Published on February 7, 2025
Cartier; Chopard; Hermès
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so if you’re last-minute shopping for someone special, nothing says “time well-spent” with a significant other than a luxury timepiece, so we’ve chosen 10 exceptional pieces to gift to loved ones who run the gamut from sporty to glamorous to sophisticated. We’ve eschewed overused and tired motifs for the holiday of love—hearts, arrows, red hues, and expressions of affection on the dial won’t be found here. Instead, we chose watches that stand on their own as simply great ladies’ (or men for that matter…the Patek Philippe Ellipse can swing both ways) timepieces. Watchmakers have been upping the ante on female-skewed offerings from a great new movement, like the ultra-slim automatic caliber in the Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas, to a new take on an icon, like the Patek Philippe Ellipse or, just a unique design that doesn’t conform to current trends, like the Gérald Genta Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal. Some are unmistakeably feminine, but others are gender-neutral, which, of course, makes them a bonus acquisition, because the giver can wear them too. Spread the love.
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Cartier Reflection
Image Credit: Cartier The Reflection is a white gold bangle inspired by the “Toi et Moi” concept, a ring with two stones facing each other. The two arms of the bangle meet above the wrist, but instead of two stones, there is a watch dial at one end and a mirror at the other, reflecting the time. The body of the bracelet is decorated with a combination of snow-set and inverted diamonds. The result is a chunky statement bracelet that tells time in a whimsical new way. Price on request.
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Chopard Happy Sport
Image Credit: Chopard The Happy Sport’s familiar bezel-set diamonds have been dancing happily between sapphire crystals since 1993 but, over the years, have continued to look fresh with new iterations. In this version, two of the five mobile diamonds are replaced by aquamarines, with a matching strap and Roman numerals on the dial. The center of the dial is decorated in a swirling guilloché pattern. This piece is limited to just 250.
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Hermès Arceau Robe Légére
Image Credit: Hermès The brand’s signature equestrian motif, linked to Hermès’ roots as a saddler beginning with Parisian aristocracy in the early 1800s, is applied frequently to Hermès scarf designs, which inspired this limited-edition watch. The embroidery-like dial is made of strands and spangles of silver, set between layers of enamel in the paillonné style. It comes in rose gold and diamonds ($90,000) and white gold with diamonds ($95,500, pictured) and is limited to twenty-four pieces each.
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Patek Philippe Ellipse Ref. 5738/1R-001
Image Credit: Patek Philippe The Ellipse, first introduced in 1968, is known for its distinctive chain bracelets. Last year, Patek Philippe revived the tradition by unveiling a new, patented chain-style bracelet in rose gold that was 15 years in development. The intricate links are machined, then assembled and hand-woven into a braid-like pattern. The dial is an ebony-black sunburst design.
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Tiffany & Co. Carat 128 Aquamarine
Image Credit: Tiffany & Co. The Carat 128 Aquamarine was inspired by the legendary Tiffany Diamond, a 128.54-carat cushion-shaped fancy yellow diamond. The facets on the case echo the shape of the diamond that inspired it. Hovering over the dial is a single diamond-cut aquamarine of 35.23 carats. The dial, paved with diamonds, can be seen beneath the aquamarine. Price Upon Request.
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TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph
Image Credit: TAG Heuer This scaled-down, punched-up version of the Carrera Chronograph is a stellar example of a great chronograph for women. The circular brushed finish on the dial and diamonds on the flange and indexes elevate the watch beyond its sporty origins. It was introduced on the race track in 1963 and is built for interval timing, especially now, as TAG Heuer assumes its new F1 racing sponsorship.
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Piaget Limelight Gala
Image Credit: Piaget As year-of-the-snake watches go, this one is a tasteful anomaly. It is a more subtle representation of the serpent than most, and yet it exudes glamour. It’s a statement piece on its own, without a blatant “year-of” reference. The bezel and signature asymmetric lugs are set with 4.736 carats of diamonds. The bracelet, like the case, is 18-karat rose gold, engraved in a snake scale pattern that is matched on the hand-engraved dial. $112,000
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Breguet Reine de Naples 8918
Image Credit: Breguet This is a watch for those with a serious appreciation for both watchmaking and jewelry making. The bezel, flange, crown, and bracelet attachment are set with diamonds. The bracelet itself is a complex construction of 18-karat rose gold that is woven by hand, in a process that takes a month for each bracelet. It contains a slim automatic movement (caliber 537/3) that keeps the case to a trim 28.5 mm wide x 8.7 mm thick.
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Zenith Chronomaster Sport Rainbow
Image Credit: Zenith This variation on the popular rainbow bezel is distinctive. Instead of graduating the colors from light to dark in each shade, it takes a color block approach, with color sections of matched sapphires or spinels separated by stations of 10 diamonds. It’s set with 40 sapphires totaling 3.9 carats and contains the El Primero 3600 chronograph movement, which displays 1/10th of second intervals.
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Gérald Genta Gentissima Oursin Fire Opal
Image Credit: Gérald Genta When LVMH acquired Gerald Genta in 2011, it inherited thousands of archival designs drawn by the master himself. The Oursin (sea urchin), which Genta designed in 1994, was one of them, but it was only produced for his wife and a few friends, until now. This version has an orange carnelian dial and a gold case with 137 fire opal beads screwed onto it. It contains an ultra-thin Zenith Elite automatic movement, giving it a 36.5 mm wide x 9.64 mm thick profile. Price on request.
Authors
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Carol Besler
Credit: robbreport.com
