The 110 Best Men's Watches For Every Price Point
What are the best men’s watches you can buy right now? Well, the answer is pretty complicated. There are so many categories and price-points for watches that make even the most seasoned collector dizzy. That’s why we decided to make the most comprehensive (and yes, largest) list of best watches on the internet. Whether you want something casual or dressy, affordable or ultra-luxury, we have something for you. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a “wrist enthusiast” to use this watch buying guide. This list is meant for the long-time collector as well as the newbie just getting into the hobby (and you’ll see no smart watches on this list).
Dive Watches
Rolex Submariner
Price: $10,100 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Rolex 3235 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Rolex Submariner might be the most famous wristwatch of all time, and deservedly so. The Submariner was first released in 1954 as one of the first true dive watches (the Blancpain Fifthy Fathoms was released just a few months earlier). Instantly recognizable on your wrist, the Submariner is a very wearable 41mm. As a true dive and “tool” watch it is also water resistant to 300 meters. The current Submariner, Ref. 126610LN, runs on Rolex’s in-house Caliber 3235 movement, which boasts an impressive 70-hour power reserve.
Glashütte Original SeaQ
Price: $9,000 USD; Case Size: 39.5mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Glashütte 39-11 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
In our review of the Glashütte Original SeaQ we asked whether the SeaQ was a worthy competitor to the Rolex Submariner. We concluded that it was. If you want a high-end dive watch that is slimmed down and readily available, check out the Glashütte SeaQ. At 39.5 millimeters the SeaQ offers something a little bit smaller than the Submariner. The SeaQ is powered by Glashütte’s in-house Calibre 39-11 automatic movement which has a power reserve of 40-hours.
Seiko Prospex Land Turtle SRPE03
Price: $625 USD; Case Size: 45mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: 4R36 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The most recognizable Seiko dive watches are probably their Prospex “Turtle” models, such as the SRPE03 (for its price we’d argue that Seiko is one of the best watch brands). The turtle moniker is just a collector nickname, referencing the oblong and rounded case of the watch. This gives off some great vintage vibes and adds character to the watch. Seiko has not been shy to offer copious models that utilize the turtle case, and that’s just fine with us. For anyone that is looking for a diver for under $1,000 USD, be sure to check out the Seiko Prospect “Turtle”.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Price: $15,700; Case Size: 45mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Blancpain 1315 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is the dive watch that started it all. Released in 1953 (yes, before the Submariner), the Fifty Fathoms is widely considered the first modern diver’s watch. Why is that? Well, the Fifty Fathoms was the first watch to include modern innovations that are now standard on dive watches, including the unidirectional bezel. The modern Fifty Fathoms retains much of its heritage which we really like. It’s a rather large at 45mm but is water resistance to 300 meters (which is much deeper than the Fifty Fathoms water resistance of the original model).
Tudor Black Bay 58
Price: $3,800 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 200 meters; Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5402 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
When deciding on our favorite Tudor dive watch, there are quite a few options. Instead of going for the 41mm Tudor Black Bay Heritage or the Pelagos, we went with smaller 39mm Tudor Black Bay 58. The name fifty-eight is a reference to the year 1958, the year Tudor released the Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner ”Big Crown” Ref. 7924. The Black Bay 58 pays homage to this watch and includes many references to the piece. If you are looking for a vintage-inspired dive watch with vintage lume and riveted bracelet, the Tudor Black Bay 58 is a great option.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver
Price: $25,400 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Calibre 4308 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
While Audemars Piguet is known primarily for its steel sports watches, their attempt at a dive watch is one of our favorites. The AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver was only first released in 2005, so it doesn’t have the same history as some of the other divers on our list, but it’s a great piece nonetheless. If you want a rugged diver that adheres to the design elements of the Royal Oak (including the “Méga-Tapisserie” dial and octagonal bezel), this is the watch for you. Plus, the 300 meter water resistance is more than enough for most divers. The new Royal Oak Offshore Diver is offered in multiple dial colors, including green blue and grey (with a rubber strap to match the dial color).
IWC Aquatimer
Price: $6,500 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: 30120 Calibre Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
IWC released the “Special Pilot’s Watch” in 1936, its first pilot’s watch. The brand has produced the most recognizable pilot watches in the industry ever since. However, you shouldn’t overlook IWC’s non-aviation models, including their diver, the Aquatimer. First released in 1967, the brand released the modern Aquatimer in 2014. Like the Royal Oak Offshore Diver, the IWC Aquatimer features a mechanical external/internal rotating bezel giving the watch a cleaner look. The notched outer bezel also adds a little extra flare to the design.
Doxa Sub 300T Professional
Price: $1,890 USD; Case Size: 42; Water Resistance: 1,200m; Movement: ETA 2824-2 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Besides Rolex and Blancpain, Doxa may be the brand with the most diving heritage. In 1968, DOXA released the SUB 300T Conquistador, which became the first dive watch available to the general public equipped with a helium release valve. Doxa re-released the Sub 300T in 2019 to the delight over divers and watch collectors alike. The watch not only comes on a delightfully vintage-esque turtle case, but the 7 link bracelet is not only comfortable but unique and stylish. While the Sub 300T is offered in a variety of different colorways, the orange dial is true to the original and our favorite. On top of all of this, the watch is water resistant to an impressive 1,200 meters.
TISSOT SEASTAR 1000 POWERMATIC 80
Price: $575 USD; Case Size: 43mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: ETA 2824-2 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
When it comes to affordable dive watches, it’s really hard to compete with the Tissot Seastar 1000. Especially when just having Swiss-Made stamped on the dial can drive the price up. The Seastar 1000 is a lot of watch for the money. The stainless steel case measures in at 43mm, carries a water resistance rating of 300M, and comes on an integrated bracelet. Rarely do you get those specs from a swiss watch in this price point, but Tissot has managed to do it. This isn’t even including the nice textured fume dial and high contrasting super-luminova lume-filled indices. Overall, the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 provides a lot of bang for your buck and is really a no-brainer as an affordable dive watch. As a bonus, you can often find them on Amazon at a discount.
Steel Sports Watches
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 16202
Price: $33,200 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 50 meters; Movement: Caliber 7121 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The story goes that legendary watch designer designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in one night back in 1970. Genta’s design was inspired by a diver wearing an old fashioned helmet attached to his suit by eight screws. Two years later, in 1972, Audemars Piguet would release their first steel sports watch, the Royal Oak. The classic design of the Royal Oak is often imitated (cough cough Hublot) but the Royal Oak remains an icon. From the octagonal bezel with 8 screws, Grande Tapisserie dial pattern, to the unique integrated bracelet, the Royal Oak is more in demand in collector circles than ever before. And that is why it is one of the best sellers among steel sports watches.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711
Price: $30,000 USD and up: Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 120 meters; Movement: Caliber 26-330-SC Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The steel sport watch category is full of heavy hitters, but none hit heavier than the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711. Released in 1976, 4 years after Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak. What do both watches have in common (besides becoming modern classics)? They were both designed by renowned watch designer Gerald Genta. Unfortunately for everyone, Patek Philippe discontinued the steel 5711 in 2022, but not after releasing a limited run with olive green dials, and an extremely limited run (of just 170) with Tiffany Blue dials. The big question we have now is, what’s next? Will Patek Philippe release a titanium Nautilus Ref. 6711 with no date? Only time will tell.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas
Price: $22,500 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 150 meters; Movement: Caliber 5100 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Holy Trinity of Swiss Watchmaking is made up of Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. In the steel sport watch category we’ve already featured an AP and a Patek, so what’s left? The Vacheron Constantin Overseas. The Overeseas was first released in 1996, so it’s a more modern watch than the Royal Oak and Nautilus, but that doesn’t make it any less classic. The notched bezel and unique integrated bezel has made the Overseas a collector favorite. However, like other popular blue dial sport watches, the steel Overseas is extremely hard to get.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF
Price: $22,900 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: PF703 Micro-Rotor Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
One of the most exciting new arrivals in the last couple of years was Parmigiani Fleurier’s release of their new line, the Tonda. Indeed, with the release of the Tonda, Parmigiani is on our radar as one of the most exciting luxury brands in the watch industry. Anchoring the Tonda line is the Tonda PF, which comes in steel (along with other materials). The dial of the Tonda is fairly sparse, but it works due to the d’orge guilloché dial pattern The fluted bezel and integrated bracelets are also great touches. We are big fans of the Tonda and can see it being mentioned in the same breadth as the Nautilus and Royal Oak for years to come.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon
Price: $2,000 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: ML115 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Some may think the Maurice Lacroix AIKON is derivative (of the Royal Oak to be exact), but for $2,000 USD you are getting a lot of watch for your money. Yes the integrated bracelet and patterned dial are very Royal Oak-esque. But the AIKON has enough of it’s own unique charm to stand on it’s own, including the 6-arm bezel. Additionally, the AIKON is Swiss Made and has an in-house movement.
Chopard Alpine Eagle
Price: $19,000 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 100 meters; Movement: Chopard 01.01-C Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
In 2020 Chopard released their new steel sport watch, the Alpine Eagle. While some may look to the dial wings and bezel screws and notice similarities to the Nautilus and Royal Oak, the watch is actually based on the earlier Chopard St. Moritz, first introduced in 1980. While the Alpine Eagle is made of steel, it is made of Chopard’s proprietary Lucent Steel A223, which has anti-allergenic properties, as well as additional robustness to normal steel. Lucent steel is also more brilliant than typical steel due to Chopard’s meticulous re-smelting process. This gives the unique stainless steel bracelet a little more sparkle on the wrist. Finally, the textured dial is extremely unique and adds additional layers and sophistication to the timepiece.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato
Price: $11,000 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: GP01800-0008 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
When it comes to Steel Sport watches, most everyone thinks about Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, or even maybe Vacheron Constantin. A smaller hitter, but still in the same high quality segment is Girard Perregaux and the Laureato collection. The Laureato came a few years after the Genta Designed Royal Oak, and a little more than a year before the Nautilus, however instead of utillizing Gentra for the Laureato, Girard Perregaux opted to work with an Architect on the design of the watch. This produced some hard edges and a more unison taper of the case and bracelet. Overall, we feel that the Laureato often gets snubbed when it comes to the luxury steel sport watch segment, but very much deserves a place amongst the greats.
Piaget Polo S
Price: $12,400 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: 800P Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Piaget Polo was first introduced in the late ’70s and was actually pretty well received even though Piaget wasn’t exactly known for their sport watches. Piaget was always well positioned into creating ultra-thin dress watches, so to have a steel sport watch be well received was a big win for the brand. Since then, the Polo has gone through a number of iterations but in 2016, the brand relaunched the Polo and called it the Polo S. The watch comes in an updated and contemporary case and dial that still pays great homage to the original.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo
Price: $12,900 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: BVL 138 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Bulgari is interesting when it comes to their sport watch offerings. Traditionally, Bulgari has produced some controversial designs. For us, we originally found the Finissimo interesting, but hardly even considered it a steel sport watch contender due to it’s wider and more brooding case and bracelet design. However, we’ve grown to love the design and felt it a strong contender for the list.
The watch itself feels almost Mid-Century Modern in design language and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be. It’s definitely not a watch for everyone and Bulgari is okay with that. The model has recently gotten quite the upgrade with an updated case finishing that rivals any expert brand finishing and a newer clean contrasting dial. Overall, while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, it is a solid entry into the best steel sport watch category.
Tissot PRX Powermatic
Price: $675 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Powermatic 80 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire. When the new Tissot PRX Powermatic, enthusiasts absolutely lost it. The Tissot PRX has made the top of many “What’s the best steel sport watch I can buy under $1000?” lists over the last couple of years and it’s easy to see why. The watch simply comes with a ton of bang for the buck. And since we’ve personally handled the PRX Chronograph (reviewed here) we can absolutely vouch for the insane build quality in the PRX Powermatic for the money.
The Tissot PRX was first released in the 70’s and was a highly popular offering in the affordable steel watch segment. The watch has since been a staple for vintage watch hunters and now Tissot has refined and re-released it for the more contemporary crowd. Price of the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is $675 USD.
Meteorite Dials
CARTIER ROTONDE DE CARTIER EARTH AND MOON
Price: $231,000 USD; Case Size: 47mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Caliber 9440 MC Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon ticks a few boxes. The movement is exposed in the dial so we could have easily included in our section on skeleton watches. There is also a tourbillon complication at 6 o’clock so the Rotonde de Cartier could easily be one of our favorite tourbillons. That being said, it is the meteorite dial that we really love about this watch. Though Cartier released a variation of this piece in platinum with lapis lazuli dial back in 2014, it is the 2017 Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon in pink gold with meteorite dial that we really love. Unfortunately this watch was an extremely limited release of just 15 pieces so they are likely long gone. You’ll likely be hard-pressed to find one of these on the secondary market due to rarity.
OMEGA SPEEDMASTER DARK SIDE OF THE MOON METEORITE
Price: $15,600 USD; Case Size: 44.25mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Omega Calibre 9300 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Meteorite is not only one of our favorite meteorite watches, it’s one of our favorite Omega Speedmasters. The grey ceramic case, bezel, leather strap and grey meteorite dial give the Dark Side of the Moon Meteorite an understated yet cool look. The rose gold accents on the bezel, dial and hands add an additional welcome touch of class. We like that Omega decided to go with the two subdial chronograph (as opposed to three) on this model, as the meteorite’s pattern provides enough ornamentation on its own. While this watch might not do well in space, it is a nice tribute to the original Speedmaster.
Rolex Day-Date 40 Meteorite Ref. 228239
Price: $49,550 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Calibre 3255 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
While Rolex is typically a fairly conservative watchmaker, relying heavily on designs that have lasted generations, they have a few meteorite dial watches in their arsenal. One of our favorites is the Day-Date 40 Ref. 228239. The watch features a white gold case and bracelet, light grey meteorite dial, and factory-set baguette diamond indices. All the tones in this Day-Date kinda of blend together, which we actually like. It’s easy think a gold Day-Date with diamond indices would appear ostentatious. But the white gold case and diamond indices that blend into the meteorite dial give the watch a much more understated appearance.
ZELOS MAKO 500M DIVER METEORITE
Price: $949 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 500m; Movement: Sellita SW200 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
All things considered, Zelos has historically made some really nice watches with some really nice value propositions. For instance, the Mako 500M provides a solid 40 mm Stainless Steel dive watch with 500 meters of water resistance for only $549. As expensive as some meteorite dials can be, the Singapore based brand has added a meteorite dial watch to their website that boasts all the same great specs, for less than a thousand dollars. So for those looking to pick up a Meteorite dial watch without breaking the bank, consider the Zelos Mako 500M Diver Meteorite.
Selten Series 00.00
Price: $549 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Miyota 9132 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The most affordable meteorite dial watch on our list comes from another microbrand, Selten. Selten offers a pretty enticing value proposition: a meteorite dial watch with a day and night indicator, all for under $600 USD. Yes, the Series 00.00 runs on a Japanese Miyota automatic movement. But it’s a tried and true, reliable movement. Additionally, Selten has decorated the display caseback with an attractive and unique, custom rotor. This helps dress-up what might otherwise be a fairly standard movement. But the really winner on the Series 00.00 is the meteorite dial. You won’t find many meteorite watches for less than the Selten. That’s why we made to sure to include it on our list of best watches of 2022.
GMT Watches
Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’
Price: $10,750 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Calibre 3285 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The ‘Pepsi’ Rolex GMT-Master II sparked a craze in the industry that few other watches have ever been able to do. In fact, the model has grown a reputation for dividing up a lot of the community into camps. The watch itself is pretty standard Rolex fair - 40mm, 100m Water Resistance, Ceramic bezel. What this watch did a little different is add the brand’s instantly identifiable Jubilee bracelet onto a GMT-Master II in with the Blue and Red bezel. Ultimately, this watch became known as “The Pepsi”.
It immediately started a craze, that even other brands (one listed below) started issuing their own versions of Pepsi GMT’s just to keep up. And with the almost immediately lack of stock to meet the demand, the GMT-Master II saw massive waiting lists, causing enthusiasts to shop other Rolex models in an attempt to get their hands on the Pepsi. So, we found it only fitting that the Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ (Ref. BLRO) sits firmly at the top of our favorite GMT’s.
TUDOR BLACK BAY GMT
Price: $4,175 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Calibre MT5652; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Tudor Black Bay GMT was one of the first direct competitions to the GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ listed above. Tudor released the Black Bay GMT the year after and was met with almost unprecedented demand for the model from its customer base. In fact, I (Travis) personally attempted to pick one up, and never even got a call back from a local retailer. The watch was great, and for the most part, widely available. Now, you can walk into many Authorized Dealers and pick one of these up.
The watch is slightly bigger than the GMT Master II, measuring in at 41mm in Stainless Steel. One thing to note is the bracelet is riveted, but we find the vintage charm a plus to the watch. Tudor opted to use its famous snowflake hands with absolutely adds to the charm. Overall, if you’re looking for an alternative to the “big guy”, consider the Tudor Black Bay GMT.
OMEGA PLANET OCEAN 600M GMT
Price: $7,800 USD; Case Size: 43.5mm; Water Resistance: 600m; Movement: Calibre 8605; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Omega Planet Ocean 600M GMT is widely regarded among the “Kings of Dive Watches”. One unique feature is that while most professional dive watches carry a water resistance of 300m, Omega has doubled that and still threw in the GMT function. One thing to consider however, is that this watch is fairly large - measuring in at 43.5mm x 17.25mm on a bracelet - this is a hefty watch, though not unwearable. The watch is a true professional watch, they didn’t just test it at 600M and slap a logo on it. The watch has a helium escape at 10 o’clock and the high contrast dial makes it superbly legible in the dark and underwater. The only color on the dial is Omega’s signature (and historical for their dive lines) Orange. Overall, we feel that the Omega Planet Ocean 600M GMT rightfully deserves it’s spot on our list.
ORIS AQUIS GMT DATE
Price: $2,800 USD; Case Size: 43.5mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Sellita SW 330-1; Crystal: Sapphire
One of our favorite dive watches of all times is the Oris Aquis line, it’s no secret. And many enthusiasts don’t know that the Oris Aquis has a GMT option available, and it’s absolutely a ton of bang for the buck. The dive watch case measures in at 43.5mm, but due to the way Oris’ fantastic integrated bracelet, it wears a little bit smaller. Especially when compared to the Planet Ocean on the list with similar measurements. Additionally, the high-contrast blue sunburst dial is simply lovely and superbly legible and the bracelet is one of our favorites in the industry. Overall, if you’re looking for a more affordable tool watch that still packs as much punch as some of the bigger brands, the Oris Aquis GMT Date is a solid option.
FARER CHARLTON
Price: $1,450 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Sellita SW 330-2; Crystal: Sapphire
The Farer Charlton is one of those GMT’s that’s really just a classic GMT with a ton of vintage Nautical charm. The sunburst blue dial is split into quadrants to create what’s called a “Crosshair” dial - a staple dial on many watches during the 60’s and 70’s. When paired with the bright blues, reds, and yellows, the Charlton just oozes nautical vibes. The oversized bright red GMT hand is easy to pick out at a glance, and the silver applied indices make the watch very easy to read at night. Farer has opted to utilize a blue leather strap to give a level of comfort, but the watch is also available on a Nato strap, which would be more suited for any sort of rugged exploring the watch is designed for. Overall, the Farer is a classic alternative to a more dive-centric GMT without breaking the bank.
PARMIGIANI FLEURIER TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE
Price: $26,000 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: PF051 manufacture; Crystal: Sapphire
The Tonda Collection from Parmigiani Fleurier has gained a lot of legs in the industry. From a luxury standpoint, it’s very difficult to argue against the Tonda Collection punching well above its weight class. So naturally, the PF GMT Rattrapante is a well-deserved addition to our list. The watch and bracelet are integrated beautifully and the fluted bezel gives a solid nod to watches of the 70’s. Our favorite part of the PF GMT Rattrapante is the dial and handset. The dial is finished in Grain d'Orge, a notoriously difficult finishing, but subtle enough to be superbly legible. The high polish skeletonized handset is finished in white gold for “Local” time, and Rose Gold for “Home” time. If you’re looking for a high-luxury steel sports watch with GMT function, the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante is a solid contender.
SEIKO 5 GMT SSK001
Price: $475 USD; Case Size: 42.5mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Caliber 4R34; Crystal: Sapphire
One of the most affordable and high-quality GMT’s on the market right now is the Seiko 5 GMT SSK001. The SSK001 holds a ton of influence from one of the most beloved affordable enthusiast pieces of the modern-day - The Seiko SKX. The Seiko 5 GMTpulls the Jubilee bracelet and sunburst dial from the SKX, as well as the handset and indices, but adds an ultra-legible red GMT hand. The dial comes in a few colors, but our favorite is black. The monochromatic aesthetic really fits the entire vibe of the watch, giving a traditionally more vintage look a more contemporary look. And being that this watch only costs $475, its kind of a no-brainer for someone looking for a modern GMT.
PATEK PHILIPPE AQUANAUT TRAVEL TIME 5164A
Price: $36,400 USD; Case Size: 40.8mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Caliber 26‑330 S C FUS Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Obviously, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel time needs to make the list. It’s arguably the most notorious GMT’s on the market. The Aquanaut has been one of the absolute most sought-after steel sports watches in any modern collectors recent though, so it only feels natural to add a useful GMT complication for travelers. The Aquanaut Travel Time utilizes a skeletonized seconds hand to determine the different time zones. Two pushers allow the wearer to adjust the time zones on an hourly basis - making it easy to land, change time zones, and go about your business.
Additionally, you can set the local or home time and it’ll be indicated by an aperture on the dial view a blue window. The signature Patek Philippe date ring is at 6 o’clock. The stainless steel case measures in at a comfortable 40.8mm, but wears a little bit smaller because of the way the case is shaped and situated on the wrist. You can buy the Aquanaut Travel Time 5164A for $36,400 USD.
Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT
Price: $4,900 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: BR-CAL.325 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
If we had a category for square watches, Bell & Ross would be at the head of the class. The classic Bell & Ross design includes a traditional circular dial within a square case with screws in the four corners. To say we were pleased when the brand launched the BR 05 line, including the BR 05 GMT, in 2021 would be an understatement. The brand softened the look a little, rounding the corners and putting it on an integrated bracelet. Think of the BR 05 as Bell & Ross for someone that wants Bell & Ross heritage but in a toned down package. At $4,900 USD, the BR 05 GMT is a great option for someone who wants a Swiss watch with heritage, without breaking the bank.
Skeleton DIals
BULGARI OCTO FINISSIMO SKELETON POWER RESERVE REF. 103126
Price: $27,200 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: BVL 128SK Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.
We already featured the Bulgari Octo Finissimo as one of our favorite steel sport watches. Bulgari’s ceramic Octo Finissimo with exposed movement is also one of our favorite skeleton dial watches. The skeletonized version of the Octo Finissimo’s showcases a thin 2.35mm thick movement that displays, in addition to hours hours and minutes, small seconds between 7 and 8 o’clock and power reserve indicator near 9 o’clock. Bulgari didn’t attempt to make the dial too busy, and the empty spaces allow the dial to breathe. The Octo Finissimo Ref. 103126 is a fine attempt at a skeleton watch, especially if you like Bulgari’s retro modern design aesthetic.
AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK PERPETUAL CALENDAR OPEN-WORKED IN CERAMIC
Price: $150,000 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: AP5136; Crystal: Sapphire
Few do Skeleton Sport watches like Audemars Piguet. The Royal Oak is arguably one of the most iconic sport watches ever created, and the brand has one-upped themselves with the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Open-Worked in Ceramic. The watch, as suggested, is made entirely out of ceramic, including the bracelet. The allows the rose-gold accented dial to be the real star of the show. The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked houses the 5135 movement, and it’s simply nothing short of breathtaking. The addition of the moon-phase at 6 o’clock feels like a chefs kiss. This is hands down one of the most beautiful Skeleton dial watches on the market.
ACCUTRON ELECTROSTATIC SPACEVIEW 2020
Price: $3,450 USD; Case Size: 43.5mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Electrostatic; Crystal: Sapphire
One of the more affordable models on this list is the always lovely Accutron Electrostatic Spaceview 2020. Accutron was the “It” watch brand of the 60’s and the Spaceview collection is a wonderful tribute to that. The case and dial plate has been deconstructed down to showcase the brands signature Tuning Fork “Electrostatic” Movement. The movement utilizes a series of turbines that rotate with movement to power the watch. And, through the sapphire crystal, it’s all on full display. The Accutron Electrostatic Spaceview is a lot of watch for the money.
ZENITH DEFY CLASSIC AUTOMATIC 41MM SKELETON DIAL TITANIUM
Price: $8,350 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Caliber 670 SK; Crystal: Sapphire.
Having personally (Travis) owned a Defy El Primero, I can vouch for the fact that it’s really hard to argue with Zenith’s value proposition on their skeleton dials in Titanium. The watches are lightweight and easy to wear, and Zenith’s bracelets are top notch. The Defy Classic is a masterclass in creating a Titanium Sport Watch with a Skeleton dial while still maintaining incredible legibility and a reasonable price-point for a brand out of LVMH. The design language is modern, if not a little futuristic.
MAURICE LACROIX AIKON AUTOMATIC SKELETON 39MM
Price: $3,450 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Sellita ML115 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
When it comes to Skeletonized steel sports watches, it’s hard to argue with Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Skeleton 39mm. As we’ve said in previous reviews and articles, for the price-point, Maurice Lacroix has some of the best build qualities on the market. The Aikon Skeleton is no exception. Measuring in at 39mm, and featuring a very comfortable, and well-tapered bracelet, paired with a well decorated and finish dial - All for $3,450.
TAG HEUER CARRERA HEUER 02 SKELETON
Price: $5,900 USD; Case Size: 45mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Calibre HEUER02 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Tag Heuer isn’t necessarily known for their skeleton dial watches, but they make a great sturdy racing chronograph. The Carrera Heuer 02 Skeleton really has to be seen in person to appreciate it. The watch is fairly large at 45mm, but that only allows for more appreciation of the well-made Skeleton Chronograph. The watch features a smoky sapphire disk to darken the dial and allow the sub-dials and red hands pop against what could be a complicated dial. When it comes to racing chronographs, legibility is key and Tag Heuer has done it superbly well - So we felt, of course, it deserved it’s spot on the best skeleton watches list.
CHRISTOPHER WARD C60 CONCEPT
Price: $4,350 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Calibre SH21 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire
Not all Skeleton watches need to be exorbitantly expensive or feature unique technology. The Christopher Ward C60 Concept provides a simple, yet unique and affordable value proposition for those looking to have a tool watch and a skeleton dial. While, for all intents and purposes, a Skeleton watch isn’t exactly ideal for diving in murky water, the C60 Concept provides a nice contrast and ample lume to be able to see it underwater. It also offers a substantially high level of finishing considering this watch only comes in $4,350 USD rightfully earning it a spot on our list.
PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA SKELETON WATCH REF. 5180/1R
Price: $112,370 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Caliber 240 SQU Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Skeleton (Ref. 5180/1R) has become a bit of a notorious watch in the luxury Skeleton watch circles. Not only because Connor McGregor famously wore and posted about (almost relentlessly) the watch over a number of occasions, but because it truly unless anything brand has ever released. The very open-worked dial showcases the brand’s penchant for hand finishing, and the absolutely stunningly beautiful 240 SQU movement is literally caged in the indices themselves - Acting almost as a suspension for the movement. The elongated mesh bracelet is flanked by larger links that make the watch plenty obviously a luxury item, and to top it all off, it’s entirely made out of Rose Gold. When it comes to Skeleton Watches, this absolutely belongs among the best due to superior craftmanship.
Norqain Independence 22 Skeleton
Price: $3,990 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Calibre NN08S Automatic (Sellita SW200-1 Base); Crystal: Sapphire.
Norqain, a brand founded only 4 years ago, is definitely on the rise. Earlier in 2022, the brand announced that Jean Claude Biver, former CEO of Tag Heuer and head of LVMH’s watchmaking, would be joining the brand’s board of advisors. All we know is that the family owned brand makes some fine watches. One of our favorites is the newly released Norqain Independence 22 Skeleton. The dial is almost completely exposed, showcasing Norqain’s Sellita SW200-1-based movement. The case has a modern feel, with wings reminiscent of a Nautilus. For $3,990 USD, the Independence 22 Skeleton is a well put together timepiece from an up and coming brand.
Pilot Watches
IWC Big Pilot Ref. IW501001
Price: $13,300 USD; Case Size: 46.2mm; Water Resistance: 60m; Movement: 52110 Calibre; Crystal: Sapphire
When the IWC Big Pilot first came out, it measured in at a WHOPPING 55mm, making it almost a dinner plate on the wrist. Luckily IWC has scaled the watch down, but it’s still not called a “Big Pilot” for no reason. The case still measures in at a sizable 46.2mm x 15.6mm, so it’s not exactly easy to hide under a sleeve. The watch comes on a leather strap as it did in the 40’s, and features IWC’s signature oversized onion crown, which actually makes the watch wear a little bigger than its size suggests.
But the IWC Big Pilot is hands down among the most iconic Pilot Watches on the market. And if you’re looking for a historically relevant pilot watch, the IWC big pilot is the watch for you.
Breitling Navitimer b01
Price: $9,200 USD; Case Size: 46mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Breitling B01; Crystal: Sapphire
A close second in the Best Watches Pilot section is the Breitling Navitimer B01. Breitling and specifically the Navitimer has such a rich Aviation history that it would be impossible not to include it here. Breitling introduced the Slide Rule bezel in the 40’s, which allows the chronograph to track speeds and distances in the air. What followed was the Breitling Navitimer. Now, a more obviously modern version is in the brand’s catalogue that has a ton of different color and size options for both men and women. The brand has also created an almost dizzying about of novelty Navitimer models that fit into any wardrobe. That’s why we consider the Navitimer one of the best mens watches on the market.
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time
Price: $49,950 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 60m; Movement: Caliber 26‑330 S C FUS Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time may be one of the more nuanced Pilot watches in this category, but it very easily dominates it’s competitors in that “Mainstream” Luxury Pilot watch space. For starters, it’s Gold and comes on a brown leather strap. Not the most practical for tool watches, but firmly rooted in the more opulent Pilot Watches. The case measures in at 42mm, and comes in a number of different colored dials, but our favorite is the brown dial. It’s just a very classy look.
The second timezone is controlled by two pushers on the left side of the case - allowing the wearer to simply press the pushers when they land, and adjust the home time by an hour. It’s simple, but it’s a convenient tool for the seasoned traveler. Overall, if you’re in the market for a hardcore luxury Pilot watch, consider the Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation 38
Price: $995 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Caliber H-10 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire
The Hamilton Khaki Aviation 38 is one of the more modest watches on the best pilot watches list - both in size and in price. The watch measures in at a really wearable 38mm and features a really cool sand-blasted textured dial. Hamilton has a lot of roots in Aviation, so adding some of that design language into the Hamilton Khaki Aviation while still maintaining a modest price point is really cool. First is the oversized onion crown, designed to allow pilots to set the time or wind there watch with gloves on - a daunting task on a smaller crown.
The cathedral handset matched with the Fauxtina indices and lume harkens back to the 40’s. And lastly, the simple leather band makes the watch really comfortable and gives a nod to the Pilot watches of old. And since this watch is sub-$1000, it’s a no-brainer for one of the best pilot watches on the market.
Farer Morgan Pilot
Price: $905 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Sellita SW200-1 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire
We included the Farer Morgan Pilot on our list of favorite Pilot Watches, and for good reason. The high standard of quality of a Farer watch is very difficult to argue with in the price range. The Farer Morgan Pilot does things a little differently than most pilot watches. For starters, instead of a bezel marking the minute track, Farer puts it on the perimeter of the dial allowing for one big viewable window into the time. This allows the wearer to see the hour in the center ring, and the minutes on the outside.
Additionally, Farer utilizes a mesh bracelet that’s super flexible, and therefore very comfortable on the wrist. The contrasting blue’s provide great legibility and the red-tipped second hand is easy to pick out at a glance. Overall it’s a nice model for a sub-$1000 pilot watch.
Oris ProPilot X
Price: $4,300 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Calibre 400 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Watches and Wonders 2022 brought a lot of new novelties, but among our favorites was the Oris ProPilot X, a new dive watch from the Holstein-based brand. There is a lot to like about the ProPilot X, including a bracelet (and buckle) reminiscent of an airplane, very legible dial, and in-house movement with a 5-day power reserve. The watch is under 40mm at 39mm, so it’s a more reasonably sized option in a sea (or air) of large pilot watches. To cap it off, the watch is a very affordable $4,300 USD. You are getting a lot of bang for your buck with the ProPilot X. You can read our in-depth review of the ProPilot X for more of our thoughts.
Longines Spirit
Price: $3,050 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Caliber L888.4 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Another great pilot watch option for someone looking in the affordable luxury category (around $3,000 to $5,000 USD) is the Longines Spirit. The Spirit is another newcomer to the Pilot watch scene, having been released in 2020. Since then it has become one of the brand’s most popular models. And we can see why. It’s a nice watch that doesn’t try to do too much. In addition to being a worthy pilot watch, the Spirit could easily fit in the steel sport watch category. We particularly love the black dial with gold detailing, giving the Spirit just a bit of a vintage vibe. Indeed, the Spirit is a versatile watch that would be a great addition to any collection of men ‘s watches. At just over $3,000 USD, it is also very well priced.
Bremont MBII
Price: $5,595 USD; Case Size: 43mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Calibre 11 1/2” BE-36AE Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
In our 30 Best Pilot Watches Buying Guide we featured the Bremont MBI. The MBI is a special watch, bespoke and reserved only for Martin-Baker ejectees, i.e pilots who have ejected from their plane using a Martin-Baker ejection seat. Well, if you aren’t a member of that exclusive club have no fear. You can pick up the Bremont MBII. The MBII features the same design as the MBI but without the red barrel that is only available on the MBI. The MBII is available in a variety of colors, including a very nice Savannah tan brushed titanium case and dial. You can pick up an MBII directly from Bremont for between $4,995 USD and $5,595 USD
Alpina Startimer
Price: $1,195 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Caliber AL-525 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire
Alpina often doesn’t get enough credit when it comes to their Pilot watch offerings, and the Startimer is a prime example of that. The Startimer is a fantastic option for those looking for an automatic Pilot watch with great build quality and some vintage charm. The Startimer measures in at 41mm in stainless steel and provides a high level of vintage aesthetics that we find simply fantastic. For starters, you’ll notice a hollowed-out triangle at 12 o’clock flanked by “aged” indices that we in the industry like to call “Fauxtina” or fake patina. The handsets are thick and lume-filled allowing the time to pop against the high-contrast black dial. Overall, it’s a solid pilot watch for the money.
Chronographs
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500
Price: $14,550; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Rolex Caliber 4130 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Rolex Daytona, nicknamed for the racetrack of the same name, was released in 1963. While the Daytona is offered in multiple models and multiple materials (including precious metals), it is the stainless steel models that have been the most popular (and iconic) through the years. From Paul Newman to John Mayer, the biggest celebrity watch collectors have worn the Daytona (and Newman and Mayer even have Daytonas nicknamed after them). The Daytona remains one of the most recognizable chronographs and Rolexes.
Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph Moonwatch
Price: $6,400 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Calibre 3861; Crystal: Hesalite
The obvious second spot on the list is the Omega Speedmaster. The watch rose to fame as being the first watch on the moon. And while there are a truly dizzying array of different Speedmaster options, the most natural watch when dipping your toes into the Speedy pool is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer. In fact, I (Travis) own this exact watch, and absolutely love it - There truly are few chronographs as iconic.
The case measures in at an extremely wearable 42mm, but wears slightly smaller due to the sharp twisting taper of the lugs. The integrated bracelet is truly one of the most comfortable in the industry, and the iconic high contract black dial with recessed sub-registers is nothing short of dazzling. One of the more divisive features of the watch, and one I personally adore, is that instead of a Sapphire crystal, the watch uses Hesalite - a hard plastic / resin that allows the wearer to buff out scratches. This is true to the original and one we find quite charming. Overall, the Speedmaster is one of the most recognizable watches on the market, and well deserving of the second slot.
Tag Heuer Monaco
Price: $6,750 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Calibre HEUER02 ; Crystal: Sapphire
There truly is no more iconic square watch than the Tag Heuer Monaco. The racing chronograph was first designed and manufactured in the 60’s, but was made iconic by Steve McQueen. The watch has been prominently featured in the Le Mans race, and even made Forbes list of top watches.
The watch is easily identified by it’s square case shape. And unlike other square cases, the Monaco has softer finished edges, so it feels more ergonomic than other brands with similar offerings. Also, the crown is on the left, while the chronograph pushers are on the right - specifically designed for easy of use for drivers. There are many iterations of the Monaco, but our favorite is hands-down the blue.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Day-Date
Price: $2,200 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Calibre J880.2 Automatic (ETA 7750 base); Crystal: Sapphire.
Founded in 1861, the German brand Junghans is known for its minimalistic design. Indeed, Max Bill, a Swiss designer, engineer and Junghans watch designer, was an influential in the Bauhaus movement. The Max Bill Chronoscope pays tribute to the watches designed by Max Bill and represent that minimalistic German design aesthetic. One of our favorite parts of the watch is the domed crystal. This adds that vintage contemporary element you do not find on many watches.
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ref. IW371604
Price: $8,400 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Calibre 69355 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
IWC may be best known for their pilot’s watches, but the Portugieser is one of their most well-known timepieces. The first Portugieser, Ref. 325, was released all the way back in 1939 and many of the design elements remain today. The Portugieser Chronograph features a somewhat unique dual subdial chronograph with the subdials at 12 and 6 o’clock (typically you would see the subdials at 3 and 6). Unlike many chronographs on this list, the Portugieser gives off a clearly classic design, in contrast to the sporty designs of other chronos like the Daytona or Monaco. For that reason, we felt that the Portugieser was a worthy entry to the 110 best mens watches.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Flyback Chronograph Ref. 5980/1R
Price: $105,270 USD; Case Size: 40.5mm; Water Resistance: 120m; Movement: Caliber CH 28-520 C Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
It would be impossible to create a list of the best chronograph watches without including the Patek Philippe Nautilus Flyback Chrono. Patek Philippe decided to use a unique single subdial chronograph configuration (at 6 o’clock). Instead of the two or even three subdials of normal chronographs, the inner portion of the subdial tracks hours, while the outer portion of the same subdial tracks minutes (in 30 minute increments). This single subdial approach allows the dial to breathe, and in the case of the rose gold Ref. 5980/1R really showcases the black gradient dial. While there are multiple iterations of the Nautilus chronograph, the rose gold variation is our favorite. But it won’t come cheap. The watch retails for just over $100,000 USD, if you can even get it at retail.
Zenith Chronomaster Sport El Primero
Price: $11,00 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: El Primero 3600 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
In 1969, over 50 years ago, Zenith released the El Primero chronograph. In a race against Seiko, Zenith managed to release the first ever automatic chronograph movement. The El Primero (meaning “the first”) movement was so groundbreaking, that many other brands used the El Primero movement to power their watches. This includes the Rolex Daytona, which used a Zenith movement based on the El Primero, from 1988 until 2000.
This history is one of the main reasons we included the Zenith Chronomaster Sport El Primero on our list of top watches. But, the Chronomaster Sport is also a very handsome watch. There is a little pop of color with the tri-tone overlapping subdials. Additionally, the white dial and ceramic bezel gives us major Daytona vibes. But we guess that makes sense, given the close relationship between Zenith and Rolex over the years.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph “50th Anniversary”
Price: $33,800 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Calibre 4401 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
As you can probably tell by now, we love the Royal Oak. We love it enough to include multiple different models on this list of best watches for men. One of our favorite Royal Oaks is the chronograph, particularly the new green dial model released for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak’s initial release. The AP calibre 4401 movement, which was initially introduced in 2019 in the Code 11:59, powers the Royal Oak chrono. This powerhouse movement is a definite upgrade to previous iterations, it includes a flyback mechanism, and is just little “prettier” to look at in through the display caseback. In addition to khaki green, the Royal Oak Chronograph is available with Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 (blue), black and silvery white dials. If it were our decision, we’d pick the khaki green (though there is no wrong choice.
Breitling Premier B09 Chronograph 40
Price: $8,600 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Breitling B09 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
If you’re looking for a chronograph with that old-school style, look no further than the Breitling Premier Heritage B09 Chronograph. Released in 2021, Breitling went back to its origins with the simple recessed dual-register dial. The lack of bezel and domed crystal furthers the vintage feel of this timepiece. And our favorite part of the watch? That would have to be the “pistachio” green dial, as Breitling aptly calls it. While the color might not be fore everyone, we have to say it looks even better in person than in Breitling’s product photos. Overall, the Premier B09 Chronograph sets itself apart from Breitling’s other options with a toned down design aesthetic, a welcome addition to Breitling’s lineup of numerous chronographs.
Dress Watches
Rolex Cellini Moonphase
Price: $26,750 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Calibre 3195 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
When it comes to Rolex and their dress watches, there are plenty of options from the Date-Just to the Day-Date. A lesser known dress watch in Rolex’s catalogue is the Cellini Moonphase. It actually features a lot of firsts-and-onlys for the brand.
For starters, it’s the only Rolex that comes in leather. It’s the only Rolex with a Moonphase. It’s the only Rolex with an onion crown. And it’s the only Rolex with a sapphire caseback to display the movement. To kick off the list, the Rolex Cellini is hands down the top contender of our favorite dress watches. And famously, former President Obama wore a Cellini for his White House Portrait (though not model with moonphase)
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5227J-001
Price: $39,030 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Caliber 324 S C Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Of course, we need to include the Patek Philippe Calatrava. The Calatrava is arguably the most iconic luxury dress watch on the market. The watch comes in precious metal, with a clean dial and an open case-back. Naturally, it comes on leather and we would consider Patek Philippe some of the highest quality leather straps in the luxury market. It’s truly a classic, and whole much of the price is brand recognition, it’s hard to argue that the Calatrava isn’t the king of dress watches.
Cartier Tank Louis Cartier Large
Price: $12,800 USD; Case Size: 25.5mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Caliber 1917MC Manual Wind; Crystal: Mineral.
The Cartier Tank Louis is among the most instantly recognizable classic dress watches. The tank is obviously in a unique case shape, being rectangular in nature with an extended crown. The Louis Cartier “Large” measures in at a modest 25.5mm, which sounds really small (and it is definitely a bit smaller) but because of the case shape, wears a little bigger on the wrist. The textured dial and Cartier signature Roman Numeral indices are explicitly Cartier, and a watch with its own identity is something that we at Wrist Enthusiast appreciate so much. When it comes to the best dress watches, the Cartier Tank Louis ‘Large’ is rightfully seated at the top.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB46
Price: $495 USD; Case Size: 40.5mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Caliber 4R35 Automatic; Crystal: Scratch-Resistant Hardlex.
There are plenty of Seiko’s that can fit in any one, or all of the categories on this best watch list. However, we felt that the Presage was one of the better watch offerings from the brand. It’s available in a wide range of colors and leather and fits the specs for a dress watch perfectly. It’s automatic, thin, very legible, and comes with a unique textured sunburst dial. It’s also coated in rose gold with an oversized crown. Our personal favorite is the classic brown dial. Overall, when it comes to an affordable options in the dress watch space, the Seiko Presage is hard to beat.
Frederique Constant Classics Index
Price: $1,295 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Caliber FC-303 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Frederique Constant is one of those brands that always fits nicely in the mid-range selection of what you’re typically shopping for. We love the brand and it’s positioning, particularly in the dress watch space because Frederique Constant makes very high-quality watches for a reasonable amount of money. We consider the Classics Index a well-finished, well-decorated, and greatly positioned alternative to something like the Calatrava in style, but in a much more affordable price point.
The Classics Index comes housed in a 40mm rose gold coated case with an automatic movement and a sapphire crystal. Its sword-hands and applied indices are lume filled - a cool bonus not often found in dress watches. All for less than $1,500? We’ll take it.
Orient Bambino
Price: $150 USD; Case Size: 40.5mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Caliber F6722 Automatic; Crystal: Mineral.
One of our absolute favorite affordable dress watches is the Orient Bambino. Travis has owned a number of Bambino’s, and they’ve become quite the shape of his dress collection. Because of the unique dial configurations and solid build quality, it’s difficult to argue the value proposition the Bambino provides. It’s a solid and modestly sized Stainless Steel case, it features an automatic movement with 40 hours of power reserve, it’s remarkably thing with a domed crystal, and prices (typically) under $300. And even better, they’re available all over the place, including Amazon if you wanted one quickly. As an added bonus, the leather watch straps are actually fairly high quality, something that isn’t always the case with more affordable dress offerings. Overall, while the Bambino is among the cheapest watches on our best watches list, it’s a strong contender for someone needing a dress watch to match their formal clothing on a budget.
Omega De Ville Trésor
Price: $14,100 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Calibre 8511 Manual Wind; Crystal: Mineral.
Omega’s key dress watch offerings are housed in the De Ville Collection of their catalogue. There are many pieces under the De Ville umbrella, but our favorite is the Tresor - Even among the Tresor, there are numerous options. The most classic, we’ve found is the Tresor in Omega’s signature Sedna Gold. The watch looks and feels like a traditional classic Seamaster from the 40’s. It’s dial is textured in a ‘Clous d’ Paris’ texture and simple stick indices are used as indicators. The simple thin baton style hand-set pops against the textured dial, and the date window at 6 o’ clock is non-invasive and looks great. Obviously, the watch comes on leather. Overall, Omega makes a fine dress watch.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface
Price: $11,400 USD; Case Size: 28.3mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Calibre 854A Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.
Unlike the Cartier Tank Louis, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso does actually wear on the larger side for a rectangular watch. The Reverso was created for polo players and the watch allows you to slide the module out and flip it over for protection during matches. There are many reverses to choose from, but one of our favorite models is the Tribute DuoFace. Instead of having a protected side, this watch is unique in the sense that the movement operates two separate dials - one on the flip side, and one on the main side. Not dials feature a small-second complication and two different dial colors. Giving the Reverso DuoFace an almost double-bang for the buck.
H. Moser & Cie Endeavor Centre Seconds
Price: $24,200 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Calibre HMC 200 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
H. Moser & Cie is arguably known for its fume dials - a finishing that gives a sunburst pattern but without obvious breaks in finishing. This presents the dial with an almost shadowy or ‘Smoked’ look. Which is perfect for a dress watch. And wouldn’t-you-know, Moser offers a signature dress watch line with the Endeavor Centre Seconds.
This minimalistic dress watch offers its wearer two of the things Moser does exceptionally well. Obviously, the Fume dial is showcased with highly polished white gold hands to pop against a dial without any indices. Flipping the watch over shows off Moser’s penchant for movement finishing. Because the watch offers the best of both worlds when it comes to finishing, and because H. Moser is one of the best in the business when it comes to finishing, we get it deserved its spot on the list.
Field Watches
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 42mm
Price: $625 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Caliber H-50 Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.
Field watches were first designed for the Military in WWII, and one of the most iconic (if not the most Iconic) field watch on the market is the Hamilton Field Khaki. This utilitarian watch features a 42mm stainless steel case, and in the most traditional sense, makes everything a field watch is supposed to have accessible. For starters, the high contrast dial is often mistaken for a pilot watch, however it’s configuration roots it firmly in the Field watch category. There is first, both a 12-hour indice ring and a 24-hour indice ring. The watch features twelve colorful and contrasting markers, as well as colorful lume-filled hands. And as is tradition with the best field watches, the Hamilton field Khaki comes on a fabric NATO strap - This was used to prevent the watch from falling off in battle. Hamilton has historically made some of the best field watches on the market, and it’s an even bigger bonus that it’s fairly affordable at less than $700.
Carpenter M23 Brooklyn Field
Price: $468.75 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Miyota 821A Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Carpenter Watches is a really cool brand that’s based here in the United States. They make some really cool watches inspired by designer Neil Carpenter’s family’s collection of Pocket Watches. This is apparent all throughout the M23 Brooklyn Field. From the wire lugs through to the extended thin indices, the M23 Brooklyn has field pocket watch written all over it (and a personal style we really like). And being that it’s in a relatively affordable price bracket only increases the value proposition for us. We definitely felt that it needed to have it’s place on the list of best field watches.
Omega Railmaster
Price: $6,800 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 60m; Movement: Calibre 8806 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The distant cousin to the Omega Speedmaster, is a lesser-known model from the brand’s catalog - The Omega Railmaster. Specifically, we love the Railmaster ‘1957’ a modern revamp of a vintage model. The Railmaster technically sits in the Seamaster collection, though firmly rooted in it’s field watch history. The watch measures in at a modest 38mm and comes on Omega’s signature flat link bracelet. The dial is textured, and features high contrast “Fauxtina” indices. One of the cool things about the watch, is that it utilizes the brand’s Broad Arrow handset. This is a staple in a lot of Omeg’’s vintage tool watches so it’s cool to see it come back in the Railmaster.
Weiss Standard Issue Field Watch
Price: $2,000 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Weiss 1005 Manual Wind (ETA 7001Base); Crystal: Sapphire.
You don’t have to look far to find credibility behind Weiss watches. I don’t think I’ve ever found a negative review, especially for their Standard Issue Field Watch. Cameron Weiss has created a really modern field watch with contemporary features, but still nodding to those vintage field watches the Standard Issue is inspired by. The watch measures in at 38mm in stainless steel and features a high polish and high contrast black dial with white indices and a small seconds complication. The oversized crown makes winding the hand-wound movement easy in the Field (heh), and the textile strap fits the watch nicely. Overall, for $2,000 it’s hard to beat the Weiss Standard Issue Field Watch.
Panerai Radiomir California PAM00931
Price: $9,200 USD; Case Size: 47mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Calibre P.3000 Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.
One of the more different field watches on our list is the Panerai Radiomir California. If you’re familiar with Panerai and it’s oversized nature and case shape, you’ll know that Panerai is in a great position for making field watches. The PAM00931 is no exclusion. The watch measures in at 47mm, but because of the shape, it wears a little bigger - making this thing an absolute unit on the wrist - and very practical in the field. The wire lugs are fastened with a unique aged leather strap.
The dial is where the watch gets its name. The top is roman numerals, and the bottom is arabic numerals - This is called a “California” dial. The blued hands against the tan fume dial pop superbly well and make the dial really easy to read. If you’re not afraid of a little heft on the wrist and have the budget, the Panerai Radiomir California (PAM00931) may be for you.
Timex Expedition Scout
Price: $41.49 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Quartz; Crystal: Mineral.
I think that the Timex Expedition Scout may be the cheapest and most accessible watch on our list. In fact, I’m fairly certain you can go to your local Wal-Mart and pick one up. Normally, that would sound like a bad thing, but the Timex Expedition has a fairly rich history in the Field Watch space, and rightfully deserves its spot on the list. For starters, the case measures in at 40mm and has a really cool brushed finishing, and still carries 50 meters of water resistance.
The hands are lume filled, and the dial features the brand’s “Indiglo” technology - So pressing the crown literally lights up the dial - Making it easy to see in the dark. While it does utilize a battery powered quartz movement, the watch is rugged and will last forever, and even if it doesn’t… It was less than $50. For a brand that might be better known to some for their digital watches, this is a great option.
Formex Field Automatic
Price: $820 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 150m; Movement: Sellita SW200-1 Automatic; Crystal: Mineral.
One of the more unique Field watches on our list is from a lesser-known micro brand called Formex - The Field Automatic. For starters, the watch utilizes grade 2 Titanium with a “Charcoal” treatment. This gives the watch a unique feel and look with a matte grey color. The other benefit is that the watch comes in many colors and options. The nylon strap can be interchanged to match or contrast with a selection of leathers, textiles, and nylons, another cool feature. The sandwich dial is very legible and lume-filled for easy viewing in the dark. Overall, the Formex FIeld Automatic is simply a fun option for those looking for a solid Field Watch at a decent price.
Timor Heritage Field WWW
Price: $917 USD; Case Size: 36.5mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Manual Wind (Sellita SW260) or Automatic (SW216); Crystal: Sapphire.
During World War II, the British turned 12 manufacturers and tasked to make a standard issue watch that could withstand military action. Those 12 manufacturers became known as the “Dirty Dozen” in the industry. Timor was one of those manufactures and made one of the most iconic field watches on the market - And even had the opportunity to test it during the most rugged of situations - War.
The watch case measures in at 36.5mm, which some might find small, but we find it to be a nice sweet spot for a Field watch. It comes on a standard issue NATO strap, which is very comfortable. The watch really is an all-around great option for the money. So here at Wrist Enthusiast, we absolutely wanted to include the Timor Heritage Field WWW on our list of best field watches.
Lang 1943 Edition One
Price: $3,700 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Caliber L43.1 (Vintage Marvin Caliber 700 Base); Crystal: Sapphire.
Gerd-Rüdiger Lang used to run a little-known independant called “Chronoswiss”. The brand went through a little change of identy and Gerd moved along to start Lang - a unique take on the classic field watch. The Lang 1943 boasts an interesting set of features that may actually surprise some readers. For starters, the oversized “small seconds” isn’t often found on field watches - Same for the sandblasted Fume dial. The indices are legible and lume willed, and the pointer handset is easy to pick out at a glance.
However, the most interesting thing about the Lang 1943 Edition One is what’s inside it - Instead of an off-the-shelf movement, Gerd has opted to include a vintage Marvin movement inside the Lang One that has been refurbished, decorated, and brought to modern specs. It definitely makes the watch stand out, and a large reason why we included it on our list of best field watches.
Microbrand Watches
Brew Watches Metric
Price: $395 USD; Case Size: 36mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: VK68 Mecha-Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
What better watch to kick off the Micro-brand section of best watches than the Brew Metric. The coffee-inspired Brew Watches has been pumping out some of the coolest designs we’ve seen in a while, but probably our favorite is the Metric - a lovely retro-modern addition to the brands catalogue. We love that there is really no dial text save for the brand’s coffee bean logo. It has one of the cooler integrated bracelets we’ve seen, and the colors are simply lovely. Despite it’s square-ish shape, the watch measures in at 36mm and wears slightly larger - but not too large. It’s powered by a Seiko Mecha-Quartz movement, so you get the accuracy of quartz, but it feels mechanical when you acuate the chronograph. Overall, the Metric is a perfect addition for Brew, and comes in at a very modest $395 USD.
Laventure Marine II
Price: $4,200 USD; Case Size: 40.5mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Sellita SW200-1; Crystal: Sapphire.
Laventure, founded in 2017, is a relative newcomer to the Swiss watchmaking scene. But in the time they’ve been producing watches, they have created a cult following built on extremely limited production numbers and aesthetically appealing watches. Our favorite has to be the Laventure Marine. The Marine’s (and Marine II’s) case takes A LOT of inspiration from the Patek Philippe Nautilus, but we’re not complaining. The true star of the Marine II is the dial. Laventure decided to create a sandwich dial where the top layer is made of solid 18K gold. We’re not sure we have seen this done, even on extremely high-end watches. Some may say the $4,200 USD price-point is high (especially for what may be a Nautilus homage), but the watch was a limited edition of just 99 pieces and sold out quickly. The secondary market prices of close to $9,000 USD definitely seems to support the retail price-point.
Monta Triumph
Price: $1,700 USD; Case Size: 38.5mm; Water Resistance: 150m; Movement: Monta Caliber M-22 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Monta Triumph is a watch that we could have easily placed in the steel sport watch category. We love the fact that a microbrand is producing such a high quality and sleek Swiss made steel sport watch. All the personal details work well together. The grey sunburst dial provides just enough contrast with the steel case and bracelet. Additional detailing, like the polished edges of the lugs shows a brand that is paying attention to the small details. At $1,700 USD, the Triumph is a great piece for someone that wants a well made, Swiss steel sport watch without breaking the bank.
Halios Fairwind
Price: $775 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Sellita SW200-1 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Everyone that knows Halios knows how hard it is to get their releases at launch. They sell out almost immediately. Perhaps that’s because such watches as the Fairwind hit all of the design aspects we like to see in a dive watch. From the applied indices, to the deep blue dial, we can’t find anything with the Fairwind. We also like that the watches is under 40mm (39mm) so it really is an option for anyone. Finally, at $775 USD, Halios is providing a lot of watch for the money.
Lorier Neptune
Price: $499 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Miyota 90S5 Automatic; Crystal: Hesalite.
The vintage charm on the Lorier Neptun diver is strong. And that’s why we love it so much. Similar to Halios Fairwind, the Neptune comes in at a slimmed down 39mm. The Neptune, however, lays heavy into its heritage, paying homage to the likes of Rolex Submariner Big Crown Ref. 6538 from the 1950s. The watch is powered by a reliable Miyota 90S5 automatic movement, which helps keep the price under $500 USD.
Traska Freediver
Price: $600 USD; Case Size: 40.5mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Miyota 9039/9019 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Tiffany blue dial watches are all the rage these days. Well, baby blue and greenish blue (or is that bluish green) watches are all the rage these days. That’s because Tiffany & Co. actually have a copyright on the exact Pantone that is Tiffany Blue, prohibiting anyone else from using the color. That hasn’t stopped brands from trying to capitalize on the fad, and produce watches with dials that are pretty darn close. If you’re itching for something kinda close without spending $6 million USD on a watch, check out the Traska Freediver. At $600 USD, the Freediver is a handsome dive watch with a stunning mint green dial sure to satiate your Tiffany Blue cravings.
Baltic Tricompax Baltic X Peter Auto
Price: €1,975 Euro (about $1,975 USD); Case Size: 39.5mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Sellita SW510-M Manual Wind; Crystal: Sapphire.
Baltic Watches has made a name for itself in recent years with some beautiful, yet accessible, vintage Inspired timepieces. Well, the Baltic Tricompax Baltic X Peter Auto is a little less accessible than the brand’s other models (which tend to be priced well under $1,000 USD), but we love it nonetheless. The Tricompax Baltic X Peter Auto was designed in collaboration with Peter Auto, which is responsible for organizing and promoting historic car races including the Spa Classic, the Grand Prix De L’age D’or, Le Mans Classic. The watch is clearly racing inspired. Its design borrows heavily from the vintage Newman Rolex Daytonas so popular in the collectors community. The fact that the watch is powered by a manual wind movement only adds to its charm. The Tricompax Baltic X Peter Auto is pricey for a Baltic watch, at $1,975 USD. It is limited to just 300 pieces and comes with two stopwatches as part of the package.
Nodus Sector Dive
Price: $500 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Seiko TMI NH38 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Nodus Sector Dive watches is unique because it features a number of different elements that all meld together to make a dive watch that isn’t something you’ve seen before. The watch is said to be designed as a “Skin” diver - Which is a watch for divers who don’t use a breathing apparatus - Free Divers. This is hallmarked by a smaller case size, larger crown, and bracelet. In the case of the Sector diver, the watch features all of that with a black treated steel bezel to seperate the lighter case from the mint great dial - enhancing legibility underwater. Additionally, the watch comes on Nodus’ signature 7-link rice-bead bracelet, and speaking from experience with Nodus, it’s a superbly comfortable fit. It’s hard to argue with all those features at only $500.
anOrdain Model 1 Fumé
Price: $2,500 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Choice of Sellita SW210, Sellita SW200 or La Joux-Perret G100; Crystal: Sapphire.
Anordain has made a number of waves in the industry since launching their Model 1 right before Covid. The field watch aesthetic can often feel tired and that can feel boring at times but Anordain has breathed life into their models by way of fascinating dial finishings. Our favorite is the Model 1 Fume. While the exact process of creating the Fume dials is a trade secret, there’s no doubt that there is nothing like them on the market - especially in this price point. Another interesting way of selling the Model 1 Fume is the selection of movements. You can choose between a SW210, an SW200, or a La Loux-G100 - though at this time the brand doesn’t offer sapphire casebacks to view the movement. Regardless, Anordain dials are literal works of art that you can get for a modest price.
Tourbillons
Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon
Price: $305,000 USD; Case Size: 50mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: JCO CAM10; Crystal: Sapphire.
One of our all-time favorite watch models here at Wrist Enthusiast is the Astronomia from Jacob & Co. The model has a dizzying amount of models that fit into any number of themes - From outer space to halloween. The Astronomia is one of the most technically innovative watches on the market. Essentially, the time, as well as each component is built out on an arm that extends from the center of the dial. So this allows the brand to swap out different mechanics as well as add some really cool features.
And since this is the tourbillon section, the coolest feature is that the Tourbillon spins on an axis, which means not only does the Tourbillon spin regularly, I rotates in a 360. It’s truly one of the most visually tasteful watches on the market and is definitely worth looking into if you’re interested in a unique Tourbillon watch.
ArtyA Purity Tourbillon
Price: 120,000 CHF (around $120,000 USD; Case Size: 46mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Skeletonized Manual Wind Tourbillon; Crystal: Sapphire.
Artya has always been known for its more artistic designs (I mean Art is in the name) but one of our absolutely favorites is the Artya Purity. Unlike many of the other models, Artya has encased its massive 17 Tourbillon in a sapphire case to allow the wearer to truly appreciate the technical ingenuity in the watch. The Tourbillon his flanked by a double barrel power reserve of 70-hours. Other than that, the movement is caged in a curved bridge while the rest of the watch is completely transparent - Definitely earning a spot on our list.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpétuel
Price: 800,000 Euro (around $800,000 USD); Case Size: 43mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual Wind Tourbillon; Crystal: Sapphire.
Jaeger-LeCoultre has long been known for ultra complicated watches, but none-so-shines like the ultra wearable Westminster Perpetual. For starters, the size of the Watch packs a lot of punch for the sheer amount of complications the Watch features on the dial side. For starters, obviously the time shines at the top of the dial, flanked by the gongs of the minute repeater (yes, a minute repeater), followed by the Tourbillon at the bottom of the dial.
And not just any Tourbillon or minute repeater. The crystal gongs are “programmed” to chime the famous Westminister Carillon - the famous chime of Big Ben in London. On top of that, the gyro-Tourbillon is the fifth in JLC’s collection and one of the most prominent and superbly finished Tourbillon the brand has produced - all in a 43mm case. It’s a no-brainer to include this watch on our favorite Tourbillon watches.
Richard Mille RM 52-05 Manual Winding Tourbillon Pharrell Williams
Price: $969,000 USD; Case Size: 42.35mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Calibre RM52-05 Manual Wind Tourbillon; Crystal: Sapphire.
Pharrell has long had a fascination with the cosmos, even so much as siting Star Trek on his record label. Also, a notable Richard Mille collector, the collaboration simply made sense. The Richard Mille RM 52-05 is truly an absolutely bonkers watch that we find perfectly fitting for the Tourbillon list.
First, the case is made out of a Titanium and Ceramic alloy they call “Cermet”, and it’s superbly light. Which is important on a watch this size. The dial side features a motif of an astronaut with a tourbillon peaking out from under the visor. Additionally, the baseplate of the movement is adorned with Aventurine glass to give the look of stars, while maintaining an almost void-like darkness around them. The gold visor has been enameled and hand painted to provide the other-worldly scene. Additionally, a lot of people miss the cameras on the side of the helmet feature 4 diamonds and 2 black sapphires to mimic lenses. Overall the watch has a ton of special care and attention go into it’s creation, and the result is truly a masterpiece of sci-fi nature - And we absolutely love it.
Aventi A-10 Tourbillon
Price: $2,400 USD; Case Size: 48.5mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: PTS Resources Hong Kong Caliber 3450 Manual Wind Tourbillon; Crystal: Sapphire.
If you’re looking for an affordable Tourbillon, look no further than the Aventi A-10 Tourbillon. While the watch itself is such a beast at 48.5mm in a wide case, it’s clear to see Aventi has a penchant for finishing watches in a segment that mostly isn’t any kind of affordable. And it’s clear that Aventi includes an actual Tourbillon instead of moving the escapement and balance over and calling it a Tourbillon. The Aventi A-10 comes in a variety of colors and configurations, however the plain black is our favorite (and looks great on the custom silicone strap. It has it’s own DNA, doesn’t look like any other watch we’ve seen, and at less than $2,500 for a true Tourbillon, we definitely added it to the list. If you some more in-depth information about the Aventi A-10 Tourbillon, check out our review.
Zeroo T4 The Archer Tourbillon
Price: $2,447 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Chinese Manual Wind Tourbillon; Crystal: Sapphire.
A close second in the “affordable” Tourbillon segment is the Zeroo T4 The Archer Tourbillon. We do see a lot of people complain that it’s a Richard Mille copy, which we staunchly don’t agree with. Zeroo has created a true Tourbillon in a Tourneau case, which isn’t exactly strictly for Richard Mille. In this case, the 41mm case is black PVD coated with the Tourbillon at 9 o’ clock. Even with the skeletonized movement, the watch is superbly legible and comes on a cool Rubber strap. Overall, it’s not a bad value proposition for a handsome Tourbillon.
Vianney Halter Deep Space Resonance
Price: $972,000 USD; Case Size: 46mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Triple-Axis Central Tourbillon; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Vianney Halter Deep Space Resonance is really a technical work of art. The 46mm case features a massively domed crystal to display the triple-axis Tourbillon at the center of the dial. The not only allows for the Tourbillon to function as a normal Tourbillon, but it actually spins inside the dial. Hence, the oversized dome crystal. It’s not just a technical marvel, it’s an aesthetic work of art.
To tell the time, a pointer hour at 12 o’ Clock is flanked underneath by a minute disk below. This truly showcases the Tourbillon and it why we love it.
A. lange & Söhne Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour le Mérite”
Price: $510,000 USD; Case Size: 39.5mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Manual Wind Tourbillon; Crystal: Sapphire.
When it comes to movements, art, and complications in a watch, most hardcore enthusiasts will think straight to A. Lange & Sohne - And for good reason. We at Wrist Enthusiast find the A. Lange & Sohne Tourbograph Perpetual “Pour Le Merite” a modern horological marvel. The Tourbograph packs a ton of features into it’s 39.5mm case. First, a fusée-and-chain transmission with a tourbillon - No easy feat, and highly technical. Next, a chronograph and Rattrapante, then finally a Perpetual Calendar. On top of that, Lange simply has some of the best finishing and decoration in the industry. The Tourbograph Perpetual is both a timepiece and a work of art.
Under $300 USD
Swatch SISTEM THROUGH AGAIN
Price: $225 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Swatch Sistem Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
There is no secret that the Swatch Sistem 51 absolutely dominates the best affordable watches segment. The iconic design language paired with the affordability and wide access is a perfect combination for the budget-conscious enthusiast. One of our absolute favorites is the Swatch Sistem Through Again. The 42mm stainless steel watch is set apart from other Sistem 51’s in that it’s actually stainless steel and not the typical plastic-y material of the traditional models. Additionally, the watch features a cool silver skeletonized dial to show off the iconic Swatch Sistem movement. And with a price tag of only $225 USD, it’s simply a great watch for the money.
Ratio Skysurfer
Price: $185 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Seiko NH38A Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
One of the more interesting Affordables we’ve come across in recent weeks is the Ratio Skysurfer. It’s hard to argue with the value proposition being offered by Ratio. The skysurfer is a solid field watch, with a solid leather strap and an automatic movement. The stainless steel watch features a high-contrast blue sunburst dial. The white contrasting dial is lume filled and easy to read. One of the biggest draws for the Ratio Skysurfer is that it comes standard with 200m of water resistance - Which is incredibly rare in a field watch, and even more rare in this price point. You can expect a full review in the coming weeks, but we found the Ratio Skysurfer to be one of our favorite affordable watches in this list.
Seiko 5 Sports SRPD51
Price: $275 USD; Case Size: 42.5mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Caliber 4R36 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Most any Watch Enthusiast will think of a Seiko when they hear “Best Affordable Dive Watches”. Everyone on the Wrist Enthusiast team owns, or has owned a Seiko diver at some point in their collecting life-cycle. The solid stainless steel case with automatic movement, and a ridiculously comfortable bracelet for under $300 is just a fantastic offering. The SKX kicked off many of our watch collections, so seeing Seiko still continuously really sport watches in various colorways, styles, and sizes allows a lot of new Enthusiasts to enter the market with a solid watch without breaking the bank. Plus the navy blue dial and bezel is a real winner.
Swatch x Omega Speedmaster MoonSwatch
Price: $260 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: ETA G10.212 Quartz; Crystal: Hesalite.
The Swatch x Omega Speedmaster MoonSwatch really needs no introduction but we would be remiss to exclude it from our favorite affordable watches. It’s a no brainer, an Omega branded watch with great Speedmaster vibes for $260. Is it basically plastic? Yes. Is it a quartz movement? Of course. But despite the arguably disastrous launch, the MoonSwatch has become wildly popular, and even selling for many many multiples on sites like StockX. There are 11 models in various colors with various inspirations (Including the Alaska project). If you can get your hands on one, it’s really a no-brainer to pick up one the MoonSwatches from Swatch retail locations. Make sure to check out our rankings of all the MoonSwatches and our hands-on review of the Mission to Mars.
Timex M79
Price: $299 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Miyota 8205 Automatic; Crystal: Acrylic.
We remember when the Timex Q series was relaunched, it breathed a ton of new life into Timex from the enthusiast community. Myself (Travis), has owned half a dozen of the Q series over time. So the Q paved the way for Timex to start relaunching some of the older and lesser known models from the brand’s past. One of those is the Timex M79. Featuring a Miyota Automatic movement in a 40mm Stainless Steel case with a rotational bezel is hard to argue with. The watch simply looks really good and is one of the least expensive automatic watches on our list. It’s for the enthusiast who wants those vintage Batman vibes but can’t spring for a Rolex. We love it.
Jack Mason Solar
Price: $289 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Epson VS42 Solar Powered Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
We’ve long appreciated Jack Mason as a brand. They’ve always leaned into some of the more quirky designs while still creating truly useful timepieces. One of our absolute favorites is the Jack Mason Solar. We find the Solar cool for a number of reasons. First, the case itself is a “Raw” finished stainless steel. This gives the watch an almost used look without being unsightly - It’s actually a really cool finishing in the metal. Secondly, obviously, the movement is solar powered and can last 6 months when charged up. You can see that the dial has little holes in so light can get through to the solar panel behind it. Additionally, the watch comes on a really cool tweed-esque strap with leather underbelly that makes it really comfortable. Hard to go wrong with a Jack Mason Solar under $300.
Out Of Order Casanova
Price: $299 USD; Case Size: 44mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Ronda 515 Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
Out of Order made a name for itself by literally damaging watches. In fact, prominently printed on the dial is “Damaged in Italy”. It seems weird, but it’s actually a pretty desirable feature on luxury watches - Out of Order just damages them instead of letting time do the damage itself. A lot of there models are a little much for us, but we do love the Casanova. It’s a 44mm dive watch with a quartz movement that’s been uniquely damaged. I say uniquely because no two watches are the same. If you’re in the market for a watch that you can be sure nobody else in the room will have, check out the Out of Order Casanova.
Waldan Heritage Sportline
Price: $239.99 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Ameriquartz Calber 70200 Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
For those looking for a little more American heritage with their watches, Waldan New York have released a plethora of options into a Heritage Sportline. It features both bold and reserved colorways and packs a lot of punch for a great price. The dial is textured with a vertical striping that has been oil-pressed and finished. The hands and numerals all feature luminescence so you can see the time at night. But the interesting part of the Waldan Sportline is at the bottom of the dial - “USA MOV’T”. That’s right, Waldan utilizes an “Ameriquartz” movement that is made right here in the US. A pretty cool feature for a watch this cheap.
Dan Henry 1970 Diver
Price: $290 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Seiko Caliber NH35 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Dan Henry does a really good job of pulling vintage charm into their watches. For that, we love them and feel they deserve a spot on our list. For starter’s, the 1970 Diver features a really cool compressor bezel - Meaning that the bezel is inside the crystal and is operated by a crown at 10 o’ clock. The thick lume-filled applied indices provide ample vision at night, and the box-tipped seconds hand makes the watch superbly legible, even underwater. The watch comes fitted with a textured rubber strap. If you’re looking for a compressor-style Dive watch that won’t break the bank, Dan Henry has got you covered.
TID No. 1
Price: $190 USD; Case Size: 36mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Japanese Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
We first spotted the Tid No. 1 in a little-known (ha) series called Squid Game. We immediately sought it out and not only was it a difficult spot, it was difficult to find. However proud we were, we found the watch to be quite charming. It’s a simple white dial with printed black indices in a PVD case. It comes in a various array of nato straps adding a nice pop of color to the watch. A really fun and unique feature is that the seconds hand is a hollowed-out circle that follows a small seconds track so you can follow each second as it ticks. A fun little attention to detail.
LEFTY CORNER
Tudor Pelagos LHD
Price: $4,725 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 500m; Movement: Calibre MT5612-LHD; Crystal: Sapphire
One of the first left-handed watches our team had experience with was the Tudor Pelagos LHD. The “LHD” stands for “Left Hand Drive” and you’ll notice right away that the crown has been moved to the left side of the case - making it comfortable for left-handers, and prevents the crown from digging into the wrist. A common problem is that for left-handed people, wearing a traditional watch with a traditional crown on the right side of the case can cause digging with certain motions. The Tudor Pelagos LHD prevents that.
The titanium case measures in at a modest 42mm Titanium case, making the relative thickness of the watch due to the dive specs a little better because it’s not as heavy as a steel watch. The unidirectional bezel features a matte black ceramic insert, a whopping 500M of water resistance, and the “Aged” indices give the watch a little bit of a yellow look - Adding to the vintage vibes. Overall, it’s a solid dive watch for the money, and definitely makes sense for a lefty.
Rolex GMT Master II VTNR
Price: $4,725 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 500m; Movement: Calibre MT5612-LHD; Crystal: Sapphire
The head honcho of left-handed watches was released by Rolex this year. The Rolex GMT Master II VTNR was an absolute hit when it was showcased at Dubai Watch Week. And like the GMT Master II ‘Pepsi’, couldn’t meet the demand. This is the first modern left-handed watch that Rolex has released and it was completely out of left field. Many Rolex models tend to get leaked, but this one was kept under wraps to surprised the community. As divisive as the watch is, it is quintessentially Rolex. The ceramic inserts, the mind-numbingly crafted case and bracelet, and the green and black colorway make this easily spotted on the wrist. It was a bold release from Rolex, but a successful one - As always.
BOLDR Field Medic II Destro
Price: $299 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Japanese SII VK64 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire
Not all left hand watches need to be absurdly expensive, the Boldr Field Medic II Destro is a solid watch at a fantastic pricepoint. Boldr specifically designed this watch around left-handed medics, as oftentimes, as a right-handed person, you can damage the watch, or your hand when operating the crown from the wrong direction. In the case of a medic, taking someone’s pulse is not the time for that to happen. So Boldr has included a Pulsometer chronograph to the Medic II, but this time with the crown adjusted so left-handers can operate the crown correction. We found this incredibly useful and felt it deserved it’s place on the list.
PANERAI LUMINOR MARINA LEFT-HANDED 8 DAYS (REF. PAM00796)
Price: $7,100 USD; Case Size: 44mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Calibre P.5001 Hand-Wound Mechanical; Crystal: Sapphire.
There are few brands more directly recognizable as Panerai. Their large case size, sandwich dials, and oversized crown guards make the watch instantly classic. And it’s that last part, the crescent-shaped crown guards, that makes the watches so damn uncomfortable to left-handers. Luckily, Panerai has released a Luminor Marina Left-Handed 8 Days (Ref. PAM00796) so left handed people can enjoy all the things that make Panerai so cool. The case measures in at 44mm in stainless steel, so it’s a lot heavier and bigger than most sport watches, and because of the crown size, it wears a little bigger. The leather strap makes it a little comfier as compared to a bracelet. Overall, if you’re a Panerai fan, and your left handed, you have an option.
Citizen Promaster Dive Automatic
Price: $595 USD; Case Size: 44mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: 8204 Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire
Among the more affordable Left-Handed options is a watch that most affordable enthusiasts have had in their collection at one point. The Citizen Promaster Dive Automatic has long been at the top of most affordable lists alongside the Seiko SKX. The oversized steel diver watch can be a solid beater watch that can do it all. There are a number of color options, but the Destro comes in a really cool blue and black “Batman” configuration. Citizen has always made a really nice high-contrast dive dial, and their lume is more than capable of lighting up the indices at night or underwater. And at only $595 USD, it’s an easy choice to make when you’re on the hunt for a left handed dive option that won’t break the bank.
Click here for our comprehensive guide to The Best Women’s Watches.