Forget that New Year’s resolution, it’s time to gain a stone.
One of the most solid (see what we did there) horological trends of the moment, watchmaking’s finest have been experimenting with stone dials.
Once reserved for the finest haute horologie, the second look-worthy feature has experienced a rise in popularity from both independent brands and sports-watch specialists.
A “stone dial” typically refers to watches featuring semi-precious stones like malachite, lapis lazuli, onyx, and tiger’s eye, cut into thin slices and polished to showcase their natural beauty. Some also include meteorite and mother-of-pearl, and their unique nature gives each watch a one-of-a-kind finish that speaks to discerning collectors.
This surge in popularity is tied to a broader shift in watch trends, moving away from 1960s and 1970s sports styles towards the more elegant, cocktail-hour designs of the late 20th century.
From rosey pink quartz that lends a soft touch to their metal cases, to the rich green hues of malachite, WatchPro curates some of the best stone dials by the likes of Christopher Ward, Dennison and more.
Best stone dial watches
Piaget Andy Warhol
Known as ‘the Andy Warhol’ thanks to its prominence in the artist’s extensive collection of watches, the Piaget Black Tie watch was relaunched at the end of 2024 with a malachite dial encased in 18K rose gold. Housing a 534P automatic mechanical movement, the maison also invites customers to create a customised timepiece with the choice of 10 precious stone dial options.
£47,300 / $51,000, piaget.com
Accurist Steel Ladies Rose Quartz
The Accurist’s Jewellery collection offers ultimate uniqueness, with each watch featuring a dial cut from natural semi-precious stones. The model 78001 showcases a rose quartz stone dial, accented with diamond dot hour markers, and is housed in a 28mm stainless steel case with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. The solid stainless steel bracelet features an interchangeable curb chain, and it is powered by a high-precision Japanese quartz movement.
£169 / $185, accurist.com
Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date 40
One of only 36 pieces, the Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date has made a return with a striking malachite dial. This limited-edition model features a 40mm white gold case and a new, in-house developed FC-716 movement offering an impressive 72-hour power reserve – an 89% increase over previous versions. The redesigned sunburst dial is complemented by new hour markers and hands that sweep across its artfully striped face. Combining the date and moonphase in one sub-dial, it comes on an alligator leather strap.
£25,995 / $29,995, frederiqueconstant.com
Christopher Ward C1 Moonphase 37
Dazzling with a midnight blue dial crafted from aventurine – a special glass, invented on the island of Murano – this Christopher Ward watch is infused with reflective flakes of copper oxide to recreate a starry night sky. Pared back to spotlight the charming moonphase complication, it features an automatic Sellita SW200-1 movement with a 38-hour power reserve, housed within a sleek stainless steel case.
£1,995 / $2,325, christopherward.com
Dior La D de Dior Étoile des Vents 38
La D de Dior Étoile des Vents is a stunning fusion of Dior’s fine jewellery legacy and Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship. Designed by Victoire de Castellane, the timepiece reimagines the iconic lucky star of Mr. Dior with a bold eight-pointed motif. The watch features a malachite dial set within a 36mm gold case, adorned with a total of 70 diamonds. Finished with a black satin strap, it is powered by a quartz movement.
£44,000 / $57,000, dior.com
Dennison 37mm Quartz Natural Malachite Stone
Dennison’s Stone Dial watches are a modern tribute to the brand’s classic 1960s cushion case. The ultra-thin 6mm case is crafted from stainless steel, with a 37mm lug-to-lug measurement. This model features a striking natural malachite dial, complemented by a Swiss Ronda Quartz 1032-1 movement and 30 metre water resistance. The 20mm croco-patterned leather strap can be swapped for brown, black, or navy blue colourways. The collection also offers dials in Tiger’s Eye, Lapis Lazuli, and Midnight Aventurine, all elegantly paired with either gold PVD or stainless steel cases for a timeless, sophisticated look.
£557 / $690, dennisonwatch.com
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 40
The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf watch spotlights a striking green malachite dial with a semi-gloss finish, and is powered by the reliable STP 1-21 automatic movement. The watch is housed in a sleek black DLC-plated stainless steel case and bracelet, offering both strength and sophistication. With a 40mm case size and 20mm strap width, this timepiece is perfect for both everyday wear and underwater exploration courtesy of a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, ensuring lasting clarity.
$2,295, zodiacwatches.com
Photographer: kalory.co.uk