16 Nov 2010, Posted by admin in Fashion, 0 Comments

48-hours in beijing with omega

I have been on a lot of wonderful trips this year, but I when I was invited by Omega to the launch of the Ladymatic in Beijing I jumped at the chance. Omega was one of the first luxury brands to enter the Chinese market, and now they are reaping the rewards of the Chinese luxury boom. After one of the longest flights I have ever been been on and checking into the hotel, the Omega group headed over to the DaDong Roast Duck restaurant for a traditional roast duck restaurant. From the second I entered the restaurant my American tourist gene kicked in and I felt compelled to take pictures of the amazing set up and food presentation. It goes without saying the duck was the highlight of that meal. Other memorable parts of the meal included the kobe beef being individually torched by the wait staff  and a mango palette cleanser that came with a poem. It was one of the most theatrical meals I have ever had.

The next day we headed to the Forbidden City. I was spellbinded by how expansive the grounds are. Our tour guide told us that emperor’s were allowed to have 300 concubines at a time, and often had hundreds of children (pretty unbelievable). I peaked into the bedrooms of the empress and walked in the courtyards where the members of the court used to spend their downtime.

After the Forbidden City we headed over to one of the Omega boutiques, the largest in the world. The mall that the Omega boutique resides in feels like luxury row–Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin (you get the idea). The Omega boutique was really beautiful (and nothing quite brightens my day like trying on pieces from the Constellation collection.)

Afterwards we headed back to the hotel to be introduced to the Ladymatic, the newest collection for women from Omega. Nicole Kidman, an Omega brand ambassador who is also in the Omega Ladymatic ads worked the runway at the press conference for the watch in a winter white Lanvin gown which perfectly accented the gold Ladymatic she was wearing (also showing off the fact that the watch can be worn at the office, to a black tie event and everywhere in between). Nicole Kidman at the press conference said, “Part of what’s special is that it’s not based on a man’s watch. It has its own presence and its own identity. Not that I’m opposed to wearing a man’s watch every now and then but it’s nice to have something that you can wear with a dress.” The watch is really beautiful but I was particularly impressed with Omega’s marketing message to women–that they have heard the call of professional women out there who are looking for a significant watch to buy for themselves (not just a version of a man’s watch, or a fashion timepiece that simply looks pretty). It came as no surprise to learn that the company had sold three to the Chinese market in the first day of release.

–Leah Bourne