Earlier this summer, Audemars Piguet breathed life back into the Royal Oak Mini watch. This is a frosted gold 23mm version of the even smaller 1997 predecessor. Another joins the roster as the small packing continues to build on the growing popularity of small watches.
Leigh Safar, Senior Vice President and Specialist in the Watches Department at Sotheby's speaks about the small timepiece. "At auction, in our online sales, smaller watches have been super successful. But they're stronger than they have been in recent years, at least in the United States – ladies' watches have been more popular in Asia for some time, so I think the industry’s response is just more about expanding the clientele, rather than presenting ‘small watches’ as a suddenly new idea."
Smaller Scale Luxurious Watches
Audemars Piguet Revives the Royal Oak Mini Timepiece
Trend Themes
1. Miniature Luxury Timepieces - The revival of smaller, frosted gold watches like the Royal Oak Mini highlights a growing trend towards compact luxury accessories.
2. Gender-inclusive Watch Designs - Increased popularity of smaller watches in auctions suggests a shift towards gender-neutral fashion, making luxury watches more inclusive.
3. Vintage-inspired Watch Collections - Reissue of the Royal Oak Mini from 1997 indicates a trend in revisiting and modernizing classic timepiece designs.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Goods - The luxury goods sector is capitalizing on the demand for compact, high-end accessories like the Royal Oak Mini to attract a broader clientele.
2. Auction Houses - Success of smaller watches in online auctions suggests a lucrative opportunity for auction houses specializing in collectible timepieces.
3. Fashion - Fashion industry trends towards smaller watch designs reflect a broader movement towards minimalistic and versatile fashion accessories.