Top Italian fashion houses showcase luxury watches

Valentino Rosier All Black

ITALY. Timex Group Luxury Division, the licensee for Valentino, Versace and Salvatore Ferragamo watches, launched the 2010 models at the BaselWorld show earlier this month.

VALENTINO TIMELESS COLLECTION 2010

The new Swiss-made Valentino Timeless collection is designed to reflect the spirit of the Valentino fashion house, injected with a contemporary look. Decorative watchmaking materials are used, such as steel and mother-of-pearl, and the colour black is a common feature of all the lines. For 2010, the brand introduces new models and launches several enriched lines.

ROSIER: A re-interpretation of the rose, Valentino fashion house’s iconic flower, is reproduced with a graphic silhouette on ajouré steel, inlaid like lace and fretworked with sinuous lines. A subtle, glamorous case with bright polished top ring in curved crystal sapphire is wrapped among petals in a decentralised position.

Embellished sunbrushed ton-sur-ton dial is set with diamond indexes, creating a trompe l’oeil effect. The quartz movement enables the hands to be set with a button on the case back. The shape appears to be suspended from the central lugs of the lizard leather strap, also available in colours to match the dial.

ROSE: Valentino’s iconic rose is delicately decorated on the dial with a dévoré velvet inlay effect or “embroidered” with diamonds. New models are added to the successful Rose collection. Available up to now with a crocodile leather strap, the new version features a sporty, practical and ergonomic steel bracelet in bright metal shades or in pink gold warmer colours. The dial, in white, black, blue, ivory or noisette, matches the Clou de Paris worked top ring, contrasting with the polished finish of the case and the bracelet links.

EDEN: An authentic jewel watch, the new Eden comes with various gemstones set on the top ring: coral, onyx or turquoise stones are handcrafted, faceted, polished and assembled back to back on the bezel. All are enhanced with steel Clou de Paris decorated or diamond illuminated indexes. More precious versions are set with additional diamonds placed on the black lacquered or silver sunbrushed polished mother-of-pearl dial. The look is completed with a strap in white, black or turquoise crocodile leather. A more casual alternative is available with a steel bracelet; there is also an all-black version.

Ferragamo Venna model

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO TIMEPIECES 2010

Swiss-made Ferragamo watches for 2010 include completely new women’s and men’s models and restylings of watches from recent collections. Some are inspired by the company’s gancino emblem. Features include a creative use of colour, contrasting combinations of unusual and sophisticated materials, experimentation with shape and volume, and fine detailing.

Women’s models unveil decorative features, including charms, inserts in coloured natural stone, and diamonds set off against crafted leather straps. Men’s models have vibrant colourways and bold designs, with various different materials juxtaposed in a distinctive, sophisticated style.

FERRAGAMO 1898: This collection is named after the year Salvatore Ferragamo was born. Described as functional and minimal, the 40mm IP rose gold quartz watch has two time zones and a gancino-shaped polished black top ring. The 33mm women’s version features sunray dial and gancino top ring.

VENNA: A new women’s quartz model that aims to evoke Ferragamo’s ties, experimenting with materials and colour. A tribute to the futurist painter Lucio Venna, whom Salvatore Ferragamo commissioned in 1927 to create the logo for his shoes, the watch has a striking design. The rectangular case has an IP rose gold finish or in stainless steel, decorated with an engraved gancino pattern, a mother-of-pearl dial with logo, and a crafted silver or black leather strap.

Versace Perpetuelle timepiece

VERSACE 2010

The new Versace watch collection celebrates the glamour of the Italian fashion house with Swiss-made watches that embody both fashion and luxury. Creativity and attention to detail are key, the company said.

PERPETUELLE: The round case expresses the watch’s strong personality, with striking decorations. The face is in mother-of-pearl, highlighted by a rehaut with a sunray feature carrying a Versace logo in relief. The collection is completed by more luxurious versions of Perpetuelle, with a shower of diamonds lighting the white face, or a model set with a diamond pavé on the case. This watch is water-resistant to 3ATM and comes with an option of a bracelet, or a leather or alligator strap.

CHARACTER: Versace introduces its latest chronograph, described as a reinterpretation of a watch successfully launched in 2000. The restyled hands and new applied baton markers are designed to emphasise the impact of the new face, which displays a central design feature with diamond-shaped texturing. The three subsidiary dials, the date panel positioned at 4 o’clock, and the Medusa, the symbol of the Maison, at 12 o’clock, complete the new Character Chrono. The tonneau case in IPRG steel is fitted with a strap, in either steel or leather, with butterfly fastening. The watch is guaranteed to be waterproof to 3ATM.