Traveller’s Watch: Our Recommendation for 2026

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This guide is organised from the most important points to the least important. If you’re only going to read two sections, read the first two: that’s where most of the difference lies between making the right choice and regretting it. At the end, you’ll find a glossary of terms that you’ll see repeated in the product descriptions, explained in plain language.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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 (Travelling)

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.

Criterion	Casio G-Shock GA-2100Our choice	Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
Ideal for	Balanced and general use	Travelling
Strength	Value for money	Specific features
Reviews	Very positive and numerous	Positive
Approximate price	from around €480	from around €300
Recommendation	Our choice	Best alternative
View on Amazon	See price →	See price →

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.

Which watch is right for each occasion?

The classic rule still holds true: the more formal the occasion, the more understated and simple the watch should be. For suit, a 36–40 mm case, a slim profile that fits under the wrist, a clean dial and a leather strap. For office and diary, an elegant sports watch measuring 38–41 mm with a steel bracelet covers all the bases. For sport and water, a 200-metre diver’s watch or a rugged digital watch. And for to travel, a GMT watch lets you keep track of two time zones at a glance. If you’re only going to own one watch, a 39–40 mm three-hand model with 10 ATM water resistance and an interchangeable bracelet is the most versatile option available.

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 specifications that really matter to you, and tailor your budget accordingly. With that in mind, the Casio G-Shock GA-2100 is the default choice, and the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 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

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.

How much does it cost to change a watch battery?

Between €8 and €20 at a watchmaker’s, depending on whether the case needs to be unscrewed and the water resistance retested. With a water-resistant watch, it’s worth paying for the pressure test: changing the battery without replacing the gasket is the most common reason for moisture to get in months later.

What size watch suits me best?

Focus on the lug-to-lug measurement rather than the diameter: under 48 mm for wrists measuring 16–17 cm, up to 52 mm if your wrist is over 18 cm. In terms of diameter, 39–41 mm is the most versatile range, whilst 36–38 mm is the classic choice for a slender wrist or a suit.

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.

How much does it cost to change a watch battery?

Between €8 and €20 at a watchmaker’s, depending on whether the case needs to be unscrewed and the water resistance retested. With a water-resistant watch, it’s worth paying for the pressure test: changing the battery without replacing the gasket is the most common reason for moisture to get in months later.

Should I go for the Casio G-Shock GA-2100 or the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80?

The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 is the most well-rounded option and our default recommendation. The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 makes sense if travelling is your priority. As a guide for your budget, the useful price range starts at around €300, and the best value is usually found at around €480.

By the Watch Guide Team · reviewed by

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