6 Unique Square Watches for Gentlemen
Unique and modern, square watches have that air of ‘cool’ sophistication at first glance. Unlike your typical round-shaped watches, it doesn’t take much to notice a square watch.
Without a need for elaborate details on the dial, the square watch simply lets its effortless elegance do the talking. Just like a true gentleman who values this type of watch, the square watch usually features a minimalist look and an understated design.
Whether it’s an elegant dress watch with a leather strap or a professional dive or pilot watch with a sporty vibe, a square watch always looks sleek and suave. To say the least, it’s the kind of accessory that can carry you from a week at the office through a weekend at play.
Here are six of our favourite unique square watches in the market.
Cartier Santos-Dumont
The most famous among the square watches is the Cartier Santos-Dumont pilot watch. It was created in 1904 by Louis Cartier to grant his friend’s — famous Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont — request to get him a watch that would allow him to tell the time while flying.
At 43.5mm, this Cartier Santos-Dumont watch features a silvered satin-brushed dial with a sunray effect. The black Roman numerals and blued-steel sword-shaped hands stand out against a stainless steel case and bezel. At the heart of this pilot watch is a high autonomy quartz movement with a six-year power reserve. A beaded crown set with a blue synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel and a navy blue alligator-skin strap complete its classic design.
Water-resistant up to 30 metres, this suave timepiece is perfect for the understated gentleman.
Bell & Ross Golden Heritage
Launched in 2009, the Bell & Ross Heritage collection is a tribute to the ‘golden age’ of flying between World War I and World War II.
The BR 03 Golden Heritage Automatic version in 42mm satin-brushed steel case features golden appliqué indexes and numerals and golden hands against a dark-brown dial. Between the 4 and 5 o’clock position lies the date aperture. A gold calfskin leather strap with a hot-stamped finish completes the vintage look of this square watch. At the heart of this pilot watch is a mechanical automatic movement.
TAG Heuer Monaco
Launched in 1969 in honour of the Monaco Grand Prix, the TAG Heuer Monaco is a revolutionary watch, holding the title of being the first automatic and the first square watch to have a chronograph complication. In fact, it is one of the must-have pieces by many watch connoisseurs.
At 37mm in size, this new version in quartz, which replaces the usual Calibre 11, makes the watch more affordable. Powered by the TAG Heuer quartz movement, one of the most reliable and accurate movements made in Switzerland, this square watch has the same sleek and sophisticated design.
The lacquered black dial features silver-toned luminous hour and minute hands and indexes, as well as a seconds sub-dial. A date aperture sits at 3 o’clock while a black alligator strap finishes the elegant timepiece.
Panerai Submersible Automatic
With a robust 47mm case, the Panerai Submersible BMG-TECH watch is grand in all aspects.
This is the first mechanical watch to be crafted with a case made of BMG-TECH. The BMG-TECH — a pioneering innovation from Panerai — is a bulk metallic glass made of a special glass-like alloy that is said to be harder and lighter than steel. Powered by the Calibre P.9010 movement, this professional dive watch offers a 3-day power reserve and 300m water resistance.
The BMG-TECH case also features serrated edges which make this square watch look more polished. The striking blue dial displays luminous hour indicators and hands perfect for dark and deep-sea diving.
Seen at 9 o’clock is a small seconds sub-dial. Meanwhile, a polished lever protects the crown, which adds a subtle macho appeal to it. A black rubber strap completes this highly technical square watch. This is one watch that will add value to your square watches collection.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a tribute to the original 1931 model, considered by some to be the very first sports watch in honour of the British Army polo players stationed in India at the time.
The rectangular silver dial features a moonphase and date complication at 6 o’clock. Inside the sub-dial, a thin hand with a crescent moon tip indicates the date. The Jaeger-LeCoultre 853A Calibre movement beats at its heart, driving two dials capable of displaying two time zones. A second dial on the reverse side reveals the time in a second time zone.
The most classic-looking among these square watches, this elegant square watch boasts a 42-hour power reserve and 30m power resistance. A blue leather strap gives it a vibrant pop of colour.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang
Perhaps the most edgy-looking among these square watches, the Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang Automatic watch is a force to be reckoned with. Through its skeleton dial, you can admire the mechanism up close of this robust watch.
Within its 42mm square-tonneau-shaped dial, three sub-dials indicate the watch’s chronograph function. Powered by the HUB4700 chronograph movement, the watch offers a power reserve of 50 hours and water resistance of up to 100 metres.
The case is in satin-finished, polished titanium. Meanwhile, the bezel is in made of titanium featuring the Hublot signature H-shaped screws. A black alligator strap keeps the look clean and classic. This one definitely deserves a spot in your square watches collection.
For another interesting read to help you up your fashion game, check out our guide to wearing watches here.
