Haute couture houses started their fory into the world of high-end watchmaking in the 1970s. Brands gradually launched their own watches inspired by runway trends. The next Baselworld show, which will be held in Switzerland from April 25 to May 2, will highlight this close link between haute couture and horology.
Here are five watches directly inspired by current trends:
Denim at Dior
The French house will present the Dior Christal Blue, directly inspired by the denim trend seen in many brands’ Spring/Summer 2013 shows. This watch with a diamond-set dial has a stainless steel case and a rotating bezel set with pyramids of blue sapphire crystals. The strap is made out of steel and pyramid-shaped blue sapphire crystals with a deployant clasp. This model has a quartz movement and hours, minutes and seconds functions.
All white at Chanel
Ten years after it launched its first J12 White at Baselworld, the French luxury house will present a birthday edition of this prestigious model called J12 White Phantom 38 mm. The dial, including the hours and the watch hands, of this limited edition high-tech ceramic watch (2000 pieces) are completely white. This is a key color for this summer’s prêt-à-porter. This model has a mechanical self-winding double-barrel movement and a 42-hour power reserve. “J12 WHITE 10TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION” is engraved on the back of the case.
Black & White at Piaget
This time at Baselworld, Swiss watchmaker Piaget has gone for glamorous black and white and elegant sensual curves, an echo of many 2013 prêt-à-porter collections. The “Limelight Gala” model has a 32 mm case set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total of 1.8 carats. This watch, which features a quartz movement, also has a black satin strap and a buckle set with a brilliant-cut diamond.
Graphic at Hublot
The Swiss brand hopes to set the fashion world ablaze with a model that combines a very graphic fashion-inspired design and the technical know-how of high horology. The dazzling Big Bang Caviar Red Gold Diamonds has a red gold 5N bezel set with 36 white diamonds and very graphic lines with drawn, sculpted, shaped and beveled angles. This model is water-resistant up to 100 metres with a mechanical self-winding double-barrel movement. The calfskin strap, which is the same color as the rest of the pieces, makes it a true fashion statement.
Mother-of-pearl and rose gold at Frédérique Constant
The Swiss watchmakers will present a watch with an ultra-feminine design in vanilla and powder pink that will be very on-trend this summer. This design, which is dedicated to the World Heart Federation, will be one of 100 models that will be donated to member organizations to support their action all over the world. The World Heart Federation ladies watch has a stainless steel rose gold-plated 34 mm case, automatic movement and a 38-hour power reserve. The pearl-colored satin strap has a red lining.
