Both the Seamaster Diver and Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024 special edition models share certain similar characteristics. For one, they all feature the colours of the 2024 Olympics which are black, gold and white. Also, the case back on all the models is closed and frosted to showcase the 2024 Paris logo and Olympic rings.

But that is about as similar as both the Seamaster and the Speedmaster will get.

The Seamaster Diver is a 42mm stainless steel affair that contrasts rather nicely with its Moonshine Gold bezel (Moonshine Gold being the proprietory yellow gold alloy of Omega that it says is more resistant to fading and lustre) and blends beautifully with its white ceramic dial that includes polished waves in positive relief and the official Paris 2024 Paris typography in black.

The Speedmaster Chronoscope on the other hand is offered in either Moonshine Gold or in classic stainless steel casebacks. The first, a full Moonshine Gold model affixed to an equally full gold bracelet, features a white opaline dial with black subdials and a contrasting black ceramic bezel. A second version comes affixed to black calfskin leather.

Also in this mini-collection is a stunning stainless steel variant that is very much like its gold cousin, the only difference being its stainless steel case back and bracelet. There is also a calfskin leather version that’s perforated with a white rubber insert.

Both the Seamaster Diver and Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024 edition timepieces come in a rather beautiful white presentation box, complete with Paris 2024 detailing that matches the Omega Countdown Clock at Port de la Bourdonnais. Prices range from $9,800 to $51,400 for the Speedmaster Chronoscope, while the Seamaster Diver costs $8,900. All can be purchased at Omega’s Paris boutiques, so, if you would be at the Games, treating yourself to one is like getting a bonafide souvenir that would last you long after the Olympics has come to an end.

The post Omega is Counting Down to The Olympics with Some of The Most Exquisite Timepieces first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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How it started

Caroline’s Couture first debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 with an impressive collection of 50 pieces and was modelled by the likes of Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova and Natalia Vodianova.

If you’re wondering, why fashion? Ms Scheufele has a good answer for you.

Normally, she explains, clothes from high fashion brands like Elie Saab, Dolce & Gabbana, Zuhair Murad and others were used to showcase Chopard’s Red Carpet high jewellery line during the Cannes Festival of which the jewellery brand is a sponsor. “But these dresses are often already full of precious ornaments, where the jewels are drowned out. So I started to imagine models that were less rich in the upper part and with just the right necklines to better show off my adornments,” she says.

Teaming up with Maximiliano Modesti who has been developing embroidery workshops in India including the Kalhath Institute in Lucknow, North India, which is where all of Caroline’s Couture embroidery is crafted, and, working with Fridtjov Linde as Design Director, Caroline brought her dream to life.

And to instant acclaim. “The day after the first show, a queue began to form around the models that had remained on display in the showroom, where we were presenting our Red Carpet jewellery collection. We were totally overwhelmed! It didn’t take long for the first orders to come in.” A few months after, Saks opened a dedicated pop-up for the collection in Palm Beach, bringing “us a new clientele who didn’t even know about Chopard.”

Where Caroline’s Couture is now

It’s been a year since the premier Caroline’s Couture show and Ms Scheufele is back with a slightly larger collection of 77 pieces, including a few men’s silhouettes that are slated to make their runway appearance on May 21. She has also expanded her team of creatives to include milliner Philip Treacy who will create six hats and Parisian fashion house Cifonelli who is handling the menswear with five dinner jacket silhouettes embroidered with rhinestones.

And the pieces are not just about showcasing the Maison’s jewellery and accessories in the best light. They are also a reflection of the Swiss brand’s savoir-faire in the world of haute joaillerie. For example, a long strapless sheath in aqua green is entirely embroidered with flowers and tiny stones. And there is a black suit completely covered in black sequins in a hearts motif emblematic of Chopard jewellery.

Most of the fabrics are developed exclusively for Chopard by the Comes Gentili Mosconi silk manufacturer, while the tweed is supplied by the Reggiani wool manufacturer in Piedmont. The shoes, on the other hand, are courtesy of Casadei.

Caroline is confident that the success of her fashion collection last year isn’t just beginner’s luck, as this second edition will prove. And what’s behind her confidence? Well, the fact that it appears that she has done her homework and knows who her target audience is. In her own words, pivoting to haute couture, for Chopard, “ is good business … If we stay small, it can be profitable. There’s a market for it, especially in the Middle East and India.”

So, will Caroline’s Couture by Chopard succeed where most brands have failed? From all indications, it appears that it is on the right path, and maybe other luxury brands looking to pivot can borrow points from its playbook.

The post Caroline’s Couture V2.0: Chopard is Now a full-blown Fashion Brand first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Caroline’s Couture V2.0: Chopard is Now a full-blown Fashion Brand appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Which is why we have our gaze on the new Cartier Libre Polymorph collection. The creativity, savoir-faire, brilliant execution and surprising elements that run through every piece in this truly dazzling drop will not only delight but inspire even the most ardent non-Cartier fan.

Case in point, the Carabiner. Why would anyone want to turn the humble, hardworking shackle into a haute joaillerie piece? To which Cartier’s answer is, why not? And in this spirit, the Polymorph Carabiner is not just another shiny stoned piece in this collection: adorned in diamonds, lapis lazuli, black spinel, onyx, turquoise and chrysoprase beads with a sapphire cabochon, ruby-bordered, diamond-paved lock, the Carabiner doubles as a timepiece which no one who owns it is going to use unless in the most severe situation. And seeing as accessories are beginning to adorn other body parts not considered in their original design – only recently, Rihanna chose to convert the Jacob & Co. Brilliant Flying Tourbillon to a neck piece – who says that this jewellery piece will be confined to a belt loop?

Then there’s the Celestial Encounter ring which ensures that even if you never get to experience a solar eclipse because you cannot be bothered to get the necessary observation tools out when one is taking place, you can at least have a perpetual visual representation of this yearly occurrence. This white gold, onyx and diamond piece mimics the natural phenomenon with its movable discs that can be spread out across the fingers or folded inwards to resemble a cocktail ring.

And if you are forever in awe of the rising of the sun or its setting, then Cartier’s From Sunrise to Sunset bracelet may be the best gift for you. Like the Celestial Encounter Ring, the design of this bracelet is reminiscent of the colours and shape of the sun as it moves from sunrise to sunset. There’s pink chalcedony, orange moonstone, palmeira citrine, Madeira orange citrine, intense fire opal, spessartite garnet, pink and yellow sapphires, diamonds, and an orange rutilated quartz at the tip all sitting on gold just like rays beaming from the sun.

Of course, it would not be a nature-inspired collection without a special appearance from the panther, Cartier’s beloved ‘spirit animal.’ This time, it finds expression in a Claws Out brooch that doubles as a timepiece, you know, just in case you need to surreptitiously check the time.

Other notable pieces in the Cartier Libre Polymorph collection include yet another timepiece brooch — the French brand is either fascinated with the concept of time, or takes the passage of time very seriously; a bracelet inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi (first picture), and sunglasses featuring coral, onyx, diamonds, and emeralds that drop down to look like earrings behind its wearer’s ears.

In the world of high jewellery, Cartier stands out as a big-time player, but not so big that it cannot play, recreate, re-imagine and surprise, as it has done with its Libre Polymorph collection. As the saying goes, All work and no play…

The post The New Cartier Libre Polymorph Collection is Creative … and Very Cheeky first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The New Cartier Libre Polymorph Collection is Creative … and Very Cheeky appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Ask Google, and you’ll quickly realise that everyone has an opinion on what makes a bag a true luxury item and a great investment piece. In the end, it appears that a mix of design, function, scarcity, marketing and who thinks the bag is good enough to carry not just once, but repeatedly is what makes luxury handbags good investment pieces. Hermès makes a lot of fantastic bags, but it is the Birkin and the Kelly that are well-known. Chanel has released viral handbags over the years, but it is the Classic Flap that continues to catch and hold the attention of true fashion lovers over several generations.

No new fashion brand seems to have quite the appeal heritage luxury maisons enjoy in the world of handbags. Of course, a case can be made for the newer brands that they have only arrived and would need years to build a following over generations of fashion enthusiasts. But, with the kind of success the Row’s Margaux has had, not even this argument can hold much weight.

The Margaux: A Brief History

It is impossible to speak of the Margaux without discussing its parent company, The Row. Established by sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (if you’re a 90’s kid, you’d know who they are) in 2006, the logo-less, ‘quiet luxury’ brand has risen over the years to become the go-to luxury brand for celebrities and high-profile individuals seeking high-end, quality fashion pieces that look ordinary yet are anything but.

When the Margaux tote was released in 2018, it carried the brand’s timeless, top-notch quality DNA. Chunky in size but extremely sleek in quality, it quickly and quietly rose through the ranks to become the ‘it’ bag of the very rich.

Deconstructing the Margaux

There isn’t much to break down when you consider how minimalist the design of the Margaux is. It is a leather or suede handbag that features a rounded silhouette with a top handle and comes in four different sizes that are big enough to contain all your essentials including your laptop.

That’s it, No extra accessories featuring rare stones and very precious metals.

And yet, the Margaux continues to sell out at retailers and has been pictured on the arm or in the hands of the who’s who in society. Per Lyst, it was the hottest bag of 2023 Q4, although you wouldn’t guess this going through the brand’s page on Instagram.

Is the Margaux the new Birkin?

No.

This has nothing to do with whether or not one is bigger than the other or one commands a higher price on the resale market than the other. It is just as hard to walk into a retail store and pick up a Birkin as it is as hard to quickly grab a Margaux in-store. And both continue to remain hot on the resale market.

In reality, the Margaux is the Margaux and the Birkin is the Birkin and both are beloved for different reasons. And while the former may surpass the latter in value and status in the future, it takes nothing away from what the Birkin is and stands for. Which, in the end, is exactly what makes the Row’s Margaux handbag so unique.

The post The Row’s Margaux Tote May Be Just as Beloved as The Birkin, But… first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Row’s Margaux Tote May Be Just as Beloved as The Birkin, But… appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection

Like the Swatch x Omega ‘Moonswatch’, elements from the original Fifty Fathoms – the ‘first true diver’s watch’ – were incorporated into this Swatch collaboration. You’d be forgiven if you thought that any of the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms timepieces are the original Fifty Fathoms from afar.

Perhaps its most distinguishing feature is its colours. Arctic Ocean is a gradient beige-coloured dial with red and beige straps, while Antarctic Ocean has different shades of grey. The Indian Ocean, with its green and orange colourway, is every inch as colourful as the orange-and-black Pacific Ocean. Atlantic Ocean, on the other hand, comes in multi-cool blue shades that, like the Pacific and Indian models, feature a date indicator between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Other standout characteristics include nudibranchs unique to each ocean illustrated on the back case of the timepieces and of course, ‘Blancpain x Swatch’ clearly written on the dial just below 12 o’clock.

Swatch and the making of a new kind of timepiece collector

Every collection starts with a reason unique to the collector, but as they grow, all collections, whether they be art or timepieces, begin to have certain common underlying factors: the pieces they contain are timeless; they have and tell a story; they evoke emotion, and, are almost always made of/from quality materials.

It is these qualities that make Rolexes, Omegas, Patek Philippes, Audemars Piguets and Cartiers highly collectible pieces. However, any model from such brands is almost always out of the reach of average individuals because of their high price points.

Swatch has never aimed to compete on this level, not because it cannot make high-priced, complicated pieces, but because the very ethos of its existence is rooted in mass-produced pieces available to just about everyone. But, as this article points out, the Swiss king of quartz has still always somehow managed to make collectible pieces for a different kind of collector that has not always been highly regarded in the world of haute horology.

That is changing. The playful brand that is as Swiss as they come is redefining who a ‘serious timepiece collector’ is with its recent collaborations, first with Omega and now with Blancpain. It is undeniable the kind of disruption it has introduced into the world of horology in the last year. Who would have thought a plastic, quartz watch could ever be elevated to the ranks of mechanical, complicated timepieces? Perhaps there were believers, but it took Swatch to make it a reality.

It is interesting to see what the future of watch collecting would look like. When the Moonswatch was released back in 2022, it caused such long queues that some stores had to beef up their security just to maintain their sanity. People paid thousands of dollars in the early days just to get their hands on one. It is not certain that the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection would cause quite the same frenzy, seeing as Swatch may have learned lessons and resolved the issues that caused the Moonswatch to become unavailable as soon as it hit the stores. (Although Daily Mail and Bloomberg are already reporting long queues that have lasted for hours in Sydney and Tokyo respectively.)

However, one thing looks certain: future ‘serious’ timepiece collectors might no longer be classified as those with an impressive stash of manual watches. Pieces like the Moonswatch and the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection would definitely be considered collectable, although the fact that they are mass-produced may mean that they may never command the same prices or prestige as their manual counterparts.

The post Swatch is Building a New Kind of Timepiece Collector first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Swatch is Building a New Kind of Timepiece Collector appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Not only has it reported that counterfeits in circulation in the UK have surpassed one million, but its research has also revealed that theft of luxury watches is on the rise. As of last year, the pre-owned luxury watch brand recorded about 6,815 pieces missing, a 60% increase from the previous year.

This is not surprising. Although prices of luxury timepieces continue to fall from their pandemic highs, they are still more expensive than they were pre-pandemic, and resellers will still definitely command a higher price than current retail value should they choose to sell today. For example, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500 model is listed at around $29,000, nearly double its original price, on the luxury watch price tracker, WatchCharts. On the same site, a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 stainless steel model goes for $103,357 on average, a threefold increase from its retail listing of $34,890.

If you’re looking to add a luxury timepiece to your rotation, here are some useful tips to keep in mind in times like these

1. Avoid making purchases where counterfeit pieces are high in circulation.

Per Watchfinder & Co, the UK is currently one such place. But in reality, counterfeits of luxury items are on the rise everywhere as they continue to prove to be valuable assets in and out of times of economic uncertainties.

Which may make it better to

2. Avoid the secondary market.

Especially if you cannot confirm the authenticity of the reseller or access credible pre-owned luxury watch dealers.

However, getting new models of some luxury timepieces is nearly impossible, since some are limited editions restricted to loyal customers or have been discontinued. If the timepiece you’re looking to buy falls in these categories, then it is best to

3. Employ the services of a trustworthy personal shopper.

Personal shoppers are known to source for deals that are not available to the public, including hard-to-get items. Instead of relying on online/offline secondary markets that may or may not have authentic timepieces on display, a better option would be to leave the sourcing and authentication of your desired timepiece in the hands of an experienced personal shopper.

But remember, theft of luxury timepieces is on the rise, which means you may end up still losing out even if your Rolex is the real deal. To this end, you may want to

4. Get your luxury timepieces from ‘less popular’ luxury brands or indie houses.

Although the value of luxury timepieces has skyrocketed since the pandemic, not all luxury watch houses have enjoyed this hike in value. In fact, it appears as though this ‘windfall’ is restricted to only Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet.

Try timepieces from other luxury brands that are still valuable but without the ‘hype’ associated with the big three. However, if you already own one from any of these labels

5. Be careful of the places you wear your timepieces to.

Keeping them safe includes not taking them to areas that are known to be unsafe and environments whose security you are not sure of.

It is also a good idea to insure your timepieces, so that, in the event they ever get lost, you do not lose both the watch and the money used in getting it.

The post Here’s Why Owning a Luxury Timepiece Now is More Challenging than Ever first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Here’s Why Owning a Luxury Timepiece Now is More Challenging than Ever appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Certainly not, because the 20th century is well, a whole century ago. But, luxury fashion appears to be edging towards the brink of yet another set of novel trends, and the possibilities peaking out from its depths hold the promise of truly exciting times ahead.

Marrying luxury fashion with visual arts and culture: On The Wings of Hermès and Goddess Awakened

Public fashion shows may no longer be considered groundbreaking, but putting up an art show where fashion and performance fuse synergistically is certainly a novel and interesting concept.

On Friday, July 17, Hermès welcomed select guests to On The Wings of Hermès, a cinematic performance that ran from the 15th to the 23rd of July at The Barker Hangar in California. Performing on stage for the first time was a chorus of singing Kelly Bags, pairs of dancing interlacing gloves, scarves and lipsticks from the French house.

According to Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès Artistic Director, “[On The Wings of Hermès] metaphorically illustrates the lightness that is omnipresent at Hermès: in the delicate hands of our craftsmen sewing with two needles at once; in the elegance of materials, and in the subtle notes of a perfume. It is an experience which sparks the imagination, designed by artisans of dreams.”

For Nike however, incorporating art into fashion was less about illustrating the versatility of the products and the skills that bring them to life, and more about showcasing why the products exist in the first place – for the athletes and the people who embody the ethos of the American brand.

Goddess Awakened, Nike’s immersive show which took place at the end of the Haute Couture week in Paris, focused on amplifying sportswomen’s achievements with the help of over 30 Nike partners and athletes. Performers, dressed in existing and yet-to-be-released merch from the brand held the audience’s attention while also subtly drawing their gaze to the products themselves. Athletes Ibtihaj Mohammed and Scout Bassey also made an appearance, cementing the notion that Nike is committed to being a reliable partner in women’s success stories and not just a mere high-end sports apparel brand.

As Nike and Hermès have proven, it is no longer enough for luxury brands to dress up models for a short strut down the walkway. Creatively immersing the audience into how their products are beneficial in real life just might be the 21st century’s version of a fashion show.

Finding new uses for existing luxury items: the Rihanna timepiece necklace and Beyoncé’s Tiffany & Co mesh gown

It is perhaps a wonder that timepieces have managed to remain in existence, in spite of newer technologies that have rendered their primary functions obsolete. Watchmakers like Tag Heuer and Bulgari are elevating these wrist accessories to tech and jewellery pieces that do more than tell the time or calculate speed to keep up with modern needs, but even these might not be enough to keep them on wrists in a new millennium.

Jacob&Co thinks so too, but the American jewellery house, known for its very complicated, non-traditional designs, does not seem to think that this would mean they would be discarded, but more like they would be worn on other body parts. Which is why when Rihanna approached them with the novel concept of designing a timepiece for her neck, founder Jacob Arabo was quick to say yes and sit with the singer to choose an appropriate piece for the purpose.

In the end, they settled for an 18-karat-gold Flying Tourbillon, set with 339 baguette diamonds, on a custom alligator-embossed calfskin strap and powered by a hand-wound movement and 42-hour power reserve.

Perhaps, it was easier for Jacob&Co to transform a timepiece into a neckwear, seeing as they are a jewellery brand, but how does the latter transform into making high-end garments? Tiffany & Co offers a clue, with their custom-designed Elsa Peretti gown for Beyoncé’s ongoing tour.  The garment – which took 200 hours to make, and was created from 150 feet of mesh ribbon woven with 300,000 rings through the mesh, side panels and shoulders – stole the show just as much as her performance.

Luxury fashion is clearly changing, with different items taking on new forms. It is interesting to see what the next re-imagined trend would be: purses that double as time and wrist pieces? Or perhaps footwear that also work as navigators?

The post Luxury Fashion is Finding New and Exciting Expressions first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Luxury Fashion is Finding New and Exciting Expressions appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Designed by Damilola herself, the collection featured bold, vibrant prints and colours ubiquitous on the African continent. The clothes, which ranged from long, flowing gowns in tie and dye prints to casual brightly-coloured two-piece sets hit the runway alongside eclectic, afro-themed streetwear from Ethnic Attitude in a collaborative effort that proved that African fashion can be very much at home anywhere in the world as it is on the continent.

Guests at the event included fashion industry experts such as French fashion entrepreneur Eva Louves, fashion trends specialist Jessica Duarte, actress Aohod Al Nowais, TV presenter Lara Thabet, African media producer The Lady Mayowa, investor Abdulla Salem, and fashion stylist Bandar Algarmoushi.

Speaking at the event, OSalu Couture Founder, Damilola Salu, expressed her excitement saying, “I was thrilled to showcase my latest designs at the Network of Fashion Show alongside Ethnic Attitude. It was an incredible experience to see our unique vision come to life on the runway and to witness the audience’s positive reaction. I am pleased to showcase my work alongside other talented designers and to celebrate the beauty of diversity in fashion.”

Ethnic Attitude Founder, Oloyede Oyebanjo Ariyo, was just as ecstatic. “Our latest streetwear collection celebrates the richness and diversity of African culture in a trendy and modern look that any global citizen will love,” he stated. “We created a range that is both stylish and meaningful, with designs that reflect beauty and heritage. I am very pleased by the results of our collaboration with OSalu Couture. I believe we did the continent of Africa proud.”

Both the OSalu Couture and Ethnic Attitude brands started their design journey in the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria, and later established their global headquarters in Dubai, UAE. Since then, they have expanded their international reach and continue inspiring and empowering individuals to embrace their cultural identity.

The collections received high praise from fashion critics and enthusiasts present, with many applauding the brands’ unique and innovative approach to fashion, as well as their commitment to sustainability and ethical fashion practices especially in their use of locally sourced materials and the brand’s dedication to supporting local artisans and craftsmen.

To view their newest collections, visit their websites at osalucouture.com and ethnicattitude.com.

The post OSalu Couture and Ethnic Attitude bring African Fashion to Life on Dubai Catwalk first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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This year, the premium timepiece manufacturer has gone all out in its updates, even with those it labelled ‘subtle’. Now, if you have ever wanted a Rolex you can fall in love with immediately, no questions asked, here are some hard-to-resist 2023 models to have and to hold, possibly forever and ever.

The Cosmograph Daytona

60 is such a big year – maybe no bigger than 100 or as widely celebrated as 50, but significant all the same – that you would expect Rolex to pull out all the stops for the Cosmograph Daytona’s 60^th. But this is Rolex, and while its 2023 releases are proof that it can be just as fancy as some of the masters of over-the-top horology, it chose to go the route of simple elegance that underscores many of its models.

The 2023 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona looks like its predecessor until you look closer and see that the hour markers are smaller and there are metal disks surrounding each chrono register. What is unmissable however are the available colours in this latest drop: the yellow gold model with Oysterflex bracelets and the rose gold variant with a black dial are impressive. But the show stopper here is the special 950 platinum model with an ice-blue dial and chocolate bezel that features the first-ever transparent case back in this series.

The Perpetual 1908

Complicated timepieces and toolsy watches are fine and dandy, but sometimes, we just want pieces that tell the time. The brand-new Rolex 1908 does exactly that: this new dress watch model tells you precisely where you are in our 24hr timeframe with its added Superlative Chronometer feature.

The 1908 is named after Rolex’s start year as a timepiece manufacturer, and its black or white dials are paired with either yellow or white gold and finished off with black or brown alligator straps that make for a truly understated, yet refined and classy piece.

The GMT-Master II

Yellow is back in the GMT-Master II collection and makes an appearance as a full 18k yellow gold model or a new two-tone rolesor-fitted variant.

The combination of a less-black Cerachrom bezel with a blacker dial result in a very serious-looking, mature and highly-desirable GMT-Master II

The Oyster Perpetual

For the 2023 model of its Oyster Perpetual, Rolex switches from serious to playful by infusing the dial with what seems to be all of the colours from the 2020 version. The bubbles dominating the turquoise-blue dial come in candy pink, mustard yellow, coral red, and forest green shades.

The Day Date 36

If you ever thought ‘fun’ is an alien concept in the world of Rolex, the Crown brand is out to prove you wrong.

The Swiss watchmaker has definitely shown it has a thing for colours over the years, but to include a jigsaw design on the dial, replace the day of the week function on the window display at 12 o’clock with affirmative words like “Happy,” “Eternity,” “Gratitude,” “Peace,” “Faith,” “Love,” and “Hope,” and, swap the date feature at 3 o’clock with emojis like the heart?

Indeed, even Rolex must have surprised themselves with this new Day Date that appears to be nothing like the pieces we know. And, if this unexpected shift is too much for you, don’t worry: the Crown has a toned-down, bedazzled version with colourful stone dials in emerald, turquoise and orange.

The post This 2023, Rolex has crafted a Timepiece Specially for You first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post This 2023, Rolex has crafted a Timepiece Specially for You appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The primary source of colours in jewellery is gemstones, but unless you’re glueing them on top of each other or somehow stringing them along, there has to be some form of metal included in the piece. This is where metals like palladium, gold, silver, platinum, titanium and tungsten come in. Combining them with gemstones like diamonds, amethyst, tanzanite, emeralds and malachite to create fine jewellery pieces that do not look tacky is a highly skilled art, one that Bulgari has clearly perfected over the years.

Bulgari, like many other premium jewellery houses, started to really use colourful gemstones in the 1950s. However, it was a late entrant into this trend, considering the fact that Maisons like Cartier had already started experimenting with coloured high jewellery pieces in the 1920s which was when it debuted its signature ‘Tutti Frutti’ style. At around the time it started employing coloured stones in its designs, Bulgari perfected and launched its unique cabochon cut. This signature cut allowed it to render the gemstone fully smooth and curved, resembling one half of a ball or oval, a style that brings to mind the stately domes that mark Rome’s skyline.

The colours in Bulgari’s high jewellery collections come from gemstones such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires, and also from lesser-known but just as intriguing stones such as rubellites, chalcedony and Paraiba tourmalines. However, emerald appears to be the stone most associated with the brand, with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor making pieces constructed with this particular gemstone popular.

Bulgari’s magic with emeralds was even captured in a documentary. Titled Inside the Dream, the movie charts the entire journey of how the Magnifica Hypnotic Emerald necklace was created — from the beginning when it was a sketch to the end when actress Zendaya wore it to the premiere of Dune at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival. Part of the Magnifica high jewellery collection that was unveiled the same year, the necklace features a 93.83-carat emerald from Jaipur, India, in the house’s signature cabochon cut. It resembles a snake and is set with diamonds and emeralds, perhaps as a homage to the Serpenti line, with the star emerald nestled between the head and tail of the snake.

Bulgari also developed expertise in using turquoise inlays, a particularly impressive technique when used for the above Serpenti creation, as each piece of turquoise has to be consistent in colour and tone and cut precisely to fit each of the scales that make up the Serpenti body. The striking blue hue of the turquoise inlays makes for an effective counterpart to the sparkling white diamonds.

Then there are the tradition-defying Serpenti pieces that feature gemstones that were cut and polished into beads, instead of the tubogas coil from the very first Serpenti pieces, or the intricate scales from the later designs. One such design has more than 300 carats of rubellite beads, with each bead cut and polished till glossy and consistent in colour – further proof of Bulgari’s expert craftsmanship with gemstones. Another one features chalcedony beads, with the light pastel blue of the chalcedony matched with red tourmaline beads and amethyst beads.

Bulgari’s last high jewellery collection was Eden, the Garden of Wonders. Again, colourful gemstones made an appearance in skillfully-constructed jewellery pieces like the Mediterranean Reverie necklace with a 107.15-carat cushion-cut Sri Lankan sapphire at the centre; the Giardino dell’Eden Tourbillon cuff timepiece whose 6,500 gemstones includes  Paraiba tourmalines, emeralds, opals and rubies, and, the Emerald Venus necklace which gets its inspiration from the Capelvenere, a Mediterranean fern. Its diamond branches set with glossy emerald beads surround a 20-carat Colombian octagonal-cut emerald.

The jewellery Maison may yet drop another high jewellery collection this year and while there are no details on what it may be, here’s one thing that is almost certain: it will be just as colourful, intricate, beautiful and skillfully put together as its predecessors.

Source: Sotheby’s

The post Uncovering Bulgari’s Mastery of Colourful High Jewellery first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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