Carrying the Earth's memories on your wrist - The history of watches made with natural stones
A watch made with natural stones - A luxury watch that carries the memories of the Earth on your wrist. It is not only a tool for telling time, but also an accessory that embodies ideas and aesthetic sense.
A watch with a natural stone dial takes this ambiguity to the extreme.
Malachite, lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, onyx, aventurine...
They are not simply colored materials, but natural formations that have been created through hundreds of millions of years of geological activity, and no two are exactly alike.
This time, we will delve deeper into the history, processing techniques, brand examples, and aesthetic value of natural stone watches.
The History of Natural Stone Dials
The culture of using natural stones in watches began in earnest in the mid-20th century.
Especially in the 1960s and 1970s, luxury brands began to use precious stones on the dials, an innovative approach that went beyond mere decoration.
- Deep colors that cannot be expressed with a metal dial
- A coincidence drawn by nature
- The effect of giving industrial products a sense of organic life
The aim was to
However, natural stone has the disadvantages of being easily broken and difficult to process to a uniform thickness.
Only brands that were able to overcome this technical hurdle were able to realize natural stone dials.
The appeal of representative natural stones
Malachite
It has a vibrant green striped pattern.
This mineral is derived from copper ore, and its flowing layers are reminiscent of natural art.
The deep three-dimensional effect, the shading that changes depending on the light, and the vibrant, lifelike patterns make it impossible to find two identical patterns.
Lapis Lazuli
Golden particles of pyrite scattered among the ultramarine blue.
Its appearance is reminiscent of the stars shining in the night sky. It evokes a cosmic depth, silence, and mysticism, and is a perfect match for a dress watch.
Tiger's Eye
It is characterized by the chatoyancy effect, where light travels horizontally.
The sparkle glides and shifts depending on the angle, creating a dynamic luster and a vintage, exotic and powerful impression.
The manufacturing process of natural stone dials
Natural stones cannot be used in watches as they are.
- Selection of raw stones (checking pattern and strength)
- Slice (cut into thin slices of about 0.4-0.8mm)
- polishing
- Back reinforcement (adhesion to brass or plate)
- Index Processing
The process of thinning it down to around 0.5mm is particularly difficult, as it will break even with the slightest force. Because the success rate is low, the number of pieces produced is limited.
This means that natural stone dials are inevitably produced in small quantities.
The value of natural stone watches today
The modern watch market is dominated by cutting-edge materials such as silicon parts, ceramic cases, and carbon composites.
Natural stone is a contrasting example of this. The combination of natural materials and mechanical movements creates a strong individuality.
An increasing number of brands are actively using natural stones while inheriting the DNA of historic case manufacturers, and the balance between price and artistry is being reevaluated.
Advantages and precautions of natural stone watches
merit
- Unique individual differences
- Overwhelming presence
- Rarity
- Collector's item
Points to note
- Avoid strong impacts
- Be careful of temperature changes
- Avoid sudden changes in water temperature
Being a natural material, it is more delicate than industrial materials, but this delicacy is also its charm.
Natural stone watches are a form of art
A watch is an industrial product, while natural stones are creations created by the earth.
When these two elements are combined, the watch becomes more than just a timekeeping device.
It becomes a valuable piece of wearable art.
Watches made with natural stones have no two identical patterns, embodying the fusion of nature and machinery, and combining rarity and presence due to being produced in small quantities.
In an age of mass production and uniformity, natural stone dials, with their heterogeneity and randomness, could be said to be rather modern.
For those who feel that having the same watch as everyone else is not enough, natural stone watches are a special choice.
Conclusion: What is a natural stone watch?
Natural stone watches are a record of the Earth's geological activity, a crystallization of optical phenomena, and an industrial product that incorporates nature.
This is not just a difference in design. The idea is to incorporate hundreds of millions of years of time into a device that measures time. This fusion is the essence of the natural stone watch.
CONTÉVANOU is an authorized dealer of watches and jewelry in the Nishi-sando area of Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. From watches with unique designs to high-quality jewelry, you can take your time to look at the actual items in your hands.
CONTÉVANOU, authorized watch and jewelry dealer
Nishi-sando Terrace E1, 28-7 Yoyogi 4-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3299-8008