Luxury Insider

After making its debut at the recent Cannes Boat Show, the Ferretti 510 will make its first appearance in Italy at the 47° International Boat Show in Genoa from 6th - 14th October 2007. This time, however, it is the Italian luxury yacht maker's new Ferretti 592, that is expected to take centerstage at the show. This 18-meter (59 feet) flybridge, which replaces the 591 model, offers an expanded window area that allows maximum natural light to bathe its interior spaces and a spectacular 360 degree view. The aft galley has also been relocated to increase optimization of layout. With the addition of a forward VIP cabin and guest cabin with twin beds, and the remodelled full beam owner's suite, the spacious F592 accords an accommodation comparable to that of a much larger yacht. Also appearing for the first time at the show is the 17-meter (56 feet) flybridge, the F551, which is a restyling of the 550 model.

www.ferretti-yachts.com

While the presentation of concept cars that boast futuristic-looking designs and the latest in automotive technology are common fare at motor expos, Ulysse Nardin’s concept of presenting its own concept watch is surely a novelty. Not surprisingly, Ulysee Nardin has chosen to pack 10 technological innovations in this concept watch dubbed the "Innovision" (modeled after its infamous "Freak") to outline the Swiss watch company’s vision on the future of mechanical watchmaking. Some of these innovations include the use of friction-free silicium escapements, lubrication-free components made of silicium, and the making of single components from previously multi-part units – developed in conjunction with Sigatech and Mimotec S.A.

www.ulysse-nardin.com

Pioneering luxury mobile manufacturer Vertu has added a new titanium model called the Ascent Ti. Pushing the envelope still further from the original Ascent design, the new Ascent Ti has incorporated more performance sports car-inspired design features into its frame.

Known for their ingenuity to transform kitchens into luxurious living spaces, bulthaup creates both functional and ergonomical kitchens through innovative use of design and space. For example, the system b3 concept stems from the use of a multi-functional wall to suspend kitchen installations and conceal power connections, while the system 20 posits kitchens as mobile workstations. This philosophy of design, attention to detail and ergonomics extends to the German company’s communication range, the company’s line of kitchen furniture. Stripped down to the minimum, yet retaining their ergonomic properties, the korpus and duktus range of tables, chairs, benches are embodiments of craftsmanship and aesthetic pleasure.





www.bulthaup.com

For those on the market for a truly private second home, some unique real estate just turned up on the market. Making private islands and castles look obvious in comparison, Titan 1, situated near the remote Moses Lake in the north-west of Washington, was a storage facility for Titan missiles at the height of the Cold War in the 1950s. Current owner, Bari Hotchkiss bought the 23ha property (with 4,000 sq m of "usable" space) a decade ago but is now putting the base up for sale for US$1.5 million. A similar underground base outside Denver, Colorado is going for US$1.8 million, according to the website www.missilebases.com. This seems like the perfect location to act out one's James Bond fantasies though prospective owners probably need to budget for extensive renovations.

www.themissilebase.com

First launched in 2004, the Project Z series has been a tremendous success for Harry Winston Rare Timepieces, featuring the use of zalium (an extremely hard yet light alloy of zirconium used in jet engines) in high-end watch making, which was unprecedented at that time. The shuriken symbol – a traditional multi-bladed weapon used by ninjas – has become iconic to the Project Z collection. The fourth and latest addition to the Z family, the Z4 is a dual time-zone GMT watch that features a day/night indicator for home time, and would be produced in a limited edition of 300. A repeater-style trigger located on the upper left side of the watch allows switching from one time zone to the next.

www.harrywinston.com

For watch collectors who can spend hours on end just marvelling the rotating cage of their tourbillon watches, the Daniel Roth Masters Grandes Complications Tourbillon Lumière would be a welcome addition. Housed in a signature DR double ellipse case, the Tourbillon Lumière is truly an objet d'art. The dial becomes part of the movement, with the engraved minute circle offering a subtle clue to its existence. One is confronted by the bare innards of the watch, resplendent in all its nakedness. On closer inspection, the details of finishing befitting of a haute horlogerie manufacture becomes apparent.

Chopard invited acclaimed Hollywood director Woody Allen and the cast of Cassandra’s Dream to a private dinner on the occasion of the Venice Film Festival on 2 September. Guests walked down the red carpet, adorned in brilliant Chopard jewellery. Allen’s wife Soon Yi wore a pair of three-row earrings, in 18k white gold with 912 brilliants and 22 multi-colored sapphires. Lead actress of Cassandra’s Dream, Hayley Atwell, complemented her scarlet gown with a pear-cut rubellite pendant. Other cast members such as Judith Godrèche, Cécile Cassel also donned diamond dangles.


(L-R): Colin Farrell, Sally Hawkins, Hayley  Atwell and Ewan McGregor


(L-R): Judith Godrèche, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele and Cécile Cassel


www.chopard.com

Oval shapes and colored jewels combine in the new Elisia collection from Bulgari. White and yellow gold come together with enamel, mother-of-pearl, and a wide selection of dazzling colored gems and diamonds. Cabochon and faceted cuts create a softening effect and serve to accentuate the size and colors of the stones. Whether an avid collector or merely a respectful admirer, you will doubtless appreciate the timeless appeal of Elisia’s colorful stones.

Now a well-known classic, the Akhir line of luxury motor yachts from Cantieri di Pisa has reached a new zenith with the introduction of their revised lineup shown at the recent Monaco Yacht Show last week. The flagship Akhir 135 seen above sets the standard, with its sleek and piercing shape, comfort, and cruising ability. With space for 8-10 passengers and nearly as many crew, the 135 is a proper nautical cruiser with an emphasis on superior comfort rather than speed, capable of a range of over 2700 nautical miles at 12 knots per hour.

www.cantieridipisa.it

The Only Watch 2007 auction to benefit research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy was completed recently at the Monaco Yacht Show. The top-valued watch was the Patek Philippe Nautilus pièce unique, which went for a staggering half-million euros – €525,000 to be exact. Second place went to DeWitt’s Incognito 2008 watch, which was not even displayed at the show – making it the highest price ever paid sight-unseen for a watch at auction. Designed in conjunction with Jean-Michel Wilmotte, Incognito will no doubt impress its new owner next year with its flying tourbillon regulator and 21-day power reserve, for which €400,000 was paid. Third place went to this superb-looking Richard Mille and Philippe Starck creation, which went for €320,000. 

www.antiquorum.com

Though once unfashionable, the real estate of Canary Wharf has become a hot commodity these days, with many a successful city worker clamoring for a place in the area’s most sought-after address. The two-tower Pan Peninsula will be one of London’s tallest residential developments at 50 stories, and the 20 luxury penthouses are available starting at £2.5 million, and going up to £12 million for the largest, 7714 sq ft unit. Facilities include a de rigueur concierge service, a private cinema, a cocktail bar on the top floor, a “signature” restaurant, and a holistic spa on the premises. Naturally, the high fliers who will be snapping these up will be accustomed to the lofty views from the top.

www.panpeninsula.com

The Tuscan countryside in Italy is perhaps one of the most evocative and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes in Europe, and it has long been a holiday destination for the true hedonist who appreciates a serene lifestyle filled with sun-kissed memories. For the wealthy hedonist, there is perhaps no finer way to appreciate Tuscany and Umbria than a stay at Castello del Reschio, an estate with 50 private villas replete with full five-star concierge service and amenities. The rustic villas are available for individual sale, and are in the process of being restored to each new owner’s exact specification, with a number of opulent restored villas available for short-term hire as well, so you can experience your Italian dream before deciding to fulfill it.



www.reschio.com

The IWC Schaffhausen museum now has a new home on the ground floor of the main building. Designed by architects from the Swiss company Smolenicky & Partner, the new museum is a combination of luscious furnishings and generous lighting to create a relaxed and informal ambience for its visitors. Watch enthusiasts can view about 230 choice exhibits, spanning 139 years of the company’s rich history. A multimedia display cabinet, audio listening stations and interactive screens provide in-depth information on the exhibits.

www.iwc.ch

Vogard has added a new version to its Business Officer collection – this time, in delicious chocolate brown. The shiny dial is a result of six layers of brown colored lacquer and this brown variant comes in steel bracelet or hand-stitched calf leather straps. And like its black- and silver-dial cousins, the bezel is marked with 24 major cities that enables you to read off time while jetsetting between countries simply by rotating the bezel to change timezones. You can also customize the bezel to your favorite cities with the Person Edition and have it registered with Vogard as an exclusive single timepiece.



www.vogard.com

Low-volume British sports car makers are often both ambitious as well as persistent, but rarely does this pay off. Farbio Sports Cars – recently renamed from Farboud, in apparent acknowledgement of the fact that Italian-sounding sports car names have more allure – is one outfit whose ambitions and persistence have been more serious than most. After years of honing the original concept, their new GTS has been shown in production form. The mid-engined, lightweight coupé sports a V6 engine in either normally-aspirated or supercharged form, wrapped inside a suitably lithe and compact carbonfibre body replete with all the familiar supercar cues: casual observers will identify hints of GT40 with a whiff of McLaren F1 in the pleasantly cohesive external design (even if, as expected, the parts-bin interior isn’t exactly a paragon of luxury). Whether this sporty appearance will manifest itself appropriately in the driving experience remains to be seen, but encouragingly, the order books have already been filling up fast.

www.farbiosportscars.com

Blancpain presented an exclusive preview of the first 30 production pieces of the Fifty Fathoms collection to mark the 30th anniversary of the Cannes International Boat Show. Comprising an automatic, a flyback chronograph and a flying tourbillon, these three new additions, first showcased at Basel 2007, come in white and red gold versions. A group of guests were invited on a cruise to witness the launch of the Fifty Fathoms by Blancpain CEO Marc A.Hayek and Italian diver Gianluca Genoni (who has 12 world freediving championship titles to his name). Suited up in diving gear underwater, Hayek presented Genoni with the first production piece of the Fifity Fathoms, with his name inscribed and bearing the serial number “0”.

The Ballon Bleu from Cartier is a surprisingly alluring new timepiece range from the much-loved luxury marque. Three sizes are available, with the largest case diameter being 42mm and the smallest, 28mm, giving the range universal appeal. The case comes in either white or yellow gold, or in a combination of gold and steel, and even with the option of diamonds, but all feature a unique and elegant rounded winding crown topped with a blue cabochon, giving this distinctive watch range its own inimitable identity.

Dutch automaker Spyker has teamed up with renowned coach builder Zagato to build the Spyker C12 Zagato. Designed by Zagato’s Norihiko Harada, this futuristic coupé combines several F1-style elements and a luxuriously appointed interior. Our motoring expert Dr Alvise-Marco Seno gives us his first impressions of this supercar.

Porsche has launched the long awaited Cabriolet version of its flagship 911 Turbo. According to our motoring writer Nick Hall, the Turbo Cabriolet has evolved into something luxurious and comfortable without compromising its legendary road-going abilities.

At Block 6 of the Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard, things haven’t changed since the summer of 1892. Here, the grapes are still picked by hand, pressed in baskets and matured in oak casts to produce the full-flavored and complex Shiraz. Our wine expert Edwin Soon shares with us the history of this wine.

Rated by UK’s Restaurant Magazine as the best Restaurant in Australasia, Tetsuya’s has continued to surprise guests with its unique blend of Western cuisine with strong Japanese-French influences. In our continuing series on the finest restaurants of the world, we spotlight this paradigm of culinary fusion.

Set in a picturesque hamlet in the Yunnan province of China, the Banyan Tree Lijiang is a quaint throwback to the Chinese courtyards of days gone by. Despite the rustic exterior, a sanctuary of palatial villas awaits the adventurous luxury traveler. Here’s a glimpse of this exotic retreat.

The Four Seasons group of hotels and resorts has a dizzying array of luxurious experiences, and one of their more interesting offerings is the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, in the jungles of Thailand. Nestled amidst beautiful bamboo forests, the 15-tent resort is a true spa getaway, with a rustic feel to it that remains a pampering treat for the senses. It is the attention to detail of the all-inclusive package deals that impress, from elephant training right down to the hand-hammered copper bathtubs.

Respected in the industry for their distinctive sports watches that have led the mechanical watch into the realm of the trendy timepiece, Bell & Ross has revealed their new BR 02 Diver. It appears to be a worthy stablemate with its BR 01-Instrument sibling: BR 02 comes in a variety of finishes for its 44mm case, including rose gold, stainless steel, and black PVD. The latter two are water-resistant to a depth of a kilometer. The key to their depth-resistance is an in-built helium release valve, while the movements are automatic-winding ETA calibers.

Omega is the sponsor of this year’s Omega Mission Hills World Cup of golf, and to celebrate the event a new Double Eagle Chronograph watch has been launched. Sporting the exclusive 3313 Caliber with co-axial escapement, the 41mm-diameter timepiece comes in either rose gold or titanium, with a lacquered bezel on the former or a black rubber one on the sporty titanium version. The dial is PVD treated and makes for a bold and elegant watch for all occasions.

Two masterpieces of haute joaillerie have been revealed by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The Rose bracelet manually-wound timepiece has a cumulative 75 carats of jewels, consisting of almost 1500 sapphires, over 1000 tsavorites, 120 rubies, and 120 diamonds. Meanwhile, the tulip has 1600 tsavorites, almost 2000 sapphires, and 30 diamonds, totalling 85 carats of jewel weight. The watch’s movement is the same caliber used in the Rose, but both have distinct personalities. No word on price or availability just yet, though given the intricate and highly valuable nature of the materials used, they are both likely to be one-offs.

www.jaeger-lecoultre.com

The breathtaking underwater spa at The Maldives’ Huvafen Fushi resort was recently redesigned in a theme that is more in keeping with its submersible nature. The spa has a pair of treatment rooms and an area for recharging oneself, all with incredible undersea views of the Indian Ocean’s colorful fauna. According to WAN, the architect responsible, Richard Hywel Evans, says that Huvafen Fushi’s underwater spa is now “truly the world’s most unique spa experience."

Traditional Saxon watch brand A. Lange & Söhne has launched the "A. Lange & Söhne Akademie" with the aim of bringing traditional precision watchmaking to life. Besides lessons on design, features, history and cultural environment of A. Lange & Söhne, participants from the brand’s appointed retailers also get to visit the Lange manufacture in Glashütte, Saxony to observe master watchmakers at work. Graduates from the Lange Academy would thus be better equipped to advise and share their knowledge of the brand with potential clients.

www.alange-soehne.com

A collection of rare historical timepieces is now on show at the premises of A. Lange & Söhne. Entitled “From Dresden to Glashütte – the roots of precision watchmaking in Saxony”, the exhibition features selected clocks and pocket watches from the “Mathematisch-Physikalischen Salon” collection.

These ingenious timepieces by prominent names like Seyffert, Schumann and Gutkaes, chronicle the history and evolution of the watchmaking industry in Glashütte. The highlight of the exhibition is undoubtedly a model of the “Five-Minute Clock” whose design dates back to the Saxon King Friedrich August II, and is perhaps the earliest version of a “digital display” clock. 


www.alange-soehne.com

The last Bang & Olufsen mobile handset designed in conjunction with Samsung, the Serene, was a fine luxury phone whose unusual design and distinctive character made it quite covetable, if not perfect. The new Serenata phone, Serene’s successor, will be revealed in a matter of days, as shown on its website. Much like the Lenovo Thinkpad Reserve luxury laptop we reported on earlier this year, Serenata’s makers felt that a real-time teaser countdown would be the best way to build up hype around a product aimed at the upper end of the market. Be sure to check back in 17 days for the reveal, or click here for some leaked spy shots.

Stripped of heavy coats of paint, and instead proudly displaying its weight-saving body materials of polished aluminum and carbonfibre, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Pur Sang is bound to be an even more astounding machine than the standard car which, bar none, is the most impressive motoring achievement of our time. Just five examples of this more driver-focused, 1000 horsepower grand tourer were planned at its launch at the Frankfurt show, but all are now sold out within a single day of its announcement, according to the company's new website. Considering the speed with which this has happened however, it is safe to say there will be other special editions in the offing before the Veyron’s production run expires.

www.bugatti.com

In so many ways, Samsung is fast becoming the new Apple – only black. With uncluttered designs, joyful graphical user interfaces (here dubbed Croix), and solid build, Samsung’s products – be it flat-screen televisions, mobile phones, and even their concept stores – have a cool, distinctive and unifying persona. The new F700 smartphone due in November follows in this mold, while offering true practical life enhancements, with its large 3.2” touch screen and sliding QWERTY keypad. A full suite of online applications and document readers as well as 3G capability round off this powerful package, though it has to be said we really look forward to sampling its doubtless superb multimedia capabilities on that large screen.

Montblanc has unveiled the Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858, comprising four models made of platinum 950, 18K white gold and 18K red gold. Handcrafted by watchmakers from the highly respected Swiss manufacture Minerva SA (now a member of the Richemont Group), all timepieces in this collection come in a limited edition series of 1, 8 and 58 for the platinum, white gold and red gold versions respectively. The watches feature hinged cuvettes that can be unlocked by a patented release mechanism in the strap lugs to reveal the in-house movements through the sapphire crystal caseback. For watch connoisseurs, the thrill lies in seeking out the hidden signatures of the Minerva artisans in the watch movements. From gold filled “Minerva Villeret” engravings on the chronograph bridges to arrow shaped levers and whiplash springs (symbolizing the Minerva logo), every watch in this collection delights with a few intriguing surprises.






www.montblanc.com

Audemars Piguet and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal have launched the Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O'Neal Limited Edition in Beijing. Housing an AP self-winding caliber, the watches are done in the white and red colors of Miami Heat. The chronograph comes in stainless steel and white gold case versions of 960 and 96 respectively. Featuring a massive 48 mm dial, the numerals 3 and 2 are deliberately inverted to draw reference to the jersey number Shaq wears. In its white gold version, the bezel is set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds for added sparkle.

www.audemarspiguet.com

One of the more interesting prospects shown at Frankfurt was BMW’s new performance crossover SUV, the X6. Based largely on the new X5’s all-wheel-drive running gear, the X6 aims to fill a niche that few people would have thought of – though it can be thought of as BMW’s answer to Infiniti’s handsome FX45. It has to be said, however, that the swoopy X6’s coupé-like profile is a distinctive and appealing sight, and though said to only be a concept for now, it is quite likely to be production-ready, with a hybrid version slated for introduction by 2009.

Designer hotels are one of the emerging trends of the new travel age, with boutique, design-centric hotels popping up all over the globe. One of the more outstanding of the bunch is the award-winning Faena Hotel + Universe in Buenos Aires. The former grain warehouse now boasts breathtaking design by Philippe Starck and Alan Faena, with a unique ambience that is at once warm and minimalist, without crossing the line into pretentiousness. 110 decadebt rooms are available, with at team of dedicated Experience Managers on hand to help optimize your stay.



www.faenahotelanduniverse.com

Italian luxury yacht-maker Ferretti Group will unveil its latest offering, the Ferretti 510, at the 30th Festival International de la Plaisance in Cannes from 12-17th September. For its relatively modest dimensions of 52.5 by 16.4 feet, this flybridge is designed to optimize space that would raise the bar on yachts of the 50/60 foot-segment. And with a central, full-beam owner’s suite, double and twin berth guest cabins, there’s plenty of room for a party of five. Visitors to Cannes would also be able to see the Ferretti 881 RPH, which features a command console that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding seas. 

www.ferretti-yachts.com

Steinway Lyngdorf has launched its superb Model D Music System, with the first launch venue being Singapore. The Model D is the world’s first integrated, fully digital music system, meaning all its components are designed to reproduce exactly what has been recorded. The new collaboration between famed piano maker Steinway & Sons and Peter Lyngdorf, one of the world’s most renowned audio engineers, is planning on selling just 100 Model D systems at US$150,000 apiece, and each of which will be tuned in-situ by company representatives using the company's own RoomPerfect 3D sound imaging software to suit the unique listening environment it is placed in.



Goldarths Review has had the distinct privilege of being invited to a private preview of the Model D, whose key design brief included being able to reproduce the exact tone of one of Steinway’s beloved Model D grand pianos. Our initial impressions are very favorable indeed: not only did its complete tonal transparency fulfill this brief, but it surprised us with its rhythm and musicality, which is not what we expected from an all-digital setup. Perhaps the half-ton combined weight of the loudspeaker units – finished in the most lustrous piano black lacquer – helped highlight its subtle power and sheer accuracy.

They announced its conception a few months ago, and since then petrolheads the world over have waited with baited breath for Lamborghini’s million-euro hypercar, said to be inspired by the futuristic F22 Raptor fighter jet – though based on the superlative LP640 road car. Supercar fans will be pleased to note, then, that the just-unveiled Reventón appears to fully live up to the hype. With its digital, TFT-screen instrument panel with cockpit-inspired graphics, outlandish carbonfibre coachwork, and 6.5 liter, 650 horsepower V12, it would perhaps be the closest thing to a road-going jet plane on sale today – except all 20 have been spoken for already.

We sometimes dismiss design concepts as mere whimsy, but the Eagle CD player from Loit Designs seems to be more than just a gorgeous design study by design house Art Lebedev. There has been a patent filed in the company’s hi-fi mad home city of Singapore, which means audio enthusiasts can look forward to a convenient integrated system combining high-fidelity sound with pure, minimalist design - note the embedded vacuum tubes in the pre-amplifier - and stunning build quality. This could just be the ideal bedroom hi-fi. No specific details yet, but more pictures, including one of the lovely remote, at the Art Lebedev site linked below.

Inspired by the “Miss Protocole” ladies’ watch, Piaget has launched a complementary jewellery collection. To evoke the square shape of the watch dial, the 18-carat white or yellow gold rings each feature a princess-cut gemstone of sapphire, amethyst, topaz, diamond or rhodolite. For added sparkle, the High Jewellery versions dazzle with more diamonds. Complete your evening ensemble with a necklace set with 28 square-cut and 58 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Steeped in heritage, Geneva-based Vacheron Constantin is said to be the oldest continuously operating Swiss watchmaker around today. A century after their first outstandingly reliable Chronomètre Royal pocket watch, VC is re-introducing their latest addition to their Historiques lineup. Its grand feu enameled dial marks it out as a special, limited edition of just 100 pieces, and its automatically winding movement features “dead” seconds and a COSC certification. The 39mm rose gold case is simple and handsome in true Vacheron Constantin style.

It’s not all about mechanical watches at this year’s Tempus – The Temple of Time exhibition in Singapore. French mechanical artisan Francois Junod captivates visitors with his automatic mechanical sculptures that burst into life at the turn of a key while Reuge serenades the crowd with melodious tunes from its elegantly crafted music boxes. Click the link to see many more pictures. Read more >>

Visitors to Tempus - The Temple of Time exhibition in Singapore can watch live demonstrations in the horological crafts, courtesy of master craftsmen from respected watchmaking houses. Witness dial-engraving by Bulgari, movement finishing by Breguet, case and movement assembly by Carl F. Bucherer, miniature high-fire enameling by Delaneau and gem-setting by Harry Winston, to name a few. Click to view many more pictures.

The Hour Glass has unveiled the world’s first Museum of Contemporary Horological Art (MOCHA) at this year's Tempus - The Temple of Time exhibition in Singapore. At MOCHA, watch enthusiasts would be able to view some of the finest and most exquisite timepieces in the world. These watches are housed in separate sections – each united by a common theme. We bring you some of the highlights: Read more >>

This year’s Tempus saw the unveiling of Richard Mille’s highly anticipated Planetarium-Tellurium. This extraordinary creation took Mille seven years to complete and is priced at S$5 million. Essentially, the Planetarium-Tellurium is an astronomical clock that displays information such as the relative positions of the sun, moon, zodiac constellations and planets. Based on new calculations by an astronomer-physicist and use of a détente chronometer escapement, Richard Mille’s Planetarium-Tellurium is quite likely the most precise mechanical astronomical clock ever made. Here’s a closer look at this horological wonder: Read more >>

Tempus – The Temple of Time event in Singapore – kicked off today to a rousing reception from an audience comprising some of the most distinguished names in the world of high-end watchmaking, and a host of local and international trade media. From 5th – 9th September, more than 55 luxury watch brands, trade partners and independent watchmakers will showcase their masterpieces (with a collective worth of more than S$150 million) at the Raffles City Convention Center. Goldarths Review will be on site covering the event. Do check Current Affairs often for updates and news pertaining to the fair. Read more >>

Imagine the scenario: you are planning a road trip, and need to get directions online. You plan your route on the computer, and print out the best way to get to your destination so you can input them into your on-board satellite navigation system. Sounds good enough? The planning process has just gotten much easier. Mercedes-Benz has introduced, in conjunction with the indispensable Google Maps and Yahoo! Local online street directories, Search and Send, which at the click of a mouse and a push of a button, sends your route directly from your computer to the sat-nav in your car so that the route you have chosen programs itself into the car directly. This subscription-based service is available to Mercedes’ US customers now.

Nubeo International has launched a limited edition of 150 pieces of the Doppel Chronograph to celebrate the Nubeo Team’s successful crossing of the Finnish wilderness with snowmobiles in less than 60 hours. Founded by Ivan Castro, the brand’s organic design is inspired by the shape of a jellyfish. The Nubeo Doppel Chronograph features the brand’s distinctive rubber-covered stainless steel bezel with large bold numerals and has served the Nubeo Team through sub-zero temperatures and extreme conditions. Watch enthusiasts in Singapore now have a chance to get their hands on one of these colorful timepieces as Cortina has inked a deal with Nubeo to be its exclusive retailer.