Watch novelties: The latest embellished luxury watches

When it comes to fine jewellery watches for women, the bejewelled cocktail watch is a perennial classic. This type of timepiece is a staple of any collector’s jewellery ‘wardrobe’ as it combines the beauty of two worlds: joaillerie and horologie. As the colder months and the festive season loom, these glamorously embellished accessories come into their own, and there are a few exciting novelties of the last few months which are stealing the show.

Graff

The name Graff is synonymous with diamonds, and extraordinary diamonds at that. In line with one of the biggest high jewellery trends of the moment, the Graff ‘Diamond Secret’ watch features a multitude of diamond cuts. This secret watch has a tactile diamond bracelet, which moves with the wearer due to the articulation achieved by master craftsmen. The ‘secret’ element of the watch is the diamond embellished sliding mechanism, which obscures an elegant miniature dial.

Dior

The latest colourful versions of Dior’s cocktail watch ‘La D de Dior Cocotte’ have been newly released, and are embellished with delicately pavéd snow set diamonds; the case middle, dial, crown and bezel are adorned with tsavorite garnets, rubies, sapphires, pink sapphires and multicolour stones to add an irreverent zest. A more refined addition to the ‘La D de Dior’ line is the 38mm ‘Dentelle’ watch, available in two variations: white and yellow, or white and rose gold. Both feature diamonds and lace work on the dial, with incredible hand-engraved flower-shaped decoration – mimicking the delicacy of lace on golden velvet.

Harry Winston

Another watch which celebrates the fairly recent acceptance and inclusion of coloured gemstones in the high jewellery pantheon is the Harry Winston ‘Premier Winston Candy.’ This piece also features snow set diamonds, alongside the myriad gems on the dial and case – with 108 brilliant cut diamonds, blue sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines, tsavorites, orange spessartite garnets, red spinels, and pink sapphires which reflect the vivid pink alligator leather watch strap.

Chaumet

This October Maison Chaumet presented a unique ladies’ timepiece – ‘Colombes’ (meaning: Doves) – which is equipped with a creative complication. The two diamond set birds act as the hands; indicating time and every hour they meet, and joining rings in their beaks together to form the symbol of eternity. The dial is painted with grand feu enamel, and surrounded with 84 brilliant cut diamonds weighing a total of 1.83 carats.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

The new fine jewellery watch which most closely adheres to the conventional ideas of the cocktail watch is the Jaeger-LeCoultre ‘101 Feuille’. This secret watch was inspired by a design dating from 1959 and has an option to hide the dial from sight. The famously minute mechanism of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Caliber 101 is decorated with diamonds and 18 karat rose gold. The retro style of the dial’s cover lends the piece an intriguely different aesthetic when compared to the other fine jewellery watches of this season.

Cocktail watches are a luxury novelty which marry the high technical precision of haute horology and the beauty of fine jewellery design. Fortunately, the concept of a ladies’ dress watch is one which is not privy to the whims of fashion; meaning that we get to see delightful new styles created season after season.