Introduction: Start Your Watch Journey with Confidence after our Helpful Guide
Your first watch is more than a way to tell time, it’s a visual demonstration of your style on your wrist for everyone to see. Much like clothing watches divide people, whether you’re drawn to the precision of automatic movements or the simplicity of quartz (battery powered) movements, understanding how watches work helps you choose the perfect piece to start your collection.
At The First Watch, we specialise in helping burgeoning watch enthusiasts discover high-quality, affordable watches from trusted brands - without the guesswork or hours of trawling Amazon.
The Heart of a Watch: How It Keeps Time
Every watch, no matter its design, colour or material relies on its movement, the internal mechanism that powers it.
There are three main types:
Quartz Watches
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Powered by a battery
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Extremely accurate and low-maintenance (batteries only needing replacing after 3 years)
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Ideal for first-time buyers who want reliability and simplicity, although watch purists often dislike the slightly more jolty seconds hand
Automatic Watches
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Powered by your wrists movement (no battery needed)
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A small rotor winds the mainspring as you move your wrist
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Offers a mechanical charm - perfect if you love the idea of more traditional watchmaking and a smoother seconds hand
Mechanical (Manual-Wind) Watches
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Entirely hand-wound through the crown (the small knob on the side of your watch case), meaning you'll often need to wind it daily
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Loved by enthusiasts for their craftsmanship and connection to horological history.
The First Watch Top Tip: If you want a watch that reflects care and tradition, go for an automatic watch. For everyday practicality, quartz is unbeatable, although watch purists will disagree due to the jolty seconds hand. However with the invention of MecaQuartz (a hybrid of a mechanical movement and a battery power source) there are ways around this.
Watch Anatomy 101: The Parts That Make It Tick
Understanding key parts of your watch helps you appreciate its design and build quality.
| Part | Function |
|---|---|
| Case | Protects the movement inside. Often stainless steel (like a Hamilton Khaki Field Watch), titanium (like a Tudor Bay Pelagos), or ceramic (like an Omega Moonswatch. |
| Crystal | The transparent cover that protects the watch face (sapphire glass- the strongest option, mineral- a good alternative although not as tough as sapphire, or acrylic) |
| Dial | The face of the watch — where time meets style |
| Hands | Indicate hours, minutes, and seconds |
| Crown | The small knob on the side of the watch, often at the 3 'o'clock clock position, used to set the time and date and sometimes to wind the watch |
| Strap/Bracelet | Leather, rubber, nylon, or metal — it defines your watch’s personality and offers a different feel on the wrist with many enthusiasts saying that changing a watch strap changes the entire watches personality |
Watch Styles Every Beginner Should Know
When choosing your first watch, style matters as much, if not more than the mechanics. Here are the most popular types you’ll see:
Dive Watches
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Bold, water-resistant, and durable
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Great for everyday wear — sporty yet stylish
- For example, the Omega Seamaster (the go to watch of James Bond)
Dress Watches
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Slim, simple, and elegant.
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Perfect for the office or formal occasions.
- For example, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Field Watches
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Military-inspired with rugged charm
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Designed for practicality and adventure
- For example, the Hamilton Khaki Field Watch
Chronograph Watches
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Feature built-in stopwatch functions
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Ideal for those who love technical, detailed designs
- For example, the Tudor Black Bay Chronograph
Browse our Beginner’s Watch Collection -carefully curated to include all these styles, helping you find your perfect first piece.
Choosing Your First Watch, What to Look For:
When buying your first watch, focus on quality, comfort, and design — not just brand names.
Key Things to Consider:
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Budget: You can find incredible watches under £300, price doesn't mean everything
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Movement Type: Choose quartz for convenience or automatic for character
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Size & Fit: Most wrists suit watches between 38–42mm, women's watches can go down to 34mm in some cases
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Material: Stainless steel is timeless; leather straps offer comfort.
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Brand: Whilst big name specialist watch brands like Seiko and Citizen are generally guarantees of all the above, fashion brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss often rely on their brand images to sell poor quality, cheap watches at a massive markup.
If you’re unsure, take our Watch Finder Quiz — a quick, personalised way to discover your ideal first watch based on your style and lifestyle.
5. Caring for Your Watch
To keep your timepiece performing beautifully:
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Avoid strong magnets (they can affect accuracy)
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Store it in a clean, dry place, we offer specialist watch boxes and winders
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For automatics, consider a watch winder
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Replace worn straps to refresh your look
Conclusion: Your First Watch, the Right Way
Buying your first watch should feel exciting — not overwhelming. At The First Watch, we make the process simple by offering a curated range of quality watches under £300, expert advice, and a quiz designed to guide you every step of the way
Ready to begin your journey? Explore our collection and find the watch that’s truly you.