orchard road singapore

Louis Vuitton‘s Orchard Road boutique in Singapore recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in the iconic shopping mall with a complete makeover. The exterior façade is done up in stone glass and metal, featuring the Maison’s signature Monogram Flower pattern reinterpreted in shiny copper with a fading effect. Inside, the boutique is all subtlety and class, with luxurious fittings such as cerused oak with gold leaf, natural stone floors, plush furniture by Paul Evans and Helene de Saint Lager, and splendid hand-knotted carpets from Nepal. Original art pieces by Farhad Moshiri, Michael Brunn and Lonneke Gordijn adorn the interiors. But what really stands out is Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta’s installation created from glass, wire, LED and electronics, and equipped with a motion detector. What’s the motion detector for, you ask? Well the installation delightfully interacts with visitors when they pass. Now that is truly engaging, we say.

fireworks display

Atlantis, The Palm, welcomed the New Year 2017 with a bash involving a spectacular fireworks show that was superbly synchronised with creatively selected music. The show lasted 10 minutes and was enjoyed by 6,500 guests having dinner under the stars, with live entertainment and a delightful 1.4 kilometre beach setting. The program featured elegant displays mixing art with cuisine, such as the one where 36 kilograms of the best caviar were displayed on 175 hand-carved ice sculptures. Dinner highlights featured live cooking stations, barbeques and buffets and various international dishes.

Art for the Wrist: Luxe watchmakers doff their hats to the bugler bird with eye catching pieces saluting the Year of the Rooster
Art for the Wrist: Luxe watchmakers doff their hats to the bugler bird with eye catching pieces saluting the Year of the Rooster

The rooster is the icon for the Chinese New Year this time, and you’d sure want to flaunt something on that very note. So we’ve handpicked a trio of ultra luxe watchmakers that doff their hats to the bright and loud bird with some extraordinarily eye catching pieces, in a smooth blending of Swiss craftsmanship, Chinese lore and a host of métiers d’arts.

Ulysse Nardin

designer watches

The Classico Year of the Rooster in 18-karat rose gold Is powered by the in-house-made UN-815 self-winding movement. Created in a limited edition of just 88 pieces., the 40mm watch is a COSC-certified chronometer that offers 42 hours of power reserve. The most arresting feature, of course, is the dial depicting the rooster in the centuries-old technique of champlevé enamel., with a backdrop of rich copper-colored metallic enamel, recreating the dawn sky. It is achieved using different metallic oxides in the painting process. Ulysse Nardin is one of the few watch brands to continue to produce unique champlevé enamel dials in its Donze Cadrans dial manufacture. Eight blue-centered gold flowers lie at the feet of the majestic rooster, that glows with blue feathers outlined in gold, a white head and a bold red comb. This is real art on your wrist.

Chopard

expensive watches

Behold the utterly breathtaking L.U.C XP Urushi Year of the Rooster timepiece from Chopard, which uses sap from the Urushi tree to paint the dial that you just couldn’t take your eyes off. Partnering with the Yamada Heiando firm in Japan, Chopard took harvested sap for the Urushi paining, which can be extricated just once year. The lacquer was applied within mother-of-pearl cells that help enhance the iridescence of the rooster, painted gorgeously in vivid blue with gold and orange tail feathers, with a bed of eight gladiolas round the bird. The L.U.C 96.17-L self-winding movement with micro-rotor powers is equipped with two barrels, offering 65 hours of power reserve. The 39.5mm watch is crafted in 18-karat rose gold. This 88-piece limited edition watch is an absolute collector’s pride, a joy to possess.

Vacheron Constantin

vacheron constantin

Vacheron Constantin’s Chinese New Year special watches come in two versions, meticulously crafted using sculpture, enamel work and engraving featuring a three dimensional sculpted 18-karat gold rooster. While one comes in 18 karat rose gold against a dark salmon-colored Grand Feu enamel dial and the other in 18-karat white gold against a blue Grand Feu enamel dial, the Métiers d’Art “Legend of the Chinese Zodiac” are extremely limited edition, with just 12 pieces of each to be created. The Grand Feu enamel dial of the watch is etched with foliage that is then filled with gold. The hands-free watches, powered by the technically advanced in-house-made mechanical Caliber 2460 G4, carry the distinctive Hallmark of Geneva certification attesting to their superb craftsmanship.

We can bet you’d find it extremely difficult to choose between them. The truly discerning timepiece aficionado, though, would like to have them all.

luxury real estate

The ongoing Dubai Shopping Festival is known for its lucrative luxury offers and grand bonanzas. In the same spirit, UAE developer Damac Properties has announced that it will offer a brand new BMW or another luxury car with the purchase of a luxury apartment starting from $163,101 for this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, Damac Properties, reportedly said, “From luxury apartments overlooking Dubai Canal to branded residences in Dubai Marina, this offer allows property buyers not only to live the luxury, but to drive it too.” The festival which started December 26 will continue till January 28 2017, with a range of retailers offering product discounts and other deals. Previously, in 2015, the real estate developer had come up with a similar proposition of offering new luxury cars to the buyers of its apartments during DSF. As of September 30 2016, Damac had delivered approximately 16,800 homes, as stated by the company.

bentley black trim

Fresh on the luxe block is a black limited edition version of the Contintental GT V8S developed by Bentley with a little help from its Mulliner bespoke projects department. The new luxe vehicle brings a gloss black treatment to the external trim elements usually done in polished metal. Even the headlamps and taillights have been given a darker tint. This makes the the body kit package really stand out in the four tantalising colours on offer: Beluga, St James’ Red, Hallmark or Cyber Yellow. Yes, this baby takes eye-catching to another level. Plus, under the hood you get a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 520bhp and a 502 lb.ft of torque with sprint time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 309km/h. The insides feature GT Design seats by Mulliner with the body kit colour reflected in the headliner’s stitching. And of course, this is supposed to be a bespoke experience, so you can add an assortment of features of choice: unique book-matched veneers, carbon fiber or even stone elements.

snail facial

The great quest for beauty leads to strange shores. Among all the exotic rejuvenation treatments you’d have heard of, this one surely features up top: snail facial treatment. Provided by Ci:z.Labo spa in Tokyo, the treatment involves a therapist placing the little creatures directly over your face, where they crawl freely, leaving behind the mucus that apparently works wonders. The mucus, it is claimed, contains proteins, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which help skin retain moisture, reduce inflammation and remove dead skin. The spa, in the Ebisu district of Tokyo, is home to five resident snails, kept in a small clear container where they are fed organic vegetables, including carrots, Japanese “komatsuna” greens, spinach and Swiss chard. As part of the salon’s ‘Celebrity Escargot Course’ customers get a 60-minute treatment costing £161.We don’t really fancy the creepy-crawlies on our face, but it sure is worth a try.

largest tesla showroom

This month, Tesla just opened its largest European showroom in London—Tesla Chiswick. Stark and uncluttered, this is Tesla’s largest standalone car store in Europe, designed to maximise display for the cars with its sweeping white interiors. Customers also get a design studio that helps them pick from a range of body colors and material, enabling the creation of their own special vehicle. The store also helps customers learn about electric vehicles, the technology and the supporting services, and gently educates them about the company’s promotion of a sustainable lifestyle.  Tesla sure has a point, which you get with just one look at the luxe vehicles that are more than just a joy to behold and drive; they’re joy for the environment too.

etihad airways

Luxe air travel is just about to get another boost, now that private aviation company XOJET is partnering with Etihad Airways to create a better experience for elite travellers. The partnership will allow current members of XOJET’s Preferred Access and Elite Access program to receive instant Gold Status when flying Etihad Airways and booking The Residence for the first time. The Residence is a private three-room cabin featuring a living room, double bedroom with queen-sized bed, private bathroom with ensuite shower, dedicated Savoy-trained Butler, and onboard Chef. What’s more, you get the added benefit of chauffeur and concierge services even off the plane, and don’t forget the exclusive lounge access. As part of the newly cemented partnership, Etihad guests, upon landing in the US, will be able to access XOJET’s dedicated charter desk with 24/7 support and complimentary catering, along with access to XOJET’s extensive fleet of Challenger 300 and Citation X jets, which incidentally are North America’s largest. You also get access to the Preferred Partner Network of over 1,100 jets, and promotional $2000 flight credit thrown in for first-time flyers. Flying in style just got better and better.

brass speakers

Bang & Olufsen’s stylish offerings have had us drooling each time. And this time the brand has celebrated its 91st anniversary with the ‘brassy’ Cool Modern collection. The permanent collection features some of the company’s newest innovations, which also include the Beovision 14 TV, BeoRemote One, BeoSound 35 speakers, and the BeoLab speakers, reworking the entire collection in brass. The striking appearance of Brass Patinas, with their classic earthy hues, takes inspiration from Art Deco or Style Moderne combining ‘Principles of modernism’ with ‘a reverence for fine craftsmanship and elegant materials,’ as the brand puts it— ‘ a kind of elegance that’s cutting edge and accessible.’ The Cool Modern collection is available at select Bang & Olufsen outlets as well as online.

paris navigating gym

We’re talking a gym that floats on the River Sienne, and actually uses power from the workouts inside to stay afloat! Italian architects Carlo Ratti Associati, have designed the 20-meter-long Paris Navigating Gym which would be equipped with Technogym‘s ARTIS exercise machines that floats—p using the energy of the people exercising inside. A collaboration between Technogym, Terreform ONE and URBEM, the gym will use ARTIS bikes and cross trainers that capture the energy created through workouts. The gym is designed as a transparent glass bubble, taking inspiration from the Bateaux Mouches ferry boats that have carried tourists across the river since the early 20th century. So you enjoy the sights of the River Sienne even as you shed those kilos. Now that’s what we call having fun while working out!