Let’s start with a question – who is a true symbol of elegant style for you? For most people, the answer is Princess Diana. She was the woman who could stay naturally elegant in every situation, as if this quality was a gift she carried effortlessly. But where did her refined charm really come from? The secret was simple: Diana always expressed her personality through her clothes and accessories – a calm, understated, but deeply royal character with a quiet yet unmistakable charm.
In today’s story, we look at Princess Diana’s watch collection and the details that shaped her signature style.
When we think of Lady Di’s watches, it’s almost impossible not to start with the Cartier Tank Louis – the model that perfectly captured her minimalist aesthetic. With its rectangular shape, yellow-gold case, and black leather strap, the Tank Louis is one of Cartier’s most recognizable designs. Thanks to its clean look, Diana wore it both for official events and for her daily outings.
Another important piece in her collection was the Patek Philippe Calatrava in gold – a gift from Prince Charles. Diana often wore this watch at sporting events, like polo matches. The Calatrava showed how she could mix practicality and elegance in one simple, effortless gesture.
We often saw the Cartier Tank Française in Diana’s style. It was clear to everyone that she had a special love for gold, and this watch proved it perfectly. The Tank Française – one of Cartier’s most iconic models – came with a yellow-gold bracelet and case, making it a natural match for her refined, warm-toned aesthetic.
One of the most symbolic watches in her collection was the Vacheron Constantin gifted to Queen Elizabeth in 1947 by the Swiss Federation, and later passed down to Diana. Set with diamonds, this watch appeared frequently at official engagements, including the Red Cross Gala Dinner in Washington in 1997.
And finally, we end the list with one of Diana’s most loved pieces – the legendary Panthère de Cartier. She received it from Dodi Al-Fayed, the man with whom she spent her final days. The Panthère matched her glamorous style perfectly with its gold case, gold chain bracelet, quartz movement, and white dial. But more than its design, it carried a symbolic meaning that the public followed closely in 1997 – a reminder of a tragic love story and a piece of emotion preserved in an accessory.
