The taxman cometh, but so do the tax returns! In that spirit, here’s a few watches to try if you want to get the most out of your AU$1,000 tax return.
The End of Financial Year has come and gone for us Aussies and Ney Zealanders. If you happen to be reading from Kenya, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, the same may be said for you! But with EOFY, comes one of the two inevitable realities of life: taxes.
Tax Time is dreaded by many as a laborious, time-consuming project, but we at Watch Advice are here to lighten the mood. Because once you file your taxes – by yourself or otherwise – you’ll probably be set for a neat little tax return! And what better way to celebrate a little more money coming back into your wallet than by putting it on your wrist?
With that in mind, this is the first instalment of our tax time buying guide for 2026, with watches under AU$1,000 at time of writing. While you might see some classic choices, I’ve decided to spice it up with a few indie picks that could give them a run for their money!
Dress
Classic Choice: Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Crushed Ice
Let’s face it: if there was any watch brand that was going to end up on this list, we all knew it would be Seiko. The perennial value kings of the watch world, the Japanese powerhouse could have appeared almost anywhere on this list, so it felt right to acknowledge them first. In particular, their sub-four-figure dress watch offerings are among the best in the segment, combining versatile specifications with impeccable dial design.
Case in point is this recently released version of the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time. Measuring 38.5mm in diameter and 11.8mm thick, it’s a highly versatile fit for almost any wrist. But that’s not even the best part: The dial features an off-centre fumé gradient and a texture designed to mimic crushed ice, creating a uniquely crisp display. Paired with the ever-reliable Calibre 4R35 movement, the Presage Cocktail Time Crushed Ice makes a compelling case for Seiko’s value-driven approach to watchmaking, and a classic choice to celebrate your tax return.
Reference: HCB001
Price: AU$775
For more information: SeikoBoutique.com.au
Indie Pick: Kiwame Tokyo Kubo
Kiwame was founded in Tokyo in 2025 by Masami Watanabe, who set out to create a brand that celebrates honest watchmaking while steering away from superficial luxury and other excesses. Watanabe’s brand now offers three distinct collections. First came the Mune, then the Iwao, but my personal recommendation would be the third: the Kubo line.
Sized at a comfortable 37mm in diameter, 45mm lug-to-lug, and just 9.3mm thick, the Kubo is about as classically designed as a dress watch can get. Its defining feature is the recessed small-seconds display positioned between four and five o’clock, while the dial itself is finished entirely in glossy lacquer. The Tetsukon reference is perhaps the most familiar of the three colourways, allowing the applied Breguet-style numerals to stand in stark contrast against the inky blue backdrop.
Powered by a Miyota Cal. 82S5 automatic movement, it retains the dependable reliability associated with Japanese watchmaking while delivering an easy-wearing experience and refined aesthetics. Though they’re sold out at the moment, pre-order windows are set to reopen in late July – food for thought, perhaps?
Reference: KT302
Price: US$630 (~AU$910)
For more information: KiwameTokyo.com
Dive
Classic Choice: Citizen Promaster Marine Eco-Drive Super Titanium
While I praised Seiko for its devotion to the world of entry-level watchmaking, it certainly doesn’t have a monopoly on the space. In fact, one of its biggest competitors, Citizen, also happens to be its closest neighbour. With its headquarters located just an hour away from Seiko’s, Citizen has earned similar acclaim for its practical approach to analogue watchmaking.
The brand’s most significant contribution to horology is arguably its solar-powered Eco-Drive movement, which features prominently throughout the catalogue, including in this Promaster Marine reference. Sized at 43.5mm in diameter, the Promaster Marine is crafted from Citizen’s proprietary Super Titanium. With an ISO-compliant 200m water resistance, generous lume, and an ultra-light yet exceptionally durable case, the Promaster Marine is a no-brainer for anyone looking for a lifelong timepiece that’s ready for anything.
Reference: BN0200-81E
Price: AU$999
For more information: CitizenWatches.com.au
Indie Pick: Nodus Sector Deep
Should you wish to go a little more left-field with your dive watch this tax time, perhaps you’d be intrigued by the offerings from Nodus. Established in 2017, the Californian brand has become one of America’s leading microbrands, producing accessible yet robust timepieces from its headquarters in Los Angeles. In that regard, it has been hugely successful, creating highly refined watches with a distinct rugged flair.
Its flagship model, the Sector, now serves multiple roles across the catalogue, including as the foundation for the brand’s dive watches. Yet the Nodus Sector Deep Destro still feels entirely individual thanks to its strong lines and high-contrast aesthetics. The Flare colourway emphasises both, pairing a vibrant yellow dial with a matte black bezel, while the left-sided (Destro) crown adds even more character.
Powered by the reliable Seiko NH35 automatic movement and a formidable 500m water resistance, the Sector Deep line is available in a range of colour options. Most, however, are already sold out, so the next time they become available, you’ll have to be quick.
Reference: Nodus Sector Deep Flare Destro
Price: US$630 (~AU$910)
For more information: NodusWatches.com
Sport
Classic Choice: Tissot PRX Quartz
As is the case with Seiko, there’s perhaps no better brand to turn to with your tax return than Tissot. The Swiss brand is similarly renowned for its approach to entry-level horology, and the Tissot PRX is perhaps the greatest example of this across the entire industry.
Available with either an accessible quartz movement or a more premium automatic calibre, the Tissot PRX has become synonymous with the concept of affordable luxury. And how could it not? It single-handedly repopularised the integrated bracelet watch in the early 2020s, opening the floodgates for a whole new generation of watch enthusiasts.
While you don’t get the waffle-pattern dial found on the automatic models, the sunray-brushed blue dial does more than enough to offset the cool steel, completing the watch’s metropolitan aesthetic. Better still, it’s available in multiple sizes, meaning there’s a Tissot PRX for just about everyone, regardless of wrist size.
Reference: T137.410.11.041.00
Price: AU$645
For more information: TissotWatches.com
Indie Pick: Bamford London Mayfair 2.0
For a more fun-oriented take on the quartz sports watch, look no further than the Bamford London Mayfair 2.0 collection. While George Bamford’s eponymous brand began by customising watches from household luxury brands, it soon expanded into creating timepieces of its own.
Spanning six collections, the Bamford London roster begins with the entry-level Mayfair 2.0. Built around a titanium core, the watch’s outer case is made from coloured bioceramic, allowing both it and the strap to be swapped out at any time.
As a result, the Mayfair 2.0 offers the most accessible avenue into Bamford’s bespoke customisations, allowing for dozens of colour combinations between case and strap. With the Ronda Cal. 3540.D powering its complications, the only thing missing from this 40mm watch is your personal touch.