For many people, luxury wristwatches are symbols of elegance, sophistication and success. But as smart watches become more and more ubiquitous, we see many people start to shelve their mechanical watches in favor of the latest technology. For those who miss the beauty and style of their mechanical watch, there is Chalonne, who since 2019 has been producing bespoke, luxury Apple Watch bands.
Chalonne uses luxe materials such as solid 14K gold, diamonds, gemstones as well as other unique materials like shearling, stingray and pony hair. We caught up with Founder and CEO Carlye Morgan to learn more about her early success and the story behind Chalonne.
The idea to design luxury Apple Watch bands grew organically after Ms. Morgan purchased her first Apple Watch. “I loved my watch and the easy access to apps, but I disliked the accompanying silicone band,” Carlye says. “I couldn’t find any high-quality bands at the time, and I didn’t want to sacrifice my personal style to sport the latest tech.” With limited players in the space and a personal goal to start her own business, Carlye set out to rectify the problem herself.
Chalonne’s goal is to create stylish, luxury watch bands by focusing on original design, the highest quality materials, and artisan craftsmanship. “We want to offer our customers a premium option that can be easily switched out on a daily basis depending on the occasion and your personal aesthetics.”
Chalonne quickly found an enthusiastic customer base. “We saw a void in the marketplace for customers seeking truly luxury Apple Watch bands, so we set out to service that niche. Our clients have fueled the business through repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth.”
Luxurious Apple Watch Bands of the Highest Quality
One of the biggest initial challenges was finding the right manufacturer in Europe. Chalonne bands are designed with an uncompromising commitment to quality and luxury, and there are not many manufacturers who can live up to that. After an extensive search, Chalonne found the perfect partner with 65 years of expertise and artisanal heritage.
They were incredibly enthusiastic and supportive of the Collection from the start. It was clear they could deliver a superb product which was paramount, but they have also been amazing collaborators, working with me to achieve the quality and aesthetic that Chalonne requires.
Carlye explains that Chalonne’s collection of luxurious Apple Watch bands offers an elegant way to express individuality and style every day. “One thing that makes us unique is the attention we give to the creation process,” she says. “All our bands are designed in Bel-Air, California, and meticulously crafted by artisans in France.”
Once a design is ready, a dedicated team of skilled artisans gets to work, handcrafting each band. “That is my favorite part of the process, watching my designs become a reality and also knowing the attention to detail and care goes into creating every band.”
Carlye states that it was important to ensure the jewelry would withstand daily use. “No matter how beautiful a watch band may be, it needs to be functional, so we did extensive research to develop a technology to lock the jewels inside the lining of the band, which ensures stability while maintaining suppleness and comfort.” Chalonne designs are made with the finest materials possible, including responsibly sourced diamonds, solid 14K gold, and leather rich in European detailing.
A Culture of Giving Back
Having worked in the corporate world for many years, Carlye spent a lot of time thinking about Chalonne’s culture and decided to make female empowerment an integral part of Chalonne’s DNA. “My ideal is for Chalonne to help empower women and support them in ways that truly make a difference in their lives.
From personal experiences, I knew that I wanted to start with breast cancer research.” By working with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Chalonne hopes to contribute in a meaningful way to help find a cure for a disease that impacts thousands of women each year including 1 in 8 women in the U.S.
In 2022, it’s estimated that 287,850 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. “At Chalonne, we are committed to giving back to breast cancer research in the hopes of finding a cure for this awful disease that touches so many lives.”
Chalonne donates 4% of all retail sales on Chalonne.com to BCRF, all year long. The ultimate goal is for Chalonne to be successful enough to extend their mission of empowering women, by supporting other organizations who champion physical health, economic and educational opportunities, and inner strength of women everywhere.
About Chalonne:
Welcome to the new luxury. Chalonne luxury Apple Watch® bands are hand-crafted in France with the finest leathers, gemstones, 14k solid gold and sublime craftsmanship. At the heart of the brand’s commitment to giving back.
For every band sold, Chalonne donates 4% of the purchase price to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Chalonne luxury Apple Watch bands are compatible with all series 1-7 and sizes 38mm – 41mm and 42mm – 45mm. For more information or to enjoy a Chalonne band visit https://chalonne.com or follow the brand socially via @chalonne.la.
About Carlye Morgan:
CEO and designer Carlye Morgan founded Chalonne in her mission to evoke artistic expression in a technological market. Her wanderlust has allowed for visionary inspiration while studying abroad in Rome, as well as her years of experience drawing and painting.
Each band is a metaphor of her personal experiences through travel. All of her designs are imbued with a sense of time and place, starting with the locale of inspiration, to the design in Los Angeles, to the artisan craftsmanship in France.
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