Time marches on and there is nothing we can do but make the most of it.

 

There is no better way to measure its progress than with Swatch, a well-designed, fun timepiece from a Swiss company.

 

The latest Swatch is called the Sistem51, which is quite unexpectedly a self-winding watch. The mechanical movement has 51 parts, thus the name. It has a 90-hour power reserve and antimagnetic qualities, ensuring that the movement inside will not need any adjustments, in addition to its not needing any batteries.

 

Swatch Philippines celebrated Sistem51’s arrival by turning the new Swatch & Swatch Building on Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City into a mechanical watch playground. Collectors from horological groups, such as Philippine Watch Club, Timepiece Discussion Group, Shangri-La Group and Unique Bisyo, came to check out the groundbreaking Swatch.

 

The invitation was done in stripes; luckily, my favorite designer Criselda Lontok had available an elegant gown with black-and-white stripes and giant roses.

 

Entering the hip venue, I seemed to blend dizzily with the stripes on the floor to form a perfect match to the colorful and playful Swatch graphics.

 

Hypnotic black-and-white stripes burst forth from the floor beneath the eye-catching Sistem51 display, extending to the corners of the venue. A gigantic blue screw was the focal point of the event area, highlighting one of Sistem51’s main features: a single, central screw.

 

The rest of its key features were displayed on this big, blue screw along with the actual watches.

 

Swatch ambassadors and watch collectors Luis Manzano, Matteo Guidicelli and Chris Tiu were the dashing trio who hosted the event. They got the guests to join theme games with Swatch gifts at stake.

 

Two giant Sistem51 dartboards were set up, while a “5-1” game of oversized dice was also played.

 

Equally enjoyable was the excellent food of Kai’s chef Gilbert, paired with Cerveseria’s free-flowing drinks and dance music.

 

Swatch has more parties in the works; next is the exciting world launch of Swatch Sabel by National Artist BenCab, to celebrate 25 years of Swatch in the Philippines! Happening on Nov. 4 at Swatch & Swatch, this is an event not to be missed.

 

To know more about the revolutionary Sistem51 collection, check out SwatchPH on Facebook.

 

Happy anniversary

 

Happy Skin, a new skin-caring makeup line, is celebrating its first-year anniversary.

 

The brand’s beauty duo Rissa Mananquil-Trillo and Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez shared their love and gratitude with people who have supported Happy Skin, including top beauty editors and friends.

 

The pretty Happy Skin collections were deliciously displayed among the goodies served by Vanilla Cupcake Bakery.

 

The anniversary loot included Eye Need A Miracle Corrector, Shut Up & Kiss Me Lip & Cheek Mousse, and All Eyes on Hue Eyeshadow Palette. All were arranged among the colorful layers at the dessert buffet.

 

Apart from these, Happy Skin also presented its delectable Holiday 2014 Collection.

 

Beauty expert Lourd Ramos gave makeup tips to help women look their best during the Yuletide season.

 

Happy Skin is available at Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La, Beauty Bar and Plains & Prints; visit www.happyskincosmetics.com.

 

Perfect Christmas gift

 

Speaking of shopping, yes, the Yuletide season is upon us, signaling the start of my Christmas Wish List from my hubby Dennis.

 

Since we celebrated our 20th wedding with a “Game of Thrones” theme, I found the perfect gift in Firma at Greenbelt 3.

 

Successfully opened just days ago, “The Trunk Show”—the highly anticipated first artistic collaboration between jewelry designer Wynn Wynn Ong and photographer Alex Van Hagen—had one particular artwork that seemed to be designed for us!

 

Firma, together with Fila, Ralph’s Wines and Restaurante Pia y Damaso, got the works in these two disparate mediums —one through the lens and paper and the other through craftsmanship in gold, silver and gems—and mounted an incredible exhibit.

 

Both share a mutual attraction to trees that are captured through their art.

 

Alex, one of the country’s busiest photographers, has mounted annual exhibits of beautiful landscapes and cityscapes.

 

Wynn Wynn, whose pieces are collected by art and jewelry connoisseurs, enchanted us with her wondrous collection of objet d’art—candlesticks, minaudiers, lamps, delicate wrist corsages and precious necklaces.

 

Wynn Wynn’s stunning works included a collection of glass domes filled with small sculptures and ostrich eggs rich in detail. Each piece exhibits layers of visible and invisible craft-sculpting, wood-carving, painting, and jewelry setting—the tangible result of studious research and her coalesced love of taxidermy, history and archaeological references.

 

She worked on the “Game of Thrones” theme of one of her pieces and that immediately shot up to No. 1 on my Christmas Wish List.

 

“The Trunk Show” collection can be viewed at Firma, G/F, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center.

 

Catch Manila Fame

 

Let me end with a reminder for you to attend Manila Fame, the twice yearly, longest-running trade show for artisans and manufacturers of Philippine products.

 

There is a special exhibit, “Designs for Exports,” by creative designer Budji Layug. Today is the last day, so hurry over to the SMX Convention Center to catch it.

 

Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter or visit www.tessaprietovaldes.com