Author Archives: Shermian Lim

The Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook Might be the Best Affordable Diving Watch

As covered previously, heritage re-issues are tricky; But at Baselworld 2017, skillful interpretation of beloved vintage watches was on full display especially when it came to the Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook.

Due respect to your Seamasters and Sea-Dwellers but seriously, the best diving watch is the one you can afford to take with you to those hazardous depths, after all, if you fear to tread these territories with a pricey diver’s watch, how likely are you to wear it as you’re headed to the abyss?

Easily the Best Affordable Diving Watch: Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook

Swiss watchmaker Rado carries the flag of competent retro revival with the relaunch of its vintage Captain Cook collection. The new HyperChrome Captain Cook collection recalls the swagger of 1960s dive watches with a trio of retro-aesthetic, unisex timepieces.

Named for 18th century British explorer Captain James Cook, the namesake HyperChrome divers’ watch carries the association of a pioneer adventurer who charted thousands of miles of unexplored Pacific coastline. In that sense, Cook embodied the ideals of Da Vinci’s vitruvian man with his relentless pursuit of knowledge on a wide variety of academic topics including anthropology and astronomy; as a result, by the transitive powers of association, an owner of the new Rado HyperChrome Captain Cook gets recognition for a personal ethos aligned with the enigmatic captain.

With faithful homage of design cues from Rado’s 1960s best selling diver’s watch, the HyperChrome conveys bezel and case aesthetics reminiscent of another famous diving watch without the corresponding price tag – the result is a 37.3mm new HyperChrome Captain Cook which hits all the right spots for a heritage re-issue. Vintage styling meets modern technology thanks to the high-tech black ceramic insert within the uni-directional turning bezel.

Furthermore, the apparent dome shaped crystal appears at first blush to be plexi-glass (like the sort found on the Omega Speedmaster) but it’s really modern sapphire crystal for durability.

In terms of dial design, oversized indexes and a distinctive chunky arrow-shaped hour hand really sell the retro-appeal of Rado’s new HyperChrome Captain Cook. while minute rail markers on the rehaut on the periphery keep the dial from being too cluttered.

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Words by Jonathan Ho.

From: Luxuo.

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Travel: What to Do and See in Zurich

Morning mood at the Limmat overlooking the Fraumuenster, townhouse and Muensterbruecke, Zuerich. Photo credit: Switzerland Tourism/Ivo Scholz

I expected everything to be tidy and, somehow, symmetrical; as if I’d imagined them as a geometry teacher.

With a population of over 400,000, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. The spoken language in Zurich is the Swiss German dialect. As to the quality of living in the world, it’s constantly ranked among the top. Drinking water flows from almost all public fountains.

What to See and Do: Zurich Old Town

Guilds heritage

I’m standing in front of a well-kept building, its muted, rich design in concert with those around it on the tree-lined street. It was a quiet street, a monied street. I saw a limousine parked between two street lamps, diagonally across the heavy ornamental doors of a brownstone building.

In the front seat sat a uniformed chauffeur. The history-steeped guild houses, bear witness to the period between 1336 and 1798 when Zurich’s history was significantly influenced by its guilds. Scattered throughout were hints, worded allusions and a few direct chronological references. These associations attempted to gain political power. They only succeeded in doing so following the Brun’s Guild Revolution during 1336.

Under the leadership of nobleman Rudolf Brun, a Constitution of the Guilds was drawn up, regulating the balance of power in the city. With time, the craftsmen’s guilds also developed into political and military organisations with immense power. The coats-of-arms on the entrances
of various buildings in the Old Town indicate which artisan’s guild used to meet behind closed doors. But if anything, it gives this locale an identity that feels far more character driven, even as law firms and fine dining establishments have infiltrated their confines.

Shopping and dining around Lake Zurich

From Lindenhof, we started walking towards Lake Zurich, around which the city is built. Lindenhof used to be a Roman fort. Nowadays, the square is a worth its weight for the view alone and it’s also a meeting place for amateur chess players. The River Limmat which winds its way past Old Town is a steadfast stream of tranquillity. After dusk, several riverside and lakeside bathing areas are transformed into bars. Boat services provide access to the abundant nature along the southern fringes of the lake.

Once a year, the aptly named Zürcher Theater Spektakel transforms the left bank of Lake Zurich into a stage where members of the contemporary performing arts scene congregate to present spontaneous open-air performances. Situated on the opposite bank of the River Limmat is Schipfe, one of the city’s oldest districts. This quarter is still dominated by artisans today, and visitors can often obtain expert advice from the master craftsmen such as goldsmiths or carpenters.

I walked the length of Bahnhofstrasse that links the Main Station with Lake Zurich. The further you walk towards the lake, boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. come into view. The Jelmoli department store, which opened in 1899, is not only the oldest in Zurich but also the largest department store in Switzerland. The area is also a delightful hunting ground for intrepid gourmets. And I had dinner consisting of compulsory veal and mushroom sauce and rosti at a nearby café. In the vicinity, the Swiss National Museum – also known as the Landesmuseum – is situated just behind Zurich Main Station and houses the country’s largest cultural-historical collection within its fortified walls.

Culture and museums

Not everything has long standing history as I also took a tour of the FIFA World Football Museum (fifamuseum.com). Over 1,000 exhibits tell the story of the game in an interactive and multimedia manner.

Of course, the absolute highlight is, without a doubt, the original FIFA World Cup trophy that was a requisite selfie in the waiting. In the games area, I gave the gigantic pinball machine and other interactive stations a cursory inspection.

FIFA World Football Museum

This was followed by a brisk hike to Grossmünster Church that was built on the very spot where patron saints Felix and Regula died as martyrs. Religion also manifested itself with St. Peter’s Church as the oldest parish church in Zurich. The original foundation walls dating from the ninth century can still be seen under the chancel even as one gazes up at the clock face on the tower.

What to See and Do: Zurich-West

Industrial hotspot: then and now

Zurich-West lies in the valley plain between the River Limmat and the railway’s tracks that run north-west of the main train station. The locals frequently use the term “Zurich-West” to mean the area along Hardbrücke bridge between Hardbrücke train station and Escher-Wyss-
Platz. The area flourished at the tail-end of the 19th century.

Pioneering factory owners thrived with the Limmat river as a water source. This was once an industrial quarter where ships were built and manufacturing in various guises operated. After the 1980s, they gradually moved away, leaving behind empty factory halls. Escher-Wyss-Platz, for example, is named for Escher, Wyss & Cie., founded in 1805, which constructed machines and turbines.

From the industrial- to the trendy quarter – Zurich West. Where once clattered machinery and soot hung in the air, is Zuerich today a trendy nightlife area, Mrs Gerolds garden. Photo credit: Switzerland Tourism/Andre Meier

As the new millennium approached, creative firms and boutique agencies took up residence in these abandoned factories and warehouses with complementary auxiliary service providers following suit. I remember having looked around me and forgetting briefly that I’m just a tram ride away from Zurich Old Town.

Hedge fund managers and auditors walked about and creative types who looked neither going nor seeing anybody, idly chatted away, offering each other more coffee at cafes. The relatively new Prime Tower, with its swanky apartments, offices, and a fine-dining restaurant on the top floor, was my compass.

My guide came to Zurich as an immigrant from Hungary and spoke vividly as she described how this cordoned off industrial district transformed itself organically over the last few decades. It does not reject totally the prevailing styles of architecture but rather assimilates new appendages that provide functional autonomy. You must be precise about most sentiments. I favoured Zurich-West to Old Town despite a very reserved nature that is evident during the day.

Nightlife and local merchandise

When I say I remember the Salvation Army and a badminton hall distinctively it is because I kept going back to Frau Gerolds Garten for the sun on the terrace. It’s a colourful garden that unites an open-air restaurant and a flower nursery to create an urban oasis in the heart of Kreis 5. It’s also hippie (as oppose to hipster) in many ways. Much like how creepers extend their influence on the remains of decaying flora, this is how the district has been reinvigorated. Much of the same veneer still exist. Except that much of it isn’t functioning in its original capacity.

The garden is surrounded by other institutions from Zurich’s nightlife. The range of clubs offering alternative music is subsidised a street further along by other trippy nightlife establishments that resemble garage parties. Despite their cosmetic differences, revellers adopt similar codes of behaviour. It all started in the 1990s, when joints such as Club Palais X-tra (today’s Xtra Club) established themselves in the adjacent Kreis 4 quarter, bringing with them flourishing illegal parties held in the empty buildings without official permits.

I found myself standing in a second-hand shop that sells Swissair cabin crew hand-carried satchels. Concisely called SWISS (swissair.com) these days, as the carrier that took me from Bangkok to Zurich. The throwback artefact fetches a pretty Franc on a good day. Nearby, on sale at the various stands at Zurich’s first market hall are fresh food, delicatessen products, flowers, and household items.

The Gerold-Areal site also abounds in design specialists. Les Halles, for example, is home to numerous quirky items, ranging from vintage racing bicycles to amusing advertising signs and designer furniture. Also nearby, in an impressive tower of stacked-up freight containers, are 1,600 bags and accessories from Freitag – the largest selection in the world of these recycled freeway bags. I purchased a bright yellow Kowalski even as it looked a little worse for wear. That’s the point I guess. Go figure. In the end, I concluded that the area built itself, using its industrial past as a frame, and visualising how the old can be repurposed to carry on a different legacy. Urban planning here invested in supporting infrastructure that jives with its new inhabitant’s attitudes rather than using it as a backdrop. I couldn’t believe that it could be a cohesive whole even with this splinter cell of reinvention that interacts with its neighbour across the river.

Words by Jason Kwong. The writer’s experience was sponsored by Switzerland Tourism.

From: Men’s Folio, August 2017.

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3 Clean-Air Friendly Plants to Have in Your House

We find out more about three of the best plants to have in your home from French online florist Caprice de fleurs.

1| Tillandsias


Origins and specifications
Hailing from Central and South America, Tillandsias belong to the Bromeliad family of plants. With well over 500 known species — the most famous being the pineapple — the plant probably developed in the Cretaceous period some 65 million years ago. The Incas, Aztecs and Mayas used it for food and medicinal purposes. The colorful flowers come in bright hues of magenta, indigo, orange, red, purple and pink.

Placement
The Tillandsia thrives under direct sunlight. This low-maintenance plant grows without soil and can very well be stylized into a mounted floral arrangement or inserted in glass globes.

Air Plant Care
Tillandsias are pretty foolproof. With their native regions being warm and tropical, sometimes desert-like, they barely need any water. As epiphytic plants, they have no roots and absorb moisture through the leaves. When the weather is dry, it is recommended to mist your houseplant with lukewarm water from time to time. Original and aerial, it will maintain its beautiful appearance for months.

2 | Red Anthuriums


Origins and specifications
Red anthuriums are also called “tongues of fire” because of their bright red, shiny, heart-shaped blossoms. This plant originates from South America. Its flowers may be red, pink, or white. Anthurium is a natural filter for ammonia and xylene. Beware, however: the plant’s sap and leaves may cause allergies in sensitive people.

Where to put it
Anthurium needs a lot of light but, as with many plants, it must avoid direct sunlight, and it needs dampness to develop and blossom. It should ideally be placed indoors, beside a window, at a temperature between 18°C and 21°C.

How to look after it
Anthurium requires a little attention: as it cannot bear dry air, you will have to spray a little water on the leaves during the winter. Likewise, it must be repotted each year in a pot with a hole in the bottom. As the plant ages, potting will only be necessary every other year.

3 | Ficus microcarpa


Origins and specifications
Ficus microcarpa comes from Asia. It is easily identifiable thanks to its small, oval, shiny and highly decorative leaves. It is often grown as a house plant, most often as a bonsai. Sometimes referred to as “ficus ginseng” – “ginseng” is Chinese for “root” – because of its splendid ramified aerial root which gives it a contemporary look, this ficus will dress up your interiors perfectly. This plant is both invigorating and juvenating, and it provides oxygen, so you can breathe easier at home.

Where to put it
Ficus microcarpa thrives at indoor temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. It dislikes drafts and will shed its leaves if exposed to too drastic a change in temperature.

How to look after it
Despite these precautions, ficus microcarpa is nicknamed “the beginner’s bonsai”. It only requires moderate watering, especially in the summertime, and potting every other year, and it will go on for years. It likes a little dampness, but make sure not to leave standing water in the saucer.

Experience the Royal Treatment at Hotel Saint James Paris

The conspicuous garden-surrounded property tucked in the 16th arrondissement has been around for a near century before quirky-eyed interior designer Bambi Sloan came into the picture in 2008 to breathe new life into the establishment.

In her hands, Saint James Paris turned into an extravagant family townhouse as she milked the Napoleon III style and threw in some movie and literary references. Fragments from My Fair Lady jumps off the frame of the entrance hall whereas Luchino Visconti’s The Leopard makes a subtle appearance through the velvet drapes.

Sloan injected a sense of ludicrousness as the décor takes a trippy turn with series of mirrors multiply everything. Balancing the hilarity is an inundation of glamour and theatrics as luxurious chandeliers shower the space with glorious lights and the red-carpeted staircase cushions the sore soles after a long day.

Unlike most of the hotels of its calibre, every room in Saint James Paris is individually decorated with unique themes, so don’t let the red-lacquered door duplicates fool you. In a number of spaces, Sloan outsourced inspirations from John Steed of The Avengers and the last Queen of Scotland with a room that is all striped flannel and English fabric, and one that mixes tartan and panther patterns, respectively.

Saint James Paris’ ingenuity leaps over the visual presentation and across its all-in-one facilities. The Michelin-starred dining room, for instance, houses Chef Jean-Luc Rocha’s most opulent combination of flavours and textures while the Guerlain spa shows off a subtle oriental-western décor, yet another Sloan’s masterwork, with arabesque patterned tiles, a baroque velvet couch and boudoir cabins.

Words by Nikita Nawawi.

From: L’Officiel Malaysia, Jun/Jul17.

The Latest Dynamiq Superyacht X Studio F.A. Porsche and Will Debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2017

Dynamiq GTT 115 Hybrid x Studio F.A. Porsche

At 35m in length the GTT 115 Hybrid is fast for its size due being manufactured out of lightweight aluminium. Developed with Studio F.A. Porsche, the new range of yachts with Porsche’s exterior styling will range in size from 85 to 115 ft and features hull lines by Vripack and naval architecture by Van Oossanen.

Twin 1213kW MAN engines with Fortjes 5000 pods propel the superyacht up to a top speed of 21 kts, while a range of 3,400nm means crossing the Atlantic and many other bodies of water is within the GT115 Hybrid’s reach. Twin 45kW Fischer Panda variable-speed generators allow for the utmost in comfort and quietness while anchored or moored.

Porsche’s signature Carrera White colour is an option as well as Targa-style mullions and the transom design from the Mission E concept. And if you’ve seen the latest 911R, you’ll notice the Pepita houndstooth pattern on the fabric centres of the deck cushions, a nod to the limited-edition sports car.

The interior comes in three or four cabin guise, with Italian furniture designed by Minotti. Brown and beige are prominent colours throughout, with the exception of the carbon fibre details. The limited-edition yacht – just seven will be made – is available within 15 months of the order date and prices start at €11.9 million. Thanks to an online configurator, purchasers can create the yacht of their dreams, quickly and easily online. The GT 115 will make her world debut at the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show with the first delivery also available in September.

For more information, go to www.bedynamiq.com.

From: Yacht Style #39.

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Four Watches to Wear to a Jazz Concert

Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centred

You don’t read the time using the seconds hand, so why make the small seconds sub-dial oversized, and leave the hour-and minute display to play second fiddle on the dial? Why rotate the movement within the case to create an asymmetric layout, with the crown at four o’clock? Nothing should make sense here, but it all works, and therein lies the genius in the Grande Seconde Off-Centred’s design – its layout is like a blue note that adds tension to the piece, but a look at the final design shows that things resolves beautifully by the song’s ending.

See also: Magnificent watches to wear to a classical concert.

Chanel Monsieur de Chanel

Chanel’s debut performance showcasing its in-house movement making capabilities was a stunner from the get-go, and for good reason – it was a simple time-only watch, but infused with creativity and a healthy respect for aesthetics. A small seconds hand counts off the minutes for the retrograde minute display, which in turn marks the hours for the jumping hour indicator, with all three of them all arranged in a straight line. Meanwhile, there’s empty space aplenty, but it never feels wasted or underutilised. Bravo!

Greubel Forsey Signature 1

More cool jazz than bebop, the Signature 1 was a stylistic departure for Greubel Forsey, which remains better known for its various iterations of the tourbillon regulator. A simple time-only watch with no inclined balance almost seems out of place within the brand’s offerings, but it all comes clear when the timepiece is put watch under a loupe – keeping its movement “basic” on a technical level allowed the superlative finissage to come to the fore, exactly like how the accompanists hang back to let the soloist shine.

Bvlgari Hora Domus Dual Time Zone Watch

Hora domus is Latin for home time, and that’s exactly what this watch does, albeit in a far more intricate way than a regular GMT watch. Home time is displayed via the skeletonised hour hand that’s paired with a day/night indicator. Local time, on the other hand, is set using pushers to advance the “regular” hour hand in one hour increments, whether forwards or back. If that’s not quite enough, local time can be chosen between two cities (always 12 hours apart), with the corresponding shift in the AM/PM indicator. Lastly, daylight savings can be accounted for using the seasons aperture at nine o’clock.

Words by Jamie Tan. Photography by greenplasticsoldiers. Art direction and styling by Evon Ching.

From: World of Watches #37.

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Official Launch Event of Studio F.A. Porsche Design Suites at M101 Skywheel

At the launch, M101 Holdings introduced a collection of 94 luxury serviced residences that combines the elegant and functional design touch of Studio F. A. Porsche, a world leader in product, transportation and space design. Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz was present to officiate the ceremony and support M101’s “property tourism” strategy — the developer is promoting the property to potential owners in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Brunei, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

M101’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Seth Yap said, “M101 is very pleased to be working together with Studio F. A. Porsche to bring to Malaysia this very exclusive product. The iconic M101 Skywheel has garnered a lot of international attention since we first held our groundbreaking ceremony. At M101 Skywheel, you are not only purchasing a house; you indulge in a premium living experience with like-minded communities.”

The Design Suites come in three layouts — 2-bedroom (1,018 sq ft), 1+1 bedroom (909 sq ft) and 1+1 bedroom (879 sq ft). Future residents will also enjoy amenities like an infinity pool, gym and sauna with a view of iconic Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers on the 78th floor. During the launch ceremony, guests — which included local celebrities like violinist Dennis Yin and professional racer Alex Yoong, elite members of society and a convoy for 60 Porsche owners — were able to tour show units at the M101 sales gallery on Jalan Yap Kwan Seng.

Available for sale by invitation, the property is described as offering a never-before-seen-in-KL luxury living experience with fully furnished, equipped with selected visuals, custom furniture and exclusive products — including invisible tv screens, smart home features and a kitchen that converts into a bar. To project a masculine sophistication, the suites will be built with a carefully curated blend of natural materials like red oak timber, marble and leather, with engineered elements in black glass and steel.

Design Suites is projected to be completed in 2020. More info here.

Betsey Johnson Lists Her Mexican Villa On Airbnb

Located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, northwest of Acapulco, BetseyVilla is described as a “boutique vacation experience” for six to eight guests.

Minimalists be warned — in true Betsey Johnson style, the four-bedroom property is stylishly loud and colorful, with bold, floral print cushions and fuchsia sombreros accenting white couches and marble flooring.

Likewise, guests should be comfortable with living, dining and sleeping with Johnson peering over their shoulders, as portraits of the designer line many a wall.

The property itself features a large pool, terrace and outdoor kitchen, along with fully-equipped exercise room.

Guests can take advantage of a full staff for meals, yoga instruction, in-house spa treatments and outdoor activities, or opt for complete privacy.

The property boasts private beach access.

The luxury property also comes equipped with all the creature comforts of the modern traveler, with a Sonos sound system, Wifi, Netflix and cable TV, along with access to a 7-seat Jeep Commander, ATV and paddle board for land and water activities.

Guides are also available for horseback ridiing, surf lessons, snorkeling trips and yacht charters.

Rates start at RM2,650 a night, with a three-night minimum stay.

That’s a steal, considering Donna Karan rents out a villa in Turks and Caicos for RM39,779 a night.

See the listing on AirBnB.

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The S60 From Princess Yachts Is Ready To Hit Southeast Asian Waters

The S60 getting into her stride

Located on England’s south coast, Devon is rich in maritime history. It was the birthplace of sailor and navigator Sir. Francis Drake and where the Mayflower set sail on her voyage to the ‘New World’. Today it is the location of the HMNB Davenport, which is the largest naval base in Western Europe, as well as being the Royal Navy’s only nuclear refuelling and repair facility. Devon is also home to one of the most important yacht building shipyards in operation globally. Started by ex-Naval Officer David King, Princess Yachts operates six factories around Plymouth, producing several hundred yachts per year.

From their original Project 31, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, to the grand 40M, Princess has been building yachts for a generation. Sleek and sophisticated, their yachts are some of the most sought-after in the world with the striking exterior designs and exquisite interiors. Their latest model comes in the form of a flybridge motor yacht named the S60, which is perfect for the waters of South East Asia.

A spacious and beautifully designed interior features throughout the S60

If you’re looking for optimal performance — the kind that will get you to that dream cove effortlessly — then the S60 is your type of motor yacht. For a vessel with an LOA of 62 ft 1 in, the fact that it can comfortably hit speeds up to 38 kts is impressive. And thanks to optional Twin MAN V8 1200 engines, it’ll keep this up all day long. Twin Caterpillar 12.9 engines are also available and even so, still offer up to 35 kts.

She may be the smallest yacht in the S range, but the S60 does not skimp on the same quality or attention to detail that make her big siblings stand out. Owners have access to the same materials as the S65 and S72. This includes woods such as Rovere Oak and American Walnut, tiled floors and aconite worktops. Carpets, upholstered fabrics and window coverings can all be chosen to give your S60 a custom look and feel.

Ergonomically designed seating in the saloon, state-of-the-art instruments at the captain’s fingertips

The main deck features a large open-plan design with a spacious dining area and an aft galley. A U-shaped sofa provides further seating in front of the entertainment system which incorporates a large LED TV, DVD, and surround sound audio system. Sliding doors and a fully-opening window allow guests and crew to easily access the cockpit. There’s the option of a powered opening roof as well, which is perfect for letting the refreshing sea breeze flow through the saloon. As with every Princess, large windows give a bright and airy feel throughout.

The foredeck has sunbathing spots aplenty, but unique with the S range is a flybridge with bimini that offers shelter from the sun, a feature which will surely be appreciated by the Asian market. There’s plenty of seating up top as well, with a wetbar, stereo system and optional barbeque grill to spice up your entertaining space.

If you feel like doing a bit of exploring in shallow waters or getting out the old water skis, a large garage is easily accessible in the stern. There’s plenty of room for a tender, jet ski and all your water sport needs.

Princess S60: Sleek from every viewpoint

The S60 is an excellent sport cruiser, and it’s the perfect vessel for a long weekend getaway. Up to six guests can stay comfortably in the three cabins below deck. There’s a full beam en-suite Master with a flat floor that features a large double bed with plenty of storage underneath. A sofa provides extra lounging space, while wardrobes are generously-sized to accommodate your styling needs. For quiet nights in, an entertainment system with an LED television is at hand. A VIP in the bow and twin cabin starboard share the other bathroom. If you opt for it, the crew cabin is aft.

Princess has created a fine luxury motor yacht that’s perfect for a variety of environments. With its blend of sportiness and old school luxury, the S60 looks just as good moored at your local marina as it does out on the high seas, exuding an air of sophistication that few yachts can.

Specifications:
LOA (incl. pulpit): 62ft 11 in (19.7m)
LOA (excl. pulpit): 62ft 1 in (18.92m)
Beam: 16ft (4.87m)
Draft: 4ft 7in (1.4m)
Displacement approx.: 27,200kg (59,966lbs)
Fuel capacity: 715 gal/859 US gal/3,250L
Water capacity (incl. calorifier): 132 gal/159 US gal/603L
Engines: Twin Caterpillar 12.9 (2 x 1000mhp), Speed range: 33-35 knots; Twin MAN V8 1200 (2 x 1200mhp), Speed range: 36-38 knots

Words by Robbie Wilson. Check out www.boatlagoonyachting.com or www.princessyachtssea.com for more information.

From: Yacht Style #39.

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You Will Want to Carry These Stylish Backpacks From the Latest A/W17 Collections

Whether it’s about urban exploration, active outdoor adventure being fashion forward or just wanting to make a bold statement, we’ve got 10 backpacks from some of the latest fall/winter 2017 collections for you to check out. And fret not, they’re all Malaysian climate appropriate.

Siesta & Go, Zen Bar and Mr. Healing are Nap Cafes Leading the Siesta Trend

Sleep-deprivation is spurring the growing trend of nap cafes around the world. PeopleImages/Istock.com

It’s a sign of the times when major cities around the world open up nap cafes.

From Tokyo to London, Seoul to Paris, the list of cities opening up nap cafes has been growing in recent months, with busy, overworked and burnt-out urbanites welcoming the idea of being able to take a power nap in the middle of the day.

One of the newest additions is Madrid, which saw the opening of Spain’s first sleep cafe earlier this summer, aptly called Siesta & Go.

Given the country’s long-standing tradition of closing up shop for hours at mid-day to escape the summer heat, it makes sense that Madrid would be the latest city to adopt the trend.

For about US$16 customers can retreat to a private bedroom and squeeze in a power nap during their lunch hour.

The Zen Bar a Sieste in Paris also offers locals a quiet retreat in the middle of the bustling city, with massage chairs that invite guests to indulge in a snooze, and other services like foot massages, fish pedicures and Shiatsu massages designed to de-stress their guests.

In Seoul, South Korea, where employees work notoriously long hours, one of the leading cafes in the business is Mr. Healing, with 60 locations across the country, writes The Korea Times.

Be it a micro-siesta of 15 minutes, or a more luxurious one-hour doze, nap or “healing” cafes as they’re better known locally, offer sleep-deprived locals a chance to recharge in the afternoon — a service that has become increasingly popular for everyone from office workers to new moms.

Customers slide into massage chairs, bean bags or hammocks and close their eyes, waiting for Mr. Sandman to bring them a dream.

While the sleep cafe trend is firmly entrenched in South Korean culture, in other cities it operates as a working experiment.

London, for instance, has seen its fair of pop-up nap stations over the last few years, set up as promotional gimmicks from mattress companies and design companies.

Last year, Londoners got a Nap Station equipped with power nap pods, beds, free Wifi and coffee at the Old Truman Brewery. The year before, a design studio opened the Sleeperie pop-up, where guests could cocoon themselves in swinging red hammocks.

To mark World Sleep Day back in March, Nescafe Harajuku partnered with a bedding company to open a pop-up nap cafe in Tokyo in the spring.

At the end of their power nap, guests were given a cup of Nescafe coffee to get on with their day.

Penang RendezVous 2018 announced

(Update on 20th April 2018: Penang RendezVous has been rescheduled to be hosted on 26th to 29th July 2018. Click here to find out more.)

Straits Quay Marina in Penang will host the inaugural PENANG RENDEZVOUS from May 10-13, 2018, showcasing the best in ultra luxury. Mark your calendar for this one-of-a-kind, four-day event set to bring an experience to our shores like you’ve never seen.

In addition to yachts, Penang Rendezvous will have something for both land and water motor heads. Organised by Asia Rendez Vous Pte Ltd., the event presents yachts, classic cars, supercars, sea planes, helicopters, watches, properties and art. Brought to you by the trusted hands of the team behind the successful SINGAPORE RENDEZVOUS, the upcoming event is expected to be well received by guests.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for the luxury industry in Penang to come together at what will surely be the biggest luxury lifestyle event in Malaysia.” said Olivier Burlot, CEO of Asia Rendez Vous Pte Ltd. He added, “The Straits Quay marina in the heart of vibrant Penang is strategically located to attract thousands of visitors from Penang and from across Malaysia each year.”

Luxury aficionados from around the world who descend onto the scenic location, can look forward to over 25 yachts and two sea planes that will be docked at the marina during the event. Alongside the yachts, Penang Rendezvous will also give visitors a chance to meet yacht brokers, property developers, high-end watch retailers, business jet operators and luxury travel organisers.

For all queries, contact Event Director Russell Chew at [email protected]. Follow the latest news on Penang Rendezvous at @penangrendezvous on Instagram.

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Alrosa Will be Auctioning Off A 51-carat “Dynasty” Diamond On Its Website

Russian mining giant Alrosa is set to auction off a huge 51-carat “Dynasty” diamond and four other high-purity diamonds with a starting price of $10 million, the company says.

The five-diamond collection seen by members of the press on Thursday was cut from a 179-carat rough diamond discovered in 2015 in one of the state-owned company’s mines in the Sakha region of eastern Siberia.

Alrosa, Russia’s top diamond producer, calls the 51.38-carat gem that is the centrepiece of the collection “the largest and purest diamond cut in the history of Russian jewellery making”.

“All five diamonds were manufactured from one rough diamond, which is an exceptional case. It took a year and a half to create the collection,” Alrosa’s president Sergei Ivanov said in a statement.

The largest diamond in the collection was named in honour of Russia’s last imperial family the Romanovs, whose rule ended a century ago in 1917 with the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The other gems are named after Russian aristocrat families.

The second largest diamond in the collection measures 16.67 carats, while the smallest is 1.39 carats.

After going on a tour taking in several countries, the collection is expected to be auctioned off in November via Alrosa’s website.

“Based on the auction results of Sotheby’s and Christie’s, the starting price of the collection can be no less than $10 million,” Ivanov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

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Great Watches to Wear to a Rock Concert

Bell & Ross BR 01 Burning Skull


The skull motif in rock? It is almost too easy but hear us out. This symbol isn’t just evocative of legends such as Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden; the skull also represents memento mori, and the danger associated with living life on the edge. What better icon is there to identify your tribe with? In this watch, the skull is rendered in relief, and framed by an engraved case and bezel that’s been in-filled with black lacquer to create a complete sculpture that would make any rocker proud.

Tag Heuer Carrera Heuer 01


For a traditional “round” watch, this timepiece’s case and movement sure are full of sharp edges and hard angles. The watch is modern through and through, right down to its in-house Heuer 01 chronograph calibre, and looks all set to rock. A 12-part modular case – designed to allow a staggering array of combinations of materials and finishings – seems almost like that Telecaster that you could tweak and modify to your heart’s content.

Urwerk UR-105 T-Rex


A sculpture on the wrist that’s shaped like a shield, no less; Petrucci would be proud. A bronze “bezel” engraved with a pattern reminiscent of Clous de Paris guilloché adorns the upper surface of the watch, and brings to mind reptilian hide… and the leather
straps that rockers sling their axes from. Don’t mind the sweat as you shred on your guitar – it’ll only add to the unique patina of this timepiece.

See also: Great watches to wear to a rap or hip hop concert.

Breitling Avenger Hurricane


It may have been conceived for the cockpit, but the Avenger Hurricane is far from a one-trick pony. With a yellow dial set against a black case and strap, this 50mm behemoth makes for a bold statement on the wrist, and comes built tough to survive the rigours of rocking out. Of course, what good’s a watch if its strap doesn’t pass muster? A tough textile-rubber hybrid strap keeps the watch securely fastened to the wrist, while remaining sweat resistant. The fact that it complements a Les Paul Goldtop is just icing on the cake.

Words by Jamie Tan. Photography by greenplasticsoldiers. Art direction and styling by Evon Ching.

From: World of Watches #37.

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The Most Expensive Shot of Whiskey in the World Was Sold for the North Koreans

There’ve been reports that a man strolled into a bar in Switzerland last week and plonked down 9,999 Swiss Francs (RM65,000) for a glass of Macallan whiskey made in 1878.

This went down at the luxury Waldhaus Hotel in St. Moritz, where the man and a group of friends spent the evening at Devil’s Place Whisky Bar. The hotel bar has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records for its impressive 2,500 bottle collection of spirits.

While that’s a pretty pricey shot of finely fermented grain, it’s not the most expensive one sold to date. Blaine Vess — entrepreneur and CEO of StudyMode, an ed-tech company that helps students create, share and discover study materials — purchased a 50ml dram of Macallan 64 for $64,000 (RM274,000), but it wasn’t exactly a whimsical purchase during a drinking night out.

Proceeds from the sale of this unique dram, stored at £10, a Macallan cocktail lounge at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills are pledged by Macallan to benefit a charity of the buyer’s choice.

In this case, Vess’s purchase benefits Liberty in North Korea (LiNK), a non-profit working to empower North Koreans to drive change in their country. Some of the groups efforts are eyebrow-raising — they include rescuing North Korean refugees seeking resettlement via a 5,000-kilometre underground railroad that runs through China and into Southeast Asia.

Blaine Vess, the social entrepreneur who purchased a shot of Macallan 64 for $64,000.

The bottle is the only one of its kind, containing three single malts filled in 1942, 1945 and 1946, and this isn’t the first time the Macallan 64, the oldest blend ever released by the distillery, has been involved in a charity effort. Back in 2010, some of the same Macallan 64 went on a world tour in a Lalique decanter, as part of glass designer René Lalique’s birth celebrations, offering 10cl sips to global enthusiasts for five-figure sums, all benefiting charity.

Several countries  and a few rounds of refills later, the final decanter was sold for $460,000 at a Sotheby’s New York charity auction. From a purely whisky perspective, some might still think it overpriced, but it speaks to Macallan’s rise in brand power, especially visible in Asia — another Sotheby’s auction in 2014, sold a rare single malt Macallan M for a whopping $628,205 in Hong Kong.

As for Blaine Vess’s precious shot? He doesn’t plan on drinking it. At least, not now. It will stay locked up in the safe at £10, until things change for the North Korean people. “I’m honoured to support LiNK in promoting freedom and empowerment for the North Korean people, and grateful to The Macallan for their generosity in giving the proceeds from this valuable whiskey to charity,” Vess said in an interview with Market Wired.

“I want to wait to drink it until the North Korean people are free — and I believe that will happen in my lifetime.”

Watch Blaine Vess talking about his purchase of the most expensive shot of whiskey in the world:

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Beijing, Home to an Unexpected Modern Art Renaissance

It’s hard to separate the real Beijing from the stereotypes, so deeply have they become ingrained. So it’s all the more unexpected when relic weary visitors learn that Beijing is also a leading centre of modern and contemporary art.

Even before Yue Minjun and Ai Weiwei came into the world spotlight, China had a growing network of underground galleries and artists, sometimes operating without official approval. The subculture that emerged was as subversive as it was eccentric.

The following decades elevated modern art in Beijing from a cultish fringe to a respected form of expression. While the list that follows is far from complete, it offers a brief introduction to some of the most representative spaces in this surprisingly modern spread.

The 798 Arts Zone

The undisputed capital of the modern arts scene is the 798 Art Zone, a half-million square metre complex of red brick at the rim of the Fourth Ring Road, named for its first incarnation as a military factory. Beginning in the 1980s, artists annexed the deserted workshops and squeezed their studios and spaces between the derelict machinery and dripping pipes. Dozens of high-end venues have now set their roots there, as well as many
offshoots and branching from institutions abroad.

Visiting the Art Zone is like stepping into an unusually fashionable alternate reality.

The factory buildings, designed after the austere functionalism of the 1950s – peeling Maoist slogans still visible – have been spray-painted over on every surface, not with slum graffiti but elaborate polychrome murals in intricate detail.

A huge bespectacled octopus menaces passers-by, and a giant green rabbit leaps from one of the windows. The central plaza, appositely named Bauhaus Square, is populated by modern sculptures and ringed around with cutesy cafés and vintage shops. At the south end, a stack of railway cars has been turned
into a panel of psychedelic murals.

Once through the looking-glass, the first sight is a menagerie of twisted animals, while swarms of brass bugs pour down the steps of a gallery nearby. The creatures of this brass menagerie were welded together by Zhu Bingren, China’s brightest sculptor and a descendant of a long line of metalworkers. His otherworldly creations, including orchards of blossoming metal trees and alien animals, are on permanent display at the nearby gallery.

Ullens Center for Contemporary Art

A few steps further, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) is one of the district’s flagship galleries. Its four spaces, guarded by caged dinosaur sculptures – because why the heck not – host about 15 exhibitions per year, along with film screenings, classes, and lectures.

At the south end of the complex, opposite a row of spray-painted murals, the Beijing Commune has launched some of China’s hottest stars. There is a tongue-in-cheek jab at China’s awkward relationship with idealism and orthodoxy, fitting for a space that has incubated famous upstarts. Its alumni include Yue Minjun, whose laughing self-portraits have become iconic in China’s contemporary art. His Cheshire grin is a sort of mascot for 798, copied in sculptures and paintings throughout the Art Zone.

Caochangdi

Beginning in the 2000s, when rents at the larger Art Zone began to soar, the fringes of the contemporary art movement left in search of greener and cheaper pastures. Its eventual destination was Caochangdi, a proletarian village, which has since become known as “Beijing’s Williamsburg.”

Unlike 798, Caochangdi is not yet part of the tourist circuit and is much more difficult to navigate, not least because many of the streets are unmarked. But despite the rough edges and remote location, the presence of several creative heavyweights has turned the village into a busy laboratory for aesthetic innovation. Most of the showrooms benefit from productive exchanges with artists in Hong Kong, Europe, and around the world.

A gloomy, brooding atmosphere prevails at Pekin Fine Arts, which at the time of writing was occupied by the unsettling monsters imagined by Liu Di. Liu, who won the coveted Lacoste Elysee Prize in 2010, explores the blurry seam between nature and human society. Most of his works explore themes of abnormal growth. His exhibits, ranging from photos to advanced 3D films, are full of ordinary animals ballooned to skyscraper sizes. The huge animals “point to the unreliability of common sense”, the artist writes, a coded reference to China’s sometimes agonising growing pains. The gallery, founded by China veteran Meg Maggio, also has a branch in Hong Kong’s Aberdeen.

The Hutongs

While most of the art scene is in the suburbs, you don’t need to go that far to find good art in the city. Capitalising on the hipster chic of the Drum Tower and other old-style neighbourhoods, many up-and-coming art spaces have opened in the city alongside noodle stalls and bun shops. The inner warrens make an ideal habitat for rising artists, even if they mostly pay in exposure.

In the heart of the old quarter, I: Project Space is more of a workshop than a showroom. Located in a pleasant old-style courtyard, the collective focuses on art creation and exchange. You can attend the third Independent Art Spaces Festival in August, an annual collaboration by small collectives and spaces around the city. The festival is held in spaces ranging from large galleries to private apartments and digital spaces. “In a time where space is not any more necessarily connected with a locality, we want to also show projects of art that happen outside of the institutional system,” says media liaison Antonie Angerer.

At the southern edge of the city, Red Gate Gallery delivers modernity with a unique twist. Instead of framing its art with futurist architecture, the gallery is in a 600-year-old Ming dynasty watchtower, with new works displayed between imperial masonry and arrow-slits. It’s the oldest private gallery in China, which has, through collaboration with international residency programmes, hosted hundreds of international artists. “Some of our leading lights were Su Xinping, Tan Ping, Liu Qinghe, and Sui Jianguo, and each of them has played a major role nurturing the new generation of artists,” says founder Brian Wal.

For something more challenging, the Intelligentsia Gallery has a reputation for bewildering even hard-nosed connoisseurs. Their displays are more like puzzles than artworks, in spaces ranging from empty factories to hourly hotel rooms. “Intelligentsia creates a space for positions and oppositions, for dialogue and contradictions,” explains the collective in the cryptic Intelligentsia Manifesto. We haven’t yet quite figured out what that means, but we’re all in favour.

Words by By Andrew Wincheta.

From: Men’s Folio Malaysia, Jun/July 2017.

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The 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom Has Arrived

The introduction of the all-new 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom has had casual enthusiasts wondering what is new about the British carmaker’s iconic luxury ride. Apart from visible changes to the exterior front there is a lot more going on under the hood.

The Phantom’s trademark grille is taller and wider than its predecessor, and the faux radiator is finished off with a customisable Spirit of Ecstasy ornament — choices include silver, gold-plate, or illuminated polycarbonate.

The grille isn’t the only thing that’s now taller though, as the entire front of the Phantom is now even bigger and more imposing than it already was. Compared to the current Phantom’s profile where the nose appears to drop off behind the front spindles, the new car fixes what could be seen as that minor flaw with a continuous rise from the back of the boot to the front bumper.

More significant non-aesthetic features of the new car include the all-new aluminum ‘Architecture of Luxury,’ that helps deliver an even more sumptuous ride due to it being lighter, stiffer, quieter and more technologically advanced than ever before.

But perhaps the most significant upgrade is the all-new 6.75-liter twin-turbo V-12 engine that sits beneath the gargantuan hood. It means the power output will now be 563 bhp instead of the current 453, while torque is also on the up too with 664 lb.-ft. instead of 531 as it is at the moment.

The luxury marque is claiming a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for the 227.2-inch-long version of the Phantom, while the 235.8-inch long wheelbase version does it in 5.4 seconds. It may not be a change for the 2018 model, but some of us remember a time when Rolls-Royce never used to divulge such banal things as 0-60 times or top speeds.

Next Generation Bell & Ross BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro Rotor & KLCC Pop Up Store Unveiled

In a cocktail preview last Thursday, Bell and Ross revealed its latest next generation BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro Rotor to an appreciative crowd at Elements Hotel by Westin.

To commemorate the unveiling, a custom-built transparent stage was set up over the pool — to complement the cutting edge, see-through casing of the BR-X2 — for models wearing timepieces to walk on.

Guests were encouraged to admire the BR-X2’s movement during the event. A signature element of the BR-X2 has always been that it is framed inside an unconventional holder, cut from of stainless steel plates as thin as the movement itself. The plates are milled and polished until the right shape and clarity is achieved, then reinforced with sapphire enclosures to provide maximum protection to movement, the central masterpiece of the watch.

From now till the end of August, you can view the BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro Rotor and the full collection of the BR-X1 at a lifestyle pop-up store in collaboration with Cortina Watch. The store is located on Level 1, Suria KLCC.

First Look: Mercedes-Benz E Class Coupé

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia unveiled the E-Class Coupé last Thursday, another worthy addition to its lineup of “Dream Cars Collection”, a repertoire of the most exclusive and exciting cars available in the luxury market today.

With more space than its predecessors, two models are available: the E 200 Coupé AMG Line, with 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque, capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds; and the E 300 Coupé, with 245 hp, 370Nm, capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds. An extra third version is the E 300 Coupé Edition 1, — but is limited to only 555 units worldwide — accented by 50.8 cm (20-inch) AMG light-alloy wheels and cashmere white magno paint.

Interior-wise, one can choose high-contrasting, black/classic red or black/white leathers with horizontal seams. Lighting is powered by LED technology, including ambient lighting that features 64 colours. Two high-resolution displays makes up a widescreen “floating” cockpit. Steering wheel controls, centre console touchpad, LINGUATRONIC voice control system improves navigation. Extra spaciousness gives passengers extra comfort, especially on longer journeys.

An exciting add-on to the E-Class is COMAND Online, the infotainment system with full smartphone integration capability. Plugs and cables are eliminated, as compatible mobile phones can be charged wirelessly, and connects to the system via the vehicle’s exterior aerial. Using the Near Field Communication feature, a smartphone can be turned into a digital car key to lock, unlock and start the engine, lest you lose your real keys.

GALLERY: Omega Malaysia Showcases the Latest Collections From Baselworld 2017

Omega Malaysia recently held a presentation to showcase the latest in innovation and timepieces that were presented at Baselworld 2017 earlier this year. Following the presentation, Joseph A. Boudville, brand manager of OMEGA Malaysia hosted an exclusive afternoon tea session with celebrities, socialites, media and guests.

The highlight at this invitation only event were the display towers showcasing new OMEGA watches. Included in the display were the Commander’s Watch, Speedmaster 38MM, The Trilogy, De Ville Prestige, and the remarkable ETNZ Collection.