Looking to add an extra sense of style to your extra sharp business suit, push yourself further at the gym with a watch that can help you track your performance, or go on a deep sea diving expedition with a multi-use tool on your wrist? Modern watches for men serve a whole lot of different needs, so when we talk about the hypothetical best watches for men, we can mean a whole lot of different things.
But whatever your purpose is, we think there will be something on our list that will match your personal demands. We’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best watches for men along with breakdowns of the most critical specs and a more general shopping guide so you can cast your net wider.
- The 10 Best Watches for Men
- Timex Unisex Weekender 38mm Watch
- Rolex Submariner Men’s Watch
- Casio Men’s G-Shock Quartz Watch
- TAG Heuer Swiss Quartz Stainless Steel Casual Watch
- Fossil Men’s Grant Stainless Steel and Leather Chronograph Quartz
- Citizen Watches Men’s BM8180-03E
- Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Quartz Watch
- Stuhrling Original Mens Swiss Quartz Sport Analog Dive Watch
- Michael Kors Men’s Lexington Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch
- Tissot Men’s Couturier Swiss Quartz Watch
- Best Watches for Men Buyer’s Guide
- Movement
- Durability
- Brand
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Brand Watch for Men is Best?
- Which Brand Watches Are the Best?
- Which Men’s Watch Brand is Good and Affordable?
- What are Cool Watches for Guys?
The 10 Best Watches for Men
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Timex Unisex Weekender 38mm Watch
The first word that may come to mind when you look at this watch from Timex is probably “utilitarian”. The unisex design and slim case mean it’s an appropriate choice for both men and women, and Timex has stripped out any unnecessary accents or features in favor of a design that’s straight and to the point. Both civilian and military time are marked by the clear and distinct Arabic numbering, and the dial itself is protected with mineral glass. Apart from the inclusion of Indiglo lighting and decent water resistance, there’s not a lot going on here.
But that may be the point here. The simplicity results in a watch that actually looks pretty great, and you have a number of different coloring variants to choose from. And with a price tag of almost $60 (currently on sale on Amazon for less than half that), it’s one great deal.
| Brand | Timex |
| Movement | Quartz analog |
| Water Resistance | 30 meters |
| Materials | Brass (case), leather (strap) |
| Case Size | 38 x 9 mm |
Pros
- Available in 20 different variants
- Watch dial lights up brightly
- Small and lightweight profile
- Soft, comfortable leather strap
Cons
- Little in the way of features
Rolex Submariner Men’s Watch
Among the countless watches built throughout the decades, only a small percentage bear a title that’s commonly recognized by casual consumers. The Rolex Submariner is one of these. Rolex set the standards for the features diving watches should include, and their aesthetic design is widely mimicked by the vast majority of diving watches on the market.
But the fact that the 116610LV actually subverts some of the recognized standards of the Submariner design is part of what earns its position among the best watches for men. It trades in the blue, red, and white color scheme so popular with diving watches in lieu of a beautiful emerald hue. The craftsmanship here is meticulous, and it should be. This watch bears a nearly $15,000 price tag. And while that will be too pricey for most, these products are tremendous and iconic status symbols that looks superb and performs as well as you could hope. Simply put this is definitely one of the best watches for men out there!
| Brand | Rolex |
| Movement | Swiss automatic (Rolex Calibre 3135) |
| Water Resistance | 300 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case and strap) |
| Case Size | 40 x 12 mm |
Pros
- Beautiful gradient green dial
- Automatic movement with 50 hour power reserve
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Unidirectional rotating dive bezel
Cons
- Retails for an extravagant price
Casio Men’s G-Shock Quartz Watch
The G-Shock is another line of watches for men that has actually earned a level of recognition in the consumer space, but it’s earned that place for largely different reasons. The G-Shock is not only one of the most rugged and durable watches around. It’s also one of the best priced. Less than $50 gets you a watch that feels like a throwback to digital designs of the 1990s, but it’s hard to argue against its functionality.
An auto calendar and a countdown timer are just a couple of features that are designed to provide the best performance in the gym or out in the field, and the best in class shock resistance is accompanied by some great waterproofing. Even the button design is built with durability in mind – sporting a resistance level that reduces your risk of accidentally pushing them in and triggering features you don’t want to use.
| Brand | Casio G-Shock |
| Movement | Quartz digital |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters |
| Materials | Resin (case and strap) |
| Case Size | 45 x 15 mm |
Pros
- Decent amount of sports-based features
- One of the most rugged watches around
- Navigation buttons are hard to push
- Bright EL backlighting
Cons
- Menu can be hard to navigate
TAG Heuer Swiss Quartz Stainless Steel Casual Watch
TAG Heuer is undoubtedly one of the premier manufacturers of watches for men, and while you can expect to pay over a grand for this silver toned model, you can count on it to be a reliable watch that has a distinct sense of style. The index markers and hands are both luminescent for better performance at night, and there’s even a date window positioned conveniently at the three o’clock mark.
But if you’re getting a TAG Heuer, utility shouldn’t be your top priority. The real appeal here is the classy and classic style on display. While the design and color scheme are fundamentally in step with what could be expected from a diving watch, there’s a minimalist elegance to this watch that helps it stand apart from other watches on the market. It can fully function as a diving watch, but it will look just as good in board meetings.
| Brand | TAG Heuer |
| Movement | Swiss quartz |
| Water Resistance | 300 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case and strap) |
| Case Size | 40.5 x 12 mm |
Pros
- A bold and elegant design
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Above average water resistance
- Luminous hands and indices
Cons
- A very expensive watch model
Fossil Men’s Grant Stainless Steel and Leather Chronograph Quartz
Fossil is a brand that manages to maintain a respectable level of functionality while also trading on a popular brand name and producing watches for men that still look quite stylish. With its leather strap, art deco inspired Roman numerals, and inset chronographs, this watch for men features a standout design that conceals the fact that you can get it on Amazon for less than a hundred bucks.
This isn’t a watch you should take diving with you, but it can do just about anything else. Each of the three chronographs is dedicated to minutes, seconds, or time, allowing you for some great time measuring in the gym or doing work, and the timer can be set for up to 24 hours in the future. The mineral crystal display does a great job of protecting the inner workings of the watch and preventing scratches on the dial.
| Brand | Fossil |
| Movement | Quartz chronograph |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case), leather (strap) |
| Case Size | 44 x 12 mm |
Pros
- Available in 12 different color variants
- Three high utility chronograph dials
- 24 hour stop watch functionality
- A suitable choice for recreational swimming
Cons
- Doesn’t come with luminescence
Citizen Watches Men’s BM8180-03E
Need a tactical watch for men that you can take with you for months on the trail but will still look good when you wear it to the office? Citizen has you covered. The BM8180-03E rocks some simple Arabic numerals and a canvas strap that identify it as a utilitarian rather than dress watch, but the design is still bold and handsome, even if it doesn’t exude decadence.
But the features here are far more stacked than practically any comparable mens watches in the luxury category. The Eco-Drive system is one of the best power reserve alternatives in the business – charging your watch with exposure to sunlight or even artificial light and sporting a long life that barely requires any active charging. All the standard features you’d expect from a field watch are here too. The face lights up, it offers a water resistance good enough for swimming, and the strap is designed with comfort in mind.
| Brand | Citizen Eco-Drive |
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case), fabric (strap) |
| Case Size | 37.2 x 9.5 mm |
Pros
- Secure buckle down enclosure
- Date window at 3 o’clock index
- Backed by a three year warranty
- Dial is protected by mineral glass
Cons
- Lacking in more advanced trail features
Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Quartz Watch
While there are a lot of cheap watches for men that sport the diving aesthetic without managing to deliver what sort of tools and reliability divers actually need, Invicta has brought the goods with this classic Pro watch, available right now for less than sixty bucks. While the blue dial evokes the look of so many classic diving watches for men, Invicta layers on some personal flavor with the handsome gold and silver accents.
But this is as much a diving watch as it is a dress watch. The bezel is unidirectional, and its sturdy design means it isn’t going to slip even when used in deeper waters. The luminescence in the hands and the hour markers are bright enough to serve the needs of even the most serious divers, while the date window is a good choice for business trips.This is a versatile watch for men and easily one of the best deals around.
| Brand | Invicta |
| Movement | Quartz |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case and strap) |
| Case Size | 40 x 12.5 mm |
Pros
- Great feature set on a budget
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Available in six different variants
- Firm, responsive unidirectional bezel
Cons
- Lower waterproofing than many dive watches
Stuhrling Original Mens Swiss Quartz Sport Analog Dive Watch
Stuhrling has taken the diving watch and stripped it down to its most core essentials. The result is one of the best dive watch models we’ve ever encountered, and that’s before taking the modest $100 price tag into consideration. The hefty bezel and stainless steel design will certainly look familiar to any experienced diver, but the especially bold design sensibilities of the dial and hands along with the stark black dial coloring result in a confident aesthetic.
The build quality here is phenomenal. The stainless steel bracelet is to be expected, but the dial itself is protected by incredibly hardy Krysterna crystal that’s also scratch resistant. The crown is water tight to prevent leakage while diving, and the luminescent design looks great even in pitch black environments. While a lot of diving watch models are more style than substance, everything about this watch has been engineered for a quality diving experience.
| Brand | Stuhrling |
| Movement | Ronda 515 Swiss quartz |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case and strap) |
| Case Size | 42 x 12 mm |
Pros
- Available for only $100
- Date window located at 4 o’clock
- Black dial encased in Krysterna crystal
- Available in black, red, or blue
Cons
- Clasping mechanism is a little flimsy
Michael Kors Men’s Lexington Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch
Michael Kors is a fashion house above all else, so it’s no surprise to see that their Lexington collection takes a fashion forward approach. But what’s more surprising is that this collection delivers some of the best looking watches available for men. No matter which watch in this collection you get, there’s a focus on an elegant two or three tone design. The results range from a muted black matte to a diamond encrusted work of extravagance.
But Michael Kors has brought functionality to the table as well. There’s a neatly positioned date window, but the real stars of the show here are the three chronographs that allow you to measure time precisely in seconds, minutes, and hours. If you need more precise timekeeping (or don’t want to rely on your phone for tracking timers), you can get a lot of utility out of the smart design of this watch.
| Brand | Michael Kors |
| Movement | Analog quartz |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case and strap) |
| Case Size | 45 x 12 mm |
Pros
- Available in 18 different variants
- Date window at 4 o’clock
- Three precise chronograph dials
- Clasp enclosure with push-button safety
Cons
- Case is prone to scratching
Tissot Men’s Couturier Swiss Quartz Watch
Do you need a watch that’s going to set you apart from the professional pack? Tissot has produced a chronometer watch that’s just cool around the board. With its black dial and silver accents, it’s bold without being ostentatious, and the Arabic numbering and industrial design of each chronograph dial evokes the feeling of speed and the general aesthetic of driving watches. And while it’s certainly not the most inexpensive watch on our list, it’s less than half the price of the most extravagant options we’ve featured.
The chronographs themselves provide you with the functionality you’d expect. Seconds, minutes, and hours can be set independently of the main dial, and the protective layer of sapphire glass above the dial lends it some of the best scratch resistance of any of our featured watches. It also comes with both a luminous face and a functioning tachymeter.
| Brand | Tissot Couturier |
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
| Materials | Stainless steel (case), leather (strap) |
| Case Size | 42 x 11 mm |
Pros
- Luminous face and hands
- Part of the Couturier collection
- Comes with a full tachymeter
- Stylish black and silver design
Cons
- One of the more expensive models
Best Watches for Men Buyer’s Guide
Most people now carry powerful computers right in their pockets, and that means the practical purposes that watches once served can seem quaint in comparison. But the market for men’s watches continues to be healthy and diverse, and it’s all because the best watches for men can mean a lot of things. When you wear a TAG Heuer on your wrist, it’s a show of classic style and a way to flex your fashion sense and money; while a watch from the G-Shock collection can provide athletic men with a wealth of practical tools for their training.
We’re going to walk you through the watch features and specs you should pay attention to when shopping for these products. Whether you’re looking for something classic or modern, we’re here to help you pinpoint the best timepieces for your needs and make your search for the best watches for men easier.
Movement
You can think of your watch’s movement as essentially its engine. The movement physically moves the hands on your watch (or changes the digits in the case of a digital watch) as well as controlling other advanced features like alarms, chronograph subdials, or date or day windows. Since timekeeping requires an incredible amount of precision, movements are pretty complicated pieces of machinery. You’ll find three movements commonly listed for watches, and they each appeal to different types of consumers[1].
- Quartz watches, which use a built in battery, don’t use the most elegant or classic movement, but these timepieces are reliable and are available for a lower price. If the most important thing to you is having a watch that works as needed without much fuss, a quartz movement timepiece is going to be the perfect choice for you.
- When you get a watch with a mechanical movement, you’re investing in a piece of art. They manage to keep time with the same accuracy as battery powered quartz through the movement of some simple gears alone, and they especially shine when paired with a skeleton window. A well maintained mechanical watch can last you a lifetime, and these watches are particularly favored by collectors.
- A watch with an automatic movement is pretty similar to a mechanical watch in design. They bear a higher price tag than quartz models, but an automatic movement relies on the kinetic energy of your wrist to keep it powered. An automatic watch can last a lifetime, and with an average power reserve of a couple of days (and the assumption of regular wear), it doesn’t require much in the way of maintenance.
Durability
If you’re just planning on wearing your watch around the job, durability shouldn’t be a primary concern (but if you’re dropping over a grand on a watch, it should be an expectation). No. Watches that market durability as a top feature are normally used for more extreme activities, and they don’t exactly sport designs appropriate for the board room. The most notable brand when looking for a watch you can wear in any circumstance comes from the classic Casio G-Shock collection.
There are a few things to look for when seeking out a durable watch. Concerning the build of the actual case, resin and stainless steel are popular choices. Brass is common in a lot of dress watches, but it doesn’t offer the same level of protection. Comfort is also usually a high priority, since these watches are meant to be worn out in the wild. A rubber strap is common. After all, leather isn’t exactly well suited to absorbing sweat or water.
Just as important is what you have in place to protect the dial. Most watches use mineral glass – a type of surface that’s designed to minimize cracking and also reduce the risk of more minor scratches marring the surface of the dial. Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex dial glass is a significant step up from traditional mineral glass, but sapphire glass represents the pinnacle for protecting your watch dial. It just brings with it a higher price tag.
The final thing to consider is how water resistant your watch is. Any water resistant rating should be fine for day to day activities, but if you want to wear your watch in the shower or while swimming, consider resistance carefully. A 100 meter rating is suitable for shallow swimming, while a 200 meter rating is appropriate for snorkeling, and a 300 meter rating is qualified to keep time when diving. Some manufacturers get more in depth with their resistance ratings by following the IPX rating system.[2]
Brand
While craftsmanship and features are definitely factors you should consider in your search for the perfect watch, these are products that are as much fashion symbols as they are utility gadgets, so finding the right brand is less of a scientific affair than it is for a lot of the types of products we review here on ISITRATED.com. Typically, watch manufacturers have a tendency to fall into sports or dress categories.
Dress watches are luxury items above all else, and they tend to sport a price tag in keeping with that. TAG Heuer, Rolex, and Tissot dress watch models can easily set you back a thousand dollars or more. Does that higher price tag scale to the performance and features they offer? No. But investing in one of these watches is as much an investment in status as anything else. That said, you can find plenty of classic looking dress watches for a price of less than $100.
If you aren’t looking for a dress watch, the sort of features packed in become more important. Fortunately, you can get a feature rich watch for a great price. In regards to sheer performance, Casio watches (particularly those from the G-Shock collection) and Citizen watches give you a whole lot of bang for your buck.
That said, with dozens or even hundreds of brands out there, we don’t have the space to cover each brand and each collection on a case by case basis. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources to understand the best watch brands around[3]. We suggest you figure out the brands that offer feature and designs that appeal to you so you can narrow down your search and save yourself time in the long run. We even offer review and buying guides to our favorite picks from some of the most popular brands and collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Brand Watch for Men is Best?
That depends entirely on what you’re looking for. Luxury watch bands like Rolex and TAG Heuer offer classic design, near perfect automatic movement, and a powerful status symbol, but they can cost a small future. If you want to add something more practical to your collection, Casio (and particularly their classic G-Shock products) and Citizen (with their iconic Eco-Drive solar power reserve) are some of your best options, and those watch brands aren’t going to cost you that much.
Which Brand Watches Are the Best?
In terms of the ratio of performance to value, it’s hard to pass on a Casio watch. While they aren’t the most glamorous watches to wear, they offer truly astounding deals, and Casio offers a broad selection of classic and modernist designs to choose from. The ultra durable G-Shock collection is especially worthy of note.
Which Men’s Watch Brand is Good and Affordable?
Citizen offers some of the best deals around. Their Eco-Drive battery is an iconic classic that reduces the need to charge your power reserve or replace your batteries entirely, and you can find some of the best watches for men from Citizen for less than a hundred dollars. If you want a mens watch that will provide you with iconic performance at a reasonable price, Citizen is a great way to go.
What are Cool Watches for Guys?
While they aren’t as well known as players like Fossil and Rolex, Michael Kors is putting out some very cool watch models. The Lexington collection in particular sports a classy and unique core design with over a dozen different variants, and you can pick up one of these watch models for a price of less than $200. But if you want a cool watch that matches your style, you don’t have to search far. We have a ton of special wristwatch models featured above.
Final Thoughts
So much about finding the right watch comes down to your personal tastes, so we can’t simply point you to your perfect watch. Just restricting ourselves to ten models was a challenge in and of itself! We think our guide is a great place to start if you’re looking for the best watches for men, but that’s just scratching the surface of what you’ll find at ISITRATED.com.
From gaming PC components to mirrorless cameras to smartwatches, we can offer you advice on practically any product you’re looking for. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us if you want to stay keyed in to the best content about the hottest gadgets available today.
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