Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/209310
TIME HONORED Secret Santa BOSTON WOMEN MAY HAVE SECRETS UP THEIR SLEEVES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, THANKS TO AN EXCLUSIVE SOCIETY OF OLD-WORLD WATCHMAKERS. BY ROBERTA NAAS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF CRAWFORD S From Vacheron Constantin, the Kalla Haute Couture à Pampilles watch ($735,000) is meticulously set with flame-cut diamonds totaling 28.6 carats. The movement of the watch is manually wound. By appointment only, Shreve, Crump & Low, 39 Newbury St., 800-225-7088; vacheron-constantin.com. The Piaget Limelight ribbon motif secret watch ($220,000) is crafted in 18k rose gold and set with a total of 301 brilliant-cut diamonds. It features a white mother-of-pearl marquetry dial and a brown satin strap. Royal Jewelers, 58 Main St., Andover, 978-475-3330; piaget.com. This Chanel Camelia Brodé secret watch ($57,000) is crafted in 18k pink gold and is meticulously set with 275 round-cut diamonds to reflect the beauty of nature's flowers. Chanel, 6 Newbury St., 617-859-0055; chanel.com FROM LEFT: 110 STYLING BY TERRY LEWIS ecret watches are easily among the most intriguing styles of women's timepieces on the market today. Essentially, a secret watch has a cover over the dial that can be flipped open or moved aside to reveal the clock face and allow the wearer to see the time. Sometimes referred to as hidden watches, they are created by the finest brands, using centuries-old craftsmanship in gemstones, diamonds, and precious-metal sculpting, enhanced with modern technologies to make them as durable as they are beautiful. These specialized timepieces have a long history. Many early portable clocks and 18th-century pocket watches utilized covers or lids to protect the dial. In the latter part of the 19th century, when many gorgeous covered timepieces emerged in the form of pendant or brooch watches, it was generally believed that women did not need to know the time. Thus, a covered, hidden, or secret watch enabled a lady to BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 110-111_BC_SS_TimeHonored_Holiday_13.indd 110 11/1/13 5:52 PM