Women love all creatures great and small – and so do watchmakers. A recurrent theme of fake Omega watch collections, this genre regularly graces watch dials, while animals also embrace bezels and even stretch lazily out across the straps. Occasionally amusing and often poetic, they provide formidable scope for creative expression.

Boucheron – Crazy Jungle flamingo serti

In its Crazy Jungle collection, Boucheron gives pride of place to the artistic crafts. Its artisans provide a stunning display of their talent through this colourful bird and the surrounding scenery that even extends on to the bezel. Mother-of-pearl, sapphires and diamonds meet and mingle in this poetic ensemble admirably embodying the in-house expertise.

Why we love it: the artisans behind this replica Omega watch have succeeded in recreating surprising textural effects and a play on perspective, notably through the use of ultra-thin mother-of-pearl sheets (0.05 mm) that give the river a fascinatingly translucent appearance.

Chaumet – Montre Attrape-moi… si tu m’aimes large model

Graceful dragonflies flit across the dial of this joyful, airy interpretation of the Attrape-moi si tu m’aimes line. On this “large” model measuring 34.8 mm in diameter and issued in an 88-piece limited edition, Chaumet once again highlights its know-how in the realm of artistic crafts.

Why we love it: the dial composed of a sapphire crystal with ivory-toned counter-painting on the underside sets a magnificent stage for the dance of the dragonflies enhanced by miniature-painted ribbons. The details are even more impressive when seen at close hand. Truly exhilarating!

Van Cleef & Arpels – Charms Extraordinaires Hirondelles

The swallow is the star of the show in the Charms watch that called upon the full force of the craftsmanship faithfully cultivated by Van Cleef & Arpels. The miniature enamel painting technique applied to mother-of-pearl serves to achieve the subtle shades of blue, pink and mauve enlivening the scene, forming an enchanting backdrop for two exquisite birds – all framed a triple row of colourful stones and diamonds adorning the bezel.

Why we love it: because this Omega Replica watch available in a 22-piece limited edition is made to be worn like a lucky charm, in more than one sense of the term. While the swallow is of course a symbol representing a promise of love and the return of spring, the lucky charm motif spinning merrily around the case is equally enchanting.