PARIS, June 9 (Reuters) - French retail group PPR (PRTP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) is buying a 23 percent stake in Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Sowind Group, which includes the Girard-Perregaux brand, PPR said on Monday.

PPR (PRTP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which owns fashion house Gucci, could increase its stake in Sowind as part of a long-term partnership which aims to help Gucci establish itself in the high-end watch segment. It gave no financial details.

Sowind Chairman Luigi Macaluso will retain control of the group and will join Gucci's management committee.

"We are convinced that this agreement will create a number of important synergies for our watch brands and their further development," Robert Polet, Gucci Group CEO, said in a press statement.

The deal comes weeks after PPR rival LVMH (LVMH.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) agreed to buy Swiss watchmaker Hublot.

The global luxury watch market is worth 18 billion euros ($28.5 billion) a year, according to an estimate from Swiss bank Vontobel. (Reporting by Jessica Mead; Editing by David Holmes)

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[ via JeanRichard ]

JeanRichard and MV Agusta partnered together to produce two limited edition Chronoscope "Brutale" chronographs and a limited edition Jean Richard Brutale naked sport bike.

The JeanRichard MV Agusta Chronoscope Brutale chonographs come in a choice of either steel/titanium and rubber or steel/rose gold and rubber. The case is 43mm in diameter and is water resistant to 30m/100ft. The dial uses carbon fiber, which highlights the three, motorcycle gauge inspired, counters. Red accents, a red "Brutale" logo and a red "MV Agusta" logo give the watch the finishing touch, and a very aggressive look. A very precise self-winding mechanical in-house movement is used, the JR 1000. A vintage black calfskin strap comes on both versions with a folding buckle made with either titanium or gold.

You can order either version right now at JuraWatches, the titanium model is just over $13,000 and the gold version is just under $20,000.

Hit the jump for 5 more high-res shots.

Read "GALLERY: MV Agusta Chronoscope Brutale by JEAN RICHARD" »

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[ via MV Augusta ]

The JeanRichard MV Agusta partnership looks to be a good one, as they have created special edition bikes and watches that are very mechanically and aesthetically appealing. The JeanRichard MV Agusta Brutale 1078 RR is one of the most powerful naked sport bikes in the world. The watches are created with the same precision, utilizing the in-house JeanRichard JR1000 movement.

PRESS RELEASE:

Proudly partnering with the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours D’Elegance, MV Agusta is pleased to be the honored marque of this year’s event. To celebrate, MV Agusta is planning a series of events capturing the unrivaled spirit of their commitment to motorcycle excellence. Visitors of the breathtaking event can expect an inside look at the company’s colorful past with immaculately restored MV bikes from every era as well as a look into the future of MV with an advanced peek at upcoming models such as the brand new 2008 F4 RR 312 1078 and Brutale 1078 RR. To compliment the new bike highlights, MV Agusta will also organize a very special MV 75 watch display from renowned watchmaker JeanRichard. This exclusive look at MV Agusta will all be helmed by one of its greatest legends, Giacomo Agostini, on hand to receive a very special Legend of the Motorcycle concours honor.

Read "JEAN RICHARD for MV Augusta" »

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[ via JeanRichard.com ]

The new 2TimeZones by Jean Richard is made of stainless steel has a JR1000 mechanical movement, comes in silver or black sunray brushed dial, has applied indexes and Arabic numerals (12 o’clock) with luminescent material, has home time and city windows outlined. The caseback is sapphire secured with 4 screws. This watch is a GMT with a 48 hour power reserve, is water resistant to 100 meters and comes with either a calf skin or rubber strap. The shape of the case is very unique and I think it is one of the best parts about this watch.

Posted by JP at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[ via Le Journal De La Haute Horlogerie ]

The watch brand from La Chaux-de-Fonds is enriching its Bressel Flying Hands line with a new variation combining the radiance of elegant and luxurious styling with the subtleties of a finely-crafted proprietary movement.

Complex and mysterious by nature, the orchid is a symbol of grace and elegance that eloquently embodies passion. Tirelessly observed, studied and perpetually reinvented, it has fascinated people since the dawn of time. Transcending fashions, its rounded shapes, flamboyant colours and heady fragrance captivate the senses.

What finer flower could the JeanRichard designers have chosen to enrich their Bressel Flying Hands collection? Only the orchid could be so perfectly associated with the complexity and the finesse of this emblematic model from the watch brand with its reputation for fine craftsmanship.

Read "Jean Richard Bressel Flying Hands" »

Posted by JP at 9:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Europastar

Here is a nice looking ladies wristwatch by Jean Richard.

Posted by JP at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)