Customise Your Watch?
Perhaps you have a watch in your collection that could use a facelift? Give your timepiece the Cagau treatment by setting it with diamonds and precious gemstones of your choice.
ÂCustomise Your Watch?
Perhaps you have a watch in your collection that could use a facelift? Give your timepiece the Cagau treatment by setting it with diamonds and precious gemstones of your choice.
ÂCustomisation Options
We offer an impressive range of customisation options to suit your taste and budget, from simply adding a new bezel to a more complex custom built project. We only use hand-selected diamonds, our standard is G colour (clear white) VS/SI in clarity. However it is possible, should the customer require it, to request a higher colour and/or clarity grade of these stones. We will never use substandard diamond quality on any of our work. All customisations are backed by a comprehensive 2-year warranty.
Customisation Options
We offer an impressive range of customisation options to suit your taste and budget, from simply adding a new bezel to a more complex custom built project. We only use hand-selected diamonds, our standard is G colour (clear white) VS/SI in clarity. However it is possible, should the customer require it, to request a higher colour and/or clarity grade of these stones. We will never use substandard diamond quality on any of our work. All customisations are backed by a comprehensive 2-year warranty.
Bezel Only
This option is where swap the original bezel of the watch or set gemstones into the original metal.
Bezel & Shoulders
This option is where we diamond-set only the shoulder parts or lugs of the watch and add a custom bezel.
From $3,600
All Steel Parts
This option is where we diamond-set all the steel parts of the watch – shoulders, case bracelet outer links, and the buckle.
From $5,000
Fully-Set Traditional
This option is where we fully all parts of the watch – case, shoulders, bracelet, buckle, and bezel. We have used our traditional setting technique.
From $10,000
Fully Set - Pavé
This option is where we fully all parts of the watch – case, shoulders, bracelet, buckle, and bezel. We have used pavé or ‘honeycomb’ setting technique.
From $12,500
Covert Dial
We offer a variety of fully paved ‘covert’ diamond dials. To make this dial we remove the original crown and our skilled watchmakers will fit and assemble it onto a new custom pavé dial.
From $2,500
Fully Custom
This option is where build a fully custom piece. The original movement of the watch is kept intact (this is one of the most expensive parts because it is the functionality that gives the watch its movement and makes it work) however, all the other parts of the watch, for example the case, bracelet, bezel, and buckle are custom built around the movement. These parts are gem-set with exceptionally high-quality VS diamonds.
To craft such an intricate design, special machinery is used to invisibly-set baguette-cut diamonds into the solid 18k gold casing. This type of complex project can take up to 3 months.
We do not sell these watches with the original manufacturer's papers, because essentially we have custom-built a 'new' watch. The original box is supplied and a 2-Year warranty is provided by Cagau (which mirrors the manufacturer's warranty).
To purchase a factory-set watch similar to this, the price point would be 3-4 times higher. Therefore a complete custom piece like this offers a similar look, feel, and quality with more affordability.
From $50,000
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to give your timepiece the Cagau treatment? Read our most frequently asked questions for everything you need to know about customisation work.
Why customise my watch?
Custom-set watches offer our customers the ability to create a bespoke piece entirely to their specific style and taste, offering designs that may not be currently offered by the manufacturer. We offer numerous options for customisations, from completely diamond-encrusted watches to more subtle modifications such as adding a diamond/gemstone bezel or setting stones into the dial, bracelet, case, or shoulders.Â
I am overseas, can I send you my watch?
Yes! You can ship the watch to us via tracked courier if you are overseas - we will then complete the customisation work and send you photos and videos to ensure you are happy - and then we will send the piece back fully insured via our trusted courier partner, FedEx. You will only pay for the setting work once the customisation work is complete.Â
Please note, if you ship the watch to us from overseas, approx 10% import taxes and duties will be added to your invoice from us. This 10% is charged on the total value that you mention on the shipment. When we ship the watch back to you, you will be liable to pay for any import duties/taxes of your particular country - and this will be charged on the cost of the diamond-setting work only. For example, in the United States this is 5%.Â
Additionally, we do not charge VAT if we are shipping the watch back to you overseas.Â
Do you cover the cost of shipping my watch back?
Yes. Once the customisation work is complete and the payment for the work is settled, we will ship your watch back to you securely via our trusted courier partner FedEx.Â
All items that leave our showroom for shipping are fully insured against loss, theft, and damage during transit – so you can rest assured that your investment will be protected. All of our packages are insured by an independent third-party insurance company.
How long does watch customisation take?
Typically we allow up to 14 working days for customisation work, however, if the project is complex please allow 2-3 weeks.
For extremely complex projects or custom builds - we may require up to 3 months.Â
Which diamonds do you use?
We only use hand-selected diamonds, our standard is G colour (clear white) VS/SI in clarity. However it is possible, should the customer require it, to request a higher colour and/or clarity grade of these stones. On most of our stock watches, we use the above-stated colour and clarity as we believe it gives the perfect balance between quality and affordability.Â
Do I get a diamond certificate?
Certificates are issued on single stone diamonds above 0.30 carats – therefore smaller stones do not come with a certificate. A custom-set diamond watch typically has over 1,000 smaller diamonds giving an impressive total carat weight for the whole piece.
When sourcing our diamonds, we buy in large 100-carat loose diamond parcels. Each parcel is certified but not each individual diamond. All Cagau custom diamond watches come with paperwork detailing the exact materials used in the piece.Â
How are the stones set?
It is the extraordinary skill set of our diamond-setters that ensures each stone is placed perfectly, and securely lodged into the finely sculpted precious metal. The precise alignment, orientation, stone regularity as well as intricate finishing of the metalwork creates a sparkling masterpiece.
Do you provide warranty?
Yes, we provide a 2-year warranty on all custom diamond setting work and parts. Please note - if any modifications are done to your watch, this will supersede the existing manufacturer’s warranty (if it's still valid). Watch and car makers are often quite similar in their position that if any after-market changes to an item occur, then all warranties are made invalid.Â
Can watch customisation be reversed?
That depends on the type of customisation you choose. If for example you just want to add/change the bezel or dial - the original parts will be returned to you can you can switch them back at any point. If you choose to diamond-set any parts of the watch case, sides, bracelet or buckle - this cannot be reversed.Â
Will customisation damage my watch?
When we custom-set a watch, none of the internal parts, movements, or mechanisms are ever touched. Before the watch leaves our workshop, it is fully tested and checked by our expert watchmakers.
Will my watch still be water resistant?
It is important to note that we do not guarantee that customised watches will retain their original water resistance. When making alterations to the metalwork, adding or removing parts presents a risk whereby we cannot give 100% assurance that the same level of original water resistance is retained. We, therefore, do not recommend swimming, diving, or submerging a custom-set watch – in the unlikely and unfortunate event that any water resistance may fail.
Will my watch lose value?
That depends upon the demographic to whom you are re-selling to. Adding high-quality aftermarket diamonds to your watch, with impeccable setting work can increase the value of your original base watch when selling to an aftermarket buyer who values the aesthetics.
Most people who customise their watches have other watches in their collection (the investment pieces and the pieces they wear daily) – but the custom watches are treated like a piece of jewellery – worn to exclusive events, elite parties, or anywhere that you want to make a VIP statement.Â
It is also important to take into consideration the luxury watch market in general, typically speaking, the retail price of watches has been increasing year on year – therefore a well-taken care of aftermarket watch has every opportunity to sell pre-owned at the top of the market. Of course, there is no way of knowing what will rise in value – so we always say customise your watch so that you will love wearing it.
Noticeable difference between factory-set and custom?
To the naked eye, and untrained professionals it is difficult to see the difference between factory-set and high-quality custom watches. However, under a 10x loupe, it’s clear to see the tangible difference between aftermarket and factory. Rolex, for example only uses IF (internally flawless) in clarity and between D and G colour diamonds.
Is there a huge difference in price between factory-set and custom?
The simple answer is yes. Factory-set diamond watches sell for a huge premium and are among the most expensive watches in the world. Often the manufacturers will require that you have an adequate previous spending history with the brand, and often you need to be on a waiting list to get your hands on a piece. Custom-set watches offer a more affordable solution, without compromising on quality.