he brand’s standard collections are inspired by classic elegance combining refined watch design with or without innovative gem-set indices using diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds and the movements are COSC approved. However in the exclusive setting of Basel’s Three Kings Hotel the brand presented four creations based on Giuseppe Verdi’s operas that were unlike anything else to be found during Baselworld or anywhere else for that matter: Don Carlo, Nabucco, Otello and Macbeth.

Each of these unique pieces was hand made in Switzerland using 350 grams of 18-karat gold and crafted using the most sophisticated techniques of Italian goldsmiths. The Swiss movements were specifically made for each timepiece.

Don Carlo

Don Carlo is a flying tourbillon and minute repeater set into an 18-karat gold case. The dial is partially hidden by an open-work cover set with 11 emeralds and opens up to reveal a superb jade dial with inlaid gold numerals and tourbillon aperture.

Nabucco

Nabucco is an automatic 18-karat gold hand-engraved watch with a flying tourbillon. The dial is dominated by a miniature sculpture of the Archangel Michael sitting atop the engraved bezel, covering the Roman numerals XI, XII and I.

Otello

Otello is an 18-karat gold watch with a vintage manual mechanical movement. The mother-of-pearl dial set with Roman numerals sits centrally in a beautifully hand-engraved case reminiscent of an antique frame with the winged lion of Venice at its base.

Macbeth

Macbeth is a tourbillon monopusher chronograph with an engraved dial with second and minute counters and a power reserve indicator with the tourbillon at six o’clock. Arabic numerals are engraved around the bezel and the engraved Roman numerals are on the inner ring between the dial and the bezel.

These magnificently elaborate and unique timepieces have elevated Dolce & Gabbana into the Haute Horlogerie firmament and their prices, which range from 95,000 euros (Nabucco and Otello) to 275,000 (Macbeth) and 575,000 euros (Don Carlo) are up there with them.