20 BEST 36 mm Watches for Men (From Affordable to Luxury)

This article lists twenty of the leading 36mm. diameter-sized men’s watches that are available today. The difficulty of assembling such a list is that many of the finest watch manufacturers do not produce 36mm. sized watches for men. In fact, for some companies, they’re 36mm. models are offered as women’s timepieces. Thirty-six millimeters seems to be that in-between size and could be viewed as the small sliver shared by two circles in a Venn diagram.

Of the two circles, one represents gents and their common sizes, and the other, lady’s watches. I mention this because after reviewing the list, in my final thoughts, I have suggested some watches that I believe could be worn by a man but they are marketed to women by their respective companies. For the strictness of this article, there are 19 models that are gents and 36mm. in case size and one Grand Seiko timepiece that measures 35.5mm. Prices range from $400.00 to several thousand dollars.

1. Rolex Oyster Perpetual

The Rolex Oyster features a readily recognizable three-link oyster-style bracelet coupled with a 36mm. oyster steel case. The monobloc middle case features a screw-down case back and a winding screw-down crown with a twin-lock waterproof system. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters and has a domed bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

The watch is available with a silver, black, green, blue, candy pink, or turquoise blue dial. The latter is a striking blue and has a highly legible chroma light display with long-lasting blue luminescence.

The in-house mechanical bidirectional self-winding caliber 3230 movements is COSC superlative chronometer certified with accuracy ratings of -2/+2 seconds per day. The movement features a paramagnetic blue parachrom hairspring, chronoenergy escapement, and high-performance paraflex shock absorbers. The power reserve capacity is 70 hours.

Approximate retail price of $5800.00.

2. Cartier- Ronde Must De Cartier

The Ronde Must De Cartier measures 36mm. and has a thickness of 7.89mm. The stainless steel case is water resistant to 30 meters and houses a high autonomy quartz movement. The watch features a beaded crown set with a synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel and a sand-blasted dial with blued steel sword-shaped hands protected by a sapphire crystal.

The watch is available with a non-animal material strap for approximately $2790.00. Or with a stainless steel bracelet for $3200.00.

3. Omega Constellation Quartz

This is a beautifully designed and finished wristwatch with some very interesting appointments. The bezel is engraved with Roman numerals and has a sun-brushed dial providing the backdrop for hands, the Constellation star, the Omega logo, and indexes made of 18-carat white gold. As per Omega,” The dramatic and enduring design of the Constellation is characterized by its famous half moons, “claws” on the case mono-rang bracelet.”

The watch is crafted of 316L stainless steel and features a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides of the crystal. The quartz movement is a caliber 4564 with a date window at the six o’clock position. The bracelet is completed with a finely finished butterfly clasp and the watch offers water resistance to 30 meters.

The all-stainless steel model is available with a black dial and retails for approximately $2700.00. A stainless steel and 18-carat gold version is also available for approximately $5700.00. Retail. (Dial choices are silver, white, or gold)

4. Blancpain Air Command

The Air Command is a striking addition to this list of wristwatches. It is also one of the only timepieces that qualify and is a chronograph. The gorgeous blue dial is beautifully finished and detailed with Arabic numerals and features subdials at the three and nine o’clock positions. Surrounding the dial is the two-way rotating titanium bezel with a blue ceramic insert, augmented with SuperlumiNova markers.

Hands are also treated in SuperLumiNova. The titanium case measures 11.5mm. in height. The crown is fluted and there are two round pushers at the two and four o’clock positions. The automatic self-winding caliber F188B movement has 35 jewels, 255 components, vibrates at 3 Hz. and has a power reserve of 40 hours. The movement also has a flyback function.

The watch is water resistant to 30 meters and is completed with a blue calfskin strap.
The approximate retail price is $17,900.00. An 18-carat rose gold case model is available as well for $29,400.00.

5. IWC Pilot’s Watch Auto 36

The Pilot’s watch measures 36mm. In diameter and has a thickness of 10.6mm. It is constructed of stainless steel and features a bold dial with large Arabic numerals and is adorned with luminescent hands. The watch is fitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective treatment. There is a date window at the three positions and the watch is water resistant to 60 meters.

The caliber 35111 automatic self-winding movement vibrates at 28,800 Vph, has 25 jewels and 163 components, and has a power reserve of 42 hours. A beautifully integrated stainless steel bracelet with a hidden clasp completes the watch’s appearance. With a blue dial and a strap, the watch retails for approximately $4350.00. The all-steel model with a black dial retails for about $5400.00.

6. Rolex Datejust 36

The Datejust is one of Rolex’s most popular watches. This model features a combination of oyster steel and 18-carat yellow gold. The jubilee link bracelet is comprised of both materials and is perfectly matched with an 18-carat yellow gold fluted bezel. The oyster case has a monobloc middle case with a screw-down case back as well as a screw-down twin lock double waterproof system crown.

The case is completed with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a cyclops lens over the date which is at the three o’clock position. The COSC-certified Swiss chronometer movement is an in-house caliber 3235 automatic self-winding type with accuracy parameters of -2/+2 seconds per day. The movement is bidirectional winding and features a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, has a power reserve of 70 hours, and is outfitted with high-performance paraflex shock absorbers. The approximate retail price of the two-tone Datejust is $12,000.00.

Note: The Datejust 36 is also available in a new combination of 18-carat Everose gold and oyster steel. With a jubilee bracelet, the approximate retail price is $14,150.00. or with an oyster-style three-link style bracelet for $13,500.00
Also, the Datejust 36 is available in all oyster steel with either the oyster or jubilee style bracelets, flat or fluted bezels, and in various dial selections that range in price from $7500.00. to $8500.00. retail.

7. Chopard Alpine Eagle 36

The Alpine Eagle 36 is a great looking gents watch, simple yet elegant in its refined appointments. The case and bracelet are crafted from A223 Lucent steel which is 50 % harder than typical stainless steel and also hypoallergenic. The brushed finish is evident in the bezel which uniquely sports two screws at each of the three, six, nine, and twelve positions.

The blue color dial is obtained by galvanic treatment and its finished design is inspired by the iris of the eagle. Rhodium-plated Roman numerals are located at the three, six, nine, and twelve o’clock positions and are interspersed with hour markers in between. Both are treated in SuperLumiNova. The hour hands are also treated in SuperLumiNova.

The front of the watch has a glare-proof scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a see-through sapphire crystal on the back. There is an ornate screw-down crown that lends to the water resistance of the watch which stands at 100 meters. There is also a date window between the four and five o’clock positions.

The COSC-certified chronometer movement is a caliber 09.01-C automatic self-winding type and vibrates at 25,200 Vph. It features 27 jewels, 148 components, a flat balance spring, a three-spoke balance wheel, and a power reserve of 42 hours. Decorations reflect bridges adorned with Cotes de Geneva finishes and a circular-grained main plate.

The timepiece is completed with a tapered brushed steel bracelet comprised of ingot-shaped links and beautifully integrated into the watch case. The approximate retail price is $10,200.00. A version is also available in A223 Lucent steel and 18-carat rose gold with a gray dial for approximately $16,800.00.

8. Tudor Black Bay 36

The Tudor Black Bay 36 can be broken down into two categories. The first part of the collection would be the steel case watches that retail for approximately $2625.00 to $3050.00. The 36mm case is a combination of both polished and satin finishes and is outfitted with a sapphire crystal. The movement is a Tudor T600 self-winding mechanical movement with a power reserve capacity of 38 hours.

Additionally, the watch is water resistant to 150m. (approx. 500 ft. The crown is a steel screw-down winding crown, with the Tudor rose in relief with a black anodized aluminum winding crown tube.
The strap models are available in beige or brown leather or in black fabric. The other option is a steel satin finish bracelet with a folding clasp and safety catch.

The second category is the steel and gold models which retail in the realm of $5025.00-$5650.00. Each of the watches available here has a Tudor MT5400 self-winding mechanical movement with a bidirectional rotor system with 70 hours of power reserve capacity. A sapphire crystal and a steel and gold polished and satin bracelet round out the physical features.

The bracelet also has the “T fit” folding clasp and safety catch. The lower price points in the category are available with either silver, black, or champagne dials. The upper price point in the range reflects dials with diamond markers available in silver, black, and champagne finishes.

9. Oris Big Crown Pointer Date

This affordable 36mm. diameter timepiece has a definite retro appearance hearkening to a time past. The basic model has a stainless steel case and a finely fluted bronze bezel. The combination of materials contributes to that retro feel. The watch has a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inside. There is also a mineral seethrough crystal in the rear of the watch displaying the automatic self-winding movement.

The Oris caliber 754 automatic winding pointer date movement is built upon a base SW 200-1 foundation. It beats at 28,800 Vph with 26 jewels and a power reserve of 38 hours. The stainless steel screw-in crown lends to the water resistance feature of 50 meters. The stainless steel case model comes with a blue dial featuring Arabic numerals.

The numerals, hands, and indexes are all treated with SuperLumiNova for easy visibility in the dark. The approximate retail price of this model is $1900.00. A second model which features an all-bronze case and a green dial are available for $2000.00.

10. Cartier- Ballon Bleu de Cartier

This timepiece is another example of the design prowess of the House of Cartier. The collection is inspired by the shape of a balloon floating on the wrist. The styling is simple yet elegant and has two very distinct features. The bezel circles the watch but where the crown is positioned, the bezel crops out so as to protect the crown.

Reminiscent of the Panerai, here it is integrated smoothly and protects the fluted crown set with a cabochon synthetic spinel. To accommodate this circular shape, the Roman numeral three on the dial is set inward towards the hands’ pinion. The silver guilloche dial is complemented by black Roman numerals and blued steel sword-shaped hands.

The watch sits comfortably on the wrist at 12.1mm. high. It has a sapphire crystal. It features a mechanical automatic self-winding movement and is water resistant to 30 meters. There are various versions of this model available in a range of price points. Here are some of the options:

1. Stainless steel with a strap is $5750.00.
2. All stainless steel is $6250.00.
3. Stainless steel and 18-carat yellow gold $8900.00.
4. Stainless steel and 18-carat rose gold $10,100.00.
5. 18-carat rose gold case with strap $14,500.00.
6. 18-carat yellow or rose gold bracelet and case $30,100.00.   
7. All prices are approximately in US dollars

11. Omega Constellation Co-Axial Master Chronometer

This particular model features Omega’s co-axial automatic self-winding movement. The coaxial is a type of modern watch escapement mechanism that is integrated into all Omega mechanical timepieces. These watches are also METAS certified for superlative accuracy. The Caliber 8800 movement features a free-sprung balance with a silicon balance ring and is rhodium plated and finished with Geneva waves in arabesque.

The power reserve is 55 hours. The beautifully finished movement is visible through the rearview transparent case back. The front crystal is domed and made of scratch-resistant sapphire.
The case sits at 11.7mm. high on the wrist and has an attractive integrated bracelet with a butterfly clasp completing the watch’s appearance. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters and is antimagnetic to upwards of 15,000 gauss.

There is a date window positioned at the six o’clock index and accents the various colored sun-brushed dials. The approximate retail price of the all stainless steel model is $6050,00 (available with either a white, gray, or black dial) with the steel and “Sedna” gold model costing roughly $9400.00 (available in white, silver, or gold… Sedna brown colored dial).

12. Tissot Sea Starr 1000

This is one of the most affordable watches to make the cut but is a good-looking sports watch offering 300 meters of water resistance. It may not have the cache of a luxury brand, but this watch packs a number of features for its price tag. The case and bracelet are constructed from 316L stainless steel and feature a unidirectional bezel with a mineral glass insert. The watch is thin at 9.7mm. in thickness and sits comfortably on the wrist.

The top crystal is sapphire and the fluted crown is a screw-down type and has the Tissot “T” engraved upon it. The quartz battery-operated ETA F05.412 caliber 10 ½ “ movement powers the watch and includes 3 jewels. The white dial features SuperLumiNova indexes and has a date window at the six o’clock position. The approximate retail price of this watch is $415.00.

13. Rolex Explorer

The Rolex Explorer is another 36mm. diameter timepiece from the Rolex collection that qualifies for this list. Rolex is one of the only Swiss luxury brands that offers many of its flagship and most popular styles in 36mm. for men. The Explorer is part of the adventure series of watches that also includes the Submariner and the Sea Dweller, and is designed for exploration. The oyster case is comprised of oyster steel as is the accompanying bracelet as well. It features a monobloc middle case with a screw-down case back.

The screw-down crown is a twin lock style and the watch has a scratchproof sapphire crystal. It has a flat polished bezel with a brushed oyster steel bracelet characterized by the iconic three-link oyster pattern. The in-house automatic self-winding Rolex caliber 3230 movement features a paramagnetic blue parachrom hairspring and high-performance paraflex shock absorbers and has a power reserve of 70 hours.

The movement is COSC certified and offers an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds per day. The black dial has Arabic numerals at the three, six, and nine o’clock positions with white indexes that are filled with a luminescent material emitting a blue glow. The treatment also includes the hands. The approximate retail price of the all-steel model is $7200.00. and the steel and 18-carat yellow gold model is $11,150.00.

14. Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Mechanical

This is another reasonably priced watch that measures 36mm. in diameter. It is considered a “Field Watch” and is a reissue of the model that was produced for the British Royal military between 1973-1976. The purpose of a “Field Watch” is purely to tell time. It has to be very accurate so that soldiers can synchronize their movements on the battlefield.

This Hamilton timepiece has a brushed stainless steel tonneau-shaped case and is very easy to read. The sandpaper-like finished dial has Arabic numerals from the one to the eleven positions with a triangular marker at the twelve o’clock position. The markers and hands are treated with luminescence for easy readability at night. The watch has a mineral crystal that is double antireflective coated and sports a fluted crown for setting the mechanism.

It is water resistant to 100 meters and available in either a blue, black, or white dial.
The mechanical (hand wind) caliber H-50 movement is specifically developed for Hamilton and vibrates at 3 Hz, has 17 jewels, and has a power reserve of 80 hours. The watch sells for approximately $845.00.

15. Tudor 1926

The 1926 model is another offering from the Tudor collection and is available in either a strap version or with an attractive integrated stainless steel bracelet. The case is made of polished steel with a smooth polished bezel. The watch has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a screw-down crown showing the Tudor logo in relief.

The dial has Arabic numerals at the 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 o’clock positions with indexes between each numeral. The outer ring of the dial also reflects small printed indexes for each minute. The dial has a tone-on-tone waffle-like appearance which complements the other aesthetic details of the watch. The dial colors are either white with gold markers and hands, black with silver markers and hands, silver with gold markers and hands, or my favorite, an opaline blue dial with blue markers and hands.

The date window sits at the three position. The mechanical self-winding caliber T601 movement has a power reserve of 38 hours. The watch retails for approximately $1800.00. with a strap or $1900.00. with a steel bracelet. The bracelet has a seven-row design with polished center links, brushed external links, and a folding clasp with a safety catch.

16. IWC Davinci Automatic 36

An elegant refined watch with a simple bold design and luxury appointments. The stainless steel case sits 9.9mm high and is highly polished with oversized polished lugs. It sports a large fluted crown and has a convex sapphire crystal that has an anti-reflective coating on both sides.
The caliber 35111 automatic self-winding movement vibrates at 28,800 Vph. It incorporates 25 jewels, has 163 components, and has a power reserve of 42 hours.

As per the IWC corporate website, the watch comes in two configurations. The strapped model is available in a rich blue color with silver Arabic numerals, hands, and markings. It is completed with a blue alligator strap and retails for about $5550.00. The all-stainless steel model has a white dial with gold Arabic numerals, markers, and hour hands, with a blue seconds hand and retails for about $6600.00.

17. Oris Herzog Loibner Edition

This wristwatch is limited to a production of 250 pieces. The unique attribute of the timepiece is that the case is constructed of bronze (with a stainless steel case back) and the bezel is set with 50 black diamonds weighing 1.5 carats. The black diamond bezel complements the dark brown dial which has a date window at the six o’clock position and hands and indexes treated with SuperLumiNova. The black leather strap with a bronze buckle completes the distinctive appearance of this limited edition.

The watch has a bronze screw-in crown and is water-resistant to 100 meters. The Oris caliber 733 automatic self-winding movement vibrates at 28,800 Vph. It has 26 jewels and a power reserve of 38 hours. A domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inside protects the watch from scratches. The approximate retail price of this watch is $3400.00.

18. Rolex Day Date (President Model)

The Rolex President is one of the most iconic models of the Rolex brand. The watch was first launched in 1956 and was the first waterproof self-winding chronometer to indicate the day of the week in 26 languages. The watch got its name when then-U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson was photographed wearing one on his wrist.

Rolex, possessing the marketing genius they are known for, began running ads with the tagline “The president’s watch.” And as they say, the rest is history. This model is easily one of the most recognizable Swiss luxury watches in the world. The watch features a day display at the twelve o’clock position as well as a day window at the three positions.

The date is magnified by the cyclops window that is part of the sapphire crystal. The oyster case is comprised of a screw-down case back and bezel, and a screw-down Twinlock crown. The in-house caliber 3255 automatic self-winding movements is a COSC-certified chronometer and accurate to -2/+2 seconds per day.

The movement features a blue parachrom hairspring, a Rolex “Chronergy” escapement protecting the movement from magnetic forces, and a power reserve of 70 hours. The President is only available in either 18-carat white or yellow gold, 950 platinum, or 18 Carat “Everose” gold and will set you back at least $33,950.00. depending upon the model.

19. Grand Seiko Heritage Collection (SBGW291)

This watch is 36.5mm in diameter and I have included it because of the quality of the timepiece and the almost negligible .5mm. increase in diameter. The case is made of stainless steel and has a screw-down case back. The crystal is antireflective on the inner surface and protects the clean and uncluttered simplicity of the silver dial which also has silver markers and hands.

The caliber 9S64 manual wind movement is one of Grand Seiko’s in-house creations and offers an accuracy of +10/-1 seconds per day. The movement has 24 jewels and a power reserve of 72 hours. It is water resistant to 100 meters. With a black crocodile strap, the watch has an approximate retail price of $5200.00.

20. Nomos Glashutte Ahoi Neomatik

Nomos watches are manufactured in Germany and are highly esteemed for their mechanical movements. This watch is constructed of stainless steel with a sapphire glass back that is fixed with six screws. The watch is thin and stands at 9.6mm. on the wrist. It also features a screw crown and a crown guard contributing to its water resistance of 200 meters.

The front has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The automatic self-winding in-house caliber DUW3001 movement has 27 jewels and a power reserve of 43 hours. The escapement is the exclusively created Nomos swing system and is visible through the back glass. The beautifully appointed dial is galvanized, white silver plated, and has hour indexes filled with SuperLumiNova.

The rhodium-plated hands are inlaid with light blue SuperLumiNova. There is a seconds dial at the twelve o’clock position and is accented with a neon orange seconds hand. There are Arabic numerals at the 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 o’clock positions. Completing the watch is a textile strap with a square stainless steel winged clasp. This model is also available with either a siren red, siren white, siren blue, or Atlantic-colored dial and retails for approximately $4020.00.

Final Thoughts…Beyond The Twenty

As I mentioned earlier in this article, there are a number of watches available today that either did not make the list because they were not 36mm. in diameter or were specifically marketed as women’s styles on their company’s websites. There are quite a few other choices at 35mm. and 37mm. The following suggestions are for consideration and worth pursuing if you are not put off by purchasing what has been characterized as a “ladies’ watch” that might look equally as well on a man’s wrist.

Except for the Breitling, these models have been included because they represent some of the finest Swiss watch manufacturers that do not currently offer a gents watch in a 36mm. case in their collections.

1. Girard Perragaux 1966 $9300.00 w/strap, $10,200.00 w/ stainless steel bracelet
2. Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon $10,800.00.
3. Patek Phillipe 7040/250G-001 Price available upon request
4. Piaget Polo Date Watch (rose gold case, diamond bezel) $38,500,00.
5. Breitling Chronomat Automatic 36 $4850.00 w/ stainless steel bracelet

All prices approximate in U.S. dollars