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 color 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 favorite 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.
11. Maurice De Mauriac L1 42mm Coated Stainless Steel Watch
Maurice de Mauriac is a family-run mechanical watch business located in the heart of Zürich, Switzerland. Founded by former banker Daniel Dreifuss in 1997, and now co-run with his two sons, the brand offers modern, design-driven watches that also have character, heart, and soul. Industrial designer Fabian Schwaerzler helped create the L1 model. He applied minimal, architectural principles to its styling. The white hour markers on the black dial glow blue in the dark, while the face is coated with diamond-like carbon to make it water- and scratch-resistant.
12. TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic 39mm Steel And Alligator Watch
TAG Heuer is synonymous with motor racing, and no collection more so than the Carrera. The company’s former CEO Jack Heuer named the range after the La Carrera Panamericana, a high-speed race held in Mexico when he launched it in the ’60s. This watch has a warm, retro feel with its off-white face and brown alligator strap, manual winding, and clean face with simple steel hour markers. In a nod to its racing heritage, this version of the TAG Heuer Carrera is built to withstand the elements. The stainless steel case can take 10 bar pressure underwater, and the hands are luminous in the dark.
13. Zenith Power Reserve 40mm 18-Karat Rose Gold Watch
Old-school elegance meets simplicity in this exceptional dress watch from Zenith. The 18-karat rose gold case and rose gold-plated hands and baton hour markers give it a warm, sophisticated feel. The velvet-finish dial and dark brown alligator strap complement this design. Practical details like the mini second hand, date window, and power reserve marker make this a classic timepiece that lives up to Zenith’s 154-year heritage.
14. Montblanc Heritage Automatic 40mm Watch
The 1940s and 1950s designs of Swiss watchmaker Minerva inspired the Heritage range from leading luxury brand Montblanc, which absorbed Minerva in 2006. Those classic touches come through in the design, which includes elements like dot indexes, a silver bezel, and dark grey alligator strap. But while this dress watch calls back to the past, it’s also anchored firmly in the present. It represents a great balance between tradition and modernity, mixing Montblanc’s precision technology and sporty details with timeless design.
15. Oris Aquis Date Relief Automatic 43mm Watch
High-design and high-performance, the Oris Aquis collection of diver’s watches are functional, masculine, and sleek. The rotating bezel allows you to track seconds, while the broad 43.5mm face and luminescent hands make it easy to read day or night. This bold dress watch’s design was inspired by the ocean, with a dark dial that reminds the wearer of stormy seas. When combined with a metal strap, this timepiece will go the distance underwater. But for an elegant evening out, black leather takes it to the height of sophistication and style.
FAQs
What is a dress watch?
A dress watch is a style of watch that can be worn with formal attire such as a tuxedo. It will generally have minimal styling, a slim profile and average size case, a leather strap, and precious metals such as gold or platinum. Dress watches are very timeless and classic, with a refined edge. There’s no high-tech gadgetry or chunky profiles, as you want it to complement your style without drawing attention.
What is a good dress watch?
Some of the best dress watches for men are the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Automatic 40mm Watch, Girard-Perregaux 1966 Automatic 40mm Alligator Watch, and Bell & Ross BR V1-92 Automatic 38mm Watch.
Is Rolex a dress watch?
Rolex is more well known for its sports and industry-style watches; however, their Cellini line offers a range of dress watches. Cellini Time is the most classic option. The other variants have additional features such as dual time zones, calendars, and moon phases, which are less traditionally found on dress watches.
Arabella Roden is a skilled writer and sub-editor with over ten years of experience across print, digital, and B2B. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and specializes in beauty, hairstyles, fashion, tattoos, and lifestyle topics. Arabella is currently the Chief Sub Editor at Mecca Brands and has been writing for The Trend Spotter since 2019.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
