When it comes to demonstrating a refined appetite for high jewellery, is there anything more ostentatious and covetous than a jewelled watch? These conversation-starting timepieces often take bold creative leaps with shape, volume, and dimension. Those wishing for a demure, understated number should look away now. With the winter holiday celebrations fast approaching, these timepieces have the power to stand-out against swathes of black and long sleeves, making them a luxurious addition to party attire.

Finding a ‘secret’ watch dial hidden behind a doorway of diamonds and gemstones never ceases to make me smile. There’s something inspiring about the artistry of high jewellery watches, whether it’s the miniaturisation of watch faces, the spectacular use of gems or the creativity associated with blending two concepts – time and decoration – into one cohesive design. As these pieces are often one-of-a-kind, they also demonstrate the core tenets of a brand’s design ethos and often draw on its signature motifs, connecting the wearer to decades, if not centuries of a maison’s experience. The high jewellery watches included here are so striking, I would probably spend every second, of every day, just staring at my wrist.

Backes & Strauss

Within the Piccadilly Renaissance Ballerina collection by Backes & Strauss is the Ballerina Jonquil – a high jewellery timepiece with a white-to-yellow colour gradient that flows like a wave up the bracelet to the dial. There are 1,301 diamonds with a total weight of 14.12 carats across the watch, which also features an open case back and a decorated mechanical movement. This is the timepiece of choice for those who like their high jewellery with a dose of horological expertise. Elsewhere in the same collection, there’s the Piccadilly Renaissance Ballerina Rainbow with 233 white diamonds and 1,068 multi-colour sapphires totalling 18.95 carats.

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