At the budget end of the market there is some debate as to whether Orient or Seiko offer the best watches, but at your price range, Grand Seiko are almost certainly a half-step up from Royal Orient and definitely a full step up from Omega, Tag or even Rolex. They are sublime instruments. I hope they have some you like. Also, if you see someone wearing a GS, you know they know what watches are about and haven't just went down to the mall with loads of cash.
http://www.grand-seiko.com/collection
Not sure I would ever pay four figures for a Seiko... These GS watches look ok, but these prices are nowhere near warranted for the brand of watch they are.
The appearance of the Spring Drive is comical... why not just buy the Rollie Sub?