10 Watches with a Penchant for Peacocks

What is it they say about Peacocks? Well depending which culture you belong to, they can bring good luck or other luck.  There raucous caw can get kind of grating, but they are beautiful to see when strutting their stuff. The feathers are glorious and have been used as decoration on furniture, paintings, hair accessories and of course watches. In 1963, the peacock was designated the National Bird of India. 


Below I have listed ten watches adorned in peacocks and the different dial decorating techniques used to portray the peacock theme. 

Corum Heritage Artisans Feather Watch - Circa 2014

 Dial Decorating Technique: Individually sorted, cut and glued peacock feathers.

“Into The Wild” Collection by Le Vian- Circa 2011

Dial Decorating Technique: Paved and Raised Gem-Setting. 

Harry Winston Premier Feather Watch - Peacock Feathers - circa 2012

Dial Decorating Technique: Individually sorted, cut and glued peacock feathers.

Corum Peacock Feather Watch - Circa 1970's

Dial Decorating Technique: Cutting and Glueing peacock feather. 

Chopard's Peacock Watch - Circa 2011

Dial Decorating Technique: Japanese "maki-e technique" lacquering technique.  Artist:
Kiichiro Masumura.  Urushi technique - multiple layers of Urushi tree sap is applied to the dial and then sprayed with gold.

DeLaneau XRD Peacock- Circa 2012

 Dial Decorating Technique: Enameling

Boucheron Héra Tourbillon - Circa 2011

Dial Decorating Technique: Girard Perregaux Three Gold Bridges in White Gold surrounded by paraiba tourmalines, sapphire and diamond paving.  Peacock is in white gold set with paraiba tourmalines, sapphire and diamond paving.

Bovet Amadeo-Fleurier 42 Jumping Hours Peacock (Unique Piece)

Dial Decorating Technique:  Hand-painted on mother-of-pearl.

Boucheron Watch Crazy Jungle Peacock - Circa 2010

 Dial Decorating Technique:   White Gold - Champlevé Grand Feu Enamel Dial 

Piaget Altiplano Double Jeu - The Mythical Journey Collection - Circa 2014

 Dial Decorating Technique: Two Cases - Upper Case Dial - Gold engraved peacock set with diamonds. Lower case dial (not depicted) - Piaget signature dazzling white dial with gold hands. 

“Into The Wild” Collection by Le Vian
Read more at http://phillystylemag.com/the-latest/style-and-beauty/postings/wrist-wear-watches-with-animal-instinct#2aWev8QlRrIPj8mY.99

Bovet Timekeeping Elegance from Wrist to Tabletop to Fob (Fashion Permitting)

It is one thing having an elegant timepiece strapped to ones wrist.  Quite another set upon a table for all to see.  Bovet has provided for both in an exquisite display of timekeeping versatility.  This attractive and highly sociable concept is "the Amadeo Concept" as described by Bovet. This case concept allows for transformation from wristwatch to table top clock to pocket watch without the need for tools.  The particular timepieces depicted above are Bovet's  new line of watches in commemoration of the 190th anniversary of the company. The Amadeo Fleurer Rising Star is a fine addition to the Bovet Grand Complication Collection.
Although the timepiece exudes extravagant elegance in its entirety, it is the wondrous componential designs  interacting in aesthetics and function. The movement is entirely in-house - crafted by Bovet's manufacture Dimier 1738, Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale.

• The star of the show is the tourbillon.  Invented by Abraham Louis Breguet in 1795 for use in a pocket watch., this watch mechanism (the tourbillon is not strictly defined as a complication) is a revolving cage in which the balance wheel and escapement is placed.  It function: to counteract the effects of gravity on the watches movement - click here for an in depth tourbillon discussion.  The 13.50 mm diameter tourbillon of the Amadeo Fleurer Rising Star is crafted in such a manner as to appear floating in mid air without support. 
• Above the arresting tourbillon, two three quarter plates incorporate additional complications.
•  A main guilloché dial in rippling royal blue is the backdrop to an elegant ,almost whimsical, display of time. Two sub-dials , one at the 3'o' clock position and another at the 9 'o'clock position display additional time zones each baring an entirely separate day/night indicators. Clearly labelled above each sub dial is the name of the corresponding city, of which there are 24 choices.
• A 7 day power reserve indicator is situated at the 12 'o'clock.

Artistic Dials

Dials emerge among complications, chronographs and sports watches, vibrant in color and baring works of art worthy of display in many a museums. These dials fuse mechanical craftsmanship with
artistic masterpieces creating horological wonders.

The Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight Tourbillon Lac is an extraordinary example of the mastery of mother-of-pearl inlay resulting in a dreamy landscape. The rocky outcrops surrounded by swirling colors are perfectly crafted pieces of mother-of-pearl originating from all the oceans of the world. At the 12 'o clock position, a tourbillon ensures gravity does not hinder the watch's impeccable timekeeping.





Cartier's Le Cirque Animalier Collection captures three dimensional bejeweled animals and contains them within the finest enclosures constructed from hand picked gems. Scratch resistant sapphire crystal ensures the utmost viewing pleasure and
incomparable clarity.








Alain Silberstein adds vibrant primary colors to his dials creating child-like images like pages from an infants hard board book. The Tourbillon D’Art Marine Blue Sea with its congenial date pointing star fish, maritime themed hand indicators and flustered looking fishy is wonderfully unique. Not to be swayed by the preschool presentation, a meticulously crafted tourbillon hides beneath the reeds.







Dimier, a sub brand of Bovet, presents recital 2. In this attractive timepiece flames lick the dial in dramatic curves cut out from the dial to display the Calibre DT7 movement beneath.

Magnificent dials nurture passion for timepieces, and nurture the passion for the movement that lies beneath.

Watches in Hot New Spring Colors for 2011

Top Watch Brands are preparing for spring with dazzling watches hued in the top hottest Spring 2011 colors: Pink, Lavender, Bright Orange, Sunny Yellow and Brilliant Sky Blue.

The Franc Vila Selenity Master Quantième Automatique Watches are truly a vision of spring. Strap one of these babies on your wrist and feel the last cold breaths of winter simply vanish. Beneath the dial, which is done in varying complimentary shades of mother-of-pearl, beats a Swiss Dubois Depraz automatic annual calender supporting a moon phase movement. Not only does the watch provide a freshness associated with spring, but it also gives the opportunity for some serious watch wearing. Over the past couple of decades, most women's watches were quartz without complications. Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Movement were one of the first collections of ladies watches with complications, and then companies such as Chopard, Roger Dubois, Richard Mille and Gerald Genta followed suit. However, it is always exciting to see new womens watches with complications. The Franc Vila Selenity Master Quantième Automatique does a nice job of displaying the moon phase on the dial.

Another fabulous display of Springtime is the vivid Concord C1. It took a while for the new improved Concord company to add some real color to their watches. So after giving watch enthusiasts a glimpse of red last April with the release of the Concord C1 Eternal Gravity , Concord has delighted its lady watch wearers with the color purple. And if it's purple you want, its purple you get in all its shimmering magnificence. 219 baguette cut amethysts simply swaddle the Concord C1 filling every single void with purple. Gems cover the crown, push pieces, lugs, bezel, dial and concord C1 signature protective ring. The watch case is crafted in 18 carat white gold, which serves as the perfect subdued backdrop. The dial, protected by a 3.3 mm thick scratch resistant sapphire crystal, displays chronograph, seconds disc and date aperture.
What better way to hail in spring then with the element of flowers. The new Mille Fleurs model are a welcome addition to Bovet's Amadeo Collection. The great aspect of this particular model, is the idea that the customer can choose the painted design on the mother-of-pearl dial. 12 diamonds mark the hours and accessorize the strap attachment above the 12 'o'clock. The watch is powered by a Bovet calibre 11BA12 automatic movement capable of a 72 hour power reserve. One can also choose the manner in which the watch is worn, either as a wrist watch, a pocket watch, a pendant watch or simply an elegant desk clock. The watch is delivered with a gold chain. In addition the straps are detachable. If you want versatility this watch definitely does the job. Available in 18k white or rose gold, this watch is a worthy companion.

Now this is a beauty , available for 30% off at THE WATCHERY, is the Vacheron Constantin Malte Lavender Mother-of-Pearl Dial Leather Alligator Women's Moon Phase Power Reserve, Geneva Seal Watch. Vacheron Constantin has summoned all its watch making experience , since 1755, and developed a work of art. 197 diamonds shimmer on the bezel surrounding a unique lavender mother-of-pearl dial. The watch requires winding, which without a rotor, explains the exceptional 10 mm thinness of the case. The movement is visible via a see through sapphire crystal case back, and since this watch has received the Hallmark of Geneva, the quality and finishing of the movement is second to none.

Ulysse Nardin, one of my favourite watch brands, has also caught Spring Fever. What could be more springy than Ulysse Nardin's Ladies Version of the Executive Dual Time Watch. The dual time is displayed in a jumping hour fashion at the 9 'o'clock position. The snow white ceramic bezel and 18k white gold or steel watch case with a matching rubber or alligator strap evokes a sense of new unblemished beginnings. At 40mm wide, this watch just wants to be worn in the sun.

For more colorful watches, visit THE WATCHERY