Discover what monochrome watches really are and why their minimalist designs are so popular.
You can only wear black at funerals and white between Memorial Day and Labor Day, right? Wrong.
Not only are those rules no longer ironclad when it comes to clothes, monochrome watches are an excuse to rock a black or white on the wrist. You don’t have to match them with formal attire, either.
They look super sporty and cool, whether you’re a casual or formal-dressing kind of guy. In other words, monochrome watches can work for you no matter your aesthetic.
Let’s look at why they’re so popular.
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The Importance of Monochrome Watches
With a modern watch today, you can be as loud and as bold as you like. Many manufacturers are chomping at the bit to be the next off-the-wall brand with a unique design concept.
Some want to produce the most extravagant and memorable watches in history, and you can hardly blame them.
SEVENFRIDAY, for example, produces watches with a distinctive industrial-inspired look, and U-Boat watches bear big, imposing cases with protruding crowns.
Many timepieces take on artistic, whimsical expressions. Take the latest Mr Jones Golden Hour watch as an example. It’s not your day-to-day, conventional analog watch. Neither is the Bell & Ross Laughing Skull model, with its mechanical moving mandible.
Even old manufacturers stray from the norm. Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest watchmakers in history.
Its Historiques American 1921 watch pays homage to a watch from its archives, but it’s abstract. Its dial features a tilted, off-center hour track and a crown at 1:30 on the case.
But despite all the adventurous and boundary-pushing designs out there, every collector needs a monochrome watch.
A monochrome watch is a true staple. It’s the timepiece you can always fall back on as a solid go-to. It’s the men’s equivalent of a women’s pair of trusty black heels. They go with everything, never look garish, and always convey elegance.
What Is a Monochrome Watch?
Before we look at an example, we need to answer the question, “What is a monochrome watch?”
Monochrome or monochromatic watches are terms given to timepieces defined by one color or several similar colors. Thanks to their stealth-like appearance, they have tremendous appeal, especially all-black watches.
Because of their one-tone design, they boast minimalist aesthetics. Thanks to their simplicity, they also pair well with lots of attire.
I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t know what monochrome watches were for a few years. I’d worked in a luxury watch store for several years and didn’t connect the dots for quite some time.
Even after holding them in my hand and selling them daily, I didn’t realize that’s what they were. Sure, I’d heard of them, but the word “monochrome” made me think of something boring and mundane.
I guess that preconceived notion came from words like “monotone” and “monotonous.” To my surprise, I soon figured that monochrome watches were nothing of the sort. They’re stealthy and contemporary, and they’re what the people want.
A customer would walk through the door and ask for “the black Octo Finissimo” or “Black AP Royal Oak.” I’d know exactly what they meant, just not in so many words.
Maybe customers were ordering these timepieces without knowing, too? A “Monochromatic watch” does sound a bit jargony, after all — a little like the term “Neo-vintage”.
The Best All-Black Watches
Collectors refer to these all-black watches when they speak of monochrome watches. They perfectly balance style and stealth.
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ref. 103077
You have to respect Bvlgari’s boldness here. The all-black Octo Finissimo is an extra-thin mechanical watch with a stunning octagonal micro-blasted ceramic case.
Ceramic has so many advantages in the world of horology. It won’t scratch easily, and it’s also super strong.
The blacked-out hands and hour markers are my favorite feature of this design. But the super-thin automatic movement is commendable, to say the least.
Bvlgari is an expert in crafting award-winning ultra-thin movements. The impressive BVL 138 Calibre is just 2.23mm thick and even displays itself through a sapphire caseback. It sits inside an equally impressive 5.5mm case!
TUDOR Black Bay Ceramic Ref. M79210CNU-0001
Everyone loves the Black Bay. This black ceramic version brings a new contemporary edge to the covetable dive watch design.
The 41mm model features a black dial with the iconic “Snowflake” hands and luminous markers for enhanced legibility.
I love the option of the hybrid leather and rubber band on this monochrome watch. It perfectly bridges the gap between sporty and smart-casual. The band has white contrast stitching up the sides, matching the white details on the dial.
The TUDOR Black Bay is another cool automatic option. The Calibre MT5602-1U is a Manufacture movement with COSC certification and an impressive 70-hour power reserve.
The Best All-White Watches
White sports watches belong in the monochrome watch category. They combine legibility, clarity, and robustness. Check out these best all-white watches.
Omega Speedmaster White Side of the Moon Ref. 311.93.44.51.04.002
There are many white watches for women on the market, but not many models for men. This Omega Speedmaster White Side of the Moon watch, however, is resolutely masculine.
Thanks to its white ceramic case, it measures a broad 44mm diameter and imparts a contemporary, sleek look.
The white dial complements a matching white ceramic tachymeter bezel for measuring speed based on distance. Meanwhile, one of Omega’s self-winding Co-Axial escapement movements is inside the watch.
This is a superlative sports watch for men who love a white monochromatic watch’s clean and contemporary look.
Breitling Superocean Automatic 36 White Ref. A17377211A1S1
This white Breitling Superocean Automatic 36 watch is a great unisex watch. It has everything you need in a rugged tool, perfect for diving, yachting, or sports training.
Although this watch features a steel case, its light, lustrous tones beautifully match the clean white dial. Together, they create a sleek, monochromatic presence on the wrist.
This white Breitling Superocean watch has some great features, including 300-meter water resistance, luminous baton markers, and a sapphire glass front.
I particularly like its white rubber strap with a smooth center and scale-like textured strips running down the edges.
Thanks to its 36mm diameter, this is a great watch option for small wrists.
The Takeaway
Monochrome watches have a minimalist design and mono-color aesthetic. From stealthy military timepieces to dive watches and everything in between, they make great additions to any collection.
In short, they can make you feel like a spy (and what guy doesn’t want to get mixed up in a little espionage now and then?).
Next time you want to do something bold with your look, you should at least consider a monochrome watch. Yes, they’re simple.
However, despite their simplicity, they create a huge presence on the wrist and command attention wherever and however you wear them.
Do you own one? If so, how do you like to wear it? Leave your comments below.
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