Vacheron Constantin Sponsors Major Art Event and Unveils New Timepieces

Art lovers and watch lovers mingle inside the Vacheron Constantin Fifth Avenue boutique.

NEW YORK — Vacheron Constantin’s jewel box of a boutique was on a recent cool, crisp evening. Inside, art enthusiasts mingled with timepiece lovers within the lightly colored space highlighted with dark wood tones, straight lines and minimal furnishings.

The March 2 gathering then moved a couple blocks

Richemont’s Half-Year Sales Up 29%, led by Asian Demand and Jewelry and Watch Sales

Luxury goods conglomerate, Cie. Financiere Richemont SA, said Friday that sales for the six-month period, ended September 30, increased by 29 percent to 4.2 billion euros ($4.68 billion), year-over-year. At constant exchange rates (stripping out the effects of currency exchange rates), the increase was 36 percent.The Swiss company reported solid growth across all segments, regions and channels.

Richemont Reports Record Jewelry and Watch Sales

Cie. Financiere Richemont SA reported Thursday that sales for its fiscal year increased 33 percent to nearly 6.9 billion euros ($9.84 billion). Operating profit for the year, ended March 31, increased 63 percent to 1.35 billion euros. ($1.92 billion).

The Geneva-based luxury goods company reported strong sales across all segments and regions. Among the big winners for the year were jewelry and

Graff, Blancpain among Top-Rated Luxury Brands

Heart-shaped diamond necklace by Graff.

The Luxury Institute released its 2011 Luxury Brand Status Index survey of wealthy U.S. consumers. Watches, jewelry and automobiles (selling for at least $100,000) were rated on a one-to-ten scale by consumers who earn at least $200,000 a year. The top three brands in each category follows:



Blancpain L-Evolution
Jewelry
Graff 8.38
Buccellati 8.19

Rare Clocks, a Reverso Anniversary Sale and Fine Watches at Antiquorum Geneva Auction

A Breguet silver carriage clock with 10 complications once owned by the Marquise de Béthisy is one of the top items on the block at the Antiquorum Geneva sale of “Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces,” to be held on May 15.

Breguet introduced his silver humpback carriage clocks—of which only a few were made—circa 1812. The present clock is the most complicated of the eleven Breguet humpback

Patek, Rolex and Erotic Watches to Headline Antiquorum’s Geneva Auction

Patek Philippe Ref 3939

More than 550 vintage timepieces will be up for auction at Antiquorum’s “Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces” auction to be held March 27 at the Mandarin Oriental Geneva.
The top lot is a Patek Philippe Ref 3939 HP minute-repeating platinum watch with one-minute tourbillion regulator and enamel Breguet dial (pictured above). The timepiece may be only the fifth

Richemont 3Q Jewelry Sales Up 20% and Watch Sales Up 21%

Cie. Financiere Richemont SA said Monday that third-quarter revenue rose 33 percent to 2.1 billion euro ($2.8 billion), led by the acquisition of online fashion retailer Net-a-Porter.com. At constant exchange rates (when currency shifts are removed) revenue grew 23 percent.By category, the Swiss company’s jewelry business (made up of Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels), increased by 20 percent at