Every man should own at least one watch. It not only tells time, but it could also be a symbol for an important milestone, an expression of one's style, and an extension of a man's personality. It's that one accessory that comes with so much meaning for every gentleman.
Watch prices range from low-end to high-end, so establishing your budget range is an important step. And because there are also different types, movements, and materials, choosing the right watch for you can be quite difficult. That's why we've prepared this buying guide and a list of the 7 best watches for men available out there.
Quick List - Top Watches for Men
Samantha Tidalgo is a former magazine editor with 15+ years of experience working as a creative consultant and stylist for major publications and other advertising mediums, such as TV commercials and events.
Ace John is a freelance writer and editor who joined the myBest PH team in September 2022. He is interested in anything technology-related that shapes the lifestyle of consumers. An avid reader, he can be found in nooks and corners with a book that usually discusses performance efficiency, systems productivity, or the future of work. He also has a degree in Education and is pursuing a Master's in English.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
When you're looking for a watch, you'll have to pick between an analog, digital, and smartwatch. To be able to pick the right type, make sure to choose one you find easy to read. Consider also the features that you will need from your watch.
If you're going for a classic and sleek look for everyday use in the office, this type is for you. Analog watches make use of a miniaturized clock face, so they usually come with the standard hour, minute, and second hands, with either Arabic or Roman numerals. Sometimes, they even have windows to show the date.
Analog wristwatches have been around for almost 200 years. They have spawned different styles to suit different functions, such as dress watches, pilot's watches, field watches, diver watches, and many more. Many of the iconic watches in history are analog, such as the Rolex Datejust and the Omega Speedmaster.
An analog watch is very straightforwardーit tells time and that's it. It typically has no special features like a digital watch or smartwatch.
Those who love to go simple and casual would love the digital watch. This type has an electronic display to show the time, usually in the form of hours:minutes:seconds. Many digital watches have additional high-tech functions beyond just telling the time. They usually have a timer, calendar, and even alarm features.
Digital watches are usually more affordable than their analog counterparts. They're also more accurate, thanks to their quartz movements. And lastly, you might find that it's easier to tell the time with digital watches, as they clearly lay out the exact time for you.
If you want a watch that's more precise and easy to read, a digital watch is for you. Before shopping for a digital watch you should also look for the same characteristics like durability, material, size, and backlight. They are cheaper than a smartwatch, and their batteries won't die in a day.
Aiming for an active and healthy lifestyle? Smartwatches are the best buds in your chosen journey. Smartwatches also have an electronic display like digital watches; however, they're actually closer to full-sized smartphones in terms of their functions.
Smartwatches have different sensors to monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen. Plus, you can read messages, answer calls, and view maps with them. They usually work best as accessories to a smartphone.
Go for compatibility, so opt for the ones that are compatible with your smartphone. Most people rely on their smartwatches to monitor their health progress and live notifications, so go for one with long battery life.
The movement is the mechanism that allows the watch to keep time. While there are plenty of other types of movements, you'll most likely be choosing between a quartz and a mechanical movement.
Quartz movements make use of either a replaceable or solar-powered battery, which sends an electrical current to ultimately drive the hands to move. They give watches the characteristic one tick per second of the seconds hand as it moves around the dial.
Thanks to its use of electric currents, quartz watches are always more accurate than automatic watches, typically being accurate to at least ±1 second per day. Quartz movements also require much less maintenance and servicing. Just make sure to replace the battery every now and then.
Quartz movements are the most commonly used because they require a battery and are less expensive than automatic ones. They are also low maintenance.
Mechanical movements rely on a wound spring to transfer energy to a series of gears and levers and drive the hands to move. Automatic mechanical movements rely on the movement of your wrist for energy, while manual movements have to be hand-wound to work. Both of these movements don't need batteries to run.
While most quartz movements tend to tick once per second, all mechanical movements move in small increments per second, which causes the seconds hand to appear to glide more smoothly along with the indices of the watch. If you do choose to go with a mechanical watch, just keep in mind that its movement won't be as accurate as that of a quartz watch.
Mechanical movements are most common with luxury watches due to their craftsmanship and high level of quality. Maintaining a mechanical watch is a life-long commitment that needs servicing every 3 years.
Metal watches are typically made of stainless steel, a material that is resistant to rust and unaffected by moisture or sweat. To a lesser extent, titanium, a light and tough metal, is also employed. Once you go for higher-end watches, you might see some watches with rarer metals, such as platinum, bronze, and even gold!
You aren't just limited to metal watches, though. There are also plenty of resin watches that give a sportier look and aren't as easily scratched as metal ones. Many resin watches are even designed for toughness and durability, such as Casio's G-Shock models.
The material is the foundation of the watch's durability and overall design Stainless steel is lighter than gold, very durable, and corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel is the most popular material in watches.
Consider what type of crystal you're getting with your watch. Mineral glass is the most used glass, as it's stronger than acrylic and regular glass. Plus, it can easily be polished and restored to its former glory it it gets scratched.
If you want the best of the best, go for watches with sapphire glass. Its extreme scratch-resistance makes it the glass of choice for higher-end watches. However, it is quite expensive and difficult to polish once it does get scratched.
Sapphire crystal is extremely scratch-resistant but not suitable for extreme pressure. Mineral crystal is the most common on watches, it's not completely scratch-resistant but less likely to brake over sapphire.
Watches come in different case sizes. To be able to pick the right one, make sure to check your wrist's circumference. Ideally, you'd want the watch to sit comfortably on your wrist without the lugs hanging off. It's always a good idea to go for a watch that's sized just right for you. However, also keep in mind that some watches are meant to be sized a certain way (e.g. pilot's watch).
Similarly, consider the lug width, which dictates the width of straps that'll fit your watch. Generally, there are a lot more aftermarket straps that are available for lug widths with an even number value (20 mm, 22 mm, etc.). So, if you go for a watch with an odd lug width, expect that you're going to have a much more limited choice in terms of aftermarket straps.
After you determine your wrist size, you can find your perfect watch. For skinny wrists, try to avoid chunky watches. Instead, opt for slender designs. For thick wrists, choose a 44-46mm-watch or a slightly larger one to proportion it to your wrist so it doesn't appear too small or large.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium | ![]() | A Powerful Daily Watch Companion for Elegant Men | |
2 | Tag Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 | ![]() | A Luxurious Dive Watch for Executives and Professionals | |
3 | Casio G-Shock |GX56BB-1 | ![]() | The Tough Shock-Resistant Watch for Adventurers | |
4 | Seiko 5 Sports|SNKL23K1 | ![]() | A Great Entry-Level Automatic Watch | |
5 | Maserati SFIDA Blue Dial Men's Watch|R8853140001 | ![]() | A Stylish Piece for Business and Fashion Events | |
6 | Timex AB Series Gold Classic|TW00A304E | ![]() | A Classic Gold Accessory for Old-Soul Gentlemen | |
7 | Casio Vintage Watch|F-91WM-9ADF | ![]() | An Affordable Digital Watch Popular for Its Retro Charm |
The Powermatic 80 Silicium has all the qualities to become a great everyday watch. You get a simple design that's elegant but not too formal. Its case is interesting and well-executed, with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces. And at 40 mm, it's a size that will be a perfect fit for most wrists out there!
Its efficient movement gives it an 80-hour power reserve, so you won't have to manually wind your watch, provided that you wear it at least every 3 days. It has a gorgeous blue sunray-finished dial that's neither too matte nor too glossy. The bracelet is solid, too, and you most likely won't find the need to replace it in the future.
The Tag Heuer Aquaraces is a worthy consideration for your watch hunt. It has everything you need: a 40-mm steel case, a technical dial, and a design built to withstand extreme conditions. It has a 200-meter water resistance and sports an overall aesthetic that is common among dive watches.
You are sure to stand out with this luxury watch due to its silver sunray brushed dial. It's a lifetime timepiece that delivers versatility, ergonomic casing, and polished finishing. It also has a tapered steel bracelet, which has double safety push buttons and a comfort extension link. This dive watch is also time-precise, as it has an accurate Swiss quartz movement.
It can't be denied that the G-Shock is one of the toughest watches in the world. If you're an outdoorsy person, this is the best wristwatch for men. Due to its massive size, this model was nicknamed the "King of the G." It is equipped with a solar panel and a large rechargeable battery. You obviously get G-Shock's legendary durability with this one.
This watch comes with 200 meters of water resistance and a shock-resistant resin case. It's also equipped with backlighting, so you can easily read the time in the dark with the press of a button. In addition to the usual G-Shock functions like stopwatch, alarm, and the like, you get a world time function, giving you access to 31 different time zones!
Are you looking for a high-quality automatic timepiece that is both elegant and relatively affordable? This Seiko watch for men is just what you need. It features reliable automatic movement and a remarkably well-finished stainless steel case with a mixture of brushed and polished surfaces.
This is a visually striking dress watch for men, as it stuns with a simple yet expensive look. It also has a see-through case back, which shows the inner workings of the watch's movement. This makes it not only a solid automatic watch but one that allows you to appreciate fine watchmaking!
Give your business and fashion attire that cool gentleman accent with Maserati's SFIDA blue dial watch. This is a perfectly suitable watch for every occasion with its simple but regal vibe. It has a metal strap and a satin finish for its case. If you do not want this blue version, there are also colors like black and guillochè.
This analog watch is water-resistant up to 10 ATM and is also scratch-proof hardened. The mineral glass protects the watch from unnecessary damage. For active and sporty individuals, this is also a good watch to consider, especially with its quartz movement. Plus, when you purchase this, you also enjoy a 2-year warranty.
For those who love to sport a gold timepiece, this classic and elegant analog watch is a staple. This Timex watch features a gold-tone case and a gold stainless steel bracelet. It has a champagne-colored dial coupled and powered with a reliable quartz movement. Its crystal is mineral glass, making it durable enough for long use. It's also water-resistant up to 30 meters.
Users love its size and regal look. With its simple and functional design, it's perfect for formal events but can also serve as a contrasting accent for casual attire. There is also a ladies' version of this watch, so it makes a perfect pair for a couple!
Casio is known for manufacturing budget watches that are surprisingly reliable. Take the F91W-9A, for instance, which is the ultimate casual watch for men. For a very affordable price, you get a water-resistant digital watch with a 7-year battery life and plenty of nifty features, such as a stopwatch, daily alarm, and auto-calendar.
It is lightweight and has a classic and nostalgic black-and-gold look to it. While the case itself looks metallic, it is actually made of chrome-plated resin. Buyers love its casual vibe and how it feels on the wrist when they wear it. It's definitely a good deal for your money!
The price of a watch varies depending on brand, style, material, and movement. Before investing in a watch, think about what you need the watch for or the type, and also check if it fits most of the items in your wardrobe.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Samantha Tidalgo.
A good watch will make you smile once you look at it on your wrist. Make sure you feel the same way once you look in the mirror with a cool jacket, a fresh pair of kicks, and a classy pair of glasses!
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Author: A. Coseip
Editor and Re-Editor: R. Umlas and Ace John Tabuzo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Tissot|Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium
No. 2: Tag Heuer|Aquaracer Professional 200
No. 3: Casio |G-Shock |GX56BB-1
No. 4: Seiko |5 Sports|SNKL23K1
No. 5: Maserati|SFIDA Blue Dial Men's Watch|R8853140001
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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