From playful artistic designs to boundary-pushing mechanical marvels, today’s watch market offers an incredible range of creativity at every price point.

Here’s a list of our favorites, ordered from least to most expensive.

Casio CA53WPC-1B – Pac-Man Collab
Price: $92

The Casio CA53WPC-1B – Pac-Man Collab takes the brand’s iconic calculator watch and gives it a playful arcade twist. This watch features a yellow resin case echoing the look of the legendary video game, complete with Pac-Man graphics across the dial.

As a limited collaboration, the Casio CA53WPC-1B stands out as one of the most unique watches under $200, blending retro gaming culture with classic digital watchmaking. For anyone looking for affordable fun, it’s an easy choice.

Mr. Jones – A Perfectly Useless Afternoon
Price: $275

Mr. Jones promises “unforgettable watches,” and the “A Perfectly Useless Afternoon” delivers exactly that. Designed by Kristof Devos, the water-inspired dial features a figure lounging on a floaty. His extended leg displays the hour while a rubber duck indicates the minutes.

This quartz piece from Mr. Jones Watches is one of the best examples of affordable unique watches today. And with a smaller 37mm case size, it’s easily among the top unique watches for women as well.

Mr. Jones Watches – Continuum
Price: $295

Another artistic standout from Mr. Jones Watches, “Continuum” features a colorful dial complete with a rocket ship, astronaut, and alien drifting through a cosmic landscape. The Continuum piece is wearable art and a strong contender for anyone who prefers a fun, imaginative design at an accessible price.

This Mr. Jones design was created by British artist Ray O’Neill, whose work often explores surreal environments and imaginative storytelling. Among the most unique watches this decade, “Continuum” stands out for its charm.

Seiko 5 Sports 5KX Street Style Blacked Out
Price: $375

When it comes to bold yet accessible design, the Seiko 5 Sports 5KX Street Style Blacked Out delivers. Officially called the SRPD79, this design updates the classic 5KX with a stealthy monochrome case and all-black design and black dial, relying on textures and subtle contrasts for visibility.

For fans of Seiko unique watches, this model proves that mainstream brands can still produce distinctive pieces. It’s an excellent example of entry-level unique men’s watches that balance affordability with personality.

Hamilton Ventura Edge Dune Limited Edition
Price: $2,500

Created in connection with Dune: Part Two, the Hamilton Ventura Edge Dune Limited Edition channels sci-fi energy through its angular black PVD case and glowing blue digital display. Limited to 2,000 pieces, this watch continues the Ventura’s legacy of unconventional design.

For collectors seeking men’s unique watches with cinematic flair, this futuristic piece stands apart from traditional sports models.

Bell & Ross BR-X5 Green Lum
Price: $13,300

Most watches feature lume on the dial, but the Bell & Ross BR-X5 Green Lum glows almost entirely. Thanks to a proprietary luminescent fiberglass composite, the case emits an eerie green glow in darkness.

The BR-X5 Green Lum is a standout among unique luxury watches, offering technical innovation and a bold visual identity rarely seen in contemporary sports designs.

Konstantin Chaykin – Joker Classic
Price: $25,000

The Konstantin Chaykin Joker may be the most recognizable Wristmon creation. With mischievous eyes indicating hours and minutes and a grinning moonphase mouth, the Joker Classic blends humor with serious mechanical watchmaking.

Few watches combine playful design and legitimate horology as successfully as this Konstantin Chaykin creation, making it one of the most unique watches in modern independent watchmaking.

Konstantin Chaykin – Minions Titanium
Price: CHF 19,500

Another piece from Konstantin Chaykin, the Minions Titanium turns beloved animated characters into timekeepers. Featuring Bob’s goggles as hour and minute displays and his smile as a moonphase, this watch would make a charming and unique addition to any collection.

Though this series originally retailed for CHF 19,500, it was limited to 99 pieces, with considerably higher resale prices in 2026.

Franck Muller Crazy Hours
Price: $27,200

The Franck Muller Crazy Hours revolutionized time display in 2003 with numerals scattered randomly across the dial. The hour hand jumps to the correct next numeral at the top of each hour.

This iconic Franck Muller watch remains one of the most unique watches ever created redefining what a traditional time display can look like.

MB&F HM8 Mark 2
Price: $78,000

Automotive inspiration meets horological theater with the HM8 Mark 2. This bold MB&F watch features a prism system that displays jumping hours and trailing minutes like a speedometer, while the exposed “battle axe” rotor spins dramatically on top.

For collectors seeking ultra-modern and unique luxury watches, few brands push boundaries quite like MB&F.

Urwerk – UR-112 Aggregat Odyssey
Price: ~$300,000

Among elite Urwerk watches, the Urwerk UR-112 Aggregat Odyssey stands out for its futuristic engineering. Released as a limited edition in 2022, it features a closed case with hinged panels that reveal satellite hours and minutes through a digital display window.

For collectors exploring avant-garde and unique watches for men, few timepieces feel as radical or spacecraft inspired as this creation from Urwerk.

Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon
Price: $340,000

Inspired by the Bugatti hypercar, the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon includes a miniature V16 engine automaton with moving pistons. The Bugatti Tourbillon is horological excess at its finest, combining high complication watchmaking with automotive theatrics.

Among the world’s most unique watches, this is a true spectacle piece at a costly price point.

Cartier Rotonde Masse Mystérieuse
Price: $394,000

With the Rotonde Masse Mystérieuse, Cartier continues its long tradition of mystery movements. In this design, the entire movement is integrated into the rotor, creating a floating effect that seems almost impossible.

It remains one of the most technically impressive watches in contemporary haute horology.

From playful artistic dials to six-figure mechanical marvels, today’s market offers more variety than ever. Whether you’re searching for a budget piece or plan to spend more than a down payment, here’s never been a better time to explore beyond traditional watch design.

Do you have a favorite among these unique watches, or is there a standout we should include in our next roundup? Let us know, and we may just feature it next!

The post 13 Of The Most Unique Watches appeared first on StrapsCo.

From the most famous watches in movies to historic pieces from iconic watch brands, let’s dive into the ultimate timepiece hall of fame.

1. Rolex Submariner

Arguably one of the most recognizable watch series ever made, Rolex Submariner watches aren’t just dive watches—they’re a cultural symbol. Among the most famous watches in movies, the Submariner was worn by James Bond in multiple films. Its timeless design, rotating bezel, and unmatched versatility make it one of the most iconic watches of all time.

The only downside is knowing that the AD probably won’t call you back if you try to buy one at retail…

2. Omega Speedmaster Professional

Nicknamed the “Moonwatch,” the Omega Speedmaster was part of all six lunar missions. It’s one of the greatest watches of all time, not just because of its NASA-certified performance, but because it embodies exploration and innovation. It’s a standout choice among Omega watches and a common grail watch among enthusiasts.

3. Cartier Tank

The Cartier watch that defined understated elegance, the Tank has graced the wrists of style icons from Jackie Kennedy to Andy Warhol. With its Art Deco lines and rich heritage, it’s a cornerstone of both iconic watch brands and design history.

4. Breguet Type XXI

A pilot’s chronograph with French military roots, the Breguet Type XXI is a refined yet rugged tool watch that stands out among aviation-inspired models. Its flyback chronograph function and crisp legibility have earned it cult status among enthusiasts

5. Bell & Ross BR 01

A modern icon, the Bell & Ross BR 01 took inspiration from cockpit instruments and redefined what a square case could be. It’s a bold design statement and a standout among contemporary iconic watches.

6. Breitling Navitimer

For decades, the Breitling Navitimer has been a favorite of pilots and professionals. Its slide rule bezel and chronograph functions made it a true tool of the trade. Today, it remains one of the most famous watches in aviation circles and beyond.

7. Vacheron Constantin Overseas

Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest iconic watch brands, and the Overseas blends heritage with sportiness. With its refined lines, in-house movement, and everyday wearability, it’s a quiet classic—and a grail for collectors.

8. Omega Seamaster

The Omega Seamaster has had many lives—from the dive-ready 300M to the elegant Aqua Terra—but all share the same DNA of precision and adventure. As another iconic James Bond favorite, it deserves a place among the most iconic watches worn on screen.

9. Affordable Iconic Watch: Seiko SKX007

Not every icon has to break the bank. The Seiko SKX007 is one of the best affordable iconic watches, revered for its rugged build, automatic movement, and dive-ready features. It’s also often found among the top iconic watches under 1000, though prices for it have been steadily climbing on the secondhand market.

10. Casio F91W

Simple. Digital. God-tier. The Casio F91W proves that even plastic can be iconic. Worn by everyone from school kids to celebrities, it remains one of the most famous watches in history—and for under $20.

From legendary moon missions to movie cameos, these timepieces are more than just wristwatches—they’re pieces of cultural history. Whether you’re chasing luxury, heritage, or even an affordable beater watch, these are 10 watches that deserve the spotlight.

We know lists like these are subjective, so let us know your picks of the most iconic watches below!

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Root Beer Bezel

One of the few Rolex bezels to be nicknamed after different kind of sodas, the Root Beer GMT is arguably one of the only brown dials I’d happily add to my personal collection. The combo of brown and gold on a GMT Master works remarkably well, and it’s seen its share of knock offs over there. Variants of the Rolex GMT Master basically make up half our list here, but I’d argue that Root Beer GMTs are safely the least common of the bunch.

Pepsi Bezel

Once again a Rolex classic that’s been adopted by a number of different brands (affordable fans will all remember the Seiko SKX007 and the new Seiko PADI versions of the Turtle. The combo of blue and red is a mighty sharp one, and it’s always a solid addition to anyone’s watch collection. If you’re looking for the ultimate option, one of the original bakelite-bezel Rolex GMT Master 6542 is the year be-all-and-end-all of Pepsi bezels.

Coke Bezel

In the beverage world Coke is ALWAYS better than Pepsi, but somehow the black and red variant of the GMT bezel has never been quite as popular as its red and blue sibling. It’s been copied by Steinhart, and even an odd TAG Heuer back in the day. Unlike the Pepsi, the Coke bezel is no longer in production by Rolex these days, though there has long been speculation that a ceramic Coke bezel GMT will eventually come to fruition.

Sandwich Dial

Most commonly seen in the Panerai catalog, though also used by a number of brands big and small, a sandwich dial is one of the coolest dial style out there. Basically by sandwiching two dial layers together, a level of depth is created that often includes some pretty spectacular lume. The latest Omega Seamaster 300 uses one, as do both current offerings from Oak and Oscar.

Phantom Dial

Stealth is the name of the game when it comes to Phantom dials. These sleek black-on-black creations have come to us from all over the industry, including my personal favorite from Bell & Ross. That said, Rolex custom king George Bamford has created his share of blacked out creations over the years.

Snowflake Dial

Snowflake dials come in two very distinct and different versions — one from Tudor, and the other from the Grand Seiko catalog. In the case of the Tudor snowflake, the name is actually more of a reference to the slightly snowflake-shaped hour hand than anything else. In the case of the Grand Seiko Snowflake, a stunning dial texture reminiscent of a fresh snowfall is the reason this gem earned its nickname.

Pie Pan Dial

Recently revived via the new (and just plain gorgeous) Omega Globemaster, the Pie Pan dial looks a lot like it sounds. The dial has creases at each hour indices, and the outer edge curve downwards. Though the style has been used by a number of brands, the Omega Constellation from the ‘60s is one of the most recognizable of the bunch.

Nipple Dial

Of the weirdest dial nicknames out there, the Nipple dial was a peculiar creation of the ‘70s that saw tall pyramid-esque indices with smaller lume plots that — you guessed it — sorta look like little nipples. They’re the kind of thing that really isn’t for everyone (lume fanatics look elsewhere) but their weirdness is cool in its own way. Of the ones we’ve spotted during our research, this crazy minty solid gold blue dial 16808 nipple dial is the one I’d be chasing, budget permitting of course.

Stella Dial

Another gem of the ‘70s that was never expected to be a hit, the Stella dial was originally designed for the Middle Eastern market but quickly found a following globally. The Stella dials use brightly colored lacquer and enameling to variants of the Datejust and Day-Date. Sadly there are a ton of fakes out there, so you’re going to have to hunt very carefully to ensure you don’t land on a fake dial.

Batman Bezel

Rolex’s BLNR Batman gets its name solely on account of using a Cerachrom bezel in the Dark Knight’s classic colors. I’d safely argue this is THE best looking modern Rolex out there right now, as it combines a GMT complications with the subtle application of color that’s more interesting than going for a plain black alternative. It’s also still under-the-radar enough that you can wear it just about anywhere and with just about anything. The cool part? There’s a Seiko Turtle in the same colors out there — the SRP787.

Kermit (Rolex Submariner 16610LV)

Affectionately named after everyone’s favorite green Muppet, the Kermit Submariner celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sub back in 2003. The green aluminum bezel paired with a classic black dial caused a stir at the time, but it’s since aged like fine wine. Unlike the Hulk (more on that in a second), the Kermit keeps the traditional Sub look but throws in just enough color to make it stand out. And yes, it’s a favorite among collectors for good reason.

Hulk (Rolex Submariner 116610LV)

The Hulk builds on the Kermit’s anniversary DNA but takes full advantage of Rolex’s Cerachrom bezel technology and a sunburst green dial that shifts dramatically under different lighting. It’s a modern Submariner through and through — louder, brighter, and engineered to stand out.

Bart Simpson (Rolex Submariner 5513)

Yes, there’s a Rolex Sub with a dial named after The Simpsons’ spiky-haired son — and no, it’s not yellow or blue. The Bart Simpson nickname actually comes from a very specific dial variation of the Rolex Sub where the coronet logo is flatter and kind of stubby, resembling Bart’s iconic hairstyle. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it detail, but for vintage nerds, spotting a Bart is a badge of honor.

Blueberry — Rolex GMT Master 1675

An ultra-rare piece of Rolex folklore, the Blueberry GMT features — you guessed it — a solid blue bezel insert. Rumor has it they were made in tiny numbers for Middle Eastern military contracts in the ‘70s, and as a result, legit ones are basically unicorns. Because of their rarity and sky-high collector value, most of the “Blueberries” floating around today are sadly aftermarket inserts. Proceed with caution — and a loupe.

Tuxedo Dial

Tuxedo dials are defined by their sector-style layout, typically featuring a contrasting outer minute track and a lighter central disc. This design creates a visually balanced dial with classic symmetry, often seen in vintage dress watches and modern reissues aiming for refined formality. It’s the kind of dial that looks like it knows which fork to use at a six-course dinner — and probably judges you if you don’t.

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Midsize Cases

The trend towards smaller case size options will likely continue in 2024 with a particular emphasis on midsize watch cases, which we define as 36mm, give or take a couple of millimeters in each direction. 36mm is a great fit for many wrist sizes and appealing to both men and women.

Image: Tudor Black Bay 36

Plus, it’s a perfectly acceptable size for dress watches, everyday casual watches, sports watches, and complications. It’s a Goldilocks measurement for timepieces, in our opinion, and by adding more midsize cases to their catalogs, brands could attract a larger buyer base.

Dress Watches

Speaking of dress watches, we expect even more formal timepiece options to crop up in 2024. In particular, we foresee that brands that normally focus exclusively on sportier designs will start peppering their collections with more compact, slim, and understated watches to expand their offerings.

Image: Breguet Classique Répétition Minutes 7637

Think neutral colors, leather straps, and time-only dials. This 2024 watch trend goes hand-in-hand with the direction toward smaller watches and an extension of the “quiet luxury” phenomenon that took over fashion in 2023.

Wilder Dials

Dials are going to get even fancier in 2024 with watch brands not only experimenting with a variety of materials but also manufacturing processes. For instance, in 2023, Oris used melted fishing net discards to create beautiful kaleidoscope dials, and a few months later, the company unveiled striking gradient dials that were fashioned using an innovative laser technique.

Image: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 “Jigsaw”

Rolex surprised onlookers with the puzzle Emoji dials, celebration dials, and cello-themed dials. We’ll likely see even more dial experimentation in 2024, including precious stones, exotic materials like meteorite, more gems, more colors, and more ornate designs.

Jewelry Watches

It’s not just dials that are going to get more ornate; we think 2024 will be the year of the jewelry watch. Pieces dripping with diamonds and other gemstones will be enjoyed not only by women but plenty of men too.

Image: Timotheé Chalamet wearing a diamond-adorned Cartier Crash

Timothée Chalamet stepped out on the Golden Globes red carpet with a diamond Cartier Crash on his wrist, The Weekend wore a diamond Piaget Limelight during the premiere of HBO’s The Idol, and Leo Messi wore the Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce Rainbow during his Inter Miami presentation. This trend will likely go even stronger in 2024 and watch brands will oblige by offering additional exceedingly expensive and ultra-exclusive jewelry watches for those who enjoy the “more is more” philosophy.

Peach Fuzz Watches?

Just like in fashion or home decor, the watch world favors a specific color every few years. Dark blue dials were popping up everywhere followed by green ones. Then turquoise became super trendy and for a while, purple dials seemed to be a the forefront for a minute.

Image: Oris Propilot X Calibre 400 “Peach Fuzz” Dial

So what’s the color of choice for 2024? Well, Pantone declared Peach Fuzz as the Color of the Year for 2024, a shade not dissimilar to salmon dials, which are already a watch collector’s favorite. So maybe we’ll see even additional salmon dial watches this year and perhaps.

Extra Lume, And Not Just On the Dials

More watch brands will embrace luminous materials, and we’re not just talking about dials. The recently-released Bell & Ross BR-X5 Green Lum, for instance, paired a luminescent-accented dial with a fully lumed case, which gives us a small taste of what to expect in the glow-in-the-dark watch segment.

Image: Bell & Ross BR-X5 Green Lum

We won’t be surprised if we see more creative applications of luminous materials in watches including cases, strap components, full dials, bezels, and so on. We might even see some “secret messages” etched in luminous paint, similar to what Omega did on the Ultra Deep a few years back.

Dragon Watches

Chinese New Year will take place on February 10, 2024, ushering in the Year of the Dragon — and several watch brands have been busy making their dragon watches to commemorate the occasion.

Image: Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon

From the wild Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon Watch and tattoo-inspired Bell & Ross BR 05 Artline Dragon Watch to the red-toned IWC Portugieser Chronograph and TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Year of the Dragon watches to the complicated Piaget Polo Emperador Dragon Tourbillon Watch and Ulysse Nardin Blast Tourbillon Dragon pieces, 2024 is the era of the fiery mythical beast.

Better Value for Money

Following a few crazy years of hype watches and having to pay twice or three times retail to secure sought-after models, the watch market is in a correction phase. The so-called “waitlists” are shortening (or disappearing) at retail stores and pre-owned market prices are coming back down to earth. Aside from these wins for watch buyers, we also predict that brands will release watches that offer better value for money (think higher quality materials, improved movements, more attractive designs, added benefits such as quick-release strap systems and additional straps, extended warranty periods, and so on) to attract customers during this slow-down period.

Image: Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto

Connected to this will be the continued rise of smaller watch brands (aka micro brands) that already work hard to gain loyal followers with well-priced watches. Pieces like the Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto or companies like Monta, Baltic, Furlan Marri, and Lorrier illustrate that you can buy excellent watches without spending a ton of money — and that will certainly be something buyers will embrace in 2024.

We may not have a crystal ball, but these are the trends we anticipate across the watch industry in 2024. What do you predict will be the “next big thing” to take over timepieces over the next 12 months? Do these trends even matter or do you prefer to stick to the classics? Drop us a comment below to share your thoughts.

The post Watch Trends To Look Out For In 2024 appeared first on StrapsCo.

If you’re interested in adding one to your collection, here are nine top square watches to consider, ranging in price from $20 to just under $8,000.

Casio F-91W
Price: $22.50

It’s been around since 1989 and it’s the world’s most-sold watch – many of you probably own one or at least, did so when you were a teen. It offers a slew of functions (1/100-second stopwatch, alarm, auto calendar, and more), sports a square case (38.2 × 35.2 × 8.5mm), includes a micro-light for in-the-dark reading, boasts a 7-year battery life and best of all, costs about $20! We’re talking of course about the legendary Casio F-91W digital watch.

You can go classic with the almost all-black resin F-91W with a touch of blue, red, and white or opt for different variants including colorful ones (F-91WC), metallic ones (F-91WM), or even, translucent ones (F91WS).

G-Shock DW5600E-1V
Price: $74.95

Also made by Casio but belonging to the G-Shock series, think of this as the tougher square watch cousin. The first G-Shock watch that debuted in 1983 was the square-shaped DW-5000C, and it and its successors remain one of the most famous square digital watches in the market.

Today, G-Shock offers the 5000/5600 Series of square watches, all of which pay tribute to that inaugural model. One example is the G-Shock DW5600E-1V, a reference Casio launched in 1996, featuring an all-plastic casing with a metal caseback. Almost thirty years later, that model is still in production, illustrating the popularity of this square watch. This 200m-water-resistant square digital multi-function watch (measuring 48.9 × 42.8 × 13.4 mm) includes a 1/100-second stopwatch, a countdown timer, a multi-function alarm, full auto-calendar to year 2099, among others. Plus, it costs well under $100!

CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series X Gorilla
Price: Starting at $379

Award-winning Chinese watch brand, CIGA Design, is making waves in the watch landscape with its collection of boldly designed mechanical watches. Take, for instance, the steel and titanium CIGA Design Series X Gorilla square watch, which measures a generous 44mm x 48. The watch not only features an open-worked dial and movement for a clear view of the automatic movement inside but is also available in a multitude of colorways.

Priced at less than $400, this brash square watch is, according to CIGA design, inspired by a muscular gorilla, and each piece is paired with an intricately patterned silicone strap.

March L.A.B. AM2 Slim Automatic Shelter
Price: $1,671

March L.A.B is on a quest to make its watches “as French as possible,” and the watch brand offers a large collection of chic timepieces. One particularly handsome collection is the AM2 Slim Automatic, offering retro-styled 36mm square watches with a winding crown at 4 o’clock.

With its angular steel case silhouette, rounded square sapphire crystal, stepped dial, and five-link steel integrated bracelet, the March L.A.B. AM2 Slim Automatic is unabashedly seventies-inspired. The Shelter variant, which includes a striking two-toned dial, leans into the groovy vibe, and like all other models in the collection, it runs on an automatic movement.

Rado True Square Automatic Open Heart
Price: $2,600

Rado has long been a pioneer in ceramic watches and made its mark in the watch industry by making ceramic square watches (called Ceramica) as early as 1990. Fast forward to today, and Rado’s signature ceramic square watch is now the True Square, launched in 2020. The True Square is not only the first Rado watch with a square, injection-molded monobloc high-tech ceramic case, but an industry first.

The collection is a varied one with plenty of sizes, dial executions, and colorways to choose from. One of our top picks is the True Square Automatic Open Heart with a 38mm ceramic case and ceramic bracelet, rendered in a gunmetal metallic hue. The skeletonized dial is accented with royal blue details and gives us a look at the open-worked movement inside.

NOMOS Glashütte Tetra Neomatik 39 Silvercut
Price: $3,980

The Tetra collection is home to NOMOS Glashütte’s square watches, complete with the clean minimalist style that the German watchmaker is known for.

Among them, the Tetra Neomatik 39 Silvercut is an especially appealing square watch, featuring a steel case (that measures 46mm diagonally), an in-house automatic ultra-thin movement, a polished silver-gray, and a black leather strap. The blue center hour and minute hands coupled with a red seconds hand on the subdial at 6 o’clock is a fun touch, as is the horizontal brushing of the gray dial.

Bell & Ross BR 03 Auto Black Matte
Price: $4,100

Bold square watches are what put Bell & Ross on the map and the brand has continued to favor this silhouette. The new Bell & Ross BR03 Auto collection carries on the legacy of the aircraft cockpit-inspired BR 03 model that first appeared in 2006 by retaining the signature “circle in a square with four screws” design blueprint but now in a more compact 41mm size.

The hero of the new collection is the BR 03 Auto Black Matte, dressed in a micro-blasted black ceramic case paired with a black rubber strap (an additional black fabric strap is also provided). The black dial is very much in line with the Bell & Ross aesthetic, featuring oversized numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12, coupled with prominent luminous hands at the center.

TAG Heuer Monaco
Price: $7,500

The Heuer Monaco was born in 1969 as the world’s first water-resistant square watch, and it boasted one of the world’s first automatic chronograph movements too. It became world famous when it was worn by Steve McQueen in the Le Mans movie in 1971 and the Monaco continues to be a mainstay of TAG Heuer’s catalog today.

With its shimmering sunburst blue dial, silver counters, and red hands, the dial of the modern TAG Heuer Monaco ref. CBL2111.FC6453 is a faithful rendition of the original Steve McQueen model. That dial is housed inside a 39mm stainless steel square case, topped with domed sapphire crystal. Finishing off the look is a blue alligator strap.

Santos de Cartier Automatic
Price: $7,750

The Cartier Santos is the original square watch, designed by Louis Cartier in 1904 at the request of pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont. Santos-Dumont didn’t want to deal with a cumbersome pocket watch while flying across the skies in his pioneering aircraft, so Louis Cartier had the idea to create a watch he could wear on his wrist instead.

Well over a century later, the Santos is one of Cartier’s most prized watches, maintaining that signature square case shape and exposed screws on the square bezel. While the Santos de Cartier collection is an expansive one, home to plenty of material, size, and color choices, the full stainless steel Santos ref. WSSA0018 is especially popular. Its case measures 39.8mm and is furnished with a classic silvered opaline dial with the customary blue sword-shaped hands and black Roman numerals. The matching steel bracelet is famously embellished with exposed screws and benefits from Cartier’s “QuickSwitch” interchangeability system for easy strap switching.

There you have it – some of the best square watches you can buy today. What do you think of square watches? Do you appreciate their designs or do you prefer the more classic round watch? Are there any other square watches you’d add to our list? Drop us a note in the comments below to share your thoughts.

The post Top Square Watches appeared first on StrapsCo.

Riz Ahmed Wears Omega and Bell & Ross

Riz Ahmed nabbed a nomination for “Best Actor in a Leading Role” in the film Sound of Metal for his portrayal of a metal drummer who loses his hearing. Aside from an already impressive acting résumé that includes roles in the movies Nightcrawler and Rogue One, in addition to the HBO miniseries The Night Of, the 2021 Oscar nominee also has a successful music career as Riz MC.

To complement his stylish laid-back style, Riz Ahmed opts for a few different watches. For instance, we’ve spotted him wearing a two-tone Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra with a matching steel and gold bracelet. On another occasion, Riz Ahmed paired a black suit with a black tee and an all-black Bell & Ross watch. However, rather than going with a ubiquitous square-shaped B&R, he wore a round Bell & Ross Vintage WW1 with a steel case, black dial with oversized hour markers, and a black leather strap attached to the wire lugs.

Steven Yeun wears Omega and Timex

Steven Yeun first struck it big on the small screen playing Glenn Rhee in the super popular AMC television series The Walking Dead. In 2020, Steven Yeun not only served as executive producer of the film Minari but also took on the lead role. Minari tells the tale of a family of South Korean immigrants trying to make it in rural United States during the 1980s and the movie has earned six Oscar nominations. One of those is Steven Yeun’s nomination for “Best Actor in a Leading Role.”

While we often saw Steven Yeun wearing a Timex field watch on a NATO strap in the past, these days he’s switched his watch out for something far dressier. Steven Yeun currently wears an exceedingly elegant Omega De Ville Trésor with a gold case, brown leather strap, and Master Co-Axial manual-winding movement.

Gary Oldman Wears Rolex, TAG Heuer, and Jaeger-LeCoultre

With already one Oscar award to his name, this is the third time Gary Oldman is nominated in the “Best Actor in a Leading Role” category. Gary Oldman’s Academy Award nomination this year is for his title role in the film Mank, which is about Herman J. Mankiewicz’s development of the screenplay for Citizen Kane.

Gary Oldman’s taste in luxury watches is almost as diverse as the parts he’s played in the past. We’ve spotted Gary Oldman wearing a variety of different timepieces over the years, ranging from vintage Rolex watches to a sporty TAG Heuer Monaco to an elegant Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. One theme that seems to carry through Gary Oldman’s watches is a preference for leather straps.

Daniel Kaluuya Wears Omega and Cartier

It’s been a solid award season for actor Daniel Kaluuya so far as he’s racked up best supporting actor awards at BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice for his portrayal of Chairman Fred Hampton in the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. And now the actor is a favorite to win the Oscar for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” this coming Sunday.

Daniel Kaluuya has been dressing up his wrist to match his award outfits this year, first wearing a full gold Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra complete with a matching gold bracelet to the Critics’ Choice Awards. Following that, we noticed Daniel Kaluuya sporting a two-tone steel and yellow gold Cartier Ballon Bleu to the Screen Actors Guild Awards, also on a metal bracelet. We can’t wait to see what watch he’ll choose to wear to the Oscars.

Sacha Baron Cohen Wears Omega and IWC

He may be most known for his comedic characters like Borat, but Sacha Baron Cohen can also be serious when the role calls for it. Sacha Baron Cohen has two 2021 Oscar nominations to prove it—one for best supporting actor for playing Abbie Hoffman in the drama The Trial of Chicago 7 and the other for “Best Adapted Screenplay” for the comedy Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

As this year’s Golden Globe Awards, Sacha Baron Cohen had on an Omega Speedmaster “Moonwatch” when he accepted his award for “Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Film” via Zoom. Conversely, during last year’s pre-pandemic award season, Sacha Baron Cohen was often spotted wearing an IWC Portugieser Chrono on a leather strap while posing for pics on the red carpet.

David Fincher Wears Rolex

Director David Fincher has been nominated three times for an Academy Award for the films The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), The Social Network (2010), and this year’s contender, Mank (2020). While he’s picked up plenty of other awards for his film and television work, an Oscar has eluded him thus far—but maybe this year will prove to be different.

In terms of watches, David Fincher is a fan of Rolex with several models appearing on his wrist over the years. From an ultra-luxe platinum Day-Date II on a matching platinum President bracelet to a steel Submariner on an Oyster bracelet to a white gold Daytona on a black rubber Oysterflex bracelet, David Fincher clearly appreciates white metal Rolex watches.

Frances McDormand Wears Rolex

Frances McDormand is no stranger to the Academy Awards, having already won two Oscars and nominated several times over the last three decades. This year, Frances McDormand is nominated yet again, vying for a “Best Actress” award for playing Fern in the film Nomadland.

While Frances McDormand is known for enjoying breaking so-called fashion rules—particularly on the red carpet—the Oscar-winning actress does stick to a classic when it comes to her watch. Frances McDormand often wears straightforward steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch, paired with the classic Oyster bracelet.

We’ll be tuning in to the 93rd Academy Awards not only for all the movie accolades and speeches but also to see what watches this year’s top film people will choose to wear to the event. Who do you think the award for best watch should go to? Tell us your winner in the comments section below.

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Its Not-So-Humble Beginnings — The Cartier Santos

When most people think of pilot’s watches, they’ll first think of a large diameter case, a black dial, and highly legible indices, though this couldn’t be further from what went down in history as the world’s first pilot’s watch. In the early 1900s, Alberto Santos-Dumont (much like the Wright brothers) was struggling to take to the skies. Though he eventually managed to take flight in 1906, he complained to his friend Louis Cartier about the challenges of fussing with his pocket watch while trying to keep his contraption in the air.

Before long, Louis had a solution in the form of the Santos—the first pilot’s watch which Santos-Dumont wore on every flight from that point on, and which garnered so much attention that Cartier put it into production in 1911. Not long after Santos-Dumont took to the skies with a Cartier on his wrist, another contender would throw their hat into the ring, giving rise to the aesthetic codes that we now identify as the modern pilot’s watch.

Crossing the Channel — A Precursor to the Zenith Type 20

Santos-Dumont wasn’t the only man battling for a record in the skies, and in 1909 Louis Blériot became the first man to fly across the English Channel. On his wrist, A hefty steel Zenith with large, luminous arabic numerals on a black dial for contrast, broad hands (cathedral hands, to be precise), and a crown large enough that it could be operated while wearing gloves. Though the journey lasted a mere 37 minutes, Blériot continued to work with Zenith from there on. A few years after his record journey, he was heard saying “I am extremely satisfied with the Zenith watch, which I use regularly, and cannot recommend it highly enough to people in search of precision.” Zenith’s presence in Blériot’s flight gave the brand some fairly significant clout as aviation developed. As the world crept towards WWII in 1939, Zenith became the timing instrument of choice for all French aircraft, and the rest, as we say, is history.

War Time and Beyond — The B-Uhr & Others

As WWII hit, the need for accurate timekeeping in flight was more important than ever. Where WWI was all about the pilot-styled pocket watches (crafted by Doxa, Zenith, Omega and others), the second world war brought to the table brands like A. Lange & Söhne, Wempe, Lacher & Company/Durowe (Laco), Walter Storz (Stowa), and eventually IWC. A division of the German military crafted the design of the B-Uhr in 1935—a massive 55mm steel watch with an iron core (necessary to combat the magnetic forces found in planes of the era) with a hand-wound hacking movement. The five German firms were tasked with building the Luftwaffe’s timekeepers, which would be assigned at the beginning of each mission and promptly returned thereafter. To this day, both Laco and Stowa offer faithful reissues of their classic pilot and B-Uhr watches at a fairly reasonable sub-$2k price of entry.

The Pilots of Today — Breitling, IWC, & Others

Post World War II, the pilot’s watch continued to evolve in a fairly organic fashion. 1955 saw the birth of the Breitling Navitimer—a chronograph with a slide rule displaying STAT for standard mileage, KM for kilometres and NAUT for nautical miles, allowing pilots to quickly work out calculations of both speed and fuel consumption. Still a mainstay in Breitling’s core collection, the brand still offers at least 8 variants of these classic Breitling pilot watches, including the recently-launched Rattrapante split-seconds chronograph built entirely in-house.

IWC’s pilot collection is ever-growing, as the brand continues to forge ahead with pilot’s watches in steel, precious metals, and ceramic. The brand was the first to release a ceramic-cased chronograph—the 3705 Ceramic Flieger in 1994. Today their range includes everything from the subdued and simple Mark XVIII, through to the Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar (though we’re hearing rumors of it being discontinued in the not-too-distant future).

Zenith threw its hat back into the vintage-styled pilot ring a handful of years back with the Type 20 Extra Special—a piece whose roots run clear back to Blériot’s timekeeper we spoke of above. Most recently the line was augmented by a 40mm variant in four new colorways with an aged steel case, where the balance of the collection comes in at a reasonable 45mm (also available as a two-register chronograph.

Though a much more recent entrant to the category, Bell & Ross has carved itself out a nice little niche in the pilot’s watch category. The iconic BR 01, 03, and X1 models are derived from cockpit instrument pods, and over the years the brand has created a wide array of pieces that pay varying degrees of tribute to these devices. In particular, the BR 01 Concept Flight Instrument collection includes pieces meant to resemble a compass, a heading indicator, and an altimeter among others. Though the brand only dates back to 1992, they’ve also recently released a collection paying homage to the wartime era, melding both pilot and trench watch aesthetics in fairly tasteful manner.

The Affordables — Ventus & Alpina

Though there are a number of budget-minded pilot’s watches on the market, we’re opting to focus on a couple of our personal favorites. First, the Ventus Caspian and Black Kite—a pair of Miyota-powered classics available in either brass or carbon fiber, and both great pilot watches under $300. Though a relatively new outfit, Ventus is the brainchild of Elshan Tang, who also founded sister-brand Zelos.

From a more established corner of horology, Alpina offers its own range of pilot’s watches which are very close in design to those from IWC, though at a fraction of the cost. Typically powered by Sellita-based movements, the brand’s extensive collection offers everything from quartz-powered chronographs to automatic 3-hand and chronograph models that all boast a reasonable level of fit and finish starting a little below the $1000 mark. Those looking for the classic IWC charm without the pocketbook sting will be more than satisfied by what’s on offer.

Traditional Pilot Bands

There is a feature that is recognizable among pilot’s watches, and that is their bands. In this niche you will find bands styled after the WWII B-Uhren strap as well as WWII Bund straps. The B-UHren style straps can be distinguished by the presence of metal rivets and are usually a thicker quality. Bund straps which include a protective wrist pad were created in WWII for German military pilots to protect the skin of their wrist from the metal of the watch case which could heat up and freeze to extremes in the cockpit. Both of these styles have remained popular among vintage watch enthusiasts and modern-day watch collectors of all kinds.

Now let us know, what is your favorite pilot’s watch!

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