This February marks the beginning of the new lunar year of the rooster, and also heralds the approach of that most polarising of special occasions.

St. Valentine’s Day is dreaded by single folk, scorned by cynics, adored by romantics and thoroughly enjoyed by children and lovers alike. Whether you believe it is a day conjured up by marketing boffins looking to sell more greeting cards, or a day thoughtfully set aside for lovers to show their appreciation for one another, it is best not to be the significant other that shows up gift-less. Indeed wars have been started over less!

Rather helpfully the artisans behind some of the world’s most coveted maisons of haute horlogerie have released some new exquisitely eye-catching watches just in time for the day of amore…

 “For a truly romantic gesture this Valentine’s Day, think ‘his and hers’ watches”

If diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend, then the Precious Chopard watch is certain to be a BFF. Awash with a dazzling array of precious stones, the Precious Chopard timepieces are as spectacular as they are refined. Part of Chopard’s glittering Precious Chopard jewellery collection, the watches are testament to the high calibre of skill employed by the Geneva-based house. Set with only the finest rubies and emeralds, each Precious Chopard is uniquely evocative and intricately precious. Featuring playful designs that include flower petals and whirling tutus, these sparkling creations are the ideal addition of flair to any classic evening ensemble.

 

For a more subtle but no less stunning impression, look no further than the Golden Bridge watch by Corum. A timepiece that has truly stood the test of time, the Golden Bridge has been part of the Corum collection for no less than 35 years.

 

In its latest incarnation the Golden Bridge has been re-imagined in a round shape. At 39mm it is perfectly suited for a lady’s wrist, while still ably displaying the watch’s unique in-line movement construction. Surrounded by sapphire crystals, the Golden Bridge’s innovative calibre is eminently visible, thus displaying the immaculate skill of the watchmaker from every conceivable angle. Powered by the CO113 calibre and created in conjunction with renowned Italian jewellery designer Dino Modolo, the Golden Bridge 2017 has an elegant art deco style that incorporates astonishing geometry and is the perfect marriage of form and functionality. Embellished with precious resin and diamonds, the Golden Bridge is brilliant to behold whilst maintaining an air of divine elegance. A strictly limited release, this latest Golden Bridge model is limited to 30 pieces of the pink gold edition, 20 pieces of the white gold edition and 20 pieces of a version set with a rainbow of coloured gems.

For the gentleman who doesn’t believe that functionality need compromise aesthetics, the artisans at Breitling have created the Navitimer Héritage. A fitting tribute to the original Navitimer that debuted in 1952, this special edition is remarkable in its slightly smaller diameter and its colour hues. Available with a black or blue dial featuring tone-on-tone counters, the Navitimer is as functional as it is elegant. The now famous circular slide rule is operated via the bidirectional rotating bezel and serves to perform all airborne navigation operations. Powered by a self-winding movement chronometer, the Breitling 13 calibre is certified by the COSC and is testament to the superior precision and reliability of this timepiece. The Navitimer Héritage has a 42 hour power reserve, is adorned with 25 jewels and is encased in cambered, glare-proofed sapphire crystal. It is available with either a leather or rubber strap and weighs a comfortable 79 grams.

For the outdoorsman in your life who needs a rugged, dependable timepiece, the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Annual Calendar is the ultimate luxury gift. Encased in stainless steel and fitted with a hard metal bezel crafted from tungsten carbide, the Globemaster is one of the toughest luxury watches on the market. The watch’s blued faceted hands and indexes have been filled with Super-LumiNova to further enhance user-friendliness. The face features a blued Constellation star and iconic Omega logo, while the caseback includes a Central Observatory medallion set in scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Powered by the Omega Calibre 8922, the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Annual Calendar incorporates revolutionary anti-magnetic technology and comes complete with a brown leather strap for a touch of class.

For a truly romantic gesture that is much more subtle than the usual declarations of love, think “his n’ hers” watches. After all, the couple that make time together, stay together. Part of Montblanc’s 2017 Valentine’s Day Selection are the Montblanc Star Traditional Date Automatic Pair Watches. Classically understated, yet undeniably luxurious and elegant, these pair watches are the perfect blend of fine Swiss watchmaking heritage and Montblanc’s characteristic flair. The watches feature round casebacks with guilloché dials, while the hours are marked with black Arabic numerals.

The Montblanc Star Traditional for him unites grand design with harmonious proportions while the Star Lady Automatic for her exudes a more feminine style and features a mother-of-pearl dial with embedded diamonds.

Another unique pair of timepieces are the Breguet Tradition watches crafted for both him and her. The Breguet Tradition Automatique Seconde Rétrograde 7097 for him is a masterpiece of design. Encased in 18-carat white gold with fluted caseband, it features a sapphire-crystal back and is water resistant to 3 bar. The 40mm dial itself is 18-carat gold and is marked with Roman numerals on its off-centre face. Powered by a self-winding movement, the watch has a 50 hour power reserve and is adorned with 38 jewels. The Breguet Tradition Dame is a perfectly complementary piece to the men’s incarnation. Also encased in 18-carat white gold, the bezel is set with 68 brilliant-cut diamonds with a Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial also off-set at 12 o’clock and sized at a demure 37mm. The self-winding movement gives the watch a 50 hour power reserve. Each of these watches is numbered and individually signed as a testament to the precision and care that has gone into the crafting of each timepiece.

Written by Hans Schlaikier