THE HYPE WATCHES & JEWELRY / OCTOBER 2025
New Edition
NEWER, THINNER, BETTER
The thinner, the better. What is rightly considered a problematic motto in fashion has a completely different meaning in design. Incorporating complex movements into millimeter-thin cases remains an exciting challenge in the world of haute horlogerie. The iPhone may get bigger with every release, but watches can do little with this design mindset. Two new models in gold and khaki green from Piaget prove that it is still possible to go one step slimmer and more elegant. With the introduction of the legendary 9P movement in 1957, followed by the 12P in 1960, Piaget set the standard for ultra-thin watches. Translated to 2025, this means that the Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon is 2 millimetres thin, while the Altiplano 910P is 4.3 millimetres. The exquisite colors and details give it away: The art of goldsmithing and watchmaking merge at Piaget. piaget.com
Book
DEMOCRATIC BLING
Fake and yet fabulous – this has been the motto of costume jewelry ever since it conquered the masses. Because when New York became the center of costume jewelry design at the beginning of the 20th century, it ushered in a new era: beautiful jewelry was suddenly affordable. In “Costume Jewellery”, author Carol Woolton, fashion critic and curator Maria Luisa Frisa and photographer Luciano Romano bring Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo’s costume jewelry collection to life on over 500 pages. And prove it: Fake diamonds can also be a girl’s best friend. Luciano Romano, Carol Woolton, Maria Luisa Frisa, “Costume Jewellery”, Taschen, 528 pages, approx. 100.-, taschen.com
Darling
GLÜCKSBRINGER
“Happiness is a way of being. Happiness is my soul.” Perhaps Coco Chanel would also have had a great career as a philosopher. After all, these phrases were part of her repertoire. She also skillfully mixed superstition with self-determination. She was convinced that every woman holds her happiness in her own hands. And yet you can help a little. For example with Chance de Chanel, two medal-like necklaces adorned with Mademoiselle Chanel’s lucky symbols. With her lucky number 5, a comet and a lion for her star sign, for example. chanel.com
Limited Edition
THE TIME REST
If Brough Superior is known among vehicle fanatics as the Rolls Royce of two-wheelers, then Richard Mille is the Rolls Royce of watches for many fans. This is not the only thing the two cult brands have in common, although when this collaboration was announced, some may have wondered what a luxury watch manufacturer has to do with motorcycles. Richard Mille himself is not only interested in the mechanics behind the movement, but also in the mechanics behind bicycles and airplanes. He worked with Brough Superior for 18 months on the RMB01 racing motorcycle, which was limited to 150 units. And he made generous use of the art of watchmaking in the process. Materials such as aluminum alloys, titanium or carbon were used, which are also used in watches, and the split rims are reminiscent of the gear trains of watch movements. richardmille.com, brough-superiormotorcycles.com
We Love
EVERYBODY’S DREAMGIRL
It’s a late summer’s day in Southern California, a convertible is whizzing along the Pacific Coast Highway, the loudspeakers alternate between nineties rap and the Cocteau Twins. This is roughly what Copenhagen jewelry designer Sophie Bille Brahe’s mood board looked like when she was planning her next campaign. No problem for photographer Angelo Pennetta. The only thing missing was the star in front of the camera. She should be as light as a feather, with a carefree coolness that can’t be faked. No wonder Dree Hemingway, who likes to combine diamonds with a worn-out old T-shirt, was chosen. The great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, who works as an actress and model, has not only inherited his creativity, but also a large portion of his love of adventure and life. sophiebillebrahe.com
