Men's Watch
Men's watches and straps at FlipBuy UK — 18 products covering business quartz watches, smart and fitness watches, and replacement bands for Apple Watch in nylon, silicone and stainless steel. From £8.99 straps to smart watches around £60.
Quartz, automatic or smart — what's the difference
Quartz
Battery-powered, accurate to a few seconds a month, and needs nothing but a battery change every two to three years. The practical choice for a watch you want to put on and forget. Almost all watches at this price point are quartz.
Automatic and mechanical
Powered by a wound mainspring, with no battery. Less accurate than quartz — losing or gaining several seconds a day is normal and not a fault — but they last decades with servicing. They stop if not worn for a day or two.
Smart and fitness watches
Screen-based, charged every few days, with notifications and activity tracking. The health features estimate rather than measure — useful for spotting trends over weeks, not for monitoring a medical condition. If a reading concerns you, speak to a GP rather than the watch.
How to choose a case size
- Measure your wrist. Under 17cm is smaller, 17-19cm average, above that larger.
- Smaller wrists: 38-40mm sits well. Average: 40-44mm. Larger: 44mm and above.
- The lugs shouldn't overhang the flat of your wrist. That's the test, more than the diameter figure itself.
- Case thickness matters for shirts. A thick case won't slide under a cuff, which is worth considering for a business watch.
How to fit a metal bracelet
Steel bracelets are sold long and need sizing, which puts people off unnecessarily.
- Links are removed with a pin pusher — a tool costing a few pounds — or by any jeweller for a small fee
- Remove links evenly from both sides of the clasp so it stays centred on your wrist
- Size it in the afternoon. Wrists swell through the day and in heat
- Correct fit: you should be able to slide one finger under the bracelet, and it should move slightly but not slide over your wrist bone
- Keep the removed links. You may need them later
Water resistance — what the ratings mean
- 3ATM / 30m: rain and splashes only. Not swimming.
- 5ATM / 50m: swimming and showering.
- 10ATM / 100m: swimming and snorkelling.
- 20ATM / 200m: serious water use and diving.
No rating covers hot showers, saunas or hot tubs — heat expands the seals and lets water in. This is the most common cause of water damage. Never operate the crown or buttons underwater, and have the seals checked if a watch is opened for a battery change.
How to look after a watch
- Rinse with fresh water after sea or pool — salt and chlorine attack cases and seals
- Clean the case and bracelet with a soft brush and mild soapy water; grime builds between links and holds moisture against the skin
- Replace a dead battery promptly. A leaking cell inside will destroy the movement
- Keep mechanical watches away from strong magnets — speakers, laptop closures and magnetic phone mounts can magnetise them
- Store off the wrist in a box or drawer, away from direct sun which fades dials and perishes straps
Common questions
Which Apple Watch band size fits mine?
Bands come in 38/40/41mm and 42/44/45/49mm groups and aren't interchangeable. Check your case size in the Watch app.
Why does my automatic watch lose time?
Mechanical watches typically run a few seconds a day fast or slow. That's normal, not a fault. Quartz is far more accurate if precision matters.
Can I shower with my watch?
Only if it's rated 5ATM or higher, and never in a hot shower — heat compromises the seals whatever the rating.
How do I resize a metal bracelet?
Remove links evenly from both sides of the clasp with a pin pusher, or have a jeweller do it. Keep the removed links.
Related collections
For smartwatches, see smartwatches. For sunglasses, men's sunglasses. For the full range, men's fashion.
