It is unbelievable how time flies by and we are already at the threshold of 2023. Even though we are still in October, luxury watch brands are already preparing significant changes for the upcoming year regarding new models, collections, technical upgrades, and design improvements. The watch trends, however, don’t change every other year. Some brands focus on the promotion of existing models in the belief that they are beyond all expectations and still meet the audience’s requirements. Either way, some predictions still are available even if we don’t have a magic crystal ball to expose them with absolute certainty.
To begin with, the statistics indicate two main directions: the one covers the increase in smartwatch demands, and the other refers to the interest maintenance (if not increase) for the conventional luxury timepieces. Generally speaking, timepieces have amazingly evolved from practical time-only accessories to symbols of wealth, status, and statement. Even the most minimalist watches that include no comp[lex features are perceived as style accessories. A formally-dressed man can imagine his look complete if he doesn’t put on a Patek Philippe watch.
This introduction chapter concludes that watches, be they smartwatches or classic ones, generate a high and constant interest for those who want to express themselves. It is phenomenal to observe how these “tools” combine practicality with the statement. Further on, let’s see what experts expect from the 2023 watch industry and what timepieces will be the most valuable.
The 2023 future of classic watches
To make things clear, “classic” timepieces refer to all watches except for smartwatches. They predominantly refer to luxury brands creating sports, formal, diving, and pilot timepieces. I call them “classic” because they feature traditional functional mechanisms including quartz, automatic, or manual movements. For me, at least, they will always remain classic watches because they represent the art of watchmaking based on traditional knowledge gained for centuries.
While many luxury watch brands ambitiously focus on plenty of complications, minimalist timepieces have been shadowed lately.
But, experts have surprising news to announce for 2023. According to their opinion, the next year will register a phenomenal boost in minimalist timepieces.
Minimalism trend
So, minimalism is the first trend to expect for the upcoming year. The concept of these watches revolves around the idea that “less is more”. And indeed, looking at these watches you will never see intricate complications and functions. Maximum what you can see is a date window. Instead, these timepieces are full of elegant charisma. Their details and contours are perfect. They don’t overpower. On the contrary, they balance gorgeously the man or woman style elevating it to the highest levels of exquisiteness.
Experts say that the interest in minimalist watches in 2023 is a natural effect. During the last few years, the audience has been saturated with technological gadgets including smartwatches. Also, the thirst for intricate sports watches featuring plenty of complications has been satisfied. As a result, people will tend to temper their spirits, adding to their collections “calmer” watches, yet exquisite.
Self-consciousness trend
Luckily, people have become more conscious of global issues. Thanks to plenty of non-governmental organizations and efficient marketing strategies, the audience turned to be more sensitive to global warming and ocean pollution, among other global problems. As a result, the interest in eco-friendly products will become even more evident than in the previous year. People are eager to support these major purposes and will contribute by any possible means. In the watch world, there are already a couple of brands massively focusing on the production of timepieces from biodegradable components. Companies that haven’t done it yet should better hurry up since this is what consumers will be looking for in 2023.
Vintage trend
Even though the vintage watch style hasn’t suffered majorly during the last years, the 2023 year promises to revive the audience’s attention on it. Vintage timepieces have always had a notable place in watch enthusiasts’ collections.
These have a “heavy” position in the watch industry and it’s highly likely that they will become consumer favorites in the upcoming year.
Many people tend to mistakenly believe that all vintage timepieces remain the same as they were decades ago. In fact, watchmaking houses consistently work on them, improving and adapting their design and technical architecture. Therefore, it is not excluded to see a model of a vintage timepiece featuring a new function or a slightly different design. However, they always preserve the “vintage roots” since the vintage spirit is sacred for the watch brands.
The role of smartwatches in 2023
Even though the 2019 lockdown has been associated with tough times for most people, some industries were fortunate enough to become even more productive and demanded by the audience. It is about global digitalization that skyrocketed during pandemics. All of us would have probably enjoyed the cosmic levels it achieved if it hadn’t been a result of the global viral disease. But, as we know, necessity is the mother of invention and the world had to quickly adapt to the lockdown by digitizing everything possible.
Either way, even with such a dramatic background, digital products will still be rising in 2023. This refers to smartwatches as well. On one hand, smart gadgets have always been impressive due to their technologically phenomenal properties. On the other hand, people buying them report that they opt for their health monitoring properties rather than for their technological potential. And here we also see the impact and effect of pandemics. People have become more conscious about their health and invest in devices that help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. This won’t change in 2023 as the audience will keep focusing on its health condition.
Sports watches
As a result of the health-conscious trend, people will also embrace sports watches. The audience will cover both digital sports watches and conventional sports timepieces that indicate some basic speed/duration indices. In this context, chronograph dials will remain sought-after.
Final thoughts
It is not excluded that we will find out more from experts in December. But for now, these are the main expectations regarding the watch industry. Who knows what watch brands prepare for us? Will they focus on the audience’s demands or will create something absolutely beyond our expectations?! Share your visions and perspectives on the matter. I will be glad to embrace your opinions.