Time Tellers

A New York City gallery focused on artisan-made jewellery will soon debut a collection of vintage watches with fascinating histories.

- Paige Reddinger

From far left: Omega De Ville Emerald bracelet watch designed by Andrew Grima in sterling silver with a tropical dial; Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse in 18k gold; Jaeger-LeCoultre Mystery watch in 18k gold and diamonds; Cazzaniga watch in 18k gold, diamonds, and sapphires with movement by Piaget; Gilbert Albert watch in platinum, 18k gold, and diamonds with movement by Omega. The pieces, made between the 1950s and 1970s, all have Swiss-made manual-wind movements. THERE WAS A period when Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos found it hard to hold on to a watch. The prominent collector and dealer would often post pictures on social media of the uncommon, sculptural timepieces she purchased for herself. But every time, clients of her eponymous jewellery gallery-New York City’s Mahnaz Collection—would hound her into selling them.

“They found those photographs and they are just diligent in bothering me,” she says with a laugh, adding that some would simply persist until she changed her mind about letting them go.