Timeless style is always a must in Hollywood. From red carpets to red carpet roll outs, it’s always a moment to shine in the industry we all admire.
The Knockturnal sat down exclusively with Kristen Shirley, founder of La Patiala, to discuss all things luxury watches, where to find them, and who’s who that wears them. Launched in January of this year, La Patiala is curated with content on the finer things in life in a way that is accessible and easy to understand. The digital destination is designed to ease the apprehension and intimidation many people naturally exhibit toward luxury goods and empower readers to travel, shop, and collect with the utmost confidence.
On October 18th, La Patiala published The Watch Encyclopedia, a collection of 50 articles penned by Kristen that demystify watches and luxury timepieces. The Watch Encyclopedia is a straightforward and easy-to-understand way for all people, from experts to entry-level enthusiasts, to delve into the world of watches. Featuring 50 articles that detail the designs, functions, how watches work and so much more, consumers can truly understand the features that every watch has to offer, and select the one that is right for them. The Watch Encyclopedia makes information about watches and luxury timepieces accessible and understandable, allowing everybody to enjoy what have long been considered accessories for the elite.
How do luxury watches become more accessible to non-collectors? Auction houses are a great way to find luxury watches at affordable price points, as long as you’re not looking for the most exclusive, in-demand models. With a little research and some patience, you can find beautiful watches from luxury brands at a fraction of the retail price. I should know: I snagged a stunning gold Piaget watch from Bonhams auction house this summer. It is from the 1980s, but because watch designs don’t change that much over the years, it still looks just as gorgeous today.
What luxury watches will we want to keep an eye out for this holiday season?I think the holidays are the perfect time to wear jewelry watches. These petite watches have beautiful diamonds and gem settings that are perfect for parties during the festive season.
Can you give new luxury watch buyers insight into how they may find pieces their
favorite celebrities are wearing? If they’re not able to buy directly, where would someone
get started? If you like a watch a celebrity is wearing, bring a picture to a watch retailer that is an authorized
dealer of that brand and see if they can identify it for you. You can buy the watch if they have it
or join the waitlist. If you simply can’t wait, your best bet is to peruse pre-owned watch websites
like Watchbox, Crown & Caliber, or Watchfinder. Of course, if you’re looking for an extremely
limited watch, like Tyler, the Creator’s Cartier Crash, you might not get closer than the picture.
What 3 celebrities should we be following for the watches they wear, and why? LeBron James has a wild watch collection that includes steel watches with colorful dials, impressive complicated timepieces, and diamond-set jewelry pieces. He’s not afraid to take risks with his personal style, which I love. He wears a lot of Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars
Piguet, and Richard Mille. A watch executive once told me that Ed Sheeran had an impressive collection, which I found
surprising since he’s known for his incredible songwriting, not his personal style. I did a little digging and found he has some notable complicated watches from Patek Philippe alongside more everyday timepieces.
I discovered Bethenny Frankel’s watch collection in a feature on Hodinkee, and I was blown away. She collects highly sought-after Rolex Daytonas, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet watches. I love how she mixes jewelry watches with watches that were traditionally meant for men – she’s very ahead of her time. She’s a great example of collecting and wearing what you love.
Any other advice for people who have not taken the plunge to invest in a luxury watch
yet, but want to? With proper care, watches truly can last forever. Watches from 50 years ago still look modern,
so you don’t have to worry about a watch going out of style if you pick something with a classic
design. Watches also hold their value much better than other accessories, so you can also
consider them an investment. But please, don’t buy them as investments and never wear them.
Buy them because you love them and wear them every day. I have a small watch collection,
and each one brings me joy every time I glance down at my wrist.
