From high-jewellery pocket watches to ones with a vintage feel, add some class to your collection, says Avril-Ann Braganza
What could be more dignified than pulling out a classy pocket watch at a black-tie event or adding it to your ensemble for that dreamy vintage wedding? Sophisticated collectors have whipped up an appetite for retro and classic time instruments such as pocket watches. Here are some stunning pieces to grace your pockets.
Vacheron Constantin
Reference 57260 is a special piece, given that it was created over a period of eight years by three of the brand’s master watchmakers. Cased in 18-carat white gold, it is powered by a mechanical winding movement. This gorgeous double-dial pocket watch is equipped with a 60-hour power reserve and features 57 complications, many of which are new and unique, including the multiple calendar and double retrograde rattrapante chronograph. The watch also features the Hebraic and Gregorian perpetual calendar functions, an Armillary sphere tourbillon and Westminster Carillon striking functions, alarm and night-silence. The watch has a metal dial and is crafted on demand.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Pocket some style with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s 1890 Annual Calendar Hunter Pocket Watch. A forerunner of the perpetual calendar, this timepiece with retrograde date, features an annual calendar. The date is shown by a retrograde central hand that is depicted by a sun, the day by an engraved disc, the moon phases in an oval-shaped aperture, and the month on a subdial. Stunning to look at, it’s the perfect accessory to carry to an evening of literature reading and intellectual discussions. This sophisticated pocket watch comes in a finely chased 18-carat yellow-gold case and has a Grand Feu enamel dial.
Victorinox
The Victorinox Swiss Army Travel Alarm Pocket Watch comes in a metal case and is powered by a quartz movement. This chic-looking watch has a silver dial with big bold numbers and luminescent hands. Powered by a Swiss-made movement, it also features an alarm. What could be more perfect while travelling, or on camping and glamping trips? This pocket watch is water resistant to 99 feet and withstands rain and splashes of water, but not showering or submersion. This timepiece is available on order and can be bought in India, but only in Delhi.
Tissot
The Tissot Bridgeport Mechanical Skeleton references the past, but is strikingly modern thanks to a technically-advanced skeleton case that reveals the Swiss-made hand-wound mechanical movement beneath. This time instrument comes in a stainless-steel case with a rose-gold PVD coating option that adds a vintage aesthetic. Now, who wouldn’t want to flaunt this beauty at an debonair black-tie event? This pocket watch is Tissot’s first savonnette to bear a stunning skeleton movement at its core. This piece is bound not only to please watch enthusiasts, but also makes for a fashionable accessory with its vintage style.
Panerai
Panerai’s Pocket Watch 3 Days Oro Rosso spells elegance and sophistication with its case in red or white gold. The two belong to limited-edition collections of 50 units each. The back of the watch can be opened to reveal the hand-wound mechanical movement. This instrument has a brown dial with a sun-brushed finish in classic Panerai style, with large baton hour markers and numerals at the cardinal points. This pocket timepiece is equipped with a power reserve of three days. The 40-centimetre watch chain, made entirely in red gold, is inspired by nautical chains. The watch comes with a special stand on which it can be placed when it is not being worn, turning it into a unique table clock.
Piaget
Piaget’s pocket watches were made to wow. The 1995 Adam Recto is a high-jewellery pocket watch in white gold, set with 1 brilliant-cut and 67 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 12.81 cts), 35 baguette-cut diamonds and 2 cabochons sapphires (approx. 8.32 cts). It has a mother-of-pearl and lapis lazuli dial as well as a minute repeater function, a perpetual calendar, moon phases and a split-second chronograph.
The 1981 pocket watch in yellow gold and rock crystal has an invisible setting of 221 diamonds (approx. 6.86 cts) and 314 rubies (approx. 92.02 cts) and is powered by a hand-wound skeleton movement.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "lead pocket watches")
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}