Q&Q Launch Party

Last week I had the chance to stop by Open House Gallery in Soho where Q&Q watches made their US debut in e-commerce with the SmileSolar watch line.

The event was full of fun from start to finish. The Bumbys were on the scene giving fair and honest appraisals of personal appearance near the front. When I found my courage the male Bumby concluded that I have the heart if a gunslinger, ready to up the stakes in any situation, thanks to my fringed leather jacket! I will take it - and the 9.5 points out of 10.

Upon entry I was greeted by the thumping beats of music being DJ'd by none other than the beautiful Solange Knowles. At the center of the room a giant gumball machine dispensed a mystery watch to attendees who earned a token by taking photos in the back room. 

To keep your energy going truffles from Momofuko were being served alongside a veritable Japanese candy buffet! Seriously the Super Lemons were calling my name especially after my refined sugar fast.

Originally from Japan, the line of watches is solar powered and maintenance free, meaning no pesky battery changes! And if you are afraid you don't get enough sun, a single charge keeps you going for up to 3.5 months! The watches come in a waterproof casing that is made from both recycled and virgin materials. Q&Q was born from the idea of quest for quality with affordable value in 1976. At just $40 a pop the pricepoint is definitely accessible.

In their vibrant pop colors with graphic accents, the watches are decidedly modern. These particular ones are my picks! What do you think of the watches?

Full disclaimer: At the party I did snag a complimentary watch like all attendees from the gumball machine.

Lucky Magazine x ESQ Movado Party

Lucky Magazine and ESQ Movado teamed up to kick off fashion week with an arm party. Bloggers and editors from the glossy gathered downtown at Super Linda for Caipirinha drinks, Mexican soda and light bites while checking out the new ESQ Origin styles of watches. These boyfriend style watches are borrowed from him but designed for her in a tone on tone oversized design that comes in n brushed/polished solid, yellow gold-toned or rose gold-toned stainless steel. I was invited to pick one out to keep (full disclosure: I was gifted a watch and some bracelets) and I couldn't resist the allure of rose gold and the clean lines. There was as bow tie adorned gentleman on hand who was resizing watches with a tiny hammer right at the party.

The fun wasn't over because as soon as I had my new watch on my wrist I got to run through the build-your-own arm candy bracelet bar, curated by Lucky Magazine's Accessories Editor Melissa Lum. I had a hard time deciding which bracelets would best compliment my new watch but narrowed down my choices to a rose bead bracelet, a rhinestone and rose gold swirling bracelet, gold and rhinestone bracelet and rose gold multi-strand bracelet. It was amazing fun sorting through the baubles and I had a hard time resisting the neon friendship bracelets but I wanted to create a tonal and classy look.

Rebecca Minkoff x Baby G Collaboration

One of SRC's fave handbag and accessory designers, Rebecca Minkoff, has partnered with Baby G to introduce a special edition watch just in time for the Holidays.

“I’m so thrilled to team up with Baby-G, because like me, they believe in providing women with classics that have a twist,” said Rebecca Minkoff. “My collaboration watch was designed as the watch for the everyday woman that wants both function and fashion. Watches are a great accessory- I like to wear a rose gold one and it’s just a beautiful piece of jewelry that adds some fun and color to my outfits. Every woman has a go-to-accessory; I designed this Baby-G with this in mind.”

The watch bracelet is a matte black ion treated stainless steel while the face features the Rebecca Minkoff logo and features black rhinestones marking the hours on a rose gold dial resulting in a delicate feminine touch to an otherwise slightly industrial looking everyday watch.

The watch retails for MSRP of $200 and is available at fine jewelers, select department stores, and fashion boutiques.  What do you think of the watch?  While I love rose gold and the matte black elements I am not sure what I think of them together - guess I'll have to hit up a store to see this one in person.

Skagen Denmark: Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

A couple weeks ago I was invited to check out the Skagen Denmark Watch collections.  Although my closet has expanded in multiple categories throughout the years,  I think my watch collection could stand to grow!  I actually only have one watch that I wear nearly everyday so when it comes to bang for the buck I guess watches work the hardest.

When I first saw the watch collection, I anticipated that the high quality and elegant clean Danish inspired designs, the prices would be reflective.  Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised to find that Skagen watches are definitely very affordable with the majority of styles in the $95-195 category with prices topping out at around $300.

The couple behind the company, Charlotte and Henrik Jorst founded their company after moving from Denmark to the United States in 1989 with the goal of creating beautifully designed high-quality objects at reasonable prices.  Judging from the watches that I had a chance to try on and photograph, mission accomplished.  While snacking on some Danish treats including bread smoked in hay, aquavit butter and lingonberry jam I explored the collection.

With so many watches to look at, my eyes didn’t know what to try on first and suddenly the Rose gold mesh watch jumped out and begged to be touched.  Although Rose Gold is only recently gaining popularity, Skagen has been doing rose gold finishes for years and their watches have just the right tone of softly pink metal.  I was also attracted to the ceramic watches in both black and white that are actually incredibly light weight.  I also was a fan of the matte ceramic for a very different feel.  I also tried on a few watches that had more of a bracelet like feel and feature mother-of-pearl.

A couple of my other favorite watches was the very vintage looking bracelet watch that retails for $145 (actually from the Spring 2011 collection). The Bianca Jagger very 70s gold watch that’s so wrong that it’s right, the pinstriped men’s mesh watches and the solar/light powered watches that take energy from both indoor lights and the sun to store them for operation.

Before leaving the preview I also had a brief look at the rings and had a ball creating my own combinations and stacking them in different combinations.  I loved the metal mesh, enamel and shaped stacking rings that were  flecked with little tiny rhinestones.

You can purchase Skagen watches or jewelry online at Major Department or Specialty Stores and Chains like Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Carson Pirie Scott and Bon Ton.  I’m hoping after I come off my temporary shopping freeze to add a new watch to my wardrobe! How many watches do you own?

I Like When Boys Wear Watches

Watches are a nice accessory on men and women. They add an element of polish and sophistication to every look - perhaps because a watch gives the impression that you're responsible and like to be on time.

I know most of us are guilty of using our cellphones to tell the time, but I think it's time to bring watches back. They're practical and beautiful.

Here are some of my favorite men's watches. So fly, they'll have your friends saying, "Nice watch, no homo." Or maybe "Yes homo."


Swatch Roud of Hump, $93.89 & Swatch Full-Blooded Night, $150.00


Nixon The Eqsuire, $170.00 & Nixon The Ticket, $200.00


Nooka Zenh Mr, $285.00 & Vestal Monte Carlo, $164.00
I realize most of these watches are pretty pricey, but watches are a good investment. A quality watch can last you a lifetime. If you're looking for more affordable options, check out Fossil, Timex, and Casio. With a little searching, you can also find some deals on watches from Swatch, Nixon, etc.

This post was requested by a few of our male readers, but now that I think about it, I should probably do a round up for the ladies too. Stay tuned.