Chronometer Watch Brands

There are many watch models being manufactured by many reputable watch makers. I would say not all models are the best with respect to the caliber/movement and the design principles.

Even the most reputable brand like IWC did make some design mistakes that have been critically opined by watch purists.

Coming to your question, you should consider the watch model instead of a brand for keeping it a long time, so you can pass on to the younger generation. When it comes to longevity, you should only go for Automatic Watches. You have very limited choice of automatic watches at the price range you have specified. Another important factor that tag with automatic watch (especially Swiss Made), is the COSC certification that rank the watch to the status of a 'Chronometer'.

Chronometer is the name given to an automatic watch by a organisation called COSC in Switzerland that tests the precision and accuracy of a watch (made/assembled in swiss) under different conditions. See more about COSC in the below wiki link.

Not all watches produced by a famous brand were issued a COSC certificate and hence not all watches stood for longevity.

If you are going for Swiss made watches, you can buy a Chronometer. I didn't mean to say Chronometers are the only watches that will stand for a long time, but it will definitely live much longer than an automatic watch because of high quality materials used in those watches.

I also admire the Japanese movement used in Grand Seiko which has got the highest reputation all over the world. This watch model gives a tough competition to the Swiss counterparts. Seiko is the grand daddy of Quartz crystal watches and if you couldn't afford an automatic movement or a chronometer, buy a Seiko Quartz crystal watch that will live longer than you expect with periodic service.