Watches can cost anything from a few quid up to tens (or more) of thousands of pounds. Our roundup has something for everyone, taking into consideration the latest styles and trends.
Ranging from smart watches to running watches, everyday unisex watches to glamorous diamond-encrusted evening watches, we have it sussed. And whether you want it to come from a company with a long history of watchmaking or an upcoming new brand that’s all the rage on Instagram, be sure to check our buyer’s guide. We’ve got all the info to help you factor in the right features before you make your purchase.
How to buy the best watch for you
What features should I look for?
With so many brands, styles, materials and colours to choose from, it makes sense to use the following factors to narrow your selection down:
Size – the size of your watch is essential. On average, men's watches have a case width or diameter of 35mm, which is just under 1.4 inches. Women's watches typically have a case width or diameter of less than 34mm but watches are trending towards larger case sizes for both men and women.
Movement – This is the mechanism or technology used to keep time and, on an analogue watch, move the hands around. An automatic movement winds itself while worn and does not need a battery. But it will stop ticking if you don’t wear it for a period of time and watches with this mechanism cost more. A quartz movement uses a battery to power it and is generally considered to be the most accurate type, as well as being lower maintenance and cheaper. Swiss and Japanese quartz made movements are considered the best.
Style – this ranges from understated, minimal-looking wristwear (currently all the rage) to something bling or bold, solid or statement. Look for a watch that will still look good in a year or even five to 10 years (depending on how long you want it to last) yet will still make an impact now.
Brand – Some companies like Rotary and Patek Phillippe have been making watches for centuries, whereas Nordgreen is brand spanking new, but already making quite an impact. Just because you haven’t heard of the brand doesn’t mean they’re not worth spending on, but you may need to do more research first. If you’re choosing a watch made by a fashion brand, remember that they are not necessarily any better made than cheaper watches just because of their higher price point. That’s not to say they’re rubbish – but you may be paying more for the name than for a superior movement or materials.
Country of origin – some countries are at the forefront of both watch fashion and the engineering behind them. The most notable examples are Switzerland and Japan.
How much should I spend?
If you wear a watch every day or want something special for top occasions, it’s worth splashing out on something you really love. But it doesn’t mean you have to get into thousands of pounds. There is so much choice for any budget nowadays and you can get a very decent watch that’s made to last for under £200.
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The best watches from £30
1. Mondaine Classic: The best affordable Swiss-made watch
Price:£156 | Buy it now from Amazon
Getting a Swiss-made watch for under £200 is no mean feat, but this affordable option shows it can be done – and with style and elegance too. The timeless classic, easy to read (including the date) and beautifully engineered, is based on the iconic design of the Swiss Railway Station clock. The gently rounded stainless steel case is waterproof and the glass has a magnifying effect. It’s extremely accurate, down to the decimals of a second, and the strap is top-notch, although the thinness means it suits those with a slim or average sized wrist.
Key specs – Case size: 40mm diameter; Movement: Quartz; Strap: Soft black leather; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 3ATM; Weight: 45.4g
2. Smiggle Watch This Space: The best children’s watch
Price:£14 | Buy it now from Smiggle
A robust digital watch that tells the time when you press the watch face, this is available in five vibrant colours – black, pink, green, blue and purple. It feels really comfortable against the skin – important with littluns as watch straps can easily irritate – and the silicone is malleable but tough.
It lacks the whizzy features of some more advanced kids’ watches, but for something to simply tell the time in a hurry, this is a great buy. And it comes from one of the top high street brands for kids of the moment – Smiggle, an Australian-based retail store chain that sells all things stationery, and more. The watch fastens with an easy pin and buckle clasp.
Key specs – Case size: 35mm diameter; Movement: Quartz; Strap: Silicone; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 3ATM; Weight: 59g
3. Garmin Vivoactive HR Smartwatch with Heart Rate Monitor: The best fitness-tracking watch
Price:£150 | Buy it now from Halfords
Designed for everyday athletes on the go, the Vivoactive HR has all the level of detail and useful data you’d want from a sports watch. Running, cycling, skiing, swimming, rowing – you name it, this comfortable watch will help you monitor your progress, with a built-in activity tracker and calorie-burning monitor too, plus a handy wrist-based heart monitor.
We like how unobtrusive it is – you can easily wear it at work, and it has a useful smartphone connection to transfer health and activity data and notifications. The GPS tracking has great accuracy, while the battery life is excellent. But it’s better for those with bigger wrists, the screen could be a bit brighter and it’s so feature-packed that it might take a while to get your head around its full capabilities.
Key specs – Case size: 28.6 x 20.7mm; Movement: Digital; Strap: Silicone; Waterproofing: Water-resistant; Weight: 47.6g
4. Lilienthal Berlin L1: The best unisex watch
Price:£179 | Buy it now from Lilienthal
This Berlin-based watch manufacturer produces some attractive unisex watches that offer premium quality for a good price. This award-winning contemporary design is great for work or a more casual look and you get to pretty much tailor make your own watch, with choices of large or small face size and different colours for the case, dial and strap.
Straps come in different types too. Sleek and elegant, minimalistic and classy, you get the two halves of Berlin in the L1 typography, based of the street signs from east and west parts of the city – a nice touch. It feels nice and light on your wrist and the craftsmanship is made to last.
Key specs – Case size: 37.5mm or 42.5mm diameter; Movement: Quartz; Strap: Plant-tanned leather; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 3ATM; Weight: 50g/63g
5. Rolex Deep-Sea D-Blue Dial: The ultimate Rolex luxury dive watch
Price:£9,300 | Buy it now from Rolex
Diving watches – also known as diver’s or dive watches - were originally designed to provide accurate, illuminated time even for underwater divers, with water resistance greater than 100 metres. These days, most people wear them because they look cool. This chunky one from the ultimate luxury watch brand, Rolex, combines both purposes with incredible deepsea diving abilities (waterproof to 3,900 metres), as well as looking stunning.
It has a good power reserve of around 44 hours, and because it’s a Rolex it holds its value well. The 44mm wide steel watch has a helium escape valve, which lets gas escape during a deep dive and the D-Blue Dial shifts from blue to black, commemorating James Cameron’s solo dive to the deepest place on earth, the Mariana Trench. There’s only one thing holding you back: even by Rolex standards, this one costs a bomb.
Key specs – Case size: 44mm diameter; Movement: Automatic; Strap: Oystersteel; Waterproofing: 3900m; Weight: 21.5g
6. Nordgreen Infinity: The best contemporary women’s watch
Price:£154 | Buy it now from Nordgreen
Nordgreen is a new Danish watch designer watch brand based in Copenhagen, launched this summer after one of the most successful European kickstarter fashion projects ever, raising $250k to get the brand going. Jakob Wagner was appointed chief designer – having previously worked with brands including Bang & Olufsen, Alessi, Cappellini, Hay and Moroso.
We love their pared-back, simple watches in a range of modern looks, including the slimline Infinity, with no numbers on the dial and interchangeable straps. Social responsibility is a biggie for this company – they have an impressive Giving Back programme that empowers the customer to give back to one of three charitable causes.
Key specs – Case size: 36mm and 40mm diameter; Movement: Japanese Quartz; Strap: Leather; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 3ATM; Weight: 49.9g
7. Cluse La Roche: The best statement women’s watch
Price:£140 | Buy it now from Harvey Nichols
Amsterdam-based Cluse have only been making watches for a few years, but they’ve proved a huge hit, constantly recommended by bloggers and on social media. No surprise as to why. Their mantra – ‘simple is not about being plain’ – means they take minimalist designs and turns them into eye-catching statements like this one with its large 38mm marble dial, each of which is slightly different due to the use of natural stone.
The rose gold edging and watch hands keep it on trend and the 2cm wide thin grey leather strap finishes it off perfectly. If the case feels too big for you, there’s a ‘petite’ 33mm marble dial available too (and you’ll save twenty quid).
Key specs – Case size: 35mm diameter; Movement: Quartz; Strap: Leather; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 3ATM; Weight: 36.3g
8. Longines La Grande Classique Diamond Alligator Leather Strap Watch: The best evening watch for women
Price:£960 | Buy it now from John Lewis
Evening watches can look a bit old-hat – which is fine if you’re into a more heritage look. But if you want something that combines elegance with modernity, feast your eyes on this black beauty. The Swiss-made watch features 12 diamond hour markers, a chic rose gold plated case and alligator leather strap.
The glass is sapphire crystal, which offers all the protection you need for keeping your delicate diamonds protected and there’s a pin and buckle clasp to keep it secure on your wrist. Longines was founded back in 1832, so has a long history of top-quality watchmaking. They’re now owned by the Swatch group.
Key specs – Case size: 29mm diameter; Movement: Quartz; Strap: Alligator; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 3ATM; Weight: n/s
9. Links of London Brompton Black Dial Chronograph Watch: The best retro-themed watch for men
Price:£276.50 | Buy it now from House of Fraser
With its nod to the 1970s, this is a fabulous retro-themed watch that’s available in a whopping 20 different versions. The eye-catching watch face makes a bold statement and it has a stainless steel, black-plated dial and a comfortable, smart leather strap with a diameter of 44mm to suit those who don’t like them too chunky.
With a Miyota 6S20 quartz movement, this is seriously well-engineered and designed and feels it too, yet it comes in at well under £500; we’d have expected it to cost a lot more. From the wider Brompton collection, it’s classed as unisex but we think it looks better on men.
Key specs – Case size: 44mm diameter; Movement: Japanese Quartz; Strap: Leather; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 5ATM; Weight: n/s
10. Fossil Men’s Grant Chronograph Leather Strap Watch: The best sub-£100 men’s watch that looks a lot more expensive
Price:£92 | Buy it now from John Lewis
This watchmaker – which is part of a bigger American fashion designer company, founded in 1984 - seemingly makes zillions of watches for both men and women, but this classic Grant watch with antique styling is our clear current favourite; we love its quality leather strap, large 44mm dial with clear Roman numerals and split-second accurate chronograph movement.
It’s stylish and durable, with a timeless design that means it won’t go out of fashion within five minutes, yet there are some nice touches such as the bright red second hand and chunky watch hands. And if anything does go wrong, this is a dependable brand with excellent customer service.
Key specs – Case size: 44mm diameter; Movement: Quartz; Strap: Leather; Waterproofing: Water-resistant to 5ATM; Weight: n/s
11. Olivia Burton Enchanted Garden Tan & Gold Watch: The best feminine watch
Price:£135 | Buy it now from Amazon
Olivia Burton is known for her decorative and striking floral watches that make a welcome change from all the more minimalist designs currently in vogue. This one has butterflies thrown into the nature-inspired mix for good measure, with impressive attention to detail in the illustrated pink, white and blue flowers.
The three-hand Japanese quartz movement means you can depend on it for years to come and the gold plated case and leather strap on the 38mm face all work well together. Burton has been making her watches since 2012 and has built up a huge fan base among those who prefer their watches on the more feminine side.
Key specs – Case size: 38mm diameter; Movement: Japanese Quartz; Strap: Leather; Waterproofing: n/s; Weight: n/s
12. Superdry Urban Street Watch: The best casual style watch under £50
Price:£29.99 | Buy it now from Superdry
If you don’t want to spend more than fifty quid on a watch, but you still want it to look good and on trend, Superdry does a wide range of casual looking ones in great colours and styles. We like this simple one that has three hand quartz movement, silicon strip and a stainless steel buckle.
You’ll need to be keen on the brand as this watch shouts it from the rooftops – and it shows up a lot too, given the vibrant, look-at-me red colouring. If you’re comfortable with that, then so are we, and it’s comfy and surprisingly resilient.
Key specs – Case size: 40mm diameter; Movement: Quartz; Strap: Silicone; Waterproofing: Water-resistant; Weight: 31.8g