Celebrity-Approved Timepieces To Elevate Your Traditional Look

When it comes to styling traditional wear for men, Indian celebrities deliver some of the most memorable looks to take inspiration from, and more so if you are looking for a fine timepiece to pair with your lush bandhgalas or achkans. Pulling out the best Indian designers and the world’s most coveted watch brands, our favourite celebrities are experts at creating head-turning, inspirational looks. Sidharth Malhotra, for one, enhanced his yellow Manish Malhotra kurta-pyjama with the luxurious and well-complementing Rolex Cosmograph Daytona during his wedding celebrations. Likewise, Anant Ambani stole the show in a gem-set Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time at the opening of Neeta Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. Equally, on-point was KL Rahul’s choice of watches for his wedding celebrations. His looks were dipped in understated elegance and enhanced by popular timepieces from Patek Philippe and Cartier.

Indeed, extensively decorated and ostentatious timepieces render the ensemble as glamorous as such occasions demand. These days celebrities are also showing a predilection for simplistic and more timeless watches that could become one with the look instead of standing out. So, the next time when you are pulling out those magnificent sherwanis or kurta sets from your wardrobe for a special event, make sure you have one of the below listed celebrity-approved luxury watches to accessorise your look.

Breguet Tradition

Ranbir Kapoor chose the Breguet Tradition 7057 to accompany him on his special day. The watch with a skeleton dial spotlighting the beauty of hand-wound calibre 507 DR1 mirrored the intricate embroidery of his silk Sabyasachi sherwani. 11mm thick, the watch comfortably sat under the sleeves, peeking most elegantly during the arm’s swift movements.

Breguet Tradition can be paired with subtly-hued sherwanis and kurta sets to create a look that's understated yet statement

Elaborate timepieces from the Breguet Tradition line have swooned many other famous names, including south stars Mammootty and Mohanlal. The expert craftsmanship on display and the celebrated legacy of Breguet make these watches a tasteful choice for styling a traditional Indian look.

Cartier Santos

Santos de Cartier has received a nod of approval from celebrities galore. It’s a timepiece that translates into both traditional and Western ensembles perfectly. KL Rahul flaunted the steel and gold bracelet version for his haldi ceremony in January this year, pairing it with an understated beige kurta set.

If you're wearing something as toned-down as KL Rahul's haldi kurta set, then Santos de Cartier is a fine timepiece to accessorise with. It complements the muted aesthetic while adding some extra character to the look

KL Rahul wore Santos de Cartier W2SA0009 featuring a 39.8mm steel case, a yellow gold bezel carrying the signature screws, a legible dial with a date window, and a steel bracelet

Cartier Santos De Cartier W515336, available at Second Movement

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A. Lange and Söhne Datograph

Wearing a humble Anita Dogre kurta set for an intimate Diwali celebration last year, Farhan Akhtar accessorised with the high-precision Datograph by A. Lange and Söhne. Harnessing a flyback chronograph mechanism, a big date function, and a pulsometer, the calibre L 951.1 sits conspicuously behind the sapphire crystal caseback. Therefore, while the gold construction of the watch adds a touch of luxe elegance, the visible movement arouses – oh wow – reactions.

The complicated dial of Farhan Akhtar's A. Lange and Söhne Datograph contrasts beautifully with his minimal Anita Dogre kurta set. Hence, if you are opting for a similarly softer palette, you can pick a detailed timepiece to strike a balance

The A. Lange and Söhne Datograph worn by Farhan Akhtar is reference 403.032 with an 18K rose gold case and a leather strap. Its silver dial carries a big date aperture at noon and chronograph sub-dials at four and seven

Franck Muller Vanguard 

Trust Ranveer Singh to dazzle any look with his peculiar, flamboyant style. We particularly love this 2019 Rohit Bal look he donned for a wedding in Abu Dhabi, complete with slick hair and Carrera sunglasses for a dramatic effect. He also wore an extravagant Franck Muller Vanguard Yachting. The statement piece with a rich white gold case wreathed in diamonds is a high-watchmaking piece worth a few crores.

To satiate your thirst for maximalism, complement a well-decorated, characterful traditional Indian wear with an equally exuberant timepiece. Take cues from Ranveer Singh as he pairs his embroidered sherwani with a diamond-decked Franck Muller

Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion

Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion is an intricate piece of watchmaking, with a skeletonised dial and a bevvy of practical complications that creates a statement whenever worn. Suniel Shetty aptly chose it to accessorise his traditional kurta and veshti look for KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty’s nuptials.

Suniel Shetty won millions of hearts for his humble kurta-and-veshti look sported for his daughter — Athiya Shetty's wedding. He elevated his modest outfit with elaborate neckpieces and an intricately-designed Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion. Achieve a similar aesthetic by combining your understated Indian wear with a statement-making watch

Suniel Shetty's Classic Fusion Aerofusion Moonphase King is a 42mm watch held by a black alligator leather strap. It features a full calendar: moon phase, month, date, and day

Hublot Aerofusion Moonphase Black Magic 517.CX.0170.LR, available at Second Movement

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Patek Philippe Nautilus

Hailed as the most iconic watch brand, Patek Philippe watches make the most elegant choice for dressing up a traditional Indian look. Ram Charan teamed an 18k rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus with his custom Shantanu & Nikhil bandhgala for the red carpet look at the Oscars, where his movie RRR’s song Naatu Naatu made India proud by winning the Best Original Song. KL Rahul also wore a Patek Philippe Nautilus in steel on his wedding day.  

Go all-classic by teaming your traditional Indian wear with a timeless watch like the Patek Philippe Nautilus. Ram Charam perfectly complemented his black bandhgala embellished with gold-hued buttons with a rose gold Nautilus

Patek Philippe Nautilus also works wonderfully as a choice of timepiece for would-be grooms. It's a failproof option that can be paired well with brightly-hues sherwanis as well as subtly-coloured ones like LK Rahul's

Patek Philippe Nautilus reference 5712/1A worn by KL Rahul on his wedding day. It arrives with a stainless steel case and bracelet featuring moon phase, date, small seconds, and a power reserve indicator on the textured blue dial

Vacheron Constantin Overseas

Another timepiece to create an all-classic traditional look like Jr. N.T.R.'s Oscar ensemble is the Vacheron Constantin Overseas. Its fluid silhouette and unequivocal charm will complement all your designer Indian wear

Another proud Indian celebrity at the Oscars this year was Jr. NTR, also representing the movie RRR like his co-star Ram Charan, sizzled in a custom Gaurav Gupta bandhgala adorned by an intricate tiger embroidery on the shoulder. He accentuated the look with the Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton model from the Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection. In gold with a skeleton dial, the watch made the entire look as iconic as his movie RRR.