Dress Watch – The Quintessential Classic Menswear Timepiece

In the previous episode, I shared how you can match a dive watch with business informal or business casual outfits. Although not a “natural” match, you can still pull it off though. The secret is choosing a “dressier” dive watch design, and not strapping a stereotypical, overbuilt, waterproof vault on your wrist… But dive watches, no matter how dressy looking, aren’t gonna work with dressier ensembles. When you’re all suited up to the nines, you’re gonna need a proper dress watch. And no, just because James Bond wears a dive watch with his black tie ensemble, that doesn’t make it “correct”.

What Exactly Is A Dress Watch?

A dress watch is exactly what the name describes – a dressy looking timepiece. It’s also the best match to any and all formal wear ensembles. As described in this past article, dress watches are generally delicate and elegant looking. They normally sport clean looking dials, and very few, if any, complications. One typical feature that many dress watches share in common, is the generous usage of Roman numerals for hour markers. Though not a prerequisite, many dress watches also come inlaid with precious stones and/or precious metals.

The Sea-Gull M186S has all the makings of a stereotypical dress watch. A simple case, a full track of Roman numerals for the hour markers, and an interestingly textured dial. As for the band, nothing exudes elegance more than a simple leather strap. It isn’t any less dressy just because it doesn’t feature any gold or diamonds in its construction. Even affordable watch manufacturers, like Tianjin Seagull Watch Group, can offer high quality dress watches too.

Pairing The Dress Watch With Classic Menswear

Without a doubt, dress watches pair best with business suits. Whilst you can dress it down a little, there’s a practical limit to how far down you can go. Let’s run it through some examples of the classic menswear spectrum :-

(1) Business Formal

Definite YES – This is the dress watch’s natural habitat. If I can describe a dressy outfit in just two words, it’s “subtle elegance”.

(2) Business Semi-Formal

YES – This is definitely a great match for the dress watch. But if I can make a slight change, I’d choose a leather strap in matching ox blood instead of black. Even if I can’t get an exact match, a dark brown leather strap is still a better match than black.

(3) Business Informal

YES – Another great match for the dress watch. And as above, I’d choose a brown leather strap to match the brown shoes.

(4) Business Casual

YES – I would still wear a dress watch with this ensemble. However, this is as low as I’d comfortably pair with a dress watch. And as above example, I’d match the leathers too, with a brown leather strap rather than the black one.

(5) Dressy Casual

MAYBE – This ensemble stretches the suitability with a dress watch. It’s not a definite no, but it’s not exactly a great match with dress watches either. I guess it all depends on individual tastes.

(6) Just Casual

Definite NO – Dress watches are definite overkill when paired with such a casual ensemble. Not unless you only have one watch, and it so happens to be a dress watch (highly unlikely). In that case, then yeah, I suppose it’ll have to do… In all other instances, just stick to an all-rounder watch, or even a sport watch.

“But James Bond Wears Dive Watches With Black Tie, Not Dress Watches…”

Well, for one thing, that’s basically product placement. It’s a way for Omega (the brand) to work in partnership with the James Bond movie franchise. In short, it’s not real. Nobody in their right mind would wear what’s essentially a tool watch to a black tie gala… Not unless you intend to flaunt your (very expensive) gold Rolex Submariner (Reference number 126618LB) to the other attendees there. Let’s face it, that gold Sub’s not going anywhere near a bathtub… Let alone 300m beneath the surface of the open ocean (the rated depth for the Sub).

Disclaimer – This Is Not A Sponsored Article

Neither Tianjin Seagull Watch Group nor any of their distributors/retailers sponsored this Sea-Gull M186S watch. Of course I won’t object if they (or any other brands/entities) offer to sponsor future articles in this series (hint-hint)… But for now, I bought this watch with my own money. Hence, all the opinions are mine, and mine alone.

In the meantime, if you like what you read, would you consider contributing something to a starving writer? If so, then do consider buying me a coffee. I hate to admit it, but caffeine really does fuel the creativity around here. As usual, if you have any queries, comments, or if you disagree with me, do leave your thoughts below. If you wanna compare a luxury watch in place of an affordable dress watch, stick around for the next episode.