15 Best Ceramic Watches That Bring Something New To Your Collection

Some of the most prevalent materials used in present-day watchmaking are metals and precious metals such as stainless steel, gold, titanium, and the like. However, true watch enthusiasts know that there are other materials available that are just as great as these metallic options.

 

In today’s article, we will be taking an in-depth look at exclusive ceramic watches. These ceramic watches have only become more and more popular with each passing year because of their many appealing qualities. If your interest is piqued, read on to find out more about what ceramic watches offer, along with some of the best ceramic watches available in the market today.

Why Go For a Ceramic Watch?

Ceramic watches are not all that common in the market, so many might be unaware of the benefits they can bring. For those who would like to know more, here are some reasons why ceramic watches would make great additions to your collections:

 

1. Lightweight. If you are the type of person who wears watches almost 24/7, then the hefty weight of most steel models can get pretty uncomfortable after some time. This is something you do not have to worry about with ceramic watches since ceramic boasts extremely lightweight properties. The best part is you do not even have to compromise durability for comfort because you can get well-crafted and incredibly sturdy ceramic timepieces too.
2. Ideal for Everyday Wear. One of the best things about ceramic watches is how ergonomic they are. This means that they tend to be more comfortable compared to timepieces made of metals, making them perfect for everyday wear. Aside from that, ceramic is a naturally water-resistant material, so you do not have to worry about getting it wet throughout the day, even if you are just washing your hands. Lastly, when it comes to style, most ceramic watches come with versatile designs that can go easily with any and every outfit. If you want something chic, comfortable, and reliable, then ceramic watches are your best bet.
3. Hypoallergenic. Ceramic watches are the better choice for people who have sensitive skin. Ceramic is well-known for being a hypoallergenic material, which means you will not be as susceptible to having allergic reactions with it. While this may not be a dealbreaker for everyone, ultimately, using ceramic watches is the safer option for most watch wearers.
4. Durability. Ceramic is also known for being incredibly durable, as it is extremely scratch-resistant and is able to withstand rust and corrosion much better than metals. You will not have to worry about the shape of your ceramic watch being warped or for it to lose its lustre due to rust or scratches. As such, using ceramic timepieces is a guarantee that you will have a watch that can maintain its elegant looks for a long time.

15 Best Ceramic Watches 

Now that we have gone through the benefits of ceramic watches, let us take a look at some of the best ceramic watches in the market right now! 

1. Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Ref. 521.CM.1171.RX

First up, we have the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Ref. 521.CM.1171.RX, which shows off a very powerful and masculine design. The use of highly durable ceramic plays a huge role in the aesthetic of this watch because the brand wanted to create a timepiece that could truly stand the test of time.

 

This Hublot Classic Fusion piece is presented in a well-sized 45mm ceramic case and fixed black bezel, which is evenly fitted with six silver screws, giving it a bit more flair. This is paired with a comfortable lined rubber strap in black. The matching black chronograph dial is adorned with blunt silver hands, rectangular hour indices, a date window at 6 o’clock, and two sub-dials outlined in silver. This ceramic piece is also powered by a self-winding HUB1143 Calibre with a 42-hour power reserve.

 

With a price tag of around $11,810 USD, this Hublot watch falls on the more expensive side. Nevertheless, it is a must-have for those who want a chic and robust ceramic watch.

2. Rado Ceramica Ref. R21717152

The Rado Ceramica Ref. R21717152, on the other hand, has a completely different aesthetic compared to the first model. This Rado timepiece offers a more radical, avant-garde approach to ceramic watches, which only proves the versatility of the use of ceramic in watches.

 

This Rado Ceramica piece comes in a relatively small 35mm square-shaped case and linked bracelet, both made out of black ceramic. The lugs of this watch are recessed, which makes it look even more slender than it actually is, enhancing its elegant vibe. This watch also has a very minimalist watch face, consisting of just thin stick indices, blunt white hands, and a small round date display at 6 o’clock against a black backdrop. Encased within the watch is a quartz Rado Calibre 156, which offers a solid 36-hour power reserve and a 30-metre depth rating.

 

If you want a stylish and distinct ceramic watch, you can get this piece for just $1,057 USD.

3. TAG Heuer Aquaracer Ref. WAY131B.BA0914

Next up, we have the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Ref. WAY131B.BA0914, which serves as a sportier-looking ceramic piece. The interesting thing about this watch is that it uses a mix of two materials, ceramic and stainless steel, making it a more heterogeneous, innovative model.

 

This TAG Heuer Aquaracer piece comes in a slim 35mm stainless steel case paired with a three-link bracelet, with ceramic centre links and stainless steel outer links. The unidirectional rotating bezel on this watch also makes use of both materials, with a steel base and a snow-white ceramic insert marked with an elapsed time scale. This steel-ceramic combination allows for maximum durability while still retaining a fairly lightweight profile, so this watch will not feel too heavy on your wrist. The dial of this watch also comes in white and is decorated with luminescent hands, hour indices, and a date window at 3 o’clock. All these features are driven by an excellent quartz calibre.

 

Priced at around $1,700 USD, this striking silver-and-white TAG Heuer model watch is a great option for ladies who live active lifestyles.

4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-Winding Ref. 77350CE.OO.1266CE.01

 

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-Winding Ref. 77350CE.OO.1266CE.01 is one of the most coveted and luxurious ceramic watches on this list. As a part of the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak collection, this watch holds a unique, prestigious status, and the unusual utilisation of ceramic only elevates this status.

 

This Audemars Piguet watch comes in a 34mm black ceramic case, bracelet, and angular octagonal bezel, with gorgeous brushed finishes that enhance the watch’s refined air. On the underside of the case, you can find a titanium caseback. Since titanium is also known for being a relatively light metal, these ceramic and titanium components combine to make a very slim and lightweight case, specifically designed for those with slender wrists.

 

Audemars Piguet scatters rose gold accents all over this watch to contrast against its black surfaces, adding to its elegant, dressy aesthetic. On the fixed octagonal bezel, you can find eight evenly spaced rose gold screws. The black Grande Tapisserie dial, on the other hand, is decorated with rose gold hour indices, luminous rose gold hands, and a rectangular date window at 3 o’clock. This watch runs on a self-winding in-house Calibre 5800. Held together by 29 jewels, this movement has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (VpH) and a 50-hour power reserve.

 

This iconic ceramic watch retails at around $47,570 USD.

5. Emporio Armani Ref. AR1452

The Emporio Armani Ref. AR1452 stands out for being a multi-functional ceramic watch with a very affordable price tag. Its straightforward, classic all-black chronograph aesthetic is designed to grab people’s attention in a very understated way.

 

This watch comes in a fully ceramic exterior, from its 45mm black case and fixed bezel to its three-link bracelet in black. The dial follows a chronograph layout with applied indices, silver dauphine hands, a date window placed between 4 and 5 o’clock, and three small sub-dials. Aside from the standard time and date functions, this Emporio Armani watch has 60-second, 60-minute, and 24-hour counters, all of which are powered by an efficient quartz movement.

 

If you are looking for a new ceramic watch but you are working on a tight budget, you can get the Emporio Armani Ref. AR1452 for as little as $175 USD.

6. Junghans Force Mega Solar Ref. 018/1133.44

The Junghans Force Mega Solar Ref. 018/1133.44 is more of a modern, Bauhaus take on ceramic watches. This watch has a sleek and more futuristic-looking design that is complemented by its minimalist stylistic elements.

 

This Junghans watch comes in a 40.5mm ceramic case and bracelet. Its exterior has a fine black polish that gives it an unusual lustre, enhancing its aura of subtle elegance. The simple dial also comes in a black hue, with an analog layout that consists of rectangular hour indices, slim luminescent hands, and an LCD display at the bottom for the date. With all these functions being driven by the brand’s multi-frequency radio-controlled solar movement, this watch also boasts additional capabilities such as a reception indicator, sleep mode, and a 21-month power reserve.

 

For around $1,550, you can get your hands on this highly functional, German-made ceramic watch.

7. Bell & Ross Instruments Ref. BR0392-D-KA-CE/SRB

Up next, we have the Bell & Ross Instruments Ref. BR0392-D-KA-CE/SRB, which is one of the most rugged timepieces on this list. This watch has a military-inspired design that fits perfectly with the impressive technical specifications of this watch.

 

This Bell & Ross Instruments watch features a robust-looking 42mm black ceramic case with a rotating bezel made of the same material. This is complemented by a comfortable woven rubber strap in black. Its army green dial breaks up the all-black combination of its exterior, adding a touch of handsome variety to this watch look. This dial is furnished with a compact date window between 4 and 5 o’clock, blunt black hands, and round hour markers that are filled with Super-LumiNova pigment. Underneath this tough watch face is a self-winding BR-CAL.302 calibre that has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (VpH) and a good 38-hour power reserve.

 

If you want a tried and tested ceramic watch, you should definitely consider this Bell & Ross piece for approximately $3,935 USD.

8. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Ref. 311.92.44.51.01.006

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Ref. 311.92.44.51.01.006 is one of the most popular ceramic watches in the market. As a model under Omega’s renowned Speedmaster collection, this watch is part of the brand’s Dark Side of the Moon sub-line. This means that its design draws inspiration from astronomical events and elements.

 

This Moonwatch features a 44.25mm all-black ceramic case paired with a rustic leather strap in brown. Its fixed ceramic bezel, which also comes in black, is marked with a useful tachymetric scale. The black dial itself shows off luminous hour indices, blunt arrowhead hands, a chronograph display with two sub-counters, and a date window at 6 o’clock. All of these indicators utilise a warm shade of yellow, which casts a gorgeous contrast that really brings out the darkness of the black dial. This watch runs on a self-winding Omega 9300 Calibre which has an excellent power reserve of 60 hours.

 

This $12,000 USD ceramic Omega watch is one that is definitely worth adding to your collection.

9. Panerai Tuttonero Luminor GMT Ref. PAM01438

Moving on, the Panerai Tuttonero Luminor GMT Ref. PAM01438 serves as a robust yet elegant option for those who want a more oversized ceramic watch. Its design stays true to Panerai’s well-established identity, which makes it truly one of a kind.

 

This Panerai Luminor watch comes in a fully ceramic exterior, with a 44mm squround-shaped case and a stitched-style bracelet. It looks much bigger than it is, thanks to the signature large Panerai crown that can be found on the right side of the case, shaped like a semi-circle. The dial follows a straightforward layout with luminous hands, Arabic numerals of varying sizes, a small seconds counter, and a date window. Underneath this chic exterior is an in-house P.9010 GMT calibre. This is an automatic movement with an impressive power reserve of up to 72 hours.

 

If you have an affinity towards large, sophisticated timepieces, then you can cop the Panerai Tuttonero Luminor GMT Ref. PAM01438 for around $14,900 USD.

10. Tudor Fastrider Chrono Black Shield Ref. 42000CN

Next up, we have the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield Ref. 42000CN. This Tudor watch belongs to the Fastrider Chrono collection, which, unfortunately, has been discontinued as of 2021. Nevertheless, it deserves a spot on this list as it is a very well-crafted, sporty ceramic watch.

 

The Tudor Fastrider Black Shield Ref. 42000CN has a masculine all-black exterior, with a 42mm ceramic case, a calfskin leather strap, and a ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale. The matching black dial is quite busy, consisting of applied silver hour indices, skeletal silver-tone hands, a circular date aperture, and three submerged sub-counters that add to the texture of the watch face. Powering this chronograph timepiece is an automatic Tudor Calibre 7753 with a 44-hour power reserve.

 

You can get this stylish Tudor Fastrider watch for approximately $4,349 USD.

11. Bvlgari Octo Ref. 103126

The Bvlgari Octo Ref. 103126 is a sophisticated ceramic watch with very distinct stylistic elements. It belongs to Bvlgari’s well-known Octo collection, so its exterior follows the same unique octagonal shape that can be found on other watches in the Octo line.

 

This Bvlgari watch comes in a 40mm ceramic case and bracelet. Aside from its distinct case, this watch also stands out for its gorgeous skeletal dial, which enhances the ultra-modern aesthetic of the entire watch. The dial is also furnished with black dauphine hands and a minute track on the outer rim.

 

The skeleton layout of the dial also allows you to watch the brand’s in-house, hand-wound Finissimo Calibre BVL 128SK at work. This outstanding movement is an incredible 2.35mm thin, with a frequency rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour (VpH) and a substantial 65-hour power reserve.

 

If you want a one-of-a-kind, powerful ceramic watch, then you can get your hands on this piece for about $27,000 USD.

12. Longines HydroConquest Ref. L3.784.4.56.9

The Longines HydroConquest Ref. L3.784.4.56.9 is a more straightforward and sporty take on ceramic watches. This is the ultimate high-performance watch, with its perfect blend of sophistication and function.

 

This Longines HydroConquest watch comes in a 43mm black ceramic case paired with a textured rubber strap in black. Fitted on top of the case is a black bezel, also made of ceramic. This bezel bears a handy elapsed time scale and an exquisite brushed finish, giving the watch a more elegant look. It also has fine, gear-shaped edges, which provide wearers with a better grip so they can turn the bezel easily, even when wearing a diving suit.

 

The dial of this Longines watch follows a very simple layout that is highly legible, so you will not have any trouble reading this watch face when underwater. It is adorned with luminous dot indices, large Arabic numeral markers, snowflake hands, and a date window at 3 o’clock. The Longines HydroConquest Ref. L3.784.4.56.9 is also equipped with an automatic L888 Calibre that boasts a 72-hour power reserve.

 

Priced at around $3,725 USD, you really cannot go wrong with this quintessential ceramic sports watch.

13. Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet Ref. J003525541

The Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet Ref. J003525541 separates itself from the crowd by being one of the few ceramic watches on this list that is not monochromatic. While black timepieces are great, it is still good to have different colourways and styles to choose from, which again proves the versatility of ceramic watches.

 

This Jaquet Droz watch comes in a grey 41mm ceramic case paired with a sporty fabric strap in blue that enhances the watch’s casual appeal. The dial’s skeletal layout is more avant-garde, featuring blued steel hands that contrast delightfully against the silver components of the movement. This watch is also powered by a mechanical 2663 SQ calibre with a 68-hour power reserve.

 

If you are a fan of versatile skeleton watches, then this $18,547 USD Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde watch is one you should definitely add to your collection.

14. Panerai Radiomir Ceramica Ref. PAM00643

The Panerai Radiomir Ceramica Ref. PAM00643 is another very masculine, rugged ceramic watch. Just like the other Panerai model mentioned, this watch has a relatively large exterior, with its 44mm cushion-shaped ceramic case paired with a versatile calfskin leather strap in olive green. Its dial features a subtle waffle-patterned black background and is furnished with large, rounded Arabic numerals, slim hour indices, and luminous stick hands. This watch runs on the brand’s in-house automatic Panerai Calibre OP X which boasts a 56-hour power reserve.

 

You can get your hands on this robust ceramic watch for around $6,582 USD.

15. Zenith Defy Ref. 49.9000.670/77.R782

Lastly, we have the Zenith Defy Ref. 49.9000.670/77.R782, which is an exceptionally sophisticated, striking model that is perfect for both formal dinner events and everyday wear. This Zenith Defy watch is presented in a black 41mm ceramic case paired with a patterned rubber strap of the same colour. On its case are a fixed ceramic bezel and a sizeable crown on the right. While this crown is large and fairly easy to hold, one downside is that the grooves on the crown seem to be more for stylistic than practical purposes. They are not very deep and do not provide wearers with much leverage in terms of gripping and turning the crown.

 

The highlight of this Zenith watch is its complex skeletal dial, which showcases a unique web-like design on its upper layer, along with dark silver-tone hands and short hour indices. You can look through the “web” to admire the automatic Zenith Calibre Elite 670 SK that powers this watch. In addition, it offers the watch a 50-hour power reserve and a solid 100-metre depth rating.

 

With a price tag of around $6,012 USD, do not miss out on this snappy and distinct ceramic watch.

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, the recommended models above are proof that there are lots of well-crafted ceramic watches out there that come at varying costs. While there are numerous luxury ceramic models, you do not necessarily have to spend a fortune to get your hands on one. At the end of the day, ceramic watches have their fair share of pros and cons, whilst still being an excellent option worth considering for enthusiasts, collectors, and everyone else in the watch community. 

 

Photo Credits: The Watch Company & Official Brand Sites

If you want to read more listicles, check out our piece on the 15 Best Calculator Watches!