Art in 21 days: The Face in Time Paradis Tropical Collection
Nina ScallyThe microbrand landscape is often dominated by a wrestle to top the spec sheet: who can offer the most water resistance, the best lume dial watches, or the most exotic movement for the lowest price. This race often leaves the emotional and artistic side of horology completely starved because we seldom see a new indie step into the arena with a core philosophy built entirely around artistry and the female wearer. That is precisely what makes The Face in Time Paradis Tropical Collection such a compelling discovery, at least for those of us longing for something completely left-field from the female-led watch space.
Chartered accountant-turned-watchmaker Ashley Law-Smith launched the brand in 2021, drawing deeply on her Zimbabwean roots and family history. In fact, her grandfather was a seasoned international importer – a career path that, while impressive in its own right, only served as a precursor to the real inspiration behind Law-Smith’s tenacity. It was actually her grandmother who left a lasting impression, instilling in her a deep appreciation for fine fabrics and intricate patterns, honed through years of expert tailoring. After noticing a distinct lack of creative flair in the women’s Swiss luxury market several years later, Law-Smith decided to chart her own course. The result is the Paradis Tropical collection.
Rather than falling back on the industry-standard ‘shrink and pink’ formula (taking a man’s watch, shrinking the case, and slapping on a pastel or mother-of-pearl dial), The Face in Time has built a rich, four-piece lineup split by metal and archetype. The La Banane (The Mother) and La Marchande (The Queen) are both framed in warm gold tones and focus on nurturing and vision. The cooler, silver-toned variations come in the form of the La Noix de Coco (The Mystic) and the brilliantly bold Le Toucan Rouge (The Huntress), embracing intuition and independence.
The case
When you are dealing with dials this visually loud and structurally complex, the case geometry has a very difficult tightrope to walk. It needs to frame the artwork without competing for attention, yet it must be finished to a standard that commands respect from those who favour everything from restrained, classic proportions to high-end case construction. How does the Swiss Maison do it?
Designers at The Face in Time have created an 8-sided sculptural case inspired by the silhouette of an octagonal diamond ring and crafted from PVD-coated stainless steel. This shape is far from arbitrary. The number eight serves as a subtle nod to Law-Smith’s Chinese heritage (she is three eighths Chinese) while also honouring her birth year of 1988. On the models offered with a diamond-set bezel, eight stones feature on each of the eight sides (64 in total) as a hidden tribute to her mother’s birth year of 1964. But perhaps the most striking element of the case architecture is the Asscher-cut piece of glass sitting above the dial. Raised and highly faceted, it acts as a literal diamond cut rendered in sapphire crystal, designed to catch and fracture the light.
Available in both rich gold tones and high-polish silver finishes, the 38.1mm cases from the Paradis Tropical collection carry a somewhat mid-century elegance, each one assembled in the watchmaking heartland of La Chaux-de-Fonds. And with a 4.95mm depth, they provide just enough visual weight to feel like a serious piece of luxury watchmaking while remaining slim enough to slide under a blouse cuff.
The dial
While so many leading microbrands right now rely on stamped brass dials with applied indices, The Face in Time has taken a much more traditional route. The dials across the Paradis Tropical collection utilise a meticulous Cloisonné-inspired technique, which involves shaping incredibly fine gold or silver wires into intricate patterns and then filling the resulting spaces with hand-fired enamel to create depth and vibrancy. Because of the complexity of this process, it takes an artisan an average of 21 days to complete a single dial.
You can see that dedication in the final product as the technique brings each of the four archetypes to life in stunning detail. On the gold-toned La Banane and La Marchande models, the warm wirework frames the vibrant fruit and the deep, textured greens of the tropical leaves. La Noix de Coco takes a cooler approach, highlighting a coconut motif sitting in the palm of the female’s hand. Finally, the Le Toucan Rouge pushes the enamel process a notch further, capturing the vivid, three-dimensional red plumage of the toucan. On every single model, the artwork jumps off the wrist.
The movement
Beneath these four artistic timepieces within The Face in Time Paradis Tropical Collection beats a reliable Swiss quartz movement. When dealing with boutique horology that focuses heavily on traditional, labour-intensive dial craftsmanship, it’s a smart move to utilise a robust movement rather than an experimental one. Indeed, while the front of the watch shows off some serious creativity, the watch is powered by the sort of “set it and forget it” reliability necessary for a varied rotation.
The strap
Recognising that this watch is designed to be a personal expression, The Face in Time has ensured the strap is as considered as the dial itself. The leather bands are crafted for comfort and breathability without the tedious “break-in” period often associated with thick, rigid straps. The tapering looks elegant enough, and the decision to keep each strap a traditional black configuration ensures that each timepiece bestows a classic feel. Each strap is also interchangeable, so if you want to swap a band for a more neutral tone for a business meeting, the quick-release bars make the switch pretty seamless.
The verdict
While The Face in Time Paradis Tropical watches might not be for absolutely every occasion, they are brilliant conversation pieces that offer female collectors genuine technical craftsmanship to geek out over. Plus, it’s not every day you see a Cockatoo wearing a watch. It’s incredibly refreshing to see a microbrand lean into high art in this way without sacrificing the Swiss-assembled quality that enthusiasts so often demand. Ultimately, The Face in Time proves you don’t necessarily need to choose between specs and soul with these watches. You can, and should, have both.
The Face in Time Paradis Tropical pricing and availability
The Face in Time Paradis Tropical watches are made to order, and can be reserved via the Face in Time website. Price: US$15,200 / US$24,820 (with diamonds)
| Brand | The Face in Time |
| Model | Paradis Tropical |
| Reference | La Noix De Coco La Banane La Marchande Le Toucan Rouge |
| Case Dimensions | 38.1mm (D), 4.95mm (T) |
| Case Material | Silver or gold-toned PVD-coated stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Hand-painted Cloisonné enamel |
| Bracelet | Interchangeable black leather strap, case-matching pin buckle |
| Movement | Swiss quartz |
| Functions | Hours, minutes |
| Availability | Limited to 25 pieces |
| Price | US$15,200 / US$24,820 (with diamonds) |
Made in partnership with The Face in Time. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.