Today, if you think of horology as a realm that’s largely male-dominated, you’re wrong. “There are definitely more women interested in watches [now] than 10 years ago,” Julien Schaerer, managing director of Antiquorum, a leading modern and vintage timepiece auctioneer, tells a well-known American news source. “There is a predominance for jewelled watches or watches with integrated bracelets on the Asian market, while the rest of the world seems to be gravitating towards larger watches, apart from beautiful Art Deco Cartier models, that remain the best of the best,” he adds.
When it comes to buying watches, one may have multiple desires, be it complications, an impressive heritage or simply liking the way they look. This is not the case for the three female collectors you’re about to meet. What sets them apart is a singular vision when it comes to building their own unique collection. “If you like it, why not?” says Kim Lim, who dubs herself a lover of diamonds and all- things extravagant. Then there’s Julie Low, a lawyer who says she’s not a watch collector, but a fashion watch collector who is into classic watches with a feminine twist. Last but not least, you’ll meet Pauline Wong, a polytechnic lecturer whose inclination towards watches with a big wrist presence has led her to IWC – the Swiss brand “engineered for men”. Here are their stories.
Kim wears a “Panthere de Cartier” in white gold with diamonds, emeralds and onyx, and a “Panthere de Cartier Divine” in white gold with diamonds and enamel
KIM LIM, INTO: EXTRAVAGANT DIAMOND WATCHES
My family shops a lot at Cartier. In fact, I grew up with the brand and have been in their stores since I was a two-year-old. Being around watch fanatics like my father and brother has gotten me hooked onto collecting [timepieces]. It was something that I naturally grew into over the years.
The first watch I received was a Cartier Santos. It was a rose gold number with an understated appeal. I must say that my taste for watches is evolving as I grow older. I am now into classic showpieces that can stand the test of time, and Cartier’s Panthere series cuts it for me. That, and lots of diamonds.
I don’t need many watches, I just need a few good pieces. A watch is an accessory, and the ones I wear today [are the ones] I know I can [wear] for a very long time. Other brands that I love and wear are Audemars Piguet, Rolex and Bell & Ross.
Julie wears a Chopard “Happy sport” square timepiece and “Precious temptations” earrings in white gold with amethysts and rubellites
JULIE LOW, INTO: CLASSIC WATCHES WITH A FEMININE TWIST
My first watch was a Seiko. It was a practical, stainless steel number given to me by my father when I went overseas to study. My next watch came from Cartier and then Chopard.
I am a fan of Chopard’s Happy Diamonds. This is the perfect day-to-evening timepiece for me. Chopard, in my opinion, is a brand that makes great, classic watches with a gentle touch of femininity, like combining diamonds and leather on a single watch, for example. What I really like about Chopard is also the fact that it doesn’t go overboard with its designs.
I am not a watch collector. I am a fashion watch collector. I say that because I buy watches for the way they look. Even the watch I own from Patek Philippe is a jewellery piece. Sometimes people laugh at me because I collect based on looks, not mechanism.
I wear a Chanel J12 too. It’s my second favourite watch. It’s practical for casual occasions and sometimes when I feel like I don’t need such a feminine look, I wear that.
Pauline wears an IWC “Laureus sport for good Foundation Portofino Chronograph” in stainless steel with an alligator strap
PAULINE WONG, INTO: BIG WATCHES
I started off with a Swatch. I’ve been into watches since I was young, and like a lot of people, my first watch came from Swatch. The next leap arrived when my parents bought me a small Rolex for my graduation, and slightly bigger Rolex came from my husband when we got married. Those were two of my first serious watches.
I discovered IWC by accident. I went into the store looking for an Omega, but the sales staff brought out a tray with everything but Omega. There was Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC and Panerai. I did not purchase the IWC at first, but it left such an impression on me that I went back a while later to buy it.
I like watches with a big wrist presence. That is the reason why I was drawn to my first IWC watch, which was a 40mm Portugese Chronograph with a white dial.
I am not into complications. The watch I buy and wear has to fit my lifestyle. If I were to wear a huge moon-phase or perpetual calendar on my wrist, it will look out of place. Personally, I like chronographs. They are the most functional watches you can find.
A tip for the ladies. Always try on the watch you want to buy. At one moment you may find a watch too masculine, but when you put it on, it can change your mind. IWC watches are “engineered for men” and are typically oversized, but I think women can look just as good in a big pilot’s watch.
Read the full story at L’Officiel Singapore.
