Paris Hilton recently announced the launch of her resort in Dubai, and now speculation is rife about Hilton Worldwide introducing Waldorf Astoria and Curio–A in India. Andre A Gomez, Head of Operations- India, Hilton Worldwide has reportedly confirmed the arrival of Waldorf Astoria, which is at the heart of larger plans to establish their presence in not just India but all of Asia. Hilton, which opened its first hotel in India under a management contract in 2009 and currently operates 15 hotels, is focused on establishing its presence at key destinations in India. The Conrad Pune also marked the launch of Conrad Hotels brand in India, and Gomez says the response has been exceptional.
The Swiss Watchmaker’s latest collection was showcased at Breitling Boutique, Kolkata—the brand’s first and only boutique in the country
Breitling, the Swiss watch manufacturer par excellence, presented the latest models in its Breitling and Breitling forBentley collections earlier this month at the Breitling Boutique in Kolkata’s Quest Mall, the brand’s first-and-only boutique in the country.
Designed in a modern and original style highlighting the brand’s aeronautical heritage, the Boutique enables visitors the opportunity of plunging directly into the Breitling universe, a unique experience that absorbs every sense. Sight— through the highly contemporary décor combining sober wood, metal and the famous Breitling yellow – not to mention a number of original paintings by New York artist, Kevin Kelly. Touch— through comfortable seats on which the client can ask to see the models of his choice, presented on wing-shaped tables. Hearing: with Radio Breitling playing an exclusive music selection. Taste: through the spacious bar and private area for customers. And even smell, with a subtle “ambiance” perfume created especially for the brand.
The entire Breitling and Breitling for Bentley collection is on display here–including chronographs equipped with Manufacture Breitling movements, along with special limited “Boutique Editions” and the latest models introduced in the 2016 collection. Breitling is one of the rare companies to produce its own mechanical chronograph movements, entirely developed and manufactured in its own workshops. This family business is also one of the last remaining independent Swiss watch brands.
Here’s a glimpse at Breitling’s newest beauties:
AVENGER BANDIT | The spirit of naval aviation
With its 45 mm titanium case, its grey ‘stealth’ look, its ‘Military rubber’ strap and its high-performance mechanical movement, the new Avenger Bandit more forcefully than ever embodies daring feats and extreme missions. The light, ultra-sturdy 45 mm titanium case, a favorite metal in the field of aviation, is enhanced by protective lateral reinforcements; its satin-brushed finishes eliminate any undesirable glinting in the heat of action. The dial is distinguished by its gray color with tone-on-tone counters accentuated by a finely snailed raised motif; it features vigorous aviation-inspired stencil-type numerals, with a luminescent coating ensuring excellent visibility further enhanced by the thick sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides. The bezel, also adorned with engraved stencil-type numerals, stands out with its four rider tabs (a classic Breitling signature feature) serving to memorize times. Water-resistant to 300 m/1,000 ft, it houses a selfwinding chronograph movement: Breitling Caliber 13, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).
COCKPIT B50 | The ultimate pilot’s instrument
This new multifunction electronic chronograph equipped with an “in-house” analog and digital-display caliber is a brand-exclusive development. Designed to accompany aviators in all their missions, this Cockpit B50 innovates through its broad range of functions, its user friendliness as well as its ultra-legible display mode. It is distinguished first and foremost by the performances and the functionality of its exclusive new Breitling Caliber B50: a SuperQuartzTM movement ten times more accurate than standard quartz and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), the highest benchmark in terms of reliability and precision.
EXOSPACE B55 | A reinvention of the connected watch
In creating its first connected chronograph, Breitling has applied a new philosophy, placing the smartphone in the service of the watch. The chronograph remains the absolute master and the connection is primarily designed to improve its functionality. Two-way communication enables the two instruments to form a perfectly complementary pair in which each is used for what it does best. Owners of the Exospace B55 can use their phone to perform adjustments (time-setting, timezones, alarms, display and operating parameters, night mode) and conversely, upload from the chronograph to the smartphone the results of various measurements (flight times, recorded times with split times, lap times, etc.) to read them more easily, store them or pass them on.
GALACTIC 29 | A Breitling ticking to women’s time
Known above all for its resolutely masculine models (that also delight many women with a passion for aviation), Breitling is also brilliantly capable of interpreting this spirit in the feminine mode. The new Galactic 29 is unquestionably feminine in terms of its 29 mm-diameter size,making it the smallest Breitling model. Its womanly charm is also expressed through a number of refined details such as mother-of-pearl dials, gemset bezels, diamond-hour-markers and rose gold versions. Fitted with a fluted crown that facilitates handling, the case is water-resistant to 100 m (330 ft), a rare feat for a ladies’ watch. The Galactic 29 is available in a number of distinctive versions, including one fitted with a tungsten carbide bezel.
NAVITIMER 46 BLACKSTEEL | The legend turns black
A cult model among pilots and aviation devotees since 1952, the Navitimer chronograph steps things up a notch in a version entirely clothed in black: from its satin-brushed steel case coated with an ultra-resistant carbon-based treatment to the famous circular slide rule serving to handle all operations relating to airborne navigation. Yet this original, modern and technical exterior is not its only distinctive feature. Instead of the three silvered counters on the classic model, the dial bears two tone-on-tone counters: small seconds at 9 o’clock and a chronograph 30-minute totalizer at 3 o’clock. An authentic instrument panel, created using the “par épargne”technique on a sterling silver base, enhanced by red accents in the shape of small counter pointers and a central sweep-seconds hand. The Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01 high-performance movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), comprises a black oscillating weight visible through a transparent caseback. Further accentuating the aeronautical touch, the black case and dial are fitted with a sturdy and comfortable all-new rubber strap bearing an aircraft tire-tread pattern and now available on all Navitimer models. The legend lives on.
NAVITIMER 1884 | A milestone chronograph
A tribute to Breitling’s rich history, the Navitimer 1884 limited series combines the famous 1952 aviation slide rule with a calendar featuring a pointer-type date display and twin day/month apertures for which the brand was renowned in the 1940s. 1884 is first and foremost a date: that of the founding of Breitling by Léon Breitling, a keen devotee of chronographs and precision instruments. 1884 is now a watch, a limited series of the famous Navitimer perfectly summing up Breitling’s vocation and its range of passions. This model features an interesting practical detail in the shape of a 9 o’clock small seconds subdial providing an additional 24-hour “military-time” display much favored by pilots and which also facilitates calendar adjustment by distinguishing between day and night. Issued in a 1,884-piece limited series, this Navitimer 1884 stands out with its generous 46 mm case accentuating the character of the design, as well as optimizing dial readability. In addition to the choice of a bracelet or a leather or crocodile leather strap, this model is also available with a new black rubber strap featuring an aircraft tire-tread motif.
SUPEROCEAN 44 SPECIAL | The ocean pilot
Black and white aviator-type watches ensuring excellent readability are well-known instruments and divers are now being treated to their very own “ocean pilot” featuring a black steel case, black ceramic bezel and a black dial bearing large luminescent indications enabling them to plunge safely to a depth of 1,000 m (3,300 ft). The watch is equipped with a safety valve serving to equal out the differences in pressure inside and outside the watch. The brand-new rotating bezel in shiny black ceramic, a particularly resistant high-tech material, guarantees an accurate dive-time count-off. Its unidirectional rotating system avoids any inadvertent extension of the measured time in case of wrong handling, while the ratcheted profile ensures an optimal grip even with gloves. Thanks to the red-tipped seconds hand with its small luminescent triangle, the diver can at any stage check at a glance whether the movement is operating. The sapphire crystal glareproofed on both sides further facilitates readings even in the heat of action.
The Mohammed VI bridge, with its multi-colored, variable LED lights, lights up the Moroccan skyline and proudly holds up its title of the longest cable-stayed bridge in all of Africa, and the third longest of its kind in the world. Named after King Mohammed VI of Morocco, it was inaugurated earlier this month. Spanning 950 meters in length, the bridge is six lanes wide and includes two 200-meter tall towers while being held together by 160 cables. This connector between the Moroccan capital, Rabat and the city of Salé was constructed by China railway Major Bridge Engineering Group and took five years to be completed. Philips Lighting is responsible for decking the bridge up in kaleidoscopic in LED lights to commemorate the inauguration. Using Philips Color Kinetics technology, operators can choose between 16 million colors for eye-catching light shows along the bridge. The lights that run along all the cables and pillars are expected to be “up to 75% more energy efficient that conventional lighting systems.” Globally, the two cable-stayed longer that th Mohammad VI are the Russky Bridge in Russia (1,104 meters) and the Sutong Bridge in China (1,088 meters).
It isn’t just enough to hit the road in your Mercedes—the German automaker now wants its loyal customers to have the Merc quality in everything on their summer vacation—right from roof racks down to cuddly toys. Yes, you heard that right. The toy is part of the Merc summer travel range. And it’s not just any toy—it’s the ‘Reversible Bear’ that that can be transformed into a plush Mercedes G-Wagon and back again within minutes. We’re talking Mercedes here, after all. Of course, with kids of the hi-tech generation, how could one forget a tablet or an iPad? Aptly, one of the new accessories is a foldaway table that can be fixed to the back of a seat to draw or read or station an iPad. For smaller children the automaker has co-developed a new child seat with BRITAX RÖMER that will fit easily into any current Mercedes model and is suitable for children between four and 12 years of age. In addition there are three new aerodynamic roof boxes with capacities of 330, 400 and 450 liters to increase packing space—without increasing drag. And don’t forget the new Alustyle bicycle carrier that can carry three adult bicycles and has integrated tail lamps and a number plate. But that’s not all—you’re also being offered bikes to go in the rack. Nothing left to worry about, we’re sure!
A collaboration between Jimmy Choo and Swarovski sounds, well, mouth-watering to say the least. Perhaps the brands saw it that way, too, for Jimmy Choo unveiled their Cruise Collection 2017 during Paris Haute Couture Week as a scrumptious glittering banquet. Creative director Sandra Choi presented the shoes literally on a platter, complete with crystal embellished lobsters, fake turkeys, faux fruits and crystal glasses overflowing with red and gold crystals. According to Choi, the collection intends to “feed your eyes and your mind.” Sandra Choi also whipped up a limited-edition capsule collection of shoes and bags that came with a choice of brooch-like jeweled adornments. Hits from the main line included the Macy platform sandal in colored suede and metallic leather and a slim tapered heel measuring a lofty 150 mm.
Christian Louboutin has teamed up with French e-concept store SportyHenri.com to create the official outfits for the Cuban National Team heading to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The collaboration was born when Louboutin travelled to Cuba to support Tai during a photoshoot for SportyHenri.com and the collection was created together with the athletes themselves, in consultation with former Olympians. The elegant non-performance ensembles will be worn by the delegation of over 100 athletes at formal occasions, including the Closing Ceremony. The pieces include a high-top trainer and the loafer style Naza Star for men, and a block kitten heel sandal for female athletes, the Naza Sandal. Sharply tailored jackets, in red for men and beige for women, feature the nation’s flag on the breast pocket and are contrasted with interchangeable trousers, shorts and skirts. The five-pointed star is used as emblem of luck displayed upon the back of each athlete’s jacket.
Now you can add a little more Ritu Kumar flair to your luxe wardrobe. ‘Label by Ritu Kumar’ brings the latest offering from the stables of the designer—her very first foray into backpacks, positioned as an extension to the brand’s accessory line up. Ideal for autumn winter, the backpack collection features four unique designs accentuated with embroidery and sprayed with color, enhanced with metal fittings. Contemporary silhouettes in easy-to-carry sizes provide the icing on this cake! You can grab these bags priced at Rs 5,800 exclusively at the Label boutiques.
Known for dressing elite such as Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby, Gregory Peck and Alexander McQueen, Huntsman Savile Row recently broke the mould by becoming the first Savile Row tailor to ‘set up shop’ in the US (New York). And now they have initiated another wave of change with the new ready-to- wear formalwear collection this summer. Instead of enduring a wait of 8-12 weeks, multiple fittings and a hefty price tag for your bespoke morning suit, Huntsman’s new collection does not require you to be a bespoke client to wear the house’s morning dress. Perfect for summer weddings and events, this collection makes formal dressing effortless with a three-step trick to looking picture-ready. The collection includes a Black Featherweave Morning Coat, Grey Stripe Morning Trousers made with 100% wool and you can choose from either a single breasted morning vest in Pale Blue or a Double Breasted style in a Fawn hue, both made of 100% panama wool. Bearing the hallmarks of Huntsman’s house style, including the coat’s slim cut and flattering and waisted silhouette, the collection starts at £500 and caps at £2,500 for the Morning Coat. You can pick up the ready-to- wear formalwear either at the store or online at www.huntsmansavilerow.com
Situated in Prabhadevi, the heart of Mumbai, these 3 bhk, 3.5bhk and 4 bhk luxury apartments developed by the Wadhwa Group are just 110 metres from the coast and spread across 5.3 acres of prime land. Adorned by state-of-the-art architecture, modern comforts and amenities that give them an edge above their contemporaries, the 55 storey towers that house these apartments are just a 5min walk from Siddhivinayak Temple and 2.2 kms from Hinduja Hospital.
Summer 2016 will see Thomas Pink – part of the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton group – unveil an Officially Licensed Team GB collection encompassing formal and casual shirts, ties, socks and cufflinks – all of which will reflect the very British style of the iconic Jermyn Street shirt maker. The collection will launch in two stages, with gifting and accessories available from November 2015 and ready-to-wear available from late February 2016. The collection will be available to purchase both online and in store—but only in the UK. While we would, of course, be rooting for our own teams, you might, on occasion, like to flaunt a British air!
