Verdura Diamond and Gold Links Wristwatch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Stone:
- Stone Cut:
- Case Shape:Round
- Case Dimensions:Length: 6.5 in (165.1 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:190'd
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Verdura
Fulco di Verdura (1898–1978) is not exactly a household name, except for those who know a thing or two about highly original, often eccentric handcrafted jewelry and, even more so, for those fortunate enough to own some. In that exclusive group, Verdura is regarded as the most gifted and coveted designer of his time.
Verdura was born in Sicily in 1898, the scion of a noble family related to the Lampedusas. (His cousin, Giuseppe di Lampedusa, wrote the great Italian saga The Leopard). His life was charmed from birth. Raised in his family’s villa, he grew up during a time when Sicily, and Palermo in particular, were meccas for well-born and highly cultured European travelers.
A bona fide duke with no clear ambitions but creative leanings aplenty (he could draw and paint), the young Verdura was part of the wandering social circuit — the so-called beau monde — that went from capital to capital, resort to resort.
Verdura, though small in stature, had that indefinable quality called charm. As a result, he was the life of every party he attended. When he finally started designing jewelry under Coco Chanel in the late 1920s, many of his friends became his clients (or received the pieces as gifts). Elsa Maxwell took him under her ample wing when she was hired to do public relations for the Lido in Venice and introduced him to the local and visiting cognoscenti. Chanel, whom he met in Venice, hired him to work in the textiles division of her fashion house. But it was his flair for jewelry that soon caught Coco’s eye. Eventually, he rose to become her personal designer of fine jewelry.
In 2002’s Verdura: The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler (Thames & Hudson), Vanity Fair’s Amy Fine Collins describes the sensation of wearing pieces by Verdura, who drew inspiration from nature for his signature gem-studded seashell brooches and honeybee earrings. “They were ingeniously calculated to flatter the wearer,” writes Collins. “Earrings undulated to complement the convolutions of an earlobe, rings seductively followed the phalanges of a finger, and necklaces gracefully traced the anatomy of the throat.”
In 1934, Verdura left Chanel and together with two friends, aspiring actress Princess Natalia Pavlovna Paley and Baron Nicholas de Gunzburg, moved to the U.S. After several stops, he found a job through Diana Vreeland in Hollywood with Paul Flato, then the “jeweler to the stars.” Soon he was signing his work and helping Flato cultivate the crème de la creme of the silver screen — those both on it and behind it.
Verdura left Los Angeles for New York and opened his own salon, first on Fifth Avenue in 1939, just as World War II was beginning in Europe. His backers were Vincent Astor and Cole Porter, for whom he made bejeweled boxes and cigarette cases — gifts from Porter’s wife, Linda — to commemorate the opening nights of several musicals. Verdura began to expand both his repertoire — he became much more daring and flamboyant — and his clientele. The Duchess of Windsor, Daisy Fellowes, Greta Garbo and others routinely gave him commissions. In 1941, Verdura collaborated on a collection of six pieces with Salvador Dalí to accompany a Dalí exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. Verdura retired in 1972 and left the care of the company to his partner, Joseph Alfano. He later moved to London, where he died in 1978 at the age of 79.
Among the most prized pieces on display in a 2014 Verdura jewelry exhibition in New York were Greta Garbo’s curb-link bracelet watch, which Verdura designed for her in 1939; Coco Chanel’s pair of Maltese Cross cuff bracelets (she wore one on each wrist); and Diana Vreeland’s duo of Byzantine brooches.
Find a range of authentic Verdura jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Graff Diamond wristwatch.By GraffLocated in New York, NYGraff Mother of Pearl and diamond wristwatch. The watch features rectangular Mother of pearl dial, case accented with round and square shaped diamo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Artist Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
- Van Cleef & Arpels "Papillon" Mother of Pearl and Diamond WristwatchBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in New York, NYVan Cleef & Arpels "Papillon" Mother Of Pearl And Diamond Wristwatch. The round dial of the watch made of white mother of pearl, accented with yellow gold butterfly with diamond encr...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Artist Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold
- Verdura Garnet and Diamond "Maltese Cross" BroochBy VerduraLocated in New York, NYVerdura garnet and diamond "maltese cross" brooch in 18k yellow gold. The brooch is set with 30 round and oval faceted cut garnets weighing total of approximately 25- 30ct, and 30 r...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Artist Brooches
MaterialsGarnet, Diamond, 18k Gold
- Chopard Diamond and Mother of Pearl 'Happy Sport' Chronograph WristwatchBy ChopardLocated in New York, NYDiamond and Mother- of-Pearl 'Happy Sport' Chronograph Wristwatch, Chopard The circular dial embellished with mother-of-pearl, framed by round diamonds, featuring free-floating colle...Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Artist Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Stainless Steel
- Bvlgari, Diamond and Colored Spinel WatchBy BulgariLocated in New York, NYBulgari MOP, Diamond, and Colored Spinel watch 18k gold and diamonds with mop :TDW~ 0.70CT FG/ VS. "BVLGARI" "V.H" "GEPxxxx VH010" "FABRIQUE EN SWISSE" "AU 750 18K".Category
Late 20th Century Italian Artist Wrist Watches
MaterialsPearl, Diamond, Spinel, 18k Gold
- Etoile Diamond Cuff Watch Made in 18 Karat Yellow GoldLocated in New York, NYEtoile diamond cuff watch made in 18k yellow gold. The front half of the cuff around the edges, face of the watch, halo and leaf designs around the watch are pave set with round bril...Category
20th Century Artist Cuff Bracelets
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Verdura Gold and Diamond Rope Link Bracelet WristwatchBy VerduraLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 1970s Verdura Ladies Bracelet Wrist Watch, 25 M.M. Diameter 14K yellow Gold 2 Piece case, Round Brilliant cut Diamond bezel totaling 1 Carat. 17 Jewel Cresaux Switzerland Mecha...Category
Vintage 1970s American Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold
- Marsh Steel, Diamond and Gold WristwatchLocated in Riverdale, NYAttractive and elegant Marsh Art Deco steel, gold and diamond clamper style wrist watch. Patinaed steel with applied pave diamond cloud form motifs and shoulder hilts. 14k white gold...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, Steel
- Verdura Rose Gold Classic WatchBy VerduraLocated in New York, NYClassic and elegant Verdura watch, in 18k rose gold, sleek rectangular case, measuring 24mm excluding the crown x 40mm, with brownish-burgundy non brande...Category
20th Century Italian Wrist Watches
MaterialsRose Gold
- Chaumet Etonche Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold WristwatchBy ChaumetLocated in Delray Beach, FLFrom the luxury French watchmaker Chaumet, an exquisite 18K yellow gold and diamond Chaumet Paris Quartz Bracelet Watch. Twelve (12) diamonds mark each hour on this square 21mm watch...Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- J Lacloche 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond WristwatchLocated in New York, NYBy: J Lacloche Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Condition: Excellent Origin: France Year Of Manufacture: Circa 1940s Fits a wrist size of 2 inches Length: 6.7 inches Gemstone: Diamond Diamond ...Category
20th Century French Wrist Watches
- Chopard Diamond Gold 18K WristwatchBy ChopardLocated in Geneva, CHChopard Diamond 18K white gold wristwatch. Mother-of-pearl Rectangle dial. Signed Chopard. Numbered 13/6973-20. 559119, 488 1. Swiss marks. Strap is d...Category
1990s European Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold