The more you start looking, the more you get engrossed in everything that’s out there. Sport watches, dive watches, field watches, chronographs, moonphase watches, pilot’s watches, dress watches, tool watches–the list goes on. You can easily become obsessed, poor, or both, and it doesn’t take very long if you head down that rabbit hole of horology. Even if you’re not obsessed with the art of movements, materials, and construction, you can easily become engrossed with the seemingly innumerable watch styles. Trust me when I say that you should tread carefully into the world of watches.
That said, every guy should own at least one good watch. And that doesn’t include smartwatches. They lack the soul of an analog timepiece, and few can pull off an Apple Watch with a suit and tie. So, if you were to spend your money on a single timepiece that could be worn on most occasions, you have to choose carefully. If you choose a dress watch, it will likely be overkill when it comes to wearing it to the beach or sporting event. If a watch is too sporty, then it’ll look ridiculous with a suit and tie. Here are some great guidelines to follow when it comes to selecting only one watch that deftly straddles many situations.
What to Consider For Your Everyday Watch
- Choose 316L stainless steel or high-grade titanium, as the silver-gray hue goes with most outfits
- Go with a three-hand analog watch for a more classic in appearance, and because they’re generally thinner than chronographs or GMTs
- Opt for a watch with a fixed bezel to reduce the visual complexity of the watch
- Steer clear of dramatically colored dials–black, navy, white, gray, or silver dialed watches cover a lot of style ground
- Get a watch that comes with an OEM metal bracelet–you can always switch out straps, but a metal bracelet can go dressy or sporty quite well
The Best Everyday Watches For Men
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m Co-Axial Master Chronometer 41mm
The Aqua Terra line is one of the more timeless styles from the renowned Swiss watchmaker. The 150m 41mm version with its teak nautical deck-style, grayish blue dial is easily the line’s most fetching. The arrow markers and hands keep things sport-classic, while the blue second hand and matching 15/30/45/60 numerals on the chapter ring provide a subtle contrast pop. The combination of polished inner links and brushed outer links on the deployment bracelet add panache to the mix. Underneath it all is the tremendously smooth and accurate co-axial escapement automatic movement with 60 hours of power reserve.
Buy Now $6,300
Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400
This is a sport watch that can do so much more than casual. Thanks to a deep sea blue dial that sports some seriously thin markers, the look is equal parts sporty and dressy. The visual drama comes from the stunning turbine fixed bezel, as well as the angular case and bracelet. The 39mm diameter means it fits most wrists quite well. Toss in full titanium construction for super-light wear, and the ProPilot X almost justifies its price tag for those qualities alone. But you also get an impressive in-house movement, known as the Calibre 400 that provides anti-magnetism, an insane 120 hours of power reserve, and an industry-leading 10-year warranty.
Buy Now $4,300
Yema Urban Traveller
Yema’s Urban Traveller has an asymmetrical octagon-shaped case that’s further enhanced by a notched and beveled fixed bezel inspired by the French brand’s vintage Sou-Marine model from the ’80s. The honeycomb dial provides visual texture, and the pill-baton hands and markers are both simple and modern. The watch comes with a high-end flat link stainless steel bracelet, almost unheard of at this price. The double AR sapphire glass provides excellent protection, and the in-house mechanical automatic movement provides 42 hours of power reserve. It has an upscale look without an upscale price.
Buy Now $890
Longines Conquest
The Conquest does so much so well. Not only is it virtually timeless in its styling, but the Conquest is one of the few watches that looks just as good with a suit and tie as it does with shorts and a polo shirt. The 41mm case errs on the slightly larger size, but the curved lugs and 10.9mm thickness make it wear easier than its diameter would indicate. Couple this with a rich blue dial, a polished bezel, and a refined H-link bracelet, and you have an attention getter that speaks softly. AR coated sapphire glass, 100-meter water resistance, and a screw-down crown provide peace of mind should you and the Conquest end up in the ocean or pool (on purpose or on accident).
Buy Now $1,975
Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic
The recently released Tsuyosa Automatic is one of the best values in men’s watches right now. It combines reliable Japanese automatic timekeeping with a truly handsome case and matching integrated bracelet, all for well under $500. The 40mm case is just about perfectly sized, and the angled lugs meld wonderfully with the three-link brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet. The elegantly beveled hands and baton markers look great against the black dial, and the popping cyclops window make the date instantly legible.
Buy Now $450
Mondaine Original Automatic 41mm
Classic but modern Swiss Railway Clocks are Mondaine’s muse, and they execute that style with aplomb. The elegant but still masculine Original 41mm automatic white dial watch comes with a matching three-link stainless steel bracelet. The black hands and markers contrast perfectly against the matte white dial, and the red lollipop second hand provides a nice dash of color. Even the crown gets a special red cap for effect. There’s a Swiss Sellita SW200-2 mechanical automatic movement underneath, and you can watch its workings through the transparent caseback.
Buy Now $845
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
Out of Tissot’s entire watch line, the PRX is its most versatile. It borrow its shape from the brand’s ’70s catalog, and it adds a stunning waffle dial in a handful of classic colors. What is perhaps the most impressive aspect is the integrated bracelet which instantly turns the PRX Powermatic 80 into a seriously upscale timepiece. The 40mm case is perfectly sized, and the elegance can take you from the tennis court to a business meeting without skipping a beat. The self-winding movement delivers a huge 80 hours of power reserve, but that won’t even be necessary because you’ll never want to take this watch off.
Buy Now $725
Sinn 556i
If you’ve never heard of Germany’s Sinn, you’re missing out on some of the best-made watches for the money. The 556i might be the brand’s least expensive watch, but it’s got versatile style that makes it a great one-watch-only selection. First of all, the 38.5mm brushed and satinized stainless steel case is right-sized and only 11mm thick. The white baton markers and pilot hands contrast perfectly against the 556i’s stark black dial, and even the date window background matches the dial. The Swiss Sellita SW200-1 movement provides reliable timekeeping, and the 556i is capped off with sapphire glass and a sporty H-link bracelet.
Buy Now $1,590
