The 15 Best Square Watches Available In 2024

Contrary to the shape of the product they so adore, enthusiasts of square watches tend to be anything but. A strain of horological design which over the years has attracted iconoclasts like Andy Warhol and Pierre Cardin, people occasionally make the mistake of thinking that the square watch is antediluvian.

Look through this Buyer’s Guide (consisting of over half a dozen of our enduring favourites) and you’ll soon realise it’s quite the opposite. The Euclidean origins of the square — and its quadrilateral cousin the rectangle — have been pivotal in influencing the highly specific sort of personality who is interested in wearing watches in this shape.

It’s no coincidence that a lot of people who love square watches are equally keen on the visual arts; on fashion; and at a broader remove, pursuits of a creative nature that inspire us to talk about horology in a tenor that isn’t purely mechanical. Turns out Huey Lewis was right: it really is hip to be square.

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BH Approved: The Best Square Watch You Can Buy In Australia (Overall)

Handily the square watch which takes up the biggest chunk of conversation at Boss Hunting HQ, it’s been really edifying to see just how staunchly Hermès has stood by the H08: the Philippe Delhotal-designed collection of “sporty-chic” wristwatches that debuted just two years ago.

Though initially maligned as a mere trinket of fashion (despite the fact that Hermès’ background is one grounded largely in artisanal leather goods — a very different thing) many savvy watch collectors have gradually changed their tune on the H08 models.

Equipped with a date-bearing movement exclusively manufactured for the Maison by Vaucher and a square case in titanium (the proportions of which have been carefully considered) there’s no reason why you wouldn’t choose this over the predictable Tudor or Omega three-hander if you were in the market for something with more je ne sais quoi.

BH co-founder James Want is an avid proponent of the style: having snagged one of the original brushed titanium numbers on orange rubber earlier this year. I believe he described it as “the king” of mechanical square watches, and the H08’s unique look and thoughtful design certainly make it hard to argue with such claims.

I’m personally quite smitten with the updated version, which introduces a blue PVD coating that really highlights the different finishes on the dial.

All Of The Best Square Watches To Add To Your Collection In 2024

$0 – $5,000

Swatch Bioceramic WHAT IF?

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 33.25mm
• Case Thickness: 10.50mm
• Case Material: Bioceramic
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Bio-sourced
• Dial Colour: Various
• Water Resistance: 20m
• Movement: Quartz
• Power Reserve: 100 days

Even discounting the importance of including a variety of watches at affordable price points, Swatch’s latest WHAT IF? releases are a real credit to our list.

Consisting of four integrated bracelet designs in an array of “timeless” and “contemporary” hues, each is fashioned out of the same ‘bioceramic’ material you’ll find in the funky, still-notoriously-popular Moonswatches.

Sure: on occasion, you’ll have to change the battery a few times in the year. But it’s a small price to pay for object design that’s so funky it looks like it’s been transported (via DeLorean) from the year 1982.

G-Shock DW5610SU-8D

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 43.8mm
• Case Thickness: 12.5mm
• Case Material: Resin
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Resin
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 200m
• Movement: Quartz
• Power Reserve: 2 years

Part of Casio’s bestselling family of DW-5600 digital watches, the DW5610 is probably the consummate model most people think of when one utters the phrase “G-Shock”.

Made out of a hyper-dense resin derived from biological matter, this model is exactly what the doctor ordered if your prescription happens to be a square watch that can survive a range of high-octane situations.

And while we have included a handful of traditional complications in a geometric format for the purposes of this list; none come close to giving you as much gadgetry for so few dollars as this.

Stopwatch; alarm; countdown; a calendar that auto-corrects until the year 2099 — we wouldn’t be surprised if this thing also turns into a personal homing beacon.

Apple Watch SE (SMARTWATCH)

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 40mm/44mm
• Case Thickness: 10.7mm
• Case Material: Aluminium
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Various
• Dial Colour: N/A
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: S8
• Power Reserve: 18 hours

Variously billed as the ultimate “entry-level” smartwatch for those new to the world of electronic wearables, we don’t include the Apple Watch SE in this list full of traditional Swiss mechanicals lightly. Underpinned by the same ultra-fast S8 chipset present in Apple’s Series watches, the SE gives wearers a host of features synonymous with those more premium offerings — notwithstanding the latter’s advanced health sensors (e.g. EKG and on-demand blood oxygen monitoring).

A fantastic means of noncommittally dipping one’s toe into the smartwatch pond; you still get a majority of the features that have won the current crop of Apple Watches such a wide following. Running metrics; a revamped Compass app; the new low-power model; and to top everything else off, compatibility with the full range of bracelets/bands. How good.

Longines Dolcevita

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 27.7mm x 43.8mm
• Case Thickness: 10.1mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Alligator
• Dial Colour: Silver
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: L592
• Power Reserve: 45 hours

A vertical of traditional mechanical watchmaking that Longines has always seemed hellbent on targeting towards women, the Dolcevita (in English, “sweet life”) is so much more than the storied heritage brand’s riff on the ubiquitous rectangular wristwatch.

Much like Cartier’s legendary Tank Cintrée — the infamous standard bearer for rectangular watches — the Dolcevita is loosely inspired by Art-Deco design; utilising motifs like the sector dial or chemin de fer style minute track in order to convey a rather classic sensibility.

Of course, this being a Swatch Group joint, the tech’s solid too. The latest batch of men’s Dolcevita references is equipped with an automatic movement (45-hour power reserve) and a beat rate that’s highly impressive too.

NOMOS Glashütte Tetra Reference 427

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 29.5mm
• Case Thickness: 6.3mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Stainless steel
• Dial Colour: Rhodium and pink
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Alpha manual-wind
• Power Reserve: 43 hours

NOMOS’ geometric flagship, the ‘Tetra’ epitomises everything we love about the independent German watchmaker’s approach to square watchmaking.

There’s the hand-wound Alpha calibre (built from scratch by NOMOS in-house); the functionally beautiful Bauhaus design language; and, in the case of this Ref. 427, a fun pop of colour that highlights the lacquer work in the small seconds.

Classic and thoroughly modern all at the same time; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better square watch at this very achievable price point.

Rado True Square Automatic Skeleton

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 38mm
• Case Thickness: 9.7mm
• Case Material: Ceramic
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Ceramic and titanium
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 50m
• Movement: Calibre 03.808.031
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

A new addition to Rado’s popular ‘True Square’ collection, this self-winding skeletonised number delivers performance that even outpaces watches at twice the price.

Cased up in 38mm of high-tech ceramic (in a perfect 1:1 ratio) Rado’s Automatic Skeleton leans into the futuristic connotations of watchmaking squared; with a multi-level movement suspended on the wearer’s wrist by two gold-on-black bridges.

An 80-hour power reserve makes this a dependable workweek beater; but really, we can see enthusiasts of shape watches rocking this 24/7.

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$5,001 – $15,000

Bell & Ross 03-93 GMT Blue

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Case Thickness: 10.9mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bezel Material: Aluminium
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Calfskin or black synthetic
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: BR-CAL 303
• Power Reserve: 42 hours

Built around Bell & Ross’ characteristic ‘circle in a square’ motif, this variation of the brand’s best-selling BR 03 family of pilot’s watches takes things out of the cockpit and into the business class cabin — courtesy of the GMT complication.

More subtle and refined than a certain infamous Pepsi-themed travel watch, the 03-93 adds a dab of colour to what was already a practical and intuitive design. Between that, the 10 bars of water resistance and Bell & Ross’ clever choice to bundle this with two fabric and leather straps; this gets our co-sign as the ‘best adventuring watch’ on our list.

Piaget ‘Tiger’s Eye’ (VINTAGE)

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 34mm
• Case Thickness: N/A
• Case Material: 18K yellow gold
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Alligator leather
• Dial Colour: Tiger’s Eye
• Water Resistance: Nil
• Movement: Calibre 9P
• Power Reserve: 36 hours

Short of adding $100,000+ Patek Philippe Beta 21s to our list, it’s always good to have a little historical variety in these kinds of Buyer’s Guides. Enter Piaget, circa 1970.

The venerable watch & jewellery Maison (best known nowadays for the sporty Polo collection) was quite the prolific maker of extravagant square watches back in the day. Case in point: this yellow gold number, fitted with a chatoyant (Tiger’s Eye) stone dial.

The sole vintage inclusion on our list, this piece is in exemplary condition for its age. Powered by Piaget’s then-groundbreaking Calibre 9P, it certainly isn’t as durable as the modern watches offered by the brand — note the absence of a sapphire crystal — but therein lies part of the charm.

A great statement piece to trot out on special occasions.

Ralph Lauren 867

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 32mm
• Case Thickness: 5.7mm
• Case Material: Sterling silver
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Alligator
• Dial Colour: White
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Calibre 430P
• Power Reserve: 43 hours

Before you say anything: no, we haven’t gone mad (despite the fact that I’m actively recommending a 5-figure watch made by a fashion brand).

Inspired by the iconic Ralph Lauren flagship store at No. 867 Madison Avenue, the US brand’s signature square watch is inspired by the same strain of Art-Deco design that you’ll find in Lauren’s own clothing lines.

Technically an overhaul of the original 867 collection (launched back in 2009) the new 867 watches are now available in two perfectly square formats — the larger of which tops out at 32mm x 32mm. Made with thoughtful details such as sterling silver cases and a sapphire crystal that is intentionally convex, this is one to wear with your go-to blazer or a beautiful tuxedo.

TAG Heuer Monaco Titanium Special Edition

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 39mm
• Case Thickness: 14.3mm
• Case Material: DLC titanium
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Alligator
• Dial Colour: Black
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Heuer 02
• Power Reserve: 80 hours

An iconic design for Heuer during the pre and indeed post-TAG era, we’d put good money on the TAG Heuer Monaco being the most acclaimed square watch full stop to grace our Buyer’s Guide.

Considered a groundbreaking chronograph when it was first introduced in 1969 — in part due to its notable cameo on the wrist of Steve McQueen in Le Mans — TAG Heuer’s modern iteration of the Monaco comes in all sorts of flavours.

Between the skeletal variations and throwback-inspired colourways, my favourite still remains this Vader-esque number with a black DLC coating. The 39mm titanium case has inimitable appeal on the wrist; and allied to TAG’s in-house chronograph movement offers excellent daily wearability.

$15,001 – $50,000

Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 14.1m
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Rubber
• Dial Colour: Green
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Calibre 37-02
• Power Reserve: 70 hours

An under-the-radar choice (even by the standards of square watch wearers) the Panorama brings together numerous features of the traditional round chronograph in an interesting, retro-inspired silhouette.

Glashütte Original has produced it with an array of dial options over the years — ranging from a perennially stylish blue to electric orange — but we’ve always been big fans of the ‘fab’ green variation.

Executed with a gradient effect, this Seventies absolutely looks the business on rubber; with the traditional Saxonian ‘large date’ and panoramic chronograph register (hence the name) gelling stylishly with the surrounding dial furniture.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Small Seconds

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 47mm x 28.3mm
• Case Thickness: 10.3mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Casa Fagliano calfskin
• Dial Colour: Blue
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Calibre 854A
• Power Reserve: 42 hours

Inarguably the most classic style of rectangular dress watch you’ll find on this list, the Reverso is a best-in-class design object, collectible, and platform for complications all rolled into one.

Rather than pointing out the bleedingly obvious (i.e. recommending you buy one of the brand’s monoface ‘Tribute’ models) we’ve instead opted to point you in the direction of its two-faced sibling.

Aptly named the ‘Duoface’, these variations represent a slightly unconventional take on the GMT watch. Flip the main dial over and on the reverse side, you’ll find a display providing the time in a secondary location (complete with a sub-dial that indicates whether home time is in the ‘AM’ and ‘PM’).

Personally, one of my favourite pieces to be included in our Buyer’s Guide; this Reverso’s only arguable shortcoming is the size of its movement. The integration of a second time zone brings the total thickness to 10.5mm (admittedly not that much chunkier than two HB pencils).

Santos de Cartier Skeleton

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 39.7mm
• Case Thickness: 9.08mm
• Case Material: ADLC steel
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Alligator
• Dial Colour: Grey
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Calibre 4400AS
• Power Reserve: 72 hours

A legendary design from the ‘King of Jewellers’, the Santos de Cartier famously lays claim to the title of the world’s first pilot’s watch.

Regardless of the truth in that statement, it’s undeniable just how impactful the design has been at Cartier in recent years.

The square shape’s historical origins (inspired by Brazilian aeronaut Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed a replacement for his pocket watch) have spawned a number of vintage-themed releases; yet we’re equally big advocates of the modern skeletonised version — a watch that confirms the original design’s viability in a new century.

Nicknamed the ‘Noctambule’, all of the movement bridges visible on the dial of this Cartier Santos have been treated with lume. Under cover of darkness, the resulting fluorescence is quite the sight: vividly aided by the surrounding carbon casing.

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$50,001+

Cartier Tank Chinoise

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 39.49mm
• Case Thickness: 6.09mm
• Case Material: 950 Platinum
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Alligator
• Dial Colour: Grey
• Water Resistance: 100m
• Movement: Calibre 430MC
• Power Reserve: 36 hours

Widely regarded as the master of shape watches (whether you’re talkin’ oblong, asymmetric or square case designs), it surely comes as no surprise that we’re including not one, but two timepieces from Cartier in our shortlist.

Steeped in a chinoiserie aesthetic which was all the rage in mid-20th century America, the raised bars above and below the Tank Chinoise’s case are meant to evoke the cantilevered rooves of Chinese temples.

Although the original Chinoise made its debut in 1922 (and then again in 2004, under the auspices of the Cartier Privé collection) these latest versions fold in a few key subtle differences from their historical predecessors. Note: the blued sword hands and elongated rectangular shape.

Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921

SPECIFICATIONS

• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Case Thickness: 8.06mm
• Case Material: Pink gold
• Bezel Material: N/A
• Bracelet/Strap Material: Alligator
• Dial Colour: Cream
• Water Resistance: 30m
• Movement: Calibre 4400AS
• Power Reserve: 65 hours

Inimitable, idiosyncratic and most definitely an icon in the making, Vacheron Constantin’s vintage-inspired American 1921 is the heaviest hitter in our line-up of the best square watches for 2024.

It’s been in the Holy Trinity brand’s stable of ‘Historiques’ timepieces for a few years now (available in the various expected strains of precious metal) but really, our pick of the litter has to be the pink gold variation in a versatile 40mm square.

Inspired by the historic pursuit of motoring (a by-product of the economic boom of the Roaring 20s) the American 1921’s signature feature is its off-kilter dial. Realised within the contours of a polished gold case, itself embellished by Vacheron’s hand-wound calibre 4400AS movement, this is a watch that all but demands a beautiful, naturally aspirated GT to go with it.

Best Square Watches — Frequently Asked Questions