Omega’s Constellation collection flaunts diamonds instead of digits on the dial ; Model: Neeraj Surana; Location courtesy: Exclusive Lines, Camac street; Pic by Rashbehari Das

Whoever said bling went best with stilettos hadn’t heard of jewellery watches for men. Top international brands are offering the Indian peacock bejewelled watches that are leaving them with glittering options. If the price tag doesn’t singe your fingers, how about splurging on the diamond encrusted 2 Million Euro BB Hublot? And yes, the price is part of the name. Or look at a Harry Winston Tourbillon watch with an openwork decoration studded with diamonds. But if you want something quieter then there’s the ultra-thin Piaget Altiplano 43 mm with a diamond-set bezel.

“Our Indian clients are becoming more interested in gem-set watches as well as high-complication ones,” says Jean Claude Biver, Hublot’s CEO. He ascribes this to the fact that connoisseurs are on the lookout for exceptional timepieces.

While some of these watches define ‘unique’ with only one piece ever being created, others come in limited editions. These spectacularly expensive pieces are available on special request at specific stores worldwide.

The Chronomat 01 Diamondworks by Breitling is only available on request from a handful of retailers

The Corum Golden Bridge High Jewellery watch flashes 747 diamonds on the bracelet. With another 245 on the case (in which the internal parts of the watch are set) and crown (or the winder), it’ll wipe Rs 3.8 crore off your bank balance. Get hold of it at Johnson Watch Co., Delhi and Watches of Switzerland, Mumbai. On the other hand, Hublot’s 2 Million Euro BB (for a whopping Rs 13 crore) displays a tourbillon movement (which improves a watch’s accuracy) and dial on two levels. With 637 baguette diamonds and one rose-cut diamond, this watch is also available on request only at Kapoor Watch and Rose - The Watch Bar in Mumbai.

“These watches for men make for a very niche market,” says Kalyani Saha, vice president, marketing and communications, Christian Dior Couture India. “At times we may have just five watches in a limited edition but serious collectors will go to any length to get one of these,” she adds.

Over 140 carats of diamonds make the 2 Million Euro BB from Hublot a priceless piece of art

“Diamonds are a style statement. Men are bored of the all-steel and all-gold look,” says Angelique ’Brien, head of retail and luxury brands, Timex Group, which brought Versace watches to India.

So, watchmakers are also playing with coloured gems such as black diamonds and sapphires. With 12 blue sapphires and 110 diamonds in its ceramic case, Versace’s DV One watch, available at Versace boutiques and leading retailers, is for those bored of Plain Jane metal.

Meanwhile, Corum sets black diamonds in its Admiral’s Cup Tourbillon 48 set with 1,689 black and white diamonds. “For the 21st century man, watches are an extension of their desire for craftsmanship,” says Deepa Chatrath, regional managing director, Corum.

Available on request at Louis Vuitton stores, the Montre Emprise pavée Moyen Modèle’s gold hands are set against the backdrop of a diamond-studded yellow gold dial and case.

Cartier’s Pasha Sea Timer has a diamond-paved bezel with a rubber and pink gold bracelet; (left) The Admiral’s Cup Tourbillon 48 is studded with 1,689 black and white diamonds Pix: Jagan Negi

Diamonds are also central in Harry Winston’s Opus 9 which has some 66 emerald-cut sparklers. The price of course is on request. Diamonds are used as highlights in the Dior Chiffre Rouge 103 and 102, available at the brand’s boutiques. Chiffre Rouge 103’s crown and the indexes of its dial are set with baguette and princess diamonds. Diamonds replace the digits in Omega’s Constellation collection. Starting at Rs 1.09 lakh, it’s available in major cities.

Some watches like Breitling’s Chro-nomat 01 Diamondworks walk the tightrope between using gems and not letting them overpower the design. Available on request at Time Avenue, Mumbai and Exclusive Lines, Calcutta, it has diamonds on the unidirectional rotating bezel and the dial. “People prefer gems in the index or bezel but we also make full case and bracelet diamond-set pieces,” says Mathieu Brunisholz, international retail manager, Breitling.

Tagged at Rs 32.5 lakh and Rs 29.56 lakh respectively, Cartier’s Pasha Sea Timer and the Ballon Bleu de Cartier flaunt diamond-paved pink gold bezels as well. Both are available at the Cartier Boutique, DLF Emporio.

“There’s a substantial trend for set watches especially in Russia, Middle East, China and India,” says Guillaume Marx, Parmigiani’s brand sales head for Southeast Asia. He says the gems, such as those in the Kalpa XL Minute Repeater, are seen as a “safe investment”.

Swiss brand Piaget has blended its two areas of expertise — luxury watches and jewellery — by incorporating diamonds in its ultra-thin Altiplano 43mm that sports 88 diamonds and Altiplano 40mm which has 72 diamonds in its pink gold case. Available at the Piaget Boutique in DLF Emporio in Delhi and The Oberoi hotel, Nariman Point in Mumbai, their price tags are on request.

So, it’s time to go bling and dig deeper into those pockets.