The Style Group: Top10 Luxury Watches



		The Style Group selects the Chopard Ice Cube watch to top our list of Top Ten Luxury Watches for 2003. Chopard, originally a traditional watchmaking company was taken over by the Scheufele family and has became a top name in jewelry. Everyone knows about “Happy Diamonds,” the best-seller of the 20th century. Their latest watches, the “Ice Cube” collection, were so “hot” they’ve caused meltdowns around the world. A Fawaz Gruosi design, signed by Grisogono for Chopard, this Ice Cube watch is truly exceptional. Geometric clarity and transparency, purity of shape and brilliance of the diamonds sets this fascinating timepiece quite apart. The square set is covered with 64 diamonds, with 920 more (9-carats) diamonds on the bracelet. Simply elegant by day, sparkling and seductive by night, Ice Cube pays tribute to elegance, discretion and feminity.


		The Style Group’s Top Ten Luxury Watch list for 2003 includes the Cardenas at Number Two. Van Cleef & Arpels has long been in the watch design business and today’s gents’ and ladies’ watches with the clasp in the middle of the bracelet are true classics. Another collection depicts the storefront on the Place Vendôme. The very latest, which is causing quite a stir, is the “Cadenas” (padlock) watch, based on a ‘50s timepiece – truly a milestone in watchmaking.


		Third on The Style Group list of Top Ten Luxury Watch list for 2003 is the Lady M Watch with diamonds, sapphire and white gold. Heir to six generations of fine jewellers, Patrick Goulet-Mauboussin, who joined the house in 1975, brings together an authentic blend of talent, creativity and a resolutely French spirit. The “Lady M” bangle watch is a stunning watch.


		At Number Four on The Style Group Top Ten Watch list for 2003 is the Pink Pasha by superbrand Cartier. The 35–millimeter automatic Pasha was part of a men’s–only line, but once women caught a glimpse of this magical watch and demands were forthcoming, Cartier created one especially for them. Until the Tank Française was introduced in 1996, the men’s Pasha reigned as the company’s best-selling ladies’ model. A couple of years ago, Cartier simply gave in and introduced the “Pink Pasha,” a 32-millimeter version with a hot pink strap and a grid of pink diamonds on the dial.


		The Style Group selects the Cellini watch by Rolex to our list of Top Ten Luxury Watches for 2003. Cellini watches are the fruit of a delicate marriage where watchmaking tradition meets Rolex refinement. Firmly rooted in the grand Rolex watchmaking tradition, a Cellini watch is designed for years of use and enjoyment. Each timepiece is inspired by the supreme talent and outstanding craftsmanship of Benvenuto Cellini, who fascinated his contemporaries with his technical skills and refined taste.


		The Style Group selects this Vacheron Constantin masterpiece to its list of Top Ten Luxury Watches for 2003. In 1972, Geneva watchmaker Vacheron Constantin was stretching the limits of convention with an asymmetrical trapezoid watch that would be name for the year in which it was created. To celebrate the 1972’s 30th birthday, Vacheron has given the recently refreshed and relaunched model a new couture wardrobe courtesy of Paris’ house of Lesage, the famous embroidery atelier that has served haute couture fashion houses and theatrical costume designers since 1858. Sharing a common emphasis on handcrafted artistry, the two houses have created six innovative hand-embroidered and hand-beaded straps, each reflecting the aesthetic mood of the 1970s. Six 1972 Commemorative Edition models arebeing offered, including Art (shown), and each is limited to 10 pieces. The watches are available in rose gold ($20,500) or white gold ($22,000) pavé with more than a carat of top Wesselton diamonds. The collection is available in Vacheron Constantin boutiques throughout the world, but only by special order in the United States.


		The Style Group picks the Chaumet Khésis as our 7th selection on our list of Top Ten Luxury Watches for 2003. Decade after decade, century after century, Chaumet has continued in this fine tradition of creating the most exquisite jewels for the finest clientele.Chaumet selected the name Khésis for its first distinctly feminine watch created exclusively for women and unveiled to the world in 1995. Capturing the spirit of our time, Chaumet offers a striking steel version of the Khésis that is elegantly set with diamonds. The striking high-polished link bracelet with rice-grain effect offers a suppleness that feels wonderful against the skin. Chaumet further sets the pace with a choice of dials, including tone-on-tone gray, black or white with diamond hour-markers or Roman numerals. The Khésis collection is a romantic blend of sleek style and innovative spirit. Its case is decidedly contemporary and the curved case design offers incredible sensuality. Indeed, the extensiveness of the Khésis collection allows women to express themselves according to their lifestyles.


		The Style Group would be remiss if it left off one of our local heroes, American jeweller Harry Winston from our list of Top Ten Luxury Watches for 2003. So here it is. The Harry Winston Galeatea. Besides classic collections of jewellery watches that shine so brightly that you nearly need shades to read the time, Winston has enlisted a master watchmaker from Geneva to design some great new watches for men. Harry Winston is one of just a few companies that make très chic platinum diving watches–très pricey, too.


		The Style Group selects the Boucheron Diamant to its list of Top Ten Luxury Watches for 2003. This exquisite watch features diamonds on white gold in a modern square design. For 144 years, the name Boucheron has been intimately linked to the world of haute joaillerie and fame. High technology also enters the Boucheron scene in the form of a new large-sized Automatic Diamant watch. Renowned for its original style, the Diamant is immediately recognizable due to its diamond-point, hand-decorated bezel. The tiny pyramid design etched on the case and bezel of this watch sometimes is carried through onto the dial and the bracelet. An absolutely stunning timepiece.


		What list would be complete without a Bvlgari. And so it is with The Style Group’s list of Top Ten Watches for 2003. The successful Bvlgari innovations such as the easy-to-wear everyday jewels made with precious gems, the powerful modular units combined in repeating patterns, and the bold trademark Bvlgari logo emblazoned on top of the watch make the B.zero1 comes in beautiful pastel colors a must-have. Chunky, bold, colorful. Perfect for the summertime!