In 1999, Patek Philippe surprised the world with the Twenty~4, a stylish manchette-style wristwatch for ladies only. In this watch, inspired by Art Deco design, Patek Philippe combined two materials rarely seen together in their collection; stainless steel with diamonds. Launched with three different colored dials, the Twenty~4 was an instant hit.

Watches don't get any more professional than the Omega Speedmaster, the first watch worn on the moon. Gold might not be an obvious choice to craft such a watch from, but the result is surprisingly elegant when you do. This is most certainly the case with the two new models that Omega recently introduced. With a diameter of 38mm are they slightly smaller than their 'professional' sibling, but still have plenty of wrist presence. They also combine elegance with practical use, as is evident from, for example, the bezel. It is split into two parts, one made from aluminum with a tachymeter scale on it, and the other set with 90 brilliant-cut diamonds.

That Hublot loves art is something that has already been established. The brand has teamed up with some of the most well-known and celebrated artists from around the world to bring their unique style into the port-hole design that made Hublot such an icon. Next to Richard Orlinski and Romero Britto is also Marc Ferrero among them. The French artist teamed up with Hublot for the second time, creating two watches around what is arguably his most well-known work, 'Lipstick.'

Vacheron Constantin is a brand that not only has a serious reputation to uphold when it comes to mechanical masterpieces but also in the world of diamond-set watches they are a force not to reckon with. Throughout their entire history, they have created watches in which diamonds and other gemstones played the glamorous lead role. Most notably was the Kallista collection from the late 1970s and early 1980ss, which were all about diamonds and the most expensive wristwatches of their time. With the Égérie Moon Phase Jewellery does Vacheron Constantin continue this tradition in a dazzling way.

The time that ladies watches where smaller men's watches with diamonds added is long gone. Today they often unite several different crafts into a single creation, being a driving force of the Métier d'arts and quite frequently powered by sophisticated, mechanical movements. In some form follows function, yet always with an elegant touch, while others do it the other way around. This makes the world of women's watches so incredibly diverse, as perhaps even more with men's watches are the only boundaries the imagination and capabilities of the maker. That this result in exceptional watches was also proven this year with these stunning creations;

What looks like a tennis-bracelet with a twist is one of the most exquisite watches in the world. While it's diamond setting is impressive, it is what is hidden that makes this creation so exceptional. Underneath the diamond-set leaf, there is a small dial telling the time most discreetly. In most cases, such a tiny watch is powered by a quartz movement, but not this Jaeger-LeCoultre. In fact, it houses a mechanical movement that was developed 90 years ago.

A refined mechanical movement, preferably fitted with an exciting complication; for a long time, this was nearly non-existant within a ladies watch. A quartz-powered smaller version of a men's watch, usually with some diamonds added, was how many of them looked. But fortunately, times change, and these days there are more and more interesting ladies watches with beautiful movements, some even purposely made for them. The following four watches most certainly set the pace in this category.

Diamond-set watches come in several different varieties. Some are simply the luxurious siblings of similar watches which are not set with these precious stones, while others were created from the start with diamonds in mind. In most cases, they have to share the limelight with a complicated movement, but there is a category of watches that only has one goal; to let the diamonds take center stage.

There are great benefits of being a jeweler with a long-standing tradition when it comes to watchmaking. A deep understanding of both fields often yields amazing results when both are united in a single creation. This is most certainly the case with the following creations by Bulgari.

Hermes is known for its subtle and timeless designs. Interesting is that they are never truly classic creations, but always seem to possess a certain 'lightness' of which the passing of time doesn't seem to have any grip on. New models are therefor added sparingly, and a whole new collection is a rarity, yet with the new Galop d’Hermes, the brand is introducing an exciting new creation.

They are unfortunately still the exception on the rule; ladies watches that feature highly complex movements that were created especially for these watches. Roger Dubuis is one of the few that forms the exception on this rule as with the Excalibur Shooting Star they present a watch that impresses both in technical execution as well as feminine design.

Sometimes it seems almost mandatory; diamonds on a ladies watch. As if the use of these precious stones marks the difference for which sex a timepiece is created. While they can certainly add something, a watch without diamonds can be just as feminine, as these four watches prove!

Over the last few years, we have seen a trend of ladies watches getting more and more complicated. With this, the watch brands fuel on one side the growing interest among women for these type of watches, while at the same time cater to those who are already ready to add such a watch to their own collection. Van Cleef & Arpels has built a reputation for creating very elegant watches with unusual complications, which they themselves refer to so nicely as poetic.

They keep on coming! Cartier just announced four amazing limited editions that will join their collection in 2019. They not only highlight La Maison's exceptional finesse when it comes to the shape of watch cases but also their heritage as one of the world's leading jewelers is perfectly showcased.

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!

When you say Cartier, you also say cats, big cats to be precise, as they have been for decades a rich source of inspiration for the brand. A big influence in this was Jeanne Toussaint (1887 - 1978) who became the brand's director of jewelry design in 1933. The story goes that she was on safari in Africa with Louis Cartier when they encountered a panther. She immediately envisioned a piece of jewelry, as she apparently exclaimed: 'Diamonds, onyx, emeralds; a brooch!.' When back in Paris, she immediately went to work, and a legend was born!