Round-UpThe Icons Of Timekeeping: 7 Stunning Ladies’ Watch Collections That Celebrate Womanhood In All Its Glory
This International Women’s Day, we look at emblematic collections that were crafted specifically for the ladies, and not merely adapted as pared-down versions of men’s watch collections; as has been the case mostly in the haute horlogerie business. Elegant and unique in every possible manner, these watches have stood the test of time, and have become reliable wrist companions for the 21st century woman, who knows exactly what she wants from her timepiece
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Beauty Meets Innovation
Bovet Miss Audrey
Imagine a watch that can be worn as a pendant, kept as a table clock, pocketwatch or simply be wrapped around the wrist in the usual manner? Well, Bovet’s Miss Audrey collection consists of timepieces that can be worn in different ways, depending on your mood and ensemble, thanks to the patented Amadeo convertible system technology.
And these are not just pretty faces with guilloche decoration, or the latest versions featuring dials made of sugar. The collection was developed in 2020 for women who appreciate both beauty and mechanical finesse in their timepieces, as evident by the automatic in-house movements that drive these gorgeous timekeepers.
Timeless Icon
Bulgari Serpenti
This is one collection that really needs no introduction. Truly distinct in its design, form and execution; there are few watch collections that come close to the cult status enjoyed by the Serpenti, whose designs date back to the 1940s. Inspired by the mysterious snake or the serpent, Bulgari implemented the ‘Tubogas’ technique when it first started crafting the Serpenti pieces, back then. The form was similar to the Ancient Roman’s jewellery design, which would wrap around the wrist or neck of the wearer. Over the years, Bulgari have experimented with this design, producing high-jewelled versions and even ones driven by mechanical manual-winding movements with micro-rotors; the basic principle of the ‘coiled tube’ design remains unchanged. Just the way we like it!
Versatile Femininity
Carl F. Bucherer Pathos
The independent Lucerne-based brand has been crafting exceptional watches for women since 1919. And to celebrate this milestone, Carl F. Bucherer launched the Pathos collection in 2014—that feature unique feminine offerings for the modern woman. The Pathos collection is as multi-faceted as every individual woman, and has timepieces in stainless steel and precious metals such as 18-karat rose gold or 18-karat white gold, displaying a wide range of diversity. The watches stand out for their inner bezel ring that comes in two different versions: with a wave design or a filigree grid.
Masterful Mechanics
Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye
Seeking inspiration from the elusive feline, Girard-Perregaux launched the Cat’s Eye collection in 2004—an exclusive range of ladies’ watches with oval-shaped cases, driven by in-house mechanical movements. Introduced in a number of variations, each watch is a masterpiece in itself and showcases the 230-year-old brand’s craftsmanship and creativity. The collection is instantly recognisable, thanks to the distinctive, horizontal or vertical oval cases, where the dials are canvases for the brand to feature their artworks in various forms using techniques such as guilloche, materials like aventurine and complications such as power reserve, moon phase indication or small seconds display using a plum blossom motif. And what reflects outside is on the inside too! Even their movements are exquisitely finished and are visible through the sapphire crystal casebacks.
Dazzling Diva
Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous
First introduced in 2012, the Rendez-Vous collection from Jaeger-LeCoultre is a tribute to the fact that the first wristwatches were actually worn by women. Always on the cutting edge, Jaeger‑LeCoultre was one of the first to offer women elegant watches, completely set with diamonds and with exceptionally small calibres, the most famous one being the Calibre 101. Graceful from every angle, this collection is the union between the aesthetic and the mechanical, and is an ode to beauty that is suited for the female wrist whether by day or at night. The maison uses a number of artistic techniques and precious materials to craft these exquisite timepieces, developed specifically for ladies who want to embrace their feminine side while also having a solid mechanism ticking at the heart of their watches.
Elegance Is An Attitude
Longines DolceVita
Since its launch in 1997, the Longines DolceVita collection has been an enormous success, thanks to its contemporary elegance. These models are a horological interpretation of the easy-going Italian way of life—la dolce vita. The perfectly harmonious proportions of the rectangular timepieces in this collection are its unique characteristic. The watches comes in a variety of materials that include stainless steel, rose gold or yellow gold. Their aesthetics are also enhanced by incorporating diamonds on the dial or bezel, and the collection really epitomises the brand’s core value of elegance.
Timeless Inspiration
Omega Ladymatic
Originally launched in 1955 and continuing for the better part of a generation, the Omega Ladymatic collection is a symbol of feminine grace and elegance. It was among the first self-winding timepieces created especially for women back then and almost half a century later, Omega revived the name and revamped the line. The collection now comprises models in stainless steel, red gold, yellow gold or white gold, or in various combinations of these metals. They are also offered with polished or snow-set diamond-paved bezels. The dials also feature a wave-like pattern or the elegant mother-of-pearl, and the watches are driven by Omega’s automatic calibre with co-axial escapement and free sprung-balance system with silicon balance-spring.