How do luxury watches mirror the success-driven culture of Wall Street?
This question might be challenging to answer, especially if you don’t have firsthand experience in the banking world.
But if you are a banker, chances are you already know that a watch also serves as a visual representation that can convey your financial accomplishments, professional standing, and increase your attractiveness.
This is why most Wall Street guys often invest their substantial bonuses, particularly during the bonus season, in getting luxury watches.
So if you are looking to invest in a watch to accompany you in your daily job in the financial district, today we will show you 10 of the best timepieces that will perfectly suit your finance profession.
For us, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut is the best overall watch for bankers on the list, known for its elegance, quality, and functionality. The Aquanaut is similar to the Nautilus which is one of the best watches for lawyers.
But if you want to know more about this detailed review, keep reading along!
See What Watches Other High Paying Professionals Wear: Best Watches For Doctors.
The Best Watches For Investment Bankers – Recommended In 2023
Here is a table summarizing the top watches investment bankers recommend in 2023. If you want more details on what bankers think about a specific watch, keep reading along!
| Best Watches For Bankers | Best For |
| #1. Patek Philippe Aquanaut | Best Watch For Managing Directors |
| #2. Cartier Santos | Best For Analysts And Associates |
| #3. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic | Best Watch For Vice Presidents |
| #4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “50th Anniversary” | Best Watch For Vice Presidents |
| #5. IWC Portugieser Automatic | Best For Associates |
| #6. Tudor Black Bay Chrono Chronograph | Best For Analysts And Associates |
| #7. Omega Speedmaster Chronograph | Best For Associates |
| #8. Omega Seamaster Automatic | Best For Associates |
| #9. Apple Watch Ultra | Best Watch For Analyst |
| #10. Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi | Best Watch For Associates |
How To Choose The Right Watch – Key Factors Wall Street Bankers Rely On
Watches are essential for most people in many different professions. And that includes men in the banking and finance industry.
So to understand the essential features these men seek in a perfect watch, here’s a short list to consider.
Comfort
Comfort is one of the primary things to consider in buying watches, especially for bankers that wear their timepieces for an extended period throughout the course of their busy life in the office.
They often have tight and demanding schedules, so they need a great watch that complements their personal taste and professional image but also provides comfort during their long hours.
Size
Like comfortability, the size of the timepiece is also a crucial factor to consider.
In fact, it goes hand-in-hand with comfort. If the banker’s watch is too loose or too tight on his wrist, it could be uncomfortable and hinder his concentration during busy business hours.
Price
Lastly, the price of the watch you want should always be considered, and this is a big deal!
Like in any other profession, not all bankers have the same amount of good money after work. A junior banker most likely cannot earn the salary of senior bankers or men at the VP level in just a single day.
That is why you should only consider watches you can afford based on the amount you can spend.
Watch Vocabulary You Should Know
Before we show our banker’s guide to watches, we think you should know some watch lingo that will be on our list. So here is a quick cheat sheet to help you understand the features better.
Automatic Watch
An automatic watch, also known as a self-winding watch, is a timepiece that winds itself through the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist.
Bezel
A bezel is a ring or outer edge that surrounds and secures the watch crystal or the dial of a watch.
Chronograph
Chronograph watches are a type of timepiece enhanced with a stopwatch function. Usually, you can use the chronograph function by using the push buttons that can be found beside the crown.
Dial
The dial or also known as the watch face. It is the part that actually displays the time. Watch dials can come in several colors, designs, and marker combinations that differ based on the watch model.
Diver’s Watch
A diver’s watch refers to a timepiece with water-resistant features and the ability to resist underwater pressure up to 200 meters deep.
This water-resistant watch is equipped with gaskets to prevent water infiltration and protect the watch’s mechanical movement.
GMT
An abbreviation for Greenwich Mean Time. It also refers to a watch that displays two different time zones simultaneously.
Mechanical Watch
A mechanical watch has a traditional movement that is not powered by a battery. The mainspring of these watches requires regular winding for it to work proficiently.
Movement
Also called caliber, the term movement refers to the entire mechanism of a timepiece that makes it work to indicate the time.
Power Reserve
The power reserve is a term used to describe the number of available power stored in the watch mainspring. Some mechanical watches have a power reserve indicator to show the remaining energy left in the watch movement.
Quartz
A watch with quartz movement uses battery-powered mechanisms to accurately tell the time of the day. Watches like this are considerably less expensive compared to mechanical watches.
Winding
Winding is the mechanism by which the tension spring is tightened to keep the watch properly functioning.
Best Watches For Investment Bankers – Our Detailed List
Here’s the detailed version of the best watches for Investment Bankers shortlist:
#10. Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi
Check Current Price | Best Watch For Associates
- Dimensions: 40mm diameter, 12.1 thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi
The first watch on our list is the Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi.
It features a classic design of the original Rolex GMT collection with a stainless steel case and an iconic Pepsi-colored bezel.
Of course, like many Rolex watches, it is powered by an in-house automatic movement with 70 hours of power reserve. Its dual time zone feature is a perfect function for bankers who need to travel for business trips.
However, although it’s a nice watch, we’ve placed it last due to its prevalence among financial professionals.
Furthermore, an expensive watch like this might be a bit too showy for an analyst (the same case for a Rolex Submariner).
But nevertheless, we can say that this is still a good choice of luxury watch where you can spend your first bonus to treat yourself for your hard work.
And if you already reached the associate level and above, maybe that is the time to make an upgrade to this timepiece.
#9. Apple Watch Ultra
Check Current Price | Best Watch For Analyst
- Dimensions: 49mm diameter, 14mm thickness
- Case Material: Titanium
- Water resistance: 100m
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Apple Watch Ultra
Next is Apple Watch Ultra, which is also considered by many a valuable tool for bankers for its wide and advanced features that perfectly complement their professional job.
It features efficient communication apps, a highly legible bright display screen, 36 hours of battery life, and comes with a specialized rubber to give maximum comfort all day long.
With its distinctive features and comfort it provides, this timepiece is undoubtedly one of the finest low-key watches to wear in the office, especially for new analysts.
However, it’s essential to understand the culture and expectations of your colleagues in the financial world, as many of them favor wearing traditional luxury watches that carry a certain level of prestige and convey success.
But don’t worry, the time will come when you will soon afford a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date like Warren Buffett. Just keep grinding!
#8. Omega Seamaster Automatic
Check Current Price | Best Watch For Associates
- Dimensions: 42mm diameter, 13 thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 300m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Omega Seamaster Automatic
Wearing a diver’s watch like the Omega Seamaster Automatic is also a great choice for finance associates.
It is the perfect mixture of elegance and swag that aren’t too flashy or intimidating.
With its highly legible blue dial that forms a striking contrast with its silver-tone hour markers, hands, and calendar window, we’re confident that this timepiece brings a distinctive style and valuable functionality to the table.
Moreover, it has a budget-friendly price point compared to other brands, making it one of the best entry-level classic watches and an affordable alternative for a Rolex Submariner.
#7. Omega Speedmaster Chronograph
Check Current Price | Best Watch For Associates
- Dimensions: 42mm diameter, 13.8 thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 50m
- Movement: Manual
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Omega Speedmaster Chronograph
The Omega Speedmaster Chronograph, another model from the well-known watch brand Omega, is also featured on this list.
This manual-wind mechanical watch features a black dial, stainless steel case, and bracelet that can easily be interchanged with a brown leather strap if you want to add some touch of classiness or a NATO strap.
Like the Rolex Daytona of Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman, this watch has a chronograph movement that features a Co-Axial escapement for long-lasting accuracy and precision.
Discreet yet elegant, these specific models can also be a fabulous addition to your collection of entry-level luxury timepieces. A watch deserving of the money you’ve worked hard for.
#6. Tudor Black Bay Chrono Chronograph
Check Current Price | Best For Analysts And Associates
- Dimensions: 41mm diameter, 15mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Water resistance: 200m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Tudor Black Bay Chrono Chronograph
Can’t afford a Rolex Daytona but want a timepiece with the same elegance and functionality?
Then opt for a Tudor Black Bay Chrono Chronograph, a watch with the same quality and sophistication, for a much lesser price.
A watch made by the sister company of Rolex, this watch features a polished and satin finish stainless steel case and bracelet with black aluminum showing tachymeter markings bezel.
It has an opaline dial with black counters, luminous hands, and hour markers, with a date window on its 6 o’clock.
Like the Tag Heuer watches that have shown increased popularity on Wall Street, this chronograph model is one of the go-to timepieces of analysts and associates for its practicality without compromising quality.
And to make things much better, this Tudor Black Bay Chrono has good resale value compared to other watches with a similar price.
#5. IWC Portugieser Automatic
Check Current Price | Best For Associates
- Dimensions: 40.4mm diameter, 12.3mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 30m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With IWC Portugieser Automatic
If you are looking for a refined and minimalistic watch without spending too much money, then choose the IWC Portugieser Automatic.
This watch is a less expensive version of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Ultra Thin. It features a white dial with a pair of blue sword hands and Arabic numeral hour markers. It also has a small sub-dial that indicates small seconds on its 6 o’clock.
It is one of the subtle watches that effortlessly blends underrated refinement with a touch of style that is not too overwhelming yet striking.
Wearing this on your wrist will surely make you an instant celebrity in your office, and that’s for sure!
#4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “50th Anniversary”
Check Current Price | Best Watch For Vice Presidents
- Dimensions: 41mm diameter, 10.5 thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 50m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “50th Anniversary”
Next on our list is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “50th Anniversary” timepiece released just a year ago. It may not be the most expensive watch on the list, but this timepiece surely is a heavy hitter.
It showcases the iconic Gerald-Genta-designed octagonal stainless steel case, an integrated bracelet, and their signature “Tapisserie” dial.
This Swiss-made timepiece houses a brand-manufactured automatic movement containing 32 Jewels, beating at 28800 VpH, and has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
One of our favorite watches that we believe will perfectly suit the likes of senior bankers, especially a well-respected vice president of the firm.
#3. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic
Check Current Price | Best Watch For Vice Presidents
- Dimensions: 43mm diameter, 13mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 150m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic
The Swiss watchmaking brand Vacheron Constantin remains at the pinnacle of watchmaking for multiple decades.
And one of the precious models that they’ve created is the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic.
It may not be as expensive as the Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac model that we have seen on the wrists of Wall Street MDs, but this timepiece is in a league of its own.
It features a solid black dial, index hour markers, sub-dials for the date, second-time zone, day & night indicator, and power reserve meter.
It is run by the Vacheron Constantin Caliber 1222 SC, a movement renowned for its precision, accuracy, and complexity.
This luxurious model may not be suitable for a junior banker due to its exclusivity and extremely high price. However, it would likely be a good fit for a Vice-President who wants to show off their success in front of their network.
#2. Cartier Santos
Check Current Price | Best For Analysts And Associates
- Dimensions: 5.1mm x 41.9mm diameter, 8.83mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 100m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Cartier Santos
The Cartier Santos is a classic watch known for its elegance and historical significance in the watch community. It is the first wristwatch designed for pilots and aviation.
This squared-shaped timepiece showcases a silver-opaline dial with blued-steel sword-shaped hands and black Roman numeral hour markers.
And like any other watch, the design and movement of this timepiece evolved through the years.
It is now considered one of the most versatile timepieces that can be used, even if you’re a Wall Street banker, or no matter what your profession is.
Not that pricey, yet graceful enough to impress and gain the trust and confidence of your colleagues, this watch is an ideal timepiece for analysts or even new banking associates.
#1. Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Check Current Price | Best Watch For Managing Directors
- Dimensions: 40.8mm diameter, 8.1mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Water resistance: 120m
- Movement: Automatic
- Crystal: Sapphire
Our Experience With Patek Philippe Aquanaut
Last on our list is none other than the Patek Philippe Aquanaut.
And we all know this is the perfect fit for the big bosses of the banking and finance world, such as a managing director.
This Aquanaut boasts a stainless steel case paired with a specialized rubber watch band for added comfort.
Its black dial showcases luminous hands and hour markers, along with a day/night indicator and a dual time zone feature.
It may not be as complex as the Patek Philippe Grand Complication 5159G. But who cares about the intricate movement of your watch when the timepiece itself exudes elegance and refinement?
With its price tag, it is certainly not a choice for everyone. This timepiece stands as a statement of exclusivity and sophistication, embodying the highest standard of horological craftsmanship and style.
Best Watches For Investment Bankers – FAQ
Bankers prefer timepieces that mirror their professional image, complement their clothing, and align with the high-paced environment of the industry. Watches from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet are the most common.
David Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, is often spotted wearing a Shinola Runwell Chronograph.
Unlike other CEOs like Lloyd Blankfein and Sergio Ermotti, Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan Chase does not wear a watch at all.
Best Watches For Investment Bankers – Summary
And that’s it!
Those are 10 of the best watches that perfectly fit well with the job descriptions of professionals across various levels in the banking industry.
With this guide, we hope you can pick an ideal watch that matches your preference, needs, and budget.
Again, the best overall banker’s watch for us is the Patek Philippe Aquanaut, not only for its refinement but also for its overall style and functionality.
And to have a short recap, here are 10 of the best watches for investment bankers.
#3. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic
#4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “50th Anniversary”
#6. Tudor Black Bay Chrono Chronograph
#7. Omega Speedmaster Chronograph
#10. Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi
And if you are not convinced that you need watches like these, you can check out our article about why men should wear a watch (including you).
And if you have comments, questions, or suggestions, don’t forget to message us below!
