How to Photograph Watches: A Practical Guide for Collectors

Let me guess – you’ve spent ages trying to get that perfect wrist shot for Instagram, only to end up with a blurry, weirdly reflective mess that looks nothing like the gorgeous watch on your wrist. Trust me, I’ve been there! The first time I tried to photograph my new Seiko diver, it looked like I’d taken the picture underwater during an earthquake.

Watch photography is genuinely tricky. Between the reflective crystals, the tiny details that need to be in focus, and those pesky fingerprints that seem to appear out of nowhere, capturing a good watch photo can feel like mission impossible. But after a few years of trial and error (lots of error), I’ve picked up some techniques that have dramatically improved my watch photos without requiring a degree in photography or equipment that costs more than the watches themselves.

Whether you’re looking to show off your collection on social media, document your pieces for insurance, or sell a watch online, I’m going to share the tricks I wish someone had told me when I started out. And don’t worry – we’ll start with stuff you can do with just your smartphone before getting into the fancier gear.

Getting Started: The Basics Anyone Can Master

Before we dive into specific equipment and techniques, let’s talk about some fundamental principles that will immediately improve your watch photography, regardless of what camera you’re using.

Cleaning Is Everything

Here’s something I learned the hard way: no amount of fancy equipment can make up for a dirty watch. Those microscopic dust particles and fingerprints that you can barely see in normal light? They’ll look like giant smudges in photos.

Quick cleaning routine before any photo:

• Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the crystal
• Give the case and bracelet a once-over to remove fingerprints
• Check for lint or dust, especially around the bezel and between links
• Take a look at the crown and pushers – these areas often collect gunk

I keep a small microfiber cloth in my watch box just for pre-photo cleanings. It takes 30 seconds but makes a massive difference in the final image.

Lighting: Natural Is Your Friend

The single biggest factor in good watch photography isn’t your camera – it’s your light source. And the best light source is completely free: indirect natural daylight.

Here’s what works well:

• Near a window on a cloudy day (perfect diffused light!)
• In open shade on a sunny day
• Early morning or late afternoon light (the “golden hours”)

What usually doesn’t work:

• Direct sunlight (creates harsh reflections and shadows)
• Standard indoor lighting (too yellow and creates weird reflections)
• Direct flash (the absolute worst for reflective objects like watches)

A simple trick I use all the time: set up near a window with a white piece of paper or foam board on the opposite side of the watch to bounce light back and fill in shadows. Works like a charm and costs basically nothing!

Stability Is Non-Negotiable

Camera shake is the eternal enemy of watch photography, especially when you’re trying to capture those tiny details. Even with a smartphone, finding ways to stabilize your shot will dramatically improve your results.

If you don’t have a tripod, get creative:

• Rest your elbows on a solid surface
• Use the timer function so you don’t shake the camera pressing the button
• Stack books to create a stable platform for your phone
• Use a bag of rice as a makeshift bean bag to position your camera

I started out balancing my phone against a coffee mug to keep it steady. Not pretty, but it worked!

Composition: Keep It Simple

When you’re starting out, less is definitely more. Clean, simple backgrounds let your watch be the star:

• A plain white piece of paper or card stock
• Natural wood surfaces
• Simple fabric like a clean sweater or shirt cuff
• Subtle texture like leather or canvas

One of my favorite backgrounds is actually the inside of a watch box lid – it’s usually lined with something neutral that makes watches pop without being distracting.

Smartphone Watch Photography: Maximum Results, Minimum Investment

The good news is that modern smartphones are incredibly capable cameras. With a few techniques, you can take excellent watch photos without any additional equipment.

Mastering Your Smartphone Camera

Most phone cameras now have features that are particularly useful for watch photography:

Portrait Mode While designed for people, this mode can work wonderfully for watches because it:

• Creates a pleasing background blur
• Keeps the watch in sharp focus
• Often enhances details through computational photography

The trick is getting the right distance – usually you’ll need to be a bit further away than you’d think, then crop the image afterward.

Pro/Manual Mode If your phone has it, this mode lets you control:

• Focus point (critical for watches!)
• Exposure compensation (to avoid blown-out white dials or lost details in black dials)
• White balance (helps capture the true colors of your watch)

I find that slightly underexposing watch photos (-0.3 to -0.7 on exposure compensation) often gives better results than what the phone chooses automatically.

Macro Mode/Lens Newer phones often have dedicated macro capabilities that are perfect for capturing watch details. If yours doesn’t, you can get clip-on macro lenses for around $15-30 that work surprisingly well!

Simple Smartphone Setups That Work

Here’s my go-to, super simple smartphone setup that consistently produces good results:

1. Find a window with indirect light
2. Place a white piece of paper on a table to create a simple, clean backdrop
3. Position the watch at a pleasing angle (more on that in a bit)
4. Use a second piece of white paper or foam board to bounce light back onto the watch from the opposite side
5. Get your phone on a stable surface or small tripod
6. Use the timer function or a Bluetooth remote to trigger the shot without touching the phone

That’s it! This setup costs basically nothing but can produce images that look surprisingly professional.

Overcoming Common Smartphone Challenges

Dealing with Reflections Reflections are the bane of watch photography. With a smartphone, try:

• Changing your angle slightly until reflections disappear
• Using “the tent technique” – shoot through a small hole in a piece of white paper to eliminate reflections from the camera itself
• Wearing dark clothing when shooting (yes, your bright shirt will show up in that polished bezel!)

Focusing on the Right Spot Smartphones sometimes struggle to focus exactly where you want. Try:

• Tapping directly on the part of the watch you want in focus
• Using manual focus if your phone supports it
• Slightly increasing your distance and cropping later

Getting the Colors Right Watches often have subtle color variations that phones can miss:

• Use white balance presets or custom white balance
• Shoot in RAW format if your phone supports it
• Avoid mixing light sources (like window light + room lights)

Stepping Up: Entry-Level Camera Equipment

If you’re ready to move beyond smartphones, you don’t need to spend thousands on fancy gear. Here’s what I’d recommend for someone looking to improve their watch photography without breaking the bank:

Camera Recommendations for Watch Photography

Best Entry-Level Option: Used Sony a6000 or Olympus OM-D E-M10 These mirrorless cameras can be found used for $300-400 and offer:

• Excellent image quality
• Interchangeable lenses
• Manual controls
• Tilting screens that make awkward angles easier

The key advantage over smartphones is better control over depth of field (how much is in focus) and significantly improved low-light performance.

The Most Important Investment: Macro Lens

If you buy just one special lens for watch photography, make it a macro. These lenses are specifically designed for close-up work and make a massive difference.

Good budget options include:

• 7Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro (~$160 new)
• Used Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro (~$175 used)
• Vintage macro lenses with adapters (can be found for under $100)

I started with an old manual focus macro lens that cost me $75 on eBay, and it dramatically improved my watch photos compared to regular lenses.

Essential Accessories That Make a Difference

A few inexpensive accessories can elevate your watch photography:

Tripod Even a basic tripod is better than hand-holding. Look for:

• Stability rather than maximum height
• A head that allows precise adjustments
• The ability to get low to your shooting surface

I use a Manfrotto PIXI mini tripod ($30) for a lot of my watch photos – it’s small enough to use on a desk but sturdy enough to eliminate shake.

Light Tent/Diffuser A small light tent (20-30cm cube) creates beautiful, even lighting for watches and eliminates many reflection problems. These can be found for $20-30 online.

Remote Shutter Release Eliminating camera shake is crucial for sharp watch images. A basic remote trigger costs $10-20 and makes a huge difference.

Composition and Styling: Making Your Watches Look Their Best

Great watch photography isn’t just technical – it’s also about presentation. Here are some tips for making your watches look their best:

Finding the Right Angles

Certain angles tend to work particularly well for watches:

The Classic 10:10 Setting the hands to 10:10 (or sometimes 1:50) is a standard in watch photography because:

• It frames the logo or features at 12 o’clock
• Creates a smiling, balanced appearance
• Keeps the hands from overlapping important dial features

The Perfect 3/4 View This angle shows both the dial and some of the case profile, offering a complete picture of the watch’s design. Try positioning the watch around 45° from head-on.

Macro Details Some of the most interesting watch photos zero in on specific details:

• The texture of a dial
• The finishing on hands
• Movement details through a display caseback
• The precision of applied indices

I like to think about what makes each watch special and try to capture that specific element.

Creative Styling Ideas

While clean, simple photos are great for documentation, more creative styling can be fun for social media:

Thematic Props Consider including subtle props that relate to the watch’s purpose:

• Dive watches with nautical elements
• Racing chronographs with automotive themes
• Field watches with outdoor gear

Environmental Context Showing watches in their natural habitat can create more engaging images:

• A dive watch at the beach
• A dress watch peeking from under a suit cuff
• A pilot’s watch in an aviation context

Just keep props subtle – the watch should remain the star of the show.

Setting Time and Date for Photos

Small details make a big difference:

• Avoid cutting off numerals with the date window (setting to 1, 8, or 15 often works well)
• For chronographs, consider whether you want hands aligned or in use position
• For moonphase watches, a full moon generally looks best in photos
• GMT watches can show contrasting colors by setting day/night appropriately

I usually spend a minute adjusting these elements before shooting, and it makes the final images look much more intentional.

Editing Your Watch Photos: Enhancing Without Faking

A little post-processing can elevate good watch photos to great ones, but there’s an ethical line to consider.

Basic Edits That Make a Difference

These adjustments enhance what’s already there without changing the watch’s appearance:

• Slight exposure adjustments
• Mild contrast enhancement
• Dust spot removal
• Minor white balance correction
• Gentle sharpening

I typically make these adjustments to all my watch photos, as they’re similar to what professional product photographers would do.

Editing Tools That Won’t Break the Bank

You don’t need expensive software for good watch photo editing:

• Lightroom Mobile (free version has most essential features)
• Snapseed (completely free and surprisingly powerful)
• VSCO (free version works well for basic edits)
• Instagram’s built-in editor (better than you might think!)

I do most of my watch photo editing in Snapseed – it’s simple but has all the tools I need.

Ethical Considerations in Watch Photography

When editing, especially for sales listings, there’s an important line between enhancement and misrepresentation:

Generally Acceptable:

• Dust removal
• Correcting white balance
• Adjusting exposure
• Cropping

Potentially Misleading:

• Removing scratches
• Enhancing colors beyond reality
• Making the crystal appear clearer than it is
• Excessive HDR that hides dial condition issues

My rule of thumb: if someone would be surprised by the difference between your photo and the watch in person, you’ve gone too far.

Special Situations in Watch Photography

Different contexts require different approaches to watch photography:

Wrist Shots That Actually Look Good

The classic wrist shot is notoriously difficult, but these tips help:

• Shoot slightly from above, not straight on
• Find natural light that highlights the watch face
• Position your arm at a natural angle (not twisted uncomfortably)
• Consider the “relaxed wrist” technique where your hand hangs naturally
• Try both portrait and landscape orientations

The most common wrist shot mistake is trying to get too close – step back and crop instead!

Photography for Watch Sales

When photographing watches for sale, focus on:

• Honesty: Show the actual condition, including flaws
• Completeness: Include all angles, the caseback, and accessories
• Details: Document any scratches, dents, or wear
• Clarity: Make sure potential buyers can clearly see what they’re buying

I always include at least 8-10 images when selling a watch: dial, case sides, caseback, crown, bracelet/strap, clasp, box and papers, and any flaws or issues.

Collection Documentation for Insurance

For insurance purposes, focus on:

• Clear images of the dial showing the brand and model
• Serial numbers on the caseback
• Original boxes and papers
• Receipt or proof of purchase when available
• Any distinguishing features that identify the specific watch

Keep these images secure, preferably backed up in cloud storage and accessible if needed for a claim.

My Personal Watch Photography Evolution

When I look back at my watch photos from a few years ago versus now, the improvement is dramatic – and it didn’t require thousands in equipment.

I started with just my phone balanced against whatever was handy, shooting in whatever light was available. The results were… well, let’s charitably call them “enthusiastic amateur.”

My biggest improvements came from:

1. Finding better light (near windows, avoiding direct sun)
2. Stabilizing my camera (first with makeshift methods, later with an actual tripod)
3. Learning about watch angles and composition
4. Developing a simple editing workflow
5. Practicing… a lot!

The gear came later, and while it did help, those fundamental principles made a bigger difference than any equipment upgrade.

Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection

The watch photographers you follow on Instagram have often spent years honing their craft, and many use equipment worth thousands of dollars. Don’t compare your beginning to their middle!

Remember that good watch photography is ultimately about sharing your passion for these mechanical marvels. Technical perfection matters less than capturing what makes each watch special to you.

Start with the basics I’ve outlined, use what you have, and focus on improving one aspect at a time. Before long, you’ll be capturing images that do justice to your collection and might even make fellow enthusiasts a little envious.

And if all else fails, there’s always #wristcheck – the forgiving hashtag where enthusiasm counts more than technical perfection!

How has your watch photography journey been going? Got any questions about specific techniques or gear? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to help!

SEE also

Rolex
Omega
Patek Philippe
Audemars Piguet
TAG Heuer
Seiko
Longines
Tissot
Casio
Citizen