What size everyday watch should I get?

The median everyday watch in our catalog is 39 mm across with a 45.8 mm lug-to-lug and 11.1 mm thick. Lug-to-lug matters more than case size: for an ideal fit, keep it under 47.2 mm on a 6.5" wrist or 55.1 mm on a 7.5" wrist.

How much does a good everyday watch cost?

The 145 current everyday watches in our catalog run from $30 to $27,257 list, with a median of $1,100. The cheapest is the Casio F-91W F-91W-1.

What is the smallest-wearing everyday watch?

By lug-to-lug, the Casio LA670W LA670WA-1 at 30.3 mm, followed by the Omega Constellation 28 Quartz 131.10.28.60.01.001 at 30.5 mm.

Are most everyday watches automatic?

73% of the everyday watches in our catalog with a known movement are mechanical (automatic or hand-wound); the rest are quartz or solar.

Can one watch really do everything?

For most people, yes. A 38 to 40 mm steel watch with 100 m of water resistance on a bracelet covers the office, the gym and the beach. The places it falls short are black tie, where a thin dress watch looks better, and serious diving.

Everyday watches

An everyday watch, the collector's 'go-anywhere' or 'one-watch collection', is the one you can wear with a T-shirt or a suit, in the office or in the sea. It sits between a dress watch and a sports watch: simple enough to look smart, tough enough not to worry about.

Current models

145

Median case

39 mm

Median lug-to-lug

45.8 mm

Median list price

$1,100

What makes an everyday watch

A versatile case of 36 to 40 mm, not too thick
100 m of water resistance, so you never have to take it off to swim
A simple dial with lume, often without a rotating bezel
A steel bracelet that also looks right on leather or a NATO strap

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual and Explorer defined the type in the 1950s: waterproof, self-winding and plain. Most brands now make one, and it is the most common recommendation for anyone buying a first good watch.

Case sizes

22–24 mm2
24–26 mm2
26–28 mm3
28–30 mm5
30–32 mm5
32–34 mm4
34–36 mm11
36–38 mm17
38–40 mm42
40–42 mm39
42–44 mm9
44–46 mm6

Case width of the 145 current everyday watches in our catalog, from 42 brands. Of those with a known movement, 73% are mechanical.

Casio A158W A158WA-1 — Live eBay listings for picks below. Photos from eBay.

Timex Weekender 38mm T2N647 — Live eBay listings for picks below. Photos from eBay.

Best everyday watches under $500

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Casio A158WA158WA-1	33.2 mm	36.8 mm	8.2 mm	—	Quartz	$30	$41
Timex Weekender 38mmT2N647	38 mm	45 mm	9 mm	30 m	—	$77	$48
Tissot PRX 40mm QuartzT137.410.11.041.00	40 mm	—	10.4 mm	100 m	—	$450	$412
Citizen Tsuyosa 37mmNJ0200-50L	37 mm	41.9 mm	11.5 mm	50 m	Automatic	$495	$414
Invicta Pro Diver Automatic 40mm8926OB	40 mm	—	—	200 m	Automatic	$180	$105
Fossil Grant ChronographFS4813	44 mm	—	—	50 m	Quartz	$180	$60

Best everyday watches from $500 to $1,500

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 40mmT137.407.11.041.00	40 mm	51 mm	10.9 mm	100 m	Automatic	$850	$766
Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver'sSPB451	40 mm	46.4 mm	13 mm	300 m	Automatic	$1,300	$1,300
Bulova Maquina Automatic98A321	40 mm	—	—	50 m	Automatic	$950	$575
Hamilton Boulton MechanicalH13519711	34 mm	38 mm	11.2 mm	50 m	Manual	$1,075	$1,020
Citizen Tsuki-yomi A-TBY1010-57L	43 mm	—	—	100 m	Solar	$895	$765
Lorier AstraMicrobrandAST2-WHT-ND-BRAC	36 mm	44 mm	10.4 mm	100 m	Automatic	$699	—

Best everyday watches from $1,500 to $5,000

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Grand Seiko Heritage 9F Quartz 37mmSBGX261	37 mm	44.6 mm	10 mm	100 m	Quartz	$2,700	$2,604
Tudor RangerM79950	39 mm	47 mm	12 mm	100 m	Automatic	$4,025	$3,550
Oris Divers Date 39mm01 733 7795 4055-Set	39 mm	46.5 mm	12.1 mm	200 m	Automatic	$2,800	$2,205
Rado DiaStar Original 60-Year Anniversary EditionR12163118	38 mm	45 mm	12.3 mm	100 m	Automatic	$2,300	$1,771
Longines Spirit 40mmL3.810.4.53.6	40 mm	49.7 mm	12.2 mm	100 m	Automatic	$2,550	$2,027
Farer Lander IV GMT 36mmMicrobrandW-LCL	36 mm	41.2 mm	11 mm	100 m	Automatic	$1,575	—

Best everyday watches over $5,000

Watch	Case	Lug-to-lug	Thick	Water	Movement	List price	eBay median
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41134300	41 mm	47.3 mm	11.8 mm	100 m	Automatic	$7,050	$11,895
Cartier Santos de Cartier LargeWSSA0018	39.8 mm	47.5 mm	9.4 mm	100 m	Automatic	$9,200	$8,800
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Hi-Beat 36000 80 HoursSLGH005	40 mm	47 mm	11.7 mm	100 m	Automatic	$9,800	$8,831
Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A5167A-001	40.8 mm	46.6 mm	8.1 mm	30 m	Automatic	$27,257	$84,850
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 38220.10.38.20.03.005	38 mm	44.9 mm	12.4 mm	150 m	Automatic	$7,400	$6,900
Tudor MonarchM2639W1A0U	39 mm	46.2 mm	11.9 mm	100 m	Automatic	$5,875	$7,742

One watch per brand in each price range, ordered by how many are listed on eBay right now, a rough measure of what people buy. List prices are manufacturer prices in US dollars.

Shortest lug-to-lug

Thinnest

Everyday watches by wrist size

Cheaper alternatives to the icons

Rolex Oyster Perpetual alternatives

Questions

What size everyday watch should I get?: The median everyday watch in our catalog is 39 mm across with a 45.8 mm lug-to-lug and 11.1 mm thick. Lug-to-lug matters more than case size: for an ideal fit, keep it under 47.2 mm on a 6.5" wrist or 55.1 mm on a 7.5" wrist.
How much does a good everyday watch cost?: The 145 current everyday watches in our catalog run from $30 to $27,257 list, with a median of $1,100. The cheapest is the Casio F-91W F-91W-1.
What is the smallest-wearing everyday watch?: By lug-to-lug, the Casio LA670W LA670WA-1 at 30.3 mm, followed by the Omega Constellation 28 Quartz 131.10.28.60.01.001 at 30.5 mm.
Are most everyday watches automatic?: 73% of the everyday watches in our catalog with a known movement are mechanical (automatic or hand-wound); the rest are quartz or solar.
Can one watch really do everything?: For most people, yes. A 38 to 40 mm steel watch with 100 m of water resistance on a bracelet covers the office, the gym and the beach. The places it falls short are black tie, where a thin dress watch looks better, and serious diving.