8 of the best “Stormtrooper” watches

Zach Blass

Whether it’s a car, a fridge or sneakers, some things just look fantastic in white. The only thing that can improve them further is adding a strong black contrast. Affectionately given the nickname of Stormtrooper, objects with this colour scheme radiate a sense of high-tech sophistication that just isn’t the same as something like a panda dial. Let’s take a look at some of the best Stormtrooper watches out there that would usually get lost in the worship of panda chronographs.

Swatch Live Time White

Even 41 years after its first collection, Swatch is still an industry trailblazer in the design, execution, and proliferation of affordable Swiss watchmaking. The Live Time White may not be as extravagant as some of its most artistic watches or as sporty as the MoonSwatch, but it’s perfect as a playful wristwatch. It has a bioceramic case and bio-sourced strap that give it an eco kick, and the dial splits in half to reveal blackened movement parts beneath. For those who love both the intricacies of watch engineering and the simplicity of the Stormtrooper colour scheme, this 34mm underdog is a great, casual option. Price: US$95

Casio G-SHOCK ‘CasiOak’ GA2100-7A

The Casio G-SHOCK CasiOak may bear a passing resemblance to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak thanks to its octagonal bezel, but it’s become a modern classic within the G-SHOCK catalogue on its own terms. It’s a watch that’s as bulletproof as a watch can be while offering plenty of useful digital functions, such as 31 time zones, a 1/100-second chronograph, five daily alarms, and much more. The white resin case is stark against the black dial in the best way possible, while the negative LED display remains legible on demand with a backlight. Price: US$99

Citizen Stormtrooper

If your love of the Stormtrooper colour scheme actually comes from Star Wars and not just the strong contrast between black and white, the Citizen Stormtrooper is the only one which will truly scratch your itch. From the Imperial Crest at 12 o’clock to the back plate’s power pack at 9, the dial is packed with Stormtrooper easter eggs. Even the 44mm case seems sci-fi with its elevated bezel and shining mirror polish. It’s powered by an Eco-Drive movement, so it recharges with light and never needs battery replacements. The caseback displays a blueprint of a Stormtrooper helmet and the Star Wars logo, tying it in as an officially licensed product. Price: US$325

Doxa SUB 300 Carbon Whitepearl

Bold, clean, and full of attention-grabbing character, the Doxa Sub 300 Carbon Whitepearl looks like a spaceship emerging from snow. The forged carbon case with its near-organic streaks of grey is contrasted by the quirky white dial, easily legible thanks to Doxa’s handset and thick hour markers. Both the dial and the white parts of the markers are entirely luminous, essentially lighting up the whole watch like a beacon when underwater or in shadows. Not only are the specs of the 42.5mm case impressive with a comfortable 45mm lug-to-lug, but the Sellita SW200-1 movement is also COSC-certified for chronometer accuracy. You can also find this watch on the Time+Tide Shop. Price: US$4,090

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

If you’re a fan of the Stormtrooper look but don’t want to stretch too far into stylised looks, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M in white offers just a taste of the aesthetic while still remaining versatile. Even if you ignore the heritage and quality you get with a brand like Omega, the proportions of this watch are just stunning. The applied indices have blackened surrounds that are just thick enough to be perfectly legible without seeming over the top, and the ceramic dial with its laser-cut wave pattern offers subtle texture and intrigue. The Calibre 8800 is one of Omega’s latest generations of in-house movement, featuring the famous co-axial escapement as well as Master Chronometer certification from METAS. Price: US$5,900

Chanel J12

When it comes down to it, the Stormtrooper armour would feel incomplete without its polished sheen, designed to deflect and absorb blasters. White ceramic replicates this best with a liquid-like lustre, and the Chanel J12 was one of the first watches to take advantage of ceramics in watchmaking. The most recent 38mm reference is the best the watch has ever been and is certainly one of the dressiest forms the Stormtrooper aesthetic has taken. It’s loaded with the Calibre 12.1 manufactured by Kenissi, themselves part-owned by Chanel and Tudor, and boasts a 70-hour power reserve along with COSC certification. Price: US$7,950

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Lake Tahoe”

IWC isn’t the fastest brand to adopt new developments, but it spends its time perfecting its skills and ensuring its watches all contribute to the established IWC identity. The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Lake Tahoe” was a significant release in its timeline, introducing its pristine white ceramic in an entirely matte finish. Representative of the white uniforms worn by the US Navy as well as the snowy landscapes surrounding Lake Tahoe, this is a watch full of aviation references and technical achievement. The 44mm case embraces the pilot’s watch tradition of oversized cases, and the calibre 69380 provides 46 hours of power reserve and a column wheel chronograph. Price: US$11,700

Hublot Big Bang UNICO White Ceramic

The Big Bang Unico is one of the best examples of Hublot’s “Art of Fusion”, having been crafted in pretty much everything from purple aluminium to clear sapphire. This version in white ceramic is one of Hublot’s least adventurous colours considering its well-established stability as a material, however, it does happen to be one of the most visually striking. The glossy sheen of the white case is sandwiched between black wings and the dial’s chapter ring, and the black edging continues along the lines of the ridged rubber strap. The HUB1280 Unico movement includes both a flyback chronograph complication as well as 72 hours of power reserve, marking it as a technical success as well as an aesthetic one. Price: US$23,000

Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon GMT

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept has been defying watchmaking conventions since 2002, and this reference first announced in 2014 was its fourth evolution. Rather than focusing solely on complications, the AP Royal Oak Concept thrashes the boundaries between the case, dial and movement, and explores avant-garde materials alongside design. Still, this hybrid of titanium and white ceramic components fits a 24-hour GMT display and day/night indicator, a tourbillon, and 10 days of power reserve into a surprisingly-symmetrical package. It doesn’t have the quirkiness of the first-ever Royal Oak Concept and it’s not a pop culture smash like the versions featuring Marvel heroes, but rather it’s an expression of highly-modernised watchmaking excellence.