When it comes to picking out the perfect watch for most occasions, there is a plethora of details to consider: what kind of strap should I be looking for? What color dial? From the overall style of the watch to functionality, the questions are endless.
What we at The Watch Resource discovered, is a trick to get it right every time. Drum roll please…vintage inspired design. Now to clarify, you could always buy a true vintage watch, but in this article we are focusing specifically on vintage-inspired design. The key difference between the two being that the latter has the classic look, but is made using the newest technology in watchmaking, and therefore is often more suitable for the modern watch wearers needs. We know what you’re thinking: “great, but I’m not looking to resemble my grandpa just yet.” When it comes to watches, vintage design translates to timeless, classic, elegant, true & tried. While it’s certain that the older generations may have worn similar looking pieces, that is great news: decades or even a century ago, watch manufacturing was a highly esteemed trade, requiring the utmost expertise, resulting in a standard of quality and tastefulness that is rare to come by nowadays. To be fair, the legacy watchmakers still provide the same standards in modern times, and are joined with numerous up and coming brands—that said, if the goal is to find a watch design that will surely become a family heirloom and never feel outdated, vintage, classic designs are the way to go.
We have searched far and wide for the best vintage inspired designs on the market, and were not disappointed. Each piece pays homage to its predecessor, bringing the beauty, art, quality and functionality back to life in present days. Take a look at our favorites below, we hope you enjoy the search as much as we did.
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Our Top Choices of Vintage Inspired Watches
Dan Henry 1975 Skin Diver
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Miyota 9015
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Water Resistance: 150 m
- Price: Around $300
The Dan Henry 1975 is a ’70s inspired skin diving watch that can be your everyday go-to timepiece. The vintage elements of the dial are made a bit more dynamic with the bright orange second hand. The reliable Miyota 9015 automatic movement provides 42 hours of power reserve, and the case at 39 mm width makes this a perfect fit for all wrist sizes.
UNDONE Urban Vintage Killy
Specs:
- Movement: Meca-Quartz
- Caliber: VK61
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Price: Under $300
The popular UNDONE Urban watches are custom-made vintage-inspired 40mm mecha-quartz timepieces.
Each watch in the Urban line is ideally suited for day-to-day wear thanks to its 40mm size, which is perfect for almost all wrist sizes.
A collection of classic dial designs, rich in complex features and textures and presented in a color palette that commands respect and class. A classic timepiece with understated flair for the modern gent.
Hamilton American Classic Pan Europ Day-Date Auto
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: H-30
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Price: Under $1,500
The American Classic Pan Europ from Hamilton is an absolute classic, just like the name suggests. In the true American spirit, it fuses sophisticated design elements with robust practicality effortlessly, resulting in a timepiece that is not only reliable but sure to draw compliments as well. The NATO strap it comes with ensures it will sit on your wrist comfortably and securely, and due to its classic and sophisticated dial design, this watch can easily become your everyday favorite.
Spinnaker Hull Diver (Cognac Brown)
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: NH35
- Power Reserve: 41 hours
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 m
- Price: Around $300
The Spinnaker Hull Diver does a beautiful job of fusing vintage elements with modern edge, resulting in this eye-catching dive watch that is sure to attract compliments. The deep brown color of the dial and bezel is cleverly contrasted with a brushed stainless steel case with softly rounded corners. The reliable NH35 automatic movement and the mesmerizing sweeping second hand will keep you punctual, while the watch itself is guaranteed to keep you stylish.
Read more about Spinnaker watches.
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Oris 754 (SW200-1 base)
- Power Reserve 38 hours
- Case Width: 36 mm
- Price: Around $1,500
Ready for something special? A warm-toned masterpiece. Oris came out with a green dial version of their Big Crown Pointer Date classic timepiece, which pairs beautifully with the bronze case. Not something you see every day, be ready for compliments when wearing this eye-catcher. This classic is sure to withstand the test of time.
Tissot PRX Powermatic
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Powermatic 80.111
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Price: Around $600
The Tissot PRX is a recent release (from 2021) and it leans towards a more sporty look with the integrated bracelet.
PRX is an acronym for Precise, Robust, X for water resistant up to 10 bars (100 meters). The bezel is lifted from the core case, and let’s face it: it’s a cool looking watch.
Shinola The Runwell Chrono 41 mm
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Caliber: Aragonite 5021
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Price: Under $800
Shinola watches are hand-assembled in Detroit, and the 41 mm Runwell Chrono brings us a classic looking watch with a modern twist: the signature Arabic numerals and 2 sub-dials. The stainless steel case, blue dial and brown leather strap combination adds visual appeal and the result is a reliable, comfortable, and stylish timepiece that can be your new best friend for almost all occasions.
Hamilton American Classic INTRA-MATIC
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: H-31
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Price: Around $2,000
The Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono is a new recreation of a 1968 signature timepiece that delivers a sporty yet timeless design. With its characteristic panda dial and true 1960s charm, the H-31 automatic watch is a surefire eye-catcher. It’s a great watch for classic car enthusiasts as well as the tachymeter on the bezel and long seconds hand make you feel like you’re looking at a dashboard of a racing car, already visualizing the checkered flag.
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.
Longines Heritage Avigation
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Longines 688
- Power Reserve: 54 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Price: Under $2,000
Longines has maintained a tight and long-standing relationship with the aviation industry. During the first part of the twentieth century, the brand manufactured a huge number of pilot’s watches and chronographs, on-board equipment, and other navigation devices that assisted the growth of civil and military aviation. Longines is bringing this thrilling history back to life with their “Heritage Aviation” collection of timepieces. This timepiece definitely has an antique feel that guarantees an evergreen classic look. A great choice!
Hamilton Khaki Field Murph – The Interstellar watch
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: H-10
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
We had to include this one from Hamilton. Not just any watch, mind you. This is the watch that saved the world in the movie ‘Interstellar’. The beautiful Hamilton classic that Coop (Matthew McConaughey) left for his daughter before departing on his mission to the stars. The watch was then used as a tool to communicate coordinates in Morse code from another dimension, enabling Murph Cooper (the daughter) to complete an equation and therefore save humanity from complete destruction. As a well-deserved nod to the movie, the word “Eureka” is printed on the seconds hand in Morse code in lacquer. A great watch with an awesome background story? YES please.
The Hamilton Khaki Field Murph is part of the Khaki Field collection.
Bell & Ross BR05
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: BR-CAL.321
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 40 x 40 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Price: Around $4,000
The Bell & Ross BR05, which was unveiled in 2019, is the company’s response to iconic integrated-bracelet sport watch models like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. Bell & Ross have done well to give the BR05 its own appearance and feel, making full use of B&R’s trademark square case design. The BR05 showcases what Bell & Ross can offer to the market with its own iconic design of the square case and large aviation numeral dial, making it an ideal everyday sports watch that doesn’t break the bank in today’s ever-growing market and price for sports watch.
Omega Seamaster Railmaster
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Omega 8806
- Power Reserve: 55 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Water Resistance: 150 m
- Price: Around $4,000
A functional yet stylish anti-magnetic watch, the original OMEGA Railmaster was created in 1957 for railroad employees, or anybody else who frequently came into contact with electrical fields. These days, its inventiveness and industrial spirit have been modernized for a contemporary collection.
The “blue denim” dial’s brushed stainless steel hands and recessed hour markers are all filled with light grey Super-LumiNova. The dial is vertically brushed. Additionally, the transferred “Railmaster” signal and beige center seconds hand add a vintage touch.
The Omega Seamaster Railmaster is often overlooked but it’s a wonderful timepiece with a very elegant look.