Dior VIII Grand Bal Pleated

Designer watch brands often eschew substance for style, but at Dior, haute couture and haute horology beautifully reinforce each other. Perhaps no other collection expresses the essence of Dior’s fashionable approach to mechanical watchmaking than this year’s Dior VIII Grand Bal, a special series within the slick new black ceramic Dior VIII collection. Five different designs each represent a fabric or decorative technique used in couture fashion.

By positioning the oscillating weight above the dial, the Automatic
 Calibre Dior Inversé movement creates a dynamic spinning canvas for artisans to sculpt and embellish with gems to emulate lace, organza, plumetis, embroidery or pleating. The Grand Bal Plissé (pleated), for example, layers white mother-of-pearl marquetry on the rotor, to convey folds. Each variation is limited to 88 pieces as a tribute to Monsieur Dior’s lucky number: huit.