Dolce & Gabbana Makes Its Debuts In The World of Haute Horlogerie

Dolce & Gabbana makes its debut in the world of Haute Horlogerie… Clearly, this was one of the things we did not expect to see when running around Baselworld. Among the presentations surrounding the watch and Jewelry fair, the Italian fashion powerhouse was showcasing its watch collections in the exclusive settings of the luxurious Hotel des Trois Rois. Continue reading if you are up for something… Let’s say, different!

It is not easy to circumscribe the design of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana within a definition. Their opulent styling bears the imprint of Mediterranean tradition celebrating loudly Italian excess. As the Maison is initiating a strategic shift in its watch operations – going wholesale – it is making its debut in the world of Haute Horlogerie unveiling four unique pieces.

Faithful to the playful opulence that defines the Dolce & Gabbana style, these four creations bear the imprint of the baroque style – which historically started in Italy – with lively, curved, exuberant forms and rich ornaments. Like the brand’s jewelry, it is lavishly decorated with golden tones. Each case was manufactured using sophisticated metalworking techniques or traditional crafts such as enameling, hand-painting or gem-setting. The style is certainly polarizing and won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the workmanship involved in their making is indeed impressive.

These 4 watches are powered with high-end, sophisticated movements produced with Pierre Favre’s MHC (Manufacture de Hautes Complications). Headquartered in Geneva, MHC specializes in developing and manufacturing high-end complicated movements and has been working with some of the most prominent brands in the industry. Interestingly, their production involved the D&G Jewelry workshop craftsmen responsible for the superb engraving and decoration of components.

With Pierre Favre responsible for movement manufacturing (or restoration of a vintage movement for the Othello timepiece), it is no surprise that these are superbly executed. For instance, the chime of the ‘Don Carlo’ is remarkably loud and clear, despite the unusual shape of the richly decorated case whose jade dial is hidden behind an open-worked hinged cover.

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Orologeria Don Carlo

Don Carlo, minute repeater and tourbillon, a 46mm gold watch with fully engraved case, and gold / gem-set hinged cover over the dial. Loud and present, the design is very personal but the work done on gold and on the movement, is impressive.

• Case: 46 mm – hand-engraved yellow gold set with 11 emeralds 2.19 cts – sapphire crystal, sapphire caseback – jade dial with inlaid gold markers
• Movement: DG 13.01 – 30.00 mm x 6.10 mm – mechanical with manual winding – 72h power reserve – 21,600 vibrations/h – 29 jewels – hours, minutes, one minute flying tourbillon and minute repeater
• Strap:  alligator with safety folding buckle
• Retail price: EUR 575’000
• Unique piece

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Orologeria MacBeth

MacBeth, a Tourbillon Monopusher Chronograph with a fully sheared gold case and bracelet, as well as an engraved gold dial. The movement is known (seen in other watches, such as B&R). Again, a loud and present watch, however with technical content.

• Case: 46 mm – hand-engraved yellow gold – sapphire crystal, sapphire caseback – hand-engraved yellow gold dial – crown set with one ruby
• Movement: DG 23.01 – 30.00 mm x 5.00 mm – mechanical with manual winding – 100h power reserve – 21,600 vibrations/h – 35 jewels – hours, minutes, monopusher column-wheel chronograph, power reserve indication, one minute flying tourbillon
• Bracelet:  hand-engraved yellow gold
• Retail price: EUR 275’000
• Unique piece

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Orologeria Nabucco

Nabucco, a Flying Tourbillon with micro rotor, again with a yellow gold engraved case. The style is even more baroque here, with this added engraved piece on top and the Roman numerals on the dial. Again, the engraving work is simply stunning.

• Case: 44.5 mm – engraved yellow gold – sapphire crystal – engraved gold and enamel dial – crown set with one ruby
• Movement: DG 33.01 – 36.00 mm x 3.70 mm – mechanical with automatic winding (micro-rotor) – 50h power reserve – 21,600 vibrations/h – 29 jewels – hours, minutes, one minute flying tourbillon
• Strap:  alligator with safety folding buckle
• Retail price: EUR 195’000
• Unique piece

Dolce & Gabbana Alta Orologeria Othello

Othello features a vintage movement and dial that have been restored and encased in a rectangular case, in a sapphire sandwich. Once again, the main point of interest is about jewelry and métiers d’arts.

• Case: 38×44 mm – engraved yellow gold set with 1 diamond and two rubies – sapphire crystal, sapphire caseback – mother-of-pearl dial
• Movement: DG 53.01 – 22.00 mm x 3.70 mm – mechanical with manual winding – 32h power reserve – 18,000 vibrations/h – 15 jewels – hours, minutes
• Strap:  alligator with safety folding buckle
• Retail price: EUR 95’000
• Unique piece