Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Hailey Bieber… the most beautiful fashion watches

Tuesday September 15, 1998. At 116 Green Street in Soho, the heart of New York, the party is in full swing. A year after his appointment as head of Louis Vuitton’s women’s collection, American Marc Jacobs is celebrating the opening of a Trunk Maker store in this trendy Manhattan neighborhood. Among the guests, Kate Moss: 1992-1994, the anti-American dream, embraces the designer for a photo. On the wrist of “The Twig”, a Tank Franchise by Cartier, a model that, since its launch two years ago, has been very successful. With its sporty look, its metal bracelet integrated into the case and its radical lines, it fits the minimalist trend of the moment advocated by designers such as Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and Donna Karan.

Not surprisingly, then, the model is also a fan of Tank Francaise and Panthere Vendôme de Cartier, as is her sister, compatriot and friend, supermodel Naomi Campbell. ” In the 1990s, most models wore watches », points out Brynn Wallner from the Instagram account @dimepiece. If only for reasons of practicality, since smartphones do not exist, it is still to our wrists that we turn to time. But and above all because the field of watchmaking, like perfume, is preparing fashionable models to be their muses. In the mid-nineties, Claudia Schiffer thus embodies the Chanel era for several ads celebrating Premier, Metelasse and Mademoiselle watches (the German goldsmith also returned three years ago for the 20th anniversary of the J12, the house’s watch icon). At the same time, in 1995, Cindy Crawford signed with Omega, of which she is still a partner today, now with her daughter, Kaia Gerber. ” It is hard to know that these girls were wearing the watches they loved for which they were contractual ambassadors.“, continues Brynn Wallner.

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From slim models to XXL watches

This is not the case for Australian Elle McPherson, known as “The Body”, who, out of personal taste, embraces men’s Rolexes, particularly the Daytona and Sky-Dweller. Thus began the fashion for men’s watches before their time, worn loosely on women’s wrists, just to “attach” some power. Another top star of the decade, Christie Brinkley, also never gave up her Rolex, an Explorer II. A photograph from 1990 immortalizes him as the perfect embodiment of the American cowboy: chambray shirt, faded jeans, hat, wide belt… and big watch.

Years go by and these precious accessories do not diminish, quite the contrary. At the turn of the millennium, the bigger the watch, the better. The XXL models launched by the American Michael Kors have been an incredible success with the general public. On the red carpet or at a fashion evening, it is also not uncommon to come across the famous Five Time Zones by jeweler Jacob Arabo. Under the name Jacob & Company, it supplies rap and hip-hop stars with custom necklaces, oversized diamond and other gem-encrusted watches. Shaking up an environment previously reserved for knowledgeable and wealthy collectors.

At the time, assuming this kind of model was a real bias, a way of showing that we had style.Brian Wallner recalls. So it is quite “cool” to see the difference between this slim model and these XXL watches

Brynn Wallner from Instagram account @dimepiece

First marketed in 2002 – for $5,500 at the time – it features five time zones, in addition to the central hand, the times of New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Paris, each “enclosed” in four different sub-dials. Color In less than a year, this timepiece has won over the biggest names: Jay-Z, Bono, Pharrell Williams and, on the fashion side, Gisele Bundchen. In May 2002, she also appeared on the pages of Elle magazine, on the wrist of the idol Naomi Campbell in a matching bikini – styled by Carlin Cerf de Dudziel, photo by Gilles Bensimon. “At the time, assuming this kind of model was a real bias, a way of showing that we had style.Brian Wallner recalls.So it is quite “cool” to see the contrast between this slim model and these XXL watches.» Over the years, Five Time Zones has become a symbol of success, and an affluent lifestyle in colorful fur coats, juicy couture velvet jogging pants and logo-embellished suits.

Today, the period has shrunk

Second, other customs… Twenty years later, models’ watches have shrunk so much that across the Atlantic, professionals now speak of “tiny watches” to designate these extremely thin models, admired by Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner. was done by These young women, also influential with the “Napo Baby” trend (a term that designates the children of celebrities whom some accuse of exploiting their parents’ infamy to achieve their ends), particularly prefer Panthere de Cartier and Royale. is Oak d’Audemars Piguet for the first, Bagnoir for the second (still from Cartier). Proof that great references in watchmaking are still safe values ​​today…”A watch here is a simple accessory that completes their outfit rather than a real way to stand out», analyzes Brynn Wallner.

Professionals now talk about “little watches” to designate these very beautiful models admired by Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner.

Brynn Wallner from Instagram account @dimepiece

Only Hailey Bieber, the model/influencer/businesswoman with 50.7 million followers on Instagram and wife of Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, is doing well in the watchmaking game. Choosing to wear the Nautilus by Patek Philippe, the Lady Datejust by Rolex but also the Royal Oak (again) in a mini version by Audemars Piguet, often enhanced with diamonds, the young lady displays an assertive taste. “Even if it is watches that everyone knowsDimepiece founder continues.The simple act of picking out small, previously neglected pieces proves she knows her stuff.» And watchmakers can say thank you, given its enormous influence among younger generations that explain its smallest attire!