We’ve come to expect nothing but the most poetic at Van Cleef & Arpels, and the French jeweller certainly didn’t disappoint this year. The Automate Fée Ondine is what happens when watchmaking meets joaillerie meets automatons, injected with that magical sense of wonder that Van Cleef & Arpels delightfully exudes. The objet d’art was several years in the making, and the result of a collaboration between more than 20 artisans. The scene comes to life with the gentle rippling of the water lily, awaking the bejewelled fairy who straightens her body and flaps her enamelled wings. A flower nearby unfurls its petals, and reveals a beautiful butterfly fluttering its wings. A series of expertise was harnessed in the creation of this masterpiece, including several métiers d’art such as enamelling and lapidary

Jaeger-LeCoultre reiterates its pledge to its female collectors with an updated line-up of its Rendez-Vous collection. This female-centric collection made its first appearance in 2012, and has since become an important pillar at the Swiss maison, thanks to its elegant case construction and technical prowess. It has been a canvas for a plethora of complications, but we have a soft spot for the astronomic functions it houses, including the ultra-precise (and romantic) moon phases. This year, we are especially enamoured by the white gold Sonatina Large with an amethyst guilloched dial and purple alligator strap. The star on the dial can set at any time you want, and it will let out a chime to remind you of your special rendez-vous.

Dare to be rare is Roger Dubuis’ tagline, and this year, this ethos is exemplified by its focus on "progressive complications and disruptive materials". We already got a sneak peek with its pre-SIHH timepiece, the Excalibur Quatuor Cobalt Micro-Melt, which features a high-performance alloy called cobalt chrome, but what has particularly intrigued us is its partnership with tyre-maker Pirelli. Yes, we’re talking about that same Italian manufacturer that is the exclusive tyre supplier for all the Formula 1 teams. Each year, Pirelli develops over 2,000 recipes for new types of rubber, a demonstration of its innovative, creative and disruptive spirit, not unlike that of Roger Dubuis. The watchmaker is working with Pirelli by appropriating the rubber of the tyres from the winning cars on the Monaco circuit, and strapping it on the Excalibur Spider Pirelli and Excalibur Spider Pirelli Double Flying Tourbillon. Of course, it’s not that simple, as the original tyre would probably burn your skin—the winning tyre is dissolved into a powder form, is combined with Roger Dubuis’ own rubber composite, and crafted into rubber straps. Now that’s a watch for winners.