The Bite Magazine - Summer 2019 - Issue 25

bite watches Cristina Lloyd is mesmerised by Salvatore Ferragamo’s latest watch collection for women that keeps on getting better and better. I f iconic shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo was still alive today, we believe he would have been overwhelmed by how far the luxury goods company that bears his name has evolved. From the opening of the Hollywood Boot Shop in the United States in 1923 and quickly becoming the ‘shoemaker to the stars’, to returning to Florence, in Italy and establishing the Ferragamo company in 1927, he dazzled the elite of the day with his exquisite designs; including the fa- mous ‘Rainbow’ sandal he created for Judy Garland in 1938, a year after registering the patent for the cork wedge shoe. Salvatore went on to create the ‘Invisible’ sandal for which he received the Neiman Marcus Award in 1947 and had the likes of Aubrey Hepburn and the Duke of Windsor visit his Flor- ence boutique in 1950. It was after his death in 1960 that the brand expanded into handbags and other accessories thanks to the creative direction of his wife Wanda and their children. The following year, the first scarf featuring the Palazzo Spini Feroni was produced and then in 1970, the brand started pro- ducing men’s shoes, clothing, silk and accessories. A number of milestones such as the ‘Vara’ becoming the company’s most iconic and famous shoe in 1978 and the es- tablishment of Ferragamo Hong Kong in 1986 cemented the expanding conglomerate as a world leader in luxury goods. In 1987, the first bag to boast the famous ‘Gancini’ symbol was produced, and the opening of the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum at Palazzo Spini Feroni was dedicated to shoe brand history in 1995. Three years later, his namesake perfumes and eyewear entered the market, followed by timepieces in 2003 and the Ferragamo Creations Collection in 2006. For spring/summer 2019, the Salvatore Ferragamo Timepiec- es collection represent a harmonious combination of contem- porary-classic style, high performance Swiss watchmaking and modern design watches. Created specifically for women, the collection includes the Salvatore Ferragamo Portrait and Salvatore Ferragamo Gancini pieces. Unique, feminine and vintage with a contemporary twist, Salvatore Ferragamo Por- trait has karung leather straps in golden rod, flame red and periwinkle and a case that frames the rectangular shape with a ‘portrait’ effect, geographic shapes and a minimalist style. Available in champagne and rose gold, the case has a white lacquer dial that is simple yet chic, pure and sophisticated in form. The burgundy cabochon crystal is set into the crown and reiterates the refined design and elegance of this style. Embellished with an extraordinary engraving of Palazzo Spini Feroni, the historic headquarters of the Ferragamo house in Florence, this gorgeous and stylish watch with a Ronda 1062 Quartz 2Hmovement truly sets itself apart from other models on the market and is sophisticated enough to be treasured as a keepsake that is worthy of its sentimental value. Perhaps the most iconic symbol from Salvatore Ferragamo, Gancini has a more contemporary twist, making it even more exquisite than ever before. In this style, the case is available in two ladies’ sizes: 22mm and 34mm, creating a slimmer, sleeker and more graceful look. With an Eta 901.001 Quartz 2H (small) or Ronda 1062 Quartz 2H (medium) movement inside, the white mother-of-pearl dial gives the watch a chic, feminine feel, while the burgundy cabochon system set into the crowns, lends it a touch of glamour. The larger version has three diamond indexes to make it even more stylish. There are other timepieces in the Salvatore Ferragamo watch collection for women that further enhance the enchanting beauty of its craftsmanship. The 22mm Gancino Bracelet is an impeccable cocktail watch for exclusive occasions, while during the day it becomes a fashionable jewellery watch. This beautiful timepiece with Ronda 751 Quartz movement, is designed with a stainless steel case, silver sunray guilloché dial with four dot indexes, sapphire crystal anti-reflection, scratch-resistant glass, and a stainless steel bangle with jew- ellery buckle. The style is also available in a gold IP treatment case and ban- gle with jewellery buckle in 1N, 2N and 5N, and a silver or gold coloured sunray guilloché dial with four dot indexes. Similar in style but made with a uniquely designed strap, the 26mm Feragamo Miniature is a jewellery-watch with an allure that is both elegant and decidedly feminine. It has a Ronda 762 Quartz movement, with a choice of stainless steel or gold IP treatment case, stainless steel bracelet or gold IP treatment bangle in 1N and 5N, silver or gold coloured sunray with four dot indexes and a sapphire crystal anti-reflection, scratch-re- sistant glass. For ladies who wish to have a chunkier watch on their wrist, the F-80 Lady from the sport-luxury line has a gentle mas- culine look with a feminine and elegant essence. Built with a Ronda 773 Quartz 3 Hands movement, this 34mm time- piece has a gold IP treatment and six gold IP in 1N with screw decorations on the top ring, black two-layer sunray dial with luminescent indexes and hands, the usual sapphire crystal an- ti-reflection, scratch resistant glass and black saffiano leather bracelet with deploying buckle. It is also available in a larg- er 44mm version with an ETA 251.274 Quartz Chronograph movement. The ultimately amazing F-80 Motion is an absolute innovation for a woman’s wrist that marries elegance, a sporty feel and dynamism. This 44mm piece has a MOMT285-1 movement connected via Bluetooth to iOS and Android devices, MMT 365 activity and sleep pattern tracking, adaptive coaching, smart sleep alarm, time automatic set-up across time zones and cloud function for back-up and restore. The case is in a gold IP treatment and six gold IP in 5N with screw decora- tions on the top ring, along with a white mother-of-pearl dial, and luminescent indexes and hands. It just goes to show that at Salvatore Ferragamo that ladies can choose either a slimmer elegant piece or a stronger statement timepiece and still remain elegant, sophisticated and strong. Salvatore Ferragamo Portrait and Gancini watches are availa- ble at Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques, authorised retailers and online. www.ferragamotimepieces.com