PIERRE LANNIER - Flower collection - Ladies watch all stainless steel, water resistant 3 ATM. All chocolate coloured.

15 French jewellery, high jewellery and watch companies will take part at the “International Jewellery Tokyo” and “Tokyo International Watch Fair” to be held from 27th to 30th January 2010 in Tokyo Big Sight:

11 precious jewellery and high jewellery manufacturers, stone and pearl dealers on the French Pavilion, in the “International” Section,
2 costume and fashion jewellery manufacturers in the “Fashion & Costume Jewellery” Zone,
1 men’s jewellery manufacturer located in the “Men’s Jewellery” Zone,
1 watch manufacturer exhibiting in the “Watch” Section (Tokyo International Watch Fair).

The major trends are:

For Jewellery and High Jewellery

The trend is towards softness with rounded shapes in jewellery-high jewellery (links, disks, waves, metal or crystal balls, pearls), with lightness and transparency effects (open-worked jewellery, lace patterns, links, filigree). Large designs are seen alongside extra-dainty pieces.

Plays on contrasts (matt-shiny, polished-satin or sand finish), oppositions of materials, mixtures of colours and materials are very important.

The white metal and diamonds combination retains many fans but gold comes in lots of different colours too: yellow and, above all, pink as well as, more recently, green gold. Gemstones in a variety of shapes – cabochon, facetted, twisted, briolettes, pyramids, pears – choose shades of pastel or harmonized colours or, on the contrary, combinations of bright colours. Red, in every shade, from pale pink to deep violet, is amongst the star colours this season, with a special mention for rubies, which are being rejuvenated. Pearls and mother of pearl, particularly black, are also very fashionable.

Tie-necklaces, long and fine-chain necklaces set with a variety of patterns or beads made from different materials, chains with pendants or charms as well as multi-link necklaces made from chain of different sizes, colours and shapes are particularly highlighted.

Rings are opulent: wide engraved rings, big central stones surrounded by ribbons set with diamonds, precious or semi-precious gems, large solid or open-worked settings, decorated with gem-set patterns….

Simple shank, wide or narrow link chains decorated with charms, several rows of small chains, wide rigid cuffs engraved or richly set with gems, bracelets come in a wide range of designs.

Long and hanging, hoops, studs and sleepers, earrings come in a variety of styles too.

Men’s jewellery is also the object of particular attention with ranges ceaselessly renewed in terms of designs that are adapted to or inspired by their passions. Cufflinks are back, in more modern style.

PIERRE LANNIER - PL 9 - Elegant ladies timepiece with sparkling stones decorated case. All stainless steel. Water-resistant 3ATM.

For Watches

For city wear, evening wear, sports or leisure time, watches come in highly varied styles, adapted to each activity.

In cases, the round shape is popular along with the square or rectangle and, to a lesser extent, barrel, oval and even side shifted shapes. Dials are calming down, displaying only hour-symbols, figures or finely decorated with narrow stripes, discreet patterns.

New finish techniques (PVD, IP) soften the total black look which is still a major theme (case, strap and dial), using touches of colour. Black is also combined with white (steel, lacquer, ….) whilst gold plating, gold (yellow and, above all, pink) and silvered metal are enjoying renewed success.

Diamonds, gemstones or synthetic gems remain fashionable set onto cases, dials and straps.

Leather, skin or synthetic straps are making a big comeback. Metal design are varied in terms of style or shape, adorned with a variety of patterns and sometimes combined with leather.

Men’s watches come in extra-wide sizes, sometimes oversize and in dark colours, mainly black. Chronographs, automatic, multi-function models or with complications are very popular. Urban-chic style is seeing renewed success with ultra-flat, sober and elegant designs.

For ladies, the fashion is for designs more adapted to feminine wrists, in delicate, elegant lines: metallic case-strap sets come with links or bows, rigid reeds, thin straps ors multi-lace watchstraps, cuff-watches finely decorated with a variety of patterns (flowers, butterflies, …), jewel-watches. In addition to black, which is also fashionable, black and white, white and pastel shades are in the majority.

For Costume and Fashion Jewellery

Highly graphic, the collections celebrate nature and all its riches. Simple shapes highlight the radiant white mother-of-pearl with its many different shades, focusing on its iridescence. It is associated with Japanese pearls, palm wood, glass or amazonite in ingenious settings where the mother-of-pearl plays on the sober lines themselves highlighted by clever transparency, shades of blue and radiant reflections.

Fun and feminine, the models are marked by bright, coloured animal themes (farm animals, multicoloured birds) and various takes on everyday objects to create timeless jewellery associating pewter, coloured resin, natural stones and Swarovksi strass…

For more information on the French watch, jewellery and high jewellery industry, visit the website: www.emotionfrance.com

"Red Racing" chronograph from the Haussman Magum range

Saint Honoré recently took part in the Le Mans 24 race alongside Christophe Tinseau, driver from the Pescarolo team, which came 8th of the 55 teams that entered the race.

The brand chose this famous motor race, which was held on 13th and 14th June 2009, for the launch of the new “Red Racing” Haussman Magnum, and the first model in this limited edition was worn by Christophe Tinseau.

Fitted with a quartz movement, this chronograph, water-resistant to 5 bars, has a black PVD finish steel case, a steel bezel, a sapphire glass and a black “carbon design” strap with butterfly buckle. The carbon dial displays the date at 4h and has 3 retrograde counters (30 seconds, 5 minutes and 60 minutes). This is a design sure to delight car fans as well as amateurs of elegant watches.

The brand has once again renewed its commitment to motor sports; Saint Honoré has in fact taken part in the Le Mans race several times with Paul Belmondo, the famous French car driver who has been the brand’s ambassador since 2005.

Christophe Tinseau at the Le Mans 24 hour race

The brand also pays particular attention to women, as demonstrated by the “Charisma” range with its strong personality.

The steel or 18 carat pink or yellow gold-plated case, in the shape of a stylized “H” is reminiscent of the Saint-Honoré logo, masking the crown. Instead of a traditional clasp on the case, the leather or metal strap is fixed to a transparent glass in a daring, lightweight look: the whole watch appears to float in space. In the paved version the clasp is set with 25 diamonds. Dials offers a choice between black or mother of pearl versions with large size Arabic numerals, or elegant versions with Roman numerals.

"Charisma" : Steel case water-resistant to 5 bars, mother of pearl dial set with 8 diamonds, paved clasp on the case, white leather strap.

Navitec "Tango Charlie Automatique" chronograph: steel case with white ceramic bezel decorated with 4 steel horsemen, white dial with graduated flange, white real leather strap.

A flying instructor and watch designer, René Attias has two passions: flying and watches. In the mid-seventies he designed watches for pilots and created his brand, “Navitec”, which is well known to pilots. Lots of planes are indeed fitted with the on-board Navitec 1 chronograph, making its easier to read the time and timings.

In the continuity of instruments used to improve flying conditions, René Attias’ patented graduated bezels, as used on his designs, have contributed, to a certain extent, to simplifying navigation when flying for pleasure.

In 1980, he decided to create the “Tango Charlie” watch range for the general public, fitted with the functions that ensured the success of Navitec amongst pilots but in a more fashion spirit, with outsize models using bright colours or combining materials such as gold, steel, diamonds or even rubber.

The latest in a long series of models, the “Tango Charlie Automatique” chronograph is fitted with a mechanical Swiss movement – 37 jewels, 28,800 alternations/hour – with personalised Navitec rotor. It has a working span of around 42 hours, high precision adjustment in 4 positions (0/+10 seconds tolerance per day), date with rapid corrector and time adjustment with stoppage of seconds. It shows hours, minutes, seconds and has 3 counters (totalising 60 seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours).

The case (Ø 48mm, thickness 12 mm) in polished and brushed 316L stainless steel, is water-resistant to 20 bars, and is made in 2 pieces. It has a patented system of interchangeable “60 minute” bezels decorated with 4 steel horsemen, screwed buttons and crown, an anti-reflection glass and sapphire back.

The white dial with luminous indices and hands (Super luminova) is equipped with red markers for standard Level 1 and Level 2 turns on the minutes dial zone and surrounded by graduated flange with the calculation rule.

Tango Charlie Automatique comes with a white leather or alligator strap.

Email : rene@attias.com
Website : www.navitec.fr

Guy Ellia "Jumbo, Heure Universelle" : 18 carat gold case with red micro-bubbles, alligator strap with gold butterfly clasp.

In his quest for mechanical, everyday timepieces, Guy Ellia has added a new string to his bow with a new complication: universal time.

Housed in a round 50mm diameter case in 18 carat gold with black, grey or red micro-bubbles, the automatic movement has a reserve of 72 hours and meets the challenge of displaying simultaneously local time and a second time zone for 24 cities with a day / night indicator as well as a large date.

Guy Ellia’s “Jumbo Heure Universelle” 2009 makes its mark as a complicated timepiece, an ambassador for high watch making as well as being useful on an everyday basis, particularly for globe-trotters who love clever watch movements.

This is great watch-making art staged in the heart of a dial whose open centre gives a view onto part of the skeleton movement. At 5 and 6 o’clock there are also two discs displaying the big date for reading in a line.

The two central hands for hours and minutes turn on the same axis as the hand intended for the second time zone, the blue colour of which matches the turning cities disc.

The disc, activated by the button located at 2 o’clock turns under a blue sapphire glass and displays the city corresponding to the second time zone, chosen in a window located at 12h.

Water-resistant to 3 bars, the Jumbo Heure Universelle has an alligator strap with an 18 carat gold butterfly clasp.

Despite the complexity of its dial, this is a watch that is simple both to use and to read.

Email : hroche@guyellia.com
Website : www.guyellia.com

Breguet No. 5 Quarter-repeating, self-winding watch. 1789-94. Sold to Count Journiac Saint-Méard in March 1794. Collection Montres Breguet S.A. © Montres Breguet S.A.

Through this retrospective of the works of Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), visitors to the Louvre will discover the art of watchmaking at its apogee, evidenced by these unique precision timepieces, combining genius, virtuoso techniques and avant-garde aesthetics. Assembled in the exhibition are exceptional loans – watches, clocks and measuring instruments – alongside portraits, archival documents and patents that span Abraham-Louis Breguet’s entire career.

Abraham-Louis Breguet an inventor at the court of Louis XVI

Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Breguet completed his apprenticeship and studies in France from 1762 onwards. In 1775, at the age of 28, he married and managed to establish his own business on the Quai de l’Horloge, Paris. Watchmakers of the French capital then competed with Geneva and London in the field of scientific and artistic innovation. Breguet explored and perfected these inventions and complications. But he was not recognized as a Master Watchmaker until 1784.

These intervening years saw the gradual development of the automatic (or self-winding) watch and a timepiece with a repeater (or chiming mechanism). The first self-winding watches were purchased by Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and several high ranking personalities at the court of Versailles. This led, in 1783, to Breguet receiving a commission for an extraordinary watch incorporating all the innovations and complications known at the time. The end result would be one of the most famous of all Breguet watches, No. 160, also called the “Marie-Antoinette”, which, after several lengthy interruptions, was eventually finished in 1827, i.e. four years after Abraham-Louis Breguet’s death.

These watches immediately reveal the originality of his style, characterized by functional simplicity, technical mastery and flawless craftsmanship. His flat watch cases, easily legible numerals, rectilinear hands and guilloched dials made Breguet watches both unique works of art and discreet, practical, everyday objects, unlike the ornate, ostentatious timepieces made in the last quarter of the 18th century.

The Revolutionary interlude

During the Revolutionary period, Breguet made regular trips to England, where he shared the fruit of his research with the watchmaker John Arnold, while enlarging his clientele, which already included the Prince of Wales. In 1793, fearing the consequences of his former relationship with members of the Court and his moderate ideas, Breguet returned to Switzerland. He pursued his research, while striving to run what was left of his Parisian workshops from across the Alps.

On his return to Paris in May 1795, Breguet started up business again with new models, notably a simple watch with one hand, known as the “subscription watch” (an advance deposit of a quarter of the price was paid when the order was placed), launched with the aid of an advertising leaflet. This revealed the subtle balance between the researcher and the entrepreneur, who combined constantly updated unique models with functional timepieces. In 1796, Breguet invented a new type of travel clock that went on functioning during transportion. General Bonaparte purchased the first one to take on his Egyptian campaign.

Breguet No. 4009 Observation chronometer Forerunner of the modern chronograph. Sold in 1825 to Mr Whaley Collection Montres Breguet S.A. © Montres Breguet S.A.

A European reputation under the Consulate and Empire

Thus began a thriving period for the House of Breguet, in terms of both sales and inventions, which seemed to spur one another on. Pure research and applied art always fused in Breguet’s work. The first patent he registered for one of his inventions was in 1798 for constant force escapement (the mechanism of the watch is driven by a rigorous constant force). Shown at France’s First Exhibition of Industrial Products (1798), in a travel clock and a metronome, it won Breguet a gold medal. The following year his “tact watch”, which enabled the wearer to tell the time by touching the watch face, was launched on the market. At France’s Third Exhibition (1802), the House of Breguet attracted a military clientele on presenting its “deck watch” and “Longitude watch”, while in 1806, the public were introduced to the “tourbillon regulator” (device that neutralizes the effects of gravity on the workings of watch movements).

Although kept in the background by Napoleon I, Breguet received orders from the imperial court and his entourage. Always ahead of its time, the company also exported its timepieces through a network in and outside of Europe, having understood at an early date that its survival depended on becoming international. England, Spain and Russia were its principal foreign markets, but the political situation at the end of the Empire slowed down Breguet’s activity considerably. To compensate for the markets it lost, the company developed its sales in the Ottoman Empire by adapting its models to Turkish tastes.

Ultimate recognition during the Restoration

When the Bourbons returned to power, the House of Breguet saw a spectacular turnaround in its activity. Its European clientele reburgeoned and included loyal customers such as Tsar Alexander I of Russia and King George IV of England. Prestigious timepieces once owned by them will be on display in this exhibition. In France, Louis XVIII publicly displayed his respect for Breguet by appointing him Watchmaker to the Royal Navy in 1815 and awarding him a seat in the Academy of Sciences in 1816. At the Exhibition of 1819, as member of the jury, Breguet presented a retrospective of his clockmaking career, during which he had raised this precision craft to a degree of unprecedented excellence. The reliability and streamlined designs of his timepieces were far ahead of his era and already belonged to modernity.

This tradition lives on at Breguet today in innovative timepieces, thus confirming their precursory status that bears witness to European culture and history.

Visitors information

Opening times : daily except Tuesdays, 9am-6pm. Late-night opening until 10 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Admission : access to the exhibition is included in the admission to the permanent collections of the museum: €9; €6 after 6pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. Free admission for under-26s from the European Union, under-18s, the unemployed, card-holders (Louvre jeunes, Louvre professionnels, Louvre enseignants and Louvre étudiants partenaires) and Friends of the Louvre. Free admission for everybody on the first Sunday of the month.
Further information
01 40 20 53 17 / www.louvre.fr

Actress Diane Kruger (C) and Jerome Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre (R), attend the Jaeger Le-Coultre Boutique Opening during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

Jaeger-LeCoultre is unrolling the red carpet in front of their new Boutique in Cannes

Between the red carpet and the Palme d’Or, this year the 62nd International Film Festival is witnessing the consecration of new premises under the banner of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Brand is opening a new showroom in Cannes to present its exceptional collection and expertise. Now home to the third Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique in France, Cannes is symbolic of luxury and excellence, values that the Swiss Haute Horlogerie Brand shares.

On 19 May 2009, the inauguration of the new Boutique took place in the presence of the Brand’s “Muse”, Diane Kruger, the Deputy Mayor of Cannes, Bernard Brochand, and Jérôme Lambert, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s CEO.
On this occasion, the Brand had the pleasure of welcoming personalities such as the journalist Elisabeth Quin, and the Portuguese actor Joaquim de Almeida, who were able to admire the latest collections. For the event, Diane Kruger wore a Reverso Squadra Lady Duetto.

Diane Kruger, elegant and glamorous as the brand’s sponsor, was also in Cannes to present two full-length films. She played leading rolls in Quentin Tarantino’s latest film “Inglourious Basterds” alongside Brad Pitt and in “Lascars” with the French actor Vincent Cassel.

Actress Diane Kruger and Jerome Lambert, Chief Executive Officer of Jaeger-LeCoultre, attend the Jaeger Le-Coultre Boutique Opening during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images)

Diane Kruger wearing 101 feuilles de Jaeger-LeCoultre watch and Josuha Jackson attends the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS 2009 benefit at the Hotel du Cap during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Eric Ryan/Getty Images)

Actress Diane Kruger,wearing a 101 Feuille Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, attends the Inglourious Basterds Premiere held at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 20th, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Actress Diane Kruger,wearing a 101 Feuille Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, attends the Inglourious Basterds Premiere held at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival Photo:Rachid Belak

Actress Melanie Laurent with director Quentin Tarantino and Diane Kruger, wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre reverso squadra lady in pink gold attend the Inglourious Basterds Photocall held at the Palais Des Festivals during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2009 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Louvre - Salles du Conseil d’État © Didier Plowy

Exclusive Montres Breguet SA patronage for the remodelling of the Conseil d’Etat rooms and salon Beauvais, known as the Louis XIV wing, at the Louvre museum as part of the renovation of the museum premises devoted to 18th century furnishings.

An impressive collective demonstration of French talent and capabilities, the Louvre’s collections of 18th century decorative arts are unrivalled anywhere. They rank as some of the most comprehensive ever assembled in a public institution, comprising an unmatched assortment of royal furniture, tapestries and jewellery, enriched all throughout the 20th century by the generosity of numerous donors.

Louvre - Salles du Conseil d’État © Didier Plowy

The presentation of these 18th century artistic and craft masterpieces has barely changed since 1960. Their collections’ rare and precious character, not to mention the priceless additions of the last half-century, call for a radical remodelling of the corresponding premises located in the Sully wing of the Louvre.

Two decades after the inauguration of the Louvre Pyramid, the reorganization of 18th century decorative arts collections will mark a new step in the Grand Louvre project. The renovation of the rooms of the Sully wing is designed to reconcile museological imperatives, the collections fitting in perfectly with the Louvre’s architecture, and their display, with special emphasis on facilities for the public.

Timepieces form a particularly exceptional aspect of 18th century decorative arts. The pieces representing the first third of the 19th century collected by the Lyons industrialist Claudius Côte and bequeathed by his widow brought the museum a magnificent selection of watches by Abraham-Louis Breguet. «Souscription» watches, repeater watches – such celebrated inventions and feats of manufacturing sealed his reputation as an outstanding horologist.

Breguet n°4009 - © Montres Breguet SA

I am therefore extremely gratified by the support which Montres Breguet has seen fit to bring to the remodelling of the Conseil d’Etat rooms and the Salon Beauvais, a significant aspect of the renovation of the premises devoted to 18th century furniture. Of particular importance, this partnership is for the Louvre both a natural association and a logical one.

I extend my deepest and sincerest thanks to Nicolas G. Hayek, Chief Executive Officer of Montres Breguet, for his generous contribution to a challenging project that will soon place in the best possible light a chapter in the history and cultural heritage of Europe.

Henri Loyrette
Managing President of the State Corporation of the Louvre Museum

YEMA (Ambre) - Master Elements Limited Edition Chronograph water-resistant to 300 meters. Stainless steel 316L case. Screwed crowns and pushers with double-gaskets. Carbon fibre dial. Luminous hands and index. Steel tachymeter scale, black plating. Steel rotating bezel, black plating. Calfskin and carbon look leather strap with deployment buckle. ETA 7750 automatic movement. Hours, minutes, small second, stop-second device. Chronograph 60 seconds. 25 jewels.

38 companies – representing some 80 brands – make up the French delegation to BaselWorld 2009, including 18 in the watchand clock industry (halls 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 4.1, 5.0, 5.1 and 3.U) and 20 in jewellery, high jewellery, gems and pearls (halls 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2 and Palace).

Know-how, perfection of execution, elegance of the details and wealth of materials form the specificity and tradition of French watch, jewellery and high jewellery manufacturing.

Creativity, quality and variety are the strong points in these new collections which, in reaction to the ambient gloom, focus on gentleness, charm and seduction.

The major trends are:

in Watches

• For city wear, evening wear, sports or leisure time, watches come in highly varied styles, adapted to each activity.
• In cases, the round shape is popular along with the square or rectangle and, to a lesser extent, barrel, oval and even side shifted shapes. Dials are calming down, displaying only hour-symbols, figures or finely decorated with narrow stripes, discreet patterns.
• New finish techniques (PVD, IP) soften the total black look which is still a major theme (case, strap and dial), using touches of colour. Black is also combined with white (steel, lacquer, ….) whilst gold plating, gold (yellow and, above all, pink) and silvered metal are enjoying renewed success. Diamonds, gemstones or synthetic gems remain fashionable set onto cases, dials and straps.
• Leather, skin or synthetic straps are making a big comeback. Metal design are varied in terms of style or shape, adorned with a variety of patterns and sometimes combined with leather.
• Men’s watches come in extra-wide sizes, sometimes oversize and in dark colours, mainly black. Chronographs, automatic, multi-function models or with complications are very popular. Urban-chic style is seeing renewed success with ultra-flat, sober and elegant designs.
• For ladies, the fashion is for designs more adapted to feminine wrists, in delicate, elegant lines: metallic case-strap sets come with links or bows, rigid reeds, thin straps ors multi-lace watchstraps, cuff-watches finely decorated with a variety of patterns (flowers, butterflies, …), jewel-watches. In addition to black, which is also fashionable, black and white, white and pastel shades are in the majority.

In Jewellery and High Jewellery

• The trend is towards softness with rounded shapes in jewellery-high jewellery (links, disks, waves, metal or crystal balls, pearls), with lightness and transparency effects (open-worked jewellery, lace patterns, links, filigree). Large designs are seen alongside extra-dainty pieces.
• Plays on contrasts (matt-shiny, polished-satin or sand finish), oppositions of materials, mixtures of colours and materials are very important.
• The white metal and diamonds combination retains many fans but gold comes in lots of different colours too: yellow and, above all, pink as well as, more recently, green gold. Gemstones in a variety of shapes – cabochon, facetted, twisted, briolettes, pyramids, pears – choose shades of pastel or harmonized colours or, on the contrary, combinations of bright colours. Red, in every shade, from pale pink to deep violet, is amongst the star colours this season, with a special mention for rubies, which are being rejuvenated. Pearls and mother of pearl, particularly black, are also very fashionable.
• Tie-necklaces, long and fine-chain necklaces set with a variety of patterns or beads made from different materials, chains with pendants or charms as well as multi-link necklaces made from chain of different sizes, colours and shapes are particularly highlighted.
• Rings are opulent: wide engraved rings, big central stones surrounded by ribbons set with diamonds, precious or semi-precious gems, large solid or open-worked settings, decorated with gem-set patterns….
• Simple shank, wide or narrow link chains decorated with charms, several rows of small chains, wide rigid cuffs engraved or richly set with gems, bracelets come in a wide range of designs.
• Long and hanging, hoops, studs and sleepers, earrings come in a variety of styles too.
• Men’s jewellery is also the object of particular attention with ranges ceaselessly renewed in terms of designs that are adapted to or inspired by their passions. Cufflinks are back, in more modern style.

Source: www.emotionfrance.com

LIP Fridge Stainless steel case 28x40 mm. Silver brush metal band. Ronda movement 775. Water-resistant to 5 ATM.

Comité Français de l’Horlogerie, de la Bijouterie, de la Joaillerie et de l’Orfèvrerie
French Watch, Clock, Jewellery and Silverware Center

Prese release, January 2009 – 80 French watch, jewellery and high jewellery brands will be glad to meet you at BaselWorld 2009 (26th March to 2nd April), displaying their new creations, presented by 38 manufacturers including:

• 18 watch and watch component manufacturers, located in halls 1.1 – 1.0 – 2.0 – 4.1 – 5.0 – 5.1 and 3 U,
• 20 jewellery and high jewellery manufacturers as well as gems and pearls traders, exhibiting in Halls 2.0 – 2.1 – 2.2 – 3.0 – 3.1 – 3.2 and the Palace,
  within the context of the French sectors organized by the French Watch, Clock and Micro-mechanics Manufacturers’ Association (CFHM) and by the French Federation of Jewellery, High Jewellery and Silverware, (FFBJO).

Perfection of execution, elegance of the details and wealth of materials form the specificity and tradition of French watch, jewellery and high jewellery manufacturing.

Creativity, quality and variety are the strong points in these new collections which, in reaction to the ambient gloom, focus on gentleness, charm and seduction.

Main trends are:

In Watches

• For city wear, evening wear, sports or leisure time, watches come in highly varied styles, adapted to each activity.
• In cases, the round shape is popular along with the square or rectangle and, to a lesser extent, barrel, oval and even side shifted shapes. Dials are calming down, displaying only hour-symbols, figures or finely decorated with narrow stripes, discreet patterns.
• New finish techniques (PVD, IP) soften the total black look which is still a major theme (case, strap and dial), using touches of colour. Black is also combined with white (steel, lacquer, ….) whilst gold plating, gold (yellow and, above all, pink) and silvered metal are enjoying renewed success. Diamonds, gemstones or synthetic gems remain fashionable set onto cases, dials and straps.
• Leather, skin or synthetic straps are making a big comeback. Metal design are varied in terms of style or shape, adorned with a variety of patterns and sometimes combined with leather.
• Men’s watches come in extra-wide sizes, sometimes oversize and in dark colours, mainly black. Chronographs, multi-function models or with complications are very popular. Urban-chic style is seeing renewed success with ultra-flat, sober and elegant designs.
• For ladies, the fashion is for designs more adapted to feminine wrists, in delicate, elegant lines: metallic case-strap sets come with links or bows, rigid reeds, thin straps ors multi-lace watchstraps, cuff-watches finely decorated with a variety of patterns (flowers, butterflies, …), jewel-watches. In addition to black, which is also fashionable, black and white, white and pastel shades are in the majority.

In Jewellery and High Jewellery

• The trend is towards softness with rounded shapes in jewellery-high jewellery (links, disks, waves, metal or crystal balls, pearls), with lightness and transparency effects (open-worked jewellery, lace patterns, links, filigree). Large designs are seen alongside extra-dainty pieces.
• Plays on contrasts (matt-shiny, polished-satin or sand finish), oppositions of materials, mixtures of colours and materials are very important.
• The white metal and diamonds combination retains many fans but gold comes in lots of different colours too: yellow and, above all, pink as well as, more recently, green gold. Gemstones in a variety of shapes – cabochon, facetted, twisted, briolettes, pyramids, pears – choose shades of pastel or harmonized colours or, on the contrary, combinations of bright colours. Red, in every shade, from pale pink to deep violet, is amongst the star colours this season, with a special mention for rubies, which are being rejuvenated. Pearls and mother of pearl, particularly black, are also very fashionable.
• Tie-necklaces, long and fine-chain necklaces set with a variety of patterns or beads made from different materials, chains with pendants or charms as well as multi-link necklaces made from chain of different sizes, colours and shapes are particularly highlighted.
• Rings are opulent: wide engraved rings, big central stones surrounded by ribbons set with diamonds, precious or semi-precious gems, large solid or open-worked settings, decorated with gem-set patterns….
• Simple shank, wide or narrow link chains decorated with charms, several rows of small chains, wide rigid cuffs engraved or richly set with gems, bracelets come in a wide range of designs.
• Long and hanging, hoops, studs and sleepers, earrings come in a variety of styles too.
• Men’s jewellery is also the object of particular attention with ranges ceaselessly renewed in terms of designs that are adapted to or inspired by their passions. Cufflinks are back, in more modern style.

For further information on French clocks, jewellery and high-jewellery, go to the website:
www.emotionfrance.com

Miss France 2009, Chloé Mortaud © Bertolucci

On December 6th 2008, Bertolucci was on prime time TV live from “Le Puy du Fou” to attend the election of its new Miss.
Chloé Mortaud, young French-American of 19 years old, has been elected Miss France 2009 by over 8 million TV viewers and a jury of personalities presided by the famous French actress Line Renaud.

For the second consecutive year Bertolucci will be involved as the official watchmaker of Miss France, tribute to Femininity and Elegance everywhere in the world.

To celebrate its new muse, Bertolucci has created and produced the magnificent Tiara which will adorn the most beautiful French woman for the whole year.

Refined and delicate, true to the Brand’s universe, this crown is a unique treasure directly extracted from the reflections of the Mediterranean sea, inspired by the delicate flow and the beauty of coral branches softly bathed by the current, the glint of the sunlight shinning in the stones and the richness of the ocean treasures.

New ambassador of the famous Swiss watch-maker, Miss France 2009 is wearing a precious Stria in rose gold set with 274 diamonds of great distinction.

And her four runner ups have been each one dressed with an elegant Voglia in stainless steel and black ceramic. After the reign of the very graceful Valérie Bègue, muse of the brand in 2008, it is now time for Chloé to be our beautiful ambassador and model all the marvellous timepieces that Bertolucci dedicates to the French Queen.

In the wake of the new Miss, Bertolucci celebrates Beauty and Sensuality. For the full pleasure of the beautiful women all over the world.

Bertolucci Stria in rose gold set with 274 diamonds © Bertolucci