Wearing a watch almost became obsolete when we all started using our mobile phones to tell the time, but now timepieces are being used as wearable jewellery again.
That means a host of whole new watch trends are sweeping fashion – from the red carpet to the streets, and even the gym.
From tiny timepieces to maximalist faces, there are a lot of trendy watches to love – and while high-end models can go for eye-watering prices, it’s perfectly achievable to get similar looks for a whole lot less.
Here are some of the key watch trends to add to your jewellery collection.
1. Tiny watches
Paul Mescal attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Partnership with Rolex
“Big timepieces have officially been replaced with dainty tiny watches that blur the lines between a watch and a bracelet,” says Natasha Cooper, a retail and trend expert at MediaVision, who has five years’ experience working in the retail space, with a focus on fashion, jewellery and watch trends.
“Watches have moved from its objective to tell the time and have now become a fashion statement and something that can be seamlessly intertwined with your bracelet stack.”
She mentions celebrities like singers Raye and Rihanna, actress Dakota Fanning and model Hailey Bieber getting in on this trend – but it’s not just for women. Male stars like actors Paul Mescal and Timothee Chalamet have also been spotted wearing smaller, vintage-style watches on the red carpet.
Pair with stacks of bracelets and bangles – both chunky and slimline – and don’t be afraid to mix metals in the process.
2. Maximalism
Colman Domingo attends the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
All areas of fashion are slowly moving away from monotone shades of beige, and instead embracing a more colourful and maximalist approach to style.
Trend expert Cooper suggests the new trend of coloured dials is having a moment off the back of maximalism.
“Instead of the typically white/black dial, people are searching for coloured dials including blue, burgundy and green dials, as well as textures and styles such as ocean-inspired designs, which took off in the summer,” she notes.
3. Space watches
Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris wrist watch
Since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first stepped on the moon in 1969 wearing Omega Speedmaster Professionals – now known as the Speedmaster Moonwatch – timepiece enthusiasts have been obsessed with space watches.
These are the timepieces built to withstand a trip to the moon, with Cooper adding that it’s seen a recent resurgence in popularity: “Space exploration has been a recent key trend in men’s watches with ‘space watch’ starting to emerge.”
This could no doubt be down to our reinvigorated interest in space in general – thanks to recent launches from NASA, SpaceX and Blue Origin. While a proper space watch is out of reach for most of us (the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional costs €9,000), it’s also sparked a new trend for watches with space-themed detailing.
Chris Fraas’s Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
Think star motifs, moon emblems and horoscope-themed watch faces for a more whimsical take on the original trend.
4. Hybrid smartwatches
Guest at Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027
It’s unsurprising that so many of us are obsessed with our smartwatch.
“Smartwatches have become incredibly popular not only because of their sleek design, but also functionality and accessibility. You can make calls, answer texts and track your steps in a flick of the wrist. It’s become an item that many people can leave home without – literally,” notes Cooper.
But there’s also no longer any need to compromise on style when tracking all your health and fitness data. Enter hybrid smartwatches, which provide the best of both worlds.
With a traditional watch face letting you tell the time, they also hide all the regular smartwatch capabilities that we’ve come to rely on – without sacrificing style.
5. Skeleton watches
Skeleton watches – timepieces where the inner mechanical workings are clearly visible – are on the complete other end of the spectrum to smartwatches.
Not a new trend, they’ve traditionally been seen as a symbol of wealth and luxury – the ultimate showcasing of a watchmaker’s skill. But now, the style is becoming increasingly achievable.
Pierfrancesco Favino’s watch
“While skeleton movements aren’t new in terms of design in traditional watchmaking, they’re having a moment right now and we’re seeing a real surge in demand for skeleton dials and exposed movement designs,” says Jamie Cooper, director and jewellery buyer at Chapelle.
“Prestige watchmakers Patek Philippe, Cartier and Hermes have celebrated skeleton dials this year with new releases and now these luxury influences are filtering down to the high street.”