Haute Time Events: Winter 2015

The Uber Watch: Harry Winston Launches Opus 14 In Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden: a city so pretty they named it twice, and the unlikely setting for the launch of the new Harry Winston Opus watch. Then again, there is nothing conventional about this particular line of watches, spearheaded by the Swiss jewelry and watch brand that first launched timepieces in 2001. Opus is the brand’s creative outlet, a think tank through which independent watchmakers have produced some of the most avant-garde pieces of the 21st Century. The Harry Winston Opus 14 is its latest development. A rock ‘n’ roll watch inspired by the 1950s, it features a functioning jukebox mechanism which can select and ‘play’ one of three discs: a GMT, a date complication, as well as a more decorative disc featuring Harry Winston’s signature. “That’s what is so fun about Opus,” said a jubilant Marc A. Hayek, CEO of Blancpain and son of Harry Winston’s CEO, Nayla Hayek. “Usually, you have to follow a strict line of conduct when designing a watch. With Opus, you have to find that line, and cross it into something totally new.” Such is the importance of the watch that it “deserved its own day,” said Hayek, which brings us back to Baden-Baden, the picturesque German village providing the perfect cover, under an autumn fog, for the brand’s well-guarded surprise. But, the silence was broken, and in some style, by a chain of vintage Cadillacs roaring into town to drive guests to the city’s infamous casino, where derby girls in roller skates greeted them with popcorn, before a private performance from R&B sensation Robin Thicke transported them through time and space back to 1950s Hollywood.

San Francisco Hosts Historical Breguet Exhibition
It’s fitting that Breguet and its President and CEO, Marc A. Hayek, are honoring the luxury watch manufacturer’s 240th anniversary with mega milestone in San Francisco—the largest exhibition of Breguet timepieces ever to be shown in North America. This revolutionary and tech-forward city is the ideal location for the occasion, considering Breguet’s cutting- edge innovations, including how it transformed the nature of personal timekeeping. An exclusive preview gala for this dazzling retrospective, Breguet: Art and Innovation in Watchmaking, took place at the splendid Legion of Honor. Approximately 300 guests from Europe, Asia and the U.S. toured the exhibit; arguably the most expansive collection of timepieces by a single brand ever to be curated by a major art museum. Emmanuel Breguet, historian and VP for Montres Breguet, Haute Time Founder Seth Semilof, U.S. Brand Manager of Breguet Mike Nelson, Jean-Charles Zufferey, Breguet VP of Marketing and Media Relations to the CEO, actress Kelly Rutherford and Diane “Dede” Wilsey, president of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Board of Trustees, were among the notables on hand. Attendees enjoyed a champagne-fueled reception held in the Adolph B. and Alma de Bretterville Spreckles Gallery amidst Rodin sculptures and beautiful Breguet watches and jewelry. A seated dinner was served inside a clear tent in the courtyard of the museum, where a glass pyramid flooded natural light into the gallery space below. The unique exhibit, which includes more than 70 pocket watches, clocks and horological instruments, is open to the public until Jan. 10, 2016.

Haute Time Welcomes Maurice Lacroix Ambassador Patrick Mouratoglou
Haute Time is very proud to announce that tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has joined the team as a regular contributor. Patrick Mouratoglou has shared our passion for high-end watchmaking for many years. The French tennis coach, who has been working with Serena Williams for the past three years, spends most of his time surrounded by players and watch collectors who own some of the world’s most exclusive timepieces. He will share his unique perspective into the world of tennis and the world of watches for Haute Time. We welcomed Mouratoglou with a haute private dinner, co-hosted by Maurice Lacroix, in the heart of Downtown Manhattan at STK. Guests sipped on champagne and other fine wines from Aveniu brands as they enjoyed an incredible private dinner. On display in STK were numerous timepieces from Maurice Lacroix. The guest list included Haute Time Publisher Kamal Hotchandani, Haute Time Associate Publisher Gina Fusco, Maurice Lacroix’s North American Brand Manager Paul Earhardt, Fabien Paget, Snagz, Celeste Fierro, Jay Williams, Jonel Hamlet, Yami Arias, Bob and Mini Hotchandani, Nomaan Ashraf, Rose Thorn, Kiran Kaur, Charles and Vika Moreau.

Haute Time and Hublot Celebrate NBA legend Scottie Pippen’s 50th Birthday
On Friday, Sept. 25, Haute Time and Hublot celebrated Scottie Pippen’s 50th birthday at Brickell’s latest hot spot, El Tucan. Close friends and family members surrounded the six-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist. Upon entrance, guests were greeted with Crown Ginger, a signature cocktail of El Tucan. The cigar roller station was a popular spot as guests mingled and nibbled on hors d’ oeuvres. At around 9:30 p.m., the star- studded crowd was invited by staff to sit for dinner. Shortly after, Michelin-rated chef, Jean Paul Lourdes served dinner. As guests enjoyed the Latin-inspired cuisine, they took in a performance by burlesque dancers and a contagious percussionist show. After dinner, attendees gathered around the dessert display, which was located on the second floor to sing “Happy Birthday.” Haute Time Publisher Kamal Hotchandani, Rick de la Croix, Ricardo Guadalupe and Keenan Towns said a few words to the birthday boy, raising a glass and giving Pippen a toast. He also received an embroidered bag with a bottle of Crown Royal, among other gifts, and wife Larsa Pippen certainly didn’t leave empty handed, receiving a darling Hublot watch from Rick de la Croix. While the festivities were taking place upstairs, servers worked seamlessly downstairs removing tables to create a dance floor. The second round of performances kicked off with festive dancers and a percussionist as invitees crowded the dance floor. Recording artist and producer Jeremih took the stage performing hits like “Birthday Sex” and “Don’t Tell Em” as the crowd sang along. After Jeremih, it was iconic hip-hop star Fat Joe’s turn to keep the party pumping. The rapper had the audience reminiscing on the past, performing hits like “Lean Back” and “What’s Luv.” The DJ then played hits that had the VIP crowd moving and grooving until the wee hours. As the celebration came to a close, each guest received a gift bag to commemorate the occasion.

Arts & Elegance: Richard Mille Invites Crème De La Crème For Classic Car Competition In Chantilly
September’s classic car competition, the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille just outside of Paris, drew 13,000 visitors for an increase in attendance of 35 percent from 2014. With a panel of 40 experts to judge three automobile competitions, the ‘concours’ from the 1920s, reinstated by the brand last year, is already considered to be one of the top three in the world. Richard Mille weekend guests first enjoyed a polo game at the Chantilly Polo Club, organized by Richard Mille partner and renowned polo player Pablo MacDonough, followed by an afternoon of cultural visits on the magnificent castle grounds, and prior to the multi-starred chefs’ Official Gala Dinner on the ground’s Great Stables, were treated to a moving rendition of Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden.” Sunday activities focused on the display and competition of nearly 850 of the most beautiful classic cars in the world from 40 automobile clubs including Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Aston Martin, with manufacturers Bugatti, McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. The Richard Mille Best of Show prize went to the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster 1936, while the Concours d’Elégance was awarded to the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R, and the ‘Concours des Clubs’ to the Amis de Delage. Monsieur Richard Mille himself won the award in the category Formula One Grand Prix Cars from 1966 to 1972 of the ‘Concours d’Etat’, with his unique model BRM P 115 H16 lightweight chassis 01 from 1967. The third installment of the growing tradition has already been scheduled for 2016.