{"id":2680,"date":"2026-05-19T16:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uhrmacherkunst.at\/?p=2680"},"modified":"2026-05-21T21:23:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T21:23:48","slug":"the-florentine-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uhrmacherkunst.at\/en\/the-florentine-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"The Florentine Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Florentine Watch<\/h3><\/div>
As mysterious as the legendary diamond<\/h5><\/div>

The Florentine<\/strong> is the most famous diamond of the Habsburg dynasty. Once the fourth-largest diamond in the world, it disappeared <\/strong>amid the turmoil surrounding the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire around 1921. Following Emperor Karl I’s death, numerous jewels, including the Florentine, were kept secret for over 100 years<\/strong> at Empress Zita’s behest. <\/p>\n

Many myths<\/strong> arose during this period regarding the diamond\u2019s whereabouts, which inspired me to create the Florentine watch<\/strong>, among other things. A suitable stone \u2014 a citrine, the traditional colour and size of the Florentine \u2014 was found and cut to shape. <\/p>\n

Shortly after the stone-cutting process had been completed<\/strong>, the Habsburg-Lothringen family publicly announced that a treasure, including the Florentine, had been rediscovered<\/strong>. Much to our surprise, its colour, size and cut were indeed very similar to those of the original.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/div>

A unique and unforgettable experience: wearing a one-of-a-kind watch<\/h5><\/div>

When worn on a gold chain around the neck, the Florentine offers a truly regal wearing experience<\/strong>. Originally, it adorned emperors and empresses. Today, glimpses of the movement and dial<\/strong> can be seen through the stone, but it is only when the piece is opened that its secrets are revealed<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

The centrepiece of this exceptional jewellery watch<\/strong> is a citrine <\/strong>split down the middle, which is almost identical in shape and colour to the Florentine. Within it is a high-quality, hand-wound mechanical movement<\/strong> with 17 jewels. The movement’s bridges and plates are hand-guilloch\u00e9<\/strong> and rhodium-plated. <\/p>\n

The 950 platinum dial <\/strong>is hand-guilloch\u00e9<\/strong> and features four brilliant-cut diamonds set in gold.<\/p>\n

The stone halves are set <\/strong>in 18-carat gold<\/strong>, as is the clasp mechanism<\/strong>, allowing the Florentine watch to be opened or closed at any time.<\/p>\n

The first unveiling<\/strong> of the Florentine Watch<\/strong>, a unique piece, took place at the Austrian Embassy in London during London Craft Week 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>