The sweet scent of romance on the wrist… The Charms Extraordinaire Amour watch leaves no doubt regarding the personality of the woman who owns it. Enamored of beauty, sensitive and passionate, she doubtless also enjoys a hint of playful mischief. For this 38mm pink gold watch framing a dial adorned with a precious flowering garden of wallflowers, forget-me-nots and cyclamens is not just about aesthetic sophistication. In keeping with the traditional language of flowers that was historically so valuable to lovers, Van Cleef & Arpels endows the Charms Extraordinaire Amour watch with the symbolism of lasting memories, beauty and enduring feelings. For any who might not manage to decipher the message, this watch also speaks another and truly universal language : that of expertise. Only the finest artisans are capable of producing such a stunning tableau, graced with sculpted mother-of-pearl and cabochonné enamel enhanced by subtly graded shades of pink sapphires. Spring is definitely here !
Roger Dubuis – Deep in the forest…
It is at the very heart of the mysterious forest of Brittany forming the fascinating backdrop for Arthurian legends, that Roger Dubuis has drawn its inspiration in creating the Excalibur Creative Skeleton Brocéliande. This beautiful ‘plantlife’ model bewitches the beholder through its subtle blend of watchmaking expertise and jewelry creativity. The skeleton movement appears to be almost swallowed up by the entwining vegetation. Ivy featuring gem-set vines tipped with fine gemstone foliage embraces the inside of the caliber and is interwoven among its bridges. As Product Design Director Lionel Favre points out : “The decorative elements are artfully added to the movement without disturbing its operation, implying extremely delicate assembly within such a small volume.” So Merlin, tell us: what’s the antidote ?
Louis Vuitton – A gentle breeze ruffling the leaves
The winds of fashion are definitely blowing through the new jewelry watches by Louis Vuitton. First because the watchmaking division of Louis Vuitton has drawn inspiration from its haute couture alter ego in offering this watchmaking interpretation of the “foliage” motif featured in the Cruise 2015 runway show. And also because the dial bears an elegant depiction of a flower-shaped “windmill”. Louis Vuitton has chosen to express the motif using the miniature painting enhanced by subtle snow-setting. Performed in La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, this intricate technique required a full 30 hours of craftsmanship for every dial. A flower named patience also blooms in the Louis Vuitton garden.
Richard Mille – A fragrant new flower
Who might have guessed even a few years ago that Richard Mille would one day seek inspiration in a garden ? The surprising and delightful RM 19-02 model propels its designer onto an unexpected stage. This new interpretation of the automaton tradition that was once greatly prized by European loyalty is a real success. Firstly, in visual terms, through the beautiful composition formed by the sculpted gold dial and the magnolia with its five hand-crafted and painted petals embracing the flying tourbillon. And secondly because of its mechanism that enables the flower to open and close at a regular cadence in step with the minutes or on request. Together with the unfurling of the magnolia, the flying tourbillon also opens completely and rises 1mm from the dial in a manner also evoking the blooming of a flower. Issued in a 30-piece limited edition, this singular species of horological flower embodies the blossoming of another whole image of Richard Mille… A flowery romantic at heart ?
Piaget – La vie en rose
If Piaget were to write a book, it would be titled The Romance of the Rose. But let’s credit each author with their own accomplishment, and notably Piaget for the creation of this new Altiplano graced with an embroidery on white silk. Crafted by the magic fingers of Sylvie Deschamps, the countless subtle nuances of the Yves Piaget rose are recreated through thousands of stitches. Enhanced with silver threads, this micro-pointillism technique evokes the works of the pointillist painters. Only eight of these masterpieces will be available. Piaget cultivates roses… and rarity.
