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November 1, 2013updated Feb 14, 2014

Diamonds are Forever

By Chris Boyle

DIAMONDS-ARE-FOREVER

We all know that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but these dazzling timepieces have us convinced that the coveted gemstone is getting pretty cozy with haute horologists as well.

The Kalla Pampilles watch from Vacheron Constantin has a secret: The timepiece itself is hidden away beneath an asymmetrical smattering of 39 princess-cut and 184 round-cut diamonds that sparkle down the wrist. The 40mm-by-56mm white gold watch is home to a manual-wind caliber 1005 movement (about $748,440).

Diamonds are Forever

Don’t give up sugar entirely! de Grisogono’s Sugar collection features colorful gem-covered watches with stones that cascade gracefully off the bezel onto the wrist. The rose gold and white diamond interpretation is particularly striking and just as sweet as its namesake (price available upon request).

Diamonds are Forever1

The honeycomb design of Chaumet’sBeeMy Love makes for another sweet option. The white gold quartz movement watch has a 19.5mm case, a bezel covered in 24 pavé diamonds, a dial boasting 164 pavé diamonds, and a slender bracelet and buckle with 68 diamonds—Chaumet’s gemstone setters have been busy bees indeed (about $113,226).

Patricia Phang at Chaumet in Hong Kong

852-2196-8668

www.chaumet.com

Diamonds are Forever2

The 36mm Premier Glacier watch from Harry Winston has a fractal, icy beauty about it. The quartz movement timepiece (only five will be made) counts 254 baguette diamonds on its shimmering bracelet and another 130 baguette diamonds on its white gold case. The dial motif is so complex that only about half a dozen diamonds can be set a day by the house’s master gem setter ($782,200).

Laurie Adorno at Harry Winston in New York

(212) 399-1000

www.harrywinston.com

Diamonds are Forever3

The serpent has long been a symbol of inspiration for Boucheron, and on the quartzmovement Ajourée Amvara watch, it assumes the role of protector, coiling around the off-center, mother-of-pearl dial. The white gold snake has scales of round-cut diamonds, while the piece’s openwork design adds 3D energy to the cold-blooded creature so elegantly guarding the passage of time (price available upon request).

Alfred Koh at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore

65-6723-8022

www.boucheron.com

Diamonds are Forever4

Patek Philippe’s latest Nautilus Haute Joaillerie rose gold watch, the 7021/1R, uses a “gridless pavé” designed to give the gems more access to light and thus sparkle even brighter. The 33.6mm watch features a Caliber 324 S C mechanical selfwinding movement and a sapphire crystal display case back ($334,200).

Christine Donahue at Patek Philippe at Tiffany & Co. in New York

(212) 755-8000

www.patek.com

Diamonds are Forever5

The all-white Cat’s Eye Snow Tourbillon from Girard-Perregaux balances more than 1,000 snowset diamonds with the dial in a very modern way. The dial has been crafted from mother-of-pearl but cut to resemble a multitude of round pearls. The in-house designed GP09700 movement features a tourbillon at 6 o’clock and has a 70-hour power reserve ($292,500).

Caroline Anderson at Girard-Perregaux in New York

(646) 495-9915

www.girard-perregaux.com

Royal

The Royal Oak Selfwinding watch from Audemars Piguet maintains an air of machismo. The 37mm brushed white gold case, prominent lugs, and case screws act as counterpoints to the pavé and brilliant-cut diamonds, anchoring the timepiece— complete with a 60-hour power reserve and a display case back—in a masculine universe ($78,100).

Goly Noghrey at Audemars Piguet in New York

(888) 214-6858

www.audemarspiguet.com

Carrera y

Carrera y Carrera’s latest timepiece, from its Circle of Fire collection, is dramatic yet feminine. The 38mm watch’s black backdrop is the perfect canvas on which to display a white diamond-covered dragon. The mythical creature stalks the watch, its claws ready to strike, guarding the quartz movement timepiece at its center ($42,300).

Lauren Goldsmith at Cellini in New York

(212) 751-1555

www.carreraycarrera.com

Diamonds are Forever6

The distinctive look of the Piaget Limelight Gala collection, with cases whose bezels seem to be trying to escape by curling along the watch straps, is the perfect place to play with diamonds. The 38mm 18K rose gold version, set with 413 brilliant-cut diamonds and paired with a crisp white satin strap, has a lovely, sun-kissed freshness to it ($71,000).

Jared Maclane at Piaget in New York

(212) 246-5555

www.piaget.com

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