Robb Report - 08.2019

(Darren Dugan) #1
GUTTER CREDITS

ROBBREPORT.COM 109


Who needs ice when you can have crystal?
It may not seem like the obvious choice for a
luxury material in comparison to blingy gems,
but sapphire-crystal watches are the height of
watchmaking art—and showstoppers in their
own right. Sapphire crystal is the second-hardest
naturally occurring material on Earth, after
diamond; as a result, just carving and shaping
the case requires handmade diamond-tipped
tools. The painstaking process to cut, machine
and polish one timepiece (sometimes 200 hours
or more) is so precarious and difficult that a
company can make at most a handful each year.
But for hardcore watch collectors an even
bigger appeal is the 360-degree views of the
serious mechanics reserved for this level
of craftsmanship. These five brands—
laser-focused on the future—are leading the
pack in 21st-century watchmaking.

Transparent and incredibly


durable—though notoriously tough


to craft—these saphire-crystal


watches are right at the cutting edge.


BY PAIGE REDDINGER


PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMILLO BÜCHELMEIER


Who needs ice when you can have crystal?
It may not seem like the obvious choice for a
luxury material in comparison to blingy gems,
but sapphire-crystal watches are the height of
watchmaking art—and showstoppers in their
own right. Sapphire crystal is the second-hardest
naturally occurring material on Earth, after
diamond; as a result, just carving and shaping
the case requires handmade diamond-tipped
tools. The painstaking process to cut, machine
and polish one timepiece (sometimes 200 hours
or more) is so precarious and difficult that a
company can make at most a handful each year.
But for hardcore watch collectors an even
bigger appeal is the 360-degree views of the
serious mechanics reserved for this level
of craftsmanship. These five brands—
laser-focused on the future—are leading the
pack in 21st-century watchmaking.

Transparentandincredibly


durable—thoughnotoriouslytough


tocraft—thesesaphire-crystal


watchesarerightatthecuttingedge.


BY PAIGE REDDINGER


PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMILLO BÜCHELMEIER

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