Start Here

The best watch is the one you love. The one that means something. The one that make you smile every time you look at it.

There's good news and bad news. The good news: a beautiful, meaningful watch doesn't have to cost a fortune. The bad news: a lot of them do. Regardless of price, we've created this guide to help you decide which watch is best for you.

Where to Start?

First, decide how you plan to wear this watch. Are you looking for a dress watch for work, nice dinners, and weddings? Or do you need an every day watch that looks just as good coaching soccer as it does at a dinner party? 

What size should I get?

Most watches are measured in case size, meaning the total width of the watch case horizontally. A majority of watches fall within the 39mm-42mm range. If you have small wrists and/or prefer a smaller case size, then 39-41mm should fit nicely. If you have larger wrists and prefer a larger more prominent watch, then 42-46mm should fit well. Unfortunately, when you get into luxury watches, larger watches generally carry a higher price tag.

Size can also be deceiving. Watches with no bezel wear a big larger because of the face size, but watches with larger bezels or ornate designs may wear smaller because of the larger profile. Our suggestion: try on as many as you can before you pull the trigger. Observe the thickness, case size, dials, bezels, and what feels right for you.

Watches can be categorized into a few different styles based on their functionality, as noted below. However, don't let functionality be the determining factor in your decision. Dive watches are great for underwater expeditions, but honestly most people prefer them because of their style. 

Of these brands, here are the ones we recommend, and a few we own. 

Consumer:

• Orient: if you are looking for a consumer level watch, Orient is a great choice. They often have automatic movements at a low price point, plus a variety of diver and dress watches to choose from. If you are just venturing into the world of watches, Orient is worth a look. Japanese made. 

• Seiko: this is the Honda of watches. They don't carry the prestige of a Rolex or an Omega, but they are well made, look nice, and run well with little maintenance. Plus, there are hundreds of models and modifications to choose from. They also developed the first commercially available quartz watch. If your watch budget is modest, Seiko has a great collection. 

Enthusiast:

• Hamilton: this brand is regarded as one of the best value watches you can buy. I'd personally bump them up into the Quasi Luxury brand because of their quality and attention to detail. If you are looking for the best "bang for your buck" this is your brand. 

• Alpina: another old Swiss brand with a large range of watches to choose from. Overall a unique brand with some great looking styles. 

• Edox: this is one of the few lower end Swiss brand that survived the quartz revolution. I own an Edox and give it a 10/10. It's an automatic dress watch with a skeleton back and very fine detail. One of the reasons we think Edox is a great brand is because they produce their movements in house. Many companies use movements manufactured by other companies, but Edox does it all on their own.  

Quasi-Luxury:

• Sinn: one of the coolest sub-luxury brands out there. Founded in Germany in the early 60's, they've done some unique collaborations with Breitling and make high quality, precision watches. Any watch enthusiast will give you a fist bump if they see you wearing one.  

• Ball: founded in 1891 by Webb C. Ball in Cleveland, Ohio, this is one of the few American watches on the list. Ball was one of the individuals responsible for getting the railroad systems to run on time. When people use the term "on the ball" it is a tribute to the precision scheduling from Webb Ball's efforts. 

• Longines: this is an old Swiss brand dating back to the early 1800's. They make elegant, higher end watches that could potentially move into the entry level luxury category. 

• Christopher Ward: this is one of the few well known British watch brands. They have a great style at a fair price, and you get a lot for what you pay. 

• Maurice Lacroix: another brand that makes their own in house movements. They are comparatively newer than some (founded 1975) but still pack a punch. They fetch a mid range price, but some of the Pontos styles can be found for mid $1,500 and at that price we'll buy all day. 

Entry Level Luxury:

• Tudor: Tudor is a sister company of Rolex, so a lot of the same thought and attention to detail goes into Tudor. After creating Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf created Tudor, aiming to produce watches similar to Rolex at a more accessible price point. If you're looking for a high quality watch without drawing the attention of a Rolex, Tudor is a great option. 

• Bremont: a British brand created by brother Nick and Giles English. Once during an emergency plane landing in a French field, a farmer named Antoine Bremont helped them out, and they named the company in his honor. They are known for their extremely durable sapphire crystal and precision timekeeping. 

• Bell & Ross: a French brand made in Switzerland, Bell & Ross make very identifiable watches. Most of their cases are square, so they stand out a bit from their peers. If you like the square style, Bell & Ross is the choice for you. 

Luxury: (at this level, most of them are great brands) 

• Omega: outside of Rolex, Omega is one of the most well know watch brands on the planet. You pay a premium for the name, but you get a great watch. It worked for James Bond. 

• Breitling: another very popular brand with some iconic styles. I own a 46mm Navitimer, and it is hands down my favorite watch. Breitling is known for their aviation style, which usually have very detailed and complex dials. Breitling introduced the first chronograph watch, originally made for professional explorers, aviators, and scientists.  Jerry Seinfeld is a big Breitling fan, so how can you go wrong? 

• Panerai: this beautiful Italian timepiece with ties to military development is often a polarizing brand. The size and design of Panerai makes them statements timepieces, but their unique look appeals to a lot of people. 

• Grand Seiko: if Seiko is Honda, Grand Seiko is a Bentley. Their movement has one of the highest beats per minute on the market, meaning the hands sweep very precisely. Definitely a beautiful watch for the money. 

We generally avoid brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Ralph Lauren because they specialize more broadly in luxury goods and not just watches. This is more of a personal preference than fact. 

High End Luxury:

• We don't play in this sandbox, but Rolex and Hublot are two very popular names on the list. Rolex has been on a roller coaster for the past few years. With the rise and fall of crypto and COVID, Rolex availability has been a challenge. Often times you'll have to wait months or years for a new Rolex, but they are the best known luxury watches on the planet for a reason. 

Ultra Luxury: 

• We don't live on this planet, but Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, and Patek Phillipe are some brands you've heard in rap songs, and have made appearances in Sopranos, Billions, F1 Drive to Survive, and Entourage. They start at tens of thousands and can range into the millions. If you have that budget, you likely know more than we do about these brands. Have fun.