Luxury News from Luxist - Fine Living, Dining, Apparel, Travel, Estates, Shopping

Chopard Happy Sport La Vie En Rose Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — May 12th 2011 12:07PM

Chopard expands on its Happy Diamond Sport collection with a summer offering called the Happy Sport La Vie En Rose. The famous Edith Piaf song lends itself to these timepieces that have silhouette style roses on the dials - with or without diamonds. Perhaps this is also an unofficial watch from Chopard to its fans in France.

The 36mm wide watches are in steel or 18k rose gold (or steel with an 18k rose gold bezel). The loveliest models have rose colored sapphires set in the bezel - as well as diamonds mixed into the decor on the dial. Like all Happy Diamond watches, a few floating diamonds are sandwiched between two sapphire crystals and move around freely over the dial. The collection has a few dial styles and straps to choose from, presumably all in tones that will match rose colors. The entire Happy Sport La Vie En Rose collection will be limited to about 525 pieces total. Inside the watches are Swiss quartz movements. Look for them soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Aperion Signature SLIMstage30 Speaker Bar Review

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — May 12th 2011 9:31AM

Not being an audiophile, it takes a lot to impress me when reviewing a speaker system. I didn't think much of reviewing Aperion's new sound bar style speaker as it seemed like a pretty straight forward device. The idea of a sound bar (soundbar) style speaker is to offer an external speaker when using many of today's flat panel television sets because the native speakers they have usually aren't very good or get very loud. Rather than getting a more complicated and space intensive speaker set, a sound bar offers a total package in a thin speaker strip. At least that is the idea. Usually these compact devices have serious drawbacks in the interest of being small. What I found however is that Aperion loaded the Signature collection SLIMstage30 with a ton of features and options to make it one of the best and most comprehensive speaker systems I have ever used - all in a one-piece device.

Lanvin Minaudiere Metal Oval Clutch, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — May 11th 2011 5:03PM

Easter may be over for this year but this little golden egg is a seasonless one that you can carry all year long. What really makes this Minaudiere Metal Oval Clutch by Lanvin so special is its decorative (and detachable) multistranded golden chain shoulder strap -- when you wear the bag cross-body style it acts as an extra embellishment, almost like a large statement necklace of sorts. The bag itself is a gold metal covered oval miniaudiere with a push lock clasp closure and a fully lined black satin interior. $2,825

Jaeger-LeCoultre Launches Online Service To Personalize Reverso Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — May 11th 2011 12:02PM

A few years ago this would have never been something a high-end conservative watch brand like Jaeger-LeCoultre would have dreamed of doing. Traditionally, services like watch customization and personalization were to be done in a chic boutique with an authorized dealer over a glass of champagne and cookies. Now that model has changed and brands realize that people want to shop at home online.

The iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso has a case that flips around to reveal a solid caseback - offering a perfect palette for personalization. The new Reverso customization website allows customers to pick a watch and create any number of custom engravings and art on the back of a Reverso watch. This includes a large number of pre-selected options, as well as truly customizable engravings and enamel work. Options include having initials, a special message, coat of arms, imagery, or anything else that fits on the space. You can even have precious stones set in the back of the watch case.

The website uses a Flash based application for navigation and is rather straight forward. Really a fun thing to play around with and choose your ideal personalized Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews website aBlogtoRead.com.

Swash Zebra Scarf Silk Crepe de Chine Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — May 10th 2011 5:02PM

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/160427#

The pattern is one of those "so ugly it's cool" designs and the zebra part of this Swash Zebra Scarf Silk Crepe de Chine Bags isn't obvious at first but it's there if you really look. The relaxed shape is uber comfortable in off-white silk crepe de chine with a single, extra wide black leather shoulder strap. Other features include designer stamped tag, an open top, and an interior lined in brown cotton (it's wrinkled a little like a brown paper bag). Proof that statement bags don't have to be just for evening. $505

Certina DS Action Diver Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — May 10th 2011 12:01PM

The best new Certina watches for 2011 were the "Action Divers." The name of the collection sounds as youthful as Certina wants the watches to be. Certina once made very impressive diving watches and are seemingly trying to return that image a bit. While intended to be for the mainstream buyer, these DS Action Divers are a nice watch and a good value that are also diving capable. They come in a few styles and colors, and on metal bracelets or straps. Size is just right at 43mm wide for most people. The dial is an amalgamated look from a range of successful high-end divers from brands such as Rolex and Omega. Certina sort of melded a few together to come up with this attractive look. The same concept applied to the steel case and bezel - not wholly original, but satisfying.

I love the clean integration of the date. None of the hour indicators needed to be removed, and the date disc is black to match the dial being placed between hour indicators. The watch case has a sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 200 meters. Inside the watch is a Swiss ETA 2824 automatic movement. Overall a great daily wear at a price that feels comfortable in the $800 - $1000 range.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Longines, Official Timekeeper Of Kentucky Derby, Gifts Watches To Race Winners

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — May 9th 2011 9:00PM

Longines, now the official timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby and its home track Churchill Downs, recently was able to award the winners of the 2011 Kentucky Derby with a Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph watch. Longines recorded a winning time of 2.04 minutes as the running time for "Animal Kingdom" the winning horse. The Swiss brand rewarded the horse owner Barry Irwin, jockey Johnny Velazquez, and trainer Graham Motion each with the classically inspired timepiece. The link above will take you to a previous article that discusses the piece further along with Longines' involvement with them famous horse race. Participation with the well-known high-society event is important to the historic brand that is fighting for a larger share of the US high-end watch market. It is also part of an overall trend of watch brands taking more of a key role in popular US cultural events.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Longines Kentucky Derby 2011

Yves Saint Laurent Lucky Chyc Color-Block Tote, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — May 9th 2011 5:02PM

Saying "orange, pink, and mustard" doesn't sound very appealing but looking at orange, pink, and mustard on this Lucky Chyc Color-Block Tote by Yves Saint Laurent is another story altogether. Throw in some taupe, dark brown, and off-white and you've got an earthy but very modern take on color blocking. Details include visible black quilt stitch trim, very thin rolled leather double top handles, a "Y" compartment on the front exterior, protective feet, and a taupe twill lining with brown leather interior pouch pockets. In true tote style there's no top closure and no shoulder strap. $1,350

Breitling Navitimer Super Constellation Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — May 9th 2011 12:07PM

Breitling is in to new and old aviation experiences. Going along with their current retro-kick, this new limited edition watch celebrates their restoration of a truly remarkable plane - the Super Constellation. There are only three remaining Lockheed Super Constellation planes around. Originally from the 1950s, the iconic looking dolphin style fuselage along with "triple tail" was designed for long-haul flights over the Atlantic ocean. It reminds of us a more romantic era when flight was for the few and jets were for the military.

The watch is based on the Navitimer with special branding, red and blue trim coloring, as well as a specially engraved caseback. The watch is truly about the plane itself, having an assortment of technical details about the plane on the case back. Limited to 1,049 pieces, the Breitling Navitimer Super Constellation is 42mm wide in polished steel and includes a Breitling Caliber 23 automatic chronograph COSC Chronometer certified movement. It sould be available soon and comes on a range of strap and bracelet options. Really one of the nicer looking limited edition retro style watches from Breitling that we have seen in the last year.

Ariel Adams publishes the wrist watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Breitling Navitimer Super Constellation watch

Carla Mancini Flap Over Woven Print Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — May 8th 2011 5:03PM

The woven look makes me think basket, and baskets make me think summer, green meadows, and picnics, so it's no wonder I like this Medium Flap Over Woven Print Bag from Carla Mancini. It's very golden and rich, featuring a slightly slouchy shape to keep all that crazy texture looking relaxed and easy breezy for the season. Features include a single braided leather top handle, detachable shoulder strap, zippered front exterior pocket, and a roomy, fully lined interior. A deeper, more interesting way to accessorize your neutrals this summer. $490

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