The 14 Best Everyday Watches

While most watch collections are comprised of a variety of different types and styles, we’d argue the most important genre of timepiece one can own is the everyday watch — also known as a GADA (or “Go Anywhere, Do Anything”) watch. With daily wear use in mind, these items are much easier to justify investing in — an area furthered by the immense versatility that everyday watches possess, lending themselves to both formal and casual settings. With so many options on the market, however, it can be difficult even knowing where to begin shopping. So, with this in mind, we’ve thoroughly scoured the modern horology space to deliver this guide to the best everyday watches. 

Though there are admittedly dozens of factors one could take into account when shopping, there’s a shortlist of qualities and traits that are widely recognized as being ideal for everyday use. Alongside a case size of no more than 40mm, this also includes featuring a metal bracelet, a water resistance rating of at least 100 meters, and the presence of decent lume. Additionally, everyday watches must possess an overall appearance that blends into a wide variety of settings, from more casual dressed-down uses to fancier, more dressed-up occasions. 

Unlike other types of timepieces, everyday and GADA references aren’t limited to a single type of watch, and instead encompass a wider range of horological offerings that all lend themselves to daily wearing — with this segment including everything from everyday-friendly field watches to EDC-centric divers. Even with its more broad nature, however, there are still a handful of areas that are crucial to take into account, no matter what genre of everyday watch you fancy. Below, we’ll briefly break down the most pivotal factors to consider when shopping around for a new everyday watch. 

Watch Type: As touched on above, the everyday watch segment is comprised of a wide variety of different types and styles of timepieces that are all conducive to everyday use — and typically boast the above-mentioned qualifiers for a quality GADA watch such as an alloy bracelet, at least 100 meters of water resistance, a case size no larger than 40mm, and an overall air of versatility. We recommend beginning your search by first determining the style of watch that you’re interested in for everyday use, whether it be a diver, a pilots watch, a field watch, a tactical outdoor timepiece, or even certain dress watches. 

Case: Ideally measuring no more than 40mm in width, the case is of extreme importance when reviewing any everyday watch — or really any watch, for that matter. The areas to consider here are the case’s shape, dimensions (width, thickness, and lug-to-lug), and the material(s) used to craft it. What’s more, one major area that separates high-end luxury watches from their cheaper counterparts is the former’s fit and finish, which is why it’s imperative to pay close attention to the level of polish and craftsmanship on display, as well as how evenly and uniformly a case’s brushed or polished finish has been applied. Additionally, you’ll also want to explore other areas on the case such as its crown, bezel, and case-back. 

Movement: As the heart of the watch and the element that keeps the whole thing ticking, a watch’s movement is also of extreme importance when shopping for a GADA timepiece. You’ll want to review the type of movement being used — i.e. whether it’s of the automatic, mechanical, or quartz variety — along with who manufactured the movement, and whether or not the movement was made in-house or purchased off-the-shelf. It’s also crucial to review each movement’s specs, looking into the beat rate, number of jewels, any official industry ratings or certifications it has, accuracy, and power reserve. 

Dial: When looking at an everyday watch’s dial, you’ll want to closely examine the hand-set being used, as well as the hour markers and indices, any logos or branding, and any numerals or date window (if present). What’s more, you’ll also want to review the type of lume being used, and how well, generously, and evenly it’s been applied (and where on the dial it’s been applied). Reading blogs and firsthand reviews of watches is often a great way to glean a real-world sense of a dial’s lume performance. Additionally, the dial is one major area where it’s perfectly fine to let your personal taste play a guiding role, however, we do heavily suggest also taking overall readability into account when looking at dials. 

Band or Bracelet: An everyday watch should ideally shop straight from the factory with a metal bracelet. With that said, you’ll also want to pay attention to any watch’s lug size, as this will determine how easy it will be to find aftermarket straps and bands for it — an area that can massively bolster any timepiece’s versatility (and therefor value). Back to the bracelet though. When examining this element, you’ll want to look at the bracelet’s design, number of links, construction, and finish, as well as the type of clasp being used. 

Versatility: Even with a hard routine, you still never know just where the day or night may take you, which is why it’s also of extreme importance to select a GADA watch that can blend into a wide variety of different settings and locales, and pair well with an equally wide array of outfits and wardrobe types. From the bar to the boardroom, an everyday watch’s ability to lend itself to — and look great in — a myriad of different environments is a major part of what makes it so ideal for daily wearing. On top of that, it’s also worth considering not only the versatility offered by the watch when paired with its factory bracelet, but also how it looks when mated to different types of straps or bands. 

Durability: Because these watches are intended for daily wearing, you want to select a timepiece that can stand up to the rigors that come with EDC use. As such you’ll want to explore whether a watch has been fortified with any scratch-resistant materials or finishes, and whether or not its case features any kind of shock absorption system or technology. And, while we assume your daily routine or commute probably doesn’t require diving several hundred feet below the waves, it’s still crucial to select a watch for everyday use that possesses solid and robust levels of waterproofing — which is why it’s always recommended to opt for a GADA watch with no less than 100 meters of water resistance, though this is one area that you can budge or compromise on.

Style: Even when looking at a single style or genre, watches can hugely range in appearance, which is why we suggest letting your aehstic taste play a role in your final decision. Not unlike a tattoo in some ways, this is especially important because, as an everyday watch, you’ll be wearing this reference day in and day out, making it crucial to find a watch that you enjoy wearing and looking at. Additionally, a variety of our favorite everyday watches also come in numerous dial color options and case finishes, giving buyers a wealth of options to pick from and catering to a wide variety of tastes and preferences. 

From dive watches to field watches to luxury watches for new collectors, we’ve spent the last few years getting increasingly hands-on with some of the latest and greatest horological offerings currently on the market. During this time, we’ve been steadily making note of which of these watches happened to lend themselves to everyday use based on the findings from our testing. We then combined this suspected shortlist of watches with a handful of additional timepieces on the market that we hadn’t yet gotten on wrist for hands-on review. As per usual, our selections were based on criteria such as each watch’s dimensions and design, materials, movement, and execution, craftsmanship, and fit and finish. 

And while it took longer, we spent an extended period wearing and testing these everyday watches. This was imperative, as you really can’t judge a timepiece as a GADA watch until you’ve lived with it for an extended duration. So, that’s exactly what we did, strapping on each watch, and wearing it for long enough to uncover its moment’s level of accuracy and true power reserve, along with the watch’s heft and comfort. Another major factor that contributed to the daily wearability of these watches was their bracelet’s clasp, how secure it was, and how easily and precisely it could be adjusted. Extended testing also enabled us to better test each watch’s level of versatility by not only seeing it in a wide variety of settings and environments but also by pairing it with numerous other straps and bands in an effort to see if it could be dressed up for more formal occasions or dressed down for more casual scenarios. 

Firsthand use also gave us a much better sense of each watch’s level of polish and fit and finish. Likewise, this also showed us how well each watch stood up to bumps and scrapes. Additional factors such as how smoothly a rotating bezel clicks could also be gleaned via first-hand experience with each watch. These factors also play a collective role in helping us determine the level of value and bang for your buck that each of these GADA watches offers. This is also of extreme importance, as, the fact the watches are intended to be worn every day makes it much easier to justify investing more than one would when buying an uber-formal dress watch. 

Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium

Best Budget/Under $1K: Unofficially known as the “Baby Rolex,” the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium is an attractive yet affordable watch with premium craftsmanship and a top-shelf finish that allow it to punch well above its price point.

Part of Tissot’s 1960s-inspired T-Classic Collection, the Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium is pieced together around a brushed and polished 40mm 316L stainless steel case that’s mated to a matching stainless steel bracelet. At the heart of the watch is one of Tissot’s 25-jewel Powermatic 80 movements — a Swiss-made automatic motor that boasts an impressive 80-hour power reserve —  roughly double that of your average automatic movement.

Check out our in-depth Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium review here.

Monta Atlas

Best For Travel: A Swiss-made timepiece from a. St. Louis-based American micro-brand, the Monta Atlas is a well-designed GMT watch that’s conducive to both travel and everyday use alike. Water resistant down to 150 meters, the watch is powered by a MONTA Caliber M-23 self-winding, mechanical movement with a bidirectional rotor and a 56-hour power reserve that’s manufactured, assembled, and tested in Switzerland.

Outfitted with an extra hand that allows for the ability to track a second time zone, the watch features a stellar dial design with a framed date window, rhodium-plated diamond-cut sword hands, and mirror polishing on its applied indices. What’s more, the watch is paired with a steel bracelet with a quick-adjust clasp with three slots for micro adjustment — an exceptionally comfortable item with what was easily the best clasp we tested.

Tudor Black Bay 36

Best Classic Style: Available in 30 different references, the Tudor Black Bay 36 is a more affordable alternative to Rolex’s Explorer watch, sharing its 36mm case dimensions and time-only configuration, while sporting a more dressed up appearance.

The BB36’s steel case offers a water-resistance rating of 150 meters and features a polished and satin finish complemented via radial-brushed lugs, a polished smooth steel bezel, and a black anodized aluminum winding crown tube. Like its Rolex-made counterpart, the Black Bay 36 also features a solid oyster-style bracelet and a Swiss-made movement — in this case an automatic ETA 2824 motor that’s been modified by Tudor’s in-house team in a bid to bolster accuracy. 

Check out our in-depth Tudor Black Bay 36 review here.

Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400

Best Modern Style: Boasting a full titanium construction, the Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400 is a thoroughly modern interpretation of a pilot’s watch that’s pieced together around a 39mm case with a flat-link bracelet and a knurled turbine-inspired outer bezel.

Keeping the ProPilot X Calibre 400 ticking is the latest iteration of Oris’ in-house-developed automatic movement which offers a beyond-impressive five-day power reserve and is more accurate than a chronometer with a margin of just -3/+5 seconds a day. And, while it does make it somewhat prone to scratching, the all-titanium construction affords this watch genuine all-day comfort. 

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m 38

Best All-Rounder: Paying homage to the Swiss brand’s maritimer heritage, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m 38 is an attractive and high-end luxury watch that’s absolutely perfect for daily wear use. Inside its case is an Omega Co-Axial calibre 8800 self-winding movement that’s extremely resistant to magnetic fields and features a genuine 55-hour power reserve, a free-sprung balance with a silicon balance spring, automatic winding in both directions, and a Rhodium-plated finish rotor decorated in Geneva waves.

Equipped with a 38mm 316L stainless steel case and a polished and brushed bracelet with rounded links, this watch also features a dial with a date window at 6 o’clock, white Super-LumiNova-filled indexes, and rhodium-plated hands. 

Check out our in-depth Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150 review here.

Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Re-Interpretation

The Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Re-Interpretation is a modern take on Seiko’s first mountaineering watch. This mid-century-inspired timepiece boasts an unmistakably old-school appearance with a brushed sunray dial that sports large iconic triangular markers at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock — along with a date window in lieu of a 3 o’clock marker. Beneath its vintage-style dial is a Seiko Caliber 6R35 automatic movement with a whopping 70-hour power reserve and an accuracy margin of +25/-15 sec per day. Water resistant to 200 meters, the 38mm case has also been paired with a screw-down crown and a stainless steel bracelet. 

Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic

The Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic is a classic field watch that looks right at home in casual settings though can also easily be dressed up — with some help from a steel bracelet — thanks to its polished bezel. The watch is pieced together around a 38mm stainless steel case that houses a caliber H-10 automatic movement with a 100-meter water resistance rating and an 80-hour power reserve. A knurled screw-down crown and a vintage-inspired dial with a date window complete this handsome and thoroughly versatile package.

Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Automatic 36

Released only weeks ago, the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Automatic 36 is a new 36mm version of the brand’s versatile Sealander GADA watch — which itself is essentially a more budget-friendly alternative to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. This “sports-explorer” watch is crafted around a case made from marine-grade stainless steel and is powered by a Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement that boasts a 38-hour power reserve, 26 jewels, and a water resistance rating of 150 meters. What really makes this watch shine, however, is its dial — a 1960s-inspired design with a 6 o’clock date window and lume-filled handset and indexes.

Sinn 556 I

The Sinn 556 I is a low-pressure-resistant timepiece that makes for a stellar daily-use watch — as well as a cleaner-looking alternative to the Rolex Explorer. Constructed around a 38.5mm stainless steel case, the watch is powered by an SW200-1 26-jewel, self-winding movement that ticks at 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour. Backed by a two-year warranty, the 556 I also boasts a unique steel bracelet design and a transparent case-back. And, being from Sinn, you can rest assured knowing the 556 I is tough as nails.

Check out our in-depth Sinn 556 I review here.

Monta Noble

After previously bringing dive watches and GMTs to market, Monta set out to make a Rolex Oyster Perpetual-style all-around watch, resulting in the Noble. Water resistant down to 150 meters, the Monta Noble boasts a 9.7mm-thick, 38.5mm 316L stainless steel case that houses a Caliber M-22 movement — a Swiss-made self-winding, mechanical motor with a bidirectional rotor and a 42-hour power reserve. The Noble’s dial features a sunburst pattern that grows darker at the edges and is complemented via multidimensional rehaut, applied indices, and rhodium-plated, diamond-cut hands filled with Super-LumiNova.

Ball Engineer III Marvelight Chronometer

Equal parts attractive and versatile, the BALL Engineer III Marvelight Chronometer is another Rolex OP clone that boasts great lume and exceptional magnetic resistance and is offered in a wide variety of dial color options. The entire watch is pieced together around a Mu-metal-shielded 40mm 904L stainless steel case that houses a Chronometer-certified Automatic caliber BALL RR1103-C and a minimalistic dial that’s equipped with 14 micro-gas tubes. Rated to withstand depths of up to 100 meters, the Engineer III Marvelight Chronometer also weighs in at just 6.34oz, making it an even better — and more comfortable — option for daily wear use. 

Longines Spirit Titanium

A terrific option for any one-watch collection, the Longines Spirit Titanium is a lightweight version of the  Saint-Imier brand’s recently-released pilot watch. Protected by a five-year warranty, the watch features a 40mm titanium case mated to a titanium bracelet with a triple safety folding clasp and an easy-to-use push-piece opening mechanism. Inside its titanium case lies a Chronometer-certified Caliber L888.4 self-winding automatic movement that beats at 25’200 vibrations per hour and utilizes a monocrystalline silicon balance-spring power reserve that’s good for around 72 hours.

TAG Heuer Carrera Three-Hands

The TAG Heuer Carrera Three-Hands is a solid 39mm all-rounder with an incredibly handsome design. Sporting a fine-brushed and polished finish, the TAG’s stainless steel case features a fixed steel bezel, an exhibition case back, and a water resistance rating of 100 meters. At the heart of this three-hander is a Swiss-made Calibre 5 Automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. Alongside boasting stellar lume — in the form of Super-Luminova-coated hands and indexes — the Carrera Three-Hands also features the type of top-shelf fit and finish one would expect from one of the world’s leading luxury watchmakers. 

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL 36

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 is the GADA watch that all others are measured against — as well as the model most often visually mimicked in this space. The OP36 boasts a 36mm case crafted from highly-corrosion-resistant Oystersteel — a material that’s also used for the watch’s bracelet construction. Keeping its hands moving is a Caliber 3230 self-winding mechanical movement that incorporates the Crown’s patented Chronergy escapement. In addition to being a modern-day family heirloom that can proudly be passed down to future generations, Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual 36 also makes for a stellar investment watch.

The Best Men’s Watches for Any Budget

Interested in checking out an even wider selection of timepieces? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best watches for any budget for a handpicked list of references — many of which lend themselves to EDC use.