A glittering gathering of standout jewellery timepieces launched this year
Jewellery watches were once viewed as ornamental accessories, prized mainly for their beauty and craftsmanship. Today, however, there is a growing appreciation for their technical performance, with many luxury brands marrying jewellery artistry with high-precision watchmaking. Embellished with precious stones and intricate designs, jewellery watches have evolved beyond mere adornments to become symbols of craftsmanship, elegance, and status. We take a closer look at nine standout bejewelled timepieces launched this year.
Tiffany & Co., Bird on a Rock
Originally introduced as a brooch, the Bird on a Rock by Jean Schlumberger in 1965 has transformed into a breathtaking timepiece. Innovative mechanics allow the jewelled bird to gracefully spin around the dial as the wearer moves. The Bird on a Rock Blue Gradient Full Pavé Diamond Bracelet Watch is a striking conversation piece, featuring an 18k white gold case, hands, crown, and bracelet, with a 36 mm case that displays hours and minutes. The watch flaunts a total of 1,355 round brilliant diamonds exceeding 8 carats, the case is set with 366 diamonds totalling 2.94 carats, while the dial has 204 diamonds amounting to 0.72 carats. The rotating outer dial ring is decorated with 30 baguette-cut blue topaz, sapphires, and emeralds totalling 4.6 carats, complemented by a gem-set bird symbol embellished with 119 diamonds and a round pink sapphire.
Cartier, Tressage
In a creative design twist, Tressage (French for braiding) showcases a captivating interplay of gold pearls and precious beads — materials in tension, twisted coral, braided diamonds, and gold — that reflect the Maison’s signature style. Through these elements, Tressage presents three distinct aesthetics that embody unbridled creativity.
Bvlgari, Serpenti Aeterna
Launched during the Year of the Snake, the Serpenti Aeterna symbolises new beginnings and renewal. Its latest design offers a minimalist interpretation of the serpent, featuring a sleek form without eyes, scales, or extraneous details — capturing its essence in pure simplicity. The Serpenti Aeterna makes a striking debut in two versions: rose gold with diamonds, or a high jewellery version in fully pavé-set white gold.
Van Cleef & Arpels, Cadenas
Originally introduced in 1935 amid a period of global economic growth, the Cadenas (French for padlock) featured an angled dial that allowed women to discreetly check the time — at a time when openly looking at one’s watch was considered unladylike. The 2025 version preserves its iconic silhouette and is entirely snow-set with diamonds; princess-cut sapphires embellish the upper edge of the case and clasp, adding vibrant colour and contrast. The white gold dial, decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds, completes this dazzling piece.
Chanel, J12 Bleu X-Ray
Who needs X-ray vision when you have this horological masterpiece on your wrist? Its striking new shade of blue —reminiscent of the sea and sky on a crystal-clear day — is truly captivating. Transparency is achieved through the use of colourless sapphire for the plate and two bridges, allowing the movement’s gears to appear as though they’re floating effortlessly in space—an illusion further enhanced by a floating bridge crafted from the same transparent sapphire. And the jewellery? The bridge is adorned with 12 baguette-cut, bright blue natural sapphires as hour markers. Meanwhile, the bezel and bracelet links are set with 196 radiant, baguette-cut natural sapphires, all elegantly framed in white gold.
Chopard, L’Heure du Diamant
The L’Heure du Diamant collection features ethically-sourced diamonds decorated around the dial using a unique gem-set technique developed by Chopard. The crown setting enhances light penetration, amplifying each stone’s brilliance and producing dazzling, vibrant light effects. Supported by V-shaped prongs — designed by Karl Scheufele — these diamonds appear to rest on an almost invisible lacework, radiating mineral purity and timeless elegance.
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Reverso One Precious Colours
These watches depict the vibrant colours and shapes of arums through a meticulous process that begins with carving the design outline into the gold caseback. Tiny pieces of 24-carat gold leaf are then carefully applied to add texture and brilliance in shades of orange and gold. The enameller layers 19 different enamel pigments, gradually building depth and subtle tonal nuances. The vivid flowers and leaves are further accentuated with approximately 331 snow-set diamonds totaling 1.64 carats — each meticulously placed over 65 hours of expert gem-setting work.
Hermès, Maillon Libre
The iconic anchor chain link is reimagined by Hermès as both a wristwatch and a brooch watch. The wristwatch features an intricate, flowing design with undulating shapes and centre stones of diamond or terracotta tourmaline, subtly concealing the watch face so only the wearer can tell the time. The brooch watch can be worn alone or transformed into a pendant with its leather cordlet — a tribute to Hermès’ rich heritage in leatherworking and saddlery.
Piaget, Swinging Sautoir
Choosing between a watch worn on the wrist or around the neck can be challenging, especially with Piaget’s offerings in both the Swinging Sautoir and Hidden Treasures collections. These collections feature a stunning array of colorful stones — such as ruby-root, turquoise, and tiger-eye — set on the Maison’s signature, hand-woven chains. Like the threaded gold chains of the Swinging Sautoir, the Hidden Treasures are meticulously handcrafted by Piaget’s master goldsmiths, preserving the Maison’s centuries-old tradition. Each piece becomes a wearable work of art.
Images courtesy of respective brands featured, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related links:
Watches and Wonders 2025: Time, for a Colourful World
Vacheron Constantin: Tradition, Honoured and Refined
A. Lange & Söhne 1815: Living Tradition
IWC Schaffhausen: Ingenieur, Reinvented.
Gérald Genta: Creativity on Fire
