When Baselworld 2015 was just about to open its doors, Dior previewed its Grand Bal Watches Collection.
The Grand Bal Watches belong to Dior VIII, a number permeated with deep meaning and symbolism for the Maison: VIII, like October 8 1946, the year when Maison Christian Dior was founded; VIII like the its first collection name, “En Huit”; VIII like Paris’ VIIIème Arrondissement, cradle to the Maison, located in Avenue Montaigne; VIII like Dior VIII, the latest collection from Dior Horologerie.
Graphic, elegant and timeless, Dior VIII evokes the emblematic jacket of the “Bar” tailleur:
Dior VIII is the reflection of a feminine wardrobe. And Le Grand Bal is all abut unique evening gowns romantically unfolding on the watch’s dial.
The Dior VIII Grand Bal collection come to life with four new one-of-a-kind timepieces, and feature a functional oscillating weight, placed on the dial, which reproduces the swirl of a ball gown. Their snow-set dial is graced with an open-worked and translucent oscillating weight, finely decorated with mother-of-pearl, opals and precious stones, which evokes the frozen nature in a winter garden and demonstrates the Maison’s exceptional jewellery know-how.
The Dior Grand Soir collection is inspired by origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper-folding, and unfolds itself in 5 new one-of-a-kind pieces numbered from 32 to 36. Their dial, textured like folded paper, is decorated with white mother-of-pearl. Their graphic bezel is set with geometrically-shaped precious stones. As refined on the inside as on the outside, these timekeepers are equipped with an Elite movement by the Zenith manufacture and feature a lacquered oscillating weight, revealing mother-of-pearl patterns in harmony with the dial as it swirls.
Finally, in 2015, the Dior VIII Grand Bal “Plissé soleil” model features new colours combining the deep blue of the dial with a watery green of the oscillating weight, in contrast with the grey mother-of-pearl pleating. This Haute Couture model is worn either with a steel bracelet, composed of the Dior VIII collection’s emblematic pyramid-shaped links or with a shiny burgundy alligator strap. In size 36mm, this timepiece is equipped with an automatic movement, exclusive to the House of Dior, the “Dior Inversé 11 1/2” calibre, featuring a functional gold oscillating weight placed on the dial, decorated with metallized grey mother-of-pearl marquetry and set with diamonds, recalling the hypnotic swirl of a sun-pleated dress. CC
Post by Claudia Carletti, Jewellery Through Time. Material courtesy of Dior Press Office.
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