Why Watch Movements Have Jewels

Historically, watchmakers used rare precious stones like diamonds, rubies, or sapphires. The latter two are both naturally-occurring colored variants of the mineral corundum. Today, many movements make use of synthetic corundum. The stones are aluminum oxide, and the differing tones are a result of adding certain elements. Red corundum stones most frequently serve as jewel bearings in watch movements. The color of these so-called synthetic rubies is analogous to that of true rubies. However, the color is optional and some brands opt for transparent bearings instead, including Moritz Grossmann. It’s now probably occurred to you that the sapphire crystal protecting countless dials is none other than colorless corundum. Since jewels play a primarily functional role in movements and synthetic stones can get the same results for a fraction of the price, there has never really been a push to use exclusively natural stones, as is the case in the luxury jewelry industry.

Vogue and jewelry have a certain affinity – at least that’s what most jewelry shop displays would have you believe. Men’s watches are sometimes described as the only piece of masculine jewelry, and classic women’s watches are frequently adorned with precious stones, mother-of-pearl dials, and other luxurious materials. Women’s watches are slowly but surely expanding beyond this niche; however, that doesn’t mean they’re losing all their glittering gems. Jewels are much more than just pretty decoration when it comes to watches. For hundreds of years, clock and watchmakers have taken advantage of the unique characteristics of precious stones, employing them in timepiece movements. In this article, we’ll explain why watch movements feature jewels and dispel some common myths surrounding the topic. https://www.vogue4uwatches.com