Watches Price Comparison
Compare 304 watches from Casio, HUGO BOSS, Tissot and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from everyday quartz to Swiss dress watches.
Watches price comparison UK
Few purchases sit on your wrist every day and get judged at every glance — which is why choosing a watch deserves more thought than most gadget buys. Our catalogue currently spans 304 models, from a Casio retro digital at 36 £ to a Tissot or Festina dress piece pushing towards 84 £. That range tells you something important: the watch market is genuinely stratified, and what you get at each level differs dramatically.
Casio dominates this catalogue — and for good reason. With over 130 references, the brand covers everything from the iconic A168 vintage gold-tone to the rugged G-Shock GA-900, and its average price sits well below the category median. If you want a reliable, low-maintenance quartz watch without overthinking it, Casio is the default answer for most buyers. HUGO BOSS and Fossil occupy the mid-range with a stronger emphasis on aesthetics and dress styling, while Skagen offers a Scandinavian minimalist alternative at a similar price point.
Step up to Tissot or Seiko and the conversation shifts entirely. You're no longer just buying a time-telling device — you're buying a calibre, a sapphire crystal, and in many cases a mechanical movement that will outlast any battery-powered alternative. Seiko's average price in our catalogue reflects that positioning clearly. For buyers weighing up whether to stretch the budget, our Watch & Clock Parts & Accessories section is worth a look too — replacement straps and bracelets can transform a mid-range watch into something that feels genuinely premium.
One pattern worth flagging: the gap between 41 £ and 47 £ is where the market gets most competitive. Brands like Michael Kors, Sector, and GUESS all cluster here, competing on design rather than movement quality — most run standard quartz calibres. That's not a criticism, but it's worth knowing before you pay a fashion premium. If movement quality matters to you, the price_q3 threshold is roughly where sapphire crystals and better finishing start to appear consistently. Compare across retailers before committing — prices on identical references can vary significantly between Amazon, Currys, and specialist watch retailers. You can also browse our Clocks category if you're furnishing a home rather than a wrist.
How to Choose the Right Watch
Casio or Tissot? Quartz or automatic? Rubber strap or steel bracelet? The answers depend entirely on how and where you plan to wear it. With prices ranging from 36 £ to 84 £ in this catalogue, the real skill is knowing which specifications actually matter for your use case — and which are just marketing.
Movement type: quartz, automatic, or kinetic?
This is the single most consequential decision. Quartz movements (battery-powered) are accurate to within ±15 seconds per month, require almost no maintenance, and dominate everything below 47 £ in this catalogue. They're the sensible choice for everyday wear. Automatic (self-winding mechanical) movements are more expensive to produce and service, but they're the reason watch enthusiasts pay a premium — there's genuine craft in a well-finished calibre. Expect to find them reliably only above 56 £. Kinetic and solar-powered movements (common in higher-end Casio and Seiko lines) offer a middle ground: no battery changes, but none of the servicing complexity of a full mechanical.
Water resistance: how much do you actually need?
The numbers are frequently misunderstood. A watch rated 3 ATM is splash-resistant — rain and hand-washing are fine, but don't swim in it. 10 ATM is the minimum for swimming laps. 20 ATM covers snorkelling. Anything below 10 ATM on a watch marketed as 'sport' is a red flag. The G-Shock range, which features prominently here, typically offers 20 ATM as standard — one of the reasons it remains the benchmark for robust everyday wear. If you're a diver, look specifically for ISO 6425 certification, not just a depth rating on the dial.
Crystal type: the scratch-resistance hierarchy
Acrylic crystals scratch easily but can be polished — found mainly on budget and retro-styled pieces. Mineral crystal is the standard across most of this catalogue's mid-range; it resists everyday scratches but will mark over time. Sapphire crystal (hardness 9 on the Mohs scale) is the gold standard — it's what separates a Tissot from a fashion watch at the same price point. As a rule of thumb, if a watch costs more than 56 £ and doesn't specify sapphire crystal, ask why.
Case size and lug-to-lug fit
Case diameter gets all the attention, but lug-to-lug distance is what actually determines comfort on the wrist. A 44mm case with short lugs can wear smaller than a 40mm with long lugs. For reference: 38–42mm suits most wrists for everyday wear; 44–50mm is the G-Shock and sport territory. If you wear a suit regularly, anything above 42mm will struggle under a shirt cuff. Smaller cases (28–34mm) are traditionally associated with dress and feminine styling, though the lines have blurred considerably.
Strap and bracelet: comfort versus durability
Metal bracelets are durable and look sharp, but they require occasional cleaning and can feel heavy in warm weather. Leather straps are comfortable and dress well, but they degrade with sweat and water exposure — not ideal if you wear your watch 24/7. Rubber and silicone straps are the practical choice for sport and outdoor use; the G-Shock's resin case-and-strap combination is essentially indestructible. One underrated option: NATO fabric straps are cheap, comfortable, and easy to swap — worth considering if you want to change the look of a watch without buying a new one.
Complications: what's genuinely useful versus decorative?
A date window is the one complication almost everyone uses daily. A chronograph (stopwatch function) is genuinely useful for timing things — but on a fashion watch, the subdials are often purely decorative. A GMT hand is worth paying for if you travel across time zones regularly. World time displays, tachymeter bezels, and multiple alarms sound impressive in spec sheets but rarely get used. Our advice: identify the one or two complications you'd actually use, and don't pay a premium for the rest.
- Entry-level and retro classics (From 36 £ to 41 £) : This is Casio's home territory — the A168, LA670, and WatxandCo references live here. You're getting reliable quartz movements, mineral or acrylic crystals, and designs that have barely changed in decades (which is part of the appeal). Don't expect sapphire crystal or significant water resistance. Ideal for a second watch, a gift, or anyone who appreciates the retro-digital aesthetic without overthinking it.
- The sweet spot (From 41 £ to 47 £) : The most competitive segment in this catalogue. Casio G-Shock, HUGO BOSS entry-level, Skagen, and Fossil all compete here. You'll find 10 ATM water resistance, stainless steel cases, and more refined finishing. HUGO BOSS and Fossil lean heavily on aesthetics; if movement quality matters, the G-Shock offers better specifications for the money. Worth comparing carefully — price gaps between retailers can be significant.
- Fashion and mid-range dress watches (From 47 £ to 56 £) : Michael Kors, Sector, GUESS, and the upper Fossil range sit here. The designs are polished and the bracelets feel more substantial, but most still run standard quartz calibres. You're paying partly for the brand name. That said, this is also where better finishing, mineral sapphire hybrids, and more robust case construction start to appear. A good range for a watch you'll wear to the office or on a night out.
- Swiss and premium Japanese (Over 56 £) : Tissot, Seiko, Festina, and Zeppelin occupy this territory. This is where sapphire crystals become standard, where mechanical and automatic movements appear, and where the watch is genuinely built to last decades rather than years. Tissot's average in this catalogue is notably high — these are proper Swiss Made pieces. If you're buying at this level, check for manufacturer warranty and consider buying from an authorised UK retailer for after-sales peace of mind.
Top products
- Casio G-Shock GA-900-1AER watch Wrist watch Male Quartz Black (Casio) : The benchmark for rugged everyday wear — 20 ATM water resistance, shock protection, and a bold 55mm case that means business. Not subtle, but unbeatable at this price for pure durability.
- Casio LA670WEA-7EF watch Wrist watch Female Electronic Silver (Casio) : The retro Casio at its most charming — a slim, lightweight digital with a stainless steel bracelet that punches well above its price. The go-to recommendation for anyone wanting a reliable second watch or a stylish gift.
- Casio EFR-539D-1A2VUEF watch Wrist watch Male Quartz Stainless steel (Casio) : Casio's Edifice line stepping up with a chronograph and stainless steel construction — more watch than most rivals offer at this price point. A strong choice if you want a sport-dress hybrid without the fashion-brand premium.
- Skagen SKW2149P Wrist watch Female Silver (Skagen) : Skagen's Scandinavian minimalism at its most refined — a slim mesh bracelet and clean dial that works as well in the office as at the weekend. The design-to-price ratio is genuinely impressive, though don't expect high water resistance.
- Zeppelin 7690-1 watch Wrist watch Male Quartz Silver (Zeppelin) : The outsider pick in this catalogue — Zeppelin's German-designed dress watches are consistently underrated. Clean dial, quality finishing, and a price that undercuts Swiss alternatives significantly. Worth a look if you want something distinctive.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between water resistant and waterproof on a watch?
No watch is truly 'waterproof' — the correct term is water resistant, and the rating tells you exactly how much pressure it can handle. A 3 ATM rating means splash and rain only; 10 ATM means you can swim in it; 20 ATM covers snorkelling. Anything labelled 'waterproof' without an ATM or metre rating is a marketing term with no technical meaning — treat it with scepticism.
Is a Casio G-Shock worth buying in 2026, or has it been overtaken by smartwatches?
The G-Shock remains one of the best-value propositions in this catalogue, and smartwatches haven't really replaced it. A G-Shock offers 20 ATM water resistance, shock resistance, multi-year battery life, and a build quality that most smartwatches can't match — all typically below 47 £. If you want fitness tracking and notifications, a smartwatch wins. If you want a watch that survives anything and never needs charging, the G-Shock is still the answer.
What does sapphire crystal actually mean, and is it worth paying for?
Sapphire crystal is a synthetic corundum glass with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale — only a diamond can scratch it under normal conditions. It's worth paying for if you wear your watch daily and hate seeing scratches accumulate on the face. Below 56 £, most watches use mineral crystal, which will show marks over time. If a watch above that price point doesn't specify sapphire, it's a genuine compromise worth flagging.
Should I avoid fashion watches from brands like Michael Kors or HUGO BOSS?
Not avoid — but go in with clear expectations. Fashion watches from these brands typically run standard quartz calibres (often sourced from the same suppliers as cheaper watches) inside premium-looking cases. You're paying for the design and the brand name, not movement quality. That's a perfectly valid trade-off if aesthetics are your priority. Where it becomes a poor deal is when a fashion watch is priced similarly to a Seiko or lower-end Tissot, which offers genuinely better specifications for the same money.
How do I know what strap size to order when replacing a watch strap?
Measure the lug width — the gap between the two lugs where the strap attaches to the case. This is almost always stamped on the case back or listed in the manual, and it's the only measurement that matters. Common sizes are 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm. A 20mm strap will not fit a 22mm lug, regardless of how close it looks. Our Watch & Clock Parts & Accessories section lists replacement straps across the main sizes.
What's the minimum water resistance rating for swimming?
You need at least 10 ATM (100 metres) for swimming in a pool or the sea. A 3 ATM or 5 ATM rating is splash-resistant only — wearing it in the shower regularly will eventually compromise the seals. For snorkelling, 20 ATM is the recommended minimum. Note that water resistance ratings are tested under static pressure; the dynamic pressure from a dive entry or fast swimming stroke is higher than the static rating suggests.
Are mechanical watches harder to maintain than quartz?
Yes, meaningfully so. A quartz watch needs a battery change every one to three years and little else. A mechanical or automatic watch should be serviced every five to seven years — a process that typically costs between £150 and £400 at a reputable watchmaker, depending on the calibre. That's a real ongoing cost to factor in. The upside is that a well-maintained mechanical watch can last generations; a quartz movement is generally replaced rather than repaired when it fails.