Hip hop watches are a perfect marriage of timepiece with bling to render a powerful statement in hip hop jewelry and are second only to hip hop pendants in terms of popularity. The most expensive, most rarefied timepieces have been for the most part mens watches. So it makes sense that mens watches with hip hop style would be very appealing as a statement of masculinity, dominance, and success in the hip hop sensibility. My earliest memory of any artist making a profound statement with his watch was Shaba Ranks, a popular Jamaican Dance Hall artist (Jamaica’s version of rap or hip hop). He would show up at concerts in the early nineties decked out in the usual diamond I.D. Bracelet and an all gold, diamond studded, Rolex Presidential that he would wear on his ankle.
The large sized iced out watches that hip hop would become famous for inspiring became a force to be reckoned with. Mainstream Gents and ladies’ watch design began to change considerably during the mid to late nineties as watch faces got bigger and women began to sport mens watches because many loved the larger scale and felt liberated from the tiny watch faces of the 70s and 80s which were really just gents watch designs scaled down for women. Watches especially designed for women were few and far between and hip hop watch style had a lot to do with changing this. Blinged out mens hip hop watches looked equally good on womens wrists because they had style, flash, and diamonds. Suddenly mainstream watch designer such as Chopard and Charriol got the message and began designing watches with much more scale but with curves, shapes, colors,gemstones, and straps that were fashion forward and distinctly feminine.
Mens watches took this cue from hip hop style as well and sport chronograph watches from mainstream Swiss watch makers like Breitling and Tag Heuer began to offer models with larger dials and cases with more embellishment. They also offered a greater selection of watch styles with diamonds on the face and bezel. Hip Hop watch style gave rise to designers who catered singularly to the hip hop style. Such a designer is Jacob the Jeweler (Jacob Arabov) whose over the top styling in watches won many fans and hip hop customers as well as customers from the National Basketball Association. Another designer influenced by hip hop and celebrity clients is Chris Aire. He introduced his “Aire Traveler” watch in 2004, a 38-mm, five-time-zone watch with a convex-shaped square case. This watch was no doubt inspired by hip hop. He made it available in steel and his trademarked 18k “Red Gold,” with colored dials and straps and diamonds as an option.
