ALL THAT GLITTERS

BY MARCY MEDINA

There’s no better occasion than the holidays to give — and receive glamorous gifts, and these fine jewelers and watchmakers bring sparkle aplenty with high jewelry suites, fine jewelry baubles and limited-edition timepieces to surprise and delight. 

CARTIER

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SOUTH COAST PLAZA

THE HIGH JEWELRY EDIT

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Audemars Piguet

LEVEL 2, Nordstrom Wing, 949.265.7832

In celebration of Audemars Piguet’s 150th anniversary, the Swiss watchmaker unveiled three new timepieces, including the Royal Oak Self-Winding Perpetual Calendar 38 mm. Exuding a warm, refined aesthetic, it features an 18-carat pink gold case and matching bracelet complemented by a beige Grande Tapisserie dial. Snailed counters, also in beige, along with luminescent hour markers paired with 18-carat pink gold hands, complete the chromatic harmony of the dial, which is accentuated by a blue moon phase display at 6 o’clock. The polished and satin-finished chamfers on the case and bracelet–hallmarks of AP’s expertise–bring the metal to life with every movement of the wrist. The 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and barrel bridge, visible between 12 and 3 o’clock, stand out from the movement’s other rhodium-plated components. A sapphire caseback to reveals the intricate calibres.

The anniversary timepieces will be available in limited editions of 150, featuring subtle design details created especially for the occasion. Among these, a vintage “Audemars Piguet” signature inspired by archival documents has been added to the moon-phase indication at 6 o’clock. A reminder that there’s no time like the present for presents.  

ROYAL OAK SELF-WINDING PERPETUAL CALENDAR / 38 MM. FUNCTIONS: Perpetual calendar with week, day, date, 24-hour, moon phase, month, leap year, hours and minutes. CASE: 18-carat pink gold, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback, water resistant to 50m. Case thickness: 9.4 mm DIAL: Beige “Grande Tapisserie” dial, beige counters. 18-carat pink gold Royal Oak hands and hour markers with luminescent material and 18-carat pink gold-toned inner bezel. STRAP: 18-carat pink gold bracelet with three-blade folding clasp. 

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At Audemars Piguet, we believe the passion for watchmaking should be shared with as many people as possible. While complicated timepieces are often seen as more masculine, they fascinate all watch lovers, regardless of age or gender. With the launch of this ergonomic perpetual calendar in a 38 mm size, we invite everyone to dream, and to celebrate 150 years of craftsmanship, innovation and love for beautiful watches.

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ILLARIA RESTA, CEO, AUDEMARS PIGUET

Buccellati

LEVEL 2, Nordstrom Wing, 714.481.1130

House founder Mario Buccellati arrived in Milan at the start of the 20th century, apprenticing with goldsmiths Beltrami and Besnati. At the end of the first World War, he took over their business at Via Santa Margherita 5 and opened his first shop. One of his greatest technical challenges was transferring lace weaving onto the gold plate, and his work using lace, tulle and honeycombing to create delicately textured precious metal pieces made him famous worldwide and, along with its silversmithing masterworks, became a signature of the house. Today the jewelry house is led by Mario’s grandson Andrea Buccellati, Honorary President and Creative Designer, who created the iconic Hawaii and Étoilée collections. For Holiday 2025, he designed a special one-of-a-kind bracelet that honors the house’s signature tulle technique and intricate artistry, highlighted by brilliant diamonds.

Mosaico Bracelet in yellow and white gold set with 288 brilliant-cut diamonds (ct. 5.92) with tulle openwork and floral elements in white gold and a yellow gold honeycomb workmanship. 

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This bracelet stands out for its rare beauty. Its elegance is perfectly balanced by the delicate floral motif and tulle workmanship, a signature of the Maison’s style from the very beginning.

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ANDREA BUCCELLATI, HONORARY PRESIDENT AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, BUCCELLATI

Bvlgari

LEVEL 1, Jewel Court, 714.751.7833

Playing on its iconic Serpenti collection, the Bvlgari High Jewelry Serpenti Seduttori Watch is the most glamourous way to keep time during the busy holiday season. Crafted from 18-karat white gold and diamonds, the case echoes a serpent’s head and the bracelet its scales.

Serpenti Seduttori Automatic Watch, 34, mm. Case: 18K white gold 750; Dial: diamond complete setting; Bracelet: 18K white gold.

Cartier

LEVEL 2, Jewel Court, 714.540.8231

This Holiday, Cartier’s high jewelry collection celebrates the wild world of Cartier Fauna. Known for its fantastical and ultra-glamorous take on wildlife, from elephants to birds to butterflies–and of course its iconic Panthère–the house this year crafted several more jungle creatures from precious stones and metals, including an articulated crocodile in the form of a diamond-encrusted choker necklace. Representing complete artistic liberation, the newest high jewelry collection offers a brilliant menagerie of creatures that you most certainly wouldn’t mind brushing up against your neck.

Faune et Flore de Cartier necklace. White gold, set with two emeralds and 945 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 21.05 carats. 

Chanel

LEVEL 1, Nordstrom Wing, 714.754.7295

Few luxury brands are as effortless as Chanel, including its newest watch, the Première Galon. The diamond version features an 18K yellow gold case set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.24 carat) and an 18K yellow gold crown set with one brilliant-cut diamond (0.04 carat). The strap is also 18K yellow gold set with another 65 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.65 carat). The black-lacquered dial counts hours and minutes and is water-resistant to 30 meters. Equally appropriate with a black tweed jacket and jeans or an evening gown, this ladylike timepiece-meets-bracelet can accompany you anywhere–and help you get there on time, to boot. Coco would definitely approve. 

Première Galon watch: Yellow gold and diamonds, black-lacquered dial, yellow gold bangle set with diamonds.

Chopard

LEVEL 2, Jewel Court, 714.432.0963

As the 78th Cannes International Film Festival rolled out its iconic red carpet in May, Chopard continued its enduring love story with the silver screen. A loyal partner of the festival since 1998, the Maison adorned leading talents from the world of cinema throughout the 12-day celebration. Among them were president of the festival jury, Juliette Binoche, and jury members Halle Berry, Isabelle Huppert, Aishwarya Rai and Eva Longoria, to name a few. The partnership took root when Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, reimagined the Palme d’or trophy in 1997. Featuring a heart-shaped stem and 19 leaves of ethical yellow gold set on an emerald-cut rock crystal base, the Palme d’or is crafted in the same ateliers as the Maison’s iconic Red Carpet Collection, an annual suite of Haute Joaillerie creations, with as many pieces unveiled for every year of the Festival’s existence. This necklace from the Red Carpet Collection features emeralds, sapphires and diamonds and a versatile twist: the top and bottom portions separate and can be worn individually as well as stacked. 

Red Carpet Collection necklace in 18k white gold and titanium with a 15.92-carat emerald cut sapphire, 10.06-carat emerald-cut emerald, 52.42-carats of oval-shaped sapphires, 39.74 oval-shaped emeralds, and 8.36-carats of diamonds.

David Yurman

LEVEL 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts, 714.662.6907

These dramatic Spinel Drop Earrings take form from David Yurman’s iconic Renaissance® Cable bracelet. Originally introduced in 1982, the Renaissance® Cable bracelet was an innovative expression of casual glamour–bridging fine jewelry and fashion through art. This iconic design revolutionized the American jewelry industry and is an instantly recognizable, enduring classic. These earrings draw inspiration from the vibrant gemstone endcaps of the original Renaissance® Cable bracelet, and what was once a subtle accent has become a striking statement. Crafted with a 27.60 carats of pink and purple spinels, each stone is selected for its unique hue and inner radiance, creating a cascade of color that beautifully catches the light. For added brilliance, 6.60 carats of round-cut diamonds are meticulously set, amplifying the rich hues of the spinels. “I saw how my father used gemstones as an artist would use paint, almost like telling a story. Eventually, my passion turned into an obsession for the ultra-rare, unique, and most sought-after examples of these natural marvels,” says Evan Yurman. “I look for gemstones which exude a captivating color, an impactful scale, and a cut that amplifies the beauty of each one.”

Renaissance® Spinel Drop Earrings, made with 27.60 carats of pink and purple spinels and 6.60 carats of round-cut diamonds.

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We are fascinated with forms from the ancient world, continuing in the classic tradition. In this way, the modern and ancient worlds intersect.

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DAVID YURMAN

Graff

LEVEL 2, Jewel Court, 714.398.8178

Known for its exceptional–and large–stones, Graff’s latest high jewelry collection features several stunning suites, among them this necklace, earrings and bracelet set with over 74 carats of yellow and white diamonds, a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Varying shapes and sculpted compositions of stones are set in perfect contrast, evolving from angular lines to soft, flowing curves. Each piece guides the eye along a precious path of light, with the spaces between these diamond arrangements a distinctive feature of the design’s visual expression. Set within a minimal yellow and white gold framework, each creation is adorned with fancy intense yellow oval diamonds that shine with a captivating intensity.

High Jewelry Fancy Intense Yellow Oval, White Oval And Round Diamond Necklace (43.54 cts), Earrings (7.03 cts) and Bracelet (24.07 cts). 

Harry Winston

LEVEL 2, Saks Fifth Avenue Wing, 714.371.1910

Marilyn Monroe famously cooed, “Talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it,” in the song Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. And who better to talk diamonds than Harry Winston? Mr. Harry Winston was known by a variety of titles, including “King of Diamonds,” “the Genius of Gemstones,” and “Jeweler to the Stars.” The “Talk to Me, Harry Winston” collection tells fine jewelry collectors who Harry Winston is through a beautifully curated collection of one-of-a-kind jewels emphasizing the defining attributes of the House.

The Emerald and Diamond Fan Suite, comprising a necklace, earrings, and ring, features an array of diamond shapes that fan out and frame cushion-cut emeralds, expertly selected for their color, brilliance and size. The necklace, made up of fan-like sections, is incredibly fluid, with custom-cut, bar-set baguettes, which give a clean and modern appearance to a classic design. To ensure movement, each diamond was perfectly placed to achieve a fan-like appearance and to highlight the rich color of the emeralds. Stones were intentionally set on various levels to add volume and intrigue. The complementing earrings emphasize the fan-shaped motif, while the statement ring emphasizes the modernity of the design.

Emerald and Diamond Fan Suite: Necklace, earrings and ring made with cushion-cut Columbian emeralds and varying cuts of diamonds. 

Piaget

LEVEL 2, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts, 714.361.2020

Piaget began to sculpt shape-shifting watches and jewelry amid the Sixties, inspired by the era’s upending of cultural norms. Even then, the Maison’s playfulness could not be contained to just watches and jewelry. From belts and cufflinks to cigar cutters, Piaget demonstrated that its creations need not be confined to traditional forms. This creativity has now been set in endless motion with Piaget’s latest creation: a High Jewellery Mobile with kinetic forms.

In 2024, Piaget celebrated its 150th anniversary with the “Essence of Extraleganza” high jewelry collection, delving into its historical exploration of shape, craft, color, and ornamental stones. The mobile, crafted in partnership with French sculptor Alex Palenski, embodies this year’s theme “Shapes of Extraleganza” and strikes a delicate balance of playfulness, craft, and innovation. At the heart of the mobile sits a gold clock with a black opal dial echoing Yves Piaget’s philosophy that “The world according to Piaget is like an opal made of different tastes and sensibilities.” It’s a delicate balance between technique and artistry, a harmony Piaget has long achieved with its mastery of watchmaking and jewelry. 

High Jewelry Mobile featuring a gold clock with black opal dial and gold hands driven by a quartz movement, set inside a large gold case featuring Piaget’s signature Decor Palace engraving. The clock is balanced with ornamental stones crafted in organic shapes, and the pedestal is made of free-form slices of pietersite, verdite, and sodalite.

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Piaget’s designers and craftspeople are genuine artists, and their creations are not mere objects of desire, but true works of art.

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YVES PIAGET

Tiffany & Co.

LEVEL 1, Between Jewel and Carousel Courts, 714.540.5330

The Bird on a Rock by Tiffany collection reimagines Jean Schlumberger’s iconic Bird on a Rock motif through the visionary lens of Nathalie Verdeille, Chief Artistic Officer of Jewelry and High Jewelry. The collection includes two exceptional high jewelry suites. One is centered around tanzanites—an iconic Tiffany & Co. “legacy gemstone” that the House introduced in 1968—while the other, pictured here, celebrates turquoise, a gemstone deeply embedded in Tiffany & Co.’s design heritage. The use of turquoise is also a nod to Jean Schlumberger, who featured the gemstone in high jewelry, juxtaposing it in surprising ways, such as with diamonds. The turquoise suite is anchored by a statement necklace featuring a diamond bird that appears to grasp strands of cabochon turquoise, accented with gold and diamond feathers throughout. The piece culminates in a dramatic cabochon turquoise drop. The suite also includes a pendant, brooch and ring, each echoing the iconic bird in unexpected ways.

Bird on a Rock by Tiffany Brooch in Platinum and Gold with Turquoise & Diamonds and  Bird on a Rock by Tiffany Pendant in Gold with Turquoise, Diamonds and Rubies.

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For the high jewelry Bird on a Rock designs, we studied birds as Jean Schlumberger did—carefully observing their stances, their feathers, the structures of their wings—to create dynamic forms that seem to flutter and perch upon the wearer.

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NATHALIE VERDEILLE, CHIEF ARTISTIC OFFICER, TIFFANY & CO.

Van Cleef & Arpels

LEVEL 1, Nordstrom Wing, 714.545.9500

The colorful Trésor rings are inspired by the designs of richly-decorated ancient boxes that safeguarded wonderful jewels. Characterized by stones or enamel inlay work, these precious boxes traditionally featured rosettes, floral motifs or graphic elements. This palette of motifs was transposed onto the Trésor creations, with a textured surface giving them an ancient charm.

From the mid-1930s to the 1970s, yellow gold was the metal of choice and was worked in every possible way. Van Cleef & Arpels distinguished itself with a variety of techniques to work yellow gold, notably hammered gold. In the 1960s, a textured finish was used by the Maison as seen on the “Bull” clip and “Eucalyptus” necklace. The 1970s’ creations perpetuated this tradition with a hammered aspect sometimes evoking the craters of the moon’s surface. Van Cleef’s contemporary high jewelry collections continue to showcase this craftsmanship, offering luxury at your fingertips.

“Trésor lointain” ring featuring ruby, pink sapphires and diamonds set in 18K yellow gold and white gold. “Trésor retrouvé” ring featuring emerald, sapphires and diamonds set in 18K yellow gold and white gold.

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