It was a mild and rainy day in June 1953, when a young Queen Elizabeth took to the throne and started, what would be, the longest reign in monarch history. The pictures will be forever etched in the minds of the British public: there she sat, a crown positioned upon her head, a Sovereign’s Ring placed on her finger, and a Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 watch proudly worn on her wrist.
Queen Elizabeth II has a fascination for watches; one that has grown and flourished with her extraordinary reign. Whilst the exact numbers and pieces of this collection are unknown – a publication dated back in 1987 estimated that Her Majesty the Queen had 14 watches in her possession – photographs of the Queen performing duties over the years confirm, at the very least, some of her clear favourites.
And so, as the Commonwealth comes together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 05th June 2022, we’re diving into the watch collection of the most famed woman on earth. As far as collections go, it doesn’t get much more illustrious than this.
Queen Elizabeth II has a fascination for watches; one that has grown and flourished with her extraordinary reign. Whilst the exact numbers and pieces of this collection are unknown – a publication dated back in 1987 estimated that Her Majesty the Queen had 14 watches in her possession – photographs of the Queen performing duties over the years confirm, at the very least, some of her clear favourites.
And so, as the Commonwealth comes together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from Thursday 2nd to Saturday 05th June 2022, we’re diving into the watch collection of the most famed woman on earth. As far as collections go, it doesn’t get much more illustrious than this.
PATEK PHILIPPE – A MEDLY OF ROYALTY
Royalty meets royalty; it’s only fitting that the Queen is an admirer and wearer of Patek Philippe, the most prestigious luxury watch brand in the world.
Her Majesty the Queen has donned a few Patek Philippe timepieces on her wrist in recent years, but the stand-out must be the Patek Philippe ref. 4975/1G.
The ref. 4975/1G with a distinctive pearl bracelet, encrusted with brilliant-cut diamonds and baguette-cut diamond hour markers is a favourite of the Queen’s collection. And yet, despite a clear adoration for the piece, the Queen humbleness is noted when she loaned it to the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery in 2015.
AUDEMARS PIGUET – A DAILY FEATURE
The Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars has been spotted in recent years on the wrist of the Queen – most notably in an address to the country at the height of the pandemic in 2020 – and is an understated, yet elegant, feature in the Queen’s collection.
Donned either under the sleeve or above her famous white glove, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars is practical in nature. Indeed, it’s reported the Queen wears this timepiece almost daily.
OMEGA – A ROYAL DEBUT
Powerful in presence and strong in design, the 20mm Omega Ladymatic in yellow gold represents everything Her Majesty the Queen embodies in her reign. Indeed, the timepiece was the first automatic ladies’ wristwatch, and so it is only fitting that the most admired woman on earth would choose to add the piece to her collection.
Omega is a prominent Royal Family favourite, and Prince William was gifted a Seamaster Professional 300M by his late mother.
VACHERON ET CONSTANTIN – A GIFT BEFIT FOR A FUTURE QUEEN
Gifts at weddings are common practice, but we’re not sure a Vacheron et Constantin would necessarily find itself on any standard register. For the union of the two Royals on their special day, however, no expense would be spared. The Swiss Federal Republic presented the then Princess Elizabeth with a Vacheron et Constantin model 4481 cocktail watch on her wedding day. It’s a timepiece made entirely of gold and diamonds and was designed especially for the future queen.
JAEGER LECOULTRE – A WATCH FIT FOR A CORONATION
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 is a revolution of fine watchmaking. Launched in 1929, the timepiece still boasts the world’s smallest mechanical calibre and blurs the lines between high jewellery and timepieces, combining the intricacies of both to create the most delicate wristwatch.
It’s little wonder the piece would appeal to Queen Elizabeth and, when she took to the throne in 1953, she chose the diamond-encrusted cocktail-style watch to accompany her on one of the most momentous days in the 20th century. The tale goes that she had chosen to wear the rare Jaeger Le-Coultre Calibre 101 watch so she could discreetly check the time during the ceremony.
The Calibre 101 timepiece has made frequent reappearances in the years following the coronation, and, in 2012, Jaeger LeCoultre presented Her Majesty the Queen with an updated version of the iconic 101 to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.
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