Supermodel. Entrepreneur. Body-positivity trailblazer. Ashley Graham is a force to be reckoned with—having built a career that has actively rewritten conversations around beauty, representation, and confidence across fashion, media, and business. From global runways to hosting, campaigning, and championing inclusivity, she has become one of the most recognizable—and relatable—voices in contemporary fashion.

That influence is felt far beyond the runway. To that end, seeing Graham appear in the much-anticipated sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2—a cultural touchstone for a generation of millennials like myself—feels especially resonant. The blockbuster has already drawn hundreds of millions at the box office, but Graham’s cameo is more than a moment on screen. It reflects her standing within the industry, the growing cultural power of women who are reshaping it, and the way her presence has become woven into fashion’s modern narrative.

In this conversation with Jewellery Business, Graham reflects on her relationship with OMEGA, what “time well spent” means to her, and her evolving relationship with watches—both as a signature and as markers of life’s big milestones.

Tell us about your journey with OMEGA, and what about it resonates with you personally?

It started back in 2024, when I joined the brand’s celebrity Bob Run. What an introduction. Then, I came on as one of the campaign ambassadors for the Aqua Terra 30 mm collection in 2025, and then this year I got to be part of OMEGA House at Milano Cortina, which was such a special chapter. What resonates with me is how seriously OMEGA takes women’s watches. These timepieces are built for the way we actually move through a day, and you feel that the moment you put one on.

How do OMEGA designs align with your personal style?

My schedule is full. So, when I find a watch I love wearing, I want it to keep up. The Aqua Terra 30 mm does that for me. The design is beautiful, the materials feel really considered, and it’s a piece I just don’t think twice about. I move through everything that makes up my life, the work, the kids, the travel, the events, and this watch comes along for all of it.

How do you typically incorporate watches into your daily looks?

A watch is the piece I always come back to. My earrings might change three times before I leave the house, the bag definitely changes, but the watch usually stays on for the whole day, so it has to really feel like me. I’ll grab mine in the morning without overthinking it, and somehow it works with whatever I’ve pulled together. That’s the mark of a well-designed watch, I think. It just slots in.

What does “time well spent” mean to you? 

When you’re young and trying to make it in your career, “time well spent” can mean so many different things—working late nights, taking as many meetings as possible, meeting new people, networking… but as you get older and you might want to start a family, that perspective can totally change. Time well spent now can be just hanging out with friends and family, finding that special time to be with my husband and our kids, or even just taking a moment to myself! And honestly, that’s part of why I love a mechanical watch.

It pulls me back into the moment. I’m not glancing at a screen and getting yanked into 20 notifications. I check the time, and I’m right back in the room with whoever I’m with.

Do you see your watch as more of a functional tool, a fashion statement, or a bit of both?

A bit of both, for sure. Think about the astronauts who wore their OMEGAs in space. For them, it was a tool, full stop. I love being part of that legacy. Then on a wrist like mine, where I might be on a red carpet one night and on a flight the next morning, the watch takes on another life entirely. The fact that one piece can carry all of that, for me, is the real fashion statement.

Can you remember the first watch you ever owned? What made it memorable?

The first time I ever wore a watch was in middle school. It was a gift from my parents, and it made me feel like a grown-up. It was a great coming-of-age gift that made me feel very adult-like.

What advice would you give to people who want to buy their first luxury timepiece?

Buy what you love. Truly. Don’t overthink the investment angle, don’t let yourself get talked into something that isn’t really you. A luxury watch should be something you reach for again and again, season after season, year after year. The only way that actually happens is if you love wearing it on the wrist.

Are there certain watches in your collection that reflect different moments in your life?

Definitely. Watches end up being these quiet little markers of where you were and who you were becoming. From buying your first watch to maybe celebrating a huge milestone and buying a beautiful new watch for yourself… a watch can be tied to so many special moments in someone’s life. I still have all the watches I’ve ever bought, or that people have given me. I’ll put those pieces on now and feel like I’m right back in that moment for a second.

How does your lifestyle influence the watch you reach for on a given day?

Hugely. My days look really different from each other, so I need pieces that can transition with me. Something I can wear to an event one evening and then onto a flight the next morning without thinking about it. The Aqua Terra is wonderful for that.

Time is crucial both in your life and work—how does your relationship with timekeeping play a role in your day-to-day?

Time is the thing I’m always negotiating. Work, family, travel, friends, the calendar runs hot. So, my relationship with it has to be hands-on. I plan ahead, I’m protective of my hours, and I try to be really intentional about where I’m spending them. Wearing a watch I love is part of that intention. There’s something about looking down at my wrist that reminds me this hour is mine, and I want to spend it well.

How many timepieces do you own?

I think I own about seven watches. Watches that have been passed down from my family, gifts from others, special watches that I’ve bought myself… I love a beautiful timepiece. One of my absolute favourites, though, is the Aqua Terra 30 mm. It goes with everything I own, and as we head into summer, it’s the piece that genuinely lives on my wrist.

If you could go back in time, which moment in time would you go back to?

Holding my oldest son in my arms for the first time is definitely a moment I think about a lot. He’s the first baby that made me a mom! Women’s bodies are incredibly powerful, and it’s amazing that we’re able to do this. Experiencing that feeling of accomplishment and seeing my son for the first time is just a feeling you never forget.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited to make time for?

This year has been incredible so far, celebrating big career wins and achieving things that I’ve truly been dreaming about for a long time. I’m excited to keep working toward my goals and developing the business side of my career. It’s an exciting time, and I don’t take any of it for granted!