The 5 Best Everyday Watches

Seiko Alpinist

Who would have thought it? A Seiko kicking off a list of the best everyday watches? This Alpinist is considered by many as the perfect affordable watch. Alongside the 39.5mm stainless steel case is a green sunburst dial, screw-down crown, 200m of water resistance, an internal compass bezel—controlled by an additional crown—and the calibre 6R35, an automatic movement with 70 hours of power, hacking seconds and date. Whether you love or hate the design, it cannot be denying this watch gives you a lot for your money.

Longines Heritage Legend Diver

Longines doesn’t get nearly enough credit for creating some of the best-looking, budget-friendly Swiss luxury watches. One of the best examples of this is the Heritage Legend Diver at just over $2,500. Here, in a 42mm stainless steel case—although other sizes and case materials are available—the Legend Diver features a dual crown super compressor case design with an internal 60-minute dive bezel, 300m of water resistance, and the calibre L633. The L633—based on the ETA 2824-2—might not have the largest power reserve—at just 38 hours—but the movement's automatic winding means that it's more than capable of getting you through the week, provided you wear the watch. If you’re looking for a dive watch that’s a little different, this is the watch for you.

Omega Seamaster Railmaster

In 1957, Omega released three tool watches: the Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. While the first two found immense popularity, the Railmaster never received quite the same level of love. For those that aren’t familiar with the Railmaster, it served as an engineer’s watch thanks to its high resistance to magnetism—similar to Rolex’s Milgauss. The watch achieved this by utilising a soft iron inner case to protect the movement from the invisible forces of magnetism. Advancements in watchmaking—like the silicon-based escapement—silicon being anti-magnetic—mean that watches like the Railmaster aren’t needed from a practical perspective. But amongst a sea of Seamasters, the Railmaster’s design stands out, with a vertically brushed “blue jeans” dial option.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual “Tiffany dial”

It’s the brand that everyone wants, so it’s a given that Rolex would make it on the list. The Oyster Perpetual can be dressed up or dressed down, and it comes in a variety of sizes and colours. Aside from its aesthetic appearance, the watch gets a stainless steel build—with one of the watch industry's comfiest bracelets—100m of water resistance and a chronometer-certified movement, the automatic calibre 3230.

Grand Seiko Snowflake

The Grand Seiko SBGA211 “Snowflake” is considered by a lot of people to be the perfect watch. It’s got a versatile design that can pass as both dressy and sporty, a level of finishing way above its price point, the famed Spring Drive calibre 9R65—which gives the watch its hypnotic gliding seconds hand and incredible accuracy—and, of course, the textured Snowflake dial—one that converted many a die-hard Swiss watch fan. The Snowflake really is one of the best-looking watches you can get away with wearing all the time, and if the titanium case and power reserve indicator on the dial bothers you, well, you can always go for a “White Birch”.