When we think about watches (and we do think about watches…a LOT), we usually have a mental picture of watches with round dials. While we can all agree on that it makes sense, it is interesting to note that one of the earliest wristwatches ever made was the Cartier Santos, and it’s rectangular.
Since then different case shapes were introduced, some became more popular than others, but the square or rectangular watches always remained in style.
So I decided to bring you some rectangular watches because they’re unique in today’s market, and because they have deep roots in the history of watchmaking. This list is regularly updated as my goal is to list unique designs, so you’ll find well-known brands, and micro brands that are somewhat flying under the radar.
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Best Square and Rectangular Watches for Men
Hamilton American Classic Boulton Mechanical
Specs:
- Movement: Mechanical
- Caliber: H-50
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 34.5 x 38 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
With the Hamilton Boulton Mechanical, Art Deco meets Hamilton’s American Classic collection styling. Since its introduction in 1940, the Boulton has been a cornerstone of the Hamilton watches due to its unusual case yet classy form. The evergreen classic design is reimagined for the twenty-first century and driven by the incredible H-50 handwinding movement.
Read our Hamilton brand review.
Tag Heuer Monaco
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Heuer 02
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 39 x 39 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Price: $5,000 – $6,500
The Monaco from Tag Heuer was one of the first automatic chronographs ever created, and it became an absolute favorite after the “King of Cool”, Steve McQueen wore the Heuer Monaco on his wrist in 1971 in Le Mans. This watch is an absolute classic and due to the bold geometries, we have a beautiful balance of vintage and contemporary.
MAEN Manhattan 37
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Sellita SW-200
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 37 x 47 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
MAEN is a microbrand from Stockholm, Sweden, and they produce remarkable timepieces with great quality. A favorite of mine from MAEN is the Manhattan 37. The Manhattan 37 features a distinct vertically elongated dial that is also called Côtes de Genève dial. It produces a mesmerizing spectrum of shimmering effects under different lighting conditions. The dial doesn’t feature Roman or Arabic numerals for hour and minute indices, therefore the focus remains on the dial itself. Since the case itself uses a combination of angles and curved edges, the baton-style hour and minute hands emphasize the angular appearance of the watch – the perfect solution to create an elegant watch with a bit of an edge.
While the case is only 37 mm wide, it wears bigger as the case seamlessly transitions to the bracelet due to the very elegant integrated bracelet solution. The combination of polished and satin-brushed finishes highlight the unique shape of the case and bracelet. The MAEN Manhattan comes with the very reliable Sellita SW200-1 Swiss automatic movement, providing 38 hours of power reserve.
Brew Metric Chrono Steel Dial
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK68
- Case Width: 36 x 41.5 mm
- Price: Under $500
Brew is a popular microbrand, and I wanted to highlight their Metric chronograph as I think this piece is often overlooked. The Metric Steel Dial Chronograph case has the classic 1970’s design and size: it’s 36 mm wide and the lug-to-lug distance is 41.5 mm, making it a comfortable wear for all wrist sizes. The movement is the hybrid VK68 meca-quartz chronograph movement provided by the Seiko Group, a reliable and budget-friendly caliber.
The overall design of the Brew Metric Steel Chronograph is described by Brew as a utilitarian dress watch. I agree with that, usually I call this look the “elegant urban” – it can be dressed up or down, and has a unique edge, an unexpected appearance to make things a little bit more exciting.
DIRENZO DRZ 02R Black Date
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Sellita SW200-1
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
- Case Width: 39 x 44 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
DIRENZO is a new brand, established in 2017 by Sergio Godoy Di Renzo, and they produce great quality Swiss-made timepieces at an affordable price. While there are plenty of brands offering “affordable” watches, I often feel there’s a lack of variety in design. This is where DIRENZO made this list. The DRZ 02R feels futuristic in the best way possible. It’s not trying to mimic the look of smart watches, instead, they created something truly unique. The shape of the case has a retro feeling, but the slightly curved details create an ergonomic feel. This dualism is present on the dial as well. The lollipop second hand brings the classic timeless design element, and it’s paired with the futuristic dial that resembles a digital display.
The watch is equipped with the reliable Sellita SW200-1 elaboré Swiss caliber, providing 38-41 hours of power reserve.
The watch is a great fit for all wrist sizes with its 39 mm width and 44 mm lug-to-lug distance.
Mido Multifort TV Big Date
Specs:
- Ref # :M049.526.11.081.00
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: MIDO Caliber 80
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 39.2 x 40 mm
- Price: Around $1,000
The Mido Multifort TV Big Date is a watch I can’t place a definitive verdict on, other than “hmm..interesting”. I mean both “weird interesting” and “intriguing” at the same time. The shape is an inspiration from Mido’s previous design, and the shape definitely reminds me of a vintage TV. The dial options are all great, the design of the dial is something I love: the baton-style hour and minute hands, the hour and minute markers don’t take the attention away from the unique case. BUT: the date window at 12 o’clock position is BIG, and I know it’s in the name of the watch, but I still don’t know how I feel about the fact that the visual focus of a watch is on the date window and not the entirety of the dial. With this being said, the overall look is growing on me, and it’s definitely a unique pick.
Bell & Ross BR-05
Specs:
- Ref # BR05G-SI-ST/SST
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: BR-CAL.325
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Price: Under $4,000
The Bell & Ross BR-05 is a character of its own that delivers a modern and unique, yet timeless design. The 40 mm case width, the monochrome design, the combination of brushed and polished stainless steel make this watch a perfect choice as an everyday go-to timepiece that can perform well in more formal situations as well. The automatic movement (BR.CAL.321. caliber) provides a 38-hour power reserve. This watch is a statement timepiece, and in my opinion, a very unique timepiece that doesn’t receive a lot of coverage. The BR-05 is more of an “urban” collection that takes inspiration from the aviation-inspired designs Bell & Ross is known for, and they created a perfect everyday watch.
Cartier Santos
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: 1847 MC
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 35.1 x 41.9 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Price: $6,000 – $7,000
The Cartier Santos watch was born in 1904, the first ever men’s wrist watch, which also happened to be a pilot watch. The Cartier Santos is a fantastic timepiece, with design integrity, and construction quality. This is truly one of the most iconic timepieces.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
Specs:
- Movement: Mechanical
- Caliber: JLC 822/2
- Power Reserve: 45 hours
- Case Width: 27.4 x 45.6 mm
- Price: $7,000 – $8,500
The Reverso was designed to stand up to the rigors of polo matches. It has become one of the most recognizable timepieces in the world because to its subtle Art Deco lines and distinctive, pioneering reversible casing. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is passionately original and a truly outstanding timepiece.
The Reverso has generated countless timeless stories since its inception in 1931, cementing its status as a Jaeger-LeCoultre legend.
Nomos Tetra Neomatik 39 Silvercut
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: DUW 3001
- Power Reserve: 43 hours
- Case Width: 33 x 33 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Price: Under $3,500
The square NOMOS Tetra Neomatik 39 has an ultra-thin and very accurate automatic caliber. The movement itself is only 3.2 millimeters in height, and case is 7.2 millimeters, which allows the watch to fit very elegantly beneath the cuff.
The coolly elegant dial in polished silver-gray is a very classy look for almost any occasion!
Baume & Mercier Hampton
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: ETA 2895-2
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 31 x 48 mm
- Price: $1,800 – $2,800
This Hampton wristwatch features a black alligator strap with square scales, grey stitching, and a polished steel case for a sophisticated modern look. An opaline and grained dial with black ruthenium indexes and Arabic numbers is visible through a curved sapphire crystal. A very classy option!
Bell & Ross Aviation Quartz
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Caliber: BR-CAL.102
- Case Width: 39 x 39 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Price: $1,500 – $2,200
A pilot’s wristwatch was supplemented with a watch mounted on the plane’s dashboard. Bell & Ross drew inspiration from this when they launched their first watch, the BR01, in 1992. Bruno Belamich (Bell) and Carlos A. Rosillo (Ross) combined robust design and engineering to develop a timepiece that radiated the ruggedness and reliability of fighter aircraft cockpit instruments in both look and performance. They were successful, and Bell & Ross began an extended history of ties with several extreme professions by supplying the French Air Force with the BR01 the year it was produced, as they still do today. Since then, it has fully embraced its signature square watch design, releasing hundreds of versions in a variety of complexities and materials, all bearing the iconic Bell & Ross form.
Shinola The Mackinac 40 mm
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Sellita SW511
- Power Reserve” 56 hours
- Case Width: 40 x 40 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Price: Around $4,500
The Shinola Mackinac was named after one of the longest and most challenging freshwater races in the world: the Port Huron to Mackinac Island regatta. This single-eye chronograph comes with a Swiss automatic movement (Sellita SW511). The watch comes with a texture rubber strap that is breathable and waterproof. If the canary yellow dial and strap is too much, don’t forget how easy it is to change the strap!
Oris Rectangular
Specs:
- Ref #: 01 561 7783 4063-07 5 19 16
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Caliber 561
- Power Reserve” 38 hours
- Case Width: 25.50 x 38 mm
- Price: Under $2,500
Oris’s entry into the vintage and Art Deco-inspired space in 2022 with the Rectangular is both intriguing and refreshing. While its design undoubtedly draws inspiration from the 1930s and ‘40s, the four vibrant color variations feel more aligned with today’s modern trends.
Oris stayed with the classic dimensions with the case measuring a modest 25.5mm x 38mm. Like most watches with this challenging case shape, the water resistance is limited to 30 meters, and the crown is appropriately small to maintain a sleek profile.
On the dial, Oris combines retro charm with clean simplicity. Wide sword hands pair beautifully with the vintage-style railroad minute track, while Arabic numerals in a nostalgic font mark 12, 3, and 9. At 6 o’clock, a discreet date window adds a practical touch without disrupting the dial’s symmetry.
Powering the Rectangular is an ETA-based automatic caliber, visible through the mineral crystal caseback. Completing the look, each model comes mounted on a soft, color-coordinated leather strap that complements the watch’s personality.
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