The 5 best black watches of 2026 (so far)

Monochrome always has been and always will be one of the easiest ways to make something look effortlessly cool when it comes to fashion. Fortunately, the same thing can certainly be said when it comes to watch.

You don't need a dress watch to look classy. Any watch that's all in the same shade can look luxe when styled right. An all-black watch is classically minimal and endlessly versatile as a result.

We've rounded up the best black watches released this year so far—read on for our pick of the top five.

Bremont Altitude MB Meteor 'Felix the Cat'

Who said an all-black watch can't be a playful one? This pilot's watch, limited to just 500 pieces, pays tribute to both Bremont's and the character's military histories. We think the Felix artwork in gunmetal grey is a brilliant touch that adds a little spark to an already terrific military piece.

Seiko Selection S SBPY187

Another classic chronograph, the Seiko Selection S SBPY187 is part of a new collection from the watchmaker upgrading its S Series catalog—and it's the most premium of the bunch.

With a full black coating on the case and bracelet for increased surface scratch resistance, it's a little hardier than the others, while still retaining all the notable features such as a 60-minute chronograph, a 24-hour sundial, and a date display at the 4:30 position.

Citizen AT2137-50E

A classic Citizen sports chronograph, this gorgeous timepiece is built on a black-cased stainless steel, powered by the Citizen H500 Eco-Drive calibre. Though it comes with a 43mm width, it has a slimmer 11.2mm profile, so it's still unintrusive enough to be a daily watch.

This gold-accented beauty is currently exclusive to Vietnam, but we're hoping it'll soon be taken overseas.

Marathon 36mm Anthracite MSAR Automatic

Sometimes all-black isn't just a fashion choice—it's a functional one. Such is the case with Marathon's Anthracite line, a range of military watches designed for stealth and a tactical advantage during night missions. It's just a brilliant coincidence that they all look fantastic, too.

The Marathon 36mm MSAR is the smallest of the bunch, in a slightly trendier size than the others, which could be a little bulky for some. It features durable black ion-plated armor on a stainless steel case, and an automatic movement with a coating built especially for durability.

Casio W-221H-1BV

If you like the all-black look but aren't exactly looking for a dressy watch, then this simple and practical Casio with a distinctly angular square design might just be the one for you.

Functionally, it's got everything you need for everyday use: a large LCD layout, 10-year battery life, a 1/100-second stopwatch, and 50-meter water resistance.