In the first article on dress watches, I explained about the growing trend of slender watches. A post-extravagance trend (so to say) which materialized in the years after the financial crisis when the over-sized and blingy watches were (maybe rightfully) frowned upon.
Part II of this theme takes a closer look at the complicated take on dress watches that still salute the slender diameter and height. But complication-wise they offer slightly more than a simple two- or three-hand dress watch.
H. Moser & Cie Perpetual Calendar may look like a simple watch to you. However the 40.8 millimeter case hides a slender hand-wound perpetual calendar movement of only 8.8 millimeters in height. Impressively, the movement also offers a twin barrel construction that ensures a 7-day power reserve.
Bell & Ross WW1 Heure Sautante is a modern take on a traditional round watch. The hours are shown through a fixed aperture and the centre hand shows only the minutes. Actually this watch could be called a two-hander, as the power reserve indicator also accounts for one hand. It is however a two-hander with a retro-twist. A pocket watch was obviously the inspiration for this model, but the diameter is a fairly modest 42 millimeters.
Jaquet Droz Grande Heure GMT offers a function usually associated with large sports watches, namely GMT. Nonetheless, this model with its subtle design and only two hands is bound to impress any fan of elegant watches. The two centred hands show the local as well as secondary time zone via the ivory Grand Feu enamelled dial. The diameter is somewhat large at 43 millimeters, but the expression of this watch is still a perfect partner for the slender shirt cuff.
Hermes Arceau Le temps suspendu is the ultimate dress watch and it may very well be the only watch to wear for any entertainment event. Not only does it offer a very discreet diameter of 38 milllimeters, but the watch also offers the possibility of stopping time if so desired (except for the seconds hand that runs perpetually backwards). At a press on a button, the hands of the watch will jump to a disassociated time, while the movement keeps track of the current time. Once your party has ended and you have enjoyed a moment free of any time-related stresses, can simply press the same button and the watch will instantly show the actual time.
