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Vegas - 2015 - Issue 2 - Late Spring

Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.

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Fairmined masterpiece masterful watch and jewelry maker chopard embraces ethical, sustainable luxury in its use of Fairmined gold. The watch and jewelry industry can be fraught with ethical and environmental issues, especially when it comes to the mining of diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals. The 2006 flm Blood Diamond brought that reality home— and spurred reform—with its depiction of the criminal activities associated with diamond mining. Now similar reforms are taking place with respect to gold mining, and the luxury watch and jewelry brand Chopard is playing a leading role. In 2013, the company launched its Journey to Sustainable Luxury project, a multiyear commitment to sustain- able and ethical practices (developed with the consulting frm Eco-Age). Chopard has partnered with the Alliance for Responsible Mining—the nonproft, nongovernmental organization behind the strict Fairmined standards for the mining of artisanal gold—and has pledged to purchase a substantial portion of the gold certifed as Fairmined for use in its jewelry. "It is a bold commitment, but one that we must pursue if we are to make a difference to the lives of people who make our business possible," says Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, a copresident of Chopard. Going a step further, about a year ago Chopard unveiled the world's frst watch made of Fairmined gold from South America, adding timepieces to the ranks of ethically sourced luxury items. The case, caseback, and bezel of the L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined watch ($144,570) are made entirely with Fairmined gold—a certifcation that guarantees the metal was extracted in a responsible manner and that its miners have been paid fairly. The 18k rose-gold watch is powered by a hand-wound mechanical movement with a tourbillon escapement and features nine days of power reserve thanks to its L.U.C Quattro technology, which employs two sets of two stacked barrels for consistent, long-lasting energy. A 43mm COSC-certifed chronometer, the watch is also certifed by the Fleurier Quality Foundation for its precision and durability. Just 25 pieces will be built, although Chopard plans further Fairmined watch releases. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-862-4522; chopard.com gold became a type of currency, an artistic medium, and a universal symbol of love. 25 percent of the case consisting of other metals or alloys—materials that make the watch stronger. The materials added to the original yellow gold ingot during the melting process can also lend the watch a pa r t icula r hue. I n precious t imepieces today, the most popular colors are white gold and several hues of pink or rose gold, with yellow gold, although still used consistently, in less demand. White gold is created by mixing the gold with white metals, such as palladium or nickel. Adding copper to the mix produces pink, rose, and even red hues, with the more copper added, the richer and deeper the color. Typically, values of 3N and 4N are assig ned to pink and rose gold, while 5N indicates a deeper hue. (Some watch brands refer to their 5N pink gold as red gold.) In addition, some companies develop their own gold hues —g reen, ora nge, honey, brow n, g ray, even pu r ple —by i nt roduci ng va r ious a l loys. Others add special materials not only to achieve a proprietary color, but also to slow or stop the fading of the color or to aid in preventing scratches. To create certain unique shades, such as black, alloys are not part of the coloration process; instead the color is ach ieved w it h a n exter na l coat i ng by mea ns of elect roplat ing, physica l vapor deposition, or controlled oxidation. For more watch features and expanded coverage, go to vegasmagazine.com/watches . V Chopard's L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined watch ($144,570) is made using Fairmined- certified gold from South America. The brand's top-notch movement powers it with L.U.C Quattro technology. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-862-4522; chopard.com clockwise from top left: From Rolex, this Oyster Perpetual Datejust ($31,300) is crafted in the brand's proprietary 18k Everose gold—which has a dark rose hue that won't fade—and is fitted with an Everose President bracelet. Tourneau Time Dome, The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702-732-8463; rolex.com Bulgari offers this stunning Serpenti watch ($59,000), featuring 18k white gold and a supple white-gold bracelet designed to emulate the look of a serpent, right down to the tapered tail. Bellusso Jewelers, Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-650-2988; bulgari.com From Omega, this 34mm Ladymatic Co-Axial watch ($38,500), fashioned from 18k yellow gold and featuring a yellow-gold bracelet, houses a self-winding movement with a coaxial escapement for greater stability and precision. Bellagio Las Vegas, 702-733-4004; omegawatches.com This Ulysse Nardin Classico Lady watch ($29,100) has an 18k rose-gold case and a rose-gold bracelet and is powered by the UN-810 self-winding movement. Horologio, Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian and Palazzo, 702-733-0016; ulysse-nardin.com vegasmagazine.com  39

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