I have a confession to make: about two years ago, I fell in love with watches. 

I hadn’t worn any for decades but, that holiday season, my husband bought me a designer watch and I immediately discovered its dual advantage: the beauty of this accessory and the functionality of knowing time (and never having to worry about a dead phone or needing to look at the phone at all, for that matter). 

I’m not talking about digital watches — I’m all about the exquisite designer pieces that are a fashion statement, a staple, a treasured object.

And so my collection of watches was born. I wasn’t planning on having dozens of them. Instead, I was building my own very special trove for various occasions: daywear, special occasions, important business meetings and one-of-a-kind collector items.

That’s why this spring, when I heard that Longines (one of my favourite brands since childhood) introduced its new Mini DolceVita models, I was absolutely thrilled. 

This gorgeous collection is unique because it features a double tour strap, and the Mini DolceVita is an extension of the Longines DolceVita family. 

Presented in a stainless-steel rectangular case with high-precision L178 quartz movement and water resistant up to 3 bar (30 metres), the Mini DolceVita is as modern as it is timeless. It is available in six colour variants: black, beige gold with ivory topstitching, pink, red, orange and green.

Longines is proud to include the Swiss Made mark on all of its watches. This simple wording guarantees a standard of quality that has been established over many centuries and is today a world-renowned symbol of excellence. 

This exquisite piece features scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, with several layers of anti-reflective coating on both sides. The details are exceptional with painted Roman numerals and indexes for the hour markers. 

And the double tour strap is absolutely unique, making this a stunning addition to any outfit, be it formal, semi-formal or business casual.

What made this collection extra special for me is that Longines worked with Kate Winslet on the brand campaign, and I had interviewed Kate Winslet back in 2013.

And so when I selected the green watch and the brand sent it to me, I knew I had to do something special with this beautiful timepiece. I got in touch with my favourite team of creatives and did the photoshoot at one of my favourite hotels in the city: the Ritz-Carlton Toronto. I love glamour, so the entire look for this photoshoot was built around Longines’ motto that Elegance Is An Attitude.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind present for someone special in your life (or yourself), then this watch should be on top of your list. And let me just tell you — it’s bound to make someone very happy!

Longines Mini DolceVita series retails between $2,200 and $4,900. 

Credits

Location Courtesy: The Ritz-Carlton Suite at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

Hair by Jorge Joao and Rachel Kernohan 

Makeup by Arabella Trasca 

Photography by Tara West