A classic dress watch is an accessory every man needs. It is not just your everyday timepiece, but the sophisticated finishing touch to your outfit. Not only are dress watches ideal for special occasions, but they can also be investment pieces. A luxury watch is an heirloom that you can pass down to the next generation. So, whether they feature classic design or modern touches, these dress watches will take your look to the next level every time you wear them.
1. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Automatic 40mm Watch
Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest manufacturer of Swiss luxury watches. As a result, they carry plenty of history and prestige. The Patrimony collection timepieces are inspired by 1950s design, mixing a minimalist feel with maximum luxury. This model features a large 40mm blue sunray dial, which contrasts elegantly with the 18-karat pink gold case.
2. Girard-Perregaux 1966 Automatic 40mm Alligator Watch
This Geneva-based Swiss watchmaker can trace its history back 277 years – and they’ve spent every one of them perfecting the art of Horlogerie. Smart and sophisticated, the 1966 collection pays tribute to the year Girard-Perregaux released its first high-performance model. Each timepiece in this range features clean lines and delicate yet masculine aesthetics. The round case on this model is made from 18-karat rose gold, inspired by a pocket watch. You can also admire its precise machinery through the sapphire glass back.
3. Bell & Ross BR V1-92 Automatic 38mm Watch
Inspired by military and aviation heritage, every watch from Bell & Ross puts functionality first. These ultra-reliable and durable timepieces are designed to last and can withstand incredible extremes. The vintage-inspired BR V1-92 Automatic Watch combines a blue sunray dial with a brown leather strap and a satin-polished steel case. Worn by pilots, submariners and bomb disposal experts, Bell & Ross timepieces are for men of action as well as class. It is a watch you could wear to your wedding – or on a mission to the moon.
4. Baume & Mercier Classima Automatic 40mm Stainless Steel Watch
A watch from 1965 may have inspired this timepiece from Swiss watchmakers Baume & Mercier, but it has a timeless feel. Roman numerals and a classic steel case give it an understated, masculine character, while the blue hour, minute and second hands add a modern edge. Combined with a dark-brown alligator strap, this is the ultimate modern-meets-retro timepiece and professional addition to your dress watch collection.
5. IWC Portofino Automatic 40mm Stainless Steel Watch
One of the most prestigious and popular watch brands in the world, IWC Schaffhausen combines elegance with technical excellence. Designed, produced and assembled in a state-of-the-art facility in the Swiss village of Schaffhausen, care and attention to detail can be seen in every IWC model. This watch, from the Portofino collection, is inspired by Italian style and is the epitome of simplicity and versatility. The black alligator strap contrasts perfectly with the polished stainless steel case, which is curved to appear smaller on the wrist with a comfortable fit. As a result, it’s the perfect dress watch for those with smaller wrists.
6. Piaget Altiplano 40mm 18-Karat Rose Gold Watch
A genuine classic dress watch, Piaget’s Altiplano model, has been in production since 1957. It combines a sophisticated round face and silvered dial with minimalist ‘stick’ hour markers and fine hands. The latest version is the most refined yet, with an ultra-thin case – a record-breaking 3mm thick – made in 18-karat rose gold. Slim and chic, this timepiece is a slice of history that will elevate your style immediately. Combined with a brown alligator strap, this is a timeless watch that is the gold standard for elegant accessories.
7. Nomos Glashütte Orion Neomatik Datum Automatic 41mm Watch
If you’re a creative professional, you’ll appreciate the importance of aesthetics when it comes to German watch brand Nomos. Their timepieces are designed in cutting-edge Berlin, before being hand-crafted in the heart of Germany’s watch-making region, Glashütte. For a modern take on the dress watch, you can’t go past the Nomos Orion collection. Each piece features a minimalist look inspired by the Bauhaus art movement of the 1920s. This Neomatik Datum model, with its black face and black leather strap, looks particularly striking, especially with its stainless steel case.
8. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon 39mm Stainless Watch
One of the most prestigious Swiss watch brands, Jaeger-LeCoultre is home to many iconic timepieces. A modern classic, the Master Ultra Thin Moon dress watch combines masculine styling with technical brilliance. In this model, the silvered grey dial features rhodium-plated hour markers as well as a date and moon phase calendar, plus a 43-hour power reserve. Paired with a black leather strap, this watch creates a subtle yet powerful look. It is the type of dress watch that matches every style and every occasion, making it well worth the investment.
9. Junghans Max Bill Automatic 38mm Watch
One of the most understated and unique luxury dress watches on the market, the Max Bill from iconic German watchmaker Junghans is all about simplicity and precision. It’s named after the Swiss artist, architect and designer of the 20th Century, who was known for his clean, industrial aesthetic. This timepiece has the same qualities, featuring a stripped-back, numberless white face in a polished stainless steel case. Far from being too basic, this dress watch is the perfect accessory for those who prefer clean, direct design in a monochrome colour scheme.
10. Cartier Tank Américaine Automatic 45mm Watch
The ultimate heirloom piece, Cartier’s Tank Américaine, is an update on the classic Tank geometric design first created in 1917. This eye-catching and unusual rectangular watch has been a favourite with celebrities for generations, adding a touch of A-list glamour to anyone who wears one. This model features an elongated case in 18-karat rose gold, with Cartier’s signature blue steel hands and thick black Roman numeral hour markers. Worn with a dark brown alligator strap, this timepiece becomes truly iconic – you’ll never want to take it off.
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