IWC Schaffhausen announces the exclusive Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry in platinum to go on auction at Sotheby’s in Geneva

Luxury Swiss watchmaker IWC announced that the one-of-a-kind platinum edition of the IWC Big Pilot - Antoine de Saint Exupéry will be auctioned off by Sotheby's on May 9th, 2010 in Geneva. The auction called "Important Watches" will take place at the Hotel Beau Rivage from 8:00pm onwards. Sotheby's will be exhibiting all watches included in the auction in several cities. Unfortunately only the exhibitions in Geneva and Hong Kong will be open to public.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry in platinum is an exclusive icon of Swiss-manufactured aviator watches that is highly distinctive both in terms of looks and functionality. Its sporty elegance features a high-caliber platinum watch case, tobacco brown dial and a special back engraving depicting Saint Exupéry as a military pilot. Its classic functionality and superior mechanical properties also set this watch apart. The IWC-manufactured 51111 caliber with automatic Pellaton winding, 7-day power reserve, power reserve display, Breguet spring and date display make this novel timepiece one of the best in its
class, a fact reflected in its reserve price.

The auction will open on 9 May in Geneva at the Hotel Beau Rivage, and the Big Pilot’s Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry in platinum will be auctioned together with a special edition of the Saint Exupéry biography “L’archange et l’écrivain” by Nathalie Des Vallières at a reserve price of CHF 50,000. The entire proceeds from the auction of this timepiece will be donated by IWC Schaffhausen to the French organization “Enfants du Monde/Droits de l’Homme” (EMDH), which works worldwide to protect children and their rights. In particular, IWC supports projects in Madagascar, where EMDH has been working together with local partners since 1994 to help disadvantaged children.

IWC watches are available exclusively in Nashville, TN and Miami, FL at King Jewelers. For more information regarding IWC watches and the IWC Big Pilot - Antoine de Saint Exupéry, please visit http://www.iwc.com/ and http://www.kings1912.com/.

King Jeweler’s Expert Watch Repair Division completes certification as an authorized Breitling repair shop

King Jewelers expert watch division recently completed Breitling’s watch repair training as master watchmaker Roman Bagairov demonstrated superb aptitude during the three-day class hosted in New York City. Breitling dedicates considerable resources to training highly qualified technicians to repair and service your watch, in accordance with the most exacting standards of quality. The staff of King Jewelers congratulates their Master Watchmaker, Roman Bagairov, for his advanced certification with Breitling. King Jeweler’s will now have access to all Breitling watch parts and Breitling movement banks for Navitimer watches, new B01 watches, Breitling for Bentley watches, Aerospace watches, and more.

King Jewelers Nashville repairs Breitling watches and services Breitling watches for Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, and Alabama. King Jewelers Nashville and Aventura are authorized dealers for Breitling timepieces as well as for over 40 luxury Swiss manufacturers. For more information, please visit http://www.breitling.com/ or http://www.kings1912.com/.

March Birthstone Spotlight: AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine is a blue-green member of the Beryl clan. This stone is associated with the calming effects of the sea and is traditionally used to soothe, calm and alleviate fears and phobias. It aids in cleansing, meditation and appreciation of nature. It brings serenity and peace to those who keep it near. Aquamarine helps us communicate with all sea life and connects us to the ocean, even if we live far from it. She will also influence us to protect ocean life and appreciate all the wise and beautiful dwellers in the sea.

This month’s featured birthstone jewelry piece from King Jewelers Private Label features this stunning pair of 18kt white gold aquamarine earrings set with gemstone diamonds. For more info, visit http://www.kings1912.com/.

A NEW STANDARD OF HAUTE HOROLOGY EXCELLENCE: JAEGER-LeCOULTRE’S EXTREME LAB

Last week, the King family of King Jewelers Nashville and King Jewelers Aventura met with Philippe Bonai, president of Jaeger-LeCoultre, at the Richemont headquarters in New York City for the post-SIHH 2010 show. While my family had the opportunity to view some amazing new timepieces up close for the first time, we were all most impressed with Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new Exterem Lab 2 watch. This masterpiece of haute horology will compete with Richard Mille’s creations for just a fraction of the cost and offers much more accurate time precision. This is the coolest watch of 2010!!!

The Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 redefines the standard for extreme timepieces. Its new Calibre 780 and 781 for the Tribute to Geophysic offers unprecedented functions, developed to ensure ergonomic and highly functional use. This automatic chronograph has a large double-digit minute counter and a function selector integrated in the crown. The titanium version pays tribute to the historical Geophysic watch while exploring avant-garde solutions to protect the movement from magnetic fields.

MASTER COMPRESSOR EXTREME LAB 2 TECHNICAL DETAILS
Movement
Automatic movement, 28 800 vibrations per hour, 60-hour radial power-reserve.
Functions
Hour, minute, small seconds, date, second-time zone hand and counter, chronograph with large minute counter, manual stop second, functions selector (three-position indicator: winding, date and dual time zone adjustment, time-setting), amagnetic silicon escapement (Calibre 781 only).
Case
18-carat pink gold/TiVan15, TiVan 15, sapphire case-back.
Size
Diameter: 46.8 mm.
Water Resistance
10 ATM.
Strap/Bracelet
Interchangeable, double alligator leather (Calibre 780), calf leather (Calibre 781).
Materials Available
18-carat pink gold/TiVan15, TiVan 15.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre
JAEGER-LECOULTRE CALIBRE 780 and 781 (amagnetic version).

Ref. 2032470 18-carat pink gold/TiVan15, limited series of 200.Ref. 203T470 TiVan 15, limited series of 300.

The Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2 will be available at King Jeweler’s Nashville and King Jeweler’s Miami in late 2010. For more information, visit http://www.kings1912.com/ or http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/.

Hublot previews the King Power Alinghi at the Miami Beach MiniBasel show

Hublot's CEO Jean-Claude Biver unveiled the chronograph sporting the
colours of the Swiss Defender of the 33rd America’s Cup at the Hublot MiniBasel based in Miami Beach this past weekend in which David King of King Jewelers was in attendance to marvel at the new masterpiece of haute horology.

Swiss Made expertise was the toast of the hour this weekend at the exclusive Fountainbleu Resort where limited edition Hublot "King Power Alinghi" watch made its debut. The pride of the participants was swelled by immense motivation felt on all sides to defend the Swiss colours together in a few weeks' time, when Alinghi and Oracle do battle on the water.

The King Power Alinghi echoes the expertise and precision of the Defender yacht
built for the America’s Cup. New developments, cutting edge technology and
materials, a focus on the excellence of resources and sharing the highest level of
skills are qualities which link the two companies.

Jean-Claude Biver hopes that the King Power will bring the catamaran luck in this extraordinary challenge: "Alinghi already has an enormous range of skills and qualities, as well as the motivation to win, and we wish to demonstrate to them how proud we are to be their partner and to show them our support through this chronograph in the yacht's colours!".

KING POWER ALINGHI
Technical details
Case “King Power”, diameter 48 mm in microblasted black ceramic
Bezel Microblasted black ceramic with moulded black rubber, with 6 relief
black PVD H-shaped titanium screws
Crystal Sapphire with interior/exterior anti-reflective treatment
Bezel Lug Black composite resin
Lateral Inserts Black composite resin
Case-back Microblasted black ceramic
Crown Black PVD titanium with black rubber insert
Push-pieces Black PVD titanium with black rubber insert
Screws Black PVD titanium
Water resistance 100 m or 10 ATM
Dial Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment, multilayered, additional matt
black counters, index with black nickel, black SuperLuminova™, Alinghi
logo at 9 o'clock
Hands Satin-finished microblasted black nickel with black SuperLuminova™
Movement Mechanical skeleton chronograph with automatic winding, carbon
bridges, calibre Hublot HUB4400
No. of Components 252
Jewels 27
Bridges Microblasted black chrome
Screws Black PVD
Oscillating Weight Tungsten carbide with black PVD treated dimpled surface
Main plate Microblasted black chrome
Barrel With reinforced spring
Escapement Glucydur hairspring
Power Reserve 42 hours
Wristlet Adjustable articulated black rubber
Clasp Microblasted black ceramic and black PVD steel
Edition limited to 333 pieces numbered from 01/333 to 333/333


The King Power Alinghi is available exclusively at King Jewelers in Nashville, TN where the timepiece will be on display at their Hublot corner shop.

About David King, King Jewelers

David King is the owner of King Jewelers Nashville who has a passion for watches and writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in English and Chemistry, David and his brother Jono King are the fifth generation to own and operate King Jewelers. Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Hublot, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Swiss Army, and TAG Heuer. With store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast's top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild, an IW Leading Watch Retailer, and offers Nashville watch repairs and watch refinishing. For additional information, please visit our salon in Green Hills located at 4121 Hillsboro Road, call (615) 724-5464, or log onto http://www.kings1912.com/

Where in the world is Carlos Dias???

Does anyone know where Carlos Dias is? Has anyone heard from the former dictator of Roger Dubuis? Is he working on a secret new project, skiing in the Alps, or examining his head on a long black couch? Since the Richemont Group acquired Manufacture Roger Dubuis last year, the brand has made tremendous strides in correcting its troubled movements and improving overall customer service while Carlos Dias has simply vanished.

Carlos Dias is the founder and visionary behind one of the finest luxury Swiss brands in the world. While a true genius for design and a pioneer of the modern watch industry, Dias was an extremely controlling, maniacal tyrant who struck fear throughout his manufacture while rattling the world of haute horology. With his keen eye for progressive design and his understanding and respect for the history of the watch industry, Dias overwhelmed the Swiss with his cutting-edge concepts. He embraced the exclusivity of luxury, and at the same time, whimsically toyed with the emotions of the fashion elite, most notably in the Asian markets.

A few years ago I had the opportunity of dining with Mr. Dias in Geneva during the SIHH show. As an authorized dealer for Roger Dubuis timepieces for almost eight years, I had developed an excellent professional relationship with Mr. Dias as he was an extremely impressive and refined individual. Talking over a glass of red wine and delicious lamb (his personal favorite), I asked the simple question, “Where do you get the names for your beautiful watch collections?” Dias put his wine on the table, smiled at me and replied in English, “It is really just a joke on the people. First, I gave the people my Hommage. Next, I gave them my Sympathie. Then I gave them Much More, and when they were ready, I gave them Too Much. Now they can all Follow Me.” And follow me the watch industry has.

So where in the world is Carlos Dias? The answer is everywhere. While absent from the forefront of haute horology, Carlos Dias and his Manufacture Roger Dubuis continues to revolutionize the modern watch with his bold and eccentric designs while influencing hundreds of watch brands from Switzerland and beyond. Today, it is amazing to see the power of Dias’ reach of designs, most notably the Excalibur collection whose sleek, grooved bezel has had a global domino effect throughout all price point brands. While people may second guess the leadership and management of Carlos Dias, one may never question the genius and passion of an outsider who pioneered the modern timepiece as we know it.

About David King, King Jewelers

David King is the owner of King Jewelers Nashville who has a passion for watches and writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in English and Chemistry, David and his brother Jono King are the fifth generation to own and operate King Jewelers.

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Hublot, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, and TAG Heuer. With store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast's top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild, an IW Leading Watch Retailer, and offers Nashville watch repairs and watch refinishing. For additional information, please visit our salon in Green Hills located at 4121 Hillsboro Road, call (615) 724-5464, or log onto http://www.kings1912.com/.

King Jewelers Takes a Personal Approach with its Loyal Clientele

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King Jewelers, South Florida’s oldest and most reputable jewelers, showed appreciation for their loyal clients and special guests by hosting a private event together with Harry Winston at Aventura’s Porta Vita’s Ville Grande Club. Though the King family often hosts fundraisers for large charities, this small event is a different, more intimate approach to reach the clientele that has helped the family build its business for 95 years.

“It’s not uncommon for clients to come in with pieces they bought from us five decades ago,” says Maxine King, Vice President of King Jewelers. “Our business is built on customer loyalty so relationship building is extremely important for us. This dinner was the perfect opportunity to show our clientele and other members of the community how much we appreciate them.”

The event began at 7:00 pm with a cocktail hour on the terrace before proceeding to dinner in the Grande Club. Guests were able to preview the latest Harry Winston timepieces while enjoying a delectable three-course meal consisting of a lobster and avocado appetizer, an arugula and spinach salad, and a choice of either filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, or pork chops as an entrée. For more information on King Jewelers’ other events, please visit http://www.kings1912.com .

About King Jewelers

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry aficionados from around the world. For five generations, the King family has owned and operated King Jewelers while building an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value, and first-class service.

Offering a magnificent selection of fine jewelry collections including the fashion-forward Italian designs, classics diamond creations, luxury Swiss timepieces, estate jewelry, modern designer jewelry, as well as colored gemstones and fancy-colored diamonds, King Jewelers is the one-stop-jewelry shop that prides itself in being one step ahead of the trend. At King Jewelers you will always find the “best of the best,” no matter what your style or budget may be.

The recently expanded showroom features new shop-in-shop boutiques from Bulgari, Harry Winston, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, and Brietling. Private viewing rooms and seating areas allow shoppers a private and comfortable shopping experience, not to mention the fully-stocked, hip NYC-style bar. The new showroom also offers designer jewelry boutiques from Judith Ripka, Roberto Coin, A. Link, Hearts on Fire, and Jay Strongwater.

The salon also offers bridal, baby, and gift collections. In addition, King Jewelers offers on-site jewelry and watch repairs, custom design services, appraisals, estate buying, and corporate gift programs.

Kings Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, Jewelers Board of Trade, and the American Society of Appraisers and has among its staff GIA Certified Gemologists. For additional information please visit www.Kings1912.com.