How do you choose your first watch?
Ask ten collectors which watch you should buy first and you’ll probably get ten different answers.
Some will tell you to save for a Rolex. Others will insist it has to be Swiss, vintage or mechanical.
Personally?
I think they’re all missing the point.
Your first watch doesn’t need to be the most expensive watch you can afford. It just needs to be one you’ll genuinely enjoy wearing.
Because that’s how every great collection starts.
1. Raymond Weil Maestro
The perfect introduction to Swiss watchmaking
If you’re buying your first Swiss automatic, the Raymond Weil Maestro is a brilliant place to start.
It has everything you’d want from a first luxury watch: timeless styling, a dependable Swiss movement and enough character to feel genuinely special without shouting for attention.
At the time of writing, we actually have a Raymond Weil Maestro 2237 in stock for just £595. With its elegant blue dial, 39mm case and automatic movement, it’s the sort of watch that looks just as good with a suit as it does with jeans.
2. Seiko Prospex
The watch that creates collectors
Almost every collector has owned a Seiko at some point.
If they haven’t…
They probably should.
The Prospex range has built its reputation on reliability, value and genuine diving heritage. They’re watches designed to be worn every day, not hidden away in a safe.
More importantly, they teach you what you enjoy about wearing a proper mechanical sports watch.
There’s a reason so many collections start here.
3. TAG Heuer Carrera
Your first luxury chronograph
If someone told me I could only own one chronograph for around £1,500, the TAG Heuer Carrera would be right near the top of my list.
It has genuine motorsport heritage, an instantly recognisable design and enough presence to feel like a real milestone purchase.
TAG Heuer’s Formula 1 collection is one of the most popular ranges we sell, but for someone wanting their first mechanical chronograph, I’d choose the Carrera every time.
4. Christopher Ward C63 Sealander
The enthusiast’s choice…
Christopher Ward has quietly become one of Britain’s biggest watch success stories.
And recently I discussed how if I had £800 to spend on a watch it would be the Dune Aeolian.
However, for new collectors I believe the Sealander is one to watch.
The C63 Sealander is beautifully finished, powered by a proven Swiss movement and versatile enough to become your everyday watch.
It may not have the instant recognition of Omega or TAG Heuer, but among enthusiasts it’s earned a huge amount of respect.
Sometimes, that’s even better.
5. Omega Seamaster
Your first serious luxury watch
When your budget stretches a little further, I’d seriously consider buying an Omega Seamaster.
It’s one of the most recognisable sports watches ever made, backed by decades of history and forever linked with James Bond.
It’s also one of the most popular Omega collections we see at The Watch Experts, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s practical, beautifully engineered and a watch you’ll never really outgrow.
For many collectors, the Seamaster is the watch that turns a hobby into an obsession.
Why I haven’t included Rolex
Some people will probably be surprised.
There’s a reason.
Your first watch should help you discover what you enjoy wearing, not empty your savings account.
I’d rather own three great watches that all get plenty of wrist time than one watch I’m frightened to scratch.
Rolex isn’t going anywhere.
When the time feels right, it’ll still be there.
The biggest mistake new collectors make
Buying the watch everyone else tells them to buy.
Social media makes it look as though every collection needs the same handful of models.
It doesn’t.
Your first watch should reflect your taste, not someone else’s.
Whether that’s a dress watch, a diver, a chronograph or something completely different, the important thing is that you can’t stop thinking about it.
That’s usually a good sign you’ve found the right one.
Should you buy new or pre-owned?
There’s no right or wrong answer, but buying pre-owned often gives you far more choice.
Your budget stretches further, you can access discontinued models and, in many cases, you’ll be buying a watch that’s already proven itself.
The important thing is buying from someone you trust.
At The Watch Experts, every watch is fully authenticated, inspected and supplied with a 12-month warranty, giving you complete confidence in your purchase.
Ready to start your collection?
Every collector remembers their first proper watch.
Whether it’s an Omega, TAG Heuer, Raymond Weil or something completely different, the important thing is finding a watch you’ll genuinely enjoy wearing.
At The Watch Experts, we’re here to help you do exactly that.