Every collector remembers their first “real” watch. Not the plastic digital you wore as a kid, but the one that made you feel like you had stepped into a bigger world. For some it was a gift, for others a late-night impulse buy, but it almost always becomes the piece that starts the addiction. If you are just getting into watches and looking for the best starter watches for men, here are a few tried-and-true picks that appear in collections time and again (including my own).

Seiko 5 Sports

Ask any watch forum what their first automatic was and nine times out of ten, you’ll hear “Seiko 5.” They are inexpensive, tough, and surprisingly stylish. I bought one during college with money I probably should have spent on books, and it still runs today. The beauty of a Seiko 5 is that you learn what it feels like to own a mechanical watch without worrying about babying it. Some people say they’re a little boring, and I get that. But there’s a reason it’s the go-to entry-level watch. You can wear it every single day and not think twice. Just solid.

Orient Bambino

If the Seiko 5 is the everyday beater, the Orient Bambino is the “my first grown-up watch.” It is dressy without being stuffy, and the domed crystal gives it that vintage charm collectors love. I once wore mine to a wedding in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina where nobody noticed the groom’s Rolex, but three people—including the bartender who knew his watches—asked me about my Bambino. That says a lot about its presence. For anyone seeking a beginner dress watch, this is hard to beat.

Timex Marlin

There is something romantic about the Timex Marlin. Small, manual-wind, and very retro, it feels like stepping back into the 1960s. The first time you wind it, you understand why people get attached to mechanical watches—it’s tactile and almost meditative. Sure, it is not flashy, but it teaches restraint and makes you appreciate subtle design. It’s not the kind of watch you wear to impress people; it’s the kind you wear for yourself.

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical

If you want a watch that looks like it could survive boot camp, this is it. The Hamilton Khaki Field has military DNA and a hand-wound movement that forces you to interact with it daily. That small ritual of winding before you leave the house connects you to the watch in a way quartz never will. I used to do it every morning while waiting for my coffee to brew, and it always felt like a little mental reset for the day. As starter watches for men go, this one blends rugged charm with history.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

Integrated bracelet watches are everywhere right now, but most are priced well above what beginners can afford. The PRX is Tissot’s answer, and it nails the look for a fraction of the cost. I remember putting one on for the first time and thinking, “This feels way more expensive than it is.” With its 80-hour power reserve, you can take it off Friday and it will still be running Monday morning. It is an insane amount of value, and a must-consider for anyone building an entry-level collection.

Casio G-Shock

Let’s be honest: almost everyone has owned a G-Shock at some point. They are bulletproof, affordable, and come in so many flavors that it is impossible not to find one you like. My old DW-5600 has been through camping trips, beach vacations, and more drops than I can count, and it just keeps going. A G-Shock belongs in every collection, no matter how advanced you get—it’s the one you grab when you know you’re going to be putting a watch through hell.

Final Thoughts

The best starter watch for men is not necessarily about brand prestige. It’s about finding something that makes you glance at your wrist and smile. For some, that’s the rugged reliability of a Khaki Field. For others, it’s the affordable elegance of an Orient Bambino. Wherever you start, that first watch will always be special because it is the piece that lit the spark. And years from now, you may look back at it fondly as the watch that started everything.