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The Best Watches Chosen by Experts

Tags: Selection of the best | Men's | Classic

3.11.2025

Choosing a watch is almost a science in its own right. What style and for what occasion—it's all worth considering. In our guide, you'll find the best watches in various styles and for every situation.

If you're looking for the perfect gift and don't want to spend hours reading reviews and doing research, you'll find inspiration here for watches you can't go wrong with. We carefully curate the selection right in our editorial office, where we review the watches ourselves. And at the very end of our guide, we've summarized how we chose and what we chose from.

16.12.2021
Photo gallery of the most beautiful ladies watches

Quick overview of categories:

Prefer listening? Here's the overview for 2025:

1) Category: Dress and Formal

Dress watches are a demanding category. Especially when you’re choosing a piece that will suit not only social occasions or the office, but also truly elevated company and formal events.

Nominees:

Category winner: Orient Star Classic M45 Moon Phase Mechanical

We chose a truly singular model from Orient Star as the winner. This elegant piece holds its own not only in the office, but also on a festive red carpet.

Orient Star Classic M45 Moon Phase Mechanical RE-BW0004S00B

3 190,00 € in stock

A new release from early autumn 2025, it blends considered aesthetics with watchmaking craftsmanship. The clean dial exudes poise, in a pleasing contrast to the blued hands. With a power-reserve indicator and a moon phase with a mother-of-pearl disc, it offers engaging complications without disturbing the overall minimalism—the watch even dispenses with a seconds hand.

And of course there’s a view of the top-tier Orient Star F8 mechanical movement.

The power reserve is 70 hours, and through the discreetly skeletonized mainplate you can see not only the balance wheel, but also the silicon escape wheel with anti-magnetic properties. All of this sits in a case measuring 39.5 mm in diameter and under 12 mm in thickness, so it slips neatly under a shirt cuff.

The Sallaz polishing of the steel case is readily apparent, as is the quality of the shell cordovan strap.

Orient Star watches are certainly not flashy. But they’re exactly the kind of watch that proves its worth when you’re sitting in a lobby, in a tailored suit, and want everything to be flawless.

Our pick from January 2025:

Another nominee, for instance, was a model from Frederique Constant, which introduced a manufacture movement with a big date, a power-reserve indicator and a moon phase, all in a highly elegant execution and, above all, at an excellent price. Skeletons can also be a tasteful complement in social settings, as Rado demonstrates with the True Square models. And last but not least, Union—watches that are fantastically refined both visually and horologically.

Be sure to also read:

23.9.2022
About Orient Star – Reach for the Stars

2) Category: Unique and Innovative

A unique watch needs something special—something that stands out on the wrist through its story, design, technology, or innovation. And innovation comes in many forms—design, materials, the movement. Each matters, because it pushes watchmaking forward. In this category, we choose watches that are, quite simply, exceptional in some way.

Nominees:

Category winner: Oris Big Crown Mechanical 01 113

The model we selected checks every box: a unique design, a story, and genuine technical substance.

What grabs you first is, of course, the dial’s colorway. That’s anything but usual—and it’s not accidental. It was chosen as a nod to the traditional green of watchmakers’ tools, paired with a bold, warmer pink with a fuchsia‑raspberry hue. The Oris immediately commands attention and sparks strongly positive emotions.

But that’s not the main point. It has an in-house movement you won’t find elsewhere. Developed entirely by Oris’s master watchmaker, it offers a 10‑day power reserve, complete with an indicator. What’s more, the indicator is non‑linear: the final 2–3 days are shown “stretched out,” making it easier to judge when the watch needs winding.

Add to that a complete business calendar—that is, date, day of the week, month, and week of the year—and you suddenly have an absolutely singular watch.

Oris unveiled them in autumn 2025, which is why they didn’t make it into our selection of the year’s top unique watches. That in no way diminishes the appeal of the other nominated models.

Among them, for example, is the Oris with a mechanical depth gauge—the only one of its kind. Also in the mix are some of the most accessible watches with an in-house perpetual calendar from Frederique Constant, and the Rado Captain Cook in full ceramic, phenomenal both technically and in day‑to‑day use.

Top 6 Unique for 2025:

Be sure to read next:

3) Category: Everyday

Everyday watches are another demanding category—if not the most demanding. You’re looking for a watch that fits in virtually any setting and can handle almost any situation.

Nominees:

Category winner: Citizen Satellite Wave Attesa

If you think the ideal everyday watch doesn’t exist—or would cost a fortune—the Citizen Attesa will convince you otherwise. In terms of price-to-performance, it may well be unbeatable.

Citizen Satellite Wave Attesa Eco-Drive CC4074-61W

1 790,00 € in stock

It offers GPS time synchronization, which is usually a much pricier proposition, and delivers total convenience—setting the time and date anywhere in the world within seconds, including automatic time zone recognition.

They are made of titanium with a Duratect treatment for enhanced scratch resistance, and the black version even uses DLC to boost protection further. Naturally, thanks to titanium they are very light and comfortable for all-day wear.

The sapphire crystal is superb, with double-sided anti-reflective coating, and solar power keeps all functions running while giving you peace of mind for decades to come. The only thing it won’t handle automatically is the daylight saving time change, but the Attesa is so intuitive to operate that it’s a minor detail.

Among the nominees was a direct GPS rival in the Seiko Astron, as well as the Oris Pointer Date and Mido TV Big Date with a slightly retro (we’d call it timeless) design. We also consider the Rado HyperChrome and Frederique Constant to be excellent everyday watches, chiefly thanks to their exceptional stylistic versatility and wearing comfort.

Top 6 everyday watches for 2025:

Be sure to also read:

4) Outdoor

Watches built for the field. They have to withstand rough treatment, bad weather, the odd knock, and ideally offer functions that can come in handy out there.

Nominees:

Category winner: Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-B1000

However each of us pictures an “outdoor watch” a little differently, there’s no debating that G-Shocks are the toughest tool for the harshest conditions. Whatever taking a watch into the field means to you, the Master of G GWG-B1000 will handle it.

For the first time ever, it brings together the brand’s best features — Tough Solar (solar charging), Triple Sensor (barometer, compass and thermometer), Bluetooth connectivity, and Multiband 6 (radio-controlled timekeeping). In the field you may also appreciate basic navigation to a stored position.

But that’s just the start. A tough case combining resin, steel and carbon fiber delivers uncompromising durability, as does the overall construction. It protects the watch not only from water ingress (200 m), but also mud and dust. The GWG-B1000 Mudmasters also handle low temperatures, vibration and everyday impacts.

Casio has also put serious effort into legibility, day and night. Besides the backlight, there’s very strong lume. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal that’s highly scratch-resistant. What more to add. This is a perfect outdoor watch.

Also among the nominees was the hybrid Tissot T-Touch. A barometer, compass, thermometer or pedometer are no problem here. Made of titanium and styled more elegantly, it completes the mission on an expedition as well as in the office. From another angle, Hamilton approaches outdoor watches with a more classic take — a stout steel case without added functions. And last but not least there’s Luminox, also among the very best in rugged field watches.

Among the other nominees were the fantastic Luminox pieces, which will appeal above all to fans of minimalist watches, and the more modern Tissot T-Touch with solar power, a touch display and outdoor functions. As one of the real indulgences we include the automatic Oris with an altimeter — the only one of its kind.

Top 6 outdoor watches for 2025:

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5) Solar

We included the category of solar watches for several reasons. On the one hand, solar power is one of the most promising directions; on the other, a solar movement makes a watch far more low-maintenance—and thus worry-free.

Nominees:

Category winner: Seiko Astron Chronograph

There’s certainly no shortage of choice with solar watches. If you’re after something sportier, the Tissot T-Touch is a great pick. If you prefer a cleaner design, go for the Junghans. And if you want something in between, the Seiko Astron.

Beyond solar power, they’re an ideal choice for travelers, because GPS synchronization means you never have to worry about setting the time.

They come in many variants, but we’ll always recommend the ones that appeal to you most. Notable strengths include the titanium construction and double anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal.

One of the most interesting models is the 2025 newcomer, the Astron Chronograph, which combines titanium with ceramic.

Astron is a name that carries weight—just like Seiko itself.

The other nominees are no less attractive, either. Tissot Connected Solar, for instance, has ventured into hybrid watches that measure heart rate and are operated by touch.

Top 6 solar watches for 2025:

Be sure to read:

6) Racing

Racing watches should have real drive. You can also recognize them by a few design and functional cues. They’re defined not only by an emphasis on precision, but also by a chronograph and usually a tachymeter scale on an internal or fixed external bezel.

Nominees:

Category winner: Union Glashütte Noramis Chronograph Sachsen Classic 2025

For lovers of vintage race cars, the German Große Werkmeister from 1952 needs little introduction. This understated grey racer packs 135 horsepower under the hood and has been restored very faithfully to the original. You won’t find a second one like it anywhere. The same, in a way, can be said of the Union Glashütte Noramis Sachsen Classic 2025. It’s limited to 350 pieces, and each is unique thanks to the amount of handcraft involved.

The Werkmeister inspiration shows not only in the red accents, but above all in the dial pattern, taken from the car’s dashboard.

Visually, silver dominates as a tribute to the two-seater sports car. And racing, in which the Werkmeister actively competed, naturally calls for a chronograph. Inside the 42 mm case the watch houses an automatic chronograph with a 30‑minute counter, a power reserve of over 60 hours, and a silicon hairspring.

Water resistance is 100 meters, and the watch comes on a striking black stitched calfskin strap. The pairing of a German watch with a German classic is tasteful and well considered, but it’s the watch itself that commands attention—thanks to details like the date integrated into the small‑seconds sub‑dial and the curved minute hand.

Among the nominees are the handsome Prim Chronograph, as well as the famed Edox Chronorally with its signature oversized chronograph pusher. Among the more elegant models we shouldn’t forget Frederique Constant, which even includes a miniature model race car in the box.

Top 6 racing models for 2025:

Be sure to also read:

7) Dive watches

Diving watches are a category that few people today buy to actually dive with. Yet their popularity isn’t waning—in fact, quite the opposite. And interest is growing above all in true, no‑nonsense divers that deliver not just aesthetically but technically as well.

Nominees:

Category winner: Longines HydroConquest Automatic

Longines is fairly new to us, but we’ve known the HydroConquest for a long time. And at first glance it’s a textbook diver.

Exceptionally legible, with strong Super‑LumiNova, an anti‑reflective sapphire crystal and, of course, water resistance rated to 300 meters—these are the hallmarks of the HydroConquest.

Naturally there’s a screw‑down crown, a unidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic insert, and inside a modern automatic calibre with a 72‑hour power reserve.

We also chose the HydroConquest because it offers an excellent price/performance ratio in its class of mechanical dive watches. The robust construction suits active sports use, yet it has the elegance to be worn around town.

Top 6 dive watches for 2025:

The other models won’t embarrass themselves in the water either. Certification is present for both Certina and Seiko, and Casio’s Frogman models also offer a host of interesting diving functions. If you’re looking for something more playful to freshen up a collection, we recommend the Oris Summer Edition.

Be sure to read next:

8) Retro

Creating compelling retro watches isn’t as easy as it might seem. Many brands “revive” their historical models to draw attention—or even to obscure the fact they’re short on fresh ideas. We, however, select those for which that certainly isn’t the case, pieces that hold their own not only within the overall collection but also stand the test of time.

Nominees:

Category winner: Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole

The Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole was something of an underrated model as early as 1962, when it appeared in this Swiss brand’s lineup.

It has only been reissued twice so far, and we’re looking at the second one, from 2025, right now.

Rado has kept all the key features that deliver an unmistakable vintage character: an inward-sloping bezel, a domed crystal, gilt finishing, and historic cities on the rotating bezel.

Inside the 39 mm case is a hand-wound mechanical movement—another indication that the brand is serious about the historical connection.

Ultimately, it’s the overall impression that decides—and with the Over-Pole it’s understated yet genuinely convincing.

Also among this year’s nominees was Alpina’s Heritage—another well-executed pure hand-wound mechanical that also preserves a period-correct case size. Oris offered instantly recognizable 1960s-style divers, and if you’re after something more playful than conservative retro, we recommend taking a look at the Mido Commander in its disco guise.

Be sure to also read:

14.6.2021
TOP 6: The most interesting retro watches

TOP 6 retro watches for 2025:

9) Aviation

Pilot’s, or aviation, watches do not have design codes as clearly defined as, for example, dive watches. That’s why watches labeled as pilot’s often differ dramatically from one another. At the same time, they rank among the most popular men’s styles. More contemporary takes often feature a logarithmic slide rule used by pilots to calculate, for instance, range or fuel consumption. They can therefore look complex—but all the more enticing.

Nominees:

Category winner: Fortis Novonaut N-42 Automatic Chronograph

Fortis is among the brands that built their name on sports watches—and also through close ties to spaceflight. Their Cosmonaut model was in production for more than three decades and became part of the kit for many Russian cosmonauts.

Fortis Novonaut N-42 Automatic Chronograph F2040012

5 090,00 € in stock

The Novonaut N-42 carries that storied era forward, but delivers it in a thoroughly current, technically and aesthetically modern package. At a glance you can see the pilot’s watch inspiration and the focus on precise execution and reliability.

This model targets men who prefer bolder, more robust watches. The stainless-steel case measures 42 mm in diameter, 44 mm with the bezel, and approximately 51 mm lug-to-lug. A thickness of nearly 16 mm means you’ll definitely feel it on the wrist.

The dial, in a rich cobalt blue, looks exceptionally elegant—especially paired with the ceramic bezel, whose numerals glow thanks to luminescent material, and the chronograph’s orange hands that add a sporty contrast.

Inside beats the WERK 17 caliber, which Fortis developed on the foundations of the legendary Valjoux 7750. The movement has been tested in the stratosphere, where it proved its exceptional robustness. It offers a 60-hour power reserve, a 4 Hz frequency, and a chronograph with a 12-hour counter.

The blend of quality construction, distinctive design, historical roots and current collaboration with space projects places the Novonaut N-42 among the most compelling modern tool chronographs today.

Top 6 pilot’s watches for 2025:

Among the nominees was also the new Longines Spirit Zulu Time 2025, marking 100 years since their first Zulu Time model. And let’s not forget the most fun pilot’s watch of the year, the Oris Hölstein Edition.

Also worth reading:

20.11.2025
Fortis Flieger F-39 Automatic review - Flieger for everyday missions

10) Skeleton watches

Peering into a watch’s innards right through the dial. Tempting, isn’t it? Skeleton watches are few and far between. But when a brand does make them, it’s usually worth your attention.

Nominees:

Category winner: Perrelet Weekend Skeleton

The Perrelet Weekend Skeleton is a beautifully executed watch for those seeking an elegant skeleton.

Perrelet goes all-in here, revealing the inner workings to the fullest. The gear train isn’t hidden beneath ornate bridges, and the result may strike some as almost too technical. But that’s the beauty of mechanics: the flawless interplay of countless tiny components refined to perfection. Perrelet has also reworked the rotor, skeletonizing it to reveal as much of the movement as possible.

The stainless-steel case has a very wearable diameter of 39.5 mm. The whole concept is underscored by the Swiss pedigree of the renowned Perrelet marque.

Top 6 skeleton watches for 2025:

Among the nominees you’ll also find the sport-oriented Orient Star Avant Garde with a silicon escape wheel, and the square Rado True Square. The Accutron DNA offers a completely different wrist feel and a different take on the movement, leaving you wondering whether it’s futuristic or retro. And at the last minute we added the well-executed Edox Delfin with a Damascus bezel, a fall 2025 release.

Be sure to read next:

28.11.2023
Photo gallery of EDOX sports watches

11) Military

Today we think of military watches differently. They’re more like rugged, indestructible G-Shocks, or, on the other end of the spectrum, ultra-modern sports instruments such as the Garmin Fenix or Tactix. Our selection, however, focused primarily on the classic type known as field watches.

Nominees:

Category winner: Prim Orlík Respekt

Classic military watches are all about history. That’s why we’re choosing the Prim Orlík Respekt for 2025.

PRIM Orlík Respekt Manufacture 103-026-553-63-1 Limited Edition 60pcs

5 190,00 € new product to look forward to

Prim Orlík is an icon of Czech watchmaking, created back in 1965 for military divers. And this edition, called Orlík Respekt Manufacture, pays tribute to that very legend. It’s limited to just 60 pieces—and each bears its unique number on the caseback.

Beating inside is the in-house PRIM Calibre 103.00. It’s hand-wound, runs at a classic 21,600 vph, and offers around 48 hours of power reserve.

The original 38 mm size has been retained, and if you placed the original and the current model side by side, you’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart. Prim was also able to use the historically correct loaf-shaped logo.

And for the most meticulous enthusiasts and lovers of detail, a special steel grade was used, just like on the 1960s version. The case surface is lightly bead-blasted (“shot-blasted”), preserving the authentic, slightly raw look of the original military diver.

This one is a true passion piece.

Among the nominated models you’ll also find tactical watches from Traser and Luminox. These have less in common with the past and are geared more toward the current needs of soldiers in demanding environments. And the wild card this year definitely goes to the Hamilton Khaki Field with a power-reserve indicator.

Be sure to also read:

12) Women’s

Shopping for a watch for a woman? Granted, one will never be enough. But if you had to choose just one?

Nominees:

Category winner: Mido Rainflower

Mido delivers everything most women look for in a ladies’ watch. It’s beautiful, elegant and intriguing.

It stands out with a unique dial featuring a lotus motif, layered mother-of-pearl, and shades of pink and blue that evoke evening light on the water. There’s also an unconventional approach to luminescence.

The automatic Caliber 80 movement offers a power reserve of around 80 hours, while the slim stainless-steel case with a diameter of 34 mm wears elegantly like jewelry.

Diamond hour markers and a polished case underscore its femininity. While water resistance isn’t a strong suit, the watch excels in detail and aesthetics—an ideal choice for formal occasions.

Even so, the decision wasn’t easy. We fell in love with the sporty Oris Aquis and its striking dial hue, as well as the elegant Rado Centrix revealing its mechanical movement. The surprise of the year was the Junghans Meister S, which won us over with its color, execution and sensational case slimness.

Browse our photo gallery with the full selection of the most beautiful women’s watches and get inspired:

16.12.2021
Photo gallery of the most beautiful ladies watches

How and what did we choose from?

This Best Watches selection was created as a practical guide to choosing a watch. That’s why you’ll only find models here that are currently available, in stock, and ready to bring joy to you or someone else right away. That’s also why we keep the list continually up to date.

To keep the list current and fresh, only models that are no more than 3 years old were eligible.

And what did we choose from? The selection includes the best models from brands we carry, know well, and wear ourselves. That’s why you won’t find Rolex or Omega here. On the other hand, we’d stake our reputation on the watches we’ve picked, and for most of them we have in-depth reviews where you can learn everything you need.

Image credits:

Hodinky-365
Official manufacturer images

Comments

Watches mentioned in the article

Citizen Satellite Wave Attesa Eco-Drive CC4074-61W

1 790 € in stock

New September

Orient Star Classic M45 Moon Phase Mechanical RE-BW0004S00B

3 190 € in stock

Fortis Novonaut N-42 Automatic Chronograph F2040012

5 090 € in stock

Limited edition 60 pcs

PRIM Orlík Respekt Manufacture 103-026-553-63-1 Limited Edition 60pcs

5 190 € new product to look forward to