As the brilliant 2019 advert declared, the New Balance 990 is “worn by supermodels in London and dads in Ohio”. A classic dad-at-barbecue runner that has become a singular fashion behemoth, the new Mr Teddy Santis-approved 990s need an equally classic, unfussy, but also beautifully made watch to go with them. Something stainless steel. Something such as a Piaget Polo with a robust 42mm case and chronograph function. Something like that.

Mr Kanye West’s groundbreaking Yeezy empire has become increasingly futuristic as it has developed. Twisted and cocoon-like trainers that could have snuck aboard the USS Sulaco. A futuristic sneaker needs a futuristic watch and, while it might not have the fashion-world clout of a Yeezy, a Ressence more than delivers in the wild technology stakes. It’s made from titanium and sapphire with an oscillating case back with floating hands and Super-LumiNova-filled engravings, so you can check the time, whether you’re in a Balenciaga balaclava or deepest, darkest outer space.

Here are two classics that have remained largely unchanged – and for good reason. Nike’s Air Max 1 is one of Mr Tinker Hatfield’s great creations. The IWC Pilot is one of Swiss watchmaking’s definitive pilot styles. Both are sporty, design-led and not going out of fashion any time soon.

Architectural, avant-garde and a bit weird looking (in a good way), we can see creative director Mr Demna Gvasalia and his many acolytes wanting to pair a pair of bold and beautifully bizarre mesh Phantom runners with a watch that is a) equally out there in the design stakes and b) also has a great name. A partnership with Lamborghini, Roger Dubuis does it again with a super-intricate and modern design starring a skeleton dial and exhibition case back for seeing what all the fuss is about inside the watch. This is a pairing for someone who wants to be seen.

If a watch could be called Gorpcore (sorry), then a Panerai would definitely fit the bill. Built to go down, down, down into the murky (or, if you’re in Italy, not so murky) depths, it is a legendary diver that looks just as adept on land and could (probably) survive some sort of cataclysmic event unscathed. The same could be said of a pair of Salomon XT-4s, which were originally designed for skipping about in crevices, creeks and peaks of the Alps. Made for the elements. A tool watch and a pair of tool trainers.

Both renowned for their commitment to making things really, really well, visvim and Hermès Timepieces are a match made in heaven. The right balance of subtlety and out and out haute luxury, Hermès has been making waves in the watch world lately, while visvim, a certain Mr John Mayer’s favourite brand, has an unparalleled rep among those who like Japanese quality with a touch of the unexpected. Things that are made well go together. Simple.

Loro Piana is a label for the discreet, the understated and the billionaire art dealer who doesn’t want you to know that he has a temperature-controlled warehouse full of paintings by Mr Anselm Kiefer. This is the ultimate if-you-know-you-know shoe. The Italian brand’s Walk trainers are legendary among the upmarket art set for their unlabelled luxury. A Cartier Tank might be slightly more distinctive, but nothing suggests a man of great taste more than an elegant 33mm dress watch worn at the weekend or for a jaunt around the world’s Biennales and Basels.

Maximalism has reigned supreme across sneakers and, in many cases, watches over the past few years, but a few understated brands have stayed the course. A simple tonal pair of Common Projects, the ultimate trainers for guys who know loads about fonts, paired with a stripped-back Unimatic in equally minimally monochrome. All you need is an original Eames chair and some natural light and you’re good to go.