Best Black Watches For Men
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Best Black Watches For Men
 

Best Black Watches For Men

From Dive To Chronograph, These Are The Best Black Watches On The Market

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

The military first used a blacked-out finish on wristwatches commissioned for commandos and other special forces for whom stealth was key to survival in the field. The intent was to make them anti-reflective -- thereby not giving away the officer’s location due to any stray flashes of light -- as well as more resistant to corrosion. Of course, as with many items originally intended for military use, their pedigree also guaranteed them an aura of coolness that soon trickled down to the commercial market.
 
High-end brands like Bamford and Pro-Hunter in the U.K. originally started offering a custom blacked-out treatment for Rolex Submariners in imitation of the the famous “MilSub” used by the British special forces beginning in the late 1950s. The most common process, and the one still widely used, is PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), an industrial-grade coating used to improve hardness, wear resistance, and oxidation resistance, as well as for its anti-reflective qualities.
 
Luxury watchmakers and customizers later improved on that with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon), an even tougher coating that lends diamond-like hardness to the timepiece in question. At the same time, other watchmakers simply started producing black watches, which lend their pieces a stealthy military appearance without the -- unnecessary for most civilian activities -- technical properties, or cost, of PVD / DLC. On the low end the watch is more or less just painted black, which while it might not survive an attack on ISIS, should do just fine for a night on the town.
 
“A black watch will always have a hint of mystery and quiet menace about it,” says Paul Altieri, founder and CEO of Bob’s Watches, the renowned pre-owned watch boutique and exchange site. “It might give the impression that you used to be a Special Forces soldier or Navy SEAL, or perhaps a fighter pilot. A man of action, in any case, but with an element of stealth. It says you could be called away on a secret mission tomorrow, something about saving the world from a dangerous despot. It might impress certain people. But it might also indicate to a prospective employer that your dedication to the desk job on offer is less than 100%. The way to overcome this is by choosing a watch that is equal parts beautifully designed, cool, and stylish. This says that, first and foremost, you’re a man of taste, and that trumps all.”
 
Expect to pay between $150 to $550 to get in on the ground floor with a decent black watch and $750 to $1500 or so to take a baby step into the big leagues with a piece from a respected, well-known brand with a chance of increasing in value. Here are the best of the best:

Victorinox Swiss Army Night Vision Chronograph

Victorinox is best known for its iconic Swiss Army Knife and this cool chronograph has the same sort of rugged style. It uses a proper PVD coating as well, and at 42mm it has some serious heft. This one could actually be used on a night raid.
$529.00 at Amazon.com

Braun Black Prestige Chronograph

Germany watchmaker Braun is one of the all-time greats when it comes to industrial design, and while these days it may be best known for electric shavers, pieces like this call to mind its much cooler heritage. A true classic.
$622.00 at Amazon.com

Ferrari Black PVD Chronograph

A Ferrari watch, as opposed to an actual Ferrari, says that you admire the speed, beauty and style of the ultimate sports car, and, when worn properly, leaves people thinking that you might just have one in the garage as well.
$419.99 at Amazon.com

MVMT Voyager Slate

At $150, this 42mm bit of kit is the best blacked-out watch you can buy for minimal investment. It’s not an heirloom but will certainly make it appear that you paid more. Only your expenses app needs to know the truth.
$150.00 at MVMTWatches.com

Porsche Design Dashboard Chronograph

Porsche Design has been making watches for 40 years and pioneered the use of PVD coatings for non-military timepieces. The black silicone strap on this racing-inspired number adds to its durability and good looks.
$1,595.00 at Amazon.com

SMW Swiss PVD Automatic Chronograph

You’ve probably never heard of SMW, which stands for Swiss Military Watches, but that’s because they’re mostly made for the actual military, which gives this chrono major cred. At 47mm its pretty massive, but it can withstand extreme cold and humidity and absorb impacts and sudden changes in altitude.
$750.00 at Amazon.com

Alpina Startimer Big Date Chronograph

Alpina, founded in Switzerland in 1883, makes some of the coolest pilot’s watches out there and gives great value for money. This blacked-out model in 44mm is as handsome as it is tough and is bound to satisfy all your Top Gun fantasies.
$849.00 at Amazon.com

Zeno Diver’s Swiss Quartz Watch

Also in the bargain category is this cool Swiss-made diver from Zeno with a highly accurate quartz movement and Special Ops style to spare. At 46mm it’s one of the largest watches on the list, so make sure your inner Stallone is up for the job if you add it to your repertoire.
$267.35 at Amazon.com

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Analog Display Chronograph

One of the priciest pieces on this list is also one of the most likely to appreciate in value -- that’s how this generally works. TAG’s Formula 1 line has been hot stuff since Ayrton Senna sported one on the track and this watch is definitely for speed demons, whether behind the wheel or a desk.
$1,425.00 at Amazon.com

Lum-Tec M73-S Chronograph $475

We love the retro looks and the reasonable price on this aviation-inspired chrono with the presence of a much pricier piece. Produced in a limited series of 100, it has a heavy duty Japanese quartz movement, which you shouldn’t shy away from. Mission critical.
$475.00 at Amazon.com


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