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7 of the Best Dress Watches to Style Your Evening Wear in 2023

Evening events tend to be about looking sharp and being witty. That also means your watch game has to give off the same refined vibes. While Patek’s Nautilus upgrade has its shifting, navy gradient dial, Rolex’s Yacht Master 16622, combines Rolesium with a Platinum dial. The list could be endless for evening dress watches most suitable for your social ganders.

No matter, time lords. Read on for the best insights to find that chic look and present the greatest side of you, through this list of the 7 best dress watches to style your evening wear in 2023.

Patek Philippe Calatrava

The Calatrava collection from Patek Philippe boasts a wealth of phenomenal models.

Source: Patek Phillipe - 5226G

For watch nerds looking to buy a Patek Philippe this one is sure to float your horological boat.

The self winding Patek Phillipe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time capably demonstrates the collections' ability to suit evening wear. This particular model, the 5226G, has its dial reduced from 42mm to 40mm and wears a similarly covert, textured charcoal grey.

The 5226G is subtle but alluring and offers a tasteful addition to any gentleman's wardrobe. By providing subtle engraved patterns in the background through Guilloche, the gold applied numerals are slightly raised, making it easier to read. Furthermore, the numerals are carefully covered with a beige luminescent sheen making them accessible at the flick of a wrist.

Featuring the date aperture positioned at 3 o'clock, the seconds sweep allows for a quality movement thanks to the Calibre 26-330 S C. If you want to buy a Patek Philippe watch with guaranteed smooth consistency, the 5226G is a mouthwatering proposal.

Secured with a hand stitched, beige calfskin strap, it further de-formalises the watch. This results in the perfect companion for Singapore Slings in a cocktail bar or dinner at a swanky Gordon Ramsay restaurant.

Comfortable and classy, the strap screams fashion sense and eye-catching detail. It really makes sense to buy a Patek Philippe watch just for the strap alone! Fitting darker shades of clothing like a smart navy suit, the white gold case is cool-toned and one of the best dress watches to accompany your evening look in 2023.

At the time of writing this, Patek Philippe priced this at £31,450. The secondary market sees a minimum price of £45,000.

Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar

Originally created in 1931, The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso harks back to a period of horological innovation for both sports and dress watches. They managed to create a double-sided, rectangular watch case that can be swivelled around to protect the dial.

Source – Jaeger Le-Coultre - Ref Q3918420

2022 has seen this icon develop. Now accompanied with triple calendar functions in either 18-karat rose gold or stainless steel, the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Tribute bears witness to its timeless elements. Take for example its sublime Dauphine hands tapering towards the unique gadroons located around the case.

The verso deep blue sunray and recto silver grained dials are not overcrowded due to the triple calendar functions being split to either side of the watch. This ensures top-notch readability at a glance. Meanwhile, the verso dial has also been contemporized featuring new hour markers and a day-night indication.

Measuring 29.9mm in diameter, The Reverso is less than 11mm thick oozing luxury apparel at its finest. On the wrist, it is both elegant and subtle with easy access to ensure it slips under your shirt cuffs effortlessly.

Keeping with The Reverso mindset, there are two interchangeable bracelets. Designed by celebrated bootmaker Casa Fagliano, they are available in either full leather and bi-material. This means if you decide to buy a Jaeger Le-Coultre, rest assured that this timepiece is perfect for all manner of occasions and dapper outfits.

If you are in the market to buy a watch, opt for the clean yet sophisticated appearance of the Reverso Tribute. Trust us, it's a genuine eye catcher! Priced at £14,300 by Jaeger Le-Coultre, the secondary market displays a price of £10,000 at the time of writing.

Rolex Datejust 41mm (Green Dial)

With precision engineering, a heritage as rich as a Starbucks coffee and crafted with the finest materials like 904L steel, the Datejust 41mm offers flair in abundance for the debonair gentleman.

Source – Rolex – Ref 126334

Made from 904L steel, The Rolex Oyster Steel case is tougher than a Mike Tyson jab and benefits from a phenomenal finish.

The Jubilee Bracelet is a five-piece link metal bracelet that was crafted especially for the Datejust collection in 1945. Watch fanatics looking to buy a Rolex, namely the Datejust can guarantee one thing - that it will not only hold its value but offer unparalleled comfort.

A handcrafted, fluted mint green sunburst dial was released for this Datejust in 2022. It is unique in its appearance and contrasts the gold indices and on dial writing beautifully. Meanwhile, the time and emblematic date demonstrate first rate visibility.

The date lies beneath a cyclops lens, resulting in excellent clarity due to its function of magnifying the complication. Even one-eyed monsters could read this dial!

Priced by Rolex at £6,950, the secondary market follows an upwards trend with a price going from £10,000.

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar

The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar is refreshed and fully kitted up.

Source – Vacheron Constantin – Ref 5000T/000P-B975

White gold Dauphine hands circle around the gorgeous salmon tone dial. In addition, the sub dials with 30-minute chronograph totaliser, date, moonphase and running seconds are slightly sunken into the dial.

The similarly white gold indices are more pronounced, keeping the timekeeping legibility firmly intact and hence not giving into the busyness of the details. Vacheron branding sits atop day and month apertures with a leap year indicator positioned between 1 and 2 o'clock.

If you buy a watch like the Vacheron Constantin, you will not only be the envy of your watch collecting friends but set the horological bar high in terms of precision and engineering. Think a 1142 QP certified Hallmark of Geneva movement beating at 3Hz, 324 different components and sublime old-world appeal.

Measuring 43mm in diameter you are getting a lot of real estate. Nevertheless, it manages to retain its svelte like figure at 13mm thick, meaning the watch doesn’t protrude or catch through long sleeves.

When you buy a watch such as this model, you are investing in its 950 platinum case and ultra-tough precious metal which can easily polish out scratches.

The hand stitched, dark blue alligator leather strap and inner shell is secured with the familiar 950 platinum clasp. This bad boy won't be falling off your wrist in a hurry.

What’s our view? Catch this salmony complication when you can or get in line as only a handful of pieces are set to be launched annually. Timeless to the end, our advice is to pair this with a brown jacket matching the dial colour.

While the price is only accessible upon request, the secondary market finds the price at £130,000.

Tank Louis Cartier

1917 saw the creation of The Tank collection and 2022 sees a return to it in all its stripped back glory.

Source – Cartier – Ref CRWGTA0091

The 2022 Tank Louis Cartier adopts their most classic shape based on original designs. Timeless with pioneering design, when you buy a Cartier, look for the rectangular form with the signature rounded lugs of the Tank.

The Tank is fast becoming the “It” watch of 2023 thanks to a new and emerging generation of Cartier fans. For more than a century, these time-only watches have never gone out of fashion. Over time, iconic Cartier Tank wearers have included Muhammed Ali, Clark Gable, Princess Diana and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The latter wore hers during the official portrait in 2009.

Glancing back to the Art Deco period which the original model inspired, it turns out that on this model they have removed both the indices and any complications from the dial.

The epitome of contemporary minimalism, this specific timepiece goes for a clean black look, with gold finished steel hands. Wrapped in an 18k yellow gold case with a mineral crystal, the manual winding Cartier calibre movement is encased within. Gold is timeless with most outfits, but none more than when it's peeking under white shirt cuffs in a navy suit.

A minuscule 6.6mm thickness presents the perfect watch for an evening outfit, not taking centre stage but elegant enough to be the main talking point. A truly epic avant-garde symbol, this is rounded off with an alligator strap featuring an 18K yellow gold Cartier clasp ensuring security and maximum comfort.

To buy a Cartier is to invest in outstanding premium lineage, sublime design and a watch that’ll hold its value. Priced at £11,200 by Cartier, the secondary market rises with numbers following from £13,000 at the time of writing.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar

Blue moon…you saw me standing alone as doo wop group The Marcels once sang. But your friends will want to rub shoulders with you once they catch a glimpse of our next nautical inspired beauty.

Since 1875, Audemars Piguet has been at the forefront of astronomical watches. And this bold blue number is as daring as Evil Kneivel.

Source – Hodinkee – Ref 26579CS.OO.1225CS.01

When you buy an Audemars Piguet, expect the iconic self-winding calibre 5134 movement. You can also anticipate a neat case sizing of 41mm x 9.5mm found in the previous Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar models.

The main difference from the previous models comes in the form of its very vibrant colour. As blue as Erling Haaland, this watch certainly packs plenty of soul thanks to its all cobalt blue ceramic bracelet and case.

So what lies inside? A matching blue Grande Tapisserie pattern dial and familiar blue subdials as well as a perpetual calendar with an astronomical moon.

Blue is used consistently in fashion. Blue wristwear can electrify most tones, particularly brown ensembles such as camel coats with navy shirts. If you have the confidence, it also works extremely well with an all white outfit, allowing your timepiece to stand out as the sole other colour.

Sapphire crystal along with the case back reduces glare when trying to gaze at the time and its stunning intricacies. The dial itself holds standout blue counters with white gold hour markers. Then there are the luminescent Royal Oak hands sitting proudly on top of the flowing Grande Tapisserie pattern through luminescent coatings.

Don’t feel blue though watch lovers. If you decide to buy an Audemars Piguet watch such as the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar you can be confident of a few things - you’ll be wearing one of the most lusted after watch brands of all time and your outfit, from a relaxed white linen shirt to a dressed up royal blue suit, will be beautifully embellished.

With a price offered upon request from Audemars piguet, the secondary market states a minimum pricing of £470,000.

Breitling Premier B15 Duograph 42

Breitling are flexing their technical muscles with the Premier B15 Duograph.

Source: Breitling - Ref - AB1510171C1P1

Utilising their watchmaking expertise, they have crafted this stainless steel model with a split second complication, the ‘Rattrapante’. Essentially, it relies on two additional seconds hands that measure multiple simultaneous events. Unbelievably intricate and technically challenging to pull off, it's an incredible piece of craftsmanship.

Rectangular chronograph pushers edged around steel toned, luminous Arabic numerals and vintage hands provide an alternative face which is a break from the norm. If you want to buy a Breitling, you must be confident of blazing your own fashion trail.

Combine this with an open, anti-glare sapphire caseback and domed, sapphire crystal glass, you can now stare into the soul of masterful manufacturing. Honestly, you are wearing an open heart on your sleeve.

Measuring 42mm, the smart sunray blue dial and gold brown alligator strap oozes a modern, discerning feel for the well dressed individual. The gold brown alligator strap goes nicely with a myriad of sleeve colours, namely beige long sleeved jumpers while the blue dial allows the time piece to be fitted with any item colour.

Is it time to bust a move yet? We suggest grey, light green or navy blue suit jackets accentuating this watch magnificently. Every debonair gentleman should own a Premier B15 Duograph 42 because it defines classic wristwear.

The conservative gold brown strap does not repress colour options, rather it provides a muted base for the blue dial to take centre stage like Mick Jagger at a Rolling Stones concert. If you intend to buy a Breitling that will dazzle your colleagues, look no further than the iconic Breitling Premier B15 Duograph.

At the time of writing, Breitling states a price of £8,350. The secondary market sees a minimum price of £6000.

Conclusion

So, there we have it gents. Buy a watch (or seven) and you will soon be strutting down the Kings Road in style. A men’s dress watch should be a staple for any avid collector worth their salt. You may have a mind boggling array of brands and models including Rolex, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Breitling and more.

Yet, nothing screams style like a men’s dress watch. Whether it's those bold blue tones emanating from The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar or the subtle twist on a timeless classic like the Tank Louis Cartier, these are some of our go to favourites.

Too excited to wait any longer? Want to buy a Rolex or buy an Audemars Piguet in time for that glitzy dinner, awards ceremony or upcoming business trip? Then contact ChronoHunter here.

Highly recommended on Trustpilot, speak to one of our highly experienced team and benefit from our extensive selection of the most reputable luxury watch retailers. Receive the most competitive offers in real time thanks to our dedicated app and ensure you make the ultimate entrance with your dazzling new timepiece.

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