(Photo credit: Artisans de Genève)
Swiss company Artisans de Genève, which specializes in bespoke modifications, connected the ocean to the universe last week, when it unveiled “The Heart of Namibia,” a Rolex Submariner 116610 it had customized with a genuine meteorite dial and a fully in-house developed moon phase complication displayed with a mother-of-pearl stone.
“At our client’s request, and for the first time, we created a large moon entirely made from precious stones,” Artisans de Genève said.
Bespoke-watch services have been controversial and argued in courts on both sides of the Atlantic. But the Supreme Court of Switzerland has ruled Artisans de Genève is not infringing on Rolex trademark as long as it sold customization services and not customized watches, as reported on Coronet.
This pièce unique features a dark blue ceramic bezel and a dial etched from a rare meteorite stone that was found in Namibia, giving the timepiece its name. The movement's rotor, which is displayed on the caseback, also features a Namibian meteorite insert.