches out there, and you will find tons of them out there, but you won’t find many with COSC Certifications. MIDO Ocean Star 600 Chronometer is one of the best COSC Certified Diving watches under $2000 in 2024.
The watch comes with the conventional diving watch look and has a very bulky look. It also comes with a ceramic bezel featuring numerals in Super-LumiNova Grade material which offers great readability in the depth of the ocean.
MIDO Ocean Star 600 Chronometer also comes with a high-quality stainless-steel strap which will make sure that the watch stays on the wrist while you are diving. It comes with a helium valve, and it can easily withstand water pressure up to 600 meters. Overall, if you are looking for a diving watch with COSC Certification, you can’t go wrong with MIDO Ocean Star 600 Chronometer.
4. Zodiac Sea Wolf Watch
Product Details
| Brand | Zodiac Watches |
| Department | Men’s |
| Item Weight | 8 Ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 6.18 x 6.18 x 4.49 inches |
Zodiac is one of the most respected Swiss watch companies, which is known for its hand-assembled watches. The company offers the Zodiac Sea Wolf Watch lineup, which is very popular among divers. When it comes to the Sea Wolf Watch collection, not all of them come with COSC Certification, but Sea Wolf Watch Z09205 is an exception. The watch was released as a limited edition which means that you may not find it on the official websites, but you can easily find it on resale websites such as eBay at a great price.
When it comes to design, Sea Wolf Watch Z09205 comes with a very sleek and vintage design. The company has used titanium on the body, which makes it pretty durable. On the dial, you get the colored dials and hands, which make it easier to check the time in the depth of the ocean. The watch is waterproof, and it can easily handle the water pressure up to 200 meters.
Overall, Sea Wolf Watch Z09205 is a great watch, and you can consider if you are after a limited-edition COSC-Certified diver watch. Otherwise, MIDO Ocean Star 600 Chronometer is a better option because it’s available easily and offers better water protection.
5. Christopher Ward C8 Power Reserve Chronometer
Christopher Ward is a popular British watch company that designs its watches in Britain but manufactures them in Switzerland, which makes them eligible for COSC Certification. When it comes to Christopher Ward watches, C8 Power Reserve Chronometer is the finest one by the company, and it lies on the upper price tier. The watch will cost you nearly $2000 but trust me; it’s worth the price tag because of its awesome look and great accuracy.
C8 Power Reserve Chronometer comes with a black dial and body with a combination of red and yellow color numbers and hands. The watch also comes with a leather strap, which gives the watch a very premium and raw look which, in my opinion, is unique.
As C8 Power Reserve Chronometer comes with COSC certification, it means that you will be getting accurate time and great overall performance. Considering the overall design, features, and performance, C8 Power Reserve Chronometer is undoubtedly a bargain at this price point.
6. Rado Couple Classic
Product Details
| Brand | Rado |
| Department | Unisex |
| Item Weight | 2.14 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 6.3 x 6.06 x 4.84 inches |
Rado is another Swiss watch company that has been around for more than 100 years, and it’s a very respectable name when it comes to formal luxury watches. Rado Couple Classic is a luxury watch by the company which is designed for formal occasions, and it will complement your dressing at any formal event.
The dial of the watch comes in cream color with a hobnail pattern, while the hand of the watch comes in blue color. This unique combination of colors and hobnail pattern gives the watch a very distant look. Also, it comes with the classic stainless steel strap, which complements the whole design and gives the watch a premium look. Overall, if you are looking for a COSC-Certified to grace on formal occasions, Rado Couple Classic is a solid option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
How Accurate is a COSC Certified Watch?
COSC Certified watches are known for their accuracy and offer the accuracy of around -4 or +6 seconds per day, which makes them the most accurate and precise watches out there.
How Expensive are COSC Certified Watches?
COSC Certified Watches are expensive than regular watches because they come with high-quality parts and machinery, which increases the cost of the watch. The cheapest COSC Certified watch will cost you around $400, and good COSC Certified Watches start at around $1000.
Is COSC Certification important?
Swiss watchmakers have ruled the watch industry for years mainly due to their quality and accuracy. COSC is a non-profit institution that was founded to make sure that the Swiss watchmakers continue making high-quality watches, and the institution issues Certifications only to highly accurate and well-made watches.
Does MIDO have any COSC Certified Watch under $1000?
Yes, the company offers MIDO Commander 1959 under $1000, which you can get in 2024. It’s a well-designed watch with COSC Certification, which means that you will get a highly accurate time.
Does Rolex offer any COSC Certified Watch under $2000?
Rolex is a luxury watch brand, and the company mainly targets the high-tier market. The company doesn’t offer any of its timepieces under $2000, which means that you will have to consider other options under $2000.
Does Zenith offer any COSC Certified Watch under $2000?
Zenith is another renowned Swiss watch company that comes with a great variety of COSC Certified watches, but unfortunately, none of them are priced below $2000. The cheapest COSC Certified Zenith watch will cost you around $8000, and their prices go up to $19,000 depending on the model.
Which Watches are METAS Certified?
So, METAS (The Federal Institute of Metrology) is another certification that incorporated COSC along with 8 different tests which evaluate watches based on their accuracy, durability, and quality. All Omega watches come with METAS Certification, which means that they are highly accurate and well-built.
What is the best COSC Certified for divers under $2000?
If you are a fan of divers watches and looking for one with COSC Certification under $2000, I’d recommend you the MIDO Ocean Star 600 Chronometer, which is a well-built diver watch with COSC certification.
Is Tissot Powermatic 80 COSC Certified?
Yes, Tissot Powermatic 80 is a COSC Certified watch which means that it has been tested on COSC standards and has passed the tests with flying colors.
Are all Rolex COSC Certified?
No, not all Rolex watches come with COSC certification, but most of them are COSC Certified. The quickest way to check the COSC Certification is to check the dial or check the description of the watch.
What is the best Tissot COSC Certified Watch under $2000?
Tissot is a luxury watchmaker, and most of its watches have a high price tag, but Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 is the one that comes under $2000. It comes with an elegant and premium design along with great accuracy. If you are looking for Tissot COSC Certified watch under $2000, you can’t go wrong with Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80.
What are the best COSC Certified Watches under $2000?
$2000 is a great budget to get COSC Certified watch, and there are tons of them available under this price tag. However, these are the best COSC Certified Watches under $2000 in 2024.
- Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles Powermatic 80
- MIDO Commander Icὂne
- MIDO Ocean Star 600 Chronometer
- Zodiac Sea Wolf Watch (Limited Edition)
- Christopher Ward C8 Power Reserve Chronometer
- Rado Couple Classic
Conclusion
That’s all, folks. In this WearToTrack Guide, I shared the best COSC Certified watches under $500, $1000, and $2000. All of these watches are the best in their respective category, and you can pick the one depending on your budget and requirement.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me in the comments section. Good Luck!
We have a related article for you, you can read 12 Best American-made Smartwatches and Sports Watches in 2024.
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