With various combinations of black, silver, gold, and brown, most timepieces tend to be on the conservative side of colour — save for a few exceptions. Complications may have a pop of red or other shades on, say, the seconds hand or hour markers. And ladies might see a little more colour in bejewelled pieces, with colourful gems and matching straps. But from time to time, watchmakers get playful and come up with candy-coloured timepieces in a sophisticated mix of shades. Here are seven of them to give your outfit a cheerful, colourful boost.
Audemars Piguet (image opener)
Diver chronographs are often masculine-looking, in black or other more “serious” shades. Not Audemars Piguet’s latest Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph. Watch lovers have a choice of Deep Blue, Lime Green, Tangerine Orange, and Bright Yellow — four shades that are sure to grab attention in or out of the water. Each watch features a 42mm stainless steel case housing a coloured dial with the traditional Méga Tapisserie pattern, and fitted with a matching rubber strap. It is water-resistant up to 300m, with an internal rotating bezel colour-blocked with diving scale and zone, small seconds, and 30-minute counters. All are limited edition.
Breguet
While some watches vie for attention with bright colours, Breguet opts for the subtle route with the self-winding Tradition Dame 7038 — a watch that was made specifically for ladies. It has an engine-turned Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial for the hours and minutes, a dial that shimmers in the light with iridescent colours. This is contrasted by the frosted white Calibre 505SR movement housed in an 18k white gold and diamond case, and for a pop of colour on your wrist, a red leather strap.
Blancpain
Not as vibrant as the rest, but the Villeret 8 Jours Manuelle by Blancpain is still a sight to behold. The simple two-handed piece has a black onyx dial decorated with a cherry blossom motif in champlevé enamel. Flowers are spread across the dial for the wearer to admire without the distraction of a seconds hand. The ultra-slim, hand-wound movement is only 4.57mm which fits elegantly in an 18k red gold case, complemented by a leather strap. Power reserve is indicated on the bridge side.
Franck Muller
Franck Muller is no stranger to bold designs, bright colours, and innovative time-telling. The Vanguard Lady Color Dreams continues this tradition with new glamorous details that lends dynamism to the timepiece. The dial features coloured appliqué relief Art Deco numerals for a sense of sporty fun and elegance, while diamonds on the bezel and dial enrich the timepiece. Complementing the dial is the rose gold case inspired by the brand’s iconic Cintrée Curvex tonneau shape design. A pink leather strap and coloured winding crown lend a feminine touch.
Hublot
Hublot has been at the forefront of using unusual materials such as denim and lace for its timepieces. This time, it has used linen, one of the world’s oldest textile fibres. This natural plant fibre is hand-woven, dyed with natural pigments, and paired with a transparent composite to form the 41mm case and dial. Meanwhile, the strap uses pure linen fabric that is sewn onto rubber. The result is a tough yet lightweight material that’s an alternative to carbon fibre. This collection is available in four eye-popping colours — Ocean Blue, Turquoise, Purple, and Orange, with blue or orange sapphires, topazes, and amethysts interspersing the bezel and dial. Each model is limited to 200 pieces only.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Fashion and watchmaking come together in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Classic Duetto Reverso by Christian Louboutin. The shoe designer taps into his collections for inspiration and creates a collection that aims to surprise and enchant women. One such model evokes what Louboutin calls “the effect of petrol on water or a scarab wing” where it looked like it has been dipped in metallic iridescence. Flip to the other side and one gets the classic Art Deco dial for a timeless look.
Omega
The official timekeeper for the Rio 2016 Olympics unveils the Seamaster Bullhead “Rio 2016” Limited Edition timepiece that celebrates the heritage, precision, and sporting excellence of the Games. Set to be a collector’s item, the blue leather strap links directly to the Rio logo, and features subtle stitching along each side — yellow, green, red, and black to represent the iconic Olympic rings. These colours are also present on the rotating inner bezel. On the white dial is a central chronograph seconds hand, and a 30-minute display at 12 o’clock. It is fitted with Omega’s exclusive Co-Axial calibre 3113, and is stamped with the Rio 2016 logo on the caseback.
