Ernst Benz Mario Batali
Mario Batali is a versatile businessman. He's one of the most acclaimed chefs in the world, the owner of 11 restaurants and the star of multiple television shows, including the popular Iron Chef America. Now, after successful forays into cookware and footwear, the former GQ "Man of the Year" is continuing his venture into fashion, via the world of high-end wristwatches.
Batali has teamed up with the Swiss manufacturer Ernst Benz to create a limited-edition series of watches. The wristwear will be released this month just in time, no pun intended, for the fall fashion season. The watches, numbered 1 to 250 in each of three sizes, can be purchased locally at either John Varvatos at the Forum Shops or Batali's B&B Ristorante at the Venetian.
Proceeds from the Ernst Benz Mario Batali Limited Edition (only 750 are being produced) will go to the Food Bank For New York City, an organization that supplies approximately 250,000 free meals a day to those in need. Giving back to the New York City community is nothing new for Batali, who has served on the board of the Food Bank since 2003 and has organized numerous events to raise awareness about hunger. Ernst Benz will donate 15 percent of the proceeds from sales of the watch to the organization; Batali will donate 100 percent of his share.
Batali's watches feature numerals and hands accented in orange, which is the signature color of the food bank. It was a perfect match; the color happens to be Batali's favorite as well.
"I knew he was working for the Food Bank, and I told him I liked his food," says Ernst Benz Designer and Managing Director Leonid Khankin. "I said the Food Bank's color is orange, your color is orange, and that's how we decided to do it. He has an amazing following, and I'm very proud of how everyone has come together on this."
The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, and features 2mm sapphire crystals and a hand-stitched alligator strap that's available in either orange or black. Khankin personally oversees the production of every single piece.
"A mechanical timepiece is the ultimate timepiece," Khankin says of his product. "It will outlast all of us. It's something a father can hand down to a son."
Batali's new line for Ernst Benz is available in the traditional men's size (47mm) for $4,500, a smaller 40mm size ideal for both men and women for $4,100, and a women's size (36mm) for $2,500. Khankin and Batali work so well together that they already have plans to release another line of watches in 2008.
Help feed the homeless at
www.ernstbenz.com | 248.203.2323
Dunamis by Jason of Beverly Hills
The newest line of custom timepieces from Dunamis caught the attention of many athletes and celebrities in Las Vegas at NBA All-Star Weekend in February. NBA stars LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Antawn Jamison, as well as actor Mekhi Phifer, scooped up their watches at a private event, fittingly held at the Palms' Kingpin suite. Dunamis was created by Jason Arasheben, better known as Jason of Beverly Hills.
The Dunamis Spartan and the Dunamis Hercules are the latest of Jason's products to hit fine jewelry boutiques, and both show off his signature flashy look; full-cut round brilliant white diamonds are set in the piece and free float in the case.
"There is no doubt that this timepiece will go with whatever you wear this fall," says Vanessa Marquez, creative director of Jason of Beverly Hills. She describes the Dunamis line as "in your face, over-the-top, unique watches that go against the grain."
Dunamis pieces have caught the eye of several notable celebrities, including Ashton Kutcher, who told Arasheben that he'd try to build his whole wardrobe around his $65,000 purchase. Bow Wow sports a nice piece of Dunamis bling in his music video for "Like You."
The NBA's Garnett splurged during his stint at All-Star Weekend and bought seven different styles of Dunamis pieces, including the new Spartan, a 50mm timepiece featuring a black gold stone dial, leather strap and Swiss-manufacturedmovement. It has an approximate carat weight of 3.75 and retails for $9,900.
Those who want to look like a celebrity and prefer to go above the $10,000 range also have plenty of options, including the new Hercules, which retails at a hefty $70,000. Weighing in at 18.5 carats (and also featuring the signature free-floating white diamonds), the status piece is a sure way to show off your level of affluence. The Hercules is a 60mm piece with a steel guilloche-engraved dial and a leather strap.
The Spartan and the Hercules are follow-ups to the already-popular Hubris, available in four styles, Black Steel, Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold and Rose Gold. The Hubris carries a weight of 21.93 carats and a $25,000 price tag. Each Dunamis piece features high-quality diamonds with VS clarity and G color, and each contains plentiful amounts of these diamonds.
Those lucky enough to purchase a Dunamis timepiece are getting a product crafted by one of the most notable and sought-after designers in the business. In addition to creating the new Dunamis line and owning the famous Jason of Beverly Hills store, Arasheben custom designs for his most high-end clients. One of Arasheben's more notable deeds involved creating an engagement ring for music star Brandy, just in time for NBA star Quentin Richardson to pop the question in 2004. He finished the ring, valued at more than $1 million, just 30 minutes before Richardson's proposal.
Prove your diamond fetish at
www.dunamistimepieces.com | 310.777.7551
Oceanaut
Designer watch brand Oceanaut has made a considerable impression on the accessory world, and it was all propelled by the release of the popular Pacha chronograph in 2003. That style sold out in just a few days, and Oceanaut has been a prominent player in the high-end watch industry ever since.
Back in June at the Jeweler's Circular Keystone jewelry tradeshow (better known as JCK), Oceanaut previewed two new lines of timepieces, the Baltica and the Baccara, as well as an updated gold version of its signature Cortez watch. According to Oceanaut CEO and co-founder Frances Ibarra Blair, the introduction couldn't have gone better.
"The three collections were received with great enthusiasm and interest from both the public and the press alike," she says. "Because of their extremely positive exposure at the show, Oceanaut began taking orders for the watches almost five months before their release."
Influenced by Russian diving watches, the Baltica created a big buzz at JCK, according to Ibarra Blair. Several variations of the Baltica will be available, with four face colors (silver, black, yellow, orange) to choose from and two sizes, 52mm and a midsize 42mm. It can be purchased with diamonds or without. The Baccara is available for ladies and men in two sizes (40mm and 36mm) and can also be purchased with or without diamonds. These two designs add to the growing collection of Oceanaut timepieces and will be available in the fall.
"Oceanaut timepieces complement any wardrobe, any season of the year," Ibarra Blair says. "In fact, with all the respect Oceanaut is receiving from the world's most important tastemakers, it's fair to say that an Oceanaut watch alone defines a lifestyle. With its collection of alligator straps, available in classic and bold colors, both men and women can easily complement any wardrobe, in the office or out of town."
Oceanaut's signature Cortez timepiece is getting an update this season. The 44mm piece is already available in two styles, featuring a guilloche-style dial, luminescent hands and a hand-stitched Italian leather strap. Cased in scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the watch is water-resistant up to 165 feet. The current editions are available in black and silver, and the special edition Cortez hitting the public this fall will be crafted from solid 18k gold and available in yellow or rose colors with diamond accents.
"Oceanaut has taken Hollywood by surprise," Ibarra Blair says. "Seen on the list of several of Hollywood's A-list, as well as movers and shakers, Oceanaut defines style with craftsmanship."
The stylish timepieces have been spotted on the wrists of celebrities like Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Douglas, Teri Hatcher and Brooke Burke. The company also supplied matching his and hers pieces to recent newlyweds Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, as well as world-famous chef Wolfgang Puck and his wife-to-be Gelila Assefa.
Dive into the world of timepieces at
http://www.oceanautwatches.com/ | 310.372.0457