First watch purchase: our selection of affordable brands

Treat yourself to your first watch is often a symbolic moment, a milestone that combines personal style, functionality and sometimes even a form of investment. But faced with the multitude of brands and models, it is not always easy to find your way around, especially with moderate budgets. Alongside the big, renowned watchmaking houses such as Casio or Seiko, there are many lesser-known brands, but whose quality, reliability and design are on par with the most prestigious names. These accessible brands allow you to take a first step into the world of watchmaking without compromise.

To help you make this first purchase, we offer a detailed selection of brands and their price ranges in descending order in this article.

Baume & Mercier: affordable Swiss luxury (€900 – €3,000)

Baume & Mercier stands out as a must-have for those looking for a Swiss watch with a classic and elegant design. The brand offers models with meticulous finishes, often equipped with reliable automatic movements, perfect for starting a collection or marking a special event. Their timeless style, between tradition and modernity, will appeal to lovers of classic watches enhanced with a contemporary touch.

Oris: robustness and pure mechanics (€1,000 – €3,000)

Oris is a brand beloved for its authentic and affordable mechanical timepieces. But the brand doesn't just offer basic quartz watches; it prioritizes traditional mechanics at a reasonable price. Perfect for those looking to get started with quality mechanical watchmaking, its watches are robust, precise, and often feature sporty or classic designs, making them ideal for everyday wear.

Longines: history and elegance (€700 – €2,000)

Longines, with its rich watchmaking history, will appeal to those who want to combine historical expertise with elegance. Its regular collections blend vintage style with modern technology, offering attractive value for money. For a serious first purchase, Longines offers functional automatic models, suitable for both the office and more formal outings.

Hamilton: the charm of American vintage (€400 – €1,500)

For lovers of retro-style watches, Hamilton is a must-have choice. With an American heritage, the brand offers a wide range of automatic watches inspired by military, aeronautical, and classic watches of the past. Swiss quality combined with an affordable price makes it a perfect entry point into a rich watchmaking world.

Mido: discreet elegance and Swiss mechanics (€500 – €1,500)

Mido, Little known to the general public but highly regarded by connoisseurs, this brand offers Swiss watches with a minimalist and refined design. This brand is ideal for those looking for a durable and elegant piece to wear every day, with Swiss mechanical reliability as a bonus. Its models are attractive for their simplicity and quality.

Herbelin: French know-how at a low price (€350 – €1,200)

If you are looking for a watch of French origin combining classic charm and traditional craftsmanship, Herbelin offers a great alternative. With elegant designs and a reasonable price range, its watch is an invitation to discover mechanical or quartz watches, in a truly French universe.

Tissot: Swiss accessibility leader (€250 – €1,200)

Tissot Tissot is arguably the best-known and most accessible brand offering a wide range of automatic and quartz watches. Its reputation in the watchmaking world is based on its reliability, diverse collections, and innovations at very competitive prices. For a first purchase, Tissot is ideal, with traditional or sporty styles.

Seiko: the Japanese benchmark with unbeatable value for money (€150 – €1,200)

Seiko Seiko is Japan's iconic brand for those who love affordable watches without sacrificing quality. From budget-friendly quartz watches to high-end automatic watches, Seiko offers an endless selection. Its models are renowned for their robustness, precision, and classic or contemporary style—a true champion for beginners.

Lip: a French legend revisited (€120 – €750)

French brand with a rich watchmaking heritage, Lip offers watches with a vintage design brought up to date, combining style and innovation. It's an interesting option for those who want an original and affordable watch, with a real cultural imprint. There are also rarer vintage models a little higher than the average price communicated, but always below €3000.

Casio & Swatch: the iconic duo for an ultra-accessible budget (€35 – €400 / €80 – €300)

For tight budgets or the first steps in wearing a watch without the hassle, Casio And Swatch remain safe bets. Casio offers a range from simple digital watches to robust G-Shocks, while Swatch offers colorful and lightweight creations, perfect for those who want to combine fashion and function.

Practical advice for choosing and wearing your first watch

1. What criteria should you take into account when choosing your first watch?

You need to consider the style (classic, sporty, casual), the type of movement (mechanical or quartz), the size of the case suited to your wrist, and of course, your budget. Also consider the use: a watch for everyday wear, special occasions, or sports.

2. What budget should you plan for a good first model?

A budget ranging from €300 to €3,000 is suitable for a first watch purchase. This allows access to reliable brands with quality automatic or quartz movements.

3. What to choose between a mechanical watch and a quartz watch?

• The quartz watch works with a battery which powers a quartz crystal vibrating at a precise frequency, giving it high precision and minimal maintenance (battery replacement every 2 to 3 years).
• The hand-wound mechanical watch is powered by a mainspring that you wind yourself regularly using the crown. ; it embodies traditional craftsmanship and offers an intimate experience with mechanics, but requires more attention on a daily basis.
• The automatic watch works thanks to a mechanism driven by an oscillating weight which winds the main spring via the movements of the wrist. It does not require a battery, but must be worn regularly or wound manually when not in use, appealing for its traditional craftsmanship and durability.

4. What size watch should I choose?

Your first watch should fit your wrist and your style. Generally, the average size for a man is between 38 and 41 mm, while for a woman, it is rather between 34 and 38 mm. These sizes allow a good compromise between elegance and comfort, taking into account the usual morphological differences.

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