Lily Collins sporting the Cartier Conflict Mitten
Those that discover a cocktail watch outmoded and anachronistic are in for a deal with. Not dainty, shrinking violet-type designs, and a jewel gifted from a number one man versus chosen and bought oneself, cocktail watches are seeing a brand new lease of life as watchmakers discover the shape with pizzazz and aptitude – making these lookers the proper accompaniment for our post-lockdown, Roaring Twenties reboot.
Certainly, the unique Jazz Age noticed the cocktail watch’s heyday, when such designs grew to become a type of female expression. Timekeeping was set into extremely stylised jewelry, epitomised by the likes of Cartier’s first panther-style watch from 1914, flecked with black onyx and diamonds – the highly effective feline motif sending a transparent message in regards to the fashionable lady of the time. No marvel Woolworth heiress and ‘poor little wealthy woman’ Barbara Hutton, and distinguished inside designer and tastemaker Elsie de Wolfe, had been enthusiastic patrons of the home.
The Swinging Sixties once more supplied defining moments as horological innovation mixed with adventurous design. Extremely-thin actions had been set into cuffs and pendants, notably by Piaget in its daring Esclave creations which paired malachite or lapis lazuli dials with bracelets of finely woven gold or bands of diamonds. Experimental and simply the precise aspect of risqué, it is no shock that voluptuous Bond woman Ursula Andress was a fan.
Enter 2021 and cocktail watches are reviving that blend of mechanical sophistication and daring design. Girls now need the identical stage of expertise inside as out and to actually channel the unique Roaring Twenties, watchmakers are serving up the outré and surprising with a splash of Artwork Deco cool. And there’s no shrinking violet in sight.
Learn on for Tatler’s choose of the very best.
