When Patek Philippe first introduced the Twenty~4 timepiece for women 21 years ago, it was clear the legendary Swiss watchmaker had created a modern classic. It’s a fabulous, enduring design that over the years has evolved but never lost its dynamic edge. In 2018, it even took a heady design detour, reimagined as the Twenty~4 Automatic, featuring a round gold case and bracelet with Arabic numerals. This autumn sees two new models of the emblematic timepiece, reaching back to its roots to reinterpret the original steel ‘manchette’ cuff bracelet and rectangular face, updated with contemporary dial design.

The Art Deco-inspired two-tier steel case comfortably follows the contours of a woman’s wrist, while the bracelet is assembled and mirror-polished by hand, allowing each link to catch the light, while its rounded edges ensure a fluid feel against the skin.

Each of the two vertical sides of the case is enhanced with a line of 18 Top Wesselton diamonds, set by hand, and its calibre E15 quartz movement is subject to the highest quality standards applying to the watchmaker’s mechanical movements. The dials feature a graded blue or a graded grey sunburst, with white gold applied numerals and trapeze-shaped hour markers.

This timepiece is a harmonious balance of opposites: delicate but bold, for a strong woman who knows what she wants; clean-faced and uncluttered, but with a dusting of diamonds that add a glimpse of luxurious radiance; then there’s the mixing of unlikely materials, with diamonds and steel; and what you have is a watch equally at home on the wrist of a woman in a business meeting or out for the evening. And while it will attract appreciative glances for its streamlined beauty and appealing looks, it’s not at all ostentatious. Clearly, it’s the best sort of luxury: a timeless companion, to wear for every occasion, all the time, and the clue is in the name.

Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Refs. 4910/1200A-001 and 4910/1200A-010, £11,300; patek.com