Table of Contents
Simple guide, without snobbery, to choose wisely
Choosing your first watch can quickly become confusing. Between the big brands, the micro-brands, the automatic watches, the quartz, the prices which range from 100 to several thousand euros… you can very quickly feel lost.
Here, no snobbery, no judgment, no elitist discourse.
It doesn’t matter the brand or the budget: if you like a watch and make you want to wear it, it’s already a good watch.
Our role is simply to guide you towards choices consistentto avoid classic mistakes when starting out.
Whether you have €200, €500 or more, this guide is here to help you make a first thoughtful purchasewithout pressure.
The essential criteria for choosing your first watch
Before talking about specific models, it is necessary to understand what really matters when you start.
Quartz or automatic: which to choose first?
- Quartz : precise, reliable, low maintenance, ideal if you want a “constraint-free” watch.
- Automatic : mechanical, lively, more passionate, perfect for discovering traditional watchmaking.
There is no no universal best choice. Many enthusiasts started with a quartz… and some stay there all their lives. Personally, I much prefer mechanical watches.
Case size: the number 1 mistake beginners make
A watch that is too big is the most common mistake.
- Thin to medium wrist: 38 to 40mm
- Wider wrist: 40 to 42mm
- Beyond: rarely useful for a first watch
A well-proportioned watch will more elegant, more comfortable and will age better.
Style: versatility before originality
For a first watch, it is better:
- a simple design
- legible
- master key
You can always treat yourself later with a more distinctive watch.
The bracelet
It contributes greatly to the “look” of the watch. Leather has a charm: it’s skin, it’s alive but more fragile over time.
The “metal” bracelet, usually made of steel, allows you to swim with your watch and is much more durable. However, it remains heavier on the wrist.
Please note, however, that you can change the bracelet as you wish, with just a small manipulation that you will enjoy carrying out. There are also Nato bracelets, very practical which allow you to regularly change the look of your watch with ease.
Maintenance and reliability
When we start, we favor:
- brands known for their reliability
- proven movements
- accessible after-sales service
Comparison table – Our selection to get you started
| Model | Movement | Diameter | Style | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seiko 5 Sports | Auto | 38mm | Sports/daily | €350 |
| Tissot PRX | Quartz | 40mm | Sporty chic | €375 |
| Hamilton Khaki Field | Quartz | 38mm | Field | €440 |
| Citizen Promaster | Solar | 41mm | Sport | €320 |
| Baltic HMS 002 | Auto | 38mm | Neo-vintage | €432 |
| Yema Rallygraf | Quartz or auto | 39mm | Pilot | €399 |
| Lip GDG | Auto | 39mm | Skeleton | €479 |
Our selection of watches for a successful first acquisition
The watches presented exist in different versions (dials and bracelets). If you like a model, don’t hesitate to compare other pieces from the same collection.
Seiko 5 Sports (350 euros)
There ideal front door in mechanical watchmaking. Japanese reliability, robustness, widely recognized, it is often the first automatic for many enthusiasts.
- ✔ Proven automatic movement
- ✔ Excellent value for money
- ✔ Recognized brand
- ❌ Nothing to complain about
Tissot PRX Quartz (375 euros)
A modern, elegant watch, easy to wear every day.
- ✔ Timeless design
- ✔ Swiss precision
- ✔ Very versatile
- ❌ Less “passionate” for mechanics enthusiasts
Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz (440 euros)
Inspired by military watches, simple, readable, effective: the “field” watch par excellence.
- ✔ Perfect as a unique watch
- ✔ Very comfortable
- ✔ Swiss brand
- ❌ Expensive for a quartz movement and a polyester strap
Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive (320 euros)
A Japanese brand watch equipped with very innovative technology which transforms artificial and natural light into energy which powers the watch for a power reserve of 180 days!
- ✔ Solar operation
- ✔ Zero batteries, zero adjustments
- ✔ Ideal for intensive use
- ❌ We are looking…
Baltic HMS 002 (432 euros)
A serious French micro-brand, appreciated by enthusiasts. The movement is a Miyota, however, the glass is not sapphire but hesalite (more likely to scratch).
- ✔ Elegant aesthetic
- ✔ Mechanical movement
- ❌ Hesalite ice
Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz II Panda (399 euros)
A pilot’s watch from a French watchmaking company created in 1948. The movement is a quartz/mechanical hybrid.
- ✔ Strong identity
- ✔ Nice finishes
- ✔ Real watchmaking legitimacy
- ❌ Mineral ice
LIP Général de Gaulle Automatic Skeleton (479 euros)
Lip is a legendary French watchmaking company whose history begins in 1867! This skeletonized model has a very pretty automatic movement.
- ✔ Sapphire crystal
- ✔ Automatic movement
- ✔ Transparent box bottom
- ❌ ?
What is best to avoid when starting out
Without contempt, but with honesty:
- Watches too bigoften uncomfortable
- Impulsive “fashion” purchases
- The watches of licensed fashion brands (Lacoste, Diesel, Hugo, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.)
Some ready-to-wear brands offer watches through licenses.
They’re not necessarily bad watches, but they’re not watch brands.
If your goal is to discover watchmaking, it is better to choose a specialized house.
Frequently Asked Questions – First Watch
What is the minimum budget for a first watch?
Of the 200 to 300 €you can find reliable, well-built and durable watches.
Quartz or automatic when starting out?
Both are good choices. The quartz is simpler, the automatic more passionate.
Can a first watch last long?
Yes. A well-chosen watch can accompany you decades of years.
Can you resell your first watch later?
Some brands retain their value better, but a first watch is above all a pleasure purchase that you will enjoy taking out of its box.
SO ? What are you waiting for?
There is no “best” first universal watch.
The best watch is the one you’ll want to wearwhich fits your lifestyle and your budget. Prestige is not an obligation, consistency is.
This guide is here to help you start wellserenely.
