- Judith Akatugba
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For centuries, watches have been a fundamental accessory for males, serving not only as timepieces but also as fashion accessories. The watch industry has undergone rapid change, from traditional and enduring designs to contemporary and groundbreaking ones.
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Given the abundance of choices on the market, it can be difficult to select one that not only fulfills your requirements and complements your personal style, but also endures the passage of time and fashion trends. This article will examine some of the most enduringly popular watches for males, ranging from the conventional to the avant-garde, and analyze the factors that have contributed to their enduring popularity.
Our extensive collection is certain to inspire individuals of all tastes, from connoisseurs of luxury timepieces to those in search of dependable everyday watches. Our list of the finest watches for males is as follows.
1. Rolex Submariner
It should come as no surprise that the Rolex Submariner entered our list; it is one of the most famous and identifiable watches in the world.
It was first unveiled in 1953 with the intention of serving as a professional diving watch. Movie stars and professional divers alike have been seen wearing it over the years as a mark of wealth and status. The original model had a 100-meter water resistance, a rotating bezel, an oyster bracelet, and a black dial. The Submariner has advanced significantly in both technology and design throughout time, but it is still a timeless and in-demand watch.
There are a ton of modifications available for the Submariner because of its extended production life. The Submariner comes in a range of metals, including solid gold, two-tone, and stainless steel, in addition to varied hues. The materials and designs of the cases and bezels on various iterations of the Rolex Submariner may also differ.
The most sought-after hues from the collection are included in the most recent versions of the Submariner, which was last updated in 2020. The case size is 41mm, which is the largest to yet. The traditional stainless-steel variant (Ref. 126610LN) has a new movement with increased accuracy along with a black dial and bezel. The blue dial and bezel of the two-tone model (Ref. 126613LB) contrast with the opulent all-gold version (Ref. 126618LN).
2. Omega Speedmaster Professional
One of the most recognizable timepieces in history, the Omega Speedmaster Professional is well-known for its heritage as a racing chronograph and for its connection to NASA’s moon missions.
It was first released in 1957 to cater to the needs of professional race car drivers, but it quickly became well-known when the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 saw it become the first watch worn on the moon. Since then, it’s been dubbed the “MoonWatch” and is still a favorite among watch lovers and astronauts.
With its tachymeter bezel, stainless steel band, and black display with three subdials, the Speedmaster Professional is renowned for its traditional style. The Speedmaster Professional has experienced a number of revisions and modifications over time. It was given a new movement, the Caliber 861, in 1971. It was modified one more in 1997 with the Caliber 1861 movement, which is still in operation today. They brought back into service the renowned Caliber 321 in 2022, which was initially employed in 1946 and served as the impetus for their space travel victories.
A number of limited editions of the Speedy have also been created, some of which commemorate the Apollo 11 mission and other significant space-related events.
With a few contemporary additions, the Omega Speedmaster Professional is still offered today in its vintage style. Although the MoonWatch is regarded as the classic Speedmaster model, there are many more Speedmaster models available, such as ones with alternative strap options, materials, and dial colors.
3. Rolex GMT-Master II
Famous for its bi-colored bezel with 24-hour graduations, the Rolex GMT-Master II is a globally renowned and iconic watch collection.
In 1954, the line was initially unveiled as GMT-Master as a result of a partnership between Pan Am Airways and Rolex. The watch’s primary function is to assist pilots in keeping track of time zones while they fly over international borders.
The dual time zone capability is a hallmark of the Rolex GMT-Master II. It is shown by an extra hand and a 24-hour bezel. Its water resistance is further enhanced by the inclusion of Rolex’s signature Oyster case and screw-down crown. A two-tone bezel, separated into two colors to denote daylight and nighttime hours, is another recognizable element of the watch. The watch community has come up with some unique names for these bezel colors, like Batman, Pepsi, Root Beer, and Coke.
The GMT-Master II has evolved and improved significantly during the years. The GMT-Master II series was born in the 1980s, when Rolex introduced the ability to independently change the hour hand. The watch underwent an upgrade in the 2000s that included a higher-beat movement, Cerachrom ceramic bezels, and a redesigned case with a more robust Triplock winding crown.
Several distinct models, each with its own set of characteristics and aesthetic, make up the present Rolex GMT-Master II series. Most people still want a Rolex Pepsi (Ref. 126710BLRO) or a Rolex Batman (Ref. 126710BLNR). Recently, Rolex has introduced two-tone and full-gold models that feature their unique Everose rose gold alloy.
4. Cartier Tank Louis
For more than a century, the Cartier Tank watch line has stood as a testament to style and luxury.
The design of the clock, which debuted in 1917, was influenced by the design of Renault tanks from World War I. The watch was meant to be both fashionable and functional, deviating from the conventional circular watch shape. Since its debut in the 1920s, the Tank Louis—named for the company’s founder, Louis Cartier—has set the standard for all other Tank timepieces.
Renowned for its rounded brancards and rectangular case shape, the Cartier Tank Louis is meant to look like a tank from above. Cartier’s characteristic blued steel hands and blue sapphire cabochon crown are present on the watch, along with a simple date display and a clean, minimalist dial with Roman numerals. It is the pinnacle of the traditional dress watch, especially when paired with a leather strap.
There are now numerous variations of the Tank Louis, each with special features and designs. The traditional design has a straightforward leather strap and a yellow gold case. Beyond the traditional silvered guilloche, there are now variants in rose gold, white gold, and stainless steel, along with stronger colors for the dials.
5. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the inaugural steel luxury sports watch when it debuted in 1972. It is generally acknowledged for establishing the genre and upsetting the industry, which was in a state of turmoil following the Quartz crisis.
The Royal Oak was initially conceived in 1972 by the renowned watchmaker Gerald Genta. Taking its name from the British battleships of the same name, the watch was conceived as a high-end, performance-oriented sports timepiece. It was regarded as revolutionary at the time on account of its unique design and uncommon use of stainless steel in luxury timepieces.
It was distinguished by its integrated bracelet and octagonal bezel, both of which were fastened with visible screws. Additionally, the watch showcases a “Grande Tapisserie” or waffle dial design, contributing to its distinctive and sophisticated aesthetic.
The watch was revised in the twenty-first century to include a minute repeater and other complex complications, in addition to a larger case. Presently, the assortment comprises numerous iterations, such as the Royal Oak Offshore and the Royal Oak Concept, both of which challenge the limits of engineering and design.
6. Patek Philippe Nautilus
The Patek Philippe Nautilus has become one of the most coveted luxury watch brands since its introduction in 1976. Notably, the Nautilus was conceived by the renowned Gerald Genta, who was also responsible for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak that was previously alluded to.
Taking its name from the submarine in Jules Verne’s novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” the watch was conceived as a performance-oriented, high-end sports timepiece. Patek Philippe was relegated to the realm of ultra-high-end, intricate dress watches; therefore, during the height of the Quartz crisis, the company was compelled to produce an innovative timepiece. The Nautilus, which featured an exceptional steel finish, was their inaugural sports watch.
In 2006, in observance of the Nautilus’ 30th anniversary, Patek Philippe introduced the renowned 5711 reference. Designed by Gerald Genta as an exact replica of the original Nautilus, it solidified the Nautilus’ reputation as the preeminent steel luxury sports watch.
In addition to stainless steel, rose gold, and white gold, the contemporary Nautilus collection features pavé diamond designs, time and date models, and calendar models.
7. Rolex Daytona
When one considers a timeless luxury chronograph, the Rolex Daytona immediately comes to mind. Ever since its initial publication in 1963, this collection has been exceedingly coveted.
Designed initially for professional racecar drivers, the Rolex Daytona derives its moniker from the renowned Daytona International Speedway in Florida. The timepiece was engineered to quantify elapsed time and velocity, featuring a tachymeter bezel and three subdials for chronograph functions.
Strong and continuing interest in vintage watches, the Daytona’s affiliation with racer and actor Paul Newman, the cult allure of “exotic dials,” and these factors collectively contributed to the Daytona’s status as one of the most coveted timepieces of all time. It consistently surpasses auction records, especially in the realm of vintage models.
Presently, the Daytona has changed significantly into a luxury chronograph, featuring its renowned design crafted from every metal imaginable, including platinum, gold, and stainless steel. Ultra-luxurious models are adorned with statement-making gemstones, sapphires, mother of pearl, and meteorite, in addition to vibrant hues.
8. Cartier Santos
In 1904, Louis Cartier created the Cartier Santos for his companion and fellow Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. Designed for use during flight, the watch featured a leather strap and a square case with rounded corners. Pilot’s watches and men’s wristwatches were not the norm at the time; therefore, the watch was regarded as revolutionary.
The Santos de Cartier watch has evolved into various sub-families over the course of more than a century: the original Santos-Dumont, angular models such as the Santos Galbee and Santos 100, and the ergonomic Santos de Cartier of the present day.
The present assortment comprises various iterations, such as the Santos de Cartier Skeleton, Santos de Cartier Chronograph, and Santos de Cartier Large. In addition, the original leather strap has been substituted with interchangeable metal bracelets to impart a sportier feel and contemporary visual appeal.
9. TAG Heuer Monaco
This groundbreaking timepiece, which debuted in 1969, was the first automatic chronograph to feature a square, watertight case. It was named after the Monaco Grand Prix and featured the Caliber 11, the first automatic chronograph movement in the world.
Although the Monaco was already a commercial triumph, Steve McQueen’s appearance in the 1971 racing film “Le Mans” propelled it to greater notoriety. McQueen fastening a Monaco onto his racing suit is an enduring moment in the annals of both the film and watch industries.
The TAG Heuer Monaco is renowned for its square case, which features a blue dial adorned with red accents, providing the quintessential design. Tag Heuer has continued to introduce innovative materials, vibrant hues, and intricate designs into its signature square shape throughout the years.
10. Omega Seamaster 300M
Since 1993, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M has been available. The timepiece paid homage to Omega’s maritime legacy through its scalloped bezel, blue wave pattern dial, and flexible yet sturdy link bracelet.
The 1995 James Bond film “Goldeneye” featured the Omega on Pierce Brosnan’s wrist, thereby officially designating it as the first time the character wears an Omega timepiece. The ongoing collaboration between Omega and the James Bond franchise is evident in the utilization of various Seamaster models by the most recent Bond, Daniel Craig. He also contributed to the design of the Seamaster 300M model that was featured on his wrist in No Time to Die, his final Bond film.
The Seamaster 300M is a dive watch distinguished by its helium escape valve, unidirectional rotating bezel, and blue wave dial. As the assortment has expanded, it now comprises an assortment of complications, such as a chronograph, GMT, and date display. Furthermore, it has been introduced in a variety of materials, titanium, gold, and stainless steel, among others.
The Seamaster 300M has been significantly revised and updated over time. Coaxil movements have been incorporated into the Seamaster 300M since 2006. In addition to master chronometer mechanisms, these timepieces were updated in 2018 to include ceramic bezels, laser-engraved dials, and slightly larger cases.
