Deep lustrous black/Onyx/Lacquer dial dress watch question for everyone!

So eventually I'd like to get a dress-ish watch for gigs (I'm a musician), and I have a few in mind in the sub $1000 range.

I love the deep black dials that really have a lustrous appearance in person, so looking for something like that. 

 So far my favorites are the Christopher Ward C63 Sealander and the Tissot Gentleman Silicum PM 80. But I also like the little Vario trench and various others . 

What are some of your favorite jet black dial watches in the sub $1000 range and 40mm and under? Totally fine with super budget watches or even quartz as long as the dial has that luxurious feeling when looking at the dial. Probably nothing too much thicker than 12mm, well hopefully anyways. 

Thanks in advance!

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I also like the Hamilton Khaki auto field black dial watch, seems like a dressy field watch!

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There is no competition between the CW C63 and the Vario Trench, the CW is nicer in every way. When you hold each 

Between the Tissot and CW there is likely less of a gap in finishing, but in my opinion the CW is both nicer looking, and better finished. 

If you're open to a 36mm quartz the Vaer C3 Atlas might do the trick. 

VAER | C3 Tradition Black: 10ATM, Sapphire Glass, USA Assembled– Vaer Watches

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You have some good picks. My pick would be the Seiko Sharp Edge Series black edition (SARX083). This is a stellar looking watch that can be had for less than $800. I would argue, it’d be hard to find a more unique black dial at this price point.

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KristianG

There is no competition between the CW C63 and the Vario Trench, the CW is nicer in every way. When you hold each 

Between the Tissot and CW there is likely less of a gap in finishing, but in my opinion the CW is both nicer looking, and better finished. 

If you're open to a 36mm quartz the Vaer C3 Atlas might do the trick. 

VAER | C3 Tradition Black: 10ATM, Sapphire Glass, USA Assembled– Vaer Watches

Almost shared that one as well. Nice pick.

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Seiko Sarx029, deep black lacquer dial, 40mm diameter.

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For not that much more, given the strength of the dollar at the moment you could pick this up off of Chrono24, brand spanking new, box,  papers, 5-year warranty, at ~40% off MSRP!

Grand Seiko SBGP011 quartz, black dial, stainless steel, men's watches

https://www.chrono24.com/seiko/--sbgp011-9f85-0ac0----id25704192.htm

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AllTheWatches

You have some good picks. My pick would be the Seiko Sharp Edge Series black edition (SARX083). This is a stellar looking watch that can be had for less than $800. I would argue, it’d be hard to find a more unique black dial at this price point.

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Beautiful watch and love the textured dial! Never have seen this watch before actually, thanks!

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KristianG

There is no competition between the CW C63 and the Vario Trench, the CW is nicer in every way. When you hold each 

Between the Tissot and CW there is likely less of a gap in finishing, but in my opinion the CW is both nicer looking, and better finished. 

If you're open to a 36mm quartz the Vaer C3 Atlas might do the trick. 

VAER | C3 Tradition Black: 10ATM, Sapphire Glass, USA Assembled– Vaer Watches

Very cool watch, beautiful dial and super affordable at that! Thanks!

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I’ve got a few black dials, these are the dressiest ones. 
My Certina 

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Hamilton 

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Rotary 

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Big Idea Design x RZE not quite as dressy but could be dressed up. 

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All under $1000

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(I'm a musician)

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Jazzmaster!

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There is one elephant in the room, that I would like to address. Mechanical watches and musicians don't really go together because of magnetic character of practically all the musical equipment. I don't know what you think of quartz, but I would recommend looking towards that direction. Tissot Gentleman has a quartz option. There are some great Citizen higher end quartz watches, used Grand Seiko (if you can find a decent one), Hamilton makes a ton of great dressy watches. When I'm around musical equipment I always wear a casio =)

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witcher.watcher

There is one elephant in the room, that I would like to address. Mechanical watches and musicians don't really go together because of magnetic character of practically all the musical equipment. I don't know what you think of quartz, but I would recommend looking towards that direction. Tissot Gentleman has a quartz option. There are some great Citizen higher end quartz watches, used Grand Seiko (if you can find a decent one), Hamilton makes a ton of great dressy watches. When I'm around musical equipment I always wear a casio =)

That's a good point!

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Jazzmaster Quartz!

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A little larger (42mm) and a tad more expensive ($1,168 on Jomashop right now), but a very nice black dial watch

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39.5mm, $535 on Jomashop

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40.5mm, $875 on Jomashop

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39mm, $775 on Jomashop

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Moral of the story is I think you have a TON of options for a black dial watch in the for $1,000 or under! Good luck finding that perfect watch for your gigs!

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I have a Vario Trench watch, and while I love it, because the lugs can't be removed you are limited on strap options. It either needs to have a single pass strap, or the same kind of strap it comes on. When on those kinds of straps, I wouldn't call it dressy.

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As a recent owner of a C63 39mm with new logo, ( mine is blue) I think it would be very hard to beat the Sealander,  especially if you're considering the bracelet as well. Beautifully finished and well featured and far more legible than a Tissot Gentleman ( which has better power reserve) I have 2 Omegas and the CW doesn't feel out of place alongside them. Buy with confidence. 

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As the owner of a CW Sealander with a green dial I'd have to agree with the comment above. The Sealander is my fifth Christopher Ward purchased over the last 11 years. Every single one continues to be among my favorites and maintain accuracy within 2-5 seconds per day. 

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You won't do better than the Chris Ward Sealander. I own the green GMT version and its currently my favourite watch. I will however throw another one in to consider. Up until recently I owned a Tissot Couturier, and now regret selling it 

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witcher.watcher

There is one elephant in the room, that I would like to address. Mechanical watches and musicians don't really go together because of magnetic character of practically all the musical equipment. I don't know what you think of quartz, but I would recommend looking towards that direction. Tissot Gentleman has a quartz option. There are some great Citizen higher end quartz watches, used Grand Seiko (if you can find a decent one), Hamilton makes a ton of great dressy watches. When I'm around musical equipment I always wear a casio =)

I'm a total noob when it comes to this aspect, the magnetic effect on watches. I play the acoustic drums, so no electronics, so maybe I'm in the clear? But what happens to watches that are around electric musical instruments? Do they stop working or get messed up with keeping good time? Very curious about this aspect! Thanks!

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All I would like to add from experience is that the Vario wears beautifully as a legit dress watch once you remove the bund part of the strap. 👍

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J'adore la CW, mais moi j'ai ça :

Sublime cadran laqué noir Urushi.

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Seiko SARX029.

🇯🇵😉

Ou une Yema Wristmaster Traveller 😉

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🇨🇵😉

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Garlando

I'm a total noob when it comes to this aspect, the magnetic effect on watches. I play the acoustic drums, so no electronics, so maybe I'm in the clear? But what happens to watches that are around electric musical instruments? Do they stop working or get messed up with keeping good time? Very curious about this aspect! Thanks!

Magnetic field compromises the accuracy of the mechanical pieces. Some producers claim to have antimagnetic cases and movements, however no watch is completely safe from strong magnetic fields. If you are playing acoustic drums and there is no magnetic musical equipment around then you face another problem – watch shock. And, yeah, movements nowadays are shockproof to some extend, though the recommendations are not to move the watch too hard (i.e. not do karate wearing a mechanical watch) as they are delicate complicated mechanisms. I think hard drumming could also be harmful to a mechanical piece. But anyway, you should do what you like and enjoy and not rely on a random guy in the internet to make you decisions. 

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I just came across this watch brand called Victare. They are made by some guys in Toledo, Ohio that are in the music industry. They have some pretty nice stuff. They make watches with musicians in mind. Maybe check them out. 

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Having just bought C63 sealander that would be my recommendation. the dial looks amazing  and it feels like a kitten has wrapped round your wrist. 

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Shbamn50
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I just came across this watch brand called Victare. They are made by some guys in Toledo, Ohio that are in the music industry. They have some pretty nice stuff. They make watches with musicians in mind. Maybe check them out. 

Nice! Thanks so much!

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witcher.watcher

Magnetic field compromises the accuracy of the mechanical pieces. Some producers claim to have antimagnetic cases and movements, however no watch is completely safe from strong magnetic fields. If you are playing acoustic drums and there is no magnetic musical equipment around then you face another problem – watch shock. And, yeah, movements nowadays are shockproof to some extend, though the recommendations are not to move the watch too hard (i.e. not do karate wearing a mechanical watch) as they are delicate complicated mechanisms. I think hard drumming could also be harmful to a mechanical piece. But anyway, you should do what you like and enjoy and not rely on a random guy in the internet to make you decisions. 

I hear you! I would be bummed to take a CW C63 to gigs and have to keep having it repaired. Might be better to go with a classy quartz. There's been some good options thrown out so far for that on this thread. 

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The Christopher Ward is lacquer and the Vario is enamel, making them both inkier that their competition.  I don't think you could go wrong with either.

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Keep digging into Tissot’s offerings. They have some good stuff. 
 

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Was thinking the Hamilton Ventura (which has some musical associations) is well in budget, and looks cool! 

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Plus, it's quartz if that's important. 

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I absolutely love my Seiko Urushi Lacquer Dial SARX029 get one fast as they are going up in price as they are disappearing quickly

Or the Vario 1918 Trench watch, The Black Enamel dial in this configuration is very limited so check with Ivan at Vario ASAP. Stunning watch!

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Whitesalmon
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I absolutely love my Seiko Urushi Lacquer Dial SARX029 get one fast as they are going up in price as they are disappearing quickly

Or the Vario 1918 Trench watch, The Black Enamel dial in this configuration is very limited so check with Ivan at Vario ASAP. Stunning watch!

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Thanks! That Seiko is something else! Wow! I've had to shift gears because after getting some advice because I'm a drummer and I'd like to keep my watch on my wrist while playing it looks like it might be better to get a quartz watch, and a light and thin one at that so that I can play but it won't be quite as susceptible to damage or magnetization from other electronic instruments around. So now I'm looking for that deep black dial in quartz form and frankly it's not as fun :( 

But better that than having to repair a watch over and over again!