De Grisogono marks its 20th anniversary with a watch sweeter than any candy-bright jewel this Genevan jeweller has yet dreamt up. The 'Sugar' watch was in fact inspired by a sugar cube, the square shape and scintillating rows of precious stones designed to mimic the real thing.
Ten different variants of the 'Sugar' were presented at its launch. The model fully-set with diamonds is the big daddy of the collection, joined by other diamond-set versions, as well as variants rich with emeralds or blue or orange sapphires. The collet-set stones that frame the watch like a fringe actually cascade off the side of the case and are set to have a slight movement, creating a pretty shimmer with each twist of the wrist. Those versions that don't have fully pavé dials are graced with mother of pearl in pretty shades to complement the colour of the top-quality precious gems. Even the back of the fully-set watches are set with precious stones, and each one has a galuchat strap to match the stones.
Fawaz Gruosi, founder of De Grisogono, was at the launch of the watch in London and confesses that his favourites are the emerald and orange sapphire versions. The design is typical of his irreverent and playful approach to jewellery, always dripping in rich colours and unexpected volumes. Above all, De Grisogono's designs are exuberant and very, very sexy: just what a jewel should be. The 'Sugar' watch is no exception, and though I have yet to see a green, orange or, indeed, blue sugar lump, I am more than happy to make space for one of these little 'Sugars' in my life.
