Hollywood Glamor Meets Haute Horology

Roger Dubuis Velvet by Massaro: A Silver Screen Trilogy of Ladies’ Timepieces


Roger Dubuis continues its “Year of the Diva” campaign with the launch of three new models in its Velvet collection of haute horlogerie ladies’ watches — designed in collaboration with Maison Massaro, Parisian designer of custom-made shoes and paying tribute to 1950s Hollywood screen icons Rita Hayworth, Greta Garbo, and Lana Turner.

Roger Dubuis Velvet by Massaro - Rita Hayworth
Roger Dubuis Velvet by Massaro – Rita Hayworth

Each timepiece in the Roger Dubuis Velvet by Massaro collection is a limited edition of 88 pieces, and feature the Velvet series’ distinctively shaped 36-mm case, decorated triple lugs, and split-level dials with tonneau-shaped interiors and radiating Roman hour numerals. All three are equipped with Roger Dubuis manufacture Caliber RD821, a self-winding mechanical movement with 33 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vph, and a 48-hour power reserve. Like all Roger Dubuis movements, Caliber RD821 carries the prestigious Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Hallmark), which testifies to its high level of finishing, including côtes de Genève decoration and rhodium plating. All three watches have a specially designed strap, made from the same leather that Massaro uses in its renowned ladies’ footwear collections, with adjustable folding clasps, two of them with diamonds.

Roger Dubuis Velvet by Massaro - Greta Garbo
Roger Dubuis Velvet by Massaro – Greta Garbo

The Rita Hayworth model features a pleated-motif leather strap in the same warm gold color found often in Massaro shoes. The strap color is complemented by the yellow-gold, diamond-paved, barrel shaped dial center and applied yellow gold Roman numeral appliques at 6 and 12 o’clock. The case and clasp are in white gold. The watch is bedecked with 262 diamonds, including 86 on the case, 162 in the barrel-shaped dial center, and 14 on the clasp. The retail price is $48,500.

The Velvet by Massaro watch honoring Great Garbo strives to express an air of mystery similar to that of the reclusive Swedish star, with a row of black feathers interwoven into its black strap and a black lacquer dial with tone-on-tone, charcoal gray Roman numerals. The watch’s rose-gold case is set with 86 diamonds, while 14 more diamonds appear on the rose-gold clasp. The Velvet by Massaro Greta Garbo edition costs $41,000.

Roger Dubuis Velvet by Massaro - Lana TurnerThe third Velvet by Massaro watch salutes the platinum blonde screen goddess Lana Turner, sporting a silver-colored Massaro leather strap with a row of shimmering pearls, which the actress was known for wearing, embedded in the center. The opalescence of the pearls is picked up in the dial, with its brushed, silvered center, and complemented by the white-gold case, which is set with 86 diamonds. The appliqués at 6 and 12 o’clock, as well as the clasp, are also in white gold. The price on the Lana Turner model is $42,000.

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