It seems redundant to write about the trend for more technically complex women's watches as it looks like they are here to stay. And further confirmation comes from the previews I have had of some of the most highly engineered timepieces that will be presented when BaselWorld watch and jewellery show opens its doors at the end of this month.
Making a grand and glittering entrance is Harry Winston's Premier Chronograph. With a shimmering brown Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial, punctuated by 236 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 3.61 carats in a rose gold case, this watch brings New York glamour to the world of horology.
Corum is known for making creative use of traditional watchmaking, and the Corum Ti-Bridge Lady elegantly exposes the mechanical conundrum of its mechanism. The hand-wound movement is entirely built along one narrow axis and is on view through the all-glass dial and case back. This neat synthesis of mechanics and aesthetics shows an elegant future for women's complicated watches.
Taking a more traditional approach is the Chanel J12 Flying Tourbillon. The technically advanced regulating system known as a tourbillon, which consists of placing the escapement inside a rotating cage, is topped with a diamond-set star and surrounded on the dial, case and bracelet with a whole galaxy of diamonds.
At Baselworld 2013, Chopard marked the 20th anniversary of the Happy Sport by launching the US$1.5 million Happy Sport Diamantissimo, set with 65 carats of diamonds. Continuing the legacy in 2014, Chopard showcase sthe combined skills of its watchmakers and gem-setters with the new Happy Sport Tourbillon Joaillerie. Available in white or rose gold, every inch of the case and dial is set with diamonds, while the tourbillon movement, bearing the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, has been designed so that it stays true to the Happy Sport spirit.
