DE GRASCDSONO – Occhio Ripetizione Minuti
The Occhio Ripetizione Minuti from 2005, famous for its camera shutter-like aperture dial that reveals its movement when the minute repeater mechanism is activated, returns with a glitzier redux version.
Courting a new generation of moneyed moguls is a spectacular diamond- encrusted variant featuring baguette-cut stones (totaling 18ct) that encircle the dial, pave the case flanks and embellish the lugs.
Glitz aside, the Occhio’s aforementioned signature calling cards reprise their roles on both the case architecture and the hand- winding movement designed in collaboration with Christophe Claret.
Aficionados can pause to admire the action of the hammers and gongs through the sapphire case back, which also showcases the movement’s finely polished screws and meticulous finishing on the anthracite grey bridges and plates. Available in matte blackened 18K white gold with black alligator strap.
ARMAND NICOLET – L08 Diamonds
Like a constellation of stars illuminating the night sky, the tasteful smattering of 74 Top Wesselton brilliant diamonds (totaling 1ct) on the bezel of the L08 uplifts its jet- black guilloche dial. Their shimmer and sparkle highlight the dial’s strategic openings, which provide enticing glimpses of Armand Nicolet‘s manual winding calibre, the UT600 which is fashioned from a vintage calibre, the circa-1957 AN0711A.
The refurbished movement, revved up with Incabloc shock absorbers and swan neck regulators, is exposed partially on an open- worked dial showing its balance, lever, time-setting and winding systems, as well as exquisite Cote de Genève and Perlage finishing on rhodium-plated plates and bridges. Limited to 50 pieces in stainless steel with an alligator strap.
Non-bejeweled versions are also available in limited editions of 150 pieces in steel with silvered dial; 150 pieces in steel with black dial; and 150 pieces in steel with 18K rose gold crown and bezel, and grey dial.
LEONARD – Atom Lady Jumping Hours
The jumping hours mechanism extolled by Leonard‘s latest coup will surely send gizmo – loving girls into a frenzy. Animated by a Dubois? Depraz 14400 automatic movement, the complication debuted in a men’s watch three years ago.
The original has been refinished to attract a new demographic, and now flaunts a case in white ceramic with a contrasting pink gold bezel lit by 52 diamonds (1.3 carats). The dial also exhibits this play of contrasts, with alternating sections in black and white mother-of-pearl. Its pleasing symmetry, well-proportioned elements and lustrous finish add to the winsome quality of this dedicated all-rounder. A chic white satin strap completes the watch.
And as with all Piaget Manufacture movements, the 830P is decorated to the hilt. Circular Geneva stripes, circular-grained parts, beveled bridges and blued screws compete for the wearer’s attention through the sapphire case back. In 18K pink gold with a white alligator strap.
CHOPARD L.U.C – Tourbillon Lady
12 years, female admirers of Chopard L.U.C’s high complication watches have had to contend with just that – admiration. But that has changed with the Tourbillon Lady, the venerable brand’s first foray into dedicated women’s complication watches under its L.U.C in-house manufacture.
But Chopard knows only too well how diamonds are a girl’s best friend sightings of its signature Happy Diamonds collection have been known to send hot-blooded women into ecstatic frenzies – so it has liberally paved the dial, bezel, case, lugs, even crown and cabochon, with bling-bling diamond, all 8.6 carats of them.
Tear yourself away from the dazzle of the brilliants and the baguettes, and you’ll notice how the Tourbillion Bridge morphs into an elegant letter ‘C’. Blued steel hands contrast beautifully against the crystalline purity of the dial that does away with numerals and indexes. For busy bees flitting from meetings and events to cocktails and soirees, the four-barreled L.U.C 4T Calibre works as tirelessly as you do, giving nine days of power reserve, which is indicated by the pointer at ’12′.
The final act of seduction comes in the form of the transparent case back, which reveals the immaculate movement in its hand-finished, Geneva-striped splendor. Limited to 25 pieces each in 18K rose and white gold with a hand-stitched black alligator strap.
