Author: Nina S

You already know what makes the best field watch; it’s the kind of watch that pairs with just about anything in your wardrobe but looks simple, rugged, and military-infused.

The archetypal field watch tends to have the black dial, the white luminous-coated appliques, and a NATO strap, but today’s watch-collecting society has made room for many variations of this tool watch.

In fact, it has become one of the most versatile categories of watches to take interest in, especially since the smaller wristwatch has come full circle. Take a look at these affordable recommendations and see for yourself…

The History of the Field Watch

It wasn’t until the Second World War that the field watch, as we know it today, came into existence. Before then, soldiers had been strapping watches to their wrists but without the important specifications stipulated by governments, namely the US military watch technical specification 94-27834B.

One notable feature in particular was the “hacking” feature, which enabled the wearer to stop the second hand when setting the time. This feature became crucial on the frontline when soldiers needed to sync their watches to coordinate battlefield operations and training exercises.

Heavyweights adhering to the strict standards of the more “modern” field watch were those such as Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and IWC Schaffhausen.

Those successful in meeting the criteria went by the name of the Dirty Dozen and were commissioned under British War Office Specification R.S./Prov/4373A “Watches, Wristlet, Waterproof” (W.W.W). They are considered huge collectibles and form the inspiration for today’s many modern field watches.

What Makes a Field Watch a Field Watch?

More than anything else, a field watch must be rugged, durable, and equipped with attributes that make it a reliable companion for out on the frontline. That’s not to say everyone wearing a field watch must be military personnel. In fact, most collectors of the field watch genre are those who love their unique style.

Field watches are deeply rooted in military history. For that reason, they appeal to historians, but in the modern world, they deliver on values of reliability, legibility, and performance for everyday wear, too.

Traditionally, field watches have high-contrast dials with either a dark background, white, highly legible hour markers, and hands, or a display in the opposite combination – a white background with black details.

Even so, many variables today exist, particularly those with khaki green and blue dials proving popular. The high contrast dial is one of the most important features of the field watch since it allows for time to be read in all lighting conditions.

Case and strap materials are essential to ensure field watches can survive all weather conditions. The cases are often crafted from conventional stainless steel, lightweight titanium, or stealthy black carbon and are equipped with suitable water resistance.

Strap-wise, field watches often feature a NATO-style strap made from either nylon or canvas or a more classic-looking leather band. However, many reputable manufacturers are now venturing into areas of eco-friendly materials.

With all of these characteristics working together, field watches continue to reserve a very special place in the collections of avid enthusiasts all over the world. Take a look at these top field watches under $500.

Citizen Garrison

The Citizen Garrison is the brand’s answer to a classical-looking field watch, so if you don’t want a design too tool-heavy, this model is worth some serious consideration.

It’s insanely underappreciated, as well, because the vast amount of consumers looking for a field-specific watch tend to overlook Citizen as a worthy contender. The crux of the matter is that Citizen creates a field watch with serious badassery.

From its large, legible Arabic numeral hour markers to its very classic-looking brown calfskin leather strap – every element of this budget-friendly field watch is carefully considered. This 42mm steel model with a brushed surface and 100 meters of water resistance will suffice as an everyday watch.

It also bears pilot’s watch elements, including the triangle at 12 o’clock and several other mission-ready details like the popular 24-hour inner scale inside the main hour track.

Roll all of this into an eco-friendly design, and you have Citizen’s solar-powered technology to enjoy, which rules out the aspect of ever having to organize another battery change.

Timex Expedition North Field Post Mechanical

Maybe the Citizen Garrison is a little on the large side for your wrist? If that’s the case, turn your attention to something like the Expedition North Field Post Mechanical watch from Times.

Timex is one of the most respected brands for affordability and has to be one of the best value watches on the market for this price point. If you’ve never considered Timex for a sports watch before now, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its quality.

This is a 38mm steel model with a reasonable case height of 8.5mm. Even better, you still get top-notch materials with this sub-$300 watch – namely the sapphire crystal glass and a water-tight case that upholds a water resistance of 100M.

You’ll also be pressed to find a field watch powered by a mechanical movement for the same price bracket, let alone one that offers features as good as these.

The Timex Expedition North Field Post Mechanical is strong, sturdy, and ready for frontline action. It has a deep penetrative blue dial, vivid luminescent hour markers, and hands, and an eco-friendly strap made of DriTan leather.

Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style

Seiko’s 5 Sports watch collection continually delivers on values of robustness, accuracy, and reliability. Within that collection is the Field Sports Style watch by the Japanese brand, which offers a glimpse into the company’s mechanical mastery thanks to a see-through exhibition caseback.

The Calibre 4R36 sits behind the glass, working relentlessly to guarantee accuracy, reliability, and a power reserve of 41 hours. On the dial side, military green has been used to display the time via an inner 12-hour scale and another 60-minute scale with double-digit numbers.

This affordable field watch evokes a utilitarian-military vibe with a strong steel 39mm case and a deep khaki green canvas strap with a vibrant orange inner lining.

Seiko 5 Sports Field Street Style

Fancy a field watch that oozes stealth and inconspicuousness? Seiko delivers again with its 5 Sports Field Street Style watch, encased in black hard-coated stainless steel. The case measures 39mm in diameter and is topped with Hardlex mineral.

It’s not as durable and scratch-resistant as sapphire crystal that much is true, but it’s Seiko’s version of mineral glass, and it comes with its own layer of scratch-resistant technology.

The material has been heat-treated to improve scratch and shatter resistance, allowing the zesty orange elements to pierce through a matte black dial. It’s the orange hands that are such a stand-out feature in this field watch design, however.

Seldom does Seiko do anything as vivid and fun as this, and the subtler details, like the inner orange lining on the black nylon strap, don’t go unnoticed either.

Victorinox Swiss Army Heritage

A 40mm diameter really is a sweet spot when it comes to sports watches, and the makers of the original Swiss Army knife seem to master these proportions perfectly with a 9.1mm depth, a 100-meter water resistance, and a tough sapphire crystal glass front.

This quartz-powered watch packs a punch with its robust steel case and sloping brushed lugs. I’ll put the record straight for anyone doubting this watch’s quality. The Victorinox Swiss Army Heritage is one of the most solidly built field watches at this price point.

Its design evokes the field watches worn by the same military members that popularized the knife. Finer details round the design off tastefully, like the red-coated central seconds hand that ties in nicely with the Victorinox shield logo under 12 o’clock.

The rugged, stitched leather strap in dark green underscores the relentlessly simple design of the Swiss Army Heritage watch, as does the 6 o’clock date window and the sword-shaped hands. If the Victorinox I.N.O.X is a little too aggressive in design aesthetics for you, this model is an unfussy, simplified version with easy legibility and an even more attractive price tag.

Marathon General Purpose Mechanical

Whoever said small watches weren’t for men was very wrong. Smaller watches are the way trends are leaning toward these days, making the Marathon General Purpose watch one of the best propositions for men with less-endowed wrists.

Its 34mm diameter evokes vintage military watch sizes of yesteryear and features a 30-meter water-resistant case crafted from stainless steel, delivering an overall utilitarian package.

The watch uses an alternative to the more common Super-LumiNova material with tritium material applied to its Arabic numerals and hands. The black dial features the characteristic 24-hour inner scale, which glows longer thanks to the tritium application.

Underneath this dial lies a third-party movement from Seiko. Being just 34mm in diameter makes the Marathon General Purpose Mechanical watch exceptionally lightweight and compact, and since Marathon is the sole official supplier of watches to the US Armed Forces, there’s probably no watch manufacturer you’d want to trust more than this one.

Bulova Hack Watch

Bulova’s list of horological feats is impressive, to say the least, making it all the more baffling that this watch brand is often overlooked when shopping for affordable, reliable watches. It was the first company to broadcast TV and radio adverts and even developed a watch that walked on the moon.

The brand also shaped the quartz and electrical watch revolution in the 1960s and 1970s with the Accutron. But what many people aren’t aware of is its Hack watch – an ‘A-11’ specification navigation watch.

The brand released the watch in limitless variations, all specifically supplied to American soldiers and chronometer-certified. Bulova’s 2022 release of a modern-day Hack watch is dedicated to honoring those A-11 watches, with a 38mm steel case, a mineral glass front, 100M water resistance, and a vintage military-inspired design that nods to the original watch with the special lock down mechanism for the running seconds.

Bulova equips this affordable field watch with cathedral hands, a red seconds hand against a matte black dial, and a muddy khaki NATO leather strap.

Nodus Sector Field

Lovers of the sector dial are bound to be impressed with Nodus’ range of field watches done in a sector format. Bang on the $500 mark is the Nodus Sector II Field watch crafted from lightweight titanium.

This ergonomically developed sports watch is a new addition to Nodus’ field watch category and features a design inspired by models worn on the wrists of soldiers in battle.

Of course, the advantage of the titanium case doesn’t just guarantee a lightweight body but a corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic material too.

The case has been re-engineered by masters at Nodus to deliver a new slimness of 11.7mm. Meanwhile, the box-shaped crystal allows the hands and dial to sit closer to the glass.

The grey Hybrid TecTuff® rubber strap with titanium buckle injects this model with a sportier vibe, but you could always switch it out for a more classic leather band if you prefer.

Bertucci A-1S

The Bertucci A-1S is the most budget-friendly field watch on this list. Is it any less capable of delivering on grounds of legibility and reliability? Absolutely not.

If you aren’t too bothered by the thought of wearing a lesser-known brand on your wrist, the Bertucci version of a field watch meets the standards of a true classic, with essential functions and a clean and easily readable dial.

The black display is home to hands and Arabic numeral hour markers treated with Super-LumiNova material, along with a red seconds hand and the archetypal 24-hour inner scale. The model’s rugged screw-down crown and caseback are all part of Bertucci’s patented case – the Unibody™.

The construction is designed for comfort and practicality, with an ergonomic 4 o’clock crown and 100M water resistance. The A-1S is also completed on a long-lasting US patented B-TYPE heavy-duty nylon webbing band for added comfort.

Vaer S5 Calendar Field White – 40mm Quartz

The S5 Calendar watch by Vaer delivers a clean and crisp military white dial with calendrical functions on a stylish beige NATO strap, encompassing a field watch’s key features in one compact 40mm package.

The watch, crafted from stainless steel, features a locking crown to uphold a water-resistant rating of 100 meters and a sapphire crystal for optimum legibility. Vaer watches are all assembled in the US and come in a range of quartz and automatic versions, this S5 watch of which features a quartz movement.

The brand even offers Dirty Dozen-inspired models, but for a simple, classic field watch that communicates understated elegance, you can pick this time-and-date version of the S5 up for less than $200, and its timeless utilitarian aesthetic certainly won’t disappoint.

Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz

Most field watches by Hamilton exceed the $500 mark, and that’s no surprise. Hamilton has perfected the military tool watch look and uses luxury-grade materials to create its innovations from the Khaki line.

This Hamilton Khaki Field watch is a very manageable 38mm steel model with a deep blue dial and matching colored textile strap with a steel pin buckle. The Hamilton Khaki family can trace its lineage across two world wars and over 50 years of supplying rugged tool watches to the US military.

This model features a revised minute track, large, chunky Arabic numeral hour markers, and a simple no-date layout that strips timekeeping duties back to the basics. This is a quartz-powered model, which is just about the only sacrifice you’ll make for a sub-$500 Hamilton watch.

That said, quartz-powered movements are hassle-free and accurate, and they don’t rely on the movement of your wrist to keep good time, so they’re often a preferred choice for those entering the world for affordable watch collecting.

Conclusion

Only by understanding the history and features of the classic field watch and its many variables can you fully appreciate the versatility and appeal of one. The field watch has a unique style but no longer appeals to a niche audience.

Many enthusiasts are now appreciating the value and charm this watch can bring to a collection and the fact that there are now more dial colors, strap materials, and sizes to choose from means that just about every watch fan can find a field watch that aligns with their personal preferences and fits right into their collection.

A watch for hiking is a very convenient thing. There’s just something about going off-route and immersing yourself in the wild without a car or another person in sight and with nothing apart from the essentials strapped to your wrist.

Just as this kind of environment can prove dangerous, muddy, and wet at times, it can pose a risk to your watch, too, so it’s crucial that you select the right kind of tool for this kind of adventure. You’ll need to look for toughness and legibility in a watch for hiking and something that looks good with all your outdoor gear, come rain or shine. 

Remember, watches don’t need to be expensive to be fun. These days, you can spend a lot less and get a lot more out of your watch on a functional level than you used to be able to, especially when it comes to smartwatches – the new standard in hiking watches.

But it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a watch to help you pinpoint coordination or track your progress on a new trail; there’s a whole load of robust wristwatches for hiking to explore, including both smartwatches and analog styles.

Most hiking watch guides you read today are limited to a list of the most current smartwatches. But we’re doing things a little differently.

We’re highlighting a range of smartwatch models and three-handed analogs so that you can decide for yourself which is best. And, of course, for those new to the smartwatch world, the features, and language associated with wearable technology can be a little overwhelming, so we’ll finish each listing with a simple breakdown of its key features to make the guide a little easier to digest.

The Advantages of Wearing a Smartwatch for Hiking

It won’t surprise you to learn that there are several advantages to wearing a smartwatch for hiking. They can record distances, collect data, display elevation gain, and provide details on your pace and stop time. Wearing a smartwatch while on a walk can help you gauge remaining mileage, count calories burnt, and read stats while on the fly.

Some smartwatches even allow you to backtrack on a route and guide you back to your trail should you lose your way; plus, you’ll never need a paper map again with a smartwatch’s built-in GPS functionality. Of course, wearing a traditional wristwatch has many advantages, too. But primarily, let’s look at some of the best smartwatches for hiking.

Best Smartwatches for Hiking

Whether you recognize all these smartwatch brands or not, each one has what it takes to assist you from the point at which you leave your front door to the furthest point in your journey.

They all offer impressive durability, excellent build quality, and a handful of features that enable you to become more intuitive whilst embarking on your backpacking ventures. Take a look at these best smartwatches for hiking.

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is the way to go if you’re an extreme athlete or hiker. It has the advantage of combining GPS technology with health-related information that you can access anywhere and anytime. It also pushes an average of 2 weeks of battery life when in standard mode and 50 hours once in GP activation.

With solar-power charging, however, you can take advantage of around 3 weeks or 70 hours, respectively. The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is an excellent watch for hiking because you can download tracks, create your own, and save new ones to your list.

Far superior to other smartwatches on the market, the battery power of a Garmin watch is what makes it stand out from the crowd. Models like this are made for supreme sports and feature cases and bezels crafted from lightweight titanium.

The Fenix 7 Pro has also been tested to US military standards, benefiting from a strong sapphire glass front and a built-in flashlight.

Price: $850

• Key Features: GPS, 3-week battery life in solar-charging mode, built-in flashlight, upgraded heart-rate monitor
• Case Material: Titanium
• Size: 47mm

Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar

The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar is another watch aimed at mountain hikers and those who like to push the limits. It also offers versatility since you can mix and match the watch with a load of different colored quick-release silicone straps that add a pop of color to the wrist.

However, this smartwatch’s key selling feature is its GPS capabilities. The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar is perfect for moments when you need help with a spot of mountain navigation.

It’s an all-weather companion with excellent build quality for its price point. The model’s navigation features are available offline, and with the added feature of the storm alarm, you can avoid getting into danger regardless of whether you’re running, taking a gentle walk, or cycling.

Price: $800

• Key Features: GPS, altimeter, barometer, sunrise & sunset alarm, solar charging, 60-day battery life
• Case Material: Titanium
• Size: 49mm

Garmin Enduro 2

If you’re going ultra-distance, the function-focused Enduro 2 by Garmin can get you through just about anything. Appealing to lovers of type 2 fun, this Garmin smartwatch is perfect for lengthy adventures and harsh climates.

It can take you to the brink with an insane solar power life, robust mapping features, and course tracking capability. It can run for 46 days on standard battery mode and 81 hours in full satellite system mode while running alongside your favorite tunes.

There’s also a bevy of other features like an LED flashlight, surfing features, an ascent planner, advanced pacing metrics, a VO2 max reader, and bike-focussed data. Thanks to its fiber-reinforced polymer case and titanium bezel amounting to a total case weight of just 70g, this is a lightweight, ergonomically formed smartwatch for those who aspire to go the distance. 

Price: $1,100

• Key Features: Superior solar power, ascent planner, GPS capabilities, advanced pacing metrics, course tracking capability 
• Case Material: Fibre-reinforced polymer 
• Size: 51mm

Garmin Fenix 8

There are many reasons why the Garmin Fenix 8 is so well-suited to outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and mountaineering. For a start, this is the most recent Fenix watch released by the smartwatch giant, so it comes with all the brand’s latest features and cutting-edge technology, including voice command features that can be used even when you’re not close to your phone.

Additionally, it features a flashlight for emergencies and ABC sensors, too. This model has a rugged design that goes well with all kinds of sporty outdoor gear and boasts a clear, bright, and colorful display.

As well as its long battery life, which is well suited for hiking, the Garmin Fenix 8 also features an intuitive interface with customizable options and a choice of different layouts to display all the details important to you. Its super responsive touchscreen will allow you to track your hike clearly and easily, while a host of health-related features like sleep and stress tracking metrics are great for utilizing throughout the week. 

Price: $999 

• Key Features: Built-in speaker and microphone, advanced strength training features, GPS, ABC sensors, route tracking capabilities, rugged design, voice commands, built-in flashlight, HIIT workouts, enhanced map navigation 
• Case Material: Carbon & steel
• Size: 43mm, 47mm, 51mm

Coros Apex 2 Pro

Coros is a brand renowned for cramming a lot of tools into a relatively cheap watch, so it’s a good option for those shopping for a hiking watch on a budget. It’s also respected for revamping its older models and equipping them with the latest technology, future-proofing those watches already appreciated and loved by fans.

The Coros Apex 2 Pro is hard to beat for high-end navigation housed in an affordable design. The watch is loaded with training features and health sensors, allowing you to track all the most important stats while you’re out exploring new routes. It also has dual-frequency GPS as well as topographical maps that you can access when you’re offline.

The Coros Apex 2 Pro is certainly the most advanced on the market for its price point. And if you like the thought of planning a new itinerary while you’re on the go, it can do that, too. Sadly, the watch doesn’t utilize solar power technology, but even so, it can still last up to three weeks in standard mode and can push the 60-hour mark in GPS mode.

You’re unlikely ever to need more than that, realistically. I would go as far as to say that this smartwatch gives you the most bang for your buck.

• Price: $400
• Key Features: 50M water resistance, barometer, altimeter, GPS, imports and exports routes, access to topographical maps when offline, 60-hour battery in GPS mode. 
• Case Material: Part-titanium case
• Size: 43mm 

Best Analogue Watches for Hiking

Scrambling up and down rocky paths, facing adverse rainstorms, and sliding down muddy trails requires a specific type of wristwatch. One that can sustain unsuspecting bumps and impact. Not all watches are built for this kind of environment.

Sports watches are aplenty, but for hiking, backpacking, spelunking, and anything else that requires endurance and navigating microclimates, look for a watch designed for extreme sports. Here are a handful of examples.

G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000

The Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 looks and wears like a tank on the wrist. It has to be one of the most overbuilt watches on the market right now, but if affordability and robustness are two important features of a hiking watch to you, it’s worth a look.

The case is made from wear-resistant resin and features a steel bezel along with a sapphire crystal glass front. This G-Shock Mudmaster features a mud-resistant gasket construction that works alongside Casio’s shock-resistant technology to protect all the watch’s internal components, perfect for routes that take you through knee-deep mud and rivers.

Combine this with a 200-meter water resistance, and you have a watch for all weather and hiking abilities. You get an all-sensors package with this Casio. That’s the barometer, the altimeter, and the compass – they’re all there.

The Mudmaster is also Multi Band-6, meaning that it can sync the time to radio signals emitted by towers all over the world. The hybrid watch will not be as easy to read the time from as Garmin’s bright AMOLED displays. But the Ana-Digi watch is not a smartwatch. It’s arguably one of the toughest sports watches in the world, and you won’t break the bank investing in one, either.

• Price: $900
• Key Features: Solar charging capabilities, mud and shock-resistant case, radio signal accuracy, barometer, Altimeter, digital thermometer, 200M water resistance 
• Case Material: Stainless steel 
• Size: 61mm 

Seiko Alpinist

One of the most standout visual features of the Seiko Alpinist has to be its internal bezel with compass markings. Any real explorer will appreciate this advantage, and the idea of using your watch for a compass rather than your phone is far more appealing when enjoying the great outdoors.

The Seiko Alpinist is synonymous with exploration, having enjoyed a history steeped in adventure. Initially intended for Japanese explorers, its design is respected for its strong case and rugged, reliable construction.

The Alpinist watch by Seiko is primed for mountain climbing, thanks to its legible dial, equipped with cathedral-style hands, and its generous treatment of lume. Its 200M water resistance and internal bezel make it suitable for wet conditions, navigating trails, and a host of other outdoor activities.

It also looks remarkably classic when paired with a leather band, though something more durable, like a steel bracelet or rubber band, works better for outdoor pursuits.

• Price: $950
• Key Features: Internal bezel with compass, robust steel case with 200M water resistance, lume-coated hands and hour markers, tough sapphire crystal glass front, compact size for smaller wrists
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Size: 39mm

Breitling Endurance Pro

The Breitling Endurance Pro is a marvel of technical sophistication with an aerospace, cockpit-inspired aesthetic that looks different from many other outdoor tool watches on the market. What I love so much about the design of the Endurance Pro is that it’s lightweight and built for comfort.

Its Breitlight case is relatively thin and lightweight for hours of wear on the wrist. The propriety material made in-house by Breitling experts is also hypoallergenic, tough, and scratch-resistant.

Whilst it’s not exactly flashy, it has a futuristic look, combining analog and digital features into one dial. The Endurance Pro 44 models are big and bold and come in various eye-catching colors.

It’s also worth noting that you can enjoy this watch in a much more compact 38mm size. These watches are powered by COSC-certified SuperQuartz movements for superior precision. The rubber straps are pretty fun, too! 

• Price: $3,400
• Key features: Lightweight and robust Breitlight case, 100M water resistance, Thermocompensated quartz movement for ten times greater accuracy, 1/10th of a second, and 30-minute chronograph features.
• Case material: Breitlight
• Size: 44mm

Luminox LM3741 Bear Grylls Survival Master

Any product that references legendary adventurer and survival expert Bear Grylls in its title sells itself, especially since the TV presenter designed it in collaboration with Luminox. This masculine and rugged-looking 45mm black-coated stainless steel watch epitomizes strength and robustness with 300 meters of water resistance and an easy-crown ring in orange for an easy grip.

This is a watch designed for challenging outdoor conditions, so you can easily see how it comes into its own when worn during a hike. The self-illuminating gas tubes against the model’s rich black dial glow longer and brighter than traditional luminous material.

At the same time, the unidirectional rotating bezel with a countdown quadrant is ideal for measuring elapsed time while completing crucial outdoor tasks. A robust quartz movement powers this Luminox watch, while its supple rubber band is strong enough for extended wear outside.

• Price: $1300
• Key Features: 300M water resistance, unidirectional rotating bezel, carbon case, self-illuminating gas tubes
• Case material: Carbonox
• Size: 45mm

Conclusion 

You’ll pay more for a well-built analog watch for hiking than you are for a multi-functional smartwatch; that much is true. Despite there being an entire suite of features to enjoy in a smartwatch, they still lack some of the appeal that true horological connoisseurs seek in a robust timepiece.

Still, they are perfect for tracking health metrics, navigating you to safety, and enabling you to become a more intuitive hiker while exploring new routes.

The choice between the two boils down to preference. There are pros and cons for both the analog watch and the smartwatch when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. Hopefully, this list gives you some food for thought. And if you’re struggling to choose between the two, there’s no harm in having one of each.

I remember my first watch as a child. It was a Princess and the Frog-themed quartz on a shiny red faux leather strap. It cost very little, but that didn’t matter. The little green frog would rock back and forth majestically as the seconds hand made its way across the whimsical dial, and I absolutely loved it.

I loved it so much that I hardly ever dared to wear it. I didn’t want to get the glass all scratched up, or the strap scuffed. Luckily, watches for kids are made much better than that these days.

A blend of quality materials and strong glass will protect a quartz movement, whether that child is going in for a scrum on a rugby pitch, scaling a wall at the park, or rock pooling on holiday. Still, there are some parameters to explore before heading into the task of buying your child their first wristwatch.

As well as ensuring you’re opting for a brand name you can trust, selecting the right materials is paramount in ensuring a watch will hold up on the wrist whilst scrapping with a sibling or shooting down a water slide.

You also need to consider factors like style and price. In this guide, I’ll list ten of the best kids’ watches on the market right now. But before we delve in, let’s look at some basic guidelines on how to pick the right kind of wristwatch for your child.

What To Look For in Kids Watches

Whether your child is starting first grade, switching schools, or celebrating a special birthday, their first watch must be special, and in a world where digital technology is never any further than a finger swipe away, it can be tempting to do away with the concept of the wristwatch altogether.

But watches, whether the traditional analog type or the digital, have truly stood the test of time and can make for the ideal gateway into affordable watch collecting.

It’s entirely possible, of course, to miss the boat completely when buying a child their first watch. Christmas and birthday lists often feature at least one techy gadget.

Seldom will it include a watch. So, it doesn’t matter whether you’re late to the party to get your child a solid, robust watch or hoping to start them young on their watch-collecting journey. Here are a few factors to consider.

Quality

Never skimp on quality when buying a children’s watch. Sure, that watch will probably be replaced in a year or two. But you shouldn’t underestimate the sheer number of knocks, bumps, and drops the watch will have to endure in that short time. Invest in materials that won’t let you down after a few weeks, including the strap.

Today, the market is vast, and there are nickel-free alloys and watches with high-quality steel casebacks, not to mention allergen-free strap materials that you can opt for if your child suffers from sensitive skin.

Two great strap materials to shop for when buying kids’ watches are silicone due to its light, quick-drying, and easy-cleaning nature and textile for comfort. Avoiding plastic case fronts and opting for the more scratch-resistant mineral glass is not always possible on a budget, but it’s great if you can.  

Water Resistance

Water resistance is an important one. A child won’t think twice about hopping into the bath while wearing their watch before considering whether it should be submerged.

For swimming lessons, afternoons dipping in the sea, and showers, look for a watch with a water-resistant rating of at least 100 meters.

If you’re not too concerned about buying a sports watch, don’t worry. Most manufacturers offer a basic water resistance of around 30 or 50 meters, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and go as high as your budget allows.

Size

If you don’t want to risk your child’s watch sitting on the bedside table for the best part of the year, ensure you find a watch size right for his or her wrist. For small children, look to brands like Flik Flak. Flik Flak creates a range of durable plastic watches with thin textile straps that aren’t too clunky.

A plastic glass ensures it won’t smash like a mineral glass if exposed to impact, either. Generally speaking, the smallest watches measure around 23mm in diameter, while larger wrists can carry off a broader 30-35mm diameter.

Price

Only you know what budget you’re working with when buying a watch for your child. The watch’s price should, of course, reflect the materials used and its build quality. Similar to investing in a timepiece as an adult, a reputable name in the industry that you can trust for quality and reliability is best.

The cost of the watch should also reflect the occasion. You may want to spend a little more if you’re marking a graduation.

Likewise, watches designed to last several years and require a simple battery replacement will cost more than a cheap gift shop watch. Either way, setting a budget before you shop for a child’s watch will ensure you don’t get carried away and spend more than you initially intended.

To round up, when choosing a watch, opt for a model built from a selection of robust materials and choose a brand name you can trust.

Consider size and features, ensure your watch has suitable water resistance, and always set a budget. With those factors in mind, let’s look at what we’ve rounded up as some of the best kids’ watches on the market right now.

Top 10 Best Kids Watches

From Japanese giant Casio to household names like Swatch and Timex, this list provides various designs, sizes, materials, and price ranges for you to explore when buying your child his or her first watch. Let’s go!

Casio F-91W

First up is a watch from Casio that comes in various flavors and colorways! It’s the Casio F-91W. It happens to be the world’s best-selling digital watch, with around 3 million manufactured annually. That point alone stands for a lot if you’re looking for a watch and a brand you can trust.

The fact that it’s made from resin makes it incredibly lightweight on a child’s wrist, and its 34mm diameter makes it relatively compact for a small wrist. Its basic strap leaves room for stacks of mods, plus the F-91W would even look good on a NATO strap.

Feature-wise, you get an alarm, an annual calendar, an hourly chime feature, and chronograph functions. You can also choose between a 12-hour or 24-hour display to read the time.

Timex Kids Digital 35mm Double Layer Fabri Strap Watch

Dressed in bright colors, the fabric strap of this Timex digital watch is perfect for kids, adding a pop to the wrist with its blue, green, and black striped band.

Timex is one of the most reputable names within the industry’s affordable watch sector and has made considerable contributions to watch design since its founding in 1854. Above all. Timex is known worldwide for its functionality and affordability.

This Timex Time Machines 35mm Double Layer Fabric Strap Watch measures a diameter of 35mm and is crafted from blue and black resin.

The standout features of this Timex kid’s watch are its 50-meter water resistance and its patented Indiglo night light technology, which enables full-screen illumination in the dark with the simple push of a button. What kids wouldn’t love a light-up watch?

Swatch Once Again

Swatch is known for its funky designs, so finding a fun analog watch should be no problem when checking out this brand.

That said, the Once Again watch by Swatch is probably one of the brand’s more reserved designs, with a plain back and white dial design, and due to its 34mm size, it may be better suited to an older child’s wrist.

The Swatch Once Again watch strap is crafted from bio-sourced material, while the black-colored plastic case is resistant to the odd knock and bump for those prone to the odd stumble or bump. Powered by a quartz movement, the Swatch is a simple, striking design with a legible day-date feature to track the passing days of each month.

Overall, this Swatch Once Again watch is a great first-time buy to introduce any young adult or child into the world of watch collecting.

Flik Flak Your Take Off

If Swatch is the brand most people associate with children’s watches, Flik Flak has to be the gateway to complete childhood wonder.

The designs are quirky and slightly whimsical, and with fun designs that span from dinosaurs to transparent cases, you can never say the watches from this brand lack the fun element. This Flik Flak watch for kids is a children’s version of a pilot’s watch.

The aviation-themed timepiece combines bright blue shades on the dial with legible white Arabic numerals that are easy to read, as are the 60-minute numerals on the bezel. This blue-colored bio-sourced plastic case is fitted on a matching blue-striped recycled PET strap, making it one of this list’s most environmentally friendly watches!

Timex Kids Analogue 32mm Fabric Strap Watch

The Times Machines watch collection is developed exclusively by Timex for children and offers a range of colors and styles for all ages. First and foremost, this model has an easy-to-read dial thanks to a pale blue hour and minute hand and a lilac central seconds hand.

The latter perfectly matches the color of the watch’s purple colored resin case, measuring 32mm in diameter.

No need to worry about the watch falling in a bowl of water or getting caught in a rain shower, either. Timex equips the watch with an acrylic glass with a 30-meter water resistance and a quick-drying purple fabric strap.

Casio G-Shock Baby-G BGD10L-7

If you’re going to get your child a Casio watch, some of the most fun and colorful options come from the brand’s extra robust G-Shock Baby-G collection. This Casio G-Shock Baby-G is the ultimate watch for customization, enabling your child to express their personality through several colored band loops.

Your child can switch up their look in seconds by accessorizing with the six different loops and two translucent shades. In addition to these loop accessories, the white resin Baby-G watch offers a plethora of additional features for kids to have fun with.

These include five daily alarms, a 100-meter water resistance, 1/10th of a second timer, an LED light, and a 1/100th of a second measuring unit.

Flik Flak Lavendology

Another one from Flik Flak, this time the Lavendology watch, and, as you’ll already have guessed, it presents the time in lavender tones. This is a slightly larger watch than many others on this list, measuring a broad 36mm.

But for those who like the funky, chunky, minimalist look, the Flik Flak Lavendology watch packs a whole load of character onto the wrist.

Its purple plastic case is solid and lightweight, while the dial itself features a shimmery purple surface adorned with legible dark purple Arabic numerals and matching sword-shaped hands.

Easy to tell the time, this Flik Flak watch is fun and noticeable and features a plastic strap fashioned in the style of a metal bracelet but without the clunkiness.

Swatch Sir Blue

Arguably one of the most sophisticated designs on this list – the Swatch Sir Blue looks good enough to be an adult watch and oozes class and a modern yet timeless style.

It features a sunray blue dial, the kind you would see in an adult’s watch, along with highly visible white Arabic numerals and green luminous material applied to its central hands for timekeeping during the night.

The deep blue strap is another cool feature. While it’s certainly robust enough to sustain all the kinds of physical activity a child is likely to be involved in.

It also features this really nice debossed pattern on its surface for added texture. This is a 34mm watch made from Swatch’s bio-sourced material. It imparts an original look thanks to its smooth tapering profile, making it a perfect accessory with smart party wear.

Marathon GP Quartz 34mm

A tool for reliability and precision – the Marathon GPQ watch is a 34mm model that sits nicely on a small wrist and is powered by a Swiss quartz movement for unwavering accuracy. For those children who like the army look, this field watch features a military-inspired 24-hour inner ring and a larger outer scale for the 12 Arabic numerals.

This isn’t one of the cheapest options on this list, but if you’re looking to invest in a kid’s watch that will last a few years without them growing out of it, the Marathon GP Quartz watch is great. This model packs in a load of features that you’d expect of an adult watch, including luminosity robustness and even an end-of-life battery indicator on the back to monitor battery life as you go.

The black case, crafted from composite fibreshell, promises 30 meters of water resistance and even features a superior glass front crafted from scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Perfect for den-building, cave exploring, and everything in between, the watch features superior luminosity thanks to its tritium gas tubes for a constant, rich glow.

Timex Time Machines 29mm Green Gecko Elastic Fabric Kids Watch

The great thing about the Timex Time Machines range is that you can get a good quality wristwatch without spending too much, which is great when you have children who change their minds on what’s cool and not cool overnight.

However, I can’t see a watch like this Green Gecko being uncool anytime soon. The design has a funky green translucent case, which affords a view into the battery, while the strap is super cool, featuring a gecko print.

On the dial, the numerals for the hour track are presented in Comis Sans, with orange and blue detailing that pops against a white background. Ideally suited towards younger children, this kid’s Timex watch measures a 29mm diameter and offers a basic but suitable 30mm water resistance.

Conclusion

You can’t force a child to like watches, but by buying them a decent first watch, you can at least stand a good chance of planting the watch-collecting seed.

That initial watch is more important than you think. It will teach your child what to look for in a quality watch and help them decide what they do and don’t want in their next one.

Hopefully, with the options we’ve shared in this guide to the best watches for kids, you’ll now have plenty of inspiration to go on the hunt and find the right design for him or her. Good luck!