Top 5 Best Watches of 2025

Almost no one needs to wear a watch to tell the time in the age of smartphones. However, it’s less annoying to look down at your wrist than to try to pry an iPhone 16 Pro max out of your pocket. Every time you put it on or check to make sure you’re not running late, a great watch also makes you smile a little. Regardless of the cost, they can be used to commemorate special occasions or act as tangible representations of memories—an adventure or the kindness of a loved one.

Naturally, there are incredible watchmakers everywhere in the world. While some companies operate at the nexus of art and science, known as high horology, and only produce a small number of opulent pieces annually, others manufacture millions of reasonably priced watches with quartz movements. But all of the world’s top brands have one thing in common: they create watches that people adore. These five brands are our top picks for 2025.

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Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best Watches of 2025

1.G-Shock GA-2100 Series Watch

Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

We must first comprehend what is available before we can form an opinion about the watch. Let’s start with the design. The 1983 DW-5000C, which featured an octagonal case shape encircling a digital watch, served as the model’s model.

Casio cleverly reshaped the octagonal shape to resemble the Genta designs—Royal Oak and Nautilus—that have been very popular lately. They also chose to use a relatively simple analog dial rather than a digital display.

The analog version of the watch has a day indicator on the left side and a tiny digital display cutout that accommodates the usual G-Shock complications. G-Shock chose a more wearable case with a 45.4mm diameter and a 48.5mm lug-to-lug on top of the redesigned bezel.

A smaller model (GA-S2100) is also available; it measures 42.9 mm in diameter and 46.2 mm from lug to lug. The lug-to-lug measurements make it feel more compact on the wrist and wear exceptionally well, even though these might sound a bit big.

But that’s not all. With a thickness of only 11.8 mm or 11.2 mm for the smaller model, the case is among the thinnest G-Shock has ever made. To give you an idea, the thickness of the Rolex Datejust is 11.7 mm. The case surrounds a carbon core that helps give the watch the G-Shock shock protection, but it also helps the ‘CasiOak’ to be one of the lightest models weighing only 51g. This is all impressive.

The wording on the bezel “G-Shock” at the top and “Protection” on the bottom has a slight curve and is sized in just a way to balance the watch but not detract from the face. There are also labels at each button position, but they are smaller and not in a contrasting color and this helps add to the overall balanced look. 

The integrated bracelet is the other defining aspect of the Royal Oak, and the ‘CasiOak’ also follows here. G-Shock has used an integrated design for the strap and this adds to its attractiveness. The strap has a few grooves as it moves away from the case and then transitions into a smooth strap around the wrist. It’s simple and comfortable.

2.Omega Seamaster Diver 300m

Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Numerous variations and implementations of the Omega Seamaster’s design motif have been made, including quartz and automatic watches, chronographs, and GMT. The aesthetics of the timepiece have even been incorporated into sleek luxury watch designs, contemporary tool designs, and vintage military designs. As a result, the Seamaster has a cult following within the Omega Watches collection and is among the most well-liked dive watches available today. But is this devotion warranted? Together, let’s examine the watch.

Let’s begin with the case, which is among this watch’s most notable features in my opinion. I didn’t expect to leave this watch with this impression; in fact, when I started my review, I assumed that the increase from 41mm in the previous reference to 42mm would be a massive drawback.

The bezel and dial proportions appear natural and appropriate, but the watch is wide on your wrist due to the horizontal wave patterns on the dial, which give the impression of more width. This creates a truly wear-and-forget experience, which is oddly at odds with the watch head’s thinness. It doesn’t feel like the Seamaster Diver 300m is nearly 14 mm thick.

In fact, I had to confirm that the thickness was 13.9mm when I was typing out the specifications for this review. This watch fits me perfectly as a diver because it is about 12mm thin. Given that the case construction allows the renowned Omega dive watch to be worn 300 meters, the wrist’s thinness is also particularly remarkable.

That pretty nice rubber strap is attached to this case. I’ve used the stainless steel bracelet version of this watch before, but I’ve never been impressed with this particular Omega bracelet design, so I went with the rubber one. Actually, I don’t like the bracelet that comes with this watch; it doesn’t taper from its 20mm width at the lugs and has the contemporary Omega disease that conflates weight with quality.

3.Panerai Luminor Tre Giorni

Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

As it begins the new year, Panerai releases a watch that embodies the brand’s philosophy and style, adhering to its illustrious history of watchmaking while incorporating contemporary design. With minor design changes to differentiate it from earlier models, the most recent Luminor reference offers everything devoted Panerai fans expect.

The new Panerai Luminor Tre Giorni PAM01628 has a huge 47mm x 15.1mm stainless steel case that is 100m water resistant. It has the collection’s renowned crown-locking mechanism, and the dial is protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal. No worries, it’s still very understated and not gimmicky like we’ve seen in earlier references. The case, including the bezel, is primarily hand-finished to produce a matte, patinated effect that mimics natural wear for a rugged aesthetic that also reduces glare. For more contrast, some parts are brushed.

The grainy grey dial showcases a classic sandwich construction, with Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9, while bar indices mark the other hours. These elements are cut-outs on the upper plate, revealing a lower layer filled with beige Super-LumiNova. A subtle gradient darkens the dial toward its edge, transitioning to nearly black, while the lume-coated, gold-coloured hour and minute hands complete the unmistakable classic Panerai look.

The in-house hand-wound calibre P.3000, which is known for its unique construction, powers the Panerai Luminor Tre Giorni PAM01628. Large bridges, which cover the majority of the movement’s components and are fastened with noticeable screws, are visible through the transparent caseback. The calibre has an equally substantial 11.7mm balancing wheel and an impressive 37.2mm diameter. Two series-connected spring barrels enable the P.3000 to operate at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and provide a three-day power reserve. The movement is embellished in the traditional Panerai style and has 161 parts, including 21 jewels. technical and minimalistic in appearance.

4.Rolex Submariner 2025 Edition

Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

With good reason, the Submariner Hulk is the most sought-after submariner watch in its collection. It is the first Rolex watch to have a green sunburst dial and a green ceramic bezel.

The Hulk, which was released in 2010, became a must-have for many collectors after the Rolex submariner kermit was released in 2003. This is still the case today, as the Hulk maintained its position as the priciest stainless steel submariner even after the watch was phased out in 2020.

Aside from the obvious and gorgeous green dial, the Rolex submariner is set on a 904l stainless steel case and has a folding clasp and oyster-steel bracelet. This is incredibly sturdy, but it doesn’t appear clumsy at all. The 40mm case of the watch features curved lugs that elegantly taper around the wrist. The green stands out enthusiastically against the steel, and it’s effortlessly sleek.

Additionally, it has a glide-lock extension system that allows you to make tiny adjustments when your wrists swell in the summer or other hot weather. This results in a versatile watch that can be worn both formally and casually.The watch is powered by the Calibre 3135 which is a very accurate movement with precision of +2/-2 seconds a day. it is self-winding and allows for 48 hours of power reserve. Although it’s not anything extraordinary, by Rolex’s standards its the best of the best for its time. 

One of the greatest stainless steel Rolex watches ever produced is the Submariner Hulk. Particularly when considering this watch from an investment standpoint, it has not only hit highs of and more during market peaks, but it consistently maintains a strong value during market crashes. Depending on the year and condition, you can purchase one today, which is, in my opinion, a great deal for a watch that has endured.

5.Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Automatic 42

Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

One of the first Breitling timepieces to feature the new (again) Breitling logo without the aviator wings is this one. The symmetrical dial features a date window at six o’clock and applied, polished hour markers. Because the slightly domed sapphire crystal over the dial is so well AR-coated that it rarely has glare, the polished elements on the dial function well and the overall dial refinement is high. We would have twice as much glare if the crystal hadn’t been so well suited to this specific dial, which would have given it a less expensive appearance. Such watches, many of which are significantly more costly than this Superocean Heritage II B20 Automatic 42, are undoubtedly in the minds of watch collectors.

Among the more important updates included in the Superocean Heritage II collection is the use of a ceramic (rather than aluminum) bezel insert. The polished bezel insert has minimalist timing markers and finally a real lume pip at the 60-minute marker. The high-gloss look of the ceramic is quite well done and, if you didn’t know this was ceramic, you might mistake it for the attractive look of polished metal.