Valentine’s gift guide: watches for her

From dazzling dancing dials to watchmaking classics, find the perfect horological match for that special someone

Watches & Jewellery 5 Feb 2021

Breitling Chronomat Automatic 36

Breitling’s iconic sports-chic watch from the 1980s makes its return in an elegant, slimmed-down collection created with women in mind. Available in two sizes, 32mm and 36mm, the larger comes powered by the watchmaker’s precise and reliable COSC-certified automatic Calibre 10. While it is presented in an array of different colours and combinations, this mint-green dialled version lends the design a particularly contemporary edge, complete with diamond bezel for that added touch of sparkle.

£6,750; breitling.com

Hermès Nantucket

Along with the Cape Cod, the Nantucket is a quintessential Hermès design, dreamed up by the maison’s renowned artistic director Henri d’Origny in 1991. It took its inspiration from the bold lines of its Chaîne d’ancre bracelet, another icon of the brand created by Robert Dumas in 1938. Its statement aesthetic is thanks to its ‘rectangle within a rectangle’ design, which here fluidly merges into the supple and ergonomic metal bracelet. A playful smattering of diamonds across the dial completes the look in Hermès’s trademark whimsical style.

£5,550; hermes.com

La Grande Classique de Longines

The La Grande Classique de Longines collection is the perfect representation of the understated elegance that runs through the watchmaker’s timepieces, revisiting classic heritage influences through a modern lens. This model is no exception, its clean white mother-of-pearl dial punctuated only by the hour-and-minute hands and chic diamond-set markers. Powered by a quartz movement, which allows for its chic, slim profile, the watch is finished with a complementary white alligator strap.

£1,210; longines.com

Chopard Imperiale Moonphase

What could be more romantic than a perfectly clear starry night sky, a scene evoked to stunning effect on Chopard’s Imperiale Moonphase. The shimmering white-and-pink mother-of-pearl dial is illuminated with diamonds, showcasing the maison’s gem-setting expertise. Also on display is its watchmaking prowess, with the timepiece powered by the Chopard 96.25-C movement. Entirely developed and produced in house, on top of the moon phase indication it incorporates a tourbillon, as well a comfortable 65-hour power reserve.

£45,900; chopard.com

Blancpain Villeret Women Date

Blancpain is marking this special day with an elegant new take on its classic Villeret model, limited to just 28 pieces. A red heart motif is playfully cut through by the arrow-shaped seconds hand, contrasting against the backdrop of the lustrous white mother-of-pearl dial. Meanwhile, a delicate touch of sparkle has been added in the form of the diamond-set chapter ring and bezel. Inside the watch is just as dazzling, equipped with the Blancpain calibre 1151, a technically advanced self-winding movement offering a four-day power reserve.

£18,700; blancpain.com

Harry Winston Midnight Valentine’s Dance Automatic 36mm

While Valentine’s may just be a day, Harry Winston is declaring the whole of 2021 the ‘year of love’. To celebrate, the maison is inviting you to dance with an animated version of its chic Midnight watch, which sees a whirlwind of precious stones elegantly swirl their way around the dial. Scattered on the four concentric circles are cabochon mother-of-pearl hearts, diamonds, pink sapphires and rubies, which move with the continuous rotation of the small seconds hand. This stunning performance is achieved through the intricately finished automatic movement, which can be admired through the sapphire-crystal case back.

£POA, harrywinston.com

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Fagliano

Celebrate your enduring love by opting for a true timeless classic, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. This year, the iconic watch reaches its 90th anniversary, its signature flippable design, originally created to protect the dial from rigorous polo matches, just as unique and eye-catching today. This technically demanding iteration allows the wearer to keep track of two time zones on the two opposing dials. The bold lines of its Art Deco styling are enhanced with the rich burgundy red colour scheme, while Jaeger-LeCoultre is further celebrating the watch’s heritage with a strap crafted by artisanal polo bootmakers Casa Fagliano.

£21,100, jaeger-lecoultre.com