Independent Swiss watchmaker Krayon has unveiled the Parhelion, an extraordinary timepiece that blends haute horlogerie, fine gem-setting and the beauty of one of nature’s rarest atmospheric phenomena. Inspired by the mesmerising play of sunlight across Arctic skies, the new creation transforms the passing of time into a celebration of light, nature and craftsmanship.
The watch draws its inspiration from a real-life expedition to Greenland, where Krayon founder Rémi Maillat and Fei Hou witnessed a parhelion, also known as a “sun dog”. The rare optical phenomenon occurs when sunlight passes through suspended hexagonal ice crystals, creating brilliant halos that appear to flank the sun. The experience inspired Krayon to create a watch that reflects how light is constantly shaped by its surroundings, much like the way precious gemstones reveal their brilliance through refraction.
That inspiration is immediately evident in the watch’s striking appearance. The case, bezel, lugs and buckle are adorned with 171 carefully selected gemstones, led by a seamless gradient of baguette-cut sapphires that transition from brilliant white to deep ocean blue. The colour progression mirrors the changing hues of the Arctic landscape, capturing the subtle shifts of daylight across ice, sea and sky.
At the heart of the design is the debut of the Krayon Cut, a bespoke Y-shaped gemstone created exclusively for the Maison. Positioned prominently at 12 o’clock, the unique cut takes inspiration from Krayon’s logo and serves as a signature element of the Parhelion. The dial continues the luminous theme with eleven invisibly set Krayon Cut diamond hour markers floating above a delicate mother-of-pearl surface, creating an impression of weightless light.
Beyond its dazzling aesthetics, the Parhelion remains rooted in the mechanical ingenuity that has defined Krayon’s award-winning Anywhere complication. Renowned for its ability to display personalised sunrise and sunset times for virtually any location on Earth, the complication reflects the brand’s fascination with humanity’s relationship to the natural rhythms of the planet. In the Parhelion, this technical achievement is paired with artistic craftsmanship to create a timepiece that celebrates both astronomy and emotion.
Krayon has also chosen a naturally white, palladium-rich gold case that requires no rhodium plating, allowing the precious metal to enhance the watch’s luminous character while complementing the cool tones of the sapphires. Every element has been carefully considered to reinforce the theme of light interacting with nature.
With the Parhelion, Krayon expands its creative vision beyond complex watchmaking into the world of artistic gem-setting, resulting in one of its most expressive creations to date. Combining a rare astronomical complication, bespoke gemstones and exceptional finishing, the Parhelion offers collectors a wearable work of art inspired by one of Earth’s most spectacular natural displays.
The Krayon Parhelion retails for S$750,000, inclusive of tax.
