Nicola Benedetti unveils violin-inspired watch

VIOLINIST Nicola Benedetti has unveiled a watch inspired by her Stradivarius violin.
Nicola Benedetti unveiled the watch at jewellery store Chisholm Hunter in the Silverburn shopping centre near Glasgow. Picture: HemediaNicola Benedetti unveiled the watch at jewellery store Chisholm Hunter in the Silverburn shopping centre near Glasgow. Picture: Hemedia
Nicola Benedetti unveiled the watch at jewellery store Chisholm Hunter in the Silverburn shopping centre near Glasgow. Picture: Hemedia

The £1,695 timepiece was designed in collaboration with Swiss watchmakers Raymond Weil, for which she is music ambassador.

Only 500 of the special edition timepieces have been made, and they feature an 80-diamond bezel and 11-diamond dot dial.

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The watch was unveiled at jewellery store Chisholm Hunter at Silverburn shopping centre near Glasgow today.

Benedetti said: “This collaboration is my first brand partnership. Historically the Raymond Weil family has been a dedicated supporter of music and the arts and CEO Elie Bernheim has a true understanding of its power.

“I am thrilled to partner with a company I feel so aligned with on so many levels.”

The violinist, born in West Kilbride, shot to fame in 2004 after winning BBC Young Musician of the Year at the age of 16.

She subsequently won the Top Scot award in 2005 and has gone on to become a well-renowned performer on the classicla music scene, recording nine studio albums to date.

The watch is part of the new “toccata” collection and features a chocolate brown satin strap and contrasting anodized dial that is inspired by the hues of Benedetti’s 1717 Stradivarius violin.

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Mr Bernheim, who designed the watch in collaboration with Benedetti, said: “We first met Nicola approximately three years ago at the Classic Brit Awards and immediately became inspired by her extraordinary talent as a musician and wonderful philanthropic work.

“It has been a joy to collaborate on the design process with Nicola and we look forward to the retail launch of her special edition toccata in September.”

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Benedetti is due to perform an 11-date tour of the UK and Ireland with cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and a group of ensemble musicians from September 17-30.

The programme, specially curated by Benedetti, is inspired by the spirit of Italy and her own Italian heritage.

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