Merry Christmas Watch Fans

It has been a crazy week in the world of watches and I'm taking a break from all things computerised until the 6th of January.

There is never a better time tha Christmas to switch off, power down and zone out.


As it's the last day at work (for some!) and, let's be honest, we'll all wearing Christmas jumpers today, I leave you with my favourite novelty Christmas watches to sit alongside your cheesy wooly jumpers.

First up, cheap and cheerful from River Island with a Fair Isle style print dial and snowy white strap.

It's a steal at £4.00, so perfect for Secret Santa gifts or a jokey stocking filler. preferably for someone you don't know that well, distant cousin perhaps...

Next up is the Chihuahua AngelPearlGirl (what a mouthful) Christmas Watch. A dream for all you miniature god lovers.

 This is via Zazzle.com for $59.95 and is a customisable option so if you prefer your teeny weeny dogs in youd handbag instead of on your wrist then try adding a more personal Christmas motif like a snowman, reigndeer of your drunken Grandad asleep in his armchair. Aaah

For something a little more dressy comes the Snowflake charm watch from FunkyPinks on Etsy. The bracelet is made with a mixture of white and silver glass pearl, acrylic and filigree beads, and decorated with snowflake charms. the watch head is an antique style silver with a tiny, delicate dial opening.

These are also made in the UK so a very sweet gift for those who prefer a jewellery item over a full on timepiece.

Finally, because it wouldn't be Christmas without lashings of glitter, comes the black glitter and milti-glitter carousel bangle watches from Kate Spade.

Another jewellery inspired item, good with your party dresses or for dressing up a nice fuzzy, plain cashmere jumper. Both are $250 and can be bought here.

For those of you who don;t enjoy a cheesy Christmas jumper or a smattering of glitter, well, it;'s an empty life you lead.

To everyone else, enjoy a few days of mad clothing, presents you never actually wanted, family arguments nd falling asleep on your parents sofa because your bed was too far away from the Quality Streets.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Office Christmas Party

I am too hungover to blog. Instead, please enjoy photographic evidence of my current self-enflicted state, a few snaps form the office Christmas party.

I was this years organiser and if I've learnt one important lesson about organising office Christmas parties it is this: NEVER offer to organise your office Christmas party.

Send paracetamol. And hugs. And more bacon!

Merry Chris....oh my head.

Boybands and Best-sellers

I was a pre-teen in the golden age of boy-bands. Take That, East 17, the Backstreet Boys. Screaming girls hadn’t had it so good since Beetle Mania. I was a Boyzone girl at heart and Stephen Gately was my hero. I forced my Mum to buy me a t-shirt with his face on from our local market. Good times.

Boyzone in their prime....sigh...

I therefore feel particular sorry for today’s tween-age girls.  Not only do they have Facebook and Insta-shams to deal with, but the only faces gracing their t-shirts and bubble-gum painted bedroom walls are 5  pre-pubescent rejects from a reality TV show who got lucky being mates with Simon Cowell.

I am of course referring to global boy-band phenomenon, One Direction. Now I’m sure my scorn is disproportionate and the poor lads are just making the best of a  crazy situation but, come on, that Harry Styles fella is a dodgy character, no?

 He hides his secrets in all that hair...

Anyway, my first project at work was a One Direction watch range, one of which has just been crowned the highest volume selling watch (YTD)* within the AW13 Argos catalogue.

I didn’t design this watch, just helped it into being so it’s rather validating to know that the range has sold over 30,000 units with one retailer in just under a year. 

 The range consists of 4 models, 3 are swatch-style PVC and one a silver charm bracelet with a watch charm. All four can be bought from Argos stores and through the retailer’s website for £14.99

The bestselling model is hot-pink and features the 1D logo on the dial. Simple designs and easy to wear. I’m not at all surprised that the hot-pink has been the best-seller. Boy-bands+pink= £££. Someone really should remind Simon Cowell.

The pink watch has also been featured in Licensing Biz Daily here. I'm so proud. And ashamed. But mostly proud...

Parmigiani Fleurier and Pomellato- A Match Made In Horology Heaven

I’m a little late to the party on this one (I’m moving house, OK) but luxury jewellery brand Pomellato have now launched their first ever watch collection in partnership with Swiss luxury watch makers, Parmigiani Fleurier.

The range consists of four ladies watches based on Parmigiani’s ultra-thin Tonda 1950 timepiece. Three have been inspired by Pomellato’s ‘Arabesque’ collection, pieces from the brands' signature rose-gold and distinct swirled graphic pattern jewellery pieces.

Below are two Arabesque rings in rose and white-gold with brown diamonds and rose gold with black diamonds. A fine source of inspiration I think you'll agree.

The final watch, incidentally my favourite, draws inspiration from the ‘Capri’ range with the use of a vivid turquoise dial and diamond-set bezel. There also looks to be a sneaky ruby snuggled into the crown adding a further pop of colour.

 Capri necklace and pendant in rose gold, rock crystal and turquoise

According to WWD,  the collection retails from approximately $21,548 to $31,000 and will be produced in a limited number of only 150 pieces to be sold at Pomellato stores, as well as the Atelier Parmigiani worldwide. A very special limited run of watches that I imagine will be doing the rounds at auction in coming years.

This is a wonderful collaboration between two brands that have melded the best of both their talents to create such a striking and creative collection.

Watches from jewellery houses, particularly women’s watches, are often sniffed at by serious watch makers, a though challenged by Pomellato’s CEO, Andrea Morante who commented that as "women’s empowerment is no doubt changing customer preferences also in the ‘hard luxury’ sector…. there could be no better time for a ‘cobranding’ project”.

An aesthetically gorgeous piece supported by a fine watchmaking house targetted directly at empowered, high-flying women?!

If Pomellato and Parmigiani are still collaborating in 10 years time, I'll be the first in the queue.

Pantone of The Year 2014- Radiant Orchid

Global colour authority Pantone has announced that Radiant Orchid will be taking over from Emerald as colour of the year for 2014, causing mass panic range amongst buying teams across the country who were convinced that Tangerine Tango was due a resurgence.

It’s easy for the apparel industry, all they need to do is re-jig a dye recipe and job’s a goodun. In watches though, unless your brand already works as a colour vehicle (Ice Watch, you guys nailed it), it’s pretty difficult to inject this colour into a watch and make it a success.

Fortunately my team appear to have worked with a tremendous amount of foresight and our 2014 ranges have an adequate spattering of purple hues to cover Radiant Orchid. Kudos guys

Radiant Orchid- Image from Dexinger

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Delightfully described as “a captivating purple…that draws you in with its beguiling charm”,  Radiant Orchid’s new status in fashion land doesn’t change the fact that, generally speaking, purple does not work in watches. My lovely boss who has worked in the watch industry for over 20 years and never fails to whisper “purple doesn’t sell” in development meetings when we manage to sneak one past her.

So here’s my round up of the best Radiant Orchid-esque watches for those brands that managed to sneak one past the boss.

First up is Cartier’s  Ballon Bleu De Cartier, a luxury take on the trend, designed to be worn by both men and women (although I imagine this colourway may have a more female led customer base). The classic Cartier piece has a guilloché dial, sword-shaped hands and a semi-matte alligator strap to match to your orchids.

 

 A snip at £11.800 here

Next are two lovely models from Vivienne Westwood, both making use of high quality resin to create two very different looks. On the right if the Kew, inspired by the colours of Kew Gardens where more than a few Orchids grow. On the left is the Clarity Bright, the brand’s main colour vehicle and entry price point piece. Both are a playfull take on the brands love of vibrant, fresh colours.

Clarity Bright is £140 here,                 Kew is £150 here

Finally is the Versus Versace Sertie watch with a circular Swarovski baguette set dial and matching purple-hued leather strap. The case is 38mm so quite large for such a bold piece. But I suppose understated is to Versace is what carbs are to Kate Moss. 

 The Sertie is £185 here

I’ve been a huge fan of this year’s  Emerald Pantone Colour of the Year. I have green eyes and I’ve built up quite a collection of jewel coloured jumpers and nail varnishes. Radiant Orchid seems  a little bit insipid to me. For clothing it’s highly commercial, especially for the pastel led colour palettes of Spring. 

However, as much as I love Pantone, their belief that  Radiant Orchid “encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society” seems like far too much marketing gumpf for me. Bring back tangerine Tango, all if forgiven.