Three of a kind: purple reign

From lilac to lavender, violet, heather and mulberry, myriad shades of purple are having a moment in the watchmaking world. By turns imperiously regal, mouthwateringly fruity and playfully soft, the colour lends guaranteed impact to a timepiece, whether in the form of a jazzy strap, a showstopping dial or a sparkling bezel. Here is our round-up of the most striking examples on sale now.

Longines Dolcevita

This year sees a fresh new look for Longines’ deco-styled, rectangular Dolcevita. The gently curved, stainless-steel case measures 37mm by 23.3mm and houses a simple white dial with hour markers and a small-seconds at 6 o’clock. As is now par for the course in the watch industry, Longines has developed a quick-change strap system, enabling wearers to make their wristwear more snazzy with a selection of bright leather bands or stainless-steel bracelets. £1,100; longines.com

Harry Winston Emerald

A dial created in the shape of Mr Harry Winston’s favourite cut of gemstone, the diminutive Emerald is taken in a fresh direction this year with a whole new array of colours, including regal purple highlighted through the double tour satin strap and painted mother-of-pearl face. The dial is completed by a scattering of bubbles made of nacre cabochons and an asymmetric sprinkling of diamonds that match the gem-set bezel and lugs. £11,800; harrywinston.com

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph

Audemars Piguet has always championed women’s watches, from the avant garde, haute joaillerie Diamond Punk of 2015, to the sell-out frosted-gold Royal Oak first made in partnership with jeweller Carolina Bucci in 2018. One of its newer pieces takes purple as its base colour, with a grape-hued dial housed in a 38mm pink-gold case that, in a first for the house, is framed by a bezel set with 32 baguettecut amethysts. £74,700; audemarspiguet.com