VACHERON CONSTANTIN EGERIE

It is downright stunning that, until this year, Vacheron Constantin – the world’s oldest watch brand in continuous existence – did not have a range of watches designed specifically for women. Until now, there were only smaller and more gem-encrusted versions of its men’s watches.

That has all changed with the launch of the Egérie (named after an ancient Roman nymph), a family of 35mm and 37mm watches that are immediately identifiable by the off-set circular opening at 2 o’clock and the unusual placement of the crown to match.

That circular window is used to display the date on the entry-level model (£16,300), but I think is at its best when housing the moonphase complication seen here, with a stylised night sky depicted in mother-of-pearl and rose gold, ringed by diamonds.

It’s the right balance of whimsical design and fine execution – which you could also say of the handguilloché patterns on the rest of the dial, intended to evoke fine lacework.

£30,000 ($38,000); vacheron-constantin.com