Category: Watches

Watches

5 Swiss Watches & Their Fine Art Counterparts

By on November 11, 2016
Moyer Fine Jewelers -- Carmel Indiana -- Hublot -- Carl F Bucherer Patravi

 

Here at PDJ we love a few things. We’ve already talked about loving Halloween, same-sex marriage, and of course Tacori, but we also love fine art. Merging our love of art with our love of Swiss watches, we’ve put together a little list of some of our favorite luxury-grade timepeices and the fine art that may have inspired them.

  1. Hublot MP-08 Antikythera Sunmoon King Gold and Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss

Moyer Fine Jewelers -- Carmel Indiana -- Hublot -- Carl F Bucherer Patravi

The Watch:

Part of Hublot’s Masterpieces collection, the limited edition MP-08 Antikythera Sunmoon King Gold watch (Model #908.OX.1010.GR) by Hublot is truly one-of-a-kind watch. Made of 18-karat rose gold, the Antikythera Sunmoon is a tribute to the mysterious navigation device (thought of as the first analog computer) found in a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera. The watch itself has 295 complications, month, moonphase, and sky position indicators that features the names of constellation as well as the astrological sign that the moon is currently under. Additionally, the MP-08 is manually winding and is limited to a run of just 20 models.

The Painting:

Austrian-born Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was extremely influenced by the art of the ancient Greeks, and was a pivotal figure in the burgeoning Art Nouveau scene. The Kiss (1907-8), is probably Klimt’s most well-known piece. In the piece, Klimt skillfully combines classical European imagery with innovative artistic methods to create a painting that seemingly exists in multiple times and place at once. Strangely mystical yet instantly recognizable, The Kiss marks a point in early modern art where the lines between representation and expression begin to merge. Simultaneously folding into their own expansion.

  1. Hublot Big Bang Pop Art and David Hockney’s Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures)

Moyer Fine Jewelers -- Carmel Indiana -- Hublot -- Carl F Bucherer Patravi

The Watch:

From Hublot’s popular Big Bang collection, the Big Bang Pop Art (Model #341.VG.9089.LR.1622.POP15) takes traditional European stone-setting techniques uses them to create this loud fashion-forward piece. This 18-karat yellow gold timepiece is adorned with nearly 200 gleaming green tsarvorite stones, and features a distinctly-colored alligator strap. Additionally, the skeleton-style hands and charming minute, date, and calendar complications only add to the sense of high-class functionality and controlled madness that the piece evokes.

The Painting:

Born in 1937, David Hockney played an important part in the development of pop art in the early 60’s. Hockney’s pieces tend to be bright, clean, and seemingly simplistic yet ultimately complex, similar to Hublot’s Big Bang Pop Art watches. Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures) (1972), comes from a point in Hockney’s career before he moved into the world of experimental photo collage, a preoccupation with self-portraiture, and other innovative creative technologies (Hockney has been called the foremost “i-Pad painter” by some modern art critics), and is typical of his interest in motion, light, space, and the influence this all has with relationships and emotionality.

  1. Hublot Classic Fusion Enamel Britto and Piet Mondrian’s Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, 1930

Moyer Fine Jewelers -- Carmel Indiana -- Hublot -- Carl F Bucherer Patravi

The Watch:

Made of slick-looking polished black ceramic, the Hublot Classic Fusion Enamel Britto watch (Model #515.CS.0910.LR) pays homage to the kinetic pop art of Romaro Britto. Simple, yet still somehow complex, the Classic Fusion Britto fits nicely into the already established family of Hublot Classic Fusion timepieces with its signature bold solid metal bezel and distinctive exposed screws. Additionally, unlike some of the other watches on this list, the Classic Fusion Britto is water resistant up to 50 meters, allowing it to be a watch that someone would be able to wear in situations that other models just couldn’t handle.

The Painting:

Painted in (obviously) 1930, Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow is one of Piet Mondrian’s (1872-1944) most quickly-recognizable pieces. As one of the founding members of the De Stijl artistic movement, Mondrian was concerned with creating works that dealt in pure abstraction. Sacrificing nearly all representation for expression, Mondrian’s work was quickly embraced by the European and American avant-garde, and has had a lasting and intense influence on the fashion and design world.

  1. Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Scubatec and Roy Lichtenstein’s Brushstroke

Moyer Fine Jewelers -- Carmel Indiana -- Hublot -- Carl F Bucherer Patravi

The Watch:

Shifting from Hublot to Carl F. Bucherer, the Carl F. Bucherer Scubatec watch (Model #00.10632.22.33.01) is one of the most classic diver’s watches in the game. With a unidirectional ceramic and 18-karat rose gold bezel, large easy-to-read numbers, and innovative screw-down crown, this watch, and the others in the Patravi Scubatec family, are as functional and hearty as they are stylish. Additionally, the Bucherer Scubatec is water resistant up to 500 meters and, unlike the other watches on this list so far, the Scubatec features automatic movement, so the wearer doesn’t have worry at all about winding.

The Painting:

Painted in 1965 as a part of his a series of paintings called Brushstrokes, this piece by Roy Lichtenstein (1932-1997) was made to poke fun at the at the haphazard way the Abstract Expressionist painted. Brushstroke is typical of Lichtenstein’s work in that it resembles comic book print (and apparently inspired by a story in the October 1964 issue of Strange Suspense Stories) and is especially concerned with the precision and symmetry of every single stroke.

  1. Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Tribute to Mabu and J.M.W. Turner’s Peace–Burial at Sea

Moyer Fine Jewelers -- Carmel Indiana -- Hublot -- Carl F Bucherer Patravi

The Watch: 

Also from Carl F. Bucherer’s Patravi collection, the Manero Tribute to Mabu watch (Model #00-10903-03-13-01) is a throwback to the innovatinve Valijoux 92 movement that gained Carl. F. Bucherer significant attenion in the early 1950’s. More than just a tribute, each Manero Tribute to Mabu model contains the actual refurbished mechanics from a number of the original Valijoux 92’s. Made with a 18-karat solid rose gold bezel, the Tribute to Mabu features chronograph, tachymeter, and manual inner-movement.

The Painting:

A forerunner of the Impressionist movement, the paintings of J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) often portrayed epic scenes of historical moments, where the chaos of time was expressed in subtle and muted tones and colors. For this painting, Peace — Burial at Sea (1842), Turner decided to paint the sea burial of his close friend, and was hung along with a painting called War that was meant to be a comment on Napolean’s “shamful” death. More than just capturing the explicit details of this sad moment in Turner’s life, the muted and demure tones Peace invokes a feeling of immediate loss and grief, while simultaneously projecting a feeling of celestial optimism and forethought.

Now It’s Your Turn!

What are some of your favorite watch styles?! Or even favorite artists?! Comment, or hit us up on our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and show off your favorite watches! ~~Heather

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Watches

A Guide to Timepiece Styles and Types

By on November 8, 2016
Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Zenith -- TAG Heuer -- Frederique Constant

With the holiday season just around the corner, we’ve started to get more and more questions about what to look for in a timepiece. Last week we talked about what to look for in a Swiss-made watch and a few weeks ago we talked about the five watches we we’re loving at that moment.

This #TimepieceTuesday we decided to slow things down a bit, and go into more detail about the differences between the five most common watch types that you’d come across in your holiday horological hunt.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Omega -- Zenith -- Frederique Constant

1. Dress Watches:

Understated and subtle, dress watch category are specially designed to evoke the most elegance and sophistication to the wearer’s formal or semi-formal attire. Dress watches are usually lacking in extravagances like complications, jewel adornments, or overly-showy faces, and are made to with more streamlined designs. Generally dress watches are made of simply constructed 18-karat white, yellow, and rose gold, as well as silver and high-grade platinum.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Omega -- Zenith -- Frederique Constant

Our Dress Watch Pick: Frederique Constant Slimline Automatic (Model #FC-306MR4S6)

Frederique Constant, a relative newcomer to the Swiss watch game (they were founded in 1988), has always been one of our favorite timepiece designers. The Slimline Automatic shown above is no exception. Its streamlined, no frills design is subtle enough to complement any outfit, while at the same time distinct enough to make a lasting impression.

 

2. Diving Watches:

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Omega -- Zenith -- Frederique Constant

Made to be worn deep in the ocean, diving watches a a popular choice in the timepiece world due to their rugged construction, water resistance, and movable bezel used to time a diver’s remaining time underwater.

And if diving isn’t so much your speed, diving watches have become popular among non-divers. This is due the watches’ bold face, easy-to-read dials, water-resistance, glowing easy-to-read hands, as well as their hearty and long-lasting construction.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Ulysse Nardin -- Zenith -- Frederique Constant

Our Diver’s Watch Pick: Ulysse Nardin Marine (Model #1503-150 62)

Similar to Frederique Constant’s Slimline Automatic, the Ulysse Nardin Marine timepiece fulfills a few roles. Firstly, this watch is slim and fashionable enough to be worn on a wearer’s day on land, while its rotating bezel, large numbers, and water resistance makes it ideal for taking any nautical adventure.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Zenith -- Frederique Constant

  1. Aviator Watches:

Similar to diving watches, aviator watches (sometimes called a pilot’s watch) were made to especially appeal to the needs and wants of the pilots of the burgeoning aviation industry at the turn of the 20th century. Originally made to be read in low-light situations, today’s aviator watches feature a selection of complications that often include tachymeters, 12 and 24-hour bezels, as well as an array of additional faces and dials.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Zenith -- Frederique Constant

Our Aviator Watch Pick: Zenith Pilot Type 20 Annual Calendar Watch (Model #87.2430.4054_21.C721)

This entirely Swiss-made pilot watch by Zenith is one of our faves. It features an array of information on the face including, date, day, and chronograph without appearing too cramped or crowded. Additionally, this watch displays Zenith’s trademark screw-lock oversized crown.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Zenith -- TAG Heuer -- Frederique Constant

  1. Driving Watches:

Usually of a more streamlined design than diver or pilot watches, drivers’ watches are built to last. Made popular by auto-enthusiasts, such as Steve McQueen and, salad dressing pioneer, Paul Newman, most driving watches feature tachymeters, stopwatch functions, two or three subdials, as well a multitude of buttons and colors made to resemble an automobile themselves.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Zenith -- TAG Heuer -- Frederique Constant

Our Driving Watch Pick: TAG Heuer Carrera Watch

Inspired by classic racing legends, the Carrera line of watches by Tag Heuer features chronograph, minutes, seconds, hours subdials, and a tachymeter bezel, as well as a special anti-reflective treatment for optimal face readability.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Zenith -- TAG Heuer -- Frederique Constant

Fashion & Smart Watches:

More simple and more stylish than a dress watch, today’s fashion watches combine modern minimalist design elements with straightforward colors, faces, and designs, to create stylish and one-of-a-kind timepieces.

Also extremely popular today, are smart watches which are made to sync with smart phones to track a wearer’s daily routine, as well as to keep track of messages, calls, emails, etc. Since their release, smart watches have become extremely fashionable, and are now nearly indistinguishable from their fashion, dress, and other watch counterparts.

Dejaun Jewelers -- Swiss Made Watches -- Zenith -- TAG Heuer -- Frederique Constant

Our Fashion/Smart Watch Pick: Frederique Constant Smart Watch (Model #FC-285B5B6)

Who said that a smart watch had to be boxy? Lately the Swiss timepiece masters at Frederique Constant have been making smart watches that are a combination of the fashion watches and dress watches that are already loved so well. This particular watch tracks the wearer’s daily steps, calories burned, and distance traveled, while also features notifications when the wearer receives a call, text message, or other digital update.

Show Us Yours!

What are some of your favorite watch styles?! Comment, or hit us up on our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and show off your favorite watch! ~~Heather

 

 

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Watches

Your Everyday Guide to Luxury Watch Buying

By on November 1, 2016
Ulysse Nardin Watches -- Dejaun Jewelers -- Los Angeles, California

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they decide to take a plunge. When they realize that enough is enough, that it’s time to settle down, find a lifelong relationship full of support and compassion. Meaning of course, that a person wants to find that perfect watch that will bring a long lifetime of sartorial satisfaction.

With so many choices out there, finding the right timepiece might seem impossible, but when, like a watch at a repairman, the search process is broken down to its separate parts it becomes as easy as proverbial pie.

Breuget Watches -- Dejaun Jewelers -- Los Angeles, California

Before you shop:

Even before you enter a store, you should develop some sort of idea of what it is that you want in a watch. Consider your lifestyle, do you need a watch that is hearty and resistant to damage? Or do you need a watch that you can wear to the office every day? Knowing your reasoning behind wanting a watch can make it much easier to find a piece that you’ll feel comfortable and want to wear as much as possible.

Other things to research and consider before heading into the store are:

1. Movement:

Today, most watches powered through quartz or mechanical movement, with both offering different features and attributes.

On the one hand, quartz-type watches are usually more damage-resistant and less expensive than mechanical timepieces, yet they are powered by a battery, as well as often garner less appreciation in the horology (just a fancy word for fans-o-watches) community due to the lack of technological expertise and know-how that goes into their construction.

Alternatively, mechanical type watches don’t require any batteries, instead they are powered by manually or automatically (self-winding) wound springs that move the delicate mechanisms within. Mechanical movement watches are often better built and more classically stylish than their quartz counterparts, at the same time, they’re also more delicate and require semi-regular expert cleaning and maintenance.

2. Complications:

The technical term for watch features including, date, moonphase dials, different time zone subdials, and more, complications can have a significant effect on the price and should be handled brands with a stellar track record of, usually Swiss, watchmaking excellence.

Breuget Watches -- Dejaun Jewelers -- Los Angeles, California

3. Style:

Amongst timepiece aficionados, there is usually considered five main styles of watches. Choosing which style to go with greatly depends on a wearer’s sense of fashion, individual personality, as well as personal and professional lifestyle.

The five main styles are:

  • Dress Watches: Understated, simple, and made to compliment business attire.
  • Divers’ Watches: Rugged, water resistant, and easy to read. Such as this Breuget Maine Diver’s watch below.

Breuget Watches -- Dejaun Jewelers -- Los Angeles, California

  • Aviator (Pilot) Watches: Similar to diving watches, but with more complications.
  • Drivers’ Watches: Streamlined, automobile-influenced, features stopwatch functionality.
  • Fashion and Smart Watches: Stylish, minimalist, and boldly colored. Fashion watch styles also include the increasingly popular field of smart watches.

Ulysse Nardin Watches -- Dejaun Jewelers -- Los Angeles, California

Additionally, after researching various retailers’ websites, as well as watch blogs and message boards, the next step is to head into a trusted local retailer and actually seeing the watches in a more intimate and close-up situation.

Where to shop:

While it might be more simple to shop for a watch at a large online retailer or chain jewelry store, smaller, family-owned, independent jewelry retailers are really the best for finding 100% genuine, top-of-the-line, luxury-grade timepieces.

The staff at these smaller retailers — such as Dejaun Jewelers, for those readers located in the Los Angeles ares — usually receive more training and have more experience with watches, most usually are involved themselves in the timepiece community and will offer more assistance than at larger-scale stores.

Breuget Watches -- Ulysse Nardin Watches -- Dejaun Jewelers -- Los Angeles, California

What to look for:

  1. Aesthetics:

The first thing that you want to look for in a watch is its physical appearance. You’re never going to be happy with your watch if you just don’t appreciate the general look and feel of it. If you’re immediately drawn to a piece, be sure to try it on, take your time, savor the aesthetics of the watch, and make sure you’re entirely satisfied with it.

  1. Size:

When trying on watches, make sure that the size of the watch face fits nicely upon your wrist. The face shouldn’t look too large or too small, as a general rule the lugs of a watch (the part that attaches the band) should be just at the edge of the wrist. Generally, the ideal face size for men’s watches is around 37-41mm, while average ladies’ face size is between 26-30mm.

  1. Cost:

Depending on the designer, the number of complications, rarity, and materials used in construction, timepieces can found in prices that vary from extremely inexpensive, to very very expensive. While most watches fall comfortably somewhere in between these two extremes, with timepieces you really get what you pay for.

It is safe to assume that the higher price, the higher the quality of the piece. While this isn’t true 100% of the time, it generally is the case.

  1. Enjoyment:

Perhaps the most important thing to consider before you buy any watch is, do you enjoy the piece. If treated correctly, a good watch can last a lifetime and like Freddie Rumsen famously said, “it’s not a timepiece, it’s a conversation piece”, so be that any watch you choose will be a watch you love.

Chopard Watchs -- Breuget Watches -- Dejaun Jewelers -- Los Angeles, California

But Don’t Take Our Word For It!

What are some of your watch buying tips or tricks? Comment, or hit us up on our Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and show off your favorite watch!

 

 

 

 

 

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Watches

How I Was Able to Gift my Mom the Most Perfect Michele Watch

By on April 1, 2016

A couple weeks back it was my mother’s birthday. She was celebrating her 60th so I really wanted to make it special in some way for her. After days of contemplating what kind of gift I was going to get for her, I decided that a watch would make for a beautiful gift. I had heard about a few well-named brands through some of my girlfriends when asking for their recommendations, one of them called Michele watches. I was so eager to get my mom a watch that she would love, so I went online to check out Michele watches that same evening. I browsed through hundreds of pieces; inspecting every fine detail of each watch as thoroughly as possible. There was an overwhelming amount of information, but I can say that I was definitely confident in my final choices
I widdled them down by searching through Moyer’s Fine Jewelers’ website for a few hours and realized they sell a few of the top brands in the industry. Their selection of Michele watches was amazing. My ultimate choice ended up being the Serein Mid Diamond watch in rose gold with the willow diamond dial. My mom was so ecstatic I don’t think I, or any one else for that matter, could have chosen a better birthday gift.

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Watches

Finding a Watch to Match Your Taste

By on

Browsing brilliant images of radiant jewelry & watches on a Friday night gives me an excited feeling. Searching for the right price is not always easy. Sometimes I feel charitable and give to my favorite store, rather than settle for the cheapest solution. Service is more important to me than anything.

Baron’s is one of my favorite retailers. Their sophisticated Raymond Weil collection sold me instantly. The brands Baron’s Jewelers have to offer can vary at times, but I trust them to supply the best and provide me with incredible service. They are regarded as one of the best jewelry websites in their region as well, since I Google’d Raymond Weil watches and they came up. I’m looking forward to seeing what other collections they will carry in the future.

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