TRENDS

2014's new timewear targets glamour. Secret watches and wrist jewellery sparkle with the finest gems, accompanying special moments to perfection.

Although this year's watches are looking less technical, they showcase other types of knowhow such as gem setting, intimately link­ed with the history of watchmaking. Bejewelled watches inspire strong emotions as they're associated with romance and dreams, as demonstrated by Chaumet's Hortensia collection of three watches including a Tourbillon. The unique pink-gold Hortensia Rivière is simply stunning with its three-row bracelet of 83 pearl-cut rubies and its clasp set with rubellites. And the Hortensia secret watch? Its floral decoration in diamond, pink sapphire, tourmaline, opal and gold hides a white mother-of-pearl dial with four pink-gold markers set with brilliant-cut diamonds – simply irresistible!

The world's most expensive watch
Graff's new collection exceeds all expectations. Among its treasures, the FloralGraff displays a precious flower case of diamonds with sapphires, rubies or emeralds, while the LadyGraff and Graff Lace go for the total-diamond look and the Graff Serpentine reinvents the snake motif in a decidedly modern way. But the apotheosis is the Graff Hallucination, a unique piece that with a price tag of $55 million is the world's most expensive timewear! This kaleidoscope of precious stones comprises around 110 carats of diamonds. Now to Jaeger-LeCoultre on Place Vendôme. When this watchmaker isn't enhancing its icons such as the Reverso and Rendez-Vous, it's spotlighting its famed 101 calibre. The world's smallest movement is housed in a chic, graphic, white-gold manchette case enriched with 1440 diamonds. Lastly, the Extraordinaire La Rose watch adorns the wrist delicately and femininely.

Bold but controlled

Less classical but just as spectacular is Rolex's careful new take on its Oyster Perpetual Datejust PearlMaster 34 in yellow, white or Everose gold, combining horological knowhow with the charm of sparkling gems. The dial is entirely set with diamonds and the bezel with baguette-cut pink or blue sapphires or brilliant-cut diamonds, while the solid-link bracelet can be either plain or ge-set. This is a high-performance jewel too, being driven by the 2236 calibre that delivers time­keeping feats unequalled in women's watches. And Jaquet Droz plays it bold with the delightful Lady 8. This new, sensually curvy, fine-jewellery model is adorned with a pearl or round stone that you can't help toying with and the bezel is
intertwined with a gem-set ribbon. The case com­es in white or red gold or, more surprisingly, steel, gaining in sophistication.