An evening of timeless elegance with Breitling and Lady Premier
Breitling and A Rabbit’s Foot celebrated the launch of the new Lady Premier collection with an intimate and star-studded dinner at Dorian in London.
On Tuesday evening, an intimate dinner unfolded at Notting Hill’s elegant Dorian restaurant, where a number of the city’s most influential women gathered to celebrate the launch of Breitling’s Lady Premier—a new collection of timepieces for women.
The enchanting evening was hosted by the visionary filmmaker Nia DaCosta alongside legendary costume designer Sandy Powell. Finch & Partners’ Claire Ingle-Finch toasted the pair, lauding both artists for their incredible contributions to the cinematic medium. “Sandy…your list of collaborators reads like a who’s who of cinema legends,” she said. “From Martin Scorsese, Todd Haynes, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Yorgos Lanthimos and many, many more. You richly deserve your place in the British Filmmakers’ Hall of Fame and we are so thrilled to have you here tonight.” Ingle-Finch went on to hail DaCosta as “the true essence of what it is to be a trailblazing filmmaker.” The two hosts were accompanied by an equally inspiring turnout of talented women who embody the essence of Breitling’s Lady Premier line—defined by authenticity, effortless confidence, and a timeless, cool sophistication.
Among the star-studded attendees was celebrated actress Tessa Thompson, who shares a creative bond with DaCosta, having starred in three of DaCosta’s films, including her debut Little Woods. She is also the leading lady in DaCosta’s eagerly anticipated next project Hedda, which reimagines Ibsen’s beloved tragedy Hedda Gabler. Also gracing the event was English actress Jenna Coleman and the Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated Catríona Balfe, adding further glamour to an unforgettable night. In a fitting touch of theatricality, a lipstick-red vintage Thunderbird was parked outside Dorian.
At the heart of the proceedings was the story behind the Lady Premier collection—an ode to heritage and individuality—as well as women who move through life with ease and authenticity. It honours those who shaped Breitling’s history—from Beatrice Breitling in the 1950s to icons like Raquel Welch—while embracing a new generation who define sophistication on their own terms. Jenna Coleman looked radiant with the Lady Premier 36mm in Aubergine wrapped around her wrist, while Powell and actress Elizabeth Dulau communicated similar elegance, wearing the Lady Premier 32mm.
A celebration of the ‘leading lady’, A Rabbit’s Foot also took the occasion to ask guests about their favourite women on film. Responses, as to be expected, were varied, with everyone from Cate Blanchett and Dame Judi Dench to Barbara Stanwyck and Katharine Hepburn getting a shout out. “Tilda Swinton in Orlando”, suggested Tessa Thompson, without missing a beat. There was one name that came up more than any other, though. “Without a doubt, it’s Gena Rowlands”, said costume designer Arielle Cooper-Letham, to the agreement of Caitríona Balfe and Nia DaCosta, who also picked the trailblazing A Woman Under the Influence and Opening Night actress as their most beloved screen heroine.
Inspired by Breitling’s 1940s Premier Fantaisies models, each Lady Premier watch embodies a fresh take on elegance, with sculptural shapes, radiant gradient dials, and ombré finishes that balance the house’s longstanding artistry and innovation. Available in 36mm Automatic and 32mm SuperQuartz™ models, the designs feature exquisite alligator straps, chevron bracelets, and refined details such as minimalist numerals and lab-grown diamonds—modern statements of confidence and femininity. “Lady Premier is a new take on the elegant watch that’s confident, feminine, and full of character, just like the woman who wears it,” says Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling and, notably, an accomplished Movie Producer in his own right (he produced Mon Chien Stupide, which starred Charlotte Gainsbourg).
A warm feeling of community soon filled the restaurant, with various attendees sharing their own favourite “Premier” highlights—the moments and accomplishments in their careers that they are most proud of. For DaCosta, it was the premiere of Hedda at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, while Balfe’s career highlight was an improv session with Judi Dench on the set of Belfast. For Powell, it was winning her first Oscar (for Shakespeare in Love in 1998—she would later go on to win two more, with a total of 15 nominations to date). “That was a pretty good highlight,” she laughed. The guests’ reflections brought the evening to a close on a fitting note—an elegant celebration of the timeless spirit of Lady Premier.
A very special thank you to Breitling, Finch and Partners and co-hosts Nia DaCosta and Sandy Powell.