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Aventurine dials, such as the one seen on the Parmigiani Kalparisma Nova Galaxy, are seeing a huge revival

There’s something captivating about aventurine. Its startling resemblance to a glittering star-filled night sky gives the material a poetic quality and makes it a delight to behold. It also has an interesting history. Unlike what some may believe, the vast majority of the aventurine used in watchmaking is actually a form of glass, and not cut from a natural stone of the same name. It was supposedly created by a glass blower on the Italian island of Murano in the 17th century. The craftsman spilled some copper shavings into molten glass, which then cooled into the mesmerising material we know today. The glass, aventurine, is aptly named after its moment of conception, using the Italian expression “a l’avventura”, meaning “by chance”. While aventurine has been used in watchmaking before, it was only in odd pieces. Its reputation this year, however, has taken a star turn, with the likes of A. Lange & Söhne, Cartier, and Jaquet Droz rolling out watches that bear aventurine dials. The new Parmigiani Kalparisma Nova Galaxy is among the new faces. Its glittering deep blue dial perfectly complements the rotating star-shaped small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, which completes one revolution per minute. The watch comes in rose gold, or in white gold set with diamonds—in case the aventurine and revolving star don’t provide enough sparkle.