Each time the pusher is pressed, two things other than the French text changing in the windows occur. First, one or two petals from the daisy flower in the center of the dial are “pulled off,” and second is a chiming sound, thanks to an included hammer and gong in the movement. The chiming action is visible through a window on the side of the case. A mother-of-pearl ring around the dial includes text with the game’s possible statements. The dial also includes large pear-cut diamonds for four of the hour markers. The dial materials are wonderfully detailed and impeccably produced. While the design is unique and perhaps not for everyone, I think most people can admit that the Christophe Claret Margot face overall is very interesting and cool. Other than the game, it only indicates the time with hands for the hours and minutes.
Speaking of unique movements for women, inside the Christophe Claret Margot watch is the in-house produced Christophe Claret caliber EMT17 automatic movement. Operating at 28,800 bph (4Hz) it has three days (72 hours) of power reserve. Christophe Claret fans will recognize the style of the automatic rotor, that is thematically and structurally taken from Poker and 21 Blackjack watches, although here decorated with various colored precious and semi-precious stones. Going back to the issue of size, the movement isn’t too petite, with a width of 38.40mm wide and 9.76mm thick. Those dimensions alone are perhaps larger than what most women’s watches are overall, in regard to size. So it goes without saying that, as pretty and elegant and the Christophe Claret Margot is, she is a large lady.
Christophe Claret produces both an 18k white gold and 18k red gold version of the Christophe Claret Margot, and the case is 42.5mm wide by 14.52mm thick. That makes it large enough for most men, and the women who consider wearing one should be aware of the piece’s physical heft. Given the dressiness and diamond decoration of the Christophe Claret Margot, the large size makes it a unique item, and as much a conversation piece as a very bold statement on the wrist. Note that the crown of the watch used to set the time and optionally hand-wind it is hidden from view and located behind the upper lug structure that connects to the strap. This is part of helping to visually reduce case size and mass. Diamonds play an important part in the overall presentation, with versions of the Christophe Claret Margot being available in a “snow set” case with 423 diamonds (about 3 carats), or baguette-set with 68 diamonds (about 5.20 carats). The latter, of course, is more expensive.
As a male watch lover reviewing this item, it isn’t appropriate for me to totally judge the Christophe Claret Margot’s wearability for women. So I went about asking women what they felt about it. Most are impressed by the design and presentation of the Christophe Claret Margot and agree that it is in fact a special watch. Not knowing too much about Christophe Claret’s history, they perhaps don’t totally appreciate his penchant for creating novel complications that did not exist in wrist watch form prior to his participation. With said women, all seemed to agree that the “he loves me, he loves me not” complication is fun, but of course, not the main reason to buy the watch. Though, that is one of the main reasons for the price. So the question returns to whether or not women, like some men, will become emotionally interested and potential customers of a timepiece with a more whimsical take on offering a complicated mechanical movement.
Each of the four version of the Christophe Claret Margot watch are limited to 20 pieces, with prices ranging from $228,000 – $320,000 depending on the amount of stones on the case. The model reference numbers are MTR.EMT17.090-110, MTR.EMT17.060-080, MTR.EMT17.000-020, and MTR.EMT17.030-050. christopheclaret.com
