Ladies' watches, unfortunately, don’t get the attention they deserve.

It seems to be assumed that women are fine with shoddily designed timepieces devoid of soul. Of course, this is nonsense — there’s no reason whatsoever that a lady’s watch should be any less considered than a man’s!

Bulgari is one of few companies whose thoughtful ladies’ watches have risen to the top — perhaps because of the firm’s background as a jeweler. The Serpenti, a serpentine line of ladies’ watches that originated in the aftermath of World War II, is today an iconic masterpiece of industrial design. While some are easily identifiable as, well, snakes, others are much more subtle in their design influence.

This Serpenti cuff timepiece from the 1980s downplays somewhat the serpentine influence. Housed in an ovular, 16mm 18K yellow gold case with a sapphire crystal, a yellow gold and onyx cabochon crown, and a polished bezel, it features a matte black, heavily patinated dial with applied yellow gold indices and a matching yellow gold handset. Fitted to a yellow gold Tubogas cuff bracelet and powered by a hand-wound movement from Ebel, this is a time capsule of a mechanical Serpenti — the type of watch that’s just as elegant today as it was upon its debut.

On the lookout for a graceful cocktail watch that doesn’t take over the room? Then this is the timepiece to own!