That Gem Dior watch we want

The Gem Dior watch collection, dreamed up by Christian Dior’s Artistic Director of Dior Joaillerie Victoire de Castellane, pushes the idea of watches as jewellery. Where typically watches waver between having the addition of diamonds, gems and colour, the Gem Dior collection sets about a whole new way of watch thinking. And it’s really rather impressive. 

“The spirit of this collection is modern, it’s a style that I would describe as abstract-organic, an organised disruption that turned out to eb a true technical challenge for our ateliers,” says de Castellane of the bracelet. It comes in a variety of colours, features layers of gemstones and colour-coordinated jewels and draws on the themes of nature and couture – which Monsieur Dior himself also loved. There are 11 pieces in total, which made their debut at the beginning of 2021. 

The name is a play on “gem” and “J’aime” – “I like/love” in French – and builds on a high jewellery collection launched two years ago by the house. 

Notably, the bracelet itself, which is especially eye-catching, takes inspiration from the way Monsieur Dior used to pin fabric swatches for his couture shows onto sheets of paper. It is also asymmetrical and clasp-less, made up instead with ornamental gems include malachite, lapis lazuli, carnelian, pink opal and tiger’s eye, all of which form a vivid wrist decoration. Its unique case was also designed after the natural formations of minerals –  slices of rough tourmaline. 

There are also versions in steel and black mother-of-pearl, pink gold and full diamond pavé, in gold and steel with lapis lazuli among them and each presented with an interchangeable black leather strap. And there is a jewellery collection that features rings, bangles and earrings.