6 Red Carpet-Ready Watches for This Season's Black-Tie Events

Come winter, the temperatures drop and the festivities move indoors. As we celebrate the holidays and enjoy spending time with family, we also ring in the season of giving and philanthropy. This means that, more than ever, you are sure to have a swath of important red carpet events to attend. From charity auctions to Christmastime galas and elegant holiday soirees, you are probably already thinking about your attire. But have you considered your accessories for these photo-worthy moments?

The next time you are standing in front of a step-and-repeat, make sure that you look the part by accessorizing to the nines. Sophisticated jewelry is all well and good, but there is one surefire way to truly turn heads at these glamorous affairs: Luxury watches from world-renowned brands like Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex. Plus, you can say goodbye to mind-numbing small talk. All anyone will want to discuss is where you got your exceptional timepiece. It is up to you if you want to disclose that secret.

Today, we are highlighting six of our favorite red carpet-worthy watches that might just steal the show at your next black-tie event. These timepieces pair perfectly with a suave tuxedo or a tailored evening gown, but you can also show them off any day of the week to spruce up an everyday look. Which one strikes your fancy?

If you are looking for a dramatic statement to complement your next red carpet outfit, Avi & Co.’s Frosted Collection fits the bill and then some. We released this line of exquisite timepieces back in 2024, and it has been a favorite of celebrities and collectors ever since. Our Frosted watches show off a diamond-studded bezel and dial that refracts light from every angle and captures the attention of an entire room. On the bracelet, we have embraced a proprietary tooling technique to achieve a “frosted” finish that adds the perfect wintery dimension to this elegant accessory.

The Frosted Collection watches are available in both 40 mm and 44 mm silhouettes, making them a versatile option for wearers of any gender. You can also choose from 18K rose gold or 18K white gold, depending on your preference between these precious metals. The countless baguette-cut diamonds adorning this prestigious timepiece make this a family heirloom that you will be sure to pass down for generations to come.

Avi & Co. Tip: Loving the Frosted Collection? Make sure to explore its sister line, the Iced Collection, as well. You might also like the vibrant shades of the colorful HUE Collection if you are hoping to make an especially bold statement.

There is much debate in the watch world about the different types of bands (metal bracelets versus leather straps) and which option is more formal. But once you get into the world of precious metals such as gold, platinum, or titanium, there is no arguing with a metallic look. When it comes to Rolex watches, you will find a clear divide between the professional lines such as the Submariner, Daytona, and GMT-Master II and the brand’s opulent dress watches, exemplified by the Day-Date and the Datejust collections.

For the holiday season, we are loving the refined look of this 18K yellow gold Day-Date 40, which features a seasonally appropriate green Roman numeral dial. Add a diamond-set bezel to this already prestigious number, and you have a definite winner on your hands. This watch also features Rolex’s beautiful President bracelet, a contrast from the workhorse Oyster bracelet often seen on the brand’s professional lines. Form meets function throughout the Day-Date collection, and you will love the convenience of the day of the week shown at 12 o’clock and the day of the month shown at 3 o’clock. This is a watch you will never want to take off.

All of the watches on this list are guaranteed showstoppers, but this exceptional Patek Philippe Complications model might just take the cake. A masterclass in elegance and sophistication, the refined Complications line showcases the Swiss brand’s very best in artistry, architecture, and mechanics. Take one look at the complex yet compact face of this prestigious timepiece, and you will see what we are talking about. Housed in a shining rose gold case, this 40 mm watch is powered by the technically impressive self-winding Caliber CH 28-520 IRM QA 24H. Through the sapphire exhibition caseback, you can even take a look at this mechanical prowess yourself.

Turn the watch around, and you will see 36 flawless baguette-cut diamonds lining the bezel. The saturated black dial provides the perfect contrast to these shimmering stones and is set with ten more diamond hour markers as well as numerous functional additions. This watch has a sophisticated flyback chronograph function as well as an annual calendar display situated within the watch’s upper hemisphere. The green alligator strap is the cherry on top, a chic finishing touch on a truly elite timepiece.

A chunky Richard Mille watch might seem like an odd choice for a swanky red carpet event, but the prestige factor accompanying these substantial timepieces speaks for itself. After all, Succession’s Jeremy Strong wore one to last year’s Met Gala to much fanfare. Strong is a huge Richard Mille fan, and he is not the only one. This celebrity-favorite watch manufacturer is much loved by household names like Jay Z, Kevin Durant, Drake, Pharrell Williams, Odell Beckham Jr., and many others. In short, these tech-savvy watches are also distinctly fashion forward.

For this year’s holiday soirees, we are loving the elegant profile of the RM 030, a rose gold timepiece equipped with Richard Mille’s signature tonneau-shaped case. This watch measures an impressive 50 mm and showcases its powerful inner mechanics through a suave skeletonized dial. Light, durable, and memorable, this Richard Mille is a must-have addition to any watch collection worth its salt.

Audemars Piguet’s hallmark Royal Oak line is classic and classy all the way through. Introduced in the 1970s, these timepieces evoke an important chapter in horological history: the revitalization of the Swiss watch industry following threats from Japanese quartz watch sales. The industry did, of course, make a rebound; this can be attributed, in no small part, to iconic timepieces of the area like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the subsequent Patek Philippe Nautilus. Stainless steel sports watches have been all the rage since, and the Royal Oak has become the backbone of Audemars Piguet’s current lineup.

Add in a captivating tourbillon, and you have a red carpet worthy concoction on your hands. We are loving this Royal Oak Tourbillon edition, which is crafted from warm 18K rose gold and offers a mesmerizing grey index dial with an integrated tourbillon at 6 o’clock that is as mesmerizing as it is functional. The signature octagonal bezel is immediately recognizable as a Royal Oak, but you will have the honor of ascending to the next level with this innovative take on a classic.

Famous for its in-house movements and limited edition watch runs, Swiss company F.P. Journe is a hallmark of prestige and precision in the modern watch world. The brand’s creative and attractive architectural timepieces showcase exceptional functionality and elevate aesthetics. Take this platinum timepiece, for example, which radiates sophistication from every angle.

This 40 mm watch has a subtle yet intricate guilloched silver dial that showcases the date, the highly desirable moon phase indicator, and more. The off-center display exhibits visual harmony and thoughtful design that is unusual yet captivating. The watch is powered by the remarkable in-house automatic Caliber 1300.3 and offers an impressive 120-hour power reserve. Once you have the pleasure of fastening an F.P. Journe watch around your wrist, you will wonder what took you so long to try these modern masterpieces.

Here at Avi & Co., our reputation as Manhattan’s premier source for luxury watches precedes us. Now, you can also find exclusive Avi & Co. boutiques in Miami, Florida, and Aspen, Colorado. If you are looking for the perfect timepiece for your next big event, our talented customer service team can help. Plus, explore elite picks from our very own in-house line of Avi & Co. watches and our brand-new collection of showstopping fine diamond jewelry.

Make an appointment to join us in-store today. We cannot wait to meet you!