8 of the best red dial watches from all-red G-Shocks to stunning stone

Buffy Acacia

Red dials became a rapid craze a few years ago, and while they haven’t quite reached the peaks of popularity the way green or blue have, they’ve become a mainstay in the watch community – especially when it comes to limited-edition releases and Lunar New Year drops. Still, if you’re searching for the colour of passion, courage, and luck, there are some fantastic red dial watches out there – here are eight of the best.

Casio G-Shock CasiOak GA2100-4A

When you want a real burst of colour, only a vibrant dial just isn’t going to cut it. The Casio G-Shock GA2100-4A is super punchy on the wrist, with a loud personality that can’t go unnoticed. If you’re looking for a lot of character on a budget, then you’re not going to get a better deal than this. The CasiOak style has become a modern classic, with a brutal industrial look which blends elements from the ’70s, ‘80s and ‘90s seamlessly. The resin case is lightweight and virtually indestructible, and there’s plenty of useful functionality such as 31 time zones, timers, five alarms, and plenty more you’d expect from an ana-digi G-Shock. Price: US$99

Orient Bambino Sun & Moon RA-AK0807R

It’s hard to find truly affordable watches with as much elegance as this, but the Orient Bambino has been a budget-friendly dress watch staple for years. There are a few versions available with a decadent bordeaux dial, but the Orient Bambino Sun & Moon reference RA-AK0807R is a heartthrob thanks to its day/night indicator complete with a smiling medieval sun. The screws that support the complication add a fascinating layer to the layout, as does the weekday sub-dial above it. It’s an automatic watch powered by the Orient calibre F6B24, with a 21,600vph beat rate and a 40 hour power reserve. Price: US$415

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph

Having now returned as Formula 1’s official timekeeper, TAG Heuer has capped its legacy as the most important watch brand in motorsport. Historically, its Formula 1 watch collection has been an avenue for high-octane designs in bold colours, and that’s still true today. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph may be powered by a quartz movement, but it’s every bit as luxurious and sporty as a mechanical watch thanks to the quality of the 43mm stainless steel case, distinctive DLC-coated bezel, and of course that shining red dial. It’s also a capable dive watch given the 200m water resistance, and quite wearable thanks to a total thickness of 12.4mm. Price: US$2,250

Rado Captain Cook Automatic Bronze

The heyday of bronze cases has definitely passed, but there will always be some allure left in their golden hues and patination. One certainty whether you keep it polished or force it to be covered in verdigris, is that it looks fantastic next to red. The sunburst dial and the ceramic bezel insert of the Rado Captain Cook Automatic Bronze is a strong crimson with glittering gilt details. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine the captain of a Spanish treasure galleon wearing this upon time travelling to the 21st century. Paired with a red and gold NATO strap, it’s also a capable diver with 300m of water resistance to go with its 1950s design influence. Price: US$2,850

Fears Redcliff Cherry Red

Although the cushion-cased Fears Brunswick gets all of the attention, the British brand’s first release upon its return in 2016 was the traditional, round-cased Redcliff. The depth of the cherry red dial is captivating and syrupy, making those clean hour markers pop even more with tasteful legibility. I’d argue that a watch like this showcases Fears’ attention to detail and quality even more than the Brunswick, because there’s less to be distracted by. The polish of the rounded bezel is beautiful, and the date display even has a red background so that it perfectly blends with the dial colour. Powered by an automatic La Joux-Perret G100 with a 68-hour power reserve and water resistant to 150m, it’s an incredibly versatile watch that can dress up, remain casual, or be as sporty as you need it to be. Price: US$3,300 (exc. VAT), available from the Time+Tide Shop

Grand Seiko SBGH345 Mt Iwate red

So much has been written of Grand Seiko’s Studio Shizukuishi and its idyllic forest location. No wonder so many nature-inspired dials have been created there with such strong imagery outside their windows. The SBGH345 may not be the craziest red dial that Grand Seiko has ever made, but the subtle ripples across its sunburst finish give it such an incredible and unique sophistication. This scarlet has been inspired directly by the morning rays of the sun that fall on Mt. Iwate, while the 44GS case of the Heritage collection is derived from Grand Seiko’s 1967 release which cemented the brand’s design language. This model is powered by the high-beat Calibre 9S85 with a smooth 5Hz sweep of the seconds hand, 55 hours of power reserve, and a normal use accuracy within +8/-1 seconds per day. Price: US$7,000

Zenith Defy Revival A3691

Zenith are one of few brands that understand the importance of accurate vintage reissues, even if there are some quirks which might not appeal to a wide audience. For those who love the weird and wonderful, it’s the quirks that make the watch. The Zenith Defy Revival A3691 is also a rare example of a watch that actually did have a red gradient dial back in 1971 when it was first released, embodying the bold spirit of the decade. The hour markers are unmistakably vintage, and the ladder bracelet with missing centre-links is almost crazy enough to distract you from how wild the faceted case and bezel are. Price: US$7,200

Omega Speedmaster ’57

While the burgundy dial of the Omega Speedmaster ’57 could be counted as either red or purple, it’s almost as intoxicating as the French wine for which it’s named. Such a modern colour should look odd with a watch that’s trying to evoke the late 1950s, however it works perfectly with the case and bracelet’s mix of sportiness and sophistication. The twin register layout with hours and minutes sharing a sub-dial leaves space for a symmetrical date window at 6 o’clock, and the manually wound Calibre 9906 looks spectacular from the sapphire display caseback. Price: US$9,500

Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Cartier Santos-Dumont Rewind

Cartier may be known for its eccentric case shapes, but it’s very rare that its releases are purely novelties. If you didn’t notice at first glance, go ahead and take a second look at the Roman numerals of the lovingly crafted Santos-Dumont Rewind. That’s right, it’s a watch that goes backwards. If you’ve got a spare US$38,400 to drop on a watch like this, then you’ve probably got a good sense of humour, and that’s exactly what the Santos-Dumont Rewind has. Symbolically, the hands turning back could be linked with the de-aging effects of laughter, but even though it’s lighthearted in concept, its execution is completely serious. The limited edition of 200 pieces is made of platinum, and the carnelian dial is particularly potent. The case is 31.4mm wide and 43.5mm long with a 7.3mm thickness, and the calibre 230 MC is a modified 430P from Piaget.