8 Trusty & Attainable Men’s Watches You Can Wear on a First Date

By Danial Martinus  •  22 Aug 2025 in Tick Talk

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First dates can be nerve-wracking. You might not like to admit it, but there’s an over-thinker even in the most confident of men. Where this really manifests is in the small things, like the type of clothing we wear and the accessories that go along with them.

But when it comes to first dates, it’s the smallest things (aside from your personality, of course) that make the biggest differences. And in this case, accessorising with a watch can make or break your vibe—or “aura” as the kids say these days.

Here are eight attainable men’s watches you can count on when going on your first date.

1. Seiko Prospex SPB451J1

For the guy who loves being in or around water.

The Seiko Prospex SPB451J1 is a stainless steel Heritage Diver’s watch that features a beautiful blue dial, along with a blue unidirectional bezel.

It strikes a fine balance between functional design and elegant finishings, such as the date window between 4 and 5 o’clock that adds a bit of practicality without ruining the symmetry of the watch dial.

It’s also water-resistant up to 300m, along with a 72-hour power reserve that keeps the watch ticking whenever you need it.

Overall, the watch presents itself with a very classy aesthetic and a rugged soul. Great for guys who love spending time in big bodies of water.

2. Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical

For the guy who gets shit done.

Sure, the watch’s name can be a bit of a mouthful, but the Pilot Pioneer from Hamilton is one of the simplest watches you can get from the brand without diving into its better-known line of field watches.

The Pilot Pioneer, as the name suggests, was initially designed as a pilot’s watch in WWII. It was issued to multiple air forces at the time, with its small size ideal for ease of use and portability.

It’s a completely mechanical watch, which means you’ll have to wind it up every day if you’re wearing it continuously, but that only adds more fun to the ownership experience of the watch.

Its simple design also exudes a kind of subtle elegance that can’t be replicated by other watches. It’s no-nonsense in its heritage, but it also just does one job (tell the time), and does it in timeless (hehe) style.

3. Citizen Zenshin Eco-Drive

For the guy who enjoys long-term commitments.

The Citizen Zenshin Eco-Drive features an integrated bracelet design that makes the watch feel and look like a singular piece. That gives off a more sleek, minimal vibe that’s inoffensive, classy, and sensible all at the same time.

Its titanium construction makes it lightweight and unique in terms of premium materials, though some who equate heft with quality might beg to differ (but this is the wrong mindset to have anyway). Regardless, the Zenshin is a great starting point for someone looking for a non-stainless steel watch.

Plus, you’ve got the cutting-edge Eco-Drive mechanism, which harnesses solar power to keep the watch running. This means the watch is rather low maintenance, offering a whopping 240 days of power on a full charge (not that you’d need to “charge” it—just wear it when you’re out and about).

4. Timex Weekender

For the unpretentious, self-aware guy.

If there’s one watch brand that everyone thinks of when it comes to value for money, it’s probably Timex (if not Casio). And it’s no surprise. The American watch company has been making daily-driver timepieces for donkey’s years.

The watch most synonymous with Timex is the Weekender, which features a simple dial with block numerals, 24-hour numerals on the inner track, as well as a classic round case shape. Its military heritage is pretty evident here. It just has one job, and sometimes that’s all a watch ever needs to do.

And to this writer, someone who wears something like the Weekender is a no-nonsense kind of dude. You don’t shout about your wealth (if you’re wealthy at all), and you care more about longevity than short bursts of dopamine. It’s a no-frills option for someone who lets their personality do the talking first.

5. Seiko Alpinist SPB121J1

For the guy who loves nature but wants to keep it classy.

There’s perhaps no other attainable watch that people lust after more than the Seiko Alpinist. Coming in a few variants (like an all stainless steel variant, or with a leather strap pictured above), the Alpinist somehow manages to fuse both ballroom elegance and mountain-ready adventure into one timepiece.

Being the Alpinist, the watch was originally designed for Japanese mountaineers who needed a manual compass to keep track of where they were going. The watch has one built into the dial (around it, technically). That’s where the second crown (near the 4 o’clock numeral) comes in.

Turn it, and you’ll be able to gauge what direction you’re going by referencing the direction of the sun. The method differs depending on which hemisphere you live in.

6. Hamilton Murph 38mm

For the movie buff that doesn’t mind if you don’t like his taste in films.

If you’re a Christopher Nolan fan, you’ll probably recognise the Hamilton Murph. It played a key role in the storyline of Interstellar, and it’s aptly named after Murphy Cooper (played by Mackenzie Foy, Jessica Chastain, and Ellen Burstyn).

The Murph was originally designed as a prop watch for the movie, but after intense demand from watch nerds all over the world, Hamilton gave in and gifted us with a movie watch we can all own.

The Murph was originally released as a 42mm watch, but many found it to be too big (though it faithfully recreated the watch in the film). Not long after, a smaller, more palatable 38mm version debuted, and let’s just say it sold like hot cakes, and continues to do so.

There’s not much you can dislike about the watch. It’s got a vintage design with cathedral hands, a simple minute track, and very legible hour numerals. Other variants of the Murph come with stainless steel bracelets and lighter-coloured dials.

Owning this watch shows you appreciate fine cinema, and even finer design.

7. Casio F-91W

For the guy who enjoys the simple, small things in life.

Worn on the wrists of entry-level professionals and multi-billionaires alike, the Casio F-91W is not just a cheap digital watch meant only for those who are barely scraping by—though it’s definitely a good choice for people on a tight budget.

Its legacy transcends time and social status, purely due to its simple but reliable approach to timekeeping. Yeah, you’re not going to be able to do much with the watch except tell the time, but that’s the point. It doesn’t scream for any kind of attention. It’s subtle, practical, and nostalgic.

It’s also fun and playful, with its loud beeps and hourly chimes. The F-91W shows that you (respectfully) don’t give a shit about what other people think of you. You’re just living your best life (or trying to).

If you ever damage it beyond repair—this is hard to do, by the way—just spend another RM50 and you’re good to go with a brand new one.

8. G-SHOCK GW-M5610U

For the tough and reliable guy people can always count on.

Now, now, you’re probably confused. Most people wouldn’t think to wear a bulky G-SHOCK on a first date. But hear me out: the conventional square-shaped G-SHOCKs (5600, 5000, 5610 series) are actually not as big as they look in photos.

They’re deceptively small and won’t look like you’re wearing a giant square block on your wrist. Like the F-91W, the G-SHOCK GW-M5610U is a practical watch, but it also comes with a bunch of features you’d normally take for granted. This includes world time, a stopwatch, a timer, and in this case, Multi Band 6 and Tough Solar charging.

Multi Band 6 allows the watch to sync its time automatically every night to the nearest radio clock tower. This means you’ll have accurate time, all the time, provided you live close enough to an atomic time tower. Tough Solar, on the other hand, gives you the power of the sun (or any light source) to keep the watch running.

I’ve seen a 5610 run for almost 25 years before it needed a new solar battery cell. It’s basically the perfect watch for daily use, as well as the apocalypse.

At the end of the day, your watch just supplements who you are as a person

Keeping this in mind, sometimes not wearing a watch at all could be the move. It all depends on your personality, as well as the person you’re dating. Just remember, there’s no point in having a nice watch if your personality is ass. At that point, nothing can save you.

For more watches, head to JUICE Malaysia.