Forget the days when the passion for jewelry rested solely with women.

Today, men are increasingly becoming as enamored with fine jewelry and accessories as they are with cars, boats, jets, hi-tech gadgets and other gizmos.

The world’s best jewelry designers have finally become aware of this fact and have become offering exclusive and an extensive range of men’s jewelry, ranging right from diamond-studded watches to bracelets, chains and even pendants. Let’s take a look at the latest developments in this trend along with the major news makers.

The Beckham Story :

Speaking of men’s jewelry, last year soccer star David Beckham created quite a stir when he displayed a dazzling collection of men’s jewelry at his famous pre-World Cup party. England’s Ashley Cole, who arrived wearing only jewelry and no shirt under his dinner jacket, assisted him in his efforts.

This was further followed by a charity auction wherein Beckham showcased his exquisite diamond encrusted watch, created by Jacob Arabo. In addition, Beckham was also perhaps the first man to publicly wear two diamond earrings, placing men’s’ jewelry fashion firmly on the front stage and marking the onset of an amazing trend.

The New Scenario :

Jewelry is no longer the domain for women only. Men have largely come to accept and recognize jewelry as a symbol of class and style. Urban men, who like to appear trendy, are also looking at fine jewelry to add a hip look to their appearances. The exclusive men’s jewelry showrooms around the world have mushroomed in the last few years, and are now catering to the growing need of the contemporary generation.

This trend is further accentuated by the portrayal of men supporting flashy pieces of jewelry in Hollywood. From the mafia kings carrying extravagant neck-pieces, to the young lover wearing a kinky bracelet gifted by his fiance, men across all channels are quick to adopt to the surging trend.

In addition, while early on gold was almost the only choice, nowadays men can choose from platinum, diamonds and even traditional fine stones are a popular choice. Although combinations of metals and diamond encrusted rings and earrings currently dominate the scene, smaller trinkets have begun to emerge as just as popular. The entire jewelry trend provides proof to the jewelry and fashion industry to invest substantive resources in men’s luxury jewelry lines.

As time moves on, it is expected that men’s jewelry will become available to all types of budgets and tastes, not just remaining as the exclusive domain of the rich and famous.

For hundreds of years now, luxury watches have been regarded as symbols of wealth, success and meticulous engineering.

The fine artisanship of luxury watches such as Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Patek Philippe and others, has made them more than just timepieces. That is why for most people, owning a luxury watch is a symbol of having arrived, of success and triumph.

Luxury watches can quickly represent a status upon their wearers. Wearing a Rolex or Cartier watch signifies great class and wealth of the bearer.

When buying luxury watches, there are several pointers that one should know before buying and investing in an expensive timepiece.
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Courtesy of: Scheyden Precision Eyewear

Scheyden Precision Eyewear is clearly the luxury market leader in both lenses and frames for aviation, golf, fishing and yachting.

Scheyden Precision Eyewear just announced the premier of its new Fixed Hybrid collection of sunglasses featuring the only full-coverage wrap design to offer a unique custom-fit.

Handcrafted from the world’s finest materials, the Fixed Hybrids ($259 – $309) combine a cedar rolled composite frame with flexible, hypoallergenic NiAg temples and cloisonné tips for complete comfort, even when wearing a hat, headphones or a headset. Offering superb sun protection for all outdoor activities, the collection includes three styles — Jet-A, Panorama and Revelstoke — in either gloss black or Havana tortoise-shell.

The new frames can be fitted with either glass or CR-39 lenses, which are created using Scheyden’s technologically advanced multi-layer process. Hand-ground and polished, they feature a hydrophobic coating to repel water and perspiration, and several layers of magnesium hexafluoride to diffuse ambient light and protect pupils from harsh reflections. The distortion-free lenses also include a scratch resistant finish and optional polarization.

“The Fixed Hybrid is the world’s most comfortable composite frame,” says Jeff Herold, company founder and private instrument-rated pilot. “Building on our expertise in the aviation industry, we’ve combined the clarity and comfort Scheyden is known for with a fashionable wrap style that will appeal to anyone who enjoys the outdoors. There’s just nothing else on the market that can compete with the quality of our frames and lenses.”

Designed and manufactured to exacting standards, Scheyden eyewear is ideal for precision activities. In addition to the Fixed Hybrids, the company’s product line includes the titanium-frame Fixed Gear collection, Classic FlipUp styles and Dual RX designs for prescription users.

A favorite of military, commercial, private and aerobatic pilots — including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and 2009 Redbull Air Race Rookie Pete McLeod — the evolutionary sunglasses are also the choice of professional golfers on the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tours, as well as fishermen and car enthusiasts.

Retailing from $259 to $445, Scheyden Precision Eyewear is available at better commercial aviation and custom eyewear retailers.

More information: www.scheyden.com or call (800) 851-2758

Courtesy of: Breguet

Anticipation is growing as watch connoisseurs await the Baselworld 2010 show to be held this Spring

Let’s preview fine watchmaker Breguet’s 2010 collection and the Tradition 7047 Fusee Tourbillon in Platinum.

This exceptional timepiece features precision movement that’s fashioned in an anthracite-toned metal alloy, and comes complete with a new Breguet silicon balance spring.

The case is round in 950 Platinum with finely fluted caseband. Sapphire caseback. Water-resistant to 3 bar (30m). Dial in silvered 18K gold, hand-engraved on a rose engine off-centered at 7 o’clock. Also each piece is individually numbered and signed.

Back in 1795, Breguet developed the “Breget overcoil” spring. Even to the day, it’s still clearly the gold reference in terms of balance springs.

Breguet introduced its first wristwatches with silicon balance spring and escapement in 2006.

Today, the new Breguet silicon balance spring is featured in the Breguet Tradition 7047 model and comes included with a tourbillon and fusee-and-chain transmission.

Inspired by the design of the first tourbillon-equipped pocket watches devised by Breguet, a platinum version is now available fitted with a movement fashioned in an anthracite-toned metal alloy.

Jaermann & Stubi

Jaermann & Stubi has teamed with famous Spanish professional golfer Seve Ballesteros, to introduce the Seve Ballesteros Golf Watch.

Definitely a stylish luxury golf watch, the limited edition Seve Ballesteros Golf Watch is made from melting golf clubs, which was being used by Seve during the 1991 Chunichi Crowns Open in Japan.

The Seve Ballesteros Golf Watch features a brilliant blue dial and bezel and a unique counting mechanism that golfers can use to track the number of strokes taken at each golf hole.

The luxury Seve Ballesteros Golf Watch also comes with a certificate of authenticity and is personally signed by Seve Ballesteros himself.

Price for this must-have collectable watch begins at $19,000.

Courtesy of: Roberta Freymann

If you’re wondering what is that amazing handbag that Meryl Streep carries throughout the hit movie “It’s Complicated”, it’s called the “cab bag” by Roberta Freymann.

Fashion designer Roberta Freymann travels the world looking for various ways to introduce exotic cultures into her line of clothing and accessories.

Roberta Freymann is a global traveler and speaks five different languages, as well as owns her company.

Courtesy of: Roberta Freymann

Roberta Freymann was born and raised in England, to a mother who was a milliner and a muse to a famous French fashion designer. This upbringing allowed Roberta to experience and groom her love of style.

In 2003, Roberta introduced two complimentary, but distinct signature collections: Roberta Roller Rabbit and her namesake.

So if you are looking for latest, trendy handbag then follow Meryl Streep’s lead in “It’s Complicated”, then purchase the Roberta Freymann Cab Bag.
The luxury handbag is priced at only $175.

Due to the strong demand, there is currently a wait list. The bags will resume shipping in late February.

To order the Cab Bag, call (212) 585-3767, or you can stop into the store (address below)

Roberta Freymann
153 East 70th Street
New York, NY.
http://www.robertafreymann.com/

World famous Harrods Department Store is located in London, U.K. Harrods was established by Charles Henry Harrod, originally in 1834 as a grocery and tea wholesale firm.

In 1849, Harrod obtained a small shop in the district of Knightsbridge, which incidentally remains the site of the current store. Harrods son Charles, impressively built the business into a thriving operation selling medicines, perfumes, stationery, fruits, and veggies.

Harrods quickly expanded and soon acquired nearby adjoining buildings, and employed one hundred people by 1880.* In a near tragic turn of events, a fire destroyed the store, in 1883.

However, the Harrods managed to fill and deliver all of their customer orders by the Christmas season and effectively proved their worth as exceptional purveyors of fine goods to the British public.

To date, the emporium continues to thrives as a mainstay of British elegance and class. Through out the years it has changed hands officially twice;first acquired by the House of Fraser in the late 1940s and later by Egyptian Industrialists, Mohammed and Ali Al Fayed in the 1980′s.

Today, the amazing Harrods offers everything from food to fashion, furniture to sportswear plus 20 in-store restaurants serving every kind of cuisine imaginable from pizza to sushi.

Harrods Department Store is impressively immense with over 300 departments impeccably situated over a span of seven floors. The expansive emporium sells all the items one would expect to find in an upscale department store from clothing, to jewelry, china, toys, and wedding fare.

Additionally, the store has a pet shop with a wide range of domestic and moderately exotic animals for sale. Among the most celebrated departments is that of the aptly named ‘Food Hall’. Available here is a virtually endless array of the most gracious of delicacies including fine rare cheeses, charcutarie, chocolates, Ewe, and pastries galore.

For a special treat, stop by Harrods at night to enjoy the store fully illuminated by 11,500 light bulbs.

Of course the finest in luxury gourmet items are offered with a price tag to match. Within the alimentary shoppe, one can also find a number of regular grocery items that cost no more than the Safeway supermarket down the road. For travelers to London, this historic British institution is a definite ‘must see’.

Harrods
87-135 Brompton Road,
Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL.
Tel: 020 7730 1234

Courtesy of: WireImage

SA Fragrances, an innovator in the fragrance industry recently announced the signing of a global licensing agreement with sports and beauty icon Danica Patrick, to develop and market a Danica Patrick fragrance line.

Another female sports legend, golfer Annika Sorenstam, also has a signature fragrance, titled Annika.

Danica Patrick for Her … will pre-launch in February and make its retail debut in the spring of 2010. The new fragrance is being developed to reflect the confidence, glamour and uniqueness of Danica and represents her first entree into the world of beauty products.

Danica’s fragrance will be positioned to attract consumers who currently purchase fragrance brands such as Calvin Klein, Ed Hardy, JLo, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears (price points ranging from $29.50-$54.50) and will appeal to a wide audience of consumers who will be reached through innovative event sampling and other interactive experiences.

SA Fragrances will execute a direct to consumer soft launch from the beginning of February through March 2010 with retail distribution and independent retail channels to follow in early April. The initial launch offering will include a 1 oz EDP purse spray, 1.7 oz EDP spray and a 3.4 oz EDP spray with additional fragrance products for second half including bath and body and gift sets.

Danica Patrick for Her will be supported by national advertising and a sampling campaign which will deliver millions of fragrance samples for launch period alone.

“We are honored to be partnering with Danica Patrick. Her success in the racing world combined with her striking beauty has made her both a role model and mainstream, global icon. Danica deserves a beautiful fragrance that is as special as she is and that is what SA Fragrances has created.

The launch and continued promotion of Danica Patrick for Her will include a huge sampling initiative, a major online campaign and event marketing at racing and other venues. Danica’s fragrance will immediately be recognized as the hot new fragrance of 2010”, said Jon Klein VP Sales SA Fragrances.

“The fact that Danica and IMGWORLD chose SA Fragrances to launch her fragrance is a testament to the fact that the fragrance industry is ready for a renaissance back to the creative, innovative perfume houses that consider perfume to be an art, not a commodity. Danica’s fragrance line will reflect her lifestyle, professional, and romantic sides, and will be accompanied by an advertising campaign which celebrates Danica,” says David Hartman, President of SA Fragrances.

Courtesy of: Baade II

Today, New Jersey-based Baade II remains one of America’s last, remaining makers of double-faced cufflinks. For more than two-decades, the still-family-owned company has been hand-making double-faced cufflinks via Old World artisan techniques.

Completely hand-crafted, each pair of Baade II double-faced cufflinks is considered a collectible – and wearable – work of art by connoisseurs and cognoscentis, alike.

Deemed the dressiest, double-sided cufflinks are also ranked the most prized and coveted cufflink design by fashion dandies and connoisseurs, alike. Despite nearly extinct in America, it’s Atlantic City’s Baade II that remains one of the world’s last, remaining makers of double-sided cufflinks.

Luxe fashion designer and noted style scribe, Alan Flusser, satirically mocks, “Single-sided cufflinks with a decorative panel on just one side suggests the wearer could only afford the decorative design, gold or gemstone on the outside.”

Despite remaining Europe’s dominant cuff link design since the early-1700s and their continued embrace by the world’s best dressed fashionistas, double-sided cufflinks have virtually vanished in America.

Thank American’s ignorance of fashion protocol and custom, along with the far cheaper cost and added convenience of single-sided cufflinks, for the American demise of double-sided cufflinks.

Two double-sided linked cufflinks “The most prized examples of cufflink art have always relied on all four sides to convey their craftsmanship and lineage,” tells renowned style scribe and fashion designer, Alan Flusser, in his top selling primer, Dressing the Man, adding that: “To fully exploit the cufflink’s decorative potential, each side should bear a design and connect with a chain or link.”

Since its 1988 founding, hand-enameled cloisonne and champleve designs have remained the company’s flagship design signature.

Today, Baade II’s wide ranging array of over 500 differing, limited edition designs – all meticulously handcrafted in America and now including precious and semi-precious stones as well as novelty styles – are retailed by over 300 of America’s premier specialty retailers, from Barney’s New York and Mitchells of Westport to Beverly Hills’ iconic menswear retailer, Carroll & Company.

Courtesy of: Seiko

Seiko is finally making its high-end, all-mechanical watches available to markets outside of Asia with the impeccably crafted Ananta line, which includes the world’s most accurate watch, Seiko Spring Drive.

Seiko’s hand-assembled Ananta collection is arriving in select fine watch and jewelry stores in November, where consumers are already wait-listed for the exclusive collection.

For design inspiration, Seiko’s product team turned to Katana, the ancient art of Samurai sword making. A timely inspiration, indeed: The Metropolitan Museum welcomes their latest exhibition:

– The Art of the Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armor, the first comprehensive exhibition devoted to the arts and armor of the Samurai warrior.

Established in 1881, Seiko is the oldest watch company in Japan, and is one of the few vertically integrated companies in the worldwide watch industry, making all of their own movements, dials, bracelets, and cases in-house.

“Seiko has differentiated itself by stepping up into higher price points with new technology that would be four times the price if the watches were Swiss made,” says Jennifer Faiella, a buyer at Tourneau in NYC. The ten-piece Seiko Ananta Collection starts at $2100.

“With the Ananta collection, Seiko has managed to show the brand can play with the big boys,” said Faiella.

At a time when Swiss watch imports have dropped more than 40 percent in the first half of the year, it just may be that a premier, Japanese-made mechanical collection may be the “accessible luxury” that shoppers are looking for.

Mitchell Hirsch of Arizona Fine Time remarks, “Seiko’s Ananta collection is similar to what Japanese automaker Toyota did with the introduction of Lexus. Seiko has proved that is has the quality and the craftsmanship to successfully move the brand up-market. We have waiting lists for Ananta at our store.”

For more information got to Seiko Ananta

SPB017 – $2100
Automatic Multi-Hand Calendar
Caliber: 6R21; Day/Date Indicator; Power Reserve Indicator;
Power Reserve: Over 45 Hours; 28,800 vibrations per hour;
29 Jewels; 208 Parts; Sapphire Crystal with anti-reflective coating;
See through caseback with sapphire crystal;
100M; Case Diameter: 46.00mm

SPS009 – $6400
Spring Drive Chronograph Limited Edition
Caliber: 5R86
Crocodile strap with three-fold clasp & push button release;
Chronograph up to 12 hours
GMT Hand
Power Reserve Indicator, Power Reserve: 72 Hours
50 Jewels; 416 parts; Column Wheel and Vertical Clutch
Sapphire Crystal with anti-reflective coating;
See through caseback with sapphire crystal;
100M; Case Diameter: 46.00mm