Automatic vs Quartz Watches: Differences and Which to Choose
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Our choice: the Casio G-Shock GA-2100. It’s the watch that’s hardest to go wrong with, thanks to its balance of genuine performance, reliability and price.
Best alternative: the Daniel Wellington Classic 40mm, which is more interesting if your priority is day-to-day life.
Editor’s recommendation based on specifications and usage criteria. We do not include our own made-up ratings or reviews: please check verified reviews and the current price on Amazon before purchasing.
Casio G-Shock GA-2100 or Daniel Wellington Classic 40mm: the short answer
If you don’t want to read the whole comparison: the Casio G-Shock GA-2100 is the default choice and the one we recommend to most people, whilst the Daniel Wellington Classic 40mm comes out on top in one specific scenario — when your priority is everyday wear. The real difference between the two isn’t in the specs; it’s in how they perform in the way you’ll actually be using them. We’ve broken it down point by point below.
Luminescence: Super-LumiNova and LumiBrite
Modern luminescent paint is not radioactive: it is a phosphorescent material that absorbs light and gradually releases it. Super-LumiNova (Switzerland) and LumiBrite (Seiko) are the models, with variants such as the bluish BGW9 or the greenish C3, which is the one that shines the brightest. What makes the difference in practice is not the paint brand but the layer thickness: that’s why a €150 Seiko can outshine a €1,500 Swiss watch. With diving watches, check that the bezel at 12 o’clock and the minute hand – which is the one that counts underwater – are also luminescent.
Key features of the Casio G-Shock GA-2100
- Excellent value for money
- Thousands of verified positive reviews
- Reliable and easy to use on a day-to-day basis
- Good durability and easy maintenance
Points to bear in mind
- It isn’t the cheapest option in the catalogue
- Some premium features are not included
- It’s worth checking today’s price
How to buy a watch without being ripped off
Four things to check before paying: that the salesperson whether it is the manufacturer or an authorised distributor (on marketplaces, check who is shipping the item and who is invoicing); that the warranty that it is the brand’s official specification in Spain and not just that of the seller; that the specifications advertised match the official profile from the manufacturer, particularly crystal and ATM models, as these are where claims are most often exaggerated; and ensure the price isn’t significantly below market value, which is a common sign of a replica. Keep the box, paperwork and receipt: with watches, these add to the value should you ever sell it.
Glass: sapphire, mineral or acrylic
The sapphire is hard 9 on the Mohs scale: Only a diamond or materials containing corundum can scratch it, which is why it’s the best choice if you’re using the watch every day. The mineral (hardness 5–6) can be scratched by sand, keys or cement, although it withstands a single impact better without chipping. The Hardlex Seiko’s is a hardened mineral, somewhere in between. The acrylic It gets scratched just by looking at it, but you can polish it at home with polish in two minutes, giving it that warm, domed look of vintage watches. An anti-reflective coating on the inside makes the dial much easier to read than one on the outside, which wears off.
Solar and Eco-Drive: the maintenance-free option
If you don’t want to change the batteries or set the time, solar technology is the most practical solution on the market. The Eco-Drive Citizen charges a cell using any light, including artificial light, and stores energy to 6 months in total darkness; the Seiko equivalent is the Solar, and its Kinetic generates electricity from movement. The Spring Drive The Grand Seiko is a hybrid watch with a perfectly smooth seconds hand and quartz-level accuracy. The solar cell lasts between 10 and 20 years – far longer than the batteries it replaces – and the capacitor is replaceable.
- Quality of materials and finishes
- Recent verified reviews (including 3–4-star reviews)
- Warranty and returns policy
- Current price compared with its historical average
- Seller's reputation
- Make sure the key features suit your needs (day-to-day use)
Case size: the important figure is not the diameter
Everyone looks at the diameter in millimetres, but the person who decides whether a watch suits you is the lug to lug, the distance between the lugs. Rule of thumb: for a 16–17 cm wrist, look for a lug-to-lug measurement of just under 48 mm; up to 50–52 mm if your wrist is over 18 cm in diameter, 36–38 mm It is the classic style and the one that works best on a slender wrist or with a suit, 39–41 mm It’s the most versatile size available today, and anything over 44 mm takes you into the sports watch territory. A 40 mm watch with long, curved lugs looks better on the wrist than a 38 mm one with straight lugs.
| Criterion |  Casio G-Shock GA-2100Our choice |  Daniel Wellington Classic 40mm |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Balanced and general use | Day-to-Day Life |
| Strength | Value for money | Specific features |
| Approximate price | from around €320 | from around €200 |
| Recommendation | Our choice | Best alternative |
| View on Amazon | See price → | See price → |
Straps and bracelets: the most cost-effective change
Changing the strap transforms a watch for €20–40 and is the best value-for-money upgrade there is. Measure the width between antlers (18, 20 and 22 mm are the most common) and choose according to your needs: steel for everyday use, skin for washing (never with water), rubber or FKM for sport and summer, and NATO made of nylon for a military look and quick changes. Look for pins made of quick release (quick-release) so that no tools are required. With steel bracelets, the detail that sets the good ones apart from the mediocre ones is the micro-adjustable fastening, which allows you to fine-tune the fit when your wrist swells in the heat.
Verdict: which one to choose
The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 for most people; the Daniel Wellington Classic 40mm if you’ll mainly be wearing it for everyday use. Neither is a bad buy; they’re just designed for different purposes: the mistake would be to choose based on the price on a particular day rather than on how you’ll actually use it over the coming years. Check the current price of both before making your final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What width of strap do I need?
Check the distance between the lugs: 18, 20 and 22 mm will fit most watches. If your watch allows it, look for quick-release pins so you can change the strap without tools.
How much should a good first watch cost?
In the €100–200 price range, there are options that will last for years, featuring tried-and-tested automatic movements or maintenance-free solar-powered quartz watches. Moving up to the €400–700 price range buys you a better finish, sapphire crystal and movements with a longer power reserve, but not greater reliability.
Can I have a shower whilst wearing a 5 ATM watch?
It’s not advisable. Five atmospheres is measured under static conditions, and the shower jet generates higher pressure peaks; what’s more, the heat causes the seals to expand. For worry-free use with water, you need 10 ATM, and 20 ATM if you’re going diving.
Do sundials need maintenance?
Virtually none. The cell lasts between 10 and 20 years and the capacitor can be replaced; under normal lighting conditions, even artificial light, they remain charged and retain a reserve of power for months in the dark.
Will an automatic car break down if I leave it standing?
No. Leaving it switched off won’t damage the mechanism; you’ll just need to set the time when you use it again. What it does need over the years is a service, every 5–8 years depending on use.
Should I go for the Casio G-Shock GA-2100 or the Daniel Wellington Classic 40mm?
The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 is the most well-rounded option and our default recommendation. The Daniel Wellington Classic 40mm makes sense if your priority is everyday wear. As a budget guide, the useful price range starts at around €200, and the best value is usually found at around €320.
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