Ten animal-inspired watches
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The monkey joins Vacheron Constantin's Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac collection. Twelve will be made, each hallmarked with the Poinçon de Genève.
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The eighth in a series of Panerai watches inspired by the Chinese zodiac, the Luminor 1950 Sealand 3 Days Automatic Acciao is home to a monkey, superbly stylised by Italian master-engravers.
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The Slim d’Hermès Mille Fleurs du Mexique, a limited edition of six, creates a stunning tableau from miniature painting on mother-of-pearl. A horse stands out against a bed of brightly coloured flowers and foliage.
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Time becomes a pretext for Cartier to show its expertise as both watchmaker and jeweller in the Panthères et Colibri watch. Press on the crown, and the panther cub darts from between its mother's legs, startling a hummingbird whose golden wings indicate the power reserve.
Eric Maillet © Cartier
Eric Maillet © Cartier
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Chanel explores an ornithological theme using glyptic, a stone-carving technique that was already known to the Ancient Egyptians, to fashion gemstones into almost three-dimensional forms. This meticulous skill is expressed in the Mademoiselle Privé Coromandel Glyptic watch.
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DeLaneau is renowned for its mastery of enamel. A panther relaxes among exotic birds on the magnificently coloured dial of the Elements watch, a unique piece.
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"Trust in me…" whispers the Royal Python Skeleton Tourbillon from Ulysse Nardin, which drapes its skeleton movement with fascinating reptilian scales.
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Serpenti Incantati © Bulgari
The flamboyant Serpenti Incantati reimagines Bulgari's favourite and iconic serpent theme. This is the first time the snake has wrapped its precious coils around the dial.
The flamboyant Serpenti Incantati reimagines Bulgari's favourite and iconic serpent theme. This is the first time the snake has wrapped its precious coils around the dial.
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The Lady Arpels Ronde des Papillons Watch
The Lady Arpels Ronde des Papillons assembles three colourful butterflies and a swallow in a delightful, aerial ballet. Mother-of-pearl and miniature painting bring a vibrant quality to this poetic complication.
The Lady Arpels Ronde des Papillons assembles three colourful butterflies and a swallow in a delightful, aerial ballet. Mother-of-pearl and miniature painting bring a vibrant quality to this poetic complication.
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Hippologia © Parmigiani
There are no fewer than 2,200 components in the Hippologia table clock and automaton, an exceptional object that comes to life when a mare and her foal break into a canter.
There are no fewer than 2,200 components in the Hippologia table clock and automaton, an exceptional object that comes to life when a mare and her foal break into a canter.
We almost expect to hear them roar, take to the air in a flurry of wings, break into a gallop or leap from branch to branch. “They” are the butterflies, horses, birds, snakes, monkeys and panthers in watchmakers’ fabulous menagerie. An expedition, in images, through lush foliage where precious creatures great and small play.
