Feline caress - Cartier
Cartier elevates its Panthère watch to regal status, presented in a more generous size. With a case measuring 31 x 42mm, the new interpretation basks in the light, as shimmering reflections play across their yellow gold feline coat. The silky suppleness of a precious link bracelet coils sensually around the wrist. Through this stunning creation, the Maison once again pays tribute to the iconic animal historically personified by Jeanne Toussaint, nicknamed Panthère by Louis Cartier for her free-spirited temperament. (YN)
Like a talisman - Bucherer Fine Jewellery
Aquamarine, tourmaline, rubellite, morganite or beryl? We’re spoilt for choice with the palette of colored stones chosen by Bucherer Fine Jewellery to adorn these necklaces with a touch of sky blue, purple or mint green. The playfully colored drop-cut gems in the Pure Capsule collection are suspended from fine chains in various gold alloys, dotted with brilliant-cut diamonds and colored stones. These naturally radiant treasures are worn like precious talismans. (MdP)
Horological Haute Couture – Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin has collaborated with stylist Yiqing Yin for this exclusive Égérie, an exquisite daintily tailored adornment. The moon-phase Égérie reveals a heart of pleated mother-of-pearl, like an evanescent fabric twirling in time with a dance step. Architectural drapery and the designer’s favorite violet shades ranging from moiré parma to lilac blend with pink gold and diamonds. Issued in a 100-piece limited edition, the Égérie Phase de Lune can be worn with three interchangeable straps in powder pink, lilac or satin-effect night blue colors. (YN)
Sparkling mint - Breguet
Breguet refreshes its stunning Reine de Naples 8967 attired in a pastel touch and diamonds. On the white mother-of-pearl dial, the elongated numerals appear in mint green, echoing the hue of the leather strap. A flurry of snow-set diamonds sparkles at the heart of the chapter ring, above a majestic pear- shaped stone, as well as on the flange, the bezel and even on the crown, with a briolette-cut gem. This intensely feminine new interpretation pays tribute to the wristwatch once created by Abraham-Louis Breguet for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples. (YN)
The “chain” bracelet makes its grand comeback – Patek Philippe
A flagship model from the 1970s, Patek Philippe’s famous Golden Ellipse is appearing with a new “chain” bracelet, reinvented after 15 years of development. No less than 300 hand-assembled and hand-polished rose gold links compose this soft, supple mesh hugging the wrist like a second skin and length-adjustable in the blink of an eye. Equipped with ultra-thin self-winding Caliber 240, the Golden Ellipse with its a rose gold case and ebony black sunburst dial remains as slender as ever. The result is a blend of subtly vintage character and infinite elegance. (MdP)
A new face - Rolex
It is often said that the dial is the face of a watch. This year, the Day-Date 36 unveils a luminous new design. Previously offered only on the 40mm version, slender faceted Roman numerals and likewise faceted hour-markers now appear on the lacquered white dial of the yellow gold Day-Date 36. Their shape echoes the finely fluted bezel, whose raised profile strikes a contrast with the rounded links of a President bracelet. Behind this world of perfectly arranged details lies a champion of precision, Caliber 3255, driving the day-date displays in addition to the hours, minutes and seconds. (MdP)
Craftsmanship in full bloom – Jaeger-LeCoultre
A lovely flower has just blossomed in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers RaresTM garden, this time inspired by its roots in 1930s tropical Art Deco. From Grand Feu enamel to gemsetting, along with the refined art of paillonné enamelling, the Reverso One Precious Flowers - Hibiscus Enamel is enveloped in precious finery featuring delicately shimmering hues. Twelve enamel colors applied in nine layers, a dozen successive firings for 50 hours of enameling, 22 hours of setting… While the figures give an idea of the exquisite daintiness characterizing this luxuriant artistic work, they in no way detract from the poetic fragrance suffusing this magnificent ten-piece limited edition. (MdP)
Like circular ripples – Claude Meylan
Featuring a crystalline face set against iridescent curves, the Ondine watch unveils its world imbued with poetry. The mechanism dances to the rhythm of time in a choreograph staged on the openworked dial that has become an aesthetic signature for Claude Meylan. Gilded, finely decorated and dotted with jewels, the wheels and bridges catch the light in a never-ending show. The roundness of the chapter ring and that of the case extend onto the geometry of the gold and white mother-of-pearl bracelet, resulting in an Ondine representing the epitome of serene beauty. (YN)
Contemporary geometry - Chopard
For a quarter of a century, Chopard has been raising temperatures with its Ice Cube collection featuring the perfect geometry of a multitude of small gold blocks that inspired their evocative name. Crafted in (naturally ethical) rose, yellow or white gold, with or without diamonds, each jewel in the collection shares a hyper-minimalist, hyper-contemporary design. Ice Cube is also available in Haute Joaillerie cuff and choker versions, where each little cube is carefully arranged in relief to form a supple mesh hugging the curves of the body. We must also own up to our special crush on the bangles stacked on the wrist of Bella Hadid, Chopard’s new ambassador, creating the illusion of a thousand-faceted cuff bracelet (MdP).
Polar sun – Audemars Piguet
As if under the effect of a freezing blast, the Royal Oak Frosted Gold sparkles with countless ‘crystals’ chiseled into the surface of the yellow gold using the hammered “frosted gold” technique perfected by jeweler Carolina Bucci. A smoked gold-toned dial sets the crowning touch to this jewelry watch with its versatile 37mm diameter. Born in the early 1970s and made of steel, yet indisputably exclusive, the Royal Oak initially took everyone by surprise. Ever since, it has maintained its unwaveringly powerful temperament, reinvented through multiple materials and diameters – to the point where sunny yellow gold meets ice. (YN)
Such a gentle embrace - Bulgari
Bulgari’s signature snake has not aged a bit since its first stage entrance in 1948. On the contrary, it has been perpetually regenerated, reinvented and transformed, preserving its eternal youth. Inspired by a Serpenti Pallini bracelet created in 1955, the Italian Maison has given it a new lease on life. At first glance, this double-tour watch adorned with a bevy of small gold beads, diamonds and two bewitching emeralds resembles a piece of ceremonial jewelry. Yet the Serpenti Pallini makes no secret of the fact that it belongs to the world of Haute Horlogerie. Concealed beneath a mother-of-pearl dial, the tiny Piccolissimo BVL100 manual-winding movement pulsates at the heart of the snake’s head. Enough to convince us to succumb to temptation. (MdP)
Precious geometry - Hermès
Hermès Horloger has created Hermès Cut, an encounter between form and substance. The House’s geometric vocabulary is expressed through a new collection featuring a design that is both rounded and beveled, powered by a Manufacture Hermès mechanical movement. The crown is positioned in a highly original way between 1 and 2 o’clock, like a counterpoint accentuating the shape of the case mid-way between a circle and a square. The contrasts between steel and rose gold enliven this sporty, precious watch with its diamond-framed face. (YN)
A standout number - Chanel
In 1921, Chanel created Chanel no. 5, the very first of a long series of fragrances, as well as the starting point for a host of symbolic and graphic interpretations in fashion, jewelry and watchmaking. Coco Chanel’s lucky number now flaunts its lines and curves across an entire gold and diamond jewelry collection. Our absolute favorite is the sautoir in beige or white gold, to be worn as Gabrielle Chanel did: around the neck, in a classic double row, as a sautoir or wrapped boldly around the wrist, thanks to a system of totally invisible clip clasps that can be attached along the entire chain. (MdP)
Variations on a theme – Louis Vuitton
The checkerboard motif has been used so many times by this trunk-maker that it has become an instantly recognizable signature. Louis Vuitton Watches and Jewelry artistic director Francesca Amfitheatrof has drawn on it in creating a line of particularly graphic yellow or mirror-polished white gold jewelry punctuated with diamonds set in small square sections. While the direct descent of this unisex collection featuring the motif devised by Louis Vuitton and his son Georges in 1888 remains subtle, the timeless minimalism of the 12 models in the Le Damier collection already holds the promise of a fine future. (MdP)
Mechanical romance – Jacob & Co.
The Fleurs de Jardin watch is a perpetual head-turner and Jacob & Co. is now presenting a new interpretation that is as colorful and fresh as ever, featuring floral varieties attired in rubies, pink or yellow sapphires and tsavorites. Set against a backdrop of white diamond-rimmed mother-of-pearl, a romantic show is staged in infinitely rotating motion. Topped by a butterfly, the 60-second flying tourbillon performs one full turn of the dial in ten minutes, as does the skeletonized hours and minutes subdial and the bouquet of precious flowers above the mechanism. This splendid scene is framed by a rose gold and sapphire case. (MdP)
Galactic show – Graff High Jewellery
From apprentice jeweler to “King of Diamonds”, Laurence Graff has built a dazzling jewelry empire of rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds lighting up a galaxy of insanely brilliant jewels for over 60 years. The latest campaign celebrating High Jewelry is every bit as spectacular. Photographed by Mikael Jansson and styled by former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt, the Galaxia campaign features a selection of fabulous one-off pieces. An invitation to dream! (MdP)
Style statement - Gübelin
Show me your jewelry and I’ll tell you who you are. With its Sparks collection, Gübelin suggests you glitter and glow by choosing to wear jewelry that asserts your personality. Featuring bold, urban, timeless yet eminently contemporary sources of inspiration, Sparks bracelets in red or white gold are graced with a cheerful palette of colored stones designed to be worn like a style statement. Aquamarines, tanzanites, tourmalines, morganites and other shimmering gems combine around the wrist, composing bracelets with a self-sufficient aura yet which also lend themselves to skillful stacking. As a nod to Gübelin’s passion for excellent craftsmanship and its “Deeply Inspired” philosophy, the iconic ruby is discreetly set on the reverse of the clasp; as well as on the special-edition Sparks bracelet crafted in platinum and set with black and grey spinels echoing fabulous tanzanites. A bracelet exuding aesthetic strength that is a true style signature. (MdP)
*Please note that the articles above have been written by Marie de Pimodan and Yannick Nardin*
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