How To Wear Your Watch Like A Fashion Editor: Marli New York’s L35

The Marli Timepieces L35 stole the limelight at this year’s Watches & Wonders 2026, the maison’s first foray into timekeeping, with the ultimate luxe sports watch of the summer season

Among the countless launches unveiled in Geneva in April, MARLI New York’s debut watch collection emerged as one of the most compelling surprises that we all wanted to walk away with on the spot. Five years in development, the collection marks the jewellery maison’s first step into horology, bringing together New York’s dynamic spirit and the measured precision for which Switzerland is the gold standard.

The reason we all swooned? The dial. Reimagining MARLI New York’s signature pyramid motif in carved mother-of-pearl, each surface is sculpted across five different axes before being polished to a mirror-like finish, creating a shifting play of light that adds rainbow flashes to every flick of the wrist. Framed by a sporty, almost angular case in either 18-karat rose gold or titanium – with the option of a diamond-set bezel for those who need an extra dose of dazzle – the effect is both architecturally imposing and enchantingly luminous.

The confidence of the design language sets these watches apart – they epitomise a glitzy glamour that still feels ultra-sophisticated – but a self-winding Swiss automatic movement sits beneath. This is a watch that has the substance to back up its style – impressive for an horological debut. And for summer? It’s an instant outfit uplifter.

You can never go wrong with a white-strap watch once the mercury rises (although the L35 comes with multiple, self-change strap options for ultimate versatility). Let it add a white accent to a palette of seashell cream, juicy orange and vivid turquoise to liven up summer black, beginning with Chloé’s ruffled LBD – a sassy addition to any summer wardrobe that will take you from a chic picnic to an aperitif on the Riviera. The L35 deserves accessories that will live up to its new icon status – add eye-catching texture with Burberry’s signature checkprint raffia bag, or drama with Loewe’s shell-adorned bucket one, which satisfyingly click-clacks with glossy mussel shells.

Unafraid of getting a little wet, the watch can also be worn poolside, where Gucci’s cut-out one-piece will make an excellent companion. Be sure to add lashings of gold to echo its gleam – a Saint Laurent beaded belt in earthy and black tones will pair perfectly with Chanel’s bead-stack earrings and a chunky cuff by Zimmermann. A flutter of Pubumésu’s elegant fan will ramp up the pin-up factor. When it comes to keeping out the sun, a classic pair of black Ray-Bans are infallibly stylish, while a stripe print scarf by Loewe can protect tresses from harsh summer rays. Nothing says no muss no fuss poolside beauty like glowing skin, a sheer lip balm and a quick cat-eye – add a slick of Hermès’ precision pen eyeliner to feel holiday-ready in Swiss-tracked seconds.

Runway Images: Jason Lloyd Evans. Product Images: Supplied

Fashion Edit by Charlotte Marsh-Williams

From the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia July/August 2026 issue