Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Men's Watches

Updated January 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Citizen Eco-Drive Brycen Chronograph Men's Watch
Citizen
Eco-Drive Brycen Chronograph Men's Watch
Check Price
Most Stylish
Bottom Line

Stylish, attractive, and loaded with features—a beautiful piece that any man would be proud to wear for almost any occasion, from work to play.

Pros

Exceptional titanium craftsmanship with a host of features that includes chronograph style, sub dials and date window, perpetual calendar, and Japanese quartz movement. Solar-powered. Water-resistant to 333 feet. Comfortable.

Cons

Some of the functions are small and difficult to read.

Best Bang for the Buck
Casio 10-Year Battery Digital Watch
Casio
10-Year Battery Digital Watch
Check Price
Budget Friendly
Bottom Line

This digital watch has a long-lasting battery and is an excellent choice for those with an active lifestyle.

Pros

This watch has a 10-year battery life, a broad face that's easy to read, and is water resistant up to 100 meters. It has several neat features, such as a stopwatch, dual time, five alarms, a countdown timer, and an LED backlight.

Cons

The backlight isn't very bright and only stays on for 1-2 seconds.

Michael Kors Lexington Chronograph Stainless Steel
Michael Kors
Lexington Chronograph Stainless Steel
Check Price
High Fashion
Bottom Line

A handsome option by a top name in high fashion; while it may not work for everyone, it has a lot to offer for those who can wear it.

Pros

Sports the fashionable looks Michael Kors is renowned for in nicely crafted gold-tone stainless steel. Stylish looks with sub dials and date window. Can be worn every day and for special events; also water-resistant to 330 feet.

Cons

Since it's fairly large and heavy, it may look and feel awkward on men with smaller wrists. Rare authenticity concerns.

Timex Men's Easy Reader Date Leather Strap Watch
Timex
Men's Easy Reader Date Leather Strap Watch
Check Price
Iconic Design
Bottom Line

A timeless choice by one of the most popular names in the industry; delivers casual looks and accuracy plus a price that's fits almost any budget.

Pros

A budget-friendly watch with classic looks and straightforward features. Sports a water-resistant, easy-to-read dial with Indiglo light and date window; has a genuine leather strap that is comfortable for longer periods of time.

Cons

Some consumers gripe about difficulties changing the date setting, and some wish that the dial was slightly larger.

Citizen Eco-Drive Garrison Quartz Unisex Watch
Citizen
Eco-Drive Garrison Quartz Unisex Watch
Check Price
Water-Resistant
Bottom Line

This model by a name known for quality is built to impress without overextending your bank account.

Pros

Sturdy, casual, and built to last. Resists water to 330 feet. Has Japanese quartz movement and date window. Powered by solar energy. All this for a reasonable price. The watch band is durable even under constant use.

Cons

Some owners found the canvas strap uncomfortable.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
60
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best men’s watches

The right watch doesn’t just help you keep track of time. It can also add the perfect finishing touch to your appearance. That’s why it’s so important to find a watch that’s both functional and stylish.

With so many men’s watch options available, sorting through all the choices can become overwhelming in a hurry. You need to choose the right style, band type, size, and other features before settling on a purchase.

Content Image
Some style experts dictate that a leather watch strap should match the color of your shoes.

Watch types: quartz, mechanical/automatic, and digital

Men’s watches are available in three types: quartz, mechanical/automatic, and digital.

  • Quartz watches feature a small clock face with hour and minute hands to mark time. They are powered by a battery.

  • Mechanical watches also feature a small clock face with hour and minute hands. However, a mechanical watch is powered by a wound spring that releases energy in a regulated pattern. Some mechanical watches are self-winding; others must be manually wound.

  • Digital watches feature an electronic display that shows the time in hours and minutes. They are battery-powered and may have extra features, such as stopwatch and/or alarm functions.

 

What’s your watch style?

Which watch style do you prefer? When shopping, you’ll notice that there are dress watches, diver watches, field watches, racing watches, and aviator watches to choose from. We outline the standout features of each watch style below.

Dress watches usually feature the following:

  • A thin leather band that fits easily under the cuff of a dress shirt
  • A metal case that’s round, square, or rectangular in shape

  • A display with basic hour indexes in Arabic or Roman numerals

Diver watches usually feature the following:

  • A bold, easy-to-read display with Arabic numerals that display the seconds in 15-second intervals

  • A display made of hardened mineral glass to withstand deep water

  • A case with a unidirectional bezel that rotates counterclockwise, allowing a diver to easily know how long he’s been underwater

  • A long metal band to fit around diving equipment

Content Image
Did you know?
Remember, classic styles will always be fashionable. More bold timepieces may not always be as wearable.
STAFF
BestReviews

Field watches usually feature the following:

  • An easy-to-read display with simple black numerals that may illuminate in the darkness

  • A rugged, stainless steel case

  • A canvas or leather band

Racing watches usually feature the following:

  • A large display with bold Arabic numbers and contrasting colors

  • A stainless steel case

  • A metal or leather band

  • A chronograph to provide stopwatch or timer capabilities

Aviator watches usually feature the following:

  • An oversized display with large numerals and illuminated hour and minute hands for easy reading

  • A leather band that’s longer than usual to fit over the cuff of a flight jacket

About men’s watch bands

Men’s watches typically feature bands made of metal, leather, rubber, or canvas.

Casual vs. Formal

Metal and leather bands exude a polished, formal look. Rubber and canvas watch bands have a more casual appearance.

Professional wear vs. weekend wear

A leather or metal band works well for work and other professional settings, while a rubber or canvas watch band is ideal for weekend and recreational wear.

About men’s watch sizes

Men’s watch faces, or displays, come in a variety of sizes, though most fall between 34mm and 44mm.

If you have thinner wrists, opt for a watch with a case diameter between 34mm and 40mm.

If you have thicker wrists, choose a watch with a case diameter between 44mm and 46mm.

Watch complications

A watch’s “complications” are the features it offers beyond the simple displaying of time.

Many watches display the date on their face in addition to the time. Some provide the current moon phase as well.

You can also find watches that offer an alarm function and/or a chronograph for stopwatch capabilities. Watches with chronographs may allow you to calculate speed and distance traveled.

In general, casual watches have more complications than dress watches.

Content Image
To protect a collection of watches, consider investing in a watch box. You can store your watches there for safekeeping, and you’ll have them all in the same place.

FAQ

Q. What can you do if a men’s watch with a metal bracelet band doesn’t fit properly?
A.
Metal bracelet bands are made of individual links that allow you to adjust for size. If your watch is too big, take it to a jeweler and have them remove one or more links. If your watch is too small, contact the manufacturer to learn how to order additional links. A jeweler can then add the links to make the watch larger.

Q. What features make a men’s watch more durable?
A.
If you’re concerned about durability, look for a watch with a stainless steel case and a polycarbonate face that’s scratch-resistant. You’ll also want to make sure that the watch is water-resistant.

Q. How do you keep a men’s leather watch in good condition?
A.
Avoid exposing the watch to direct sunlight or heat, as these elements could cause the leather to fade or deteriorate. Don’t place the watch on damp or wet surfaces, either – leather can crack if it is exposed to moisture.

Most leather watches come with specific care instructions, so be sure to observe them when cleaning your watch to avoid any other damage.

Our Top Picks