Gucci Wonderland, the new high watchmaking collection

by Joshua Hendren

It’s been half a century since the inaugural release of Gucci Swiss Timepieces. Fusing high-tech mechanics with the unparalleled artistry synonymous with the House of Gucci, the luxury Maison presented a new horological combination of Swiss refinement and Italian design.

Following the success of Gucci’s high watchmaking debut last year to celebrate the brand’s centennial, the House has unveiled its second high watchmaking collection at the Gucci Wonderland event in Geneva. The fairground-inspired event saw the debut of a new collection abundant with multi-hued gemstones, celestial wonders and a bevy of precious metals.

A halo of coloured jewels cicle the dial of the first model, the new G-Timeless Planetarium timepiece. Not only does this create a dramatic ring of colour, but the gem-set wheel can also be rotated around the dial in a kaleidoscope of light at the mere touch of a button. Such is made possible by Gucci Swiss Timepieces’ groundbreaking horological invention, the flying tourbillon GGC.1976.DS calibre. Each watch is offered in white, rose, or recycled yellow gold and comes adorned with either green tsavorite, blue tanzanite or yellow beryl gemstones. Not only this, but it also comes punctuated by a diamond-set star at its core.

Elsewhere the new 25H Skeleton Tourbillon offers sheer elegance in impossibly sleek proportions. At 8mm thick, both varieties (100% recycled white gold or yellow gold) come powered by a flying tourbillon calibre. Dubbed the GG727.25.TS movement, such mechanics allow the central dial decoration to float above the brushed and polished titanium bridges that form the case back. Rendering a sense of layering and dimension, the skeleton hands uplift the overall style of the timepiece. When paired with the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, it becomes a statement of timeless luxury and maximalism, a Gucci trademark.

If you’re a fan of otherworldly elegance, the final model, the G-Timeless Moonlight, will appeal to you the most. The first thing you notice is the beautifully decorated moons on the dial wax, formed in an eye-popping silver crescent and pearlescent whole. Available in pink gold and white gold, the two moons glisten against the magnetic pull of a natural meteorite dial surrounded by diamonds. 

A joyous display of rare gemstones and technical mastery that showcases Alessandro Michele at his finest, the high watchmaking collection is housed in Gucci’s first dedicated boutique at Place Vendôme, Paris and is available to view by appointment only.