{"product_id":"montre-helene-de-michel-argent-cadran-opale-mosaique-1990s","title":"Hélène de Michel Watch Silver — Mosaic Opal Dial (1990s) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAn opal mosaic dial\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Hélène de Michel watch features a dial that no photograph can fully capture: a \u003cstrong\u003emosaic of opal fragments\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgainst this background, twelve silver-toned Roman numerals are applied to the dial, and two set stones mark the noon position. The name \u003cem\u003eHélène de Michel\u003c\/em\u003e appears in cursive script in the upper section. The silver-toned hands, slender and unadorned, leave the dial center stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case is in \u003cstrong\u003esilver\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003enever been worn\u003c\/strong\u003e: it comes to us with its original tag still attached.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree points to note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpal mosaic dial\u003c\/strong\u003e — assembled tesserae, each reflecting a different color, so that no two pieces are identical.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever worn\u003c\/strong\u003e — the watch comes to us with its original tag, in the condition in which it left stock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase in silver\u003c\/strong\u003e — a precious metal throughout, in a restrained 30mm format.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy choose a vintage stone dial watch?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuying a \u003cstrong\u003evintage watch\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece holds a distinctive place among \u003cstrong\u003ewomen's vintage watches\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all our \u003cstrong\u003epre-owned watches\u003c\/strong\u003e, this one has been inspected by our watchmakers: movement verification, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Every \u003cstrong\u003evintage watch\u003c\/strong\u003e we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-vintage-collection-occasion-luxe\"\u003eDiscover all our vintage watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-vintage-moins-500\"\u003eSee our vintage watches under €500\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hélène de Michel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Round dress watch with opal dial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1990s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Switzerland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGender:\u003c\/strong\u003e Men's and women's watch (Unisex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quartz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Hours, minutes, seconds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase :\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver, round shape with curved lugs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions :\u003c\/strong\u003e 30mm (31mm including the crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug to lug :\u003c\/strong\u003e 36mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness :\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.7mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width :\u003c\/strong\u003e 17mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown :\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial :\u003c\/strong\u003e Opal mosaic, applied silver-tone Roman numerals, two stones set at 12 o'clock (nature uncertified), original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands :\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver-tone, baton shape, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal :\u003c\/strong\u003e Mineral (condition 9\/10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrap :\u003c\/strong\u003e Black leather, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuckle :\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel pin buckle, not original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition and warranty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall condition :\u003c\/strong\u003e 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).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater resistance :\u003c\/strong\u003e Not guaranteed (vintage watch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity :\u003c\/strong\u003e Lifetime guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanics :\u003c\/strong\u003e Quartz movement checked, new battery, guaranteed for 1 year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded :\u003c\/strong\u003e Atelier Victor invoice, original tag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included :\u003c\/strong\u003e Original box and papers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the play-of-color of opal?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOpal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo two watches have the same dial?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"new old stock\" mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow should an opal dial be cared for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOpal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat wrist size is this watch suitable for?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Heléne de Michel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54678991962449,"sku":"218974","price":493.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/VD_06262.jpg?v=1787665387","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/helene-de-michel-watch-silver-mosaic-opal-dial-1990s","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}