The Superette watch edit covers the full range of how a man in 2026 might want to wear one. From the most utilitarian to the most considered, and with a detour into the collaboration that has had people queuing outside Swatch stores in Sydney, London, and New York since Saturday morning.
Casio is the starting point for almost every conversation about mens watches and with good reason. The brand covers more ground than any other at its price points, from the most stripped-back digital watches to the full technical breadth of the G-Shock range. The G-Shock in particular has earned a cultural position that very few objects in any category can claim. It has been worn by construction workers, military personnel, and some of the most influential figures in music and fashion for four decades without ever needing to choose between those audiences. It is genuinely tough, genuinely functional, and genuinely stylish in a way that requires no justification. For a first watch purchase or a reliable everyday piece that holds up under real use, it is the most defensible choice in the edit regardless of budget.
D1 Milano is where the Superette watch edit steps up in register. An Italian design brand building watches with slim profiles, considered dials, and a clean aesthetic that sits between accessible and luxury without fully committing to either. What D1 Milano does well is restraint. The watches do not shout. They sit quietly on the wrist and do their job with enough visual interest to be noticed by the right people without demanding attention from everyone. For someone whose wardrobe is becoming more considered and wants a watch that moves with it, D1 Milano is the natural next step from an everyday Casio rather than a leap into a different conversation entirely.
Then there is the Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop. It launched this past Saturday, May 16, exclusively in selected Swatch stores globally and is not currently available in New Zealand. Eight Bioceramic models in two case styles, a Lepine open face and a Savonnette with a hinged cover, powered by a new hand-wound version of Swatch's SISTEM51 movement. Inspired by the Royal Oak's legendary octagonal silhouette and the Swatch POP watches of the 1980s. Worn around the neck on a calfskin lanyard, in the pocket, on the wrist, or attached to a bag. A desk stand included so it becomes an object rather than just an accessory when you take it off.
The frenzy is real and the queues have been long. But the more interesting conversation the Royal Pop starts is not about availability or resale value. It is about what a watch is allowed to be. Swatch and Audemars Piguet have made a pocket watch that is also a pendant that is also a bag charm that is also a desk object. They have treated the timepiece as a fully flexible accessory rather than a functional object with a fixed place on the wrist. That is a genuinely new idea in a category that does not produce many of them. Whether you can get your hands on one or not, that conversation is worth paying attention to. The full Casio and D1 Milano edit is available now at Superette in store and online.
FAQ
What is a good first watch to buy for men in New Zealand?
For a first watch, Casio is the most defensible starting point for almost any budget or wardrobe. The G-Shock range in particular offers genuine durability, versatility, and cultural credibility in a single purchase. It works across casual and streetwear-adjacent wardrobes without effort and holds up under real daily use in a way that more fashion-forward watches often do not. Casio is available at Superette in store and online.
What is the difference between Casio and G-Shock?
G-Shock is a sub-brand within Casio's broader watch range. While Casio produces a wide spectrum of watches from basic digital models to dress watches, G-Shock is specifically built around shock resistance, water resistance, and durability. It originated in 1983 when a Casio engineer set out to build a watch that could survive a ten-metre drop onto concrete. The result became one of the most culturally significant watch lines ever produced. All G-Shock watches are Casio but not all Casio watches are G-Shock.
What is the Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop?
The Royal Pop is a collection of eight Bioceramic pocket watches launched on May 16, 2026 by Swatch and Audemars Piguet. Inspired by the Royal Oak's iconic octagonal design and the Swatch POP watches of the 1980s, each model is powered by a new hand-wound version of Swatch's SISTEM51 movement and designed to be worn in multiple ways including around the neck, in the pocket, on the wrist, or as a bag charm. It is the first collaboration Swatch has undertaken with a brand outside its own group and has generated significant global attention since its launch.
Is the Swatch x AP Royal Pop available in New Zealand?
As of May 2026 the Swatch x Audemars Piguet Royal Pop is not available in New Zealand. The collection launched exclusively in selected Swatch stores globally on May 16, 2026, with confirmed locations in Australia, the UK, the US, Europe, and Asia. New Zealand was not included in the initial launch rollout. Keep an eye on swatch.com for any updates on availability.
Where can I buy Casio and D1 Milano watches in New Zealand?
Both Casio and D1 Milano are available at Superette in store and online. Superette stocks both brands across their current watch ranges, available across its stores in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
