This year’s color of the year as announced by the Pantone Color Institute is one that might not excite too many men, but we expect women will be embracing the color for fashion, jewelry, design and even watches. Very Peri, as Pantone calls it, is meant to embrace courage and creativity. Of course, as a derivative of blue – with a violet-red undertone – the color recalls periwinkle or lavender and can easily be paired with amethyst jewelry and even sapphires. The color is a far cry from 2021’s dynamic dual of gray and yellow that could excite everyone and that watch brands were already creating dials and straps in.
According to Pantone, the color Very Peri, 17-3938, indicates a new light ahead after a dark period and is intended to give us a new vision and creative spirit. It is also a much-used color in the dynamic digital world that seems to help “stretch the limits of reality,” says Pantone.
Interestingly enough, we already find a few watch brands who also love the carefree color of periwinkle and have incorporated it as dial colors, accents, straps and even a high-tech case. These brands may well be ahead of the times and in perfect sync with 2022.
Glashütte Original
Always a fan favorite, the Glashütte Original PanoMatic Luna watch looks even more stunning in shades of Very Peri. The $18,000 stainless steel timepiece features a great off-center dial that showcases the hours and minutes on the left side of the dial, but with highly stylized periwinkle Arabic numerals on a mother-of-pearl background that reach out in all directions. The off-set time dial features a subsidiary dial at 6:00 with the seconds running. On the right side of the dial, the moonphase aperture brings time to life between 2:00 and 3:00 and is nicely balanced with a double-digit date window between 4:00 and 5:00. The 39.4mm watch is set with diamond markers and 18 brilliant-cut diamonds on the case. It is finished with a deep purple alligator strap. The 39.40mm case houses an automatic Caliber 90-12 movement with 42 hours of power reserve. It is created as a limited edition.
Richard Mille
Always thinking outside of the box, Richard Mille has regularly been turning to color and high-tech materials since its inception. Recently, it turned to bold mixed colors for a sense of whimsy and daring in its RM 07-01 Automatic Colored Ceramics collection. This version, created in a limited edition of just 50 pieces, boasts a periwinkle ceramic case and a dial of mixed hues of red-violet and blue, set with diamonds. The integrated rubber strap of the $163,000 watch also boasts one side in blue and the other in purple – indicating a blend that could be very peri. The automatic watch houses the CRMA2 movement with 50 hours of power reserve.
Zenith
While it may call this Defy Spectrum watch purple, Zenith also offers hints of red-violet blue in the metallic finishes on the chapter rings seen on the dial. Additionally, the $35,900 El Primero Defy Spectrum watch boasts a brighter purple finish for certain movement parts of the skeletonized watch. Set with 44 amethyst baguettes on the bezel and 288 diamonds on the case – for a total of just about five carats of gemstones. Exemplifying creativity and exploration of new senses, the watch is powered by the El Primero 9004 automatic movement.
Audemars Piguet
Tending toward purple but still maintaining a lilac look, this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding Chronograph is crafted in solid 18-karat pink gold with a pink gold bracelet. the rose color underscores the brilliance of the 32 baguette-cut amethysts surrounding the dial. These amethysts are on the lighter-hued side instead of dark purple and beautifully accent the Grande Tapisserie motif with purple chronograph counters. Measuring 38mm in diameter the $88,700 watch is water-resistant to 50 meters and is powered by the 304-part self-winding Caliber 2385 movement.
Graff
The House of Graff is a master at color thanks to its magnificent jewelry sourcing and setting, as well as its keen eye for details. This 18-karat gold Spiral watch is the perfect Very Peri companion for day or night. The double wrap satin strap beautifully embraces the hue of the year and the mother-of-pearl dial, with pink/purple undertones, underscores the vibrant appeal. The 18-karat rose gold 19mm case boasts a spiral bezel entirely set with diamond brilliants. Even the crown boasts diamonds. The watch is powered by a quartz movement and offers hours and minutes indication.
