From Fidel, to Gina, to...

Wennenes auction house will be handling several items from the estate of Gina Lollobrigida on May 28 and 29. And one particular item caught my eye -

Courtesy of Wennenes

This is, as you can tell, not the infamous Rolex that Fidel Castro was frequently photographed wearing. No, this is a rather curious piece.

Per Wennenes -

SEIKO MEN'S TITANIUM WRIST WATCH FIDEL CASTRO WATCH

37x41 mm titanium case, 'to Gina with admiration' personalisation, 'Fidel Castro', LCD dial, quartz movement, titanium strap. 

So how did one of Italy's most famous film stars come to have a digital Seiko watch with a personalized engraving from "Miami's Most Wanted"?

A great article explaining their meeting and how the watch came to her wrist can be found courtesy of the Guardian -

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/12/gina-lollobrigida-fidel-castro-watch-auction

Long story short? When her acting days had come to an end, she embarked on a second act as a photojournalist. And it was in that capacity that they met (for a second time) when she was granted an exclusive interview. Apparently it went well, as Castro removed his watch and gave it to her. He later had it engraved.

Vacheron Constantin's New Boutique

In Miami!

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

And this is particularly special to me as my first boss in the watch business, Javi Perrigo, is second from the right in the picture above.  When I first wandered into the original Tourneau in San Francisco he gave me my shot and the rest, as they say, is history.

But enough about me ; )

Here's the news, straight from the source -

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest Haute Horlogerie manufacturer with 260 years of uninterrupted history, celebrates the opening of its new Miami Design District boutique with a series of events at the prestigious Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).

Miami is home to a robust arts and design community. In homage to this vibrant city, and in celebration of the Miami boutique opening, Vacheron Constantin hosted a series of private events at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) from February 2 through February 5, 2015. “Voyages and Ornaments,” a collection of Vacheron Constantin’s decorative timepieces dating back as early as the 1800’s introduced watch aficionados and art lovers to the abundant artistry and creativity in watchmaking. Enameling, engraving, guilloche, and gemsetting were all represented in the historic timepieces on display and were further enhanced by the presence of a master engraver, master gemsetter and master watchmaker from Vacheron Constantin’s headquarters in Geneva. During a series of exclusive events, guests had the rare opportunity to try their own hand at engraving with the Maison’s master engraver. An extraordinary collection of current Vacheron Constantin timepieces were also on display, showcasing modern watchmaking techniques and artistry.

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Miami’s Design District is centered in Miami’s historic and thriving arts community. The new Vacheron Constantin boutique welcomes watch collectors and enthusiasts from all over the world to its 1400 square feet of floor space. The boutique’s rich and elegant architectural and decorative details highlight the quality of craftsmanship, sophisticated level of refinement, and high level of finishing of the timepieces on display. Finely crafted limestone flooring is complimented by walls finished in Venetian plaster. Two custom-made Murano crystal chandeliers grace the center of the boutique, and warm wood paneling adds to the elegance of the décor. A dedicated art wall features rotating exhibits from local and international artists, further connecting Vacheron Constantin with the surrounding community. A Vacheron Constantin trained watchmaker is present at the boutique to offer advice and personal service to collectors. The full range of collections from the Geneva-based Manufacture as well as exclusive boutique models are available at the Miami Design District boutique.

An Exclusive Timepiece

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

A limited-edition Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph is available for purchase exclusively at the Miami Design District boutique. The timepeice features rose gold with an azure blue dial and blue rubber strap to echo the tropical waters surrounding Miami and is limited in number to just 30 pieces. With water resistance to 150 meters and a chronograph timing mechanism, the limited edition watch goes from beach to boardroom in unparalleled style. 

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Dubey & Schaldenbrand Comes to Miami

This just in from Dubey & Schaldenbrand -

Exciting news from Dubey & Schaldenbrand

An important step forward in the Americas

Courtesy of Dubey & Schaldenbrand

Dubey & Schaldenbrand is pleased to announce the opening of a subsidiary office in Miami’s Design District, the city’s heart for art and design. The new office will more closely reach out to the Latin American market.

After having entered the North American market, Dubey & Schaldenbrand is expanding in the Americas, rich with its expertise in gold and diamond pieces.

Latin America has become a significant market, with an abundance of watchmaking enthusiasts and high-end timepiece connoisseurs.  Dubey & Schaldenbrand has a natural place in this market with its 100% Swiss Made brand.

Jonatan Gil, CEO of Dubey & Schaldenbrand, will personally head the Miami office, giving this project its legitimacy. Jonatan’s second language is Spanish, his family being originally from Spain.

For the past two years, Dubey &Schaldenbrand has worked diligently with its partners and retailers, constructing a personal touch that has long been lost in the luxury industry.

“We are an avant-garde brand going towards the future but with respect for our ancestors, Mr. Dubey & Mr. Schaldenbrand who created the brand in 1946,” says Jonatan.

“Being independent gives us flexibility in management, which is why we have now decided to open this office, in addition to organizing events in all the other markets where we are represented.”

A New Boutique for Corum

This just in from Corum -


Courtesy of Corum

New F.P.Journe Boutique in Bal Harbour

This just in from F.P. Journe -

F.P.Journe who is elegantly bridging the gap between watch making as an industry and the sophisticated watch making as an art has chosen Miami to open its new Boutique in the successful upscale Bal Harbour Shops in Bal Harbour. François-Paul Journe was present to cut the official ribbon of the new Boutique in the presence of Amélie Lefevere, new CEO of F.P.Journe, Matthew Whitman Lazenby, owner of the Mall, Richard Furnari, Boutique Director, and Pierre Halimi, Director of F.P.Journe Amercia. 

Courtesy of F.P. Journe

It is the eighth Boutique opened by the brand after Geneva, Paris, New York, Boca Raton, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Beijing. Tastefully designed by François-Paul Journe in harmony with the concept of the existing Boutiques, it brings the prestige of high horology to American collectors in the vibrant and dynamic city of Miami, new centre of the Art World, bathing in everlasting sunshine and celebrities.

Courtesy of F.P. Journe

The new F.P.Journe Boutique features the complete collection of F.P.Journe precision chronometers, as well as Limited Series and special editions reserved exclusively for the F.P.Journe Boutiques.

Courtesy of F.P. Journe

www.fpjourne.com

Girard-Perregaux's FOReverglades

Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux

This is the FOReverglades recently debuted in Miami by Girard-Perregaux.  This watch was created in partnership with the exhibit taking place during Art Week in Freedom Tower.