Wristwatches are back among the best sellers: people buy them as an accessory, as a holiday gift, and simply because checking the time on your wrist is easier than pulling out a phone. But on AliExpress almost every listing says “luxury” and “waterproof”, and words like that make choosing hard. Here are the specs that really matter: movement type, water resistance, glass, case size and strap. At the end are six popular models, from £4.60 up to an automatic with a Japanese movement.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy something through them, the site may earn a small commission from AliExpress, at no extra cost to you.
Quartz or mechanical
This is the first decision, and almost everything else depends on it, including the price.
Quartz watches
They run on a battery, and a quartz crystal sets the pace. According to watch retailers, a good quartz watch is off by seconds a month, while a mechanical one is off by seconds a day. Quartz needs almost no care: there is no winding, and the battery is replaced every few years. European retailers quote anything from one to four years, depending on the model and features such as a backlight. Quartz watches are cheaper and cope better with knocks. If you want an accurate, undemanding everyday watch, this is the one for you.
Mechanical and automatic
Mechanical watches run on a spring. In automatic models, a rotor winds it as your arm moves, so if you wear the watch every day it does not stop. If you take it off for the weekend, you will probably have to set the time again. People buy mechanical watches not for accuracy but for the movement itself, the smooth sweep of the seconds hand and the feel of an object you can service and wear for years. Servicing is needed every few years.
What to look for in the description: the name of the calibre. Japanese movements from Miyota and Seiko (NH35 and similar) have long been used in affordable automatic watches, and spare parts for them are easier to find. If no calibre is stated at all, treat that as a warning sign.
Water resistance: what the numbers mean
This is the most misunderstood spec. The figure in metres is not the depth you can dive to, but the pressure the case withstood in a static laboratory test. One atmosphere is roughly 10 metres. In practice, this scale works:
- 3 ATM, 30 m. Rain, splashes, washing your hands. No swimming.
- 5 ATM, 50 m. Showers and a short dip, but no diving into water.
- 10 ATM, 100 m. Swimming in a pool and snorkelling. If you swim with your watch, choose at least this level.
- 20 ATM, 200 m. Recreational diving.
The word “waterproof” in a product title without a number guarantees nothing. Look for a specific value in the specifications. And never turn the crown in water or with wet hands: that lets moisture in even on well-protected watches. Seals age over time, so have the water resistance checked at a workshop after a few years.
Glass: mineral or sapphire
Most inexpensive watches have mineral glass. Its hardness is around 5 or 6 on the Mohs scale, and over time it picks up fine scratches from keys, tables and door handles. Sapphire glass has a hardness of 9 and is almost impossible to scratch in everyday life. There is a catch: under a hard impact sapphire can crack, while mineral glass is more likely to survive. If the watch is for sport, building work or outdoor activities, mineral glass is just as good. For everyday wear in town, sapphire keeps a watch looking neat for years.
Case size for your wrist
Watch retailers give a simple guide to case diameter:
- Slim wrist (up to about 16.5 cm round): 36-40 mm.
- Larger wrist: 40-44 mm.
- Universal men’s size: 40-42 mm.
- Women’s watches: most often 28-34 mm.
Look not only at the diameter but also at the lug-to-lug distance, the gap between the lugs that hold the strap. If the lugs stick out past the edges of your wrist, the watch will look big and sit uncomfortably. If in doubt, go smaller. You can measure your wrist with an ordinary tape measure or a strip of paper.
Strap or bracelet
A steel bracelet is the most practical: it does not mind water or sweat and suits both jeans and a suit. The downside is sizing, as you usually need to remove spare links. A leather strap looks more formal but is damaged by water and sweat, so do not swim or wash up in it. Silicone and rubber suit sport and water, while nylon and fabric are light and cheap to replace. The good news is that a strap is easy to swap, so a poor stock strap is no reason to pass on a watch.
6 popular watches from AliExpress
We picked watches with high sales and ratings of 96% or more. Specifications come from the product descriptions. Prices are as of 7 November, and remember that the 11.11 sale is on now, so costs may change.
POEDAGAR: square quartz on a steel bracelet
A model from the brand’s official store. It has a square case and a stainless steel bracelet, luminous hands and a date window. It suits both smart clothes and everyday wear. The description says the watch is water resistant, but check the exact rating on the product page before buying.
Price on 7 November: £11.51
Sold: 5085+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.0%
View on AliExpress
NIBOSI: square quartz on silicone
One of the best sellers on the list, with more than 5,500 orders. It has a square case, luminous elements, a date and a silicone strap that you need not worry about in the rain or at the gym. A good choice if you want a smart-looking watch but no steel bracelet.
Price on 7 November: £11.23
Sold: 5581+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
SKMEI 2056: digital sports watch
A digital watch with a countdown timer and date, suitable for men, women and teenagers. SKMEI is known for affordable digital models that people buy for training, hiking and work where you would not risk a regular watch. For sport this format is handier than an analogue dial: a stopwatch and timer are always to hand.
Price on 7 November: £4.60
Sold: 1739+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
BINBOND: women’s watch with date and weekday
A women’s quartz model with a backlight and automatic display of the date and day of the week. More than 6,000 orders at a 98% rating. A good gift if you want something more practical than the watches sold in a set with jewellery.
Price on 7 November: £7.98
Sold: 6365+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
41 mm automatic with sapphire glass
A case where the specs are right in the title: sapphire glass, 100 m water resistance, a Japanese automatic movement, luminous hands and a nylon strap. With this level of protection, you can swim in the watch. The 41 mm diameter falls within the universal range for a man’s wrist.
Price on 7 November: £52.33
Sold: 961+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
PAGANI Design with Miyota 8215
The most expensive option here, for anyone who wants a mechanical watch with a well-known calibre. It has a 40 mm stainless steel case and a Miyota 8215 automatic movement. PAGANI Design has long been popular among fans of affordable watches. The water resistance rating is not given in the title, so check it in the specifications on the product page.
Price on 7 November: £76.19
Sold: 1005+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
Quick cheat sheet
Want an accurate watch with no fuss: choose quartz. Want a movement that lives and ticks: an automatic with a Miyota or Seiko calibre. Swimming with your watch: at least 10 ATM. Worried about scratches: sapphire. Slim wrist: 36-40 mm, larger wrist: 40-44 mm. And before you buy, always look for specific figures in the specifications, not the words “luxury” and “waterproof” in the title.
