Luxury Insider

Volunteering holidays are fast gaining in popularity as more people find that "doing good" whilst on their vacations provide more than just "chicken soup for the soul". Hands Up Holidays is a company that offers such packages where everyone in your family can participate in the channeling of goodwill. Read more >>

In celebration of 40 years of production at the LOTUS factory in the Norfolk village of Hethel, England, LOTUS has released a limited edition of the Lotus Elise for continental Europe. Based on Lotus' entry-level model of the Elise Range – the Elise S – these limited edition cars are splashed in burnt orange premium paint, with a color-matched hardtop, painted rear diffuser, center console and exterior panels in body color, brake calipers and air intakes. Read more >>

Michele Menescardi from Italy emerged as one of the six honorable mentions out of 3241 works from 88 countries with her heart-warming design, titled "Phoebe" in a design contest co-organized by DesignBoom and Bisque Radiators with the theme "The radical radiators of the future". According to Michele, Phoebe is created based on the concept of bringing the fireplace back to its roots, in her own words – "to take the fireplace back to its roots". Shaped like a graduated pebble, which looks like contour lines on a map when viewed from the top, this portable electric radiator consists of lamellar sections and a heating core. Besides serving as a source of heat in winter, it stands as a unique piece of art in your living room.


www.designboom.com

You may have already read our article on Poseidon, an underwater luxury hotel scheduled to be completed by the end of this decade. While that project is a work-in-progress, Jules' Underwater Lodge is an actual operating nook located 5 fathoms (30 feet) under the tropical mangrove habitat of the Emerald Lagoon in Key Largo, Florida. Owner and co-founders Ian Koblick and Dr. Neil Monney named their subaquatic getaway after Jules Verne, author of the literature classic "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea". Read more >>

Steinway & Sons, maker of fine pianos, has attempted to harmonize its expertise in musical instruments with haute horology with the creation of Steinway & Sons Luxury Swiss Watches. Designed by pianist and designer Fabrizio Cavala, the first line of timepieces from the newly created watch brand displays the unmistakable influences of its musical origins. Read more >>

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' special edition of the Phantom, called the Rolls-Royce Phantom Tungsten due to its 'Xirallic' Darkest Tungsten Paint finish, is the latest release from its Bespoke Collection. Read more >>

Montblanc unveiled the "Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81" at a charity gala event at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club in which, Prince Albert II of Monaco, was the special guest-of-honor. As its name suggests, this skeletonized fountain pen is limited to only 81 pieces. Read more >>

These DuPont™ Corian® chairs with their towering backrests change color according to the color of the clothing the person sitting on it is wearing. Called "By Royal Appointment", these 'chameleon' chairs by London-based German designer Moritz Waldemeyer, the same designer that gave us the futuristic Z. Island Kitchen for Zaha Hadid, laser-emitting fashion wear for Hussein Chalayan, text-displaying 'Lolita' and 'Miss Haze' chandeliers for Swarovski, and the LED-embedded Pong and Roulette tables. Read more >>

Breitling's Mark VI Complications 29 is a slight departure from other models in the Breitling Mark VI series. Gone is the oblique square sub-dial in the center but instead, four circular sub-dials vie for attention on the busy dial. Read more >>

Christmas might still be a month away but hotels, restaurants, and retail malls have already geared up to ring in the yuletide carols. Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore has lined up an assortment of cookies, log-cakes and hampers centered on the theme of gingerbread, to usher in the spirit of Christmas. Read more >>

"Going green" has been the prevailing theme of automakers in 2007 as more brands are jumping on the "hybrid-wagon" as they unveil their alternative fuel offerings or concepts at auto shows. Porsche's prototype Cayenne Hybrid, which first appeared at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, is a good example. Read more >>

Jaeger-LeCoultre has announced the opening of its first flagship boutique in Singapore as it continues to target major Asian cities in the company’s global development strategy. Read more >>

Offering breathtaking views of Eiffel Tower, this could be the best place to take in the sights and sounds of the romantic city of Paris. This one-room designer prefab 'hotel', aptly named Hotel Everland, is designed by Swiss architects Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann. Read more >>

For the first time in Asia, Montblanc presented its new collection of Étoile de Montblanc Huate Joaillerie – the Lumière collection. A gala event was held in Shanghai, and attended by Hollywood and Asian celebrities, to celebrate the world premiere of this collection. Read more >>

This is one remote control you would think twice before tossing it nonchalantly on your couch or table after use. Made in pure gold, and with a price tag in excess of USD 55,000, this is possibly the most expensive remote control ever made. Designed by Danish company Lantic Systems, which makes high end integrated information, surveillance and entertainment systems for yachts, the remote control made its first appearance at the METS 2007 Exhibition in Amsterdam. It is modeled after the company’s original RC1 and not surprisingly, is named Gold RC1. The disc-shaped control can be used to manage your TV/video/DVD/CD, Internet, e-mail, CCTV, burglary alarm, lights, curtains, air-conditioning and surveillance of navigation systems of your luxury yacht or intelligent home. First deliveries are expected in December 2007.


www.lantic-systems.com

Richard Mille has bagged the "Les Aiguilles d'Or" (Golden hand) for his RM012 Tourbillon at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie 2007. Held at the Grand Theatre in Geneva, Switzerland, the luminaries of the world of haute horology attended this annual gala event, which is now into its 7th year. First released in April 2006, the platinum-cased RM012 has no "baseplate" per se but instead consists of a labyrinth of miniscule Phynox tubes supporting the movement bridgework.


www.richardmille.com

We have previously written about the Aptera Typ-1, a futuristic looking EV that will go into production in October 2008. This time, Turkish design firm Designnobis Studio has come up with an all-green concept sailboat which it calls 'Volitan', meaning 'flying fish'. Read more >>

Chopard celebrates Christmas in sparkle and splendor this season, with its new winter collection of haute joaillerie. Three necklaces form the centerpieces in this collection. There is the dramatic choker set with diamonds in a white gold lacework motif and adorned with a stunning rose in front, which comes in a pavé of shimmering diamonds or flaming rubies. Read more >>

Goldarths Review was thrilled to experience the much awaited MB&F Horological Machine No .2 in the flesh today, with our guide being founder Maximilian Busser himself. Read more >>

Banyan Tree Holdings Limited has set its sights on Philippines as it expands its chain of luxury resorts, hotels and spas. The Singapore-listed company has announced a joint venture with Mr Salvador B Zamora II, a prominent businessman in the mining and real estate industries, to develop and operate two resorts on the Philippine island of Dinaran. Occupying an area of about 55 hectares, this secluded island located south of Manila in Palawan Province, offers long stretches of pure white-sand beaches. It is a mere 15 minutes away by speedboat from the town of Coron. Banyan Tree will provide master plans, architectural and interior design concepts for the resorts. Total development costs for the two resorts are estimated at around US$70 million. The resorts are expected to be completed in 2010.

www.deluxeportocervo.com/singapore/

Enthall all your senses at the Pierre Restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. Full length windows offer guests spectacular views of Victoria Harbor, while a fusion of luxurious fabrics and crystal chandeliers evoke the ambience one expects from a restaurant helmed by a Michelin star chef. The food itself, a symphony of ingredients, will intrigue your imagination and palate alike.

The advent of all-premium airlines has radically transformed international travel, bringing with it a great measure of civility. Enter a world of door-to-door limousine service, express lanes at airport security checkpoints and luxurious lounges where passengers can dine or shower. With the US and European Union set to announce a liberalization of bilateral aviation restrictions come 2008, more airlines are expected to go all-premium class.

French chef Olivier Samson will be visiting Jaan as a guest chef at the Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore from 16 to 24 November 2007. Hailing from the Restaurant du Parc des Eaux Vives in Geneva, Switzerland, 35-year-old Olivier already has two Michelin stars under his apron. He was recently awarded the third toque achieving 17 out of 20 possible Gault Millau points. Olivier will be cooking up an epicurean feast at Jaan during his 9-day visit, with signature dishes like Brittany lobster refreshed with watermelon, roasted Angus beef sirloin with bone marrow crust, stewed John Dory in lemon confit butter.




www.swissotel.com/singapore-stamford

For the first time in Asia, Professor Peter Pfeiffer, Vice President for Design, Daimler AG and his design team, are in Singapore to conduct a Mercedes-Benz design workshop for budding designers from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). Read more >>

Baume & Mercier has added a dazzling interpretation of its Riviera XXL collection – the Riviera XXL High Jewelry Jumping Hour Collection. Featuring the double dodecagonal (12-sided shape) bezel, a signature design of the Riviera collection, the white gold case is adorned with 400 brilliant-cut diamonds – a total of 9.5 carats. Read more >>

Vacheron Constantin’s Patrimony Contemporaine Retrograde Day and Date has bagged the award of the Jury Prize for the Watch of the Year 2007 - "Montre de l'Année 2007". The award is given out by two watch magazines Montres Passion and Uhrenwelt, and decided by a jury of professionals from the watch industry. Read more >>

Corum Timepieces presented its limited edition Admiral's Cup Competition 48 Porto Cervo Marina at the DeLUXE® 2007 gala event in Singapore. The 18 karat red gold timepiece was first unveiled at DeLUXE® Porto Cervo in June this year, and features the Porto Cervo Marina logo on the seconds subdial at 9 o'clock. Only 100 pieces of this marine chronograph will be produced. The first five pieces found delighted owners in a charity auction held in aid of underprivileged children in the nearby Italian town of Arzachena. Now into its fourth year, the Costa Smeralda "DeLuxe" is an annual event organized by Porto Cervo, featuring some of the major brands from the fashion and luxury industry. The event made its debut in Singapore on 12 October at the Raffles Hotel and Raffles The Plaza.

www.deluxeportocervo.com/singapore/

Nokia has unveiled two additions to its acclaimed Nokia 8800 series – the Nokia 8800 Arte and Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte. Clad in a polished steel and glass, the phones are aesthetically pleasing and elegant. Read more >>

A one-of-a-kind Bovet Fleurier Minute Repeater with Jumping Hours fetched a combined $1.8 million at a recent auction and charity gala dinner held in Singapore. Mr Pascal Raffy, President of Bovet, had specially commissioned and donated the timepiece for the auction, led by international auction house Christie's. Read more >>

We have previously covered the new BMW M3 Coupé and Sedan, and the revised 6 Series. Now BMW has added the 1 Series Coupé to its impressive 2007 lineup. Positioned as an entry-level model in the BMW range, the new two-door 1 Series Coupé is a rear-wheel drive, and seats two passengers at the rear. Read more >>

CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces has been using quartz-engineered stone to create kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities since 1987. Made from 93 percent crushed quartz, combined with polymer resins and pigments, the stone is compacted under high pressure, treated and then polished to a shine. Read more >>

This stealth black beauty from Hublot is a collaboration with Ayrton Senna Institute, and bears the signature of the former racing driver and deceased champion on the watch dial in red. Read more >>

You may soon witness one of these space-age electric vehicles cruising down your neighborhood when production models of the Aptera Typ-1 start in October 2008. Resembling an aircraft sans the wings, the body of this three-wheeler is made from composites used in aircraft construction. Read more >>

Hublot has unveiled the first fruits of its timepieces manufactured completely in-house – the new Mag Bang that features the use of an alloy of magnesium and aluminium Hublot has aptly named "Hublonium". What is remarkable is that this alloy is conceived from the workshops of this Geneva watchmaking house. Hublot has chosen to go with this alloy because of its lightweight and robustness. The new Mag Bang looks very much like its magnesium cousin, except that both the case and movement are made of Hublonium – including the bridges and bottom plate, and even the watch clasp. Only 250 pieces of this watch, individually numbered, will be produced.



www.hublot.com

Christmas is not quite here yet but Mercedes-Benz has already lined up a host of gift ideas and accessories for seasonal gift ideas. Its Lifestyle Collection 2008 offers a selection of watches, pens, pens, sunglasses, fashion products, travel items, model cars, gift ideas and sports equipment for both ladies and gentlemen.Read more >>

Legend has it that 'La Turque' from the Côte Brune section of Côte-Rôtie took after the traits of its lady owner, the daughter of a nobleman named Maugiron, who lived in the Rhone Valley region a long time ago. Edwin Soon uncovers the history and enigma of this celebrated red from one of the oldest appellations in the Rhone.

Based on the F430, the Scuderia boasts increased power and reduced weight for dramatically improved performance. Our motoring expert Ian Kuah was at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track to witness the Scuderia’s impressive prowess.

Angular Momentum has launched a new collection of Artisan timepieces called the Beauty & Glamour Collection, with peonies as the main theme forming the centerpiece of the watch dial. Read more >>

Housed in an old school building that had seen better days, this is the last place you would expect to find one of Beijing's most popular hangouts for the well-heeled. But beyond its dull understated exterior, Face Beijing offers an intoxicating experience for the fatigued traveler in search of kindred spirits.

The Breguet Tourbillon Messidor combines traditional roots with a modern interpretation of the classic skeleton tourbillon. Harry Tan tells us more.

Forget exclusive islands and opulent hotels, White Desert’s first luxury camp in Antarctica tops the lot. Now you can explore Earth’s final frontier – in style and comfort. Guests fly into the camp’s base near the mountain ranges of Dronning Maud Land from Cape Town, South Africa, with all travel arrangements taken care of by White Desert. Read more >>

Few experiences can compare with the joy of driving down the highway in a magnificent automobile. With the top down, the music up and the engine howling, a road trip can be the ultimate escape. Amir Ali goes in search of the best driving holidays.

www.red-travel.com

www.porsche.com

www.horizon-co.com

Maybach will unveil its open-top Landaulet as a concept car at the Middle East International Auto Show in Dubai later this month. Based on the Maybach 62 S saloon, the Landaulet is powered by a twin turbo 6-liter V12 engine that shells out 612bhp to its 20-inch wheels. Read more >>

A new cocktail lounge for Sydney's socialites is set to open at the luxurious Ravesi's boutique hotel on Bondi Beach in late November this year. Named "Drift", the beachside bar offers spectacular views of the azure waters. The bar is designed by SJB Interiors, Sydney's most renowned hotel design team whose projects read like an A-List of the city's trendiest bars – from The Eastern, The Bourbon, The Columbian to Hugo's Pizza and Sky Bar, Will & Toby's, and Soho Bar.



Drift will feature signature cocktails by Kass Hill, one of Sydney’s finest mixologists, including local favourites like "Bondi Bella", "Pure Royale" and "Bondi's Dark and Stormy Night". Ravesi's executive chef, Darren Elmes, is the culinary architect behind Drift's 'tapas-style' menu which fuses Australian flavors with Mediterranean and Latin American influences.

www.ravesis.com.au

Caran d’Arche has unveiled its much anticipated 1010 Limited Edition of writing instruments. More than 180 guests were in attendance at the Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore to witness this event. Exquisitely crafted, the individually numbered pens come in gold and silver versions – 1 to 500 for the silver-plated, rhodium-coated pieces and 1 to 10 for the solid gold pieces.


www.carandache.ch

Chopard's latest addition to its prestigious L.U.C collection, the L.U.C Tourbillon Titan, is "lightness par excellence". It features a watchcase made of super-light titanium and an aluminium tourbillon cage. Powered by a mechanical hand-wound tourbillon movement which makes use of Chopard’s L.U.C "Quattro"® technology, the escapement comes equipped with a patented variable inertia "Variner®" balance.



Hours and minutes are indicated by the "Dauphine"-styled hands while seconds can be read off the indicator on the tourbillon at 6 o'clock. The watch has a power reserve of 9 days. Goldarths Review was also treated to a viewing of the Chopard L.U.C Chrono One. Launched in September 2006, the very first piece has been delivered to the Singaporean boutique, en route to its lucky owner.


www.chopard.com

Samsung has unveiled a suite of four mobile phones for its Q4 line-up, targeting mainly students and young professionals. Leading the charge is the SGH-G600, a 5-megapixel camera phone with image stabilizer and LCD Intensity Light Sensor, which adjusts the brightness of the phone’s LCD screen according to ambient light. Read more >>

This latest jewellery watch by Chopard, under its Chopard Classique Specials collection, features an elegant pairing of mother-of-pearl and diamonds in a most ingenious design. With a choice of delicate pink or blue satin straps, the white gold watch features an elliptical case that offsets the dial in non-conventional proportions. This results in a watch that sits in a unique yet graceful manner on the wrist. The ellipses, set with either diamonds or decorated with mother-of-pearl, are replicated on the dial in random fashion, like "elliptical bubbles" dancing on the dial. This is one watch that pairs contemporary chic with timeless elegance.


www.chopard.com