The Best Diamond Watches for Men

Although men’s diamond watches were once a niche segment of the luxury market, these dazzling timepieces have become much more mainstream in recent years. From high-profile celebrities and serious watch connoisseurs to casual watch enthusiasts, there’s been a noticeable uptick in men’s watches with diamonds. In turn, more high-end watchmakers are offering a larger selection of men’s diamond watches for sale — and we’ll show you some of our favorites.

The beauty of this particular corner of the watch space is variety: depending on what you like, you can go with a few subtle diamond hour markers on the dial, a ring of precious gems set into the bezel, or opt for the full pavé treatment. Regardless of which one speaks to your taste, there’s plenty to choose from. With that in mind, here’s our roundup of some of the best men’s diamond watches for your viewing pleasure, including a piece unique — because rare is what we do.

Rolex Diamond Day-Date 40

Rolex is known for its large variety of gem-set models, including a range of men’s models. One of the best men’s Rolex diamond watch models has got to be the Day-Date, affectionately known as the President or Presidential. The Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. 228349RBR is especially striking, featuring a white gold 40mm case, diamond-set bezel, diamond-paved dial, and white gold President bracelet.

The diamond pavé dial, with the customary date and day windows positioned at 3 and 12 o’clock, respectively, is also home to eight baguette-cut diamonds and 2 baguette-cut sapphires for hour markers, adding extra icing on an already very icy cake. This ice doesn’t come cheap: the 2023 retail price of ref. 228349RBR is $81,800.

More on the Day-Date
How Much Does a Rolex Day-Date Cost? The Ultimate Rolex Day Date Price Guide
Slate Ombré Rolex Day-Date 40 Unveiled during 2024 Oscars
The Best Rolex Day-Date Alternative Watches

Rolex Diamond Daytona

From Rolex’s dressiest watch, we now go to the other side of the spectrum to look at one of its sportiest — the Daytona. The Daytona is one of Rolex’s most versatile collections, offered in many materials, colors, and dials. Our pick for a diamond Daytona is more subtle in the gems department one than the Day-Date listed above.

We’d recommend a Rolex Daytona ref. 116508 with an 18k yellow gold case, bezel, and bracelet with a black dial punctuated with eight diamond hour markers. The full gold construction of the watch is flashy enough and the smattering of diamonds on the dark dial adds just a little something extra. It’s a fantastic men’s diamond Rolex watch that doesn’t go over the top.

More on the Rolex Daytona:
Rolex Daytona Price & Buying Guide
The Rare and Cheerful Rolex Daytona Beach Collection
Rolex Surprises Everyone with New Daytona Le Mans Watch
Best Rolex Daytona Alternatives

Rolex Diamond Yacht-Master 42

If you want a men’s diamond Rolex sports watch that does go over the top, then meet the off-catalog Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226679TBR. This ultra-lavish gem-set Rolex combines an 18k white gold 42mm case with diamond-set lugs, bezel, and dial.

The diamond-paved dial is still home to lume-filled hour markers, a luminous Mercedes-style handset, and a magnified date window that are customary of the Yacht-Master, but this time they’re surrounded by a sparkling sea of diamonds. Contrasting starkly with the precious nature of the diamonds is the Yacht-Master’s sporty black rubber Oysterflex bracelet, which is only found on gold Rolex watches. The 226679TBR is certainly among the most expensive Rolex watches released in recent years.

Cartier Diamond Roadster

Cartier may have discontinued its car-inspired Roadster model years ago, but this sporty tonneau-shaped watch remains a favorite in the secondary market. And given that Cartier was first a jeweler before a watchmaker, you know that any of its gem-set watches will be exquisitely executed.

Take this gem-set Roadster XL Chronograph ref. WE50032H, which is a men’s Cartier diamond watch that you don’t often see out in the wild. Its generously sized 47.6mm X 42.8mm tonneau-shaped case is almost entirely set with diamonds, including the lugs, bezel, case sides, and crown — only the pair of chronograph pushers and exposed lug screws are left untouched.

The dial is typical Cartier, complete with black Roman numerals, sword-shaped hands, and a secret signature embedded into the VII. However, the diamond Cartier Roadster also leans into its automotive theme with speedometer-like chronograph counters and an exaggerated date lens that mimics a windshield.

Other Cartier Watch Guides
The Best Entry-Level Cartier Watches
Do Cartier Watches Hold Value?
How to Sell a Cartier Watch

Audemars Piguet Diamond Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked

Now here’s a men’s diamond watch that will turn heads — the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked (ref. 15417BC), blanketed almost entirely with baguette diamonds. The Royal Oak silhouette is legendary in the watch space; it’s consistent in terms of case, bezel, and bracelet shape while also endlessly versatile thanks to all the variations that AP makes.

This particularly lavish version is crafted in 18k white gold, set with 436 baguette diamonds from its 41mm case to its eight-sided bezel to its integrated bracelet. But the fun doesn’t stop there; the skeletonized dial shows off the stunning open-worked double balance wheel mechanism inside the watch. This is a men’s diamond watch that marries opulent gemstones and mechanical mastery.

More on Audemars Piguet:
How Much Does An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Cost?
Guide to Audemars Piguet Nicknames
Audemars Piguet Just Dropped the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Spider-Man
Guide to Audemars Piguet Rainbow Models

Jaeger-LeCoultre Diamond Master Minute Repeater

In 2005, Jaeger-LeCoultre released its first minute repeater watches with gongs that strike crystal (instead of metal) for better sound quality, and has continued to make them since. One example is this gorgeous Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Minute Repeater (ref. Q1642425) in pink gold with a diamond-set bezel and skeletonized dial.

While the star of the show is undoubtedly the intricate mechanical movement visible via the skeletonized ruthenium dial (not to mention the beautiful chimes the watch makes when the repeater is activated), the 44mm pink gold case does benefit from a diamond-set bezel framing the dial too — almost like those lightbulb studded vanity mirrors made famous by Hollywood stars.

Back to Basics: What is a Minute Repeater Watch?

Omega De Ville Diamond Tourbillon Watch

While Omega may not be the first watch brand that comes to mind when thinking about a tourbillon, the company was a pioneer in the field by putting a tourbillon in a wristwatch back in 1947. Fast-forward a few decades and what we have is this incredible Omega De Ville Tourbillon (5946.30.31) featuring a 38.7mm platinum case set with baguette diamonds in the bezel.

The elaborately decorated automatic Caliber 2633 that powers the watch is the world’s first central tourbillon movement, which of course Omega made visible via a sapphire crystal dial. If you look closely at said dial, you’ll see a pair of superimposed sapphire disks where the hour and minutes hands are etched. Plus, the seconds hand, fashioned to look like the Omega symbol, is fixed to the tourbillon cage. A limited edition men’s diamond timepiece, the De Ville Tourbillon is a serious piece of high horology.

Back to Basics: What is a Tourbillon Watch?

Patek Philippe 6104G Diamond Celestial Watch

A fascinating Patek Philippe grand complication watch, the Celestial 6104G maps out the exact configuration of the northern hemisphere night sky right there on your wrist. The expansive dial is housed inside a 44mm white gold case, which is then embellished with 38 baguette diamonds in the bezel. There are a further 22 baguette diamonds set into the white gold clasp.

The back of the watch offers a view of the 240 LU CL C movement that makes all this mechanical magic happen, complete with the 22k gold micro-rotor. Whether looking at the watch from the front or back, this diamond Patek Philippe Celestial is a grand complication watch that commands attention.

Breguet Diamond Classique Chronograph 5238

Breguet may be best known for its line of very traditional quiet luxury stealth wealth timepieces or sporty pilot chronographs but the brand also excels at gem-setting. One look at Breguet’s collection of high-jewelry watches, and you’ll see that the company does not mess around when it comes to diamonds.

Take for example this Breguet Diamond Classique Chronograph ref. 5238 with a white gold 40.3mm case paved with 98 baguette diamonds on the bezel and lugs. Taking our eyes eyes off the scintillating case for a moment, note the spectacular hand-engraved manual-winding Caliber 533 SQ movement peeking through the skeletonized dial. There’s nothing quiet about this men’s diamond Breguet chronograph.

Girard Perregaux Diamond La Esmeralda Tourbillon

Too much? Maybe. But if you want a men’s diamond watch that glistens like a chandelier, then feast your eyes on this one-of-a-kind (yes, one-of-one) Girard Perregaux La Esmeralda Tourbillon.

First, there’s the striking movement architecture prominently displayed on the dial, inspired by the celebrated 1889 La Esmeralda Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges pocket watch. Then there’s the full rose gold construction of the watch. And finally, the pièce de résistance, the abundance of baguette diamonds that pave the case, bezel, and bracelet of the watch. You want flashy? Here it is.

Famous Men Who Wear Diamond Watches

If you decide to wear a men’s diamond watch, you’ll be in the company of some high-profile collectors. Celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg, John Mayer, Kevin Hart, Jay-Z, Maluma, Ed Sheeran, Ronaldo, Corey Gamble, and LeBron James are often seen sporting diamond watches — the factory kinds, of course.

Diamond Rolex watches such as the Rainbow Daytona, off-catalog SARU and SANU GMT-Master II watches, and sparkling Day-Dates are popular choices among them. But there are also plenty of diamond Patek Philippe watches and diamond Audemars Piguet watches on show too. And lest we forget Floyd Mayweather’s Jacob & Co. Billionaire Watch.

From a small splash of gems to blankets of stones, men’s diamond watches are statement-making timepieces that are here to stay.

Other Style Guides by Grey Market Magazine
Quiet Luxury: Stealth Wealth Watches Edition
The Rebirth of the Men’s Dress Watch
Is Cartier Leading the Return of Small Watches for Men?