THE HYPE WATCHES & JEWELRY / APRIL 2026
The watch world is also going crazy for K-pop, saltwater pearls meet birds, and Ariana Grande sparkles like a fairy: Here are our current favorites from the world of watches and high jewelry.
Ambassador
The “K” in K-pop stands for “Scream!”
In the summer of 2019, South Korean pop star Jung Kook wore a hanbok, a traditional Korean garment, from Zijangsa. Shortly thereafter, the company’s server crashed due to high demand. On one occasion, he drank a Vigor Merlot, which sold out immediately afterward. Jung Kook washes his laundry with Downy, as he once mentioned in passing. The company’s stock price soared by 11 percent in a single day. But Jung Kook isn’t really a marketing guru—he’s a gifted singer and dancer in the hyper-popular K-pop band BTS, and he also thrills crowds as a solo artist. Naturally, the watch world has also taken notice of his talent. Hublot promptly appointed the 28-year-old as a brand ambassador. So what will happen now that Jung Kook is wearing Hublot’s “Big Bang Original Unico” on his wrist? It’s self-explanatory.
hublot.com
Nice to Have
Throwing pearls before swine
Birds usually spend their time in the air, while pearls thrive on the ocean floor. Two beautiful creations from nature that would, at most, cross paths—whether flying or swimming—only by some wondrous coincidence. In the world of high jewelry, however, almost anything is possible. Here, pretty, sparkling little birds meet Hussein Al Fardan’s private collection of saltwater pearls, to which only Tiffany has access. The result: “Bird on a Pearl,” a capsule collection that is as unique as it is charming.
tiffany.com
We Love
Moon Worship
Does the moon know that it’s a popular metaphor, symbol, or analogy in poetry? Omega, too, repeatedly declares its love for the moon—for example, with the “Speedmaster Moonwatch,” which has been available with a black-and-white dial since the beginning of the year. The model is available in stainless steel or 18K Moonshine™ gold, Omega’s exclusive yellow gold alloy. Omega’s love for the moon is not merely poetic in nature: Both models of the “Moonwatch Professional” are powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Caliber 3861, the most advanced evolution of the legendary Caliber 321, which once accompanied NASA astronauts to the moon.
omegawatches.com
Book
Timepieces with Personality
“Show me your watch, and I’ll tell you who you are”—that’s a saying we just made up. But the owner of a watch can be just as fascinating as the timepiece itself. That’s why the book *Longines – Watches That Made History*, published by teNeues, showcases not only the most complex, fascinating, and dazzling watches, but also the people who wore them. Among other things, readers will learn the story behind Albert Einstein’s gold watch, which female pilots—yes, women who were pioneers in their field—relied on Longines watches, and which film and pop stars have been spotted wearing them. There’s no shortage of trivia to show off at your next gathering with fellow watch enthusiasts: The book was created in close collaboration with Longines collectors around the world as well as the Longines Brand Heritage team.
Pierre-André Schmitt, “Longines – Watches That Made History,” teNeues, 288 pages, approx. 80.—, teneues.com
Darling
Queen of the Fairies
Ariana Grande has played many roles. Anyone who liked to lounge in front of the TV around 2010 will remember her as Cat Valentine in “Victorious.” She recently took the big screen by storm as the Good Witch Glinda in “Wicked” and “Wicked 2.” And, of course, the role that comes most naturally to her is that of the pop queen who can sing across four octaves with ease. For her collection with Swarovski, Ariana once again tried her hand at design and, together with Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert, created sparkling, nature-inspired pieces that even Glinda would probably love to wear.
swarovski.com
