Cover Nature Watch by H. Moser & Cie. (Photo: Courtesy of H. Moser & Cie)
Our edit of the best watch designs from 2019 that embrace the wonders of the natural world

1. Les Pierres de Rêve de Chaumet with mookaite jasper by Chaumet

Tatler Asia
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Above Les Pierres de Rêve de Chaumet with mookaite jasper by Chaumet. (Photo: Courtesy of Chaumet)

Forget about the Zodiac, ignore your birthstone and kiss healing crystals goodbye. Because the latest trend in personalised watchmaking comes from the ancient Asian tradition of stone symbolism.

Named Les Pierres de Rêve (French for “stone of dreams”), Chaumet’s exquisite new collection comes with 12 styles, each made with a different gemstone to represent the hidden treasures of nature.

Each of these precious stones, be it lapis lazuli, rhodonite, red picture jasper, pietersite or azurite, has been carefully sourced, selected, cut and polished with precision. Each ornamental stone dial is adorned with a diamond-paved bezel in rose or white gold and an alligator strap.

See also: Sneak Peek: Inside Chaumet's Royal Masterpiece Exhibition In Monaco

2. Amadeo Fleurier 39 by Bovet

Tatler Asia
Above Amadeo Fleurier 39 by Bovet. (Photo: Courtesy of Bovet)

During the First French Empire, two brothers with the surname Bovet revolutionised the applied arts of watchmaking, raising the industry's artistic standards to a degree of excellence and beauty that remains unequalled today.

This historic brand lends itself particularly well to the miniature painting technique practised by its artisans, who often use mother-of-pearl as a backdrop. Recent models feature work by Ilgiz Fazulzyanov, one of Russia’s most famous enamel artists, who plays with a koi carp theme for this year's extraordinary collection.

An especially unique piece features a fired enamel miniature painting of fluttering butterflies that are hand-painted, by Fazulzyanov, onto a gold base plate.

See also: 5 Coolest Artist x Watch Collaborations

3. GyroGraff Endangered Species Elephant Dial by Graff

Tatler Asia
Above GyroGraff Endangered Species Elephant Dial by Graff. (Photo: Courtesy of Graff)

A series of five unique watches, GyroGraff Endangered Species is Graff’s most ambitious watch collection to date. Each dial features an endangered animal depicted in gold and precious stones, and hand-finished with diamond-marquetry—a magnificent example of metiers d’art.

The five iconic wild animals whose power and nobility will be captured in the collection are the panda, elephant, gorilla, tiger, and rhino—each beast’s exquisite, shimmering design, except for the rhino’s, was unveiled at Baselworld this year. If the masterclass gem-setting of the wildlife was not enough to take your breath away, the watch also includes GyroGraff’s signature double-axis tourbillon and spherical moon phase complications.

See also: Graff Dazzles With Its New Flagship

4. Nature Watch by H. Moser & Cie

Tatler Asia
Above Nature Watch by H. Moser & Cie. (Photo: Courtesy of H. Moser & Cie)

What happens when horology and horticulture collide? The H. Moser & Cie Nature watch—a limited edition timepiece of just a single unit. Containing succulents, moss, mini echeveria, cress, spiderwort and onion sets, with a dial in natural mineral stone and lichen from the Swiss Alps, and a natural grass strap, the watch is power by a hand-wound HMC 327 movement with 29 jewels and a power reserve of a minimum of three days.

The Nature watch was released to celebrate the announcement of a raft of new ethical and eco-friendly practices that H. Moser & Cie has pledged to follow.

See also: 6 Sustainable Luxury Watch Brands For The Eco-Conscious Collector

5. Magic Lotus Automaton by Jacquet Droz

Tatler Asia
Above Magic Lotus Automaton by Jacquet Droz. (Photo: Courtesy of Jacquet Droz)

Fauna and flora come to life in breathtaking detail in Jaquet Droz’s exceptionally detailed Magic Lotus Automaton, which is littered with diamonds, rubies and yellow and blue sapphires.

Available in both red and white gold, limited to 28 pieces each, this wristwatch is a particularly extraordinary example of haute horology, even by Hong Kong Tatler’s standards.

The Automaton’s intricate engineering causes a playful koi carp to swim around the hand-painted white mother-of-pearl dial, passing under the delicate lotus leaves that float sleepily above. The hand-wound automaton is powered by an incredibly detailed movement made from more than 500 components.

See also: 6 Watch Brands That Help Save The Oceans

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