ST. JOHN MAKES TIME
Byline: Wendy Hessen
LAS VEGAS — In the midst of the recent JCK International Jewelry show here, about 100 fine jewelry retailers turned out at the St. John boutique in the Forum Shops to see the first collection of St. John watches.
In between sipping champagne and nibbling hors d’oeuvres, store executives had an opportunity to see the core line of eight styles being manufactured, marketed and distributed worldwide under license by Swiss Army Brands.
Echoing the classic, feminine look of St. John clothing, each style carries a woman’s name. The collections are segmented into casual, signature or couture categories. All watches are Swiss-made and feature stainless steel cases, sapphire crystals and ETA quartz movements with stainless steel or 18-karat goldplated bracelets or leather straps.
The watches will be launched in St. John boutiques, department and specialty stores and fine jewelers nationwide in October. Retail prices range from $450 for a simple casual model to $18,000 for the couture pieces, including one named after founder Marie Gray. The Marie features a clean, square black face and a black stainless steel square bracelet studded with 288 black diamonds.