An all-steel dress watch with Roman numerals is one of the most timeless things you can wear, and the Longines Lyre L4.860.4.11.6 is a fine example. Its 35 mm case and matching bracelet are polished and simple, leaving the white dial to do the talking.

Lyre is the most classical corner of the Longines catalog, a collection built for people who like their watches round, slim and uncomplicated. This reference strips the formula back to essentials: black Roman numerals, a fine minute track and a discreet date at 3 o'clock on a crisp white dial. There are no gold accents and no diamonds, just steel, sapphire and good proportions.

A Longines L619 self-winding caliber runs the watch, keeping it powered as you wear it. The 35 mm diameter feels light and elegant on smaller wrists and has a pleasingly vintage scale on larger ones, while the steel bracelet means it can be worn every day without worrying about a leather strap.

Longines Lyre in steel: L4.860.4.11.6 specs

• Case: stainless steel, 35 mm
• Dial: white with black Roman numerals and date
• Movement: Longines L619 automatic
• Crystal: sapphire
• Water resistance: 30 meters
• Bracelet: stainless steel with push-button butterfly clasp

Understated and endlessly wearable, this is the steel dress watch done right.