Luxury Watch Round-Up: Dainty Dials, Diamond Bezels, and a Dash of Devotion
From petite timepieces and timestamped love stories, here’s what caught my eye in June.
New York is HOT! Frizz-inducing, makeup-sliding, don’t-even-think-about-jeans hot. But somehow, we’re surviving… maybe even thriving? Summer in the city always comes with a certain chaos: long days, golden hours, surprise downpours, and that unshakeable feeling that something exciting is just around the corner. June brought the heat, literally and horologically. Omega went dainty, Paris Fashion Week hid gems on the runway, and a viral Tiktok stole my attention. Let’s get into it.
New Drops, Who Dis?
Omega is in its dainty era with the debut of the 30mm Aqua Terra, its smallest yet! The collection features 12 vibrant dials in stainless steel, two-tone, and Sedna Gold, backed by a campaign starring Tems, Ariana DeBose, Danielle Marsh, Ashley Graham, and more. Each woman chose a watch reflecting her story, a reminder that scaled-down doesn’t mean dialed-down.
Oris is giving diver-glam with four new models, all set with lab-grown, conflict-free diamonds. Two feature brilliant-cut indices, while the other two go full sparkle with baguette markers and bezels decked out in 44 stones. Still water-resistant. Still functional. Now with a jewel-box finish. I’m taking one for a spin over the next couple of weeks and will keep you posted on my thoughts.
Furlan Marri dropped two dreamy chronographs: Sabbia Rosa and Ardesia Blu. Soft, vintage-inspired color-ways in a 38mm case that gives subtle Patek Philippe vibes. Inside? A Seiko mechaquartz movement - offering that satisfying sweep without sacrificing reliability. At £630 (~$800), they’re beautifully made and thoughtfully priced.
Tudor brought fresh energy to the Black Bay 54 with a new Lagoon Blue dial: sand-textured, polished bezel, and just dressy enough. Meanwhile, Breitling added matcha and navy options to the Superocean Heritage lineup, all with 200m water resistance and your choice of rubber or mesh straps. I tried the 36mm. She’s sporty, stylish, and equally ready for beach waves or a Vineyard spritz.
Across the board, one thing’s clear: this summer, utility and beauty are going steady.
Runways and Wrist Game
Time is always present in fashion, even when it’s not literally on the wrist. Anna Wintour announced a role shift at Vogue which got people talking, but for watch collectors, she’s long been a quiet horological muse: a Cartier Ceinture here, a Ralph Lauren Stirrup with a burgundy strap there, and that buttery vintage yellow gold Patek? Always iconic. Never loud. Always meaningful.
Over in Paris, time took a more poetic turn. At 3.PARADIS, designer Emeric Tchatchoua unveiled a “Sands of Time” collection inspired by The Little Prince; think surreal tailoring, sunset hues, and literal watch imagery. One coat was embroidered with actual timepieces. There was also a bag adorned with vintage watches and more. Trés chic!
Timepieces and Tenderness
One trend that needs to get more air time: engagement watches and post-baby push presents. Timepieces are increasingly becoming the new love language. They don’t just say “I love you” - they say I remember. Whether it’s your first trip together, a birth year, or a piece that just makes you laugh, watches hold memories.
A woman went viral on TikTok after gifting her new husband a Rolex Air-King as a wedding gift. Retail? $7,750. Feeling? Priceless. The couple met at SUNY Albany in 2018, got engaged in 2022, and tied the knot this year.
And while not every budget is Rolex-ready, the idea of gifting time: literal, beautiful, mechanical time, will always be in style. My friend Mia, who’s about to welcome her little Georgia peach, got me thinking about push present ideas. I’d love to hear if you’ve received any memorable watch gifts in recent years. And if not, what’s on your gift list? I’m a big fan of a “to me, from me” moment, so those absolutely count too.
P.S. Future spouse: If you’re reading this, I like sparkle. I like feeling. I like… Patek.
That’s it from me! Until next time… tchau!