Rules are made to be broken. At least sometimes. Growing up in the watch world, I was privy not just to watches, but also to everything else. The people, the brands, the marketing all interacted with each other with a common language that seemed un-disrupted for hundreds of years.
Innovation and craftsmanship are the pillars of watchmaking, but they also seem like the ceiling. The question of “how can things be done differently” was always asked, but it seemed like there were only a few right answers. Watch purists have their list of what is and isn’t acceptable amongst design, taste, movements, collections, etc., and we need them.
But we also need the unconventional watch lovers, the ones who zag when everyone zig’s. Over the past year, we saw tectonic plates shift watches towards the heart of the fashion zeitgeist, with Rihanna, Emma Chamberlain, and Taylor Swift wearing Jacob & Co., Cartier, and Lorraine Schwartz timepieces around their neck.
2024 will be the year to take it one step further, and it begs the question, how can we wear a watch anywhere but our wrist?
Neck
We’ve been dancing around the idea of wearing watches as necklaces for decades. Big in the flapper ear and also big in the 90s, wearing a watch around the neck never really stuck. Maybe because it defeats the purpose of telling time. But, in this era, is the wristwatch’s main use case still for telling time? Or does it transcend practical utility? High-horology houses have taken this absurdity and ran with it. Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Chanel, Cartier, Hermes, Tiffany & Co., and Jaeger LeCoultre, their own take on super-unpractical, arguably-ostentatious watch pendants.
In our modern day, this has evolved into the more wearable option of the watch choker. We saw it in Hollywood recently, but we saw it on the necks of Swatch fans in the 90s first. It’s cool, it’s hot, and it justifies buying one (girl math says it’s a 2 for 1). Any watch on a leather, rubber, or NATO strap can be turned into a choker, just loop a ribbon through the hole and clasp and tie in a neat bow.
Or, a double-wrapped watch strap should fit around your neck, wrist, and ankle (3 for 1!!!). The Hermes Kelly Double Tour, Bvlgari Serpenti Double Wrap, Chopard Happy Diamonds, and Cartier Panthere are watch girlie favorites. But, you can customize at your own will, and I suggest you do. My next cop will be a red-dial Tank Must with a pink crocodile double strap.
I predict the Hermes Clochette Necklace Watch will be trending soon even harder to get on the resale market. If you’re into the old money mindset, its subtle yet distinct presence is a symbol of refined taste and effortless luxury. The miniature watch, nestled within a decorative clochette charm, is sophisticated, demure, but most importantly, really easy to wear.
Ankle
When it comes to wearing a watch on the ankle, I like to coordinate. When the watch and shoes match, it looks more purposeful and complete. But nothing is more nonchalant than Allison Borestein’s “The Wrong Shoe” method, which also applies here.
Upper arm
This is a great solution for girls with a tiny wrist who want to borrow their boyfriend’s watch. A chunky watch on your bicep reminds me of something Cara Delivgne would do in the height of Tumblr. Plus, you don’t have to resize your boo’s watch every time you want to wear his.
Hair
I’m a big hair accessory girl, I love a good barrette. And honestly, I love the idea of this. It’s questionable and loud, but quirky enough not to be taken so ostentatiously.
