If you are looking for something new and unique, the new “complication” is art. A look around the exotic wares at this year’s watch fairs confirms that, from Hermes’ watch with a funky blue horse galloping across the dial to Cartier’s exotic and brightly coloured animal enamels or Jaeger-LeCoultre’s miniature masterpieces, watches with art on the dial are on the rise.
Decorated timepieces are nothing new. “The idea of artistic decoration was born with the watch itself, as we can see from pocket watches as far back as the 18th century with elaborate enamelling on the case,” says Pierre Rainero, the man in charge of Cartier’s heritage. “What’s new is that decoration has moved on to the dial.”
