Suddenly, Everyone's Wearing Watches Again—4 Styles That Make Me Look Classy

Catalogued alongside Tiffany diamonds, Louis Vuitton bags and other peak-luxury items, many watches have become status symbols in their own right. Rolex, Cartier, IWD, Omega—owners of such timepieces belong to a very exclusive club, which makes them all the more desirable. I remember reading an article about how the purchase of fine jewellery soared during and immediately after the pandemic, as those with budget to play with found themselves looking to make key investments rather frivolous designer purchases. This has made the luxury watch market—and subsequent resale market—all the more buoyant. 

The wider effect of this? Watches are very much back in fashion and, for the first time in my life, I would really like to own one myself. This sentiment is one shared by others within the fashion industry, too. A couple of years ago, I would have been hard pressed to find anyone of stylish note wearing a watch in plain sight (at least not without their Instagram caption being finished with #ad). Now, my feed is full of editors and influencers who have made the watch an integral part of their style signature. The quiet luxury, old money, Birkin mom aesthetics all speak to the desire not just to be wealthy but to look wealthy. And a watch? It has a big part to play here. A watch, you see, can be a whisper of wealth or, in some instances, a mirage of wealth.

You see, choosing an expensive-looking watch doesn’t immediately equate to spending a fortune. Of course, if you have the means to invest in one of the aforementioned watch brands then, if I were in your shoes, I likely would, too. However, I do believe that there are four 2024 watch trends for women that look high luxury, even if you’re working to a tighter budget. Scroll on to see the watch trends that fashion people are currently wearing to make themselves look more polished, then browse the chicest watches per category at every price point.