Kate Winslet: Hollywood’s brightest star talks watches with JB

by charlene_voisin | July 1, 2013 9:00 am

By Jacquie De Almeida

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You may have noticed a certain Academy Award winner on the cover of this issue of Jewellery Business. From the moment Kate Winslet tipped her wide-brimmed hat upward in Titanic and revealed her character, Rose DeWitt Bukater, she’s remained one of Hollywood’s most celebrated leading ladies. With a slew of awards, including an Oscar and three Golden Globes, Winslet is an unstoppable force on the silver screen, as well as a celebrity endorser. In 2010, Longines named her one of its brand ambassadors. Jewellery Business caught up with the Hollywood headliner for an exclusive look at her work with the Swiss brand and why her first watch ever holds such special meaning.

[2]JB: What does it mean to be a brand ambassador for Longines and how do you view your role in its legacy?
KW: I love working with Longines. Before becoming an Ambassadress of Elegance, I had been a fan of their watches for a long time, so I was happy to become a member of the Longines family.

JB: What does a timepiece say about a woman’s sense of style?
KW: A timepiece is a symbol of togetherness and style, practicality and elegance. Longines is unique in its ability to combine all of these elements in the women’s collection. I am not a fan of overdoing jewellery or accessories of any kind. Simplicity and subtlety are really important to me, and therefore, if I am wearing a watch, it needs to serve its purpose and look and feel as though it goes hand in hand with my daily life. I think it is the same for many women. Watches are a reflection of a sense of style. Whether it is ornate in design, or more masculine and functional, it can so often be a reflection of a woman’s attitude to life.

JB: What appeals to you in a watch? Is it about the technology or the look?
KW: For me, a watch is about reliability and elegance—being effortless and cool. And I really like watches with a big face and a leather strap.

JB: How many watches do you own/wear?
KW: I own three watches, all Longines. One of them is actually a vintage Longines watch that I found at a flea market in Paris. I smashed the face by accident, as the glass was so old, but I managed to find a watchmaker who fixed it up for me. It’s beautiful—smoke-black strap and a rectangular face.

JB: What was your first watch? Is there a story behind it? Do you still have the watch?
KW: My dad gave me my first ever watch. It was a birthday present when I was seven years old. Alas, I don’t have it anymore, but I remember being so thrilled with it, as it was a very specific gift he had chosen to give to me that was just from him. It wasn’t a joint present with my mother, so it sort of made me feel really special, as all birthday or Christmas gifts were given from the entire family to an individual child. So this was a different experience. He had really taken the time to think about the gift”¦ it was lovely.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/features/kate-winslet-hollywoods-brightest-star-talks-watches-with-jb/

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