Pendant timepieces trend: Wristwatches have taken a fashionable detour, blending elegance with vintage-inspired charm. The latest luxury trend? Watches that don’t look like watches at all. In 2025, horology is getting creative, turning necklaces, brooches, and cuffs into time-telling treasures.
Chanel Leads with Lipstick-Inspired Timepiece
Unveiled at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, Chanel’s “Kiss Me” looks like a golden lipstick tube at first glance. But flip it open, and you reveal a miniature watch dial. It hangs from a lavish chain, combining the worlds of makeup and timekeeping.
Chanel also released two more pendant watches: “Protect Me,” shaped like an evil eye inspired by Coco Chanel’s gaze, and “Give Me Luck,” a Byzantine-inspired medallion. All share one feature—a hidden dial that transforms jewelry into functional fashion.
Taylor Swift and Red Carpet Approval
At the 2024 Grammys, Taylor Swift wore a Lorraine Schwartz watch choker around her neck. That single red carpet moment marked the cultural shift. Watches were no longer wrist-bound—they became statement pieces.
Van Cleef, Cartier & Piaget Join the Movement
Van Cleef & Arpels reintroduced its iconic Cadenas padlock-style watch for its 90th anniversary. Cartier expanded its Panthère collection with feline-embellished cuffs, where a hidden dial only appears upon tilt.
Cartier also revived its Tank à Guichets—a minimalist timepiece with only two small windows showing digits for the hour and minutes. No dial. No hands.
Piaget showcased pendant watches with rope-like gold chains and gemstone-framed dials, merging their heritage with modern playfulness. Chanel’s new Première watch even doubles as a choker thanks to its long chain.
The Appeal: Individuality and Nostalgia
According to Sotheby’s watch sales director Manon Hagie, the appeal is tied to individuality. Pendant timepieces speak to Gen Z and women seeking unique, multi-functional designs. Another factor is nostalgia, which evokes the elegance of the 1920s flapper era.
Hermès, Dior, and Playful Luxury
Materials like aragonite and malachite are used in Dior’s Gem Dior pendant timepieces. Hermès created a whimsical yet elegant sculptural brooch watch using its anchor chain pattern.Philippe Delhotal of Hermès called it a “nomadic piece” that promotes flexibility.
Not Just Accessories, But Art
These timepieces go against widely recognized watchmaking conventions. They create conversation starters by fusing innovative design with exquisite craftsmanship. As more high-end establishments embrace the idea, it is likely that the line between jewelry and timekeeping will become further blurred.
Source: CNN
