masterpieces
Backes & Strauss’ constant endeavour to create magnificent bespoke luxury watches has roots in its 230-year history and recalls a bygone era when kings and queens set the bar for what was true luxury; from a gem-set parure wedding gift to an enamelled, singing bird automaton clock, it was monarchs who commissioned the most exquisite works of art, seeking the top masters from lands far and wide. Each unique Backes & Strauss Masterpiece is a one-of-a-kind timepiece, of which you can be the sole owner in the world.
The BY 40 Namib Sun dazzles with its stunning dial, meticulously set with fancy intense and vivid yellow diamonds, each sourced from the marine diamond deposits of Namibia. These rare and extraordinary diamonds, with their vibrant hues and captivating brilliance, are a celebration of natural beauty and exceptional craftsmanship.
We are delighted to introduce the Berkeley King Titan to you. This exceptional timepiece features a custom tourbillon, prominently displayed through the cutaway dial. Notably, the Berkeley King Titan is an addition to the previously released bespoke Piccadilly 45 King Tourbillon and Berkeley King Tourbillon 43 collections. This tourbillon is adorned with Backes & Strauss’ distinctive arrow motif, drawing inspiration from the Hearts & Arrows pattern seen when examining an Ideal Cut diamond through a special loupe.
Blurring the lines between horology and jewellery, Backes & Strauss' new Green African Elephant features a slim diamond-set case attached to a tactile bracelet set with two rows of carefully selected diamonds and a third, middle row of emeralds from Gemfields' Kagem mine in Zambia. The natural green mother-of-pearl dial of this time-telling jewel features a meticulously hand-painted elephant, the emblem of "Walk for Giants".
Introducing: the Berkeley Emperor Titan Tourbillon 45. Backes & Strauss’ latest timepiece joins the fervent Emperor Tourbillon collection, the British luxury brand’s very first series of timepieces crafted with a special bespoke hand-winding skeleton tourbillon movement, first released in 2016. Whilst its predecessors come in rose – or white gold, the brand-new Titan is finished with brushed titanium, making it lighter in weight.
Mysterious and discreet with a hint of luxury, the Regent Royal Black Knight is a steel masterpiece set with 2,106 black diamonds on its case and bracelet (26.27cts) using the serti neige technique, where different sized diamonds are set side by side, playing on variations in diameter; a skill requiring the experience of only the best craftsmen. This time-telling jewel is elegantly completed with Backes & Strauss’ signature white Ideal Cut diamond in the crown (0.12cts), known as the Jewel in the Crown.
The master cutters, polishers and gem setters at Backes & Strauss have reached new heights in the creation of the Piccadilly Princess Royal Colours, which, as the name suggests, is a lady's cocktail watch bedecked in a variety of spectacular stones. No two examples of the Piccadilly Princess Royal Colours will be alike, nor can they be - because each watch is created using a unique hand-picked selection of white and fancy-coloured diamonds, which are individually set to create an unrepeatable, one-off pattern.
The sumptuous Piccadilly Princess Royal Pink Heart joins the five unique Piccadilly Princesses with 207 colourless diamonds,34.95cts and 38 pink diamonds, 2.32cts. The fresh burst of delicate colour celebrates the beauty of elegant femininity. Combining the various cuts (Baguette, Cushion, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess, Ascher, Emerald, Heart and Round Brilliant) creates an impression of a piece that has been formed by a happy coincidence of nature, almost as if diamonds had been casually scattered across the watch.
This exceptional timepiece is an unrivalled masterpiece from both the inner workings to the outside casing of the watch. The diamond encrusted case of this timepiece is inspired by London’s Berkeley Square, a constant reminder of the quintessentially British heritage of Backes & Strauss and also a celebration of nature. Nature is visually resonated from the 1,080 diamonds subliming this bejeweled timepiece; a miracle of nature by their pure essence.
The Berkeley Emperor Brilliant Tourbillon was the first Backes & Strauss wristwatch to be crafted with a special bespoke manual-winding skeleton tourbillon movement. The tourbillon is set in a bespoke frame decorated by Backes & Strauss’ signature arrows motif, inspired by the arrows pattern visible when viewing an Ideal Cut diamond from above the crown.
The Berkeley Emperor Prince Tourbillon is distinguished by its exquisite invisible baguette-set case which harmonises together with the bridge via the Backes & Strauss signature arrows motif. An allusion to the arrows pattern visible when viewing an Ideal Cut diamond from above the crown.
The Empress, a unique timepiece crafted by Backes & Strauss to celebrate the 90th. The dial made of gold has the profile of Her Majesty hand engraved by the master engravers and enameled in a royal purple hue using the Grand Feu technique with the roman numerals 'XC' at 12 o'clock.
In the heyday of the magnificent dandy Beau Brummell, telling the time involved more than a mere glance at the wrist - it was almost a ceremonial occasion when a gentleman gave a gentle tug on his fob chain, slowly drawing a timepiece from the depths of his waistcoat pocket before cradling it in his palm and perusing the hour at length.
Masters of Diamonds, Backes & Strauss is delighted to present the Royal ASHOKA® Empress Collection, a new line of one-of-a-kind diamond watches bringing William Goldberg’s exceptional ASHOKA® diamonds to the world of haute horlogerie.
Revisiting the mystique of the Ashoka diamond, Backes & Strauss forged an exceptional partnership which saw Masters of Diamonds, Backes & Strauss meet with Master diamond cutter William Goldberg.
There is and only ever will be one Berkeley Imperial, having taken two and a half years to collect and then match these 48 rare and difficult Natural Fancy Lime Colour diamonds.
In days of old, the jester was no fool. A key member of a ruler's inner circle, his role was considered vital to the smooth running of the royal court, his humorous antics were often seen as the fruit of divine inspiration and his position was viewed as one of privilege. He was even required to criticize his master. The Backes & Strauss Royal Jester is so named, because of its circular theme in the centre, of which a sparkling routine is performed by our very own version of the jester in the form of a single, round, and brilliant diamond weighing above 1.01cts.