From Street to Statement: Sneakers and Watches in 2025

From your wrist to your feet, the modern collector’s flex isn’t just about fashion—it’s about storytelling. In 2025, two seemingly unrelated categories—sneakers and watches—have found themselves side by side not just on your shelf, but in culture, commerce, and community. The recently launched Indian sneaker brand by Ranbir Kapoor ARKS, highlighted the rise of 'sneakerheads' in India giving rise to a unique subculture in the mayhem that is Indian pop culture. What were once everyday essentials have become symbols of taste, heritage, and hype. Whether you're lacing up the latest retro runners or strapping on a ceramic-cased timepiece, you're not just showing up—you’re saying something.

Watches and sneakers — style that tells time and walks the talk.

Time and Sole: A Shared Language
The sneaker has come a long way from basketball courts and running tracks. From the canvas cool of Chuck Taylors to the cultural capital of Jordans and Yeezys, sneakers are now fashion currency—gracing red carpets, high fashion editorials, and billion-dollar resell platforms. The same story plays out on the wrist. Watches, once rugged tools of function, are now auction darlings, collector trophies, and status symbols.

Actor Ranbir Kapoor's foray into sneaker culture with homegrown ARKS

And the markets reflect the mood. The global sneaker industry hit $90.5 billion in 2024 and is sprinting toward the $150 billion mark by 2033. Watch collecting, too, is no longer niche—auction prices are surging, and new collectors are flooding in, especially from Gen Z and millennial cohorts.

What’s HOT in Sneakers (2025 Edition)
Retro runners are back, but this time they’re slimmer, sleeker, and worn with intent. The Adidas Samba and Gazelle renaissance is still peaking, powered by everyone from A$AP Rocky to Bella Hadid. Nike’s Vomero , P-6000, and Pegasus 2K5 have taken over feeds, offering techy comfort with just the right amount of Y2K flair.

Nike's Vomero 18 and the Adidas Samba and Gazelle

The New Balance 1906R is arguably the shoe of the year—its ‘dad shoe’ roots modernized through collabs with names like Auralee and Action Bronson. Similarly, Salomon’s XT-6 and ACS Pro continue their reign among gorpcore enthusiasts and stylists alike. And yes, AF1s and Stan Smiths remain unbeatable in their minimalist appeal.

My Personal Pick: On Cloudnova
Personally, I’ve been living in my On Clouds. They’re the perfect middle ground between performance and polish. Lightweight, futuristic, and versatile enough!  There’s something about the way they balance performance tech with a clean, contemporary silhouette that just works—whether I’m dressing them up with a blazer or throwing them on for a long day of meetings and shoots.  The silhouette feels fresh, and the brand’s rising momentum doesn’t hurt either.

What’s HOT on the Wrist
This year, smaller case sizes (34–38mm) are the new flex. After a decade of oversized dominance, taste has turned toward vintage proportions and wrist-friendly minimalism. Think Tudor Black Bay 36, Doxa Sub 200 Whitepearl, or the Hermès H08 in its compact format. Textural variety is also trending: linen dials, suede straps, bronze and titanium cases. The rugged is getting refined.

Doxa Sub 200 Whitepearl and the Tudor Black Bay 36

Meanwhile, iconic references still rule: the Rolex Daytona, Cartier Santos, and Omega Speedmaster continue to anchor collections. But 2025 is also a moment for unexpected heat and heritage revival:

• The G-Shock x Crocs collab turned out to be an unexpected crowd-puller.
• Grand Seiko’s Evolution 9 GMT is quietly amassing a cult-like following.
• The Travis Scott x Audemars Piguet Royal Oak remains firmly in the cultural spotlight.
• Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas 222 is fast cementing its status as a future grail.
• The black dial Breguet Type XX in Breguet gold is quickly becoming a collector’s favorite.

• A. Lange & Söhne’s Odysseus and Lange 1 Moon Phase embody discreet, high-horology ambition.

   

My Personal Pick: Rolex Daytona (Steel)
Call it a flex, but I keep coming back to the steel Rolex Daytona. It just hits that sweet spot—sporty, sharp, and effortlessly iconic. It goes with everything: a tee, a tux, even a hoodie. But more than that, it’s about how it feels—the weight, the balance, the history on the wrist. There’s a quiet power in wearing something that’s as much about performance as it is about presence. It doesn’t shout, but it definitely speaks.

Sneaker-Watch Pairings: Your Style Speaks
Your sneakers and watch don't just say what time it is—they say who you are.

Jordan 1s and the Rolex Daytona / New Balance 327 and the Cartier Santos

- Jordan 1s + Rolex Daytona = Icon-chaser energy
- New Balance 327 + Cartier Santos = Low-key luxe, quietly curated

G-Shock and Asics Gel-Kayano / On Cloudnova and Doxa Sub

- G-Shock + Asics Gel-Kayano = Function over fashion, with taste
- On Cloudnova + Doxa Sub = New-age thinker, design-forward, tech-leaning

Nike Air Max Plus "Supreme" and the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch / Salomon XT-6 + A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus

- Nike Air Max Plus "Supreme" + Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch = Street legend meets space legacy — bold, iconic, and built to go the distance.
- Salomon XT-6 + A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus = Performance meets precision with a nod to the Alps

In a world saturated with screens, likes, and fast trends, there’s something grounding about a beautifully stitched sneaker or a mechanical watch. They’re not fleeting. They carry history, craftsmanship, and soul. Whether you’re in it for the flex, the finesse, or the feverish hunt, 2025 is the year of time and sole.

Step in. Strap up. Everyone’s watching.