Luxury Insider

The Signature Collection from Vertu, the independent, luxury division of Nokia, is the brand's flagship model. That same collection now boasts its own flagship: a limited run of just five handsets, either made of platinum and set with a 0.25 carat solitaire diamond, or made of 18 carat yellow or white gold and set with baguette-cut diamonds. The Signature Diamond Collection was borne of the vision to be the finest handset the world has ever seen. With its famously high standards of build quality, to the way it feels and operates, the Signature is a thing of wonder - now made even more so by the addition of its ornate, haute-luxe casing.

The connection between luxury mobile phone-maker Vertu and motorsports grows ever-stronger, with the release of the Vertu Ascent Racetrack Legends Series Collector's Edition: a box-set of all six Ascent-Series luxury phones, including two just-released models, as well as two models which have yet to be revealed. The Silverstone and Monza editions have been a success for Vertu, because of their innovative, high-tech materials, combined with typical Vertu strengths of impeccable build and service. The Collector's Edition box-set comes serialized in a dedicated carbon-fiber and titanium case, with compartments for all six phones, as well as for the certificates of authenticity signed by President of Vertu Alberto Torres, as well as the Presidents of all the respective racetracks. The Collector's Edition is available worldwide in just fifty-one sets, numbered 0001-0050, and 0888. A superbly-conceived collector's item, priced at approximately €50000.

The two latest Ascent models to be released, and included in the box-set, are the Le Mans Limited Edition, and the Indianapolis Limited Edition; both named after two of the world's most famous racetracks. The Le Mans 24 hours event is one of motorsports' best-loved races, while Indianapolis is a name familiar to nearly all racing fans. The Le Mans luxury phone is adorned in brilliant blue, 3D carbon-image leather that is 98% waterproof, and unusually wear-resistant, while the Indianapolis is clad in black leather of the same finish. Both phones are encased in titanium, making them extremely light and strong, with excellent corrosion resistance. Best of all, they are both limited to just 1000 pieces each, worldwide.

The Vertu Signature luxury mobile handset is already a sensationally well-built item, and here is the latest in the line: the Boucheron for Vertu Limited Edition is an exquisitely-bejeweled work of art for the true collector. Boucheron's Parisian jewelry house has existed since 1858, and his original aim for that company was to make the most exquisite pieces ever made – much like the original aim set out by Vertu's own founder, Frank Nuovo. It was thus a perfect partnership for Boucheron to help adorn eight Vertu Signature luxury phones with their Cobra motif, and twenty-six Python editions in that distinctive Boucheron style. We have seen the Boucheron phones up close, and they are truly stunning in person.

Vertu, the ultra-luxe, independent division of Nokia, has unveiled its new retail store in Singapore's upmarket Paragon. Based on an award-winning design already used to great effect in the Vertu stores around the United Kingdom, the purveyor of arguably the world's most exclusive brand of luxury communications products has in its new premises an eclectic mix of brilliant design details made from high quality materials. A handmade, porcelain-effect feature wall takes pride of place in the store, whose spacious feel is attributed to the unique ceiling. Most arresting, however, are the black glass displays whose internal back-lighting makes for the perfect accompaniment to the chocolate marble and leather-wrapped tables.

It is all very modern-luxury inside, but beneath it all the style is the substance Vertu is now famed for: their 24/7 concierge service and superbly-crafted mobile phones are better than ever.

Pilot Corporation, née Namiki Manufacturing Company, has been making pens for 88 years. This, in Japanese tradition, marks an important milestone for the company. To celebrate, Pilot has commissioned a specially-designed, limited edition run of fountain pens that feature the delicate tradition of Maki-e craftsmanship.

In either Shishi-Komainu (Guardian Dogs – 88 pieces) or Nioh (Guardian Gods – 880 pieces) design, the pens wear the Japanese symbols of guardianship against evil. With their superb finish, these traditional lacquer-finished pens are certain to become collector's items.

Bulgari, one of the world's foremost luxury brands, is aiming to redefine the height of elegance with the launch of their breathtaking new 59-villa resort, 160 meters above the Indian Ocean, in Bali – one of the world's most enchanting destinations. Surrounded by lush natural beauty, close to the magical clifftop site of the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple, the Bugari brand's latest addition to their distinctive Italian style of luxurious living has just about everything one could ask of a tropical island resort.

Apart from the superb spa facilities Bali is famous for, the Bulgari Hotel & Resort Bali has a broad variety of upmarket dining facilities as well, including the very best in Continental cuisine, as well as exotic Balinese fare. In keeping with their ultra-luxury approach, the level of service promises to be both complete and ultra-modern, despite the mythical rustic atmosphere.

The 8.4 hectare site is home to over 80 tribal ceremonial antiques and exotic art pieces, as well as a plethora of handmade textiles and contemporary artwork. With spectacular ocean views from the clifftop, the resort is truly the place to get away from it all if ever there was one.

Thirty years old, and showing no signs of aging, the Nautilus range of sports watches from Patek Philippe is looking better than ever.

To celebrate thirty years of this handsome design, the company has revealed its new Nautilus lineup, which showcases a very contemporary interpretation of this timeless collection.

Montblanc celebrates 100 years of making fine writing instruments with a range of exclusive editions launched this year. The Montblanc Anniversary Edition and Rouge et Noir collections commemorate the centenary of the company whose long-standing logo was first inspired by Europe's tallest peak.

The Anniversary Edition fountain pen is styled in the vein of the original, with a tapering mid-section bearing the company's name in italicized capitals, and the summit of Mont Blanc rising up out of the middle as an engraving. New for this collection, however, is the iconic Montblanc star adorning the vent hole in the middle of the handcrafted 18-carat gold nib.

The Rouge et Noir pens pay homage to the company's 100 years, and carries the full century of history on its esteemed shoulders. It set the precedent for all Montblanc fountain pens since the year 1906, with its revolutionary integrated ink-tank. Reliable and leak-proof, it was hailed as the first perfected safety fountain pen in the world. The 2006 iteration carries on the company's legacy, and is available now as a strictly limited edition of 100 pens, in honor of the company's anniversary.

For close to a century, Montblanc have been purveyors of the finest quality writing instruments. Since then, they have taken their philosophy of combining classic design with the highest levels of craftsmanship and applied it to their latest, diverse collections of jewelry and luxury watches.

Their new collection of individual jewelry accessories completes the Star Collection, which was first premiered in 2005. The Caress of a Star and Eclipse ranges are made of heavy 925 sterling silver, and come either in the form of multi-string necklaces, bracelets, and ear-rings in the case of the Caress, or as a massive solid sterling ring that has a star-shaped indentation at its zenith, holding a rotatable ball.

Both collections are now available worldwide at all Montblanc boutiques and selected jewelers.

The Hour Glass, retailers of the world's most exclusive luxury watches, has announced the formation of The Hour Glass Foundation of Contemporary Horological Art (FOCHA). Fulfilling The Hour Glass's mission to champion the mechanical watch as the primary symbol for high-end luxury self-expression in contemporary culture, Singapore-based FOCHA has been established – for 2 million Swiss Francs – to pay tribute to all forms of technological development and innovation in the world of high-end watches over the past 35 years, the span of the movement's contemporary renaissance.

In conjunction with this, The Hour Glass has also planned a museum – dubbed MOCHA – to go with it. They have big plans for it – including making it as important a symbolic institution as the Tate Modern, the Centre Pompidou, or the Guggenheim. Planned activites at the MOCHA could include watchmaking courses, lectures by world-renowned industry specialists, as well as joint exhibitions with other museums and even the watch manufacturers themselves. A mobile institution for now, MOCHA plans to find a permanent home roughly by 2009.

The Cartier Collection includes more than 1300 pieces illustrating the progression of design styles and techniques in Cartier’s creations. Cataloged according to Cartier’s own archives, it includes exceptional pieces of jewelery, tiaras, necklaces and brooches but also watches and clocks, including the beautiful mystery clocks with their invisible mechanisms.

After months of anticipation, MB&F has finally revealed their first Horological Machine, the HM1. Combining art, sculpture, and the best micro-engineering, the first product of Max Busser's planned series of partnerships with the world's top watchmakers sets the tone for a limited line of extraordinary watches. HM1 is a unique new design with 376 parts, 81 functional jewels, and yet just 30 watches per year are planned for production over the next three years.

At the heart of Malaysia, located in booming Kuala Lumpur, the ultra-posh new Suria Stonor development promises to provide all the soothing comforts of home just next to, but never disturbed by, the bustling capital city. Nestled peacefully within the exclusive Stonor enclave, within a stone's throw of the world-famous Petronas Towers, Suria Stonor is a luxurious sanctuary made up of spacious, superbly-outfitted freehold residences complete with all the conveniences expected of a world-class development.

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the L.U.C collection, Chopard launches the innovative and beautiful L.U.C Chrono One, featuring their new in-house chronograph movement.

Graham pays homage to two great Georges with their most complicated watch to date, the piece unique Graham King George chiming chronograph.

Floating off to dreamland has never been more literal, thanks to the introduction of the floating bed you see here. Dubbed “Falling Up” by its designer, Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars, the floating bed prototype debuted in June 2006 at the Millionaire Fair in Belgium.

Take flight with Vertu Constellation, the new collection of luxury mobile phones that represents a new definition of world class.

Picture the scene: you’ve just moored your yacht in the open ocean. You’re relaxing on your deck chair, enjoying the sun. The breeze is perfect. Then without warning, dark clouds appear on the horizon. And you only just got here. What do you do? Why, you dive your vessel under the surface, and wait for the choppy weather to pass. Simple, if your yacht were also a submarine.

Mercedes-AMG, the motorsports arm of Mercedes-Benz, has unveiled a track-focused special edition of its SLK 55 AMG sports car for an Event Series of races in Asia. Comprised of competitors ranging from private individuals to clients of large corporations, it will be staged over ten race events throughout Asia.