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Brand News: Apple Watch Launch Bested By New MacBook; Omi Prive Wins Jewelers’ Choice Award; More March 11, 2015 (0 comments)
Omi Privé Wins Grand Prize In 2015 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards
Los Angeles, CA—Omi Privé has been awarded the grand prize in the eighth annual JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards, sponsored by JCK magazine. Retail jewelers from around the world voted the 4.33-ct. Lightning Ridge black opal ring as both the “Best Ring Design over $10,000,” and the grand prizewinner. The award-winning ring is featured on the magazine’s March issue cover.
The focus of the ring is the extraordinary play of color in the center black opal, which is accented two with two trillion-cut green tsavorite garnets (0.46 ctw.) and 0.24 ctw. of round blue sapphires. The shank of the ring features 0.42 ctw of brilliant round diamonds. The 18k gold ring was crafted by hand in Los Angeles.
"We are honored to win the grand prize award; it is very meaningful to me, as jewelry retailers are the ones that voted on our piece!" says Niveet Nagpal, president and designer of Omi Privé. "My passion lies in color, and I am especially pleased with the way the colors come together in this ring. I am excited and honored that it has been recognized amongst so many beautiful entries."
Omi Privé also earned merits with its black opal and tsavorite garnet ring in platinum; the piece was announced as a finalist in the category of “Platinum Jewelry over $10,000.” Since its 2012 launch, the brand has received honors in this competition every year.
Omi Privé will show at The Couture Show, May 28-June 1 at Wynn Las Vegas, Salon 143.
After All The Fuss, Apple Watch Launch Overshadowed By New MacBook
San Francisco, CA—The much-anticipated launch of the Apple Watch took place Monday, but a new super-thin, super-light 12-inch notebook computer stole the show. The new notebook is both lighter and thinner than Apple’s MacBook Air, which dominates the portable category.
The consensus among journalists and techies present at the event was that the Apple Watch offered no surprises beyond what was already known about it and no real improvements over existing smartwatches from other brands—but everyone probably will want one anyway because that’s just how it is with Apple products.
Michael Schechter, digital marketing and PR director for jewelry behemoth Richline Group, blogged his take on the Apple watch last week. He sees potential for partnerships between Apple and jewelry stores down the road. Read Schechter’s thoughts here.
Benjamin Clymer, executive editor of watch site Hodinkee, believes a machine-made watch such as the $10,000 Apple Edition is no value compared to the handmade precision of luxury mechanicals, even if it is 18k gold. Don’t buy it, he says, leaving no doubt what he will think of Brikk’s diamond-crusted version for $75,000.
But Elmar Mock, the man who co-founded Swatch, thinks the Swiss watch industry is underestimating the threat posed by a successful Apple Watch, especially for entry-luxury timepieces, he said in an interview with Bloomberg.com. Read the interview here.
Want to see the Apple watch before it hits stores next month? Here’s a video of the watch in action.
Alpina Watches Athlete Patrick Sweeney First To Bike To Everest Base Camp
Geneva, Switzerland—Athlete Patrick Sweeney, a brand ambassador for Alpina Watches, reached Everest Base Camp by mountain bike on February 24. He is the first person to be verified by officials at Sagamarth National Park to officially conquer the 18,000-foot high iconic location by mountain bike. He reached base camp after a treacherous and exhausting six-day ride starting from Lukla, Nepal.
The trip was a scouting and reconnaissance expedition for Sweeney's upcoming attempt to complete the legendary Sherpa Mail Run by mountain bike from Base Camp to Kathmandu. He has spent 14 months training and planning for the Sherpa Mail Run effort. The Sherpa Mail Run is considered by many to be unobtainable on a mountain bike because of the deadly combination of treacherous downhill trails, harrowing single track and exhausting climbs (over 35,000 feet of climbing along the route).
"I want to prove that the Mail Run can be done on a bike. Getting to base camp was just the start, even though it was the most difficult ride I've ever done. However to find out I'm the first official rider to reach this iconic spot is a huge privilege and gift."
"I'm fast but he's furious!" said skier Tina Maze, fellow Alpina athlete. "It's great to be part of such a diverse team of athletes at Alpina. We are all committed to raising the bar and inspiring others while never forgetting our roots."
Guido Benedini, CEO of Alpina, said, "Alpina's core values were exemplified by Patrick in doing something that many have talked about, but not attained. We're very proud of his monumental accomplishment and are anxious to see his fall attempt at the Sherpa Mail Run