A watch gets checked, worn and noticed every day, and a good one lasts for years.
A watch suits someone who already wears one, or misses wearing one. Choose the style first: a slim dress watch, a tough sports watch or a simple digital. Then check the case size against the watch they wear now, the strap, and whether the metal matches their jewellery.
Gift ideas
A retailer can change a price at any time, so check it before you buy.
Digital sports watch with a 42mm shock-resistant case, Indiglo night light and customisable alarm. The listing gives water resistance to 200 metres, so it suits pool swimming. Buckle strap fits most wrists.
Chronograph with a 45 mm round case and textured bezel, a gold-tone stainless steel bracelet and a black dial with Roman numerals, luminous markers and date window. Quartz movement, water resistant to 100 metres.
Men's watch with diamonds, solar-powered by light so it needs no battery, with a 40mm case, mineral crystal and Japanese quartz movement. Water resistant to 99 feet (30 m).
Men's watch with a 40 mm brass case, 11 mm high with 20 mm lug width and mineral glass. It has an Indiglo light-up dial with Arabic numerals and a date, quartz analogue movement and a buckled leather strap. Battery included.
A watch suits someone who wears one, or who has said they miss wearing one. It is a lasting gift for a graduation, a milestone birthday, a new job or an anniversary, and it can be as plain as a digital watch for the gym or as dressy as a metal bracelet for work.
It also suits someone who dresses well and likes a finishing touch. A good watch is noticed every day, and the person wearing it thinks of the giver each time they check the time.
What to look for in a watch
Style. A dress watch is slim with a plain face. A sports or field watch has a larger case and a tougher strap. A digital watch has a screen rather than hands, and often adds an alarm and a stopwatch.
Case size. Around 28 to 34 mm is a small case, and 40 mm and above is large. Look at the watch they wear now and stay close to that size.
Strap. Leather looks warm and dressy, metal lasts and resists sweat, and silicone suits exercise. A strap can be swapped later.
Movement. Most are quartz, powered by a battery, which is accurate and low-maintenance. An automatic winds itself as the wearer moves and needs no battery.
Water resistance. A figure such as 30 metres means splashes only. It is not a promise they can swim in it.
Metal tone. Silver, gold and rose gold tones exist. Choose the tone of the jewellery they wear.
When a watch is the wrong gift
If they check the time on their phone and never wear a watch, it won't be worn. If they already wear a watch they love, yours has to be clearly different to earn a place on the wrist. A smartwatch may suit someone who wants more than the time, and a different gift may suit someone who dislikes anything on their wrist.
Frequently asked questions
What size watch should I choose?
Look at the watch they wear now and stay close to its size. As a guide, a case around 28 to 34 mm suits a small wrist, and 40 mm or more is a larger, bolder watch. The listing gives the case size.
What is the difference between a quartz and an automatic watch?
A quartz watch runs on a battery, keeps accurate time and needs little care. An automatic winds itself from the movement of the wrist and has no battery. It must be worn or wound regularly to keep running.
Can they swim in a watch that says 30 metres?
No. A figure of 30 metres means the watch survives splashes and rain, not swimming or showering. A figure of 50 metres suits light swimming, and 100 metres or more suits regular swimming, so check the listing if water matters to the wearer.
