Brand: Judith Leiber x Timex
Buy: Online at Timex
Editor's Notes: Judith Leiber, the late queen of bedazzled clutches who we shouted out last week, is paid homage with an unexpected collaboration: a licensing deal between the designer's eponymous brand and Timex.
In partnership with Authentic Brands Group, which bought the Judith Leiber brand in 2013, Timex just dropped a duo of Swarovski-encrusted watches that veer into the thousands of dollars — an uncharacteristically high price point for the timepiece purveyor.
Already available online, the Timex T80 ($1,000) is blinged out with over 900 crystals on the dial, case and bracelet, a nod to Leiber's extravagantly glittery minaudières. The Q Timex ($1,200) is given a similarly sparkly treatment, decked out with a rainbow of baguette crystals.
In recent years, Leiber's handbags have experienced a resurgence of sorts. Under the direction of Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, the brand has come to embody Instagram-friendly excess, a cheeky, over-the-top luxury that's well aware of its extravagance.
Veering away from Leiber's fruit and animal-shaped clutches of yesteryear, the brand now offers blinged-out bags in the shape of pill bottles, basketballs, and stacks of cash, pop culture references that have garnered the favor of perhaps the two most pop culturally relevant people today: Kim Kardashian and J.Lo.
Timex was wise to capitalize not only on Leiber's resurgence in popularity but also growing interest in luxury watches for women; an increasing number of women are investing in high-end timepieces, once considered the exclusive wheelhouse of men.
Timex seems to be courting this new generation of monied consumers with its Judith Leiber watches, which are limited to 200 editions each and retail for significantly more than most Timex models (the best-selling T80 starts at $59). More flashy watches will begin rolling out in Spring 2022, when Judith Leiber x Timex watches will begin arriving at Judith Leiber boutiques and stockists.
