One of the most significant motifs of the warm season, the butterfly is a special favourite of haute joaillerie and horlogerie maisons. The delicate creature is multi-faceted, beautiful to behold, and requires complex techniques to replicate onto a watch face. SolitaireLuxe presents seven exquisite timepieces that pay tribute to the beauty and delicacy of butterflies.
Blancpain
Blancpain’s bright green timepiece is the embodiment of spring’s vivacity and prosperity. Its 15.7mm dial depicts a youthful scene where a single butterfly — portrayed with two sapphires — mingles among tall grass and diamond pollen. A fully set diamond bezel frames the image and provides even greater radiance. This 18k watch runs on an automatic Calibre 6150 mechanism and is capable of a 40-hour power reserve.
Jaquet Droz
The Butterfly Journey is Jaquet Droz’s latest creative spark of brilliance. Paying homage to beauty in nature, hand-engraved and hand-patinated champlevé enamel feijoa flowers flourish over the bottom half of the dial, while a red gold butterfly applique flutters about. A set of eight pieces is created with this vision, though each piece is truly one of a kind. On each dial, the butterfly rests on a different position, making a poetic statement on the incessant changes in the faces of nature.
Piaget
Piaget’s Limelight Dancing Light collection is designed for the feminine romantics. Splashes of diamonds, curved lines, and an unmistakable use of classical elegant shapes characterise the collection. the Four Seasons — Spring piece features a pastel pink and green mother-of-pearl marquetry dial, over which four butterflies encircle in amusement. The masterpiece presents up to 128 brilliants in an 18k white gold case, which also bears the Piaget 56P quartz movement.
Cartier
This recent transformable Les Indomptables de Cartier Snake timepiece is Cartier’s latest gift to both haute joaillerie and horlogerie. The removable brooch is a coiles snake on a branch, contemplating a fluttery garnet butterfly on a bed of diamond flowers. Once removed, the brooch makes way for an elegant and unpretentious black enamel dial, set with white diamonds. A total of 391 brilliants are employed in an 18k white gold case. Limited to 60 pieces.
Graff
Graff’s expertise in precious gemstones is the motivation behind creating exquisite jewellery and watches. In the case of the Graff Butterfly Full Motif, butterflies were the chosen motif for the perfect symmetry. Marquise- and pear-cut sapphires take the centre stage, gleaming against diamond whites and complemented by a strap of the same shade. Approximately 232 diamonds cover the dial, bezel, lugs, and buckle of this white gold piece. Alternatively for unrestrained opulence, a fully set jewelled bracelet is possible.
Harry Winston
Of the Premier Precious Butterfly pieces in the Harry Winston The Premier Collection, this piece exudes a sense of reservation and mystery. Its intense green dial highlights a different hue visible only to the eye of the beholder. This is made possible through the Maison’s exploration of new techniques, such as blending pigments with the iridescent powder found on butterfly wings. As such, the Premier Precious Butterfly timepiece is able to mimic the kaleidoscopic effect of butterflies. The complex dial is contrasted by a simple diamond-set bezel in an 18k white gold case, which also supports an automatic movement.
Van Cleef & Arpels
A long-cherished motif of Van Cleef & Arpels, the butterfly makes frequent appearances in all forms of jewellery and watches by the Maison. The Lady Arpels Papillon Extraordianaire captivates by her sensual palette of colours, brought forth by enamel. Additionally, marquetry and sculpting were employed to finish the mother-of-pearl dial. The timepiece also features a marquise-cut lapis lazuli that forms the body of the butterfly, and round-cut diamonds on the bezel and crown. Within the white gold case bears a manual 830P movement that enables the piece.
