Renee Lucas

Renee Lucas is the Online Managing Editor of Haute Living.

POSTS BY Renee Lucas

Eric Clapton’s Patek Philippe sells at Christie’s Auction for $3,635,808

This week, the exceptionally rare platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, ref. 2499/100, manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1987 and offered from the collection of Eric Clapton, sold for $3,635,808, setting a world record price for this reference at auction. The top price of the sale was paid for the ‘J.B. Champion Platinum Observatory Chronometer’, a unique platinum chronometer wristwatch, ref. 2458, which was specially manufactured by Patek Philippe for J.B. Champion, the legendary American watch collector, in 1952. This historically important timepiece realized $3,990,624, setting a world auction record for a watch without complications. World record prices READ MORE

OMEGA’s Best BOND Moments

What would British secret agent James Bond be without his OMEGA watch? Omegas are as synonymous with the international man of mystery as is the Aston Martin and the martini. 007 always has a spectacular timepiece on his wrist—and occasionally it makes its way into the plotline. Here are our top five favorite moments when OMEGA stole the scene. GoldenEye (1995) Time isn’t on Bond’s side, but an OMEGA watch is, in this case a Seamaster Quartz Professional 300M with a blue dial. When Bond is trapped in the villain’s train there are just second to spare before the GoldenEye READ MORE

HYT Video Shows Intense Design of Hybrid Mechanical Timepieces

The process of crafting HYT Watches is shown in this intense and thrilling video from the company. See the timepiece details up close on these mechanical luxury hybrids. READ MORE

Eric Clapton’s Patek Philippe in New York before Auction in Geneva, Expected Sale $4.2 Million

The Patek Philippe 2499/100 in ultra rare platinum from the collection of Eric Clapton was in New York at Christie’s Friday morning before it makes its way to the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva where it will go up for auction on Nov. 12. Aurel Bacs, International Head of Christie’s Watch Department presented the piece, calling it the “Single most coveted design” in watches, but also went on to explain just how important it is for someone looking to buy this watch. “For collectors, if you have the five key parameters, which are maker’s name, model, mechanical complexity, READ MORE

Audemars Piguet CEO Talks Economic Slowdown and Distribution

Francois Henry Bennahmias, CEO Ad Interim of Audemars Piguet told CBS News that the high price of gold is impacting his company, “in a huge way.” With gold reaching prices that rival the traditionally more expensive platinum, this specifically puts companies working with luxury materials in trouble when it comes to the prices that they can sell their products for. Bennahmias says the company has been focusing more on “qualitative” concerns as opposed to meeting sales goals during a difficult economic time, most notable in the Asian markets. When asked how much better AP watches could really get, Bennahmias went READ MORE

Frédérique Constant and Chong Hing Jewelers Bring Awareness to World Heart Day with Actress Shu Qi

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Frédérique Constant brought awareness to World Heart Day on Sept. 29 in Los Angeles with Chinese Movie star Ms Shu Qi, Frédérique Constant brand ambassador for Greater China since 2008. In collaboration with California’s luxury retailer Chong Hing Jewelers, a public donation ceremony was held at Chong Hing’s San Gabriel location and marked the official announcement of Frédérique Constant’s first-ever partnership with The World Heart Federation (WHF). The opening ceremony includes a presentation from Ms. Shu Qi, Frédérique Constant US President Ralph Simons, WHF Chair of Scientific Initiatives Committee and Board Member Dr. Ann Bolger, WHF READ MORE