I got into a weirdly heated argument with a friend last week about whether a watch brand slapping some diamonds on a bezel counts as “making jewelry.” My answer: no. Absolutely not. That’s just a watch that went to a party and got a little too excited.
Real jewelry crossover is different. It’s a brand that started out obsessing over tiny mechanical movements, then one day decided, “you know what, let’s also make a ring you can wear on your other hand, with zero relation to a dial or a crown.” That’s the club I want to talk about today. And it turns out, the club is smaller and older than you’d think. And if you make luxury watches, why not make jewelry as well? Think about Rolex making jewelry inspired by their watches. That would be something cool, right?
Piaget: the one who started it all
Piaget has been making watch movements since 1874, which is already old enough to make most brands blush. But in 1959 they opened dedicated jewelry workshops in Geneva, and that’s when things got serious. Today their jewelry lines aren’t a side hustle, they’re a full-blown identity and side business.
The one everyone talks about is Possession: rings and bangles with a band that actually spins around your finger. It sounds like a fidget toy for rich people, and honestly, that’s kind of exactly what it is, in the best way. Then there’s Piaget Rose, which is solid gold and diamonds shaped like actual roses. Not “rose-inspired.” Actual roses. Somebody in that workshop clearly really likes flowers.
And I must be honest, I really want a ring and a bracelet from Piaget, really cool stuff! And yes, they are also making jewellery for men.
Chopard: happy diamonds that never sit still
Chopard has been around since 1860, originally making high-precision pocket watches. Fast forward to 1985, and artistic director Caroline Scheufele launched Chopard’s standalone fine jewelry line properly.
Their signature move is genuinely one of my favorite ideas in all of jewelry: Happy Diamonds and Happy Hearts. These are necklaces and rings with loose diamonds trapped between two layers of sapphire glass, so they float and spin freely every time you move your hand. It’s basically a snow globe, except instead of snow it’s diamonds, and instead of a Christmas village it’s your finger. I don’t make the rules, I just admire them.
Unfortunately they only make these for women, at least I couldnțt find anything about man wearing these. Of course, if you are Timothee Chalamet you can wear anything.
Omega: yes, THAT Omega
I know, I know. You think Omega, you think Speedmaster, moon landings, James Bond, all very serious tool-watch business. But Omega also runs a proper Fine Jewelry division making solid 18k gold rings, earrings, and necklaces, including pieces in their own Moonshine gold.
The fun part is how much watch DNA leaks into the jewelry. The Constellation jewelry line takes the little “claws” from the Constellation watch case and turns them into ring settings. So if you’ve ever admired a Constellation watch and thought “I wish I could wear that shape without also needing to know the time,” Omega has you covered.
I really was surprised because I am a fan of Omega, and I never knew they make jewelry as well . And that’s not all, they also make wallets, sailing bracelets, cufflinks, sunglasses or Key holders.
It’s crazy, I’m discovering a new world that I had no idea existed. Never clicked on their accessories tab in the menu.
Carl F. Bucherer: the quiet overachiever
Bucherer, founded in Lucerne in 1888, has always had a split personality in the best sense. Carl F. Bucherer handles serious mechanical watchmaking, while the wider Bucherer house runs a genuinely major luxury jewelry operation on the side, doing statement necklaces, cocktail rings, and a big chunk of bridal and engagement jewelry. It doesn’t get talked about as much as Piaget or Chopard, but it’s not a hobby, it’s a whole other business.
They started with jewellery and watches as well, so it’s not like they made and sold watches and one day they decided to make jewellery as well, but still they have some cool stuff , unfortunately I saw nothing for men.
Also they sell stuff from Chopard as well.
Quick Glance for Watch Brands That Also Make Real Jewelry
| Brand | Known for in watches | Standalone jewelry line | What makes it distinct |
| Piaget | Ultra-thin movements since 1874 | Possession, Piaget Rose | Bands that physically rotate |
| Chopard | Precision pocket watches since 1860 | Happy Diamonds, Happy Hearts | Diamonds float freely between glass |
| Omega | Speedmaster, Constellation | Constellation jewelry, Omega Flower | Watch case “claws” reused as ring settings |
| Carl F. Bucherer | Complex mechanical movements | High jewelry, bridal collections | Serious bridal/engagement catalog |
I think this is pretty cool and the interest for jewelry as a man comes with age
If a brand is genuinely serious about jewelry, and not just gluing gemstones onto a case, you’ll usually see the same pattern: a dedicated workshop, its own name, and its own collectors who might not even own one of the brand’s watches. Piaget and Chopard are the clearest examples of that, Omega proves even the toughest tool-watch brand can have a soft side and Bucherer shows it doesn’t always need to be flashy to be real.
Next time someone tells you watch brands and jewelry brands are separate worlds, just casually mention a spinning diamond ring and watch them rethink their whole argument. or present them this article of Watch Brands That Also Make Real Jewelry
Recently I started to like gold, and jewelry. I don’t know why, maybe it comes with age but I feel the need to wear a necklace, a ring or a bracelet. And I like only the expensive ones, for example the Love bracelet from Cartier, not to show off, but it looks really nice. And of course, the pieces from Piaget and Omega are also cool pieces.
I think I’m getting old.
