For the sixteenth time, Italian company Azimut has bagged first place in the Global Order Book 2016, which ranks the top 20 manufacturers of mega yachts. Azmut beat important industry players from Italy, Germany, Britain and America for the top slot. The Global Order Book 2016 reported that a record-breaking 2,580 metres vessels measuring over 24 meters were built in the Azimut/Benetti Group’s six production plants. The ranking, compiled annually by Show Boats International, provides an accurate performance report, publishing information on actual orders, for yachts measuring 80 feet up, confirmed by September 1, of the year in question.The Azimut/Benetti Group offers the most comprehensive range of products, and has recently even expanded into the field of “Giga Yachts”, with vessels measuring over 100 meters now under construction at the Benetti shipyard in Livorno.

Singapore Contemporary, the much-awaited art show, will hold its inaugural edition from January 21-24 this year, at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. With the ‘A World of Art’ theme, the show will feature exhibitors from Singapore, most Asian countries, Australia and Europe. Singapore Contemporary presents a wide selection of interesting artworks from some of the world’s most recognized contemporary artists with strong track records at auction, and a presence in notable private and public collections. The focus carries through to emerging and mid-career artists achieving a growing following on the international scene, many with investment potential for the future. Special features to look out for at the dazzling and diverse show include China Encounters—a selection of over 400 Chinese artworks, Artist Dialogues—interaction with 16 talented artists, Indonesian Pavilion—over 200 vibrant paintings and sculptures by Indonesian artists and Installation Art, among others.

Fancy a clutch created from the curtains of The Metropolitan Opera? Or a piece of jewellery crafted from 100-year-old Swarovski crystals of their famous chandelier? Ukrainian designer Clara Kasavina, whose designs have been worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, has unveiled a series of unique, mesmerising clutches and minaudières, hand-crafted from costumes from The Met Opera. There’s the Olga evening bag made from the costume worn by mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques Eddy in the Merry Widow, and a selection of breath-taking clutches from Verdi’s Don Carlo, done in red velvet with gold braiding and crystal-adorned frames.  The collection also uses the Met’s famed gold curtain which was torn down in 1966, and a series of jewellery designed from the 100-year-old Swarovski crystals that once hung as a part of the Old Met’s chandelier.  Kasavina, who runs her eponymous label with her husband Misha Berger, designs each piece, hand-sewing and adorning it with leathers, furs, exotic skins and Swarovski crystals.

Here’s how to play safe while thrill biking to your heart’s content. BMW has come up with a special concept helmet with hi-tech safety features. The helmet’s display projects important traffic information directly into the rider’s field of view along with an innovative head-up display function. The displays can be freely programmed, and act as an ideal support for the rider. The futuristic helmet functions as your personal riding assistant too, offering relevant data such as tyre pressure, oil level and fuel level, travel speed and road signs. In effect, it translates into a snazzy digital rear view mirror for your bike. Mirroring sci-fi flicks, the high-safety helmet will be fitted with a mini-computer and loudspeakers along with a camera, the controls for which would be connected with the left handlebar of the bike. BMW Motorrad aims to release this concept helmet in a few years with additional safety and comfort features.

Hunky and stylish actor Chris Hemsworth, who shot to fame as Marvel’s Thor, is latest international brand ambassador for luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer. The 32-year-old Australian has been working with the brand since they sponsored his film Rush in 2013. Fittingly, Hemsworth is the face of the brand’s Don’t Crack Under Pressure campaign, in which he sports the Carrera Heuer 01. Interestingly, that’s the watch he wears daily in his personal life, too. A surfing buff, Hemsworth reveals his favourites are the Carrera or the Monaco “that I wear when I’m surfing and swimming.” Well, the two are made for each other, we say. And we wouldn’t mind a bit of both!

Behold the coveted combination of beauty and brains: the Horological Smartwatch by Swiss manufacturer Frederique Constant, which has just won the Bucherer Watch Award 2015 for its symbiosis between ‘the aesthetics of the Horological tradition’ and cutting-edge innovation. Built with the MMT-285 calibre, and powered by Fullpower’s end-to-end MotionX technology platform, the smartwatch would run for two and a half years without the need to be charged. There’s more: the watch keeps a track of your activity and sleep patterns, with the dial displaying the actual percentage against your goal in real-time. This data is also displayed in the attractive MotionX-365 app, available for iOS and Android, with simple graphics. The MotionX high-accuracy end-to-end solution that includes firmware, applications and cloud infrastructure includes over 110 patents and encapsulates seven years of research and development of a leading Silicon Valley technology leader.

German automaker BMW will display its supercar for auto connoisseurs at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, showcasing the technology of the future in the production-ready version of i8 Spyder. Using a combination of battery and gasoline power the i8 Spyder already performs like a supercar–0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds–yet sips fuel like a supermini thanks to a 1.5-liter engine, with demand outstripping supply despite its hefty €135,000 premium. It is the perfect channel for the no-touch, no-swipe technology it will showcase on January 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Called AirTouch, BMW is billing it as the interior and user interface of the future and one that does away with on-screen taps altogether. In BMW’s words, the new technology will enable a display “to be operated like a touchscreen without actually having to make contact with the surface.” Simple gestures with a flat hand are all it would take to access everything from the phone to navigation and entertainment.

How would you like a wild, endangered sleeping partner this winter? Forget room with a view—here’s a room with a zoo, all set for the taking. London Zoo is offering an overnight stay right inside the lion enclosure, as a part of its effort to provide “exotic holidays” in the heart of the capital. The stay which costs anywhere between £378 (US$567) and £558 (US$837) for two people, includes a drink and two-course dinner, breakfast and a tour before the zoo opens. The nine wooden cabins, a part of the Gir Lion Lodge, are defined as being “within roaring distance” of the endangered Asiatic Lions—surrounded by a protective fence, of course. Interestingly, the accommodation design is inspired by the lodges of our very own Gir Forest and the zoo hopes to use this initiative to further its conservation efforts for the majestic feline. Makes for the perfect new year gift, too.

Passion for aviation just got taken to new heights with a $60 million Malibu home that boasts of the fuselage of a vintage warplane hanging above its living room. The 10,300-square-foot, five-bedroom home is under construction, with developer and architect Scott Gillen in the process of restoring the warplane The Fuselage serves as crowning glory to the contemporary house that offers splendid ocean views and a gym, a game room, a wine room and a cigar room with ventilation and humidification systems. Can’t wait to lay your hands on it? You’d have to wait until the summer of 2016, the expected time of its completion.