Even in the grey days of a recession, people who can afford it still like to splash out on luxuries. Not all luxuries satisfy in quite the same way. For those who put fun before what is purely functional, the desire to flaunt what is pretty and playful is a welcome relief.
'Today's generation of people in their 40s have become more international and they want to enjoy life more. At black tie dinners, they want to show off their nicer pieces,' said Roland Buser, managing director of Chopard Hong Kong.
'But they also want to buy pieces with gold and diamonds, something which has sustainable value.'
Chopard's Haute Joaillerie watch for women amply fits the bill. The HK$3.6 million watch is a vision in white. It has an 18-karat white gold case studded with 19 carats of diamonds attached to a white satin band.
The watch features a hinged lid that allows the timepiece to do double duty as a jewellery bangle. Open the lid and the wearer can glance at the time on a pave diamond dial. Close it and the watch becomes a diamond bangle.
The name Valentino is synonymous with haute couture and romantic, feminine charm. The new collection of Valentino Timeless watches reflects the spirit of the Valentino brand along with the meticulous craftsmanship of Swiss-made timepieces.
