LEGENDS OF LUXURY
ART, LIFE & LOVE ONE-ON-ONE WITH SYBIL YURMAN
NO REGRETS DIAMOND CELLAR
STEPHEN WEBSTER GETS CANDID
GEM MASTER
MEET DAVE BINDRA
• FALL/WINTER 2021
PLUS
100+ GIFTS YOU’LL LOVE & MORE
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CONTENTS
04 WELCOME LETTER
06 DC NEWS
08 MEET CÉLESTE
13 BRIDAL CUSTOMERS
23 LEGENDS OF LUXURY
30 GIFT GUIDE
40 CELEBRITY BLING
42 THE NICK OF TIME
44 A WATCH FOR WINNERS
46 AS TIME GOES BY
48 STARS & THEIR SIPS
50 RULE THE LAND
52 SEEING FROM THE SKY
60 SPEECHLESS ON THE COVER DAVID & SYBIL YURMAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY TIAGO MOLINOS CEO R. ANDREW JOHNSON PRESIDENT ALEX JOHNSON MARKETING DIRECTOR CASSANDRA ZAHRAN MARKETING MANAGER MELISSA MCCOY SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER COURTNEY LAUB CONTRIBUTING WRITER KRISTY ECKERT PHOTOGRAPHER DANI WATTS
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WAINSCOT MEDIA
PUBLISHING STAFF
PUBLISHED BY
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RITA GUARNA
GROUP PUBLISHER SHAE MARCUS
CHAIRMAN CARROLL V. DOWDEN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR STEPHEN VITARBO
NATIONAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JESSICA SALERNO
PRESIDENT & CEO MARK DOWDEN
SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR DARIUS AMOS
ADVERTISING SERVICES DIRECTOR JACQUELYNN FISCHER
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS SHAE MARCUS, CARL OLSEN
LIFESTYLE EDITOR HALEY LONGMAN ART DIRECTOR MICHAEL FORTE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF
PRODUCTION ART ASSOCIATE CHRISTOPHER FERRANTE ACCOUNTING STEVEN RESNICK, KASIE CARLETON
VICE PRESIDENTS NIGEL EDELSHAIN, THOMAS FLANNERY, RITA GUARNA
Jewelry has been enlarged to show detail. Due to the fluctuating prices of diamonds, gold and platinum, prices are subject to change without notice and may vary depending on size, quality and availability. While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine, we are not responsible for errors or omissions. ACCENT is published by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656, in association with Diamond Cellar. Copyright © 2021 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Editorial contributions: Write to Editor, Diamond Cellar, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. The magazine is not responsible for the return or loss of unsolicited submissions. Subscription services: To change an address or request a subscription, write to Subscriptions, Diamond Cellar, 1 Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656, or by telephone at 201.573.5541. Advertising inquiries: Contact Shae Marcus at 856.797.2227 or shae.marcus@wainscotmedia.com. Printed in The U.S.A. Volume 19, Issue 2. ©2021
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The Luxury of Love Love is, in the end, the ultimate luxury. And for more than 70 years, we’ve been in the business of helping you show it—to your partner, to your parent, to your child, to yourself. What could be more fun? In our showrooms, we have the honor of helping you find special pieces that wow, whether it’s a custom ring to ask her for forever or a necklace that takes her breath away. Behind the scenes, we have the privilege of calling the artists who create that jewelry friends. In this issue, we celebrate three of them. Sybil Yurman is a talented painter, a loving mother and a brilliant businesswoman who, alongside her husband, has helped make David Yurman jewelry one of the world’s most recognizable fashion brands. Stephen Webster, whose namesake jewelry you’ll find on celebrities from Madonna to Elton John, is larger than life—and every bit as soulful and loyal as he is colorful and curious. Dave Bindra is a second-generation gemstone curator who, alongside his father, adeptly procures some of the finest gems on Planet Earth with friendly, approachable ease. Their friendship—their love—is a gift, and we are grateful to know it and to share it with you. We hope that this holiday season, we can help you show your love in ways that are meaningful now and for generations to come. (If you need ideas, we’ve got a bunch inside.) Because love is a luxury worth celebrating. Cheers, The Johnson Family ANDY JOHNSON, CEO, AND ALEX JOHNSON, PRESIDENT.
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DC NEWS D I A M O N D C E L L A R G R OWS —AG A I N Diamond Cellar will soon open its fourth namesake store—this one in Tulsa. The stunning 2,000 square-foot space will feature a bridal boutique and one-of-a-kind designer pieces. You’ll find it near Diamond Cellar’s Bruce G. Weber store, which will continue selling fashion and custom jewelry, on Cherry Street. Diamond Cellar also has two namesake stores in Columbus and one in Nashville.
COLUMBUS Diamond Cellar is now the official jewelry sponsor of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where engagements and weddings are made spectacular. (A topnotch wedding venue with nearby roaming giraffes? Yes, please.)
NASHVILLE This year, Diamond Cellar was the official jeweler and sponsor of the Iroquois Steeplechase’s 80th Annual Horse Race. For its inaugural sponsorship, Diamond Cellar teamed with Hermès to curate a luxury lounge featuring a private bar, posh seating and an Hermès shopping experience with Birkin bags, exclusive watches and fine jewelry.
NO REGRETS Once a legendary spot in Hollywood that became a traveling pop-up bar, Stephen Webster’s No Regrets lounge is once again becoming a permanent spot—this time at Diamond Cellar in Nashville. The original No Regrets lounge opened above the Stephen Webster store on Rodeo Drive, which boasted an iconic view of the Beverly Wilshire hotel, made famous by the movie Pretty Woman. “Such a position needed to be shared,” Webster says. So he created a space to share all the things he enjoys. “Over the years, we invited artists (street and conventional), sculptors, photographers, musicians, DJ’s, chefs (many chefs!) and stylists,” he says. “Quickly the space established itself as a place to discover a wide variety of cultural and social experiences.” He eventually decided No Regrets needed to travel, so he turned it into a popular pop-up concept. But he’s ready to give the lounge another permanent home. “We are so excited,” Webster says, “to be establishing No Regrets in the music city of Nashville.”
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A TOA ST TO S O M E T H I N G B LU E Diamond Cellar prides itself on traveling the world to curate the finest jewelry in its shops for you. Now, it’s done the same with beer. DC teamed with BrewDog—a craft brewer based in Scotland whose United States headquarters is in Columbus—to create a custom beer. Something Blue is a tangerine lemonade ale, and it’s wrapped in meaning. The duo of citrus fruits is a fabulous blend of flavors. And the color blue is something brides traditionally wear or carry on their wedding day, because it signifies love, purity and fidelity. This beer is a toast to couples and a union worth celebrating. Cheers! 07
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MODELED BY EARTH, MADE BY US
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MEET CÉLESTE A RESPONSIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO MINED DIAMONDS Lab grown does not mean lesser in the world of diamonds—it means luxury modeled after the earth’s capabilities in creating timeless beauty. Céleste Lab Grown Diamonds are a salute to just that—creating eternally stunning diamonds with the use of only a few components: carbon, pressure, temperature and time. This fall, Diamond Cellar has introduced a line of laboratory grown diamonds called Céleste Created Diamonds. Intended for your Forever Collection, Céleste Diamonds are crafted using monumental technology, and designed by some of the world’s most talented craftsman in the United States. “We are thrilled to introduce this exquisite diamond collection,” said Diamond Cellar President Alex Johnson. “These are 100% authentic, lab-grown diamonds that are a responsible alternative to mined diamonds—and at a fraction of the cost. Céleste is where responsibility and luxury meet. We’re incredibly proud.” Céleste Created Diamonds has launched its initial collections and expects to be the most reliable, luxurious and impactful purveyors in the Lab Grown Diamond industry. Shop online or exclusively at Diamond Cellar.
3 THINGS TO KNOW THEY ARE 100% REAL Lab-grown diamonds are 100% optically, physically, and chemically identical to mined diamonds. A FRACTION OF THE PRICE Lab-grown diamonds are up to 70% less in cost than mined diamonds. LUXURY MEETS RESPONSIBILITY Lab-grown diamonds are as stunning and eternal as mined diamonds, without having a direct impact on the earth’s fragile environment.
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CENTO COLLECTION
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MATTHEW SULLIVAN & LAUREN PARKER Tulsa, OK | Engaged June 26, 2021
THE MOMENT HE KNEW THIS WAS FOREVER Matthew: I knew Lauren was the one after our first long conversation. I soon after told my mother I had just met my wife!
THE RING Lauren: Matthew and I chose the ring cut together. He decided to use two diamonds from my mother’s first wedding ring in the setting. It now holds even more meaning to me, and I know I will always have a piece of my mother with me.
THE ASK A day filled with quality time and a romantic date night eventually led to a scene outside Lauren’s family’s barn, including light-up letters, roses and candles. It was made complete with close family and friends to celebrate after the big moment.
SHE CAN’T WAIT TO BE WEARING HER RING WHEN We buy our first home together and start building the foundation for our future! REAGAN RENFROE PHOTOGRAPHY
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JAKOB & MARA VAN METER Linworth, OH | Married June 12, 2021
THE ASK Jakob: We started dating in high school and went to The Melting Pot for our prom dinner. Every year on our anniversary, we ended up going to celebrate at The Melting Pot and loved that annual date. When I proposed, Mara and I were living in different cities for our jobs. When she came in one weekend, I told her we were going out to The Melting Pot to celebrate our jobs. When we got done with our main course, I slid out of the booth and got down on one knee, and both sets of our parents walked out from across the restaurant to surprise her!
THE RING Jakob: My dad bought his ring at Diamond Cellar 20+ years ago when he proposed to my mom, so my dad and I decided to come in and design Mara’s ring at the same place. Duane helped my dad and I combine all of the elements Mara had on her Pinterest board to create the perfect ring. Designing Mara’s ring with my dad at the same place my dad got my mom’s ring was special for both of us.
SHE CAN’T WAIT TO BE WEARING HER RING WHEN… Mara: When we take our first trip as a married couple to Disney. When we go on our annual family vacation for the first time as a married couple and I get to finally be included in the family-only picture! When we start our family and have our first child. When we celebrate six months of being married in Kauai.
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B R I DA L C U S TO M E R P H OTO S LINDZY LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
ASHTON & ANASTASIA FARMER Columbus, OH | Married October 24, 2020
THE MOMENT HE KNEW THIS WAS FOREVER Ashton: I knew this was forever when I spent the weekend with Anastasia and her family at her sister’s wedding. Although Anastasia and her family had so much to do that weekend, they still made time to get to know me and make me feel at home. I remember dancing with Anastasia toward the end of the reception, looking into her eyes, and thinking to myself, “She’s the one.”
THE ASK Anastasia: Ashton ordered a personalized puzzle of memorable photos of us. We casually worked on it together, and at the end, there were two missing pieces in the center. He pulled them from behind him, and when I placed them, I saw in very tiny writing, “Will you marry me?” I turned to face him, and he was on one knee with the ring in his hand.
HER RING Anastasia: I have always been torn between classic round and princess cut and always wanted a solitaire ring. However, when we went to Diamond Cellar and started looking at rings together, Ashton pointed out the halo setting that he liked. We worked with Duane and had so much fun looking at all the different stones and picking out the perfect one. The diamond we chose was round, and we decided to pair it with a halo setting. It was the perfect blend between the look I had always loved and my future husband’s taste. I loved that we got to create it together; that experience made it so much more meaningful.
HIS RING Anastasia: I wanted my husband to have something as equally as special, so we decided to make his out of the same platinum base with diamonds. It turned out so unique and classy—definitely fitting for him.
SHE CAN’T WAIT TO BE WEARING HER RING WHEN... When we have our first child… a baby boy due this November!
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B R I DA L C U S TO M E R P H OTO S KYLE LONG PHOTOGRAPHY
CALEB & MADDIE LEWIS Columbus, OH | Married March 13, 2021
THE ASK Maddie wanted Caleb to propose for so long. After a pre-marital counseling session, they were at a family gathering at Maddie’s parents’ country home. “You like me, right?” Caleb asked. “Yes,” Maddie said. “Good enough,” Caleb said, as he got down on one knee. And the rest is history.
THE RINGS Maddie’s ring is simple and classic. She does not consider herself flashy, and she wanted something that complemented her personality. Caleb’s ring is similar—a straight tungsten band durable enough for his day job.
THE SYMBOLISM Every day is an adventure. Together when we look down at our hands, we are reminded of God’s goodness within our lives. We are so thankful for the symbols on our fingers that encapsulate our commitment to one another for the rest of our lives.
COLLIN GROTHAUS & TAYLOR SPRINGER Columbus, OH | Engaged April 17, 2021
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B R I DA L C U S TO M E R P H OTO S ANDREW & CHRISSY LOGESKY
ELIJAH & TAYLOR McNAMARA Columbus, OH | Engaged May 26, 2021
THE MOMENT HE KNEW THIS WAS FOREVER Elijah: I knew this was forever about a month in when I invited Taylor on our family vacation. On the last day, I told Taylor I loved her. Taylor, on the other hand, knew a little after vacation. We went to Rising Park on a date, and on the car ride on the way home, we were being goofy listening to music and singing. Taylor knew in that moment she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me.
THE ASK Elijah: I took Taylor to the Franklin Park Conservatory, into the butterfly exhibit, because she loves butterflies. I asked to take a picture of her, and when she turned around to get ready for the picture, I got down on one knee.
THE RING Elijah: The diamonds I designed the ring with were from a brooch passed down from my great grandmother. I wanted to use as many diamonds as I could, so I created a unique design for a unique girl.
SHE CAN’T WAIT TO BE WEARING HER RING WHEN... We have been through so many milestones in our five years together, and we are well aware that there are many more to come. I am most excited to continue to wear this ring throughout all of those moments—the highs, the lows and everything in between. It is a symbol of true companionship, and that excites me for whatever lies ahead.
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DAN ROTH & JENNETTE TEPFENHART New Albany, OH | Married September 25, 2021
THE MOMENT WE KNEW THIS WAS FOREVER We became inseparable after our second date. We both love to laugh and joke; we truly became best friends.
THE ASK March 2020 was a unique time in the world. Dan had planned a surprise engagement complete with restaurant reservations where he and Jennette had their first date, tickets to New York to see Jennette’s friends and an engagement photographer. All of those plans had to be cancelled. Instead, he pivoted to plan a beautiful proposal in Schiller Park (complete with photographer!) followed by a takeout dinner for two at his sister’s home.
THE RING It’s timeless, classic and never out of style. We wanted to pick something that would be as beautiful today as it would be on our 50th anniversary.
GRANT KETCHEL & CAMERON MITCHELL Tulsa, OK | Engaged February 27, 2021
CHLOE REED PHOTOGRAPHY
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JAY & RANA RIEPENHOFF Columbus, OH | Married May 15, 2020
THE MOMENT SHE KNEW THIS WAS FOREVER Rana: It was a yes for me as soon as this greeneyed, shaggy-haired, cute freshman with the perfect smile walked into my Upper Arlington High School homeroom class on the first day of school with one sneaker colored scarlet and the other colored gray (a true Buckeye fan).
THE RING
Jay: We went into Diamond Cellar together so I could gage what Rana liked and didn’t like. I went back later with the intention of upgrading yet keeping in mind what she liked.
THE ASK Rana: I thought we were posing for a family photo shoot on the family farm when he surprised me by pulling out a Diamond Cellar ring. I think my heart stopped and I actually died for a few seconds! I don’t remember saying “yes.” Jay tells me I said, “Of course!”
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DAVID STARKEY & REGAN POLLARD Columbus, OH | Engaged April 2, 2021
THE MOMENT SHE KNEW THIS WAS FOREVER Regan: At the beginning of the pandemic, we had been dating for nearly three years, all of which had been long distance. Worried we wouldn’t be able to see each other for a while, David got a oneway ticket to Columbus and spent six weeks living with me and my family while the world was shut down. During this time, I realized that in times of uncertainty, David makes me feel calm. He kept myself and my whole family entertained and thinking positively through some of the most stressful times of our lives. I had loved him for several years at this point, but this was when I truly realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.
THE RING David: Regan has always had a classic sense of style when it comes to jewelry. When assessing where to buy the ring, Diamond Cellar was at the top of the list, as Regan’s family has gone to Diamond Cellar to purchase their most meaningful pieces of jewelry throughout the years. Duane helped me select a classic, dainty band lined with diamonds that would showcase the centerpiece jewel—a round brilliant triple excellent diamond.
THE ASK David: Our families gathered in Watersound, Florida to celebrate our birthdays—or so Regan thought. Little did she know that I had something else in mind. One evening, Regan and I went for a walk out to the beach, and along the way we stopped on the boardwalk at a spot overlooking the ocean. I dropped to one knee and asked Regan to marry me. Surprised and ecstatic, she said yes, and after some photos on the beach, we went back to the house to celebrate the exciting news with our families.
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LOVE IN VERONA COLLECTION
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LEGENDS OF LUXURY
Jewelry masterminds Sybil Yurman, Stephen Webster & Dave Bindra get personal about love, art, travel and more.
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SYBIL YURMAN As a young painter, Sybil Kleinrock was captivated by her sculptor boyfriend’s thoughtful work. When she asked him to make her something she could wear, David Yurman crafted an intricate bronze necklace of interlocked figurines. As Sybil walked through an art opening wearing the captivating piece, the gallery owner asked to buy the jewelry off her neck. She declined the offer; the necklace meant too much. Instead, she married the sculptor, and together, they co-founded a jewelry company that is celebrated worldwide for its wearable art. Here, meet David Yurman Co-Founder Sybil Yurman.
Why do you love what you do? My creative side is constantly looking for something different, something beautiful, something that touches me. David and I design together, and we think of what we do as one long art project. Our Crossover Collection is a perfect expression of us sharing in each other’s worlds through design. Why is jewelry important? Like art, jewelry is about emotion. You’re really communicating a feeling, and when you’re wearing a piece of jewelry, it tells a very personal story about who you are and how you connect with the world. It’s meant to be worn, and, like art, cherished and passed on to the next generation. Most meaning ful piece of jewelry you own? When we were first together, David made a mermaid pendant for me. It was a fisherman with wings carrying off a mermaid that’s lying in his arms. Her tail is trailing down to what would be water, and it looks like he’s flying off with her. David came and brought the piece to me. It was so beautiful and such a loving gesture that wasn’t spoken in words but was spoken with this gift. Favorite piece of David Yurman jewelry? The first Cable bracelet David made for me. We were living in Martha’s Vineyard, and he made me a bracelet of these beautiful strands of gold wire twisted together with endcaps of pink tourmalines and little emeralds. I always wore it
feeling beautiful and loved. It was the piece that launched the David Yurman company as we know it today. Favorite city? My favorite will always be New York City. For our family, it’s our hometown, where we were born, where we grew up, where we started our business, built our brand, and where our son Evan was born and lives with his wife and children. This year, our family decided to try and find a way to give back, so we developed our “My New York” campaign to celebrate our city’s spirit of optimism and its ability to adapt, evolve and change and to honor its strength. It is a city of dreams and endless possibilities. Most exquisite place you’ve been? For me, there are many—always where the earth meets the sea. Robert Lewis Stevenson said the area of Big Sur on the California coast, where David and I spent many formative years, was the greatest meeting of land and water in the world and continually inspires artists and writers. In our 20s and 30s, we spent time on Martha’s Vineyard and now have a house on Amagansett. The island of Capri was inspiration for one of our early collections, as was Formentera in Spain for our Tides collection.
SYBIL’S FAVORITES FASHION DESIGNER Sonia Delaunay. Dries Van Noten. And I’m obsessed with shoes, particularly my Manolo Blahniks. MEAL Pasta at Il Pelicano Resort on the Italian coast. NIGHTSTAND BOOK Breath by James Nestor TV BINGE The Queen’s Gambit INDULGENCE Jewelry and chocolate!
Words to live by? It is better to be kind than right. 25
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PHOTO BY RANKIN
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STEPHEN WEBSTER Rebellious yet ethical—that’s how Stephen Webster’s namesake jewelry brand describes itself and, perhaps then, the man behind it. Stephen Webster is fearless—in his artistry, in his dedication to sourcing materials thoughtfully and responsibly, and in how he lives. From drinking with the world’s highest-profile rock stars to hanging at Buckingham Palace with the Prince of Wales (who awarded Webster The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to the jewelry industry), Webster is a creator with stories to spare. We caught up with him for a few of them.
Why do you love what you do? I decided many years ago that if jewelry was going to be the way I made a living, the jewelry I made needed to reflect something about my personality and the things I find inspiring such as art, music, food, drink, stories, history, humor and just about everything I am and do. Once I consciously adopted this approach, how could I possibly not enjoy what I do? Why is jewelry important? Jewelry has a permanence, made from the most beautiful and precious materials on earth. We use jewelry to tell someone how much we care for or love them. We can trace the history of humanity through the jewelry past civilizations wore. Jewelry provokes emotion in a way that no other material thing can do. Most meaning ful piece of jewelry you own? My most meaningful piece of jewelry is my Japanese kabuki mask ring that I made myself about 20 years ago. I wear it on my wedding ring finger despite it not being my wedding ring, but it keeps my wife happy. There are a very few people who I allow to purchase a kabuki mask ring. The membership includes Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran), David Bryan (Bon Jovi), Nicky Clarke (my hairdresser) and Dr. Len (my sometimes doctor). All-time favorite piece of your namesake jewelry? Choosing an all-time favorite piece is like choosing a single music track—almost impossible. Because
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I must, I choose the classic Crystal Haze cocktail ring. The ring put SW on the map 25 years ago, partly because it defined the era of “women’s self-purchase” in jewelry and mostly because Madonna bought one. If you could design a custom piece for anyone, who would you love to design something for? I would quite like to design a piece of jewelry for Elon Musk. I think he would provide me with a challenge and hopefully a piece of Mars rock to work with.
STEPHEN’S FAVORITES FASHION DESIGNER Probably Vivienne Westwood. She dressed us when we were punks in 1976. MEAL Skate wing, capers, jersey royal new potatoes and cabbage prepared by my wife Assia.
Homeware piece of yours that you use most often? My personal rocks glass from the Tequila Lore bar tool kit. Hand engraved and inlaid with fine silver, these are no ordinary glasses.
NIGHTSTAND BOOK 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Favorite city? London.
INDULGENCE My annual road trip in my 1959 Ford Thunderbird, which I bought after my first successful jewelry show in Las Vegas in 1999. It cost me $6k.
Most exquisite place you’ve been? The most exquisite place I have been was on a sailing ship, somewhere in the south China seas. We anchored off a small island only inhabited by monkeys and birds, and a community of sea nomads who live offshore kept an eye on us and our things.
TV BINGE Twin Peaks seasons 1 & 2
Words to live by? No regrets.
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DAVE BINDRA As a child, Dave Bindra didn’t want to work with his father, a legend in the jewelry industry for curating one of the world’s finest collections of colored gemstones. He just loved collecting rocks at the gem shows they visited together. But the more time he spent at his father’s side, the greater his passion grew for cultivating both stones and relationships. “It’s an industry based on trust and community,” he said. “And I think those are the two things that really pulled me in.” Now, the younger Bindra is Vice President and Head of Acquisitions at B&B Fine Gems—where Diamond Cellar buys some of its rarest and most exquisite stones. Meet him here.
What are the most interesting stones in your current collection? A rare and beautiful collection of spinels (pronounced: spinells). They’re a hot item in the world of color gemstones now. I believe they are the gemstone of the future, and we have a beautiful range of colors. And then we also have merchandised an incredible collection of classic blue sapphires in all different size ranges and shapes. Why are spinels the gemstone of the future? They’re a super durable, very usable gemstone. A lot of big, transparent gemstones are called rubies that are actually spinels because people mistook them hundreds of years ago. So they have historical provenance. And I think that a lot of designers and collectors are starting to really become keen on them because of the variety of colors they exist in—everything from crisp lilacs to really intense orangey-pinks and reds to neutral tones like grays and blushes. They’re just an exciting item. All-time favorite stone you’ve procured? Oooh. We have a 30-plus carat red spinel that has actually been named Queen of Mahenge, and it’s probably one of the most important red spinels to exist in the world today. It was a stone
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that took us months and months and months of planning in its rough form to cut, and it’s been cut into an absolutely perfect antique cushion. It’s an heirloom item that will go in someone’s family collection. It is most certainly what we would consider a modern-day crown jewel. Most meaning ful piece of jewelry you own? My grandfather’s watch that was passed on to me. It’s a 1970’s Omega that he wore for about 40 years. It’s the most important piece to me personally because it was something that touched his skin for years, and I’m able to enjoy that timepiece and think of him anytime I wear it. I believe in the quality of an heirloom and something being passed down generation to generation. It’s very important to me. Most exquisite place you’ve been? I love Sri Lanka. I think Sri Lanka is such a rich, beautiful country. It has such an incredible history of the gem trade itself. It’s such an amazing island. And after Sri Lanka, Tanzania—very incredible. Literally a treasure mine of gemstones. There are so many beautiful, vivid colors that come out of the Earth in those parts of the world.
DAVE’S FAVORITES FASHION DESIGNER I like what Kim Jones is doing right now with Dior, and his work with Fendi has been fantastic as well. MEAL Bucatini pasta served in the skillet at Taverna Trilussa in Rome. NIGHTSTAND BOOK Fernando Botero: A Celebration TV BINGE Succession INDULGENCE Gemstones and timepieces
Words to live by? Add more color to your life. 29
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S P E C I A L F I N A N C I N G O P T I O N S AVA I L A B L E * *With approved credit. See store for details.
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ROBERTO COIN Triple Strand Paperclip Necklace $2,500
CÉLESTE DIAMONDS Lab Grown Diamond Cluster Necklace $699
PENNY PREVILLE Diamond Galaxy Medallion $3,445 Chain $1,805
H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E / G O L D E N D AY S
ARMENTA Starburst Stack Ring $2,190
SLOANE STREET Diamond Link Huggies $1,785
GUCCI Interlocking G Studs $620
HERMÉS Cape Cod Watch $12,350
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ROBERTO COIN Navarra Ring $3,040
LAGOS High Bar Rose Gold Station Bracelet $2,750
DAVID YURMAN Stax Linked Diamond Bracelet $7,800
IPPOLITA Stardust Stud Earrings $2,900
GUCCI Link To Love Studded Ring $1,790
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DANA REBECCA Alexa Jordyn Marquise Double Necklace $1,155
DAVID YURMAN Angelika Long Drop Earrings $6,400 Angelika Four Point Pendant $2,550 Angelika Linear Ring $2,900
KWIAT Cobblestone Collection Signet Ring $5,400
MARCO BICEGO Lunaria Bracelet $2,650
POMELLATO Iconica Rose Gold Earrings $4,200
IPPOLITA Stardust Movie Star Ring $3,000
LAGOS High Bar Gold Band Ring $750 ROLEX Datejust 36 $11,050
CHANEL Coco Crush Toi Et Moi Ring $4,850
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ROBERTO COIN Navarra Bangle $4,500
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DANA REBECCA Ava Bea Interval Tennis Necklace $2,200
IPPOLITA Classico Thick Hammered Hoops $325
CHANEL Eternal N°5 Earrings $10,500 Necklace $8,850
MIKIMOTO Akoya Pearl and Diamond Bracelet $11,000
DAVID YURMAN Thoroughbred Loop Bracelet $1,250
H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E / S PA R K L E & S H I N E
GUCCI Double G Ring $270 MICHAEL BONDANZA Soho Pavé Diamond Ring $18,802
POMELLATO Fantina Collection Bracelet $18,050 Ring $6,550 Earrings $13,700
GRAND SEIKO Elegance Collection $5,100
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MIKIMOTO Akoya Cultured Pearl Double Strand Necklace $10,500
FERNANDO JORGE Gravity Small Earrings $10,900 Signal Pendant $4,000
GUCCI Trademark Gucci Heart Necklace $230 Earrings $200
DIAMOND CELLAR Block “O” Diamond Studs $1,595 CÉLESTE DIAMONDS Lab Grown Classic Tennis Bracelet starting at $1,849
CHANEL J12 Paradoxe Watch $9,200 DAVID YURMAN Stax Chain Link Ring $2,400
GUCCI Interlocking G Station Cuff $420
DAVID YURMAN Angelika Flair Earrings $1,900
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POMELLATO Diamond Nudo Ring $5,700
KWIAT Starry Night Petite Hoops $1,900
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MARCO BICEGO Jaipur Necklace $10,550 Large Accent Enhancer $3,620 White Mother of Pearl Enhancer $1,930 Amethyst Enhancer $975
H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E / C O A S TA L C O L O R
ARMENTA Triplet Drop Earrings $1,390
ROBERTO COIN Diamond Venetian Flower Medallion Necklace $6,900
POMELLATO M’ama Non M’ama Bangle $2,150 Ring $1,600
MIKIMOTO Morning Dew Pearl Earrings $3,700
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SLOANE STREET Open Marquis Blue Diamond Earrings $5,515
PIRANESI Mosaique Bracelets starting at $20,470
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STORE 5A Pre-Owned Yves Saint Laurent Envelope Bag $1,775
IPPOLITA Rock Candy Luce Bracelet in Blue Notte $3,900
LIGHTBOX Lab Grown Round Brilliant Solitaire Studs (2CT) $1,950 Lab Grown Blue Moon Earrings (1CT) $1,050
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KWIAT Cluster Collection Drop Earrings $13,000 Cluster Collection Pendant $6,950
LAGOS Glacier Swiss Blue Topaz Earrings $595
ORIS Artelier Grande Lune $4,500
ELIZABETH LOCKE Positano Link Necklace $11,275 Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Maltese Cross $4,825
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WILLIAM HENRY Smokey Quartz Gentac Relic B30 $2,150
STEPHEN WEBSTER England Made Me Cuban Leaf Black Sapphire Cufflinks $950
DAVID YURMAN Waves Pendant $1,950
H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E / F O R T H E G E N T S
NOMOS Zurich World Time $6,100 ROLEX Day-Date 36 $36,150
RAYMOND WEIL Freelancer $2,100
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ROLEX Datejust 41 $11,850
TUDOR Black Bay Ceramic $4,725
CARTIER Tank Louis $10,700
GRAND SEIKO Heritage Collection $6,300
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WILLIAM HENRY Titanium Citrine Lancet Reverso B10 $1,250
DAVID YURMAN Wheat Chain Bracelet $350
GUCCI G-Timeless $1,150 CARTIER Ballon Bleu de Cartier $6,100
BELL & ROSS BR05 Chrono Blue Steel $6,400 TAG HEUER Carrera $5,750
HERMÉS Carre H Watch $7,375
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PATEK PHILIPPE 6119G Calatrava $29,570
STEPHEN WEBSTER Tequila Shot Set $6,500
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CELEBRITY BLING RED CARPET EVENTS HAVE RETURNED, AND THE CELEBS BROUGHT BACK THE GLAMOUR WITH THESE DAZZLING JEWELS.
LEFT, to the 93rd Academy Awards, Pieces of a Woman Best Actress nominee Vanessa Kirby wore the 27.45ct Cartier necklace back to front, so the platinum pendant sat delicately between her shoulder blades. RIGHT, at the same star-studded event, Laura Dern shined in Pomellato’s Sabbia pendant earrings, made of 18K rose gold and white, brown and black treated diamonds.
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LEFT, triple threat Selena Gomez accessorized her lime green Versace cocktail dress at the 2019 American Music Awards with the Cento Diamond Pharaoh necklace from Roberto Coin. RIGHT, Forevermark’s yellow radiant double drop halo diamond earrings were the perfect contrast to Mank nominee Amanda Seyfried’s plunging, scarlet Armani Privé gown at the Oscars.
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10/19/21 2:13 PM
The Rolex GMT-Master in yellow gold with a black dial, shown here, is one of the first luxury timepieces Nick Jonas bought for himself. His older brothers, Kevin and Joe, each have this watch with the red and blue “Pepsi” dial.
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10/11/21 10:36 AM
THE NICK OF TIME
FACE TIME Nick Jonas is a triple threat in entertainment, but his vault of luxury watches is just as impressive as his talent. Here are a few of his most notable pieces:
Besides his singing, songwriting, and acting chops, the most famous Jonas Brother is a luxury watch collector par excellence. BY HALEY LONGMAN
Was leaving his band of brothers for a solo career the boldest decision Nick Jonas has ever made? Maybe not. Maybe it was his adventurous, stilltalked-about red-carpet statement at the 2020 Golden Globes, where he paired a Prada bolo tie with another unexpected accessory: the Bulgari Octo L’Originale Blue Full Baguette watch with diamonds. Valued at almost $1 million, that piece had 1,172 twinkling baguette diamonds totaling 50.25 carats that covered the face, the case and the entirety of the bracelet. But that’s the Nick Jonas fans know and love—a headline maker and a fashion risk taker. At 29, Nicholas Jerry Jonas is the youngest of the Jonas Brothers trio. As the group’s piano player, guitar player and lead singer/songwriter, he’s undoubtedly its most celebrated member. The brothers, who besides Kevin and Joe have a “Bonus Jonas” younger brother, Frankie, grew up in New Jersey with a minister father. They got their start on Disney Channel with the 2008 made-for-TV movie Camp Rock, which led to a scripted show based loosely on their real-life personalities. Five successful studio albums and corresponding world tours amassed millions of (primarily adolescent and female) fans, who were devastated to learn of the bros’ 2013 professional split. The breakup was reportedly due to “creative differences,” but we learned in the 2019 documentary Chasing Happiness that that was actually code for jealousy on Kevin and Joe’s parts; their younger brother had achieved commercial success without them as a solo artist, a Broadway star, a movie actor and an occasional primetime TV host. (Yes, that’s Nick alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart in Jumanji.) He’s the family’s super watch collector too. Rumor has it the first two luxury watches Nick treated himself to were classics: the Rolex GMT-Master and the same brand’s iconic Datejust. His GMTMaster II is 18K yellow gold with a contrasting black bezel. Designed to reflect two time zones simultaneously, it’s the perfect watch for a traveler like Nick. (His older brothers are also the proud owners of the GMT-Master, theirs each with a ‘Pepsi’ dial.) Nick’s silver Datejust is a celebrity fave that goes with anything—he has another with a pink dial too.
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Rounding out his Rolex vault are a Yachtmaster with a platinum dial and bezel and a steeland-yellow-gold Submariner, one of several commemorative watches he’s purchased after major life events, in this case when his 2014 single “Jealous” went to number one on the pop charts. Maybe the word describes how we feel. But Nick’s watch collection, like the star himself, is about not just looks, but also talent. One piece proves he really knows his stuff: his Richard Mille RM 11-01 in red gold, a rare chronograph designed for Italian soccer player Roberto Mancini. The dial on this sophisticated pick is split; half tells the time, half times a 90-minute soccer match. Another unexpected piece combines monetary and sentimental value: the Chopard L.U.C Lunar One Grande Date in 18K pink gold, which he wore to his 2018 Hindu wedding to actress Priyanka Chopra. Its standout feature is its two sub-dials; one shows the current moon phase, the other displays the seconds. It seems N.J. has the wrist candy for every occasion. He accessorized with the Omega Speedmaster new 3861 powered Speedys in 18K Canopus gold— the brand’s proprietary blend of white gold— during his first-time stint as musical guest and host on Saturday Night Live to promote his 2021 album, Spaceman. It boasts the Co-Axial Caliber 3861 movement, a silver dial with luminous hour markers, a sapphire crystal and a display caseback. Watch collectors know the Speedmaster is NASA’s official watch and has been a part of all six moon landings. Nick also owns the Audemars Piaget Code 11:59 and the IWC Portuguese, both horological masterpieces. The brothers finally reunited in 2019 for another album and tour, Happiness Begins. Nick is still killing the solo career game too; he appeared as a judge on seasons 18 and 20 of NBC’s The Voice and hosted the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Meanwhile, he and Priyanka have become a power couple, most recently using their clout to launch a fundraiser to support the COVID-19 response in India. For this JoBro, happiness begins but also continues—in his professional life with his brothers, in his personal life with his wife and, of course, in his jewelry vault.
Nick bought himself the Rolex Submariner in steel and yellow gold after his song “Jealous” hit the top of the pop charts. His older brother Kevin has the same twotone Submariner.
Nick wore the Chopard L.U.C Lunar One Grande Date in 18K pink gold to his 2018 wedding. One of its two subdials displays the phases of the moon for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
The best-known Jonas brother has the best-known IWC piece to his name: the classically designed IWC Portuguese chronograph.
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The success of those who wear the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 is apparent in the palm motif dial (shown here in olive-green). The watch is also fitted with a robust three-piece link bracelet that was developed at the end of the 1930s.
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A WATCH FOR WINNERS Any Rolex symbolizes success, but the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 evokes a specific iconography of victory. BY CHRISTEN FISHER In art and architecture, Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, is often depicted as a winged figure holding a palm leaf. Though Victoria was particularly worshipped by the Roman military, the people of Rome believed she presided over all their victories and successes including those in sports, science, art, and business. Today palm leaves, or fronds, bring to mind a subtler version of success characterized by the sunny skies, warm island breezes, and lush tropical landscapes of an earthly paradise. So, it is fitting that when Rolex, maker of one of the world’s greatest emblems of victory and success and a perpetual champion and avid supporter of world-class athletic competitions, cutting-edge scientific research, and the finest artistic endeavors around the world, launched new versions of its Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 wristwatch, they would include dials featuring a palm-leaf pattern as well as a fluted motif in a nod to the brand’s signature bezel style. Launched in 1945, the Datejust was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o’clock on the dial. The first of the new versions of this iconic watch features the palm-leaf motif on an olive-green dial. Presented in Oystersteel, this watch is sure to please anyone with a love for the tropics or an eye for success. If you like the palms of victory but prefer a more traditional color, a second version features the palm motif on a golden dial with a yellow Rolesor case, and a third boasts a silver palm leaf dial in an Everose Rolesor case. Finally, for the true Rolex traditionalist, the brand’s fourth release has a fluted motif on a golden dial in a yellow Rolesor case. Both the palm and the fluted dial motifs are available with a smooth, gem-set, or fluted bezel. Originally, the fluting of the bezel had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. Over time, the fluting became an aesthetic element. Always in gold, fluting is a signature Rolex feature. The new fluted dial motif honors Rolex as the maker of the world’s first waterproof wristwatch. Both the Oystersteel olive-green and the yellow Rolesor golden palm motif dials are fitted with an Oyster bracelet, a three-piece link bracelet that was developed at the end of the 1930s and is known for its robustness. Alternatively, the Everose Rolesor version with the silver palm motif dial has a Jubilee bracelet, as does the yellow Rolesor fluted version. Supple and comfortable, the five-piece link Jubilee bracelet was specially created for the launch of the original Oyster Perpetual Datejust in ’45. The Datejust 36 is equipped with a caliber 3235 self-winding mechanical movement, and all four versions of it have a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Shock-resistant and insensitive to magnetic fields, the Datejust 36 is also waterproof to 330 feet. Like all Rolex watches, these new releases are covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch along with an international five-year guarantee. Additionally offered in an array of styles and colorways, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 is the epitome of the classic watch, distinguished by its timeless style and exceptional elegance. The Roman Empire fell long ago, the particular triumphs and successes of its people relegated to the annals of ancient history, but even in these modern times the winged goddess Victoria occasionally waves her palm frond over us. The next time you feel the balmy breeze of victory, consider a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36.
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AS TIME GOES BY... Patek Philippe’s calendar watches track the years with relentless precision. One of them needn’t be adjusted till February 2100. BY CHRISTEN FISHER “Time sometimes flies like a bird, sometimes crawls like a snail; but a man is happiest when he does not even notice whether it passes swiftly or slowly,” wrote Ivan Turgenev in his 1862 masterpiece Fathers and Sons. Indeed, our perception of time is intertwined with emotion. Anxiety and boredom make us feel that time is moving very slowly, while amid excitement, activity or joy we perceive it as rushing by. We can’t actually make that hour in the dentist’s chair not feel eternal, or stop that sunny afternoon on the beach from whizzing by. All we can do is invest in the best possible machine to track time’s passing with dependable impartiality. That’s where Patek Philippe comes in. And its impeccable precision of seconds and minutes and hours is carried on through the years with its calendar watches, ranging from simple to perpetual. Simple calendar watches display the date through an aperture or by means of a hand, indicating the number of the day within the month from 1 to 31. To maintain the correct date, these wristwatches must be manually adjusted at the end of 30 days and at the end of February. Patek’s current collection features several simple calendars including Reference 7300/1200A-011 Ladies Twenty~4 Automatic. Created for the modern, active woman, the Twenty~4 Automatic is available in a new steel version with an olive-green dial highlighted by a sunburst finish and a diamond-enhanced bezel. The movement’s sophisticated architecture and exquisite finishing are revealed through a transparent sapphire case-back. The entirely hand-polished steel bracelet is fitted with a patented fold-over clasp secured by four independent catches. Another example of a simple calendar is the Reference 5268/200R Aquanaut Luce in rose gold with a matte white dial embossed with Aquanaut pattern and featuring gold applied numerals. The sporty, chic look of the self-winding rose gold Aquanaut Luce has been revisited in a larger diameter (38.8 millimeters) and fitted with a new integrated matte white strap. It’s water-resistant to 120 meters, and its rounded octagonal case is enhanced by polished and satin finishes and a bezel containing 48 diamonds. The selfwinding 26-330 S C movement is equipped with a “stop seconds” function serving to set time to the exact second.
Annual calendars, a complication patented by Patek in 1996, require only a single manual adjustment once each year at the end of February. The current collection features Reference 4947/1A Annual Calendar, a 38-millimeter watch to suit both men’s and ladies’ wrists. Available in stainless steel with a blue vertical and horizontal satin-finish dial and gold applied numerals, the watch contains a self-winding mechanical movement caliber 324 S QA LU. The day and month are displayed by hands while the date is shown in an aperture. This watch also features a moon phase and a sweep seconds hand. The most technologically complex calendar watch is the perpetual calendar. The owner of this watch can spend a lifetime letting time march at a steady pace without ever having to notice whether its passage feels slow or quick, as this watch takes into account all monthly variations including those in a leap year. It will not need to be adjusted manually until the year 2100 (the next century year not divisible by 400). This year, Patek introduced a new version of this grand complication, the Reference 5236P-001 In-line Perpetual Calendar, which displays the day, date and month on a single line in an elongated aperture beneath 12 o’clock in addition to a small seconds dial as well as day/ night and leap year indicators in apertures. Patek designed a new self-winding movement, caliber 31-260 PS QL, for which three patent applications have been filed. To assure the largest possible calendar display on a single line with optimized legibility, the company created a system with two date disks—one for the tens and one for the units—so that the calendar display consists of four disks—one for the day, two for the date and one for the month—all perfectly embedded in the same plane. This system alone required an additional 118 parts in comparison with a conventional perpetual calendar display. Housed in an elegant platinum 41-millimeter case framing a vertical satin-finished blue dial with a black-gradient rim, it is a horological marvel. As time flies—or crawls—in your life, you may wish to consider a calendar watch from the Patek Philippe collection, and leave the monitoring of time to time-tested experts. Because as far as we know, whatever its speed, you have only the one life.
Clockwise from top left: Patek Philippe’s self-winding Ref. #4947 features a round Calatrava-type polished steel case with a 38mm diameter; The sporty chic look of the self-winding rose gold Aquanaut Luce Ref. #5268 has been revisited in a 38.8 mm and fitted with a new integrated strap, but the elegant matte white remains; On the Ref. #5236 Grand Complications, the day, date and month appear in a large single aperture at 12 o’clock; the Twenty~4 Automatic Ref. #7300 appears in a new steel version featuring an olive green dial with gold applied numerals and a sunburst finish.
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STARS & THEIR SIPS Impeccable taste and entrepreneurial imagination have led these well-known gentlemen into the booze business. Here are the three “celebrity” liquors worth trying. BY LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF
RYAN REYNOLDS
MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY
DWAYNE JOHNSON
Aviation American Gin
Wild Turkey Bourbon
Teremana Tequila
In most cases, the after-1 a.m. crowd at your local bar can’t distinguish the merits of a good cocktail, so their gin-and-tonics are often mixed using the house liquor. That’s passable for last call, but those with a more discernible palate who order martinis with dinner or drink the spirit neat at home know better. And Christian Krogstad and Ryan Magarian gave them better in 2006 when they first produced what is now called Aviation American Gin (Aviation, for short) in Portland, OR. Its flavor starts with heavy rye and lavender and is followed with juniper, cardamom and orange. Wine Enthusiast magazine once gave it a 97-point rating, the highest grade it had ever given a gin. That caught the attention of Canadian actor, producer and gin aficionado Ryan Reynolds, who bought a stake in the premium liquor company in 2018 and retained his minority ownership when the British spirits giant Diageo bought the brand last year for $610 million. Double-R remains the face of the brand (not a bad-looking face), appearing in multiple places on the gin’s website. What’s also handsome are the gin’s art deco-inspired bottle and flask-like silhouette.
There are many stops along both the American whiskey and Kentucky bourbon trails, but few have the panache of the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. It’s a spirit enjoyed by all types—from lads taking their first sip at age 21 to seasoned executives unwinding after a day of board meetings. It’s likely Wild Turkey is their drink of choice because of the bourbon’s long reputation as a full-bodied quaff with flavorful toffee and coffee notes. Sure, this spirit sells itself, but executives at the 81-yearold company still brought in a sexy face, actor Matthew McConaughey, in 2016 for a boost. As the new creative director, McConaughey teamed up with master distiller Eddie Russell on a smallbatch bourbon with a taste o’ Texas—they called it Wild Turkey Longbranch. The Academy Award winner’s signature even appears on the bottle, the first time a name other than Eddie and Jimmy Russell’s was front and center. And the taste (wellbalanced with notes of honey and orange) is also award-winning: It captured double gold in the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Actor and retired wrestler Dwayne Johnson knows plenty about success: He’s conquered the world of sports entertainment and continues to put out nonstop box-office hits. But what does “The Rock” know about tequila? Well, unlike Reynolds and McConaughey, Johnson built his brand, Teremana Tequila, from the ground up. After years of hard work and experimentation, Teremana (derived from the Latin root meaning “earth” and the Polynesian word for “spirit”) launched in 2019 with a small-batch, hand-crafted tequila using blue agave matured in the highlands of the Mexican state of Jalisco. Crisp on the palate, with hints of agave, lemon zest and vanilla, it makes the perfect drink to toast with friends. Even better is Johnson’s insistence on sustainable production practices—100 percent of the leftover agave fibers are used as an organic fertilizer in the agave fields, while wastewater from manufacturing is filtered for reuse.
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RULE THE LAND YOU CAN MASTER CITY STREETS AND TOUGH TERRAIN ALIKE IN ONE OF THESE CAPACIOUS, AUDACIOUS SUVS. BY DARIUS AMOS Looks? Luxury? Performance? Capacity? Whoever said you can’t have it all obviously hadn’t climbed a rocky hill in one of these virile vehicles, each a reinvented version of their legendary predecessors.
LAND ROVER DEFENDER This British company has been creating luxury utilitarian trucks since 1948, decades before the sport utility vehicle (SUV) category as such came into existence. For a long time this vehicle’s predecessors were named for their wheelbase measurements—e.g., the Land Rover 90. Today the Defender is perhaps the brand’s most recognized model; it’s iconic in off-roading-enthusiast circles for both its styling and its strength. The Defender’s latest iteration received a sexy facelift from previous designs: Engineers added a few curves to its familiar boxy shape and softened the appearance with a modern grill. The cabins of both the two- and four-door versions are loaded with comforts like those of the automaker’s luxurious Range Rover line, including an available 11.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and hand-stitched leather upholstery. But most important is that the new Defender, which starts at $46,100, is as capable as ever thanks to a top-of-the-line, supercharged eight-cylinder engine with 518-horsepower performance, adjustable air-spring suspension and a whopping 11.5 inches of ground clearance.
FORD BRONCO At just about the same time Land Rover was remaking its iconic off-roader, Ford was rethinking its legendary model. The result is the resurrected Bronco, bearing a name that had been missing from the Ford lineup since 1996. The reimagined Bronco is a partial throwback to its former self—the 1960s version that was built for off-roading adventures and duties—but with greater focus on everyday use. It comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a $29,995 sticker price, but we’re certain you’ll want an SUV with full performance capability and modern comforts. An easy upgrade puts drivers in control of a 330-horsepower, twin-turbo V-6 engine, which when paired with the 35-inch mud-terrain wheels will take the Bronco across any terrain, from sand and pebbles to streets and pavement. It’s just as noteworthy inside too: An available 12-inch touchscreen is the center of the infotainment system, which includes navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional soft tops and removable doors provide notable open-air possibilities.
MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS Widely considered the ultimate luxury SUV, the G-Class (also known as G-Wagon) transports as many foreign diplomats as it does families throughout the world. It’s been loved (and hated) for its boxy design, and the folks at the famed German brand Mercedes-Benz haven’t tinkered much with the styling since it debuted in the late 1970s. The latest model still has all the distinguishable sharp exterior angles as well as a not-so-little engine that could: The G 550 (starting at $143,040) comes standard with a V-8 bi-turbo engine with 416 horsepower; while an upgrade to the AMG G 63 model bumps the ponies up to 577. But the lines and mood soften plenty on the inside, where the G-Class really shows its class. The cabin features an LED ambient lighting system with 64 colors, setting the tone for other luxuries such as a pair of 12.3-inch touchscreens, handfitted leather and “hot stone” massage seating. Would you expect anything less from Mercedes? 50
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M Y L A G O S M Y W AY
C AV I A R C O L L E C T I O N S
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SEEING FROM THE SKY CHRIS SMITH’S DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY REVEALS MESMERIZING PATTERNS IN BOTH NATURE AND THE ENGINEERED ENVIRONMENT, DRAMATICALLY ALTERING OUR POINT OF VIEW. BY LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF
Before he took up photography, Chris Smith was studying marine biology. Though he never completed his degree, he’s had an abiding interest in science—particularly in physics and the branch of mathematics dealing with the infinitely complex patterns known as fractals—and he’d always hoped he could find a way to merge science and photography. Then came the drone, which afforded him vicarious views of the earth that revealed how very much nature is rooted in mathematics and those fascinating fractals. “You see these patterns popping up everywhere,” he says. “In the ice on a frozen lake, or the drying pattern of crystals on a salt flat.” One of the first photographers to get a drone license from the Federal Aviation Administration, Smith took up drone videography in 2015 and drone photography in 2018, when technological advances finally made it possible to take good, high-resolution drone images. His commercial work is mainly in weddings and real estate, but his passion projects nearly always involve nature and often depict water. “You’re seeing the laws of physics manifested in the landscape, in the way the water flows through the environment,” says Smith, 35. Looking at Smith’s photos is an adventure in altered perspectives, like cracking open a geode and glimpsing the sublime crystalline patterns inside what you thought was an unprepossessing rock. It’s also, of course, a way to fly without leaving the ground.
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Fidalgo Bay, Anacortes, Washington. Smith was drawn to this area by its extreme tides, and this photo was taken when the tide was near its lowest. In a basin under a line of train tracks, he says, he found “some very interesting patterns in the mud.” Smith was particularly intrigued by the contrast between the blue water and the peachy salmon color of the sand.
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Lavender fields, Sault, France. Smith and his wife were taken with the sheer beauty of the lavender fields in Provence, which he calls “one of the greatest places I’ve ever been in my life.” In the center of the photo, his wife holds an umbrella. “I caught her in a candid moment, walking through the fields,” he says.
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Left: Oswego River, New Jersey Pine Barrens. To capture the arresting patterns of the creek, Smith and his camera traveled by kayak to find the best possible aerial vantage point. (The kayak is visible in the photo.) Above: Lacey Township, New Jersey. Smith was photographing endangered tree frogs and carnivorous plants in the Pine Barrens when he discovered an auspicious spot for a selfportrait. “People ask for press photos, and I’ve got nothing,” he says, “so I’m trying to focus on getting some photos of myself.”
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Left: Perth Amboy, New Jersey. This shot of a chemical tanker traveling the Arthur Kill waterway appealed to Smith’s fascination with patterns—and water. His first job, at age 14, was as a mate on a fishing boat out of Point Pleasant. “I’ve always been around boats,” he says, “and they pop up in my work quite a bit.” Above: Swimming River Reservoir, Lincroft, New Jersey. Smith photographed the small island in late fall, when the trees were shedding their leaves. Beyond the autumnal palette, he liked the shot for what he describes as “a weird confluence of different-colored waters, with some leaves floating on the surface.”
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10/6/21 8:59 AM
SPEECHLESS That’s how these gift picks by Sybil Yurman, Stephen Webster and Dave Bindra will leave the one you love.
SYBIL YURMAN ANGELIKA FLAIR EARRINGS, $1,900
“Our new Angelika Collection holds very personal meaning for me because it was inspired by David’s sculptures. During the lockdown of last year, we had to reinvent the way we did a lot of things, and David and I found ourselves reexploring our artistic roots. Some of David’s earliest sculptures were of angels, and for me they always represented the creative spirit and our journey as artists. I think of them as the heart and soul of our company. So, when COVID happened, I found inspiration in these winged figures and their message of optimism and hope, as well as their delicate beauty. In many of Angelika’s designs, there is a beautiful play of light among the individual elements. Each filament refracts light as it moves. You really experience the unique beauty of these pieces as they move.” —Sybil Yurman
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STEPHEN WEBSTER
DAVE BINDRA
SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL RING, $13,300
PARAIBA TOURMALINE GEM, 55.52 CARATS, ROUGHLY $2.5M
“This is actually a piece we have revived for inclusion in No Regrets. Originally made for Ozzy Osborne, the ring took on a life of its own. Elton John, Pink and Nicholas Cage were all early adopters. As well as having lashings of attitude, the featured gemstone is also an example of a very contemporary version of an ancient lapidary technique known as reverse intaglio.” —Stephen Webster
“It’s an old mine Mozambique gem that came out of an estate and is pound for pound one of the finest Paraiba tourmalines available in the world.” —Dave Bindra
10/6/21 9:00 AM
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