While some trends can be immediate, powerful watch trends are slightly slower. Staying on top of the trends in the horological world is an excellent way to reflect your commitment to style, innovation, and luxury.
“Predicting watches is very different compared to the faster moving world of fashion with watches,” Tristano G. Veneto from The Urban Gentry YouTube series says. “For the more complicated stuff, the minimum for more agile brands is like the gestation of a baby. The trends we see today are the result of the shifting watch market's tastes of more than a year ago.” -
Yes, trends in the watch world can move at a slower pace – but that is because today’s complex luxury watches require years of research, finesse, and testing before they land on a wrist like yours. Still, understanding what is current in haute wrist couture is crucial for watch connoisseurs of all levels.
Here are some of Avi & Co.’s predictions for the year ahead:
Richard Mille Limited Edition Timepieces
Vegan Watches Making Time for Sustainability
Companies in all verticals, including the watch industry, are being more conscious about bringing awareness to problems that affect our planet. With the growth of veganism worldwide, the watch industry expects a demand for vegan watches.
Breitling's Outerknown has a wristband manufactured with Econyl, a yarn made from abandoned fishing nets. According to Breitling, the black DLC-coated stainless steel case, blue dial, and blue strap all make a dramatic statement. The company adds, "It also creates a powerful link to our oceans.”
Brands such as Hurtig Lane, Evig Grön, and Votch are beginning to offer alternatives to leather watch straps. Larger companies have integrated sustainable watch options in their models, including Ulysse Nardin’s Arctic Night Diver collab with Norwegian outwear company Norrøna. The watch features materials taken from offcuts of airplane parts called carbonium, as well as steel from recycled automotive materials.
In 2005, the Responsible Jewellery Council established responsible stands for the entire jewelry supply chain. IWC has been using electrical energy from 100% renewable sources. Packaging for luxury products is committing to ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’ because of the traditionally elaborate container.
Blancpain launched the Blancpain Ocean Commitment initiative to protect the oceans. Even Swatch is also jumping in on using sustainable sourcing and materials in their products. In fact, there are over eight watch brands that are now committed to producing 100% vegan watches.
Another vegan alternative? Metal straps. While leather straps have been all the rage for a few years, we expect the popularity of metal straps to rise again in conjunction with a move away from animal-based products.
Breitling Colt,
Reference #A17388101B1A1
Eye-Catching and Colorful Watch Dials
These days, many businesses are allowing more of an expressive dress code, accepting brighter colors in formal situations. Colorful dials are not only visually appealing, but they also produce stunning photographs. With social media playing a larger role in watch trends, collectors are seeking timepieces that stand out from the crowd. This year, you can expect to see a lot of blue (like the blue Tiffany Patek Philippe Nautilus) and green (like the green Rolex Oyster Perpetual) in spring and summer fashion.
Avi & Co.’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Collection
Celebrity watch findings have been reflecting this trend already. Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted wearing the coveted Tiffany x Patek Philippe Nautilus watch, which boasts a beautiful robin’s egg blue dial. As for green dials, look no further than Jonah Hill’s Rolex Daytona, which sports a bright-green face combined with a yellow gold band and bezel.
While these Rolex Daytona watches initially sold for about $35,000, they are now worth more than double that on the secondary market due to their popularity with big-name celebrities like Jonah Hill, Victoria Beckham, Kevin Hart, Adam Sandler, and others.
Larger Case Sizes for Women
With a surge in economic materials, brands are experimenting with bronze, titanium, and ceramic. Since 2000, case sizes ranging from 35-37 mm have dropped. Instead, 41-43 mm case sizes grew as customers, specifically women, sought out larger timepieces. We expect 35-40 mm case sizes to be the most popular trend this year in women’s wrist wear.
Some collectors are against watches that are too big for their wrists. However, many believe that the bigger the watch, the higher the status. A bigger face also allows for extra complications such as moon phases or perpetual calendars.
Rolex Daytona 42mm
Reference #116508
Plus, large case sizes go right along with the burgeoning “boyfriend watch” trend, in which women wear their partner’s watch. In the same vein as boyfriend jeans and boyfriend tees, boyfriend watches appear to be here to stay – and large watch faces with them. .
The Power of Unisex Watches
Not every woman fits into the traditional delicate accessories pushed toward female clientele. There is a trend in men’s watches gravitating toward statement pieces with gemstones. Women are leaning toward bigger, cleaner, and more simplified case designs.
People are seeking out not what society wants them to wear, but what feels comfortable around their wrists. Thankfully, brands are realizing this change, marketing watches as watches without unnecessary labels.
Shop Avi & Co.’s Rolex Yacht-Master Collection
For example, take watches like Ushers’ Jacob & Co. Ruby Billionaire III, which he sported at the 2024 Met Gala. This bedazzled watch is encrusted with countless pink sapphires. Men are also gravitating toward watches with narrow dials, which have traditionally been reserved for women. Scan GQ’s assessment of the best men’s watches at the Met Gala, and you will see these slender case types reflected with wearers like Jeff Goldblum, Lil Nas X, and Sebastian Stan.
Watches Perfect for Formal Affairs and Beyond
During the COVID-19 pandemic, sporty, everyday watches increased in demand as more and more people worked from home. However, now that many of us are back in the office, consumers are turning towards dressier timepieces to invest in. While phones can count your steps, text your friends, and check your work email, phones don’t accessorize your wrist. Avi & Co. can help you find the perfect dress watch for your luxury collection.
Shop Avi & Co.’s Patek Philippe Nautilus Collection
The Patek Philippe Nautilus is the perfect example of a watch that straddles the divide between sporty and chic. First introduced in 1976, the Nautilus is a hallmark in the world of luxury sports watches. Its steel construction looks just as classic paired with a diving suit as it does with a business suit – from boardroom to yacht club, a Patek Philippe Nautilus might just be the watch of 2024.
Retro and Vintage Style Timepieces Make a Comeback
Nostalgia is a timeless trend, and watch styles are always resurfacing. Nostalgia-based pop culture collaborations are booming. Timepieces such as the TAG Heuer and Super Mario Limited Edition are a testament to that. When the watch was first unveiled in October 2022, it sold out in less than ten minutes.
With the popular aesthetic of 60’s and 70’s watches, brands enjoy resurfacing popular timepieces for a 50th Anniversary. Even the Rolex Daytona is expected to make an exciting green dial release in celebration of its 60th Anniversary. Inspirations like these usually prompt collectors to add a timepiece to their collection that they might not otherwise have acquired.
Even big brands such as Rolex and Omega are taking inspiration from vintage styles in their new high-quality collections. The vintage watch market is estimated to be worth $4.1 billion.
Rolex Daytona, Paul Newman
Reference #116508
In fact, there are numerous watches that have actually appreciated more than the stock market, emphasizing the ingenuity of investing in these luxurious timepieces. Forbes reports that the average return of the S&P 500 is about 7.5% since 1971. Luxury watches with prices above $15,000 and recognizable names are known to bring in even better returns on investment upon resale. For instance, Rolex watches have a 21.6% premium on aftermarket sales, as reported by men’s fashion magazine GQ.
The Watch Industry is Growing…
…and there is no stopping it!
While the economy in 2024 has been struggling with elevated inflation and interest rates, luxury watches wait for no man (or woman). Regardless, now is the perfect opportunity to invest in your future. Schedule an appointment to see our latest and trendiest timepieces in person. Our knowledgeable sales team will go the extra mile to help you find the watch of your dreams.
