Sandra‘s Closet

I am writing you today from Milan where I am guest of OMEGA for a very special experience with Nicole Kidman whom I met already two years ago in Vienna at the Swiss watchmaker’s “La Nuit Enchantée“. When OMEGA invites you, you are always spoilt to something very special.

Last year, I flew to Shanghai for just one night to meet OMEGA’s long-time brand ambassador George Clooney (since 2007) for an evening of celebration. The award-winning actor and producer was part of a star-studded event where OMEGA showcased its new Seamaster Aqua Terra timepieces.

“Le Jardin Secret” – or the secret garden – was set up in Shanghai specifically for the event, providing the perfect atmosphere for the exclusive celebration. And the stars were not only the dazzling OMEGA timepieces on display and the celebrities on the guest list. An innovative, transparent roof on the venue allowed us a clear view of the celestial stars in the night sky.

During the night, George Clooney spoke about how his relationship with OMEGA began: “My father wore an OMEGA watch for many years. When I began working with the brand, I called my father to tell him the great news. He told me his OMEGA was in the attic and after finding it, he wound it up and it still worked. I gave it to OMEGA and they were nice enough to fix it up for me and I was able to give it to him for his birthday. I have a long, long history with the brand.”

Shortly after a welcome speech by Stephen Urquhart, President OMEGA, the lights dimmed and a short but powerful film was screened, focusing on the remarkable work done around the world by Orbis International, an organization supported by OMEGA and which is committed, with its Flying Eye Hospital, to delivering high-quality eye care to some of the world’s remotest regions.

Later in the evening, Dr. Hairong Cai, an ophthalmologist who works for ORBIS, talked about some of the medical treatments the organization had provided to two Chinese children. To the delight of the audience, the youngsters were escorted to the stage by George Clooney.

After granting her wish and dancing with the younger of the two girls, George Clooney removed the OMEGA De Ville Hour Vision Annual Calendar he had been wearing and autographed its strap and its presentation box. The watch was auctioned off later in the year and all of the money raised went to Orbis to support the remarkable work it does.

The evening concluded with a performance by popular French singer France Owlle.

Enjoy some more of my favorite moments of the night:

A warm welcome by lovely Raynald Aeschlimann, Vice President and International Director of Sales, Retail and Distribution at Omega.

A funny anecdote. OMEGA’s photographer looked like a copy of George Clooney…!

Stay tuned for more coming up! I am truly looking forward to tomorrow’s celebration with Nicole Kidman.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Omega and © Sandra Bauknecht

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has created a seductive range of partners’ watches to grace its Portofino collection. The Portofino Automatic and the smaller Portofino Automatic 37 have formed a bond and together set off their respective attractions to their best advantage. Couples who wish to celebrate their union with a symbol on their wrists can
choose from eight combinations. Whether purist or lavishly set with diamonds, the timeless beauty
of the Portofino For Two models underscores the decision by two individuals to spend their time and build their future together.

Couple No. 1
Ref. 4581 (37 mm): Stainless-steel case set with 66 diamonds, slate-coloured dial,
black alligator leather strap by Santoni with pin buckle
Ref. 3565 (40 mm): Stainless-steel case, black dial, black alligator leather strap with pin buckle

Couple No. 2
Ref. 4581 (37 mm): Stainless-steel case, slate-coloured dial set with 12 diamonds,
black alligator leather strap by Santoni with pin buckle
Ref. 3565 (40 mm): Stainless-steel case, black dial, black alligator leather strap with pin buckle

Speaking of love and romance, I am on my way to Florence for one of my best friend’s wedding. I am honored to be a bridesmaid and cannot wait to celebrate those two… stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of IWC/PHOTOPRESS

For the fourth consecutive yearn CHANEL takes part in the “Only Watch” charity auction in favor of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On November 7th, 2015 in Geneva, this unique piece will be up for auction. Before that, it will travel around the world, debuting during the Monaco Yacht Show, from September 23 – 26, 2015, followed by stops in Hong Kong (2-5/10), Beijing (9-12/10), New York (17-20/10) and London (24-27/10).

Why is this watch unique?

Since the birth of the House, exceptional savoir-faire has always been at the heart of CHANEL creations. MADEMOISELLE PRIVE collection pays tribute to watchmaking arts and skills such as enamelling, engraving, setting and marquetry, but also to the artistic crafts of couture.

To enhance these exceptional timepieces, CHANEL has called on the services of Maison Lesage, the guardians of a rare and precious expertise of embroideries. Mademoiselle Chanel loved the delicate elegance and subtle milky colour of the camellia, making it her favourite flower. This symbolic flower is gracefully reinterpreted in this unique model.

Fruit of an exquisite collaboration with Maison Lesage, the camellias are embroidered here with silk and metallic threads and natural pearls. This exceptional piece is hand-stitched in a highly delicate display of precision and refinement.

Technical description

CHANEL, Mademoiselle Privé for Only Watch
Unique piece manufactured in Switzerland.
« Mademoiselle Privé » watch in 18-carat white gold set with 140 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 1.49 carat).

18-carat white gold case (37.5 mm) set with 60 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 1 carat). Beige silk dial hand-embroidered with camellias made with 3 natural pearls, silk and metallic threads. 18-carat white gold hands. 18-carat white gold case-back. White satin strap. 18-carat white gold ardillon buckle set with 80 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 0.49 carat). High precision quartz movement off centered at 5 o’clock. Water resistance: 30 meters. Wished Price: 40 000€

A true object of desire!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

On top of my wish list is this new limited edition PREMIÈRE ROCK WATCH by CHANEL. Combining sophistication and edgy style, the new timepieces that come with double or triple row chains are ideal for day and evening wear. Crafted to appeal to the inner rebel, Chanel has produced only 1000 pieces of those watches in each color, blue, pink and beige with the iconic diamond shaped mother-of-pearl white dial.

Première Rock BLUE – Limited Edition – 23,6 mm, high-precision quartz movement
Available in four sizes XS, S, M and L with triple chain for CHF 4550.00 – H4327

Première Rock SKIN – Limited Edition – 23,6 mm, high-precision quartz movement
Available in four sizes XS, S, M and L with triple chain for CHF 4550.00 – H4312

Première Rock BROWN – Limited Edition – 23,6 mm, high-precision quartz movement
Available in four sizes XS, S, M and L with triple chain for CHF 4550.00 – H4326

Première Rock METAL – 28 mm, high-precision quartz movement
Available in four sizes XS, S, M and L with double chain (can be transformed into a single chain) for CHF 5000.00 – H4199

Gosh, it is so hard to choose the color… all are gorgeous!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel 2015

In 2014, only 10 years after the launch of her eponymous label, Tory Burch was listed as the 79th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. Her empire seems to have their hands in everything fashionable and luxurious, from new store openings, a perfume and makeup launch, a book release to a brand new watch collection, created in collaboration with Fossil.

When I met her last year for the store opening in Munich, I was impressed by her charisma. This woman is amazing. She even took the time to write me a handwritten note for Christmas and send me this fabulous gift.

A super-chic cuff watch inspired by one of Tory’s favorite pieces of vintage jewelry, the SAWYER as it’s called makes a statement in polished gold-tone stainless steel. The inlaid square case features a sunray dial that’s detailed with graphic etching and the iconic double-T logo.

All Tory Burch watches are Swiss Made – the selection features seven styles with versatile color and material iterations, available online at TORYBURCH.COM. The styles are named after members of the designer’s family. I am sure this new launch will be another success story for Tory… I love my new baby in Sandra’s Closet.

TO SHOP TORY BURCH’S FABULOUS READY-TO-WEAR COLLECTION CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Tory Burch, Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

While you are reading this, I am on my way to the SIHH, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, in Geneva. I love this watch fair where this year 16 brands exhibit their new creations in an outstanding and extremely luxury environment. IWC Schaffhausen is one of them and I know that their booth as well as their party will once more make history.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the brand’s iconic Portugieser watch line and launching a new collection at this year’s SIHH, I will of course keep you posted with some essential information.

To raise your enthusiasm, I would like to show you some very exclusive photos (some of you might have seen some in the October issue of L’Officiel Switzerland) of the amazing Ladies Lunch “Timeless Portofino” during the 10th Zurich Film Festival Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Watches (co-partner of the ZFF), and my humble self hosted at the Widder Hotel in Zurich to celebrate the new IWC Portofino midsize watches.

IWC CEO Georges Kern framed by Karolina Kurkova to the right and myself to the left

You have seen my new beautiful watch in many outfit posts. Thanks a lot to those who sent me your lovely comments about this new beauty in my closet.

Special guest of the event was Karolina Kurkova, the charming blonde chatted over lunch about her life with my girlfriends and took a souvenir photo with each guest. As an additional gift, there was a handwritten card with a personal dedication of the famous top model. Karolina is truly an amazing woman!

Enjoy all the pictures below and stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Karolina was checking on the photos (a true pro) to make sure all of them were immaculate.

Karolina framed by Monika Kern to the left and Margarita Forster to the right.

Having fun with David Biedert backstage taking some pics.

Photos: Courtesy of IWC, © David Biedert and © Sandra Bauknecht

This was my outfit I wore to the launch event of L’OFFICIEL VOYAGE. Before the party started, I attended the Bvlgari cocktail to celebrate the brand’s newest watch collection LVCEA.

My look: Suzani peasant top and Suzani drawstring trousers, both by Emilio Pucci, padlock mini studded leather shoulder bag by Alexander McQueen and Alice T-strap studded sandals (on sale for almost 60% off) by Saint Laurent, Limelight Gala watch by Piaget and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht

“I started with 16,000 Swiss francs, 20 years ago, and the success of de Grisogono is a miracle, in every sense” says Fawaz Gruosi. “I simply saw another way of doing things in the jewellery world. I was lucky, a little crazy, I worked like a madman and still do.“

You have to meet Fawaz Gruosi to understand his power over women, he might be the most charming man on earth. He knows what women want, especially when it comes to jewelry design. The president, owner and founder of de Grisogono likes to push the limits and break the rules to come up with the most amazing pieces.

Last week, de Grisogono celebrated the launch of its new Crazy Scull watch at Hotel Costes in Paris which shows the most outstanding artisan jewelry and horology. It took over one year of research to create this one of a kind timepiece.

Being entirely hand-set with white diamonds, pink sapphires, rubies and also the black diamonds, the stones the Geneva based jeweler is famous for, this dual time watch comes on a galuchat strap.

I am a huge fan of jewelry that offers a certain twist, that is provocative and different. How much fun are those baguette-cut diamond teeth and the ornate gemstone tongue?!

The Crazy Skull is available from around €500.000 depending on the stones you choose at de Grisogono boutiques.

And I couldn’t agree more with Karlie Kloss who said at last week’s party, it is “the most extravagant Halloween accessory” you have ever seen.
Speaking of which, happy trick or treating!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of de Grisogono and © Sandra Bauknecht

Luxury lost its luster for George Bamford when he spotted six people wearing his Rolex Daytona at a dinner party. To recreate exclusivity, watch-purveyor was born, offering iconic watches in unique color combinations, custom treatments, and now only for two weeks, the pioneering scratch-resistant Super-Matte technology premieres here first. Pre-order yours now!

My favorite is this BAMFORD Black Submariner With Neon Pink Dial.
Below are many other options to choose from:

Which one would you pick? To the Rolex no one else has…
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOURS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2014 AT 10 AM EDT.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bamford

Matching your watch to your look sounds like a dream as in general it might be too expensive to have every color available for your wrist and most of the cheaper versions just look dreadful. Good news! Finally, I have found a brand that offers the perfect  model in many beautiful hues for a fair price. The Rome Sport Chronographs by Jacques Lemans cost between €149.00-€199.00 and come in two sizes and many different color combinations.

Have fun introducing some color into your wardrobe. How cool is this khaki one to complement my F/W 2014 military pieces?!

LoL, Sandra

Jacques Lemans Rome Sports Woman in black with rose gold frame

Jacques Lemans – Rome Sports Unisex in hot pink

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht