The 20 Best Dress Watches For Men
For a lot of guys, dress watches don’t always get the same consideration as everyday watches or sport watches. Sure, we don’t wear them as often. When it comes to choosing grails, mid-priced collectors will often go Submariner or Speedmaster. We’ve got the 20 best dress watches for men here, to show you that they can be just as cool as that automatic chronograph or that GMT you use for party tricks.
If you just consider yourself a generally casual gent, an excellent dress watch can be something to look forward to when you get dragged to formal events. If you avoid good dress watches because you think all timepieces should have everyday wearability, we’ve got some excellent versatile options.
Under $1,000
Hamilton Jazzmaster Day Date Auto
A testament to how subtle details can level up simple and classic dress watches, the Hamilton Jazzmaster Day Date Auto truly delivers dimensions. From its elegant gold-outlined sword hands (the indices get the same treatment), modern cutout-style day and date, to its stepped profile. This distinguishes it from the countless other round-cased understated dress watches out there. It runs on the 25-jewel, 80-hour H-40 automatic movement, which you can admire through the exhibition caseback—keep yourself entertained during those duller dress watch-necessary events.
Timex Marlin Automatic Leather Strap Watch
This Timex Marlin Automatic comes straight from the American heritage brand’s archive of icons. Based on the popular 1960s Marlin design, its silky silver-toned dial has luster and texture, making it as refined as any dress watch, with a vintage and masculine touch. The stainless steel case is a reasonable and versatile 40mm, complemented by a grained leather strap. This handsome gent runs on a hard-ticking 21-jewel automatic movement, also on display through the see-through caseback.
Junghans Max Bill Max Bill Hand-Winding Watch
Industrial designer Max Bill boasts clock designs in the MOMA collection, so the Junghans Max Bill Hand-Winding Watch is literally a piece of art. The lume-green 3-hour indices are outlined in black, which give it an illustration-like quality, and a very subtle but playful pop. Its cool silver dial takes up a generous amount of space, making the case frame look skinny and slick from an aerial view. This dynamic makes the 34mm timepiece look great on bigger wrists as well as smaller ones. With Junghans’ trademark Bauhaus minimalism though, this guy could also be a leveled-up casual watch.
Orient Bambino Watch
Out of all the variations in Orient’s flagship Bambino line, this 2nd Generation Orient Bambino, Version I, is the most versatile. It’s not as minimal as Version III, and not as grand as the Roman numeral-clad Version II. A happy medium, this variation features applied baton-shaped indices with glimmery polygonic surfaces, and classically dapper sword hands. As all second generation Bambinos, it runs on Orient’s F6722 caliber, an automatic movement with hacking. At around $200, this timepiece really punches above its weight-class.
Under $2,000
Nomos Ludwig Reference 201
Bauhaus-inspired NOMOS Glashütte is known for their chronometry department with artisans that make parts by hand, combining art with production. The Ludwig Reference 201 marries efficient lines and composition with a classic refinery. The case is polished and glossy, but simple. The dial displays classy Roman numerals, but they’re constituted of simple stick lines, just like the beautiful blue hands. If you want a traditional dress watch without that inefficient ornate quality that’s all too common, go for the very serious Nomos Ludwig Reference 201.
Baume & Mercier Classima 10322 Watch
Gold medal-winning Baume & Mercier gives us a stately yet uncomplicated dress watch in this Classima 10322. It features a high-shine 42mm stainless steel case, well proportioned with its clean and modern lugs and black calfskin strap. The applied polished Roman numerals add a touch of ceremony, without looking out of place in the overall straightforward design language. This watch is all about balance. For the horology buffs, all of this sapphire and steel houses the Swiss-made Sellita SW200 automatic, self-winding movement, which runs on 26 jewels.
The Longines 1832 Watch
Named for the Swiss brand’s birth year, the Longines 1832 is the kind of classic good-ol’-days type of watch that most guys will eventually want. It has an old world elegance, built with new world durability including a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with many anti-reflective coats, and a vintage-colored beige dial. This timepiece also has an old world hand-crafted quality, but with modern functionalities. Its polished silver hands are equipped with ultrabright Swiss Super-Luminova, while its L888 caliber is a self-winding automatic with a 72-hour power reserve. This is all complemented by a brown alligator strap that your grandfather would love. Basically, the Longines 1832 only uses new parts and designs where it matters.
Under $5,000
Grand Seiko SBGA293G
Horologically speaking, there are literally no watches like Grand Seikos, and this SBGA293G is truly uncommon. Its innovative 72-hour spring drive movement could only be developed by a brand like Seiko, a master of both quartz and mechanicals. It’s powered by a mainspring like a mechanical is, but a quartz signal regulates the power sent to the hands, meaning it has the torque of an automatic but the precision of an electronic. You can watch this exquisite movement through the sapphire caseback. This artisan-built timepiece is classic, impeccably detailed, and built from the best materials. It even has a power reserve complication on the dial for a pop of gadgety goodness, without compromising the overall elegant style.
IWC Portofino Automatic
The IWC Portofino Automatic is a perfectly balanced and moderate dress watch. It has a round 40mm case, complemented by simple lugs that jut out for a hard edge. The face has an elegant silver and white palette, and a simple design. This serves as the perfect watch face to match with their whopping 15 alligator strap options, from black and brown to pink, cognac, light green, and orange. Further personalize this 25-jewel automatic with engravings and embossings straight from IWC.
Breitling Premier Automatic 40
If you love a watch with lore and history, this Premier Automatic 40 is one of Breitling’s ultimates. It was designed by Mr. Breitling himself in the 1940s as their first style-focused timepiece. However, the aviation heritage is apparent, through its excellent legibility and subdial. These tool watch qualities sit beautifully with its silver dial and elegant case grooves. On top of all that, it runs on the 31-jewel automatic Breitling 37 caliber, and is a genuine chronometer. It’s certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), exhibiting the utmost durability, precision, and quality.
Montblanc Heritage Automatic
Can one be undeniably masculine and elegantly refined at the same time? The Montblanc Heritage Automatic, a polished take on practical-focused wristwatches from the ‘40s, says yes. The 12, 3, 6, and 9 have a bold field watch legibility, but are shiny, applied, and rhodium-coated like durable jewelry often is. Grainy texture is incorporated to the face, but in a design-focused way, limited as a background racetrack for the indices. It’s rounded out with a fancy Italian alligator strap, in an understated grey color of course. This practical and dignified timepiece is perfect for the anti-dress watch guy.
Under $10,000
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date
Simple and timeless, Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date is a champion dress watch, but like a gentleman, doesn’t boast about it. The 40mm case is made of purest stainless steel and the dial is a beautiful silver tone, adding a touch of shine to the time-honored unguarded-crown look. The applied indices are dimensional swords, with the exception of 12, 6, and 9, while a clear and elegantly windowed date sits on the 3 spot. Other excellent features include a two-tone 70-hour automatic movement, and a rich Novonappa French leather strap.
Girard-Perregaux 1966 40mm Watch
What makes the Girard-Perregaux 1966 unique is its meticulous approach to details. As a traditional dress watch, it’s exceedingly minimal, yet the few design elements that are there get five-star treatment. The indices are literal 0.06 ct diamonds, cut and brilliant. The dial is a silver-colored French opaline, the same material aristocrats love on their Baccarat vases. And naturally, the 40mm case is stainless steel, while the protective glass is scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. This timepiece is impressive but unobnoxious. Like a pair of precious metal cufflinks, they peek at people throughout the evening, without shoving its fanciness in anyone’s face.
Cartier Santos Watch
Rolex gives us the quintessential dive, while Omega gives us the chronograph king. As far as the godfather of the dress watch mafia, it’s Cartier all the way. The Cartier Santos Watch exudes all of the classic tank watch qualities, while still being distinct and so covetable. Its steel case and integrated bracelet are polished but tough, the exposed screws providing a very slight industrial touch. You can also switch the metal bracelet out for a leather one for a more traditional look. With its Roman numerals, opaline dial, and jewel-esque seven-sided crown though, the Cartier Santos is an overall luxurious and graceful dress watch.
Tag Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph
Boasting an uncommon design language, the Tag Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph features the body of a genuine sport watch, with the upscale construction of a dress timepiece. Each of the indices is given the combined-double-baton treatment. Along with the watch hands, they’re also 5N rose gold plated, meaning it’s a full 75 percent gold. The silver sunray dial complements these accents, and gives a delicate luster regardless of where the light hits it. Function-wise, this high-performance gent runs on an automatic chronograph movement with an 80-hour power reserve, while its indices feature a substantial lume that you don’t often get with dress watches.
Under $20,000
A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Watch
With its line-focused design and fully precious metal structure, the A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Watch is like a really masculine piece of jewelry. The 35mm case is made of white gold, while the dial is composed of solid silver and white argenté metal, and is adorned with solid-gold appliques. Lines are the only design motif, with the exception of the iconic logo. Even the subdial features a racetrack on it, adding a subtle contrast texture to the overall smooth and shiny style. This minimalist use of imagery gives this watch a modern aesthetic, on a classic silhouette.
Rolex Cellini Time
Inspired by Renaissance sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, the Rolex Cellini Time is ornate yet clean, and technically sound on the design and horological front. It features a 39mm 18k white gold case, expertly polished to its trademark glimmer. The white dial face and double bezel are efficient and legible, but bedecked with elegantly applied lines, cleverly interrupted by the seconds track. As all Rolex timepieces, it runs on a COSC-certified automatic movement that’s accurate within -2 and +2 seconds a day.
Omega De Ville Trésor Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Omega’s dress watch comeback kid, the De Ville Trésor Co-Axial Master Chronometer didn’t go back to the brand’s pie-pan glory days, but instead leaned into its high-tech present. Design-wise, it’s restrained and dignified, built with Omega’s very own Sedna gold. Composed of palladium, gold, and hints of platinum and rhodium, you get the equivalent of 18k gold, only three times stronger with incomparable brilliance. And of course, this Trésor is a master chronometer, running on Omega’s legendary and highest-precision Co-Axial 8929 movement. Thankfully, this timepiece also has an exhibition caseback, as it would be a shame to hide such a movement.
Zenith Elite Classic
The Zenith Elite Classic uniquely combines two archetypal schools of thought when it comes to dress watch design: The ornate school (think fluted pie-pan bezels) and the simple school (round case, no crown guards). The result is a happy medium timepiece that, as Zenith themselves boast, redefines the codes of elegance. The round case is 18k rose gold, while the gorgeous sunray dial almost looks like a remixed and appropriated use of the fluted bezel look—a “fluted dial” of sorts. Running on a 50-hour automatic movement, the Zenith Elite Classic is in a class of its own.
Under $50,000
Rolex Day-Date 40
Recognizable from miles away, the prestigious and distinguished Rolex Day-Date 40 is an undeniable flex. It’s one of Rolex’s A-Team models, having been around since 1956, and is available only in precious metals. The fluted pie-pan is iconic, whether it’s framing batons or Roman numerals on that silky slate dial. As the oyster bracelet’s fancier brother, the President bracelet features thinner, rounder links, for extra unabashed sparkle. The Day-Date doesn’t just rely on its looks though. It runs on Rolex’s basically-everything-proof COSC-certified automatic 3255 movement.
Patek Philippe 5227
The Day-Date is the king of the ornate dress watches, while the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227 is the king of the round timepieces. If you’re looking for a classic round-case-no-guards dress watch, and if your only prerequisite is it to be the best of the best, then the Calatrava is your guy. With its clean lines, close-to-body crown, and white gold construction, this watch is timeless and elegant. The slick lugs and hand-stitched square-scaled alligator strap are classically handsome. Inside, the 5227 runs on Patek’s Caliber 324 S C, a 29-jewel automatic.
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