A Mammoth Launch - The HYT Skull Vida
Hot off the presses today is the launch of HYT's Skull Vida, a limited edition of just 5 pieces. The 'limited edition' in this case could also be referred to as 5 unique pieces, as the material reflects its own unique properties, and is a very unusual material to watchmaking.
The skull shaped sculpted dial is crafted from Siberian mammoth ivory thousands of years old. In fact, most of the mammoths that are being uncovered in the region are 15,000-30,000 years old and have been remarkably well preserved, having been frozen in place until now. Before any work can be done on the ivory, it has to go through a stabilization process so that it can adjust to the atmosphere. Specially trained artisans worked with the ivory, which given its age, had to be very carefully handled.
"Our first Skull collections fell within the tradition of Memento Mori, reflecting in particular the Mexican culture of Dia de los Muertos, where death is celebrated in the same way as life, in a celebratory communion of the passing of time," recalls Grégory Dourde, CEO of HYT. "However, we felt that we could go even further still by literally combining life and the unique flow of time with our fluid technology and a dial made from an authentic material, a true living sculpture. The Skull Vida was born from this all-encompassing, holistic vision."
The Skull Vida comes in a 51 mm black DLC titanium case which highlights the creaminess of the ivory. It is powered by HYT's exclusive mechanical hand-wound movement which provides a 65-hour power reserve. The seconds are displayed in its left eye, the power reserve in its right. As usual, the entire artwork is surrounded by an HYT capillary specially folded into the skull shape, in which the separation point of two immiscible liquids indicates the hours. The strap, is a beige floral-embroidered fabric with a black DLC titanium deployant buckle.
The Nixie Machine II Debuts at M.A.D.Gallery
If you have ever dreamed of time traveling, the Nixie Machine II by Berlin-based artist Frank Buchwald might be just the way to get there! The clock, created in collaboration with passionate engineer Dalibor Farny, certainly gives you a Victorian-era/Steampunk vibe, and Buchwald’s inspiration definitely reflects this element in his work. “Pencil, glue and cardboard...railway stations, steam engines...childhood memories. Creativity and enthusiasm form the golden thread that has weaved through my life. They’re my fuel.” he explains.
At the heart of the clock, and indeed the display of time, are Nixie tubes which were introduced in the 1950s. Nixie tubes – also known as cold cathode displays – became a popular way of presenting numerals using glow discharge. Each glass tube is filled with a low-pressure neon-based gas and includes a wire-mesh anode and layered cathodes shaped like numerals; a separate cathode is needed for every numeral 0 to 9. A distinctive orange glow discharge surrounds each cathode when power is applied. Assembled in multi-digit arrays by connecting electronic circuitry to several tubes, Nixie tubes were often used for computers, clocks, and frequency counters, though these were eventually supplanted by more practicable, less costly – though arguably less charming – displays such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Each and every detail has been manually handcrafted, from the design, construction, and detailed finishes of the clock to the six Nixie tubes produced by Dalibor Farny. Farny put in numerous years of research and experimentation to build a modern Nixie tube and handcrafts them in a studio that looks like a cross between a laboratory and workshop located inside an old castle near Topolna in the Czech Republic.
The heart of the clock in itself is completely innovative and modern, despite its overall vintage feel and keeps time automatically via its powerful, Wi-Fi-enabled electronics dock. therefore, it is completely automatic. All settings and special features – including scroll effects, day/night modes, digit light dimming, time zone settings and more – can be intuitively programmed online. The clock can also operate offline, regulated by a knob on the back.
12 unique pieces are available exclusively from the M.A.D.Galleries in Geneva, Dubai, and Taipei.
Ideas for Mothers Day - Roberto Coin Pois Moi
Running out of time to select something that is just perfect for your Mom? How about Roberto Coin's Pois Moi Collection? The iconic collection may have just what you are looking for.
With your choice of white, pink and yellow gold in bracelets, rings, pendants, and earrings with diamond pavé, choices abound.
I love the squareness of the pieces, with their soft corners and retro "television shape" design, influenced by the '50s, however the final product is all modern.
Founded in 1977 in Italy’s Vicenza, Roberto Coin is a marvelous mix of centuries-old Italian craftsmanship and modern design techniques. The brand was originally created to make jewelry for other Italian brands, but was launched in 1996 as a world-renowned luxury brand of Italian designer jewelry.
Take a look at some of the options to choose from and see what inspires you.
White gold bangle with diamonds 4-Row Bangle Pave white diamond detail; 7.75 total diamond carat weight
White gold bangle with diamonds 7-Row Bangle Pave white diamond detail; 14.05 total diamond carat weight.
White gold ring with diamonds 2-Row Ring Pave white diamond panel. 2.03 total diamond carat weight.
White gold ring with diamonds 0.63ct Diamonds
Four row white gold bangle with black and white diamonds 4-Row Bangle Pave black diamond panel, dotted with round-cut white diamonds. 12.25 total diamond carat weight.
Two row white gold bangle with black and white diamonds 2-Row Bangle Pave black diamond panel, dotted with round-cut white diamonds. 5.49 total diamond carat weight.
White gold bangle with white diamonds One-Row Pave Diamond Bangle Pave white diamond top; 1.35 total diamond carat weight.
White gold ring with black and white diamonds 2-Row Ring Pave black diamond panel, dotted with round-cut white diamonds. 2.03 total diamond carat weight.
Rose gold bangles with white diamonds.
Four-Row Bangle Diamonds: - Weight (total): 7.73 CT, - Clarity: VS, - Color: G, - Cut: round brilliant
Single-Row Diamond Bangle Single row of pave white diamonds halfway around. 1.29 total diamond carat weight.
Two-Row Diamond Bangle Pave white diamond detail; GHSI; 0.28 total carat weight.
Yellow gold bangles with white diamonds.
Four-Row Bangle- Weight (total): 7.73 CT, - Clarity: VS, - Color: G, - Cut: round brilliant
Seven-Row Bangle
Four-Row Bangle
Show your love with Christophe Claret's Marguerite
Christophe Claret offers a spectacular gift of love with Marguerite. As part of their first collection of watches especially created for women, Margot, the new Marguerite model is clothed in over 600 diamonds. The red gold case measures a perfect 42.5mm, and the bezel and lugs are set with over 380 diamonds of varying sizes alone.
The daisy at the center of the dial has overlapping petals and is accented by another 220 diamonds. Two fluttering butterflies, highlighted with orange Super-LumiNova appear to float around the daisy indicating the time. The butterflies are slightly different in color, the 'female' version is darker and indicates the hours, while the 'male' version is lighter and points to the minutes. At the heart of the flower is a glistening ruby all hovering over a white mother-of-pearl dial.
The magic doesn't stop there. Hidden beneath the numbers on the dial is a message that reveals itself when the pusher at 2 o'clock is pressed. The numbers disappear to reveal the phrase: “Il m’aime passionnément” (He loves me passionately). For even more personalization, the message can be customized to be whatever is desired, within the given number of characters allowed.
The caseback isn't left out either and provides an opportunity to admire the movement’s oscillating weight sculpted like a daisy and set with eight rubies. The daisy shape also allows the owner to indulge in a game of 'He loves me, he loves me not', by holding the watch in a horizontal position, and with one or two shakes, the weight will move for a few seconds and then stop to reveal whether the answer is yes or no!
Available in red, blue and green, in a white or red gold case, each color is a limited edition of 30 pieces.
Graff Princess Butterfly Secret Watch
The master craftsmen at Graff have managed to transform the soft beauty and elegance of a butterfly into a delicate and intricately jeweled ladies watch. On the outside, the sculptured butterfly silhouette is made up of diamonds and gemstones, all invisibly set, and reminiscent of the natural butterfly’s wings.
Hidden under the wings is the 'secret', the watch. To reveal the time the wearer simply presses on one of the diamonds in the body of the butterfly, and the wings slide open revealing the watch inside.
Crafted out of white gold, the case is set with 66 baguette diamonds and sapphires. There are four different variations; Full diamond, ruby, sapphire and diamonds with sapphire detail. The invisible setting, created in the 1930's, requires small grooves to be cut in the underside of each diamond or gemstone allowing them to slide onto a grid hidden beneath the stones. Not only that, but the color of the stones needs to be color-matched and sized precisely, so that they preserve the overall beauty and delicate curvature of the butterfly wings.
Looks like Graff has managed to capture nature beautifully.
Jacob & Co. The "Mystery of Muzo" Cuffs
Bring on the stunning emeralds! After almost two years of work, Jacob & Co.'s, "Mystery of Muzo" matching cuffs are complete. Featuring two envy worthy emeralds from the Muzo mines in Colombia, you know this is a mark of exceptional quality of the stones. One stone weighs in at 74.33 carats, the other at 70.57 carats, and the pear shape cut is the perfect complement to the art-deco inspired design of the cuff.
Not to be content with just emeralds, the 18K white gold bracelets are decorated with 118.13 carats of round, brilliant cut diamonds wrapped around the edges and snaked around the upper half, as well as black spinel cut into geometric shapes and wrapped about the body of the cuff.
Bold, exotic, and a piece unique, these cuffs will give any woman an air of mystery and seduction. Who will be that lucky woman?
Announcing the MB&F Legacy Machine N°1 (LM1) Final Edition
After six years of the Legacy Machine N°1, MB&F have launched the last in the series. To honor this legacy (pun intended), this is the first time the watch has been available in a stainless steel case, a very rare occurrence from MB&F. The dial of the 18 piece limited edition is in a rich dark chocolate brown, and includes the new balance bridge that was featured in the LM101 and LM Perpetual.
The 44mm case comes with the usual high domed sapphire crystal which floats over the movement and bridges. The three-dimensional horological movement was developed exclusively for MB&F by Chronode, with bridge design and finishing specified by Kari Voutilainen. Power reserve is 45 hours.
Legacy Machine No.1 is available in 18k red gold, 18k white gold, a limited edition of 33 pieces in platinum, a limited edition of 13 pieces for the M.A.D.Gallery Dubai in titanium and the final edition in stainless steel. The LM1 was also the base for two Performance Art editions with artists Xia Hang and Alain Silberstein.
After a total of approx. 435 Legacy Machine N°1's it's bittersweet, but these will be the last new pieces in the series.
I'm holding my breath for what comes next!
Arnold & Son Opens its First Flagship Boutique
Luxury watchmaker Arnold & Son has opened it's first flagship boutique, as part of the Citizen Flagship Store, in the newly launched GINZA SIX, Tokyo’s premier luxury shopping destination.
The boutique will feature a large collection of timepieces, including some that are quite limited and hard to find. Also included in the Citizen Watch Group are Frédérique Constant and Bulova, who will also have displays within the stores wide open luxury spaces. The layout of the store was designed purposefully to allow guests to view, touch and experience a full range of timepieces firsthand. The staff are multilingual and extremely knowledgeable, and will be able to assist customers from all over the world.
The new store is located at: GINZA SIX 1F, 6-10-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061.
Pretty in Pink from Sutra
33 ctw pink opal, 2.5 ctw spinel, 2 ctw diamond, 18K rose gold
Pink is everywhere this spring and jewelry is no exception. Houston-based jeweler Sutra Jewels has paired pink opal and pink spinel along with diamonds and 18K pink gold, to bring us the The Angel Skin and Pink Spinel Collection from their Sutra Signature collection.
The new Sutra Signature line offers a refined element of glamour into a women’s daily style choice that transitions her from black denim to black tie. Each piece encompasses design elements of graceful rhythm and lightweight flexibility, all inspired by concepts of feminine movement.
Designer Arpita Navlakha, brings together ageless design, construction and mood , creating a hybrid of cutting edge trend and timelessness which is the essence of Sutra.
7 ctw pink opal
1 ctw spinel
1 ctw diamond
18k rose gold
17.5 ctw pink opal
3.5 ctw spinel
7 ctw diamonds + rose cuts
18K white gold
Artist Jeff Koons Collaborates with Louis Vuitton
French fashion house has announced a collaboration with Jeff Koons which will launch on 28 April 2017.
The 51-piece collection of handbags and scarves are based on Koons' Gazing Ball paintings, a series of hand-painted reproductions of works by the old masters. Koons' paintings included a blue glass gazing ball 'floating' on a painted aluminum shelf attached to the front of each painting, so that the viewer could be brought into the painting itself.
The collections featured artworks include the Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Van Gogh's Wheat Field with Cypresses and Peter Paul Rubens' Tiger Hunt. Each bag has the original artists name in bold letters on the front. As usual, Louis Vuitton's monogram logo is included, but an additional logo is made up of Jeff Koons initials, plus a hanging tag of his highly recognizable inflatable rabbit sculpture.
"Pushing its know-how to new limits, Louis Vuitton has employed the most advanced techniques and craftsmanship to faithfully reproduce the artworks on the canvas of the bags," said the French fashion house.
"By re-presenting these celebrated pieces on Louis Vuitton bags, Koons once again invites viewers to consider these works anew, opening the museum to the world and encouraging us to experience the old masters in novel ways."
Now you can have your art and take it with you wherever you go!
New from Arnold & Son - the DBG Skeleton
Arnold & Son takes great pride in making sure that their movements are as exceptional as their exterior suggests, even if you cannot see them. In this piece, the DBG, which is an acronym for Double Balance GMT, the movement is now unveiled, so the wearer cannot enjoy its beauty, depth and fine finishing.
The GMT function is perfect for travelers, and for those who just love to know the time in another zone of the world.
Based on the original DBG that launched in 2012, the movement of the DBG Skeleton needed to be somewhat redesigned to allow for the dial to be removed and maintain its complete symmetry.
At this time, the watch is only available in a red gold case.
Turquoise Treats at Louboutin
A visit to Louboutin is always filled with delight and full shopping bags, and this visit is no different! Ready for spring and a change in the weather are some fabulous iridescent spikey peep toe pumps in cream and turquoise. Just what the doctor ordered to send those winter blues packing!
