A Tour of the British Royal Family Timepieces

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Traditions go deep all across the British royal line. The monarchy is built on tradition, from private rites at royal marriages to public ceremonies marking the beginning of Parliament. As a result, the royal family has long been a topic of interest for people worldwide.

Today, monarchs make news for everything, from their charitable endeavors to their fashion choices. Furthermore, the royal family might be among the most well-known horologists in the world because many of their timepieces are classics.

So are you interested in finding out what timepieces the British royal family wears? Continue reading to learn more!

• Queen Elizabeth II

Before her demise, Queen Elizabeth II was known for collecting fine timepieces. She was also the world’s most influential lady and perhaps the first woman to amass watches. 

The British monarch’s understated Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 timepiece from her crowning ceremony eventually turned into one of her favorite daily timepieces. In addition, Jaeger-LeCoultre gave the Queen a brand-new 101 to commemorate her diamond jubilee.

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The Omega Ladymatic is yet another of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s preferred timepieces! In her official photo from 1992, the Queen mostly only displayed this gold Ladymatic in all its splendor.

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Furthermore, there are claims that the late Queen of the United Kingdom owned more than 14 valuable timepieces, such as a Cartier, another Patek Philippe, and one Audemars Piguet.

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She was also spotted with a Patek Philippe ref. 4975 and a golden Jules Audemars by Audemars Piguet.

• King Charles III

With the passing of his mother, Prince Charles instantly assumed the throne and is now known as King Charles III. 

One thing that makes the United Kingdom king stand out is his sizable collection of timepieces. He owns iconic masterpieces, including the Parmigiani Fleurier Toric chronograph featuring Roman numbers and the Patek Philippe 3445.

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He also has less conventional options, including the Hamilton RAF Pilot’s Chronograph 924-3306 and Santos de Cartier. 

Photo. Getty Images / King Charles III

Undoubtedly, King Charles has a very particular taste in timepieces that is difficult to pin down. In addition, he has been seen severally donning a golden Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, a Patek Philippe reference 2503, as well as a Breguet 3680 BA, all of which are magnificent timepieces. 

• Prince William

A very sentimental watch that his late mother, Princess Diana, gave to him inspires loyalty in Prince William. Stainless steel was used to create the Omega Seamaster Professional Quartz 300M, which also has a blue dial. 

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Prince William has worn the timepiece on almost every event, including his 2011 wedding day and even family ski excursions.

• Prince Harry

Two fine watches make up Prince Harry’s watch collection. The Rolex Explorer II 216570 is the watch he sports the most frequently. It is a stunning stainless steel watch with a white display and a vivid orange 24-hour indicator. He was also seen wearing a Breitling Aerospace timepiece. 

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Overall, these options accurately reflect his personality and skills. Keep in mind that he also served deployments in Afghanistan, during which he was given the rank of Captain. This, thus, explains why he chose the two tool clocks.

• Kate Middleton

The timeless, modest style of Kate Middleton never fails to draw attention. She has a flare for stylish clothing, but she isn’t a devoted watch fan.

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Yet, it’s not surprising that she chooses Cartier when wearing a timepiece in public. She adores the traditional Ballon Bleu variant. It has a small 33mm casing, is composed of stainless steel, and has a crown made of blue cabochons that complement her renowned sapphire engagement ring.

• Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle became a recognized part of the royal family in 2018 and rapidly made headlines due to her fashion sense. Like Kate Middleton, she is also a one-watch lady, and her preferred brand is Cartier. However, she does don the recognizable Tank. 

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Meghan purchased the stainless steel with a yellow gold two-tone variant after becoming successful on the American TV program Suits. She even had “To M.M. From M.M.” etched on the back.

• Princess Diana

Diana’s combination of glamour and kindness made her an international icon and earned her extreme popularity why the marriage with Prince Charles was a frequent topic in the papers at that time.A style icon, a extremly beloved person, a legend in every aspect of the word: Late Lady Di, who died in a tragic car accident in Paris 1997 –  trying to flee from papparazzis.

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She had an impeccable taste for watches and was often seen with an oval faced vintage 21mm Patek Philippe in 18k yellow gold with a champagne dial, This was only one of her many spotted timepieces.

Conclusion

It’s no surprise that British royalty is entrenched in tradition. Nonetheless, it’s fascinating to consider the distinctions between the old generation and the young. The new era appears to have chosen a different approach to timepieces, unlike the late Queen and her children, who stick to traditional, well-known Swiss brands. On the other hand, the younger royals prefer the more “available” clocks, like sports pieces made of stainless steel.