Inspired by its history of space exploration, the most iconic chronograph on Earth now has a white dial. The Speedmaster Moonwatch has borrowed its latest look from the colours of astronaut spacesuits, while adding a glossy lacquered finish for the very first time. The white dial and red touches are also a tribute to the ALASKA I prototype that OMEGA produced in 1969, creating an authentic link to the Speedmaster’s pioneering past. Worn on a comfortable and vintage-style bracelet, this stainless steel Moonwatch shines the spotlight on a new era of adventure.
Dear Friends,
We remember it like it was yesterday. Our little 400 square-foot shop on South Dean Street in Englewood had opened, and we got our first opportunity to share with you the love we have for fine timepieces. Twenty-five years later, we have expanded into a space almost ten times the size of that little shop, with a flagship store sitting proudly at the corner of East Palisade and Grand Avenues. A lot has changed in those 25 years, but our passion for sharing the finest timepieces the world has to offer with our amazing customers has only strengthened. Welcome to Talk of the Town: The Timepiece Collection 25th Anniversary Edition!
Within these pages, you'll get a chance to celebrate 25 years with us as we guide you through what 2026 has in store for the world of watchmaking. With over 20 brands in our portfolio - some only now making their way to the U.S. for the very first time - we are so fortunate to be able to share with you the latest and greatest in luxury arm candy.
Of course, we couldn't just make it all about watches. After all, everyone has to eat. That's why we sat down with watch lover, friend and chef Robbie Felice. Much like our little shop on South Dean Street, Robbie started with a small Italian joint. Now, he boasts a portfolio that has him cooking for celebrities, dignitaries and the most discerning palates in the world with esteemed restaurants such as pastaRAMEN and Bar Mutz.
Beyond the works of art that adorn our wrists, we had the chance to shine a light on artist Victoria Poplaski of VLPOPART. While she's worked with Chef Robbie Felice in designing the artistic elements of some of his restaurants, she is staking her own claim in the art world with her incredible designs.
While these 25 years have flown by, we have been lucky to measure it by the minute - and make each of them count. Thank you for being by our side for this incredible quarter century journey.
Owners, Jeffrey Khalaf & Michael Rosenberg
A UTHORIZED DEALERS OF FINE WATCHES
THE TIMEPIECE COLLECTION
A Quarter century of timeless elegance
TPC 25th anniversary celebration the robbie felice effect
Lorige hublot frederique constant the style guide breguet
parmigiani Fleurier
Popping in with victoria poplaski spaceone watches nomos glashutte
Restoring an icon: 1968 ferrari 275 gtb/4
A Villeret is for eternity.
Featuring an endless array of watchmaking’s most fascinating complications, the Villeret bears authentic testimony to the talent of our watchmakers. Essentials imbued with timeless elegance.
Atelier Tourbillon, Blancpain – Le Brassus
The Timepiece Collection
A Quarter Century of Timeless Elegance
In Englewood, New Jersey, where tree-lined streets and cultural charm converge, one boutique has quietly shaped the landscape of American horology. This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Timepiece Collection a milestone that honors not only the passing of years, but the enduring legacy of a destination that has become synonymous with trust, exclusivity, and passion for fine watchmaking.
The Beginning of a Legacy
Founded in 2000, The Timepiece Collection began with a daring vision: to create a haven for connoisseurs of fine timepieces outside of the expected luxury markets. At a time when the watch renaissance was just beginning to capture global attention, the boutique s founders, Jeffrey Khalaf and Michael Rosenberg, sought to cultivate an environment where collectors could not only acquire rare timepieces, but also connect with the artistry and heritage behind them. What began as a small, but carefully curated, selection quickly blossomed into a world-class collection. Word spread rapidly through whispers in collector circles and features in watch publications: Englewood had become home to a hidden gem. Here, every visitor was greeted not only as a customer, but as part of a growing family bound by a shared appreciation for mechanical artistry.
Building a Horological Destination
In the early 2000s, The Timepiece Collection earned the trust of some of Europe’s most esteemed maisons. Partnerships with many watch brand legends cemented its reputation, offering access to pieces that many collectors believed could only be found in Geneva, Milan, or Manhattan. By the following decade, The Timepiece Collection had grown into an expanded, elegant showroom modern yet timeless, sophisticated yet warm reflecting its role as both retailer and curator. Collectors began traveling from across the United States and beyond, often discovering that Englewood had quietly become a pilgrimage site for haute horlogerie.
Timekeepers of Moments
Over 25 years, The Timepiece Collection has witnessed horology’s remarkable evolution from the revival of mechanical complications in the early aughts, to the rise of independent watchmakers redefining craftsmanship today. But what has remained constant is the boutique’s role in marking life’s milestones. Every timepiece that has passed through its doors carries a story: the engagement sealed with a classic dress watch, the promotion celebrated with a bold chronograph, the retirement honored with a perpetual calendar destined to become an heirloom. These are not just sales, but chapters in lives, written in the language of time.
Looking Ahead
As The Timepiece Collection reflects on its first quarter century, it also embraces the future with renewed energy. A new generation of collectors is discovering the magic of horology, drawn to its fusion of heritage, design, and innovation. The boutique remains a guiding hand, balancing tradition with modernity, ensuring that fine watchmaking continues to thrive for decades to come. Because here, time is more than measured it is celebrated. And for 25 years, The Timepiece Collection has proven that true luxury is not just about owning a watch, but about keeping time with life’s most meaningful moments.
Timeless Moments with TheTimepieceCollection
Stay connected with us! Follow our channels for upcoming in-store events and news.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, The Timepiece Collection held an exclusive event celebrating its 25th anniversary, bringing together brand partners, clients, and friends. Since its founding in 2000, the company has grown from a small passion project into a respected hub for collectors and watch enthusiasts worldwide. Here’s to the laughter, the conversations, and the shared love for fine watchmaking that defined the evening.
The Felice Effect
How Robbie Felice Keeps Jersey Hungry for More
By Lori NittoLi
You know the name, the ‘do and the tattoos. You’ve eaten the pasta, chased the cocktails, maybe even fought for a reservation. But if you think you already know Chef Robbie Felice, think again. This is Bergen County’s front-row seat to what happens when a chef hits his stride and then floors it again.
Felice’s world is equal parts art, hustle and hospitality. He’s the chef who wants you to feel something before you even sit down. His restaurants are atmospheres, worlds, a pulse that vibrates long after you leave. He builds anticipation. He builds curiosity. He builds moments. The kind that makes you pull out your phone and say, “This place is insane!”
He’s sitting at Bar Mutz, his latest spot, where hip-hop pumps through the sound system and the graffiti wall behind him is as hot as the mozzarella in front of him. “I told the artist, make it wild,” he says, glancing up at the neon glow. “Make it unhinged and just slightly illegal.”
Mission accomplished. The Italian kitsch pop art will definitely have you snapping and posting before you even place your drink order.
That’s the thing about Felice: nothing he does is halfway. Each of his restaurants has its own personality, but all share the same heartbeat. He’s nine years deep into an empire that started with Viaggio in 2016 – rustic, soulful, the kind of place that reminded people what real Italian felt like. Osteria Crescendo came next with a refined and modern downtown vibe. Then came pastaRAMEN with the “wafu” concept – a fearless mashup of Japanese and Italian that shouldn’t work but totally does. And now Bar Mutz, the wild child. It’s mozzarella worship with attitude.
“I’m not trying to be anyone else,” he says. “Everything inspires me – except other restaurants. I don’t want to copy. I want to create.”
He leans forward, smiling. “That’s the fun part. There’ s no formula. But everything is done on purpose.”
ALL OF THE LIGHTS
“The perfect guest experience starts before you even get here,” Robbie says. “It begins with anticipation. That’s the magic. When we do pop-ups, people don’t even know where they’ re going until after they get the reservation. Then they’re driving to some random spot, like a hair salon, thinking, ‘What the hell is happening?’ Then they see our logo lit up on the sidewalk and realize something special is about to go down.”
He grins, “You walk in and it’s this wild, unconventional setup. You’re sitting with people you don’t know, eating food you never expected, and by the end of the night your head’s spinning. You’ re like, ‘What the f*ck did I just experience?’ That means we nailed it.” “For me, every touchpoint matters; the location, the vibe from the street, the way you ’re greeted, the music, the lighting, even what the staff’ s wearing. How we take your order, how we hand you the bill, and of course, how we serve.”
He remembers the first time he really understood what that meant.
“I was about 10,” he says. “My parents took me to Aruba. It was just the three of us, I was still an only child back then. We walked to this little restaurant on the beach, sat on a dock watching the sunset, eating the worst food ever,” he laughs. “But I’ll never forget it. That moment, the view, my parents, the way it felt – that’ s what a restaurant can do. It should make a memory bigger than the food.”
“I went to this Michelin-star spot in Washington, DC. The food was insane but my takeaway they handed me custom to-go bags for my cats Truffle and Mochi. I mean, that’s f*cking next-level hospitality. That’s the move that stayed with me after I left DC.”
He laughs. “At pastaRAMEN, you’ll see an 84-year-old woman bobbing her head to 50 Cent. And at Bar Mutz, don’t be surprised if someone walks up and hand-feeds you a pull of fresh mozzarella before you even order. That’ s what we do. We make people feel something.”
LOSE YOURSELF
Need another way to get the full Felice experience? Robbie and his team set up some stellar collabs all across the map, from California to Puerto Rico. The rule is simple: honor the moment, honor the location, and never copy.
“Our food style always starts with Italian, but we love to mess with it,” he says. “Every concept has its own spin. We’ll take the soul of Italian and cross it with wherever we are.”
“We did this wild pastaRAMEN pop-up in Puerto Rico in September, inside this old monastery, in Old San Juan. Total speakeasy vibe. We went full Japanese-Italian meets Puerto Rico – red snapper, local ingredients, that island flavor. People lost their minds. They were so hyped to see their food culture woven into what we do.”
In LA they gave yellowtail-jalapeño “the Robbie version,” because every LA hotspot serves
it, but no one serves it like them. In Miami, they leaned into the vibe with citrus and seafood. Wherever the dish lands, it still tastes like Felice. But it also tastes like the place. That’s the art.
“People always ask how I come up with new stuff,” he says. “Truth is, I don’t force it, I live it. I eat out, I travel, I hang with other creatives, and then something clicks. It’s never in a meeting. It’ s always on the fly.”
UPGRADE U
“Every location focuses on what’s fresh and seasonal, but Viaggio is about to shake things up,”
Robbie says. “We’re launching a full menu evolution. People are going to be shocked to find our classic calamari fritti – lemon butter, shallot, chili – no longer on the menu. But trust me, they’ re going to fall in love with what’s taking its place. And if the craving hits too hard, they can always slide over to Osteria Crescendo. It’s still on the menu there.”
At Osteria Crescendo, he nods to Chef Felix for keeping the menu vibrant and evolving. Try the Branzino alla Griglia, a riff on “New England Clam Chowder” with pancetta, potatoes, clams and
is the Tonkotsu Ramen Porchetta – a fall powerhouse with pork, Parmigiano Reggiano broth, and rosemary that hits every sense. And at Bar Mutz, the fun never stops: Mozzarella tastings, cheeky Caviar bumps and the now-viral Chicken Parm served every Monday and Tuesday.
For all the noise and motion, what drives Robbie is simple: connection to food, to people, to the rush of making something you haven’t seen before.
“There’s no rhyme, no reason, just vibes. Bergen County’s food scene is popping off right now, and we’re definitely diving in to that.”
THE NEXT EPISODE
“Viaggio just hit nine years,” Robbie says proudly. “We opened in 2016, then came Osteria Crescendo in 2019, and right after that we got a James Beard Rising Star Chef nomination in 2020. It’s been a wild ride.”
He pauses for a second, like he’s taking it in.
“We’ve done a lot, but it still feels like the beginning. Twenty years from now, I want us to be bigger – doing bigger things, taking the concepts even further. Wafu-style cuisine is starting to blow up, and we’ve been right there with it. I want to keep pushing that mix of Japanese and Italian and see how far we can take it.”
He doesn’t say it with ego, just certainty.
“Of course, a Michelin Star would be amazing. But more than that, I want to make a mark. I want our restaurants to be known for something that lasts – to be highly regarded in the food world for doing things our way.”
“Success for me isn’t the number of restaurants,” he says. “It’s when I walk into one of them and see people smiling, vibing, eating something that didn’t exist before that night.” Robbie smiles with that signature spark in his eye, “At the end of the day, I just want people to walk away saying, ‘Holy sh*t, that was something special.’”
REAL QUICK
If you weren’t in food, what would you secretly be doing?
Landscaping
A comfort dish no one would expect from you? Rigatoni and meatballs. Classic. Simple. Undefeated.
A book on your bedside table right now?
Three books. None finished. They’ve been sitting there for two years. Motivational and nonfiction.
A dish you’d cook for your best friend or toughest critic?
Best friend – it’d be something experimental, a full taste test of what’s new in my head. For my toughest critic – ricotta gnudi, ‘nudie,’ with a Japanese-Italian sauce. It always gets a laugh, and it puts everyone in a good mood.
Favorite guilty pleasure?
Sweets. Desserts. Cakes. Sour candy – I’m an absolute fiend for it.
A recipe you refuse to share?
I don’t know if I’d refuse, but one day, a chef I looked up to told me, “If you share, you always leave something off the recipe.” I was shocked at the time, but I get it now.
A smell or flavor that takes you back?
Toasted garlic. Is there anything more Jersey-esque Italian than the smell of toasted garlic? It smells like home.
Favorites?
Car - Anything fast but BMWs have my heart. Pets - My cats, Truffle and Mochi. Movie - A toss-up between action and comedy. Tattoos - My first was a fork and knife on the top of my hand back in culinary school. Now I’ve got honeybees going up my arm. Bees make the world go around.
Racing With time
The Timepiece Collection welcomes Lorige to the USA
Lorige, is an innovative Franco-Swiss luxury watchmaker renowned for crafting high-performance timepieces forged from the Carbon/Carbon brake pads of winning and participating racing cars in competitions such as IMSA, WEC championships and the world’s biggest endurance races.
The Lorige brand was dreamed up by two motor racing professionals, to relive the heady sensations of a racing win. Lorige timepieces stand for the mechanical perfection that goes with exceptional race standings. They symbolize the original link between time-keeping and racing. The brand’s unique patented technology is used to finely hone each watch case from brake pads once used in cars with world-class race standings. Their advanced Carbon/Carbon material is designed to perpetuate this memory for future generations. Crafted on demand in their Swiss atelier of Geneva, Timeless SA, the manufacture caliber and the other watchmaking components complete their fine timepieces. Each unique watch comes with a certificate naming the race in which the car component took part, transforming each timepiece in a moving memory worn only by the most passionate motor sports enthusiasts.
“Entering the United States market is a defining moment for Lorige” - Clément Etienvre, CEO of Lorige SAS.
Thanks to their close connections with many racing teams, Lorige is able to gather mileby-mile history of the Carbon/Carbon, which has brought about many collaborations: the BL-Endurance "Hyperblack" with Peugeot Autosport or even the BL-Endurance "Bleu 24h" with Zac Brown’s racing team United Autosports.
With the launch of the new iteration of the BL-Endurance, the BL-Evolution, a unique partnership has been revealed: Lorige is
proud to become theOfficial Timekeeper of the only team fielding Aston Martin Valkyries in WEC and IMSA : theHeart of Racing Team.
To celebrate this news, Lorige have created two special editions of the BL-Endurance Evolution made out of the Carbon/Carbon brake pads of the Heart of Racing Team Hypercars. Now, we are privileged to have been appointed as the exclusive distributor of the New BL-Evolution "Bleu Asphalte" version.
“Our 25 years in the USA luxury watches market position us to take full advantage of this unique opportunity. As the only timepieces which have been crafted from real race cars, the authenticity creates a unique value for the USA customer. We look forward to fostering a community around these wearable trophies and inviting a new generation of enthusiasts to experience Lorige’s story-driven craftsmanship.”
- Jeffrey Khalaf, President of Timepiece Collection, Ltd
BL-EVOLUTION
Bleu Asphalt
(Limited to 50 pieces)
Unveiled in Fall of 2025, the new Heart of Racing Team BL-Evolution features a blue model to match the No. 23 Valkyrie colors. With their craftsmen in Geneva, Lorige also created a special edition with subtle green accents, reminiscent of the No. 009 and No. 007 Hypercars.
Thanks to a unique patent process and an original concept perfectly executed both stylistically and technically, Lorige is a cutting-edge company already catching international attention.
Seduced by their story and their ambition, the Timepieces Collection have decided to support Lorige on expanding their retail presence in the USA as well as creating a direct engagement with end customers and fans. This strategic decision enables Lorige SAS to meet the growing demand for its models in the United States.
20 Years of the Big Bang A Modern Icon Celebrated
Twenty years can seem like a long time. But time is relative, and in the case of the Big Bang, two decades have passed in the blink of an eye. Since 2005, Hublot has forged itself as the undisputed leader in innovation across materials, design, and technical mastery. From one showstopper to the next, the Big Bang has ceaselessly reinvented the codes of watch making, writing history as the first truly iconic watch of the 21st century.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its most emblematic collection, Hublot has revisited milestones in the Big Bang’s history with a bold act of fusion: combining the design of the original Big Bang with the technical prowess of the Big Bang Unico. The result is a capsule of five limited-edition models, each bridging past, present, and future.
The anniversary pieces revisit familiar codes. The layered case, the knurled bezel edge, the iconic silhouette and elevate them with the modern engineering of the Unico. These are watches that honor the legacy of 2005, while pointing boldly toward the future.
From Titanium Ceramic and King Gold Ceramic, to Red Ceramic, All Black, and Magic Gold, the anniversary models embody Hublot’ s pioneering Art of Fusion.” They are as much a tribute to the watch that changed the face of 21st-century watch making as they are a promise of what s still to come.
As CEO Julien Tornare notes:“The Big Bang is undoubtedly one of the modern icons of 21st-century watchmaking. This year, we’ re not only looking back at all that Hublot has achieved, but also looking toward the future and all the possibilities it still holds. Here’s to the next 20 years.”
Burgundy Took the Spotlight
Adeep, rich tone and a story 25 years in the making. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of The Timepiece Collection, they collaborated with Hublot to create a special limited edition timepiece: the Classic Fusion TPC 25th Anniversary. Featuring a striking burgundy dial, this exclusive model was produced in just 10 pieces of King Gold and 15 pieces of Black Ceramic — a bold and elegant tribute to a shared legacy of both brands.
Hosted at Bar Mutz under the direction of Chef Robbie Felice, the evening was a fusion of fine cuisine and design. Each detail reflected the spirit of the collaboration, from the atmosphere to a signature dessert crafted to mirror the burgundy dial of the watch itself.
More than a product launch, the night marked a defining chapter in The Timepiece Collection’s 25-year journey — a celebration of heritage, partnership, and community.
MANUFACTURE
CLASSIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR
When it was first introduced in 2016, the Frederique Constant Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture was the most affordable perpetual calendar on the market. Today, the timepiece is pushing the envelope further in quality, component finishes and technical features. The dial sports one of collectors’ favorite colors, salmon, in a steel case that now comes in a 40-millimeter diameter. The watch is also available with a navy blue or silver dial. The classic case houses the new Manufacture FC-776 caliber, the 34th developed in-house by the Geneva-based watchmaker and now boasting a threeday power reserve.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• Hours, minutes, date, day, month, leap year and moonphase.
• Effortless adjustments of all functions via the sleek push-pin button on the case’s side.
• Enhanced with a 72-hour power reserve for lasting performance.
• Elegant sunray-finished dial complemented by sub dials with CD-cutting finishing, creating a striking contrast. The counters feature a polished outer ring for added sophistication.
• Distinctive rail track on the dial’s outer ring, a signature of Frederique Constant's new Classics Manufacture line.
LONGINES SPIRIT ZULU TIME 1925
HENRY CAVILL
PhotograPhy: NichoLas gagLiaNo
MeN's cLothiNg styLed By saL Lauretta For MeN, MidLaNd Park
WoMeN's cLothiNg By Boutique 811, FraNkLiN Lakes
Watches avaiLaBLe at the tiMePiece coLLectioN, eNgLeWood oN LocatioN: Bar Mutz, WestWood huBLot
choPard aLPiNe eagLe 33
$25,900
oMega seaMaster aqua terra 150M $7,100
BeLL & ross
Br-x3 BLack titaNiuM
$8,300
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$2,500
Breguet Type XX
Chronographe 2075
Inspired by the sky guidedbytimeandthespiritofadventure
As part of its 250th anniversary celebra tions, following the Classique Souscription 2025 and the Tradition 7035, Breguet presents the Type XX Chronographe 2075 in two ver sions, inspired by an emblem atic model dating back to 1955.
These new chronographs with flyback function pay tribute to the human genius and cour age of the explorers of time: Abraham-Louis Breguet, the watchmaker who founded the eponymous company; Louis Breguet, his great-great-grand son, an aircraft manufacturer; and the aviator duo Dieudonné Costes and Maurice Belmont, the first people to fly from Paris to New York.
Taking flight on Sept. 1, 1930, they achieved this feat in just over 37 hours, landing on Sept. 2, 1930.
Their plane, a Breguet 19TR Super Bidon - a name chosen because of its large fuel tank - was decorated with a large question mark on either side of its fuselage.
These two new timepieces crafted in Breguet gold, an exclusive alloy with blond highlights, feature either an aluminum dial anodized in black, or a solid silver dial. Drawing inspiration from an emblematic “civil” timepiece that Breguet presented in 1955, it bears the individual serial number 1780. As such, they proudly reflect Breguet’s spirit of technical innovation as well as its continuing respect for its own history.
A LESSON IN HOROLOGICAL SOBRIETY
When major complication become a manifesto of contemporary refinement, Parmigiani Fleurier’s Toric Quantième Perpétuel stands out as one of this year’s most critically acclaimed creations. Offered in two distinct variations: one in platinum with a Morning Blue sky dial, the other in rose gold with a Golden Hour dial, it captivates with the precision of its contrasts.
Why such critical acclaim? Because it dare what few houses do: to treat a major complication with absolute restraint. it goes against the grain. And in doing so, it is fiercely relevant. In an industry where haute horology often competes with visual effects, technical statements, and bold demonstrations, Parmigiani Fleurier opts for introspection. Its Toric Quantième Perpétuel, a contemporary reinterpretation of Michel Parmigiani’s very first design in 1996, prefers the silence of pure forms over extravagance.
The grained dial, perfectly balanced between counters and windows, reminds us that beauty can be a matter of rhythm, not volume. But beyond visual harmony, it’s the exceptional readability of this perpetual calendar that strikes streamlined indication, intuitive layout, seamless reading. A grand complication here made easier, clarified, almost meditative.
The 40.6 mm case, topped with the iconic gadrooned bezel, exudes measured elegance. At its heart, the manual-winding PF733 caliber in solid gold, extra-flat (5.15mm), exemplifies the coherence between mechanics and philosophy. The Toric Quantième Perpétuel features a dial named Morning Blue. Fresh, matte, subtly grained, it infuses a poetic modernity into a traditionally austere timepiece. This blue, veiled like the first light of day, lends the piece an unprecedented freshness, transforming the dress watch into an object of contemplation. This isn’t a trendy chromatic choice, but a symbolic gesture: this blue speaks of introspection, lightness, and a different way to experience complexity. A rare aesthetic that speaks as much to the eye as to the soul.
In the rose gold version, the dial adopts another equally evocative tone: a Golden Hour grained dial with sandy reflections, inspired by the soft, warm light of late afternoon. This natural, almost mineral tone evokes a solar, serene elegance, offering a warmer interpretation of the same inner balance.
As Monochrome wrote at Watches & Wonders 2025, “Valium for an anxious mind”
Popping In On Victoria Poplaski
By keviN czerWiNski
It doesn’t seem, at times, as if Victoria Leigh Poplaski believes that everything that has happened to her over the last six years is real.
The Paramus native has forged quite a positive reputation, earning accolades as one of the brightest, hottest and most sought-after young artists in the country. Her gritty, innovative popart style features tailored lines with a streetart graffiti flair and has allowed her to gain a foothold nationally thanks in part to social media and her work with Chef Robbie Felice, the brains behind the popular Montclair restaurant pastaRAMEN.
Yet, as Poplaski, 29, sits in an Oradell coffee shop, just a short walk from her Kinderkamack Road studio, the confident but humble air that surrounds her gives the impression that occasionally she must take stock of her work just to make sure the whirlwind that her life has become is all real.
“I always wanted to get into art, but I never thought this was possible, “ Poplaski said. “I never thought I could support myself and make it a career. The money is great, but that’ s not completely what I do it for. I do it because of the passion and the joy it brings me and everything else just falls into place. Everyone who has supported me from Day One, everyone invested in my art has made a difference.”
There was a time, however, that Poplaski didn’t think there would be a Day One.
INSURANCE, REALLY?
Poplaski was born in Hackensack but grew up in Paramus, where she still lives. She discovered her love of art, and an appreciation for Andy Warhol, at an early age. She did a grade school project on the famed pop artist, dressing up like him to tell her class about paintings of Campbell Soup cans and Marilyn Monroe.
“That’s when I got to know who he was and about his work,” Poplaski said. “When I was very young, I was always drawing, painting and coloring for as long as I can remember. My teachers always said I had something [in terms of art].
One of my high school teachers told me that she didn’t know what path I was going to take but that it was going to be creative. I thought about interior design but ultimately narrowed in on art, which I always loved.“
That journey toward becoming a full-time artist, though, was still not on the horizon. Poplaski played soccer in high school [she had a twogoal game against Hackensack in 2012], worked in a pizza parlor and loved art, taking as many art electives as possible at Paramus High School.
Yet, when she was 17, she earned property and casualty licenses in insurance while studying business at Bergen Community College. Poplaski earned her associate degree and then spent several years working at an insurance company.
“I was always decent with numbers, so I thought what would it hurt to get my license?“ said Poplaski, who also has a business degree from Montclair State University. “I would have it under my belt, and I had to start somewhere. I got that when I was 17 and while doing that, I was doing freelance makeup because I had a creative itch. I did well enough with that, and I was able to leave the insurance field."
When COVID hit, I picked up a brush and started painting more intently and here we are. During COVID when we were locked up, I started painting as a survival mode. I was in that transition in life. I had left insurance and was trying to make something from doing makeup. I hadn t formed an LLC yet; I wasn’t getting any help from the government, and I had no paycheck.”
Poplaski said she began painting any miscellaneous items that were thrown her way, including Louis Vuitton handbags, and realized that people liked her work and appreciated what she could create. She called it an “aha moment.” She realized the joy that creating was providing her and formed her own company, VLPOPART LLC.
When you get an opportunity, you can’t let it pass by,” she said. “When you see that opportunity, you have to grab it. I could have let it go and VLPOPART wouldn’t exist.”
PASTA-BILITIES
Poplaski could be mistaken for a college student as she heads back to her studio, decked out in
sweats and a pair of Air Jordans, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She bubbles with enthusiasm and has a bounce in her step, sharing the thoughts and ideas that make her work so electric and interesting.
Warhol is one of her inspirations but so is famed artist King Saladeen, the Philadelphia-based artist whose work also has a pop flair. Traces of both are found in Poplaski’s work, particularly the work she has done at pastaRamen. The mural she painted at the restaurant, along with sculptures, a newspaper wall and bathroom art, have helped vault Poplaski to another level.
She also creates stylized pieces for Felice when he does pop-up events around the country such as custom surf and boogie boards for an event the Hamptons.
“We [her and Felice] got connected around COVID time,” Poplaski said. “He found my stuff on Instagram, and we connected through there. He came up with the concept [for the restaurant] during COVID and it was the perfect storm When Robbie and I connected, I had never done
AMERICAN CLASSIC INTRA-MATIC
a mural, just a lot of canvas work and things for private clients. I had never done anything commercial but the fact that they trusted me, I can t thank them enough.
We chatted about what the restaurant was to them, and I put my flare on it. They have been the most incredible group to work with. They have given me freedom since Day One. The pastaRamen team was doing a pop up in Miami at the time of the mural install. When they came back to what I had done, thank goodness we nailed the vision.
The mural has an Asian side, an Italian side and a Poplaski side [the Jordans hold a prominent spot on the mural], all of which combine to provide a stunning welcome to pastaRamen’ s guests. It took Poplaski three weeks to complete the mural, working around contractors who were in and out of the restaurant completing their respective jobs.
It was a labor of love,” she said. “You could see the heart that went into it. There were bare bricks that I did off site, sculptures and the big newspaper wall which had Japanese newspapers from when COVID was happening because that was pastaRamen s inception.”
Poplaski also completed an entire store in Soho for Philipp Plein Sport NYFW in February of 2023. It was their first ‘Sport’ store in the U.S. She put together that project in under a week which was followed by a launch party with a performance by Jadakiss. Additionally, Poplaski s latest work of art is the interior - think floor, walls, ceiling, tables, everythign in between - of Felice's Bar Mutz in Westwood.
WHERE DOES SHE GO FROM HERE?
Poplaski said she paints five days a week and is always “picking up a brush and doing something.” Her studio is small and unassuming, but she painted the walls and worked on the furniture, all of which provides a bright, fresh view through the huge plate-glass window for passersby on Kinderkamack Road.
Prices for her work begin at $1,500 but she has sold work for as much as $10,000. Poplaski charges between $100-$150 a square foot for murals, all of which depends on the texture and complexity of what she is being asked to produce.
Her goal – get some sponsorships and do collaborations, create unique merchandise reflecting her work, all while continuing to grow what is already a stellar reputation.
“My goal is for people to see my stuff and say, Yeah, that s her,” Poplaski said. I want it to be something recognizable, a conversation starter. I want people to have something hanging in their home that they are proud to have there.
Victoria opened up a showroom of her own in Oradell in the Fall of 2023, but that's still just the start of her aspirations:
"One day I want a big warehouse and a big operation. I want to be bigger than just myself.”
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With DUW 3202, the new automatic caliber with a worldtime function, Club Sport neomatik is made for everyday life and the whole world. A sporty yet elegant worldtime watch, it has a radiant design that is immediately recognizable and easy to use. An ideal companion for global citizens and frequent travelers.
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A Labor of Love
Restoring an icon: 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4
By richard PosLuzsNy
Upon entering a northern New Jersey garage, it was clear that one car stood out from the others. Painted a bright yellow that pops in the light, it highlighted that there was something special here. Its beauty is more than skin deep, though. For car nerds and even the average passerby, it’s rolling history.
That’s because our subject is the 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4.
Essentially the grandfather of the pack, this nonno is arguably one of Ferrari’s greatest works. This isn’t lost on the current owner who introduced it to me as “The Rolex Daytona of the collection.” In other words, it is the high water mark.
Unlike other automakers, the Ferrari brand has long been associated with delivering something different to the street. Closely tied to its racing heritage, he notes, “It’s the crème de la crème because I think Ferrari would spend every dollar to win the next race,” and, “That passion shows in everything they do.”
Oh, how right he is. Having had the chance to drive a number of modern Ferraris myself, it’s clear from the second you fire up the engine that there s something incomparable about its cars. This is only compounded when you go for a drive, encounter some twisties and the revs climb. No surprise, as the marque makes a point to trickle down innovation and technology deployed in its race cars to its roadgoing vehicles. It’s not just that the cars are fast and they are it’ s that they’re entertaining and feel alive.
This is significantly amplified with the vintage, four-cam variant of the 275 GTB. Once its front-mounted V12 sprang to life, there was an unmistakable sound and smell from its six Weber carburetors. It’s more raw, and unlike a modern car, it feels like there’s a sense of occasion.
According to its owner, “Just going zero to 60 on local highways is a thrill,” as it provides a more involving and visceral driving experience. Why bother with a radio when you can put the windows down and enjoy a 12-cylinder, carbureated soundtrack? Expanding on that, he says, “When you drive the older cars, you have an appreciation for what they did 50-60 years ago,” and “Every car has a story. That’s the fun of it.”
He’s not kidding, either.
After speaking with noted Ferrari Master Technician, Lee Stayton, I had the chance to understand this car’s story. Fully restored down to every nut and bolt about 20 years ago, this four-year project “Was a labor of love,” says Stayton. Who better to get the 4-1-1 from than the individual who solely led the restoration with a small collective of contributors? When you understand the level of precision involved
an international logistics magnate, had the vehicle worked on abroad during his stewardship. At one point, Paul spoke with another noted automotive enthusiast (let s call him Larry), and told him, “I have a car for you, but it needs a bit of work.”
Larry, a titan in the energy sector, had previously lived in Italy, and as a young man, he spotted a yellow 275 GTB parked on the streets of Rome. It was at that moment that young Larry knew he had to have a 275 GTB specifically in yellow.
in preserving this vehicle, and its history, it’ s remarkable.
This particular Ferrari arrived in the U.S. in January 1968 via Luigi Chinetti, a former racecar driver and the man responsible for bringing Ferrari’s roadcars to the States. Originally painted a deep, dark red known as Rosso Rubino, this 275 GTB/4 was configured with a Beige Scuro interior (a richer, tobacco-like color).
When Stayton first became involved with the vehicle in the early 2000s, things were different. That’s because it had been painted yellow. A previous owner (let’s call him Paul),
It made a long-lasting impression. Fast forward, Larry knew that Paul’s offer was an exceedingly rare opportunity as there are only just over 325 units of the 275 GTB/4 produced. Soon thereafter, Larry took possession of the car. Knowing that Lee had previously restored a standard 275 GTB with great care, he engaged Stayton to take on the project.
Based at Miller Motorcars’ Greenwich, Connecticut facility, Stayton would disassemble the vehicle piece by piece for a full-scale evaluation. Straight away, Stayton could tell that, mechanically speaking, this 275 GTB/4 was in good shape. Its engine was in excellent condition and the cam timing was spot on. Its gearbox was working beautifully,
even though its clutch and limited-slip differential were not revamped.
So far, so good, right? Well, not quite.
As Stayton continued to closely examine the car s details, it became clear that the vehicle had seen some hard use and even had some shunts which were resolved back in the day. When the car’s paint was stripped down, Stayton says, “We noticed significant damage to the nose of the car,” and there were some “Hidden sins there.”
Reporting back to Larry, Lee advised that to make the car right it wouldn’t just be a repaint. While the previous body work was serviceable, it was beyond the quality and typical quirks expected of a hand-built car with hand-hammered sheetmetal.
Larry’s response? “Let’s go all the way,” meaning, let’s bring this car back to the same condition as if it had just left the factory. From that point on, the benchmark was set and the journey intensified.
Stayton says, “The level of detail is precise on that car.” Take, for example, Lee noticing that the car’s ashtray wasn’t exactly correct. As it shipped from Maranello, the 275 GTB/4’s ashtray should have a red light when you slide it open. Stayton ran this up the flagpole to Larry who insisted it be addressed, which it was. This is just one of many cases.
This level of quality, of course, meant that revisiting the car’s front-end sheetmetal was a must. Stayton brought two British panel beaters into the project. These metal-working artisans from Connecticut’s The Panel Shop produced a new nose, hood and door skins for this 275 GTB/4.
Reflecting on their craftsmanship, Lee says, “These guys were incredible.” Simply put, much like the artists who painted frescoes and carved marble during the Italian Renaissance, these specific skills are dying with the people currently responsible for preserving the craft.
Resprayed Giallo Modena and its brightwork affixed, after a few years, this 275 GTB/4’s journey was complete.
Upon the creation of the revered Ferrari Classiche program, this exact car was one of the first to pass the brand’s rigorous, four-step process to earn its certification. Today, it proudly wears the Ferrari Classiche badge on its front grille, which in and of itself, is a rarity. The badges were only distributed for a short period of time.
Back at the garage with the current steward, he noted that he shares his automotive enthusiasm with his father and, “The excitement comes back to family and sharing moments [when driving].” If you have a soul, you’ll quickly understand what he means when a V12 sparks, the bassy exhaust note fills the room and they set out on a crisp fall morning ride.
