A dazzling timepiece with a striking presence. Generous dimensions serve to exalt the composition. This piece of jewellery is structured and constructed on a band of translucent obsidian in sombre hues, illuminated by an extraordinary octagonal-shaped morganite of 143.99 carats which is edged with a double border paved with white diamonds and sapphires in graduated orange-pink tones.

An osmosis of sumptuous materials transformed into jewels. From beneath the flat pavilion of the central gemstone emerges a stark dial entirely paved with diamonds. The magic of a glittering encounter enhanced by a harmony of translucent hues and a palette ranging from grey-brown to pink and orange. This exquisite creation has been meticulously styled and crafted.

The one-of-a-kind piece draws on the combined skills of Watchmaking and High Jewellery. Cut to measure on the setting, the wristwatch offers insight into the painstakingly slow task of the artisan jeweller, who works to reveal the contours one by one as the piece gradually takes shape.

 

 

The inspiration for the piece came in the form of a raw 119-kg obsidian stone and the intuition of a gem cutter, who spotted the potential for a shimmering array of tones within the stone. Passion led the way in this fortuitous chance encounter. At first glance, the raw stone gave no hint of the beautiful material into which it could be transformed. Guided by the gem cutter’s conviction and the talents, expertise and sensibilities of a dedicated team, the venture was plagued by risks throughout. What if we were wrong? What if the stone breaks?

No one could have predicted the exquisite execution of the gem cutter, who intuitively chipped away, eventually uncovering a sombre-hued band veined with tree-like motifs and shimmering with amber, opaque, black and orange-pink tones. The vibrant tones of this vein form a continuous motif that connects the two curves of the cuff in perfect symmetry.

Cartier jewellers spent close to 1,700 hours fashioning this striking yet subtle timepiece. The seen and the unseen are equally impressive: the square-shaped diamond of the push-piece, the baguette-cut diamonds along the prong-set edges of the gem, and the dainty paving of tiny diamonds inside the case that complement the faceted cut of the gem – impossibly sophisticated details in a piece that nature has made one-of-a-kind.

Cartier excels in this art of the unique: willingness to take a risk and rely on chance, trust in the team’s expertise, and the shared passion of everyone involved.