10 WATCHES WITH BEAUTIFUL SURPRISES

As we get ready to turn our clocks back this weekend, for our autumnal daylight savings time adjustment, we figured it was a good time to check out the most beautiful watches happening in the world right now.

We focused on 3 kinds of beautiful watch surprise features: secret watches, exhibition casebacks, and clever animations.

Because of the complexity involved in creating a delicate hinged cover, secret watches offer an opportunity for luxury watchmakers to showcase their design creativity, as well as the breadth of their technical savoir faire -- all while answering the demand for multi-functionality.

Secret watches were conceived in the 1920s, both as a way to protect delicate watch dials and for discretion. They look like bracelets until you unhinge them to reveal the time. Many fine watch brands, including  Boucheron, Chanel, Giampiero Bodino, and Van Cleef & Arpels, designed their own bejeweled secret watches.

Some prefer their surprises on flip side. Exhibition casebacks are designed to show off the mechanical complications of watches, like the ones from Armin Strom, Frédérique Constant and IWC. They are fascinating to view. If you’re ever bored in a meeting, simply take off your watch and marvel -- it will make the time go faster!

We also found some remarkable timepiece innovations that are bound to surprise you all around!

Check out 10 favorite watches right now below.

1. WRITE TIME -- ANURA RAFAEL

The “Write Time” Fountain Pen, Wristwatch & Tourbillon Combination, by Anura Rafael, is simply beautiful genius. Rafael, a watchmaking engineer, realized his innovative vision by creating his own brand. The linear movement, shaped like a tube, has gears mounted vertically, powered by a one-minute tourbillon, all housed in a clear sapphire capsule, so you can see its wonder. The time display consists of three rollers with hand-engraved hand-painted numerals.

It takes 472 parts to make this watch tick. Its movement oscillates at 28,800 vibrations per hour. And it’s ready to write your most beautiful thoughts any time.

2. LIERRE DE PARIS -- BOUCHERON

Swing open the diamond-encrusted leaves to reveal a secret timepiece.  The “Lierre de Paris” Watch, by Boucheron, is a glittering fantasia of fine jewelry openwork, with opulent white diamond pavé set in white gold ivy leaves and vines that intertwine to encircle the wrist. Set the most beautiful time with the small feather turnpiece.

3. SIGNATURE GRENAT -- CHANEL

"Signature Grenat," part of the Les Éternelles de Chanel Collection, by Chanel, is a gorgeous cuff watch bracelet. The 18-karat white gold cuff sports Chanel’s iconic quilting pattern, embellished with diamonds and orange sapphires. The piece features 52.62 carat carmine garnet  which opens on a hinge to reveal a secret diamond encrusted watch beneath.

4. HEURE MARINE -- VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

Van Cleef & Arpels has been making magnificent secret timepieces since the 1930s.The timepiece on the “Heure Marine” Watch is hidden beneath a curved diamond studded lid which hinges from the impressive diamond and sapphire bracelet. Two intensely colored blue Sri Lankan sugarloaf-cut cabochon sapphires, weighing a total of 27.34 carats, anchor either side of the centerpiece. Two rows of buff-topped sapphires are channel-set accents.

Just press the emerald cabochon to reveal the watch face, with its mother-of-pearl dial and you’ll know, it’s time for something beautiful!

5. PRIMAVERA -- MAISON GIAMPIERO

“Primavera” is the first watch collection ever designed and offered by jewelry design house Maison Giampiero.  The exclusive collection include 3 bejewelled secret watches. They are each set 1.45 carats of yellow diamonds, with pink sapphires, and emeralds, along with accents of white, yellow, cognac, and grey diamonds, all set in white and yellow gold. Each dazzling flower opens to reveal a secret timepiece with a diamond-set dial.

6. SKELETON PURE WATER -- ARMIN STROM

The Armin Strom “Skeleton Pure Water Watch” is a beautiful modern interpretation of skeletonization, highlighting the mechanical structures of this brilliant timepiece, showing their intricacy, yet keeping it clean. The case, available in stainless steel, titanium, or rose gold, with its flat sapphire crystal is water-resistant to 50 meters. The blue alligator strap adds to the marine feel.

7. CLASSICS MOONPHASE -- FRÉDÉRIQUE CONSTANT

The Classics Moonphase Watch by Frédérique Constant is an elegant reminder of our time and place in the universe. Discreet enough for everyday wear, classy enough for dress, its rose gold plated stainless steel case is topped with a curved sapphire crystal. Its caseback cover hinges open to reveal its inner workings. It’s alligator strap adds gravitas.

8. BIG BANG TOURBILLON WATCH -- HUBLOT

The “Big Bang Tourbillon” Watch, by Hublot, is all about tech-inspired complication. The titanium and black composite resin case, with a flat sapphire crystal, is water-resistant to 30 meters. Its rubber and alligator strap give a strong anchor. Also available in rose gold, for a softer look.

9. PORTUGIESER PERPETUAL CALENDAR -- IWC

While the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Watch face has a low key classic elegant look, it’s sapphire case back is where the magic can be seen, decorated with the gorgeous circular Côtes de Genève motif. Available in rose or white gold.

10. RONDE DES PAPILLONS -- VAN CLEEF & ARPEL

Van Cleef & Arpels has expanded its Poetic Complications collection this year with the Lady Arpels Ronde des Papillons watch. It may look a bit prissy, with its butterfly motif, but this is a serious watch with complicated movement. It is one of the more technically advanced watches available today, with on-demand dial animation.

It features a white-gold case. Its bezel is set with diamonds. The case back features an intricate butterfly engraving.

Read more about Beautiful Collections all this week on BeautifulNow.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: “Write Time” Fountain Pen, Wristwatch & Tourbillon Combination. Courtesy of Anura Rafael.
2. Image: “Write Time” Fountain Pen, Wristwatch & Tourbillon Combination. Courtesy of Anura Rafael.
3. Image: “Write Time” Fountain Pen, Wristwatch & Tourbillon Combination. Courtesy of Anura Rafael.
4. Image: “Lierre de Paris” Watch. Courtesy of Boucheron.
5. Image: "Signature Grenat" Watch. Les Éternelles de Chanel Collection. Courtesy of Chanel.
6. Image: “Heure Marine” Watch. Courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.
7. Image: “Primavera” Watch. Courtesy of Maison Giampiero.
8. Image: “Skeleton Pure Water” Watch. Courtesy of Armin Strom.
9. Image: “Classics Moonphase” Watch. Courtesy of Frédérique Constant.
10. Image: “Big Bang Tourbillon” Watch. Courtesy of Hublot.
11. Image: “Portugieser Perpetual Calendar.” Courtesy of IWC.
12. Image: “Lady Arpels Ronde des Papillons” Watch. Courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.
13. Image: by Cara Barrett. “Ronde Des Papillons” Watch. Courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.
14. Image: by Cara Barrett. “Ronde Des Papillons” Watch. Courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.
15. Image: by BN App - Download now!
16. Image: “Write Time” Fountain Pen, Wristwatch & Tourbillon Combination. Courtesy of Anura Rafael.