Author Archives: Yan Joon Wing

Chaumet Paris Reopens The 12 Place Vendôme Flagship Hôtel Particulier

Leonie Hanne

Reopening its brand-new refurbished flagship at the 12 Place Vendôme in Paris, the high-end jewellery and watchmaker’s, Chaumet hôtel showcases an array of new layouts, décor, boutiques, grand salons and workshops.

Chaumet Reopens The 12 Place Vendôme Flagship Hôtel Particulier

The auberge’s restoration which balances longstanding traditions with modernity, highlights metaphorical cornerstones of the Maison as its founder intended them – representing the core values and heritage of the Chaumet brand whilst serving as a monumental epicentre of legendary Parisian jewellery since its inception in 1812.

With the Joséphine, Liens and Jardins collections showcased on the ground floor, the Chaumet hôtel takes guests on a journey through the brand’s iconic milestones and history. Incorporating delicate décor in form of embroidery, upholstered walls, engraved walnut panelling, finely gilded stone, and a grand staircase – each element pays tribute to the Maison’s foundational love story, through evoking the passionate correspondence of French Emperor Napoléon and his first wife Joséphine.

Coco Rocha and Cindy Bruna

Joining in celebration of its 240th anniversary, a slew of esteemed guests such as Coco Rocha, Cindy Bruna, Camila Coelbo and Leonie Hanne, gathered in honour of the Maison and its established building – which now features a variety of historic and cultural spaces, plus the High Jewelry workshop where Chaumet creations are born under the direction of Benoît Verhulle and his team of jewellers, setters, polishers and apprentices.

Offering an air of sophisticated comfort, the Chaumet hôtel houses a total of six intimate salons such as, the Salon des Joyaux, Salon Malmaison, Salon des Dessins, Salon des Diadèmes, Salon des Perles, and most notably, the Salon Chopin.

Designed at the request of Baron Baudard de Sainte-James by lead architect François-Joseph Bélanger and a team of artisans prized by King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette in 1779 – the Salon Chopin is regarded as an exceptional artistic treasure, with invaluable paintings of Lagrenée le Jeune, and the sculpted panelling of anchors, shells and tridents by the Rousseau brothers, lining each wall. As an ode to a former resident’s final mazurka and the salon’s musical identity, the space now also includes a Pleyel piano from the 1920s.

With bees and golden ears of wheat, lush foliage, graphic mirrors and Chaumet blue trellis, the Maison reels in the new chapter with a symbolic garden. The enchanting installation stretches across the 12 Vendôme’s façade, rising from the boutique to the workshop, and encircling the grand salons along the way. Lit up after nightfall, the garden represents the Maison’s most cherished union of naturalistic inspiration and jewellery culture.

By Julia Roxan

 

Kapsimalis Architects Transforms Ancient Volcanic Remains into The Saint Hotel

What was once a cluster of abandoned homes, barns and cellars amidst a rugged landscape of ancient volcanic remains, is now the Santorini island’s proudest structure. Designed and conceptualized by Greek studio, Kapsimalis Architects, the cliffside Saint Hotel incorporates the Bronze Age’s rich, classic Cycladic aesthetic.

Kapsimalis Architects Transforms Ancient Volcanic Remains into The Saint Hotel

Through the tireless process of restoring and revamping, the Saint Hotel steps downward on a seaside cliff, providing unobstructed views of the island’s volcanic bay on every level. Featuring rooms built snug into the steep hillside, the hotel’s sixteen suites include private terraces with pools and loungers, separated by white concrete walls.

Comprising of a small reception, restaurant, common pool area, spa, hammam, sauna booths, massage rooms, and gym – the hotel spans over six floors with the entrance positioned at the uppermost level and easily accessed on foot, with exterior staircases creating a central path for guests and staff to navigate the space.

Referencing the area’s authentic cubist morphology, Kapsimalis Architects were careful in ensuring the renewed contemporary space blended seamlessly into the surrounding caldera landscape – restoring caves and maintaining the significant motifs of traditional Cycladic design, the architects heavily-incorporated the use of white and a human scale throughout the construction process.

Enhancing the existing contours and terrain of its natural environment, the Saint Hotel is uniform in its minimal, bright white approach. Featuring the slightest touch of gold and green, the hotel’s interior draws an undivided attention to the mesmerizing scenes of outdoor Santorini, whilst providing guests with a great sense of opulence, relaxation, privacy and comfort.

By Julia Roxan

 

David Altrath Photographs The World’s Longest Underground Art Gallery in Stockholm

With over 100 stations linked in an intricate web of underground train lines, spanning 110km far, the Swedish capital of Stockholm is revered for the world’s longest art gallery in existence. Featuring the works of at least 150 different artists, the cities metros showcase an array of art styles, each with their own distinct theme and color scheme.

David Altrath Photographs The World’s Longest Underground Art Gallery in Stockholm

Comprising of sculptures, rock formations, mosaics, paintings, installations, engravings and reliefs, Stockholm’s underground world has grown to be every tourist and photographer’s must-see destination. Of the many who have come to admire each station’s virtue, was fine-art, landscape and travel photographer, Conor MacNeill, and freelance German photographer, David Altrath – who is known for his work in architecture, landscape photography and advertising.

Dubbing his project in Stockholm, “Metro”, Altrath’s equally mesmerizing work is available for viewing online.

By Julia Roxan

 

An Exclusive Interview With Nicola Andreatta

Mr. Nicola Andreatta, CEO of Roger Dubuis

You may not be familiar with Nicola Andreatta as CEO of Roger Dubuis but he knew the company from the era of Mr Roger Dubuis and Carlos Dias – basically right from the company’s origins. A man with watchmaking in his blood, Andreatta has spent his entire career deep in the trade, thanks in part to his family business, Timeo SA.

Based in Mendrisio, Switzerland, the family business is Swiss, through-and-through, and was a supplier to the Roger Dubuis company, back in the pre-Richemont days. Andreatta’s involvement here was far from casual – he was managing Timeo from 2003 till 2013. “My father made one of the first cases for Roger Dubuis,” said Andreatta in a piece published online by the South China Morning Post; Andreatta’s father is the founder of Timeo SA.

Andreatta also started his own watch brand, N.O.A. Watches in this period, and is a familiar face to many collectors and journalists thanks to his stint as Vice President and General Manager of Tiffany & Co, Swiss Watches SAGL. This was when we first encountered Andreatta, as he toured Asia in 2015 and 2016. As it happens, he is also quite familiar with the watch trade here because his first professional engagements were in this region, after he graduated with a business degree in 1997.

In our first interaction, Andreatta told us that he needed 10 years to make watches a successful part of the American jeweller’s business. This figure should not be scoffed at, with no less than Jean-Claude Biver himself noting that it took him a decade to build up Hublot. Fortunately, Roger Dubuis finds itself in a good position already, with previous CEO Jean-Marc Pontrué having left the manufacture a better place than when he found it. Andreatta is certainly not about to change any of that, telling us that he intends to keep the production numbers of Roger Dubuis stable for at least three years.

Armed with an infectious smile and a magnetic personality, Andreatta is the sort of business leader who makes you feel like you can achieve great things. This is precisely the quality a CEO needs to have, which is not something that can be learned. His own history with watchmaking leaves him perhaps uniquely suited to the top job, especially at a firm that is very much of this contemporary age.

Andreatta was in Singapore in late 2019 to officiate the opening of the refurbished Roger Dubuis boutique at ION Orchard.  We caught up with him for a chat about the brand and his plans for its future.

As the new man at Roger Dubuis and Richemont, what’s the welcome been like?

It has been incredible! My family business was connected with Roger Dubuis, right from the beginning (from the era of Mr Roger Dubuis and Carlos Dias), so I know the brand. But I’ve discovered even more. The introduction was fun, because you know, my father came to SIHH this year, and now he sees me on the other side! There’s pride there of course.

You’ve been in watchmaking your entire professional life. How has this helped you at Roger Dubuis?

The good thing about my career is that I know pretty much every single job in a watch company! I know how to manufacture watches physically; I know how to use the machines; I’ve designed watches; I’ve worked in the business of making watches in Switzerland, and in Asia; working with the suppliers… This is an advantage because it allows me to be closer to my team.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Double Flying Tourbillon

One thing I heard from my team was that they were happy to be able to discuss production with me, which may not have been the case with other CEOs (who don’t have the relevant experience in watchmaking). I know what I’m talking about and this allows me to find the trust and respect I need from my team. (In turn) I’m more useful to them because they find in me a partner instead of a boss.

When I came to Roger Dubuis, I discovered amazing things, yes, and maybe the people who had been there for 10 years (or more) didn’t see those things anymore. They are so focussed on what they do that they don’t change perspectives (so this is where I can contribute).

Roger Dubuis has been described as entrepreneurial. What doe that mean to you?

I say Roger Dubuis is an entrepreneurial brand because of our size, relative to our competitors; there is still a lot of room to grow. In the end, entrepreneurship is all about evolving, learning, growing and improving things. With my team, there’s a lot we can do to take this brand to new heights. With the help of Richemont, we can be entrepreneurial and find the right direction for the brand. As you know, Richemont is the most important watchmaking group in the world.

I hate the idea of chasing customers. I feel like you are successful when they come to you

You’ve spoken about maintaining the direction of the company, but adding your own vision. What is that vision?

I cannot really tell you my vision, because we like surprises at Roger Dubuis! What I can say is that changing completely what Jean-Marc Pontrué (he is currently CEO of Panerai, another firm within the Richemont stable) did, would be a mistake. He traced a very good line with the partnerships between Roger Dubuis and Pirelli as well as Lamborghini; this has been very successful for us. Because of this, we manage to express ourselves in the territory that we want…with all the adrenaline and the style of excess. It is all about evolution for us, rather than dramatic changes. There will be bumps of disruption here and there because that is everything Roger Dubuis is about. For example, there is something coming next year that will (really speak to the brand’s reputation) as a serial innovator. You will see at Watches & Wonders (the new name of the SIHH) in Geneva.

Roger Dubuis calls itself a “serial innovator.” What does that mean?

Innovation is not only in the product for us – it is also about the company. Now, you cannot just go to the staff and say I want 10 ideas from each of you. No, you have to create the environment for creativity and innovation. Innovation can come from anywhere in the company – maybe the cleaning staff have incredible ideas and bring a new perspective. You know, I asked the marketing people to think about production; I asked the finance people to think about the design. Crazy and incredible things came up! I mean, our CFO is a potential client after all!

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Pirelli Automatic Skeleton

All watchmaking brands want to reach young people, but it seems a certain generation is resistant to standard forms of luxury marketing. How does Roger Dubuis address this?

I hate the idea of chasing customers. I feel like you are successful when they come to you. It’s like what Steve Jobs said about creating desire; a need for something (that they never knew they needed). I feel like we’ve been overwhelming people with luxury, inflating products with higher and higher prices…and people tend to understand less and less. My problem isn’t about the price (per se) but to make sure the perceived value is aligned to what they are going to spend. Because that’s when they spend with us.

Why do you want to keep Roger Dubuis’ production to its current levels? Is this to maintain the exclusivity of the watches?

I’m not into selling watches; I’m into creating a brand that people want to come to. It is about having a beautiful experience, and (a Roger Dubuis watch) should be a sign of the life you want to live. (This is) the Roger Dubuis world, where people live the life they want to. Our customers are a sort of tribe.

Our world is connected to hedonism – to seeking pleasure. When customers come to us, they get an experience. It is beyond what money can buy. We create moments for our customers: when they come to Geneva we take them skiing on a glacier via helicopter with a champion skier; we take them flying on an aerobatic plane. We offer sensorial experiences. These moments create emotions, and those emotions are what people will remember.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Quator Carbon

Given that Roger Dubuis has a certain pedigree, is it dangerous to veer so far from the origins of the manufacture?

These experiences (that I talked about) are not only about (thrill-seeking); they are about things that bring you pleasure, like wine or great hospitality. So we will also be connecting to the very beginnings of Roger Dubuis – our complications. We are going to be redesigning our traditional Excalibur case. We will be looking once more at our tourbillons, our minute repeater, our perpetual calendar…always with a twist!

I want us to stop talking about men’s watches and women’s watches; this is a bit anachronistic today. Why should we limit ourselves in this way?

We also use Mr Roger Dubuis’ quotes with our staff internally all the time. This is the spirit we need because we need to be true to our DNA. Too many brands lose this when they go looking for clients – they try to be the brand for everybody. We are not the brand for everybody; we are the brand for those few who understand who we are and want to be a part of our world.

That’s a very exclusive message. How do you make that fit with raising awareness for the brand?

This is the biggest challenge for us. We don’t need awareness everywhere but we (definitely need it) with our target group. You know, of all the marketing tools out there I think that word-of-mouth might be the best one to make sure that the brand gets renowned in the right circle of friends. I want to extend Roger Dubuis’s circle, invite more people into the tribe; if they find what they like (in our world) they will come back.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Carbon

Turning back to the world of adrenaline, why is it so much easier to understand the passion for cars than it is to understand the same passion for watches?

A watch is more difficult to understand because a car gets you from place to place, basically. In our world, a car has to be noisy and (provoke) emotions. Watches, on the other hand, when you start talking about complications, (you enter) a very peculiar world. There is something philosophical there. It is about the quest to control time, which is impossible. I love the idea that there is a connection between the (engines of time) and the concept of time. You must also not forget about the metiér – the handwork. When people come to the manufacture, they understand what the Geneva Seal means – that every component has to be finished by hand. This changes perceptions because people realise that it takes (the input) of hundreds of people to develop and produce a movement.

Despite having made many more calibres in the recent past than most other brands, even much larger ones, Roger Dubuis only has two collections now. Will you be changing this?

The beauty about our past is that we’ve been very creative – maybe too creative! We need to choose our battles, and be focussed on how we express ourselves. There were just too many things in the past and (Pontrué) did an amazing job in reducing our collections to just the Excalibur and the Velvet; one for men and one for women.

I want us to stop talking about men’s watches and women’s watches; this is a bit anachronistic today. Why should we limit ourselves in this way? It’s a myth that watches with diamonds (and other gems) are only for women; plenty of Asian customers like this. Who says that women should only wear small watches? I know a lot of women who wear 45mm or 47mm watches! For sure I will stop (defining watches as) men’s or ladies’.

Zero’s 2020 SR/S Motorcycle is The Gulfstream of The Road

Using the same electric motor and battery as its flagship SR/F example, American manufacturer, Zero Motorcycles announced its latest all-electric ride. Boasting an experience parallel to that of Gulfstream jet, the brand new SR/S offers similar specs, abundant range, spine-bending performance and superior technological advancement.

Zero’s 2020 SR/S Motorcycle is The Gulfstream of The Road

Hitting a top speed of 124mph, the SR/S accumulates range of up to 200 miles on a single charge of its optional range-extending battery tank – 40 miles further than the brand’s flagship and 50 miles more than its upcoming Fuell Flow model. Amassing 110 horsepower, the SR/S charges up to 12kW through an optional rapid-charging pack which boosts battery life from 0 to 95% in under an hour.

Featuring a revolutionary design, the SR/S incorporates a massive digital screen installed with smartphone pairing applications, providing next-level connectivity for over-the-air updates and real-time riding statistics.

Worth at least $19,995, Zero’s latest SR example boasts an elevated, serene and highly sophisticated ride. Set to go on sale by early March, the SR/S breaks the brand’s signature mold with a complete set of body panels, computational fluid dynamics, slightly higher handlebars, and lower foot pegs for increased comfort and better posture, plus an adjusted suspension for a smoother journey.

By Julia Roxan

 

Reza Mohtashami Designs The Sinisterly Beautiful Concrete House

Rotating within the rocks and out unto the surrounding lake and forest, Mashhad-based architect, Reza Mohtashami’s latest concept comes in the form of a cliff-side dwelling known as the ‘Concrete House’.

Reza Mohtashami Designs The Sinisterly Beautiful Concrete House

Managing to appear both sinister and beautiful in perfect contiguity, the Concrete House melds man-made elements into the natural environment using curved structures, made almost entirely out of concrete, and a series of pillars propped upon a massive unnerving rock formation.

Colored in an almost identical shade of grey, the Concrete House almost blends seamlessly into its environment, whilst featuring an uncharacteristically inviting and minimalistic interior. Despite the home’s overall curvature, its interior remains palatial, with a living area, kitchen, bedroom, and entertainment room, plus large windows for natural light and unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape.

By Julia Roxan

 

Yves Saint Laurent Honors Betty Catroux at The Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Paris

Devoting an extra special exhibition to revered fashion icon and muse, Betty Catroux, French fashion house, Yves Saint Laurent honors her time as a model and her contributions to the Fondation Pierre Bergé at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Paris.

Featuring a meticulously curated personal collection of Betty Catroux’s most distinctive clothing, the exhibit will showcase over 180 haute couture pieces. Hand-selected by artistic director and exhibit carte blanche, Anthony Vaccarello, the collection will include runway prototypes and 138 one-off pieces from the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche ready-to-wear line.

Yves Saint Laurent Honors Betty Catroux at The Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Paris

As the foundation’s most significant donor, the exhibition which aims to best reflect Catroux’s close relationship with late founder and designer, Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent by displaying pieces which best reflect her unique personality and ongoing influence over the label’s signature style.

Lionized as the perfect embodiment of the Yves Saint Laurent brand, Betty Catroux is known for being mysteriously alluring with an elusively desirable charm – making her designer Yves Saint Laurent’s physical ideal with an attitude which echoed the innovative ‘masculine feminine style’ that he was developing when they first met at the nightclub The New Jimmy’s in 1967. Inspired by her radically androgynous look, the exhibit will showcase approximately fifty designs, from that period of time which are intrinsically linked to the figure of Betty Catroux – Yves’ ‘female double’.

Adapting pieces from the male wardrobe for the female body, the exhibition will recount the full history of the signature ‘Saint Laurent style,’ which gained prominence in the 1960s before the couture house’s final closure during a press conference on January 7th, 2002.

Ceasing his career as a couturier, the French designer went on to establish the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, within the same year. The foundation which aims to conserve and promote the full Yves Saint Laurent oeuvre, maintains an archive of over 34,000 items related to the life and work of the esteemed designer and his haute couture house. Since its opening in 2017, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris has permanently held an ever-changing rotation of retrospective displays and temporary thematic exhibitions in honor of the Fondation’s rich and unique collection.

The exhibition will thus be open to public from March 3 to October 11, at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris on 5th avenue Marceau.

By Julia Roxan

 

SSC North America Debuts Its Latest Creation: The 2020 Tuatara Hypercar

North American automobile manufacturer, SSC, announced its latest production at the annual Philadelphia Auto Show on 8th February. Crowned with the Guinness World Record for Fastest Production Car in the World from 2007 to 2010, SSC’s latest creation boasts a top speed of over 300mph.

SSC North America Debuts Its Latest Creation: The 2020 Tuatara Hypercar

Dubbed the 2020 Tuatara, this hypercar is fueled by a 5.8-liter V8 engine equipped with twin turbochargers, pumping out fuel at an estimate 1,750 bhp. Designed by Jason Castriota, the car incorporates a class-leading 0.279 drag coefficient which significantly eliminates the risk of aquaplaning whilst driving at incredibly high speed.

Paired to a CIMA 7 speed transmission, the 2020 Tuatara shifts gear in a matter of milliseconds and is both lightweight and sturdy, featuring a carbon fiber exterior with a robust carbon-fiber monocoque secondary layer, fashioned from aerospace-grade carbon fiber in the Pacific Northwest, push-button dihedral doors, plus an immersive user-focused touchscreen infotainment system with various driving modes, tire pressures, complete diagnostics, rear and blind-spot cameras, a Front Lift Mode which raises the nose 1.6 inches whilst traversing obstacles, climate control, and music, amongst a multitude of other components.

While the hypercar has yet to officially go on sale, SSC North America has unveiled plans to produce 100 customized 2020 Tuatara models at the company’s headquarters in Richland, Washington, USA – naming Manhattan Motorcars of New York as its exclusive Northeast United States Authorized Tuatara Dealership.

By Julia Roxan

 

Day41, the latest Code41 watch for both men and women

The X41 was over-subscribed for both rounds, raising close to CHF 6 million

Built upon the brand’s DNA of transparency, community, and fair prices, Code41 watches are a watch collector’s dream given form. Ordinarily, following a “wish-list” of design elements and attributes contributes to a ‘many chef’s spoil the soup” situation but when it came to Code41, the crowdsourced input resulted in a collection that is not only appealing but substantially differentiated from many “kickstarter” generation of watches. Day41, the latest Code41 watch to follow the crowd-sourced “design & build” model recalls the openworked aesthetics of its premium predecessor without the price tag. But in order to understand the value proposition of the Day41, it stands to reason that we need to understand the philosophy of the watch models that came before it.

Who is Code41?

In this age of kickstarter watches, many brands make claims of “disrupting” a billion dollar industry but most if not all, never seem to do anything worthwhile with their clout and connection. The internet has democratised a lot of watch knowledge and where Code41 watches excel is that their early projects focused on the high-end segment of Swiss watchmaking – a rarity in most instances – building their provenance with the early foundations of something they called the X41.

Founded by luxury timepiece designer Claudio D’Amore in 2016, a 10 year veteran at brands like TAG Heuer and Montblanc, he understood that the coins of the realm of haute horlogerie spun on two precepts – provenance, and where lacking, the know-how and reputation gained from creating a manufacture (in-house) or collaborating on the creation of an exclusive calibre. The Code41 X41 with Grande Date (usually featured in the highest echelons of watchmaking) and peripheral weight (a technical feat seen only in a handful of ultra-thin watch models in the industry), had each component machined in Switzerland, exclusively for the Code41 community and decorated according an active forum discussion of member feedback.

What result was impressive, decoration and assembly executed by hand, with aesthetics which were referential to modern sport luxury timepieces but not derivative – a tough challenge even for established watchmakers. The Code41 X41 featured unique design language without being too unfamiliar – a circular bezel upon a cushion midcase with pronounced Code41 (now) signature lugs – it was a visual language that was recognisable yet distinct from an increasingly crowded marketplace of “me too” sportive luxury watches.

Code41 Anomaly 01

The Evolution of Code41 watches

After achieving close to CHF 6 million across two rounds of Kickstarter funding and selling 1150 timepieces the X41 with its Limited edition movement designed, manufactured and assembled entirely in Switzerland, set watch connoisseurs on notice.

After establishing their horological kudos, Code41’s next editions: The Anomaly 01 and Anomaly 02 were a little more approachable. “Total Transparency on Origin” or TTO is a concept on which Code41 watches are built. This means that its 300,000 strong community have knowledge of origin, material and production costs – hence a typical 20,000€ manufacture calibre timepiece like the X41 ended up retailing for 5,500€, a three to four multiplier mark-up accounting for design, manpower and profitability for business continuation and also research & development.

Having established a design language in terms of its undeniably masculine yet exquisitely refined case, the Anomaly 01 looked to Japan, the land of ultra-reliable Japanese Miyota 82S7 movement, a work-horse calibre found in most other entry level micro-brand. It’s no X41 but neither it is priced like one, nevertheless, the same finishing and decorative touches, albeit machine finished now rather than by hand, attempt to replicate the style and countenance of its premium predecessor, executed in a variety of materials ranging from the more commonplace PVD coated steel treatment to the more exciting forged carbon case. Code41’s Anomaly 02 combines the character and technicality of the case with an understated and elegant engine-turned guilloche dial fronting a robust Swiss ETA 2824 automatic calibre.

Introducing Day41, the world’s first crowd-sourced women’s designed timepiece

The Day has arrived, the latest Code41 watch for both men and women: Day41

“In attempting to create a beautiful women’s watch, in the end we’ve quite simply made a beautiful watch, regardless of gender.”

Conceived to fulfil a market demand for a dedicated women’s timepiece, Day41 was emblematic of Code41’s desire to create a beautiful women’s watch and in endowing the concept with the architecture and structure (sans Grande Date) reminiscent of the X41, that is to say – open worked dial with exposed bridges featuring alternating sand-grained and cotes de Geneve finishing, the resulting Day41 was dangerously closed to be a missed opportunity in creating an appealing, gender-neutral timepiece.

Mechanical watches and their inherent need for regular manual intervention like date and time setting should the power reserve run empty or even manual winding via the crown were traditionally thought of antithesis to well-manicured feminine fingers. However, the women of the Code41 community showed that they too are fond of raw, machined, mechanical designs; and the heightened, yet refined creativity of the Code41 Day41 is exemplary of feminine input.

The signature Code41 case returns in its sophisticated elegance, reworked to appropriately smaller 37mm and 40mm proportions as opposed to 42mm on its predecessor X41 and Anomaly series of Code41 watches. That said, its recognisable “Code41” lugs and chambered structure, reinforcing the visual DNA of the brand, still carrying the attention to fine decorative details like glossing to micro-beading emblematic of Code41 watchmaking.

Where Code41’s Day41 excels, comparative to the Anomaly series, is the design codes recalling the skeleton dial of the more premium X41. Instead of a Miyota or ETA2824, Code41 opted for a STP6-15 automatic calibre from Swiss Technology Production. Even in default form, the skeletonised calibre is based on the STP1-11, a clone of the popular ETA 2824-2 with higher technical specifications: namely, a longer mainspring and hence greater 44 hour power reserve and incorporating Hacking Seconds- the seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled for time adjustment position, lending itself to greater precision time setting and Hand Winding, the ability for manual winding.

From the first step of DAY41 to the last, only the votes of the female members CODE41 community were taken into account. This direct, democratic approach to traditional mechanical watchmaking design showcases aesthetic choices which even surprise a veteran watch journalist like myself – masculine skeleton bridges were chosen by the voters as opposed to what I perceived as gentler, more feminine organic forms. Though Chapter 27 revealed some simultaneously surprising and unsurprising information – men do like diamonds on their watches but paired with more subdued colour palettes like PVD black or matte grey finishing while women opted for rose gold models with precious stones.

As a micro-brand, Code41 isn’t exactly disrupting the industry like what other kickstarter watch brands’ bombastic (and unbelievable) claims, however, speaking from a watch connoisseur’s perspective, Code41’s approach to crowd-sourced design is revealing aesthetic choices and consumer preferences that established watchmakers should definitely take note of or risk being disrupted.

All Code41 Day41 pieces sold during the 30 days of pre-sales will be Creator Editions [PRE-ORDER].
Number of first edition pieces available: 1,000 watches for delivery in September/October 2020

Day41 Price and Specs

Movement Automatic STP6-15 movement with 44 hours power reserve
Case 37mm or 40mm stainless steel with 50 metres water resistance
Strap Steel or leather including 3 Eco-friendly straps made from recycled leather, flax, and paper
Price From $900

 

Samsung Presents The Sophisticated Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition

Paving new paths into the future through pioneering technology has become synonymous with the Samsung brand. Merging two industries with a singular product, the South Korean multinational conglomerate proudly presents its latest endeavor – The Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition.

Samsung Presents The Sophisticated Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition

As the name suggests, Samsung’s latest smartphone presents a collaborative effort with American fashion designer, Thom Browne. Featuring colors reminiscent of Browne’s signature suiting, the brand new Galaxy Z comes complete with matching Galaxy Buds+, a Galaxy Watch Active 2 and a complimentary leather cover – packed neatly in a stylish cache, which opens up like a drawer and is made entirely out of eco-friendly materials with a Thom Browne-designed lining.

Boasting a 6.7-inch foldable display and a three-stop hinge, the Galaxy Z Flip Thom Browne Edition includes a 7nm, 64-bit octa-core processor, plus 8GB of ra, and 256GB of internal storage. Powered through a 3,300mAh battery, the phone is expected to go on sale this Valentine’s Day (14th February 2020), whilst a DC Comics Joker and Harley Quinn-themed version by Russian luxury tech company Caviar circulates the web with a $5,210 USD price tag.

Featuring each character on both front and back, the doppelganger phone is inspired by the classic Joker playing deck and enclosed in 999 gold using Double Electroplated technology. Decorated with embossed engraving in the form of card suits, Caviar’s version of the Galaxy Z Flip proves to be the more exclusive alternative, with only 54 pieces available for sale.

By Julia Roxan 

 

Elon Musk’s TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X chronograph

When you are a billionaire genius engineer with a net worth of $42 billion, the kind of watch you wear is naturally going to attract a lot of attention, much like how Bill Gates and Steve Jobs’ penchant for Casio, has become a meme vis-à-vis the differences between a real Silicon Valley billionaire versus investor tycoon types like Warren Buffet. Hence, given tremendous attention paid to Iron Man, when the reel-life super genius Tony Stark was seen wearing an Urwerk, watch connoisseurs were wondering what a real life engineer would wear; as it turns out Elon Musk, founder of Tesla, has a more practical choice: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X chronograph.

Colonel John Glenn’s predecessor to the Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X chronograph

On 20 February 1962, NASA launched Friendship 7 with its pilot Colonel John Glenn, making history as the Allied Power’s first man in space and with his Heuer 2915A stopwatch strapped to the Colonel’s wrist, making TAG Heuer the first watch in space.

A two-register dial with 12-hour and 60-minute subdials, it’s among some of the easy to read space mission time-keeping instruments thanks to its non-conformist 1/5 indexes (which means that time, depending on whether you use the minute or seconds hands, can be easily read in 5 second or 5 minute increments) rather than your traditional 12 hour markings. Famously, the design language of the classic 2915A Heuer stopwatch finds its way into its distant descendent – the iconic TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887.

Colonel John Glenn boarding the Friendship 7 capsule. The large circle on his right wrist is the Heuer stopwatch.

The last time mankind went to the moon was in December 1972, and the conditions that incubated the daring Apollo space missions just haven’t been around anymore even if NASA has launched multiple moon projects since then, including the Constellation Program in the mid-2000s, but none of them really fired our imaginations to levels seen in our nascent space age.

Though in 2017, TAG Heuer became a Strategic Partner and the Official Timekeeper for China’s Lunar Exploration Program, it was In Elon Musk’s 2001 Mars Oasis ‘moonshot” project to land a miniature experimental greenhouse containing seeds with dehydrated gel on Mars to grow plants on Martian soil, that really captured the zeitgeist (and excitement) reminiscent of humanity’s early space race.

Elon Musk’s TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X chronograph

Like his tech billionaire counterparts Gates (who recently made headlines with a $600 million superyacht) and Jobs, Musk is not really a swanky watch kind of guy, instead, when he is seen with a timepiece, it happens to be his TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X chronograph.

Signed with SpaceX rocket motifs on the front and caseback of the chronograph, TAG Heuer released the Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X as a limited edition of 2012 models, celebrating SpaceX’s lofty ambitions to have its maiden flight by 2022 and it’s first manned mission to mars by 2024, mirroring President Kennedy’s fearless vision and the 50-year anniversary of the 2915A being the first watch to be worn in space by astronaut John Glenn.

Like Glenn’s timepiece, Musk’s own Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X chronograph has been to space, travelling aboard Space X’s Dragon spacecraft during a mission to the International Space Station. The Dragon was carrying 2,617 kilograms of cargo in the form of science experiments, crew supplies and hardware (and of course the Carrera Calibre 1887).The capsule returned to Earth with its precious cargo, still saran-wrapped, eventually making its way unto the wrist of Elon Musk.

Unlike most other billionaires, a timepiece for Musk is worn not for its prestige but real functional value. Famously, the engineering maverick uses a productivity technique known as “time blocking” to organise his 100 hour work week by sub-dividing his day into 5 minute blocks. Each task must be completed within the 5 minute time frame, hence, the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 1887 Space X chronograph with its 1/5 indexes is perfect for “blocking” Musk’s time and attention across anything from his $1 billion “Gigafactory” for terrestrial electric vehicles to his multi-billion dollar dreams of colonising Mars.

In other news, SpaceX’s has a new Smallsat Rideshare Program where companies and researchers can get their payload into orbit for a far smaller fee. The program supports payloads up to 1,000 lbs. in its 15″ ports and 1,830 lbs. in its 24″ ports, with custom configurations and top slots available.

 

Toyota Constructs Japan’s First Sustainable City of The Future

Occupying at least 70 hectares of land at the foot of Mount Fuji, is Japanese carmaker, Toyota’s latest technological endeavor. Announcing its detailed plan of building a sustainable ‘city of the future’ at the 2020 CES technology show in Las Vegas on 7th January, – Toyota has named its project, the Woven City.

Toyota Constructs Japan’s First Sustainable City of The Future

Powered by hydrogen fuel cells, the prototype city is expected to be an environmentally sustainable space, facilitating the use of renewable energy whilst increasing overall power efficiency. Through utilizing these hydrogen fuel cells, which are also known as, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) cells, water, electricity and heat energy are the derived byproducts of using hydrogen gas and oxygen as fuel.

Designed by Danish architect, Bjarke Ingels, who is revered for his housing complexes in Ørestad, Denmark – the Woven City will serve as a functioning laboratory for autonomous cars, smart homes, robotics, artificial intelligence and other technologies – accommodating up to 2,000 people including Toyota employees, retirees and their families, the city will feature the necessary emergency amenities such as a police force, fire and ambulance services, and schools.

Aiming to create a safer, cleaner and tremendously more fun environment with a minimal carbon footprint, the city’s buildings will be predominantly constructed from natural materials such as wood with roofs covered in photovoltaic panels to generate additional solar power. Prioritizing a drastic cut in carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles and buildings, Toyota intends to significantly incorporate internet technology in every aspect of every day ‘Woven City’ life.

Though only recently announced, plans for Toyota’s Woven City have been in the works for over a year, with construction expected to begin by early 2021. The company has also expressed interest in future collaborations to expand its knowledge and research abroad.

By Julia Roxan

 

Cartier Revolutionizes The Art of High Jewelry Design with ‘Magnitude Collide’

The Théia

Ushering a new phase in the evolution of high jewelry design, Cartier introduces its latest collection entitled Magnitude Collide. Featuring a rare marriage of both precious and ornamental hard stones, this stylistic collection balances expert technique with the brand’s unique flair for creativity with an array of bold, panache materials.

Cartier Revolutionizes The Art of High Jewelry Design with ‘Magnitude Collide’

The Zemia

Steering away from a long history of utilizing fine stones, the Maison explores refreshing looks with new, different and authentic gems, hand-selected by adept industry professionals. Through recognizing the unique beauty of every baroque cut, shape, light effect, shimmering nuances and surprising color, the Cartier jewelry masters aim to convey the distinctive personality and origin story of each piece.

The Yuma

Fascinated by the rich offerings of the mineral world, Cartier’s history of blazing the trail with audacious choices, have since set the stage for unveil of Magnitude Collide. Their incorporation of contrasting material, positions each gem in a dialogue that flits between opacity and transparency, the mineral and the precious, pure colors and shimmering nuances – alluding to ideas of ‘earth and light’.

The Équinoxe

Through an interplay of lines, ruptured rhythms and flowing movements, each design translates into a powerful confrontation, with six treasurable pieces including, the Aphélie, Théia, Équinoxe, Yuma, Soreli and the Zemia.

The Aphélie

Featuring a striking gem of handsome density and mysterious material, the pink gold Aphélie necklace is centered by an eye-catching, needle-woven brown rutilated quartz. With warm colors and transparency effects, the necklaces emanates depth. Unleashing a sun-drenched dazzle with the inclusion of articulated tassels, the piece appears to curve effortlessly whilst remaining spiky. Creating perspective with onyx, the necklace is cheered by touches of coral, pink diamonds, clean lines and a lightweight feel.

The Théia

Structured around a striking ensemble of seven round-shaped Colombian emeralds, matched perfectly with rock crystals motifs to create a rippling reverberation – adding sparkle as the reverse of the rock crystal section is faceted throughout. The Théia is thus, a product of expert geometry and optical illusion as the design borrows code from kinetic art, and incorporates contrasting colors with the skilful use of transparency. Featuring the signature Cartier pairing of green and black, each onyx element functions as a graphic signal, punctuating every emerald, quartz and diamond. Worn as a necklace, a brooch or an a chain, the Théia is one of Cartier’s many transformable pieces.

The Soreli

Traversed with strands of light, the secret Soreli watch gleams with life that sparkles over rows of diamonds across the cuff, and is centred by a cabochon-cut rutilated quartz laden with inclusions. Selected for its intense radiance, honeyed tones and cabochon curve, the translucent stone is flanked by kite-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds – creating a generously sun-drenched, organic material which contrasts with the order of each diamond’s complex graphic motifs. With the press of a tiny release button, the Soreli unlocks to reveal its shielded watch dial.

By Julia Roxan

 

Sun Group and Capella Hotel Group Unveil The Five-Star Boutique Hotel: Capella Hanoi

Signing a landmark deal to bring one of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands into Hanoi, renowned Vietnamese developer, Sun Group celebrates its first-ever conjoined partnership with Singapore-based Capella Hotel Group (CHG).

The upcoming five-star boutique accommodation will thus be centered in the heart of the Vietnamese capital, along 11 Le Phung Hieu street, Hoan Kiem District – allowing luxury travelers the accessibility to the city’s leading cultural attractions, restaurants and shopping districts.

Sun Group and Capella Hotel Group Unveil The Five-Star Boutique Hotel: Capella Hanoi

Dubbed, Capella Hanoi, the hotel was designed by internationally revered architect, Bill Bensley, who is best known for his work on globally other acclaimed resorts such as, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort (Danang), JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay (Phu Quoc), Hotel de la Coupole MGallery (Sa Pa), and Capella Ubud (Bali, Indonesia).

Hanoi Opera House

Inspired by the Hanoi Opera House, Capella Hanoi incorporates a timeless aesthetic whilst exuding an enchanting sense of opulence – Sun Group intends to establish the hotel as the city’s latest iconic destination.

Featuring 47 palatial and resplendent rooms, filled with luxurious amenities – Capella Hanoi boasts the highest standard of hospitality and immaculate service alongside a vast variety of dining and recreational activities to choose from.

In a statement by the CEO of CHG Group, Mr. Nicholas Clayton expressed great optimism and a deep appreciation for Vietnam’s rich history, culture, world-class architecture and cuisine, whilst acknowledging Sun Group’s contributions as the country’s leading real estate and tourism professionals – with a long history of prestigious international awards, plus collaborations with revered architects and global hotel management groups such as InterContinental Hotel Group, Marriott International, and AccorHotels.

Blending nature, history and the finest attention to detail with peerless individualized services, Capella Hanoi is CHG’s latest monumental addition to an already formidable list of existing hotels, resorts and apartments designed for the most discerning of travelers – and is honored for the Vietnamese capital’s first true-blue 5-star boutique hotel.

By Julia Roxan

 

The Chronicles of New York: An Astonishing 53-Foot High Mural By JR

Self-described ‘photograffeur’, the French street artist who goes by pseudonym, JR is known for his supersized, monochrome flypost images which sporadically decorate the streets of the world’s most thriving international cities. With work which often challenges the idea of a mob-mentality and other widely held preconceptions spread through reductive imagery from the media – JR combines art with action in order to highlight issues of commitment, freedom, identity and societal limitation.

The Chronicles of New York: An Astonishing 53-Foot High Mural By JR

His latest work, dubbed ‘The Chronicles of New York’, showcases an astonishing 53-foot high mural, carefully installed onto an array of stacked shipping containers in Williamsburg’s Domino Park – with the help of local architectural and sustainable design studio, LOT-EK. Depicting over 1,000 New Yorkers, the mural which was initially developed as a centerpiece for a major exhibit on view at the Brooklyn Museum , entitled ‘JR Chronicles’ – was significantly enlarged to create JR’s largest installation, to date.

The image which features 1,128 civilians standing on buildings as the Freedom Tower, Williamsburg Bridge and Empire State Building stand tall in the background – is a collective portrait of individually photographed subjects from all five boroughs. When viewed at the museum, the piece is accompanied by audio recordings of those portrayed in the mural and are subsequently available on the JR murals app, as well.

JR Chronicles is on display at the Brooklyn Museum from now till 3rd May 2020. The museum will feature photographs, videos, dioramas, and other accumulated archival material from JR’s career, and will also mark the recent artist’s first major exhibition in North America.

By Julia Roxan

 

Millésima Celebrates Love This Valentine’s Day with The World’s Finest Wine

Committed to offering customers the finest selection of wine, direct from producers – Millésima boasts an exceptionally wide selection with over 2,500,000 bottles available in a vast array of formats from Bordeaux, Place de Bordeaux and a variety of other revered French regions. The selection includes Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhone Valley, the Loire and Alsace – plus more imports expected to come from Italy, Spain and Australia soon.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Millésima dedicates a meticulously curated guideline for pairing the brand’s finest, sure to wow that very special someone. Beyond cooking up a storm, set the table with a tall glass of world-renowned sparkling wine – the semi-dry Champagne pairs well with aperitif and dessert, whilst a brut alternative effortlessly accompanies almost every main course. With safer rosé options which are suitable for each course throughout the meal, Millésima recommends a fine Crémant or Prosecco as a bubbly addition to a scrumptious feast.

Millésima Celebrates Love This Valentine’s Day with The World’s Finest Wine

Drawing a decadent pleasure, the divine sweet taste and scents of the Sauternes or Jurançon pair well with starters and deserts, whilst gently elevating a plateful of charcuterie with fresh and fruity flavours.

Alternatively, Italian wines such as, Lambrusco serve as a subdued substitute with less overwhelming flavours and fine bubbles, whilst the zesty French Cabernet Sauvignon melds beautifully with chocolate, and Saint-Amour Beaujolais complements meat and berry-filled dessert.

Whether a wine connoisseur or a casual consumer, Millésima’s expedited delivery, expert advice and personalized services, facilitate the efficient transfer of each bottle through carriers especially suited not just for the distribution of fragile goods, but for every customer and occasion.

By Julia Roxan

 

Cream dial Rolex GMT Explorer II circa 1987 on offer

Rolex can do no wrong. We are currently experience peak vintage Rolex demand and perceptually speaking, it would seem entirely reasonable that here, at the precipice of watch perfection by way of cerachrom bezels, parachrom bleu balance brings and Rolex Rolesor, one would seek meaning in the poetry of time’s eternal metaphysically and material impermanence as embodied in that literal contradiction of a mechanical timepiece – something created for immortality but held hostage to temporal erosion. But what if, we could roll time back to an age where we stood at the crossroads, looking forward at a new age of nascent material sciences and backwards towards a time when we were wildly innovative with available resources? That era would probably be the 1980s, best exemplified (horologically speaking) by the Rolex Explorer II with Cream Dial in Stainless Steel.

Cream dial Rolex GMT Explorer II circa 1987 on offer

Yes, the GMT Explorer II ref. 16550 was that quintessential product of the 1980s, (17 March 1987 to be precise), created during that confluence of material and technical progression; to use an analogy – if our present period is represented by Captain Picard’s Star Trek Next Generation’s “materially utopian” future, the 80s was Kirk’s Original Star Trek along with all the experimental antics and attempts of the era – Starships were a little less perfect and more prone to quirks – in essence a period of evolutionary flux.

To our modern perspective, the Rolex GMT Explorer II, evolving from the Ref. 1655 to the 16550, has become a binary of black or white dials framed with a steel bezel. Obviously speaking, this is a cream dial Rolex Explorer II from circa 1987 therein which lies its charm and appeal. In a literal dichotomy of black or white dial vintage and modern GMT Explorer IIs, this Rolex Explorer II with Cream Dial is a “black swan’ and hence a rarity. Combined recent demand for faux-patina, bronze and salmon coloured dials, the provenance and authenticity of a cream dial Rolex GMT Explorer II is a little hard to beat although the asking price might give one pause.

That said, its asking price at $33,500 is not altogether unreasonable, it’s hard to find a 1980s cream dial Explorer II in such good condition. According to 1stDibs, this cream dial ref. 16550 comes “Complete With: Box, Calendar Card, Swing Tags, Rolex Document Wallet, Service Guarantee Dated 29th March 2011 & Guarantee”. That said, LUXUO and World of Watches makes no claims or veracity as to whether the vintage Rolex GMT Explorer II has been refinished. Near as we can tell, the timepiece is still in relative good shape – the bevels on the lugs are still present but not exactly ‘crisp’, the brushed finish is still sharp, the mid case is still well finished and holds its shine while the Oyster-style bracelet with easy release clasp looks without significant wear (but there are markings on two mid links – whether from dirt or abrasion it’s hard to tell) and almost no stretching – it almost looks new, which again, is another discussion between the two camps of vintage Rolex collectors, some preferring a more worn-in look and others preferring a more “new old stock” appearance.

Suffice it to say, the biggest concern would be replica components to make the cream dial Rolex GMT Explorer II into a more “in-demand” reference but as mentioned, with full box and papers (and even its swing tags), there are people who have paid more money on a similar reference with more questionable provenance. Rolex only produced the  ref.16550 from 1985 to 1989, making it a rare “transitional” model.

Cream dial GMT Explorer II on sale via 1stDibs.

 

Famed Ford vs. Ferrari 330 P4 immortalised in white by INK Studio

White, blanc, creme (a kind of off white), the appeal of the milky hue has been a source of cultural and aesthetic debate through the ages. Achromatic and hence, technically not a colour but a shade, Egyptian and Anglo-saxon societies considered white a symbol of purity and nobility but Asian cultures tend to associate it with mourning; however what is undeniable is the psychological appeal of aesthetic – it’s the most common colour in national flags, a palette associated with reincarnation, life and eternal values and now INK Studio’s latest work – the Plain Bodies series Ferrari 330 P4.

“Stripped of its traditional red coachwork paint, these CGI images celebrate functional form and uncomplicated art direction. We present the Ferrari 330 P4 as an object of beauty, its curves forever victorious.” – INK studio

Ford vs Ferrari at the 1967 Le Mans

Presenting The Beautiful Loser, the Famed Ferrari 330 P4 immortalised in white by INK Studio

The advent of neoclassical architecture, thanks in part to Greek and Roman white marble structures, made white the most common colour for 20th-century buildings of religious or civil authority – with new churches, and government buildings typically rendered in white and as such – the colour has become associated modernity and simplicity, especially with 21st-century minimalist trends.

London-based INK studio, best known for their viral concept work on supercars like the 2017 Aston Martin Valkyrie, the three million pound hypercar was created in collaboration with Red Bull Racing and debuting the new design language for Land Rover at the New York International Auto Show heralding the Discovery’s “New Age”; the  English creative studio has put their vision and deft aesthetic instincts into a classic supercar of a glorious era – the Ferrari 330 P4, the antagonist (or protagonist, depending on which team you are on) of the new Ford vs. Ferrari movie.

Transforming the historic supercar into a modern tribute to minimalist and Dieter Rams (unobtrusive approach to design) aesthetics, the classic Ferrari 330 P4 has been transformed into a contemporary icon, stripped down to its essence of light, tone and engineering. The effect is akin to black and white photography and an exercise of dynamic composition.

Dubbed the “Beautiful Loser”, the re-imagined Ferrari 330 P4 might have famously lost to arch-rival Ford after famously winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at the famed 1967 Daytona race but that same year, it was suffered a defeat at the hands of the Ford FT40 at Le Mans – nevertheless, it lost it in gorgeous style.

Considered by car aficionados to be the most beautiful car ever made, only three specimens of the Ferrari 330 P4 were ever produced. Forever immortalised by INK, the white Ferrari 330 P4 is minimalism at its most beautiful.

 

The New Louis Vuitton Maison Osaka Midosuji Houses an Exclusive Rooftop Café

Establishing its seventh store in Osaka and third Maison in Japan, following the Omotesando and Matsuya Ginza in Tokyo – the four-storey Louis Vuitton Maison Osaka Midosuji officially opened its doors on February 1st 2020.

The New Louis Vuitton Maison Osaka Midosuji Houses an Exclusive Rooftop Café

Designed in a close and imaginative collaboration by long-term friends and architects, Jun Aoki and Peter Marino, the French luxury fashion retailer’s latest space will house the brand’s very first exclusive rooftop café and restaurant – helmed by the esteemed Chef Yosuke Suga.

Working on the Maison’s exterior, Jun Aoki is known for his work on a number of landmark Louis Vuitton stores across the globe, including the brand’s iconic New York Fifth Avenue Maison. Through his optimal use of natural light, the new Maison Osaka Midosuii exudes a light and airy atmosphere, with each level illuminated to create a sense of calm and respite.

Featuring a façade inspired by the sails of traditional Japanese Higaki-Kaisen cargo ships, Louis Vuitton honours Osaka, as the Japanese island of Honshu’s largest port city and commercial centre.

Combining a maritime aesthetic with the incorporation of traditional woodwork and origami washi paper – the Louis Vuitton Maison Osaka Midosuji reminisces the spirit of a yacht with wood-clad pillars and metal roofs, whilst wooden flooring creates the impression of decks. Worked to create varying volumes, the vast space presents a balanced mix of spectacular halls and intimate lounge corners.

With the ground floor dedicated to women’s accessories, the subsequent mezzanine floor offers a bird’s eye view of the palatial main hall whilst showcasing the Art of Travel through an array of luggage options. Browse the complete offering of Artistic Director, Nicolas Ghesquière’s women’s ready-to-wear collections on the third floor, and be enthralled by Men’s Artistic Director, Virgil Abloh’s work on the fourth. The Maison will also feature women’s products such as the mink hoodie, blue sapphire Tambour watch and B Blossom necklace during its exclusive opening.

By Julia Roxan

 

Ultra Exclusive, the Never to Be Seen Again whiskies of The Secret Speyside

Créateurs de convivialité Pernod Ricard owners of Chivas Brothers, the makers of Royal Salute and other fine whiskeys has just released its biggest single malt collection to date. Dubbed The Secret Speyside, it is the gathering of fifteen age statement single malt whiskies from four of Speyside’s rarest yet most sought after Scottish distilleries.

For knowledgeable collectors, The Secret Speyside Collection is a carefully curated selection of 18-30 year old whiskies from four of Speyside’s most elusive distilleries, each with its own rich histories and unique characters.

With centuries of rich whisky heritage against a jaw-dropping Scottish landscape, Speyside is the treasure chest of Scotch and brimming with untold stories. Curating the Collection has been a labour of love for the Chivas Brothers team; its contents have been hand-selected to help shine a light on some seldom-seen distilleries, their rare malts, and unique histories. Any whisky connoisseur will find something new in this world-class selection, which demonstrates the breadth of flavour and character that Speyside distilleries can achieve.” – Alan Winchester, veteran Speyside distiller of over 30 years

Ultra Exclusive, the Never to Be Seen Again whiskies of The Secret Speyside

Never to be seen again, these exclusive single malts hail from the vanished distillery of Caperdonich which operated between 1898 and 1902, and then again between 1965 and 2002, supplying one of the core whiskies in the blended Chivas Regal; the pioneering Longmorn distillery designed by founder John Duff in 1894, utilising the tech of the era and incorporating a railway station next to the distillery for supply logistics and then sending finished bottles up to the North for distribution to whisky lovers; the landmark Glen Keith distillery, built by and owned by Chivas and the first new distillery to open in Speyside since the great whisky crash of 1898, whose production today is used almost exclusively across Chivas Brother’s blended whiskey; and finally the Braes of Glenlivet, established in the early 1970s at the southern end of Speyside, the Braeval distillery was mothballed by the Brothers between 2001 and 2008 with the bulk of its spirits used in blends.

Secret Speysdie Rare Malt image.

The desirable fifteen-bottle collection which comprise The Secret Speyside consists of three rare Single Malts from each of Glen Keith, Longmorn and Braes of Glenlivet, together with three peated and three unpeated expressions from Caperdonich, which distilled its final Single Malt in 2002, before closing its doors and finally being taken down brick by brick in 2011.

Caperdonich

A secret of Speyside, the whiskies released from this ‘vanished distillery’ offer a rare opportunity to discover and compare peated and unpeated expressions of the same age (21 and 25 year old), once found as foundational spirits in blended malts in their truest Caperdonich expressions.

Caperdonich Distillery

The unpeated spirit is full of ripe orchard fruits that give Caperdonich’s sweet single malt a complex body and long smooth finish. When gently peated, an untraditional process for a Speyside Single Malt, a sophisticated smokiness adds an extra element and depth of flavour.

There will be six whiskies released from Caperdonich, with half being peated whiskies and the other half unpeated. The peated selection includes an 18 year old (48% ABV), a 21 year old (48% ABV) and a cask strength 25 year old whisky. The unpeated whiskies are a 21 year old (48% ABV), 25 year old (48% ABV), and a cask strength 30 year old.

LUXUO’s favourite Caperdonich: 25 year old Caperdonich’s Unpeated (48% ABV) is a rich malt full of complex flavours, most notably the pear and chocolate notes backed by notes of blackcurrant, and a hint of Acinnamon spice leads to a long and succulent finish. Retails $480

Longmorn

One of Scotland’s best kept secrets, Longmorn has often referred to as ‘every distiller’s favourite apart from their own.’ Long been considered world class by distillers and connoisseurs, Longmorn single malts  lie at the core of many of the Chivas blends

The three whiskies from Longmorn in this collection are an 18 year old (48% ABV), 23 year old (48% ABV) and a cask strength 25 year old, with each bringing a more intense take on the soft, creamy toffee and rich flavour profile that is highly regarded by distillers and industry experts worldwide.

LUXUO’s favourite Longmorn: The Longmorn 25 year old (cask strength, 52.2% ABV) which starts fruit-driven particularly of red apple and mandarin orange before giving way to dark honey notes with a finish of dark chocolate. Retails $450

Glen Keith

Glen Keith was the first Speyside distillery built in the 20th century. The distillery rose from the ruins of an old mill on the banks of the River Isla, famed for its pure water and leaping wild salmon. This collection marks the first official* age-statement release this century from the landmark distillery.

The three whiskies from Glen Keith in this collection are a 21 year old, 25 year old and a 28 year old (all 43% ABV). Each is exceptionally smooth as Glen Keith’s pot stills are taller than most, giving an extra ‘copper kiss’ to the single malt and resulting in a complex, intensely smooth example of the classic Speyside style, bursting with juicy summer fruit notes.

LUXUO’s favourite Glen Keith: Easy to drink and not overly complex, the Glen Keith 21 year old is a perfect balance of fruit and sweetness. A little water brings out a syrupy sweetness, accompanied by the smooth tones of lightly waxed wood and then followed by notes of soft peach and citrusy pineapple, with a dry toasted almond finish. Retails $180

Braes of Glenlivet

This is the first official bottling from one of the highest distilleries in Speyside. The remote distillery is watched over by a lone keeper at night and is truly at the mercy of the uncompromising Scottish elements.

The three whiskies from Braes of Glenlivet in this collection are a 25 year old (48% ABV), 27 year old (48% ABV) and a cask strength 30 year old. Made using the purest water from the Preenie Well, 2 miles deep in the Braes hills, the resulting whisky is smooth, balanced and packed with tropical fruits.

LUXUO’s favourite Braes of Glenlivet: Velvety, opulent, and then easing into blackberry, orange and light vanilla, the 30 year old Braes of Glenlivet (cask strength, 50.3% ABV) builds into a long-lasting, sweet finish. Retails $600

The Secret Speyside Collection is available now exclusively in Global Travel Retail, before rolling out into selected markets globally from summer 2020. The first ever collection of ultra exclusive, never to be seen again whiskies of its kind will offer Single Malt connoisseurs the chance to uncover, sample and collect some of the hidden malts which comprise some of the blended variations of their better known brothers, giving you exquisite flavour profiles and the chance to experience the true terroir of the iconic Speyside region.