The Art of Design Issue 28 2017 | Page 222

222 SECRET WATCHES: JEWELLERY WITH A PURPOSE Hiding behind beautifully crafted Some of the best known high end jewellers, set rubies all of varying sizes creating a diamonds, sapphires, and other stunning such as Cartier, de Grisogono and Piaget, timepiece of immense style, value and gems, high jewellery watches represent a have a long tradition of high jewellery secret beauty. perfect synthesis of an artistic design and watches, paving the way for a precious functionality. High Jewellery watches are art. In 1961, Piaget acquired specialised The extraordinary challenge to create often characterised by a bold, rarefied style, workshops specifically for high jewellery, iconic pieces of high jewellery that cove where the stones and materials used are as combining with the manufacture of watches authenticity, refinement and functionality unique as the final pieces themselves. and bracelets in 1974. have been the focus of these high end There has been a growing trend for secret De Grisogono are well known for their now beginning to infiltrate newer brands watches in High Jewellery, allowing women intricate High Jewellery watches inspired by such as Yeprem, whose recent ‘Y-Momento’ to double their pleasure by masquerading nature, such as their ‘Grappoli Ruby Watch’, watches serve as a visual expressions of a useful timepiece in a less conspicuous which appears like a ripe pomegranate countless hours of work by skilled hands extravagant gemstone or diamond setting. bursting with seeds. creating works of art, not just exquisite The pieces are a superlative expression of The colourful watch is the result of expert the craftsmanship required, and over and stonecutters, gem-setters and designers Yeprem’s ‘Y-Momento’ watches seem above the technical skills, they embody patiently cutting and setting each and every reminiscent of sculptures rather than pure creativity and imagination with hidden one of the dazzling one thousand rubies by watches, with the beautiful timepieces timepieces almost always eliciting a gasp of hand. The unique and hand crafted nature created to perfectly fit and complement the surprise. of the piece clear in the scintillating random- contours of the wearer’s body. brands, and such passionate desires are pieces of jewellery.