It’s a trend that’s been around in horological circles since the 1960s, when a free-wheeling, bohemian spirit resulted in an explosion of colourful watch dials using semi-precious ornamental stones including lapis lazuli, onyx, and turquoise. The era’s biggest film star, Elizabeth Taylor, a renowned watch and jewellery enthusiast, owned several such timepieces, including golden Piaget cuffs with opal, tiger’s eye and malachite dials.
With their lustrous textures and bright hues bringing a rainbow-like rush of creativity to the industry, it’s no wonder that hardstone dials are staging a comeback all these years later, just as the demand for more personalised timepieces is also on the rise. When these stones are sliced (a process undertaken with the greatest of care, especially with opals, which can shatter under pressure) and set amongst precious gems, their distinctive striations and variegations combine to create a watch that is as unique as their wearer. Here, we round up 10 of the best.
1. La D de Dior Tiger’s Eye Satine watch in stainless steel, yellow gold, tiger’s eye and diamonds, £6,750, Dior Watches
2. Divas’ Dream Lapis Lazuli watch in 18kt Rose Gold with diamonds, POA, Bulgari
3. De Ville Tresor 46m Malachite Dial in Moonshine Gold, £27,240, Omega
4. Day-Date 36, £102,700, Rolex
5. 29mm Possession watch in 18k rose gold case set with diamonds and carnelian, £16,600, Piaget
6. Sweet Alhambra watch in white gold, onyx and diamonds, £13,200, Van Cleef & Arpels
7. 35mm Les Pierres de Rêve watch, with dendritic opal, white gold and diamonds, price on request, Chaumet
8. Limited edition 43mm Arceau L’heure de la Lune, in platinum with meteorite dial, price on request, Hermès
9. Reverso high jewellery watch with black opal dial, price on request, Jaeger Le-Coultre
10. L’Heure Du Diamant watch with a malachite dial, diamonds and 18k rose gold, POA, Chopard
