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Introduction:
It’s no secret that the traditional watch industry, like all others in 2025, is struggling. The advent of smartwatches has rendered these beautiful mechanical wonders grossly obsolete in the eyes of many, while the ongoing cost-of-living crisis deems acts such as wearing a luxury timepiece distasteful.
As the proportion of wrists adorned with a luxury mechanical timepiece continues to diminish in any given room, the dress watch remains as the staple piece one can rely on. Though most consumers have come to view mechanical sports watches such as chronographs and even bulky dive watches as dress alternatives to their Apple Watches, nothing matches the understatement and class of a slim dress watch that perfectly complements one’s wardrobe and meets the expectations of the host in charge of an evening’s events.
In 2014, Omega revived its Trésor line of dress watches as it looked to refine its catalogue with more elegant and refined designs. Now over a decade on, does this seemingly oversized dress watch still have a place in the market and potentially on your wrist? The answer is a resounding, maybe, but for the exact same reasons it did eleven years ago.
Experience:
Wearing this silver dial dress watch is a fairly unique experience, especially today. Dress watches tend to be 38mm and smaller, but this Trésor’s brilliant 35mm silver dial dominates most of its 40mm. My callipers measure the case at 39mm without the crown and 42mm with it. Because of the dial, this watch can be worn like a 44mm watch, depending on how your eyes have been calibrated over the years. Wrist circumferences smaller than 16.5cm will struggle to fit the 44.80 lug-to-lug case without the lugs of the watch protruding past their wrists.
The watch being reviewed has a very formal monochrome colourway, making it both perfect for black tie events, or a watch that is so versatile that it elevates casual wear with ease. No matter what you end up wearing, the calm, confident and reassuring presence of this watch will look at home on your wrist.
Over the last four years, the Trésor never looked out of place. At formal events, it complemented my outfits, while it easily stepped back in more casual ones. Eleven years on after its initial release, the Trésor remains a comfortable companion on one’s wrist, even as tastes have shifted towards smaller dress pieces or smartwatches. Perhaps the Trésor models with steel cases help it maintain its versatility and general acceptance in a variety of socio-economic arenas and eras.
Outer Design Elements:
Though the men’s line of Trésor timepieces is offered in precious metals as well, this steel case Trésor has been mistaken for a white gold or platinum watch by many well-versed enthusiasts over the last four years. The stepped and pronounced sapphire crystal protects the top side of the case from blemishes, thus preserving the case’s effulgence. The crystal also presents the eyes with an uninterrupted view of the star of the show, which is the silver dial. The crystal light refracts and reflects light at various angles, bringing the silver dial to life. The treatment which Omega gave this dial rivals their lacquer work or even Swatch Group stablemate Jacquet Droz’s enamel dials in terms of absolute brilliance.
The watch’s black alligator strap has experienced minimal wear over the last four years while on my wrist, and its calf underside has proven to be very comfortable. The signed and matching polished stainless steel pin buckle matches the thin case in its assignment in exuding as much grace as possible.
Inner Design Elements:
What really drives home the message of formal elegance is the dial and its elements. First, the white gold hands and indices are polished to perfection. This results in excellent legibility, as the long, thin minute and seconds hands extend right to the dial’s outer reaches. Between the eye-catching five-minute indices are printed second and minute markers whose muted presence is reflected in the printed Omega logo. The decision to practice restraint by not applying a white gold logo or by printing it any larger speaks to the watch’s elegance-forward mission.
At six o’clock is the highly legible date window whose frame tapers inwards towards the centre of the dial. The matching date wheel works in unison with the rest of the watch, creating a package that makes this the perfect watch to wear every day for those who do not need more than the watch’s 30m water resistance.
Mechanics:
After some time on your wrist, the most charming element of the watch will soon become the elongated seconds hand. The beautifully finished hand will travel across the dial at 25,200 beats per hour, its slight stutters will remind you that this watch is, in fact, powered by gears and springs, and not electricity.
For nearly half a decade, this particular watch has remained accurate to just over four seconds a day. Omega’s five-year warranty will help cover any variances that you may encounter, but based on my experience with this Calibre 8910 and the Swatch Group, you’re in good hands.
Flipping the watch over reveals a seemingly boundless landscape as your eyes are treated to a bewitching movement. Seen through a sapphire caseback, the swirling Arabesque finishing has had an arresting effect on everyone that I have shown it to. And this is even before their eyes notice the oddly organic and menacing rotating motion of the Co-Axial escapement. This outwardly animate escapement’s beating heart seems more alive than most watches using a traditional Swiss Lever escapement.
Conclusion:
Even after a decade, the Trésor by Omega remains a viable timepiece for consumers looking for an elegant yet modern dress watch. By offering steel and precious metal cases, and a few with bezels lined with diamonds, Omega gives you the option of how formal or daring you would like to be.
The build quality of this timepiece is exemplary, and it has not had a single misstep in its four-year tenure on my wrist. There is not a single reason as to why I would not recommend the Omega DeVille Trésor to anyone in a position to buy one. If your sensibilities and stature can house this large dress watch’s presence, then Omega may very well have the perfect formal timepiece for you. So, before you denounce the Trésor due to its size, or even its competitor, the 39mm Rolex 1908, try them on. Chances are that you will be pleasantly surprised by these timeless dress watches.
Specifications:
Reference: 435.13.40.21.02.001
Case width: advertised as 40mm, 39.5mm at the case, 42.80 with the case
Thickness: 10.05mm
Lug-Width: 20mm
Strap Width: 20mm tapering to 16mm
Case and Pin Buckle Material: Steel
Dial: Silver
Hands and Indices: 18k White Gold
Crystals, from and back: Sapphire Crystal with anti-reflective treatment on top and the underside
Water Resistance: 30 metres
Movement:
Calibre 8910 Co-Axial Master Chronometer
29mm
Manual Wind
25,200 bph
72-hour power reserve via two barrels mounted in series
Rhodium-plated Arabesque finishing
Three hands with a date function
Price at time of writing: $10,100 Canadian