10. Christian Dior

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C.10 Christian Dior

French fashion designer. The world's most influential couturier of the nineteen fifties and sixties. Today, the Christian Dior House represents a financial empire with revenues from boutiques to accessories, ready to wear lines, and the licensing of the Dior trademark. The ultramodern and avant-garde designs of Dior's early days have gradually been replaced by designs with a more classic appeal and are meant for a larger audience.

1905	Born on January 21st, in Granville, France.
1920-1926	Studies political science and music in Paris.
1942-1946	Works alongside Pierre Balmain for couturier Lucien Lelong.
1947	Establishes the Christian Dior Fashion house.
1947-1957	Designs the 'New Look', the 'Zig-Zag' line, the 'H' and 'Y' line.
1957	Dies.
1975-1961	Yves Saint Laurent takes over design at the Dior Fashion House.
1961-	Marc Bohan starts designing the Dior collections, preceding Karl Lagerfeld, who superseded him in the nineteen eighties.
1971	The Dior house designs a series of approximately 50 watches for Bulova.
1972	Bulova shows the new series of 'Haute Couture' watches during the Basle Fair, designed by the 'Christian Dior' house.

The following watches were designed:

1/4	A basic series of four asymmetrical watches, each in four different colours. Each watch was available with a brushed chromium or brushed goldplated case; dials and matching straps in brown, red, blue or green. The clasp of the strap is shaped in the characteristic CD logo.
5/8	The same series of symmetrical watches.
9	The watch case is formed by the letters 'CD'. Sold in six different colours.
10/13	Three oval basic models, brushed chromium or gold plated. Each in two different colours.
14/15	Two basic models of framed watches, each available in three different colours. This was the first range of watches which were meant to give a 'chique' impression. In comparison with the many beautifully designed modern watches, these are less interesting.
16/19	A series of four asymmetric 18 carat gold watches, two with a yellow dial and two with a light brown dial, very similar to no. 1/4.
20/21	One rectangular watch with a yellow dial and one circular watch with a brown dial, 18 carat gold, made in the style of no. 10/13.

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