The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Giorgio Knowles started the process of creating a 40th Anniversary of Independence commemorative item, his sights were set on more than just a traditional memento.

After months of planning and thousands of dollars to finalise a concept and design, Mr Knowles decided that a limited edition watch would be the perfect symbol of the country’s journey from 1973 to now.

“The Montagu 1742 - 40th Independence” - limited edition was unveiled during the official launch of LuCairi, the first Bahamian watch company, at the Hilton Hotel.

Mr Knowles said: “I was searching for something bigger, something that has never been done before, something almost unimaginable. The process in creating this watch has been extremely challenging yet ultimately rewarding because of the high quality product that I was able to produce.

“This is a testament to my belief that God doesn’t put a dream in a man’s heart that he doesn’t give him the ability to accomplish.

“When Christopher Columbus discovered The Bahamas he stumbled upon inhabitants who called themselves Lukku-Cairi which means “People of the Islands”. This word would later be translated into English as Lucayan. The LuCairi brand draws on the heritage of the original islanders who once called The Bahamas home to create exquisite time pieces for all to enjoy.”

Priced at $1,492, the watch has a black dial and bezel face and a ‘pop’ of yellow with a hint of aqua-marine that gives it the distinctive Bahamian flair.

The miyota movement of the special edition time piece is assembled by the Citizen watch company in Japan, and the dial in Hong Kong, China.

The final building stages of the watch are done by Mr Knowles here in Nassau.

He then hand delivers each of them to a buyer. So far, 24 of the 40 limited edition watches have been sold in New Providence and the Family Islands.

Mr Knowles is currently working on another line of limited edition watches which he plans to release in the near future.

“More is to come from LuCairi,” said Mr Knowles.