Diamond Cellar

FALL/HOLIDAYS 2015 ACCENT/THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

PROFILES

OUR PEOPLE FROM THE

RUNWAYS

GIFTS THAT SPARKLE FOR HIM AND HER

Welcome!

HOLIDAY GIFTS

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t is always a thrill to have a customer tell me about how the Diamond Cellar box and blue wrapping paper have a special place in their family traditions. For so many of our customers, it’s our box that they look for as a symbol of something really good to come. I’d like to think it’s because of all the care we put into choosing the right jewelry, our staff’s knowledge and helpfulness in finding the perfect gift, our heritage and good reputation in Columbus, and the fact that we truly care. It’s a real compliment to us every time a customer says “As soon as she saw that Diamond Cellar box, she got so excited!” We feel blessed to have been a part of so many important moments in our clients’ lives over the past 65 years. If you have a reason to celebrate this holiday season, visit the Diamond Cellar and let us help you find the perfect way to mark it. Happy holidays!

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY PAGE 10

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OYSTER PERPETUAL L ADY-DATEJUST PE ARLMASTER

rolex

oyster perpetual, datejust and pearlmaster are

速

trademarks.

CONTENTS Fall/Holidays 2015

6280 SAWMILL ROAD JUST SOUTH OF 161 AT THE CORNER OF MARTIN ROAD 614-336-4545 EASTON TOWN CENTER NEXT TO SMITH & WOLLENSKY 614-923-6633 800-222-6642 DIAMONDCELLAR.COM

FEATURES

P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E B J I FA S H I O N G R O U P

2 Welcome Letter

PUBLISHER

6 Events

STU NIFOUSSI

8 Who We Are: Michael Parise

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

10 Caring for the Community:

KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

Flying Horse Farms

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R

12 Profile: Yossi Harari & Nikos Koulis

HANS GSCHLIESSER

14 Gifts

INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR

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24 Profile: Stephen Webster 26 From the Runways

BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON PROJECT MANAGER LISA MONTEMORRA

30 Trends: Subtly Sensual DESIGNER

43 Store 5a

JEAN-NICOLE VENDITTI

46 Watch News

PRODUCTION MANAGER PEG EADIE

48 Our People: Seth Knechtel

PRESIDENT AND CEO

49 Conservation: Underwater Pioneers

BRITTON JONES

50 Timepieces: Jaeger-LeCoultre CHAIRMAN AND COO

52 Icons: The Test of Time

MAC BRIGHTON

54 Perfect Gems Prices are subject to change without notice and may vary

56 Speed: Leading the Charge

depending on size, quality and availability. Copyright 2015.

Accent® is published by Business Journals, Inc, P.O. Box 5550,

BRIDAL SECTION

Norwalk, CT 06856, 203-853-6015 • Fax: 203-852-8175; Advertising Office: 1384 Broadway, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-

34 Our Customers:

686-4412 • Fax: 212-686-6821; All Rights Reserved. The publish-

Perfect Moments Are Made Here

ers accept no responsibilities for advertisers’ claims, unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. No part of this

38 Diamonds: Forevermark

magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the

40 Jewelry: Symbol Pleasures 42 Planning: Modern Love

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publishers. Volume 13, Issue 2. Accent® is a trademark of Business Journals, Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. Printed In The U.S.A.

diamond cellar events

Top: As part of our partnership with radio station CD102.5, the Diamond Cellar gave away a $10,000 engagement ring to one lucky couple. Clifton proposed to his girlfriend Molly on stage during CD102.5’s Summerfest concert at the LC Outdoors. The couple was called to the stage as part of a set-up text contest which was pre-arranged with Clifton. Molly’s surprise was evident as Clifton dropped to one knee to pop the question.

We wish them many happy years together! Lower right: The Diamond Cellar hosted a group of entrepreneurs at our Sawmill Road store in February. Guests had an opportunity to learn about diamonds and try on some unique and beautiful jewelry. Below: In support of Opera Columbus, the Diamond Cellar created a limited run of one-of-a-kind opera glass pendants, which were auctioned off during the Opera Columbus Gala.

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500

M E T E R S B E N E AT H T H E S U R FA C E

Pelagos is the fruit of more than 60 years of experience in undersea adventure coupled with TUDOR’s peerless technical development. The ultimate tool watch, it encases the first movement developed and produced by TUDOR, beginning a new era in the brand’s history.

PELAGOS® Self-winding mechanical Manufacture TUDOR MT5612 movement, officially certifi ed chronometer, non-magnetic silicon spring, approx. 70 hour power reserve. Waterproof to 500 m, 42 mm titanium and steel case. Visit tudorwatch.com and explore more. TUDOR Watch U.S.A., LLC. New York

who we are

Michael PARISE

Sales Manager

BY STACEY STATHULIS

M

ichael Parise has taken a well-traveled road in the jewelry industry on his way to his current role as sales manager at the Diamond Cellar’s Easton store. But it is a road he was not looking to travel in the first place.

“I had no interest in selling jewelry before I took my first job. I fell into the business because of my best friend at that time,” says Parise. “I had just earned my real estate license, but selling houses when you’re a 20 year old straight out of school wasn’t easy. My friend knew I was good with people and asked if I wanted to help him out around the holiday season. Fifteen years later…here I am.”

Parise’s road to the Diamond Cellar veered through Kay Jewelers and Bailey, Banks & Biddle before turning toward International Diamond & Gold and finally to the Diamond Cellar in 2010.

“Up until the point I was hired at IDG, I never really looked at jewelry as a career path for me. I was just a young kid working in the mall trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life,” he admits. “After a short time, I realized that I really loved selling jewelry and might be able to make a nice living for myself.

I was crushed when IDG closed, but it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The Diamond Cellar is, hands down, where I was meant to be. I have no doubt in my mind that I will retire from here in 30 years.”

That kind of positivity is what Parise carries into his day-to-day customer service and he says it helps in building every customer relationship.

“The customer walking through the door doesn’t care about what’s going on at home or in your relationship. They expect—and deserve—your best effort regardless of what they came in for,” he says. “Being genuine with people, smiling, remembering their names and listening to their needs goes a long way. After the sale, I touch base to see how things are going and to say thank you for the business.”

Having spent so many years in the jewelry industry, Parise has been fortunate to build and foster customer relationships that evolve over time: from engagement to wedding, and on to anniversaries, the arrival of children and other life events.

“It’s rewarding to have even a small part in something so special. In our industry, relationships are all about trust. My clients trust me to find the perfect gifts for the people they care about most. That’s a great feeling to have every day you come to work.”

So it makes sense that Parise loves to sell engagement rings. He says he loves everything about the process and what the purchase stands for.

“I enjoy taking time to educate my customers so they understand the differences in their choices,” he says. “I love to hear the story of how each

couple met and I truly love guiding them through the process of finding the perfect ring. Anyone can sell you a ring; I want to sell you the right ring.”

Selling the “right ring” requires an understanding of the jewelry business, fashion and technology, all of which are in a constant state of flux.

“The jewelry industry is completely different from what it was 15 years ago.

The internet is both a gift and a curse. It’s a great way to gather information and get ideas, but most people don’t understand all the variables that go into buying a diamond or high-end watch. It’s impossible to do 30 minutes of research and learn what it has taken someone 15 years to learn.”

Parise credits the Diamond Cellar buying team with keeping the sales team up-to-date on industry trends and brands. He regularly reads various watch and jewelry magazines and tracks the websites of many of the brands the Diamond Cellar carries.

“I’m very passionate about my profession, so I enjoy learning and staying up to date on the industry,” he explains.

Parise is originally from Pittsburgh but is a true Ohio State football and basketball fan, attending as many games as he can in a season. In fact, Parise is a sports fan in general, watching and playing as many sports as he can. He played baseball in college and still plays in a competitive wooden bat baseball league.

Parise is engaged to be married to Jenn, an asset management professional for JP Morgan. He and his finacée welcomed their daughter in August.

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caring for the community

Flying Horse Farms

Where camp is good medicine.

F

lying Horse Farms is a boy in a wheelchair being helped up the high ropes course, then ziplining over a lake—because here, he can experience the feeling of flight. It’s a girl sharing stories with her cabin full of friends two weeks after brain surgery—because camp feels like home, and she will not allow cancer to snatch this moment.

It’s a slew of heart transplant patients swimming gleefully—because in this pool, there is nothing to explain, since everyone shares the same scar.

Located in scenic Mt. Gilead, Ohio, Flying Horse Farms provides magical, transformative camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families—free of charge.

Flying Horse Farms first opened its gates in 2010 and now hosts more than 850 children and families a year from around Ohio and beyond. It serves children ages 8 to 15 with illnesses including cancer, heart conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, blood disorders, severe asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney conditions and craniofacial anomalies.

An on-site, state-of-the-art medical facility staffed by expert doctors and nurses makes camp possible for children who, in some cases, have never spent even a night away from home.

Yale researchers have confirmed that camp is delivering results. Parents have reported dramatic post-camp changes in their children, including increased maturity, increased self-esteem and increased independence.

Flying Horse Farms is the first camp in the Midwest to become a full member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network. Founded in 1988 by actor, philanthropist and Ohio native Paul Newman, the network is a community of independently managed and financed camps and programs for children with serious illnesses and their families.

Flying Horse Farms is one of just 14 such camps worldwide—truly a gem. And 100 percent of the camp’s year-round operating budget is underwritten by the generosity of others.

Join the mission for joy. Camp, volunteer or donate at flyinghorsefarms.org.

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Flying Horse Farms: By the Numbers 1 Mind-blowing, adrenaline-pumping, gravity-defying, soul-lifting high-ropes course 4 Teepees where teen campers spend a night sleeping beneath the stars 6 Weeklong camps every summer 8 Weekend camps every spring and fall 12 Cabins stocked with bunks and homemade quilts 15 Medical volunteers living at camp each weeklong session 70 Campers attending each weeklong session 870 Campers and family members served in 2015 2,400 Camp and event volunteers who gave their time in 2015 to change lives $2,500 Cost to send one child to camp $0 Cost to camper families

Christopher Designs

PHOTOGRAPHY: BARTOSZ POTOCKI

Crisscut

c r i ss c u t e m er a l d by

c h r i s t o p h er

profile YOSSI HARARI Israeli designer Yossi Harari marries the exotic and classically feminine designs of Byzantine and Etruscan jewelry with his modern, chic and whimsical style. Harari’s jewelry is handcrafted exclusively in 24K gold in Istanbul, Turkey. The rich yellow color and warm feel of pure gold is reminiscent of the spectacular jewels of ancient times.

Just like the Mediterranean archaeological jewelry that inspires him,each piece is made by hand—each clasp, each bead, each bezel—is handcrafted without the use of molds or castings. This human touch instills the feel and look of antiquity inherent in Harari’s jewelry. These time-honored techniques ensure that no two pieces are ever exactly alike and makes wearing this jewelry an entirely individual experience.

As Harari himself says, “My jewelry is a contrast between the old and the new. Although I am inspired by archaeological jewels of the past, I have a modern, bold interpretation of classic designs.”

Incorporating precious and semiprecious gemstones with 24K gold, the e versatility off the jew jewelry is expressed in the way it is worn: a dramatic yet relaxed axed layering of pieces. piec Each piece is unique and makes a statement on its own, wn, but the layering of different pieces allows each woman to create her own look. ok. Even when piled on, the overall effect is still elegantly laid back. “I design forr the modern woman—the woman on the go, who wants to be comfortable yett sexy, exotic yet modern, fashionable yet possessing her own sense of style.”

Design T fall, the Diamond Cellar welcomes two This wo new designers to our lineup.

Vegas Yossi Discovered during our buying trips to Basel,l, Switzerland and Las Vegas, Harari and Nikos Koulis will join names like David Yurman and Roberto Coin in the Diamond Cellar showcases. You can discover their unique collections now as part of our New Designer area at our Sawmill Road store.

NIKOS KOULI KOULIS

Nikos Koulis is a Greek designer with a sharp outlook and an authentic passion for jewels. Koulis oulis sstudied Gemology and Glyptography—the ograph process of carving or engraving engr on precious Gemological Institute stones—at the Ge d created his own brand, of America and n 2006.

Nikos Koulis Jewels, in

Koulis’ work reflects his Mediterranean spirit and multiple influences: Ancient Greek culture, Byzantine motifs, elements of nature, shapes derived from art and architecture as well as visionary symbols.

Characterized by an elaborate technique and austere craftsmanship, Koulis experiments with bold materials and seeks diversity in terms of shape and design.

A strong believer of jewels as parts of one’s personality, he creates pieces with long lasting value and edgy aesthetic appeal. The common denominator of his work is the transformation of the classic through a contemporary lens.

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gifts

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Buttery rings starting at $411 Ippolita Glamazon necklace $595 John Hardy Macan cuff $1,750 Stephen Webster Murder She Wrote ring $65,000

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Kwiat Crochet bracelet $23,000 David Yurman Osetra necklace $3,200 David Yurman Osetra ring $1,850 Christopher Designs L’Amour ring with 2.30 carat internally awless center diamond $72,000

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4. Patek Philippe 5205R-001 $48,000 5. Hermès Arceau Temps Suspendu $26,500 6. Rolex Cellini Date $17,800

1. Tag Heuer Carrera Twin-Time $2,900 2. Baume & Mercier Promesse $3,850 3. Tudor Ranger $2,950

7. Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Night $20,200 8. Rolex Lady President $39,150 10

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9. Bell & Ross Flyback Chronograph $7,900 10. Panerai Luminor Marina Pam 523 $7,900 11. Corum Bubble Skeleton $8,300

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TAG HEUER CARRERA LADY DIAMONDS Cara Delevingne challenges rules. Being free-minded is her motto. Like TAG Heuer, she defies conventions and never cracks under pressure.

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Yossi Harari Stick earrings $8,283 Armenta Old World Sculpted stack ring $990 Yossi Harari Sara ring $4,642 Yossi Harari Lilah ring $6,050 Armenta Old World Stack ring $990 Armenta Old World bracelet $2,990 Yossi Harari Lilah cuff $21,791 Armenta Old World hoop earrings $1,645

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This is the box

THAT, FOR OVER SIXTY-FIVE YEARS,

HAS REPRESENTED THE FINEST JEWELRY AND TIMEPIECES IN THE WORLD AND THE VERY BEST VALUES AVAILABLE.

AND FOR GENERATION AFTER

GENERATION OF CUSTOMERS, IT’S STILL THE ONE

6280 Sawmill Road, Dublin

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they look for.

3960 New Bond Street, Easton Town Center

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www.diamondcellar.com

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David Yurman Signature pinky ring $1,850 David Yurman Cable pinky ring $1,950 Marco Bicego Goa ring $1,930 Ippolita Lollipop earrings $1,695 Marco Bicego Lunaria necklace $6,950 Roberto Coin Cento bracelet $11,300

速ROBERTOCOIN

BLACK JADE COLLECTION

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Penny Preville Crescent necklace $7,990 Penny Preville Double Triangle ring $2,995 Nikos Koulis Spectrum pendant $2,994 Nikos Koulis V pendant $2,191 Stephen Webster Jewels Verne Shark Jaw bracelet $17,700 Stephen Webster Lady Stardust ring $4,950 Stephen Webster Lady Stardust earrings $10,500 Stephen Webster Gold Struck Crystal Haze necklace $9,000 Stephen Webster Magnipheasant Wing earrings $9,500 Stephen Webster Fly By Night Crystal Haze ring $8,950 Nikos Koulis Spectrum earrings $5,498

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profile

Gold struck

Stephen Webster’s in love, and we’re all better for it.

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tephen Webster is an easy guy to like. He’s an amazingly talented and hard-working jewelry designer, but he’s also easy to talk to and quick with a joke. If he has an ego, it’s hard to tell. What comes through mostly is his passion for jewelry design. It’s been his life for the last 40 years.

Webster has lived through many shifts in the jewelry business, which he entered at age 16. “When I started, the jewelry at the forefront was fine jewelry with an emotional tie, like engagement rings and pieces that celebrated milestones,” says Webster. “Today, the stuffiness associated with fine jewelry is gone. There’s a younger generation that buys fine jewelry because it fits their look. They view jewelry as a part of their wardrobe.” He talks about the opportunity that a jewelry designer has today, when customers are more open to creativity.

“When I started, there were certain rules in jewelry design and it was hard to break those rules,” he says. “Today, you can use different materials, mix materials and it’s still fine jewelry.”

Webster is known in the industry as a big supporter of up-and-coming designers. His “Rock Vault” concept, which he started a few years ago, allows 10 young jewelry designers the opportunity to collaborate with each other under his guidance. The program lasts three years, after which the designers are on their own—hopefully with an expanded knowledge of design and the industry, and added confidence in themselves. Webster and his team look for

young designers who have a talent and who they feel they can help. The designers must have been in business for at least one year and no more than eight years. “At first, these designers are concerned about working so closely with others who they consider thier competition,” reveals Webster. “ But they soon realize how beneficial it is to collaborate with the others in a nurturing environment.”

“We never stop designing and creating.” –STEPHEN WEBSTER Starting a jewelry company from scratch is not easy. Webster talks about the challenges jewelry designers have always faced; the expense alone of creating jewelry is difficult for a young designer to handle. “We are starting with precious materials, so to create an entire jewelry collection is quite expensive,” says Webster. “Then you have to get your collection in a store, where you hope it will sell. The retailers are taking a chance on an untested designer, and they’re wary of investing.” Webster hopes he can help bridge that gap between young jewelry designers and the retailers, and come up with a model where everyone benefits.

Today’s jewelry business, according to Webster, offers more opportunity but with more competition. At Stephen Webster, they never stop designing and creating new pieces and collections. A new piece of jewelry, from concept

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BY DAVID POLLNER

to fruition, takes at least three months.“We begin designing our new collections in June, right after the last trade show in Las Vegas” explains Webster. “And we’ll roll out that collection the following March or April at the trade show in Basel, Switzerland.” When asked about the future of Stephen Webster jewelry, Webster says they’ll continue to work hard. In jewelry, you can tell when someone’s ‘cruising.’ You can’t rest. You may not be on the leading edge all the time, but you can’t slow down or you’ll be left behind. You need to keep surprising people and doing things that are exciting.”

Speaking of exciting—especially for those familiar with his written wit—Webster has released a book about his life in jewelry. Gold Struck is not an autobiography, per se, but is a mix of stories and writings from his time in the jewelry business. “When I fly—and I’ve racked up millions of air miles over the years—I like to do something creative,” says Webster. “Drawing on a plane is not ideal, but I find writing is something I enjoy. I started writing seriously about two or three years ago. I didn’t intend it to become a book, but by the time I connected with a publisher I had 120,000 words down.” The book features various stories and even some poetry.

It covers many parts of his life, but the common theme is jewelry. As for the title, Webster says, “I have a love affair with gold. As long as I’ve been an adult, it’s been part of my life.”

Four Exceptional Jewelers and a Collection of the World’s Best Brands, Locally Owned in Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus, Ohio www.diamondcellar.com

The Woodlands, Texas www.donohos.com

Tulsa, Oklahoma www.brucegweber.com

Columbus, Ohio www.STORE5a.com

DIAMOND CELLAR HOLDINGS is a family of four of the finest jewelers in the United States.

Each store has its own unique heritage, but together they represent almost 150 years of history in the jewelry business. We’ve built our reputation on excellent service, fine craftsmanship and unwavering integrity. That’s why the world’s top jewelry and watch brands trust us. And so can you.

A. Jaffe Alex Woo Armenta Assael Pearls Astley Clarke Baume & Mercier Bell & Ross Bovet Breitling Cartier Charles Krypell Christian Bauer Christine Cooper Hill Christopher Designs Corum David Yurman

Denise Robergé Elizabeth Locke Forevermark Girard Perregaux Goldman Diana Graf von Faber-Castell Hermès Ippolita Jaeger-LeCoultre JB Star John Hardy Jonathan Birnbach Kwiat Lagos Luminox Marco Bicego

Memoire Michael Bondanza Michele Mikimoto Montegrappa Nikos Koulis Officine Panerai Orbita Patek Philippe Penny Preville Pesavento Precision Set Raymond Weil Ritani Robert Procop Roberto Coin

Roberto Coin Cento Rolex Rustic Cuff Scott Kay Soho Stephen Webster SUWA Swiss Army Tacori Tag Heuer Tara Pearls Tudor Tuum William Henry Studio Yoko London Yossi Harari

from the

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PENNY PREVILLE Tassel Lariat necklace $18,855 DENISE ROBERGE Pearl bracelet $14,750 and Elizabeth Locke Bangle Bracelet $8,875 IPPOLITA Glamazon hoop earrings $1,695 MICHAEL BONDANZA Fold pendant $2,650 ARMENTA Old World ring $1,600 REBECCA MINKOFF RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY OF ACCESSORIES MAGAZINE

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“Socially Speaking” We’re in all the right places.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, or Share your experience with us on Wedding Wire or Yelp to JOIN THE CONVERSATION TODAY!

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JOHN HARDY Classic Chain Lava pendant $425 IPPOLITA Glamazon Stardust hoop earrings $1,295 LAGOS Black Cavier bracelets $450 each STEPHEN WEBSTER Superstud Crystal Haze necklace $1,088 DAVID YURMAN Renaissance Cable bracelets starting at $525 AKRIS RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY OF ACCESSORIES MAGAZINE

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速ROBERTOCOIN

CENTO AND NEW BAROCCO COLLECTIONS

trends

Subtly

sensual

Fall is a season of peek-a-boo metals, natural gem hues, and body-skimming shapes.

BY LORRAINE DEPASQUE

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ith long, bodygliding necklaces and earrings, gems in nude and nature-inspired hues, and open-work metals that are tastefully suggestive, it’s a jewelry season that’s all about effortless elegance. There’s a sexiness, too, but it’s subtle. “Fashion right now is very focused on ethereal loveliness,” says David Wolfe, creative director of international forecasting agency The Doneger Group, in New York City. “We’re in a sort of backlash movement, with an almost refreshing return to innocence. Fashion and accessories have lots of lacy looks, pastry-icing colors, and plenty of sweetness and light.”

Jewelry blogger Monica Stephenson of iDazzle has seen signs of this lighter mood since the beginning of the year, when she attended fine

jewelry’s VicenzaOro fair in Vicenza, Italy. As website editor of the Contemporary Jewelry Design Group (CJDG), she noted, “Many of the jewelry shapes are distilled down to their essence, simplified and stylized. There are lots of lyrical shapes, like scrolls, open-work and lacy filigree.” As for the notable trending motifs, “Nature rules. Butterflies, flowers, and leaves,” she specified.

What else is new? Says Stephenson: “Negative space is everywhere, with cutouts and open-work in every conceivable pattern. So your skin becomes part of the design, revealed where the jewelry becomes undone.”

Consider adding a few of these contemporary “space-y” styles, starting with a bangle bracelet, ring, or collar necklace.

THAT 70s SHOW IS BACK Everything old is new again. For example, chokers certainly hark back to the 1970s, according to Wolfe. “We’re definitely revisiting the 1970s in fashion,” he notes. “There’s so much fringe—long, short, color, silk—any kind of fringe.” In stores this year, you’ve spotted it on many of those everyday cool-again hobo handbags, right? “Now, it’s hit the jewelry world in a big way, too,” says Edelstein. “There are sexy, swingy, fringy details in all kinds of designs, from simple earrings to major necklaces.

We’re talking tassels, full sweeps and micro-drapes in metal and in stones.

It’s fun and flirty, and the movement is eye-catching.”

Speaking of eye-catching, gems this season aren’t as bold and bright as in cool-weather months in the recent past. Nonetheless, they are a feast for the eyes, particularly because many of the on-trend hues also evoke that fashion-fun era of singers Stevie Nicks, Cher and Donna Summer. “Lots of 1970s colors are being revived, like browns, yellows, caramels and neutrals,” says Wolfe. “So this fall and winter, the same neutrals that you saw in spring, which were light, have now gone dark.

They’re getting pops of color with sunshine yellows and all different blues.” In jewelry, lots of luxe brands have added brown diamonds to their designs and, as in clothing, there are often monochromatic mixes of cream, cognac and champagne.

From top: Marco Bicego 18K gold Goa necklace; Penny Preville diamond and rose gold ring; Roberto Coin Tanaquilla gold earrings with brown diamonds

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M O M E N T S

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PROMESSE STEEL, 34 MM, QUARTZ 69 DIAMONDS

With a soft color palette so in-vogue, be sure to add something in opal to your jewelry wardrobe. The gem that exploded onto the fashion scene last year just keeps getting more popular. The whole spectrum of blues, in fact, is something to think about this season. In addition to opal, ask your jeweler to show you some new designs in blue chalcedony, labradorite, blue quartz, aquamarine, Larimar, blue zircon, tanzanite or blue sapphire.

Pretty-in-pink stones are also spotlighted in many new collections, especially morganite and pink sapphire. And now’s the time to ask about the different peachy shades—try light orange sapphire or peach moonstone—which are reminiscent of the 1970s sun-kissed oranges.

THE TOP THREE NECKLACES Wolfe calls the current fashion mood we’re in “one of gentle modernism— Xanax-to-wear. Cool, calm and collected. Relaxed, sublime simplicity.” So how do you keep this easygoing mindset front and center during your jewelry shopping this season? Well, there are three must-have necklaces for an au courant look: Y-necklaces, long station chains and short ‘n’ slim chokers/collars.

“Layering has also reached new lengths,” Stephenson noted on her blog, while previewing luxury collections at the Italian show. “I saw new mid-length necklaces, but they were almost always layered, worn with shorter and longer lengths.” Longer chains with stations, often very inventive and asymmetrical, are also important,” she said, “They’re very versatile—when doubled up, your look completely changes.”

On her blog Cindy’s TrendTracker, Cindy Edelstein, president of the

Fashion right now is very focused on ethereal loveliness. Lots of lacy looks, pastry-icing colors, and plenty of sweetness and light.” —David Wolfe Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, talked about shorter necklaces, saying, “Fashion is definitely ripe for the choker. Maybe it’s a thing that comes and goes with rising hemlines and dipping cleavage.”

SLENDER, SEXY AND SOMETIMES STACKED Despite what Wolfe calls “a pretty fashion period in time, not dominatrix and leathery,” the newest jewelry often manages to call attention to various body parts. As iDazzle’s Stephenson explains, popular designs with negative-space openness allow your skin to show through. Beyond that, however, shapes themselves are super-sensual. Ultra-long Ynecklaces dip daringly downward toward plunging necklines, while lengthy matchstick-thin stiletto earrings slightly and suggestively swing from the lobe, ending just above the shoulder.

If you decide on a great pair of stilettos, Edelstein recommends that “You might want to also think about adding a single stud or ear climber or cuff on just one ear.” Indeed, that’s one fashion-forward way to “layer” earrings. And because jewelry, in general, is about slender silhouettes this year, stacking everything is more popular than ever. Quite simply, it’s one of those years when the more you pile on, the more on-trend you’ll look.

From top: Ivanka Trump Y-necklace in 18K white gold; Penny Preville diamond and gold stiletto earrings; Penny Preville double opal and white gold bangle bracelet

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bridal section

our customers

Doug Thorpe and fiancée Emily

Jason and Jennifer Wiles

Isaac and Becca Standley

Photo by Melee Photography

Photo by Lumin Images

Harish and Brittaney

Brian Steinhausser and Cari Miller

Cory Miller and Lauren Sparks Photo by Matt Day

Brian Eisinger and fiancée

Clifton McAuley and Molly Bradway Modern Love Proposal - Weezer Concert

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Jay and Ellen Segerstrom Photo by Jennifer Hamilton

Christine and Kyle Knox

Keith and Erin Comer

Photo by Amy Ann Photography

Photo by SunBaked Studios

Chris Lauderback and Laurie Rosemeyer Photo by Kimberly Potter Photography

Genna and Chris Elein with wedding party Photo by Melee Photography at OSU Stadium

Daniel Galli and Angela Meyer Photo by Gregory Rodriguez Steinke

PERFECT MOMENTS AR E M A D E

Here.

The Baruas Jason and Sarah Gordon

Photo by Alison Kamper

35

our customers

AJ Nagel and financée Molly Hash Brandon Marczika and Haylea Garner

Chris Ulrich and Laura Elliot

Photo overlooking Mount Washington, Pittsburgh

Adam Reed and Meghan Willson

Christian and Emily Tingler

Jason and Codi

Engaged on February 7, 2015

Helicopter Ride Engagement - May 2, 2015

Michael Brause and Ericka Pfeifer

Chris and Chelsei Chris and Ashley Turner

Engaged at Lincoln Park Zoo on December 18, 2014

Jim Dunnan and fiancée Helen

Chris and Tammy Edwards

Nate Browell and Nidhi Lahoti

36

PEACE OF MIND STARTS WITH PROOF OF QUALITY. Weight Carat 1.53

ColorE Grade

Grade Clarity VS1

Grade CutExcellent

For over 80 years, GIA has brought clarity and global standards to gem evaluation. A GIA report means expert, independent verification from the creator of the 4Cs and the world’s most widely recognized gem authority.

Look for GIA-graded diamonds and jewelers who offer them.

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diamonds

in good

Company Forevermark: A diamond you can feel good about giving or receiving.

Y

our search for the perfect diamond engagement ring can be overwhelming enough without having to worry that the stones you choose were mined safely and ethically. Luckily, as part of the De Beers group of companies, the world’s foremost diamond experts for over 120 years, Forevermark can guarantee the conflict-free origins and unsurpassed quality of each of its stones.

Forevermark diamonds only come from sources that are committed to the highest business, social and environmental standards.

Not only are they conflict-free, but they actively benefit the people, communities and countries from which they originate. Each and every partner must meet the Forevermark Integrity Requirements, a groundbreaking set of rigorous standards for the diamond industry. The world’s leading independent auditor, Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), continually inspects and monitors every Forevermark partner to ensure compliance with these standards. This ongoing

process ensures that the supply chain is deemed responsible at every stage.

Once the responsibly mined stones arrive at The Forevermark Diamond Institute in Antwerp, Belgium, expert gemologists assess each one according to the most rigorous criteria in the industry. The diamonds are then beautifully cut and crafted, using skill and artistry passed down through generations by a select group of master craftsmen called Forevermark Diamantaires.

After a polished stone is deemed worthy of the designation, the Forevermark icon and a unique identification number are inscribed on its table facet. Ultimately, less than one percent of the world’s diamonds are eligible to bear this inscription.

Invisible to the naked eye, the actual size of the Forevermark inscription is only 1/20th of a micron deep and can only be seen using a special viewer available at authorized jewelers.

It is confirmed by leading gemological institutes that the Forevermark inscription does not affect

38

the internal quality of a diamond in any way. The Forevermark icon inscribed on each diamond is simply a promise that the diamond has been carefully selected to meet Forevermark’s standards of beauty, rarity and responsibility.

The expert gemologists then personally approve each exclusive Forevermark Diamond Grading Report—about the shape and size of a passport—with meticulous attention to detail.

The cut, color, clarity and caratage of each diamond are clearly identified, along with the unique identification number inscribed on the diamond and a specifically designed security hologram, providing reassurance that the Forevermark Diamond Grading Report is valid and genuine.

As you select your perfect Forevermark diamond, your authorized jeweler will present you with this Forevermark Diamond Grading Report, an accurate blueprint of the one diamond you’ll want to spend the rest of your life with.

© Forevermark Limited 2014-2015. Forevermark™,

™,

I T ’ S A LO N G J O U R N E Y TO B E C O M E T H E O N E .

Forevermark is part of The De Beers Group of Companies.

™ and A Diamond is Forever™ are Trade Marks of The De Beers Group of Companies.

JEWELRY

BY JULIANNE PEPITONE

2 8 0 0 B . C . E . : The Egyptians are the first to sport rings, which are made of hemp or reeds like their Neanderthal predecessors’. Over time, they move to iron, and then to gold or silver wire. These rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand, which is erroneously thought to contain the vena amoris: a “vein of love” that runs directly to the heart.

A N C I E N T R O M E : Wives are presented with two wedding rings: an iron piece meant to be worn at home while performing housework, and a gold version to show off wealth when visiting town. The rings are either attached to small keys or feature a key engraved into the band, meant to symbolize that the husband owns his wife.

14 7 7 : The inventive Archduke Maximillian of Austria commissions one of the first recorded diamond engagement rings for Mary of Burgundy, sparking a trend among European royals.

symbol pleasures

17 0 0 S : Sentimental Europeans are partial to “poesy” or “posy” rings, which are engraved with romantic rhyming verses to be presented to a lover. Meanwhile, in colonial New England, the demure Puritans opt for a humble betrothal thimble rather than a lavish piece of jewelry—but many women cut off the tops of the thimbles and wear them as rings anyway.

WEDDING RINGS AND BANDS

18 0 0 S : The Victorian era brings the “dearest” ring, a stonestudded band with gems that “spell” out the endearment: Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Topaz.

B R I D A L

40

18 8 8 : Cecil John Rhodes and his investors form De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd., which moves quickly to try to control the world’s growing diamond supply.

19 4 7 : De Beers launches the now-iconic “A Diamond is Forever” campaign, dreamed up by advertising agency N. W. Ayer.

(It was recently reinstated.)

19 6 5 : A whopping 80 percent of American engaged couples now choose a diamond ring to mark their betrothal.

2 0 1 5 : In recent years, ring trends have become more varied, says Gizzi, noting that more couples discuss the engagement ring before the betrothal, with women often choosing their own style, or shopping as a couple. Colorful stones like rubies and aquamarines are gaining in popularity, with or without diamonds.

S E C T I O N

ISTOCK

Wedding jewelry has changed immensely since Neanderthals painted cave glyphs, but the idea of an unbroken circle has continued to resonate with couples throughout the eras. As Amanda Gizzi, spokesperson for Jewelers of America, notes: “Traditions have evolved so much over time. But when you boil down what goes into a ceremony, a ring remains the ultimate symbol of union and never-ending love.”

But boy, has that simple symbol changed over time!

Ancient texts indicate that a caveman supposedly tied braided pieces of grass or reeds to his wife’s ankles, wrist or waist, possibly to keep her spirit from escaping her body.

Over the past 5,000 years, here’s what has happened to show how men and women remain “tied together” for all time.

the history of rings

HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE.

BY ELISE DIAMANTINI

PLANNING

modern love

WEDDING PLANNING APPS AND BLOGS ARE BECOMING A BRIDE’S BEST FRIEND.

depending on how you look at it, the fun or

TOP TIPS

the stress of planning the big day begins. Like

WeddingWire’s senior editorial

most other things, modern-day wedding

associate, Caitlin Zentgraf Krebs,

planning has gone online. In a survey

shares her secrets for staying

conducted by Mashable and theknot.com, 89

calm and organized while

percent of people said they used wedding

planning your big day.

planning apps to make checklists, look for

Relax: Take a step back from the

gowns,

Congratulations! You’re engaged. Now,

track

stress and remember to keep

countdowns. Of those respondents, 70

stay

organized

and

calm, cool and collected. We

percent started creating Pinterest boards

suggest regularly exercising,

before they even got engaged and 51 percent

eating healthy meals and

became “more realistic with their pins after

squeezing in the spa for a

they got engaged.” Clearly, the need for

mani/pedi. After all, you need your

online organization has become an essential

bling to shine!

part of the process for those planning their

Delegate: Your family and

upcoming nuptials.

friends are there to help. Feel free

There’s no shortage of online wedding

to give them a handful of tasks to

planning tools either. Sites like Pinterest,

conquer from your ever-growing

WeddingWire, Lover.ly and The Knot all offer

to-do list.

unique ways for couples to manage their to-

Have a Plan B : Resist the urge

do lists, keep track of inspirational images

to check the weather every hour

and ideas, host registries and create personal websites, among other things. WeddingWire even launched

on the hour for rain. It will simply

a WedSocial app to help guests stay informed of all the details regarding the couple’s special day. Pinterest has also

cause you more stress. However,

become an essential part of planning because it allows users to bookmark inspirational images, videos and ideas

that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t

on a personal page and/or share with others.

have a Plan B. Have Fun : The entire planning

And while online planning tools aren’t replacing traditional wedding planners, they are acting as

process allows you to get those

supplemental guides. These sites can help brides find

creative juices flowing. There’s no

local vendors, follow experts and be creative. It seems

judgment in having a Pinterest

like the ideas are endless online; the hardest part won’t

inspiration board! Your wedding is

be finding inspiration, but making decisions to narrow

supposed to be a reflection of

down what you really want.

your relationship, right?

Savor It : From the engagement

WeddingWire’s senior editorial associate, Caitlin Zentgraf Krebs, says current wedding trends include

party to the goodbye BBQ, you’ll

laser-cut

feel the love when surrounded by

invitations,

greenery

arrangements,

(especially seeded eucalyptus and succulents), rose

all your family and friends. Be

gold jewelry, temporary tattoos as favors and of

sure to take a moment to step

course, Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud song for the

back and soak it all in.

first dance.

B R I D A L

42

S E C T I O N

765a North High Street | Short North

STORE5a.com

Guaranteed Authentic 7836) ăE MW E TVIQMIV VIXEMPIV SJ TVI S[RIH PY\YV] NI[IPV] [EXGLIW ERH LERHFEKW 7LSTTMRK [MXL YW XEOIW E[E] JVSQ XLI YRGIVXEMRX] SJ TYVGLEWMRK TVI S[RIH SRPMRI %X SYV 7LSVX 2SVXL WXSVI ]SY GER WII ERH XSYGL XLIWI EYXLIRXMG MXIQW MR TIVWSR 6IWX EWWYVIH XLEX EPP SJ SYV TMIGIW LEZI FIIR ZIXXIH I\XIRWMZIP] F] SYV I\TIVX XIEQ SJ FY]IVW ETTVEMWIVW ERH KVEHYEXI KIQSPSKMWXW %PXLSYKL [I SRP] EGGITX TMIGIW MR KSSH GSRHMXMSR ER] EHHMXMSREP VIJYVFMWLMRK MW TIVJSVQIH F] XLI NI[IPIVW EX XLI (MEQSRH 'IPPEV WLST [LS GSPPIGXMZIP] FSEWX SZIV Ąþ ]IEVW SJ I\TIVMIRGI ;MXL IEGL NI[IPV] ERH [EXGL TYVGLEWI ]SY [MPP VIGIMZI E JVII ETTVEMWEP [MXL JYPP VIXEMP ZEPYI JSV ]SYV MRWYVERGI TVSZMHIV ;I¸VI EFPI XS HS EPP SJ XLMW FIGEYWI [I FY] SYV MXIQW JVSQ GYWXSQIVW EPP EGVSWW XLI REXMSR [LS EVI IMXLIV PSSOMRK XS XVEHI YT SV GEWL MR SR XLIMV RS PSRKIV [SVR NI[IPV] ;I TVSZMHI XLIQ [MXL E JVII GSQTIXMXMZI IWXMQEXI [MXLMR ĂĆ LSYVW

765a North High Street | Short North

Celine Handbag Pre-owned 100% Authentic Celine luggage tote. 12”(H) x 12”(W) x 7”(D). Includes dust cover, care card. Sale Price $2,600, Compare to $3,400

Rolex Explorer II Pre-owned 39mm Rolex Explorer II Automatic in stainless steel. Sale Price $4,300, Compare to $8,100

Chanel Timepiece

Christopher Designs Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring Emerald-cut diamond weighing 2 carats with 36 round full cuts weighing .37 carats total. Sale price $39,512, Appraisal Price $54,500

Pre-owned Chanel J12 ceramic watch Sale Price $7,150, Compare to $14,300

Diamond and Ruby Bird Pin Pre-owned bird pin crafted in 18k white and yellow gold.

Sale Price $2,500, Compare to $4,505

Art Deco Hinged Diamond Ring Ruby Band David Yurman Large Cuff Pre-owned David Yurman diamond cable cuff in sterling silver. Sale Price $1,350, Compare to $2,500

David Yurman Cuff Pre-owned David Yurman diamond cuff in sterling silver.

Sale Price $1,075, Compare to $1,950

Pre-owned Art Deco milgrain diamond ring crafted in 14K white gold. Sale Price $1,975, Compare to $4,650

Pre-owned Platinum ring with 10 channel-set princess-cut rubies weighing .86 carats total.

Sale Price $1,075, Compare to $2,365

Unique

%JJSVHEFPI

Vintage Edwardian Diamond Necklace Vintage old European-cut diamond necklace crafted in 14K white gold and platinum. Sale Price $2,990, Appraisal Price $4,900

STORE5a.com

WATCHNEWS

BY BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON

There’s always something new in the wide world of watches, from timepieces that commemorate special occasions in history to state-of-the-art technological innovations to books and blogs that let us know more about what we wear on our wrists.

THE WRITE STUFF

Watch connoisseurs who are seeking the most up-todate information on what to wear on their wrists are turning more frequently to the internet to increase their knowledge. Among the most popular sites is hodinkee.com, an eight-year-old online magazine whose popular features include Hands On, which provides all the skinny on the newest watches. Another favorite is watchanish.com, a three-year-old blog that is known not only for its smart text, but also for its super-sharp photography taken all over the world.

Co-founder Anish Bratt gears the writing to both aspirational men and those who are already immersed in the wide world of watches. Meanwhile highly informational site watchreport.com keeps buyers and enthusiasts up on the latest news in the industry, while watchville.com aggregates content from all the relevant blogs and websites.

HISTORY LESSON

Few books live up to their titles as accurately as Rolex: History, Icons and Record-Breaking Models, the lavishly illustrated new tome by Mara Cappelletti and Osvaldo Patrizzi. This stunning 152-page volume, published by the Antique Collectors Club, not only delves into the heritage of the beloved Geneva-based watch company, but also includes technical information on the brand, numerous pages devoted to such timeless timepieces as the Oyster Perpetual, the Explorer, the Submariner and the Daytona, and an entire section on vintage Rolexes that fetched jaw-dropping prices in the auction market. It’s the next best thing to actually owning a Rolex…or adding another one to your collection.

46

RACE RELATIONS

OPEN AND SHUT CASE

Fifty years after automotive legend Carroll Shelby won the 1965 FIA International Championship of GT Manufacturers in his iconic A.C. Cobra, achieving a victory that would change the course of international racing forever, history is being made again.

Baume & Mercier, in association with the Carroll Shelby Company, is marking this milestone by releasing a limited edition of Capeland Shelby Cobra timepieces.

These special watches are inspired by the vintage 1948 mono-push-piece chronograph found in the Baume & Mercier museum, and feature retro accents, classic lines, chronograph and tachymeter functions, a polished and satin-finished case and specially crafted hands featuring the Cobra logo. On your mark, get set, buy!

There’s no question you know what you’re getting when you purchase Officine Panerai’s new specialedition watch, the Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Oro Rosso, because the back of the timepiece’s case is open, revealing the movement. The front of the watch is equally smart, thanks to a 47mm cushion case which is made entirely of 5Npt red gold, a brown dial treated with a satiné soleil finish which catches the light, and the characteristic Panerai “sandwich” dial, which is formed of two superimposed discs. Moreover, the arrow-shaped central hand of the main dial can be used to indicate a second time zone, for those wearers who are caught between two worlds.

RAISING THE FLAG There’s an old saying that suggests if you want something done right, you must do it yourself. Tudor Watch U.S.A. is taking that sentiment to heart by introducing in-house manufacture movements to two of its most popular models: the Tudor Pelagos, a chronometer-based timepiece, which also now features a blue colorway for the dial and bezel, and the Tudor North Flag, which features a selfwinding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system, power reserve indicator, and a 70-hour power reserve. These up-to-the-second timepieces are definite must-haves for this year’s “in” crowd.

47

our people

New good as

Rolex’s refinishing school teaches a Diamond Cellar watchmaker new skills.

BY DAVID POLLNER

I

t’s no secret that Rolex has high standards.

When it comes to creating fine timepieces, few companies can match their precision, design and attention to detail. And those high standards extend to the care they take in maintaining clients’ watches years after the initial purchase.

During an intense three-day course at the Rolex school in Litiz, Pennsylvania, Diamond Cellar watchmaker Seth Knechtel learned what it takes to refinish a Rolex case and bracelet while maintaining its precise fit, original beauty and water resistance.

Led by a Rolex instructor with more than 30 years of experience, the class of four students received intense, hands-on training for 8 to 10 hours per day. “During each refinishing,” says Knechtel, “the goal is to remove no more than two percent of the material. A Rolex is designed so it can be refinished five times during its lifetime.”

Day one of the class introduced students to

the various rouges and buffs used during a Rolex refinishing, with lots of hands-on polishing.

“When you’re holding the watch case against the buffing wheel,” says Knechtel, “you start to get a feel for what the wheel is doing, where it’s touching the case. The goal is to maintain the original shape and crispness of the case.” Rolex cases can utilize several different finishes, including a high polish or a brushed look. Part of the expertise of refinishing is knowing which finishes to apply and in what order, so the end result is a watch case that looks new.

On the second day, students completed their lesson on case refinishing and moved on to bracelets. The biggest challenge he faced, according to Knechtel, was removing larger dents in the case. Heat is used to move the metal—although on a microscopic level. “With the larger dents you don’t try to bring the surrounding material down to the lowest level,” explains Knechtel. “That would mean removing too much material. So you heat the area, then with the buffing

48

wheel, you actually move the metal to eliminate the dent as much as possible.”

It’s important for a refinisher to know how a watch goes together, so they don’t alter mating surfaces (which might affect the fit and precise tolerances of various parts). So day three was spent uncasing various Rolex models and doing bracelet adjustments. “After I perform a case refinishing, the watch will be reassembled and, where applicable, tested for water resistance,” continues Knechtel. “So knowing which surfaces to avoid hitting with the wheel is important because that could affect the fit.”

Knechtel’s refinishing expertise will complement the Rolex-certified watchmaking skills of Bob Mottern, giving the Diamond Cellar broader Rolex overhaul capabilities in-house. And Knechtel’s refinishing knowledge will also apply to the other timepieces he works on daily. “The Rolex refinishing school was a great experience,” says Knechtel. “My goal is to someday become Rolex-certified for repair too.”

conservation

Underwater PIONEERS Life began underwater. To understand life, we must understand the underwater world. BY DAVID A. ROSE

49

TOP: 2014 North American Rolex Scholar Ana Sofia Guerra with a pot-bellied seahorse in Nelson Bay, NSW, Australia CENTER: 2014 North American Rolex Scholar Ana Sofia Guerra with a potato cod at Cod Hole, Great Barrier Reef, Australia BOTTOM: Crown of Thorns eradication by National Park Service of American Samoa employee in American Samoa

IMAGES COURTESY OF OUR WORLD - UNDERWATER SCHOLARSHIP SOCIETY

T

here’s something comforting about knowing that while we carry on with our daily lives, special people are acting as stewards of our oceans and lakes.

Rolex Watch USA is the founding corporate sponsor for “Our World Underwater Scholarship Society.” They’ve been the organization’s partner since its inception in 1974, with the goal to provide young people with experiences that will lead to their becoming leaders in marine life conservation. During the past 41 years, they’ve awarded 91 Rolex scholarships in North America, Europe and Australia as well as 89 internships. Many of the winners have established careers in underwater sciences, marine research and photography.

Each year, the Society awards three new scholarships to deserving young people, with financial support provided by Rolex and equipment provided by various marine equipment manufacturers. Each scholar’s hands-on work is done side by side with underwater professionals. They travel the world to experience field studies, underwater research, scientific expeditions, laboratory assignments, equipment testing and design, photographic instruction, and other specialized assignments. Each scholar is required to keep a journal and to produce a film of their year, which they present at the Explorers Club in New York City at the conclusion of the scholarship period. Scholars are on the road from spring to spring with very little time at a home base, spending most of the year with the society’s friends, hosts and coordinators around the world.

Michele Felberg from Houston is the 2015 North American Rolex Scholar. She’s always had an affinity for water, but it wasn’t until she took Environmental Studies at the University of California that she discovered her love for the underwater world. Michele and the other scholars received their awards at the New York Yacht Club, where they were presented with beautiful Rolex timepieces. “After I leave New York I go to North Carolina for a week of training, then to the Dominican Republic, the Pacific Northwest and then the Bahamas,” she told us excitedly, explaining that her long-term goal is to get people more involved in marine conservation.

timepieces

Top (L-R): Jeremy Renner, Ethan Hawke, Lily Tomlin, Robert Downey, Jr. Bottom (L-R): Clive Owen, Diane Kruger

I

Jaeger-LeCoultre is a film world favorite. BY BRIAN SCOTT LIPTON

n 1833, when Antoine LeCoultre opened his first watchmaking workshop, the cinema was still more than half a century from being invented. Now, more than 100 years later, Swiss watchmaking giant Jaeger-LeCoultre is at the forefront of sponsoring both established and up-and-coming film artists, and its extraordinary timepieces are gracing the wrists of some of the most glamorous and accomplished actors in show business. The match between these

two industries makes perfect sense to Jaeger-LeCoultre, as both are inspired by longstanding traditions and both are committed to the quest of absolute excellence.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s involvement with international cinema began in the last decade, when the company became an official partner of the prestigious Venice International Film Festival, where it now confers the annual Glory to the Filmmaker Award. In 2013, Jaeger-LeCoultre began a major involvement with the nonprofit Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York, launching the Filmmaker in Residence Program; it is also a major sponsor of the Society’s annual Chaplin Award Gala, where honorees have included Oscar winners Meryl Streep, Sidney Poitier and Robert Redford.

The watchmaker recently entered into its second year as a sponsor of the Los Angeles Film Festival and is also actively involved with such events as the Toronto International Film Festival, the Shanghai International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival.

In addition, Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces have recently been seen on the arms of Robert Downey Jr. (who wore a pink gold Geophysic 1958 timepiece to the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival), Ethan Hawke (who sported the Master Hometime at the 2015 BAFTAs) and Jeremy Renner (who had on the company’s new Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon at the New York premiere of Mission Impossible:Rogue Nation).

Among its brand ambassadors are actors Diane Kruger and Clive Owen.

“I have been a huge fan of their brand for a while,” says Owen. “I owned some before they even approached me, so it was a really organic coming together.”

Jaeger-LeCoultre has not only beoome one of the watch world’s shining stars, but one of the film world’s favorite watches.

50

IMAGES COURTESY OF JAEGER-LECOULTRE/GETTY IMAGES

Quality

WIREIMAGE

Star

icons

the test of On the 100th anniversary of his birth, Frank Sinatra is being celebrated worldwide, including by Raymond Weil with a limited-edition watch.

BY KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

Raymond Weil’s Maestro Frank Sinatra watch with its signature back and classic face; Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Band

1

IMAGE BY OTTO M. HESS MUSIC DIVISION, THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

I

n celebration of the centennial of Frank Sinatra’s birth, the world is focusing on everyone’s favorite cultural icon and his influence on American music, art and fashion.

Among the many events, concerts and lectures around the country commemorating this significant milestone was a recent exhibition at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, curated by the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles (where it will be seen beginning in late October). The exhibition features photos, family mementos, rare correspondence, personal items, art and music, much of which has never before been displayed in public.

The exhibition’s quintessential Sinatra quote was given by Bob Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum: “Everyone who ever heard him sing felt a little bit better about the world and themselves.”

And as contemporary crooner Michael Feinstein put it, Sinatra specialized in “songs meant to be experienced with a cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other.”

Because he was born on 12/12 (1915), Raymond Weil is issuing only 1,212 pieces of their gorgeous Maestro Frank Sinatra watch.

Featuring a classic design (white face, brown leather strap with brown stitching, thin profile) with stainless steel case, blue color numerals and dials (to reference Sinatra’s blue eyes), and open caseback with visible movement inscribed with his last name and signature top hat logo, this watch is a timeless treasure to pass down through the generations.

In fact, of the 1,212 watches, numbers 1, 2, and 3 will be gifts to Frank’s three children: Nancy, Christina and Frank Jr. That’s life!

DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS FROM THE DIAMOND CELLAR.

Brilliant from any distance.

QUALITY FOR QUALITY, THE

BEST PRICE ANYWHERE. GUARANTEED.

PERFECTGEMS

EXPLORE THE LITTLE LUXURIES THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER.

BY DONALD CHARLES RICHARDSON

THE PERFECT BLACK DRESS

Artist Alex Katz remains fascinated by the little black dress. His Black Dress project was first created as a series of paintings done on door panels, depicting standing women in the classic fashion design. He recently revealed his Black Dress, A Suite of New Prints at the Mary Ryan Gallery in New York City. This exhibition centered around nine original screen prints, each rendered at a monumental size of 80 x 30 inches, which mimic the size of the paintings. These prints follow Katz’s signature style of exploring portraiture and monochromatic elements. Among the series’ fans is noted fashion designer Calvin Klein, who wrote: “Alex Katz’s Black Dress series is… modern and wonderful… And despite their apparent simplicity, they’re extremely expressive and perfectly capture the essence of his subjects. You can’t help but notice these women, these beautiful enigmas drawn in bold and certain strokes. You wonder who they are, how they live, what they feel, just exactly what they have going on.”

GRANDE VINO

Whenever you feel the need to celebrate a truly special occasion, open a bottle of Rocca di Frassinello Baffonero Maremma Toscana. This rare merlot (only 3,000 bottles were produced) takes the name of the vineyard in which the grapes are cultivated. Produced from the first vines to be planted at Rocca di Frassinello, Baffonero, the wine is fermented using natural yeasts in stainless steel for 15 days at a controlled temperature. It is then aged 14 months, followed by 12 months of bottle refinement. This fresh and truly impressive wine is an intense ruby red and the bouquet is concentrated dark fruit notes, including blackberry and blueberry. Fresh and full, it’s an ideal accompaniment to a variety of meats or aged cheeses. And good news: the makers even suggest it as a meditation wine.

54

EXOTIC INDULGENCES

If you want to experience the far corners of the world in ultimate opulence, the Asia Transpacific Journeys team specializes in customized itineraries built from scratch around a traveler’s interests. Perhaps you’d like to tour Australia’s renowned Barossa Valley vineyards with an expert sommelier? Would you prefer to plunge into Indonesia’s natural beauty and culture aboard your own luxurious single-cabin yacht, which provides complete privacy along with the services of a personal chef, massage therapist, snorkeling expert and personal concierge? Why not board the Sanctuary Ananda luxury riverboat in Mandalay for a four-night cruise down the Irrawaddy to Bagan? Or maybe go to Cambodia, where you can cap off a visit to Angkor with a stay at the Song Saa Private Island resort, located on Cambodia’s pristine Koh Rong archipelago, a deserted oasis of virgin rainforests, tropical reefs and glistening white beaches.

STATING THE FACTS

This fall and winter, The San Francisco Wine School is offering a three-day intensive “edu-vacation” for serious wine lovers who want the chance to learn about California wines (California produces roughly 90 percent of U.S. wine). The school’s founder David Glancy, one of only 12 people in the world to hold both a Master Sommelier diploma and a Certified Wine Educator credential, created this program because he believes that all lovers of California wine should know the whole story of the state’s diverse range of climates, grape varietals and wine styles.

Those who don’t have the full three days to spare but are visiting the San Francisco Bay Area for vacation or work can attend any part of a SFWS professional wine program as a single-class workshop and still take part in a truly elite experience.

KODIAK MOMENT

ADRIANA LO

If you’ve always wanted to get up close and personal with a bear, Natural Habitat Adventures (Nat Hab) can fulfill your fantasy. The company recently chartered a vessel, which it rechristened M/V Natural Habitat Ursus (Latin for bear), and is preparing to take guests as close as is safely possible to the largest coastal grizzlies in the world. This new adventure, Alaska’s Coastal Grizzlies: Kodiak to Katmai, takes place in the spring and summer, and these photofocused departures are led by a naturalist guide who is also a professional photographer. While it’s not uncommon to find massive grizzlies in great numbers, there are only eight guests on each exploit, so get your reservation in early.

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speed

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LEADING THE CHARGE TAG Heuer sponsors the next big thing in auto racing.

BY DAVID A. ROSE

THE RACE IN MIAMI The only American driver in the field was Scott Speed, who drove for the only American team, Andretti Autosport. Speed was 10th on the starting grid, but each lap he challenged those ahead of him and made one pass after another. During the penultimate lap he took over second position and then chased down the leader. He got within a millisecond of the first-place car just as the checkered flag dropped to end the race, rewarding Speed with a second-place finish in his home Formula E race.

“Racing this car is the most unique experience I’ve had in my racing career,” notes Speed.

“Without being able to hear the engine (and with such advanced technology), you have to be a lot more calculating in the car. Fortunately, this is a strong suit of mine because I’ve always been a methodical thinking-type of driver. It’s much more of a chess game in this series because you’re dealing with varying energy levels. And with so many important people behind it, [Formula E] will

IMAGES COURTESY OF FIA FORMULA E COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

surely be a big part of motor racing’s future.”

s the world becomes more sensitive to sustainability, so does the auto industry. While hybrid cars have been on the market for a while, experts predict with continued battery development, the future will be all-electric.

In fact, this year marked the world’s first-ever racing series featuring all-electric cars. Held on city streets around the world, the Formula E races began in Beijing with subsequent races taking place in Malaysia, Uruguay, Buenos Aires, Miami, Long Beach, Monte Carlo, Berlin and Moscow, The season finale was on June 27, 2015 in London.

I was in Miami for the first-ever Formula E race in North America—and it was amazing. Formula E cars closely resemble Formula 1 and Indy cars but they’re all-electric powered. The electric engines catapult them from 0 to 62 MPH in three seconds and to a top speed of 140 MPH. There are 10 teams in Formula E; each team has two drivers and each driver has two cars. At half distance, each driver pulls into the pits, jumps out of one car and slides into the other to complete the race.

This will be the format for the hour-long race until a battery is developed that can last the whole event.

All the elements that have thrilled race fans for decades are part of the show, but these cars burn no fuel so there’s no exhaust, no fumes and zero emissions.

In addition to the pristine air, the most notable difference between Formula E and other forms of motorsport is the reduced noise level. With no screaming engines, the sound is limited to squealing tires, transmission gears and the whisper of the wind.

A longtime sponsor of motorsports, TAG Heuer considered Formula E its next logical step in marketing since the company is genuinely committed to sustainability. (In fact, its facilities in Switzerland have solar roofs!)

In addition to preserving the planet, perhaps the most significant contribution of Formula E racing is that the technology being developed in its advancement will ultimately translate to even better road car safety.

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The Precious Pastel Collection

F e at u r i n g Pi n k , Y e l l ow a n d Wh i t e D i a m o n d s i n E x t r ao r d i n a ry D e s i g n s

DIAMOND CELLAR ACCENT THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

FALL/HOLIDAYS 2015