Suiting Up for the Festive Season, With a Selection of Dress Watches

It’s almost upon us, the most festive time of the year. Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and plenty of others all kick off this month. And with it, there will be plenty of parties, dinners, social gatherings and other events filling up our agendas and keeping us occupied. To keep track of time in the most pleasurable way, a dress watch seems like an appropriate choice as it keeps things simple yet captivating. So with that in mind, here’s a series of classy watches to consider gracing your wrist, with the odd twist thrown in here or there, just for fun.

Frederique Constant Classic premiere Salmon

Simplicity doesn’t equal being boring, and the Frederique Constant Classic Premiere Salmon perfectly exemplifies that. The compact watch comes with a multi-level salmon-coloured dial enhanced by a range of textures and polished applied Breguet hour numerals and hands. Around the back, the calibre FC-301, based on the La Joux-Perret G100, is driven by a rose gold-coloured rotor to match the front. With a brown Nubuck leather strap and a steel pin buckle, this Europe-exclusive is rather sensibly priced, coming in at EUR 1,995.

For more information, please visit Frederique-Constant.com.

Quick Facts – 38.5mm x 10.67mm – stainless steel, polished – 43.5mm lug-to-lug – sapphire crystal front & back – 50m water-resistant – multi-textured salmon dial – applied Breguet numerals & hands – La Joux-Perret G100, automatic – 28,800vph –  24 jewels – 68h power reserve – hours, minutes, central (hacking) seconds – rose gold-coloured rotor – brown Nubuck leather strap, pin buckle – Europe-exclusive – EUR 1,995

Breguet Classique 5177

Breguet is renowned for its devotion to classical and traditional watchmaking, culminating in watches like the Classique 5177. While it’s not the most complex Breguet, it is a quintessential demonstration of style. The platinum case, with hallmark soldered lugs and fluted caseband, houses a black Grand Feu enamel dial with Breguet numerals and hands. The in-house automatic movement is driven by a decorated central rotor. The twist? It includes a date function, which some people think shouldn’t be part of a dress watch. Nevertheless, matching the dial and black leather strap, it looks perfectly in place! The price is CHF 36,800.

For more information, please visit Breguet.com.

Quick Facts – 38mm x 8.8mm – platinum 950 case, polished – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water-resistant – black Grand Feu enamel dial – silver powdered markings – Breguet hour, minute & seconds hands – calibre 777 Q, in-house – automatic with central gold rotor – 28,800vph – 55h power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds and date – black alligator leather strap with platinum pin buckle – CHF 36,800

Piaget andy Warhol clou de paris

Warhol and Piaget are two words that go together, like apple and pie. The legendary King of Pop Art was known to love and wear a whole range of Piagets and now has a rather unique model named after him. The Piaget Andy Warhol has a rounded-square white gold case with a Clou de Paris bezel. The blue meteorite dial is perhaps unexpected, yet looks amazing against the white sheen of the exterior. The calibre 501P1 is hidden under a solid caseback. Worn on a dark blue alligator leather strap, the Andy Warhol Clou de Paris retails for EUR 56,000.

For more information, please visit Piaget.com.

Quick Facts – 45mm diameter – white gold case – Clou de Paris bezel – sapphire crystal – solid caseback – recessed crown – 30m water-resistant – blue meteorite dial – applied indices & Dauphine-style hands – silver Piaget logo – calibre 501P1, automatic – 20.8mm x 3.63mm – 23 jewels – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – hours, minutes – dark blue alligator leather strap with white gold ardillon buckle – customisation options upon request – starting price of EUR 56,000

Nomos Orion Neomatik Doré

When it comes to minimalist elegance, Nomos is not to be overlooked. While the attention often goes to the Tangente, the recently launched Orion Neomatik Doré surely deserves its place in the spotlight. The simple white silver-plated dial is enlivened with gold markers and hands, adding a subtle touch of elegance to the Orion. The compact dimensions, curved lugs and brown Shell Cordovan leather strap make it a very compelling watch. Fitted with the in-house DUW-3001 automatic, the Nomos Orion Neomatik Doré retails for EUR 3,040.

For more information, please visit Nomos-Glashuette.com.

Quick Facts – 36.4mm x 8.5mm – stainless steel case, polished – curved elongated lugs – sapphire crystals front & back – 50m water-resistant – galvanized, white silver-plated dial – gold indexes and hands – calibre in-house DUW 3001, automatic – 23 jewels – 21,600vph – 43h power reserve – Nomos Swing System – hours, minutes & small seconds – 18mm Shell Cordovan brown strap – EUR 3,040

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Ora Ïto

Vacheron Constantin knows a few things about ‘less is more’ watchmaking and celebrates the Patrimony’s 20th anniversary in style. The celebratory special edition is made in partnership with French designer Ora Ïto. The result is a wonderful mix of styles, with a yellow gold case and a dial decorated with concentric gold rings. The time-and-date watch also comes on a special burgundy calfskin leather strap with embossed rectangular shapes. Limited to only 100 pieces, Patrimony Ora Ïta retails for EUR 38,600.

For more information, please visit Vacheron-Constantin.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 8.5mm – 18k yellow gold case, polished – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water-resistance – yellow gold dial with concentric golden rings – yellow gold pearls, markers & hands – calibre 2450 Q6, automatic – 196 components – 28,800vph – 40h power reserve – embossed burgundy leather strap – limited edition of 100 pieces – EUR 38,600

Baltic Prismic Stone Dials

For more information, please visit Baltic-Watches.com.

Quick Facts – 36mm x 9.2mm – stainless steel & grade 5 titanium case – stepped bezel – sapphire crystal front & back – 30m water-resistant – green Jade, red Agate, Lapis Lazuli dials – polished applied markers & hands – small seconds subdial – ETA Peseux 7001, hand-wound – 21,600vph – 42h power reserve – mesh steel bracelet or leather straps – limited to 200 pieces per model – EUR 1,250 (leather) – EUR 1,310 (mesh bracelet)