The most popular watch colors, metals and stones
Black is the classic best-selling dial color, with white and silver close behind; blue has been the fashion favorite of recent years and green the big trend of the 2020s. Stainless steel is by far the most common case metal, and diamonds are the most popular stones.
Dial colors
| Color | Why people choose it |
|---|---|
| Black | Classic, easy to read, goes with everything; the long-time best seller |
| White and silver | Dressy and clean; traditional for dress watches |
| Blue | The fashion favorite of the last decade, from navy to sunburst blue |
| Green | The standout trend of the 2020s, from olive to emerald |
| Grey, brown, salmon | Collector favorites for something different |
Case metals
Stainless steel dominates because it's tough, rust-resistant and affordable; most luxury steel uses a grade called 316L. Gold (yellow, white and rose) is the traditional luxury choice, two-tone steel and gold is a classic middle ground, and titanium is about 40% lighter than steel. Ceramic and carbon cases have grown in sports watches.
Stones and "jewels"
Diamonds are the most popular stones on watches: on bezels, dials, hour markers and bracelets. Sapphires and rubies follow, and colored "rainbow" bezels have become a trend.
The word "jewels" also means something different inside a watch. A mechanical movement uses tiny synthetic rubies as bearings where parts rub, because they barely wear. A typical fully jeweled watch has 17 jewels; complicated watches have many more. Lab-grown rubies have been used since the early 1900s, so they add durability, not value.
The glass
Most quality watches today use sapphire crystal, a lab-grown sapphire that's extremely scratch-resistant. Cheaper watches use mineral glass or acrylic, which scratches more easily but can be polished.
Questions people ask
What is the most popular watch dial color?
Black has long been the classic best seller, with white and silver close behind. Blue has been the most fashionable color of recent years, and green has become a strong trend in the 2020s.
What are the 'jewels' in a watch?
Tiny synthetic rubies used as bearings for the moving parts, because they're extremely hard and smooth. A '17-jewel' watch has rubies at the key friction points of the movement.
What is sapphire crystal?
The clear cover over the dial on many quality watches, made of lab-grown sapphire. It's second only to diamond in hardness on the common scale, so it's very hard to scratch.
Why are watches shown at 10:10 in ads?
The hands frame the brand name, look symmetrical, and suggest a smile. It's a long-standing convention, not a tribute to any event.
Read the stories behind the names on the watchmakers page.
Last updated October 18, 2026.