Timeless Timepieces
More evidence today from the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie that the watch category has become a focus for innovative thinking in the luxury industry.
First comes the announcement from luxury watch brand Vacheron Constantin that it has employed the skills of a passport printer and a Swiss banknote designer to develop new security features in its fight against product counterfeiting.
Laser engraving without inking, for example, is used for the words ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘Automatique’ on the dials. Laser engraving with inking, on the other hand, is used for some of the numerals, the date and day of the week and ‘Vacheron Constantin Geneve’. Meanwhile, the surface of the dial is also covered with fine white gold in the so-called metallisation process. — Via Agence France Presse
Then, a story that perhaps captures the imagination more, and speaks strongly to the evolving definitions of luxury. The watch so luxurious that it doesn’t even tell the time…
Swiss watchmaker Romain Jerome’s “Day&Night” watch — which does not tell the time, only whether it is night or day — sold out within 48 hours of its launch earlier this year as watch fanatics snapped up the $300,000 timepiece. — Via Reuters
A new Cartier watch was also introduced at the show in Switzerland this April. The Cartier Perles watch is part of the Cartier Libre watch collection which also includes Cartier’s Crash watches. The Cartier Perle is done in 18K white gold with 389 diamonds (a total of 2.9 carats) and highlighted by two pearls. The movement is a Swiss quartz module. The style is very striking but it looks like might be awkward to wear.
In 2005, Omega spent $350,000 on the Ultra Thin Omega watch that belonged to President John F. Kennedy. Now they are making the most of their investment with the launch of a limited-edition timepiece that will be virtually identical to the “Ultra Thin” Omega that Kennedy wore during his January 20, 1961 inauguration and throughout much of his presidency. Via Luxist
There will be 261 numbered commemorative timepieces available for purchase this spring. The watches will have the same 18K gold casing and black leather strap as well as the gold stamp of the word “Omega” and the company’s symbol both on the original.
Each wristwatch will retail for $8,250 and was available for purchase in time for Father’s Day. Given the recent comparisons between the two in the media, it would be the perfect gift for Barack Obama.
Wode Paint Boudicca & Wode Scent Boudicca
