Classy Men’s Watches

Classy watches for men can be a great accessory to wear around the office, on dates, or anytime you get a little dressed up. We offer a variety of classy watches that will spruce up your look no matter your style.

Buying a new watch can feel a bit like entering a new and rather daunting country, complete with its own language, history, and culture. As you wander this new terrain, unsure of which of the best watches for men are worth your attention, you may need some pointers. We’re here to give them. 

If you’re just starting out as an amateur watch collector, there are five different men’s timepiece categories you should build your collection around:

• A dress watch – to complement black tie or other formal attire. Typically understated and elegant. 
• A dive watch – to enhance your dive missions with practical and sometimes life-saving functions.  
• A smartwatch – like your smartphone but wearable. 
• A pilot watch (aviator watch) – originally for commercial or fighter pilots and a great choice for travelers. 
• A tactical watch or a field watch – durable and high-functioning. Tactical watches are heavy-duty and serious. Field watches have a slightly retro aesthetic. 
• Bonus: a racing watch (chronograph), a digital watch, or a pocket watch to complete your collection. All great options for men but not necessary essentials.

To make your search simpler, we’ve picked out best-selling men’s watches for every taste, mood, and budget. From high-end big-ticket timepieces from the world’s top luxury watch brands (does a Rolex tickle your fancy, perchance?) to practical purpose-built watches full of useful functions and features, we’ve got a timekeeper for you. 

Pssst. We also have a round-up of the best watches for women if you need inspiration for a memorable gift or something for yourself.

In a rush? Here are the three most popular watches right now:

The 115 best men’s watches

To facilitate your navigation, we’ve organized our list of the top watches for men by category:

Ready? Let’s dive in!

1. Men’s dress watches

Whether it’s for a much-anticipated first date or a much-hyped black tie event, a dress watch has the power to take your outfit to new heights. These minimalist timepieces are some of the best luxury watches for men, designed to discreetly catch the eye from below your shirt cuff, working their magic without trying too hard. Designs can be traditional or boundary-pushing but in general, men’s dress watches are a lesson in less is more. Check our in-depth guide on the best dress watches to see more options.

Nordgreen Native

Danish watch brand Nordgreen makes popular watches for men and is creating waves in the watchmaking world with its collection of unfussy, affordable, and high-impact creations. Our favorite Nordgreen dress watch is The Native, designed by award-winning Scandinavian designer Jakob Wagner. 

Expertly balancing form and function, and available in a range of sizes and colorways, there’s also the option to order The Native with an extra strap so you can modify it according to your get-up on that particular day.

Price: from $169

Junghans Meister Handaufzug

Junghans timepieces may be superbly elegant and luxurious but they also look good with a casual shirt and chinos for a sleek upgrade to your weekend warrior outfit. They’re also some of the best built watches out there. 

Our favorite Junghans dress watch is the Meister Handaufzug, one of the best hand watches around, adding a little bit of tradition to your timepiece collection. Winding this watch will become a ritual you look forward to doing regularly. And you won’t find this timekeeper flaunting any over-the-top complications. Its pristine and pared-back dial features only a single subdial for more precise timings.

Price: $1,095

Vincero Icon Automatic

If you’ve got a black-tie event in the diary, you’ve probably already invested a substantial amount in your tux and various accouterments. You don’t want the additional financial burden of a lavish timepiece. So opt for this affordable yet stylish dress watch from Vincero—the perfect wallet-friendly, fashion-friendly timekeeper. 

Vincero is known for its affordable watches. While the Vincero Icon Automatic looks a lot like some of the world’s most exclusive timepieces, you can pick one up for less than $100. Rose gold with a black dial and black strap is our favorite combination—but the choice is yours. Definitely one of the best watches under $500.

Price: $315

Montblanc Héritage Chronométrie

Forget bafflingly intricate complications and bling. True luxury means expert craftsmanship and minimalist glamour. Like this timepiece by Montblanc, one of the best watches for gentlemen who prioritize engineering and elegance. It only has an hour, minute, and seconds hand, as well as a small date display. But why would you need anything else when you’re out schmoozing and boozing? 

Rhodium-plated indices, numerals, and hands are lustrous and long-lasting while a black alligator strap contrasts beautifully with the silver. Take a look at the back of the Montblanc Héritage Chronométrie to see the complex mechanism at work.

Price: $2,675

Citizen Eco-Drive

Sure, you won’t get the prestige of a luxury Swiss watch brand with Citizen. But you will get some pioneering renewable technology, right on your wrist. 

The Citizen Eco-Drive looks just like a classic dress watch at first glance. You’ve got a stainless steel case with a textured silver-tone dial, traditional Roman numerals, and stick hour markers. 

But this watch is powered by the brand’s proprietary Eco-Drive technology, aka light, both natural and artificial. No need to replace a battery ever again. And it can even run in darkness—ideal for after-dark parties.

Price: $160

IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar

Even the least watch savvy among the party guests will be able to identify this IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar as a stand-out creation. It’s clear from the get-go that this is a watch with some mega luxury credentials. 

We’re talking about an 18-karat gold case, a blue alligator strap, a blue dial, and, of course, a perpetual calendar, one of the world’s most demanding complications. This IWC Portugieser has to be one of the most attractive men’s watches out there. There’s also a perpetual moon phase calendar so you can impress your lover by explaining the celestial situation.

Price: $32,900

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute

When Jaeger-LeCoultre first launched the Reverso back in 1985, everyone sat up in their seats. This was a watch like no other, with its unique Art-Deco style case and now-famous flip mechanism, allowing you to hide the face—in case of a spontaneous game of polo, perhaps.

A homage to that iconic timepiece, the Reverso Tribute is perfectly compact, making it a minimalist addition to your evening attire that’s still elegant enough to catch the eye of discerning passersby, especially in that jewel-like shade of blue. Easily one of the best watches under $10,000.

Price: $8,750

Nordgreen Philosopher

Uniting a commitment to ethical and sustainable business with affordability and a dash of creative flair, Nordgreen should be your go-to brand for a well-priced, eco-friendly, and stylish dress watch. 

In particular, the brand’s Philosopher timekeeper, one of the trendiest watches out there, and ideal for wearing to smart events and upscale parties with its quintessentially Scandinavian simplicity. Check out the unconventional asymmetrical second hand, resembling a knife that quite literally cuts through time.

Price: $250

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar

One of the world’s oldest and most established watchmakers, Vacheron Constantin knows a thing or two about exceptional dress watches. Our favorite is the brand’s Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar with its masterfully crafted caliber 1120 QP, perpetual calendar, 48-month-counter with leap year indication, and moon phase indicator. 

As the name suggests, this Vacheron Constantin watch is classic and conservative in style, with an 18-karat pink gold case and a silver opaline dial along with a brown alligator strap.

Price: $84,000

Timex Easy Reader

This Timex Easy Reader, with its impressive durability (including mineral glass crystal and a brass case), is the descendant of those Easy Readers that featured in televised ‘torture tests’, conducted by the brand to prove their watches could endure the most extreme scenarios.

But even if you just plan to take it easy with a few drinks among friends, this Timex watch delivers classic dress watch sophistication with its simple, elegant, and functional design. One the hunt for the best watches under $200? This one comes in at under $100. There’s even an Indiglo backlight for checking the time unobtrusively in a particularly boring theatre performance.

Price: $24

Seiko 5 SNK793

An air of dignity and distinction needn’t come with a hefty price tag thanks to Seiko’s high-quality dress watch. It will leave you with money to spare for your tux and other accessories. 

Visually, the Seiko 5 delivers just the requisite amount of luxury with its stainless steel bracelet and vibrant blue dial. With its automatic movement, the SNK793 is also low-maintenance and reliable while water resistance to 30 meters will protect it against accidental splashes. A top contender for the best watch for the money.

Price: $97

Michael Kors Slim Runway

Designed by big-name fashion brand Michael Kors, and one of the best looking watches on our list, this slimline dress watch advances the timepiece style agenda with its eye-catching design that’s here to set trends. Available in a range of colors (although our favorite is the stealthy and sophisticated black), it features a round sunray dial and a very slim 12mm case with a 44 mm dial, perfect for slipping under a dress shirt. 

Scratch-resistant mineral crystal alongside a dependable quartz movement ensures the Slim Runway will last a long time, whatever night-time escapades you have planned.

Price: $171

Few of us need much persuasion when it comes to the prospect of adding a Rolex to our collection. And the luxury label’s best dress watch has to be the Datejust—a strong candidate for the best wristwatch for men out there. 

The Datejust is pared-back and understated, which makes it wonderfully versatile. It would look just as good at a refined garden party as it would on the red carpet. The world’s first self-winding watch, it combines exquisite styling with Rolex’s renowned engineering and unparalleled functionality. It also makes for a great investment. Just take a list at our ranking of the most expensive Rolex watches of all time to see the steep price increase.

Price: from $8,000

Nomos Glashütte At Work Metro Neomatik

No one does minimalism (or quality men’s watches) quite like future-forward brand Nomos Glashütte. Case in point? The At Work Metro Neomatik. Each of the label’s watches undergoes rigorous quality control tests so you know you’re wearing something that is the very paragon of perfection. This one is particularly distinctive with its midnight-blue dial, silver markers, and black strap.

Price: $4,280

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony

As we’ve already established, Vacheron Constantin makes beautiful watches for men. Another of the brand’s many gorgeous timepieces? The Patrimony. With its rose gold case and sunburst blue dial, this is the stuff dress watch dreams are made of.  

Wonderfully low-key, the dial features simple lines and curves, barely-there minute markers, and baton-style hour markers. Inside the Patrimony’s slim 40mm case you’ve got a Swiss-made caliber 1400 hand-winding movement, making it one of the best hand watches on our list too.

Price: from $20,100

Fizili Ultra-Thin

Add some panache to your evening get-up with this convention-defying design by Fizili. The perfect dress watch for those who like to bust boundaries with their sartorial choices, this timepiece breaks dress watch rules with its stainless steel mesh band and contemporary matte finish. It’s also round, slim, and understated, like all the coolest watches in this category. 

The Ultra Thin is available in a whole range of colors but the best has to be the all-black. What could be more timeless?

Price: $34.99

Tissot Analog Display

Redefining the meaning of quality time, this Tissot watch is ideal for those who don’t want the hassle of winding a watch. One of the best quartz watches on our list, it may not vaunt technical prowess like other Swiss watches do but, for the sake of accuracy and minimal maintenance, we couldn’t care less.  

It features a trio of subdials, allowing for 60-second, 30-minute, and 1/10th of a second time measurements. A rose gold case, white dial, and traditional brown leather strap unite to make this Tisso watch a perfect vision of restrained opulence.

Price: $337

2. Men’s dive watches

Dive timepieces are some of the best watches for men. Heavy-duty and designed to survive challenging situations, they typically feature a unidirectional bezel for monitoring and timing dives and luminous hands for poor light conditions. But beyond those shared features, the range of ocean-ready timepieces ready to accompany you down to hidden depths is rich and diverse. Want to go deeper? Check our in-depth guide of the best dive watches to see more.

LIV GX-DIVER

Dive watches are first and foremost technical instruments, here to make your dive safe and keep you alive. So really you need a no-nonsense tool like the LIV GX-DIVER on your wrist, with its water resistance up to 300 meters and unidirectional bezel to time dives accurately. 

That’s not to say the LIV GX-DIVER isn’t stylish—because it really is, with its sword-shaped hands, stainless steel case, and skeleton case back where you can watch the 25-jewel movement at work. The fact it’s limited edition, with only 1000 pieces in existence, offers an extra boost to its appeal. One of the best watches under $1,000.

Read our in-depth LIV Swiss Watches review to learn more about the brand.

Price: $650

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster

Citizen is committed to building a better tomorrow with its emphasis on sustainable functionality. The Eco-Drive Promaster, for example, is powered by artificial or natural light. Energy is stored in a rechargeable power cell so you never need to change the battery. No wonder the Promaster is one of the brand’s most popular men’s watches.

Water-resistant to 200 meters and featuring an anti-reflective mineral crystal for optimum legibility, the Promaster also features a one-way rotating elapsed-time bezel, like all the best dive watches. A luminous three-hand display offers easy reading even in murky waters.

Price: $197

IWC Aquatimer Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau

Marine explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau more or less invented scuba-diving. So to have an engraving of this deep-sea icon on the back of your dive watch is hard to beat. 

This IWC Aquatimer features a stainless steel case with a rubber strap for durability. You’ve also got a SafeDive system incorporated into the bezel for next-level accuracy when setting dive times. And the deep blue face contrasts perfectly with the luminescent markers and hands—for legibility in the darkest and deepest of waters (or just your bedroom). Up there with one of the top 10 watches in the world.

Price: $5,600

Seiko Prospex Padi Solar

Seiko makes some of the best modern watches and this PADI special edition dive watch from Seiko is a great choice for those looking for a mid-range watch for underwater adventures. Water-resistant to 200 meters, it meets the ISO standards for scuba diving and there’s a unidirectional rotating bezel for timing dives. Also noteworthy is the solar-powered movement.

The Seiko Prospex’s stainless steel case, paired with an ocean-blue dial, ticks all style boxes, both on dry land and below the water. Glowing hour markers and hands allow for easy readability while a date display makes sure you’re always up to speed.

Price: $286

Vincero The Vessel

As well as making sleek urban timepieces for use in the office or out and about in the city, Vincero has turned its hand to dive watches. The Vessel feels thoroughly modern in appearance and also delivers the practicalities, with a Swiss lume, an inner rotating descent bezel, and 200-meter water resistance. 

Like all Vincero’s top-rated watches, the Vessel is available in a wide range of colorways to suit all tastes, from back-to-business jet black to classic stainless steel and blue for those after a traditional dive watch aesthetic.

Price: $200

Invicta Pro Diver

Impenetrable and indestructible—those are the words we want to hear when it comes to dive watches. Invicta’s Pro Diver watch features a sturdy 40 mm case with an exhibition back, luminous hands, a 24-jewel Japanese automatic movement, mineral crystal, screw-down crown, and unidirectional bezel. 

Looking for a dial color other than standard black, white, or blue? Color options for the Pro Diver include brown, red, green, as well as black or blue. The green combined with the silver is particularly eye-catching. A short-lister for the best watch on Amazon.

Price: $100

LIV GX1

Another dive watch by direct-to-consumer brand LIV, this timepiece manages to master the impossible—creating a tactical watch that also looks good with a business suit. We put it down to the effortlessly cool black and orange color scheme. Very 21st century and very sophisticated. 

Taking the LIV GX1 into wild ocean depths? Feel reassured knowing it’s water-resistant to 200 meters, features luminescent hands, and has a super-secure, custom-designed, and double-injected silicone strap with a 316L stainless steel buckle. In other words, this watch isn’t going anywhere. The best watch to buy for a middle-of-the-road diving timepiece.

Price: $490

Panerai Submersible Automatic

Panerai’s unrivaled attention to detail and commitment to excellence is all very much on show in the Submersible Automatic where you’ve got two of the company’s most cutting-edge materials in one watch. 

A BMG-TECHA case—a unique material designed for next-level robustness and extreme corrosion, shock, and magnetic field resistance. Plus, a bezel made from Carbotech—tougher than steel, lighter than titanium. The result is a timepiece that’s incredibly strong, super scratch-resistant, and surreally lightweight. The Panerai Submersible also looks like the kind of watch a secret agent might wear. In other words, it’s one of the hottest watches around.

Price: $16,250

Spinnaker Croft Automatic

We like our dive watches rugged yet refined—just in case we go straight from the beach to the bar. The Spinnaker Croft nails this with its low-key profile that nevertheless catches the eye with a cyclops date magnifier and seconds subdial. 

The Croft Automatic also has a unidirectional bezel, is water-resistant to 150 meters, and has a sapphire lens—more durable and long-lasting than mineral crystal. The choice of leather rather than rubber for the strap is another plus, adding understated elegance to this utilitarian timepiece. We’re tempted to name it the best all-around watch on our list.

Price: $250

Casio MDV106-1AV

Casio is one of the best watches brands for men and they’ve pulled it out of the bag again with the Casio Duro—a top choice for a budget dive watch. Water-resistant to 200 meters, it has an anti-reverse bezel, luminous markers, and hours hands, plus a sweep second hand too. There’s also a date window at 3 o’clock in case you forget what day it is in all the excitement of your underwater exploits. 

This Casio watch delivers the accurate timekeeping the brand has become known for along with solid build-quality and elegant design. One of the best selling watches in the USA, judging by the Amazon reviews.

Price: $50

Rolex Sea Dweller Deepsea

If there’s one thing all divers and watch collectors can agree on, it’s that no one does it like Rolex, one of the top 10 luxury watch brands. And Rolex’s best model for subaqua exploration? It has to be the Deepsea. 

There are countless exceptional features about the Rolex Deepsea, not least the dial. Graduating gently from blue to black, it’s a commemoration of James Cameron’s record-breaking dive into the Mariana Trench. Then there’s the ceramic bezel for precise and safe dive monitoring. And, finally, Chromalight hour markers and hands, which emit a long-lasting blue glow for when you’re hundreds of meters below the surface.

Price: $17,940

Oris Divers Sixty-Five Automatic

Oris doesn’t just make world-class dive watches. It also contributes to ocean conservation initiatives. So you can feel confident knowing that not only do you have some pioneering engineering on your wrist but you’re also protecting these critical ecosystems. 

Oris’ Divers Sixty Five automatic is a re-imagining of one of the brand’s vintage models and the old-school vibe is clear in the striped canvas wristband and domed sapphire crystal. In addition, you’ve got Super-LumiNova hands and a date window while 100-meter water resistance makes this a good choice for lap-swimmers and snorkelers.

Price: $1,990

Tag Heuer Aquaracer

Luxury Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer is best known for its connections to racing cars but that doesn’t mean the innovative brand can’t also make an outstanding dive watch. The Aquaracer is a versatile sports timepiece that meets all the requirements for ocean escapades while being one good looking watch too. 

It features a 43 mm brushed steel case, the brand’s signature 12-point unidirectional bezel, and a crown with double safety gaskets to prevent moisture penetration. A magnified date window and Super-LumiNova hands allow for easy legibility in dark conditions. The Aquaracer’s 300-meter water resistance is standard dive watch territory.

Price: $2,700

Invicta Pro Diver Scuba

We’ve already covered an Invicta Pro Diver watch but this one’s a bit different. Namely, it features gold-tone stainless steel, adding a major dose of high-end drama to this tool watch. And while dazzling onlookers with its black-gold color combo (Invicta makes seriously hot watches), it’s also incredibly practical. 

The Pro Diver Scuba features a reliable quartz movement, luminous hands for legibility, and three subdials—60 minutes, 60 seconds, and 24 hours intervals. 100-meter water resistance makes it a great choice for swimming, surfing, and sailoring—all sports enhanced with a bit of bling.

Price: $99

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

With its distinct seafaring spirit, the Omega Seamaster Diver is nothing short of an icon and this latest edition boasts a couple of features sure to have collectors stampeding to get their hands on one. Notably, the helium escape valve with a new conical shape and water resistance to 50 meters so even if the valve is opened underwater, the watch will survive. 

Highly-coveted limited editions of the Seamaster Diver 300 M include the Titanium Tantalum and the 007, as worn by Daniel Craig in No Time To Die. Other top features include the wave pattern on the ceramic dial and the Master Chronometer Calibre, visible at work through the sapphire crystal back. Possibly one of the most beautiful watches for men around.

Price: $5,100

Tudor Pelagos

Rolex’s more adventurous sister brand, Tudor has all the pedigree of Rolex but comes in at a far more approachable price point. The Pelgaos is a superb diving watch with an astonishing power reserve of 70 hours and water resistance to 500 meters, making it suitable for extreme deep-sea diving. 

Stainless steel and a deep blue ceramic dial combine in a vision of power and prestige. A safety catch on the bracelet and a bracelet extension system patented by Tudor are further advantages while a complimentary blue rubber strap adds nautical flair.

Price: $4,760

Longines HydroConquest

Longines makes great watches. The brand introduced the HydroConquest line for men and women as a demonstration of technical skill and aesthetic sophistication and even if you’re not a divemaster, it’s a perfect cruise or yacht accessory with its black dial and stainless steel case. 

A quartz movement provides reliable and accurate time-keeping while luminous hands and indices make for easy reading at 300 meters below the surface. This is a watch born for open waters and distant horizons.

Price: from $900

Rolex Submariner

Even if you’re a total diving novice or a newbie to watch collecting, you’ll have heard of the Rolex Submariner, one of the world’s best selling men’s watches. Widely considered one of the most ground-breaking watches of all time, it was introduced in 1953 and has set the benchmark for dive watches ever since. 

This is the quintessential sports watch worn by Steve McQueen, Sean Connery as James Bond, and modern-day celebs like Orlando Bloom and David Beckham. You can recognize it by the black dial, stainless steel, rotating bezel, and luminous hands. Whatever reference you go for, you’re in good hands with a Rolex Submariner.

Price: from $9,000

Timex Navi XL

Inspired by the brand’s earliest diver-style watches but updated with a 21-jewel movement, the Navi XL by Timex is powered by your movement as you go about your day and can store up to 40 hours of power. 

The design balances vintage elements such as a simple three-hand display, geometric hour markers, military hour markers at the inner perimeter, and a traditional buckle closure, with contemporary updates such as the unidirectional rotating top ring. Opt for the Navi XL model with a white face to really dial up the retro factor.

See also:
Timepieces, Jewelry, Eyewear Price: $129

3. Men’s smartwatches

Imagine taking all the high-tech superpowers of your smartphone and turning it into something you could wear on your wrist. These game-changing digital tools can do everything from receiving notifications and running apps to synching with your calendar or providing GPS navigation or heart rate data. The best smartwatches put all the most important information for your day-to-day right at your fingertips. And if you want a dedicated health watch, check our selection of the best fitness trackers on the market today.

Apple Watch Series 7

A true marvel of modern technology, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the best selling watch in the USA and transforms everyday living in a way that your standard analog timepiece just can’t. Take phone calls straight from your wrist, listen to music and audiobooks, track your fitness, measure your workouts, monitor your blood oxygen data, check your heart rhythm—elevate your life to new levels of productivity and health. 

Aesthetically, the Apple Watch Series 7 is just as sleek and minimalist as all the brand’s iconic offerings, available in a range of shades and made of cool and practical aluminum. Widely considered one of the top 10 watches in the world.

Price: from $400

Fitbit Charge 4

If getting in shape is your number one priority, then the FitBit Charge 4 is here to help you take your fitness performance up a notch. With built-in GPS, you’re able to track your pace and distance on any outdoor activity and there’s even an intensity map so you can see how your heart changed along the route, plus a buzz for when you reach your target heart rate zone. 

Measure calorie burn accurately, easily track your blood oxygen levels, see how your skin temperature varies, receive notifications, and, once you’re done breaking a sweat, use the Fitbit Charge 4’s pay function to get a coffee and croissant.

Price: $122

Garmin Venu

Garmin is known for making some of the best watches for men. The Garmin Venu, for example, boasts an impressive 5-day battery life when used in smartwatch mode and you can use it for up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music. 

Like all the best smartwatches, it allows you to monitor your health and even follow animated workouts from your watch screen. And the safety and tracking feature with built-in incident detection is a very clever feature. As is being able to determine your ‘body battery’ so you know when to work out and when you should just be lazy.

Price: $260

Fossil Gen 5E

It may not be a household name like an Apple Watch or Fitbit, but the Fossil Gen 5E is still one of the most popular watches for men thanks to its dependable functionality and sleek aesthetic. It’s a Wear OS device—Google’s adaptation of Android for smartwatches—and while there have been some complaints about Wear OS batteries, this one features multiple battery modes that manage to extend the battery life.

You name it, the Fossil Gen 5E does it, from tracking your fitness, making payments, and monitoring your sleep to receiving calls and texts and synching up with your calendar. You can even get help from your Google Assistant.

Price: $232

Garmin Forerunner

The feature-packed Garmin Forerunner is the ultimate tool for those gearing up for a marathon, triathlon, or a Couch-to-5K. Almost everyone agrees that this smartwatch is the best running watch around.

Price: $292

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

The verdict’s in and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is a great all-rounder, providing a wide range of functions. Less a specialist smart-watch than a multi-purpose and high-performing tool, this watch is perfect for almost anyone.

Price: from $275

Garmin Instinct Solar

Leave it to a brand as pioneering and innovative as Garmin to bring solar power to the world of smartwatches. For the modern-day watch wearer, eager to be sustainable, the fact that this watch’s battery life can be extended through solar charging is super impressive. 

Constructed to the US military standard 810, the Garmin Instinct Solar is one fantastically rugged gadget. Water-resistant to 100 meters, both shock, and thermal-resistant, and with multiple global navigation systems to track your location in the most challenging environments, it’s one of the best manly watches we’ve seen.

Price: $310

4. Men’s pilot watches (aviator watches)

We’re drawn to pilot watches for a number of reasons. First, because we like to imagine we also live a life high in the skies, jetting from country to country. Secondly, because they’re practical and reliable but look dashing and romantic at the same time. And lastly, because they have a fascinating history as the watch of choice for servicemen around the world. Check out our pick of the best aviator watches, from iconic masterpieces to under-the-radar budget watches for more options.

Vincero The Altitude

Like Vincero’s other top-rated watches, The Altitude is one of the best looking watches around, combining quality materials with an eye for compelling design, all while keeping costs low. It has heaps of aviator allure with its large luminous numbers and a dual-time function, ideal for jet-setters moving between time zones. 

One of the best stylish watches, this timepiece has a larger dial like most pilot watches but wouldn’t look out of place with a suit. The Altitude is also available in a range of colors—and you can opt for a nylon strap over leather if you prefer. Take a look at our in-depth Vincero watches review to see their other models.

Price: $208

IWC Pilot Mark XVIII Heritage

A visually striking take on IWC’s iconic and highly-coveted Big Pilot’s Watch 52, the Mark XVIII Heritage has the high-contrast dial and back-to-basics aesthetic of the original aviator watches and is a top challenger for the best wrist watch for men. 

You’ve got a black dial that’s big and bold without being overwhelming. Complications are kept to a minimum with just a date window at 3 o’clock. Luminous indices allow for visibility, either in the cockpit or a dimly lit cocktail bar. And there’s a triangle index at 12 o’clock like the very first pilot watches.

Price: $4,450

LIV P-51

A masterclass in combining utility with rugged sophistication, the LIV P-51 is a unique addition to your watch collection. It features a highly accurate ETA 7750 25-jewel Swiss chronograph movement, a case made from high-grade titanium—strong yet incredibly lightweight—and a ceramic unidirectional bezel—durable and long-lasting.

A strap made from rare and quality Barenia leather is a high-end touch. And while the LIV P-51 is pretty chunky at 46 mm, that just adds to the air of boldness and daring. If you’re looking for quality men’s watches, this one should be high on your list.

Price: $1,494

Timex Intelligent Quartz Fly-Back

Typically, pilot watches had simple and sparse dials. Timex ignores this and we’re glad they did because the Fly-Back looks epic as a result. The dial features a date window, two retrograde subdials, a 4-hour chronograph, and a second time-zone function. Indiglo technology means you can access all this information even in the depths of night. 

Despite being function-heavy, the Fly-Back is still very affordable. It’s also water-resistant to 100 meters. Definitely putting up a fight for the status of “best watch for the money.”

Price: $160

AVI-8 Retrograde Chronograph

The 21st-century man on a mission needs a watch that looks like it’s up for a grueling challenge or critical assignment. AVI-8 makes great watches and the AVI-9 Retrograde Chronograph is a fine example. We particularly like the black and grey color scheme known as Night Camo (favored by military aircraft during night-time operations) with its modern military vibe. 

Ruggedly robust and masculine in feel, the Retrograde Chronograph comes with a steel bracelet with a PVD camouflage treatment. We’re also enjoying the square shape of the case, a unique spin on the classic round pilot dial.

Price: $380

Citizen Eco-Drive Nighthawk

Whatever your particular line of duty, Citizen’s Nighthawk is an aviator watch worthy of the everyday hero with its multitude of cockpit-ready features, including a pilot’s slide rule dial, dual time function, non-reflective crystal, and luminous markers and hands. One of the best 42mm watches, it’s made from sturdy stainless steel and also features Citizen’s Eco-Drive solar technology, so no batteries are required.

With water resistance to 200 meters, the Nighthawk can be taken straight from soaring the skies to snorkeling below the ocean surface. Potentially the best watch on Amazon we’ve come across.

Price: $395

Breitling Aviator 8 Curtiss Warhawk Automatic

Breitling’s history lies in making combat-ready timekeepers for the RAF so you can trust them to deliver a high-performing instrument—and a seriously good looking watch. 

A celebration of the P-40 Warhawk fighter plane, this aviator-inspired timepiece is crafted from sleek black stainless steel with an army-green dial and matching canvas strap. The COSC-certified chronometer (accurate to within -4/+6 seconds a day) is powered by a Breitling automatic movement. The Aviator 8 Curtiss Warhawk also features Super-LumiNova numbers for after-dark readability.

Price: $4,230

IWC Pilot Le Petit Prince Chronograph

With a rich heritage of creating military-spec pilot watches for those in the field, IWC’s aviator watches are some of the most sought-after on the market. One of our favorites is the Le Petit Prince Chronograph. With its sunburst blue dial, stainless steel case, and brown strap, this handsome timekeeper is made for high-flyers and is possibly one of the most beautiful watches for men we’ve seen. 

The Le Petit Prince comes in a soft-iron inner case to protect the movement against magnetic fields. The dial features a day and date window and a chronograph for more precise time measurements. On the back is an engraving of the Little Prince from the 1943 novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, one of aviation’s pivotal figures.

Price: $5,500

Casio EF52RD-1AV Edifice

If you plan to wear your pilot’s watch on a daily basis—not just for night-time raids with the RAF—you want a timepiece that’s wearable, versatile, and not too expensive. Casio is one of the best watches brands for men and the EF52RD-1AV Edifice fits the bill perfectly. 

The stainless steel band is made with smaller rounded segments so it hugs your wrist snugly and comfortably. Precision dial indexes and a knurled bezel add the necessary contemporary commando cool. And a rotating slide rule allows for calculations of speed and fuel consumption, as well as time.

Price: $118

AVI-8 Duke Chronograph

Named after Neville Duke, the chief test pilot of the Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft, the Duke Chronograph is a modern interpretation of a classic pilot’s watch, optimized for performance and precision. 

The robust 44m case feels suitably hard-nosed and down-to-earth while the tapered lugs and polished chamfers add a bit of sophistication. There’s a bi-directional inner countdown bezel for superior functionality and the Duke Chronograph is powered by a Seiko VK series Meca-Quartz chronograph, renowned for its reliability. One of the coolest watches on our list.

Price: $312

Oris Big Crown ProPilot GMT Automatic

These days we’re more likely to find ourselves on automatic pilot than piloting a fighter jet at extreme altitudes, but a man can dream, right? And no timepiece conjures up dreams of dawn patrols and stealth missions like the Oris Big Crown ProPilot. 

Designed by the pioneers of old-school aviation watches over at Oris, the Big Crown ProPilot is a frontrunner for the position of best watches design, featuring a date window, a second dial at 9’oclock, and a GMT complication for international trips. Rounded hands resemble the hands of a propeller while the suede strap is soft and stylish.

Price: $2,600

IWC Big Pilot’s Heritage Automatic

Behind some of the best luxury watches for men, IWC has made sure this timepiece has all the most important aviator design credentials, including an oversized crown in case you need to make adjustments while wearing thick servicemen gloves. 

Made with a titanium case and weighing less than 150 grams, you’ll barely notice the Big Pilot’s Heritage on your wrist—except when the compliments start rolling in, Retro features include the chapter ring, Arabic numerals, and beige propeller-style hands. A twin-barrel mechanism allows for a power reserve of up to 7 days—not to be sniffed at. A brown calfskin strap is the perfect finishing touch.

Price: $13,200

AVI-8 Type 300 Automatic

AVI-8’s Type 300 Automatic draws on the lines, form, and design of the Spitfire, the iconic and revolutionary World War 2 fighter plane that gave the British an edge over the enemy, making it the best watch to buy if you fancy something with an intriguing history. 

The famous elliptical wing of the Spitfire is reflected in the elegantly curved 42mm case. Meanwhile, the Type 300’s bulbous crown references the plane’s propeller and hub while the dial takes its lead from the Spitfire cockpit—clearly defined indexes and hands and a superbly legible layout.

Price: $485

Panerai Luminor Base 8 Days Titanio

Panerai is one of the top 10 luxury watch brands in existence and the Luminor is considered a landmark timepiece with its tritium-based luminous material. It was also the first to feature the brand’s signature crown-protecting bridge which is both eye-catching and practical. 

Here we have a classy and contemporary update on the 1950s original that still retains all the characteristics that made the Luminor such a statement. Made of titanium, the material of choice for the military thanks to its minimal weight and extra strength, corrosion-resistance, and hypoallergenic qualities, the Base 8 Days Titanio is instantly arresting while remaining functional.

Price: $13,900

Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master

Pan Am commissioned Rolex to produce a timepiece for its pilots and flight attendants and the original GMT-Master was the result. It wasn’t long before the watch had a huge cult following and today it’s one of the best selling men’s watches around. 

The Pepsi GMT-Master gets its name from the red-blue bi-directional 24-hour bezel that indicates day and night in the additional timezone. This means pilots—or jet setters, frequent flyers, and businessmen on the go—can tell what time it is back home with a glance, ideal for phoning home at just the right time.

Price: from $22,500

Zenith Pilot Type 20 Extra Special

If you prefer the simplicity of retro aviator watches over the sometimes showy and extravagant modern pilot versions, nothing offers nostalgia and romance like this Zenith Pilot Type 20. From the unique materials—bronze and nubuck—to the silhouette—large and round like the original servicemen timekeepers—it’s like wearing a military antique on your wrist. 

An extra-large dial, high-contrast numerals finished in Super-LumiNova, an onion-shaped crown, and a bronze case that will develop an elegant patina as it ages, this Zenith timepiece delivers old-school sophistication.

Price: $7,200

Bremont ALT1-Classic/CR Automatic Chronograph

The best thing about classic pilot watches is that they transcend fleeting fashion trends with their timeless elegance and enduring class. Such is definitely the case with this Bremont aviator watch with its mood of perpetual refined practicality. 

The ALT1-C/CR features a stainless steel case with reinforced sapphire crystal—anti-reflective and scratch-resistant. A Swiss-made 7750 caliber BE-50AE automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve delivers highly precise time-keeping and additional functions include a date window, sweep second hand, and 30-minute subdial. The kind of watch that immediately gives people confidence in your capabilities.

Price: $5,995

Montblanc 1858 Automatic

Renowned Swiss watch brand Minerva’s merger with Montblanc back in 2006 allowed the latter to reach new levels of perfection. The 1858 Automatic is a tribute to Minerva’s original 1930s chronographs.

Retro accents, such as the Arabic numerals, black dial, and bronze bezel, are combined with modern additions, such as a smaller contemporary stainless steel case and enhanced durability. The 1858 Automatic’s stand-out features include the cloisonné ‘cathedral’ hands, a hallmark of the best military watches, and the leather strap, which will only look better with age.

Price: $2,825

Baume & Mercier Clifton Club Automatic

You can trust a brand as established as Baume & Mercier to pull out all the stops with their pilot watch, compromising on neither function nor fashion factor. From the comfortable and hard-wearing NATO strap to the Super-LumiNova coated hands for improved legibility, this is certainly a memorable timepiece. 

The brand’s Clifton Series is a line of sports watches ‘for gentlemen’, making this the perfect watch for any sophisticated globetrotter seeking a timekeeper that’s just as travel-hungry as they are.

Price: $2,100

Garmin D2 Delta PX Aviator Smartwatch

Garmin’s D2 Delta pilot watch marries digital capabilities with a cool aviator-style aesthetic, plus enough in-flight analytics that you could storm the cockpit and take over. It’s also one of the top rated watches on our list. 

Functions include dynamic color mapping, weather-forecasting data, automatic flight logging, alerts, as well as the ability to receive notifications from your smartphone. There are also all the standard sports watch features like heart rate monitoring and fitness tracking. This means you can go straight from piloting a commercial airliner to a Cross-Fit session at the gym.

Price: $1,099

5. Men’s tactical watches

Is your favorite place to be somewhere far outside your comfort zone? Running an ultra-marathon, perhaps, or trekking through the Amazon rainforest? Then you need one of the best tactical watches on your wrist. Some of the best built watches around, these tool watches are finely calibrated and performance-optimized instruments to accompany you as you push yourself to greater heights. 

Suunto Core Military

Consider yourself an adventurer? Someone who can’t help but venture off the beaten path? Then you need a watch that does double duty as a survival tool, like the Suunto Core Military. 

A compass will keep you on the right track, an altimeter tracks your mountain ascents and descents, a barometer keeps you informed about air pressure, and this Suunto watch will even send you severe weather warnings. Pre-set sunrise and sunset times for over 400 different locations redefine the meaning of ‘seize the day.’ One of the best watches under $200.

Price: $105

Vincero The Outrider

Vincero makes some of the most beautiful watches for men as well as some of the best affordable watches. For those who like to take the lead and blaze a trail, you need Vincero’s aptly named The Outrider. This sleek black tool watch is appropriately inconspicuous in stainless steel with a matte-black light-absorbing finish—although a closer look quickly distinguishes it as something special. 

There’s the mecha-quartz hybrid movement, for one thing, powered by both quartz and a mechanical module for the best of both worlds—quartz accuracy with the high-class engineering of a mechanical watch. The Outrider is also water-resistant up to 100 meters—because who knows when you might need to perform a sudden water rescue.

Price: $222

IWC Schaffhausen TOP GUN Automatic Chronograph

One of the hottest watches around, IWC’s TOP GUN automatic takes inspiration from the blockbuster thriller of the same name—the one famed for its gung-ho combat, adrenaline-fueled chases, and epic action sequences. Channel some of that bravado with this intensely rugged timepiece, made with dare-devils in mind. 

The TOP GUN Automatic is made of Ceratanium, a unique lightweight and scratch-resistant material that combines the qualities of titanium and ceramic and took the brand five years to develop. It has a soft-iron inner case to protect against magnetic fields and a double chronograph, aka a split-second chronograph, a rare complication that times two events separately.

Price: $14,600

Bell & Ross Black Camo

Looking for a tactical watch with no frills or frivolities? The Black Camo from Bell & Ross is the very definition of a minimalist tool watch with its back-to-basics aesthetic. Bare-bones in the best way and one of the best modern watches. 

Ideal for the intrepid outdoorsman, the Black Camo has Super-LumiNova-coated hands and anti-reflective sapphire glass crystal. A ceramic case is both lightweight and hardwearing. And the matte-black finish is designed to be totally indiscernible on the field with a military tricolor coating that minimizes reflection. And with that chic square-shaped case, we think it could also look good with a tux.

Price: $3,800

Casio G-Shock

If your idea of a holiday errs on the side of extreme, such as exploring active volcanoes or going white-water rafting, then the Casio G-Shock is the ultimate vacation companion. 

Giving new meaning to the word durable, this watch is completely shock-resistant and can also withstand the effects of gravity, electric shocks, and low temperatures too. In other words, it’s totally unbreakable. Probably why the G-Shock is the top choice among military personnel and law enforcement agents. 200-meter water resistance and an EL Backlight with Afterglow function are added perks.

Price: $52

Luminox Navy Seal

The Luminox Navy Seal series has been licensed by the US Navy and suggestions from actual navy seals were considered in the design process. As a result, this is a watch that definitely delivers when it comes to field-ready functionality and an air of beefy bravery. 

The most notable feature of the Luminox Navy Seal is the brand’s pioneering illumination system that allows you to tell the time even in complete darkness. It provides a steady glow for up to 25 years with no need to charge from a light source, unlike conventional lume. A temperature-change-resistant lightweight Carbonox carbon compound case, rotating bezel for diving, and water resistance up to 200 meters are extra bonuses.

Price: $372

Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5

We’ve discussed TAG Heuer’s Aquaracer already but this particular model merits a mention as one of the best tactical watches around. With a dependable and ultra-accurate caliber 5 automatic movements, along with a 38-hour power reserve, plus water resistance to 300 meters, it delivers physical toughness to match your mental toughness and is one of the best stylish watches in our tactical timepiece rundown.  

The Aquaracer Calibre 5 has a rotating bezel for monitoring dive times as well as luminous hands and markers for at-a-glance legibility. The black dial and stainless steel combo would also look pretty good with a suit.

Price: $2,650

Casio Pro Trek

For adrenaline chasers and high-octane outdoorsmen, Casio’s Pro Trek should be the tool you never leave home without. With the brand’s TripleSensor Version 3 engine—smaller, more efficient, and more precise than previous models—it delivers unbeatable performance for an affordable price and is one of the best manly watches on our list. 

Indeed, the compass now consumes 90% less energy than before while the altimeter obtains measurements five times as fast. Also, the Pro Trek’s battery is charged by a solar panel built into the watch face but it can function for up to 23 months without light exposure.

Price: $117

Garmin Tactix Bravo

Garmin is known for its inventive and function-packed watches that are ready to tackle any kind of demanding scenario. The Tactix Bravo is a prime example. 

Navigation and tracking functionalities include a 3-axis electronic compass to ensure you stay on course. Sensors will alert you to any elevation or weather changes so you can make the right decision at the right time. Night-vision allows you to use the watch alongside night-vision goggles. You’ve also got smart notifications so you can receive emails at the same time as prepping for a bungee jump or other heart-pumping pursuit.

Price: $600

Panerai Submersible Marina Militare Carbotech

In case you haven’t heard, Panerai used to supply watches to Italian Navy commandos so get ready to up your game with the Submersible Marina Militaire. The case is made from Carbotech composite—lightweight, hypoallergenic, and corrosion-resistant. Combine that with lightweight titanium back and you’ve got a timepiece built for combat diving. 

The Submersible Marina Militare also features a durable rubber strap, easy-grip rotating bezel, and utilitarian aesthetic. It’s comfortable on your wrist despite its chunky size and yes, it’s expensive, but can you really put a price on being prepared? A finalist for the title of the best all-around watch.

Price: $13,600

Timex Expedition Shock XL

Looking for a tool watch to track your personal bests and have your back in tough physical undertakings? The Expedition Shock XL by Timex is a great choice for everyone from fitness fanatics to backpackers. 

For the former, you’ve got a 100-hour chronograph and an Indiglo backlight for night-time workouts. And, for the latter, you’ve got three time-zone settings and a hydration alarm to help you regulate your fluid intake in tropical countries. The Expedition Shock XL is also shock-resistant to ISO standards.

Price: $64

Marathon TSAR Military Diver

If you want a military-grade diver’s watch, then the Marathon TSAR is the real McCoy. Built to government specifications for military personnel—Search and Rescue divers, no less—this is the genuine article when it comes to armed forces-influenced timepieces. 

The Marathon TSAR is made from 316L surgical grade stainless steel while the display is synthetic sapphire—essentially identical to natural sapphire except even more flawless. You’ve also got self-illuminating tritium gas tubes that emit light for easy legibility and never need to be charged—ideal for midnight missions. One of the best watches under $1,000.

Price: $950

SMAEL

Fancy spending less money on your tool watch and more money on actually having adventures? We don’t blame you. Grab yourself this SMAEL budget-friendly tactical watch, which has all the necessary functionalities at a fraction of the cost of more high-end models. 

It’s got a 1/100 second stop-watch, alarm clock, backlight for night-time time-reading, a 12/24 hour format, and the ability to track a second time zone—ideal if you’re overseas. This SMAEL watch comes in stainless steel and PU plastic case and has the hardy heavy-duty vibe of all the best tool watches.

Price: $22

Suunto Traverse Alpha

All you hunters out there, fingers off the trigger and listen up. Suunto has designed a timepiece just for you. The Traverse Alpha features automatic shot detection technology that tracks the GPS coordinates of your kill, making it one of the best watches for gentlemen who partake in field sports. 

It also has a red backlight for use with night-vision goggles, a built-in flashlight for when you’re prowling after dark, and a moon phase feature to track moon rise and set times. So whether it’s fishing