The Baignoire Watch Meets the Clou de Paris

While you are reading this, I am at Watches & Wonders in Geneva and cannot wait to share all the amazing news with you concerning the newest watch launches. Let the get started with these beauties by CARTIER.

THE BAIGNOIRE WATCH MEETS THE CLOU DE PARIS

Through a jeweller’s eye, Cartier watchmakers have created an aesthetic enhanced by the emblematic Clou de Paris motif. This innovative adventure has allowed Cartier to push its creative boundaries through an unprecedented expression of its expertise. First appearing in 1958 and officially taking its name in 1973, the Baignoire watch has been defined by constant evolution but has always remained true to its original identity. In 2023, Cartier designed an unprecedented new edition with a bangle bracelet. Featuring the signature curves, the Cartier logo, and a winding crown adorned with a sapphire, the Baignoire codes are there for all to see. This new, original design makes for an emblematic oval-shaped jewellery watch and reflects the singularity of the Maison, which is always looking at creations through its jeweller’s eye.

A NEW EDITION OF THE BAIGNOIRE, INSPIRED BY CARTIER’S JEWELLERY HERITAGE

This year, the Maison is reinterpreting the Baignoire bangle model by adorning it with the Clou de Paris motif. Already part of the Maison’s stylistic repertoire by the start of the 1920s, the Clou de Paris has been a constant on Cartier creations, as demonstrated by the latest Baignoire Allongée watches and the Clash de Cartier collection. The creation of this motif represents specific craftsmanship enabling gold to be moulded while preserving the evenness of its shape and volume.

ADJUSTING THE OVAL SHAPE FOR THE CLOU DE PARIS MOTIF

From the bangle bracelet to the case and dial, the watch is now entirely adorned with the Clou de Paris motif. This sensorial motif adds rhythm and structure, magnifies volumes and creates a truly architectural geometry aesthetic, making for a playfully tactile surface. It’s crafted in monochrome gold to ensure seamless continuity between the bracelet and the dial. The proportions have been adjusted and reshaped to ensure that the motif fits the curves as closely as possible. Attention to detail can be seen in elements as intricate as the yellow gold push-buttons on the clasp, which blend into the curve of the bracelet.

THE COUP D’ÉCLAT

Cartier master jewellers give the piece all its lustre during the polishing phase. Carried out entirely by hand, this finishing stage requires the utmost precision in order to respect, and enhance, the relief and definition of the Clou de Paris motif.

AN ULTRA-PRECIOUS EDITION

Now more dazzling than ever, Cartier’s new diamond design on this edition represents a true technical feat of gemsetting. With its 100 brilliant-cut diamonds, the snow setting on the dial creates a changing play of light. On the case, Cartier has opted for an inverted setting for diamonds with a slightly less pronounced tip. Throughout the piece, the diamonds and the Clou de Paris motif create a harmony of volumes in relief. This is a watch that breaks the rules and captivates the imagination.

I am in love. And you?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cartier
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My Look: Fresh Styles

Spring just hits different. Lighter fabrics, bare skin, that first real warmth, it’s a whole mood.

This look is all about effortless confidence: clean lines, fresh energy, and that feeling of stepping back into the sun. And honestly, nothing beats a spontaneous drive, windows down, wind in your hair, no plans, just movement in a great outfit that deserves an equally great car like this Maserati Ghibli Hybrid.

My look: Cropped satin-trimmed grain de poudre wool jacket, and pleated cotton-blend twill cargo pants, both by Balmain, striped sports bra by Celine, Caracaba mini leather-trimmed appliquéd patchwork canvas tote, and Kate 100 leopard-print pony hair pumps, both by Christian Louboutin, cat-eye acetate and gold-tone sunglasses by Bottega Veneta, Chandra earrings with white porcelain and pink tourmaline by Bvlgari, Golden Dome Elixir cocktail ring in 18k yellow gold by Cartier, and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Rian Davidson 
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Old Navy x Christopher John Rogers

Old Navy is continuing its transformation into a more fashion-driven brand with a new designer collaboration, this time partnering with New York–based designer Christopher John Rogers.

The project is led by Zac Posen, who serves as Chief Creative Officer of Old Navy and Creative Director at Gap Inc. since 2024. His role is to reshape the brand’s creative direction, bringing stronger design, storytelling, and high-profile collaborations into a space traditionally known for basics.

Following a previous collaboration with Anna Sui, this new collection reflects Posen’s vision of making great American design more accessible while supporting both established and emerging talent.

The 46-piece lineup, priced between $24.99 and $84.99, blends Rogers’ signature aesthetic, bold colors, sculptural shapes, and expressive patterns, with Old Navy’s easy, everyday wearability. Think vibrant dresses, polka dots and stripes, oversized denim shirts, and relaxed cargo pieces designed for mixing and matching.

At its core, the collection is about joy and self-expression. Rogers focuses on giving customers the freedom to create their own looks, combining statement pieces with practical wardrobe staples. The color palette, featuring tones like golden olive and warm reddish orange, feels playful yet approachable.

The campaign stars Kimora Lee Simmons and her daughters, reinforcing the idea that the collection is for everyone, across generations, identities, and body types.

Under Posen’s creative leadership, these collaborations are becoming a key part of Old Navy’s strategy. By releasing multiple designer partnerships each year, the brand is aiming to bring a sense of excitement, cultural relevance, and elevated design to a broad audience without losing its core promise of accessibility.

The collection launches on April 15, 2026 (with early access starting April 14).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Old Navy
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An Apple That Seduces Paris

Some artworks fill a space. Others transform it. With New York Apple, Claude Lalanne achieves exactly that, a poetic, monumental gesture now on view at Le Bristol Paris. Presented by Christie’s, the sculpture has already emerged as a standout highlight of the upcoming 20/21 Century Art Evening Sale.

Standing nearly 2.5 meters tall, New York Apple is Lalanne’s most ambitious interpretation of a motif she has explored since the 1960s. What began as an intimate study evolves here into a striking balance of surreal transformation and organic elegance. This edition (7/8, 2008), estimated at €5–7 million, embodies the unique blend of imagination and formal precision that defines her work.

Its placement at Le Bristol is more than curatorial, it’s cultural. Set within the hotel’s refined salons and iconic garden, the sculpture engages in a dialogue with a space synonymous with Parisian art de vivre.

No stranger to prestigious stages, New York Apple has appeared from Park Avenue in New York to the gardens of Versailles. Its current presentation in Paris marks yet another sophisticated chapter in its journey.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Le Bristol Paris / Anna Buklovska © Christie’s Images Limited 2026 
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My Look: Caution

A rare moment in Boston: me in jeans and frizzy hair, stuck in an underground garage due to heavy rain, called for: beauty queen of the force of nature.

Bright orange, against concrete. That was the situation. Later at Puttshack Boston, indoor mini golf, part game, part spectacle. Caution: I was unstoppable.

My look: Dioriviera cashmere sweater «Mykonos» (S/S 2022) by Dior, butterfly embroidered jeans by Valentino, ruched belt with butterfly buckle (Gucci Garden), and  Screener sneakers by Gucci, orange red mirror quilted runway shield sunglasses (S/S 2016) by CHANEL, «All Aboard» bandana silk scarf 55 in orange / white / black, and Evelyne 16 mini canvas shoulder bag in Clemence leather in Orange Minium, both by Hermès.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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LV Tambour Taiko Arty Automata Watch

Louis Vuitton unveils a new Horological Masterpiece: an Automata Watch that transcends time and imagination and that made me fall in love with it.

La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton shatters the codes of conventional watchmaking aesthetics with its latest in-house exploration of colour and movement. The Tambour Taiko Arty Automata embarks on new adventures through contemporary high watchmaking, in nimble pursuit of the unique rhapsodies of horological automata and grand feu enamel. Taking inspiration from the House’s numerous artist collaborations, the audacious dial design is characterised by the vibrant interplay of shape and form, evoking the springtime in all its sensorial splendor.

Since 2021, the finely honed use of horological automata has distinguished the exceptional high watchmaking creations of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. Unmatched as a mechanical means of expression, horological automata have featured in milestone pieces such as the Carpe Diem and the Fiery Heart to amplify their inherent dynamism and technical mastery. The new Tambour Taiko Arty Automata is the latest timepiece to channel Louis Vuitton’s in-house expertise in complex animated dials, conveying a message of unrestrained delight and shared joy through generous volumes of brightly hued champlevé enamel. Driving the watch is the automatic in-house Calibre LFT AU05.01, developed and manufactured by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton. A total of seven animated elements make up the dial automata, creating an expertly orchestrated mechanical dance, in addition to the continuous rotation of a one-minute tourbillon.

Within the confines of its 42mm white-gold case, the Tambour Taiko Arty Automata runs riot with colour and movement. A multi-tiered dial comprises 20 miniature elements spread over four different height levels, giving the watch its extraordinary richness of texture and dimension. On this artisanal canvas, luscious swirls of pastel shades create a subtle backdrop, while the hours and minutes stand out against a subdial tinted with the warmer end of the spectrum. Four Monogram Flowers with diamond pistils are scattered around the time display, gradient-blended and outlined in a palette reminiscent of 1970s-era sunburst tie-dye.

A flying tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position of the dial balances its ceaseless motion by introducing an emblem of harmony and repose. The upper tourbillon bridge is in the shape of the peace symbol, first designed in 1958 and subsequently adopted as visual shorthand for universal love. The word «LOVE» is prominently spelled out in pink enamel just above the tourbillon aperture, the fluid form of its letters evoking the spontaneity and authenticity of human emotion in the moment.

Most striking of all are the three elements to the left of the dial and their depth of detail, an eye with a dramatic fringe of lashes made from real feathers, a pair of glossy red lips with perfectly white teeth, and wedged between those teeth, a shiny candy-pink heart.

The ultra-sensorial design does not end with a static tableau, as multi-layered and visually captivating as it already is. It takes a single touch of its wearer to bring the Tambour Taiko Arty Automata to life.

The Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Arty Automata highlights exceptional hand craftsmanship, combining multiple artisanal techniques, most notably the complex champlevé enamel process.

This technique requires hollowing out surfaces, carefully layering enamel, and firing each color at specific temperatures in a precise sequence. Particularly challenging are the vivid red, pink, and purple tones, which are highly sensitive to heat. Creating elements like the glossy, curved lips on the dial demands multiple enamel layers and great expertise.

In total, the dial uses 23 enamel shades and requires over 250 hours of meticulous manual work, reflecting the rarity and technical mastery behind the piece.

Male model’s wrist size: 18cm/7.09 in
Female model’s wrist size: 15cm/5.91 in

The Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Arty Automata carries the reference W9WG71 and is offered as a limited edition through Louis Vuitton boutiques. The 42 mm white gold case is water-resistant up to 50 meters. The price is approximately $ 485,000, which corresponds to around € 420,000, depending on the market.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton Still life visuals: Ulysse Frechelin Know-how visuals: Piotr Stoklosa
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My Look: Wind & Boston

Snow, sun, rain, the past days in Boston had it all. The only constant: relentless wind. Hair everywhere, nothing in place… and yet, the look held its own.

And somehow, it feels fitting. Boston is often considered the windiest city in the U.S. (despite what many think). Chicago may be called The Windy City, but the nickname actually comes from its famously «windy» politicians, not the weather.

My look: Cropped cotton tweed jacket in blue, matching belted tweed mini dress, and Kat platform boots, all by GANNI, crystal-embellished earrings by Self-Portrait, butterfly sunglasses with grey pearl chain, and mini rectangle flap bag in pearly lambskin with black-tone metal, both by CHANEL.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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New York’s Chicest Summer Escape

As summer settles over New York City, one of the Upper East Side’s most refined addresses, The Mark Hotel, reintroduces its quietly iconic ritual: an evening at sea aboard its elegant 70-foot Herreshoff sailboat.

Beginning May 30, 2026, guests are invited to step seamlessly from the polished calm of Madison Avenue life into something altogether more cinematic. Departing from Chelsea Piers, the two-hour voyage glides across the Hudson at golden hour, offering uninterrupted views of Manhattan’s skyline and landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, as timeless as the vessel itself.

On board, the experience unfolds with studied discretion. A curated selection of gourmet bites arrives courtesy of The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges or the storied Caviar Kaspia, paired with wines chosen by the hotel’s head sommelier. The mood is less excursion, more floating salon, intimate, indulgent, and unmistakably New York.

Sailings run from 6:30 to 8:30 PM throughout the season (with the exception of a special Father’s Day cruise on June 21). Tickets are priced at $640 per guest and may be arranged through the hotel.

For those seeking something more private, bespoke charters for up to 25 guests offer a heightened level of exclusivity, with tailored menus and minimum spends beginning at $15,000.

It is, in essence, summer in New York at its most rarefied, where the city’s energy softens into something slower, quieter, and infinitely more decadent.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © The Mark Hotel
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My Look: The Epitome of a Catsuit

The epitome of a catsuit and quite literally so. An Alex Perry silhouette in animal print, bold yet razor-sharp in its elegance, worn for a night that called for exactly that energy.

We celebrated my daughter’s 24th at Blind Duck at the Raffles Hotel in Boston, a night of dancing, laughter, and that effortless kind of joy you wish you could bottle. Some evenings stay with you. This one certainly will.

My look: Oversized black blazericon by Stella McCartney, ruched leopard-print devoré-chiffon jumpsuiticon by Alex Perry, Aevitas pointy stud leather platform pumpsicon by Versace, embellished aviator-style recycled-acetate and gold-tone sunglassesicon by Bottega Veneta, Kelly Pochette Cut clutch in black Swift leather with gold hardware by Hermès, and Mitza ring by Dior Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

.Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Felicia Sewerinsson @feliciasewerinsson
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Happy Easter Weekend from Boston

Wishing you a beautiful Easter weekend from Boston. I’m in full 2-in-1 mode, quietly preparing for my daughter’s birthday as she turns 24 tomorrow. Time really does fly.

Last night, I slipped into one of those perfect Boston evenings with friends, ending up at My Girl, a hidden speakeasy-style gem with live music and an atmosphere that feels both intimate and electric. Effortless, a little decadent, and exactly the kind of place you hope to stumble upon but rarely do.

The interior design is really beautiful. Inspired by the warmth and ease of old Havana, the space balances elegance with intimacy, textured woods, soft light, and a rhythm that lingers long after the glass is empty. Each drink and detail is considered, each moment meant to be felt.

A truly special night and a spot I can only recommend.

My Girl Boston
10 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109

LoL, Sandra

So in love with my friend’s beautiful caviar clutchicon by Judith Leiber Couture.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and via My Girl
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