High jewellers and watchmakers devise secret watches that hide the time behind bejewelled animals and flowers

There may be nothing more delicious than a secret, especially when it’s encrusted in gems.

Back when women were thought to have no need to tell the time, watchmakers and jewellers would conceal a watch in a bracelet, ring or a pendant necklace merely as a design whim. Secret watches were in vogue during the 1930s and 1940s, and they have made a comeback in the past few years.

Piaget has a tradition of secret watches, and its Piaget Rose, available in white or pink gold, features a snow-set diamond rose on its 35mm case, set with a large diamond at its centre. The central petals form the lid, which flips up to show a simple dial.

Even more breathtaking is Piaget’s Limelight Secret Watch, which is a confection of diamonds inspired by nature. The white-gold case and band overflow with marquise, pear-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds. The hinged lid, in the form of two diamond leaves, reveals either a mother-of-pearl dial or a diamond-set dial.

Also in the Limelight collection is a contemporary secret watch with ribbons of diamonds coiling around a brown satin strap. Moving aside the central portion of the diamond ribbons reveals a mother-of-pearl and diamond marquetry dial. The Limelight Ribbon Motif Secret Watch is in 18ct rose gold set with 301 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Breguet created a stir with its Secret de la Reine watch in 18ct white or rose gold set with 432 brilliant-cut diamonds, a hand-carved cameo and a diamond-set dial. The cameo is a white rose; pressing on it moves the piece aside to reveal the dial with its striking blue hands. The cameo is surrounded by petal-like scallops, and the whole design is carried by a soft “cloth” of gold.