Fine Jewelry

How To Style Your Watch Like A Fashion Editor

A fine timepiece deserves to be shown off, but there is an art to pulling together a look that complements your style. Here, NET-A-PORTER’s fashion experts explain how to work a watch into your everyday wardrobe with the perfect finishing-touch jewels and accessories

Clockwise from top left: coat, The Row; ring, Spinelli Kilcollin; necklace, Lauren Rubinski; watch, IWC Schaffhausen; shoes, Bottega Veneta; pants, The Row; bracelet, Foundrae; tote, Jil Sander; shirt, Petar Petrov; earrings, Anita Ko

Kay Barron, fashion director

“I am not the most ‘delicate’ of women. I can be heavy of foot, with an equally weighted turn of phrase, so I find that delicate jewelry or timepieces don’t always complement my personality. Which is probably why I am drawn to the IWC Schaffhausen ‘Portofino’ watch, a NET-A-PORTER exclusive that is oversized but not overwhelming; masculine, but with a refined feminine elegance. It is the perfect companion to this season’s slick tailoring from The Row and Petar Petrov, as their long-line coats benefit from a statement at the wrist. Underpinned by high-waisted wide-leg pants and a fitted turtleneck under a loose shirt, the ‘Portofino’ adds substance, balanced with Spinelli Kilcollin stacking rings and Lauren Rubinski chains that further emphasize the confidence of the watch.”

  • THE ROW
    Marcellita pleated wool-twill wide-leg pants
    £798.00
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Helen Broadfoot, deputy fashion director

“Fashion is all about having fun and expressing yourself, and Gucci’s watches epitomize that. I love this ‘G-Timeless’ design, which feels youthful and effortlessly cool – I’d add a gold bangle or two for a layered and playful look. I love the simplicity of an 18-karat-gold bangle by Maor, which would complement the Gucci watch perfectly. In terms of outfit styling, I’d wear it with wide-leg jeans from Khaite, a classic white tee – and, for these colder months, I’d slip on a beautiful camel coat from Toteme, which elevates a more casual look. For a final flourish, I’d go for a classic chunky loafer from Gucci and then I’m good to go.”

  • TOTEME
    + NET SUSTAIN Signature wool-blend coat
    £770.00
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  • MAOR
    Aquila 18-karat gold bracelet
    £1,989.00
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Gillian Brett, head of fashion content

“I love a sleek, understated watch design that offsets the delicate jewelry I wear day to day, and Cartier’s ‘Tank Française’ is perfection. It would complement tailoring for the office as well as adding polish to the oversized knitwear and jeans I rely on for off-duty days. It’s even elegant enough to style with eveningwear, so I’d layer it with a slinky tennis braceletSuzanne Kalan’s 18-karat-gold diamond-set beauty is at the very top of my wish list – and wear it with a silk shirt with the sleeves rolled back to show it off, a pair of wide-leg pants and ankle boots for dinner dates.”

  • JOSEPH
    Silk-blend tank
    £151.00
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  • SUZANNE KALAN
    18-karat gold diamond tennis bracelet
    £11,810.00
  • SYDNEY EVAN
    14-karat gold diamond ring
    £1,355.00
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    3 - out of stock
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Clockwise from top left: jacket, Toteme; watch, Cartier; bracelet, Suzanne Kalan; ring, Sydney Evan; pants, Tove; bag, The Row; earrings, Jennifer Meyer; shoes, Bottega Veneta; vest, Joseph

Libby Page, market director

“It’s easy to be drawn to magpie styles when choosing a new watch, but I try to remind myself that it’s a practical investment purchase that is all about function and versatility. The Jaeger-LeCoultre ‘Reverso’ is exactly that, with a simple but beautiful, elegant face for everyday wear on one side, and an after-dark switch-up with the black face and diamonds on the reverse. As a lover of black, this watch is perfect for me, and the gold accents make it stand out in a subtle way. I’ll be styling it with Khaite’s rib-knit dress, Saint Laurent heels and a black Loewe pouch bag for a sleek all-black look.”

  • JAEGER LECOULTRE
    Reverso Classic Duetto hand-wound 34.2mm x 21mm small rose gold, alligator and diamond watch
    £21,300.00
  • KHAITE
    Beth ribbed-knit midi dress
    £420.00
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  • ANITA KO
    Huggies 18-karat gold diamond single earring
    £3,465.00
  • SUZANNE KALAN
    18-karat gold diamond tennis bracelet
    £11,810.00
Clockwise from top left: sneakers, Adidas Originals; necklace, Foundrae; watch, Vacheron Constantin; ring, Spinelli Kilcollin; sweater, Tibi; ring, L'Atelier Nawbar; bag, Loewe; ear cuff, Kimaï; jeans, Slvrlake

Marquessa Whyte, fashion editor

“I love the wearability of Vacheron Constantin’s ‘Traditionnelle’, crafted in 18-karat rose gold and set with diamonds. Its 30mm face is slightly more understated than the maison’s larger 33mm and 37mm styles – it’s a petite dial that suits my wrist. I love to style a fine watch with accessible fashion, especially as this is a piece that can be worn every day. I’d pair it with Tibi’s azure knit for a pop of color, Slvrlake’s high-rise ‘London’ jeans and Adidas Originals’ ‘Forum’ sneakers for a comfortable yet chic ensemble this winter. I would stack the timepiece with gorgeous rings by L’Atelier Nawbar, Spinelli Kilcollin and Wwake, along with a Foundrae chain necklace and diamond ear cuff for extra scintillation.”

  • VACHERON CONSTANTIN
    Traditionnelle 30mm 18-karat rose gold, alligator, mother-of-pearl and diamond watch
    £18,400.00
  • FOUNDRAE
    18-karat gold necklace
    £16,145.00
  • L'ATELIER NAWBAR
    Radiate Eternity 18-karat gold, enamel and diamond signet ring
    £1,640.00
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    3 - out of stock
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Harriet Haskell-Thomas, head of styling

“After all the sparkle and glamor of the festive period, I’m feeling the need for a bit of a wardrobe reset, and the ‘Cape Cod’ by Hermès Timepieces, with its neutral leather strap, feels like the perfect palate cleanser. A watch or statement piece of jewelry is actually a really good place to start when building out my January wardrobe. My uniform for 2023 will be made up of plenty of denim, knits for layering – scrunched up to bracelet length – and a smart coat to pull everything together. It won’t be all neutrals, though, as I can’t resist a hint of color, no matter what time of year, so I’ll be selecting this Loewe scarf and a Spinelli Kilcollin ear cuff for the finishing touches.”

  • HERMÈS TIMEPIECES
    Cape Cod Fil D'Or 31mm small stainless steel, leather and diamond watch
    £3,710.00
  • MAOR
    Orion 18-karat gold diamond necklace
    £12,528.00