The BEST FIRST Watch

My first mechanical watch was a Swatch Sistem51. I still have it around but don’t wear it. I’ll pass it onto one of my kids if they want it. I wouldn’t recommend it.

Without knowing specifics about who will wear the watch, the best first watch I would recommend is a G-Shock Square. Iconic, bulletproof, and fits in most situations.

Nothing like a discontinued Seiko 5 to wake the watch collecting bug into somebody.

For digital / analog I’d go with gshock DW5600 or the GA2100 series. The GAB001 is also worth a look.

For mechanical watches, can’t go wrong with seikos, tho they are really getting expensive now. A better bang for buck would be orient and citizen.

The best first watch is a watch that will pique their interest into horology. No right or wrong. It will be different for everyone. My suggestions would be what I’m interested in, not the persons interest. The person needs to figure that out themselves.

My first watch was something typical childisch kind of toy watch, later a Captain Planet water recharging watch which never worked and the first nice one was a very pretty black Swatch with orange indizes. Which actually caused an attemped robbery in a gypsy neighborhood by a gang.

Yes....Swatch was in the early 90s for teens what Rolex is today.

But my suggestion as a first watch:

I think it shouldn't be a to boring, complicated, expensive watch.

Something that pleases the eyes and entertains. Maybe something special in design, technique or history. It can also be a Quartz.

It might be a Bulova Jet Star or Luna Pilot. A Seiko Speedtimer or Cocktailtime. Any Junghans Quartz. A Laco Basic. A Casio Duro. Orient Kamasu or Bambino. Or a Zeppelin.

Those are good choices but what is their price range would be my first question, then when would you be wearing it, what kind of clothes do you normally wear.

If I started again I'd spend more on my first watch than I did when I started out. I'd get something that's a tried and tested design and has some significant history.

The biggest lessons I've learned are to never comprise by buying an 'alternative' to what you really want, be patient, don't impulse buy and don't rush a purchase. And try to extend yourself a little budget wise with 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 purchase. What you buy means more and holds your interest longer when you buy this way.

So with that in mind, any of these are great first watches.

Seiko Prospex Diver

Hammy Khaki Field Mechanical

Glycine Airman

The recommendation I would give if someone was interested in getting started with the hobby & asked me is a G-Shock Square... and then I would recommend that they read about & try on as many different watches of all the different types as they could before buying their next piece.

My first automatic when I got back into watches is the Seiko SKX007. It’s a awesome starter watch it taught me what I want and what I don’t want in a watch. I would recommend that (if you can find one) or something similar I also would recommend a Duro for a quartz option.

Start them young. F91-W

I would suggest a Timex Expedition for a very young person, or any of the Orient divers that you can get under $500 for "responsible" teens all the way through adults. I know people love G-Shocks, and if you do that's absolutely wonderful! 👍 I've tried very hard to make myself like them but just can't do it...they just aren't me, I guess.

An Orient or a Seagull 1963 are good gateway drugs.

So many things to consider:

• Is it really the first watch or does it compete with a SmartWatch? If it is second after SmartWatch, why does the person want to have StupidWatch? The answer could be an outline to the first watch.

• How deep is the pocket of that person?

• How old is that person?

• For what event is the person looking for a watch? Maybe a G-Shock is only the third best companion to a wedding suit – at least it would show some expectations about marriage if you need a G-Shock to set off into this adventure 😉.

• ...

• The first watch does not need to be the final grail watch. First watches are items to learn about one's own preferences. It is alright to try different watches and styles and learn what one likes and dislikes. Mistakes and successes will be on the way 🤷🏻‍♂️. We call that "life".

In general:

• I would recommend to starr with hands not with digits.

• Keep away from handwinders!

• Go for reliable technology first: Quartz, at best solar powered. No vintage!

• Look at the colours of the typical wardrobe and find a watch that blends in nicely.

• Know where the watch is worn most of the time.

Here are three real first watches of my children.

For me, best first NICE watch is a Seiko SSK003 GMT. Had lots of Casios (worn to destruction) and a few Skagens before I considered myself a collector. Seiko was a good start for me.

My first watch was a Pulsar LED (showing my age). I would suggest a Seiko sharp edge as a first good bang for buck watch.

I think the one you Will enjoy the more is the gshok because the otherone are  « hommage » watches from rolex and the gshok is extremely beautiful

My first Chinese manual😝 going on 3 years and still works.