As the end of the year approaches, various gatherings and celebrations are gradually unfolding with the festive atmosphere. This has also become the most suitable time of the year to wear a formal watch. Indeed, those classic formal watches we are familiar with have now become more cutting-edge and fashionable after years of development. They no longer have a traditional formal style, but have become richer and more diverse. Therefore, in this article, we will take a comprehensive inventory of the five best dress watches released in 2024 and introduce them to you.
Frederique Constant Classics Premiere Salmon Watch
This Classics Premiere Salmon watch is a watch product that was not released in advance and is also sold quite low-key. It can indeed be said to be a surprising discovery. Although the standard design of this series still uses a slightly outdated dial, this special edition watch, released only in Europe, brings a strong visual impact with an attractive salmon red dial, orbital minute scale and inlaid Breguet numerals. The dial of this watch is definitely its biggest attraction. It gives a visual experience similar to Laurent Ferrier or Vacheron Constantin, which is undoubtedly a high compliment to its design style. The internal configuration of this watch is the Cal.FC-301 automatic core, which can provide users with a power reserve of up to 68 hours. The case size of 38.5mm x 10.6mm is very comfortable to wear, but at under 2,000 euros, it is indeed an irresistible price.
Crown Blue Lion SLGW005 watch
When you think of Crown Blue Lion, the first thing that comes to mind is probably those watches with intricately textured dials. In fact, this brand has launched many shocking new products in 2024, such as White Birch SLGW003 and Jiezang Autumn Color SBGY035. These products have the potential to be rated as the best formal watches in 2024. But surprisingly, we finally chose SLGW005. This car is equipped with a high-frequency manual winding movement and is a replica of the 1968 45GS. This watch faithfully inherits the essence of the original. Although its design is compact, low-key and restrained, there is an advanced movement hidden inside. This watch is different from many modern GS watches. It presents a restrained design style and is equipped with a dual logo dial (Seiko and Grand Seiko) to pay tribute to the people passing by. Although it’s not exactly a standard dress watch, the elegance it exudes is undeniable. The price tag of this watch is 10,400 euros. Of course, if you have enough budget, choosing the gold version of SLGW004 is also a decision worth considering.
Chopard L.U.C XPS Forest Green Watch
The appearance of the name Chopard L.U.C on this occasion will not surprise anyone. For many years, the watchmaking community has generally acknowledged that the brand has created some of the most elegant watches on the market. I chose this particular model because of its clever blend of mechanical aesthetics, relaxed elegance, and a relatively more economical price. This ultra-thin dial, which is only 7mm thick, has been finely polished. Coupled with an exquisite strap and an attractive green partitioned dial, the design of this dial alone is enough to attract attention. Inside the device is the classic L.U.C 96 micro-rotor movement, and although this is a relatively basic version (without QF certification or Geneva seal), this also means that it will likely be priced at a significantly lower price of 12,700 euros.
Moritz Grossmann Arabic Vintage watch
Moritz Grossmann (founder and director of the German Watchmaking Institute) and the eponymous brand he created, as an outstanding promoter of German watchmaking, have long left an unforgettable impact on us with their unique and exquisite craftsmanship. In addition, the brand is widely praised for its focus on traditional dial making, such as the Arabic Vintage watch. The recently released watch by Moritz Grossmann is made of stainless steel and has compact proportions and a diameter of only 37mm. Its dial is made of raw German silver with a matte black touch and features Breguet numerals and a prominent minute track. The transparent bottom cover shows the brand’s self-made manual winding movement Cal. 102.1, and its polishing process is also very fine. Overall, both the front and back of this watch perfectly demonstrate the rigor and beauty of German watchmaking technology. Pricing: 39,700 euros (taxes included)
Rolex Perpetual 1908 Ice Blue Disc Watch
The most shocking Rolex watch of the year is undoubtedly the finale. When the Perpetual 1908 series debuted last year, it already left an unforgettable memory for people. Although the first designs are very simple, they still have a strong appeal. However, the platinum version launched this year uses a traditional production process that gives it a very strong visual appeal, and if this continues, you will never think that this is a labor-intensive thing. This platinum Perpetual 1908 watch is equipped with an ice blue-themed dial and is decorated with fine and complex guilloché craftsmanship. Although this piece is also completed by hand-operated mechanical engraving, it appears to be more modern compared to well-known brands such as Breguet. The interior of this watch is equipped with Rolex’s newly developed Cal.7140 self-winding movement, which can be clearly seen through the sapphire transparent bottom cover, while the platinum case maintains the size of 39mm and is equipped with a beautifully knurled bezel. Considering its sales price of 253,700 yuan, it does not seem particularly expensive.