05/05/2019

Famous To Infamous: Our Five Favorite Watches For Mom

She gave you life, the least you can do is get her a nice watch.

By Rhonda Riche

Editor-At-Large

There are many reasons to gift your mother with a luxurious watch. Maybe you love your mom so much that money is no object. Maybe you want to shame your siblings with a present that makes you look like the perfect child. Or maybe it’s just guilt. Guilt is a great motivator.

Parent-child dynamics are so complicated. So we’ve decided to make a list of great timepieces inspired by famous and infamous moms that would make any mother proud of you.

THE MOTHER OF DRAGONS

When we think of Game of Thrones Daenerys’ Targaryen, we think of fire and ice. Of a resilient woman who is also good with dragons. If she wore a watch, we think it would also have to project power and grace.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon

Introduced in 2018, the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon is AP’s first-ever women’s concept watch AND the first flying tourbillon in the company's history. The watch has an icy aesthetic: the white gold dial sparkles with diamond-set, faceted pyramids, and white lacquer finishing; the openwork ‘snowflake’ barrel echoes diamond ‘ice’ on the flying tourbillon escapement. This cool combination of Haute and Haute Joaillerie definitely says “winter is coming.”

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon

MICHELLE OBAMA

The former FLOTUS may have tried unsuccessfully to get us to exercise more and eat better, but we always admired Michelle Obama for her modern spirit, classic elegance and ability to be a momma bear when needed. If your Mom is the first lady of your heart, then we think she’d love this sophisticated Patek Philippe manually-wound women's chronograph. The watch features such timeless details as a rose-gold case and vintage touches, like round guilloched pushers and a subtly cambered sapphire-crystal “box” glass.

Patek Philippe 7150/250R Chronograph

RU PAUL

Not all families are conventional. And if Momma Ru has taught us anything, it is that we are all born naked and the rest is drag. If your mom is fierce than she will love getting dressed up in this horological extravaganza. Momma Ru is also a savvy businessperson and would also appreciate the fact that since it was first introduced in 2018, the limited-edition Rainbow Daytonas have doubled their value making for an excellent return on investment.

Rolex Everose Rainbow Cosmograph Daytona

KRIS JENNER

As the Queen of the Kardashian clan, Kris Jenner’s antics might be over-the-top but her style is more subdued. Which is why we think your momager needs the Breguet Reine de Naples 8908 model. This striking yet elegant timepiece is inspired by an early bracelet watch that A.-L. Breguet created for Napoleon Bonaparte's sister Caroline, Queen of Naples. The newest iteration sparkles with 128 diamonds set in an 18-karat gold case set which frames a dial partially made from Tahitian mother-of-pearl. It also has a self-winding movement with running seconds. power-reserve and moon-phase indicators and is water resistant to 30m just in case there’s some pool or wine-related drama.

Breguet Reine de Naples 8908

ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

One of British poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s most celebrated pieces is titled Mother and Poet and starts with the line “Dead! One of them shot by the sea in the east. And one of them shot in the west by the sea.” She also named her son Pen. She appreciated the beauty in the world but could also wield words like a sword. If this reminds you of your mom, may we recommend a true statement watch?

Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels "Planétarium" Poetic Complications

Launched at SIHH 2018, the Lady Arpels "Planétarium" Poetic Complications watch still enchants us. Made up of white gold, turquoise, diamond, mother-of-pearl, and aventurine, this timepiece encapsulates life, the universe and everything — kind of like your mom.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!