Being a niche magazine we have a strong focus. Articles on Loupiosity are mostly about fine watchmaking, and high or fine jewellery, infused with crafts and techniques and sometime artistic or cultural events. We love technology but not necessarily cover it. Following the press presentation of de GRISOGONO and Samsung on 16th of March we decided to include the latest smart watch in the market on our site for one reason: with good design and high-class materials, the luxury house managed to create a smart accessory that is actually lovable.
Glamorously Smart cooperation
As Mr. Fawaz Gruosi – the founder and “creative force” behind de GRISOGONO – started off, new technologies are part of the future to which de GRISOGONO needs to adapt.
The company had the strong intention to be among the first to tap into this new market, therefore they entered into a new partnership with Samsung, the South Korean multinational conglomerate. (Samsung remains on top in global smartphone shipments in Q4, 2015 – according to Strategy Analytics.)
Samsung introduced the Gear S2 smart watch at IFA Berlin (one of the world’s leading trade shows for consumer electronics) last September. Although the watch was well received, Samsung had the idea to target a sub-market: ladies with a glamorous feminine lifestyle by creating an appropriate edition. They approached Fawaz Grousi, who sketched the design of the new model, Samsung Gear S2 by de GRISOGONO.
Mr. Grousi imagined it in rose gold set with 56 white diamonds, black DLC-coated stainless steel set with 71 black diamonds and completed with the brand’s signature black galuchat strap. Two digital dial themes were created – black and white – bearing the brand’s characteristic design codes, graced with scrolling motifs, subtle shades of rose gold and the brand emblem. Diamond Like Carbon coated – a carbon material that displays some of the typical properties of diamond – stainless steel protects a part of the bezel and the case that houses all the smart watch’s embedded technology.
Both brands brought the best of their expertise into this partnership: the design, the look, the eye-for-luxury from de GRISOGONO (the piece was entirely manufactured and assembled in the de GRISOGONO workshops) and the latest electronic and mobile technology and knowledge of the smart-tech from Samsung. The result is a charming accessory (which – I would say – is not necessarily true for the smart watches), and a “hi-tech jewellery piece”.
The traditional mechanical watches already found their market, being luxury objects far from necessities – as Robert Polet the former CEO of Gucci Group put it: “Luxury isn’t something you need, it’s something you desire.” Desire is evoked through excellent designs, rarity / exclusivity, outstanding craftsmanship or exceptional technical or artistic achievements. The market, the use and the consumer habits of smart watches is still taking shape.
The Samsung Gear S2 by de GRISOGONO will be available from summer 2016 and will include all features of the Gear S2: accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate, ambient light, barometer sensors, and the Super AMOLED display.
DeGrisogono Jewellery
Pieces from the emblematic collections of de GRISOGONO are often seen on the red carpets of the Cannes Festival, the opening gala of the Paris Opera & Ballet or at the Haute Couture Week in Paris. The House introduced novelties in these lines in Basel.
The playful Allegra collection – named after Fawaz Gruosi’s first-born daughter – welcomed new chokers, completed with seven leather bands in white or rose gold and set with diamonds. The leather parts make the necklace very comfortable and easy-to-wear, but are still a glamorous choice.
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Allegra choker and ring
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The India collection is inspired by travelling in this very diverse country, its spices, scents, colours and strong contrasts. Invisibly set diamonds are combined with cabochon-cut stones (such as turquoise, opal, fossilised mammoth ivory and onyx) on white or rose gold. The results are contrasting, solid but sophisticated pieces. My personal favourites were the turquoise and the pink opal versions.
The successful Grappoli watches now have a smaller version in the same style. The artisans apply an haute couture technique in the decoration of these. The colourful timepieces have briollete-cut gemstones sewed on the case, shaping a moving flower or a grape. It is made by hand and the technique gives the stones freedom to move. The dial and part of the case is entirely snow-set with gemstones, in a matching “tone on tone” colour.
Photo credits: de GRISOGONO, Loupiosity.com.
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