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.
So we 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.
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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
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.
Bulova Classic Silver Dial Black Leather
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Case Width: 29 x 41 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Price: Around $100.00
Bulova’s watches in the Classic collection are inspired by vintage design, have an understated, elegant look. This Bulova Classic with Silver dial and the black leather strap is definitely an elegant timepiece.
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.
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!
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!
Cartier Santos Medium Automatic
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.
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!