Watches come in a wide spectrum of prices, each offering unique features, craftsmanship, and value. Here we look at watches for every budget.

Watches come in a wide spectrum of prices, each offering unique features, craftsmanship, and value. This guide explores watches across various price ranges, tailored for the UK audience, highlighting what you can expect in terms of quality, design, and functionality at each tier, along with a brief overview of key brands.

1. Entry-Level Watches: Up to £300

Casio

• Overview: Renowned for its innovative, durable, and budget-friendly watches. The G-Shock series is particularly famous for its ruggedness.
• Popular Models: G-Shock DW-5600, F91W.
• Features: Shock resistance, water resistance, alarms, and stopwatch functions.

Seiko

• Overview: A Japanese brand celebrated for its reliable and affordable timepieces, including both quartz and automatic models.
• Popular Models: Seiko 5, Seiko SNK809.
• Features: Automatic movements, day/date displays, robust build quality.

Timex

• Overview: An American brand known for its timeless designs and affordable prices. Offers a variety of styles from casual to dress watches.
• Popular Models: Weekender, Expedition.
• Features: Indiglo backlighting, durable straps, and clear, easy-to-read dials.

What to Expect:

• Quartz movements dominate this price range, offering accurate timekeeping.
• Basic materials such as stainless steel, resin, and mineral glass.
• Limited but functional features like water resistance, date displays, and backlighting.

2. Mid-Range Watches: £300 to £1,000

Citizen

• Overview: A Japanese brand famous for its Eco-Drive technology, which powers watches using any light source, eliminating the need for battery changes.
• Popular Models: Eco-Drive Promaster, Eco-Drive Titanium.
• Features: Solar-powered movements, high durability, and eco-friendly design.

Tissot

• Overview: A Swiss brand offering a broad range of well-crafted watches with a strong emphasis on value for money.
• Popular Models: Le Locle, PRX.
• Features: Swiss automatic and quartz movements, sapphire crystal, and a variety of styles from sporty to elegant.

Hamilton

• Overview: Known for its American heritage and Swiss precision, Hamilton offers robust and stylish watches often seen in movies.
• Popular Models: Khaki Field, Jazzmaster.
• Features: Reliable automatic movements, classic designs, and durable construction.

What to Expect:

• A mix of quartz and entry-level automatic movements.
• Higher quality materials like sapphire crystal and better water resistance.
• More sophisticated designs and additional features, such as chronographs and GMT functions.

3. Premium Watches: £1,000 to £5,000

Omega

• Overview: A prestigious Swiss brand known for its precision and history in space exploration and deep-sea diving.
• Popular Models: Seamaster, Speedmaster.
• Features: Co-Axial escapement movements, chronographs, and exceptional water resistance.

Tag Heuer

• Overview: A Swiss brand synonymous with sports and racing, known for its innovative chronographs and distinctive designs.
• Popular Models: Carrera, Aquaracer.
• Features: Robust chronograph functions, sporty aesthetics, and reliable automatic movements.

Oris

• Overview: An independent Swiss brand known for its high-quality mechanical watches with innovative designs.
• Popular Models: Aquis, Big Crown ProPilot.
• Features: In-house movements, unique designs, and focus on functional complications.

What to Expect:

• Predominantly automatic movements with in-house calibres.
• Superior materials and craftsmanship, including intricate dial work and high-grade steel or titanium.
• Advanced complications like moon phases, power reserve indicators, and robust diving features.

4. Luxury Watches: £5,000 and Above

Rolex

• Overview: Iconic Swiss brand known for its timeless designs, exceptional reliability, and status symbol.
• Popular Models: Submariner, Datejust, Daytona.
• Features: Oyster cases, automatic movements, superior durability, and classic designs.

Patek Philippe

• Overview: Represents the pinnacle of watchmaking, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and complex complications.
• Popular Models: Nautilus, Calatrava.
• Features: Hand-finished movements, intricate complications such as perpetual calendars and minute repeaters, and unmatched attention to detail.

Audemars Piguet

• Overview: A prestigious Swiss brand famous for its avant-garde designs and high-end watchmaking.
• Popular Models: Royal Oak, Royal Oak Offshore.
• Features: Unique designs, high-quality materials like gold and titanium, and complex mechanical movements.

What to Expect:

• Top-tier automatic and hand-wound movements with exceptional accuracy.
• Premium materials such as 18k gold, platinum, and ceramic, along with meticulous finishing.
• Complex and rare complications, including perpetual calendars, tourbillons, and minute repeaters.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just starting your watch collection or looking to invest in a luxury timepiece, the UK market offers a wide range of options to suit every budget. Understanding what each price range offers can help you make an informed decision and find a watch that fits your style and needs.