Try our newest merchandise
Borna Bošnjak
If you need an instance of how deep of a distinct segment you may get into, being into watches is the proper avenue to get there. Although rising in reputation over the previous few years, a Rolex Submariner or Patek Philippe Nautilus barely skim the floor of all of the completely different artisanal crafts watchmaking has to supply. For this shopping for information, we’ll hyper-focus on a kind of, exploring the perfect marquetry dial watches in the marketplace. What’s marquetry? It is a dial adorning method that entails laying intricate items of pure supplies into mosaics, be it wooden, feathers, leather-based and so forth. The result’s typically an especially restricted run of watches, because the dials are sometimes comprised of a whole lot of tiny parts and completely different supplies. Should you thought guillochage was tough…
Isotope Mercury Marquetry
Like many issues that take lots of talent and time, and particularly so on the earth of watches, marquetry doesn’t come low-cost. However there are manufacturers on the market that try to make this type of artwork as accessible as attainable, and Isotope is on the forefront. Working with Bernardo d’Orey, a Paris-based artisan, the British model is ready to provide made-to-order marquetry dials, every with a novel design, for a staggering worth level. Prime that off with a good hand-winding motion within the Peseux 7001 powering a gorgeous set of palms, and also you’ve acquired your self a reasonably nice X-factor piece with out splashing that a lot money – particularly when put into context of what’s to come back. Value: ranging from £4,000
XRby Rose Saneuil The Quetzal
XRby shouldn’t be a family title, however The Quetzal is a reasonably distinctive providing at a surprisingly reasonably priced worth level for what’s on provide. The Schwarz Etienne micro-rotor is kind of minimally embellished (although the marquetry on the oscillating weight is fairly cool), however the sapphire case and quetzal dial motif are one thing else. There are 16 whole supplies and 214 particular person parts that make up the dial, together with birdseye maple, sycamore, hornbeam, and leather-based. Value: CHF 19,800 (~US$23,000)
Bulgari Divas’ Dream Peacock Dischi
In contrast to the XRby, which has a bird-inspired dial with none precise feather materials, the Divas’ Dream Peacock Dischi is much less apparent about its avian muse however really makes use of peacock feathers to make up the marquetry sample. The 2 discs symbolize hours and minutes indicated by the blue gem stones set into the case, which separate the azure blue and emerald inexperienced feathers. I’m undecided whether or not the round-cut diamond changing the “eye” of a peacock’s feather was intentional, however it’s a good stylistic alternative. Value: US$69,000
Ulysse Nardin Marine Blast Free Wheel Marquetry
Ulysse Nardin maybe isn’t as well-known for its use of silicon accurately, seeing because it was the primary model to introduce it right into a watch motion with the 2001 Freak. To have fun this achievement, Ulysse Nardin has used silicon in its dials too, the most recent being this Blast Free Wheel mannequin. The impact is achieved utilizing 103 slivers of silicon materials which are matte or polished, measuring in at simply 0.3mm or 0.35mm, respectively. This additionally makes the Blast Free Wheel Marquetry barely completely different from most marquetry-dial watches, as a lot of the calibre in its flying configuration is definitely front-and-centre, with the reflective dial taking a step again to let the UN-176 flying tourbillon motion shine. Value: US$137,200
Patek Philippe ref. 5089G-129 Morning on a Seashore
It’s all the time an thrilling time when Patek Philippe presents its novelties on the first massive watch truthful of the 12 months. For 2024, a lot of the hassle was centered on the Uncommon Handcrafts assortment that displayed scenes executed in probably the most tough strategies, together with cloisonné enamelling, miniature portray, and, after all, marquetry. I picked the “Morning on a Seashore” as to me, it’s the very last thing I’d anticipated depicted on a Patek, however accomplished in probably the most Patek approach attainable, with intricate wooden marquetry depicting the lonely scene. Value: POA
Louis Vuitton Escale Cupboard of Wonders Snake’s Jungle
With an unbelievable stage of funding into its watchmaking division during the last decade, Louis Vuitton has slowly begun to earn its maintain on this extremely conventional business. However one factor their La Fabrique du Temps workshop has excelled ever since being taken over by LV is the haute horlogerie stuff, now increasing this into all kinds of métiers d’artwork. A very notable examples of this endeavour is the Escale Cupboard of Wonders trio (although my private favorite continues to be the Koi’s Backyard), the place the Snake’s Jungle variant combines intricate marquetry and enamelling. It’s not an ultra-complicated watch, however the dial has greater than sufficient going for it, with the numerous layers of wooden, straw, and parchment serving as a backdrop to the three-dimensional snake and leaves. Although they’re fairly completely different, it’s yet one more instance of Rose Saneuil’s sensible work. Value: POA
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Minute Repeater Tourbillon Tribute to Artwork Deco Model
If we’re speaking about probably the most particular marquetry dials, I can’t not point out Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers Tribute to Artwork Deco Model. The inspiration is apparent, with the crown-like protrusions surrounding the tourbillon aperture, nearly as if towering over the doorway of a New York heritage constructing. Comprised of tinted pear and tulip wooden, they’re rimmed in rose gold to match the case. This piece is extra about the entire expertise – together with the hand-engraving and diamond markers – making it distinctive, which it’s. Value: POA
