Victoria's Secret unveils 2008 'Fantasy Bra'

After reading this article, I mused "some things never change!" I suppose these creations are figments of the imagination in the artist' mind. With the current economy, you'd think Victoria's Secret would be less inclined to be so ostentatious. But hey...it's makes the news, right?

Have a good one.


October 20, 2008

The Victoria's Secret 2008 Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra features 3,575 black diamonds, 117 one-carat round diamonds and 34 rubies.

Columbus, Ohio—With the holiday season approaching, Victoria's Secret unveiled its annual jewel-encrusted "Fantasy Bra" on Monday, with this year's lingerie creation totaling more than 1,000 carats and valued at $5 million.

Jeweler Martin Katz crafted the 2008 Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra using 3,575 black diamonds, 117 certified one-carat round diamonds and 34 rubies.

The piece de resistance of the bra's design, however, is two black-diamond drops totaling 100 carats.

Dubbed "the ultimate fantasy gift" by the Columbus, Ohio, intimate apparel company, the bra, modeled by supermodel Adriana Lima, is adorned with 3,900 gems and totals 1,500 carats.

Victoria's Secret has been partnering with jewelers to create an over-the-top bedazzled bra since 1996.

Past Fantasy Bra creations include 2006's "Hearts On Fire Fantasy Bra," a balconet-style brassiere with more than 2,000 diamonds weighing a total of 800 carats and modeled by Karolina Kurkova.

That bra's estimated value was $6.5 million and marked the 10th anniversary of the Fantasy Bra.

Antiquorum auction nets nearly $9.9 million

October 17, 2008

Patek Philippe's Ref. 2499 "First Series" in yellow gold, lot 403, fetched more than $1.5 million at Antiquorum's New York auction.

New York—Antiquorum's first auction of the fall season has brought in a total of $9,892,812 for the sale of Important Collectors' Wristwatches, Pocket Watches and Clocks.

The sale took place in New York on Oct. 16, with 82 percent of the 404 timepieces offered sold by lot and 148 percent sold by value.

"The results from today's auction are confirmation that despite the current erratic economic climate, important timepieces continue to be extremely sought after, highly collectible and sound tangible investments that have consistently proven to appreciate exponentially over time," Antiquorum Chairman Robert Maron said in a media release.

Global interest came from areas including China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy and Russia, with a record number of more than 1,000 bidders and viewers using Antiquorum's online bidding system. More than 34 percent of the lots were sold via the Internet.

Lot 403, a Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 "First Series," was the star of the sale, fetching $1,514,400. Several other Patek Philippes sold well, including lot 404, a Ref. 3450 with red leap year indicator; lot 182, Ref. 1518; and lot 387, the "Ten Day Tourbillon." The timepieces sold for $237,600, $327,200 and $276,800, respectively.

According to the auction house, the most frenzied bidding was for the "Einstein Watch," a Longines wristwatch that belonged to the world-famous physicist Albert Einstein. The watch sold for $596,000, more than 2,000 percent its estimate, and a world record for both a time-only and a Longines wristwatch.

Watch brands Vacheron Constantin and Rolex also did well in the auction, with Vacheron's "Skeleton Minute Repeater" in rose gold, lot 195, bringing in $282,400, and Rolex's "Platinum Day Date," lot 318, achieving a world record at $78,000.

Antiquorum will hold a 720-lot sale in Geneva from Nov. 15-16.