Whether you're buying your first watch or adding to a growing collection, choosing the right timepiece takes a little know-how. At Wrights Jewellers, we carry a considered selection of watch brands, from reliable everyday favourites like Seiko and Casio to Swiss-made Raymond Weil, contemporary Rosefield designs and Swarovski's jewellery-inspired timepieces.
This guide walks you through what to look for, so you can find a watch that suits your style, your lifestyle and the way you actually intend to wear it.
1. Set Your Budget First
Watches span an enormous price range, so deciding on your budget is a useful place to start. It helps narrow your choices while keeping you focused on the features, materials and style that matter most to you.
Whether you're looking for an affordable everyday watch, a distinctive fashion piece or a Swiss-made timepiece to mark a special occasion, there's plenty of choice across our range. As a rough guide:
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Under $300 NZD – Reliable everyday quartz watches, including Casio and selected Seiko models. This is also where you'll find classic Casio designs and entry-level everyday timepieces.
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$300–$1,000 NZD – A broad range of automatic, solar and quartz watches. Seiko 5 Sports, Seiko Presage and selected Seiko Prospex models sit within this range, alongside contemporary everyday styles from Rosefield.
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$1,000–$3,000+ NZD – Higher-specification watches, including more advanced Seiko Prospex models and Swiss-made timepieces from Raymond Weil.
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Fashion & jewellery-inspired watches – Swarovski offers a different approach, combining watchmaking with the brand's signature crystal detailing for a more jewellery-led look.
2. Quartz vs. Automatic: Which Movement Is Right for You?
The movement is the engine inside the watch. The three main types you'll come across are:
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Quartz – Battery-powered and extremely accurate. Low maintenance and generally more affordable. Quartz watches are a practical choice for everyday wear.
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Automatic – Powered by the motion of your wrist, with no battery needed. Many watch enthusiasts appreciate the craftsmanship and tradition of an automatic movement. Seiko's automatic movements are renowned for quality at accessible price points.
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Solar / Kinetic – Designed to reduce the need for regular battery replacement. Seiko Solar watches recharge using light, while Seiko Kinetic watches generate and store energy through the movement of the watch.
3. Consider the Watch's Purpose
Think about when and where you'll wear your watch most.
Everyday wear
For a watch you'll reach for day after day, look for a versatile design, comfortable strap or bracelet and an appropriate level of water resistance. Seiko and Casio offer plenty of durable everyday options, while Rosefield is a great choice for a more refined, minimalist look.
Outdoor & sport
If your watch needs to keep up with an active lifestyle, prioritise durability, legibility and higher water resistance. Seiko Prospex watches are purpose-built for sporting and outdoor use, including diving and field watches.
Work & formal occasions
For something suited to the office or more formal occasions, consider a slimmer profile, refined dial and classic strap or bracelet. Raymond Weil offers Swiss-made options with a more traditional watchmaking aesthetic, while Rosefield's clean, contemporary designs work beautifully with both workwear and occasion dressing.
Jewellery & occasion wear
Sometimes a watch is less about practicality and more about making a statement. Swarovski watches combine timekeeping with the brand's signature crystal detailing, making them particularly suited to those who like their accessories to feel a little more jewellery-inspired.
Timekeeping & practicality
If features and functionality are your priority, Casio offers watches with everything from alarms and world time to digital displays and rugged construction.
4. Getting to Know the Brands
Seiko
Founded in Japan in 1881, Seiko has a long history of innovation and watchmaking, with collections spanning accessible everyday watches through to sophisticated mechanical and sport timepieces.
Key lines to know:
- Seiko 5 Sports – Affordable automatics with a cult following. Durable, stylish, and easy to dress up or down.
- Seiko Prospex – Purpose-built for sport: divers, pilots, and field watches with serious credentials.
- Seiko Presage – Dress automatics with enamel or textured dials, inspired by Japanese craftsmanship.
Casio
Casio is known for combining reliability, innovation and practical functionality. From classic digital watches to the famously tough G-Shock range, there's a reason Casio has remained a favourite for generations.
Highlights include:
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G-Shock – Built for durability, with shock-resistant construction and a wide range of practical features.
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Casio Classic / Vintage – Iconic digital and analogue-digital styles with a timeless retro appeal.
Raymond Weil
Geneva-based Raymond Weil has been crafting Swiss watches since 1976. The independent Swiss brand is known for combining traditional watchmaking with contemporary design.
The Freelancer, Toccata and Maestro collections offer different expressions of the brand, from refined everyday styles to more traditional dress watches.
Browse all Raymond Weil watches →
Rosefield
Rosefield takes a modern, minimalist approach to watch design, with clean lines and versatile proportions that make its watches easy to wear every day.
They're a natural choice if you prefer a watch that feels contemporary and understated, and many designs transition easily from work to weekends.
Browse all Rosefield watches →
Swarovski
Swarovski brings its jewellery expertise to watch design, combining precise timekeeping with the brand's distinctive use of crystal and polished detailing.
Swarovski watches are ideal if you're looking for something that feels more like a jewellery piece than a traditional watch — particularly for special occasions or when you want your watch to make more of a statement.
Browse all Swarovski watches →
5. Strap & Case Considerations
- Case size – Smaller cases can create a more delicate, refined look, while larger cases tend to feel sportier and more substantial. Proportion to our wrist is more important than following a particular size rule.
- Case material – Stainless steel is versatile and durable, while other finishes and materials can change the overall character of the watch.
- Strap material – Leather offers a classic feel, metal bracelets are versatile and durable, while fabric, silicone and other materials can create a more casual or sporty look.
- Crystal – Sapphire crystal is highly scratch-resistant and commonly found on higher-end watches, while mineral crystal is a practical choice for many everyday timepieces.
And don't underestimate the strap or bracelet. It's one of the easiest ways to change the overall feel of a watch — from classic and refined to sporty or fashion-forward.
6. Water Resistance: Don't Get Caught Out
Water resistance ratings can be confusing, and they're not simply an indication of how deep you can take your watch.
As a general guide:
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30m / 3 ATM – Splash-resistant only. Not for swimming.
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50m / 5 ATM – Offers greater water resistance, but always check the manufacturer's specific guidance before swimming.
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100m / 10 ATM – Generally suitable for swimming and recreational water activities when the manufacturer permits it.
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200m+ / 20 ATM – Suitable for more demanding water use, with many dive watches carrying this level of resistance.
It's also worth remembering that water resistance isn't permanent. Seals can deteriorate over time, so regular servicing and care are important if you regularly wear your watch around water.
Ready to Find Your Watch?
The right watch isn't necessarily the most complicated or the most expensive. It's the one that suits the way you live and the way you like to dress.
Whether you're drawn to the mechanical craftsmanship of a Seiko automatic, the everyday practicality of Casio, the clean lines of Rosefield, the jewellery-inspired sparkle of Swarovski or the refinement of a Swiss-made Raymond Weil, Wrights Jewellers has a carefully selected range to explore.
Shop Seiko Watches | Shop Casio Watches | Shop Raymond Weil Watches | Shop Rosefield Watches | Shop Swarovski Watches
