Watch Insider’s Top 10 Men’s Dress Watches


Piaget Altiplano 38 mm 900P

The thinnest mechanical wristwatch in the world, this Piaget is a watchmaking masterpiece and a true beauty. With the watch’s case serving as part of its movement, it measures a mere 3.65 mm (!) thick. Its diameter is a perfect 38 mm. I especially appreciate how Piaget makes its Caliber 900P, which is manufactured to fulfill the severe requirements of the Geneva Hallmark, visible as part of the dial.

Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P
Piaget Altiplano 38mm 900P

Rolex Cellini Date

Finally, a proper men’s dress watch from Rolex! I prefer this version, with the date displayed by a hand on a subdial. The 39-mm-diameter white-gold case contains Rolex Caliber 3165. You may have your own favorite among the new Rolex Cellini models, but for me this white-gold model with a black dial is the most elegant.

Rolex Cellini Date

 

So what is your own take? Which top dress watches do you feel are missing from my list? Let me know in the comments section below!

This article was originally published on December 31, 2014, and has been updated.

 

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  1. Megalith Watch

    All the information that you shared with us is very useful for us. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Reply
  2. John Kaufman

    How about the Hentschel H1…classic looks, quality material.

    Reply
  3. Different varieties of designer and branded watches for both men and women. Online shopping is one of the best and cost-effective of shopping. The company provide the designer watches and you can purchase them on their online store.

    Reply
  4. George

    You have included Meistersinger, so why leave out Nomos?
    Surely the Orion range has to be included for pure elegance alone, and, if you feel a little more extravagant, their Lamda range looks truly beautiful?

    Reply
  5. raymond g. jackson

    The classiest watches come from a.Lange, but I really love the hublot rose gold. I didn’t think they had it in them, great looking piece of jewelry.

    Reply
  6. Vacheron Constantin 43075!

    (But if I had to choose from these 10, I’ll take the Blancpain with a side order of Piaget!)

    Reply
  7. Bob's Watches

    Wow, I was a bit scared for this article as I was reading it because I did not see the Rolex Cellini being mentioned. Good thing it came at the end because it is without a doubt, the rising dress watch collection that everyone’s been talking about.

    Reply
  8. Alexander- A very nice list. A few comments, I don’t think the Hublot fits into this category, it’s definitely to big at 45mm. Someone else mentioned it also, the Meistersinger also doesn’t belong. A dress watch should be simple, elegant with an unadorned face, two dials preferably with the case coming in at 35-40mm. The JLC, Blancpain and Omega are my choices from the list. One of my personal favorites that could have made the list is the Longines Conquest Heritage 1954-2014. I like in the stainless steel model (which is also the most affordable.) I always enjoy your articles!

    Reply
  9. macewindufan

    I’m sorry, Mr. Linz, but why must this article leave out the definitive dress watch ever since its creation–the Calatrava–probably the 5119R-001 or 5227R-001. I have few quibbles with this list… (The meistersinger isnt what id call a dress watch) but without the absolute standard for a classic, highest quality dress watch it cant be complete. I get your point of more out-of-the-box options, but looking back into the box is sometimes the absolute best choice. (for less money than some of these other choices, i should add)

    Reply
    • I agree with Calatrava. Add Breguet Classique and Vacheron Patrimony. They are stunning watches. And within the Lange price range. Lange Saxony Thin is another awesome dress watch. Rethink needed.

      Reply
  10. The Omega is my choice and is followed by the Montblanc. Lange is third.
    Great choice of watches.

    Reply
  11. For shear good looks the Blancpain wins. I had my son and wife go through the photos and my 26 year old son picked the Blancpain without hesitation and my wife picked it as well after a bit of back and forth with the Omega.

    Reply
  12. A dress watch has at most 3 hands and a all date. A seconds hand is pushing the limit.
    Many on this list exemplify gauche!
    Patek Calatrava is the standard.

    Reply
  13. Michael Quinones

    My own personal simple round men’s watch is Movado. It’s hard to find a more simple and perfect dress watch. Every man needs to have a simple round watch in his wardrobe.

    Reply
  14. you might also consider the Breitling TRANSOCEAN Day Date 1884. SS or leather strap very sophisticated.

    Reply
  15. Hector Peña

    Great selection. For me, the Lange is the watch I will like to have in my wrist.
    Why don´t you put the prices?

    Reply
  16. The Rolex Cellini’s are my favorite, however, I wish Rolex would make them in stainless steel so I could afford one.

    Reply
    • Paul Altieri

      Dress watches in stainless steel. Rolex would never do that these days. Only the lesser brands would do that. haha

      Reply
  17. Carl Dreher

    Excellent choices. After the decade-plus years of bigger and more outrageous watches, are we finally seeing a return to elegance?

    My only complaint about some of these watches is the small date display. My poor old eyes just can’t read those anymore. That is why the Lange rates so highly for me. It is beautiful and functional. I wonder if they would make a version with blued hands to improve the contrast with the dial?

    Reply
  18. Debashish

    Great selection, I must say, out these Lange, Blancpain, Montblanc, Omega, Piaget and Rolex are truly outstanding.

    Thank you for the fine report!

    Reply
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