These design selections aren’t a lot part of a transfer for a contemporary panorama that appears to crave gemsetting. As a substitute, it is a watch that follows a protracted (albeit uncommon) lineage of classic items from manufacturers like Patek Philippe, who would put gem indices (diamond, emerald, and rubies) on choose items – often distinctive ones made for prime purchasers. Within the final 12 months, I’ve seen numerous these uncommon items at public sale and on the wrist of collectors, together with a Patek 2424P for the retailer Casa Welsch in Lima, Peru. Nevertheless it’s a apply that continued to the trendy period, with watches just like the Patek 5170P coming with diamond indices and acustom fee set of Patek ref. 5004R, 3974R, and 3939R that got here up at public sale, all that includes ruby indices. Rubies have been additionally apparently a favourite of King Saud, who ordered a number of pocket watches and wristwatches together with his face painted on the dial and ruby indices.
