As the watch world prepares for the release of the new products introduced at Baselworld 2015, we revisit my year-end “Top 10” lists for 2014, all originally posted on my blog, Watch-Insider.com. We have already looked at my favorite chronograph watches. This time, the focus is on last year’s top dress watches for men. To reiterate before we start, let me clarify that this is an alphabetical listing and not a ranking of dress watches and dress watch brands. As always, the dress watches listed here are my own personal favorites from the year. No jury has voted, no one has whispered anything into my ear, and — most importantly — no watch brand has paid me to be listed here.
If you would like more information about one of the watches on the list, please use the search function on my blog. I have reported on all of them during the past months, and you are likely to find many more pictures and additional technical information on them. Many of these dress watches have also been covered separately here on WatchTime.com.
Finally, I am interested in your own feedback. Which men’s dress watches presented are your favorites? Please use the comments section to let us all know what you think.
A. Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moonphase
The Lange 1 celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and this new 41-mm Grand Lange 1 Moonphase blew my mind. For this gorgeous and elegant timepiece, one picture says more than 1,000 words. But at A. Lange & Söhne, the fascination continues when you turn a watch around. Its movement, Caliber L095.3, is deserves a mention for its beauty as well. This is a must-have-timepiece if you can afford it, no matter the case material.
Blancpain Villeret 8 Jours
A modern caliber with an eight-day power reserve, a wonderfully executed white enamel dial, and three hands: that’s all you need to create an elegant wristwatch. Blancpain knows how to seduce, and not only with its sports watches. The 42-mm Villeret 8 Jours is available only in a rose-gold case; it is powered by the in-house Blancpain Caliber 13.
Habring2 Felix
This watch was made by Maria and Richard Habring in Carinthia in the south of my native Austria. I now offer these friends the respect they deserve for manufacturing their very first in-house caliber. To celebrate the first 10 years of the Habring2 brand, Maria and Richard presented their 38.5-mm Felix watch, equipped with the new Caliber A11.
Hublot Classic Fusion Power Reserve 8 Days King Gold
This 45-mm Classic Fusion shows us that Hublot can design classical wristwatches. Personally, I would like to see more such watches from Hublot. I like the brand’s chronographs, no question, but more elegant Hublots on the market would be very welcome. The movement, Caliber HUB 1601, is manufactured in-house, as is the absolutely scratch-resistant 18k King Gold case.
All the information that you shared with us is very useful for us. Thank you for sharing with us.
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.|
How about the Hentschel H1…classic looks, quality material.
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.
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?
How about an Ultra Thin Reverso?
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.
Vacheron Constantin 43075!
(But if I had to choose from these 10, I’ll take the Blancpain with a side order of Piaget!)
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.
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!
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)
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.
To my opion – J.l.C is the best .
The Omega is my choice and is followed by the Montblanc. Lange is third.
Great choice of watches.
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.
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.
How about gp 1966 blue dial rose gold?
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.
Great pieces
you might also consider the Breitling TRANSOCEAN Day Date 1884. SS or leather strap very sophisticated.
Great selection. For me, the Lange is the watch I will like to have in my wrist.
Why don´t you put the prices?
Love that Lange, my next watch.
The Rolex Cellini’s are my favorite, however, I wish Rolex would make them in stainless steel so I could afford one.
Dress watches in stainless steel. Rolex would never do that these days. Only the lesser brands would do that. haha
Wow!! That Lange is amazing !!
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?
Great selection, I must say, out these Lange, Blancpain, Montblanc, Omega, Piaget and Rolex are truly outstanding.
Thank you for the fine report!
Great Top 10!!!!!!!
meistersinger movement isn’t really ‘in-house’