Haute Time’s Five Favorite Ladies Watches From Baselworld
This years edition of Baselworld was also the scene where quite a few stunning watches for ladies where introduced. Only a couple of years ago quartz still ruled supreme, but today most of the leading watch brands have extensive collections of mechanical ladies watches. That doesn’t make it any easier for us to select our favourites, but it does make it all the more fun!
Patek Philippe Ladies Chronograph Ref. 7150
Patek PhilippeWith the new Ladies Chronograph Ref. 7150 does Patek Philippe follow up on their success of their first Ladies First Chronograph, Ref. 7071. It has become an exercise in horological excellence, with an elegant dial, matched with a diamond set bezel, and powered by manual wound movement Caliber CH 29-535 PS. With a diameter of 38 mm it has a presence on the wrist without being overbearing while representing the very best Swiss watchmaking has to offer.
Chopard Happy Fish
Chopard celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Happy Sport-collection, a sibling of the Happy Diamonds. Since 2002 the Happy Fish is also part of the Happy Sport collection, and that was the reason for the brand to release a very exotic version of the watch. Although crafted from gold and mother of pearl, the fish looks almost real, surrounded by a delicate setting of sapphires, and with the moving diamonds resembling bubbles in the water.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang
A lot of great news from Hublot this Baselworld, which for ladies included a new size of the “Spirit of Big Bang”. Now available in 39mm, the watch is smaller than the rest of the collection but maintains its charismatic character. With its tonneau shape, it sits comfortably on the wrist, and is, of course, a product of the ‘Art of Fusion’. Hublot skillfully combined titanium with black or white ceramic and brilliant cut diamonds. There is also a King Gold version, which is available in a white or a black variety and just like the rest fitted with an automatic movement.
Rolex Daytona ‘Rainbow’
Some men might be seriously distraught that I include the new Rolex Daytona ‘Rainbow’ in a top five of ladies watch, and technically the watch is probably more unisex than anything. What makes the watch stand out is the combination of Everose gold case and bracelet combined with diamond-set lugs and 36 baguette-cut sapphires in rainbow hues on the bezel, with a few others serving as hour markers. The result is a very expressive watch that was extremely well received at Baselworld.
Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara
Plique-à-jour enamel, or “smalta clara” in Latin, is a unique, delicate enamel technique which uses gold wire, and no metal backing. The result is like a stained glass window. For Jaquet Droz, it is the first time that they use this very demanding technique, and the result is spectacular. The enamel displays the head of a tiger, cleverly positioned around an offset dial. The watch has no back, as Jaquet Droz used a small automatic movement which is exactly the size of its offset dial, allowing the Plique-à-jour enamel to express itself to its fullest!
