20 GRADUATION WATCHES
At every price <3 because student loan debt still exists.
First, best watch spot of the week: A$AP Rocky in a Bulgari Monete watch in Cannes. He’s the most exciting watch collector out right now.
Now: Grad watches.
Last month, I spoke on a career day discussion panel at my high school in downtown New York City (I grew up in Hoboken, NJ but would commute into the city – #bridgeandtunnel). Next to me on the panel was a doctor, a lawyer, an architect, a finance guy and a teacher. Such REAL jobs. I felt a little imposter syndrome up there, talking to the entire high school about forging a career in the luxury watch industry via journalism and content creation. What I do feels so frivolous compared to, say, the pediatrician working with low-income families to ensure the best childcare.
So… thank god for the senior girl that came up to me after, asking a question maybe she felt wasn’t important enough to ask in front of the whole school. She explained that she’s about to graduate, and her parents offered to get her a watch to celebrate that achievement – but what to get?!
Her question jolted me back into my purpose, which is educating the girlies about watches. No one NEEDS watch. They are not SAVING LIVES. But they can be tangible symbols of our success, which is real :’) We need to celebrate our wins (let’s go Knicks).
Last week, I had coffee with Meg Strachan, aka
, aka the founder of the accessible jewelry brand Dorsey,. and she asked me what I’m inspired by. Honestly, it’s small moments like this. A teenage girl in need of watch advice.In addition to hearing my opinion meant anything to her (per Sofia Coppola in her i-D interview by Steff Yotka: “I feel really complimented if a teenage girl accepts something I do because that’s the hardest critic.”), it was exciting for me to hear that she was seeking a gift typically reserved for male graduates.
When my dad graduated law school in June 1986, my chic, sober icon grandma Sally gifted him a Rolex Datejust with a blue dial, engraved with his initials and his grad date. The watch has since been passed down to me, but if I hadn’t started Dimepiece, it would have almost certainly gone to my brother. Because men historically get the grad watches. And men pass watches down to other men.
Well, we’re switching up the status quo. If you’re graduating this spring, ask for a watch, regardless of your gender identity. And if you’re unsure of what to ask for (as I was when I was searching for my first luxury watch – the vast array of what’s available online is INTIMIDATING), I’ve created this list* of my fav femme-focused watches for every price range… Under $500, under $5000 (with only three above that if you’re fancy). I had to practice some real restraint, narrowing my selects down to 20 – so if you still don’t see your dream watch here, DM me and we’ll figure it out.
UNDER $500
Breda Jane Watch ($195)
I love Breda! They’re a small company based out of Texas offering affordable, cute watches that I spot constantly on chic young New Yorkers. I’ve worked with them several times, and the team is sooooo nice and genuine that I’m truly happy to support them. Plus, the founder comes from a family with roots in the watch biz, so you know it’s real. I love their Jane watches with the woven bracelet the most.
Kate Spade Heart Watch ($245)
This is a great heart shaped watch if you can’t find a good vintage YSL one (see below) or want to save a little money. J’adore j’adore. Mon cœur. I haven’t seen this gold-tone stainless steel watch in person, but it looks flirty and fun to stack with your summery beaded bracelets.
Seiko 5 ($295)
Seiko is an iconic Japanese brand that gave the Swiss a run for their money when they helped popularize the “quartz” battery movement (an alternative to mechanical movements, making for more affordable watches – if you’re confused about what this means, DM me). The sporty Seiko 5 watch, in particular, is very popular amongst the boyz – but I love this sized down version for the girlies. In stainless steel, it’s durable and perf for any summer adventure, whether you’re backpacking through Europe or the mean streets of your hometown.
Tissot PRX Mini ($325)
The Tissot PRX is a reissue of an original 1970s design that is chattered about as one of the best affordable Swiss watches in the game. I own one!! But I wish I owned this mini version, which just dropped last year, riding the wave of the small watches boom. If you’re like me and can’t afford an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak like Rihanna or a Patek Philippe Nautilus like Hailey Bieber – but you’re a fan of ‘70s style “sport” watches – this is for you.
Swarovski Gem Watch ($500)
Ever since I saw this Swarovski watch in the windows at their massive 5th avenue flagship store, I’ve been obsessed with it. It’s juicy, like candy. I want a whole drawer at BonBon filled with them in every color. It’s so hard to choose which is best (pink? blue? green?). What if you bought a couple and stacked them…..? Nooo that’s crazyyyyy. Unlesssss……
UNDER $1K
Viral Gucci ($595, pre-owned)
If you’re on TikTok, you’re probably already aware of this super fun Gucci watch with the interchangeable colored bezels (the ring that goes around the watch’s case). It went viral for a reason – how fun to be able to change colors on it like a mood ring. This watch came out around the ‘70s/’80s under the creative direction of Severin Wunderman, a truly incredible figure in the watch scene who essentially saved Gucci from bankruptcy back in the day by establishing their watch program (inventing the “fashion watch” as we know it today). Get yourself a piece of watchmaking history and look cute doing it!
Bulgari Bulgari ($695)
I wrote an article about the Bulgari Bulgari aka the “BB”, hoping it would make a big comeback when the brand re-launched it last year – but so far (even with a LISA collaboration) it seems to be flying under the radar! The BB originally came out in the ‘70s, a sporty, minimal yet kinda flashy watch… It worked well in the Reagan ‘80s, when George Michael famously accessorized it with that lush head of hair, those bedroom eyes and his signature gold cross earring. And… It worked in the ‘90s when Carrie Bradshaw wore it during her Aidan era. I’m sure it worked for the y2k era, too, because Foundwell and I sourced a tiny steel version from 2000 that we sold within a day of listing. This version is not so different from the one we sold, so if you don’t have Bulgari Serpenti money yet, you can invest in this watch as a way into the world of Italian luxury.
Charriol Alexandre ($749, pre-owned)
J’adore Charriol, which was started in 1983 by the former president of Cartier, Philippe Charriol. Since 2020, his daughter, Coralie Charriol (iconic blonde bombshell amazing intelligent woman) has been in charge as CEO and creative director. So cool to see how Coralie has developed this very female forward brand, and her new stuff is amazing (visit the Charriol website), but here’s a super affordable vintage one from 1stDibs! I love the blue-pinky mother of pearl dial and the sporty, stainless steel very y2k overall looque.
Movado Museum Bangle ($750)
Movado is one of the few Swiss heritage brands (established in 1881!) that serves up luxury at an affordable price. In lock-step with the current trend (I hope it's more than a trend) of jewelry forward, stackable watches, this is their "Museum Watch" (punctuated by the famous dot at the 12 o'clock) on a flirty bangle. C'est cute!
UNDER $5K
(I’d include more pics but I’m at the email length limit, so click on the links!)
YSL Heart Bangle ($1110.51, pre-owned)
I’m literally obsessed with this YSL Heart Watch. Why aren’t there more heart shaped watches?!?! This design came out in the ‘80s and there are several variations out there on the secondary market (eBay, Etsy, etc.). I love this bangle version (def more expensive than the leather strapped options), but they’re all cute… And I feel like the price is rising, so scoop yours up before it’s fully a thing.
Chanel Premiére ($1575, pre-owned)
J’adore the Chanel Premiére watch <3 The classic Chanel chain interwoven with leather is used here as the bracelet, which is just… génial. And Chanel watches are having a real moment right now. They just dropped a double-wrap Premiére at Watches & Wonders (the big annual watch tradeshow in Switzerland), but that is trés cher… This one is a good price and just as chicy chic. Ça va mon français? Is it getting annoying?
Omega Constellation ($1595, pre-owned)
Ever since I saw y2k tennis icon Anna Kournikova wearing her Omega Constellation on the court, I've been into this watch. It was designed by a woman (!!), accented with 18K yellow gold and comes from one of the most prestigious Swiss luxury watch brands at a very reasonable price.
Frederique Constant Manchette ($1950)
I got to try on the Frederique Constant Manchette at Watches & Wonders (the big annual watch tradeshow in Switzerland) this past Spring and it’s soooo fun! It’s very, like, glam rock? Dare I say “indie sleaze” lol? Frederique Constant was founded in 1988, making it one of the younger Swiss watch brands, but it has made a name for itself by offering affordable luxury (v rare in this industry).
TAG Heuer Aquaracer ($2050)
I own a teeny tiny Heuer diver, and it’s one of my favorite watches EVER. My friend gave it to me after buying it for, like, $300 on eBay. Those exact watches don’t exist anymore (google reference 980.008 if you’re looking for something similar to what I own), but, looking at the current TAG Heuer collection, I do love this small sporty chic, light blue dial Aquaterra. TAG is a great “starter” luxury watch and was HUGE in the ‘90s/y2k era, which has been having the longest running comeback in history.
Cartier Tank Française ($3010, pre-owned)
This was the first ever luxury watch I bought for myself, so of course I have to recommend it. It’s small, steel and low-key. Perfect for traveling, goes with literally everything, and hails from Cartier, theeee most coveted brand right now. This version of the Française is the same design from when it debuted in 1997 (Princess Diana owned the gold one). Cartier has since re-designed the watch, so you can’t get this version (which I like much better than the new one) from the source. Which is probably why prices for it have gone up on the secondary market. Worth it though… My watch collection has grown slightly, but this is still the one that gets the most wear.
Hermès Heure H ($3850)
Everyone wants a Cartier Tank, but they can be a little pricey. And then there are the numerous Cartier Tank knockoffs by the affordable brands (I shan’t name names)... These are fine, but I always say… If, from a distance, a knockoff watch design could be mistaken for the luxury version… It’s a no. That’s why I find the Hermès Heure H so compelling. It’s got all the ingredients the classic Cartier Tank has: The square-ish case, the leather strap. The ‘H’, though, is a quirky, very Hermès touch that makes it just different enough. Hermès watches are hotter than ever, with the luxury French house investing more in their ladies offerings (we love to see it). Also… Lana del Rey has this watch. Say less? There are lots of Hermès H watches on the luxury consignment sites that are more affordable than this one, but if you want new, this is a good choice! To go with your imaginary Birkin!
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso ($4695, pre-owned)
Most of you are graduating in late May or June, so what better time to invest in the historic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso aka the GEMINI of the watch world. I call it that because this watch has two faces – one side is a watch, and then you can literally “reverse” it so that the smooth, steel caseback faces outwards. This ingenious design came out in 1931 so that super-chic polo players could wear the watch mid-match, watch dial facing inwards, so it wouldn’t get damaged. I also love that the Reverso is perfect for engravings – you could get your graduation date engraved on the caseback, so that when you pass it down one day, it feels even more special and personal!
ABOVE $5K (RICH!)
Rolex Datejust ($5560, pre-owned)
Everyone deserves a Rolex Datejust. Theeee most classic, versatile watch out there. I own one, and fun fact: I bought mine on Rebag, which is where this one is from (this one isn’t identical to mine – it has the rare “linen dial” – but pretty close… All you need to know is that a tiny two-tone Datejust is the Carmela Soprano watch). I know it can be scary buying an expensive vintage watch from a luxury consignment website, so if you have questions, feel free to DM me… I have some hot tips.
Cartier Baignoire Bangle ($17,800)
Ever since this Baignoire Bangle dropped in 2023, it has been THE it-girl watch, spotted on everyone from Kylie Jenner to Emma Chamberlain. Inspired by the original Baignoire (dating back to the 1960s-ish), this jewelry-forward version on a stackable BANGLE set the watch world on fire when it dropped in 2023 and hasn't slowed in momentum yet. It's pricey, so I hope you were the Valedictorian!!!
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas ($27,200)
The Bulgari Sssssserpenti is a 75 year old design that, today, is more relevant than ever. It’s also the Scorpio of the watch world, if that helps your case. I love this Tubogas version from the ‘90s. It’s flashy and fabulous, but somehow looks just as great with jeans and a t-shirt as it does with a party dress?! This is an extravagant grad gift, but I had to include it for the extravagant baddie out there with summer plans involving coastal Italy and super generous parents.
STILL DON’T KNOW WHAT TO ASK FOR? DM ME! <3 LET’S GET YOU SOMETHING YOU LOVE!
*I make a small commission on all of the above products via “ShopMy”, which I just got approved for. But every watch is a true recommendation – even if I weren’t making a little bit of $ off it, I’d have recommended it! #transparency
Parting note: Why Gen Z might be interested in getting a watch over any other gift for graduation? Its grounding longevity, per writer Zaynab Issa. Read my interview with her here.
omg bring your Brynn to school day
Made me drool and I am definitely way past graduation age! Frédérique Constant is so refreshingly new to me. Thanks for this dream list.