Nattawin Wattanagitiphat and Lee Jun-ho: Double the charm at Piaget

The Piaget booth was a hub of activity with not just one but two stars gracing its presence. First, Thai actor and model Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, affectionately known as Apo, brought his signature charm and style, mingling seamlessly with the elegance of Piaget’s designs. His visit showcased his status as a style icon and added a touch of Thai allure to the Swiss event.

Adding to the excitement, South Korean actor and member of the popular boy band 2PM, Lee Jun-ho, also made a spectacular appearance. As the Asia-Pacific brand ambassador for Piaget, his welcome by CEO Benjamin Comar was nothing short of warm and celebratory. 

Over at the Jaeger-LeCoultre booth, the atmosphere was equally electrifying, thanks in no small part to the arrival of Jackson Yee. The Chinese mega-star, famed for his roles in films such as Full River Red and Better Days, was greeted personally by the brand’s CEO Catherine Renier. Yee, who has a following that spans continents, was all smiles as he explored the brand’s latest offerings. It was a perfect match of elegance and craftsmanship.

Vacheron Constantin illuminates the senses

A concept watch is a timepiece designed to push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, a veritable platform for watchmakers to experiment with unconventional ideas. The Égérie The Pleats of Time concept watch is a fine example of this ethos.

Working with couturier Yiqing Yin, Vacheron Constantin marries watchmaking with fashion in the form of a diamond-set 37mm pink gold case with a  lilac dial with pleats pattern, alluding to the folds of fabric. Yin pairs this with a strap she fashioned herself. Embellished with embroidery and mother-of-pearl shards inlaid between silk threads, it is a couture-worthy feature. 

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For most, that would have been enough but Yin aimed higher. She enlisted the expertise of master perfumer Dominique Ropion to craft a bespoke fragrance for the watch. The collaboration yielded a unique mineral scent, featuring subtle hints of pastel, wintry undertones, powdery textures, and iridescent accents.

Next was the challenge of retaining and releasing the scent from the watch. The solution was an innovative process where droplets of the fragrance concentrate were encapsulated. Components of the strap from the lining to the embroidery were then steeped in these encapsulations. With each movement of the wrist, these aromatic nanocapsules are released, surrounding the wearer in a divine fragrance.

Van Cleef & Arpels mesmerises with poetic automatons

Every 30 minutes, crowds gather around two particular showcases in the Van Cleef & Arpels booth at Watches and Wonders to witness moments of magic performed by its latest automatons. The maison is known for telling time in the most poetic of ways, and these incredible table ornaments are certainly some of its most outstanding.

Inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels’ beloved themes of flora and fauna, these one-of-a-kind automatons present on-demand tableaus of nature in motion as well as dreamy feminine figures. The first is Apparition des Baies, in which a dome of lacquered rose gold leaves opens up to reveal a white gold bird, set with diamonds and sapphires, spreading its wings as if it is taking flight. After flitting about and settling into its refuge among the leaves, the cover of foliage folds back up, encasing the bird within.

The 12-hour function time is displayed on the 360-degree rotating ring around the dalmatian jasper base, and the automaton has an eight-day power reserve.

The second automaton, the Bouton d’Or, conjures up another dreamlike scene of a fairy in a rose gold and blue lacquer dress performing pirouettes upon a blooming flowerbed as it slowly unfolds. As she bobs up and down, so do her blue plique-à-jour enamel wings flap.

Not just any ordinary flowerbed, the floral components that open up to reveal the fairy are inspired by the maison’s paillette motif created in the mid-1930s. They are reminiscent of the sequins used in couture and are lacquered by airbrush or traditional brush with shades of blue, purple, pink, and red before being dotted on curved stems of gold in this automaton to create the effect of a gleaming gold bouquet.

The 12-hour function time is displayed on the 360-degree rotating ring around the thulite base, and the automaton has an eight-day power reserve.

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