Watch enthusiast have been anxiously expecting to see what Rolex would bring to the table at Baselworld 2013 on the occasion of Daytona’s 50th anniversary. They probably expected a brand new model, but the luxury watch manufacturer decided to do a little something else. Rolex has unveiled two fresh versions of older models: a GMT-Master IIand a PlatinumDaytona, both with new color variations.
The Daytona keeps its original 40mm dimension, but brings a new light blue dial and a brown cerachrom bezel. The color combination is classy and quite alluring, but more changes would have been very welcomed as well. Inside the case is a COSC automatic chronograph movement, calibre 4130, with a power reserve of 72 hours.
Also still 40mm in diameter, the new GMT-Master II is powered by a Rolex Calibre 3186. It features a two color cerachrom bezel insert with a day/night configuration. The colors are blue and black, as you can see in the photos below.
Porsche has been making news in the recent past for the Panamera Turbo tourer model, including the Panamera Platinum edition which is stated to be launched later this year. To keep the enthusiasm going strong among the eco-conscious buyers, they have bought in their first plug-in hybrid edition of the supercar, the 2014 Panamera S E-Hybrid. The special ‘electric and fuel’ drivetrain based on the 2014 Porsche series, there have been some significant technology changes, with the greater engine power output, and the ability to carry on for more than 20 miles in case, the fuel gauge is empty. With a charging port for just 2.5 hours, one can get the additional eco-friendly advantage added along with the luxuries that the Panamera will otherwise be sporting.
The S-Hybrid edition of the Porsche Panamera, has been fitted with 95HP motor, which is the double of the last hybrid creation from Porsche. The Lithium-ion battery which runs the engine, increases its storage capacity by a significant margin from 1.7 KWH to 9.4 KWH. It can charge real quick within 2 and 1/2 hours from a 240-Volt charger. Experiments have revealed that one could go on for over 20 miles on an all-electric drive, but then the add-ons features like the air-conditioning and heating would have to be turned down.
With the hybrid engine never the less, the capabilities still pack in a significant punch in terms of the speed capabilities. If one is using the all-electric drive, top speed is around 84mph, where as the fuel powered mode will take the car upto 167mph that too within 5.2 seconds.
The pricing figures released so far peg the value of the SE Hybrid Panamera to be $99,975. However since there have been other editions of the Panamera 4 released in the market, there are other models to choose from a varied price range. The Panamera 4S begins from $99,275+ charges, to the $162,075 for the new model of the Panamera Turbo Executive, which sports the extra long wheelbase apart from the added interior features.
Not exactly sure if Lamborghini is the first luxury car brand to come to mind when saying “limousine”. Actually, it may be among the last ones on your mental list. However, this article is exactly about that: a stunning Lamborghini Aventador Limousine concept. The car keeps all it original visual charm, but adds a few inches to the recipe, and a couple of extra doors as well.
The mere fact that the concept is so shocking and totally unexpected makes us sure that there are many rich people out there who would love to see the car get onto the production lines. We bet there are plenty celebrities who are a bit tired of the same Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lincoln and other classic limos that they’ve had driving them to important events. A red, angular and powerful Lambo would actually make an excellent alternative, wouldn’t it?
Four scissor doors rise up to welcome passengers into an absolutely amazing environment: plush comfy seating, champagne cooler, plasma screens, top-of-the-line sound system, and much more. Though we’re sure not everybody will find the idea exciting, we declare ourselves very positively intrigued. The concept idea was proposed by high-end car hire company Cars For Stars from U.K.
DMC has unveiled a new and very exciting upgrade kit for one of the most alluring luxury cars out there – the 2013 Bentley Continental GT. They called it Duro and they made it awesome.
The entire body kit is based on carbon fiber, from the new rear diffuser and spoiler to the aerodynamic sills and front bumper with spoiler. To match the new sporty look of the car, DMC also added a new set of 22-inch wheels with 295/25/22 tires, as well as a new exhaust system made of titanium.
The interior is customizable according to the client’s preferences, which makes thing even more exciting. They will be able to choose from a variety of fine materials and trims, such as exotic wood, carbon fiber, and premium leather.
Finally, the tuners made some changes into the engine department as well, offering 901 HP and 575 lb-ft of torque. The new top speed is 200 mph, and the 0-60 mph time is 4.5 seconds. How does all this sound to us? Very ‘Yes, please’!
While most luxury home buyers would be proud to have a water slide around in their private residence, there are some who have gone on further to splurge on properties located in prime destination with this facility. The $360 million penthouse in Monaco, known as one of the most expensive areas in the world for luxury real estate, boasts of not only a water slide connected giant size infinity swimming pool, but also a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea. This ultra-luxurious property is spread over a generous 5-floor space in the French Principality in the 49-storey building named Tour Odean. The price tag of this penthouse puts it in the league ahead of La Belle Epoque penthousein the same city, sold for $308 million 2 years back.
Shedding 800-lbs of body weight, a V6 engine, and a 3rd of seats at the rear end, the 2014 Range Rover has bought in some different sets of addition, though not changing the outer form too radically. There were speculations that the Evoque or the bigger models of theRange Rover would overshadow this edition as well, for its features but the latest revelations show that the vehicle is something people would be delighted with. Prices of the 2014 Range Rover Sport differ for the 4 editions within the range of $63,495 and $93,295.
Like the 2013 edition, this edition also has shed 800-lbs of the body weight due to the all-aluminum structure, apart from added variety of more powerful engines. The new V6 engine will dish out 340 HP, while the V-8 dishes 510 HP of muscle on the asphalt. They both come with the 8-speed auto transmissions, apart from physical changes such as the 7-inch longer wheelbase, 2 options for the 4-wheel drive mechanism, auto engine shut off at long stops, and also the Auto-park feature which allows judicious parking in tight city traffic.
British designer Afzal Kahn of A. Kahn Design have turned his car obsession into something which is majorly sought after by the wealthy luxury car buyers. He has previously given high end styling makeovers to luxury cars. This time it is the turn of the Lamborghini Aventador, which has turned into a simplistic yet a sportier edition of its original existence. While the exterior has seen a few changes, but the major additions as one will notice, has been on the interiors, which has been give the premium treatment, at least considering the premium quality leather fabrication.
The interior are actually a showcase of the British designing house with the color black, which has been generously splattered all over the place. The seats are crafted from black nappa leather with contrasting white stitching, the most artistic edition of which is seen on the steering wheel with the Lamborghini monogram at the centre. However, word has it that one can choose the color and fabrication too, but this combo of black and white is known to be Kahn’s signature one.
This edition reportedly costed $4.7 million, which perhaps tells us that if one has the money, the ways of spending them rather lavishly outnumber them far and wide.
Noted for being the only establishment which utilizes cosmetic ingredients to provide most luxurious car care products utilized by the connoisseurs who look forward to optimize the majesty of their ultra-luxurious and expensive cars, Mitchell & King has now blended a car wax for goldRush Rally and have released one for sale. This luxury car care establishment based in Scotland which in December last year delivered the world’s most expensive car shampoofor luxury cars now offers the world’s most expensive car wax priced at $97,060. Displayed within a 24ct gold-plated Swarovski encrust enclosure with bespoke scent, the wax dubbed as GRV impressively contains gold shimmer and is ideal for those who wish the most luxurious car wax.
Submarines and the super rich; that’s the new relationship which seems to be gaining ground with the wealthiest group of people in the world! Cruising over the pristine waters in yachts seems to be fading into a toy of the past, and the underwater beauty is what the uber-rich want to explore with their own luxury submarines. Now, Harrods has managed to start taking orders for the $2 million Spymaster Orcasub, which can dive 2,000 feet below the waters and sports a life support system for 2 passengers for a period of 80 hours
Luxury Auto brands like Lamborghini couldn’t be just satisfied with making the best of powerful cars like the $3.9M most expensive Lamborghini Veneno that commemorates the 50th anniversary of Automobili Lamborghini. They had inkling that their brand should grow wider, and evolve as a lifestyle statement unto itself hence the idea of high-end bicycles. We have previously seen the Limited edition BMC Lamborghini cycle, which retailed for $26,000. This time around, the price tag gets higher and the 50th anniversary Lamborghini Impec goes to its buyers for $32,000. Like most things precious by luxury brands, created for a special occasion, this bicycle is also a limited edition product with a made-to-order availability. Also, the uber-rich who are looking to splash around some cash are advised to order their Impec bikes soon, as there are only 50 editions of them to be made, each delivered by the respective dealers.
Situated within the Doha Sports City complex, only 30 minutes from the Doha city center, Qatar, the Torch Hotel is an amazing luxury tower that boasts 300 meters (984 feet) in height. The building was erected in 2006, but it was only recently converted into a high-end hotel with 360° views. This is Qatar’s tallest tower, designed by Hadi Simaan and AREP.
It boasts a futuristic design, with a mesh exterior and an enchanting kinetic light display. The 51 floors of the hotel include 167 rooms and suites, all tastefully furnished and fitted with iPads and top-notch technologies. Bathtubs by the window, in-room service menus, interactive LED TVs, expensive materials and fine fabrics are all part of the luxe Torch Hotel experience.
Among its many excellent features, there is a stunning cantilevered swimming pool on the 19th floor, hovering 260 feet above the ground. Separate men and women spa floors ensure perfect intimacy and a high level of relaxation and pampering. Guests can also enjoy access to a beauty salon, fitness club, business center, and several fine restaurants with mouth watering menus.
The bespoke German luxury safe manufacturer Doettling which recently delivered the world’s first travel safe Guardian for the likes of jet-setters, and earlier impressed us with its hand-crafted masterpieces like the Doettling Colosimo Double Wing which was inspired by the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”, the safe for the $2.5 million Jaeger-LeCoultre watch set, the Colosimo, the iPad controlled Hublot Morphosis safe, the Colosimo leather and spikes edition, the Bel-Air collection that gets a custom made Magnus safe for a watch collector, and the world’s most expensive safe by Karl Lagerfeld, has now created the world’s safest luxury safe, the Fortress. Defined to be the master of all security classes, offering unrivaled insurance cover of up to $1,000,000, the Doettling Fortress which comes upholstered by hand with its signature quilted calfskin, impressively introduces us to the new era of security.
Launched in September 2012, the emission-free Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive which is described as the ‘world’s most powerful series production electric car’ has now inspired the creation of “Cigarette AMG Electric Drive Concept” engineering design, the latest development of Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing which will be launched at the Miami International Boat Show. Described to be the world’s most powerful and fastest electric drive powerboat electrified by Mercedes-Benz, the 38 foot long Cigarette AMG Electric Drive Concept with an output of 2,200 hp and a maximum torque of 3000 Newton meters is truly a fascinating new concept that cruises with a speed of 160 km/h. Cigarette Racing is however been working closely with Mercedes-AMG for several years, and has delivered impressive speedsters of the waters like the Cigarette racing boatsinspired by Mercedes Benz AMG Black series, the Cigarette 46’ Rider XPspeedboat, and the 46-foot Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Cigarette boatwhich took its inspiration from Mercedes’ SLS AMGsupercar, to name a few.
Designed with very real, very modern and very useful applications in mind, here’s a cleverly engineered workhorse dubbed as Xhibitionist, a nautical tool that will fulfill many different roles of a luxury yacht. Partly inspired by traditions as old as seafaring itself, this no ordinary yacht concept is actually the brainchild of noted Swedish-based designer Eduard Gray of Gray Design, which earlier impressed us with their Superyacht Sovereign that has taken its design cues from luxury limousines, theDartz Prombron Nagel which is the world’s first sportback vehicle to act as a yacht puller, and the Standcraft limousine beach cruiser which had the designing mastery of Gray Designs. Described as a masterful blend of style, purpose and efficiency, this one-of-a-kind vessel’s hull is its most striking element, as the inverted triman configuration has been employed for one overriding reason that is stability. Further, this versatile concept superyacht boasting an Art-Nouveau styling has also been future-proofed in some aspects; both in terms of its actual features and its potential ‘lives’, as it were.
Inspired by the ever fascinating night’s sky, the Rendez-Vous Celestial timepiece is one of the newest creations of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The luxury watchmaker used high-end materials and precious stones to create this jewel-like watch, and for the powering mechanism it chose the famous Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 809 mechanical automatic movement.
The dial features a hand-guilloché blue crescent shape with transparent lacquer coating, and a beautiful starry sky inspired disc with constellation patterns. There is even a shooting star on the dial, which works as a time customizing device and which can be easily controlled via the secondary crown.
The case of the watch is made of 18-carat white gold, and it is virtually stacked with glamorous diamonds. The dial and the two crowns also feature precious gems for an absolutely irresistible effect. The star disc is mobile and it rotates slowly, completing one full revolution every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds. The design also includes the zodiac calendar in the form of constellations.
Excellence V is a beautifulluxury yacht by Abeking & Rasmussen, an elegant vessel that was launched in the spring of 2011. Its classy design was conceived by the owner himself, who worked together with Reymond Langton Design, a design firm from London. Even though it measures 60 meters (almost 197 feet) in length, Excellence V is able to offer flawless accommodation in spaces that are comparable in size to that of much larger yachts.
Almost all guest accommodation areas are located on the main deck: the VIP suite, 2 doubles and 2 twins. They are all situated fore, and are arranged in a perfect manner in order to make the best possible use of space. The master suite can be found on the upper deck, with an adjacent double suite. In all, there is plenty of space onboard for up to 14 guests, plus the crew team.
A beautiful staircase connects the five different decks of the vessel, but there is also an elevator in the central lobby, meant to ensure an effortless transition from on level to another. The main lounge and dining areas are located aft, featuring comfortable furniture and tasteful decorations. Adjacent to the lounge area with bar is the exterior lounge space with two L-shaped sofas for total comfort.
The yacht also features a cinema, massage room, starboard side beach club, tender access and launching, diving and swimming platform, huge Jacuzzi, and a number of relaxing, entertaining and dining areas both outside and inside.
“Pebble Beach is the most beautiful meeting of land and sea in the world,” Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry Karges said Thursday. The car show and race likewise bring out “the most beautifully designed and built cars in the automotive world.” While Pebble Beach usually plays host to golfers, once a year every August it is taken over by classic cars which are perched precariously on the perfectly manicured green lawns far above the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean far below.
The Concours d’Elegance is the crown jewel of over a week of auctions, races and parties all over the Monterey Peninsula. The Councours and Monterey Car Week have become their own annual ecosystem in the classic car world as high value and rare vehicles cycle through private collections and auctions. “A lot of people that get to come out as a spectator, and you get to see some of this at our auction, you get to see them [classic cars] more from collection to collection,” Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. chairman and CEO Craig Jackson said Monday.
For many, the Concours d’Elegance and Auto Week are their only opportunity to some ultra-rare vehicles. Several years ago, Pebble Beach succeeded in gathering all six Bugatti Royales, the only time in history they have all been in one place. “It’s a real feat. I don’t think you’ll ever see that again.”
Collectors bring their cars to the Concours each year to win several coveted class and overall awards which boost the prestige, and value, of their cars. “You can count on your hands the number of collectors who have these [Concours d’Elegance winners] in their collections,” Jackson said. However, many of the cars passed through restoration houses like Barrett-Jackson and the auction houses before winding up in private collections and on show at Pebble Beach. “I get to see these cars at Pebble Beach … I’ll remember the car from the ’60s,” Jackson said.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has been occurring annually since 1950 and the combination of ultra-rare and classic cars, racing and an incomparable automotive social scene have drawn attendees back year after year. An annual party, Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival, at the Monterey Jet Center brings out many of the leading collectors for what Jay Leno has called “tailgating for billionaires,” according to Karges.
“If you didn’t have any other eason to go to Monterey, wouldn’t you want one?” Karges said. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, races and parties prove to be too much for many wealthy collectors to avoid given the plethora of hotels, lodges and gourmet restaurants that dot the peninsula. “It’s a pilgrimage, literally,” Karges said. Both Karges and Jackson have been attending the Concours d’Elegance for decades.
The 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and accompanying festivities of the Monterey Car Week and The Quail motorsports gathering concluded Sunday after drawing the finest classic cars, ultra-luxury models and most distinctive vehicles in the world to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula of California. According to some, the events of the Monterey Car Week have been called “tailgating for America’s billionaires” by none other than the nation’s pre-eminent gearhead, Jay Leno, but it has taken years of hard work and a heady mix of automotive iron and stunning Pacific Ocean vistas to keep the world’s wealthy car collectors coming back each year.
At this year’s Concours d’Elegance, RM Auctions put 120 cars on the block, 13 of which sold for more than $1 million, fetching a total of $35 million, including a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder that sold for $8,580,000. At another Monterey area car auction over the weekend, Gooding & Company sold more than $60 million worth of cars, including another Ferrari, a 1960 250 GT LWB California Spider for $11,275,000. Gooding & Company also sold a first edition Fiat 500 (initially valued at around $35,000) owned by Leno for $385,000, and the legendary von Krieger Special Roadster for $11.77 million.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the centerpiece of a series of classic car races and auctions, cocktail parties and gatherings for enthusiasts, car shows, and debuts by the world’s most rarified luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz. Rolls-Royce for its part debuted two different vehicles, the 2013 Ghost and the Phantom Coupe Aviator, Cadillac teased a new concept car, and Bentley held the North American debut of the 2013 Continental GT Speed. The Concours d’Elegance and other events of the Monterey Car Week draw such high-value classic cars and luxury debuts every year by means of a very simple formula of strong personalities, an impressive environment and the momentum that years of tradition brings.
Experience comfort, relaxation and revolving scenery, while being in a hot tub surrounded by water all around, doing drinking, listening music, and leisurely boating with your loved ones, all at once with the revolutionary Hot Tub Boat. Engineered and built in Seattle by a marine carpenter that specializes in custom house boats, this one-of-a-kind vessel is basically an electric boat with an 8-foot long hot tub built into its deck, and positioned on the boat’s center of buoyancy, providing the boat exceptional stability. Ideal for carefree fun and relaxation on the water, moving or stationary, this 16-foot Hot Tub Boat built to accommodate 6 adult bathers, also comes equipped with waterproof stereo system, four ice chests built into the desk, a teak swimstep, and a 24-volt electric motor that propels the boat up to 5 mph on calm water, steered via a joystick.
Already have a stunning Bugatti Vitesse in your garage? Then maybe you would like to complete the set with a matching limited edition timepiece from Parmigiani Fleurier. Inspired by the astonishing supercar, these watches feature titanium cases (36 mm by 50 mm by 22 mm) and matching titanium buckles. They are available in two different versions, and they are all true eye candies.
Both versions boast alligator skin straps by Hermes, and brightly colored dials. One has an orange Texalium dial and matching Carnelian cabochon in the 18-carat white gold crown, while the other features a white Texalium dial with blue color inserts and a gorgeous blue Lapis Lazuli cabochon in the crown.
Other noteworthy features include 6 AR-coated sapphire crystals, 333 parts, 40 jewels, 10-day power reserve, and 10-meter water resistance. The hand-made main plates are sand blasted and circular grained, while the dials feature a web-like structure of fiberglass covered with a thin layer of titanium. A polished black gold Bugatti Vitesse logo and a polished EB appliqué Complete the design and stand proof of the watch’s high-end pedigree.
Finally, the “life”-giving mechanism inside the case is an in-house manually-wound Caliber PF370 movement, with 21,600 vibrations per hour.
We love our cars in Phoenix. With the spread of the land we occupy, how could we not? Miles upon miles are covered with various modes of transportation that represent our personalities, lifestyles, and a way to get from point A to B. History and innovation have spawned thousands of enthusiasts, collectors, and connoisseurs of four-wheeled acceleration, and there’s a place that brings them together in an annual gathering of awe.
The Barrett-Jackson car auction will start right up and run smooth at Westworld of Scottsdale, 16601 North Pima Road, Sunday, January 13, through Sunday, January 20. Since 1971, the auction has drawn in fans from all over the world to witness offerings of master craftsmanship that revisit the past in spectacular fashion. From the elegance of a 1939 Bentley to the raw muscle of a Mach 1 Mustang, these beauties will leave you tempted to take out a second mortgage.
CES 2013 was filled with mobile accessories, while most of them were similar to what we have already seen over the years, including the rhinestone studded bling mobile accessories from the Korean companies, which made us realize no one does them better than BlingMyThing, and also there were leather cases galore. The leather cases launched at CES 2013 too were not class apart except the Istanbul based Beyzacases luxury mobile accessories range. Inspired by the ultimate British supercar, Aston Martin, the range of smartphone and tablet cases is said to have taken design cues from the elegant form and shape of Aston Martin’s famous radiator grid, but what makes them exclusive is craftsmanship. The Aston Martin range is handcrafted from the finest full grain Alcantara leather used in Aston Martin interiors.
The collection includes the new iPhone 5 Slim V cases crafted out of Alacatara leather with soft lining and protection against scratching. The collection is available in beautiful stiching colors, such as; beige, brown, orange and red. The range features iPhone and iPad cases for the latest iPhone 5 besidesiPhone 4 and 4S, iPad 2 cases and Slim TP for BlackBerry Bold series. The iPhone cases will reportedly retail for around $100 for the iPhone cases and approx. $330 for the iPad cases. The products comes with a specific “How to Care” guide to protect the natural beauty of the genuine leather cases from daily wear and tear and characteristic signs such as wrinkles, scars and marks.
A true jewel in its class, Bravo 88 is aluxury motor yacht with a classic exterior design, impressive lightness, and luxe interiors for up to 8 guests. The vessel can reach speeds of over 25 knots, ensuring a smooth sailing experience and high maneuverability. The composite structure of the yacht provides excellent durability without compromising on weight, which allows for high speeds to be reached almost effortlessly.
A few seconds are enough to go from standstill to fast cruising, and all this happens in total comfort. Talented designers from M. G. Burvenich Yacht Design gave this vessel a hard top flybridge, large windows for unobstructed panoramas in the pilothouse, an elegant yet cozy saloon separated from the luxe aft deck by sliding doors, and a lovely informal dining area as part of the main deck gallery.
Bravo 88 can transport its guests in lavish conditions, offering excellent accommodation in 4 staterooms. The VIP and master suite are flooded with natural light, but the other two cabins are also very impressive in terms of amenities and high-end features.
Designed in true Bentley style for those who accept no compromises, here’s the British luxury automaker’s latest, fastest and most thoughtfully-executed open-top performance flagship, the 2014 Continental GT Speed Convertible that offers unrivaled luxury and refinement of a coupé yet transforms into a gorgeous open tourer at the touch of a button. Taking place at the pinnacle of the Bentley Continental GT range with peak power of 625PS or 616 horsepower, this GT Speed Convertible which has an impressive top-speed of 202 mph, will appeal to discerning drivers seeking the sensory thrills of the world’s fastest four-seat soft-top and the practicality of a year-round grand tourer. Scheduled to be unveiled on 14th January at the North American International Auto Show, Detroit, the ride’s subtle sporting design cues include exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels, dark-tint grilles and ‘rifled’ exhaust tail pipes, and on the inside it features the Mulliner Driving Specification with its distinctive diamond-quilted hide upholstery as standard, blending contemporary luxury with a distinctive sporting character.
Some automobiles are famous for what they are, while others for what they have done. But the pair of classic 1941 Lincolns offered at the Bonhams upcoming Scottsdale Auction on 17th January is notably famous for both, being the limited production automobile of rare distinction and featured in one of the best American films ever made, the multi-generational crime saga ‘The Godfather’which is the touchstone of cinema. For the likes of collectors and die-hard fans of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime film, crossing the auction block without reserve will be a pair of iconic luxury cars from Hollywood blockbuster The Godfather, including the 1941 Lincoln Custom Limousine chosen by iconic film director Ford Coppola as the ride of choice for the enemies of Corleone family, and the 1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe which was driven by Sunny Corleone (character played by James Caan). Notably, these historic automobiles with movie-star status have been consigned to sale from the estate of noted classic car collector Eugene Beardslee.
Azimut Benetti has recently unveiled their first family-friendly yacht, called Atlantis 34. It is a 10-meter (32.8-foot) vessel that fits into the medium-small category, combining a sporty appearance with surprisingly ample and comfortable interiors. It was designed by the Atlantis Design Department in collaboration with Neo Design.
The deck space is generous, allowing for comfortable sunbathing, lounging, and alfresco dining. As far as accommodation is concerned, the small yet spacious yacht features a master cabin with double bed, adjacent to a dinette which can be converted into a cozy double bed as well.
The buyer also gets 1,350 liters of storage space, an 80-liter refrigerator, and enough space on the swimming platform for a tender. Powered by 2 Volvo Penta D3 engines with Duoprop sterndrive, the vessel can reach 32 knots and features upgradable Raymarine touch screen instrumentation.
The prestigious Art Basel Miami Beach show featured supercar maker Bugatti’s “fastest artwork ever.”
To take an already beautiful Veyron Grand Sport and give it some credit as a piece of art, Bugatti teamed up with Bernar Venet, a French conceptual artist whose work makes clear his love for math and science.
South Korean carmaker Hyundai on Friday revealed their ”Connected Car concept” that uses NFC technology to allow users to open and close doors with their phone.
The system allows the driver to lock and unlock the car with an NFC-enabled smartphone and then, once inside, dock the device to activate the car’s telematic systems and to upload the driver’s personal profile — such as seat position, favorite radio stations, satellite navigation history and climate control settings.
The profile information is streamed to the vehicle’s 7-inch touch screen which also mirrors the smartphone’s content so that the driver has hands-free access to their contacts and address book.
Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Hyundai Motor Europe, said: “Hyundai’s Connectivity Concept showcases the brand’s philosophy of making tomorrow’s technology accessible to a wide range of customers.
With this technology, Hyundai is able to harness the all-in-one functionality of existing smartphone technology and integrating it into everyday driving in a seamless fashion.
As the technology continually develops there will be capabilities to store driver’s seating positions and exterior mirror settings, providing customers with a comfortable and individual driving environment.”
You buy a Ferrari when you want to be somebody. You buy a Lamborghini when you are somebody,” said America’s evergreen icon Frank Sinatra, who counted a 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S among his fleet of luxury sedans and sports cars.
Now, Manoj Lulla is not much of a ‘do-be-do-be-do’ man, but the Chennai-based businessman sure knows he is a ‘somebody’.
Trouble is there are way too many ‘somebodies’ in post-reforms India—158,000 millionaires to be precise, as per a latest Credit Suisse report. So how do you stand out? Lulla decided to promote his garage: these days he drives his Lamborghini Gallardo home, literally, and parks it in the living room of his Chennai house, where he has made an extension with special track lighting to house the machine.
Well, there are more ways to stand out. Like the one followed by Lulla’s uber-rich brethren in the western part of India: For instance, you can embed the emblem of that other snob king-on-four wheels, Rolls Royce, with pure diamonds. The proud owner of Rolls Royce has got the Spirit of Ecstasy—the emblem—studded with 1,640 real diamonds.
“These are special customers. They are always on the lookout for something exclusive. One of our customers got a special paint created for his car—the specific red he wanted was not part of the colour options we have on offer. Then there is a customer who got the entire veneer in the car studded with mother of pearls. It took us four months to deliver,” says Sharad Kachalia, one of the leading dealers of Rolls Royce, about this extremely high net worth phenomenon.
Diverse Buyers
The craze is now leaving even the age factor behind. One of the new Lamborghini owners is a 16-year-old kid from the outskirts of Mumbai, who, thankfully, utilities the services of a driver.
“The profile of our car buyers shows that awareness and love for Lamborghini cars run deep. With regard to the 16-year-old, we have been assured by the family that he won’t drive till he is legally eligible to drive. We will train him, once he reaches that requisite age,” says Pavan Shetty, head of operations, National Sales Company for Lamborghini in India. Super car are not exactly a prerogative of celebrities and industrialists; the profile of some of the buyers and the places they come from reveal an all-new potential, he says.
“One of our owners lives in a place where there is no proper road to drive,” says Pratik Desai, VP at Exclusive Motors, a dealer of Bentley super-cars.
Boom In Ultra HNI Club
You can imagine the aspiration to own a brand like Bentley. For sure, economic growth is putting money in the hands of people. We have had customers walking into the showroom in the morning and driving out with the car in the evening,” adds Desai.
Wilfried Aulbur, former MD of Mercedes Benz India and now a managing partner at leading consultancy firm Roland Berger, who knows the luxury car market well, is not surprised. “Wealth is distributed across India. Some of them have made money in areas that are not necessarily every day in the newspaper, so you never know how the next Bentley owner may be,” he says.
According to Credit Suisse Research Institute’s Global Wealth Report, the number of millionaires in India stands at 158,000. And this number is likely to jump over 50% to 242,000 by 2017. The report says India has 237,000 members among the top 1% of the global rich club. There are 1,500 ultra-high net worth individuals with estimated wealth of over $50 million (around 700 of them with a net worth of over $100 million)
Widespread Demand
According to industry estimates, the market for super-luxury cars priced at Rs 1-2 crore stood at around 250-300 units in 2011, and the segment is expected to grow at over 50% with as many as eight cars being launched in 2011 and many brands like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati among others setting up base here. About 100 units of super super car like Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari and Porsches were sold, besides over 150 units of super-luxury saloons like Rolls Royce and Bentley last year.
“We are getting very good enquiries from Hyderabad, Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Baroda, Ahmedabad; you have some of the tier II-III towns we did not even expect and we hope to close some of this next year as we get more cars for 2013,” says Shetty. He already has 10 bookings on hand.
Aulbur says the overall penetration rate of super-luxury cars in India is still low compared with Russia and other markets. He counts lack of infrastructure and traffic congestion as major impediments. If these are taken care of, the market for luxury cars in India can explode like China did a decade ago, say experts. “It is just a matter of time before the sentiment improves and people start buying again,” adds Desai of Bentley.
Steeped in history, romance and chivalry, the legend of King Arthur and his knights has intrigued and fascinated all of us down the ages. And now Geneva watchmaker Roger Dubuis has drawn inspiration from this literary tale to create their latest timepiece – the Excalibur Table Ronde.
Renowned for their bravery, the valiant knights took their oath of allegiance to King Arthur around the famous Round Table where they swore to overcome all obstacles and achieve success in all the exciting adventures which they ended up being part of. The dial pays homage to these brave knights as it is a perfect replica of a scene from the Round Table. The hour markers are 12 solid gold figures representing the 12 heroic knights, each carrying swords which are cast by hand in gold. The figures are placed on a hand-painted enamel reproduction of an actual table that hangs in Winchester, England. The Tudor rose is shown diverging from the centre of the enamel disc in contrasting stripes.
Powered by an in-house made caliber RD822 automatic movement, it has a crocodile leather strap with a 45mm gold case. Limited to only 88 pieces, the watch will be presented at the upcoming Salon of Haute Horlogerie SIHH 2013.
With the ever-growing luxury segment, entrepreneurs, business executives and other discerning flyers now have access to the convenience and comforts of well-equipped private jets that boast of the latest technology and safety. Not bound by time and commercial flight schedules, private aviation is one of the most exclusive service industries, comprising an increasing number of individuals now willing to shell out any sum to avail these services. Speaking about the market, Atul Khekade, CEO, Airnetz Aviation Pvt. Ltd. says, “The number of private jets and helicopters are increasing by almost 35 per cent every year. Today, there are about 500 privately-owned helicopters and jets in India.” So what is it that makes this service click? From flexibility of timings to non-stop flights to an array of services, there is a lot that private jets can offer. Here are some of the points that make private jets an interesting mélange of luxury and convenience:
Time Saver
Save yourself from standing in long serpentine check-in queues or at baggage claim, as private jets act as a huge time saver for the traveler, by even diminishing the need to reach the airport two hours prior to take-off time.
Privacy
“The ability to have a private conversation, get some undisturbed rest, work on a laptop without people viewing the screen, are clearly some of the top benefits,” says Vinit Phatak, Managing Director, Invision Air.
Security
With itinerary and flight plans only in the hands of a few, it is difficult for the public or insecure parties to access a traveller’s plans. Also, the security threats prevalent in commercial airlines with a large number of people do not apply to private jets. Comfort and Luxury
With adequate space for beds and showers, the level of comfort and luxury is unparalleled. Since this is an exclusive service, the cabin is equipped with furniture, DVD players and exquisite interiors. The drinks and food menu can be designed to suit your taste buds, thus, making your journey an enjoyable and personal experience. Phatak says, “On board Invision Air’s current jets, we offer customized meals and a variety of beverages. There is a fully-functional lavatory too and other services that include airport transfers and vehicles at destinations or any other special requests that the clients may have.”
This Alfred Dunhill Poker Set is comprised of two packs of silver edged playing cards, three-hundred aluminum chips of assorted colors and five poker dice.
All of the pieces fit perfectly inside the sleek carbon fiber box. The carbon fiber Poker Set is selling for $695 on the dunhill site.
Designed keeping in mind the discerning audiophiles, who demands the finest speakers boasting the master combination of innovative, smart aesthetics and unparalleled acoustics the world has to offer, here are the hand-built four-way Audiophile’s Lacrima Speakers that produces the widest, most stable acoustic sweet spot of any speakers available. Featuring rounded, teardrop shaped, unique cabinet made from quasi-isotropic glass, reinforced plastic, and a lightweight balsa core, the $40,000 priced speakers that are shaped like swan not just produces broad, horizontal sound dispersion across an entire room and eliminates the distortion created by secondary reflections in rectangular cabinets, but also grace the space where they are placed. Besides, we have also seen some of the world’s most luxurious speakers, including the world’s most expensive speakers by Hart Audio, the Sonus Faber’s $120k Aida speakers, the Ring Audio’s Horn speakers which is all about unconventional looks and great sound, and the sexiest spherical speakers.
The latest by luxury game maker Geoffrey Parker is sure to go the whole nine yards. Bentley is the new proud owner of Parker’s brand-exclusive edition, a Backgammon set designed to match the high standards of the British car manufacturer.
Available in black (beluga black) and red variants (hotspur), Backgammon for Bentley is yet another addition in designer games that have been launched this year (Hermes, Prada, Gucci).
Parker’s design aesthetic is in sync with Bentley’s sophisticated vibe, using hand-bound leather casing and subtly branding the game checkers with Bentley’s iconic logo.
Priced at £2,950, the board game is now a part of Bentley’s bespoke collections, alongside some Anthony Holt and Ettinger creations.
BMW has launched a 4G LTE hotspot for its cars, giving users high-speed mobile internet on the road.
The device, which works like a router, is designed to give passengers internet access whether using a smartphone, tablet or notebook and can support up to eight devices simultaneously.
It also has a built-in battery pack, meaning that it can be removed from the vehicle and used on the move for up to one hour before recharging.
The device’s range can be adjusted from three meters to up to 10 meters, meaning that the hotspot can stay in the vehicle but users can still access the internet when standing outside of the car.
“The very fast bit rates and extremely low latency mean that an internet connection supported by the BMW Car Hotspot LTE is often even faster than a PC connection in the home,” says Markus Dietz, Project Manager BMW Car Hotspot LTE Development.
Compatible with any new or existing BMW with a BMW telephone docking station, the LTE hotspot works via an LTE-compatible SIM card. Once inserted, each device needs to be registered via an eight-digit code and then it is ready to use.
However, because the LTE Hotspot also supports NFC (Near Field Communication), if a user’s device supports the technology, simply touching it against the hotspot will authenticate it and establish a high-speed internet connection. BMW claims that this is the first time NFC functionality has been offered in a production car.
“‘Plug and play’ is something of an overworked term, but this is the genuine article,” says Markus Dietz.
But maybe the best feature is that although it is designed to work seamlessly with a BMW car, because it can be connected to a vehicle via USB and has an input for an external power supply, the LTE Hotspot could potentially be used with any vehicle.
The yacht commissioned by Steve Jobs is free to set sail after a dispute over non-payment of the designer Philippe Starck’s fees was resolved earlier this week.
“The Venus is no longer impounded, we have found a solution,” Gerard Moussault, a Hague-based lawyer for the Jobs estate, told AFP.
“A security deposit was paid into a bank account, but I cannot say for how much,” Moussault said after French designer Philippe Starck last week asked Amsterdam bailiffs to seize the sleek 70-metre (230-foot) yacht.
The vessel, which cost over $130 million to build, was impounded after Starck said Jobs’ estate still owed him three million euros for his contribution to its design.
Starck said he was to be paid a fixed sum of nine million euros, while lawyers for Jobs’ estate said he was to be paid a percentage of the project’s cost equal to six million euros.
The yacht will reportedly be shipped by another ship to the United States, where Jobs’ family, including widow Laurene Powell Jobs and their three children Reed, Erin and Eve, are to take charge of her.
The MSC Preziosa, the upcoming admiral ship of MSC Cruises, will take to the sea in March, boasting the longest water slide ever built on boat.
The ship’s deck 16 will host the Doremi Castle Aqua Park, complete with water jets, fountains and even water pistols.
The park will also boast the longest water-slide ever built on a cruise ship. The aptly named “Vertigo” will tower 13 meters above the deck and the ride is 120 meters long, hurling revellers down the tube at a speed of 6 meters per second.
Anyone shorter than 120 cm will not be allowed on it, for security reasons, but other, less daunting slides will be available for them.
The MSC Preziosa will be christened in Genoa, Italy, on March 23.