Watches often tell stories about their owners; especially when it comes to the more unusual choices. Anne de Pontonx, founder of the watch resale site Françoise, says opting for something out of the ordinary adds “a little twist that makes you unique, reflects your personality, your tastes and your knowledge. There’s joy in wearing a model that you won't come across on other wrists and that will spark interest.”

Homer Narvaez, watch designer and co-founder of Tokyo Watch Club, has a few such pieces in his collection. “With these designs, form does not follow function. I embrace these watches for their mere existence rather than their utility,” he says.

Having a watch that pops on the feeds is, increasingly, part of the fun for collectors. “Watches have gone beyond a niche hobby and become a “thing”,” said JX Su, founder of SJX Watches. “Add to that how social media and tastes have converged in many places, and wearing something unusual – or better yet underappreciated – can be a private satisfaction.”

If you're tempted to add a bit of playfulness into your collection, check out some of our favourite quirky pieces.

MB&F HM10 Bulldog

The canine-shaped MB&F HM10 Bulldog has two eye-like domes that indicate the hours and minutes, metal jaws that open and shut depending on the remaining power reserve, and case lugs that look like legs. “It’s not cheap,” says Narvaez, “but the craftsmanship, quality, and mechanical creativity more than make up for the price. The watch world without this daring watch and Max Büsser would be so boring!” Woof. POA. At mbandf.com

Mr Jones ‘A perfectly useless afternoon’

This aptly named watch is your reminder to take it easy. The hour and minute hands are represented by a rubber duck and someone chilling on an inflatable, floating on a swimming pool — where you’ll find us this summer. “It’s the perfect watch to wear on vacation: cheap, funky, and makes you forget about keeping track of time,” says Narvaez. £225. At mrjoneswatches.com

Piaget Tiger Eye

Who's up for a trip back to the '70s? This fascinating, unusually-shaped vintage Piaget Tiger Eye comes with a dial in brown and golden hues made of Tiger’s Eye, a gemstone that glimmers with the light. “This piece illustrates watchmaking expertise with an ultra-fine mechanical movement and mastery of materials in the choice and workmanship of the hard stone dial,” says de Pontonx. €4,100. At francoise.paris

Cartier Crash

“One of the most famous form watches that is several decades old that has recently become fashionable; even if it falls out of fashion it remains an iconic design,” says Su about the asymmetric Cartier Crash, which counts Tyler, the Creator and Jay-Z among its fans. You can choose to just admire the dripping design from a distance or go for an alternative that won’t break the bank. £43,000. At watchesbysjx.com

Rolex Deepsea

Hit it big with the absolutely massive and striking Rolex Deepsea. “A conventional dive watch design but very, very, very big and equally impressive in terms of technical achievement,” says Su. If you want to go for both unusual and flashy, Rolex has just released a gold version. £45,700. At rolex.com

Otsuka Lotec 7.5

Straight from Tokyo, from industrial designer-turned-watchmaker Jiro Katayama. With most parts made and assembled by his team, the bold Otsuka Lotec 7.5 is a steal at less than £2,000. “It takes a bit of practice to tell the time, but the cool factor outweighs all inconveniences. The watch is unapologetically impractical, and I love it all the more for that,” adds Narvaez, who owns one. ¥297,000. At otsukalotec.base.shop

F.P. Journe FFC

Unusual without getting out of hand. The mesmerising F.P. Journe FFC (the initials stand for Francis Ford Coppola) uses the fingers of an armoured hand to tell the time. “An ordinary silhouette with a dial that only has a hand in the centre, that perfectly captures the technical brilliance and house style of F.P. Journe,” says Su. POA. At fpjourne.com

Urwerk UR-100V Magic T

We like our offbeat pieces with a side of wearable — and the full-titanium Urwerk UR-100 is just that, with its industrial and futuristic vibes. “The most wearable watch from a brand that was a pioneer in avant-garde mechanical watchmaking and sci-fi aesthetics,” says Su. POA. At urwerk.com

Boucheron Reflet

Get your wrist literally dripping in gold with this full-gold vintage Boucheron Reflet. Its ingenious, invisible bracelet attachment system allows you to change bracelets at will, so if you’re in a low-key mood, you can put on a leather strap. “The bracelet extends the case around the wrist, becoming a veritable jewel,” says de Pontonx. €6,800. At francoise.paris