| Watch houses have wholeheartedly embraced the | | | | metal in a vapour is essentially fired at the watch and |
| current return to traditional values. Jewellery has seen | | | | forms a strong layer around it. This gives a shimmering, |
| a real renaissance in vintage styles, and this trend is | | | | metallic patina to the watch, transforming it from a |
| now moving into the world of watches. We love the | | | | functional piece of equipment to an individual |
| old-fashioned, country gentleman charm of the | | | | accessory. Police is leading the way with this trend |
| watches coming out in 2006, with individual touches like | | | | – check out their striking timepieces. DKNY, |
| skeleton faces, so that you can see your timepiece at | | | | Guess and Fossil are other big names with ion-plated |
| work – try Rotary for classic styles, or get | | | | watches in the works – watch this space. |
| something a bit more edgey from Police. If you are | | | | As always, your guiding style star must be what suits |
| really into the traditional look, you might even consider | | | | you. Those of us blessed with slender, willowy wrists |
| an eye-catching pocket watch. | | | | would look fabulous in elegant jewellery-inspired pieces |
| As well as dictating how this year’s watches | | | | by chic, ultra-feminine designers like Anne Klein [ Try a |
| look, the “traditional” trend also affects how | | | | delicate bangle watch, or a charm bracelet from |
| they function. Sekonda, Police, Accurist, and Rotary | | | | Citizen with an adorable watch trinket attached. If you |
| are all in on the action; Automatic movements are | | | | have heavy wrists, make the most of it with an equally |
| back in fashion, and no wonder – an Automatic | | | | robust timepiece. In recent years, Fossil has made a |
| movement eliminates the need for a battery, as the | | | | name for themselves with gorgeous chunky cuff |
| watch is powered by the movements of the | | | | watches, with tactile, worn leather straps for both men |
| wearer’s arm. This season’s Guess | | | | and women. They also specialise in unusual, funky |
| collection will feature timepieces with a fly-back | | | | designs which tap into the current trend for vintage |
| movement. For a real touch of old-world appeal, try | | | | style. |
| Citizen’s minute-repeater watch which chimes to | | | | If you ladies want to make a splash this summer, try |
| audibly mark the time. | | | | going out wearing a gorgeous men’s watch. This |
| A diamond-set watch is a fabulous accessory; half | | | | look has the same charm and careful carelessness as |
| jewellery, half timepiece. Everyone’s getting | | | | a girl in her boyfriend’s shirt. Brands such as |
| involved, including well-respected watch houses like | | | | Diesel and Police design fantastic watches with unisex |
| Accurist, Citizen and Sekonda. Sekonda is offering two | | | | appeal; they look stylish and sophisticated on a guy, |
| diamond-set watches this season, each featuring | | | | and striking and fashionably oversized on a girl. |
| seven genuine gemstones. H.Samuel has two | | | | Red straps are huge for autumn/winter. Big or small, |
| exclusive collections for Autumn/Winter 2006; one is | | | | you need to get one of these on your wrist. These |
| from the fashionable high street brand Oasis and the | | | | scarlet accessories are perfect to add a splash of |
| other, Rotary Rocks, is a new collection of three | | | | colour to the smart monochrome outfits that are bang |
| stunning diamond-set watches from Rotary, a brand | | | | on trend this season. DKNY, as usual, are right at the |
| known for its distinctive combination of traditional and | | | | front of this trend and remember that red straps are |
| modern styling. A diamond-set watch will give you the | | | | big news for both men and women. As usual, you can |
| perfect combination of the unmistakable dazzle of | | | | count on Oasis to be right at the cutting edge, with |
| diamonds, and the understated cool that shows you | | | | eye-catching red straps available at affordable prices. |
| buy diamonds all the time. A diamond watch is a great | | | | Gold-plated watches just aren’t good enough |
| gift for a friend too, and this summer they’re set | | | | any more. It’s got to be pure, solid gold. There |
| to get affordable. Don’t forget, that a sixtieth | | | | are three major brands in this area right now – |
| birthday or wedding anniversary is traditionally marked | | | | Accurist, Rotary and the specialist Sovereign. Again, |
| with a diamond, so this could be the prefect present. | | | | these are perfect gifts – treat someone special |
| It’s not enough for a watch to just look good | | | | to a gold watch if you want to impress with |
| these days; it has to feature the latest scientific | | | | understated style – and remember that a fiftieth |
| processes too. Watches this summer are shiny, | | | | wedding anniversary is Golden, so why not mark the |
| metallic beauties, created by ion-plating. To achieve this, | | | | occasion with something special? |