Philippe Charriol hosted an event in Panama during the late months of 2011 showcasing his watches on attractive locals. Four stunning Panamanian ladies participated in a photo shoot for the official launch of Charriol’s newest watch and jewelry collections.

Philippe Charriol Panama Event.

On staff at the gala affair was famous Panamanian fashion photographer, Dario Moreno. He photographed different women, with different styles, accentuating how each unique Charriol watch works with a different look.

Of the four lovely women chosen were two TV hosts, a News Anchor and a Media Personality. These ladies became the first Philippe Charriol ambassadors to Panama, and, were given, of course, complimentary Charriol luxury watches.

The event was held in honor of Philippe Charriol’s newest line of watches and jewelry at the luxurious Trump Ocean Club Hotel.

The Trump Ocean Club Hotel.

This top rate hotel speaks for itself, and was the perfect setting for Charriol’s high-end launch party.

Toward the end of the evening, Charriol’s launch line was presented by his daughter, Coralie Charriol, and the artistic director of the brand to a VIP press audience. The privileged guests who got the sneak peak were allegedly awed by this beautiful collection.

The Philippe Charriol brand recently turned 25. Its success as a company thus far has promoted its expansion throughout the world – from Europe to the Americas, and most recently Southeast Asia. Its new ambassadors in Panama make a dazzling contribution to the brands successes and notoriety on a worldwide scale.

Shaun White, professional snowboarder, on the cover of American Way magazine wearing Charriol Force watch.

Shaun White—gold medal Olympian that is generally believed to be the first and last name in competitive snowboarding—is currently featured on the cover of the January 1st edition of American Way magazine wearing a Charriol Force watch. American Way magazine is the in-flight magazine for American Airlines and American Eagle Airlines.

At first glance, snowboarding’s rebellious counter-cultural style wouldn’t seem to jibe with the elegance of the Charriol brand. Charriol watches have a grace and sophistication that bespeak the cultivated image of the brand’s founder, Philippe Charriol. However, Charriol believes luxury and sportiness can coexist. “I would like to be looked at as creative, energetic and sporty,” Charriol says. There is no better way to describe Shaun White, whose tricks and flourishes on the halfpipe won him gold medals galore at the Winter-X games and the Olympics, and there is no better way to describe the Charriol Force watch.

Charriol's Silver Force Chronograph

Charriol’s Force watch collection was first introduced in 2007. Large, vibrant and full of personality, the series has a unique aesthetic due to the fact that the oval dial is positioned horizontally. This assertively named piece comes in three sizes, running from the small 34mm to the whopping 51mm. It is a self winding quartz chronograph with the movement visible through the stainless steel case back. The bezel is affixed with sapphire blue screws symmetrically positioned on the case front. The watch face has either roman numeral or Arabic hour markers, and the dial comes in mother of pearl, brushed steel or micro-grooved black lacquer. The roman numeral editions come with black, white or camel colored karung snakeskin straps. The Arabic numeral versions come in bold vibrant colors and feature gem settings, with black, white, pink or shimmering plum karung snakeskin straps. Steel bracelets are available for the large and small versions.

Shaun White, aka “The Flying Tomato” and “Chairman of the Board,” has been a competitive snowboarder since the age of seven, when he was given a sponsorship from Burton, a snowboard manufacturer. With his supernatural skill and his flaming red mane, White quickly became the most recognizable figure in the sport—he has endorsement deals with Target, Stride Chewing Gum, Oakley and his own skateboard line: Shaun White Supply Co. His popularity has given the once gritty and outsider-ish sport of snowboarding an accessibility and a broad appeal without compromising the uniqueness of the culture, in much the same way Charriol’s Force watch speaks to a vast populace while still remaining an exquisite work of art and craftsmanship.

Among the invited celebrities and watch connoisseurs attending, Mirar Link ltd. owners Gary and Sara Khoo announced they would be the sole distributor of Charriol products in Singapore. They are the owners of the Spectacle Hut chain eyewear stores. During the announcement Mr. Khoo recalled, “It actually started with us selling Charriol eyewear that brought us closer to Mr.Charriol himself.” Their elation with this new exclusive distribution deal was evident. They are also planning to expand into Malaysia within the next few years with the complete line of Charriol products which will also include leather goods, cologne and eyewear.

Celtica Chronograph

The festive atmosphere was joined by Mr. Benoit Deroual, Sales and Marketing Director of Philippe Charriol International who along with the Khoo’s commenced with the ribbon cutting ceremony. Befitting for this opening ceremony was the golden model of a large Celtic torque that adorned the room reminding all of the ‘Celtic’ influence evident in the newest creation of the Charriol line. This luxury timepiece is the fourth generation chronograph that continues to enamor Charriol connoisseurs worldwide. It is available in 26 and 38mm diameters, the bezel is notched with eight gadroons in steel or a PVD gold two-tone treatment. The watch is set with 32 diamonds, quartz movement and features the new herringbone motif cable bracelet with the patented, Charriol clasp.

Philippe Charriol has become one of the largest luxury watch manufacturers in the world since he founded the company in the early 80s after relinquishing his position as ‘Executive Director’ at Cartier. He expounded on the stellar rise of his company by recalling the ‘early days’ when he started his ‘Luxury Watch’ brand by saying, “It was like jumping from a moving train, you need a bit of craziness to do it.” On November 7th, Charriol celebrated the re-opening of ‘Charriol Corner’ inside the famed Mitsukoshi A8 Department store in Taipei. The event was hosted by actress and model Maggie Wu who became the ‘Philippe Charriol Brand Ambassadress’ for the ceremony.

Although a success story like Philippe Charriol is not common, what does remain a constant is that success and quality go hand in hand. This luxury brand has proven this by providing its clientele with fashionable designs, quality and driven by the entrepreneurial spirit of Philippe Charriol.