Watch Buying Guide
Buying a watch comes down to a handful of clear decisions: the movement (quartz, solar or automatic), the use (everyday, dress, first watch), and the person you are buying for. This is our decision hub -- confident recommendations grounded only in watches we actually stock, from Tissot and Citizen to BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton, Vivienne Westwood and Swarovski. Use the movement decisions to settle quartz versus automatic, the pick-by-use sections for the best everyday and dress watches, and the shop-by-person guides for men, women and gifts. For the deeper how-it-works detail, see our movements hub and watch types hub.
Our recommendations at a glance
| If you want... | Our pick | Movement | Why | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One do-everything watch | Tissot PRX | Quartz or automatic | Sports-elegant bracelet, sapphire crystal, goes with anything | PRX |
| A Swiss dress watch | Tissot Le Locle | Automatic (Powermatic 80) | Slim, refined, true Swiss automatic at an attainable price | Le Locle |
| Zero upkeep, ever | Citizen Eco-Drive | Solar quartz | Charges from light -- no winding, no battery to replace | Eco-Drive |
| Stylish everyday quartz | BOSS / Tommy Hilfiger | Quartz | Recognised design, accurate, brilliant value, ideal gifts | Men's |
| Design-led ladies' style | Olivia Burton | Quartz | Charming dials, easy ownership, effortless to wear | Olivia Burton |
| Statement or sparkle | Vivienne Westwood / Swarovski | Quartz | Bold fashion looks and crystal-set glamour | Ladies' |
Movement Decisions
Quartz vs Automatic
The first decision every buyer faces. Quartz is the accuracy-and-convenience choice; automatic is the craft-and-longevity choice. For most people buying one watch, quartz wins on day-to-day ease -- but a Tissot automatic is the better keepsake.
The honest difference
A quartz watch runs on a battery and a vibrating crystal: accurate to seconds a month, ready to wear after months in a drawer, and almost maintenance-free. An automatic is a mechanical watch that winds itself from your wrist motion: accurate to seconds a day, alive with engineering, and built to be serviced and handed down. Neither is better in the abstract -- they answer different wants.
Our recommendation
If you want one watch that just works -- accurate, low-fuss, grab-and-go -- buy quartz. If you wear a watch most days and want a piece of real Swiss watchmaking to keep, buy a Tissot automatic with the 80-hour Powermatic 80. A classic worked example: Tissot Powermatic 80 (Swiss automatic, 80-hour reserve) versus Citizen Eco-Drive (light-powered quartz, never needs a battery) -- two superb watches that suit two different owners.
Read it in full
We cover this decision in depth -- accuracy, upkeep, cost and lifespan -- on our canonical Quartz vs Automatic guide. To shop the two routes, see Tissot automatics and Citizen Eco-Drive.
Solar vs Automatic
Two ways to never change a battery -- but they reach it differently. Solar (Citizen Eco-Drive) charges from light and gives quartz accuracy with zero upkeep; automatic charges from your wrist and gives mechanical craft. For pure set-and-forget, solar wins.
How each stays alive
A Citizen Eco-Drive solar watch has a cell under the dial that turns any light -- sunlight or office lighting -- into power, charging a cell built to last the life of the watch. A Tissot automatic harvests energy from the swing of your wrist into a mainspring. Both avoid disposable batteries; the solar watch keeps quartz accuracy (about ±15 seconds a month) and never stops in normal use, while the automatic gives mechanical character but stops once its power reserve runs down off the wrist.
Our recommendation
For the most genuinely fit-and-forget watch we sell, choose Citizen Eco-Drive: leave it on a windowsill and it tops itself up, no winding and no battery ever. Choose an automatic if you actively want a mechanical watch and enjoy that it is powered by you. The truest no-effort everyday watch is solar.
Where to look
Browse Citizen Eco-Drive for light-powered watches, or Tissot watches for Swiss automatics.
Sapphire vs Mineral
The glass over the dial is the surface you knock most. Sapphire crystal (9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond) shrugs off scratches; mineral glass is softer and cheaper. If you can choose, choose sapphire -- it keeps a watch looking new for years.
The difference that shows
Sapphire crystal is synthetic sapphire, rated 9 on the Mohs hardness scale -- it resists scratches from keys, coins, desks and grit that would mark softer glass. Mineral (hardened) glass sits around 5 to 6: more prone to fine scratches, though cheaper to replace if it breaks. Over years of daily wear, a sapphire watch stays clear and crisp where a mineral one slowly hazes with hairline marks.
Our recommendation
Buy sapphire wherever it is offered -- it is the single upgrade that most keeps a watch looking new. Our Tissot and Citizen sports and dress models use sapphire crystals; many fashion pieces use mineral glass to hit a price, which is fine for an occasional or gifted watch you will not wear hard every day.
Read the detail
The full hardness comparison and care notes are on our Sapphire Crystal guide.
Water Resistance Explained
Water-resistance numbers confuse more buyers than anything else. The short version: 30m is splashes only, 50m a quick swim, 100m proper swimming and snorkelling, 200m diving. The metre figure is a pressure rating, not a swim depth -- so buy with headroom.
What the numbers really mean
A rating in metres or ATM (1 ATM is about 10 metres of pressure) is a static laboratory pressure test, not the depth you can dive to. In real life, heat, soap and the sudden pressure of swimming all eat into it, so you should always stay well inside the figure. As a rule: 30m / 3 ATM for rain and hand-washing, 50m / 5 ATM for a quick swim, 100m / 10 ATM for swimming and snorkelling, 200m / 20 ATM for recreational diving.
Our recommendation
If you ever swim with a watch, buy 100m / 10 ATM as a minimum -- it gives the headroom that 50m does not. For pool, beach and watersports, Citizen Promaster and Tissot Seastar sports models pair high ratings with screw-down crowns. Whatever the rating, never operate the crown near water.
Read the full table
The complete depth-rating table and gasket-care advice are on our Water Resistance & ATM guide. Browse sporty options in Citizen and Tissot.
Pick by Use
Best First Watch
Buying your first proper watch? Keep it versatile, accurate and low-fuss. Our two strongest first-watch picks are a Citizen Eco-Drive (never change a battery) or a Tissot automatic (your first step into Swiss watchmaking).
What makes a great first watch
A first good watch should be one you wear constantly: versatile enough for work and weekends, accurate, and easy to own. That points to either reliable quartz/solar for total convenience, or an entry Swiss automatic if you want something with craft to grow into. Avoid anything too niche or oversized as a first buy -- a clean, mid-size watch suits the most outfits.
Our recommendation
For pure ease, a Citizen Eco-Drive is hard to beat -- light-powered, accurate, and no battery to replace. If you want a watch with a beating heart and long-term keepsake value, a Tissot automatic with the Powermatic 80 is the classic first step into real Swiss watchmaking. Both punch far above their price.
Where to start
Browse Citizen watches for fit-and-forget solar, or Tissot watches for Swiss mechanical. Still deciding the look? Our watch types hub walks through the styles.
Best Dress Watch
A dress watch is the one that slips under a cuff and finishes tailoring. Slim, clean and quiet. Our standout recommendation is the Tissot Le Locle -- a true Swiss automatic dress watch at an attainable price.
What to look for
A dress watch should be slim (ideally under 10mm), modestly sized (36mm to 40mm), with a clean dial, slim markers and -- traditionally -- a leather strap. The whole point is restraint: it reads instantly and never competes with your outfit. Water resistance is low because a dress watch is not made for swimming.
Our recommendation
The Tissot Le Locle is our go-to dress watch -- a genuine Swiss automatic with a refined dial, Roman numerals and an 80-hour Powermatic 80 movement, all at a price that undercuts the obvious rivals. For a quartz dress watch as a gift or occasional piece, slim styles from BOSS and Olivia Burton do the job beautifully. Pair the choice with our sizing guide so it sits right under a cuff.
Where to look
Shop the Tissot Le Locle directly, or the wider Tissot range for more formal automatics.
Best Everyday Watch
The everyday watch is the one you reach for without thinking -- tough enough for anything, smart enough for most things. Our standout all-rounder is the Tissot PRX: an integrated-bracelet sports-elegant watch that genuinely goes with everything.
What makes an everyday watch
An everyday watch needs to be versatile (dressy enough for the office, robust enough for the weekend), comfortable, water-resistant enough to forget about, and ideally on a bracelet so it suits any season. A sapphire crystal keeps it looking new through daily knocks.
Our recommendation
The Tissot PRX is our everyday champion -- a 1970s-style integrated steel bracelet, a sunburst dial, sapphire crystal and a choice of quartz or 80-hour Powermatic 80 automatic. It reads sporty with a T-shirt and sharp under a jacket, which is exactly what an everyday watch should do. For a light-powered everyday alternative with zero upkeep, a Citizen Eco-Drive on a bracelet is superb.
Where to look
Shop the Tissot PRX, or compare with the wider watch range and light-powered Citizen Eco-Drive.
Choosing the Right Size
The wrong size ruins even the best watch. Case diameter should match your wrist, and the lug-to-lug span must not overhang. As a guide: 36-40mm suits slimmer wrists, 40-44mm suits larger ones -- but always measure.
What size actually means
Case size is the dial diameter in millimetres, but the figure that really decides fit is lug-to-lug -- the distance across the case from top lug to bottom lug. If that overhangs the flat of your wrist, the watch will never sit comfortably however good the diameter looks. Thickness matters too: a slim case slides under a cuff, a thick one does not.
Our recommendation
Measure your wrist first, then match: roughly 36-40mm for slimmer wrists (under about 16.5cm), 40-44mm for larger wrists. Dress watches lean smaller and slimmer; sports and dive watches carry a few millimetres more. When in doubt, size down -- a slightly smaller watch always looks more elegant than one that overhangs.
Read the guides
We give wrist-measuring steps and a size chart on our watch measurements page and the combined jewellery and watch size guide.
Leather vs Bracelet
Strap choice changes the whole character of a watch. A steel bracelet is the versatile, low-maintenance, water-friendly everyday option; a leather strap is dressier and more comfortable in heat but hates water. Most buyers should start on a bracelet.
Style and practicality
A metal bracelet feels substantial, suits sport and smart wear alike, survives water and sweat, and lasts for years -- but it needs sizing to your wrist and is heavier. A leather strap is lighter, warmer in feel, and the more formal choice with tailoring, but it stains and perishes with water and sweat and will need replacing periodically. Rubber and fabric straps sit in between for sporty, casual wear.
Our recommendation
If you are buying one versatile everyday watch, start on a steel bracelet -- it copes with the most situations and needs the least care. Add a leather strap later for formal wear if the watch allows quick strap changes. For a true dress watch, leather is the natural home. Many Tissot models, like the PRX on bracelet and Le Locle on leather, show the two philosophies clearly.
Where to look
Compare bracelet sports-elegance in the Tissot PRX against leather-strap formality in the Tissot Le Locle.
Shop by Person
Men's Watch Guide
Buying a men's watch comes down to use and size. For one do-everything watch, a sports-elegant bracelet model like the Tissot PRX is the safest brilliant choice; for a smart-casual quartz, BOSS and Tommy Hilfiger lead our range.
How to choose
Start with how he will wear it. For one watch to cover work and weekends, a versatile 40-42mm bracelet watch with sapphire crystal is the answer. For a dressier piece, a slim leather-strap automatic; for sport, a higher water-resistance diver. Match the case size to his wrist, and lean to a bracelet for maximum versatility.
Our recommendations
Our strongest men's all-rounder is the Tissot PRX -- sporty, smart and built on a sapphire-crystal bracelet. For a first Swiss automatic, the Tissot Le Locle; for stylish everyday quartz, BOSS and Tommy Hilfiger; and for fit-and-forget solar, Citizen Eco-Drive. Every one of these punches above its price.
Where to look
Browse all men's watches, and see our editor's picks in the best watches for men guide.
Women's Watch Guide
A women's watch can be jewellery, everyday companion or both. For design-led elegance our pick is Olivia Burton; for statement style Vivienne Westwood; for crystal-set glamour Swarovski -- all reliable quartz that needs no upkeep.
How to choose
Decide whether the watch is mainly an accessory to style up an outfit, or an everyday timekeeper -- or both. Smaller cases (28-34mm) and bracelet or mesh straps lean elegant; slightly larger faces read more contemporary. Reliable quartz across these brands means accurate, grab-and-go ownership with no winding or fuss.
Our recommendations
For pretty, design-forward watches with floral and celestial dials, Olivia Burton is our heart of the ladies' range. For bold, fashion-led statement pieces, Vivienne Westwood. For sparkle and gift-worthy glamour, crystal-set Swarovski. All three are quartz, so they are accurate and effortless to own. For a light-powered option that never needs a battery, Citizen Eco-Drive ladies' models are excellent.
Where to look
Browse all ladies' watches, or go straight to Olivia Burton, Vivienne Westwood and Swarovski.
Watch Gift Guide
A watch is the gift people keep. Shop by budget and recipient: fashion quartz from BOSS, TH, Olivia Burton or Swarovski for accessible style; Citizen Eco-Drive for a no-fuss keepsake; a Tissot automatic for a milestone gift to remember.
Shop by budget
At the accessible end, design-led quartz from BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton and Swarovski makes a beautiful, recognised-name gift that needs no upkeep. In the middle, a Citizen Eco-Drive is the thoughtful, fit-and-forget choice -- it never needs a battery. For a milestone -- birthday, anniversary, graduation or retirement -- a Tissot Swiss automatic is the gift that gets handed down.
Shop by recipient
For him: a versatile Tissot PRX, a BOSS or Tommy Hilfiger everyday quartz, or a Citizen Eco-Drive. For her: Olivia Burton for design charm, Vivienne Westwood for statement style, or Swarovski for sparkle. For a first proper watch: a Citizen Eco-Drive or an entry Tissot. Unsure on size? Our measurements guide helps you get it right first time.
Where to look
Browse the full watch range to compare across brands and budgets, then message us if you would like a personal recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a quartz or an automatic watch?
For one easy everyday watch, buy quartz -- it is more accurate, needs almost no upkeep, and is ready to wear after months in a drawer. Buy a Tissot automatic if you want genuine Swiss watchmaking and a watch to keep and hand down. Our Quartz vs Automatic guide covers the full decision.
What is the best first watch to buy?
Our two strongest first-watch picks are a Citizen Eco-Drive, which is light-powered and never needs a battery, or a Tissot automatic, which is an excellent first step into Swiss watchmaking. Both are versatile, accurate and punch well above their price.
What is the best everyday watch you sell?
The Tissot PRX is our everyday champion -- an integrated steel bracelet, sapphire crystal, and a choice of quartz or 80-hour automatic movement. It reads sporty with casual wear and sharp under a jacket, which is exactly what an everyday watch should do.
What is the best dress watch you recommend?
The Tissot Le Locle is our go-to dress watch -- a genuine Swiss automatic with a refined dial and an 80-hour Powermatic 80 movement, at a price that undercuts the obvious rivals. Slim quartz styles from BOSS and Olivia Burton also work well as occasional dress watches.
Solar or automatic -- which is more convenient?
Solar (Citizen Eco-Drive) is the most convenient: it charges from any light, keeps quartz accuracy, never needs a battery, and does not stop in normal use. An automatic is powered by your wrist but stops once its power reserve runs down off the wrist, then needs winding and resetting.
Is sapphire crystal worth paying more for?
Yes, if you wear a watch hard every day. Sapphire is 9 on the Mohs scale -- second only to diamond -- so it resists the scratches that slowly haze softer mineral glass. For an occasional or gifted watch, mineral glass is perfectly fine.
What water resistance do I need to swim?
Buy at least 100m / 10 ATM if you swim with your watch -- it gives headroom that a 50m rating does not. The metre figure is a static pressure rating, not a literal depth, so always stay well inside it and never use the crown near water.
What size watch should I buy?
Match the case to the wrist: roughly 36-40mm for slimmer wrists and 40-44mm for larger ones, and check the lug-to-lug span does not overhang. When in doubt, size down -- a slightly smaller watch always looks more elegant. See our watch measurements guide for wrist-measuring steps.
Leather strap or metal bracelet -- which should I choose?
Start on a steel bracelet for one versatile everyday watch -- it copes with sport, water and sweat and needs little care. Choose leather for a dressier watch worn mainly with tailoring, but keep it away from water as it stains and perishes.
What is the best men's watch you recommend?
Our strongest men's all-rounder is the Tissot PRX, a sports-elegant bracelet watch with a sapphire crystal. For a first Swiss automatic, the Tissot Le Locle; for stylish everyday quartz, BOSS and Tommy Hilfiger; and for fit-and-forget solar, Citizen Eco-Drive.
What is the best women's watch you recommend?
For design-led elegance, Olivia Burton; for bold statement style, Vivienne Westwood; for crystal-set glamour, Swarovski. All three are reliable quartz, so they are accurate and need no winding. Citizen Eco-Drive ladies' models are an excellent light-powered alternative.
What is a good watch to give as a gift?
For an accessible gift, design-led quartz from BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Olivia Burton or Swarovski. For a thoughtful no-fuss keepsake, a Citizen Eco-Drive that never needs a battery. For a milestone, a Tissot Swiss automatic that gets handed down.
Which watch never needs a battery?
A Citizen Eco-Drive solar watch never needs a battery -- it charges from any light, natural or artificial, and the rechargeable cell is built to last the life of the watch. It is our most genuinely set-and-forget option.
Are fashion watches like BOSS and Tommy Hilfiger good?
Yes -- they are design-led quartz watches: accurate to seconds a month, reliable, low-maintenance and brilliant value. They make ideal everyday watches and gifts. For genuine Swiss mechanical watchmaking, step up to Tissot.
Quartz or solar for an everyday watch?
Both share the same quartz accuracy. Standard quartz uses a disposable battery every one to three years; solar (Citizen Eco-Drive) charges from light and needs no battery changes at all. For the lowest-effort everyday watch, choose solar.
Which Tissot should I buy first?
For an everyday all-rounder, the Tissot PRX; for a dress watch, the Tissot Le Locle; for a 300m diver, the Tissot Seastar. All can be had with the 80-hour Powermatic 80 automatic, which is the modern Swiss workhorse movement.
Do you offer help choosing a watch?
Yes -- email OD's or pop into the St Helens shop and we will give you a personal recommendation based on your budget, wrist size and how you will wear it. We can talk you through quartz versus automatic, sizing and the right brand for the look you want.