Heart-Shaped Box: Watches That Celebrate Love (Without Getting Too Sappy)
The heart wants what the heart wants, and in our case, the heart wants watches.
By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large
An interesting press release popped into our inbox this week. Apparently, London-based online jewelers 77 Diamonds conducted a survey and found that 90% of the UK public believes Valentine’s Day has become over-commercialized and expensive.
Even those lucky enough to have found love are weary of Valentine's Day traditions. In fact, the survey found that only 25% of couples even bother trying to do something special on the day.
We get it. Valentine’s Day evokes strong feelings, both for and against it. At the same time, it feels like a celebration of love is precisely what the world needs now.
So, here’s a modest proposal: We know you love watches (and we love you for that), but instead of centering all your romantic aspirations onto February 14th, why not send a message of hope year-round with one of these love-themed timepieces?
Chopard: Happy Hearts
This Happy Hearts watch ($10,200) from Chopard uses symbolism to spark joy. For our fidgety friends, this timepiece is enlivened by five dancing talismans: three lucky diamond charms, a mother-of-pearl heart, and a diamond-set heart.
As a bonus, if your loved one loves the planet and humankind, you’ll be happy to hear that the 36mm case is crafted from Lucent Steel and ethically sourced rose gold.
Bovet: The Miss Audrey “Bris de Verre”
Have you recently had a rough breakup? You should check out Bovet’s Miss Audrey “Bris de Verre” limited edition, which features a dial decorated with a “bris de verre” or “broken glass” technique. If you’ve had your heart shattered, you can relate.
Still, thanks to Bovet’s ingenious Amadeo convertible system, you know that these feelings will pass, perhaps even as quickly as you can change this miss into a pendant necklace, a wristwatch, or a table clock without any tools.
Omega: The Mini Trésor
There was a song from my grandma’s day called “Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.” I don’t know what a “many-splendored thing” is exactly, but I do know that love comes in multiple forms. Omega knows this too.
Last year, Omega launched a range of five individual 26mm Mini Trésor timepieces, each crafted with distinctive colors and a blend of materials. Our favorite pairing is 18K Moonshine Gold with a double-tour alligator leather strap lacquered bright red ($8,900).
Tiffany & Co.: The Eternity Wisteria
We recently rediscovered Tiffany & Co.’s horological legacy at LVMH Watch Week in January. There’s nothing like the heady rush of falling in love all over again. The Eternity collection signature is a heart-shaped diamond 12 o’clock marker, and the piece that lit up our lives at the show was the Wisteria.
It’s the blue-hued enamel dial designed to replicate the floral motif of one of Tiffany Studios’ most celebrated stained glass lamp designs from the early 20th century.
Swatch: The Break Free Hattie’s Heart
For wallflowers, the most awkward experience in the world is the high school dance – especially one with a Valentine’s Day theme. It was enough to make you think that the preachers in Footloose had the right idea.
Then hip-hop culture came around and introduced the joy of pure dance expression. Then, in 1984, Swatch sponsored the World Breakdance Championship.
Last year, inspired by this milestone event, Swatch commissioned four artists to create four fun oversized watches to create the BREAK FREE collection.
Our favorite collaboration comes from UK artist and illustrator Hattie Stewart ($140). It features a big, smiling heart and the positive message “Love Endures” printed on the hands.