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Dressing up has never been more fun or costly. However, to avoid complications of your own you can always invest in a sophisticated and elegant watch. Suitable for a number of different occasions, a dress watch can not only be a simple piece but a timeless accessory that you can pull out of the closet again and again. The true essence of any given timepiece lies in the detail. Whether it is the hour hand, tourbillon, case back or sparkling jewels, a dress can be the envy of many people.

A good men’s dress watch also needs to be discreet enough to not distract from your attire – and preferably, sometimes on a leather strap that matches your belt and shoes. Slenderness (thickness of the case) is another virtue in a classic dress watch, being of a diminutive height so that it slides easily under a shirt cuff and gives a subtle wrist presence.

While a dress watch that uses stainless steel is fine, wearing one gives you a good opportunity to have some precious metal on your wrist and to add a further touch of class, a fine mechanical movement is a good choice, especially since this will also add value to a style of watch that is typically an heirloom.

Meanwhile, you can choose from a host of precious metals that you can keep under wraps before the big unveil. Yet, a dress timepiece needs to offer class and of course an excellent mechanical movement. Paring a refined watch with a sharp suit is the ideal way to parade it but you should take into consideration other factors. This includes design as well as a decent brand to match your specific horological needs. Why not take time out below and enjoy some of the finest dress watches around.

While a dress watch that uses stainless steel is fine, wearing one gives you a good opportunity to have some precious metal on your wrist and to add a further touch of class, a fine mechanical movement is a good choice, especially since this will also add value to a style of watch that is typically an heirloom.

11. Cartier Tank

cartier-tank_watch

Created in 1917 and first offered for sale in 1922, the Cartier Tank is an iconic dress watch that since its inception, has been endlessly imitated.

Legend has it that the design of the Tank was inspired by aerial photographs of Renault FT-17 tanks when Louis Cartier saw them in his daily newspaper and the first model produced was a gift for General John J. Pershing as a token of France’s appreciation for his help in ending World War I.

Before the Cartier Tank, most wristwatches were little more than modified pocket watches for the wrist, the Tank was the first to really be conceived with comfort and style in mind.

One the most enduringly popular watch designs, its popularity is in no small part due to its distinctly refined Art deco aesthetic, something which has been present in all of its 250 plus model variations.

Over time, this classic watch has graced many a famous wrist including actors, politicians and royalty. Notably John F. Kennedy wore his Tank throughout most of his term in office and that Cary Grant, an actor noted for his sartorial elegance, chose the Tank, also says something for its design.

Currently, it’s offered in five models: the Francaise, Americaine, Anglaise, Solo and Louis Cartier. The ultra-thin Louis Cartier model offers their greatest display of craftsmanship. Originally released in 1922, it is now offered with quartz, automatic or manual movements. Prices start from as little as $2,000 for Quartz versions. cartier.com

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