From Kendall Jenner to Elle Fanning, why bangle watches are back in fashion

The resurgence of bangle watches can be attributed to the influence of high-profile fashion icons such as Kendall Jenner and Elle Fanning. Jenner has been seen wearing Cartier's Baignoire watch for years, while Fanning paired hers with various outfits at the Cannes film festival. The Baignoire watch, a unique combination of a jewel and a timepiece, features an oval-shaped dial on a rigid bracelet, distinguishing it from conventional strap and buckle designs.

Cartier reintroduced the Baignoire in 2023, drawing inspiration from its original design introduced in 1958. The watchmaker's approach to watchmaking through a jeweler's eye, as seen in the Baignoire, has contributed to its popularity. The revived design retains signature curves, sapphire-set winding crown, and a diamond-encrusted motif known as Clou de Paris, which has been part of Cartier's design vocabulary since the 1920s.

Similar to Cartier's approach, other luxury watchmakers, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Bvlgari, Chaumet, Chanel, and Gucci, have revisited the bangle watch form. Van Cleef & Arpels introduced the Toi et Moi secret watch in 2024, incorporating Perlée gold beading. Bvlgari updated its Serpenti Aeterna with rose gold and multicolored gemstones, while Chaumet designed the Joséphine Aigrette, which resembles an open bangle but maintains a delicate profile.

Chanel's Première Galon, inspired by Gabrielle Chanel's tailoring, replaces the masculine codes of traditional watchmaking with a rigid bracelet resembling the twisted braid used in Chanel suits. Gucci's Play watch offers six interchangeable colored ceramic bezels, allowing wearers to customize their look.