Introducing: The Tiffany & Co. Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Twenty Four Stone Watch

What We Know

American jeweler Tiffany & Co. has released the Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Twenty-Four Stone watch, a continuation of  Jean Schlumberger’s design legacy, as well as a continuation of the house’s recent foray into high watchmaking. As a contemporary interpretation of  Schlumberger’s renowned Sixteen Stone collection, this watch dial showcases a rotating ring adorned with an 18k yellow gold cross-stitch design. Produced in limited quantities, the timepiece is housed in an 18k white gold case and set with a total of 707 (!) diamonds, totaling more than 6.5 carats.

The diamond-laden dial consists of two parts: a fixed central disc and an outer ring, which showcases the signature cross-stitch motif from the Sixteen Stone collection in 18k yellow gold, set with 24 round brilliant diamonds totaling 1 carat. The rotating ring moves with the wearer’s wrist, evoking the sense of motion that defines many of Jean Schlumberger’s historically important designs. The delicate 18k yellow gold hands complement the 12 yellow gold cross-stitches, all of which contrast against what I can only assume to be a blinding display of diamonds. I’ll report back once I’ve seen it in real life.

Allow me to break down just how many diamonds were used in the making of this watch. The dial center is set with 220 diamonds (1.32 carats), and the 39 mm case is set with 413 diamonds (3.8 total carats). The case-back, engraved with a sunburst pattern inspired by Jean Schlumberger’s Floral Arrows brooch, is set with an additional 21 diamonds. The winding crown, inspired by the 6-prong Tiffany® Setting, is set with a solitaire diamond (0.47) carats and the Tiffany Blue® alligator strap is fastened with a white gold T buckle set with 49 round brilliant diamonds (0.18 carats). The rotating ring alone takes 25 hours to produce, while the entire piece represents over 80 hours of work by the House’s goldsmiths and gem-setters.

Powered by a Swiss-made Calibre LTM 2100 mechanical movement, the watch offers a 38-hour power reserve. The price, as you might assume, is available upon request. 

What We Think

Not to be trite, or to undo the hours of work I’ve spent trying to dismantle preconceived ideas of what women want from new watches, but sometimes a girl just likes to swoon at a gorgeous object covered in diamonds. I can’t explain it or provide you with any real scientific logic, but when diamonds are done right, looking at them sparkle just makes me giddy. 

Like a momentary mental escape, forget your troubles and stare into the perfectly sharp facets for a flash of radiant splendor. Let me be clear when I say that diamonds on a watch have to be done right. They have to be part of the actual design, not a sad afterthought to make it “ladylike.” Schlumberger anything for Tiffany means the diamonds are going to be done to perfection. 

Jean Schlumberger was a jewelry-world maestro. Many of his creations, which were designed in his studio on the mezzanine of Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue flagship, became essential accessories for fashionable icons of the era, including Diana Vreeland and Jacqueline Kennedy. Multiple Schlumberger designs, including Bird on a Rock and the paillonné enamel Croisillon bangles (Jackie bracelets), continue to be made by Tiffany artisans today. As a jewelry lover, I am excited to see an iconic old-school Tiffany design transferred to the watch category.  I just know that the renderings aren’t doing it full justice.  

This might be my favorite LVMH-era Tiffany watch so far.  I’d probably switch out the blue croc strap, but hey, each to their own. I pray that the design lords at Tiffany see the power in using blueprint vintage designs prevalently within their watch category, notably when it comes to more attainable (5-10k) offerings. In the meantime, I’ll be patiently waiting for my Elsa Peretti cuff watch.

The Basics

Brand: Tiffany & Co.
Model: Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Twenty Four Stone Watch
Reference Number: 75081022

Diameter: 39mm
Case Material: 18k white gold and 707 diamonds of over 6.5 total carats, Case snow-set with 413 round brilliant diamonds of 3.8 total carats, Dial snow-set with 220 diamonds of 1.32 total carats, Rotating ring set with 24 round brilliant diamonds of 1 total caratT buckle set with 49 round brilliant diamonds of 0.18 total carats, Crown features a diamond of 0.47 carats.
Strap/Bracelet: Tiffany Blue® alligator

The Movement

Caliber: LTM 2100
Functions: Hours and minutes
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Winding: Automatic 

Pricing & Availability

Price: Upon Request.
Availability: There will be a limited production of the Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Twenty Four Stone watch each year.

For more, click here.

​Hodinkee 

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