Watches inspired by the prose of passion and the moments that take our breath away
In the world of horology, the passage of time is rarely viewed as a mere sequence of seconds, minutes and hours. It is often treated as a canvas for the deepest of human emotions, and love is a recurring protagonist, manifesting through intricate complications that mirror the rhythm of the heart and permanence of devotion. Here are some timepieces designed to capture the ephemeral beauty of a moment inside a mechanical frame.
1. Flowers that last
High horology and jewellery converge in the Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower. Six precious blooms are preserved in perpetual radiance within Franck Muller’s signature rose gold tonneau silhouette. Their petals are crafted using the maison’s specialised Curvex Cut Diamond technique, where each stone is shaped with 73 facets to follow the curvature of the petal and maximise light reflection. The “stalks” of each flower function as the actual bridges of the in-house MVT FM 1540-VS3 movement, boasting a four-day power reserve. The interplay of gears underneath come together to form a bouquet that is evergreen.
2. Season of love
Each spring in Japan, a second act of beauty begins as the sakura season wanes. As the cherry blossom petals fall, they find a new home on the surface of winding rivers, gathering until the water disappears beneath a soft, undulating carpet of pink. These are called hana-ikada, or flower rafts. This is precisely the romantic scene that Grand Seiko evokes with the STGF387 from the Heritage Collection. Diamonds are arranged symmetrically on the dial, achieving a harmony of aesthetic beauty and legibility, and its 26mm profile allows the watch to blend easily with any ensemble.
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3. At first blush Known for its sleek lines and gender-neutral appeal, Chanel’s iconic timepiece takes a whimsical turn with a limited edition from the Blush capsule that is as cheeky as it is chic. The star of the show is a dial featuring Mademoiselle Chanel herself, blowing a kiss from beneath a classic boater hat. Wrapped in pink quilted leather and trimmed in glossy black patent, this watch is a flirtatious nod to the house’s couture roots.
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4. Sealed with a kiss
Ever since its GPHG award-winning debut in 2010, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Pont des Amoureux has enchanted the world with the story of two lovers meeting on a bridge in Paris. The Poetic Complication marks time with a retrograde movement that brings the couple together for a kiss at noon and midnight. The rendezvous can also be expedited by activating an on-demand pusher. Expanding the narrative, four special editions feature precious bracelets, each capturing the pair within landscapes that mirror the shifting light of dawn, morning (pictured), dusk and night. The bracelets are encrusted with pink or blue sapphires, colour-matched to each fairy-tale scene.
5. Pure emotion
In 2023, Parmigiani Fleurier unveiled the Tonda PF Minute Rattrapante, a world-first that enabled on-demand calibration of the minutes over a specific period of time. Intuitive, user-friendly and masterfully finished, the timepiece was quickly propelled to the top of every connoisseur’s wishlist. The latest variation in Arctic Rose — stunning with the Grain d’Orge guilloché — harks back to the 18th century, when rose was a colour worn by men as a symbol of refinement and distinction.
6. Fit for a queen
The Reine de Naples collection pays homage to a landmark moment in horology: the invention of the very first wristwatch. Originally commissioned by Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, the contemporary line reinterprets that historic 1812 design for the modern woman. Crafted in 18-carat Breguet gold, the Ref 8925 is an elegant ovoid timepiece that sports a hand-guilloché Quai de l’Horloge pattern on the off-centred dial, ringed with diamonds, of course. Additional stones encircle the bezel, while a lone briolette-cut diamond is set on the crown at 4 o’clock. Crafted with a sequence of polished oval and circular links, the supple bracelet is a statement piece of jewellery in its own right.
7. Joie de vivre
Movement, energy and a touch of chance. The Happy Sport timepiece mirrors the woman who wears it — vivacious and free-spirited. Tourmalines dictate the colour scheme of this new watch, set against a silver-toned background with a finely guillochéd centre. The pink hands and hour markers further echo the feminine hue of the gemstone, which is associated with love, compassion and emotional healing. Its 33mm case in sustainable Lucent Steel houses the Chopard 09.01-C automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve. Limited to 250 pieces only, the joyful timepiece is paired with a glossy alligator leather strap.
