At the Breitling Summit in London

Monday morning, I took the early flight to London to attend the first Breitling Summit, where the brand’s new Premier collection and additional distinguished products in all of their four universes, Air, Land, Sea, and Professional were introduced. The day started already beautiful with a breathtaking landing over the city in full sunshine.

A brand with a rich heritage

Breitling was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling with the mission to create toolwatches with optimum functionality. Based in the Swiss Jura, he specialized in chronographs and precision timers. Until today, the watch company has been famous for its pilot-themed chronographs.
In 2017, Breitling, one of the last family-owned watch brands of note, was sold to one of the biggest private equity firm in Europe, CVC Capital Partners. I was curious how the watch company had evolved during the past 12 months after Georges Kern took over the helmet as CEO and also as an investor.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern

The day started with a presentation about Breitling’s journey over the past year and its vision for the future by Kern himself. For me, he is a marketing genius. In this short amount of time, he managed that Breitling is on everyone’s lips and he is proud of this achievement himself. His mission and energy to create a #legendaryfuture seems well on its way. With him in charge, the brand has a great chance to live up to its own spirit and to be flying high again.

Let’s take for example the #squadonamission campaign that is throughly thought through, celebrating the collective spirit of squads united in pursuit of their mission and featuring leading figures from the worlds of aviation, exploration, cinema, and sport. It was a pleasure listening to iconic photographer Peter Lindbergh who appeared on screen to tell us how much fun he had shooting Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt and Adam Driver for Breitling’s Cinema Squad campaign.

Kern said that «this clearly differentiates Breitling from the rest of the industry as Breitling is communicating with teams instead of individuals.» In a round table discussion he also wheeled out his top team.

My favorite: the new B01 Chronograph in Bentley Racing Green

His first steps to turn the brand around was to simplify the product range to four categories of Land, Air, Sea and Professionals and to speak to a broader customer base. On Monday, Breitling also announced new watches in each segment. One presented during the summit will be launched in partnership with Bentley, a collaboration that has been running since 2003, and that will be renewed in 2018 with the new B01 Chronograph in Bentley Racing Green – my favorite watch seen this Monday in London.

Combining purpose with style, the new Premier collections are worthy of Breitling’s legacy.

It is part of the probably most important launch, the elegant and stylish Breitling Premier collection that will be available from the end of October 2018. A reintroduced name that has a special significance for the brand as it was in the 1940s, when Breitling introduced its first collection of truly elegant watches, which were defined by their fash­ionable flair. Willy Breitling wanted to attract a new customer base and Kern wants to achieve the same with these new watches. Kern is clear about the role the Premier watches play in the brand’s product portfolio: «This is the first modern Breitling collection dedicated to everyday elegance. With outstanding quality and performance, these watches bear our unmistakable brand DNA, but they have been created with a focus on style that beautifully complements their purpose.»

Breitling’s new Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown

Going with the zeitgeist and focusing on the sustainability aspect, Breitling’s new Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown celebrates the brand’s partnership with Outerknown, a sustainable clothing company committed to improving environmental conditions for the entire planet. The watch features a first for Breitling: the strap is crafted from ECONYL® yarn, an innovative materi­al created from nylon waste, one source of which is fishing nets from oceans around the world.

Preview at the summit: Navitimer 8 inspired by Curtiss will be launched in 2019

Another very cool model that will hit the shelves in 2019 is for Breitlings’ aviation watch enthusiasts and «flying tigers»: the Navitimer 8 camouflage green dial will be produced in conjunction with Curtiss, an aircraft company best known for its WWII P-40 Warhawk fighter jet that is painted with a shark’s mouth under its nose.

Breitling Boutique in Zurich

During the round table Kern explained a little more about his sales strategy. He will increase their own retail and decrease wholesale. He closed most of the stores in South America and opened new ones in Asia and the US. In Paris, Breitling will open a flagship store in the next weeks featuring the new very masculine look, imagine a loft apartment with a pool table and a living room area with leather sofas, brick and concrete walls. «We call it modern retro,» Mr Kern said. Through their interior design, all stores offer an outstanding buying experience. Something that is key for Kern.

His biggest advantage in his new challenge? The independency of Breitling which gives him the capability to act faster than in a conglomerate. Kern is involved in every little step, even the design process of the watches.

Trying the new Premier Chronograph 42 with blue dial and brown alligator leather strap

An outlook for the upcoming year: Ladies, great news is that 2019 will mark the launch of a designated women’s watch collection. Stay tuned!

To a legendary future… I am wishing the whole Breitling team good luck for this thrilling journey!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Breitling
Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for Breitling
@Breitling #breitling #squadonamission #legendaryfuture #premierstyle

L’Officiel Voyage Switzerland Launch Party

L'Officiel Voyage Launch Party in Zuirch-Sandra Bauknecht

Last month, another baby was born: we celebrated the launch of L’OFFICIEL VOYAGE SWITZERLAND at the home of R Selection, the luxurious travel agency in Zurich.

The first issue of our new travel dedicated supplement which is published in German and French is still on newsstands nationwide, along with the October issue gracing Charlize Theron. Some of you might remember when I flew to Paris to interview the blonde actress. If you are interested, you have to hurry. There is not so much time left until our next L’OFFICIEL SWITZERLAND issue will arrive.

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By the way, if you subscribe to L’OFFICIEL SWITZERLAND, you will get it a day earlier than the newsstands! The travel supplement will come for free with it twice a year.

Enjoy some of the impressions of our launch party below. I have to say that I am a very proud editor in chief and I truly love my job!

LoL, Sandra

Manuela WEber-Sandra Bauknecht

Manuela Weber (Cinnamon Circle) with me

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L'officiel-Roman Sägesser-Sandra Bauknecht-Stefan Hottinger-Behmer

Framed by Roman Sägesser (R Selection) to the left and Stefan Hottinger-Behmer (L’Officiel Switzerland) to the right.

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Patricia Schmid _ Werne Dirks-Sandra Bauknecht

Supermodel Patricia Schmid who graced our launch issue came from Paris for the party, here she is with Werner Dirks (La Prairie Switzerland) and my humble self.

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L'Officiel Voyage Launch Party

Two reasons to celebrate: the lovely Park Hyatt Zurich team, Malte Budde and Laura Amanzi, toast to the launch of L’Officiel Voyage and their own 10 year anniversary.

Photos: Courtesy of L’Officiel Switzerland and © Sandra Bauknecht

J’Adore Dior – A Night with Charlize Theron

A night with Cahrlize Theron

This week, I was invited by Dior to Paris for an exclusive evening with Charlize Theron to celebrate the new communication of J’Adore, the house’s bestselling fragrance since 1999. The bouquet of flowers is already an icon and we all remember the amazing campaign in which the blonde actress mingled with Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Marlene Dietrich around 10 years ago. Now, in 2014, the story is picked up where it last left off, in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles with a breathtaking Charlize Theron who celebrates the future. And the future is golda new inspiration, an open mind. Everything is hopeful and possible.

I saw the commercial this week in a private screening. It is still highly confidential and I will be happy to reveal it to you in September. In the meantime, enjoy the photos of the wonderful night in Paris at Monsieur Bleu restaurant.

LoL, Sandra

Sandra Bauknecht - Dior 100

Dior Event 2

Charlize Theron at Dior Event

Charles Theron-Raf Simm

Sandra Bauknecht - Raf Simons2With Raf Simons, Creative Director of Dior, one of my favorite designers.

Martinez-Theron-Simons_toledano-DiorClaude Martinez, CEO Dior Parfumes, Charlize Theron, Raf Simons, Katia and Sydney Toledano, CEO Dior

Sandra Bauknecht - Sonya Burch-BaumannWith lovely Sonya Burch-Baumann

Monsieur Bleu- ParisMonsieur Bleu restaurant

Dior Dinner 10

Dinner J'Adore Paris

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Sean Penn with Sandra BauknechtMy highlight of the night: Meeting Sean Penn

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The Golden Globe Awards 2012

Golden Globe Awards 2012-2

The 69th Annual Golden Globes awards took place in Beverley Hills last night and for us it is a pleasure to see who wore which designer. Unfortunately, Madonna (in Reem Acra), Kelly Osbourne (in Zac Posen) and Sarah Michelle Gellar (in Monique Lhuillier) are NOT on my best dressed list. Please see who is below!

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Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Elle MacPherson

Elle MacPherson in a stunning gown by Zac Posen

Nicole Kidman Golden Globes

Nicole Kidman in Versace

Zooey Deschanel Prada Custom

Zooey Deschanel in Custom Prada

Kate Beckinsale Roberto Cavalli

Kate Beckinsale in Roberto Cavalli

Kate Roberto

Charlize Theron Dior

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Natalie Portman Lanvin

Natalie Portman in Lanvin

Gucci Wood

Evan Rachel Wood in a stunning Gucci Première gown.

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Dog

The award for cuteness goes definitely to the dog from theThe Artist”. The movie that won BEST PICTURE. He was the top dog and certainly stole the show…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images, © WireImages, @ AP

J’ Adore – New Film

EDT Jadore

As promised here it is: The new 90 seconds movie for the launch of J’adore Eau de Toilette.

Charlize Theron, the ultra glamorous face of Dior, adorned with a gold lame dress, is on the runway in the Hall of Mirrors of Château de Versailles, in front of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s camera.

All eyes are on her and backstages are the scene of unexpected encounters…The music is fabulous, I am not going to tell you more, just turn on the sound and enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

J’Adore Gets a Shot of Orange Blossom

J'adore

Parfums Christian Dior is introducing a new version of its J’adore eau de toilette.
The floral perfume was initially released in 2002 and has been a bestseller since then.

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Perfumer François Demachy signs the new variation that benefits from a higher quality of orange blossom sourced from Tunisia, as well as a greater quantity of the ingredient entering the formula. Other notes include mandarin, Damascus rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, sambac and vanilla.

Available from August 29, 2011, CHF 104.50 / 50ml, CHF 149.50 / 100ml

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On September 4th, 2011, a new advertising campaign will debut with spokesperson Charlize Theron who was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in the Hall of Mirrors at the Château de Versailles. Jean-Jacques Annaud directed the 90-second commercial. Enjoy the little teaser, it is absolutely stunning!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

An Exclusive Club of Beauties

Dior Frgrances

NATALIE PORTMANThis week, award-winning actress Natalie Portman was annonced as new face of Christian Dior Parfums. Although no specific mention of any particular perfume has been made yet. It is her first time to collaborate with a cosmetics brand.

She will join the very exclusive club of beautiful celebrities who have starred in the house`s different ad campaigns including Charlize Theron (J`Adore), Monica Bellucci (Hypnotic Poison), Eva Green (Midnight Poison), Elvis Presley`s granddaughter Riley Keough (Miss Dior Chérie), Sharon Stone (Capture Totale) and Sophie Marceau (Capture Total One Essential). I am a big fan of the radiant and fresh beauty who is a Harvard graduate with a degree in psychology! Natalie is a true icon of elegance and modernity along with Dior`s other faces.

 

I put some gorgeous outfits together for you. Find out which of those women symbolizes your style the most. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Dior Miss Chérie

Hypnotic Poison

The Enchantress

The Goddess