Tiffany’s New Metro Watch For Women

The Tiffany & Co. new Metro Watch combines the luxury retailer’s skill at using diamonds with traditional Swiss craftsmanship. Each piece features a round brilliant diamond crown that is assigned an individual serial number, making each watch personal to the wearer, the company says. In addition, for most models are topped with diamonds in various designs.

The company says the watch’s clean, fluid lines evoke the pace and energy of New York City, where Tiffany is headquartered. The 28mm curved stainless case comes in either stainless steel or 18k rose gold. The dials come in several styles, including an “ice blue,” a darker blue, burgundy, white or pink lacquer, all with flinqué finishes. Several models come with a 60 seconds subdial. The curved motif continues with the bracelets, which are available in alligator leather in a variety of colors and stainless steel. 

The watches are powered with either a Rhonda quartz movement or a Soprod automatic movement.

“Our horological history began in Geneva, Switzerland in 1847, and today we continue this tradition of craftsmanship by introducing the Tiffany Metro timepiece—its beauty lies in the superlative pedigree of Tiffany diamonds,” said Nicola Andreatta, vice president and general manager of Tiffany & Co. Swiss Watches. 

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Vikings Star Katheryn Winnick Talks Raymond Weil Watches

Katheryn Winnick and Elle Bernheim, Raymond Weil CEO

It’s been just over a year that Katheryn Winnick became the brand ambassador of Raymond Weil. Since that time the watch brand has been busy producing timepieces for the star of History Channel television series Vikings to promote, including one watch with a blue-gray dial that matches the color of her eyes. 

Most recently at Baselworld 2016, the company introduced, “Shine,” designed for the actress. Both Winnick and Elle Bernheim, Raymond Weil CEO, were in New York a week ago to talk about the new collection and Winnick’s relationship with the brand. 

The Shine watch

Bernheim said he is a fan of the show in which Winnick plays Lagertha, a legendary figure in Viking history. When he met the Toronto resident, the decision to sign her came quickly. 

“Women can relate to her personality and elegance,” he said. 

The actress in a promotional photograph for Raymond Weil

For Winnick, she said she is attracted to the comfortable, casual nature of the family owned company and the personality of its watches, particularly the Shine collection, which she says has a casual elegance.

“It’s a timepiece with meaning,” she said. “I can wear it from day into the night. It has a casual elegance.”

The new Shine timepiece is a traditional jewelry watch in a 32mm round case available in steel or PVD coated steel with the option of a diamond-covered bezel. The dial is available in sunburst guilloche or mother-of-pearl (a total of three dial finishes) and with a patented interchangeable system that allows the user to easily and discreetly change the watch from steel bracelet to a satin strap. As Winnick says it’s designed to be worn day and night and in casual and formal situations. 

The actress wearing the Shine watch. Photo by Anthony DeMarco

The dial is further enhanced with number indexes alternating between eight diamonds and four Roman numerals. 

The cost ranges from $1,750 to $3,000, Bernheim said. It's planned to be released in time for Mother's Day gift giving. 

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Valentine’s Day Gifts: Jewels, Watches And A Pen

The Noor Ring by Vara of London

It’s difficult for me to figure out the taste of my sweet, lovely wife, Maria—particularly with jewelry. But it turns out Mayuri Vara, founder of Vara of London, had just the thing: The Noor ring. 

Vara never met my wife but she knew this ring made with amethysts and smoky quartz set on gold plated silver would do the trick and she was right. My wife loved it and my life is better for it.  

I’m not going to make promises that these suggestions of jewels, watches and even a pen for Valentine’s Day gifts in all price ranges will make your life easier. But imagine how difficult your life will be if you forget Valentine’s Day, or you buy a gift without putting much thought into it. 

Below are some of my other favorites for this year:

John Hardy Dot Toi Moi Ring made of 18k gold with a freshwater pearls and diamond. 

Harry Winston Midnight Diamond Stalactites Automatic 36mm timepiece combines diamonds, pink sapphires and rubies set against a mother-of-pearl dial. Driven by the HW2008 automatic movement, it is available in 18k white gold, with the case accented with 84 brilliant-cut diamonds and a white satin strap.

Lagos Love Knot ring is available in sterling silver and in 18k gold with diamonds. 

The Montblanc Meisterstuck White Solitaire Rollerball is made with precious white lacquer and red gold-plated details. 

Lydia Courteille Scarlet Empress Collection Red Sapphire Earrings

Hidden Heart Georg Jensen sterling silver pendant features a modern design motif that subtly incorporates the shape of a heart. 

If vintage jewels are more your style you might go for this Art Deco Diamond Rose Bracelet by Boucheron, Paris, circa 1925. It is available at Siegelson in New York. 

Antonini 18k yellow gold ring with diamonds and sapphires that appear like pebbles on sand

The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ladies watch features a mother-of-pearl dial with 11 diamond indexes in 18k gold holders. This 38.5 mm 18k red gold ladies’ wristwatch, with its diamond-set bezel comes with a white leather strap with a mother-of-pearl effect. It is powered by the Omega Master Co-Axial caliber 8501, a movement that can resist strong magnetic fields.

Carrera y Carrera Love earrings in white and yellow gold with diamonds

French jewelry brand, Djula, with a white gold and diamond necklace that says “I Heart You”

Pasquale Bruni white gold earrings with diamonds.

Le Vian Chocolatier 14k Strawberry Gold ring with 2.91 carats of Chocolate Diamonds and Vanilla Diamonds

Sutra 18k rose gold earrings with opals and diamonds.

You have about 10 days left to shop so go to it. 

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Watchmaker F.P. Journe And Jeweler Martin Katz Partner On ‘Elegant’ Electromechanical Timepiece

Luxury independent watchmaker, F.P. Journe, has unveiled the “élégante” ladies watch, which the company says is the “only electromechanical movement conceived and created for the luxury market.”

An electromechanical movement, like the name suggests, combines electrical and mechanical processes and procedures.

It is also the first ladies watch created by the luxury watchmaker, known for its innovation and inventiveness. In this case, the main feature of this timepiece is a mechanical motion detector visible on the dial at 5 o’clock. When the watch is not worn, it stops after about 30 minutes and goes into standby mode. The microprocessor continues to keep time while the mechanical parts—gears, rotors and hands—stop moving in order to save energy.

When the élégante is worn again, it automatically sets itself to the correct time, taking the shortest path—either clockwise or counter clockwise—again for energy conservation. With this system the electronic components are projected to last 10 years if worn and up to 18 years in standby mode.

All the mechanical elements were manufactured by F.P. Journe. The electronic components were developed by a Swiss engineer and were made in Switzerland, with a microprocessor specifically created for the watch.

The watch is the result of eight years of research, particularly the electromechanical caliber 1210 with its patented two-rotor motor, according to the watch brand.

For the aesthetic portion of the watch, Mr. Journe consulted with luxury jeweler, Martin Katz, known for his diamond jewelry designs. Katz said he has been a long time admirer and client of Mr. Journe.

“Our style aesthetic and quality of work are perfectly aligned, so to share in the design process of the women’s watch collection for a brand I truly respect was an exciting project for me,” Katz said.

The élégante comes with a luminescent dial with a subdial at 6 o’clock. The patented flat “tourtise” case design is available in three colors, each using a different material, and seven colored rubber straps. For example, the titanium version is available in all colors. The 18k red gold version comes with a chocolate strap; and the platinum PT 950 version with a dark blue strap. 

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Valentine’s Day: 10 Lovely Ladies’ Watches with Muscle

The Margot by Christophe Claret

Women deserve timepieces that are not only beautiful and stylish but also have the power and complexity of men’s watches. In other words they should have watches with robust movements and advanced complications. 

During the past few years watch companies have been listening to women who want their watches to be more than just pretty face. 

Keeping this in mind I curated 10 watches in which the majority combine beauty with muscle.

The Margot watch from independent watchmaker Christophe Claret  (top picture) creatively answers the timeless French question, “He loves me... he loves me not.” The center of the dial has a daisy. At each press of a pusher at 2 o’clock one or two petals of the flower disappear. At the same time a “sentiment” is displayed on the dial at 5 o’clock, along with a chime: un peu (a little), beaucoup (a lot), passionnément (passionately), à la folie (madly) and pas du tout (not at all). Both the petals and expressions are presented randomly. Pressing the reset pusher at 4 o’clock makes all petals reappear around the pistil. The blue mother-of-pearl outer dial has pear-shaped diamonds at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock. The display back reveals the EMT17 automatic rotor, a carved, flower-shaped carrousel of colors, with a central cabochon concealing the rotor’s ball bearings.

The Breguet Reine de Naples is a highly complicated watch in a bejeweled oval-shaped case. The 18k white gold bezel and case are set with 131 baguette diamonds. The flange is set with 73 brilliant-cut diamonds and the crown is set with a briolette diamond. Dial in 18k gold enhanced with 147 brilliant-cut diamonds. Complication showing the day and night in the upper half, with the sun represented by the Breguet balance-wheel and a hand-engraved titanium moon, together rotating in 24 hours. The watch is powered by Breguet automatic movement.

The Chopard Happy Sport Tourbillon Joaillerie houses a Chopard L.U.C 02.16-L tourbillon movement. Available in 18k white or rose gold, the diamonds represent snow that entirely carpets the dial. The tourbillon bridge is gem-set and the bezel is embellished with 36 trapeze-cut diamonds. The crown features baguette-cut diamonds and a briolette-cut diamond. Seven diamonds on the tourbillon spin between two sapphire crystals. 

Bulgari Lucea Black is housed in an 18k pink gold case and crown and cabochon-cut pink stone set with a diamond. Powered by the caliber B77 automatic movement with the date window at 3 o’clock. Black dial with sunburst guilloché motif, pink gold-plated hands, hour-markers and Roman numerals.

Baume & Mercier Promesse is a watch practically created for Valentine's Day. Polished and satin-finished steel, this 34 mm watch is powered by a Swiss-made automatic caliber. The silver-colored “drapé guilloché” dial is accented by gilt Roman numerals and diamond-set indexes.

The sale of the Frédérique Constant Ladies Automatic World Heart Federation supports the World Heart Federation’s “Hearts of Children” campaign. The 34mm bi-color stainless steel and plated rose gold case has a bezel set with 48 diamonds. The dial has the WHF logo in the center. It is powered by the FC-303 caliber, automatic movement decorated with the WHF logo and “Hearts of Children” on engraved sunray bridges.

As the name suggests, Girard-Perregaux Cat's Eye Anniversary, celebrates the collection’s 10-year anniversary with a dial blanketed in metallic rays. The dial features a gray-tinted white mother-of-pearl backdrop with 73 sapphires at tips of the rays ranging from bright to pastel pink. The bezel of the iconic oblong case is adorned with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds. It is powered by the GP03300 automatic movement.

Harry Winston Avenue Classic Diamond Drops is set with 29 brilliant-cut diamonds. The white gold case of this watch serves as a frame to showcase the composition of the dial, like a window gazing out towards the sky. The textured base of the dial is shown in shades of grays, creating a contrast to the sparkle of the diamonds. A snow-setting featuring 190 brilliant-cut gems cascades down the dial, providing movement and emotion.

Carl F. Bucherer Pathos Diva stainless steel and 18k rose gold watch is powered by the caliber CFB 1963 automatic movement.

Tissot T-LADY T072 features a rose-gold, PVD case, brown MOP dial surrounded by mother-of-pearl and a two-tone bracelet. It is powered by the Powermatic 80 automatic movement. 

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Montblanc Launches Bohème Watch Collection with Elegant, Elaborate Performance in Shanghai

Celebrities from around the world in attendance with Jérôme Lambert, Montblanc International CEO (fourth from left) at the Bohème ladies watch collection launch.

Luxury brand Montblanc chose Shanghai for the global introduction of its new Bohème ladies watch collection with a star-studded affair on August 28 at the Children’s Art Theatre attended by several hundred invited guests and media. 

In doing so the luxury brand showed to the world that the traditionally masculine brand is looking to the ladies market for growth, that it values its long relationship with China, and that it is able to create a buzz in one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the world.

Montblanc Bohème Perpetual Calendar Jewellery

The event itself was a large-scale production held in a circular theater setting with colorful performances that could rival Las Vegas in terms of spectacle with musicians, dancers and models rising up from beneath the floor of the theater in various places. Several celebrities from around the world strolled the red carpet outside the theater and participated in the performance’s grand finale. The guests of honor were Taiwanese-born actress and Montblanc Brand Ambassador Kwai Lun Mei and Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, a designated friend of the brand. Prior to the performance, watch making demonstrations were held in the lobby of the theater. 

The performance during the August 28 unveiling of the Bohème ladies watch line at the Children’s Art Theatre in Shanghai, China.

Jérôme Lambert, Montblanc International CEO, said the luxury brand’s relationship with China goes back to 1992 and has grown to become one of its top three markets. The company now has 105 points of sale, including 47 mono-brand boutiques. Needless to say the country is very important to the luxury brand.

Colorful Italian Leather Straps for Bohème Watches created by Montblanc’s leather manufacturing operation in Florence, Italy. In addition to traditional styles, the straps are available in yellow, orange, and two shades of blue. 

Then there are the female shoppers, whose appetite in China (and in much of the world) for luxury goods continues to grow. This is the where Montblanc, a traditionally masculine luxury brand, is focusing its efforts. 

Montblanc ambassador and actress Gwei Lun-Mei was the
guest of honor at the global launch of the Bohème watch collection.

“More than 35 percent of our clientele of Montblanc (worldwide) are ladies, but they are buying a lot for their husbands or boyfriends,” said Jérôme Lambert, Montblanc International CEO. “We do believe there is an opportunity to bring them along to the maison…. We know ladies are very determined when it comes to luxury goods these days in China. It’s a natural extension of the market.”

Models wear Bohème watches on stage during the Bohème global launch event at the Children’s Art Theatre in Shanghai, China

Lambert added that products for women now account for 20 percent of Montblanc’s inventory.

Bohème Date Automatic Jewellery

The Bohème ladies watch collection feature both a feminine exterior with precious gems and metals while inside it is powered by serious movements and complications. It is an extension of a feminine writing instruments collection under the same name. The lead item in this collection is the “Bohème Perpetual Calendar Jewellery.”

The Montblanc name and star logo clearly visible on the exterior of the Children’s Art Theatre.

The 36mm watch features a silver guilloché dial that shows the month and leap year cycle at 12 o’clock, date at 3 o’clock, moon phases at 6 o’clock and day of the week at 9 o’clock. The bezel of the red-gold case is adorned with 60 diamonds and the winding crown is topped with a diamond in the shape of the Montblanc star emblem. 

Actor Chris Hemsworth, a friend of the Montblanc brand, attends the launch of the Bohème collection.

The watch is powered by the automatic caliber MB 29.15, which was introduced at Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in January for the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar men’s watch, which distinguished itself as perhaps the first watch with a perpetual calendar and a moon phase for 10,000 euros. The perpetual calendar requires no manual adjustment until the year 2100. However, if a correction is needed, tiny controls hidden inside the watch allow for fast and easy adjustments.

Musicians perform at the global launch of the Bohème watch collection.

The Bohème Date Automatic features several styles of diamonds, gold and stainless steel with mother-of-pearl, diamond pavé or guilloche dial finishes. The 30mm watch features an elongated date display at 6 o’clock. The shape serves as the signature style of the Bohème collection.

Bohème was traditionally a collection of feminine writing instruments. It's fitting that new writing instruments would accompany the introduction of the Bohème watch collection.

Floral Arabic numerals with “filet sauté” minute scale, the blued or red gold-plated leaf-shaped hour-and minute-hand and the central second hand extended with the Montblanc star emblem. It is powered by a MB 24.14 automatic movement. The bezel of the jewelry version of the watch can be adorned with 62 diamonds and a dial topped with 8 diamonds. 

Celebrity blogger Chiara Ferragni

Lambert, who has led Montblanc for a little over a year has been credited with finding synergies between the brand’s various manufacturing facilities. In this case, he used Montblanc’s leather manufacturing operation in Florence, Italy, to create colorful watch straps for the Bohème collection, thus giving buyers more options when selecting watches. In addition to traditional styles, the wristbands are available in yellow, orange, and two shades of blue. 

Bohème red gold and silver jewelry collection to accompany the new watch collection.

“We believe that cross fertilization, in this case leather and watches, combines itself quite nicely,” Lambert said. “It’s a good way for us to sustain a better approach to a lifestyle.”

Jérôme Lambert, Montblanc International CEO

The Bohème collection also includes complementary jewelry and writing instruments. 

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Baume & Mercier Reveals ‘Promesse’ Ladies Watch Collection in New York

Actress Jessica Pare introduces the Promesse collection while Alain Zimmerman, Baume & Mercier’s CEO, and Rudy Chavez, Baume & Mercier’s North American president, look on. Behind them are the padlocks where guests were able to make a “promise” to themselves. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Baume & Mercier unveiled its first new ladies watch collection in nearly 10 years during an event in New York attended by Swiss watch brand’s top officials along with several celebrities, including actress Jessica Pare of Mad Men.

Baume & Mercier Promesse 10157 in stainless steel with a drapé guilloché dial.

The company unveiled the “Promesse” timepiece collection during the June 18 event at Gotham Hall, also attended by Star Jones and Supermodel Emme. The line consist of 14 pieces in two sizes, 30 and 34mm, and are available in a Swiss-made quartz or automatic movement that can be viewed through a transparent caseback. The collection is inspired by the unconventional watches the company created for ladies in the 1970s.

The automatic movement.

The watches combine different decorative and functional elements. All of the pieces employ an oval bezel that surround a round dial, the signature nod to one of its1970 models. Most of the models use a drapé (draped) guilloché design for its dials while others employ colorful mother-of-pearl. All of the dials also use Roman numerals at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions. Most use diamond markers on the remaining indices. Diamonds, mother-of-pearl, or red gold (creating a two-tone effect) are also used to further enhance the bezels. The watch straps are available in stainless steel, a two-tone combination (stainless steel and plated red gold), white satin, or black alligator.

Baume & Mercier Promesse 10166 with black mother-of-pearl black dial with a “drapé guilloché” and 61 diamonds.

There are enough subtle variations in its 14 models to create several options for women who purchase this watch. The Promesse (French for Promise ) is being marketed to self-purchasing women, inspiring them “to hold a promise close to their heart while celebrating their unique individuality through their own timepiece.” This notion was reinforced at a June 18 event in New York marking the US release of the timepieces. Guests were given a padlock and asked to inscribe their own personal promise before locking it to a metal stage prop modeled after the romantic bridges in Paris.

Baume & Mercier Promesse-10163 combines steel and red gold-capped steel with a silver-colored “drapé guilloché dial.

In addition to the celebrities, Baume & Mercier’s global CEO, Alain Zimmerman and North American president, Rudy Chavez were in attendance. Pare wore the Promesse 10160, an oval, mother of pearl, steel bracelet watch with 30 diamonds set on the bezel (pictured below).

The watches will be available in September at select retailers nationwide and online, starting at $1,900.

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