They all have that little bit extra.

Not all dress watches are created equal. While they all have to embody class and sophistication, these suit-and-tie accompaniments do not necessarily have to be stripped down and stuffy. Here are some distinguished offerings from SIHH 2018 that not only look sharp, but also help add a bit of bounce to your formalwear.

A. Lange & Söhne – Saxonia Outsize Date

The Saxonia collection best expresses Lange’s purity of form, known for its sober and minimalist design qualities. The watches’ symmetrically perfect profile, sleek baton indexes and hands, and classy dial interface make them ideal for business wear. The brand’s trademark outsize date, previously featured on the Annual Calendar and Moon Phase models, now makes its appearance on a ‘simple’ automatic model. The signature display is beautifully balanced by a subsidiary seconds sub-dial, again bringing Lange’s knack for aesthetic equilibrium to the fore. For extra boss-like swag opt for this version in pink gold case with black dial.

Montblanc – Star Legacy Moonphase

With its bi-metallic case, the Star Legacy Moonphase emanates a bit of that retro vibe, which is all the rage with timepieces these days. Yet the steel-and-gold case is not so overwrought that it dwarfs the watch’s sophistication. Dress watches work best when they stand out, but not too much, and this model does just that. The moonphase display, a ‘poetic’ complication typically employed to enliven dials, not only adds a dash of colour here, but serves a practical purpose with its ring of calendar display. Available in 39mm or 42mm case sizes.

Jaeger-LeCoultre – Reverso Tribute Duoface

The Reverso’s merits are well-documented – it is, after all, one of the great horological icons of our time, famed for its reversible case that, while originally intended to protect the dial from damage when used by polo players, has taken a life of its own; used as a canvas for Jaeger-LeCoultre’s artisanal expressions, or in this instance, a home for the brand’s complications. The Duoface, as its name suggests, has two independent dials, one on either side of the case, so the owner can use it as a dual-time zone watch. This 100-piece limited edition in pink gold amps things further with a two-tone cordovan leather strap, made by Casa Fagliano, an Argentinian company known for its handcrafted luxury boots.

Vacheron Constantin – Traditionelle Complete Calendar ‘Collection Excellence Plantine’

We decided to go large with our final recommendation. The Traditionelle Complete Calendar ‘Collection Excellence Plantine’ is one of the most uppity Vacheron Constantin watches you can get this year – and that is saying a lot, considering the brand sets the bar really high for all of its creations. As its name suggests, the watch offers office-appropriate functionality with its complete calendar feature, accentuated by a moonphase mechanism that needs only one correction every 122 years. The timepiece’s black-tie suaveness, while clearly apparent and exceptional, is taken to the next level by being a part of the brand’s ‘Collection Excellence Plantine’ series, sporting a platinum case and sandblasted dial bearing the ‘Pt950’ inscription, and alligator strap hand-stitched with – get this – platinum and silk threads. Limited to 100 pieces.

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