Luxury watches today are available in hundreds of designs and materials, with everything from sterling silver, stainless steel and leather available. Many luxury brands are even moving away from leather bands and choosing material like snakeskin or crocodile skin. Another growing trend is the use of diamonds and other beautiful gemstones on the face of the watch.
If you want something elegant and classic, Cartier, Tag Heuer and Patek Phillipe make great choices and have been leaders in the industry for generations. These brands have the all-important reputation for making quality timepieces, although you can also find newer companies like Jacob & Co. with their own take on luxury watches with a modern twist. Newer companies tend to use a range of colorful gemstones and diamonds in their watches, which is a great way to make a statement.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices it’s time to decide which timepiece will look best on your wrist. It’s always important to match the shape of the watch with your wrist size and hand length as luxury watches are designed to last for generations. If you have a longer wrist, try choosing an elongated rectangle style like the Cartier Tank or an oval like the Patek Phillipe Nautilus.
Those with heavy, thick hands and wrists will be able to pull off a bulky, bezeled model like those made by Tag Heuer. Those with small wrists, including women, will do best to avoid heavy chain link bands which are awkward and uncomfortable. Leather bands are a great choice for small wrists because they’re both comfortable and complementary. Movado watches are a very popular choice with women because they make a variety of models with leather straps.
No matter which style you select, remember that your watch should reflect your own style rather than following a trend or fashion. High quality watches can be worn for a lifetime and should look good on your wrist and make you happy, so don’t follow short-term fashions and stick with something you know you’ll enjoy for years.