Charlize Theron

May 22, 201113 yr

The Ambassadress: Charlize Theron Talks Dior VIII

Eight is considered a lucky number in Chinese astrology (remember that spate of weddings on 8/8/08?) and evidently, it has been a good-luck charm for the house of Dior as well. The atelier is located in Paris' Eighth Arrondisement and the brand's jewelry store is situated at 8 Place Vendôme. As the house prepares to launch the Dior VIII watch collection, complete with Charlize Theron as the brand ambassador and face of the line, we talked to Theron about her style.

"It was a coup de foudre when I saw the [collection]," the actress, who has been the face of the house's J'Adore perfume since 2004, says. Not to mention that the ebony tone of the watches (like the Baguettes Vertes version at left) suits her penchant for all-black dressing. "Sometimes I open my closet and think “God, I need to get some color in here," Theron admits.

The new range consists of styles fit for daytime, cocktail and evening. Good thing, considering that she wears her watches with "everything from a red carpet gown to casual jeans and T-shirts. Even [a] bathing suit, because it’s water resistant. I tested it!" There's one exception, however: she always takes hers off before she goes to sleep.

"I try to be punctual. I'm not just an actress, but also a producer so...I strive to be mindful of time," Theron says. "Time is a luxury!" Preferring the sport of the larger (38mm) style to the smaller (33mm) one, the architectural-inspired watches keep the actress stylishly in line. (Note: even the dial is a talisman, featuring plain hour markers with the exception of the 8 o'clock position.)

Also on the horizon for Theron: the Diablo Cody-scripted movie Young Adult, to be released later this year. Explains the star, "It's a film I did in New York at the end of last year with Jason Reitman. A genuinely great experience. It's the story of a woman who goes back to her hometown to get her high school sweetheart back, wrongfully thinking that this will fulfill her in life."

Left: Dior VIII, 38mm automatic watch. Black high-tech ceramic and stainless steel case. Black lacquer dial with central inner ring set with diamonds. Retail price: $6,500.