Are Olivia Burton Watches Good Quality? Honest Review
We sell Olivia Burton watches every week. Customers ask the same question before buying: are they actually good quality, or are they just pretty? It is a fair question. This guide gives you a straight answer, based on what we know as an authorised stockist who handles these watches daily.
The short answer: yes — for a fashion watch in the £79–£199 range, Olivia Burton offers good quality with distinctive design. But “good quality” means something specific here, and understanding what you are buying makes the decision easy.
The Short Answer
Verdict
- Movement: Japanese quartz (Miyota) — reliable, accurate, industry standard
- Case: Stainless steel with Ion Plating (PVD) — solid for daily fashion wear
- Crystal: Mineral glass — scratch-resistant, appropriate for the price
- Design: Exceptional at this price point — no other fashion brand does what OB does
- Water resistance: 3 ATM — splash only, not a sport watch
- Price: £79–£199 — competitive and fair for what you get
Olivia Burton is not competing with Tissot or Citizen. It is competing with Ted Baker, Kate Spade, and Fossil. In that category, it holds its own on build quality and stands apart entirely on design. The 3D bee motifs, floral dials, and vintage-inspired aesthetic are genuinely unique. Nothing else in the £79–£199 bracket looks like this.
If you want a watch that keeps accurate time, looks beautiful, and turns heads — Olivia Burton delivers. If you want a tool watch rated to 100m or a mechanical movement with an exhibition caseback, look elsewhere. That is not a criticism; it is simply knowing what the watch is for.
About the Brand
Olivia Burton was founded in 2012 in London by Pip Burton and Lesa Sherwin (formerly known as Jemma Fennings and Lesa Bennett). Both had backgrounds as fashion buyers. They spotted a gap in the market: where were the affordable watches with real personality? Everything at their price point was minimalist or sporty. Nobody was doing florals, bees, and vintage-British charm.
The acquisition by Movado Group is significant. Movado is the same group behind BOSS watches and Tommy Hilfiger watches. It is a serious watchmaking organisation with the infrastructure to maintain consistent quality across collections. The brand's design DNA — feminine, whimsical, fashion-led — has remained intact under corporate ownership.
At OD's Jewellers, we are an authorised Olivia Burton stockist. That means every piece we sell is genuine, from current collections, with the full Olivia Burton brand backing behind it.
The Movement: Japanese Quartz (Miyota)
Olivia Burton uses Japanese quartz movements, predominantly from Miyota — a subsidiary of Citizen, one of the world's most respected movement manufacturers. This is a deliberate and sensible choice.
Accuracy
Japanese quartz movements typically run to ±15 seconds per month — far more accurate than most mechanical movements at this price point.
Reliability
Quartz requires no winding, no servicing, and minimal maintenance. The battery lasts approximately 12 months before replacement is needed.
Consistency
Miyota movements are produced in high volumes to tight tolerances. You get the same reliable performance whether you buy a £79 or a £199 model.
Why Not Mechanical?
A mechanical movement at this price would compromise elsewhere — on the case, the crystal, or the dial work. Quartz allows the budget to go where it counts: design.
Some watch buyers view quartz as a lesser choice. For Olivia Burton's market and price range, it is the right choice. The brand's value is in its design, not its horological complexity. The movement does exactly what a movement should: keep accurate time without fuss.
Materials & Construction
Understanding the materials tells you what to expect from the watch over time.
Case: Stainless Steel with Ion Plating (PVD)
All Olivia Burton watch cases are stainless steel. The gold-tone and rose gold models use Ion Plating (PVD) — a physical vapour deposition process that bonds the finish at a molecular level. This is significantly more durable than traditional electroplating, which simply coats the surface. IP finishes are 5–8 times more resistant to wear than standard gold dipping.
Silver-tone models are natural stainless steel with no plating — the most durable option of all.
Crystal: Mineral Glass
Mineral glass is hardened and scratch-resistant. It sits between acrylic (soft, scratches easily) and sapphire crystal (extremely hard, used in Swiss luxury watches). For a £79–£199 fashion watch, mineral glass is the appropriate choice. It handles daily wear without clouding or surface scratches under normal conditions.
Straps: Leather, Mesh, and Vegan Options
Olivia Burton offers three main strap types across the range:
- Genuine leather: Soft and comfortable. Ages naturally, developing character with wear. Lifespan approximately 6–12 months with daily use before it softens significantly.
- Metal mesh: Stainless steel, Ion Plated. The most durable strap option — built to last and holds its finish well.
- Vegan alternatives: High-grade polyurethane (PU) leather, canvas, and faux suede options across certain collections. Good for those who prefer non-animal materials.
Many Olivia Burton watches feature quick-release spring bars — the strap clips out without tools. This makes swapping straps easy at home and is a practical quality feature that adds flexibility to the watch long-term.
Dial: Where the Quality Shows
The dial is where Olivia Burton invests. The 3D bee motifs are precision-cast in metal alloy, then plated — they are genuine sculptural objects with physical depth. The floral collections use multi-layered digital printing that builds optical depth through successive ink passes. These are not stickers or decals; they are manufactured dial features that require real process.
| Component | Material | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Case | Stainless steel + PVD | Good — solid construction, durable finish |
| Crystal | Mineral glass | Appropriate — scratch-resistant for the price |
| Dial motifs (Bee) | Cast metal alloy, PVD plated | Excellent — genuine 3D sculpture, not print |
| Dial motifs (Floral) | Multi-layer digital print | Good — complex layering process, real depth |
| Leather strap | Genuine leather | Good — ages naturally, replace after heavy wear |
| Mesh strap | Stainless steel mesh + PVD | Excellent — most durable option in the range |
| Movement | Japanese quartz (Miyota) | Good — reliable, accurate, correct for this market |
What Makes OB Special: The Design
Technical specifications tell only part of the story. The reason Olivia Burton has a loyal following — and has been acquired by a global group for £60 million — is not the quartz movement. It is the design.
No other fashion watch brand in the £79–£199 price range does what Olivia Burton does with its dials. The signatures are genuinely distinctive:
- 3D bee motifs: Cast metal bees sitting proud of the dial surface, catching light dynamically, with real tactile presence. There is nothing like this at this price from any other brand.
- Floral dials: Full-dial botanical compositions printed in multiple layers. Enchanted Garden dials feel like miniature paintings on the wrist.
- Celestial themes: Moon phases, constellations, and cosmic imagery — consistently executed across collections.
- Vintage-British aesthetic: Antique market sensibility meets contemporary fashion. Art Deco references, nature motifs, and old English charm.
Compare this to the competition. Daniel Wellington: clean minimalist dials. Fossil: sporty or classic. Ted Baker: subtle and understated. Kate Spade: feminine but conventional. None of them produce a watch that looks like an Olivia Burton. That design distinctiveness has real value, and it is a quality in its own right.
The Design Point
Olivia Burton's quality proposition is not primarily about horological specification. It is about design quality: the thought, the craft, and the distinctiveness of the aesthetic. In that dimension, the brand punches well above its price point.
Water Resistance
Olivia Burton watches are typically rated to 3 ATM (30 metres). In practice, this means splash resistance — light rain, hand washing, an accidental splash. It does not mean swimming, showering, or submersion.
This is standard for fashion watches across all brands at this price and positioning. Olivia Burton is designed as a jewellery-style accessory, not a sport watch. The 3D dial elements — cast bee motifs, layered printing — are not compatible with high water resistance. Sealing a watch to 10 ATM requires a case architecture that would compromise the dial artistry.
| Activity | 3 ATM Rating |
|---|---|
| Light rain or hand washing splash | Generally fine |
| Washing dishes (submerged) | Remove the watch |
| Showering or bathing | Remove the watch |
| Swimming (pool or sea) | Remove the watch |
| Sports or gym (sweat) | Remove for intense activity |
The practical rule: treat it like jewellery. You would not swim in a gold bracelet. Apply the same logic here.
Durability in Daily Wear
How does an Olivia Burton watch hold up over time? Here is an honest account of what to expect from each component.
The Case
Stainless steel cases are solid. With normal daily wear, you will see minor surface marks over time — this is true of all watches at any price point. The PVD finish on gold and rose gold models handles daily contact well. Rose gold is the most susceptible to fading over time due to its copper content; yellow gold and silver are more stable.
The Strap
Leather straps age and soften with wear — this is a characteristic of leather, not a defect. With daily use, a leather strap will last 6–12 months before it shows significant softening or colour change. Many customers enjoy how leather develops character over time. If you want maximum longevity, choose a mesh bracelet model.
The Dial
The 3D bee motifs are durable — the cast metal construction means they do not chip or wear like printed elements. The floral printed dials should be kept away from prolonged direct sunlight (which can fade the ink layers over years) and moisture ingress.
The Movement
Japanese quartz movements are low-maintenance. Battery replacement approximately once per year. No servicing required under normal use. This is a practical advantage for a daily-wear fashion watch.
Honest Expectation
- Case and dial: 3–5+ years of daily wear with normal care
- Leather strap: 6–12 months before noticeable ageing (expected, not a fault)
- Mesh bracelet: 3–5+ years, most durable option
- Movement: Low maintenance; battery replacement is the main recurring task
- IP plating: 2+ years under normal conditions; rose gold fades soonest
Who Olivia Burton Is For
Olivia Burton is for a specific buyer. Understanding whether you are that buyer makes the decision clear.
The Ideal Olivia Burton Customer
She wants a watch that is more jewellery than tool. The watch needs to coordinate with an outfit, suit a particular occasion, or express a personal aesthetic. She is not checking the time with horological precision — she is wearing something beautiful on her wrist.
She might say:
- “I want something feminine that stands out”
- “I love the bee — it suits my personality”
- “I want a watch that matches my jewellery”
- “It's for a birthday gift — something pretty and different”
- “I want to build a little collection of watches for different looks”
Olivia Burton is not for someone who primarily values mechanical engineering, high water resistance, or a watch that functions as a precision instrument. Those buyers should look at Citizen, Tissot, or similar brands.
The Gift Buyer
Olivia Burton is one of the most gifted watch brands in the UK, and it is easy to understand why. The price range is accessible for a meaningful gift. The packaging is beautiful. The designs are distinctive enough to feel special. And the receiver knows she is getting something from a recognised British brand, not a generic fashion piece.
Price vs Value
At £79–£199, Olivia Burton sits in the mid-tier of the fashion watch market. Here is how that positions against the competition:
| Brand | Price Range | Design Style | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivia Burton | £79–£199 | Floral, bee, vintage-British | Japanese quartz |
| Ted Baker | £99–£249 | Feminine, subtle, understated | Japanese quartz |
| Kate Spade | £150–£350 | Playful, fashion-forward | Japanese quartz |
| Cluse | £89–£179 | Minimalist, Scandinavian | Japanese quartz |
| Daniel Wellington | £99–£199 | Clean, minimal | Japanese quartz |
All of these brands use Japanese quartz movements. The difference is design and brand positioning. Olivia Burton's design distinctiveness — specifically the 3D dial work — is a quality advantage over brands that rely on simple printed dials at similar prices. You are getting more visual craft for your money.
Is It Worth the Money?
Yes. For a fashion watch at £79–£199, Olivia Burton gives you reliable Japanese quartz movement, solid stainless steel construction, PVD finishes, and dial craft that no competitor matches at this price. The value is genuine.
The Jewellery Range
Olivia Burton expanded into jewellery in 2016 and the range has grown significantly since. At OD's Jewellers, we stock both watches and jewellery from the brand.
The jewellery range mirrors the watch aesthetic: bee motifs, florals, celestial themes, and vintage-British charm. It is designed specifically for stacking and layering — mixing and building combinations rather than wearing a single statement piece.
What's in the Range
- Earrings: Hoops in small, medium, and large; studs with bee and floral motifs; drop styles
- Necklaces: Varied lengths designed for layering — choker, mid-length, and long pendant
- Bracelets: Chain styles, T-bars, and adjustable slider pieces
- Rings: Open adjustable designs and stackable bands
The practical reason to consider the jewellery range alongside a watch: the motifs match. A customer wearing the Busy Bee watch can add the Bee earrings and a Bee necklace and wear a coherent set. No other brand at this price offers this level of coordinated collection design across both watches and jewellery.
See the Full Olivia Burton Range
Browse our complete selection of Olivia Burton watches and jewellery, or visit us at 41 Barrow Street, St Helens to see the full range in person. View the Olivia Burton collection at OD's Jewellers.
FAQs
Are Olivia Burton watches good quality for the price?
Yes. For £79–£199, you get a Japanese quartz movement (Miyota, made by Citizen), a stainless steel case with PVD plating, mineral crystal, and dial craft — particularly the 3D bee motifs — that is exceptional at this price point. No other fashion watch brand in this range produces comparable dial artistry. The quality is honest and appropriate for what the watch is: a well-made, distinctive fashion piece.
How long will an Olivia Burton watch last?
With normal care, the case and movement will give several years of daily wear. The leather strap will age and soften over 6–12 months — this is a property of leather, not a defect, and the strap can be replaced. If longevity is a priority, choose a model with a metal mesh bracelet rather than leather. The PVD case finish holds up well; rose gold fades soonest due to its copper content, silver and yellow gold finishes are more durable.
Can I shower or swim wearing an Olivia Burton watch?
No. Olivia Burton watches are rated to approximately 3 ATM — sufficient for light splashes and hand washing, but not for showering, swimming, bathing, or water sports. The 3D dial construction and fashion-watch case architecture are not compatible with high water resistance. Treat the watch as you would fine jewellery: remove it before any water activity.
What movement does Olivia Burton use?
Olivia Burton uses Japanese quartz movements, primarily from Miyota — a subsidiary of Citizen, one of the world's leading movement manufacturers. Miyota movements are reliable, accurate (typically ±15 seconds per month), and low-maintenance. The battery lasts approximately 12 months. This is the correct movement choice for a fashion watch in this price bracket; it keeps the cost in the dial and case design where the brand's value lies.
Is Olivia Burton a good gift?
Olivia Burton is one of the most popular gift watch brands we sell. The price range (£79–£199 for watches, £20–£80 for jewellery) is accessible for a meaningful gift. The designs — bees, florals, celestial motifs — are distinctive and instantly recognisable. The packaging is beautiful. The brand is well-known enough to feel special, and individual enough to feel considered. Popular occasions: birthdays, graduations, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and “just because” gifts. Visit us in store and we can help you choose the right piece for the person you have in mind.
Top Picks at OD's — In Stock Now
Three best-sellers our customers are choosing this month — all in stock, ready to ship from St Helens, available to try in our St Helens store before you buy.
All available in-store at 41 Barrow Street, St Helens, WA10 1RY — try before you buy.
Browse the full jewellery range at OD's.