MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
CollectionsApr 29, 2016
Watch News: TAG introduces sailing smartwatch
TAG Heuer has created what it is calling the first Swiss sports “smartwatch,” made for the crew of Oracle Team USA to wear when competing in the 34th America’s Cup.
The special versions of the Aquaracer 500M Calibre 72 Countdown chronograph TAG Heuer created are customized for the tasks of each specific sailor and wirelessly link to the boat’s onboard computers to give the crew access to race condition data in real time. The high-contrast LED screen displays constantly updated information on how the boat and its sails are behaving, relaying data such as boat speed, foil balance, sail pressure and true wind speed, direction and angle.
The 51 mm watch, which TAG Heuer said is also the first smartwatch created for competitive sailing, has a leather strap and utilizes the brand’s patented “splashproof” technology, first used for TAG Heuer eyewear.
TAG Heuer made only 50 of these special Aquaracer 72 watches and none are available commercially.
The brand does make a number of limited-edition watches that pay homage to the Oracle team, including a limited-edition, but less sophisticated, version of the Aquaracer 72, an Aquaracer 500M Calibre 16 Chronograph and an Aquaracer 500M Calibre 5.
So-called smartwatches made headlines earlier this month when Samsung beat Apple in the race to produce an ultra-modern watch that works with today’s cell phones. The Samsung Gear debuted on Sept. 4 and operates in tandem with the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone.
Tudor calls it a comeback
High-end Swiss watch brand Tudor marked its return to the American market with a party held Sept. 12, the final night of New York Fashion Week, at the IAC Building in Manhattan.
Created in 1926, the brand name Tudor was registered for Hans Wilsdorf, the co-founder of Rolex. The brand relaunched in 2007, and, along with Rolex, comprises the portfolio owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation.
Those in attendance at the event included stage and screen actor Alan Cumming and New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey.
Tudor unveiled a specially branded Audi R8 commemorating the just-announced Tudor United SportsCar Championship sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association. Also on display were two Ducati Diavel Carbon motorcycles, showcased with the brand’s Fastrider Black Shield collection.
Tudor makes
both men’s and women’s watches. The brand’s models, inspired by motorsports since the 1970s, include the Heritage Chrono Blue, Heritage Black Bay and Pelagos.
For Breitling and Bentley, it’s Beckham
Soccer star David Beckham, who was announced as a brand ambassador for Breitling in 2006, is now also the face of Breitling for Bentley and is starring in a new advertising campaign for the line.
American photographer Anthony Mandler shot the advertisement, the making of which is pictured below, featuring the British soccer star in the California desert. The brand said the “dark, original and striking” portrait is supposed to reflect the spirit of Breitling for Bentley.
Breitling started making Bentley-branded chronographs in 2003.
Jewelry co. debuts Swiss watch collection
Alor International Ltd., the jewelry company founded by the Zemer family in 1979, recently launched Alor Swiss Watches. The brand has six collections on tap for fall/winter 2013.
They are: 1979, Alor, Cavo, Valenti, Forte and EliteSub. While several of the styles can be worn by both genders, the brand’s emphasis is on creating timepieces for women.
Price points range from $695 to $4,000, and the watches will be available for retail sale nationwide in mid-October.
“It’s about time, It’s about me,” is the brand’s tagline and its fall advertising campaign includes national TV commercials and full-page ads in Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and Niche Media publications. In addition, Alor is the official sponsor of the Los Angeles Confidential 2013 Emmy party.
For Breitling and Bentley, it’s Beckham
Soccer star David Beckham, who was announced as a brand ambassador for Breitling in 2006, is now also the face of Breitling for Bentley and is starring in a new advertising campaign for the line.
American photographer Anthony Mandler shot the advertisement, the making of which is pictured below, featuring the British soccer star in the California desert. The brand said the “dark, original and striking” portrait is supposed to reflect the spirit of Breitling for Bentley.
Breitling started making Bentley-branded chronographs in 2003.
Jewelry co. debuts Swiss watch collection
Alor International Ltd., the jewelry company founded by the Zemer family in 1979, recently launched Alor Swiss Watches. The brand has six collections on tap for fall/winter 2013.
They are: 1979, Alor, Cavo, Valenti, Forte and EliteSub. While several of the styles can be worn by both genders, the brand’s emphasis is on creating timepieces for women.
Price points range from $695 to $4,000, and the watches will be available for retail sale nationwide in mid-October.
“It’s about time, It’s about me,” is the brand’s tagline and its fall advertising campaign includes national TV commercials and full-page ads in Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire and Niche Media publications. In addition, Alor is the official sponsor of the Los Angeles Confidential 2013 Emmy party.
More on Collections
The Latest
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
