Chinese actress Sun Qian has seen her fame rise following the runaway success of Netflix’s The Early Spring. In the series, she plays the female lead, Shang Zhitao, bringing an effortless sense of polish to the role with her 172cm-tall frame, natural beauty and striking features. It didn’t take long for her to become a favourite among luxury fashion brands—but away from the screen, her watch game is just as worth a closer look.
Born in Harbin, Heilongjiang, in 1997, Sun Qian trained in ballet from a young age at the Affiliated Secondary School of Beijing Dance Academy before going on to study acting at the Central Academy of Drama. She began her acting career with roles in Take My Brother Away, Remembrance of Things Past, Wild Bloom and Islands, steadily honing her craft and expanding her range along the way. It was her role as Shang Zhitao in The Early Spring, however, that brought her into the spotlight. With her natural, nuanced performance and palpable on-screen chemistry with Jing Boran, she has become one of the Chinese actresses currently making waves.
Years of ballet training have given Sun Qian the long, balanced proportions of a dancer, along with the versatility to pull off everything from casual denim to polished eveningwear. Whether she’s in jeans, a plain black knit or full-on evening glamour, she has a knack for making even the most effortless looks feel distinctly her own. And the right timepiece on her wrist can elevate even the simplest outfit, adding that final touch of polish.
1. OMEGA Speedmaster 38
At the finale meet-and-greet event for The Early Spring, Sun Qian appeared alongside her co-star Jing Boran in a black waistcoat and dark-blue fitted jeans. On her wrist was the OMEGA Speedmaster 38, adding a refined touch of understated luxury to the sharp, pared-back look.
The newly redesigned Speedmaster 38mm swaps the previous generation’s oval sub-dials for round counters, giving the silhouette a cleaner, more streamlined feel. Sun Qian’s white mother-of-pearl version is framed by a diamond-set bezel and paired with OMEGA’s signature five-link bracelet. Powered by the Co-Axial Calibre 3330, it also features a date display and a 52-hour power reserve.
2. Piaget Limelight Gala
Sun Qian proves that a jewellery watch can feel just as at home with an everyday wardrobe, pairing the elegant Piaget Limelight Gala with a relaxed black top and wide-leg washed denim. The contrast strikes just the right balance between laid-back ease and high-jewellery glamour — proof that a statement timepiece doesn’t have to wait for a red-carpet moment.
First introduced in 1973, the Piaget Limelight Gala is instantly recognisable for its asymmetrical lugs, which extend gracefully from either side of the case. Paired with elongated Roman numerals, the design has developed a distinctive aesthetic of its own. Sun Qian’s watch features a diamond-set case and lugs, while the black alligator strap echoes the colour of her top, giving the otherwise glamorous watch a decidedly modern edge.
3. CHANEL Première
For a CHANEL event in Shanghai, Sun Qian opted for a youthful, laid-back look, punctuating the outfit with a CHANEL Première watch. Minimal yet instantly recognisable, it proved to be the perfect finishing touch.
The Première was CHANEL’s first watch for women, created in 1987 by the house’s then artistic director Jacques Helleu. Its octagonal case takes its cues from the stopper of the iconic N°5 perfume bottle, while the original bracelet — interwoven with leather — is inspired by the chain of CHANEL’s quilted bags. With its clean, timeless design, the Première slips effortlessly into almost any wardrobe. On Sun Qian, it takes on a fresh, contemporary attitude, balancing the house’s signature elegance with a distinctly modern edge.
4. Harry Winston Emerald
Sun Qian let a classic all-black evening look do the talking, with the Harry Winston Emerald watch providing the sparkle. Inspired by the shape of an emerald-cut diamond, the Emerald’s distinctive octagonal case pays tribute to Mr. Harry Winston’s fondness for the cut. Its long, clean geometric lines give the watch a decidedly modern feel, while the diamond-set bezel adds just the right amount of brilliance to an otherwise all-black ensemble.
Editor
Wilson Kwok, Translated by Noella Lee
