Secret watches that shout beauty

Secret watches might conceal the time, but their beauty is so conspicuous that all eyes will be drawn to them.

18 February 2017

If Paris Couture is a yardstick of things to come in the watchmaking world, 2017 is going to be a bountiful year for secret watches, those wonderful hybrid creations that conceal a watch under the splendour of a high jewellery bracelet. Paris Couture laid on a selection of mesmerising high jewellery models; from the luscious ripe opal fruits of Dior’s hidden dials to Giampiero Bodino’s adventure in the domain of secret watches...the only real problem ahead will be deciding your favourite model.

Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori secret bangle watch in a white gold case set with diamonds, a cabochon-cut sapphire to conceal the time and two pear-shaped rubies for eyes (POA).
Chanel Gabrielle Chanel white gold secret watch set with 629 brilliant-cut diamonds and three large round-cut diamonds (POA).
Cartier Flamant watch conceals the time under a gorgeous pink cabochon-cut quartz stone surrounded by a nest of diamond feathers and pink enamel representing a flamingo (POA).
Van Cleef & Arpels Heure Marine secret watch is a mesmerising work of art set with white diamonds and two plump sugar-loaf cut sapphires from Sri Lanka at either end (POA).
Dior Majestueuse Opal high jewellery timepiece conceals the time behind a black opal and features a tutti frutti selection of sapphires, garnets, emeralds, amethysts and rubies (POA).
Cartier Panthère Astrale cuff watch in white gold, black onyx and diamonds features a rectangular-shaped faceted yellow heliodor stone to masquerade the time (POA).
Anita So The Secret is a brooch, pendant and secret watch all in one made from carved jadeite stone with green topaz, diamonds and pink spinel (POA).
Giampiero Bodino Rosa dei Venti secret watch features a large Zambian emerald to conceal a pavé diamond dial surrounded by sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds (POA).
Giampiero Bodino Mosaico marks his foray into secret watches with a trilogy which includes this hypnotic cuff watch set with circular patterns encrusted with black spinels and diamonds (POA).
Giampiero Bodino's Primavera high jewellery secret watch is set with 1.45 carats of yellow diamonds, pink sapphires, emeralds and white, yellow, cognac and grey diamonds (POA).
Chaumet Feuillage Éternel captures the ephemeral beauty of nature’s oak leaves and immortalises them in diamonds in this splendid secret white gold watch (POA).
Dior Exquise Opal high jewellery timepiece conceals the time behind a stunning opal flanked by diamonds, pink, yellow and purple sapphires, rubies and spessartite garnets (POA).