Stefan Johansson Växjö

Professional racecar driver Stefan Johansson has brought his years of car racing in to his latest luxury watch collections – the Mark IX and Mark X.

Owner of Stefan Johansson Växjö, he stated, “I am very excited to finally be able to show my two new designs after almost 3 years of development and fine-tuning. My goal from the very beginning was to create something that is instantly recognizable.”

Stefan Johansson merges his artistic sensibility with his experience as one of auto racing’s most decorated, enduring drivers into the designs of his Mark IX and Mark X timepieces. Both luxury watch collections are dramatic departures from his previous chronograph watch designs.

Each new style is divided into three distinct series: C, E and G. Each design is inspired by a particular era or aspect of Johansson’s successful car racing career.

All Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark IX and Mark X timepieces share a number of distinguishing characteristics of form and function:
– 60-minute chronograph register is uniquely set at the center of each dial
– E and G models feature a telemeter register, which measures the speed of sound – keeping focus on the fact that a fraction of a second makes all the difference in the world of racing
– 3D three-piece hour and minute hands, unique numerals, integrated crown protector and pusher mechanisms represent four of eight unique design features that have patents pending
– Glass back is engraved with the piece’s individual ‘chassis’ number and if desired, the owner’s name.

Below are features of the new Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark IX and Mark X watch collections:

MARK IX
Movement: Dubois-Depraz Calibre 2075
Case : 41mm or 45mm case, available in a variety of metals
Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating.
Sapphire glass exhibition back
Water Resistant: 5 ATM

MARK X
Movement: Dubois-Depraz Calibre 2075
Case : 40mm x 46mm, available in a variety of metals
Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating.
Sapphire glass exhibition back
Water Resistant: 5 ATM

Wilhelm Rieber – Black Skeleton Tourbillon

Deemed as one of the world’s most exclusive watch, the handmade “Rieber Flying Tourbillon” is one of Germany’s best kept secrets.  Truly hand-crafted according to traditional watchmaking techniques prevalent in Germany, the “Flying Tourbillon” are unique timepieces soon to be renowned worldwide.

Adhering to the principle of “truly custom-made”, every single Tourbillon is created upon request and a unique work of art to ensure that no two watches are the same.  Every customer who places an order for the Tourbillon will receive an invite to visit Wilhelm Rieber in his small studio in Black Forrest Germany.

Meeting with Rieber will include a discussion about details of the watch, how its made, the inspiration behind the design, and its individual uniqueness.  Unlike some luxury watches of equivalent quality, watches by Rieber are not mass produced.  Only a maximum of twelve Rieber “Tourbillons” can be created.  Already recognizing the uniqueness of the Tourbillon is Formula One Worldmaster, Michael Schumacher.

Truly exclusive, the driver of painstakingly crafting each custom Tourbillon by hand is Rieber’s desire to create exclusive watches that will last forever.  A diamond is commonly known as a woman’s best friend.  From the quality of his watches and Rieber’s ambitious goals  and meticulous watchmaking techniques, the Tourbillon may very well become a man’s new best companion.

At the time of this publication, another limited Wilhelm Rieber watch is currently available for sale: “The Dragon Skeleton Flying Tourbillon.” Contact us (info@thelifeofluxury.com) if interested in learning more about any of these fine, luxury watches from Wilhelm Rieber.

Backes & Strauss London

Backes & Strauss London presents The Diamond Jubilee Collection. This incredible luxury watch collection is aptly a Regent, which was designed, crafted and inspired by England’s Diamond Queen – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in celebration of her 60 year reign from 1952 to 2012.

Backes & Strauss London is proud to be the oldest diamond company. Since 1789, the luxury jewelry company has been creating luxury diamond watches.

Backes & Strauss London was granted permission by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office in Buckingham Palace to officially use her Majesty’s Royal Cypher in the design of this unique and historical watch collection.

Diamonds of the finest quality are hand set into 18kt white gold, and the side of each case is engraved “1952-2012.” This Limited Edition Collection will have only 60 watch pieces crafted.

The back of this luxury timepiece is open. Through the elegant sapphire glass, you can view the decorated watch movement. The watch back is engraved “Queen’s Diamond Jubilee” with a unique year from HM’s reign as the serial number.

The watch also features one or two rows of diamonds that surround the Royal purple dial base of lacquered English roses, set with the Royal Cypher and diamond set Roman numerals – LX (60) in diamonds at 12 O’Clock.

The watch also includes a 18kt White Gold Ardillon diamond set buckle.

Britain has long punched above its weight in the field of fashion, and Sir Paul Smith is one of the most iconic living Brits providing luxury designer clothes for men and women. Royal Mail recently released a limited series of stamps celebrating British fashion and included a design from Sir Paul Smith, who began his career on Saville Row in the 1970s dressing fashionable Londoners and musicians such as Robert Plant.

Smith’s smart designs with a twist have come to embody the London look of polished insouciance, and his muses range from punk singer Patti Smith to the bright patterns of vintage Pucci and the lines of classic bicycles. Smith is the darling of men’s magazines like GQ and Esquire and it is easy to see why. Men’s luxury fashion is often designed for the young, but Smith’s pieces work on men of all ages. Here are three of our favorite Paul Smith pieces for men:

A snappy Paul Smith suit is the pinnacle of modern cool – a little bit edgy, a whole lot British, and incredibly smart without looking like boring office job attire. Take your cues from Mark Ronson and look snappy at the bar, at a wedding or strutting the streets with a French woman on your arm (Ms. De La Baume, we’re looking at you). The blue-on-blue wool blazer has a notched lapel, a breast pocket for your favorite pocket square, and a two-button fastening.

Add a bit of humor to your smart outfit with these Paul Smith dog cufflinks. Men’s formal fashion can be quite rigid, so it’s the details that make a difference. A snappy jacket, a sharp pair of shoes and a brilliant pair of cufflinks can transform that designer outfit from dull-but-expensive to an understated victory, and in situations when your dress is constrained, this tongue-in-cheek look at classic British manhood (think tweed, beagles and foxes) is the perfect finishing touch.

They say it’s the shoes that make the man, and these Paul Smith Monk shoes bring a touch of classic Italian style with more than a passing reference to London’s swinging sixties. Whether you pair them with a sharp tweed jacket and tousle of distinguished grey hair and stubble or a skinny Mod suit, these designer leather shoes will add a touch of luxury to your outfit.

Breguet No. 2667

Montres Breguet has rapidly moved into the world number one position in luxury watchmaking since it was acquired by the Swatch Group in 1999.

Now Breguet achieves another major milestone by acquiring two exceptional Breguet watches.

The two Breguet antique watches were bought by the Breguet Museum and its President, Marc A. Hayek at Christie’s auction in Geneva Switzerland on May 14th.

The two stunning Breguet watches made their mark on Fine Watchmaking history, by setting a record purchase price of nearly 7 million Swiss francs.

These two Breguet masterpieces are the most expensive ever purchased in Breguet’s history, and the costliest Breguet antique watches ever sold at auction to date.

The first watch (shown above) , no. 2667 dating from 1814, was sold for a staggering price of over 4 million Swiss francs. This thin pocket watch with two movements is based on the chronometer principle (resonance) and is an extremely rare timepiece that was made in 18-carat yellow gold and features unsurpassed delicacy and elegance. The antique watch is an extraordinary timepiece that reflects both Breguet’s refined aesthetic sense and his innovative inventive genius.

Breguet No. 4111

The second antique timepiece, no. 4111, is a thin flat equation-of-time and repeater watch, built on the chronometer principle. The Breguet watch repeats hours, half-hours, quarter-hours, and half-quarters. This “Grande Complication” watch dates from 1827 and was purchased for more than 2.5 million Swiss francs. It has an annual calendar as well as a manual perpetual calendar, and also displays mean and apparent solar time. This antique Breguet watch was manufactured extremely thin, a fascinating technical feat in a “Grande Complication” watch.

Energy Team AC45 sponsored by Corum – Venice, Italy

Between May 15th and 20th, the next stage of the America’s Cup World Series is taking place in romantic Venice, Italy in front of the magnificent St. Mark’s Square.

Luxury watchmaker Corum is a sponsor of the Energy Team. For this segment of America’s Cup World Series there will be a change as  Loïck Peyron replaces Yann Guichard and takes the helm of the French one-design boat – Energy Team AC45.

Corum brand joined France’s “AC45 Energy Team” to be its Official Timekeeper. The sponsorship by Corum reinforces the fine watchmaker’s full support of the Peyron brothers’ drive to win the next America’s Cup.

During a recent interview, Loïck Peyron was asked if there have been some changes to the programme in particular with the match race event.
He replied, “Yes, the rules have changed and that’s a good thing. In Naples for example, it was all very sudden with elimination after just one duel. That gave rise to some strange results, with Spithill finishing seventh, for example. In Venice, from the quarter finals, it will be the best of three or in other words two wins if you prefer. To sum up, we shall be sailing much more. Another change is that the fleet race on Super Sunday now has a weighting of three instead of five. That means that the other races during the week will count more. This need for consistency is something that suits us.”

Peyron answered the question, what are the characteristics of the sailing area in Venice?
“In Venice, anything can happen. I know a little about the waters here having raced aboard Oman Sail in an Extreme 40 event and because it was here that the Round Europe races started, when I raced on Fuji. These waters are extremely tricky, as there are so many different parameters and local effects. You really have to grab every opportunity. During the first two days, we’ll be racing outside off the Lido, but for the final three days and Sunday’s big race, we shall be inside just off St. Mark’s Square. This is going to be truly magnificent, even if we know that the race area is going to be complicated to deal with, as it is not very big at all. On an Extreme 40, the race area was already quite small, so on an AC45… But I enjoy this sort of challenge and in this legendary setting, it’s going to be a marvelous experience. Usually, the winds are quite light there and we may well have to fit the wing extensions.”

Corum Admiral’s Cup 42 Chronograph

In support of the America’s Cup World Series, Corum introduced the Admiral’s Cup 42 Chronograph watch. This luxury sports watch is incredibly stylish. The Admiral’s Cup 42 Chronograph provides a historical heritage, a pure design plus for the first time in this legend line, a more classical aspiration expressed through a cosc-certified chronograph movement.

The Admiral’s Cup 42 Chronograph watch by Corum reflects a number of the signature codes of the original Admiral’s Cup, united in an harmonious blend of sportiness and elegance.

Shreve & Co.

Shreve & Co. is San Francisco’s premier jeweler and this year marks a significant milestone in company’s long history. 2012 is a special year for Shreve & Co. as it commemorates another big milestone with its 160^th Anniversary.

Since 1852, Shreve & Co., originally The Shreve Jewelry Store, has been a vibrant part of the Bay Area fine jewelry industry and a champion of spectacular designs and established designers.

Shreve & Co., formerly The Shreve Jewelry Store, was founded in San Francisco in 1852, and incorporated in 1894.

In the past 160 years, Shreve has hosted only the highest quality of fine jewelry and timepiece designs, ranging from Mikimoto and Rolex, to Hearts on Fire, Wellendorff, and (newly) Patek Philippe.

With an unmatched offering of only the best luxury products, Shreve & Co. continues to uphold its reputation as the premier destination for distinguished timepieces and exquisite jewelry.

During the month of May, Shreve & Co. honors its storied past by celebrating the present and looking toward the future by hosting an exclusive, invitation-only reception for some of its most loyal clientele, and inviting those who are new to Shreve, to understand why it has been on top for 160 years.

Shreve & Co. President Glen Ross says, “I feel honored to be a part of this wonderful occasion. Shreve is proud to be the oldest existing retailer in San Francisco and honored to have served the myriad of personalities that create San Francisco, as we celebrate yet another unique milestone.”

For additional information on Shreve & Co., please visit www.shreve.com.

Farbod Barsum

Farbod Barsum is a luxury handbag and accessories designer and he launched his company in 2010.

Farbod Barsum is an industry leader creating handcrafted wearable art in beautiful, exotic skins and offer a commitment to quality, luxury, and refinement.

Born of a passion for classical styling paired with modern vision in composition, Farbod Barsum also provides his customers with the finest in high fashion accessories.

The company’s handbags boast the softest and most supple in Alligator and Ostrich skins. Using only the finest materials, Farbod Barsum’s commitment to quality shows through the attention to detail given to each and every luxury handbag design, and is often compared to Hermes.

Combining his experience by working for some of the most prestigious fashion houses as well as architectural design work, Farbod Barsum was ready to present his visions of iconic style to the world. He launched his fashion house in 2010 after an apprenticeship in The House of Bijan on Rodeo Drive where he worked side by side with the late designer.

Retail prices for  Farbod Barsum line of luxury handbags including his signature styles: “Empress”, “Candis”, and “Mona” range from: $6,500 to $32,000.

For addition information about Farbod Barsum, please visit: http://www.farbodbarsum.com/

With Mother’s Day just a week away, some are scrambling to find that perfect gift for that special Mother in their life.

Martin Katz offers a variety of fine jewelry that would be ideal for any mother who appreciates the good things in life. Emeralds are the stone for the month of  May, so why not choose a stunning piece of emerald jewelry and make a truly unique and memorable gift for mom.

Below are several beautiful emerald pieces from fine jeweler Martin Katz:

Emerald Half Moon Cabochon & Diamond Earrings set in 18 kt. white gold. These earrings have 2 trapezoid diamonds weighing 6.05 cts, 4 half moon diamonds weighing 3.42 cts and microset with 751 round diamonds weighing 2.71 cts. These stunning earrings will not only be a cherished gift, but are sure to be a great statement piece year round.

9.86 ct. Emerald Briolette & Onyx Necklace set in 18 kt. white gold which features 3 emerald sugarloaf cabochons, and is accented with 298 diamonds and emeralds.

2.53 cttw. Emerald “Toby” Stud Earrings set in 18 kt. white gold which are accented with 96 diamonds weighing .60 cts.

From Martin’s Divine Collection, 24mm Emerald & Diamond Divine Ring set in 18 kt. white gold with 34 emeralds weighing 1.57 cts and microset with 410 diamonds weighing 2.41 cts.

Breguet Commemorates the Bicentennial of the Invention of

the Wristwatch

April 25, 2012. New York, NY—Breguet kicked-off its celebration of the 200th anniversary of the invention of the wristwatch at its Fifth Avenue boutique on the evening of Tuesday, April 24th, with a cocktail reception hosted by the Young New Yorkers for the Philharmonic. On hand to toast the festivities was Mr. Alan Gilbert, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and Mr. Joshua Bell, Grammy Award-winning violinist.

“Breguet has been linked to arts and culture for more than 200 years and we are delighted to have Breguet as the exclusive timepiece of the New York Philharmonic,” said Mr. Gilbert. “Like the Philharmonic, Breguet is synonymous with excellent timing and precision!”

The first wristwatch, that ubiquitous invention now found on almost every person’s wrist, was actually created for none other than a queen. In 1810, the Queen of Naples, Caroline Murat (sister of Napoleon Bonaparte), commissioned Abraham-Louis Breguet to create the first ever timepiece to fit around her wrist. In an era when timepieces were typically pocket watches and clocks, Breguet began work on yet another innovation destined for the history books. The historical piece was finally delivered in 1812 and the Queen of Naples’ commission would become watch No 2639.

The Breguet watch company is paying tribute to the Queen of Naples through an incomparable exhibition: “1810-1812 Breguet Makes the First Wristwatch, Fit for a Queen.” This exhibit was launched in Geneva, Switzerland and following its undeniable success, Breguet is taking this exhibit on a world tour.

Archives have made it possible to retrace this historical retrospective of the unprecedented creation of this unique wristwatch. According to historical documents, Breguet created a thin oblong repeater watch with a silver dial and Arabic numerals, mounted on a wristlet of hair woven with gold threads. The final product was delivered on December 21, 1812 and is last known to be in the possession of the Queen’s daughter Louise in 1849. Interpreting the specifications from the archives, the Breguet watch brand recreated this historic timepiece in its line of ladies watches, appropriately named “Reine de Naples,”

The House of Breguet is also taking the opportunity to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its Reine de Naples flagship ladies collection. The Reine de Naples collection is unmistakably a true work of art epitomising an ideal blend of aesthetic elegance and technical virtuosity.

The exhibit, representing an authentic ode to femininity, is further enriched by a selection of exceptional Haute Joaillerie creations and Breguet once again proves that beauty and innovation are the keynotes of all its creations.

The exhibit will be hosted at the Breguet Boutique on Fifth Avenue in New York City from April 25-May 13 and then continue on to the Breguet Boutique in Las Vegas from May 17-June 3rd.

As a grand finale, a world-scale event in honour of the 200th anniversary of the first wristwatch ordered by Caroline Murat is scheduled for September 2012 at Capri, the famous seaside resort in the Gulf of Naples.

Since it was acquired by the Swatch Group in 1999, Montres Breguet has rapidly moved into the world number one position in luxury watchmaking. Its new products, the true measure of brand dynamism, and its capacity for innovation continue to be a priority.

Nat Sherman

Iconic retailer Nat Sherman is making easy to buy that perfect gift for a groom. Help that special groom say “I do” in style.

Nat Sherman offers a carefully curated selection of men’s tobacco products and luxury lifestyle accessories.

We have selected three products from Nat Sherman that are sure to please that deserving groom:

Colibri “T-Series” Cufflinks ($85.00)
Defined by cutting-edge technology and focused design, these cufflinks are suitable for any wedding. Colibri blends innovation with tradition to create a strong yet stylish presence with its “T-Series” cufflinks. Produced in a variety of colors, from black to green, Colibri offers a truly versatile series within this single collection.

Decanter Set with Four Glasses (Glasses $60, Decanter $85)
The Nat Sherman Decanter set is the idyllic accessory for relaxing with a single malt scotch and cigar with the guys. The imprinted classic Nat Sherman logo creates a conversation piece, while the decanter itself provides the drinks. Remind the groom that even though he’s getting married, he can still enjoy a drink with the guys every now and again.

Brizard Double Deck Ashtray ($135.00)
Subtle elegance and style meet function with the Brizard Double Deck Ashtray. Its two moveable magnetic cigar rests allow for both groom and best man to enjoy their cigar comfortably. Made from ebony wood with a removable black marble ashwell for cleaning, this American-made accessory is an ideal choice for the groom who respects tradition.

Purchase these groom gifts at the Nat Sherman Townhouse store in New York City or on their website at: Nat Sherman