Weir 2017

style MAGAZINE

BREGUET A HISTORY OF TIME FROM THE BEATLES TO BOWIE WATCHES TO ADORE

BVLGARI BY ZAHA HADID

RISE &

SHINE

THE JEWELLERY OF THE MOMENT

THE GENTLEMEN'S ACADEMY

ON THEIR WATCH LOVES

Modern

Love JEWELLERY AND WATCHES TO FALL FOR THIS SEASON

Breguet, the innovator.

Classique 7147

The finely fluted gold case of the Classique 7147 houses an ultra-thin movement, the complexity is matched only by the timeless elegance of the watch. Expressing a subtle blend of finesse and precision, this timepiece is distinguished by an off-centred oscillating weight, a variable-inertia balance beating at the rate of 3 Hz, and a silicon balance-spring and escapement. History is still being written...

T7147-WeirsStyle_420x260.indd 1 Oris FP.indd 2

15.08.17 16:44 11/09/2017 12:24

T7147-W

17 16:44

T7147-WeirsStyle_420x260.indd 2 Oris FP.indd 3

15.08.17 16:45 11/09/2017 12:24

OME371_ER11_X249_260x420_Weir_5mm Gutter.indd 1

31/08/2017 11:41

EDDIE R E DM AY N E ’ S CHOICE

SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA MASTER CHRONOMETER

OME371_ER11_X249_260x420_Weir_5mm Gutter.indd 2

31/08/2017 11:41

HAPPY HEARTS

05/09/2017 2017/721 - Style Magazine / Left page / Weir & Sons - 246AMR - 420 x 260 mm - UK - 01/09/17

Chopard DPS.indd 2

15:18

H A P P Y D I A M O ND S

05/09/2017 2017/721 - Style Magazine / Right page / Weir & Sons - 246AMR - 420 x 260 mm - UK - 01/09/17

Chopard DPS.indd 3

15:18

Bvlgari DPS.indd 2

12/09/2017 10:55

Bvlgari DPS.indd 3

12/09/2017 10:55

Gucci DPS.indd 2

14/09/2017 12:38

Gucci DPS.indd 3

14/09/2017 12:38

Elegance is an attitude Kate Winslet

Longines Symphonette

Longines FP.indd 1 L17169_KW8_LS1_260x210.indd 1

07/09/2017 06/09/2017 17:01 16:28

KYLE TUNNEY

A

Welcome

warm welcome to the 18th issue of our annual Weir & Sons Style Magazine. We hope you enjoy diving into our latest edition, which boasts an exciting range of features, interviews, stories, trends and news.

This issue’s cover features our stunning collection of watches and jewels, but with a fun, canine twist. Fall in love with pooches Teddy and Luna on page 67, as well as with the timeless pieces featured in the shoot.

Our romantic fashion story on page 50 is a sparkling celebration of love. It was inspired by many of our customers’ experiences and photographed in our historic Dublin store and around our fair city. It showcases both cutting-edge and classic accessories – from stylish pendants to statement watches, stunning

WEIR.IE

engagement rings and bold accessories.

Weir & Sons dates back to 1869, so we’re always fascinated by the history behind so many of the luxury brands we stock. On page 32, explore the extraordinary legacy of Breguet, one of the oldest luxury watchmakers in Switzerland, with fans as diverse as Marie Antoinette and Winston Churchill. Then on page 39, discover how Bulgari’s famous B.zero1 line was reimagined by late architectural legend, Zaha Hadid, widely regarded to be one of the greatest architects in the world.

Elsewhere in the issue, we take a look at some exceptional limited edition watch designs, inspired by pop culture legends. Find out how timepieces commemorating everyone from David Bowie and The Beatles to Muhammad Ali were designed on page 44. We also go behind the scenes at a recent and exclusive Weir &

Sons event on page 77, where members of hip Dublin collective The Gentlemen’s Academy chatted to our expert staff about all things watch related – from iconic designs by Rolex and Patek Philippe, to insider tips for buying vintage and caring for your timepieces.

On page 61, we meet three customers who share the stories behind their most treasured watches and jewellery.

All that, plus the latest watch and jewellery news and trends. We look forward to seeing you in the store, and hope you enjoy the issue!

The Weir & Sons team

Follow us on… @weirandsons /WeirsJewellers @WeirandSons

WEIR & SONS 11

LEGENDS ARE FOREVER

Zenith FP.indd 1

Zenith_HQ • Visual: U27_EP25 • Magazine: Weirs_Style_Magazine_ (UK) • Language: English

11/09/2017 12:31

Style Editor Jessie Collins Art Director Clare Meredith Deputy Editor Nathalie Marquez Courtney Publisher Richard Power

Contents 50

For Weir & Sons Executive Editor Lucinda Andrews Contributing Editor Lisa Freeman Silver Editor David Andrews Jewellery Editor Neville McDowell Watch Editor Paul Broughan Fashion Editor Chris Andrews Assistant Fashion Editor Aoife Doyle Weir & Sons would like to thank all contributors and advertisers for their continued support.

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information, Weir & Sons accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may arise. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, artwork or advertising material while in transmission or with the publishers or their agents. Weir & Sons Style magazine is published by Weir & Sons in association with 256, The Mill, Greenmount Avenue, Dublin 12, Ireland, tel: +353 (0) 1 473 5040, www.256media.ie. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means) is prohibited without prior permission of 256. The reproduction of colours is as accurate as the printing process will allow.

Whilst Weir & Sons Style magazine accepts third party advertising, it does not endorse or take any responsibility for products or services outside those of Weir & Sons. Please contact the advertiser directly. All terms are subject to availability. Weir & Sons has made every effort to ensure that product information and prices are correct at time of going to press. Some of these, including price, may be subject to change after publication.

Weir & Sons 96-99 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, Ireland +353 (0) 1 677 9678; weir.ie Level 1, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum, Dublin 16, Ireland +353 (0) 1 215 7845; weir.ie sales@weirandsons.ie @WeirandSons /WeirsJewellers @weirandsons

WEIR.IE

32

39 27 19 GIFTING NOTES

Cute cufflinks, gorgeous new jewels and smart pens – dive into the latest arrivals in-store.

20 FASHION FLOOR NOTES From Briston to Swatch, the best new updates from our Fashion Floor.

23 WATCH NOTES

28 FLORA AND FAUNA Wild and wonderful on-trend jewellery for nature lovers.

30 SEEING STARS

Smart watches, slick new buys and the best timepiece innovations.

Make a wish on these sparkling, celestial-inspired collections.

27 GORGEOUS GREENS

32 MASTER AT WORK

Make a statement with precious finds in Pantone’s Colour of the Year.

Discover the rich and colourful history behind Breguet’s pioneering timepieces.

WEIR & SONS 13

39 WITH THIS RING

Behind the scenes on the late Zaha Hadid’s groundbreaking reimagining of Bulgari’s iconic B.zero1 collection.

44 COOL COLLABORATIONS From rock ’n’ roll legends to sporting heroes – this season sees a batch of very special limited edition releases.

50 ROMANCING THE STONE

Fall for fashion forward gems and timepieces.

61 MY WEIR & SONS STORY Three customers on their favourite store memories.

67 PUPPY LOVE

Pretty pooches – and even prettier pieces.

77 WATCH AWARE

An evening of timepiece discovery at Weir & Sons’ Grafton Street store.

77

85 85 ALL WRAPPED UP Perfect gifts for every occasion.

93 TAKE TEN

From cool cocktail bars to brilliant lunch spots, we help you plan the perfect day trip.

44 14 WEIR & SONS

96 SHOP IT

Check out all weir.ie has to offer, including the lucky winner of our #WeirsInTheWild Instagram competition.

61 WEIR.IE

AUTAVIA HEUER 02 CHRONOGRAPH

Patrick Dempsey, perfectly inspired by Gentlemen Drivers, is the symbol of TAG Heuer’s legacy. He embodies the taste for adventure, panache and elegance. #DontCrackUnderPressure is what drives him.

Tagheuer FP.indd 1

12/09/2017 15:02

Mont Blanc FP.indd 1

11/09/2017 11:48

News MAN OF THE HOUR There are few contemporary men as synonymous with style as David Beckham.

Universally admired, he has graduated from exemplary sportsman to global icon and philanthropist with ease. It is no small thing then that he has been announced as the new brand ambassador for Tudor watches, spearheading their Born to Dare campaign, celebrating the remarkable history of this groundbreaking brand. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf, the original father of Rolex, in 1926, its DNA has always been about adventure and experience, manufacturing watches to withstand the most extreme conditions, for the most remarkable people, something to which Beckham was particularly drawn. “I was attracted to Tudor by the attention to detail I could see in their watches. I then learned about the history of the brand. One of adventure, pioneer diving and daring expeditions. I was instantly hooked.” Beckham wears the Black Bay Chrono, €4,860, pictured, a COSC-certified chronograph with column-wheel manufacture calibre and the Black Bay S&G, €4,800, a vintageinspired steel and gold diver’s watch.

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 17

RADO DIAMASTER DIAMONDS PLASMA HIGH-TECH CERAMIC. METALLIC LOOK. MODERN ALCHEMY.

TIME IS THE ESSENCE WE ARE MADE OF

Rado FP.indd 1

14/09/2017 16:48

Gifting NOTES >

From subtle to statement, there are gifts to adore at Weir & Sons.

THE COLOUR OF LOVE

LUCKY LINKS Famed for their unusual and striking cufflinks, Deakin & Francis have designed a combination of sets of leprechaun cufflinks, €440, exclusively for Weir & Sons. Featuring both a grumpy and a happy version in beautiful green and gold enamel, you can mix or match, depending on your mood!

Chopard's extended Happy Diamonds range in precious materials is now available for the first time outside of Chopard stores. With turquoise, onyx and mother-of-pearl, it retains the qualities of the original, but with added adornment – coloured detail is placed along slim white or rose gold chains with open-work hearts interspersed with tiny hearts, which contain a moving diamond. The range also consists of long sautoir necklaces, earrings and bracelets, with a new bangle bracelet added with a colourful heart on one end and a heart enclosing a moving diamond on the other.

LOST & FOUND

SILVER DARLINGS

Irish silver is still a special gift and there is plenty to choose from at Weir & Sons.

From Claddagh rings and Trinity knots to Celtic designs, key pieces include a sterling silver, shamrock crystal pendant and chain, €71, top, a sterling silver and crystal Tree of Life pendant, €83, top right, with intricate interlocking Celtic knots, or this sterling silver, claddagh pendant with green crystal, €50, top left. The History of Ireland silver series also commemorates important dates from our past with Viking ships and tri-spiral designs.

WEIR.IE

Cross have teamed up with technology innovators TrackR to launch the TrackR pen, which when paired with its app, uses Bluetooth and Crowd Locate technology to track its whereabouts, so you may never be separated from your beloved writing tool again. The pen can even help you find your smartphone – a simple button press on the cap causes the pen to alert you to its location, even when in silent mode, €225.

GET GIFTED

Crafted in 18k white, yellow and rose gold and set with fine diamonds and gemstones, the Moi by Weir & Sons collection, from €205, is designed exclusively with Weir & Sons' customers in mind. Playful designs include lightning bolt earrings, musical notes, horseshoes and stars or key pendants. With over 100 designs to choose from, the emphasis is on something unique for someone special, or for that perfect self-gifting piece.

WEIR & SONS 19

NOTES FROM THE

Fashion Floor

>

Fresh new updates to our easy-to-wear, contemporary collections.

EURO STAR

The marriage of both Irish and Swedish design, Ansley watches have won a legion of fans since they were founded in 2013.

Their Three Rays watch, from €239, is inspired by great vintage pieces and comes in options for both men and women, with different colour dials and a choice of straps from tan and steel mesh bracelets to black and brown leather.

CLUB CLASSIC

Building on the success of its Clubmaster Classic collection, young Parisian watch brand Briston have introduced the new Clubmaster Chic ladies watch, €150-€190, in a sleeker and more refined version. At 36mm it retains the Clubmaster's distinctive cambered square shape, with its soft flowing contours. The Clubmaster Chic is available in tortoise shell acetate, polished stainless steel or rose gold PVD and features three hands on a choice of dial colours, and Briston's interchangeable NATO straps.

LIFE AQUATIC Tom Hope are inspired by everything sea-related and appeal to both men and women. This year they have created a collection specifically for those who share their love of the rolling waves.

Their bracelets, from €39, fashioned in trim line, all come with their signature anchor look, from sterling silver to rose and gold-plated.

20 WEIR & SONS

MAKE AND DO Swatch have introduced the new made-to-measure Swatch X You series, from €55, where you get to create your own signature Swatch in just five steps, either online or in-store.

Just choose a case size, followed by a watch head, then customise the straps on either side of the face. With everything from solid mint green to racy red stripes, you can even personalise your loop, or add a pin or an extra loop with quirky designs such as a birthday cake, flying heart or even wedding bands to make it totally unique.

FAIRY-TALE For lovers of all things marine and mythological, Paul Hewitt's Mermaid Line offers something different. The 33m case comes in stainless steel and a range of colourways, from pearl and rose gold, to white sand and silver. The elegant dial features an anchor motif at the number six, while the watch itself is water-resistant to five ATM. From €129.

LONDON CALLING

Complete with automatic Japanese movement and a clean, simple dial, the Heritage Automatic from Henry London, €260, has slim-line hour batons, allowing the open heart to show off the mechanical movement, while on the back, the entire mechanism is on display through a transparent glass case-back. Available with either a leather strap or a mesh bracelet, there are also white, black or coloured dials to choose from.

WEIR.IE

JaegerLeCoultre FP.indd 1

05/09/2017 14:36

Mikimoto FP.indd 1

23/08/2017 11:33

WatchNOTES > HEAVEN-SENT

INTO THE DEEP

Jaeger-LeCoultre have created an evocative new celestial timepiece in their Rendez-Vous Moon Medium, €15,700. Set with pure diamonds, its elegant face tracks the moon's phases in distinctive blue at a wide aperture at 6 o’clock, while the watch itself features a textured surface to give an almost moonlight effect. The bracelet is blue-tinted also, while the bezel is also set with a row of pure diamonds. The 34mm stainless steel case is waterresistant up to 30 metres and contains an automatic, self-winding movement.

Grand Seiko's first pro-diver's timepiece, the Hi-Beat 36000 Professional 600m Diver’s watch, €11,995, is available exclusively at Weir & Sons. Innovations include a titanium case, made for saturation diving – the valve-free helium resistance a product of Grand Seiko’s own technology, as is the heavy duty construction and the L-shaped gasket. The grooves on the rotating bezel are extended and easy to use, while the bracelet has a sliding extension setting to accommodate pressure changes.

TAKE 3… STYLISH SMARTWATCHES

1

Powered by Intel and running Google's Android Wear, this smartwatch features stateof-the-art, highly customisable tech.

Connected Modular 45 smartwatch, €1,600, TAG Heuer

WEIR.IE

2

App notifications, activity tracking, voice commands, you can even set a picture from your Instagram feed as your watch face – what's not to love? Access Grayson smartwatch, €369, Michael Kors

Stunning new timepieces showcasing the best in technology and design.

3

Compatible with both iPhone and Android devices, this timepiece blends cutting edge functionality with classic good looks.

Gen 3 Q Explorist smartwatch in Smoke, €269, Fossil

DINNER DATE

As part of their partnership with the tennis champion, Seiko have created the Premier Kinetic Perpetual Novak Djokovic Special Edition, €895. Designed as a dress watch, it comes in rose gold with a black dial which has a striped pattern, to evoke a grass court, while Novak’s ‘D’ emblem graces the crown and the case back carries his distinctive signature.

ARM CANDY

Showcasing the ultra-thin selfwinding calibre 240 movement, Patek Philippe's Haute Joaillerie Calatrava, POA, has beauty inside and out. The white-gold case contains 149 flawless Top Wesselton brilliant-cut diamonds that alternate with 182 brilliant-cut rose sapphires, while the mother-ofpearl dial has 98 rare white diamonds interspersed with 89 sapphires.

WEIR & SONS 23

WatchNOTES RACE LEADER Panerai have launched the Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Titanio (PAM00526, €16,700), a chronograph automatic with a three-day power reserve, fitted with a Regatta countdown function, specifically created for yacht racing and celebrating Panerai's long relationship with the Classic Yachts Challenge, the main international circuit for vintage and classic yachts. Its 47mm case comes in brushed titanium with a polished titanium bezel. The personalised Panerai rubber strap has a brushed titanium buckle and also comes with a second interchangeable option.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE In 2016, the New York-based watchmaker Bulova made timepiece history by introducing Curv.

Featuring the first curved chronograph movement, Bulova’s engineers had to curve every element of the watch bar the battery. As well as the case and movement, the dial and scratchresistant sapphire crystal are both curved, as are the hands.

The latest 98A162 Men's Curv Chronograph Watch, €895, available from Weir & Sons, comes with curved see-through case back, through which the curved movement is visible in all its glory, as well as a 44mm dial with a rose gold PVD-plated case.

WITH THIS RING

A CLASSIC REBORN Revisiting their 1980s icon, Cartier have relaunched the Panthère de Cartier, from €3,950. Retaining many of its original features, including the square case with screws on the bezel, Roman numerals, octagonal crown and railway track index, it's even better looking than its predecessor. Coming in three sizes with a pavé, lacquer and gold version, the bracelet and movements have been updated with new generation refinements.

SKY DIVER Citizen have updated their Eco-Drive Promaster series with some impressive new additions.

Promaster 200m Diver, €350, right, comes with a blue dial, stainless steel case and is solar powered. Features include a diver's expansion clasp and anti-reflective crystal. Promaster Altichron, €475, features an altimeter that tracks elevation on the highest peaks and an electronic compass to aid navigation, while Promaster Skyhawk A-T, €625, is synchronised to the atomic clock and comes with a new-look case and bracelet inspired by aircraft turbines and aviation.

24 WEIR & SONS

Weir & Sons’ Chris Andrews shares pro tips on how to find the right ring before asking the big question.

The first decision you’ll make is the type of stone. “Diamonds, sapphires and coloured sapphires, in that order, are the most popular,” says Chris.

Your second big decision is the metal type. Here, your options are yellow gold, rose gold or platinum.

“Each complements different skin tones and tastes. For men buying without the knowledge of their other half, it is always a good idea to check what colour jewellery she wears.”

“The wedding ring should also be taken into account when buying an engagement ring. Buying a wedding ring which is wed-set (sits flush next to the engagement ring), makes buying a wedding ring much easier."

Practical considerations are key.

“When looking at rings set with diamond shoulders, always run your fingers over them to see if there are any sharp areas to ensure the ring does not catch on clothing."

1

2 SILVER SURFER The new updated 50th anniversary Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller

by Rolex, €10,650, is waterproof to a depth of 1,220 metres (4,000 feet), features a 43mm case and the calibre 3235, a new-generation movement developed and manufactured by Rolex. Self-winding, mechanical and with 14 patents, it boasts amazing gains in terms of precision, power reserve and resistance to shocks and magnetism.

3

4

WEIR.IE

#ThisIsYourTime

TISSOT chrono xl.

A 45MM CASE. TISSOT, INNOVATORS BY TRADITION

Tissot FP.indd 1

04/09/2017 16:30

real watches for real people

Oris Aquis Date Automatic mechanical movement Uni-directional rotating bezel with black ceramic inlay Water resistant to 30 bar/300 m

Oris FP.indd 1

11/09/2017 11:50

18k white gold diamond and pear tourmaline pendant, €2,305, Weir Collection

Vintage 18k gold black opal and diamond necklace, €6,995, Weir Collection 18k gold malachite drop earrings, €295, Weir Collection

18k white gold emerald and diamond circle pendant, €4,060, Weir Collection

18k white gold jade and diamond oval ring, €2,890, Weir Collection

Emerald city With ‘Greenery’ declared Pantone’s Colour of the Year, verdant hues are a must-try jewel and watch trend.

Platinum diamond and natural Colombian emerald ring, €94,500, Weir Collection 18k white gold pear emerald and diamond chandelier earrings, €10,060, Weir Collection

18k white gold pear emerald and diamond drop earrings, €2,399, Weir Collection

18k gold multi gemstone cluster earrings, €515, Weir Collection

Emerald bangle, €41, Alex and Ani

18k white gold oval emerald and diamond earrings, €4,935, Waskoll

WEIR.IE

18k white gold oval emerald and diamond ring, €2,580, Weir Collection

Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 watch, €20,750, Rolex

WEIR & SONS 27

18k white gold diamond flower cluster pendant, €940, Weir Collection

18k white gold diamond and sapphire butterfly brooch, €2,449, Weir Collection

18k gold diamond and pearl leopard pendant, €3,995, Weir Collection

Beetle earrings, €175, Alex Monroe

Fo x,

The Birds & the Bees Go au naturel with these nature-loving pieces.

18k white gold diamond and sapphire butterfly earrings, €2,285, Weir Collection

18k white gold diamond and sapphire snake pendant, €5,720, Weir Collection

18k white gold, topaz, aquamarine, sapphire and diamond earrings, €7,370, Weir Collection

Bumble bee cufflinks, €405, Deakin & Francis

Hummingbird watch, €125, Olivia Burton

18k gold pearl and ruby spider brooch, €555, Weir Collection 28 WEIR & SONS

acelet,€215, Alex Monroe se br Cha use Mo nd it a bb Ra

18k white gold diamond and emerald dragon drop earrings, €1,830, Weir Collection

18k gold diamond and ruby leopard ring, €8,129, Weir Collection WEIR.IE

N E W F R E E L A N C E R

C A L I B R E

R W 1 2 1 2

#PRECISIONMOVEMENTS

Raymond Weil FP.indd 1

31/08/2017 10:40

18k rose gold and diamond Waiting for a Star stud earrings, €360, Moi by Weir & Sons 18k gold and diamond star pendant, €770, Weir Collection

18k white gold and diamond star pendant, €2,915, Weir Collection

Charm bracelet, €370, Gucci 18k yellow star and moon drop earrings, €210, Weir Collection

18k white gold, diamonds and sapphire pendant, €2585, Weir Collection

18k white gold and diamond star and moon bracelet, €315, Moi by Weir & Sons

Star gazing

Nysa drop earrings, €115, Carat* London

Stellar finds for shimmering nights and sparkling days.

18k white gold and diamond star stud earrings, €1,270, Weir Collection

18k rose gold and diamond Striking earrings, €640, Moi by Weir & Sons 18k white gold and diamond drop earrings, €8,815, Weir Collection

18k rose gold and diamond Spot On ring €1,440, Moi by Weir & Sons

G-Timeless watch, €980, Gucci

Constellation Quartz 27mm, €7,200, Omega

18k gold moon stud earrings, €130, Weir Collection 30 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

AVAILABLE AT WEIR & SONS AND OTHER LEADING RETAILERS WORLDWIDE LONDON | NEW YORK | DUBLIN | DOHA | DUBAI | KUWAIT | BANGKOK | VANCOUVER

Yoko FP.indd 1

12/09/2017 15:08

Aoife Carrigy time-travels through the fascinating history of one of the world’s oldest watchmaking houses.

Time MASTERING

32 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

“T

o carry a fine Breguet watch is to feel you have the brains of a genius in your pocket.”

So wrote one Sir David Lionel Goldsmid-SternSalomons, the early 20th-century authority on, and collector of, Breguet watches. A barrister, philanthropist, member of Parliament and founder of the English Society of Engineers, Salomons amassed 124 separate Breguet timepieces in his lifetime and self-published the first biography of the father of modern horology, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747–1823).

Salomons was not the only intriguing character to harbour an awed admiration of the innovative masterpieces created by A-L Breguet. Indeed, the clientele listed in the carefully maintained archives established by Breguet read like a veritable who’s who of European aristocracy and influencers.

One of Breguet’s most loyal devotees was Sir Winston Churchill who, in 1928, purchased the large gold pocket watch that he would continue to wear for the rest of his life and fondly dubbed ‘The Turnip’.

Churchill was a man with a peculiarly personal relationship to time-keeping and who famously hated to be rushed. One former bodyguard recalled telling Churchill it was time for lunch – only to have ‘The Turnip’ consulted with great deliberation and to be admonished “It’s only five to one. Why do you wish to rob me of five minutes of my life?”

Of all the stories about Churchill and his beloved pocket watch, one really captures the personality of this famously testy politician. Churchill’s daughter Sarah later wrote of how her father pulled out his trusty turnip one day after lunch and challenged his scientific adviser Professor Lindemann to explain, “in words of one syllable and in no longer than five minutes,” the quantum theory on which Lindemann had just published his treatise. “Without any hesitation,” she wrote, “like quicksilver, he explained the principle and held us all spell-bound.” It would appear that Churchill had the brains of two geniuses in his pocket that day – and that a lot can indeed be achieved in just five minutes.

It’s a story that A-L Breguet might have been rather pleased with. One of history’s greatest engineering minds, he himself

Main picture: Winston Churchill’s beloved Breguet, nicknamed ‘The Turnip’ Above, from top: Gents Breguet Classique 7147 watch, POA; Ladies Breguet Reine de Naples watch, POA; Gents Breguet Marine watch, all at Weir & Sons

“Sir Winston Churchill purchased in 1928 the large gold pocket watch that he would continue to wear for the rest of his life and fondly dubbed ‘The Turnip’.”

WEIR.IE

was a dab hand at impressing the most powerful men and women of his time with his own elegant mastery of complex scientific principles. Part of the enduring appeal of a Breguet watch is the simple lines of its aesthetic, with its signature blue Breguet hands and elegant Arabic Breguet numerals.

By the time the Swiss watchmaker set up his historic Paris workshop in 1775, on the Quai de l’Horloge in the Île de la Cité, he had already spent more than half his 28 years learning his craft – having moved from Neuchâtel at the age of 15 to be an apprentice with a Versailles watchmaker.

Over the next 50 years, Breguet became the darling of every royal court in Europe, and the watchmaker of choice for the French Royal Navy along with the most powerful personalities across the worlds of science, finance, diplomacy and military.

His access to Europe’s deepest pockets and personal commissions from clientele such as Marie-Antoinette and Caroline Murat helped finance some of the most pioneering watchmaking innovations of all time. His achievements included inventing the ingenious tourbillon – a groundbreaking regulator that improved accuracy by reducing the effects of gravity on the escapement, patented by Breguet in 1801 – as well as the world’s first self-winding watch, travel clock and wrist-watch.

Happily, Breguet was a meticulous record-keeper as well as a genius of horology. The archives he established trace the history of Breguet watches from 1787 on, with each listed by its individual number together with a brief description, its date of sale and the name of its buyer. When these records were made public by the House in 2003, many more proud Breguet devotees came forward to add names and details to this register, helping to further develop and consolidate those original archives. A recent exhibition in Geneva’s Cité du Temps (Pont de la Machine) traced the fascinating ties that link the Breguet

WEIR & SONS 33

“The 'Marie-Antoinette' has been described as ‘the Mona Lisa of the clock world’.”

House to various iconic figures, writers and composers throughout the previous two centuries.

One of the most influential in helping to establish Breguet’s early reputation was Marie-Antoinette, the last queen of France (1755–1793). Though her husband King Louis XVI was also a client, it was the queen who took the young watchmaker under her wing and introduced him to the movers and shakers within her Versailles court.

In 1782, Breguet produced a self-winding, striking calendar watch for Marie-Antoinette, his watch No. 2 10/82. But it was watch No. 160 – known to many simply as ‘the Marie-Antoinette’ – that would become considered to be one of the most important watches ever made.

Constructed out of wood-polished pink gold, sapphires and blued steel, it has been described as ‘the Mona Lisa of the clock world’ and was designed to be the holy grail of watchmaking.

Breguet received the commission in 1783 from an anonymous ‘Officer of the Queen’s Guard’. The brief was simple: that the watch would include every refinement and complication of watchmaking that had ever existed, with no limits set on when this masterpiece was to be completed by or at what cost. Mystery surrounds the identity of the commissioner. Some theorise that it was the queen

Above: Marie-Antoinette acquired a number of Breguet timepieces.

With its clear face, No. 1160 (top) is a 21st-century reproduction of the original created for the French queen and is still considered the fifth most complicated watch in the world. Just below it is a reproduction of the Breguet No. 5, a self-winding ‘perpétuelle’ pocket watch

BREGUET’S MASTER STROKES BREGUET NO. 160

Better known as the ‘Marie-Antoinette’, this was released in 1827 and contained all the known complications of watchmaking of its time.

BREGUET NO. 1160

A reproduction of the iconic No. 160, today this watch is still considered as the fifth most complicated in the world.

BREGUET NO. 2639

The first-ever wristwatch, an ovalshaped complicated repeater model fitted onto a wristlet of twisted hair and gold thread, produced between 1810 and 1812 at the request of Caroline Murat.

34 WEIR & SONS

BREGUET NO. 4952

Produced by Louis-Antoine Breguet in 1830, this was the first keyless watch.

It marked the birth of modern watch winding, introducing ‘the crown’ system of keyless stem winding and timesetting by way of a ‘knurled button’.

BREGUET NO. 5

A self-winding ‘perpétuelle’ pocket watch, with ‘à toc’ quarter repeater, a dial in silvered gold, engine-turned by hand, with recessed subdial for the seconds and a display of the phases and age of the moon and a 60 hour power-reserve indicator.

herself who ordered it but the most common (but unproven) explanation is that the brief came from a Swedish count, one Axel von Fersen, who was Marie-Antoinette’s close friend and reputed lover. Either way, neither of these individuals got to see the masterpiece, the design and manufacture of which was not completed until several decades later, long after the head-rolling days of the French Revolution. Indeed, it was Abraham-Louis’s son Louis-Antoine who completed it in 1827, four years after his father’s death.

Within its 64mm diameter, this iconic ‘perpétuelle’ featured a self-winding mechanism equipped with a full platinum oscillating weight, and included a perpetual calendar indicating the day of the week, date and month, equation of time, repetition of minutes, quarters and hours, independent seconds hand, jumping hours and thermometer.

Incidentally, the history of the watch was to prove as colourful as the life and death of its ill-fated namesake. Having been acquired by Salomons as the jewel in his glittering Breguet collection, its journey eventually brought it to the city of Jerusalem, to the L.A. Mayer Institute for Islamic Art. British master horologist George Daniels included it in his detailed 1980 study of the Breguet watches and clocks contained in the museum. It would appear that the catalogue may have come to the attention of the infamous Israeli thief, Na’aman Diller, because just three years after its publication, Diller pulled off one of the biggest heists to hit the world of horology. It took 25 years for the criminal investigation to nail the theft from the museum of over 100 timepieces on Diller – and in the end, it was his by-then-widow Nili Diller who took the rap.

WEIR.IE

LIVE YOUR

PASSION Frederique FP.indd 1

MANUFACTURE FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH € 3,995

Handcrafted in-house movement.

Manufacture Collection : in-house developed, in-house produced and in-house assembled movements.

18/09/2017 16:04

Coincidentally in 2008 – the same year that the No. 160 reappeared after its 25-year hiatus – the former CEO and President of the Breguet House, Nicolas G. Hayek revealed at Baselworld a remarkable reproduction of the original but presumed lost Marie-Antoinette. Known as the No. 1160, its replica is an exceptional achievement in its own right.

This tale of innovation and intrigue is just one of the many fascinating histories associated with the Breguet House.

Several members of the family of Napoleon Bonaparte – later to become Emperor Napoleon I – were to have Breguet produce personal commissions for them. In 1798, before setting out for Egypt, Napoleon ordered one for his wife and three for himself: one chiming watch, another automatic repeater watch and what was the world’s first travel clock, the Breguet No. 178. Not to be outdone, his sister Caroline Bonaparte – later known as Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples – was to order no less than 34 timepieces between 1808 and 1814. These included the first ever wristwatch, an oval-shaped repeater produced between 1810 and 1812 and described in the archives as being “mounted in a bracelet of hair embellished in gold”.

A great patron of the arts and sciences, Caroline’s support established a traditional that remains strong in the Breguet House today, with important cultural partnerships being developed by the House into the early 21st century.

During the subsequent Napoleonic Wars, Breguet developed a personal friendship with the Turkish ‘man in Paris’, more officially known as His Excellency Esseid Ali Effendi, Ambassador of the Sublime Porte. Through this acquaintance and the insight it afforded the enterprising watchmaker into the habits and tastes of the court of the Ottoman Empire, Breguet was to develop a series of ‘Turkish’ watches, such as No. 2090, specifically for the Ottoman market – one of which would end up in the ownership of Sultan Selim III. Other orders despatched by A-L Breguet included those of Russian Tsar Alexander I (1809) and the Princes Ferdinand and Charles of Spain (1812), while his son would have dealt with the commission from Queen Victoria in 1838.

The Breguet name spread far and wide. The aristocratic family of Russian writer Alexander Pushkin were loyal customers, leading to Pushkin characterising in his verse novel, Eugene Onegin, “A dandy on the boulevards ... strolling at leisure until his Breguet, ever vigilant, reminds him it is midday.” Other literary references came from Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo; Victor Hugo in Chansons des Rues et des Bois; and French novelist Balzac,

36 WEIR & SONS

Marc A. Hayek, President of the Breguet House.

SHOP THE COLLECTION

Clockwise from top right: Gents Marine Chronograph watch; the XXI 3817 watch; Classique Alarm ‘Le Reveil du Tsar’ Automatic watch; Classique Automatic watch with silver dial

who describes in Eugénie Grandet “the most delicious thin watch that Breguet had ever made”. More recently John Fowles name-checks Breguet in his 1969 post-modern historical fiction, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, as “the greatest of watchmakers”.

The relationships developed with the world of the arts and culture were to prove a long-lived source of inspiration for the Breguet House.

In 1842, opera composer Gioachino Rossini bought watch No. 4604, a small, simple piece featuring a calendar, a gold engine-turned case and an off-centred silver dial, while both Rubinstein and Rachmaninov were to purchase their own Breguet in the 1930s. Today, Breguet are proud sponsors of various musical endeavours, including the annual Geneva Concours de Musique.

In 2010, it was the turn of the Breguet House to draw inspiration from their musical links when they created an original timepiece, the ‘La Musicale’ Classique watch with a patented musical mechanism that plays the tune of Rossini’s Thieving Magpie opera. This was just one of a series of patents introduced under the dynamic leadership of current President Marc A. Hayek, who has invested heavily in research in order to continue building upon the historic House’s unique place in Europe’s cultural heritage and to continue as a world-class innovator in fine watchmaking.

The legacy of A-L Breguet well and truly lives on. To paraphrase one of his greatest admirers, to wear a Breguet watch today is to have the brains of a genius on your wrist – not to mention one of the most fascinating talking points in history, let alone in the history of iconic timepieces.

WEIR.IE

L I F E

I S

A B O U T

M O M E N T S

STEEL, 42 MM SELF-WINDING

Baume & Mercier DPS.indd 1

19/09/2017 12:10

C E L E B R AT I N G 5 0 Y E A R S O F D E S I G N C O L L A B O R AT I O N

“TO BE, NOT TO SEEM” V I V I A N N A TO R U N B Ü LO W- H Ü B E

Georg Jensen FP.indd 1

23/08/2017 11:39

Jewel BRIGITTE LACOMBE

IN THE CROWN

Take one of the 21st century’s greatest architects and a jewellery house of unrivalled calibre and you get a classic in the making, writes Ingmar Kiang.

W

orld-leading architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) collaborated with Italian masters Bulgari on the B.zero1 Design Legend ring shortly before her passing – and in so doing helped to rewrite the language of modern jewellery design.

A fusion of style trademarks, the ring combines Bulgari’s bold construction with Hadid’s famously fluid aesthetic, creating a synthesis of the classic, the revolutionary and

WEIR.IE

the timeless. The B.zero1 Design Legend is now available at Weir & Sons in three guises: a bold fourband ring in pink gold; a thinner three-band version in white or pink gold, and a pendant in pink gold.

Zaha Hadid’s reinterpretation of the B.zero1 is the latest iteration of the classic Bulgari ring. Originally launched in 1999 to celebrate the forthcoming millennium, it immediately became a favourite among connoisseurs worldwide, showcasing Bulgari’s unique ability to strike the right balance between

“The Smithsonian Museum described the B.zero1 Design Legend as a ‘jewel of extraordinary design’.”

B.zero1 Design Legend ring, €2,295, Bulgari

Zaha Hadid

the classic and the distinctive.

Recently, the Smithsonian Museum described the B.zero1 Design Legend as a “jewel of extraordinary design” in its compendium Gem: The Definitive Visual Guide.

In common with other Bulgari designs, the B.zero1 takes its inspiration from ancient Rome – in this case the Emperor Vespasian’s Colosseum. While the amphitheatre’s circular form serves as an ideal, and even obvious, catalyst for the shape of the B.zero1, Bulgari took a further step, by

WEIR & SONS 39

echoing the building’s multiple levels in the inner section of the ring; the jewellers also incorporated the tubogas motif, central to the Bulgari brand iconography (tubogas refers to a Roman jewellery-making technique that involved twisting twine). As ever, each piece is finished with the BVLGARI logo, in which the simple replacement of the U by a V in its spelling further highlights the brand’s ancient Roman inspirations.

Over the years, several variations of the ring, as well as pendants, earrings and bracelets, have been introduced – most notably in 2010 when British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor produced his signature edition. Lauded as a form of ‘wearable sculpture’, its highly-polished inner section recalled the art star’s most famous works, such as the huge Cloud Gate that dominates the AT&T Plaza at Chicago’s Millennium Park.

In 2012, the B.zero1 range was further extended, with the ring’s inner bands fashioned from marble; a choice of green, blue or brown was made available.

Later, the Roma edition, launched

to celebrate Bulgari’s 130th anniversary in 2014, featured the integration of four bronze ceramic bands into the design.

Another version, with pavé diamondencrusted outer rings surrounding a black ceramic centre, appeared in 2015.

However, perhaps the most interesting variation of the B.zero1 was created purely by chance. The now-famous ‘Perfect Mistake’, with its unconventional use of different shades of gold, debuted in early 2016, but was actually ‘crafted’ 16 years beforehand as a prototype.

Bulgari kept its existence secret

Clockwise, from top left: B.zero1 Design Legend necklace, €2,800; B.zero1 four band ring in 18k pink, white and yellow gold €2,040; B.zero1 Design Legend three-band ring in white gold, €2,160, all Bulgari at Weir & Sons; work in progress at Bulgari’s new jewellery manufacturing facility; an emerald and diamond ring from Elizabeth Taylor’s Bulgari collection, gifted to her by Richard Burton on the set of Cleopatra

before finally unveiling it to the world, showing how a creative accident, once understood and learned from, can lead to brilliant imperfection and an innovative concept.

In its latest guise – the B.zero1

FROM LIZ TAYLOR TO LIV TYLER Much of Bulgari’s reputation as a world-class luxury brand stems from its strikingly bold aesthetic, which in turn helped attract a dazzling celebrity clientele. While its rivals focused on conservative designs based on diamonds and pearls, Bulgari forged their own identity by broadening the colour palette through the use of sapphires, rubies and emeralds. These were then combined in unconventional shapes and patterns, often adorned with

40 WEIR & SONS

ancient Roman motifs: bracelets in the form of a serpent became a particular Bulgari signature.

While filming the epic Cleopatra in 1962, Liz Taylor became besotted with Bulgari jewellery, and soon became a regular at the store in Rome where she’d spend hours chatting with glamorous playboy owner Gianni Bulgari, grandson of founder Sotirio. Co-star Richard Burton famously spent fortunes wooing Taylor, and later quipped,

“I introduced Liz to beer, she introduced me to Bulgari”.

Contemporary icons Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace of Monaco were avid collectors, while Andy Warhol once said, “Calling at Bulgari’s shop is like visiting the best exhibition of contemporary art”.

More recently, Naomi Watts, Liv Tyler, Carla Bruni and Uma Thurman have all been seen wearing Bulgari pieces, reaffirming the brand’s stellar status in the A-list firmament.

WEIR.IE

Carat FP.indd 1

31/08/2017 10:38

A PERFECT FUSION OF PAST AND PRESENT Earlier this year, Bulgari announced the opening of their new state-of-the-art jewellery manufacturing facility, Manifattura Bulgari, at Valenza, about 80 kilometres east of Turin.

The move ensures that all Bulgari products – apart from their watches, which are Swiss-made – will continue to be crafted by highly-skilled, local artisans.

Indeed, Bulgari chose the location largely for its rich goldsmithing history: part of the complex, the Cascina dell’Orefice, housed the first goldsmiths to work in Valenza in the early 19th century. The project also includes the new Bulgari Jewellery Academy, where all new employees will be trained in traditional jewellerymaking expertise.

“This new facility is a perfect fusion of past and present, bringing together

42 WEIR & SONS

a love of beauty and the artisanal savoir-faire that has made Italy the world leader in jewellery and goldsmithing,” says Jean-Christophe Babin, Chief Executive Officer of Bulgari.

Bulgari’s investment in the facility represents a commitment to Italian innovation, research and manufacturing, important not only to the company but to Italy as a whole – as reflected by the presence of Carlo Calenda, Minister of Economic Development, and Sergio Chiamparino, President of the Regione Piemonte, at the launch.

Upmarket products, from the fashion of Milan to the supercars of Modena, boost the country’s image abroad, and Bulgari’s exquisitely crafted jewellery has long been a valued ambassador representing the very best of Italian design.

Design Legend – Bulgari’s most commercially successful jewellery piece has been thoroughly deconstructed, in Zaha Hadid’s inimitable style. The central section of the ring now takes the form of undulating gold waves, exemplifying fluidity and a feeling of movement. Despite its rigidity, the solid gold seems effortlessly organic and alive, just as the shape of Hadid’s buildings – many of which appear to have no flat surfaces at all – were designed to evoke ‘the chaos of life’.

Dubbed ‘the queen of the curve’, Hadid had long been associated with a love for smooth flowing lines and an abhorrence of right angles: her professor and mentor Elia Zenghelis once said, “We called her the inventor of the 89 degrees.

Nothing was ever at 90 degrees”.

Iraqi-born Hadid broke stereotypes by being a woman who succeeded in the male-dominated world of international architecture – and went on to become its most celebrated modern exponent. She became the first female recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize (2004) and the Design Museum Design of the Year Award (2014), and also twice won the UK’s highest architectural accolade, the Stirling Prize.

In 2008, Hadid was ranked 69th on the Forbes list of “The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women”, and two years later the New Statesman listed her among “The World’s 50 Most Influential Figures”. In 2016, Zaha Hadid’s untimely passing made headlines worldwide, her life subsequently celebrated in tributeladen documentaries and features.

Hadid’s futuristic, ground-breaking constructions around the world - from China, Hong Kong and Korea to Abu Dhabi, Russia and Azerbaijan – will stand for decades as testament to her genius. And in the B.zero1 Design Legend – a distillation of the liquid lines that epitomise her greatest work – Zaha Hadid’s legacy lives on.

The B.zero1 Design Legend collection

by Bulgari is available at Weir & Sons.

WEIR.IE

Dreyfuss&Co FP.indd 1

11/09/2017 11:52

TERRY O’NEILL

ICONS OF THEIR TIME Pop culture and pioneering spirits inspire a host of amazing new limited edition watches. Jessie Collins looks at this year’s hottest collaborations.

44 WEIR & SONS

“H

e was an artist in a league of his own, a visionary, multifaceted icon whose work is testimony to an exceptional career as a musician and a creative.”

There are few who would disagree with Elie Bernheim, CEO of Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil, who lauded the singular talents of a truly great artist when announcing the launch of the limited edition freelancer ‘David Bowie’. Created to celebrate what would have been Bowie’s 70th birthday, it is dedicated to a few of the many personas created by the musical legend.

Created in collaboration with the David Bowie estate, the 42mm diameter case holds a dial resembling a vinyl record and featuring the lightning bolt now synonymous with him that first appeared on the cover of the Aladdin Sane album in 1973, shown in red at 12 o’clock. The pop art logo designed by Andy Warhol especially for Bowie, first seen on the cover of the Diamond Dogs album in 1974, is etched on the dial, while the back features one of renowned photographer and long-time Bowie collaborator, Terry O’Neill’s distinctive Bowie portraits, printed on the sapphire of its case-back. With just 3,000,

WEIR.IE

limited edition numbered pieces made, it is one for both collectors and fans to adore.

But Bowie is not the only musical legend Weil have honoured this year. As part of their 40th birthday celebrations, there are two other collaborations that mark the contribution of other titans of 20th century music. The Beatles Abbey Road Limited Edition Maestro pays homage to the group’s last album and what many fans believe to be their greatest work.

Housed in a 39.5mm steel case, the dial is a copy of a vinyl record engraved with microgrooves, and is inspired by the iconic cover depicting The Beatles on the now famous pedestrian crossing outside Abbey Road Studios, with the outlined figures of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr striding along the grooves. At the heart of the dial and on the sapphire crystal case-back of the watch, sits the iconic logo of a band many still regard as the greatest of all time.

The mechanical self-winding RW200 movement comes within, and the watch itself is also part of just a 3,000 limited edition run.

A predecessor to The Beatles and undoubtedly a huge inspiration, Raymond Weil’s other musical collaboration this year has seen them create the Buddy Holly Maestro watch. Designed in collaboration with Holly’s widow Maria Elena, it pays tribute to a legendary musician recognised as the pioneer of rock ’n’ roll, and also commemorates the 80th anniversary of his birth in Lubbock, Texas on 7 September 1936.

He was tragically killed in a plane crash on 3 February, 1959, aged just 22. A contribution from each watch sold is being donated to the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, a charity set up to provide music education and opportunities to young people worldwide.

The 39.5mm Maestro watch evokes many of Holly’s distinctive features as well as some personal touches. The polished stainless steel case houses an automatic mechanical movement with a 38-hour power reserve and polished stainless steel bracelet, while the silver galvanic dial has highlights of pale blue, Holly’s favourite colour, encircling the rim. On the secondary second sub dial, there is a miniature pair of glasses (the iconic emblem of Holly himself ) on the sweep of the second hand.

WEIR.IE

The watch face features an oversized number nine, a reference to Holly’s lucky number, balanced by the date dial at the 3 o’clock position with the emblem of Buddy Holly’s signature centered on the face of the dial. The smoked sapphire crystal exhibition case-back references the tribute to the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation.

Though predating the rock ’n’ roll era by quite some years, Swiss watchmaker Rado are honouring someone no less pioneering in spirit or historical in their legacy. A reinterpretation of the original Rado Captain Cook diver watch collection from the 1960s (now rare but highly regarded), Rado this year has relaunched their vintage Captain Cook collection. The new HyperChrome Captain Cook trio offers options for both men and women looking for that vintage feel with modern movements.

Cook charted thousands of miles of unexplored coastline in the Pacific, bringing with him a wide-ranging, mostly self-taught knowledge of cartography, anthropology and astronomy. His daring and originality are evoked in oversized indexes, chunky arrow-shaped hands, and a rotating bezel in high-tech ceramic and stainless or carbon diffused steel.

There are two 37mm models with distinctive masculine and feminine qualities. The most delicate version features a silvery, slightly raised dial studded with eight Top Wesselton diamonds with a white high-tech ceramic bezel and fine-knit metal Milanese band, while the more masculine version sports a darker colour scheme and a black high-tech ceramic bezel with a brown vintage leather strap. As a tribute to the launch year of the original Captain Cook collection, this gent’s timepiece is limited to just 1962 pieces.

Beautiful details come in the form of a polished stainless steel case-back with three sea horses stamped into it, a polished stainless steel crown

Clockwise from top left: The Beatles Abbey Road Limited Edition Maestro, €1,395,

by Raymond Weil; The David Bowie Limited Edition Freelancer, €1,750, by Raymond Weil; HyperChrome Captain Cook, €1,880,

by Rado; The Buddy Holly Limited Edition, €1,550,

by Raymond Weil

“The pop art logo designed by Andy Warhol especially for Bowie is etched on the dial, while the back features renowned photographer Terry O’Neill’s distinctive Bowie portrait.”

WEIR & SONS 45

shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Both options are waterresistant to 10 bar (100m). For the full retro experience however there is also the 45mm model.

The wonderfully chunky case features a blue colour scheme and comes with a black or blue textile strap. The screw-down titanium case-back has the distinctive three sea horses stamp, with the polished titanium screwed crown and the curved sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating on both sides. The 45mm option is waterresistant to 20 bar (200m).

Sport this year has inspired some of the best limited editions, with big watch houses honouring some of the greats from recent times as well as commemorating legendary events.

TAG Heuer have created the limited edition Carrera Calibre 5 ‘Ring Master’ Special Edition Tribute to Muhammad Ali, which contains a host of details to honour one of the most iconic sportsmen of all time. The opaline black dial has white luminescent numerals and a rotary ring with a scale showing one to 15 rounds of boxing while the white printed TAG Heuer logo is at 12 o’clock, Muhammad Ali’s signature sits at six o’clock and on the back is an engraved portrait of Ali with the “Tribute to Muhammad Ali” inscription.

Another sadly departed but no less celebrated sportsman is remembered in another limited edition by TAG Heuer. Legendary racing driver Ayrton Senna had a long relationship with the Swiss watchmaker until his untimely death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. A famed lover of TAG Heuer watches (his favoured style was the early 1990s TAG Heuer S/el, Ref. S25.706C), just two days before he was killed, the F1 driver agreed to launch the 6000 Senna watch, and though its release was put on hold, TAG Heuer and the Senna Foundation eventually decided to go ahead with the project, TAG Heuer donating a portion of the profits for each watch sold to the Senna Foundation.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Senna’s first victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, TAG Heuer are releasing three new limited edition watches in tribute, paring their Heuer-01 proprietary movement with Senna design elements. Coming in a 45mm case, the Carrera

46 WEIR & SONS

The Beatles in 1963, Ayrton Senna (below right) in 1991

Above: The ‘Senna’ Carrera Heuer-01 chronograph, €1,500, TAG Heuer Left: The limited edition Carrera Calibre 5 ‘Ring Master’ Special Edition Tribute to Muhammad Ali, €2,700, TAG Heuer Heuer-01 chronograph in black brushed steel has touches of red on the skeleton dial and sapphire case-back. The other pieces in the series are two Formula 1 models, one of which is the chronograph version, TAG Heuer’s archetypal motor racing model. Both are 43 mm in diameter and black with red touches, while the bezel also has a minute track, again a nod to Senna’s unrivalled skill. All come with the bracelet with S-shaped links, worn by Ayrton at the height of his career.

In February, TAG Heuer also launched the Carrera Heuer 01 Chrono Calibre Manchester United containing the Heuer-01 chronograph with a black skeleton dial that carries the bright

red of Manchester United and the club logo positioned at nine o’clock, with a red alligator strap as well as the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Manchester United Chrono Quartz featuring the Manchester United logo on the 1/10th second counter at six o’clock.

Car racing has inspired others this year. In 2017 the famous Italian car rally, the Mille Miglia, turned 90. The open-road endurance test which took place between 1927 and 1957 made sports cars like Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes Benz and Porsche famous.

Stretching across 1,600km from Brescia in

“Just two days before he was killed, Senna had agreed to launch the 6000 Senna TAG Heuer watch.”

WEIR.IE

Citizen FP.indd 1

11/09/2017 12:26

Lombardy to Rome and back, the race was reborn in 1977 as a classic car rally, and only permits cars produced no later than 1957, which had attended or were registered in the original race, to take part.

Chopard’s links with the race go back to 1988 when the first Mille Miglia watches were introduced. Chopard are celebrating 90 years of the Mille Miglia by introducing the Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition, which takes its inspiration directly from the cars themselves. With a curved design based on a Ferrari 250 GTO and the taut lines inspired by an Alfa Romeo 6C, Chopard have aimed to emulate the construction quality of a Porsche 550 RS with its 46mm-diameter, 13mm-thick rose gold case and soft, polished bezel.

The chronograph pushers are piston-inspired, with nice details, such as the large notched dial reminiscent of petrol tank caps, ensuring easy handling even if you are, in Mille Miglia-style, wearing leather driver’s gloves. The dial evokes a vintage dashboard, its porcelain-like white punctuated by Arabic numerals and snailed counters, which are then surrounded by a tachymetric scale that can be used at any time to measure real speed as well as average speed – key information for regularity trials that are a great part of the Mille Miglia tradition.

The mechanism also draws on the finest racing cars for inspiration – the hand-wound flyback chronograph mechanism is from Chopard’s haute horlogerie L.U.C collection, featuring finishing made of nickel silver with the lowermost parts of the movement circulargrained and gilded, and the uppermost parts in steel or rhodium-plated, a reference to the finest racing cars and their mechanical triumphs.

Tissot too honour motorsports but this time those of motorbikes, with their T-Race MotoGP Automatic Limited Edition 2017. After

“The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic XL references the finest racing cars and their mechanical triumphs.”

48 WEIR & SONS

Clockwise from above right: Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition, €34,420, Chopard; Men’s 42mm Alpine World Ski Championships Conquest Classic, €3,030, Longines; T-Race MotoGP Automatic Limited Edition 2017 case, and the T-Race watch, €1,275, Tissot; ladies’ 34mm Alpine World Ski Championships Conquest Classic, €1,790, Longines becoming the official timekeeper for MotoGP in 2001, producing the first official MotoGP watch in 2003, and then producing the Tissot T-Race in 2004, Tissot build on the pedigree with the Tissot T-Race MotoGP Automatic Limited Edition 2017, which draws from the world’s oldest motorsports championships with iconic bike features such as dashboard counters on the carbon-like dial and its tyre tread bracelet.

The automatic movement, visible through the transparent rim-like case-back, visualises a brake-disc, also portrayed on the oscillating mass, with lines illustrating further tyre treads.

Just 2017 pieces have been made, and it comes

presented in a special helmet-shaped box.

Tissot are also commemorating another historical legacy, with their Heritage 1948 collection, inspired by a Tissot watch that dates back to 1948 and which is part of the brand’s museum collection.

During that time Tissot were producing a number of different chronograph models that particularly appealed to engineers, doctors and sportsmen who were looking for precision timekeeping as well as a stylish timepiece. The new collection stays faithful to the original qualities, with a beautiful automatic movement, visible through the see-through case-back and through its original details, such as the three counters on the dial, two pushers, the minutetrack, stud details and the special shaped lugs and leaf hands. Updates come in the form of a lighter coloured case with satin and polished finishes, a Roman index at 12 o’clock and the date display between the indices four and five with black or brown leather strap options or a Milanese bracelet.

Longines too have delved into their archive for inspiration to draw on some long-standing and successful collaborations. To celebrate the Alpine World Ski Championships 2017 in St. Moritz Longines have launched two limitededition watches, one for women, one for men, drawn from their Conquest Classic collection.

Measuring a chunky 42mm in diameter, the men’s model has a blue dial set with nine applied indices with a moon phase display and features the 12-hour counter at six o’clock, the 24-hour indicator and the sub-dial for the seconds at nine o’clock, as well as the 30-minute counter and the day-and-month display at 12 o’clock.

The ladies’ version meanwhile is a neater 34mm in size, with hours, minutes and seconds set against a blue dial. The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships logo is applied onto the transparent case-back of both pieces, and there is a classic steel bracelet available for each.

It is a fitting tribute to a tradition that began when Longines provided the first timekeeping equipment for military ski races held in SaintImier in 1924, the small hamlet in the south west of Switzerland which the brand calls home to this day.

WEIR.IE

CAMBRIDGE | GS05252/01 | DOMED SAPPHIRE GLASS | HIDDEN CROWN | AUTOMATIC

Rotary FP.indd 1

11/09/2017 11:54

TRUE

Romance From perfect pendants and timeless rings to statement watches and bold accessories, fall in love with the new collections at Weir & Sons.

Photography EILISH McCORMICK | Styling SINEAD KEENAN

50 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

He wears: Radiomir watch, €35,000, Panerai She wears: Parentesi earrings, €4,950; Parentesi necklace, €5,300, both by Bvlgari; Jasmine watch, €1,395, Raymond Weil; 18k rose gold bangle, €925, Weir Collection

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 51

She wears (clockwise from bottom right): Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, €7,215, Cartier; 9k white gold and diamond bangle, €2,980; 9k gold and diamond bangle,€2,915; 18k gold and diamond bangle, €1,720; 18k gold curb link necklace, €7,995; 18k gold green amethyst earrings, €335, all Weir Collection

52 WEIR & SONS

PREVIOUS PAGE He wears: Charcoal tweed jacket, M&S Collection; Merino wool crew neck, John Smedley, Harvey Nichols; brushed cotton trousers, Jack & Jones, Arnotts. She wears: Blue tweed blazer, Gant; white cotton shirt, J. Lindeberg; blue jeans, J Brand, all at Arnotts. THIS PAGE He wears: Navy jacket, M&S Collection, Marks & Spencer; navy polo top, Armani Jeans; all at Arnotts. She wears: Navy blazer and blue linen shirt, both Autograph at Marks & Spencer.

He wears: Curv watch, €769, Bulova

WEIR.IE

He wears: Sky-Dweller watch, €37,100, Rolex; 9k gold oblong cufflinks, €1,625, Deakin & Francis

He wears: Navy jacket and trousers, both Calvin Klein, Arnotts; white shirt, Autograph, Marks & Spencer. She wears: Blue gown, Aidan Mattox, Harvey Nichols

She wears (clockwise from bottom right): Twenty-4 4908/30R watch, €53,750, Patek Philippe; platinum diamond ring, €29,890, Weir Collection; 18k gold diamond cluster ring, €6,895, Fope; diamond and tanzanite pendant, €29,365; platinum, diamond and sapphire earrings, €29,572, both Weir Collection

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 53

Platinum three-stone diamond ring, €18,760, Weir Collection

54 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

He wears: Denim shirt, Polo Ralph Lauren, Harvey Nichols; chinos, Scotch & Soda, Arnotts. She wears: Camel blouse, Autograph, Marks & Spencer; jeans, Paige denim, Harvey Nichols

He wears: Centrix watch, €1,930, Rado She wears: Clockwise, from bottom right: Reverso watch, €24,400, Jaeger-LeCoultre; Bamboo bangle, €2,850, Gucci; platinum three-stone diamond ring, €14,450; 18k gold fresh water pearl pendant, €760; 18k gold fresh-waterpearl earrings, €805, all Weir Collection

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 55

She wears: Happy Hearts bangle, €2,775, Chopard; De Ville watch, €7,400, Omega; 18k white gold fresh water pearl necklace, €4,350, Weir Collection; 18k gold diamond and pearl earrings, €5,975, Mikimoto

56 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

He wears: Brown suede jacket, Limited Edition, Marks & Spencer, pale grey Merino wool sweater, John Smedley, Harvey Nichols; chinos, Scotch & Soda, Arnotts. She wears: Cream top, Roland Mouret, Costume; jeans, Paige Denim, Harvey Nichols

He wears: El Primero watch, €8,825, Zenith

Black dress, Keepsake, Harvey Nichols

Platinum diamond ring, €27,300; 18k gold bangle with diamonds, €7,220, both Weir Collection; Happy Diamonds pendant, €18,300, Chopard; 18k white gold diamond cluster earrings, €10,980, Weir Collection

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 57

He wears: DS Action Diver, €790, Certina

58 WEIR & SONS

He wears: Navy coat, Gagliardi; blue shirt, Selected Homme; chinos, Scotch & Soda; all at Arnotts. She wears: Tweed knit jacket, Isabel Marant, Costume; cream blouse, Autograph, Marks & Spencer; jeans, Paige denim, Arnotts; tan leather bag, Mulberry, Harvey Nichols

She wears: Clockwise, from bottom left: Spot On ring, €1,440, Moi by Weir & Sons; platinum threestone diamond ring, €18,760; 18k rose gold morganite pendant, €2,635; 18k white gold and rose gold entwined earrings, €2,790; 9k rose gold bangle, €2,010, all Weir Collection; Lady Moonphase watch, €20,500, Zenith

WEIR.IE

He wears: Tuxedo jacket, white shirt and tuxedo trousers, all Marks & Spencer She wears: Black and white gown, Aidan Mattox, Harvey Nichols

He wears: Chronoliner watch, €8,550, Breitling; silver knot cufflinks, €130, Weir Collection She wears: Shine watch, €3,150, Raymond Weil; platinum diamond ring, €10,140; 18k white gold diamond and pearl drop pendant, €8,425, both Weir Collection; 18k white gold pearl earrings, €8,075, Mikimoto Shot at The Westin, Dublin, westin.ie Photography Eilish McCormick, assisted by Andrew Rankin Styling Sinead Keenan, assisted by Katie Grogan Hair Michael Leong Makeup Zoe Clark Models Paul Kerr @ Morgan, The Agency and Faye Dinsmore @ Andrea Roche Model Agency

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 59

AD Weir Style - Prima Mani.indd 2 FOPE FP.indd 1

11/09/17 16:28 15:52 11/09/2017

Memories are made of this Fine jewellery and watch purveyors since 1869, Weir & Sons have generations of experience in making a moment magic. Three customers share their special Weir & Sons memories.

Photography KYLE TUNNEY

Caroline Massey, landscape architect, on choosing her engagement ring For Caroline, who got engaged to Frank last May, getting the opportunity to choose the ring was important. “Frank was pretty much all about the row of diamonds. I told him before, I’d like to pick the ring together.” They decided to make the shopping for the ring an experience itself, with Weir & Sons being a key part of their special day. “There is just something really nice about picking it together and we knew this was where we wanted to go, so we made a whole day of it.” After finding the perfect ring, they went to The Shelbourne, “and then he properly, properly asked me.”

They chose a four-stone platinum ring by Weir & Sons. “I’m a landscape architect so I like things a little bit different but also classic. We’d seen lots of three-stone rings, but then we saw the four and I knew it was right. I had tried on every kind of ring, pear and circles and all sorts, but I’d whittled it down to a row-style, I knew it was lovely, then I saw the four-stone in the window. I never knew it’s about what suits your hand, it’s really odd. It came down to the pear, or this, but I was delighted he wanted this too.”

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 61

Michael Butler, retired managing director, on a Rolex love affair Michael’s love of Rolex began in the 1970s, when he bought his first stainless steel Datejust watch at Weir & Sons. “I always wanted one for some reason, but I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. I grew up in the Liberties, my dad died when I was four, but by the time I was eight I had three jobs.” His boss in the 1970s was a watch fanatic.

“He had an old stainless steel Tudor, and the bar across was missing, he bought an Omega, so I bought the Tudor off him, which I paid £20 for, then I traded it in in the store for my first Rolex.”

“If my mother was alive today,” he adds, “the first thing she would say is far from it you were reared!”

Michael upgraded to a gold Day-Date Rolex 20 years ago, which he still wears, and has invested in over 14 Rolex watches as gifts to celebrate important family occasions, which are now being handed down from one generation to the next. The one that has given him the most pleasure though, is his most recent purchase, a new Datejust Rolex for his wife Anne to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

The gift is a surprise; with the help of Paul Broughan, Weir & Sons Watch Manager, he managed to get Anne to bring in her older model for a service. Unknown to her, she is going to get a brand new version in return.

And his secret to 50 years of happy marriage? “Get married in your 20s!”

62 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

Seiko FP.indd 1

13/09/2017 16:08

Audrey Murphy, senior manager at Accenture, on receiving her three-stone engagement ring Audrey’s story is one of stealth on the part of her fiancé, Daire, who proposed last August. “I actually had come in to Weir & Sons to buy myself a 30th birthday present, a ring that I’d seen that I really loved.

Then Daire pointed out this ring to me, but I was so distracted I totally didn’t remember. He had been in to Neville (McDowell, Weir & Sons Jewellery Manager) at that point already and gotten great guidance, and was doing a good trawl through.”

Audrey readily admits to being very particular, and when Daire had asked her parents several months in advance of the proposal, her father had given the younger man one simple piece of advice: let her pick the ring herself.

Daire was determined, though.

“My mother said she could see at the time, the look in his eyes just said, ‘I am going to pick the ring and it’s going to be perfect’.” The ring is a platinum diamond set with a radiant cut diamond, surrounded by 42 diamonds and from the Weir & Sons collection. So did Daire get it right? “I didn’t really think about engagement rings, what I did and didn’t like, but I love three-stone engagement rings. Also, it’s an engagement ring, it’s the nicest gift you are ever going to receive. So whether it’s something I thought I would have picked myself or not, the reality is the minute you put it on your finger, it is wonderful. He did a great job.”

64 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

S UNPEEVRE RH EL O RO S EE S

YOUR PEN AGAIN NEW CLICK MARVEL COLLECTION

PEERLESS TRACKR

Lost it?

Find it!

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by A.T. Cross is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Crosspens FP.indd 1

13/09/2017 16:06

®ROBERTO COIN.COM

PRINCESS FLOWER COLLECTION

Roberto Coin FP.indd 1

06/09/2017 16:11

Love Bites

Romance is at the heart of what Weir & Sons do, and we pride ourselves on satsifying even the most particular taste. Meet Teddy and Luna, our latest couple destined for a happy every after.

Photography TREVOR HART Assisted by ANDREW RANKIN Styling and Art Direction ELEANOR HARPUR Starring TEDDY & LUNA

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 67

GROOMING Teddy wears, clockwise from bottom left: Sun and Planet Gear cufflinks, €245, Deakin & Francis; De Ville watch, €3,100, Omega; 9k rose gold signet ring, €955; 9k yellow gold wedding band, €405; 18k rose gold wedding band, €1,095, all Weir Collection; Perpetual Calendar watch, €81,200, Patek Philippe Luna wears, clockwise from bottom left: Symphonette watch, €4,140, Longines; 18k white gold opal and diamond bracelet, €9,865; 18k white gold diamond cluster ring, €6,340; 18k white gold topaz and amethyst ring, €1,425; 18k rose gold morganite and diamond ring, €5,980; 18k rose gold oval morganite and diamond ring, €2,595, all Weir Collection; Silver atomiser, €135, Carrs Silver; Mialuce necklace, €15,125, Fope

68 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 69

70 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

FALLING IN LOVE Teddy wears, clockwise from bottom left: Carrera Heuer-02T Tourbillon watch €14,300, TAG Heuer; wedding band, €995; 9k white gold palladium wedding band, €785, both Weir Collection; Clifton watch, €4,100, Baume & Mercier Luna wears, clockwise from bottom left: Symphony diamond bangle, €4,320; 18k rose gold and diamond Symphony bangle, €2,350; 18k gold Symphony bangle, €4,225, all Roberto Coin; Imperial watch, €12,850, Chopard; B.zero1 ring, €4,700, Bvlgari; Fusion ring, €3,865, Georg Jensen; rose gold and white ceramic B.zero1 ring, €1,350; Zaha Hadid B.zero1 Design Legend ring, €2,295; 18k white gold B.zero1 ring, €2,080; yellow gold B.zero1 ring, €1,450; rose gold and black ceramic B.zero1 ring, €1,790; rose gold and green marble B.zero1 ring, €1,450, all Bvlgari; Equestrian watch, €2,900, Longines; 18k white gold and diamond Symphony bangle, €2,660; 18k gold Symphony bangle, €2,350, both Roberto Coin; B Zero bangle, €5,500, Bvlgari

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 71

THE PROPOSAL Teddy wears, clockwise from bottom left: Meisterstuck cufflinks, €185, Montblanc; Day-Date watch, €32,600, Rolex; 18k gold onyx signet ring, €895; 9k yellow diamond ring (in box), POA, both Weir Collection Luna wears, clockwise from bottom left: Datejust watch, €8,650, Rolex; 18k white gold diamond tennis bracelet, €18,575, Weir Collection; Scorpion white gold diamond ring, €11,000; 18k white gold Tiger diamond ring, €7,495, both Roberto Coin; 18k white gold and diamond aquamarine ring, €8,720; Ruby and diamond platinum ring, POA; 18k white gold aquamarine and diamond ring, €7,550; 18k white gold emerald and diamond ring, €34,370; 18k white gold emerald and diamond ring, €28,176; 18k white gold ruby and diamond bracelet, €6,790, all Weir Collection; 18k white gold, diamond and multi sapphire bracelet, €8,850, Waskoll; 18k white gold, diamond and emerald bracelet, €12,065; 18k blue pendant, €481, both Weir Collection

72 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 73

74 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

SHE SAID YES Teddy wears, clockwise from bottom left: Silver cufflinks, €199, Weir Collection; Drive de Cartier watch, €6,250, Cartier; Palladium wedding rings, from €500, both Weir Collection Luna wears, clockwise from bottom left: Platinum yellow diamond ring, POA; 18k gold four-stone diamond ring, €4,490; platinum diamond band ring, €1,075; brilliant cut solitaire, platinum, €11,220; platinum oval diamond halo ring, €8,890; platinum cushion cut diamond cluster ring, €5,170; platinum oval diamond halo ring, €7,060; platinum brilliant cut diamond halo ring, €5,930; platinum and 18k gold brilliant cut diamond halo ring, €5,440; platinum diamond necklace, POA, all Weir Collection; Reine de Naples watch, €34,900, Breguet; platinum diamond bracelet, €42,780, Weir Collection

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 75

Rubaiyat Collection Rubaiyat, a name with poetic significance and sensuality, was chosen

by Bulova in 1917 for its first-ever woman’s timepiece. Now a hundred years in the making, the Rubaiyat heritage has been reinvented with a collection that honours Bulova’s first expression of a lady’s timepiece.

78827_v4.indd 1 Tagheuer FP.indd 1

25/08/2017 13:53 12/09/2017 15:06

Gentlemen’s

ACADEMY & WEIRS

A group of gents, some of the most prestigious watches created and an expert guided tour through an odyssey of timepieces? Here’s what happened when The Gentlemen’s Academy made a night of it at Weir & Sons.

Photography KYLE TUNNEY Assisted by ADRIAN WOJTAS

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 77

T

he Gentlemen’s Academy are known for their discerning taste, founded in 2011 to provide alternative spaces and ways for guys to hang out, ones that encourage creativity and camaraderie rather then something with the pub as its focus. The aim has been to seek experiences that are both entertaining and educational.

What better way to indulge in all things truly gentlemanly then to have an evening looking at some of the most immaculate timepieces, and to find out more about their history, their ingenuity and their pedigree with some of Weir & Sons’ most experienced experts?

“There is just something so perfect about a Rolex.”

GIANNI CLIFFORD, CO-FOUNDER & CTO AT ONLINE PLATFORM FILLIT THE FIRST PROPER WATCH I WAS GIVEN WAS A SILVER SEIKO for my 21st. I’d owned Casios before that but it was the first time I had a real watch where I really felt like an adult when I put it on.

I’VE BEEN WEARING DRESS WATCHES MORE RECENTLY, they are not too expensive so you can change them often. With the one I’m wearing, you can change the straps, play around with it a bit so it’s versatile.

I MISS THAT FEELING ON MY WRIST IF I DON’T WEAR A WATCH. I do feel a bit weird without one now, although you check your phone a hundred times a day, everyday, I am really used to wearing a watch now. It just sort of finishes everything off.

78 WEIR & SONS

THERE IS JUST SOMETHING SO PERFECT ABOUT A ROLEX, they are just classy. Some of the most popular aren’t my favourite, I’d go for one of the more traditional designs with the bubble over the date, and in gold - they are timeless.

WITH A REALLY GOOD WATCH, YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT IT IS GOING TO LAST A LONG TIME. I just got engaged, and I know from some of the other guys that their other halves bought them watches as engagement presents so I’m definitely going to be dropping hints to my fiancée.

HOLDING A €153,000 PATEK PHILIPPE WAS PRETTY MEMORABLE, and really impressive. The Weir & Sons team were great, no question was too in-depth or too basic.

WEIR.IE

PRECISELY YOUR MOMENT DS PODIUM

CHRONOGRAPH LAP TIMER

OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED CHRONOMETER

Certina FP.indd 1

04/09/2017 10:38

“If I was going to spend a lot on a watch, I would get one that has completely visible movements.”

EOIN ‘SWAN’ SWEENEY, PRINTMAKER THE FIRST WATCH I EVER OWNED was a Pop Swatch. It had rockets on the wristband and a see-through, luminous orange clip and there was even a rocket on the watch itself, it was awesome.

I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER BOUGHT A WATCH. I’ve always indicated that I would like one as a present and the world provided. I own a JaegerLeCoultre and if money was no object I would probably buy another one. I’m a letterpress printer, SO THE MECHANICS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME. I have a Heidelberg printing press, which is the Rolex of printing machines, it’s an incredible device. If I was going to spend a lot on a watch, I would get one that has completely visible movements. At the Gentlemen’s Academy & Weirs event I really liked seeing the pocket watches; opening them up, looking at how they were made.

I ALSO LOVED PUTTING A PATEK PHILIPPE ON MY WRIST – it was beautiful, really on a different level.

Refreshments came courtesy of new neighbours, Wow Burger at Mary’s

AHMAD FAKHRY, DESIGNER AT ODOS ARCHITECTS THE FIRST WATCH I EVER OWNED was a Seiko watch that a friend of my mother gave to me for Christmas. I lost it once playing football – but I never told my parents.

THE LAST WATCH I BOUGHT was a watch by an Irish design studio, it was great to get something designed and made in Ireland.

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO PATEK PHILIPPE watches, which is what I think I’d buy if money was no object.

THE TECH BEHIND THE WATCH DOESN’T MATTER A HUGE AMOUNT TO ME. I like seeing it on my wrist and I like to know there’s been work put in to it and the materials are good. I’m interested in the details of everything though, especially if there is a story behind it. I enjoyed the history and learning about the ways different brands positioned themselves; it was a very interesting event.

80 WEIR & SONS

“I lost my first watch playing football – but I never told my parents.”

WEIR.IE

Henry_W&S_Ad_210x260mm.indd 1

21/09/2017 15:21

Vintage Rolex ladies Datejust watch, POA, subject to availability

ANDY COLLINS, FASHION BUYER AND MANAGER, INDIGO & CLOTH

TIPS FOR BUYING VINTAGE

THE FIRST WATCH I EVER OWNED was a Nixon that told the time in Japanese.

It was really interesting. IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT, I’d go for Rolex, I love the colour and the brand. They are beautiful looking pieces. THE TECH BEHIND THE WATCH MATTERS A LOT TO ME. If I was to buy a new watch, I would definitely want to find out about the ins and outs of it first. It was fascinating to find out how in-depth things can get, technically, at the Gentlemen’s Academy & Weirs event. The team also gave us good tips on what to look out for when buying a Rolex second-hand. Really brilliant and simple advice.

“It was fascinating to find out how in-depth things can get, technically.”

MICHAEL BOSONNET, CONSUMER AND MARKET INSIGHT SPECIALIST

“The first watch I ever bought was an Omega Seamaster in Weir & Sons.”

82 WEIR & SONS

JAMES BOND WAS DEFINITELY MY FIRST WATCH CRUSH, he wore Omegas and Rolexes, but it was the Omega Seamaster that I loved, it was just so beautiful and simple. THE FIRST WATCH I OWNED WAS A FLIK FLAK WITH A SNAP WRIST CUFF

BY SWATCH. I was given it as a present and I thought it was the best thing at the time. THE FIRST WATCH I EVER BOUGHT WAS AN OMEGA SEAMASTER IN WEIR & SONS. It was a graduation present to myself. I love watches, I am a genuine enthusiast so it’s a real pleasure for me to see the pieces here up close.

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT I THINK I’D GET A BREGUET OR AN IWC, I loved the Bulova watch they showed us with the curved face and movement, I thought that was incredible.

MY FAVOURITE WATCH FROM TONIGHT is the Patek Philippe watch that changes timezone with a click. I DIDN’T KNOW THAT WEIR & SONS are real watch enthusiasts and staff don’t work to targets. I HAVE A SMART WATCH FOR EVERYDAY, and I love it. It does all my messaging, emailing, and the price of it is good for what it does. It pretty much can handle all the daily stuff I need.

Stick to brands you know.

Always go for a brand you recognise. This means if you have any issues down the line, there’s a better chance of getting the spare parts you need. If you buy one that has no name, it could prove hard to get it repaired.

Do your homework. If you’re interested in a particular make and model, research its defining characteristics. For example, if you saw a Rolex stainless steel submariner that had a blue dial you’d know it was fake, as that’s not something Rolex do.

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. A bit like cars, when looking at vintage sometimes things can look better than what they are. There are instances of ‘genuine’ designer watches being made up of half of one brand and half of another, or of watches that look legitimate but have key internal parts that have been replaced with the wrong pieces. Sometimes, you’ll need a watchmaker’s eye to spot a fake, so by the time you realise you’ve been duped it’s too late.

Buy from a reputable jewellers.

Many provide a one-year warranty with vintage pieces. Weir & Sons have watchmakers on site for evaluations and repairs.

Look out for compromised pieces. If you want to have your vintage watch serviced by the brand that made it, be mindful that it hasn’t been modified.

For example, if you sent in a Rolex watch that was missing its signature magnifying bubble over the date (a feature often modified or removed), you’ll be charged for new glass as well as a service.

WEIR.IE

2017_09_12_TS_ANZ_Weir_Style.indd 1

22.09.17 14:07

Bellroy 1/2.indd 1 Untitled-7 1

12/09/2017 4:48 11:24 24/08/2017 PM

leather | belts | bags | bracelets

Saddler 1/2.indd 1

@saddlercom | #sdlr

15/09/2017 10:47

THE ENTERTAINER Clockwise from top left: Wooden hot plate, €40, Georg Jensen; Corkscrew, €40, Georg Jensen; silver enamel teaspoons, €345 for a set of 6; silver butter shell, €110, both Weir Collection; Henning Koppel salt and pepper set, €53, Georg Jensen; silver-topped glass decanter, €255, Weir Collection; Forma cheese knife, €55, Georg Jensen; silver enamel spoons, €415 for a set of 6, Weir Collection

Present Perfect Gorgeous gifts for every event with our curated edit of the Weir & Sons Silverware Department Photography NATHALIE MARQUEZ COURTNEY | Styling CIARA O’HALLORAN

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 85

FOR HER Clockwise, from bottom left: Black leather clutch, €74, Saddler; vintage blue enamel box, €500, Birmingham Silver; vintage purple enamel jar, €270, Birmingham Silver; 18k rose gold Spot On diamond ring, €205, Moi by Weir & Sons; Rendez-vous watch, €8,950, Jaeger-LeCoultre; Everlasting Love chain, €1,080, Moi by Weir & Sons; vintage 1944 silver compact, €210, Birmingham Silver; make-up set, €1,011, Bernard Richards; Classic Century Medalist pen, €70, Cross; rose metallic mini wallet, €65, Secrid; Arrow ring, €315, Moi by Weir & Sons; Cross ring, €365, Moi by Weir & Sons; blue scent bottle, €360, Vintage Weir Collection

86 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

THE STYLISH DESK Clockwise, from bottom left: Irish silver frame, from €180, Weir Collection; Augmented Paper writing set, €715; mint notebook, €65; StarWalker fountain pen, €555, all Montblanc; Tableau frame, €69, Georg Jensen; mother-of-pearl letter opener, €81, Carrs; card phone case, €55, Bellroy; mother-ofpearl magnifying glass, €96, Weir Collection; novelty dice, €65, Dalvey; Ellipse key ring, €29, Georg Jensen; silver desk paper clip, €188, Weir Collection

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 87

FOR HIM Clockwise, from top right: Sketch book, €105, Montblanc; Eco-Drive watch, €299, Citizen; leather hip flask, €105, The Bridge; Classic shaving set, €350 including stand, Dalvey; Classic small wash bag, €125, Dalvey; tie bar, €195, Montblanc; money clip, €230, Montblanc; 9k gold cufflinks, €1,625, Deakin & Francis; Star Wars fountain pen, €475, Cross; leather passport holder, €110, The Bridge; vintage silver plated box, €165, Christofle; silver button cufflinks, €123, Weir Collection

88 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

Dublin bridges print by Clover Rua; cloverrua.com

THE JET SETTER Clockwise, from bottom left: Irish silver frame, from €180, Weir Collection; Quack thermo cup, €45, Georg Jensen; black and gold mini wallet, €65, Secrid; Unicef blue leather notebook, €75, Montblanc; silver compass, €225, Weir Collection; vintage silver hip flask, €485, Chopard; desk globe and stand, €110, Dalvey; Connected modular 45 watch, €1,650, TAG Heuer; steel money clip, €260, Montblanc; gold plated detail barometer, €225, Dalvey; passport holder, €89, Bellroy

WEIR.IE

WEIR & SONS 89

A NEW BABY Clockwise, from bottom left: Teddy bear silver box, €125; ballet shoes silver box, €84; tooth fairy silver box, €77; silver ballet shoes pendant, €75, all Weir Collection; ballerina music box, €66, Ercolano; Moneyphant money box, €99, Georg Jensen; My First Diamond necklace, €59, Weir Collection; duck photo frame, €35, Newbridge Silverware; amber bracelet, €41, Weir Collection; silver rattle, €170, Carrs; silver baby bangle, €45, Weir Collection; elephant puzzle, €69, Georg Jensen

90 WEIR & SONS

WEIR.IE

Elegant Country Retreat Introducing Dublin’s newest luxury escape. Nestled in the Irish countryside, discover the beautifully restored historic village with picturesque splashing fountains, floral walkways and pink stone cottages. Enjoy casual and fine-dining restaurants, cookery classes, afternoon tea and a range of spa treatments or stay in one of the incredibly decorated suites.

Lyons Road, Celbridge, Co. Kildare cliffatlyons.ie

Cliff at Lyons fp.indd 1

|

+353 1 630 3500

|

info@cliffatlyons.ie

20/09/2017 09:57

HOT 10 THE

From the best new cultural experiences to the hippest eateries and cocktail bars, here are just ten of the go-to spots in and around Dublin right now.

2 THE CLIFF AT LYONS Just 30 minutes from the city, this luxe hotel is in another world, with its historic rose-clad buildings, including a mill and former dovecote. As well as its beautiful dining options and activities, this autumn will see The Well in the Garden spa open, offering body treatments, relaxation rooms and its own Irish-made spa products. cliffatlyons.ie

4 WEIR.IE

OSLO BEAUTY, DUBLIN 4 The brainchild of Amy Huberman and Rob Kearney, Oslo opened its doors last year to much fanfare from beauty buffs. A slick blow-dry bar, stylish Instagram-worthy interiors and a host of spa treatments – as well as yoga and pilates classes – make it the perfect spot for some pampering. oslobeauty.ie

1

NATIONAL GALLERY After undergoing an extraordinary renovation that took six years, there has been a complete reimagining of the permanent collection. Old masterpieces, including the famous Meeting on the Turret Stairs (pictured) have been given new life while over 150 new works have been added to the impressive pieces already on display. Upcoming retrospective on Frederic William Burton (25 October-14 January 2018) and Aftermath: The War Landscapes of William Orpen (11 November–11 February 2018) make this a must-see. nationalgallery.ie

3

TEELING WHISKEY DISTILLERY, DUBLIN 8 Now in their second year, the Teeling distillery tours are attracting as many locals as tourists. Come for the interesting insights in to how the gold stuff is made, stay for the opportunity to taste award-winning, small-batch and limited-edition whiskeys. Pop in on a Saturday and hit the nearby food and flea markets. teelingdistillery.com

5

HERON & GREY, BLACKROCK This tiny Blackrock gem is worth the trip out of the city – and the wait for a reservation. One of the world’s smallest Michelinstarred restaurants (it only sits 22 people and opens just three times a week), its small, perfectly formed dishes will delight your palate. heronandgrey.com WEIR & SONS 93

6

THE GATE THEATRE, DUBLIN 1 “A theatre limited only by the limits of our imagination” was how its founder Hilton Edwards described The Gate Theatre and, under its new director Selina Cartmell, this north city institution is fast becoming this year’s hottest ticket. Cartmell’s first show, a reimagining of The Great Gatsby, was an immersive experience that wowed audiences and sold out for the entire run.

And there is more greatness to come with a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Red Shoes by Nancy Harris and directed by Cartmell herself, and John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger directed by Annabelle Comyn both debuting over the coming months. gatetheatre.ie TWO PUPS COFFEE, DUBLIN 8 The bright red and blue lightning bolt painted on the wall as you walk in will let you know you’re in the right place. Part coffee shop, part vintage boutique, Two Pups has racked up rave reviews thanks to its inventive twist on lunchtime staples, its speciality coffees and hip clientele. The perfect pit stop on a tour of the burgeoning Liberties area. facebook.com/twopupscoffee

7

8 WOW BURGER, DUBLIN 2

Already known for its no-nonsense approach to fast-food, Wow Burger nails the classics, with just a couple of the essential sides, while all toppings are free. Its offering at Mary’s pub on Wicklow Street means you can add beer or whatever tipple takes your fancy to the mix. wowburger.ie

CHARLOTTE QUAY, DUBLIN 2 Situated in Dublin’s docklands, Charlotte Quay boasts some of the best views the city has to offer, as well as the gastronomic delights of up-and-coming chef Killian Durcan. Open for lunch, pre-theatre and dinner, the vibe is always upbeat, the interior slick and the welcome warm. charlottequay.ie

DELAHUNT, DUBLIN 8 One of the city’s hidden gems, tucked away at the top of Camden Street, Delahunt is set in an original grocers dating back to Victorian times, serving food with a strong Irish provenance and given real finesse by head chef Dermot Staunton. Building on the success of the restaurant, they’ve also added a cocktail bar upstairs with vaulted ceilings, retro furniture and custom wooden panelling, original fireplaces, and a wide range of spirits and craft cocktails. delahunt.ie 94 WEIR & SONS

9

10 WEIR.IE

Continental FP.indd 1

06/09/2017 16:07

Visit us at

WEIR.IE

The Weir & Sons story continues, online and on social media.

#WeirsInTheWild Congratulations to @stylesavvy_ie, the winner of our Instagram competition, who won a beautiful Alex Monroe Bumblebee Necklace, worth â‚Ź145.

SHOP ONLINE Browse and shop our curated edit of beautiful gifts and luxe finds from the world's leading brands.

DON'T MISS

96 WEIR & SONS

READ OUR BLOG

Dive into trend reports, product launches and all the latest news from the Weir & Sons team.

STAY IN TOUCH

Follow us Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest news from our Grafton Street and Dundrum stores. @weirandsons /WeirsJewellers @WeirandSons

WEIR.IE

Cliff at Lyons fp.indd 1

12/09/2017 13:01

Patek Philippe FP.indd 1

07/09/2017 17:04