Baselworld 2017: Fabergé Debuts New Jewels And Timepieces
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Previewed The Latest Collections And Interviewed CEO Sean Gilbertson
2017 was Fabergé’s fifth year at Baselworld, the world’s most important trendsetting show for watches and jewellery. True to form, the brand’s jewellery collections continue to draw on its rich Russian history, which saw the iconic Imperial Easter Eggs created by Peter Carl Fabergé for the royal family until 1917.
Fabergé “Emotion” diamond bangle, Dhs 36,730
The new Emotion jewellery line interprets the egg motif as diamond or gem-set terminals in its range of bangles. Other jewels include new releases within the opulent Heritage collection, with intricate egg locket pendants opening to reveal animals ranging from monkeys to cockerels (clients are also able to customise the egg with their animal of choice).
Fabergé “Emotion” gem-set bangle, Dhs 29,385
Despite only launching its timepieces range a few years ago, Fabergé has already won the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève two years in a row; firstly for the 2015 Lady Compliquée timepiece and then for its Dual Timezone collection in 2016. Under the pioneering guidance of its dynamic Worldwide Head of Timepieces Aurélie Picaud, Fabergé has launched the Lady Libertine watch collection for 2017.
Bazaar sat down with Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Fabergé, to preview two of the Lady Libertines. Both feature an aerial view of either Zambia or Mozambique, where Fabergé sources many of its emeralds and rubies from respectively. The Lady Libertine I model depicts the Zambian landscape using a rough emerald crystal and is therefore absolutely unique, with a matching price tag of US $122,500.
Fabergé’s “Lady Libertine I” 2017 Timepiece
Sean told Bazaar that he contributes the brand’s success due to the energy and spirit of their young and talented team. “Aurélie is a key example,” Sean explains. “She has the drive and energy to do things in a different way, and in two years has as many Grand Prix feathers in her cap by not going about things in a conventional form.”
As for the Middle East, Fabergé has exciting plans afoot for their single biggest market with collectors of both present-day and pre-1917 Fabergé jewels, timepieces and objects. His lips are sealed for the time being, but Fabergé clearly has its eyes set on an increased presence in the region. “We are not a ‘me-too’ luxury brand,” Sean says. “Fabergé’s highly customised and niche approach is exactly what our clients in the Middle East want.”
Watch this space…