Category: Watch Reviews

No one is going to blame you for instantly thinking of countries like Japan and Switzerland when it comes to conversations about horological domination. It’s completely true that both countries dominate the watchmaking industry, and for very different reasons.

But when we really open the book and delve into the history of watchmaking, it’s much more of an international story. What if I were to tell you that some of the most important watch manufacturers in the world originated from America? True story, really!

A look at the current landscape tells us there are many more hidden players in the watchmaking game than meets the eye. Indeed, the Swiss are not the only ones who know a thing or two about escapements and balance springs.

In fact, the watchmaking scene in the US was positively thriving back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. By this point, America had impressed the Swiss with its watchmaking expertise and mass production of watch parts.

In fact, if it had not been for the Great Depression and World War II, the horological climate could have looked a lot different for us all. Who knows – the Swiss may have never even reclaimed their position as leaders in watch manufacture had it not been for those circumstances.

If you’re interested in exploring US watch brands, you’re reading the right article. In this guide, we’ll examine the history of watchmaking in America and highlight some of the best American watch companies.

The History of American Watchmaking 

Around the 17th and 18th centuries, watchmaking took off in America. Up to that point, the Swiss and British dominated this space. Britain was known for its accuracy, and though British watches may not have been the most stylish, they were certainly some of the most reliable.

It was indeed the Swiss who were the more fashion-conscious of the two countries. British manufacturers began selling their watches to European markets, whilst their cheaper models went to America.

As such, America soon realized that if it wanted to put itself on the map for creating watches of a particular class or style, it would need to disassociate itself from the cheap junk it was becoming known for, and actually begin manufacturing its own timepieces.

The US began large-scale watch manufacturing in Massachusetts in the 1850s, and it soon became a hotbed for watchmaking during the Industrial Revolution.

The Waltham Watch Company was launched in 1854 by Aaron Dennison. Thanks to his expertise, the company produced the first American-made watch and began developing advanced machinery and tools that eventually went on to help American watchmaking really take off.

The tools spread to other industries, too. Meanwhile, the machinery used to cut metal parts and produce watch components was not good news for the British or the Swiss.

Realising their cheap watches were no longer selling well in America, a quick visit across the pond confirmed that the country’s technology was far superior to their own and could even develop quality screws that their machinery couldn’t.

To cut a long story short, the Swiss were impressed by America’s newfangled technology. They took inspiration from them, and although the Swiss were still dominating the industry and producing watches with hand-finished components, they couldn’t compete with America on large-scale manufacture.

American design elements even became apparent in some of the simpler models, acquiring their own identity. But by the 1900s, the Swiss had managed to catch up with America and were competing in the same space for the more affordable sector.

While Swiss watches were made using components produced in many different factories, US watches were developed in one factory. Therefore, if the Swiss had a supplier problem, they had alternatives to explore. 

America didn’t have various suppliers to fall back on. Switzerland was also quick off the mark in supplying wristwatches to the military during the First World War.

By the time the Great Depression had arrived, consumer goods like wristwatches were out of the question. No one could afford them. However, Swiss brands were in a much better position to supply wristwatches to aid the efforts of WWII.

America would struggle to overcome this blow. One brand that did survive the ordeal, however, was a manufacturer called The Waterbury Clock Company – AKA Timex. Now hold that thought.

15 Best American-Made Watch Brands

Today, millions of watches are imported to the USA from countries like Switzerland and Japan every year. Although traditional American watchmaking had all but disappeared during the 20th Century, new entrepreneurs are gradually re-entering the watchmaking scene, each one striving to bring authentic American watchmaking back to its shores.

Some brands like RGM make almost every element of their watches in-house, while others like Shinola assemble watches in America, creating dozens of jobs but importing their components from third-party manufacturers overseas.

With that in mind, it’s easy to see how the lines can become blurred between those brands that are the true “Made in America” type and those that aren’t. Either way, here are 15 American watch brands producing good-quality watches in 2025.

Timex

Let’s kick-start this guide to the best American watch brands with a name you’ll have heard of: Timex. The brand is technically owned by a Dutch holding company and has a history that stems far beyond the Timex name (1950) to the Waterbury Clock Company, founded in the 1850s.

Timex is the brand that created the famous Mickey Mouse watches you’ll remember from your childhood, and innovated classics like the M79, the Marlin, and the Waterbury.

Along with producing simple time and date dress watches, Timex offers an array of military-inspired mechanicals, including GMT complications and chronographs.

Benrus

Benrus still resides in New York City and was founded in 1921 by three brothers. This American watch brand played an essential role during the Vietnam War, providing the American troops with legible field watches.

As such, its Type I and Type II watches were the top choice for the US Navy during the 1970s. The company specialises in military field watches and, over the years, has created many styles, acquiring an impressive fan base that included the likes of John F Kennedy, who was gifted a Benrus watch in the 1960s.

J.N. Shapiro

J.N. Shapiro is a relatively young brand that was founded in 2018. Based in California, the company’s founder, Josh Shapiro, and his team focus on crafting high-end watches. They hope that someday the company will become a vertically integrated setup.

The brand’s initial Infinity watch used German parts, enhanced by J.N. Shapiro’s in-house design, including its covetable engine-turned dials. Today, around 150 of its 180 watch components are created in-house, demonstrating the brand’s relentless drive for complete independence.

Of course, such a level of skill in a watch does not come cheap. J.N. Shapiro watches are expensive, with average prices ranging from $ 70k to $ 85k.

Weiss

Weiss was founded by a watchmaker with unparalleled expertise in horology, having worked for Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin – two of the “Big Three” in watchmaking. Cameron Weiss set up in 2013, developing wristwatches inspired by vintage aircraft and old 1950s diving apparatus.

Although originally founded in LA, Weiss now resides in Tennessee, where each watch is individually hand-assembled by a Swiss-trained watchmaker.

Every watch’s case, crown, and strap buckle is machined from a single block of steel, while inside each watch is an in-house movement that is 95% American-made.

Autodromo

Autodromo is another young brand (founded in 2011) that creates timepieces inspired by the world of motoring. Because of this special USP, the brand now appeals to motorsport enthusiasts far and wide.

One of the company’s bestsellers is the Prototipo Chronograph with a distinctive 1960s racing chronograph aesthetic. Meanwhile, the brand’s Group C model is a digital watch with motorsport roots, blending classic looks with the digital era.

RGM

If in-house manufacture is important to you in an American watch brand, RGM should be on your radar. The initials stand for Roland G. Murphy – the founder of the company and a trained watchmaker, who initially worked for Hamilton as a technical manager.

Murphy was responsible for crafting the first high-grade American mechanical watch in over four decades, resuscitating this once thriving industry.

Murphy followed this up with a moonphase calibre 20 watch with a tonneau-shaped case featuring a motor barrel that reduced friction. The mechanism was once used in American railroad watches.

Vortic

Vortic was founded on a unique vision shared by three entrepreneurs who wanted to create steel watches developed by a 3D printing machine, and could house original pocket watch movements.

These movements, discarded by brands like Waltham, Hamilton, and Elgin watches, appealed to collectors far and wide.

Today, Voetic watches are made using CNC machines. Still, they are no less impressive, honouring styles from yesteryear and falling into one of three main categories: the American Artisan, the Railroad Editions, and the Military.

Shinola

Shinola communicated its mission to reinvent quality watch manufacturing in America by naming itself after the defunct shoe polish company that became famous for its phrase “you don’t know shit from Shinola”.

Ironically enough, the Texas-based watchmaker uses watch parts imported from all over the world, including China, Thailand, and Europe. Shinola is a lifestyle brand offering watches with quartz and mechanical movements.

It has a nuanced history, chequered by the scrutiny it has received for bearing labels like “Made in America” and “Made in Detroit”. Even so, the brand produces a vast array of stylish watches of the quality that you would expect from its price point.

LUM-TEC

LUM-TEC is based in Ohio and owned by Wiegand Custom Watch Company LLC. That company produces parts for private-label watches, but LUM-TEC is its showcase brand.

As you would expect from its name, the brand is synonymous with excellent luminosity and specialises in its own luminous technology – MVD (Maximum Darkness Visibility). The technology comprises a white titanium dioxide layer and another six layers of custom-developed Super-LumiNova.

Lastly, the concoction receives a glass coat layer. Underneath the dial, however, are Japanese or Swiss movements. LUM-TEC even produces a cool lume-coated NATO strap that complements its rugged, no-nonsense military-inspired watch designs.  

Oak & Oscar

If you’ve heard of Oak & Oscar, you’re likely familiar with its Burnham watch – a time and date watch that takes its name from one of several Windy City Skyscrapers of its hometown, Chicago. As a running theme throughout Oak & Oscar’s catalogue, these watches have given the brand a unique identity. \

The “Oscar” part of the company is named after one of the founder’s pet dogs, and subsequently, the brand demonstrates its love of dogs in its mission statement, supporting local dog rescue centres via its sales of watches.

Nodus

The name Nodus derives from the Larin word for “pathways,” which signifies the microbrand’s uniting of two paths – modern and vintage. The company’s forest watch arrived in 2017 with a distinctive retro dive watch aesthetic.

That initial model went on to inspire popular designs like the Sector Dive and the Retrospect. Nodus uses imported watch parts but designs and assembles them in-house within its company’s HQs in Los Angeles.

Waldan

Whilst imprisoned during WWII, Polish company founder Oscar Waldan taught himself the craft of watchmaking at Buchenwald concentration camp. The company’s backstory is one of strength, resilience, and empowerment, and now resides in New York as Waldan Watch Company.

The company is now under the guidance of Walden’s grandson, who revived the brand in 2020. Waldan watches are a mix of important, home-soil parts, and feature high-grade stainless steel cases, sapphire crystal glass fronts, and FTS “Ameriquartz” movements.

The watches are all assembled in America and tested there, too, including popular designs like the Heritage Professional and Heritage Sport.

Vaer

Can’t afford the watches you like, and the ones you can afford, you dislike? If that’s your view on watches, you share your opinion with the founders of Vaer, so this American watch brand’s designs may be worth checking out. Vaer first began releasing watches assembled overseas, but now manufactures its own watches.

Vaer watches are aimed at sporty individuals and those who spend a lot of time outdoors, with designs like the D5 Tropic USA Automatic and S5 Calendar Field proving to be pillars of the brand’s success.

Vaer equips its watches with Japanese solar-powered watches and Sellita-powered automatics, making them perfect for everyday wear.

Resco Instruments

Every watch from Resco Instruments is designed, assembled, and tested at the company’s Coronado-based facilities in California, including its very first model – the Gent Patriot – a rugged utilitarian model with bags of character and solid functionality.

The brand specialises in watches that can be worn “downrange” for a more casual, daily look, and produces watches on a low scale. Some 600-1000 Resco Instruments watches are made each year.

Despite this, the collection is diverse, including models like the Black Frog, geared towards those who love military dive watch designs.

Cincinnati Watch Company

The clue is in the name. Cincinnati Watch Company is an American watch brand that arrived in 2018 and originally went by the name “Build Your Own Watch”. Since that founding year, the company has slowly but surely grown and now offers a catalogue of watches inspired by the historic landmarks of its town.

For example, the Union Terminal watch was inspired by the Art Deco “Queen City” train station, and the Guild Mechanical pays homage to the “Time Hall” guild hall that was once the home of the Gruen Watch Company, where it now resides.

American Watchmaking Today

Sadly, the US is no longer considered one of the leading lights in the watchmaking world, but the country deserves so much more recognition than it gets.

America played such an important role in the world of watches today, shaping history and birthing some of the most successful timepieces on the planet. We really do owe a lot to American watchmakers.

The current horological landscape tells us two things in particular. One is that foreign companies bought out leaders in this field of expertise. Examples include Hamilton, Ball Watch Company, and Bulova.

Secondly, it tells us that many other established brands sadly disappeared somewhere along the way. That said, some really good US watch brands are out there, offering timepieces at all price ranges from budget to high-end.

The reality is that very few quality watches are made in America today. Brands like Waltham, Bulova, and Elgin, which influenced the Swiss with their cutting-edge machinery and innovative designs, have survived, albeit only by name.

These brands are still popular, but not so much for their American roots, which is a huge shame. If for nothing else, America is today associated with the mass manufacture of inexpensive, disposable watches – a market that grew unexpectedly from the 1960s onwards.

Names like Timex are recognised all over the globe, and though this brand caters to a more budget-focused audience, its name is solid. As such, it was one of the few companies to survive Swiss domination and the impact of the quartz revolution.

Because of brands like these in this list, America could one day regain its reputation for crafting quality timepieces and rise from the ashes with a resurgence in authentic American-roots brands. Until then, there are still plenty of watches to enjoy.

The concept of a “casual watch” has evolved quite a bit over the years as we’ve moved into a more informal culture. In the early part of the 20^th century, women mostly wore wristwatches on special occasions, while men used them as a purpose-built tool or with a tuxedo for an important dinner. 

The rise of the everyday watch really took off in the 1950s, and it continued through the Quartz Crisis of the 1980s as remarkably accurate watches became affordable for society at large. 

From the quartz to the advent of smartwatches, mechanical timepieces managed to survive, with casual pieces leading the charge. Here’s a list of worthy wrist companions for those men who want a serious watch, but also want to keep things chill. 

NOMOS Glashütte Tangente

The independent darling of Glashütte, Germany – what NOMOS is doing (and has been doing for many years now) is basically unmatched at this price point.

In-house calibers, a Bauhaus-inspired design language that is truly their own, and excellent finishing make Nomos a very viable brand for your everyday watch needs. 

In fact, legendary watchmaker Philippe Dufour was quoted as saying, “I found that [Nomos] makes a very serious product. I like these watches…not too expensive and good value for money.” For those who aren’t aware, that is extremely high praise.

Consider the Tangente model, which currently has 60 options for you to choose from. They’re all built around NOMOS’ DUW 4601, manual wind caliber, which features a ¾ plate with beautiful sunbeam finishing and the manufacturer’s proprietary Swing System escapement. This is the real deal, folks.

Different dial color combos, date vs. no date, date with power reserve – there’s a little something for everyone here. You can even have your choice of case sizes: 33 mm, 35 mm, or 38 mm (with a few choices even beyond those).

Average price is between $2,500 and $3,000, depending on the model, with options in precious metal priced significantly higher.

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

Here we have another affordable option that offers lots of choices. Oris has been killing it the last several years, and the Big Crown Pointer Date might be their most signature piece at the moment. 

It’s easy to see why – this line offers a cleanly executed version of the date pointer complication, with just the right amount of vintage inspiration in those cathedral hands, coin edge bezel, and deliciously antique-ish font.

An exhibition caseback showcases the SW-200-based Oris 754 automatic movement, which offers 38 hours of power reserve.

This is quite a wearable proposition at 40 mm, with the X Cervo Volante Blue coming in a little smaller at 38 mm. And while these are primarily available in stainless steel, a couple of references can be had in bronze for those wanting a little extra oomph. 

Add in some really nice finishing (did I mention the coin edge bezel?) and you’ve got a winning combination that can be dressed up for the boardroom or down for a day of running errands. Prices run from $2,100 to $2,700, depending on the specific reference.

Seiko 5 Sports GMT

The list wouldn’t be complete without a GMT, and this one from Seiko is a great choice. This storied Japanese brand is unique in that it has a major place in the history of horology, but specializes in manufacturing everyday watches that are durable, accurate, and inexpensive. 

The 5 Sports GMT offers multiple case finishes, dial colors from black, to yellow, to orange (my personal favorite), and all are priced under $500, even on a bracelet! 100 meters of water resistance is plenty for an everyday timepiece, and there are options in both 39mm and 42 mm. 

Plus, you get Seiko’s workhorse in-house automatic, Caliber 4R34 movement with an exhibition case back to show it off. This is the perfect choice for someone who wants the ultimate bang for their buck in a casual, everyday timepiece. 

Zodiac Super Sea Wolf

The original Sea Wolf is easily the most identifiable watch ever produced by Zodiac. The earliest known examples date from 1957/1958, but the company claims its year of release as 1953 – the same year as another watch you may have heard of: the Rolex Submariner.

Add in the Fifty Fathoms from Blancpain, and you have perhaps the most defining single year in the history of horology. 

The OG version of the Sea Wolf featured an A Schild automatic movement and a 35 mm stainless steel case. It boasted a water resistance rating of 100 m, and while that may not seem like much by today’s standards, it was twice that of the Fifty Fathoms – a watch that many historians cite as the most robust dive watch of the 1950s.

Dauphine hands, Arabic numerals, a rotating bezel, and applied triangular markers at 12, 3, 6 and 9:00 completed the look. It was unique, and it’s a design that’s largely carried through right up until today. 

Today’s Sea Wolf comes in a variety of flavors, but the Super Sea Wolf Skin is likely closest to the original. The rectangular lumed markers, bezel, and dauphine hands remain, as does an automatic Swiss movement (STP 1-11). 

But you get 200 m of water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and a predicted increase in size to a still reasonable 39 mm. It’s a great time-only watch that is readable in any environment, and at $1,295, it would be a perfect casual piece for someone on a budget.  

Tudor Black Bay 58

I’d guess the Black Bay 58 would be on many people’s list of the best watch releases from the last 5 years. Its praise has come from across the spectrum – from seasoned watch collectors to first time buyers, and in truth, this is a package that’s difficult to argue with. 

Its snowflake hands are a showstopper amongst a super clean, Submariner-style dial. A screw down crown helps ensure its 200 meters of water resistance and its steel bezel with aluminum insert plays with the light in unexpected ways. I think it’s safe to say that Tudor is no longer simply Rolex’s baby brother.

This watch is no less impressive under the hood, where you’ll find Tudor’s manufacture caliber MT5402. It sports 27 jewels, a whopping 70 hours of power reserve, and a COSC (certified chronometer) accuracy rating. 

At $4,175 on a brushed steel Tudor bracelet, you can see why many say this piece is a true “only watch collection” candidate.

Worth noting is that it does wear a little bigger than its stated 39 mm case size, but still looks great on slightly smaller wrists. My personal favorite version (of many) is the black dial M79030N – that red triangle at 12 with pip gets me every time.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Master Chronograph

What can you say about the Speedmaster that Omega hasn’t already said themselves? I kid…though I think even they would acknowledge that much of their brand in recent years has been centered around this watch. 

I can’t say I blame them, though– especially because, forgetting everything else, when you get right down to it, the Speedmaster is a truly excellent watch that might just be the only one you’ll ever need.

For the uninitiated, the Omega Speedmaster debuted in 1957 with the CK2915. It featured a 39 mm case (very large for the time period), radium-lumed broad arrow hands, a tachymeter bezel, a 3-register dial, and the legendary 321 manual wind chronograph movement (co-produced with Lemania).

This original model only stayed in production for 2 years, and as such, it has become highly sought after in the vintage market, with a price tag to match.

After the CK2915, the Speedmaster went through several iterations until 1965, when NASA tested watches by Rolex, Breitling, and Omega in preparation for its first moon mission. Of the 3, only the Omega survived these tests, and 4 years later, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin each wore a 42 mm Speedmaster 105.012 on Apollo 11. 

After landing, Armstrong was forced to leave his watch behind on the command module as a backup due to a failing electronic timer, leaving Aldrin’s to be the first watch worn on the moon. Sadly, that watch mysteriously disappeared on its way to the Smithsonian – and it hasn’t been seen since. 

The Speedmaster again became a pivotal piece of space tech when, in 1970, Apollo 13’s Commander Jim Lovell’s Speedy was used to time the 14-second firing of the ship’s re-entry rockets, helping the ill-fated ship get back home.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to buying a new Speedy, but my preference (besides vintage) is the Moonwatch, which most adheres to what people think of when you say “Speedmaster.” But going this route means you have yet another decision in front of you – and in my view, an important one. 

A true traditionalist would choose the 50.01.001 at $7,000, which utilizes a Hesalite crystal and a solid caseback.

But I’d be more inclined to spend an extra 1k on the 50.01.002, which employs a sapphire crystal on both the front and the back of the watch, allowing a full view of the work of art that is the caliber 3861. But either way, you really can’t go wrong.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Barakuda

When Blancpain released the Fifty-Fathoms in 1953, it was an absolute game-changer. Widely considered to be the world’s first modern dive watch, it was a piece born out of necessity.

The French Navy needed a watch for their elite diving group known as the Frogmen. Blancpain’s CEO at the time was a diver himself, and gladly accepted the challenge. 

Working directly with the leader of the Frogmen, Blancpain developed a self-winding watch that was fully watertight down to over 91 meters (hence the “Fifty Fathoms” moniker).

It also featured an anti-magnetic case, a unidirectional rotating bezel with dive-time scale, and radium lume to allow for easy viewing in difficult lighting conditions. 

We all take these things for granted now, but make no mistake – in the mid-1950s, they were revolutionary. Oh, and it was 42 mm – absolutely monstrous for the time. 

The original Barakuda (yep, spelled with a “k”) was a variation of the Fifty Fathoms issued to the Bundesmarine, or German Navy. It was named for the German diving company that supplied much of Blancpain’s specialized diving parts.

This model was issued in the 1960s in very limited numbers, and it’s thought that fewer than 150 examples survive today. And even though the 2019 re-edition was limited to only 500 pieces, you’ll have a much easier time finding one than you would an OG version. 

You’ll get a reasonably faithful re-issue, with some wonderful upgrades…many of which can be seen in the in-house automatic caliber 1151, which boasts a massive 100-hour power reserve. The size comes down from 45 mm to a much more wearable 40.5 mm, and you get a sapphire crystal and display back. 

Even the “old radium-type Super Luminova” is done really well and truly makes sense with the watch. This, coming from a guy who generally hates what is now referred to as “faux lume.”

At $25-30k on the pre-owned market, it’s the most expensive watch on our list. But this is true haute horology, folks…and in my view, the best kind. It’s covert in its luxury…those who “know” will know, and to everyone else, it’s simply a very attractive, casual timepiece. 

Junghans Max Bill

Max Bill was a man of many talents. An architect, designer, and a visual artist – this Swiss powerhouse is widely considered to be among the most important and influential creatives of the 20th century. 

He also became an educator, founding the Ulm School of Design in Germany, where he taught the principles of the Bauhaus design tradition. It is this legacy that yielded a line of wristwatches that would bring Max Bill’s work to a wide consumer audience.

Max Bill’s grandfather was a watchmaker, and he began designing watches and clocks with German manufacturer Junghans in 1861.

So, it was only natural that Max would continue that tradition – working with Junghans first on his kitchen clock or “Küchenuhr” in the 1950s, and then on a line of Bauhaus-inspired wristwatches (many with fonts Bill created himself). 

The original Max Bill watches were 34 mm stainless steel, time-only pieces with oversized hour indexes and luminous dots and 3, 6, and 9:00. Inside was Junghans’ in-house manual wind caliber J84/S10, which sported a 45-hour power reserve. One version had Arabic numerals, and the other simply had stick marker indicators.

Most of today’s Max Bill watches are quite faithful to the originals in terms of design and overall look, though different dial colors and complications like a chronograph and/or date are now available.

For the traditional versions, changes include an increase in size to 38 mm and the ETA-based Junghans Caliber J800-1 self-winding movement. 

Vintage Max Bill watches are extremely rare these days. But with the contemporary versions being so faithful to the original look, you have the chance to sport some serious design history for around $1,500. That’s a pretty good deal if you ask me.

Rolex Submariner

A friend of mine and a major collector gave me a prediction recently. He said in a few years, our crew will be reminiscing about our collecting days and the fun we had… and all of us will be wearing a Rolex Submariner. He may very well be right.

Several watches on this list could be “one-watch collection” candidates, but none more so than the Rolex Sub. Perhaps the most recognizable design in wristwatch history (yeah, I said it) – it’s the quintessential casual sports watch that works as well in the elements as it does at your desk. 

It looks great out of the box, and sometimes even better as it begins to show its age. Being a certified chronometer, its movement is super accurate, and the current models showcase a 70-hour power reserve. And there are tons of versions to choose from.

When it debuted in 1953, it stood out amongst its counterparts by being the first diving watch with 100 meters of water resistance.

Fashioned in stainless steel with a black bezel and black time-only dial with radium lume, readability was paramount. It was also very wearable 37 mm and looked amazing on the wrist from the get-go.

6 years later, the case size increased to 40 mm and the Submariner’s position as the flagship model for Rolex’s line-up became cemented.

Crown guards were also introduced that same year, and from there, updates in dial finish and colors, a date complication, precious metals, sapphire crystals, and bezel materials followed. 

But really, the design language of that first release in 1953 can be seen right up through the present day. This is a true exercise in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

To me, a stainless steel, black dial, no date version is the truest expression of the Submariner. In the 124060 released in 2020, you’ll get 300 m of water resistance, Rolex’s Cerachrom (ceramic) bezel, Triplock crown, and super bright Chromalight lume (that glows blue when activated). 

Rolex’s in-house Caliber 3230 has a best-in-class anti-shock Parachrom hairspring, a patented anti-magnetic Chronergy escapement, and 70 hours of power reserve. That’s a ton of tech in one 41 mm package, with one of horology’s most historic designs wrapped around it.

While the retail price of a new 124060 on an oyster bracelet is $9,200, the waiting lists are usually long and stock is often reserved for repeat customers. Pre-owned examples range from $10k-$13k, depending on condition.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – a list of casual watches for you men to consider when thinking about your next purchase. Many are viable possibilities as an “only watch,” and all are built well enough to be a companion for many years to come.

Regardless of what watch you choose or how much you spend, the important thing is that your next watch represents your needs and taste. Mechanical timepieces are a respite from today’s disposable culture, and investing in one means that you find value in something crafted with care and attention. 

Having the right watch on your wrist should make you smile. If it doesn’t, go find one that does.

Treading the glamorous path of pure imagination, the pocket watch has dwelt in its own little realm for centuries.

A historic emblem of eras past, this technological revolution changed the way humanity tells time, laying the foundation of a culture that views timekeeping as both a necessity and a luxurious art form. 

Today, we will be looking at how pocket watches have evolved from humanity’s first mobile method to tell time into the classical piece of jewelry they are known for today. We will also be examining the defining characteristics of pocket watches, including the protective coverings, which are notable for being exquisitely crafted, and the sturdy chain used to attach the watch to your clothing. 

Across the market, pocket watches come in many shapes and sizes, though you can typically expect them to carry a round shape with an elegant face that showcases the hours, minutes, and seconds.

The pocket watch market may not be as mainstream as the wristwatch market, but that does not mean it’s any less vibrant. There’s something out there for everyone, and that’s exactly what we’re going to narrow down today. 

History

The invention of the pocket watch can be traced back to Peter Henlein, a German locksmith. The year in which he first developed his masterful creation is up for debate.

Popular consensus seems to be that Henlein created the Portable Pomander Watch in either 1505 or 1510, as his works were typically built into musk-balls or pomanders, a very popular industrial style of that time period. 

These small pendant containers were fashioned from precious metals and are now known as pomander watches, but they were frequently given as gifts to the wealthy or important individuals.

The centuries that followed praised Henlein’s work, recognizing it for its industrial and historical importance, as early pocket watches were designed to be portable time-tellers, completely unreliant on a power source. 

This launched the horology scene into the stratosphere, questioning the limits of what’s possible in the timekeeping world. Not only do these pieces owe everything to Henlein’s historical narrative that allowed them to shine, but every form of mobile timekeeping owes everything they have to the centuries of groundwork that came before. 

The Top 18 Pocket Watches

As we dive into the list, be moved by the rich history that lurks within each and every piece, and consider the prestigious appeal that each work instills within its wearer. Pocket watches are excellent indulgences, and when you have a deeper understanding of the history, it allows you to enjoy them all the more. 

ShoppeWatch Eagle Pocket Watch

The antique, old-school vibe is what keeps pocket watch fans coming back, and it doesn’t get more old-school than the ShoppeWatch.

This piece is praised for its vintage aesthetic, with an eye-catching eagle design across the front of the case, which gives it just enough flair to stand out. 

The half-hunter style means that you can catch a glimpse of the watch face through the aluminum lid, providing a bit of texture and detail that is very much welcome.

Measuring 45 millimeters in diameter and with a 14-inch chain strap, you are going to have no problem sporting this old-timey beauty wherever you go. 

The ShoppeWatch Eagle Pocket Watch costs $29.

August Steiner Silver-Tone Pocket Watch

This exquisite silver beauty pairs best with formal attire, adding much-needed character to any outfit. It features a skeleton dial that showcases the precision and intricacy of the mechanical movement.

The sleekness comes from the engraved concentric circles, and a brushed bezel provides a smooth complement, displaying its elegant Roman numerals as one of the primary eye-catchers. 

For the dial window, a sapphire-coated mineral crystal shines bright, ensuring flawless protection, and with a measurement of 47.5 millimeters, this watch already comes equipped with a sturdy endurance to any potential damage. 

The August Steiner Silver-Tone Pocket Watch costs $64.

ManChDa Mechanical Skeleton Pocket Watch

Skeleton watches are able to demonstrate the intricate perfection it takes to create a piece of this magnitude. It demonstrates acts of incredible engineering on a microscale, which is why the ManChDa is one of the most appealing skeleton pocket watches I have ever seen.

With a transparent front and back, it allows full display of the gears inside, turning the piece into a luxurious spectacle that can fit right inside your pocket.

The luminous hands elevate it even more, allowing for flawless legibility even in the darkest of conditions. This watch has a Victorian vibe, contributing to the classical appeal all the more, and with the post-industrial edge, it’s sure to attract an assortment of admirers. 

The ManChDa Mechanical Skeleton Pocket Watch costs $59.

Stuhrling Provost 980 Hand-wind 48mm Skeleton Pocket Watch

The dramatic black tone of the numerals perfectly complements the Breguet-style hands, creating an incredible amount of classical brilliance reflected on the Provost.

This is a rather large case, measuring 48mm in diameter, and the Krysterna Crystals found on the front and back reinforce the skeleton aesthetic. The bezel is gorgeous as well, providing an incredibly detailed Step Design that adds much-needed texture. 

Overall, the skeleton design and the smooth brushing of the dial are what stand out on this piece. The classical refinement is what sold me, and upon looking closer, you can spot an easy-to-miss detail that serves the aesthetic all the more. 

The Stuhrling Provost 980 Hand-wind 48mm Skeleton Pocket Watch costs $105.

Brelsen Royal Silver Double Hunter Pocket Watch

This mechanical beauty is suitable for every special occasion, matching all suit styles with ease. The white, Roman-numbered dial is reminiscent of a Cartier design, with refined classical elements to give it that dignified antique look. 

The front and back opening case is polished for a lustrous shine, opening to reveal the intricate skeleton face powered by a 17 jewel, 11-¾ ligne, three-hand mechanical movement that can reach 21,600 vph and 40 hours of power reserve.

You’re going to want to sport this piece on special occasions, as its elevated nature could come across as too formal in any other setting. 

The Brelsen Royal Silver Double Hunter Pocket Watch costs $90.

IWC Pallweber Pocket Watch

The Pallweber’s hand-wound movement features two barrels, representing a thoroughly creative take on the traditional pocket watches that we’re used to. Unlike previous pieces, this pocket watch is very modern and fresh, incorporating a fresh, premium feel influenced by its materials.

The 18K gold case is a beauty, opening to a gorgeous display that features the hours and minutes in digital format with large numerals and rotating discs.

The sleek white pairs well with the pristine gold, making this one of the most unique and beautiful pieces on this list. This pocket watch is far from traditional, so it may not appeal to fans of more reserved designs. 

But those whom it does attract will not be disappointed. It’s also worth mentioning that this watch is exceedingly rare as it is part of the Pallweber “150 Years” collection.

Because of this, the Pallweber is viewed as a very prestigious collector’s item and is priced extraordinarily high. It’s a gorgeous, incredibly unique work of art. This list would feel incomplete without giving it some sort of praise.

The IWC Pallweber Pocket Watch costs around $36,000.

Charles-Hubert Stainless Steel Half Hunter Mechanical Pocket Watch

This striking, open-faced timepiece follows a contemporary design that delivers a functional, stylish, and high-level performance directly to your pocket.

The intricate inner parts of the 17-jewel movement are visible from the face, putting on a mesmerising show. The silver tone of this variant is much more preferable, and, in my opinion, complements the low-key aesthetic all the more. 

I should mention that the case is made from stainless steel, and it measures around 47 millimeters, delivering a well-maintained and balanced size that will accommodate its precise performance capabilities. The finish is impeccable as well, adding a subtle vintage vibe that ever-so-slightly contrasts with the modern look. 

The Charles-Hubert Stainless Steel Half Hunter Mechanical Pocket Watch costs $494.

Bulova Sutton Pocket Watch

Bulova’s exceptional reputation extends to its pocket watch collection, with highly accurate, durable, and effortlessly stylish pieces highlighting a bold collection.

The Sutton is both classic and contemporary, with a synthetic sapphire crystal dial window that serves as both a good scratch-resistant option and an aesthetic highlight. This hunter pocket watch has an easy-to-flick stainless steel case that’s perfect against rust and corrosion. 

The skeleton look on this piece is one of the best I’ve seen, revealing an automatic 8N24 movement that both looks and performs at a high-tier level. This watch is a mechanical beauty, and its sleek, silvery coloring reflects that reserved nature that so many, including myself, absolutely adore. 

The Bulova Sutton Pocket Watch costs $357.

Dalvey Full Hunter Pocket Watch

The shimmering blue will immediately catch your eye on this beautiful piece from Dalvey. With finely cut textures and high-detail polishing on the stainless steel, this piece offers top-tier layering that serves the aesthetic incredibly well. 

The face has an overwhelming amount of detail as well, with finely polished Roman numerals and an elegant sub-dial that rounds the dial out in perfect symmetry while also providing a good bit of character that serves as a foundation.

The steel is smooth, and the case front is simple, allowing for easy opening and maneuvering, and the Japanese quartz movement carries that simplicity to the inside of the piece, too. 

The Dalvey Full Hunter Pocket Watch costs $279.

Rapport London Open Face Pocket Watch

This open-faced beauty displays its classical elegance at all times, making it a glorious accessory for everyday wear.

The thin, black Roman numerals and the minuscule blue hands really tie this piece together for me. Once again, this piece is reminiscent of a traditional Cartier design, and with the gold exterior, it’s an even more fitting comparison. 

I’m a sucker for a symmetrical sub-dial. If done right, they have the potential to elevate the piece even more. This one in particular is very gorgeous and creates a tight, even feeling that delivers all the elements of this stunner in a nice little package. 

The Rapport London Open Face Pocket Watch costs $400.

Tissot Savonnete Pocket Watch

Tissot claims that its pocket watches “are keeping the romance of timekeeping alive,” and with pieces like this, they may, in fact, be telling the truth.

This quartz pocket watch is silver all around, with the sleek dial catching the light, causing it to shimmer, and the elevated darkness of the Roman numerals being contrasted with the snowy-white dial. 

The hands are paper thin, and there is a very small date window above the 6 o’clock, but other than that, this piece is very subtle and secure, with no outstanding features that are overwhelmingly glamorous, just the way Tissot intended.

Tissot is unmatched when it comes to simple designs that preserve the raw, unfiltered beauty of traditional timekeeping. Their pocket watches are no exception.

The Tissot Savonnete Pocket Watch costs $325.

Jeanne Pierre Quartz Full Hunter Pocket Watch

This prestigious piece is made for gentlemen who value style and sophistication above all else. With a timeless feel, Jeanne Pierre delivers us a gold-plated, stunningly polished, and expertly crafted device whose classical nature is reinforced by the traditional and clean aesthetic. 

The pristine white dial with black Roman numerals follows in the footsteps of pieces that have come before, but that doesn’t mean they don’t embody their own creative design, as the elegant sword hands and date window on the 3 o’clock give this piece a unique flair.

With a case diameter of 48mm, you are going to enjoy every bit of this golden beauty, and the front case has sort of a diamond texture on the front, enriching your experience with another layer of detail. 

The Jeanne Pierre Quartz Full Hunter Pocket Watch costs $200.

Breslin “To My Son” Lion Bronze Pocket Watch

This traditional bronze colored quartz pocket watch from Breselen is engraved with a lion crest and a “to my son” text along the front cover. When you open it up and peer inside, you are met with an elegant white dial with Breslin-styled Roman numerals and the “quartz” text residing above the 6 o’clock. 

Though it is labeled as a bronze pocket watch, the true material is stainless steel, which gives it the appearance of authentic bronze. This may come across as disappointing, but the color is still fantastic, and even though it isn’t truly bronze, the front engraving and the classical beauty of the dial make up for it more than enough.

The Breslin “To My Son” Lion Bronze Pocket Watch costs $51. 

Sturhling Vintage 6053 Hand-wind 47mm Skeleton Pocket Watch

Modern engineering meets classic elegance in this skeletonized beauty. The intricate inner workings are on full display, reflecting the iconic Sturhling look that so many have fallen in love with. The 30-hour power reserve ensures consistent timekeeping and reliability, maintaining an 18,000 vph frequency at all times. 

The 19-jewel movement offers flawless durability and a smooth feel, and the stainless steel case has a very robust finish that pairs perfectly with the white dial. This piece is gorgeous.

I love how enough of the movement is visible to serve as a perfect contrast to the white coloring. Overall, this is one of my favorite aesthetic pieces on this list. 

The Stuhrling Vintage 6053 Hand-wind 47mm Skeleton Pocket Watch costs $595.

Patek Philippe 980-R Hunter-Case Pocket Watch

This distinguished piece is crafted from 18k rose gold with a hunter case that provides protection and a sapphire crystal screw down case back.

The Arabic numeral hour markers are a nice change of pace from the seemingly endless Roman numeral pieces, and the slender hands give a very tight feel to the piece, one that is compact and reserved. 

The dial itself is a faint white, blending seamlessly with the rose gold, and there’s a little sub dial hanging just above the 6 o’clock mark that is very easy to miss.

As expected from Patek Philippe, this piece is not cheap, but do remember that it’s made from pure 18k rose gold. It’s a stunner, but being made from high-level materials such as this unfortunately demands a hefty price tag. 

The Patek Philippe 980-R Hunter-Case Pocket Watch costs around $47,000.

Tiffany & Co. Movado Gold Pocket Watch

This Swiss-made gold piece is a classic antique straight out of the 40s. Measuring 43mm in diameter, this piece is very small and compact, but you can be sure that it maintains its original condition despite its age. 

Made from 14k gold, this piece is yet another compactly designed beauty, and when you slide off the caseback, it becomes even more impressive when you see the paper-thin Movado movement working overtime.

Speaking of the case, it is engraved with initials that maintain a sense of antiquity, fully embodying the historic legacy of this timeless design. 

The Tiffany & Co. Movado Gold Pocket Watch costs $3,000.

Gotham Men’s Classic Silver-Tone Pocket Watch

This is a modern-looking pocket watch that I find to be very out there in terms of its aesthetic. It’s reminiscent of divers’ watches that those who love to traverse the water love to wear, so it may pair well with boating attire, though I would not recommend jumping in with this piece. 

Features include a precision 17 jewel mechanical small seconds hand movement, which fuels the quite large case size of 54mm, and a white ceramic dial that is contrasted quite nicely by thick, black numerals and a set of very large navy blue hands.

I enjoy looking at the little sub-dial that resides under the 6 o’clock, as all the detail serves the silvery case very well. 

The Gotham Men’s Classic Silver-Tone Pocket Watch costs $239.

Stuhrling Modena 991 Automatic Skeleton Pocket Watch

For the last piece on this list, we have one of the most unique-looking Stuhrling pieces I have ever seen. The Modena has an exhibition case back and chain, and the almost completely skeletonized dial provides a perfect vision of the very intricate design.

This watch has two sub-dials, one at the standard 6 o’clock position and the other just below the 12 o’clock. 

The top sub-dial is decorated with a little moon design, providing a splotch of dark color on the otherwise bright palette. Fans of unique pieces will love this. It’s bold, but it’s also extremely brilliant. Sturhling knows how to design pocket watches, that’s for sure. 

The Sturhling Modena 991 Automatic Skeleton Pocket Watch costs $1,250. 

Conclusion

Whether it’s the antiques of the past or the pieces that have been refined to carry a newfound sense of classical elegance, pocket watches will always be among the most beautiful trinkets in the world.

While they may not be as useful or convenient as they once were, no one can deny the technical brilliance and revolutionary qualities that are still felt to this day.

They deserve our respect, and anyone who has declared themselves a fan of timekeeping must be aware of the brilliant engineering that has inspired the pieces of today. 

I hope that this list has shed some insight on the pieces to look out for, and, I will say, despite the obvious outliers, high-quality pocket watches are usually priced very well, especially compared to wrist-watches of the same caliber.

Over the years, it has become a more niche market, but that does make entry a little bit easier for new enthusiasts wanting to get in. 

I wish you luck on your pocket watch journey, and I encourage you to save some respect for the brilliant minds of the past and know that without them, the watch world would look very, very different.

Designer watches have always had a bit of a stigma around them in the watchmaking world. For a while, admittedly, it was rather well-deserved.

Any good watch must be constructed with both an eye for its design and an eye for its mechanics. That’s what makes watchmaking totally unique: it’s a synthesis of art and engineering, of creativity in both forms. 

Old designer watches completely neglected mechanical advancement, for the most part. They looked beautiful or eye-catching from the outside, but on the inside was a throwaway quartz movement. Little wonder they were so rejected by the watch community!

However, times are changing (wink), and designer fashion brands have increasingly looked to beef up their watchmaking department with some serious mechanical chops.

Suddenly, those elegant watches that previously ticked on an ugly old quartz movement are running on gorgeous mechanical ébauches and even feature advanced complications. 

Brands like Louis Vuitton and their watchmaking manufacture La Fabrique du Temps are leading the charge, and it’s time to take notice. Allow me to introduce you to the 12 best designer watches of today.

History of Designer Watches

I touched on the rather dubious past of designer watches in my introduction, and I want to more fully flesh out how this section of the industry has drastically changed before we get into the best designer watches you can get your hands on today.

A quick Google or eBay search for “vintage designer watches” will get you a full list of rather inexpensive picks from brand names that we usually associate with the very heights of luxury: Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel, among others. 

Unfortunately, it’s not without reason that these watches are changing hands for so cheap. Many of them were practically cash-cow products for some of these brands, where simply slapping a logo on the dial was enough to make fashion obsessives buy them and wear them proudly.

Around the turn of the millennium, however, things started to change quickly. Louis Vuitton introduced their Tambour collection in 2002 and Chanel the Chiffre Rouge in 2004, among others. 

Perhaps most notable of all was Louis Vuitton’s 2011 acquisition of La Fabrique du Temps, a watchmaking manufacture started by Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, after working with them on several projects since their founding in 2007.

Now, you can find haute horlogerie offerings from almost any fashion brand, alongside beautiful mechanical watches with well-finished movements and elegant design. 

Suddenly, all their design expertise is married to mechanical prowess, and it makes for a killer combo that you really can’t miss.

The 12 Best Designer Watches

Without further ado, let’s get right into the very finest of these designer watches available today. We’re looking at all the best brands and all the best watchmaking offerings, so there’s something for everyone here, whether you’re looking for the next watch to add to your collection or just reading for interest. Enjoy!

Gucci G-Flat 36mm in Steel with Black Dial

Not to be confused with its identical twin, the F-sharp (sorry, bad music pun), the G-Flat 36mm is a truly refreshing and new design from perhaps the most well-known name in fashion.

At $2,650, it’s a lovely, affordable sports watch with a customized automatic movement and case structure that clearly takes cues from its notable predecessors like the Cartier Santos and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

The black opaline dial at its heart is minimalistic and clean, and the color-matched date window is a great modern touch to build on the watch’s clean elegance.

The G-Flat collection was first introduced in the 1970s, making it a long-lasting style that has only grown in popularity and in watchmaking prowess since its inception. 

My only gripe is the rather limited 50m of water resistance: any true sports watch should be able to go anywhere and do anything (or, as watch nerds fondly term it, a GADA watch), and with such limited water resistance you’ll really need to be hesitant about taking it for a swim. Such is the price of fashion, I suppose.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Automatic 40mm Steel

At $18,900, the LV Tambour is a much higher-end sports watch than the G-Flat, but it sure does show in the quality of its movement and construction. Its iconic eponymous drum-shaped case is elegantly brushed to create a soft shine. 

The bezel bears another familiar Louis Vuitton signature—the brand name itself, in raised engraved letters that manage to not feel too in-your-face.

The dial has a lovely monochromatic blue-on-blue palette that accentuates the watch’s restrained style while providing a rich and legible surface on which to read the time. 

It also has a much richer depth than most other dials you’ll see: the applied numerals are rather tall, and really stand out proudly from the multi-leveled sector construction of the dial below.

Finally, the bracelet feels strongly neo-vintage, with a bold style made up of practically just single links seamlessly integrated into the case. It’s not for nothing that this watch is Louis Vuitton’s best-known.

Dior Chiffre Rouge Black Ultramatte Steel

The Chiffre Rouge is a totally different look from both of the other watches we’ve looked at already here, but no less eye-catching and horologically advanced.

Its 38mm blacked-out case is wearable and a serious attention-grabber, and the rest of the watch doesn’t let go of your eyes for a moment as you examine it. The 4:00 crown is drastically oversized, with bright red accents—it’s clearly unmissable. 

The dial has a fascinating cannage motif, which is so complex visually as to nearly defy any resolution into a consistent pattern. And imposed over this engraving is a soft gradient from that same bright red to a deep black.

All the while, the date window—bearing the eponymous red number, 8, on the eighth of every month—is proudly double-framed by eye-catching red lines. It’s not a watch for the faint of heart, to say the least, but its price is at least bearable at $10,500.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Pink Gold

The vintage-inspired Tambour Convergence was one of the most eye-catching watches to be unveiled at Watches & Wonders in 2025, and it sure is a stunner. It’s inspired by vintage montres à guichet, watches that had a sort of digital-style display through just a few small windows in the watch.

Cartier notably just reintroduced their Tank à Guichets in the same style. The Tambour Convergence, however, manages to recreate this design in a manner that feels refreshingly modern. 

The hours and minutes are indicated by a small diamond shape between the two rotating discs that bear the printed time tracks. The lugs are gorgeous, sharply architectural and faceted.

The broad surface of the dial, where the windows aren’t, is radiantly mirror-polished, complementing the brushed caseband.

Lastly, I can’t help but comment on the gorgeous blue tone of the printed numerals, which pop subtly but beautifully against the slight rose tone of the case. At $33,500, elegance sure doesn’t come cheap, but you’ll have it in spades with this one.

Chanel J12 Bleu Caliber 12.1 38mm

Chanel’s J12 collection got a serious update with their new Bleu model, so-named for its gorgeous blue ceramic case. It’s got a lovely wearable 38mm diameter case crafted from such a unique shade of blue that almost looks black in some lighting.

On the dial, this dark blue melts easily into the full black of the Arabic numerals—or alternatively, you can get an extra monochromatic pop with blue sapphires as the indices. 

The bright white text proudly indicating the make and model of the watch stands out brilliantly against the muted tones in the rest of the case. For $10,500, it’s a great ceramic sports watch that can’t be missed.

Gucci G-Timeless Planetarium

And now for something totally different! The G-Timeless Planetarium is part of Gucci’s High Watchmaking collection, meaning it’s the crème de la crème of designer watches. This spectacular automaton runs on the GGC.1976.DS movement, which is named after the Orion Nebula 1976. 

It’s manual-winding with a central flying tourbillon, which is already enough to make your jaw drop, but Gucci’s watchmakers have tossed in there an exceptional automaton function to go with it, actuated through the crown.

The name is a bit of a misnomer—it’s not a true planetarium in the way that the Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Planetarium is, but it is a representation of one with twelve exceptional gemstones that both rotate on themselves and around the dial. 

You can get this hunk of horology for a whopping 350,000 Swiss francs in white or rose gold with different gemstone options.

Louis Vuitton Escale Pink Gold

When I first read about the Escale—and some of the initially gushing reviews about it—I was dubious, to say the least. It’s just another time-only dress watch, I told myself.

I’ll be the first to say now that I could not have been more wrong. The watch is quintessentially LV in a way that shockingly avoids being overbearing. 

As the name suggests (French for stopover or port), it’s inspired by Louis Vuitton travel trunks, and every element of the design exudes the class and luxury associated with them. It’s the perfect modern size at 39mm in diameter and its textured blue dial complements the pink gold case flawlessly.

Both the indices at 3/6/9/12 and the lugs reference the iconic riveted corners of the suitcases in a way that makes me wonder why this design hasn’t been brought to the world of watchmaking yet, because it just looks so darn good. 

Plus, it’s all powered by the gorgeous caliber LFT023, a micro-rotor movement with stunning finishing and 50 hours of power reserve. It’s not cheap at $26,300, but for a precious metal dress watch, you could do a whole lot worse for the price.

Ralph Lauren 867 Rose Gold 32mm White Dial

There are a lot of watches today that take inspiration from art deco, the exuberant design period prominent in the Roaring Twenties, primarily using this theme as a justification for timepieces that are overladen with sparkly gems and garish color combinations. 

The Ralph Lauren 867 is a totally different side of the art deco spectrum, in a beautifully refreshing way. It’s classy, dressy, and simple.

It’s primarily constructed around a series of square frames that constrict as you approach the center—the outside of the case, the bezel, and several in the dial for the different printed tracks. Thanks to this, and to its small lugs, it wears simply and purely on the wrist, continuous in all its lines in a refreshing way. 

The Breguet hands and quintessential Ralph Lauren numerals (two different types, with one for 3/6/9/12 and the other for the rest) complete the classy and restrained look.

Plus, with just a 32mm case, it’s anything but obtrusive. And the $17,000 price tag is honestly pretty solid for a rose gold dress watch, especially one bearing the Ralph Lauren name.

Gem Dior Malachite Dial

Rarely do I see a level of design innovation in watches as the Gem Dior collection, crafted by Victoire de Castellane, a top jewelry designer. It’s one of the finest ladies’ watches to be found anywhere, thanks to its subdued 27mm diameter but stunning array of facets and construction.

It uses multiple sorts of metals and gemstones to create an exterior that feels not quite like a gem but rather something altogether new and brilliant. 

It looks like the distillation of wearable luxury—a bracelet and a gemstone, and a watch all packed into one in a nearly surrealist form. The rich banded malachite dial only adds to the effect.

The movement is a touch disappointing as it’s a rather uninteresting quartz, but considering the restrained size of the watch, that can be slightly ignored. This one will set you back a considerable $18,500.

Chanel J12 Automaton Caliber 6

This is Chanel’s haute horlogerie offering, of a very different sort than the Gucci we already looked at. In fact, almost the only thing the two have in common is their use of an automaton. This time, however, Chanel employs it to create the image of Gabrielle Chanel’s couture atelier.

The 20-second animation, triggered by the press of a button, features the movement of a couture dress and of Mademoiselle’s silhouette. 

While the case isn’t quite the rich blue of the J12 Bleu, you have in its place a very rich black that creates a deeply striking look with the monochromatic dial. It’s also shockingly wearable for an automaton at 38mm in diameter.

As a final touch, you get a 3-link bracelet also crafted in ceramic. Due to its serious watchmaking chops, this watch is limited to just 100 pieces and is priced on request.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver 44mm Skyline Blue

Most dive watches today are not worn for their intended purpose, that of aiding divers in calculating how long they spend underwater.

So then why not take the idea of a dive watch and make it something much more at home on land? Introducing the vibrant Louis Vuitton Tambour Street Diver, which sports a nearly Tron-esque color palette and beautiful lume. 

It feels like the essence of big city nightlife. It’s big, broad, legible, and striking in every way. More than any other watch I’ve seen, it makes a monochromatic appearance look like an explosion of color.

Even the caseband is dark blue thanks to a PVD process. It runs on a pretty solid movement too with 50 hours of power reserve and automatic winding. 

And at $8,015, you can have it for less than many other everyday wear watches like the Omega Speedmaster.

Ralph Lauren Western Round 45mm Engraved Sterling

The Western collection from Ralph Lauren is among my favorite watches ever, not just in the category of designer watches. To be fair, I grew up on old Westerns, so these watches definitely touch something deeper in me than just the watch lover—but these are some exceptional pieces by any metric. 

The defining feature of this watch is its antiqued sterling silver case, hand-engraved in New York City. It feels like exactly the sort of thing the most fashionable Western landowner would have had on his wrist… that is, if wristwatches were around back then.

If you’ve read my other articles, you know I often have a problem with 4:00 crown placements. 3:00 is where it should be, my brain firmly reminds me. But in this case, I can’t help but feel like the 2:00 placement is perfect. 

I can’t explain why, it just feels so right to me. Finally, the dial at the heart of it all is absolutely gorgeous: slightly off-white, with text that’s clearly been printed several times to add depth and glossy shine. Breguet hands complete the look. At $24,900, this is a watch that you can’t pass up for its price and style.

Conclusion

Designer watches have clearly come a long, long way. From cheap quartz-powered pieces to true horological powerhouses, they have quite possibly seen the most development of any watchmaking genre over the past 30 years. 

From “barely worth a second glance” to “you can’t take your eyes off them,” some of the finest watches in the world today are being made by designer maisons. Maybe it is time to pay them a second look!

There are two types of watches that make your heart happy. The first is pure haute horlogerie class: think A. Lange & Söhne-finished movements and Breguet guilloché dials.

The second class keeps your heart happy in a more literal way: health watches! Smartwatches are fantastic health companions, keeping track not just of your heart rate but also of your overall fitness and wellness.

Oh no, I hear you grumble, not another article about fitness watches! I’ve read a hundred of those already—they’re all the same! Never fear, intrepid reader: I’m not talking about fitness here. If you’re interested in that part of your health, I’ve written an article on the best fitness watches here! 

In this article, we’re going to talk about the best watches for your health. So, if you’re focused on keeping an eye on your health, tracking disease, and keeping it at bay, follow along for a breakdown to find the best watch for you!

History of Health Watches: The Watch Nerd Section

Health watches have come a really, really long way. And if you’re a bit of a watch fan like me and you want to learn about this fascinating past, this is the part for you. (Otherwise, feel free to skip to the list—I won’t be offended!)

The first big medical breakthrough in the world of watches was the introduction of a pulsometer in chronograph watches. Ever notice just how common heart rate sensors are in modern smartwatches? It feels like every single one of them has one. That all started here! 

The pulsometer enabled doctors to easily and conveniently track their patients’ heart rates, and it remains available today in modern mechanical wristwatches.

The pulsometer usually takes the form of a printed scale around the outside ring of your watch’s dial that says something along the lines of “graduated to 30 pulsations.” 

To use it, first actuate the chronograph with your other hand on your pulse (or your patient’s pulse!). Count out 30 heartbeats, and then stop it. Wherever the chronograph hand stops, take a look at the marking and read it off. That’s your pulse rate!

Okay, so it’s clear health watches have come far from their early days. Really, really far. A pulsometer may be poetic, but it’s not exactly the most useful tool for keeping an eye on AFib or tracking how your heart rate changes when you sleep—let alone pulse oxygen or stress levels! 

The ability of a little wearable device on your wrist to help you fully master your health is more advanced than it ever has been, and it continues to grow. Now is the time to take your health into your hands!

The 10 Best Health Watches

Okay, enough watch nerd rambling about pulsometers and mechanical chronographs. Now for the real deal: the very finest in health smartwatches on the market today, to help you track every aspect of your health and wellness. There’s something at every price point for every budget, with every feature imaginable in the health smartwatch world. Let’s dive in!

Garmin Venu 3S

For $450, the Venu 3S is a solid mid-range smartwatch with high-end features. 10 days of battery life, on-wrist texting, viewing photos, music, and more are all built-in, sure—but the best part of this watch is its health trackers. 

It’s great for any kind of cardiac or respiratory monitoring, with heart rate, pulse oxygen, respiration, and an ECG for keeping an eye on any heart problems that could be present.

On top of that, you get a great holistic picture of your overall wellness thanks to a huge suite of sleep-related features as well as stress and mindfulness. This watch does it all at a great mid-range price.

Amazfit GTR 4

If the Venu 3S does it all at a mid-range price, the GTR 4 does quite a lot at a ridiculously low price, retailing at just $110. It even beats out the Venu in battery life, with a solid two weeks of continuous running time.

You get heart rate and pulse oxygen from the key sensors, coupled with a specialized algorithm to reduce inference from any arm movement that could get in the way of accurate tracking. Sleep and stress monitoring are there too, for a well-rounded picture of your health. 

To be honest, however, this watch is more suited for those of us who don’t have serious health concerns and who are looking to stay healthy through fitness, thanks to its variety of sports modes and other fitness algorithms.

This article isn’t for the dedicated fitness gurus among us, but if that’s an important part of your health regimen, this might be the watch for you.

Fitbit Charge 6 Tracker

I have a soft spot in my heart for Fitbits—they’re so under-the-radar and iconic at a glance, making them ideal for someone who’s not looking for a large dedicated smartwatch.

At $160, the Charge 6 hits all the right Fitbit buttons with a great suite of health features: heart rate and pulse ox in particular, but also the interesting inclusion of device temperature. 

The latter allows you to track your skin temp in the Fitbit app, which can provide a heads-up as to whether you might be getting sick—or getting over it! The Charge 6 mostly stops here in terms of its health trackers (you also get VO2 max if you’re into fitness), but for just $160, it’s pretty darn good.

Garmin vívoactive 6

At $300, the vívoactive 6 is just great. It’s just a solid watch that checks all the boxes. Bright AMOLED display, stress tracking, morning report, hydration, respiration, energy monitoring, pulse oxygen… the list goes on, but I won’t bore you. 

I struggle to find any fault to comment on here, but I also struggle to find stellar features that I can break down for you in particular. It just checks all the boxes without going over the top, like the quietly studious middle child of the Garmin family.

And honestly, that really might be the best kind of watch for many of us who are just looking for something to quietly do it all.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

AI is the big headline for the Galaxy Watch Ultra—you can find the word plastered all over Samsung’s website for the watch, and with good reason.

Their Galaxy AI is here to enhance all of the data taken in by the watch’s suite of sensors, so you end up getting a lot more out of it than almost any other smartwatch would—others mainly use algorithms, which are less complex and analytical. 

The battery life isn’t anything to write home about (60 hours), but the AGEs Index tracker sure is: it’s the first example I’ve seen of tracking metabolic health and diet from any smartwatch, period. Add in all the other standard health features and while the $650 price tag isn’t too pretty, it does feel reasonable.

Garmin vívomove Trend

As a mechanical watch fanatic first and foremost, I can’t help but love that the vívomove Trend really does just look like a normal watch. All the smartwatch features are your secret, because at a few paces, this hybrid smartwatch just has a standard pair of hands and a lovely colored dial. 

Deep down, however, it’s a health-watch stunner. 5 days of battery life, a hidden touchscreen display that appears on tap or swipe, and all the most important features: energy monitoring, heart rate, pulse oxygen, respiration, stress, women’s health, and some fitness tracking.

My favorite detail? There’s a chronograph timer function that actually uses the watch hands, not the screen. Just for the watch fans like me. And at $300, it’s got a great mid-range price to boot.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Ultra 2 may have a bit of an ultra price tag ($799), but it’s also got one of the most formidable suites of health trackers on this list. The Vitals app keeps an eye on heart rate, wrist temperature, and sleep tracking, while the ECG app gives you notifications for any detected heart issues. 

You’ve also got women’s health tracking and sleep apnea notifications (something very few other smartwatches are able to do). Unlike all the other watches here (except the Galaxy Watch Ultra), however, this is a smartwatch first and foremost.

It’s not about the health like all the others are: it’s a fully functioning smart device on your wrist. If you’re looking for health but also for a watch that can do much more, this is the one for you.

Withings ScanWatch 2

Withings calls this “the watch that changes lives,” and they just might be right. The 30-day battery life means you’ll have a 24/7 look at your health for an entire month, which can definitely be key for some of us.

Plus, like the vívomove Trend, it’s a hybrid smartwatch, so it’s got real hands and real class. But the headliner here is its health features. 

Withings claims their built-in ECG, for one, is medical-grade: a full 30-second assessment of your cardiovascular health. You also have skin temp tracking to indicate the onset of disease. Pulse oxygen, and an advanced heart rate tracker called a PPG.

Finally, the ScanWatch will automatically detect and alert you about AFib detections. In other words, it’s the watch for you if you’re worried about your cardiac health: almost all of its features are targeted towards that domain, and it covers it really well. For $350, it’s really not too bad for a little heart health peace of mind.

Garmin vívosmart 5

Like the Fitbit Charge 6, the vívosmart 5 is small and unobtrusive, and also very accessibly priced despite its full suite of health options. It’s got all the works: heart rate, energy level, sleep quality, pulse oxygen, and stress tracking. 

Nothing exceptional like the ScanWatch ECG, sure, but if you’re looking for something low-key to accompany you on your wellness journey, it’s hard to beat out something as simple as the vívosmart 5 for $150.

Fitbit Sense 2

The Sense 2 is a very different sort of smartwatch from the Apple and Samsung watches we looked at earlier. At $250, it’s a great way to get all the health features you want, and then some. Heart rate and pulse oxygen, skin temperature, ECG and EDA, and even an altimeter! 

Fascinatingly, the Sense 2 also has an electrical sensor to measure your skin conductance. This keeps an eye on your body’s emotional response throughout the day by measuring physiological cues.

Were you dealing with a low level of stress for most of the day without even knowing it? Your Sense 2 can relay that information and help you deal with your emotional response after detecting it. Plus, it comes with Amazon Alexa built-in for hands-free function!

Conclusion

Health watches are a wide and wonderful world, with a huge variety of styles and features. Thankfully, this means that whatever your needs may be, there’s something out there for you. 

Looking for a tight grip on your cardiac health? There are plenty of watches out there with ECG functionality that can notify you if things are awry. Looking for an everyday companion to help improve your overall wellness?