What do women watch wearers and collectors want? That’s the great, difficult question that puzzles many a brand. Is it a matter of seasonal trends that come and go, and which go together with outfits, bags, shoes, jewels and all? Or is it one of classic, season-less taste, of investment-worthy elegance that will never look dated in the years to come?
The truth is there is no right answer. The greatest, and the most worthwhile thing—as it is in fashion—is a sense of individuality and personality. Tiny, smaller watches might be in vogue at the moment, but you’d be hard-pressed, say, convincing a loyal Paneristi to downsize. Someone—like senior consultant at WGSN Jien Tan for example—who loves the do-no-wrong classic good looks of a Cartier Tank Française, which dates its design lineage back to 1917, is unlikely to be swayed until a watch out there has a good decade in it. “What matters to me is the story—the romance of where a watch has been and the life it has lived,” she muses. Meanwhile, there are those who wear it like armour. Mandy Wong, CEO of TBWA\Group Singapore, views her various timepieces as reminders of significant milestones, but also an essential element that helps her feel empowered in her day to day routine.
As an attempt to account for multifarious tastes—the more varied the better—Vogue Singapore spoke with three stylish women on the watches they wear, and what they’ve got their eyes on next.
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Lila Tan, footballer and model
What’s a typical day of yours like, and how does a watch fit into that?
My days are usually quite fluid—moving between training, work, and time spent out in the city. A watch grounds my day and keeps me present. It’s one of the few accessories I put on instinctively before leaving the house, and it elevates my outfit ever so slightly!
Are there any gaps in your collection at the moment?
I’m always drawn to more understated pieces. I don’t feel the need to cover every category of watch. Instead, I’m leaning further into vintage pieces that blur the line between jewellery and utility.
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Lila Tan, footballer and model
What’s your wishlist watch at the moment, and why?
I’m very much a Casio Vintage girl—I have the A158WA-1, AQ-230A-7AMQY, and AQ-800E-7A2, and I love their versatility and timelessness. The Casio ring watch has been living rent-free in my mind, it feels playful yet slightly unexpected. I love how it challenges the idea of what a watch is supposed to look like. I am also very drawn to the LTP-1234LL-7A, the classic black leather strap contrasted with its silver rectangular analog dial—it’s such a timeless piece.
What details or factors are you thinking about when dreaming about a watch?
Timelessness is the main aspect, how effortlessly a watch fits into my personal style. I think about proportion, how it sits on the body, and whether it feels natural rather than performative.
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Mandy Wong, CEO of TBWA\Group Singapore
What is a typical day of yours like, and how does a watch fit into that?
While many have gotten used to checking their phones to keep track of time, I much prefer using my watch. I’m pretty much shuttled from one meeting to the next at work every day. From client conversations, internal meetings and e-mails to quick decisions in-between, my schedule is tightly managed to ensure I stay punctual. It’s critical for me to get the best out of each day. But, for me, a watch is more than just a way to tell time. It’s an essential that completes my starting point of the day. It’s like the final piece of armour I put on to conquer what’s ahead.
Are there any gaps in your collection at the moment?
I’m quite happy with my collection so far from an aesthetic and functional perspective. But of course, there are pieces I still aspire to own. What’s life without aspiration? For me, a watch isn’t a symbol of status but a reminder of my journey through time. Be it a moment of joy, a celebration of a significant milestone, and even for remembrance. One of my watches symbolises the end of an era and a reminder of the lessons I learned during that time.
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Mandy Wong, CEO of TBWA\Group Singapore
What’s your wishlist watch at the moment, and why?
A Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Bronze Green Dial 47mm. I’m drawn to the beauty of how the bronze frame will change over time to an antique-like feel, like a piece of wisdom on my wrist. I’m also missing a green face watch. This piece has exactly the shade of green I’m after.
What details or factors are you thinking about when considering or dreaming about a watch?
It’s less of me dreaming about a watch, and more of the impression it makes at first glance. That image needs to stay with me long after I’ve seen it for the first time. Almost as if it’s a watch I’ve been missing, rather than one I am searching for. Functionally, I have a very small wrist, but I tend to go for a more masculine form and aesthetic. I love a good unexpected fit, and I also love the weight of a heavy watch! Makes me feel strong and empowered.
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Jien Goh, senior consultant at WGSN
What’s a typical day of yours like, and how does a watch fit into that?
A watch for me functions far more as jewellery than as a time-telling device. My work life moves quickly; no two days look the same and I’m often travelling. So putting on a watch has become a small grounding ritual—the one consistent thing I wear every single day.
Are there any gaps in your collection at the moment?
Believe it or not, I only own one watch—a Cartier Tank Française my mum handed down to me. I grew up watching her wear it every day, so it’s become something that holds a lot of sentimental value for me. I would love a few more pieces that give off different moods or give me more silhouettes to play with, especially for stacking with jewellery.
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Jien Goh, senior consultant at WGSN
What’s your wishlist watch at the moment, and why?
I am unapologetically a Cartier girl. I’m currently on the lookout for either a vintage Cartier Santos Carrée with a burgundy dial—it has that unexpected je ne sais quoi about it. Or a Cartier Baignoire Mini, which I appreciate for its elegant & petite form. It’s difficult to choose between both pieces as they have such different attitudes, but feel timeless all the same.
What details or factors are you thinking about when considering or dreaming about a watch?
I don’t understand horology in the technical sense, and I’m not drawn to watches as flex pieces or status symbols. What matters to me is the story—the romance of where a watch has been and the life it has lived (even if I’m the one imagining it!). I think about watches the way I think about jewellery: does it feel true to my style, and does it sit naturally with the pieces I already wear? Ultimately, I’d love to build a small collection of Cartier watches that marks the different chapters, people or milestones in my life.
