I love watches with retrograde display (see definition), and as such, I’m very pleased with this from Milus: the Milus Merea Tri-Retrograde Seconds Skeleton, recently unveiled at Baselworld 2007. I mean, how many things can a watchmaker do with a watch?

First, the retrograde display. There are three, and they all relate to the seconds function. The retrograde seconds appear in three sectors of twenty seconds each. Simply astounding, although some may think it makes the watch seem rather too busy. I don’t think so - the sectors integrate very well into the design, I had to look hard to identify all three.

Next, the skeletal appearance of the dial. Even this alone would have sold the watch, without the tri-retrograde concept. The unique look of the dial is achieved by a three-layer concept. According to Milus, ‘The metal surface is coated with a white or grey mother-of-pearl layer, and adorned with an artistically forged lattice of numbers.’

Oh, and just in case you hadn’t realised, this is a ladies’ watch.

Some specs. Movement: Mechanical Swiss quality movement in exclusive special version. 37 rubies. Water resistant to 30m. The watch comes in the following variations: stainless steel, red gold with or without diamonds, and white gold with and without diamonds.