Table of contents for Summer 2026 in Something About Rocks

Left - Aidan Turner cover shot by Pip Below - VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Perlée Extraordinaire Fruits Enchantés Framboise watch in 18K rose gold and diamonds shot by Coppi Barbieri Time marks the moments that matter. While a watch simply measures them, our jewellery captures those unique occasions, the celebrations, the milestones and the memories that we choose to hold onto. This issue’s cover star Aidan Turner returns to our screens this summer in Disney’s season two of Rivals, the much-anticipated continuation of the hit adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s famously scandalous novel. He’s also appearing on stage at London’s National Theatre in Les Liaisons Dangereuses alongside Lesley Manville, in a modern new adaptation that also stars Monica Barbaro. For our shoot, which was photographed after rehearsals late one weekday evening…

Inspired by her family’s weaving heritage, Megan Brown transforms gold and silver thread into sculptural jewels that feel like silk It’s fair to say that crafting natural materials into wearable works of art is something that comes naturally to Megan Brown. Now based in central London, the jeweller originally hails from North Yorkshire, where her family runs Alfred Brown Ltd., a textile mill that was founded in 1915 by her great-great-grandfather, Herbert Brown. One of the last UK mills in continuous production, the firm has manufactured worsted fabrics for Savile Row tailors, designer houses like Prada and Saint Laurent, and even films such as Indiana Jones and the Harry Potter franchise. “I have such strong memories of going to the mill after school, to visit my dad at work,” recalls…

The latest additions to Louis Vuitton’s LV Diamonds collection showcase the Maison’s signature monogram cut to masterful effect     Transforming a legendary house motif into a diamond cut is certainly ambitious, but Louis Vuitton achieved just that with LV Diamonds, a fine jewellery range built around one of fashion’s most recognisable symbols. The motif in question is, of course, the brand’s iconic interlocking L and V and four-petalled floral pattern, introduced in 1896 by Georges Vuitton, son of the brand’s eponymous founder. Drawing on Gothic heraldic art and the tiled floors of the Vuitton family home in Asnières, situated just outside Paris, the monogram was conceived as a way to brand and authenticate the house’s luxury trunks – an elegant yet practical detail at the time that quickly became…

SIA TAYLOR Rainbow Ray Necklace in 18K, 22K and 24K gold and platinum “A piece of precious jewellery is not just a pretty adornment, but a savvy investment for the future” Contemporary jewellers are finding ever more inventive ways to express their creativity in an era of record gold prices There has been much hand wringing in the jewellery world of late as the price of gold has soared to unprecedented levels. A little context for anyone who hasn’t been following along: had you bought a pair of gold hoops last year and – alas! – lost them, it would likely cost you twice as much to replace them this year. With the price of gold not far off doubling in a year, it has caused many of us to…

Tiffany & Co.’s whimsical Bird on a Rock motif has delighted jewellery lovers for over sixty years. Words: Kim Parker Set in Stone In 1995, eight years after Schlumberger’s death, Tiffany & Co. had its famed 128.54-carat yellow Tiffany Diamond remounted in a Bird on a Rock brooch, as a tribute to the designer. A New Nest To celebrate the reopening of its Landmark Fifth Avenue flagship in New York in 2023, Tiffany & Co. reset its famous Tiffany Diamond once again, this time surrounded by a flock of Schlumberger’s birds, for a brooch that could also be worn as a necklace. Spreading its Wings Recently, under the creative direction of Nathalie Verdeille, Tiffany & Co’s Chief Artistic Officer, the Bird on a Rock has been re-imagined for spectacular high…

From two-tone timepieces to space age silhouettes, meet the latest horological must-haves that will define the year ahead Words: Scarlett Baker Mixed metals Think less ‘80s hedonism and more a study of contrast that’s elegantly assertive. Updating the angular profile of its seminal Monaco line, TAG Heuer’s Monaco Chronograph toys with the duality of metals, with grade-5 titanium for improved comfort and a vivid 18K rose gold giving visual richness and depth to this automotive hero that now embarks on its next chapter. Reimagining a classic through the lens of two-tone design also brings a fresh focus to the Cartier Roadster – a sporting companion introduced at the turn of the millennium before its discontinuation in 2012. It returns once more in a harmony of steel and soft-hued yellow gold,…

From protégé to mentor: Roger Smith on preserving British horology in a ‘Swiss Made’ world. Words: Scarlett Baker In the global world of watchmaking, which values its heritage like lifeblood, it can often feel as though all roads lead to Switzerland, and the words ‘Swiss Made’ are etched into the ecosystem like an indelible tattoo. And yet, believes independent watchmaker Roger Smith OBE, there are also roads that stretch beyond that particular soil. Hailing from Bolton, near Manchester, and now based on the Isle of Man, Smith has dedicated his life to championing British watchmaking – a commitment that has earned him recognition, hyperbole aside, as one of the greatest living horologists. This is because Smith is the only watchmaker trained – and endorsed – by fellow Englishman George Daniels,…

Above: François Junod at work in his studio Below left: Éveil du Cyclamen automaton. Below right: Naissance de l’Amour automaton, both VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Right: Inside the automation François Junod is regarded as the world’s leading expert in the ancient and rare art of mechanical automata, with a repertoire that spans houses like Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Van Cleef & Arpels. From his extraordinary, creature-filled atelier in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland he invites us to peer into his whimsical universe. As told to Scarlett Baker At 9 A.M., I am usually focused and analytical. In the morning, I have a clear mind and few distractions – the time for conceptual work. My automatons reinforce the awareness of rhythm, precision, and patience necessary for any lasting creation. They are rare narrative objects,…

Jewellery historian Vivienne Becker extolls the virtue and virtuosity of jewellery watches, the ultimate expression of the preciousness of time. I have said it before, I know, but when it comes to watches and writing about them, it’s still beauty before brains for me. A year or so on from my stint as a judge at the prestigious GPHG, (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, where I learnt so much) I still tend to drift off, into daydreams, during explanations of the intricacies of horological marvels. Although I can say, with no small amount of pride, that I do now get that it’s all about absolute precision, balancing the vagaries of gravity, adjusting to time zones, tracking the moon phases, counting nano-seconds, measuring ocean depths, and so much more than I…

Elsa Schiaparelli’s whimsical designs and boundary-pushing jewellery collaborations challenged convention and cemented her fame. Today, her fantastical vision inspires countless contemporary makers and is the focus of an exciting new exhibition in London. Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí in 1949 - Credit: Archives Snark Elsa Schiaparelli was the champion of shocking pink, architectural tailoring and surrealist accessories. In 1934, Harper’s Bazaar pronounced her to be “the most daring and original talent in the dressmaking world.” According to Cristobal Balenciaga, she was “The only real artist in the couture,” whilst Yves Saint Laurent observed that when she died aged 83 in 1973, “chic closed her eyes…” Such plaudits from her peers illustrate the legendary status of the couturier, who founded her own maison in 1927 (despite having no formal training) and…

This year, Cartier’s most wanted novelties owe their timeless silhouettes to the conventiondefying designs of their forebears. From the Santos de Cartier, one of the first purpose-built wristwatches whose signature square case was imagined by Louis Cartier in 1904 for the aviator, Albert Santos-Dumont, to its compelling Tortue, which debuted in 1912 and owes its unusual tonneau shape, and its name, to a tortoise. Then there’s the Roadster, which first appeared in 2001 but took inspiration from the aerodynamic curves of mid-century sports cars. Discontinued after roughly a decade in production, it’s now being revived for a new generation, bearing the same head-turning profile of a droptop automobile. Guaranteed to capture the imagination, these timepieces bear witness to Cartier’s unparalleled ingenuity as well as its enduring artistry – and prove…

The London jeweller on designing engagement rings with personality and why years at the bench still shape everything she does. How did you get started in jewellery? I studied jewellery design at Central Saint Martins, then did a short diamond grading course at GIA. When I graduated, I kept applying for jobs but was only offered unpaid internships. A friend gave me an old workbench, which I put in my living room, and I started making my first collection of silver and gold-plated pieces. It wasn’t meant to start a business, but it grew from there. I made two silver collections before getting a big order from Paul Smith, which I fulfilled myself. It was exhausting, but it allowed me to move into fine jewellery. A year later, I launched at…

Gold medallist, good health advocate, podcaster and self-confessed watch lover Jessica Ennis-Hill on having the time of her life in Olympic retirement Words: Sam Moore tography: Silvia Draz ector: Ian Thorley Coat, APAR EDITIONS. Shoes, GINA COUTURE. Watch, OMEGA Constellation Observatory 39mm in steel and leather strap. Jewellery, OMEGA Silk shirt and mini skirt, DIOR. Watch, OMEGA Constellation Observatory 39mm in Sedna Gold on leather strap. Jewellery, OMEGA “When you’ve been competitive your entire life, it’s not just going to stop. I’m trying to rein it in a bit but, I always want to win” When I was young girl, I always wanted a beautiful watch like an OMEGA,” gushes Jessica Ennis-Hill, the 2012 Olympic hero who became a sporting icon on her way to capturing a gold medal in the…

Panerai’s new 31 Day movement stretches the limits of time Words: Ian Thorley | Photography: Joe Hume The desire to create a watch with such a long power reserve can be traced back to the nineteenth century roots of the brand. The watches were made by the Florentine naval instrument maker Officine Panerai who created compasses, depth gauges and other technical equipment for the Italian Navy in the early twentieth century. By 1938, they had first created a Naval waterproof watch with a Rolex Oyster movement that was capable of being used by the Italian Navy’s underwater commandos, principally in the Mediterranean basin. By the 1950’s, Panerai had started work on an eight day hand-wound power reserve, the Angelus SF240. At the time, this marked a huge technical achievement as…

Honouring Louis Vuitton's globe-trotting heritage, the new Escale marks a shift in the Maison’s watchmaking trajectory, and one that signals ‘full steam ahead’. Words and styling: Scarlett Baker Photographs: Dave Andrews Left to right: Escale Twin Zone 40mm in rose gold and Escale 39mm in rose gold, both LOUIS VUITTON   Louis Vuitton carries a history of unmistakable icons within its extensive archive: the Speedy, the Neverfull, the Twist, and, perhaps most enduring of all, its monogram print. Yet for all Louis Vuitton’s long watchmaking endeavours, which stretch back to the 1980s, recognition for its wrist-borne products is modest in comparison to that of its signature handbags. Which is why, over the past few years, the Maison has been quietly crafting the script for a new chapter, reshaping its watchmaking strategy…

Aidan Turner talks to Elizabeth Aubrey about the return of 'Rivals', getting back into theatre and the preciousness of family time Photography: Pip Creative direction: Tim Holloway Styling: Gareth Scourfield "It's just a complete joy to film Rivals" Shirt and linen suit, DOLCE& GABBANA, 18K yellow gold Zodiaque pendant, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS. Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin watch in pink gold, VACHERON CONSTANTIN   Aidan Turner remembers his first day on the set of Rivals well. He was filming an opulent party scene for episode three when actress Victoria Smurfit, who plays his wife Maud on the show, made quite the entrance. "I was the last actor in on set: they'd been shooting for about a month when I joined for the first series," he explains, saying he was finishing…

Whether navigating the roof of the world or capturing cover-worthy images of the power of nature, explorer Cory Richards truly understands that every second counts.   Adventure has shaped every part of Cory Richards’ career. A mountaineer, photographer and storyteller, the iconic American explorer has spent much of his life travelling to some of the world’s most remote and unforgiving landscapes, documenting both the physical and emotional realities of exploration. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Richards first rose to prominence in the mountaineering world for his groundbreaking ascents, including becoming one of the first Americans to summit Gasherbrum II – an 8,035-metre peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range – in the winter of 2011. The expedition, completed without supplemental oxygen, is still regarded as one of the toughest winter climbs…

A new season brings with it a new jewellery mood. And while florals for spring are a classic motif, the freshest interpretations will always stand the test of time. From left: Forget-Me-Not Pink Sapphire and Diamond Earrings, Forget-Me-Not Blue Sapphire and Diamond Twin Rings, Forget-Me-Not Pink Sapphire and Diamond Lariat Necklace, all HARRY WINSTON Forget-Me-Not Diamond Twin Ring, HARRY WINSTON To the Victorians, who popularised ‘the language of flowers’ in order to send coded messages to their paramours, each blossom held its own secret meaning. The statuesque sunflower embodied haughtiness, and also adoration, thanks to its association with the water nymph, Clytie, who in ancient Greek mythology was transformed into a sunflower after she fell in love with the god of sunlight. The forget-me-not, unsurprisingly, symbolised faithful devotion and ardent…

Every year in April, the watch industry turns its attention to Geneva and the Watches & Wonders fair. This is the industry’s great showcase: the moment when the Maisons reveal their innovations, designs and novelties that will define the year ahead. To mark the occasion, this issue starts with the excitement from the fair, exploring the newest watches. But rather than photograph them in the traditional manner, we’ve presented them with an unusual twist. Artist Martin Thorley has reimagined the novelties in the style of advertisements from Madison Avenue in the 1950s and 1960s. These are hand-painted tributes to the age when watch advertising was as stylish and optimistic as the watches themselves. The result is a playful reminder that while watchmaking constantly evolves, often the pieces themselves and their…

Once renowned as a great innovator, yet overshadowed for decades by many of its watchmaking rivals, Universal Genève is set for an exciting comeback in 2026. Simon de Burton examines why. The mechanical watch making renaissance that began to gain momentum towards the end of the 20th century saw plenty of near-dormant old dial names being snapped-up by luxury goods giants. In 2000 alone, Swiss luxury conglomerate Richemont bagged IWC Schaffhausen, A. Lange and Söhne and Jaeger-LeCoultre (having acquired Vacheron Constantin and Panerai in 1996 and ‘97 respectively), while LVMH added TAG Heuer, Zenith, and Hublot to its portfolio between 1999 and 2008. Swatch, meanwhile, helped itself to Breguet in 1999 and Glashütte Original the following year, expanding a stable of historic makers such as Blancpain, OMEGA, Longines, Rado and Tissot that it had been building-up since the mid 1980s. Add…

Why the revival of the Royal Oak’s more radical descendent, the Royal Oak Offshore, is cause for celebration amongst watch collectors Words: Ella Kirby | Stylist: Scarlett Baker | Photography: Lowri Cooper Back in 1993, Audemars Piguet did something deeply unfashionable: it made a watch that was too big. Too aggressive. Too much steel. Too much rubber. At a time when the entire Swiss industry was chasing thinness, refinement and polite proportions, a young designer, Emmanuel Gueit, delivered something for the Swiss watchmaker that looked like it had been engineered for a different decade: the Royal Oak Offshore. Entirely ahead of its time, retailers were stunned. Journalists christened it ‘The Beast’. And yet, three decades later, with the release of three new models, we’re reminded that the Royal Oak Offshore…

Leading women of the watch world share their insights on the business they love Words: Scarlett Baker In watchmaking, objectivity is a myth we politely indulge. A watch that is superlative to one, is contrary to another. We are, after all, grappling with one of the most emotional realms of craftsmanship, as time is experienced by no two people in the same way. My own first ‘adult’ encounter with a timepiece was purely through design. But perhaps, more obscurely, it was also how it interacted with my nails, ten small canvases I like to adorn with another form of craftsmanship: nail art. I adore this interplay of ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture, so much so that I often reference the instrument on my wrist in my nail designs (gadroon lines in…