Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Black Dial Men's Watch (SRPD55K1)

Why we picked it

• The safest colour in the range Black dial, black bezel and plain steel make this the version of the 5 Sports that is easiest to wear every day. It is the one to pick when you are unsure of the person's taste. Someone who already owns a black sports watch may want the green or blue instead.
• Runs on movement, not a battery It winds itself on the wrist and can be wound by hand, with a day and date window and a stop seconds hand. That suits someone who likes the idea of a mechanical watch. If it sits in a drawer for more than a day or two, it stops and needs resetting.
• A sports watch with some size The case is 42.5 mm across, which fills out a medium wrist nicely. On a small wrist it may look oversized, so it is worth knowing the person's usual watch size.