After Guichet-style watches, the other trend which is catching our eye is stone dial watches. Stone dials are popular among watch connoisseurs as they add a distinct character through their natural patterns and textures. Since no two stones are the same, dials crafted from them are also unique. However, the use of stones for dial-making is not a new concept; stone dial watches have existed since 1963, when Piaget launched several watches featuring stones like lapis lazuli, opal, malachite, and tiger’s eye.
With a slew of watches released this year, it seems like they are all the rage, and hence several brands are also integrating them into their core collection. Here is our list of the top 5 stone dial watches from brands like Rolex, Moser & Cie., Piaget, Gerald Charles, and Zenith.
1. Moser & Cie. Pop Collection
Moser & Cie has launched a whole new Pop collection with the Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Pop and the Endeavour Small Seconds Concept Pop timepieces. The watches feature a refreshing colour palette of precious gemstones, where each gemstone carries symbolic significance, like jade embodies wisdom and harmony, lapis lazuli is associated with intuition and creativity, turquoise symbolises vitality and protection, coral evokes passion, lemon chrysoprase promotes self-confidence, and pink opal inspires gentleness and love.
This symbolic dimension adds another facet to the collection, transforming each timepiece into a personal talisman. The careful selection of these stones for their colour intensity and exceptional clarity further enhances their impact on the dial. Read more about all the watches here.
2. Rolex GMT-Master II
While the release of Rolex Land-Dwellers was the highlight of this year, the other watch that caught collectors’ fancy is the GMT-Master II featuring a dial crafted from tiger iron. It is the first time the brand is using this metamorphic rock composed of tiger's eye, red jasper, and hematite. The stone displays a golden and orangy tints that complement the 18K rose gold case and bracelet. Read more about the watch here.
3. Piaget Andy Warhol watch
Piaget’s Andy Warhol High Jewellery watch features an opal dial whose colour shifts from earthy tones to kaleidoscopic blues and greens. It is Yeve’s Piaget’s favourite stone, and creating a dial large enough for the 45mm cushion-shaped case from such a rare stone is a testament to Piaget's gemological expertise. A particular specimen is chosen for this piece, requiring over a year to source. Further enhancing the beauty of the dial are the three rows of baguette-cut sapphires that encircle it. To read more about the watch, click here.
4. Zenith G.F.J
Along with the trio of blue ceramic chronographs released by Zenith for its 160th anniversary, there was an exclusive G.F.J. timepiece which has gathered most attention. Firstly, because it is a limited-edition watch that revives the legendary Calibre 135, which was once the most-awarded movement in the golden age of observatory chronometry competitions, read about the calibre here. And secondly, because of its captivating blue central dial crafted from deep blue Lapis Lazuli and a mother-of-pearl seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. Read full info about the watch here.
5. Gerald Charles
To celebrate its 25th anniversary as well as for the charity auction hosted by Christie’s to benefit the Action Innocence foundation, Gérald Charles has released a unique piece, Maestro GC39 Remaster, featuring a rare Australian Fire Opal stone in its centre. This stone is known for its signature ‘flame-like’ glow and vibrant beauty, as it displays tones of yellow, orange, deep red, translucent or glassy clarity. Each stone is a product of ancient geological processes, composed of hydrated silica and containing up to 20% water. Read more about the watch here.
Images: Courtesy Brands
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