Geneva’s Watches and Wonders has finally wrapped up, after a week of hosting the world’s largest watch event ever held online. Close to 500 press conferences and over 40 keynotes, six expert-led panels and a cornucopia of novelties showcased by 38 partcipating watchmakers later, we’re left with a non-exhaustive list of watches to watch out for 2021.
For starters, here are 8 women’s watches that caught our eye.
Rolex Day-Date 36 collection
Rolex kicks things off with a wealth of sparkles in the Day-Date 36 collection, consisting of three gem-set coloured watches. Each model is fitted with a polished alligator leather strap that matches the enamel index hour markers and Roman numerals VI and IX on the diamond-paved dials, namely coral for the yellow gold model, turquoise for the white gold model, and burgundy for the Everose gold model. On top of the 450 diamonds on the dial, the case is set with 254 brilliant-cut diamonds on the lugs, lug caps and case side, as well as 52 brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel. All versions are equipped with the calibre 3255 movement, with a power reserve of 70 hours. W rolex.com
Bvlgari Divissima and Allegra watches
Celebrating the joy and exuberance of la Dolce Vita (read: the good life), Bvlgari presents four new cocktail watches that cement the jeweller’s position as the “Master of Coloured Gemstones”. The Divas’ Dream Divissima is offered in either an all-diamond version or diamond end emerald green version, featuring fan-shaped motifs surrounding the white gold case. The former features a diamond-pave dial with blue hands and comes with a black alligator strap; while the latter features a mother-of-pearl dial with green hands, complemented with a green alligator strap. Next are two Allegra models, both adorned with a selection of gemstones of various cuts and shapes, including citrines, amethysts, peridot, blue topaz and rhodolite. These colourful gems orbit the mother of pearl dial, contrasted by more than 80 diamonds. The Allegra comes in either white gold with a dark blue shimmering alligator strap, or rose gold with a taupe shimmering alligator strap. W bulgari.com
Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon
For the ladies who prefer less flashy timepieces, the Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon “Poinçon de Genève” Sapphire offers a cool, ultra-modern appeal. Housing its skeleton design – the first to be stamped with the Geneva Seal – and flying tourbillon-powered manufacture movement is a case made entirely from a block of sapphire, finished with a crown engraved with the LV branding. It comes in either a pink or blue case with matching alligator straps, or in a transparent case with a black alligator strap and ardillon buckle. W louisvuitton.com
Cartier Tank Must
The Cartier Tank is touted as one of the most iconic watches of all time, and the Maison is building on the collection’s reputation with the launch of a new series of Must watches. Rounded brancards and revisited dial proportions characterise its design, along with a new SolarBeat™ movement powering its heart – making it the first solar-powered watch ever from Cartier. It took Cartier two years to develop this technical innovation, which relies on the perforation of the Roman numerals to allow light to reach the photovoltaic cells hidden under the dial. Additionally, the watch straps are designed from non-animal materials in an effort to reduce carbon footprint. Aside from the stainless steel and black strap models, the Tank Must is also available in a three monochromatic colours that pay homage to the 1980s editions: red, blue and green. W cartier.com
Chopard Happy Diamonds
There’s plenty on the pipelines for Chopard this year, from new L.U.C timepieces to women’s sport watches and haute joaillerie pieces. Among the highlights for the ladies is the iconic Chopard Happy Diamonds watch, revisited with an exquisite Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial that’s highlighted by the 15 dancing diamonds circling around the time display. A new arc feature sees the jewels disappearing into a “secret passage” connecting the 9 and 3 o’clock points when the watch is turned or rotated at certain angles, adding a playful ingenuity to a masterful timepiece. W chopard.com
Chanel Boy.Friend Skeleton
Chanel also went big at W&W this year, debuting several new noteworthy collections. While the J12 often gets the limelight, we turn our attention to the Boy.Friend Skeleton this year for hitting that sweet spot between modern femininity and stunning mechanics. Two models make their debut: first, an elegant 18k Beige Gold watch replete with 38 baguette-cut diamonds on its bezel and 5 baguette-cut diamonds on the crown; second, an X-Ray model featuring a case and bezel made of sapphire, with an 18k white gold crown set with 5 baguette-cut diamonds. The former comes with a golden brown quilted calfskin strap and is limited to 55 pieces, whereas the latter features a shiny black alligator calfskin strap with an 18K white gold triple-folding buckle. W chanel.com
Piaget Limelight Gala
Piaget’s Limelight Gala returns this year with six new limited-edition additions to the lineup that first launched in the ‘70s. The Limelight Gala Precious Sunset is probably the most wearable timepiece of the six, featuring a 32mm 18k rose gold case with a bezel of 32 brilliant cut pink sapphires that transition into 10 brilliant-cut diamonds. A minimalist mother-of-pearl dial allows the pink gemstones to take the spotlight, while offering versatility to be worn in different settings. It is completed with a white satin strap and an 18k rose gold ardillon buckle set with 15 brilliant cut diamonds, limited to 50 pieces worldwide. W piaget.com
Vacheron Égérie Self-Winding Diamond-Pavé
Yet another gem-studded horology piece to debut this year is the Vacheron Égérie Self-Winding Diamond-Pavé watch. First debuted last year, the two new Egerie models are fitted with a 35mm case and dial that’s fully encrusted in round-cut diamonds – 900 of them in total. The white gold version comes with blue hour and minute hands and a marker for the date display between 1 and 2 o’clock to match the interchangeable navy blue alligator strap. On the other hand, the pink gold version comes with a dark brown alligator strap. W vacheronconstantin.com
Photos courtesy of respective brands
Featured image: Cartier Tank Must