From Rolex to Tag Heuer: Luxury watch brands are dialling up the fun

Watches

From Rolex’s emoji Day-Date to the reborn Tag Heuer Carrera Skipper, watch brands are dialling up the fun.

Among the buzziest releases at Watches and Wonders in 2023 was a Rolex Day-Date with a jigsaw puzzle–inspired enamel dial. Rolex then dialled up the playfulness by replacing the words in the day window with inspirational terms—including Gratitude, Love and Eternity—and using 31 emojis in the traditional date window. (Oris also made the leap to emojis this year with a Kermit-colored dial on its ProPilot watch—the beloved Muppet frog hops into the date window on the first of every month.) The biggest puzzle, of course, is how to actually purchase the Rolex jigsaw watch—but since Tom Brady and John Mayer have theirs, it may be a little easier.

Many brands are now infusing a sense of joy—including candy-coloured dials and other artful embellishments—on some of their new releases while still taking their watchmaking seriously. And it’s about time.

Watches_Candyland-INLINE-Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin ($4,500)

Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin

Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin

($4,500)


Watches_Candyland-INLINE-Oris ProPilot x Kermit Edition ($4,600)

Iris

Oris ProPilot x Kermit Edition

($4,600)


Watches_Candyland-INLINE-Chopard L.U.C.%0DSkull One Calavera%0DPop Art ($11,500)

Chopard

Chopard L.U.C. Skull One Calavera Pop Art

($11,500)


Watches_Candyland-INLINE-Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Purple Sapphire ($206,000)

Hublot

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Purple Sapphire

($206,000)


Watches_Candyland-INLINE-Richard Mille RM 07-01 Automatic Winding Coloured Ceramics ($205,000)

Richard Mille

Mille RM 07-01 Automatic Winding Coloured Ceramics

($205,000)


Watches_Candyland-INLINE-A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar (price upon request)

Rolex

Rolex Day-Date Puzzle Dial

($57,900)


Watches_Candyland-INLINE-A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar (price upon request) copy

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Kaleidoscope

(Price upon request)


Watches_Candyland-INLINE-Frederique Constant Highlife Perpetual Calendar Manufacture ($9,895)

Tag Heuer

TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper

($6,750)


This article was first published on forbes.com and all prices are in USD.

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