WORLDTEMPUS - 14 February 2011
Elizabeth Doerr
“Will you be my valentine?” Men and women all over the world are asking themselves just this question today.
If you and your sweetheart are both enthusiastic about horological specialties, you may want to take a look at these beautifully crafted wristwatches with more than a touch of female influence. They could just change her perception of time.
Artya, founded by former Romain Jerome CEO Yvan Arpa, specializes in unique pieces – meaning there will only ever be one of any Artya timepiece. The three pictured beauties created with thoughts of the romantic holiday in mind are housed in stainless steel cases that have been literally struck by lightning: thermal combustion, molding, engraving and various extreme processes result in a handcrafted visual that can only originate in the Artya workshops. Arpa calls the process the “coup de foudre.” The heart-emblazoned dials are literally miniaturized paintings, turning these wristwatches into expressions of love for the recipient of them and for the intricate precision of watchmaking. These colorful automatic pieces of kinetic jewelry retail for 3,900 Swiss francs each.
This unique timepiece, the only one of its kind, is lovingly crafted by the master of feminine technology: DeLaneau. This is a brand that specializes in providing the demanding woman with all that her heart could desire in terms of kinetic artwork that just so happens to tell the time. The case crafted in white gold houses an automatic movement. The blue mother-of-pearl dial is adorned with blue sapphires and diamonds. The engraved white mother-of-pearl wings actually open and close to reveal the dial's subsidiary seconds display. The latter is achieved by pulling the crown to the position that would usually be reserved for setting the date – an extremely clever detail.
Customizable romance is Bovet's specialty in the convertible Amadeo line © Bovet
Bovet's customizable automatic Amadeo timepiece could be the perfect gift for the one you love because it will reflect both you and her. Not only can this 39 mm timepiece be worn as a pendant on a beautiful red gold chain; the future owner of this Mille Fleurs timepiece can also determine which miniature painted flower is displayed on the gorgeous mother-of-pearl dial. Inspired by the romance of Bovet's home, the “Valley of Flowers” Val-de-Travers in Switzerland, the timepiece will still be hard-pressed to match the beauty of the lady who wears it. Diamonds are optional.
Romance is at the core of Frédérique Constant's Heart Beat line, the very feminine versions of which feature cutaways in the mother-of-pearl dials that are either heart-shaped or include the word “Love” in an astonishingly original way. The cutaway allows a view of the automatic movement underneath. A fine detail fully thought out with women in mind is the easy-change strap system, which gives women the opportunity to “wardrobe” the pieces by allowing them to easily change the straps themselves. These leather and/or satin straps come in sets of myriad colors and clasps. An array of mother-of-pearl colors including white, grey, and chocolate, are nestled within a delicately sized stainless steel or rose gold-plated case. An optional 0.2 ct of full-cut diamonds around the bezel is optional.
