Honey, I shrunk the watches!
Miniature mode is in full swing with this new show dedicated to a very trendy phenomenon this year: mini watches. Diameters are shrinking to the max, and the delicate measurements have lost none of their superbness. When small watches enter the big league...
CHOPARD, Happy Sport
Conceived in 1993 by Caroline Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, the Happy Sport watch is part of Chopard’s large family of watch collections. To create this essential timepiece, she drew inspiration from the Happy Diamonds models launched by her parents in 1976.
Unlike the diamonds that revolve around the dial, those of the Happy Sport are set between two sapphire crystals and move above the dial. With a diameter of 25 mm, this declination is fashioned in Lucent Steel™, a steel exclusive to the manufacture, 50% harder than traditional steel and manufactured with a recycling rate of at least 80%. Sublimated by a pink ethical gold bezel, the sun-satinned silver dial is enhanced by gold hands and four Roman numerals. Like champagne bubbles, it is embellished by five point-set diamonds, which twirl at the slightest movement of the wrist without altering the reading of the time. Water-resistant to 30 meters, the model is powered by a fine Swiss quartz movement.
6 310 euros
Technical sheet Chopard Happy Sport.
DIOR, La Mini D My Dior
We know La D My Dior from every angle. It is part of the La D de Dior collection, imagined and created by Victoire de Castellane, Artistic Director of Dior Joaillerie. It features the graphic lines of cannage, a motif dear to Monsieur Dior and found on the seats of the Napoleon III chairs in the boutique at 30, avenue Montaigne, Paris.
Unveiled in 2023, in an all-yellow gold or steel version, then recently in steel with a gold bezel and a magnificent white or pink mother-of-pearl dial, this year’s new face is a real eye-catcher. The yellow gold configuration with black lacquered dial offers a striking contrast to the golden lines of the canework.
This motif continues on the supple hammered Milanese link bracelet. A jewel watch par excellence, this 19 mm-diameter variation features a yellow gold bezel set with 40 diamonds and a crown adorned with 13 diamonds. Water-resistant to 30 meters, it is powered by a quartz movement and is also available in 25 mm.
39 000 euros
Technical sheet Mini D My Dior en or jaune et cadran noir.
Consulter toutes nos fiches techniques des D My Dior.
CARTIER
These mini watches reinterpret the great Cartier classics on a small scale. Design and movement have been rethought, adjusted and miniaturized to achieve the perfect balance. And unsurprisingly, the watchmaker has found it.
Mini Tank Louis Cartier
Without a doubt, one of the most talked-about mini watches of the year, and one that the watchmaking world voted for at Watches and Wonders and then selected at the Montre de l’Année 2024.
Faithful to the aesthetic codes of its big sister, the Tank created by Louis Cartier in 1917, the Tank Louis Cartier watch is characterized by its emblematic parallel stretchers. Unveiled in 1922, it features a more refined, rounded design. Today, its mini version – 24 mm x 16.5 mm – respects the Maison’s aesthetic codes: sword-shaped hands in blued steel, Roman numerals with secret signature in the “X” bar, and crown (here circular-grained) adorned with a sapphire. Note the absence of a minute track, no doubt for reasons of space and legibility. Powered by a quartz movement, the model is water-resistant to 30 meters and comes on a shiny black alligator leather strap.
7 600 euros
Consulter les détails techniques de la Mini Tank Louis Cartier.
Mini Tank Américaine
La Tank s’allonge pour devenir en 1988, la Tank Américaine. Associée à un bracelet en cuir bleu brillant, la montre possède un boîtier rectangulaire en or jaune – 28 mm x 15,2 mm – de forme galbée, qui lui confère une souplesse indéniable au porter. Aiguilles glaive en acier bleui, chiffres romains dotés d’une signature secrète dans la barre du « X », minuterie chemin de fer, le cadran argenté satiné à l’effet légèrement satiné, présente les éléments distinctifs des montres signées Cartier. Pour parfaire l’ensemble, une couronne à sept pans est ornée d’un saphir facetté.
8 350 euros
Technical sheet Mini Tank Américaine.
Mini Baignoire “Bangle”
Launched in 1912, the Montre Baignoire is an emblematic Cartier collection. Elongated, large or medium, set or unset, this oft-reinterpreted icon appears in 2023 on a yellow gold bezel and this year in an ultra-desirable mini version – 24.6 mm x 18.7 mm. Both simple and sophisticated, this bezel accentuates the originality of the piece. At first glance, the wearer’s comfort may be questionable, but quite the opposite is true: the slight camber of the rounded case hugs the wrist perfectly. As for the clasp, it seems invisible, adding to the watch’s mystery. Powered by a quartz movement, it features Cartier hallmarks: sword-shaped blued steel hands, circular-grained crown topped with a sapphire cabochon, and Roman numerals with the secret signature in the “X”. Available in different bracelet sizes.
14 000 euros
technical sheet Mini Baignoire “Bangle”.
Mini Baignoire
I love this declination with its round yellow gold case. Soft as a candy, it houses a magnificent plum-colored lacquered dial. Totally uncluttered, it is simply contrasted by gold-finished steel sword hands. Coordinated with a plum-colored satin-finish calfskin strap, the quartz watch is also available in trendy black and bronze.
7 800 euros
Technical sheet Mini Baignoire.
Mini Panthère de Cartier
An icon among icons, the Panthère de Cartier was launched in 1983. Since then, it has been adorned with a multitude of coats to match the latest fashions and trends. The embodiment of Cartier style, it is miniaturized for maximum effect. Square-shaped with rounded corners, the yellow gold case – 25 mm x 19 mm – features the characteristic exposed rivets. Even in miniature mode, it is distinguished by its supple bracelet, composed of curved and polished links, evoking the elegant and enigmatic way in which the feline moves.
22 700 euros
Technical sheet Mini Panthère de Cartier.
LONGINES, Mini DolceVita
Let’s come back down to earth with a slightly more affordable watch: the Mini DolceVita from Longines. Inspired by a 1927 timepiece from the winged hourglass brand’s archives, the collection, presented in 2023, is enriched this year by numerous variations, such as these references with highly original double-turn nappa leather interchangeable straps. Pleasant to wear, they fit perfectly on the wrist and energize an outfit with their timeless pop colors. Vitamin orange, intense red, fuchsia pink or duck blue: they magnify a rectangular steel case (21.5 mm x 29 mm). Protected by a sapphire crystal, the circular, sand-blasted silver “Cosmo” dial is punctuated by painted Roman numerals and hour markers, blued steel hands and a small seconds at 6 o’clock. Water-resistant to 30 meters, the watches are powered by a quartz movement with an EOL – End Of Life – function that indicates when the battery is nearing the end of its life.
1 750 euros
Technical sheet Longines Mini DolceVita.
AUDEMARS PIGUET, Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold Quartz
In 18-carat yellow gold, rose gold and white gold, this monochrome trio draws the eye with its “Frosted Gold”. Revisited by jewelry designer Carolina Bucci, this artisanal technique involves hammering the precious material with a special tool fitted with a diamond tip. The multiple repetitions of the gesture produce tiny notches and micro-holes, creating the illusion of a bluff snow setting, like diamond powder.
Completely frosted, these 23 mm-diameter watches feature a tone-on-tone “Petite Tapisserie” dial, with small squares featuring a circular print visible to the discerning eye. These little marvels beat to the rhythm of a quartz caliber with seven years’ autonomy. It is also equipped with a “contactor” that allows the owner to save battery power by temporarily deactivating it by pulling on the crown.
For more information, an article has been entirely dedicated to them.« En mode mini : les nouvelles Audemars Piguet Royal Oak » – as well as a show on the Frank Sans C channel:
34 300 euros
Technical sheet Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold Quartz.
LE SITE DES MONTRES AUDEMARS PIGUET
CHANEL, Montre Première Ruban
Designed in 1987 by Chanel Artistic Director Jacques Helleu, the Première watch has been revisited time and again over the decades. An icon among icons, it returned to center stage in 2023 with the Première Edition Originale, worn by actress Lily-Rose Depp, who became its ambassador. Then, last September, it came in a very music-loving interpretation: the Première Sound, seen in JTH N°5, which combines necklace, watch and headphones. Today, the Première Ruban takes on mini dimensions – 19.7 mm x 15.2 mm. Crafted in 18-carat yellow gold, its octagonal case evokes the geometry of Place Vendôme and the bottle stopper of the emblematic N°5 perfume. This highly refined version features a black lacquered dial with only gold hands, powered by a quartz movement. To complete the look, it comes with a velvety black rubber strap. Glamorous as can be.
5 500 euros
Technical sheet Chanel Première Ruban.
TISSOT, PRX 25 MM
Now a must-have, PRX watches have been miniaturized to 25 mm in diameter. They are powered by a beautifully crafted Swiss quartz movement with an EOL (End Of Life) battery indicator. The new steel models are offered with different dial animations: sky blue sunray, white mother-of-pearl, black and diamonds. A rose gold PVD model with a champagne dial set with diamonds is also available. Water-resistant to 100 meters, these irresistible variations feature luminescent hands and hour markers and are served on an integrated metal bracelet, the signature of a phenomenally successful collection. We look forward to versions with green and pink dials…
From 325 euros
technical sheet Tissot PRX 25 MM.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, Montre Sweat Alhambra
Born in 1968, the Alhambra motif, synonymous with good luck, has become the emblem of Van Cleef & Arpels. The motif is featured not only in Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry collections, but also in the company’s watch designs, such as the Sweet Alhambra watch.
Its 22.7 mm rose gold case sketches the contours of this iconic symbol. Highlighted by a bezel adorned with tiny pink gold pearls sparkling like diamonds, the dial is crafted in white mother-of-pearl with striking iridescent reflections. A quartz movement beats at the heart of this delicate edition, whose time is set by a push-button on the back of the watch. The timepiece is served on an interchangeable, square-scaled, shiny burgundy alligator leather strap. Several strap colors are available: light blue, midnight blue, black, fuchsia, coral, white…
8 350 euros
Technical sheet Montre Sweet Alhambra.
OMEGA, Constellation
This year, Omega’s Constellation collection has been enriched with a number of new references, including a dial featuring a sublime spiral motif. This decoration, which first appeared in 2008, has been brought up to date. In violet PVD, the dial of this iteration features this Supernova motif, produced by electrochemical engraving, which starts from the Sedna™ gold star, placed at 6 o’clock and disperses harmoniously.
Measuring 25 mm in diameter, the case is fashioned from steel and Sedna™ gold, Omega’s own exclusive rose gold alloy of copper and palladium, renowned for its high resistance to discoloration. The case also features the characteristic half-moon facets, located on either side, as well as a diamond-paved bezel that makes its way between polished Sedna™ gold claws. The watch is driven by a quartz caliber featuring the Long Life function, which optimizes the battery (48 months).
On the reverse, the movement is concealed behind an embossed Observation Constellation medallion. Since 1952, this emblem has appeared on the back of all Constellation editions. It represents the dome of an observatory surrounded by eight stars. Legend has it that the dome symbolizes the Geneva observatory, but in reality it’s a more general representation. Instead, the eight stars refer to Omega’s eight victories in chronometry competitions organized by observatories between 1945 and 1952.
With the same technical data as its sister model, this Constellation features a dial made from a genuine fragment of ferrous meteorite, characterized by the emblematic Widmanstätten figures, a natural motif that makes each piece unique.
Acier et or Sedna™ – cadran météorite – 11 900 euros
Acier et or Sedna™ – cadran spirale – 10 500 euros
Technical sheet Omega Constellation.
HERBELIN, Art Déco
Inspired by the first watches created by Michel Herbelin, the Art Deco watch from the French watchmaker presents a resolutely vintage style. Elegant with its slightly arched rectangular shape, the case in 316L steel – 17.8 mm x 19.40 mm – is coated with a thin layer of yellow gold PVD, a color found on the gadroons positioned horizontally on the case as well as on the fluted crown. Powered by a quartz movement, this feminine edition features a silver-white dial decorated with “clous de Paris” guilloché. A light-brown leather strap completes the look.
379 euros
Technical sheet Herbelin Art Déco.
ICING ON THE CAKE
BVLGARI, Bvlgari Bvlgari Tubogas
A symbiosis between two of the Maison’s legendary collections, this magnificent 21 mm-diameter edition, powered by a beautifully crafted Swiss quartz movement, features a distinctive Bvlgari Bvlgari case and an emblematic Tubogas tubular bracelet.
Water-resistant to 50 meters, the case is enhanced by a yellow gold bezel engraved with the fourteen letters of the line’s logo, evoking the circular inscriptions on ancient Roman coins. It houses a black lacquered dial punctuated by twelve hour-markers set with brilliant-cut diamonds. The two-turn bracelet features three spirals in yellow, rose and white gold. It is made using the Tubogas technique – the brand’s signature – inspired by the pipes used to transport pressurized gas in the 1920s. The watch fits snugly around its owner’s wrist for the most sophisticated wear.
47 500 euros
Technical sheet Bvlgari Bvlgari Tubogas.
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