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Maurice de Mauriac channels Lady Di with its latest collaboration

Maurice de Mauriac channels Lady Di with its latest collaboration

Russell Sheldrake
  • Maurice de Mauriac celebrates 45 years of Warm & Wonderful by taking its most recognisable design to a watch dial.
  • Powered by a Landeron 24 movement, the Black Sheep features a 39mm steel case.
  • It’s limited to 45 pieces, and priced at CHF 1,950.

Just like watches, there are a few legendary items of clothing that are instantly, and irrevocably linked to one person, sometimes even one image. And the black sheep jumper, made by Warm & Wonderful, will always be associated with Princess Diana thanks to a photo of her in 1981, just six months after getting engaged to Prince (now King) Charles. As a watch brand that’s not afraid to stand out from the crowd, Maurice de Mauriac makes a perfect partner with Warm & Wonderful to bring the Black Sheep jumper to the wrist to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the knitwear brand.

maurice de mauriac princess diana

The watch itself was designed by extremely talented creative designer, Carlton DeWoody, who’s based in Los Angeles and is good friends with vintage dealer Eric Wind, who also had some input on the final design. DeWoody also worked on the brand’s collaboration with Racquet, the Rallymaster III, and its predecessor. The Black Sheep at its base is the same watch as the Rallymaster, running on the Landeron 24 movement, which is housed inside the 39mm stainless steel case. The sheep on the dial are all applied in bright lume, except for the black one, which just has a single, lumed eye.

maurice de mauriac warm wonderful black sheep 1

But the truly meaningful part of this watch is the concept behind it. Standing out as the black sheep is often thought of as a negative thing. Maurice de Mauriac is a family-run brand, founded by Daniel Dreifuss in 1997 after turning his back on a career in finance, the company his now run by his two sons, Massimo and Leonard. In fact, it was a gift from his two sons that began the connection between Maurice de Mauriac and Warm & Wonderful, when they gave him a bucket hat made by the English company. Daniel and both of his sons have never been afraid of being different, and it’s clear in the design of their watches, so it feels right that they have been the ones to bring this symbol of individuality into watches.

maurice de mauriac warm wonderful black sheep 2

Maurice de Mauriac x Warm & Wonderful Black Sheep pricing and availability

The Maurice de Mauriac x Warm & Wonderful Black Sheep is limited to just 45 pieces and can be bought through both Maurice de Mauriac and Warm & Wonderful. Price: CHF 1,950 (∼US$2,250)

Brand Maurice de Mauriac x Warm & Wonderful
Model Black Sheep
Reference N/A
Case Dimensions 39mm (D) x 42.7mm (LTL)
Case Material Stainless steel
Water Resistance 100 metres
Crystal(s) Sapphire
Dial Red with white and black lume sheep
Strap Both black and white elasticated fabric
Movement Landeron 24, automatic
Power Reserve 40 hours
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds
Availability 45 pieces
Price CHF 1,950