3 Tiffany & Co. timepieces you need to own

Fun fact: Tiffany & Co. might be luxury purveyors of ladies’ jewellery, but its foray into the horological industry started way before the famous engagement rings and mandatory coming-of-age key pendants came into the picture. Established in 1847, the timepiece department didn’t just make pretty watches. Instead, the New York-based brand made breakthroughs within the industry which are still relevant today, such as luminescent paint on dials and new hand-setting technology.

At the start of the 20th century, it was considered unfashionable, almost improper, for a lady to carry around a timepiece of any kind. Women, it seemed, weren’t required to be concerned with time and schedules; that was left to the gentlemen. Of course this didn’t go down so well with womenfolk, they knew timekeeping was a valuable habit and so bought watches which were disguised as jewellery. As wristwatches evolved to suit cocktail hour wardrobes, the cocktail watch was born, and women were empowered by their unabashedly bold accessories. Fast forward to 2016, and precious cocktail watches continue to make the wrists of many an aristocrat and royalty.

With the same timeless elegance that those women once embodied, Tiffany & Co. continues to reinvent its iconic cocktail watches to suit the needs and tastes of the discerning modern women. Paying homage to the chatelaine watch made by Henry Blank and Company for Tiffany in the 1920s, the Cocktail collection echoes the same feminine, oval face, this time in six distinct designs that are generously encrusted with round brilliant diamonds on the bezel and crown. Carefully assembled in Switzerland, each timepiece features a quartz movement with either a guilloche or diamond pave dial. A subtle black satin strap lets the dazzling timepiece do all the talking.

For those who fancy a little bit more colour, the rose gold series sees the same iconic watch face in the delicate hue that makes for a versatile accessory that wouldn’t look out of place at an afternoon tea session or at an after-dark ball.

On the other end of the spectrum sits the Tiffany East West Automatic collection, a watch that is perhaps best described as audacious for its time. The sharply angled watch is inspired by a Tiffany travel clock from the 1940s and at first glance might seem like a timepiece that means business, but take a closer look and you’ll realise its quirky charm. Challenging the status quo, Tiffany & Co. literally turns the rules of watchmaking on its side, so its dial is oriented sideways on your wrist. Quite ingenious, really. This dial arrangement actually allows you to put it on its side to use as a desk clock. Inside, its self-winding mechanical movement of Swiss pedigree is also set horizontally, encased by sapphire crystal glass and in a myriad of finishes and strap options.

Its smaller counterpart, the East West Mini sees a case that’s scaled down to 37mm by 22 mm and comes with a single or double wraparound strap that adds edge without taking away its simple elegance.

Hardcore Tiffany & Co. fans will revel in the fact that the whimsical dial of the East West watch is also available in Tiffany’s trademarked robin egg hue — the striking and very iconic Tiffany Blue. The new dial is finished similarly, with poudre (French for “powder) numerals. The fine, granulated texture is achieved by applying silver powder to the lacquer, giving it a vintage feel.

Named after its founder, Charles Tiffany, and the brand’s “New York Minute”, the CT60 is an extension of the brand’s long standing heritage — it’s inspired by a Tiffany gold watch gifted to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The new GMT-style CT60 Dual Time is a traveler’s answer to its previous iterations. The 40mm-wide watch is powered by the Tiffany & Co. caliber TCO.5959 automatic movement, specifically developed by storied complications manufacturer Dubois Dépraz. Besides telling the time and date, the masculine timepiece also now features a second timezone with red accents, complemented by indicator scales in two colours which help differentiate day and night.

The more exclusive variant, the CT60 Dual Time Limited Edition only sees a production of 60 units. The black soleil finishing and gold poudre numerals echo the same quiet luxury that emanates from the 18K rose gold case.