9 Watches That Are Better Than A Double Rainbow

It takes more than 1,000 hours to select the 581 sapphires that make up the Imperiale Joallerie timepiece from Chopard, which contains 47.98 carats of multi-color stones. The entire spectrum is represented, each colorful baguette subtly morphing into the next. Shades of red turn into purple, variants of blue follow, greens become yellows and oranges, and then back to red at the top of the dial. Don't let the razzle dazzle deceive you—the 40mm watch features a powerful mechanical self-winding movement with a power reserve of over 60 hours. Chopard Imperiale Joallerie, Price Upon Request. Available at Chopard boutiques, 1-800-CHOPARD or us.chopard.com

A mystery dial highlights the kaleidoscopic effects of the over 400 multicolor stones set on the Franck Muller Four Seasons Double Mystery watch. The multiple turning disks cleverly reveal the time without using hands, enhancing the rainbow effect of the diamonds, sapphires, garnets, and amethyst. Franck Muller Four Seasons Double Mystery, $83,300. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, franckmuller.com

Named for the famous checked costume of the "Harlequin" character, 225 rainbow color sapphires and 169 baguette diamonds are invisibly set within the white gold Jacob & Co Brilliant Flying Tourbillon Arlequino. The manually-wound movement features a mesmerizing tourbillon complication, adding precise accuracy to a colorful watch with over 100 hours of power reserve. Jacob & Co Brilliant Flying Tourbillon Arlequino, Price Upon Request, Available at Jacob & Co, New York City, 212-719-0408 or jacobandco.com

A kaleidoscopic look at the embroidery from Christian Dior haute couture provides the inspiration for the one-of-a-kind Dior Grand Soir Kaleidiorscope No.3. The pink gold automatic watch mixes pink sapphires, diamonds, opals, mother-of-pearl, and onyx in a multicolored dial. Even though haute couture might be considered a dying art, the unexpected and witty use of denim for the strap sets the watch apart as a contemporary part of the Dior fashion lexicon. Christian Dior, Dior Grand Soir Kaleidiorscope No.3. from Dior Timepieces. One-of-a-Kind Piece, Price Upon Request. Available through select Dior boutiques, 1-800-929-DIOR or dior.com

Van Cleef and Arpels Changing seasons provides the color palette for the inventive manually wound mechanical "Lady Jour des Fleurs" by Van Cleef and Arpels. The diamond-encrusted case slowly reveals the turning multicolor sub-dial, made visible through translucent leaves on the upper dial. The high jewelry watch and bracelet feature yellow and pink sapphires, tsavorite, spessartine garnets, spinels, and miniature painting to magical effect. Van Cleef and Arpels "Lady Jour des Fleurs." Price Upon Request. Available at Van Cleef & Arpels, 877-VAN-CLEEF or vancleefarpels.com. Photo: Van Cleef & Arpels

Based on the historic Tutti Frutti style first introduced in 1901, Cartier reinterprets the design as an elegantly small, 18K white gold watch for 2016. With its iconic mix of diamonds, engraved rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, the Tiny Tutti Frutti looks as modern today as it has for the last century. Vintage Cartier Tutti Frutti pieces continue to set record breaking prices at auction, and this manual-wind timepiece should be an instant classic. Cartier High Jewelry Watch. Available by appointment only. For more information please contact 1-800-CARTIER or visit cartier.us. Photo: Cartier

Mixing and matching bracelets with a timepiece is a trend that doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. Jeweler de Grisogono takes this idea one step further, taking a watch with a black lacquer dial and surrounding it with a bezel of orange and pink sapphires, diamonds, red spinels, and purple amethysts. The wide leather strap appears wrapped with multicolor leather cords, wittily resembling the chicest stack of friendship bracelets you've ever seen. de Grisogono Allegra Timepiece, $10,200. Available at de Grisogono, 824 Madison Avenue, New York City, 212-439-4220 or degrisogono.com

A unique dial inspired by Japanese decorative crafts, the Harry Winston Premier Precious Weaving uses a technique known as Raden in which slivers of mother of pearl are inlaid with gold and silk threads. The time-consuming process results in a woven surface that looks very much like fabric, the threads highlighting the iridescent quality of the shell. The automatic white gold watch features a bezel of sparkling diamonds, highlighting the unique multi-colored three dimensional surface. Harry Winston Premier Precious Weaving Automatic Timepiece, Price Upon Request, 1-800-988-4110 or harrywinston.com

As the hours pass on the Louis Vuitton Escale Spin Time, colorful cubes printed with nautical flags turn to reveal the hour as a single white hand indicates the minutes. Every hour the watch changes its appearance, cubes turning to reveal new colors and patterns. The lugs of the watch are based on details taken from the classic LV steamer trunks, a nod to the brand's history of luxury travel. Louis Vuitton, Escale Spin Time, Price Upon Request, Available at select Louis Vuitton stores or louisvuitton.com