Fratello Talks: Dress Watches — Episode One

The short-form weekly podcast where we skip the intro and jump right into it!

November 24, 2022

comments 7

Fratello Talks dress watches! In this first episode, editors Nacho and Robert-Jan are joined by shop manager Laurits, and the three of them talk about dress watches. What is a dress watch, and why would you need one?

However, we start the episode with a wrist check, of course. RJ is wearing his Omega Constellation Globemaster in Sedna Gold, Laurits is sporting a Rolex Explorer on a leather strap, and Ignacio is wearing his vintage Tissot “Calatrava” in 14K gold. You can debate whether the Rolex Explorer on a leather strap is a dress watch, and we do so in the podcast.

This Fratello Talks podcast is an extra weekly recurring show on top of the Fratello On Air podcasts by Balazs and Mike. You can also listen to our podcasts via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. We hope you enjoy this first episode!

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Fratello Talks: Dress Watches — Episode One

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EB
EDDI2142 says:

Nov 24, 2022 at 07:07

Interesting discussion.
I wear a three piece suit almost on a daily basis (rarely with a tie though) and when I don’t go for one of my pocket watches, I wear one of my Speedmasters. Two of them don’t have a metal bracelet, instead nylon or leather. And I think sports watches with non-metal straps go well with a suit.
Yes maybe James Bond helped promote that look, but I really like it and it’s definitely a modern look.

On the topic of lacking diversity in dress watches nowadays.
I think many people use watches as a show off (bigger, more solid, shinier = better) – I’ve seen people wearing huge watches that didn’t even work. This demand for big watches is probably what kept watch makers from developing more advanced dress watches. I only have 2 (vintage) dress watches myself and I never wear them either (I will wear one of them for our annual work christmas party – thanks to the article I read on Fratello the other day =)
There’s definitely a place for dress watches though (f.ex. a formal dinner/ prom) and as it usually goes with fashion trends, they tend to come around, so maybe a few years down the line dress watches will be the No. 1 hype 😀

Reply
1. Robert-Jan says:
  
  Nov 24, 2022 at 09:46
  
  Thanks, much appreciated.
  
  A Speedmaster on a leather strap, especially an alligator strap, surely looks nice with a suit. The Speedmaster doesn’t look big on everyone so that it can work.
  
  I also rarely wear a dress watch, admitted, but during Christmas days I am always on a vintage gold one. I treat my Globemaster as a dress watch as well, which I’ve been wearing a lot at the start (got it in 2017). These days, mainly on days I need to wear a dress shirt, or at least long sleeves. I bought several dress watches this year though, mainly vintage. The good thing is that because the demand is so low, you can pick them up relatively cheap (compared to sports watches).
  
  Reply
MB
MarkB says:

Nov 24, 2022 at 19:19

My view is that you can wear anything you like with a suit as long as it slides easily under your shirt cuff.

Reply
1. Robert-Jan says:
  
  Nov 24, 2022 at 20:32
  
  Good rule, but sometimes it’s also nice to have an excuse to buy another watch 🙂
  
  Reply
TheK33 says:

Nov 26, 2022 at 04:28

There is no reason why watches can’t be thinner. We have modern materials and superb developments in movements. We can make them water resistant and thin. We can make them chronometer grade and thin. Don’t believe me? My 1990 Omega Seamaster has a date, 200m water resistant and a dive bezel. How thick? Only 8.7mm!

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RP
robertpeterman says:

Dec 05, 2022 at 11:50

RJ – you are absolutely correct about the Omega Globemaster. You just don’t see people gravitating toward this watch. I was in my Omega Boutique and I happen to see the Globemaster annual calendar with the sunburst green dial. I fell in love with this timepiece. The coin edge bezel is beautiful. It happens to be one of my favorites in my collection. I remember seeing your video review on this particular watch earlier this year. I happen to receive this watch for Father’s Day ….so it has sentimental value to me.
I was invited to an event at my Omega Boutique and I noticed that the majority of the collectors were into the Speedmaster and Seamaster section of the boutique. I was in the Constellation Globemaster section and would explain to people how underrated this timepiece is. I think that in the USA, the Globemaster is not marketed and may be the reason why it is popular. I do hear that the Globemaster is popular in Asia.

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RP
robertpeterman says:

Dec 05, 2022 at 12:01

I do wear my dress watch for any occasion. Either with a dress suit or even with my jeans. My dress watch of choice is the Omega Seamaster City Edition Boutique. I have the New York City Boutique version. It’s a limited edition of only 399 pieces. It is an elegant looking watch that has a vintage look. Their are other boutiques and I think this timepiece is underrated in my opinion.

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