Watches have long been an underrated wardrobe accessory. No
Transcription
Watches have long been an underrated wardrobe accessory. No
AN INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT timeless Watches have long been an underrated wardrobe accessory. No more. These days, running late has never looked so stylish, as old-school watch junkies and newbie buffs alike are barely raising a well-groomed eyebrow at forking over big bucks to jazz up their wrists. “People’s tastes have become more sophisticated. They like to show they have style and money. And since it’s not fashionable to hang a bank book around your neck, it’s a watch,” says Doug Youngson, manager of Humbertown Jewellers in Toronto. Indeed, jewellery stores are selling more high-end watches than ever. Sure there are the classics like Patek Philippe, Rolex and Cartier, but newer makes, like Franck Muller, have also garnered cachet in watch worshipping circles. And nowadays, owning one just isn’t enough. “Some of my customers have six or seven watches, and they all have a different look and feel. Depending on how they’re feeling that day, or what they’re wearing, they’ll change it up,” says Matt Baily, owner of Matt Baily Watch Merchant in Montreal. And let’s not pretend this is about telling time. No, this is about status, personality and yes, to a degree, showing off. The maitre d’ may not be able to see your Mercedes, but when he catches a glimpse of your Jaeger-LeCoultre, you might just get a better table. Model: Talei Epp. Photo: Todd Duncan, www.tdphotography.ca “It’s not at all about telling time. It’s about telling who you are. You can be elegant, sporty, even flamboyant,” says Bernard Florence, president of Calgary Jewellery. That means no one dares be caught with, gasp, an ugly watch. Even people who have spent their lives wearing $20 and $30 watches are hopping on board the high-end craze. Take Sarah Merchant of Vancouver. She just turned 30 and shelled out a couple thousand for a Baume & Mercier – a gift to her, from her, with all her love. “It was my 30th birthday and I decided to go all out and get something classic, something that’ll let me play with the big kids.” Men, too, are increasingly discovering the joys of accessorizing with a watch. While women have shoes, purses and sometimes >> AN INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT David Hopkinson, Vice President Corporate Sales & Service, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ebel 1911 BTR Chronograph. $6,125. even little dogs to show off their style, men have fewer options. “There’s really not a lot in the way of men’s jewellery. Some have a ring, a chain, and not even that so much anymore. So for most men, if they want to show their personality, a watch is often it,” says Youngson. Indeed, there are distinct watches for distinct personalities. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly wears a Patek Philippe valued at $60,000, the same as his yearly salary. American President George W. Bush reportedly flaunts a very modest wrist decoration, a Timex Indiglo. As far as fashion goes, the most popular style for both men and women is a big, even over-sized, watch face. And while diamonds may not be a man’s best friend, they can certainly help him look polished and professional, even elegant. “We’re seeing a whole new trend of both male and female watches that are comprised with diamonds or precious gems,” says Florence. Of course, such luxury also brings handsome price tags. At the higher end, for example, Patek Philippe watches start at about $12,000. Rolex provides an entry point between $4,000 and $6,000. Concord watches, which can run upwards of $100,000, begin at less than $1,500. Also on the more affordable side, most jewellers agree you can get a good high-end watch, such as an Omega or Baume & Mercier starting at $2,000, while a fashionable Movado, which can run more than $10,000, begins at about $500. “For many customers, these watches are piece of jewellery, a piece of art. They’re not just buying a watch, they’re buying a lifestyle,” says Baily. Three years ago, David Hopkinson lost his old watch in a “tragic, gym-related” accident. He figured it was a sign. Time to grow up and replace it with something sleek and stylish, something distinctive. He succeeded. Hopkinson describes his Ebel timepiece as more art than watch. With its large face and crystal detail, he gets compliments almost every day. “I would never pretend this watch is just about telling time.” This report was produced by RandallAnthony Communications Inc. (www.randallanthony.com) in conjunction with the advertising department of The Globe and Mail. timeless ©2006 movado group, inc. LA SWISS 888 SWISS MADE mia maestro, international actress. ono®. the iconic dot motif in stainless steel with diamonds. mother-of-pearl dial. swiss made. water resistant. movado, proudly celebrating 125 years of design innovation. movado.com AN INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT timeless A watch for all occasions. With quality and classic design also comes lasting value. “After 15 years, you can refinish a Rolex Datejust and make it look almost new.” Though true dress watches typically raise the stakes even higher, certain sporty watches are so stylish they even suit evening wear. For example, the classically styled, water-resistant, diamond clad Patek Philippe 24 (starting at $12,000) is built for today’s multitasking woman, whether she’s with the kids or hosting a fundraiser. “This design has been interpreted by nearly every brand,” says Norbert. And for the purist, there are extremely rare, handcrafted mechanical “complication” watches. Want one? Not so fast. Some are so coveted that manufacturers determines who qualifies to own one. “You could buy two Ferraris for the same money,” says Norbert. Richard Deacon, President, RJD III Media Inc. Louis Vuitton Speedy Automatic Chronograph. $5,900. For luxury watch enthusiasts, knowing the time of day is just as important as knowing their watch matches the moment. Rest assured, whether it’s for sports, daytime or evening wear, there is a luxury watch for all occasions. Norbert Brinkhaus of Brinkhaus Jewellers says luxury watches typically fall into four major categories: themed sport, sporty dress, dress, and “complication” models. In the unhurried environs of his Vancouver store, Norbert says matter-of-factly, “It all depends on how much money you are willing to spend.” Brinkhaus Jewellers makes choosing a little easier. Its Vancouver store focuses exclusively on Omega, IWC, Patek Pilippe and Rolex, while its Calgary location also includes watches by Cartier, Ebel, Baume & Mercier, Mont Blanc and Raymond Weil. Typically, sports watches such as a Rolex Daytona, Cartier Pasha or Omega Aqua Terra have functions such as a chronograph, barometric pressure or show Greenwich Mean Time. He describes sporty dress watches as “classic and versatile, elegant but understated,” noting that many sought after brands have a distinct look. “The Rolex Submariner’s green bezel; the Omega Sea Master Planet Ocean’s orange bezel; IWC’s Ingenieur and Ebel’s Brasilia…like a Mercedes’ grill, there’s no mistaking them.” Inspired by his granddad’s love of classic watches, Richard Deacon bought his first luxury watch two years ago, a gorgeous Omega Speedmaster with a black, round dial and stainless steel strap. “It’s the ultimate watch for time keeping,” he says. Now, the Vancouver entrepreneur is on the hunt for a Louis Vuitton Speedy Automatic Chronograph. “A watch to me is a statement, a signature or stamp of style, success or personality.” Clockwise from top left: Rolex Submariner’s unmistakable green bezel; a delicious Omega Chocolate Chronograph for her; IWC’s Portuguese ChronoAutomatic; a Cartier Pasha 32 mm with diamonds and an 18 KT white gold case; a Raymond Weil Shine Ladies Stainless Steel with diamonds; Movado's elegant Sapphire; a Patek Philippe Gondolo Gemma Quartz Movement with 72 diamonds. AN INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT The return to mechanical. Note: Such beauties require TLC. Some must be hand wound, while others self-wind when worn. Wear them well, and they will serve you faithfully. Patrick Taylor, Executive Producer, Toronto Downtown Jazz Movado Eliro Museum Dial. $1,595. If you want a dead-accurate timepiece, buy a quartz watch. But if you want something truly special, think mechanical. Today’s mechanicals incorporate hundreds of micro-sized components, forming a precision mechanism that keeps time and serves as a chronograph, perpetual calendar... you name it. Michel Cliff, a sales professional at the Bloor Street Birks Jewellers in Toronto, says, “Companies have returned to their pedigree. There are beautiful mechanical pieces with movements you couldn’t even find a few years ago.” He says storied brands such Baume & Mercier, whose mechanicals “have gone back to the DNA of the brand,” start at just over $2,000. Concord, Geneva’s second oldest brand, offers many including the gorgeous Rose Gold Delirium ($14,000). The new rectangular Rolex Prince ($16,000), based on its original 1928 design, features a revealing “exhibition” back. Le Centre Sheraton 1201 Rene Levesque Ouest Montreal, PQ (514) 878-9123 Mariner With any Concord Swiss watch purchased, Concord will perform - free of charge - all the recommended routine maintenance during the first three years you own the watch. Concord. You’ve earned it. It took a lot of hinting, but Patrick Taylor finally got the gift he wanted: a Movado watch. It’s the only piece of jewellery he owns. He says men don’t have a lot of accessory options, and the black dial and sapphire crystal detail is not only “the opposite of dainty,” but can be worn easily with a tux or jeans. “I have no intention of buying another watch for myself. But if I did, it would be another Movado.” AN INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT timeless Not so fast. If the notion of strapping a fine watch on your wrist has you scrambling for your wallet, take a breath. Where you buy can make a big difference to your long-term satisfaction. Paul Mara, president of the Canadian Jewellers Association and founder of Paul Mara Jewellers in Victoria, B.C., says the only way to get the full benefits of a watch’s warranty and product integrity, and avoid pitfalls such as counterfeits, is to buy from an authorized dealer. “If you buy it elsewhere, you could be getting something that is not what it appears to be,” says Mara, who cites watches with secondary parts or dubious backgrounds among the risks. “This applies to any luxury brand,” adds Mara, who sells Rolex exclusively. When it comes to choosing a dealer, he advises, “Don’t buy on price – buy based on a relationship. “You’re likely to have your watch for a very long time. You should feel very at ease where you buy it. And expect the service to back up your purchase – a retailer that will stand beside you to support you if there is ever an issue with the product.” Bold. Beautiful. Brilliant. Available at La swiss 1.888.swissmade For more information visit www.ebel.com Suzan Mandell, Sales Director, Outdoor Life Network and TSN Concord Veneto 18K Rose Gold. $12,290. Psst…wanna buy a watch? Suzan Mandell would probably wear short sleeves year round if she could. And she’s got reason. She owns a Concord watch. With a large, mother-of-pearl face encrusted with diamonds, it was love at first sight. She says it’s much more than a watch, it’s a distinctive piece of jewellery, one she says is worth every penny of its luxurious price tag. “Why drive a Mercedes? It’s about service, beauty, making a statement.”