The watch house has just unveiled a dazzling haute joaillerie capsule collection in honor of the Hollywood icon, reinterpreting her glamorous style through a modern lens. Seven unique models offer a new interpretation of Monroe’s personal evening Art Deco-style watches, which returned to the brand’s archives in 2016.

The new Ladybird Tribute collection preserves the key aesthetic features of its predecessor, but Blancpain’s artisans could not resist adding even more luxurious sparkle. Each of these delicate ultra-thin timepieces is set with 85 diamonds, totaling 1.360 carats.

The 18-karat white gold case is decorated with 60 round-cut diamonds and a pair of marquise-cut stones. Another 20 diamonds shine on the strap lugs, two on the horns, and one on the classic buckle clasp. For comparison, Monroe’s original watch was set with 73 diamonds. Blancpain has also carefully preserved the opal dial, applied yellow-gold hour markers, tapered hands, and the iconic rectangular Art Deco-inspired case silhouette.

Ultra-Thin Movement and Pantone Palette

At the heart of the new line is the in-house Caliber 510 manual-winding movement, first introduced by the brand in 2020. Measuring just 2.60 mm thick, this movement consists of 128 components, operates at 3 Hz, and offers a 52-hour power reserve.

A special connection to the actress is emphasized through an engraved case back: each of the seven watches features a single letter of her name, together forming M-A-R-I-L-Y-N.

All models are paired with double-wrap calfskin straps. The color palette was developed by experts from the Pantone Color Institute exclusively for this centenary celebration. The shades reference Monroe’s visual universe: from soft Peach Bud pink and signature Hollywood red High Risk Red, to more neutral tones such as satin white Star White and deep black Black Beauty.

The Mystery of the Original Watch

Beyond its striking appearance, little is known about Marilyn Monroe’s personal watch. According to Blancpain experts, it was produced between the early 1940s and 1950s. Its elongated case design echoes the strict architectural lines of the era, such as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center.

The original piece bore dual markings: “Blancpain” on the winding wheel and “Rayville Watch Co.” on the balance bridge. This branding was used during the period when the company operated under the Rayville-Blancpain name under Betty Fichter, the first woman to lead a major Swiss watchmaking house. Another period detail is the double safety chain typical of mid-century cocktail jewelry watches.

Who exactly gifted Monroe this dazzling timepiece remains unknown. The actress rarely purchased jewelry herself, so it was likely a generous gift from someone with impeccable taste.

Given Monroe’s enduring iconic status, the Ladybird Tribute collection is expected to sell out instantly. Each watch is priced at $54,300 — assuming, of course, you manage to get one in time.