GRAND LADY KALLA
RUBIES, SAPPHIRES AND EMERALDS
THREE NEW INTERCHANGEABLE VARIATIONS
TO BE WORN IN MULTIPLE WAYS
THREE NEW CREATIVE VARIATIONS TO EMBODY TIME
With the rectilinear geometry of the bracelet, watch and jewel piece and the sinuous grace of the sautoir necklace, Grand Lady Kalla carries a strong echo of Art Deco style. Each of the three models features a total of 45.66 carats of diamonds and comprises four interchangeable elements. The three-row rivière-style bracelet comprises 103 diamonds and a central row of eight precious stones – sapphires, rubies or emeralds respectively. The jewel piece is set with 12 diamonds, with a large sugarloaf-cut sapphire, ruby or emerald at its centre. The coloured stones are all certified SSEF by the Swiss Foundation for the Research of Gemstones. On the watch, surrounding the fully diamond-set dial, two emerald-cut examples of the same precious, coloured stone contrast with the cool sparkle of 10 emerald-cut diamonds. The watch and jewel piece are both designed to be fitted seamlessly onto either the bracelet or the sautoir. Measuring 85 cm in length, the sautoir combines the rounded form of 112 Akoya pearls – chosen for their deep lustre and high shine – with beads of polished precious stones and ornamental stones. The elongated
necklace ends with a tassel of pearls and a polished bead of the precious stone.
The emerald cut, prized for its elegance, is chosen for the diamonds and coloured stones on the watch case, bracelet and jewel piece, its step-like horizontal facets amplifying the sophisticated simplicity and rectilinear architecture of the jewellery design. Rectangular, with bevelled corners, the emerald cut creates a particular visual sensation, producing understated yet impressive flashes of light compared with the high-frequency glitter of brilliant cuts. Because the emerald cut is less
reflective, it also highlights the body colour of the stone, and because its large table facet acts like a window into the stone, making it easier to see any inclusions, it is generally reserved for gemstones of higher clarity.
The sugarloaf cut of the central stone on the jewel piece highlights the gem’s beauty in a different way. The smooth, domed shape takes its name from the form in which refined sugar was sold until the late 19th century. With ancient origins and relatively rare in modern jewellery it is a variation on the classical rounded cabochon cut, with four sides polished to a subtle point. The light glides over the surface and penetrates the stone, illuminating its internal features and enhancing its depth and colour in a way that faceted cuts cannot achieve. Creating a sugarloaf cut requires a high level of skill and precision to preserve the gem’s natural shape and beauty while creating smooth and symmetrical surfaces. The rarity of the cut adds to its desirability.
The visual impression of an unbroken expanse of precious stones is enhanced by the claw-setting of the emeraldcut gemstones, which allows maximum light to pass through the stone while minimising the visible metal. Closer inspection reveals a special detail barely visible
to the naked eye: each claw is shaped like a branch of the Maltese Cross, Vacheron Constantin’s emblem, so that at the points where four stones meet, a complete cross is formed. In addition, the intricately engineered clasps and fastenings, as well as the time-setting crown are completely hidden beneath the stones.
The Grand Lady Kalla – Sapphire is set in 18K white gold and features a total of ~49.72 carats of sapphires: eight emerald-cut sapphires on the bracelet, two on the watch and two on the jewel piece, along with one sugarloaf-cut sapphire (~2.54 carats). On the sautoir, 31 polished beads of blue sapphire are complemented by the soft glow of 112 Akoya pearls and 20 polished beads of blue chalcedony.
The Grand Lady Kalla – Ruby is set in 18K white gold with a total of ~49.85 carats of rubies: eight emeraldcut rubies on the bracelet, two on the watch and two on the jewel piece, along with one sugarloaf-cut ruby (~2.45 carats). On the sautoir, 31 polished beads of ruby are complemented by the soft glow of 112 Akoya pearls and 20 polished beads of pink chalcedony.
The Grand Lady Kalla – Emerald is set in 950 platinum, with a total of ~35.72 carats of emeralds: eight emeraldcut emeralds on the bracelet, two on the watch and two on the jewel piece, along with one sugarloaf-cut emerald (~1.95 carats). On the sautoir, 31 polished beads
of emeralds are complemented by the soft glow of 112 Akoya pearls and 20 polished beads of chrysoprase.
A VERSATILE JEWEL TO BE WORN FOUR DIFFERENT WAYS
Answering women’s desire for versatile jewels that can be worn in multiple ways, Grand Lady Kalla’s elements enable it to be worn in four different ways, adapting to different styles and occasions. Fitting the watch to the sautoir revives the elegant gestures of the late 19th and early 20th century, when women often wore pendant watches and glanced at the time by gently lifting the sautoir with their fingertips. Whether on the sautoir or the bracelet, the watch can be exchanged with the jewel piece in a matter of moments, by means of hidden locking mechanisms that require no tools to operate.
Grand Lady Kalla is presented in an elegant box accompanied by a specially designed document holder that contains a designer’s original gouache of the piece and a certificate of authenticity.
