Buying your child’s first watch is a milestone worth getting right. It is a moment they will remember learning to tell the time, getting ready for school, or feeling proud to wear a watch of their very own.
With so many kids watches on the market, finding the right one isn’t always easy. Should you go with an analogue or a digital one? What size will actually feel comfortable on a small wrist? And which style will they still want to wear a month from now, not just on day one?
Here’s the good news: there’s no single “best” first watch, only the best one for your child, the right choice comes down to their age, personality, and daily routine.
Before we share some of our favourite first watches for kids, let’s look at what makes a great first watch in the first place.
How to Choose Your Child’s First Watch
Analogue or digital?
If your child is just learning to tell the time, an analogue watch with clear numbers is often the better starting point. It helps them understand how hours are minutes actually work, rather than just reading digits. Digital watches are great for older kids who already know the basics and want something simple, durable, and easy to read at a glance.
Getting the size right
A watch that’s too big will slide around and get annoying fast; too tight, and they won’t want to wear it at all. Look for an adjustable strap so it can grow with them and stay comfortable through the school day, playground, and everything in between.
Built to keep up with them
Kids aren’t gentle with their things, so durability matters more than you’d think. A water resistant, scratch resistant watch will survive hand washing, rainy days, and the occasional drop, so you are not replacing it a month in.
Style they’ll actually want to wear
This is the part that gets a first watch worn everyday rather than left in a drawer. Favourite colour, characters, or a design that feels a little grown up can make all the difference in whether your child is excited to put it on each morning.
Rather than looking for one “perfect” watch, it’s worth thinking about which style best matches your child’s personality and stage of learning. Here are the kids’watches we’d recommend getting them started.
Tommy Hilfiger Silver Steel Blue Dial Kids Watch – 1720018
If your child prefers something that feels a little more grown-up, this Tommy Hilfiger Kid’s watch is a fantastic place to start. The navy blue dial is clean and easy to read, with bold white hour markers that make telling the time simpler for children who are still learning. Small touches of Tommy Hilfiger’s signature red, white and blue give it personality without feeling overly playful. Finished with a stainless steel bracelet, this analogue watch for boys is the kind of first watch they will still enjoy wearing as they get older.
A great choice for school, weekends and special occasions alike.
Best for: boys aged 8+ who want a stylish, grown- up first watch.
Armitron Green Plastic Band Digital Kids Watch - 471000MNT
For younger children who love a bit of personality on their wrist, this Armitron digital kids watch is a fun and easy first choice for a 3 or 4 year old, especially one who loves bright colours and playful designs. The soft green plastic band is lightweight and comfortable for little wrist, while the playful frog face design brings a smile to the dial and makes checking the time something kids actually want to do.
Since it’s digital, there’s no need to learn how to read hands or numbers around a dial, it simply displays the time clearly, making it a great first watch for either boys or girls starting out. It’s also water resistant up to 3ATM, so it can easily handle hand-washing, rain, and everyday splashes without worry.
Easy to wipe clean and built to survive everyday play, it’s a low fuss watch that’s as fun as it is practical.
Best for: Children aged 3+ who love bright colours and are just starting to wear their first watch.
Lacoste 12.12 Navy Silicone Kids Watch – 2030043
For an everyday watch that can keep up with an active child, the Lacoste 12.12 is hard to beat. The navy dial features large, clearly printed numbers, making it especially easy for a 6 or 7 year old learning to tell the time. A soft silicone strap adds all day comfort and is easy to wipe clean after playground trips, sports, or messy hands, and its water resistant up to 50 metres, so splashes and hand-washing aren’t a worry.
With the iconic Lacoste crocodile logo taking the place of the 3 o’clock marker, it’s a fun, practical first watch who are always on the move. It also comes in pink and black, so you can pick the shade that best suits your child’s style.
Best for: Children aged 6+ who are ready to start learning to tell the time.
Armitron Black Plastic Band Digital Kids watch-457012BLK
For an 8 or 9 year old who’s ready for a proper sport watch, this Armitron digital kid’s watch ticks all the boxes. The black and silver design gives it a sleek, sporty look, while the compact 27, case keeps it comfortable on smaller wrists. The easy to read digital display shows the day and time clearly at a glance.
It’s packed with genuinely useful extras including a sport watch, alarm, and dual time function that makes it just as handy for school morning as it is for sports practice. Water resistant to 10 ATM, it can easily handle hand washing, rain, and everyday splashes without any worry. This style is also available in a range of other colours, so you can easily pick one that suits your child’s taste.
Best for: Children aged 8+ who want a durable, feature packed sport watch.
Armitron Purple Plastic Band Kids Watch - 271004LPR
For a child who loves all things pretty and playful, this Armitron watch is a lovely first choice. The purple strap is decorated with a pretty butterfly and flower print, while the analogue dial has large, clearly printed numbers that make learning to tell the time straightforward. The 30mm case is a comfortable size for smaller wrists, and the quartz movement keeps time reliably.
It is also water resistant to 5ATM, so it can easily handle hand washing, rain, and everyday splashes without any worry.
Lightweight and easy to faster with its tongue buckle clasp, it’s a first watch that’s as fun to look at as it is easy to wear.
Best for: children aged 5+ who are just starting to learn to tell the time.
Tommy Hilfiger Stainless Steel Black Dial Unisex Watch – 1720048
For a 12 or 13 year old ready for their first grown up style watch, this Tommy Hilfiger unisex diver inspired piece is a striking choice. The black dial is framed by a bold navy and red bezel, with luminous hour markers that make it easy to read at a glance.
The stainless steel case and bracelet feel solid and durable, built with everyday wear in mind. It’s smart enough for special occasions and events too, making it just as suited to a family gathering as it is to everyday school wear. With 10ATM water resistance, it easily handles rain and everyday splashes without any fuss. Reliable, sharp, and bult to last, it’s a watch they can genuinely grow into and keep wearing for years to come.
Best for: Teens or older kids (typically 12+)
Conclusion
Choosing your child’s first watch doesn’t have to be complicated. Think about what suits them best. Maybe it’s the sporty durability of the Armitron or the playful charm of the Lacoste. Maybe it’s the more grown up polish of the Tommy Hilfiger. Once you know what they’ll actually enjoy wearing, the right pick becomes easy to spot.
If you are ready to find the perfect first watch, browse our full range of kid’s watches at The Watch Factory. We stock styles for every age and budget, all backed by manufacturer’s warranty so you can shop with confidence.