Here are the Royal Family's favourite watches across the decades

Given that the royals are often in the public eye, it comes as no surprise that they are regularly dressed in the best designers have to offer.

But while they may occasionally wear lavish and expensive designer jewellery, members of The Firm often accessorise with the simple touch of a watch.

The royals certainly hold the most varied and luxurious watch collections, featuring the likes of Patek Philippe, Cartier and Omega.

They have also been found to often gift their loved ones with watches, from the Queen gifting a Vacheron Constantin to Princess Diana, to Harry presenting Meghan with a family-heirloom Cartier Tank.

Here FEMAIL reveals the most iconic watches worn by the British Royal Family:

QUEEN ELIZABETH  

Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse

The Patek Philippe watch was said to have been made especially for Her Majesty, who was a long-time lover of the brand

The late Queen Elizabeth was seen wearing two variants of the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse watch. 

First, she occasionally wore the classic watch, which was made of white gold and set with 30 diamonds.

Secondly, she opted for the same model but with a stunning blue face.

The watch was said to have been made especially for Her Majesty, who was a long-time lover of the brand. As it is not a product sold to the general public, the price is unknown.

The watch featured an elliptical case placed between a circle and a rectangle – when it first appeared in 1968, Patek Philippe’s Golden Ellipse was a bold departure from traditional watch shapes.

However, it is undeniable that it looked absolutely stunning placed on the Queen’s wrist.

Patek Philippe Calatrava

The late Queen Elizabeth was well-known for her luxurious watch collection and the extremely rare 20mm 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe Ladies Calatrava is no exception

The late Queen Elizabeth was well-known for her luxurious watch collection and the extremely rare 20mm 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe Ladies Calatrava is no exception.

The elegant watch, which dates back to the late 1990s, features a quartz movement on fascinating beads of rice bracelet.

The estimated value of this timepiece is upwards of a staggering £30,000. 

What is particularly striking on this timepiece are the twirly hands, which are rarely found on today’s wristwatches.

In contrast to her more lavish watches, this Patek Philippe Calatrava was viewed as one of her more practical choices and she often wore the bracelet loosely.

Patek Philippe 4975 

Queen Elizabeth smiles while wearing her Patek Philippe as she leaves the State Opening of Parliament at the House of Lords on May 8, 2013

Another one of the Queen’s beloved watches was the stunning white gold Patek Philippe 4975/1G which was encrusted with brilliant-cut diamonds on an elegant pearl bracelet.

The distinguished Swiss manufacturer created this diamond watch specifically for Queen Elizabeth.

Staying true to the Queen’s classic sense of style and her love for pearls, the custom-made timepiece is refined, delicate and perfect for any royal engagement.

Back in 2015, Her Majesty loaned the Patek Philippe 4975/1G to the Saatchi Gallery to be displayed in the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition.

While the price of this luxurious watch is yet to be reveled, its worth is upwards of a million pounds. 

Jaeger LeCoultre 101

She wore the stunning yellow gold timepiece bejewelled with two rows of precious diamonds on the day of her coronation in Westminster Abbey in 1953

This Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 watch is without a doubt one of the most iconic and historic in Queen Elizabeth II’s collection.

She wore the stunning yellow gold timepiece bejewelled with two rows of precious diamonds on the day of her coronation in Westminster Abbey, which took place on June 2, 1953.

With the eyes of the world on the Queen on the momentous day, her dainty watch allowed her to discreetly look at the time during her ceremony. 

Also, the watch was fitting with the discreet and elegant personality that the Queen represented, and the small  watch was careful not to take the attention away from the important ceremonial jewels.

Originally introduced in 1929 by La Grande Maison, the Calibre 101 revolutionised feminine watchmaking with its minuscule size and stunning baguette shape bracelet.

At just 14mm and weighing barely one gram, the hand-wound calibre was innovative for its time and this model is still believed to have the world’s smallest mechanical movement.

Variants of the watch are still being made today, but only in limited numbers, and costs £135,000 to purchase.

KATE MIDDLETON 

Cartier Ballon Bleu 

Kate is pictured wearing the Cartier watch as she arrives for the opening of the ICAP Art Room at Northolt High School on February 14, 2014

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, is regularly spotted wearing the sophisticated Ballon Bleu model in steel by Cartier. 

The epitome of classic fashion, Kate’s style is reflected in her timeless taste in watches.

The neutral tones of the timepiece allow Kate to wear the accessory with every outfit to any occasion.

The 33mm Cartier is made of a stainless steel case and comes with a matching strap. Its elegant design features a silver dial and blue sword-shaped hands.

Believed to have been gifted to Kate by her husband, Prince William, the eye-catching watch perfectly compliments her oval sapphire engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana – making it all the more sentimental.

Kate’s model is currently listed by Cartier for £6,950 if you want to get your hands on it.

DIANA 

Vacheron Constantin

The Queen was gifted a Vacheron Constantin watch by the Swiss Federal Republic for her wedding to Prince Philip which she later gave to Princess Diana to celebrate her marriage to then Prince Charles (pictured at an American Red Cross gala dinner in Washington in 1997)

For her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947, the Swiss Federal Republic gifted the-then Princess Elizabeth a delicate Vacheron Constantin watch.

The Queen then gave the accessory, which featured a diamond-encircled watch face with a diamond strap, to her newlywed daughter-in-law Diana as a wedding gift for her marriage to Prince Charles.

Diana wore the watch at many glamorous events, pairing it with her C-shaped diamond and pearl earrings for an American Red Cross gala dinner in Washington in 1997.

She had previously stunned wearing the watch with an elegant asymmetric beaded dress by Japanese designer Hachi for a gala dinner at the National Gallery in Washington DC in 1985.

Vacheron et Constantin is the oldest manufacturer of fine watches, and their everyday timepieces are on the current market for around £30,000.

Patek Philippe Calatrava 

It was believed that the vintage 21mm 18k yellow gold watch was a gift from Charles to Diana on her twentieth birthday

Princess Diana made many statements with her style throughout the years, including choosing to wear two watches at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor.

Diana combined both her dainty gold Patek Philippe Calatrava watch and a larger leather strapped one, which belonged to her then fiance.

It was believed that the vintage 21mm 18k yellow gold watch was a gift from Charles to Diana on her twentieth birthday. 

While the model is no longer in manufacturing, second-hand watches of this kind are currently valued around £8,000. 

Cartier Tank Française

Diana wore her elegant Cartier gold Tank watch on a number of occasions, including for an engagement at the British Lung Foundation in 1997 (pictured)

Diana wore the elegant timepiece on a number of occasions, including a 1997 visit to London’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple and an engagement at the British Lung Foundation that same year.

The gold Cartier Tank watch was priced at £17,800 at the time and Prince William chose to keep the watch to remember his mother.

The timepiece was the formal sister-watch of her beloved Cartier Tank with an alligator strap.

Cartier Tank Louis

The classic Cartier Tank Louis with an alligator strap was gifted to Diana from her father, Earl Edward John Spencer

The classic Cartier Tank Louis with an alligator strap was gifted to Diana from her father, Earl Edward John Spencer, on her 21st birthday.

What is significant about this watch is that following the unravelling of Charles and Diana’s relationship, she stopped wearing the Patek Philippe watch and in its place wore the Cartier Tank.

While the change was subtle, Diana would often express herself through fashion, and this is no exception.

The streamlined classic also provided the perfect contrast of formality and casual wear when alternated with Diana’s gold Cartier Tank Française watch.

The Tank Louis, which was officially released in 1922, retained the classic influences of the original with its Roman numerals and ‘rail track’ minute scale. However. it was distinguishable by its rectangular dial, an alligator-skin strap and rounded ‘horns’.

Its blued-steel hands shaped like swords and a strap buckle in 18-karat gold completed the sophisticated look.

Cartier are currently listing the Tank Louis watch to purchase for £12,500.

MEGHAN MARKLE 

Cartier Tank 

The first of the Duchess’ two Cartier Tank watches is her own, a two-tone bought as a gift to herself upon the renewal of her television programme Suits

The first of the Duchess’ two Cartier Tank watches is her own, a two-tone bought as a gift to herself upon the renewal of her television programme Suits. 

And while the watch already holds sentimental value, to make it extra special, she decided to engrave the timepiece with a message to herself reading: ‘To M.M. From M.M.’

Speaking to Hello! back in 2015, she said: ‘I’ve always coveted the Cartier French Tank watch.

‘When I found out Suits had been picked up for our third season – which, at the time, felt like such a milestone – I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version.’

‘That’s what makes pieces special, the connection you have to them’, she added.

Meghan’s Cartier Tank watch sits with a value of £6,500 according to the brand’s wesbite.

Meghan plans to one day pass down the Cartier Tank to her daughter, Lilibet Diana. 

Cartier Tank Française

Meghan also enjoys wearing the watch, including for for the Invictus Games in The Hague last year

Meghan’s second Cartier Tank is an all-gold Francaise which previously belonged to Princess Diana.

It was originally Prince William who inherited the watch after his mother’s death in 1997, however, it was given to Prince Harry in exchange for what became Kate Middleton’s engagement ring.

While Meghan has been gifted several items from Diana’s collection, the watch is a clear favourite and she has been spotted wearing it often.

PRINCE WILLIAM 

Omega Seamaster Professional

The Prince of Wales’s prize possession that he will never leave home without is an Omega Seamaster Professional

The Prince of Wales’s prize possession, which he is believed to never leave home without, is an Omega Seamaster Professional. 

The treasured accessory worn by the Prince for over a decade was a gift from his mother, the late Princess Diana.

The watch, which he wore the day of his wedding to Kate and other milestone events, is a 300m mid-size classic quartz model with a stainless steel case and blue dial.

William’s Omega features a chronometer, a uni-directional rotating bezel, a screw-in crown and a helium escape valve – making it an extraordinarily accurate and reliable timepiece to have on his person.

His £5,500 timepiece is practical yet elegant, demonstrating that the younger generation of the Royal Family appears to seek less extravagant watch collections and, instead, prefer to keep one or two timeless to carry on their wrists.

KING CHARLES

Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph C00940

The rare Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph has remained a firm favourite of His Majesty over the year

Like his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, King Charles is an avid watch collector who has sported the likes of Patek Philippe, Jaeger-Le-Coultre and Cartier.

However, it is the rare Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph that has remained a firm favourite of His Majesty over the years.

The exact value is unknown, but it believed to be between £4,800 to £10,000.

The Swiss timepiece features a yellow gold case and classy 39mm black leather strap.

The precise model Charles has been spotted with is from Parmigiani’s early years, most likely around the early 2000s, and features a Zenith El Primero movement inside. 

Patek Philippe Calatrava    

Charles’ three-handed watch became a talking piece when Princess Diana wore the timepiece while attending one of her then-fiancé’s polo match

The Patek Philippe Calatrava was one of the then Prince Charles’ favourite watches for a long time during his youth.

Charles’ three-handed watch became a talking piece when Princess Diana wore the timepiece while attending one of her then-fiancé’s polo matches at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor.

Diana wore the watch in addition to her own Patek Philippe as a tribute to him and to wish Charles good luck in his polo match. 

The yellow gold watch, with its 35mm diameter and a recessed crown, is powered by the calibre 27-460 M, Patek’s first serially produced movement.

Watches in the Patek Philippe Calatrava collection typically sell for between £8,476 ($10,565) – £78,000 ($97,648).

Hamilton RAF Pilot’s Chronograph

A watch of the King’s which stands out amongst the others is the Hamilton RAF Pilot’s Chronograph. Pictured: Prince Charles during a skiing Holiday in Klosters, Switzerland

While Hamilton still produces similar timepieces, this particular model was a special edition that was designed for RAF pilots

Despite his love for watches seeing a wide range of designers, another watch of the King to stand out amongst the others in this collection is the Hamilton RAF Pilot’s Chronograph.

Charles was given the watch in the early 1970s when he was training as a jet pilot.

While Hamilton still produces similar timepieces for £19,800, this particular model was a special edition that was designed for RAF pilots.

The design of the watch features two bold sub-dials positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock on the dial. The black dial is also detailed with luminous hands and hour markers.

For a distinctive pilot’s watch aesthetic, the watch is finished with a brown leather strap that will remain comfortable to wear in any condition for long periods of time.

QUEEN CAMILLA

Cartier Tank Francaise

Queen Camilla is inseparable from her classic Cartier Tank Francaise watch, which she has worn to a number of royal engagements

The Queen appears to be inseparable from her classic Cartier Tank Francaise watch, which she has worn to a number of royal engagements. 

Since joining the Royal Family years ago, Camilla has kept her elegant yet down-to-earth style with her Midsize Yellow Gold watch with a black strap.

The Cartier Tank Francaise Midsize Yellow Gold Watch features an 18k yellow gold case, along with a blue sapphire cabochon crown and diamond bezel. Its ivory-coloured dial and black Roman numeral make it the perfect piece for any occasion. 

Queen Camilla’s beloved watch is estimated at around £12,500. 

FitBit Charge 3

Camilla even wore her FitBit to the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14, 2022

Showing that even royals like to keep up with the latest fitness trends, Camilla has previously revealed that she uses a FitBit watch to take care of her health. 

The Queen’s choice of watch appears to be the rose gold and grey Fitbit Charge 3, which automatically recognises exercises, has a 24/7 heart rate monitor, and counts steps on walks – which she  is reportedly a fan of.

However, not only does the 75-year-old wear her FitBit to work out, but she has also been wearing it regularly to royal engagements.

During the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in March last year, Camilla paired the sleek watch with an elegant purple outfit and black leather gloves.

The watch is listed at around £149.99 to buy on Amazon. 

PRINCE HARRY 

Rolex Explorer II  

The Duke owns the rare model of an Explorer II by Rolex, which is one of only 48 existing models

While Prince Harry might not be flaunting a vast collection of watches, much like his brother William, those he does own are incredibly impressive.  

The Duke owns the rare model of an Explorer II by Rolex, which is one of only 48 existing models. 

The model is expected to cost around £8,795, however, the custom made pieces are not available to buy directly from the brand.

The watch was made as a special order for the Attack Helicopter Regiment, in which Prince Harry served.

Harry’s timepiece will hold great sentimental significance to him as it represents the time he spent in this regiment with his colleagues.

The Explorer II is made from Oystersteel and the design shows an Oyster bracelet featuring a white dial with an arrow-shaped 24-hour hand and hour markers with a Chromalight display.

DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH  

Patek Philippe Twenty 4 Watch

The Duchess of Edinburgh has been spotted wearing her Patek Philippe Twenty 4 Watch on a number of occasions

The Duchess of Edinburgh has been spotted wearing her Patek Philippe Twenty 4 Watch on a number of occasions since its first appearance in 2019.

Sophie’s favourite is a mechanical self-winding ladies’ watch designed to accompany the lives of modern and active women in style – so it’s no surprise the busy royal loves it.

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s go-to watch is listed at £23,620 online.

The watch is made from steel and comes set with diamonds and a black dial.

PIPPA MIDDLETON

Cartier Ballon Bleu

Pippa’s 33mm Cartier watch is said to be made of a mixture of steel and 18K pink gold and its distinctive bezel is studded with 50 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.63 carats

While both Pippa and Kate Middleton wear pieces from Cartier’s exclusive Ballon Bleu range – Kate’s is an ‘entry level’ watch costing £4,850 in comparison to Pippa’s which is worth an eye-watering £14,500.

Pippa’s 33mm version is said to be made of a mixture of steel and 18K pink gold and its distinctive bezel is studded with 50 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.63 carats.

The face has a single Roman numeral, 12, with the rest of the dial made of 11 diamonds totalling 0.05 carats.

It is thought to have been given to her by her then fiancé and hedge fund manager James Matthews following their engagement.

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