The Chicest Watch And Jewellery Books To Adorn Your Coffee Table
From glittering tiaras to exquisite gouache paintings, discover our edit of the most opulent jewellery and watch books to leaf through in your leisure time…
If you’re a natural-born magpie and looking to refresh your living space with some scintillating reads, there is a flurry of new titles and best-selling books that will bring both style and substance to your coffee table.
Here, Bazaar Arabia rounds up some of the most sparkling jewellery and watch books to add to your wish list.
The Chicest Watch And Jewellery Books To Adorn Your Coffee Table
If Jewels Could Talk
Former jewellery editor, author, and historian Carol Woolton is set to release her latest tome dedicated to all things that glitter on September 26. Diving into the cultural significance of jewellery, Carol identifies the seven pieces of jewellery that we are all universally connected to, through a flurry of fascinating stories—from Viking silver torques and Roman cameo carvings, to Etruscan gold, sixteenth-century posy rings and wedding pigs in China. “Whatever time of the earth’s history you were born onto this planet, whatever culture or civilisation you were born into, we all essentially wear the same things,” says Carol, commenting on the book’s inspiration. “While we remain social creatures, jewellery will always provide something for us to hold onto. This book is an acknowledgement of that need.”
If Jewels Could Talk, Simon and Schuster
Cartier And Islamic Art
While the word Cartier instantly transports our minds to Paris, the maison has a rich legacy of exquisite jewels inspired by the Islamic world. Tracing designs from the early 20th century until today, Cartier and Islamic Art showcases the geometric patterns and opulent colour palettes that have long infused the French maison’s creations, presenting masterpieces from Louis Cartier’s personal collection alongside archival illustrations and photographs. Expect period shots of exquisite Cartier jewels, accompanied by the essays of esteemed scholars of Islamic arts and architecture.
Cartier And Islamic Arts, Thames & Hudson
The Wonderful World of Women’s Watches
If you’re a fine timepiece enthusiast, The Wonderful World Of Women’s Watches is a must-own title. Focusing on iconic models and brands, the book covers the milestones in the history of luxury watches—the Cartier Baignoire, Rolex Lady-Datejust and Bulgari Serpenti, to name just a few. Delving into pop culture over the decades, the book explores the timepiece choices of celebrities, royals and film stars, highlighting the favourite watches of tastemakers such as Jackie Kennedy, Serena Williams and Michelle Yeoh. The book helpfully includes a style guide, too—expect watch styling tips for every occasion and outfit.
The Wonderful World of Women’s Watches, teNeues
CHANEL High Jewellery
An extravaganza of sublime photography and artworks, Chanel High Jewelry explores four principal chapters that underpin CHANEL’s extraordinary high jewellery creations: the origins, the symbols, the spirit, and the allure. The CHANEL archives don’t fail to deliver—from the founder’s original 1932 collection, to shots by Karl Lagerfeld, Mario Testino and Patrick Demarchelier, each page speaks to Gabrielle Chanel’s remarkable legacy.
CHANEL High Jewellery, teNeues
Chaumet Drawing From Nature
The natural world offers endless inspiration for fine jewellers, but few maisons are as inextricably linked with organic forms as Chaumet. Divided into distinct themes—flowers, trees and plants, bestiary, and universe—Chaumet Drawing From Nature follows the maison from its founding in 1780 to the modern day, played out in a series of exquisite drawings from the Chaumet archives. Curated by Gaëlle Rio, the book looks at the maison’s myriad creations with an art history lens, exploring how each generation of Chaumet jewellers has interpreted the natural world.
Chaumet Drawing From Nature, Thames & Hudson
The Watch A Twentieth-Century Style History
The Watch, A Twentieth-Century Style History is a 101 introduction to the world of watches, divided into chapters that explore the triumphs and challenges of the watchmaking industry, while decoding the stylistic signatures of each period.
Author Alexander Barter is an authority on fine watches, and his forensic eye examines each watch genre with curiosity and panache. Expect stellar photography that showcases both the elegance and engineering of luxury timepieces.
The Watch, A Twentieth-Century Style History, Prestel
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