This year it will be the third time Ace Jewelers Group will be the first jeweler in The Netherlands to present the newest collection of IWC at Ace & Dik Jewelers. For only one evening we will have the honour to show the newest models that have been presented during the 2008 SIHH Fair in Geneva. During this evening we will start taking order for these models, which will be sold on an first come, first serve basis.

This event is for invited guests only. If you are an IWC-fan and you wish to try on the newest IWC model, please send an e-mail to our Marketing Manager: esther [at] acejewelers.com

Date: Monday May 26th, 2008
Time: from 5 pm till 9 pm
Location: Ace & Dik Jewelers, Van Baerlestraat 46, Amsterdam

For an overview of the novelties, please visit: http://www.iwc.com/messepopup_2008/index-en.asp

Do you want to be part of Team Ace?

Ace Jewelers Group is looking for new members for our Team Ace.
If you speak Dutch and are looking for a career in the luxury retail industry, please visit our career site:

www.AceJuwelier.nl/vacatures.htm

At this very moment we are building a complete new website that also incorporates the first Dutch Jewelers eBoutique and we are looking for someone that wishes to work part-time and has experience in the eCommerce industry. Although we preffer someone that speaks Dutch, we do consider someone that speaks English.

If you believe that you are the right person that can support the eTeam of Ace and make our new website the premier eBoutique in the luxury industry, please send you motivation letter, CV and photograph to:

vacature [at] acejewelers.com

or by Snail Mail:

Ace Group
Attn.: eBoutique
Van Baerlestraat 46
1071 AZ Amsterdam

For an impression of our company, please visit our current website: www.AceJewelers.com

Today our interview appeared in the largest newspaper of The Netherlands, De Telegraaf, with a publication of 1,1 million editions and a reach of approx. 3,6 million readers.

Click here below for the complete article:

De Telegraaf 26-4-2008

The family Ben Joseph, also the leaders of Team Ace of the Ace Jewelers Group in Amsterdam, have been asked to describe their favourite wrist watch:

Favourite David Ben Joseph (Ace & Spyer Juweliers, Koningsplein 1 - Amsterdam):

IWC Big Pilot

Favourite Amir Ben Joseph (Ace Juweliers, Leidsestraat 21 - Amsterdam):

Breitling Chronomat Evolution

Favourite Alon Ben Joseph (Ace & Dik Juweliers, Van Baerlestraat 46 - Amsterdam):

Ace Limited Edition Chrono

At the end of 2007 TAG Heuer already announced that they would produce unique phones. During the BaselWorld Trade Fair TAG Heuer was very secretive and nobody could touch or photograph the prototype. Hereby Ace Jewelers presents the first pictures that are officially released by TAG Heuer:

TAG Heuer announced that they launch will be very selective in September 2008:

The perfect cosmopolitan travelling companion, uniting formal purity with functional perfection, the MERIDIIST will change the way you communicate forever:

• Swiss engineered and hand assembled from 430 components
• Constructed from corrosion-resistant, watch making 316L steel
• Unscratchable 60.5 carats sapphire crystal dual displays
• Front independent time unit
• 28 days power reserve
• 7 hours of talktime

It is still unclear who will have the honor to present the phone collection of TAG Heuer in The Netherlands. Of course Ace Jewelers Group will try to be the first! Although the official prices are not know yet, they are aiming for around EUR 3.400,–

To be updated the first about the launch of the Phone Collection of TAG Heuer, please send us an e-mail to: blog [at] AceJewelers.com

Yesterday, we traveled from Basel to Geneva early in the morning and spent the from noon to 8 pm at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva, Switzerland. This was the 18th time the SIHH took place in Geneva and next year it will start on January 19th, 2009! This means it will take LESS than one year to receive news & new models. Ace Jewelers Group was at the SIHH to review at the brands that are in the portfolio of Richemont and the independent brands: Audermars Piguet, Girard Perregaux, Jean Richard, Parmigiani, Roger Dubuis.

Impression of the SIHH Fair

At this very moment, the Ace Jewelers Group presents the collections of IWC and Baume & Mercier in Amsterdam, via the locations:

- Ace & Dik Jewelers on the Van Baerlestraat 46 in the Museum Quarter; and
- Ace & Spyer Jewelers on the Kongingsplein 1 in the city center.

Hereby an overview of the novolties of these two brands:

1. IWC - International Watch Company
2008 is a jubilee year for IWC, because this year the company exists 140 years! That is why they created a serie of 6 watches (Click here for pictures, movie & info about this collection):

(Courtesy of IWC - www.iwc.ch)

IWC Da Vinci Kurt Klaus in stainless steel (we will receive several pieces).

IWC Da Vinci Laureus Limited Edition in steel (sorry for bad picture, should be blue).

IWC Pilot St. Ex. Limited Editions in steel, pink gold and white gold! We will receive all three!

IWC Pilot Father-Son set: We already wrote about this set, but the actual set has a different dial…

Each set will be engraved… Is it a coincidence that our account manager’s name is Alexander?!?

IWC Big Ingenieur Pink Gold (sorry for the bad lighting).

IWC Aquatimer Cousteay: It is the fourth year that IWC creates a limited edition in honour of Jacques Cousteau.

Back of IWC Aquatimer Cousteau 2008.

2. Baume & Mercier
This year Baume & Mercier spoils the ladies and created a complete new and additional family for women: Ilea. It is an abbreviation for Intimate, Luxurious, Elegant and Active, the woman of today!

Baume & Mercier Ilea in stainless steel

Baume & Mercier Ilea without diamonds.

Baume & Mercier Classima Hand Wound Skeleton.

The back of the Baume & Mercier Classima Hand Wound Skeleton.

The complete Classima Executive collection of Baume & Mercier will be available in gold.

Baume & Mercier Diamant in stainless steel with a band complete set with diamonds around.

Baume & Mercier Diamant

Baume & Mecier William Baume Limited Edition collection

Today, we also had some meetings in Geneva during the day and we will hopefully post some good news soon!

Today we attended BaselWorld for the last day and it was a long one. We had a hectic schedule, which usually we have more than two days for, we did in one day. That is why we split up Team Ace and visited the following jewelry & accessories brands:

- Jean-Marc Garel
- Georg Jensen
- MeeVida
- Marco Bicego
- Stockert
- Meister
- Sasha Prima
- Ace Watch Box Producer
- Grand Tour of Hall 5.0 & 5.1

Hereby a photo review of many beautiful jewels that passed through our hands… Some we bought, some we did certainly not buy:

Hainz Mayer Eternity Rings

Hainz Mayer: More Eternity Rings

Jean-Marc Garel is a French jewelry designer and is getting world-wide recognition… This years stand grew again:

Jean-Marc Garel Pearl Collection

Jean-Marc Garel Pearl Collection (Inspired by Japanse styles)

Jean-Marc Garel Graphique Collection

Jean-Marc Garel: “Life is a circle”

Jean-Marc Garel Limited Edition set

Stockert is a family-run business of German master goldsmiths and Ace & Dik is proud to present this collection exclusively in Amsterdam:
Stockert: A part of the Platinum Collection.

Stockert: A harmonious combination of pink gold and pave set diamonds.

Stockert: We nick-named this ring as “Diamond Teeth”.

Stockert: A piece of jeweled architecture, we nick-named it: “The Diamond Curl”.

Stockert: Yes, this is one ring.

Stockert: We were speechless… Yes, this ring is completely hand made.

Stockert: Same ring as previous pic from another angle. Stunning, isn’t it?!

Stockert: This ring belongs to the same family as the previous ring.

Stockert: We nick-named these rings “Trompets of Colour”.

Stockert: More “Trompets”…

Stockert: Excellent piece of craftmanship… White gold, Diamonds & Pearls… A winning combination!

Stockert: Simply Bling! Nothing but diamonds! A Girl’s Best Friend?

Stockert: We nick-named this pendant “The Swing”.

Stockert: “The Spiral of Earth’s Treasures”.

Marco Bicego is a young Italian designer that comes from an ancient jewelers family and we are proud to present his unique collections in Amsterdam at: Ace & Dik Jewelers and Ace & Spyer Jewelers.

Marco Bicego: Sorry for the bad picture… We were in a rush :s

MeeVida is a relatively new brand that is a true European product with styling in Paris and production in Antwerp. Ace Jewelers Group will represent MeeVida exclusively in Amsterdam, for this reason for a limited period every customer that purchases a beautiful hand made piece of jewelry from the MeeVida Collection will receive the following gift:

MeeVida: Sterling Silver Heart Key Chain with Silk Pompon.

MeeVida: A timeless, but contemporary Trilogy ring. We will present this ring in yellow, white and pink gold.

MeeVida: A pave set heart pendant set with brilliant cut diamonds totaling about 2 carats.

Of course we visited and bought many more pieces of jeweled art, but this post is getting way to long! Tomorrow we are off to Geneva to visit the SIHH. Stay tuned for the post of the new collections of IWC and Baume & Mercier.

Team Ace usually visits the Basel Trade Fair for 5 days of which we spend two days in Hall 1 (watches), two days in Hall 2 (jewelry) and one day Hall 3 (loose stones & pearls). Then we travel to Geneva for two days to visit the SIHH and some of our other partners that have a showroom in hotels spread around the city. This year we jamming everything in to six days. That means we make longer hours on day and run even faster from stand to stand

Today was the second day in Hall 1 and visited: Ebel, George Jensen, Oris, Gucci, Hamilton, Omega, Breitling, Breitling for Bentley, Maurice Lacroix and TAG Heuer.

1. Ebel
We started our day by visiting the elegant stand of Ebel. They relaunched the brand 2 years ago with the introduction with the very feminine Brasilia collection. Last year they created a very modern and masculine mens watch featuring the manufacture Ebel chronograph: 1911 BTR. This year the created the unique and exclusive Tektron collection. Ebel will be the time keeper of the following European soccer teams and also created special limited edition watches for: Ajax, Arsenal, Glasgow Rangers and Bayern Munchen. I saw the concept of the Ajax watch, which will be launched in about 10 months. Ace & Dik Jewelers already claimed several of the 300 pieces! We have to support our team

Ebel Tektron models

Ebel Tektron Skeleton

2. Geoge Jensen
Team Ace is always in favor of the concept “Less is More” and Danish design rules in this concept. We had an introduction meeting with the brand of the legendary minimalistic designer George Jensen.

3. Oris

The Swiss brand Oris had great news watches and an excellent new family: BC4. It is an industrial look with a spectacular case, with a patented folding clasp and patented screwed in crown.

Oris BC4 Chronograph (sorry for the finger prints)

Oris BC4 Side view

4. Gucci
The Swiss made Italian Master of Fashion is a feminine orientated brand and creates magnificant and unique designs. This year they created the new family: Chiodo Collection

Gucci Chiodo in Stainless Steel with accents of Diamonds

And this year they created an stunning ALL black version of the Signoria collection:

5. Hamilton
The American brand Hamilton is a Swiss product and has an excellent price-quality ratio. Ace & Spyer Jewelers is the only location that presents the collection of Hamilton in Amsterdam. We had the honor to have the new collection presented by Matthias Breschan, President of Hamilton, and the Dutch Brand Manager. They introduced so much spectacular watches, that we do not even know where to start, so hereby some pictures:

The Hamilton Hype started with this model: Now in an automatic version.

Hamilton Automatic Chronograph

Hamilton X-copter (inspired by helicopters for pilots).

Hamilton Code Breaker: 46×48,5mm for EUR 1,300.– (start prices)

6. Omega
The Olympic Timekeeper OMEGA, will time the athletes for the 23rd time in history. That is why the created some unique models and the most revolutionary is the Speedmaster 5-counter:

Ofcourse there will be another Omega Seamaster James Bond 007 Limited Edition for the movie that will show in all theaters at the end of this year:

And of course there is a new Museum Piece Limited Edition which Ace & Spyer Jewelers will receive one:

And, last but certainly not least, they introduced the completely new Co-Axial 8500-calibre last year, this year they added the new calibre with an Annual Calendar function to the Hour Vision collection:

7. Breitling
The Swiss brand Breitling is known to make Instruments for Professionals and has many innovations every year. This year they created the following new watches:

- Chrono-matic 49 Steel and Gold
- Superocean Heritage Chrono Steel
- Chrono Avenger Seawolf Quartz Steel
- Avenger Seawolf Steel

And, this year the face-lifted the following models:

- New dials for Chronomat Evolution
- Chrono Cockpit additions in stainless steel & pink gold versions
- Restyled dials for the Cockpit
- Cockpit Lady additions in stainless steel & pink gold versions
- New dials and additions in stainless steel & pink gold versions of Starliner
- New dials for the Airwolf
- Additional dials for the Super Avenger Chrono
- Avenger Seawolf in stainless steel (use to be titanium)
- New dials for the Superocean

Breitling Chrono-matic 49 (49mm - 3mm bigger than the IWC Big Pilot)

Breitling Cockpit Lady (comes in all colours and combinations)

Breitling Cockpit Lady Diamonds: A Girl’s Best Friend!

8. Breitling for Bentley
Since the beginning “Breitling for Bentley” is a seperate brand of Breitling and not all retailers that sell Breitling can sell the Bentley collection. Ace & Spyer Jewelers is proud to showcase the first and only Breitling for Bentley Boutique in The Netherlands. There is only one addition to the collection this year: “Bentley GMT”.

- Steel on rubber strap: EUR 6.890,–
- Steel on steel strap: EUR 7.590,–
- Pink gold on leather strap: EUR 31.500,– (Limited Edition of 500 editions)

Breitling for Bentley - “Bentley GMT” available in different combinations and colours.

9. Maurice Lacroix
ML approached us a while ago if we would consider being a retailer of this beautiful brand. Today we had a meeting to see the current collection and the amazing new manufacture calibres. There will be a follow-up meeting

10. TAG Heuer
We went by TAG Heuer today to see the soon to be launched TAG Heuer Mobile Phones! We can’t wait to see the final types that actually will work. We will update you on future developments!

Tomorrow and update of the fourth day at BaselWorld and a day filled Bling Bling: Gold, Platinum, Diamonds, Pearls and Gem Stones!

Today Team Ace started the day by visiting Hall 1.0 of BaselWorld! Hereby an impression when you enter the hall:

Basel Hall 1.0

We even found the biggest chief of the Swatch Group (Nick Hayek Jr., CEO) dragging chairs to prepare a meeting:

Nick Hayek Jr.

During the first meeting we ordered the newest Rado models:

- Maxi Ceramica Chronograph
- True Chronographs
- Complete new Sintra Family Collection
- Basel Limited Edition Sintra Set (1500 pieces world wide) of which Ace & Spyer Jewelers will hopefully receive a set in the Autumn 2008 (see picture):

Rado Sintra Limited Edition Set

Afterwards we visited the Longines stand and ordered some special pieces! We also had the pleasure and honor to see the unique Master Four Retrograde work (see picture). Longines also introduced a complete new family: Admiral collection of which only 50 pieces will come to The Netherlands in 2008. Ace & Spyer Jewelers on the Koningsplein will be one of the ten Longines retailers that will have this colelction. Longines also created a classic and elegant dress watch in 39mm with the only Longines manufacture L990 movement, which will be produced in a limited series of 1000 pieces. Ace & Dik Jewelers hopes to receive a version:

Longines Master Collection Retrograde

Longines L990 Limited Edition

Longines manufacture L990 Back

TAG Heuer announced a couple of months ago that they would create mobile phones, it is still not clear when they will be launched and how they will look like, but most probably they will be inspired by the TAG Heuer Monaco, have a battery life of a MONTH and retail around EUR 4.000,–

Last year TAG Heuer introduced the Grande Carrera collection in several countries and hopefully 15 retailers will be honored to present these collection in May in the Netherlands: Ace & Dik Jewelers and Ace & Spyer Jewelers will be two of the fifteen. We ordered all limited edtions that will be presented, the pink gold Grande Carrera RS made in a series of 500 pieces and here below the full black version of 1000 pieces:

Afterwards we really had an exciting meeting with our Swiss partner that is producing our own ACE WATCH. It is still a secret how the watch will look like, but we received good news today that we did get our hands on the 100 pieces of the Valjoux 7750 (there is a giantic waiting list at ETA):

A Sneak Preview of the ACE WATCH

Our last meetings where at U-Boat & Welder which presented amazing new models:

- Flightdeck they are now making in 55mm / 50mm / 43mm
- Thousand Feets they now will make in automatic versions
- They made a Classica in black ceramic
- They made all the new models with ’smoked’ glass on the back and also some with the top glass:

U-boat Thousand Feets in black PVD Automatic “SMOKED”

Welder is the daughter brand of U-Boat and soley makes quartz watches, but what an amazing models:

Welder K29 in 53mm and retails at EUR 895,– soon available at Ace Jewelers Leidsestraat.

Side view of Welder K28 with REAL shock absorbers!

Welder K28 side view of the Crown (steering wheel) and Push Pieces (Race Pedals)!

The retail price of the Welder K28 will be around EUR 950 and has a case diameter of 50mm.

Tomorrow more news from BaselWorld! Stay tuned.

Today, Team Ace traveled from Amsterdam to Basel after finishing work. This is the 33rd year Ace Jewelers will be present at the most important trade show for watches, jewelry and gem stones.

Five years ago Breitling started to ’spoil’ its dealers during the BaselWorld week with unique parties. Every year it is a secret what the theme of the party will be, where the party will be organized and how to get there. The first year it created such a buzz, that even non-Breitling dealers wanted to attend these parties. This year there was an Italian theme with great food, spectacular dance, amazing singers and a grand final in a night club. And what I love the most about these parties, not ONCE is the name Breitling mentioned or displayed anywhere!

.: If you don’t have these sought-after tickets, you don’t get on the train! :.

.: Boys with Toys = Watch & Cars :.

.: The Team of the night was “Italia 1950″ :.

.: Show Time :.

.: At the end it reminded us of Studio 54 :.

Tomorrow some serious Watch News! Keep posted!

A short post: Special thanks to Menno Dijk, the designer of the new header of this blog! He also redesigned the header of the blog of WatchFreaks Blog (www.watchfreaksblog.com).