THERE are times when classics won't do and all out bling is the best remedy for any crisis. That's probably why Cortina Watch's Jewellery Time is always a well-attended event and at next week's exhibition, eight premium brands have trotted out their special women's timepieces. For a starry effect, Jaeger LeCoultre has set 141 baguette-cut diamonds on its 18-carat white gold timepiece, while there's a message you can customise on a rotating ring inside the watch, which appears only under UV or flourescent light. For Milus, brilliant-cut diamonds and pink sapphires adorn the dial of its Milus Merea Triretrograde Seconds Skeleton Joaillerie, while Piaget ups the bling with 1,059 brilliant cut diamonds of 10.48 carats covering the whole surface of the watch in its GOA33523 Tonneau XL White Gold Brilliant-cut Dial Mechanical piece.

For the sporty, there's Concord's C1 Pure which is meant to be a unisex wafer-thin wrist hugger, with a rubber bracelet with a velvety matte finish. Diamonds adorn the bezel and case middle while the transparent back case reveals the 25-jewel self-winding movement. Chopard meanwhile rolls out its special commemorative Happy Sport set in rose gold, with five mobile rubies, and a striking red crocodile leather strap.

HIGH SHINE: Brilliant-cut diamonds and pink sapphires adorn the dial of the Milus Merea Triretrograde Seconds Skeleton Joaillerie. Jaeger LeCoultre has set 141 baguette-cut diamonds on its 18-carat white gold timepiece, which can also convey a secret message you can customise on a rotating ring inside the watch, which appears only under UV or flourescent light. Concord's C1 Pure is a wafer-thin wrist hugger, with a rubber bracelet with a velvety matte finish.

For those who'd just like a touch of brilliance and colour, there's Baume & Mercier's Diamant in its square case with curved sides framed with sapphire crystals and a mother-of-pearl dial with one off-centre diamond. Van Cleef and Arpel's comes paved with diamonds with a charming clover-shaped charm on its side, while Vacheron Constantin's Overseas Dual Time is set in pink or white gold. The white gold bezel design is reminiscent of Vacheron Constantin's characteristic Maltese cross, and the case is set with 88 brilliant cut diamonds around the generous 42mm diameter.

All these and men's watches will be showcased at Cortina Watch's Jewellery Time 2008 at Paragon for 11 days, starting Oct 30.

This article was first published in The Business Times on Oct 25, 2008.