As someone who loves watches, despite having a good collection, I always fall back on a few pieces I consider the GADA watches. In case you're wondering, GADA stands for Go Anywhere, Do Anything. These watches are suitable for all occasions, especially when I'm on the road and want to carry just one watch.
Hence, today I'll be sharing my key points for finding a GADA watch.
1. Versatile Design & Style
The watch should look good in many settings for work, social events, outdoor adventures, and casual wear.
I always try to find the simplest design for that. A watch that has a clean dial design, good legibility, and a simple case design. These watches pair well with a variety of outfits.
In terms of colours, Neutral colors always work best. Typical colours I would fall back to for a GADA watch are a clean steel/titanium case paired with a black, white, or blue dial. These 3 colours are super easy to pair with both casual and formal outfits.
A good size for a GADA watch should be between 38mm and 41mm. This size fits comfortably on the wrist, isn't too large, and is slim enough to fit under dress shirt cuffs. The baseline is that if it pairs well with jeans, a T-shirt, and a suit jacket — that’s a good start.
2. Robust Build Quality & Durability
A GADA watch should withstand all kinds of conditions; therefore, besides being stylish, it needs to be durable and able to handle a hit.
First and foremost, we consider the casing material. A solid case, like a stainless steel one, is essential. However, if you're seeking a more durable, lightweight option, titanium is a good choice. The RZE UltraHex™ titanium casing is made from grade 2 titanium with a proprietary coating that makes it five times stronger and scratch-resistant. If you're constantly on the go, this casing would be ideal.
Aside from a reliable case, a good crystal is essential as well. It provides a clear, easy-to-read time display under any conditions and doesn't crack easily. If you're looking for the best crystal, Sapphire is known for its scratch resistance, making it the ideal choice.
If your lifestyle includes many water-related activities, good water resistance is essential. Many GADA-style watches have at least 10 bar (100 meters) of water resistance.
Having fulfilled these 3 key elements will ensure your GADA watch holds up long-term with minimal care.
3. Reliable Movement
The next tip is finding a reliable movement. The key is to aim for a movement that balances reliability, maintenance, and practicality. At this point, we are looking for movement that can withstand some knocks without affecting its performance.
Quartz is definitely one of the more ideal ones. It is low-maintenance, accurate, and requires little care beyond swapping fresh batteries. Price-wise, it is on the affordable end as well.
Solar quartz is another option, combining quartz accuracy with a “set-and-forget” recharge system. This movement is my favorite go-to for my GADA watches. 2 of my GADA watches are solar-powered—the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Chronograph and the RZE Urbanist.
Automatic movement is also a good option. However, these movements have limited power reserves and require constant wear to remain energized. This works best if you're only wearing one watch on a trip for several days. Your daily movements will keep the watch powered continuously. Still, it's not a set-and-forget watch, as you'll need to regularly reset the time if the power reserve runs out from not wearing it for a while.
4. Strap / Bracelet Versatility
The last tip is to have a watch that’s easy to adapt to different situations by changing the strap. Often, when I travel with one of my GADA watches, I carry different straps to match the activities I'll be doing. This allows me to have different styling options without the need to bring another timepiece.
The most common lug widths with more strap options are 18mm, 20mm, and 22mm. Many third-party strap makers, such as Delugs, offer a variety of straps and bracelet options. Having a solid strap-swapping game will allow one watch to have many different styles.
Each of us has a different idea of what defines a GADA watch, depending on our lifestyle and career background. As a photographer, I often need a watch that is durable and lightweight. But your needs might differ from mine since our lifestyles vary. Therefore, the tips I’ve shared will help you better determine which type of watch suits you best.
In case you're wondering, here are my top 5 GADA watches
- RZE Urbanist
- Seiko Speedtimer Panda
- gShock GA2100-1A1
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RZE Resolute 36
- Baltic Aquascaphe
