User:Gilbert MaClain/sandbox

88 RUE DU RHONE is an independent brand of Swiss made accessible luxury watches, launched in 2012 by Elie and Pierre Bernheim. Grandsons of the Swiss watchmaker, Raymond Weil, they have set up the brand in La Chaux-de-Fonds where they produce their collections. The name « RUE DU RHONE » was inspired from Geneva’s street « Rue du Rhône » as well as the river that runs through the very heart of the city.

Watch collections
88 RUE DU RHONE launched its first collection, Double 8 Origin, in 2012. In 2013, it features over 88 Quartz, Automatic and Chronograph timepieces ranging from 29MM to 45MM.

Watch Models

 * Double 8 Origin: Launched in June 2012, Double 8 Origin is the first key piece of the Double 8 Origin collection. Entirely black this 39mm watch displays all of the collection’s signature features.
 * Black Chrono: Introduced in August 2012, the Black Chrono is the first chronograph model that was launched. It is recognisable by the red stitching on its black leather strap as well as its extra resistant matt 42mm steel case.
 * Lucky Lady Diamond: Launched in September 2012, this feminine timepiece features a stainless steel 35-mm case coated in extra resistant black PVD and a shiny alligator-style leather strap.
 * Vibrant White: In January 2013, 88 RUE DU RHONE revealed a more feminine model. Its polished 35mm case is displayed with 88 Wesselton diamonds. The white dial set with an extra 11 diamonds wraps the wrist with a white alligator style leather strap.
 * Automatic Black Shadow: In February 2013, the brand reveals this Automatic model. The 42mm piece features a black leather bracelet, stainless steel case, guilloche dial and monogrammed crown.

Official Time Sponsor of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
88 RUE DU RHONE has produced 50 limited edition watches to commemorate the 2013 British Academy Film and Television Arts awards as its Official Time Partner. 88 RUE DU RHONE also sponsors the inaugural Past Forward BAFTA Art Exhibition, a collection of iconic images taken from the BAFTA archives. The exhibition has been created by architect-turned-artist Kevin Vucic-Shepherd using imagery from the extensive archive of BAFTA (1955-2003) and imagery from its future archive (2003–present).

88 RUE DU RHONE in the World
In July 2012, Double 8 Origin was exclusively launched at Selfridges on Oxford Street in London. The brand is available in North America, the United Kingdom, and Turkey and is represented by over 20 retailers worldwide such as Selfridges, Tourneau, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, John Lewis, The Watch Gallery, Goldsmith, etc.

Key dates

 * July 2012 : 88 RUE DU RHONE was launched in the Selfridge’s “Wonder Room” in London, a 19’000 square-foot space entirely dedicated to luxury items, fine jewellery, watches and wine.
 * September 2012: The brand expanded in the U.K. market by selling their watches via John Lewis on Oxford Street, London.
 * October 2012: 88 RUE DU RHONE focused on establishing the brand on the U.S. market throughout retailers such Macy’s, Tourneau, Lord & Taylor, Ross-Simons, as well as on the Turkish market.
 * February 2013: 88 RUE DU RHONE was launched in Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. 88 RUE DU RHONE offers 50 limited edition watches as official time sponsor of the BAFTA to Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Irvine, Sarah Jessica Parker, Daniel Day-Lewis, Joaquin Pheonix, Juno Temple, Tim Roth and Stephen Fry..