Time for Fall: Bejewelled Watches for Autumn

November 13, 2023

By Livia Primo Lack

6 min read

The time of year for statement scarves, colourful coats and elegant gloves has finally arrived! So why not add a dazzling jewellery watch to your fall look? As the leaves turn, here are the bejewelled timepieces on our radar this season.

Historically, watches were exclusively a man’s accessory. Although women were encouraged to deck themselves in lavish jewels to show off their societal status and wealth, wearing a timepiece was considered vulgar and unfeminine. Why should a woman need to know the time? This old-fashioned way of thinking has thankfully gone with the wind, and now the most prestigious horological brands and houses are creating timepieces for women that are every bit as elegant and extravagant as the pieces made for men. Many jewellery brands have also jumped on the women’s watch bandwagon, creating pieces of high jewellery fashioned with a watch mechanism to create high jewellery watches. The pieces below illustrate the combined creativity and mastery of jewellery and watchmaking by some of the world’s most sought-after brands. Let’s admire a few of their best bejewelled timepieces launching this fall.

Model wearing Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, aquamarine and diamond

Model wearing Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, aquamarine and diamond

Bucherer Exclusives Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon

Founded in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1888, the Bucherer brand holds one of the world’s most distinguished places and reputations in the watch and jewellery industry. In collaboration with the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer. H. Moser & Cie, this Swiss luxury retailer, brings to its clients a Bucherer Exclusive series timepiece that combines the best of fine watchmaking and high jewellery. The Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon Aventurine & Diamonds timepiece is a one-of-a-kind jewellery watch that combines the highly complex mechanism of the horological sciences in a sparkling package of diamonds and precious gems. The white gold case is adorned with eighty-five baguette-cut diamonds, totalling 4.95 carats and the crown is also fully set with a diamond pave, adding further sparkle to the piece. However, what catches the eye most is the aventurine dial of the watch. There has been a resurgence of aventurine dials in women’s timepieces as of late, a material that at first glance appears to be a hard stone dial but is, in fact, heated crushed glass with added metallic specs, which cools down to replicate the pattern and sparkle of a starry night sky. Sleek, elegant and sophisticated, this unique timepiece is guaranteed to draw attention.

Bucherer Exclusives H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon watching in white gold, aventurine and diamond

Bucherer Exclusives H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon watching in white gold, aventurine and diamond

 Bucherer Exclusives H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon watching in white gold, aventurine and diamond

Bucherer Exclusives H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Concept Minute Repeater Tourbillon watching in white gold, aventurine and diamond

Bulgari Cameo Imperiale Secret Watch Necklace

The iconic Roman luxury brand Bulgari has paid homage to one of the brand’s most important signature design motifs in its latest series of jewellery watch releases. The Cameo Imperiale Secret Watch Necklace takes the brand’s iconic Greek and Roman coin design, a recognizable motif of the brand since the 1960s, and brings it centre stage, creating cameos of the legendary Cleopatra, queen of Egypt and the first Roman Emperor Augusto Ottaviano, on an amulet watch necklace created from rose gold, brilliant-cut rubies, diamonds and sapphires. These historical figures are carved using the ancient technique of cameo carving, where a small scene or figure is sculpted by hand in relief within an item such as a precious gemstone. This artistic technique dates as far back as the fifth century BC, when dignitaries and nobility would commission engraved busts of themselves onto family rings and other precious ornaments. Today, only a handful of artisans can create cameo carvings using the techniques which were used all those centuries ago. To ensure the authenticity of these carvings, Bulgari chose to work with the world-famous Torre del Greco-based artisans, who have been passing down these rare techniques for over two hundred years.

Bulgari Cameo Imperiale Secret Necklace watch in rose gold, ruby, sapphire and diamond

Bulgari Cameo Imperiale Secret Necklace watch in rose gold, ruby, sapphire and diamond

Dior Grand Soir Papillon

The Dior Grand Soir timepiece series has been a highlight of Maison Dior’s watchmaking capabilities since 2010. It is through these one-of-a-kind and sometimes reproducible timepieces that Dior pays tribute to its heritage and rich fashion history. In the Dior Grand Soir Papillon timepiece, the Maison celebrates Monsieur Dior’s passion for the bold and lively colours of nature and all its flora and fauna, using the colour pallet of his famous childhood garden in Granville that has often been a source of inspiration for the Dior brand across all its luxury products. At the heart of the dial sits a vibrant, colourful, engraved butterfly created from brilliant-cut diamonds, sapphires, spinels and a Mexican opal. The insect’s wings are made of tinted mother-of-pearl and painted Gallus gallus bird feathers. The butterfly is then surrounded by a snow-set dial with eight hundred and forty-four brilliant-cut diamonds, further accentuating the colours of the majestic creature’s wings. The final effect is a lifelike representation of the insect as if it had lightly landed on the centre of the watch dial.

Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch in gold, white gold, mother-of-pearl, Gallus gallus feather, sapphire, opal, spinel and diamond

Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch in gold, white gold, mother-of-pearl, Gallus gallus feather, sapphire, opal, spinel and diamond

 The engraved caseback of the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch

The engraved caseback of the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch

 The butterfly wings on the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch are made of tinted mother-of-pearl and painted Gallus gallus feathers

The butterfly wings on the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch are made of tinted mother-of-pearl and painted Gallus gallus feathers

 Making of the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch in gold, white gold, mother-of-pearl, Gallus gallus feather, sapphire, opal, spinel and diamond

Making of the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch in gold, white gold, mother-of-pearl, Gallus gallus feather, sapphire, opal, spinel and diamond

 The Gallus gallus feathers on the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch are hand painted

The Gallus gallus feathers on the Dior Grand Soir Papillon watch are hand painted

 The butterfly motif is reminiscent of the vivid flowers in Christian Dior's Granville Garden

The butterfly motif is reminiscent of the vivid flowers in Christian Dior's Granville Garden

 Dior Grand Soir Papillon echoes the swarm of embroideries and brooches that accompanied Dior looks in the 1950s

Dior Grand Soir Papillon echoes the swarm of embroideries and brooches that accompanied Dior looks in the 1950s

Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Secret Bangle Watch

Jaeger-LeCoultre has been at the helm of Swiss watchmaking since its onset in 1833. Famed for its Reverso model, ‘secret’ watches are nothing new for this brand, as the entire premise of their most famous model is that the dial can be hidden by a simple steel cover or one with a more opulent design, depending on the Reverso timepiece chosen. In the 101 Secret Bangle High Jewellery Watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre uses its vast experience in secret watchmaking to elevate the concept into an entirely new ‘secret watch’ design for the brand. Created in pink gold and set with over one thousand diamonds, totalling just under 27 carats, the 101 Secret Bangle High Jewellery Watch seamlessly transforms from an elegant jewellery watch into a full diamond rivière style bracelet at the click of a well-disguised diamond button. When pressed, the diamond-studded case of the watch opens to reveal a white mother-of-pearl dial. This is by far the most precious calibre 101 timepiece the brand has produced to date, taking over one hundred and eighty-two hours of meticulous gem-setting to create, all being crafted in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s own Metier Rares workshop.

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock Timepieces

If you haven’t read our article on the return of Schlumberger’s Bird on a Rock design, then get ready for a wonderful surprise! The House of Tiffany & Co. has brought back to life this iconic motif in a select few high-jewellery pieces, including three new 39mm high-jewellery watches. These brand-new pieces crafted in white and yellow gold feature a myriad of precious gemstones, including diamonds, gradient sapphires, emeralds, topaz, aquamarine and more. Moreover, each dial is completed with a fully diamond-encrusted finish to further accentuate the Bird on a rock motif that features at the heart of every dial. What’s more, the bird motif spins around the dial as the wearer’s wrist moves, adding an air of whimsy to this beautiful jewellery timepiece.

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, sapphire, emerald, blue topaz and diamond

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, sapphire, emerald, blue topaz and diamond

 Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, aquamarine and diamond

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, aquamarine and diamond

 Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, sapphire and diamond

Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock watch in white gold, platinum, sapphire and diamond

All the incredible designs mentioned above have a unique take on the wearable jewellery watch. Whether it’s around your wrist or neck, decked in diamonds or coloured gemstones, each one makes a one-of-a-kind stylistic statement. Which one will you choose?

Byzantine Beauty: State Property Presents its Edessa Jewellery Family

continue reading

Jewellery Manifesto: Tracing Three Pivotal Decades with Pomellato Collezione 1967

With Collezione 1967, Pomellato is presenting its ‘Jewellery Manifesto’ through 75 pieces, each inspired by one of three revolutionary decades in its creative history: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Let’s take a closer look at the Maison’s artistic signatures, reinvented for a new generation of high jewellery lovers… 

by Sarah Jordan

Pink City Style: The Best-Selling Reversible Jewels of Gyan Jaipur

I would like to tell you more about the brand, its origin story, design inspirations and its popular Jaipur and Yami collections

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Futures: Le Vian Unveils its 2026 Jewellery Trends in Las Vegas

Here's a rundown of what was included this year…

by Sarah Jordan

Exceptional Splendour: Jaipur Gems Celebrates 50 Years with Abu Dhabi Opening and New High Jewels 

Let me take you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Abu Dhabi boutique and share some of my sparkling highlights

by Katerina Perez

Radiating Confidence: The Mother-Daughter Energy Behind Growing Brand Aponine

As one of this year’s Couture show debutants, Turkish brand Aponine impressed me with its blend of colourful creativity, timeless elegance, and stylish femininity. Let’s take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Sensual Silhouettes: Jewels with Curves in All the Right Places

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just us? As jewellers swap sharp lines for shapely swirls, we look at new collections that are embracing the raw power of sensuality inspired by the female form

by Rachael Taylor

Artistic Realms: The Enchanting Natural World of Histoire D’Elle

I had the pleasure of speaking with Pascale Van Maele, the Brand Manager of Histoire d'Elle, which celebrates the deep-rooted connection between quiet femininity, elegance and natural forms. Let's explore together…

by Sarah Jordan

Spinel Stories: Celebrating the Special Allure of Spinels with the House of Gübelin 

I visited the Geneva boutique of the family-owned business to indulge my passion for this overlooked gemstone and explore some of its beautiful creations…

by Katerina Perez

Golden Hour: Cosmic Creations in the Chanel Reach for the Stars High Jewellery Collection

The Reach for the Stars collection bounces between cosmic constellations of diamonds, elaborate, almost mythological neckwear, and starbursts of coloured stones, all with the Maison’s Parisian flair

by Sarah Jordan

Ultimate Guide to Promise Rings: What They Mean, How to Wear One and Where to Buy

While the promise ring's meaning has evolved, its emotional weight remains, making it especially popular among Gen Z and millennial couples seeking the perfect, personal pre-engagement jewel

by Claire Roberts

Exquisite Escapes: The Idyllic Inspirations Behind the Diorexquis High Jewellery Collection

In early May 2025, Dior Joaillerie's Artistic Director Victoire de Castellane showcased an unprecedented high jewellery collection, Diorexquis, to more than 300 VIPs at the Château de la Colle Noire in the heart of Provence. Let's take a closer look…

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Epic Evolution:Miseno Launches the Arco Collection to Celebrate a Fabulous Decade

I am pleased to present to you my highlights of the new Arco High Jewellery collection, which was formally showcased to the jewellery world at Couture from June 4-8, 2025

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.