SOME OF THE MOST RESPECTED NAMES IN HAUTE HOROLOGY ARE MAKING THEIR CASE FOR SAPPHIRE CONSTRUCTION WITH THESE SCINTILLATING SHOWSTOPPERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

BY MATTHEW MIZRACH

Bell & Ross BR-01 Cyber Skull Sapphire
With sharp lines and a menacing polygonal skull, this modern timepiece is in a league of its own – a remarkable amalgamation of luxe watchmaking and sci-fi fandom. The skull itself is controlled by a proprietary movement that lowers and raises its jaw as the watch is being wound. $220,000, bellross.com

Bell & Ross BR-X1 Tourbillon Sapphire Chronograph
This exceptional tourbillon from the Swiss master watchmaker offers a truly unique aesthetic by combining the design elements of a circular face with a squared, 45mm case. Part of an extremely limited production run with only five pieces worldwide. $495,000, bellross.com

Rebellion Re-Volt Blue Sapphire
Available in three distinct cases made from synthetic sapphire, the Re-Volt draws much of its inspiration from the contoured body of a supercar. Water resistant up to five ATM, and finished with a sporty, vulcanized rubber strap. $103,075, reb-shop.com

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Sapphire
Part of Hublot’s latest lineup of Big Bang variants, the Tourbillon Sapphire makes a convincing argument as the industry standard against which all other sapphire watches are measured. The 42mm stunner is crafted with polished sapphire crystal, water resistant to three ATM, and makes for one heck of a conversation piece. $148,000 hublot.com

Jacob and Co. Twin Turbo Furious
Painstakingly assembled by hand (with no less than 832 individual components), the Twin Turbo Furious showcases a truly unique design perspective that incorporates the frenetic world of auto racing with the exacting standards of haute horology. Price upon request, jacobandco.com

Hublot Big Bang Unico Yellow Sapphire
The result of years of vigorous research by Hublot engineers and chemists, the synthetic sapphire case developed for this limited edition Big Bang is transparent enough to reveal the heart of the watch, yet rugged enough to adequately protect the entire mechanism. $95,000, hublot.com

Richard Mille RM 07-02 Automatic Winding Sapphire
Elegant and feminine, the tonneau-shaped case of the 07-02 is sculpted in colored sapphire and accented with 18K red gold as well as hundreds of individually set diamonds. The manufacturing process is so rigorous that the case requires nearly 40 days of machining and finishing. Price upon request, richardmille.com

Girard Perregaux Quasar Light Tourbillon with Three Bridges
Encased in Swiss-made sapphire (and limited to only 18 pieces), the Quasar pays homage to the luminous astronomical enigma that shares its name with glimmering aerial views and an unparalleled transparency. $309,000, girard-perregaux.com