10 Stunning Australian Watches for Men and How to Wear Them
Australian watch brands now cover everything from dress watches and divers to design-led pieces you won't see on every second wrist. Most of the ten below are independent and Australian owned, and two of them are ours, The Saddler and The Blue Oak.
We chose them for style, with notes on what each one looks best with and where to wear it.
1. Melbourne Watch Company Portsea Calendar
The Portsea takes its cue from the deck watches once carried on ships. A white ceramic dial, blue hands and a railroad minute track give it a clean, nautical feel, and a Miyota automatic movement drives the day, date and month calendar.
Wear it with.
A crisp white or pale blue shirt, navy chinos and suede loafers. The blue hands pick up any navy you're wearing, so let that colour repeat once or twice.
It's smart enough for a client lunch and relaxed enough for a weekend by the bay.
2. Luminius The Saddler
The Saddler brings zebrawood, red ebony and sandalwood together in one band, so the colour shifts from link to link, from the striped grain of zebrawood to the deep red of the ebony. At 46mm it has real presence, yet the timber keeps it to just 52g, which is lighter than many steel watches half its size.
A Japanese Miyota quartz movement keeps time, with a calendar and luminous hands for reading after dark.
Because the band already carries three tones, it's best with plain fabrics in earthy colours. Olive, rust, sand and chocolate brown all work, in a linen shirt with chinos or dark denim and leather boots. Leave the patterned shirts at home.
Take it to country weddings, winery visits and outdoor festivals.
3. Bausele OceanMoon
Sydney-based Bausele designs its watches in Australia and has them made in Switzerland, with a small piece of the country, such as red earth or beach sand, sealed inside the crown. The OceanMoon is its coastal dive watch, with bold proportions and a sporty dial. Wear it the way it was meant to be worn, with board shorts and a linen shirt on days when it might get wet.
4. The Horse The Original
Founded in Sydney in 2009 by husband and wife Scott and Amy Hawkes, The Horse makes pared-back watches on Italian leather straps that soften with wear. The Original is the brand's signature design, with a minimalist dial and a simple stainless steel case.
It looks best in monochrome. Black on black, grey knitwear or a white shirt under a navy blazer all suit its clean lines, whether you're at the office or a gallery opening.
5. Second Hour Mandala Mk3
Melbourne's Second Hour was founded in 2019 by Peter and Akira Sargison, and the Mandala is the watch that made its name. Its guilloché dial radiates from the centre in fine lines that catch the light as your wrist moves.
What to wear.
The Midnight Black version suits a dark suit, a black turtleneck or a charcoal overshirt. Let the dial be the only pattern you wear.
Where to wear it.
Cocktail bars and date nights. The brand built it to handle a dinner booking as easily as a weekend swim.
6. Nicholas Hacko MKII
Nicholas Hacko and his son Josh make watch components in their workshop in Brookvale, on Sydney's northern beaches, which is rare for any Australian brand. The MKII pairs a 40mm steel case made by the Hackos with a titanium guilloché dial inspired by the waves at nearby Curl Curl Beach.
Good tailoring is the only real rule. A navy or mid-grey suit, a white shirt and a knit tie leave the dial to do the work at weddings, milestone birthdays and the meetings that matter.
7. Luminius The Blue Oak
The Blue Oak is crafted from reclaimed American oak whiskey barrels, with a 304 stainless steel core for strength. Years of holding spirit leave the oak darker and more seasoned than fresh timber, and that's what gives the case its colour.
A Seiko VD57 quartz chronograph powers the royal blue sunburst dial, adding a stopwatch and calendar, and the 44mm case sits under scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal. It's a limited edition, so once the barrel oak runs out, it's gone.
Wear it with.
Navy, denim blue and crisp white. A chambray shirt with tan chinos and brown leather shoes is the easy option, or a navy knit over a collared shirt in the cooler months.
As a gift.
A watch made from whiskey barrels is a natural pick for Father's Day or for anyone who enjoys a good dram.
8. Adina Oceaneer
Brisbane's Adina has been making watches since 1971 and still designs and assembles its collection in Australia. The Oceaneer is its best-known sports watch, and it's at home with a chambray shirt and work boots on an early start or a polo and shorts at weekend sport.
9. Curtis Australia Motima
Glenn Curtis has spent decades making jewellery in Australia, and the watches he began releasing in 2017 carry a jeweller's eye for detail. The Motima is his eight-sided men's watch, with a solid gold case and a Swiss movement.
Gold reads best against black, navy or deep green, so this is a black-tie watch. Keep the shirt white and the other accessories to a minimum, and wear it to weddings, galas and Melbourne Cup day.
10. Galvin Suvi
Finnish-born watchmaker Susan Galvin founded her Sydney brand in 2020, and every Suvi is designed, assembled and tested in her workshop. Its tonneau, or barrel-shaped, case measures 33mm by 40mm and wears larger than the numbers suggest.
The Suvi Lake has a calm blue dial on a blue leather strap, and it's lovely with a cream knit, a camel overcoat or a beige linen suit. If every watch you own is round, this is a good place to start.
Simple Rules for Wearing a Men's Watch
Match your metals.
A gold watch looks sharpest with a gold belt buckle and cufflinks. Steel suits silver tones, and timber sits naturally with leather, linen and wool.
Match your leathers.
A brown leather strap works best with brown shoes and a brown belt. Black follows the same rule.
Size the watch to your wrist.
Larger cases suit broad wrists and casual outfits. Slimmer watches slide under a shirt cuff for business and formal wear.
Let one piece lead.
If the dial is bold or the band mixes timbers, keep everything else simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Australian watches for men?
It depends on your style. Melbourne Watch Company and Second Hour suit dressier looks, Bausele and Adina are made for active days, and Luminius offers natural timber designs with a warm, distinctive character.
Can you wear a wood watch to a formal event?
Yes. Darker timbers and wood-and-steel designs sit comfortably with a suit, while lighter woods suit smart casual dress codes. Keep your shoes and belt in a matching tone to tie the look together.
Are Australian watch brands made in Australia?
Some are and some aren't. Adina assembles its watches in Brisbane and Nicholas Hacko makes components in Sydney, while others design locally and produce overseas. Luminius is Australian owned and operated, with each watch crafted by seasoned watchmakers and woodworkers in the Netherlands, Spain and Shenzhen, and every one is covered by a 7-Year Warranty. You can read more about how our wood watches are made, from timber to timepiece.
What size watch should a man wear?
Most men's watches sit between 40mm and 44mm. Smaller wrists suit the lower end of that range, while a larger case such as 46mm makes a bolder statement on a broad wrist.