If you're keen on building a watch collection that's going to stand the test of time, stainless steel watches are the way to go. They are the best type of everyday watch, and keepers for life – their sturdiness goes a long way.
Sporting the most superlative diamond-studded dainty dress watch with a leather strap ain't screaming stormproof, but in the business of our day-to-day lives, steel watches are the friend we need to prevent the inevitability of wear and tear.
So if you’re just starting your collection, or looking to add another steel-cased, here is a lovely run down of our favourite steel watches.
If you’re looking for a little finesse without straying too far from home, opt for Zero West’s Flying Scotsman 2, a British-owned brand that takes cues from the famous clock on platform 8 at London's Kings Cross Station. This locomotive-inspired timepiece uses re-engineered material from the actual Flying Scotsman 2 train in a 41mm steel billet machined and polished case. A totem of design and engineering by all accounts. £3,600. At zerowest.watch
You can’t go wrong with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Designed for those who "see the world as having boundless possibilities”, the Rolex OP will see you through thick and thin, whether that’s sitting at a desk from 9 to 5 or doing backflips off a yacht into the ocean. It's developed in Rolex’s very own Oystersteel, meaning extreme resistance with exceptional sheen. Call it style and substance in tandem. £5,500. At rolex.com
The Speedmaster is a proper steelmaster. Omega’s 42mm steel-on-steel approach to timekeeping puts the lustre in luxury with this 316L make-up. It's the superior option for withstanding high corrosion. And remember, the Omega Speedmaster was good enough to take to the moon, so a lifetime on Earth should be no problem. £6,600. At omegawatches.com
We’re seeing a Piaget revival right now, particularly in the vintage sector. But modern-day models boast greater reliability, so if you’re looking to pair the elegance of Piaget’s bejewelled past with the guarantee of state-of-the-art robustness, Piaget’s Polo Steel Date watch is screaming out your name. And if you want fancy, there's a more bling version that has 36 brilliant-cut diamonds protected by the valour of strong stainless steel. £12,900. At piaget.com
There’s one for every occasion but when harking back to a watch's OG intentions, many are all about expeditions and survival. The Khaki Field Expedition 41mm is set for all-terrain, has a compass design, and is steel with a matching bracelet for extra vigour. When the going gets tough, the Khaki Field Expedition is there for you. £1,035. At hamiltonwatch.com
If you view Chopard as a jewellery brand rather than a watch brand, you’d be wrong. The Alpine Eagle 41, aesthetically and technically, is a testament to tough timekeeping at no cost of beauty. With an electric green dial, it promises assertive sports-chic in the Maison’s own material, Chopard Lucent Steel, proven to be 50 per cent harder than other steel. £14,200. At chopard.com
As Bremont ushers in a new era under the direction of CEO Davide Cerrato, the all-new S302 is one to add to any steel-lovers collection. Separating itself from the entourage of 316L watchmakers, Bremont coined its own material with a 40mm stainless steel Bremont Trip-Tick case – hardened steel, aluminium or titanium depending on the model, and a steel caseback. Virtually three metals for the price of one. You get the added bonus of GMT functionality, extreme legibility, and an excellent colour spectrum. £3,250. At bremont.com
40mm of hunky stainless steel. The IWC Ingenieur holds a rich history in combating wrists exposed to strong magnetic fields. As such, it’s seen numerous efforts to protect the watch's time-telling capabilities (kudos to Gerald Genta of course), and today boasts an inner-iron case to withstand such pressures, all in the home of stainless steel – that, and an epic patterned dial with luminescence. £10,500. At iwc.com
If you’re going to fling yourself into the depths of the oceans, do so with a Doxa strapped to you. Specifically its Sub 300β sports watch, now redesigned in a bold 42.5mm. One thing you can always count on, outside of Doxa’s functionality, is a gripping dial in vibrant hues. Paired with a beads of rice bracelet (the watch industry’s best technical term), its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and sturdy composure means you can dive up to 300 metres, should you so wish, in safety and style. £2,190. At doxawatches.com
For those unfamiliar, Baltic is a French watchmaker with a stellar collection of vintage-inspired, relatively affordable watches. Why buy the most expensive watch when there's a better-looking cheaper one? Like this Tricompax Panda, riffing on an enamoured industry style, the Panda watch (the dial reveals all), in a 316L steel case, and a whopping 47mm from lug to lug for those who prefer a dominant model on the wrist. €1,645. At baltic-watches.com
