Get motivated to take on your New Year’s resolution—from getting fit, to saving money, or traveling more—with one of these relevant watch recommendations to help you crush your 2019 goal!

Resolution #1: Get fit.
Watch Recommendation: Omega Speedmaster
Whether you’re training for a marathon or just trying to get back into the healthy groove of working out regularly, treat yourself to a chronograph watch like the Omega Speedmaster. A chronograph is basically a stopwatch and, even better, the Speedmaster features a tachymeter scale, which measures your speed over a fixed distance—super helpful if you’re trying to improve your race time or simply track your progress. (Learn more about how to use your tachymeter here.) Regardless of which type of chronograph you get, though, consider swapping out the metal bracelet with a rubber or NATO strap that makes for easier cleaning after breaking a sweat!

Resolution #2: Travel more.
Watch Recommendation: Rolex GMT Master II
If you’re planning on racking up the frequent flyer miles in 2019, invest in a Rolex GMT Master II. Invented in the 1950s during the advent of commercial air travel, the GMT bezel allows you to read the local time and a second time zone. The Rolex GMT Master is a robust and durable watch that will be able to keep up with your packed travel schedule and easily keep track of the time back home! To learn more about how to set and read a GMT bezel, check out our post on the topic here!

Resolution #3: Focus on self-care and get more sleep.
Watch Recommendation: Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch
A common resolution is carving a little more “me time” in the day. For some people, that means a few minutes of meditation or treating yourself to a relaxing massage, and, for others, that simply means getting some more sleep. To help you clock in a full 7-9 hours of sleep a night, consider the Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch. You’d never know that this elegant watch is actually a smartwatch that pairs with your phone to send you push notifications, track your activity, and monitor your sleep cycle.

Resolution #4: Spend more time outdoors.
Watch Recommendation: Traser P96 Outdoor Pioneer
Breathing in crisp, fresh air has been shown to lower your blood pressure and heart rate and strengthen your immune system, which is why many people aim to spend more time outdoors in the new year. So, to prep for your alfresco excursions, you should check out the Traser P96 Outdoor Pioneer watch. This rugged timepiece was designed for emergency and rescue teams and the most adventurous hikers; its water-resistant features, 10-year lifespan, and trademark self-illuminating Trigalight technology signature to the Traser brand all make it perfect for an experience as adventurous as you are. The P96 Outdoor Pioneer watch is a reliable bit of camping equipment to have in your pack.

Resolution #5: Save more money.
Watch Recommendation: Consign Your Current Watch
If you’d rather save money than spend it in the new year, consider pulling out that old watch that’s been sitting in your dresser drawer and start putting it to work earning money for you! Consign or list a watch that you’re no longer wearing with TrueFacet and you can earn 80% of the list price. Take your payout and squirrel it away for a rainy day—or, hey, another watch in the future!

Roosmarijn de Kok’s modeling career began at, of all places, a dinner party. A model friend ofRoosmarijn (or Roos, pronounced rose, to her family and friends) snapped a photo of her and sent it off to a modeling agent in New York City. The agent quickly asked Roos to come to New York and sign with the agency.

What was supposed to be an adventurous gap year between high school and majoring in economics and business at university, grew into a serious modeling career for the young Roos. Since moving to New York, Roos’s beautiful Dutch face has graced campaigns for international fashion houses like Balmain and Tom Ford. But Roos’s career really took off when she was invited to walk in the exclusive Victoria’s Secret Runway Show, a kind of It-girls club for the modeling elite.

Aside from her wildly successful modeling career, Roos is a female entrepreneur. She recently founded Roos Unlimited, an impressive investment portfolio of smaller brands, like Thursday Boot Co. and Van Leeuwen, that Roos supports and actively collaborates with. Through Roos Unlimited, Roos is also highly involved with the non-profit charity: water.

Charity: water’s mission is to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. Roos recently partnered with the charitable organization by sponsoring a birthday well, asking friends and family to donate to charity: water to fund a drinking well in lieu of gifts.

Inspired by her passion and entrepreneurial spirit, TrueFacet connected with Roos to support her and charity: water’s cause. Together, TrueFacet and Roos have created a special collection of jewelry and watches, hand-picked by Roos, with 100% of TrueFacet’s proceeds benefiting charity: water. We sit down with Roos to discuss her work with charity: water and why the cause inspired her to contribute—plus her favorite pieces from her specially curated collection!

1. How did you connect with charity: water?
For me it’s really important when I donate or work closely with a charity to know they are 100% transparent with their expenses and that 100% of the money that is donated will go directly to the cause for which it was raised. When I was researching charities, charity: water kept reappearing as one of the best run non-profits and when I asked my friends, one actually knew the founder and connected me!

2. What about their cause resonated with you?
Besides the fact that 100% of the donated money actually goes to building a clean water well, I personally think clean drinking water is such an underrated luxury. People can go without food for 10 days but clean drinking water is such a necessity and it drives me insane to think so many in this world still don’t have access to it. I couldn’t imagine having to walk eight hours a day to get access to water.

3. What are your favorite jewelry or watch pieces within this Roosmarijn de Kok x charity: water curated collection?
I love the Love Collection from Cartier— can’t go wrong with that. The rest of the pieces I picked are mostly rose gold (“roos” gold) and very classic pieces that you can wear for all occasions.

4. What pieces of jewelry do you never leave the house without?
Gold hoop earrings!

5. What is at the top of your jewelry or watch wish-list?
I was planning on getting myself a rose gold Patek Philippe watch but I think it’s more important to donate money right now to my charity campaign. I’m thinking of buying myself something smaller for my birthday like a rose gold Love Bracelet from Cartier, so probably those two! I’m still young so I’m sure I will have plenty of opportunities in my life to collect the best pieces of jewelry that I love the most.

Shop this curated collection of watch and jewelry finds, thoughtfully selected by Roos, and TrueFacet will donate 100% of its proceeds* to Roos’s charity: water birthday well.

There is a noticeable difference in the how millennials shop compared to past generations—from preferring experiences and travel over material goods to seeking out socially-conscious brands over legacy names. And these modern tastes have translated into new “traditions” in jewelry shopping and gifts. Here we take a look at emerging trends and what young couples are swapping this holiday season!

Trend #1: Unbranded and vintage jewelry is on the rise.
Historically, couples largely preferred going to “big box” stores and well known jewelers (think Cartier, Harry Winston, and Tiffany & Co.) for any jewelry gift. More recently, couples have not been so hung up on brand names for their jewelry. Here at TrueFacet we’ve seen a marked uptick in unbranded and vintage jewelry purchases year over year.

Why? Because, across the board, luxury brands are not capturing the attention—and spending dollars—of millennials who are more taken with brands that speak to their personal lifestyle than legacy brands whose high price-tag is not just about quality materials but exclusivity. In turn, we see millennials shopping for more unbranded or vintage jewelry that suits their individual style and has more of its own history, too.

Trend #2: Women are buying more men’s watches for their partners.
In Europe, and particularly in France, it’s very common for women to give their new fiancé a handsome watch upon receiving their engagement ring. This tradition is making its way stateside as couples exchange jewelry or timepieces, instead of the woman only receiving a diamond ring. It’s a romantic way for couples to commemorate the moment and surprise each other with a thoughtful and deeply meaningful gift.

Trend #3: Colorful and semi-precious gemstones are the new diamonds.
While diamonds will probably always be the go-to center stone choice, colorful gemstones are an increasingly popular option for engagement rings.

Millennial couples are looking for engagement rings layered with even more meaning and feel uniquely “theirs.” Naturally, they’re seeking out non-traditional stones and settings for their dream ring and gravitating towards Fancy Color diamonds and semi-precious gemstones like blue topaz, morganite, or citrine. Even gemstones with symbolic or healing properties (like rose quartz, which is known as the love stone, or garnet, the stone of health and creativity) are more commonplace now than they have been in the past decade.

Trend #4: Couples regularly shop together.
In the past it was the “man’s duty” to covertly and independently find the dream engagement ring. Today, couples have zero qualms about shopping together for any piece of jewelry.

Shopping together definitely alleviates the stress of nailing the right size and perfect cut, setting, and style of the ring. But more importantly, younger couples consider ring shopping in particular the first step of their collaborative wedding planning (a responsibility that was usually assumed by women exclusively).

Trend #5: Pre-owned jewelry is quickly growing in popularity.
Pre-owned jewelry has a bad rep, believed to have the “bad juju” of broken engagements or, at the very least, were simply unwanted by the previous owner.

However, consumers across the board are more familiar than in the past about how not every “new” piece of jewelry is necessarily made with a freshly-mined diamond or gemstone. In fact, stones can be taken from earrings, necklaces, or a dated design and re-set into a modern ring.

And budget-conscious millennials are shirking these staid beliefs and realize they can get more bang for their buck with pre-owned jewelry. Shopping for pre-owned rings allows younger couples to save thousands on their dream ring or to upgrade to a larger stone size without eating into their budget.

For more on modern and alternative engagement rings, check out our post here! 

A common question we get at TrueFacet is, “How do I know if a watch will fit me?” Here is a video tutorial to show you how to measure a watch and understand the key measurements that may influence the overall fit of your watch.

To summarize, there are three key watch measurements will affect how your watch fits you:

Watch Case Diameter
The watch case diameter is the width of the watch, as if you were to place a ruler across it from the 9 o’clock to the 3 o’clock. The diameter is measured as the full width, from the bezel edge to the opposite bezel edge, but does not include the crown.

Watch Case Thickness
The case thickness is how big or slim the case is if you were to look at the watch from the side. Watch case thickness is usually just a personal preference, some wearers prefer a thinner case that can slip under a button-up or suit jacket while others like the impressive look of a thicker watch case.

Bracelet Length and Wrist Size
Perhaps the most important watch measurement is the length of the watch band so it sits comfortably on your wrist. The golden rule for how tightly a watch should sit on your wrist is: the watch should not slide up or down more than an inch when you move your arm. That said, some wearers simply prefer a looser fit (like Max in the video) while others like the secure feeling of a tighter fit.

To measure your wrist size for your watch:

1. Print and cut out TrueFacet’s Wrist Sizer. (Download link here.)

2. With the number markers on the outside, curl the wrist sizer in a circle and carefully insert the pointed end just through the small opening.

3. Place your hand through the wrist sizer and gently pull the pointed end through the slit until the wrist sizer fits comfortably around your wrist.

4. The number that lines up with the arrow is your wrist size. If the measurement is between two sizes, refer to the larger size.

The watch on your wrist says a lot about you. It demonstrates your taste and your style, and maybe even your hobbies. While it’s nice to own a legacy-type watch brand (think Rolex, Omega, and Audemars Piguet), there are a host of really impressive, relatively inexpensive Swiss watches on the market that modern and new collectors should investigate. Here we round up our five favorite impressive and affordable Swiss brands to consider as you gear up to buy your first watch!

Oris Big Crown

Oris offers diving watches, auto-inspired watches, and a host of specialty watches. However, its pilot and aviation-inspired timepieces are stealing hearts around the world, thanks to their vintage-inspired dials and easy readability. The Oris Big Crown is a particular favorite as it comes in a variety of dial colors, including forest green, khaki green, blue, and silver. The watches feature the oversized crown that harkens back to the Oris pilot watches first made in 1938. The watches house automatic movements and feature a right red pointer date hand. Even better: they are offered in stainless steel or in the more coveted bronze cases. They retail new for just about $2,000, but this is such a classic watch, that you should be able to find a great second-hand model.

Tag Heuer Formula 1

If you love racecars and automotive sports, you may turn to the coveted and affordable TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection. This collection was first released by the brand when Heuer was purchased by TAG (Techniques d’Avant Garde) in 1986. The watch was a simple quartz timepiece with a synthetic case in bright colors. Over the years, the collection has evolved, and is now offered with more racing appeal than ever. Versions include three-hands with date indication and chronographs with tachymeter bezels for measuring speed. Made in stainless steel, titanium and titanium carbide, the Formula 1 watches are powered by either quartz movements or automatic movements. The racecar-inspired dials and straps round out the urban chic look of the watches. New, these watches carry a price tag of between $1,150 to $3,000 depending on the model but you can find a nice selection of vintage Formula 1 pieces for even less and still look totally contemporary.

Tudor Black Bay

The little brother of Rolex, Tudor has its own long and storied past. The brand was founded by Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, in 1926, and was designed to offer the same quality craftsmanship as Rolex but at a more affordable price. The most coveted collection is the Black Bay, which is inspired 20th century Tudor watch. Crafted in steel and offered with either a bracelet, an aged leather strap, or a fabric strap, the Black Bay watches are all black or feature blue or burgundy color accents for the bezel and strap. The versions offered include a GMT, a 200-meter water-resistant dive watch; a chronograph; and a simple three-hands with date. Each Tudor Black Bay is a COSC-certified chronometer and offers incredible luminosity for hands and markers. New they retail for $3,000 to $5,000, on average. Still considered the cool kid sibling of Rolex, you just can’t go wrong with any watch in this collection.

Hamilton Khaki Field

The Hamilton Khaki Field collection is ideal for the well-prepared outdoorsman. The series offers top quality Swiss movements for prices that range from $395 to $1,600 for new models and you can do even better price-wise with a second-hand version. The Khaki Field watches are inspired by outdoor adventure and by the military watches of the 1940s, so they are rugged and durable. Most are crafted in stainless steel and offer 24-hour military indications as well as the traditional 12 numerals on the dial. Some versions also indicate date, or day/date. With military-colored dials ranging from tan to green, blue and black, the Khaki Field watches are powered by either quartz or automatic movements and are offered with fabric straps, leather straps and bracelets for comfort in any climate. The military and vintage-inspired look of these watches will have everyone wondering if it was handed down to you from a loved one.

Raymond Weil Maestro

For those who like a less sporty and more classic look in a timepiece, Raymond Weil watches may be the way to go. Sleek and sophisticated without breaking the bank, these Swiss-made watches feature beautiful dials and elegant finishes. Of particular note is the Maestro collection. This line was first unveiled in 2010 and it continues to grab attention because the mechanical watches offer useful functions, including date indication, calendars, chronographs, and more. This is the perfect pairing if you love music and want to show off your stylish side. Most Maestro watches retail for less than $2,000, but, if you’re lucky, you’ll find a better deal in the pre-owned or vintage market.

The primary birthstone for December is turquoise.

The Origins and Cultural Significance of Turquoise
Archeologists have traced turquoise as far back as 3,000 BCE when ancient Egyptians set turquoise in gold necklaces and rings. Oftentimes, the turquoise inlay was carved into the shape of a scarab beetle. Scarabs were often associated with the morning sun and Khepri, the God of the rising sun, and were a common motif in amulets throughout Egypt.

In terms of its availability, turquoise is one of the most ubiquitous gemstones, found around the world, from regions of ancient Persia (modern day Iran) and Turkey to the southwestern United States. Each region has assigned a different meaning and significance to turquoise.

Ancient Persians would often use turquoise in its palace domes as the gemstone’s blue color resembled the sky and heavens above. They also believed turquoise would offer protection by changing color to forewarn the wearer of pending danger, so turquoise frequently decorated dagger handles and accented necklaces and turbans.

While Native Americans had worn and traded turquoise and Apache tribes, specifically, made their bows with turquoise, believing it improved their accuracy, turquoise jewelry became popular throughout North America in the 1880s after a Navajo craftsman fashioned a silver coin into a setting for a piece of turquoise jewelry. This set the standard for the turquoise jewelry we’re most familiar with in the US today.

Notable Turquoise

Because of its long and far-reaching history, there are many examples of important pieces of turquoise but perhaps the most well-known is the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum in Agra, India, commissioned in 1632 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The impressive structure took 21 years and 20,000 artisans to complete and cost an estimated $827 million USD in today’s currency. The historical heritage site is largely made of white marble but prominently features ornate details and mosaics made of inlaid turquoise, imported from Tibet.

Another exceptional use of turquoise is found in the death mask of King Tut. The Mask of Tutankhamun is the ornate gold burial mask placed over the ancient Egyptian pharaoh’s sarcophagus. The detailed mask has two layers of gold and features inlays of precious gemstones including lapis lazuli for the eyes and eyebrows and rich turquoise to decorate the broad collar.

The Properties and Hardness of Turquoise
Turquoise ranks as a 5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale, only slightly above window glass. Turquoise used in jewelry is heavily polished to give it a nice smooth finish and lustrous shine.

The most distinguishing characteristic of turquoise is its pale blue color—that said, turquoise can be found in a range from blue-green to yellowish green. Its distinctive color is a byproduct of its idiochromatic copper (or the mineral’s actual composition). The spidery veins that run through turquoise are actually made of limonite. Turquoise can also sometimes have flecks of pyrite in it, too.

If you are gearing up to resell some pieces from your jewelry collection, you may be surprised to see that the resale value is lower than what you think the piece is worth. Your diamond earrings were insured for far more than a jeweler is quoting you for right now.

But don’t be dismayed! The jeweler is not short-changing you!

We explain what distinguishes the resale value from the insured value of your jewelry and what accounts for the price difference between the two.

What Is the Insured Value of My Jewelry?
Many people have their most sentimental jewelry items insured (think engagement rings, wedding bands, family heirlooms). Jewelry or luxury insurance can easily be added to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and the first step to getting coverage is to have your jewelry appraised by a jeweler.

The jeweler will give you a report that lists the piece’s specifications—like the metal type, metal purity, stone size and clarity—and the retail replacement cost. You turn this certified report over to your insurance agent and they will finalize your policy.

If you’re interested in learning more about jewelry insurance, take a look at this blog post where we break it down.

What Is the Resale Value of My Jewelry?
The resale value is valuation of your jewelry and the cost dictated by the market. Jewelers and jewelry resellers will compare how much are similar items being sold for. The resale value will factor in the brand name, cost of raw materials, and the depreciation of your item. In short, the resale value is a reflection for how much someone is willing to pay for your item.

Why Is There a Difference Between the Resale and Insured Value of My Jewelry?
More often than not, the insured value of your item will be greater than the resale value of your piece. It can be confusing (perhaps even alarming!) to see a disparity between those two valuations.

The insured value of your jewelry is usually around the retail replacement cost, not the resale price. Most insured jewelry has an inherent sentimental value which makes it difficult or very costly to replace. Therefore, the insured value accounts for the actual cost of replacement and the intangible personal value of the item. The resale value, meanwhile, largely ignores the intrinsic value of your item.

Frederique Constant is a comparative newcomer to the centuries-old Swiss watchmaking world. With their introduction in 1988, Frederique Constant set out to make classic watches at an affordable price point to effectively open up the world of watchmaking to a new and younger clientele, in particular expanding their collection to appeal to the growing audience of female shoppers.

Here, we pick our favorite Frederique Constant women’s watches for every style type, from the hyper glamorous Slimline to the minimalist Frederique Constant Classics.

1. Frederique Constant HB FC-310HBAD2P4 34mm Womens Watch

This Frederique Constant “Heart Beat” watch is a beautiful conversation piece. Its trendy rose gold watchcase puts a contemporary twist on its classic mother-of-pearl dial. But the real focal point is the aperture at the 12 o’clock that showcases the “Heart Beat” automatic movement inside.

2. Frederique Constant Smartwatch FC-281WH3ER2B 34mm Womens Watch

From the looks of it, you’d never guess this Frederique Constant watch is a cleverly disguised Smartwatch! Frederique Constant developed the original horological Smartwatch and have since mastered its form and function. With this Frederique Constant Smartwatch, you can track your steps, sleep hours, and pair it with your phone to receive call and text notifications.

3. Frederique Constant Classics Quartz FC-259ST5B6

While the Frederique Constant Classic is classified as a men’s watch, it’s perfectly suitable for women, too. The minimalist and oversized dial makes this an ideal no-nonsense watch for work. Our one word of caution: for that perfectly oversized look (and not just that too-big look), make sure the lugs of this sleek watch don’t go past the width of your wrist. Read more about how to find the right fit for you here.

4. Frederique Constant Slimline Auto FC-703SD3SD6B 38.8mm Womens Watch

We love this elegant watch’s subtle use of brilliant diamonds. The thin diamond bezel and hour-markers make for a beautifully understated watch that is perfect for evening and still low-key enough for daytime wear. Plus, the classic moon phase display at 6 o’clock heightens the luxe appeal of an already sumptuous watch.

5. Frederique Constant Ladies Auto FC-303WHF2PD2B3 34mm Womens Watch

This women’s watch has a little bit of everything: a trendy two-tone rose gold and stainless steel bracelet; a diamond bezel and hour markers; and a classic guilloché dial. Together, these classic details make for a very striking design that feels remarkably fashion-forward.