FORGET ANY BRATTISH behaviour this summer — we’re for a design that has shaped time. As seen across this year’s Watches & Wonders, the dress watch is back and we’re calling it out as seasonal must-have for a summer wrapped in ease and style.
Go classic yet make it modern — because there’s something punchy about a sophisticated wrist being worn ‘down’, lending a touch of class to casual outings and adventures under a lingering sun. Here, seven timeless pieces to see you through summer.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface
Blessed by elegance — as the famed Reverso has been since 1931 — the recently released Reverso Tribute Monoface is an act of historic class.
The newcomer comes heavily pared back at 40.1 x 24.4 mm with a 7.56 mm profile — not far removed from the original. As the name states, the metal caseback remains blank and is a touch that offers acute appeal given the nod to history (conceived to protect the glass of polo players) and ability to personalise (know ours proudly reads: ‘This Is Not Your Watch’).
Funny, isn’t it, to think that this was a sports watch 90 odd years ago and today its iconic Art Deco form effortlessly lends to everyday wear that easily extends to summer.
The latest Monoface lands in two stainless steel iterations across a blue sunray lacquer dial and silvery-grey option, both with exclusively designed calfskin straps by esteemed Argentine boot maker Casa Fagliano, an atelier with equally strong links to polo.
Excitingly, the new Monoface comes powered by the in-house calibre 822 with 42-hour power reserve.
$14,300; jaeger-lecoultre.com
Chopard LUC XPS Forest Green
While firm fans of last year’s copper dial, the new LUC XPS in deep green really, ahem, dials things up. Accessible to many in size if perhaps not price, the striking 40mm model holds further appeal in its presentation of concentric rings, COSC-certified microrotor and impressive calibre 96.12-L (65-hour power reserve) as seen via open caseback. The Lucent Steel case is another worthy note — the maison’s proprietary steel alloy made of 80 percent recycled materials.
$19,400; chopard.com
Rolex Perpetual 1908
Tangible levels of anticipation and noise cloak every release slate from The Crown — as it was in 2023 with the likes of the ‘Platona’, GMT-II Two-Tone and the loud (and curious) Emoji Date Wheel. We mention this trio given the stunning Perpetual 1908 collection was lost in their wake. Not this year, for how could you not be slapped to attention by the sheer beauty of the new platinum 1908 with ice-blue, ‘rice-grain’ guilloché dial? The updated design further elevates this already striking piece, the use of colour perfectly lending the 39mm to a stylish summer ahead, powered by the new(ish) in-house calibre 7140 that’s good for 66-hours.
$48,600; rolex.com
IWC Portugieser Automatic 42mm
It’s the year of Portugieser at IWC — and the new, larger players at 42mm are where we land.
For one, they hold the impressive and updated in-house calibre 50211 — cue seven-day power reserve — with subdials at 9 (small seconds) and 3 (power reserve). Make it the ‘Dune’ with beige dial and matching gold-plated hands and appliques for an ability to work across any summer wardrobe.
$20,000; iwc.com
Cartier Santos-Dumont Rewind
This is a piece that both adds to Cartier’s impressive recent run and will have you whistling approval on sight. It’s quirky, as it is elegant – and that feels right for a summer of frivolity and fun.
Sure, we could have landed a Tank or even a Drive here. But time to do something different and for that the Rewind is unmatched. See, the 31.5mm piece does things, as recognised by its name, a little differently. And by a little we mean that the hands rotate in the opposite direction — running backwards, or, in ‘rewind’. You’ll get used to it — though that red carnelian stone dial will forever take your breath. Limited to 200 pieces.
Approx. $55,670; cartier.com
Audemars Piguet [re]Master 02
AP’s return to the archives continues to strike gold — even after a lengthy four year hiatus on this collection of reworked wonders. This year’s limited-edition, asymmetric [re]Master 02 is based on the 5159BA of 1960. Beyond the use of modern technologies and some softening of the edges, the reinterpretation sings in a new 18k sand-gold alloy against a moody ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ dial and modern sizing at 41mm. Don’t be square this summer.
Approx. $68,375; audemarspiguet.com
Omega De Ville Prestige 40mm
Here, timelessness is packaged into a balanced and desirable piece of elegance.
The silvery dial neatly aligns to the steel case with the bonus of a date window at 6 o’clock. We’re for continuing the classic appeal on a black leather strap, the accessible 40mm driven by Omega’s calibre 8800 — as seen via transparent crystal caseback — with a power reserve of 55 hours. Sold.
$7,575; omegawatches.com
Related:
Reverso by Jaeger-LeCoultre: turning time on its head, one flip at a time
The watchmaker empowering the next generation of environmental heroes
