Where in the world is Carlos Dias???

Does anyone know where Carlos Dias is? Has anyone heard from the former dictator of Roger Dubuis? Is he working on a secret new project, skiing in the Alps, or examining his head on a long black couch? Since the Richemont Group acquired Manufacture Roger Dubuis last year, the brand has made tremendous strides in correcting its troubled movements and improving overall customer service while Carlos Dias has simply vanished.

Carlos Dias is the founder and visionary behind one of the finest luxury Swiss brands in the world. While a true genius for design and a pioneer of the modern watch industry, Dias was an extremely controlling, maniacal tyrant who struck fear throughout his manufacture while rattling the world of haute horology. With his keen eye for progressive design and his understanding and respect for the history of the watch industry, Dias overwhelmed the Swiss with his cutting-edge concepts. He embraced the exclusivity of luxury, and at the same time, whimsically toyed with the emotions of the fashion elite, most notably in the Asian markets.

A few years ago I had the opportunity of dining with Mr. Dias in Geneva during the SIHH show. As an authorized dealer for Roger Dubuis timepieces for almost eight years, I had developed an excellent professional relationship with Mr. Dias as he was an extremely impressive and refined individual. Talking over a glass of red wine and delicious lamb (his personal favorite), I asked the simple question, “Where do you get the names for your beautiful watch collections?” Dias put his wine on the table, smiled at me and replied in English, “It is really just a joke on the people. First, I gave the people my Hommage. Next, I gave them my Sympathie. Then I gave them Much More, and when they were ready, I gave them Too Much. Now they can all Follow Me.” And follow me the watch industry has.

So where in the world is Carlos Dias? The answer is everywhere. While absent from the forefront of haute horology, Carlos Dias and his Manufacture Roger Dubuis continues to revolutionize the modern watch with his bold and eccentric designs while influencing hundreds of watch brands from Switzerland and beyond. Today, it is amazing to see the power of Dias’ reach of designs, most notably the Excalibur collection whose sleek, grooved bezel has had a global domino effect throughout all price point brands. While people may second guess the leadership and management of Carlos Dias, one may never question the genius and passion of an outsider who pioneered the modern timepiece as we know it.

About David King, King Jewelers

David King is the owner of King Jewelers Nashville who has a passion for watches and writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in English and Chemistry, David and his brother Jono King are the fifth generation to own and operate King Jewelers.

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Hublot, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Roger Dubuis, Swiss Army, and TAG Heuer. With store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast's top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild, an IW Leading Watch Retailer, and offers Nashville watch repairs and watch refinishing. For additional information, please visit our salon in Green Hills located at 4121 Hillsboro Road, call (615) 724-5464, or log onto http://www.kings1912.com/.

3 Basics Ways to Maintain Your Chronograph Watch

The chronograph watch is the quintessential sports watch and one of the most popular complications amongst mechanical automatic timepieces in the world. Invented by a Frenchman named Rieussec in 1821, a chronograph is a chronometric (time-measuring) device which contains a mechanism that allows to stop at least one hand to facilitate reading of the elapsed time. The Greek words "chronos" and "graph" stand for "time" and "writing". Around 1910, the chronograph was introduced as a wrist watch. It quickly became a very sought after type of watch, only to gain in popularity through the years. When the Swatch watch company started the production of affordable and fashionable chronograph watches in early 1990, they sold like wild fire, as did the later versions. Today, with almost every respectable watch company claiming a chronograph within its collection, one can ensure optimal health for their chronograph watch with three simple steps:

1) BEWARE OF THE DATE: Most watch salesman will never tell you about one of the most essential DO NOTS when it comes to chronograph watches, but it is best to NEVER change the date function on a chronograph watch when the time is between the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. Therefore, it is best to change the date when both the hour and minute hands are in the lower half of the watch between the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions (for example, think 6:30). By following this simple step you will eliminate stripping gears within the chronograph movement and provide better precision over time.

2) WIND YOUR WATCH: We all take for granted the fact that most automatic watches are still running when we pick them up to wear, but realize that when you’re not wearing an automatic chronograph watch it loses power and precision over time. As the coil in the mainspring slowly unwinds releasing energy through the power train of the watch movement, it generates power throughout the movement that eventually fades with the uncoiling of the mainspring. As horology improves the power reserve and energy efficiency of movements, it is best to appreciate the fine Swiss movement and wind your watch to ensure full power energy levels… but never over wind your watch!!!

3) WEAR & CARE: The most basic maintance of a chronograph watch, and all watches for that matter, is to wear and care for your timepiece. Think of your chronograph movement as a sports car engine that you need to keep well lubricated and full of energy. It’s best to frequently run these high performance engines, but in the case of timepieces that don’t get much use, consider investing in a good and affordable watch winder such as an Orbita that will wind your watch for you when not being worn and keep all of the oils and lubricants as fresher, this requiring less maintance in the long run.

About David King, King Jewelers

David King is the owner of King Jewelers Nashville who has a passion for watches and writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in English and Chemistry, David and his brother Jono King are the fifth generation to own and operate King Jewelers.

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Hublot, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Swiss Army, and TAG Heuer. With store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast's top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is a member of the American Watch Guild, an IW Leading Watch Retailer, and offers Nashville watch repairs and watch refinishing. For additional information, please visit our salon in Green Hills located at 4121 Hillsboro Road, call (615) 724-5464, or log onto http://www.kings1912.com/.

TAG Heuer selects King Jewelers Nashville as official TAG Heuer E-Shop

Luxury timepieces manufacturer, Tag Heuer recently chose King Jewelers to head its E-Commerce division. The entire Tag Heuer catalog will be available for retail purchase as early as February, 2010. Tag Heuer is the first brand to offer an entire line of luxury watches for secure purchase online. Backed by King Jewelers almost century long legacy of authorized shopping and customer service, this new luxury portal will offers clients luxury shopping in any setting they choose. Browse and shop the entire King Jewelers Tag Heauer Collection at http://www.kingjewelers.tagheuereshop.com/

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. With store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast's top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs. For additional information, please visit our salon in Green Hills located at 4121 Hillsboro Road, call (615) 724-5464, or log onto http://www.kings1912.com/.

King Jewelers Nashville styles Barbara Mandrell for her honorary CMA award

King Jewelers of Nashville, TN proudly styled Barbara Mandrell as she was honored at the 2009 Country Music Awards in Nashville, TN last November. She elegantly wore diamond chandelier earrings from King Jewelers, a marvelous cocktail ring from Kwiat, and a Cartier Tank watch.
Barbara Mandrell was born in Houston, Texas, on Christmas Day in 1948. The oldest daughter of Irby and Mary Mandrell, she demonstrated her musical talent at a very early age: She began playing the accordion when she was five and the steel-pedal guitar when she was nine. In 1960, Joe Maphis recruited her to play in his Las Vegas show, where she was billed as the "Sweetheart of Steel." This led to appearances on Los Angeles' "Town Hall Party" and on NBC's "Five-Star Jubilee."

Twelve-year-old Barbara was invited to go on tour with Johnny Cash, where she performed with some of the top names in country music, including Patsy Cline, June Carter and George Jones. Following the tour, Barbara's father put together the Mandrell Family Band.Being part of that group led Barbara to meet 21-year-old drummer Ken Dudney, with whom she soon began a relationship. Seven years his junior, she attempted to hide the romance from her parents; but the couple was soon discovered, and Barbara's mother forbade them to see each other again. Miserable without Ken, Barbara focused entirely on her music. She recorded her first single, "Queen for a Day," in 1966, and the song became a modest hit. In December of that year, Ken returned from fighting in Vietnam, and with her parents' permission, Barbara and Ken were married in May 1967. In May 1970, Barbara gave birth to their first child, Kenneth Matthew & in February 1976, Barbara gave birth to their daughter, Jaime Nicole. The Mandrell Family Band soon broke up, but Barbara's father helped her put together a new show, and she began to play at local Nashville clubs. In a few short weeks, she signed with CBS records. She enlisted her sisters, Louise and Irlene, to sing and play backup, and together they formed the Do-Rites. Barbara's first No. 1 hit was "Midnight Oil." She worked for years to strengthen female forces in the country music world and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in July 1972. In 1979, Barbara won the the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year award. Following her win, NBC asked her to star in her own musical-variety series, "Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters." The show was an instant hit, catapulting the three sisters to national stardom and bringing country music to the masses. But after two years, Barbara was forced to leave the show due to extreme exhaustion — continuing would have permanently damaged her voice. Still, Barbara went on to win three People's Choice Awards and a Grammy Award. She then put together a successful new Las Vegas act, and her singles continued to top the charts. But on September 11, 1984, Barbara's life was turned upside down. The victim of a head-on collision, she suffered more than a dozen broken bones and severe head trauma. During her slow recovery period, she was given the unexpected news that she was pregnant, and on September 6, 1985, Barbara gave birth to her third child, Nathaniel Mandrell Dudney.

In February 1986, Barbara returned to the concert stage & was still going strong right up until she retired from country music on October 23, 1997. Her last performance was at the Grand Ole Opry house & it was called "Barbara Mandrell & the Do-Rites: The Last Dance". The show was taped & later aired on the cable channel TNN. Today Barbara enjoys retirement with her husband, Ken by spending time gardening & taking care of her animals.

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. King Jewelers features exclusive jewelry designers such as Mikimoto, Kwiat, Roberto Coin, and Charles Krypell, and is an authorized dealer for over forty luxury Swiss watch brands including Bell & Ross, Bulgari, Breitling, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Hublot, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jaquet Droz, Montblanc, Swiss Army, and TAG Heuer. King Jewelers also manufactures their own bridal creations to ensure the finest quality and the best prices. For additional information, please visit our salon in Green Hills located at 4121 Hillsboro Road, call (615) 724-5464, or log onto http://www.kings1912.com/.

King Jewelers offers expert jewelry and watch reapirs... and now sunglass repairs with the addition of the ROFIN Laser Welder

King Jewelers of Nashville, TN recently added a ROFIN laser welding machine to their expert jewelry and watch repair division. The addition of the laser allows King Jewelers to better service and repair Nashville’s damaged eyeglasses, broken sun glasses, watch accessories, as well as fine jewelry.

Established in 1912, King Jewelers has proudly styled jewelry and timepiece aficionados from around the world. A pioneer among independent couture jewelers, King Jewelers has built an outstanding reputation steeped in quality, value and first-class customer service. With store locations in Aventura, FL and Nashville, TN, King Jewelers has won numerous awards as the Southeast's top jewelry store and diamond wholesaler. King Jewelers is a member of the Jewelers of America, American Watch Guild, and the American Society of Appraisers. King Jewelers has GIA Certified Gemologists and offers expert jewelry and watch repairs. For additional information, please visit our salon in Green Hills located at 4121 Hillsboro Road, call (615) 724-5464, or log onto http://www.kings1912.com/. King Jewelers also has the authorized shopping website www.ShopKings1912.com.