he egg takes centre stage in this new watch collection, inspiring the shape of the oval watch case, which has been developed and perfected in partnership with a team in Switzerland over the last two years.
A vibrant array of sapphires is introduced to add a burst of colour, with orange, pink and yellow sapphire watch cases to choose from, alongside beautiful multicoloured gem versions. The 18k rose gold and multicoloured gemstone edition of the watch has been shortlisted for Le Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in the Ladies’ category.
Fabergé’s longstanding love affair with eggs began in 1885, when the first Imperial Egg – the ‘Hen Egg’ – was commissioned by the Romanov family, and it continues to this day through the Maison’s iconic collections. The egg is universally considered a symbol of new life, fertility and good luck, and thought to bestow tranquillity and wellbeing.
The beauty of sapphires, long associated with royalty and romance and said to symbolise fidelity and the soul, is celebrated in these new watches. This regal gemstone is among the most durable naturally occurring elements in the world, which makes it a perfect choice for these creations, designed for everyday wear. Throughout history, many cultures have attributed mystical powers to sapphires and have ascribed to the belief that they bring truth, peace and good health. While many often think of blue when conjuring up visions of this precious gem, sapphires naturally form in a kaleidoscope of colours.
These multicoloured gems are celebrated in this collection, set around the egg-shaped bezel of five editions of Colours of Love Eggsistence watches. Each watch comes with a complementary strap which has been designed to be easily removed and interchanged; customers can purchase additional straps to allow the wearer to mix and match colours for a more personalised look. The straps are created from calf leather and are available in a wide range of colours.
The 18k rose gold and multicoloured gemstone edition case features delicate fluting on the sides, a signature of Fabergé’s Colours of Love collection and a technique for which Peter Carl Fabergé was renowned, and which featured heavily in his early works of art. This piece features a white strap but also comes with an additional black and grey strap for versatility. Every detail has been considered, from the egg-shaped crown with its unique Fabergé hallmark, to the egg-shaped detail on the hour hand and oval date window, which infuse each watch with Fabergé’s unique personality. The instantly recognisable surrealist–style numerals are playful and unexpected, with the 12, 5 and 8 seamlessly blending into one another as they wrap around the watch face, lacquered in either orange, yellow, purple or blue, or set with white diamonds.
In true Fabergé signature style, each face also features the delicate art of guilloché engraving, in the form of 24 guilloché enamel waves, which create a mesmerising pearl-like effect when they catch the light. The art of guilloché dates back to the 18th century, and Fabergé was considered a genius of the craft.
The first tier features three dial options with lacquered numerals in orange, yellow and purple and a stainless steel egg-shaped case, for a classic look with a colourful, Fabergé twist. The second category features four dial options, each with 47 round orange, yellow or purple sapphires, or multicoloured gemstones, set around the edge of the stainless steel case, for those looking for bold impact. And the last category features an 18k rose gold case with a gemstone set bezel, featuring 31 multicoloured sapphires, 4 rubies, 4 amethysts, 2 peridots and 8 tsavorites. On this edition, the diamond set numerals allow the numbers to shine and capture light through the different facets of the gemstones.
Fabergé has always been known for surprising audiences with the unexpected, and with one final touch of colour, two responsibly mined, fiery red Gemfields Mozambican rubies have been set onto the case back, a secret that only the wearer knows. The rubies have been selected for their vibrant colour, as well as for their symbolism, having long been associated with passion, prosperity and protection. Gemfields is a world-leading responsible miner and marketer of coloured gemstones, which strives to provide a positive impact to the gemstones’ country of origin.
The Colours of Love Eggsistence watches are available in a variety of colours, with eight variations in total. Prices start at £5,600/$7,000 for a stainless steel case, rising to £25,400/$31,700 for the 18k rose gold edition. The collection is available in-store, at Fabergé.com and in selected authorised retailers.
