Watches Worn in Wuthering Heights
Emerald Fennell's 2026 adaptation of Wuthering Heights has the internet obsessing over its lavish costumes, bold Chanel jewelry, and Gothic mood. But if you paused the movie looking for a specific wristwatch on Heathcliff or Catherine, you probably came up empty. The film is set in 18th-century England, a time when pocket watches ruled and wristwatches simply did not exist yet.
So what kind of timepieces actually belong in the world of Wuthering Heights? And why do the accessories in this film matter so much to watch lovers? Here is everything you need to know.
Why Wristwatches Do Not Appear in Wuthering Heights
The film takes place in the late 1700s on the Yorkshire Moors. Wristwatches were not invented until the late 1800s, and men did not commonly wear them until World War I. Any watch in this era would have been a pocket watch, carried in a waistcoat pocket and attached by a chain.
Fennell's adaptation mixes historical eras with deliberate creative freedom. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran blended Victorian, Tudor, and even 1950s Hollywood references into the wardrobe. The jewelry follows the same approach, pulling from Chanel's vintage archives rather than sticking to period-accurate pieces.
Pocket Watches of the Georgian Era
During the time period depicted in Wuthering Heights, pocket watches were one of the most personal possessions a gentleman could own. Wealthy families like the Lintons would have carried gold or silver pocket watches made by English or Swiss makers. Brands like Breguet, which was founded in 1775, were already producing timepieces for European aristocracy during this exact era.
- Open-face and hunter-case pocket watches were common among the upper class
- Movements were hand-wound with fusee-and-chain mechanisms
- Cases were often engraved with family crests or initials
- A pocket watch was a symbol of status, inheritance, and responsibility
How the Film Uses Accessories as Storytelling
While the production team chose bold jewelry over historical pocket watches, the accessories in Wuthering Heights serve a clear narrative purpose. The oversized gemstone crosses, vintage Chanel pieces sewn into Margot Robbie's hair, and dramatic necklaces all reflect the emotional extremes of Catherine and Heathcliff's relationship.
Period dramas have a long tradition of using watches and jewelry to develop characters. Anthony Bridgerton's inherited pocket watch, for example, represents his anxiety about time and mortality. In Wuthering Heights, the absence of watches and the presence of extravagant jewelry suggest a world outside of time, where obsession and passion have no clock.
What Real Watches Fit the Wuthering Heights Aesthetic
If you love the dark, romantic mood of Wuthering Heights and want a watch that matches, certain styles capture that same feeling perfectly.
Hand-Wound Watches with Exhibition Case Backs
A hand-wound mechanical watch connects you to the same tradition that powered pocket watches in the 1700s. Winding the crown each day creates a physical ritual, much like winding a pocket watch by candlelight on the moors. A hand-wound movement kit teaches this fundamental skill by letting you work directly with a mainspring and gear train.
Skeleton Dials and Visible Mechanics
The film's costume design celebrates things that are exposed, raw, and visible. Skeleton dials echo that same philosophy by revealing the inner workings of a watch. Skeleton pocket watch kits offer a tangible way to build a timepiece that would look right at home in Heathcliff's world, with visible gears and open architecture.
Dark and Dramatic Design Choices
The deep blues, blacks, and golds seen throughout Wuthering Heights translate well into watch design. Deep blue dials on leather straps, gold-tone hands, and stainless steel cases with exhibition backs capture that brooding Gothic atmosphere. A DIY watch building kit with a rich blue dial and leather strap comes surprisingly close to the film's visual palette.
Building a Period-Inspired Watch at Home
One of the best parts about mechanical watches is that the technology has not fundamentally changed since the era depicted in Wuthering Heights. The same principles of mainsprings, balance wheels, and escapements that powered pocket watches in the 1700s still power mechanical watch kits today.
Start with Hand-Wound Fundamentals
Hand-wound movements are the direct descendants of the pocket watch movements that would have existed in the world of Wuthering Heights. The winding mechanism, the gear train, and the balance wheel all work the same way. Starting with a hand-wound watch movement kit gives you direct experience with this centuries-old technology.
Move to Pocket Watch Styles
For fans who want to fully embrace the period aesthetic, pocket watch kits create functional timepieces with stainless steel cases and chains. The visible skeleton movements connect directly to the era's tradition of open-faced pocket watches, where owners would admire the mechanical artistry beneath the dial.
The Erle pocket watch kit is a strong choice for anyone drawn to this period. Its skeleton movement leaves the gear train and escapement fully exposed — the same kind of mechanical transparency that made Georgian pocket watches objects of pride, not just utility.
Conclusion
Wuthering Heights may not feature identifiable wristwatches, but its lavish approach to accessories makes it a fascinating film for anyone who appreciates craftsmanship and design. The pocket watches of the Georgian era share DNA with every mechanical watch built today. If the film inspired you to explore mechanical watchmaking, browse the full collection of DIY watch kits and watch movement kits to build your own timepiece from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What watches appear in the 2026 Wuthering Heights movie?
No identifiable wristwatches appear in the film. The story is set in 18th-century England, before wristwatches were invented, so the accessories focus on jewelry and period-inspired adornments.
Did people wear watches during the time period of Wuthering Heights?
Yes, but only pocket watches. Wealthy men carried gold or silver pocket watches in waistcoat pockets, attached by chains. Wristwatches did not become common until the early 1900s.
What jewelry brands are featured in Wuthering Heights?
Vintage Chanel pieces from the brand's archives were used throughout the film, sewn into costumes and hair. Additional costume jewelry was sourced from Joseff of Hollywood and other vintage suppliers.
What watch brands existed during the Georgian era?
Breguet (founded 1775), along with English makers like Thomas Mudge and John Arnold, produced pocket watches for the aristocracy during this period.
Can I build a pocket watch at home?
Yes. Several watchmaking kits include pocket watch styles with skeleton movements and stainless steel chains, allowing you to assemble a functional pocket watch from scratch.
What type of watch matches the Wuthering Heights aesthetic?
Hand-wound mechanical watches with dark dials, leather straps, and exhibition case backs capture the film's Gothic, romantic atmosphere. Skeleton designs also echo the movie's emphasis on revealing what lies beneath the surface.
