Haute Time’s Hottest Watches Of 2021 Part I

2021 wasn't how many of us would have expected it to be. As the Covid-19 pandemic continued, it offered many challenges to all of us. Where some businesses lingered because of it, others thrived. Despite very few events, many of the watch brands did well, not in the least because of the fantastic new models they launched. These are among Haute Time's favorites:

By Adrienne Faurote

Pink Gold Passion: Four Watches For Autumn

Autumn is a special time of the year. This is, in particular, the case when it is an "Indian Summer." With the colors of the leaves already changing but the weather still warm, it creates a unique atmosphere. The following four watches are perfect for this occasion. While they differ quite a bit, they all share that their cases are made from pink gold, giving them a rich, golden luster.

The Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Smalta Clara: A New Chapter In Transparancy

When Jaquet Droz launched in 2018 their first pieces utilizing the plique-à-jour enameling technique, the world was in awe. Not so surprising, because while this very demanding technique already exists for over 1500 years, very few still master it. What makes it so unique is that it doesn't have a base. Instead, a frame of gold wire is created in a pattern. The parts in between are filled with enamel powder, after which successive firings at high temperatures create the mesmerizing, translucent enamel with the look of a miniature window of stained glass.

Jaquet Droz Shows It All With New Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon

In the world of Jaquet Droz, aesthetics are everything. While they love complex and refined movements, the brand does not consider them complete when a sense of beauty is absent. Especially in the last couple of years, Jaquet Droz has successfully merged the past with the present. While they honor crafts with a century-long history, they employ them in a forward-thinking way. The Grande Seconde is the perfect example of this, but even more so, the Grande Seconde Skelet-One. Here there is nothing to hide, as this watch represents the next generations of skeleton watches: high-tech and highly-refined with an avant-garde design. The next chapter for Jaquet Droz in this story is the Grande Seconde Skelet-One Tourbillon.

The Coolest Timepieces Of Only Watch 2021, Part I

What started in 2005 has grown to become one of the most epic biennial events in the world of watchmaking. As an initiative of Luc Pettavino, leading watch brands create every two years a piece unique, which they donate to Only Watch to help the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. These watches are auctioned, offering collectors a unique opportunity to obtain a very rare timepiece while supporting this amazing cause. This year the 9th edition is taking place, and no less than 53 lots will be auctioned. These are some of our favorites:

Jaquet Droz Goes For Red With New SW

The world of Jaquet Droz is ruled by elegance, but that doesn't mean that the brand doesn't make a sports watch. Within the SW-collection, which stands for 'sport watch,' has it translated this elegance into a contemporary and charismatic watch that fits in with an active lifestyle. In their latest addition to this collection, Jaquet Droz makes a bold combination of polished black ceramic, brushed stainless steel, and stunning red details and strap.

Jaquet Droz And The Eye Of The Tiger

Jaquet Droz has always cherished its artistic side and often gives it center stage on their watches. This makes it that they are more than just telling time, and transcend to becoming an object of art. To achieve this, the level of craftsmanship needs to be at an extremely high standard, otherwise, they run the risk of merely becoming something whimsical. With the new Petit Heure Minute 'Tiger,' which is available in two varieties, the brands' Ateliers d'Art has absolutely surpassed itself.

Jaquet Droz Welcomes The Grande Seconde Quantième In 41mm

The Grande Seconde has always been an essential model in the collection of Jaquet Droz because it represents, in many ways, the essence of the brand. With its clean design and oversized sub-dial for the seconds, is it a watch that is instantly recognizable. The Grande Seconde Quantième added to that a date indicator, which Jaquet Droz incorporated in the design in such a way that it adds even more charisma. A tempting watch was the result, but with a diameter of 43mm, also a watch that was rather generous in size.

Exquisite Watches That Say It With Flowers

Flowers have been a source of inspiration for jewelry since the beginning of time. Centuries ago, skilled goldsmiths already worked gemstones and gold into creations that resembled their natural counterparts. In watches, this is less common, because it is far more challenging to integrate the beauty of a flower within an object that is limited in its dimensions and also has another function to full fill. Of course, this didn't stop a fair amount of brands from pursuing this avenue and say it with flowers.

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered Chronograph: Timing With A Twist

Because the chronograph is one of the most prevalent complications, the variety among them is nearly endless. To create something different and appealing proves to be quite the task, especially when it also has to be in line with the brand's DNA. Jaquet Droz solved this by giving its Grande Seconde Chronograph, literally, a twist.

Four Animal Inspired Watches

Nature is often a source of inspiration for how we design things. Especially in jewelry, are there many objects whose shape is inspired by animals, flowers, or the world below sea level. In watches, it is usually animals that inspire designers to create something unique, like the following four watches;

Jaquet Droz’s Parrots For Your Pocket

Pocket watches are, for the most part, a thing of the past. Where the (mechanical) wristwatch is still firmly holding ground, has there been a tremendous decline in the sales of pocket watches. That doesn't stop some brands from still making them on occasion, even when it is a one-off like this stunning Parrot Repeater pocket watch by Jaquet Droz.

Jaquet Droz Delights With Stunning New Automaton

When it comes to automaton's Jaquet Droz has a reputation to uphold, as they are the benchmark in the industry for this. While the automatons created by the brand's founder where already mesmerizing, incorporating such technology in a wristwatch is equally challenging. For Jaquet Droz this is merely a challenge that they take on with expertise and great imagination as they proof once more with the introduction of the Magic Lotus Automaton.

Valentine’s Day: Say It With Ceramic

There are many ways to say 'I love you!' but giving a watch to your loved one is a way that lasts. Particularly for men, it is often one of the few items of jewellery that they wear, so it is a daily reminder of that someone special. But which one to choose? Especially in the last few years ceramic has turned from a trend into a staple in the watch industry. The material was pioneered in the watch industry by Rado and IWC, but now also an intricate part of the DNA of brands like Hublot and Zenith. It is light, scratch resistant and heats up to the same temperature as the skin quite fast. But while the choice for the material might be obvious, the specific model might still be a quest of its own in which these four suggestions might help.

The Beauty Of Practicality: Four Elegant Ladies Watches To Take Through Their Paces

There is no shortage of beautiful ladies watches, but when you are looking one that supports an active lifestyle, the list gets considerably shorter. There are only a few watches that you can take through their paces without having to think twice about it and which look good while doing so. These four, for example, got you covered!

The Want-Factor Of White Gold

White gold; to the untrained eye it could easily pass for steel, yet it demands a hefty premium over the metal it is often mistaken for. What makes it that despite this, white gold watches have a significant 'want!!'-factor?

White Ladies Watches Appropriate For Black Tie Dinner Parties

These watches from De Grisogono, Hublot and Jaquet Droz are appropriate for White Parties and more importantly can be worn year round