Dunhill Watches

Dunhill Watches: British Cool with a Swiss Beating Heart

If James Bond wore a watch that wasn’t a Rolex or Omega, there’s a decent chance it would've been a Dunhill — understated, elegant, and just rebellious enough to fly under the radar.

Better known for their tailoring, lighters, and leather goods, Alfred Dunhill also dabbled in watches — and for a while, they were making some shockingly well-built timepieces, quietly powered by high-grade Swiss movements and wrapped in Savile Row charm.

They’re not collector hype pieces. But they’re not mall watches either. Think fashion-forward, quality-driven, gentleman-approved wristwear for people who don’t need to name-drop their dial.

Brand History: From Motorists to Minimalists

The Dunhill name dates back to 1893, originally as a maker of luxury automotive accessories (think: goggles, driving coats, dashboard clocks). Over time, the brand expanded into men’s luxury — tobacco, lighters, suits, cufflinks — building a reputation for clean, confident design.

Watches entered the picture more seriously in the 1970s, but it was in the 1990s–2000s that Dunhill really pushed into Swiss-made territory, partnering with Jaeger-LeCoultre and Zenith to produce a series of low-key luxury pieces with real mechanical credibility.

Today? The brand has shifted its focus back to fashion, but vintage Dunhill watches still float around — and the right ones are way better than you’d expect.

Collector Highlights: Minimalist Moves with Real Watchmaking DNA

  • Dunhill Millennium – Rounded case, recessed crown, clean dial — often quartz, but super sleek. The kind of watch you could wear every day and never get bored of.

  • Dunhill Facet – Art Deco-inspired case with stepped geometry. Looks like a Cartier Tank that studied architecture.

  • Classic / City – Clean Roman numeral dress watches, some powered by Zenith Elite or JLC movements. These are true hidden gems.

  • Wheel Watch – A wild, off-center disc-based time display designed by Andrew Grima, Britain’s most famous jewelry designer. Rare, weird, and very collectible.

  • Sports & Chronographs – Less common, but they exist — and often feature high-end ETA or Valjoux calibers in sturdy steel cases.

These are not mass-market fashion watches. The good ones have real substance, and often carry silent luxury energy most brands wish they could replicate.

Why Collectors Should Care

  • Underrated value — especially the mechanical models with JLC or Zenith movements.

  • British design sensibility — clean lines, elegant proportions, and none of the fluff.

  • Rare but accessible — you’ll never run into someone wearing the same Dunhill.

  • Vintage credibility — especially in the 1990s–2000s “quiet luxury” era.

  • Serious design collaborations — including Grima, one of the few legit crossovers from jewelry to horology.

If you want a piece that looks bespoke without screaming “expensive,” Dunhill gets it done.

What’s Happening Now: Watches on Pause, Style Still On Point

As of now, Dunhill no longer produces a dedicated watch collection, choosing instead to focus on tailoring and accessories. The watches that do surface tend to be:

  • Vintage or pre-owned models from the 1990s–2010s

  • Quartz dress pieces from earlier decades

  • Rare limited editions or one-offs from the archives

What that means: pre-owned is where it’s at, and if you know what to look for, you can snag a timepiece with real style and horological credibility — usually for way less than it should cost.

Fed’s Take

Dunhill is one of those brands that just makes tasteful stuff. From the leather goods to the outerwear to the lighter your grandfather probably carried — everything they make feels like it was designed for someone who didn’t need to prove anything.

And their watches? Same story.

I’ve seen Dunhills with Zenith Elites inside. I’ve seen rare Grima designs that look like art. And I’ve seen sleek quartz dress models that wear better than some “entry-level” Swiss watches at triple the price.

If your style leans toward the subtle, the well-cut, and the curated? A Dunhill belongs in your box.

Smart Style, Understated Horology

You won’t see Dunhill watches all over Instagram. And that’s exactly why they’re worth hunting. It’s quiet luxury — with a legit Swiss heartbeat.

Delray Watch has a rotating selection of pre-owned Dunhill watches — pieces you won’t find sitting in mall boutiques or flexing on billboards.

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