Donovan Barnett

(Watch Editor & Senior Growth Content Strategist / Berlin)

Donovan Barnett is an award-winning writer with 8 years of experience and the Watch Editor at Highsnobiety. At the intersection of style, culture, and horology, Donovan leads watch coverage that’s as visually rich as it is editorially sharp—telling stories that resonate with a new generation of collectors. He’s worked with brands like Ulysse Nardin, Anoma, Audemars Piguet, and Timex to create culturally attuned content that connects classic craftsmanship with what’s next.

His POV is simple: watches aren’t just about complications—they’re cultural touchstones. Grails worn by the artists, designers, and disruptors moving the needle. Whether he’s writing about the newest independents pushing boundaries or reinterpreting heritage through a modern lens, Donovan’s approach is rooted in cultural storytelling and design relevance.

Active in the watch community online and IRL, Donovan is your go-to for what’s shaping the future of time—and who’s wearing it. When he’s not on wrist-check duty or listening to the Wrist Check Podcast, he’s probably deep in a rabbit hole on vintage Urban Jürgensen or mapping the next story that makes horology feel as fresh as the moment demands.

Articles

  • An Underrated Salomon Sneaker Goes Amphibious

  • A Charm-Covered Air Force 1 That Goes Full Miami Vice

  • And This, Folks, Is How You Make the Perfect Dress Watch

  • The World's Most Sophisticated Elephant Gets His Own Watch

  • A $2 Million Sapphire Case? Richard Mille Out-Milles Itself

  • Unpacking a Watch That's Part Dinosaur, Part Millennium Falcon

  • How a Newcomer Swiss Watchmaker Makes Sci-Fi-Level Wristwear

  • This Clock Doesn’t Need Batteries. Just a Breeze

  • Bvlgari Created the Thinnest Tourbillon Ever… Again

  • Pharrell’s Mindful Skincare Brand Simply Wants You to Have a Good Day

  • It's Officially Time to Stop Sleeping on Jaeger-LeCoultre

  • The Family-Run Watch Brand Making Star Wars Watches with Kyber Crystals