Graff has created a watch which can be described as a shamelessly luxurious piece -MasterGraff GyroGraff Diamonds timekeeper. It is an immensely intricate mechanical watch with two demanding complications: a bi-axial tourbillion and a three-dimensional and realistic moon phase indication. The complexity of the mechanical aspect is supplemented with a proper bonanza of diamonds, since the case boasts over 8 carat worth of gem decorations. To demonstrate Graff’s expertise in the field of jewelry, the diamonds are fixed with the use of the brand’s patented Invisible Diamond Mosaic setting technique. GyroGraff offers two options for the case material, red and white gold, while each of them is restricted to 20 pieces. Additionally, there are two more unique iterations in each of the materials which have their dials completely encrusted with gems which raises the total count of the diamonds up to astonishing 19.4 carats. The level of complexity and luxury places the watch far beyond the reach of a mere mortal, since the price of the less lavish version is several thousands of dollars, while the prices of the all-diamond iterations are expressed in seven figures.
Graff MasterGraff GyroGraff Diamond Red Gold Watch
From Haute Joaillerie to Haute Horlegerie
Graff Diamonds is one of the best known and the most respected jewelers in the world. The multinational company with the base in London has been creating intricate watches for some time now. In 2008, Graff started launching Haute Horlogerie items through its watchmaking division led by Michel Pitteloud. Through collaboration with high-end movement manufacturers, Graff was able to produce really impressive and intricate mechanical watches. One of the best examples is certainly its new MasterGraff GyroGraff Diamonds model (where MasterGraff is the name of the collection and GyroGraff, which is also known as Gyro-Tourbillon, is the name of the featured complication). Since the complete name of the watch includes the word “Graff” three times, one can notice that the London-based company is utterly dedicated to its brand recognition and it seems that it does not want to let anyone forget what its name is. To my knowledge, the new model, as well as other Graff watches which demonstrate the highest level of complexity, were exclusively developed for the brand by the high-end Genevese movement manufacturer MHC.
Graff MasterGraff GyroGraff Diamond White Gold Watch
A Tourbillon with Two Axes of Rotation Powered by Remontoir
Now let us get back to the watchmaker’s novel piece. The obvious intention of the Graff’s newcomer is to dazzle anyone who comes across it with its combination of high jewelry and high horology fitted into a single package. Starting from the mechanical aspect, it is important to point out that GyroGraff Diamonds is equipped with a pair of extremely demanding complications on its hand-wound mechanical movement – a bi-axial tourbillion and a three-dimensional moon phase indication. The first of two traits that makes the watch stand out is the presence of a tourbillion. Moreover, it is not just a regular tourbillion, but its even more demanding version which has two axes of rotation.
A full revolution of the tourbillion cage on both of these axes is completed after 60 seconds. Additionally, the entire tourbillion is fed through a secondary power source device known as a remontoire that ensures that the regulating organ (which oscillates at the rate of 21,600 vph) is constantly supplied with the same amount of force. From the dial side, the tourbillion can be seen at the lower right section, between four and five o’clock positions.
Hand-Engraved Realistic Moon Sphere
On the opposite side of the lower part of the face, one can notice the other impressive complication of the Graff novelty. It is a realistic looking moon representation which is used to show the current stage of the moon in the combination with the black half-sphere that blocks the appropriate amount of the orb. The moon sphere is hand-engraved by a master craftsman in a manner that accurately represents the exact mapping of the moon. The watch has another minor complication since it is made with a power reserve display which stands at the eleven o’clock position and shows the remaining state of its 60 hour long power storage. Of course, there are also two hands used for hour and minutes whose base is slightly off-centered upwards so they stand as some sort of visual counterweight to the impressive complications displayed at the lower part of the watch’s face.
Moon Phase Detail
As for the dial itself, in a regular version of the piece, it is made in black color. It also features several layers in its architecture, as well as guilloche sections as embellishments, mainly in the part where two skeletonized gold hands revolve. Right above the place on the dial where the hands are fixed, there is a small triangular shaped emerald (with the weight of 0.05 carats) set in a golden frame which is a common trait of Graff watches.
Multitude of Gems Fixed with Invisible Mosaic Diamond Setting
Since the manufacturer of GyroGraff is a renowned jeweler, the information about the complexity of the watch’s movement is just a half of the whole story. The other part is the story about the specifics of the diamond embellishments that grace the piece. By the way, the frame for the embellishments is pretty wide because of the enlarged dimensions of its housing. GyroGraff has a case with the diameter of 48 mm which is even more significant since the case is made of gold (red or white). Due to the complexity of the movement and its three-dimensional complications, the case is also pretty thick with the height of 19.65 mm. The housing is circular in shape. However, the inner side of the fixed bezel of the watch is faceted. This sort of bezel with twelve-sided inner section, alongside other faceted motifs is quite common when it comes to Graff timepieces. The entire bezel is encrusted with diamonds with the use of the brand’s proprietary Invisible Diamond Mosaic technique. This demanding procedure with an exceptionally beautiful end-result includes a hexagonal diamond which is then paired with triangular stones from each of its sides, thus creating an illusion of continuity and eliminating blank spaces among the gems. Just the bezel of the Graff timekeeper is embellished with 72 precious stones whose weight measures to pretty high 8.02 carats. Another diamond is set on the tip of the crown which is placed at a peculiar place at the two o’clock position.
Full Diamond Versions for Extra Luxury
As if this plethora of sparkly stones was not enough, one-of-a kind full diamond versions in each of the case options are set with a significantly larger amount of gems. In these cases, precious stones which are set in the same Invisible Mosaic Diamond technique completely cover the entire dial in six concentric rows. However, there are some discrepancies between two unique models. Red and white gold full diamonds versions are actually made with a different level of embellishments. While the red gold version has diamonds all over its dial and bezel, the other one is actually even more lavish. The white gold iteration of Diamond GyroGraff has also additional stones all over its lugs. These additional gems raise the total count of diamonds to 317, while their weight reaches astounding 19.4 carats. Unfortunately, there is no precise information about the exact number and weight of the diamond decorations in the red gold version.
Graff MasterGraff GyroGraff Full Diamond Red Gold Watch
Finally, it should be said that the watch features waterproofness to 30 meters, though it seems highly unlikely that anyone would be foolish enough to go anywhere in water with such a pricey piece. The wristlet of choice is a black crocodile leather strap which fastens with a Graff exclusive type of folding clasp.
