Anyone for a Cocktail Watch? The History of the Cocktail Watch

Anyone for a Cocktail Watch?

Watches are a statement of your style and personality. Large masculine styles have been really popular for years but more dainty, ladylike pieces are becoming popular. The trend for layering arm candy is going nowhere and that leaves less space for a huge watch. We need to check the time in our busy lives. Research says on average we look at our mobile phone screen 96 times a day just to check the time. 

In the 19th Century, men had pocket watches. It was considered impolite for women to be seen checking the time in public, as women were seen as having nothing to do, no business meetings to attend etc. 

Watchmakers began designing and making 'secret' watches. These were bejewelled bracelets that concealed a discreet dial. 

Traditionally jewellery watches were for evening events, the 'Cocktail' watch, which became synonymous with the Jazz Age. 

Jewellery designers and houses like Piaget, Jaeger-Le Couture, Vacheron Constantine and Carter have re-visited their designs of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Skills almost abandoned have been re-introduced in stunning new collections. 

Cartier has been making ladies wristwatches since the late 1800s. Gold bracelet watches that wrap around the wrist one, two or three times. 

The Panthere de Cartier designed to be worn stacked with a wrist full of gold. The Panthere Manchette a statement on its own. 

In the ‘60s Piaget created watches with precious stone dials including onyx, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise and Tiger's eye. The gold bracelets of these watches were hand-etched to resemble the texture of bark. This technique was known as the 'Palace' decoration. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wore one of Piaget's distinctive watches with an oval Jade Dial. Its latest pieces pay homage to this era.