RETAIL ROUNDUP:Finding time to accessorize

With the advent of the cellphone, the need for a timepiece could have threatened the watch industry, but the timekeepers have adapted.

Instead, watches have become as much of an accessory as a belt — functional but fashionable.

“People aren’t buying watches so much just as a timepiece anymore,” director of sales Christopher Friel said at Vestal’s Westside Costa Mesa headquarters. “Watches have become a fashion accessory as much as belts and shoes.”

Costa Mesa-based watch designer Vestal has been on the cutting edge of watch trends and fashion since it began about 10 years ago.

These days, big watches are in, and Vestal was one of the first to pioneer that trend, creating its signature style in its infancy.

The company has expanded to offer other accessories and apparel in order to cement its brand in the fashion world.

The company sells its product in 30 countries, and its European headquarters in France has been doing very well since it was opened four years ago, Vestal President Johnny Gehris said.

Vestal watches are for young, fashion-forward people who lean toward the cutting edge. Just like apparel this season, color is in for watches.

Although the watches are worn by rock stars and celebrities, they don’t all come with a rock-star price. The watches range from about $50 to $350, with many styles in the $100 to $200 range.

The most popular men’s watches are the Metal Monte Carlo, Destroyer and Bendex.

But some of the men’s watches have crossed gender lines, with many ladies picking up some of the guys’ watches for themselves — bigger can be better apparently.

Many of Vestal’s watches come with a variety of strap choices because this year texture is also in. The company uses a variety of strap styles and finished metals, leather and canvas.

But for some, a watch that isn’t waterproof or can’t help them find the best time to go surfing or diving just won’t cut it. For them, Rip Curl is the company to look for.

Twenty-five years ago, the company began innovating watches for surfers who needed to monitor local tides — and today it remains a leader in the industry.

But you don’t have to have a specialty Tide series watch to tell the time while splashing in the waves. Every Rip Curl watch is waterproof to at least 100 meters deep. Its bestselling Cortez Tidemaster watch is twice as waterproof.

The Tide series watches aren’t cheap, but for the people who want the technology, it could be worth it.

“We’ve had people send us Rip Curl watches they’ve found at super crazy depths that are still working,” said Brian Bosson, Rip Curl’s production manager for tech products at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa. “The strap may be decayed, and some of them have had barnacles stuck to them, but you open it up and the watch is still working.”

But if you’re looking for something a bit more high-end or luxurious, Charriol at Fashion Island would be a good bet. It sells watches from just under $1,000 all the way up to $80,000, but the company tries to marry practicality and luxury.

“As a whole, people want this balance — it’s very important for them to have high style and sense of glamour with a rich distinctive look mixed with practicality,” General Manager Mark Gavranovic said. “Our customers don’t want a watch to wear only twice a year.”

The old cliche must still hold true, as women who shop at Charriol just about always opt for watches with diamond detail.

Elsewhere in Fashion Island, Traditional Jewelers offers high-end watches, as well as jewelry. The store carries iconic brands like Cartier, Chopard and Bulgari.

But if Cartier isn’t in your budget this year, or if even if an $80 Vestal may not count as a prudent purchase, South Coast Plaza’s Swatch store may be the answer. The familiar name has watches starting from about $50.

If you’re looking toward next season, keep an eye on true jewelry-inspired watches. Vestal will roll out some watches that look more like fashionable bracelets and bangles than watches.

Vestal watches can be found at Newport-Mesa shops, including Surfside Sports, Jacks Surfboards, the Closet, Erica Dee Men and Active Ride Shop.

Rip Curl watches can be found at many local surf shops.