Leave an impression with these jewellery watches from Cartier, Chanel, Van Cleef & Arpels and more

Watch enthusiasts believe that women were the first to embrace the wristwatch — decades before necessity and a World War forced men to play catchup in the early 20th century. Fast forward to about a100 years later, and it seems horology fashions have come full circle: Time-telling instruments are taking the captivating form of jewellery once more.

This is not to say that the trend has ever truly gone away: High luxury watch and jewellery maisons have always included a number of bejewelled timepieces in their collections. The slight difference this time round, however, is that these creations don’t just shower your wrist with glittering lights, they drape sensuously from your neck and add a spot of glamorous fun to your fingers as well. They’re jewels that tell time in the most delightful ways, and one could hardly ask for more.

Chanel’s Mademoiselle Prive Lion collection, for instance, treats time like a precious secret that’s only revealed to a privileged few. Honouring Gabrielle Chanel’s star sign (she was a Leo), the creations bear three-dimensional buttons that rotate to unveil their time-only dials. On the formidably sized unique cuff, a gold-sculpted, onyx-eyed lion takes pride of place and makes for an impressive sight. The sparkling diamonds that stud its face contrast with the smooth, gleaming surface of its black-coated titanium cuff band. The same wow factor is found on its sautoir counterpart, which is completed by a chain rich with facetted black onyx, yellow gold spheres and brilliant-cut diamonds. An onyx graced with a solitary diamond adorns the pendant’s back.

While Chanel presented a monochromatic vision, over at Cartier, it’s colours that reign supreme on the Jewelled Tank watches. These bracelet watches are decked in a trove of coloured gems, presenting the most exuberant expression of the 1917 brand icon the world has seen thus far. The signature rectangular case that is so recognised is still present; everything else has been transformed with an unmistakable chic vibrance. There are three editions to choose from. The white gold version bears rubies, onyx and diamonds on its case. It is accompanied by a bracelet composed of onyx cylinders (articulated through hidden links for flexibility), diamonds and chrysoprase cabochons studded with a reverse-set ruby. The yellow-gold number bears less colours, but no less visual impact, with a classic pairing of onyx and diamonds making its presence felt. The mesmerising rose gold edition — the clear star of the show — has coral cylinders teamed with amethysts, chrysoprases and roughly 9.43 carats worth of diamonds to its name.

Also revitalising a brand icon is Van Cleef & Arpels, who introduced three new Ludo Secret watches this year. The bracelet design was introduced in 1934 and has since continued to woo women with its innovative design. It was fashioned to be a belt for the wrist and is highly sought after for the way it pairs precious materials with the savoir-faire of its fabric-like metal band. This year, rose gold is accompanied by diamonds or pink sapphire motifs that reveal a white mother-of-pearl guilloché dial when simultaneously pressed. Then, there’s the pièce unique creation in yellow gold inspired by the Ludo Hexagone Macaron secret watch of 1941. Featuring Mystery Set emeralds (a brand-exclusive technique that requires the highest level of precision and skill to cut and set the gems), the watch features a band of gold hexagons studded with star-set emeralds.

Another style-forward maison is Piaget, who has never been one to deny its wholehearted embrace of fashion. Since the 1960s, Piaget has attracted the beau monde (Jacqueline Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, and Miles Davies were just a few of its fans) with creations that successfully marry the spirit of haute horlogerie with haute couture. This year was no different with time-telling necklaces, sautoirs, cuffs and even a ring making a solid appearance. The Metaphoria Adrivea secret watch ring is one such example. Its 10.88-carat aquamarine cabochon draws the eye before winning the heart with its ability to lift and reveal a hidden diamond pavé dial underneath. Throw more diamonds and sapphires into the heady mix, and you’ve got an oversized cocktail ring with a secret that is sure to delight.

While Piaget looked to the elemental side of nature, it’s nature’s flora empire that inspires Chaumet’s Le Jardin de Chaumet collection. This high jewellery collection comes with several bejewelled watches. Yet, it’s the bracelet watches that hark back to a century before that have our attention. The Woods Gui bracelet watch features sensuous, trailing lines inspired by mistletoe. It’s decked in diamonds and finished with three white pearls that sit serenely at the base of its diamond pavé dial. Then, there’s the transformable Flowers Arum bracelet watch with a white gold case that can be detached and worn as a brooch. Two emerald-cut yellow sapphires (approximately 10 carats) sit above a yellow sapphire pavé dial for a design that stands proudly on its own.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Secret

If you think that only high jewellery houses are getting in on the action, think again. Looking back to the black corded Reversos of the 1930s, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s pink gold Reverso Secret necklace features a supple chain studded with diamonds — no small feat considering the minuscule size of each link. The watch’s dial is further paved with diamonds, while the reverse side (the case back) features an intricate geometric pattern that employs meticulously set diamonds and onyx elements. No surface has been left untouched with even the convex sides of the case dressed in gems: Over 3,000 diamonds adorn this watch, requiring over 300 hours of gem-setting to bring to life. Two onyx pendants complete the picture, resulting in a design that will have time swing gracefully with your every move.

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