The watch of 2023? Your answer may depend on how much you enjoyed Barbie and the pinky hoopla that accompanied one of the biggest movie releases of the year. On the promotional trail, Barbie’s Ryan Gosling pumped some ‘Kenergy’ into this pink-dial version of the Carrera Date automatic by sporting it on the pink carpet in another of his roles – as a TAG Heuer ambassador. The size is as unisex as the style; its stainless-steel case coming in at 36mm, right in the slot, no matter whether you consider yourself more Ken or Barbie.

Use of colour, shocking or otherwise, is a continuing theme in watch design – although the blue and green bezel of Bremont’s freshly released Supermarine S302 adventure watch is more than a nice decoration. It separates day from night, part of the watch’s 24-hour GMT (second time-zone) function. As important to this dive watch’s spec list is 300 metres of water-resistance, a hardy 40mm stainless steel case on a rubber strap, and a chronometer-certified movement (indicating it’s more accurate than a standard mechanical watch) with a 50-hour power reserve.

Urban sophisticates, this is your next watch (which may assume you’re buying for yourself, in which case, all power to your wrist). For many, the angular form of Bulgari’s standard, octagonal Octo is a bit much, which is why the house rounded some of the edges off to create the Roma edition, seen here with a monochromatic palette and a Swiss automatic chronograph movement. Italianate flair comes as standard with Bulgari, of course, but in this case it’s met with some delicious understatement, too, making it one of the most impeccably stylish watches introduced this year.

Talking about timelessness in watch design is a cliché I’m loathed to endorse, but in the case of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s delicate Reverso One Monoface watch, there’s no other critique that springs to mind faster. The Reverso, a product of the 1930s and the world’s favourite Art Deco watch, already treads way beyond the time limits of fashion trends, but in this guise its now-and-forever credentials are cast in stone. Just look at those curly Arabic numerals and that sunburst guilloché engraved dial; blued Dauphine hands and neat rows of diamonds; that rippling beaded stainless steel bracelet. It’s a classic among classics and as timeless as they come. Another plus point is the case reverse, left blank for a moment-in-time inscription of your choice.

It wouldn’t be a Harrods edit without at least a whisper of green, but that’s not the only reason why Panerai’s Luminor Due makes the gift list this year. To a point, Panerai’s reputation for ‘man-sized’ adventure watches is well deserved. It has stayed the course with watches 44mm in diameter and more, while others have retreated to sub-40mm designs. This Due model comes in somewhere between those measures at 42mm, but that doesn’t account for its slenderness, which has made it a favourite with all who like the gait of a Panerai but not the heft. Finished in 18-karat yellow gold with a smokey green dial, and fuelled by one of Panerai’s three-day automatics, it is a perfectly proportioned slice of watch design creativity.

Back when our ability to meet in person was limited by global events, I took part in an Instagram Live with the Harrods buying team to discuss the most compelling of the year’s watches. That year, the Laureato had been given fresh impetus by its progenitors, and I found myself declaring the 1970s design to be a sleeper hit, bound for big things. With great mercy, it appears watch buyers agree, because Girard-Perregaux now runs waiting lists on its stainless steel sports watch, such is demand. This green-dialled model may yet fall into that category – grab it while you can.

Few, if any, marry large-scale decorative motifs and the miniature worlds of haute joaillerie and haute horlogerie with the exquisite ease of Cartier. This Clash [Un]limited makes the point as well as any of the Parisian’s house’s more elaborate creations, bringing together notions of wristwatch, bracelet and decoration in a single design. Those knowledgeable in the subject will recognise the Clash from Cartier’s jewellery collection, particularly the pyramidal studs that define the watch’s form. Add the bauble-effect beads in the bracelet centre, as well as a dainty dial, and you have a timepiece that will delight whatever the occasion.

These are heady days for Vacheron Constantin, and for fans of old-school horology done right. The great Genevan watchmaker, sometimes referred to as one of the so-called Big Three, is on a roll – dominating the horological hit parade year after year with its beautifully shaped and manicured mechanical watches. Take the melodious Traditionnelle Complete Calendar, a round, dressy, gently complicated watch that pairs a fair portion of 18-karat rose gold with a complete calendar that shows the day, date, month and phases of the moon, all in perfect harmony.