Pierre Balmain is a French fashion house that was established more than fifty years ago and since then grew extremely popular among celebrities of both European and North American origin. In 2012, the brand has expanded its collection of watches with a new Balmain Opera Round that was powered by a simple, but reliable Swiss-made quartz movement. What strikes me the most is that, while selling expensive clothing and perfume, the French brand doesn’t ask too much for its timekeepers: most of them are below the €500 range.
I don’t know who is their contractor, but Balmain certainly has a competent industrial designer among its staff: the new watch, while simple and unpretentious, leaves an impression of understated elegance and even refinement (at least on these promotional images that we have recently obtained.)
Their press release doesn’t give us a lot of info, but it is clear that the watch will be available in a number of versions (both in polished stainless steel and rose gold PVD-treated steel,) those including models with plain or diamond-set bezels, different sorts of dials and different straps.
Of course, the most visually appealing among those is the version, which is pictured below.
As you can see on the image, the Balmain Opera Round is presented in a mid-sized stainless steel body that measures approximately 30 millimeters in diameter: a sizing that will fit most wrists. There will be less expensive models with plain steel fixed bezels, although the one on this particular model is set with 60 Wesselton diamonds that together tip the scales at 0.3 carats.
Its silvered dial is satin-finished and decorated with arabesque motif and thus serves as a good background for the pair of dauphine-shaped hours and minutes hands that are crafted from polished steel.
Although the brand plans to sell them below the €1000 range, the watch, which is going to be officially presented during the Baselworld 2012 show, looks extremely elegant and will be a perfect match even for an expensive evening dress. Presented on a black satin strap, it is attached to a wrist with a steel folding clasp, which makes putting this device on and off especially comfortable.
Verdict: The Opera Round is a nice choice for a young lady who doesn’t care much about movements and all and simply wants an elegant accessory that would match her purse.
See also: Cartier Tank Folle Ladies Hand-Wound
WWR Verdict
Originality 3.5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Versatility: 4/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 1/5
Value for Money: n/a
Overall Rating: 4/5
Photos: Balmain
Balmain Opera Round specification
Movement: Quartz, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes
Case: Stainless steel
Bezel: Steel, set with 60 Wesselton diamonds
Shape: Round
Size: 30.00 mm
Dial: Silvered, flowers motif in the center
Hour markers: Applied, baton-shaped
Hands: Dauphine-shaped, polished
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black or white satin strap with steel folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Solid