ne
Business
W
hether worn as
Timepiece Trendsetters
DeScenza Diamonds, Long's
Jewelers, and Royal Jewelers
carry the most exclusive
lines in luxury watches.
Time Keepers
Bold sizes, dazzling designs, and vibrant
colors define a new age of luxury watches.
By Deborah Geiger
126 nshoremag.com December 2013
REV_126_130_132_134_KJ NBDec13 Watches.indd 126
a fashion statement
or simply to tell time,
luxury watches have become the status symbol. And the demand for these
functional accessories is growing both
domestically and internationally.
Historically, one of the first cities to
produce "luxury" watches was Geneva
with the appearance of the Swiss watch and
clock industry in the 1500s. When French
theologian and Protestant Reformation
pastor Jean Calvin called for the banning
of luxurious jewelry, jewelers turned their
attention toward watchmaking. In 1601,
the Watchmakers' Guild of Geneva was
established—the first of its kind.
By the beginning of the 20th century,
new technologies increased productivity while standardization techniques
allowed the industry to grow. The
wristwatch grew in availability and
popularity following the end of WWI
and today has evolved to include LEDand LCD-style displays; quartz, or
photographs by anthony tieuli
10/25/13 5:21 PM
