Best First Watches for People New to Wearing Watches
If you have never really worn a watch, the shop window can feel like a foreign language. Quartz or automatic? Dive or field? And why does anyone talk about "lug-to-lug"?
Here is the good news: you do not need to learn any of it. A first watch only has to fit your wrist, feel comfortable and suit the way you live. This guide covers what really matters when choosing a first watch for men, what you can safely ignore, and six easy-to-wear picks from brands we stock, from under £50 to under £400.
What makes a great first watch?
The best first watch is not the priciest or the cleverest. It is the one you will actually put on each morning. Look for four things:
• Comfort. Light enough to forget about, balanced enough not to flop around.
• Easy to read. A clear dial you can understand at a glance.
• Everyday toughness. Handles rain, hand-washing and the odd knock.
• Versatility. Looks right with jeans on Saturday and a shirt on Monday.
If a watch ticks those boxes, you have a good one.
How to choose the right size
Too big is the most common first-watch mistake. A large case catches on cuffs and quickly starts to feel like a burden, and a watch that feels like a burden ends up in a drawer.
• Case diameter. Many men's watches sit between roughly 36mm and 42mm. Start in the middle of that range and trust how it looks on your wrist.
• Lug-to-lug. This is the end-to-end length of the watch, from the tip of one lug to the other. It often matters more than diameter. The lugs should sit within the width of your wrist, not overhang it.
• Thickness. A slimmer case slides under a shirt cuff and is easier to wear all day.
• The wrist test. If you can, try one on and move your wrist about. Imagine wearing it through a whole working day, not five minutes in a shop.
Watches that are comfortable at first wear are the ones people keep wearing. If you are shopping online, check the case size in the product details and compare it with a watch you already own.
Quartz, automatic or solar?
This is the choice that worries first-time buyers most, and it is simpler than it sounds.
If convenience matters most, choose quartz or solar. If you love the idea of a small mechanical machine working on your wrist, choose automatic.
Which style suits you?
There are hundreds of watches, but most first-time buyers end up choosing between a handful of looks.
• Classic everyday. A clean dial on a steel bracelet or leather strap that works with a shirt or a jumper. Browse our classic watches.
• Field. Simple, legible and understated. A good pick if you want a practical watch that does not shout.
• Retro digital. Light, fun and wonderfully low-effort.
• Dive. Tough, easy to read and water resistant. You do not need to dive to enjoy one.
Six easy first watches to start with
Each of these is from a brand we stock as an authorised retailer, so it comes with the full manufacturer's warranty. They are listed from lowest to highest price.
1. Sekonda Classic Dark Blue and Brown Leather Watch 1662
£43.95 (was £49.99). The easiest way in. A blue sunray dial, steel hour markers and a date window sit on a brown croco-grain leather strap, with 50m water resistance for everyday splashes. It is smart enough for the office and relaxed enough for the weekend. View the Sekonda 1662.
2. Casio Vintage Retro Digital Gold Bracelet Watch A168WG-9EF
£52.95 (was £60). A retro digital with a gold-plated steel bracelet and fold-over clasp. It has a chronograph, date, alarm and backlight, so it does more than tell the time without ever feeling complicated. A good choice if you want something light and fun that you can forget you are wearing. View the Casio A168WG-9EF.
3. Citizen Eco-Drive Blue Dial Watch AW0081-54L
£199. Eco-Drive watches are powered by light rather than a conventional battery, which suits anyone who is likely to forget their watch in a drawer. A blue dial keeps it easy to dress up or down. View the Citizen AW0081-54L.
4. Seiko 5 Sports Blue Automatic Watch SRPD53K1
£258.95 (was £290). One of the friendliest ways into mechanical watches. This blue-dial automatic is wound by the movement of your wrist and comes on a bracelet, so it works as an everyday watch from the start. Explore more in our Seiko collection, or view the SRPD53K1.
5. Tissot PRX Green Watch T137.410.11.091.00
£335. The PRX has a loyal following for a reason: a 40mm stainless steel case, a bracelet and a green dial that looks smart without trying too hard. This is the pick if you want one watch that goes everywhere. Orders over £280 qualify for 0% APR finance, subject to status. View the Tissot PRX or browse the full Tissot range.
6. Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz Navy Blue Watch H69401940
£375. A field watch with a navy dial on a black leather strap and a quartz movement, so it needs no winding. It is clean, practical and understated, with plenty of heritage behind the design. View the Hamilton Khaki Field, or see the Hamilton collection.
How much should you spend?
You do not need to spend a fortune to get a watch you will love. Our six picks run from under £50 to under £400, and a first watch is a good place to start modestly and learn what you like.
Under £100. Reliable quartz and digital watches that are easy to live with. Browse watches under £100 or watches under £50.
• £100 to £500. The sweet spot for many first-time buyers, with solar, quartz and entry-level automatic options from brands such as Citizen, Seiko, Tissot and Hamilton.
• Beyond £500. You are paying for finer finishing, heritage and more sophisticated movements. Lovely to have, but not needed to enjoy your first watch. Our pre-owned collection is a good route to higher-end watches for less.
If you would like to spread the cost, 0% APR finance is available on orders over £280, subject to status, and free delivery applies on orders over £50.
Buying a watch for someone who doesn't wear one?
Think about how they live rather than which brand sounds impressive.
• Do they dress smartly for work or keep things casual?
• Are they on their feet outdoors, or at a desk?
• Would they enjoy winding and wearing an automatic, or would they rather have something that simply works?
A light, simple watch that fits their routine is more likely to be worn than an impressive one that does not. Our gift sets and watch straps make easy add-ons.
First watch FAQs
What is the best first watch for a man?
A comfortable, easy-to-read everyday watch with a simple dial and sensible proportions. Choose a style that suits your wardrobe and a movement that suits your habits: quartz or solar for convenience, automatic if you enjoy the mechanics.
What size watch should I buy?
Many men's watches sit between roughly 36mm and 42mm, but wrist size and the lug-to-lug length matter just as much as the case diameter. If the lugs overhang your wrist, the watch is too big.
Is quartz or automatic better for a first watch?
Neither is better. Quartz is accurate and low-maintenance, so it suits occasional wearers. Automatic watches are wound by your movement and suit people who will wear one most days.
How much should I spend on a first watch?
There is a good watch at almost every budget. Many first-time buyers find the £100 to £500 range gives the best mix of quality and value, but a well-chosen watch under £100 can be just as good to wear.
Can I wear the same watch every day?
Yes. A good everyday watch is designed to move easily from work to weekends and nights out. If you want variety later, a new strap can change its look.
Find your first watch
Your first watch does not need dozens of functions or a big price tag. It needs to feel comfortable, be easy to read and make you glad to put it on tomorrow. Everything else can come later.
Browse our full range of men's watches to find the one that suits you, with free delivery on orders over £50. Every watch comes from an authorised stockist with the full manufacturer's warranty.
