We couldn’t have done it without you! Thanks to our readers, The Jewellery Editor has reached a milestone in its journey, surpassing 100,000 visitors in the last month. To celebrate this landmark, we want to share a top 10 selection of the very best jewels and watches we have featured over the past 12 months.
First up are our favourite women’s watches, and choosing just 10 was not an easy task, albeit a very enjoyable one. Every member of The Jewellery Editor’s editorial team has contributed to the final line-up and, I’m sure you’ll agree, these timepieces are all at the pinnacle of beauty and function.
The Chaumet Liens watch with its minimalist, rounded design is the epitome of Parisian chic. Taking its name from the links – liens in French – that attach the watchcase to the strap, it also cleverly incorporates the iconic Chaumet X when viewed in profile.
Ralph Lauren’s Stirrup watch is another great design that captures the legendary American designer’s love for all things equestrian. Launched at the beginning of this year, the Ralph Lauren Petite Stirrup watch is a delightful smaller version of the original design classic, with all the beauty and style of its predecessor intact.
Known as “the jeweller of watches”, DeLaneau creates miniature masterpieces thanks to its mastery of the art of enamelling. The ethereal greyish-blue enamel dial of the Rondo Translucent Hoar Frost watch, set with a single navette-cut diamond at 12 o’clock and 272 diamonds on the bezel and lugs, is extraordinarily beautiful.
Colourful and voluptuous, the Grappoli watch from de GRISOGONO is a luscious high jewellery masterpiece dripping in vivid gemstones. Taking its name from the Italian for a “cluster of grapes”, we love the model set with mouthwatering briolette emeralds that move with every twist of the wrist. Fun, vibrant and unique, this is a watch that will brighten any day.
The Louis Vuitton Tambour Monogram Infini watch features the maison’s signature flower motif emblazoned on a sunray dial with diamond-set rose gold petals and a mother-of-pearl centre. Inspired by the high jewellery collection of the same name, this timepiece has all the beauty and grace of the finest jewel.
IWC Schaffhausen encapsulates the timeless glamour of the Italian Riviera in the just-launched Portofino midsize watch. In addition to functions such as a second time zone, a Moon phase display and a date display model, the watches come with luxurious yet discreet embellishments. The Portofino Midsize Automatic with a lilac alligator strap – made by the reputed Italian shoemaker Santoni – and a red gold case set with diamonds got our unanimous vote.
Chanel’s iconic J12 365 watch had to be amongst our top 10 favourite women’s watches from 2014 thanks to its winning combination of luxury and sportiness. Smaller than previous J12 models and available in eight different versions, the 36.5mm case adds to its dainty, womanly appeal.
With its whimsical daisy motif playing on the “he loves me, he loves me not” petal plucking game, the Margot watch by Christophe Claret will appeal to the romantics out there. But this watch is not just pretty to look at; horology whizz Claret has taken the fun one step further by enabling the wearer to push a button on the side of the dial to reveal the answer to the age-old question. A petal or two will disappear under the dial to announce in French whether he loves you a little, a lot, passionately, madly or not at all.
Sleek and modern, the Richard Mille RM 07-01 timepiece takes the high performance technology we have come to associate with the luxury Swiss watch brand and repackages it in a feminine case. In white ATZ ceramic with a red gold band around the case, beneath the diamonds a top-of-the-range automatic movement keeps perfect time.
Last but certainly not least in our top 10 is the new Hermès Médor watch, whose style was inspired by the dog collars that were one of the brand’s first products. On first glance a bracelet with three pronounced studs, the largest pyramid in the centre opens to reveal the opaline silvered dial of the watch, which is powered by a Swiss quartz movement.
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Crafted from white ceramic and red gold, the Richard Mille 07-01 watch features a tonneau-shaped case housing a skeletonised dial that showcases the movement. The decorative pavé diamond inner dial mirrors the shape of the bezel and has central luminescent red gold hour and minute hands.
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The Ralph Lauren Stirrup Petite watch offers a daintier case measuring just 23.3mm by 27mm and an intertwining link bracelet that wraps elegantly around the wrist. The most opulent model is this Petite Stirrup Link watch in white gold and diamonds. This stylish jewellery watch features a white gold case and link bracelet adorned with diamonds totalling more than 20 carats.
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The new Chanel J12-365 women’s watch collection, designed to be worn 365 days a year, is the latest addition to the J12 stable. The slightly smaller case of the Chanel J12-365 features white ceramic and an all-new beige gold alloy, both of which have been developed exclusively by Chanel.
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The IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Midsize Automatic Ref. IW458107 watch features a red gold case set with 66 diamonds, a silver-plated dial and a lilac alligator leather strap with a red gold pin buckle.
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de GRISOGONO’s Grappoli watch features emeralds that emanate from the centre of the watch, growing in size and spilling over the bezel in clusters.
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A technical and whimsical feat in watchmaking, Christophe Claret’s limited-edition Margot watch includes 731 individual components and twin barrels for 72 hours of power reserve as well as a game of romantic roulette.
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The DeLaneau Rondo Translucent Hoar Frost watch has a 36mm white gold case set alight with 272 diamonds encircling the bezel and lugs. The mysterious greyish-blue enamel dial is punctuated by a single diamond drop marking the hour at 12 o’clock.
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The Louis Vuitton Tambour Monogram Infini timepiece features the maison’s signature flower motif adorning a sunray dial, with a mother-of-pearl centre and 12 overlapping rose gold petals set with pavé diamonds.
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With a pink leather bracelet with three pronounced rose gold pyramid studs set with pavé diamonds, the largest pyramid in the centre of the Hermès Médor watch opens to reveal the opaline silvered dial of the watch that keeps impeccable time thanks to a Swiss quartz movement.
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The Liens de Chaumet timepiece features a white-silvered galvanised dial surrounded by 64 brilliant-cut diamonds set in a pink gold case. When viewed in profile, the case incorporates the iconic Chaumet ‘X’.
