Karl Lagerfeld's New Watch Collection (All Of Them) For Men and Women.

Karl Lagerfeld, who has previously designed watches for such brands as Chanel and Fendi, has just launched his own collection of watches for both men and women. Manufactured by Fossil (who has also just completed purchasing Skagen watches), the watch collection consists of seven different styles and finishes ranging from matte black to gun-metal grey and polished stainless steel.


above: Video of the new KARL LAGERFELD watch collection featuring models Saskia De Brauw and Jon Kortajarena, shot by Karl Lagerfeld and Music by Chaim.

The launch collection, which is priced between $150 - $595, features limited edition packaging and specially engraved case backs, exclusive to the initial launch.

KARL ENERGY:



KARL POP:



KARL KOURBE:



Born from the mind of Karl Lagerfeld, the watch collection boldly represents the designer’s vision translated to modern time pieces. Iconic and edgy, the seven watch platforms are presented in an assortment of colors and sizes, offering the ultimate in fashion versatility.

KARL KEEPER:



One of the most unique pieces in the collection is the “Karl Zip,” Lagerfeld’s favorite silhouette.

KARL ZIP:




The Zip embodies everything that is Karl Lagerfeld with irreverent design and enduring appeal.



The exposed zipper is fully functional and does more than lure the eye—you can wear this runway-ready style as multiple accessories.

KARL CHAIN:



Stand out features within the collection include; stainless steel bracelets, luxe metallic leathers, pyramid studs and bold chains.



KARL 7:



Another collection highlight is the “Karl 7” named after Lagerfeld’s favorite number and surrounded by a beveled top ring that achieves a sleek and modern look uncharacteristic of traditional watch designs.



Karl Lagerfeld said, “You cannot buy time but you can get a beautiful watch to measure time without spending a fortune.”

Pier Paolo, President of Karl Lagerfeld said, “These timepieces embody the Karl Lagerfeld aesthetic and redefine the role of watches as a true fashion accessory. This collection provides another way to experience the world of Karl”

Steve Woodward, SVP of Licensed Brands for Fossil Group said, “KARL LAGERFELD is such an incredibly powerful brand. We are thrilled and honored to work with the brand to develop a watch collection that is, just like Karl himself, completely unique in the marketplace.”



The exclusively distributed collection launched simultaneously in select stores and online in North America, Europe and Asia. Retail price points range from $150 - $595 USD. You can find the watches at various department stores or you can shop the collection online here at the Watch Station.

http://www.karl.com/watches/

Capitalizing On The Catacombes. Morbid Luxury From Philippe Tournaire for S.T. Dupont.

The Catacombes Limited Edition Collections in bronze, and new 2012 Catacombes Black Diamond collection by Philippe Tournaire for S.T.Dupont consist of fountain pens, lighters, cigar cutters, cuff links and ashtrays inspired by the Paris Catacombs and their dual symbolism. The french jeweller has designed these limited editions especially for S.T.Dupont, dedicated to this morbid underground side to architecture.



A little history first: The Catacombs of Paris, created in the late 18th century, refer to an underground ossuary holding the remains of about 6 million people.


above: inscribed sign in the Paris Catacombs reads "Stop, This Is The Empire of Death"

In the beginning of the 10th century, many parish cemeteries became overcrowded because of a rapidly growing population. During the 12th century, the city opened a central burial ground named Saints Innocents Cemetery. But a few centuries later the cemetery became saturated and sanitary conditions were absolutely unbearable.

The idea to use empty undergrounds on the outskirts of the city was launched in the late 18th century. All the dead were then transferred to the place named Denfert-Rochereau today.



The Catacombes of Paris have been opened to the public since the 19th century. They attracts many visitors, curious to discover the obscure and narrow galleries decorated with bones.



New Catacombes Collection (Sterling Silver and Black Diamonds)

Following the success of the 2011 release of the S.T. Dupont Catacombs cast in bronze) shown later in this post); Philippe Tournaire will be releasing the series in Sterling Silver embellished with black diamonds. Only ten pieces of each item will be released this Fall 2012. All are cast in solid sterling silver and finished with black diamonds.

Lighter:


Cigar Cutter:


Fountain Pen:



Cuff links:


The Sterling Silver and Black Diamond Catacombes collection can be purchased here

Catacombes Collection (Bronze)
Shaping, engraving, finishing and patinating the Tournaire and St. Dupont collections required no less than 70 hours’ work. The bronze editions are limited to 66 copies per object, a divine, sacred number.

The beautiful cigar ashtray seems to be available only in the bronze:




Lighter:



Cigar Cutter:


Fountain Pen:



Cuff Links:


You can purchase the bronze Catacombes collection here.


Catacombes Guitar /Hard Rock version
The Hard Rock or Guitar version of the Catacombes lighter and fountain pen weremade exclusively for the US and is limited to 31 pieces. Sculpted in bronze and cast in silvertone:




Hard Rock Catacombes fountain pen:



For nearly 140 years, S.T. Dupont has been successfully creating exceptional pieces that have won over the world’s most powerful people, as well as aesthetes and enthusiasts of fine craftsmanship.

For over 40 years, artist/jeweller Philippe Tournaire has been creating pieces that combine architecture and high end jewellery.

More Space Invaders Watches With A Price Tag That Is Outta This World from Romain Jerome.

The watchmaker Romain Jerome is best known for his luxury watches that incorporate the DNA of legendary things and landmarks. Inspired and paying tribute to historical events of the last century, each watch integrates the DNA of a legend such as the Titanic (made with rusted steel from the wreckage), The Moon (made with actual moondust), The Statue of Liberty (a bronze bezel which recalls the Statue of Liberty's crown) and EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL (made with Volcanic ash and black lava rock). Each timepiece comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by a third party. As one would expect, these are very highly priced.

Now, he has collaborated with legendary video game maker, TAITO, to release his second round of limited edition SPACE INVADERS watches. Last year he introduced a white and multi-colored version (shown below).


above: Romain Jerome's first Space Invaders watches were available in multi-colored and an all white version coated with Superluminova so it glows in the dark


Now, the new SPACE INVADERS WATCHES come in four colors with a special blue one for Paris store Colette. The price is over $15,000 for the watch. Why? Read on.

Having inherited the highly distinctive case of the Moon Invader collection (a round shape inside a cambered 46 mm square), the SPACE INVADERS watches have kept the same steel coalesced with fragments of Apollo 11. The four functional ball-and-socket joints on the corners of the case are shaped like the legs of the lunar landing modules of the American lunar missions. These extremely sophisticated components mounted on axles anchored in the case hold the lugs of the rubber straps and enable the watch to adjust to all kinds of wrist sizes.



Embodying another tangible token of the space age symbolised by the SPACE INVADERS collection, a dedicated plate made of Moon Silver RJ – a silver alloy with an extremely low oxidation rate incorporating moon rocks – appears on the stellar-patterned back of the watch and reproduces the lunar surface.




The dial is very complex and consists of three layers: the first two are beadblasted and the "straight graining" gives a pixelated aspect to the third layer. Measuring around 3.5 mm each, the SPACE INVADERS are meticulously machined one by one, applied by hand and lacquered in various colours. These pixel invaders are a playful nod that transforms watches into inspired "talking pieces" capable of creating a distinct sense of affinity with those who wear them, and who revel in the chance to thumb their noses at classic watchmaking conventions.

The first release of the new collection is especially made for Colette, the über hip store and gallery in Paris.




The pixelated figures (aliens) are the emblematic blue color of the store for a limited edition of eight pieces, only available in the trendy boutique. Buy it here

The SPACE INVADERS are available in four other colours (red, green, purple and yellow) and have started their incursion in all RJ-Romain Jerome points of sale worldwide. Limited editions of eight pieces per color, five new colorful legends have made their entrance at RJ-Romain Jerome.






Check out the two-part video of the watch being made:



The price? $15,368.43 (£11,753.12) (€14,900)
Maison Romain Jerome