A must-read! For a Genevan like me, casually meeting a wealth manager at a dinner is nothing unusual—unless that person has just released their latest novel about watchmaking…
By Philippe Perret du Cray / JSH® Magazine & Swiss Watch Passport
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This finance executive, and here’s where it gets far less ordinary, mentions his passion for watchmaking, having co-founded one or two brands with a friend, and, most notably, that the plot of his fourth novel is set in this very industry.
Also for an Insider Audience
It sounds like a teaser that the insider in me simply can’t resist… Especially when Olivier Rigot reveals that he drew inspiration for his main character from a mutual acquaintance, the editor of a well-known watchmaking magazine.
This novel, beautifully written, is as gripping as any great thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. It has everything to satisfy fans of the genre: a modern plot, almost too realistic to be purely fictional; truly villainous characters you might encounter at any upscale Geneva soirée; and genuinely good-hearted protagonists, occasionally a bit lost. Above all, it captures the dazzling world of the watchmaking and jewelry industry, with its glamour, bubbles, key figures, and darker sides.
The insider won’t be disappointed, with certain highly recognizable characters, barely disguised brands and maisons, the behind-the-scenes of magazine production, interviews, and the Watches & Wonders fair. It feels like you’re right there, fully immersed. As for the Genevan reader, they’ll recognize many familiar locations, described in vivid detail, such as the grand floral arrangement at the entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues.
Some characters are highly recognizable, with brands and maisons barely disguised
No Smoke Without Fire?
Beyond Olivier Rigot’s masterful writing, which takes us deep into an industry that combines extraordinary technical achievements, glitz, and glamour—as well as mountains of money of varying cleanliness—beyond his captivating plot and finely crafted characters so vivid you can almost imagine them sitting in the chair next to you, The Diamond Girl stands out for its strikingly credible intrigue. As you read, a number of rumors and gossip I’ve encountered over my 25 years in the industry—often during my watchmaking “soirees”—come rushing back to mind.
I’ll side with the author, who insists that “any resemblance to actual persons or situations, past or present, is purely coincidental.”
La Fille de Diamant, a watchmaking thriller, 275 pages, published by Slatkine.
