Whether you're looking to up your game with a new watch or add to your impressive collection, this list of the best timepieces will help you find your next great pick. Watches run the gamut of style and function and can be found for just about any occasion or outfit.
If you are outdoorsy or value function over fashion, then tactical watches, field watches, and smart watches will be right up your alley. If you're on the hunt for a new luxury watch, dive, pilot, or sailing watches should be at the top of your list.
The beauty is these watches stand the test of time and will forever remain classics no matter how many times they upgrade their models. The only issue is, which one will you choose to wear daily?
Luminox Master Carbon Seal Automatic 3875 Watch
Made to handle some challenging situations, this beauty from Luminox is crafted from the brand’s proprietary Carbonox+ material. It’s light, durable, hypoallergenic, weatherproof, and shock and scratch-resistant. The model also features automatic movement and is extremely water-resistant, with an easily legible face and sapphire crystal.
If this is strong enough for the baddest of the bad, the U.S. Navy Seals, it is for sure strong enough to handle whatever you have going on in your life.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Automatic Watch
Audemars Piguet debuted its Royal Oak collection in 1972, one of the first brands to make a genuine luxury watch in chunky steel with a large case rather than a smaller gold model. This watch may see you more trying to figure out how to survive a fundraising gala than navigating through the wilderness, but it’s nice to know it can handle either with ease.
Going from formal dress to the wilderness may require a complete wardrobe change, but your timepiece can stay the same.
IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Spitfire Watch
This classic casual watch could just become your one and only. Initially produced for the British Royal Air Force, its traditional, retro styling goes with just about anything in a man’s wardrobe. The automatic movement means the watch keeps running for 72 hours even if you take it off for a few days.
Whether dressing for the office, a day around the house, or an adventure off the beaten path, a touch of British history can go along with you.
Hamilton Khaki Field Silicone Strap Watch
It’s said that Hamilton developed one of the first field watches, making it easier to check the time (compared to using a pocket watch) while scrambling between trenches and foxholes. This modern version features a silicone strap with a fabric-look texture and a PVD-coated stainless steel case.
Built for rugged adventure, this watch is ready for action with a combination of lightweight functionality and authentic military-inspired style.
Skagen Grenen Stainless Steel Mesh Watch
The Field Watch gets a clean Danish design update at Skagen. Inspired by Grenen, Denmark’s northernmost beach, the collection is pro-planet and features a 50% recycled stainless steel case and ecologically responsible packaging. It is simplicity at its finest, modern and clean with a hidden crown, Swiss luminous minute hands, hour hands, and Arabic indexes, backed up with a precise Japanese three-hand movement.
Suunto 9 Peak Granite Blue Titanium
This ultra-thin but tough GPS watch will monitor your heart rate and offer barometric readings. It features grade 5 titanium (lighter, harder, and stronger than stainless steel) for lighter weight, supreme comfort, and scratch resistance. Titanium is also hypoallergenic, so the watch case is great for those with sensitive skin. The watch’s smart parts feature more than 80 sport modes, GPS navigation, blood oxygen readings, and more. Suunto also offers customization options, with changeable strap colors and materials and good old-fashioned engraving.
Fossil Gen 5E
Fossil is one of the household watch brands you can trust most, and this Fossil smartwatch is no exception. The Gen 5E has all the essentials you need, such as a fitness tracker, built-in speakers, and multiday battery modes. You can also utilize the smartwatch’s contact-free payment through Google Pay. This is the watch that will make your everyday life a little more convenient.
Hamilton American Classic PSR Digital Quartz Watch
Hamilton debuted the Pulsar watch in 1970, celebrating a kind of astronaut chic inspired by the first moon landing the year before. Its simple, polished style features a classic red LED display with a clean stainless steel case and bracelet.
There is nothing better than celebrating our country's greatest achievements in style.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman Multi-Band 6 Atomic Timekeeping Watch
Are you looking for a Casio watch? The G-Shock has become practically a cultural phenomenon unto itself, renowned for its durability and chunky, elaborate design. The Rangeman (just one of many, many iterations) strays into both tactical and dive watch territory, featuring a digital compass, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and atomic timekeeping, all while being suitable for light scuba diving.
Breitling Aviator 8 Automatic Blue Dial Watch
Gaston Breitling created one of the first wrist-worn chronographs with an independent pusher in 1915. It was one of the greatest innovations in watches due to its ability to allow users to check the time without reaching into their pockets.
With this watch’s sky-blue face and white topstitched blue leather band, it toes the line between a fancy dress and a casual watch. It’s a bit chunky for the most formal ensembles but looks excellent with tweedy looks and dressed-up denim.
Stuhrling Original Aviator Quartz Black Dial Watch
“Adventure” is never far from the Aviator’s lifestyle, and it shows in everything from the skeletonized luminous pointed baton-style hands to the screw-down stainless steel case back. When you see the legendary Stührling wings logo stamped on the case, you know that you’ve got a timepiece that’ll be ready to accompany you through any adventure you can think of.
Ulysse Nardin Diver Automatic Chronograph
Imagine being named for one of the most famous adventurers in history and being the son of one the most prominent watchmakers of the time; Ulysses Nardin carried a heavy heritage. The best way to live up to both of those legacies was to make one of the most extraordinary adventure watches on the market. We think this contemporary style from the company that bears his name would make all of them proud.
Nove Trident Swiss Made Ultra Slim Dive Watch
Dive watches are a pillar of the watch industry, being one of the most classic of adventure watches. Most dive watches are thicker to case the mechanics needed to operate, but this watch offers a slim profile not often seen in the category.
Trident still features some serious diver styling, including lever stoppers with teeth for adjusting the outer dial. Amazingly, the NOVE Trident can withstand the heavy pressures of deep-sea exploration that even James Cameron dreams about, going up 660 feet/200 meters beneath the surface.
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 18kt Rose Gold Automatic Watch
From the bottom of the sea to the top of the world, this pilot watch offers an 18-karat rose gold case that is refined and elegant, especially when paired with the brown face and brown leather band.
Rolex Deepsea D-Blue Dial Automatic Men’s Stainless Steel Oyster Watch
If you love watches, Rolex is on your bucket list of brands to add to your collection.
Practically synonymous with luxurious watches and good taste, the Rolex name is internationally renowned for straightforward, masculine design and quality that lasts for generations. The Oyster watch is the very epitome of the brand’s heritage.
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Self-Winding Watch
Easily crossing boundaries in this story from automatics to luxury to dress watches, this dark blue watch (the strap is Mississippi alligator) with a pink gold case is the very essence of elegance. It’s also set with 117 round-cut diamonds and is part of a collection of contemporary interpretations of watches from Vacheron Constantin’s 70-year history. Think of it as an investment in your own family’s heritage.
Movado Museum Classic
The Movado Museum watch truly is a classic, espousing simple, elegant design that looks as great with a suit as it does with a pair of blue jeans. It’s called the “Museum” because it’s included in the collections of 20 museums worldwide. This minimal stainless steel beauty features 11 diamond markers on its face, a mesh bracelet, and a Swiss Quartz Movement.
It doesn't matter which watch you choose; any of these amazing watches is going to outperform anything you have ever had. All you have to do is remember to charge them, wind them, or replace their batteries on a regular basis and you will never be without a great-looking timepiece.
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