This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ian Ferdock. Find him on Instagram at @ianferdock. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.

Women have seemingly endless opportunities to accessorize, but for men, it can be challenging to find a tasteful way to accent their look. One of the easiest ways for guys to elevate their style is by adding a classic timepiece on their wrist. In doing so, men can level up the sophistication of their style while adding a personal touch to their aesthetic. However, the world of watches can certainly be confusing for newcomers. Luckily, there are plenty of great watches available at all price points. Contrary to popular belief, there is a wide array of cool men’s watches that won’t drain your bank account.

When it comes to searching for the right watch, there are three major considerations. That includes the origin, the movement, and the price range. The two main movements on the market are quartz and mechanical watches. Switzerland and Japan are the two hubs for watch-making excellence. But when it comes to cost, there are a plethora of options. If you are new to the watch scene, before setting off your search for an ideal timepiece, it’s worth exploring the basic differences between all these options.

Quartz Watch

A quartz watch is a timepiece powered by a battery and regulated by a quartz crystal. When electricity from the battery passes through the crystal, it vibrates at a very precise frequency. These vibrations are measured and converted into electrical pulses that drive a small motor, which moves the watch hands. The advantage of quartz is that it offers incredible accuracy. Quartz movements only deviate by a few seconds per month.

Another positive attribute is the lack of maintenance, as batteries should only need to be replaced every few years. They also represent the most affordable end of the watch spectrum. If you care more about the overall aesthetic of your timepiece, convenience, and are more cost-conscious, your best options will likely be quartz-powered.  

Mechanical Watch

Unlike a quartz watch, mechanical timepieces provide a heightened level of complexity, elegance, and heritage. Mechanical watches rely on a complex system of gears, springs, and levers to keep time without needing a battery. They run on a mainspring, which stores energy when wound manually or automatically. Manual watches are self-explanatory as they require the wearer to manually wind the spring. Automatic watches utilize the movements of the wearer to keep the spring wound and are the most common mechanical offering.

As the mainspring unwinds, it releases energy through an escapement and balance wheel, which regulate the movement of the watch hands. Mechanical watches are coveted for their intricate craftsmanship, tradition, and aesthetic value. Some watches even allow you to view the movement through transparent case backs.

The downside of mechanical watches is that they tend to lose track of time and require a reset more often. It’s not uncommon for them to lose or gain a few seconds a day. Different movements have different power reserves, so the number of days you can go without wearing a mechanical watch before it shuts down varies.

Furthermore, they are far more expensive than quartz movements. However, for most enthusiasts, including myself, the elegance, heritage, and intricacy of these timepieces are worth the investment. They can also be more pleasing to the eye owing to the swift, sweeping movement of the second hand on the watch face.

Swiss Versus Japanese

Switzerland and Japan are the two major watch-making regions of the world. Overall, these are the go-to manufacturers when you want the best quality available. Swiss and Japanese watch movements both offer reliability and precision, but they are founded in different philosophies and cater to varying markets.

Swiss movements represent some of the biggest names in the business. From TAG Heuer and Omega, all the way to Rolex and Patek Philippe, you know you’re getting quality and prestige. However, with that often comes a hefty price tag, even if watch connoisseurs don’t seem to mind.

Japanese movements, from companies like Seiko, Citizen, and Casio, prioritize efficiency, innovation, and affordability. They’re usually mass-produced with durable, practical designs, and more geared toward casual watch lovers. These watches are ideal for everyday wear because of their accessibility, durability, and dependability.

While Swiss movements win on artistry and tradition, Japanese movements excel in innovation and value. It’s less a conversation about which option is better, and more about what you value as a customer. Personally, I usually go for a Swiss option, but that’s just my preference.

Price

When it comes to price, there are truly endless options. You can find solid watches for $200 or less or you could spend millions of dollars. Realistically, though, most of us aren’t made of money, so I’ll highlight some reputable options for beginners after a quick overview of the basic types of watches on the market.

Throughout your search process, it’s best to keep in mind that price is tied to two main factors: name and quality. Sometimes watches are more or less expensive because of their level of intricacy and craftsmanship, which determines their production cost. Other times, you are just paying for the name and heritage of a brand. There are also instances where you pay for both.

It’s important to remember which of those aspects is worth more to you, so you can find an ideal watch that represents your personality and taste while not going over budget.

Major Types of Watches

Aside from divisions like price, movements, and origins, there are quite a few different styles of cool men’s watches. Dress watches are known for their minimalist and elegant designs and almost always have a leather strap. They’re usually very simple, almost to the point of being rather plain, to complement formal attire. That said, they can be dressed up or dressed down and can match a variety of styles. Just don’t wear them with shorts and a T-shirt.

Dive watches are probably the most versatile watches out there and are a personal favorite of mine. They are built for optimal durability and can cope with impressive submersion depths, often water-resistant up to 200m. Dive watches can be worn with a suit or in casual settings, depending on whether they have a rubber band or a metal bracelet.

Field watches combine some of the durability of dive watches while providing a heightened sense of ruggedness. They have military-inspired, easy-to-read dials and are usually complemented with canvas or leather straps. Field watches are certainly more casual than dive watches, but still maintain some versatility.

Pilot or aviator watches share some aesthetics with dive watches, but are well known for their larger dials. The reason is that pilots often needed easy-to-read information on their wrists. They have large, legible dials with luminous hands and often include chronograph or GMT functions.

There are also racing-inspired watches that can feature a chronograph and tachymeter. GMT watches feature various dials designed to track multiple time zones, rendering them ideal for traveling. And of course, there are the ever-popular smart watches, but this discourse isn’t about them.

Beginner Worthy Watches

Swatch

Swatch is a Swiss watchmaker known for its affordable, colorful, and playful designs. Founded to confront the crisis brought on by the rise of Quartz movements, Swatch revitalized the Swiss watch industry by offering trendy, reliable quartz watches at accessible prices.

Their watches are often made of plastic or silicone, so they certainly don’t match more high-end selections. However, they’re unique and offer unmatched accessibility to a proper Swiss timepiece.

In recent years, Swatch has expanded its offerings with the Swatch Sistem51. This innovative automatic movement allows consumers a true entry-level, affordable option to gain access to an automatic movement.

Overall, Swatch provides beloved Swiss heritage, at an accessible price point, and easy ways to customize your look with their wacky designs.

Seiko

Seiko is a Japanese watchmaker with a reputation for precision, innovation, and reliability. This brand was responsible for creating the world’s first quartz wristwatch in 1969, forever changing the watch industry. The brand offers a wide range of timepieces, including affordable everyday quartz and automatic models.

Seiko is known for combining Japanese craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Whether you’re after a simple dress watch or a robust dive watch, Seiko provides outstanding value and durability. It’s a favorite among collectors and first-time buyers, and has fantastic options for smaller budgets.

Bulova

Bulova is truly one of my favorite watch brands, primarily because of its unique aesthetic. They produce plenty of cool men’s watches that balance traditional, classic styles with a distinctive personal touch.

What began as an American watch brand founded by a Czech immigrant has since been acquired by Citizen, the Japanese watchmaking conglomerate.

Bulova’s offerings span quartz, mechanical, and tuning fork technology, with a focus on bold designs and accessible luxury. Their quartz watches are very appropriately priced. However, as much as I love them, I do think their automatic movements lack a bit of value when considering their cost. It has not exactly deterred me because I love their style, but my Bulova does admittedly lose quite a bit more time compared to my Swiss-made watches.

Nonetheless, Bulova watches are stylish and well-built, making them a strong contender for anyone seeking a statement piece without a luxury price tag.

Tissot

Tissot is the real star of this list. They are my favorite brand and offer unbeatable value for money. Their automatic movements are incredibly precise and affordable. In my opinion, this is the most advantageous route to acquiring the prestige of Swiss heritage while not breaking the bank.

Tissot offers both quartz and automatic watches, blending tradition with innovation. Their Le Locle and Powermatic 80 lines provide high-quality Swiss automatic movements, while the T-Touch series brings touchscreen functionality to the traditional watch world. Again, smart watches aren’t my cup of tea, and I recommend something more traditional, but to each their own.  

When it comes to their automatic movements, they are almost always around or below $1,000. It may seem expensive, but in the world of quality automatic watches, that is a bargain. Their timepieces strike a balance between elegance and utility, appealing to new collectors and enthusiasts. Their lineup is comprised of a range of styles, suiting any prospective customer’s needs.

Hamilton

Similar to Bulova, Hamilton set down its routes in the US. Hamilton began its storied reputation supplying timepieces to the U.S. military. Eventually, it transitioned into a Swiss-made brand that blends vintage-inspired style with modern watchmaking.

Hamilton is known for collections like the Khaki Field, Khaki Aviation, and Jazzmaster and offers both mechanical and quartz models, often with rugged, military-inspired aesthetics. With prices generally ranging from $400 to $1,500, Hamilton delivers exceptional value for those seeking a well-made, stylish timepiece with historical flair.

Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko represents the pinnacle of Japanese watchmaking. Originally launched in 1960 as Seiko’s luxury division, it became an independent brand in 2017. Grand Seiko watches are renowned for their meticulous craftsmanship, elegant designs, and innovative movements.

However, this is where the list starts to seriously increase in cost. Prices begin at around $3,000, but entry-level pieces occasionally dip closer to $2,000, especially in the pre-owned market. Grand Seiko appeals to collectors who value understated luxury, technical precision, and the Japanese philosophy of perfection through simplicity. I would argue their price is a bit steep, but they are certainly well respected within the watch community.

Longines

Longines, founded in 1832, is one of the oldest and most prestigious Swiss watchmakers still in continuous operation. Known for its elegant designs and refined aesthetics, Longines occupies a sweet spot between entry-level and luxury timepieces.

Longines watches are admired for their precision, finish, and timeless appeal, making them a favored choice for those wanting an accessible luxury experience without paying Omega or Rolex prices. Most models fall between $1,000 and $3,000, with some dipping under $1,000. Longines may be at the upper limit of many people’s price range, but they undoubtedly provide watch lovers with unrivaled value and craftsmanship. They’ve definitely been on my wish list for a while.

Why You Need A Cool Men’s Watches

Whether you have been wanting to dip your toes into the watch market for a while, or you have never thought about it, you are probably wondering why you should spend a few hundred, if not a few thousand dollars, on a tiny accessory whose sole purpose is to do something your phone can already do. Fair question, I shall relent.

As I have already stated, it’s a lot harder to accessorize as a guy. There isn’t another type of jewelry that actually caters to men. When you invest in a quality timepiece, you elevate your look and can curate an aesthetic that forces people to take you seriously.

Investing in a timepiece that exudes confidence sends a silent but powerful message: you value tradition, attention to detail, and personal presentation. It doesn’t matter if you are showing up to a job interview or a date, a watch can express your personality and maturity, making it a worthy investment.

I do have one last tip if price is a major concern for you. There are plenty of reputable online retailers, like Jomashop, that allow you to purchase many of these watches with a steep discount.

Let us know in the comments what your favorite cool men’s watches are!