Designing Emotion in Time: Poonam Soni on the Making of the Cult Brace-Watch

Blending high jewellery with miniature art, the Brace-Watch is Poonam Soni's most striking statement yet. She discusses the inspiration behind the piece, her long-standing collaboration with artist Nawaz Modi Singhania, and the evolution of a design language over a decade in the making.

1.⁠ ⁠What inspired you to create the Brace-Watch? Tell us about its striking features.

Design for me is a moment when an idea germinates and then takes a creative form where I am completely immersed. The Brace-Watch was a labour of love and design passion and took 8 months to create my vision into precision . It was born from my desire to push the boundaries of wearable art by uniting high jewellery, unique design, and emotional storytelling in a single form. I have always believed that jewellery must move the eye and the spirit, not simply adorn. With this piece, I wanted to create an object that felt iconic, yet intimate in the way it sits on the wrist like a timepiece holding a moment of colour and expression.

Its striking identity comes from the way I have engineered tightly stacked monochromatic baguettes to create a vivid, pulsating halo. This explosion of colour is what defines the Brace-Watch. The miniature artwork placed at the centre, contributed by Nawaz, adorns a meticulously constructed jewelled universe. The architecture, form, and gemstone language deliver a dramatic Poonam Soni statement.

2.⁠ ⁠How did your collaboration with Nawaz Modi Singhania evolve from the S2 cuffs to this new cult bracelet?

My collaboration with Nawaz began in 2011 with S2, where I conceptualised and designed jewelled cuffs with her miniature artworks. Her paintings added a narrative layer, and the , aesthetic, and technical foundation of those pieces were the foundation to a new design language.

With the Brace-Watch, I revisited the idea of integrating miniature art into a far more contemporary form with a unique technique. The concept of the large sized jewelled piece in a single monotone played in my head . Once I decided I needed vibrant art in the same monotone, I invited Nawaz to contribute those artworks . The big-cat paintings are created to complement this vision, the cult form, the timepiece-like silhouette, the gem adornment and , the monochromatic language,

The partnership is complementary: my artistic and technical framework supported by her miniature paintings, coming together to create a fresh evolution of an idea I had conceived more than a decade ago.

3.⁠ ⁠What makes the miniature big-cat artworks such a striking focal point for this design?

Big cats have a universal power; they symbolise strength, grace, and a certain fearless beauty. For the Brace-Watch, I wanted a focal subject that would create a vibrant power statement . The miniature big-cat art does exactly that.

Nawaz's detailed art compkements the rich reds, emerald greens, or cobalt blues stones of this dramatic piece. The tightly stacked stones create depth, mood, and energy around the artwork, with the painting becoming a compelling point to complement the design. The dialogue between the art and the jewellery is what makes the piece resonate so strongly on the wrist.

4.⁠ ⁠Eight months go into crafting each piece. What part of the process is the most challenging?

The greatest challenge lies in creating flawless harmony with monochromatic baguettes. The architecture I've designed for this piece requires hundreds of baguettes to sit extremely close together in multiple layers, with no breaks in rhythm, tone, or luminosity. Even the smallest variation in cut or colour can disrupt the visual flow.

Another significant challenge is engineering the structure so that the miniature artwork can be housed securely while preserving the bracelet's fluidity and comfort. Because the piece is styled like a timepiece but built like high jewellery, the tolerances are incredibly tight. Every setter, cutter, polisher, and technician involved must follow my design blueprint with absolute precision. This painstaking process is what gives the Brace-Watch its unmistakable presence.

5.⁠ ⁠How does the Brace-Watch mark a new chapter for the House of Poonam Soni?

For 36 years, my house has been known for one-of-one collectible masterpieces created for connoisseurs. The Brace-Watch marks an important new chapter because, for the first time, I am introducing a cult collectible that is still crafted with the same intensity, but intended for a wider community of art and design lovers.

It represents a new category for the brand, an object that transcends jewellery and becomes part of a larger artistic narrative. This evolution also mirrors the transition of the House of Poonam Soni into its next generation, with my daughter Kriti contributing to the aesthetics of the brand . The Brace-Watch captures everything the brand stands for: innovation, craftsmanship, storytelling, and a relentless commitment to raising the bar for Indian luxury.

It bridges heritage with future-forward design, signalling a dynamic, multi-generational era for the house.