Beauties at Baselworld

Watchmakers from all over the world showcased their prized products at the recently concluded Baselworld. Lifespice brings to you a collection of ten breathtaking jewellery watches unveiled this year.

As the name suggests, Bvlgari teams the physical curves of the well-known reptile with an entirely revised and redesigned aesthetic. The serpent coils around the dial for the very first time and the softer and modern outline glittering with diamonds and rubies surrounds the wrist. The final product is an elegant timepiece, which is also a captivating piece of jewellery with charming uninterrupted motion. The watch is offered in four editions in pink or white gold and is adorned with precious stones. Its quartz movement carries the Bvlgari logo and B033 calibre. The 30 mm 18K pink gold case is set with 79 diamonds (1.38 carats) and 31 rubies (2.08 carats) while the 18K white gold version is set with 251 diamonds (8.67 carats). The snow-set dial features 116 diamonds (0.26 carats). The bracelet is studded with 20 diamonds (0.33 carats) and buyer can choose between an 18K pink or white gold bracelet, or a brown stain strap with 18k pink gold pin buckle. Subtle amalgamations of gem setting techniques help create an irresistible watch.

Carlo Sarzano, the founder of SARCAR Genève in 1948, understood the meaning of being “large enough to be strong… and small enough to be free” and applied it to near perfection to create a name for his brand over the coming years. SARCAR has a knack for producing timepieces using exquisite craftsmanship and is renowned for its sophisticated limited edition timepieces. The Royal Stallion from The Treasure collection is another exquisite timepiece by SARCAR with a glorious stallion sculpted in 18K gold adorning the dial in an ode to man’s oldest travel companion. Horses are the only reason for many conquests in the past and have played a major role in economic development of many regions by making quick transport possible. The animal’s inherent dignity remains as commendable as ever and the 9-piece limited edition, The Royal Stallion, proves that with its mechanical automatic movement, a 40mm 18K 5N pink gold case with a bezel decorated with 18K gold gem set horseshoes and 18K horse head with a gem set crown and sapphire crystal. The dial of the watch features a one-carat solitaire diamond that revolves around a pavé dial. The dial has a total of 314 brilliant-cut diamonds – 3.94 carats (including the solitaire). The black alligator leather strap and the gem set 18K pink gold folding clasp add the finishing touch to this exquisite timepiece.

The large pink gold case from one of the most iconic complication by Patek Philippe has been redesigned with more distinct curves to accentuate its feminine nature and create a refined watch for women. The annual calendar, invented by Patek Philippe himself, displays the day, date and month all year long, requiring just one manual adjustment on March 1st. The Annual Calendar Ref. 4948 also features a moon phase display. With its mechanical automatic movement featuring a 324 S QA LU calibre and 34 jewels, it boasts a massive 28,800 vibrations/hour and up to a 45-hour power reserve. The 38 mm 18K pink gold case is set with 347 diamonds (about 2.65 carats) and features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating in the front and back. The watch is water-resistant to 30 meters. All the indications are set against a dial in white Balinese mother-of-pearl, elegantly surrounded by Arabic numbers in gold. The bracelet is made up of pearly white alligator leather and the buckle is adorned with 27 diamonds (almost 0.21 carats). The eternal sophistication of its design, the 374 pure diamonds decorating the bezel, case, lugs, crown and buckle transform this jewel of watchmaking technique and extreme artistic value, into a rare and valuable object whose timeless design will delight generations to come.

Kerbedanz is known and respected for its horological designs infused with powerful symbolisms. The Tree of Life is an ode to immortality by Kerbedanz, aptly designed after the tree it is named. Just like the tree united heaven and earth with its deep roots and spreading branches, Kerbedanz’s watches unite spirituality and eternity with their designs. A 42mm 18K yellow gold case is entirely embedded with 541 green emeralds (5 carats) that are the colour of life itself in the form of trees. A hand-sculpted gold tree sits at the centre of the green enamelled dial with anti-reflective sapphire crystals in front and back completing the case design. The dial is created in solid yellow gold with gold bas-relief sculpture, which is adorned with 8 sparkling diamonds. These shiny stones embedded into the gold and enamel form the fruits of the tree, each depicting the immortality of the tree. With a mechanical automatic movement, the watch boasts KRB-03 calibre, 35 jewels, a massive 28,800 vibrations/hour, twin barrels, 120-hour power reserve and an alligator leather strap with 18K yellow gold folding clasp adding to the elegance of this timepiece. The watch is water-resistant to 50 metres (5 bar/165 ft). This 41-piece limited edition is the complete embodiment of mystery, life and hope, making it a unique and an extraordinary work of art.

Unlike the majority of moon phase watches, the moon doesn’t disappear at the end of the cycle but it takes cover behind a sublime mother-of-pearl pattern, giving birth to an astonishing and poetically beautiful timepiece. This hide and seek is a subtle pointer as to how the light and shade is cast between the earth and the sun on a daily basis. Featuring Quartz movement and HW5201 calibre, the 18K pink gold 36m case is adorned with 57 brilliantly-cut diamonds (2.32 carats) and features sapphire crystal closed back and front. The deep blue mother-of-pearl sky forms a striking contrast with the flawless white mother-of-pearl dial drawing the gaze to the centre of the watch. The bracelet is crafted out of white alligator leather featuring 18K pink gold buckle set with 17 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.15 carats).The diamond hour markers (0.078 carats), gold cabochons, and 18 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.036 carats) just set above the date at 6 o’ clock feel like a sunbeam reflecting the halo of precious stones. In total, the watch boasts of 104 diamonds (2.58 carats).

Geovani has gained a brilliant reputation in the field of jewellery since 2005. Scintillating gem settings, rare materials and sophisticated design have been some of the trademarks of the watches designed by Geovani. This year’s offering, Catherine, is another ode to diamonds and portrays the beauty of the stone in an exquisite gem setting. Four concentric circles form the bezel and that creates a striking contrast between the white steel and the pink gold/yellow gold PVD plating on the watch. Adding to the brightly designed exterior, the dial was finished with a bluish mother-of-pearl shade giving the passing of time an astounding glow. The 38mm case comes in two colour variants, yellow gold plated or pink gold plated and the bezel is adorned with 334 diamonds (1.89 carats). The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters (10 bar/330 feet). The dial is made in a bluish mother-of-pearl tone and the hour-markers are set with 10 diamonds, and the watch comes with a blue leather strap that further enhances the design. This amalgamation of conventional and modern watchmaking techniques along with the use of radiant and soft-toned colours create the ultimate fashion accessory for women. Catherine fits right in the wrist for daily wear or outdoor gatherings, almost like a second skin with unparalleled sophistication and style.

The Happy Sport watch by Caroline Scheufele was launched in 1993, and it became an iconic Chopard model. Since then, it has been reincarnated in often amusing and ever so graceful ways. The latest collection by Chopard, Happy Fish, is a testament to the underwater world and displays artistic craftsmanship applied to create an everlasting and a poignant romantic effect. The dial showcases a textured mother-of-pearl fish with bas-relief engraving, decorated with gold leaf and a red jasper eye swims smoothly in the ocean of snow-set blue sapphires, creating an affect like it is moving around the seven radiant moving diamonds. A turquoise light brings out a luminous quality to the dark and deep decor of this watch. The Happy Fish features a mechanical automatic movement that is adorned with 25 jewels and boasts a massive 28,800 vibrations/hour, bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève and a 42-hour power reserve. The 36 mm case is made of 18K pink gold and portrays a gem set crown and bezel. Pearly white alligator leather made bracelet adorned with 18K pink gold buckle completes the aesthetics of this extraordinary timepiece. This 25 piece limited edition will only be available in Chopard boutiques and corners.

The Pathos Swan is a masterpiece that portrays gem-setting on a completely different level. As many as 922 diamonds and sapphires in different shades, forming a total of 12.5 carats, adorn this out-of-the-world timepiece, which can be crafted from pink or white gold. Bracelet, case, bezel and crown: each element of this exquisite watch has been patiently created and skilfully hand-set by jewellers who are passionate about their creations. The watch features Quartz movement and CFB 1851 calibre. The 34 mm case is made out of 18K pink gold and is adorned with 254 TW VVS diamonds and 116 sapphires (4.15 carats) featuring a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on front and back. 18K pink gold and mother-of-pearl decorated dial is set with 31 TW VVS diamonds and 117 sapphires (0.6 carats) and features a swan coated with pink and blue stones that appears to move smoothly over the still waters of a mother-of-pearl background. The bracelet of this watch is unique as it is set with 240 TW VVS diamonds and 164 sapphires (7.75 carats) and features an 18K pink gold folding clasp. This remarkable timepiece shines like a thousand stars no matter where you set your eyes. Anticipated as an 88-piece limited edition, the Pathos Swan is made exclusively on request.

Following the current trend for tiny ladies’ watches, Blancpain reinvents the mesmerizing design codes of the Ladybird in a supremely thin modern-day version. The original Ladybird was launched in 1956 and it boasted the smallest round movement on the market. Sixty years later, the watch’s slim white gold case decorated with diamonds remains an extremely graceful and distinguished personification of Blancpain’s technical know-how. A tiny automatic movement equipped with a silicon balance spring enhances each movement within the watch giving it a blend of slenderness and accuracy. The 3.9 mm thick Ladybird Ultraplate boasts of 6,150 calibre, 180 components, 29 jewels, a silicon balance spring, and a 40-hour power reserve. The case of the watch is made of 18K white gold and the bezel is adorned with 32 diamonds (0.534 carats). Its caseback features sapphire crystal. The dial is created with a white mother-of-pearl flora, which gives time a radiant charm that literally catches the eye of onlookers. The hour-markers in the dial are set with diamonds (0.11 carats) and the watch features a Louisiana alligator strap. The watch is water resistant to 30 m (3 bars/100 feet). Blancpain has created this 60-piece limited edition with a state-of-the-art interpretation of the charming retro-chic look of the Ladybird.

The Big Bang Tutti Frutti watch reinvents itself by appearing in linen’s apparently endless range of shades. Hublot has developed a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted linen fibre weave, dyed and coated with a transparent composite material. Linen fibres are a pioneering alternative to carbon fibre, as it is distinctively lighter than the carbon fibre while offering brilliant mechanical resistance. The date, time and chronograph functions are powered by a mechanical self-winding chronograph with a HUB4300 calibre and a 42-hours power reserve. The 41mm case is made of natural linen and the polished titanium bezel is adorned with blue or orange sapphires, topazes or amethysts. The watch features anti-reflective sapphire crystals on the front and back and is water-resistant up to 100 m (10 bar/330 feet). The dial comes with the option of four colour variants: Ocean Blue, Ice Blue, Papaya or Mauve natural linen. The hour-markers are adorned with blue or orange sapphires, topazes or amethysts. Titanium folding clasp on a bracelet featuring blue, turquoise, orange or purple fabric sewn onto identical rubber complete this masterpiece. Joyful vibrancy and a deep sense of originality make the Big Bang Turri Frutti Linen an extraordinary piece of art. This model is due to be produced in four 200-piece limited editions.