Top Tonneau Watches to Add to your Collection

Photo: Hautetime

Watches with tonneau-shaped casings are known as “tonneau watches.” The French prestige watch company Cartier apparently invented the tonneau clock while testing with watches that were available in different designs and sizes in 1906.

Cartier’s endeavors were rewarded with the introduction of the Cartier Tonneau, a timepiece that had the appearance of a barrel. Since “Tonneau” is the French term for “barrel,” its title was inspired by the way it stood out from the crowd.

Since its release, the Cartier Tonneau, one of Cartier’s first timepieces, has significantly influenced the watch industry. Hence, Tonneau-shaped casings are still utilized by watchmakers worldwide today, over a century later, as a continuation of the trend.

In terms of appearance, the tonneau design is technically not a rectangle or a square. Rather, it has a rectangular form with rounded ends and curving edges, and its entire body is covered in a smooth motif. Tonneau clocks are also made to fit the wrist comfortably. In contrast to square or rectangular pieces, this watch’s sides do not cut too deep into the skin because of its flat, curved contours.

Types of Tonneau Watches 

• Emporio Armani Retro Ref. AR2489

The premium clothing and fragrance line Emporio Armani is an Italian fashion label that produces a large selection of watches. One may thus select from a range of timepiece variations with the Emporio Armani Retro watch series at extremely reasonable costs.

Photo: Watchshopping

Due to the warm brown leather band and light brown sunray dial, the Emporio Armani Retro Ref. AR2489 is a lovely tonneau piece that complements the skin beautifully. It has a calming appearance that is highly attractive to the eye thanks to such neutral colors. In addition, the dial has a rather straightforward design, with luminescent black pencil indexes, narrow hour pointers, and golden Arabic numeral hour markings. The watch is also housed in a stainless steel casing measuring 37 millimeters by 33 mm, which is a sizable dimension for a tonneau piece.

• Fossil Wallace Ref. ES3174

The Fossil Wallace Ref. ES3174 features a slim 28 by 29-millimeter steel casing and a 3-link stainless steel bracelet. This makes it the ideal and reasonably priced present for females with exceptional preferences. The solid bezel on the front of this watch casing is covered in crystals that extend toward the lugs, giving the piece a more upscale appearance.

Photo: Carousell Malaysia

A basic white dial matches the all-silver case of this Fossil timepiece. Moreover, lovely pencil hands with tiny Roman number markings in silver shade make up this piece. The battery-operated quartz movement that powers this watch display is also effortless to maintain.

• Emporio Armani Retro Ref. AR2491

The Emporio Armani Retro Ref. AR2491, a sibling of the Emporio Armani watch, displays a more manly and attractive appearance. It comes in a bold black leather strap and a 37mm by 33mm steel casing.

Photo: Royal Wrist

The dial has a more vivid blue polish that will draw attention. It features pencil markers, Arabic number hour markings, silver-colored hour indexes, and the company’s recognizable eagle insignia at the 12 o’clock position. Despite a poor depth range of only 30 meters, this piece is nonetheless more capable of withstanding any small raindrops or spills.

• Longines La Grande Classique Ref. L47054116

The Longines La Grande Classique Ref. L47054116 is a member of the world’s oldest watch companies. It is a sophisticated timepiece with a clean and professional appearance that is ideal for the office.

Photo: Longines

The casing of this Longines watch is 29.7 by 32.5 millimeters, and the strap is composed of stainless steel. Roman number markings in a very thin, slanting style and silver-colored sticking hands adorn the watch’s crisp white dial. A sapphire crystal covering protects the dial from shocks and scratches. Additionally, this watch has a reliable quartz Caliber L209 movement underneath.

• Franck Muller Vanguard

This watch may appear bulky and weighty at first look. It, nevertheless, is the ideal example of how incorrect first perceptions can be. The featherweight Franck Muller Vanguard Ref. V45 SC DT TT NR BR NR watch is made of titanium, which is 45 percent lighter compared to stainless steel. It is also covered in all-black fabric.

Photo: SJX Watches

Furthermore, this Franck Muller watch comes with a black leather band and a matte black titanium 44mm by 53.7mm casing. Additionally, huge, stylistic Arabic number hour markings, blunt black indexes, and a round date indicator are positioned on the watch’s polished black face. A useful compass gauge also encircles the dial’s outside ring.

Photo: Getty Images – Cristiano Ronaldo

Additionally, this watch is powered by an internal Franck Muller Caliber FM0800, which gives it a typical power reserve of 42 hours. Black timepieces, like this Franck Muller Vanguard clock, fit magnificently on the wrist and exude passion and strength.

• Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Ref. 665.NE.2010.RW.1204

The reliable Classic Fusion and Hublot Spirit of Big Bang lines are well-known from the Swiss premium watchmaker Hublot. Although the pieces in these lines are most famous for their titanium bands, several are also remarkable for being covered in jewels.

Photo: Hublot

The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Ref. 665.NE.2010.RW.1204 features a crisp white rubber band and a 39-millimeter titanium casing with a combination of satinized and finished edges. This blend of elements, when seen as a whole, offers the watch a high-end appeal while creating a fascinating design. Fifty glittering diamonds are also set into the fixed bezel, adding to the opulent feel of this watch.

Photo: Getty Images – Dj Snake

Furthermore, a complementary matte white dial that emanates purity completes the silver and white appearance. This dial is embellished with sword-like hands and appliqué silver-tinted indexes, each of which contains thick layers of illuminating hues. At six o’clock, there is also a tiny square date indication.

Conclusion

Whereas a wristwatch’s primary purpose is to indicate the time, it could occasionally be worn as a stylish wrist adornment. The tonneau timepiece is a fantastic design that fits the wrist well and is beautiful to look at. Therefore, there’s no doubt that one of these tonneau watches, which come in a range of pricing points, deserves a spot in your expanding collection.