Style & Beauty In Plain Sight The tattoo-like Lacis chapter uses Chaumet’s signature fil couteau technique, popularised in the Belle Epoque era From left: Perspectives de Chaumet Lacis watch; Bulgari Serpenti Misteriosi High- Jewellery Baroque Pearls secret watch traditional jewellery-making skills bang up to date. Cue the tattoo-like Lacis chapter, which uses Chaumet’s signature fil couteau technique, popularised in the Belle Epoque era, that in the new collection looks notably contemporary in its airy and voluminous, mesh-like forms. A white-gold secret watch comes with a latticework cover that sits above a chic black aventurine dial, which is top-and-tailed with pear- and round-shaped diamonds on a black satin strap. Elsewhere, the diamond and sapphire-themed Mirage chapter is an ode to movement, layering and, as Chaumet CEO Jean-Marc Mansvelt says, “secrets – it’s very discreet”. The watch here best embodies the spirit: with a push of a button that’s subtly tucked among a strip of diamonds on the bracelet, out slides a sapphire dial, sleek as a drawer. Piaget’s Wings of Light collection (piaget. com) was a much-welcome escape to exotic lands, via electrifying jewels in uplifting, peppy hues. The Natural Harmony secret watch is a classic, geometric beauty, its rows of 171 diamonds trimmed by 114 emeralds, and a panel that slides to reveal a gorgeous black opal dial. Meanwhile, the Exquisite Moments bangle watch is more fantastical: topped with two fancy vivid yellow diamonds, the design sets 500 diamonds into a feather-like motif, as a diamond wing lifts to reveal a watch. But not all secret watches need be such dazzlers. Chanel (chanel.com) this year launched Mademoiselle Privé Bouton, a line of tweed cuff watches that pay homage to Coco Chanel’s beloved button, which here does triple duty: adornment, a secret watch and also the actual fixture that secures the cuff. The button, says Arnaud Chastaingt, director of Chanel’s watchmaking creation studio, was put on an “unprecedented pedestal” by Chanel. “She shone a spotlight on a commonplace household object and raised it to the status of jewellery.” Interpreting the button became an “artistic obsession” for Chastaingt, and fashioning it into a secret watch felt thoroughly Chanel. “You cannot see the watch at first glance. It has enough taste to only show itself in secret,” he says. “Style first, then time, if you feel like it, or not!” Now that should certainly spark a conversation. • PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WATCHMAKERS 22 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
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