THE HYPE WATCHES & JEWELRY / MARCH 2026
A Grammy winner becomes a jewelry ambassador; yellow and white gold definitely go well together; and both watches and jewelry are boldly embracing color: Here are our latest finds from the sparkling world of haute horlogerie and haute joaillerie.
We Love
Stopover
“Escale,” which means “stopover” in English, isn’t just a pretty French word—it’s also the perfect name for Louis Vuitton’s watch collection of the same name. The “Escale” collection has always been inspired by travel: its design is inspired by the iconic Louis Vuitton trunks. And what would a journey be without aimless stopovers during which to explore unfamiliar surroundings? Four new in-house calibers and five new models are joining the collection. One of them is the “Escale Worldtime,” which displays 24 time zones and is available this year for the first time in two platinum versions. The dials of the “Escale Worldtime” are hand-painted in 35 colors, a process that takes the artisans an entire week to complete.
New Edition
Two-Tone Timer
Ah, that never-ending debate about which precious metals can—or can’t—be combined. Can yellow gold be paired with white gold, and is combining silver and gold still considered taboo? Piaget couldn’t care less. The latest “Polo” creation combines yellow and white gold and pays homage to the original “Polo” design from 1979. At Piaget, they take a relaxed approach not only to combining different materials but also to time itself: “Time should only be measured in gold,” is the Swiss brand’s motto. What exactly does that mean? In Piaget’s case, it means that only gold is good enough for a timepiece—in the case of the new “Polo 79,” both yellow and white gold. But it’s not just the watch’s exterior that impresses: Inside the “Polo 79 Two-Tone” beats the Caliber 1200P1, Piaget’s ultra-thin automatic movement with a micro-rotor, measuring just 2.35 mm.
Darling
Poetry of Color
In the world of haute joaillerie, silver and gold tones dominate. Yet gemstones come in every color of the rainbow. Pomellato has known this for a long time. Its colorful “Nudo” collection is celebrating its 25th anniversary and continues to surprise with new color combinations. Take a ring, for example: Depending on the cut and combination, an even broader spectrum of colors emerges. A moss-colored prasiolite and a deep-green agate together create a nuanced third hue. And shades of purple, blue, and pink are available in every imaginable variation.
Nice to Have
Strong & Sporty
In the spring, everything is a little more colorful. This applies not only to nature, but also to the world of watches. In the case of Vacheron Constantin, this means that the latest model in the “Overseas” collection surprises with a deep red dial. As with its predecessors, this model is crafted from titanium. This material is 30 percent stronger than steel but weighs only half as much—making it the perfect choice for sporty watches that need to be both robust and comfortable to wear. If you get bored easily, you can transform the “Overseas Tourbillon” in a flash: The integrated titanium bracelet can be swapped out for a red or white rubber strap—no tools required.
New Collection
Rebellion
Some jewelry collections are instantly recognizable from a distance, even with your eyes half-closed. “Clash de Cartier,” for example. With pearls and studs, the pieces strike a balance between elegance and edginess. For those who love a pop of color, red or green agate, black onyx, and pink chalcedony invite you to layer rings, necklaces, and more in a riot of color. “Clash” has a lot to offer—not just visually, but technically as well. In the latest creations, up to 600 individual components can be assembled into a single piece, ensuring ultimate flexibility. This also delights the newly crowned Grammy winner Olivia Dean, who was recently named a Cartier ambassador.
