The Configurations and Designs of These Unconventional Timepieces

Watchmakers transcend conventional designs by creating an array of distinctive timepieces that distinguish themselves from the masses.

Depicted above: Cartier Privé Cartier Bell

The Cartier Privé line, presented as a collector's series, elevates the Maison's enigmatic designs to legendary status with a selection of limited and numbered pieces. The mysterious Cloche de Cartier is the newest addition to Cartier Privé, known for its bell-shaped design initially introduced in 1920. Although intended as a wristwatch, its playful orientation also serves as a desk clock when placed on a table, with the 12 o’clock position rotated 90° clockwise.

A meticulous examination of the watch hands' arrangement reveals a calculated effort to enhance the asymmetrical design of the Cloche de Cartier, as it is aligned nearer to the right side or the upper section of the case. The Cartier Manufacture 9626 MC movement exemplifies the Maison's expertise in horology with a transparent skeleton design.

The Cloche de Cartier is available in multiple precious metals, with the finest version featuring a platinum case adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds on the case, crown, and buckle, totaling around one carat.

Bvlgari Serpenti Seduttori

Originating in the 1950s, the Bvlgari Serpenti draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman mythology, symbolizing wisdom, vigor, and allure with its depiction of a seductive serpent. Bvlgari, designed in a coiled serpentine shape, enhances the concept of jewellery watches, as this classic creation has manifested in various forms and colors over the decades, celebrating the allure of the Roman jeweller.

As the Serpenti evolved, various variants emerged, including the Tubogas and Spiga, with the latest being the Serpenti Seduttori. Bvlgari presents a contemporary reinterpretation of the Serpenti featuring a more slender and delicate drop-shaped watch head. The serpentine body of the Serpenti is now presented in a planar design, with an enticing, free-flowing bracelet that emulates the graceful movements of a snake.

The importance of the serpent is further emphasized by the hexagonal designs that replicate its scales, which adorn the entire bracelet. The Serpenti Seduttori features a black lacquered dial, adorned with 38 brilliant-cut diamonds and a crown embellished with a cabochon-cut rubellite.

Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0

Established in 1976 and reintroduced in 2022, Girard-Perregaux heralds spring with the launch of the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0. In 1976, Girard-Perregaux introduced the avant-garde Casquette, distinguished by a quartz-driven tubular LED display and a design reminiscent of a 1970s muscle car. Initially designated as Reference 9931, it was later dubbed the Casquette by enthusiasts.

After forty-four years, the spirit of the era reemerges, housed in a polished scratch-resistant ceramic case adorned with a vintage GP logo, complemented by a Grade 5 titanium case back. Both materials, recognized for their lightweight and hypoallergenic characteristics, substantially enhance the wearing comfort of the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0, aided by the rubber-lined ceramic bracelet. Similar to the original Casquette, the Girard-Perregaux Casquette 2.0 indicates the hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date. The new movement incorporates several additional features, including the month, year, chronograph, second time zone, and concealed date.

This function enables the wearer to commemorate a significant day of their selection. The concealed date (day, month, and year) can be displayed daily at a time designated by the wearer. To extend battery longevity, the time can be accessed on-demand, enabling the battery to endure for up to two years, provided the time is checked 20 times daily.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92

The White Diver exemplifies a recurring motif of squares and circles throughout the Bell & Ross watch collection. Both forms are representative of the Franco-Swiss horologist celebrated for their timepieces. Bell & Ross, renowned for their strong identity in aviation, applies their skills to the undersea realm with their Diver line.

The BR 03-92 Diver White closely resembles its diving forebears, maintaining design elements such the distinctive rounded square casing and the aviation dashboard-inspired dial. The distinguishing factor is the selection of color, as this marks the inaugural usage of white as the dominant dial hue. Inspired by frigid waters, arctic oceans, and frozen lakes, the BR 03-92 Diver White is ideal for anyone venturing into enigmatic ice-laden terrains. The ISO 6425 certified case permits the watch to be submerged in water confidently, as it complies with international standards for dive watch specifications.

Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon

If Franck Muller were to publish a dictionary, the letter 'C' would prominently include two terms essential to horology: the Cintrée Curvex and complications. The former has been ingrained in the DNA of Franck Muller since 1992, symbolizing its characteristic curving tonneau case, while the latter acknowledges Franck Muller’s esteemed heritage in horology. The Franck Muller Grand Central Tourbillon merges these elements into a singular masterpiece, captivating spectators with its elegant form and contours.

A minor modification to the iconic case design allows the Grand Central Tourbillon to include a new sapphire crystal that encompasses the entire case, facilitated by a groundbreaking invisible bezel design. A prominent 60-second tourbillon is centrally located on the dial, raised slightly for enhanced depth. The magnificent display pioneers innovation as it is the inaugural central tourbillon housed in a tonneau case.

Creating the dial underneath is a challenging task, as it must conform to the curve of the case while ensuring optimal execution of the guilloche and ornamentation.