A black dial is the most formal choice in any collection, and on the Tissot Visodate it turns a charming retro watch into a true evening piece. This is the modern take on a Tissot name that dates back to 1954, when the original Visodate helped popularize the date window on the wrist.

The black dial is domed and textured, so light rolls across its surface instead of sitting flat, and polished Dauphine hands and applied markers stand out sharply against it. The Super-LumiNova on the hands adds practical legibility after dark, and the framed date at 3 o'clock nods to the 1950s design. A box-shaped sapphire crystal heightens the vintage profile.

Turn it over and the transparent caseback reveals the Powermatic 80 automatic movement, with up to 80 hours of reserve and a Nivachron balance spring. At 39mm and 10.45mm thick, it is ideally sized for a dress watch, and the grains-of-rice bracelet adds a retro shimmer.

Black Visodate details, ref. T157.407.11.051.00

• Reference: T157.407.11.051.00
• Case: stainless steel, 39mm diameter, 10.45mm thick
• Movement: Powermatic 80 Swiss automatic with Nivachron
• Power reserve: up to 80 hours
• Dial: domed black with applied markers and Dauphine hands, date window
• Crystal: box sapphire
• Caseback: transparent
• Water resistance: 50 meters
• Bracelet: grains-of-rice stainless steel, 20mm lug width

Black-tie ready, with a long weekend's worth of power reserve.