DIAMOND WATCHES

Diamond Watches

The use of diamonds to embellish timepieces is a tradition going back to the birth of the watch. The first watches were novelty items incorporated into pieces of jewellery made for the royal ladies of Europe. These were called "watch bracelets," and the earliest known example was a round watch inlaid with diamonds presented to Queen Elizabeth I by the Earl of Leicester in 1572.

The fascination with diamond-encrusted watches is still alive and well today. Diamonds are gorgeous, ostentatious, flamboyant and prestigious. They say many things to different people, but they also have an intrinsic beauty in themselves. They look great on a watch and will always be a favourite choice of watchmakers.

Diamonds go well with the shine of metal, so stainless steel, white gold, yellow gold and rose gold are all common metals to use with diamonds on watches. Used in any combination, these materials can make a harmonious composition that will always be noticed. The mellow hues of polished or brushed metal provide a good contrast to the sharper shine of the stones, producing an effect that never fails to fascinate.

One company known for its artful diamond watches is the Japanese firm, Citizen. This company generally has a rather reserved style in its use of colour. Some watchmakers pair diamonds with bright colours in an effort to make the stones seem hard and bright, but Citizen takes the opposite approach by using them with warm, metallic tones to create a more balance colour scheme. While there is something to be said for either approach, it can't be denied that Citizen's watches have a mellow light that is most appealing.

The expression, "Less is more" was never more true than with the Player line from Nixon. In these superbly-designed watches, a wide rectangular dial is embellished with a single diamond. This is a unique treatment highlighting the beauty of the stone and creating a wonderful look that stands out by its understatement. Diamond watches are often thickly encrusted, but Nixon's approach is a refreshing change.

Others like Bulova and Versace adopt a more classic approach, incorporating rows of diamonds into intricate compositions. These watches could hang in museums. In particular, Versace's diamond watches have a positively Roman look with their golden circles and square lettering.

Diamonds are not only beautiful, but versatile. These imaginative treatments show just a few of the ways they can be used.

© SDK Jewellers Ltd.