Flying Under the Radar: Stealthy Black Watches

The Best of Black Watches this Season

As a New Yorker, black has become a wardrobe staple year round. For most people, wearing black becomes increasingly prevalent in the colder months. A handsome black coat and a tailored black suit are essential pieces of any closet. When in doubt, you wear black to a holiday gala. If you need a last-minute costume for the company Halloween party, simply wearing all black will suffice. Black is the go-to hue of the season, so we’ve compiled some of our favorite black watches.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Top Gun

IWC added the Top Gun edition to its pilot’s watch collection in 2012. The all-black model features a unique ceramic and stainless steel case design. This coupled with its hefty, oversized 44mm case gives it a particularly modern and sporty feel. It’s complete with a black dial and contrasting white hands and hour markings in addition to a black leather strap. Inside, the watch is equally striking. It’s equipped with IWC’s Caliber 89361 self-winding mechanical movement, which boasts a 68-hour power reserve and flyback function.

Hublot Big Bang Black Magic

In the Halloween spirit, we couldn’t resist adding the Hublot Big Bang Black Magic to our list. This futuristic chronograph continues to push the limits by employing an intricate interplay of new materials. Its design is bold, assertive, and powerful from the inside out. It features an oversized 41mm ceramic case with contrasting polished and brushed finishes and rubber strap, all in black. Inside it houses the brand’s Caliber HUB4300 self-winding mechanical movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

Patek Philippe Aquanaut

The Aquanaut is a bit of a wild card for Patek Philippe. The brand’s signature style is simple, classic, and refined. The Aquanaut upholds these principles through its minimalist construction, creating a stripped down and sensible sport watch. However, the model gets a twist with its unique rubber strap, featuring a pattern that mimics the black tapisserie dial. The all-black design is set against a solid 18-karat yellow gold case, giving the model a striking look.

TAG Heuer Monaco Steve McQueen Edition

No watch is cooler than the model worn by the king of cool, Steve McQueen. The actor and racing legend made the original Monaco famous when he sported it in the 1971 film, Le Mans. In the new millennium, the brand reissued the model in honor of McQueen with a namesake edition. This particular variation features an all-black color scheme, giving a nod to the 1974 Reference 74033N nicknamed the “Dark Lord.” Under the hood, it houses the brand’s Caliber 12 self-winding mechanical movement with a 40-hour power reserve.

Cartier Calibre de Cartier

The Calibre de Cartier was the brand’s first sport model to feature their own in-house movement: the 1904 MC. It boasts a 48-hour power reserve along with a sub seconds and a date function. Cartier showcases the impressive movement through a sapphire caseback. This variation features a matching black dial and leather bracelet. The all-black color palette is contrasted white hour markers and the brand’s iconic sword-shaped hands.

Panerai Submersible Black

In 2015, Panerai introduced a new variation of the Luminor Submersible 1950: the Submersible Black. This distinctive model features a case constructed from a high-tech, all black carbon fiber material. Carbotech is hypoallergenic and anti-corrosive in addition to being lighter and stronger than titanium or ceramic. The unique process used to create the case from Carbotech results in a non-uniform pattern. So, no two cases are the same. The matte black dial and black leather bracelet perfectly compliment the case construction.

Breitling Avenger Blackbird

Despite the limited edition Avenger Blackbird’s imposing 48mm size, it’s surprisingly lightweight with its titanium body. The model gets its all-black appearance with a thick black coating of highly carbonized titanium on the outer layer. This rugged yet sleek construction pairs perfectly with a matching and equally masculine canvas strap. Inside, you’ll find Breitling’s Caliber 17 COSC-certified self-winding mechanical movement with a 40-hour power reserve.