Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux has produced an extraordinary limited edition series titled The Chamber of Wonders. It comes as a collection of three watches, each with a dial that showcases a historical map from a significant period. Only 18 sets of these 18K pink gold watches with alligator straps are available. See all three designs below:
The Pearl Of Wonders
The Pearl of Wonders map of the Arabian peninsula was created by Arab historian Ibn al-Wardi in the 15th century. On the watch, the dial features engraved sodalite stone and papyrus mosaic.
The New World
Meanwhile, The New World features a detailed drawing of the Americas by German scholar Sebastian Munster in the 1500s. Marquetry of semi-precious stones like blue and pink aventurine, calcite and Canadian nephrite is used to achieve the design – it takes about 95 hours to make a single dial.
The Terrestrial
Lastly, the Terrestrial Map takes inspiration from a Chinese map by Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was one of the first Westerners allowed within the walls of the Forbidden City in the 17th century. The miniature map in the watch face is painted on a piece of white jade using natural India ink. Prices upon request, from The Hour Glass (#01-02 Ngee Ann City).
This story appeared in the August issue of 24:7, out on news stands now.
Want more limited-edition watches? See what Montblanc, Louis Vuitton and Hublot specialised for the Singapore market.
