High-end watchmaking is a lot like haute couture and high-fashion. Brands create a series of entry-level watches representing the core part of their collections, however, they also periodically produce select collections that are unattainable to mere mortals, yet contain what most watch nerd would appreciate and want to see and wear. Similarly, high-fashion brands show their main line collections, for the rest of us, along side new concepts and unique gowns and suits that principally Hollywood starlets and leading men get to buy and wear.
The French haute couture brand Dior is not know for watchmaking; as one of the few top fashion brands in the world, it presented its timepieces at COUTUREtime, and I got an opportunity to see and photograph some of their jewels. While I went in not knowing what to expect, I left totally in awe of the colors, textures, and overall beauty of some of the pieces. Let’s take a close look at that collection and of my realization that if you are in the market for an uncommon high-end watch for your better half, or perhaps a lady friend, who is already a Dior fashionista, you too will fall in love with these “exceptional” pieces.
Using the inversé 11 1/2’’ caliber, Dior takes advantage of the front mounted rotating automatic weight to add magic to the unique timepieces constituting the Dior Grand Ball collection. Each come with elaborated decoration resembling some of its Oscar-worthy gowns. The dials are made from classical champevlé enamel as well as materials more associated with the Maison’s ateliers such as gold threads, net, silk, feathers, gems or “scarab beetle elytra”. Each one of these piece unique are sure to thrill and raise the elegance level of any lady.
In addition to the Grand Ball collection Dior makes a series of timepieces that go beyond the normal watches you would expect from any fashion brand. Decorated with what is seemingly satin dial, La D de Dior is a watch that could easily be a beater for any lady wanting to wear a little bit of the Paris fashion house with her everyday, without having to have a special occasion. Built with a stainless steel case and Milanese strap, this is definitely not your run of the mill Michael Kors or Apple Watch. This is a watch created for a watch geek who wants to have sophistication on the wrist.
La D de Dior
I am not going to claim that I know what wearing a Dior watch or gown or suit feels like. However, having known and dated a couple of sophisticated ladies in my life, I believe the fairer sex has as much fascination for wearing outfits and adornments that make them feel good and allows others to know where they stand in life. This is a normal thing. You see it in nature all the time. A peacock or bird of paradise shows its beautiful plumage for a reason. Even if for nature it is almost always done to attract a mate and for us humans can be the same or to retain one.
But perhaps the principal reason to look into a Dior timepiece for yourself or for your wife is to understand the purpose of true luxury. Fundamentally it is to lift the soul with something precious, unique, and out of the ordinary. After all, if we all looked and appeared the same, what would be the point of living. dior.com
The Tudor brand of watches is interesting. Not only because they are the watches from the “little sister” brand to the mighty Rolex, but because they have a design language onto themselves that many like and many don’t. While I don’t own a Tudor watch and not many of their models sing to my sensibilities and aesthetic, I always like to see what novelties they produce every year.
At the COUTUREtime show in Las Vegas, I had this exact opportunity. It’s not clear I left with a lust for any of their new watches, but what Tudor showed me was streamlined, strong, well priced, and overall desirable. Let’s take a closer look.