Hands-On: The Top Seven Manicures of Watches and Wonders 2024
The nail art was strong in Switzerland. We were so impressed, in fact, that we had to do a roundup!
By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large
After spending five days in Geneva (either in person at Watches and Wonders or following social media), the eye can’t help but notice details that are not exclusive to just the wrist.
First, rings and bracelets also begin to stand out. Then, one’s focus naturally gravitates to nails. It is at this point that excellent manicures take center stage, so much so, in fact, that we began to seek them out as we roamed the Palexpo and beyond.
Here’s our roundup of the most fun examples of horologically inspired nail art.
Pocket Power
Journalist Scarlett Baker (a.k.a. @scarlintheshire) set the tone for watch week, rocking her Cartier Tortue alongside long red talons carefully painted with a pocket watch motif.
Gear Train
During our press presentation at Vacheron Constantin, we spotted this clever application of cast-off movement components that made us think of Berd Vay’e or my fellow Torontonian Dan Tanenbaum.
Gem Set
Red Bar CEO Kathleen McGivney’s mani recalls the scores of gemstone-bedazzled bezels we saw at the fair. McGivney also gets extra points for rocking a Grand Seiko and a Fossil ring watch at the same time. After all, watch lovers can’t be expected to limit themselves to just one timepiece!
Mirror Ball
Vieren Watches boss – and Watchonista 2022 30 Under 30(ish) inductee – Jessica Chow matched her brand’s glittering Stereo Gold Waves tank watch with shiny, disco-inspired silver nails.
Lime Wire
The lime green fumé dial of the new H. Moser Pioneer Centre Seconds Concept Citrus Green is perfection, so, of course, at least one Watches and Wonders attendee had to match their manicure to this dynamic dial.
In the Stacks
GPHG academy member and Instagram gem @pulseonthewrist showed off her cutting-edge nails twice: once with a stack of watches from BUCI Paris and again wearing Chanel’s Première Ribbon Couture watch.
Femme Fatale
Laetitia Hirschy, founder of Kaaviar PR and co-founder of Watch Femme, paired her classic red polish with her Frederique Constant (and Kathleen McGivney’s Fossil ring watch).
(Photography by the author)