Robb Report - USA (2019-08)

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