Luxury Insider

Sincere Watch Ltd and Swiss watch brand Ebel have signed an exclusive distributorship agreement covering Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. The five-year partnership will enable Ebel to leverage on Sincere’s extensive retail and distribution networks. More importantly, it will allow Ebel to tap on the retailer’s proven brand management expertise, as evidenced by the success of brands such as Franck Muller and A. Lange und Söhne in this region.

Unlike some Swiss watch manufacturers who focus primarily on men, Ebel’s fine line of watches has always held a special appeal for both men and women. As ‘The Architects of Time’, Ebel watch designs unite the masculine and feminine through the harmonious choice of color and texture, as well as sleek, flowing lines.

Ebel’s latest offering comes in the form of the 1911 Discovery. First launched in 1986 to mark the company’s 75th anniversary, this recently revamped watch caters to contemporary tastes with its smaller dial, sporty design and resolute youthfulness.

www.sincere.com.sg and www.ebel.com

The big-watch trend seems to continue unabated. Breitling have shown their new Montbrillant Legende chronograph timepiece in a large new 47mm diameter. There will be stainless steel and rose gold versions, both running automatic Breitling Caliber 23 movements.

Frette, Italian purveyor of the world’s very finest sheets, have announced their latest Helena limited edition set of bedclothes. Helena was inspired by a 17th century antique silk damask with gold brocade, and this is beautifully rendered in the opulent duvet set seen here. Frette’s Helena is limited to just 99 sets worldwide. More details here.

United Airways has introduced its new International Business Class cabins, complete with lie-flat comfort on international flights – a first on any U.S. airline. Luxury air travel is a big business these days, with discerning passengers expecting the very best gadgets and service, in addition to being able to sleep in a natural position. That is why United’s International Business Class also features individual 15-inch video screens with on-demand programming at every cabinette. Though there is nothing revolutionary about these amenities, it goes to show the worldwide importance of cosseting business travel in a crowded marketplace.

The Henk is an ultra-exclusive suitcase with 500 component parts, and is made from red Italian burl, black Madagascar ebony, horse hair, magnesium, aluminum, titanium, and fine leather. The light and strong shell is made of carbon fiber, and houses a host of action movie-type gadgets, such as retractable titanium wheels and hidden briefcases within. This is the special purple edition made for online luxury retailer 20ltd, and just five of these extra-special suitcases will be made.

Maserati's renaissance is well and truly under way. Their fabulous new GranTurismo full-size coupe is ready for booking, and our first impressions are very good indeed: Up close, there is not a single bad angle to its looks, and interior quality and space are top notch. The engine sounds free-revving and potent, while the entire package is one of sheer and utter emotion. Understandably, response has been very good indeed.

The strong initial sales in Singapore have been further enhanced by the opening of Maserati's new city showroom at Waterfront Plaza, at the corner of Havelock and Kim Seng Roads. This new location just outside of town will cater to the busy executive who can easily pop in en route to the office. This added new visibility for the brand has been well-received so far, judging by the many gawking passersby, enthralled by the presence of the above GT, resplendent in its ocean blue metallic paint and 20" Birdcage wheels. Expect a fuller review from us soon.

Mercedes-Benz and fashion have been associated for some time now, with the German automaking giant's sponsorship of New York City's famed Fashion Week. Now, they have launched a line of handsome designer eyewear with Italian spectacle company Allison. Over three dozen eyeglass and sunglass designs will be launched initially. The look is very appropriate for Mercedes owners and aspirants, with a business-like appeal spiced with more than a hint of class, much like the cars themselves.

 

Maurice Lacroix claim to have invented the first ever "memory" function in a mechanical watch, seen in this teaser shot. This completely new grand complication - housed in the new ML 128 movement with 537 components - will be shown in a brand new Mémoire 1 chronograph watch at next year's Basel fair.

The memory function works as follows: pressing the button integrated into the crown changes the mode from "time" to "chrono", and the hour-display disc and minute-and-seconds hands change their positions; this is pretty normal for a stopwatch. However, here is where it gets interesting: while the chronograph function is still running, it is possible to shift between modes without losing the information provided by either.

Veuve Clicquot has launched a celebratory new signature champagne, dubbed “Yellowboam” - derived from the Yellow Label moniker combined with the Jeroboam 3-liter bottle size - to commemorate the 130th anniversary of their classic Yellow Label brut champagne. Just 3,600, 3-liter hand-blown bottles decorated with gold leaf and leather labels will be sold.

One of the more exciting luxury residential developments in Manhattan is 200 Eleventh Avenue, overlooking the Hudson and on the edge of fashionable, up-and-coming Chelsea. Its sculptural stainless steel façade is complemented with cast gunmetal glazed terracotta – it is a distinctive and instantly desirable building. Just 16 units are available, with four penthouses. Double-height ceilings make for luxurious interiors. The limited-edition feel is in part thanks to the materials, which are not just constructed, but crafted.



Most interesting of all, however, is the installation of New York’s first en-suite “Sky Garages”, meaning residents can drive into their apartments via a car lift that opens into their own, versatile garage space. With this feature, its superb riverside views, and handsome modern detailing, 200 Eleventh Avenue is a stunning addition to the skyline.

Ferrari has long had major success with their mid-engine V8 supercars. The F430 brought the brand to a new level of performance and beauty; and now, the lightened, uprated version is here. Dubbed the F430 Scuderia, the newest supercar from Maranello has a high-revving 510hp (at 8500 rpm!) engine that endows it with a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera-beating power-to-weight ratio, thanks to the advanced Ferrari’s flyweight of 1250kg.

The gearbox has the latest “F1-Superfast” software a la the 599GTB, meaning lightning-quick changes in 60ms. The Scuderia will be unveiled by the legendary Michael Schumacher at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show. With its extreme motorsport bias and evocative looks – more coherent to these eyes than its brand new Sant’ Agata and Stuttgart rivals – the direct fight between longtime rivals has hotted up to truly incandescent levels.

 

 

Superyacht lovers will appreciate the new Superyacht large-format book from Gloria Books. Though illustrated with fabulous pictures of some amazing yachts, this collectible item is more than just a picture book. It is “an insider’s view of the industry created only for those who are part of it.” Only silk-bound 1000 copies will be made, and all will come in a giant 42cm x 32cm (roughly 17” x 13”) size with 648 pages, and housed in a specially-designed clamshell Lucite case.

LG’s mobile phones are becoming ever-sexier. Their Prada phone is a particularly gorgeous machine, but their Shine series combines style with substance very well indeed. The new variant of the Shine is the Shine Titanium Black Label, with its metal case darkened to suit more evening wear, and it really does add a sense of occasion to the modern cellphone. The features are the same as the regular KE970 Shine, meaning a Schneider Kreuznach lens on the camera and a large amount of expandable internal memory.

Rich in both heritage and fittings, the Peninsula Hotels have a reputation for having some of the finest short-term accommodations anywhere. The latest Peninsula to grace the world map is The Peninsula Tokyo, which opens on September 1, 2007. It will be the first free-standing luxury hotel to built in the densely-populated city in over a decade. The building, located near the upmarket Ginza district, is 24 stories tall, and has top-notch luxury interiors and service, including their signature forest green limousines – one of which is a 1934 vintage Rolls-Royce.

The interiors will feature over a thousand pieces of mostly-Japanese art, including a magnificent bamboo feature standing over 70m tall. With the finest rooms and suites, top-class shopping including three new luxury jewelry boutiques, and a full-service spa, The Peninsula Tokyo, in the spirit of its famed brethren, is right at the top of the luxury hotel pile.

Put the words “Porsche” and “GT” together, and the outcome is almost invariably stupendous. Their inimitable racing pedigree has led to this, their new GT2 coupe, shown in official these pictures. More powerful than both the Turbo and the GT3, at a quoted 530hp (according the leaked brochure specification, shown here), the GT2 is rear-wheel driven for real driver appeal. With its 204mph top speed, it is the company’s fastest-ever road car. With such delicious, almost scary specifications like that, it is clear Porsche tell no lies with their attached tagline: “Respect required.”

Roger Dubuis' wristwatches are admired for their unique style and fashionable appeal. The new Easydiver Chronograph is both stylish and well-finished, with a large 46mm rose gold case and its automatic-winding caliber, while the chronograph function has a 45-minute counter. The Easydiver Chronograph is limited to 28 pieces.

As a tribute to the master conductor Arturo Toscanini, Montblanc have created the Donation Pen Arturo Toscanini. Made of a precious black resin and decorated with platinized fittings, the pen is a fitting homage to a highly influential man. Part of the proceeds from each pen will go towards promoting talented young musicians. The way the pen clip is shaped echoes the lines of a violincello, which is the instrument Arturo Toscanini trained on, while the 18K gold nib is engraved. Available in either fountain-pen or ballpoint versions, the Montblanc Donation Pen Arturo Toscanini is another fine tributary writing instrument from Montblanc.

Watch enthusiasts with a taste for innovation will no doubt have heard of Carlo Ferrara. Their unique watch movements with separate hour and minute hands that “dance” around the dial in their own trajectories makes for interesting and surprisingly easy time telling. It took them a year to adapt mechanical complications with the classic Ferrara reading concept, and the new Regolatore Due automatic watch with a GMT hour display and power reserve indicator inside a 44mm case is the handsome result.

Emery Roth's iconic and unmistakable Art Deco co-ops along New York City's Central Park West avenue have been home to many a celebrity since they were first built in the 1930s. World-famous musician Moby bought and re-fit the stunning, multi-terraced penthouse in the south tower of 300 CPW, aka El Dorado, which is one of the most beautiful residential buildings anywhere. It was, however, too much of an extravagance for him, and the utterly unique, four-level penthouse with breathtaking 360-degree views of Manhattan is now for sale. Information is available at the dedicated website, below.

Following their distinctive, oval-shaped Millenary line of watches, Audemars Piguet have revealed their jewelry line to match. The interaction between the precious stones and the ovoid forms makes for elegant accompaniment to the haute horlogerie timepieces. New for 2007, the line of jewelry for “femmes du monde” – ladies of the world – is available worldwide from Audemars Piguet's own boutiques.

Steeped in history and fame in its forty years on the water, the venerable QE2 – Cunard's most celebrated cruise liner ever – has been sold for US$100m to a Dubai-based investment company who has plans to moor it at the wealthy Gulf Emirate for use as a floating hotel. From 2009, the Palm Jumeirah development will be the 294 meter-long ship's new home, where it will house a new museum in its honor as well as hosting tourists in search of an opulent new experience, following major refurbishment and restoration work to bring visitors back to the spirit of the age in which is was first launched, 1969. See the link to the ship's pre-sale website for details of its grandeur.

Sinn is a mechanical watch company lauded for its simple, robust watches. They have teamed up with Mazda – purveyors of some of Japan's finest sports cars – to bring you the new Mazda Design by Sinn chronograph. The tried-and-tested Valjoux 7750 automatic mechanical movement takes pride of place within the sturdily-designed case made of stainless steel. Anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, and waterproof to a depth of 100m, the watch also features a rubber strap with a tire tread pattern from the striking Hakaze concept car, echoing that machine's futuristic sportiness.

Renowned jewelry designer Stephen Webster has collaborated with DeBeers Diamond Jewellers and together they have come up with the "Burning Rocks" collection for men. The rock-and-roll themed line features DeBeers' Talisman collection of rough diamonds, which complements the Stephen Webster style perfectly. Pictured here is a One of a Kind Brooch from the Burning Rocks collection.

The junior super-saloon wars are in full battle mode. Earlier this year, we had a chance behind the wheel of Audi's superb RS4, and its combination of thrills and balance won us over. We reported on BMW's new iteration of their iconic M3, which will soon come in a sedan form with an automated gearbox. Now, Mercedes-Benz has revealed their latest C 63 AMG sledgehammer, which will mate the company's excellent, high-revving 6.2-liter V8 – with 457 hp and 600 Nm of torque – to a 7-speed automatic transmission that will undoubtedly make the hottest baby Benz the outright winner in terms of speed. The good news for drivers is that the ESP stability control module can finally be switched out completely, giving Mercedes owners the chance at mastering car control without electronic aids. With a quoted 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 secs, the new top-of-the-range C-Class is the most exciting new Mercedes sports saloon to come out in some time.

The Only Watch 2007 auction to benefit research into muscular dystrophy is approaching, and many a major watch manufacture is revealing unique watches for the cause. Girard-Perregaux have shown their ww.tc-financial World Time Perpetual Calendar “pièce unique” which features a 41mm pink gold case that houses an automatic mechanical movement with perpetual calendar function, moon phase display, and global stock market trading times. This could be the ideal collectible watch for the market-watching watch enthusiast. They would especially appreciate the specially-engraved case-back that proudly proclaims its one-off status.

The Only Watch 2007 auction for charity is being readied, and the varied lineup of watches from many of the major brands is shaping up nicely. The watch that Vacheron Constantin have revealed as their piece for the event is this one-of-a-kind Malte Tourbillon Platinum, which uses the precious metal in the case, the dial, the strap and its stitching, and even as the back plate that holds the tourbillon cage in place. Using platinum as a watch movement component is a feat in itself, given the relative softness of the metal, but Vacheron Constantin seem to have accomplished this in this example. The hand-finished movement features a meticulous level of chamfering and polishing, giving this all-platinum one-off a peerless luster.

The Banyan Tree group's resorts are some of the finest in the world, with a large number and variety of locations spread all over the globe. The group have now launched their Private Collection destination club across China, with a European membership launch party to follow this week in London. The club has already a discerning membership base in Hong Kong and Seoul. The Banyan Tree Private Collection is an asset-backed travel club that allows members to enjoy the privilege of staying in luxurious villas without the cost and hassle of owning a vacation home. Membership is both perpetual and transferable, and the wide range of luxurious properties under the Banyan Tree's ownership include private villas in Tuscany and Provence, a two-bedroom serviced apartment in London, as well as resort accommodations in Phuket, the Seychelles, and even mountainous Ringha, in China. As you can see from the rates on their website, membership with the Banyan Tree Private Collection is reserved for the lucky few.

The upcoming Only Watch 2007 auction to fund research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has seen a number of established watchmakers offering up some fantastic unique versions of their most sought-after models for collectors to bid on for a good cause. Patek Philippe's unique timepiece this year is a special Nautilus 5712 in titanium, with an automatic winding mechanical movement, a moonphase indicator, and power reserve meter. This watch will be sent on a world tour from August to mid-September this year, just before the auction in Monaco is scheduled to take place.