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Dimitri Tsilioris

9 Best Gold Dress Watches



The quintessential dress watch should encompass a range of non-negotiable variables. Understated and refined, on a leather strap with only a handful of exceptions, elegant, classical in design and in execution, and pertaining to the notion that it should absolutely not draw more attention than that of a quick glance.


Perhaps another variable should be that the dress watch should be encased in some kind of precious metal, be it in almost any shade of gold, or platinum. The gold dress watch is, in its own right, an avenue many collectors will eventually embark upon as they expand their collection, and with many a consideration out there you would be best to avoid being steered in the wrong direction.


For that I have 9 of the best gold dress watch that I came across during my proverbial travels, ranging from a simple Blancpain, to a decorated Omega and a complicated Breguet.



Breguet Classique Power Reserve 7137BA






  • Brand: Breguet

  • Model: Classique Power Reserve

  • Reference: 7137BA/11/9V6

  • Case: 39mm x 8.65mm

  • Case Material: Yellow gold

  • Water Resistance: 30m

  • Movement: Calibre 502.3 DR1

  • Frequency: 3 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 45 hours


The Breguet Classique Power Reserve 7137BA presents as the most complicated gold dress watch on this list. It's a beautiful combination of dial textures and finishings, coupled with some mechanical complexity encased in a lovely proportioned case. As far as gold dress watches go, the Breguet Classique Power Reserve 7137BA is by far one of the finest, albeit it one of the most expensive.


Omega Constellation Globemaster






  • Brand: Omega

  • Model: Constellation Globemaster

  • Reference: 130.53.39.21.02.001

  • Case: 39mm x 12.60mm

  • Case Material: Sedna™ gold

  • Water Resistance: 100m

  • Movement: Omega 8901

  • Frequency: 3.5 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 60 hours


From its intriguing dial to the pie-pan bezel, the Omega Constellation Globemaster certainly marches to the beat of its own drum. Soft colours work well in the Constellation Globemaster's favour, and as far as gold dress watches go, this is perhaps one of the few that can wear a few hats and be worn comfortably as something to accompany a semi-casual outfit.


Breitling Transocean Day Date






  • Brand: Breitling

  • Model: Transocean Day Date

  • Reference: R45310

  • Case: 43mm

  • Case Material: Rose gold

  • Water Resistance: 30m

  • Movement: Calibre 45

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 42 hours


The Breitling Transocean Day Date presents as an interesting package. Proportions are great. There is a lovely balance to the dial and the case. The practicality of having a day-date indicator is a welcoming one. A far cry from the ultra classical dress watch, the Breitling Transocean Day Date is a modern take on what the quote-unquote traditional dress watch should be.


Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet 8 Jours






  • Brand: Blancpain

  • Model: Villeret Quantième Complet 8 Jours

  • Reference: 6639A-3631-55B

  • Case: 42mm x 13.03mm

  • Case Material: Rose gold

  • Water Resistance: 30m

  • Movement: Calibre 6639

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 192 hours


The Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet 8 Jours is another rather complicated take on the gold dress watch, but it's one whose inclusion I felt was more than justified. It's a sophisticated affair, full of refinement and restraint. Blancpain flexing its classical watchmaking might in more ways than one here.


Cartier Drive de Cartier






  • Brand: Cartier

  • Model: Drive de Cartier

  • Reference: WGNM0005

  • Case: 41mm x 12.63mm

  • Case Material: Rose gold

  • Water Resistance: 30m

  • Movement: 1904 FU MC

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 48 hours


The cushion-cased Cartier Drive de Cartier is a lovely bit of kit that marries the worlds of haute couture with haute horlogerie. From the asymmetrical dial to the shape of the case and that brilliant little crown, the Cartier Drive de Cartier is perhaps the most avant garde choice in this list, but it by far and away holds its own merit as a very considerable gold dress watch for yoour collection.


Blancpain Villeret 8 Jours






  • Brand: Blancpain

  • Model: Villeret 8 Jours

  • Reference: 6630-3631-55B

  • Case: 42mm x 11.25mm

  • Case Material: Red gold

  • Water Resistance: 30m

  • Movement: Calibre 1335

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 192 hours


The  Blancpain Villeret 8 Jours is a sleek expression of what is the traditional gold dress watch. The slender leaf shaped hands, the Roman numerals, the discreet date window, the flush crown. It all works towards a very restrained, very well thought out dress watch.


Cartier Tank MC






  • Brand: Cartier

  • Model: Tank MC

  • Reference: W5330001

  • Case: 34.30mm x 9.50mm

  • Case Material: Rose gold

  • Water Resistance: 30m

  • Movement: 1904-PS MC

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 48 hours


The bold Cartier Tank MC is a marvellous little piece that brings to the fore an edgy, almost obscure take on the modern gold dress watch. Architecturally incredible, the Cartier Tank MC has distinguishable lines and sloping edges that lend themselves to the brilliant minds behind the Tank and its borderline rebellious approach to modern horology.


Cartier Ballon Blue De Cartier






  • Brand: Cartier

  • Model: Ballon Blue De Cartier

  • Reference: W6900651

  • Case: 42.10mm x 13mm

  • Case Material: Pink gold

  • Water Resistance: 30m

  • Movement: Calibre 049

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 42 hours


As far as gold dress watches go, the Cartier Ballon Blue De Cartier is perhaps the most feminine looking piece in this list. The Cartier Ballon Blue De Cartier is a beautiful take on classical dress watchmaking, imbuing heritage, charisma and charm into one very lovely little bit of kit.


Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Extra-Thin






  • Brand: Audemars Piguet

  • Model: Jules Audemars Ultra Thin

  • Reference: 15180OR.OO.A088CR.01

  • Case: 41mm x 6.70mm

  • Case Material: Rose gold

  • Water Resistance: 20m

  • Movement: Calibre 2120

  • Frequency: 2.5 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 40 hours


As soon as I saw the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Extra-Thin I knew I had to include it in this list. Adjectives aside, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Extra-Thin is the perennial example of the traditional dress watch in my honest and humble opinion. Easy on the eye, meticulous detailing and beautiful proportions make the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Extra-Thin one of the finest examples of a gold dress watch.









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