Are you looking for a watch that stands out and exudes confidence? Check out some fantastic diamond watches for men.
Women and diamonds are inextricably linked, but men’s preference for diamond watches is on the up. Thanks to the likes of Harry Styles, Jay-Z, and Brooklyn Beckham, diamonds are back in fashion.
This guide to the best men’s diamond watches covers various styles and designs for men.
This “genre” of men’s watches is often misunderstood. It’s frequently the case that the more diamonds on a watch, the bigger its price tag. However, there are plenty of understated and elegant diamond watches for men to discover. This guide rounds up 10 of them.
A Brief History Lesson in Diamond Watches
In the aftermath of World War II, diamond set watches were growing in popularity. Well-known Swiss watch brands set up subsidiaries in the US to avoid high import taxes and satisfy local demand.
During this era, watches’ local craftsmen focused on the casting and gem setting process. On the other hand, the movements themselves were made in Switzerland.
Names such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin collaborated to create gem-set Mystery Watches during this time. Hamiton — a brand now associated with robust tool watches — closely followed this trend, too.
Other watchmakers such as Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe also briefly flirted with the idea of a diamond-set watch.
The 1970s was an era that called for a more understated and elegant approach to luxury watch-wearing. It was also a period where quartz watches were the order of the day.
Ostentatious diamond-set watches disappeared for a while.
When hip-hop arrived on the scene, expensive diamond-set watches became a trend.
Today, however, diamond watches are not just for affluent collectors. They are worn to elevate smart, professional, or evening attire and can be as present or discreet as one likes.
10 of the Best Men’s Diamond Watches
Here is my selection of 10 of the best diamond watches for men:
Rolex Datejust 36 126284RBR
When we mention subtle bling, the Rolex Datejust 36 in blue is the perfect example. Its stainless steel case, measuring a very manageable 36mm, is perfect for those with slender wrists.
It’s topped with a bezel in 18ct white gold, set with scintillating round brilliant-cut diamonds.
The diamond bezel adds a halo of light around the rich blue dial, while further diamonds represent all the markers around the hour track apart from the 12 and 3 o’clock locations.
In true Datejust form, this men’s diamond watch offers all the distinctive characteristics of the popular model, such as the Cyclops date at 3 o’clock and the classic five-link Jubilee bracelet for a dressy finish on the wrist.
The Bvlgari Octo L’Originale Watch
If you like being flashy, you’ll want to check out the Bvlgari Octo L’Originale watch. This is quite possibly one of the most flamboyant diamond watches of all.
The watch is a work of art, with its main dial plate crafted from a radiating pattern of diamonds. The brand logo is printed on the underside of its crystal glass.
Each stone picks up the blue accents of the hands and Arabic numeral hour markers. The bracelet features alternating rows of diamonds on the surface of each link.
Turn the bracelet to the side, and you’ll see three additional baguette-cut diamonds on the ends of each link. Lastly, the back of the watch exposes an in-house Bvlgari movement equipped with a useful 42-hour power reserve.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Watch WBP231K.BA0618
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 is an affordable Tiffany alternative adorned with glistening diamonds around its hour track.
The sporty dive watch is equipped with 300-meter water resistance. It also has Super-LumiNova material applied to its hands, and a black ceramic-filled unidirectional rotating bezel for measuring elapsed time underwater.
In addition to all these features, this men’s diamond watch from TAG is powered by the brand’s Calibre 5 automatic movement. It measures a discreet diameter of 36mm for smaller-sized wrists.
The Hublot Big Bang Steel Diamonds Watch 361.SX.1270.RX.1104
Hublot is no stranger to diamond watches. It has exercised plenty of imagination when developing men’s diamond-set watches.
Despite its 126 diamonds totaling a weight of 0.87kt, this watch looks as classic as ever. A matte black dial is home to the instantly recognizable Hublot numerals around the hour track. A durable black lined rubber strap completes the watch’s confident and masculine styling.
TUDOR Royal M28503-0008
TUDOR offers a level of robustness, quality, and accuracy that is on par with its sibling brand, Rolex, but at a more affordable price.
This helps make TUDOR’s diamond-set watches for men great investment pieces.
Take, for example, the TUDOR Royal 38mm model with a steel case and 18kt yellow gold notched bezel framing a chocolate brown dial with diamonds. For the hour markers combine with traditional Roman numerals.
The two-tone stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold bracelet complete its refined and elegant Datejust-inspired look, constituting the perfect watch for wearing in the office as well as with an evening suit.
Omega De Ville Prestige 434.23.40.20.52.001
This Omega De Ville Prestige watch with diamonds is a beautifully understated option for men. It displays discreet diamond hour markers alternating with traditional Roman numeral indexes and slender yellow gold-plated hands.
This one is perfect as a statement piece to wear with a favorite suit but equally as stylish when combined with smart casual attire (thanks to its classic brown leather strap). t
This watch boasts a flat silvery dial framed by an 18kt yellow gold bezel on top of a polished stainless steel 30-meter water resistant case. A railway minute track and useful date window add further functionality to this stylish men’s diamond watch.
The Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8 Days Jewelry Watch
Designed for Grand Seiko’s 60th anniversary, the Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8 Days Jewelry watch combines a stunning Zaratsu polished platinum case with a generous selection of luxurious blue sapphires.
There are also scintillating tapered baguette-cut diamonds.
Taking inspiration from winter mornings in Shinshu, the stones alternate with one another around the hour track. Underneath is a 18kt white gold base, framing a dial with a “diamond dust” texture. All this is encircled by an outer layer of round diamonds and sapphires on the bezel.
The relentless Spring Drive movement with an 8-day power reserve runs drives this beautifully manufactured Grand Seiko watch.
This is a rare piece with just ten in the world.
Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar 5961P
If you like complication watches, the Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar is the perfect option. This one has eight baguette-cut diamonds adorning the hour track and a peerlessly performing in-house manufactured movement.
For those who will settle for only the best, Patek’s 175 years of expertise and provenance prove unmatched by many. This diamond watch for men has a matte blue dial with a date, day, and month aperture.
It’s a 12-hour chronograph function and a 30-minute totalizer combined in one sub-counter at 6 o’clock.
Santos De Cartier
The Cartier Santos watch pays homage to an important milestone in the brand’s history.
The Pilot’s watch, originally designed for the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, comes in various styles.
None are more elegant, however, than this version with a graduated blue dial.
206 brilliant-cut diamonds are meticulously set into the bezel, framing the signature sword-shaped hands and railroad minute track.
A 35.1mm diameter and spinel-set six-sided crown are combine with the brand’s innovative QuickSwitch interchangeable system for swapping straps whenever you desire.
Bell & Ross BR 05 Diamond Watch BR05A-BL-STFLD/SRB
The last (but not least) feature in my guide to 10 of the best men’s diamond watches is the Bell & Ross BR 05 Diamond watch.
This timepiece celebrates the diamond in a whole new light with its unmissable square-shaped case.
The model combines technicity and elegance, showcasing the famed circle-within-a-square profile set with round brilliant-cut diamonds upon its square bezel.
The four decorative screws underscore the BR 05 styling, combined with a sleek black dial with Arabic numerals occupying the familiar locations of 12, 6, and 9 o’clock.
The automatic watch also features diamond dot indexes around the hour track, along with a contemporary rubber band for finishing a youthful look on the wrist.
The Takeaway
There we have it! My guide to the 10 best men’s diamond watches. Each timepiece offers a little something different, whether drenched in glistening stones or subtly decorated for a discreet touch of elegance and indulgence.
Do you like diamond watches? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments!
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