Lavish Land

Drop $25,000 on Hermes’ Cape Cod 1928 Watch, and you’re likely to get more than jealous stares. In 25 years, the limited-edition timepiece with a rose gold face and Havana crocodile strap should still be ticking–and still be in style.

It’s one of a crop of new accessories that are expected to remain wardrobe staples over a lifetime.

What makes them classic? Like an Hermes Kelly bag or a pair of Tiffany (nyse: TIF – news – people ) knot cuff links, the new pieces–including Marc Jacobs’ envelope clutch and Ferragamo’s leather penny loafers–have distinctive, but understated, designs. Construction of such future classics is key. Buyers should note whether a piece was made by a machine or sewn by hand–like the Jacobs clutch–and how much time was put into crafting the piece (the Ferragamo loafers require about 25 hours of labor.)

In Pictures: Last-A-Lifetime Accessories

“If you want a piece you’re investing in to last, you need to think about the innate quality of the item,” says fashion writer Kathleen Beckett, founder of Beckett’s Black Book, a personal-shopping service. “These pieces have a refreshing edge that’s not going to be lost.”

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