Following a flurry of new watch launches in the luxury and fashion categories, we have singled out the five biggest watch trends that have creative teams hooked in 2018.
If you are a retailer looking to update your offer with some seasonal new additions, take a look at our round-up below. Whether it’s carefully chosen dial colours, visible movements or statement sizes, these tips could aid your buying decisions and keep your customers on their toes.
The 5 Biggest Watch Trends of 2018
Earth Tones
Whereas the last two years have been dominated by blue, the latest buzz is around earthy colours, especially green, shades of rust, brown, orange and sandy grey. In the running for ‘most photographed’ in recent months is the Rado True Thinline in a unisex shade of forest green.
This love of green is also captured by Panerai in its Luminor Due and Cartier’s Révélation d’une Panthére.
The trend for natural shades has also crept into fashion watch categories, with rich shades of walnut seen at IJL 2018 exhibitor, Obaku, and stony hues seen at IJL 2018 exhibitor, Calvin Klein.
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Lots of Layering
Chanel, Bulgari, Hermes and Harry Winston have all been leading the charge when it comes to multi-wrap watch straps. The look is decidedly more evening-appropriate than in previous iterations, so expect to see exotic leather multi-wrap straps with delicate diamond-set dials.
To capture the high jewellery style, turn to visual merchandising to show watches stacked and layered with complimentary bracelets and charms – just be sure to strip away the boho, festival aesthetic to echo a champagne soiree.
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Bold in Gold
The huge 1980s resurgence in fashion has pushed the bling of yellow gold to the forefront, so expect big, bold and glitzy timepieces across both luxury and fashion brands. Gucci and Chopard presented some of the most striking examples of yellow gold timepieces earlier this year, but don’t miss some great gold-tone options from the likes of Obaku, Skagen, Armani Exchange, Seiko, Guess and Henry London.
For those visiting IJL 2018, don’t miss MANFRED+CRACCO and EverSwiss – two great watch brands distributed by IJL exhibitor, Mode9. Both have striking yellow gold-tone options that will add a touch of glam to your festive season!
Related Blogs: 5 Jewellery Industry Trends to Look out for in 2018
Rainbow Waves
From sunshine yellow to bright ‘Millennial pink’, there has been no shortage of colour in 2018. Look to the Hermes Arceau Casaque for a lesson in block coloured brights, or turn to Rolex for an example of rainbow gem-setting on its new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona.
For further inspiration, we recommend searching for the latest additions to Chopard’s Happy Sport collection, the Harry Winston Premiere Candy Automatic, and new designs from Storm, Swatch, Nixon, Ted Baker, Festina, Marc Jacobs and Briston.
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Androgyny
The ‘Boyfriend’ watch has been big news in recent months, with brands pushing sizes up to the 40mm mark for women. The Swarovski Octea Luxe has captured the conversation, with new additions from Calvin Klein, Omega, TAG Heuer and Mode9 brand, Oxygen, also highlighting the trend well.
Instead of a ‘His and Hers’ approach, consider how to promote your most androgynous pieces based on colour, style and case shape, no matter which gender collection they fall into.
For a final flourish… Skeletonised watches have proven to be a popular trend this year, with a new version of the Chanel Boyfriend proving particularly popular among journalists (see above).
For inspiration from the luxury end of the market, look to the Bulgari Lucea Skeleton and De Grisogono’s New Retro Double Power Reserve.
At the more accessible end of the market, we are impressed with the classic skeleton timepieces offered by Rotary, Fossil, Kenneth Cole, Sekonda, Ingersoll, Tissot and Gucci.
Explore the watch brands and businesses exhibiting at IJL 2018.
IJL is #withyou offering concise round-ups of the biggest industry trends, Fashion Week insights and practical advice to support your buying decisions. Join us from September 2-4 2018 for three-days of buying, networking and inspiration. Contact us today.
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