Actress Charlize Theron must pay up after her 2006 breach of contract with big time endorser Raymond Weil.

A single hour of bad judgment could cost South African Actress Charlize Theron a whopping 20 Million Dollars. Theron wore a Christian Dior timepiece during a March 15th, 2006 press conference at the Texas Film Festival thereby breaking her endorsement contract with Raymond Weil which states that from the period October 2005 through December 2006 Theron could only be seen in public wearing Raymond Weil high-end luxury watches. Theron's wearing Dior was a big slap in the face for Raymond Weil luxury watch manufacturer who in 2005 was gushing about Theron stating that she was a "stunning and radiant woman who transcends any standard definition, and has evolved into a feminine myth, an icon" and "Like a descent watch she represents beauty ,style perfection and function..." After the Texas Film Festival press conference, many newspapers ran the heading " Charlize Theron wears Dior". in turn Raymond Weil, who had spent millions on a wide-scale add campaign with Theron saw no alternative but to sue.

Yesterday, the Oscar winning actress, learned that she will have to pay $20 million Dollars for "substantial damages." This came after a 32 page judgment which includes quite a few facts about the film stars existence. New York Judge Colleen McMahon ruled that Theron was guilty of blatantly and continuously ignoring the terms of the contract; however, most damaging was during the Texas Film Festival.


In the world of multi-million Dollar endorsements, a breach of an endorsement contract is not unheard of but this could very well be the most expensive.

Cartier spins watches leaves nothing to the imagination.

Cartier enthralls the world of Horology and Jewerly with its exceptional masterpieces. Cartier has been creating for Kings and Queens, Prince and Princesses, Actors and Actresses, Man and Wife for the last 160 years. Each piece is a fine web of artistry and talent, exciting the brain and pleasuring the mind.

Yes! It is true. I have a favorite within the House of Cartier. It is the Tank Crash Watch from the Cartier Libre Collection available in 18-karat white gold or yellow gold with diamonds, the suggestion of a double bezel is quite dizzying to the eye. My eyes do not know where to look when viewing this watch, it almost seems two watches had a fight with a bottle of crazy glue. This watch is full of mystery and intrigue.

Cartier's brief yet powerful connection to The Historic Hope Diamond.

In Washington DC, the Smithsonian museum of Natural History displays a vivacious blue Diamond set in a circle of white diamonds, hanging from a splendid diamond chain. Its history is long, and ,at times, quite mysterious as the diamond is said to be cursed. Cartier had this diamond for a short period, and yet this stone was the source of one of the first of Pierre Cartier's greatest transactions. Pierre Cartier had bought the stone from Salomon Habib in 1909. Mounting the stone in its stunning setting, Pierre Cartier lent it to one of his loyal customers for the weekend, the wealthy heiress of the Washington Post and a well-known American personality, Mrs Evalyn Walsh McLean. As Pierre Cartier hoped, she became quite attached to the diamond and made the purchase.

The legend has it that this intense steely blue diamond, triangular in shape and crudely cut, was mined from the Kollur mines near Golconda, India It was placed either on one of the eyes of an Indian idol or on its forehead. It was stolen by an Indian priest who was captured and tortured for the theft. In 1642, the 112 3/16 carat blue diamond was purchased by a French jeweler, Jean Baptiste Tavernier on one of his numerous trips to India. He sold the diamond to Louis XIV "the sun king" in 1668 for a small fortune. His son squandered the money and so Travernier ,once again, set out on one of his lengthy journeys, to find fortune. In Russia he was attacked by a pack of wild dogs and died. Was this the curse of the diamond?

In 1673 Louis XIV had Sieur Pitau, the court jeweler, re-cut the diamond to enhance its brilliance and reduced it size to 67 1/8 carats. Louis XIV officially named the stone "Blue Diamond of the Crown". He often wore it on a long ribbon around his neck. In 1791, Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette tried to flee France and the blue diamond was turned over to the government. In September 1792, during a week long looting of the crown jewels, the French blue was stolen.

The stone resurfaces in 1812, in the possession of a London diamond merchant, Daniel Eliason. Possibly acquired by King George IV of England but sold after his death in 1830 to pay for his enormous debts. In 1939 the diamond is in the possession of Henry Phillip Hope who after much family feuding the diamond was passed from his nephew to his nephews grandson Lord Francis Hope. The Hope Family fortune dwindled and he was forced to sell the diamond. A London dealer bought the stone and quickly sold it to Joseph Frankels and Sons of New York City. Needing cash, they sold it to Selim Habib who sold it to Pierre Cartier in 1909 who ,in 1910, showed the diamond to Evalyn Walsh McLean at Cartiers in Paris. She did not like the diamond setting. However, Cartier knows its customers and its settings. They reset the diamond in a ring of sparkling white diamonds and lent it to her for the weekend. She could not part with the diamond and wore it extravagantly until her death in 1947.
In 1949, Harry Winston Inc. bought the diamond from her Estate and on November 10th, 1958, Harry Winston Inc. donated the diamond to the Smithsonian Institution where it is a popular attraction.

Cartier's stunning setting sold the Hope Diamond with its package of mystery and intrigue. Cartier continues to create exquisite watch and jewelry creations, fusing gem and metal in unique works of art.

Ballon Bleu Collection by Cartier

Cartier's ballon bleu watch evokes a sense of liquidity. It is as if a tiny bubble has attached itself to the exterior of the watch minimizing the Roman Numeral III. Within the bubble a vibrant blue stone shimmers, within its protective case. Slightly mysterious, yet strangely powerful. The slight irregularity in the case creates a unique and beautiful timepiece.

The blue stone encased within the bubble of the crown is the blue cabochon, a signature marker for Cartier since the Pasha of Marrakesh, in the early 1930's ordered a watch from Louis Carter that he could take swimming with him. The Cabochon in the crown made the crown more water resistant. With this signature blue, the Pasha collection was created, making a Cartier watch clearly recognizable quite a distance away.

The addition of the bubble surrounding the blue Cabochon has become a highly sought after timepiece. Available in three sizes, this watch makes for an exquisite timepiece for men or women.

The Legend of Daniel Jean Richard

Jean Richard is a Luxury Watch Company baring the name of a legend. Daniel JeanRichard. He was born in 1665 in an emerald green valley of La Sagne in a place called "Les Bressels" (a product line Bressel is dedicated to his birth place).

In 1679 a horse dealer rode through town with a pocket watch which had ceased to work. He spotted a young boy of about 15 who was working on some filigreed iron wares. He stopped and watched the boy for a minute, intrigued by the boy's obvious talent. The man fingered his valuable pocket watch, thinking. He got off his horse and came towards Daniel JeanRichard. Their was something about the boy that made the man trust him, and he pulled his English pocket watch out of his baggage.

The boy stretched out his hand and the man placed the watch in the boy's eager hand. The boy had never before laid eyes on a watch. He slowly opened it mesmerized. In that instant as he held the watch, his fate was sealed and a legend was born.

"Can you repair this watch," the man asked.

The boy captivated by the watch did not answer. The man repeated his question and the boy nodded.
"I will return in a few weeks on my way back from Geneva. Do you think you can repair it by then?"
The boy who had never beheld a watch before replied, "Yes sir, I can."

Daniel JeanRichard gently placed the English pocket watch on his work bench. He had no tools to repair the watch, but he was not deterred. He studied the watch with intense concentration, memorizing every detail. He made a set of primitive tools and he repaired the watch.
While the winter snow piled high against the wall of the blacksmith's shop, Daniel JeanRichard built ,from memory, an exact replica of the English pocket watch, the first watch ever to be made in this region. Up until this day no one had achieved this remarkable feat of building a watch from memory.

Documentation is scant in terms of the exact details of the legend, and their are some conflicting reports in regard to Daniel JeanRichard's age at the time he held his first watch.

Until his death in 1741, Daniel JeanRichard invented machines and tools essential for watchmaking, as well as the basic principles of the apprenticeship of the watchmaking trade.

Computer Problems vs A Luxury Mechanical Watch

I have serious computer problems. Serious computer problems. In fact I have to buy an entirely new computer. In addition, I cannot get onto the Internet, the server, my directory, my Email. I cannot do my shopping, my banking. I cannot pay my bills or see to my "second life" I am completely cut-off and disorientated. I feel like I should do an abrupt about face and get on back into bed.

Wait a minute. This is a Luxury Watch Blog. (I am using my friends computer) and come to think of it (I am subjected to a lot of thinking since I have no computer to do the thinking for me), there is nothing more self-sufficient than a Mechanical Watch. A mechanical watch is a tiny island unto itself and aside from the occasional wind or swing of the arm, does not need the outside world. Once a Mechanical Watch is completed, it is complete. No need for additional upgrades or information. As long as the Mechanical Watch is maintained well, it can work forever whatever happens to the world around it. It is its own little perfect world that keeps up with the unrelenting, energetic passage of time. A Mechanical Watch is a wonderful symbiosis of meticulously crafted components that cannot be afflicted by a virus. It is Mechanical, utilizing age old methods of balances, springs, bridges, , pallets, wheels e.t.c.

Now I love my computer. I really really do, and it is seriously useful, but also vulnerable and disposable. Come to think of it like many possessions in our world today. A Mechanical watch is neither vulnerable nor disposable, it is one possession that remains an island unto itself. Once the Luxury Watch has accompanied on many a life's journeys; the watch transforms from a possession to a priceless possession. None of those cool new gadgets can hold a candle to a Luxury Watch. The Luxury Watch will keep on ticking while the cool new gadget is buried beneath safety pins, old bills and 39c stamps. Outdone and forgotten.

Invest in a Luxury Watch. It will be yours forever.

De Grisogono Be Eight Collections's eight rules of femininity

De grisogonoa founded by Fawaz Gruosi in 1993 has crafted some of the most exquisite watches. He has forged relationships with celebrities who have provided inspiration for new designs. He has patented his very own color - Browny Brown and had developed a shapely figure eight collection. The Be Eight Collection is voluptuously feminine. Each watch is a curvy figure eight designed with the womens body in mind: The round shoulders, slender waist and shapely hips.

This design is offered in sensual colors of pink gold, burnished pink gold, white gold or blackened white gold and glittering with varying amounts of gemstones. When Gruosi was designing this collection he implemented eight rules of femininity:

1. Adopt feminine curves. The watch case is undoubtedly feminine with its voluptuous silhouette.
2. Never leave home without a lucky charm. In the Chinese Culture Eight is a symbol of harmony and good luck. The case does resemble an eight.
3. Take pleasure in the small things. The ring beneath the upper half of the figure eight moves unexpectedly.
4. Dare to be different. This watch is indeed different and will attract a glance or two. Even the band of the watch is different, fashioned from genuine Madera calfskin straps.
5. Pay close attention to detail. If you look closely at the four hour-markers, you will notice that each marker is a figure eight themselves. The crown is affixed with de Grisogono coat of arms.
6. Keep it Simple. Simple is beautiful, and some women like it so. For the women who like things simple, the Be Eight collection is available with few or no stones.
7. Opt for color. Shimmering pink baguette cut sapphires and iridescent green emeralds are available as an alternative to the diamonds.
8. Never say no to a beautiful stone. The shapely Bezel of the Be Eight Collection is fitted with either diamonds, pink sapphires or white, black or brown diamonds.