WPHH 2015: Bespoke Services - Pushing the Boundaries Further

WPHH 2015: Bespoke Services - Pushing the Boundaries Further

Summoning the finest bespoke services of Backes & Strauss, the Royal Jester unveils its latest addition at the World Presentation of Haute Horlogerie. 

In days of old, the jester was no fool. A key member of a ruler's inner circle, his role was considered vital to the smooth running of the royal court, his humorous antics were often seen as the fruit of divine inspiration and his position was one of privilege. He was even required to criticise his master. 

The Backes & Strauss 'Royal Jester' is so named because of its circular theme, in the centre of which a sparkling routine is performed by our very own version of the jester in the form of a single, round, Brilliant diamond weighing above 1.01 carats. 

This bespoke masterpiece is now available in a smaller 36 mm version, at the centre of which shines either the finest 0.80 carats DIF colourless diamond or a choice of pink, blue or yellow coloured diamonds. 

But the magnificent 'jester' diamond is not the only amusing aspect of this small and very special line of watches, each of which will be a bespoke piece with a different central stone - choose from the aforementioned, or indulge in courtly colours with a central stone of intense blue, intense pink or fancy vivid yellow. 

Around the outside of the case, there are a further 80 diamonds weighing 10.50 carats, with the dial being masterfully invisibly set with two rows of baguettes weighing 2.40 carats. Each distinctive timepiece has a single diamond hand set in the crown, the Backes & Strauss signature “Jewel in the Crown”. 

A further 201 baguettes (9 carats) can be seen between the discreet, crimson hour and minute markers, which are ingeniously mounted on crystal discs to create the impression that they are simply floating, unconnected to any mechanism, in the great tradition of the mystery timekeeper. 

In reality, they are driven by a superb mechanical movement with 36 hours of power reserve.