Do I need a dress watch in the collection?

[WatchEnthusiast7369]

I currently don’t have any type of dress watch.

1. Should I have one?
2. If so, 10–15K range options?

[enjoythemusic]

Nope, no need. Years ago wore a monkey suit so Patek, etc... but now am chillin' at the beach (and hot tub / pool). A Rolex Sub with date can be worn with virtually anything (except a tuxedo).

Get a couple 'fun' $5k pieces instead

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by WatchEnthusiast7369

I currently don’t have any type of dress watch.

1. Should I have one?
2. If so, 10–15K range options?

Maybe, what does your collection look like?

[WatchEnthusiast7369]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Nope, no need. Years ago wore a monkey suit so Patek, etc... but now am chillin' at the beach (and hot tub / pool). A Rolex Sub with date can be worn with virtually anything (except a tuxedo).

Get a couple 'fun' $5k pieces instead

I like that idea. For 15K if you were to get 2 watches what would it be?

[adamegret]

Try a cheap one first to see if you can deal with the look.

[WatchEnthusiast7369]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Maybe, what does your collection look like?

[PhilLynott]

No one needs any watch let alone a dress watch if you want one and have the money for one theres a million amazing options between 10-15k.

[AEC]

I suppose the Sky Dweller or GMT work fine with a suit and tie. If you're dressed that way often and you feel like having a watch for it then Jaeger-LeCoultre makes good watches in the $10-$15 range for such attire.

I think a Master Ultra Thin Moon would be my pick.



My Cartier Tank XL Auto works nicely with a suit and tie. This watch surprised me with how well it's made and how well it works. Excellent performance from its in-house caliber, crisp & precise operations via the crown, etc. I think it's a good pick at ~$5



I enjoy my Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control, but I don't think I would call it a dress watch. It has a nice blend of satin/polished surfaces on the case, and it's proportioned well at 40mm with a very think bezel, but I feel like it's more of a casual, every-day sort of watch.

[RoRoRo]

You have a nice collection. Good mix of complications and bracelets.

You could add a day date to bring in the OG day complication and use it as a dress watch.

I’d then possibly change the skydweller bracelet to oyster

[Cru Jones]

Buy one because you love it, not because you think you “need” it for your collection. The latter will likely result in it sitting in your watch box instead of on your wrist.

That all being said, in your budget, I would probably go for the Chopard L.U.C. XPS Forest Green. Not a “pure” dress watch, but versatile and beautiful.

[unknown]

It’s probably better to define a dress watch first

According to some it’s a small simple watch
If it has to be this …. NO

If a dresswatch is every watch that does not define as a sports watch, which are imo
Watches with a metal bracelet, preferably bigger size, more heavy, more robust, waterproof and so on….1
Then my answer is “everyone SHOULD have one or better several”

So a breguet tradition, or a breguet tourbillon
A patek chrono
A JLC reverso
Lange 1
Parmigiani toric

If these are dresswatches…. You need one ��

[winst]

How about going vintage decided to utilise a watch I had already - a black dialled Rolex 6426 where if I have a formal function to attend, take the bracelet off and put a nice black leather deployant strap on with custom end links. Being a Manual movement, the case is slim and it is extremely comfortable to wear.

[Dave O]

I personally feel it is always nice to have a dress watch. I have what I would consider two. My Datejust and my Cellini, with the Cellini being my favorite.

[2001jesper]

If you need a decent excuse to buy a watch, then the answer is yes

[brandrea]

I’m not a dress watch guy, I do like them on others though

[Ichiran]

These days I find myself wearing my dress watches more. Just winding the crown, adjusting the time, strapping the leather onto my wrist and finding the right pin hole are therapeutic for me. It's a good start to my day.

[cactakla]

I’m a fan of the dress watch, when appropriate. Suits and above, even when you want to dress up long sleeves. I own two, white metal/black strap and rose gold/brown strap.

If you’re looking for a dress watch, I’d go a different direction entirely and look for $4K-$5K vintage AP cal 2003 or VC cal 1003 time-only manual dress watch. You won’t overspend for a watch you don’t wear a lot and it’s a clean vintage watch with a lovely bit of history and a style that will always earn a respectful nod. If you do wear it a lot? Even better. And you can spend the remaining $10K on two fun watches.

Something like this: https://www.chrono24.com/audemarspig...id36105459.htm

I was looking at several modern options, and there are some lovely choices in that range, but for my white metal version, I ended up with a platinum AP 5125 (cal 2003, made in 1969) for less than $3K (in 2018) and love it.

[77T]

Need? Maybe not...

But I've never been unhappy with mine.



Taking it to the Opera next month.

Have taken it to prize givings, countless banquets, and conventions.

PS: Classic preowned Calatravas are in OP's budget.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by WatchEnthusiast7369

I’m not sure if it’s considered a dress watch, but 100% I would add a Santos to this deal. Nice collection.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by WatchEnthusiast7369

I like that idea. For 15K if you were to get 2 watches what would it be?

Sub NO Date and something with a rectangle / square case. Cartier Tank XL SS would fit great in your collection. On bracelet or, better still, black leather strap it works with tux, suit, and for dress casual on an orange strap, or blue denim strap, or red strap, or lavender strap because your wife / mistress / Dom wants to wear it. She loves lavender.

Yeah, add a Cartier Tank XL and Sub no date. jmho ymmv

PS: Warning, once she gets a hold of it, she'll want a fun pink strap with the lavender strap, and a white strap that looks great with her.... just wanted to warn you

[dmottley]

Agree. The Santos can be worn in casual or formal situations. The bracelet can be switched out for a rubber strap easily.

[ap1]

Of course you do. We like watches around here. I’ll go omega ck859 sector for you

[INC]

I don't think a "traditional" dress watch is absolutely necessary these days, and especially not if you don't really need one. But as others have written, I think a simple three-hand watch with a white/black dial would look good in your collection.

[cactakla]

Originally Posted by cactakla

If you’re looking for a dress watch, I’d go a different direction entirely and look for $4K-$5K vintage AP cal 2003 or VC cal 1003 time-only manual dress watch. You won’t overspend for a watch you don’t wear a lot and it’s a clean vintage watch with a lovely bit of history and a style that will always earn a respectful nod. If you do wear it a lot? Even better. And you can spend the remaining $10K on two fun watches.

I’m not the only fan: https://www.fratellowatches.com/in-d...2003-movement/

[htc8p]

I have a calatrava and dont use it at all. Nice to have but a stupid move. I should have gone with an exp1 or a reverso

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[Ichiran]

My next few watches are all going to be dress watches and I'm excited waiting for them.

[charger_vital]

Good questions. I've been wrestling with this idea as well. If I were to do it at that price range I'd go for a JLC Reverso.

[ts3]

I was in the same boat w/o any dress watch and ended up getting a little 3998P Calatrava just above OP's price range back then. I had thought about a new 5196R Calatrava as well but it looked large on my wrist and the tiny movement gave me pause. So I went both automatic and with date. Heresy in the purists' eyes but no regrets on my part.

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by AEC

I suppose the Sky Dweller or GMT work fine with a suit and tie. If you're dressed that way often and you feel like having a watch for it then Jaeger-LeCoultre makes good watches in the $10-$15 range for such attire.

I think a Master Ultra Thin Moon would be my pick.


I enjoy my Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control, but I don't think I would call it a dress watch. It has a nice blend of satin/polished surfaces on the case, and it's proportioned well at 40mm with a very think bezel, but I feel like it's more of a casual, every-day sort of watch.

I'm crushing pretty hard on both of these references. JLC second hand are such a great value.

[WatchEnthusiast7369]

I want to try a JLC reverso on see if I like it.