I Went To The Seaglass Rose’ Experience With Corum, Here’s What Happened

Another adventure in my “I went to… “ series of articles about interesting journeys with watch brands, is the incredibly uplifting Fort Lauderdale Seaglass Rose’  Experience that took place just recently in sunny, warm Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Corum, a several-year sponsor of the event – organized by Venice Magazine — invited me to join them as they celebrated rose’ wine, rose champagne, rose’ prosecco, n pink craft brews, and more – I was happy to indulge.

Essentially, the Seaglass Rose’ Experience is a celebration of life – with rose-colored glasses, if you will. The raison d’etre: raising awareness of, and financial support for fighting  cancer in South Florida via AutoNation’s DRV PNK initiative. The immersive and exclusive three-day event played host to more than 30 rose’ and spirits brands, some of the finest chefs in the Fort Lauderdale area that dished out incredible culinary delights throughout the all-inclusive days, great bands that kept guests dancing and swaying. Also present: pretty impressive camaraderie.

Guests were asked to wear a little pink, which translated in a host of colorful ways – ranging from hot pink ruffle dresses to pale pink wedding-like gowns, pink feather boas and some of the best pink men’s suits I have ever seen. There was a certain vibe throughout the one night and two days on the sand, under the tents. It was celebratory, it was light and easy and it was something that – once you’ve experienced – you would want to come back to annually.

Set on the sand with the ocean as the backdrop, the Seaglass Rose’ festival this year, organized  by Venice Magazine, was entirely sold out – with all of the proceeds benefitting Auto Nation’s  DRVPNK initiative, which has raised close to $40 million to date for creating awareness and supporting critical research to drive out cancer.

The event was a veritable village of rose’s. Some rose’ brand exhibitors, like Bodvar, created an entire wall of pink and white flowers, and – nearby – an old-fashioned telephone booth lined inside with flowers. The photo opportunities abounded, with one brand showcasing a 10-foot-tall pink floral flamingo, and yet another brand that had grape-filled barrels for guests to try their hand – well, really their feet – at stomping grapes.

Among the sponsors, were the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, which was right across the street from the multi-tent event and has beautiful suites, nice views of the ocean and more, Venice Magazine (the organizer), and Corum Watch company, among others. In fact, Corum displayed a larger-than-life Admiral watch that was at least 6 feet tall (maybe taller) and fit right into the theme thanks to its bold pink strap and its nautical dial.

Additionally, Corum typically donates a watch for a pre-dinner auction held by Venice Magazine for the cause.  This year it was going to be a pink dial 38mm Admiral watch. “This year, though, Venice Magazine decided that the  dinner is being replaced by several dinners throughout the year, maybe once a quarter, and Corum will donate a watch for auction at one of those dinners. All proceeds go to DRV PNK by AutoNation via The Seaglass Experience,” says Rich C. Louis, Richard C. Louis, Vice President of Corum for North America and the Caribbean.

 According to Louis, the event continues to evolve, despite being interrupted one year due to COVID . The first year there was just a single tent on the beach and a few sponsor cabanas, the following year live bands joined in. This year, the event expanded to feature two tents full of exhibitors, an outside area, a stage for the multiple bands and almost 18-20 sponsor cabanas.

Personally, in addition to discovering that I actually do like rose’ wine, I was thrilled to wear a different Corum watch each day, from the iconic Admiral to the beloved and ingenious Golden Bridge and more. I was also impressed by the event, by the sponsors’ and organizers’ commitment to supporting the environment and ocean conservation and by the exhibiting brands –all of whom embraced the rose’ concept and the spirit of giving back. Time is our greatest gift.