Also known as Day of the Dead, it is an annual event at the end of October celebrated in Mexico meant to remember the dearly departed, explaining the liberal use of skulls on the L.U.C Perpetual T, named after the Mexican patron saint of death, which boasts a perpetual calendar, (invisible) tourbillon regulator and nine-day power reserve. It makes for surely the most extravagant, and oddly appealing, L.U.C complicated wristwatch in a long, long time.

The dial is a solid 18k gold disc with a radial guilloche edge and a hand-engraved skull that’s been painted with black lacquer. Each of the sub-dials for the perpetual calendar form the eyes, while the skull has mother of pearl inlaid for its teeth, and the black-coated tourbillon bridge forms a moustache of sorts. But because of the dial design, the tourbillon is entirely hidden, a discretion almost unheard of in modern watchmaking.

The case is a large 43mm, and in 18k rose gold, with the front, sides and crown fully engraved by hand. The L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of la Santa Muerte (ref. 161941-5005) is a unique creation, priced at SFr244,500. However, similar timepieces are available as custom orders.

1. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona

Since its start in 1963, the Rolex Daytona was not pictured to end up this way. This Daytona is crafted in 18-karat pink gold and adorned with a precious rainbow of gemstones. This gives reason to the nickname of this Rolex, “Rainbow.” The gems set on this Rolex sport chronograph is placed around the bezel instead of the tachymeter scale. There are a total of a whopping 103 gems ranging from brilliant-cut diamonds to 47 baguette-cut colored sapphires.

– Case: 40 x 12.8 mm, pink gold
– Movement: automatic Caliber 4130, 72-hour power reserve, chronograph column wheel and vertical clutch, blue Parachrom hairspring, C.O.S.C. chronometer certified
– Price: $96,900

2. Chopard L.U.C. Heritage Grand Cru

Chopard specializes in amazing gem-set watches using sensational gemstones, but these watches re usually made for the female-orientated models. A Chopard timepiece with gemstones made for men is not a common thing found. This L.U.C. Heritage Grand Cru model is special for two reasons. The first being that it is made with a tonneau shape which is very rare for Chopard and also because it is inspired by co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s passionate love of fine wine. A very special feature of its appearance is that even though it is set with 3.05 carats’ worth of beautiful baguette-shaped diamonds, its appearance remains understated and very masculine.

– Case: 38.5 x 38.8 x 7.74 mm, white gold
– Diamonds: 40 baguette-cut diamonds (3.05 ct) around bezel
– Movement: automatic Caliber L.U.C 97.01-L with 22-karat gold micro rotor, Twin Technology twin spring barrels, 65-hour power reserve, swan-neck fine adjustment, C.O.S.C. chronometer certified
– Price: $41,000

3. Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Sapphire Rainbow

Over the years, Hublot has had great success with their range of dazzling timepieces. A key factor that plays a major part in the success of these watches, is the transparency of the watch. Adding a layer of colorful gemstones to a transparent watch really enhances the color of the gemstones. Another model that is very similar to this one is the Big Bang One Click Sapphire.

– Case: 42 mm, sapphire crystal with transparent composite resin and 18-karat white gold bezel
– Gems: 54 baguette-cut colored sapphires, amethysts, rubies, topazes, and tsavorites around bezel
– Movement: automatic Caliber HUB4700, 50-hour power reserve
– Limitation: 50 pieces