Some consider a watch to be obsolete in an age of smartphones. After all, your handset can tell you the time with a quick glance, so what need for something as antiquated as a dedicated timepiece?
But a good watch does more than relay how far the sun is over the yardstick. Choose the right style and you can express your style and personality without uttering a single word.
Leather straps have a time and place, but if you want your new purchase to fit in seamlessly with the rest of the items in your jewellery box, a bracelet strap is the way to go.
Whether you like the idea of a chunky chain or the subtlety of a mesh strap, there are plenty of designs worth checking out in your quest for a new timepiece. Bracelet watches make great gifts too but if your recipient is into swimming or likes soaking in the hot tub, keep an eye open for water-resistant designs that can sustain dunks and downpours.
We’ve rounded up the best bracelet watches to buy right now for men and women. We’ve tried to select across price brackets, so while you’ll see some uber-luxurious designs - complete with diamonds, natch - rest assured there are options for those with less splashier budgets.
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Raymond Weil Women's Toccata 29 Mother of Pearl Diamond Date Bracelet Strap Watch
With a mother-of-pearl face and a yellow-gold plated bracelet strap, this Raymond Weil timepiece is ideal for tapping into the quiet luxury trend. Markers are distinguished with tiny real diamonds and there’s a date window for keeping tabs on the days of the month too.
Buy now £1195.00, John Lewis
BOUCHERON WA015704 Serpent Bohème stainless-steel, 0.6ct diamond and mother-of-pearl watch
They say time is money, literally proved with Boucheron’s jewelled watch. The snake mesh design sits on a stainless steel bracelet with a mother-of-pearl face decorated with diamonds at each quarter-day mark.
The precious gems and Swiss-made watch mechanics are protected with a sapphire-crystal glass and it’s water resistant up to 30 metres - although you probably won’t want to risk an ocean dip wearing such an expensive piece.
Buy now £5800.00, Selfridges
Fossil Kerrigan Three-Hand Gold-Tone Stainless Steel Watch
Chunky yet elegant, Fossil has created an everyday watch for the woman who wants her timepiece to reflect her style. The design is available as seen here in gold-tone stainless steel and a white semi-gloss dial, but there are rose gold and blue face options available too.
Buy now £69.50, Fossil
Swarovski Octagon cut bracelet
Hunting for wrist candy? Swarovski’s statement watch supersizes its famous crystals cutting them into octagonals and lining them up on a bracelet frame. The biggest of these houses is the sapphire glass dial. Wear alone or stack with your favourite bracelets for a fun multi-layered look.
Buy now £400.00, Swarovski
Sekonda Women's Octagonal Bracelet Strap Watch
A low-key classic you can wear practically anywhere, the mix of gold and silver colours means you can team Sekonda’s watch with anything else in your jewellery box. The Roman numerals and chic octagon-shaped face add to its charms. A lovely gift that won’t break the bank.
Buy now £54.15, Amazon
Skagen SKW3147 Women's Hagen Micro Mesh Strap Watch
Looking for something slim and elegant? Skagen’s elongated face sits on a micro mesh strap in stainless steel. The two-hand movement keeps things functional and minimal. Sold with a two-year guarantee and a two-year limited warranty.
Buy now £159.00, John Lewis
GANT Utica Watch
With a satisfyingly chunky chain, GANT’s bracelet watch doubles up as a functional piece of jewellery to add to your everyday style. The rectangle face is white, lifted by gold hour markers and three hands. Wear it with a matching chunky chain necklace and neutral separates.
Buy now £139.00, GANT
Cartier Panthère de Cartier Pink Gold Diamond Watch
Why buy a house when you can buy a watch? If you have a spare £27k, then this Cartier timepiece is a true investment. The 18-karat rose gold watch comes complete with a silver dial, a diamond-tipped crown and blue steel sword-cut hands.
If that wasn’t enough, the item has a two-year warranty period and is part of Cartier’s iconic relaunch of the Panthère de Cartier collection that debuted in the early 80s.
Buy now £26400.00, Net-A-Porter
Casio Unisex Gold Watch
Whether you’ve recently watched Saltburn or Back To The Future is one of your all-time favourite films, you’re sure to have seen a Casio watch at one point or another on the silver screen – more often than not with a digital face. Thankfully, the Japanese label makes a watch with a white analogue dial, too – and you can get it for less than £60.
Buy now £57.90, Casio
Calvin Klein Men’s Black IP Bracelet Watch
This black beauty might look like it’s a seriously slick model from an esteemed Swiss watchmaker, but it’s actually a pocket-friendly chronograph from none other than Calvin Klein, the fashion label from the US. A modern take on the traditional style, it’s an industrial-inspired number comprising a 44mm stainless-steel case that frames a jet-black face accented with three chronograph dials. A three-link bracelet in matching black wraps up a pretty decent little package.
Buy now £229.00, H. Samuel
Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch
At the budget end of the scale, but offering plenty of bang for your buck, is this chronograph by classic all-American brand Tommy Hilfiger. At just shy of £200, it’s an elegant watch to see you through the everyday, featuring chrono tech – three dials? Check! Two pushers? Check! – plus a classic blue face emblazoned with the signature Tommy flag and encircled by a 44mm stainless-steel case with coordinating bracelet. Entry-level excellence.
Buy now £189.00, H. Samuel
Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Dive Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch
Like the oversized look? This Citizen timepiece may say it’s for men but trust us, your wrist won’t know the difference. Sporting a jewel green face, this watch operates through light - natural or artificial - so never needs a battery change. It also shows the date and is water resistant to 200m.
Buy now £219.99, Argos
