Elite Traveler September-October 2018

Whether dripping in diamonds or shimmering with a rainbow of precious gemstones, high-jeweled watches are like magnets, attracting the eye and stealing our hearts. For hundreds of years, since Protestant reformist John Calvin banned the wearing of jewelry, but not watches, artisans have adorned timepieces with the rarest and most beautiful gems. Over the centuries, thanks to new cutting technology, advanced setting methods and recently discovered gems, these watches have become more and more creative. No longer are diamond watches simple, round watches with prong-set diamonds on the case and pavé dials. Today’s diamond and gemstone watches have come a long way, with some offering the most intriguing and cutting-edge shapes, designs and settings. This year, too, we witnessed many more brands not only offering diamond- and gemstone-set cases and dials, but also adding diamond and gemstone settings directly onto certain movement components for extra sparkle. HAUTE JOAILLERIE

GRAFF HIGH-JEWELRY SECRETWATCH Amazing diamonds, technical mastery and pure artistry come together in this Graff haute joaillerie secret watch. Graff, purveyors of the finest stones in the world and masters of high watchmaking, brings its expertise to this beautiful floral arrangement of nearly 36 carats of perfectly matched colorless diamonds. The square case is outlined with a bezel of diamonds, and the dial is set with a subtle circular diamond motif. The incredibly decadent, yet feminine bracelet of diamonds and the sliding cover are set in a seemingly random arrangement of emerald-, cushion-, oval-, heart-, pear- and marquise- cut diamonds. The mechanism that releases the lid to reveal the time was a particular challenge for the watchmakers, as it had to be nearly invisible. The solution: a 1.51-carat emerald-cut diamond button. $400,000, available at Graff in NewYork, contact Eduard van der Geest, director of sales, evandergeest@ graffusa.com, +1 212 421 3605, graffdiamonds.com

CHANEL CODE COCO A true visionary in the haute couture world, Coco Chanel changed the way women dressed and accessorized forever. Now, Chanel unveils a new timepiece collection in tribute to her enduring legacy: Code Coco. This stunning 18K white gold high-jewelry bangle watch is covered in nearly 55 carats of diamonds, mixing baguette-, brilliant- and princess-cut diamonds. While many high-jewelry watches focus the gemstones on the dial, Chanel has meticulously set 294 diamonds on the bracelet, making it more a statement piece than a way to check the time. The watch is powered by a quartz movement and is water resistant to 98 ft. It is closed using a turning lock system that shimmers with 15 baguette-cut diamonds. $1,042,000, available at Chanel Fine Jewelry Boutique in NewYork, contact John Terracino, storemanager, john.terracino@chanelusa.com, +1 212 535 5828, chanel.com