All-Black Men’s Watches: A Lasting Trend
If you haven’t heard the term “murdered-out” when it comes to watches, it’s time to take a comfortable seat and read about mysterious, colorless and on-trend, all-black watches.
Physical Vapor Disposition (PVD) is a process that’s been used to coat watches for decades. By taking a selected material and vaporizing it before depositing it onto the watch surface, manufacturers are able to coat their watches in the durable, scratch resistant, black layer.
Sure, black on black watches have been around for quite some time, but considering how many all-black watches have been featured on GQ’s “Best Men’s Watches 2018” list, we have no doubt that this popular style is here to stay, and for good reason.
Why Are Murdered-Out Watches All the Rage?
To answer simply, black is an easy shade. It matches a plethora of style choices including most uniforms, and tuxes alike. But there is more to an all-black men’s watch than ease of wear.
Black stands out in subtle ways, it’s sleek and understated while remaining stylish and smart. The shade works to gain attention without any sparkle or flash. Instead using its respected mystery to turn heads.
Choosing a black watch, whether it be for sports or a black tie event, isn’t hard to do with so many brands and styles available on the market. The trick is deciding on must-have features, and checking your wallet.
Best All-Black Men’s Watches 2018
Today we will feature our best 5 all-black watches worth checking out before you make your choice. We will look at a number of aspects including design, features, and warranty among other important style and occasion details.
Bulova 98B303 Special Grammy Edition
Stunning is only one way to describe this matte-black time piece embellishes with gold accents. It’s a show-stopper and a classy watch all in one. The Grammy Edition Bulova features a 100M water resistance rating, a *3 year limited warranty, and precisionist movement.
Bulova’s Special Grammy Edition watch showcase two Grammy logos as well, one on the band, another on the case. Like men attending this famous annual award show, consumers looking to sport this watch want to stand out and have reason to celebrate.
We’d classify this watch as a dress watch, although the band is a mesh stainless steel bracelet and not leather. It also classifies as a dive watch because of its 100M WR rating and it’s second-hand and easy to read chronograph style.
Worn best with all black attire, this watch screams red carpet (obviously)! However, casual or smart attire events would be suitable if you have a love for other gold accented pieces, or if you can always be caught sporting all-black clothes.
Final Verdict: This watch is middle-of-the-road expensive. Where it won’t let you down in accuracy or water resistance, only purchase if you have an event to wear it to, if not, consider a more adaptable option.
*Warranty covers defective parts, but not damage due to miss-use, normal wear and tear, the battery, or regular servicing requirements*
G-SHOCK G-STEEL GSTS300
G-SHOCK has cornered the market on shock-resistant watches for years. Its robust layered design is easy to spot and holds true to the brands aesthetic time piece after time piece. This G-STEEL design sports a solid resin bezel, all-black face, and come with a back or red band.
As well as being shock resistant, this time piece boasts a 200M water resistance rating, and double LED light. Made from forged parts, this G-STEEL model is also solar powered and has a layer guard structure. Durability has always been the goal of G-SHOCK, and this watch is no exception.
The G-STEEL GSTS300G is a sports watch If you’re seeking your next adrenaline rush, signing up for contact sports, or backpacking across Europe, this watch is likely a great choice for you. First and foremost it’s reliable and can handle life’s most messy situations.
This piece is also cherished by military personnel, train operators, and musicians alike.
Final Verdict: You wouldn’t wear this to your sister’s wedding. But for all life throws your way, you can’t go wrong with this choice. Plus its price point makes it a more budget friendly all-black option.
Extra points if you get it muddy.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Phantom Ceramic ($3,800.00)
It doesn’t get more murdered-out than this Bell & Ross beauty. Not only are all the watch’s design features matte black, but the crystal is also anti-reflective sapphire. Thus making this watch sleek and mysterious like Batman himself.
Photo-luminescent coating on the hands increase visibility, while this watch’s black rubber and heavy duty canvas strap adds durability to the design. This BR 03-92 Phantom Ceramic watch also holds a 100M water resistant rating and mechanical automatic movement.
Bell & Ross offer an international 2 year parts and labour warranty. It covers part failure under regular use, but not normal wear and tear, or damage due to misuse. This warranty also does not cover adjustments.
This watch is for the baller with no budget, but its sharp square shape makes for a great casual watch that allows for some smart dressed occasions as well. It could even pass for a black tie event with the swap-out of a leather band.
Final Verdict: If you’ve got the cash flow for your watch addiction, get out your wallet! The sexy style of this piece alone gives you plenty reasons to wear it.
Guess Black Chronograph Sport Watch
This black chronograph watch by Guess is the most inexpensive watch on today’s list. It features stop watch capabilities as well as an ionic-plated black case and it has a water resistant rating of 50M. There is also a 10 year limited warranty!
The Black Chronograph’s leather band makes it perfectly acceptable to wear for dressier events as well as casual affairs. This is definitely the everyday man’s dress watch, especially since it won’t flatten the wallet.
This isn’t the most durable of watches, but what it lacks in durability it makes up for in its simplistic style, and murdered-out look.
Final Verdict: Affordable is the key word here. If you’re looking for that side time piece to go with a specific look or event, you can’t go wrong here. Just don’t go water-skiing or cliff jumping while it’s fastened to your wrist!
Citizen Black Promaster Navihawk A-T
Looking for the watch that does it all? Here you go!
This Citizen time piece is busy, but only because its mega-heavy in features. This watch keeps time in 43 cities worldwide, provides a perpetual calendar, and has a 99 min-countdown. Its stainless steel and black ion plating is decorated with orange accents and features a polyurethane strap.
Oh, did we mention, the Promaster Navihawk boasts a 200M water resistant rating and it’s a compass? This piece is ideal for the world traveller, a globe trotter if you will. With so many functions, this piece is meant to be used, not simply worn.
With a limited five year warranty, you can expect citizen to do their best to repair or replace the watch if it qualifies for warranty coverage. However, all shipping charges will be paid for by you.
Final Verdict: This is a very functional choice for a person who requires its capabilities. If not, it’s a bit hard to read, and not the best choice for everyday wear.
A Final Note on Warranty…
When purchasing watches, or any product covered under warranty, be sure to read the fine print. Very few warranties cover everything so your best defense is being well-informed.
Let us know in the comments if you own a murdered-out time piece and which brand you choose!
Take Care
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