James Bond 007 Star Daniel Craig And The Omega Seamaster 300 ‘Spectre’ Watch

Daniel Craig wearing the Omega Seamaster 300 ”Spectre” limited edition at the Omega factory in Villeret, Switzerland

Daniel Craig, the current star of the 007 James Bond film franchise recently visited the Omega factory in Villeret, Switzerland, to witness production of the limited edition Omega Seamaster 300 “Spectre” watch. It’s the same model worn by Craig during the filming of the 24th and latest film, Spectre, scheduled for a November 6 release in the US.

The timepiece will be available in select Omega boutiques in September and will be limited to 7,007 pieces. The Seamaster has been James Bond’s watch for 20 years, since the 1995 release of GoldenEye. This will be the first time a watch from the movie will be released to the general public. Prior to this, only commemorative editions have been released in partnership with the movie franchise.

The Omega Seamaster 300 ”Spectre” limited edition

The Omega Seamaster 300 “Spectre” features a bi-directional, rotating 12-hour diving bezel, made from black, polished ceramic, combined with a “LiquidMetal” (a proprietary zirconium-based alloy). It also has the "lollipop" central seconds hands, as well as the five-stripe black and grey NATO strap. The gun logo is engraved on the strap holder.

Each watch is engraved with the serial number on the back along with the Spectre film logo. The watch is powered by the Omega Master Co-Axial caliber 8400.

Joining Craig during his manufacturing tour was Nick Hayek, Swatch Group CEO, and Stephen Urquhart, president of Omega. The actor was shown the production process that goes into making the new watch.

“I think what was so impressive was the fact that these watches are made from the ground up,” Craig said. “You start with nothing, and then there’s suddenly a working watch. That’s the beauty of it.” 

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India Fuels A 14% Plunge In Global Gold Jewelry Demand

24k gold necklace by Gurhan

Widespread declines in Asian and Middle Eastern countries led by India fueled a year-over-year 14 percent reduction in gold jewelry demand to 513.5 tons for the second quarter of 2015, according to the World Gold Council. Modest growth in North American and some European markets was not enough to offset the decline.

India, the second largest market for gold jewelry, experienced a 23 percent year-over-year reduction to 118 tons, according to the WGC’s “Gold Demand Trends” quarterly report. This was largely due to extreme weather patterns (heat waves and unseasonal storms) in rural parts of the country, damaging crops, affecting the economic cycle in the regions. This was combined with the government’s decision to trim the selling prices for those crops, including rice and wheat. The rural areas account for about half of all Indian gold jewelry demand, the WGC said. Demand among urban consumers was more resilient.

In China, the world’s largest gold jewelry market, gold jewelry demand fell 5 percent in the second quarter due to the surging than plunging stock markets during the period. Both occurrences caused declines in gold jewelry demand, the WGC said. The rise in the stock market took people’s attention away from gold and the drastic stock market decline led to a detrimental impact on consumer sentiment.

“The Chinese jewelry industry faced a challenging time as manufacturers and retailers chased a smaller pool of consumers, leading to excess capacity,” the WGC said. “This partly helps to explain the increased market share of 18k jewelry as manufacturers reallocated resources towards promoting this higher-margin product.”

One of the few bright spots for the second quarter of 2015 was in North America, led by the US, in what the WGC describes as a “gentle upward course.” Year-over-year growth for the second quarter was 2 percent to 25.5 tons. This was highlighted by a year-over-year 11 percent rise in gold jewelry imports for April and May.

“The slightly erratic nature of US economic recovery has proved a headwind to more convincing growth, but we expect the recovery in demand to gain momentum as yet lower prices feed through to consumers,” the WGC said in its report.

In Canada demand rose by 5 percent and in Mexico by 7 percent. In South America, Brazil experienced an 8 percent decline.

In Europe, growth was marginal with a 1 percent increase in demand driven by modest gains in the UK (6%), Spain (6%) and Germany (7%). This offset declines in France (-8) and Italy (-5).

“While Italy’s export sector benefitted again from the upturn in the US, domestic demand continues to stagnate – hit by the weaker euro,” the WGC said. “UK jewelry demand continued to build on the solid base established in 2012. Total first half demand of 8.2 tons was the highest since 2010 and the recent gold price declines point towards further improvement over the remainder of the year.”

In the Middle East, gold jewelry demand dropped by 20 percent with all countries in the region reporting a decline.

* Turkey - Currency depreciation caused a 30 percent drop in demand.

* Russia – Demand fell by 45 percent. The WGC did not elaborate.

* Iran – The country experienced a number of negative forces driving down second quarter demand by 31 percent, including an increase in VAT, lower oil prices, currency weakness and international economic sanctions.

* UAE – Jewelry demand fell 22 percent due to lower spending by European tourists and regional geo-political tensions.

Among the smaller Asian markets, gold jewelry demand was mixed:

* Thailand – demand fell 5 percent due to continued economic contraction following last year’s military coup.

* Malaysia – Demand fell 5 percent to its lowest quarterly total since 2011due to the introduction of a 6 percent Goods and Services Tax in April.

* Japan – Demand increased 5 percent, aided by higher numbers of Chinese tourists.

* Vietnam – The country outperformed the rest of the region with a 22 percent jump in demand fueled by lower prices.

* Singapore – Demand fell 18 percent.

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Graff Diamonds Sparkling Rosette Collection

Taking the traditional design of the Rosette, known for its simple materials, and giving it a sparkling upgrade is what Graff Diamonds has done with the release of its new jewelry collection.

The pieces in the Rosette collection features a central round diamond, surrounded by eight diamonds or gemstones, followed by further loops of pavé diamonds. The design uses round gemstones and pear-shaped diamonds that flow from the central motif. 

Anne-Eva Geffroy, Graff design director, noted that the design takes its inspiration by the ways women historically used the rose for simple adornment.

“Throughout history, women have decorated and adorned their bodies with elements of flora and fauna such as flowers,” she said. “These exquisite elements from the natural world continue to provide a strong source of inspiration for our jewelry collections.”

The Rosette collection features pendants, suspended from delicate chains with diamond and gemstone accents, earrings and sautoirs made of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. 

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Cecil The Lion: Cara Delevingne Auctions TAG Heuer Raise $28,900

Cara Delevingne with Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer

Cara Delevingne’s passion for lions is evident through her lion tattoo on her index finger. As an ambassador Tag Heuer, the tattoo shows prominently in an advertisement for the Swiss watch brand.

The 22-year-old fashion model and actress’ love of lions was evident again following the killing of Cecil the Lion, as she auctioned her personal TAG Heuer Signature Edition Carrera watch on eBay. The sale raised $14,430, which was donated to the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), one of the largest conservation research institutes in the world. Tag Heuer matched the winning bid to raise a combined $28,900 for the organization, the company said in a statement.

Delevingne’s TAG Heuer Signature Edition Carrera watch

WildCRU had been tracking Cecil since 2008 in the Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe, as part of a wildlife conservation project. Cecil was killed by Walter Palmer, a Minnesota dentist and a recreational big game hunter. The lion was allegedly lured outside the confines of the sanctuary, where wildlife is protected, and then killed. The killing drew international outrage. Delevingne on her Twitter feed called Palmer “a poor excuse of a human being.”

Delevingne’s personal watch was worn by her on many occasions, including the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. She auctioned it ahead of its release on the market in September. The 41 mm steel watch case has a titanium-carbide coating and an anthracite dial. The bezel is set with 72 round white diamonds. It is engraved with “Cara Delevingne Edition” and stamped on the back with a lion’s head. The strap is aged black calfskin. The signature of Cara Delevingne is stamped in rose gold inside the strap.

The lion's head on the caseback of Delevingne’s TAG Heuer Signature Edition Carrera watch

The donation will contribute to the organization’s in-depth study of lion movements through satellite trackers, support of field equipment and staff, and training future conservationists.

“Little did we think that this morning we would be opening our emails to discover that Cara was auctioning her watch (with a lion inscribed on its face) to raise money for WildCRU’s research,” David Macdonald, WildCRU’s director, wrote on the WildCRU website, after first learning about the auction on August 6. “It is also a wonderful educational opportunity to think that Cara’s gift will introduce our work to the millions of people who follow her globally, and who we hope will come to appreciate the importance of wildlife and the environment to their futures.”

Delevingne and her lion tattoo featured on a Tag Heuer advertisement

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Omega Unveils Olympic Watch, The Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition

The Omega Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition

The longtime official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega, introduced a new watch to mark its sponsorship of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

The Seamaster Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition is designed to relate directly to the Rio event, set to officially begin Aug. 5, 2016.

Like its Olympic predecessors, the Bullhead Rio has a central chronograph seconds hand and a 30-minute recorder at 12 o’clock. The shape of the watch is reminiscent of a bullhead, and the term was originally a nickname coined by watch collectors who admire the shape of the timepiece.

The Omega Bullhead Rio 2016 Limited Edition with its packaging

The watch is powered with Omega’s Co-Axial caliber 3113, and stamped with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games logo on the caseback.

The exterior of the watch links directly with the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. For example, the blue leather strap is the same color of the Rio Olympics logo and features stitching along each side colored yellow, green, red and black in recognition of the colors of the Olympic rings. This color theme is continued on the 60-minute rotating inner-bezel that the Swiss luxury watch brand says serves “as a meaningful reminder of the unity and harmony that the Olympic rings signify.”

From left: Torben Grael, Kahena Kunze, Martine Grael and Bastian Baker, Swiss singer-songwriter and an Omega ambassador.

The watch was unveiled at an event in Rio de Janeiro on August 3 that included the introduction of Omega’s three new “friends” of the brand, all from the world of sailing: Brazilian sailor Torben Grael, a five-time Olympic medalist, along with his daughter Martine Grael and her partner Kahena Kunze who are the world ranking leaders of the new Olympic class, the 49erFX.

It is available now for purchase, although limited to 316 pieces in honor of the 3rd time golf will be played at the Olympics, as well as the year 2016.

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Randal J. Soto To Be Buccellati’s Next North American CEO

Buccellati Group has named Randal “Randy” J. Soto to be its next CEO North America of Buccellati Inc., effective September 1. He will report to Gianluca Brozzetti, Buccellati Inc. executive VP and Group CEO.

Soto previously served in top management roles for Tiffany & Co., Market VP Southwest Region, Harry Winston, VP of US Retail, and David Yurman. 

“We are confident that Randal’s extensive experience and client knowledge will greatly contribute to further develop Buccellati’s business in North America, which has been and remains one of the most important markets for our brand,” Brozzetti said in a statement.

Soto will replace the popular Alberto Milani, who resigned in early July, after 13 years of service with the high jewelry house. In a statement, Buccellati said Milani “contributed greatly to the expansion of our business in North America and the recent opening of our flagship stores on Madison Avenue and Bal Harbour.” 

Milani will remain as advisor to the Board of Buccellati Inc., managing special projects.

“We are thankful for Alberto’s vision and commitment to the development of Buccellati in the U.S.”, said Andrea Buccellati, president of Buccellati Group and chairman of Buccellati Inc. 

Buccellati, based in Milan, is one of the world’s most renowned high jewelry houses, celebrated for its craftsmanship, design, rare colorful gems, and one-of-a-kind pieces. 

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Jacob & Co. To Exhibit ‘Magnificent Timepieces & Jewels’ In Monaco

75.54-carat fancy vivid yellow radiant cut diamond ring

It’s becoming an anticipated part of the Monaco social calendar. Jacob & Co., the New York-based luxury jeweler and watchmaker, will host its fourth annual “Magnificent Timepieces & Jewels” exhibition August 4 – 22 at the Salle Belle Époque ballroom of the Hotel Hermitage.

The exhibition is being presented by Stardust Monte Carlo, a longtime Monaco-based luxury jeweler. Among the highlights:

* A 75.54-carat fancy vivid yellow radiant cut diamond ring set in platinum and an 18k yellow gold mounting (top photo). 

* The public premiere of the Caviar Emerald Tourbillon, a timepiece with 425 invisibly set baguette cut Zambian emeralds totaling 32.39 carats. The emeralds for the 47 mm watch took two years to acquire. Creating the invisible settings for the emeralds took another year to achieve. 

* An 18k rose and white gold ring set with a 48.27 carat natural oval shaped Paraiba tourmaline surrounded by black, pink and white brilliant cut diamonds totaling 2.95 carats.

* An 18k rose gold cocktail ring centered with a 46.64-carat orange sapphire surrounded by pink and white diamonds totaling 2.89 carats.

* A necklace made of 16 natural Colombian briolette cut emeralds totaling 156.47-carats set in 18k white gold and highlighted by diamonds.

The exhibition will support Only Watch, a biennial auction benefiting muscular dystrophy research. Jacob & Co has created unique items for the charity that will be unveiled for the first time during the exhibition. There also will be an invitation-only gala cocktail reception, at the terrace of the Salle Belle Époque on August 6. 

The exhibition will be open to the public from 5 pm till 11 pm daily, with private viewings offered to the brand’s top clients.

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