Hey there, fellow watch lover! If you‘ve been anywhere on social media in the last few years, chances are you‘ve come across Daniel Wellington. This cool Swedish watch brand has taken the fashion world by storm with its minimalist designs, swappable straps, and super attractive Instagram campaigns.
But with so many other fashion watch brands out there, you might be wondering: is Daniel Wellington actually worth the hype? Are the watches good quality for the price? How do they stack up against the competition?
Well, I‘m here to dish all the details! As a total Daniel Wellington fangirl myself, I‘ve owned several of the brand‘s watches and accessories over the years. I‘ve also done a ton of research on the company, its products, and what customers have to say.
In this ultimate Daniel Wellington watch review, I‘ll cover:
- An overview of the Daniel Wellington brand story and style
- Detailed looks at some of the most popular men‘s and women‘s watch models
- Pros and cons to consider before purchasing
- How Daniel Wellington compares to other fashion watch brands
- Real customer reviews and experiences
- Where to buy Daniel Wellington watches to get the best deal
- Answers to all your burning FAQ (like are they really worth it?!)
I‘ll also share some of my own personal experiences with Daniel Wellington throughout. So if you‘re on the fence about whether to take the plunge on one of these trendy timepieces, I‘m here to help you make an informed decision. Let‘s dive in!
The Lowdown on Daniel Wellington
Before we get into the specific product details, let‘s start with a little background on the brand. Daniel Wellington was founded in 2011 by Swedish entrepreneur Filip Tysander. The story goes that Filip was backpacking in Australia when he met a dapper British gentleman named Daniel Wellington.
Daniel‘s effortlessly cool style, particularly the vintage watches he wore with colorful NATO straps, made a big impression on Filip. He went home to Sweden and decided to create his own line of watches inspired by Daniel‘s classic aesthetic.
The first Daniel Wellington watch collection launched later that year, featuring simple round faces with slim, minimalist details and interchangeable NATO straps in bright, preppy colors and patterns. It was an instant hit, especially among young fashion influencers on Instagram.
Since then, Daniel Wellington has expanded into a full range of watch styles and accessories for both men and women. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and timeless, with a focus on versatility and personalization.
Some key characteristics of Daniel Wellington watches:
- Simple, uncluttered dial designs with slim hourmarks and hands
- Thin, lightweight cases (usually 6-8mm thick)
- Interchangeable straps in leather, fabric, or stainless steel mesh
- Quartz movement for reliable timekeeping
- Water resistance up to 3 ATM (okay for rain/splashes, but not swimming)
- Signature rose gold, gold, and silver case finishes
- Lots of options to mix and match strap colors/patterns with case finishes
Today, Daniel Wellington has a huge global following, with over 4.7 million fans on Instagram. The brand‘s watches and accessories are sold online and in stores in over 25 countries worldwide.
So now that you‘ve got the basic backstory, let‘s take a closer look at some of the brand‘s bestselling watch models! I‘ll share the need-to-know specs, what I like/dislike about each one, how much they cost, and how they compare to similar options from other brands.
Daniel Wellington Classic Petite Melrose 32mm Review
The Classic Petite Melrose is one of Daniel Wellington‘s most popular women‘s watches, and it‘s easy to see why. This chic little number features:
- 32mm rose gold case
- White dial with rose gold hands/indices
- Brown leather strap with rose gold buckle
- Japanese quartz movement
- Mineral crystal
- 3 ATM water resistance
- 2 year warranty
Pros:
- Super elegant and feminine
- Lightweight and comfortable on the wrist
- Versatile style that dresses up or down
- Strap is easy to change out
- Affordable price point ($179)
Cons:
- 32mm size may be too small for some
- Leather strap shows wear over time
- Mineral crystal can scratch
I have the Petite Melrose myself and it‘s definitely one of my most-worn watches. The dainty proportions are perfect for my small wrist, and I love how the warm rose gold pops against the crisp white dial. It‘s the kind of timeless piece that goes with literally everything in my closet.
I will say that after about a year of regular wear, the leather strap was looking a bit worse for wear. But that‘s the beauty of Daniel Wellington—you can easily swap it out for a fresh new strap and boom, whole new watch!
How does it compare? If you like this understated feminine style, I‘d also recommend checking out the Rosefield West Village or the Skagen Signatur. Both have a similar aesthetic, slim profile, and swappable strap options around the same price point.
Daniel Wellington Classic St Mawes 36mm Review
Gents, if you‘re looking for a stylish and affordable everyday watch, you can‘t go wrong with the Classic St Mawes. With a slightly sportier vibe than some of Daniel Wellington‘s dressier options, this one features:
- 36mm silver case
- White dial with silver hands/indices
- Blue and white striped NATO strap
- Japanese quartz movement
- Mineral crystal
- 3 ATM water resistance
- 2 year warranty
Pros:
- Classic nautical color combo
- Lightweight and low-profile
- NATO strap is breathable and secure
- Versatile casual style
- Easy to change strap
- Well-priced at $199
Cons:
- 36mm may wear small for larger wrists
- Ticking sound may bother some
- Lume would be nice on a sporty model
I bought the St Mawes for my husband as a gift last Christmas. I knew he would love the preppy, regatta-ready blue and white strap. He wears it all the time on weekends with a polo or even just a white tee and jeans.
The 36mm size is perfect for his wrist, not too big or bulky. And the silver case is super sleek and versatile. It‘s definitely more of a casual, daytime watch, but you could dress it up with a leather strap for a dressier occasion.
Other preppy NATO strap watches I like in this price range are the Timex Weekender and the Jack Mason Nautical 3-Hand. But I do think Daniel Wellington has the edge when it comes to style and wearability.
Are Daniel Wellington Watches Good Quality?
Alright, now let‘s talk quality. Daniel Wellington watches are definitely what I would call "fashion watches." They‘re not trying to be luxury timepieces or heirlooms. But for the price point (around $150-300), I think they offer great value.
The pros: Daniel Wellington uses solid materials like genuine Italian leather, stainless steel, and mineral crystal. The Japanese quartz movement is reliable and accurate. And all the watches come with a 2-year warranty.
I‘ve had several Daniel Wellingtons over the years and never had any major issues. Maybe I‘ve had to replace a battery here or there, but that‘s to be expected with any quartz watch.
The cons: These aren‘t going to last forever like a Rolex. The mineral crystal can scratch over time. The thin cases and straps may feel flimsy to some. And while 3 ATM is fine for everyday wear, these aren‘t watches you‘d take swimming or snorkeling.
Here‘s a quick table comparing Daniel Wellington to some other popular fashion watch brands in the same general price range:
| Brand | Price Range | Warranty | Water Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Wellington | $150-300 | 2 years | 3 ATM |
| MVMT | $100-300 | 2 years | 3-5 ATM |
| Fossil | $50-300 | 2 years | 3-5 ATM |
| Skagen | $100-300 | 3 years | 3-5 ATM |
As you can see, Daniel Wellington‘s specs are pretty comparable to the competition. I would say Skagen has a slight edge on warranty and water resistance. But style-wise, I personally prefer the cleaner, more minimal design of Daniel Wellington.
What Real Customers Are Saying
You know I‘m a fan, but what are other Daniel Wellington customers saying? I combed through hundreds of reviews on the brand‘s website and on Amazon. Here are some key takeaways:
The good:
- Overwhelmingly positive reviews, with 4.5+ star average ratings
- Tons of comments about the watches being stylish, versatile, and comfortable to wear
- Many reviewers love the interchangeable straps and range of style options
- Lots of people say they get compliments whenever they wear their Daniel Wellington
- Several reviews call out great customer service and easy returns/exchanges
The not-so-good:
- A few people had issues with watches breaking or stopping after less than a year
- Some reviewers found the watches to be overpriced for the quality
- Several people had frustrating experiences with shipping delays or lost orders
- A handful of reviewers thought the watches looked "cheap" or flimsy in person
Overall though, the vast majority of customers seem super happy with their Daniel Wellingtons. Here are a couple quotes that I think sum it up well:
"I love the simplicity and elegance of this watch. It‘s lightweight, comfortable to wear all day, and I get so many compliments on it. Plus I love that I can change out the straps to match my outfit. Definitely recommend!" – Sarah L.
"I was a little hesitant to spend this much on a fashion watch, but I‘m so glad I did. The quality is really nice for the price and it looks way more expensive than it is. It‘s the perfect everyday watch." – Michael S.
FAQs
To wrap up this monster Daniel Wellington review, let‘s finish with some frequently asked questions!
What‘s the difference between Daniel Wellington‘s collections?
The main differences are case size, strap options, and dial colors. Here‘s a quick breakdown:
- Classic: 36mm case, leather/fabric/mesh straps, white or black dials
- Petite: 32mm case, leather/mesh straps, white or black dials
- Iconic: 40mm case, metal bracelets or leather/fabric straps, white/black/colored dials
How long do Daniel Wellington watches last?
With proper care (avoiding prolonged water exposure, replacing batteries as needed), a Daniel Wellington watch should last for several years at least. The warranty covers manufacturing defects for 2 years.
How do I change a Daniel Wellington strap?
Each watch comes with a strap-changing tool that makes it super easy to switch out the straps yourself! Just use the tool to compress the spring bars on the underside of the strap and slide it out. Pop in a new strap and you‘re good to go.
Can you shower or swim with a Daniel Wellington?
I wouldn‘t recommend it. The watches are only rated to 3 ATM, which means they can handle rain, splashes, or a quick dunk in the sink. But I definitely wouldn‘t wear one in the shower, pool, or ocean.
What if my Daniel Wellington watch breaks?
First, check to see if the issue is covered under Daniel Wellington‘s 2-year warranty (like manufacturing defects). If so, contact their customer service to file a claim. Otherwise, you may need to take it to a local watch repair shop to diagnose and fix the problem.
The Verdict: Are Daniel Wellington Watches Worth It?
Phew, you still with me? We covered a lot of ground in this Daniel Wellington watch review! Here‘s the bottom line:
If you‘re looking for an affordable, stylish, and versatile everyday watch, I think Daniel Wellington is absolutely worth considering. No, they‘re not ultra-luxe timepieces. But they offer great value and quality for the price point.
I personally love the classic, goes-with-everything design and the ability to change up the look with different straps. And I‘m clearly not alone, based on the brand‘s cult following and rave reviews!
A few people have had issues with watches breaking prematurely or less-than-stellar customer service. And the 3 ATM water resistance is a bit of a bummer. But overall, the vast majority of Daniel Wellington customers are super happy with their purchases.
So which Daniel Wellington watch should you get?
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For women: The Classic Petite Melrose and Classic Petite Ashfield are gorgeous and versatile everyday watches in the popular 32mm size. Get the mesh strap for a dressier look or the leather or NATO for casual cool.
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For men: You can‘t go wrong with the Classic St Mawes or Classic Bristol for nautical-inspired style. The Iconic Link makes a great statement piece with its chic metal bracelet and 40mm size. Want something a bit more rugged? Check out the Iconic Motion.
Oh, and one more tip—if you sign up for Daniel Wellington‘s email newsletter, you can get 10% off your first purchase! They also have periodic sales around holidays.
Alright friends, that about does it for my ultimate Daniel Wellington watch review. I hope it helped you decide if DW is the right brand for you. Let me know in the comments which watch is your favorite and how you like to style it!
Until next time,
Your trusted watch girlfriend
