The Best Dress Watches for Under £1000

Looking for a stylish dress watch for the summer and don’t want to burn a hole in your wallet? These suggestions should provide a good starting point for your search.

What Is a Dress Watch Exactly?

The first proper wristwatches were popularised during WWI. They adopted the beloved field watch style that we have all come to know and love today. However, once the war was over, the economic boom hit, and those who had only ever viewed wristwatches as tools for the frontline began considering their need for something much fancier and refined. Something that wasn’t a necessity but a luxury instead. That’s where the dress watch comes in.

Many brands saw an opportunity to create something more elegant and really flex their creative muscles. Pocket watches were the past, dress watches were the future. Generally speaking, dress watches of that era had smaller dials with more delicate features, evoking a more opulent and refined aesthetic, especially those crafted from gold.

Much of that remains true today. Dress watches are still pared back. Still refined. Still elegant. Many dress watches capture vintage values of restraint, keeping the dial format simple and easily readable. Some, however, are slightly more detailed, incorporating complications like the moon phase, a small seconds function, or even a perpetual calendar for those in need of something that can keep them punctual and well-organised. 

In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best dress watches for under £1000 because, unbeknownst to many, this genre of watch doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. The following suggestions are all models that you can wear every single day of the week. They each have a versatile design, combined with a selection of high-quality materials and a reliable, well-made movement, all for under £1000. So, without further ado, let’s get started... 

Seiko Watch Prospex Alpinist Mens SPB121J1

If you’re familiar with Seiko, you’ll know that the Prospex watch is the Japanese brand’s sports watch offering. Yet, there is something highly elegant and traditional about this model. Its classic black dial will pair well with almost every outfit in your wardrobe. But it’s probably those cathedral hands that make this Seiko watch so sophisticated. A substantial amount of Lumibrite material has been applied to the handset, while legible triangular markers mark the hour track in a darker shade. This Seiko Prospex hails from the adventure-ready Alpinist series, dedicated to explorers. Even so, its solid steel case measuring 39.5mm, 200 meters of water resistance, and well-built three-link stainless steel bracelet are all plus factors for this slightly sportier take on the dress watch style. 

Raymond Weil Watch Toccata Mens 5485-ST-50001

Raymond Weil excels at crafting dress watches. Its penchant for crafting elegant, timeless designs is evident throughout its entire catalogue, presented in various guises and styles. The Raymond Weil Toccata watch is well under the £1000 mark, offering excellent value for money. Its most favourable elements include an authentic-looking five-link bracelet that lends the watch a jewellery-like finish and a compact 39mm size, unassuming enough to wear on a daily basis. The Toccata watch meets the “dress watch” brief with its slender proportions and slim case depth. The 50-metre water-resistant case protects a quartz movement at its centre and will impress anyone with a taste for elegant, refined aesthetics and a minimalist layout. Like the many other watches in this collection, the Toccata embodies the artistic and musical spirit for which Raymond Weil is renowned. 

Tissot Watch Gentleman T1274101603101

The Tissot Gentleman is a strong contender in the everyday watch category, promising incredible value for money. Its strongest appeal is its simplicity, presenting the time, on this occasion, via a classic silver dial framed by a 40mm polished and brushed stainless steel case. This is a quartz-operated watch, keeping costs well under the £1000 bracket. Its classic brown alligator leather strap is a perfect accompaniment to its tapering brushed lugs, which help the watch wear more comfortably and compactly against the wrist.

Frederique Constant Watch Classics Carree Ladies FC-200MC16B

For those ladies who love the Reversos and Tanks of the world but haven’t got a budget to stretch that far, the Classics Carree Ladies watch by Frederique Constant is the answer. It combines glamorous undertones with luxurious simplicity, embodying the Art Deco style with its rectangular, steel case. The softened corners of this rectangular case catch the light with their smooth, polished surfaces. Meanwhile, the crisp black hands and stretched Roman numeral hour markers on the silver Clous de Paris dial evoke the timepieces of yesteryear. Powered by a quartz movement, this elegant ladies' dress watch features a jewellery-like finish with polished end links and brushed middle links on its stainless steel bracelet.

Longines Watch Conquest Classic L2.286.4.72.6

Ladies with a taste for the simple things in life will appreciate the pared-back beauty of this Longines dress watch from the Saint Imier brand’s Conquest watch collection. Measuring 29.5mm in diameter and equipped with a quartz movement, this steel Conquest Classic ladies' watch boasts a harmonious blend of sporty elegance and audacious design. The silvery sunray dial is a perfect match for a set of golden coloured hour indexes and hands. Suffice to say, if you’re looking for a watch that won’t ever go out of style, this is it. For its price point, the Longines Conquest Classic watch, with its Swiss-made movement and sophisticated finishes, is significantly more accessible than what many other luxury watch brands offer.

For more information on any of the dress watches we’ve featured in this round-up of the best dress watches, call and speak to a member of our sales team here at Jura Watches on 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk.