At Baselworld 2017, Ateliers deMonaco presented two new La Sirène timepieces, derived from the original 2009 watch inspired by Princess Charlene of Monaco (whose nickname is La Sirène, referring to her career as a swimmer that culminated in her participation in the 2000 Olympics). The two watches, one set with diamonds, the other with rubies, sapphires and diamonds, have a King Protea pattern on the dial. This is the national flower of South Africa, Charlene’s country of birth. The outstanding piece is the ruby version, with its beautifully graded stones running from red through pink and onto the transparency of diamond. It’s an effect that can be seen on pieces by Chopard and Rolex, and that in this piece is particularly appealing, with a sort of discreet sense of luxury.
In-house movement, decorated rotor
Both models, La Sirène Diamant and La Sirène Rubis, have a 39 mm case in white gold, with a titanium central section to reduce weight, and a 3 atm water resistance. They are powered by an in-house automatic movement, dMc-700, running at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hertz), with a 42-hour power reserve. The movement is visible through the sapphire caseback, and, in addition to perlage and a lozenge pattern – from the Monaco coat of arms – on the automatic bridge, it has a gold rotor engraved with the shield of the Principality of Monaco. The escape wheel is in silicium.
Ronde de Monte-Carlo La Sirène Rubis
Ronde de Monte-Carlo La Sirène Rubis is reference dMc-MC-LSR-WGR. The bezel is set with two diamonds, 16 rubies and 28 sapphires. The dial is in solid gold, with a central part in white mother-of-pearl; it is set with 3 diamonds, 24 rubies and 21 sapphires creating the graded flower pattern. The crown is set with a single ruby, and the strap is in red alligator with a folding buckle in white gold and titanium. This is a limited edition of 8 pieces, each watch costing €171,000.
Ronde de Monte-Carlo La Sirène Diamant
Ronde de Monte-Carlo La Sirène Diamant is reference dMc-MC-LSD-WGP. The case is set with 297 diamonds, the bezel with 300 diamonds, and there are another 120 diamonds on the dial forming the flower pattern. The crown is set with 20 diamonds. The watch has an alligator leather strap. It is an 8-piece edition. Each watch costs €94,700.
