When Haute Jewellery And Haute Horology Meet – Seven Mind-Blowing Timepieces That Will Simply Blow You Away

The respective industries of haute jewellery and haute horology have long lived side-by-side with each other, operating as the luxury must-have product for the rich and famous. Nothing compares to that of having an exquisite timepiece on your wrist or a stunning piece of jewellery around your neck. However, some collaborations between the two industries have produced some of the most stunning timepieces created to date. Of course, these are complete with several hundreds of diamonds and a hefty price tag.

Blancpain Tourbillon Diamonds

Celebrated Swiss watch manufacture Blancpain showcase the Blancpain Torubillon Diamonds, a truly stunning example of high jewellery meets high watchmaking. The timepiece feature 480 diamonds totalling 58 carats set in a 1.5 in diameter white gold case. The watch features baguette-cut diamonds, a variation of jewellery craftsmanship that is incredibly complex in terms of both the arrangement and the specific size of each stone.

The watch is powered by Blancpain’s in-house calibre 25A movement and features a self-winding tourbillon movement – as you know – one of the most respected and difficult mechanisms in the watch industry to date. The tourbillon is visible through an aperture at 12 o’clock. The Blancpain is available to purchase from the Blancpain boutique in Bond Street London, and commands a price tag of £1,410,710.

Audemars Piguet Haute Joaillerie Diamond Outrage

Audemars Piguet released the Haute Joaillerie Diamond Outrage at this years Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie and is the final piece in an ultra-contemporary haute jewellery trilogy – previously followed by Diamond Fury and Diamond Punk. The white gold cuff watch features complex spikes of brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds. The snow setting and invisible setting both showcase the sheer mastery of the jeweller and Audemars Piguet innovative thinking.

The watch features a staggering 9,923 brilliant-cut diamonds – totalling 50.06 carats, and 354 baguette-cut diamonds – totalling 15.85 carats. The cuff watch is entirely made in 18 carat white gold, entirely set with diamonds and features a mirror polished dial with blackened gold hands. The watch was recently spotted on the wrist of Tennis star Serena Williams at the 2017 Met Gala. The Audemars Piguet Haute Joaillerie Diamond Outrage command a price tag of £950,000.

Chanel Secret Watch ‘Signature Grenat’

Part of Chanel‘s capsule for the high jewellery collection ‘Les Éternelles’, this spectacular watch was unveiled along with 3 other models in 2016. The thematic link between all four models (which all could feature amongst this list) refers to an iconic motif at Chanel: matelassé or quilting, which Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel took from the world of horse racing. The ‘Signature Grenat’ won the prestigious Grand Prix D’Horlogerie De Genéve in the category of best jewellery watch in 2016.

This unique and sumptuous white gold secret cuff watch is quilted with diamond-set squares encrusted with both orange and yellow sapphires, and spessartite garnets, and is crowned by a central 39.9 carat cushion-shaped garnet that slides back to reveal the diamond-set secret watch. This stunning watch is available to purchase for a mere £595,500.

Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon High Jewellery Impact Bang

Hublot continue to play by their mantra; ‘First, Different & Unique’, and in the case of the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon High Jewellery Impact Bang, the watch portrays each and every aspect of this mantra. The timepiece is made up of a total of 1,574 diamonds split between baguette-cut diamonds paving the dial totalling 30.55 carats, and brilliant-cut diamonds on the case and bracelet. The dial took an estimated 240 hours of painstaking gem cutting dedicated to each watch, which is made in white gold. The term ‘Impact Bang’ refers to the new gem setting which gives off a mosaic-type impression – something which is a first of its kind, something that is certainly different and sure is unique.

The watch meets haute horology, with the inclusion of an exceptional tourbillon mechanism visible through a jagged aperture at 6 o’clock, nestled inside the HUB6016 calibre. The watch is powered by a hand wound manufacture skeletonised movement beating at 21,600 VpH. The second aperture, located at 9 o’clock, reveals a discreet power reserve indicator in red and black, which highlight the staggering 115 hours of power reserve. The price tag for this watch for full diamond set bracelet is £1,579,000.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 7021/1R-001 Rose Gold

Patek Philippe have forged an incredible reputation in the watch industry as the preferred timepiece for watch collectors, and a shining beacon in the field of haute horology. The Patek Philippe Nautilus 7021/1R-001 is an example of said haute horology with the inclusion high jewellery and gem-setting. The watch features 2,328 brilliant-cut diamond in a gridless set totalling 9.05 carats, mounted within a 18 carat rose gold case. The gridless setting ensures that each watch is completely unique, giving a special feel to each and every watch.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 7021R is powered by the mechanical self-winding movement caliber 324 S C, which powers a hours, minutes and date display, along with a sweep second hand. The watch is 33.6mm in diameter, and complete with sapphire crystal on the front and caseback and fold over clasp. The price tag for the Patek Philippe Nautilus 7021/1R-001 is $310,722.

Jacobs & Co The Billionaire

Jacobs & Co are renowned for creating unique high jewellery timepieces that are innovative and spectacular. It is evident that Jacobs & Co have the ability to develop and manufacture the best mechanisms in the watch industry, with the ability to create pieces that are truly advanced in the haute jewellery industry. The Billionaire model truly epitomises the brand’s passion for breaking boundaries. The 47.5mm diameter 18K white gold case is home to a ballet of light of 260 carats of emerald-cut diamonds with bead-setting inverted pyramid, and individual stone up to 3 carats each.

The watch is powered by the exclusive Jacobs & Co. Skeleton Manual Winding Caliber JCAM09 which powers a tourbillon, along with the conventional hour and minutes time display. The Billionaire is a dazzling representation of the courageous and rebellious spirit of Jacobs & Co. The piece is a totally one-of-a-kind creation and commands a eye-watering price tag of $18,000,000.

Richard Mille RM 051-02 Tourbillon Diamond Twister

The Richard Mille are the believed to be the kings of haute horology, but the incorporation of high jewellery is something new for the Swiss manufacture. However, Richard Mille RM 051-02 Tourbillon Diamond Twister takes its inspiration from a twisting spiral, a shape taken from the forms of natural environment. The case and central dial is made in 18K white gold and set with 270 brilliant-cut diamonds. The crown has also been set with 3 rows of diamonds to complete brilliant richness of this shimmering timepiece.

The Richard Mille Tourbillon Diamond Twister is powered by the caliber RM51-02 manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes and power reserve indicator. The timepiece features a revolutionary black onyx baseplate employed to deflect unwanted energy down to the earth whilst improving reliability of the watch. In the same effect, black onyx was once considered to be a powerful charm stone that possessed the power to counter against spells. Black onyx also symbolism equilibrium and inspiration. The timepiece is limited to just 30 pieces worldwide, and command a price tag of $935,000.