Best designer watches for men in the UK (2026)
Our top designer watch for men is the Gucci G-Timeless YA126406: a Swiss-made steel watch with Gucci's signature styling from a house that makes its own watches. The runner-up is the Gucci Dive YA136301, a 40 mm sporty watch rated for swimming. This page is for men who want a watch with a fashion name, from Gucci and Emporio Armani to Versace, Burberry, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger. We compared models on who makes them, movement, size, materials and design.
By The Watch Sorted desk · Updated 6 November 2026 · 41 products, all price-tracked
Our picks
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
One of the few Gucci automatics: it winds itself as you wear it, so it never needs a battery.
All 41 compared
Photo: WATCH & WATCHOur top pickA real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Our verdict
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the most watch for the money: a Tissot PRX costs about half as much and is the better watch on paper.
Read the full review →
Photo: WATCH & WATCHRunner-upA real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Our verdict
A real Gucci, Swiss made; you're paying for the name and the design, not the movement.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the most watch for the money: a Tissot PRX costs about half as much and is the better watch on paper.
Read the full review →
Photo: WATCH & WATCHAlso goodOne of the few Gucci automatics: it winds itself as you wear it, so it never needs a battery.
Our verdict
One of the few Gucci automatics: it winds itself as you wear it, so it never needs a battery.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want value: a Tissot or Seiko automatic does the same job for well under half the price.
Read the full review →
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Our verdict
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a better-made watch for the money: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price beats it.
Read the full review →
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Our verdict
The Armani name on a fashion quartz: it looks the part, but most of the price is the label.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a better-made watch for the money: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price beats it.
A cheap way into a self-winding watch with a designer name.
Our verdict
A cheap way into a self-winding watch with a designer name.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best automatic for the money: a Seiko 5 Sports or an Orient Bambino is the better watch at this price.
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Our verdict
A glossy fashion watch where the Michael Kors name is most of the price.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch to keep for decades: a Citizen Eco-Drive or a Seiko at the same price is the better-made watch.
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Our verdict
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want after-sales care from the maker: Burberry no longer makes watches, so repairs depend on the shop and independent watchmakers.
Read the full review →
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Our verdict
A chance to buy a Burberry watch new, now that the brand has stopped making them.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want after-sales care from the maker: Burberry no longer makes watches, so repairs depend on the shop and independent watchmakers.
Loud Versace styling, Greek key and Medusa included; it's the look you're paying for.
Our verdict
Loud Versace styling, Greek key and Medusa included; it's the look you're paying for.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want value: at this price a Tissot or a Hamilton is the better Swiss watch.
Read the full review →
Loud Versace styling, Greek key and Medusa included; it's the look you're paying for.
Our verdict
Loud Versace styling, Greek key and Medusa included; it's the look you're paying for.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want value: at this price a Tissot or a Hamilton is the better Swiss watch.
Read the full review →
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Our verdict
A cheap, casual designer-name watch: fine for everyday, nothing special inside.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best watch for the money: a Citizen or a Casio Edifice at the same price gives you more.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Our verdict
A big, loud fashion watch for people who want it noticed.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have slim wrists or want something subtle: Diesel watches are big and showy.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
An affordable self-winding watch with a car-brand name on the dial.
Our verdict
An affordable self-winding watch with a car-brand name on the dial.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best automatic for the money: a Seiko 5 Sports is the better watch at this price.
An affordable self-winding watch with a car-brand name on the dial.
Our verdict
An affordable self-winding watch with a car-brand name on the dial.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the best automatic for the money: a Seiko 5 Sports is the better watch at this price.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Our verdict
Car-dashboard styling at a fair price; Maserati the car maker doesn't build these.
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a real watchmaker's name: a Seiko or Citizen at the same price is the better-known watch.
ⓘ Some links are affiliate links: a purchase may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. It never decides what we pick or how we rank it. Prices shown may have changed since they were checked.
Before you buy
Who actually makes them.
Most fashion watches are made under licence by big watch groups: Fossil Group for Emporio Armani and Michael Kors (and formerly Burberry), Movado Group for Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss, Timex Group for Versace. Gucci is the exception, making its own watches in Switzerland. That matters because the build is similar to other watches from the same group: an Emporio Armani shares much with a Fossil, and a Tommy Hilfiger with other Movado-made fashion watches. Gucci's own Swiss production is the main reason its watches cost more.
Quartz movements.
Almost all designer watches are quartz, accurate and practical but the same basic technology as much cheaper watches. A few, like the Gucci Dive Automatic and Emporio Armani AR60053, are automatic. Quartz keeps good time and needs a battery every couple of years. The automatic designer watches use inexpensive mass-produced movements, so they won't match a Tissot Powermatic 80 or Seiko Presage for accuracy or finishing.
What the money buys.
Design, brand and finish. For the same money, a watchmaker like Tissot, Citizen or Seiko gives better movements and materials. Buy designer for the look. That is fine if the look is what you want. Just compare: for similar money you could have a Swiss automatic Tissot PRX Powermatic 80, a Citizen Eco-Drive radio-controlled chronograph or a Seiko Prospex diver.
Size.
Men's designer watches are often large, 42 to 46 mm, and chronographs are thick. Check the size against a watch you already wear. If you have a slim wrist, look at the Gucci Dive at 40 mm or the slimmer dress models, and check lug-to-lug length as well as diameter. Big designer watches can overhang a small wrist and catch on cuffs.
Materials.
Steel, PVD coatings, ceramic (Emporio Armani Ceramica) and leather. Gold tones are coatings that wear. Crystals vary from mineral to sapphire. Emporio Armani Ceramica is the most interesting material here: very scratch resistant and glossy, but brittle if dropped. Gold and black coatings look striking new but show wear first on the clasp and edges.
Swiss vs Asian made.
Gucci and Versace are Swiss made; Emporio Armani, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger are typically made in Asia with Japanese movements. For a quartz watch, Swiss Made adds cost and some status but little practical benefit; a Japanese quartz movement is just as accurate and reliable.
Sporty vs dress.
Divers and chronographs look sporty and suit casual wear; slim three-hand watches suit suits. Choose by what you'll wear it with. If you want one watch for both, a steel model with a plain dial and a bracelet, such as a Gucci G-Timeless or Emporio Armani three-hand, covers most occasions. Divers and chronographs look out of place with a suit.
Resale.
Designer fashion watches lose most of their value once bought. If you might sell later, keep the box, papers and spare links, but expect a fraction of the price back.
Burberry stock.
Burberry no longer makes watches; its models are remaining stock. Once a model sells out it's gone, and brand-specific parts may be hard to find, so check the size before you buy.
We haven't worn every watch here. We compared what UK shops sell by published specs: maker, movement, size, materials and design, and we're plain about who makes each brand's watches and what the price buys. UK prices and stock are tracked through the day. Read our full methodology →
More buying guides
Common questions
What is the best designer watch for men?
Gucci for Swiss-made design, Emporio Armani for clean Italian style, and Versace for bold statement pieces. Choose the design you love. The Gucci Dive is the most practical, with water resistance good enough for swimming. Whatever you choose, check the size, as men's designer watches often run large.
Are designer watches worth it for men?
For the look, yes. For engineering, a watchmaker at the same price gives more. Buy designer because you love the design. For the same money, a Tissot, Seiko or Citizen gives a better movement and materials, and holds its value better.
Who makes Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger watches?
Movado Group, under licence. Both use quartz movements, typically Japanese. Movado Group also makes watches under its own names, including Movado and Ebel.
Are there automatic designer watches?
A few: the Gucci Dive Automatic and Emporio Armani's open-heart automatics. Most designer watches are quartz. They use inexpensive automatic movements, so if a mechanical watch matters to you, a Seiko 5 Sports or Tissot Powermatic 80 is the better-made choice.
Do designer watches hold their value?
Generally not. They lose most of their value once bought. Gucci tends to hold a little better than the licensed brands, but none is an investment. Buy one to wear.
What size designer watch should a man wear?
Most men find 38 to 42 mm comfortable, but many designer men's watches are 43 to 46 mm and wear big. If your wrist is under about 16.5 cm, look for 40 mm or less. Check that the lugs don't overhang your wrist.