Derek O'Neil
Whether old-fashioned or new school, the best luxury watches for men always have that certain look and level of quality that you just can’t find anywhere else. There are a lot of them out there, which is why it’s worthwhile to take a look at the best of the best.
Best Mens Luxury Watches 2018
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Pink Gold Strap Watch
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is an automatic analog watch that features a round, polished 18 karat pink gold (also called rose gold) watch case and a black alligator leather watch band with a folding clasp in matching 18 karat pink gold. The dial backing is a rich chocolate brown, with contrasting pink gold Hindu-Arabic numerals. (Hindu-Arabic numerals are the numerical standard of the US and the rest of the English-speaking world, as opposed to classic Roman numerals.)
Additionally, there are three subdials, also analog, etched in pink gold. The resulting combination is classic with a modern twist. The watch’s automatic movement is powered by 44 Jewel Caliber 4130 Self-Winding Mechanical Oyster Perpetual Chronograph Movement; the watch dial is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal surface, and the watch itself is water-resistant down to 100m. Named for the famed race in Daytona, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has been in limited production since 1961, making it a favorite of collectors and enthusiasts.
Citizen Watches Mens CC9030-00E
The Citizen Eco-Drive Navi Series is a luxury watch for the fashionable man who just happens to also enjoy aquatic sports, thanks to its water-resistance that is good for 200m (660ft). The watch case is stainless steel and features a rotating bezel; it’s an analog watch, and the movement is Japanese quartz. Because the Eco-Drive Navi Series is powered by light energy, you’ll never have to worry about changing the battery, making it a very environmentally-friendly choice. An easy-to-read indicator lets you know when the watch needs more light energy. The dial is stylish and black while the markers and numbers are contrasting white.
The hours and subdials are all rendered in Hindu-Arabic numerals for a modern look. The Eco-Drive features a chronograph, three subdials and a date display window. The watch works with GPS satellite technology, enabling global functionality and the ability to accurately time keep across any of the world’s 40 time zones. Functionality features include the ability to toggle between 12hr time and 24hr time, access to a perpetual calendar, and an alarm clock.
Graham Men’s 2OVGS.B39A.K10S
Graham Men’s Chronofighter Analog Watch is certainly one of the heaviest duty watches in the category of best mens luxury watches. Its case is polished stainless steel with a smoked sapphire crystal screw-in case back, a scratch-resistant anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial cover. In addition to its already robust construction it features Incabloc shock absorber technology and is water-resistant down to 100m (330ft). The bezel is black and uniquely features the GMT timescale rendered in Hindu-Arabic numerals. The black dial also utilizes Hindu-Arabic numerals for consistency and uses the 12hr timescale, which is most common in the US. The two subdials are silver; one is a chronograph, located at the 9 o’clock position; the other is for seconds and is located at 3 o’clock.
A date display window rests at the 12 o’clock position. The hands and markers are both silver and luminescent lending style to this highly utilitarian watch. The Chronofighter has a black rubber strap for the band with a pin buckle. The watch is powered by Swiss automatic movement and has a 48hr power reserve.
TAG Heuer Men’s WAZ1120.BB0879 Formula 1
The TAG Heuer Men’s Formula 1 Watch makes a statement with a watch case and watch band that are both two-tone 18k yellow gold and stainless steel for a mixture of luxury and strength. The fixed bezel is navy-and-gold-toned while the dial features a darker navy background with lighter gold used for rendering the index Hindu-Arabic hour markers.
Featuring a useful date window and quartz movement for extra utility and reliability, the watch also bears both the TAG Heuer logo as well as the Tag Heuer Formula 1 logo. Additionally, the watch is water-resistant down to 100m (330ft), so it’s great for wear during any casual maritime or aquatic activities, such as yachting or snorkeling.
TAG Heuer Men’s ‘Formula 1’, CAZ1011.BA0843
The TAG Heuer Men’s Formula 1 Swiss Quartz Stainless Steel Dress Watch is a more water friendly version of its related Formula 1 iterations; this watch is water-resistant down to 200m (660ft), making it more appropriate for maritime and aquatic sports that go beyond what one would consider casual or recreational, such as competitive sailing and surfing. Though it’s not quite considered a diver’s watch, its robust water-resistance makes it an excellent choice for those who enjoy intensive water sports.
The case of the watch is stainless steel while the bracelet style band is two-toned, featuring stainless steel with a black ceramic center for understated contrast. The fixed bezel is black stainless steel and doubles as a tachymeter, while the dial itself is gray with luminous index hour markers, as well as luminous silver-toned hands. There are three subdials, each with a black backing and light contrasting numerals; all numerals featured on the watch are Hindu-Arabic, complying with the modern US standard number system for easy readability. The movement is Swiss quartz.
Jiusko Limited Edition Mens 27 Jewel Tourbillon 18K Rose Gold
This limited Juisko luxury men’s watch features a stainless-steel case and a screw-down stainless-steel exhibition case back, which shows the fine-tuned inner workings of the watch. The bezel, hands and indices are all made from 18k gold for that touch of refinement you’d expect from a luxury brand; as a special touch, the gold indices inset below the Roman numeral hour markings have tiny, discreet jewels for a touch of bling that is so understated you both notice it and not notice it, which means it’s just the right amount of bling.
Featuring 27 jeweled mechanical movement, the Juisko also offers two subdials: a power indicator and a day/night indicator. The bottom center of the face features a round exhibition window with tiny Ancient Greek-style trim. The straps are genuine brown alligator leather with a stainless-steel deployment buckle. The overall aesthetic is what Steampunk would look like if it delved into the Edwardian era, more subtle, classic and restrained—grownup Steampunk, if you will. For extra functionality, the watch is water-resistant down to 100m.
Versace Men’s VFG070013 “Mystique” Watch
The Versace Men’s Mystique watch leaves no one ignorant of its status as one of the best mens luxury watches. The watch case, watch back, bezel, indices, hands and subdial borders are all rose gold ion-plated for that bold statement of luxury that is a signature of Versace on the whole. In case you weren’t already impressed enough, a rose gold Medusa head sits at 12 o’clock, right above the Versace logo.
It’s an analog display watch with Swiss quartz movement. There are three chronograph subdials, a date window, and the bezel functions as a tachymeter. All numerals are Hindu-Arabic, shifting the aesthetic in a decidedly modern direction, despite the opulence. The dial window is anti-reflective sapphire crystal and the markers and hands are luminous. The band is perforated leather with stitching and features a deployment buckle closure.
Top recommendation
After spending a good deal of time surveying the best luxury watches for men, one undeniable standout came forward: Citizen Watches Mens CC9030-00E – Eco-Drive Navi Series. Between its intriguing mixture of luxurious and technical looks, robust functionality and extreme durability, it was the easy winner.
