[Watches and Fashion] What is a dress watch, an essential part of adult grooming?

Focus on "dress watches"

A dress watch is essential for formal occasions.

Once you enter the workforce, you will have more opportunities to attend ceremonial occasions, parties, etc., so it is a must-have item to have. Also, in situations where a dress code is in place, wearing accessories that are out of place can be seen as a breach of etiquette.

In this article, we will explain about "dress watches," which are useful in a variety of situations and are a must-have item to avoid such mistakes. We will also introduce some recommended dress watches. Please read to the end for reference.

What is a "dress watch"?

The term "dress watch" refers to a wristwatch that can be worn in formal, semi-formal, or business situations.

To summarize the characteristics of a "dress watch",

 ①Simple and thin
 ② The dial should be white (silver or gray is fine if you're not too strict).
 ③2 or 3 stitches
 ④Elegant and formal
 ⑤Many are made of solid materials such as gold and platinum

Basically, a simple design without unnecessary decoration, such as an analog two-hand watch, a case diameter of 40mm or less, a leather strap, a thin design that fits beautifully under the cuff, Roman numerals, bar indexes or dot indexes, etc., is considered desirable, and the simpler it is, the more noble it is considered to be. The intention behind these is to convey the nuance of "enjoying the moment without worrying about time."

4 Things to Consider When Choosing a Dress Watch

①Size

As with all watches, choosing the right size is an important point.

Just like with fashion, no matter how good the material or brand, if the size isn't right, you won't be able to take advantage of the stylishness of your luxury watch...it's a shame.

Because "dress watches" are simple, they tend to have fewer components on the dial, making them look stretched out. For that reason, smaller sizes tend to look cooler, and for slender Japanese people, I think a case diameter of 40mm or less would look good on them.

② Movement

Basically, "dress watches" are made thin to fit on the sleeve and match formal styles. For that reason, many of them are "manual winding" watches, which allows for a thinner movement.

Compared to "automatic winding," it has the advantage of being able to create a thin and elegant silhouette, but it also has the disadvantage of being more vulnerable to shocks. On the other hand, since it has fewer parts than "automatic winding," it tends to be easier to maintain and repair, which can be considered an advantage.

Which one you choose will depend on your lifestyle and taste, but if you use it carefully, you can keep it looking nice for a long time. It's important to take good care of your things.

③Material

The current trend in sports watches is that they are primarily made from stainless steel (SS) for durability, whereas "dress watches" tend to use elegant solid materials such as gold or platinum.

Of course, stainless steel dress watches are also nice, but to maximize the elegance that is unique to dress watches, we recommend choosing solid materials.

Solid wood is very soft and elegant, but it is also prone to scratches. As mentioned earlier, we recommend that you keep your dress watch in good condition and take good care of it.

④Dial configuration

■ Color

Generally, the dial color is required to be white, but if you are not required to be strict, I think silver or gray would be fine.

■ Index

Roman numerals are considered to be the most noble, but simple designs without unnecessary decoration, such as bar indexes or dot indexes, are preferable.

Needles

When wearing a tuxedo, which is the highest level of dress style, it is said that two hands are good, but three hands are also fine. The fewer hands, the more noble it is, so as long as the design is simple and calm, there is no need to worry too much about it. Also, it is best to have no date display as much as possible, but here too, you can choose one that you like.

3 Recommended Dress Watches

Patek Philippe "Calatrava" 18KWG "Ref.3445"

This is a simple three-hand antique Calatrava with a small second hand. Due to its pure beauty of form, it is known throughout the world as a classic round watch and the most beautiful model that symbolizes the style of Patek Philippe. Due to its simplicity, it is a versatile watch that can be worn with any style and elegantly decorates the wrist. The antique Calatrava, a representative "dress watch," is recommended for those who don't want to look like others.

Hands: 3 Case diameter: 35mm
Material: 18KWG
Movement: Automatic Index: Bar index Dial: Silver

Sales price: ￥1,980,000 (tax included)

Breguet "Classic Twin Barrel Power Reserve" 18KWG "Ref.5907BB/12/984"

The Classic Twin Barrel is a Breguet model that faithfully inherits tradition while incorporating modern elements. It features a simple, understated, yet sophisticated design. The coin edge decoration on the side of the case and the guilloche dial are all hand-crafted by artisans. Based on the motif of a pocket watch from the 1930s, this is a watch that truly embodies classic modernity.

Hands: 3 Case diameter: 35mm
Material: 18KWG
Movement: Manual winding Index: Roman numerals Dial: Silver

Sales price: ￥877,800 (tax included)

Vacheron Constantin "Fifty Six" "Ref. 4600E/000R-B441"

This Fiftysix is ​​a model released in 2018 inspired by the famous 6073, which first appeared in 1956. While it follows tradition, it is not a simple reproduction; it has been given a brushed-up look by incorporating modern design elements. With Arabic numerals, baton-shaped indexes, a classic dial, and 18KPG (pink gold), it has a lovely finish that exudes a nostalgic mood.

Hands: 3 Case diameter: 40mm
Material: 18KPG
Movement: Automatic Index: Arabic numerals Dial: Silver

Sales price: ￥1,595,000 (tax included)

summary

What did you think?

Due to their simple design, dress watches are often thought of as being suitable for formal occasions or business situations, but I personally think they are also useful for elevating a casual style.

I hope this article helps you choose your favorite one.

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