Has the dress watch genre changed over the last years?

[garyk]

Since my YG DD in 1983 to my 2000 YG Daytona, I've always worn a gold watch for dress. Now that we are stuck in 2020 and it looks like the dang virus isn't going away anytime soon, dress watches for my wife and I are from days gone by...

[fsprow]

EZ for me. SS for everyday casual and sports. PM with leather strap or bracelet for evening outings in a more formal setting.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Among all Professional steel models, I think only Submariner & Daytona is alright to wear with Suits as it has long history and now it's accepted sort of everywhere. I don't think Explorer II, DeepSeas or others look right with the suit. But if anyone still wears it, I don't think anyone's gonna slap your wrist in an event!

You make a good point but it entirely depends upon the setting.
I wore my D-blue for my wedding but it suits me and my style.
It fit pretty well under the cuff of my dress shirt and suit coat so nobody would've known what I was wearing anyway.
The setting for our wedding ceremony and reception was rather informal as well, hence the context of the setting.

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

What makes a dress watch a dress watch is very subjective. Typically it's a simple dial, leather strap, slim profile. There are watches that really are sport watches that people have sort of accepted as dress watches such as the Day Date and Datejust. Then there are obviously watches that are clearly sport watches. These watches can come on any bracelet or strap, but typically have a bezel complication such as a dive watch or GMT. It fair to say that wearing the nicest watch you own makes it "your" dress watch even if it's not truly a dress watch.

My first two nice watches were a Submariner Date and a Navitimer. I wore them with pretty much anything. I have a much larger collection now and probably wouldn't wear most of my watches as "dress" watches any longer because I have that luxury now. Right now, my two dressiest watches are my Portugeiser Automatic and my Datejust. Both probably don't meet the strictest definition of a dress watch, but I don't think anyone would blink seeing either with a suit or even a tux.

I think this is a thoughtful opinion.

[samson66]

I prefer at least a semi-dress model for a suit. I have a Datejust II which I wear for work and all dressy situations. Yes you can wear a sport model, but a dress model just works better IMO

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by fsprow

EZ for me. SS for everyday casual and sports. PM with leather strap or bracelet for evening outings in a more formal setting.

I have to disagree.
Zaratsu polished SS punches very well above its weight. So there's no requirement for PM
Certainly I have to agree that a leather strap is an important factor

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I have to disagree.
Zaratsu polished SS punches very well above its weight. So there's no requirement for PM
Certainly I have to agree that a leather strap is an important factor

You are correct.

[flytier]

The fashion rules regarding watches being worn with suits and tuxedos went out the window a long time ago. The only time I would still adhere to them would be on an occasion where it REALLY MATTERED.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by flytier

The fashion rules regarding watches being worn with suits and tuxedos went out the window a long time ago. The only time I would still adhere to them would be on an occasion where it REALLY MATTERED.

It isn't about rules changing...there never were and aren't now hard and fast RULES. Conservative was in fashion for many decades...but it was still just fashion and always much more prevalent in large cities and certain regions. I was around in the 60's and not everyone looked like they belonged on the set of Mad Men. And if someone decides they'd never wear a dive watch with a suit it is simply their own opinion of what looks good or what they think is a better choice. You CAN wear sneakers with a suit, people do, and it's not a shock to see it. But I won't, and not because I think you shouldn't but because I think it looks ridiculous....and I don't care how many pictures people drag out of Hollywood celebrities, double-naught spy or British royalty.

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[RolexSimon]

The blue guilloche Cellini must be the ultimate Rolex dress watch right now. Amazed no one's talked about Cellini. A skydweller is also a pretty dressy watch in SS, TT or PR.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by zengineer

Oh nice...its the weekly "can a Sub go with a suit" thread.

Here's the short answer

No

Yes

No

James Bond

Still No

Yes I am a free thinker and don't care what anyone thinks

Yes

No

Random British Royalty

Stop worrying

I'm not worrying

You suck

No, you suck

James Bond

Can't we all get along

No

Look at this picture...doesn't it change all of your minds?

Yes, nuff said

James Bond

Thread locked

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That made me laugh

[scarlet knight]

Not getting out to formal events. Ready for when I can.




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[DoDe]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Yea, nobody actually cares what watch anyone wears, ever. Just personal preferences.

I care. I am very interested in watches and take notice of which one people wear.

[Krash]

I'd like to have a "pure" dress watch, but I just can't justify it. I don't wear a suit enough to warrant it.

I'm ok with wearing a Submariner or a Speedmaster on a leather strap if I'm wearing a suit.

I know there are some that will poke fun at that, but these people have very little influence over anyone.

[Burlington]

It just depends on how traditional you want to be.

Sometimes that can really matter. Other times it doesn’t at all.

[JDsnewwatch]

I agree that today, formal wear is obsolete.

For what it's worth, a true dress watch has a natural band, precious metal and no seconds hand (think about old school pocket watches as a point of reference for the movement). It's considered in poor taste to keep track of passing seconds in a formal setting.

I cant think of the last time that I wore my tux. In fact, I cant think of the last time that I wore a tie. As for watches, I wear what I like.

[GST15]

I was wearing this with suits
IMG_3258 (1).jpeg

But just picked up a couple vintage DJ 36mms, So now this!
IMG_3807.jpeg

[HogwldFLTR]

Likely the only time I'll need a dress watch is in the coffin.

[GST15]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Likely the only time I'll need a dress watch is in the coffin.

Well I hope that does not happen for a very long time....I enjoy your posts!

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by zengineer

Oh nice...its the weekly "can a Sub go with a suit" thread.

Here's the short answer

No

Yes

No

James Bond

Still No

Yes I am a free thinker and don't care what anyone thinks

Yes

No

Random British Royalty

Stop worrying

I'm not worrying

You suck

No, you suck

James Bond

Can't we all get along

No

Look at this picture...doesn't it change all of your minds?

Yes, nuff said

James Bond

Thread locked

And the guy who has his shirt cuffs made specially to fit over his DSSD

[jimcarver]

Depends what we are talking, with a suit to the office? Sure.
An actual formal event, I would stick with something more classically dressy.

[jrs146]

Most people can’t even put on a properly fitted suit let alone matching their watch properly. With that in mind I say wear whatever you want. Just don’t wear a baggy pant suit with a jacket that touches your ankles.


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[TopDog2315]

Originally Posted by joli160

Alex, your Explorer looks good with your attire. It’s not very dressy so perfectly fine.

For a three piece business suit it does not look appropriate.

Black Tie is out of the question. You might as well wear sneakers and a base ball cap with a tux, looks equally silly.
The host of a such an event appreciates tradition hence the invitation and to be respectful to the host the least you can do is to follow the correct etiquette or stay home.
Showing of ignorance doesn’t make you look good

I can appreciate that, well said!

Definitely something to consider, tradition/etiquette.

Cheers


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[Derwreck12]

I’m laughing at this idea that wearing something like a Patek Aquanaut with a suit could be “insulting” to the host of an event. Sorry for the disrespectful showing of my fifty thousand dollar watch, haha.

[Frank McKay]

Exp1 far more of a dress watch over the ExpII IMHO. ExpII is on the Sporty side.

[TTalk]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

Not getting out to formal events. Ready for when I can.

That is the one, isn't it. I've had a few near misses on that one. One w/date, one that was a reissue of sorts that mirrored the 2526, and one that had 'Quartz' emblazoned on the dial... all ended up being too small. Yours is perfection.

[scarlet knight]

Originally Posted by TTalk

That is the one, isn't it. I've had a few near misses on that one. One w/date, one that was a reissue of sorts that mirrored the 2526, and one that had 'Quartz' emblazoned on the dial... all ended up being too small. Yours is perfection.

Have had this watch 2-3 years after tracking it for 20 years. No longer made. It is really classic.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Derwreck12

I’m laughing at this idea that wearing something like a Patek Aquanaut with a suit could be “insulting” to the host of an event. Sorry for the disrespectful showing of my fifty thousand dollar watch, haha.

truth

This is why I don’t get invited to many parties. Especially ones that require a tuxedo and good behavior


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[Lamontsanders]

All of this depends on what you like and who you are...and thats it. Wear what you like when you want.

[NYG1121]

While any rolex or nice sports watch works well with a suit, it doesnt beat the look of a nice dress watch on a leather strap!