Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix - Time for jewellery
The Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix Jewellery category comprises 16 watches, which are intended for women, the sole exception being the Diamond Resilience by Speake-Marin - of which the understated charm in comparison with the other competitors, along with the 42 mm diameter, make it entirely suitable for a man's wrist.
When the priority is firmly placed on the jewellery nature of a model, with an abundance of precious materials and stones, as well as gem-setting expertise, watchmaking is naturally relegated to a background role. Only four of the 16 watches in the Jewellery category house a mechanical movement (Hermes, Speake-Marin, Omega and Champs-Elysees) and all except two (Omega and Speake-Marin) display only the hours and minutes. So for now let's forget about horological techniques and complications, and allow ourselves to be borne on the wings of a jewellery dream.
Vivid colours
While diamonds are the undisputed stars on the jewellery watch scene, some of the creations in this category are graced with resplendent colours. Such is very much the case with the models in de Grisogono's Grappoli collection, of which the sparkling precious stones - orange or blue sapphires, emeralds and amethysts - are briolette-cut around the white gold case and undulate with each flick of the wrist. The dial and bezel are adorned with the same stones, but arranged in a snow setting, while the pearl-like beads of the galuchat strap lend an additional precious touch to the watch.
The Hortensia secret watch by Chaumet unfurls the tender colours of a splendid bouquet of flowers sculpted in gold, opal and tourmaline, daintily concealing the natural white mother-of-pearl dial. A large pear-shaped pink tourmaline prolongs this delightful garden on the 6 o'clock lug of the pink satin strap.
The black and white dial of the Arceau Temari model by Hermes - echoing the ancestral Japanese folk art "balls" known as temari - is created by a traditional gem-set pattern of diamonds and onyx marquetry, while the white gold case is graced with a snow setting of 700 diamonds that renders each piece truly unique. The watch houses the Manufacture Hermes H1912 movement, of which the mainplate is graced with circular-grained and snailed finishes, while the bridges and the oscillating weight are satin-brushed and engraved with the H for Hermes.
A flurry of diamonds
The models presented by Boucheron, Chanel, DeLaneau and Louis Vuitton focus entirely on diamonds, at the expense of any other precious stones, while showcasing resolutely different designs and case shapes. The rectangular case typical of Boucheron, along with the bezel, dial and bracelet of the Reflet Pompon watch, are entirely set with round and baguette-cut diamonds. The couture-inspired detachable pompon (tassle) that may be worn as a pendant undulates like a supple fabric - in this instance replaced by a diamond pave setting.
At Chanel, Mademoiselle Gabrielle's famous lion is back with a roar, taking pride of place on the spectacular Lion Mosaïque watch in white gold and diamonds. The bracelet of this model takes the form of an imposing lion's head in three-quarter profile that looms larger than the watch case itself. This creation is inspired by Byzantine mosaics, echoed in the geometrically-cut shapes of the variously sized diamonds.
Each model in the Grace collection by DeLaneau is unique and the one competing in this year's Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix is the Grace Pear Diamonds watch with its 48.48 carats of diamonds. The broad wraparound bracelet is composed of 352 cascading pear-shaped diamonds, rose-cut according to an ancestral technique. Emerging from the middle is a round white gold case topped by a bezel and framing a dial set with a total of 268 gems.
The Dentelle de Monogram watch by Louis Vuitton exudes an extremely pure design with its dainty 30 mm white gold case and its riviere-style bracelet set with round diamonds. The shimmering mother-of-pearl dial picks up the Dentelle (lacework) motif of the eponymous jewellery collection and clothes it in diamonds.
Faced with such a dazzling array of charms, the watchmaking experts of the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix will be able to rely on gemmologist and jeweller Claude Sfeir to help them decide between these stunning competitors.
Omega - Michael Phelps visits the Boutique in Shanghai
Michael had the opportunity to visit the Omega Boutique at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel. Being one of the greatest swimmers in history, Michael got the chance to talk to some young Chinese swimming fans, who were all enthusiastic about meeting him.
As to what time means to him, Michael said, "Time is of paramount importance to me. In swimming, a hundredth of a second can determine the result. That's why precise timing is critical to competitive swimming. Omega is visible everywhere I compete. It's just like having a family around when I'm travelling."
He added, "Omega has offered unwavering support for a long time. I really think that being part of a company like this is extremely special. It's been amazing to have been an ambassador for so many years. I'm looking forward to sharing time with them this summer at the World Championships in Shanghai, and of course I'm looking ahead to the London 2012 Olympic Games."
Omega is a company of the Swatch Group, the largest manufacturer and distributor of watches and jewellery in the world At the boutique, Michael also assumed a different role. In addition to autographing watch boxes containing the newly upgraded Seamaster Planet Ocean collection, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist, donned a white lab coat and a watchmaker's loupe. He was then joined by the children who were also outfitted in Omega lab coats and worked with them as they used precision horological hand tools to disassemble a watch movement. The next challenge was to put the Omega movement back together and Michael and the children applauded each other enthusiastically when they successfully completed this daunting task.
The Swatch Art Peace Hotel where the Omega Boutique is located is directly on Shanghai's iconic Bund, is a historic landmark in Shanghai. It has been painstakingly renovated and now offers the same magnificent splendor that has defined it since it first opened its doors as the Palace Hotel in 1908.
The FINA World Championships are taking place from July 16th to 31st at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. Omega wishes Michael Phelps every success in his upcoming competitions.
Omega - Sixth Boutique in Switzerland
Like the other OMEGA Boutiques, the new location features the brand's four main watch families, Speedmaster, Seamaster, Constellation and De Ville. In addition to the timepieces on which OMEGA has built its reputation since 1848, the Boutique at the airport in Geneva features OMEGA's Fine Jewellery and Fine Leather Collections as well as the new Aqua Terra Eau de Toilette pour Homme, OMEGA's first fragrance.
OMEGA will be adjacent to the Hour Passion Boutique established by its Swatch Group partner Tech-Airport, a leader in airport distribution for watches and jewellery. The Boutiques are in the Airport's Departure Transit Zone.
The OMEGA Boutique at the Geneva International Airport has a retail space of 35 square metres.
OMEGA also has boutiques in Geneva's city centre as well as in Zurich, Lucerne, Berne, and Interlaken.