Mechanical watch movements inform new jewellery from Carolina Bucci and Audemars Piguet
The K.I.S.S. jewellery collection is inspired by the intricate coils of an Audemars Piguet watch movement
![K.I.S.S. jewellery collection](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6DZzVVYeDEAsthqDFWXJJ9-415-80.jpg)
Carolina Bucci and Audemars Piguet have joined forces once more, this time for the launch of jewellery collection K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple). The selection of bracelets and a matching necklace are directly inspired by the coils of a mechanical watch’s balance spring, their undulating whorls becoming textured corkscrews of gold.
The inspiration at the heart of the pieces had a sentimental edge for Carolina Bucci. ‘I kept in mind this image of a watchmaker working in his spare time on a special piece for a loved one,’ she says. ‘I didn’t want too much superfluous detail and nothing obvious in terms of reference. But when you put these bracelets on I want the wearer to feel the built-in sense of movement – just like a balance spring in a watch. It carries an internal energy.’
It is not the first collaboration for Bucci and Audemars Piguet, who in the past have blurred the lines between horology and high jewellery with the Royal Oak Frosted Gold. Inspired by an ancient Florentine gold hammering technique, it brilliantly rethought gold’s potential. Now, the collaboration has again sparked striking design elements, with the largest piece in the collection a riff on colour. Here, it becomes a clashing coil sitting within the spirals, a specific reference to the double balance wheel escapement Audemars Piguet introduced in 2016.
When the intricate coils of a movement are translated to the neck or the wrist, they encapsulate the beauty of a watch movement, regardless of its technical functionality. The movement’s capacity for beauty was an unexpected delight for Bucci: ‘You have to surprise yourself, otherwise you are not trying hard enough in terms of design. It can never feel too comfortable. When it does, it is normally just good taste and not real design.’
INFORMATION
The pieces will be available from the Audemars Piguet London House from 13 November (despite the House being currently closed, clients can still order over the phone) and the collection will be available online from the same date
audemarspiguet.com
carolinabucci.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealed
Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hit
What started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
By Elisa Anniss Published
-
Dark watches show it’s time to embrace an inky palette
Discover new dark watches from brands including Audemars Piguet, Omega, Chanel and Tudor
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to know
These independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal pieces
A host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a moment
We've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Eternity rings for the modern couple
Eternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Alternative engagement rings with an edge
As the sales of engagement rings sky-rocket during lockdown, enjoy our off-kilter curation of edgy and unconventional engagement rings
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Hair jewellery to covet and collect
Today’s hair jewellery is both practical and pretty. We're pinning our hopes on these simple and elegant accessories
By Hannah Silver Last updated