Lacoste Watches Review: Sporty, Light and Colourful

Lacoste is best known for the crocodile logo and the polo shirt, and its watches carry the same sporty, casual spirit: clean designs, bright colours and lightweight cases. They’re popular gifts and easy everyday watches. Here’s what Lacoste watches are, who makes them, and whether one is right for you.

This replaces our older Lacoste review, which focused on specific listings that have since changed. It’s research-based; we haven’t tested these watches.

Who makes Lacoste watches?

Like many fashion brands, Lacoste licenses its watches to a specialist manufacturer; in recent years that has been the Movado Group. The result is a design-led range built on reliable quartz movements, at accessible prices.

What defines a Lacoste watch?

• Sporty-casual design inspired by tennis and the brand’s clothing — the 12.12 collection is named after the original polo shirt.
• Lightweight materials: many models use resin or TR90 (a light, flexible polymer) cases and silicone straps, which makes them comfortable for all-day wear.
• Bright colours alongside classic black, white and navy.
• Quartz movements for accuracy and low maintenance.

Key collections

Lacoste.12.12

The signature collection, with a textured dial pattern inspired by the polo shirt’s piqué fabric and silicone straps in many colours. Casual, light and instantly recognisable.

Chronographs and sport models

Larger men’s watches with chronograph sub-dials and more technical styling.

Women’s and smaller models

Slimmer cases and softer colours, including metal bracelet versions for a dressier look.

Strengths and limitations

Is a Lacoste watch worth it?

If you like the brand’s sporty style and want a comfortable everyday or holiday watch, a Lacoste makes sense — particularly the 12.12. If your priority is specification, watch specialists offer more for the money: a Casio G-Shock for toughness, a Timex for value, or a Seiko for a mechanical movement.

“Check Price” links go to Amazon (affiliate links). We don’t list prices because they change frequently.

Buying tips

1. Check water resistance before swimming — ratings vary by model. See water resistance explained.
2. Check the case size with our wrist size calculator.
3. Buy from authorised sellers to avoid counterfeits and keep the warranty.

The design language behind Lacoste watches

Lacoste’s identity comes from tennis: the crocodile emblem was the nickname of founder René Lacoste, and the brand’s breathable piqué polo shirt became a sportswear icon. Its watches translate that heritage into timepieces that feel casual, clean and athletic. Expect sporty colours, rubberised or silicone straps, textured dials that echo piqué fabric, and the crocodile logo on the dial or crown. The overall impression is relaxed — these are watches for weekends, holidays and smart-casual outfits rather than formal suits.

Materials: what TR90, silicone and steel mean for you

TR90 and resin cases

TR90 is a lightweight, flexible thermoplastic that’s widely used in sports eyewear. In watch cases, it keeps weight down and makes the watch comfortable for long wear. Polymer cases are less prone to dents than metal but can scratch, and they look distinctly casual.

Silicone straps

Silicone is soft, comfortable in heat and easy to clean, which suits sporty watches. It can attract lint and dust, and like all straps it eventually wears. Replacement straps in the correct width and fitting keep the watch looking fresh.

Stainless steel

Steel cases and bracelets appear on dressier Lacoste models. They’re more durable and look smarter, at the cost of extra weight.

Lacoste for men

Men’s Lacoste watches range from the colourful 12.12 three-hand models to chronographs with larger cases and more technical dials. The 12.12 suits casual everyday wear, especially in summer; chronographs give more presence. If you prefer understated style, choose black, navy or white on a matching strap. Check case size and lug-to-lug carefully if you have a smaller wrist — our wrist size calculator helps.

Lacoste for women

Women’s Lacoste watches include smaller versions of the 12.12, pastel and bright colours, and steel or mesh-bracelet models for a polished look. Lightweight cases make them comfortable for all-day wear, and their sporty styling pairs naturally with casual and athleisure outfits. For more ideas across brands, see our branded ladies’ watches guide and women’s watch trends.

Care and longevity

• Rinse after sweat or the beach with fresh water if the watch is water resistant, then dry it — salt and sweat are hard on straps.
• Keep sunscreen and insect repellent off the case and strap where possible; some chemicals can affect plastics and finishes.
• Replace the battery promptly through a jeweller who reseals the case properly.
• Check strap fittings periodically, as pins and clasps loosen with use.

Water resistance and active use

Because Lacoste watches look sporty, it’s easy to assume they’re built for swimming. Ratings vary by model, so check the specification before getting in the water, and read water resistance explained to understand what each rating allows. If you want a watch specifically for swimming or the beach, our guide to water-resistant watches for men covers watches with 100–200 m ratings.

Lacoste as a gift

Lacoste watches make popular gifts for fans of the brand, tennis players and anyone who likes relaxed, sporty style. Silicone-strap models fit a wide range of wrists without adjustment, which makes them a safe choice when you don’t know the recipient’s wrist size. Choose a colour that matches the clothes they actually wear — navy, white and green are easy to live with — and keep the receipt in case of exchange.

Who should look elsewhere?

If you want a mechanical movement, a sapphire crystal or a watch that holds its value, Lacoste isn’t the right choice — look at specialist watchmakers instead. Our best watches under $500 guide and Watch Finder are good starting points.

Lacoste vs other sporty fashion watches

Lacoste competes with other fashion and sportswear brands that make casual watches, and with affordable specialists like Casio, Timex and Swatch. Compared with fashion rivals, Lacoste’s strengths are its distinctive tennis heritage, colourful 12.12 designs and lightweight materials. Compared with specialists, it offers more brand appeal but usually fewer technical features. A Casio G-Shock is tougher and more water resistant; a Timex offers classic analogue designs with Indiglo night-light at lower prices; a Swatch offers similarly playful, colourful plastic watches with Swiss quartz movements. If the Lacoste look is what you want, it’s a satisfying choice — just compare features before you buy.

Choosing a colour

Colour is the fun part of a Lacoste watch, but it also decides how often you’ll wear it. Navy, black and white straps go with almost everything and suit year-round wear. The brand’s signature green works with casual neutrals — denim, khaki, white and grey. Brights like red, yellow or pastel shades shine in summer and on holiday but may feel loud with office clothes. If you plan to own just one Lacoste, start with a neutral; if it’s a second, playful watch, go for colour. Because 12.12 straps are designed for the watch, swapping colours is usually done by replacing the strap with a compatible one from the brand.

Battery and service

Lacoste watches use quartz movements, so the main maintenance is a battery replacement every few years. Have it done by a jeweller who can reseal the case, especially if you wear the watch near water. Keep the warranty information from an authorised purchase, as it covers manufacturing defects for the stated period. With basic care — rinsing off sweat and salt, avoiding harsh chemicals and storing it out of direct sun — a Lacoste watch will stay bright and comfortable for years of casual wear.

Our view

Lacoste watches are at their best as light, colourful companions for casual days, holidays and sport-inspired outfits. They’re easy to wear, easy to gift and carry a brand many people love. They are not technical watches and won’t hold their value, so judge them on comfort and style. If that’s what you want, the 12.12 is the place to start; if you want more watch for the money, look to Casio, Timex or Seiko, and use our Watch Finder to compare.

One last tip: because Lacoste models are refreshed regularly, check the exact reference number on the listing and confirm its case size, water resistance and strap material before you buy. That small step avoids surprises and makes it easy to find a matching replacement strap later.

Frequently asked questions

The verdict

Lacoste watches are comfortable, colourful and easy to wear — ideal as a casual or holiday watch, or a gift for a fan of the brand. For more fashion-brand comparisons, read our guides to Fossil and Michael Kors.