What makes a watch a dress watch? I like to think of a dress watch as being something that you can very easily wear comfortably with a suit, semi-formally as well as all the way up to a tuxedo. Therefore it needs to be svelte with classic proportions, well balanced, clean and featuring a dial that isn’t too busy. The case material typically should be of a white metal like stainless steel or white gold, but you can get away with a coloured metal depending on what you’re going to pair the watch with. It should also come with a leather strap, but again a case can be made for it to be paired with a matching metal bracelet.
I’ve put together a handful of watches that I think best fit the bill of being a very considerable dress watch that you can buy that not only ticks the prerequisite boxes that I listed above, but again a case can be made for it to be paired with a matching metal bracelet.
- Seiko Presage SSA421J
- Emporio Armani AR60038 Renato Automatic
- Citizen NK0007-88X
- Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SSA405J
- Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPE19J
- Bulova 96A201 Classic Automatic
Michel Herbelin 1647/P11MA Inspiration
The Michel Herbelin 1647/P11MA Inspiration is perhaps the most expensive dress watch on this list but it definitely leaves its mark as being a truly beautiful, well-endowed and well-balanced example. It does feature a coloured metal case, in this case gold-plated stainless steel, but its proportions and slim profile definitely give it that dress watch appeal. Its dial is clean, sharp and crisp, and I love that ornate crown which adds a dash of lux to the piece. This Michel Herbelin watch is not to be missed.
$845.00
Embody timeless style with this striking Michel Herbelin 1647/P11MA Inspiration Automatic Mens Watch. The leather band has a classic dark brown colour with subtle textures that exude quality. The dial is crafted in the warm hues of yellow gold along… read moreMichel Herbelin 1647/P11MA Inspiration Automatic Mens Watch
$1,350.00
Seiko Presage SSA421J
The Seiko Presage SSA421J is next up on this list. While not an out-and-out example of a dress watch, I really felt compelled to add this to the list because of how different it looks. From the bronze-shaded hands and hour numerals, to the different dial textures and the semi-open working on the left side of the dial to partly expose the automatic movement, the Seiko Presage SSA421J really delivers on multiple fronts. You simply can't go wrong with a Seiko Presage watch.
Emporio Armani AR60038 Renato Automatic
Another really interesting watch that I came across which definitely slots nicely into this list of best dress watches is the Emporio Armani AR60038 Renato Automatic. It features a lovely smoked-grey open-worked dial which exposes its beating mechanical heart, all sitting nice and flush within that black-bordered dial. The case is quite thick but would sit nice and flush on the wrist thanks to those elongated angled lugs. Emporio Armani watches are certainly worth a look.
Citizen NK0007-88X
Next up, and an exception to the rule of leather, is the stainless steel Citizen NK0007-88X. With its matching stainless steel bracelet and distinct green textured sunray dial, the Citizen NK0007-88X appeals not only as a dress watch but a very capable daily wearer. It is perhaps the most avant-garde option on this list of best dress watches, but it does hold its own as a very plausible option. I really, really like this Citizen watch.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SSA405J
What would a best dress watch list look like without the brilliant little Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SSA405J. Another watch that I really like, the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SSA405J combines a svelte case and profile with a beautiful blue patterned dial with a dash of theatrics by way of that open aperture, like the Seiko Presage SSA421J. 
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPE19J
Another Seiko, this time in the shape of the Presage Cocktail Time SRPE19J. The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPE19J features one of the most interesting dial designs on this list of best dress watches. It has an icy blue sunburst pattern on the dial which is the watch’s focal point, but let’s not deter away from the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPE19J’s other attributes. The case is beautifully finished, the ornate and enlarged crown is a lovely feature, the dark blue seconds hand adds that touch of colour differentiation and that stainless steel bracelet gives the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPE19J an enormous amount of versatility.
Bulova 96A201 Classic Automatic
Last but certainly not least is the Bulova 96A201 Classic Automatic. Another partly openworked dress watch, the Bulova 96A201 Classic Automatic comes into its own with subtle proportions, really interesting lug and crown architecture, as well as a dash of non-conformity with that red cross-hair style design on the black dial. Perhaps not your first choice for a dress watch, but this Bulova watch is certainly one that you can consider.
