If you’re choosing a new watch, one of the first decisions you’ll face is analogue vs digital. While both do the same essential job – telling the time – they differ greatly in how they display it, how they’re powered, how they look, and how they fit into everyday life.

Below is a clear, updated guide to the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of analogue and digital watches, to help you decide which style suits you best.

The difference between analogue and digital watches is how they display the time. Analogue watches use moving hands on a dial, while digital watches show the time in numbers on an LCD or LED screen. Both can be quartz-powered, but analogue watches may also be mechanical or automatic.

Analogue vs Digital Watches: Key Differences

• Display: Hands on a dial vs numbers on a screen
• Movement: Mechanical or quartz vs quartz only
• Style: Classic and formal vs sporty and casual
• Features: Limited unless complicated vs feature-rich
• Ease of reading: Requires interpretation vs instant clarity

The Key Difference at a Glance

The most obvious difference between analogue and digital watches is the display.

• Analogue watches show the time using rotating hands that point to hour and minute markers (called indices) on a dial.

• Digital watches display the time using numbers on an LCD or LED screen.

Both styles can be accurate and reliable – the choice largely comes down to personal taste, lifestyle, and how you intend to wear the watch.

Watch Movements Explained

Mechanical & Automatic Analogue Watches

Traditional analogue watches were entirely mechanical, powered by a mainspring and a system of tiny gears and wheels.

• Manual mechanical watches need to be wound by hand, usually daily.

• Automatic watches are also mechanical, but they wind themselves through the natural movement of your wrist.

Most modern mechanical watches are automatic, and many collectors value them for their craftsmanship, heritage, and the smooth sweeping motion of the second hand.

Famous complications – such as chronographs and perpetual calendars – add beauty and complexity, but also increase cost.

Quartz (Battery-Powered) Movements

In 1957, the invention of the quartz movement changed watchmaking forever.

Quartz watches are powered by a battery, which sends an electrical signal through a quartz crystal to regulate timekeeping. The result is excellent accuracy with minimal maintenance.

• Quartz movements power both analogue and digital watches

• Batteries typically last several years

• Solar-powered quartz watches can last far longer

The first commercial battery-powered watch was the Hamilton 500, once again placing Hamilton at the forefront of innovation.

Digital Watch Displays: LCD vs LED

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

LCD screens form numbers using liquid crystals arranged into segments.

Advantages:

• Very low power consumption

• Batteries last many years

Disadvantages:

• Hard to read in the dark without a backlight

Most modern LCD watches now include illumination to solve this issue.

LED (Light Emitting Diode)

LED displays light up bright digits against a dark background, usually when a button is pressed.

Advantages:

• Excellent visibility in low light

Disadvantages:

• High power consumption

• Batteries drain more quickly

Because of this, pure LED digital watches are relatively uncommon today.

Are Digital Watches Cheaper than Analogue Watches?

Digital watches can offer an impressive range of features at a relatively low cost because they have very few moving parts. Many of our Casio timepieces start from around £20 - although we also have Sekonda analogue watches for this price, too.

Analogue watches, by contrast, become more expensive as complications are added – especially mechanical models, which require precision engineering and careful assembly.

• Digital watches can be extremely affordable

• Mechanical analogue watches can become valuable heirloom pieces

Having said that, the first digital watch was produced in 1972 by the Hamilton Watch Company, and Electro-Data. It was called the Pulsar Time Computer and LED prototype and it retailed for over $1,200 (approximately $12,000 in today's money!).

Style & Aesthetics

Analogue Watches

Analogue watches are often favoured for their classic appearance and visual appeal.

Elements such as:

• Dial colour

• Hand shape

• Indices (Roman numerals, batons, diamonds, round markers)

• Sub-dials on chronograph watches

…all contribute to a watch’s character.

Analogue watches are generally considered more suitable for formal and business wear.

Digital Watches

Digital watches tend to look more utilitarian and sporty, with similar screen layouts across models.

Some digital and smart watches mimic analogue dials, while others – such as ana-digi models – combine both displays.

They are usually best suited to casual, active, or outdoor use.

Ease of Reading the Time

Digital displays are easy to read at a glance, which is why they’re popular with:

• Children

• Those with declining eyesight

• People who prefer instant clarity

Analogue watches, however, can feel more intuitive once learned and allow you to visualise the passage of time more naturally.

Many people with eyesight concerns still prefer clear, high-contrast analogue watches, often called easy reader watches.

Features & Functionality

Digital watches often include:

• Stopwatch

• Countdown timer

• Alarms and reminders

• Multiple time zones

• Compass and sensors

Adding similar functionality to an analogue watch usually means extra complications, which significantly increase cost.

Do digital watches last longer than analogue watches?

• Cheap digital watches are often plastic and may perish over time

• Analogue watches have more moving parts, which can require servicing

That said, some digital watches – such as the Casio G-Shock – are famously robust and known as some of the toughest watches in the world.

Accuracy

When powered by quartz movements, both analogue and digital watches are equally accurate.

Digital watches may appear more accurate because they show seconds clearly, while analogue watches require interpretation.

Mechanical watches typically vary by a few seconds per day, which is considered acceptable – and even charming – by enthusiasts.

Analogue vs Digital Watches: Common Questions

Which is better, an analogue or digital watch?

Neither is better overall. Analogue watches suit formal wear and classic style, while digital watches are better for sport, convenience, and advanced features.

Are digital watches more accurate than analogue watches?

No. When powered by a quartz movement, both analogue and digital watches are equally accurate. Digital watches may appear more precise because they show seconds clearly.

Are smart watches the same as digital watches?

No. Smart watches use digital displays but function as mini computers, offering fitness tracking, apps, and notifications beyond traditional digital watch features.

Are Smart Watches Digital Watches?

Smart watches use digital displays, but they are fundamentally different.

A smart watch is effectively a mini computer on your wrist, capable of tracking:

• Steps and distance

• Heart rate

• Sleep patterns

• Notifications and apps

Traditional digital watches do not perform personalised data calculations in the same way.

Final Thoughts: Which Is Better?

There is no right or wrong answer.

• Choose analogue for classic style, craftsmanship, and formal wear

• Choose digital for functionality, sport, and everyday practicality

Many people happily own both – wearing each for different occasions. Casio, along with other brands, make many watches with an analogue and digital display in one watch, like the watch above.

Which do you prefer, and why?

Analogue vs Digital Watches: FAQs

What is the main difference between analogue and digital watches?

The main difference between analogue and digital watches is the way they display the time. Analogue watches use hands that move around a dial, while digital watches show the time as numbers on an LCD or LED screen.

Are digital watches more accurate than analogue watches?

No. When both are powered by a quartz movement, analogue and digital watches are equally accurate. Digital watches may seem more precise because they display seconds clearly, but the underlying timekeeping is the same.

Are analogue watches better for formal wear?

Yes. Analogue watches are generally considered more suitable for formal and business occasions due to their classic design, traditional materials, and elegant appearance.

Are digital watches better for sport and everyday use?

Yes. Digital watches are popular for sport and everyday activities because they often include features such as stopwatches, timers, alarms, and water resistance, all at an affordable price.

Do analogue watches last longer than digital watches?

Both can last many years if well made. Analogue watches may require servicing due to their moving parts, while digital watches can suffer from ageing plastics or electronic failure over time. High-quality examples of either can be very durable.

Are smart watches the same as digital watches?

No. Smart watches use digital displays but function as mini computers. They can track fitness data, display notifications, and run apps, which traditional digital watches cannot do.

Which is better: an analogue or a digital watch?

Neither is better overall. Analogue watches suit those who value style and tradition, while digital watches are ideal for functionality and convenience. Many people own both and wear them for different occasions.