Sandra‘s Closet

Monday morning, I took the early flight to London to attend the first Breitling Summit, where the brand’s new Premier collection and additional distinguished products in all of their four universes, Air, Land, Sea, and Professional were introduced. The day started already beautiful with a breathtaking landing over the city in full sunshine.

A brand with a rich heritage

Breitling was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling with the mission to create toolwatches with optimum functionality. Based in the Swiss Jura, he specialized in chronographs and precision timers. Until today, the watch company has been famous for its pilot-themed chronographs.
In 2017, Breitling, one of the last family-owned watch brands of note, was sold to one of the biggest private equity firm in Europe, CVC Capital Partners. I was curious how the watch company had evolved during the past 12 months after Georges Kern took over the helmet as CEO and also as an investor.

Breitling CEO Georges Kern

The day started with a presentation about Breitling’s journey over the past year and its vision for the future by Kern himself. For me, he is a marketing genius. In this short amount of time, he managed that Breitling is on everyone’s lips and he is proud of this achievement himself. His mission and energy to create a #legendaryfuture seems well on its way. With him in charge, the brand has a great chance to live up to its own spirit and to be flying high again.

Let’s take for example the #squadonamission campaign that is throughly thought through, celebrating the collective spirit of squads united in pursuit of their mission and featuring leading figures from the worlds of aviation, exploration, cinema, and sport. It was a pleasure listening to iconic photographer Peter Lindbergh who appeared on screen to tell us how much fun he had shooting Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt and Adam Driver for Breitling’s Cinema Squad campaign.

Kern said that «this clearly differentiates Breitling from the rest of the industry as Breitling is communicating with teams instead of individuals.» In a round table discussion he also wheeled out his top team.

My favorite: the new B01 Chronograph in Bentley Racing Green

His first steps to turn the brand around was to simplify the product range to four categories of Land, Air, Sea and Professionals and to speak to a broader customer base. On Monday, Breitling also announced new watches in each segment. One presented during the summit will be launched in partnership with Bentley, a collaboration that has been running since 2003, and that will be renewed in 2018 with the new B01 Chronograph in Bentley Racing Green – my favorite watch seen this Monday in London.

Combining purpose with style, the new Premier collections are worthy of Breitling’s legacy.

It is part of the probably most important launch, the elegant and stylish Breitling Premier collection that will be available from the end of October 2018. A reintroduced name that has a special significance for the brand as it was in the 1940s, when Breitling introduced its first collection of truly elegant watches, which were defined by their fash­ionable flair. Willy Breitling wanted to attract a new customer base and Kern wants to achieve the same with these new watches. Kern is clear about the role the Premier watches play in the brand’s product portfolio: «This is the first modern Breitling collection dedicated to everyday elegance. With outstanding quality and performance, these watches bear our unmistakable brand DNA, but they have been created with a focus on style that beautifully complements their purpose.»

Breitling’s new Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown

Going with the zeitgeist and focusing on the sustainability aspect, Breitling’s new Superocean Héritage II Chronograph 44 Outerknown celebrates the brand’s partnership with Outerknown, a sustainable clothing company committed to improving environmental conditions for the entire planet. The watch features a first for Breitling: the strap is crafted from ECONYL® yarn, an innovative materi­al created from nylon waste, one source of which is fishing nets from oceans around the world.

Preview at the summit: Navitimer 8 inspired by Curtiss will be launched in 2019

Another very cool model that will hit the shelves in 2019 is for Breitlings’ aviation watch enthusiasts and «flying tigers»: the Navitimer 8 camouflage green dial will be produced in conjunction with Curtiss, an aircraft company best known for its WWII P-40 Warhawk fighter jet that is painted with a shark’s mouth under its nose.

Breitling Boutique in Zurich

During the round table Kern explained a little more about his sales strategy. He will increase their own retail and decrease wholesale. He closed most of the stores in South America and opened new ones in Asia and the US. In Paris, Breitling will open a flagship store in the next weeks featuring the new very masculine look, imagine a loft apartment with a pool table and a living room area with leather sofas, brick and concrete walls. «We call it modern retro,» Mr Kern said. Through their interior design, all stores offer an outstanding buying experience. Something that is key for Kern.

His biggest advantage in his new challenge? The independency of Breitling which gives him the capability to act faster than in a conglomerate. Kern is involved in every little step, even the design process of the watches.

Trying the new Premier Chronograph 42 with blue dial and brown alligator leather strap

An outlook for the upcoming year: Ladies, great news is that 2019 will mark the launch of a designated women’s watch collection. Stay tuned!

To a legendary future… I am wishing the whole Breitling team good luck for this thrilling journey!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Breitling
Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for Breitling
@Breitling #breitling #squadonamission #legendaryfuture #premierstyle

Last night, I attended the opening celebration of BREITLING‘s newly designed boutique, situated in a prime location on Augustinergasse in Zurich. During this dazzling, high-profile red-carpet event, VIP guests and customers were treated to a cocktail party and dinner, followed by a concert performance by Swiss pop star Baschi. A full-scale mock-up of a Breitling Jet Team aircraft in front of the boutique caught the eyes of passersby, who took the opportunity to be photographed with the impressive flying machine.

#SquadOnAMission – Me surrounded by the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron at the Breitling opening.

BREITLING CEO Georges Kern was joined at the opening event by an impressive roster of special guests, including former World Cup Alpine ski racer, Winter Olympic gold medalist, and pilot, Dominique Gisin, multiple Ironman champion and duathlon specialist Ronnie Schildknecht, celebrated Swiss chef René Schudel, Breitling Jet Team leader Jacques Bothelin, and members of the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse elite aerobatic squadron.

With Breitling CEO Georges Kern at last night’s opening.

Georges Kern was excited about introducing Breitling’s new industrial-loft point-of-sale concept in Zurich, one of the brand’s home towns: «Our redesigned boutiques respect Breitling’s long heritage, but they do so in a stylish, contemporary environment. It is essential, as a global brand, to have a significant presence in key cities around the world. We have already launched flagship boutiques in Beijing and London, and today we are opening our doors to a new generation of Breitling enthusiasts in the country where the company was founded in 1884.»

Breitling’s newest brand ambassador, internationally renowned model Ronja Furrer, was also in attendance along with her boyfriend singer Stress.

Redefining industrial-chic luxury, the boutique’s interior space is divided over two floors. On the ground floor, Breitling’s watches are presented in vitrines and display cases whose design reflects the urban-loft ambience.

Upstairs is a bar and lounge area where visitors can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city just outside the boutique’s doors and enjoy a drink while exploring some of Breitling’s iconic collections.

Ronnie Schildknecht, Breitling CMO Tim Sayler, Jacques Bothelin and Dominique Gisin at the boutique opening.

Along with Adrian Bindella, CEO of Zett-Meyer, Steven Biedert, Breitling’s Brand Manager in Switzerland, and the brand’s celebrity guests, Georges Kern cut the ribbon, officially opening the Breitling Boutique Zurich.

Following the boutique opening, guests enjoyed cocktails an «unplugged» concert performance by Baschi, one of Switzerland’s most popular musicians. The singer arrived in style on a motorcycle created by iconic British brand Norton, one of Breitling’s partner companies.

The mock-up of the Breitling Jet Team aircraft – with its imposing dimensions (a height of 12.3 meters and a wingspan of 9.46 meters) – attracted attention throughout the event. It served as a stage for Baschi’s concert, and also provided a perfect photo opportunity.

A great night with a lot of fun, thank you, BREITLING, for having me!
Stay tuned for the outfit post coming up soon…

LoL, Sandra

Photos by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for Breitling
© Getty Images

Thursday night, I attended Breitling‘s red-carpet event at Zurich’s Hallenstadion. The innovative Swiss watch brand celebrated the debut of its new Navitimer 8 collection and Breitling’s new global CEO, Georges Kern introduced his brand’s next chapter. The event was the European stop on Breitling’s international tour, which debuted in Shanghai in late January and which will move on to New York City at the end of February.

As 2018 marks the Year of the Dog, I’ve chosen an offbeat ode to one of my favorite four-legged friends with this dog print gown and hope that you will like it as much as I do.

My look: Dog print silk chiffon gown by Dolce & Gabbana, classic Paris D’Orsay pumps with bow and metallic-trimmed leather clutch, both by Saint Laurent, necklace by Dior, and Mitza ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie.

LoL, Sandra

Georges Kern, CEO Breitling, introducing his brand’s next chapter.

With Patrick Liotard-Vogt

Always fun talking to former soccer player Günter Netzer and his lovely wife Elvira.

Walking into a #legendaryfuture…

Exploring Breitling’s versatile history and the new Navitimer 8 collection…

My Dolce & Gabbana gown is an ode to the Year of the Dog.

Having fun on the dance floor with Barbara Becker.

Thank you, Georges Kern, for this fantastic night!

Photos: © David Biedert Photography, Courtesy of Breitling © Alexander Scheubel, © Harold Cunningham, © Hervé Le Cunff for Blick, © Sandra Bauknecht

Today and running through the week, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) has opened its doors. Only invited journalists and retailers from around the world are able to visit this most exclusive watch fair in Geneva at the Palexpo convention center. Renowned watch brands, such as IWC Schaffhausen, Audemars Piguet, Piaget, Montblanc, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin just to name a few display their newest timepieces. As all of these houses have in general famous ambassadors, you will most likely run in many celebrities at the exhibition. In the evening, exclusive events take place. One that is definitely not to miss is IWC Schaffhausen’s gala night which always takes place on Tuesday evening. Enjoy some of my impressions of last year and stay tuned for the new ones coming up soon!

Monday night is Montblanc night. Charlotte Casiraghi wore the same Montblanc earrings than me.

French actor Pierre Niney

Tuesday is THE day at the IWC Schaffhausen booth, many celebrities (here among them Nico Rosberg, Louis Hamilton, Ronan and Storm Keating) visit the Swiss watch manufacturer.

Framed by Marc Forster and Luis Garcia Fanjul.

IWC brand ambassador Karolina Kurkova with me

In the evening, the IWC gala «Journey to the Stars» took place which was amazing.

With Adriana Lima and Barbara Becker.

Great performance by Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall.

Love her! Emily Blunt

Having fun!

James Marsden.

With IWC Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern 

British Formula 1 racing car driver Lewis Hamilton

As SIHH is all about watches, I would like to show you two of my favorite models I spotted last year. First the Big Bang Broderie by Hublot. Sized at 41mm, these beautiful watches come in three styles (two are shown in the picture). All are limited to 200 pieces, each style.

And second, Cartier‘s Rêve de Panthère watch. In this spectacular creation, Cartier’s panther emblem enters the decoration – at once diurnal and nocturnal – of a day/night movement that belongs to the great tradition of the Maison’s complications. Like by magic, The background sky changes from starry night to shining sun for an extraordinary interpretation of time measurement.

Enjoy your day!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hublot and Cartier, © Sandra Bauknecht

Saturday night as part of the 11th Zurich Film Festival, I attended the wonderful IWC Schaffhausen “For the Love of Cinema” Gala Dinner at the Park Hyatt hotel during which Oscar winner Christoph Waltz presented the first-ever Filmmaker Award, worth CHF 100,000 in sponsorship. The award was set up by the Association for the Promotion of Film in Switzerland, which was founded last December by Marc Forster, IWC CEO Georges Kern, the co-directors of the Zurich Film Festival Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri, and the CEO of Ringier, Marc Walder.

To celebrate the occasion, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer had invited some 200 VIP guests from the worlds of film, media, politics and commerce.

On the red carpet

Bernhard Burgener, Norbert Preuss and Michael Steiner (“Und morgen seid ihr tot”) and Lisa Blatter and Jan Gassmann (“Europe, She Loves“) receive the Filmmaker Award. 

From the four nominated films, the jury picked two winners: “Und morgen seid ihr tot” (“Tomorrow You’ll Be Dead”) and “Europe, She Loves”. Christoph Waltz, who presented the award, shot to fame with roles in “Inglourious Basterds” and “Django Unchained” by the American cult director Quentin Tarantino.

Christoph Waltz

“I am proud to be here in person to present this award, which is very important for the Swiss film industry. Providing sponsorship for filmmakers is a necessary and relevant task, one which makes a significant contribution to the diversity of Swiss film,” said the two-time Academy Award winner. The two winning projects were also each presented with an IWC watch – the Portugieser Automatic in stainless steel with a black dial and a special rotor engraving with “1st Filmmaker Award Zurich 2015”.

Actor Christoph Waltz, IWC CEO Georges Kern and director Marc Forster during dinner.

Philipp Fankhauser and band performed at the gala. 

After the dinner, we continued the party at Club Adagio into the small hours of the morning. It was a truly amazing night… thanks IWC Schaffhausen for having me!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Lennart Preiss/Getty Images for IWC

As part of the 10th Zurich Film Festival (ZFF), Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen invited me for the opening of the “Timeless Portofino” exhibition.

CEO Georges Kern was joined by Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett and renowned photographer Peter Lindbergh to present the amazing result of a photo shoot which involved a host of stars, such as Emily Blunt, Zhou Xun, Ewan McGregor, Christoph Waltz among others and was organized by IWC especially for the launch of its new Portofino Midsize collection. Before the exhibition set off around the world, IWC celebrated the world premiere with around 250 guests and invited them to a glamorous gala dinner (see yesterday’s post here). Enjoy my outfit post and the photos that I took from above upon the arrival of the famous guests as I was already inside the exhibition.

My look: Embroidered wrap-over mini-dress by Balmain, metallic and matte-leather pumps and Sac De Jour Nano leather shoulder bag, both by Saint Laurent, sunglasses by Tom Ford, statement necklace by Dior, «Mitza» ring by Dior Haute Joaillerie and Portofino midsize watch with diamonds by IWC Schaffhausen.

LoL, Sandra

Photos in collage: © Sandra Bauknecht and  Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for IWC
All other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s outfit post is dedicated to the amazing IWC Schaffhausen gala that took place last September during the Zurich Film Festival. I wore a very colorful gown by Peter Pilotto that I adore. The “mix and match” effect of the fabrics is extremely up to date. Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett, who was the star of the night, sported the floral print trend as well. I have included some impressions of this extraordinary event for you. A huge thank you to Andrea Monica Hug who took some photos of me upon my arrival.

My look: Freya kaleidoscope print crepe gown by Peter Pilotto, laser-cut leather clutch by Christopher Kane, leather platform sandals by Saint Laurent, earrings by Prada, diamond ring and diamond bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery and Portofino Midsize Automatic watch with diamonds and grey alligator bracelet by IWC Schaffhausen.

LoL, Sandra

Kurt Eschbacher interviews Cate Blanchett during the gala

Lovely Karolina Kurkova (I hosted an intimate lunch with her one day before) framed by IWC Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern to her right and photographer Peter Lindbergh to her left.

To the sounds of DJ Jack-E, we partied the whole night… definitely another unforgettable night!

Photos: © Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for IWC
© Andrea Monica Hug/ Chic in Zurich 
© Sandra Bauknecht

While you are reading this, I am on my way to the SIHH, Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, in Geneva. I love this watch fair where this year 16 brands exhibit their new creations in an outstanding and extremely luxury environment. IWC Schaffhausen is one of them and I know that their booth as well as their party will once more make history.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the brand’s iconic Portugieser watch line and launching a new collection at this year’s SIHH, I will of course keep you posted with some essential information.

To raise your enthusiasm, I would like to show you some very exclusive photos (some of you might have seen some in the October issue of L’Officiel Switzerland) of the amazing Ladies Lunch “Timeless Portofino” during the 10th Zurich Film Festival Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Watches (co-partner of the ZFF), and my humble self hosted at the Widder Hotel in Zurich to celebrate the new IWC Portofino midsize watches.

IWC CEO Georges Kern framed by Karolina Kurkova to the right and myself to the left

You have seen my new beautiful watch in many outfit posts. Thanks a lot to those who sent me your lovely comments about this new beauty in my closet.

Special guest of the event was Karolina Kurkova, the charming blonde chatted over lunch about her life with my girlfriends and took a souvenir photo with each guest. As an additional gift, there was a handwritten card with a personal dedication of the famous top model. Karolina is truly an amazing woman!

Enjoy all the pictures below and stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Karolina was checking on the photos (a true pro) to make sure all of them were immaculate.

Karolina framed by Monika Kern to the left and Margarita Forster to the right.

Having fun with David Biedert backstage taking some pics.

Photos: Courtesy of IWC, © David Biedert and © Sandra Bauknecht

One of the most exciting events of the year is the IWC gala held during the SIHH. Each year, Georges Kern, CEO IWC Schaffhausen, brings glamour and worldclass celebrities to Geneva. One night that makes you feel more like being in Hollywood than in Switzerland.

Georges Kern, CEO IWC Schaffhausen, with me

On the red carpet at this incredible event were Ewan McGregor, Zinédine Zidane, Karolina Kurkova, Ross Brawn, Eric Dane, Adriana Lima, Luis Figo and Matthew Fox, among many others. I had so much fun watching all of them arrive and was spotted myself…

Racing driver for the Mercedes GP Formula One™ team: Nico Rosberg

Model Victoria Silvstedt

Unzipped, the best “backolleté”: Karoline Huber, CMO IWC Schaffhausen, in Tom Ford

This year, the theme “IWC RACE NIGHT” was of course matching the house’s newest launch of its new Ingenieur watches that I had a closer look at during a tour around the amazing IWC booth earlier that day. (For the post, please click here.) The latest collection aptly expresses the spirit of the new partnership between the Schaffhausen watchmaker and the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team.

My look: Black jumpsuit by Michael Kors, shrug by D&G Dolce Gabbana, Elsie bag by Chloé, Tribute patent-leather sandals by Saint Laurent, cuff by Stella McCartney, necklace by Roberto Cavalli and earrings by Chanel.

Tim Jefferies

Actor Ralf Moeller with me

Photographer Peter Lindbergh with me

Lovely Karolina Kurkova

Two angels in Geneva: Victoria Secret Models Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima in Roberto Cavalli

Grey’s Anatomy “McSteamy” Eric Dane with me

Together with IWC CEO Georges Kern, Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey compèred the IWC Race Night, while Nico Rosberg and his sleek Formula One™ racing car galvanized the atmosphere. The moment, we heard the sound of the engine, it was clear why each of the over 850 guests had ear plugs at the table.

A spectacular competition between some prominent guests ensued when Nico Rosberg invited them to change the tyres on his Formula One™ car. In a simulated pit stop, top model Karolina Kurkova, film stars Matthew Fox, Jean Reno and Eric Dane, as well as Asian actors Francis Ng and Kiichi Nakai tried to get the sleek-bodied vehicle back on the track in the 3 seconds that were given to them.

Great team work: Karolina Kurkova and Jean Reno

A happy Eric Dane

Concentrated: Tim Jefferies and Marc Forster

Those two are having fun: Marc Forster and Kevin Spacey

Personally speaking, the culmination of the night was a private concert from the British band Jamiroquai. Lead singer Jay Kay has such a rhythm and incredible presence on stage that  I couldn’t stop dancing all night… as you can see in the last picture.

Thank you, IWC, for letting me be part of this outstanding event!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen opened its first US Flagship Boutique in New York City this month – with 3,000-square-foot the largest of its kind worldwide.

“The opening of this Flagship Boutique in New York City marks a major milestone for IWC Schaffhausen,” says CEO Georges Kern. “It not only reflects the success of the brand, but also pays tribute to the home country of the company’s founder and to our American heritage. We are looking forward to welcoming our customers at this marvelous location at Madison Avenue and inviting them to experience IWC’s spirit and philosophy.”
In fact, IWC founder Florentine Ariosto Jones, an American entrepreneur who launched the brand in 1868, was born only a few miles away from the company’s new landmark.

Today, customers can explore the brand’s watch families – Aquatimer, Pilot’s Watches, Portofino, Ingenieur, Da Vinci, and Portuguese at this outstanding bi-level boutique.

I would like to invite you to check out IWC’s newly launched NYC Globetrotter Guide that offers lots of insider tips for the city that never sleeps. Just click on the highlighted text.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of IWC