I still remember my first purchase. I remember being in my late teens, and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options. There were diving watch, chronographs and those that you wear with your suit. I also remembered the digital designs which all my friends were raving over.
It would have saved me three hours if someone had published a guide to the best beginner watches. Rock Band 2. Luckily for you, I’ve done exactly that (made the guide, not played video games).
Taking that first step can be difficult, and I’m here to help you find a killer timepiece. Whether you’re looking for something fancy or simply one that’s not going to break the bank, you’re only a few scrolls away from becoming an honorary member of the wristwear club.
The Key Takeaways
From Citizen’s classic quartz to the trusty Casio, there are plenty of awesome options for getting into watches. To help you narrow down your choices, I’ve scoured the internet high and low, checked out dozens of sites and countless reviews. Finally, I’ve handpicked a selection of the best starter watches to consider, touching upon the trends you need to know and when you should be wearing them.
Why it’s great: Citizen was the first brand that came to my mind when I began writing this article. They’ve been my go-to for affordable, stylish timepieces for years and this classic design would make the perfect first watch. It’s cheap, easy on the eye, and surprisingly tough. The 40mm size will fit most wrists and the day/date display gives it an elegant edge.
When to wear: Wear this watch anywhere from weddings to graduations.
Even if there are some flaws in the product, they do not make it unusable. Get it slightly wet and it’ll survive. Submerge it into water for long periods and you’ll be on the lookout for a new watch.
Case Size 40mm | Movement: Quartz | Thickness: 9mm | Water Resistant | Material: Stainless steel
Why it’s great: Ideal for fans of minimalist style, this fuss-free design will complement a range of outfits, whether you’re rocking a suit or a sweater. The 7mm ultra-thin case is perfect for under the shirt cuff. Its leather strap also adds an elegant touch.
When to wear: It is a great value and you can wear it anywhere. It’s smart enough for days in the office yet stylish enough for your weekend fits.
There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. If you’re a big fella with bulging biceps and wrists the size of hulk, this delicate design might end up feeling a little underwhelming. But I’m certainly not going to tell you it doesn’t look good. Thank you, I like the shape of my face.
Case Size 38mm | Movement: Quartz | Thickness: 7mm | Water Resistant | Material: Stainless steel
Why it’s great: It’s been a classic for many years. This was my second watch and it still works in my bedside. It has a simple yet cool luminous rectangular dial with a stopwatch and alarm. The 33mm size is suitable for wrists all sizes and it can be submerged briefly in water.
When to wear: It’s a must-have for your casual fits, making it perfect for festivals, day dates, and working out. The fashion police won’t turn up if you wear it with slightly smarter gear, but it’s not really suitable for dressy occasions.
There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. As I’ve just touched on, it’s not the best choice for wearing with suits or smart shirts. You’ll probably need another option if you’re looking for greater versatility.
Case Size 33mm | Movement: Quartz | Thickness: 8mm | Water Resistant | Material: Stainless steel
Why it’s great: Baltic’s Bicompax model 003 proves that in order to buy a luxury timepiece you don’t need to start selling your sneaker collection. It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s far more affordable than many of the other high-end options out there. The watch is inspired by the 1940s and features a simple 36.5mm casing. It’s powered by a hand wound mechanical movement, which offers a 42 hour power reserve.
When to wear: This is a great piece to save for special occasions. You can also wear it at weddings, parties, or work events. This looks equally good with a suit or a shirt and denim.
Not all flaws are dealbreakers You’ll need to stump up a bit of cash, but it’ll be well worth the investment.
Case Size 36.5mm | Movement: | Thickness: 13mm | Water Resistant | Material: Stainless steel
Why it’s great: If you’re buying a watch for the first time but want to look like you’ve been in the game for years, an automatic ticker is a great place to start. Wound as you move throughout the day, this version from Seiko isn’t going to break the bank but looks like you have. It’s housed in a durable stainless steel case and finished with a day/date window, unidirectional rotating bezel, and markers and hands that glow in the dark.
When to wear: Sporty styles are versatile and can be worn in both formal and informal settings. It looks great with tailoring but feels equally at home if you’re wearing sweatpants and an oversized tee.
There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. The 43mm case is a bit large for thin wrists, and to keep the automatic movement ticking you need to wear it frequently.
Case Size 43mm | Movement: | Thickness: 13mm | Water Resistant | Material: Stainless steel
Why it’s great: At some point, every man should buy a G shock watch. Why not make it the first watch you buy? Digital design with stopwatch and auto-calendar is ready to go on your outdoor adventures. It’ll accompany you to depths of 200 meters and will survive all sorts of impact and vibration.
When to wear: Great for the active guy, it’s going to be your best friend for sports and weekend hikes. You’ll also want to take it swimming and for the annual camping trip with the boys.
There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. If you wear anything more sophisticated than jeans, it feels awkward. And it’s probably going to take some getting used to if you have particularly small wrists.
Case Size 46.4mm | Movement: Quartz | Thickness: 14mm | Water Resistant | Material: Resin
Why it’s great: A dress watch should be smart, elegant, and perfectly suited to anything formal, which is why I’m giving Citizen’s wallet-friendly option a full house. It comes with a leather strap embossed with crocs and a case made of stainless steel. The glow-in-the dark hands and the classy date window are both bonus points.
When to wear: Dress watches are typically reserved for formal occasions such as weddings, awards nights, date night, business meetings and other formal occasions. But there’s no reason you can’t show this off at the weekend with an Oxford shirt and khakis.
There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. It doesn’t feel quite as classy as some of the more expensive alternatives, but you can start thinking about those once you’ve been on your watch-wearing journey a little longer.
Case Size 39mm | Movement: Quartz | Thickness: 8.5mm | Water Resistant | Material: Stainless steel
Why it’s great: When it comes to finding the best entry level watches, you can either opt for something cheap that’ll serve you well for a few years, or stretch your budget and invest in one that you’ll wear for the next decade (at least). For the latter option, Baltic’s Aquascaphe The perfect choice. Designed for the water but just as suitable for land, it’s scratch-resistant, shockproof, and capable of diving to depths of up to 200m. This 120-click rotating bezel allows you to keep track of your decompression breaks and control the dive time.
When to wear: When you’re not wearing it with your swimming gear, it’ll look great in the office with a shirt and slacks. On the weekends, wear it for drinks and dinner at your favorite late-night place.
There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. The price could prove a bit of a stumbling block if you’re working on a tight budget. But if you can pull together the funds, it’s going to prove a real steal when you’re still wearing it in years to come.
Case Size 39mm | Movement: | Thickness: 13mm | Water Resistant | Material: Stainless steel
Buy the Best Starter Watches by Considering these Factors
Style
Choose a style that complements your clothing and reflects your personality. Your watch should reflect the unique style you have, whether it’s vintage, sporty or contemporary.
Move with ease
Understanding the differences between mechanical, automatic and quartz watch movements. The mechanical watches are manually wound, the automatics are automatically wound, and the quartz watches are powered by batteries. Each watch has its own price range and features in terms of precision, maintenance and durability.
Budget
Explore the different styles and watch brands that fit within your budget. If you can, stretch your budget a little further and invest in something that’ll last. That way, you’ll actually save money in the long run.
Why You Should Be Trusted
If you’re reading this and looking for your first watch, I’ve been in your shoes. I know how difficult it can be to make your way through the endless options out there, especially when you’ve never had to do it before. On top of personal experience, I’m a writer of all things man, so I’m particularly well suited to this task.
Which is why I’ve done the hard work and only handpicked the very best starter watches on the market. I’ve narrowed down the list of watches to eight by using my own experience and customer reviews.
Final Verdict
Finding the best men’s starter watches can be both a fun and stressful endeavor. No more, my friend. It’s all about fun from here on out.
This list will save you countless hours of scrolling through jewelers and browsing the internet. Pick your favorite and begin your new horological experience. And if you’re still not sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with my pick from Citizen. It is stylish, versatile and affordable.
You can find out more about this by clicking here.
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The best watches for beginners are those which offer the right balance between quality and affordability. The perfect first watch will look different for every guy as you’ll need to take into consideration your budget and personal style.
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Entry-level watches from well-respected manufacturers like Baltic, Void Watches and Oris make excellent choices for those who want to begin their watch collection in style. These brands provide a stepping stone into the world of luxury watches without the super steep price tags associated with higher-end luxury brands—making them ideal for newcomers to the luxury watch market.
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