Watches have always been must-have accessories for men, since they polish up their overall image. High-quality watches upgrade any outfit, show their charisma and boost their confidence. Every man needs at least one great watch as a key accessory to look elegant and stylish. There are many designs and types of watches, so each man has to find the ones that match their character and personal style.
In 2022, men’s watch trends show a mix of progress and tradition. The classics stay the same, with world-renowned brands like the Swiss Rolex and Patek Philippe, among others. While innovative technologies, sophisticated complications and new materials are all the rage on one side, retro- inspired models and reinterpreted dials are also shaping the market. The up and coming sustainable models also stand out with innovative proposals.
But which are the trends in men’s watches this 2022? From Hublot’s Square Bang Unico King Gold Ceramic to Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, nicknamed “Sprite” for its green and black bezel, to Patek Philippe’s reinterpretation of the Calatrava… the offer of high-end men’s watches is endless. Style Konsult has compiled for you the most stylish men’s watches and trends in 2022, as well as some of the most interesting launches and alternatives.
We are going to show you some of the best men’s watches in the market apart from the big three: Patek Philippe, the luxury Swiss house that has almost 200 years of experience; Rolex, which held the fifth position in the ranking of the best valued luxury brands of Forbes in 2021; and Richard Mille, a French maison that is characterized by making unique models with the most modern technology.
ACCLAIMED MEN’S WATCHES IN 2022
BLANCPAIN
More and more companies are choosing titanium for its exceptional characteristics, especially when it comes to diving watches. This is what Blancpain has done with its famous Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. The case has a diameter of 43 millimeters, is water-resistant to 300 meters and is protected by a ceramic bezel with Liquidmetal inserts. The dial maintains the gray aspect of the rest of the watch accompanied by a brushed finish that matches very well with the style of the watch. The version with a titanium bracelet is now available for $ 14,641.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN
Vacheron Constantin claims to be the oldest watchmaking firm in the world after 267 years of uninterrupted activity. Some of its best creations are now included in the Historiques collection, which now has a reissue of the 222 model, created in 1977 and of timeless beauty. Its diameter is just 37 millimeters and the height does not exceed 8. The detail of the Maltese cross on a projection of the case is a delight for lovers of vintage pieces. This reissue has been made in yellow gold. Collectors are excited to get hold of the few 222 that come out at a price of $ 72,422.
BREITLING
On May 24, 1962, Breitling officially claimed the title of “first Swiss wristwatch in space” after astronaut Scott Carpenter circled the Earth three times wearing the Navitimer Cosmonaute on his Mercury-Atlas 7 mission. On the 60th anniversary of that milestone, Breitling presents a tribute to that watch in the form of a limited edition of 362 pieces, a faithful reproduction of the original. 41 mm case, platinum bezel, and 24-hour indication. The strap can be a black crocodile skin ($ 10,705) or a stainless steel seven-link Navitimer bracelet ($ 11,073).
CERTINA
Since July 2017, Certina has been a member of the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), to which it now dedicates this model. For the first time, it is presented with a vintage design combined with bright colors. The design of this DS Super PH500M Sea Turtle Conservancy ($ 940) dates back to a 1968 model. Its 43mm stainless steel case surrounds a radiant blue sunray dial. The blue aluminum bezel rotates in only one direction and, together with the orange minute hand, is used to set the dive time. Water-resistant to 500 meters and with an automatic movement that ensures a wonderful power reserve of up to 80 hours. This watch is not only the perfect underwater companion, but also contributes to sustainability in many facets. The blue textile strap is made from plastics extracted from the oceans.
TISSOT
This Seastar is a contemporary and stylish diver’s watch, absolutely reliable under water but also on dry land. The protagonists of Tissot’s new Seastar line are the Seastar 1000 Quartz and the Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80. The former has a 36 mm case, a steel bracelet (in- house interchangeable brightly colored silicone straps are also available) and a lacquered dial. in glossy white, blue or black, as well as being waterproof to 300 meters ($ 467). For its part, the Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 has a more common case, 46 mm, optional black PVD- coated steel case, and really nice wave motif dials. Automatic movement, water-resistant to 600 meters, Super-LumiNova details and automatic helium escape valve ($ 1,150).
GERALD CHARLES
There is no more famous designer in watchmaking history than the great Gerald Genta. Nothing has been changed from the original models, including its distinctive case shape and Clous de Paris embossed rubber strap. All the watches of the brand are made by Vaucher, one of the most prestigious Swiss manufacturers. The Maestro line, with a more stylized and slimmer case design than previous versions, is characterized by watches made of steel and with the possibility of choosing the color (black or green) and the functions (three hands or chronograph). The latest reference to join the collection is the GC Sport in the image ($ 17,630). It differs from the previous ones for being made of titanium, its blue finish and the curious position of the crown on the left side of the case.
ZENITH
Zenith has been better known for its mechanisms than for its watches. The firm’s team works to change this perception and they are achieving it thanks to products like this Defy Skyline, which rewrites all the tradition that El Primero has treasured since its creation in 1969. The Defy Skyline is presented as an off-road watch, capable of handling in any situation. Its dial is decorated with a starry pattern from which it takes its name as a reference. Its diameter of 41 mm responds to the current pattern of men’s watchmaking. Made exclusively of steel, the Defy Skyline is already on sale with a price of $ 8,700.
BULGARI
The Bulgari Octo collection has just turned 10 years old. To celebrate it, the Italian brand has launched an authentic work of art and engineering. Experts in ultra-thin watches, this Octo Finissimo Ultra exceeds any expectation, since it is just 1.8mm thick overall. The integrated bracelet, which is made of sandblasted titanium, has the same thickness as the 40 mm octagonal case. An almost two-dimensional watch, which has involved three years of work and eight new patents in its development. So exclusive and inimitable that only eight units will be manufactured, at a price of $ 420,000 each.
HAMILTON
Revolutionizing the industry as the world’s first digital model, this watch continues to make history with an all-black, avant-garde design. With the space-age contours and glowing red dot display that characterized the Hamilton Pulsar when it was introduced in 1970, the PSR ($ 1,000) pays homage to the legacy of that first game-changing digital watch with a new avant-garde look. The case and bracelet are made of stainless steel with a black PVD coating, digital quartz movement, quartz crystal with anti-reflective treatment and water resistant to 100 meters.
AUDEMARS PIGUET
Audemars Piguet has launched a new version of the Royal Oak that maintains the original design. The change is inside, with a mechanism that has greater precision, power reserve and resistance to external shocks. The new design has been launched in four finishes: steel, yellow gold, pink gold and platinum, each with a dial color. We recommend the steel version because it is the same used in the original Royal Oak. Its price is $ 34,000.
GRAND SEIKO
We are going to talk about its extraordinary Spring Drive line, a legend in the world of watchmaking for its precision and power reserve. In 2021, a new Spring Drive was manufactured, the Caliber 9RA2, which allows a thinner case profile and which we can see in this SLGA013 model belonging to the Heritage collection and which is presented in a limited edition (550 units, $ 9,970) by the 55th anniversary of the 44GS. The case and the bracelet are made of Ever-Brilliant Steel, a stainless steel that is more resistant to corrosion and wear than that commonly used in watchmaking. The sphere has a texture and depth that refers to the elliptical orbit of the stars in the sky.
OMEGA
As the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega did not miss its appointment with the launch of a special edition, in this case for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. This time it is the Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022 ($ 6,820), which has As a characteristic feature of this association, a white ceramic dial with a frosted finish design, in clear reference, of course, to winter. The 41mm case is stainless steel with a matching bracelet and domed sapphire crystal on the dial. The Beijing 2022 emblem is engraved on the case back, as well as the familiar wavy edge of the Aqua Terra. The Seamaster Aqua Terra 38mm ($ 5,700) is another similar model that has a sophisticated design.
TAG HEUER
Among luxury smartwatches, no one doubts that TAG Heuer is the reference, setting standards of quality and technology that are unique in the market. The latest is the Connected Caliber E4, whose new generation comes in two case sizes: a new 42mm version, more refined and elegant; and the usual 45 mm, sportier and with a renewed design. And it is precisely in sports that this new TAG Heuer Connected (from $ 1,780) expresses its full potential. Another strong point is its battery, with 30% more life in the 45mm model and wireless charging that, also as a novelty, comes this time thanks to a charger that is both a decorative object.
BREGUET
220 years ago Abraham-Louis Breguet patented the ‘tourbillon’ system with the aim of improving the precision of his watches. Two centuries later, it has become a symbol of the most exclusive watchmaking. The new reference 5365 has been launched to celebrate such a special date. It consists of a special version of the well-known Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plate. Handcrafted by a master engraver, the dial is made of gold plated and decorated with a ‘guilloché’. Only a few will be able to enjoy this edition, because of the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plate Anniversaire 5365 there will only be 35 pieces, as many as Abraham-Louis Breguet made tourbillon-equipped watches in his lifetime, each at a price of $ 166,670.
LONGINES
Created in 1832, Longines is one of the oldest Swiss watchmaking firms. The Longines Spirit is a modern watch, but with a timeless aesthetic. The first versions were with a steel case and silver, blue and black dials. This year, the collection has been expanded with khaki green dials and a titanium case. The water resistance is 100 meters. The dark gray surface of the dial has a matte finish to prevent light reflection. The Longines Spirit costs $ 3,090 in its version with a titanium bracelet, $ 300 less if you opt for the fabric strap.
GRAND SEIKO
At the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the world’s most prestigious watchmaking award, the best men’s watch of the year was awarded to Grand Seiko’s SLGH005. Belonging to the Heritage collection, the SLGH005 ($ 9,900) it has all the virtues that have placed Grand Seiko among the most desired firms on the market. Its timeless aesthetic makes it stand above passing fads. The clean and robust design refers to the iconic 44GS from 1967. Barely 40 mm in diameter, the extreme smoothness of its surface, obtained through the well-known Zaratsu mirror polishing process of its steel case, also contributes to its comfort. Grand Seiko is proud to be the only firm on the market to use this complicated technique.
CARTIER
With its elegant integrated bracelet and exposed bezel and link screws, the Santos de Cartier watch represents the brand’s most masculine image since the late 1970s. Throughout all these decades, almost half a century of existence, the Santos has known many variants and evolutions. Among the most recent, they have included the ‘striking skeleton’ (a name that refers to those watches in which the movement is visible). As in all watches of these characteristics made by Cartier, the structure of the caliber is in the shape of Roman numerals in the quarters. It makes the watch very easy and comfortable to read, something not so common in skeleton watches. The case is made of 40-millimeter steel on each side and its price is $ 30,120.
JAEGER LECOULTRE
There are several reinterpretations that Jaeger-LeCoultre has made in recent years of its legendary Polaris Memovox watch from 1968. The Polaris Mariner Memovox has a vintage look and the inclusion of a manual alarm, a very rare characteristic to find on the market today. To these virtues must be added its diving qualities (it is waterproof to a depth of 300 meters) and beautiful dial, whose striking color recalls the blue of the oceans. Its box is made of steel and has a size of 42 millimeters. The price is $ 18,900.
BREITLING
The new Super AVI B04 Chronograph GMT 46 Mosquito is based on the legendary Reference 765 launched in 1953. It is the perfect pilot’s watch for lovers of high flights, at a price of $ 10,250. This new collection also recovers the characteristic Breitling style of large watches. And it is that its steel case reaches in this case up to 46 millimeters in diameter, enough space to store an automatic manufacture movement with chronograph and a second time zone.
RADO
Originally launched in 1962, the Captain Cook has become Rado’s biggest hit in recent years. It is a watch with a very original design. The collection has recently been expanded with an attractive modern ceramic version. Those who prefer a more vintage aesthetic should take a look at the bronze versions, a material that changes its appearance over time until it acquires a very personal and unique patina on each piece. The case of this Captain Cook Automatic Bronze is 42 millimeters in diameter and has an automatic movement. It is accompanied by a synthetic NATO strap that matches its burgundy dial. The price is $ 2,790.
TISSOT
For a more casual and sporty look get the the Tissot SuperSport, with 23 new straps: 11 inspired by the uniforms of NBA teams; another 11 inspired by the special NBA City Edition Nike 2021/22 uniforms; and one more, Wilson Edition, made with the same leather with which the official championship ball is made. In addition, you can get as many as you want, because they are easily interchangeable thanks to the quick opening system that the watch incorporates. This SuperSport Quartz Chronograph has a 45.5mm black PVD coated steel case, Super-Luminova hands and costs $ 515 (straps $ 45 each).
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