Eccentric multi-millionaire Don Carlos de Beistegui held a masked ball at the Palazzo Labia in Venice on 3rd September 1951 that was recognized as one of the greatest social events of modern times. “It was the finest celebration I have ever seen or ever will see,” said Christian Dior, who was one of the several hundred celebrities who attended the ball (wearing an outfit designed by Salvador Dali; Dali himself wearing an outfit designed by Dior). Sixty years after the great event, in 2001, Dior launched the Dior VIII Grand Bal collection as the expression in fine watchmaking codes of the passion that its founder had for great parties.
And what a collection! Ladies looking for the perfect wrist companion for the most special of occasions are spoiled for choice with the Dior VIII Grand Bal, which encapsulates all the themes from Dior couture in the confined space of a watch case, always incorporating the brand’s patented “Dior Inversé” calibres, which show off the functional oscillating weight on the dial side and recreate the sway of a ball gown as it moves around the dial with its haute couture accouterments. The 2016 models alone offer a bewildering choice to the discerning female appreciator of fine watchmaking and haute couture combined.
Dior VIII Grand Bal Cancan
The name leaves little to the imagination: in the two new limited editions of 88 pieces each, both the dial and the oscillating mass are adorned with colourful plumage against a background of a high-tech white or black ceramic and pink gold case. On the white ceramic model the dial base is lacquered mauve, with two rows of white and yellow feather marquetry and charcoal grey feathers decorating the oscillating mass; on the black ceramic version the dial is lacquered pink with two rows of black and blue feather marquetry and red feathers decorating the oscillating mass. On both models the bezel and oscillating mass are set with a total of 198 diamonds. For the lady who likes to swing her petticoat at the ball.
Dior VIII Grand Bal Coquette
Using a word so French that English keeps it as the translation, this new model celebrates the mischievous side of Parisian women. It is available in two versions, each a limited edition of 88 pieces, with a 36mm stainless-steel case with a bezel set with 71 diamonds. The dial is silvered and sun-brushed with a coating of translucent blue or peach lacquer and the oscillating mass is in white gold. Against the peach background, the oscillating mass swishes with orange pleating decoration and white feathers and is set with blue sapphires at the centre and pink sapphires at the edges; against the blue background, the dance is accompanied by pink pleating, white feathers and tsavorite garnet at the centre and sapphires at the edges. These two playful models are powered by the Dior Inversé 8 ¼ calibre, which offers 38 hours of power reserve. For the lady who likes to be flirtatious.
Dior VIII Grand Bal Plissé Ruban
The folds of haute couture are also evidence in this collection of 188 pieces for each of two versions, where the broader ribbon folds are clearly visible on the dial background and the oscillating weight. Using the same 36mm case in stainless steel, set with diamonds on the bezel and the centre of the oscillating weight (total 103 stones), the same slivered opaline dial with pleat effect is contrasted with a choice of a pink or yellow-gold oscillating weight with a shaded pink or blue lacquered effect and mother-of-pearl inlay near the edges. For the lady who exudes classic elegance.
Dior VIII Grand Bal Ondine
Now for the lady who is exclusive and never has enough choice! Dior presents twelve one-of-a-kind pieces that evoke just a hint of a flowing ball gown design on the oscillating mass (personally I also see a trace of the mysterious masks worn at masked balls). Each model is fully paved with a particular precious stone, with a thousand or more stones of the same colour covering the bezel, dial and oscillating mass, with a selection of contrasting stones adorning the undulating design on the oscillating mass.
See the full beauty of this collection of unique pieces in our photo gallery by clicking on the photo at the top of this article.
