Elite Traveler Fall 2021

INSPIRE TOP WATCHES

BOVET MISS AUDREY SWEET ART

While the new Miss Audrey Sweet Art watch from Bovet 1822 is enchanting to look at thanks to its elaborate diamond-set case, it is the colorful dial that is truly innovative — it is the world’s first dial to be made of sugar crystals. Over two years of research and development, Bovet’s master artisans were able to perfect and patent a process for coloring sugar crystals while also ensuring they can withstand temperature fluctuations, humidity and more. Mouthwateringly magnificent, the sugary-sweet dials are extremely time-consuming to make. The sugar crystals have to be prepared in such a way as to preserve their molecular structure forever, so they don’t change when on the dial. The sugar dials come in an array of colors and even in two-tone styles. Making the watch even more appealing, if that’s possible, is the fact that the case is convertible from wrist watch to pocket watch to table clock. $28,000 in stainless steel, available at Cellini Jewelers in New York, +1 212 888 0505, bovet.com Turning to the art of sculpture and stone carving for the dial of its high-jeweled Tonda Reine de Mai watch, Parmigiani Fleurier showcases its Métiers d’Arts prowess. The watch was inspired by the flowers in the Swiss mountains that surround the workshops, and Parmigiani’s master artisans engraved this mother-of-pearl dial entirely by hand in a floral motif. They also sculpted flowers in 18-karat pink gold and 18-karat white gold to further adorn the dial. The white gold flowers are meticulously set with diamonds. The entire dial, which consists of 23 different marquetry elements complete with added flowers, had to be incredibly thin to allow for the watch hands to pass over it without catching. Powered by an in-house-made automatic mechanical movement, the watch boasts 10 carats of internally flawless VVS diamonds. Each dial takes between three and four days to complete. $117,200, available at Oster Jewelers, Denver, CO, +1 303 572 1111, parmigiani.com PARMIGIANI FLEURIER TONDA REINE DE MAI