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13 of the best black watches from entry level to luxury: G-Shock, Swatch, Tudor and more

A case of when you actually want smoke to get in your eyes.

13 of the best black watches from entry level to luxury: G-Shock, Swatch, Tudor and more

Which is your favourite black watch? (Art: Chern Ling, photos, G-Shock, Tudor and Tag Heuer)

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Every man needs a black suit. So it only makes sense that every watch wardrobe needs a black watch. Usually made from PVD-coated stainless steel or for those with a bigger budget, flashy high-tech ceramic, black watches are somewhat of an MVP in a watch collector’s wrist game.

More often than not, black watches come with a sporty slant; with roots either in diving, racing or aviation.

The first black watch, which debuted in 1972, was designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the same man behind the now iconic Porsche 911. The Chronograph I tapped the panel instrument of the sports car for inspiration. The dial of the watch was created for optimal readability regardless of the perspective and the angle of light, and even at the highest cornering speeds. Combined with white numbers, a red second hand and a tachymeter for measuring speed, it was a mega hit with motorsport legends.

Watchmakers soon caught on to the stealth appeal of black watches. It didn’t take long before different interpretations started to surface. While some retained Porsche’s objective for unobstructed time legibility, many pushed the style envelope for a watch so black that it could prove to be a real challenge to tell time.    

So whether you’re in the market for a watch that would actually tell you what time of the day it is or a wrist appendage that works harder as an accessory, here are 13 pitch-dark watches that hit all the right notes.

1. G-SHOCK GA-2300-1A, S$179

G-Shock GA-2300-1A. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: G-Shock)

Minimalistic in design yet futuristic in sensibility, this model is significantly smaller – at 45.4mm in diameter – than its predecessors, making it perfect for those with smaller wrists. Equipped with double LED light – super illuminator for the face and backlight for digital display, time-telling legibility is top of mind on this all-black watch.

Available at G-Shock

2. SWATCH BIOCERAMIC C-BLACK, S$197

Swatch Bioceramic C-Black. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Swatch)

A hundred per cent bio-sourced, this black beauty is made from bio-ceramic for a sleek finish and features a visible skeleton mechanism smack in the middle of its 47mm dial as the centrepiece.  

Available at Swatch

3. Q TIMEX REISSUE 38MM STAINLESS STEEL BRACELET WATCH, S$348

Q Timex Reissue 38MM Stainless Steel bracelet watch. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Timex)

First released in 1979, the original Q Timex set the bar for a modern watch fitted with quartz technology. This reissue adds a hint of colour to the iconic features of the original – a black rotating bezel, black woven stainless-steel bracelet, a domed acrylic crystal and coloured indexes.

Available at Timex

4. ZELOS EAGLE 2 T1 CARBON, US$899 (S$1,198)

Zelos Eagle 2 T1 Carbon. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Zelos)

Inspired by fighter jets, this aviator timepiece was initially released in 2016 in a rugged offering complete with a case finely machined with grooves similar to a jet engine, a high double domed crystal case that simulates the look of a bubble cockpit and features a matte sandblasted look on the dial.

Enter Eagle 2 T1 Carbon that is differentiated by a dial made by ‘Fatcarbon’ or carbon composite with gold inlay, a reimagined dial setting and a modern silver case that make for an elevated pilot watch.

Available at Zelos

5. BOLDR SUPPLY CO THE BLACK DRAGONFISH, US$1,079 (S$1,439)

Boldr Supply CO The Black Dragonfish. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Boldr Supply)

The best way to appreciate the Superkuro Musou black dial that absorbs 99.4 per cent of light is in low light. The dial disappears in the dark, leaving the blue lume on its inner chapter ring and bezel to "float" in darkness.

As homage to the sea, the custom caseback features a black dragonfish in deep sea currents while the bracelet buckle-art depicts the Wave of Kanagawa, a signature mark of Boldr’s ocean-friendly watches.

Available at Boldr Supply Co

6. SEIKO PROSPEX SPB433J1 BLACK SERIES NIGHT VISION SUMO DIVER, S$1,809

Seiko Prospex SPB433J1 Black Series Night Vision Sumo Diver. (Art: Chern ling, photo: Seiko)

Did you know that green is the easiest colour to see in the dark? The Night Vision Sumo Diver’s watch taps high-strength Lumibrite Pro in green that glows intensely brighter and longer in darkness to depict underwater night diving views seen through a night scope. The watch is a limited edition of 3,500.

Available at City Chain

7. RADO CAPTAIN COOK HIGH-TECH CERAMIC, S$5,450

Rado Captain Cook High-tech Ceramic. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Rado)

In 1962, Rado called its first diving watch the Captain Cook, named after British explorer Captain James Cook, and the name stuck. Fast forward to 2021, the Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic made its debut. Showcasing Rado’s mastery in materials, the scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic high-tech ceramic monobloc case construction is virtually indestructible. The case uses panes of black-tinted sapphire crystal to offer unobstructed views of the Rado Caliber R734 movement, which is a skeletonised version of the Powermatic 80 mechanism found in previous Captain Cook models.

Available at Rado

8. TUDOR BLACK BAY CERAMIC, S$7,370

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Tudor)

Instead of shiny ceramic, the Black Bay employs a decidedly different offering of the normally shiny ceramic – in a matte finish. Rugged in appearance, Tudor follows up the dial’s sporty chic vibe with a hybrid leather and rubber strap. The watch also comes with a complimentary black fabric strap with cream band that’s included in the box.

Available at Tudor

9. PORSCHE CHRONOGRAPH 1 – ALL BLACK NUMBERED EDITION, S$10,517

Porsche Chronography 1 - All Black Numbered Edition. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Porsche)

Porsche gave the world its first all-black watch. The Chronograph 1, designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche – the same man who is responsible for the iconic Porsche 911 – was created for optimal readability, even at the highest cornering speeds. The sapphire crystal comes coated with sevenfold anti-reflective coating on both sides, which ensures optimal readability. This reissue is a nod to the OG.

Available at Porsche Design

10. CHANEL J12 CALIBRE 12.1, S$11,600

Chanel J12 Calibre 12.1. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Chanel)

The J12 – short for J-class 12-metre racing yachts – debuted in 1999 as a men’s watch. Its sporty, gender fluid good looks soon attracted the wistful eye of the female cohort as well. An early adopter of high-tech ceramic, the shiny, scratch-resistant black watch quickly became a watch pillar for the French fashion house. Since, the J12 has been interpreted in myriad ways, fitted with complications, cloaked in diamonds and precious gems, accented in gold, etc. The J12 also comes in an all-white variation.

Available at Chanel. 

11. HERMES H08 GRAPHENE COMPOSITE, S$12,900

Hermes H08 Graphene Compositi. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Hermes)

This square-shaped timepiece is possibly Hermes’ most impressive horological work yet. Because the H08 taps graphene – touted as the world’s lightest material – for the watch case, the 39mm watch feels so incredibly light that there’s no chance of weighing the wearer down.

Available at Hermes boutiques.

12. TAG HEUER MONACO CHRONOGRAPH, S$16,050

Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Tag Heuer)

Named after the Monaco Grand Prix, this watch is one of the first chronograph watches equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement. Worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 movie Le Mans, the Monaco Chronograph quickly rose to pop culture icon status. This iteration utilises vivid turquoise touches to help with time-telling readability. The watch is fitted with the Calibre Heuer 02 to ensure extreme precision.

Available at Tag Heuer

13. AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SELFWINDING CHRONOGRAPH BLACK CERAMIC, PRICE UPON ENQUIRY

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph Black Ceramic. (Art: Chern Ling, photo: Audemars Piguet)

What you see isn’t always what you get. This stealth beauty isn’t just another ceramic watch. Fashioned from the brand’s proprietary black ceramic, the exact composition of the material is a closely guarded secret. Unlike its normally shiny counterparts, this ceramic watch features a sophisticated brushed matte finish that gives off a darkly sexy vibe.  

Available at the Audemars Piguet boutique.

Source: CNA/yy

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