Our Editor in Chief Says This Is the Best Jewelry Item to Invest In

Few fashion items elevate your personal style quite like jewelry does, and according to our editor in chief Nikki Ogunnaike, a watch is the number one jewelry piece worth investing in. Every watch, whether it's your first or your tenth, tells a unique story about the important moments, loved ones, or celebratory occasions in your life. It's that deeper meaning that makes them such a special investment piece. "When it comes to watches, especially from a brand like Audemars Piguet, there is such technical craftsmanship that goes into watchmaking that I like to get the best of the best within my budget," Ogunnaike explains. She recently tried on her favorite styles from the brand and gave us an inside look at how she selects and styles her timepieces.

For Ogunnaike, not just any item with a high price tag counts as an investment piece. Instead, she considers both the additional value an item will add to her wardrobe (think cost-per-wear) and its longevity. "My first thought is: Will I actually wear this? Will it stand the test of time? My personal test of time?" Ogunnaike explains. "I've always agreed with the philosophy of spending more money on items that I'm going to wear on a daily basis. And that includes my watches."

Above, she wears a black ceramic AP watch with gorgeous pink and gold details, which is perfect for everyday wear. She styles it with her classic uniform: a tailored set. Of her styling choice she notes, "My days are extremely busy and they often take me from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. What I love about a set like this is that you can wear it together and instantly look polished, or you can take the separates and pair a T-shirt with the pants, or wear the vest with jeans. There's a lot of different ways I can style those two particular items, but the watch matches with anything that I would put together, making it the element that ties the look together."

As far as timeless watches go, Ogunnaike favors a mixed metal style—particularly this 34mm steel and pink gold one. "I don't care if two-tone watches are 'out' one year, if I really feel like I'm going to love two-tone watches for the next 25 years of my life, then I'm going to buy them."

The watch's silver tone and Ogunnaike's gray suit are a match made in heaven. "I honestly could see myself switching between the two-tone and the ceramic watches in a single day, depending on where the day takes me," she says. "I love the size of both watches and how the ceramic feels a little tough and the two-tone feels very sophisticated."

Here, Ogunnaike switches up her look for something more delicate and sparkly. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with a mini watch," she says when choosing this frosted gold style. "I have a dainty wrist, so any watch is probably going to look big on me. I think having something that's slightly smaller is cool—it's refreshing, it's unexpected—especially if you wear it on a larger wrist."

The juxtaposition between the fancier, daintier watch—which is traditionally styled exclusively with evening wear—and her classic daytime button-down feels very chic and on-trend. "I'm not a glittery girl, but there's something that feels so special and unique about this piece. I'd wear it any time, on any given day."

Discover More of Nikki's Favorite Watches