Buying your first watch can feel more complicated than it needs to be. There are thousands of options, endless opinions, and a lot of pressure to “get it right” on the first try. This guide is designed to keep things simple.

Rather than ranking watches or chasing trends, the picks below are grouped by category. Each section highlights three strong first-watch options with a clear price point and a short explanation of why they work well for beginners. These aren’t rules or prescriptions, but practical reference points that cover different styles, budgets, and use cases.

For a first watch, comfort, versatility, and reliability matter far more than specs or brand prestige. The best choice is usually the one that feels easy to wear and easy to live with. At the end of the guide, you’ll also find a section dedicated to first watches for women, focusing on designs and sizes that tend to work especially well.

If you’re completely new to watches, you may also find it useful to read our guide on the 6 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Your First Watch, which covers sizing, budgeting, and expectation setting. Many of the principles behind this list are explored in more detail in The Watch Collector’s Starter Kit, which focuses on helping beginners build a thoughtful first collection.

Everyday / Versatile

These are watches that make sense for daily wear. They’re comfortable, adaptable, and easy to live with. If you’re buying one watch to start with and don’t want to overthink it, this is where you should be looking.

Seiko SRPE ~€285

One of the safest mechanical first watches you can buy. The SRPE models get the fundamentals right: sensible sizing, reliable automatic movement, and a design that doesn’t push too hard in any direction. The range includes several dial colors and finishes, making it easy to find a version that suits your style without changing the underlying watch. It’s versatile, comfortable, and forgiving, which is exactly what a first watch should be.

Tissot Gentleman ~€500-900

A solid everyday option if you want one watch that can cover most situations. The Gentleman leans slightly sporty, wears comfortably on a bracelet, and doesn’t look out of place at work or in more formal settings. The line is available in both quartz and automatic versions, which matters if you want something lower-maintenance, slightly thinner and more affordable. There are several dial colors and strap options, and it’s a straightforward choice for someone who wants a clean, dependable daily watch without planning on rotating multiple pieces.

Hamilton Murph (~€850–950)

A more understated and character-driven everyday option. The Murph sits between categories, with a design that feels rugged without being purely utilitarian and dressy without being formal. The clean layout and restrained case design make it easy to wear across a wide range of settings, from casual to more considered outfits.It’s also a well-established model from a brand with genuine history, which adds a sense of longevity beyond trends. This works particularly well if you want a first watch that feels grounded, versatile, and a little more personal than the standard everyday pick.

Dress Watches

Dress watches focus on simplicity, slim proportions, and a more formal look. For a first watch, this category makes sense if you want something understated that works well for work, events, or occasions where a sportier watch might feel out of place.

Orient Bambino ~€200

One of the most approachable mechanical dress watches available. The Bambino is affordable, reliable, and easy to understand, which is exactly why it’s so often recommended as a first watch. Across the different versions, you’ll find variations in case size, dial layout, and color, making it easy to pick one that fits both your wrist and your taste. If you want to try an automatic dress watch without spending much, this is hard to beat.

Bulova Surveyor ~€300

A slightly more decorative take on a dress watch. The Surveyor leans into classic styling, with details that feel more traditional than sporty. It’s available in multiple dial and case combinations, so you can choose a cleaner look or something a bit more ornate without changing the core character of the watch. This works well if you’re drawn to dress watches that feel more expressive and less minimalist, and still suitable for daily wear.

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ~€350–600

A modern classic in the affordable dress watch space. The Cocktail Time stands out for its textured dials, which add character without becoming flashy. The case wears comfortably, the automatic movement is proven, and the collection offers several dial colors, letting you choose something subtle or more expressive while keeping the same overall design.

Beyond the standard date models, the Presage line also includes variations with additional visual or functional elements, such as open dials, power reserve indicators, or GMT layouts, while staying true to the same overall aesthetic. It’s a strong option if you want a dress watch that feels considered and a little more interesting on the wrist without becoming complicated.

Diver Watches

Dive watches are popular first watches for a reason. They’re durable, easy to wear, and work just as well in everyday life as they do on holiday. You don’t need to dive to enjoy one, and many people end up wearing their diver more than any other watch they own.

Citizen Promaster Diver ~€300

A practical alternative that prioritizes ease of use. The Promaster Diver is solar-powered, meaning no battery changes and no winding, and it’s built to meet proper dive watch standards. Different sizes and colorways exist, but the experience is always straightforward and no-nonsense. This makes a lot of sense if you want a durable first watch that you can put on and forget about.

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Seiko Prospex Turtle ~€500

Seiko’s dive watch catalog is packed with strong options, ranging from Seiko 5 models to more serious Prospex references, which makes picking a single “best” choice almost impossible. That said, the Turtle stands out as one of the most approachable starting points. Its cushion case wears more comfortably than its dimensions suggest, and the design is unmistakably Seiko.

There are multiple dial and color variations, but the appeal stays the same across the range. It’s a dependable, mechanical dive watch that feels easy to own and easy to wear, which is exactly what you want from a first diver.

Baltic Aquascaphe MK II ~€650

A more design-led option for those who want something slightly different. The Aquascaphe MK II refines Baltic’s original diver with improved proportions and a slimmer overall feel, making it easier to wear day to day than many traditional dive watches. As with earlier versions, there are several dial options, but the watch always sticks to a restrained, vintage-inspired look. It’s a good choice if you like the idea of a diver but don’t want something that feels overly bulky or purely tool-focused on the wrist.

Field / Tool Watches

Field watches are simple, legible, and built for everyday use. They tend to wear comfortably, avoid unnecessary design details, and work well in casual settings. For a first watch, this category makes a lot of sense if you value comfort and practicality over formality.

Timex Expedition ~€200

A straightforward and genuinely beginner-friendly option. The Expedition line focuses on comfort, legibility, and everyday practicality, with key models using solar-powered movements that charge from light and require very little attention. Automatic versions are also available, but the overall appeal of the line is its simplicity and ease of use. The watches are lightweight, easy to wear, and offered in multiple sizes, which makes them a sensible choice if you want something affordable, durable, and low-effort as a first watch.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical ~€600

Often treated as the reference point for modern field watches. The Khaki Field Mechanical is compact, lightweight, and extremely easy to wear. The hand-wound movement keeps things simple, and the clear dial prioritizes legibility above everything else. Different dial colors and strap options are available, but the core experience stays the same. This is a great first watch if you like straightforward design and don’t want anything bulky on the wrist.

Seiko Prospex Alpinist (~€650–750)

A more characterful take on the field watch idea. The Alpinist sits between a field watch and a sport watch, offering a tougher build and more visual presence while still remaining versatile enough for daily wear. Seiko’s catalog includes several Alpinist variations, but they all share the same outdoors-focused identity. It’s a good option if you want a practical watch that still feels distinctive and slightly different from the norm.

Integrated Bracelet Watches

Integrated-bracelet watches have become one of the most popular entry points in recent years. They feel modern, sit flat on the wrist, and are easy to wear day to day. For a first watch, this category makes sense if you want something contemporary that doesn’t feel formal or overly sporty.

Citizen Tsuyosa ~€300

A clean and approachable take on the integrated-bracelet style. The Tsuyosa is automatic, comfortable on the wrist, and straightforward in its design, making it easy to wear every day. Citizen offers several dial colors, allowing for some personal choice while keeping the overall look consistent. It’s a sensible option if you want a modern everyday watch without unnecessary complexity.

Bulova Super Seville ~€450

A more compact, retro-leaning interpretation of the integrated look. The Super Seville stands out for its angular case and slim profile, which help it wear comfortably while still feeling distinct. The quartz movement keeps maintenance simple, and the available dial variations all follow the same restrained design language. This works well if you like integrated watches but want something that feels a little different from current sport-luxury trends.

Tissot PRX ~€350–700

The watch that pushed integrated-bracelet designs back into the mainstream in recent years. The PRX’s clean case shape, slim profile, and wearable proportions made this style accessible again, especially for first-time buyers. It sits flat on the wrist, works well as an everyday watch, and doesn’t feel tied to a single trend or occasion. The line includes both quartz and automatic versions, along with a wide range of dial colors, while keeping the same core design intact. It’s a strong choice if you want a modern, well-finished watch that fits naturally into daily wear.

Digital Watches

Digital and quartz watches are often overlooked in first-watch guides, but they make a lot of sense. They’re accurate, durable, inexpensive, and easy to live with. For many people, this category is where wearing a watch becomes a habit rather than a commitment.

Casio F-91W ~€20

The most sold non-smartwatch in the world. The F-91W is lightweight, accurate, and does exactly what a watch needs to do, nothing more. Its simple display, reliability, and durability are the reason it has remained unchanged and in production for decades. It’s a perfect first watch if you want something functional, inexpensive, and genuinely timeless.

Casio AE-1200 ~€40

A more feature-driven option that still stays easy to use. The AE-1200 adds world time and extra functionality without becoming complicated or bulky. Despite the added features, it remains lightweight and comfortable on the wrist. It’s a good choice if you like the idea of a digital watch with a bit more going on.

Casio G-Shock DW-5600 ~€100

A tougher, more robust take on the digital watch. The DW-5600 keeps the same basic display logic as simpler Casios but adds serious durability and water resistance. It wears flat, feels solid, and handles daily abuse without complaint. This makes sense if you want a digital watch you don’t need to be careful with.

Bonus Picks: A Bit Different, Still Beginner-Friendly

Not everyone wants the safest or most traditional option for their first watch. This section highlights a few picks that stand out a bit more, whether through design or functionality, while still being easy to own and sensible as a starting point. These aren’t must-haves, but they make sense if one of them genuinely speaks to you.

Brew Metric ~€400

A design-first watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The Brew Metric stands out for its compact, squared case and bold dial layouts, which feel very different from traditional round watches. Despite the playful design, it remains easy to live with thanks to a mecha-quartz chronograph movement that delivers a satisfying push-button feel without the complexity of a fully mechanical chronograph. It’s a strong option if you want your first watch to feel fun and distinctive, rather than safe or traditional, without sacrificing everyday wearability.

Seiko 5 GMT ~€500

A straightforward introduction to GMT watches. The Seiko 5 GMT adds a second time zone without becoming complicated or intimidating, and it keeps the familiar Seiko 5 wearability. Different dial colors exist, but the concept stays the same across the line. This makes sense if you travel, work across time zones, or simply like the idea of a more functional dial.

Seiko Speedtimer ~€700

A sensible way into chronographs without adding stress. The Speedtimer is solar-powered, so there’s no winding, no battery anxiety, and no learning curve. It’s legible, well sized, and feels like a watch you can actually wear every day rather than something reserved for special occasions. If you like the idea of timing functionality but still want a practical first watch, this is a safe entry point.

Best First Watches for Women

Many of the watches listed earlier in this guide can also work well for women, especially models that come in smaller sizes or slimmer profiles. The picks below focus specifically on watches whose design, proportions, and sizing tend to suit women particularly well, whether as an everyday watch or a first step into mechanical watches.

Bulova Sutton ~€250–400

A classic, versatile option that works well as a first dress-oriented watch. The Sutton line covers a wide range of designs, sizes, and configurations. The overall styling stays clean and traditional, making it easy to wear in everyday settings without feeling dated or overly formal. This is a sensible choice if you want something straightforward and design-led that doesn’t demand much thought or maintenance, while still feeling like a proper, well-made watch.

Tissot PRX (25mm / 35 mm) ~€400

One of the most popular first watches in recent years. The PRX wears slim and comfortable, and the integrated bracelet helps it sit securely on smaller wrists. The quartz version is especially easy to live with and keeps the profile thin, making it suitable for everyday wear without feeling bulky. This is a strong option if you want something modern, versatile, and easy to style.

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ~€500

A strong dress-oriented option with a range of designs and sizes. The textured dials are the main appeal here, adding visual interest without feeling excessive or gimmicky. This is a good choice if you want a first mechanical watch that feels more refined and design-led than a basic everyday watch.

Tissot Le Locle Automatic Lady ~€600-900

A classic Swiss automatic dress watch that works especially well in its smaller sizes. The Le Locle Lady keeps things traditional, with a clean dial, restrained case design, and proportions that suit everyday wear without feeling oversized or delicate. It’s available on both stainless steel bracelets and leather straps, depending on how dressy you want it to feel. This is a strong option if you want a first mechanical watch that looks and feels traditional, without being flashy or trend-driven.

Frederique Constant Classics Carrée ~€850–1,000

A traditional rectangular dress watch for those drawn to classic proportions rather than modern sports designs. The Carrée offers a slim, understated case and a clean dial layout that feels calm and deliberate on the wrist. As an automatic Swiss-made watch, it sits at the upper end of the budget but remains relatively approachable in this style category. This is a good option if you want your first watch to lean strongly toward classic design and elegance, and if round cases simply don’t appeal to you.

Of course, this is only a small selection. Brands like Tissot, Seiko, and Bulova offer many more excellent women’s watches across different styles and sizes, making them great places to explore if you’re buying new.

And if you’re open to the pre-owned market, even more possibilities open up. With some patience and research, you can find beautiful ladies’ watches from brands like Omega, IWC, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, sometimes well under €1,000.

Final Thoughts

There’s no such thing as a perfect first watch. What matters most is choosing something that fits your wrist, your lifestyle, and how you actually plan to wear it day to day. The watches in this guide aren’t meant to be definitive answers, but solid reference points that help narrow the field and avoid common mistakes.

Whether you end up with something simple, sporty, dressy, or a bit more unconventional, the goal is the same: a watch you enjoy wearing and feel comfortable coming back to. Tastes change, collections grow, and no first choice needs to be permanent.

If you’re still unsure where to start, or want a deeper breakdown of sizing, movements, budgeting, and how to build a small but meaningful collection over time, many of the ideas in this guide are explored further in The Watch Collector’s Starter Kit. It’s designed as a practical starting point for anyone new to watches.

In the end, the best first watch is simply the one that makes you want to wear a watch in the first place.