Best watches under £250 in the UK (2026)

The first automatic we'd point most people to.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

The square G-Shock to keep for life, if you can justify the price.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

The Seiko 5 in its most popular colour.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

Solar and radio control in the classic square, if you like a dark display.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A green automatic diver-style watch at a fair price.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

The Seiko 5 for smaller wrists.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A proper automatic dive watch at a fair price.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

The Kamasu in its most popular colour.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

The best-value automatic dress watch we know of.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A smarter-feeling octagon G-Shock for someone who wants more than resin.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

For G-Shock fans who want the original, not just the shape.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want hands on a dial: it shows the time in digits.

A lot of chronograph for the money.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch that never needs a battery.

A big, solid-feeling chronograph for the money.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have a small wrist: the case is 47 mm.

A lighter, more casual Seiko 5.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A Seiko 5 in a quieter colourway.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A solar chronograph that you can forget about.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A smart solar watch for every day.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A good-value solar watch for every day.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

The BN0150 in blue.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A strong everyday solar chronograph.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A classic dress watch with an automatic movement.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A retro automatic from a familiar name.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A low-cost way to try an automatic.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A good-looking solar G-Shock if the plain black one feels too common.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A modern square G-Shock that sets itself from your phone.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A light fitness G-Shock for someone who doesn't want a smartwatch.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want solar charging: this one takes a battery.

A bold racing-style chronograph.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch that never needs a battery.

Same strong watch, different dial.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A gold automatic that needs no battery.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A small, classic solar watch.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A designer-label chronograph on a steel bracelet.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch that never needs a battery.

An affordable automatic GMT.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want time to the second: an automatic gains or loses a few seconds a day and needs a service every few years.

A square G-Shock that's comfier on a nylon strap.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want hands on a dial: it shows the time in digits.

A collector's take on the best square G-Shock.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a mechanical watch to look at and look after: this runs on light and a quartz movement.

A plain designer-label watch for everyday wear.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch that never needs a battery.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 small, pretty fashion watch at a fair price for the name.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a watch for life: it's a fashion quartz, and a Seiko or Citizen ladies' watch will outlast it.

Swiss-made sparkle: more jewellery than watch.

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a practical everyday watch: crystals catch on cuffs, and a plain Tissot or Citizen costs less.

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.

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.