Editorial Waqt Selects 5 Purple Watches That Took Center Stage in 2024

In our modern day, trends come and go, but one thing that never fades is the excitement around dial colors. Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of shades take center stage, each bringing something unique. Yet, one color has always been somewhat of an underdog, purple. Known for its deep association with royalty and luxury, purple is a powerful color that holds its own in a world of classic blues, greens, and blacks. Recently, watchmakers have started to embrace this rich and captivating shade, infusing it into their designs to bring a sense of sophistication and modern flair.

Purple watches are now appearing more frequently, offering a bold yet surprisingly versatile choice for anyone looking to make a statement. With that in mind, Waqt has rounded up five of the best purple watches from 2024 that could be just the right addition to your collection.

De Bethune DB28xs Purple Rain

Starting with a bold piece from De Bethune, the brand that continues to impress with its relentless innovation. The DB28xs Purple Rain went beyond traditional painting techniques, as the brand introduced purple to its collection by using a heat treatment process on titanium. This process gives the watch a uniquely vibrant purple hue. At a refined size of 38.7 mm in diameter and 7.4 mm in thickness, the timepiece sits beautifully and elegantly on the wrist. 

The dial is made entirely from purple titanium, and features the classic guilloché technique across a broad surface, while De Bethune’s signature starry sky motif, adorn the dial. The watch is limited to 25 pieces only and priced at AED 363,000.

Ulysse Nardin Freak S WOS Centenary Exclusive

The second watch in our lineup is the Freak S WOS Centenary Exclusive by Ulysse Nardin. This striking timepiece features a captivating purple dial crafted from crystallized ruthenium, an exceptionally rare metal with an estimated production rate ten times lower than platinum. To create the unique dial, ruthenium is vaporized over several days onto a substrate, where it crystallizes, then is treated with a PVD coating to achieve its distinctive purple hue.

The watch is housed in a robust 45 mm titanium case with a thickness of 16.65 mm. Just like the other Freak releases, it has no traditional dial, hands, or crown. Instead, it showcases its intricate movement, making the entire mechanism part of the display. The timepiece is limited to just 10 pieces, and priced at AED 692,000.

Cyrus Klepcys GMT Royal Purple

Cyrus has recently introduced a stunning purple hue to its iconic Klepcys GMT collection, aptly named Royal Purple. The name alone hints at what makes this watch so fitting for our list. The cushion-shaped case, crafted from grade 5 titanium, measures 42 mm in diameter and 13.9 mm in thickness.

This watch features a distinctive 3D open-worked dial that showcases the brand’s signature design style, with royal purple palm tree bridges created through advanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) for added durability. With limited production, the watch is priced between AED 99,660, and AED 105,600, depending on your choice of strap or bracelet.

Vulcain Skindiver Nautique 38mm 

After introducing the Skindiver Nautique 38mm last year, Vulcain expanded the collection with several new releases, including the striking new Purple variant showcased here. This model stands out with a captivating sunray-patterned dial, complemented by Super-Luminova coated hands and indices for optimal legibility. 

Crafted from stainless steel, the case is 12.2mm thick and features a black ceramic bezel. Inside, the watch is powered by the reliable automatic ETA 2824 caliber. Limited to 100 pieces, it is available from AED 6,850 to AED 7,990, depending on the choice of strap or bracelet, and you can order the watch via Waqt’s e-shop. 

Awake Son Mài Amethyst Purple 

The Son Mài Collection is a captivating new series from the independent French brand Awake, showcasing four timepieces with newly designed cases and intricately crafted dials that embody the brand’s approach to the art of Métier d’Art. Among them, the Amethyst Purple has emerged as a standout favorite. Its dial is crafted using a combination of two traditional techniques: the ancient Vietnamese art of Son Mài sanded lacquer and silver leaf gilding, which takes 10 to 15 hours to complete, resulting in a unique and striking aesthetic.

Instead of applying a luminescent coating on top, the hands and indices are crafted from a solid layer of Super-LumiNova BGW9. This layer is machined and topped with a faceted steel overlay. The 39mm x 11.8mm case is made from recycled 316L stainless steel, and each piece is priced at AED 7,500.

Purple is not the only color that has started to gain popularity and capture attention; however, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference, whether you gravitate toward classic shades or bold, striking hues. There are also other brands that have been creative with this royal hue. That being said, this article focuses on personal choice.