Market News

Harry Winston buys BHP Billiton diamond business for $500 million

Richemont's Profit +52 percent

Richemont Group has reported 21 percent increase in sales year on year to $6.49 billion in the six months that ended on September 30.  Total profit rose 52 percent to $1.37 billion. The total sales of jewelry divisions of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, ?rose by 20 percent to $3.31 Billion while the revenue of the watch division increased by ??25 percent to $1.85 billion. In a recent statement issued by the Group, Johan Rupert will step down as the chief executive of Richemont on March 31, and shall be replaced by Bernard Fornas and Richard Lepeu as joint executives.

Antiquorum unveils the highlight of its December sale in New York

Antiquorum Auctioneers is looking forward to its December 13th auction of "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" at their US headquarters on Madison Avenue in New York City. There will be many exceptional horological highlights including a Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 with unique red and black dial as well as a magnificent Vacheron Constantin pocket watch with enamel dial of Lake Geneva. Previews will be held in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and New York.

Company News

Breguet opens its 3rd UAE Boutique in Abu Dhabi

Breguet has recently opened its 3rd UAE boutique in Abu Dhabi boutique located in the high standing commercial building “Etihad Towers”. A ribbon cutting ceremony and cocktail reception has been held for this occasion on November 19th, in presence of Dr. h.c. Nayla Hayek, Chair of the Swatch Group Board of Directors. . The boutique’s striking contemporary and refined decoration invites visitors to discover the brand’s most famous timepieces, including the very latest entries, as well as a breathtaking range of gem-set Haute Joaillerie creations in attractive surroundings designed with first-class quality materials, such as walnut.

Jaeger-LeCoultre inaugurates its newest flagship boutique at Place Vendome

The largest Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique in the world has opened its new brand flagship of an impressive 500 m² area at No. 7, Place Vendôme in Paris on the eve of its 180^th anniversary. Jérôme Lambert, Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO, inaugurated the exceptional venue reflecting the prestige of the House by cutting the ribbon alongside Diane Kruger, a friend of Jaeger-LeCoultre and the face of its ladies’ collection, and Guillain Maspetiol, Jaeger-LeCoultre Brand Manager for France. As a celebration of technical and precious Fine Watchmaking, the brand revealed its new Duomètre Unique Travel Time issued in a 100-piece limited series in white gold especially on the occasion of Place Vendôme boutique inauguration.

Audemars Piguet ambassador retains no. 1 world ranking

Audemars Piguet ambassador, Novak Djokovic put a firm stamp on his position as world number one with a stunning victory over Roger Federer in the ATP World Tour Finals in London held on 12^th of November. Djokovic won 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 with a performance of incredible grit and determination adding the season-ending title to his Australian Open victory and top ranking. A great sportsman of our time characterized by outstanding charisma, mastery and artistry, Novak Djokovic’s outstanding and break-through performances embody Audemars Piguet’s philosophy, “To break the rules, you must first master them”.

BOVET masterpiece pocket watch at Christie’s Important Watches auction in Geneva

On November 12, the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva opened its doors to the annual Christie’s Important Watches auction led by Aurel Bacs and his team of experts. Several timepieces among the extensive collection 19th century pocket watches made for the Chinese market aroused a lot of interest. The auction results of signed Bovet pocket watches at this Christie’s sale is a proof of the increasing level value to collectors of unique and rare artisan expertise of the House. Thus, the ten Bovet pocket watches and several manuscripts of the early nineteenth century created such excitement in the room that all were sold and all far above their original estimates.

Vacheron Constantin receives an award from the Florens Foundation

During “Florens 2012”, the International Biennial Cultural and Environmental Heritage Week, Vacheron Constantin CEO Juan Carlos Torres was awarded the Florens prize by the president of the foundation of the same name, Giovanni Gentile, and the foundation’s vice-president, Mauro Fancelli for its commitment to the promotion and protection of artistic crafts. The awarding ceremony was held during a convention on artistic crafts organized by the Cologni Foundation for Artistic Craft Professions. Vacheron Constantin’s commitment is expressed through its collaboration with other well-known institutions across the world such as the French National institute of Artistic Crafts and the Cologni Foundation for Artistic Craft Professions.

TAG Heuer Charity Event in New York

A star-studded charity drive by TAG Heuer was recently held in the iconic Cullman Hall of the Universe on Central Park West in New York. The exclusive event brought together NY and Hollywood celebrities, business, fashion and media leaders from around the world and key figures of the international jet-set for a double-pronged charity push: to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, and raise awareness for gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide. The event marks the first time that TAG Heuer Ambassadors Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio combined forces for a TAG Heuer celebrity event.

Breitling names David Beckham as the face of its new advert campaign

Breitling has chosen David Beckham as the face of its Transocean Chronograph Unitime worldtimer watch. The new campaign establishes a long-term partnership between the innovative and historic Swiss brand and one of the world's most celebrated icons.  In the spring of 2012, it took things to the next level by presenting the Transocean Chronograph Unitime. Equipped with the new Manufacture Breitling Caliber B05 featuring a patented mechanism, this worldtimer chronograph has asserted itself as the ultimate travel watch thanks to its double disk enabling permanent readings of the time in all 24 timezones, and its ultra-user-friendly crown-operated correction system.

Gitanjali Jewels announces its plans to have 100 to 150 points of sale in the UAE

Gitanjali Jewels has announced its plans to have 100 to 150 points of sale (shop-in-shop, through partners and stores) in the next two years in the UAE. Ajay Pandey, CEO Gitanjali International Brands Business, stated: “Our investment in the UAE is already around $20 million all inclusive. We plan to expand our business to reach approximately 100 to 150 points of sale in the country within the next two years. We think Dubai Government has done a wonderful job of creating an infrastructure that has encouraged retailers like us to do business in this commercial hub of GCC and Asia.”

Rado announces its newest ambassador in the world of tennis

Rado has announced that the German tennis star, Julia Gorges, has joined the brand as an ambassador. The partnership strengthens Rado’s return to the world of tennis and is in addition to its sponsorship agreement with Olympic and US Open Champion and world men’s no. 3, Andy Murray, which was announced in June this year. Julia was born in Germany in 1988, began playing tennis at the age of 6 and turned professional in July 2005. She is the current world no. 19 and has won two WTA singles titles. Her highest ranking to date was no.15 in March 2012. Julia is a clay and hard court specialist and has twice beaten a reigning world number one.

Harrods Fine Watch Room celebrates One Year Anniversary

In celebration of the One Year Anniversary of the Fine Watch Room, Harrods collaborated with a selection of their leading luxury watch brands to create highly collectable unique one-of-one timepieces in honour of this significant event. The exclusive collection of Harrods unique pieces are available from the Fine Watch Room from mid-November and viewed at Salon QP, the UK’s leading fine watchmaking event, took place at the Saatchi Gallery from the 8th to the 10th November. Harrods also announced their partnership with Salon QP through the sponsorship of the Seminar Theatre housed on the second floor of the gallery in which presentations, workshops and demonstrations took place throughout the renowned three day event.

MCT SA announces its new owner

In October 2012 MCT was acquired by Cage Holding SA. Cage Holding the new owner of MCT manages a solid group of subsidiaries operating mainly in finance, construction, real estate and trade in Russia and Switzerland. Cage Holding is enlarging its activities in Switzerland and the investment in watch industry corresponds to the best Swiss traditions. Cage Holding regards the acquisition of MCT as a long-term investment with an indubitable perspective of gaining creativity and business dividends. The newly elaborated development of MCT strategy emphasizes on the expansion of the production capacity. MCT principal focus will be to develop conceptual design and technological innovations.

A phenomenon: from cufflinks to Swiss watches

In under a year, TF Est. 1968 has opened more than 421outlets around the world from its base in Geneva. While others were getting themselves embroiled in business plans peppered with synthetic images designed to lure a particular distributor, or a potential client, Freddy T, a professional operator on the global luxury market was busy designing his first watchmaking-inspired cufflinks. Before the brand even had its own showcase on the web, this advocate of expert craftsmanship and Swiss quality had already produced hundreds of pairs of cufflinks.

Montegrappa launches the Brain Pen

Montegrappa has announced one of the most ambitious pens in its illustrious history. The Brain Pen is the result of extensive collaboration with Dr. Restak, the author of more than 20 books on the subject. To create a pen that represents the complexities of the very organ it celebrates, Montegrappa’s designers drew inspiration from the brain itself. Emblematic of this is the contrast present in the pen’s most basic structural elements: the top part of the pen is rich and elaborate, while the body is simple, acting as a parallel to a man's body, where all his riches are in the brain. The cap features an overlay made up of neurons, with the pocket clip representing the spinal cord. The clip has a spring-loaded mechanism and its tip is lacquered in red or black, to differentiate the fountain pen from the roller ball.

Product Launch

Baume & Mercier launches the UAE Limited Capeland Edition

Baume & Mercier has recently launched the ‘United Arab Emirates Edition’ Capeland timepiece specially designed to represent the colours of the UAE flag and is a true reflection of Baume & Mercier’s dedication to the country, reiterated by the brand having its only boutique in the world in the world-famous Dubai Mall. The UAE limited edition Capeland flyback chronograph has a diameter of 44mm. The off-white dial features a red tachymeter & green telemeter and a black alligator strap with red stitching. Only 100 pieces are available, and each is engraved “UAE Edition - 001/100” highlighting the exclusivity of this exceptional edition.

OMEGA launches its Ladymatic wristwatch

OMEGA has launched the Ladymatic wristwatch which combines feminine grace and elegance with the technological innovation. And to celebrate this festive season, the brand proposes one of the glittering stars of its collection. The dramatic 34 mm 18 Ct red gold case is only the beginning of the story of a truly spectacular timepiece. Its bezel is paved with snow-set diamonds, as are the inner links of the 18 Ct red gold bracelet. There are also diamonds in a wave pattern artfully set on the side of the watch. In fact, this Ladymatic has 894 diamonds with a total weight of 5.46 carats, including the 11 diamond indexes mounted on an evocative deep brown dial. 

Chopard presents its Haute Joaillerie “Disney Princess Collection”

Chopard has presented its new collection of Haute Joaillerie inspired by the iconic Disney Princesses in partnership with Harrods and the internationally renowned department store’s Disney themed Christmas celebration. Caroline Scheufele interprets the key characteristics of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Tiana by designing ten unique and exceptional Haute Joaillerie pieces unveiled at the Chopard boutique at Harrods. The unique creations are showcase exclusively from the 2^nd of November until the end of December in the Chopard boutique, Harrods Fine Jewellery Room.

Glam Rock introduces the Sheikh Zayed limited edition watch

In honor of his Excellency Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and for the occasion of Emirates 41^st National Day, Glam Rock watches and Mr. Yousef Khoory the CEO of Mohammed Rasool Khoory & Sons have launched the Sheikh Zayed Glam Rock Limited edition SoBe Tech. Only one hundred (100) SoBe Tech limited edition timepieces were designed exclusively by Glam Rock for the giant watch retailer of Abu Dhabi. The watches carry the UAE national colors with the image of his highness engraved on the case. Each watch is uniquely numerated and bookings for special serial numbers are already in place before the watch is even in store.

Hermès launches Arceau Le temps suspendu in Rose Gold

Protected by two patents – one for its construction and the other for the play-reducing gear teeth – this gem of horological engineering alone comprises no less than 24 jewels and is equipped with three play-reducing wheels. The running time and suspended time phases are coordinated by two synchronised column wheels, one driving the hours, and the other the minutes coupled with the date. The 43 mm-diameter gold or steel case gives the watch generous scope for expression. The herringbone guilloche dial motif bears the Hermès hallmark, while the contrasting retrograde indications are enhanced by a delicately grained finish. The rose gold model initially issued in a limited edition now comes with a choice of two dial colours: silvered or chocolate brown.

Jaquet Droz unveils its new sports watches

Jaquet Droz has unveiled its new sports watches: the Grande Seconde SW Steel-Rubber and the Tourbillon. The perfect lines of the Grande Seconde dial are obtained in a complex process performed on a single solid block of steel, hollowed to lower the surface level. The elegant balance of the fine-brushed figure eight, the fineness of its spine and the red Super-LumiNova coating on hands and indicators – the red accentuates the depth of the black – all contribute to a refined interplay of volumes, colors and reflections of light. While, inserted at the top of the dial, the Tourbillon reveals the extraordinary complexity of its mechanism. The upper bridge has been changed to perform the function of the seconds hand.

Muna Al Hadad designs exclusive pendant for Bloomingdale’s-Dubai for UAE National Day

Created by local designer, Muna Al Hadad, the pendant from Ghenej Jewellery is a timeless piece created to celebrate UAE’s 41^st National Day. Exclusive to Bloomingdale's-Dubai, this silver pendant is shaped as a key, featuring diamonds and semi-precious stones in the colours of the UAE flag and is accented by delicate Arabic calligraphy reading the word ‘Emirati’.

Feminine Dreams by GRIEB & BENZINGER

GRIEB & BENZINGER has launched the exceptional and elegant, the PEARL BLOSSOM, a feminine variation of the classic skeletonized watch in solid 18-karat red gold case 43 mm in diameter and set with 2.55 ct diamonds and an alligator skin strap in a creamy mother-of-pearl color with an 18-karat gold buckle. This new feminine variation adds to the BLOSSOM family, whose masculine version called the BLACK TULIP.

Exhibitions & Events

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie and Bank Julius Baer pays tribute to Jean-Claude Biver and Giulio Papi

Hommage à la Passion and Hommage au Talent are the two awards which the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) is inaugurating, in partnership with Bank Julius Baer. These distinctions spotlight the achievements of two outstanding individuals, Jean-Claude Biver and Giulio Papi, who have brought endless passion and expertise to Fine Watchmaking, a world which the FHH supports and promotes. These two distinctions, which succeed those founded by the journalist Eugenio Zigliotto, were presented at the 4th Forum de la Haute Horlogerie which took place on November 14th in Lausanne. A summit for high-level debate and reflection, organized by the FHH, the Forum was the opportunity to celebrate these professionals whose passion and talent keep the dream alive.

Celebrity News

Princess Charlene of Monaco wore Van Cleef & Arpels

Princess Charlene of Monaco wore Van Cleef & Arpels at the Gala Night of the association against Autism at Sporting Monte-Carlo. She chose Van Cleef & Arpels Earrings “Bel Canto” set in white gold and diamonds.

Marion Cotillard wears Chopard at the Harper's Bazaar Woman of the Year Awards 2012

To receive the Woman of the Year Award, the Oscar-winner French actress, Marion Cotillard chose to wear an elegant diamond necklace from the Haute Joaillerie collection by Chopard, as well as a ring from the Imperiale collection, featuring a central chalcedony and diamonds, set in white gold. 

Jessica Alba stuns in Harry Winston

Jessica Alba looked stunning in sparkling Harry Winston diamonds at the 1st Annual Baby2Baby Gala Presented By Harry Winston. Honoring Board Member and Ambassador Jessica Alba, the evening celebrated and supported Baby2Baby's efforts to bring supplies to families in need.

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