Carmel Magazine

Remodel Spotlights Diverse Watch and Jewelry Collection at Fourtané n the corner of Ocean and Lincoln in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, Fourtané Jewelers beckons fine watch and jewelry lovers with an irresistible pull. The elegant flagship store recently completed a major remodel to better showcase the significant Rolex, Cartier and vintage watch collection it proudly represents. The store has been in business for 50 years; for the past 30 years it has been run by the Bonifas family. "What makes our store special is we carry such unique items, complemented by exceptional service," says Kristofer Bonifas, who handles marketing and Internet sales. His father, owner John Bonifas, has 50 years of expertise in buying unique jewels and fine timepieces, and older brother Josh is a rare watch expert and appraiser for "Antiques Roadshow" on PBS for the past two seasons. Mother Sandy co-owns the store and manages the accounting. Next to the remodeled space is another building in the Pine Inn Courtyard, which houses the store's rare jewelry collection, dating from the 1700s through the present. It's also the site for the workspace of award-winning jeweler, Juan Da Silva, who creates custom pieces and intricate restorations for clients. For all the serious talent and high-end pieces that pass through the building—including two of the three Emerald Rolex Submariners made for the U.S.; a black onyx, diamond and rubellite collar owned by Sophia Loren; the Rolex Submariner owned by Bob Barth of the U.S. Navy (whose Rolex timepiece experiences on the SEALAB Expeditions while living and ascending from underwater depths inspired the creation of the first Rolex Sea-Dweller model), musician Eric Clapton's rare "3,6,9" Submariner, a green enamel and diamond Tiffany and Co. bracelet belonging to Elizabeth Taylor, explorer Thor Heyerdahl's 1969 Sea-Dweller, and a Rolex worn and modified by artist Andy Warhol—the atmosphere is definitely relaxed. German Shepherd Yasco, Black Lab Barney and Irish Setter Elliott wander through the store greeting customers, shoppers stroll up in flip flops from the sands of nearby Carmel Beach, and celebrities regularly mingle with serious collectors, enjoying the expertise and selection that the business provides. The store has been frequently recognized for its unique selection and customer service: last year Fourtané had the third highest average jewelry sales in the country; number one honors went to Harry Winston in New York. "We feature one-of-a-kind, one-off, and hard-to-get pieces," says Kris. "Every fine timepiece and item of jewelry is hand selected for its beauty, rarity, and value to our customers." Fourtané is located on the corner of Ocean Avenue and Lincoln in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more information, call 831/624-4684 or go to www.fourtane.com. O

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