Watches for Beginners: Our Recommendation for 2026

What you really need to decide

Almost everyone starts by looking at prices and ends up making the wrong purchase. The correct approach is the reverse: first decide how you’re going to use it and how often, and only then look at the different models. Once you’ve clarified that, three or four specifications are enough to rule out 80 per cent of the range. This guide is all about exactly that: which details matter, which are just marketing hype, and how to translate them into a concrete purchasing decision.

Quartz, automatic or manual: which to choose and why

The quartz It is the most accurate and the most practical: it diverts around ±15 seconds per month, it needs nothing more than a new battery every 2–4 years and is more shock-resistant. The automatic It is powered by a wrist movement and deflects between -10 and +30 seconds a day (a COSC-certified calibre has a rate of between -4 and +6), but it is the one with a mechanical soul, a sliding seconds hand and long-term value. The manual It needs to be wound every day and is usually more delicate, which is why it’s used in dress watches. If you’re looking for accuracy, go for quartz; if you’re looking for fine watchmaking, go for an automatic.

Water resistance: what the ATM rating really means

The figure on the box does not represent the actual working depth; it is a static laboratory pressure reading. In practical terms: 3 ATM / 30 m It can withstand rain and splashes, but nothing more; 5 ATM allows you to wash your hands but not to have a shower (the hot water exceeds that pressure and the heat causes the seals to expand); 10 ATM it’s suitable for swimming; and 20 ATM / 200 m That’s the minimum for diving. If you want a proper diving watch, look for the certification ISO 6425, which can be identified by the word printed on the dial DIVER'S alongside depth.

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.

Steel, titanium and coatings

The standard is the 316L steel, surgical grade, corrosion-resistant and easy to polish. The 904L (which Rolex calls Oystersteel) is slightly more corrosion-resistant and produces a denser polish, but the difference in everyday use is minimal. The titanium It weighs 40 per cent less and is hypoallergenic, making it ideal if you find the weight a problem, although it does show wear more easily. Regarding coatings: the PVD It is a thin layer that eventually wears away at the edges, whilst the DLC It is much harder and lasts for years. The gold plating on cheaper watches usually lasts between 2 and 5 years of daily use.

• 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 (Beginners)

Power reserve – and what happens if you don’t have one

Power reserve is the length of time an automatic watch continues to run after you stop moving it: typically, this is 38–41 hours in traditional calibres, which means that if you take it off on Friday night, it will have stopped by Monday. Modern movements have extended that figure: the Powermatic 80 lasts up to 80 hours and some current calibres at 70. For several automatic watches, a rotary box It keeps them running, although this isn’t essential: leaving it switched off won’t damage the mechanism; it just means you’ll have to set the time again. What is advisable, however, is a service every 5–8 years.

Criterion	Orient Bambino V2Our choice	Casio Vintage A168WA
Ideal for	Balanced and general use	Beginners
Strength	Value for money	Specific features
Reviews	Very positive and numerous	Positive
Approximate price	from around €80	from around €50
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.

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 is the brand’s official one and not just the seller’s; 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.

Glossary: the terms you’ll see in the fact sheets

Lug to lug

The distance between the ends of the lugs. This determines how the watch sits on the wrist.

Power reserve

The number of hours a mechanical watch continues to run without being wound or set in motion.

Hacking

A function that stops the seconds hand when the crown is pulled out, to synchronise to the second.

ISO 6425

A standard certifying a watch as suitable for diving. It is marked ‘DIVER’S’ on the dial.

Alternations

Vibrations per hour of the movement (21,600 or 28,800 are the most common).

Fine-tuning

A clasp system that allows the size of the bracelet to be adjusted in small increments.

Super-LumiNova

Non-radioactive phosphorescent paint that absorbs light and glows in the dark.

Conclusion: the three-step decision-making process

In a nutshell: work out what you’ll actually use it for, narrow it down to the two or three features that really matter to you, and tailor your budget accordingly. With that in mind, the Orient Bambino V2 is the default choice, and the Casio Vintage A168WA is the alternative if your priorities lie elsewhere. Everything else — extra features, promotions, high-end models — is secondary if those three steps are sorted out properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a GMT watch worth it?

Only if you travel or speak to people in a different time zone frequently: the fourth hand lets you see a second time at a glance. If it’s just for aesthetic reasons, a true GMT function makes the watch considerably more expensive than the same three-hand model, and the function will end up going unused.

How can I tell the difference between a genuine watch and a fake one?

Check three things before looking at the logo: the second hand (on an automatic watch, it should glide smoothly, not jerk), the weight and finish of the edges, and the serial number engraved on the case, which the manufacturer can verify. And buy from an authorised dealer: a price well below market value is the most reliable sign of all.

What watch should I give as a present if I don’t know the size of their wrist?

Go for a 38–40 mm case, which suits most wrists, and choose a steel bracelet with removable links or a standard leather strap: both can be adjusted later at any watchmaker’s for €10–15. Avoid diameters of 44 mm or more, which only suit wide wrists.

Does a watch lose its value over time?

Almost all of them, yes – just like any consumer product: for most, you’ll get half the price or less when selling them second-hand. Only a handful of highly sought-after models hold their value or even increase in price. Buy the watch because you enjoy wearing it, not as an investment.

Leather, steel or rubber strap?

Steel for everyday use and water, because it can withstand anything and cleans itself. Leather for dressing up, bearing in mind that with sweat it will last between one and two years. Rubber for sport and the beach. If the watch has quick-release buckles, having two straps completely transforms the watch in ten seconds and costs less than €25.

Should I go for the Orient Bambino V2 or the Casio Vintage A168WA?

The Orient Bambino V2 is the most well-rounded option and our default recommendation. The Casio Vintage A168WA is a good choice if you’re prioritising a watch for beginners. As a guide for your budget, the price range starts at around €50, and the best value is usually found at around €80.

By the Watch Guide Team · reviewed by

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