Lucky charm watch, jewellery watch … in Dior’s case, one should perhaps say, couture watch – or even more appropriately, haute couture watch. With the Dior VIII Montaigne, the Parisian company is reinventing the contours of femininity by evoking its culture of fashion, of couture, its history and its taste for refinement. Far more than a mere number, the 8 speaks volumes about House of Dior. The company opened on October 8th 1946; its Parisian address on the Rue Montaigne, is in the 8th arrondissement; the very first Dior watch was the “En Huit” collection… and now comes the Dior VIII Montaigne showcasing several clever colour and material combinations.
In the exquisite Dior VIII Montaigne, the House features Christian Dior’s favourite colour palette. Grey, the emblematic colour of the French18th century, about which the couturier wrote in his Little Dictionary of Fashion in 1954 that “it is the most elegant neutral colour”, appears in the steel of the case. Pink – “the softest of all colours” according to the couturier whom it reminded of his childhood home at Granville – appears on the bezel, the hands, the case-back and the dial. Pink mother-of-pearl, translucent rose lacquer, candid pink on a galvanised steel dial… the colour of the flowers that were much loved by Christian Dior is translated into an enchanting cameo. And lastly, pale blue “ one of the most prettiest colours”, also makes an appearance on the Dior VIII Montaigne.
A watch for day wear or belle of the ball, the Dior VIII Montaigne plays with colours and reflections, juggling with styles. More of a jewellery model in a 25mm diameter on a steel, pink gold bracelet or an alligator leather strap; delightfully relaxed in an all-steel version with a 32mm or 36mm diameter with or without diamonds;
or a stunning watch for exceptional evenings in the Dior VIII Grand Bal version. This irresistible 36mm model highlights the Dior Inversé 11 ½ calibre featuring an oscillating weight – placed on the side of the gold mother-of-pearl and diamond dial - that evokes the sunray pleated couture motif. Whirling and twirling: truly hypnotic!
