The court case between Hollywood actress Charlize Theron and jeweller Raymond Weill has hotted up.
The company filed a complaint recently claiming she was in breach of her contract.
It is alleged that the star had agreed to wear only Weil watches while she was the face of the line, but was spotted wearing Christian Dior and Montblanc watches at different events.
Therons lawyers requested a move from New York state court to a much bigger federal court in the city.
WWD reported that the change came about because of the substantial damages sought by the jeweller.
Peter Cousins, partner at the acting law firm Gibney, Anthony and Flaherty, said it was extremely unusual for a fashion sponsor to take a celebrity to court over endorsement.
"Filing a lawsuit would be extremely counterproductive. Bringing a celebrity to court over contract issues ruins what is left of the relationship and brings unwanted negative attention to the situation.
Theron signed the $20million deal with Weil in October 2005 in which she agreed to be the face of the exclusive watch designers.
Theron was the face of their Shine range, which sell for more than $7,000 each and have straps made from gold or alligator skin.
Weil were far from impressed when Theron was spotted at the Texas Film Festival last March wearing a diamond encrusted Dior watch.
Patricia Johnson
Tagged in Charlize Theron