Hélène de Michel Watch Silver — Mosaic Opal Dial (1990s)
Only 1 available
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Serviced movement & 1 year warranty
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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An opal mosaic dial
This Hélène de Michel watch features a dial that no photograph can fully capture: a mosaic of opal fragments, cut into irregular tesserae and assembled edge to edge across the entire surface. Each fragment reflects a different color depending on the angle — blue, green, pink, orange — and the whole changes appearance entirely with every movement of the wrist.
It is the optical phenomenon specific to opal, known as play-of-color: the stone diffracts light rather than simply reflecting it, producing shifting iridescence. Fragmented into a mosaic rather than set as a single piece, it multiplies the angles and therefore the colors simultaneously visible.
Against this background, twelve silver-toned Roman numerals are applied to the dial, and two set stones mark the noon position. The name Hélène de Michel appears in cursive script in the upper section. The silver-toned hands, slender and unadorned, leave the dial center stage.
The case is in silver, round, 30mm in diameter, with a narrow polished bezel that leaves the dial most of the visible diameter. Its 5.7mm thickness remains restrained. This piece has never been worn: it comes to us with its original tag still attached.
Three points to note
- Opal mosaic dial — assembled tesserae, each reflecting a different color, so that no two pieces are identical.
- Never worn — the watch comes to us with its original tag, in the condition in which it left stock.
- Case in silver — a precious metal throughout, in a restrained 30mm format.
Why choose a vintage stone dial watch?
Buying a vintage watch with a stone dial rather than a contemporary model gives access to craftsmanship that current production reserves for far more expensive pieces. Natural stone dials are inherently unique: the material cannot be replicated, and two examples of the same reference never have the same dial.
This piece holds a distinctive place among women's vintage watches: its 30mm format and iridescent dial place it firmly in the realm of jewelry. It can be worn on its own or paired with fine bracelets, and its shifting palette allows it to complement a wide variety of outfits.
Like all our pre-owned watches, this one has been inspected by our watchmakers: movement verification, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Every vintage watch we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.
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Technical specifications
- Brand: Hélène de Michel
- Model: Round dress watch with opal dial
- Estimated year: 1990s
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Quartz
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Case : Silver, round shape with curved lugs
- Dimensions : 30mm (31mm including the crown)
- Lug to lug : 36mm
- Thickness : 5.7mm
- Lug width : 17mm
- Crown : Steel, not original
- Dial : Opal mosaic, applied silver-tone Roman numerals, two stones set at 12 o'clock (nature uncertified), original
- Hands : Silver-tone, baton shape, original
- Crystal : Mineral (condition 9/10)
- Strap : Black leather, not original
- Buckle : Steel pin buckle, not original
Condition and warranty
- Overall condition : Very good condition. The opal mosaic dial is intact, with no tesserae missing and the play-of-color fully present. The applied Roman numerals, set stones, and hands are flawless. The silver case shows very few signs of wear and the Crystal is in very fine condition (9/10).
- Water resistance : Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity : Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanics : Quartz movement checked, new battery, guaranteed for 1 year
- Included : Atelier Victor invoice, original tag
- Not included : Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
What is the play-of-color of opal?
Opal does not reflect light like a polished surface: its internal structure diffracts it, breaking white light into shifting colors. This is the phenomenon gemologists call play-of-color. Arranged in a mosaic as here, the stone multiplies the angles and therefore the shades visible simultaneously — blue, green, pink, and orange answer one another on a single dial, and the whole changes with every movement of the wrist.
Do two watches have the same dial?
No. Each opal tessera is unique in its cut and in its orientation within the original stone, which determines the colors it reflects. Two dials assembled on the same day in the same atelier therefore do not have the same palette. That is the counterpart of working with natural stone, and what makes each example distinct.
What does "new old stock" mean?
It means the watch has never been worn or sold to an end customer. It remained in stock since its production and comes to us with its original tag still attached. The case bears only very slight marks, related to storage rather than wear, which remains rare for a thirty-year-old piece. Only the battery has been replaced.
How should an opal dial be cared for?
Opal is a relatively soft stone, sensitive to shocks and sudden temperature changes. The dial is protected by the Crystal and therefore requires no particular care, but avoid leaving the watch exposed to direct sunlight for long periods or in a very dry environment. A soft cloth is sufficient for the silver case.
What wrist size is this watch suitable for?
With a 30mm case, 36mm Lug-to-lug, and 5.7mm thickness, it is ideally suited to wrists measuring approximately 15 to 18cm. Its restrained size and slim profile place it more in the realm of jewelry than that of an instrument. The Lug width measures 17mm, making it easy to change the strap.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard — American Express not accepted)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer starting from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.
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