This Luxury Brand Is Our Go-To for All the Latest Watch Trends

I’ve been harboring a secret: I have never owned a watch. This isn’t because my phone is always with me, which is true, but because I want to select the perfect one. I love keeping up with fashion trends (it is part of my job, after all), and watch trends are no exception. Since I’m not an expert in this category yet, I asked one of the chicest people I know for a little help.

An editor at leading watch platform Hodinkee, Malaika Crawford boasts an impressive collection of stunning timepieces and has the most elegant personal style. Her impeccable taste, expertise, and passion for this accessory make her the ideal person to chat with about the latest watch trends. She shares, “In a world of flux and change, watches are a very grounding item. Interesting watches stand out.” For Crawford, the interesting watches in question are none other than Audemars Piguet‘s Royal Oak collection. Below, she’s giving us an up-close and personal look at her favorite watch trends.

Right now, Crawford is most excited about the frosted watch trend. Audemars Piguet’s approach to this trend is evident in its Royal Oak in Frosted Gold Selfwinding watch, an 18-karat yellow gold watch with a dial embellished in a unique Crystal Sand finish. It has a golden hue that sparkles for a glamorous, monochromatic look that nods to the ’70s, a style era I’d happily transport myself to. This rich, warm, frosted watch is also available white gold, and the mini version—another up-and-coming watch trend not to be missed—is available in white, pink, and yellow gold. “Small watches are on-trend in the vintage enthusiast space, and AP has stayed ahead of the game by recently releasing a 23mm Royal Oak Mini,” Crawford says.

Colorful watch faces are a hot-ticket item, according to Crawford, and AP’s take on the trend is next-level chic. While Crawford says she isn’t typically a pink-gold girl, for the Royal Oak Selfwinding, she’s happily made an exception. The beauty of this watch speaks for itself, specifically the dial’s pink Grande Tapisserie pattern—a real standout of the Royal Oak collection. This is a watch that takes center stage, and Crawford’s styling allows it to shine. A simple white tank and monochromatic suit showcase how this colorful watch choice can still be timeless.

Crawford’s other favorites include the Royal Oak Offshore with a salmon-colored dial (it’s just gorgeous) and a bold turquoise variation. “A turquoise dial surrounded by a warm yellow gold case worn in the summer is about as Amalfi-coast-older-Italian-lady-chic as you can get. It’s the type of watch that works for a woman who’s back home on the Upper East Side but still feels as if she’s at her summer home in Ojai,” she says. Whether you’re Team Pink or Team Turquoise, these bold color trends are the ones to know.