Sandra‘s Closet

Louis Vuitton is always good for beautiful Christmas gift inspirations. The French house’s holiday brochure is full of perfect surprises for the festive season. The bags are guaranteed winners, and the accessories are everything a LV fan could want. Dear Santa, below is my wish list…

LoL, Sandra

Tote MM Majestueux bordeaux, in Monogram, leather, lizard and ostrich

Lockit Monogram Transparent noir (Collection Cruise 2013)

Bag Charm Carrousel marron.

Suitcase 35 Christmas Baubles in Monogram (How amazing are Louis Vuitton ornaments for your tree?!)

Charm Car, white and yellow gold, diamonds

Vuitton City Guides 2013 suitcases in Monogram Macassar

Calypso MM in Damier Inifini onyx for MEN

Montre Tambour Voyagez II, rose gold

Sequined Shoes for MEN

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Fashion icon Daphne Guinness has now joined the exclusive circle of friends of Roger Dubuis. To mark this new collaboration, the internationally renowned photographer Nick Knight captured the Anglo-Irish aristocrat wearing the Velvet models that were launched this year at the SIHH 2012 in January.

In this exceptional photo shoot produced, the watches are highlighted perfectly on her wrist as she wears wonderful creations from her personal vintage wardrobe. I am really keen to give you an exclusive preview of Nick Knight’s series of pictures and the film presenting the making of the photo shooting made with Daphne Guinness.

Daphne Guinness is the friend and muse of the most famous photographers, designers and art directors. It is as if fate decreed that this muse with a creative temperament should meet Roger Dubuis and should personify the watchmaker’s feminine collections that exercise a fascinating and daring appeal… just like her.

“Daphne is a superbly mysterious woman – you can never unravel her secrets. She is an ideal photo subject and I love working with her”, Nick Knight said after the session. “Her amazing creative spirit is a real inspiration”.

Christian Louboutin with Daphne Guinness to the right and me to the left

I was pretty fascinated by her temperament, when I met her at a gala hosted by Roger Dubuis in Monte Carlo last fall. As you know, I am a big fan of Roger Dubuis and am wearing the Lady Excalibur watch with great pleasure.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger Dubuis, © Nick Knight and © Sandra Bauknecht

The 26th Biennale des Antiquaires runs from 14th September to the 23rd at the Grand Palais in Paris and alongside the world’s most exclusive antique and art dealers are ten of the most desirable jewelers including Boucheron, Chanel, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Harry Winston, Piaget, Van Cleef and Arpels, and for the first time ever Bulgari and from China Wallace Chan.

All of these houses create their most refined jewels for this event which is the most important show of its kind. One collection has already caught my eye: “Couture Précieuse” by Piaget with which the famous jeweler renews its homage to feminine beauty and celebrates its second participation in the Biennale des Antiquaires. Once again, Piaget affirms its style with strength and elegance, dressing women in watches and jewelry that are as spectacular as they are exceptional, epitomising the veritable secrets of seduction.

My dream piece: The laces inspired cuff watch in white gold and diamonds sculpts the wrist like a wasp waist. The Fine Jewelry laces, some set with brilliant-cut diamonds and other with baguette-cut diamonds, cross over and intertwine. An ode to elegance, the beauty of this piece reveals another treasure – a watch enabling its wearer to check the time discreetly on the inside of the wrist – another expression of Haute Couture refinement.

Couture Précieuse Exceptional cuff watch Radiant Laces Inspiration.

Discreet lecture of time inside the wrist. Crafted in 18K white gold.
Case and integrated clasp set with 26 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.8 ct). 
Bracelet set 288 baguette-cut diamonds (13.8 cts) and 85 brilliant-cut (approx. 9.2 cts). 
Silvered dial. Piaget 56P quartz movement. High Jewellery expertise. Ref. G0A38200 Couture

When a piece of Piaget jewelry or a watch is finally finished, it is the result of hundreds of hours of development and execution by Piaget’s master jewelers. Each piece can therefore be considered unique, because it is made by the hands of men whose unique masterpieces can never attain this level of perfection in an absolutely repeatable manner. See for yourself:

Assembling the gold link.

Diamonds-setting on the gold links.

Final details.

I am invited to the Biennale des Antiquaires, so stay tuned for some amazing photos in September!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Piaget, © Collection Grand Palais/François Tomasi

Beaches, waves, deckchairs and flip-flops… Not without humour and cheekiness, Chopard celebrate the pleasures of an endless summer with the latest model in their Happy Sport collection: the HAPPY BEACH CHRONO.

With its generous 42mm case in 18-carat rose gold, the Happy Beach Chrono will leave no one cold on the warm sandy beaches this summer. With its painted dial representing a strip of sand swept by the waves and its little moving flip-flops set with diamonds, it leaves no room for doubt: the Geneva-based watch and jewelry company is celebrating the theme of the beach, the summer and the pleasures they bring.

Presenting the chronograph and date functions in a window eccentrically placed at 4.30, the Happy Beach Chrono is powered by a quartz movement and is water-resistant up to 30 metres. Its rotating bezel in 18-carat rose gold is topped with blue gloss indicators, while its crown, also in 18-carat rose gold, is set with a blue sapphire. Finally, in a nod to the beach chairs of yesteryear, the Happy Beach Chrono’s water-resistant brushed canvas strap is white with blue stripes – just as it should be.

Happy Beach Chrono, a timepiece at the height of the fun you will be having this summer! Let the dancing flip-flops set with diamonds reflect the paradise we all dream of when the summer heat arrives. For price inquiries, please contact the Chopard boutique nearest to you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chopard

This year, Hanhart is launching a new addition to the house’s legendary chonographs: The Primus Desert Pilot, which sports a trendy outdoor look with a sand-blasted case and a sand-coloured dial and fabric strap.

Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2012, the Swiss-German watch brand is known for its precision-perfect and absolutely reliable instrument watches designed for use in the air, on the land and on the sea.

PRIMUS Desert Pilot

Movement: HAN3809 modified automatic chronograph movement (bicompax), based on the Valjoux 7750 calibre; 28,800 vibrations per hour, 4 Hz; 28 jewels; rotor with a skeletonised Hanhart logo; power reserve of min. 42 hours

Functions: Small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, date display at 6 o’clock

Case: Sand-blasted stainless steel; anodised aluminium red reset button; fluted bezel with inlaid red marking; convex, internally anti-reflective sapphire glass; screwed-down, internally anti-reflective sapphire glass case back; large screw in crown; flexible lugs; diameter 44 mm, height 15 mm; water-resistant to 10 bar/100 m

Dial: Sand-coloured; with black Super-LumiNova®-coated, luminous Arabic numeral, index marks and hands

Strap: Fabric strap; folding clasp with inlaid red marking (anodised aluminium) made from sand-blasted stainless steel

Inspired by the desire for freedom and adventure, the Primus Desert Pilot highlights the independence of the wearer. Available end of summer for CHF 5950 / € 4250.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hanhart

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen opened its first US Flagship Boutique in New York City this month – with 3,000-square-foot the largest of its kind worldwide.

“The opening of this Flagship Boutique in New York City marks a major milestone for IWC Schaffhausen,” says CEO Georges Kern. “It not only reflects the success of the brand, but also pays tribute to the home country of the company’s founder and to our American heritage. We are looking forward to welcoming our customers at this marvelous location at Madison Avenue and inviting them to experience IWC’s spirit and philosophy.”
In fact, IWC founder Florentine Ariosto Jones, an American entrepreneur who launched the brand in 1868, was born only a few miles away from the company’s new landmark.

Today, customers can explore the brand’s watch families – Aquatimer, Pilot’s Watches, Portofino, Ingenieur, Da Vinci, and Portuguese at this outstanding bi-level boutique.

I would like to invite you to check out IWC’s newly launched NYC Globetrotter Guide that offers lots of insider tips for the city that never sleeps. Just click on the highlighted text.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of IWC

Exclusive on Sandra’s Closet, your Baselworld 2012 preview: The Austrian company Swarovski will present their first collection entirely intended for men. After launching the first collection of men’s jewelry and accessories in 2010, it seems to be the next obvious step.

The new line which is called Piazza Grande will be officially presented in the end of the week. Here is your sneak preview. For a closer look, just click on the tiny pictures. Prices start at CHF 900.- and go up to CHF 1350.-.

I have to admit that it took me some time to get used to the Swarovski crystals on the dial which is quite an unusual look for a man. But this is obviously the emancipation of the stronger sex!

LoL, Sandra

A fresh colourful collection of ten watch designs from Swatch: the New Gent Lacquered collection combines super-sleek and lacquered surfaces with a fabulous selection of fashion-forward colours.

The deconstructed dials of each of these ten Swatch designs with the inner mechanisms left fully exposed is ensuring that any wrist wearing them remains at the centre of attention.
With the returning 80’s trend, a Swatch is a must!

In stores starting February 1st, 2012. Available for CHF 75 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swatch

SIHH is the perfect time of the year to plan a neat luxurious shopping list. And if you had plans to add a Cartier watch to your collection of accessories, then checkout those new eye candies.

Tank Anglaise (Photo: ©Cartier)

Following in the footsteps of the Tank Américaine and Tank Française, the Tank Anglaise was a logical progression for the house Cartier. Distinguished and sophisticated, its design integrates the bracelet and the crown into the case. The Tank Anglaise continues the 90-year heritage of the Cartier Tank line. The watches come in three different case sizes in rose, yellow or white gold with a selection of diamond-set versions available for each gold colour.

Tank Anglaise watch medium model, rose gold, diamonds

CARTIER’S NEW HIGH JEWELRY WATCHES

Secret Watch

Promenade d’une Panthère watch, Calibre 9603 MC

Collection Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier
Montre Décor Coccinelles – Ladybug Watch

Collection Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier
Montre Décor Abeilles – Bee Watch

Secret Watch Décor Phoenix

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Being an ambassadrice for Roger Dubuis, I was so excited to visit their booth and to explore the new VELVET collection that is inspired by the world of the Diva. With those stunning new watches, Roger Dubuis demonstrates its commitment to melding fine watchmaking with the world of haute joaillerie, a true highlight of the SIHH 2012.

At the Roger Dubuis booth: French actor Tomer Sisley with me

Please enjoy my favourite pieces of the VELVET collection by Roger Dubuis below.

LoL, Sandra

VELVET
Amethysts and Spinels

Case: 36mm, Titanium black DLC / Bezel set with 46 amethysts (0.74 cts approx.) / Lugs and decor set with 40 spinels (0.50 ct approx.)

Dial: Black / Brush centre / White ROGER DUBUIS transfer / Satin sunburst exterior / Black Roman numerals transfers / Purple filet / Black Roman numerals appliques at 6 and 12 o’clock

Water resistance: 3 BAR (30m)

Strap: Black satin – finish fabric

Clasp: Black DLC / steel adjustable folding buckle

Certifications: Poinçon de Genève – Certification COSC

RD821
Self – winding mechanical movement, 11•••’’’, 33 jewels, finely adjusted in five positions, rhodium – plated, “Côtes de Genève” decoration.

Specific features
Hours and minutes

Number of parts: 168

Height: 3.43 mm

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)

Power reserve: 48 hours

Production: 188 pieces

VELVET
Diamonds in white gold

Case: 36mm, white gold / Bezel and decor set with diamonds

Dial: Silver / Brush centre / Black ROGER DUBUIS transfer / Satin sunburst exterior / Black Roman numerals transfers / Grey transfer / White gold Roman numerals appliques at 6 and 12 o’clock

Water resistance: 3 BAR (30m)

Strap: Black satin – finish fabric

Clasp: White gold adjustable folding buckle set with diamonds

Diamonds: 100 (86 on the case and 14 on the clasp)

Carats: 1.77 cts approx. (1.66 cts on the case and 0.11 ct on the clasp)

Certifications: Poinçon de Genève – Certification COSC

Carats: 9 cts approx. (2.93 on the case, 1.03 cts on the dial and 5.03 cts on the strap)

RD821
Self – winding mechanical movement, 11•••’’’, 33 jewels, finely adjusted in five positions, rhodium – plated, “Côtes de Genève” decoration.

Specific features
Hours and minutes

Number of parts: 172

Height: 3.43 mm

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)

Power reserve: 48 hours

Production: No limitation

VELVET
Jewelry in pink gold

Case: 36mm, pink gold / Bezel and decor set with diamonds

Dial: Silver / Brush centre / Black ROGER DUBUIS transfer / Satin sunburst exterior / Black Roman numerals transfers / Pink gold filet / Pink gold Roman numerals appliques at 6 and 12 o’clock

Water resistance: 3 BAR (30m)

Strap: Pink gold set with diamonds

(196: 16.5 cts approx.)

Lenght: 150 mm

Diamonds: 262 (66 on the case, 196 on the strap)

Carats: 2.98 cts approx. (1.33 on the case, 1.65 on the strap)

Certifications: Poinçon de Genève – Certification COSC

RD821
Self – winding mechanical movement, 11•••’’’, 33 jewels, finely adjusted in five positions, rhodium – plated, “Côtes de Genève” decoration.

Specific features
Hours and minutes

Number of parts: 172

Height: 3.43 mm

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)

Power reserve: 48 hours

Production: No limitation

Photos: © Roger Dubuis. All rights reserved. © Sandra Bauknecht