6 Best Dress Watches for Formal Occasions

When it comes to getting ready for formal events, many people find it frightening to match their watch to their dress. Selecting a beautiful watch is not as simple as customizing it; there are designs that are thought to be better suited for particular situations. Choosing the perfect dive watch or chronometer looks very simple if you were attending a sports car race or a surfing competition. With regard to dress watches, however, things become a little more unclear. In this article, we’ll discuss the key features of a dress watch along with our top 6 picks of the year!

What is a dress watch?

Dress watches are, to put it simply, timepieces meant to be worn on special occasions. Evening gowns and tuxedos go well with these accessories. As such, they offer a customarily refined appearance that complements elaborate ensembles for any black-tie occasion. But the idea of a dress watch dates back far further than the 20th century. While men wore pocket watches back then, ladies wore wristwatches more often. Watch manufacturers switched to producing small, basic wristwatches after military men started wearing their pocket timepieces on their wrists for convenience. 

This brings us to the first quality that sets them apart: size. A men’s dress watch should ideally be able to be tucked under the shirt cuff without drawing attention to itself. As a result, dress watches often have a lower thickness and diameter. The whole point of dress watches is to maintain their elegance so that their wearer can check the time in a subdued and courteous way. These size considerations are a result of the perception that it is impolite to check the time because it suggests that you have somewhere else to be. 

The selection of materials is the second element we need to consider. Dress watches are typically constructed from gold or other premium materials. Typically, the strap is composed of leather, however designs frequently include diamonds and other priceless stones. These days, a lot of dress timepieces combine the glitter of gold plating with the robustness of stainless steel. Once more, the use of pricey materials recalls the time when only the elite could afford to wear dress watches. 

Dress watches often have simple, uncluttered designs in terms of aesthetics. Frequently, they have simple, black-and-white dials with little embellishments. A dress watch typically only shows the time, though occasionally it could also have a little date window. Not even when designers decide to add more intricacies can harmony be maintained. Modern dress watches frequently have basic moon-phase complexities, but they also strike a delicate balance. 

Engravings or skeletonized components are occasionally used. In light of this, choosing the ideal design for a dress watch may seem challenging; yet, a solid guideline is to take the watch’s design into account. If the dress watch’s overall style is balanced, elegant, and simple, it can be worn to any formal event. Generally speaking, big cases, hefty bezels, rubber straps, NATO straps, metal bracelets, chronographs, and other features are inappropriate for dress watches.

On what occasions can you wear a dress watch?

Usually, dress watches are made with formal situations in mind. These luxurious watches are ideal for formal and semi-formal parties, as well as black- and white-tie affairs. Because of this, you can wear a dress watch to almost any occasion when formal or elegant clothing is required. But there’s no rule saying dress watches can’t be worn every day! These accessories are quite adaptable and go well with casual attire. Their simple style will not only go well with your clothing, but it can also elevate your look. 

Top Dress Watches For Men

So, now that we have a clear idea on the defining characteristics of a dress watch, we can dive into our best dress watch recommendations!

Skagen Ancher Quartz Analog Watch Titanium Grey.

Skagen Ancher Quartz Analog Watch

This watch reflects the best qualities of Danish watchmaking and dress watches with its simple yet beautiful design. Ancher is a stylish watch with a striking gray dial and silver stick hands that works well for both formal and informal settings. 

Hublot Classic Fusion Watch Original Titanium.

Hublot Classic Fusion Watch

The Hublot Classic Fusion is a more costly variant with an intriguing dial. The absence of indices counteracts the date window’s existence. The watch is more visually appealing with its two bold sword hands. For men who like a more contemporary style, this watch is still a great dress watch even though it is a more sporty model.

Tufina Louvre Pionier | GM-517-4 | Gold.

Tufina Louvre Pionier

A fantastic watch with an automatic movement, Louvre features an intriguing design that is also a bit unconventional. The square case is inspired by the architectural elements of the monument, hence the name. The Roman numerals compliment the dark hands, white the multi-patterned dial creates a unique visual appeal. Although the design is considered out-of-the-box, this timepiece makes for a gorgeous dress watch. The simple color pattern as well as the leather band allow wearers to pair Louvre with any type of formal attire. 

Fossil Minimalist Three-Hand Watch.

Fossil The Three-Hand Watch, Minimalist

This Fossil watch is a great choice for anyone who likes warm tones. The golden case, polished to a mirror-like sheen, accentuates the brown dial. The delicate white and gold hands are matched with slender stick indexes. 

Bulova Classic Quartz Black.

Classic Quartz Bulova Watch

Bulova is a great, reasonably priced choice if you’re searching for a traditional black and white dress watch. Stick indices and hands, both extremely thin, are set on a sleek black dial. The silver metal bracelet offers a more modern touch. 

Paragon Tufina Theorema | GM-122-1 | Silver.

Paragon Tufina Theorema

If you are looking for a watch that combines style with practicality, Paragon is an excellent option. This versatile timepiece features a white dial, an automatic movement and a full calendar complication. The golden hands complement the case, while the brown leather band creates a timeless aesthetic.