Today, June 8 is World Oceans Day—designed to celebrate and protect our oceans and their sea creatures. Proposed in 1992, and officially recognized by the United Nations since 2008, World Oceans Day is celebrated by more than 200 countries, all geared toward raising awareness of ocean conservation, sustainability and preservation. The focus this year is on cleaning up plastic pollution and many global efforts will support beach cleanup. Additionally, certain watch brands agree that ocean conservation should be an every day occurrence, not just one day a year, and are taking steps in that direction.With water temperatures rising steadily for the past half a century, affecting currents and levels, and with the oceans becoming more acidic due to carbon dioxide levels, our oceans are taking a beating. The changing conditions have led some brands to try harder to save our oceans. Brands such as Oris, IWC, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Blancpain, Carl F. Bucherer and others are implementing programs that are helping to clean up our oceans, reforest coral, tag and study sharks, manta rays and other sea creatures, and so much more.

Scientific Exploration and Research

A host of watch brands go above and beyond when it comes to ocean life and several have started their own foundations, or have gotten deeply involved in scientific studies. Swiss watch brand Blancpain, for instance, is all about funding scientific expeditions to help expand the surface of marine-protected ocean areas, or to work with pioneering divers to help with research and other initiatives. In fact, Blancpain supports underwater scientist and photographer Laurent Ballesta, who has taken photos of some of the most unusual sea life imaginable. For the past few years he has focused on studying the bottom-dwelling sea creature known as the Coelacanth, or Gombessa. The nearly six-foot marine animal is considered the “transition” animal that connects back-boned fish to the earliest four-legged man. Three separate expeditions funded by Blancpain have helped to shed light on the creature. Like the other brands who create watches that honor the seas, Blancpain also creates special editions of its famed Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Ocean Commitment watches to benefit the cause.

Similarly, Rolex supports exploration via its Deepest Dive and polar water expeditions, among others. This brand has long been associated with pioneers, and, in fact, was the inventor of the first water resistant watch in 1927. One of its key partnerships today is with James Cameron, filmmaker-turned-explorer. Cameron directed Avatar and Titanic – where he became enthralled with the oceans. Rolex supports Cameron’s DeepSea Challenger submersible scientific explorations, and even equipped an outside camera with a Rolex watch. That camera went to different depths, taking samples of the ocean floor for further study.

Easily one of Rolex’s biggest initiatives is its partnership with National Geographic. Together the two organizations are working on an enhanced partnership to raise awareness of Earth’s challenges in conservation, with particular attention on the oceans, the poles and mountains. Rolex has also implemented the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, wherein the brand helps fund scientists and explorers around the world.

Partnering With Organizations

Essentially, many of the brands involved in ocean conservation typically partner with organizations, foundations and other facilities to work together. IWC Schaffhausen, the first Swiss watch brand to issue a sustainability report, has been partnering with the Charles Darwin Foundation since 2009 to help preserve the fragile eco-system of the Galapagos Islands. More than a hundred researchers and scientists work from Santa Cruz Island to protect the fauna and flora of the Galapagos. To benefit the cause, IWC also regularly creates new Aquatimer watches, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Foundation and Research Facility.  Additionally IWC has been a long-time supporter of Jacques Cousteau and the Cousteau Society, which is dedicated to protecting marine life. The organization works to protect against over fishing and poaching.

Similarly, Omega has worked side by side with GoodPlanet Foundation since 2011 to raise public awareness about sustainability of our oceans. The brand has created several timepieces in honor of GoodPlanet, with part of the proceeds from sales helping to fund projects. Here, again, the brand creates a Planet Ocean watch, with a portion of the proceeds of sales of these watches helping to fund different causes, including preserving the mangroves and seagrass in Southeast Asia.

Oris also gets involved in ocean conservation and reforestation. Among its other projects, the brand has partnered with the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) to support its efforts to grow and replant coral reefs. Essentially, CRF harvests small pieces of strong local coral and relocates it to the organization’s underwater nurseries. In those nurseries, which are usually about 20 feet deep, divers track the growth of the new coral and, when it is strong enough, replants it on coral reefs. Oris also sponsors the Clipperton Expedition, designed to clean up one of the world’s most polluted atolls. A portion of the sale of the sales of the Clipperton watches help raise funds for initiatives that protect our oceans.

The list goes on, as well, and continues to grow as more and more environmentally conscious watch brands make concerted efforts to protect our oceans and our Earth.

 

Throughout the past couple of weeks, a number of important watch auctions by Christie’s, Phillips and Sotheby’s have yielded stellar results, proving that buying the right watch today could lead to nice profits tomorrow. However, what the auction houses never really talk about are the lots that don’t sell, and those that don’t sell for as much as expected – and they do exist. Just because you pay full price for a watch today does not mean that it will resell at the same price you paid for it. Sometimes, just like a car, it simply depreciates.

Experts agree that watches traditionally hold their value better than most other investments even in an economic slump, and they estimate that the right watch purchased today can appreciate in value as much as 10-30% in ensuing years. Generally, it takes a few decades for a watch to accrue value, though. Today, the most valuable watches on the re-sale market are vintage pieces made prior to 1980. Still, there are a host of reasons why some watches hold their value when others do not. And don’t be fooled, it isn’t just the precious-metal watches that sustain value; many a fine steel watch has captured six-digit figures at re-sale. In addition to the common-sense reasons such as constantly fluctuating global economies and geopolitical influences, there are five key reasons why a watch may appreciate in value over time.

1. Rarity

Rare watches will generally command more money at re-sale. This fact is the result of simple supply and demand. If only 10 models of a particular watch are made today, for instance, then when that watch comes up for resale, and if it is a high-demand watch, discerning collectors will be ready to pounce.

Watches made in limited editions are also coveted because of their scarcity. Additionally, if they are scarce now, just think of how much harder they will be to find in decades to come. (After all, not everyone will be re-selling his or her beloved limited-edition watch in years to come.) Recently, a white gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, Ref. 6265 “Unicorn,” watch with black dial and a bark-finished white gold bracelet sold at auction by Phillips for $5.9 million because it was believed to the only one known of its kind.

While many of us don’t have the wallet for the haute horology one-of-a-kind pieces on the market, those will definitely hold value. Similarly, anniversary watches that celebrate a significant milestone the brand or the style’s history are also considered good choices.

2. Brands and Lines

There is no denying that certain brands have a particular cache and retain their value better than others. Most of those brands are the cream-of-the-crop luxury Swiss watch brands including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, A. Lange & Sohne, Richard Mille and Greubel Forsey. Moreover, certain lines or collections from these particular brands are more sought-after than others. For instance, a Patek Philippe Calatrava may command a higher price than some of the brand’s other lines. Similarly, the Daytona is the most sought-after collection from Rolex.

3. Genres

Typically in the world of watch collecting, certain genres of watches are particularly sought after; the most popular “sects” being pilot or aviation watches, diver watches, military watches and auto-related watches (such as the Rolex Datyona). Additionally, alarm watches and highly complicated watches that are produced in smaller numbers are highly coveted.

4. Dials and Aesthetics

While every collector will tell you to buy what you love, there is no way to gauge resale value or value retention of a piece bought just for looks. Sometimes collectors buy styles they like but with a theme (think: all blue dials, all diver watches, or all gold watches) and can resell later at a premium as a complete collection. Additionally, new watches with a dial color that the brand rarely uses, or with a new or unusual motif or material can appreciate in value faster than watches with the more common dial color. A. Lange & Sohne, for instance, frequently releases dials with a white dial, so an A. Lange & Sohne watch with a rare blue or gray dial will be more coveted.

5. Celebrity 

Certain watches are more valuable simply because of who owned them. Note: Unless you are truly the master of your destiny, you never know if you’re going to become famous one day, so this is not exactly an investment strategy– but it is worth noting that past owners will inflate a watch’s resale price tag.

For instance, Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona fetched $17.5 million last year at Phillips auction. That watch’s incredible value was due in large part to the fact that it belonged to and was worn by the famed Paul Newman, who made the “Paul Newman Daytona” reference famous. Similarly, an Omega watch once owned by Elvis Presley and featuring a dial co-branded with Tiffany & Co., sold for $1.8 million – making it the most expensive Omega watch sold at auction.

 

Time is the single constant in life. We all strive to track time, measure time, make the most of time, or, sometimes, to stop time. This may well be why clocks and watches play such a significant role in our lives. They are the devices by which we witness the seconds, minutes, hours and days move forward. Of course, let’s get something straight right up front: Nobody needs a watch. With clocks on our computers, dashboards, cell phones, and countless other devices, we can read the time in an instant. Additionally, the onslaught of smartwatches has led many a consumer to don a timepiece that is more of a connected device than a traditional watch. But don’t let those smartwatches fool you. They are not the death of the traditional watch, but instead, the catnip. Let me explain.

Interestingly enough, the Apple Watch, unveiled in April 2015, was not the advent of the smartwatch. In fact, the smartwatch had been invented in a primitive form nearly 20 years earlier. Quietly, certain technology companies and even watch brands were creating “smart” watches in the late 1990s. In fact, Seiko unveiled its Message Watch in 1997 as a sort of wrist computer, and, in the ensuing years, anyone visiting the annual Consumer Electronics Show could find an “intelligent” computer sort of watch being offered year after year that could show messages and display various information. Over the years, we witnessed brands such as Pebble and Martian make their debut. However, there was no fanfare surrounding these first few generations of smartwatches, and most watch pundits in the industry considered the smartwatch to be a minor player.

However, that was all about to change. In 2015 when Apple’s smartwatch hit the market, it did so with a boom. Big announcements were made globally, and the anticipation by Apple followers and techies had mounted to the point that there were tens of thousands of people around the world standing on waiting lines.

The traditional watch industry could not deny that a new wave of technology was crashing in on their territory. At first, there was a quiet panic among traditional watch brands. Could the new generation of connected watches – those that teamed with sophisticated platforms such as Intel and Google – be their downfall? Having struggled with (and nearly been defeated by) the evolution of quartz technology decades earlier, some watch brands opted to embrace the smart concept. They would not resist smartwatch technology only to be left in the dust by the rest of the industry again.

As such, some watch brands, including big names such as Louis Vuitton, Breitling, Montblanc, Movado, Guess, Fossil, and others have – in the past few years – unveiled their own connected watches, and certain brands such as TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Frederique Constant, have released hybrids that feature real dials but with connected capabilities via alternative dials, or that have modular construction and can later be converted to a traditional watch.

However, not one of the traditional watch brands embracing the smartwatch concept has ever abandoned production of the traditional watch. That may be because once the initial panic and knee-jerk reaction to the massive influence of the Apple Watch subsided, a new reality took hold. These watches are not a threat to the survival of the luxury watch industry. Instead, they are a channel for growth.

While the smartwatch has definitely reached outside of the tech world and onto the wrists of many consumers whom the watch world once thought would never be interested, it simply cannot obliterate the traditional watch. In fact, once the consumers who embrace the smart watch – those with active lifestyles, techies, and others – have been wearing one for a while, they will most likely become hooked on the idea of looking to the wrist for information – including time indication. Discerning smartwatch wearers will become bored with the limitations (chargers, battery life, etc.) of the watch, and maybe even with the singular look of a smartwatch. They will eventually aspire to own traditional watches that convey their narrative and message more precisely. Smartwatch wearers will become traditional watch collectors.

Five Reasons Why the Smart Phone Won’t Obliterate Watch Collecting

In addition to the traditional watch world gaining a new clientele of smartwatch wearers, it just isn’t feasible to think that smartwatches could decimate the art of traditional watch collecting. Here are five reasons why traditional watch collecting will live on ad infinitum.

1. Traditional watches have their own raison d‘être.

The point of a traditional watch is to tell time in a manner that is consistent with one’s own personal narrative. While smartwatches are fairly singular in design, require charging and have very limited battery life, a traditional watch faces none of those obstacles. Sure, a quartz watch may need a small battery replacement in five years or so, but there is nothing in a traditional watch that tethers someone to an outlet. In fact, traditional timepieces are quite the opposite. Their entire reason for being — to display the time – enables great innovation in terms of design. Watch brands eager to display time in new and different ways have turned to three-dimensional architecture, various creative case shapes or dial looks, and unusual materials or even noble materials to tell their story. Because many aspects of life often inspire traditional watch designs, there are so many choices of genres on the market, from aviation watches to artistic watches, chronographs and more. I highly doubt that the sophisticated, meticulous character of James Bond would select anything other than a mechanical watch (in fact, Omega has been the watch of choice for James Bond movies for years) to accessorize his dapper attire. Even Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) wears a traditional Urwerk mechanical watch in his most recent films, most likely because the most reliable “gadgets” are mechanical.

2. Watch collecting is an art.

While watches enable you to tell your own story in terms of colors, materials, design appeal and more, collecting watches also helps you create a complete story about yourself. Today, collecting watches has become a true art, an expression of who you are and what you like. Today’s collector typically buys at least one watch a year, sometimes many more, depending on the price of the watch and annual income. This may be because there is something very special about the act of watch collecting: from going into stores to try on watches, to educating yourself on line about vintage and pre-owed pieces, following the auctions and shopping on line. There is personal gratification in comparing the virtues of a watch, its design, its function and prices, whether or not it will hold the value and more that makes the process of collecting more interesting. Believe me, when it comes to watch collecting, there is a watch out there for every wallet size, including million-dollar watches for those with a wallet the size of a house.

3. Traditional watches offer form and function via mechanics. 

Inside a traditional mechanical watch are hundreds of tiny parts that work together via teeth and gears and wheels in a fascinating way to track time perfectly. What’s more, many of today’s watches offer a variety of incredibly useful functions (ok, not Instant Messaging, but then you have a Smart Phone for that) thanks to advanced mechanics and technology. You can opt for a watch with a moon phase display that is accurate for 122 years or more, or for a watch with a perpetual calendar, multiple time zones, and even the ability to calculate speed or distance. Today’s dive watches can go to incredible depths that no smartwatch could fathom, and pilot watches fight magnetism and its effects on accuracy with ease.

4. Traditional watches offer unparalleled craftsmanship. 

Easily one of the main reasons watches have enjoyed collector status for centuries is craftsmanship. Sometimes, it is difficult to believe that an item slightly larger than an inch in diameter can hold hundreds of parts that work together like a carefully orchestrated dance of precision. Each watch has its own meticulously finished parts, often visible via an aperture on the dial or a transparent case back, lending an air of marvel to the piece. Just knowing that somewhere a single master craftsman toiled for hours hand polishing components and hand assembling a movement is enough to really appreciate the passion that goes into each watch made. Watch collectors understand and value that craftsmanship.

5. Traditional watches can be traded in, traded up or kept as heirlooms.

One of the main reasons that auctions and re-sales of second-hand watches are so strong is because watches are works of art that have a physical– and sometimes an emotional — value. It is not unusual for a parent or grandparent to pass down a watch to the next generation. Watches track time; therefore, they hold a history from the moment they make their first tick. They are often purchases that celebrate or symbolize a special event, an important moment — one that is worth holding on to and passing down to the next generation. Additionally, a traditional watch can be traded in and re-sold as a gently loved watch, so that the owner can trade up to the next level or to a different type of statement. While smartwatches may be sold on the second-hand market, they are less likely to continue to hold value because their technology becomes obsolete.  Certainly, a quartz or mechanical watch never becomes obsolete, nor does building a watch collection. Simply stated, the smartwatch will never obliterate the traditional watch or watch collecting.

 

Gold. Just the word conjures up great images of shimmering rings or earrings and magnificent necklaces or bracelets. Gold jewelry dates back thousands of years – to the B.C. era, when Pharaohs and other royalty of ancient civilizations bedecked themselves with this precious metal. While styles of have changed, gold is still the precious metal of choice for today’s fashion-forward ladies. In fact, gold is so beloved in the jewelry world that the World Gold Council has designated May as Gold Month to further celebrate this noble metal and its fashioning into wearable works of art. Today, top designers and jewelry brands carefully craft gold jewelry into alluring statements that are effortless to wear. Here we bring six gold jewelry trends that are not only everlasting, but also timeless and make wearing gold jewelry effortless.

Mixing Colors

Gold, in its naturally occurring state, is generally yellow in color. However, centuries ago, metal smiths learned how to mix gold with other alloys in order to achieve a stronger gold or a special hue. Rose or pink gold, for instance, is gold mixed with copper. Softer hued pink gold jewelry is often referred to as 3N or 4N, while the dark deeper rose colors are usually 5N rose gold – referring to the amount of copper in the mixture. White gold is created using nickel, and a host of designers have even developed their own colors of gold ranging from honey to gray, green, brown and even red.

Decades ago, a well-dressed woman didn’t mix the colors of gold she wore. If she donned a yellow necklace, yellow was the color. Today, however, mixing different colors of gold is acceptable. While rose gold is currently the preferred gold color, one need not worry about wearing a pink gold necklace and a yellow gold ring. In fact, currently coming back into vogue by many of the big brands, including Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier, is a mixing of bi- and tri-color metals in rings, bracelets, and necklaces. From coil bracelets to interwoven chokers, this concept of multi-colors makes the mixing of any colors of gold absolutely effortless.

Pairing Finishes

From matte to hand-blasted, hand-hammered, or high-polished finishes, the diversity in appearance of gold jewelry brings depth to a gold-toned jewelry ensemble. Most finishes other than polished and matte are done by hand and are delicate processes. Hand-hammering, for instance, requires a goldsmith to hammer the individual pieces of gold one by one before assembling the final necklace, earrings or bracelet. The same is true when designers individually etch finishes into their gold to add dimension and texture. Here again, it is okay to mix finishes. One can pair a hand-hammered necklace, for instance, easily with a high-polished ring or bracelet.

Going Round

While gold chains will never go out of style, they can take a backseat to softer, less linear shapes, and round is definitely timelessly easy to wear. Hoop earrings in all sizes and shapes, especially in rose gold, are a staple item in any wardrobe and will never go out of fashion. Similarly, grabbing a choker made of round links or dangling earrings made of round gold orbs in graduated sizes from the lobe to the bottom will make you look and feel right in style. Today and always. Round shapes symbolize eternity. The circle is universally recognized as representing a whole, infinity, and perfection. For this reason, bangle bracelets offer a sense of totality – and can be worn with casual ease, as well as on special occasions.

Because of the versatility of the round shape, many of today’s top brands and designers continue to re-interpret the circle – bringing different finishes, sizes and looks together in one piece. A mix of circles creates a sense of harmony or balance. Additionally, curved jewelry and spiral shapes are an extension of the circle and translate nicely into cuff bracelets or dangle earrings. It is not unusual, either, to see round shapes mixed with other geometric details for a final piece that has a truly artistic feel.

Geometric Diversity

Similarly, other geometric shapes have their own statements to make. Square, rectangular, octagon and other shapes are sometimes intermingled with the beloved circle for a well-rounded (pardon the pun) appeal. However, more often than not, designers and brands easily juxtapose different hard-edged shapes to create a sense of liveliness and exuberance. Juxtaposing different shapes in a piece of jewelry can endow it with a sense of power so that it exudes a strong personality and makes a special statement about its wearer. Chopard’s Ice Cube jewelry – an iconic collection that has withstood the test of time – is a grand example of geometric beauty. Don’t be fooled, though. Geometric shapes are not just squares, rectangles and triangles. Today’s designers are adept at reinterpreting the cross, stars, and even other multi-sided shapes.

Nature Inspired

Easily one of the most important gold jewelry trends on the market today harkens back to nature. Only in nature is beauty individually and uniquely expressed, and so many designers use nature as their muse. For some, flowers, vines, leaves and twigs are the inspiration; while for others, the creatures that roam the Earth, seas, and air are the stimulus for innovation.

Because gold is so malleable, designers are able to achieve sculptural beauty and almost surreal likenesses that emulate nature with a sensual appeal. Easily one of the most heart-grabbing iconic jewelry collections comes in the form of Cartier’s Panthere. The brand’s incredible renditions of the wild cat in motion, or sitting patiently or mysteriously on a ring, a brooch or a necklace have captured hearts around the world. The same is true with so many floral jewelry designs whose free-flowing asymmetrical nature offers a glorious respite from the fast-paced world and reminds us with every glance that life offers inexhaustible inspiration.

Gold and Stones

Adding diamonds and gemstones to gold is a natural extension of the art of creating and wearing jewelry. From a sprinkling of color to a shimmer of diamonds or a full-on display of gemstones or diamonds – color and sparkle work beautifully and easily transition from day to night.

Whether your style is a choker or a long necklace, a cuff a bangle or a link bracelet – gold is the most wearable metal on Earth. Whether you select long earrings that sway with every move you make, or button earrings that draw someone’s attention to your cheekbones, wearing gold should not be complicated.

As sad as it is to those of us who’ve spent years in the world of gems and jewelry, the days of extensive jewelry collections owned by the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly are relatively long gone, replaced now by celebrities who borrow or are paid to wear pieces on red carpets, at awards shows, and at movie premieres, which makes it tough to know which pieces are owned and which are loaned.

Thankfully, there are still some celebrities out there who love wearing jewels in their everyday lives, and not just when they’re working, on stage, or in front of paparazzi (although, when are they not in front of paparazzi?). So today, I’m taking a look at some of the most blinged-out celebs who seemingly love to adorn themselves with precious metals and precious gemstones, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Rihanna

We have seen superstar singer and actress Rihanna walk the red carpet of various events wearing extraordinary jewelry by everyone from Chopard (whom she collaborated on a collection with in 2017) to Cartier, and various high jewelry houses in-between. But Ri-Ri spreads her jewelry love around when it comes to her everyday pieces and casual looks including designs by Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche. Aiche, who is also a favorite jewelry designer among celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Kylie Jenner, is known for sexy pieces including her recognizable body chains.

Beyoncé

There is no denying that Queen Bey reigns supreme. Her red carpet looks often sway the way of designs by New York-based Lorraine Schwartz, who has adorned the megastar for years and even created Beyonce’s engagement ring, giving jewelry writers like me something to talk about, thankfully. But Bey has also been seen sporting accessories by Harlem-based jewelry house Third Crown, designer Lynn Ban, Chanel (one of her favorites), Philly brand Dylanlex, and many others. Which of these looks are owned and which are loaned are not always known (Woo! I totally just did a sick rhyme! Jay-Z, call me) but at this point, we don’t really care, do we?

Cher

I’m starting to get the feeling that celebrities going by one name really like their jewelry. From the time she was younger, Cher always had some of the best jewelry looks in LA-LA-land. From big earrings to layered turquoise necklaces, Cher’s looks – both in fashion and in accessories – were ahead of her time, and they still stand strong today. With famous friends like Los Angeles jewelry designer Loree Rodkin by her side, Cher still manages to wow her adoring fans and jewelry lovers alike when she steps brightly out into the sun or thrills us with another world tour.

Michelle Obama

Oh, how we love it when Michelle Obama wears amazing jewels! From long, substantial earrings to stunning statement necklaces, one of America’s favorite and fashionable first ladies rarely let us down in the jewelry department. Mrs. Obama has been seen sporting pieces by Kimberly McDonald, Loree Rodkin (she’s just like Cher!), Pieter Louis Erasmus, Le Vian, and Jennifer Fisher, and every piece chosen has perfectly accessorized her ensemble. While Mrs. Obama brought so much more to the table than her fashion sense, the jewelry lovers of the world let out a sigh of relief when she first stepped into to the adornment spotlight.

Pharrell Williams

Real men wear jewels, too, and Pharrell Williams is the “jewels for men” poster child. Kudos to this man for making it cool for dudes to wear pearls and nearly single-handedly bringing back the pinky ring. Pharrell has been spotted on sidewalks and catwalks sporting everything from layered gold and gemstone bracelets to multiple rings to earrings, as well as both high-end Swiss timepieces and a simple Apple watch. Some of his favorite jewelry designers include Jacob & Co., Lorraine Schwartz, Chanel (because, honestly, who doesn’t love Chanel?), and Bulgari. We are so grateful that Pharrell and his style and talent walks among us and can’t wait to see what he does in the future.

Runners up on this list would have to include the likes of Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Aniston, and Meryl Streep–who, from what I understand, does actually own a lot of the jewelry she wears both on and off the red carpet. I mean, you would think that with the money these celebrities make they could buy anything they wanted, but with so many brands willing to pay to have their name on celebrity ambassadors, that isn’t often the case anymore.

Needless to say, even with all of the gorgeous jewelry we get to see on celebs these days, we still sure do miss Princess Grace and Liz Taylor.

This past Friday and Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky, nearly 160,000 people – including me — converged on Churchill Downs racetrack for the 144^th running of the Kentucky Derby — where Longines was on board once again as the Official Timekeeper. With a Longines clock stationed at the finish line nearby the race clock, and in the sloppiest rainy weather conditions, a very muddy 3-year-old colt named Justify raced to the finish of the Run for the Roses – taking the near $2 million purse. According to the Longines timing clock, 52-year-old jockey Mike Smith rode Justice around the 1-1/4-mile track in 2 minutes and 4 and 1/5^th seconds.

The entire weekend was a huge festival of fun, fashion and feverish betting (approximately $200 million was bet this weekend at Churchill Downs). Even the relentless rain on Sunday – the actual derby day – couldn’t keep people away. Gift shops sold tens of thousands of plastic raincoats, food stands sold hundreds of thousands of hot dogs and barbeque ribs, wings and more, and visitors sat on water-drenched bleachers or on wet grass and even mud out in the infield – all to witness the “fastest two minutes in sports.”

Of course, there is also a truly elegant side to the Kentucky Derby, where women don big, beautiful hats, men dress to the nines and celebrities galore walk the red carpet. In addition to “Millionaires Row” where the owners sit, Churchill Downs has built impressive structures on the property that house suite after luxury suite for viewers to watch the race in style. There is even a six-level “Mansion” trackside, with each level boasting its own incredible atmosphere.

Over the weekend, Longines made one level of the mansion “home” and invited a few select journalists (myself included) to indulge in the weekend’s festivities. With multiple roles over the weekend, Longines was the Official Timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby and of the Kentucky Oaks race held on Friday, as well as the Official Watch of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks race. The brand is also the title sponsor of the fashion show held on Friday, as well, as it reinforces its philosophy “Elegance is an attitude.”

I must admit that I was smitten by the elegance and excitement of the Derby. Each day I was decked out in cocktail attire and big-brimmed hats or fascinators. I imbibed in the official drink of the derby, helped contribute to the $200 million plunked down on the ponies, and got up close to the valuable trophy and generally had a blast with Longines. I believe that everybody should attend a Kentucky Derby– always held the first Saturday of May and never yet canceled for inclement weather – at least once in their lifetime.

Here, in addition to all of the above information, are 10 fun facts about Longines and the Kentucky Derby so that you can convince your friends that should all attend next year’s Derby.

1. The Kentucky Derby is referred to as “The fastest two minutes in sports,” or “the most exciting two minutes in sports” for obvious reasons.

2, It is also lovingly called “The Run for the Roses” because of the huge blanket of roses given to the winner. It is made using more than 400 roses and weighs about 40 pounds.

3. The Derby is the longest continually running sporting event in America. Started in 1875, it also commands the largest audience of any other sporting event in America, including the Super Bowl.

4. The official drink of the Kentucky Derby is the mint julep, which costs about $11 at Churchill Downs and more than 100,000 are sold during the weekend. There is also a very exclusive limited edition of the cocktail made by Woodford Reserve costs $1,000.

5. The Kentucky Derby Trophy is 22 inches tall and is made of solid 14-karat gold. It takes 2,000 hours to make and consists of 29 parts, including an 18-karat gold jockey on a horse at the top. The base is jade. It is estimated to be valued at $200,000.

6. Longines has been the official timekeeper and the official watch of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for seven years, since 2011.

7. There are 5 single-faced Longines clocks and 1 triple-faced clock on the ground level of Churchill Downs. There are another 5 Longines clocks in premium dining areas.

8. There is one main Longines chronometer that actually times each race and does not display the actual time of day.

9. The Official Watch of the Kentucky Derby this year is the Longines Conquest V.H.P. (very high precision) with a blue dial and red accents. The 43mm men’s version is crafted in steel and retails for $1,050. The owners, the trainers and the jockey of the winning horse all receive a Longines Conquest V.H.P. quartz watch. Longines has one of the longest histories in quartz technology, dating back to 1954, when it developed a quartz clock that set precision records at the Neuchatel Observatory.

10. Longines has been inspired by and active in the equestrian world since it created a chronograph pocket watch engraved with a horse and jockey in 1878 that quickly became a coveted watch amongst horse lovers and jockeys.

 

Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day, a day designed to celebrate Earth’s riches. Begun in 1970, nearly 200 countries around the world participate in celebrating Earth Day. The thing is, we should be celebrating Earth’s beauty and bounties every day, not just on Earth Day. Some watch brands do exactly that. In fact, a host of brands including IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, A. Lange & Sohne and more are building sustainable facilities or adding conservation efforts to their repertoire in their efforts to go green.

While some brands support important causes that include saving our oceans (more on that coming in time for World Oceans Day in June) to reforestation, animal preservation, clean water efforts and other visible initiatives, some brands offer less visible efforts. Those initiatives run the gamut from responsible sourcing to utilizing alternate materials and creating sustainable workplaces – all commitments that the average consumer may never even hear about.

Creating ‘Clean” Workspace

A key element in sustainability revolves around manufacturing processes and creating clean, environmentally sound work places. Many of the watch brands updating and refurbishing their Manufactures and workspaces, particularly those in Switzerland, are engaging in important environmental practices that include air and water re-purification systems, geo-thermal heating systems, solar windows and power, and more — all in an effort to protect our Earth.

Most brands are making a concerted effort to adhere to the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) Code of Practices and to receive either re-certification or newly issued certification attesting to their commitment to  the promotion of ethics, human and social rights and environmental practices.

Watch Group Efforts

LVMH:

Additionally, large jewelry and watch groups have developed their own internal programs. LVMH (which owns TAG Heuer, Hublot, Bulgari, Zenith, and more), for instance, established its LIFE program to encourage its brands to become more environmentally aware and active. LVMH is a member of the Business for Social Responsibility Network, and is committed to sustainable practices within its many factories and new constructions.

Richemont Group:

Richemont Group, owners of brands such as Cartier, IWC, Panerai, Montblanc and many more, also has insisted that its brands make concerted efforts to go carbon free and follow RJR Codes. Many of the Group’s brands are making great strides in creating environmentally sound facilities.

IWC Sustainability Goals

IWC Schaffhausen, based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, for instance, just issued its first sustainability report regarding its use of “best-practice” standards according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In addition to current efforts, the brand has set sustainability targets for 2020 that underscore its commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It should be noted that this brand has had essential sustainability and energy-effective practices in effect for some time now. Some of those efforts include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent, reducing volume and weight of primary packaging by 30 percent, and more.

A. Lange  & Sohne Carbon-Free Commitment

Sister brand A. Lange & Sohne, based in the Saxony region of Germany (both brands are owned by the Richemont Group), also has a host of important practices in place in its ongoing refurbishing of its facilities. In fact, the building of a new complex that began in 2012 represents cutting-edge green efforts. The two-building structure boasts 253 inclined atelier windows to assure proper lighting, and there is an impressive geothermal energy system in place to ensure climate control, air control and more. This represents Saxony’s largest geothermal effort, with 55 heat exchanges that keep the indoor climate regulated year round. Its operation also ensures a   carbon free environment.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Preservation Efforts

While more and more brands are looking for energy efficiency, and reduction of a carbon footprint, some are also helping the local environment. Jaeger-LeCoultre, for instance, integrates a bee-keeping operation in its natural environs in the Vallee de Joux, Switzerland. The Manufacture — which has  implemented a host of clean initiatives over the past decade — produces honey on-site, with a beekeeper overseeing ten hives on Manufacture property. Bees are a vital part of the healthy environment in this valley, as they transport pollen from flowers and contribute to the reproduction of plant species. In fact, several other brands in the cantons of Geneva and the outlying valleys are beginning to establish hives and other initiatives to help the bees flourish in their natural environment.

Certain privately owned watch brands, including Audemars Piguet and Rolex, have foundations that look explore and help with environmental causes, even offering awards and grants to those pursuing conservation efforts. Throughout the year, we will bring more green initiatives on the part of watch and jewelry brands to the forefront.

 

 

 

There are just some jewelry collections that are tremendously recognizable no matter how long they’ve been around. Tiffany & Co. knows this all too well, which is why so many of their collections still stand strong and sell in their stores and online to this day. But there are many popular, big-named jewelry houses that make beautiful (albeit, lesser known) pieces besides the collections that go mainstream. Here are my favorite under0celebrated collections from four of the most recognizable names in jewelry.

Chopard La Strada

Known for their responsible jewelry practices and ethically-sourced diamonds and gemstones, Chopard is probably most recognized for their Happy Diamonds series, which spans the realms of both jewelry and watches. And while pieces in the collection can range from surprisingly affordable to a “HOLY SMOKES!” price tag, there are indeed other amazing collections that Chopard offers that don’t get nearly the attention they deserve. One of my favorite collections by the Maison is called La Strada.

Named after a 1954 Federico Fellini film (meaning, “The Road”), La Strada is a collection that pays homage to literal and figurative curves: curves of a woman, curves in the road, and curves of life. The collection consists of beautifully feminine lines and smooth, soft designs that flow while intermixing with the diamonds Chopard is known for.

Bulgari Parentisi Collection

The iconic Italian luxury brand has become nearly synonymous with the jewelry and watch collection that has made it the most popular in terms of mainstream availability and recognition: Serpenti. Originally created in the 1940s as a watch, the collection has not only stood the test of time (which is fitting considering the reputation and mythological connection to the serpent), but the brand and its designers have found ways to reinvent the collection while still staying true to its design roots.

However, a collection that is not as popular but still beloved (or at least, should be, in my opinion) is the Bulgari Parentisi. Deriving from the word, “parenthesis”, the Parentisi collection of jewelry for both men and women fittingly represents the perfectly patterned stones aligning Rome’s ancient paved roads and uses precious metals and diamonds to accentuate the geometric beauty of its design.

David Yurman’s Starburst Collection
I’m not sure if I know many women who don’t own at least one piece of jewelry by designer David Yurman, and in most cases, it’s a piece from David Yurman’s popular signature Cable collection. The simple, elegant bracelets that made him a name in the jewelry world are still as sought after today as they were when David first introduced them.

A slightly lesser known collection by David Yurman that actually stems from and still incorporates his Cable collection is called Starburst. Taking its inspiration from fireworks in the Paris sky, the Starburst collection is available in either sterling silver or in 18K gold and can be accented with diamonds, colored gemstones, or both.

 

Amulette de Cartier
Cartier is one of the rare maisons that have several collections which are staples and can be easily associated with the brand upon first glance. I’d argue the Cartier Love collection is the brand’s most iconic to date. Cartier managed to take a concept so simple with their Love collection and turn it into a “must-have” piece of jewelry for both celebrity customers and mere mortals like you and me. But, Cartier makes a handful of other simplistically-designed collections that, including one that I feel has really flown under the radar.

The Amulette de Cartier collection is “everyday wearable” and combines a center diamond which is bezel-set in high-karat gold with surrounding semi-precious colored gemstones like lapis, carnelian, or onyx. It’s a classic design that can be worn day or night and, at the end of the day, it’s Cartier, so, you know it’s going to well-made and get noticed.

Main image courtesy of Katerina Perez