I need help purchasing a dress watch

[Peterandwatches]

I would go with something dressy, but not strictly formal. I'd assume you'd want some versatility.

The JLC MUT Moon is fantastic. The VC choice is inspired. I'd also strongly look at the Lange 1. It's all a matter of budget and what strikes you.

[lhawli]

I’ll play again! In addition the the 2 JLC I suggested I’d like to propose the new Cartier Santos!

- iconic and a living legend (like the DJ, Speedy and Sub)
- you get the bracelet and strap with watch
- has easy strap changes with no tools
- square case is bold - dare to be different

Although not your typical dress watch, I class it like the DJ, but arguably dressier. On a black croc strap it looks fantastic as a dress watch.




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[Ichiran]

[WalkingDad]

Buy Grand Seiko

[scarlet knight]

JLC Reverso Duo? Patek Calatrava?


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[ragingcao]

ALS Saxonia thin 37 would be my choice. Retail $14K, Takuya has one in RG north of 10K. I’d jump on it if I hadn’t got the WG already.

[sirish19]

Vacheron is a great choice for a dress watch. Traditionale or a Patrimony would suit very well. I went with the Patrimony myself and am very happy with the choice. It fits very well with a suit or tuxedo given the slim profile. And it gives you a piece of the Holy Trinity.


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[ragingcao]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

I'm going to select something very different for you Sir, pretty sure no one else here would have thought of such a simple yet elegant high end built to last timepiece but worth every penny for generations to come..

It's a manually wound, traditionally Genevan 38 mm dress watch, 65 hrs power reserves, easily serviceable by any high end watchmaker, possess a beautiful blend of both vintage and modern look with a sublime finishing powered by the gorgeous in house Calibre 4400, arguably the finest and greatest manual winding movement in the world

Megan's choice
Rose Gold Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Small Seconds
A BNIB retails for US$19 K and the market value of a preowned LNIB is in the ballpark of US$15xxx

Absolutely fantastic choice too

[Tangier11]

This

[BzKneez]

Thank you for all your suggestions! Great options. I have a lot of studying to do!

[Krash]

I’d go with either Megan’s choice out of all these or a Patek Phillipe Callatrava. 5196G, 5196R, or 5196J.


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[El-Duderino]

For me, I love the JLC MUT Moon Red Gold. Still waiting for the right pre-owned one to pop up on the sales forums. Pic off the ol’ interwebs:


ALS 1815 Up/Down, pre-owned, would be at the upper limit you provided.
Hodinkee image:


Rolex Day-Date 36mm, pre-owned, six digit, should be in the $16k-$18k range.
Pic from Bob’s Watches:


Otherwise, all the VC, ALS, and JLC already mentioned would be stellar. And your idea of a DJ41, while a tad large for what many would consider a “dress watch,” would in almost any but the most formal of circumstances be fine.

However, if you are already thinking of a DJ41 which is a lot less than $15k-$20k, I’d get that plus a Nomos Orion 35 or 38 Datum and just see how often you wear the thinner, smaller dress watch. Pics from the interwebs:




I bring this up because dress watches typically do not hold their value well compared to their sportier siblings. So, if you dive right in with a new ALS or VC, and then decide you aren’t wearing it enough, you are more than likely going to take a bath on resale/trade. Going with the DJ41 and Orion might give you two great watches and allow you to see what you prefer to wear. Just another option to consider.


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[AK797]

Lange Saxonia, 1815 or L1 if possible.

[soflonative]

I bought this 118138 to wear more as a dress watch.


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[lhawli]

Originally Posted by El-Duderino

However, if you are already thinking of a DJ41 which is a lot less than $15k-$20k, I’d get that plus a Nomos Orion 35 or 38 Datum and just see how often you wear the thinner, smaller dress watch. Pics from the interwebs:




I bring this up because dress watches typically do not hold their value well compared to their sportier siblings. So, if you dive right in with a new ALS or VC, and then decide you aren’t wearing it enough, you are more than likely going to take a bath on resale/trade. Going with the DJ41 and Orion might give you two great watches and allow you to see what you prefer to wear. Just another option to consider.


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Interesting you mentioned that. I also own that DJ41 pictured below. But I always wanted a dress watch in the truest sense of a 37-39, white minimalist dial and black cord strap. I wasn’t sure how much wrist time it would get. I could have spent a lot of money on a JLC, but wanted to test the waters with a NOMOS Orion. I quickly realized that it was not getting much wrist time and soon flipped it. Good thing it wasn’t a big hit.

Funny thing is, I still desire a JLC MUT Moon lol. But for now, my DJ is filling that dress watch void. Then again, the other side of that same coin - had it been a JLC instead of a NOMOS, it may have demanded more wrist time. Sometimes you can’t really know for sure until you take the plunge.

PS. The DJ41 is 39ish mm in diameter - not exactly what one would consider completely out of the dress watch 37-39mm range.






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[Cato]

Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second in gold. YUMMY!

[lhawli]

Originally Posted by Cato

Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic True Second in gold. YUMMY!

A guy next to me was wearing one at a Café, it blew my mind at first - as I thought what in the hell, since when does JLC make quartz!!! Until I educated myself on their website and realized it was a true second.

It was stunning non the less.


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[scarlet knight]

Does the true second tick instead of sweep?

Some great watches so far. Rhodium DJ, Vc, JLC MUT Moon in rose gold. Others are no slouch.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

I'm going to select something very different for you Sir, pretty sure no one else here would have thought of such a simple yet elegant high end built to last timepiece but worth every penny for generations to come..

It's a manually wound, traditionally Genevan 38 mm dress watch, 65 hrs power reserves, easily serviceable by any high end watchmaker, possess a beautiful blend of both vintage and modern look with a sublime finishing powered by the gorgeous in house Calibre 4400, arguably the finest and greatest manual winding movement in the world

Megan's choice
Rose Gold Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Small Seconds
A BNIB retails for US$19 K and the market value of a preowned LNIB is in the ballpark of US$15xxx

Damn that's a sweet watch!

[RedLs3]

Datejust 41 with jubilee band, blue face and romans

[lucevan le stelle]

Some great choices supplied the OP here. Not clear if this would be adding to a collection that already includes dress watches or not. If not, it might be good to have 2 to trade off of for the work week. Interesting to read how members would decide to allocate the 20 or 15k to two dress watch choices instead of one.

[subtona]

On leather.
No date.
39mm or smaller.

[Cato]

Originally Posted by lhawli

A guy next to me was wearing one at a Café, it blew my mind at first - as I thought what in the hell, since when does JLC make quartz!!! Until I educated myself on their website and realized it was a true second.

It was stunning non the less.


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I'm attracted by the "True Second" concept, too. Maybe it will start a trend!

[Krash]

Originally Posted by soflonative

I bought this 118138 to wear more as a dress watch.


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That's beautiful, but I don't see that anywhere on their website or is it just me?

[HogwldFLTR]

For formal no watch iirc.

https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/soc...s-infographic/

[KenU]

I’ve recently fallen in love with the new Cellini Moonphase. See if you can find one and make a deal to get close to your budget!
Good luck with whatever you choose!

[vladamir15]

Originally Posted by meganfox17

I'm going to select something very different for you Sir, pretty sure no one else here would have thought of such a simple yet elegant high end built to last timepiece but worth every penny for generations to come..

It's a manually wound, traditionally Genevan 38 mm dress watch, 65 hrs power reserves, easily serviceable by any high end watchmaker, possess a beautiful blend of both vintage and modern look with a sublime finishing powered by the gorgeous in house Calibre 4400, arguably the finest and greatest manual winding movement in the world

Megan's choice
Rose Gold Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle Small Seconds
A BNIB retails for US$19 K and the market value of a preowned LNIB is in the ballpark of US$15xxx

Beautiful! I would say this!

[Dnf888]

I bought this, DJ41 black dial with diamond markers, for dress watch days/nights out.


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[lhawli]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

Does the true second tick instead of sweep?

Yes! It’s a rare complication for mechanical watches and is also referred to as “deadbeat second,” which basically means the second hand ticks once per second.

If I am not mistaken, JLC introduced this back in 1958, so in reality the quartz “deadbeat second” owes it to JLC. However, given its rarity in today’s mechanical movements - most will assume it’s a quartz movement.



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[MJ8]