It evokes, via the very structure of its bracelet, one of the fundamental aspects of the house of Dior, architectural work on a garment so dear to Monsieur Dior.
Like the Lady Dior handbag, with its graphic design, construction and cannage calfskin, this timepiece's Dior personality can also be found in the brilliance and sensuality of the material which give the wristwatch its femininity, the demanding requirements and know-how of a house where the inside must be as beautiful as the outside: visible oscillating weight, sometimes lacquered in black, sometimes in a bright colour. Monsieur said, "Elegance is an ensemble, where the invisible is as important as the visible." The line is a metaphor for a couture house's wardrobe, comprised of day versions, cocktail versions (with coloured baguettes) and evening versions (with the Grand Bal timepieces).
Can we talk about a timeless watch or is it a fashion piece?
In the same way that haute couture epitomises timeless elegance, this watch revisits the codes of the House and imposes the use of a classic watchmaking vocabulary, therefore imposing itself as a long-lasting collection.
Why write the VIII in roman numerals?
Dior's favourite style was the Louis XVI style. The roman numerals are a nod to his taste.
Where are the timepieces made?
Like all the other Dior timepieces, they are designed in the Avenue Montaigne studios then made in Switzerland in the Ateliers Horlogers Dior at La Chaux-de-Fonds, cradle of Swiss watchmaking.
Could you tell us about the new Dior VIII timepieces for 2012?
The Dior VIII story, which began last year, continues [with] new versions in white ceramic. Christian Dior used to say, "White is pure and simple and matches with everything". In haute couture, white has a very special meaning because it is the colour of the toile, the cotton canvas prototype which is the basis for the construction of a dress. Moreover, we are continuing the black story and are proposing a new 28mm diameter, new "snow-set" diamond bezels and are reinforcing our Dior Inverse calibre started last year. Christian Dior once wrote that "Black and white might well suffice, but why deprive oneself of colour? Colours are wonderful and glamourising." We are launching versions with dials that are hemmed with a line of coloured stones. There is also colour in the form of lacquer applied on the oscillating weights, as well as aquamarine, ruby, amethyst and peridot baguettes, even coloured glass on the case-backs.
Tell us about the concealed details?
Christian Dior used to say "Elegance is an ensemble where the invisible is as important as the visible". As in haute couture, Dior takes great care with the details on the linings: the oscillating weights on the automatic versions are lacquered in black or in white for the more day styles or in engraved sapphire crystal and colours for cocktail versions s. The case-backs are also stamped with "VIII Place Vendome".
Tell us about your choice of muse?
The timepiece of the House of Dior had to be represented by a woman. Charlize Theron was the image of the perfume J'adore, she was the natural choice.
Can she be described in a few words?
Feminine, elegant, sensual, strong, luminous, flamboyant, mysterious, with timeless beauty.
