Dress Watches · Page 8

Introducing – New Titanium and Platinum Editions of the Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune

Created in 2015, the Slim d’Hermès is a watch that combines a certain rigour with elegance, slenderness and the usual design touch of the brand, in particular its typography. First released in a time-only version powered by a micro-rotor movement, it is defined by its clean lines and angular, airy lugs that give the Slim […]

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Review: Breaking Down the 20th Anniversar

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean has represented a sweet spot in the now-sprawling Seamaster collection, a rarely achieved intersection between extra-rugged build and unapologetically luxurious design. The latest revamp of the two-decade-old series, which launched in late 2025, doubles down on both while also striving for new levels of comfort and wearability. Here’s a closer look, starting at the beginning.  [toc-section heading="Origins of the Seamaster Collection"] Omega began making watches in 1848 (originally as La Genérale Watch Co.) and for its milestone 100th anniversary, a few years after the end of World War II, the brand founded by watchmaker Louis Brandt launched the first watch by the name of Seamaster. Not really a “dive watch” as we’d define that term today, it was marketed as a watch for “town, sea, and country”  - i.e., a gentleman’s dress watch that just happened to be more waterproof than any other such timepiece of that era. (Omega had been dabbling in making wristwatches water resistant for more than a decade at that point, having released the Marine, below, an early divers’ watch with a sealed, rectangular double-case design, as early as 1932.) What distinguished the Seamaster from its contemporaries was its adoption of an innovative, O-ring-gasket device that sealed the crown into the case to prevent moisture from entering.  Omega had developed that design for the tool watches it made for the British armed forces during wartime,...

Revolution Awards 2025: Best Design Watch - Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds

Dennison is doubling down on natural dials, and we absolutely love it

Two hot new takes on Dennison's dress watch have arrived in our store: Black Marble, and the mother-of-pearl marquetry Ghost.The post Dennison is doubling down on natural dials, and we absolutely love it appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Gérald Genta gives Genevan inspiration for its latest time-only creation

The new time-only watch from the legendary designer's namesake brand brings some Swiss flair to its catalogue in two types of gold.The post Gérald Genta gives Genevan inspiration for its latest time-only creation appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

Would You Spend Over $3,000 on an Orient Star Moon Phase? I Would.

Orient Star introduces the M45 F8 Moon Phase, a $3,000+ mechanical dress watch aimed squarely at dedicated collectors.

Introducing: Two New Gérald Genta Geneva Time Only Grafite And Marrone Watches In White And Pink Gold

Since I moved to Geneva last May, I started trying to figure out what the city is all about. I had been visiting the lakeside town for probably 20 years, but a visitor doesn’t get to experience what a resident encounters daily. It’s hard to define Geneva. Yes, banks, watchmakers, and international organizations, such as […] Visit Introducing: Two New Gérald Genta Geneva Time Only Grafite And Marrone Watches In White And Pink Gold to read the full article.

Introducing: The Gerald Genta Geneva Time Only 'Marrone' And 'Grafite'

Two new colorways launch a simplified layout for the Geneva lineup.

Daniel Roth cuts away at its Extra Plat for LVMH Watch Week 2026

Cutting away at its extra-thin, time-only model, the modern Daniel Roth brand has created a watch that demonstrates its abilities perfectly.The post Daniel Roth cuts away at its Extra Plat for LVMH Watch Week 2026 appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

First Look – The Sleek Gerald Genta Geneva Time Only

La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton continues to expand the Gérald Genta collection with the introduction of the Geneva Time Only, a new pair of 38mm timepieces. Following the Geneva Minute Repeater, this new model carries forward the same design, with fluid geometry, architectural precision, and attention to proportion, now presented in a simpler, time-only […]

First Look – The Zenith Defy Skyline Chronograph in Black Ceramic

Introduced in 2022, the Defy Skyline series quickly evolved into one of Zenith’s core collections, to include time-only, skeletonised, and tourbillon-regulated models, all distinguished by their faceted geometry and star-patterned dials. The launch of the Defy Skyline Chronograph in 2024 finally united the brand’s most iconic complication with the collection’s distinctive angular aesthetic. Now, following […]

LVMH Watch Week 2026: Gérald Genta Debuts a Cushion Cased Time Only Watch

Louis Vuitton’s Tambour Converges on Guilloché

Louis Vuitton iterates on last year’s surprise launch with the Tambour Convergence Guilloché. The brand’s unexpectedly elegant take on the montre à guichets now gains an engine-turned decor on its front. Initial thoughts  Louis Vuitton (LV) surprised when it unveiled the Convergence last year. Not necessarily the sort of watch one would expect from Louis Vuitton, the Convergence was a strong sign of the brand’s pivot towards in-house manufacturing and more creative high horology. The Convergence was chic and unique, leaning more into the craft of watchmaking, compared to the sportier Tambour on a bracelet. And the LFT MA01.01 inside serves as a good example of what time-only movements inside watches above a certain price point should be like.  The Convergence Guilloché builds on the appeal of the original. By using a radial, wavy decoration executed on a hand-operated rose engine, LV has kept the 1930s allure of the Convergence while adding value in terms craftsmanship with the hand-applied engine turning. And the engine turning is not merely an aesthetic feature but also experiential. Guillochage is typically found on dials, shielded behind glass, so the tactile interaction with the rose-cut pattern on the case is certainly interesting. While this is probably not the best idea for wear-resistance, it is beautiful and historical. Guillochage was traditionally meant to be experienced in a tactile manner: pocket watches in the past were often engine turned in or...

Introducing – The Pequignet Royale Paris Manual 39.5mm

French watchmaker Pequignet has added a hand-wound piece to the 39.5mm Royale Paris collection that eschews the usual complications for a classy, time-only dial. It complements the time-only Royale Paris 36mm automatics that come with three dial colours, along with the hand-wound Royale Paris Aventurine 41mm Limited Edition. It shares many design elements with the […]

Vacheron Constantin and Phillips to Stage Horological Concours

The start of every new year is a time of reflection for many. For collectors and fans of Vacheron Constantin (VC), one might wonder how to follow 2025, which was a consequential year for the brand on several fronts. So it’s interesting that the brand’s first major announcement of 2026 is not a watch, but a competition. Announced in partnership with Phillips, VC is hosting the inaugural Concours d’Élégance Horlogère, featuring seven categories and a prize for each. Existing owners of VC wristwatches and pocket watches can register until April 30th, at which point the jury will begin the work of choosing seven winners that will be announced November 10, 2026. Seven categories The Concours d’Élégance format is usually associated with vintage automobiles, with events staged regularly around the world at venues like Villa d’Este, Hampton Court Palace, and Pebble Beach – unsurprisingly, many such events are sponsored by watch brands, most notably VC’s sister brand A. Lange & Söhne. Adapting the format to wristwatches, VC has opened the field to any of its watches produced between 1755 and 1999, divided into seven categories: chiming watches, chronographs, astronomical complications (including calendar watches), multiple complications, Chronomètre Royal, Métiers d’art, and design. The choice to give the Chronomètre Royal its own category is interesting, and might be a sign of things to come. Originally a high-precision, time-only pocket watch collection t...

Introducing – Armin Strom Tribute² Aurum Edition

Known for its highly decorated, openworked in-house movements finished to very high standards, Armin Strom entered the dress watch category in 2021 with its surprisingly restrained Tribute 1 model in 2021. While still bearing most of the attributes of the brand, design-wise or technically, the Tribute collection was simpler, more discreet and mostly, featured almost […]

The 38 Best Dress Watches for 2026

Most watch aficionados consider a go-to dress watch to be a necessary addition to any collection, whether it’s a piece designated for wear only on special occasions or one worn daily to the office. Along with sports watches, dress watches represent one of the most sought-after styles, so we’ve curated a list of the best dress watches that offer style, value, and quality at every price range. We sought out as much variety and diversity as possible with options ranging from a Timex that costs a few hundred dollars, one of the best Seiko values out there, a solid gold Rolex Day-Date, and independent options from the likes of Moser and F.P. Journe. So, here are our standout dress watches for 2026 organized from least to most expensive (and with some handy chapters organized for you).  [toc-section heading="Under $2,000"]  Timex Marlin For decades, Timex focused on affordable, mass-produced quartz watches, but recently the company has tapped into the mechanical market with the Marlin Collection. There is a 40mm automatic movement option with a wider array of dial options including eye-catching “Cali Dials”. Timex is light on the mechanical movement specs other than to note they are provided by a Chinese supplier, which isn’t surprising given the $319 price tag, making it one of the more affordable mechanical options available.  Case: 34mm, Thickness 10mm, Lug-To-Lug: 41mm, Lug Width: 18mm Crystal: Acrylic Movement: Hand Winding or Automatic Mechanical, Water-Resist...

Introducing: Four New Seiko Limited Editions To Celebrate The Brand's 145th Anniversary

From a diver to a very vintage dress watch, Seiko is tapping into its history for a quartet of new LEs.

Seiko Introduces the Tonneau Shaped SPB537 to the Presage Collection

While it’s tempting to build a collection of just tool watches and divers with beefiness and durability in spades, having a good dress watch is a boon for any collector. Not only can a dress watch give you an excuse to put on that dress or suit and accessorize, it can also help remind you that function isn’t everything then it comes to timepieces; style matters too.  Seiko’s Presage collection has long been a stalwart for dress watch shoppers on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice craftsmanship, and the new SPB537 reference is a tonneau-shaped addition to the Classic Series line. The enamel dial, paired with the tonneau case, is the major selling point for the SPB537, as it was designed by master artisan Mitsuru Yokosawa and his apprentice, Kazunori Uchiyama. This extra level of prestige elevates the SPB537, and adds a sort of intimacy to the design, despite it being introduced as a non-limited, continuous production model. The dial is white, a gentle contrast to the 46mm by 35.9mm stainless steel case and bracelet, and features sharp black Roman numerals, with a black minute track around the outer edge. A matching 24-hour sub-dial at 6 o’clock balances the dial, with the Seiko Presage logo just below 12.  Blued steel hands provide a colorful accent, with a balancing half moon on the tail end of the seconds hand. The blue, though on the subtler side, is a welcome addition to the otherwise very business-like dial, and it furthers the artisan craftsmanship promi...

Cartier’s Tank à Guichets: A window through time

New: IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse

The Limited-Edition Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse is a commemorative timepiece released by IWC Schaffhausen to mark the upcoming Lunar New Year. Limited to 500 pieces, it features a 42.4mm stainless steel case, a burgundy dial with gold accents, and the IWC-manufactured 52011 caliber offering a seven-day power reserve. The rotor is shaped like a galloping horse, visible through the sapphire caseback.

Hands-On With The Surprising Makina Andras_II Gray

Makina is a brand that has repeatedly challenged us with its modern creations. They are sometimes brutalistic, sometimes futuristic, but always pushing the boundaries of watch design. With the new Andras_II, the Filipino brand has updated its take on a classic dress watch. Just one glance at the Andras_II Gray immediately told me there was […] Visit Hands-On With The Surprising Makina Andras_II Gray to read the full article.

Finnish Finishing: Kortela Valta Unveils the Toka

The Toka from Finnish duo Roope Kortela and René Valta reflects the ongoing appeal of beautifully finished, time-only watches, combining a thoughtfully reworked historical calibre with the brand’s first champlevé enamel dial. With an emphasis on high-grade finishing and increasingly in-house components - including a proprietary free-sprung balance - the Toka is a strong sophomore effort from the startup independent. Rene Valta (foreground) and Roope Kortela Initial thoughts It’s been more than 25 years since Philippe Dufour unveiled the Simplicity, a watch that challenged prevailing wisdom about what fine watchmaking was all about. Launched at a time when brands and collectors were focused on complications, the Simplicity arguably created the niche for highly finished time-only watches and intensified collector focus on independent watchmaking in general. Though the field has become crowded over the past quarter-century, collector demand has proven durable. The Toka is a watch built in this tradition. The Omega calibre inside the Toka has been heavily reworked by Kortela Valta. The watchmakers kept most of the original architecture intact, while applying high-end finishing top to bottom. Furthermore, since the start of 2025, the watchmaking duo has expanded the list of components they’re able to make in-house, including the new free-sprung balance that differentiates the Toka from the Eka and Oma models that preceded it.  The Toka features a fairly traditional...

Seiko’s 145th Anniversary Gilded Quartet, Time-Only to Chronograph

Seiko founder established a watch store in Tokyo’s Ginza district in 1881, and for the occasion the watchmaker has unveiled a quartet of 145th anniversary watches representing the best of its affordable offerings. While each model is different, all share gilded elements as a unifying motif. The collection is led by a pair of three-hand watches, the King Seiko KS1969 SJE121 and Presage Classic Series “Craftsmanship” Enamel Dial SPB538. While the two three-hand editions are arguably the more interesting of the 145th anniversary line-up, the collection also includes a pair of chronographs, the automatic Prospex Speedtimer SRQ059 and solar-powered Astron GPS SSH186. King Seiko SJE12 (left), and Presage Classic SPB538 Initial thoughts Seiko rolls out numerous anniversary watches on a frequent basis, so the anniversary theme itself isn’t a big deal. The 145th anniversary models, however, are appealing in themselves, especially the pair of three-hand models. The top-of-the-line anniversary edition is the King Seiko KS1969, which is far more striking than the regular production model, and certainly worth the modest premium in price. The Presage, on the other hand, is another iteration of the early-wristwatch-style case that Seiko has done before, but not that often. Gold plating is not appropriate on an expensive watch, but the Presage is affordable so it gets a pass. The enamel dial and cuff-style strap are a nice touch that gives the watch a surprisingly vintage feel. ...