"White is pure and simple and matches with everything" were the wise words of Mr Christian Dior himself. In fact the colour white, that as well as being the universally accepted epitome of simplicity, has particularly relevant links with Haute Couture at Dior as the seamstresses used to use white cotton to make up the prototypes of dresses.
Mr Dior's maxim on the versatility of white holds true today and has inspired Dior to create a white version of the ceramic Dior VIII watch, previously only available in black. Instantly dubbed 'the little black dress of watches' the Dior VIII now offers a total contrast with these snow white versions. The twelve new models offer variants in size and diamond settings as well as the choice between a mechanical movement or a quartz one. Like the black Dior VIII introduced in 2011, the cool clean surfaces of the high tech ceramic encapsulate principles dear to Mr Dior and his unique take on the female form that changed the way women dressed in the 1950's.
As a would-be architect, Mr Dior liked to compose with shapes and structures akin to the forms and volumes of architecture. Hence the exaggerated forms of the New Look he created after the Second World War with generous full skirts, nipped in waists and pronounced shoulders and necklines. The highly stylised 'Bar' jacket that is just one example of how Mr Dior brought volume to couture. The pyramid 'cannage' pattern inspired by the cane seats of the chairs provided for guests at couture shows is echoed in the origami-like pattern appears on the bracelet and around the bezel. These pyramid shapes remind us of Mr Dior's interest in architecture and the third dimension.
When combined with a white mother of pearl dial the architecture of the watch is seen in a new light and particularly so when enhanced by diamonds that add fire to its cool crisp lines. And as Mr Dior was particularly superstitious he stuck to his lucky number eight as remembered in the name of these watches.
I have made a selection of the new white watches as well as some new arrivals in sleek and glossy black to show you the wide range of Dior's horological world. And then to add a little fun, the Coloured Circle Dial watches add a flash of rubies to the white ceramic version and amethysts to the black. The watches, like a couture creation, are as lovely from the outside as inside. Details such as the flash of neon on the rotor in the automatic movement visible through the glass case back reflect Mr Dior's quest for perfection.
