Why Taylor Swift’s Watch Almost Outshone Her Diamond
Thanks to Taylor Swift, square and rectangular watches are about to have a major moment…
Taylor Swift’s dreamy garden engagement to Travis Kelce made headlines last night for all the right reasons; the half a million-dollar ring, the fairy-tale photos, and the collective internet meltdown. But true connoisseurs gaze noticed something else sparkling in the announcement photos: not just her diamond, but the Cartier Santos Demoiselle watch on her wrist. And honestly? The watch is just as big a flex as the rock.
A rare, discontinued model from Cartier, the Santos Demoiselle is the definition of quiet luxury. Slim, elegant, and timeless, however the piece is no longer available to buy directly from Cartier boutiques, making it a coveted collector’s item. Unlike Swift’s old mine brilliant-cut diamond ring, which references romance and drama, her choice of watch hints at heritage, and a certain understated boast that only those in the know can pull off.
Swift’s choice also fits neatly into her long-standing love affair with Cartier. Though she rarely participates in brand partnerships or deliberate red-carpet product placements, the pop icon has been spotted in Cartier jewellery on multiple occasions, gravitating toward pieces that feel both timeless and subtly subversive, making her Cartier moments feel organic.
But do not be fooled, the Cartier Santos is no ordinary timepiece. Born in 1904, it was one of the world’s first wristwatches, conceived by Louis Carter for his aviator friend, Alberto Santos-Dumont, when the pilot had asked Cartier for a practical alternative to checking his pocket watch mid-flight. The resulting square-shaped wristwatch with exposed screws became instantly iconic. Though Taylor’s iteration of the Demoiselle is much more compact – the lines are softened, the proportions slender – it still honours the aviator who inspired its creation.
For those who want a Taylor-coded watch but can’t get their hands on a rare Santos Demoiselle, here are 5 timepiece twin flames worth investing in…
The Chanel Première
This watch is Paris distilled into a timepiece. Its shape echoes the silhouette of Place Vendôme, the world’s most prestigious hub of haute jewellers, and the bottle stopper of Chanel’s iconic No. 5 perfume. It features a midnight black-lacquer dial, with golden hands and no numerals, and the strap of the watch is reminiscent of the chain of the Chanel 2.55 handbag. It’s Chanel personified in a timepiece – audacious, unique, and forever bold.
The Santos De Cartier
The Santos De Cartier is bold, architectural, and unafraid of its own screws. It has a forever place in Cartier’s repertoire of timepieces as a symbol of both elegance and practicality. Belonging to the same horological family as Taylor’s watch, the Santos De Cartier is an outright classic for its refined and tasteful style, with a little androgynous edge.
The Longines DolceVita
Inspired by a model from the 1920s, this watch is an ode to art deco minimalism. Its slender case is elongated like a silk ribbon caught mid-air, and its sleek, rectangular, and indisputably elegant silhouette captures both the spirit of art-deco and modern steel timepieces.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
With a swivelling case that’s both practical and a design marvel, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso was conceived originally to protect polo players’ watch faces while out on the field. Today, it is beloved for its sharp tuxedo-like lines, especially the iterations set with lashings of diamonds.
The Patek Philippe Twenty-4 4910/1201R-010
Marking the 25th anniversary of the Twenty-4 collection, the rose gold and purple lacquer dial is a bold choice from Patek Philippe. Similar to Taylor’s timepiece, it features a dusting of diamonds upon the case, with an integrated bracelet that continues its jewellery feel.
