Vacheron%20Constantin Ferrari Releases Limited Edi

Collectible Watches: ,Vacheron%20ConstantinFerrari has launched the Paddock Chronograph line in a limited run of 299 pieces. The Italian sports car maker said that Ferrari Store is offering these new limited edition timepieces exclusively for its online customers. These timepieces, which pay homage to Italy, consist of three chronographs. It has a Black/Carbon version combined with a pair of cufflinks with Prancing Horse logo enameled on carbon fiber base in stainless steel with black titan color finishing. The watches are sold in stylish wooden boxes lacquered in green, white and red. An exclusive item is attached to each watch sold. Its handmade jewel case, which has an engraved Limited Edition number, is made of shiny green lacquered wood. This package also includes a limited edition plate and removable multifunctional cases.

Andrew Christian
4WheelsNews

Blancpain Perrelet’s Diamond Flower Prestige Editi

Luxury Watches: Perrelet’s multi-award-winning Diamond Flower Prestige Edition watches combine the simple elegance of a diamond bracelet with artisan jewelry-making, the mystique of the lotus flower, and the sophistication of Swiss timepiece technology. The result is a truly unique, feminine and breathtaking heirloom timepiece.

Perrelet has long been lauded for its illustrious Diamond Flower Prestige Edition watches, voted Watch of the Year by the Swiss public in 2008. Among other notable features, these distinctive watches have a patented double rotor that showcases the diamonds, rubies, sapphires or emeralds used in each design. The signature bejeweled lotus flower is a visible rotor that is linked and perfectly synchronized with the oscillating weight, which supplies additional energy — and a whimsical sensibility — to the winding mechanism. Thus, the wearer animates her watch by her own movements.

The flawless Diamond Flower Prestige Edition collection includes three models each adorned with an abundance of luxurious stones that embody the designer’s playful spirit, but do not make the timepieces overly ostentatious.

The most noteworthy model in the collection is the A7007 – a stunning timepiece that any woman would covet. Made of white gold and featuring a full pave dial, this 10.48 carat, 1,045-diamond-encrusted piece is nothing short of magnificent. The $162,000 watch will surely please any woman who wears it.

The red A7005, the second model in the collection, adds a touch of spice and sass to any outfit with its 519 diamonds (1.4 carat weight) and 238 impeccable rubies (2.43 carat weight). The red tinted crocodile band is complimented with a white gold pave dial that makes the red lotus detail pop. With its exquisite diamond and ruby pairing,Blancpain, the A7005 is more modestly priced at $54,000.

For those who prefer a more subtle timepiece that still exudes style and class, the third model A7002 fits the bill perfectly. This watch has a rose gold casing and chocolate mother-of-pearl dial all embellished with 3.41 carats of diamonds — 593 in all. With a price of $44,500, the fluid lines of the stones contrast with the elegant dark crocodile band to make this watch both classic and refined.

The exclusive and highly recognizable “Perrelet” tapestry design can be seen through the sapphire crystal casing of all three models, and succeeds in adding the defined personality of the Perrelet brand name to each and every piece.

The feminine Diamond Flower Prestige Edition watches combine finesse and harmony with jewelry and watch-making technology to give women a rare and vibrant expression of time.

Merilee Kern is JustLuxe.com’s “The Luxe List” Executive Review Editor. She scours the luxury marketplace for new and captivating product, service and travel “musts.” Submissions are accepted via e-mail at Merilee@JustLuxe.com. View all of Merilee’s Luxe List articles from here (scroll to page bottom) and follower her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor.

Louis%20Vuitton Phosphor Introduces World Time Wat

Phosphor has just introduced its new super sleek World Time Watch, a luxury chronometer featuring E Ink’s electronic paper display technology.

The new watch is one of the only timepieces in the world to utilize similar electronic ink technology found in Amazon’s Kindle. It is also one of the only curved digital watches available.

The new World Time Curved E Ink digital watch offers the ability to select from 24 time zones for one display mode, while simultaneously displaying a second time zone. The dual time zone display can be configured to show the time of day, or both the date and time, in either oversized or conventional-sized segments.

The beautifully designed watch features a sleek, ultra-thin,Louis%20Vuitton, curved case only 9.3 milimeters thick. Whether you are traveling on business overseas or just looking for something new and fun, this versatile timepiece offers an assortment of functions and display modes.

You can easily set the watch to display four different modes: time of day and world time, time of day and calendar, time of day large or time of day small. The display is composed of pure black and white particles, which allow contrast comparable to that found on a printed page. It is more than twice the contrast of a conventional LCD panel, making it easy to read in direct sunlight.

The coolest feature just might be its viewing cone of 180 degrees. One can view the time with a quick glance from any angle. Since the display technology is reflective, no backlighting is required. One of the best parts about this low-energy watch is that it requires no power to maintain an image, extending the overall battery life.

The watch is available in a variety of bands, including white polyurethane, stainless steel, black polyurethane and black leather. Prices for the watch start at $150 and can be purchased online at http://www.phosphorwatches.com.

Dolce%20&%20Gabbana One-Of-A-Kind $2.7 Million P

Photo Courtesy of Christie’sAn extremely important white gold Patek Philippe single-button chronograph from 1928, undoubtedly the only one of its kind,Dolce%20%26%20Gabbana, is expected to fetch up to $2.7 million at Christie’s Important Watches sale in Geneva on May 16.

With more than 420 lots, the sale is expected to fetch a total of $14 – $19 million. The 1928 model is especially highly prized because so few watches of its caliber were produced during the Great Depression as demand waned. Nonetheless, Christie’s notes, even during the crisis an elite group of avid and demanding collectors continued to satisfy their craving for unique, super-complicated, custom-made watches such as the example on offer here.

Patek Philippe, in particular, produced some of their most beautiful and technically ingenious masterpieces during the Depression. Created in 1928 on the eve of the stock market crash, the 1928 chronograph was certainly made upon special request by one of Patek Philippe’s most important patrons, though his exact identity remains clouded by time.

The cushion-shaped wristwatch, with vertically positioned registers and Breguet numerals, is the only known example extant of a single-button chronograph by Patek Philippe cased in white gold. As such, it’s perfectly possible that it could end up selling for more than $2.7 million, especially with the buoyant market for such horological masterpieces at the moment.

Dolce%20&%20Gabbana J12 Chromatic Chanel’s Late

Photo Courtesy of ChanelChanel‘s J12 watches have become sought after accessories since launching in the earlier part of the millennium. A decade later, they’re only getting better with the introduction of the J12 Chromatic.

The J12 Chromatic has the same timeless look and sleek sophistication as its predecessors. But the new watch has something else no other watch has: near indestructibility thanks to a titanium ceramic casing which is almost as hard as sapphire. Though the hands on the watch will constantly change, its stunning look will remain just as striking and flawless years into the future.

The titanium ceramic casing offers not just durability but a unique design color that hovers between black and white, iconic favorite colors of Gabrielle Chanel. A special polishing technique, inspired by diamond powders polishing sapphires, creates the finish on these beautiful and long-lasting watches that are a brilliant, nameless color. The result is a shiny metallic finish reminiscent of fine metals like gold and platinum, but even richer.

Available in both male and female versions, J12 Chromatic timepieces come in a wide spectrum of designs that highlight its key features. There are seven models in the J12 Chromatic collection including a 33 mm with Quartz movements, 38 mm and 41 mm with automatic movements in two versions; with either round or baguette-cut diamonds. The dazzling features are fused with a unique dial design, a combination of a circular pattern on the outer dial and a brushed steel inner dial.

The “totally new material” succeeds in fulfilling Chanel‘s legacy of continually innovating fashion while maintain its timeless appeal,Dolce%20%26%20Gabbana. The J12 Chromatic is already abuzz amongst watch aficionados who view it as the ultimate fashion meets function accessory.

Cartier Celebrate Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day w

Luxe online jewelry retailer Ylang 23 is once again ahead of the curve, offering fashionable jewelry for yet another occasion.

Before Valentine’s Day is the Super Bowl, and Ylang 23 has commissioned jewelry maker Catherine Michiels to create “Marcelitto goes to the Superbowl.” It will be a one-of-a-kind charm of a little sterling silver monkey holding a bronze football.

Marcellito is in sterling silver, with tiny black diamond eyes and measures about three quarters of an inch. The exclusive monkey charm can only be found at Ylang 23 and is available on a silk ribbon for $235. It can also be worn as a choker, wrapped around as a bracelet, or on a sterling chain for $270. You can even personalize the silk to reflect the colors of your team.

A Marcellito piece is a perfect reminder that Valentine’s Day is the very next weekend. Designer collections from Alexis Bittar, Cathy Waterman, Irene Neuwirth, Jamie Joseph,Cartier, Annette Ferdinandsen, Ten Thousand Things, and Julie Rofman include gold heart earrings and diamond studded yellow gold “loveyou” necklaces, perfect for your Valentine.

Go to http://www.ylang23.com to see more.

Vacheron%20Constantin Emerging Fashion Designer Pr

Photos Courtesy of Prive JewelleryThink bracelets just have to be around your wrist? Beautiful young Russian sisters Sonia and Katia Gaydamak have launched a line of unique and decadent fine jewelry, Prive Jewellery, which includes a hand bracelet collection. Instead of encircling your wrist, the hand bracelet is worn at palm level. The entire collection is inspired by the elegance of yesteryear — Cartier circa 1940, the Maharaja’s jewelry and famed designer JAR — but the pieces have a modern purpose because these days, with everyone on their smart phones, our hands are in motion more than ever.

Katia is the designer of the duo. She studied International Politics at the American University of Paris before working with Daniel K and Jacob & Co. in New York City. Sonia manages the business aspect of the label and was educated at Columbia University in New York and GIA in Paris and New York.

The elegant bracelets are available in white gold, yellow gold, black rhodium and paved with the choice of rubies and white, brown or black diamonds, Prive Jewellery’s hand bracelets are available in three models: Koral, Karioka and Karess and retail between $6,000 and $22,000. Prive Jewellery is available for purchase at Roseark in Los Angeles and at the on-trend French boutique,Vacheron%20Constantin, Montaigne Market.

Cellini An Introduction to Opal Stone Fine Jewelry

Photo Courtesy of Opal StoneIf you’re seeking exquisite jewelry that’s anything but ordinary, take a peek at the breathtaking designs by Opal Stone Fine Jewelry. Born in Jamaica with design training in New York, Stone has unearthed a rare place for herself as a luxury connoisseur with sharp designs crafted of only the highest quality materials including fine gold with stunning precious stones — all made in the United States.

We sat down with the creative genius to ogle her precious pieces and get to know a bit more about her background and unique take on design.

JustLuxe: Share your journey with us. How did you become a jewelry designer?

Opal Stone: Everything I design is what I want and what is missing. I’m absolutely in love with jewelry. I’m in love with diamonds — it’s my favorite thing of all. Before I got into design, I was studying psychology in college, but I would cut classes to go spend time at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf’s instead. I was always fascinated with fashion.

JL: Where do you get your inspiration from?

OS: My work is almost schizophrenic in its origin, and my inspiration comes from just about everything. Architecture is number one. Sculpture is number two. I like painting, and of course it’s a part of the arts, but designing and seeing unusual things like buildings and sculptures is my favorite thing.

I’m truly inspired by anything organic. My inspiration comes from just about everything. For example, I was eating dinner at a restaurant in Sao Paulo and there’s this famous tree there that ultimately inspired the Geometric Collection. In the end, all of my different collections complement each other.

JL: Elaborate on a few standout pieces from your line with us.

OS: Every single collection starts with a cuff. It’s very interesting the shape and curve of one’s hand — you can’t be in any place and not use your hands. Also, there are certain philosophies I have that carry into my designs. I think water is essential and gives life. The Splatt Collection consists of geometric lines much like cracks in the earth, and the splatts represent drops of water affecting the earth. The splatt is also like a good luck charm because it brings life to whatever you’re doing. It’s something you can grow with and it becomes something that has meaning for you.

Also, I wanted to do something about Africa, but not in the way that it’s been done before. The Zebra Cuff is an African sunset. African sunsets are of a different color and zebras are everywhere in the landscape. The cuff represents both. I tweaked the color of the gold to be what I think would be the color of the sunset, and the stone represents the sun.

Lastly, pearls are one of my favorite stones. Their imperfections fascinate me, which is why I love baroque pearls because they have interesting shapes and originate from the ocean. I have a piece called the Charles de Gaulle cuff which was inspired from a plane ride en route to Paris, where I imagined what it would be like to drop a pearl from the sky. Essentially,Cellini, I take aspects of what I see and create it into something interesting to wear.

JL: What is your greatest luxury?

OS: I think my design aesthetic is one of my biggest luxuries. With my imagination and what I do, I look for the best in everything. To me, luxury is a lot of different things. Whenever I start something I will go to the ends of the world to find the best “something” in whatever I’m doing. I surround all of my stones in gold. It’s a luxury that you get from an artistic knowledge of how one could make something beautiful from different aspects of the world.

JL: Who are your celebrity fans?

OS: Teri Hatcher (bangles), Jennifer Hudson (Geometric Earrings and Zebra Cuff), Selma Blair (Giraffe Ring), Kelly Osbourne (Ivory Cuff & Ivory Ring).

JL: Every woman should have which three pieces in her jewelry box?

OS: Every woman should own Opal Stone hoop earrings, an Opal Stone cuff, and a huge Opal Stone ring. Earrings are the finishing touch — they’re like the frame of a photograph because they frame your face. I do everything with my hands — I talk with my hands, feed myself with my hands — my hands take good care of me, so they should have the best. I don’t think there’s any reason to put a little bracelet on your arm. Every hand needs a dynamite ring and a fabulous cuff.

JL: Tell us about your new luxury handbag line.

OS: The handbag collection was actually inspired by the jewelry. I wanted a handbag that met my needs and I wanted the very best. The next step in the progression of the brand is incorporating the jewelry into the handbags in the form of hardware.

I am totally driven by yellow gold and I believe the hardware is the jewelry of the bag. I use brass and bronze dipped in either 22-karat or 24-karat gold. I match the color of the gold to the skins, because I want the stone and the metal to be in harmony with the jewelry. I carry that concept over into the leather and the hardware in the same way.

As for the designs, I personally love things that have a twist, things that have a duality going on. My bags have a little whimsy, but also a classic shape with some special touches like extra pockets or an alligator skin where you would normally find leather or suede.

For more information, visit OpalStoneFineJewelry.com or call 310.275.3406. Available at Gray Gallery in West Hollywood and at FD Gallery in NY.

Montblanc Spyker Timepieces Celebrate Firm’s 24 Ho

Collectible Watches: Finding the perfect Christmas gift for the motoring enthusiast is made easier with the availability of Spyker’s limited edition timepiece collection. The Spyker-branded chronographs were introduced at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans and were designed and engineered by renowned watch and luxury goods expert, Thierry Chaunu of Expression D’Artistes International S.A. A limited run of 250 units is on hand for those in solid 18K grey or rose gold finishes while 1,Montblanc,000 units are offered for the polished steel finish and another 1,000 for those with matt black titanium finishes. The quilted leather bracelets are hand-stitched in France using Royal Dutch Hulshof leather, which is what Spyker uses for its supercar interiors.

Andrew Christian
4WheelsNews

BRM Haute Hollywood Jewelers Miki Black and David

Photo Courtesy of MikindeLos Angeles models, and newly minted jewelry designers, Miki Black and Davida Sullivan just launched Mikinde haute couture jewelry line this month.

The pieces make a statement without saying a word, with its whimsical lines with names like “live,” “love” and “dream,” which are inspired by nature, spirit and fantasy. Miki Black is known for her West Coast laid-back charm, uniqueness and exotic look. Davida Sullivan for her warm smile, professionalism and stunning looks. Their backgrounds are reflected in their jewelry designs. Since each piece is handmade, no one piece is the same. We caught up with Miki in Los Angeles:

You grew up traveling the world. How has that inspired you and your line?

Miki Black: I grew up both in the Midwest and overseas. Traveling so frequently as a child opened my eyes up to so much in life. I’m pretty open-minded because of this and appreciate and find beauty in many things of this world that most people might find unusual, be fearful of or even dislike, which is reflected in much of my art.

How did Mikinde come about,BRM?

MB: Davida and I originally met while both modeling for Trashy Lingerie a few years back. We started out with the goal of creating a charity organization between six girls, but over time it dwindled down to just the two of us and we made the choice to just run with it. We got our first taste of charity work by helping in the Los Angeles community with local charity groups through L.A. Works, a community action-based charity organization, so we could become more familiar with the needs of the community.

We served the community for the first couple of years before we felt that our creative needs were being a bit neglected, which is when Davida came to me with the idea of starting a jewelry line, hence Mikinde was born.

Currently, we create each piece by hand, making each one unique in it’s own way. We put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into our work. The line is very dear to us because we literally built our company by hand from the ground up. We create all the original designs and graphics, shoot the photography and hand-make each individual piece.

Where did the name Mikinde come from?

MB: The name “Mikinde” is actually a combo of both our names, “Miki” and “D” for Davida.

What is your favorite accessory?

MB: Miki’s favorite accessory is an electric guitar. Davida’s is a handsome, intelligent man.

What are your favorite luxury items?

MB: Davida likes vintage-inspired clothing. Miki loves vintage cars.

On your website you have a page titled “Giving Back.” You support the Foxes Charity Organization which supplies a unique program in school systems by giving five dollars per order to them. Why is this organization close to your heart?

MB: Foxes Charity Organization is very close to our hearts because it’s actually how the entire Mikinde brand came into existence. We founded the organization and our main goal has been and always will be to assist men, women, and children who are in need within the U.S.

You just launched. What’s upcoming for Mikinde in 2011?

MB: We plan to expand the brand and get the word out because it truly is something we believe in and are very passionate about. We go out of our way to make our pieces eco-friendly by using as many organic materials as possible.

We currently offer all of our pieces in fine silver and plan on venturing into other mediums such as copper and bronze in the near future. It’s not only jewelry with a unique meaning, it’s jewelry supporting a meaningful cause.

To see more visit http://www.Mikinde.com.