Exclusive interview with Jean-Christophe Babin, Group CEO of BVLGARI during Geneva Watch Days 2021; Chopard opens a new boutique in Doha Festival City, Qatar

Interviews

Exclusive interview with Jean-Christophe Babin, Group CEO of BVLGARI during Geneva Watch Days 2021

“Our aim is always to craft beauty watches and we know that more millennials today appreciate the fact that ours is not only a beautiful watch from the outside but equally extra ordinary and complex from the inside as well.” Jean-Christophe Babin.

Launched in 2020, this is the second year in a row for the state and the city of Geneva to host and support the Geneva Watch Days. How satisfied are you with the progress of the show in terms of the number of participating brands and visitors?

This year we have twenty five brands on show instead of the seventeen in the first edition, so the numbers are expanding as you can see. The first exhibition was a success, and this year triggered greater interest for more participants. With more people being vaccinated we had a better turnout of visitors. Many more decided to travel to Geneva than last year when there was no vaccine reassurance, no green pass and no PCR.

It seems that you have selected the The Bvlgari Octo edition to take us on a world tour under “Oct Roma WorldTimer”. What challenges did you have in incorporating such a complicated in-house movement into the Octo case? Why did you use steel and DLC cases and not precious material for this year’s launch?

The WorldTimer was the right choice for the Octo Roma because there are few watches with world timer complication in the market. With the end of the Covid pandemic more and more people are dreaming of travelling again, therefore it’s a dream triggering watch. We have some classical cities like New York and we are expecting more cities like Cape Verde and Maldives. Some cities like Beijing and Dubai have Bvlgari Hotels. The choice of combining the main cities of this planet is important for Bvlgari because we have hotels incorporating some cities where people are dreaming to go. The complicity is close to the movement complicity. When you set Roma at 12 on that watch and you see in Roma it’s 10 to 8 immediately you know in the next city Athens it’s 9 to 8 and in Moscow it’s 10 to 8. We make sure that it’s a very sophisticated, synchronized and precise world timer and at the same time a very easy-to-use one as well.

As for DLC, when we use DLC we know that we attract different clients usually younger, trendier and more fashionable. Steel is more for the elderly and with DLC we are targetting the younger generation. This way, we have two references to attract a broader clientele compared to just one. We focus more on steel than DLC because the core of the luxury market is more focused on steel. As regards the precious materials version, we would like to go with more accessible price lines and with that success we might decide to have a rose gold or white gold version one day.

Building on the Octo collection, you have also revealed the Octo Papillon Central Tourbillon, adding more complexity to the patented movement by the 24-hour jumping hour display. What do you foresee as the future of this beautiful complication in terms of development and deployment into other Bvlgari references?

Firstly, since you use the word “beautiful”, let’s remember that our aim is always to craft beauty watches. I think this Octo Papillon Central Tourbillon timepiece, because of its construction, architecture, symmetry and the material used, symbolizes the best of Italian beauty together with the finest Swiss technology. It’s really unique and fascinating. For us it’s the first step, using different materials and having a unique tourbillon built for this watch in the market. The butterfly is very unique and the price is reasonable. We have much ambition behind this tourbillon and hence we started first with a gold case which is only logical.

Bvlgari as an Italian jeweller takes pride in satisfying sophisticated women by its iconic offerings such as the Serpenti, Octo and Lvcea. Recently we noticed an increasing trend towards adding more complications to the female collection such as the Divina Mosaica Minute Repeater. What are the objectives behind this approach?

The watch market is evolving and getting more and more progressive, thanks to people like you. You contribute significantly to our gaining the admiration of the watch market with your ongoing support. Ladies watches have been evolving over time. I think this watch full of diamonds, mixing baguettes and rectangular diamonds is unique in its kind, in terms of masterly diamond cuts in the watch. At the same, time ladies are becoming more demanding when it comes to the mechanical parts inside the watch. They are not only becoming focused on mechanical watches but also need a sophisticated watch to flaunt on their wrist. This is why Bvlgari had to bring into the market a jewellery tourbillon watch. For almost four years now, the minute repeater is included in the Bvlgari’s collection because we know that more millennials today appreciate the fact that it’s not only a beautiful watch from the outside but equally extra ordinary and complex from the inside as well.

We are super happy to discover the return of the Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse that is a signature of the brand. Will you continue to preserve this tradition with different releases every year? Can you tell us more about the new website that you intend to develop towards creating Gerald Genta community of fans around the world?

We have planned to craft 150 pieces of this watch to start with. Probably we will go beyond those quantities because the demand is going farther than what we initially planned. We don’t want Gerald Genta to be a mass watch, but to be very exclusive where supply is always below the demand. We want to create an expectation, we want people to queue up to buy Gerald Genta watches. It will be sold online and this will ease the process of preordering and even if we decide to increase the quantities we may go from 150 to 250 pieces only because we aim to keep Gerald Genta as a high valued, emotional and profitable brand.

A dedicated Gerald Genta website will also be accessible directly in case you don’t want to go to the Bvlgari website. You can google Gerald Genta and go straight to the website. Obviously, Gerald Genta has its own presence on social media with direct link to the website dedicated to the e-commerce. We have a marketing plan for this watch which is obviously different from the Bvlgari marketing plan.

Last year, we witnessed the successful return of the iconic Bvlgari Aluminium. This year you revealed a new GMT complication movement at a very competitive price. Where do you see the future of this collection among young watch lovers and Bvlgari fans?

First, we see a few references under this collection, obviously we don’t foresee 20 different references. Now we have only four types from this collection since we re-launched this watch last year plus the limited-edition reference. The logical compliment is just adding a functionality which is useful to people travelling, so it’s a simple complication compared to the world traveler like the “Oct Roma WorldTimer. The objectives of this simple GMT complication is to remain in a price bracket which is consistent and attracting the millennials and new generation customers and not only elder people just because they can afford it.

Company News

Chopard opens a new boutique in Doha Festival City, Qatar

Chopard along with partner Alfardan Jewellery has recently announced the opening of a new Chopard boutique within Alfardan jewellery boutique in Qatar, at the Doha Festival City, the largest fashion and entertainment destination in the country. The new boutique of 87 sqm reflects the retail design concept of the brand; a warm ambiance is created through the light-toned white oak wood and luxurious leathers assuring a comfortable modern charm. The new boutique, located in the first-floor welcomes visitors to view the Maison’s unique creations including watches, jewellery and accessories.

Tiffany & Co. announces the "About Love" campaign starring Beyoncé and JAY-Z

Tiffany & Co. has recently announced that powerhouse couple Beyoncé and JAY-Z will star in its latest campaign celebrating modern love. Synonymous with the world’s greatest love stories since 1837, Tiffany’s debut of “ABOUT LOVE” marks the latest evolution of the luxury jeweler’s new creative direction. The campaign is the result of a close collaboration and a shared vision between both the Carters and Tiffany & Co. Worn in a campaign for the first time in history, the Tiffany Diamond weighs 128.54 carats and boasts an unprecedented 82 facets. Seen on Beyoncé throughout “ABOUT LOVE,” it is considered among the most important gemstone discoveries of the 19th century. House icons including designs from Jean Schlumberger and the Tiffany T collection are also featured throughout. Most notably, JAY-Z wears Jean Schlumberger’s legendary Bird on a Rock brooch, reconstructed as a pair of one-of-a-kind cuff links.

Chopard presents Seven ‘Happy Woman’

To embody the free-spirited nature of Happy Diamonds, Caroline Scheufele has brought together seven Friends of the Maison radiating a peerless glow. With their enchanting smiles and vibrant energy, these seven Happy Women represent a strong, free and joyful way of living in the world: Deepika Padukone, Aja Naomi King, Jung Ryeo-won, Sadie Sink, Anne Nakamura, Dorra Zarrouk and Yang Zi have all grasped the codes of the collection to blaze their trail in a manner that is both singular and generous.

A. Lange & Söhne attends the Concours of Elegance 2021

From 3 to 5 September 2021, fans of exclusive classic cars come together at the Concours of Elegance to admire some of the most important cars of all time. The carefully curated event is taking place once again this year in the royal grounds of Hampton Court Palace near London. To mark the 95th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, 95 of the best British cars built from 1926 onwards are on display, milestones of mobility that are of immense value due to their special character and fine technical and aesthetic differences. This exceptional car show is greatly enriched by the presence of A. Lange & Söhne, a traditional luxury brand that has been the main sponsor of the Concours of Elegance since 2018. As is the case with the mobile exhibits, the fine timepieces by A. Lange & Söhne also have subtle differences.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox seen by Benedict Cumberbatch

Since Benedict Cumberbatch wore the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox for the making of the short film In a Breath, it has become one of his favourite pieces. Wearing the watch on many different occasions over the past year, the actor and longstanding Friend of La Grande Maison has come to appreciate its great versatility – both as a casually elegant everyday timepiece and as a high-performing dive watch. Benedict also appreciates how Jaeger-LeCoultre’s designers have risen to the challenge of combining elegance, functionality and high performance in the watch. The robust capabilities and distinctive aesthetic of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox pay direct homage to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s first diving watches.

Rebellion Timepieces as the title sponsor of the Historic Dubai Grand Prix Revival powered by Gulf Historic

Difficult to be more precise: the Historic Dubai Grand Prix Revival powered by Gulf Historic will take place on 2-3 December 2021 in the context of the 2020 Dubai UAE Universal Exhibition, 50 years to the day of the founding of the United Arab Emirates and 40 years after the 1981 Dubai Grand Prix, which was the first motor race held on a circuit in the Persian Gulf. Its aim is to be both a festive and sporting event with races for historic Formula 1 cars, Group C prototypes as well as an exhibition village where visitors can see classic cars and sumptuous collector objects. <>Once again, the word precision is applicable with Rebellion Timepieces. Thanks to its expertise in timing major motor sporting events, the luxury Swiss watch brand will be present as the title sponsor of the event. Rebellion Timepieces will also unveil a Gulf Historic limited-edition watch.

Simon Nogueira X Aikon Urban Tribe

The Maurice Lacroix AIKON brims with urban style, making the latest ML Crew member, Simon Noguiera, a perfect match for the brand. Simon, a free running specialist, wholeheartedly embraces the urban landscape and can be frequently seen hanging from a tall building, secured merely by the tips of his fingers. He is also the proud owner of the new AIKON Urban Tribe, the ideal companion when partaking in such daring pursuits. The AIKON Urban Tribe measures 42mm in diameter. Its engraved steel case upholds the AIKON’s reputation for ergonomic design, delivering impressive levels of wearer comfort. The sun-brushed Clous de Paris dial is equipped with luminescent hour and minute hands, a central sweep seconds hand and a date indication. All information is clearly conveyed.

The Amanqi Digital Showroom

Amanqi has introduced its line-up of fashion and fine jewellery brands at their showroom. For fine jewellery, the brands are Stone Fine Jewellery, Muse Rawan, Dalal Jewelry, Black Enchante, Lucid by Sarah Noor, Renna, Amira Karaouli Jewellery, In A Heartbeat, She Is From The Jungle, Llus, Nijoud Jewellery and La Marquise Fine Jewellery. While for fashion, the brands are The Letter, Harakh, Rhita Sebti Collections, Eirene Studio and L'Mane. To book your digital viewing, please contact manal@theamanqiedit.com and amani@theamanqiedit.com

Product Launch

Introducing the J12 12.2 Edition 1 by CHANEL

Two years after launching the J12 Caliber 12.1, endowed with an automatic movement designed and developed exclusively for the House by the Swiss manufacturer Kenissi, CHANEL presents the J12 Caliber 12.2 Edition 1. To mark this launch, for the first time, the J12 33mm is equipped with a brand new Manufacture automatic movement, the Caliber 12.2. A technical tour de force and dazzling feat of miniaturization, unveiled in an exclusive 33mm first edition. A tone-on-tone design highlighted by the bezel with a baguette motif and a crown set with a diamond. The timepiece is limited edition of 555 pieces.

Presenting the Breguet Tradition 7035

The new Tradition 7035 bears all the hallmarks of the collection, including the offset dial, housed here at 12 o’clock. The piece is topped off with a natural white mother-of-pearl hours chapter, thereby providing a clear view of the fully exposed movement. The movement is set around the central barrel, indicated by its rosette motif, by harmoniously placed traditional bridges, wheels, pare-chute, and balance wheel. Breguet combines this new creation with the finesse of jewellery, opting for the snow-setting technique. The 18-carat gold chosen for the dial, plate and bridges are all set with different-sized diamonds in order to keep the visible material to a minimum. The result is unrivaled brilliance. Illuminating the bezel, brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the Tradition 7035. Breguet offers this new model as a limited edition of 88 timepieces.

The new Diver X Skeleton by Ulysse Nardin

The new Diver X Skeleton watch features a bezel made of blue Carbonium® which is made from the fibers used in the fuselage and wings of aircrafts and enables the skeletal structure to withstand high pressures and temperatures. A horological hybrid merging Ulysse Nardin's Diver X and Skeleton X collections. Available exclusively at the Ulysse Nardin boutique, The Dubai Mall.

Franck Muller presents Mykonos Limited Edition

Franck Muller has launched a new summer edition dedicated to the mythic island of the Cyclades: Mykonos. The collection invites to travel in the magic island, well known for its beaches, white houses and summer party atmosphere. The dial has been worked in different types of blue, specially developed for this limited edition and never used before in Franck Muller collections. For this limited edition, Franck Muller proposes 16 exclusive watches in brushed rose gold and 21 watches in brushed titanium, sold exclusively in Franck Muller Athens and Mykonos boutiques. Paying homage to one of the most famous Greek islands, the collection will immerse the exciting atmosphere of Mykonos.

British Racing Green by WOLF

Head of the WOLF family business since taking over from his Father, Philip, some 20+ years ago Simon had always dreamt of combining his love of British automobiles and the natural beauty of worn leather, polished metals and the perfect lines of an English classic car. Many years in the making the collection is now complete and ready to launch. British Racing Green - A truly English collection of watch winders, boxes and watch rolls; perfect for the collector, safekeeper and watch traveller. From soft pebble grain leather, reflective of the sumptuous seat interior of the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 owned by Philip Wolf IV to the spoked wheels of the 1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 and the alcantara headliner of the venerable 1997 Aston DB7, both owned by Simon Wolf.

Louis Erard presents La Sportive Limited Editions

Dedicated to the sports spirit, the new Louis Erard La Sportive timepieces are the ultimate proposition for anyone who wants it all in a chronograph watch: precision, reliability, readability, technical achievement, elegance and exclusiveness. These watches, each released in a limited series of 250 examples. Let’s begin with the material of the case – in grade 5 titanium or bronze –, which plays on extremes to bring each of these four editions a distinctiveness reserved to exceptional watches. The watch cases are topped with an extra-domed sapphire glass coated with an anti-reflective treatment, emphasizing the neo-vintage character of the smoked dials available in four shades: earth, fir trees, sky and mist, four hues that evoke the Jura, the birthplace of Louis Erard. The brown and green versions are nestled in bronze cases. The blue and black versions are coordinated with grade 5 titanium.

The new Bee My Love pendants by Chaumet

Maison Chaumet expands its Bee My Love collection with a new resplendent pendant that enhances sun-kissed summer skin. Irresistibly incandescent, the new Bee My Love pendant lightly reprises the spare style of the honeycomb, an iconic Chaumet motif. Shining like the sun according to the wearer’s movements, it reflects the different lights of a summer’s day across each of its mirror-polished gold cells. Available in three versions–rose gold, rose gold punctuated with six diamonds or white gold sprinkled with six diamonds–it illuminates the neckline with its solar warmth, flickering with a thousand fires. Composed of three bands joined together and mounted on a delicate gold chain, it recalls the collection’s rings. A new ultra desirable design to mix with other jewels in the line–and an opportunity to outshine the sun.

The Star Blossom collection by Louis Vuitton

The Star Blossom jewellery collection, a precious tribute to the star-shaped Monogram Flower, now features white gold and shimmering diamonds in a selection of unprecedented and unexpected talismans, resplendent with novelty and joyfulness. An emblem of Maison Louis Vuitton, the Monogram Flower became a symbol of femininity in the Star Blossom collection created in 2018. The collection reinvented the iconic star-shaped flower designed by Georges Vuitton in 1896. With the timeless audacity of its pointed contours, this quatrefoil – the most famous of all the Monogram Flowers – underscores the confident femininity of all women who wear Star Blossom jewellery. The Star Blossom collection now includes a vibrant, modern ornamental ear cuff made of diamonds and pink gold. With this new creation, which can be worn alone or as a pair, the Monogram Flower sensually hugs the ear contour.

Lederer Watches launches the new Central Impulse Chronometer

Following the initial introduction as a concept watch at last year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the Central Impulse Chronometer now takes on its final form. This high-performance chronometer with a revolutionary escapement is housed in a 44 mm case, surrounded by two round and domed crystals that have the effect of slimming the timepiece. Inside, an entirely new caliber, the result of several years of research that merges a new type of escapement, constant force and a double gear train. The Central Impulse Chronometer’s dial captures the imagination with a pair of synchronized seconds hands moving in opposite directions – within two openings in the watch face bordered by interlaced circles forming the figure eight.

Exhibitions & Events

The 46th Edition of India Gem & Jewellery Awards

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) hosted the 46th India Gem and Jewellery Awards (IGJA), supported by GIA in India’s Diamond City, Surat. The award ceremony was inaugurated by Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani alongside Guest of Honour, Shri C.R. Patil, Member of Parliament, GOI and Special Guest, Shri Kumar Kanani, Minister for Health & Family welfare and Medical Education, Government of Gujarat; Shri Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Dinesh Navadiya, Chairman, Gujarat Region, GJEPC; and Shri Mansukh Kothari, Convener, Events, GJEPC and Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC. The selection criteria for the awards is based on export performances, value addition, employment generation and investment in R&D among other parameters, during the financial year.

Celebrity News

Jessica Chastain wears Chopard at 78th Venice International Film Festival

On September 4, 2021, actress Jessica Chastain attended the Competencia Oficial screening during the 78th Venice International Film Festival wearing jewelry by Chopard. Jessica wore a necklace from the Haute Joaillerie collection featuring 40.72 pear-shaped fancy yellow diamonds, 51.50 pear-shaped diamonds, 5.07 marquise-cut diamonds, 2.22 yellow diamonds and a ring from the Temptations collection featuring a 4.61-carat pear-shaped pink quartz, rubellites and diamonds set in 18-carat white gold.

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