To see our list of the Best Everyday Watches in 2019, click here.

It’s a nostalgic notion, wearing the same watch. Every damn day. Maybe you saw one of your grandparents wearing the same timepiece every day. It becomes a part of them, a part of their identity. There are no real requirements for an everyday watch besides general durability and comfort. We’re talking about watches that can be dressed up or dressed down. Watches that look as good with a suit as they do alongside a t-shirt and jeans. Lume and water resistance are nice, but not necessary. An everyday wearer can come on a bracelet or strap, as long as it sits comfortably on the wrist. And while we’re willing to pay good money for a watch we’re going to be wearing every day, we can’t spend so much that we feel we have to baby it through every door jamb. Here are our favorite everyday watches of 2018. Note: We featured some of these watches in our Brand Entry Point Guide.

Are you a one-watch person — someone who wears the same timepiece to a cocktail party or to the beach?

Timex Waterbury

Sure, the Timex Weekender is quintessential weekend wear. But for a watch that can be dressed up a little more seamlessly, take a look at Timex’s Waterbury collection. Of course, purists will turn their noses up at the quartz-powered movement, but for a $100 watch, what do you expect? There are time-only and chronograph watches in the collection, leaving a little something for everyone. Some may point to the new Marlin line as an everyday mechanical option from Timex, but these are a tad on the dressier side compared to the cheaper, quartz Waterbury. With a history of American manufacturing dating back nearly two centuries, Timex is a brand that is worthy of the respect it receives from collectors and enthusiasts.

A time-only Waterbury from Timex | reddit

Seiko SARB 033/035

The Seiko SARB 033 (black dial) and SARB 035 (white dial) are often endearingly referred to as the Baby Grand Seikos, referring to the fact that they look so similar to their much more expensive siblings. These 38mm timepieces are perfect everyday watches, with Seiko’s 6R15 automatic movement, sapphire crystal, and 100mm of water resistance. While Seiko ended production on the SARB series (these two watches, plus the SARB 017, the “Alpinist”) in early 2018, they can still be readily had on pre-owned marketplaces such as Chrono24 or eBay (and even Amazon, sometimes).

They’re fairly priced around $400, a nice sweet spot for a respectable everyday watch that you won’t feel guilt beating around. With their sharp hands and indices, the SARB series demonstrates Seiko’s commitment to craftsmanship that’s accessible for everyone.

The Seiko SARB 033 has a perfect “everyday” design: not too dressy, not too casual | Instagram

Omega Aqua Terra

Of course Omega was always going to be on this list, but which one? Some of its most well known models do well dressed up or down: we’re talking Speedmasters, Railmasters, and of course, Seamasters. But we think the best every day watch is the Aqua Terra Seamaster. Since Omega first released the Aqua Terra in 2002, the model has seen a variety of dial and color combinations, most of which are very well executed. Yes, Omega overdoes the whole “limited edition” thing, but sometimes it works. For example, the all-black Aqua Terra Golf, with a green seconds hand, is a playful incorporation of color. Since 2008, the Aqua Terra has contained an in-house movement — which for Omega, of course, means a co-axial escapement — lending the collection a new sense of legitimacy. The trademark “teak” dial, meant to evoke the deck of a yacht, also adds a bit of texture to the dial that keeps the eyes intrigued. And for around $4,500, a legitimate Omega sports watch that fits every occasion can be yours. That’s not something to be scoffed at.

Paid Placement

Nordgreen Pioneer

Nordgreen makes watches that are meticulously designed to be worn every day. The Copenhagen brand injects a bit of hygge into all its designs, making them distinctly Danish: elegant, simple, and balanced. Nordgreen brings Scandinavian style and a minimalist Bauhaus aesthetic to its watches, delivering true design heritage at affordable prices.

Among Nordgreen's best all-around offerings is its Pioneer Chronograph, a well-made chronograph with a Japanese quartz movement for under $300. Measuring 42mm and offered with three dial options (white, navy, and black), and three case colors (gun metal, silver, and rose gold), there's an option suitable for anyone's style. It was even designed by Nordgreen's Jakob Wagner, a world-renowned designer who has also collaborated with brands like Hay, Muuto, and B&B Italia.

See the collection at Nordgreen.com.

Nomos Club

Not unlike Omega, Nomos makes so many great and relatively affordable mechanical watches that could be considered “everyday watches.” But we’ve decided to focus on its entry-level Club collection, which they market as its “most robust" timepiece, looking good in “meetings, while free running, or cutting a rug on the dance floor.”

Putting aside the fact that no one “cuts a rug” anymore, the Club is as good an entry-level timepiece as you’ll find from a luxury watch brand. It’s got Nomos’ in-house manual-winding Alpha caliber powering it, a robust, legitimately in-house movement that you probably won’t find anywhere else for $1,500. At 36mm and just 8mm thick, it’s smaller than many other watches on this list, though the long lugs and thin bezel to make it wear larger. The size means it’s extremely wearable and flies under the radar in most situations. They also offer a 38mm option for the thick wrists among us.

Tudor Black Bay 32, 36, and 41

The Tudor Black Bay 58 tends to get all the love in watch enthusiast circles, and rightly so. It’s a tremendously built, durable dive watch. But for something that slides just as easily under a shirt cuff as it slides into the ocean, look a bit further in the Black Bay collection. Tudor offers the Black Bay 32, 36, and 41 (named for the case diameter). these watches have dials similar to the Black Bay 58, but their case lacks the rotating bezel found on the 58 that really gives it that vintage Submariner look. The result is a more subdued watch that looks just as comfortable desk diving as it does deep-sea diving.

At under $3,000, it’s hard to find a timepiece that evokes the vintage dive watch look while still carrying a distinctively modern edge. And sure, it doesn’t have an in-house movement like the Black Bay 58 — all three models are powered by the ETA 2824-2 — but it’s got the cheaper price tag to show for it. For more, check our our hands-on comparison of the Tudor Black Bay 36 and Black Bay 58.

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Farer Three-Hand Automatics

This was a tough spot to fill. We could’ve highlighted watches from any number of our favorite microbrands (read our in-depth microbrand guide), but we’ve decided to focus on Farer’s collection of three-hand automatics. They go by a few different names, but all have interesting dial designs and pops of color that make them really stand out. They’re packed with the workhorse ETA 2824 movement, a cornerstone for so many microbrands. At 39.5mm in diameter and 10mm thick, they’re extremely wearable, and the colorful designs make a modern statement without being ostentatious. Farer is a British brand, bringing British design and Swiss movements together to create thoroughly modern watches that are rooted in an ethos of tradition and adventure.

Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic

The Clifton Baumatic may sit on the dressier side of everyday options, but with a price just under $3,000, it’s still affordable enough that some may consider buying it as an everyday wearer. And at 40mm in diameter and 10mm in thickness, it’s got a nice presence on the wrist that not all dress watches have. The cross hairs at the center of the dial and Arabic numerals at the five-minute markers make the watch extremely readable, while also giving it just a bit of casual flair.

Baume & Mercier is an historic Swiss brand that’s seen a bit of rebirth over the past few years, brought to life again after luxury conglomerate Richemont acquired the brand. Some of its vintage chronographs from the middle of the twentieth century are highly sought after by collectors, resembling more expensive models from Universal, Zenith, or other more well-known brands at a fraction of the price.

IWC Mark XVIII

The classic Big Pilot probably makes too much of a statement to be truly considered an everyday watch. That’s why we’ve turned to the more subdued 40mm Mark XVIII as the best everyday wearer from IWC. the black dial is understated without being dull, and the watch itself is an ode to the historic Mark XI of the post-WWII years. The IWC Mark series has been a stalwart in the brand’s collection for more than half a century now, and the Mark XVIII’s explicit harkening back to the Mark XI is a fitting tribute to one of the brand’s more iconic pieces.

IWC even makes a pilot’s watch in 36mm now, for the slendered-wristed among us. While all these choices may make purists angry, they give the casual collector a plethora of options to get into IWC, at a price point under $4,000.

Longines Record

In 2017, Longines released the Record collection, a selection of steel watches that come in a number of sizes and dial varieties. In fact, one watch was even nominated in the GPHG this year. What’s so special about these watches is that they’re all COSC certified, meaning they satisfy minimum requirements for timekeeping accuracy when tested under a number of grueling conditions. Additionally, the watches come in 26mm, 30mm, 38.5m and 40mm, leaving every wrist size satisfied. Below is the dial variation that was a GPHG finalist this year in the Petite Aiguille category. The category is for watches under CHF 6,500, and most Record collection watches come in under $6,000. It’s nice to see a legendary Swiss brand putting so much time and energy into manufacturing a well-made piece for under $6,000.

If you’re looking for something a little sportier, we also love some of Longines modern heritage dive watches — check out their history here.

Panerai Luminor Base Logo 3 Day

If your goal is to fly under the radar with your everyday watch, you can probably skip the next few sentences. But there’s no denying that Panerai’s durable cases and clean dials make for great everyday wear. The Luminor Base 3 Day may be the best daily wearer option from Panerai. You’ll get the classic crown guard look, but at 44mm, it’s “small” and more wearable for a Panerai. While the case makes a statement, the dial is simple and understated, creating a nice balance for the watch as a whole. The Base version sits at under $5,000, so we’re not playing with peanuts, but we’re still not in Rolex Submariner territory.

Panerai Luminor Base Logo

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date

Like Richemont’s other offering on this list (from Baume & Mercier), the Master Control Date with sector dial sits on the dressier end of the everyday spectrum. At $5,700, it’s also on the more expensive side. But the sector dial on this watch is a nice vintage homage in a piece that still looks thoroughly modern. And while this watch may be more comfortable in a boardroom than road biking, it’s casual enough that it won’t feel uncomfortable in any situation.

If you’re buying a Jaegre LeCoultre, you’re buying into centuries of history of the brand as a maison. It has manufactured some of the most important watches and calibers throughout history, so if this is the watch you choose, be forewarned that it might your first, but certainly not your last, from JLC.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

Independent Swiss brand Oris does mid-range luxury, everyday watches as well as anyone in the industry. Its Big Crown Pointer Date is perhaps the most iconic watch, first developed in 1938. Now, it’s offered in a 40mm and 36mm size, in stainless steel or bronze. The stainless steel version starts at $1,600, giving many an opportunity to own a real piece of Swiss watchmaking for under $2,000. For something a little different, check out the Oris Big Pointer Date in bronze. The bronze case will patina quickly, giving the appearance of a fine vintage watch.

Grand Seiko SBGX 259G/261G

Grand Seiko’s collection has so many watches that work for every occasion that it’s hard — if not downright impossible — to choose. So, we decided to choose the SBGX 259G/261G as its best “everyday” watch. It’s a quartz-powered timepiece, but don’t think that means Seiko isn’t taking the movement seriously. It’s a fully integrated process, with Seiko literally choosing the best quartz for the movements. Some will turn their noses up at a $2,000 battery-powered watch, but that’s not the kind of pretentiousness Rescapement is about. This watch has all the beautiful finishing Grand Seiko is known for, and with a superior quartz movement you don’t have to worry about any fragile mechanical pieces inside, and service costs will be minimal. In other words, everything you’d want from an everyday watch.

We were close to highlighting the Grand Seiko SBGA 211 “Snowflake”. This watch’s case and bracelet is made of titanium, meaning its light and durable in a way steel watches on this list are not. The Snowflake dial may be a bit “dressier,” but when you’ve got one of the best dials in the game, don’t be afraid to show it off.

Rolex Explorer

Finally. Perhaps the quintessential everyday watch. Not as bold as the Submariner, but sportier than a Datejust or Oyster Perpetual. The Rolex Explorer’s iconic 3-6-9 dial, chronometer-certified movement and durable Oystersteel case and bracelet make it the perfect everyday watch. The most recent Reference 214270 has a 39mm diameter, a modern departure from the classic 36mm, but it still sits comfortable and discretely on the wrist.

I have a feeling if I — or many others, for that matter — designed a watch for everyday use, it might come out looking something like this. For more, read our History of the Rolex Explorer.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

And sometimes, it’s just too difficult to choose one Rolex. I love the “polar” Rolex Oyster Perpetual: it’s more simple than even the Explorer, and is the best execution of Rolex’s entry level collection. The all-white dial is just so clean, and as the only real “polar” option besides the Explorer II among Rolex’s offerings, it’s a fun choice.

Rolex introduced white and black dials to the Oyster Perpetual collection in 2018, and I’m glad they did. The monochromatic look is slick and modern, and with the OP offered in 26mm, 31mm, 36mm, and 39mm options, it makes a viable choice for wrists of all sizes. Of all the watches on this list, the Oyster Perpetual lines offers the most variations to suit anyone’s style. For a brand that’s known for finding a design and sticking to it, that’s saying something.

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