Breitling Montbrillant 01 limited edition luxury Swiss watchmaker Breitling is writing a brand new chapter in the history of the Montbrillant chronograph.

For the first time the watch is being equipped with Caliber 01, which is a high-performance movement that was entirely developed and produced in the company workshops. Breitling Montbrillant 01 is a limited series watch that’s completely dedicated to style and accomplishment.

Endowed with a look inspired by the 1940s and 50s and featuring a circular slide rule for pilots, the Montbrillant chronograph by Breitling was named after the building on Montbrillant Street, in the heights of La Chaux-de-Fonds, which housed the Breitling workshops from 1892 to 1979.

It was in these premises that the brand developed the inventions and improvements that were to change the face of the wrist chronograph, including the first independent pushpiece (1915), the second independent pushpiece (1934) and the first selfwinding chronograph (1969). This was also where Breitling produced its first onboard chronographs that contributed to its status as “official supplier to world aviation” during the boom of air transport on propeller-powered and subsequently jet aircraft.

Today, the Montbrillant is associating its name with another milestone in the history of the brand with the winged B by hosting Breitling’s Caliber 01, the most reliable and efficient of all selfwinding chronograph movements, produced using a revolutionary assembly process. The Montbrillant 01 Limited is issued in twin editions of 2,000 in steel and 200 in red gold, with the individual number engraved at 9 o’clock on the case middle.

The Mercury Silver dial of the Montbrillant 01 Limited watch features elegant hands, the traditional central hundredth of a second counter, and an 18K gold version of the stylized B that served as the brand symbol until the mid-20th century.

A transparent sapphire crystal caseback provides generous views of Breitling’s Caliber 01, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), with its column wheel and its original structure.

The luxury Montbrillant 01 Limitedatch by Breitling is definitely a collector’s piece for all those with a love of history in movement.

Gucci

A luxurious diamond Gucci watch is a gift she will definitely never forget.

There are now more diamond luxury Gucci watches to choose from than ever before.

Photo courtesy of: Marie Claire

Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for a significant other or you want to make sure that you stand out no matter what kind of crowd you are in, you will find that it is time for you to take a look at Italian fashion.

Historically, the Italian city states of Florence and Venice have long led Europe in terms of fashion and style and now Italy leads the entire world! Take a moment to learn more about Italian style.

When it comes to high fashion, you will find most of the older fashion houses are in Rome. As well, the centers of progressive Italian fashion are Florence and Milan, where several of the influential fashions in Italy and in Europe are generally displayed.

Italian fashion is very focused on bringing out causal elegance, which can be compared with the more conservative fashions seen in France and England. There is a large importance put into luxurious fashions, not only on the traditional fabrics of cotton and linen, but also on the modern fabrics.

Italian fashion does not only focus on luxury, but also puts an importance on the styles that can be worn everyday.

Think of the fact that Italian designers have always been on the frontline of fashion and you will know why shops all over the world make it available to their customers. Take some time to learn about some of the biggest design houses and their contribution to the industry.

When looking into Italian fashion designers, it is hard to move forward without mentioning a fashion house like Versace. Founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, Versace is one of the world’s most foremost fashion houses. Not only does it produce luxury clothing, it also creates accessories, fragrances, makeup and even home furnishings.

Another famous Italian fashion house is Armani, which is known for its beautiful and stylish suits. This firm has done much work in clothing, makeup, fragrances and jewelry and their suits have appeared in many films all over the world.

American Gigolo and the Dark Knight are some of the notable movies that Armani suits have appeared in. Armani was the first designer to ban models with a body mass index of 18.

Valentino is another huge fashion couture house that works out of over 110 countries. It was founded in 1965 in Rome and since then has become the catch phrase for luxury, leading-edge style and creative fashion.

In 1967, this fashion house won the Neiman Marcus Award, with several famous clients such as Marella Angelli, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Margaret.

Whether you are actively shopping for that perfect piece of fashion or you are looking to change your entire look, you will discover that you cannot go wrong by taking a long look at Italian fashion.

Maxlite 2 by Travelpro

Travelpro is the inventor of the original Rollaboard suitcase as well as a market leader in high-quality luggage design.

Travelpro is proud to announce the next generation of the company’s lightest collection of Rollaboards and Spinners, the Maxlite® 2 Collection.

This new collection from Travelpro provides lightweight durability, functionality and affordability for both the frequent business and leisure traveler.

Travelpro International has prided itself for over two decades, on design innovation and durability in crafting the highest quality luggage for travelers worldwide.

Well respected in the travel industry, Travelpro has long been the brand of choice for flight crews and frequent travelers worldwide.

The new Maxlite 2 Collection is the ideal 11 piece set of lightweight luggage that features the following: Duffel Bag, Garment Sleeve, Rolling Tote, 20” Expandable Rollaboard, 22” Expandable Rollaboard, 25” Expandable Rollaboard, 28” Expandable Rollaboard, 20” Expandable Spinner, 25” Expandable Spinner, 29” Expandable Spinner and Rolling Duffel.

Travelpro guarantees its high quality luggage products with a Lifetime Warranty that protects your luggage and is free from defects in both materials and workmanship.

The Maxlite 2 collection from Travelpro is available in two colors – Ocean Blue and Black. You can visit Travelpro at www.travelpro.com to learn about all their travel products plus retail locations.

A surprising announcement was made in the luxury market. Swatch Group has terminated its alliance with Tiffany & Co. and ended its partnership.

Swatch Group has blamed U.S. jeweler Tiffany & Co. for blocking the development of their watch joint venture. The partnership between the Swatch Group & Tiffany & Co. was to develop a luxury watch line.

Swatch claimed damages from the luxury jeweler for loss of long-term future business. There is also talk that Tiffany could become a corporate takeover target.

Earlier this year, Swatch Group Chairwoman Nayla Hayek stated that back in 2007, Tiffany Watch Co. was created to manufacture Swiss-made watches under the Tiffany trademark. Unfortunately, the luxury watch line showed disappointing sales and the watches apparently were were not well displayed in Tiffany’s stores.

Swatch stated in a press release, “Today Swatch Group terminated its cooperation contracts with Tiffany & Co. This action became necessary following Tiffany & Co.’s systematic efforts to block and delay development of the business.”

Tiffany responded to the Swatch Group claim by explaining it did honor its partnership agreement obligations with Swatch, as well as stated that Swatch did not make the necessary commitments to develop the new watch business.

According to Swatch, the Swiss company expects that Tiffany Watch Co. will be allowed to ramp down the current business over the next two years once the partnership contracts have been officially terminated.

I’m sure we will be reading much more about this in the coming months as additional information is uncovered and distributed to the media.

Michelle Jonas Travelwear is a fashion line of breezy, effortless California-cool pieces.

Clothing from Michelle Jonas Travelwear are highly versatile and these beautiful dress pieces transition effortlessly from a stylish day at the beach in Malibu to glitz and glamor … like strutting the red carpet in Hollywood.

Michelle Jonas designs are based around the concept of “travelwear.” All of her fashion dress pieces are light, versatile, and perfect for effortless packing.

The collection is created without any buttons or zippers, and Michelle’s garment creations can be easily be washed anywhere from the laundry room of a four star hotel to a sink in an exotic locale, dried and re-worn as new.

Michelle Jonas has created beautiful garments that are effortlessly chic and convey the true, quintessential California-cool vibe.

Michelle’s signature shapes are highly recognizable and have generated impressive fanfare from the likes of Hollywood ‘s A-list (e.g. Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Heather Graham, etc.) and empowered women of various ages all over the globe.

Two of Michelle’s signature dresses are the Keyhole Dress and Hippie Dress.

* THE KEYHOLE DRESS – Adored by celebrities such as Christina Aguilera, Audrina Patridge, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Kristin Cavallari, Heather Graham, Heather Locklear, and Perrey Reeves. The Keyhole Dress is sophisticated yet casual, feminine and versatile. Made from supersoft matte jersey, this piece is effortlessly sexy and beyond comfortable. The Keyhole Dress incorporates the current cutout trend in a delicate and figure-flattering way and comes in a variety of unique solid colors and hand-dyed tie dye prints.

* THE HIPPIE DRESS – Fans of the Hippie Dress include Angelina Jolie and Pink, who love the beachy, Bohemian cool vibe of the dress. Constructed from flowy, gauzy cotton, the Hippie Dress features English lace panels that offer a kiss of subtle, sheer detail for a romantic feel. Extremely versatile, the Hippie Dress can be worn on the beach over a swimsuit, or piled with jewelry and skyscraping wedges for a night out.

Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum – Omega

Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum luxury watch by Omega is a limited edition timepiece.

Swiss watchmaker Omega offers several luxury watches.

Dunhill Cufflinks

For those who know how to tame luxury and for those who breathe style, Dunhill is a prerequisite possession. The design house is known for its inclination towards exclusive and sumptuous designs. If you own a pair of Dunhill cufflinks, your prestige status is sure to go up.

Since men do not have as many occasions as women to flash accessories, cufflinks hold a special place in a man’s wardrobe. A Dunhill exudes its own charm and style, and words are not needed to tell the onlooker that yes, you know how to create a fashion statement.

Back in 1893, when Alfred Dunhill inherited the saddlery business from his father, he had some unusual plans in his mind. In those times, London saw a great rise in the demand for automobiles. An automobile was strictly a rich man’s identity symbol.

Dunhill sensed how profitable an automobile based business could be and he jumped into the scenario with something which his predecessors had never seen. He developed a line of accessories called ‘Dunhill’s Motorities’. The collection included leather coats, travelling bags, stationery and cuff-links shaped as automobile spare parts. He made luxury his domain.

Dunhill is synonymous with luxury. The cufflinks the company crafts, are true works of art. Sterling silver, a material highly trusted by jewelers, is used in these luxury cufflinks. It is an alloy of silver and copper with silver forming over ninety percent of its composition. Sterling silver is stronger and more durable than pure silver, while possessing all the latter’s charm.

In appearance, it resembles white gold and platinum but is cheaper. However, the cufflinks do not betray this humble origin. They carry their aura with elegance. While the lowest priced cufflinks can cost you somewhere around $250, those coming from its exclusive, limited edition line can go as high as $10,000.

The cufflinks are largely known for their automobile inspired designs. Most often, you can spot a Dunhill shaped in the form of a steering wheel or its spokes. Submarines, sharks and anchors have also served as design inspiration. Those with a taste for bling can check out Dunhill’s range of diamond encrusted cufflinks. These gems add an intriguing brilliance to the cufflinks.

The company’s products are of the finest quality and their make speaks of its rich history. They truly stand apart with their counterparts. The company’s philosophy is to combine style with durability, and no one else knows it better than a proud owner of Dunhill. They can withstand harsh weather conditions in any part of the globe, making them a perfect travel accessory.

A quality which is very rare in the fashion industry, these accessories can be your friends for life because neither their durability, nor their design can be outdone. However, what it will expect from you is periodic polishing. If wood has been used in the design (which is normally the case in steering wheel shaped cufflinks), rest assured that it won’t chip off.

If you have the eye for luxury and a fat purse, nothing can stop you from owning this prized possession.

Author: Amanda Kidd

TAG Heuer

This year, luxury Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, proudly celebrates “150 years of Motor Racing.”

In 1860, TAG Heuer was first founded in Saint-Imier, Switzerland by Edouard Heuer. TAG Heuer has set many major milestones of high-end watchmaking, especially in the field of chronographs and ultimate precision.

Swiss brand TAG Heuer is well known and respected as one of the largest and most desired brands in the luxury watch industry.

With a long industry involved in the world of sports, luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer opens  a new contemporary boutique in Sin City.

TAG Heuer

When you buy a high-end watch, you’re buying more than an expensive adornment — you’re investing in a lifetime relationship with the brand. Your watch is more than just a timekeeper –  it’s a symbol of your personality. It sends out a message about your characteristics and taste.

Besides making a style statement, owning and wearing a timepiece also states a quality that you identify with — a quality that is you. Exclusive brands such as Ulysse Nardin, Leon Hatot, Breguet, Raymond Weil, Jaquet Droz, Piaget, Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe are not just beautiful ads in glossy magazines anymore; they can easily become a part of your collection.

A growing number of high net-worth individuals and a market for luxury goods make India a promising market for global brands. A number of high-end brands have entered the market.

You don’t have to import a Rolex or a Cartier anymore. Though that fancy watch is more accessible, it also makes the choice more difficult. Whether you’d like mechanical movement or quartz, a sports watch or an elegant piece of jewellery, the perpetual calendar or the chronograph — the choice is huge.

No matter what you choose, each watch makes a statement. Jai Ruparel, a Mumbai-based banker, owns an Omega Seamaster and believes it reflects his enthusiasm for sports. Many people prefer a pre-owned luxury watch. A pre owned Rolex watch makes a perfect choice for many watch collectors.

“I think a watch says a lot about the person wearing it. A guy wearing a good watch is someone who knows what he wants,” he says. For men, it’s more than a watch — it’s one of the few pieces of jewellery they wear. For women, it adds elegance and style to the sari and the stylish black dress.

Debra Wilson believes that her Longines watch reflects her personal taste and adds glamour to evening wear. “You have to have taste to pick out a smart, classy watch,” she says.

“It’s important because what you wear — your clothes, your tie and your watch — matter at business meetings and events.” Instead of bulking up on diamonds, try a subtle diamond-studded watch for a party.

If you’re wondering why you should invest in an expensive watch just to make a statement, it’s because these timepieces don’t just make a point. The value of a high-end watch only increases with time.

Though most brands launch new collections every season, old timepieces have heritage status. “Some of our watches have been passed on six times over to generations,” says Laurent Michaud, country manager, far-east, Ulysse Nardin.

In other words, these timepieces are masterpieces that are also collectors’ items and are an investment. Though fashionable, these timepieces are not dictated by fashion or season.

It’s almost like investing in jewellery — and in some cases, timepieces can be more expensive than jewellery. Franck Muller, Chopard, Tag Heuer, Baume & Mercier, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Jaquet Droz, Breguet and Piaget are in a class of their own.

“A Rolex,” says Viraal Rajan of the watch boutique, Time Avenue, “is the Mercedes Benz of watches. The prestige and value attached to a Rolex are incomparable.” The Rolex, like most high-end mechanical watches, can last for over 25 years without any need for repair.

Even if you did have a problem with the watch, having it serviced is a pleasure. Once you’re a part of the brand, you’re treated like a member of the family.

“Those who patronise Mont Blanc are special to us, and once they buy a Mont Blanc, they are automatically welcomed as a member of our family worldwide,” says Anna Bredemeyer, spokesperson for Mont Blanc.

And once your name appears in the database of an exclusive brand, you can get your timepiece serviced every few years at any authorized service center of the brand, anywhere in the world.

Being attached to a brand and passing on the legacy of that luxury watch is far more prestigious than just showing off your timepiece.

Baade II

Baade II is an Atlantic City-based artisan hand-maker of true, Vitreous hand-enameled cufflinks and for over two-decades, has produced a limited edition collection of hand-crafted, men’s and women’s cufflinks and formal suites.

A new cufflink collection has been announced from Baade II, that represents the brilliant colors from over 200 U.S. colleges and universities. In addition, this elegant cufflink collection also includes England’s top 100 Universities.

Baade II’s new “College Colors” Cufflink Collection ranks as largest selection of school color cufflinks ever offered.

Both large and small schools are proudly represented, from Harvard and Yale to tiny Niagra U with Two- and three-color stripes and polka dot counts.

Mary Ann Paul is knows as America’s premier cufflink designer. She has hand-crafted Baade II sterling and gold cufflinks and these luxury products are sold at many of America’s most prestigious stores.

In addition to the University of Alabama from her home state, red and white are also Stanford’s school colors, along with Harvard’s, University of Arkansas, Cornell, University of Nebraska, Boston University, Connecticut’s tiny University of Hartford, and about a dozen more.

Utilizing a navy and gold color combo, the following schools were represented – UC Berkeley’s Golden Bears, Kent State, Notre Dame, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, U.S. Naval Academy, George Washington and half-a-dozen more.

This luxury All-handmade cufflink collection from Baade II features a luxury priced group and a moderately priced, starving students, line-up.

Baade II’s new College Colors Collection is available, nationwide, at over 200 of America’s premier specialty retailers, from New York’s Barneys to the Beverly Hills stalwart, Carroll & Company.

Designer Paul has priced her luxe-niched, double-sided College Colors cufflinks at $495 and priced the single-sided versions at $325. Formal suites will retail in the $725 range.

Also available is a solid gold cufflink line-up in school colors and priced at current gold rates.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.baadecufflinks.com