SWAROVSKI and the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing bring you prosperity, joy and good fortune this Chinese New Year with the newest edition of sparkling jewellery and accessories that pay homage to first-class craftsmanship.

A symbol of optimism and honesty, the Pig limited edition displays 698 facets of golden crystal associated with good fortune. The curved, clear-crystal base is inspired by the shape of the Huang Jade fans seen in Chinese art and features the Swarovski logo.

When all 12 signs are placed together, they form a circle symbolising the endless cycle of life.

Designed by Hiroshi Yoshii, the Determined Pig is a treasured keepsake for anyone born in the Year of the Pig. Its stunning pink crystal and playful character symbolise courage and determination synonymous with this zodiac sign.

Finely crafted in rose-gold-plated metal, this flying pig charm is embellished with ultra-feminine pink crystal Pointiage and features a Swarovski medallion, while the key ring and hook mean it can attach to any bag or set of keys.

With its vibrant colouring and 298 sparkling facets, the Pig ornament boasts a cute pink crystal pig and two pink tassels that will brighten up the mood and tone for every Chinese New Year celebration.

Designed around a dancing crystal concept, the Sparkling Dance ring is complete with a round stone inside a 3D cage and enhanced with crystal pave. The Sparkling Dance rose gold-plated necklace features a round dark red stone inside a pave-embellished 3D cage.

Featuring 202 crafted facets and details in golden crystal, the stunning and highly symbolic Hulu gourd symbolises life and new beginnings in Chinese culture and is often associated with happiness and good fortune. Chinese people believe it’s able to absorb negative energy within its surroundings.

The Swiss-made Era Journey watch is water resistant up to 50 meters and boasts a rose gold-tone coated case, a ruby-coloured genuine leather strap, shimmering Swarovski crystal embellishments and a ruby-pink sunray dial.

Find out more at http://www.Swarovski.com.

Symbolic to luck and fortune in Chinese culture, the pig is interpreted on men’s jewellry and a selection of playful charms, including a nappa leather key ring and a handenamelled key ring. It is also featured on the engraved gold plaque of the Intrecciato Checker sneakers, made in a rich palette of Baccara Rose, Deco Rose and Poppy.

Designed for women, the new Luna crossbody satchel comes in deep Baccara Rose hue and is compact but roomy and finished with a distinctive closure and a wide woven strap. The beloved Piazza is made in Baccara Rose as well as an elegant combination of China Red and Poppy.

For smart men, the wallets, pouches, tech accessories, bags, and slipon sneakers feature the tartan dots in varying shades of blue and red. The intricate workmanship, introduced for Cruise 2019, provides a unique threedimensional effect through an exclusive serigraphic printing technique.

Find out more at http://www.BottegaVeneta.com.

Designed for women who need to look smart at work, the apparel makes a statement of timeless elegance through three styles –New Classic, Smart Casual and Vacation and Event.

New Classic is minimal and classic design that every woman should own. Designed with high-quality materials with modern details, the pieces are classic with a fun twist.

Smart Casual is more fashionable and contemporary. The pieces, which can be worn on casual days or working days, give a woman confidence that she is looking good.

Vacation & Event is luxurious and elegant and will look good whether worn for leisure occasions or special events.

The brand focuses on translating the high-fashion languages into valuable products, trying their best to put impeccable cuts, silky fabrics, comfortable fits and reasonable prices into each design.

STARBUCKS IS gearing up for the Chinese New Year with a new collection of porcine-inspired drinkware and collectibles in pink and red.

Designed for hot and cold beverages, the ceramic Pig mug with a coaster boasts a checkered pattern in black and white. The coated ceramic Zodiac Pig mug is embossed with a pig’s face and the Pink Stripes with Pig ceramic mug is paired with a pink spoon complete with yellow flower to hook over the rim.

 Pig mug with coaster, Bt750

The pink Pig ceramic mug comes with a pink piggy lid, while the pink Pig stainless-steel tumbler boasts a pig holding a yellow flower and comes with a leak-proof lid. The Pig Water Globe double-layered plastic tumbler is adorned with a pink pig and a 3D pink flower hovering above a glittering gold dome. It also comes with a lid that prevents leakage.

The Pig Snout double-layered stainless-steel cold cup tumbler is complete with newly designed lid and reusable straw. The Pig transparent plastic water bottle features a black-and-white check jacket pattern and removable silicone pig lid.

Silicone Pig Lid water bottle, Bt580

There’s also the black-and-white striped ceramic teapot with a stainless-steel filter inside and a pink lid topped with a pig-shaped knob, the red Bank Pig ceramic piggy bank in a metallic golden flower pattern and the Pig Bearista doll in a pink zodiac costume.

Find out more at http://www.Starbucks.co.th.

Now Japanese luxury watch brand Grand Seiko is demonstrating this technique in the exhibition “The Flow of Time” running from January 21 to 27 at Central Embassy.

The exhibition includes an installation featuring Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive movement with two Japanese artists teaming up and inviting guests to experience and explore the Spring Drive through two main elements: the Installation “Approach to Time” by Satoshi Yoshiizumi of the TAKT Project and the movie “Kizamu / Nagareru” by Shingo Abe.

A collection of Grand Seiko watches will also be displayed and an expert craftsman will be on hand to demonstrate the assembly of the Grand Seiko movement.

The smooth movement of the Spring Drive’s second hand, which glides across the dial without a sound, brings to mind the natural flow of nature.

Yoshiizumi’s installation features an enormous visual screen that transforms the transience of time into space into which 7 clear objects are neatly lined up. By examining the objects closely, the viewer can see more than 200 watch parts integrated with the constantly moving scenery and creating its own microcosm. The small twinkling spots of light surrounding the parts demonstrate the existence of electricity generated by the parts themselves, Walk along the 7 objects and the parts are formed into a watch movement. The complete watch movement will continue to display time even though it is sealed inside the object: this is where the flow of time never ceases to exist.

The creation process of the watch movement and how it is complemented by the moving scenery shows time in transience. The combination of the moving scenery and the object is an enormous spatial device, where you can experience the philosophy of Grand Seiko embodying the essence of time.

The movie “Kizamu/ Nagareru” by Abe presents the trail of the sun drawing an arch in the sky. The history of timepieces began by “ticking” this natural arching “movement” with time transformed from what used to “flow” to something that “ticks.” In their pursuit for better performance, mechanical watches demonstrated a higher precision with the “ticking” of time. Now time is returning to its “flowing” movement once again.

Multiple exposure captures an enormous number of moments and installs them into one photo while long exposures trap the flow of time into a single image. The collaboration of the multiple exposure and long exposure represent the return to nature approach made possible by the ultimate Spring Drive. The contrast between the “ticking time” and “flowing time” is shown in this piece.

Siam Discovery the Exploratorium is putting out last calls for its personalised festive gift campaign that wraps up on Wednesday.

Designed on the theme “Come Play with Us”, the products on sale make perfect presents for everyone to gym rats, cat lovers, chat addicts and eco-friendly travellers. There’s also a special personalised service that helps customers create a one-of-a-kind gift and a gift-wrapping service that comes complete with a variety of additional ornaments along with personalised messages imprinted without charge.

 Suncoo pet bag, Bt1,850

Shoppers will find limited-edition gifts and more goods in rare collective collaborations with multiple brands. There are leather key chains by Rams Ualay, lucky bags from Bangkok Tale, pet bags and long sleeved jackets by Suncoo, stationery from Grey Ray, colourful knit scarves and a soundwear companion speaker by Bose.

The shopping mall also joins hands with nine graffiti artists to create stunning visual murals on the walls under a “Gift to the Street” theme. PTT Global Chemical Company has used recycled CD cases to produce a giant Christmas tree decorated with glowing neon lights under the concept of Festival of Light.

Grey Ray stationery set, Bt1,425

Shoppers spending Bt2,000 will get coupons to complete the letters in G-I-F-T-T-O and enjoy discounts of up to 50 per cent.

Find out more at http://www.SiamDiscovery.co.th.

IF ONE of your New Year resolutions was to bring a little cheer to your home, you won’t want to miss Ikea’s special offers on selected items in its year-end sale that wraps tomorrow.

Perfect for any living room, the Vedbo high-back armchair boasts a classic Scandinavian design that will fit in with your other furniture, while the Aleby swivel chair that comes complete with adjustable tilt tension to suit all your movements and weight will brighten up your working space.

Kallax shelves, Bt2,490

The yellow Kallax shelving unit adds a touch of sunshine to every room and can be freestanding on the floor, be rolled around on castors or attached to the wall if you need to save space.

The Lovbacken side table has returned as part of Ikea’s Re-imagined Classics collection, while the white Hektar floor lamp ensures you can read wherever you’re sitting and the Lungort cushion in pink and white shade softens harder colours.

 Lovbacken side table, Bt2,190

Made from rustproof aluminium, the Tunholmen chair and table are sturdy, lightweight and maintenance-free making them ideal for the balcony, garden or patio.

Ikea members enjoy an additional 15 per cent discount on all sale items, receive a free 75th Anniversary edition Ikea carrier bag with every purchase of Bt5,000 and munch on meatballs at half price.

Find out more at http://www.Ikea.co.th.

First launched in 2005, the Twelve Series has an ultra-simple display with bold, chunky hands, a dodecagonal glass exterior on the case and no numbers or abbreviations on the dial at all, reflecting Fukasawa’s unique approach to design.

While the original models had a soft look, the new watches come complete with a hairline finish for the bezel, case and back cover to emphasise the texture of the metal and dodecagonal concept and taking the “chunk of metal” style to the next level.

This collection offers a choice between silver metallic and gunmetal grey dials. The silver metallic version displays a stainless steel case and black leather band, while gunmetal grey dial brings together stainless steel gunmetal Ion-Plating (GIP) and dark grey leather band.

Find out more at http://www.TrocaderoTime.com.

FOR MEN seeking a gift to reward themselves this festive season or whose resolution is to always be on time, Hamilton is introducing a series of classic timepieces to mark the beginning of 2019.

The elegant American Classic Intra-Matic watch boasts smoked glass and warm metallic details in yellow or rose gold colours. The focus is on coffee, bourbon and warm grey tones on the dials, with ultra-soft touch leather straps completing the package.

The American Classic Intra-Matic Automatic chronograph comes with its distinctive panda dial and combines authentic ’60s appeal with the Hamilton exclusive H-31 mechanical movement. With classic proportions and sporty lines, it’s a modern reworking of a 1968 classic that’s sure to raise your spirits this time of the year.

Hamilton American Classic IntraMatic timepiece, Bt31,600

For the urban aviator, the Khaki Pilot Automatic 42 mm model brings a festive chocolate-coloured case and a warm sand-hue to the Super-LumiNova detailing. Top off the winter look with a pioneering pilot’s knitted pullover and a leather flying jacket.

Hamilton’s collections are available at CentralWorld as well as at Central department stores at Chidlom, Lat Phrao, Pinklao, Pattaya and Samui plus Robinson Phuket and The Mall Bang Khae.

Find out more at http://www.HamiltonWatch.com.

On the wish list for him are such timepieces as the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea in Oystersteel. Also known as the “Watch of the Deep”, the Rolex Deepsea illustrates the supremacy of Rolex in mastering waterproofness, exceeding the most exacting demands of professional divers since its creation a decade ago. A combination of top-notch elements allows the high-performing watch to be waterproof to an extreme depth of 3,900 metres.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in 18 ct Everose gold” is precise, reliable, robust and functional and takes pride in its status as the watch for long-haul pilots. The watch is designed to display the time in two different time zones simultaneously, with a bidirectional rotatable bezel in brown and black. Carefully designed and thoughtfully created, the GMT-Master II is the quintessential cosmopolitan watch.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 in 18 ct yellow gold is the epitome of prestige, the most exclusive piece in the Oyster collection. Upon its launch in 1956, the watch marked a world first – it was the first calendar wristwatch to indicate the day spelt out in full. Also known as the “Presidents’ Watch”, the piece has been worn by many presidents, leaders and visionaries worldwide and fittingly comes with a President bracelet.

For her, there’s the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in 18 ct Everose gold. Born in 1945, the Rolex Datejust paved its way to becoming the archetype of the classic watch, enduring aesthetic codes. This year, the new Datejust 31 is redesigned. More notably, a new version with diamond-paved dial inlaid with pink mother-of-pearl butterflies was introduced, expanding the iconic collection.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 37 in 18 ct Everose gold is the emblematic nautical watch which embodies the privileged ties between Rolex and the world of sailing. Made of Cerachrom insert with raised polished numerals, the bezel on Yacht-Master is as stylish as it is functional. The rotatable part enables wearer to calculate, for example, the sailing time between two buoys. Additionally, the Chromalight display on the hands allows for great legibility in all circumstances.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Pearlmaster 34 in 18 ct Everose gold is the pearl in the Oyster collection, synonymous with elegance and brilliance. Its gracious lines, supreme refinement and harmoniously contoured bracelet make the piece Rolex’s crowning jewellery watch. Designed with a broader bezel for gem setting, the entire piece is fitted with brilliant-cut diamonds from dial to bracelet.