On its face, finding the perfect watch for everyday use seems like a simple task. But once you dive into the shopping journey, you might quickly find that it's a much more nuanced process than you originally thought.
With so many different styles, materials and colors available, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. But finding a watch that suits your everyday vibe doesn't need to drive you crazy. An everyday watch just needs to be versatile and durable.
And, of course, it needs to match your style, whether at work or just hanging out.
In this post, we'll help you work through the decision process involved in finding an everyday watch. By the end, you'll be ready to find the best watch for daily wear.
Let's start with the basics.
What Makes a Great Everyday Watch?
When it comes to finding a wristwatch for daily wear, there are a few basic ideas to keep in mind. Both style and function are important factors to consider. The ideal everyday watch should be reliable, versatile and durable.
Consider these main bullet points as you start shopping for a new daily watch:
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Durability: Is the watch built to withstand the rigors of day-to-day activities?
- Design: Does the watch fit both casual and more formal settings?
- Comfort: Is the watch comfortable?
- Functionality: Does the watch come with features that fit your day-to-day activities and expectations?
Depending on your personal preference, you might weigh some of these considerations more than others. But these are the four main factors to consider when shopping for a watch that you can use each and every day.
Let's dive into each of these factors a bit more below.
Durability
Depending on how you live your life, durability may be extremely important or not important at all. Regardless, there are a few ways to determine how durable a watch is.
First, the materials used in the watch will be important to consider. A common material used in the construction of watches, and specifically watch cases, is stainless steel. Stainless steel is extremely durable and scratch-resistant, making it a great option for everyday watches.
Watch strap material is important as well, with both stainless steel and leather being good options for an everyday watch. But keep in mind that watch straps can be changed out. What we really want to protect is the watch itself, making the durability of the watch case vital.
Rubber and silicone watches are also durable, but those are generally used in digital watches. Currently at Nixon, very few analog watches use rubber or silicone in the construction of the watch case. And we definitely recommend going with an analog watch as your everyday timepiece.
Design
The design of your watch needs to fit in with your day-to-day style. You don't want to be stuck with an everyday watch that contradicts your vibe!
We recommend that you begin your search in analog stainless steel watch designs. And don't pick out a watch that's either too loud or too understated. Too loud and the watch will feel out of place when you're at your most casual. Too understated and it'll be hard to justify wearing the watch when you need to get spiffed up.
But, again, most important is that the design is something that resonates with you. Will you be proud to wear this watch everyday?
Comfort
If you're going to wear a watch daily, it makes sense that the watch should be as comfortable as possible. The size and weight of the watch should complement your wrist, preventing any discomfort.
Look for watches with adjustable straps to customize the fit to your preference. Lighter weight watch strap materials are also worth considering. This would include leather, nylon and rubber or silicone.
If you want to take things a step further, look for a watch that has a quick release band connection. This band connection type makes it easy to swap watch straps without the need for any tooling. That means that you can pair your everyday watch with a strap that fits what you're doing that day. Going to a formal event? Throw on the quick release stainless steel bracelet. Running errands around town? Go with the quick release leather strap.
Learn more about watch bands at this blog.
Functionality
Finally, consider the functionality of the watch. Watches come with all different types of functions, known as watch complications. And not all of them are necessary for an everyday watch.
Really, the functions you should have on your watch are the functions you will actually use. Common functions in the best everyday watches include:
- Date display, like on the Nixon Sentry
- Chronograph, like on the Nixon Time Teller Chrono
- Dual time zone, like on the Nixon Drifter 40
If you don't want any functions on your watch, that's fine too! Some of the best everyday watches come with absolutely no complications, like the Nixon Fremont 40.
Like design, this is very subjective and up to how you envision your watch fitting into your standard day.
Now, let's talk about watch movements.
Watch Movements: Quartz, Automatic or Solar?
Selecting the movement type is crucial in choosing your watch. Each movement type - quartz, automatic, and solar - has unique benefits. Understanding these can help you make a more informed choice.
Quartz watches are known for reliability and accuracy. They require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for daily wear. These watches are powered by batteries, ensuring precise timekeeping.
Automatic watches, on the other hand, are valued for their craftsmanship. They harness kinetic energy from wrist movement. This eliminates the need for a battery, adding a classic touch to your watch experience.
Solar watches actually use quartz movement technology, but they are powered by light instead of standard battery power. This means that you'll change the battery on your solar watch much less frequently than you would with a quartz watch.
- Quartz: Reliable, battery-powered.
- Automatic: Mechanical, battery-free, kinetic energy.
- Solar: Reliable and eco-friendly.
Let's wrap this up by making some specific everyday watch recommendations from the Nixon catalog.
Everyday Watch Top Picks for Men and Women
Below, we've highlighted a few of the top everyday watch picks from our current watch selection.
- Sentry: The Sentry is available in a wide variety of colors with both stainless steel and leather strap material. You can opt for a Sentry with only a day and date window or a Sentry with a chronograph, depending on your preference. Shop the Nixon Sentry.
- Time Teller: The Time Teller is one of the most diverse watches in the entire Nixon lineup. Whether you're looking for an understated everyday timepiece with no bells and whistles, or something with a little more flair, you can find it in the Time Teller silhouette. Shop the Nixon Time Teller.
- Frankie: The Frankie is a newer watch to Nixon. This smaller rectangular shaped watch is quickly becoming a fan favorite. It makes for an ideal everyday watch for women... but men love it too! Shop the Nixon Frankie.
- Fremont 40: The Fremont 40 never looks out of place. You can wear this stainless steel analog watch to work, for a night out, or just running errands on the weekend. Shop the Nixon Fremont 40.
If you're looking for an everyday watch from Nixon, start with one of those collections above. You can also look through the analog watch collection to see a variety of other high quality options.
