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The Marina Chain watch from Gucci, priced from $795 to $21,500 U.S.

Gucci watches

Gucci's new Marina Chain watch debuts

The start of the European yachting season is still weeks away, but guests at Toronto’s newly refreshed Gucci boutique got a happy reminder of the sunny days ahead.

A selection of watches from the new Marina Chain collection were brought in fresh from the Basel watch and jewelry fair.

The occasion was a rocking party to celebrate Gucci’s newly expanded Toronto boutique. Boasting smoked mirrors and bronze accents, the shop now has the same hyperluxe ‘70s feel as New York’s Fifth Avenue flagship. And at 5,085 sq. ft., a broader selection of jewelry and watches, apparel and accessories will better satisfy this city’s international clientele.

The Marina Chain watch was introduced at the 2009 Spring Summer Gucci Women’s Cruise fashion show and features a bracelet of rounded links inspired by an anchor chain and a metal clasp shaped like a leather belt buckle.

The watch is available in two sizes and a rich choice of materials: steel, 18kt yellow gold, or a combination of the two. Some styles offer a dramatic black enamel coating. Diamonds can also adorn the black lacquered or white mother of pearl dial, the case or the bracelet.

The marina chain has been a famous Gucci symbol since the ‘60s, and frequently appears as a stylized print on clothing and, more recently, as necklaces and bracelets.

Given the chunkiness of the links it is clear that Guccio Gucci, who designed the original motif, had the yachts of his wealthy Florentine clients in mind, rather than some little fishing dingy.

Portofino here we come.