Watchfinder & Co invites Ilaria Urbinati. When fashion takes overwatchmaking
Some collaborations feel like a natural fit. The arrival ofIlaria Urbinati as stylist-in-residence 's Watchfinder & Co. is one of them. Known for dressing Hollywood's red carpets, the style consultant is now bringing her discerning eye to the world of luxury watches. The ambition is simple to state and demanding to achieve: to create a dialogue between style, history, and function to reveal what each watch says about the wearer.
A new chapter for Watchfinder & Co.
A global leader in certified pre-owned watches, Watchfinder & Co. has built its credibility on expertise. By bringing in a stylist, the company adds an editorial dimension to its offering. It's not about replacing technical details with words, but about illuminating technical aspects through style. It's about showing why a particular chronograph balances a three-piece suit, why a sports watch elevates raw denim, and why a vintage icon conveys the essence of a particular era better than any lengthy explanation.
Ilaria Urbinati, a curator at the service of gesture
On the red carpet, Ilaria Urbinati reconciles poise and comfort. She applies this same logic here. A watch must harmonize with a lifestyle, a set of gestures, a silhouette. Her method can be summed up in three points.
Reading theDNA of a piece, understanding the occasion for which it will be worn, harmonizing its proportions with the wrist and the outfit. It's not a compilation of trends. It's the art of perfect, understated harmony that hits the mark without being conspicuous.
A curated selection designed to last
Ilaria's first mission: to create a curated selection that reflects the times without denying the heritage. The criteria are clear.
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Aesthetically pleasing. Clear lines, a presence on the wrist that remains elegant from morning to night.
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Functionality. Watches designed for everyday use. Useful water resistance, excellent readability, comfortable strap.
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History. A tangible link with fine watchmaking, between notable caliber and signature design.
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Durability. Parts that stand the test of time, both mechanically and aesthetically.
The result: reassuring guidelines for the novice and insightful hints for the collector.
Fashion and watchmaking: a common language
just like a pair of shoes. Fashion , doesn't diminish the mechanics; it elevates them. A luxury watch isn't a relic. It's a living object, accompanying a handshake, capturing the light, punctuating a gesture. By offering practical uses and simple stylistic codes, Watchfinder & Co. makes the choice less daunting and infinitely more personal.
Reaching a new audience without losing existing ones
The intended effect is twofold: to appeal to younger generations discovering watches through their aesthetics, and to reaffirm the passion of enthusiasts drawn to them by their mechanics. curated selection bridges this gap.
It shows that a young professional can confidently wear a vintage icon during the week and a tool watch on the weekend. It reminds us that a simple outfit enhances a complication and that a minimalist dial softens a very graphic look. The message is inclusive and profoundly modern.
Trendy, yes. A fad, no
The temptation of the moment matters, but it doesn't dictate. Ilaria's brief is to embrace trends without being swayed by fleeting fads. When a particular size or color demands attention, she integrates it into a watch collection . A larger diameter is balanced by a slimmer case. A colorful dial finds its place in spring, then gives way to a more understated piece in winter. The idea isn't to accumulate. It's to orchestrate.
How does Ilaria put together a look around a watch?
The designer works in a funnel fashion. First, proportion. The case width and lug-to-lug length must suit the wrist. Next, texture. A steel bracelet complements a dense mesh, smooth leather a fine-grained suit, and rubber an Oxford shirt. Finally, color.
A blue-grey dial soothes a camel-colored ensemble. A deep black frames an all-white look. With just three settings, the magic happens effortlessly.
Ecosystem reactions: curiosity and engagement
Within the industry, the reception has been positive. Watch brands welcome this mediation, which facilitates entry into the world of luxury watches. Retailers observe a new approach that values emotion as much as technical specifications. Lifestyle media applaud an initiative that breaks down the sterile separation between style and watchmaking. Enthusiasts, for their part, find concrete pathways to refine their taste.
Why this boldness is a game changer
Bringing a stylist into a firm of expertise means accepting a different way of speaking. Less jargon, more context. Less mythology, more ownership. This boldness doesn't erase rigor. It makes it visible.
She explains why a power reserve matters during a busy week, why a screw-down crown provides reassurance when traveling, and why a folding clasp is a game-changer at the office. Everything becomes clear, and therefore desirable.
What can we expect in terms of content?
Beyond the selections, Watchfinder & Co. will cultivate a library of uses. Size guides, watch and outfit pairings, gift ideas by personality and budget, a focus on watch icons and their more discreet alternatives.
Each piece of content will seek a balance between emotion and pragmatism. We don't collect dust on a shelf. We collect moments lived.
Ilaria's tips for getting started
Start with a simple piece that you'll wear often. Look for versatility. Try on different bracelets to understand the difference between solid steel links, grained leather, and quality rubber. Don't chase after exceptional pieces at all costs.
The exception will come when the intended use is clear. Finally, document your preferences: ideal width, favorite colors, how it feels on the wrist. The best luxury watch is the one that instinctively returns to your wrist.
And now
The coming months will unveil the first curated selections by Ilaria Urbinati, style editorials, and, undoubtedly, editorial capsules featuring collaborations with designer friends. Nothing flashy. A great deal of care, genuine precision, and the pleasure of doing things well. It is this promise, gentle yet firm, that can reshape the landscape of accessible and inspiring watchmaking.
The right watch, at the right time, on the right person
With Ilaria Urbinati as stylist in residence, Watchfinder & Co. forges a natural link between fashion and watchmaking. The watch is no longer an end point. It's the first word of an elegant sentence, the one that tells the story of a successful day. While technology remains the backbone, style is its breath.
And it is precisely this inspiration that this collaboration promises to offer to a new generation of enthusiasts, without ever losing the respect of lifelong fans.
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