THE JEWELLER'S HOUR

Subtlety can take a vacation. This December, lean into high jewellery timepieces that let your horology dazzle as much as your festive celebrations.

- WORDS BY CHARMIAN LEONG

VACHERON CONSTANTIN GRAND LADY KALLA

High jewellery watches are usually the playground of maisons that specialise in sparkle, but Vacheron Constantin has long insisted there is no precious craft beyond its expertise. The Grand Lady Kalla, unveiled last year, was its most dazzling reminder: A modern tribute to the legendary Kallista and Lady Kalla, delivered as a four-piece set comprising a gem-set watch, a jewel piece, a three-row riviere-style bracelet and a sautoir, all designed to be mixed, matched, and generally revelled in.

Now, it returns in three colourful new editions – platinum with diamonds and emeralds, or white gold paired with rubies or sapphires. Each sautoir trades onyx for chrysoprase, blue chalcedony or pink chalcedony to match the hero stone.

CARTIER TRESSAGE

Leave it to Cartier to take something as simple as braiding — “tressage” in French — and turn it into a “watchmaking sculpture”. Part cuff, part strap, but all chic, the Cartier Tressage watch is like woven art for the wrist.

This yellow-and-white-gold edition goes full festive with alternating brancards shimmering under snow-set diamonds, echoed again across the dial. A total of 466 brilliant-cut stones illuminate the case and buckle, with another 156 glittering across the white-gold dial. The beige calfskin strap keeps the look airy and elegant, though a black calfskin option is on hand for evenings that call for more drama.

CHOPARD SWAN LAKE