Race Day Jewellery & Watches: Dressed to Impress at Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is more than just a horse race, it’s a five-day celebration of style, famous for its incredible fashion and world-class horses. Since 1888, T.H.Baker has helped people look their best for life's big moments. And when it comes to dressing up, nothing calls for the perfect piece of jewellery quite like a day at the races.
The Royal Ascot Dress Code and What It Means for Your Jewellery
Royal Ascot is famous for its dress code, one of the strictest and most celebrated in British sporting life. Different enclosures carry different requirements, but across all of them, the underlying spirit is the same: elegance, occasion, and personal pride. It is, in the very best sense, an occasion where dressing up is not merely permitted - it is expected. For jewellery, this creates a wonderful opportunity. The formality of the occasion invites fine jewellery that might feel over-dressed elsewhere.
Royal Ascot is one of the rare occasions where wearing diamonds before evening is not only acceptable, it is encouraged.
Longines at Royal Ascot
No watch brand is more closely linked to Royal Ascot than Longines. Since 2007, the Swiss watchmaker has been the event's Official Timekeeper, a partnership based on a shared love for style and precision. You’ll see their clocks everywhere, from the Parade Ring to the finish line.
Why Longines is the Perfect Race Day Watch
Longines holds a special place in watchmaking. Known for Swiss quality and a history dating back to 1832, their watches are both beautiful and reliable. Whether you prefer the sporty Conquest, the classic Master Collection, or the vintage Heritage style, they all fit perfectly at Royal Ascot. These watches are high-quality and impressive without being "too much." At T.H.Baker, we are proud to be an authorised Longines retailer meaning every piece we sell is 100% authentic, fully warranted, and comes with official packaging. Whether you are attending the races or marking the occasion from afar, a Longines on your wrist connects you to the spirit of Royal Ascot itself.
Discover our full collection of Longines watches
Clogau: The Jewellery of Royal Heritage
If any jewellery belongs to a royal occasion, it is Clogau. Since 1923, when Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon chose Welsh gold for her wedding ring to Prince Albert. Clogau has been the jeweller of the British Royal Family.
For Royal Ascot, Clogau is an inspired choice. Their Tree of Life and Forget-Me-Not designs carry the quiet, confident charm of British heritage jewellery at its most refined. Set with natural diamonds and delicate gemstones, each piece is crafted to be handed down through generations.
Chopard: The Art of Joyful Fine Jewellery
Founded in Switzerland in 1860, Chopard is one of the great independent luxury houses celebrated equally for its extraordinary watchmaking and its joyful, brilliantly inventive fine jewellery. While some jewellers focus on being serious or formal, Chopard is all about joy. Their jewellery is designed to sparkle and move, giving off a happy, confident vibe. This makes their pieces the perfect choice for adding a touch of fun to your formal outfit.
Their signature Happy Diamonds collection is one of the most recognisable and beloved in all of fine jewellery. The concept is deceptively simple: diamonds left free to dance between two sapphire crystals, catching the light with every movement. On the wrist at a race day, or at the ear as you take your seat in the enclosure, Happy Diamonds pieces create a constant, mesmerising display of light and movement that draws the eye from across a room.
Shop the Chopard collection here.
Did You Know? - Chopard's Happy Diamonds collection was born from a watchmaker's observation that diamonds look most beautiful when they are free to move. The resulting diamonds floating between two sapphire crystals, has made Happy Diamonds one of the most instantly recognisable fine jewellery designs in the world, and one of the most spectacular choices for an occasion as radiant as Royal Ascot.
Gucci Horsebit: The Most Fitting Jewellery at the Races
The Gucci Horsebit collection turns a simple horse-riding symbol into a timeless fashion icon. Because its design is rooted in the world of horses and bridles, it is the perfect choice for a day at Royal Ascot.
The collection offers two distinct directions:
- Bold Yellow Gold: These pieces are sculptural and eye-catching. They are designed for a confident, luxurious look that stands out in the sunlight.
- Refined White Gold & Diamonds: For a more delicate glow, these diamond-encrusted pieces add high-end sparkle that works from morning until the evening parties.
At the races, a Gucci Horsebit necklace or bracelet does something very few designer pieces can: it makes complete, coherent sense in context. You are not simply wearing a luxury brand. You are wearing a piece whose entire heritage is rooted in the equestrian world you are celebrating.
Explore the Gucci Horsebit fine jewellery collection at T.H.Baker
Styling Fine Jewellery for Race Day
Fine jewellery at the races is not about wearing the most, it is about wearing the right pieces in the right way. The occasion calls for confidence, elegance, and a certain understanding of how jewellery works within a complete look.
Diamonds are the defining stone of formal occasions and Royal Ascot is one of the very few daytime events where wearing diamond jewellery feels entirely natural. Diamond stud earrings are the most versatile choice but a diamond pendant necklace or a fine diamond line bracelet completes a look. For the most polished result, keep diamonds as the focus and let other jewellery support rather than compete.
No jewellery has a stronger association with British royal dressing than the pearl. From Queen Mary's legendary rope necklaces to the single strand worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II on countless occasions of state, pearls carry a weight of tradition that makes them perfectly suited to Royal Ascot.
Royal blue sapphire carries an instant sense of occasion and depth that few gemstones can match. Whether set in yellow gold for warmth or white gold for cool precision, a sapphire ring or sapphire drop earrings add a sweep of rich colour to a race day outfit without sacrificing formality.
The T.H.Baker Jewellery Collection
Beyond our celebrated brand partnerships, T.H.Baker's own jewellery collection represents over 135 years of expertise distilled into beautifully crafted pieces. Hand-selected from around the world and set with diamonds, gemstones and precious metals, crafted to celebrate life's most meaningful moments and worn for generations. Each piece is fully hallmarked, certified and backed by our in-house expertise.
Visit one of our 17 stores across the Midlands and southern England or shop online to explore the full T.H.Baker fine jewellery collection ahead of the season.
