Watches & Wonders 2021: Chopard, Bvlgari, Cartier, and Hermès

There were several gorgeous debuts from Chopard, but the model we’re still thinking of is the Happy Diamonds Joallerie. Inspired by one of the house’s archival designs, the 38-mm timepiece has been crafted from ethical 18-carat rose gold and a Tahitian grey mother-of-pearl dial, which gives an elegant appearance perfect for an elevated evening look. Set with 15 rounded diamonds on its dial and two halos of the sparkling stones encircling the watch’s face, the watch is completed with a brushed gray canvas strap.

Taking the spotlight in Bvlgari’s latest timepiece debuts is the new Serpenti Misteriosi Cleopatra. Reminding us of something that might have been worn by the Queen of the Nile, the one-of-a-kind cuff is set with a honeycomb configuration that alternates hexagons filled with tiny diamonds and larger, colorful stones, like a sheer rubellite that reveals a discrete, minuscule watch face underneath.

Cartier introduced several new iterations of the classic Ballon Bleu de Cartier timepiece. Each complete with roman numerals, a sapphire cabochon, and hands in a deep hue of blue, there were variations like a 40-mm pink gold model with an alligator leather strap and a steel version with a linked bracelet a 33-mm case, set with 50 brilliant-cut diamonds. Of Hermès’s debuts, the one that took the spotlight was the new Slim d’Hermès C’est la fête.

First appearing in 2015, the latest iteration of the Slim d’Hermès looks to the house’s C’est la fête silk scarf (designed by Daiske Nomura in 2012), creating an intricate watch face with an artisanal enamel design featuring a skeleton sporting a coat and top hat, riding a horse. Imagined in midnight blue with tones like bronze and russet, the 30-mm display offers hours and minutes, and is accompanied by a blue alligator leather bracelet.