5 Mother-of-Pearl Dials

Mother-of-pearl has long been revered for its luminescent beauty, and it has been used virtually throughout history for decorative purposes. The tomb of Egypt’s King Tutankhamen (ruled ca. 1332 BC – 1323 BC), for example, shows early evidence of pearl carvings, but it wasn’t until many years later that the art form really took hold.

In watchmaking, mother-of-pearl is often used to create dials, and its broad spectrum of color makes it a noteworthy complement for white gold, rose gold and even steel cases.

Patek Philippe

This 38mm white gold model from the Ladies Complications has a mechanical self-winding movement, Caliber 324 S QA LU. Features include an annual calendar, date in an aperture, moon phases, and central hours, minutes and seconds. The watchcase is set with 347 diamonds, the crown is set with an additional 14 diamonds and the prong buckle on the alligator strap is set with 27. The stunning dial is a captivating adjunct to the many attributes of this watch: it is crafted from black Tahitian mother-of-pearl.

Ulysse Nardin

The Classico Lady Luna is a classic example of fine watchmaking combined with exquisite design. The 35mm rose gold case is offered with or without diamonds, and the dial is available in white mother-of-pearl with seven diamonds or white mother-of-pearl and blue aventurine set with 27 diamonds.  The self-winding caliber UN-29 with 42 hours of power reserve powers the hours, minutes, seconds, date at 6 o’clock and moon phase. This watch comes on a leather strap with a rose gold buckle.

Fabergé

The Lady Compliquée Winter uses mother-of-pearl marquetry to decorate its dial, with a mother-of-pearl outer ring showing the hours and a retrograde-style mother-of-pearl indicator showing minutes. Powered by an ingenious Agenhor-designed movement, this watch’s debut coincided with the revelation of the company’s Pearl Egg, the first Imperial Class egg created in nearly a century wherein the Fabergé name and the Fabergé family are once again united.

Jaquet Droz

The Petite Heure Minute Relief Carps pays homage to a creature said to symbolize love and a long life. Drawing on motifs from traditional Asian iconography, the watch’s mother-of pearl hours and minutes offset dial is surrounded by an enamel tableau of water, fish and a blooming lotus. The 41mm white gold watch is set with brilliant-cut diamonds. This is a limited edition of just 28 pieces.

Audemars Piguet

This hand-wound white gold Ladies Millenary 39.5mm timepiece has a diamond-set bezel and lugs. It features a white mother-of-pearl off-centered dial with printed Roman numerals and a white mother-of-pearl small seconds counter, powered by the manufacture caliber 5201. This timepiece is shown on a beige alligator strap with an 18-carat white gold pin buckle.