13 of the best ceramic watches that won’t show any scuffs for true watch buffs
Borna BošnjakThe history of ceramics in watches stretches more than six decades, used in some form since 1962 with the introduction of the tungsten carbide-cased Rado DiaStar. Though tungsten carbide isn’t quite ceramic as we know it today, it marked the beginning of “scratch-proof” case materials. Omega presented its square, quartz Seamaster Black Tulip cased in cermet (a metal and carbon composite) in the ‘80s, but the plaudits for producing the first “true” ceramic watch – that is, with a case made of zirconium oxide – go to IWC and their Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar. Famous for its lightness, biocompatibility and incredible scratch-resistance (and brittleness), the material is becoming increasingly more common, especially lately, with many brands making huge improvements in terms of coloured ceramics. We’ve rounded up some of the best ceramic watches for you to have a scratch at.
Zenith x Time+Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic
Normally, we do these lists in ascending price order, but this one just had to start with the White Surfer. Our latest collaboration with Zenith isn’t just the most daring watch we’ve attempted with a brand, but also marks the end of the Surfer trilogy. With a slinky, white ceramic case and the freedom to swap between the bracelet and rubber strap, it really could be the ultimate summer watch. The blue-plated, El Primero-derived movement isn’t too shabby either, visible through those gradient bridges topped off by a luminous star – I think we’ve done alright. Call us biased, but we’re just so damn proud, *wipes single tear*. Price: £17,700, US$19,600, A$30,300, available on the 11th of July 2025 from the Time+Tide Shop and Discovery Studios in Melbourne and London
Bell & Ross BR-03 Black Matte
Inspired by cockpit-mounted aviation instruments, Bell & Ross built its brand on the ceramic-cased BR-03 and its stealthy look. The latest generation sports a 41mm, all-matte, square ceramic case, with that signature ultra-legible dial mounted on top of a Sellita SW300 calibre. It’s very much a no-frills piece, and could’ve easily gotten away with PVD-coating a steel case. But in ceramic, it’s just that much cooler. Price: US$4,100
Longines Hydroconquest Black Ceramic
With its oversized Arabic numerals and imposing 43mm case, the Longines Hydroconquest works even better in all black ceramic, as it reduces some of the visual bulk. Not only is the case ceramic, but similarly to Swatch Group sibling Omega, Longines also uses the compound for the dials. Paired with a knobbly, brushed bezel and fitted rubber strap, it really looks the part. The movement’s not too shabby either, opting for the Longines L888, based on ETA’s premium automatic 2892. Price: US$4,150
Rado Anatom
It’s only fitting to have an entrant from Rado on this list, considering the brand’s historic contribution to the creation of ceramic watches. The Anatom only recently got a full-ceramic upgrade that extended to its bracelet, making it a thought-provoking option at a fairly affordable price point when compared to the competition. Its monolithic looks are also on point with the current trend of design-driven watchmaking, with an ETA 2892-based movement powering it for up to 72 hours. Price: US$4,550
Tudor Black Bay Ceramic
The Tudor Black Bay is a watch that has become an undisputed modern icon, spawning many different variations of the snowflake-handed theme over the years. While most of the limelight is taken up by the 58 model, the Black Bay Ceramic certainly deserves a shout-out here. For a very fair price, you get a Master Chronometer-certified Kenissi movement, a 41mm ceramic case that’s water-resistant to 200 metres, and two straps, as well as a choice of black or Danny Ric-approved (RIP his racing career, though) RB blue. Price: US$5,150
Hublot Classic Fusion Original Black Magic
The Classic Fusion has long been Hublot’s continuation of its very first watch, and the Original model tributes, well, the original, most closely. Unlike the watch from 1980, the Classic Fusion Original is also available in ceramic, and in three sizes, of which our recommendation primarily focuses on the larger two. The 38mm and 42mm models are both powered by the mid-range Sellita SW300, while the smaller 33mm model only gets a quartz movement. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, as the main drawcard here is the complex, multi-finish ceramic case and minimalist dial. Price: US$7,600 (33mm), US$8,900 (38mm), US$10,400 (42mm)
While the Classic Fusion is the archetypal Hublot in my eyes, I couldn’t not include the brand’s latest ceramic development – the Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic – but as it’s limited to just 20 pieces, it only gets an honourable mention. Hublot’s pretty well-known for their materials play, but every once in a while, we see the brand truly innovate. The Magic Ceramic is one such watch, being the first-ever to sport a multicoloured ceramic bezel. Price: US$33,000
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ‘Black Black’
Is the Black Black the most tooltastic and legible variant of the Seamaster Diver 300M? No. Is it the coolest? Abso-f’n-lutely. Despite the all-black colour scheme, the multiple finishes of the ceramic case and dial make the watch actually somewhat legible, given the shiny waves of the dial and indices contrasting against the mostly matte backdrop. The grained bezel is also a stunner with those raised numerals, and there’s not much more I can add that hasn’t been said already about Omega’s shapely lyre lugs. Powered by the METAS-certified, Co-Axial 8806 movement, you can also rest assured that magnetism won’t be an issue given its 15,000 Gauss resistance rating. The coolest thing about this watch? The black lume actually glows surprisingly well. Price: US$9,500
Bulgari Octo Finissimo
If there was one watch I had to pick that embraced ceramic wholeheartedly, it would have to be the Bulgari Octo Finissimo. Not hailing from a traditional watchmaking house, its roots are still grounded in horological history, as its design originates from Gérald Genta’s Octagonal, becoming the Octo Finissimo through sales of naming rights. Its monochromatic design and understated dial are somewhat of a signature of the model, and the mix of textured surfaces that matte black ceramic can provide gives it the contemporary look it was always meant to have. Price: US$18,800
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 Ceramic
The Ingenieur family has expanded significantly at Watches and Wonders 2025, but with two clear front-runners for the title of collection crown jewel. The first is the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar, which is fantastic in its own right, but the murdered-out aesthetic of its 42mm, black ceramic-clad cousin is not to be overlooked. Moreover, it also came with a significant movement upgrade thanks to more available case real estate, jumping up to the Calibre 82110 that not only fills the caseback nicely, but also features the brand’s Pellaton winding system. And don’t be fooled by the 60-hour power reserve (vs the Baumatic-derived 32111’s 120), there’s more to movements than one stat. Price: US$19,500
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Martin Edition
Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato has long been on the fringes of discussions regarding popular integrated-bracelet sport models. With its involvement with Aston Martin’s Formula 1 effort, we were treated to a duo of green ceramic-cased Laureato special editions that Zach had the pleasure of reviewing. Once again, the model strengthened its positioning as a compromise-free value proposition alternative to holy trinity models. Girard-Perregaux’s choice of ceramic colour for the case and bracelet, as well as the fact that they’re incredibly affordable in comparison to similarly specced counterparts, is impressive to say the least. Price: US$25,000 (38mm), US$25,800 (42mm)
Louis Vuitton Tambour Brown Ceramic
Brown is a colour not often used in watchmaking, and when it is, it’s usually reserved for brown dials. A few watchmakers, however, have decided to apply the colour to their cases too (Audemars Piguet’s Travis Scott collab being one of them), and one of the latest is Louis Vuitton for the new Tambour Brown Ceramic. And I’m fully with Zach on this one: this watch is weird and wonderful enough that we could see it become a modern classic, especially considering it’s a time-limited production variant. The polished 18k rose gold intermittent links play so well with the brushed ceramic, and the whole new Tambour look suits this opulent hue better than any other colour variant we’ve seen. Price: US$68,000
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic
Some watches are ceramic. Some watches are blue. Some are blue and ceramic, and the Royal Oak QP in blue ceramic is the bluest and ceramic-est of them all. Subtle is the last word I’d use to describe this watch, as it outdoes the white and black ceramic variants with its faceted azure surfaces. I can’t quite explain why I like this watch so much (though I like it enough to name it as one of the best Royal Oaks ever), but the fact that it’s a perpetual calendar totally justifies its ridiculousness in my book – though it’s all business in the back, powered by AP’s legendary, ultra-thin 5134 calibre. Price: US$132,000