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Watches are fast becoming the style-focused woman’s staple accessory as more brands than ever before are crafting timepieces tailored to a newly invested audience.
In an age where digital detoxes are becoming increasingly prevalent and the allure of phone-controlled timekeeping wanes, there’s nothing quite like a classic wearable to bring you back to reality and offer a reprieve from the screen. And what could possibly be chicer than answering a stranger’s request for the time with a nonchalant flick of your adorned wrist?
A category no longer solely reserved for the deep-pocketed collector or offered only as an afterthought to the male-dominated accessories market, watches are having more than just a moment – they’re enjoying a well-deserved renaissance.
As watches grow in popularity among the sartorially inclined, so too do the options available, with endless varieties, finishes and styles on offer for every horological fancy – especially when you understand the basics.
Still, when it comes to selecting the right watch for your personal style, the process can feel like an intimidating one for the uninitiated, especially when you’re just starting out.
What counts as a perfect timepiece for one person, may feel contrived to someone else. Likewise, a selection that complements one style of wardrobe, may feel out of place in another’s.
So how do you discover what exactly makes you tick when it comes to investing in a watch that will stand the true test of time?
Our expert guide to finding a wish-list watch style that meets every requirement – from aesthetic, to features and beyond – will help you hone in on your personal timepiece preference sans the stress.
Buy What You Love
The first rule of watch club is to forgo fads or trend chasing in favour of a heart-stealing watch style.
What draws you in and keeps your interest? Does it speak to your soul in a way that feels like you couldn’t live without it?
What do you gravitate towards over and over?
If you can answer any of these questions with ease, then the choice is simple. Go with what you love – not what you think you should love based on what you’re algorithm saying.
At the end of the day, the piece is going on your wrist and if you’re not obsessed with it, you won’t wear it – and you know it.
“I don’t think customers should get too wrapped up in the popularity of a watch,” agrees Raynald Aeschlimann, Omega CEO. “Ultimately, you’re buying for yourself, so the main thing you’re looking for is a timepiece that captures your heart.
“That’s the beauty of watchmaking. It’s largely based on emotion and personal taste.”
“Everyone is different. You can make a watch enduring simply by wearing it for a lifetime”
Raynald Aeschlimann
Emotional value will always trump monetary value when it comes to watches you actually want to wear, so making a choice based on gut feel is a guaranteed winner if you want to get it right.
“Our friend Cindy Crawford has been wearing modern Omega Constellation models for 30 years, because she loves their timeless look,” says Aeschlimann. “Now, her daughter, Kaia Gerber, has inherited that same passion, and the Constellation is one of her favourites too.”
Look At Your Lifestyle
Are you the on-the-go type that needs a timepiece to meet the demands of daily life? Or are you one who lives for your social calendar with an outfit for every occasion? Wherever your priorities lie, there’s a watch style to suit.
“Think about the times you’ll be wearing it most,” says Aeschlimann, whose advice for finding the right watch falls somewhere in the centre of practicality and personality.
“Is it something you’ll wear every day around home and work? Or are you an adventurous type who might even swim with it in the sea? Imagine the journey you’ll go on with your watch and it might help guide you in making your choice.”
Which Watch Style Fits You Best?
If you’re still unsure, it might help to simplify your style into one of the main watch style categories below and go from there.
The Dress Watch
Both elegant and practical, the dress watch is a style staple for any accessories aficionado and deserves equal billing on the go-to jewellery roster.
Whether you’re after a timepiece that captures attention with a statement setting, or works just as well for a cocktail event as it does the school run, then this complementary style might just be the watch for you.
After all, dress watches are a solid investment in timeless sophistication, offering quality craftsmanship and classic proportions that can be as subtle, or artistic as you like.
Most importantly – this particular style leans into the world of wearable art, just like a good piece of jewellery should.
The Sports Watch
Although you might instantly dismiss this style as bulky, masculine or reserved for those who are athletically inclined, modern sports watches are so much more than their practical name suggests.
Admittedly more robust than a dress style or vintage piece, its precision, reliability and statement appearance can also be well-suited to those who value form and function – without having to compromise on aesthetics.
The Vintage Watch
Take a page out of Nicole Kidman’s book with a vintage timepiece that’s all about the details.
Crafted with timeless appeal and a distinct minimalist magic, a vintage watch will add character and style to any outfit – whether made up of elevated essentials or after-dark eveningwear.
“Nicole Kidman often chooses our vintage timepieces from the 1920s, because that’s what suits her elegant style,” says Aeschlimann of the actress’ penchant for an enduring timepiece.
Love the look, but not the idea of breaking the budget? The iconic silhouettes found in many antique pieces have risen in popularity over the years, with a number of modern day vintage-inspired watch brands offering a similar aesthetic, minus the auction house price guide.
Whatever you go with, the key is to take your time and choose carefully, remembering, says Aeschlimann, that “everyone is different, and you can make a watch enduring simply by wearing it for a lifetime.”
Related articles:
- How To Choose Your First Wear-Forever Watch
- Vintage-Inspired Watches Are Our Latest Accessory Obsession
- 9 Watches You’ll Want To Keep On Your Wrist Forever
