Timepieces- Five most romantic watches

So, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. I haven't got much going on in terms of dating so I've already made dinner plans with a friend. I never realised how much Valentine's Day gets in your face until this year, when, for once, I'm actually single. I'm not big on celebrating this commercialised holiday but somehow it just seems more exciting and important now that I don't get to celebrate it.

While being single gets me down on V Day, it's not going to stop me from ooohing and aaaahing at brilliant watches. So here are my top five picks of the most romantic timepieces. Enjoy!

#5 Chanel- Premiere

Chanel Premiere Ceramic

The oldest icon from Chanel Horlogerie, the Premiere is loved for its dainty design and an imaginative array of straps and gems sets. Its tiny case fits right in with the downsizing of women's watches recently seen from various watchmakers. From a metal links to satin straps, the timepiece is a timeless tribute to Coco Chanel's passion for simplicity. Combining one classic with another- the Chanel 5º bottle top and the straps of the Classic Chain bag, the chain bracelet rendition of the timepiece is the most recognisable one

My favourite rendition of the model features black ceramic and white gold links with a matching dial and a modest pavé of diamonds along the bezel and bracelet. This simple sample of watchmaking is exactly what love should be; timeless and always in style.

#4 Harry Winston- Talk to Me, Harry Winston

Talk to Me, Harry Winston

A guy who tells you he actually wants to have a deep, meaningful conversation with you? How is that not romantic? Talk to Me, Harry Winston is inspired by the great jeweller's habit of playing with loose diamonds in his pocket. Hence, concealed in side of the case is a little wheel that you can turn and play with. The oval case sports diamonds in sundial setting. It's spectacular shine goes perfect with a black satin strap.

I tried this watch on last year at Basel, and really, it's a lot of fun fidgeting with that wheel; you can easily get lost staring at the radiating gems! Harry Winston, you can talk to me anytime, seriously. (OK he's not around anymore but whoever brings me this watch can talk to me too, I guess.)

#3 Ulysse Nardin- Circus Minute Repeater

Circus Minute Repeater

Any woman who claims to not to want to be treated like a little girl by the man she loves is lying. I think love is truly real when you can reveal your most childish self. I've always dreamt of the being with a man who treats me like his little princess, (a little princess with very expensive taste. Yes, I know.) There's really no better way to embrace your inner child than with a fun complication like the minute repeater. Not just any minute repeater, but one inspired by the circus!

At first glance, Ulysse Nardin's Circus Minute Repeater isn't very feminine. But as soon as you lay your eyes on its playful mechanism, nothing else matters. The movements of the circus acts, a tiger with his trainer, a bear with a ballerina and a monkey with a clown, coincides with the chiming of the hours, quarters and minutes. The shimmering blue aventurine dial gives it an extra facet of mystique.

#2 Breguet- Reine de Naples 8908

Reine de Naples 8908

It's the first wristwatch ever created for a queen; if it's good enough for a queen, it's probably good enough for me. Breguet's Reine de Napel is my all-time favourite watch. If I could only wear one watch for the rest of my life, it would be this one. It's the first watch I fell in love with when I started learning about timepieces. For that reason, it'll always have a special place in my heart as being my window into the world of watches.

It was first commissioned by Napoleon for his sister Caroline, the Queen of Naples. While one sibling's gift to another might not seem very romantic to many; let me remind you that V Day is about all sorts of love, not just that between lovers.

The moonphase makes this watch especially lovable. My man might not be able to give me the entire universe, but I guess the moon will do just fine. It doesn't have to be drenched in diamonds to be precious. This watch is not tacky. It's tasteful, it's elegant, but it's anything but simple. It is sophistication masked by a veil of simplicity; it's exactly what every woman should strive to be.

#1 Van Cleef and Arpels- Pont des Amoureux

Pont des Amoureux

This must be a very special watch to have made my most coveted Breguet sit at second place. I don't think a watch can display the theme of romance more overtly than the Pont des Amoureux.

The retrograde movement, displaying the hour and the minutes at the top of the dial, also powers a pair of lovers crossing the bridge over the Thiou River in Annecy, France. When the clock strikes 12, the couple closes in at the centre of the bridge for a quick kiss before the jumping hour kicks in, bringing the two back to opposite ends of the river.

It's pretty, it's got lots of diamonds, it's VCA and it's just so much fun to look at.

Happy Valentine's Day. I refuse to drown myself in sorrow on this love-soaked day. So instead, I'm going to submerge myself in some diamonds and dials.

Timepieces- Harry Winston Cluster of Time

If you think the wristwatch is obsolete for telling time, then I assure you the handy ticker has nothing on the pocket watch. But since watchmakers seem to have exhausted the oversized trend that blossomed over the past few years, I suspect they're hoping pocket watches will become the new collector cult favourite.

Glashütte Original No. 1

This year saw several interesting pocket watches. Most elegant I think was the Glashütte Original No. 1, handsomely sized gold piece with a clean and simple Roman numeral enamel dial, a material the watchmaker is very gifted at working with.

Hublot Liberty Bullet

The more bizarre pieces that showed up this year are the Chopard L.U.C Louis-Ulysses The Tribute and the Hublot Liberty Bullet watch. The Chopard piece features a mechanism that allows the case of the watch to be worn on a leather strap or a bracelet and also to be fitted as a pocket watch. The Hublot piece is even more outrageous. The bulky piece, shaped like bullet (!!!) can also be worn both as a wristwatch and a pocket watch.

Chopard L.U.C. Louis-Ulyesse The Tribute

Seems there's not much in the ladies department in terms of pocket watch. Well, maybe with the exception of Breguet's various ladies' pieces. Most recently generating a bit of a buzz (really, just a bit?) is the recreation of the Marie Antoinette No. 1160. One of the many pieces commissioned by the Queen, she sadly never witness the splendid glory of the piece in her lifetime.

Breguet Marie Antoinette No. 1160

While I love the exquisite craftsmanship that goes into producing these pieces, I'm also a strong believer in the idea that a good watch should be practical. Dare I say that all of the pieces I mentioned are just an extravagant showcase of the watchmakers talents. This excessive showmanship has little user value in my eyes. Albeit, they're undoubtedly coveted treasures for serious collectors.

I truly think there are only two reasons why anyone would want a pocket watch- 1. a genuine appreciation for the traditional artisanship that goes into crafting a beautiful, intricate timepiece and 2. to put on a show.

Harry Winston Cluster of Time

Well, I think Harry Winston just gave women everywhere a third reason to covet a pocket watch- The Cluster of Time.

This is a bit of a cross between pocket and pendant watch. I think there's nothing chicer than being discreet. Hence, if I were ever lucky enough to own something like this, I would definitely wear it as a pocket watch.

Several cuts of diamonds are used to build this piece. Each of the diamonds on the back are set at an angle to create volume and depth. The face side of the piece is equally sparkling, with a full pave of stones. It hangs on a long diamond chain that can easily loop twice around the neck.

The watch is designed to be read lifted upwards, hence the hands seem to be moving in the 'wrong' direction when hanging from the chain

It's probably the most likeable women's timepiece of the year. It's a beautiful pendant and it's a watch, which makes it perfect even for ladies who don't care so much about watches. The way the diamonds are set on an angle allows them to catch the light any way you position the piece.

Harry Winston is great because it's one of the very, very few jewellery houses that's really got a good hand on watchmaking. It's not making watches just to move sales. The passion the house puts into fine complication watchmaking, as seen in the Opus series which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is unquestionable. So, although the Cluster of Time is awe-inspiring, it's no surprise our man Harry is capable of creating a jewellery timepiece of this calibre.