A Love as Endearing as Time. Discover 5 iconic watches to celebrate the timeless beauty of a mother’s love.
As Mother’s Day approaches, the quest to find the perfect gift – one that encapsulates the depth and timelessness of a mother’s love – begins anew. In a world where trends come and go, there exists a steadfast symbol of devotion that transcends fleeting fashions: the timeless elegance of a watch.
More than a mere accessory, iconic timepieces can transcend eras and generations, and stand as a testament to the enduring bond between mother and child. Much like the hands that cradle and guide, a finely crafted timepiece serves as a reminder of the unwavering presence and unwavering love that mothers bestow upon their children.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the intricate world of watches, exploring some timeless and versatile ladies’ watches that will make quintessential Mother’s Day gifts. From classic designs to contemporary creations that marry style with functionality, there exists a timepiece to suit every mother’s unique essence and celebrate the timeless beauty of a mother’s love that knows no bounds.
Cartier Tank de Cartier
It’s a rather surprising fact that many iconic watches and jewellery creations draw inspiration from seemingly utilitarian objects—the Tank watch and the Juste un Clou bracelet are two of the best examples, inspired by a military tank and a humble nail, respectively. Created by Louis Cartier in 1917, the design of the Tank watch mirrors the lines and proportions of Renault tanks used in World War I, with brancards resembling treads and the watch case modelled after the cockpit. Heavily influenced by the Art Deco style dominating the era of its birth, the Cartier Tank perfectly captures the essence of Art Deco through its elegance and fluid design, which, more than a hundred years later, remains as relevant as ever.
Interestingly, although first created as a men’s watch, the Tank has amassed a legion of female fans—mostly owing to its size (men’s watches in the early 20th century were considerably smaller), as well as its extremely versatile, understated, and chic design. To date, there have been many interpretations of the original Tank design by Louis Cartier (renamed as the ‘Tank Normale’ in the 1970s), such as the Tank Française, Tank Must, Tank Américaine, and Tank Cintrée. Embraced by icons like Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, and Andy Warhol, as well as Michelle Obama, Charlotte Rampling, and Angelina Jolie, it has undoubtedly become one of the most coveted watches of all time, as well as a watchmaking icon.”
Chopard Happy Sport
Conceived by Caroline Scheufele, Chopard‘s co-president and artistic director, the Happy Sport merges casual sportiness with glamour. Officially launched in 1993, it was a bold and trailblazing move that even drew scepticism, as the combination of diamonds with steel in a watch was rather unheard of in the early 1990s. Thanks to Scheufele’s persistence and determination, the Happy Sport—fondly known as “the watch with dancing diamonds”—has progressed to become a success story and an icon in its own league.
Utilizing the brand’s patented “dancing jewels technique,” the Happy Diamonds has evolved into one of the most sought-after ladies’ timepieces, especially for women who want a non-traditional jewellery watch. Chopard has exercised its creativity over the years to apply this patented technique in iterations such as Happy Snowflakes and Happy Hearts, as well as incorporating other gemstones such as sapphires and rubies, and even introducing the Happy Sport Oval as a bold alternative to the conventional round watch.
Responding to the growing interest in mechanical timepieces from women, Chopard introduced the Happy Sport Automatic in 2018, fitted with an in-house developed self-winding movement. The latest iterations also include the Happy Sport in an adorable 25mm case with double-twirl straps, perfect for stacking on the wrist.
Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Crazy Hours Pastels
When it comes to tonneau (barrel) shaped watches, one of the first names that always comes to mind is Franck Muller. Introduced in 1980, its Cintrée Curvex collection stands as a testament to the brand’s innovative approach to luxury watchmaking. Since its debut, the collection quickly gained popularity for its distinctive tonneau-shaped case, inspired by the Art Deco movement. The Cintrée Curvex’s elegant curves and clean lines epitomize the aesthetic principles of the era.
Renowned for its technical prowess, Franck Muller infuses each timepiece with intricate complications, including tourbillons, perpetual calendars, and minute repeaters, all meticulously crafted by hand. Over the years, the collection has evolved to encompass a diverse range of models, reflecting Muller’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and precision. Today, the Cintrée Curvex remains an icon in luxury watchmaking, celebrated for its fusion of avant-garde aesthetics and high-performance mechanics.
One of the iterations that has evolved as Franck Muller’s best-loved ladies’ timepiece, would be none other than the iconic and instantly recognisable Crazy Hours, which is in itself, a horological masterpiece that defies tradition with its unconventional dial numerals. Its ingenious mechanical movement ensures the hour hand jumps from one hour to the next, offering a unique reading experience and captivating allure.
Grand Seiko SBGA413
In 1967, Grand Seiko introduced the 62GS, its inaugural automatic model, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s history. With its innovative design, the 62GS featured a crown positioned at four o’clock, flush with the case, symbolizing its automatic winding capability. Offered with both day and date displays, the quick-set date function set it apart from its contemporaries. Notably, the day wheel distinguished Saturday in blue and Sunday in red text, a rare feature at the time.
The 62GS embodied Seiko’s “Grammar of Design,” a set of design codes developed by the brand’s designer Taro Tanaka in 1962, that was adopted by all the other Seiko watches that followed. It emphasised flat surfaces, angles, and mirror finishes to reflect light flawlessly and continue to shape Grand Seiko’s aesthetic to this day.
The Grand Seiko SBGA413 from its Heritage collection is a modern re-interpretation of the iconic 62GS of 1967, Grand Seiko’s first automatic watch. It embodies the enduring design grammar of Grand Seiko, characterized by sharp edges and flawless surfaces achieved through Zaratsu polishing. The dial, reminiscent of the Hana-Ikada scene after the spring equinox, reflects cherry blossom petals adrift on a river. Its textured, pale pink hue captures the ephemeral beauty of Sakura, evoking a profound appreciation for the transient nature of time in the Japanese calendar.
Longines Mini DolceVita
Longines has a longstanding tradition of crafting rectangular watches, dating back to the 1910s. However, it wasn’t until 1997 that the DolceVita collection emerged as the brand’s flagship line for such timepieces. Inspired by a 1927 rectangular Longines watch, the DolceVita made its debut, boasting Art Deco design elements such as sector dials, Roman numerals, and ornate hands.
Over the years, the DolceVita collection has evolved into a diverse range, offering various materials, sizes, dials, bracelets, and colours while maintaining its signature Art Deco-styled rectangular case. Released in 2023, the Mini DolceVita features softer lines and smaller steel cases for enhanced comfort and wearability. Despite its compact size, it retains a water resistance of 30m and runs on a highly accurate L178 quartz movement. The redesigned stainless steel bracelet is the standout feature, with 198 links forming a supple, comfortable structure. Its polished finish adds a touch of elegance, resembling a built-in silver bracelet stack. The twin-trigger butterfly clasp, adorned with Longines’ winged hourglass logo, offers ease of use.
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