Is it because it carries symbolic connotations of purity and innocence that white – no matter what the current trend or era – exercises such a powerfully seductive appeal? This summer, this non-colour, representing a combination of the light of all others, is once again a staple of watch collections. Often technical and consistently pure and refined, the opposite of black manages to make itself entirely indispensable, and white watches are of course even more beautiful on sun-kissed skin.
Armin Strom - Gravity Date Air
This models offers a full immersion into the depths of its mechanism in what might well be considered a horological version of the literary mise en abime (frame narrative, or story within a story). Contemplating the concentric or off-centred circles punctuating the dial – from the one dedicated to hours and minutes to a smaller one for the seconds – is indeed a fascinating and almost dizzying experience. The 43.40 mm-diameter titanium Gravity Air watch by Armin Strom drapes the intricacies of its gear wheels in a pristine white robe. Only 100 feminine watchmaking connoisseurs will have the pleasure of slipping this technically stylish watch onto their wrists.
Chanel - J12-365
The J12 has already been a shining light in the watchmaking world for the past 14 years. The J12-365 in white ceramic is amongst the most recent models. Particularly light and with a hardness equivalent to that of rubies or sapphires, the high-tech ceramic clothes the 36.5 mm of this watch with its emblematic bracelet. On this model, the inner bezel ring and seconds subdial, rather than the bezel, are delicately set with precious diamonds, while the dial is adorned with an attractive sunburst guilloché motif. A nod to the most visible ‘heavenly’ star of the summer season?
Dior - Dior VIII 38mm automatic
A bezel adorned with snow-set diamonds, a minimalist high-tech white ceramic estthetic and an opaline silver-toned dial combine to make purity the keynote of this self-winding model. Fans of the kind of details that make all the difference are sure to notice the VIII which replaces the hour marker at 8 o’clock, as well as the diamond-set circle gracing the dial centre. A delightful blend of technical sophistication and refinement.
Richard Mille - RM 07-01 Ladies white ceramic
The curved, sensual lines of a barrel-shaped case alternating between white ceramic and rose gold, a dial featuring a centre set with precious stones, a skeletonised automatic movement… The latest of Richard Mille’s feminine watches delivers all the elements generally sought after by women with a penchant for this brand. The obviously technical nature of this model bearing the RM signature is enhanced by a distinctive softness. The 50-hour power reserve represents a small but important detail that is pretty rare among ladies’ watches. The result is a delightful ‘white wedding’ between extreme elegance and Fine Watchmaking.
DeWitt – Twenty-8 Eight Automatic
An appealing combination of rose gold and neo-titanium enlivens this white version of the Twenty-8 Eight. The sun-kissed aesthetics of this watch launched for the tenth anniversary of the company feature a 43mm case studded with the famous imperial columns and framing a dial divided into two guilloché-worked areas: the centre adorned with a subtle flame motif, surrounded by a radiating pattern. A model tinged with a timeless air and yet closely attuned to current trends.
