What a week! I feel like I spent more time looking at jewelry and
watches than writing about them, not that I'm complaining. Retailers may
have holidays on the brain, but jewelry designers have already moved on
to spring. Wendy Culpepper, Zoe B, 2Sister Designs, Karen Karch and  Bianca Zoie all unveiled new lines for spring 2007, and Jaeger-LeCoultre and Milus upped the ante in the luxury-watch arena with new product introductions.

Here are my picks of the week:

Milus

I'm a sucker for animal prints, so I fell for this "Eridana" watch as soon as I saw it. The case features brown enamel and 123 diamonds, and the mother-of-pearl dial boasts an additional four diamonds. A beige-and-brown python strap and quick-release 18-karat-gold buckle complement the case and add another luxurious touch to the Swiss-made timepiece. Inspiration for the line comes from the constellation Eridanus, which takes its name from a mythical river. Suggested retail price is $13,700.


Milus International, headquartered in Bien, Switzerland, entered the U.S. market for the first time in September, backed by its parent company, Peace Mark Holdings of Hong Kong. Doron Bashsa, a 27-year industry veteran, has joined the company as the president and CEO of its new U.S. subsididiary.

Roberto Coin, (800) 853-5958

Black-and-white is one of the hottest stories in fashion this season, and medallions are a top jewelry trend. That means it doesn't get much cooler or of-the-moment than this black-and-white "Vintage" medallion in 18-karat white gold with black enamel and diamonds. Suggested retail price is $3,480.