tom austin
Carbon composite technology has come a long way since its first inception in the 1960s. It was originally introduced in the aerospace industry after British engineers discovered its potential for strength and weight reduction. From there, it expanded into motorsports and other industries that require complex geometries and strength properties. Eventually, this material, created by interweaving strands of fibers and mixing them with high-strength resin, found its way into the world of watches. However, many of them are just decorations and often do not become very old. Fast forward to 2024, and the watch brand is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with this interesting material, leveraging new forging techniques to create nearly impossible case designs and now creating structures entirely out of carbon fiber. I am. All of them are absolutely unique thanks to their attractive materials. How to make this material. Here we have handpicked the best carbon fiber watches you can buy.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 40mm Carbon
There’s a saying in the automotive world that carbon fiber makes everything better, and the same theory often applies to watches. PRX is one of the watches that became an instant hit when it was introduced in 2021. It was a perfectly timed throwback to the 1970s design that set all the design trends in motion. A 40mm shiny integrated bracelet sports watch with a waffle dial and Swiss automatic movement that looked great with a suit or a T-shirt and jeans, and cost less than five figures. What’s not to like?
Now in 2024, PRX is back. It has dark mode on and a stealthy forged carbon fiber case and dial. And it makes the already cool PRX even hotter. The Carbon PRX is identical to the stainless steel variant in almost every respect. So, aside from a small mark on our discerning movements, the “Si” indicates an upgrade to a silicon balance spring. So the carbon version is not only cooler than before, but also even more accurate and anti-magnetic. Price: $995.
Victorinox INOX carbon mechanical
When most people think of Switzerland, they think of chocolate, cheese, mountains and, of course, the Swiss Army knife. And there is one brand that comes to mind most of all. That’s Victorinox. But for us watch lovers, Victorinox also makes some pretty great watches. The company’s standout model is the INOX, a watch so tough that at the time of its release it survived being frozen in ice, baked at 1200 degrees Celsius, and even run over by a 64-ton tank. So if all of its great features can be wrapped up in a carbon fiber variant, it’s only natural that it should be on this list.
The Victorinox INOX Carbon Mechanical is powered by the Sellita SW200-1 movement with a 38-hour power reserve inside a space-grade carbon composite case. Water resistant to 200 meters thanks to its titanium caseback, it’s one of the most durable watches you can buy in this price range, and weighing in at just 102 grams, it feels great on your wrist, as you’d expect. It’s surprisingly light. Price: 1,300 USD.
Bamford B347 Carbon
Bamford is well known for its affinity with retro chronographs, and the B347 is no exception. The perfect blend of nostalgic racer style and cutting-edge materials, the B347 is now available with 41.5mm forged carbon fiber and a classic reverse panda dial. The look is unique, reminiscent of vintage Heuer, but crafted in the wide range of stunning color combinations and styles that Bamford is known for. This monopusher chronograph is powered by the Sellita SW510 movement with a single pusher at 2 o’clock and comes on a sleek rubber strap. Of course, available in every conceivable color. Bamford’s approach is simple. Wrapping a traditionally styled chronograph with high-tech components creates a seriously sexy racing watch. Price: £2,500.
Doxa SUB 300 Carbon White Pearl
Back in the ’60s, when the world’s best watchmakers were racing to be the first to go to the moon, Doxa was busy looking for somewhere a little different. In close collaboration with French naval officer and ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Doxa developed diving watches to new standards and helped push the then-unknown limits of the deep sea. The Doxa SUB 300 was the first watch of its kind and the first commercially available watch to feature a helium escape valve, thus allowing it to withstand deeper dives.
In 2021, Doxa takes this a step further and introduces the Doxa SUB 300 Carbon. The shape and proportions of the case are the same as the steel case, measuring 42.5mm in diameter and 13.4mm thick, but the use of forged carbon fiber makes the watch several times lighter than its steel sibling, and compared to its titanium counterpart. It has the same performance due to the inner chamber. Diving rating is 300 meters. This is a perfect example of introducing modern materials while staying true to its origins. Coincidentally, you can find it in the Time+Tide shop. Price: $4,090.
Norquein Wild ONE 42mm Khaki
When you look at a sports watch like the Norqain Wild One, you wonder why most “sport” watches are made of heavy stainless steel. We’re in 2024, and even though it’s perhaps the biggest period for technological development and ingenuity, brands are still insisting that old ways still have a long way to go when it comes to how watch cases are made. Well, not Norkein, that’s for sure. The Norqain Wild One case is made from 25 parts and 14 separate tools to create a complex carbon fiber “NORTEQ” composite case with all the ruggedness you could ever want.
Six times lighter than steel and 3.5 times lighter than titanium, the Wild One was designed in collaboration with prolific watch brand wizard and marketing extraordinaire Jean-Claude Biver. Norqain and Biver have worked closely together to develop a sports watch that is extremely robust and lightweight, yet has a unique business-friendly case design. The result is the Norqain Wild One 42mm, chosen in khaki for its all-round explorer-like appeal. Price: $5,290.
TAG Heuer Monza Flyback Chronometer
TAG Heuer has been in trouble for a few years, but has recently made a comeback thanks to a tasteful reimagining of the historic icon. The Monza is back with ultra-modern upgrades. Introduced in 1976, this model offered a then-modern interpretation of the old Heuer racing chronograph and experimented with a new case design that today has become a TAG Heuer icon in its own right.
The Monza Flyback Chronometer and its forged carbon case incorporates 70s DNA and is injected with 21st century design features and some pretty extreme design features. The dial is skeletonized, displaying elements of the Caliber Heuer 02 flyback movement beneath the striking blue sapphire subdials and red hands. The cushion case is carved from forged carbon fiber and finished with grade 5 titanium chronograph pushers. This watch is a statement from TAG Heuer, showing that everyone must remember not only where they came from, but also where they are going. Price: $14,250.
IWC Big Pilot Watch AMG G 63
Back to cars, that has to be done. IWC’s relationship with Mercedes-Benz is more than superficial, with several special editions included in the collection, but the design of the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 is actually inspired by the car’s Inspired by the exterior. Yes, if you look closely, the textured dial is inspired by the grille and air intake of a Merc 4×4, and the subdial rings have also been enhanced to mimic the car’s headlights.
But there’s more to this watch than just its looks. This gigantic 46.5 mm watch is made from ultra-strong Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC), developed in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLC) and manufactured for the first time by IWC. Please see the documentation. It’s a little different from regular carbon because it’s embedded with a ceramic matrix instead of a polymer, making it super strong and extremely scratch resistant. As far as car-inspired watches go, this watch is pretty modest considering its wrist presence, but of course this is a big pilot’s watch from IWC, and it wouldn’t be appropriate if it were smaller. Price: $42,200.
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater Carbon
Most carbon fiber watches tend to be exactly the same as their robust stainless steel counterparts, and as such can be perceived as being a little more boring in form than in function. Bvlgari rarely sticks to the rules that others follow. Now, we know that Bvlgari is famous for its ultra-thin designs, and you would be forgiven for thinking that such an act cannot be replaced with carbon fiber, but let’s not forget that Bulgari does not play by the rules .
Bvlgari produces carbon fiber watches that are just 6.85 mm thick (about 7 credit cards thick) and, amazingly, are equipped with an incredible minute repeater movement with a 42-hour power reserve. succeeded. This sits beneath a cut-out forged carbon dial, and the layered design of the case perfectly complements this material. It certainly wouldn’t look out of place on the wrist of Christopher Nolan’s Batman. Price: CHF 219,000.
Richard Mille RM27-05
You probably can’t make a carbon fiber list without a brand pushing the material to its limits. It’s a terrible cliché to say that Richard Mille is like a supercar on your wrist, but to be honest, it’s probably as close as you can get. And it’s not just because of the wallet-busting prices. Most modern supercars these days are made entirely of ultra-complex carbon fiber monocoque construction, and this also applies to Richard Mille watches. .
There are many benefits to carbon fiber watches, some of which are quite superficial, but certainly the lightness is definitely a big plus point and the RM27-05 delivers big time here . Weighing only 11.5 grams, it is the lightest mechanical tourbillon watch in the world, and the case as well as the incredible movement are made of carbon, which means it weighs just 3.79 grams. It has become. The watch is also difficult to find, with only 80 pieces produced, at least one of which is on the wrist of 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal. Price: $1,150,000.
