Bold Silhouettes for Archtober: 5 Favorite Design-Inspired Watches

Every October, architects and design enthusiasts in New York City celebrate the memorable style, innovative designs, and bold silhouettes that grace the skyline of The Big Apple. This event, which is now entering its 15th year, is known as Archtober.

Archtober is a celebration of all things architecture and design in New York and abroad. Throughout October, the Archtober program collaborates with partners and donors to sponsor exciting events across the city. From tours of historic buildings to lectures with distinguished specialists, there is something for everyone. Even young learners are invited to explore budding architectural and artistic passions with boat tours, a postcard competition, Archtober coloring sheets, and so much more.

Here at Avi & Co., we love Archtober because it shines a light on the beauty of Manhattan, our original headquarters, and celebrates some of our favorite things about cosmopolitan life: access to year-round beauty, one-of-a-kind buildings, and an incredible skyline you will not find anywhere else. So, we would like to throw our own two cents into the Archtober festivities.

Today, we are going to spotlight a few gorgeous timepieces that evoke the spirit of Archtober. We will showcase watches with unexpected angles, bold silhouettes, and memorable facades that are sure to spark conversation and connection. The only question is, which watch will you take home with you?

For any dedicated urbanite, we think this gorgeous Audemars Piguet watch perfectly encapsulates the metallic angles of New York City. Plus, we would be remiss not to mention the Royal Oak Concept collection as we explore architecturally inspired watches. The Concept line is Audemars Piguet’s favorite spot to experiment with avant garde silhouettes, unusual shapes, and oversize designs that cannot help but turn heads. This gunmetal titanium timepiece is no exception, and every head is sure to turn to your wrist when you walk into a room.

As with any great piece of architecture, this watch does not deign to put form over function. In addition to its sleek, futuristic appearance, this chronograph is equipped with almost endless capabilities. It has a GMT setting, chronograph (stopwatch) functionality, a date display, and numerous subdials that add both aesthetic appeal and useful abilities. Its 43 mm size is versatile enough for everyday wear while still providing a substantial, memorable look. But you will not have to worry about weight: The titanium case ensures this watch remains light and flexible, while the durable rubber strap offers a comfortable, easily adjustable fit.

Ever since this watch came through our doors, we have been captivated by its icy allure. This platinum RM 67-01 is complete with a totally iced-out bezel, set with countless diamonds. On the transparent dial, you will find cobalt blue Arabic numeral hour markers paired with royal blue hands accented by a touch of peach. Richard Mille is not afraid to be bold with his tech-savvy, innovative watch designs, and this watch meets the mark and then some.

Although some have dubbed Richard Mille watches “ugly” or “totally ridiculous,” the brand has a dedicated fandom that has no problem dropping six figures (and then some) on these one-of-a-kind pieces. Celebrity fans of the brand include Jay-Z, Tom Brady, Pharrell Williams, Michelle Yeoh, Kevin Hart, and Drake. Plus, Richard Mille has an impressive suite of athletic partnerships with names like Rafael Nadal, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Alain Proust, and many others. Why is Richard Mille so invested in sportsmanship? These high-performance athletes give Mille a chance to test drive his watches in truly unparalleled environments. If Nadal can wear his Richard Mille watch while serving a tennis ball at 135 mph, or if Leclerc can drive around a Formula 1 track at 230 mph, then surely a Richard Mille watch can handle everyday life on your wrist.

At Baselworld in 2012, Rolex launched its first completely new line in 20 years: the Sky-Dweller collection. This line features cosmopolitan watches that introduced the Ring Command bezel, and you will notice a prevalence of fluted bezels, off-center inner GMT displays, and other unique and sophisticated elements to these watches. For Archtober enthusiasts, we appreciate the upscale look and timeless elegance of the Sky-Dweller line.

This stainless steel watch showcases a high-contrast black bezel with luminous baton hour markers. You will also find a date display in the 3 o’clock position, complete with Rolex’s famous cyclops lens for higher legibility, even in low-light conditions. The fluted bezel is crafted from prestigious white gold, adding a touch of highbrow flair. As a whole, the Sky-Dweller line is known for its impressive 72-hour power reserve, exceptional precision, and one of Rolex’s most complex movements. Though you will not find perpetual calendar or moon phase complications in Rolex lineups, this watch offers an extensive suite of functions that rivals many of its modern competitors.

There are few watches that scream “jet-setter” like the Patek Philippe Complications “World Time” lineup. These beautiful pieces from the hallowed Swiss watchmaker showcase numerous different time zones housed in a legible, organized dial. This platinum watch features a hand guilloched green opaline dial with a white outer circle to show the various time zones. Complemented by applied white gold hour markers and hands, this piece showcases a vivid yet refined aesthetic. The cherry on top? The green alligator leather strap, of course. A platinum foldover buckle with the Patek Philippe logo completes the look.

Any Patek Philippe enthusiast is sure to fall heads over heels in love with this impressive World Time beauty. Its travel-oriented design and highly functional layout is the perfect nod to Archtober’s spirit of innovation and creativity. Once you add this watch to your collection, you will have a hard time finding another that compares – it might just become your everyday favorite! Make sure to take it out on the town for a spin this month as you embrace the beauty and tradition of the 15th annual Archtober celebration.

Every architecture enthusiast has their favorite building, and every horological aficionado has their favorite watch. If you are still looking for your go-to piece of wristwear, we invite you to try on a timepiece from Avi & Co.’s renowned Frosted Collection. Launched in 2023, the Frosted Collection showcases a decadent diamond dial and bezel that catches the light from every angle. You will not find hour markers interrupting this seamless swath of sparkle. The minimalist face of the watch lets the precious gems do the talking.

The Frosted Collection is available in both 18K white gold and 18K rose gold, allowing our cherished customers to choose the metal that matches their wardrobe. Whichever you choose, you will find the watch’s bracelet finished through a proprietary tooling method that results in a “frosted” finish. This unique look evidences a commitment to artistry, taste, and class that can be hard to come by in the modern watch market. But at Avi & Co., everything we do has a purpose. We love the frosted finish that graces the bracelet of our elite watch collection, adding a more versatile and subdued look as compared with some of our other lines. (Take a look at the Hue Collection or the Iced Collection for more bold designs.) Additionally, you can get your hands on a Frosted watch in either 44 mm or 40 mm, meaning there is a perfect fit for everyone.

Whether you are heading out on an Archtober building tour or simply crushing a day at work in the office, Avi & Co. is here to help you find the perfect watch to complement your signature style. This October, check out our impressive inventory of the world’s finest watches. We have pieces from hallowed names like Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex. Plus, our very own watch lines and fine diamond jewelry have been flying off the shelves. In other words, move fast if you want to scoop up an original Avi & Co. piece!

So, what are you waiting for? You can find our glamorous boutiques in New York City, Aspen, and Miami – three cities, each with their own unique character and charm. No matter which Avi & Co. location you visit, you will be welcomed in through our glass doors with open arms. Our highly experienced and trained customer service team will assist you as you explore all of the refined and memorable watches in our showrooms, awaiting that moment when the perfect piece catches your eye.

Make an appointment to join us in store today. We cannot wait to shop with you!