Round Table: Ladies' Watches

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Round Table: Ladies' Watches - GPHG 2015
2 minutes read
Our contributors Nazanin Lankarani, Laurie Kahle and Anita Khatri look at the six preselected watches in the Ladies’ category

Nazanin Lankarani
Competition was stiff this year with 21 watches entered in the Ladies’ category. The six pre-selected by the jury in this first round reveal a preference for more traditional looking round dials. It was disappointing news for the rectangular Chanel Boyfriend Beige Gold watch that was, in my view, an outstanding model, sober yet discreetly luxurious and ultimately modern. 
As a general rule, in the Ladies’ watch category, my preference goes for timepieces that embody something purely feminine. Here, the primary criterion is aesthetics rather than mechanics. A ladies’ watch should not be a smaller version of a man’s watch, or one that is “feminized” by a setting of pavé diamonds. It should capture a certain feminine essence.

Of the six, the Piaget Limelight Gala, appears that do just that, with the simplicity of its curvaceous design and its pure lines. It is the ultimate feminine watch, minimalist in its form, just enough ornamentation with way of diamonds, with a design that suggests undulating movement and infinite grace.

Round Table: Ladies' Watches

The Hermès Arceau Petite Lune with Diamonds also incorporates a feminine yet sporty spirit that is inherent in the saddle-making tradition of the house. The suggestion of the stirrup and the tilted Arabic numerals are attractive details that make this watch lighthearted and unfussy to wear.

Round Table: Ladies' Watches

Laurie Kahle
Among this year’s women’s watch contenders, my favorite is Audemars Piguet’s Millenary. While I have always been partial to Millenary’s unusual oval shape and distinctive dial layout, the women’s novelties stand apart not only for design, but also for the new manual-winding movement, the caliber 5201, which was built to fit the oval case. The complex, multilevel dial reveals the movement’s fine finishing with Côtes de Genève and perlage decoration, plus you can also admire the pulsing escapement, so you are always aware of the watch’s beating heart.
Blending classic elements, such as Roman numerals and mother-of-pearl dials, with an unconventional design, Millenary fuses contemporary with timelessness, which is my taste—not too avant-garde, trendy, or gimmicky, but modern with enduring style. As a testament to its staying power, Millenary launched 20 years ago. The shimmering mother-of-pearl and a sprinkling of sparkling diamonds balance the Millenary’s technical presence with femininity. Even at a glance, everything about this watch projects exceptional quality, making it an all-around winner.

Round Table: Ladies' Watches

Anita  Khatri
I am delighted to see the brands nominated for GPHG under women's category. In a women's watch, design is like the heart of the watch. Each nominated piece has a distinct spectacular design which lends each brand an individual edge over competing brand. Two watches which take my breath away are Audemars Piguet Millenary and Piaget limelight Gala.
Audemars Piguet Millenary does total justice to the brand tag line “To break the rules you must first master them”. Millenary watch breaks the rules of modern watch design and  the unique oval shape in pink gold case features a diamond set bezel and lugs as well as glare proofed sapphire crystal caseback. With the exposed moment it reveals the strength of the women. This watch is a perfect marriage between Fashion and Horology.
 

Vote for your favourite watch in the ladies' category of the GPHG 2015 in our readers' poll.  
 

 

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