Top Men's Watches

Seiko Coutura Advanced Chrono Timer - $575-$595

Some might be quick to write Seiko off as a low-end watch manufacturer, but it remains a true watch-lover's brand. One of the few notable watch companies to have its origins outside of Switzerland, this Japanese corporation has been in existence since 1881 when Kintaro Hattori opened a small clock shop, but it wasn't until 1913 that the company started making wristwatches. Today, it's notable for producing some of the most accurate timepieces in the world that range from cheap ($50) to exorbitantly pricey ($100,000+). This sporty quartz watch is designed specifically to keep time with pinpoint accuracy and features an alarm, pre-set and free-set countdown timers, and is water resistant to 100m. It has a stainless steel case, sapphire crystal glass, date display and separate second display. It's the best option for someone who's looking for a no-frills, reliable watch without dropping what they'd normally spend on a year's rent.

Omega Seamaster 300 M Diver Chronometer - ~$2,000

This Swiss company has been around since 1848 and remains one of the more prominent names in watchmaking to this day. Omega has made history several times - once in 1969 when Buzz Aldrin wore a Speedmaster to the moon, and again in 1999, when it became the first company to mass produce watches with a co-axial escapement, which reduces friction resulting in prolonged accuracy and decreased need for watch service. The self-winding Seamaster 300 M Diver Chronometer, featured as the preferred watch of James Bond in several 007 films, utilizes this technology. This 41mm stainless steel bracelet watch has a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass and blue face with date display. It's water resistant to 300m, making it a true diver's watch. Its design is well suited to make it a sporty daytime watch, but as 007 knows, it's perfect for a night of debauchery and espionage as well.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Pro Geographic - $22,000

If you're a serious diver or you just want to sport some high-tech heavy-duty equipment on your wrist, this Master Compressor Diving Pro Geographic is the only way to go. Antoine LeCoultre founded Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1833 and since then it has become a pioneer in developing innovative watch technology. This automatic movement titanium diving watch is submarine tested to depths of 300m and has a built-in patented mechanical depth gauge with a color-coded depth scale on the outer dial ring. As if that's not enough, it also has a dual time zone feature and a 24-city selection disc which allows you to select a city and display the time there immediately. Even if you're not planning to take it around the world or for a plunge, it looks pretty amazing and it's the kind of wristwear that says you're not the type to screw around with.

IWC Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition Top Gun - $10,400

Even though it was established in Schaffhausen, Switzerland in 1868, the International Watch Company's founder was actually an engineer from Boston. Take a closer look at IWC's collections and there is definitely something decidedly "American" about its designs. This is especially true in its line of pilot's watches, which is why a meat and potatoes guy will be partial to the rugged special edition Top Gun double chronograph. This self-winding mechanical chronograph movement watch has a durable ceramic case with titanium case back and convex pressure drop resistant sapphire glass. Its large face has a soft iron inner case to safeguard it from magnetic fields, day and date display, split second timer and stopwatch function. Contrary to what you might think, it's named for the elite US Navy Fighter Weapons School (not the movie), so even if you were too nearsighted to become a fighter pilot, you can still rock the wrist gear of those who fly into the danger zone.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubens Barrichello Chronograph - $23,800 for titanium case

This manufacturer of the "Hummer of watches," endorsed by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Muhammad Ali, has been producing quality timepieces since 1875. Founded by Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet in Joux Valley, Switzerland, it is the oldest watch company that has never left the ownership of its two founding families. This line of Audemars Piguet's popular Royal Oak Offshore collection was produced as a limited edition tribute to celebrated Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello with only 1,650 pieces. This 42mm self-winding chronograph features the brand's signature octagonal face with separate second and date displays. It maintains the Royal Oak Offshore's durable design with an anti-shock ceramic bezel, engraved case, push button operation and is water resistant to 100m. It's available in titanium, platinum or 18k pink gold cases. It's the perfect combination of classic and sporty, and with the "Governator" and "The Greatest" both backing this company, it's a pretty safe bet to throw on your wrist.

Oris Artelier Complication - $1,495-$1,595

Swiss watchmaker Oris has been manufacturing quality mechanical watches since 1904. Today, Oris' signature red rotor is popping up in movies and on the wrists of celebrities and racecar drivers everywhere. Earlier this year, the company extended its already existing partnership with racing team WilliamsF1 to be its exclusive timepiece provider. The Artelier Complication from the popular culture series displays day and date, moon phase and second time zone. This automatic-winding watch has a stainless steel case and a sapphire crystal domed top glass with anti-reflective coating. Its guilloche dial and leather straps are available in a variety of colors or with a metal bracelet. If you're looking for a quality, moderately priced, versatile accessory, this watch is a clean, modern classic that you can wear everywhere from work to the gym to a night out on the town.

Chopard L.U.C. Tonneau - ~$15,000-$20,000

Chopard has been doing its thing since 1860 when Louis-Ulysse Chopard decided to start a business dedicated to making precision pocket watches and chronometers. Since then it has grown to manufacturing watches and high-end jewelry from three locations in Switzerland and Germany. Although the L.U.C. line is relatively young in the company's storied history, it's hard to go wrong with something as simple and sophisticated as this classy design. Its tonneau shape gives it a more refined appearance than a normal round shape but it's not too flashy to double as an everyday accessory. This self-winding watch (Chopard was the first brand to make self-winding watches in the tonneau shape) has a date display, a separate second display, a sapphire crystal face and is available in 18k yellow, white and pink gold cases.

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5118P - $85,400

To this day, Patek Philippe, one of the most prestigious watch manufacturers in the world, remains independent and family-owned. Since its beginnings in 1839 in Geneva, Switzerland, it has become the watch of choice for royalty, movie stars and other notable figures like Albert Einstein and Marie Curie. While owning one won't guarantee to make you smarter, it is definitely a wise investment that's built to last several generations. This platinum and diamond watch from PP's signature Calatrava line has the kind of classic design that translates seamlessly from day to night and will never go out of style. It features a 37mm face set with 52 flawless baguette diamonds (~2.27 ct.), mechanical self-winding movement, date display, sweeping second hand, sapphire crystal case back and is water resistant to 30m - though you'll probably want to take it off anyway before you take a dip in the pool. This watch is perfect for someone who likes their bling tasteful and understated.

Ulysse Nardin Michelangelo UTC Dual Time - ~$5,500

Ulysse Nardin isn't a name that's as ubiquitous as, say, Rolex to many casual watch aficionados, but this Swiss watchmaker has been making high-end watches for over 150 years. During this time, Ulysse Nardin has received numerous awards and become a sought-after specialist in marine chronometers. This UTC Dual Time from the elegant Michelangelo collection features self-winding movement, UN's patented Big Date double window display, dual time zone setting and water resistance up to 100m. It measures 35.1 x 37.1mm and comes in a stainless steel case with black alligator leather straps and a sapphire crystal glass. Its shape and graceful Arabic numbering give it an aesthetic that's both modern and refined for a guy who wants the world to know he has that savoir faire, or at least his watch does.

Vacheron Constantin Malte Tonneau Regulator Tourbillon - ~$135,000

In 1755, Vacheron Constantin was founded by craftsman Jean-Marc Vacheron in Geneva. Over 250 years later, this Swiss company holds the distinction of being the oldest watch manufacturer in the world. Vacheron Constantin continues to adhere strictly to its motto: "Do better if possible and that is always possible" with the new Malte Tonneau Regulator Tourbillon. This 50 x 40mm manual-winding movement watch features a stylish tonneau shape with separate displays for the hour, minute and second. It has a transparent domed sapphire crystal case, an 18k gold dial, is water resistant to 30m and is available in platinum with a dark blue alligator leather strap or pink gold with a brown strap. It's difficult to match the level of meticulous detail that goes into one of these watches; the tourbillion bar alone takes 11 hours to complete by hand. It will definitely make a lasting impression with anyone you meet, especially if the impression you want to make is "I paid cash for my Lamborghini."