These Designer Watches Went From Want to Need After I Tried Them IRL

The Luxury List is a monthly column on all things luxury, tapping the foremost experts in the fashion space to explore everything from craftsmanship deep dives to the little-known details to consider when buying fine jewelry.

In the latest installment of The Luxury List, I'm focusing on a topic I've been eager to dive into—the best designer watches on the market to have on your radar. I'm personally considering my first investment-watch purchase, so I've been studying the most iconic designer watch brands as well as the cult models that you'll spot on celebrities and fashion insiders. After entrenching myself into the world of designer watches, there are some key styles to know. These include everything from iconic brands you'll be familiar with to limited-edition pieces collected by the most in-the-know watch connoisseurs.

To familiarize myself with the most talked-about pieces further, I decided to test-drive them in person—heading to dedicated watch boutiques and jewelry maisons, as well as watch specialists including Bucherer who house an extensive collection of new and vintage styles. After trying them myself, I landed on a short list of the pieces I would add to my personal collection. Cartier, in particular, topped my list with several standout styles, and iconic pieces from Rolex and Audemars Piguet also landed on my wish list. Here, discover five designer watches to know about if you're considering the investment.

Cartier Panthère de Cartier

Cartier is home to many iconic watches, but the Panthère de Cartier is carving itself out as a key buy among the fashion set and celebs, including Dua Lipa, who wears hers on repeat. Originally launched in 1983, this style is a nod to the decade but couldn't look more modern to this day. The Mini styles, in particular, are noteworthy in light of the small-watch trend that is taking over right now—a style that is a favorite of celebrities like Kylie Jenner.

Rolex Datejust

One of the most iconic watch brands in existence, Rolex is synonymous with luxury timepieces. The timeless design of the Datejust watches makes them a popular choice among fashion people looking for a classic, versatile piece. From smaller Lady Datejust styles to the larger Presidential Datejust watches, there is a silhouette for every wrist size.

Cartier Baignoire

The Cartier Baignoire watch offers up an elegant take on timepieces. While the watch dates back to 1906, the rereleased versions have been the talk of the watch world, including the bangle style that is nearly impossible to track down. Perhaps no style embodies cult watches now more than the Cartier Baignoire.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Audemars Piguet is a true watch insider's watch brand. With limited-edition releases and fine craftsmanship, the brand produces the most highly coveted watches in the world. Its most popular design, the Royal Oak, was introduced in 1972 and can be spotted on celebs such as Mary-Kate Olsen and Harry Styles. Bucherer has an incredible collection of vintage styles I was able to try out.

Cartier Tank Américaine

Though I tried on a wide range of brands, I kept coming back to Cartier's beautiful timepieces, and the third style to land on my short list was the Tank Américaine. First released in 1989, the elegant tank-style watch has seen a resurgence recently among women in the watch world. The leather-band versions are particularly popular, but those with the metal bracelets are equally stunning.