TIME WILL TELL

Watches that look good on the wrist today and are likely to be treasured heirlooms tomorrow.

- RENÉE BATCHELOR

When it comes to the idea of men’s and women’s watches, the watch community is somewhat divided. In the recent past, there have been clear distinctions between which timepieces were made for each gender— just look at a watch brand’s website to see how watches are presented, or at its marketing to see which pieces are designed and intended for whom.

But today, the customers themselves have spoken and the lines are truly blurred. With men’s watch sizes downscaling and being sported by women and on the flip side, petite and jewellery watches being worn by men, the rules no longer apply. At the Watches and Wonders fair in Geneva, it was not uncommon to see male journalists lusting over Cartier’s petite Baignoire watches, or women trying on larger-sized chronographs for themselves.

That said, the following 10 pieces, while traditionally designed as men’s watches due to their sizes or complications, are fair game when it comes to who can wear, collect or pass them down. Chosen for their aesthetic, function and wrist impact, here are the ones to watch.

I ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE 40 WITH WHITE MOTHER-OF-PEARL DIAL