Nearly every reputable luxury watch brand has released at least one new watch this year. Many manufacturers have unveiled multiple timepieces to extend their already-popular collections, whilst others have launched completely new collections. This guide to 11 of the best men’s luxury watches covers everything from sporty chronographs to dress watches and a whole host of features, case materials and dials to explore. Before we delve into our eleven handpicked watches to invest in right now, let’s highlight some of things you should think about before you buy a men’s luxury watch.

Your luxury watch checklist

Remember, whether you’re buying a men’s watch for the first time or not, style and design say a lot about you as a person. One of the key things to decide on is the layout of the dial itself. Do you need a legible watch for keeping track of the time at night? If so, a simple layout with luminous elements is a good  formal occasions, you should consider steering away from digital or smartwatches and instead opt for a dressy yet classic dial. Case material also has an impact on the overall desired look of a watch. Stainless steel is perfect for an all-purpose watch, whilst 18ct rose, yellow or white gold cases are more refined and elegant.

You can also choose between sporty chronograph watches, pilot watches, dive watches and models with complications like annual calendars and moon phase functions, whilst tourbillon, minute repeaters and split-second chronographs are geared towards those with a taste for technical timepieces. Lastly, consider the strap you’d like to wear. Leather straps afford a traditional and classy styling, rubber bands are practical for water-based activities, and metal link bracelets donate a jewellery-like finish to formal or professional attire. Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s jump right into our guide to eleven of the best men’s luxury watches to own.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M

Divers or those who just love the look of a luxury dive watch should consider the Seamaster Diver 300 M watch from Omega. As its name suggests, it promises a water resistance of 300 meters and belongs to an incredibly broad range of Omega dive watches for men and women. The Seamaster 300 M was most notably sported on the wrist of Agent 007 in the film “Golden Eye” in 1995. It hit the radar of James Bond fans as well as devoted Omega watch collectors and in no time became recognised as the James Bond watch after featuring in “No Time To Die”. These men’s watches have a distinct wavey edge effect on the bezel and dial options in grey, blue, and olive green. The largest size available in the Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M watch measures 44mm in diameter. Perfect for saturation diving too, these models feature a helium escape valve, as well as a unidirectional rotating bezel and visible luminous-coated markings for the effortless measuring of elapsed time underwater.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust

If you’re looking at this guide to the men’s best luxury watches and wondering where the classic and elegant dress watches are, look no further than the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust watch. The line, although one of the most expensive, is known for its diversity, with a myriad of materials, sizes and dial colours to choose from. The signature cyclops date features throughout this line, whether combined with traditional Roman numerals, baton indices or the more recent palm or fluted dial patterns. The Datejust can be enjoyed on a 41mm diameter for men and comes in a choice of materials that include steel, white gold, yellow gold and Rolex’s Everose, not forgetting two-tone designs. All models are powered by an in-house made movement since 1945 and most come fitted on the unmissable Jubilee bracelet with a distinctive fluted bezel to add an even more dressier finish to elegant evening attire.

Hublot Classic Fusion

The Hublot Classic Fusion had to feature in our top eleven men’s watches thanks to its ability to quite literally “fuse” elements of the popular Big Bang and Classic line together. Largely inspired by former Hublot watches from the 1980s, the Classic Fusion watch is perfect for any occasion thanks to its simple, yet legible dial, complimenting sports attire just as well as it does a black-tie dress code. One other desirable model is the 3-Hands. It features a rounded case with a porthole-inspired bezel and integrated lugs. The no-frills design has a date window at 3 o’clock and can be purchased in Hublot’s proprietary “King Gold” material, or a more conventional stainless steel, a titanium version or a ceramic one. Four different men’s sizes can be enjoyed in this style - a manageable 40mm, and mid-size 42mm and a larger 45mm.

Zenith Defy Classic

The Zenith Defy Classic belongs to a range of wristwatches designed for extreme performance. These three-handed models have partially skeletonised dials, framed by a 41mm case crafted from carbon or lightweight titanium. Perfect for sports, extreme exploration and daring adventures, the Defy Classic can be enjoyed on sunburst dials with silver applied indices – all of which feature a date window located either at 3 o’clock or 4:30. One popular model is the dark blue ceramic version with a matching coloured, crown, bezel and strap. The watch is also available as a skeletonised model, evoking a futuristic vibe and exposing parts of the Elite movement as it performs. For a sleek model that oozes masculinity and stealth, the Zenith Defy Classic watch is worth some consideration.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph

You can choose from limited editions, perpetual calendars and even rose gold versions of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. Each model has a stopwatch function set against a backdrop of iconic features unique to IWC Schaffhausen. The range is home to Spitfire and TOP GUN watches powered by in-house developed movements, not to mention limited Le Petit Prince editions characterised by their dramatic blue DNA. Being a high-quality pilot’s watch, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph is geared to withstand harsh cockpit environments and is highly legible thanks to luminous hour makers and hands, not to mention an inner cage of soft iron which wraps around the movement to protect it from damage caused by magnetic fields. The back of each Pilot’s Watch Chronograph is engraved with a special aircraft design, whilst the dials themselves offer stopwatch features in the form of 30-minute, 12-hour and chronograph second functions.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Self-winding

Pre-owned Royal Oak Offshore watches make for great investment pieces as they hold their value well. What’s more, they are available in various case and dial options and are a sportier take on the iconic Royal Oak watch. The self-winding versions are powered by automatic movements that guarantee precision all day and all night. The porthole shape of the Royal Oak is present in the Offshore series, which has been around since 1993. More masculine in design, the Royal Oak Offshore watch had to make it to our guide to the top eleven men’s watches to own thanks to its octagonal shaped bezel (adorned with 8 hexagonal shaped screws), its large case shape and its integrated band. The dial of the Royal Oak Offshore can also be recognised for its “Tapisserie” pattern, enabling collectors and watch enthusiasts to identify the watch from afar.

Panerai Luminor Due

With an elegant, flat construction, the Panerai Luminor Due watch is a spin on the original Luminor watches from the 1950s. Some models are made of exclusive materials like Goldtech, titanium and rose gold. Others offer GMT functions and power reserve indicators. The key features of the Luminor Due watch are a date feature at 3 o’clock balanced by a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. These features afford a well-balanced display that is just as easy to recognise as it is to read the time from. Sizes include 38mm, 42mm and 45mm – offering plenty of choice for various wrist sizes. The models from this line are powered by in-house movements that offer a solid 3-day power reserve. If you’re a man looking to grow his luxury watch collection and you liked the Luminor watch, you’re going to love the flatter and more elegant Luminor Due watch, complete with a traditional leather band.

Luminor Due Luna

Breitling Premier Chronograph

If Chronomat and Navitimer watches by Breitling are too sporty for you, the Premier Chronograph might be a good option. The line was first introduced in 2018 but took inspiration from Breitling’s 1940s wristwatches. The watches from this series feature narrow bezels, slender hands and a selection of colourful dials. Within the collection are split-second chronographs and moon phase displays and all models are chronometer-certified. Some models are powered by the in-house Calibre B70, offering a staggering 70-hour power reserve, making them ideal for alternating with another wristwatch over the course of a weekend, whilst not reliant upon the motion of the wearer’s wrist. Even more refined are those models crafted from 18ct gold, often fitted on a traditional-looking brown or black alligator leather strap to compliment your casual or formal wardrobe. 

Vacheron Constantin Overseas

This watch makes it to our top eleven luxury men’s watches because it remains one of the world’s most coveted wristwatches of all time. The Overseas watches were first introduced in 1996 as a direct descendant of the 222 model, which Vacheron Constantin released as an anniversary timepiece. The Overseas watch for men is bold, sporty and dynamic. It features a toothed bezel inspired by the Maltese Cross and an integrated bracelet. If you haven’t already explored the Vacheron Constantin Overseas watch series and it’s within your budget, you can enjoy a range of designs spanning Ultra-Thin models, 18ct gold iterations, World Time complications, chronographs and versions with skeletonised dials. Of course, since each Overseas watch is inspected and hand-assembled in Geneva, it is equipped with an in-house automatic movement for ensuring unbeatable precision verified by the Geneva Seal.

Patek Philippe Nautilus

Not just a good-looking watch but one that holds its value well and often sells for much more on the pre-owned market – the Nautilus. There can be a considerable wait for a brand-new Nautilus watch. That’s why certified pre-owned luxury watch dealers like us here at Watches World have some of the market’s most sought-after models for sale. The Nautilus watch by Patek Philippe is, without a doubt, a top watch to own. Designed by Gerald Genta, it became an icon during the 1970s when luxury steel sports watches were all the rage. The Nautilus is available in various dial colours as well as case materials that include stainless steel, white gold and rose gold. Its identifiable design is thanks to a porthole-inspired shape with a date feature and additional complications that include chronographs, flyback chronographs and Travel Time versions for tracking additional timezones. 

Cartier Santos

If you like a bit of history to your watch, the Cartier Santos has plenty. The world’s first true pilot’s watch was born over 100 years ago, which makes it one of the oldest watch collections ever. Louis Cartier designed this watch in the early 1900s for a Brazilian aviator called Alberto Santos-Dumont. It features integrated lugs, a square-shaped case, sloping Roman numerals and a railroad minute track. Different types of gold are offered in the Santos de Cartier range, as well as stainless steel, titanium and ceramic. One of the most classic designs from the range is the simple two or three-handed watch, although chronographs and tourbillons are also available. Whilst browsing some of Cartier’s finest Santos watches, you’ll likely see an increasing number of models powered by the company’s own movements and skeletonised dials.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best men’s watches. For more information on these watches or similar models speak to a member of our Watches World team on (enter)