[WHAT] Opening of Central International Watch Fair 2009.
HRH Princess Soamsawali views the watch exhibition, accompanied by Yuwadee Chirathivat and Sirikate Chirakiti.
[WHERE] Event Hall, 3rd floor, Central Chidlom.
Atichart Chumnanont with Parmigiani Fleurier and Araya Aharget with Piaget’s Limelight High Jewellery 89,900,000.
[HOST] Yuwadee Chirathivat, president of Central Department Stores.
Tos Chirathivat.
[HIGHLIGHT] Watch fashion show, in the presence of HRH Princess Soamsawali, by celebrities as well as leading actors, actresses and models.
Dr Suvit and Khunying Songsuda Yodmani.
Thanop with Namon, his son; Navipa; and Chaiyos Eiamamornpan.
MRSupanee Diskul, Alena Piamkulawanich with Cartier, Pumi Sarasin with Audemars Piguet’s Millenary, Prae Sarasin and Pantila Debhakam.
Aonanong and Atiporn Senavong.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
DSI seizes B15m in fake watches, arrests suspect
The Department of Special Investigation has arrested a man for intellectual property violations and seized more than 10,000 counterfeit watches worth 15 million baht.
The haul followed raids on Wednesday on shops in the Charassaeng Pattana building in Samphanthawong district and a house in the Taling Chan area.
The DSI said 10,362 counterfeit watches bearing the names of leading luxury brands such as Tag Heuer, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Panerai were confiscated.
Somchai Arunnamchoke,44, was arrested for possessing the counterfeit items with intent to sell.
Mr Somchai was arrested on the same charges two years ago.
He has been released after posting bail of 100,000 baht.
DSI deputy chief Narat Sawettanant said confiscation of the counterfeit goods was part of the government's drive to have Thailand withdrawn from the US Priority Watch List for intellectual property violations.
He said most of the fake luxury watches confiscated by authorities were imported from China.
Pol Col Prawet Mukpramol, chief of the DSI's intellectual property unit, said the office was seeking amendments to the anti-piracy law to toughen the penalties against those who violate copyrights or patents.
The haul followed raids on Wednesday on shops in the Charassaeng Pattana building in Samphanthawong district and a house in the Taling Chan area.
The DSI said 10,362 counterfeit watches bearing the names of leading luxury brands such as Tag Heuer, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Panerai were confiscated.
Somchai Arunnamchoke,44, was arrested for possessing the counterfeit items with intent to sell.
Mr Somchai was arrested on the same charges two years ago.
He has been released after posting bail of 100,000 baht.
DSI deputy chief Narat Sawettanant said confiscation of the counterfeit goods was part of the government's drive to have Thailand withdrawn from the US Priority Watch List for intellectual property violations.
He said most of the fake luxury watches confiscated by authorities were imported from China.
Pol Col Prawet Mukpramol, chief of the DSI's intellectual property unit, said the office was seeking amendments to the anti-piracy law to toughen the penalties against those who violate copyrights or patents.
Monday, August 24, 2009
GOLD TRADERS WARN OF VOLATILITY IN WEEKS AHEAD
The next few weeks will be a crucial period for gold prices, and slight volatility is expected to indicate whether bullion prices will rise to US$1,000 (Bt34,100) or fall to $880 an ounce this year.
Gold traders have warned of volatility from the derivatives market rather than physical gold trading. Oil prices and the US dollar are still affecting gold prices more than real gold consumption is, but it is uncertain whether oil prices will continue to increase, because movements to date are believed to have been forced by hedging.
Gold Traders Association deputy secretary-general Kritcharat Hirunyasiri said that over the past month, there had been no clear signs of whether gold prices would rise or fall. Prices had moved in a range of $935 to $965 an ounce, but the range was narrowing, and it was expected that a clear direction would become obvious within the next two weeks.
Kritcharat said if the gold price broke through the $963-an-ounce level, it could rise to $980 and then $1,000 by year-end. However, if it failed to break $930 an ounce, the price could fall to $900.
"The dollar has more of an effect on gold prices," Kritcharat said. "For example, last Friday night the gold price increased $15 per ounce after the dollar depreciated from 1.422 to the euro 1.435, while oil prices made a smaller impact."
Although the golbal economy has begun to recover from the economic crisis, the US Federal Reserve is unlikely to adjust its interest rate in the short term. Inflation remains low and does not affect gold prices much even though inflation and gold prices are correlated, he said.
President Jitti Tangsithpakdi said it was possible gold would reach $1,000 an ounce this year, because the global economy had still not stabilised. Therefore, people are still investing in gold. As well, there is always high demand for gold at the end of a year.
However, gold prices will not swing as much as they did last year, because funds are investing in many markets, including equities, oil and gold, he said.
Secretary-general Pichaya Phisuthikul said that in the middle of the month, the gold price declined, but it increased again in the past week as oil prices rose to $60 to $70 a barrel.
Gold prices will remain volatile, he said. Normally, gold prices move contrary to the Equity Index, but recently when equities have risen, gold prices have sometimes risen, as well.
"The present gold price is not related to real consumption at all but rather affected by funds investing in the gold market.
"The recovery, which has been seen in stock markets like Wall Street, including oil-price increases, is still not certain. I believe the economy, which has been severely damaged, needs more time for recovery. Therefore, the present oil-price and Equity Index rises may be an illusion, because they show an adjustment much better than fundamentals," Pichaya said.
If oil prices and the Equity Indexes fall again, the gold price will also be affected. In Pichaya's view, gold prices are capable of peaking at $980 an ounce or bottoming at $880.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg said gold, little changed in London yesterday, might decline as a stronger dollar erodes the metal's appeal as an alternative investment. Palladium rose to its highest price in almost a year.
The US Dollar Index, a six-currency gauge of the greenback's value, rebounded from a two-week low, gaining as much as 0.4 per cent. Gold, which typically moves inversely to the dollar, added 1.4 per cent last Friday, the most this month.
"The market is likely to retreat towards $925 to $930 an ounce, provided the dollar rebounds from current lows," said VTB Capital analyst Andrey Kryuchenkov in London.
Immediate-delivery bullion climbed 45 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $954.30 an ounce yesterday after advancing 0.6 per cent last week.
December gold futures rose 90 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $955.60 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange's Comex division.
Gold traders have warned of volatility from the derivatives market rather than physical gold trading. Oil prices and the US dollar are still affecting gold prices more than real gold consumption is, but it is uncertain whether oil prices will continue to increase, because movements to date are believed to have been forced by hedging.
Gold Traders Association deputy secretary-general Kritcharat Hirunyasiri said that over the past month, there had been no clear signs of whether gold prices would rise or fall. Prices had moved in a range of $935 to $965 an ounce, but the range was narrowing, and it was expected that a clear direction would become obvious within the next two weeks.
Kritcharat said if the gold price broke through the $963-an-ounce level, it could rise to $980 and then $1,000 by year-end. However, if it failed to break $930 an ounce, the price could fall to $900.
"The dollar has more of an effect on gold prices," Kritcharat said. "For example, last Friday night the gold price increased $15 per ounce after the dollar depreciated from 1.422 to the euro 1.435, while oil prices made a smaller impact."
Although the golbal economy has begun to recover from the economic crisis, the US Federal Reserve is unlikely to adjust its interest rate in the short term. Inflation remains low and does not affect gold prices much even though inflation and gold prices are correlated, he said.
President Jitti Tangsithpakdi said it was possible gold would reach $1,000 an ounce this year, because the global economy had still not stabilised. Therefore, people are still investing in gold. As well, there is always high demand for gold at the end of a year.
However, gold prices will not swing as much as they did last year, because funds are investing in many markets, including equities, oil and gold, he said.
Secretary-general Pichaya Phisuthikul said that in the middle of the month, the gold price declined, but it increased again in the past week as oil prices rose to $60 to $70 a barrel.
Gold prices will remain volatile, he said. Normally, gold prices move contrary to the Equity Index, but recently when equities have risen, gold prices have sometimes risen, as well.
"The present gold price is not related to real consumption at all but rather affected by funds investing in the gold market.
"The recovery, which has been seen in stock markets like Wall Street, including oil-price increases, is still not certain. I believe the economy, which has been severely damaged, needs more time for recovery. Therefore, the present oil-price and Equity Index rises may be an illusion, because they show an adjustment much better than fundamentals," Pichaya said.
If oil prices and the Equity Indexes fall again, the gold price will also be affected. In Pichaya's view, gold prices are capable of peaking at $980 an ounce or bottoming at $880.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg said gold, little changed in London yesterday, might decline as a stronger dollar erodes the metal's appeal as an alternative investment. Palladium rose to its highest price in almost a year.
The US Dollar Index, a six-currency gauge of the greenback's value, rebounded from a two-week low, gaining as much as 0.4 per cent. Gold, which typically moves inversely to the dollar, added 1.4 per cent last Friday, the most this month.
"The market is likely to retreat towards $925 to $930 an ounce, provided the dollar rebounds from current lows," said VTB Capital analyst Andrey Kryuchenkov in London.
Immediate-delivery bullion climbed 45 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $954.30 an ounce yesterday after advancing 0.6 per cent last week.
December gold futures rose 90 cents, or 0.1 per cent, to $955.60 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange's Comex division.
A diamond is not forever, towns learn
The glittering diamonds are almost gone and as the lustre fades on South Africa's Diamond Coast, desperate ghost towns are left clinging to the last signs of life.
The heyday of diamond mining may be over, but the restoration of a oncepristine landscape along the country's west coast should turn this wasteland of scarred earth into a tourist paradise.
Isolated under strict security for 80 years of mining, towering mine dumps reach hundreds of metres into the air along the coast, the site of one of the most ambitious mining restoration projects to date.
It's hard to believe it by looking at the area now. The sole customer in a supermarket on a recent day in one of the mining towns, Kleinzee, said the industry has left it looking as if a "nuclear bomb was dropped on it."
Since 2007 the world's leading diamond company De Beers has drastically cut operations at its Namaqualand mines as the precious gem runs out, reducing staff from about 3,000 to 250.
Globally, known diamond reserves are expected to run out in 30 years.
Kleinzee, located about 600 kilometres (370 miles) north of Cape Town in the country's biggest and most sparsely populated province of Northern Cape,is entirely owned by the diamond giant.
Schools, recreation centres and houses stand mostly empty.
Its mine has already shut down and residents wait desperately for officials to proclaim an end to its life as a privately owned mining town so individuals can buy homes themselves and try to breathe life back into business.
"All my friends lost their jobs. This is a mining town, what must they do here?"said local supermarket owner Ann Engelbrecht, whose sales have dropped 60% with only a trickle of tourists and locals sustaining her.
She took over the Spar in 2007 after working for De Beers since 1984, and says she has already had two heart attacks from the stress, making opening hours ever later and shutting down completely over weekends.
"It is just not worth it anymore. Business is so bad but I really believe if the town is proclaimed it will get better."
De Beers, grappling with how to leave the town, is partnering with conservationists to reinvigorate the area through tourism, fish farming and other industries.
The project highlights increasing concerns about the environmental footprint left by mining and the responsibility of companies to mitigate it.
Gert Klopper, De Beers Namaqualand spokesman, says the company hopes the project will improve the image of the diamond industry, long blighted by conflict and violence.
"I think it's the first time anywhere in the world that it (restoration) has taken place on such a large scale," he said of the 463 million rand ($56 million) project.
De Beers owns some 10% of South Africa's 2,500-kilometre coastline, much of which has been extensively mined.
Conservation experts are now busy filling gaping holes and transplanting sensitive plant species to restore the vast plains to their former glory.
"The succulent Karoo is one of only two arid hotspots in the world with more than 4,500 plant species. The whole of Europe doesn't have the same number of plant species," says environmental officer Werner Nel.
Klopper notes that while some 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) have been mined,a total of 90,000 hectares were restricted from the public for decades, meaning "huge tracts of land have been pristinely preserved."
Thick and varied vegetation which comes alive with wildflowers in spring stretches for miles to sandy white dunes and idyllic beaches ideal for surfing.
With the rest of South Africa's coast overdeveloped, it is hoped a new tourist attraction will be created along with hundreds of jobs in the most isolated corner of the country.
Sea water pumps designed for mining are now helping fill the pits, which are being turned into oyster and abalone farms.
Already exposed bedrock is being eyed for nearly 100 wind turbines along the wind-blown coastline - to create much needed renewable energy in the powerstrapped country.
Other plans are underway to create land art, a marina, seawater greenhouses and hiking trails, and even to turn one massive pit into a concert venue.
"It will take 10,20,30 years to get to the point that you can't see mining happened here," says Andre Meyer of the Nurture, Restore, Innovate project which is restoring the land for De Beers.
The heyday of diamond mining may be over, but the restoration of a oncepristine landscape along the country's west coast should turn this wasteland of scarred earth into a tourist paradise.
Isolated under strict security for 80 years of mining, towering mine dumps reach hundreds of metres into the air along the coast, the site of one of the most ambitious mining restoration projects to date.
It's hard to believe it by looking at the area now. The sole customer in a supermarket on a recent day in one of the mining towns, Kleinzee, said the industry has left it looking as if a "nuclear bomb was dropped on it."
Since 2007 the world's leading diamond company De Beers has drastically cut operations at its Namaqualand mines as the precious gem runs out, reducing staff from about 3,000 to 250.
Globally, known diamond reserves are expected to run out in 30 years.
Kleinzee, located about 600 kilometres (370 miles) north of Cape Town in the country's biggest and most sparsely populated province of Northern Cape,is entirely owned by the diamond giant.
Schools, recreation centres and houses stand mostly empty.
Its mine has already shut down and residents wait desperately for officials to proclaim an end to its life as a privately owned mining town so individuals can buy homes themselves and try to breathe life back into business.
"All my friends lost their jobs. This is a mining town, what must they do here?"said local supermarket owner Ann Engelbrecht, whose sales have dropped 60% with only a trickle of tourists and locals sustaining her.
She took over the Spar in 2007 after working for De Beers since 1984, and says she has already had two heart attacks from the stress, making opening hours ever later and shutting down completely over weekends.
"It is just not worth it anymore. Business is so bad but I really believe if the town is proclaimed it will get better."
De Beers, grappling with how to leave the town, is partnering with conservationists to reinvigorate the area through tourism, fish farming and other industries.
The project highlights increasing concerns about the environmental footprint left by mining and the responsibility of companies to mitigate it.
Gert Klopper, De Beers Namaqualand spokesman, says the company hopes the project will improve the image of the diamond industry, long blighted by conflict and violence.
"I think it's the first time anywhere in the world that it (restoration) has taken place on such a large scale," he said of the 463 million rand ($56 million) project.
De Beers owns some 10% of South Africa's 2,500-kilometre coastline, much of which has been extensively mined.
Conservation experts are now busy filling gaping holes and transplanting sensitive plant species to restore the vast plains to their former glory.
"The succulent Karoo is one of only two arid hotspots in the world with more than 4,500 plant species. The whole of Europe doesn't have the same number of plant species," says environmental officer Werner Nel.
Klopper notes that while some 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) have been mined,a total of 90,000 hectares were restricted from the public for decades, meaning "huge tracts of land have been pristinely preserved."
Thick and varied vegetation which comes alive with wildflowers in spring stretches for miles to sandy white dunes and idyllic beaches ideal for surfing.
With the rest of South Africa's coast overdeveloped, it is hoped a new tourist attraction will be created along with hundreds of jobs in the most isolated corner of the country.
Sea water pumps designed for mining are now helping fill the pits, which are being turned into oyster and abalone farms.
Already exposed bedrock is being eyed for nearly 100 wind turbines along the wind-blown coastline - to create much needed renewable energy in the powerstrapped country.
Other plans are underway to create land art, a marina, seawater greenhouses and hiking trails, and even to turn one massive pit into a concert venue.
"It will take 10,20,30 years to get to the point that you can't see mining happened here," says Andre Meyer of the Nurture, Restore, Innovate project which is restoring the land for De Beers.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Putin pledges $1bn for diamon miner
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin pledged yesterday $1 billion in state support for the diamond miner Alrosa this year to help it ride out a steep global decline in demand for gemstones.
"The overall level of support for the sector should total 30-35 billion roubles ($949.4 million-$1.11 billion) this year,"Putin told a meeting of senior officials after visiting Alrosa's giant Mir diamond mine in eastern Siberia.
"This is difficult to do with the background of the financial-economic crisis,but we shall do it," Putin said.
The state support, which will include more state purchases of gems, is likely to help state-controlled diamond miner Alrosa service about $3.6 billion in outstanding debt.
Two sources who declined to be identified said the $1 billion would be used by the State Precious Metals and Gems Repository (Gokhran) to buy diamonds from Alrosa.
Alrosa, the main rival to De Beers,produces one quarter of the world's rough diamonds and is one of the main sources of income for Russia's Yakutia region,home to 950,000 people.
"We understand that this sector, which gives serious revenues to the federal budget and regional budget, is in a difficult situation and needs support due to the global market situation," Putin said."To support the sector, the state has agreed to significantly increase state purchases of diamonds."
He said the state purchases by Gokhran had risen to 14.5 billion roubles from 3.7 billion roubles, but gave no details about purchases planned for 2010.
Diamond producers across the globe have been badly hit by weak demand.The world's largest diamond producer,De Beers, which is 45%-owned by mining group Anglo American Plc, has said demand should pick up in the second half.
Alrosa president Fyodor Andreyev said yesterday that he expected diamond demand would recover by 2011 as long as there were no second wave to the financial crisis.
Putin also ordered officials to work out a way to give a state guarantee to Alrosa to help it restructure its debts to domestic and foreign creditors.
Diamond sales make up 30% of the local government's revenue in Yakutia,which covers an area about one-third the size of the United States.
Alrosa, which traces its history to the diamond mines set up the Soviet Union in Yakutia in the 1950s, employs 15,000 people and produces 97% of Russia's rough diamonds.
"In recent years,$17.5 billion of diamonds have been found here (in Mirny)and about $80 billion in the republic as a whole, but when you work out how much has actually been invested here in the republic, in its infrastructure, the figures are really not very significant,"Putin said."The problems come from this and have been mounting for decades."
"The overall level of support for the sector should total 30-35 billion roubles ($949.4 million-$1.11 billion) this year,"Putin told a meeting of senior officials after visiting Alrosa's giant Mir diamond mine in eastern Siberia.
"This is difficult to do with the background of the financial-economic crisis,but we shall do it," Putin said.
The state support, which will include more state purchases of gems, is likely to help state-controlled diamond miner Alrosa service about $3.6 billion in outstanding debt.
Two sources who declined to be identified said the $1 billion would be used by the State Precious Metals and Gems Repository (Gokhran) to buy diamonds from Alrosa.
Alrosa, the main rival to De Beers,produces one quarter of the world's rough diamonds and is one of the main sources of income for Russia's Yakutia region,home to 950,000 people.
"We understand that this sector, which gives serious revenues to the federal budget and regional budget, is in a difficult situation and needs support due to the global market situation," Putin said."To support the sector, the state has agreed to significantly increase state purchases of diamonds."
He said the state purchases by Gokhran had risen to 14.5 billion roubles from 3.7 billion roubles, but gave no details about purchases planned for 2010.
Diamond producers across the globe have been badly hit by weak demand.The world's largest diamond producer,De Beers, which is 45%-owned by mining group Anglo American Plc, has said demand should pick up in the second half.
Alrosa president Fyodor Andreyev said yesterday that he expected diamond demand would recover by 2011 as long as there were no second wave to the financial crisis.
Putin also ordered officials to work out a way to give a state guarantee to Alrosa to help it restructure its debts to domestic and foreign creditors.
Diamond sales make up 30% of the local government's revenue in Yakutia,which covers an area about one-third the size of the United States.
Alrosa, which traces its history to the diamond mines set up the Soviet Union in Yakutia in the 1950s, employs 15,000 people and produces 97% of Russia's rough diamonds.
"In recent years,$17.5 billion of diamonds have been found here (in Mirny)and about $80 billion in the republic as a whole, but when you work out how much has actually been invested here in the republic, in its infrastructure, the figures are really not very significant,"Putin said."The problems come from this and have been mounting for decades."
Thursday, August 20, 2009
CITIZEN PHOTO CONTEST AWARDS
Citizen watches recently held an awards presentation to the winners of its "A Moment in Time"photo contest, with a charity auction of the winning works and photos taken by seven celebrities. The event, to raise funds for the Green World Foundation, took place at the Siam Paragon's Fashion Hall recently.
Presenting the awards to the winners are Vipavan Mahadumrongkul,general manager of C. Thong Panich Ltd, the sole distributor of Citizen watches in Thailand, and Suzuki Tadahiro, managing director of Citizen Singapore. Also present at the event is MR Narisa Chakrabongse,chairperson of the Green World Foundation.
"More than 700 photos by professional and amateur photographers were submitted to the contest," said Mrs Vipavan."Forty finalists have been chosen to display their works along with photos taken by seven celebrities. They are all being auctioned with the proceeds going to the Green World Foundation."
In the adult category, the winner is Yaowalak Pipattangkul with "One Life One Change". The first and second runners-up are Methaporn Pirojrat with "I Love You Just the Way You Are" and Pichaporn Prukrasameepong with "The Golden Land'.' All were awarded a Citizen Eco-Drive watch and cash prizes.Surasak Jiamsap was presented with a special prize, a Citizen Eco-Drive,for the theme,"The First Moment of Daylight".
In the youth category, Jitpitak Sae Dan won the first prize with "Saeng Lod". The first and second runnersup are Danai Wongwattanachai with "Soo Chai Chana" and Methas Srithanya with "Kanghan Dek Len". All received Citizen Eco-Drive watches and cash prizes. The special prize for the theme "The First Moment of Daylight" went to Korakot Wichaidit with "Chao Wan Mai" and was awarded with a special model of Citizen EcoDrive.
The event also showcased the latest collection of Citizen Eco-Drive ti-mepieces from Basel Fair 2009 including the Promaster BJ2110-01E and Promaster BJ2120-07E, diving watches with water resistance to 200 metres, with a depth meter and chronograph.
Also presented were the Perpetual Calendar BL5395-00E, the Perpetual Calendar BL5390-03A, the Super Chronograph JW0071-58E, and the Wicca 10th Anniversary FB1173-01D,a limited edition watch with a star engraved crystal decoration and 150-day power reserve. Only 100 pieces are available in Thailand.
Equipped with advanced Eco-Drive technology, the Eco-Drive watch is able to convert light from any source,solar or artificial, into electrical energy,with the help of the solar cell beneath its dial. The solar panel is free from harmful elements such as mercury,zinc and cadmium, and with regular exposure to light, will preserve the light in a special secondary battery or energy cell, which can be recharged without change during its 20-year lifespan.
Unlike quartz watches, the EcoDrive watch can conserve its energy for a long period of time once its revolutionary battery is fully charged.All models are equipped with more effective light-powered functions, and every watch has a trademark, EcoDrive on its dial and back case.
Presenting the awards to the winners are Vipavan Mahadumrongkul,general manager of C. Thong Panich Ltd, the sole distributor of Citizen watches in Thailand, and Suzuki Tadahiro, managing director of Citizen Singapore. Also present at the event is MR Narisa Chakrabongse,chairperson of the Green World Foundation.
"More than 700 photos by professional and amateur photographers were submitted to the contest," said Mrs Vipavan."Forty finalists have been chosen to display their works along with photos taken by seven celebrities. They are all being auctioned with the proceeds going to the Green World Foundation."
In the adult category, the winner is Yaowalak Pipattangkul with "One Life One Change". The first and second runners-up are Methaporn Pirojrat with "I Love You Just the Way You Are" and Pichaporn Prukrasameepong with "The Golden Land'.' All were awarded a Citizen Eco-Drive watch and cash prizes.Surasak Jiamsap was presented with a special prize, a Citizen Eco-Drive,for the theme,"The First Moment of Daylight".
In the youth category, Jitpitak Sae Dan won the first prize with "Saeng Lod". The first and second runnersup are Danai Wongwattanachai with "Soo Chai Chana" and Methas Srithanya with "Kanghan Dek Len". All received Citizen Eco-Drive watches and cash prizes. The special prize for the theme "The First Moment of Daylight" went to Korakot Wichaidit with "Chao Wan Mai" and was awarded with a special model of Citizen EcoDrive.
The event also showcased the latest collection of Citizen Eco-Drive ti-mepieces from Basel Fair 2009 including the Promaster BJ2110-01E and Promaster BJ2120-07E, diving watches with water resistance to 200 metres, with a depth meter and chronograph.
Also presented were the Perpetual Calendar BL5395-00E, the Perpetual Calendar BL5390-03A, the Super Chronograph JW0071-58E, and the Wicca 10th Anniversary FB1173-01D,a limited edition watch with a star engraved crystal decoration and 150-day power reserve. Only 100 pieces are available in Thailand.
Equipped with advanced Eco-Drive technology, the Eco-Drive watch is able to convert light from any source,solar or artificial, into electrical energy,with the help of the solar cell beneath its dial. The solar panel is free from harmful elements such as mercury,zinc and cadmium, and with regular exposure to light, will preserve the light in a special secondary battery or energy cell, which can be recharged without change during its 20-year lifespan.
Unlike quartz watches, the EcoDrive watch can conserve its energy for a long period of time once its revolutionary battery is fully charged.All models are equipped with more effective light-powered functions, and every watch has a trademark, EcoDrive on its dial and back case.
TIME ON THE MOVE
The red carpet will be rolled out once again to welcome some of the world's most prestigious watch brands when they parade their latest collections to showcase at this year's Central International Watch Fair (CIWF)2009, Southeast Asia's biggest retail event for watch-lovers and collectors. This must see event will be held at the Event Hall of Central Chidlom from August 25 to September 27.
"As the region's leading watch fair organiser, Central has selected new collections and top-brand timepieces including limited edition designs premiered earlier this year at BaselWorld 2009 expo in Switzerland to showcase at this year's Central International Watch Fair," said Yuwadee Chirathivat, president of Central Department Store."We also team up with leading credit cards to offer the best deals to customers through special campaigns and other promotions."
Gracing this year's CIWF are some of the most celebrated names in watchmaking, including A. Lange & Sohne,Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Breguet,Carl F. Bucherer, Cartier, Chopard,Corum, Franck Muller, Glashutte Original, IWC, Jager-LeCoultre, Montblanc,Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin and Vincent Berard.
One of this year's hottest trends from the watch world is the white-strap watch.Many of the world's luxury watch brands have launched white-strap designs for ladies, but this new trend isn't reserved for them alone. Fashion-forward gentlemen can also update their look with oversized, white-strap watches, versatile accessories that go with a variety of clothing styles.
"Fashion is forever changing, and a constant flow of new trends adds colour,fun and liveliness to the business of dressing up," said Tinakorn Asavarak, a veteran of the fashion scene and one of the most stylish men around.
"Watch fashion, too, is always on the move, in terms of the technology behind the working parts and the design and materials that inspire new collections,which introduce new trends to the fash-ion world. Accessory trends are dictated by couture fashion, and in turn both clothes and accessories trends influence watch fashion."
According to Tinakorn, colour is very important this year, especially white,the symbol of purity and elegance.
"White is the coolest colour this summer and white-strap watches go well with colourful clothes," he says."They look great when mixed with white gold,rose gold or yellow gold. The straps themselves are available in a variety in materials, from classic leather to bleached crocodile to white ceramic or plastic, all of which look very cool and trendy."
Leading watch brands unveiling stylish designs for ladies at Central International Watch Fair 2009, include:
Cartier Baignoire Hypnose, a highjewellery design with two oval faces,one inside the other, mounted on an 18k gold case and surrounded with diamonds. The classic design is enhanced by Roman numerals and white canvas strap with 18k white gold clasp. A quartz timepiece set with 4.15 carats diamonds,it is priced at 2,010,000 baht.
Vacheron Constantin presents Kalla Lune in round white-gold case set with 134,36mm baguette diamonds weighing 7.86 carats. A single rose-cut diamond adorns the crown while the flange glitters with 24 baguette diamonds each weighing 1.36 carats. The dial is paved with mother-of-pearl mosaic, with the pieces intricately put together in a concentric semi-circle pattern then polished until they become one piece, and set with 141 rose-cut diamonds at 9 o'clock. The price is 8,033,000 baht.
Corum highlights its 2009 collection with the sculpture-like Golden Bridge Lady, only five of which were produced worldwide and only one imported to Thailand. It features a see-through,41mm x 34 mm dial made of red or white gold set with 76 baguette diamonds, and black or white crocodile leather strap with red or white gold tongue buckle. The price is 7,175,000 baht for white gold and 7,093,000 baht for rose gold.
Paula Taylor with the trendy whitestrap Corum watch. The Little Lange 1 Moon Phase: Moonstruck from A. Lange & Sohne is available in a daytime and a nighttime version, and only 150 of each were produced. The daytime version features a 36.8mm white gold case, silvery white mother-of-pearl dial set with 58 Wesselton diamonds, and white crocodile strap. The nighttime version has a blue mother-of-pearl dial and matching blue shagreen strap. The price is 1,950,000 baht.
The embodiment of gentle femininity,Blancpain Ultra-Slim has a 26.2mm diameter ruby and diamond encrusted mother-of-pearl dial mounted on a gold case set with double rows of diamonds on the bezel and crown. An automatic self-winding timepiece, it comes with 100-hour power reserve.
Central International Watch Fair 2009, August 25-September 27 at the Event Hall,3rd floor,Central Chidlom, tel 02-793-7420.
"As the region's leading watch fair organiser, Central has selected new collections and top-brand timepieces including limited edition designs premiered earlier this year at BaselWorld 2009 expo in Switzerland to showcase at this year's Central International Watch Fair," said Yuwadee Chirathivat, president of Central Department Store."We also team up with leading credit cards to offer the best deals to customers through special campaigns and other promotions."
Gracing this year's CIWF are some of the most celebrated names in watchmaking, including A. Lange & Sohne,Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Breguet,Carl F. Bucherer, Cartier, Chopard,Corum, Franck Muller, Glashutte Original, IWC, Jager-LeCoultre, Montblanc,Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin and Vincent Berard.
One of this year's hottest trends from the watch world is the white-strap watch.Many of the world's luxury watch brands have launched white-strap designs for ladies, but this new trend isn't reserved for them alone. Fashion-forward gentlemen can also update their look with oversized, white-strap watches, versatile accessories that go with a variety of clothing styles.
"Fashion is forever changing, and a constant flow of new trends adds colour,fun and liveliness to the business of dressing up," said Tinakorn Asavarak, a veteran of the fashion scene and one of the most stylish men around.
"Watch fashion, too, is always on the move, in terms of the technology behind the working parts and the design and materials that inspire new collections,which introduce new trends to the fash-ion world. Accessory trends are dictated by couture fashion, and in turn both clothes and accessories trends influence watch fashion."
According to Tinakorn, colour is very important this year, especially white,the symbol of purity and elegance.
"White is the coolest colour this summer and white-strap watches go well with colourful clothes," he says."They look great when mixed with white gold,rose gold or yellow gold. The straps themselves are available in a variety in materials, from classic leather to bleached crocodile to white ceramic or plastic, all of which look very cool and trendy."
Leading watch brands unveiling stylish designs for ladies at Central International Watch Fair 2009, include:
Cartier Baignoire Hypnose, a highjewellery design with two oval faces,one inside the other, mounted on an 18k gold case and surrounded with diamonds. The classic design is enhanced by Roman numerals and white canvas strap with 18k white gold clasp. A quartz timepiece set with 4.15 carats diamonds,it is priced at 2,010,000 baht.
Vacheron Constantin presents Kalla Lune in round white-gold case set with 134,36mm baguette diamonds weighing 7.86 carats. A single rose-cut diamond adorns the crown while the flange glitters with 24 baguette diamonds each weighing 1.36 carats. The dial is paved with mother-of-pearl mosaic, with the pieces intricately put together in a concentric semi-circle pattern then polished until they become one piece, and set with 141 rose-cut diamonds at 9 o'clock. The price is 8,033,000 baht.
Corum highlights its 2009 collection with the sculpture-like Golden Bridge Lady, only five of which were produced worldwide and only one imported to Thailand. It features a see-through,41mm x 34 mm dial made of red or white gold set with 76 baguette diamonds, and black or white crocodile leather strap with red or white gold tongue buckle. The price is 7,175,000 baht for white gold and 7,093,000 baht for rose gold.
Paula Taylor with the trendy whitestrap Corum watch. The Little Lange 1 Moon Phase: Moonstruck from A. Lange & Sohne is available in a daytime and a nighttime version, and only 150 of each were produced. The daytime version features a 36.8mm white gold case, silvery white mother-of-pearl dial set with 58 Wesselton diamonds, and white crocodile strap. The nighttime version has a blue mother-of-pearl dial and matching blue shagreen strap. The price is 1,950,000 baht.
The embodiment of gentle femininity,Blancpain Ultra-Slim has a 26.2mm diameter ruby and diamond encrusted mother-of-pearl dial mounted on a gold case set with double rows of diamonds on the bezel and crown. An automatic self-winding timepiece, it comes with 100-hour power reserve.
Central International Watch Fair 2009, August 25-September 27 at the Event Hall,3rd floor,Central Chidlom, tel 02-793-7420.
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