Celebrity Life

The new HourUniverse aims to connect the entire watchmaking, jewellery and gems community by combining digital and physical events with increased accessibility.

For the watchmaking world, the coronavirus pandemic hit especially hard as it began in earnest during the early months of the year when the industry’s major trade fairs are traditionally held. The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) responded by rebranding into Watches and Wonders Geneva and relocating — for this year at least — into the digital sphere. Baselworld, on the other hand, was eventually postponed. The string of high-profile departures by major exhibitors certainly didn’t help.

At the end of September, however, came news of a new platform for the watchmaking, jewellery and gemstone industries to be held in Basel: HourUniverse.

[caption id="attachment_211037" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Artist's impression of HourUniverse. (Image: HourUniverse)[/caption]

Described as a “digital networking, business, information and content platform” that would be “active 365 days a year,” HourUniverse will launch in February 2021. From April 8 to April 21, 2021, there will also be a five-day live show, held in line with other watchmaking events in Geneva. At that time, industry professionals, retailers, media and visitors will once again convene at the city’s famous Hall 1.

HourUniverse’s 2021 event promises to include “open spaces, pop-up stores, pavilions, multiple experience zones, initiation workshops, themed exhibitions, collectors’ corners and sales area, a forum with a programme of conferences and debates streamed live available to brands and exhibitors, start-ups and suppliers of new technologies, to reflect on the major challenges and demands of the industry.” There is also greater emphasis on networking opportunities through themed breakfasts, aftershow parties and so forth.

[caption id="attachment_211038" align="alignnone" width="1024"] HourUniverse. (Image: HourUniverse)[/caption]

Another notable aspect of HourUniverse—both for its digital platform and life event—is that exhibitors are not limited to watch, jewellery and gem brands, but also those engaged in distribution, marketing, points of sale and other related elements. For example, CPO (certified pre-owned) platforms will have their place in the watch sector while manufacturers of synthetic stones can join the gems sector.

Finally, a lot of effort has gone into making HourUniverse much more accessible, most notably with a redesigned reception structure and a drastically-adjusted pricing policy. So, all in all, Basel appears to be set to join in 2021’s comeback of the watchmaking and jewellery industries. More details about the show here.

This story first appeared on Prestige Indonesia

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The shift in the way the world works has eliminated all stereotypes of supercar owners. The idea that an individual stepping out of a McLaren is always wearing a fine three-piece suit has been put to rest. Individuality drives the inspiration behind not only fashion but also the automotive lifestyle. Supercar manufacturers like McLaren have […]

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The Rolex Perpetual Music concerts are held in support of musicians weathering the pandemic.

Since August, Rolex has launched Perpetual Music, an initiative that supports musicians and singers amidst the COVID-19 period. The project keeps in tune with the company’s enduring commitment to champion those setting the highest standards in the world of music while helping this art form remain as an integral part of daily life.

Three Rolex “Perpetual Music” concerts were held at prestigious venues in Italy, Germany, and France. Three Rolex Testimonees – Juan Diego Flórez, Sonya Yoncheva and Rolando Villazón – have supported the initiative since its infancy. They perform the repertoire prepared accompanied by singers and musicians. These talents entertain in solo performances or various ensembles. Renowned French violinist Renaud Capuçon also lends his adroit ability, joining his peers in support of organising this special initiative.

[caption id="attachment_210991" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Juan Diego Flórez (Image: Rolex)[/caption]

The concerts embrace the participation of approximately 100 musicians whose work and lives have suffered adverse impacts of the pandemic. The initiative projects its reach to hundreds of thousands of people in over 180 countries through the free streaming platform, medici.tv.

[caption id="attachment_210992" align="alignnone" width="1024"] French violinist Renaud Capuçon (Image: Rolex)[/caption]

“During these difficult times, when musicians have suffered both the loss of audience and income, we aim to provide them the opportunity to perform with renowned artists at prestigious venues with the finest acoustics,” says Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex Director of Communication & Image.

“By broadcasting the concerts via medici.tv, a Rolex partner for over a decade, we can give worldwide visibility to the artists supported by the project. Significantly, this gift of time and exposure is in keeping with the company’s pursuit of excellence and its long-term commitment to foster the work of those who aim to reach the pinnacle of their profession.”

[caption id="attachment_210993" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Sonya Yoncheva (Image: Rolex)[/caption]

For nearly 50 years, Rolex has encouraged artistic development and exceptional performance globally. A part of the company’s legacy, the support of these concerts is a testament to Rolex’s all-encompassing support for music. Presently, Rolex is also assisting in funding artists at the Metropolitan Opera in New York whose work has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Visit medici.tv to enjoy the Rolex Perpetual Music Concerts 2020 until the end of October.

This story first appeared on Prestige Malaysia

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Welcome back to your best resource for exotic cars, luxury real estate, and watches. After an intense office poll, here are our choices for the best watches of the year. Tell us your favorite timepiece in the comments below. Ulysse Nardin Blast The first thing you’ll notice about this watch is the amount of transparency […]

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To true watch connoisseurs, Vacheron Constantin — the world’s longest continuously operating Swiss watch brand founded 265 years ago — is a ‘Holy Grail’ brand. Known for exceptional watchmaking prowess, and for building some of the world’s most complicated watches, Vacheron Constantin spreads its wings to reveal a new women’s watch collection, Égérie, that is... View Article

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To most people, Snoopy is viewed as an animated beagle that plays a key role in the comic strip Peanuts. Watch enthusiasts view the character in a different light, as a staple part of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Collection. Omega watches that have featured the comic style beagle in the past have gone on to […]

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Perrelet timepieces are designed and crafted using state of the art technology while maintaining prestigious roots planted in 1777. The Perrelet Turbine produced as a pilot inspired piece is paired with functions to take to the sky. The new Turbine Pilot collection features a 48mm stainless steel PVD case with electric blue, yellow, and red […]

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Alpina is a brand that has shown dedication to aviation through a series of limited-edition automatic watches. The Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage is a proven icon since its original release in 2015. Alpina announced the release of the updated version featuring a 44mm steel case with small hints from its predecessor, including the original font […]

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duPont REGISTRY 2020 Luxury Watch Guide By Roberta Naas With the unprecedented health and economic stresses put upon us this year by COVID-19, the concept of time has become monumental. Some of us have too much time on our hands and no place to go to spend that time. Others are busier than ever as […]

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As an Olympic track star, time is the most important aspect of the sport. A split second can be the deciding factor on whether a gold, silver, or bronze medal is received. Great Britain Olympian Sir Mo Farrah has always had time on his side, being the most winning Olympic athlete in the country’s history. […]

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Crafted with intriguing materials spanning meteorite, malachite and black jade, these best stone-dial watches make fabulous statement accessories.

Precious ornamental stone dials are true testaments of a maison’s savoir faire. Here are our favourites.

Hermès

Featuring a simultaneous display of moon phases in both northern and southern hemispheres, the Hermès Arceau L’Heure de La Lune is an invitation to enter another dimension through an offbeat expression of a classic horological complication. The whimsical 43mm model features two mobile counters, displaying the time and date, that turn weightlessly over a dial made from Black Sahara meteorite. A pair of mother-of-pearl moon discs are inlaid here as well.

At 12 o’clock is a Pegasus designed by “dreamer-designer” Dimitri Rybaltchenko to symbolise Hermès’ origins, while a view of the moon from the northern hemisphere lies at 6 o’clock. Doubling up as a lunar crater of sorts is the Arceau case in white gold with its asymmetrical lugs, a 1978 design by Henri d’Origny. Driving the 30-piece limited and numbered creation is the Manufacture Hermès H1837 mechanical self-winding movement.

Omega

For a touch of luxury, the iconic Seamaster 300 is adorned with the most captivating South African malachite. Revered and used widely in the decoration of temples, palaces and churches in ancient times, it boasts a rich array of verdant tones and distinctive band markings.

Cast in yellow gold, the 41mm case also features a green ceramic bezel with an Omega Ceragold diving scale. The hands are also rendered in yellow gold and filled with “vintage” Super-LumiNova. Presented on a matching green leather strap, the watch is driven by the Omega Master Chronometer Calibre 8913, certified at the industry’s highest standard by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).

Chaumet

The Les Pierres de Rêve de Chaumet (French for “stones of dreams”) collection is inspired by the ancient Chinese tradition of stone symbolism. It comprises 12 unique timepieces showcasing ornamental stone dials with motifs as singular as they are poetic. Once cut and polished, the precious minerals – including rhodonite, pietersite, and azurite, among others – reveal graphic representations of a fantastical nature, evoking landscapes of deserts, forests and lagoons.

A perfect specimen is this chrysocolla dial, which recalls an aerial view of the azure ocean with hidden treasures beneath. Equipped with an automatic winding Swiss mechanical movement, the elegant 38mm timekeeper is further enhanced by a rhodium-plated white gold bezel set with 76 briiliant-cut diamonds.

Dior

The ultra-feminine La D de Dior Satine timepiece showcases an exquisite stone dial of luminous tiger eye, which highlights the poetic universe of Dior Fine Jewellery. Hour markers are stripped away to show off the beautiful natural state of the precious stone in all its glory, while its magnificence is highlighted by an elegant diamond-set yellow gold bezel and crown. The steel bracelet in Milanese mesh on the 25mm quartz watch is so supple and shiny that it looks like the satin ribbon it was designed to resemble.

Jaquet Droz

The maison gives pride of place to one of its most emblematic skills – the masterful use of minerals – for the Grande Seconde Off-Centered Black Jade model. At the heart of the limited 88-piece edition is a dial made from black jade, an extremely hard stone that requires lengthy polishing to reveal tiny hidden silver inclusions. Almost imperceptible to the naked eye, they enrich the stone with a unique reflection that only knowledgeable collectors can distinguish from onyx. Deftly worked by hand as a mineral sheet just 1mm thick, it is paired with a case, two off-centre circles and fine hands in red gold. The intriguing 43mm timepiece is powered by the Jaquet Droz 2663A.P self-winding mechanical movement with a power reserve of 68 hours.

Piaget

The Secret Cenote Cuff Watch from Piaget’s latest nature-inspired high jewellery collection, Wings of Light, echoes the cool blues and greens of tropical foliage. Stealing the spotlight is the majestic black opal that adorns the dial and various parts of the timepiece. Found in Australia, the world’s finest black opal has been cherished as an ornamental stone by Piaget for over 50 years, since it made its first appearance in the maison’s iconic watch designs of the 1960s. While asymmetry was the aesthetic of the time, it is handled with skilled uniformity here. The white gold cuff watch is set with 151 baguette-cut sapphires weighing 25.67 carats, along with baguette- and brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 15.69 carats. The unique creation is equipped with a Piaget manufacture 56P quartz movement.

Chopard

The first ladies’ sports watch to combine steel with loose diamonds that dance across the dial freely, Chopard’s iconic Happy Sport watch has seen over 1,000 iterations since its 1993 launch. Adding to the extensive collection is this 30mm model with a dial of rare pearly nacre – a noble material with aurora-like motifs obtained from the heart of shells.

The stainless steel case and lugs, as well as the diamond- set rose gold bezel accentuate the luminosity and subtle colour nuances of the dial. The watch is equipped with the self-winding 09.01-C movement produced in Chopard’s manufacture and boasts a 42-hour power reserve.

Bulgari

Bringing the Roman jeweller’s touch to watchmaking, the Divas’ Dream watch with an intense blue lapis lazuli dial embodies the maison’s love of colour and use of unexpected materials. The 30mm timepiece, with a Bulgari-personalised quartz movement, showcases one of the most emblematic motifs of the house – the Diva fan shape. A total of 90 diamonds add sparkle around the rose gold bezel and lug edges, and are set as indices on the rare semi-precious stone dial. The matching brilliant blue alligator strap adds the perfect finishing touch.

(All images: Art direction by Aaron Lee; watch images by respective brands)

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