<p><strong><a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g43452782/stainless-steel-watches-for-men/” target=”_blank”>Best Stainless Steel Watches</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/g41900434/best-sport-watches/” target=”_blank”>Best Sport Watches</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g43684575/best-digital-watches/” target=”_blank”>Best Digital Watches</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/g42635678/best-solar-watches/” target=”_blank”>Best Solar Watches</a></strong></p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How We Selected</h2><p>Automatic watches are the standard of stylish timekeeping these days, so we rounded up the best options out there. Our editors have logged countless hours of field testing these tickers everywhere from the home office to cocktail parties. We’ve put these watches through diaper changes and deep sea dives, road trips and subway commutes, washing dishes and wedding dance floors. We made sure to test watches from every price point, and a variety of case and strap sizes.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>What to Look for</h2><p class=”body-text”><em>Mechanical:</em> Mechanical watches wind themselves with a weighted semi-circle that turns with any motion of your wrist and body. This action winds the central spring that powers the watch.</p><p><em>Hand Wound:</em> Long before mechanical winding was invented, watches had to be hand wound to keep the internal spring moving. This movement style practically went extinct by the 2000s, but it has made a comeback recently as a <strong>more affordable automatic movement</strong>. </p><p><em>Power Reserve:</em> When a watch spring is fully wound, the power reserve number indicates how long it will tick before running out of energy. This allows your watch to keep time when even when you’re not wearing it. <strong>Most entry level watches have a 40 hour power reserve</strong>, while higher ends models feature 80 hours and up. </p><p><em>Case Size:</em> There are two measurements to keep in mind here. First, the <strong>diameter of the case</strong>,<strong> </strong>which is measured left to right, not including any knobs that stick out. Second is the <strong>lug-to-lug length, </strong>which is how long the watch is from top to bottom where the strap attaches. These two measurements will tell you how the watch will fit on your wrist. Essentially, the bigger your wrist is, the bigger you want these measurements to be.</p><p><em>Lug Width:</em> This is the <strong>width of the strap you can fit on the watch</strong>. It is important to know if you ever want to change the strap because a new strap—switching from a steel bracelet to a leather band for instance—can make your watch feel brand new again. Straps generally run from 18 to 22 mm.</p><ul></ul>” />
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If you’re diving into automatics on a budget, then the Seiko 5 Sports line is the best place to start. A ton of color options are available, you can go with or without a bezel, and there’s a newly updated in-house movement under the hood. We’ve found this to be a perfect vacation watch, because it is water proof and durable but still dresses up well.
| Case size | 43mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 22mm |
Marlin Marlin® Sub-Dial Automatic 39mm Leather Strap Watch
Marlin Marlin® Sub-Dial Automatic 39mm Leather Strap Watch
The newest entry in Timex’s marlin line adds a splash of color and an inset 24 hour dial to the retro style we’ve come to love. While pervious entries have leaned toward dress watches, the Sub-Dial has a sportier vibe that can still clock in for business casual. We found this one to be a great low-key, every day watch.
| Case side | 39mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 20mm |
There is no better bang for your buck in the automatic movement game than Orient. With roman numerals, inset dials, and elegant hands, this is the dress watch to impress at work and parties alike. The untrained eye will assume you dropped a dime on this ticker. We love this watch because it’s a great looking watch that’s still very affordable.
Read more: Best Cheap Watches
| Case size | 42.5mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 22mm |
Straight out of a 1960s spy thriller, this retro diver from Bulova complements a wetsuit as well as a linen suit. A bold orange face was designed for visibility under the water. Above ground, it adds a touch of color to any fit. We like this watch because it stands out in a classy way, like having something interesting to say without yelling it.
| Case size | 41mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 19mm |
Micro-watch brands can be tricky to navigate because you don’t have the legacy built over generations by the big names. Remarkably, Vaer has managed to build a reputation for quality and style at an affordable price in a short period of time. The D5 Meridian dive watch is inspired by the classics, but makes a name for itself with its clean aesthetic. Our editors love how easily it transitions from work to play, it’s truly a watch you never have to take off.
| Case side | 39mm |
|---|---|
| Lud width | 20mm |
Finding a Swiss made watch with a stellar reputation for under a $1,000 is difficult … but not impossible. Tissot is known for value as much as quality, summed up perfectly by the Gentleman Powermatic. This is your fundamental suiting watch. However, we found it styles just as well with a polo and shorts.
| Case side | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 21mm |
Monochromatic dive watches tend to come in all silver or all black. Doxa brightened things up a bit with a brilliant white face and bezel. By nature, dive watches feature bold dials to stick out so you can easily see them underwater, but this one blends in, making it a low-key every day ticker. Of course, if you do hit the water, you can rely on professional level performance. Our editors found this to be a never-leaving-my-wrist watch because it can handle everything.
| Case size | 42mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 22mm |
Marathon Watch Company Arctic Edition Medium Diver’s Automatic
Marathon Watch Company Arctic Edition Medium Diver’s Automatic
Featuring elements of both diver and field watches, the Arctic Edition from Marathon is a true adventure watch. The tritium glow on the hands and indices are easy to read in the dark, so you know it’s ready for all nighters. With an oyster bracelet, classic diver bezel, and a compact size, we found this watch to be a perfect every day watch that can also hold up in the outdoors.
Read more: Best Outdoor Watches
| Case Size | 36mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 18mm |
Luminox is probably best known for their Navy Seal watch collection, which were entirely quartz. The 3600 is a full overhaul, including an automatic movement and a carbon fiber case. Measuring in at 45mm to maximize visibility at night and under water, this bad boy is great on bigger wrists.
| Case size | 45mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 24mm |
Not all dive watches have to adhere to the same design formulas. Zodiac’s Super Sea Wolf, originally released in the 1970s, features a refreshingly retro face. The glossy tonal blue color scheme and jubilee bracelet complement practically any outfit we’ve tested it with.
Read more: Best Luxury Watches
| Case size | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 20mm |
As an early pioneer of the micro watch brand movement, Shinola has earned a stylish reputation. The Detroit brand is new to automatic watches, however. So they really made a splash with the Monster Automatic dive watch line. Five color schemes are available, each taking their names from the Great Lakes. For our money, the Ontario model with a dark green face and black bezel is the way to go since it’s a failsafe style that looks great on most business casual looks.
| Case size | 43mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 22mm |
Hamilton was one of the two companies that invented the automatic chronograph movement in 1968. The American Classic is still one of the most beautiful chronos in the world. Unfortunately, none of our editors were able to test it for timing auto races, as it was originally intended. We did find it that it looked great doing everything else though.
| Case size | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 20mm |
Omega is a name that needs no introduction in the watch world. They’ve been to the moon and dived deep into the ocean. While its tool watches are legendary, the De Ville is a tuxedo for your wrist. Unlike a real tuxedo, you can wear this one every day. We did and found that it automatically ungraded any outfit we wore with it.
| Case size | 39.5 |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 18mm |
If the Rolex Submariner is the Michael Jordan of watches, think of the Tudor Black Bay as Kobe Bryant. The two are so similar and capable of all the same feats that it is really only reputation that separates them. One minute with this watch on your wrist reveals why dive watches are so popular. It isn’t because of a massive rise in SCUBA trips, it’s because they just look so damn cool.
| Case size | 39mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 22mm |
If accuracy is your primary concern, then a Grand Seiko Spring Drive is the watch for you. The Japanese horological power house lays claim to the most accurate movement in the world. With a 72 hour power reserve monitored with a discrete hand placed at the 8 o’clock marker. All that precision is wrapped up in a perfectly elegant case. The only disappointing thing we found when testing was taking it off.
| Case size | 40mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 20mm |
If aesthetics are your main concern, then we recommend the El Primero, which looks like a work of art. While the ability to time something down to 1/10 of a second wasn’t the most useful feature, it felt pretty cool to have it on your wrist.
| Case size | 41mm |
|---|---|
| Lug width | 22mm |
Why Trust Us?
Why Trust Us?
A product review story that doesn’t actually test anything hands-on or in person isn’t worth your time. Thankfully, we at Men’s Health don’t produce any of that nonsense. In fact, you can rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience.
For instance, at Men’s Health, we have a fashion closet dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best as well as the newest products in menswear. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear what their opinions are and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s fabric or materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it. The fashion closet is also where we try out and certify our styling tips.
Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan who actually know the difference between undershirts and T-shirts or that polyester isn’t actually breathable, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, designers and decision-makers at top brands or retailers—that we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.
Contributing Commerce Style Writer
Brad is a contributing style commerce editor. After a decade working for menswear brands including J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, Brad switched from selling fashion to writing about it. His words have appeared in Huckberry, Heddels, and The Manual.
Deputy Editor, Commerce
As Men’s Health’s Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian’s work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
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