Lux Bond & Green FW 2019

ACCENT: THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS LUX BOND & GREEN FALL 2019

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Welcome John Waizmann On the Run Inspired Pieces Simon Pearce Finely Tailored Every Box Has A Story Tour Grandly Body of Art Collect ’Em Like Beckham His & Hers: The Gift of Time The New ‘Bay Watch’ Cool and Collected Lux Men’s Lux Corporate How Time Flies Italy’s Showplace Table Matters Wines of Israel LBG Weddings Bridal Bling Value Your Valuables What’s Happening Diamonds Do Good Lux Service Extra! Extra!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rita Guarna CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephen Vitarbo SENIOR EDITOR Daria Meoli SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR Darius Amos LIFESTYLE EDITOR Haley Longman EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Gianna Barone ART DIRECTOR Victoria Beall CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Donna Rolando, Everett Potter PUBLISHING STAFF GROUP PUBLISHER Shae Marcus ACCOUNT MANAGER Lisa Menghi DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION Susan Windrum ADVERTISING SERVICES DIRECTOR Jacquelynn Fischer GRAPHIC DESIGNER, AD SERVICES Violeta Mulaj PRODUCTION ART ASSOCIATE Christopher Ferrante ACCOUNTING Agnes Alves, Megan Frank, Randy Tashjian PUBLISHED BY Wainscot Media CHAIRMAN Carroll V. Dowden PRESIDENT & CEO Mark Dowden

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 Lux Bond & Green. Copyright © 2019 by Wainscot Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Editorial Contributions: Write to Editor, Accent, 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, Accent, 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 17, Issue 1. ©2019

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS Shae Marcus, Carl Olsen VICE PRESIDENTS Nigel Edelshain, Thomas Flannery, Rita Guarna

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Dear Friends,

Season’s greetings and warm wishes to all our customers and friends as we celebrate the holidays, the new year and the winter season. The holidays always seem to come faster each year, and these past 12 months are no exception. It has been another year with a fast-changing retail landscape and, although there are many domestic and international concerns, we feel very blessed. At Lux Bond & Green we are creating our own tranquility and consistency, our own excitement and success by focusing on what we do best, giving exceptional service and offering great values for diamonds, jewelry, watches and gifts. When talking about our business, it becomes almost redundant to say that we have great stores with wonderful customer service and experiences; that we truly value our relationships with customers, many times with multiple generations of families; that we search the globe for the finest designs, values and creations; and that we absolutely love what we do. We have a 121-year tradition of fantastic professionals who are dedicated to you and their LBG family. With our mantra that “Every Box Has A Story”™, we understand it’s our responsibility to showcase the most beautiful collections, outstanding values and above and beyond services to lead our industry. Technology isn’t replacing the personalized services you receive but enhancing your experience and hopefully making it easier to shop.

When customers come in and say it’s so refreshing that local businesses still exist in our community and are supportive to the region, our staffs are thrilled. The customers know who we are and we know them, their families and their friends. We have always felt that as a family business it is our obligation to support our community. Today that takes on new meanings with less traditional retailers in each of our communities, fewer mom-and-pop stores and more national chains that don’t understand the needs of individual towns. And it’s not just about supporting the local little leagues or hospitals, it’s understanding our accountability to the environment, the social aspects of our community as well as running an ethical business. We are proud that we have been certified by the internationally recognized Responsible Jewellery Council for our business ethics, human rights, social and environmental performance. We are one of only two New England jewelers to achieve this prestigious certification.

It would be our pleasure for you to visit one of our stores this season. Just come in to browse or say hello and let us clean and check your precious jewelry. Of course, we are here for you to explore our great new collections of gems, jewelry, diamonds, watches and gifts in-store or at LBGreen.com. And it being 2019, follow us at LBGreen.com, @LUXBONDGREEN on Instagram, Lux Bond and Green on Facebook and subscribe to our eblasts. We never have and never will sell your emails or confidential information; security is paramount to our systems. We always appreciate a referral, “tell a friend” about Lux Bond & Green. We want to convey our excitement, good cheers and warm wishes with you and yours as we embrace the season of peace on earth, joy, sharing and caring.

Cheers,

The Green Family

BEGIN YOUR OWN TRADITION

YO U N E V E R AC T UAL LY OW N A PAT E K PH I L I P P E .

YO U M E R E LY TAK E CAR E O F IT F O R T H E N E X T G E N E RAT I O N .

CALATRAVA REF. 6 0 0 6G

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Les Pétales Place Vendôme Collection

John Waizmann

Elizabeth Park Memorial

Elizabeth Park—a special place in the hearts of Lux Bond & Green.

This past February we lost John Waizmann, a great friend and salesman who worked for 14 years at our 46 LaSalle Road West Hartford Center location. Sadly, John was confronted with Glioblastoma (the same type of cancer that John McCain experienced) and passed away after his brief illness.

John was passionate about life, food, his family and friends. He was smart, articulate, had a great sense of style and was an avid gardener. John lived with his partner David Frappier of over 30 years. It is terrible when anyone passes away, and 54 years old is way too young. Our West Hartford work family wanted to do something amazing to honor John’s memory.

Led by his friend and co-worker Karen Huhtanen, we raised money for Elizabeth Park, which was near his home in Hartford.

After several meetings and discussions with Christine Doty, Elizabeth Park Conservancy President and CEO, and Donna Stout, a great friend of LBG and board member of the park, we began to offer free watch batteries in exchange for a donation to the park in John’s honor. Our family decided that 100 percent of the proceeds would be given to Elizabeth Park’s famous Rose Gardens. Thanks to many of you who will be reading this story, we were excited and grateful when we reached $1,000. It was a great start to help this wonderful park. Momentum and passion are wonderful catalysts, and we soon had raised $2,500 and then $5,000 with matching gifts and generous customer support for John. We extended the duration of the free batteries as we approached $10,000. When customers whom John had helped and built relationships

with over the years heard about our pledge, their generosity was amazing. We thank everyone who helped us raise $14,236.92.

Once the fundraising was completed, we wanted to ensure that the gift would be extraordinarily meaningful in helping Elizabeth Park and our community in honor of John’s memory.

Growing up in West Hartford and with many friends in the West End of Hartford, we always assumed everyone knew about Elizabeth Park and its famous Rose Garden. It was founded in 1897, a year before Lux Bond & Green was founded, and it’s a treasure to our community and rose enthusiasts around the world. Spanning both West Hartford and Hartford, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. It hosts beautiful gardens, the Pond House Cafe, a playground and a new learning center. It is a great place to go sledding. It all began in 1894, when Charles Pond donated his estate to the City of Hartford to be named a public park in honor of his wife, Elizabeth. Today Christine Doty, with her staff and board of directors, is rejuvenating this almost 100-acre Connecticut treasure for the long term future.

The consulting rosarian, Stephen Scanniello, who is helping revive the Rose Garden, is known as a rockstar of roses. He has written a half dozen books on roses and also turned the Cranford Rose Garden of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens into one of the world’s most acclaimed gardens. Elizabeth Park has over 15,000 plantings with roughly 500 varieties of roses. Some of these roses are no longer available and some are even one-of-a-kind varieties. In the center of the rose garden is a gazebo, and two of the rosebeds that surround the gazebo will be named in John’s honor with the funds raised to forever keep the rosebeds beautiful and healthy. Some of the roses in John’s beds that need to be replaced will be planted with varieties near and dear to Lux Bond & Green’s heritage and John’s love of gems such as “Cape Diamond,” “Mother of Pearl,” and “La Perla” as well as John's love of white roses, which will include “Divine Miss M,” “Polar Express,” and “First Crush.” Please take a trip to the park, visit their website elizabethparkct.org or make a donation, as it’s truly a wonderful place to visit and support. We need our environment to remain healthy and to keep this treasure alive and well. We would like to think John is smiling at the tender loving care of the Rose Garden, the park and all those that helped create this lasting memory.

ON THE RUN

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NECKLINE STYLE:

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1. Delicato diamond necklace in 18K rose gold (also available in white gold), $1,975.

2. Diamond drop earrings, $2,950.

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3. One-of-a-kind ruby drop earrings with diamonds, $3,350.

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4. Double oval link diamond drop earrings, $950.

All in 14K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

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ON THE RUN

NECKLINE STYLE:

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5 1. John Hardy classic chain necklace with black onyx pendant, $525.

2. Bangle with white mother-of-pearl and black stones by Belle Étoile, $550.

3. Bangle with white mother-of-pearl and white stones by Belle Étoile, $550.

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4. Tapered teardrop earrings, $40.

5. Sea Life Noir cuff bracelet by Évocateur with 22K gold leaf, $378. Custom orders available.

All in sterling silver unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores.

Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

ON THE RUN

NECKLINE STYLE:

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1. Square cut sapphire and diamond necklace, $1,350.

2. Boulder opal pendant with diamond accents, $1,475.

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3. Square cut sapphire and diamond earrings, $1,450.

4. Diamond earrings 37.5mm long, $995.

All in 14K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

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ON THE RUN

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NECKLINE STYLE:

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4 1. Diamond floral drop earrings in 18K gold, $16,000.

2. Delicato diamond hoop earrings, $855.

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3. Freshwater cultured pearl earrings in 18K gold, $195.

4. Gucci ladies G-Timeless watch, gold plated. $1,100.

All in 14K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

Where on Earth Did Your Diamond Come From?

Know with certainty.

Introducing the GIA Diamond Origin Report.

Learn more at 4Cs.GIA.edu/Origin

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

Breitling’s Superocean When the first Breitling Superocean models were launched in 1957, they made it clear that there was a major new player in the diver’s watch market.

These watches were distinguished by their exceptional performance, their quality, and their pure Breitling style. In the more than 60 years since, the family has remained a favorite, and a new Superocean Collection has been created to stand up to the rigors of the most challenging water sports.

With its new Superocean Collection, Breitling has updated and upgraded one of its best-loved and most successful watch families. Breitling Superocean watches have been highly regarded for their diving prowess for more than 60 years. While the members of the new collection reflect the brand’s deep-water DNA, they are certain to appeal to men and women with active lifestyles. With their clean, sporty design and impeccable performance, these new Superoceans will feel at home on any wrist and in any environment.

While the first Superocean watches were designed with divers in mind, the new models—which are absolutely equal to the challenges of the deep seas—have a broader mission. They are as fashionable as they are sporty and will attract not only watch enthusiasts who are ready to explore the oceans’ depths, but also those whose adventures are a little closer to the shore.

Dive with it, surf with it, swim with it. Or wear it when you are helping keep our oceans and beaches clean, all safe in the knowledge that, however you might want to spend the rest of the day, your Superocean will fit right in.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern points out that the watches reflect more than just the brand’s diver’s watch legacy: “Our Surfers Squad and our

partnerships with Outerknown and Ocean Conservancy speak volumes about our affection for the seas. With the new Superocean Collection, we have created watches for people who want to explore the oceans, whether they are active in water sports or in clean-up initiatives. And, of course, they will excite any fan of Breitling’s design values.”

At the heart of each member of the new Superocean Collection is the Breitling Caliber 17, a movement that offers a power reserve of around 38 hours. The watches—all of them COSC-certified chronometers—feature luminescent Super-LumiNova® numerals, indexes, and hands, ensuring excellent readability in any conditions.

The new Breitling Superocean Collection has been created in five different sizes, ensuring that there is an incredible diver’s watch ideally suited to every wrist.

Since 1884, Breitling has established a global reputation for high-precision timepieces, its pioneering role in the development of the wrist chronograph, and its uncompromising commitment to design excellence. With the brand’s storied association with aviation, Breitling has shared the finest moments in humankind’s conquest of the skies. Renowned for its spirit of innovation, it has also earned a place of privilege in the worlds of science, sport, and technology. Breitling manufactures its own movements in-house and the quality of every watch is confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer, made in Switzerland.

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The Breitling Cinema Squad Charlize Theron Brad Pitt Adam Driver

#SQUADONAMISSION

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DESIGNERS

FROM ARCHITECTURE TO ONE’S OWN SIGNATURE, INSPIRATION CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE. THE JEWELRY DESIGNERS TOOK THAT TO HEART WHEN PLANNING THESE COLLECTIONS.

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MIKIMOTO A Parisian Icon The Les Pétales Place Vendôme Collection was inspired by a view of rose petals carried by the breeze and descending onto the Place Vendôme in Paris.

The collection features petal shapes covered in diamonds that reflect the beauty of this iconic place, which houses the world’s top luxury brands. The backs of the fluttering petals are created by using the “umekomi” technique and mimics the flower pattern. While Les Pétales Place Vendôme was launched with the 2017 High Jewelry Collection, new items have been added this fall, making it a more comprehensive collection.

Clockwise from top left: All from the Les Pétales Place Vendôme Collection—white South Sea cultured pearl pendant with diamonds, set in 18K white gold; white South Sea cultured pearl station necklace with diamonds, set in 18K white gold; white South Sea cultured pearl ring with diamonds, set in 18K white gold; and white South Sea cultured pearl earrings with diamonds, set in 18K white gold.

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DESIGNERS

DAVID YURMAN Signatures

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The David Yurman Stax Collection was inspired by the idea of unity and language. “There’s a beauty in forming a design language,” says David Yurman.

“Stax is a collage of those elements—a kind of artistic signature written over time.”

In yellow or tri-color gold, the mobile and drop earrings play with scale while remaining lightweight. Multi-row rings have the look and movement of several bands in a single expression—a mix of cabled, smooth, faceted and pavé-set metal with citrine, tanzanite and pink tourmaline.

Clockwise from top left: Stax Full Pavé Pendant Necklace in 18K white gold; Stax Mobile Drop Earrings in 18K yellow gold with diamonds; Stax Cable and Pavé Ring in 18K yellow gold; Stax Three-Row Chain Link Bracelet in 18K yellow gold with diamonds.

DESIGNERS

MARCO BICEGO A Parent’s Love

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Marco Bicego’s Lucia Collection was inspired by the work of the designer’s father, a skilled goldsmith, and the tender embrace of his mother, Lucia.

Artisans hand engrave each link with a traditional Bulino tool, creating a silky, textured finish.

From top: Lucia 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Lariat Necklace; Lucia 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Kissing Ring; Lucia 18K Yellow Gold Modern Teardrop Earrings; Lucia 18K Yellow Gold Small Link Bracelet; Lucia 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Small Hoop Earrings.

CELEBRATE OUR 90TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON As we celebrate our 90th season in 2020 and look toward the future, continuing support from our community is more critical than ever. Consider a special gift in honor of this anniversary you helped us achieve!

To make your gift, please contact Clare Livingston (203) 571-1134 | clivingston@westportplayhouse.org

mark lamos, artistic director | michael barker, managing director

Photo credits include: Playhouse archives, Jayson Byrd, Susan Cook, T. Charles Erickson, Fred Fehl, Friedman-Albeles, Davis A. Gaffga, Bob Golby, Gerry Goodstein, Kellogg Studio, Russell O. Kuhner, Larry Merz, Photofest, PICS, Carol Rosegg, Vandamm, and Wells Studio.

DESIGNERS

IPPOLITA Fantasy

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Inspired by illusion, alchemy and fantasy, Ippolita’s new Chimera Collection is named for the mythological fire-breathing hybrid creature. The Chimera has become a symbol of things that are illusory, fantastic and hoped for but unattainable. Ippolita brings this inspiration to life by combining two precious metals within a single piece.

Clockwise from top left: Chimera Jumbo Classico Jet Set Earrings; Chimera 42.5 Inch Classico Hammered Jet Set Link Necklace; Chimera Small Classico Bypass Ring; Chimera Cherish Snowman post earrings; Chimera Classico Super Thin Dual-texture bangle set.

A. Oval link chain necklace, 18.5" long, $2,225.

B. Double teardrop earrings, $345.

C. Double teardrop “Y� pendant, $325.

D. Oval link bracelet, $695.

E. Square earrings, $145.

All in 14K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available in ar your preferred location.

DESIGNERS

ROBERTO COIN Palazzo Ducale

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The delicate quatrefoils that adorn the Palazzo Ducale are mirrored in Roberto Coin’s newest collection, Palazzo Ducale. The Doge’s Palace in Venice, the designer’s hometown, inspired the use of geometric shapes and the layering of materials and colors found in this collection. Black and white diamonds with satin-etched rose gold mimic the differing colors and textures on the ornate palace.

Clockwise from top left: Palazzo Ducale necklace in 18K yellow gold with diamonds; Palazzo Ducale bracelet in 18K yellow gold with diamonds; Classic diamond bracelet in 18K yellow gold; Palazzo Ducale ring in 18K yellow gold with diamond; Palazzo Ducale wide ring in 18K yellow gold with diamonds.

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DESIGNERS

N LOGO: 8.29.18

Frozen 2

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OGO

Roberto Coin signs each of his jewels with a small ruby, inspired by an ancient Egyptian legend that a ruby touching the skin brings happiness, prosperity and love. The Disney x HORIZONTAL LOGO Roberto Coin Frozen 2 Collection features fractal snowflake shapes symbolizing Elsa’s inner strength and power, Anna’s iconic, colorful wheat pattern representing her growth through the epic journey, and Roberto Coin’s ruby signifying his wish and dream of a joyful future. We also feature a flurry dusting of Olaf signature pieces to warm your heart.

Clockwise from top left: 18K white gold and diamond snowflake pendant, $2300; 18K white gold, silver and enamel Olaf pendant with a diamond and moveable nose, $1400; 18K yellow gold and diamond wheat pendant, $4600; 18K white gold and diamond snowflake earrings, $1550; 18K yellow gold and diamond wheat earrings, $3700.

©Disney

1320 Post Road East Westport, CT 06880 203.577.5388 www.kohlersignaturestorewestport.com

A conversation with

Life is about relationships and we cherish the many relationships that we have formed over the years at Lux Bond & Green. One of those special relationships is with Simon Pearce and his family.

We have enjoyed over 40 years of growing our businesses together as well as watching our families grow.

We are excited to share with you our recent chat with home décor designer Simon about family, holiday and traditions.

Simon, what was your inspiration for your successful Evergreen Tree Collection?

I was trying to think of an item we could make that our customers would give as a holiday gift. I knew that I wanted it to be a tree, the type that many would put in their homes during the holiday season, an evergreen of some kind.

Over the years I tried several designs without success. One day I was at our restaurant in Quechee VT, and started looking at the spiral glass flames we put on tables. Taking the flame design and cutting some bran,ches out of it, the collection began to come together.

What is your favorite family holiday memory?

When our four sons were young, we had a tradition that came from Pia’s family called the “Christmas Mouse”. There were two tiny felted mice who had their own little nest, and each night they would hide in various places in the house leading up to the holidays. The children would wake up every morning and search for the mice. In the last four days leading up to Christmas, the mice would leave a small gift in their nest for each child. You can imagine the scene with four excited boys scrambling about the house looking for these little mice each morning.

A TRUE BLUE CLASSIC

Canfield Chrono 43MM

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What is your favorite childhood holiday memory?

One is coming down the stairs on Christmas morning and seeing the presents under the tree. Another is about my mother: she was a wonderful cook so Christmas dinner was always amazing. Every year we had a roast turkey as we didn’t have Thanksgiving in Ireland. Our dinner was finished off with a plum pudding covered with brandy, set on fire (flambéed), then covered with brandy sauce.

Another favorite part of Christmas in Ireland was Wren’s Day, celebrated on December 26th, also known as St. Stephen’s Day which is the day after Christmas. A whole gang of kids from our village (Shanagarry) would gather together, cut a big branch from a holly tree, decorate it with anything we could lay our hands on and then go from house to house singing the Wren song. Tradition dictated that we might be given a little pocket change if our song was well received. We roamed the countryside for hours singing our own version of the Wren song!

How do you and Pia decorate your tree?

When the boys were growing up, we always had two trees – one that we called the children’s tree and one called the grown-up tree. The children’s tree had colored lights, and ornaments that were handmade by the kids or that Pia had collected during childhood. The grown-ups’ tree was our own glass blown ornaments and tiny white lights.

What are your favorite items to use for decorating and entertaining?

What are your inspirations for both?

We love using extra-large hurricanes or our Nantucket Lamp to create winter scenes. We fill the bottom with granulated sugar to mimic snow, add an Evergreen Tree with an LED light, polar bears, glass ice cubes and this year we will add our new snowman.

Our fireplace is the gathering spot during the winter months and therefore a focal point for holiday decorating (see right). We decorate simply with our glass trees, candlesticks, hurricanes and often a wreath of some kind above to set a festive mood.

As you will see in our updated edition of A Way of Living, our holiday dining tablescape is usually focused around low centerpieces with various tea lights, and taper holders, casting a warm glow to the entire space. Burlington Cloud dinnerware is our new favorite pottery and what better season to bring out the champagne flutes to celebrate with a toast to family and friends.

BOLD ® EVOLUTION

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YOU’LL BE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH EXCITEMENT OVER THESE METICULOUSLY CRAFTED SPARKLERS AND TIMEPIECES.

Aquamarine pear-shaped pendant, 17" inches, 3.31 cts., in 18K gold, $9,950.

Aquamarine emerald-cut ring, 8.60 cts., in platinum, $14,500.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

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FINELY TAILORED

Temple St. Clair Moonstone ring, $6,950.

Moonstone studs, $1,750.

Moonstone pendant, $1,950. Chain, 22" inches, $1,800.

All in 18K gold.

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Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

Marco Bicego Africa Collection Multi-color stone necklace with freshwater pearls, 36" inches, $5,220.

Multi-color stone drop earrings, $1,750.

Multi-color stone and pearl bracelet, $1,400.

All in 18K gold.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

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Delicato Collection

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A. Diamond bar necklace, $425.

B. Petite pavé diamond necklace, 6mm long, $250.

C. Cushion-shaped diamond halo necklace, $1,050.

D. Diamond station necklace, $550.

E. Diamond leaf earrings, $295.

F. Diamond “J” hoops, $550.

G. Curved hoop earrings with diamonds, $395.

H. Diamond station bracelet with adjustable clasp in 18K gold, $250.

H.

J.

J. Oval diamond disc bracelet with adjustable clasp, $525.

All in 14K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores.

Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

www.LBGreen.com

Diamonds 1DFAD3906 C.

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TRADE IN TRADE UP! A. Diamond circle pendant, $3,540.

B. Diamond pavĂŠ floral earrings, $3,100.

C. Diamond eternity band, $7,500.

D. Seven stone emerald cut diamond band, platinum, $14,225.

E. Split diamond hoops in 14K gold, $425.

F. Diamond solitaire earrings in 14K gold, $1,100. Solitaires starting at $350. TRADE IN TRADE UP! G. - H. Diamond bangle bracelets, $3,950.

All in 18K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

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A. Roman Emperor coin in a 24K yellow gold frame, $875 (chain sold separately), oxidized sterling silver chain, 16-18” long, $50.

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B. Roman Emperor coin in a 24K yellow gold frame, $835 (chain sold separately), 24K yellow gold chain, 16-18” long, $1,150.

C. Temple St. Clair Theodora Amulet with rock crystal and gemstones, $6,500 (chain sold separately), oval link chain 18” long, $3,700.

D. Temple St. Clair Nomad band, $5,500.

E. Alex Sepkus diamond “Bean” pendant, $4,410.

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F. Alex Sepkus multi-color sapphire constellation dome ring, $5,105.

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G. Matte finish disc necklace by Kelim in sterling silver, $395.

H. Disc drop earrings by Kelim in sterling silver, $85.

All in 18K gold unless otherwise noted.

www.LBGreen.com

Not every item is available in all stores.

Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

Italian Gold Crafted in Italy

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A. - E. Stretch bracelets. A. With diamond ball In 18K rose gold, $2,150. B. In black ceramic and rose gold, $635. C. With diamond ball in 18K gold, $2,150. D. In black ceramic with diamond barrel, $2,495. E. With diamond ball in 18K gold, $2,150.

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F. Oval station necklace, 30� long, $765.

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G. Hoop earrings in 18K gold, $385.

H. Flat hoop earrings in 18K gold, $540.

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J. Seven-strand necklace in tri-color sterling silver, $165.

K. Seven-strand bracelet in tri-color sterling silver, $95.

All in 14K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

K.

In collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency, the Ministry of Economic Development and Confindustria Federorafi

Lux Color LBG BIRTHSTONE COLLECTIONS

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A. Peridot and diamond pendant, $550.

LBG EXQUISITE & RARE GEMSTONES

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B. Peridot and diamond earrings, $395.

C. Peridot and diamond ring, $575.

Other birthstones available.

D. Tanzanite and diamond drop earrings, $7,000.

H.

E. Emerald cut spessartite ring with diamond halo in 18K gold, $9,325.

F. Oval tsavorite and diamond ring in platinum and 18K gold, $22,000.

G. Precious topaz ring with diamonds in 18K gold, $10,650.

H. Red spinel ring with diamond halo in 18K rose gold, $7,500.

All in 14K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores.

Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

www.LBGreen.com

AUTO 48

LUX BOND & GREEN

WHETHER YOU’RE A JOY RIDER OR A ROAD TRIPPER, THE MCLAREN GT CONVEYS YOU IN UNMATCHED COMFORT AND STYLE. By Darius Amos

Many automakers—from everyman Ford to uber-luxury Bentley—create “GT” models, using the abbreviation for the Italian phrase Gran Turismo—literally, “great touring.” But few capture the essence of GT—a blend of luxurious details with high performance and elite styling. Count McLaren as one of those few.

The British sportscar manufacturer boasts a lineup of 0-to-60 track stars and quarter-mile sprinters that’s second to none. And thanks to the McLaren GT, it quickly jumps to the head of the long-haul grand touring pack. Engineers consider this the brand’s most comfortable and spacious car ever, noting that it was designed to be roomier, lighter, faster and more responsive than others in its class. Oh, and it retains the exclusive supercar status thanks to a lightweight carbon fiber body and a twin-turbo V-8 engine that produces a roaring 620 horsepower and 0-to-62 time of 3.2 seconds. McLaren’s familiar dihedral doors? The GT has those too.

So what distinguishes the GT from McLaren’s other cars, including the flagship 570 and the iconic 720S? For starters, it’s a practical supercar.

No, it’s not a sedan, nor does it come with a second row of seating. But you

can pull up to the country club in a GT because hidden beneath the glass tailgate is a luggage compartment that’s large enough to fit three golf bags.

It also has 5.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the front if you want to stash a few pairs of golf shoes. In total, the GT has more than 20 cubic feet of storage, the most ever in a McLaren.

The GT can’t match the legroom of an SUV, but its interior is designed with road trips in mind. Cashmere upholstery is an option, and padded soft-grain leather seats are stitched with bespoke patterns and feature extra shoulder and back support, giving both driver and passenger an elegant and smooth ride. McLaren also filled the GT with modern luxuries such as its most sophisticated infotainment system (there’s a 12-speaker/carbon fiber subwoofer option available), ambient lighting and a front-to-back tinted-glass roof, among other details.

Starting at approximately $210,000, the GT is the McLaren family’s in-between model bridging the 570 and 720S. But make no mistake: This grand tourer is already ahead in its class.

The McLaren GT is as fast and powerful as others in the supercar class. Its storage space and modern luxuries, however, are unrivaled.

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Your Diamond Does Good in the World DIAMONDS, FORMED BILLIONS OF YEARS AGO, ARE IMPROVING THE PRESENT AND CREATING A SPARKLING FUTURE

B

efore there was life, there were diamonds. In ancient Greece, they were known as “tears of the gods.” Created by rare natural conditions billions of years ago, they are the oldest thing a person will touch or own.

However, diamonds are not simply a connection to the distant past. Today, modern diamond mining supports the livelihoods of 10 million people around the world. Through skilled jobs, improved access to healthcare, and direct investments in local communities, diamonds strengthen communities across the globe as they travel from mine to jewelry box.

Kesego Jarona is one of the millions of people for whom diamonds tell a very personal, life-changing story. The first female electrical apprentice at the Debswana company in Botswana, Jarona saw first-hand that modern diamond mining offers opportunities for personal and community growth.

“Mining inspired me when I was a schoolkid growing up in the mining town of Selebi Phikwe,” she says. Mining jobs are often highly skilled and are supported by extensive investments in worker training and education.

The industry provided Jarona with educational opportunities that gave her control over her future. “I rose from being an artisan in a male-dominated field to become a fully-fledged mining engineer,” she says.

In addition to providing tens of thousands of safe, well-paying jobs that often become lifelong careers, modern diamond mining creates $292 million of benefits annually for social programs, such as funding local hospitals and education. And considering most diamonds are discovered in remote regions—from the edges of the Kalahari Desert to Canada’s far north—where sustainable development resources can be scarce, these opportunities are often vital to communities writing their next chapter.

Supporting the future of these communities also means aiding their children today. Around the world, families from remote regions often have to travel long distances to obtain the care their children require.

DPA_AccentMagSpread_06F.indd 1 DPA Right.indd 1

“The diamond industry is not just a fixture in our community. It is a part of our lives. Diamonds to me represent more than natural beauty. For us, they symbolize a future of possibilities.”

DR. MOKGWEETSI E. K. MASISI, PRESIDENT OF BOTSWANA

In the Siberian city of Yakutsk, Russia’s ALROSA provided critical funding for the construction of a children’s rehabilitation center in 2014. The $12 million center now provides therapy for 3,000 children each year with a range of physical and psychiatric disorders. The center includes a hotel for those families that need to travel from other regions to receive care. For the mother of three-year-old Sasha, who has cerebral palsy and hardly walks or talks, the center is invaluable. “Today my son waved his hand to me for the first time in his life,” she said on a recent visit to the center.

“The diamond industry is not just a fixture in our community. It is a part of our lives,” explains Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, president of Botswana. “Diamonds to me represent more than natural beauty. For us, they symbolize a future of possibilities.”

For centuries, humanity has been captivated by diamonds. They connect us across centuries and nations; they communicate beyond language and between generations. Today, these links are stronger than ever, and are building a better future for all.

For more information on how your diamond does good, visit total-clarity.com.

8/15/19 10:24 AM 8/27/19 11:00 AM

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TRENDING

ONCE ESTEEMED, THEN DISSED, THE TATTOO IS MAKING A COMEBACK WITH GENTEEL FOLK, THANKS PARTLY TO THESE FOUR TALENTED PRACTITIONERS AROUND THE WORLD.

By Robert Schork

LUX BOND & GREEN

When people think of art they usually picture something hanging on a wall or mounted on a pedestal, not an image on their triceps. But the use of the tattoo as body art has been traced back at least to 2600 B.C., when Egypt’s pyramids were being built. And this distinctive visual medium is enjoying a new wave of international popularity today among folks who don’t necessarily have anything to do with motorcycles, psychedelics or unfiltered cigarettes dangling from the lips.

The word “tattoo” comes from the Polynesian noun tatau, meaning a puncture or mark on the skin. In Borneo, women used tattoos to advertise skills they possessed (such as weaving) to attract husbands, while other cultures believed tattoos conferred mystical powers to thwart illnesses and prevent tragedies. Some civilizations used tattoos to denote superior rank in society, while others employed them to brand criminals and slaves.

In Britain, tattoos became an upper-class fad in the late 1700s. They retained this upscale approval in Western culture until the advent of the electric tattooing machine in 1891. Once tattoos became accessible to the masses their appeal plummeted, descending by the 1930s to the demi-monde of carnivals and sideshows.

More recently, tattoos have been re-popularized by the mass media. Many in the industry point to the success, starting in 2005, of the reality TV show Miami Ink and its several spinoffs, which feature competitive tattooing, as the trigger for this cultural pivot. The trend has continued with the glamorization of tattoos by celebrities ranging from Angelina Jolie to David Beckham. Turn the page to learn about four talented tattooers and where their proud art draws its “inkspiration.”

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TRENDING LUX BOND & GREEN 54

Carolyn Elaine, United States Known for her beautiful watercolor tattoos of wildlife, Chicagobased Elaine was inspired to become a tattoo artist in high school, where classmates would ask her to design their tattoos.

“They would come back [from the tattoo parlor] with my tattoo design on them, and that was super exciting,” Elaine said in a televised interview with the Paramount Network (then Spike) in 2016, promoting her debut as a contestant on the show Ink Master. “I love to do color realism, because I get to play with textures and find new patterns of colors, and you’re not just looking at a still picture, but things happening that are moving and very eye-catching.” When asked in another interview if clients have ever requested specific inks, Elaine deadpanned: “On multiple occasions I have been asked if I can use an animal byproduct-free, all-organic, vegan ink—seriously, I don’t have much to say to that request.”

Horishow, Japan This gifted practitioner came to tattoos because of his love of paintings. He emulates favorite artists, but uses skin as his canvas. Horishow says he derives his artistic inspiration primarily from ukiyo-e, a style of woodblock prints and paintings popular in the 17th to 19th centuries that depicted scenic vistas and illustrated folktales. (That would explain his penchant for doing finely detailed tattoos of traditional Japanese subjects in bright colors.) There’s a one-month waiting list to get inked

by Horishow in his studio in Fukuoka, and he charges 15,000 yen ($136) per hour for his creations, which he will place anywhere you’d like—except on the face or genitals.

Daniel DiMattia, Belgium At 54, DiMattia has been practicing his art for 40 years, having started on himself at 14. “I used the metal point of a compass from school,” he recalls. “I did it on my left forearm—it was a Christian cross that represented death for me, followed by a diamond with a big dot in the middle, which stood for feelings of isolation and being trapped. I definitely did it as an act of rebellion.” The self-taught DiMattia, who specializes in geometric patterns in black ink, gravitated toward tattoos evoking “tribal art, primitive works, African ornamental patterns and Polynesian art. So my clients tend to be people who like to travel and discover new landscapes and cultures, enjoy nature and are always searching for adventure.”

LUX BOND & GREEN

Ajarn Noo Kanpai, Thailand Kanpai, whose moniker translates to “Master Noo of Protection,” is a self-described master of Thai spiritual tattooing, known as Sak Yant.

He is sought as much for his spiritual guidance as his artistry. His clients are even referred to as his “disciples.” They include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and other celebrities from around the planet. Kanpai gave his first tattoo while residing in a temple as a novice monk. His mystical tattoo designs typically involve intricately drawn lines of scripture and prayer, images of tigers and combinations of numbers, all meant to imbue their recipients with mystical properties and magical blessings, ranging from protection and luck to fortune and health.

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SPOTLIGHT 56

LUX BOND & GREEN

Style icon and watch collector Victoria Beckham wore a Rolex to the 2017 launch of her Victoria Beckham for Target collection, proving that luxury watches pair seamlessly with designer duds or more affordable ensembles.

IF WE HAD TO PICK THREE… Victoria Beckham’s Rolex watches, including these three standouts below, are among the ones true collectors really, really want: Though it’s typically classified as a men’s watch, Posh wears her Everose gold Cosmograph Daytona beautifully. In 2011 she even got shoe designer Brian Atwood to make her a custom pair of rose gold heels to match.

THIS SPICY CELEB’S FEELING ABOUT LUXURY WATCHES? YOU SIMPLY CAN’T HAVE TOO MANY. By Haley Longman in particular. She wears her 36MM 18K yellow gold Rolex Day-Date President almost as often as she wears her signature sky-high heels. Seriously, you’d be hardpressed to find a photo on her self-titled Instagram account in which this piece does not adorn her left wrist.

Another gem from her jewelry box that she sports often is her gold Daytona with in-house automatic Caliber 4130, which adds a subtle burst of masculinity to her overall feminine, flirty style.

Then there’s the yellow gold Rolex Datejust with a 36MM case size and a stunning stella green dial, a rare iteration of the Day-Date Presidential Rolex.

This piece hails from the 1970s and is highly coveted—as are most of the Brit’s appurtenances.

Two of Beckham’s more recent timepiece additions are from Patek Philippe, because doesn’t any legitimate collection require variety? There’s her rose gold Nautilus with a brown dial and another that’s silver with blue, watches she wears when hanging out with her children (the former) or at a fashion show at Paris Fashion Week (the latter).

It’s no wonder Victoria’s vault, as well as her husband’s, is so expansive. Each member of the British power couple is worth a reported $450 million, which means plenty of discretionary income to spend on dozens of multi-thousand-dollar watches (and whatever else their hearts desire). Who knew a collecting hobby could be so…posh?

The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph in gold is one of Rolex’s—and Beckham’s— most classic and coveted timepieces.

LUX BOND & GREEN 57

When it comes to arm candy, Victoria Beckham has the rest of us beat. Often seen on her arm is her husband of 20 years, David Beckham, Britain’s most famous “footballer” (that’s soccer star to us) and America’s favorite male underwear model. But perhaps the timepieces on her wrist have us even more envious.

The woman formerly known as Posh Spice didn’t start out as a watch aficionado. She shot to fame as one-fifth of the iconic British ’90s pop group the Spice Girls, the best-selling female group of all time, before this most stylish Spice launched her eponymous luxury fashion line in 2008. In between and since that time Beckham married the love of her life, had three sons and then a daughter, befriended A-listers like Eva Longoria and Katie Holmes and built a fashion and lifestyle empire, not to mention her own personal closet.

She’s an accessories enthusiast reputed to own more than 100 Birkin bags—and bags aren’t her only bag. “I’m quite obsessed with sunglasses,” Beckham has also said. “I collect vintage Guccis and Carreras—they can make virtually any outfit look cool.”

Undoubtedly, the same can be said for her vintage watches. Like her husband, who’s been an ambassador for both Breitling and Rolex-owned Tudor, the 45-year-old has a penchant for men’s timepieces, Rolex

Many famous women are proud owners of the Rolex President Day-Date in 18K yellow gold. Beckham’s has a fashion-forward bezel.

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LUX BOND & GREEN

TIME TRAVEL

his and hers: the gift of A PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA WATCH SPEAKS ELOQUENTLY ABOUT WHAT IS MOST PRECIOUS.

By Christen Fisher “Time for each other” is the No. 1 item on most couple’s gift list this holiday season. But in today’s frenetically paced world, when our cups brim over with obligations to work, family, friends and causes close to our hearts, this simple wish can feel like asking for the moon. Fortunately, Patek Philippe, the world’s premier Swiss watch manufacturer, has a long history of miraculous innovations involving time and offers a solution: Give each other the gift of time, with a timepiece so extraordinary it makes an irresistible plea for the true priority on your calendar—love.

Present the man in your life with a Calatrava 5227R. The Calatrava boasts an elegant ivory lacquered dial with gold-applied hour markers and features a center sweep second hand and a date aperture.

The watch’s self-winding 324 S C caliber movement is housed in a 39mm rose gold case with a sapphire crystal caseback protected by an invisibly hinged dust cover on a shiny dark chestnut alligator strap with square scales on a prong buckle. With its pure lines, the Calatrava is recognized as the very essence of the round wristwatch and one of the finest symbols of the Patek Philippe style. Supremely elegant, it charms each new generation of watch lovers with its timeless understated perfection. Priced at $35,160.

Reciprocate her generosity with a Ladies’ Calatrava 7200R. Equally elegant yet suited to her sensibilities, the 7200R has an ultra-thin, selfwinding mechanical movement, Caliber 240. In delicate rose gold on a

matte pearly beige alligator strap with square scales and prong buckle, the 7200R is a ladies’ wristwatch fully focused on hours and minutes. It indicates not seconds, nor the date, nor other extras—only the time in its most unhurried manifestation. Designed for women who methodically devote their attention to the essence of things, it epitomizes timelessness in classic, feminine perfection. Priced at $28,240.

For the couple who feels pulled in a million different directions all over the world, consider the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, available as reference 5524R for gentlemen and 7234R for ladies. Both versions are powered by a caliber 324 S C FUS mechanical, self-winding movement, and feature a second time zone and local-time date to help the two of you connect even when you’re on opposite sides of the globe. Both have a brown sunburst, black gradated dial with gold applied numerals and luminescent coating and are housed in a rose gold case fitted to a vintage brown calfskin strap with clevis prong buckle. The 5524R is 42mm, while the 7234R is 37.5mm. In either size, the Calatrava Pilot Time Travel is an inimitable timepiece whose dashing aeronautical style is perfect for the couple deeply devoted to each other but always on the go. Priced at $49,560 and $44,790, respectively.

If you love him to the moon and back and if she’s your happily ever after, let a treasure speak for you about the hours you treasure most.

You don’t have forever, but you’ve got time.

LUX BOND & GREEN

Exchanging trinkets is a sweet holiday tradition, but truly discerning couples make a chic statement by gifting his and hers Patek Philippe Calatrava timepieces.

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TIMEPIECES

‘bay’ watch

the new

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LUX BOND & GREEN

TUDOR’S BLACK BAY P01 COMBINES TODAY’S SPORTY STYLE WITH A DEEP DIVE INTO THE INNOVATIONS OF THE PAST.

While countless watch wearers around the world value having a Tudor on their wrist, few know about Tudor’s long history with the U.S. Navy. Beginning in the 1950s, Tudor began supplying the Navy with divers’ watches, and it eventually found lasting success with the Oyster Prince Submariner 7928. However, in 1967, the company began to develop a new watch for the Navy—one that would meet the specifications decreed by the U.S. government and incorporate the results of the latest research into functionality and ergonomics carried out by the brand’s top-notch engineers.

This ambitious project, code named “Commando,” never came to fruition, but many of its features can be found in the just-released Tudor Black Bay P01 model (The P01 stands for prototype 1). This cross between a diver’s watch and a navigator’s watch has been crafted in a contemporary sporty spirit, while harking back to innovations developed more than 50 years ago. For example, the Black Bay P01 model does not literally reproduce the prototype’s unusual hinged-link system, but borrows liberally from it, providing a stop system for the bidirectional rotating bezel via a mobile end-link at 12 o’clock.

The Manufacture Caliber MT5612 that drives the Black Bay P01 meets Tudor’s high standards for robustness, longevity and reliability. It features an openwork rotor that is satin-brushed with sand-blasted details, and its bridges and plate have alternating polished sand-blasted surfaces and laser decorations.

Moreover, the Caliber MT5612 is certified as a chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. And, as might be expected, the Black Bay P01 is waterproof to 200 meters.

The watch is fitted with a domed matte-black dial with painted luminescent hour markers; it adopts the signature Tudor hands with their characteristic angular shape, known to collectors as “snowflake,” and the 42mm steel case is entirely satin-brushed for a matte finish. The watch’s special hybrid strap has a rubber base with the “snowflake” motif on the back, finished with a brown leather trim. Finally, with a 70-hour power reserve, a wearer can take off the watch on Friday evening and put it back on again Monday morning without having to reset and wind it.

The result of subtle combinations of historical aesthetic codes and contemporary watch technology, the entire Black Bay line, especially the P01, brings together the best qualities of 60 years of Tudor divers’ watches, while remaining firmly anchored in the present.

The Tudor Black Bay P01, which stands for prototype 1, was inspired by a 1960s’ design for the U.S. Navy.

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SPOTLIGHT 62

LUX BOND & GREEN

John Mayer is known around Hollywood for his beguiling ways and has used his charms to seduce his famous friends into becoming fellow watch collectors.

Andy Cohen, host of Watch What Happens Live, purchased a Rolex and Kevin O’Leary, entrepreneur and shark on Shark Tank, invested in pieces from Rolex and Patek Philippe after consultations with Mayer.

FACE TIME John Mayer’s time on the road serves double duty: He performs for millions of fans and hunts for rare and vintage watches. Here, we did our own search for similarly gorgeous timepieces.

The rubber strap on his Patek Philippe Aquanaut is tough—and sexy—enough to wear while jamming all night long.

SINGER-SONGWRITER JOHN MAYER SAYS HIS VINTAGE WATCHES KEEP HIM SANE. NO NEED FOR THE REST OF US TO BE MAD WITH ENVY. By Rita Guarna Another highlight of Mayer’s timepiece treasure trove is the Patek Philippe Ref. 5004G in white gold with salmon dial and luminous hands, about which he says, “This watch has better taste than I do sometimes.”

Mayer admits that he has a special affection for the Daytona, yet he shows his individuality by wearing models that are not Paul Newman. For example, possibly for nights on the town, there’s the rare Rolex Daytona Ref. 6269 with almost 300 diamonds, or the 6263 in 18K yellow gold, also a collectible, which Mayer says just may be “the coolest gold Rolex ever made.”

During his interview with Hodinkee, Mayer explained why he doesn’t always follow the Hollywood crowd to the Paul Newman: “I remember seeing prices on the Paul Newman Daytonas skyrocket and thinking to myself that it was time to let go of those pieces and focus more on the plain Jane, non-PN versions.

I’m glad I did, for several reasons—the least of which is that I can wear them without any doubt that they’re unquestionably authentic.”

But no real watch collector can totally resist Paul Newmans, so Mayer’s wonderland does include a black bezel Paul Newman Daytona 6264 with a dial similar to the rare 6263 Oyster Paul Newman.

It’s true that the unmarried Mayer’s love life, which has included names like Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jessica Simpson and Katy Perry, is what tends to draw headlines. But what many also should know about him is the extent to which he gives back. When wildfire destroyed 12,000 acres in Paradise Valley, MT, where he lives, he was quick to help raise more than $100,000 for the firefighters. In 2002 he created the “Back to You” nonprofit to boost health care, education and, of course, the arts, and he auctioned off John Mayer items such as guitar picks and T-shirts in support of this work.

Maybe someday one of his coveted watches will be on the auction block, so start collecting pennies.

This un-blingedout version of Mayer’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 6269 is still quite Hollywood even without the diamonds.

Mayer’s prize Patek Philippe is similar to this Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 5970G.

LUX BOND & GREEN 63

Don’t be taken in by John Mayer’s ruse. Yeah, he puts up a good front as a purported singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and sometime comedian, columnist and blogger. And those seven Grammys make persuasive props. But as he confessed to Britain’s Daily Mail in 2010, that’s all just a cover. “It’s like being in the CIA,” he said. “It looks as if I’m touring the world playing gigs, but I’m really on the hunt for watches.”

In truth, no secret life seems beyond the capabilities of this multi-talented, 42-year-old musician. Fans the world over applaud his tunes—even his leadership of a Grateful Dead resurrection band. But there are also a goodly number who look to his wrist for inspiration. It’s a wrist The New York Times has called “a wonderland”—a nod to his single, “Your Body is a Wonderland,” just one of the hits credited to this often controversial Connecticut native with six studio albums so far.

Mayer has said his vintage watches keep him sane.

But he values his collection at “tens of millions,” and even Park Avenue psychiatrists don’t charge that.

Like the late movie superstar Paul Newman, known for his rare 1969 Rolex Daytona Reference 6241, and comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who is seldom without a great watch, Mayer has an insatiable mania for a quality timepiece—and a cultlike following eager to see his next choice. It is said that “Talking Watches,” a video interview Mayer did with the watch website Hodinkee, has been viewed almost 2 million times since its 2013 launch, and his collection is big enough for a sequel.

Variety is the spice of Mayer’s life, both in music (his genres range from pop to blues, even touching on country and soul) and in his watch collection. He recently wore the Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman,” so named for its black-and-blue color combo, on Watch What Happens Live—but is also proud to own the selfwinding Royal Oak Concept, the ultimate in high-tech watches from the luxe Swiss brand Audemars Piguet.

A.

A. Tag Heuer 41mm Automatic Aquaracer in stainless steel, $2,550.

B. Oris Big Crown, automatic, $1,600.

C. Deakin & Francis cufflinks with mother-of-pearl inlay in sterling silver, $280.

D. Raymond Weil Freelancer Diver Skeleton watch, $2,695.

E. Movado Evolution Bold, $695.

F. Montblanc Geosphere LIMITED EDITION, $6,300.

G. Montblanc StarWalker ballpoint writing instrument, $430.

H. John Hardy classic chain silver bracelet with lapis stone beads, $395.

J. John Hardy Jawan band in sterling silver with black rhodium finish, $350.

Not every item is available in all stores.

Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

C.

B.

D.

E.

J.

F.

G.

H.

B. A.

C.

D.

Chez Reavie 2019 Travelers Championship Winner

E.

A. David Yurman Madison Link bracelet in sterling silver and 18K gold, $750.

F.

B. Diamond solitaire earrings, $1,100.

C. Chelsea Boardroom clock, $340.

D. Tudor Heritage Black Bay watch, $3,725.

E. Steuben deep flower bowl, $1,500.

F. Cultured pearl bracelet by Mikimoto in 18K gold, $1,330.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm your choice will be available at your preferred location.

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HAMILTON

SPOTLIGHT

how time flies

TAKE TO THE SKIES WITH THE ROLEX GMT-MASTER II AND SKY-DWELLER, TRUSTED WINGMEN TO THE ELITE WORLD TRAVELER.

By Christen Fisher

tennis legend Roger Federer, basketball great LeBron James and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, the Sky-Dweller boasts dual timezone displays and an annual calendar. For the dual time-zone feature, local time is read using center hands and a reference time display in 24-hour format on a rotating off-center disc visible on the dial. The annual calendar, called Saros after the astronomical phenomenon relating to the eclipse cycle, displays the date at 3 o’clock and the month using 12 apertures around the circumference of the dial.

For ease of use on the go, the Sky-Dweller is equipped with a Ring Command bezel that allows the wearer to select the watch’s different functions through an interface between the movement and the case. The bezel can be turned to one of three positions to select the function to be set: date, local time or reference time. The selected function then can be adjusted in either direction, forward or backward, using the winding crown, which has only one setting position. At first it was offered only in precious metals, but Rolex introduced two Rolesor versions of the 42mm watch in 2017. It is now available in solid Everose gold, Oystersteel with white gold and Oystersteel with yellow gold.

Keeping track of the time, knowing where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re going—whether it’s back home, to the next meeting or to an undiscovered corner of the Earth—is a necessary “luxury” for the devoted traveler. If you find yourself spending much of your time navigating friendly or unfriendly skies, Rolex’s GMT-Master II and Sky-Dweller will help you keep an eye on the horizon and a foot on the ground.

Opposite page: The Oyster Perpetual GMT-MASTER II in 18K white gold.

This page, from top: The GMT-Master II is available in 18K Everose gold and Oystersteel.

LUX BOND & GREEN 69

Whether your 2019 travel plans include “bleisure” trips (mixing business and leisure) with the family in tow, an epic solo adventure into an unexplored or hard-to-reach territory, or both, chances are you’re going to fly. You’ll be in the air, but not above caring what time it is. So know this: As the jet set takes flight more frequently than ever before, its wingman of choice continues to be Rolex.

In 1959, when Pan American Airways made the first nonstop flight from New York to Moscow, Rolex was in the cockpit. The historic flight’s captain wore an Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master to aid him in navigation. Since its original launch in 1955, the GMT-Master has remained a true “tool watch,” its ever-evolving technical performance keeping pace with the rapid growth of intercontinental travel during the second half of the 20th century. In 1982, Rolex introduced a new movement that allowed the hour hand to be set independently.

Models fitted with this optimized movement were named the GMT-Master II. In the past 60 years, a lot has changed: Pan Am no longer exists, and flights from New York to Moscow are a daily occurrence. Yet the GMT-Master II continues to evolve to meet the needs of elite world travelers, including celebrity devotees such as Brad Pitt, Ellen DeGeneres and Sylvester Stallone.

At Baselworld 2018, Rolex introduced three new versions of the iconic GMT-Master II with a new movement, the caliber 3285. Available in Oystersteel, Oystersteel and Everose gold and solid Everose gold, the 40mm GMT-Master II is equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a 24-hour graduated two-color Cerachrom insert in red-and-blue ceramic, known to watch aficionados as the “Pepsi” bezel. The lugs and sides of its Oyster case have been redesigned and fitted on a five-link Jubilee bracelet. Designed to display the time in two different time zones simultaneously and waterproof to 100 meters, it is an ideal watch for crisscrossing the globe in style.

Launched in 2012, GMT-Master II’s much younger sibling, the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, is one of Rolex’s most complicated watches. A favorite among globe-trotting athletes like

FOR FIVE CENTURIES LAKE COMO HAS BEEN A PLAYGROUND OF THE UBER-FAMOUS, BUT ITS AZURE BEAUTY CAN STILL SURPRISE.

By Everett Potter

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LUX BOND & GREEN

If Lake Como were nothing more than an exceptionally beautiful lake in northern Italy, it would still count as one of the country’s stellar attractions. In one of the most dramatic settings in the world, it’s a 29-mile-long inverted Y, flanked by steep, thickly wooded mountainsides. To the north lie the Alps, which are snow-dusted for much of the year, while along the lakeshore are palm trees next to ornate villas, some of which have origins as early as the 16th

The village of Bellagio is referred to as “the pearl of Lake Como.” Visitors soak in the splendor as they stroll down the waterfront promenade or trek to the peninsula’s end at Punta Spartivento.

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century. It is a veritable stage set of villas, hamlets and garden follies, on a 1,400-foot-deep body of water that seems more a fjord than a lake.

But Lake Como’s very name has come to mean much more in the 21st century—it’s a catchphrase that automatically connotes glamour and wealth. Part of that is due to the proximity of Milan, less than an hour away, and the patronage of the fashion crowd. But much of the buzz is because of George Clooney, who bought a lakeside villa here nearly two decades ago. He brought along Hollywood pals Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon, who enhanced the glamour and myth of the lake with their comings and goings. But, truth be told, Como’s history long predates the latest iteration of an LA bro-pack.

Celtic tribes once lived along these shores, until the Romans drove them away, and Julius Caesar ordered 5,000 of his men to literally drain the swamp at the end of the lake and set up a Roman town at what is now the city of Como. In time, it was the wealthy Lombards of nearby Milan who came in the 16th century, finding a place where imported Chinese silkworms thrived on the lake’s native mulberry trees. They built fortunes based on their silk empire, and the industry thrives to this day, as Versace, Hermés, Ralph Lauren and countless others continue to source their silk here.

The wealthy Milanese merchants built villas, and then, in the fashion of the day, became patrons of the arts. You can’t visit Como without hearing a lot of cultural name-dropping: how Leonardo painted here, how Verdi composed part of La Traviata there, how

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Left: The medieval village of Torno has well-preserved architecture and luxury accommodations. Below: With the catch of the day on its way to the dinner plate, fishing boats dock in the lake’s azure water.

Above: The lakeside botanical gardens at Villa Melzi are a must-see. Right: Enjoy house wine alfresco at Osteria del Beuc.

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Bellini worked on his opera Norma and how writers as diverse as Wordsworth, Longfellow and Hesse wrote poetry extolling the lake’s singular virtues.

I am lucky to travel to Lake Como two or three times every summer.

Every season is different, and every time I visit I see things I did not see before. The perfect time to go? I like early summer, when there are still waterfalls fed by the high mountain snows and a fringe of snowcapped peaks to the north.

Regardless of the season, an ideal day on Lake Como is spent on the water, looking at the villas, stopping at those that can be visited, having lunch, taking a swim. If your budget allows, the boat trip should be in a sleek wooden Riva speedboat heading up the lake to meet friends for lunch in a restaurant on Isola Comacina, the lake’s only island. Or perhaps in Varenna, where a jumble of ochre-colored buildings form the backdrop for café life and the slow sipping of prosecco. For those who don’t have access to a private boat, the ferry system will do, as it crisscrosses that lake and provides access to the bustling waterfront and narrow, shop-filled lanes of Bellagio. It allows you to explore quiet fishing villages, such as Pescallo, and drops you at Tremezzo to see the gardens and artwork at one of the lake’s masterpieces, Villa Carlotta, a favorite of 19th-century writers Edith Wharton and Henry James.

Indeed, as you travel the lake, there are many grand private villas, with names to match. Villa Fontanelle near Moltrasio, once owned

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Above: Soak in the natural splendor while strolling through public gardens. Left: A statue of Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electrical battery and Como native son, stands in a square.

by Gianni Versace, was sold after his death to Arkady Noviko, arguably Russia’s most successful restaurateur and a man known colloquially as “the blini king.” You can observe it from the water, as you can the nearby Villa Passalacqua, where Napoleon stayed, and Villa Le Rose, where Churchill retreated after World War II. Laglio is where Clooney and his wife Amal live at Villa Oleandra. Villa La Cassinella has long been rumored to be owned by Sir Richard Branson, who denies it.

Then there is Villa del Balbianello, my personal favorite, which holds the most coveted place on the lake, a promontory close to the village of Lenno, topped by a fantastic stone compound. The building originated as a monastery, was then acquired by private hands and eventually became the home of Guido Monzino, heir to an Italian supermarket fortune and a self-styled explorer who led the first Italian expedition up Mt. Everest. It’s a museum now, and thankfully, Monzino’s quirky and sometimes wondrous collections from his trips to the four corners of the earth are still housed here, in what must be the most photographed villa on the lake. Filmmakers adore the place. It was here that Casino Royale was shot as well as A Month by the Lake and even Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones. It can get very crowded here, so go early in the morning and soak in the gardens and the statuary and the sheer elegance of the place.

Villa Melzi is a 10-minute stroll from the busy docks at Bellagio, where silk-mad shoppers and lunch-going day-trippers can make it a little too crowded. Here you can stroll acres of lakeside gardens planted with specimen trees from all over the globe. Alas, the interior of the villa, built for Francesco Melzi d’Eril, vice president of the Italian Republica, and the place where Franz Liszt composed his Dante Symphony, is private. The grounds, however,

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give you a real sense of tranquility and what Lake Como must have been like 150 years ago.

The best part of Lake Como is the chance to stay in one of these historic villas. A few years ago, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, built in 1910, was redone from top to bottom, infusing serious chic into what had been an aging dowager. The champagne bar and the pool that literally floats in Lake Como are the essence of lakeside glamour. Villa d’Este in Cernobbio continues to reign as the queen of the lake, having originated in the 16th century as a residence for a cardinal before passing to the hands of British royalty and eventually becoming a hotel in the late 19th century.

But the stakes have gotten even higher in the past couple of years. Il Sereno Lago Di Como opened in Torno, while the Vista Palazzo, an 18-room luxury lair in the city of Como, opened in 2018, as did the six-suite Villa Lário set on two lakeside acres in Pognana Lario. The latest entry to the Lake Como luxe sweepstakes is Mandarin Oriental, which took over a villa in Blevio.

Sure, you can dine regally at some of these hotels, but I prefer the locals’ haunts. A couple of months ago, it was in a quiet café in Cernobbio, Osteria del Beuc, that I sat at an alfresco table 50 feet from the lake on a sultry night and drank the local white wine blend from the producer Sorsasso, situated above the lakeside village of Domaso, the same wine that Clooney requested be served at his wedding to Amal. It accompanied a lemon and Parmesan risotto served with a dramatic scoop of basil-flavored gelato in the middle, which slowly melted into the risotto. It was tradition married to the fashionable, a surprise and a revelation, a little like Lake Como itself.

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Above: The resort town of Lecco offers a dramatic Alpine backdrop with fewer crowds than some of the better-known villages. Left: Historic villas are a highlight of any trip to this part of the Lombardy region.

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ENTERTAINING

LET THIS PICTURESQUE FALL FEAST INSPIRE YOU TO TAKE YOUR PARTY PREP TO THE NEXT LEVEL—NO MATTER WHERE OR WHAT THE OCCASION.

Position a bowl of seasonal fruits in between two identical autumnal floral arrangements for a wow-worthy centerpiece. Blue monogrammed linens and bold china add another unexpected pop of personality to your tablescape.

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Presentation counts, and Alex Hitz knows it. The celebrity chef and lifestyle expert has been hailed by The Wall Street Journal as “the very best host in the world,” a title that would make even Martha Stewart jealous. His French-inspired cooking, mixed with some good ol’ Southern hospitality, makes him a host extraordinaire, one whose delightful dinners and beautiful brunches, hosted in his hometown of Atlanta, in Manhattan or in Beverly Hills, are as photogenic as they are delicious. This festive fall lunch and other pictureperfect parties—plus easy-to-follow recipes—featured in Hitz’s new tome, The Art of the Host: Recipes and Rules for Flawless Entertaining (Rizzoli New York) prove that not just what you serve your guests, but how you serve it, is what leaves the most lasting of impressions.

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ENTERTAINING

CHILLED CORN CHOWDER WITH LUMP CRAB AND AVOCADO SALAD Yields: 2½ qts. (enough for 10 to 12 servings)

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE CHILLED CORN CHOWDER n 5 lbs. fresh corn on the cob (approximately 12 cobs) n 8 Tbs. (1 stick) butter n 3 lbs. yellow onions, chopped (4-6 onions, depending on their size) n 3 tsp. salt n ½ tsp. ground black pepper n 7 cups whole milk n 1 cup heavy cream n 2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro, for finishing

TO MAKE THE CHILLED CORN CHOWDER: Remove the corn kernels from the cob and scrape the kernels into a mixing bowl. Run the blunt edge of your knife against the cobs to extract as much corn milk as you can into the mixing bowl. Reserve the cobs.

TO MAKE THE LUMP CRAB AND AVOCADO SALAD: Combine all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and stir them carefully so as not to break the crab more than is necessary to blend the salad. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

TO SERVE: Remove the cobs from the soup and purée the soup with an immersion blender or a food processor in batches until it’s as smooth as velvet. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro, then ladle the chowder into individual chilled bowls. Garnish the soup with a scoop of the lump crab and avocado salad.

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FOR THE LUMP CRAB AND AVOCADO SALAD n 1 lb. jumbo lump crab, picked for bits of shell n 2 large shallots, finely chopped n 2 medium ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and diced n 1 Tbs. fresh-squeezed lime juice n 2 tsp. grated lime zest n 3 Tbs. Hellmann’s mayonnaise n 2 Tbs. sour cream n 2 Tbs. tasteless vegetable oil n 1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar n ¾ tsp. salt, divided n ¼ tsp. ground black pepper, plus an additional pinch

Melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. When the foaming has subsided, turn the heat to medium, and add the onions and sauté them until they are translucent and soft, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring them constantly. Add the corn kernel and corn milk from the bowl, the cobs, 2 tsp. of the salt, the ground black pepper, milk and heavy cream, stir them together well, and bring the mixture to a boil before turning the heat down to low. Let the chowder simmer, uncovered, for an hour. Remove from the heat, add the remaining 1 tsp. of salt, and let the chowder cool. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight to allow the flavors to fully develop.

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A COUNTRY WITH A STORIED VITICULTURAL PAST OFFERS UP EXCITING NEW CHOICES. By Josh Sens Winemaking isn’t quite as old as time, but it does go way, way back. In the land known as Israel today, the roots of the practice are millennia deep. Archaeologists there have turned up remnants of wine presses that date to the sixth century B.C. Added evidence comes from the Old Testament, which is filled with mentions of the fruit of the vine. When Noah clambered off his ark onto dry land, among his first pursuits was planting grapes.

A more recent major moment came in the late 19th century, when Baron Edmond de Rothschild, owner of the fabled Lafite Rothschild in France, introduced grape cuttings to the Holy Land, then went on to establish Carmel Winery, now the longest continually operating winery in Israel.

But enough of the old news.

Here’s the latest headline: It’s 2019, and Israeli winemaking is enjoying a boom. Rumblings that began 30 years ago, with the opening of Israel’s first boutique winery, have given way to explosive growth. The country is now home to more than 300 wineries, many of them small, artisanal outfits, producing astounding but still under-the-radar wines.

“The grapes were good thousands of years ago,” Jeff Morgan says. “So it’s really no surprise that the grapes are very, very good today.”

A former writer and editor for Wine Spectator magazine and co-founder of Covenant winery in Berkeley, Calif., Morgan sees the industry from a global view. In 2011, he traveled to Israel with two goals in mind: to connect with his own Jewish heritage and to conduct some recon on the country’s wines. What stood out for him, as he toured around, was how much northern Israel reminded him of the Rhone Valley.

“Not just the limestone outcroppings, but the red, mineral-rich soil,” Morgan says. “It seemed to me the region had all the potential of anything I’d seen in France.”

Two years later, Morgan and his Covenant cofounder, Leslie Rudd, launched a sister winery, Covenant Israel, drawing fruit from select producers in Galilee and the Golan Heights. Their first vintage was a 2013 Syrah that justified Morgan’s faith in the awakening wine region.

And awakening it is.

Israel’s constellation of refined producers today includes the likes of Tulip Winery, which overlooks the Jezreel Valley in the north and operates within a village of special needs residents, who pitch in at the winery in the manner of a kibbutz. Tulip’s compelling backstory is matched by a portfolio of compelling wines, chief among them a Cabernet Sauvignon that has all the elegant structure of a top-notch Napa cab. Another winery to watch is Gva’ot, which sits in the heart of Samaria at nearly 2,500 feet of elevation, releasing vintages of striking subtlety in a region that benefits from diurnal contrasts: warm by day, cool at night.

“When I travel to the United States, I often find that customers are not looking for elegance but power,” says Gva’ot chief winemaker Shivi Drori.

There’s nothing wrong with big wines, Drori adds.

But to focus solely on “body monsters,” he says, is a shame. It overlooks all that Israeli wines can be.

Such misperceptions stem from a common tendency among consumers to conflate Israeli wines with sweetand-sticky kosher for Passover wines. Never mind that some up-and-coming Israeli wines are indeed kosher.

(Covenant’s are.) Manischewitz it is not.

“Confusion among consumers—that’s just something that can happen and it’s something we need to deal with,” Morgan says. “The greatest challenge for Israeli winemakers is to convey to the world the idea of Israeli terroir. This is a wine region, just like such regions in Spain or Italy or France. The wines reflect the topography and climate, which gives them a sense of place.”

TASTING NOTES Gva’ot Masada, 2012, $101 A Bordeaux blend with lush berry notes and a suave body. Try it with rich braised beef dishes, such as pot roast or ribs.

Black Tulip Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018, $60 Hints of ripe cherries, currants and cassis mingle in this full-bodied wine, which benefits from concentrated but balanced new oak. Delicious with hearty meat dishes of any kind.

Covenant Israel Syrah, 2016, $75 A bold wine with forthright notes of dark fruit and winter spices, backed by soft and silky tannins. Pair it with a pork loin and no one will complain.

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Clockwise from top: Zoë Morgan and Ari Erle of Covenant Israel; a wine tasting room at Tulip Winery; vineyards at Gva’ot Winery; and three Israeli wines to try.

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September 9th, 2019

WEDDING JEWELS

YOU FOUND THE DRESS. NOW CHOOSE JEWELS THAT WILL FLATTER YOUR GOWN.

Multi-color sapphire and diamond necklace, $55,000.

Multi-color sapphire and diamond bracelet, $24,500.

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All in 18K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

PRINCESS & VENETIAN PRINCESS COLLECTIONS

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WEDDING JEWELS

Emerald-cut diamond bracelet, 15.73 cts in platinum, $85,500.

Three strand diamond line necklace, 21.70 cts, $57,500.

Roberto Coin diamond pavĂŠ hoops, 9.5 cts, $43,000.

All in 18K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores. Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

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South Sea cultured pearl earrings by Mikimoto, $6,700.

South Sea pearl necklace, 34” long, $18,500.

South Sea pearl necklace, 17.5” long, $27,500.

All in 18K gold unless otherwise noted.

Not every item is available in all stores.

Please confirm that your choice will be available at your preferred location.

Innovative Yet Classic

Our Locations COMING SOON

Lucca Back Bay

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116 Huntington Ave.

226 Hanover Street

933 Hingham Street

Boston, MA 02116

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Rockland, MA 02370

617-247-2400

617-742-9200

781-871-5789

www.LuccaBoston.com

INVESTMENT

value your

valuables

JEWELRY WILL NEVER BE JUST AN INVESTMENT. BUT IT’S A FORM OF WEALTH YOU SHOULD PROTECT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

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By Timothy Kelley

Mansions and polo ponies? Fleeing aristocrats in bygone centuries had to leave those behind when revolution struck. But diamonds were a form of property they could slip into an inside coat pocket for a hasty departure.

Wealth is safer today, but it still needs protecting. And while you’d never reduce to pure cash-register terms that

gleaming gem that reminds you of a sacred occasion or a beloved ancestor, jewelry is part of your investment portfolio whether you think of it that way or not. To help you be smart about it, ACCENT interviewed Anita Heriot, president of the North American division of Pall Mall Art Advisors, a U.K. firm that specializes in tangible asset management:

portfolio, usually letting you retain the jewelry.

Or it can be a “non-recourse” loan based solely on the items, which the lending institution takes custody of—in effect, moving them from your vault to theirs.

Is there a way to avoid estate taxes when you bequeath jewelry?

Often you can do this by gifting jewelry to a family member while you’re alive. If you wish to continue to wear it, you may still be able to do so through a leaseback agreement with the recipient. Consult a trust and estate attorney about your best tax strategy.

What else makes jewelry special?

It’s one of the only assets for which you actually need science. You can’t assess the clarity of a gemstone with the naked eye. You need an analyst trained and certified by GIA, the Gemological Institute of America. Paperwork goes with that too.

And it’s wise to be aware of market trends?

Yes. Today the market for rare, beautiful colored gemstones is especially hot, thanks to heavy demand from Chinese buyers.

Does most of what you say about jewelry as an investment also apply to luxury watches?

Yes. The watch market is currently very vibrant, particularly for men’s watches and notably for rare timepieces from such brands as Cartier, Rolex and Patek Philippe. There’s a strong auction market—but don’t just give your watch or jewelry to an auction house.

Why not?

Auction houses like selling jewelry and watches more than anything else, because they’re easy to sell and easy to ship. But an auction house may charge a seller’s commission of up to 15 percent.

It may also have fees for insurance, photography, GIA reports and shipping as well as a “buy-in” fee. It’s a very competitive business; use the competitive environment to your advantage and negotiate these fees.

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Jewelry and luxury watches have aesthetic beauty and emotional resonance no stock certificate can match. Why think of them as investments?

Because for most high-net-worth families they account for a significant proportion of wealth.

Analyses have shown that as much as 10 percent of an ultra-high-net worth individual’s wealth can be in the tangible assets such as art and jewelry. And often families’ accountants, financial advisors and trust and estate attorneys don’t have the knowledge to advise them intelligently about this part of their portfolio.

Hence, from an investment point of view it’s largely ignored.

Why is that a problem?

Generally, planning for your tangible assets such as jewelry is dealt with only in moments of disruption—a death, a divorce or a time of financial difficulties. When you think about it, that’s a pretty defensive posture. We recommend that families consider a more offensive strategy, both in acquiring jewelry and in planning bequests.

What’s your first tip for families who own jewelry?

Understand its value so you can make smart decisions about it. That does not mean its insurance value, the price you’d pay to replace it. Instead, its fair market value or auction price, which tends to be 25 to 40 percent lower.

What mistakes do people make when bequeathing jewelry to their children?

One stems from failure to follow that advice about understanding value. A mother will say, “I’ll leave the jewelry to my daughter and the paintings to my son.” But often jewelry is the most expensive thing in a family’s portfolio.

One diamond ring can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars if the gemstone and its clarity are right. It may be much more valuable than 20 paintings together. We see a lot of conflict over that. Also, families miss opportunities for financial growth.

Such as?

Jewelry—unlike other tangible assets—often sits in a vault if it’s not regularly worn. And because of the risks and the high cost of insurance, people are often reluctant to wear it. While it’s sitting in a vault, that jewelry can be making money for you if you collateralize it—use it as collateral for a loan of up to 50 percent of its value. It can be a “recourse” loan, which a bank extends based on the value of your entire

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1. Members of CT Legion receiving Lux Bond & Green’s donation at Mohegan Sun. 2.-3. Lux Bond & Green’s indoor youth soccer team. 4.-5.

Conrad Whitney and wife Marilyn celebrating Conrad’s 90th birthday, October 20th, 2018. 6. Marc Green and Jean Frederic Dufour, CEO of Rolex. 7. The Mohegan Sun team visiting our Westport store. 8. Wequonnoc Magnet School receiving a donation from Lux Bond & Green at the Mohegan store. 9. John Green, Sybil Yurman, Norma Green, Stacy King and Denise Maura at David Yurman headquarters.

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10. Sarah Delano Scholarship, donated by Lux Bond & Green. 11. Lux Bond & Green supporting the CT chapter of Make A Wish supporting jewelers for children. 12. Allison Zinn and Justin Sparks, engaged on July 3rd, 2018. 13. Wellesley store manager Nancy Haas with Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. 14. John & Shauna Winer and their newborn daughter, Sloane Gallagher Winer. 15. Joanne Gunn celebrating 25 years in Glastonbury with store manager Katherine Bow. 16. Rhonda Digiacomo, Cheryl Tracy Miller and Gil Fortunato at the Travelers Championship. 17. Caroline Kambrich and her fiancÊ Joe Klemenz. 18. Andrea Mascaro’s twin girls, Lina and Mia, born January 29th, 2019.

DIAMONDS DO GOOD

How GIVING BACK helps an industry shine

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AT THE DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND’S 2019 GALA IN LAS VEGAS, A CONSORTIUM OF FAMILY-OWNED JEWELRY RETAILERS WAS HONORED FOR BENEFITING COMMUNITIES.

From top: Festive balloons fill the ballroom to raise funds; Hyde Park Jewelers CEO Michael Pollak accepting the award; Megan Crawford and Nancy Mann from Mann’s Jewelers catch up with Michael and Shereen Pollak.

In cities across the country—from Dallas to Detroit and from Richmond to Rochester—members of the Luxury Jewelers Resource Group (LJRG) have shown that they believe that a business does well by doing good. On May 30, 2019, the LJRG’s commitment to doing good in their communities was recognized with the “Diamonds Do Good” Community Building Award at the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s (DEF) gala held in the Palazzo Ballroom at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

DEF is a 12-year-old, New York City-based global nonprofit inspired by the example of the late South African leader Nelson Mandela. It celebrates, as the “Diamonds Do Good” website declares, “the positive impact that diamonds have on communities around the world.”

LJRG’s members, drawn from 20 states, share a commitment to combining business acumen with community and philanthropic involvement. They are: Bachendorf ’s, Diamond Cellar, Fink’s Jewelers, Hamilton Jewelers, Hyde Park Jewelers, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, London Jewelers, Lux Bond & Green, Mann’s Jewelers, ReisNichols Jewelers, Tapper’s, TIVOL and Bruce G. Weber. Individual retailers are actively involved in providing assistance and raising awareness for a range of initiatives including health care, education, women’s empowerment, advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and many more.

DEF board member Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, accepted the honor on the group’s behalf. He said he believed the award would inspire other jewelers to continue to elevate their business practices to serve their clients and communities in an ethical and transparent manner.

In addition to LJRG’s award, gala attendees had fun bidding on outsized balloons to raise funds for the DEF’s efforts to provide higher-education scholarships and assistance to empower young people living in diamond-producing countries and to help communicate the “Diamonds Do Good” message to consumers. The crowd also heard from a DEF scholar from Botswana: recent Stanford University graduate Maratwa Chamme, who plans to use her education to help with planning initiatives in her home country. She explained that the scholarship she earned from DEF didn’t just pay college tuition, but was an investment in the human capital of Botswana. Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, president of the Republic of Botswana, along with his wife, Neo Jane Masisi, were in attendance to cheer on the scholar from their country with pride.

The tenor of the evening was best summed up by DEF president and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) vice president Anna Martin, who said the night’s award recipients reflect the ongoing positive impact being fostered by the diamond industry around the world.

SIMPLE. FRESH. DELICIOUS! CHEF BILLY GRANT

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FINISHING TOUCH

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HOLD THE PRESSES: BEFORE YOU CHOOSE ANOTHER WATCH, CHECK OUT THESE NEWSWORTHY NUMBERS

From top: Patek Philippe Ref. 6006G; Breitling Aviator 8 B01 Chronograph 43 and Rolex Datejust 41.

Casio Right.indd 1

8/27/19 10:59 AM

S:8.375”

T:9”

T:10.875” S:10.375”