Rolex dress watches?

[Daycruiser]

For me Rolex's heritage lies in its sports models, the Daytona, sub, explorer hell even the GMT has a sports element to it.

I currently use the 116519 as my dress watch, but that was a gift and a sentimental piece (my mom wore it for years and gave it to me when I graduated law school, incidentally she passed away within 2 months). All the Rolex I bought after that have been SS or TT sports model.

No one seems to talk about the Cellini much, although I do find it elegant. That being said I would prob opt for a JLC, Arnold & son or an A Lange. for my next dress watch. Call me traditional, but I think a leather strap sky-D would be a tad too flashy and in your face for a black tie event.

[japenney]

A 36mm datejust on jubilee can make a good dress watch. I do like the cellini linup and I would assume that the price is the major deterent for the majority of the purchasing public (all cellini models are precious metal if im not mistaken). Now if they released a cellini model in steel there is a good chance that I would be very interested.

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by Daycruiser

For me Rolex's heritage lies in its sports models, the Daytona, sub, explorer hell even the GMT has a sports element to it.

I currently use the 116519 as my dress watch, but that was a gift and a sentimental piece (my mom wore it for years and gave it to me when I graduated law school, incidentally she passed away within 2 months). All the Rolex I bought after that have been SS or TT sports model.

No one seems to talk about the Cellini much, although I do find it elegant. That being said I would prob opt for a JLC, Arnold & son or an A Lange. for my next dress watch. Call me traditional, but I think a leather strap sky-D would be a tad too flashy and in your face for a black tie event.

I have 2 JLC's and a TT DJ for dress watches. Oh yeah and I just added a Panerai. They all would look great at a black tie event IMHO especially my Reverso and TT DJ.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by Patton250

I have 2 JLC's and a TT DJ for dress watches. Oh yeah and I just added a Panerai. They all would look great at a black tie event IMHO especially my Reverso and TT DJ.

The Reverso is such a beautiful piece and would be one of my top choices for a dress watch. Impeccable taste there my friend.

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by Daycruiser

The Reverso is such a beautiful piece and would be one of my top choices for a dress watch. Impeccable taste there my friend.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by japenney

A 36mm datejust on jubilee can make a good dress watch. I do like the cellini linup and I would assume that the price is the major deterent for the majority of the purchasing public (all cellini models are precious metal if im not mistaken). Now if they released a cellini model in steel there is a good chance that I would be very interested.

My granddad had exactly that, a gold 36mm DJ on jubilee. It was in my custody for years just sitting in the safe. Then I gave it to my uncle and he lost it... What a shame.

[keylargotime]

This forum is rather harsh on the Cellini- but don't let that dissuade you- it's a fantastic timepiece.

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by japenney

A 36mm datejust on jubilee can make a good dress watch. I do like the cellini linup and I would assume that the price is the major deterent for the majority of the purchasing public (all cellini models are precious metal if im not mistaken). Now if they released a cellini model in steel there is a good chance that I would be very interested.

I wear my DJ with suit, slacks/jacket, any shirt with a collar so, in my world, it is a "dress watch" but the accepted standard among "experts" is that a true gentleman's dress watch should have a white dial and be on a leather band...

That said this is my dress watch...

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by Wooddog44

I wear my DJ with suit, slacks/jacket, any shirt with a collar so, in my world, it is a "dress watch" but the accepted standard among "experts" is that a true gentleman's dress watch should have a white dial and be on a leather band...

That said this is my dress watch...

It's definitely a classic mate, but it doesn't suit my style.
A Lange 1 42MM
Arnold and sons black moon
JLC Reverso

Even an IWC Portugese, I think these "dress watches" suits me a little more. But hey it's all about rocking it with confidence, so power to you my friend.

[Hollister]

Strictly speaking, a dress watch should be time only, i.e. no complications such as a date display, power reserve, etc., and discreet.

[OmegaJJH]

Some on here can be a little precious about what constitutes a 'dress' watch.

Unless your are going to Buckingham palace I think a DJ fits the bill nicely.

This is mine, vintage omega:


Although I really really like this IWC:

[masyv6]

The Cellini is good, but I find other brands than Rolex make better dress watches. I tend to look at JLC, VC, PP, AP, Cartier, FPJ, and ALS first.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Some on here can be a little precious about what constitutes a 'dress' watch.

Unless your are going to Buckingham palace I think a DJ fits the bill nicely.

I wouldn't consider myself a purist per se. I rock a flamboyant suit with DSSD or TT YM II, but I do think that a collection is incomplete without a proper dress watch, i.e leather strap, minimalistic, elegant complications such as moon phase, tourbillon or perpetual calendar.

Whatever the choice maybe it's up to the person, his style, his preference and the image he wishes to project to the world. I have met a gentlemen before at a cocktail reception and I noticed his Cartier Tank complimented on its simple elegance and struck up a conversation. He turned out to be a great watch aficionado and we have kept a good personal and business relationship ever since.

I do think that each quality piece of horology has a story behind it. And it has to resonate with the wearer. If the DJ feels good for you then go for it! But personally I think I would have to go with the Arnold and Son. This is my dark side of the moon, like "Time" the best track of the album, it's the song that best captures this moment in my life.

[Widows Son]

Originally Posted by Hollister

Strictly speaking, a dress watch should be time only, i.e. no complications such as a date display, power reserve, etc., and discreet.

You forgot precious metal and on a strap.

[G.D.BeanCounter]

I, too, currently wear the 116519 as a dress watch, and considering the 116518 for a change of color depending on my attire.

[droptopman]

Love the Arnold and Sons moon phase. Beautiful watch.

I do not currently have a proper dress watch, unless I count my old Movado which I never wear. I was casually shopping for one the last few months, but I rarely need to wear one anymore.

I do like the new Cellini models, but in that price range there are other brands that I would consider.

Being more of a vintage guy, I will most likely end up with a 1803 in YG to wear on straps and I will use that for a dress watch. Even though most would not consider it a dress watch, it will work for me.

[brownbear]

[capote]

Originally Posted by Hollister

Strictly speaking, a dress watch should be time only, i.e. no complications such as a date display, power reserve, etc., and discreet.

I agree. But this also highlights the problem of talking about either 1) sport watches or 2) dress watches. Lets say a rose gold Edward Piguet tourbillon on an aligator strap water resistant to 20 meters. Not exactly something you take to the beach I guess.

[Eric Chan]

I like the Cellini. If I was on the market for one, I would get this one.

Nothing other than the time. How a dress watch should be in my opinion.

[CRM114]

DJs dress up or down easily, and hit the sweet spot of what a sports watch is (as in a semi-casual style of dress, not as in "they are designed for this or that sport"). They work appropriately for anything outside a formal (black or white tie) occasion. That's why they've been Rolex's most popular and best-selling model for 70 years.

[vintage69]

Rolex has the history and background that make it both a sport watch and a dress watch. My father-i n-law was a gentleman who could show up a black tie event and be considered properly dressed wearing a brown business suit. He was both a major WWII naval hero and a very successful businessman. He served as a chief staff officer to Nimitz and invented a heat treatment for stainless steel allowing stainless to be used in denistry.

PS He swore he would not wear anything that reminded him of the navy when he retired. He spent 24 yrs in the navy and practiced denostry for 33 yrs.

[Hollister]

Originally Posted by masyv6

The Cellini is good, but I find other brands than Rolex make better dress watches. I tend to look at JLC, VC, PP, AP, Cartier, FPJ, and ALS first.

I agree. I really like the Chronometre Bleu.

[jon_jon]

I have seen my AD manager wear a Cellini Time black dial and it looked really nice. But at this price range, there are many competitors for an elegant dress watch from other Swiss watch brands. Rolex Cellini doesn't quite stand out from the other Swiss brand dress watches like their sports watch models do in their respective price ranges.

[D111s]

I wear my late fathers 1964 oyster perpetual in yellow gold as a dress watch, perfect size really!

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by D111s

I wear my late fathers 1964 oyster perpetual in yellow gold as a dress watch, perfect size really!

Looks great on you mate!