The phenomenal rise and popularity of natural stone dials is absolutely unstoppable! The natural stone dial, which became increasingly popular in the 1960s and 1970s, transcends the typical short lifespan of a trend and is here to stay. From micro brands to mainstream giants and everything in between, it seems like everyone is once again fascinated by the Earth's rare minerals and stones. Whether ultra-pure like black onyx or streaked with swirling veins like pietersite, here are six of the most beautiful stone dial watches on the market!
Louis Vuitton Escale Tiger Eye
Among the rather impressive range of Louis Vuitton Escale models introduced earlier this year, the Escale Tiger's Eye certainly stands out in more ways than one. This sophisticated timepiece uses tiger eye stone not only for the dial but also for the middle of the case. The monolithic tiger eye stone ring looks amazing in contrast to the yellow gold case elements. The time is indicated by yellow gold hands (the second hand is made of titanium with gold PVD coating) and the power comes from the chronometer-certified micro-rotor automatic caliber LFT023. Only 30 examples will be made by Louis Vuitton and will be worn on a Savannah brown Saffiano leather strap. The price is 55,000 euros.
For more information, visit LouisVuitton.com.
Quick facts – 40mm x 10.34mm – 18k yellow gold case with monolithic tiger eye center case ring – Sapphire crystal front and back – 50m water resistance – Tigereye stone dial – Yellow gold hour markers and hands (gold-plated titanium second hand) – Caliber LFT023, self-winding – 22k rose gold micro-rotor – 28,800 Vibrations per hour – 50 hour power reserve – Certified chronometer – Saffiano calf leather strap with yellow gold pin buckle – Limited to 30 pieces – 55,000 euros
Piaget Andy Warhol watch collage limited edition
Piaget is famous, at least in part, for its stone work, and the brand's mastery of craftsmanship is evident in the Andy Warhol Watch Collage. Limited to 50 pieces, this edition features a cushion-shaped yellow gold case, a graduated gadroon bezel and a recessed crown. The real star of the show, however, is the inlaid dial with a black onyx base and elements of yellow Namibian serpentine, pink opal and green chrysoprase that serve only as a backdrop for the hour and minute hands. Piaget's in-house automatic caliber 501P1 is protected from view by a solid gold case back. It is worn on a green alligator leather strap with a pin buckle and costs 67,000 francs.
For more information, visit Piaget.com.
Quick facts – 45 mm x 43 mm x 8.08 mm – 18K yellow gold case with gadroons – Sapphire crystal, sold gold case back – Recessed crown – 30 m water resistance – Dial with stone inlays (black onyx, yellow Namibian serpentine, pink opal, green chrysoprase) – Gold hour and minute hands – Caliber 501P1, in-house Automatic – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 40 hour power reserve – green alligator leather strap with yellow gold pin buckle – limited to only 50 pieces – 67,000 francs
Atelier Wen Perception Pietersite
After making a big impression with the Ancestra, Atelier Wen returns to its millesime perception with a fascinating interpretation of the stone dial. The Millesime Perception Pietersite leaves little doubt as to its purpose, featuring a delicate stone dial in a 40mm wide case. The swirling patterns of blues and grays mixed with touches of gold and brown in the pietersite add depth and movement. The Dandong Peacock SL1588A custom-made automatic watch is visible through the back and Atelier Wen combines it with an integrated bracelet with a micro-adjustable folding clasp and quick-release pins. It is only available for a limited time and retails $3,600.
For more information, visit AtelierWen.com.
Quick facts – 40mm x 9.4mm x 47mm lug to lug – 904L stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal – Semi-sapphire crystal caseback – 100m water resistance – Natural pietersite dial – Huiwen pattern chapter ring – Markers and hands with SLN – Dandong Peacock SL1558A, automatic – 28,800 Vibrations per hour – 41 hour power reserve – Integrated steel bracelet with micro-adjustable folding clasp and quick-release pins – Limited time order window (now closed) – $3,600
Antarctic Mt. Erebus cap
Czapek's Antarctique has proven to be a versatile platform and is now available in many styles. One of the most striking examples is this trio of Mt. Erebus editions, all of which have natural stone dials. All housed in yellow or rose gold cases, you can choose between lapis lazuli, green Gibeon meteorite or hawk's eye. Each offers its own unique appeal through texture, color and contrast. They're available with a rubber strap, but why not choose Full Monty and wear it on a gold bracelet? Production is limited to 8 or 10 pieces per year depending on the dial material and prices start at 39,000 francs for the rubber strap and 62,000 francs for the full gold version.
For more information, visit Czapek.com.
Quick facts – 40.5 mm x 10.6 mm – 18K rose or yellow gold case, brushed and polished – Sapphire crystal front and back – 120 m water resistance – Falcon Eye, lapis lazuli or green Gibeon meteorite dials – SLN applied markers and hands – Caliber SXH5, in-house micro-rotor automatic – 193 components – 28,800 Vibrations per hour – 60 hour power reserve – limited to 8 or 10 pieces per dial and year – rubber strap or integrated solid gold bracelet with folding clasp – 39,000 francs To 66,000 francs
Zenith Chronomaster Original triple calendar lapis lazuli
You might think that adding a natural stone dial to a watch with a multitude of displays could seem overwhelming. However, when done right, it can increase its appeal even further, as with the Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Lapis Lazuli. The clever combination of the speckled blue stone with contrasting subdials and a minute/seconds ring keeps everything easy to read. Powered by Zenith's own El Primero 3610, it not only shows the time and elapsed time, but also the day of the week, date, month and moon phase. It comes with a leather strap and a steel strap, is not limited in quantity and retails 23,700 euros.
For more information, visit Zenith-Watches.com.
Quick facts – 38 mm diameter x approx. 14 mm thick – Stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Front and back made of sapphire crystal – 50 m water resistant – Lapis lazuli dial with silver subdials – Applied indices and hands – 1/10 second flange – Day, date, month, moon phase – Caliber El Primero 3610, in-house automatic – 36,000 vibrations per hour – 60 hour power reserve – 1/10 second chronograph function – blue calfskin strap & stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp – not limited – 23,700 euros
Manufacture of Frederique Constant's classic perpetual calendar
On the more moderate side of the spectrum is Frederique Constant's Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture in yellow gold and black onyx. Even though this full yellow gold version increases the price significantly, it's impressive how FC keeps the perpetual calendar at a price unmatched by others. This model features a natural black onyx dial and a perpetual calendar display with gold markers and hands. The second generation FC-776 in-house caliber also offers twice the power reserve of the first generation, which is pleasing. It is limited to 37 numbered pieces, comes with a black alligator leather strap and is priced at 29,995 euros.
For more information, visit FrederiqueConstant.com.
Quick facts – 40mm x 12.1mm – Polished 18K yellow gold case – Sapphire crystal front and back – Onion style crown – 30m water resistance – Black onyx dial – Subdials with white printed markers – Applied gold markers and hands – FC-776 caliber, in-house automatic – Hours, minutes, day, date, month, leap year, moon phase – 28,800 Vibrations per hour – 72 hour power reserve – Black alligator leather strap with yellow gold folding clasp – Limited edition of 37 numbered pieces – 29,995 euros
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