Nicole Kidman always switches up her red-carpet looks, but there has been one constant this winter: a dainty, 1920s Art Nouveau Omega wristwatch set with 24 diamonds, on a chic black fabric strap. She wore it with a backless, black Celine dress with full-length sleeves to the , and with a flowing, brightly floral Balenciaga strapless gown to the premier of her new drama ; proving the versatility, and renewed desirability, of the classic dress watch. “We are witnessing a resurgence of the dress watch,” says Pascal Béchu, managing director of luxury watchmaker Arnold & Son, who notes that the classic styling of such watches chimes with the ‘quiet luxury’ trend that has inspired many of us to invest in high-quality pieces with evergreen styling.
“[Women’s dress watches were] once considered a relic of the past, [but] are making a strong comeback, driven by a renewed appreciation for classic elegance and timeless design.” What are the design codes of a dress watch? Firstly, a smaller dial (30mm or less), with no complications and a clean aesthetic. This should be a petite timepiece that won’t overpower an evening dress or tuxedo.
The strap should be similarly demure in size, although the materials can be luxe – bright patent leathers, gold Milanese mesh, even diamonds. Kidman’s antique Omega is the real deal, and there are lots of great pre-owned finds to be discovered at auction and at resellers such as Watchfinder, but the vintage aesthetic is influencing .