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Gloria Fung

Kim Soo-jin

This year’s ladies’ watches offered a lot more than just sparkle and shine.
From complications that nod to the vast and beautiful universe to numerous feminine interpretations of the tourbillon, here is a round-up of our favourite ladies’ timepieces of 2018.
Richard Mille RM 71-01 

Richard Mille charmed the ladies this year when it launched its first automatic tourbillon in its women’s timepiece, the RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman.
There are 10 different variations of the watch, including white-gold or red-gold cases, and dials with mother-of-pearl, onyx and diamonds.
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Designed by Cecile Guenat, the ladies’ collection director at Richard Mille, the pieces are heavily inspired by art deco and elements of tribal art.
The timepiece is meant to be seen and worn like a modern talisman for today’s modern woman.
It is driven by the brand’s eighth in-house movement, the calibre CRMT1, which offers 50 hours of power reserve.
Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Automatic Ref. 7300

The esteemed Swiss watchmaker breathed new life into its signature Twenty~4 collection this year with a new novelty that featured two firsts: a mechanical calibre for the line and a new case shape.
Its Twenty~4 Automatic Ref. 7300 features a circular 36-millimetre (1.4-inch) case, and is driven by the self-winding mechanical movement 324 S C.
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Previously, timepieces from the collection featured rectangular cases and were driven by a quartz movement.
Five versions of the newly launched novelty are available in a combination of blue, grey, chocolate and silvery dials.
The silvery dial is perhaps the most interesting choice as it features a horizontal and vertical satin finish evocative of Shantung silk.
Montblanc Boheme Exo Tourbillon Slim Limited Editions 28

This new 38-millimetre timepiece from Montblanc comes in two versions: a red-gold version with a beige mother-of-pearl dial, and a white-gold version with a slate-grey mother-of-pearl dial.
The dials come studded with 146 diamonds, while the bezel is set with 58 Top Wesselton diamonds and the crown is topped with the patented Montblanc diamond.
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At six o’clock is the maison’s patented in-house Exo Tourbillon mechanism, which is the result of three years of research and development.
The timepiece runs on the manufacturer’s automatic calibre MB 29.24, which offers 48 hours of power reserve.
Only 28 of each of the timepieces have been created.
Harry Winston Ocean 20th Anniversary Biretrograde Automatic 36mm

The house of Harry Winston celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Ocean collection with a feminine watch that looks to the seas for inspiration.
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The timepiece features diamonds and 97 stunning blue Paraiba tourmalines that evokes the colours of the Caribbean waters.
The 36-millimetre limited-edition timepiece comes equipped with the calibre HW3302, which provides 65 hours of power reserve.
Only 20 of the limited-edition timepieces have been created.
Breguet Reine de Naples 8908

This year the maison presented a new interpretation of its Reine de Naples 8908 model, which now comes in a red-gold case set with 128 diamonds.
A Tahitian mother-of-pearl partially decorates the dial.
The watch still honours the original design codes first used in the world’s first wristwatch, created by A.L. Breguet for the queen of Naples in the early 1800s.
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A moon phase and a power reserve indicator can be found at 12 o’clock on the dial, while the offset hours and small seconds are located at 6 o’clock and 7 o’clock, respectively.
The timepiece runs on the calibre 357 and comes with 45 hours of power reserve.
Arpels’ Lady Planetarium 

The original Midnight Planetarium combined the intricacies of watchmaking, with a fine jewel setting, which at 44 millimetres in size, was simultaneously an exciting discovery – and an immediate letdown – for women who enjoy both those things in a timepiece.
Perhaps this collective sigh of disappointment made their way into the ears of Van Cleef & Arpels’ design team, who this year, launched a ladies’ – and dare we say better – version of the Planetarium watch.
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The timepiece features that same fascinating complication where discs set with gems, representing the different planets, move in unison with the actual rotation of the planets themselves.
Why better, we say? The Arpels Lady Planétarium’s case measures 38 millimetres and is paved entirely in diamonds.
Van Cleef & Arpels always goes the extra mile when it comes to creating that whimsy and romance, and here a shooting star is found across the 24-hour dial, which tells the time in place of hands.
Graff Spiral

When we think of Graff, we often think of huge diamonds and scintillating clusters of precious stones that come together to form necklaces, bracelets and even watches.
While Graff is undoubtedly one of the best when it comes to extraordinary, and blindingly bright designs (think the Hallucination watch), the house is also a master of subtle, yet creative lustre.
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The house expanded its Spiral collection to include a series of timepieces that are feminine, dainty, yet unmissable.
The new 30 millimetre dials are dressed in everything from sleek satin straps to a full-pavé white and pink diamond bracelet in the Ribbon rendition.
If large stones are still your calling, then the Spiral Bangle watch, anchored with a solitaire white diamond, will satisfy with its fiery sparkle.

Panthere de Cartier

We often see enamel on dials, but Cartier thinks outside the box – that is the Panthere square dial – to create a piece that brings the deep, saturated hues of black enamel beyond the face of the watch.
The panther’s spots are found painted on the bracelets of the new Panthere de Cartier bracelet in pink or white gold, or with diamonds sparkling alongside the bracelet.
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This abstract take on the house’s eternal feline muse, the panther, has got is purring with approval.
Jaquet Droz

Jaquet Droz has taken a realist approach to its interpretation of the big cat – painting a lively portrait of a tiger in transparent enamel.
Tapping into a plique-à-jour gold wiring technique to create a frame for the transparent enamel, the Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara Tiger dial is then set between a sapphire face and case back, giving the timepiece complete transparency.
A self-winding movement with 38 hours of power reserve brings motion to the hands set on a mother-of-pearl subdial.
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Chaumet Josephine Aigrette watch

Personalisation is the defining quality of ultimate luxury; Chaumet has opted to bring customisation to its timepieces this year with the new Josephine Aigrette watch.
One can put their personal spin on the teardrop-shaped timepiece by custom selecting from a rainbow of gems to set as the centre stone at the 12 o’clock position.
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In all, 12 pear-shaped gemstones can be applied to this bespoke design, ranging from yellow diamonds, red or blue sapphires to different shades of green by way of tsavorites and emeralds.
Chaumet’s new Lee Garden boutique in Hong Kong is the only salon to provide this made-to-order service.

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On Her Watch: How women’s timepieces embody distinct style and substance, from the iconic Chanel Première watch and the classic Patek Philippe 7130R World Time to Richard Mille’s whimsical RM07-01

On Her Watch: How luxury watchmakers are diversifying women’s timepiece sizes, from Chanel’s J12 Wanted De Chanel and Patek Philippe’s Calatrava, to Vacheron Constantin’s Les Royaumes Aquatiques

On Her Watch: How new materials are revolutionising watchmaking, as Chanel, Rolex, Van Cleef & Arpels, Omega and more brands create exciting women’s timepieces with modern elements and techniques

On Her Watch: Why high jewellery and Métiers d’Art timepieces are the ultimate luxury for women, from Chanel’s Mademoiselle Privé collection to Bruguet and Jaquet Droz watches

On Her Watch

The best women’s watches of 2018 – from Richard Mille’s art deco ‘talisman’ to Panthere de Cartier

Richard Mille created 10 different variations of its art deco-inspired ladies’ timepiece, the RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman. PhotoS: Manon Wertenbroek/Arnaud Le Brazidec

Montblanc Bohème Exo Tourbillon Slim Limited Editions 28. Red gold version.

Richard Mille RM 71-01

The Spiral Bangle features the same dainty dial but gets an added touch of sparkle by way of a full-pave bangle bracelet.

The Joséphine  Aigrette watch can be customised with one of 12 stones as suggested by Chaumet; customers can also propose their preferred gemstone to be set on the watch.

Van Cleef & Arpels' Lady Arpels Planetarium puts a feminine spin the previously launched complication.

Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Automatic Ref. 7300 with silvery dial. The dial features a horizontal and vertical satin finish evocative of Shantung silk. 

Breguet - Reine de Naples 8908

Cartier's new Panthere de Cartier features enamel on the dial and bracelet.

Harry Winston Ocean 20th Anniversary Biretrograde Automatic 36mm. Limited to 20 pieces.

Jaquet Droz's Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara Tiger watch has a colourful transparent enamel dial.

Graff's Spiral diamond match pairs well with a feminine satin strap.

Chaumet's Joséphine Aigrette Watch is presented features a customisable pear-shaped centre stone.

10 best watches for men of 2018

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona

Blancpain Tourbillon Volant Heure Sautante Minute Rétrograde

H. Moser Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept

L'astronomo Luminor 1950 Troubillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT - 50mm from Panerai. 15AUG18 SCMP/Bridgette Hall

H. Moser Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept - red gold version

IWC's Pallweber Edition "150 Years" is inspired by the watchmaker's antique pocket watches.

Tudor Black Bay GMT with a bi-colour bezel.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox

Benedict Cumberbatch attends the Seoul premiere of 'Avengers Infinity War' on April 12, 2018 in Seoul wearing Jaeger-LeCoultre's Polaris Memovox.

L'astronomo Luminor 1950 Troubillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT - 50mm from Panerai. 15AUG18 SCMP/Kim Soo-jin

***ONE TIME USE ONLY, PLEASE CLEAR THE COPYRIGHTS BEFORE RE-USE - OTUO*** Blancpain

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic

A. Lange & Söhne’s Datograph Up/Down Lumen watch.

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic 

Patek Philippe’s Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A features an interchangeable orange rubber strap.

The dial on A. Lange & Söhne’s Datograph Up/Down Lumen watch is coated with SuperLuminova.

Oscars of the watch world: 5 stars of the GPHG 2018 shortlist

The Grand Prix D’Horlogerie de Genève 2018 travelling exhibition came to Hong Kong in October. We highlight some of the watches, which are at the Liang Yi Museum. Photo: Bridgette Hall

Van Cleef & Arpels, Lady Arpels Planetarium. Grand Prix D'Horlogerie de Geneve 2018 travelling exhibition while in Hong Kong. Oct 10 - 11 at the Liang Yi Museum. Photo: Bridgette Hall/SCMP

Bovet 1822, Recital 22 Grand Recital. Grand Prix D'Horlogerie de Geneve 2018 travelling exhibition while in Hong Kong. Oct 10 - 11 at the Liang Yi Museum. Photo: Bridgette Hall/SCMP

Vacheron Constantin, Les Aérostiers. Grand Prix D'Horlogerie de Geneve 2018 travelling exhibition while in Hong Kong. Oct 10 - 11 at the Liang Yi Museum. Photo: Bridgette Hall/SCMP

Bulgari, Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic. Grand Prix D'Horlogerie de Geneve 2018 travelling exhibition while in Hong Kong. Oct 10 - 11 at the Liang Yi Museum. Photo: Bridgette Hall/SCMP

Vacheron Constantin, Les Aérostiers timepiece. Grand Prix D'Horlogerie de Geneve 2018 travelling exhibition while in Hong Kong. Oct 10 - 11 at the Liang Yi Museum. Photo: Bridgette Hall/SCMP

Voutilainen, 217QRS. Grand Prix D'Horlogerie de Geneve 2018 travelling exhibition while in Hong Kong. Oct 10 - 11 at the Liang Yi Museum. Photo: Bridgette Hall/SCMP

How to customise your Rolex to make it one of a kind

A Titan Black-customised white ‘Himalaya’ Rolex Daytona, treated with a ceramic particle coating, which proved so popular that it has already sold out.

A Blaken Daytona customised with engraved skull bracelet and red indices.

A Rolex Daytona takes on a black DLC coating

A Blaken Submariner in black with a customised heart design on the dial.

MAD Paris' engraved and gem-clad Rolex Daytona

MAD Paris specialises in artful engravings; this Datejust II is decorated with a customised beetle design

A Blaken Rolex Milgauss with pink diamonds around the bezel.

A Titan Black customised Rolex Submariner with pink indices, from The Lavish Attic in Hong Kong.

Titan Black's Himalaya Rolex Daytona treated with a ceramic particle coating as seen at The Lavish Attic in Hong Kong.

Blaken's 'Pink Lady' Rolex Submariner

A DLC treated Rolex Submariner with a carbon fiber dial, at The Lavish Attic in Hong Kong.

A Rolex Submariner fitted with a customised pink dial and matching strap by Blaken.

Luxury watch customisation outfitters Titan Black pioneered the Chronolight technique, using LED to light up a customised stenciled cutout on a Rolex dial.

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Watches

Timepieces by Graff, Breguet, Patek Philippe, Montblanc, Harry Winston, Jaquet Droz and Chaumet also caught the eye


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2018 in review

Timepieces

The best women’s watches of 2018 – from Richard Mille’s art deco ‘talisman’ to Panthere de Cartier

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Timepieces by Graff, Breguet, Patek Philippe, Montblanc, Harry Winston, Jaquet Droz and Chaumet also caught the eye

Timepieces by Graff, Breguet, Patek Philippe, Montblanc, Harry Winston, Jaquet Droz and Chaumet also caught the eye