Gift Guide - Gloffke

insiDeR
The personalizable Tour de l’ile models, available more widely,
allow you to choose from three metals, two different finishes on
the movements, and a number of different dials — using interactive
touch screens programmed with predefined guidelines — to
create the watch of your dreams.
The fluid contours and original silhouettes of the line are
elegantly balanced, and while the cushion shape of the case
anchors it firmly in tradition, the watch breaks new ground in
many ways. Rather than being just a single solid piece, for
instance, the case was designed in ten pieces, which can be created
in combinations of three metals — pink gold, a noble alloy of
gold and copper used in many Vacheron constantin timepieces
through the centuries; subtle, dark gray titanium; and palladium,
naturally white, tarnish-proof, and lighter and more comfortable
than platinum.
However, the special originality of these watches lies in their
faces, a mesmerizing, layered composition, changing by the second,
whose design is informed by the world’s most sophisticated
security-printing technologies. State-of-the-art movements
(coated with rhodium or ruthenium) are always visible through
a pair of layered, semi-transparent sapphire crystals, which have
been engraved by lasers, embossed, and imprinted with numbers
and microlettering atop a polymer sheet marked with inks that
show themselves only under ultraviolet light. Sprayed-on white
82 AFFLUENT PAGE LUXURY INDEX | DECEMBER 2010
gold microlettering on the dial — the text too small to read
without a magnifying glass — excerpts letters between Jacques-
Barthélémy Vacheron and François constantin from the early
19th century. Graphics are by Swiss artist and frequent passport-
and currency-designer, Roger pfund.
art and cutting-edge technology, fanatic Swiss precision, and
aesthetic brilliance converge in these exclusive dials, with four
patents pending. For the wearer, the depths created by the
transparencies, the striking contours, the subtle interplays of
clarity and opaqueness, and of alternating visible and invisible
elements — as well as the precision markings and the
microprinting — make these watches bewitching to wear,
far outside the realm of the ordinary.
a Vacheron constantin official once noted that wearing one
of the firm’s watches, so distinguished by such sublime handcraftsmanship,
gives “a sense of the Old World and of going back
in time.” it is, he said, “like having a little heartbeat on your wrist.”
as the creator and owner of a Vacheron constantin watch, you
may well feel it’s your very own heartbeat and believe more
firmly with every passing minute that the $29,000 to $70,000
put forth for the privilege was worth every penny.
Vacheron Constantin, 877.862.7555, www.vacheron-constantin.com
Rare coins have a rich and
complex set of factors
the make them popular
with collectors and investors
alike, explains Peter Cabral
of ProCoin. Like the finest art,
wines, and antiques, rare coins
have become popular and exciting
acquisitions.
While collectors have long
been aware of their beauty and
fascinating history, knowledgeable
buyers have found that
rare coins are a great way to
diversify assets, hedge against
inflation, and realize higher returns.
Additional advantages
include: liquidity; portability;
tax advantages; and truly private
preservation of wealth.
Limited supply and growing
demand have added to the
numbers of avid collectors and
savvy investors. And on top of
their rarity, coins have a strong
intrinsic bullion value that is
recognized in almost every part
How can I
preserve $4 million
for my grandchildren?
Advertisement
The client with this question found his answer in rare coins!
The Most Famous U.S. Error Stamp: The “Inverted Jenny”
In 1918, the U.S. Post Office Department issued the first airmail stamp, picturing
a Curtiss JN-4 airplane. It was a 24c bi-color stamp requiring two plates
and two printing passes. Several of the sheets were printed incorrectly with the
airplane upside down, or inverted, but only one ever made it to collectors hands.
All of the other sheets were found and never released.
This copy is known as 24c Carmine Rose & Blue, Center Inverted (C3a), encased in the original locket
created by Col. Green for his wife, Mabel. Green had the Invert, which is from position 9 with a natural
straight edge at the top, placed into the locket back to back with a normal 24c. The invert, which is fresh
and bright, has two trivial corner creases at the bottom from being too close to the edge of the locket at
some time in its past. The gum has never been hinged!
The Colonel had given Mabel other exquisite gifts but the locket must have had extraordinary sentimental
value because, although Green’s stamps were sold upon his death in 1936, Mabel saved the locket until
her own demise in 1950.
of the world. So, unlike paper
investments, coins will never
be worthless!
Considering their many
favorable qualities, it becomes
clear that a carefully selected
holding of rare coins has
tremendous appeal. It is important
to remember, however, that
numismatics is a highly specialized
field. When choosing
the right coins for a portfolio,
knowledge is vital and working
with an expert is key.
Each grandchild will receive
a small package, about the size
of a deck of cards, valued at
over $1 million!
With 25 years experience in
fine art and collectibles, and
specializing in rare U.S. coins
and stamps, ProCoin is proud
to assist its clients achieve their
goals and build relationships
that last generations. (866)
472-8126 Info@ProCoin.com
Peter Cabral
info@ProCoin.com
President, ProCoin, LLC
P.O. Box 7238
Capistrano Beach, CA 92624
(949) 429-8150 or (866) 472-8126
FAX (949) 340-5478