HILUXURY – Hawaii Luxury Magazine

Photo courtesy Cartier

Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier Flying Tourbillon
* Circular-grained crown in 18k rose gold case set with a sapphire cabochon
* Transparent case-back of sapphire crystal
* Galvanic, slate-coloured guilloche dial, sun-ray open-worked grid with Roman numerals
* Sword-shaped, blue-steel hands
* Brown alligator-skin strap with dual adjustment folding clasp in 18 carat rose gold
* Manufacture-crafted mechanical movement with manual winding, 9452 MC calibre, bearing the Geneva Seal $96,500

Photo courtesy Harry Winston

Harry Winston Avenue Squared
* Set in colorless diamonds
* Full panoramic view of the dual-time zone dial with two separate quartz movements
* 18K white gold set with diamonds totaling 5.36 carats
* Available with black natural mother-of-pearl or white natural mother-of-pearl
* Accepting reservations now for fall 2008 delivery

Photo courtesy Tourneau

Tourneau Calypso Round
* 18K white gold case and bracelet
* Mother-of-pearl dial with diamond detail
* Diamond bezel

Photo courtesy Ferragamo

Ferragamo F-80 Tourbillon Automatic
* Automatic SF 8 caliber with Tourbillon
* 35 jewels
* Gold rotor
* Finished and entirely crafted by hand
* 44 mm
* Titanium brushed with black ceramic top ring case
* Sapphire Crystal Anti-Reflection Anti-Scratch
* Crown in titanium and ceramic with engraved F logo
* Titanium and anti-scratch black ceramic bracelet
$172,000

Photo courtesy Chanel

Chanel J12 Chronographe Joaillerie
* Watchcase in 18K pink gold
* 41 mm
* Dial set with 264 diamonds and nine diamond indexes
* Bezel set with 36 baguette-cut sapphires
* Cabochon crown in sapphire and chronograph buttons in sapphires
* Limited and numbered to 100 price available upon request

Celebrating masculinity and femininity in watch designs

For centuries, the differences between men and women have been examined and studied. Even after conclusive findings and data, the complexities of the subject make it still a hot topic today, simply because defining masculinity and femininity has become far more intricate than neckties and frilly dresses. But fashion is still a huge component in how society views and separates gender – take, for example, the wristwatch.

Without crossing the line of sexism, it’s fair to say that men like functionality and can appreciate the inner workings of a tool or device. Hence the popular skeletonized design. From obvious to subtle, skeletonized watches are unique in that they reveal a watch’s inner workings. Although such timepieces have been around for hundreds of years and were among the first types of timekeeping devices made, watchmakers such as Cartier and Ferragamo continue to raise the bar on style and precision with intricate designs.

Besides their uniquely different stripped and unembellished look, skeletonized watches also are a special buy because they are mechanical, as opposed to quartz or battery-powered. And with mechanical comes precision.

Most luxury skeletonized timepieces are intricately engraved, and delicate work goes into each piece.

While women can appreciate delicate work, aesthetics are especially important when choosing any accessory, including a wristwatch. Functionality is a must, but diamonds and fine gems can sometimes mean the difference between OK and fabulous. And watchmakers have responded, creating elaborate designs with enough sparkle to catch any woman’s eye.

Harry Winston, Tourneau and Chanel are just a handful of luxury retailers that offer a wide selection of pretty styles that evenly blend the boundaries of timepiece and jewelry. The result is an attention-grabbing look that embraces elegance and individuality.