The Swiss watchmaking house Blancpain presented a limited collection of jewelry watches, inspired by a watch once worn by Marilyn Monroe. The presentation coincided with Monroe's centenary, on June 1.
The Ladybird Tribute collection by Blancpain is available in seven different strap colors. As they were designed by Pantone based on Monroe's «visual universe,» as Blancpain stated. Each watch bears a letter from the name Marilyn engraved on the back of the case.
The Ladybird Tribute collection is a new release of a Blancpain watch.
It dates from the late 1940s or early 1950s and belonged to Monroe. The company stated that it acquired Monroe's watch in 2016. This was after it went up for auction at Julien's Auctions from the estate of Lee Strasberg (the star's acting coach and estate executor).
The Ladybird Tribute watches — priced at $54,300 each — feature double-wrap calfskin straps and opaline dials set in cases with 60 baguette diamonds and two marquise-cut diamonds. Additional diamonds on the lugs, case attachments, and buckle bring the total carat weight to 1.36.
Monroe's authentic Blancpain, which the watch brand first publicly exhibited in New York in 2019, features an elongated rectangular case, typical of American art deco design. It is made of platinum and adorned with dozens of diamonds, with a miniature movement produced by Fabrique d’Horlogerie de Fontainemelon.
Blancpain stated that the story of how Monroe acquired the watch remains unclear, although it confirmed that the actress wore the watch during her lifetime.
The JCK News Desk uses artificial intelligence to assist with researching and drafting the first version of articles. This article was subsequently edited by editor David Blomquist.
Source: jckonline.com
