This style isn't just for glitzy events anymore.
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If an event calls for a white tie, black tie, or, in some cases, a semiformal fit, tradition requires you to reach for a dress watch. But what is tradition nowadays? We're in an era where celebrities can arrive shirtless to the most formal of events. Designers are presenting new, outré suits with oversized blazers, vibrant colors, and flared pants. And skirts are steadily and surely creeping into the menswear fold. Rules, as they say, are meant to be broken, and the sartorial dictates that called for decorum are, for sure, smashed.
The idea of the dress watch—once a timepiece denoted by a black or white dial, dark leather strap, and slim case—has also gone through a refresh. Big, bold chronographs are being worn by the likes of tuxedo-clad James Bond. And celebrities and the glitterati are showing up to the toniest of events wearing timepieces with gold bracelets and diamond-lined bezels. Formal affairs are now filled with men flaunting their latest, ostentatious purchases. And that’s not a bad thing: Wear what you want where and when you want. Hell, since the boundaries are blurred, wear a dress watch in the office, at a bar, or, if you’re so inclined, at the gym.
But if you’re a stickler for rules (hey, no judgment), you’re going to want to match your tux with a dress watch. And we corralled 24 of the best—some traditional, others less so, but all perfect for a dressy event.
Simple, elegant, and at a price that won't cause a dent to you wallet? You'll truly get more bang for your buck with this Citizen timepiece.
The De Ville is the alpha of Omega's dress watches. So sleek and so cool, ain't nothing cruel about it.
Say the name Patek Philippe at any dressy event, and you'll get every watch aficionado's attention. Better yet, just show them this timepiece and get ready for jaws to drop.
Danish design in celebrated for its less-is-more ethos. Think clean, architectural lines that make an impact. Think this timepiece by Skagen, Denmark's premiere watchmaker, right here.
It's the simple pleasures that count most. And this Bulova watch, folks, is a simple pleasure.
You can't talk about dress watches without including Rolex, period. The 1908 is timeless and elegant, with a polished finish, 18 carat gold, and a leather strap.
This is one of the sleekest timepieces on the market, with a brushed finish and minimalist face.
From the thin, rectangular face to the black and gold color scheme, this diamond-embedded watch has made telling the time look so better than ever.
Simple, classic, and classy. No fuss or frills, but all the gravitas a watch should have, for dressy occasions.
If you're going to opt for a classic, it doesn't get any better and any more refined than one from Montblanc.
This one will cost you a pretty penny, but as an investment piece, it'll last forever. Plus, the thin face makes it sleeker than a clunky watch.
You don't have to be a diver to love this stainless steel and sapphire glass crystal watch.
Flashy, fancy, and decadent, this opulent watch is a showstopper for dressy events.
Leather and stainless steel come together to make an elegant, classy watch that goes with everything.
If your aesthetic leans brutalist, you'll fawn over this Bauhaus-inspired watch that takes after the work of industrial designer Max Bill.
The Tank is as classic a dress watch as it comes.
The Swiss, Germans, and French may have longer histories in the horological game, but the U.S. has a strong hand with Detroit-based Shinola and its collection of spiffy timepieces.
Like Godiva, this gold and chocolate timepiece from Fossil is a rich, delicious treat that'll have you coming back for more.
Roman numerals on a white dial with a round gold-plated case and black embossed leather strap: it doesn't get any more timeless than this style—especially when it's made by the always-classy peeps at Raymond Weil.
Mido, founded in the turn of the 20th century, made of name for itself by offering streamlined timepieces inspired by the fastest cars around. And if that kind of legacy is your speed, you're going to want to cop this heritage watch.
Trishna Rikhy is the Associate Style Commerce Editor at Esquire. Previously, her writing has appeared in Vogue Runway, PAPER Magazine, V Magazine, V MAN, and more. She is based in NYC, but can probably be found wherever the strongest cup of coffee is.
Barry Samaha is the former style commerce editor at Esquire, where he covered all things fashion and grooming. Previously, he was an editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Surface, and WWD, along with overseeing editorial content at Tod’s Group. He has also written for The Daily Beast, Coveteur, Departures, Paper, Bustle Group, Forbes, and many more. He is based in New York City and can't seem to find enough closet space for all his shoes.
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