The dress watch’s popularity may have waned, but I believe that it’s more alive than ever thanks to the quartz movement. But why is the battery-operated timepiece ‘best dressed?’
“With Casual More the Norm These Days, Is the Dress Watch Dead?” I often find myself reflecting on this article written by us a few years back. I love a dress watch as much as any other watch nerd, but I often wondered if this elegant subgenre really is dead – or at least so expensive that it might as well be.
But while trends are cyclical, and the dress watch can be considered dead or ‘hibernating’ in the modern landscape, I’ve come to a different conclusion: it’s neither. In fact, it’s still very much alive, through not in the way most people expect it to be. As the title implies, I am of course talking about the rise of the quartz dress watch.
But before us mechanical purists start clutching our pearls, allow me to enlighten you as to why the best dress watches are now all quartz – or at least, they should be!
Ballin’ (On a Budget)
Let’s say you’re choosing between two watches: One is the Rolex Submariner Date, which – assuming by divine intervention you got ‘the call’ – retails at about AU$18,000; The other is a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds, clocking in at AU$17,000. Both are meticulously crafted; both carry strong heritage. But how would you realistically wear them?
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a dress watch through and through – you’d probably want to wear it every day if you could. But if you’re around showers, pools, or errant children, why bother torturing yourself like that? The Submariner, on the other hand, is nigh-all indestructible. You’ll see it with tuxedos, shorts, hoodies, and anything in-between; I’ve even heard some people don’t take them off for months at a time!
This is because, while dress watches are undoubtedly beautiful, they make terrible daily drivers. So why should the average enthusiast spend so much for a piece that lives in its box? This is where the quartz movement wins, providing a smarter, equally elegant timepiece without the logistical headaches. No expensive servicing, no ‘once in a blue moon’ wearing schedule… just pure, refined, horological joy.
Eyes Up Here!
Now, you might be thinking: “But Mario, the whole point of a dress watch is that it’s romantic! It’s a celebration of watchmaking, tied to life’s most special occasions!” And to that, I wholeheartedly agree. Dress watches undoubtedly have that sense of romance about them. There’s artistry, there’s heritage, there’s that tiny beating heart on your wrist.
But here’s the question: why are you thinking about the watch instead of the moment? If your daughter is dancing at her wedding, or you’re on a date you’ve been looking forward to, the last thing you want is to be sneaking glances at your beloved wrist-piece. That’s not ‘romance,’ that’s distraction.
Don’t get me wrong, if you have a mechanical showstopper in your arsenal, and the event is right, do it – I’d love to see it! But unless you’re around your fellow watch nerds, a quartz dress piece does the same job: Elevating the experience, rather than demanding attention. No need for winding and time-setting – just sophistication on a grab-and-go basis. Even automatic watch lovers will admit that, unless you’re attending a black-tie gala every three or so days (or own a watch winder), a quartz dress watch beats them every time.
Elegance isn’t just a fancy word; it’s beauty without strain. Thus, a quartz dress watch allows you to stay present, enjoy the moment, and look effortlessly cool while you’re at it.
Dressing Down
“With casual more the norm these days,” the dress watch must find a place in the modern lifestyle. Suits now come with sneakers, and the ways which you can earn a living are more varied than ever. Traditional mechanical dress watches embody that ‘golden age,’ sure, but it can also make them feel like relics – a bit like Don Quixote, drawing from a bygone era.
As a result, it’s harder to justify mechanical dress watches in today’s world; We don’t live in a suit-and-tie society anymore. That’s why the quartz movement is such a breath of fresh air. It preserves old-money styling cues – after all, that’s one of the dress piece’s biggest appeals – but it’s married with the convenience of a set-and-forget movement.
Incorporating standout heritage design, but also stress-free enough for casual life, the quartz dress watch is a level of refinement that’s accessible to all worlds. Anyone looking to elevate their look can get their hands on one, as it’s a piece that you’re able to live with – not one that belongs in a museum or the Oscars.
Case(s) In Point
But just because a dress watch has a quartz movement doesn’t mean it’s ‘less than’ or ‘not a luxury item.’ Eggs alone are considered a luxury these days! The problem is lumping all quartz pieces into one category, as the quartz dress watch comes in many forms and across a variety of price points.
The best example? Cartier’s Tank Must de Cartier, their more accessible answer to the Quartz Crisis. Did it compromise Cartier’s identity? Far from it: The Tank Must opened the floodgates for a new wave of enthusiasts, proving that heritage and style don’t have to come with an intimidating price tag.
Cartier isn’t alone, though. Tissot has embraced dressy quartz at a very tempting price with the Stylist, while Frederique Constant bolsters its modern catalogue with pieces like the Moneta. There’s also Dennison, designed by Emmanuel Gueit, which revitalised the stone-dial dress watch and was nominated for a GPHG in the process. Gorgeously crafted, yet surprisingly approachable, these brands all show that elegance and practicality can still co-exist.
And let’s not forget solar quartz! Citizen has built an empire on the Eco-Drive, offering watches across a wide range of prices including high-end options. ‘The Citizen’ lineup exemplifies this, merging solar quartz tech and titanium construction with elegant washi paper dials and classic lines. The Eco-Drive One pushes even more boundaries with a record-breaking 3mm thickness. Not to be outdone, Cartier has also embraced solar quartz with the Tank Solarbeat, arguably one of their most innovative and accessible Tank models to date.
Final Thoughts
Show of hands: how many of us wear dive watches? I do — I’ve got one myself. But do I actually dive? Nope. I’d love to, but asthma says otherwise. And that’s the point: we don’t need to live the lifestyle these watches were originally built for to enjoy them. Dress watches are no different. You don’t have to be brokering contracts, shaking hands with dignitaries, or secretly fighting crime dressed as a bat to appreciate one.
The problem is, traditional dress watches can feel like they need babysitting, unsuitable to a modern enthusiast that is constantly on the move. With a quartz dress piece, though, you get that same elegance without the anxiety. In essence, they excel how all dress watches should: looking refined without even trying.
That old stigma — that quartz somehow compromises style or heritage — doesn’t hold water anymore. Quartz dress watches aren’t shortcuts; they’re smart. They make elegance effortless, blending seamlessly into the dynamic, modern lifestyle without feeling like a chore.
But what do you think? Are quartz dress watches a viable option, or do mechanicals reign supreme? If there’s a detail we missed – or if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or even complaints – be sure to let us know on our Instagram!