The 31 Best Watches a Man Can Buy In 2022

The watch world keeps on ticking, global pandemic or no global pandemic. And let's face it, there's never been a better moment to take stock of where we're at and spend some quality time really considering that tempting new watch purchase. (We've got plenty of time on our hands, ha ha.)

There's already been a load of great new men's watches released in 2022, with plenty more lined up, and right here's the place you'll find them. From world-famous brands like Rolex, Tag Heuer, Breitling to more under-the-radar names that have caught the Esquire editors' eye.

This list will be continuously updated through the year with the best watches for men of 2022. Whatever your budget our aim is to keep you in the loop on the best new releases across the spectrum of the watch world, and let you know why we think they're worthy of your time.

Rolex Day-Date

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All Rolex watches speak of prestige, glamour and good taste. But perhaps none more so than the Day-Date, the one Rolex that for a while only came in 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold or 18k Everrose gold, the latter being so posh it was Rolex’s own version of gold. Not for nothing is the Day-Date known as “the president’s watch”. A platinum version followed, adding further weight to its exclusivity, in every sense: platinum is hard to manufacture, it costs a fortune and it also made the watch extremely heavy. The new-for-’22 version is the first time a platinum Day-Date has come with a “fluted” bezel (i.e: the ridges around the outside) and is paired with Rolex’s unique ice-blue sunray dial. Available in 40mm and 36mm, it is a really, really lovely watch.

£POA, rolex.com

Swatch X Omega Bioceramic MoonSwatch

One of the marketing events of the year, the announcement that Omega had teamed up with Swatch to produce a £207 plastic version of its £5,000 Speedmaster “Moonwatch” prompted coverage in the national press, 6am queues around the block and resale listings in excess of the price of the model it was based on. Still, given that someone was apparently stabbed for theirs outside a New York Swatch store, perhaps not all publicity was good publicity. High-low collabs have worked wonders for streetwear and given the noise this created, expect more to come from other watch companies. Though few will have a name as pleasingly readymade as “MoonSwatch”.

Timex GMT Q

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The original Q Timex came out in the late-1970s and hit peak popularity in the mid-1980s. Rereleased in 2019 it became a best-seller once again, its two-tone bidirectional “Pepsi” bezel being a style once again back in vogue. Its pocket-money price made it a great first watch for some or a great second “beater” watch for others. Now there’s a GMT version that nudges the cost up to a hardly-unreasonable £200, adding a number of design upgrades, including applied circular hour markers and a simple square date window.

£200; timex.co.uk

Tangente Neomatik Platinum Grey

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Unlike most of the Swiss old guard, Nomos Glashütte was founded in East Germany just after the fall of that big divisive wall. Its design, then, is minimalistic, and retrofuturist; a watch that recalls those old, slightly intimidating Vladimir Mayakovsky posters.

The latest Neomatik is arguably the most Nomos Glashütte-y of them all. But with an automatic movement and a bidirectional winding rotor that protects the mainspring, it's as good as it looks. Post-unification, German manufacturing is still pretty great.

£2,440; nomos-glashuette.com

Defy Skyline

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People like archival Zenith pieces quite a lot. The success of the 'Revival' reproduction of the El Primero is testament to that. So, when the marque re-released the Defy, a banner novelty that dates back to 1969, people went mad.

Rightly so. It's powered by the El Primero movement, so you know it works well, but there's something mildly futuristic about it, and, given,the collector's value, you'll be onto a winner when the re-re-release inevitably comes.

£7,100; zenith-watches.com

Aqua Terra 38mm

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The unisex bent has arrived at Omega, and it's a fine departure from the 'diamonds for the ladies and bulk for the men' that has so dominated the mindset of many Swiss marques.

The Aqua Terra – a solid entry to Omega's stable – is as classic as they come, and in a new 38mm size, is a moderate foil to all the big, big watches of late. Plus, you can share it with your significant other. Or keep it away from them entirely.

£5,420; goldsmiths.co.uk

Aqua Terra "Beijing 2022"

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To celebrate the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Omega has wasted no time in releasing this ice-cool version of its Seamaster Aqua Terra, with several unique details.

The dial is frost-patterned and white ceramic, the blue hands and indexes glow with Super-LumiNova and the caseback is stamped with the Beijing 2022 emblem.

It also comes in a special Games-themed box.

£5,280; omegawatches.com

Spirit Titanium

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Well-designed and well-priced, there’s a reason why Longines has become one of the biggest watch brands in the world. Its Spirit collection was launched in 2020 to celebrate Longines' affinity with aviation – defined by a crisp, clean aesthetic for easy readability. Its newest version comes in titanium and costs a fraction over £2.5k. A steal for a chronometer-certified watch.

£2,525; longines.com

Super AVI Mosquito

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Super AVI, a new line from pilot watch specialists Breitling, is a celebration of aviation history with designs inspired by four classic planes of yesteryear: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and the de Havilland Mosquito.

The Super AVI Mosquito, shown here, features a combination polished and satin-brushed black ceramic bezel and a black dial with white contrasting chronograph counters. Its red and orange elements recall the roundels and markings found on the plane dubbed the “Wooden Wonder”.

A vintage cockpit for your wrist, no less.

£8,000; goldsmiths.co.uk

Big Crown Pilot Okavango Air Rescue Limited Edition

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Like every other business, the watch world got the hots for sustainability recently, with mixed results. Oris, whose watches already offered some of the best value for money in the entire luxury timepiece market, has been ahead of that curve for years, supporting various ethical practises on land and sea.

It announced that by the end of 2021 it will be "climate neutral" – not just its factory but its boutiques, watches, the whole shebang, having zero negative impact.

To mark this not-inconsiderable achievement it has released a limited-edition version of its Big Crown ProPilot honouring the 10th anniversary of Botswana’s aeromedical rescue organisation Okavango Air Rescue. Appropriately, it was inspired by nature.

Also appropriately, it’s green.

£1,1950; mrporter.com

MB Savana Special Edition

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Can you survive nine ejections from an aircraft at speeds of 600 knots and forces of 30G?

Can your watch?

Those were just two of the many, many tests the MB Savanna was put through by the Bremont watch company.

Its MB-II line, produced in collaboration with Martin-Baker, makers of ejector seats and fellow Brits, has become one of its most popular ranges with both pilot watch fans and actual real-life military pilots. This latest grey/tan version has pops of colour (red, yellow) but otherwise wears its desert military spec with distinction.

Water resistant to 100m, there’s also a display case back with a view of the ruthenium-plated rotor.

£4,595; bremont.com

Aquaracer Professional 300 Nightdiver

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Tag Heuer’s Aquaracer Professional 300 series got a reboot earlier this year. It was more evolution than revolution – tweaks that improved an already hugely-popular watch (date window now at... 6 o’clock!) – but that didn't mean it wasn't all the better for it.

Joining the eight models comes the Nightdiver with its all-black appearance and its unmissable lume dial. Available in three versions, the DLC-coated model in black ceramic is our pick – a heavy-duty badass remix of a much-loved watch.

£2,750; tagheuer.com

1984 Reloaded BLA_DIV

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Celebrating its 40th anniversary a few too many years early, Swatch has released a whole line-up of watches centred around its birth year, 1984. For this it has worked with a new material called Bioceramic, a tough-but-smooth-to-the-touch substance that is two-thirds ceramic, one-third bio-sourced plastic. The watches come in a total of 18 styles, sizes and colours. All with decade-appropriate designs.

£75; swatch.com

Blue Max Bill Chronoscope

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Junghans isn't like your other Swiss watch brands. It's got Swiss made credentials, sure. But it feels more mid-century, choosing to revel in its German ancestry, the Bauhaus movement and founder of the Concrete Art movement Max Bill, who lends his name to this blue chronoscope.

Created in homage to the landmark artist, it's another example of clean, classic minimalism from a brand that eschews the usual Fancy Stuff for a watch you can wear everywhere.

£1,895; mrporter.com

T-Classic

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Competitively priced, no nonsense steel watch that won’t let you down. Tissot’s T-Classic watch line is all about pairing Swiss-made tradition with go-anywhere appeal. Also available with a blue dial.

£320; fraserhart.co.uk

Reverso Tribute Small Seconds in Green

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The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is now available in deep emerald green. Which, understandably, sounds like a bold choice for one of the most classic marques on the planet (with the most classic-adoring of fanbases). But thanks to a reversible design that's cemented itself at the apex of watchmaking, the latest Reverso is just as timeless – and as investable – as its predecessors.

£7,200; jaeger-lecoultre.com

Automatic Mens GB05410/05

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There's a temptation to treat a big ticket watch like a biblical relic; too precious to actually wear, too valuable to take from the box. That's why it makes sense to buy a more affordable watch for the everyday that looks just as good as any top end Swiss piece. Rotary is a great brand for that.

And, with the Automatic GB05410/05, here's a watch that can blend in with a multitude of events. It works well for the weekend. It's vaguely sporty. But it's also office appropriate, and a failsafe navy on steel palette will suit almost everything in your wardrobe.

£299; watchshop.com

H08 39 x 39

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Described as the "most Hermès watch ever" (by Esquire, no less), the H08 is about as menswear-y and French as it gets without ceding 'prestige' to the old Swiss greats. Hermès still stands toe-to-toe with them. Except now, there's a satin-brushed titanium wash that is an extension of, and not a detachment from, the respected aesthetic of creative director Véronique Nichanian. She's been in the job for 30 years for a reason.

£4,440; hermes.com

Black Bay Chronograph 2021

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Ask a watchy type for a solid, revered all-rounder, and they'll probably say a Tudor Black Bay. First launched mid-2012, Tudor's signature piece has quickly ascended the ranks to become an entry-level grail of sorts. And, with the introduction of a brand new chronograph, there's now a piece that's eerily similar to a 'Paul Newman' Rolex Daytona.

Both brands enjoy a close working relationship, so it's all above board. The upside with Tudor however, is that it's a lot more affordable.

£3,900; tudorwatch.com

Monaco 39mm

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It is a crying shame that Tag Heuer's Monaco – a watch that paid homage to the race track of Le Mans – was decommissioned for around 20 years. But following a re-release in 1998, it's slowly become one of the marque's marquee pieces. They've managed to improve it still.

As part of a trio that made slight amendments to the current Monaco model, a black dial on black leather is as close to dress watch territory as a racing watch can park and better yet, the in-house Heuer 02 movement has enough juice for over 80 hours of action.

£5,250; goldsmiths.co.uk

40mm Stainless Steel

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Copenhagen outfit NN07 is the sort of cool, minimalist, Nordic menswear brand you see a lot outside Soho offices. Timex is the sort of cool, storied, minimalist watch you see a lot around Soho offices. Put them both together, and you get the sort of SYNERGY you hear about a lot in Soho offices.

With a collab that plays to the strengths of each marque, it's the sort of wear everywhere watch that won't break the bank. And, as it's limited to just 777 pieces, you won't see it everywhere else either.

£240; end.com

Oyster Perpetual 36

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A Rolex on the wrist is a serious investment. And thus, a serious watch. Though for all the commanding Wall Street presence of a big Day-Date, the industry's biggest marque is releasing watches that are a bit fun, a little bit more playful – watches just like the new Oyster Perpetual 36.

A tangerine dial on stainless steel is the off-duty Rolex collectors have long dreamt about, and better yet, it's no solo act: the Oyster Perpetual 36 sits within a larger collection of five watches in shades of candyfloss pink, forest green, sky blue and blood red.

£4,450; rolex.com

Prospex x PADI SPB181J1

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Proper divers don't really wear diving watches these days. Or rather, the diving watches they do wear tend to be wrist-mounted computers, with digital displays and sensors for everything from oxygen levels to pressure readings. But divers do wear watches from Seiko's Prospex line, which is why it's the only marque allowed to bear the logo of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). The latest addition to their ongoing collaboration is a take on Seiko's 'Sumo', (so named for its bulbous profile and the oversized 12 o'clock marker) with super-legible Lumibrite hands and markers, plus that signature 4 o'clock screwdown crown and Pepsi bezel.

£750; goldsmiths.co.uk

American Classic Intra-Matic

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Once upon a time, the industry wasn't centred in Switzerland. American manufacturing had a stake in the watch business too, rigging small town Main Street aesthetics with big impressive movements. Hamilton was at the forefront.

Now, it's re-released a 1968 archival piece. It's got impressive Swiss innards these days, yes, but in terms of what's on the outside, very little has changed. And that's a good thing. For all the opulence and extravagance of a diamond-laden automatic from the Jura, there's as much charm in an 'aw shucks' midwestern sensibility.

£1,930; hamiltonwatch.com

FiftySix Day Date Limited Edition

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The 265-year-old luxury watchmaker now comes with 21st Century hashtags – their latest is the grammatically questionable #OneOfNotMany. At least it's apt. With prices starting in the tens of thousands Vacheron is not in the business of mass production: its newest model is a numbered limited edition of 30. The stainless steel case/ petrol blue dial/ brown calfskin strap combination is lovely; the sapphire caseback shows off Swiss watchmaking at its unimprovable best. Exclusive to online fashion retailer Mr Porter, another gentle concession to the times.

£15,900; mrporter.com

Captain Cook Bronze

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So named after the British explorer who discovered New Zealand, Rado's Captain Cook was first brought to life in the Sixties, and not aboard the ships of ponytailed colonists. And now, the archival piece is available in the enduring case material du jour – bronze – with a punchy forest green dial.

It's another set of features that sets the dive watch apart, and one that'll keep the Captain Cook in the good books: upon its release, Rado's dive watch was largely seen as one of the best in class. That hasn't changed much. And now, you can even get it on a Nato strap.

£2,415; selfridges.com

Grip

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We love this watch. Unisex, inspired by skateboarding and, once you factor in the different number of cases, strap options and the fact it comes in both 35 or 38mm, available in at least 30 different combinations, The Grip is unlike anything else on the market – idiosyncratic, cool, and strikingly different without being silly – which is just way Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele likes it. The cushion case is a joy to wear, while telling the time using three disks to reveal the hour, minute and date couldn’t be simpler.

Prices vary; ernestjones.co.uk

GMT

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A handsome automatic steel watch inspired 'by travel', from independent London watchmaker George Bamford. His eye for detail has led to work with big name watch brands including Tag Heuer and Zenith, but Bamford's own line is always worth your time. Designed with a bold blue and orange dial, the GMT hand function lets you simultaneously view the time in two different zones.

£1,100; jurawatches.co.uk

Hangang Limited Edition 01

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Without the deep blue sea, Oris wouldn't be able to make its big bold dive watches. And as such, the Swiss marque has a good habit of giving back to subaqueous charities. For its latest gesture: the Oris Hangang Limited Edition.

Released in tandem with the Korea Foundation for Environmental Movement, the Hangang Limited Edition siphons a section of its profits to a clean-up operation on the river of the same name – South Korea's second longest in fact. The piece is also as good as its intentions, with an automatic movement powering an emerald dial (inspired by the creeks of the Hangang's source) with an engraved caseback depicting the river's path across Korea.

£2,100; goldsmiths.co.uk

Heritage 1973 Chronograph

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The Swiss brand first engaged with motor racing during the Fifties, finding its greatest success in the Seventies sponsoring entrants at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance races and claiming a podium first place with French car builder Alpine at the Monte Carlo Rally World Championship in 1973. This year’s Heritage release revisits Tissot’s original mechanical racing watch, the Navigator, fairly faithfully while adding new tweaks. Inside the polished steel 43mm case, the three-dial panda layout is highlighted with green Super-LumiNova indices and sporty little neon-orange counters, the date window is repositioned between 4 and 5 o’clock, and it’s all mounted on a period-perfect black perforated leather racing strap. Limited to an appropriate 1,973 pieces, the race is on to catch up with one.

£1,615; tissotwatches.com

Hydroconquest (green)

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In addition to blue, black and grey editions, a green execution joins the line up of Longines’ primary modern dive watch collection. Green is a fashionable colour in the watch world right now, and this model hits the sweet spot between being military-inspired and stylish. Available in two case sizes, 41mm and 43mm, it is water resistant to 300m.

£1,300; ernestjones.co.uk