Marshall Pierce is Proud to be a Leading Watch Retailer.

Congratulations to John Carroll of Modern Luxury

Recipient of the 100 club of Chicago achievement award

Joe Ahern, John Carroll, Jerry Bern, Evan Bern

The 100 Club of Chicago and Apparel Industry Board Inc. honored area leaders in the philanthropic, civic, and corporate sectors at the Four Seasons Chicago. Honorees of the 2012 Leadership Awards include: Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago Cubs Chairman Thomas Ricketts and Modern Luxury’s President, Eastern Division and Group Publisher John Carroll. Guests enjoyed the awards ceremony with dinner and cocktails, benefiting the 100 Club of Chicago.

Photography By: Francis Son
 

MY MOM ROCKS!

Tell us why for a chance to win a Dana Rebecca pendant and Trump Spa Day!

Enter Here!

A Well Done Watch Blog

Watch Collecting Lifestyle

If you have found yourself searching the web for a legitimate watch blog, look no further.  The folks over at WatchCollectingLifestyle.com do a great job of reviewing interesting pieces in real life situations.  Beyond watches you can read about cars, wine, food, cigars or vacations spots.  Check it out!

@WatchCollecting 

The 2013 Oscars!

Wrapping Up Awards Season.

Old Hollywood style was embodied on the red carpet last night! Actresses wore gowns with beads and sequins that made them shimmer like Oscar himself! Strapless dresses were a definite favorite.

Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain wore Armani Privé with intricate bead work and a copper underlay. The effect was stunning because the gown appeared to match the coppery-red of her hair. Jessica wore Harry Winston diamond earrings and a vintage diamond and gold bangle to complete her glamorous look!

Oscar nominee Naomi Watts wore an Armani Privé metallic gray sequin gown with diamond dangle earrings and a diamond bracelet by Neil Lane. Her hair was styled in a loose tousled up-do that let her diamond drop earrings, sparkly gown and diamond bracelet truly shine. 

Oscar presenter Hale Berry wore a black and silver beaded gown by Versace and long black onyx dangle earrings. This former Bond Girl sparkled from head to toe!

Party in the front and business in the back! That was the motto of the jewels worn by Jennifer Lawrence and Anne Hathaway on the red carpet. They both had stunning diamond necklaces that dangled in the back. 
Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence wore a Dior Haute Couture gown with Chopard diamond drop earrings comprised of rose-cut pear shaped diamonds and round brilliant cut diamonds. The conversation piece: a diamond necklace made of diamond beads and round brilliant cut diamonds worn like a choker in the front so that the length of the necklace was just diamonds dripping down her back!

Anne Hathaway wowed us in her powder pink Prada gown with a square neckline and straps that criss-crossed in the back. To further the dramatic look, she donned a Tiffany & Co. stunning diamond necklace that acted as a choker in the front and crossed in back similar to a reverse lariat. Her diamond studs complimented the bold necklace choice and were noticeable with her new hair cut.

55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

BLACK & WHITE

Trend: We saw black and white attire being sported on the red carpet at the Staples Center, accompanied by large earrings and watches to complete a sophisticated style that dominated the theme of last night’s Grammy Awards.

Grammy winner Beyoncé sported a black and white crepe Osman jumpsuit, paired with large diamond earrings and black and white diamond bangles by Lorraine Schwartz.  Her jewelry mimicked the geometrical pattern seen in her jumpsuit, which brought the whole motif together. 

Carrie Underwood who took home a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance, was sparkling from head to toe in her Roberto Cavalli black gown. The real eye-catcher was the 381 ct. diamond necklace she wore by Jonathan Arndt!

Morgan Kibby, singer of the Grammy nominated group M83 for Best Alternative Music Album, was truly a vision! She wore a beautiful white gown and adorned herself in Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry on the red carpet for a refreshing ensemble.
You can find Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry pieces exclusively at Marshall Pierce & Company!

Big Watches! Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes rocked a Bell & Ross Watch, BR 03-92, with his monochromatic suit and tie!  Check it out here!

SIHH 2013 Brand Highlights

What You Need to Know

Baume et Mercier Launches the Clifton Collection.

Inspired by the “golden fifties”, the historic timepiece (second photo on the right) is part of our Baume & Mercier museum collection. The powerful yet delicate lines of the vintage instrument were the source of inspiration of the new Clifton collection.

Classic, refined and urban. Introducing different models featuring different movements, materials, sizes and functions, the soon-to-be-released Clifton collection emphasizes the close bond between watch and wearer. The Clifton collection is perfectly at ease with their urban luxury environment. Ideal for Manhattan in New York City, on the Bund in Shanghai, at work or on a night out, these watches possess the rare ability to add the finishing touches to the look of an educated and proactive man.

Jaeger leCoultre Releases Jubilee Masterpieces. 

Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon 3 Jubile

Master Ultra Thin Jubilee - The worlds thinest manual wind watch.

Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Cylindrique Quantieme Perpetual Jubilee

Screen Actors Guild Awards - 2013

Who Wore What

Nothing was more thrilling than seeing “a girl’s best friend” front and center on the necks of the actresses stepping onto the red carpet at the SAG Awards last night in L.A. Silver Linings Playbook’s Jennifer Lawrence wore a Dior haute couture gown paired with a Chopard Collier Diamond Necklace with a drop: truly stunning! She paired this with diamond stud earrings which are simple and elegant, yet complimentary to the powerful necklace she chose.  

Zero Dark Thirty’s Jessica Chastain was the lady in red wearing an Alexander McQueen gown and a one-of-a-kind Harry Winston diamond “Splash Necklace.” This is a modern interpretation of the collier necklace once again, with vertical accents drawing your eye to the gown. From the movement apparent in the necklace to the movement of gown design, Jessica rocked the sway! 

Glee’s Lea Michele wore a fuchsia Valentino gown accompanied by dramatic purple and fuchsia teardrop yellow gold earrings by Jennifer Meyer. The shape of the earring elongated her face and worked perfectly with her new tresses. 

Another trend on the red carpet: electrifying earrings in bright hues.  The Help’s Viola Davis wore an aqua color Greecian-inspired gown designed by Monique Lhuillier. She wore Cathy Waterman Coral teardrop earrings in yellow gold and a turquoise and diamond yellow gold bangle to complete her goddess look. The warm tones of the coral in yellow gold are the perfect combination for a dress that is as cool and calming as the Mediterranean. 

A Night With Catholic Charities

Gala of the Arts!

Marshall Pierce & Company is a proud supporter of Catholic Charities.  On Friday, September 7 we were present for the 11th Annual Gala of the Arts Auction, Benefitting Emergency Assistance Programs.  This was an incredible event showcasing art from extremely talented people and benefiting a great organization.  

Click here to learn more about The Gala of the Arts and here to learn more about Catholic Charities.

Jerry Bern, Chris Bern, Evan Bern

Jerry Bern Sky Dives with The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team

Wearing his Favorite Bell & Ross BR03-92 Blue

On August 22nd Jerry Bern, Owner of Marshall Pierce & Company, got the opportunity of a lifetime.  Strapped tightly to a member of U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute team Jerry jumped out of a UV-18A Twin Otter aircraft from 12,500 feet.  For the occasion, Jerry wore his Bell & Ross BR03-92 Blue Carbon. 

"I am a huge supporter of the Troops.  This was an unbelievable experience.  I just cannot thank the Golden Knights enough.  What a great way to raise awareness for the Army."  - Jerry Bern

To read more about the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and their amazing mission click here!

Suited Up by the Bird Pre Flight.

Nice Watch!

Oscar Heyman & Brothers Turns 100!

100 Years of Excellence

New York, NY—Every centenarian should look so good! Oscar Heyman & Brothers, the jewelry house renowned for its classic diamond and gem creations since 1912, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year by launching a new look and unveiling the Oscar Heyman 100th Anniversary Collection. 

The company’s founding brothers trained in the rigorous workshops of Fabergé before leaving Eastern Europe for New York, bringing with them rarified skills and an abiding passion for gemstones. Beyond the classic diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, Oscar Heyman specializes in phenomenal gemstones with equally glamorous appeal, including alexandrite, chrysoberyl (cat’s eye), opals, aquamarines, star rubies and star sapphires, all hand-selected for quality and color. Each piece of Oscar Heyman jewelry is ingeniously designed and meticulously crafted by American artisans using the European techniques passed down through three generations of this family business.

Among Oscar Heyman’s many renowned pieces from its 100-year history are those commissioned by such illustrious houses as Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and Harry Winston, as well as the exquisite necklace design for the legendary pear-shaped 69.42 carat Taylor-Burton diamond made for Cartier.

While known as the jewelers’ jeweler—and still creating designs for the world’s most renowned jewelry houses—the Oscar Heyman brand is widely sold under its own name at the finest jewelers around the country.

“We will be celebrating this landmark event throughout the year by launching a new look for the brand, participating in shows around the world, premiering our 100th Anniversary Collection, and hosting special events with our retail partners,” said Tom Heyman, one of the third-gemeration members of the firm. “Our goal for Oscar Heyman’s 100th anniversary, indeed for the next 100 years, is to continue growing the Oscar Heyman brand name.  More now than ever, we are designing and creating for our retail partners’ signature collections, and individual pieces that are coveted by jewelry lovers around the world. Exciting things are happening at Oscar Heyman and in our industry, and we will remain a major force in jewelry design and creation for the next 100 years.”

Every piece is signed and numbered, and the firm also prides itself on keeping an archive with a record of every piece ever designed and made by the company. Should a customer ever lose a piece—even an heirloom from decades earlier—it can be recreated. It’s been done more than once, says Tom Heyman.

Click here for a great article on the history of this incredible company.

Oscar & Nathan Heyman, 1906

Eizabeth Taylor & the Burton-Taylor Diamond Necklace designed by Oscar Heyman for Cartier, 1969

The Heyman family today.

From left to right - Marvin Heyman, Lewis Heyman, Tom Heyman, Adam Heyman

Louis Cairo’s Prized Watch Collection - Michigan Ave. Magazine

Marshall Pierce Client Louis Cairo talks about his watch Collection

As a busy senior partner at Illinois’s largest injury firm, Goldberg Weisman Cairo, Louis Cairo doesn’t have much time on his hands. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t value a distinguished timepiece on his wrist.

For the last 20 years, Cairo has kept track of his professional successes through his luxury watch collection. His “timeline” began when he purchased a gold-and-silver-banded Oyster Perpetual Datejust Rolex after realizing the significance of making professional first impressions. “As I gained success in my career as a trial lawyer, I gained an awareness of the importance of the impression I gave to my clients,” he says. “And my watches, of course, became more of a statement.”

Over the years his collection has evolved and now includes 12 pieces. He’s purchased most watches from his preferred Chicago jeweler, Marshall Pierce & Company, turning to owner Jerry Bern for guidance. “We discuss which watch I just have to have,” he says. “My criteria are really style, look, and practicality.” Cairo’s selection also depends on what grabs his attention while standing in front of a jewelry case of options.
His meticulous standards have led to an impressive assortment of the best on the market: a Franck Muller, a Patek Philippe, a Rolex, three Cartiers, three Breitlings, two IWC Schaffhausens, and a Girard-Perregaux. They all adhere to his aesthetic prerequisites, but more important, they remain a symbolic salute to his lucrative business. “Each timepiece represents a different event or success in my life,” says Cairo. “So [each watch is prized. None, honestly, more than any other.”

While Cairo won’t choose favorites, several of his timepieces have engaging anecdotes attached. He reminisces about a particular 18k gold whitefaced Richeville Chronograph Girard-Perregaux he acquired years ago. “I broke a record for the largest construction negligence settlement ever in Lake County, Illinois. The result was significant enough that I made two memorable purchases for myself: a Girard-Perregaux and my first Ferrari—both classic, priceless items in any man’s inventory of indulgences.”

Cairo wears watches like badges of glory, and each piece is a memento that he proudly sports for almost all occasions, with a few exceptions. “I like to wear my watches for any activity I engage in,” he says, “other than my exotic hunts for big game around the world and, obviously, scuba diving.”

Exclusive Viewing of the Ivanka Trump Collection & Jaeger - LeCoultre Watches

November 29th, 2011 - Trump International Hotel and Tower

Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while perusing the latest jewelry collection from Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry entitled the "Lace Collection." This is inspired by the transparency of vintage lace, the play of light through its delicate pattern, and the intricate ornamentation of Byzantine architecture with its mosaic and arabesque patterns. The line evokes passion, fanciful feminism, nostalgia for modernity and a woman’s power of persuasion through fashion.  For watch connoisseurs, Jaeger-LeCoultre Timepieces showcased rare, highly complicated watches including Minute Repeaters and Tourbillions. Guests had the opportunity to enter a raffle to win a pair of Ivanka Trump 18K White Gold Black Agate and Diamond Earrings and also an overnight stay at the Trump Chicago! 

The 100 Club of Chicago Gives 2011 Valor Awards with Marshall Pierce & Co.

November 9, 2011 - The Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, Chicago

Marshall Pierce & Company could not be more proud to be partner with the 100 Club of Chicago.  It was an honor to present the recipients of the 2011 Valor Award with watches by Raymond Weil.

In 1980, the Board of Directors of the 100 Club of Chicago established the Valor Award to be presented annually to those who by their action performed above and beyond the call of duty and in the highest tradition of their respective departments. This is a highly respected award in that the honorees are selected by their peers. It is the only civilian award that is permitted to be worn on the awardees’ uniform in every municipality within Cook County.

Read more about the ceremony here! 

Jerry Bern and Evan Bern with Illinois State Trooper Nicholas Farnesi, Chicago Police Officer Jenelyn Figueroa and Chicago Fire Department Lt. Andre Raiford and their 2011 Valor Awards are joined by Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy who received a Special Recognition Award at the 100 Club’s Valor Awards Reception and Ceremony.

It’s All Relative: Marshall Pierce’s Jerry Bern Jr. and Evan Bern

JCK Magazine’s Profile of an Evolving Business

“You have to love the jewelry business to be a success,” says Marshall Pierce & Co. President Jerry Bern Jr. The Berns must really love it; they’ve been serving the Chicago market for four generations since 1897. (Their watch and repair business goes back another three generations to Sweden.) Jerry’s dad bought 40-year-old Marshall Pierce & Co. in 1968; today, the Berns preside over two locations—Madison Street and North Michigan Avenue—with the help of Jerry Jr.’s son Evan. It’s an exciting career, says Jerry: “love, money, emotion, and an endless stream of characters from around the world.” What’s not to love?

Click here to read the entire article! 

Jerry & Evan Bern in the Binn Shots!

November 2010 - Las Vegas Magazine

Jerry & Evan Bern ran into Jason Binn at the JCK Jewelry Show in Las Vegas.  

Great father-son picture!

The Best Man for the job

Michigan Ave Magazine presents, “I’ve got a guy”

THE JEWELRY GUY

WHO: Jerry Bern, President, Marshall Pierce & Company

RECOMMENDED BY: Colette Cachey Smithburg, sales associate, Koenig & Strey Real Living

WHY: Smithburg and her family have a long history with Marshall Pierce. Her mother gave her an engraved gold bracelet for her confirmation and graduated pearls when she turned 16. When she landed her first million-dollar real estate deal, she bought herself a Cartier watch, and her husband, Tom Smithburg, worked with Bern to create a custom-designed sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring. “Everyone in my family goes to him,” she says. “My mother and I have a lot of beautiful, unique and timeless pieces. He knows what’s in my inventory and how to pick out a gorgeous addition to my collection.”

HIS SPECIALTY: Finding unique pieces. Bern, a third-generation jeweler, has been in the bauble business for 35 years, selling colored stones, pearls and, of course, major diamonds. “Clients come in and say, ‘Give me Oprah size,’ when they pick out diamonds,” notes Bern. Marshall Pierce recently added the Ivanka Trump Collection, for which their store on North Michigan Avenue will be the exclusive retailer in Chicago. “I love her Art Deco pearl tassels. She designs jewelry that’s beautiful, elegant and stylish, and that’s exactly what we aim to bring our customers.”

See the post here!

Jerry Bern and Colette Cachey Smithburg at Marshall Pierce & Company

The Inaugural “Aviator’s Night Out for Sight”          Midwest Eye Bank & Marshall Pierce & Co.

An evening we will never forget.

The inaugural "Aviators' Night Out for Sight" event was held at the Chicago Executive Airport amidst a backdrop of Marquis Jets, including a G-4 and a Citation, along with exotic sportscars from Lake Forest Sportscars.  It was quite a dramatic venue for this first-time event which attracted over 200 chic guests and raised $25,000 and counting for Midwest Eye-Bank.  Event co-chairs, Franco LaMarca and Anthony Contrucci, also featured a fashion show presented by designers Mark Roscoe, Anastacia Chatzka, Horacio Nieto, Sittar by Gibeon Tolbert and Akira Men.  The gaming tables and delicious food stations from various restaurants, including RL, were filled with happy guests.  Marshall Piece & Company was proud to be a part of this event displaying timepieces by IWC, Breitling & TW Steel.

"The absolute highlight of the evening for me was putting that IWC Big Pilot's watch on Anthony's wrist while he was hanging out in the cockpit of that G4.  He has such an amazing story.  We were just happy to be a part of the evening. " - Evan Bern, Marshall Pierce & Company. 

Click here to read about Anthony Diaz's battle to regain vision.  

Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Launch party with marshall pierce & Co.

Trump International Hotel & Tower

Ivanka Trump was in Chicago recently debuting her fine jewelry line at Marshall Pierce and Company, premiere jewelers since 1928. The store hosted a VIP cocktail reception to announce their exclusive retail partnership with Ivanka Trump. Over 120 friends, family and bauble lovers convened at arrived at Trump International Hotel and Tower on October 11 to toast the jewelry collection.

Before introducing Ivanka, Marshall Pierce & Company President Jerry Bern stated, "When I first saw Ivanka's line, I was astounded. It was beautiful, the stones quality was off the chart, it was timeless and elegant – a perfect fit for Marshall Pierce & Company."

"We waited and were very disciplined for many many years to introduce the Trump brand to real estate in Chicago," Ivanka said. "We took that same approach as we were looking for the right partner here in Chicago to launch my jewelry line and that is very obviously Marshall Pierce."

She launched the line in September 2007, opening a boutique on Madison Avenue in New York City combining diamonds with rock crystals and onyx for dramatic looks. Pieces bear her personal signature and a trademarked coral enamel accent mark each piece that bears her name. There are now many different collections including the Black and White collection, the Bubble collection, the Mixed Cut collection, the Shanghai collection and the Tassel collection as well as a bridal line.

Ivanka Trump & Jerry Bern

Alecia Tank, Ivanka Trump, Evan Bern

Ivanka Trump Gives a Speech