The GRAMMIUM® TIMEPIECE from Gucci

This just in from Gucci -

Courtesy of Gucci

Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry announces the launch of the Gucci GRAMMY^® Special Edition Interlocking watch with a dial made of GRAMMIUM^®, the very same material used to forge the iconic trophy statuette in the shape of a gramophone — the GRAMMY Award^®. 

Hanhart is open for business in the US!

It's official - Hanhart is here!

Hanhart is now available to the buying public!  David Orgell of Beverly Hills is now an official retail partner with a full collection of Hanhart chronographs.

David Orgell

262 North Rodeo Drive

Beverly Hills, CA  90210

(310) 273 - 6660

No invite to the JLC event in Beverly Hills - was it something I said?

Well, it was Prom night all over again, waiting by the phone, hoping it would ring...

But it seems that a good time was had by all, so for those of you, like myself who didn't get a "golden ticket", here's the news from the JLC event in Beverly Hills - yes, the same Beverly Hills where I've covered several events... a mere 90 minute drive away... so close... but apparently still so far...

oh well...

Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the launch of the new Mad Men season and the“Mad About Reverso” collaboration at the brand’s Beverly Hills boutique

“Mad Men” series creator Matthew Weiner joined Jaeger-LeCoultre to celebrate the 4-time Emmy award winning show's special collaboration: "Mad about Reverso".

The Saturday afternoon boutique gathering included an exclusive group of Jaeger-LeCoultre aficionados to meet with Weiner as Jaeger-LeCoultre North American President Philippe Bonay presented him with the No.1 piece of the 'Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute to Mad Men'.

Beverly Hills Field Trip - or why Breguet matters

Okay, so for those of you following the story so far, you know that I have made a few forays down to the epicenter of luxury that is Beverly Hills in the past few months.  Last night I drove down to attend Breguet's event to display some of the treasures from their private collection - original pocket watches from "you know who" -

And to be clear, it was a real thrill to see these wonderful pieces!

Yes, there was wonderful food, plenty of cocktails... but it was more.  And by more, what I really mean are the people of Breguet.  Let me re-wind a bit -

I arrived in Beverly Hills a bit early, and decided to take in the boutiques of a certain other luxury group. All three of them neatly lined-up, one by one.  I went in and was ignored for about 5 minutes, finally I was able to ask the price of a watch and got a pair of raised eyebrows, a poorly disguised sigh, and finally the price.  The unspoken communication was ruder than that which was actually spoken, but it left me now not wanting that watch at all - and yes, I suspect that the PR person from this company knows that I am writing about their organization.  I mean no offense, but honestly... isn't your business model to try and, I don't know, maybe sell watches?!

So off I strode to Breguet - and yes, it was a gorgeous event - but what really struck me was the Breguet team.  From the head of US operations, to the fellow in charge of retail, to the wonderful team in Beverly Hills - I felt welcome.

Everyone had time to speak and share and even model - that is really saying something!

In a time where we are all considering every purchase, it is so fundamentally crucial to pay attention to people and to foster relationships. Horst Dassler - the son of the Adidas founder was one of the first people to really understand that no matter what business you are in, it is a people business. It is clear that Breguet gets this as well.

And a personal thank you to a Breguet Star - Alfred Acosta for the invitation -

Alfred is here with Ronn Moss - Ridge Forrester of Bold and the Beautiful.  And just to tell you what sort of evening it was, there was Ron Moss giving me very kind and friendly tips on how to use my new camera!  Needless to say, if this whole acting thing doesn't work out for him, he could teach photography!

Bravo Breguet.  Thank you for proving that luxury doesn't mean snobby!

This is only part one - more images and story line to come this evening!

Tempus Fugit Field Trip

So a few weeks ago I had a meeting in Beverly Hills.  So I hopped in the buggy and made the trip down from Santa Barbara.  With time on my hands, I popped in to some of the various shops and was a bit surprised - in some instances pleasantly, and others not so much.

One store and person who gets full marks is Philippe Marquet of Richard Mille!  Friendly, knowledgeable and a genuinely nice fellow.

Interestingly enough, popping into a few of the other shops on Rodeo Drive my experience was very, very different.  Not so friendly, and in fact, one "brand boutique" who I had just written a story about that very morning couldn't have been less polite.  Now consider this for a moment, these are people employed with the intention of selling watches - i.e. retail, and one would think that part of this would entail, I don't know, being friendly?!

And finally, Breguet - so get ready to throw away all of your pre-conceived notions that this must be an intimidating, bastion of exclusivity.  Well, yes and no.  It is a beautiful, well presented boutique.  It has a beautiful collection of watches.  But the people - COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!  Mr. Acosta and Ms. Moore were incredibly friendly.  I had intended to simply stick my head in the door, say hi, and be on my way.  But Perrier was offered, and a great conversation about the watch business and the new Chronometers buyer's guide - www.chronometers.org ensued.

So it was an informative day - Richard Mille and Breguet - you have got it RIGHT!