5 of Our Favorite Barbiecore Timepieces

Think Pink: 5 of Our Favorite Barbiecore Timepieces

Do you wish it was still the weekend? Are you counting the break until you go on holiday? Then you should check out these rose-colored watches, they are all but guaranteed to boost your mood this summer.

By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large

Let’s be clear: From rose gold cases to salmon-colored dials, watch collectors have always had a passion for pink. And this summer, the hue is having a moment.

However, even before the marketing campaign for director Greta Gerwig’s movie Barbie, which opens in US theaters on July 21st, really began to fuel the passion for pink, brands were already obliging enthusiasts with a fantastic selection of rose-colored timepieces.
 

Because, more than being a mere trend, it almost feels like folks need the color’s optimistic energy. So, here are our favorites.

TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma with Diamant d’Avant-Garde

The cinematic Barbie-verse is complicated. There are different versions of the titular doll and her companion Ken, but in Gerwig’s forthcoming Barbie movie, Ken is played by TAG Heuer ambassador Ryan Gosling.
 

Judging by the trailers, Gosling’s take is pure camp but based on the actor’s past performances we can expect some nuance. Likewise, the shimmering TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma with Diamant d’Avant-Garde demonstrates that a little bit of pink can go a long way.
 

Introduced in Geneva at Watches & Wonders 2023, the aesthetic punch of this standard time-and-date, 36mm Carrera features both a hot pink logo and crown that pop out against a glittering field of white stones. Plus, the brand’s use of lab-grown stones allows for more affordable (and ethically sourced) diamonds with an unparalleled intensity of color.
 

Zenith DEFY Skyline 36

The original 1959 backstory for Barbie was that she was a high-fashion model, which is apt, given that the whole “Barbiecore” aesthetic was made popular (however inadvertently) by designers like Valentino. And now, after debuting its range of 36mm timepieces at Watches & Wonders 2023, Zenith’s DEFY Skyline collection can also be considered an essential part of any Barbie-worthy wardrobe.
 

Today, Mattel’s marketing campaign states that Barbie can do anything. And the DEFY Skyline 36 with a pastel pink, sunburst-patterned dial is equally adaptable. Powered by the Elite 670 automatic manufacture calibre, it comes with an interchangeable steel bracelet and pink patterned rubber strap so you can switch up your look to suit your mood, making it as chic as it is sporty.
 

The Zenith DEFY Skyline 36 in pink is priced at $8,500.

Frederique Constant Highlife Ladies Automatic

As a fashion doll, one of the most playful parts of the Barbie experience is being able to play dress up. Luckily for all of us, the Frederique Constant Highlife Ladies Automatic is a timepiece that can be easily adapted to whichever version of yourself that you are feeling.
 

In 2022, Frederique Constant updated its signature Highlife Ladies Automatic with pops of color. And while the pink version of this Highlife is more subtle than some of the timepieces on this list, it is still playful thanks to the way its finish reflects the collection’s signature globe motif on the dial. It also comes on a stainless steel 3-part 34mm case and bracelet and features the Highlife’s hallmark quick-release bracelet and additional white rubber strap.
 

Oris Divers Sixty-Five Cotton Candy

In April 2021, when Oris released the original “Cotton Candy” editions of its popular Divers Sixty-Five collection, which featured bronze cases, bezels, and bracelets, the brand helped kick off the current craze for all things pink.
 

This summer, the brand is back on the boardwalk with three colorful dial palettes in blue, green, and pink cased in stainless steel with either a stainless steel bracelet or one of three recycled Perlon straps in blue, green, or pink to match the dials.
 

We can picture Barbie on the beach in the pink edition. Stainless steel makes the color pop more than the bronze version while the option of a Perlon strap makes the watch look even sweeter.
 

The new Oris Divers Sixty-Five “Cotton Candy” in steel costs $2,350 on the Perlon strap and $2,550 on the metal bracelet.

Speake-Marin Dual Time Pink

This fun entry from the haute horologists at Speake-Marin and the brand’s One & Two Openworked collection was inspired by the pastel hues of Miami’s iconic Art Deco architecture.
 

Housed in either a 38mm or 42mm titanium case, the brand’s bold Dual Time Pink timepiece is an excellent example of how pink is now being embraced by any gender. And like Barbie and Ken, this daring Black PVD-coated and matte rose-tinted timepiece evokes a sense of youthful energy and casual chic while being powered by a very grown-up calibre SMA02 developed by Le Cercle des Horlogers.
 

The Speake-Marin Dual Time Pink is a limited edition of ten 38mm pieces and twenty-eight 42mm pieces and costs $38,480.
 

And receive each week a custom selection of articles.

New Flames: Four Of The Best Salmon Dial Steel Sports Watches So Far In 2023

By Henri LeeContributor
More unique than standard blue, black, or gray dials, salmon is a color typically reserved by brands for special editions. We look at four highly sought-...

Stealth Wealth & Quiet Luxury: Six (Mostly) Black Timepieces That Convey Complete Confidence

By Rhonda RicheEditor-At-Large
Real luxury doesn’t shout, it whispers. That’s why these monochromatic, entry-level watches from Girard-Perregaux, Vieren, Hamilton, Maurice...

Make ‘Em Laugh: Six Watches to Brighten Your Day

By Rhonda RicheEditor-At-Large
From dopamine rushes to serotonin releases, watches can activate chemicals in our brains that make us happy. So, let’s talk about some recent releases...