Lacoste 12.12 is a watch collection named after the brand's iconic polo shirt — the original Lacoste 12.12 piqué cotton polo, launched in 1933, whose product code became the line's identity. Lacoste, the French sportswear house founded by tennis champion René Lacoste, has carried that preppy, court-side aesthetic into its watches, and the 12.12 collection is the clearest expression of it: clean dials, sport-casual proportions, and the crocodile logo worn without apology. The selection spans both adults and children, making it one of the few watch lines that works as a coordinated family purchase.
What the 12.12 collection is built around
The 12.12 watches use quartz analogue movements — the right choice for a casual-lifestyle line, since quartz requires no winding, keeps time accurately to within a few seconds per month, and needs only a battery change every one to three years. Case sizes in this line tend toward modest, wearable proportions that suit everyday use rather than formal or tool-watch contexts. Straps are typically silicone or rubber in sport-friendly colours, which makes the watches light on the wrist and easy to clean — practical for younger wearers especially.
Buying a Lacoste 12.12 watch: adults and children
For the adult versions, the dial layout is straightforward — hours, minutes, and a date window in most cases — with the Lacoste crocodile as the primary design accent. If you are buying for a child, pay attention to case diameter: children's versions are sized proportionally smaller, and the strap length is cut shorter to fit a narrower wrist. A silicone strap is preferable for a child's everyday watch because it resists sweat and water far better than leather and does not crack with frequent use. Water resistance of at least 30 metres is standard for casual wear, though 50 metres gives more comfort for hand-washing and splashes. Check the crown-and-case sealing rating on the specific model before exposing it to swimming. The price range across this collection sits between roughly £80 and £150, which positions it as an accessible entry into designer watches without the premium of a Swiss movement.
Lacoste 12.12 in our selection
Our Lacoste 12.12 range is a focused group of fewer than 20 pieces drawn from the Lacoste watch line, covering both men's and children's sizes. If you want to compare it with other Lacoste lines, the Lacoste Club and Lacoste Swing collections offer alternative silhouettes within the same brand. For a broader look at what is available across all labels, the full brands hub is a useful starting point. If you are buying a 12.12 as a gift, the Gift Shop has further ideas across watches and jewellery.
Is Lacoste a luxury watch brand?
No. Lacoste watches are fashion watches produced under licence — the movements are sourced rather than manufactured in-house, and the brand's value lies in its sportswear identity rather than horological heritage. That places 12.12 firmly in the accessible designer segment, comparable in positioning to other lifestyle labels rather than to Swiss manufacture houses.
