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Time-travel has never looked so good. Lately, luxury watchmakers have been turning back the clock with bold, retro-inspired designs that channel the audacious energy of the 1980s—think power suits, pastel dials and lots of statement-making style. From the charm of Swatch to the elegance of Tudor, Chopard and more, these timepieces strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation. Ready to turn back time? Explore the standout watches that capture the spirit of the glamorous decade below.
Two Tone
Baume & Mercier Riviera Chronograph Flyback M0A1082
Mixed metal was an ’80s signature. This watch in the limited-edition Riviera collection contrasts a glowing gold dial with a polished-satin stainless-steel bezel. The retro look is matched by its retrograde chronograph function. [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.baume-et-mercier.com/glbe/en/collections/riviera-men/watch-riviera-10828-fly-back.html”]Shop Now[/cta]
Gold Is Good
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222
Back in the day, the solid-gold “Jumbo” was the horological equivalent of a boxy power suit. Now, it seems positively demure. This year’s take maintains its signature monobloc tonneau-shaped case and grooved bezel, but it has an open case back. [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.vacheron-constantin.com/ww/fr/collections/historiques/4200h-222j-b935.html”]Shop Now[/cta]
Easter Eggs
Swatch Blossom Time
Swatch was born at the peak of the Memphis style—the ’80s design movement characterized by bold, geometric shapes. The new Blossom Time collection incorporates this playful approach into six timepieces with dials inspired by beloved flowers. [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.swatch.com/en-ca/petal-frenzy-yls235g/YLS235G.html”]Shop Now[/cta]
Flamingo Kid
Tudor Black Bay Chrono in “Flamingo Blue”
No dive into ’80s pop culture would be complete without a binge-watch of Miami Vice, a showcase for pastel and white linen suits worn with the sleeves rolled up to better show off the wearer’s status watch. Tudor’s newest chronograph channels South Beach energy with its bright turquoise-blue dial and slinky 41-millimetre satin-brushed and polished 316L stainless-steel case. [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watch-family/daring-watches/m79360n-0024″]Shop Now[/cta]
Blackout
Panerai Luminor GMT Power Reserve Ceramica PAM01674
Watchmakers started tinkering with ceramic materials in the 1960s, but the first true zirconium oxide appeared in 1986 on IWC’s Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar. Since then, brands have made huge strides with this light but hard-wearing substance, paired here with minimalist design and construction. [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.panerai.com/en/collections/watch-collection/luminor/pam01674-luminor-gmt-power-reserve-ceramica.html”]Shop Now[/cta]
Eye Of The Tiger
Bulova x Complecto Super Seville Stone Dial
Watches with hard-stone dials were once prohibitively expensive to produce. But thanks to advances in stonecutting technology, brands like Bulova are resurrecting the art in a more accessible way. This collaboration with the Complecto watch collective features turquoise, snowflake-obsidian and tiger’s-eye stones framed in a 38-millimetre TV-shaped case (a bonus nod to the MuchMusic generation). [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.complecto.co/”]Shop Now[/cta]
Ice Ice Baby
Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum
The ’80s offered up a peculiar mix of big (hair) and skinny (ties and oh-so-much spandex). This sports watch from Chopard’s latest Alpine Eagle collection offers a much more elegant interpretation of these proportions with its super-slim 41-millimetre platinum case. [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.chopard.com/en-ca/watch/295396-9001.html”]Shop Now[/cta]
It Takes Two
Bulgari Bulgari
The first Bulgari Bulgari collection was launched in 1977, but its watches found their footing as status pieces in the go-go ’80s. (Wham! front man George Michael famously wore one.) They were one of the first to have the brand’s logo incorporated into the design. Their look is still glam but not garish. [cta affiliate=”cj” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.bulgari.com/en-ca/watches/mens-2/bvlgari-bvlgari-watch-yellow-gold-black-103967″]Shop Now[/cta] With files from Stephanie Davoli This article first appeared in FASHION’s Summer 2025 issue. Find out more here. Continue Reading
