LVMH Acquires Majority Stake in Bulgari
In a deal that was finalized last night, France’s LVMH will acquire the Bulgari family's majority shareholding in Bulgari S.p.A. LVMH will issue 16.5 million shares in exchange for the 152.5 million Bulgari shares currently held by the Bulgari family, making them the second largest family shareholder of the LVMH Group. The deal is valued at �3.7 billion, or about $5.19 billion. The offer valued Bulgari’s shares at a 60% premium over its average share price during the past 30 days. The deal will double LVMH’s watch and jewelry business.Paolo and Nicola Bulgari will remain Chairman and Vice Chairman of Bulgari's board of directors. The Bulgari family will appoint two new representatives to the LVMH board of directors. Bulgari CEO Francesco Trapani will join the LVMH executive committee and will manage the LVMH watches and jewelry division in the second half of 2011. Current division head Philippe Pascal will remain on the LVMH executive committee in a different capacity

Panda, meet survivor!
Just swapped out the bracelet for the newly acquired survivor strap and diver buckleSorry for the bad phone pics, will post better photos soon.Thanks to those who assisted

Surprising Friday incoming...
I put my name down for this a while back and the call on Thursday afternoon took me a little by surprise. Still, I wasn't going to let that get in the way so in I went today to pick it up.As always my AD rocked it and provided the touch paper for the evening - a bottle of decent champs and, even more awesomely, a NOS Patek branded Graf Von Faber Castel pen which is gorgeous.

Gondolo
Dear Patek Lovers and friends. I need your advice as I am about to pull the trigger but was presented with another option I was not sure was going to be available for a very long time. This is really a battle of tastes and what would be the smart choice. In my collection I am blessed with RO, ROC, ROO, JA, MILLENARY, 5761, 5711 AND 5712. Many of these watches are sports watches but also work with suits etc. Lately I was bitten by the vintage bug and decided to explore vintage/not so common pieces to satisfy my old soul. I am really tempted to get the PP GONDOLO and was ready to pull the trigger for 22k with an additional black alligator strap (included in the price). I was sitting with my AD ready to close the deal when he said: Look what I just gotWell, he takes out a grey 5980 with a 41k price tag. No tax by the way in any of these pieces. So.... guys... what would you do? I feel I have many sport watches and the Gondolo seduced me with its deco design and would be a vintage piece (

Bi Metal Daytona - everyday watch
Simple question.... do you think a bi metal Daytona can be worn as an everyday watch?Thanks gents.