A dress watch is always good to have up your arsenal as they add an extra ounce of class to any formal outfit, whether it be for the office, semi-formal event or even a wedding. Even though most sports models can accommodate for most outfits, keeping to an uncluttered, clean and simple dial is always a good option for these occasions. There are plenty of dress watches available on the market today, which can make it tough to choose the right one. With that being said, however, Watch Advice presents five dress watches under $1,100.00, which is sure to grab attention and compliment your choice of attire.
TISSOT chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 – $1,000.00
Tissot’s headquarters established in 1907 is located in Chemin des Tourelles 17, in Le Locle, Switzerland. It’s only rightly so then that the brand has named one of their classy timepiece collections after the street they are based in; the Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80. Consisting of blue, black and silver dial finishes, there is a wide variety of options to suit everyone’s tastes.
The blue dial is especially prominent, thanks to the sunburst dial being more easily visible. The beautiful blue dial is accompanied by hour markers which are applied silver arabic and indexes. Combine this with the stainless steel 42mm case and silver finished hour, minute and second hands, the watch looks absolutely beautiful overall. There is also a date window present at the 6 o’clock position underneath the “Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80” inscription on the dial.
The movement behind running the Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 is the Powermatic 80 calibre, based of the ETA calibre C07.111. As the name suggests, the calibre is able to power the watch for up to 80 hours. The Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 also comes with an open case back, with the rotor being beautifully designed with a wave like pattern and also having “Tissot 1853” engraved onto it. The Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 comes with a blue embossed cow leather alligator look alike leather strap, which matches the dial very well and completes a very classy look for the watch.
This watch is
Longines Presence – $1,050.00
The Longines Presence collection is a true representation of the classic and timeless elegance that is characteristic of the Swiss watch brand. The sharp lines on the hour indexes to the hour, minute and second hands all come together to showcase what is a classic piece.
The dial is very simplistic too, with a white matte background finish on a 38.5mm case and a date window on the 3 o’clock position. Longines Presence L4.790.4.12.2 comes with a glossy finish leather strap, and with the elegant and simple dial provides a classy look overall.
The movement in the Longines Presence L4.790.4.12.2 is the Longines calibre L157, which is based of the quartz movement ETA 233.112. This movement powers the date, hours, jumping minutes and seconds.
The Longines Presence L4.790.4.12.2 also comes in a black dial finish, which is a bit more subtle however does make the hour indexes pop! Being uncluttered with chronograph or additional features, this watch serves as a great dress watch for office environments.
Seiko Cocktail Time Presage – $650.00
Originally kept to within the Japanese market, the Seiko SRPB43J1 (also known as “Cocktail Time”) is one of Seiko’s most sought after JDM watches. As the name suggests, Cocktail Time was designed with the bar scene in mind as a collaboration project with Japanese bartender and mixologist Shinobu Ishigaki. Shinobu Ishigaki has raked up quite a few international trophies and has his own bar in japan named Bar Ishinohana.
The stand out feature of this watch is of course the sunray engraved sunburst dial. The dial has a silver sunburst effect on what is a baby blue like dial background, which really comes to effect when rotating under direct light. The Seiko SRPB43J1 comes with a 40.5mm x 11.8mm stainless steel case which is a great size for a dress watch being not too small or too big. Seiko has used silver applied hour indexes as well as a similar finish for the hands, so that it matches the same tone as the stainless steel case.
Seiko’s SRPB43J1 also comes equipped with a date window, present on the 3 o’clock mark. The movement in the Seiko SRPB43J1 is the calibre 4R35, which produces roughly 41 hours of power reserve. The Seiko SRPB43J1 comes with a cow steer black leather strap, which is well thought out by the brand as it lets the dial become the centrepiece and do all the talking.
With the history behind this watch and that gorgeous dial, the Seiko SRPB43J1 is great value for money and makes it also a great contender for dress watches under $1100.
Raymond Weil Toccata – $850.00
Raymond Weil’s Toccata is another timepiece that comes with a classic look. Toccata is an elegant and timeless collection which celebrates the brands musical and artistic DNA. The Toccata collection promotes Raymond Weil’s Swiss horology, while respecting the tradition and heritage which has been handed down from generation to generation.
The white dial is kept simple bar a date window at the 3 o’clock position. The hour and minute hands on the Raymond Weil Toccata is done in a silver finish which matches the 39mm stainless steel casing. It should be noted that second hand on this piece has been excluded.
Hour markers are done in a roman numeral style which certainly gives the timepiece the classic look. Raymond Weil has used a quartz movement for the Toccata watch, which also gives out a decent water resistance of 50m.
Equipped with a black leather strap, the Raymond Weil Toccata is
Tissot V8 Swissmatic – $650.00
The Tissot V8 Swissmatic is a different style to the previous dress watches in this article. The layout of the Tissot V8 Swissmatic is more akin to that of a sports model due to the tachymeter bezel. That being said however, with the lack of chronograph counters on the dial, the Tissot V8 Swissmatic certainly does give a dress watch appearance.
Tissot’s V8 Swissmatic is a timepiece that is really thought of as an elegant, sporty and simple watch with a very attractive price. This particular model comes with a clean white dial with a simple date window on the 3 o’clock position.
The hour indexes along with the hour, minute and second hand have all been done on a gold colour, which against the white dial stands out nicely. The crown has also been done in a gold finish to match the colours present on the dial.
To give the 42.5mm stainless steel casing a sporty feel to it, Tissot has added a black tachymeter bezel. Against the white dial, the black tachymeter bezel certainly contrasts well. This is further emphasised with the use of the driving style black leather strap.
Tissot has used the Calibre 12 1/2″ on the V8 Swissmatic, which gives out a power reserve of 72 hours.
For the price point that this watch is sitting at, its a definite contender for a simple, mechanical dress watch with a sporty feel.
