# Worthless Luxury Speaking to desire for impracticality, the watch market highlights uselessness. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Jan 27, 2014, updated Apr 8, 2014 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/timeless-wealth ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.4/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Worthless Luxury trend? **Worthless Luxury:** As the number of clientele for luxury goods continues to grow exponentially, the notion of opulence is being expanded to include a design ethos that highlights uselessness. With specific regard to timepieces, this movement of worthless luxury products signifies a preference for status over function; as designer goods become commonplace, the status-obsessed require continued stimulation in new and exotic ways. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 11 to Dec 18, 2013 - Published: Jan 27, 2014 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Worthless Luxury trend ### Worthless Luxury The trend of highlighting uselessness in luxury design, recently exemplified in timepieces, signifies a preference for status over function. ### Futuristic Design Timepieces with angled designs and advanced technology are becoming increasingly popular to cater to consumers' desires for a futuristic aesthetic. ### Limited Edition Collectibles Luxury watchmakers are creating limited edition timepieces to cater to the desires of collectors and those seeking exclusivity in their purchases. ## What the Worthless Luxury trend means for industry ### For Luxury Goods As opulence and status symbolism becomes more important for high-end buyers, luxury goods industry professionals can focus on the trend of highlighting uselessness in their designs. ### For Watchmaking Innovation in watch technology and design is becoming increasingly important as consumers seek unique and advanced timepieces to make a statement. ### For Fashion The crossover of luxury watches into the fashion industry allows for new avenues of creativity and collaboration, appealing to both luxury and fashion consumers alike. ## Trend signals for Worthless Luxury Trend score 5.4 out of 10, from popularity 75%, activity 79%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 75% - Activity: 79% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Worthless Luxury trend 6 featured examples from Feb 11 to Dec 18, 2013. - [$35,000 Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/devon-tread-1g): The Devon Tread 1G Keeps Time but Breaks Budgets (Category: Fashion) Implication: The watchmaking industry could explore disruptive innovation opportunities by incorporating advanced materials and technology into the design and manufacturing process of timepiec… - [Complexing Luxury Car Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hublot-masterpiece-mp05-laferrari-watch): The Hublot Masterpiece MP-05 LaFerrari Watch is for Suave Drivers (Category: Autos) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with luxury watch brands to create custom timepieces for high-end car owners. - [Futuristic Chevron Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/faceless-led-watch): The 'Volt' Faceless LED Watch is a Sci-Fi-Styled Accessory (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the watch industry by incorporating LED technology and futuristic designs. - [Galactic Explorer Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gagarin-tourbillion): The Bernhard Lederer Gagarin Tourbillon Celebrates Yuri Gagarin (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Luxury watch companies can capitalize on the growing interest in space exploration and historical figures by designing and marketing limited edition watches to collectors and enth… - [Sleek Superhero Chronometers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shield-watch): The Shield Watch Copies the Iconic Costume of Captain America (Category: Fashion) Implication: Exploring superhero-inspired designs in fashion and accessory products, such as watches, can create disruptive innovation opportunities. - [Segmented Analog Watch Faces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cassini-concept-watch): The Cassini Concept Watch Tells Time with Flowing Lines (Category: Fashion) Implication: Watch design industry can explore innovative ways to create segmented analog watch faces, offering customers distinct and eye-catching timepieces. ## Recent trend clusters - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) - [Athletic Styling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-styling) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)