Luxury watches have long been more than just tools for telling time—they’re symbols of status, reflections of personal identity, and, more than ever, a platform for narrative. Including city skylines and landmarks into timepieces is one notable example of how contemporary haute horlogerie uses storytelling as a design technique. Far from a passing design fad, integrating iconic cityscapes into watch dials showcases the craftsmanship of these expert watchmakers—skills passed down through generations, perfected by hand, and impossible for machines to replicate. Watchmakers capitalise on the emotive appeal of these designs, adding a layer of exclusivity by immortalising urban landmarks. But why are high-end brands using these architectural icons? We take a closer look at how these unique pieces tell stories of history, art, and time—all on your wrist.
CELEBRATION OF A CITY
As a tribute to iconic locations, city skylines often serve as symbolic representations of a place’s culture, history, and identity. Watch brands may incorporate these skylines into their timepieces to honour a city as a landmark of significance. Special editions frequently emerge to mark key milestones, whether it’s the centenary of a landmark, a city’s pivotal role in world history, or the celebration of a cultural event. The city on your wrist becomes as much about tradition as it is about luxury.
A perfect example is Patek Philippe’s approach to their Grand Exhibitions, where they release exclusive models for the local market. For instance, during their 2019 Grand Exhibition in Singapore, they unveiled the 5930G featuring a faded red guilloché dial—red being closely associated with Singapore—along with a subtle adjustment to the time zones, replacing Beijing with Singapore. Limited to just 300 pieces, this model was available only in Southeast Asia. This was one of six special editions of ladies and men’s watches that displayed the manufacturer’s mastery. Alongside these, Patek Philippe also showcased a collection of dome table clocks, pocket watches, and rare handcrafted wristwatches, with motifs inspired by the cultural and artistic heritage of Singapore and its neighbouring countries.
Clock
It’s not just about watches for the now. These pieces are designed to be passed down through generations. In celebration of Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence, Patek Philippe presented three exceptional rare dome table clocks, masterpieces of artisanal craftsmanship that reflected Singapore’s rich heritage, from its history and culture to its iconic modern skyline. As a tribute to the nation, all proceeds from the auction of these pieces were donated to charitable causes, with a focus on supporting the arts and preserving Singapore’s cultural legacy. “My father began our long-term relationship with Singapore back in 1965, so it was only fitting for us to express our gratitude on its 50th anniversary of independence,” said Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe. This also allows watchmakers to create a lasting cultural legacy. For collectors, owning such a piece becomes a link to the brand’s story, ensuring its connection to the city endures for generations to come.
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
City skylines on luxury watches aren’t just about adding a design element—they provide watchmakers the opportunity to showcase their true craftsmanship. From the engraver to the guillocheur, enameller, jeweller, and watchmaker, these timepieces evolve into wearable works of art. The bold lines and silhouettes of city skylines create a striking contrast against the minimalist designs typically found in watches, giving them a dynamic edge. Through a combination of technical mastery and creative expression, these city exclusives transcend mere timekeeping to become meaningful stories for collectors. And that’s exactly what these pieces represent.
Vacheron Constantin excels at this. Their expertise has endured since 1755, and their custom department, Les Cabinotiers, offers clients truly unique creations—a bespoke service at its finest. As part of their Récits de Voyages collection, which charts the brand’s global journey from its Geneva base to iconic corners of the world, the “Memorable Places” collection watches bring history to life. These timepieces feature miniature recreations of some of the world’s most famous landmarks, including Beijing’s Summer Palace, the Confucius Temple, and Angkor Thom in Cambodia, capturing the spirit of travel and discovery in intricate detail. The collection showcases an innovative use of three gold colours, with each dial crafted from multiple layers of yellow, white, and pink gold. For the first time, Vacheron Constantin employed this technique, using micro-sculpture and line-engraving methods on plates no thicker than 0.8mm—leaving just 2/10ths of a millimetre for precision work. Each dial takes over 200 hours to complete, a testament to the engraver’s skill in creating not only an extraordinary likeness but also incredible depth. For instance, the trees on the Angkor Thom and Summer Palace models were treated with damascening, embedding metal wire into the surface for added realism.
Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art Villes Lumières collection captures the nocturnal beauty of cities through Yoko Imai’s masterful Light Cartography. Each dial, painstakingly created with traditional grand feu champlevé enamelling and hand-applied precious powders, recreates the intricate details of urban landscapes—from roads to monuments—using luminous dots of gold, pearl, platinum, and diamond. The result is a radiant, almost ethereal portrait of cities such as Geneva, Paris, New York, and more. Other recent examples include Glashütte Original’s PanoMaticInverse “Dresden Tribute”, a tribute to the German city where the brand was founded in 1845, and Louis Moinet’s “Around The World In 8 Days” collection. “Imagine travelling around the world in just eight days to discover the essence of eight of the world’s most beautiful cities. Having returned from this extraordinary journey, I open my travel diary, describing these eight unforgettable stops,” said Jean-Marie Schaller, CEO and Creative Director of Louis Moinet.
There are also brands like Grand Seiko that take inspiration from cities in an abstract form. Exclusive to Asia Pacific, SBGJ283 makes its debut inspired by the traditional Japanese paper Washi, while SBGJ285, also an exclusive release, is a modern interpretation of the iconic 44GS design featuring a dial inspired by the beauty of the wisteria flower, “Fuji” in Japanese.
PERSONAL CONNECTION AND LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTIBLES
One key aspect to note is that these watches are often one-of-a-kind or limited editions, making them very exclusive. This combination of rare materials, traditional crafts, and innovative techniques creates pieces that are more than just timepieces—they are collectable works of art, sought after by those with a personal connection to the cities they represent.
Whether it’s the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan or the historic landmarks of Paris, the cityscape becomes a reflection of the wearer’s connection to that place, imbuing the watch with a deeper, emotional significance. It’s not just about style; these city-themed watches evoke a sense of adventure, achievement, and the cosmopolitan lifestyle many aspire to.
Brands often release city-specific editions as part of their global strategy, tapping into local pride and culture. These watches resonate with people who have a personal tie to the city—whether through their roots, their work, or a cultural affinity. By celebrating a city’s skyline, these timepieces elevate local pride into a symbol of regional prestige, appealing to both local buyers and international collectors.
In the world of luxury watches, city skylines and landscapes are more than just a design feature—they blend artistry, craftsmanship, and personal meaning. These timepieces do more than tell the time; they carry the essence of a city, from its architecture to its atmosphere, reflecting the ambitions and dreams of those who wear them. For collectors, a watch like this isn’t just an accessory—it’s a personal connection to a place, a tribute to the cities that shape who we are. Each tick tells a story of culture, heritage, and the moments that define us.
This story first appeared in the February 2025 issue of GRAZIA Malaysia.
READ MORE
LVMH Watch Week 2025: 6 of the Best New Timepiece Releases
How to Buy an Engagement Ring (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Savings)
Grammy Awards 2025: The Best Jewellery Moments On The Red Carpet