What Makes our Swiss Timpieces so 'Fine'

by Carlos Colmenero, Fink's Jewelers, Store Manager at The Streets at Southpoint, Durham, NC

Time to ‘Blog’ my marketing director says ... Hmmm, what to write about? How about a passion of mine, fine timepieces. To me a nice wristwatch is like a great cigar after a steak at Ruth’s Chris ... it just gets my juices flowing! Seriously.

I can remember coming to this company about 6 1/2 years ago. I had only sold watches like Seiko, Citizen and Movado just to name a few. Nice watches, don’t get me wrong. The difference is how they are made, mass production vs. mass inspection. I've learned that a watch connoisseur would rarely settle for a watch that is not self-winding if given the choice.

It’s not just the name of the brand, but how the watch is made that is so sexy! The great thing about my job is I get to visit these beauties EVERY DAY!! We carry watches like Patek Phillippe, Rolex, Bretling, and many more. Watches that take 8 months to make from start to finish. I guess the craziest thing about selling nice timepieces is that 95% of people in America don’t own a watch over $500. All the watches we have in our store are over $500, so I always say I live in a warped universe.
The reality is, the watches tend to be more expensive just because there is a lot more hands-on craftsmanship. For instance, Breitling sends every one of their watches to a test facility in Switzerland called the C.O.S.C where they are unbiasedly re-tested to ensure perfect accuracy. They have to be accurate to -4 to +6 seconds a day for self-winding, automatic timepieces. They also created the first and only quartz watch that is C.O.S.C certified, (the C.O.S.C. had never given the certificate to anyone for a quartz watch because they are usually pretty accurate at +,- 30seconds a year. That’s pretty good timekeeping but for a battery operated watch, very common). They have the ‘superquartz technology that is accurate to within +,- 3 seconds a year… the most accurate timepiece in the world!

Myself, I like the old fashioned way of keeping time. Besides, Marc Fink won’t mind if I’m 6 seconds late, (ya right!) Just think, A watch that has no battery… just running off the movement of your wrist! I heard someone once say, "It’s like a tiny miracle going on in there!" and it’s true. It is old-world craftsmanship that propels the watch….the meticulous love of a watchmaker painstakingly putting together an instrument that contains in some cases over 500 individual parts! Wow.

The part I love the most is just the feeling you get when you wear them. You know you have a great timepiece when you want to wear short sleeves when it is 35 degrees outside! You’re either crazy ... or in love with time! I have many clients and friends who have great watches. Some have a watch for different outfits. Others have just one that they love.

The truth is whether you spend $500 or $50,000, watch making and watch buying are precious arts. The right watch says a lot about you, but does not define you. As a guy especially, it is one of the few things you can get away with these days. They might be able to question the earring in your ear ... but never the timepiece on the wrist!

Carlos has been in the jeweler industry for 12 years, over half of that with Fink's. He and his beautiful wife Lori have been married for 10 years and have a superstar son, Kobe and a baby daughter, Avery.

Goods for the Guys

by Rhonda Anderson, Fink’s Jewelers, Sales Associate, Chesterfield Towne Center, Richmond, VA

Men can be daring, stylish, elegant and professional. Through diverse looks and options, the David Yurman Men’s Collection has a style for every man.
Every man can fit jewelry into his lifestyle, he just has to know who he is and what looks he can handle. That’s why Saturday, November 1, 2008 Fink’s at Chesterfield Towne Center is hosting a spectacular Men’s Trunk Event. Men’s jewelry is a rapidly growing trend that gives men the opportunity to truly express themselves. David Yurman’s son Evan has introduced many distinctive designs with different textures such as Seahorse, Alligator, Rhinoceros and Sea Urchin, which shows a love of nature and craftsmanship. Hollywood celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Usher and many others have even been seen wearing his fine quality jewelry! Evan says, “Our jewelry is for a man who knows what works for him, who understands design and quality.” The collection features stylish dog tags, sterling silver heavy link chains, bracelets and rings with rare stones.
It also includes black diamonds, titanium and watches. . .something for everyone! We are so excited about this event and think you will be excited to see the new collections too. A David Yurman representative will be on hand to help present this collection and help each guy find his style. Please come in and see what’s new in store.

Rhonda Anderson is a Sales Associate at Fink’s Jewelers Chesterfield Town Center and the David Yurman diva in her store. She is a 10 year jewelry industry veteran.

The Pink Ribbon Gathering

by Sarah Floyd, Fink’s Jewelers, Sales Associate at 419 at Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA

This week marked Roanoke’s 11th annual Pink Ribbon Gathering. This American Cancer Society fundraiser is a project that the Fink family whole-heartedly supports and Marc Fink has actively backed it for years, hosting a table at the event as well. In the past Fink’s Jewelers has partnered with Mikimoto, Cartier, John Hardy, Roberto Coin and David Yurman for this event.

The Pink Ribbon event began as a Pink Ribbon Tea to raise fund for the local American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. It was hosted in the basement of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Ladies came in hats and white gloves to support this great cause. A fashion show of Discovery Shop fashions served as entertainment and a group of volunteers made sandwiches, tea and sweets. In the first year almost $10,000 was raised.

Over time, with excellent volunteer leadership, the event has expanded and grown into a large luncheon. The Pink Ribbon Gathering is now hosted at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. Over 600 attendees participate in the event. The luncheon includes a pre-Gathering time, gourmet lunch, fashion show, jewelry giveaway and a speaker.

Fink’s sponsorship has grown as well. This year we donated 100 gift bags containing jewelry, Fink’s Jewelers Gift Cards and one bag had a grand prize in it from a vendor partner. This year David Yurman and Fink’s are donating a necklace and earring set from the Pavé Quatrefoil Collection! No wonder the gift bags sell out before the day of the event! Proceeds from the gift bags are donated in full to the American Cancer Society to help find a cure for and contribute to the fight against breast cancer.

At 2007’s luncheon Janie Fink, author and survivor shared her incredibly funny and moving journey through cancer and beyond and received an enthusiast standing ovation from the crowd.


Annually, this event nets over $55,000 for the American Cancer Society breast programs and services. To find out more about the 2008 event that took place October 20, please go to www.pinkribbonroanoke.org.

Sarah Floyd has been in the jewelry industry for 27 years, the past 10 with Fink’s first as manager at Towers Mall and 419 @ Colonial Ave. and now as a Sales Associate at 419 @ Colonial Avenue, Sarah has been involved with the Pink Ribbon Luncheon as a committee member and attendee for the past 7 years. She is shown here with a rather handsome Abercrombie and Fitch model and Joy Davis of Fink's SouthPark.

Tags, Not Ties, This Father's Day

By Dan Schaffer
Manager Finks at MacArthur Center Norfolk, Va.

With Father’s Day soon approaching, when my clients are shopping for the man in their life over, I find myself taking them to the Men’s David Yurman case — especially with all the new choices Yurman has to offer in exotic stone choices for men's rings, cuff links, bracelets and dog tag necklaces. These days men don’t have to settle for ties on Father's Day.

I find the new textures in the alligator, the rhino print and the living coral so interesting and unique. Whether you're looking for a stylish piece of jewelry for a man or searching for the next great piece for his David Yurman collection, this season gives plenty of great options, even for my repeat customers who can’t think of a gift for that certain someone.


We also know that the David Yurman client is a collector of sorts so now we can start a collection for him. David Yurman is so special in the jewelry industry because he has continually been able to reinvent himself over and over again and since we live in a more casual society his designs are made to be worn all the time (even the ones with diamonds). So the next time you’re looking for a gift that isn't that "same old same old" come on into Fink’s and let’s explore the newest things that David Yurman has to offer in his men's line.

____

Items featured in this blog:

David Yurman Black Onyx Tag
Black onyx dog tag with sterling silver logo and "925" inlay and Cable trim. Sterling silver chain.
David Yurman Sea Urchin Ring
Sterling silver sea urchin-embossed ring with 18-karat yellow gold DY stamp and faceted black diamond center.
David Yurman Rhino Plate Bracelet
From the Naturals Collection™, rubber bracelet with sterling silver rhinoceros-embossed plate.

___

Dan Schaffer is the manager Fink's Jewelers at MacArthur Center Norfolk, VA. He has been in the industry for 25 years, ten of which he has been with Fink's Jewelers. Dan is GIA Certified in Diamonds and has completed extensive training with Breitling and Tag Heuer. He loves God, family, and golf (in that order).