Author: Nina S

Sick of bulky, oversized watches? You aren’t alone. In fact, the truth is that small wrists are more common than you think. In this day and age, 42mm-sized watches are the norm, and even larger diameters are commonplace.

But in recent years, we have seen a resurgence in smaller-sized wristwatches, and luckily, for those who aren’t keen on the field watch, there’s now more choice than ever before. Oversized watches are still a mainstay, and that will likely always be the case.

But if you so happen to have small wrists, by wearing a behemoth on your wrist, you risk looking like a kid wearing his dad’s watch. Indeed, a large watch on a small wrist can look unsightly, so the key is to find a case diameter that suits your wrist shape as well as your proportions.

38mm Watches Are Here to Stay

Up until recently, wristwatches have been getting bigger and bigger. Thankfully for those less endowed, including myself (I’m partial to a boyfriend watch), the trend has gradually slowed, and smaller watches are making quite the comeback.

Smaller men’s watches and unisex watches are in, and we now appreciate that watches don’t have to be big and heavy to be worth their price tag.

While there’s still a significant distinction between a man’s and a lady’s watch, lines are blurring, and that’s a good thing. In fact, crafting a watch in smaller proportions requires a higher level of skill and refinement, so much so that consumers perhaps overlook it.

Crafting a smaller, thinner watch requires a smaller, thinner engine, so a 300-meter water-resistant dive watch with proportions of 10mm in thickness and 38mm in width is no easy feat, trust me.

And the downsizing of wristwatches is something that we’re seeing across the board, from microbrands to Swiss hard hitters like Breitling and TUDOR. Big names are shaving millimetres off their biggest icons, and no one is complaining.

Perhaps, the sub-40mm watch is what the industry has been waiting for? A newfound appreciation for refinement in smaller, more concise proportions that makes sense on the wrist!

Understanding Watch Sizes

It can be easy to lose your way when exploring different watch sizes. Simply put, one 38mm watch won’t wear the same as another 38mm watch. That’s because there is more at play than just the diameter of a case alone. Let’s break it down into simpler terms…

Of course, case diameter is the most common watch measurement of all. The diameter of a watch is the measurement from one side of the case to the other, minus the crown. Anything around 36mm to 40mm is ideal for those with slender wrists.

Anything above the 40mm diameter is considered large on an average 6.5 mm- 7 mm wrist circumference. But here’s where it gets confusing, because case depth can also significantly affect how a watch feels and wears on the wrist.

A watch with a slim profile and more tapered lugs will fit more snugly and compactly on the wrist than a thicker watch with squared-off, angular case sides. In the first instance, a slimmer case may be more forgiving of its larger diameter. Now let’s complicate things further.

The lug-to-lug measurement of a case (that is, the distance of the tip of the top lug to the tip of the bottom lug) can make a watch feel too large for the wrist, regardless of case diameter. If the lug-to-lug distance is too long, it will protrude over the sides of the wrist.

You should also consider other factors like crown size, bezel, and pushers on a case. While case diameter and lug-to-lug measurements play an integral role in how a watch feels and wears on the wrist, the smaller features matter too.

11 Top 38mm Watches in Every Category

Now that you have a basic understanding of the factors that contribute to the size of a watch, let’s look at some sweet spot 38mm watches in every category, from dress watches to rugged diver watches, and even the classic steel sports watch. Here they are in no particular order.

Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 38mm 220.10.38.20.01.004

The black and steel version of the 38mm Omega Seamaster is an absolute classic. Its simple three-handed layout makes it suitable for anything from a dinner date to an afternoon at the races.

Its symmetrical steel case, paired with a sophisticated three-link bracelet, holds a Co-Axial Master Chronometer at its centre – the Calibre 8800 – and is certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology, promising the industry’s highest standards in accuracy and mechanical precision.

So many love the Seamaster for its compact yet robust design. Plus, if you flip this 150M water-resistant case over, you get a sapphire exhibition glass on the reverse to admire the movement at work.

Omega Speedmaster 38mm 324.30.38.50.03.001

Maybe you already own the ionic black tone-on-tone Speedmaster watch, and you’d like to level up your collection with something different. This blue dial configuration of the 38mm Omega Speedmaster watch certainly gives the famous chronograph a twist.

Its light blue shimmering dial provides the Speedmaster with an extra layer of indulgence. The sun-brushed blue dial is the perfect canvas for a set of three oval-shaped sub-dials, while the tachymeter around the edge allows you to track speed based on distance on a darker blue background for added legibility.

What lends the Speedmaster such comfortable dimensions is its tapering lugs that transition into a brushed and polished 5-link bracelet seamlessly.

Speake-Marin Openworked Dual Time Titanium 38mm 413809250

Anyone who has dipped their toes into the exclusivity of the Speake Marin world will appreciate that the Openworked Dual Time watch is not a cheap watch by any stretch of the imagination.

Still, if you’re planning to push the boat out this summer and are looking for a watch that blends compact proportions with high-quality craftsmanship, you’re on the right lines to look at this watch.

The dual-time complication has been in Speake-Marin’s catalogue for some 70 years and was utilised by the pilots of Pan America Airlines. Today, you can find it in a more ergonomically crafted titanium material, offering a lightweight build that you’ll forget is even on your wrist during long-haul flights.

This is a new-gen Picadilly case in grade 5 titanium with a sapphire crystal front and back that shows an openworked dial and the complex mechanism of the Calibre SMA02 at work through the rear.

A black and brown scale cleverly enhances the dual time indication at 9 o’clock, while the small seconds sub-dial resides between 1 and 3 o’clock.

It’s great to see a complex and non-conventional layout in a 38mm modern watch. Speake-Marin seems to get the balance just right with a smooth black leather strap and unusual details like the heart-shaped hour hand.

Hublot Classic Fusion Racing Grey Titanium 38mm 565.NX.7071.RX

The Hublot Classic Fusion in Racing Grey is a much more attainable 38mm watch than the Speake-Marin Openworked Dual Time watch, but it also looks drastically different. Hublot is a watchmaker associated with bold, masculine-looking watches built from legit cool AF materials.

However, this particular Classic Fusion watch is not manufactured from the brand’s proprietary King Gold, nor its own high-tech ceramic. This is a lightweight titanium case that emphasises the wearability that goes hand-in-hand with a compact 38mm watch.

That said, the polished facets running along the edges of the case and the angular lines of the brushed titanium surface do create a more chiselled and aggressive appearance that can make the watch feel bulkier on the wrist.

MeisterSinger Perigraph 38mm BM1101G

Meistersinger is a brand with German roots that made a name for itself by creating timepieces with a singular-hand concept. To a novice, the one-hand dial may sound like a complicated way to tell the time, but theoretically, the concept promotes a simplified timekeeping approach.

The Perigraph is a sector dial with a recessed inner date ring and a long needle-fine singular hand that reaches right out to kiss a minute scale around the edge of a white display. For a 38mm watch, the Perigraph creates the impression of a vast, almost flat dial but is saved by a case depth of 10.4mm, which gives it a bit of meat.

The blue minute markers and light brown Arabic numeral hour markers are a nice touch, too, marrying well with the light brown alligator leather strap.

H3: NOMOS Glashütte Club Campus Night Sky 38mm

One stand-out advantage of the solid caseback versions of the Club Campus watch by German brand Nomos Glashutte is the personalisation element.

You can have a specially engraved message on the back of the brand’s non-sapphire caseback versions, making them a popular option for those looking to gift a watch to a loved one to mark a special milestone.

But even if you just love the contemporary beauty and unique colour combinations of the Club Campus, or even the Bauhaus elegance of the brand’s other popular lines, Nomos watches tend to wear small.

This 38mm watch is a relatively new model within the Club Campus range and was launched alongside a striking yellow-coloured Starlight iteration.

This model features a dramatic blue display inspired by the night sky, along with a vivid orange small seconds hand at 6 o’clock and lots of luminous material applied to the Roman and Arabic numerals of this California dial.

Nivada Grenchen Chronosport 38mm 77001A45

If you’re big into your sports watches, you’ll have probably explored Nevada Grenchen watches. The brand is loved for several iconic designs, particularly the F77. But this 38mm watch is the Chronosport, endowed with taupe sub-counters at 9 and 12 o’clock for the small seconds and totaliser.

The Chronosport watch is a unique mix of futuristic shapes and retro elements. The Art Deco typography is an unusual addition in a chronograph and was the work of talented dial designer, Jean Singer, who also innovated the Omega Speedmaster Racing model and the TAG Heuer Skipper.

This 38mm steel model has a domed sapphire crystal glass, which enables the watch to look and feel smaller on the wrist. At the same time, a total of 10 strap configurations can instantly transform the look of the Chronosport to whatever you want, depending on your situation.

Grand Seiko SBGY008

Grand Seiko, though known for its high-end approach to watchmaking compared to Seiko, offers the reference SBGY008 in a very manageable 38mm diameter.

These ideal proportions for a dress watch frame a dial inspired by Winter in Shinshu – the location where one of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking facilities resides.

It is one of the company’s more expensive watches, being crafted from 18ct rose gold and boasting a meticulously hand-finished dial, not to mention a handcrafted Spring Drive movement – the pinnacle of Grand Seiko’s mechanical prowess.

The textured dial of this 38mm Grand Seiko watch catches the light unusually, capturing the bright look of snow, while the golden facets of its applied hour markers create shadows that give you an authentic feel for the brand’s meticulous watchmaking approach.

As a dress watch, you can’t beat 38mm proportions in a rose gold case, and if you like discreet luxury, Grand Seiko hits a home run with this design, embedding diamonds up the sloping sides of the case.

Czapek Passage de Drake Stairway to Eternity 18870005

Named after explorer Sir Francis Drake, the Passage de Drake collection by Czapek & Cie has a unique guilloche dial pattern in salmon that evokes a stairway design.

A repeated, stamped detailing on a dial is a familiar feature that we see in the classic sports watch, particularly those from the 1970s or those imitating the look of one.

The tapering profile of the watch’s case also seamlessly blends into the integrated bracelet, providing an overall compact feel on the wrist, while an “Easy Release” system and micro-adjustment device allow for quick amendments on the fly.

As far as steel sports watches go, the Passage de Drake Stairway to Eternity ticks all the boxes of the classic sports watch, with its integrated design, textured dial, sapphire glass, see-through exhibition caseback, and an in-house movement.

Squale Super- Big Arrows SUPERSSABK.AC

One of the more accessible 38mm watches on this list is the affordable Squale dive watch. I’ve always been a fan of the beads-of-rice bracelet because it gives a timepiece an authentic retro feel. Squale combines the steel bracelet with a 38mm steel case equipped with 200M water resistance in this design.

The lug-to-lug measurement of the Super-Squale Big Arrows watch falls within an ideal range of 45mm to 48mm, measuring on the lower end (45mm), so you certainly don’t need to worry about the case spilling over the sides of your wrist.

A double-domed sapphire crystal sits atop a black dial with lashings of Super-LumiNova material on its arrow-shaped hands and hour markers.

Of course, being a bona fide dive watch, the Super-Squale is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale to measure elapsed time underwater without running the risk of accidentally extending dive time.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 220.20.38.20.10.001

We started this guide with Omega, so we’ll end with Omega – one of the world’s most revered watchmakers and a name associated with horological excellence in every aspect. This time, it’s the 38mm Aqua Terra – another compact build that Omega manages to blend with sumptuous materials and an unusual dial colour.

Omega presents this Aqua Terra in steel and rose gold shades, pairing it with a sun-brushed light green dial. The brand’s proprietary 18k Sedna Gold produces a somewhat softer shade of rose gold, which Omega experts repeat in the bud-shaped hour markers and the faceted hands on the dial – all of which have received a layer of Super-LumiNova.

The Aqua Terra is a mix of smoothly sculpted contours, which you can see in the sloping lugs, which nicely draw this 38mm case into the wrist.

Conclusion

Just because leading watchmakers have spent years steadily increasing the diameters of their watches to the point where they almost became unwearable, it doesn’t mean nothing is left for those less endowed. In fact, recent trends over the last few years show that smaller proportions are the way to go.

Before this change, smaller-wristed males were limited to field watches or the odd dress watch at best. If not, they were encroaching on unisex territory, a label brands would use as another way of saying a “lady’s watch” without really saying it.

Brands have tuned into the fact that they could sell a watch better to the male or unisex audience without losing respect from smaller-wristed males who would have felt it inferior to buy a “woman’s watch”.

Now, male consumers don’t have to worry about that. A variety of 38mm watches are listed as “men’s” timepieces today, and they look as solid and purposeful as their beefier siblings.

Whether you have slender wrists or prefer the more compact profile of a high-end timepiece, the current luxury watch industry offers some incredibly beautiful options that, hopefully, this guide has highlighted for you.

No one is going to blame you for instantly thinking of countries like Japan and Switzerland when it comes to conversations about horological domination. It’s completely true that both countries dominate the watchmaking industry, and for very different reasons.

But when we really open the book and delve into the history of watchmaking, it’s much more of an international story. What if I were to tell you that some of the most important watch manufacturers in the world originated from America? True story, really!

A look at the current landscape tells us there are many more hidden players in the watchmaking game than meets the eye. Indeed, the Swiss are not the only ones who know a thing or two about escapements and balance springs.

In fact, the watchmaking scene in the US was positively thriving back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. By this point, America had impressed the Swiss with its watchmaking expertise and mass production of watch parts.

In fact, if it had not been for the Great Depression and World War II, the horological climate could have looked a lot different for us all. Who knows – the Swiss may have never even reclaimed their position as leaders in watch manufacture had it not been for those circumstances.

If you’re interested in exploring US watch brands, you’re reading the right article. In this guide, we’ll examine the history of watchmaking in America and highlight some of the best American watch companies.

The History of American Watchmaking 

Around the 17th and 18th centuries, watchmaking took off in America. Up to that point, the Swiss and British dominated this space. Britain was known for its accuracy, and though British watches may not have been the most stylish, they were certainly some of the most reliable.

It was indeed the Swiss who were the more fashion-conscious of the two countries. British manufacturers began selling their watches to European markets, whilst their cheaper models went to America.

As such, America soon realized that if it wanted to put itself on the map for creating watches of a particular class or style, it would need to disassociate itself from the cheap junk it was becoming known for, and actually begin manufacturing its own timepieces.

The US began large-scale watch manufacturing in Massachusetts in the 1850s, and it soon became a hotbed for watchmaking during the Industrial Revolution.

The Waltham Watch Company was launched in 1854 by Aaron Dennison. Thanks to his expertise, the company produced the first American-made watch and began developing advanced machinery and tools that eventually went on to help American watchmaking really take off.

The tools spread to other industries, too. Meanwhile, the machinery used to cut metal parts and produce watch components was not good news for the British or the Swiss.

Realising their cheap watches were no longer selling well in America, a quick visit across the pond confirmed that the country’s technology was far superior to their own and could even develop quality screws that their machinery couldn’t.

To cut a long story short, the Swiss were impressed by America’s newfangled technology. They took inspiration from them, and although the Swiss were still dominating the industry and producing watches with hand-finished components, they couldn’t compete with America on large-scale manufacture.

American design elements even became apparent in some of the simpler models, acquiring their own identity. But by the 1900s, the Swiss had managed to catch up with America and were competing in the same space for the more affordable sector.

While Swiss watches were made using components produced in many different factories, US watches were developed in one factory. Therefore, if the Swiss had a supplier problem, they had alternatives to explore. 

America didn’t have various suppliers to fall back on. Switzerland was also quick off the mark in supplying wristwatches to the military during the First World War.

By the time the Great Depression had arrived, consumer goods like wristwatches were out of the question. No one could afford them. However, Swiss brands were in a much better position to supply wristwatches to aid the efforts of WWII.

America would struggle to overcome this blow. One brand that did survive the ordeal, however, was a manufacturer called The Waterbury Clock Company – AKA Timex. Now hold that thought.

15 Best American-Made Watch Brands

Today, millions of watches are imported to the USA from countries like Switzerland and Japan every year. Although traditional American watchmaking had all but disappeared during the 20th Century, new entrepreneurs are gradually re-entering the watchmaking scene, each one striving to bring authentic American watchmaking back to its shores.

Some brands like RGM make almost every element of their watches in-house, while others like Shinola assemble watches in America, creating dozens of jobs but importing their components from third-party manufacturers overseas.

With that in mind, it’s easy to see how the lines can become blurred between those brands that are the true “Made in America” type and those that aren’t. Either way, here are 15 American watch brands producing good-quality watches in 2025.

Timex

Let’s kick-start this guide to the best American watch brands with a name you’ll have heard of: Timex. The brand is technically owned by a Dutch holding company and has a history that stems far beyond the Timex name (1950) to the Waterbury Clock Company, founded in the 1850s.

Timex is the brand that created the famous Mickey Mouse watches you’ll remember from your childhood, and innovated classics like the M79, the Marlin, and the Waterbury.

Along with producing simple time and date dress watches, Timex offers an array of military-inspired mechanicals, including GMT complications and chronographs.

Benrus

Benrus still resides in New York City and was founded in 1921 by three brothers. This American watch brand played an essential role during the Vietnam War, providing the American troops with legible field watches.

As such, its Type I and Type II watches were the top choice for the US Navy during the 1970s. The company specialises in military field watches and, over the years, has created many styles, acquiring an impressive fan base that included the likes of John F Kennedy, who was gifted a Benrus watch in the 1960s.

J.N. Shapiro

J.N. Shapiro is a relatively young brand that was founded in 2018. Based in California, the company’s founder, Josh Shapiro, and his team focus on crafting high-end watches. They hope that someday the company will become a vertically integrated setup.

The brand’s initial Infinity watch used German parts, enhanced by J.N. Shapiro’s in-house design, including its covetable engine-turned dials. Today, around 150 of its 180 watch components are created in-house, demonstrating the brand’s relentless drive for complete independence.

Of course, such a level of skill in a watch does not come cheap. J.N. Shapiro watches are expensive, with average prices ranging from $ 70k to $ 85k.

Weiss

Weiss was founded by a watchmaker with unparalleled expertise in horology, having worked for Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin – two of the “Big Three” in watchmaking. Cameron Weiss set up in 2013, developing wristwatches inspired by vintage aircraft and old 1950s diving apparatus.

Although originally founded in LA, Weiss now resides in Tennessee, where each watch is individually hand-assembled by a Swiss-trained watchmaker.

Every watch’s case, crown, and strap buckle is machined from a single block of steel, while inside each watch is an in-house movement that is 95% American-made.

Autodromo

Autodromo is another young brand (founded in 2011) that creates timepieces inspired by the world of motoring. Because of this special USP, the brand now appeals to motorsport enthusiasts far and wide.

One of the company’s bestsellers is the Prototipo Chronograph with a distinctive 1960s racing chronograph aesthetic. Meanwhile, the brand’s Group C model is a digital watch with motorsport roots, blending classic looks with the digital era.

RGM

If in-house manufacture is important to you in an American watch brand, RGM should be on your radar. The initials stand for Roland G. Murphy – the founder of the company and a trained watchmaker, who initially worked for Hamilton as a technical manager.

Murphy was responsible for crafting the first high-grade American mechanical watch in over four decades, resuscitating this once thriving industry.

Murphy followed this up with a moonphase calibre 20 watch with a tonneau-shaped case featuring a motor barrel that reduced friction. The mechanism was once used in American railroad watches.

Vortic

Vortic was founded on a unique vision shared by three entrepreneurs who wanted to create steel watches developed by a 3D printing machine, and could house original pocket watch movements.

These movements, discarded by brands like Waltham, Hamilton, and Elgin watches, appealed to collectors far and wide.

Today, Voetic watches are made using CNC machines. Still, they are no less impressive, honouring styles from yesteryear and falling into one of three main categories: the American Artisan, the Railroad Editions, and the Military.

Shinola

Shinola communicated its mission to reinvent quality watch manufacturing in America by naming itself after the defunct shoe polish company that became famous for its phrase “you don’t know shit from Shinola”.

Ironically enough, the Texas-based watchmaker uses watch parts imported from all over the world, including China, Thailand, and Europe. Shinola is a lifestyle brand offering watches with quartz and mechanical movements.

It has a nuanced history, chequered by the scrutiny it has received for bearing labels like “Made in America” and “Made in Detroit”. Even so, the brand produces a vast array of stylish watches of the quality that you would expect from its price point.

LUM-TEC

LUM-TEC is based in Ohio and owned by Wiegand Custom Watch Company LLC. That company produces parts for private-label watches, but LUM-TEC is its showcase brand.

As you would expect from its name, the brand is synonymous with excellent luminosity and specialises in its own luminous technology – MVD (Maximum Darkness Visibility). The technology comprises a white titanium dioxide layer and another six layers of custom-developed Super-LumiNova.

Lastly, the concoction receives a glass coat layer. Underneath the dial, however, are Japanese or Swiss movements. LUM-TEC even produces a cool lume-coated NATO strap that complements its rugged, no-nonsense military-inspired watch designs.  

Oak & Oscar

If you’ve heard of Oak & Oscar, you’re likely familiar with its Burnham watch – a time and date watch that takes its name from one of several Windy City Skyscrapers of its hometown, Chicago. As a running theme throughout Oak & Oscar’s catalogue, these watches have given the brand a unique identity. \

The “Oscar” part of the company is named after one of the founder’s pet dogs, and subsequently, the brand demonstrates its love of dogs in its mission statement, supporting local dog rescue centres via its sales of watches.

Nodus

The name Nodus derives from the Larin word for “pathways,” which signifies the microbrand’s uniting of two paths – modern and vintage. The company’s forest watch arrived in 2017 with a distinctive retro dive watch aesthetic.

That initial model went on to inspire popular designs like the Sector Dive and the Retrospect. Nodus uses imported watch parts but designs and assembles them in-house within its company’s HQs in Los Angeles.

Waldan

Whilst imprisoned during WWII, Polish company founder Oscar Waldan taught himself the craft of watchmaking at Buchenwald concentration camp. The company’s backstory is one of strength, resilience, and empowerment, and now resides in New York as Waldan Watch Company.

The company is now under the guidance of Walden’s grandson, who revived the brand in 2020. Waldan watches are a mix of important, home-soil parts, and feature high-grade stainless steel cases, sapphire crystal glass fronts, and FTS “Ameriquartz” movements.

The watches are all assembled in America and tested there, too, including popular designs like the Heritage Professional and Heritage Sport.

Vaer

Can’t afford the watches you like, and the ones you can afford, you dislike? If that’s your view on watches, you share your opinion with the founders of Vaer, so this American watch brand’s designs may be worth checking out. Vaer first began releasing watches assembled overseas, but now manufactures its own watches.

Vaer watches are aimed at sporty individuals and those who spend a lot of time outdoors, with designs like the D5 Tropic USA Automatic and S5 Calendar Field proving to be pillars of the brand’s success.

Vaer equips its watches with Japanese solar-powered watches and Sellita-powered automatics, making them perfect for everyday wear.

Resco Instruments

Every watch from Resco Instruments is designed, assembled, and tested at the company’s Coronado-based facilities in California, including its very first model – the Gent Patriot – a rugged utilitarian model with bags of character and solid functionality.

The brand specialises in watches that can be worn “downrange” for a more casual, daily look, and produces watches on a low scale. Some 600-1000 Resco Instruments watches are made each year.

Despite this, the collection is diverse, including models like the Black Frog, geared towards those who love military dive watch designs.

Cincinnati Watch Company

The clue is in the name. Cincinnati Watch Company is an American watch brand that arrived in 2018 and originally went by the name “Build Your Own Watch”. Since that founding year, the company has slowly but surely grown and now offers a catalogue of watches inspired by the historic landmarks of its town.

For example, the Union Terminal watch was inspired by the Art Deco “Queen City” train station, and the Guild Mechanical pays homage to the “Time Hall” guild hall that was once the home of the Gruen Watch Company, where it now resides.

American Watchmaking Today

Sadly, the US is no longer considered one of the leading lights in the watchmaking world, but the country deserves so much more recognition than it gets.

America played such an important role in the world of watches today, shaping history and birthing some of the most successful timepieces on the planet. We really do owe a lot to American watchmakers.

The current horological landscape tells us two things in particular. One is that foreign companies bought out leaders in this field of expertise. Examples include Hamilton, Ball Watch Company, and Bulova.

Secondly, it tells us that many other established brands sadly disappeared somewhere along the way. That said, some really good US watch brands are out there, offering timepieces at all price ranges from budget to high-end.

The reality is that very few quality watches are made in America today. Brands like Waltham, Bulova, and Elgin, which influenced the Swiss with their cutting-edge machinery and innovative designs, have survived, albeit only by name.

These brands are still popular, but not so much for their American roots, which is a huge shame. If for nothing else, America is today associated with the mass manufacture of inexpensive, disposable watches – a market that grew unexpectedly from the 1960s onwards.

Names like Timex are recognised all over the globe, and though this brand caters to a more budget-focused audience, its name is solid. As such, it was one of the few companies to survive Swiss domination and the impact of the quartz revolution.

Because of brands like these in this list, America could one day regain its reputation for crafting quality timepieces and rise from the ashes with a resurgence in authentic American-roots brands. Until then, there are still plenty of watches to enjoy.

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!