While most shoppers think of wristwatches as a common accessory, that was not always the case. Watches have evolved from spring-driven clocks, which appeared in 15th century Europe to a high fashion accessory with price points for consumers with deep pockets. Elizabeth I of England received a wristwatch from Robert Dudley in 1571, which was called an arm watch at the time. From their inception, women mostly wore wristwatches, with men using pocket watches until the early 20th century.
Today, wristwatches and antique pocket watches are fashioned as jewelry or collectibles. This point of view has created a variety of retail markets. Some watches are marketed for their functionality, while some timepieces are marketed as luxury items.
Because of consumer demand for stylish, high fashion timepieces have evolved watches from functional timekeepers to luxury items that come in a variety of styles. From dials and bracelets to high-end packaging and marketing, big fashion houses started to develop their own lines.
Watch connoisseurs expect the best from iconic fashion houses and the competition among high-end watch brands is fierce. In past decades big fashion houses sought mainly to entice female consumers, however, in recent years the menswear market has gathered steam, causing big brands to recognize male consumers as an untapped new market.
As the luxury market now looks to high profile celebs as the face of their timepieces, Fashion Reverie has rounded up a few stars that know how to wear watches well!
Rihanna, a well-known trendsetter, decided to this time go with Piaget Polo. She used the Piaget Polo in her music video, Take a Bow. Case and bracelet of the model are 18 carat yellow gold and is valued at over $20,000.
As the face of J’Adore Dior perfume since 2004, Charlize Theron in ad campaigns wears a beautiful diamond Christian Dior watch. The Dior VIII is a 38mm. automatic watch made of high-tech ceramic and stainless steel. The black lacquer dial has a central inner ring with diamonds. The retail price is around $6,500.
Another star to promote a watch in her latest video is Katy Perry. Unlike some other celebrity endorsements, Katy Perry’s fans can actually afford the Q&Q SmileSolar Collection Watch! These watches are made from virgin and recycled materials with waterproof casing and are solar-powered. Besides the many cool colors combinations, portions of the proceeds of the sales are donated to Table for Two.
Kelly Roland is the newest worldwide ambassador for TW Steel. She joined forces with the company and came up with her very own CEO Tech Special Edition timepieces. The Kelly Rowland CEO Tech models are fun and make a fashion statement in pink and dark blue. The retail price is $1,295.
Sexy screen siren Sofia Vergara wears a Rolex Daytona Everose. It is the first Daytona made of the special Everose gold alloy developed by Rolex, which contains gold, copper and platinum. The watch features an eighteen karat Everose gold case and bracelet with a black dial The watch has the standard Daytona chronograph movement featuring the Rolex Parachrom spiral designed to protect the movement shocks and magnetic fields. The retail price is $35,000.
—Tijana Ibrahimovic
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