What is a GADA Watch?

You may have noticed the term “GADA watch” being used more frequently in watch enthusiast circles. While the name may be new, the concept is not — it’s essentially another label for an everyday watch, a daily watch, a daily driver, a daily beater, or any other identifier that covers a watch that gets the most wrist time.

What does GADA watch mean?

So, what is a GADA watch? The meaning of a GADA watch is in the name: a “Go Anywhere Do Anything” watch. This is to say it has to be both versatile enough to pair with the majority of your wardrobe and sturdy enough to handle your daily grind. Whether the office, gym, pool, travel, or couch, a trusty GADA watch is never out of place. Go Anywhere, Do Anything. Generally speaking, the best GADA watches will have the following traits: 

• Case size between 38mm and 42mm; not too thick or heavy for long-wearing comfort
• Water resistance of at least 100 meters (330 feet) — 50m at an absolute minimum
• Neutral dial color in shades like black, white, silver, beige, gray, and blue
• Metal bracelet (lug width of 20mm would be ideal for strap variety, therefore your GADA is also a Strap Monster)
• Non-precious metal case (for instance, steel or titanium)
• Good lume for all-around legibility
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal

However, like we’ve said plenty of times before, watch definitions aren’t always set in stone. The most significant thing to consider when choosing a GADA watch is that it works for you and your specific lifestyle. 

Do you spend tons of time around water, immersing your timepiece in hot tubs, pools, or the ocean? Then water resistance is a key factor to keep in mind. Alternatively, are you typically dressed up in a suit and tie for work and frequently attend formal events? Then, a dressier watch (but still durable) may be just what you need. Are you a frequent flyer who constantly lands in different time zones? Then a GMT watch would make a solid GADA watch for you. 

Back to basics: What is a GMT Watch?

Style-wise, everyday watches with neutral dial colors that complement most of the clothes you wear would be most practical. Classic silhouettes with round cases and simple bezels often work best. Moreover, GADA watches typically have metal bracelets (since they’re tougher than leather bands and more versatile than rubber straps). However, a GADA watch that’s also a strap monster (i.e. easy to switch out the band and looks great on various straps), is a big plus.

What is not a GADA watch?

Regardless of your particular lifestyle, a GADA watch should be never too fussy, too precious, or too complicated to wear. It should be easy, low maintenance, and something you don’t have to think about too often. Set and forget. Also, it shouldn’t be uncomfortable on the wrist or too dangerous to wear for fear of getting robbed! The best GADA is the watch you wear the most but have to think about the least.

Protect yourself: How Can I Recover My Stolen Rolex?

Best Everyday Watch

Now that we’ve loosely defined what makes a GADA watch, let’s have a look at some excellent examples available for various budgets. While digital and smartwatches can certainly be considered GADA watches, we’re sticking to mechanical models because those are our favorites here at Luxury Bazaar. Automatics tend to be better GADAs than manually wound watches due to their practicality. However, there are a few top-notch hand-wound watches that would make fantastic Go Anywhere, Do Anything watches too.

Best GADA watches under $1,000

A smaller budget won’t get in the way of finding a reliable GADA watch. Some of our top picks for affordable daily watches that offer plenty of value include:

• Timex Waterbury Dive Automatic: 40mm, stainless steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $299 MSRP
• Seiko 5 Sports SRPE55: 40mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $295 MSRP
• Traska Commuter: 38mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $650 MSRP
• Citizen Sport Automatic, 42mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100 WR, $650 MSRP
• Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80: 40mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $825 MSRP
• Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm: 38mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $945 MSRP

Best GADA watches under $2,000

Popular microbrands are a great segment to explore for solid everyday watches for less than $2,000; however, there are some solid choices from bigger brands too. Some of the best GADA watches under $2,000 include:

• Christopher Ward The Twelve: 40mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $1,225 MSRP
• Mido Multifort M Chronometer: 42mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $1,350
• Longines HydroConquest: 41mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 300m WR, $1,775
• Formex Essence ThirtyNine: 39mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $1,790 MSRP
• Monta Noble: 38.5mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 150m WR, $1,795 MSRP

Best Luxury GADA Watches

The luxury watch space is home to so many great GADA watches that it may be tough to pick just one! The good news is that the big luxury brand’s entry-level models are often ideal daily watches

• TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic: 39mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $3,200 MSRP
• Tudor Black Bay 36/39/41: 36mm, 39mm, or 41mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 150m WR, $3,925 to $4,875 MSRP
• Grand Seiko SBGA465: 40mm, steel case and bracelet, Spring Drive movement, 100m WR, $4,800 MSRP
• Breitling Avenger Automatic: 42mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 300m WR, $5,050 MSRP
• Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra: 38mm or 41mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 150m WR, $6,300 to $8,00 MSRP
• Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41: 41mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $6,400 MSRP
• Cartier Santos Large Model: 39.8mm, steel square case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $7,750 MSRP
• IWC Ingenieur: 40mm, steel case and bracelet, automatic movement, 100m WR, $11,700 MSRP

More About Entry-Level Watches:
What is the Best Entry-Level Rolex?
The Best Entry-Level Breitling Watches
Entry-Level Omega Watch Models – The Best of the Bunch
The Best Entry-Level Luxury Watches
The Best Entry Level Cartier Watches

How to Pick Your GADA Watch

Regardless of if you spend cautiously or invest a significant amount, the key to picking your daily timepiece is to be honest about what you need from it. Disregard all notions about what is considered on-trend right now and opt for the watch that suits your taste, wrist, and budget.

If you do that, you’ll find yourself reaching for that piece over and over again, which will then make it into a true GADA watch.

Other Watch Guides:
$10k Watch Collection Guide: How to Spend $10,000 on Luxury Watches
2024 Tudor Black Bay Collector’s Guide: Every Model Released So Far
Women’s Rolex Watch Guide
Guide To Rolex Wimbledon Watches
A Guide to Grand Seiko Dial Textures