And the Winner Is: GEM Awards Watch Design

On January 8th, the Jewelers of America hosted its 14th Annual GEM Awards in New York City. Considered the Academy Awards of the fine jewelry industry, the event "recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches."

The nominees for Watch Design, an inaugural achievement category at this year's ceremony were Cartier, Piaget, and Roger Dubuis. All three are exhibitors at SIHH 2016 and are part of the Richemont group, a Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company.

For this category, "Innovation in Design" and "Technical Expertise" were two of the primary criteria for the nominees' initial selection.

And the the Award goes to Cartier. 

The firm's watchmaking was recognized for its longstanding history of capturing Parisian flair in its watch forms and movements.  Case in point is the new Clé de Cartier Collection -- its shape, new house movement, and new crown which is seamlessly integrated into the watch's case.

Strapped for time, watch the Watch Design Awards Presentation segment (1:18:42-1:26:50). 

David Bowie, Derek Boshier, and Lodger's Omega Watches

(Portions of this post can also be found on my companion blog, www.watchflaneuse.com.), Walks No. 14 and 15.

A week ago, David Bowie, rock star and so much more tragically passed away at age 69 from cancer.  Although many of his songs reflected the concept of time passing, did he have any specific connection to wristwatches?

The answer is only obliquely at best -- that being through the artifice of Bowie's friend, artist Derek Boshier.

Bowie’s concept-album Lodger (1979) contains pictures of an Omega Speedmaster Professional and an Omega Flightmaster. The images can also be found in Boshier's stunning new monograph documenting his own work, Rethink/Re-entry published in the fall of 2015.

Did Bowie select these? And if so, why?

The answer is No. According to Boshier who designed the album's inside sleeve where the Omega images appear,  “I chose them from a lot of watch pictures because I liked the double watch image and it was a good, clear photograph. It could have been other watches, by any brand. I never even knew they were Omega’s”.

Read the entire story in Paul Dezentjé's  Speedy Tuesday Fratellowatches' post (February 17, 2015),  "How a Speedmaster and Flightmaster ended up in David Bowie’s album art."

In tribute to David Bowie, I am posting a recent photograph of mine, Looking Skyward Major Tom in his memory.

© Maryhelen Raciti-Jones