The watch world has long faced a great divide, with ‘real’ watch enthusiasts scoffing at the thought of ‘fashion’ watches. It wasn’t too long ago that the mere suggestion of buying a watch simply because you, well, actually like the way it looked would have you laughed out of the room. Or at least the r/watches subreddit.
You’ll also enjoy:
Got Time? These Are The 14 Best Luxury Watch Brands For Women
The Longines Mini DolceVita Has All The Hallmarks Of An Art Deco Classic
In A Sea Of Sports Watches, Wear A Dress Watch…
However, we’ve come a long way. So-called ‘fashion’—the word hissed in a manner akin to a slur—brands like Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Hermès have worked tirelessly to shift perceptions surrounding their timepieces, with the result that they now receive (slightly) more credit for their watchmaking prowess; while the Cartier resurgence has posited that sometimes beauty trumps technicality. Meanwhile, increased social media discourse (accompanied by more than a few #wristchecks) has led to the realisation that one can simply enjoy a watch because it’s aesthetically pleasing. Even if it’s quartz.
The subtle injection of fun into what once was a rather staid community has led to a natural flow into the fashion (not a cuss word this time) world. Discussion around how to actually style your watch has joined the legions of hairy wrist shots, while the watch itself has now left the confines of the wrist. In June this year, Rihanna attended Pharrell Williams’ debut Louis Vuitton show sporting a Jacob & Co. Flying Tourbillon around her neck; while Olivia Rodrigo appeared on the pages of the September 2023 issue of Rolling Stone dripping in watches from head to toe, with highlights including a watch skirt and watches strapped around her thighs.
For those reluctant to entrust their femurs to the care of their Nautilus, the ring watch is the ideal horological microtrend to partake in. Originating in Europe in the mid-17th century, ring watches rose to popularity in the late 19th century with the likes of Rolex and Jaeger-LeCoultre producing a selection of manual winding styles in the early 20th century.
Today, ring watches have (re)entered the conversation thanks to the likes of contemporary lifestyle brand Breda and gen-Z-friendly jewellery brand Dalmata. The duo teamed up to produce a selection of vintage-style ring watches, dubbed the ‘Time Ring’. Available in stainless steel or gold-plated stainless steel, the miniscule time tellers take on a chunky rectilinear shape and are adorned with crystals on the bezel.
Other brands have also jumped on the (micro)trend, with The M Jewellers creating a pinky ring shaped like an old school Casio watch (this one doesn’t actually tell the time) and Fossil releasing a series of ring watches; with ring watches seen on the likes of Megan Thee Stallion and Dixie D’Amelio.
While rooted in history, the ring watch is a somewhat novel concept in 2023. The relatively unsaturated market means that a ring watch is both a conversation starter and also somewhat immune to the horological snobbery endured by certain wristwatches. Plus, the very nature means they don’t encroach upon your valuable wrist real estate, meaning it’s possible to have your Royal Oak and wear a ring watch too.
ETSY
Y2K Ring Watches
Words by T. Angel
