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Old 26 January 2024, 05:10 AM   #1
kkqd1337
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Dress Watch

So.. Rolex is a 'sports' watch company.... for whatever that means.

But I have been more recently drawn to owning a yellow gold dress watch.

I have never seen the 1908... is it out and about? What's peoples thoughts on those who have tried it?

Should Rolex be 'skipped' for a dress watch? Not sure the 1908 is 'worth' the price compared to say Patek 5227J/6119R, JLC Q1362511.

Wonder what peoples thoughts are generally. Personally I would use a 'dress' watch sparingly so would be nice to have one from the 'holy trinity'.
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Old 26 January 2024, 05:13 AM   #2
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Rolex is not one of the holy trinity if that’s what you’re thinking.

I personally would like to have the cellini moonphase. The 1908 is a nice watch but i really really like a moonphase on there.
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Old 26 January 2024, 05:14 AM   #3
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I'd personalty stick to PP / VC / ALS / JLC / Breguet / Piaget, when it comes to a proper dress watch. YMMV.
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Old 26 January 2024, 05:21 AM   #4
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Lange 1 Moonphase in Platinum is a dress watch that I love. Always thought of Rolex as sports watch even datejusts and day dates are casual in my opinion.


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Old 26 January 2024, 05:36 AM   #5
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Lange 1 Moonphase is nice. But am thinking more 1908 price range.


Quote:
Originally Posted by alphadweller View Post
I'd personalty stick to PP / VC / ALS / JLC / Breguet / Piaget, when it comes to a proper dress watch. YMMV.
this is basically my thoughts too
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Old 26 January 2024, 05:46 AM   #6
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In the true sense, the best modern dress watch to me (no complications) is the Patek 5196R or G

I personally find the Patek 6119r or g too big for a dress watch. But if that’s what you like, go for that.

Something cheaper, JLC master ultra thin, even the moonphase passes for me due to the sheer thin profile.
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Old 26 January 2024, 05:46 AM   #7
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To me a dress watch is steel or gold on a strap. I don’t need one often enough to spend a lot for something I would seldom wear.
I was best man in a buddy’s wedding a few years back, I wore my white dial Speedmaster on black stingray strap. A bit nontraditional but went well with the gray suit I was wearing.
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Old 26 January 2024, 05:52 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bp1000 View Post
In the true sense, the best modern dress watch to me (no complications) is the Patek 5196R or G

I personally find the Patek 6119r or g too big for a dress watch. But if that’s what you like, go for that.

Something cheaper, JLC master ultra thin, even the moonphase passes for me due to the sheer thin profile.
Good call on the Patek 5196R. And like i said a holy trinity watch for me would be a big pull over rolex.
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:03 AM   #9
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At one time, I wore a suit to work every day. I had about a dozen nice suits in my closet. Around 2010, my company adopted a casual work environment.

Last year, I wore a suit twice. At a wedding and at a New Year’s Eve party. I don’t dislike pure dress watches on a leather strap, but I just don’t see the point in buying one.

I use my DJ41, but I’m at a point now where I’d even be okay with a Submariner or GMT, too.


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Old 26 January 2024, 06:07 AM   #10
Wee-Willie
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I have a 128238, the classic yg day date, white dial with gold roman numerals.....and...I consider it a classic dress watch...I prefer the gold bracelet over a strap.
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:07 AM   #11
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Patek Calatrava, thank me later
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:10 AM   #12
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My choice is a JLC Reverso, rich history, in-house movement and plenty of styles / metals to choose from.
Although technically it is a Sports watch (Polo Players)

The JLC Master thin series is a more traditional dress style.
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:15 AM   #13
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I don’t think it’s about wearing a suit etc a dress watch just had an elegance that a sports watch doesn’t and I like that for a meal out and boy I eat out a lot ha

No staunch 1908 advocates though?
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:15 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtNouveau View Post
To me a dress watch is steel or gold on a strap. I don’t need one often enough to spend a lot for something I would seldom wear.
I was best man in a buddy’s wedding a few years back, I wore my white dial Speedmaster on black stingray strap. A bit nontraditional but went well with the gray suit I was wearing.
A agree with this approach. I have a black face steel Daytona that dresses up very nice with a black gator strap for a night with a sport coat or stuit.
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:32 AM   #15
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Vacheron have some very nice dress watches
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:33 AM   #16
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When I think dress watch my mind goes straight to JLC. Nothing from the trinity which Rolex is not part of.
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:38 AM   #17
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Patek
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Old 26 January 2024, 06:59 AM   #18
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Save yourselves some money, and get a Cartier Tank, or even a Longines Dolce Vita, on an elegant leather strap. Both are perfect dress watches, for either a man or a woman.I say this, because you don’t need one that often, and these are great looking Swiss dress watches, without the insane price tags. Save the big bucks for your favorite Rolex sports watches. Just this girl’s opinion.

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Old 26 January 2024, 07:07 AM   #19
kkqd1337
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interesting views. am going to mull it over this year.

my goal will be a dress from the trinity

But failing that/budget dependant i will also try out JLC and despite the apparent lack of any enthusiasm from here i am still interested in a least seeing if I can find a 1908 to try.
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Old 26 January 2024, 07:10 AM   #20
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Kat's mention of Cartier is a good shout - they the Dumont is very nice. JLC is great too, but I feel their prices are now too high
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Old 26 January 2024, 07:13 AM   #21
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I saw one (not for sale) and it's stunning.

I don't see any reason for skipping a Rolex, but personally for that money I would consider preowned Patek, Lange, and some others too.
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Old 26 January 2024, 07:28 AM   #22
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The 1908 is nice but I’d get a Breguet if spending on a gold dress watch. Their history is really cool. I mean Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were customers!!
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Old 26 January 2024, 07:38 AM   #23
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Like most said, look to Patek, Breguet, Lange or VC for a dress watch. These are actually well priced on the used market from MSRP.
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Old 26 January 2024, 08:02 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kkqd1337 View Post
interesting views. am going to mull it over this year.

my goal will be a dress from the trinity

But failing that/budget dependant i will also try out JLC and despite the apparent lack of any enthusiasm from here i am still interested in a least seeing if I can find a 1908 to try.
I mentioned the 5196r because it is virtually the perfect dress watch. But I do own the JLC which has been mentioned a few times.

I love Patek but prefer complications and have a few Patek comps instead. Never owned time only calatravas but definitely try one.

But this is also a good fit. The movement is no where near, the case is steel but the dial, markers, handset, polishing and typography is similar to Patek quality.

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Old 26 January 2024, 12:21 PM   #25
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It all depends on how much you want to spend on it — 15-20-25k? Sure you can get anything you want

I don’t wear dress watches that often but maybe I will start to. I usually wear my Explorer 36 or Datejust or my grand seiko gmt, but it’s nice to vary it up with a leather strap “dress watch.”

I got a grand seiko SBGW 231 last year and a JLC reverso… last week.
They are both phenomenal in their own respect.

And if you buy gently used / pre owned , it’s like 40+ percent less than buying new !


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Old 26 January 2024, 11:46 PM   #26
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I am in the market for a dress watch to add to my extensive Rolex collection. I’m retired and rarely wear a suit these days, but there are times that I want to wear one.

When the 1908 was announced I was very intrigued and hoped it would fit the bill. However before seeing it on the wrist I felt it was overpriced but kept an open mind. My AD was aware of my interest so as soon as they received one I came in and tried it on.

I liked it, didn’t love it and…it’s overpriced. I’m probably going to add a Patek Calatrava to the collection, but will see if they do anything new with the 1908 line this Spring.
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Old 27 January 2024, 01:19 AM   #27
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Go with PP 5227r pre-owned, simple but very classic and gorgeous.
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Old 27 January 2024, 02:53 AM   #28
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Rolex is not a ‘sports watch’ or tool watch company per se.
The first full gold Date Just was made in 1945 and ever since they made PM dress watches.

I would not dismiss the 1908 so easily compared to the other watches mentioned. Obviously the Calatrava is a beautiful finished watch but comparing the overall looks the 1908 wins imho
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Old 27 January 2024, 02:56 AM   #29
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From experience, Rolex is the only brand I trust so even for a dress watch, I will go to Rolex.
Already tried a lot of houses and very disappointed even with Patek.
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Old 27 January 2024, 03:55 AM   #30
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Some older Rolexes have great potential as a dress watch. One I'm thinking about is out of production DJ Turn-O-Graph DJ with an engine turned bezel (Ref 1625). Nice examples can be found for $5k - $7K.
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