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Festina is one of Europe's best-selling watch brands — yet somehow it remains almost unknown on UK high streets. If you've stumbled across the name and wondered whether they're worth your money, you're in the right place.
A Brand With More History Than You'd Expect
Festina has been making watches since 1902 — which puts them comfortably in the same conversation as many of the Swiss heritage names that carry far bigger price tags. Founded in Switzerland, the brand is now headquartered in Spain, though it still maintains a production centre in Switzerland. For a watch brand at this price point, that Swiss connection isn't just marketing — it reflects genuine manufacturing heritage.
In 1984, entrepreneur Miguel Rodriguez — already the owner of the Lotus watch brand — acquired Festina, and under his leadership the group grew considerably. They purchased the Jaguar watch brand in 1990, and later added Kronaby, Candino, and the luxury house Perrelet to the portfolio. It's a serious group of brands, which tells you something about how Festina sits within the wider industry.
The name itself comes from the Latin phrase festina lente — "make haste slowly" — a saying attributed to Augustus Caesar. It's a quietly confident philosophy for a watchmaker: precision without rushing. And in 2016, Gerard Butler became their brand ambassador, which gave them a higher profile internationally without ever quite breaking through in the UK the way it perhaps deserved to.
So, Are Festina Watches Any Good?
Honestly? Yes — and quite a lot better than their price suggests.
Festina sits in what's often called the fashion watch segment, alongside names like Fossil, Diesel, and Armani Exchange. But ask anyone who's worn both, and they'll often tell you Festina feels better built than some of those better-known competitors. The components are good quality, the finishing is solid, and the designs have a genuine confidence to them rather than just following trends.
They're not trying to be Rolex. What they are trying to be is a well-made, great-looking watch that doesn't cost a fortune — and at that, they genuinely succeed. There aren't many brands where you can pick up a genuine Swiss-made timepiece for around £125. That's almost unheard of.
The Collections Worth Knowing About
The Chrono Bike Collection
 Festina Multicolour Chrono Bike (Amazon)*
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This is the range Festina is probably best known for, and it has a brilliant backstory. Festina was the official sponsor and timekeeper of the Tour de France from 1992 right through to 2016 — and even had their own professional cycling team. That connection to competitive cycling runs deep, and it shows in the watches.
Each year at the start of the cycling season, Festina releases a new Chrono Bike collection, always including a Special Edition model that's become genuinely sought after by collectors. These are chronograph watches — chunky but not oversized, with vibrant colours, rubber straps, and robust steel bracelets. They look sporty without being shouty, and they're packed with features for the money. If you want something that can take a knock, looks brilliant on a casual weekend, and won't leave your bank account weeping, this is a strong place to start.
The Diver's Models
Part of the same sporty family, Festina's diver's watches are built to work rather than just look the part. Water resistance to 200 metres, a screw-down crown, stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap options, three sub-dials, and a date function. That's a proper specification at any price — at Festina's price point, it's exceptional value.
The Swiss-Made Collection
This is where Festina's heritage really earns its keep. Swiss-made certification has strict requirements — a significant portion of the movement and the casing work must take place in Switzerland — so it's not a label you can simply buy your way onto. Festina has been making watches in Switzerland for over a century, and this collection reflects that. Classic styling, precise movements, and as mentioned — genuinely available for around £125. If you're looking for a meaningful gift or a step-up timepiece without a step-up price, this range deserves serious attention.
The Automatic Collection
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There's something special about an automatic watch — that sweeping second hand, the knowledge that the movement is powered by nothing more than the motion of your wrist. No battery, no quartz ticking, just mechanical precision. Festina's automatic range delivers that experience with top-class components and excellent build quality, in styles ranging from clean and classic to open-heart and full skeleton models (like the ones above which were always best-sellers for us when we sold them) where you can actually see the movement working. The difficult part, frankly, is choosing which one.
The Ladies' Collection
Festina's women's range is broader than many people realise. Alongside contemporary, bolder styles — the kind sometimes called "boyfriend watches" — there's the elegant Mademoiselle line, with designs featuring sparkling crystals that work beautifully for both everyday wear and special occasions. There's also an automatic range for ladies, including skeleton models, for anyone who appreciates fine mechanical watchmaking.
Can We Order One for You?
We don't keep Festina watches on the shelf at Carathea — but if something in this guide has caught your eye, we can order it for you. That's one of the genuine pleasures of working with a smaller, independent retailer: we're not limited to what's sitting in a stockroom. Drop us a message and we'll sort it out.
If you'd rather browse and buy immediately, the current Festina range is available online at Amazon UK (*affiliate link).
More of a Classic Watch Person?
If the Festina style appeals — well-made, great value, proper watch heritage — you might find a few things to love in our own collection too. We stock a carefully chosen range of watches at Carathea, from everyday wearers to something a little more special. Browse our watch collection →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Festina watches good quality? Yes — they're consistently well-built with good quality components and solid finishing. They sit in the fashion watch segment alongside Fossil and Diesel, but often feel better constructed than some better-known names at similar prices.
Where is Festina from? Festina was founded in Switzerland in 1902. The brand is now headquartered in Spain but still maintains a production centre in Switzerland, which is why they're able to produce genuine Swiss-made certified timepieces.
Is Festina a luxury watch brand? Not in the traditional sense — Festina is an accessible, value-driven brand rather than a luxury one. However, they do own luxury brands including Perrelet and Candino. Think of Festina as the approachable end of a serious watch group.
How much do Festina watches cost? Festina watches typically range from around £80 up to £300 or so for more complex models. Their Swiss-made range starts at around £125, which is genuinely unusual for a certified Swiss timepiece.
Can I buy Festina watches in the UK? Yes — they're available online through retailers including WatchShop and Amazon. If you'd prefer to order through an independent jeweller, we at Carathea can also order Festina watches for you — just get in touch.
Who is Festina's brand ambassador? Actor Gerard Butler has been Festina's brand ambassador since 2016.
At Carathea, we only write about watches and jewellery we genuinely rate — whether we stock them ourselves or not. If you have a question about any watch brand, we're always happy to chat.
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