Frederique Constant supports Eva Longoria in Cannes
During the Cannes
International Film Festival, the Swiss watch manufacturer Frederique Constant
supported the charity evening hosted by Eva Longoria and Denise Rich,
benefiting The Eva Longoria Foundation & Gabrielle's Angel Foundation. The
evening featured Eva Longoria and Denise Rich sharing news of their latest
projects and fundraisers with the ultimate aim of generating awareness and
funds for each well deserving organisation. Guests included: Alec Baldwin,
Michelle Rodriguez, Goga Ashkenazi, Roberto Cavalli, Diddy, Cassie, Amaury
Nolasco, Tara Reid and many more.
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| Courtesy of Frederique Constant |
“Luxury also means
having the opportunity to contribute to helping those in need, as has Eva
Longoria for many years. We are happy to support her.” – Aletta and Peter
Stas, COO & CEO of Frederique Constant. This is why continue to team up
with Eva Longoria’s and other charities.
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| Courtesy of Frederique Constant |
About Frederique Constant
Over the years, Frederique
Constant has earned a reputation as a leading maker of Swiss luxury watches
despite the relative youth of our brand. The quality of our watches and the
detail involved in crafting each watch is only part of our success story; the
rest was driven by watch aficionados and lovers of our brand who saw that we
had something different and unique to offer. It is by appealing to this same
group of people that we hope to make a difference in the lives of many by
soliciting for their support to extend the same affection they have for the
brand, towards charities and causes we are associated with.
Frederique Constant’s
slogan is “Live your passion”, and we do. Passion definitely shows through our
craftsmanship, as well as our charitable donations. We create beautiful watches
with precision design that are assembled by hand, allowing for a high quality
timepiece each and every time. Perceived value is important, so we know that
quality must be consistent in our work and is vital to our success. We are equally
as passionate about charity, with $50 from each watch sold in our Double Heart
Beat Collection donated to various charities.
About The Eva Longoria
Foundation - The foundation was established in 2010 by
actress, activist and philanthropist Eva Longoria. This foundation has been
established primarily for, but not limited to, two charitable causes: women in
the Latino community and children. (http://www.evalongoriafoundation.org/)
Mission:
To help women build better
futures for themselves and their families through education and
entrepreneurship
Our vision is to give
women and girls the tools they need to reach their potential. The Eva
Longoria Foundation supports programs that help girls excel in school
and attend college. Additionally, we work to provide
female entrepreneurs with career training, mentorship, capital and
opportunity. By investing in women and girls, we hope to build a
stronger future for our world.
Furthermore, The Eva Longoria
Foundation will help raise awareness for children of all ethnic and racial
backgrounds suffering from health-related problems. Eva Longoria has been a
spokesperson for Padres Contra El Cancer for the past nine years trying to
improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their
families. Eva Longoria has also founded Eva’s Heroes in San Antonio, TX,
in an effort to enrich the lives of teens and young adults who are
developmentally challenged.
The purpose of Gabrielle’s
Angel Foundation for Cancer Research is to encourage the development of
more effective therapies for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and related
cancers. The Foundation funds innovative clinical or basic science research
that will lead to novel therapeutic approaches that could replace, or be used
in combination with existing effective therapies. Such therapeutic approaches
could include alternative or complementary medicine.
The Foundation funds
research to improve the efficacy of cancer treatments, reduce their toxicity
and improve the quality of life of patients with leukaemia or lymphoma.
The Foundation also
supports limited scientific interchange between select leaders in different
areas of bio and integrative medical research, to develop unique and important
collaborative efforts that will lead to improvements in the treatment and care
of patients with leukaemia and lymphoma.
Labels: Alec Baldwin, Denise Rich, Eva Longoria, FREDERIQUE CONSTANT
Clive Owen wears Jaeger-LeCoultre at premiere in Cannes
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| Courtesy of Jaeger Le-Coultre |
Clive Owen attended the premiere of his latest movie “Hemingway & Gellhorn”, completing his red carpet look with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon.
“Hemingway & Gellhorn” is a drama centered on the romance between Ernest Hemingway (Clive Owen) and WWII correspondent Martha Gellhorn (Nicole Kidman),
Hemingway's inspiration for “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and the only woman who ever asked for a divorce from the writer.
As an internationally renowned British actor, icon of elegance, and also a humanitarian who gives both time and money to his favorite charities,
Clive Owen represents Jaeger-LeCoultre fine watchmaking collections:
“Jaeger-LeCoultre watches is everything you want a high quality watch to be –
all the hours of workmanship make this a beautiful and very elegant watch to wear and it also looks great.”
Labels: Clive Owen, Hemingway, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Nicole Kidman
Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Jewelry
A union between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie
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| Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux |
A myriad of diamonds clothes the Cat’s Eye in light, accentuating the curves of its silhouette. Behind the scenes are the mechanics of perfection. Time beats to the rhythm of a self-winding movement manufactured by Girard-Perregaux. The Cat’s Eye Haute Joaillerie showcases highly skilled crafts where beauty and technology complement one another in perfect harmony.
Draped in 150 emerald-cut precious stones, the case illuminates its feminine curves. The flower-shaped crown unfurls its petals to reveal its heart: a rose-cut diamond. The hours display blossoms on a bed of gemstones that emphasize the emblematic case shape.
Starting with the small seconds, the iridescent oval progressively broadens with uniform brilliance. The dial, adorned with a delicate “Clous de Paris” hobnail motif, includes 102 emerald-cut diamonds, selected and positioned in order to deliver maximum brilliance. A traditional technique requiring a particularly delicate touch, the “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif consists of holding several stones with a single “clou” or pin, meaning that the diamond cutter must cut and calibrate the stones meticulously, one by one. The sapphire crystal, rounded in both directions, tops the dial and its leaf-shaped hands.
A taupe-colored satin strap enhances the sparkle of the stones. The contrast is subtle, the union a success. Extended by an ardillon buckle set with 13 baguette-cut diamonds, it encircles the wrist with unforgettable moments in time. Finally, the hand-engraved case back opens onto the caliber GP03300 self-winding movement whose oscillating weight adopts Girard-Perregaux’s tapestry decoration. The date has been set.
Created in 2004, the Cat’s Eye collection dedicates beautiful watchmaking pieces to women. The refinement of the pieces rivals their attention to detail. Its emblematic design, which has won numerous distinctions, is highlighted by precious materials and manufacture movements, both simple and with complications. The collection proves that fine watchmaking is far from being the prerogative solely of men.
Labels: Cat's Eye Jewelry, Girard-Perregaux
Melges 24 Austria Cup – Absolute triumph for Audi Italia Sailing Team supported by Eberhard & Co.
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| Courtesy of Eberhard |
Audi Italia Sailing Team, supported by Eberhard & Co. and skippered by Riccardo Simoneschi, took part in theMelges 24 Austria Cup event with the objective of testing its potential in view of the world trial, and resulted the undisputed protagonist with 8 race wins. The race was valid for the European and Worldwide lists rankings, and was organized by the Kammersee Sailing Club on Lake Attersee.
“It’s a great result – comments Mario Peserico, General Manager of Eberhard & Co. – that reinforces our confidence in the strength of the team we support, and lets us hope for positive outcomes at the next trials.”
The talented Audi Eberhard team that participated in the Attersee event was composed by the helmsman Riccardo Simoneschi, the tactician Gabriele Benussi, the trimmer Vittorio Rosso, the pitman Federico Buscaglia and the bowman Lucia Giorgetti.
The Audi Italia Sailing Team supported by Eberhard & Co. has left no space to its opponents, closing its trial with the minimal regulation score (seven points in 8 races) and a one-minute gap. Second and third on the event’s podium the German team of Markus Wieser on AEZ BMW, direct opponent of the Audi Eberhard boat, and the Czech crew of Martin Trcka.
With the Melges 24 Austria Cup archived in its palmares, Audi Eberhard is now looking at the next events, mainly the prestigious Kieler Woche (June 16-24) and the longed-for Torbole World Championship on Garda Lake (July 30 – Aug 4), a must for all the serie’s boats.
MELGES 24 - AUDI ITALIA SAILING TEAM 2012
MIAMI MARCH 9 - 11
LERICI APRIL 26 - 28
ATTERSEE MAY 18 - 20
CATTOLICA JUNE 7 - 10
KIEL JUNE 17 - 20
RIVA DEL GARDA JULY 05 - 08
TORBOLE JULY 30 – AUGUST 4, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
MONACO OCTOBER 5 – 7
Labels: Audi Italia Sailing team, Eberhard
Carb Day today at Indy 500
Carb Day today at Indy 500last practice before the race this Sunday May 27
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| Courtesy of F.P. Journe |
Jean Alesi will make a departure at the next Sunday May 27, 500 miles of Indianapolis with his Nbr 64 FPJourne-Lotus-Fan Force United machine, he will be on the grid at 11h30 (11:00am),unfortunately not in pole position due to mechanical problems with the Lotus engine but Indy 500 is an amazing race full of surprises. . . Stay tuned for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on May 27th! Labels: F.P. Journe, Indianapolis 500, Jean Alesi
You should know about Cacheux
This is the Cacheux 8 from Cacheux Haute-Horlogerie.
This is a very limited edition - only 8 pieces will be created. And in keeping with the theme of 8 -
An 8 carat diamond
The watch contains 88 grams 0f 18 carat gold
The number 8 is displayed in gold as a functional part of the dial
In all honesty, I had been sailing merrily along without even knowing that these folks were out there. So in the interest of filling in some of the gaps in my education, here is some information:
1. Not Swiss, but French!
2. Cacheux creates a very few pieces each year - the Cacheux 8, for instance, will only have 8 pieces.
3. The founder and owner is Fabien Cacheux
4. Mr. Cacheux is clearly a man of many talents - designer, watch enthusiast, and now the resurrector of his family's champagne business.
For more information - please visit their site -
www.cacheux-watches.com Labels: Cachoux, Cachoux 8, Fabien Cacheux
Jaeger-LeCoultre Renez-Vous
Rendez-Vous Collection -
Women have a date with time. With their own time. On their wrist is the new Jaeger- LeCoultre: Rendez-Vous. More than a watch, it embodies a free-spirited and spontaneous personality that is constantly reinvented and perpetually surprising. Behind the regular beat of its Manufacture movement lies a concentrated blend of the creativity that has pervaded the history of the Grande Maison. More than a watch, an encounter. A state of mind. th century witnessed the emergence of the wristwatch. Contrary to common belief, the first wristwatches were worn by women, before being adopted by men who had long clung to their preference for the supposedly masculine elegance of pocket-watches. At that time, the sleeveless dresses of the Directory and Empire periods revealed women’s arms and wrists, thereby encouraging jewellers to adorn them with a wealth of sparkling creations. Some even had the idea of incorporating a watch mechanism inside these exquisite models. And so the first wristwatches were born: individually commissioned, crafted, and exclusively destined to play a resolutely jewellery-oriented role. Today, the Rendez-Vous collection is paying a new, glowingly self-assured and refined tribute to feminine time.
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| Courtesy of Jeager |
Born at the heart of the Vallée de Joux – the cradle of Swiss Fine Watchmaking, far removed from the frantic pace of the city where time is no longer counted but instead rushes relentlessly by – the Rendez-Vous collection proudly proclaims its roots. It embodies the full range of expertise developed by Jaeger-LeCoultre for over 180 years. Within it blossoms the beauty of authentic horology: that which transcends time, the better to tame it. It epitomises the charm of the most beautiful creations, those that set a date with techniques and aesthetics, uniting them in a disarmingly natural manner.
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| Courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre |
Its femininity is conveyed through every detail of its graceful silhouette. The perfectly matched case and dial provide the perfect backdrop for the mechanical movement. The automatic calibre entirely developed, crafted and assembled in the Jaeger-LeCoultre workshops stages a day/night indicator amid a hand-guilloché décor reflecting the finest Haute Horlogerie traditions. Time serenely takes its place, bathed in the glow of the diamond-set bezel that illuminates each passing moment.
Echoing the 2009 encounter between Diane Kruger and the Manufacture, the Rendez-Vous collection pays eloquent tribute to the personality of this stellar actress. Her innate grace, her cosmopolitan spirit and her choices inspired the feminine world of Jaeger-LeCoultre. A world with no compromises, in which beauty and refinement are expressed through each beat of the mechanisms driving its creations. Ballerina, fashion model, actress, and quite simply a woman, Diane Kruger has always managed to conduct every moment of her life with self-assured determination, perpetually reinventing herself while losing nothing of her natural finesse and elegance. The same can be said for the feminine creations that continue to forge the legend of Jaeger-LeCoultre and testify to the brand’s amazing creative liberty.
The time of the Rendez-Vous is set. Is the eye drawn to the soft relief of the guilloché pattern, dazzled by the sparkle of the diamonds, or captivated by the slow dance of day and night? Each woman has her own answer… But rather than a single feature, it is the entire set of details of the Rendez-Vous watch that invite women to assume full ownership of an object that matches their character. Clearly influenced by the Art Deco movement from which the House has drawn the stylistic essence in order to exalt the beauty of the passing hours, the collection appears in two diameters – 29 and 34 mm – clothed in pink gold or steel and embellished by the finest manually crafted finishes. The 1930s-inspired hour numerals create a subtle link between the brand’s longstanding expertise and its perpetually renewed creativity. Backstage beats the unfailingly regular mechanical automatic movement, of which the oscillating weight and the exceptional finishes may be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back.
http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/ Labels: Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rendez-Vous
RICHARD MILLE – NEW RM 011 Felipe Massa Flyback Chronograph CARBON
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| Courtesy of Richard Mille |
30-Piece Limited Edition celebrates the return of the Formula 1 Grand Prix to a U.S. track
After a five-year absence, Formula 1 will race again in the United States in November 2012. Richard Mille celebrates the return of the sport that inspires many of his most iconic watch designs with a limited edition RM 011 Felipe Massa Flyback Chronograph in a carbon case.
F1 driver and Richard Mille friend Felipe Massa collaborated on the design of the original RM 011. With Massa set to drive in the United States for the first time in five years, a limited edition of his namesake watch proves a fitting tribute.
The new timepiece features the flyback chronograph functions that are essential to athletes and sports fans alike. Some of the RM 011’s main features, which include major technical innovations, are its skeletonized automatic winding movement with adjustable rotor geometry; 60-minute countdown timer; 12-hour totalizer; annual calendar; and oversize date and month. The black carbon tripartite case gives high contrast to the watch’s bright yellow strap, numerals, hands, inner bezel, crown protector and lacquer rotor detail. A yellow helmet at the 7 o’clock position adds a subtle sporty touch.
Only 30 pieces of the new RM 011 Felipe Massa Flyback Chronograph Carbon will be made. The limited edition will be sold at the Richard Mille Boutique Beverly Hills, California. The United States Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Austin, Texas, November 16-18, 2012 at which Felipe Massa will compete wearing a Richard Mille watch on his wrist.
Technical Specifications of the RM 011 Felipe Massa Flyback Chronograph CARBON
- Skeletonized automatic winding movement
- Dimensions: 50.00 mm X 40.00 mm X 16.15 mm
- Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, month display between 4 and 5 o’clock, oversize date display at 12 o’clock, flyback chronograph, annual calendar, 60-minute countdown timer, 12-hour totalizer
- Rotor with variable geometry and yellow lacquer detail
- Power reserve: 55 hours (without chronograph running)
- Water resistant to 50 meters
- Limited edition of 30 pieces
- Presented on a yellow rubber strap
Labels: Chronograph, Felipe Mesa Flyback, Richard Mille
World Oceans Day Celebration Presented by Girard-Perregaux
World Oceans Day Celebration
With Susan and David Rockefeller, Jr.
Presented by Girard-Perregaux
Susan and David Rockefeller, Jr. will celebrate World Oceans Day in New York City on June 5, 2012 from 6-9pm at The Museum of Modern Art, in partnership with the iconic, luxury Swiss watch brand Girard-Perregaux. Avid environmental conservationists, Susan and David created this event to celebrate the world’s oceans and raise public awareness to the plight of ocean health and the need for its protection.
The evening includes a special screening, and the New York City premiere, of Susan’s most recent documentary film, Mission of Mermaids. A true love letter to the ocean, this 15-minute call to action views the ocean through the eyes of the mythical mermaid, and explores ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution. The film delivers a message of hope that provokes viewers to rethink how they relate to their global waters.
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| Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux |
Presented by Girard-Perregaux, the sentiment of the night is to “Protect what is Precious” which relates both to the state of the world’s oceans and the rare art of fine watchmaking. In honor of the evening and of Susan and David’s efforts, Girard-Perregaux will launch a limited edition timepiece. The Seahawk 1000 “Big Blue” features a steel case and blue rubber strap with blue highlights on the dial and showing the world map, the focus of this important cause.
Watch Technical Specifications
SEA HAWK PRO 1000m
A genuine diving instrument with assertive personality and ergonomic design, the Sea Hawk pro 1000m is distinguished by its performances.
Ready for the most extreme adventures, it is equipped with a Girard-Perregaux self-winding movement with power reserve indication. Its case entirely developed and manufactured in-house has a unidirectional rotating bezel for calculating dive times and a helium valve used for decompressing the watch after deep dives. It is also equipped with a screw-down crown and case-back.
Steel case
Diameter: 44mm
Sapphire crystal
Unidirectional rotating bezel
Helium decompression valve
Screw down case-back and crown
Water resistance: 1000 metres
Girard-Perregaux movement GP033R0
Mechanical with automatic winding
Calibre: 11’’’ ½
Frequency: 28’800 vibrations / hour (4Hz)
Jewels: 27
Power reserve: minimum 46 hours
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| Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux |
The evening at MoMA also coincides with the launch of Susan’s jewelry collection, inspired by Susan’s love of the ocean, which is now available at www.susanrockefeller.com. Susan Rockefeller jewelry is designed to start the conversation and engage people in creative dialogue about the oceans. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Oceana.
“Time is truly the only limited and precious resource that we have in this world,” describes Susan Rockefeller. “The message that Girard-Perregaux, David and I are sharing is that by giving our oceans time to rest and replenish with simple acts of thoughtfulness, they can continue to provide a bounty of necessities for human life.”
“We are very proud to have partnered with Susan and David to celebrate World Oceans Day”, says Sowind (Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard) CEO Michele Sofisti. “The clock is ticking. We need to act fast, now, in order to protect our oceans. We have a limited amount of resources available for human consumption, a fact we seem to have let pass by. It is time to raise even more the awareness about this critical issue.”
As a direct result of his work on the Pew Oceans Commission coupled with his more than 40 years of experienced sailing, David founded Sailors for the Sea, a nonprofit organization that galvanizes the sailing and boating community around ocean health issues. Sailors for the Sea’s core programs, which include Clean Regattas, Ocean Watch Essays, Certified Sea Friendly, and Rainy Day Kits, are designed to connect knowledge with action. David is also the Chairman of The Rockefeller Foundation.
In addition to her documentary film efforts and jewelry design, Susan sits on the board for Oceana and the global leadership council for the NRDC, as well as the Program Committee for Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. She and David have co-chaired the Christie’s Green Auction for three years, while Girard-Perregaux has created unique timepieces for auction. The Christie’s Green Auction has raised nearly $6 million in support of environmental charities.
About Sailors for the Sea
Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect and restore our oceans and local waters. For more information or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org.
Labels: David Rockefeller, Girard-Perregaux, Jr., Mission of Mermaids, Sailors for the Sea, Susan Rockefeller, World Oceans Day
Richard Mille Welcomes Martin Brundle's Return to Racing
RICHARD MILLE WELCOMES MARTIN BRUNDLE’S RETURN TO RACING AT THE LE MANS 24 HOURS
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| Courtesy of Richard Mille copyright Alan Lee |
Richard Mille is delighted to support the return of his friend Martin Brundle to competitive racing on the 16th and 17th June when he will take part in the 80th occasion of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Together with his young son Alex and Spanish driver Lucas Ordonez, Brundle will drive the Nissan powered Greaves
Motorsport LMP2, as it defends its 2011 Le Mans Series drivers’ and team titles.
Martin Brundle has enjoyed a successful career in motorsport. He has been in Formula 1 for over 10 seasons, staring 158 races. His career highlights include a close second finish behind Ayrton Senna in the 1983 British Formula 3 Championship; the Drivers’ Title of the 1988 World Sportscar Championship and victory in 1990 at Le Mans 24 Hours driving for Jaguar, in an XJR-12. Today Martin Brundle is a highly regarded automotive journalist, being the voice of Formula 1 for British television since 1997. His commentaries are beamed to millions of F1 fans in other English speaking nations.
Martin Brundle has a genuine passion for timepieces whose engineering and high technical content have a close affinity to racing cars. When he first saw a Richard Mille watch, it was love at first sight! Richard Mille has always been fascinated by mechanical things. When designing his timepieces he often
draws inspiration from motorsport, both for the conceptual aspects as well as for the technical solutions involved. When hearing about Martin Brundle’s return to Le Mans 24 Hours, Richard Mille immediately decided to sponsor the team and to extend his support to Alex Brundle, who will be racing in the Le Mans Series as well as in GP3 this year.
Like the other Richard Mille Team partners - Rafael Nadal, Bubba Watson, Pablo Mac Donough, Felipe Massa, Jules Bianchi, Romain Dumas, Charles Leclerc, Adrien Tambay, who wear their Richard Mille watches when competing- Martin and Alex Brundle will wear Richard Mille timepieces whilst racing competitively. This will be the original RM 011 Felipe Massa Flyback Chronograph, a watch which has been specifically designed for motor racing.
“Richard’s passion for watches, motor racing and engineering is totally infectious’’ say Martin Brundle, ‘‘I am absolutely delighted that he is part of our Le Mans adventure.’’ His son Alex further comments: “I am honoured to have the support of such an iconic brand for my racing programmes. I will do my very best while representing Richard Mille at GP3 races, the Le Mans 24 hours, and Endurance events this year.’’
Alex and Martin Brundle will warm up the engine at the 24 Hours Le Mans on the 16th and 17th June, and Richard Mille is thrilled to support such an extraordinary father-and-son undertaking! Labels: 24 hours of Le Mans, Greaves Motorsport LMP2, Martin Brundle, Nissan, Richard Mille
A Few Minutes with Mike Margolis - President of America for the Sowind Group
It was a real pleasure to have an opportunity to interview Mike Margolis following his appointment at Girard-Perregaux/Jean Richard (also known as the Sowind Group) as the President of their American operations.
And now - a few minutes with Mike Margolis -
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| Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux |
James Henderson: What was your first watch? Was it a gift, is there a story behind it?
Mike Margolis: The first watch I remember having was in about 1974, it was one of the red letter LED’s that had just come out. The Pulsar’s were so expensive, I couldn’t afford one at age 14, so I had a generic one instead. When it died, my father gave me his SS Omega Seamaster Automatic. I wound it up, put it to my ear, and began a lifelong love of mechanical watches.
JH: When you were a boy, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
MM: I never had aspirations to anything in particular.
JH: Where did you go to school, what did you study exactly?
MM: University of Connecticut, BA in Latin American Studies and Foreign Languages, then some postgrad work at the Universidade de Lisboa in Portugal.
JH: In some ways you seem to have a bit more of a background suited for an academic, or even some sort of governmental career, what are some of the things you did prior to entering the watch industry?
MM: I was a union carpenter, a lifeguard, an English teacher at a Berlitz School in Dusseldorf Germany, then began a career in the high-tech world. My last job was 9 years with Magellan GPS.
JH: What got you started in the watch industry?
MM: In about 1997 I found watchnet.com and then timezone.com. Before that, I thought I was the only person in the world who liked watches. So I started hanging around TZ and very early became the moderator of the Blancpain forum, then also IWC and Vacheron. I met Jean-Claude Biver in about 1999 while he was still at Blancpain. He asked me to host a collector’s dinner in NYC and we became friends from that; and we’d see each other and stay in contact as friends would. When he started at Hublot in 2004, he connected with me and asked that I would start an Hublot forum on timezone. We did that in 2005, and that eventually led him to ask me to come work for him full time in 2007.
JH: Tell us a bit about your time at Hublot, what was it like to participate in the "Fusion Revolution"?
MM: Wow, what an amazing five years. It was an education in so many ways: I rode the rocket ship up in 07 and 08, then things retracted a bit in 2009, and then we took off again in 2010 and 2011. I will be eternally grateful to Jean-Claude Biver for giving me a chance in the industry.
JH: Of all of the Hublot projects/partnerships that you were involved with, do any favorites stand out?
MM: I crewed on a vintage wooden racing yacht at the Yacht Club of Monaco in 2007. Black tie dinner with Albert II Prince of Monaco, stayed at the Hotel Hermitage. For me, that was the best event I’ve ever been to.
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| Courtesy of Girard-Perregaux |
JH: After a clearly successful time with Hublot, you made the move to join Girard-Perregaux. Obviously as the head of North America, it is a move up the ladder so to speak. But beyond the title, what are some of the things that attracted you to Girard-Perregaux?
MM: So many things: We are a true manufacture, and have been continuously since 1791. I am at heart a very traditional person and I love the classical nature of our product. Our Haute Horlogerie department is to die for: tourbillons galore, minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, etc...
JH: What are some of the differences between a company like Hublot, and Girard-Perregaux?
MM: Obviously, Hublot loves the new materials and cutting edge technology. Ceramic, carbon fiber, bead blasted platinum, all de rigeur. Girard-Perregaux is more traditional, building and finishing movements by hand and casing them in steel and precious metals. Neither is better or worse, just different.
JH: What do you see as Girard-Perregaux's greatest challenges here in North America?
MM: We are a spectacular 220 year old brand who has been asleep. It is my challenge to wake it up!
JH: How do you see JeanRichard developing?
MM: 2013 will be a great year for JeanRichard. There will be new models, a new advertising campaign, an entire new push to re-establish the brand. I am quite excited as I’ve seen the prototypes!
JH: Although it might be hard to choose, do you have a favorite GP and JR model?
MM: For G-P, I am wearing a 1966 triple date moon phase in platinum, a small limited edition of 100 pieces. Past that, I can only fantasize about the new 1945 triple bridge tourbillon with grey dial. Wow.
For JeanRichard, as I answer this I am wearing a blue Aquascope; my summer watch for the pool, ocean and bicycle.
JH: What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?
MM: I have a huge passion for antiques and decorative arts. When I retire, I’d love to have an antique shop in Maine.
JH: What do you like to do in your down time?
MM: With four teenage kids, I don’t know what downtime is! Seriously, I love classical music, museums, travel and food. We live in a house from the 1760’s, so there’s always a project going on.
JH: You have, in many ways, lived the dream of many watch fans - going from a watch collector and forum participant to the North American head of one of the world's most famous brands. What advice do you have for those out there who might wish to follow in your footsteps?
MM: I get asked this all the time, and always say the same thing: The watch industry is quite inbred, and it’s really hard for an outsider to find their way in. The best way I’ve seen is to take your gifts and talents, and offer them to your favorite brand at no charge. Show them what you can do for them, work your butt off asking nothing in return but for the love of being involved, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find yourself with a job offer.
Labels: Jean Richard Sowind Group Mike Margolis Girard-Perregaux
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