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/.

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/.

King Jeweler’s Nashville completes Phase II as an Authorized Cartier Watch Repair Shop

King Jewelers Nashville recently completed Phase II of Cartier watch repair training as master watchmaker Roman Bagairov demonstrated superb aptitude during the three-day class hosted in Dallas, TX. Cartier 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. King Jeweler’s Nashville will now have access to a great amount of watch parts and Cartier movement banks for Cartier Pasha watches, Cartier Tank watches, Cartier Ballon Bleu watches, and more. To have your watch inspected or repaired, we invite you to call 877.896.5464.

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

BNB Concept is Dead!!! - The Rise and Fall of Luxury Watch Movement-Maker

As a watch and art collector, I have a personal interest in design, history, and innovative progress. Over the last decade during the modern watch renaissance, my passion for luxury Swiss timepieces has matured as I found myself gravitating towards fine and unique boutique watchmakers and brands that fused modern technology with the historical precision of Geneva watchmaking. My personal favorite team was BNB Concept, which was founded in 2004 and launched with the support of Jerome DeWitt of DeWitt watches.

BNB became an industry phenom overnight with their innovative and extreme designs, concepts, and creations. Starting with the award winning DeWitt Differential Tourbillon, the BNB team were the immediate rock stars of the 21st century watch world. The company worked with over 30 companies which included Hublot, Concord, Bell & Ross, Franc Vila, and Jorg Hysek, just to name a few. My favorite BNB creation was Concord’s C1 QuantumGravity!

Yet at Geneva’s SIHH 2010 show this past January, BNB Concept announced that they were going out of business. The company reportedly failed due to heavy debt and an account receivables believed to have been in excess of $10 milllion. To many, the death of the BNB Concept demonstrated the impact of the global financial crisis on luxury manufactures of the niche and boutique arenas.

However, the brilliance and experience of BNB Concept will forever remain in the heart of watch enthusiasts and should inspire a new generation of innovation. This innovation will require sufficient funding as verticalization and acquisitions by major brands will dominate the industry clean-up process over the next five years. According to industry sources, Hublot's CEO Jean-Claude Biver plans to purchases BNB Concept’s watchmaking machinery and plans to hire at least 30 of BNB’s watchmakers, seven of which belong to the Confrerie. They will work under the new rubric “Confrerie Hublot” that will manufacture Hublot timepieces to sell for more than $250,000.

While the “Confrerie Hublot” watches will eventually be available exclusively at King Jewelers in Nashville, we will all sorely miss the innovative genius and hyberbolic exploration in which BNB Concept amazed our watch industry with year in and year out. I can say that it was an extreme rush when all BNB creations were released at Baselworld each year and it was an honor to have carried and sold numerous BNB watches over the years.

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/

Blue Star Jets and King Jeweler’s Nashville announced a concierge partnership

Blue Star Jets and King Jeweler’s Nashville announced a partnership to further develop each company’s luxury concierge program. Starting April 1st, 2010, any purchase of $5,000 or more earns a $1,000 gift certificate aboard Blue Star Jets. This partnership allows King Jewelers to further broaden their VIP concierge service and caters to elite watch collectors and diamond aficionados around the country.

Blue Star Jets is the largest broker of private jets for hire, under Part 135, offering its clientele unparalleled service and the ultimate in luxury and convenience. Business executives who regularly travel on private aircraft started Blue Star Jets as a result of their frustration with the lack of service and cost of flying privately. They quickly realized that most business and leisure travelers using private jets did not need to own a full or fractional ownership of a jet and would respond favorably to a more cost effective and flexible alternative. Blue Star Jets is the only complete jet charter brokerage company you will ever need. All flights are operated by Part 135 carriers. Operators providing service for BSJ's clients must meet standards set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Please note that Blue Star Jets does not manage or operate aircrafts on behalf of our clients. We will assist our clients in finding the best operators for any aircraft. For more information, please visit http://www.bluestarjets.com/.

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/.

Exclusive U.S. Timepiece from BaselWorld 2010: Franc Vila’s Cobra “Blue Bandido”

Exclusive Spanish watchmaker Franc Vila has been a fresh and exciting addition in the world of boutique haute horology as his Franc Vila EVOS Cobra watches amazed BaselWorld 2010 and continued to build on his legacy for exquisite and eccentric timepieces. The most interesting new timepiece was Franc Vila’s Cobra “Blue Bandido,” an exclusive timepiece for the United States.

Franc Vila watches are unmistakable due to their very unique design and shape. The case on these watches is a combination of what Vila calls “DieHard Extreme Steel” and carbon-fiber, with titanium accents. The watch is water resistant 300 meters and houses an automatic mechanical hand finished Caliber FV8Ch movement with Franc Vila’s unique “Gold Concept Rotor”. Dial is also a combination of carbon fiber and guilloché (decorated) metal, with chronograph and “Big date” indicators. Comes on a black rubber strap with steel deployant buckle and as a nice bonus a crocodile leather strap with matching stitchings is also included. Price will be about $20,000. All are limited to just 88 pieces.

Holding true to his commitment to produce only exceptional quality mechanical timepieces, Vila works with the most respected manufacturers in the watch industry. His creations often take as long as five years in the development stage. And, they are always highly exclusive due to the limited production dictated by their complexity and by the tremendous amount of handcrafting involved. The entire process truly reflects his philosophy… “not only mine, but a part of me.” All FRANC VILA timepieces come with both crocodile and rubber straps. Due to the very limited production of these timepieces, there may be slight variances in the details of each watch.

Franc Vila’s Cobra “Blue Bandido,” an exclusive timepiece for the United States, will be available for sale in Fall 2010 exclusively at King Jewelers Nashville and King Jewelers Miami. King Jewelers also repairs and refinishes Franc Vila watches. For more info, visit http://www.kings1912.com/ or http://www.francvila.com/.