Bvlgari Introduces the Limited Edition Lucea High Jewelry

One of three: Bvlgari Lucea Diamond Emerald High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

Bvlgari has added a massive dose of sparkle to its flagship ladies wristwatch, the Lucea, with various stone settings, including diamonds, rubies and emeralds.

Unveiled just last year, the Lucea is Bvlgari’s new signature women’s watch, distinguished by a prominent crown and a bracelet inspired by its trademark Serpenti bracelet watch. The Lucea High Jewellery adds lavish precious stone setting to the mix, with each of the three versions set with over 400 baguette-cut gemstones.

One of three: Bvlgari Lucea Diamond Emerald High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

Setting each Lucea High Jewellery takes over 192 hours of work, with the dial requiring 84 diamonds in five different sizes to create a radial pattern. Even each link of the bracelet, which is meant to resemble a snake, is set with 15 stones.
Three versions are available: entirely diamond set, or set with a combination of diamonds and emeralds, or diamonds and rubies. The ruby and diamond model features the most stones by weight, it is set with 448 stones totalling some 19 carats. Please click the photo’s to enlarge, to see the amazing quality of the precious stones and their settings.

One of Five: Bulgari Lucea Diamond High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

All three are in rhodium white gold, with a 23mm cases that containing quartz moments. They are vèry limited, the all-diamond model is limited to five pieces, while the emerald and ruby versions are limited to three pieces each. So, if you like one, you have to hurry, to your nearest Bvlgari boutique to oder one….. if the price is no problem.

One of three: Bvlgari Lucea Diamond and Ruby High Jewelry watch (Click photo to enlarge).

I may cost something, but then you’ve got something! Prices for the Lucea High Jewellery starts at US$457,000.

by Jean Amr

Bold cuffs take center stage.

As this summer statement jewelry continues to trend….

In a famous photo taken in 1977 at the Rainbow Room in Manhattan, the perennially stylish Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis can be seen arm-wrestling Muhammad Ali.  But it’s not the fashion icon’s toothy grin, or her off-the-shoulder gown, or her embellished earrings that stand out the most, it’s the hammered yellow gold Van Cleef & Arpels cuff on her wrist. The quintessential first lady so favored the piece of jewelry that she wore it throughout the 1970s and 1980s, igniting an unprecedented fervor for cuffs among fashion’s glitterati. It was not only Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis that made the sales raise, also Princess Caroline of Monaco and other celebs did. When the Princess showed up with her Cartier Love Bracelet, sales went up…..

I Love: Rabinovich, black leather, steel bracelet (Click photo to enlarge).

Rabinovich, purple leather, steel bracelet, availble in a lot of colors (Click photo to enlarge).

Bvlgari, Sterling silver, Leather bracelet, availble in many colors (Click photo to enlarge).

A true timeless classic. Not only for horse lovers! Albanu bracelet made of horse hair and sterling silver. Availble in many colors, models and 18k gold (Click photo to enlarge).

Prince Bernard had one. Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan had one. Albanu, loved by many Royals and movie stars since 1928! Albanu bracelet made of elephant hair and 18k yellow gold. They are availble in a vèry large range of models (Click photo to enlarge).

Today cuffs are making a comeback in a variety of shapes and unique materials. Sometimes simple, sometimes precious. Basic wide styles can be worn on their own to create a more tailored, minimalistic look for work, while those with an experimental bent can mix and match skinnier versions. Add some instant edge to an outfit by rocking a double wrap leather cuff with oversized rivets and studded hardware, or up the ante by donning multiple metal bands in alternating widths on each wrist.

What some friends of mine have with shoes, I’ve got t with watches and bracelets! I realy love my Bvlgari Alveare and Parentesi, but my Cartier Love bracelet is my daily wear, that I many times combine with one of my Rabinovich leather bracelets. I’ve got many of them! They are vèry affordable, and vèry stong! Taking a shower with my Albanu, is no problem at all! I’ve got one that’s over 40 years old, and its still as new! Taking a shower with a leather bracelet is not the advice you would give someone, but my Rabinovich bracelets are still doing great, after 2 years of showering. And that for that price!

Tory Burch double wrap logo stud bracelet in blood orange, other colors availble (Click photo to enlarge).

A true Tiffany & Co classic! Elsa Peretti’s Sterling Silver Bone Cuff bracelet. It’s also availble in 18k gold (Click photo to enlarge).

Tiffany & Co. Paloma Picasso’s knot bracelet in leather and sterling silver (Click photo to enlarge).

Hermès Black Leather Wide Bracelets with 18K Pink Gold Turn Buckle (Click photo to enlarge).

 

Bvlgari Alveare 18k Yellow and White Gold Bracelet (Click photo to enlarge).Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Ludo’ Art Deco bracelet, Paris, 1939, yellow 18k gold, rubies and star rubies in mystery setting (Click photo to enlarge).

Cartier ‘Juste un Clou’ 18ct pink-gold bracelet, also availble in white and yellow gold, with or without diamonds or other precious stones (Click photo to enlarge).

Just remember to stick to the cardinal rule of accessorizing: Don’t overdo it. And, whether you select a classic leather cuff, bejeweled medallion or retro-inspired resin style, be sure to make a selection that speaks to you or evokes an emotion when you wear it.

For more information:

Albanu at selected stores. See http://http://www.albanu.mc

Bvlgari at Bvlgari Boutiques, online and at selected stores See: http://http://www.bulgari.com

Cartier at Cartier Boutiques, online and at selected stores. See: http://http://www.cartier.com

Van Cleef & Arpels at Van Cleef & Arpels Boutiques. See: http://http://www.vancleefarpels.com

Hermès at Hermès Boutiques, online and selected stores. See: http://http://www.hermes.com

Rabinovich at Jumelle Juwelier and other selected stores. See: http://www.jumelle.nl/

Tiffany & Co at Tiffany & Co Boutiques and selected stores. See: http://http://www.tiffany.com

Tory Burch at Tory Burch Boutiques. See: http://http://www.toryburch.com

by Jean Amr

Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon watch

In 1987, Chanel launched its first collection of ladies’ watches, the Première timepieces, and their unusual geometry was inspired by the octagonal perimeter of Place Vendôme, just like the stopper on the Nº5 perfume bottle.

Developing more complications over the years, the Première Flying Tourbillon features a stylised camellia flower studded with diamonds in the centre, and a white gold case set with baguette-cut blue sapphires on the sides, the bezel and even on the crown. The generous use of white brilliant-cut diamonds exalts the rich corn-blue colour of the sapphires to even greater effect.

Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon watch, 2014 A stylised camellia flower twirls with the tourbillon while beautiful pink sapphires grace the white gold case. (click photo to enlarge)

Indisputably Chanel and mesmerisingly pretty, the 2014 interpretation of the Première Flying Tourbillon watch, a limited-edition of just 20 pieces, was set to be one of the showstoppers at Baselworld.

First launched two years ago and winner of the best wmen’s watch in the 2012 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie in Geneve, the Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon watch is not only beautiful to look at. It also features one of the most impressive watch complications around, a 225-part flying tourbillon movement developed exclusively for Chanel by legendary Swiss manufacturers, engineers and master watchmakers Renaud & Papi. A real technical wonder.

Like its 2012 and 2013 predecessors, the latest design incorporates Mademoiselle Chanel’s favourite flower, the camellia, which cleverly forms the watch movement. The camellia flower performs one rotation per minute, with the petals of the flying tourbillon indicating the passing of the seconds.

A limited edition of 20 pieces, the flying tourbillon movement in Chanel’s new Première Flying Tourbillon watch is crafted in the shape of Mademoiselle Chanel’s favourite flower, the camellia.

Each watch takes more than 100 hours to assemble and requires 23 hours of setting work. Featuring 169 diamonds as well as 63 baguette-cut pink sapphires set around the white gold case and crown, this is a timepiece for women who demand the very best in design and function. Chanel watches Première Flying Tourbillon owes its octagonal geometry to the Place Vendôme, just like the stopper on Chanel’s No.5 perfume bottle. A stylised camellia flower twirls with the tourbillon while intense blue sapphires grace the white gold case.

Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon watch, 2015 A stylised camellia flower twirls with the tourbillon while intense blue sapphires grace the white gold case. 

by Jean Amr

In the pocket

In 1912, Jacqueline Hermès, a child at the time, received as a gift from her father an unusual pocket watch with a leather holder to be worn on the wrist. It was designed so the young horsewoman could ride without having to attach her watch to her clothing or slip it into her pocket. In particular, the leather strap was designed to snugly wrap around the watch for complete protection.

Jacqueline Hermès (2nd from left) wearing her watch (Click to enlarge).

Turning back the clock, but with a modern twist, has become the trend of the luxury houses to woo discerning clients these days. In 2012, Hermès had launched  “In The Pocket”, based on the design of the watch received by Jacqueline Hermès in 1912 as a gift from her father. It was an unusual pocket watch with a leather holder to be worn on the wrist. The French maison of luxury goods has now issued a second piece in the series with a rose gold watch clad in an alligator exterior.

A tribute to the first watch created by Hermes in 1912, a gift of its founder to his daugther Jacqueline Hermes. Here the 2012 Limited Edition of 24 pieces, in Palledium (Click photo to enlarge).

The rose gold case of the new In The Pocket watch contains a silver dial with baton-type hands that sweep over pared-down numerals. A small seconds subdial is located at 3 o’clock. Powered by an in-house H1837 automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve, the watch’s oscillating weight is adorned with the brand’s signature “sprinkling of Hs” motif.

As with the original, the new watch is designed to be worn as a traditional pocket watch or a wristwatch, the latest limited edition (Click photo to enlarge).

The strap is composed of two longer and shorter sections: the plain strap end and the buckle strap end, hand crafted in the leather-making workshops of La Montre Hermès in Switzerland. These two parts are composed of three layers of leather: alligator; cow leather for sturdiness; and a Zermatt calfskin lining.

The latest 178-piece limited edition watch is also designed to be worn as a traditional pocket watch or a wristwatch in true Hermès style!

by Jean Amr

The high jewellery handbags

Fashion designers aren’t the only ones to unveil their most exclusive creations: English high jewellery house Asprey released limited-edition handbags embellished with precious jewels.

Detail of Asprey Private Collection 1781 Mini in sea green crocodile lined with coral rose kid suede, featuring a pave diamond lock in 18-carat white gold with a diamond and white gold charm (Click photo to enlarge).

For those who consider their handbag as prized a possession as their fine jewels, no ordinary off-the-runway sac will suffice. For no matter how much the likes of Chanel, Fendi and Yves Saint Laurant elevate their prices in order to distinguish themselves from more affordable designer lines (Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs for example), there remains a hardcore handbag fan-base for whom no four-figure sum is enough to deter them from securing whichever bag their Hollywood heroine is currently carrying. And as they’re an investment purchase which will last beyond a season or two, luxury handbags remain relatively commonplace among the masses.

Asprey Private Collection 1781 Mini in sea green crocodile lined with coral rose kid suede, featuring a pave diamond lock in 18-carat white gold with a diamond and white gold charm (Click photo to enlarge).

So what’s a bag lady to do in order to secure a tote that no-one else is toting? Going vintage is one option. With a vast array of colours, shapes and sizes manufactured in limited-edition runs, vintage Hermès  bags include some of the rarest on the market, and can command price tags of up to $95.000 as a result!!

Asprey Private Collection 1781 Mini in violet crocodile with a lilac mist kid suede lining, embellished with handcrafted pave diamond bubbles and featuring a pave diamond and white gold clasp (Click photo to enlarge).

Alternatively, one could look to the brand new but no less exclusive ranges from heritage brands such as Asprey, whose Private Collection last year comprises just 12 one of a kind crocodile handbags. Like a fusion of bag and jewellery, the pieces are finished with 18-carat rose, silver or yellow-gold hardware and embellished with precious stones such as tanzanite, sapphire, garnet, cognac, and pink and yellow diamonds. Created in collaboration with Katie Hillier, celebrated handbag designer, creative director of Marc by Marc Jacobs and founder of the Hillier luxury jewellery line, the handmade bags are created in signature Asprey styles: the Morgan, the 1781 and the 167, with each one containing a crocodile zip purse, a crocodile-trimmed sterling silver mirror and plaque engraved with its unique number.

Asprey Private Collection 167 in white grape crocodile with a cerulean blue kid suede interior, featuring an 18-carat white gold lock laid with mêlée diamonds (Click photo to enlarge).

Asprey Private Collection 167 in white grape crocodile in its wooden presentation box

Like the jewellery houses’ most exclusive collections, these handbags are available to view and purchase by invitation only. Echoing the jewels they jostle with, each one is presented in a velvet-lined, calf leather case complete with a customised kid suede pillow to maintain the handbag’s shape when not in use. Bags to cart around packed lunches and gym kits these are not.

by Jean Amr