The Blancpain Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012

Blancpain presents an exclusive creation for Valentine’s Day, the Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012 .

This limited series of 14 watches, each set with 2.95 carats of precious stones, offers a fresh take on the refined aesthetics of the Blancpain Women collection.

With its diamond-set bezel and lugs, caseband set with four diamonds and a heart-shaped ruby, crown adorned with a diamond and pushpieces covered with cabochon-cut rubies, the white gold case sparkles with dazzling splendour.

The sapphire crystal back of the 36 mm case reveals the complexity of the movement with its 308 parts and 37 jewels, along with the oscillating weight clothed in pink mother-of-pearl.

The Saint-Valentin Chronograph 2012 houses the self-winding Calibre F185 that drove the very first ladies’ flyback chronograph model.

It features central hour and minute hands, seconds shown on a subdial at 6 o’clock and the date appearing through an oval aperture at 12 o’clock.

This delightful model, fitted with a white alligator leather strap and presented in a precious wooden box delicately lined with white nappa leather, is available exclusively from Blancpain boutiques.

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Louis Vuitton to launch it's own fragrance

It’s been confirmed! Louis Vuitton has officially announced that the Paris based company will unveil a fragrance with master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud heading up the scent development.Cavallier-Belletrud has officially started work with the brand, although there is not yet a date for release as the perfumer will be taking his time to find the perfect scents.

“Joining Louis Vuitton is an honour and a pleasure,” Cavallier-Belletrud said. “It is a unique and particularly exciting adventure, all the more so as I share the Maison’s values: respect for expertise, craftsmanship and the choice of the finest materials. The Maison’s Heritage is also an inexhaustible source of inspiration.”

The news is significant considering the French fashion house has not marketed any perfumes since the 1920s and ’30s. It signals another expansion following the brand’s ventures into watches in 2002, fine jewelry in 2004 and eyewear in 2005.Cavallier-Belletrud “is said to be a specialist in using natural, raw materials,” while Louis Vuitton “has recently been investigating rare, almost-extinct flowers in France.” The upcoming fragrance will eventually be distributed exclusively in Louis Vuitton’s 461 boutiques worldwide.

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Bulgari Hotel opens in London in April

Bulgari Hotel is scheduled to open in London in April in the exclusive district of Knightsbridge, just in time for the Summer Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee events.
Bulgari Hotel is managed by Bvlgari Hotels and Resorts, a joint venture between Italian jeweller Bvlgari (owned since last year by LVMH) and Marriott International.
Bulgari Hotels and Resorts already operates properties in Milan and Bali. The opening will signify the first luxury new-build hotel in 40 years to open in the city.
It will offer 85 rooms and suites, including seven Bulgari suits which measure over 200 sq. meters, and will be designed with silver as the dominant theme by Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel & Partners, the company behind Bulgari’s other two hotels.
Guests will be able to enjoy a dip in an indoor pool, part of a 2,000 square meter spa and fitness center, as well as relaxing in the hotel’s private cinema or dancing the night away in a ballroom.
There will also be residences available for sale. A 7th floor penthouse is available through Christie’s International Real Estate.
Although few details are currently available online about the penthouse, the Bulgari Hotel’s website indicates that it features 9,260 square feet of exquisite living space.
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