The Annual White House Correspondents Dinner is an event which is full of levity and humor.  This dinner brings together politicians, celebrities and the press in a friendly atmosphere of performance.  Attendees include actors, musicians, politicians, and writers who all come to see a presidential roast.

This year, a number of the celebrities in attendance chose to add some dazzle to the evening by donning H.Stern jewelry.  Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria accented her floral gown with a pair of Vintage Diamond Floral earrings and a Vintage Red Carpet diamond bracelet.

British pop diva Natasha Bedingfield wore a long pair of Floral Diamond earrings with a matching bracelet.  Finally, actress Idina Menzel chose a star-shaped diamond and rock crystal brooch from the “Moonlight” collection paired with a large “Celtic Dunes” diamond ring.

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A pastime enjoyed by many luxury watch fans is keeping up with their favorite timepieces on the silver screen and television.  Be it Tom Selleck’s reliance on the Rolex GMT-Master as Magnum PI, Rambo’s preference for Panerai, or (modern) James Bond never being without his Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m, these bits of horological trivia are layers of interest nearly as entertaining as the shows themselves!

The Girard-Perregaux Vintage 1945 Petite Second watch got its own story sideline in ABC’s “The Unusuals” drama.  During a recent episode, the character of Detective Jason Walsh lends his Girard-Perregaux to his financially strapped girlfriend; unfortunately, while at a pawnshop to trade some jewelry for cash, she is accosted by robbers who make off with the cherished watch.  Girard-Perregaux’s Vintage 1945 collection numbers some of the most elegant and finely crafted rectangular timepieces on earth, a fact these fictional thugs were obviously well aware of!

I’m sure that this intriguing little plot twist was keenly appreciated by viewers of The Unusuals who own Girard-Perregaux and other similarly prestigious Swiss watches.  It should help keep them stuck to their plasma screens to see what happens through the season.

Lark Books is well known for their profiles of extraordinary jewelry creations.  In their “Masters” series of books, they examine the work of master jewelers who have achieved true greatness in their field.  The latest book in the Masters series focuses on goldsmiths, and as should be expected, Gurhan Orhan is among the individuals who have been selected for their outstanding design, craftsmanship and contribution to modern fashion.

In a detailed 8 page spread, some of Gurhan’s most breathtaking jewelry creations are pictured and described in gorgeous detail.  Some of the highlights include detailed photography which shows Gurhan’s stunning hand-rendered finishing.  With an aesthetic which is at once ancient yet uniquely contemporary, these jewelry designs transcend fashion and become timeless heirloom pieces.

As one of the world’s truly visionary jewelry designers, Gurhan Orhan richly deserves his inclusion in this volume.

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H. Stern is one of the hottest brands going these days, and their roster of celebrity clientele is extensive.  Drawing admiration from a wide range of stars such as Miley Cyrus, Marisa Tomei and Angelica Houston, this brand appeals to women of all ages and styles.

One new convert to the church of Stern is supreme beauty Halle Berry who was recently photographed wearing a stunning “Lotus” cuff bracelet at the Wolverine movie premiere.  This sizable 18k gold cuff features intricate metalwork and displays a large rock crystal gemstone.

Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame has also recently been seen proudly displaying H. Stern Jewelry.  Specifically, she is very fond of her “Icon” pendant.  This striking design is from the Diane von Furstenberg collection and is crafted in hammered 18k gold.

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With its new BR 01 Pro Titanium watch, has Bell & Ross “borrowed a page” from the legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak design?  Being that the octagon bezel is the primary signature of Audemars Piguet’s most celebrated watch, one might indeed make the case that some of flattery’s sincerest form is manifesting itself here.  In all fairness though, Gerald Genta’s 1970s design triumph has inspired many subsequent timepieces in the ensuing decades, from more than a few notable Swiss luxury brands.

Potential origins aside, I think the Bell & Ross BR 01 Pro Titanium is one fantastic looking sports watch–perhaps the most distinctive yet brought out by the brand.  Whether it is imitative or not, the eight-sided profile contributes gobs of visual seasoning to the rugged square form of the BR 01 Instrument case, giving it a superb three-dimensional quality.  Further enhancing this positive impression is the Pro Titanium’s super-cool dial with contemporary and strong hour markers and squared-off hands.

Critics might counter that the BR 01 Pro Titanium watch is somewhat less pure as an evocation of classic aircraft instrumentation, but I don’t share this view–so long as the angular design cues don’t become widespread across the BR Instrument collection, there’s nothing to fear.  Evaluated on its own merits, this is a hot Bell & Ross that stands subtly apart from its siblings.  Keep in mind, that within a comparatively short time span, Bell & Ross has given enthusiasts a great range of well-engineered and extremely distinctive sports timepieces that have become industry design icons in their own right.  I have no cause to think that this trend won’t carry on well into the foreseeable future.

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Fans of the Ulysse Nardin Marine watch collection can celebrate a chronograph joining this outstanding luxury sports collection.  Without question the most visually bold design in its model group, the Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Chronographs stand out with strikingly colorful three-dimensional dials, and steel or 18K rose gold cases with accents of textured rubber and blackened titanium.

I’m really impressed with the extremely sporty dials; the technical appeal of the two-counter chronograph is given emphasis by the raised figures on the two subdials.  All the variants look great, but my favorite Maxi Marine Diver Chronograph is the stainless model with the red and black bezel, rubber strap, and blue and red accented black dial.  Polished steel, brilliant color, and a diverse array of textures add up to create a watch that has real pop.  In my opinion, this reference is the most purely sport-oriented of the group, and it carries the banner of the Ulysse Nardin Marine collection in particularly fine fashion.

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On the cover of the May 2009 issue of Redbook, country music star Faith Hill models a gorgeous pair of Gurhan gold earrings. Hill is a long time fan of the brand.  As one of country music’s most popular and recognized celebrities, Faith Hill is a perfect model for Gurhan Orhan’s rich and electrifying jewelry.  Faith chose to wear a large pair of “Flake” drop earrings for the cover shot by famed photographer Gilles Bensimon.

Gurhan’s 24k gold jewelry designs are some of the most unique and tasteful creations available.  The “Flake” earring design features Gurhan’s characteristic hand-hammered finish on a large hanging disk design.  The disk dangles freely from a french wire in a dynamic design  which allows the earrings to catch ambient light and sparkle.

Technorati Tags: Faith Hill, Gurhan