One of the main factors that differentiates a “timepiece” from a standard watch would be the materials used to craft the unit. While a watch can virtually be constructed out of anything, rare and exotic materials are used by the top brands to create timepieces that are truly unique and beautiful. They typically use materials like gold, sapphire glass, and diamonds to increase the value of their watches. But every now and then, sometimes you want a timepiece that’s truly different. This is when meteorite dial watches really shine. As the name implies, these timepieces are made from materials sourced from real meteorites that have crashed into the Earth. Since meteories don’t regularly fall in great numbers, meteorite watches are obviously rare and prized items. Many different watch brands and manufacturers incorporate meteorite into their watches, so how about we check out some of the nicest ones in particular?
Photo from watchesbysjx.com
5. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Oyster White Gold – $25,000
Since Rolex is one of the most popular high-end watch brands, the Cosmograph Daytona Oyster in white gold is a good place to start us off. At 40mm in diameter, this is a fairly large watch from the brand, and it definitely begs you to look at it. Unlike many other Rolex’s that have metal bands, this particular model features a brown leather band. The watch is made from 18-karat white gold and features the classic Oyster styling that we know and love from Rolex. It also features crystal sapphire glass, a 4130 calibre Rolex movement, a small seconds hand, a chronograph, a 30-minute counter, a 12-hour counter, and obviously a meteorite dial.
Photo from rolex.com
4. The Van Cleef & Arpels “Midnight in Paris” – $132,000
Next up we have the ultra high-end “Midnight in Paris” timepiece from Van Clef & Arpels. With a price of $132,000 dollars this is certainly a top-of-the line timepiece, so why is it so expensive? Well obviously they use meteorite in the dial, however there are other materials that contribute more to that price. The 41mm case in entirely made from 18-karat white gold and it’s adorned with diamonds. In total we fine 140 baguette-cut diamonds, however Van Clef & Arpels does not indicate their carat weight. Still, it’s certainly a very premium timepiece. The watch has a JLC849 mechanical movement with 36 rubies, a 30-hour power reserve, and an alligator leather strap. The Midnight in Paris is also a limited run unit, however Van Cleef & Arpels hasn’t indicated how many examples there are. Regardless, this is unmistakably a luxurious timepiece
Photo from vancleefarpels.com
3. The Omega Speedster Professional Moonwatch “Apollo-Soyuz” – varies in price
Another incredible watch with a meteorite dial would be the Omega Speedster Professional Moonwatch “Apollo-Soyuz”. This was was initially created to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz space mission which marked the first U.S./Russian space flight. The watch has a stainless steel case and bracelet, an 1861 caliber Omega movement, a 48-hour power reserve, sapphire crystal glass, and two different types of meteorite for the large dial and then the three smaller dials. This watch was produced in a limited run of only 1,975 units and originally retailed for around $9,700. However every now and then it will pop up on used watch resellers and you can pick one up for around $6,000 or so.
Photo from omegawatches.com
2. The Jager-LeCoultre Master Calendar in 18K Pink Gold -$25,000
Jager-LeCoultre is probably my personal favorite high-end watch brand, and this Master Calendar is a great example of one of their pieces that feature a meteorite dial. With a case made from 18-karat pink gold, this Master Calendar is certainly very beautiful. It features 32 jewels, a 40-hour power reserve, a display for the time, date, an phases of the moon, a ruthenium meteorite dial, and an alligator strap. All-in-all, it’s a solid high-end watch that’s extraordinarily beautiful and sophisticated.
Photo from jaeger-lecoultre.com
The Louis Moinet Tourbillon Rosetta Stone – $4.5 million
There are “high-end” timepieces, and then there are “why is this even a thing, oh my god who can afford this?” timepieces. With a price of roughly $4.5 million dollars, this Louis Moinet Tourbillon Rosetta Stone would be in the latter of those two categories. I cannot comprehend the type of person that can realistically afford this piece, but hey, it exists and it’s made from a meteorite. The case is made from 18-karat white gold, there’s sapphire crystal glass, an alligator leather strap, a beautiful tourbillon, 19 jewels, a 72-hour power reserve, and more. But the most unique feature here is the meteorite. It’s a Sahara 99555 meteorite that is from Mercury and believed to be 4.6 billion years old. So yeah, this watch is pretty special.
Photo from louismoinet.com
