Watches for Investment Bankers: Spotted on Wall Street

Trends for the Wall Street broker and banker will always differ from the average joe. It may be because of their big monthly pay-check, or it could be a fashion culture. But watches for investment bankers can pave the way for the big boy collectors.

The Wall Street guide to watches relies on the idea that a watch shows dominance. And, you are to wear a watch that shows your status. Any higher status and superiors will scowl, any lower and there’ll be questions.

That’s why, here at WatchSignals, we’re bringing you a list of the watches for investment bankers. From plastic Swatches to Patek Philippes we have the insider info for every Wall Street role.

1. The Wall Street Intern’s Watches

The junior of the company. Entering into an unknown world of watches for investment bankers is the intern. While common to see the beginnings of a status watch, new trends have emerged. The Wall Street guide to watches may have normally seen:

• Casio G-Shock
• Apple Watches.
• Garmin
• Timex
• Seiko.
• Daniel Wellingtons
• Tudor Black Bay
• Oris Divers Sixty-Five
• Baume et Mercier Classima

Price range: $40 – $1,000

2. The Wall Street Analyst’s Watches

Now we’ve progressed to a full-time Wall Street position, it’s time to increase budget. With some analysts saying the leather strap has become a staple on the analyst’s fashion floor, let’s get going. Here you’re most likely to see

• Omega Seamaster
• Omega De Ville
• Rolex Submariner
• Rolex Datejust Stainless Steel
• Zenith Elite Chrono

Price range: $2,000 – $7,000

3. The Wall Street Associate’s Watches

There’s a Wall Street etiquette when It comes to watches. And, now the associate is beginning to make money, the price of watches must increase. You may find a shine of the wrist with a Tag Heuer Carrera. Or, watches for investment bankers could be more up-market with Breguet Marine around $14,000. You’ll also see:

• Blancpain Villeret
• Breguet Classic
• Rolex Cillini Date

Price range: $10,000 – $17,000

4. The Wall Street Vice President’s Watches

One of the most popular watches for investment bankers on Wall Street is the Panerai Luminor 1950. It must be the rose gold, larger-than-life 44mm watch face. And, it can set the VP back of $23,500. This is because the bigger the face, the bigger the dominance. It is a subconscious climb to fame within the Wall Street luxury watch circle.

• Rolex Daytona
• Vacheron Constantin Overseas
• Vacheron Constantin Patrimony
• Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time Standless Steel
• Panerai Radiomir 1940 Collection
• Piaget Altiplano White Gold

Price range: $14,000 – $20,000

5. Wall Street Director’s Watches

As we edge closer to the guys at the top, it’s time to present the role with a watch to match the budget. The Jaeger Lecoultre Master Grande has shown increased popularity on Wall Street. This could be because watches for investment bankers need more personality. As well as functionality and beauty in horology, of course.

• Patek Philippe Calatrava
• Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Extra Thin White Gold
• A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia

Price range: $20,000 – $35,000

6. The Wall Street Managing Director’s Watches

The Patek Philippe is the most sought-after brand in the Wall Street commons. With luxury watches for bankers showing status, dominance, power and income. There’s no surprise that managing directors stretch their budget into 6 figures. You’ll find a flamboyant luxury watch such as the Patek Philippe Sky Chart Grand Complication. Which can retail for over $300,000.

• Vacheron Constantin Metiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac
• Patek Philippe Grand Complication 5159G
• A. Lange & Sohne Langematik Perpetual

Price range: $100,000 – $300,000

7. The Limited Partners

At this point, the partner doesn’t need to present their dominance. As they are the boss’s boss the Wall Street guide to watches does not apply. Budgets can stretch into millions for the Patek Philippe Grand Complications Minute Repeater. Or, they could follow in the shoes of Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein with his simple Swatch.

And, while it may not be in our business to say, there’s a new trend taking over the world of investment bankers. In recent years, many high-earners have opted for the bare-wrist look. Adorning a status without a price tag is ‘in’. While the Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang 601.JY.0190.RT remains in storage for special occasions. 

Banker’s Guide to Watches

Finance meme by @ThePharmaGuy

8. Watches spotted on CEOs in finance and banking

Jes Staley, CEO of Barclays was wearing Panerai Luminor Marina PAM 111

Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank was spotted wearing a Longines Flagship Heritage

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England and his $100 Swatch

David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs rocked a Shinola Shinola Runwell Chronometer dress watch.

James Gorman, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley with his Rolex Daytona

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve – with the banker iconic Rolex Submariner

Sergio Ermotti, CEO of UBS was wearing a Rolex Daytona 116500

Antonio Horta Osorio, CEO of Lloyds Banking Group-and his Rolex Air-King

Michael Corbat, CEO of Citigroup – Girard Perregaux World Time Chronograph

Stuart Thomson Gulliver – former Group Chief Executive of HSBC – Rolex GMT-Master II

Read more:

Watches For Investment: Everything you need to know

The Beginner’s Guide to Buying your First Patek Philippe

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Omega

Top 10 Rolex Sports Watches You Can Buy in 2020