Going out on fancy dinners means you have to dress the part. You’ll need to whip out your nice suit, oxfords, and of course, your dress watch.
Or maybe you want to up your style? Dress watches can be a big game-changer for you.
Today, we’ll review some of the best dress watches out there that won’t break your bank. For watches under $1000, you’ve got yourself a sweet deal.
Best Overall
Tissot Le Locle
Best Value
Hamilton Intra-Matic
Best Budget
Orient Bambino
Here Are the Top 6 Best Dress Watches Under $1,000
- Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 Watch
- Hamilton Intra-Matic Watch
- Orient Bambino
- Seiko Presage Cocktail Time
- Frederique Constant Classic Quartz
- Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline
1. Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 Watch
Best Overall
Since 1853, Tissot is one of the best brands for watches of any style. And their dress watch certainly doesn’t come with any exceptions.
The Tissot Ballade Le Locle watch has a nice classic appeal to it. It looks traditional yet modern at the same time, with its sapphire crystal window, stainless steel case, and leather band.
The face of the Tissot Powermatic is pretty plain and basic, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any good. If any, it’s quite the opposite, and we love it.
The silver roman numerals, placed against the black dial, gives the face a clean look. The silver hands and markers further complement the whole design, and everything looks well put together.
Finally, Le Locle sports the basic features you’d want for a watch. It has a small and simple date window, found at the 3 o’clock position.
You can also enjoy up to an impressive 80 hours of power reserve, which is greater than most timepieces.
The Le Locle is even water-resistant, although for only up to 30 meters. However, as much as possible, we advise against getting this watch wet at all costs.
Pros
- Beautiful black dial and simple case
- Uses a durable sapphire crystal window
- Long power reserve
- 3 o’clock date window
Specifications
- Model Number: T0064071605300
- Case Size: 39.30 mm
- Swiss Quartz Movement
- Stainless Steel Case, Black Leather Strap, Silver Markers, and Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal Window
- 80-hour power reserve
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
2. Hamilton Intra-Matic Swiss Automatic Movement Watch
Best Value for Money
The Intra-Matic Swiss Automatic is as classic as it gets. It’s clean, simple, elegant, and fits well regardless of your outfit. It sports your usual silver-tone stainless steel case and classic black leather band.
We also love how simple the watch face looks. It looks spotless, with only silver markers, to indicate the time. Coupled with your silver hands, everything looks seamless.
The date window is found on the 6 o’ clock position, unlike others we’ve found. It’s a nice variation that sets the Intra-Matic dress watch apart.
And speaking of variation, a closer look at the Intra-Matic Swiss Automatic, and you might notice something lacking. It doesn’t have a second hand, common in most dress watches.
Now, the internal design is just as great as its exterior. This Swiss automatic watch sports a 42-hour power reserve and a hand winding feature.
In terms of durability, you’ve got nothing to worry about!
The watch comes with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window to keep your Hamilton timepiece running a lifetime. Plus, it’s also water-resistant for up to 50 meters!
But the one thing that we love about this timepiece is its skeleton case back. Through its case back design, see the dress watch’s internal gears, which is our favorite feature of all.
Pros
- Elegant and simple looking
- Uses a durable sapphire crystal window
- Unique skeleton case back
- 6 o’clock date window
Specifications
- Model Number: H38455731
- Case Diameter: 38 mm
- Swiss Automatic Movement
- Stainless Steel Case, Leather Strap, Silver Markers, and Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal Window
- 42-hour power reserve
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
3. Orient Bambino
Budget Pick
If you want a high-quality watch that comes at an affordable price point, Orient is a great brand.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Bambino made it to this list. The line sports different types and models to choose from.
So if it’s the options you’re looking for, the Orient Bambino line comes first in mind.
The Bambino sports a nice and simple watch face, protected by the 40 mm stainless steel case diameter. Y
ou can choose from different dial colors to match your style! You can even choose between a gold or a silver watch case! It’s up to you.
The leather band adds a nice touch, giving the Bambino a classic and familiar feel to it.
In terms of movement, the Bambino sports an impressive Japanese automatic movement, water-resistant for up to 30 meters. And we say impressive because of the price point the Bambino comes in.
Pros
- Quality and affordable dress watch
- Comes with a ton of dial and case color options
- Reliable watch brand
- Clean looking face
Specifications
- Model Number: FAC08004D0
- Case Diameter: 42 mm
- Japanese Automatic Movement
- Stainless Steel Case and Leather Band
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
4. Seiko Presage Cocktail Time
Seiko has been around for so long, and they make some of the best timepieces to date. The Presage Cocktail Time isn’t any exception.
On its face, the sunburst dial looks very striking and unique! It’s unlike your usual black, blue, white, and silver dial. It’s one of those dress watches that stand out because of its design.
Yet, despite its unique appearance, the Presage manages to look elegant and minimal at the same time.
It sports the usual date window on the 3 o’clock position, plus your stainless steel case and leather band to complete the overall look.
The Presage makes use of a hand-winding automatic movement, which gives it a nice vintage feel.
It holds up to 41 hours of power reserve, which is pretty decent if you’d ask us. And to think all this comes for less than 1,000. It’s a good deal!
Unlike other Seiko products, the Presage isn’t as water-resistant as we’d hope. The Presage is water-resistant for up to 30 meters, which is way less than other best-known timepieces from Seiko.
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time stands as one of the best dress watches you’d want to add to your watch collection.
Pros
- High-quality timepiece
- Comes from a very reliable brand
- Great design and features for its price range
- 3 o’clock date window
Specifications
- Model Number: SRPB43J1
- Magnetic Resistance: 4,800 A/m
- Automatic hand-winding movement
- 41-hour power reserve
- Stainless Steel Case and Leather Band
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
5. Frederique Constant Classic Swiss Quartz Movement
Frederique has been around for many years, you can’t miss its awesome looking dress watch. The Classic Quartz watch is a great example of the unique design the brand manages to pull off.
It comes in a 43 mm case diameter, with stainless steel displays around it. The screw-down crown and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window add a nice touch to the durability of this timepiece.
On its face, this dress watch is unlike what you’re used to. It’s an analog watch, but with a twist on how the data is presented.
Instead of having your regular 3 o’clock or 6 o’ clock date window, this watch tells the date differently. There are two other small analog displays on the watch, each indicating the day and date.
And all this is set in a nice white dial, which gives it a classic finish.
Pros
- Classic analog display and white dial
- Unique day and date window
- Quality dress watch
- Shock resistant
Specifications
- Model Number:FC-259BRST5B6
- Case Size: 39 mm
- Swiss Quartz Movement
- Stainless Steel Case, Leather Band, and Sapphire Crystal Window
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
6. Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline
If you’re looking for a watch that can double as a dress watch and everyday watch, the Hamilton Jazzmaster is the first thing that comes to mind.
It’s simple-looking and sports your usual stainless steel case and brown leather strap.
On its face, you’ll find numerals instead of the usual line markers or roman numerals.
You’ll also see markers for the minutes and seconds, which comes in handy for accurate timekeeping. Finally, you’ll find a date window on the 6 o’ clock position, similar to other dress watches.
However, you won’t find the second’s hand on this watch. It only has the hours and minutes markers for telling the time. In that sense, this watch isn’t complicated at all.
And speaking of complicated, this quartz movement watch will be the least of your problems in the long-run. It is battery powered, so you can wear it and go! All you’ll have to worry about is changing the battery when it dies.
If you don’t want the hassle of maintaining watches, like with self-winding or automatic movement watches, then the Jazzmaster is a great option.
Pros
- Comes from a reliable watch company
- 6 o’clock date window
- Doesn’t require any maintenance
- Uses Arabic numerals for markers
Specifications
- Model Number: H38511553
- Case Size: 42 mm
- Swiss Quartz Movement
- Stainless Steel Case and Alligator Leather Strap
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
Buyer’s Guide to Finding the Best Dress Watch
There’s a variety of dress watches out there, each coming at different price points.
The watch industry is filled with choices you can’t miss out on! And because of this, finding the perfect dress watch can be a challenge.
Today, we’ve listed several important considerations you need to keep in mind when looking for dress watches. Keep reading to find out more!
Looking for something more affordable? Check out the Best Dress Watches Under $200 or find the Best Dress watches under $500 for some diversity!.
Design
You want to make sure that your watch complements your overall look. And a lot of this has to do with the design of your dress watch.
If you’d ask us, we prefer a simple automatic watch over a fancy and loud one. Why?
Dress watches are meant to look classy and minimal.
It’s supposed to complement your style, especially for a formal occasion. And an automatic watch most likely has these traits. A unique case back would be pretty cool, too.
We recommend choosing clean looking watches, like those which sport a nice stainless steel case, easy to read dial, leather strap, and the cherry on top? A skeleton case back.
The dial should be easy to read, which is why choosing a nice dial color is important.
A black dial watch gives it a unique outward appearance, especially if the markers are set in unique or simple characters. A blue dial, or even a green one, is also nice and unique looking!
But if you’re after that classic modern look, you can never go wrong with a white dial or silver dial watch. It’s a timeless dial color that can complete your look.
Movement
You should also consider the movement of your watch. Swiss movement is one of the best types for all sorts of watches, though they come with a price.
Mechanical watch movements are also a great choice because you understand your watch more because of the maintenance required.
Or maybe you want a watch you can wear and go.
If so, automatic movement or self-winding movements are recommended. However, you’ll need to wear an automatic movement watch regularly to keep timekeeping accurate, like a Swiss Automatic.
Quartz movement watches are also a great choice.
It doesn’t require a ton of maintenance like automatic movement watches, and it’s cheaper. It uses battery power to keep time accurate in the long run.
We enjoy automatic movement watches because of the tradition it holds in timekeeping.
There’s just something nice about maintaining your watch and getting to know it well. Plus, an automatic movement watch is practically timeless!
Strap
There are many strap options out there: suede strap, NATO band, stainless-steel, leather straps, and more.
Dress watches are always best worn using a leather strap. It’s comfortable on the wrist, though it tends to be pricier, especially if it’s genuine leather.
We recommend matching the leather strap’s color to your shoes and belt. If you’re wearing brown shoes and a belt, complement it with a brown leather strap dress watch!
Also, choose a watch that features interchangeable straps. That way, you can always mix and match depending on your outfit.
Size
Watches also come in different sizes. For a dress watch, you’d generally want to stay away from watches with a large case size.
You want to ensure it doesn’t look out of place on your wrist when it comes to dress watches.
That said, it’s best to try out a watch and make it look proportional to your size. You don’t want it looking out of place or anyone thinking the watch is not yours.
Conclusion
Now that you know of the different best watches that are only under $1,000, what else are you waiting for?
The next time you’re out for a posh event, you finally have a dress watch to complement your look! You’ll certainly get some heads turning, thanks to the appeal of your watch.
We hope you enjoyed this review! Feel free to leave a comment below on which watches under $1000 you enjoyed! We’ll be thrilled to hear from you.
Don’t forget to also share this article with your friends and family. Who knows? They might be after the same thing as you.
Recommendation:
Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 Watch
★★★★★