Jewellery Focus JFOC July 2017 digital | Page 9

MONTH IN REVIEW GO ONLINE www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Waterford Crystal expands into travel retail Waterford Crystal has released its inaugural collection of fine jewellery, which will be released under a partnership with a number of travel companies. The collection is made with sterling silver and features the brand’s seahorse symbol. Each piece has been hallmarked by the Assay Office in Dublin Castle. The collection will be sold by a number of travel retailers, including Harding Brothers, Emirates, Shannon Group (including Shannon Airport) and cruise and ferry operator, DFDS Seaways. The brand described its launch into the travel retail industry as a “natural progression” and over 135 retailers will stock the new collection. Pearse Curran, managing director at Oscar Graves which distributes Waterford, said: “We believe our new travel retail partners are perfect matches for Waterford jewellery. “ Their enthusiasm for style was immediate and their appreciation for quality was very much evident. Combining these attributes with a solid market knowledge of their customer profile made our decision and easy and enjoyable one.” Will Attersley, category manager at DFDS, added: we recognised that our passengers are looking to trade up to more premium jewellery, so we see Waterford as being an excellent addition to our onboard jewellery offer. July 2017 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT Brand ambassador Kate Winslet launches Longines watch Kate Winslet has launched Longines exclusive Flagship Heritage by Kate Winslet timepiece as the brand’s ambassador of elegance. The limited edition timepiece was named after the actress and features three models all in gold. It features the same dial as The Flagship Heritage – 60th Anniversary 1957-2017. The watch will be auctioned online and the proceeds will go towards the Golden Hat Foundation, a charity co- founded by Kate Winslet. The charity was set up to change the way people with autism are perceived. The product was launched at the brand’s boutique located at Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. The models numbered 2/5, 3/5 and 4/5 will be auctioned for the Foundation. The auction will take place online from 10 June at 6pm CEST to 30 June 2017 5.59pm CEST. Winslet said: “I was given the permission to choose a watch, which was designed specifically for the Golden Hat Foundation. “ The style of the model really appealed to me and I instantly fell in love with it. This project with Longines is helping raise awareness about a particular cause dear to my heart. Thanks to Longines’ involvement and the generosity of the [donors], the foundation will keep on working towards achieving its goals.” 1 2 3 4 5 6 AUCTION Harry Winston ring leads Christie’s London auction A Harry Winston emerald r ing was the highest sale at the Christie’s London Summer Luxury Sales. The rectangular-cut, Colombian 10.23-carat ring went for £377,000 to an anonymous buyer. It was valued at £50,000-70,000, five times less than what it sold for. Other jewels sold at the auction included a cushion-shaped Sri Lankan sapphire pendant and a Victorian Diamond Star Parure by Collingwood and Son. The pieces went for £341,000 and £317,000 respectively. Online bidders drove the sales at the auction with 44% of the lots being sold or directly underbid to buyers on the internet. Some 90% of the jewels were sold by lot and 80% were sold by value. The Summer Luxury Sales concluded with a combined sale total for handbags, wine and jewels of £10,546,542. The auction had the highest number of registrants partaking at London’s King Street. Keith Penton, head of Christie’s jewel department said: “The Victorian diamond star parure demonstrated yet again that jewels fresh to the market with noble provenance make for a winning combination, illustrating yet again London’s traditional association with the sale of important antique jewels.” The price of gold increased £10 to £979/oz in June JEWELLERY FOCUS 9