This monarch watch was created as a meaningful tribute to beauty, change, and the lasting presence of what we hold dear. The monarch butterfly, long admired for its grace and remarkable journey, is paired here with milkweed, the plant essential to its life cycle. Together they create a dial that feels both delicate and enduring, a small composition that carries a sense of remembrance and renewal.

This watch was entered in the 2026 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the world’s most prestigious international watchmaking competition, in the Challenge category for watches under 4,500 CHF.

Dial Composition

The dial features a layered milkweed flower created from individually shaped pieces of purple abalone shell. The layered construction gives the flower depth and movement, while fourteen amethyst-colored cubic zirconia stones are set into the blossoms as tiny points of light, echoing the natural dark centers of milkweed flowers.

The monarch butterfly is formed from orange Tiger Pearl shell selected for its natural orange, gold, and iridescent tones. A black metal overlay defines the wing structure and allows the distinctive monarch pattern to emerge. Orange cubic zirconia markers at 11, 12, 1, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock provide time indication while visually connecting the butterfly to the full composition.

Rather than relying on paint or printed effects, the colors in the dial come from the natural shell itself. As the light moves, the dial shifts with flashes of orange, gold, green, blue, and violet.

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The 38mm stainless steel case has a high-polish finish, screw-down crown, sapphire crystal, and sapphire exhibition case-back.

Inside is a Swiss 26-jewel automatic-winding Sellita SW200-1 movement. For this special edition, the artistic story continues through the movement itself: the custom Celeste rotor is inlaid with orange Tiger Pearl shell, creating a direct connection between the front and back of the watch.

The result is a complete artistic timepiece, with natural shell craftsmanship visible on both sides.

Comes standard with a butterfly buckle and certificate of authenticity.

Technical Specifications

Sellita SW200-1 - 41 hour power reserve with customized Celeste rotor. Perfect for this exhibition case back.

Dimensions