Bachendorf's by Accent Magazine

ACCENT The Magazine of Life’s Celebrations • spring/summer 2013

Inspiration fromthe Far East Spottedon theRunways SPECIAL WATCH SECTION

INBLOOM

CONTENTS SPRING/SUMMER 2013

S T O R E L O C AT I O N S : P L A Z A AT P R E S T O N C E N T E R 8400 PRESTON ROAD DALLAS, TX 75225 214-692-8400 GALLERIA LEVEL 1 13350 DALLAS PARKWAY SUITE 1415 DALLAS, TX 75240 972-392-9900 S H O P S AT L E G A C Y– N O R T H 7401 LONE STAR DRIVE SUITE B100 PLANO, TX 75024 972-596-2090

P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E B J I FA S H I O N G R O U P

PUBLISHER STU NIFOUSSI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R HANS GSCHLIESSER MANAGING EDITOR

FEATURES

WATCH SECTION

JILLIAN LAROCHELLE

Welcome Letter

26 Advisor: Watch Wisdom

PROJECT MANAGER

Events

30 Pop Culture: Watches in Film

Best Bets

32 Profile: Raymond Weil

LISA MONTEMORRA

10 From the Runways

34 Profile: TAG Heuer

DESIGNERS CYNTHIA LUCERO JEAN-NICOLE VENDITTI PRODUCTION MANAGER

16 Anniversary: Mikimoto

PEG EADIE

18 Designers: David & Sybil Yurman

PRESIDENT AND CEO

20 Trends: Asian Fusion

BRITTON JONES

22 Trends: Strong & Soft

CHAIRMAN AND COO

24 Reads: Living a Charmed Life

MAC BRIGHTON

36 Cars: Perfect Timing

38 Perfect Gems

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44 Eats: Food for Thought

48 Spirits: Fine Tequila

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50 Delicacies: Much Ado About Oysters

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WELCOME

To Our Valued Customers and Friends,

nce again, it is our pleasure to provide you with this complementary copy of Accent Magazine, and to have the opportunity to fill you in on all that’s new at Bachendorf’s. 2012 was certainly a year to remember. My proudest moment came over the holidays, when we were able to accomplish something our company had never thought possible. On Monday December 31st, we organized a community service day during which over 50 of our employees volunteered at either the Austin Street Shelter or the Operation Kindness animal shelter. I was touched by the turnout, and by the commitment our valued employees and their families showed to the community.

Additionally, we were able to finish the Rolex shop-in-shop at the Galleria Mall, and further renovation is coming soon to both the Galleria and Plaza stores. As the days pass, we strive to update not only the stores’ décor, but also everything inside them, in order to surprise and delight you each time you visit us. I encourage each of you to stop in at your local Bachendorf's to discover the newest jewelry and watch designs from the best brands the world has to offer. Immerse yourself in all the fabulous jewels and timepieces; if they make you smile, just think about the smile they might bring to your spouse, significant other, or child.... With best wishes for a happy spring and summer, Lawrence Bock President

The Galleria Mall - Level 1 13350 Dallas Parkway Dallas, TX 75240 (972) 392-9900

Shops at Legacy – North 7401 Lone Star Drive Plano, TX 75024 (972) 596-2090

Plaza at Preston Center 8400 Preston Road Dallas, TX 75225 (214) 692-8400

EVENTS AT BACHENDORF’S AT BACHENDORF’S JEWELERS, WE CONTINUE OUR LONGSTANDING TRADITION OF HOSTING FUN EVENTS TO ENTERTAIN CLIENTS AND BENEFIT CHARITABLE CAUSES.

CATTLE BARON’S BALL

Lawrence Bock, co-chair Kristen Johnston, and Dallas star Josh Henderson (John Ross Ewing) enjoying the Cattle Baron’s Ball at South Fork Ranch.

PARTNERS CARD AFTER PARTY

Partners Card celebrated their successful year, raising over $1 million for The Family Place!

DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION

SKYFALL SCREENING

Dallas Bar's Top Donors were presented with a dazzling Baccarat crystal vase.

Private screening of SKYFALL in celebration of James Bond and Omega’s 50th anniversary.

LUXURY WATCH & JEWELRY EVENT

JETS & JEWELS EVENT

Customers enjoy Bachendorf’s annual shopping event during the holidays.

Our annual invitation-only Jets & Jewels event showcases jets, fine apparel, fine spirits, luxurious jewelry and much more.

BACHENDORF’S

BESTBETS

LISA NIK Rose quartz long drop earrings in 18K rose gold with diamonds, $1,365

PHILLIPS HOUSE Yellow gold Love Always bracelet with yellow gold diamond Affair button, $3,950

RAYMOND WEIL Ladies’ Noemia in stainless steel with diamond bezel and mother-of-pearl dial with diamond markers, $2,595

MIKIMOTO Royal blue Akoya special-edition set, featuring Mikimoto signature clasp with blue enamel over 18K white gold, $7,950

BIZZOTTO Ring in 18K yellow gold with diamonds, amethyst and colored oval quartz stones encircled by gold chain, $1,695

WELLENDORF Wings of the Night ring in 18K white gold with enamel and diamonds, $16,700

KONSTANTINO Silver necklace with faceted cognac topaz and citrine, $2,995

PENNY PREVILLE 18K yellow gold and diamond open pear-shape lace earings, $7,340

NORMAN SILVERMAN Split-shank platinum ring with a round brilliant cut diamond center stone surrounded by micropavĂŠ set round diamonds, price upon request

IVANKA TRUMP Thin diamond bangle bracelet, $2,750 Oxidized thin black diamond bangle bracelet, $2,200

from the

RUNWAYS

FEELING BLUE

Shades from aqua to teal are making a splash in fashion! Jewelry takes its cue and plunges in.

3 6

1. Lagos blue topaz drop pendant necklace with harlequin facets, accented by 18K gold and sterling silver 2. Lisa Nik rose de France 15mm square ring in 18K white gold with diamonds 3. Doves 18K rose gold pendant with sparkling white diamonds, featuring checker-cut white topaz over royal blue lapis lazuli 4. Lagos blue topaz cushion-shape gemstone cocktail ring with harlequin facets, prong set with sterling silver and 18K gold beaded accents 5. Doves 18K white gold bangle with sparkling white diamonds, featuring checker-cut white topaz over natural Arizona turquoise 6. Doves 18K white gold earrings with sparkling white diamonds, featuring checker-cut white topaz over natural Arizona Turquoise

RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY ACCESSORIESDIRECTIONS.COM

HOW TO SPRING FORWARD

MUCH, MUCH FASTER.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The all-new 2013 SL-Class Roadster is lighter, more powerful, more fuel-efﬁcient—and remarkably fun to drive. And when you purchase yours at Park Place, you’ll get an equally remarkable ownership experience. Enjoy a legacy of awardwinning excellence and a level of client service that has made us the Experts in Excellence. Visit Park Place today.

ParkPlace.com

from the

RUNWAYS

1 CUT IT OUT

Whether stamped out or stitched on, cutouts prove that beauty can abound in empty spaces.

5 4 1. Roberto Coin Bollicine cuff bracelet and ring in 18K yellow gold with diamonds and enamel 2. John Hardy Naga 18K yellow gold and white sapphire necklace 3. Ivanka Trump Signature pavĂŠ diamond oval band ring in 18K white gold 4. Ivanka Trump mixed cut bracelet with rock crystal and diamonds in 18K rose gold 5. Diana Collection 18K yellow gold earrings with G color diamonds

RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY ACCESSORIESDIRECTIONS.COM

T H E O R I G I N ATO R O F C U LT U R E D P E A R L S . S I N C E 1 8 9 3 .

from the

RUNWAYS

GRAPHIC IMPACT Black and white color blocking makes a strong statement.

2 5

3 1. Ivanka Trump black and white onyx cabochon cocktail ring with diamonds in 18K white gold 2. Phillips House diamond and rock quartz over black mother of pearl logo doublet earrings 3. Ivanka Trump octagonal black galuchat cuff with onyx and diamonds in 18K rose gold 4. Ivanka Trump black and white thin diamond and oxidized black diamond bangles in 18K white gold 5. Ivanka Trump black and white crossover earrings with onyx and diamonds in 18K white gold

RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY ACCESSORIESDIRECTIONS.COM

SILVER & GOLD CLASSICS

Featuring timeless designs, the Classic Collection redefines the technique and remarkable craftsmanship that gives Konstantino jewelry its distinct identity. Handcrafted in Sterling Silver and Gold, these designs are sophisticated and rich in tradition.

ANNIVERSARY

PEARLS

OF WISDOM After 120 years, Mikimoto knows a thing or two about these timeless treasures.

120 pearl anniversary strand of Akoya cultured pearls with 18K white gold clasp.

Kokichi Mikimoto measuring pearls, circa 1951.

Black South Sea cultured pearl necklace with signature ball clasp in 18K white gold.

ikimoto, founded by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893 and known the world over as the leading maker of cultured pearl jewelry, marks its 120th anniversary this year. Among other impressive achievements during the company’s long history, Kokichi was the first to develop a technique for the cultivation of pearls that is still in use to this day. A determined innovator, he succeeded in creating the world’s first perfectly spherical pearl, an object he regarded as nature’s most precious gift to be shared with women everywhere. The timeless elegance found in Mikimoto pearl jewelry has been celebrated and worn by icons of style in every era, from Coco Chanel and Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor and Sarah Jessica Parker. To commemorate more than a century-long commitment to product design, superior craftsmanship and strict quality control, Mikimoto has proudly revealed plans to release three specially designed 120 pearl strand necklaces that embody the company’s traditions. The first design is comprised of 120 Akoya cultured pearls and represents the original pearl that Kokichi cultured in 1893 off the waters of Toba, Japan — a feat that brought him one step closer to fulfilling his dream of bringing the unsurpassed beauty of the pearl to all women. This unique Akoya strand will feature an 18K white gold clasp accented with beautiful royal blue enamel lacquer, crafted by skilled artisans in Japan. The second design, made of multi-colored Black South Sea cultured pearls, celebrates the breathtakingly rare type of pearl that Kokichi first cultured in 1914, using a new technique that helped Mikimoto expand cultivation into the waters off Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Tahiti. The rich, dark colors of the pearls range from slate gray, silver and pistachio to peacock green and midnight black, with overtones of green, rosé or blue. The third strand consists of 120 multi-colored South Sea and Freshwater pearls and marks Mikimoto’s mid 20th-century expansion into the international market that helped shape the company’s enduring legacy. This necklace is comprised of Golden South Sea, White South Sea, and Pink and Peach Freshwater cultured pearls. Both of these exquisite strands will fasten with a paisley motif version of the iconic Mikimoto clasp, exaggerated in size to accentuate the necklace. “These 120 pearl strands represent each milestone in our brand’s 120 year history” says Meyer Hoffman, COO of Mikimoto. “Each pearl symbolizes a moment in our past where we’ve taken our founder’s vision to the next level. With this anniversary, we honor the rich legacy that Kokichi left us while looking forward to the future.” These rare and breathtaking pieces will be available in early fall 2013.

Discover the art of luxury living.

Buying or selling a home is all about the connections you make along the way.

Holly Bock Deason 214.930.3000| hbockdeason@briggsfreeman.com | briggsfreeman.com/holly

DESIGNERS Crossing Over “In the new Crossover collection [far left], we combine smooth and cable cords to create contrast, texture and a sense of movement. It’s really a symbol of the way Sybil and I work together: everything we do is intertwined.” —David Yurman

we found ourselves in the jewelry business.” Though he never set out to be a jewelry designer, working closely with Sybil, a painter in her own right, led him to explore different avenues of artistic expression. For the two halves of the famed Yurman design team, their collaboration as artists epitomizes the very essence of yin and yang. “We complement each other,” says Sybil, “and that creates a dynamic unity. Together, we create something bigger than us, sometimes larger than life itself.” While David sees the world through the lens of a sculptor, with a refined sense of proportion and a threedimensional perspective, his muse sees the world as a kaleidoscope of emotion, color, form and movement. After years of designing sculptural jewelry that was sold at craft shows and galleries, it was David’s creation of the cable bracelet, a twisted helix of sterling silver wire composed of multiple strands, that put his name on the proverbial map. The piece became an instant icon, a contemporary classic that has served as the thread that runs through all of the collections. Deemed a phenomenon in the jewelry world, David Yurman’s handcrafted creations — silver paired with gold, and diamonds and semi-precious stones set in silver — were revolutionary. The pieces, with ancient Gothic and Egyptian references, blended classic with contemporary styling. “We bridged the gap between fashion and fine jewelry, and we used art as the bridge,” says David. For David and Sybil Yurman, beautiful jewelry is not the end result of a simple technique or a single element. Outstanding quality and extraordinary craftsmanship are achieved from a foundation of artistic excellence. Over 30 years later, what began as an artist’s passion for sculpture and a painter’s love for color has turned into a jewelry house that continues in the classic tradition of the guild, but pushes the boundaries of convention with imagination and innovation.

WORKING

ARTISTS Sybil Yurman remains David’s muse. And so much more.

e create art for people to wear.” With those words, David and Sybil Yurman articulated an enduring vision for their company, America’s foremost jewelry house for over 30 years. From the very beginning, their belief that art is personal — that the artist’s world is unique and the creative process is an expression of the artist’s aesthetic — made using the word ‘jewelry’ seem insufficient. ‘Jewelry’ doesn’t entirely encompass David Yurman’s vision of what he is creating, nor does it express his passion for the creative process, his love of design and his refusal to be led by conventional wisdom. His interest in sculpting began early, at just 13 years old. During summers off from high school, David studied art, working as an apprentice to Cuban sculptor Ernesto Gonzales in Provincetown, Massachusetts. In his 20s, he hitchhiked to California, joining other artists in Big Sur, and immersing himself in the culture and lifestyle of the bohemian community. Moving back to his native New York City several years later to pursue his passion for sculpture and form, he served apprenticeships under master sculptors Jacques Lipschitz, Hans Van de Bovenkamp and Theodore Rozack — experiences he describes as life-altering. Then, another call from destiny: the chance meeting of his muse and future wife and partner, Sybil. His romantic nature inspired, he sculpted a piece of jewelry as a gift for her. She wore it to an art gallery opening and the owner, taken with the design, asked if David had more to sell. He recalls, “I couldn’t imagine recreating something so personal that I had made for Sybil, so I said ‘no.’ But at the very same moment, Sybil said ‘yes’ — and, like that,

‘‘W

“We use art

to bridge the gap between fashion

and fine jewelry.” David Yurman

Shamballa Bracelet and Lock Bracelets with Turquoise, white G/vs diamonds and 18K gold

TRENDS

ASIAN

FUSION

Eastern elements inspire modern American style.

hile shopping for your wardrobe this season, have you noticed that many of the most fashion-forward styles contain elements of Eastern cultures? Influences from Japan are particularly prevalent, like pleated origami-inspired organdy cotton, wingshaped shoulders, and wide pants, among others. It’s a trend that will continue into fall and winter, with floral jacquards from Vera Wang, Eastern spiritual styling from Prada, and brushstrokes of color from Lela Rose. And what jewelry do these Asian-infused fashions beg for? Pieces with a decidedly Eastern edge, of course. “These clothes are the perfect canvases, so to speak, for jewelry,” says David Wolfe, creative director of the Doneger Group in New York City. “Unlike what we saw before this year, the new fashions aren’t heavily embellished.” Wolfe, one of fashion’s leading international forecasters, adds that with these modern Eastern-inspired clothes, “The lines and the shades provide the color, if you will. And with this new sophisticated simplicity of extreme structures and curvilinear cuts, a strong jewelry statement becomes very important.”

GO EAST WITH YOUR JEWELRY Some of the best fine jewelry brands are making accessorizing à la the Asian aesthetic easy to do this year, by incorporating one or several of the following elements: Gems. Certain stones “say” Eastern, especially jade (in all colors), red coral, black onyx, pearls, mother-of-pearl, emerald and ruby. Materials. Enamel and lacquer, materials used in original Far Eastern jewelry, are significant,

and today “new Eastern” collections sometimes rely on colored resins and ceramics to impart that same bold mien. Techniques. Filigree and mokume-gane bring Eastern cultures to mind. The openwork of filigree can invoke the idea of Chinese calligraphy, while the ancient Japanese metalworking art of mokume-gane is a process used by specially trained artisans for one-of-a-kind jewelry. Themes. Art Nouveau-like motifs are characteristic of Eastern jewelry, especially dragonflies and butterflies, plus flowers and plants like cherry blossoms, bamboo, lotus and peonies. Spiritual symbolism abounds: the Om, the Tree of Life and certain mythological creatures, such as dragons. And all 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac are definitely key. 2013 is The Year of the Snake on the Chinese calendar, so new jewelry focused on those writhing reptiles is everywhere. The ancient Chinese culture viewed snakes as a positive omen, symbolic of eternal love, wisdom, immortality and so on. Today, contemporary luxury brands are fashioning serpentine-style jewelry whichever way you want it: replete with demonic details like a long tongue and menacing eyes, or in more stylized versions merely hinting at a snake via their super-curvy shapes, often inlaid or prong-set with precious gems. Whether you choose a snake-y style this year, or pieces with a feminine Art Nouveau-like beauty, heading toward the exotic East will surely lead you in the right direction!

WITH FASHION’S NEW SOPHISTICATED SIMPLICITY OF EXTREME STRUCTURES AND CURVILINEAR CUTS, A STRONG JEWELRY STATEMENT BECOMES VERY IMPORTANT. 20

FROM TOP ROBERTO COIN, JOSEPH MURRAY, JUST JULES

LORRAINE DEPASQUE

TRENDS

STRONG & SOFT

rom gelato greens to sherbet purples, jewelry’s newest pastel gem palette looks simply delicious! And this spring and summer, the sweetest delicately hued designs are those that spotlight the stone as the star. As the precious metal plays more of a supporting role in many of the new pieces, four interesting stone cuts in particular are adding to the latest statement jewelry’s drama: cabochons, checkerboards, rose cuts and slices.

THE COLOR STORY Although bright Emerald is 2013’s Color of the Year, according to international color authority The Pantone Color Institute, most of the other leading hues of spring and summer are toned down, more muted. In a one-on-one interview, Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman (often referred to as the “International Color Guru”) explains: “The first half of this year is more about less-bold shades that help us find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives. That said, however, today we have a lot of trans-seasonal colors.” Exactly what colors are at the top of this proliferation of pastels? For women, there are 10 key shades, but here Eiseman discusses four of those that are especially significant to new luxury jewelry collections this season: Dusk Blue, Grayed Jade, African Violet and Linen. “You need to try a touch of all these on-trend colors in some way. And buying a beautiful piece of colored stone jewelry is a great place to start — because it’s like dipping your toe into new color waters. But just be sure it’s good color, from a quality brand and a respected jeweler that you trust.”

For warm-weather style, giant gems in subtle shades are oh-so-cool! LORRAINE DEPASQUE

On that note, here are some of the pretty-in-pastel gems that fine jewelry brands are focusing on this season. Because they’re fashion forward, you’ll often find them in pieces that are important to add to your jewelry wardrobe, like multi-strand bracelets and necklaces, power pendants, dramatic drop earrings and epically sized fashion rings. Dreamy Greens. Prasiolite, opal, chalcedony, moonstone, agate, green amethyst, jade, peridot, tsavorite, chrysoprase, tourmaline, green sapphire, green diamonds. And emerald, of course, because Emerald is the Color of the Year! Pretty Purples. Quartz, jade, moonstone, amethyst, mother-of-pearl, purple sapphire. Be-in-Style Blues. Moonstone, blue topaz, labradorite, blue cat’s eye, blue agate, aquamarine, turquoise, chalcedony, blue quartz, iolite, lapis-lazuli, sapphire, tanzanite, zircon, blue diamonds. The Right Whites. Rutilated quartz, agate, pearls, moonstone, motherof-pearl, white coral, champagne diamonds and linen-like shades of rough-cut diamonds.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JANE BOHAN, STEPHEN WEBSTER, ERICA COURTNEY, ROBERTO COIN

SOME PERFECT PASTELS

L e s s t h a n o n e p e r c e n t o f t h e w o r l d ’s d i a m o n d s c a n c a r r y t h e F o r e ve r m a r k i n s c r i p t i o n — a promise that each is beautiful, rare and responsibly sourced.

THE DIAMOND. THE PROMISE. Forevermark is part of the De Beers group of companies.

® , C E N T E R O F M Y U N I V E R S E ™ A N D S H E I S M Y E V E R Y T H I N G ™ A R E T R A D E M A R K S O F T H E D E B E E R S G R O U P O F C O M PA N I E S .

THE CENTER OF MY UNIVERSE™ FROM FOREVERMARK

SHE IS MY EVERY THING

READS

LIVING A CHARMED LIFE

Stylist, designer, writer and founding fashion director of this magazine, BETH BERNSTEIN talks to Accent about love, life and the profound power of fine jewelry. generations, taking on each of our personalities as it changed • My grandmother’s fantasy gems • A platinum eternity band I bought myself. It was my first self purchase and it meant that I was independent and didn’t need a man to buy me jewelry. • A locket and baguette stick pin from my mom, pieces that always remind me of her • My dad’s Cartier Tank watch • The plastic bead necklace my niece made for me when she was three • A pendant my dad gave to my mom that I had revamped into a ring; it keeps them alive, and together, forever… Family is obviously important to you. What’s the best advice you ever got from your loved ones? From my grandmother: “Always wear a little lipstick. And earrings…” “Superstitions are just that. Worrying doesn’t make something not happen…” And the zinger: “If he hasn’t married you by now, he’s not going to!” From my father: “People can only hurt you if you let them.” From my mother: “You can usually see the train coming from afar; get off the tracks before it hits you.” And (the words I heard most often) “He wasn’t worthy of you anyway…” What’s your best advice to women about buying and wearing jewelry? I very much believe in personal style and creating your own look. Buy for who you are, not who your friends are. Try on lots of different things: you’ll learn your style as you get more comfortable trying on. Leave hints for your husband or significant other about your dream gifts. But never feel like you have to stick with something: you can change your style as you grow. The most important rule: there are no rules. Wear what you love. Wear your jewelry; never let it wear you. I understand you’re a bit superstitious about your jewelry… Just a bit! I always wear some sort of talisman when I fly. (I truly believe it helps land the plane…) I never wear a ring on my left hand ring finger because some Russian woman told me when I was very young that I’d never get married if I did. I’m still not married, and still longing for that band of gold…

“WEAR YOUR JEWELRY; NEVER LET IT WEAR YOU.”

NOLET’S GIN

You’ve been touring the country and the reviews have been sensational. Why did you write this book? I felt there was something ultimately universal in the way women relate the most significant moments in their lives to jewelry. Open any woman’s jewelry box and there will be at least a few pieces that connect her to her past, that represent her present and that can be handed down in the future. As a writer and jewelry designer, I wanted to explore this theme, kind of what Ilene Beckerman did in Love, Loss, and What I Wore. What did you learn about yourself from writing it? More than I wanted to know; it was a painful process of self discovery. I learned that I hold on, am afraid of loss (thus I have every piece of jewelry every guy ever gave to me — even the ones I don’t want to remember). I learned that I have incredible connections that go deeper than I realized with the maternal side of my family. That I continually choose the wrong men and stay too long in bad relationships. And that my mom and grandmother were the true gems in my life. What have women told you about themselves upon reading your book? I’ve had many women write me about their mothers: the shared emotions and shared jewelry boxes. Almost everyone who wrote mentioned the relevance certain pieces have to significant moments in their lives: the exciting time they got their ears pierced or the magical moment they were first given jewelry by a guy — even if it was from a vending machine! Women have told me about the pain of selling their jewelry after a divorce, the joy of receiving their engagement ring, the bittersweet memories conjured up by their mom’s charm bracelet… What are your most prized pieces and why? • My mom’s baroque pearls handed to me in the hospital in a Ziplock bag when she died unexpectedly • My great-grandmother’s brooch, transformed four times for four

ACCENT MAGAZINE SPECIAL SECTION SPRING/SUMMER 2013

GETTY 1

WATCHES

FOCUS: ADVISOR

WATCH WISDOM

TIME TO ANSWER YOUR PRESSING QUESTIONS.

IS IT NECESSARY TO SERVICE MY WATCH IF I’M NOT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT? All watches need maintenance. The extent of the service required depends on the particular timepiece, its movement and its age. Generally, quartz watches need battery replacements every two to three years. Mechanical watches, much like automobiles, need regular servicing. The inner movements of the mechanical watch are lightly lubricated to reduce friction between the parts and ensure accuracy and reliability. Deterioration of the lubricants occurs over time and results in higher friction, increasing wear and tear and decreasing precision. A mechanical watch should be serviced every three to five years. Watches should always be taken to an authorized retailer to be properly serviced. If the wrong gaskets, batteries or parts are used, it can result in more expensive repairs down the line. Even quartz watches, after a simple battery change, have to be properly sealed and closed to ensure their water resistance.

IS A WATCH A GOOD INVESTMENT? Many people buy a watch because they love the individual statement the piece makes about them. However, in today’s economy, people also want to know that the watch they’re buying will hold its value over time, and maybe even go up in value. Most top-name watches will hold their value and some can even become heirloom pieces over the coming generations. If you’re looking to start building a watch collection, invest in different styles of watches appropriate for different situations, and do your homework regarding the most coveted brands. Special or limited-edition watches are almost always a good investment in the long term. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; our knowledgeable watch experts are here to give you guidance.

FOR ME.

Onde, new from EBEL. Steel, 18K rose gold & diamonds.

FOCUS: ADVISOR

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT WATCH TRENDS? One of the most important trends in the watch market today is definitely the proliferation of dual-, triple-, and multi-time zone watches. For today’s global business person, or any busy traveler, having alternate time zones readily available at the flick of the wrist is almost essential. These timepieces come in a wealth of styles and in an array of price ranges, offering design and technology options for men and women. Chronographs also steal the limelight with their form-meets-function attitude. A chronograph is a watch that times multiple events, and it can be a very useful tool. Another important trend today is the move toward new timepieces for women. These include mechanical and quartz watches that offer sophisticated features and functions, like elegant moonphase indications, chronograph counters and calendars.

I HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT “COMPLICATED” WATCHES; WHAT DOES THIS MEAN (AND ISN’T LIFE COMPLICATED ENOUGH)? The term complicated refers to timepieces with certain functions or features that are considered top feats of watchmaking. The most coveted complications vary depending on personal taste and watchmaking progress. Among the top categories today are tourbillon watches (expensive, complex mechanical calibers that house an escapement, which compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity), repeater watches that chime the time on demand via a series of gongs and hammers, and perpetual calendar watches that can track the day, date, month, year and leap year (and sometimes moonphases and more) for hundreds of years to come. Some of the world’s finest complicated watches can have waiting lists, but please stop in anyway — we’re happy to show you some fabulous timepieces whether or not you plan to buy.

WHAT NEW MATERIALS ARE BEING USED IN WATCHMAKING? As watchmakers progress in their quests for innovation, they naturally turn to other fields, such as the space and automotive industries, to see what these state-of-the-art worlds are utilizing. This has led to a wealth of new lightweight, rugged, hypoallergenic materials being incorporated into wristwatch cases, dials and straps. Among the more interesting materials being used: high-tech ceramic, carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium and alloys of various elements. These are great new introductions that are well worth checking out the next time you visit the store.

CSX-33 DIAMOND, DIAMOND DIAL CSX-33 DIAMOND GOLD, DIAMOND DIAL

FOCUS: POP CULTURE

by Jillian LaRochelle

WATCHES IN FILM

AND THE NOMINEES FOR TIMEPIECE IN A STARRING ROLE ARE...

SKYFALL Daniel Craig as James Bond, wearing an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M SKYFALL

Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross, wearing an IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN

IMAGES COURTESY OMEGA, IWC, PIAGET, VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY

THE BOURNE LEGACY

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

M A R V E Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S THE AVENGERS

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake, wearing a Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Infantry

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, wearing a Piaget Polo Chronograph

FOCUS: PROFILE

by Karen Alberg Grossman

THE ART OF TIME

A CONVERSATION WITH OLIVIER BERNHEIM, PRESIDENT & CEO OF RAYMOND WEIL GENÈVE. What was the original goal when the brand was launched back in 1976? My father-in-law, Mr. Raymond Weil, was a visionary. In 1976, while Swiss watchmakers were struggling with outdated business models, he saw an opportunity. His goal was to democratize, worldwide, Swiss watchmaking, to produce elegant and exquisite watches with the highest quality standards but at more attainable prices. Today, my mission is to continue my father-in-law’s extraordinary adventure.

Remaining true to the brand’s spirit, we’re offering new designs and variations in color, materials, shapes and sizes. The Maestro collection, for example, features a new chronograph, a phase de lune complication for ladies, and some retro-inspired models. Freelancer is revisiting its classics with new interpretations of the bestselling chronograph and the open-dial visible balance wheel models. The new Jasmine collection features a subtle flower motif, which now adorns the heart of its dial, on a guilloché finish.

How would you differentiate your company, and your watches, from the competition? Raymond Weil is one of the last independent family-owned businesses, with the third generation now in charge. Our brand benefits from the horological knowledge of Mr. Weil, renowned in the watchmaking industry as a living legend. Our watches are creative and elegant, offering high quality standards at unequaled prices. They benefit from Mr. Weil’s 63 years of experience, from my 30 years, and from the latest technological innovations made by our R & D department.

You’re known for a focus on art and music; how does this relate to watchmaking? Music is a family passion: my father-in-law is a great lover of classical and lyrical music and was inspired by it from the outset when he named his first collections after famous operas. He transmitted this passion to my wife, who is a professional pianist, and to my sons who are musicians themselves. I’ve carried on developing this unique duo — watchmaking and music. They have much in common: precision, creativity and the emotions they inspire.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Staying independent in a highly competitive market. By so doing, we’ve added a human component to our business model.

What kind of person wears a Raymond Weil watch? How many watches do you own and which is your favorite? A person who wears Raymond Weil is attentive to quality, and appreciates innovative, elegant timepieces. In addition, this person likely favors the traditional values conveyed by a family-run company. Personally, I have a collection of about 60 Raymond Weil watches and cannot pick a favorite; each is appropriate for a particular moment of life. That said, I currently love wearing a recent creation: my Maestro Phase de Lune Semainier, a unique timepiece with seven hands, combining harmony, elegance, tradition and innovation.

What can we expect from Raymond Weil this year in terms of technical and aesthetic innovation? Mr. Raymond Weil invented a fresh approach to luxury. My two sons, Elie and Pierre, and I strive to continue along this route. (They are particularly keen on introducing new technologies in marketing.) Our timepieces are at once classic and modern, casual and elegant.

maestro collection

FOCUS: PROFILE

by Robert Haynes-Peterson

THE STRONGEST LINK

TAG HEUER DOES WELL BY DOING GOOD. Natural Resources Defense Council — was in town filming The Wolf of Wall Street. He bounded on stage to join Diaz and Babin, showering high praise on the brand. "It's incredible to work with a company that cares so much, and gives so much. That kind of dedication to service is important to me, and it's reflected in everything TAG Heuer does." The Link Lady Trilogy Limited Edition set and Leonardo DiCaprio Link Automatic Chronograph Calibre 16 watch are in stores now. TAG Heuer fans can also enjoy a technological breakthrough this year: the TAG Heuer Mikrogirder. The innovative regulator, which TAG Heuer claims challenges the 300-year heritage of hairspring/balance wheel mechanical regulation, allows the company to present a highly accurate chronograph, impervious to gravity, with minimal isochronous error. Winner of the 2012 Aiguille d'Or — the top prize in all categories at the Geneva Watchmaking Gran Prix — the Mikrogirder Chronograph replaces the spiral hairspring and classic balance wheel with a coupling beam and excitatory beam system, paired with a linear oscillator. The technology allows the chronograph accuracy to 5/10,000 of a second, beating 7.2 million times each hour. The design features a anthracite dial and rubber strap, with assymetric case.

nly a couple of weeks after Hurricane Sandy, when much of lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey were still plunged in darkness, TAG Heuer went ahead with its plans for the Manhattan launch party of its latest Link collection, the Link Lady Trilogy Limited Edition. Created in conjunction with brand ambassador Cameron Diaz, who attended the event, the Trilogy collection (a limited-edition steel ring, bracelet and watch trio featuring the first automatic watch in the Link Lady line) was already slated to do good: Profits are dedicated to support UN Women, an organization that advocates for women's rights around the world. In the wake of Sandy's destructive force, however, the watch company knew it must do more. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy," TAG Heuer president and CEO Jean-Christophe Babin told the crowd of 500 or so, many of whom had flown in from Europe for the event. "We decided it was important to help New York Cares with their relief efforts, and we are donating $100 for every guest who is here." As it happened, actor Leonardo DiCaprio — another TAG Heuer brand ambassador, whose new Signature Link Calibre 16 Chronograph (with blue dial) will raise funds for Green Cross International and the

individual runs up the driveway, and attracts about 150,000 spectators from around the world. Then in the fall, Lord March presents a spectacular vintage race held at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit, built in 1948 by his grandfather just a mile or so from Goodwood House. In its glory days (the 1950s through 1966), this circuit hosted Formula 1 races and other toplevel events that rivaled the best in the world. Today, all who attend the reunion come dressed in period clothing. In the U.S., Classic Car Week in Monterey, California takes center stage every August. Dinners, auctions, car shows, lawn parties and other exclusive events keep auto enthusiasts remarkably busy all week. At nearby Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, some of the most extraordinary vintage racing is held from Friday through Sunday at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Perfectly restored racecars from around the world compete in full fields, using modern timing and scoring techniques. Split-second accuracy determines grid positions, and drivers fight to shed every possible second from their time charts. On the 18th green at nearby Pebble Beach on the final day of Classic Car Week, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance draws the most remarkable cars and the most knowledgeable attendees to these celebrated grounds. The contrast between the racecars and show cars is significant: In racing, time is everything; in showing cars it’s inconsequential. In both instances, however, winners at Monterey are presented with iconic Rolex timepieces.

“NATURALLY, RACECAR DRIVERS WEAR THE MOST ADVANCED, BEAUTIFUL AND PRECISE TIMEPIECES ON THE MARKET.”

PERFECT

TIMING

In motor racing as in timepieces, precision is everything. DAVID A. ROSE

t was a tough qualifying session. Lap after lap I pushed myself to the max, knowing it meant the difference between starting on the pole position (where there’s an advantage going into the first turn) or starting on the outside of the front row (where chances of taking the lead at the start are slim). As I took off alongside the other 35 cars in the field, I was confident I could win the pole, especially since my pit crew had written a large #1 on my pit board. But as I came into the pits, I could tell by the look on their faces that this was not to be: I had lost pole position by only 5/100ths of a second. Motor racing is a sport where time can be your best friend or your worst enemy. At the Rolex 24 at Daytona or at Le Mans, two cars can finish just seconds apart after 24 hours of racing. Pit Stops in Formula 1 are lightning fast: a car can have four tires changed in under three seconds. The drivers of these cars are in constant radio contact with their crew members, who report competitors’ timing and scoring figures; race strategy can change several times based on these reports. While both motor racing and timepieces involve speed and precise mechanics, the fashionable gatherings of classic and vintage cars at Concours d’Elegance events involve neither. In fact, these extraordinary vehicles are presented stationary. Perhaps the longest running of these events is the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which has been held on the shores of Lake Como, Italy since 1929. At events like this, classic and vintage cars are scored on the basis of perfection. It may be a static display, but the value of these glorious cars can reach or even exceed that of some thoroughbred racecars. In England, The Goodwood Festival of Speed is held each summer at Lord March’s estate in West Sussex. This event combines static display with

TOP: ROLEX/TOM O’NEIL. BOTTOM: ROLEX/JAD SHERIF

CARS

A beautiful D-03 1913 Mercer Model 35 J Raceabout Ray Scherr lines up for the start of the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, presented by Rolex.

PERFECTGEMS EXPLORE THE LITTLE LUXURIES THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER.

A STROLL THROUGH HOTEL LA MAMOUNIA

Marrakech has a fascinating history, exotic markets, exciting nightlife and a delightfully opulent hotel. La Mamounia, a former palace celebrated for its mixture of traditional Moroccan and modern French styles, offers intriguing experiences from great art to ice cream. Take a walk through the reception room, lobby and tearoom, where Moroccan paintings and statues inspire. Stop at the Italian Bar to view the latest photography exhibition while sipping a Le Grand Dame Champagne cocktail made with citrus essence. Next, wander outside into the serene 17-acre garden filled with olive and citrus trees, magnificent roses and an extensive kitchen garden (you might chat with the chef as he gathers vegetables for dinner). At the center of the garden is Le Menzeh, an ice cream pavilion that offers pastries and freshly made ice creams. Finally, to recover from your exertions, complete your tour with a Royal Hammam treatment at the lavish spa.

THE NIGHT SPOT

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no secret that Broadway singers and actors hate when the curtain comes down and they have to leave the stage. So on Tuesday nights, after the shows are out, performers and the fans who love them gather for Backstage at 54 Below (located in the basement of legendary Studio 54) to keep the music and jokes going over drinks and supper. Led by musical director Brad Simmons and host Susie Mosher, gypsies, Broadway and cabaret stars (and occasionally an audience member) sing or do their routines in this intimate and fashionable 144-seat space created by Tony-winning set designers. The wine list and food are good, the service excellent, the crowd always fun. And you never know who might turn up to perform. End your evening on a high note.

BOTTOM LEFT MARC BRYAN-BROWN

CHRIS LEE

DONALD CHARLES RICHARDSON

SPIRIT OF THE PAST

ALEX R. KIRZHNER

Built in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgos family, Ashford Castle is set on 350 acres with a spectacular backdrop of Irish woodlands, lake and mountains. Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness purchased the estate in 1855 as the family’s country residence. Since becoming a hotel in 1939, the castle has welcomed dignitaries and celebrities including Prince Edward, King George V, Ted Kennedy, Sharon Stone, Brad Pitt and Barbra Streisand. The castle offers contemporary comforts and conveniences, but naturally, oldworld traditions still thrive. There’s Ireland’s first school of falconry, a decanter of sherry in each room, and tea served in the drawing room. And in keeping with conventional castle ambiance, there’s also a ghost, reportedly from the 19th century when the Guinnesses were in residence. Not to worry: guests who’ve seen the young female apparition say she’s friendly.

LIGHT FOOTED

This spring, let your feet shine with bright bejeweled footwear by Ivy Kirzhner, featuring cloisonné metal work and exotic leathers. The 2013 collection includes the Ark, a dress wedge with crystals and snake leather inlays on an 18K gold-plated heel. The Taj Mahal gladiator sandal features gold silk metallic leather with crystals. Nefertiti is an ornamental high wedge with 18K gold-plated hardware and hand-enameled cloisonné treatment. Pictured above are the Montezuma Deco-bejeweled slippers in royal blue and hot coral kid suede and gold silk metallic, and the Tresor, a Deco ballet flat in gold silk metallic and opal, both with crystals on an 18K goldplated hardware ornament. Step into a brilliant summer.

CONCERT GRAND

Steinway Lyngdorf is a collaboration between Steinway & Sons, makers of the world’s finest pianos, and audio innovator Peter Lyngdorf. Their speaker systems range from the invisible to the compact to the giant. Currently, the state-of-theart choice is the Model LS Concert. Combined with the SP-1 Stereo Processor or P-1 Surround Sound Processor and Steinway Lyngdorf’s fully digital amplifiers, it’s perfect for luxurious home theaters. The open-baffle design makes the speaker interact with the room much as a musical instrument would, resulting in extremely open and life-like musicality. There’s also a remarkable remote that weighs nearly 2.2 pounds, with a rotating wheel crafted from solid, gold-plated brass and mounted on precision-machined Swiss bearings, providing intuitive and total command of the system.

PEACE OF MIND STARTS WITH PROOF OF QUALITY. Carat Weight 1.53

Color Grade E

Clarity Grade VS1

Cut Grade Excellent

Laser Inscription Registry Number GIA 16354621

Natural Diamond Not Synthetic

A GIA report is certainty from the source. As creator of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System™, GIA sets the standards for diamond assessment, worldwide. Unbiased. Scientiﬁc. A report from GIA gives you a clear understanding of your diamond’s quality. Look for GIA Diamond Grading Reports and the jewelers who offer them. www.4cs.gia.edu

THE UNIVERSAL STANDARD BY WHICH GEMS ARE JUDGED.

DESIGN

TELLING

STORIES

Nate Berkus discusses his new book, The Things That Matter. BETHANY RABORN esigner, film producer, author and TV personality Nate Berkus has made a career out of taking interior design beyond paint colors and fabric swatches. His latest book, The Things That Matter (Spiegel & Grau, 2012), gets to the heart of design in a way that has you simultaneously poring over the vibrant pages and setting it down to rearrange your living room. Here, we chat with Berkus about the book, his own home décor, and more. Your new book focuses on design as a personal statement. Was there a point where you realized design was not just about making things pretty? I realized that very early on. My mom is an interior designer, so “home” was more about a well-designed room than a home-cooked meal. That was her way of saying she cared about her family. Things were not expensive, but they were beautiful. It was ingrained in me that assembling interiors was not something to be rushed. You talk about incorporating things from your travels into your décor. How does one avoid a room full of kitschy souvenirs? I do a lot of research before I travel. I talk to the concierge at the hotel, I talk

to a friend who’s gone there before, to really get the best sources for everything. I have a deep knowledge of furniture creators and modern art, but one thing that is always important to me is the element of the handmade, whether it’s a Navajo basket on a coffee table or a South American belt on a pile of books. I look for the best silversmith in Portugal, the best textiles in Asia or ceramics in Mexico. I look for what’s indigenous, what’s historic and traditional. When you walk into someone’s home, what stands out as “good” or “bad” design? What makes me happy is walking in to see different styles all combined. That may be a Swedish dresser, a French mirror and a Native American rug in one room. I think it makes a room feel layered, like it was assembled over time. I love when someone takes a risk. I may not love what they did, but I am taken in when I see someone is adventurous. Conversely, what bugs me is when everything is of the same quality or out of one catalog. You can tell when someone spent a great fortune, but you don’t know anything about that person except that they’re rich. In the book, you discuss designing your own home in NYC. How was the process different than designing for other people? In a designer’s own home, he is answering only to himself, so he can take more risks. I like to let things find me, whereas with clients you don’t have the luxury of buying things haphazardly. For my home, I started to feel like I didn’t have roots; I wanted to assemble everything in one space, under one roof. Over 570 boxes were delivered to that home and as I went through all of them, I started to understand my own connection to things. I had to decide what to keep, where to put it, what it went with. The editing process is the most important part. Even if there is something you love, if there’s no place for you to display it and enjoy it and have it add to the graciousness of your home, then it should be edited out. What did you learn from writing the book? I didn’t set out to write an autobiography, rather I wanted the book to be about how I approach design. I hope people recognize that we each have a story, which is why I shared my own in the book. Everyone I’ve known, everywhere I’ve been, everything I’ve done has influenced my style. I hope people will stop, take a beat, and decide for themselves what really serves them in the home and what doesn’t. Only then can someone achieve an interior that truly reflects their personality. What’s next for Nate Berkus? My Chicago design firm is constantly undertaking new projects. I am excited about my collaboration with Target, and hope people find a few things from my line to add to their décor. I’m producing a second feature film that I’m really excited about. I love books so much, and after producing The Help, I wanted to find another project where I could make a beloved book into a film. We need more of that.

EATS

JOYCE N. BOGHOSIAN

FOOD

FOR THOUGHT Reimagining the kitchen garden. JACQUELIN CARNEGIE

nce upon a time, everyone who could grew vegetables in their own “kitchen” garden, to have easy access to good, nutritious food and to supplement what they could purchase. Unfortunately, as a civilization, we’ve moved far away from the land, and most people now get their fruits and vegetables from giant chain supermarkets. Most of these fruits and veggies come from industrial-sized farms, ripen in the transport truck — instead of in the sun — and have practically no taste and very little nutritional value by the time we purchase them in plastic-wrapped packages.

STARTING A DELICIOUS REVOLUTION The good news: a group of passionate and dedicated food “activists” has launched the

Good Food Movement. The overall goal is to get Americans to eat healthier by relying more on locally grown produce with higher nutritional value, all while reducing our global carbon footprint. In addition, there’s an emphasis on improving children’s diets, specifically in lowincome areas. Because while the number of supermarkets with organic produce sections, local farmers’ markets and locavore (organic food, locally grown) restaurants has increased dramatically, most inner-city children still live in neighborhoods served only by fast-food restaurants and convenience stores. “Many in the movement credit famed chef 1 First Lady Michelle Obama plants a White House kitchen garden with help from horticulturist Dale Haney and Bancroft Elementary School students, March 20, 2009. 2 A public schoolyard is transformed by The Edible Schoolyard Project. 3 Tools at rest. 4 Harvest from Roger Doiron’s (Kitchen Gardeners International) own garden. 5 Famed chef Alice Waters started The Edible Schoolyard Project to teach kids how to grow and cook nutritious food.

ROGER DOIRON

Alice Waters, of the renowned Berkeley, California restaurant Chez Panisse, with getting the ball rolling,” says Arnell Hinkle, executive director of CANFIT, an organization that helps communities implement healthy-food programs. About 15 years ago, over concern for a local public school, Waters launched The Edible Schoolyard Project. Through kitchen gardens planted on their own public school grounds, students across the country learn how to plant and harvest organic produce. The kids are then taught how to make nutritious meals from what they’ve grown. “We’re calling for a revolution in public education — the ‘Delicious Revolution,’” Waters explains. “When the hearts and minds of our children are captured by a school lunch curriculum enriched with experience in the garden, sustainability will become the lens through which they see the world.” The Good Food Movement got another boost when First Lady Michelle Obama planted a kitchen garden at the White House in 2009. She was inspired to do so by a grassroots advocacy campaign led by Roger Doiron, director of Kitchen Gardeners International. Doiron is a modern-day Pied Piper for the benefits of kitchen gardens. Knowing that when Eleanor Roosevelt planted a “victory” garden at the White House in the 1940s, it inspired 40 percent of the U.S. population to follow suit, he figured Mrs. Obama’s enthusiasm for the cause might have a similar effect. “The commercially grown foods we’re eating today are significantly less nutritious than they were just 30 years ago,” Doiron points out. “What we need are millions of people joining the movement by planting four-season kitchen gardens right in their own back — or front — yards. This produce provides healthy meals for families and any excess can be donated to local food pantries.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF URBAN FARMING As the population explodes and urban areas continue to encroach on farmland, the ability to grow more nutritious food in less space becomes paramount. Will Allen, CEO of Growing Power, is an urban-farming guru, admired and revered by everyone in the Good Food Movement. Allen’s mission is to get nutritious, organic food grown with the smallest environmental impact. Using his methods, Growing Power’s two-acre urban lot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, produces enough healthy food to feed 10,000 people. Some of these methods include: greenhouses

6 Roger Doiron, Kitchen Gardeners International. 7 On a two-acre lot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Growing Power produces enough healthy food to feed 10,000 people. 8 No room for a kitchen garden? Set up Windowfarms. 9 vintage Victory Garden poster.

and “hoop” houses (made from plastic sheeting and plywood) that are composted with the richest fertilizer, verimcompost, made from worms (heat generated from the composting process also warms the greenhouses in winter); aquaponics, a symbiotic method of growing certain plants and fish together; and raising crops and animals (bees, chickens, ducks, goats) sustainably, without chemicals. Growing Power not only raises healthy food in a compact urban space, they run extensive programs for inner-city and disadvantaged youths to get them interested in and involved with the process. They also hold workshops and travel around the country training others how to replicate their results. Allen, winner of a Ford Foundation leadership grant, a MacArthur “genius” award, and a spot on Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” team, states: “We have to change where and how food is grown right now, because we are malnourishing ourselves to death. Today, most people live in urban areas, yet many have very limited access to healthy, nutritious food. What’s needed is a Good Food Revolution.”

GET ON BOARD THE GOOD FOOD REVOLUTION All of these organizations offer advice, classes and workshops. Kitchen Gardeners International can help anyone plant a kitchen garden. If you don’t have the space, find a community garden with help from the American Community Gardening Association. Learn how to get a kitchen garden planted at your local public school through The Edible Schoolyard Project. And, if you want to start or join an urban farming project in your community, attend a Growing Power workshop. As Thomas Jefferson said: “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens.”

Learn More: Good Food Movement Resources ACGA communitygarden.org CANFIT canfit.org Edible Schoolyard Project edibleschoolyard.org Growing Power growingpower.org Kitchen Gardeners International kgi.org Windowfarms windowfarms.com Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, through August 2013

W O R L D C L A S S T R AV E L E R S

David Beckham. A global icon who insists on perfection. Precision and style. A legend forged by accomplishments. On his wrist is the Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime, the ultimate travelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watch. Manufacture Breitling Caliber B05, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, endorsed by a 5-year Breitling warranty. High-performance selfwinding chronograph. Universal time function enabling permanent readings of the time in all 24 timezones thanks to a patented mechanism and an ultra-user-friendly crown-operated correction system. Comfort and elegance for first-class travelers. Signed Breitling.

Available in stainless steel or 18K red gold

SPIRITS

FINE

TEQUILA

Mexico’s national spirit looks toward luxury.

he Margarita continues to rank as one of the country’s most popular cocktails, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS), as well as a perennially popular resort option. Fortunately, today’s drinker has an unprecedented range of premium and superpremium tequila options from which to choose, whether sipped, shot or mixed into a drink. Casa Dragones is a super-premium, limited-production blend of blanco (aged two to six months) and extra añejo (aged five years) tequilas, designed for refined, smooth sipping. It’s made in small batches and bottled in individually engraved, signed and numbered crystal decanters. “For us, it’s one bottle at a time,” says co-founder and maestra tequilera Bertha Gonzalez Nieves, “and we never want to change that.” At about $300 a bottle, it’s not for shooting. Instead, it’s for sipping and is part of what could be called a Third Wave of Tequila in the U.S. (Jose Cuervo representing our introduction to the agave-based spirit in the 1960s and ’70s, Patron/Sauza/El Tesoro taking us further along the journey in the ’80s and ’90s, and today’s artisanal and luxury products expanding our horizons yet again). Most of the flexibility in tequila production involves the fine points of harvesting agave hearts, or piñons, how and how long the piñons are cooked, and specific distillation techniques. Blending differently aged batches, as Casa Dragones does, is a relatively new twist, one which Maestro Dobel

Single Estate tequila ($45) claims to have mastered first. A clear, colorless blend of various aged tequilas, Dobel is unexpectedly earthy on the palate, in part due to the use of Balkan oak. Don Julio, meanwhile, launched its Añejo 70 Claro ($70) in late 2011. Not a blend of aged tequilas, rather a clarified and filtered añejo, the result is a clear, colorless juice like a blanco, with the toasted oak and dusty sugar notes of an aged spirit. Perhaps the most interesting experimentation happening with tequila involves barrel choices. Most brands employ new oak or used bourbon barrels (the way most Scotch whisky does) during the aging process, but a few are exploring sherry casks, port barrels and more. DeLeon, a Guanajuato-based spirits brand, launched Leona on December 21 last year (the “end of the world” on the Mayan calendar). It was the first in a series of high-end, limited-edition “reserva” releases from the brand. Founder Brent Hocking says, “We were lucky to have purchased extra Sauternes barrels used in finishing our añejo expression. While going through the warehouse, we decided to experiment and see what would happen if we left some to sit.” Taking the tequila to the aging “edge” of the añejo classification (34 months), the resulting liquor is sweet, rich and complex and, quite simply, one of the most intriguing tequilas on the market. At $825, it had better be good of course, but Leona is no vanity project. It’s definitive proof that tequila has potential, as a fine spirit, far beyond body shots at spring break.

COURTESY DELEON TEQUILA

ROBERT HAYNES-PETERSON

ST. BARTHS BLUE

collection

DELICACIES

MUCH ADO ABOUT

OYSTERS You won’t get pearls from these babies, just an incredible eating experience! KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

he legend: Ned was an “old Native American dude” who lived alone on an island in the Long Island Sound. The waters surrounding his island were teeming with Bluepoint oysters (named for Blue Point, Long Island, where they were originally discovered) so he harvested them for sustenance. He wasn’t rich, but he sure was happy! Following in his footsteps, Ren Brighton has been farming Bluepoints since college, a passion he picked up from his grandfather, who owned some property on the Sound. His business — Ned’s Island Oysters: Fresh Bluepoints delivered to your door — is just over a year old, comprises two acres of beds in Darien, Conn. and is very labor-intensive. Beginning with local broodstock, the oysters start out in a hatchery. “It’s all about temperature manipulation,” Brighton explains. “Spawning usually takes place only in the hottest part of summer, but if we heat the water to 30 degrees C, the oysters are tricked…” They then grow in cages in the Sound until they meet Ned’s standard of three to four

inches; of course, the waters are carefully monitored by the State Bureau of Aquaculture. From spawning to market size takes 18 months to two years. Caveat emptor: Since ‘Bluepoint’ is not trademarked, other regions have attempted to market their oysters under this name. Be warned: these imposters don’t even come close! Explains Brighton, “No rivers flow into the area where our beds are located, so the waters here are a little saltier, and rich with algae, plankton and various nutrients.” In addition to a delicious and nutritious eating experience (Ned’s Island oysters were described by one taste tester as “sweet, perfectly briny, with a lingering tannic green pepper finish almost like a Chinon or other Cabernet Franc…”), oysters are reputed to be an aphrodisiac, and oyster farming (a sustainable activity that uses no pollutants) is known to replenish the seas. In fact, oysters eat by filtering out micronutrients from seawater at a rate of about a gallon an hour, thus keeping marine ecosystems healthy. So eat oysters, save the planet, and enjoy!

FIRST PERSON

WHY I

DANCE

How I got my mojo back. LENORE RICH or one hour a week, I am a princess. I am more beautiful than Sofia Vergara, more graceful than a swan. Although my upper back aches slightly, I am gloriously happy. Dormant muscles that I never knew existed are springing to life. And my brain (which can no longer remember what book I’m reading) is sending multiple messages: to my pinky finger to point upward, to my feet to glide back on the ball and forward with the heel, to my head to tilt and my torso to configure a perfect pose. (They tell me “muscle memory” will eventually kick in; I eagerly await the kick...) I silently thank Mom and Dad for those costly ballet lessons decades ago, and wonder why I ever stopped. I love to dance! “Enough waltz!” insists my young and handsome Brazilian dance instructor. “We will learn the rumba. Forget those ballet arms and look at me with dagger eyes. This is a sensual dance! Run your fingers through your hair, sweep them across your upper body. Focus on the hips…” I look at him defiantly: this middle-aged suburban mom is not about to sway her hips or caress her upper body. He accepts no excuses: I am to practice in the privacy of home. To prepare, I rummage through my closet and discover a slinky red dress and some gleaming South Sea pearls, perfect for a sensual rumba. Thankful that the back of my lakeside home is totally private (if I discount deer and chipmunks), I don the outfit and lose myself in the hypnotic rhythm blaring on my stereo in full surround sound. Completely immersed in the music and concentrating on my moves, I never heard the leaf blowers in my backyard. Suddenly, I’m returning the stares of several smiling and appreciative gardeners, their faces glued to my back window. Apparently, I’ve unleashed my inner beast and will soon be the talk of the town, at least among groundskeepers… Undaunted, I count the hours until my next lesson, when I’ll once again transform to princess, or (in my dreams) to temptress. And as I glance at my reflection in the dance studio mirror, I see no wrinkles or extra pounds, but rather an ageless elegant woman with a newly awakened passion for life.

“I rummage through

my closet and discover a slinky red dress and

some gleaming South Sea pearls, perfect for a

TANGO ILLUSTRATION BY CAROLYN WELTMAN, AVAILABLE AT ETSY.COM/SHOP/NUDESANDSHOES

sensual rumba.”

(xtraordinary

Expect the

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BACHENDORF’S ACCENT THE MAGAZINE OF LIFE’S CELEBRATIONS

SPRING/SUMMER 2013