1Seiko 5 Sports SRPD55
The Seiko 5 is where a lot of watch collections start. It's a proper automatic, powered by the movement of the wrist, with a see-through back to watch it working. The SRPD55 has a black dial and day-date window, it's water resistant to 100 metres and it runs for about 41 hours off the wrist.
Pros
- A real automatic movement.
- See-through case back.
- Tough, everyday watch.
Cons
- 42.5mm suits medium to large wrists.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Seiko product page ↗
2Casio G-Shock GA-2100
Watch fans love the GA-2100 for its octagonal design, which earned it the nickname CasiOak. It's a slim, light G-Shock with a carbon fibre-reinforced case, so it shrugs off knocks, and the all-black version goes with everything. Serious collectors own one alongside their expensive pieces.
Pros
- Iconic octagon design.
- Slim and light for a G-Shock.
- Tough as anything.
Cons
- Analogue-digital display takes a day to get used to.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Casio product page ↗
3Timex Marlin Hand-Wound 34mm
The Marlin is Timex's reissue of a 1960s classic, and it's a lovely way into mechanical watches. It's hand-wound, so they wind the crown each morning, with no battery at all. The 34mm steel case and domed crystal look properly vintage on a leather strap.
Pros
- Wound by hand, no battery.
- Genuine 1960s style.
- Great value mechanical watch.
Cons
- Needs winding every day and isn't for swimming.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Timex product page ↗
4Barton Elite Silicone watch strap
Watch lovers like to change a look with a new strap. Barton's silicone straps have quick-release pins, so they swap in seconds without tools, and they're soft and comfortable for sport or summer. They come in every common width from 18 to 24mm.
Pros
- Swaps in seconds, no tools.
- Comfortable for sport.
- Every common width.
Cons
- Check their watch's lug width first.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Barton product page ↗
5A Man and His Watch by Matt Hranek
Every watch lover enjoys the story behind a watch, and this book is full of them. Matt Hranek photographed 76 watches and their owners' stories, from Paul Newman's Daytona to the Rolex Edmund Hillary wore up Everest. It's a beautiful book to leave on the coffee table.
Pros
- Great stories behind famous watches.
- Beautiful photography.
- Coffee-table classic.
Cons
- Leans towards men's and luxury watches.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Artisan product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves watches
Watch lovers have strong opinions on style and size, so pick a well-loved classic rather than something flashy. The best gifts for watch lovers are affordable icons, straps and books. Check their wrist size and lug width before buying straps. A good watch book suits any collector.
How we picked these gifts for watch lovers
We picked each product for what watch lovers enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
