A Season of Luxury: Holiday Favorites and Looking to 2027

The holiday season is the perfect excuse to indulge in a little luxury, whether that means finding a special gift for someone else or finally treating yourself to the watch or piece of jewelry you've been eyeing all year. As 2026 draws to a close, several styles are catching our attention, from classic gold watches and colorful gemstones to vintage treasures with stories to tell. And if these holiday favorites are any indication, there's plenty to look forward to in 2027.

 

The Return of Classic Elegance

With smaller watches and traditional designs attracting renewed attention, classic elegance is back in the spotlight. Slim cases, clean dials, and restrained styling make dress watches an appealing choice for holiday gifting and everyday wear.

 

The Cartier Tank is one of the most recognizable examples, with its rectangular case and Roman numeral dial. The Patek Philippe Calatrava takes a more traditional approach, favoring round cases and clean dial layouts. The Rolex Datejust 36 is a little sportier than the other two, but its proportions have helped make it a favorite for generations.

 

Fine jewelry has its own established favorites. Diamond tennis bracelets, solitaire pendants, and classic stud earrings are perennial choices, alongside signature collections such as Cartier Trinity, Tiffany & Co. T, and Chopard Happy Diamonds. These designs have survived decades of changing fashions, and there's little reason to expect that to change in 2027.

 

A Little Color Goes a Long Way

Colorful dials remain one of the most popular ways to bring personality to a watch, with shades ranging from soft pastels to vivid greens, blues, and reds.

But the dial is only part of the picture. Color can also appear on bezels, cases, straps, and gemstones. Some watches embrace color throughout, while others use just a few carefully placed accents.

 

In fine jewelry, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies remain perennial favorites, but there's much more to explore. There's turquoise, of course, along with purple amethyst and tourmaline, which comes in just about every color imaginable.

 

Gemstones can be arranged in graduated shades, paired with contrasting stones, or mixed into multicolored settings. A single large gemstone creates a very different look from a bracelet or necklace featuring dozens of smaller stones.

 

Yellow Gold Is Having a Moment

Gold has always been a favorite in luxury watches and jewelry, but yellow gold is enjoying a surge in popularity, both on its own and paired with steel.

 

Few watches are more closely associated with yellow gold than the Rolex Day-Date, with its signature President bracelet. The two-tone Cartier Santos pairs a stainless steel case and bracelet with yellow gold accents on the bezel, screws, and other details. The combination has been closely associated with the model since the 1980s.

 

Vintage Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse watches are also worth exploring, especially examples fitted with intricate gold bracelets rather than leather straps. And gold isn't reserved for traditional dress watches. Audemars Piguet has produced both the Royal Oak and the larger Royal Oak Offshore in precious metals, bringing the warmth and weight of gold to these sporty designs.

 

In jewelry, substantial gold chains, chunky bracelets, sculptural earrings, and statement rings are all part of the current enthusiasm for yellow gold. Vintage pieces from the 1970s and 1980s are notable for their textured surfaces, elaborate links, and substantial proportions.

 

Cartier Love bracelets, Bulgari B.zero1 rings, and Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra jewelry show how varied yellow gold designs can be. And there's no need to stick to one metal. David Yurman, for instance, is known for jewelry that combines yellow gold and sterling silver.

 

Vintage Finds and Pre-Owned Treasures

One of the pleasures of shopping pre-owned is discovering designs that have disappeared from manufacturers' current collections. A discontinued watch reference might feature an unusual dial, a case size no longer produced, or a bracelet design associated with an earlier era. Estate jewelry has its own attractions, including hand-finished details, elaborate settings, and decorative techniques that have fallen out of fashion.

 

Vintage cocktail watches, textured gold bracelets, and gemstone rings with unusual settings offer a glimpse into the tastes of previous generations. Some seek historically important references; others simply love the styling of a certain decade.

 

Pre-owned doesn't necessarily mean vintage, either. Recently discontinued watches and jewelry collections may feature materials, colors, or configurations no longer available new. Shopping pre-owned gives you access to decades of luxury design rather than limiting your choices to the latest releases.

 

The Personal Touch

Of course, not everyone dreams of owning a classic timepiece or a simple diamond necklace. Some would much rather have a watch with a retrograde time display, an unusually shaped case, or an asymmetrical dial that takes a moment to decipher. Others gravitate toward watches that double as jewelry, with sculptural bracelets and cases that look nothing like conventional timepieces.

 

Jewelry can be equally adventurous. Animal-inspired rings, whimsical brooches, dramatic gemstone settings, and elaborate gold creations are all possibilities for someone who enjoys wearing pieces that attract a second glance. A brooch shaped like a mythical creature, for example, says something quite different from a traditional diamond pendant.

 

These choices aren't necessarily dictated by fashion. They're often the result of someone developing very specific tastes over time. And when shopping for someone else, knowing those preferences can make the difference between a lovely gift and one they'll remember for years.

 

Holiday Shopping and Beyond at Gray & Sons

The holidays may be the perfect time to give something special, but a beautiful watch or piece of jewelry should be enjoyed long after the decorations come down. Gray & Sons offers an extensive selection of pre-owned luxury watches and estate jewelry, including established favorites, discontinued models, and rare finds from celebrated brands.

 

Visit Gray & Sons online or at its showroom to explore the collection. You might find the perfect holiday gift, a watch you've been searching for, or a piece of jewelry that catches your eye as you head into 2027.