Five handsome stainless steel dress watches

Vacheron Constantin Fiftysix

This new collection from Vacheron Constantin takes its cues from the 1950s, one of the golden ages for elegant and classic timepieces. Delving into its archive for inspiration, the smooth shape of its lugs denotes the four branches of the Maltese cross, the emblem of the manufacture. While also available in a handsome gold, the best value here is to be found in the stainless steel version, a more unusual material for this high-end brand. The same peerless attention has been applied, featuring a two-tone dial finished with white-gold hands and appliques.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Available from September; vacheron-constantin.com

Cartier Drive de Cartier

Since debuting in 2016, the Drive de Cartier has earned its status as a modern classic among the company's roster of iconic horological designs. Its distinctive curved case and bold Roman numerals can't fail to catch the eye, while its best features are best appreciated up close. The silvered dial is intricately decorated with flinque engraving, with blued-steel sword-shaped hour and minute hands providing a subtle dash of colour.

£5,550; cartier.co.uk

Nomos Orion

Just as menswear style codes have loosened in recent decades, formal occasions no longer dictate staid and predictable accoutrements for the wrist. The Orion retains the key criteria for an elegant, dress watch – simple, well made and well proportioned – while lending a modern edge. Look closely and you'll notice the elegant curved case and unusual contrasting gold indices, with the watch powered by Nomos's trusty, in-house-produced Alpha movement.

£1,600; nomos-glashuette.com

Zenith Elite Classic

The Elite collection is testament that this Swiss watchmaker is just as adept at turning its hand to pared-back dress watches as it is super-technical sporty pieces. This timeless three-hander in stainless steel looks particularly fetching with matching silver-toned sunray dial, paired with a black leather strap for a monochromatic colour scheme that can be easily worn with any number of outfits.

£4,100; zenith-watches.com

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Medium Small Second

The angular, Art Deco aesthetic of Jaeger-LeCoultre's famous Reverso provides an interesting counterpoint to the more ubiquitous round case styles often seen at formal occasions. Keep it simple with this unfussy dial featuring small seconds at six o'clock, and either keep the reverse plain or engraved with a message of your choice.

£5,250; jaeger-lecoultre.com