Just in time for last-minute Mother’s Day shoppers, New York-based jeweler Jade Trau has released a new collection of customized vintage Rolex Cellini watches. This is the second drop in the series, following the quick sellout of her first collection.
Trau, who began her career as a diamond buyer before launching her own fine jewelry line, has added her signature touch to 10 carefully restored timepieces. Many feature diamond accents and come mounted on vibrant exotic leather straps in colors like red, pink, and green.
Each watch in the collection is from the 1970s and houses a Rolex caliber 1600 manual-wind movement. The shapes vary from round to oval to cushion cases, with most featuring a hand-applied satin finish. “We go through several steps and use different brushes to get the exact texture depending on the shape and size of the case,” Trau explained in an interview with Robb Report.
This second round allowed Trau to be more creative with the designs. “I wanted to experiment with different concepts,” she said. “We even included a men’s-size model, which has been a favorite in the studio.” The collection also features two white gold pieces, which Trau personally favors.
Despite her deep appreciation for timepieces, Trau admits she isn’t a watch expert. “I have more than a handful,” she said, referring to a mix of carefully sourced pieces and heirlooms like her grandmother’s vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre. She is currently working to have a malachite dial cut for that piece.
Although Trau did not keep a watch from the first drop, she plans to travel to Japan soon to continue sourcing vintage models for future projects.
The watches, priced between $11,500 and $12,900, are available now on the Jade Trau website. With several already sold, interested buyers may need to act fast before the collection is gone once again.
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