Wrist watches with pictures of plants

With the development of technology, we are increasingly moving away from nature. From the very beginning of its history, mankind has been trying to dissociate itself from it, using all achievements of the progress. However, when people finally escaped the nature in skyscrapers, pushing it out of the cities, they have realized of what they deprived themselves. That is why today, many fashion and interior designers turn to this subject. The watch manufactories haven’t become an exception either.

The symbols that became ornaments

Nature is the source of life. It meets the minimum requirements of man, without which he can’t exist (food, water, oxygen we breathe). Nature is also a source of all possible knowledge to help people understand the processes that occur independently of them, but directly affecting their lives. The development of civilization would have been impossible without use of natural resources. As a consequence, the technological progress would become impossible too.
However, nature also carries an aesthetic function. Every year scientists discover several new species of plants and animals that capture the imagination by bizarre shapes and bright colors. No wonder most people are seeking to escape to nature to rest from constant stress and bustle of big cities. The residents of cities are trying to make some of its elements a part of their everyday life. Most often this is reflected in interiors, patterns on fabrics and various decorative details.
For the first time people tried to portray the reality of the environment in the far Stone Age. The lack of abstract imagination was compensated by them by creative perception of what surrounded them every day. Special attention in the cave paintings of that time was given to plants and animals that helped our distant ancestors to survive.
Later, with the development of culture and appearance of different religious beliefs, mythology, the appearance of depicted flowers and trees, as well as the meaning those pictures carried, changed. However, before decorating wristwatches, floral designs passed a long way. First of all, people liked to decorate various buildings with such ornaments since ancient times. In such cases, the bas-reliefs and paintings depicting plants could not only serve as decoration, but also carry a sacred meaning, symbolizing the purpose of structure or driving away evil spirits.
Trees and flowers had been used in architecture long before the wristwatch was invented. In addition, their images can be found on the arms of ancient dynasties, or other objects of cult and everyday life. In ancient Greece and Rome, plants were often considered to be symbols of gods, not just ornaments. Oak was associated with the main Greek Celestial - Zeus. The images of beech - a symbol of prosperity - were also devoted to him. Aloe, as embodiment of honesty and wisdom, was considered to be the symbol of Jupiter, god of war, in Roman mythology. In Greece, Mars (Ares), who had the same function, had Buttercup as a symbol of hostility or even madness. The image of Juniper, considered to be a symbol of confidence and enterprise, was often dedicated to the most enterprising of the gods - Mercury (Hermes). Rose was chosen as the emblem of the island of Rhodes. In that regard, it was often depicted on coins, stamps and medals.
During the heyday of the medieval Romanesque art (X-XII centuries), the images of plants could be seen on fabrics, household items and ornaments made of ivory. They were also often used as decoration for churches. The images of vines were the most common. Shamrocks of clover in the Christian tradition were regarded as symbols of the Trinity, elm was considered as a strong support, and therefore associated with the dignity, and it personified the Scriptures to the faithful, and pink carnation meant tears of the Virgin Mary. Looking at these reliefs, one can already compare their round shapes with the dial watches have today.
Another use of plant images was found in the kingdom of the Assyrians around the XVI century BC. Warlike people, who inhabited Mesopotamia those days, reached incredible peaks of craftsmanship in creation of emblematic and heraldic compositions. They abundantly present various plant components. First of all, it is worth noting that the Tree of Life is a sacred symbol in the art of the East. The images of cedars, chamomiles, daisies, dates, ears, hips, cloves were also often used. Tulip the Turks worshiped as a symbol of sublime and perfect love was selected as an emblem of the ancient dynasty of the Ottomans. In ancient Greece and Rome, laurel was considered to be heraldic plant. It was a symbol of secret knowledge, immortality, victory. Various species of that fragrant plant were used as emblems for the coronation ceremonies.
All these images are widely used by artists and designers to this day. The semantic load could change over time, or come to nothing at all. Despite this, the plant images are still in demand. The companies making watches could not fail to take advantage of that.

Any whim in any way

Why do people want to buy watches with images of plants? Of course, first of all, because they are beautiful. The technological progress dictates its own conditions for objects and devices that we use in everyday life. Today, the functional thing is considered to be the best decoration. The watch in this case can be considered as an ideal variant.
Usually, various decorative elements adorn the models that are designed for the beautiful half of mankind. Indeed, men's watches do not demonstrate too colorful or fanciful decoration. These models do not provide space for realization of the artist’s creative vision. But the woman, on the contrary, wants to buy a watch that would be a bright piece of her image. Today there are many manufacturers of time meters, ready to meet these needs. Reliable and precise Swiss watches in capable hands of masters often acquire sophisticated finishing.
The method used is decoration of a particular model depends only on the imagination of designers and the skilled professionals able to implement their ideas. The most logical way seems to be application of plant ornament directly on the dial. For that the technology of creating enamel miniatures is used most commonly. Very often this method is applied by the masters of the watch and jewelry house “Van Cleef & Arpels”. Also, the watches of “Ulysse Nardin”, “Vacheron Constantin”, “Cartier” are adorned with enamel miniatures.
Another way of applying these images is engraving. In some cases, the masters use guilloche. However, it is very difficult to create a colorful image of plants by this method. For this reason, the engravers often work on the decoration of watches with the enamellers, completing their miniatures with embossed details. A striking example of such combination is some women's watches from the Swiss manufactory “Vacheron Constantin”.
Some people regard the image on the dial as something more than a simple element of decoration. Many are inclined to grant the images of flowers and trees with a kind of symbolic, sacred meaning, as our ancestors at the dawn of humanity did. The manufactories have also tried for those, who do not want just a watch, but a real talisman. Trying to satisfy all the needs of the beautiful half of humanity, year after year the manufactories are experimenting with materials and images of plants that adorn women's watches. The result is various unique models that can be called not just time meters, but true works of art.

Flowers that will not fade

One of the first men, who noticed the connection between clocks and plants, was the famous Swedish scientist-naturalist, Carl Linnaeus. Already in the XVIII century, he invented a floral clock. And it's not about the image, but about the real plant. Linnaeus noticed that buds of different flowers after a night of "sleep" open at a certain time. After a series of studies, the scientist laid out a small flower garden, looking at which he determined the time based on the buds of plants which have already managed to open up. However, the accuracy of that method was slightly imperfect - Linnaeus could be mistaken for as much as half an hour.
Today, Swiss watches are endowed with such precise movements that we don’t need to rely on whims of the plants. Moreover, the flowers depicted on the dial can simply please the eye that is nice as such.

Floral miniatures

Piaget

Orchid adorns the women's watches of Piaget from the series “Altiplano”. The craftsmen of the manufactory didn’t use other flowers as a decoration, and they were right. Today there are so many sorts of orchids, different by shape and color. Four of them became enamel miniatures, executed by the technique of grand feu and decorating the Piaget Altiplano dials. A large orchid flower shows off on the dark green or dark blue background. In “Piaget Altiplano” collection there are four models - with red, pale pink, yellow and white-and-yellow orchid.
However, these watches have other advantages too. All of them are equipped with a mechanical in-house caliber Piaget 430P, which became the basis for the manual winding ultrathin movement. The round case of “Piaget Altiplano” from 18k gold is white is provided with bezel, encrusted with 78 diamonds. All models are equipped with a black fabric strap. To buy the watch “Piaget Altiplano” means to purchase a sophisticated piece of jewelry.

Peter Tanisman

The young watch brand “Peter Tanisman”, the history of which began only in 2008, presented a very unusual lady’s watch with an enamel dial with floral decoration passing into decorative element of the case. It was named in honor of the medieval city of Nicaea, which once was located in Asia Minor. The model “Carrousel Nicea” has a rectangular case made of white 18K gold. Its size is 41x30 mm, the thickness - 8 mm. The weight of case is 65 grams. A reliable and accurate quartz movement that is based on the caliber E01.701 is hidden beneath the case. The case protects it from negative effects of moisture at a depth not exceeding 30 meters. The lady’s watch “Carrousel Nicea” is attached on the wrist with a white satin strap with red lining, fitted with a buckle in white gold. The bezel of this model is encrusted with a strip of white diamonds.
The dial of the model “Carrousel Nicea” has an enamel miniature, made by the technique of Grand feu. It depicts red tulips - a symbol of pure, passionate love, and forget-me-nots, which mean faithfulness and constancy. The dial passes into rotating drum at the bottom of the watch “Carrousel Nicea”. It is also decorated with an ornament, repeating the dial pattern. The women, who are interested in unusual ornaments and are not afraid to experiment, will want to buy “Carrousel Nicea”.

The modern "stone" flower

Perrelet

The watch brand “Perrelet” is one of the oldest in the world. The popularity and demand for its products are provided by the fact that its masters have always tried to combine the most striking technical achievement of the past with current trends of production. The Perrelet watches have become a synthesis of excellent quality and unique style. Under this well-known brand the elegant models for the beautiful half of humanity are produced as well. To make the women's watches “Perrelet” a stylish accessory, the masters of the company turned to floral ornaments. The models from the collection “Perrelet Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” are decorated with a lotus image. This flower in different cultures symbolizes fertility and rebirth. It is associated with the gods and the Sun. In addition, lotus is a symbol of continuity of the life cycle, since one plant has flower buds (past), and flowers (present), and the ripe seeds (future) at the same time.

However, its image on the dial of the model “Perrelet Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” doesn’t have only a decorative function. The golden lotus petals are fixed at the base of the axis, on which the central hands are placed. With every motion of owner’s hand the flower starts moving, winding the watch movement. In the model “Diamond Flower Prestige Edition”, lotus is part of the dual-rotor system - a unique achievement of the masters of Perrelet. This women's watch is equipped with automatic caliber P-181, which, thanks to this unique structure, has a power reserve of 40 hours.
The movement of “Perrelet Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” is set in a round case. Its diameter is 38 mm. It is waterproof at a depth not exceeding 50 meters. The cases for watches “Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” are made of gold, red or white. The front and back cases are made of sapphire glasses with anti-reflective coating. For fixing on the wrist, this masterpiece of watchmaking and jewelry art “Perrelet Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” is equipped with straps of leather in different colors with gold folding clasp.

The cases of these models, and also the lotus flower, are incrusted with precious stones. The watch “Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” (ref. A7005/1) is decorated with 519 diamonds, the total weight of which makes up 1.405 carats, and 238 rubies, located on bezel, staples and flower itself. In the model “Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” (ref. A7004/1) the rubies are replaced by sapphires. The women's watch “Diamond Flower Prestige Edition” (ref. A7006/1) is decorated with diamonds and emeralds. In this collection there are also models, adorned only with diamonds. This series is limited, so each model is available in a quantity of 50 pieces. The ladies, who want to buy “Perrelet Diamond Flower Prestige Edition”, will get not only a stylish, but also a unique jewelry.

Bertolucci

Designers decorate women's watches not only with flowers. For example, the watch brand “Bertolucci” has included an original model “Lucky” in its collection “Volta II Watches”, on the dial of which a leaf of clover with four pads is depicted. According to popular belief, one needs to find and eat such plant in order to attract good luck. In China, people believe the clover is an emblem of spring. There is a legend, which says that Eve, being expelled from paradise, in memory of it took that plant, which had four petals.
The clover on the dial of “Bertolucci Volta II Watches Lucky” is encrusted with emeralds. However, it is not just a decoration. The leaf acts as a second hand, rotating around its axis.

The case of “Bertolucci Volta II Watches Lucky” is made of 18k white gold. Its diameter is 42 mm. The bezel is decorated with 72 faceted diamonds, the total weight of which reaches1.01 ct. Inside the case there is a Swiss quartz movement with power reserve of up to 50-month period. This women's watch has a green leather strap.
There is another monochrome version of this accessory - with a black dial and strap. The clover leaf in this model is encrusted with diamonds.
Those ladies, who want to buy “Bertolucci Volta II Watches Lucky”, will acquire a time meter, and a mascot, attracting good luck, at the same time.

Carved Leaf

Rolex

Even such a serious company like “Rolex” decided to use a floral ornament to decorate women's watches. The designers fixed upon chamomiles. Their symbolic images are scattered at the rhodium dial of “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Lady” (ref. 178274/63160). Chamomile means sincerity, modesty, kindness and affection. In Slavic culture, that flower also symbolized wealth and youth.
The lady’s watch “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Lady” has a modest and simple design, but it is perfect for creating a delicate and romantic image. This model has a steel round case with a diameter of 31 mm with an original corrugated bezel. It is waterproof at a depth not exceeding 100 m. The chamomiles are depicted on the dial by electrotype method, which allows you to get a clear pattern with careful outlines. The model “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Lady” has only two hour markings. At 6 o'clock position there is an Arabic numeral "6", and the index "12" is replaced by the image of the crown - the symbol of the company. At "3" hours there is the date aperture, above which a magnifier is provided for the convenience of reading. “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Lady” is fixed on the wrist with a steel bracelet. This model has a movement based on the caliber 2235 with perpetual rotor, equipped with automatic winding function. It has a power reserve of two days.

Chronoswiss

Skeletonized movement is often considered to be a decoration of wristwatches. However, the Munich manufactory “Chronoswiss” fully refuted that opinion. Its collection, entitled “Zeitzeichen” (which is translated as "signs of the time") attracts not only with an exquisite open finishing, but also with decorative elements, made by hand. The famous master, Jochen Bentsiger, created a unique collection of models “Chronoswiss Zeitzeichen”. The watch “Zeitzeichen VI” (ref. CH 6721ZWVI) has a round polished case of 18-karat white gold with a large crown. Its diameter is 44 mm, the thickness is 10.8 mm. The watch is fixed on the wrist with a black strap made of genuine crocodile leather. The front and back cases are made of solid sapphire crystal. It safely protects the movement of “Chronoswiss Zeitzeichen” with manual winding caliber ETA 6498-1 at 17 stones from moisture at a depth not exceeding 30 m. The power reserve of this model is 40 hours.
All details of the movement are hand-engraved. The inner bezel is finished in the same way. The additional dial for the second hand at "6" hours is provided with a thin guilloched rim of white gold. The central hour and minute hands are blue. The highlight of this model is an intricate pattern of leaves and tendrils of vines, which has long been revered as a symbol of divine blessing, a plant, embodying the spirit of the Sun. These decorative elements are hand-made of pink gold. The vines and tendrils are as if interwoven with the details of the watch movement, creating a charming effect. For the fans of rose gold the company “Chronoswiss” produces the model “Zeitzeichen” (ref. CH 6721ZRVI) with the case of this metal of 18k.
The watches “Chronoswiss Zeitzeichen” (ref. CH 6721ZWV) of white and (ref. CH 6721ZRV) pink gold have the same characteristics. They differ from the previous models only by design of the dials. These watches do not have inner bezels. However, their dials are decorated with more climbing shoots of rose gold. The models “Zeitzeichen” are unique by the fact that each of the above models is released by Chronoswiss in quantity of only 33 copies. It is not that easy to buy watches, which are the result of such a delicate and painstaking work.

Fine particles

DeWitt

The company “DeWitt”, glorious for its original ideas, wasn’t limited by engraving or enamel painting of the dial. Its collection “Golden Afternoon” please the women, who want to buy unusual watches with a mosaic composition of mother-of-pearl as an ornament.
The cases of all models in this series have a round shape. Their diameter is 39-mm. The material used in different models is white or yellow gold of 18k. The case protects the watch movement from moisture at a depth not exceeding 30 m. The lady’s watch “Golden Afternoon” has a rather wide bezel, which is divided into 12 equal parts. Each of these sectors is encrusted with seven diamonds. The staples have the same decor. Totally 132 white gems were used to finish that watch. The watch “Golden Afternoon” is equipped with a satin or leather strap with an 18-karat gold clasp and original central fastening.
The movement of these unique models is based on the automatic caliber ETA 2892, which has 42-hour power reserve. The crown, which is located on the right side, is encrusted with ruby cabochon.

The mother-of-pearl dials of women's watches from the collection “Golden Afternoon” are also decorated with precious stones. Each is adorned with 14 white diamonds, 11 of which perform the function of hour indexes, and with four small rubies. However, the main decoration of “Golden Afternoon” can be called, without exaggeration, the mosaic composition of colored mother-of-pearl, representing a scattering of small flowers. It resembles a blossom cherry branch that fell on the “Golden Afternoon” watch dial. In Japanese culture, this flower is known to be a symbol of tenderness.
The unique hands of these models are worthy of a particularly attention. The hour and minute hands have the form of two feathers of different sizes. The end, by which the second hand is attached to the central axis, is engraved with an image resembling a tongue of flame.
The models of “Golden Afternoon” collection have a philosophical component. With color combinations the masters of DeWitt tried to show all the stages of a woman's life, change of her views on the surrounding reality over time. The colors of “Golden Afternoon” watches vary from light white-pink and sky white-blue in some models to rose-chocolate or rose-black in others. However, all copies of the collection, of course, have common features. A woman can buy a watch “Golden Afternoon” of the color she likes, but in any case the range will be gentle and fascinating as the owner herself.

The dial, sprinkled with plum flowers

Vacheron Constantin

The Swiss watch manufactory “Vacheron Constantin” has always strived for preserving the heritage of the masters of past epochs. It is not just about horlogerie, but also various applied arts and crafts. It is their achievements the masters of Vacheron Constantin apply while making watches. Thus, they retain the heritage of traditional crafts and create unique models.
In another collection of “Métiers d'Art”, known as “La symbolique des laques”, the masters of manufactory “Vacheron Constantin” decided to refer to the Japanese cultural tradition. The watches of this series have unique lacquer dials, made by the ancient technique of "maki-e." For that, Vacheron Constantin signed an agreement with “Zôhiko”, located in the city of Kyoto. This varnish company is one of the oldest in Japan. Its history dates back over 600 years ago.

The collection “La symbolique des laques” is devoted to the cultural heritage of the Far East. To preserve the memory of the important symbols, a noble precious metal - rose gold – is selected. It is used for making cases, the diameter of which is 40 mm at a thickness of 7.5 mm. To make the gold look noble, the masters of Vacheron Constantin apply ruthenium treatment, which softens the shine of the metal. The case of any model from the collection “La symbolique des laques” is waterproof at a depth of 30 meters. The back case is transparent. It is made of sapphire glass.
The watch “La symbolique des laques” has a semi-skeletonized dial. Through a round transparent aperture in the center you can admire the movement of 14-carat white gold. As a basis, an ultra-thin mechanical caliber 1003 of manual winding is used. Around the aperture there is a black lacquer space, on which the craftsmen apply ethnic images by "maki-e". Very often that technique was used by the Japanese masters, who lived and worked in the XVII century, to create decorative ornaments. The literal translation of the term "maki-e" sounds like "scattered picture." The essence of this method lies in the application of gold or silver powder on the black lacquer, which has not yet had time to dry up. The basis for these miniatures is made of the sap of “Rhus verniciflua” (phytolacca sumac).

The first set of three copies of watches from “La symbolique des laques” was devoted to longevity. It was called "Three friends of winter" (original - 歳 寒 三 友 or “Saikan no sanyû”). The dials are decorated with the images of bamboo, pine and plum. This classic Japanese culture trio is considered to be a symbol of not only longevity, but true, faithful friendship, able to overcome any miseries. In addition, each of these plants has a companion – a bird. The watch “La symbolique des laques” (ref. 33222/000R-9546), painted with plum flowers, is decorated with the image of the nightingale - the messenger of change, in particular - coming spring. The model “La Symbolique des Laques” (ref. 33222/000R-9506) is painted with pine boughs. Here we can see the image of crane, which is revered in Japan as a symbol of the memory of past years. The bamboo stalks on the watch dial “La Symbolique des Laques” (ref. 33222/000G-9521) coexist with a sparrow, which symbolizes vitality and ability for regeneration. The watches from the collection “La Symbolique des Laques” will be interesting to not only people, who are fond of eastern philosophy, but also to those, who simply enjoy exquisite handmade accessories.