Watch Of The Week | Dior Chiffre Rouge I02

One doesn’t typically imagine Dior strictly as a men’s luxury watchmaker. The fashion house has a history of consistently making waves on the runway and in headlines (remember when Galliano said those nasty things?). But fast-forward to the present and Chiffre Rouge, Dior Homme’s relatively young line of luxury timepieces for men, has taken its learning curve by leaps and bounds.

As one of the first ever fashion design houses to venture boldly and defiantly into luxury watches, Dior installed its house of Haute Horlogerie in the heart of Switzerland, amidst the titan veterans of watchmaking. Perhaps Dior picked up a few tricks of the trade by osmosis, because some of that traditional Swiss watchmaking charm has clearly rubbed off.

Also: Watch Review | Piaget Altiplano Chronograph

Firstly get acquainted with Dior Homme’s Chiffre Rouge line. A nicely populated universe of men’s chronographs and timepieces that range in pieces that are subtly constructed and nuanced to boldly bling, the Chiffre Rouge collection remains faithful to Dior’s singular sense of fashion innovation. Since 2004, Chiffre Rouge has been challenging the way men think about the timepieces they choose to wear while steadily building a very respectable reputation in the world of watchmaking.

The I02 is clearly a tilt of the hat to Dior’s finesse with luxury fashion. At 38mm, encased in white gold, with an automatic movement and an understated leather band, this work of art is both fine and functional. Take a gander at its finely rendered crown encrusted with petite diamonds. That is as subtly chic as it gets in the world of watchmaking. But don’t ignore the sapphire crystal case either.

Here’s a timepiece that compliments a masculine luxury lookbook, be it an attitude or a suit made to measure. Its dial serves up date, hour and minute hands with an inexorable sense of accuracy. Much like any limited edition chronograph, this Swiss made piece is one to get your hands on…if you can. It retails at 4800€, or approximately $5,239. 

All images courtesy of Dior.

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