Let’s face it, many top brands on the market are selling low-quality watches at higher prices.
If you are not an expert, it is tough to tell which one is real and which one is fake.
So, you must check out our list of the worst watch brands to avoid in 2023, because watches are more than just a fashion accessories. They are a symbol, a legacy, and obviously a time-telling tool.
Our team members have used these watches by themselves over time and tested a lot of factors to conclude their results, which we will discuss here.
Table of Contents
- List of 5 Worst Watch Brands
- 1. Invicta
- 2. Casio
- 3. Parnis
- 4. Swatch
- 5. Timex Marlin
- Factors to Consider When Buying a Watch
- 1. Type Of Movement
- 2. Functions Of The Watch
- 3. Case Shape And Design Of The Watch
- 4. Leather Or Rubber Band
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best watch brand?
- How to Care For a Watch?
- Are automatic watches worth it?
- Conclusion
- Christopher Evans
List of 5 Worst Watch Brands

Our team has reviewed the 50 top-selling watch brands on the market. You may be surprised to see many top brands on our list.
But the ranking is based on the customer experience. For this purpose, we have collected vital information from the various customer forums to make an unbiased list.
Check out the list of the worst watch brands to avoid.
1. Invicta

Invicta group has been in business since 1837, making them one of the pioneers in this industry. These watches are made with fine craftsmanship in Switzerland.
However, now they are no more the best watchmaker in the market. The quality of its products is declining, which makes its users hate this brand.
The following are some of the problems that Invicta users have reported.
- Average quality
- Poor customer services
- Misleading marketing campaigns
- The company does not stand behind its warranties
- No proper refund policy
- Even they don’t accept valid claims from their customers
2. Casio

Casio is one of the world’s largest and most reputed Japanese electronics companies.
Over the years, the company has released new watches with innovative designs and technologies.
Their digital watches are famous because they are very reliable. Despite being one of the best, many Casio users have complained about several issues while using their various models.
It shows, even reliable brands are not immune to offering the worst products.
Check out the following common complaints against Casio brands that you need to know before purchasing.
- The watchband is not very comfortable
- Average in quality
- Watches are Lightweight
- Not water resistant
- Sizing is inaccurate
3. Parnis

Parnis is a Chinese brand with its primary markets in the US and Europe. It is popular because of the low prices and offers various fascinating styles.
Since it is made in China, the build quality is inferior. Most of these watches are made in China as a result of mass production.
Customers have reported many issues in online customer forums. So, you must avoid this brand if you are looking to wear something reliable that suits your personality.
Here are the most frequently reported issues of Parnis.
- Product quality is inferior
- No customer support
- Problems in the winding mechanism
- Not durable, and stops working within 6 months
4. Swatch

Swatch was founded in 1983 by Swiss watchmakers Ernst Thomke, Elmar Mock, and Jacques Müller.
These watches are made from durable plastics and silicone.
So, if you’re looking for a unique, well-designed, and stylish watch, this is a great brand to consider.
Still, many users have concerns about this brand that you should know before purchasing it.
- Watches are overpriced
- misleading ad campaigns
- Average in quality
- Hardly accept any claim made by customers
- Watches are not repairable
5. Timex Marlin

It is an American watchmaker famous for making high quality watches at reasonable prices.
Timex is a versatile brand and offers various styles in its product line with good craftsmanship.
No doubt, their watches look great and gives you the vintage style of a modern watch.
But, Timex Marlin has also struggled to satisfy its customers due to various reasons.
Before you rush to buy, check out the following issues reported by its users.
- The quality of the product is poor
- Movement is disappointing
- Defective winding mechanism
- Watchband breaks if you stress about it
- Loses time after a year and a half
Factors to Consider When Buying a Watch
There is a variety of watches available in the market, and it can be confusing to decide which one to buy.
So here are the following things to consider when buying a watch.
1. Type Of Movement
The first thing you should consider is the type of movement of the watch. There are three main types of movements:
- Quartz
- Mechanical
- And Solar
Let us discuss each of them in detail.
Quartz watches have a battery inside, and they run on electricity. This gives the watch a long life but makes the watch quite heavy.
However, the quartz movement is the most accurate movement in the world, and it keeps excellent time.
Mechanical watches have a spring and weights inside them. The spring pushes the weights up and down, and this movement is called the “Cheshire” or “Equilibrium” movement.
This type of movement is less accurate than the quartz movement but is much lighter. It is also much cheaper than the quartz movement.
Solar watches have a rechargeable battery and a tiny solar cell attached to the top of the watch.
The solar cell recharges whenever the watch is exposed to the sun. This makes the watch light and very accurate.
However, this type of movement needs regular charging, and it will stop working if it is not charged for a long period of time.
2. Functions Of The Watch
Besides telling the time, a watch can have several other functions. Let us discuss these functions:
Timer: The timer function is very useful for people who need to do many exercises and want to make sure they do not miss any training sessions. It will count down from a certain time and will automatically switch off when that time has elapsed.
Stopwatch: A stopwatch is extremely useful for athletes and anyone else who needs to measure how long something takes.
Calendar: A calendar watch is designed to tell you what day it is and also to show you the date. If the watch has a moon phase, it will also show you the phase of the moon.
3. Case Shape And Design Of The Watch
Another thing you should consider when buying a watch is its case shape and design. There are three main case shapes: Round, Square, and Octagon.
Round watches are the most common ones. They are usually very thin, and they have a very high quality stainless steel or gold band around them.
Square watches have four straight sides. They are very common, and they are great for people who like symmetry. They are also very suitable for business people as a result of their clean and simple design.
Octagon watches have eight straight sides. They are less common than the other two designs. Although this may be true, the octagon shape is very unique and has a distinct look. Some people love this style, and some people find it very difficult to wear. It is definitely not for everyone.
4. Leather Or Rubber Band
When purchasing a watch, the band is the final thing to consider. You may choose between two types of bands: leather and rubber.
Leather bands are more expensive, but they will last a lifetime. They are also hypoallergenic and will not irritate your skin.
However, if you drop your watch several times, the leather band will eventually start getting damaged.
Rubber bands are much cheaper than leather bands, and they come in different colors.
They also have a very “cheap” feel to them, but they do not last long. They are great for the first few weeks, but after that, they will start wearing out.
You may also read:
- Worst Piano Brands To Avoid (And 3 Reliable Brands)
- Worst Luggage Brands | 5 Luggage Brands to Avoid
- 9 Worst Fast Fashion Brands To Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best watch brand?
Many watch brands offer you outstanding quality and exclusive experiences.
So you need to pick the one according to your style, preference, and budget range.
However, based on various factors such as affordability and longevity, the following are our top picks.
1- Casio
2- Seiko
3- TIMEX
4- Daniel Wellington
5- CITIZEN
How to Care For a Watch?
It is one of the most asked questions, and indeed the most important one. It doesn’t matter what brand you are wearing, either luxury or affordable, because the life of your watch depends on how you take care of it.
So, our tips are:
1- Clean your watch regularly, but not with soap
2- Never wind your watch on your wrist, as this puts a strain on the stem.
3- Keep them away from magnets
4- Avoid hot weather because UV can faint the color
5- Don’t push the limits of your watch to test
6- Service is essential
7- Use warranty effectively
Are automatic watches worth it?
Yes, it is worth purchasing automatic watches.
Automatic watches are more pricey than quartz watches, but they are well worth buying because you can get high quality with better finishing than any cheap quartz watch.
Conclusion
The research and study done by Statista show that the global watch industry is growing rapidly. People are still willing to spend a good amount on good quality watches.
So, here in this article, we provided you with the best guide on the worst watch brands to avoid on the market in order to make the right choice.
Remember that always choose a product from the brand that suits your lifestyle and personality well.
So, it is vital to check the brand reviews before making a final decision to avoid any embarrassing situation.