Carbon fiber watches are designed to withstand physical abuse and display increased resistance against corrosion, heat, and elements that usually cause damage to gadgets.
This kind of watch not only fits an active lifestyle but also sport a unique look that can be worn on any occasion or kind of fashion.
All these advantages make carbon fiber watches highly attractive to collectors and casual wearers alike.
Luxury watches have integrated the use of carbon fiber in their timepieces, allowing them to create lightweight sports accessories that have the beauty and elegance of their usual collection.
Here are 3 iconic carbon fiber watches to further hype your interest in this kind of timepiece:
Hublot Big Bang King 1770RX
The 48mm Big Bang King has a case and bezel made of ceramic, a sapphire crystal, a rubber strap, and a carbon fiber dial.
The carbon fiber watch features a date window, luminescent hands and markers, and a caliber HUB1400 movement.
Pros:
- Power reserve of up to 42 hours
- Precise timekeeping mechanism
- Excellent lume brightness
- Durable build that can withstand physical abuse
- Water resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Date window is a bit small
- Band is thick
- It’s bulky and not suitable for those with small wrists
IWC Ingenieur Automatic LW322404
The 46mm Ingenieur LW322404 is a luxury carbon fiber watch with a carbon fiber case and dial.
It has a sapphire crystal, a rubber band mixed with nylon, a date display, an exhibition case back, a date window, luminescent hands and markers, and a 28-jewel caliber 80110 automatic movements.
Pros:
- Durable strap and case
- Date is easily visible
- Eye-catching sporty look
- Shock-resistant
- Power reserve of up to 44 hours
- Water resistant up to 120m
Cons:
- Seconds hand is too thin
- Lume brightness
- This is a limited edition timepiece with only 1,000 pieces available, making it a hard find
Richard Mille RM 35-01 Rafael Nadal
The 43mm RM 35-01 Rafael Nadal has a carbon fiber case and bezel, a titanium baseplate, stainless steel screws, a solid case back, a skeleton dial, luminescent hands, and a calibre RMUL3 manual-winding movement.
Pros:
- One-of-a-kind sporty look
- Durable and highly-resistant to stress
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Power reserve of up to 55 hours
- Water resistant up to 50m
Cons:
- Reading time can be a challenge
- No power reserve indicator
- No date window
These are luxury timepieces that combine the best materials possible to give them a distinctive look worthy of the tag price they have.
Not all can afford them, though, so we’ve made a list of the best carbon fiber watches for those on a budget and those who can afford to shell out around a thousand bucks a piece.
The Best Carbon Fiber Watches
Here’s a list of the 30 best carbon fiber watches in the market.
Skmei Analog Quartz
The 48mm carbon fiber watch from SKMEI has a metal case, a black carbon fiber dial, a leather strap, a mineral crystal, a date window, luminescent hands, and an analog quartz movement.
Pros:
- Fashionable carbon fiber watch with an affordable price
- Minimalist design makes time and date easy to read
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Water resistant up to 30m
Cons:
- Date window is too small
- Lume doesn’t last long
- Feels like the watch is made of plastic
Invicta 12860 Pro Diver Chronograph
The 44mm Pro Diver 12860 has a stainless steel case, band, and bezel, a flame fusion crystal, a carbon fiber dial, a magnified date window, two chronograph subdials, a day subdial, luminescent hands and markers, and a Swiss quartz movement.
Pros:
- Magnified date window is easy to read
- Stylish design makes the watch look more expensive than its actual price
- Heavy feel that gives the impression of sturdiness
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Subdial readings are hard to see
- Overall quality isn’t that great
- Bezel has play
Invicta Pro Diver 17257SYB
The 45mm Pro Diver 17257SYB has a stainless steel case, bezel, and band, a carbon fiber dial, a synthetic sapphire crystal, a date window, three chronograph subdials, crown pushers, luminescent hands and markers, and a Japanese quartz movement.
Pros:
- Very affordable despite its expensive look
- Scratch-resistant crystal
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Subdials are hard to read
- Cheap quality band
- Clasp is flimsy
- Bulky and heavy
Guess Casual Silicone Watch U1046G1
The 47mm Guess U1046G1 has a stainless steel case, bezel, and band, a mineral crystal, a carbon dial, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, three chronograph subdials, and a quartz movement.
Its strap has carbon fiber in the middle of the stainless steel material.
Pros:
- A versatile design that can be combined with any kind of fashion
- Lightweight but sturdy
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Condensation build-up may happen on the watch glass
- Subdial readings can be challenging to read
- Band feels cheap
Ferrari World Time Dial Multifunction FE-05-IPB-FC
The 45mm Ferrari FE-05-IPB-FC is a carbon fiber watch with both digital and analog displays.
It has a stainless steel case coated with PVD, a rubber strap, a mineral crystal, a bezel with 24 time zones, luminescent hands and markers, and a quartz movement.
The digital display features an alarm, a day-date function, a 1/100 second chronograph, a timer, and a 24-hour function.
Pros:
- Classy and sporty look suitable for any occasion
- Good lume brightness
- Reading time is easy with the clean design of the watch face
- Water resistant up to 50m
Cons:
- Digital display can be hard to read under direct sunlight
- Setting it up can be challenging
- Bezel has play
Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s “Matt Kenseth Ecosphere Limited Edition” CA4159-03E
The 46mm Matt Kenseth Ecosphere is a solar-powered watch with a stainless steel case and bezel, a polyurethane band, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a yellow-colored tachymeter on the outer rim of the carbon fiber dial, a date window, three chronograph subdials, luminescent hands and markers, and a Japanese quartz movement.
Pros:
- Lightweight but has a very sturdy build
- Unique, sporty look makes it worthy as a collector’s item
- Great lume brightness
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Date window is too small
- Subdial readings can be challenging to read
- Band might be a bit stiff during the first few uses
Michael Kors JetMaster Black MK8455
The 43mm JetMaster Black MK8455 has a carbon fiber case, band, and bezel, a mineral crystal, four chronograph subdials, luminescent hands and markers, and an analog quartz movement.
Pros:
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Very affordable carbon fiber watch
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Subdial readings are hard to read
- Hands seem to camouflage with the weaved pattern of the dial
- Watch face looks cluttered
- Bezel gets scratched easily
Swiss Military Ace Chrono Carbon Fiber
The 44mm Ace Chrono has a stainless steel bezel and case, a carbon fiber dial, a tachymeter bezel, a calfskin leather strap, a sapphire crystal, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, three chronograph subdials, and a quartz movement.
Pros:
- It has a sporty but elegant look
- Multi-function sports watch with an affordable price
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Date is hard to read
- Reading time can be challenging because of the crowded dial
- Lume doesn’t last long
Ancon X 35 Concept III X-35c302 Carbon
The 45mm Concept III Carbon has a carbon fiber case and bezel, a flat sapphire crystal, a rubber strap, a day-night indicator, luminescent hands covered with Superluminova, and a 21-jewel Miyota 82S7 automatic movement.
Pros:
- Lightweight but very durable
- Power reserve of up to 42 hours
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- It may be hard to read the time because of the skeleton watch face
- No date window
- Rubber strap feels cheap
Skywatch Black IP CCI032-A
The 46mm Skywatch CCI032-A has a stainless steel case, a synthetic sapphire crystal, a canvas band, a unidirectional carbon fiber bezel, a date window, three chronograph subdials, luminescent hands and markers, and a 13-jewel Swiss-made Ronda 5030.d quartz movement.
Pros:
- Sleek and sporty look fit to be worn on any occasion
- Accurate timekeeping mechanism
- Great lume brightness
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Subdial readings are hard to see
- Reading the time even in broad daylight can be challenging
- Bezel looks too glossy
Bulova Men’s Precisionist 98B142
The 47mm Precisionist 98B142 has a stainless steel case, a rubber strap, a carbon fiber dial, a curved mineral crystal, a date window, a 24-hour track, luminescent hands and markers, a sweeping seconds hand, and a 262 kHz Japanese quartz movement.
Pros:
- No fogging even in cold weather
- Precise timekeeping mechanism
- Sweeping hand has a fluid movement
- Lightweight but durable
- Water resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- It’s a bit thicker than the average watch size
- Curved crystal reflects light, making it hard to read the time at certain angles
- Rubber strap is of cheap quality
Citizen Eco-Drive Carbon Fiber Chronograph CA0300-50E
The 44mm Eco-Drive CA0300-50E is a solar-powered, carbon fiber watch with a stainless steel case, a unidirectional rotating bezel, a mineral crystal, three chronograph subdials including a 12/24-hour function, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, and a quartz movement.
Its stainless steel bracelet has carbon fiber inserts in the middle.
Pros:
- Excellent lume brightness
- Addition of a carbon fiber inlay on the dial gives the watch a sporty look
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Hands are thin, making it hard to read the time
- You have to expose the watch to sunlight for around 6 hours first
- It’s a bit heavy to wear
Casio G-Shock G Steel Edition GST-B100X-1AJF
The 54mm G-Shock GST-B100X-1AJF is a solar-powered watch with a carbon fiber bezel, a sapphire crystal, a resin band, a date window, a day subdial, a battery level indicator, luminescent hands and markers, and a chronograph quartz movement.
It can be connected to your smartphone for configuring alarms, hand alignments, timers, and accessing the world time function of the watch, making this one of the best multi-functional carbon fiber watches in the market.
Pros:
- Multiple functionalities in an elegant looking watch
- Lightweight and durable
- Excellent lume brightness
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- It’s large and bulky
- Day subdial is hard to read
- Band is a bit stiff to wear
Weil And Harburg Peake Swiss Racing Chronograph
The 47.5mm Peake Chronograph has a carbon fiber dial, a stainless steel case, a tachymeter ring, a pigskin leather strap, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, luminescent hands and markers, a date window, three chronograph subdials, and a Swiss Ronda 5030.D movement.
Pros:
- Excellent lume brightness
- Sporty but versatile look
- Crown pushers are easy to operate
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Date window is small and hard to see
- Subdials are hard to read
- Leather strap feels cheap
Price: $750
Tissot PRS516 Powermatic 80
The 42mm PRS516 Powermatic 80 has a carbon fiber dial and bezel, a stainless steel case coated with PVD, a sapphire crystal, a rubber strap, an exhibition case back, luminescent hands and markers, day and date windows, and a Swiss automatic movement.
Pros:
- Clean face makes it easy for anyone to read the time and the date
- Overall design has a mix of both sporty and classy looks
- Feels heavy and sturdy
- Power reserve of up to 80 hours
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Choice of strap could have been better
- Lume doesn’t last long
- Timekeeping mechanism isn’t that accurate
Luminox 1941-Blk Atacama Field Chronograph
The 45mm Atacama Field Chronograph has a stainless steel case, a carbon fiber dial, a leather strap, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, three chronograph subdials, a date window, luminous hands and markers, crown pushers, and a quartz movement.
Pros:
- Date and time are easy to read
- Unparalleled lume brightness
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Leather strap feel cheap
- Watch face looks crowded
- Time is a bit inaccurate
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X. Watch
The 43mm INOX is a carbon fiber watch with a titanium case and bezel, a sapphire crystal, a carbon fiber dial, a nylon paracord strap, a date window, luminescent hands and markers, and a Swiss quartz movement.
Pros:
- Durable case and strap
- The paracord strap is a definite standout
- Includes an extra rubber strap in the package
- Water resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Buckle of the paracord strap is difficult to manage
- Lume doesn’t last long
- Case gets scratched easily
Dietrich OT-2 Carbon
The 49mm OT-2 has a case, bezel, and frame made of 316L stainless steel.
The bezel is coated with black PVD and it holds the custom-shaped sapphire crystal in place.
The carbon fiber watch also has a nylon strap, a 24-hour indicator, luminescent hands laced with red Superluminova, and a Miyota 82-S-7 automatic movement.
Pros:
- The interesting design concept for a carbon fiber watch that’s sure to attract attention
- Excellent lume brightness
- Very sturdy build
- Power reserve of up to 40 hours
- Water resistant up to 50m
Cons:
- No date window
- No power reserve indicator
- The 24-hour indicator can be hard to read
Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind H77696793
The 44mm X-Wind has a sapphire crystal, a leather strap, a black carbon fiber dial with day and date displays, a tachymeter rim, an exhibition case back, three chronograph subdials, luminescent hands and markers, and a Swiss self-winding automatic movement.
Pros:
- Day and date are easy to read
- Excellent attention to detail
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Subdial readings can be hard to read
- Color combination may look too flashy to some users
- Hands are too thin to easily read the time
Carl JHones Respire Blue Swiss Quartz
The 46mm Respire has a stainless steel case with a carbon fiber dial.
It also features a tachymeter scale on the outer rim of the dial, a synthetic sapphire crystal, a two-window date function, a day window, three chronograph subdials, a rubber strap, luminescent hands and markers, and a Swiss quartz movement.
Pros:
- Watch face is very visible, thanks to the clear window crystal
- Multiple functions available on the watch
- Available in different hand and case colors
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- It can be challenging to read the time
- A bit large and bulky compared to other watches
- Expensive compared to other carbon fiber watches
St. Gallen Disinfectable Rescue Collection
The 42mm St.
Gallen Disinfectable has a stainless steel case coated with black PVD, a carbon fiber dial, a sapphire crystal, a silicon band, a date window, luminescent hands and markers, and a Swiss automatic movement.
This carbon fiber watch has a counter and a unique four-pointed hand for measuring your pulse and respiration.
Pros:
- Highly-durable and scratch-resistant
- Excellent lume brightness
- The bezel can be used to measure your pulse and respiration rate
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Strap can’t be replaced
- Strap doesn’t have a mobile keeper that keeps the tail end of it from catching sleeve cuffs
- It can be frustrating to insert the strap into the clasp because of friction
Tonino Lamborghini 3019 Spyder Chronograph
The 43mm Spyder has a stainless steel case, a carbon fiber bezel and dial, a mineral crystal, a stainless steel bracelet with carbon fiber insert in the middle, luminescent hands, a date window, a day indicator, three chronograph subdials, and a calibre RL 8040N quartz movement.
Pros:
- Distinctive shape and buttons make this carbon fiber watch a definite standout
- Date is highly visible
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- It can be confusing to read because the hands for the main watch and the subdials are of the same color
- Day indicator is too small
- Watch face looks pretty crowded
Edox 10020 3 Nin Chronoffshore
The 45mm Chronoffshore has a stainless steel case, a ceramic bezel, a carbon fiber dial, a Helium escape valve, a synthetic sapphire crystal, a rubber strap, a two-window date indicator, a tachymeter scale on the outer rim of the dial, luminescent hands and markers, three chronograph subdials, and a Swiss quartz movement.
Pros:
- Bezel is highly-resistant to scratches
- Date is easy to read
- Lightweight but sturdy
- Water resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Subdial readings can be hard to discern
- Band is a bit stiff
- It’s a bit bulky to wear
Seiko Velatura SRQ001
The 45mm Velatura has a stainless steel case, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a carbon fiber bezel and dial, a stainless steel bracelet with carbon fiber insert, a date window, three chronograph subdials, luminescent hands and markers, and a Japanese automatic movement.
This is a limited edition model with only 2,000 pieces made.
Pros:
- High-quality craftsmanship
- Durable and lightweight
- Good lume brightness
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Crowns are too large and protruding
- Subdial readings are hard to identify
- Hands obstruct the subdials
Oris Williams Valtteri Bottas Fibre Limited Edition
The 44mm Valtteri Bottas is a carbon fiber watch with a carbon fiber case, a tachymeter bezel, a rubber strap, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a carbon fiber dial, a date window, three chronograph subdials, luminescent hands, and a Swiss self-winding automatic movement.
Pros:
- Lightweight but durable
- Sporty design with a classy vibe
- High-contrast markers and hands make reading time easy
- Comfortable to wear
- Power reserve of up to 48 hours
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Hard to find since it’s a limited edition with only 700 pieces in production
- Lume brightness doesn’t last long
- A better clasp could have been installed on the watch
Bell and Ross Aviation Carbon Fiber BR0192-CA-FIBER
The 46mm Aviation is a square-shaped timepiece with a carbon fiber case, a sapphire crystal, a rubber strap, a screw-down crown, a black dial, luminous hands, and a Swiss automatic movement.
Pros:
- Watch face is easy to read
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Only 500 pieces are on sale
- No date window
- Its large size may not be that appealing to people with small wrists
Omega Speedmaster HB‑SIA Co-axial GMT Chronograph
The 44mm Speedmaster HB‑SIA Co-axial GMT Chronograph has a titanium case, a carbon fiber dial, a rubber strap, a scratch-resistant, and anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a tachymeter bezel, a date window, three chronograph subdials, a GMT hand, luminescent hands and markers, and a calibre 3603 movement.
Pros:
- Comfortable to wear
- Orange-colored strap adds to its sporty look
- Bezel has no play and crown pushers are firm
- Durable build meant for sports activities
- Power reserve of up to 52 hours
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- It’s hard to see the date because of its color
- Challenging to read the time because of the subdials
- GMT hand is too thin
IWC Portuguese Automatic LW390212
The 45mm Portuguese LW390212 has a titanium case, a carbon fiber dial with large Arabic numerals, an exhibition case back, a sapphire crystal, a date window, two chronograph subdials, luminescent hands and markers, and a calibre 89361 self-winding movement.
Pros:
- Classy look for a sports watch
- Durable case and strap
- Power reserve of up to 68 hours
- Water resistant up to 60m
Cons:
- Date window is too small
- Arabic hour markers are hard to see
- Subdials are hard to read
Ulysse Nardin Marine Aqua Perpetual
The 42.7mm Marine Aqua has a carbon fiber dial, a titanium case, a unidirectional rotating bezel made of stainless steel, an exhibition case back, a sapphire crystal, a rubber strap, luminescent hands and markers, and a Ulysse Nardin Calibre UN-33, automatic, self-winding movement.
It has a double window for the date and additional windows for the day, the year, and the month.
It also has a perpetual chronometer and a subdial indicating the second’s movement.
Pros:
- Luxurious look that’s both sporty and elegant
- Strap is a mix of titanium and rubber, making it a comfortable fit on any wrist size
- Excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail, making this one of the best carbon fiber watches in our list
- Power reserve of up to 48 hours
- Water resistant up to 300m
Cons:
- Hard to find as its production was limited to 500 pieces only
- It’s a bit thick
- Weak lume brightness
Hublot Ferrari Red Magic Automatic Openwork
The 45mm Ferrari Red Magic has a carbon fiber case and bezel, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a leather strap, a Ferrari logo at the 9 o’clock position, a 60-second subdial, a transparent dial, luminescent hands and markers, and a HUB1241 automatic movement.
Pros:
- Package comes with an extra strap
- Transparent dial gives it a cool look
- Power reserve of up to 72 hours
- Water resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- No date window
- Subdial readings are hard to discern
- It can be challenging to read the time
Conclusion
The weaving pattern of carbon fiber helps give watches a sporty look.
Aside from being lightweight, they’re very durable, making carbon fiber watches the best accessory for sports use.
Combine them with titanium or stainless steel and you have a timepiece that’s virtually indestructible from typical physical abuse and stress caused by daily activities and rugged use.
We’ve listed the best carbon fiber watches in the market, ranging from the cheapest and mid-range ones to luxury brands and collector’s items.
Take a look at them again and you’ll surely have a pick suitable to your preference.
