Best of 2012: women's watches

With more beautiful watches than ever for women to choose from, I felt compelled to do a round-up of some of the most distinguished feminine timepieces that made their appearance in 2012. Whether you are a stickler for mechanical movements and even complications, there was much to admire, as well as some spectacular jewellery watches.

Cartier Tank Folle watch in 18ct rhodium-plated white gold. Price from £31,500.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Lady Yin Yang.
Baume & Mercier Linea in red gold with a satin strap, quartz movement and brown dial. £5,540.
Ralph Lauren Square model in white gold with movement RL430 made by Piaget, from the Ralph Lauren 867 collection.
Chanel's Flying Tourbillon Première won the prize for best women's watch at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie in Geneva in 2012.
Boucheron Ajouree Grenouille watch - a playful way to wear a jewellery watch, with a real sense of fun.
Chopard's Imperiale Tourbillon, fully set with diamonds, won the Jewellery and Artistic Crafts Watch Prize at the Geneva Watchmaking awards.
Dior Pie`ce Unique No.8. 33mm automatic in white gold, with baguette aquamarines and diamonds. One-of-a-kind piece.
Vacheron Constantin Metiers d'Art Les Univers Infinis Fish watch, which employs the skills of the engraver, enameller and of course, the watchmaker.
The Harry Winston Premier Feathers Lady Amherst watch is a striking combination of feathers and diamonds.
Bulgari Serpenti watch with pink gold curved case, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds. White mother-of-pearl dial set with diamond indexes. 2 twirl off white enamel on 18ct pink gold bracelet set with round brilliant-cut diamonds.
De Laneau Cerisier Spring, part of a series of four watches depicting the seasons. The dial is hand painted and the case elaborately gem-set for a unique and very feminine look.