ARCADIA
Beauty, Passage, and What Endures.
Arcadia begins with an ideal: beauty untouched.
The name draws from the classical vision of Arcadia — an imagined paradise — and from the old phrase “Et in Arcadia ego,” a reminder that even within beauty, time and impermanence are always present.
Built around a circa 1986 Rolex GMT-Master 16753, ARCADIA transforms the classic two-tone travel watch into a meditation on beauty, passage and what endures.
At each side of the watch, classical muses emerge from deeply sculpted acanthus scrollwork. Between them sits a fractured 18K yellow-gold skull, its surface deliberately broken and its eyes set with white diamonds. Beneath it, a miniature 18K yellow-gold Fleur Dagger detail introduces a final flash of ornament.
Nothing is pristine for the sake of being pristine.
Polished silver rises from darkened, oxidized recesses. Gold catches the light against shadow. Diamonds appear selectively rather than uniformly — in the skull, across the interlocking bracelet links, and finally somewhere almost no one sees.
That last detail is concealed within Dark Triumph’s reliquary clasp.
Its sculptural lid carries an 18K yellow-gold fleur-and-blade motif. Open it and a single black diamond is revealed beneath the lid — a private detail intended for the wearer rather than the room.
The original GMT-Master remains unmistakable: black dial, black-and-gold 24-hour bezel, stainless steel and 18K yellow gold. But surrounded by hand-sculpted silver, fractured gold and diamond-set ornament, its familiar architecture takes on an entirely different presence.
The contrast defines ARCADIA: elegance and imperfection. Permanence and change. Refinement marked by time.
Beauty made more meaningful by what it has survived.
THE WATCH
Rolex GMT-Master 16753, circa 1986
Two-tone stainless steel and 18K yellow gold
Black dial
Black-and-gold 24-hour bezel
GMT complication for tracking a second time zone
SCULPTURAL LUG ARCHITECTURE
Classical muses emerging from sculpted acanthus scrollwork
Fractured 18K yellow-gold skulls
White-diamond eyes
Miniature 18K yellow-gold fleur dagger detail
Deeply dimensional, hand-finished surfaces
Darkened recesses with polished highlights
THE BRACELET
Handcrafted specifically for this watch
.925 sterling-silver base construction
18K yellow-gold sculptural motifs integrated throughout
Substantial interlocking links
Flush-set white diamonds throughout the bracelet
Hand-textured surfaces with high-polish highlights
Selective oxidation to deepen the sculptural relief
RELIQUARY CLASP
Custom sculptural Dark Triumph closure
Reliquary-inspired lid architecture
18K yellow-gold fleur-and-blade detail
Hidden black diamond beneath the lid
Hand-finished and selectively oxidized
DIAMONDS
Approximately 1.5 CTW
White-diamond eyes set into the fractured 18K yellow-gold skulls
Flush-set white diamonds throughout the sculptural bracelet links
Single hidden black diamond beneath the reliquary clasp lid
SIZE & FIT
Watch: 40 mm
Bracelet: approximately 8" inner circumference
Custom sizing available
About Rolex Watches
Founded in 1905, Rolex has defined mechanical luxury and craftsmanship for over a century. Each timepiece embodies precision, innovation, and timeless design — qualities that resonate through every Dark Triumph creation.
Legal Notice
Dark Triumph is an independent company not affiliated with or licensed by Rolex, Omega, Hamilton, or any other watch manufacturer or distributor. We offer artistically created customizations upon a Rolex, Omega, Hamilton, or your desired watch. These customizations void the manufacturer’s warranty. Rolex is under no obligation to warranty-service watches sold by Dark Triumph through its service locations. All product and company names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Dark Triumph’s products and services are the property of their respective intellectual property rights holders. Those rights holders are not affiliated with, and do not sponsor or endorse, Dark Triumph or our materials.
Returns:
- Each Dark Triumph timepiece is a one-of-a-kind creation—crafted by hand, forged with intention, and built to last.
- Because of the bespoke and artistic nature of our work, all sales are final.
- We believe each piece finds its rightful owner. When you acquire a Dark Triumph, you’re not just buying a watch—you’re claiming a story.
- If your piece arrives damaged or there's a problem with your order, please contact us within 3 days of delivery, and we’ll make it right.
Warranty & Care:
- Every Dark Triumph timepiece includes a limited 7-day technical warranty on the internal movement.
- Warranty applies to movement function only. It does not cover crystals, straps, cosmetic wear, misuse, water or impact damage.
- Unless explicitly stated, our watches are not water- or shock-resistant.
- Shipping to Dark Triumph is the client's responsibility.
- Return shipping (U.S. only) is covered by Dark Triumph
Vintage Disclaimer:
- Vintage and antique watches are delicate by nature and may show greater timing variance than modern pieces.
- Provenance is shared when known, but may not always be verifiable. All watches are sold as seen.
- Repairs that require rare or custom-made parts may result in longer turnaround times and additional costs. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process.
Payments:
- We offer Zelle and Bank Wire as a preferred payment methods.
- Dark Triumph accepts credit cards online using our secured site during checkout.
- We want your buying experience to go smoothly and securely, so please be advised we may request additional information as a security precaution such as:
- Requesting a copy of the customers credit card and government-issued ID to verify identity & address.
- Requesting customer to sign a credit card authorization form that authorizes the payment as "Internet Order"
- Customer Ship to & Bill Addresses must match.
