Venetian Nereide Opal Limited Edition

Our research into materials stems from a desire to understand how they define the identity of a watch. Over the years, this journey has led us to experiment with increasingly complex stones and mineral surfaces, culminating in lab-grown opal: one of the rarest and most prized gems in watchmaking. Its complex nature limits its use and requires rigorous processes and careful selection, making it an uncommon choice, yet capable of offering chromatic variations and visual effects that no other surface can replicate.

CASE MATERIAL : 316L Steel
DIAL : Lab-grown opal with multicolored iridescent pattern, produced by Kyocera® in Japan. Composition: 80% silica (SiO₂), 20% resin
DIMENSIONS : Ø42mm, lug to lug 49mm
MOVEMENT : Swiss Made Cal. Sellita SW200-1 Automatic
GLASS : Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
LUMINESCENT PIGMENT : BGW9 Super-LumiNova®
BEZEL : Tungsten insert, 120 clicks
WATER RESISTANCE : 20ATM (= 200m)
BRACELET : Sansovino

The matter that transforms light

Opal is a stone composed of silica microspheres that scatter and break down light, generating reflections that change with the angle of observation. This mutable nature has made it fascinating since ancient times: Pliny the Elder described it as a gem in which many hues coexist, a living substance capable of transforming the spectrum into ever-changing shimmers. Opal does not possess a stable color; it is light, passing through it, that creates a new one each time. Each change in light alters its balance, making the surface a constantly changing visual field.

The sensitivity of the workmanship

After the initial cut, the opal is brought to the required thickness through a gradual, entirely manual process. The stone is delicate and responds to even the slightest changes in pressure, so each step requires sensitivity and experience. The material is removed little by little, observing its reaction and adjusting the work accordingly. It is at this stage that the final appearance of the dial takes shape, defined by the precision and craftsmanship of the finisher.