Sandra‘s Closet

Watches & Wonders – the watch fair that was supposed to take place this month in Geneva – has been cancelled due to the current corona virus crisis. However, I will show you the newest launches during the next weeks.

The first one I would like to introduce you to is the new MAILLON DE CARTIER watch that is first and foremost a statement of style. The chain-link bracelet remains a composed centrepiece, one that plays on classic codes, whilst reinventing today’s attitudes. Firstly a jewel designed by the Cartier watchmaking studios, it is a precious watch that resides in the creative watchmaking repertoire of the Maison. A bracelet whose chain-links are offset and aligned on the bias by Cartier. Well-rounded and opulent, they move in time with the ultra-feminine elegance of the new masterpiece.

«WE WANTED TO DECONSTRUCT THE BRACELET AND TRANSCEND ITS DESIGN THROUGH A VOLUME APPROACH. EMOTION IS IN THE MOVEMENT AND TENSION.»
Marie-Laure Cérède, Timepieces Creation Director

It all lies in the twist of the lines, in the torsion emphasising the perspective within which the
watch dial blends. This interpretation allows the case and links to entwine themselves in one graphic motion. Rectangular links, a hexagonal dial, bevelled brancards: the design of the Maillon de Cartier watch incites Cartier’s rhythmic geometry. An ambition to structure the watch, from the form of its links to its faceted case, radicalises the spirit of the watch. Its volume is tangible, angular and dense.

A precious collection, the Maillon de Cartier watch also unites exceptional pieces with stones that enhance the design. The dials are inlaid to echo the sequencing of the stones set in the links. The choice of stones in the blue lacquer and tsavorite version adds to the kinetic relief of the watch. A graphic effect and contrast that Cartier accentuates with a version in yellow gold and diamonds with black lacquer bevelled links.

Investing in gold seems to be a good idea, don’t you think? Gold is considered by investors to be one of the safest investments, recovering its value quickly through economic downturns… no matter how it is a beautiful gift for you or a loved one…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Cartier

Mosaic. The very name conjures up images of art and light, the meticulous assembly of multi-coloured fragments of which the combination forms an artistic motif. In a 41 mm-diameter Arceau rose gold watch, 2,200 tiny juxtaposed leather squares form a horse profile inspired by the HERMÈS «Robe du Soir» silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018.

HERMÈS «Robe du Soir» silk scarf designed by Florence Manlik in 2018.

Set against an electric blue backdrop and matching strap, the colourful fragments are lit up by the rose gold glow of the round case with its asymmetrical lugs and slim leaf-type hands. The slender hours and minutes hands are driven by a self-winding Manufacture Hermès movement that can be admired through the sapphire crystal case-back. This horological creation imbued with the HERMÈS saddle- and leather-making heritage is issued in a 12-piece limited numbered edition.

It’s all there in a notebook kept safely under lock and key, harbouring the secrets of the Hermès artisan who imagined and developed this exclusive technique. A full year and a half of R&D was devoted to devising a process that her touch alone is capable of mastering. For several weeks, she patiently fashions a miniature work of art composed of thousands of variously coloured leather squares. First of all, no less than 3,500 tesserae are finely cut out from carefully selected full-grain calfskin. Subsequently, to fit inside the even smaller space afforded by the dial,
2,200 leather fragments compose an equestrian motif.

Such a piece of art.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès

«Once upon a time, a clumsy glass blower made a fortuitous discovery when he dropped a sliver of copper into melted glass. He decided to keep the resulting material, which he christened “aventurine”, using it to create enchanting objects.»

This year, blue watches have been trending like never before. And I found my dream model that brings some sparkle into your daily life: PARMIGIANI FLEURIER‘s Tonda 1950 Galaxy.

In the Val-de-Travers, there is virtually no light polluting the night sky, and nothing obstructing the millions of stars it contains. This feeling of vertigo was the inspiration behind the creation of the Tonda 1950 Galaxy. To create the colour of the night sky on its dial, the Manufacture dial-makers made use of a material created in 18th-century Murano: aventurine glass. It contains copper inclusions which give it an unmistakable sparkle, like infinite particles of gold, on which the rose gold appliques stand out beautifully.

The case — also made from rose gold — and the bezel, both set with diamonds, form a halo of light. On the crown, a milky white opal, like a precious miniature nebula, provides the finishing touch.
The Tonda 1950 Galaxy is driven by the PF702 proprietary movement, decorated with Côtes de Genève and bevelled bridges. This self-winding mechanical movement, and the beautiful finishes which are Parmigiani Fleurier’s signature, can be admired through the watch’s sapphire case-back. Available for CHF 23.900.

And great news is that this beautiful model is now also available with a solid rose gold bracelet for CHF 39.000 (my favorite).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier 

As the women’s Royal Oak celebrates its 40th anniversary, I was invited last week by Audemars Piguet to join them for the unveiling of the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold in Florence at Palazzo Vecchio, which is the town hall of the Italian city.

The dinner was held inside the breathtaking Salone dei Cinquecento that has a length of 52 m (170 ft), is 23 m (75 ft) broad and dates back to 1494. On the walls are large and expansive frescoes that depict battles and military victories by Florence over Pisa and Siena by Giorgio Vasari. You immediately understand why it plays such a key role in Dan Brown’s «Inferno».

Interesting to know is that before the entrustment of Vasari, the two greatest Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, were commissioned for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room. Leonardo started working on the «Battle of Anghiari», while Michelangelo focused on another portion of the wall for the «Battle of Cascina», but none of their work was ever completed. Attempts made to find Da Vinci’s original work behind the Vasari fresco have so far been inconclusive.

Two creative minds united: Jacqueline Dimier and Carolina Bucci

Personally speaking: The new Royal Oak Frosted Gold was love at first sight for me.

Coming back to the shining reinvention of an iconic design, that fast first created in 1976 for women by Jacqueline Dimier, the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold has been reinvented in collaboration with Florentine jewellery designer, Carolina Bucci. Both attended the gala dinner along with Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Audemars Piguet, François-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive Officer, model Arizona Muse, as well as actress and brand ambassador Freida Pinto.

With Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henry Bennahmias

With Freida Pinto

Power Ladies: Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm, Editor in Chief Style Magazine/Bolero, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Audemars Piguet and Dominique Lohm, PR Audemars Piguet/The Pool with my humble self

Beautiful table setting

Having a great time with Sabina Hanselmann-Diethelm, Editor-in-Chief Style Magazine/Bolero and David Pantillon, Country General Manager Switzerland

Chef Annie Féolde and her team framed by Freida Pinto and François-Henry Bennahmias

After a sensational dinner imagined by local 3* Chef Annie Féolde, the evening ended with a showcase concert by Brocken Back, sending us off in the crisp Florentine night with lots of amazing memories.

Live performance by Broken Back

The next day my adventure continued. I flew with a private jet back to Switzerland to visit Audemars Piguet’s manufacture in Le Brassus.

Stay tuned for more for more details on the visit and the new Royal Oak Frosted Gold that has captured my heart in a second as well as an amazing interview with Carolina Bucci and Freida Pinto.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Audemars Piguet and © Sandra Bauknecht