Vacheron Constantin encapsulates history.

Vacheron Constantin has yet again incorporated history in four exquisitely finished watches. Vacheron Constantin Les Masques Collection 2008. A company that is two and a half centuries old has a strong link to the past and an even stronger presence in the future. Vacheron Constantin has fused the past with the presents ,and taking into account Vacheron Constantin superior quality, these watches will last deep into future. Juan-Carlos Torres CEO of Vacheron Constantin said, " We have an obligation to encourage centuries-old arts, evolving them into timeless masterpieces for future generations." All Vacheron Constantin's watches have the Hallmark of Geneva which the ultimate recognition of craftsmanship excellence.

These watches are the next in a series called "Les Masques" timepieces which are part of Vacheron's Metiers d'Art watch collection. Three sets of four watches are being released, one set per year. The first set ,released in 2007, (see the video at the end of the blog) was inspired by ancient masks from China, Alaska, Congo and Indonesia. The miniature masks are exact scaled down replica's of the original masks. This remarkable achievement was done by scanning the originals thereby getting a three dimensional image. The dimensions of the image were reduced and master engravers used the prototypes to meticulously carve the tiny replicas. In 2008 Vacheron drew inspiration, for its second set, from masks from Mexico, Japan, Gabon, and Papua New Guinea. These four masks are based on artwork found in the Barbier-Mueller Collection-a collection of over 7000 artifacts from civilizations spanning time and the globe. The entire collection of three sets of four will contain masks from the continents of Asia, Africa, the America's, and Oceania.

Each watch in the set is crafted from different colored metals - yellow gold, white gold, pink gold and platinum. The masks are resting on sapphire crystal. Each watch is engraved with a poem by a French writer Michel Butor. This years models were so intricately designed that even the surface texture of the ancient mask material was taken into account. The rough clay texture of the Mexican mask was reproduced.

• The Japan Mask (1st mask) is based on the Budha's mask stemming from the second half of the 19th century. The original artifact was crafted from lacquered wood decorated with gold and blue pigments. The watch continues color theme and the watch case is gold and the dial is blue.
  

• The Gabon Mask (2nd mask) is a Pipibudze mask made by the Kwele people inhabitants of the equatorial rain forest. This mask symbolized a spirit who came from the realm of dead to help the living. This spirited watch has a white gold case.
  

• The Mexican mask (3rd watch) was based on a piece of a mask-shaped censor, believed to be part of a decorated chimney, from the Mayan civilization dating back to 550-950 AD. The watch case is pink gold.
• The Papua New Guinea Mask (4th watch) which was made from wood, pigments and shells. The watch case is platinum and the striking red mask is set in a gray dial.
  

A Creepy Corum Tale! Not for the faint hearted! Happy Halloween!

That awful clock in grandma's bedroom struck 12. It woke me. Grandma had passed on and papa had sold the clock. Or had he? The clock sounded on and on, louder and louder in grandma's bedroom. I got out of bed, shivering as the cold air brushed my skin. Papa was gone too. He had passed on and now it was just me and the house and the clocks. I walked towards my locked bedroom door, bent a little for I had carried the weight of life on my back for many years.

I felt in the deep pocket of my robe, and pulled out a big brass key. I couldn't see the key in the black midnight darkness, for if I had I probably would have stayed in bed till Halloween had passed. The key was glowing a devilish red. I unlocked the door and stepped into the hall. Grandma's room was across the long drafty hallway. The hallway was silent. Deathly silent. All the clocks lining the hallway had stopped. Suddenly I heard a faint scuttling sound and I had a sudden and immediate urge to head back to bed. Grandma's room was coming to life. I could feel it in the marrow of my old bones.

I had not been in Grandma's room since I was a young boy. I slid the key into Grandma's lock. The key was pulsating a blood red. I could see it now but all sense of reason had left. The key scraped against the lock like the rustling of skeleton bones, and the wind howled. Oh how it howled.

The door flung open with tremendous force splintering its wooden frame. I hit my head against the wall and blacked out. I was forced awake by a bony finger poking at my cheek. I opened my eyes, the bone white skull of a pirate floated just above my head and its hand ,which hovered by its side, clutched the lapel of my robe. The other hand held a glinting sword.

"Come in!" It said. "We have been waiting for you for years and years"
It beckoned to me and as its hand swept through the air dust floated to the ground. My mouth became dry. My heart raced and my legs grew limp.
"Hurry! We want to show you Grandma's collection before its too late"

I placed my hand on the disintegrating wallpaper and I willed my legs into a standing position.

I felt the bony finger poke at my spine. I shivered and entered the smothering darkness of a room unseen in decades. The clock chimed once. A deafening roar. Suddenly a fire flared in the fireplace and a skull roared to life. It tipped its hat and gnashed its teeth. The room became unbearably hot and I feared for my life.
A voice thundered at my back "Leave my place" and the fire vanished leaving a faint green light. A skull in a red Gangster hat floated within view and placed its ringed gnarled fingers around my neck. The skull floated directly in front of my head so that my old pitted nose was nearly touching its nasal cavity. Two cold red fires blazed in each eye socket. I trembled with fear.
"Get out of Grandma's room. Get out. The collection is mine all mine!"
Grandma's clock chimed. It chimed like Grandma's laugh.
Black dots began to mingle with the green choking mist. The deadly hands were squeezing my neck. I spotted something huge and orange swerve in front of me. The bony hands fell away. My neck was free. I bent down wheezing and coughing, swallowing bitter air. I heard a clatter and I looked up. The skull was laying on the floor, its red gangster hat under a dusty stool. Something told me to look up and I did. A huge pumpkin floated above my head. Carved in its thick skin were the numbers 3,6,9,12.

The giant pumpkin descended and gently rolled along the floor, stopping at my bare feet.
" Grandma wishes you Happy Halloween!" it said.
The clock chimed and ....

The sun caressed my face and I woke up. I opened my eyes and stared at Grandma's ceiling. Dust covered cobwebs lazily hung about. I sat up and looked at Grandma's empty dusty room. The frame of a four poster bed leaned against the wall. The only other piece of furniture was an old rickety stool beside the fireplace. Papa was right, he had sold Grandma's stuff.

"There is nothing here!" I said aloud. "It was a silly dream" Except something glinted in the dust. It was a watch with a skull and a red pirates kerchief. I stood up and spotted another watch among the ashes of Grandma's fire place. It was a Corum Bubble XL Corum Samedi. Another watch lay under the stool: A Corum Bubble XL Gangster and beside it sparkling in the mid morning sun was the bright orange Corum Bubble XL. Grandma had left me her collection.

I looked around for Grandma's awful clock but it was no where to be found. I turned to leave Grandma's empty room. The door was still open, leaning oddly against its shattered frame. The key was in the lock. I took the key and then it hit me. My key was an exact image of the Corum key. I shuddered and left the room.

Happy Halloween and Grandma says enjoy the Collection!

Story taken from the depths of my unconscious.

A R.Van Halem original.

The Cartier Tank Luxury Watch Collections

It is awe-inspiring the beauty and design Louis Cartier perceived in a vehicle of War. In 1917 Louis Cartier drew inspiration from the shape and form of the WW1 Renault Tank fighting a brave war on the Western Front and designed the Tank Watch.

The Tank Watch is an icon to the age of modernization where men gave up their stuffy pocket watches for the sleek design of the Tank Watch. Cartier Tank Watches have sleek proportional lines like those on the Renault Tank. Depending on the collections the watch faces are square or rectangle. A tank has blue, sword-shaped hands with silvered opaline guilloche dials. The winding crowns on tanks ,like many Cartier watches are topped with sapphire cabochons. The Tank's Roman Numerals are bold and distinct.

Cartier has released over 250 variations of the Tank over the past 90 years. An earlier model being the Tank Chinoise Watch, 1922 Art Deco inspired square watch with symmetrical cross bars. The Tank Francaise (above) is a newer 1996 version of the Tank fitted with a metal or gold bracelet which looks remarkably like the caterpillar treads of the Renault Tank.

Another exquisite tank masterpiece is the Tank Americaine. Its elongated dial and slim bracelet is perfection in balance and shape.

The Tank is exceedingly popular and has become a mark of refined elegance.

Blancpain's Luxury Watch Absolutely Dripping with Diamonds

480 Baguette diamonds totalling 58 carats. Feast your eyes on this sparkling creation. The Tourbillon Diamants. The brick like arrangement of diamonds are only disrupted by a stunning tourbillon. This shimmering timepiece utilizes the Blancpain Calibre 25A movement, a mechanical self-winding movement made of 239 parts with a seven-day power reserve. The 40mm white gold case is water resistant. This watch is subtly intimidating and priced quite generously for even the deepest pockets- over $1,5 million. However, this watch in all its splendor exudes a gentle glimmering glow.

Corum's Admiral's Cup Collection still in the race!

The first luxury watch that ever caught my attention was a Corum Admiral's Cup watch. I remember being almost hypnotized by the nautical colored flags in place of the hour markers. It looked so "United Nations". I still love the look and a Corum Admiral's Cup Watch holds a very special place in my heart, like an old familiar friend. I eagerly anticipate the new Admiral Cup styles Corum releases each year.
Last year the Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Regatta, a vision in red gold and rubber surfaced. Even though this is an older model than the 2008 Admiral's Cup Tides 48, I have chosen this one because this luxury timepiece is particularly striking. This timepiece is one of the strongest Corum has produced, inspired by the tough sport of sailing.

Corum has fused 18kt red gold with extremely resilient vulcanized rubber and to titanium accomplished using advanced technological methods. This sporty luxury watch boasts the best fully integrated chronograph movement available with a split-second function. With this incredible complication the Regatta can measure simultaneous events that commence at the same time but are of different durations such as in sailing races.
This Admiral's Cup Solid Gold Watch exudes a definite sense of Royalty. With this spectacular timepiece the nautical flags are embossed on the Bezel. The nautical flags seem to flutter in the gentle breeze as their skippers wait to embark on their competitive journey. The bright red second hand imparts a sense of urgency,in anxious anticipation for the race to begin. Having undergone the rigorous testing of the C.O.S.C this watch can proudly bare the label of a Certified Chronometer. This is a highly regarded certification only extended to the very best of movements.

The Admiral's Cup watches are being introduced year after year, growing in popularity. But what happened to the actual Admiral's Cup race? The race has not taken place in five years. It was canceled in 2001, 2005 and 2007. In 2003 the race took place in Australia, but not since then and no word about 2009. The actual Admiral's Cup is an international yachting regatta. It was organized in 1957 by the Royal Ocean Racing Club based at Cowes, on the Isle of Wright in England. It was a biennial event, happening every odd-numbered years. From 1957 to 1999 the cup was competed between national teams, each having three boats. In the beginning only USA and Great Britain took part, but later other countries competed. The race was highly regarded and in 1971, British Prime Minister ,Edward Heath, captained one of the winning boats.

In 2003 the competition was moved from Ireland to Australia for unknown reasons, and instead of being between different countries, it was watered down to a competition between different yacht clubs. Then the Admiral's Cup fizzled until ...

The Admiral's Cup is a truly inspirational race of endurance and strength and I sincerely hope we have not seen the last of the race. Indeed we do have Corum's Admiral Cup Collection which is a constant reminder of the Admiral's Cup race, as well as being an icon of Corum's success in its own right.

By: Van Halem

Gerald Genta Ladies Tourbillon

Gerald Genta's luxury watches have always intrigued me. They seem originate from a completely different dimension: retrograde displays, windows with jumping numerals, dials made from unusual materials, dial piercings, bold colors, cleverly printed crystals and "out there" case shapes. Gerald Genta spins its magic. A relatively new blip on the Horology radar, Gerald Genta was only founded in the early 1990's' however Genta (the companies founder, a Genevan with Italian ancestry) had a wealth of experience. He was the creative designer behind many noble brands such as Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Bulgari and Omega. The current owners of the Watch Company has followed Genta's dynamic and unique style. So it comes as no surprise that it is Gerald Genta who has created a Tourbillon Watch for Women.



Tourbillon's are available for Men's Wrist Watches; however, when it comes to the ladies, a Tourbillon is rare. If there is a Tourbillon for women I have yet to see it ... that is until now. Gerald Genta's Arena Tourbillon Snow White is a watch seeming to appear straight out a fairy tale. The Watches Retrograde numerals shimmer in a sea of pure white complimenting the sparkling diamond bezel and pure white band. To me, the Tourbillon has a certain angelic quality turning this watch into a mesmerizing masterpiece of perfection. In addition this watch has a definite retro look to it. A second counter is located at the 6 o' clock position above the beating tourbillon. The Tourbillon is self-wind and the watch entire has 64 hour power reserve. The case is platinum and the pure snowy strap is crocodile leather.

This watch in all its splendor is available soon... for a price.

What luxury watch is he wearing?

I have been writing this blog for quite some time now and I cannot control my urge to look at ones wrist watch. Now if the wrist watch belongs to a friend or a business acquaintance, I may ask, providing the circumstance is just right, "Could that be an Ebel Beluga?" As a result of my genuine admiration resonating in my voice, the friend will undoubtedly remove the fine masterpiece from her hand and give it to me for further inspection.
This very scene I just described happened two nights ago. I was seated at a wonderful dinner table and I was savoring tender moist grilled salmon. A stiff uncomfortable gentlemen was seated across from me and I noticed his watch, I squinted (my eyes are not what they used to be),
"Is that an Omega Seamaster?", I said, absolutely unable to contain my excitement. He looked at me with surprise, his gaze immediately softening.
"Yes it is! How do you know?" So then I explained that I blogged and then I explained how I blogged and finally I explained what a "blog" actually was.
"I dive!, " he said.
"You know the Omega Seamaster is a diver's watch. Water resistant to 300 meters, " he said.

He handed me the watch and as I inspected the screw in case back and crown as well as the luminous hand and dial markers, he related to me his numerous diving adventures.

If the watch belongs to a stranger in front of me at a check out line at my local supermarket, extended squinting and sidelong glances may cause the stranger to become quite suspicious of my intentions, resulting in an inevitable confrontation with the store security personnel. So I am forced to control my curiosity and increase my already vast knowledge of luxury watches so that a cursory glance would be sufficient.

The easiest watch collection to recognize from across a room or in an endless "10 items or less" line is the Movado Museum Watches. The dot at the 12 'o'clock is as conspicuous as a full moon above the Sahara Desert.
The Corum bubble watch collections are also highly recognizable with the thick domed sapphire crystals. Chopard's Happy Collections are a treat to spot with gems that glide across the watch face between two layers of sapphire crystal.
Of course the more pricey unique watches are not hard to miss as they shout "Look at me!" Take for example Girard Perregaux's Opera One Minute Repeater Tourbillon with three gold bridges, you may not recognize the type of watch ,being that it is so unique;however, you will recognize this watch as something special, worthy of a complete and utter fixation.


Van Halem

From where comes the name?

A name is the ultimate defining factor of a person, place or thing. A single name has the power to brings forth an entire landscape of images. The name of a luxury watch company is the name chosen to display the image of the company. So let us review the origins of the name of some of the popular watch manufacturers.

Audemars Piguet - Two French proper names taken from the Swiss founders: Watchmaker Jules Audemars and financial expert Jules Piguet.

Baume & Mercier - Two French proper names taken from the Swiss Baume family and the Genevan jeweler Paul Mercier.

Blancpain - The French language last name of the founder - Swiss businessman Jean Jacques Blancpain.

Breitling - The German language last name of the Swiss born founder of the company Leon Breitling.

Bulgari - The last name of the Italian Bulgari family.

Cartier - The last name of the French-born Louis Cartier.

Chopard - French language last name of the Swiss born founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard.

Corum - Swiss founding partners Gaston Ries & Rene Bannwart chose the Latin word "quorum" as the company name and changed the spelling.

De Grisogona - The maiden name of an associate's mother who worked with Italian born founder Fawaz Gruosi when he opened his first boutique in Geneva.

Ebel - Name taken from the first letters of Eugene Blum et Levy. Levy is the maiden name of Swiss Eugene Blum's wife.

Gerald Genta - Name of Swiss born watchmaker Gerald Genta, a man of Italian descent.

Girard-Perregaux - French proper names derived from a company eventually owned by
Swiss Constant Girard - Perregaux.

Hublot - A French word meaning "porthole". The Italian founder Carlo Crocco chose this name for his watches as they reminded him of a ship's porthole.

IWC - Stands for International Watch Company, founded in Switzerland by an American Florentine Ariosto Jones.

Jacob & Co. - Russian-born American Jacob Arabo's first name. He is the company founder and owner.

Jaeger-LeCoultre - Taken from the last names of Swiss founders Pierre Jaeger and Charles Antoine LeCoultre.

A. Lange & Sohne - Taken from the German founding watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange's name.

Longines - Swiss founder Ernst Francillon purchases a property by the name of Longines. He built a watchmaking factory there, and named his brand after it.

Richard Mille - French owner and founder Richard Mille's name.

Ulysse Nardin - French language name of Swiss founder Ulysse Nardin

Omega - Name chosen for the company by Swiss founder Louis Brandt's sons, Louis Paul and Cesar.

Panerai - The Italian word officine means workshop (sometimes included in the name). Panerai is taken from the name of the Italian founder, Guido Panerai.

Patek Phillipe - Last names of founding Polish immigrant to Switzerland, Antoine Norbert de Patek, and French watchmaker Adrien Phillipe.

Piaget - French-language last name of Swiss founder Georges Piaget.

Rado - Later director Paul Luthi renamed the Swiss company Schlup & Co. Rado in the mid 1950's.

Rolex - German-born founder Hans Wildorf took the name from a combination of the Spanish words "reloijes excelentes" (excellent watches) and came up with the name Rolex.

Daniel Roth - The name of the Swiss founding watchmaker Daniel Roth.

TAG Heuer - Swiss founding watchmaker Edouard Heuer's last name and the TAG group who acquired the brand in 1985.

Tissot - French-language last name of Swiss founders Charles-Felicien and Charles-Emile Tissot (father and son)

Urwerk - Name chosen by Swiss founders Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei meaning "otiginal movement"

Vacheron Constantin - French language last names of Swiss foundes Jean-Marc Vacheron and Francois Constantin.

Zenith - Swiss-born founder Georges Favre-Jacot chose the name Zenith for his company.

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.