Sleek and Smart: 7 of the Best Watches for Young Professionals

In the world of work, professional settings and endless meetings where timeliness is a value to be upheld, the right watch can be the perfect ally. Aside from that, adding an appropriate and neat timepiece to your daily work outfit can add a bit of pizzazz to an otherwise mundane outfit without overdoing it.

So, how do you choose the best watch for professional settings? First, simplicity. Second, make sure the watch is functional. What does this mean? As young professionals, there may still be work late into the night. For example, it's best to then choose a design that lets you read the time as easily as possible during the day and even more when the dark comes.

Read on to find out more about the importance of choosing a watch fit for professional settings and a list of recommendations for timepieces that fit the ‘work’ requirement.

Importance of a Watch for Professional Settings

Impression matters. This is especially true when you are a fledgling in the corporate environment. Aside from presenting yourself in a stylish, neat, and confident manner, gearing an amazing timepiece exudes a meaning that you respect the time of your colleagues and the people you need to persuade. This is where the best watch for professionals comes in.

Furthermore, having a beautiful watch to accompany you at work can bring you little pleasantness when gazing at the finesse you may need during hectic working hours. 

7 of the Best Watches for Professionals 

I know. As a young professional in your beginning career years, your budget for a worthy timepiece may be limited. Don’t worry. A great watch does not need to be expensive. I have rounded up the best watches for professionals in this list based on a few criteria fitting for the young ones out there: simplicity, quality, and affordability (less than 1.500 USD).

I have searched around with the requirements in mind and rounded up below 7 of the very best watches to consider wearing for professional settings:

Hamilton American Classic Intra Matic Auto

This watch is the epitome of understated elegance - a perfect choice for the minimalistic young professionals out there. The Hamilton American Classic Intra Matic Auto Ref. H384755151 features a leather strap and retro-looking dial strapped bare of any accessories aside from the essentials - indices, hands, day-date window, and the brand signature.

Now onto the beautiful case, its stainless steel and coated gold PVD. Additionally, this watch features a polished gold bezel and on the side is a stylish screw-down crown stamped with the iconic H for Hamilton.  It’s also the perfect size for your business attire with its 38mm case size.

Next, this Hamilton American Classic runs from a Caliber 2892-A2, a 21 jewel movement which can be seen from its open back case decorated with the Hamilton signature. Furthermore, the automatic movement allows for hacking during winding and time-setting, adjusting dates can also be done independently. 

This first recommended piece on the list of best watches for professionals is priced mid-range around 906 USD.

Orient EVS0S004B Men’s Union Automatic 

Next the best watch for professionals on the list comes from the infamous Orient. The Orient EVS0S004B is an automatic watch with striking blue hands. Aside from that, the watch features a 41mm case, a beautifully textured dial, and a crocodile strap. For a better reading experience, the dial has also included a window for the date and another for the day.

This stainless steel cased watch can also resist up to 50 m of water. Furthermore, the watch runs from the powerful Caliber 46E40. With a price tag of around $300 USD, its elegant yet stylish look makes this timepiece perfectly worth considering for young professionals.

Read also: How to Clean a Stainless Steel Watch with Proper Care

Tissot Classic Dream Lady

The next best watch for professionals is for women, the Tissot Classic Dream Lady Ref. T1T292101105300.  Fully embodied in stainless steel as seen from the case and strap material, this timepiece also features roman hour marking, a polished black dial, and an aperture for the day date. A classic and sophisticated watch befitting young professionals.

Powered by an ETA Swiss Quartz Movement with a model of 805.112, of dependable and reliable quality. Furthermore, the quartz aspect would mean that you can always trust the Tissot Classic Dream Lady to provide you with the most accurate time. Lastly, the price tag of 450 USD makes this a dependable choice to complement your business outings.

Citizen Men’s Corso 

The Men’s BM7100-59E Corso Dress comes from the infamous Japanese brand, Citizen is sure to add elegance to your wrist. Its incandescent exterior and strong build make this timepiece long-lasting wear and befitting to note on the list of best watches for professionals.

Furthermore, this watch comes from the well-known Citizen Corso series, an assembly of chic dress pieces complimenting smart business casual to formal attires. It is also one of the most affordable watches on the list coming at around 300 USD.

In regards to the price tag, I do think that the quality and design of this particular piece exceed it. Powered by Citizens’ renowned Eco-Drive technology and the Caliber E111 movement, this means that the watch runs on any light source. It also features a polished bezel, 41 mm stainless steel case with a dial sporting indices, hand, and sapphire crystal.

Seiko Alpinist Ref. SBDC091

A list of sleek and smart timepieces cannot be complete without featuring a watch from Seiko. I have chosen the Seiko Alpinist Ref. SBDC091 due to its daring yet classic and minimal look. This watch is also a newer rendition of the infamous Seiko Alpinist Ref. SARB017. 

Looking at the design, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that it is supported by hardy machinery initially constructed for mountain adventurers. Diving deeper into the design of this timepiece, it features a brushed bezel of 39.5 mm, stainless steel case, and a dark forest green dial with gold-coated hour markings.

While the old Seiko Alpinist SARB017 used a 6R15 movement produced in 2005, this timepiece upgraded its movement to the ever-powerful 6R35. This means that with a price tag of around 700 USD, you now have 70 rather than 50 hours of power reserve. A helpful and dandy timepiece for the daily work setting.

Baume & Mercier Classima

The next on the list of best watches for professionals is the Swiss-manufactured, Baume & Mercier Classima. Seen from first glance, the watch exudes a fine air of confidence, class yet remaining subtle.

Some prominent features include the minimal dial with thinly painted roman marking hours, tints of blue hour hands, and a slight vertically patterned circle on the center. With a stainless steel case size of 40 mm, sturdy sapphire crystal, and the ever-dependable Sellita movement, this Classima timepiece is one watch that can’t be missed to wear to work.

This is one of the high-end watches on the list of best watches for professionals aimed at the youth, priced at around $1.000. But, its stunning design and enduring quality will mean that this timepiece is an investment in itself with the potential of passing it down to your future generations.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer Ref. WAY1111.BA0928

Last, a classic watch for professionals is the Tag Heuer Aquaracer. It's a silver-toned watch with a 40mm case, bezel, and straps made entirely of stainless steel. This makes this particular timepiece appropriate for the meetings, working, and a lunch break of every young professional.

Its clean look is also supported by the white to silver-tone dial, with lume on the hour markings and hands to provide reading reliability even in the dark. Furthermore, the screw-down crown is not the only feature located in its 3 o’clock position, an aperture for the day date is conveniently placed there too.

With a price tag of around $1.500, it makes this timepiece the most expensive on the list. But, the renowned quality associated with the brand alongside the muted silver aesthetic makes this another reliable option on the best watch for professionals.

That summarizes my recommendation of best watches for professionals especially those at the beginning of their careers. Have you found one to your liking? Well, whichever you choose, don’t forget to clean them regularly and store them appropriately to have a long-lasting watch companion.

Some of the pieces mentioned on the list can be found at our online store. Also, do stay tuned to our Gnomon blog to dive deep and gain the latest insights into the world of horology.