Time Trends Part I
Bright Ideas
Women's Movement
Fine watch brands have discovered that not all fine watch connoisseurs are men. New high
end watches designed especially for women are the hottest category of new styles. These
watches fall into two groups. The first is jewelry that tells time: beautifully designed
watches, often in gold and diamonds, that are as elegant as any bracelet. For example,
there are wonderful new bangle designs and watches that have an integrated case and
bracelet for one streamlined silhouette around the wrist. The second group are new
automatic mechanical watches for women. Advances in movement design have allowed many
watchmakers to add sophisticated features to cases in the smaller diameters and
thicknesses generally used in styles designed for a more delicate wrist. Women are
responding to the new wider range of styles available by trading up to the advanced
"power watches" worn by their male co-workers.
Steel & Stones
Opposites do attract. The strength of steel and the sparkle of diamonds are the perfect
pair in new fine watch designs. Recent technological advances have enabled master watch
craftsmen to set precious stones directly into stainless steel. The appeal of the diamonds
and steel combination goes beyond the futuristic fashionability of white on white designs,
a trend that dominates jewelry design as we approach the millennium. There's brawn to
match the beauty: steel has a rugged durability that allows a watch to withstand the
stress of active sports. It is nearly impervious to rust and corrosion and cannot tarnish.
Steel also has a crisp high polish that rivals 18k white gold or even platinum, but at a
much more affordable price. Diamonds are, of course the hardest substance, so they shine
under stress as well. In fact, the pairing of steel and stones in watches makes so much
sense it has become the biggest news in luxury watchmaking. It was the talk of this year's
World Watch, Clock and Jewelry Fair in Basel, Switzerland, where this innovative luxury
look was introduced by virtually all of the world's top watchmakers.
The bright, white appearance of stainless steel is the
perfect foil for a diamond's brilliance. Lovers of fine jewelry will especially appreciate
how well these beautiful watches work with the latest jewelry designs in platinum and 18
karat white gold.
Moonstruck
 One of the most
popular watch functions today is the moonphase indicator. Are there lots of stargazers out
there? Although the moonphase dial is a powerful reminder of the world's natural cycles in
a 9 to 5 world, most people actually just fall in love with the way that moonphase
indicators look on the dial. Watch designers have responded to the demand with a variety
of new styles. Some show a slice of enameled sky with the moon, others use an enameled
subdial with a hand. All are much more than a phase of fashion.
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