A good everyday watch is a practical essential, as well as a fashion accessory. Although many people have a smartphone close at hand, that can’t replace the convenience of having a watch right there on your wrist.
Everyday watches need to be durable and hard-working, and a good everyday watch should be suitable for any activities that fill your day – from work to socializing and exercise.
Watches for everyday use often follow the classic, timeless styles which have real longevity and won’t quickly fall out of fashion.
We’ve shopped around to look at the best watches for everyday use, thinking about durability, reliability, and the functions that you might need in your ideal everyday watch.
Read on for our verdict on some of the best choices on the market.
See Our Best Everyday Watches For Men
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Best For Higher Budgets
3Seiko Men's Japanese-Automatic Everyday Watch
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1. Timex Men's Easy Reader Everyday Watch
- Classic, clean design
- Indiglo backlight
- Easy to read dial
- Date window
This Timex watch has a clean and classic design that works perfectly as an everyday watch, suiting work, dress or casual wear.
The dial is very easy to read, with white Arabic numerals standing out clearly against the blue dial. There are simple stick hour, minute, and second hands and a small date window at the 3 o’clock position.
The case is brass, finished in a silver-tone, which is complemented by the brown leather strap. The scratch-resistant mineral glass face will stand up to the wear and day of being worn every day.
The watch is water-resistant to 30m so will cope with occasional splashes, but we wouldn’t wear it swimming or in the shower.
We liked the Indiglo feature which gives clear illumination of the dial if you need to read the time in darkness or low light.
This watch does tick very loudly which can be off-putting, but overall it offers a classic design from an esteemed watchmaker at a very attractive price.
Specifications
Pros
- Scratch resistant mineral glass
- Water resistant to 30m
- Leather strap
- Attractive price
Cons
- Ticks loudly
- Supplied instructions aren’t very clear (more detail available online)
2. Timex Ironman Watch For Everyday
- Sporty, durable design
- 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory
- 3 daily, weekday or weekend alarms
- Indiglo light up dial
If you have an active job or lifestyle or prefer a more sporty design, this Timex Ironman watch could be for you.
The case is made with a durable resin in black with grey accents. In the middle sits the digital display, which shows both the time (hours, minutes, and seconds) and the day and date.
The screen is quite dark and we found it a little hard to read in normal light, but you can press the Indiglo button to illuminate the screen.
Around the bezel are buttons to program the various features, which include three daily, weekday, or weekend alarms.
There’s also a useful 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory if you’re a runner, and this watch is water-resistant to 100m which is ideal for swimmers.
We did notice that some users report issues with the durability of the plastic strap, but this is replaceable. In general, we were impressed with the number of features this watch offers for the price.
Specifications
Pros
- Day, date, and month calendar
- Resin case
- Water-resistant to 100m
- 2 time zones
Cons
- The display is dark and can be hard to read in normal light
- Some users report that the strap isn’t durable
3. Seiko Men's Japanese-Automatic Everyday Watch
- Stylish stainless steel face with bracelet strap
- Automatic movement
- Exhibition back
- Date display
Automatic watches can be preferred by some people as they’re constructed following the traditional method of watchmaking, with an intricate series of parts.
There is a higher price tag that comes with an automatic watch, but this Seiko model offers a more affordable entry point. It has a stylish and timeless design with a stainless steel case and bracelet strap.
The dial is clean and easy to read, with stick hour markers and a date display window at the 3 o’clock position.
Both the markers and the hour and minute hands are luminescent to help read the time in low light (there’s also a thin second hand).
A 50 hour power reserve backs up the automatic movement, which you can appreciate through the exhibition back.
This model is highly-rated by many watch enthusiasts and we can see why.
A great choice of everyday watch if you have a little more to spend, it will suit work, dress or even casual wear.
Specifications
Pros
- Lumibrite hands and markers
- 50-hour power reserve
- Water-resistant to 100m
- Scratch-resistant sapphire glass face
Cons
- This model is discontinued, so availability is limited
4. Timex Expedition Chronograph Everyday Watch
- Design inspired by vintage military watches
- 30-minute chronograph, measures to 1/20th second
- Indiglo light-up dial
- Leather strap
For something a little different, this chronograph watch was inspired by vintage military watches. Whether or not you want to use the chronograph function, it makes for an attractive dial design.
The black dial features three sub dials, plus a date display window at the 4 o’clock position. Rather than 1-12 hour markers, the markers here show 5-60, in line with a stopwatch.
There are skeleton hour and minute hands and a very slim second hand, which remains stationary unless you’re using the chronograph.
It’s a 30 minute chronograph, which measures to 1/20th second.
The dial design may be too busy if you’re looking for a watch you can easily check at a glance, but the Indiglo backlight does help the hour and minute hands to stand out when needed.
The brass case is finished in black, and the brown leather strap gives a vintage appeal to the overall style.
Specifications
Pros
- Three sub dials
- Water-resistant to 100m
- Date display
- Scratch-resistant mineral glass
Cons
- Chronograph hand was slightly out of alignment
- Dial is quite busy
5. Seiko Men's Analog Everyday Watch
- Solar-powered – charges in fluorescent light as well as sunlight
- Stainless steel case and bracelet strap
- Day and date display
- Textured blue dial
Solar charging is a key attraction of this Seiko watch, which can charge in fluorescent light as well as sunlight and is backed up with a power reserve that can last up to 12 months.
Looks-wise, this watch has a clean, classic design. The stainless steel case sits on a stainless steel bracelet strap with a foldover clasp.
It’s possible to add or remove links to achieve the perfect fit, though no extra links are provided.
The blue dial is darker than it appears in pictures, but still provides good contrast for the silver hour markers, hour and minute hands.
All of these are luminescent, although we thought the luminescence could have been brighter.
The central part of the dial has a slight texture that adds interest, and there’s a day and date display in the 3 o’clock position.
The timeless design, durable materials, and water resistance (to 100m) make this watch a good option when you want something smart to wear right through the day.
Specifications
Pros
- 12-month power reserve
- Water-resistant to 100m
- Luminescent hands and markers
- Removable links to adjust strap length
Cons
- Luminescence is not very bright
- Dial is darker than pictured
See Our Best Women's Everyday Watch
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Best For Low Budgets
2Timex Women's Easy Reader Everyday Watch
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1. Fossil Women Jacqueline Everyday Watch
- Elegant, classic design
- Roman numeral hour markers
- Leather strap
- Easy to read face with textured dial
This Fossil watch is fashionable yet timeless, and the elegant style equally suits work, dress or casual wear.
The simple stainless steel case is well-proportioned and sits on a narrow leather strap, which has a suede-like texture. The white dial has a slight texture for decoration, and is clean and easy to read.
Roman numeral hour markers sit around the edge of the dial. Both the markers and the hands (hour, minute and second) are silver to complement the bezel, but none of them are luminous.
There’s a date display at the six o’clock position, though it is very small. We liked the design of this watch and its versatility for everyday use, but the strap can become marked quite easily which is one point to bear in mind.
Specifications
Pros
- Date display
- Water-resistant to 30m
- Slimline case (8mm thick)
- Comes in presentation tin - makes an ideal gift
Cons
- Date display is very small
- Hands and markers are not luminescent
2. Timex Women's Easy Reader Everyday Watch
- Timex’s iconic Easy Reader design
- Expansion band bracelet
- Indiglo backlight
- Proportions make it ideal for small wrists
The Easy Reader model has been one of Timex’s staples since the 1960s. This petite watch is ideally proportioned for smaller wrists with a 25mm diameter face.
As the name indicates, the popularity of this watch is down to the easy to read face, which has a white dial and Arabic numeral hour makers in a bold black typeface.
The hour, minute, and second hands are also clean and crisp. Aside from a date display at the 3 o’clock position (and a few small pieces of text) the face is otherwise clear of any clutter or distraction.
There are no minute markers, but their absence keeps the display simple. The case is brass and the bezel has a silver finish, continued through to the stainless steel expandable strap.
An expandable strap is a handy choice if you take your watch on and off repeatedly for work, or just want a watch that’s easy and quick to put on when needed.
The sizing of the band does make it more suitable for narrower wrists as it may otherwise pinch.
The Indiglo backlight helps illuminate the face in low or no light and we noticed that many users report that this watch has an impressively long lifespan. It’s a no-fuss, no-frills everyday watch at a great price.
Specifications
Pros
- Date display
- Water resistant to 30m
- Mineral glass crystal
- Vintage style
Cons
- Band is likely to be a tight fit on larger wrists
- No minute markers
3. Timex Women's Weekender Everyday Watch
- Attractive rose gold-colored bezel
- Easy to read face
- Indiglo light-up dial
- The Slip-thru strap is easy to change
Timex’s Weekender watch is perfect for casual, everyday wear, with a design that blends fashion with practicality.
This watch features a Slip Thru strap, which is a single piece that threads behind the case instead of the more common approach of two pieces which connect to lugs.
This makes it extremely easy to change the strap, and Timex has a range for you to choose from, ranging from playful polka dots to plaid.
We looked at a model with a rose gold bezel, complemented by a blush pink fabric strap.
The case itself is simple, with a cream dial, Arabic numeral hour markers and stick hour markers.
It’s very easy to read and has the Indiglo light-up feature to illuminate the screen in the dark.
A downside of the blush pink strap is that it does show dirt quite easily, so you may want to opt for a darker or patterned strap if you have an active job or hobbies.
This watch is water-resistant to 30m so you shouldn’t wear it in the shower or swimming.
Overall, an attractive and well-priced option for anyone wanting a straightforward everyday timepiece.
Specifications
Pros
- Durable blush pink fabric strap
- Water resistant to 30m
- Scratch-resistant mineral glass
- Lightweight
Cons
- Ticks quite loudly
- Strap gets dirty easily
Daily Watches Buying Guide
Features
When you’re selecting an everyday watch you should think about your lifestyle and the features you want your watch to have.
If you want your watch to wake you up, for example, then alarm features will be a benefit. This is where best vibrating alarm watches may come in handy, as well.
Anyone with a sporty lifestyle may want to opt for a more rugged design, and water resistance may be important if you want to wear your watch swimming.
A chronograph or stopwatch option can also be useful for sports activities. If a chronograph feature is important for you, we have a review for best chronograph watches.
Another popular feature is a light up dial, or a watch with luminescent hands and markers, so you can read the time in the dark.
Material
The choice of material is important with a watch that you plan to wear every day, and again this depends on your lifestyle.
Stainless steel is generally a good choice as it’s durable, rarely causes allergies and looks smart enough for work as well as casual wear.
A more expensive alternative would be a titanium watch, which offers the same benefits and is extremely lightweight.
A leather strap is another durable and popular choice. Leather straps are available in a range of colourways and textures to suit your style.
Leather may not be the best choice if you have a more demanding job, such as construction, as it can crack if regularly exposed to water.
If you’re likely to subject your watch to heavy wear and tear, an option such as silicone may be more suitable.
Style & Design
You want an everyday watch to reflect your personal style, but not a design you’ll quickly get bored of.
It’s worth thinking about when you’ll be wearing your watch – to work, to socialise, to exercise – and making sure it’s suitable for all or most of your daily activities.
Classic
Classic designs are popular for everyday watches because they are timeless, are suitable for work or more formal wear, and are less prone to fall in or out of fashion.
For that reason, the dial is usually analog, simple and easy to read.
Classic styles will often use materials such as leather and stainless steel for their enduring appeal.
Casual
Casual watches are often more playful in their design, as they don’t necessarily need to comply with being smart enough for office wear.
They may use a broader range of materials, such as silicone or fabric, and have a bolder design on the face or a more colourful strap.
Type
There are effectively two main ways to display the time on your wrist – an analog display, or a digital display.
Analog
An analog watch is the more traditional option and you’ll find that the vast majority of classic styles have an analog display.
It’s a timeless look, easy to read but allows for decorative touches such as a textured dial, and a range of hour marker and hand styles.
Digital
Digital watches are able to offer a broader range of features and functions than most analog choices, from alarms to exercise tracking if you go for a smartwatch.
The design will often be more rugged and less slimline than an analog choice, but you can find more refined styles that will work well for the office.
Pricing Range
How much you want to spend on any everyday watch is really a case of personal choice, as there are options to suit almost every budget.
We found some great value watches that cost as little as $20 or $30, and there are even cheaper alternatives if you want to spend less.
If you want an automatic watch rather than a quartz movement, you’ll definitely need to spend more – hundreds rather than tens of dollars.
Our Verdict
It was clear from our research that whatever your budget, you’ll have no problem finding an everyday watch to suit you.
We were impressed by the value on offer from some of the best-known watchmakers, and that’s true of our Best Value choice, the Timex Women’s Easy Reader Expansion Band Watch.
The expansion band makes slipping this watch on and off quick and easy, ideal for daily wear, and the face is extremely easy to read. It’s not feature-packed but does its main job very well.
It’s another Timex Easy Reader, the Timex Men’s Easy Reader Leather Strap which is our Best Entry Level pick. Again, it offers a classic design, durable materials, and all at a very attractive price.
For those with deeper pockets, our Best Top of the Range choice is the only automatic option we reviewed, the Seiko Men’s Japanese-Automatic Watch.
This model is highly rated by many watch enthusiasts and for good reason.