Where is the line of where a watch becomes a dress watch?

There isn't a strict set of rules but a few things that have been considered is

its needs to be thin, and no lume on the dial, on a leather strap, classy design

It also helps if it's precious metal but obviously this starts to push it massively up in cost

I'm currently looking to add a nice dress watch to my collection and I will most likely go vintage

Slim. Understated design. No/thin plain bezel. Probably precious metal but it's not really a requirement. No complications. Leather strap, no bracelets (precious metal plain bracelets, like a mesh or ornamental design might get a pass, jubilee etc definitely out).

Basically if you're questioning whether it's a dress watch, then it isn't. If it's bling or drawing attention to itself, then it isn't.

• Step one, put on suit

• Step two, put on watch. Now you have a dress watch.

The line is nebulous. To 99% of the population, a Rolex is a dress watch, no matter how much us nerds want to tell them otherwise. On the other hand, a $250K Patek wont save someone who shows up in an ill fitting suit that looks like the want to sell you undercoating. The clothes one wears sets the tone long before the watch.

Sure, wearing a 50mm GShock is probably not in good taste with a suit, but anything that fits comfortably with the cuff is likely fine, including “sports watches.” These days there are no rules, but a nice <38mm and <10MM thick on a nice leather strap, remains a timeless look. There is a reason the Tank is a Tank.

It depends how much use you want to get from a watch and what your lifestyle is like. If your daily life has you wearing a suit then then your daily watches will probably be more on the dress side anyway. My personal choice for a dress watch would be more dress/sport like these (I like small seconds)

If it fits under the cuff of a dress shirt, it's a dress watch.

Recently attended a black-tie affair and wore a 38mm, white-dial Bambino with a black leather strap. Most style guides indicate that with a tux, you should not wear a watch at all but should you choose to do so, it should be something along the lines of what others have been saying qualifies as a dress watch. Thin, elegant, black leather strap and definitely no dive watches nor G Shocks.

However, I did see quite a few dive/sport watches on bracelets so apparently not everyone checks a style guide. 😀

if you are wearing a watch and you put on a dress then you are wearing a dress watch.

👍

Anything with roman numerals is a dress watch.

A few questions on your response 1) do you count running second as a complication 2) would mesh really be okay in your opinion when I think of a dress watch leather just pops in my mind

Strictly speaking, running seconds would be out, but two handers are pretty difficult to come. Also you're right that leather is the perfect answer.

" . . . if you're questioning whether it's a dress watch, then it isn't." This nails it. And if you're not sure, you're not much of a watch enthusiast.

I really like dress watches, although I never get invited to a Coronation or the Ambassador's Reception. I can't imagine why not? But there are always dinners out with my daughters or the Sunday Mass, there are Weddings and funerals, and I wear the dress watches there.

Some of the ones I have are a silver dial Tissot Everytime Large, the Seiko SGEG97P1 which looks like a working man's Breguet, the Seiko SGEH79P1 which I think has a GS family resemblance, and two minimalist watches from that new luxury brand Casio.

These watches fit most of your criteria. But my Seiko SUP873P1 Solar fits all of them. It is 7mm thin. Plain, thin bezel. Two hands. Black leather strap. I think this is also the perfect watch for those who only want or need one dress watch. Who knows what it sells for these days considering rampant inflation. But I got mine a few years ago for $85.

It just needs to look shinny & fragile lol