Roger Dubuis: Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™

-

April 30, 2018

Roger Dubuis: Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™

Roger Dubuis: A World of Extremes

The latest example of the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™ is the result of what happens when visionary engineers meet incredible watchmakers. What reveals is an iconic and deliberately extravagant wristwatch that captures boldly the adventurous nature of a manufacture that has always been determined to stay several laps ahead of the pack.

The news came hot on the wheels when Geneva-based Swiss watchmaker, Roger Dubuis entered yet into another exclusive collaboration with Pirelli, a renowned pioneer in technical and industrial innovations and sole supplier of premium tyres as well as linking with a landmark motorsports victory, to take exciting high-octane exploits to a whole new horizon.

The Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™, inspired by Pirelli’s legendary Sottozero™ winter tyres, is a new, contemporary Haute Horlogerie unveiled by Roger Dubuis. Expressed through the exquisite design and complicated watch mechanism underneath the cases, with the iconic supercar Maison for its daring vision, breathtaking technology and R&D expertise combined, have resulted in the latest creation of the titanium-studded Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™ wristwatch.

Roger Dubuis Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon

The iconic Roger Dubuis skeleton double flying tourbillon with differential takes centerstage. Framed within a white ceramic bezel contrasting well with the watch’s blue markings and offset by the titanium and sapphire crystal case, the timepiece offers a beautiful view of the new RD105SQ hand-wound caliber, signature blue Astral Skeleton and multi-coloured power reserve indicator.

The 47mm, Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™ uses the new RD105SQ hand-wound caliber with speedometre-like seconds counters enhanced with automobile-inspired pointers rim the emblematic flying tourbillons at 5 and 7 o’clock respectively and has a 52-hour power reserve. The embodiment of this bold and audacious looking wristwatch is a cool nod to racing-car cockpit fuel gauges.

Limited to only eight pieces, the boutique exclusive model watch features the strap made of rubber inlays from certified Pirelli tyres and an interior reproducing the profile of a Pirelli Cinturato™ intermediate tyre. Characterised by the same elegant tread pattern with an asymmetric design as seen on the premium tyres, the Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™ is set with dozens of titanium studs emulating the nails in its namesake designed for better grip under icy conditions.

Roger Dubuis has been at the forefront of contemporary Haute Horlogerie since 1995 and most of its audacious creations of the 21st century, embody substantial expertise expressed through the finest watchmaking mechanisms combined with powerful and daring designs. Boldness and extravagance are the brand’s signatures, and determination its driving force.

Moreover, stamped with the Poinçon de Genève, the timepiece is manufactured to the most demanding and strictest criteria for quality and craftsmanship. The Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™ by Roger Dubuis is distributed worldwide through an exclusive sales network and boutiques. Lucky owners of this 8‑piece limited edition will enjoy the privilege of being invited to high‑end local Pirelli events.

For more details on the latest watch collection by Roger Dubuis, please visit the official website here.

The Wildest Dreams from Beijing’s Auto Show 2018

-

April 30, 2018

0

The Wildest Dreams from Beijing’s Auto Show 2018

One of the largest car market in the world and still growing fast, China has started welcoming more foreign markets. President Xi Jinping has announced plans to cut stiff import tariffs and to phase out inconvenient regulations for foreign automakers.

At the ongoing Beijing Auto Show 2018, many automakers eyeing a slice of pie in the booming chinese market have put forth their best. The showcase features some extreme to almost excessive ideas for luxury and customization, hot selling points in a country where the back seat is priority.

Beyond luxury, there is also a greater sense of eco-awareness with great focus on electric propulsion. As some of the world’s strictest emissions standard, there has been ongoing talks in China to even ban gas- and diesel-powered cars altogether.

For a clearer glimpse into the glitz and glamour of the Beijing auto show, we’ve rounded up a list of the most flamboyant and swanky cars on display.

Rolls Royce’s the Spirit of Ecstasy sparkles, literally.

Rolling on with Diamonds

Styling gets a dark upgrade for Rolls-Royce’s Wraith and Dawn cars. Now armed with carbon fiber made in a meticulous 68h process, the Spirit of Ecstasy’s sparkling interior is set with 88 lab-grown diamonds—synthesized by heating and squeezing carbon—with the fiber optics woven into the headliner to show “the molecular structure of carbon as it becomes a diamond.”

Custom Premium

Famed Italian brand Maserati launches the GranLusso and GrandSport versions of its Ghibli, Quattroporte, and Levante vehicles. But the focus is more on its dazzling array of wheels, brake calipers, seats, and steering wheels are available for customization, and even Ermenegildo Zegna silk interiors. Aiming for the custom trim identity, the company states that “China has a growing number of ‘connoisseurs’ seeking to express their personalities and tastes through exclusive cars”.

Wey-X gets us ready to gaze into the future of electric cars

Reborn with Tech

Haval‘s Wey-X concept car previews a full-electric crossover, amped up with a holographic assistant to help with that. The small, battery-powered SUV has some realistic specs, like a 300-mile range, but with such a futuristic concept, it is less likely to hit the market anytime soon.

Chinese brand FAW’s gorgeous Honqi that stole the show

Going Green

A newcomer to the show, FAW is a giant automaker in China that doesn’t sell overseas—yet. The Hongqi E-Jing GT, is an all-electric sports coupe, styled with hints of Bentley and Lincoln in its tiny headlights and huge wheels. The unique bling hue is coined as Kansas Green (not the US state but a lake in northern China). Specific details aren’t out, but the company says this concept reveals the design direction for the 15 new models to be released by 2025.

Qiantu’s striking models makes them one of the most promising on the show

Suave Call

Qiantu is another one of the Chinese marques that looks absolutely promising. The K50 is a production-ready, delightful little two-seat EV featuring plush rear passenger seat at the expense of the front seat. The Concept 1 model pictured above is a sporty sedan with huge wheels with a striking, vaguely organic, triangular cover ran by the same electric engine as K50. Performance stats are still unknown, reminding slightly of the Roadster (whenever that even rides onto the road).

Mercedes offers the ultimate luxury in a ride

Plush Ride

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury has probably the one of the most polarised crowd of onlookers. The latest concept by the traditional luxury car brand – a car-SUV mashup – the car has the height of an SUV but the three-box design of an old-fashioned sedan. But the true highlight of the model at the show was in the interior, with individual captain’s chairs as backseats and a built-in tea kettle, which the company markets for “exquisite tea-drinking”.

Are you “car-on-wall” rich?

-

April 30, 2018

0

Modern trends seem to be exploring the boundaries of typical interior decorations. If you’re a car enthusiast, consider hanging an entire car in your living room like Pablo Perez did with a Pagani Zonda Revolution.

Perez dresses up his living room – literally – with his unconditional love for Pagani automobiles. Suspended sideways and taking the centre stage of the living room, the full size carbon fiber art piece from the Pagani Zonda Revolution. The car is seen to be held up by two sturdy mounts from the ceiling and floor, making a pretty sweet functional addition to the house as a room divider.

A comment on Perez’s Instagram that claims that this was once a functional car, before the engine and other parts were removed so that the car can be mounted for display.

Interior art is certainly taking some extra efforts to think out-of-the-frame.

Head on to Pablo Perez’s instagram to view more of his collection and perhaps upcoming automobile art installations.

The Wayaland Floating Community is a Chic and Real Waterland

-

April 30, 2018

0

The Wayaland Floating Community is a Chic and Real Waterland

Pierpaolo Lazzarini, the Italian designer behind the UFO 2.0 floating home, has conceived his own Waterland with the Wayaland Floating Community, made up of solar-powered pyramid-shaped buildings.

The proposed ‘city’ Wayaland that will be made up of floating pyramid homes of various sizes and functions.

The buoyant pyramids are inspired by a fusion of Mayan architecture and Japanese temples. Multiple modules can be paired together, housing spas, shops, and restaurants to create an entire city. Currently, models for a suite, a villa, a club, and a hotel have been released but their modular design allows for their function to be flexible for their residential owners.

The Wayaland Floating Community would consist of a group of pyramid-shaped floating buildings called Waya that are inspired by Mayan and Japanese architecture. The chassis is made from fiberglass, carbon fiber, and steel, with basements below waterline that is suitable for use as optional underwater bedrooms.

Waya modules will serve as houses, as well as communal pools, hotels, retail, and entertainment spaces.

The modules will serve different purposes to offer ‘different living and entertainment settings’, as Lazzarini Design says, with various building offerings services from ‘hotel, shops, spa, gym, bars, greenhouse for produce or cinema’.

The biggest base is 31,387sq.ft, which can be stacked with different modules to make up a personalised floating pyramid home.

Prospective owners can customise the different modules to stack upon the base, depending on their lifestyle, with the largest Waya being able to rise up to 30m tall above the waterline. All bases will also feature a spacious entrance for watercrafts to moor, and a reception to access the rooms.

A blueprint showing how a bar Waya module would be stacked onto a floating base

Designed with a self-sustaining concept, the pyramidal shape of the buildings allows the entire external surface of the buildings to be used to store solar energy. Energy will be provided autonomously from the solar panels and water turbines to power the services and systems in the Wayaland Floating Community.

Besides clean energy, the pyramids also include desalinators and additional energy resources in the basement storage. The Waya while anchored to stay in its position, can also be maneuvered with low mounted engines.

Stop for a drink at one of the bar Waya modules in their prospective dining offerings.

The Wayaland Floating Community is presently in the concept stage and a crowdfunding campaign is planned to launch. A stay in the module will be priced at €1,000 ($1,600) per night, including a stake in the vote for the location of project, as well as an invitation to the inauguration. The first (and smallest) Waya module reportedly costs €350,000 (about US$561,890) for construction.

Watch the video below for a tour of the proposed space.

Aimed to be complete in 2022, the Wayaland Floating Community will cost prospective residents from £350,000 and up.

Exquisite International Properties to Keep an Eye On

-

April 30, 2018

0

Exquisite International Properties to Keep an Eye On

1| Unparalleled Beachfront Estate in Bali

Situated near the beachfront, Lepang estate in Indonesia is just an hour away from the Airport and Seminyak and a 30-minute drive from Sanur and Ubud. Seen as a destination property, homeowner can enjoy the views from Lombok to the tip of Nusa Dua and Jimbaran towards the south. It is the perfect place to enjoy peace and tranquillity of Bali’s most elegant East Coast during the day and relish in the evening’s sunset, would make a magnificent private residence that sets in Bali’s most beautiful region. The private residence boasts many living and relaxing areas: five double bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and an additional guest bathroom for visitors. Other facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym and a commercial kitchen. While the outbuilding houses a support kitchen, store, laundry, staff toilet and a gardener’s storage room. In addition to that, there are three car garages and a staff building consisting of 8-bedroom and 4-bathroom.

2| Solana

Originally built around 1916, Solana is referred to as one of Montecito’s original “Hilltop Barons” and sits on more than 11-acre. Set privately on a lush knoll top boasting a panoramic view of the Pacific, the glow of the Santa Barbara city lights and the Santa Ynez mountains, Solana, circa 1916, is one Montecito’s original “Hilltop Barons,” estates. The graceful Solana’s residence sits on more than 22,000 sq ft of area size and the premises is complete with modern amenities. The main residence has gone through an extensive remodel and the new features 5-bedroom, 9 full-bath and 6 half-bath, while the guest residence comprises 2-bedroom and 2-bath.

3| Estate in Jumby Bay Island

Located on the East/North coast of Jumby Bay Island, this estate offers a secluded setting and is fully-equipped as a family home. Designed by Antigua-based architect, Andrew Goodenough, the villa incorporates a layout ideal for indoor and outdoor living rooms opening out to the sweeping terraces and beautiful covered walkways. Accessible via a covered walkway or through a private driveway to the circular courtyard, the luxury residence also comprises 6-bedroom, an open-plan villa that sets against a garden backdrop with its own private beach and pier. The guest villa houses five air-conditioned guest suites that opens onto the expansive terrace, affording a spectacular sea view. The main villa offers a master suite, staff quarters, living and dining room and kitchen; the master suite offers a bedroom, study and his and hers bathroom, and is adjacent to the Great Room with a terrace. At the outdoor space, comprises an infinity pool, pool cabana, tennis court and Jacuzzi.

4| 152 Saturn St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Built in 1906, this modern single-family penthouse (two-bedroom and two-bathroom) features high ceilings, expansive Marvin windows, spacious closets that sets against a stunning outdoor view and elegant and stylish outdoor social areas. What’s more, the rooftop deck that sprawls over 300 sq ft offers panoramic views of the natural surroundings. Drawing eyes to the opulent interior, which comprises the kitchen, baths and laundry room, each space boasts fine finishes along with thoughtful designs. Haute designer brands such as Hansgrohe, Ronbow, Scarabeo, and Kraus also make up part of the successful home décor. The master-bedroom features built-in closets and large bath with oversized sink on a walnut slab, white oak flooring, custom closets and cabinetry throughout as well as solid core interior doors. The kitchen is well-equipped with Bosch appliances, French door refrigerator, dishwasher, convection wall oven, five burner gas range, and built-in microwave drawer. Another notable highlight of the kitchen features the countertops covered in solid oak slabs and silestone by Cosentino, Italian porcelain and ceramic tiles.

To view more luxury homes to buy, visit LUXIFY.

The Cheetah Uncaged for Guernsey’s Auction

-

April 28, 2018

0

The Cheetah Uncaged for Guernsey’s Auction

A true icon amongst car enthusiasts, the Cheetah is one of the rarest and most sought after racing cars. With such an iconic car taking the centre stage of Guernsey’s Auction House event in May, the event is a must visit for any petrolhead.

Envious of Ford’s successful foray into racing with the Carroll Shelby’s Cobra, General Motors manufactured The Cheetah, their first foray into the production of competitive automobiles. Production ran from 1963 to 1966, with only 23 manufactured worldwide (some believe numbers are even less).

With so few made, and even less surviving, Guernsey’s upcoming auction is one of the only times such a piece of racing history has been up for auction under the public eye. Guernsey’s auctions have been known for its range of exclusive and precious items set for auction.

Beyond the rarity of the car due to the low numbers that were manufactured, the Cheetah’s name is also known as a record-breaker. In 1964, the race car broke the top speed record at the Daytona Challenge Cup at an astounding 215 miles-per-hour.

This particular Cheetah has had one owner since 1965 and was described as “a fine example of racing history and a beautiful original car” by Ruth Engineering & Racing, a company whospecialize in the restoration of vintage racing cars. According to the company, this Cheetah model is “the most original and unmolested example of a Bill Thomas Motors’ Cheetah” with all repairs made using “period correct, exacting components”.

Guernsey’s will display The Cheetah at Lime Rock between May 4th and 5th before it is delivered to 93rd Street and Park Avenue in New York where it will be on view from May 10th until 6pm when the auction begins.

For more details on the auction, visit guernseys.com

LUXUO

LUXUO

Roger Dubuis: Excalibur Spider Pirelli Sottozero™

Roger Dubuis: A World of Extremes

Roger Dubuis Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon

The Wildest Dreams from Beijing’s Auto Show 2018

One of the largest car market in the world and still growing fast, China has started welcoming more foreign markets. President Xi Jinping has announced plans to cut stiff import tariffs and to phase out inconvenient regulations for foreign automakers.

At the ongoing Beijing Auto Show 2018, many automakers eyeing a slice of pie in the booming chinese market have put forth their best. The showcase features some extreme to almost excessive ideas for luxury and customization, hot selling points in a country where the back seat is priority.

Beyond luxury, there is also a greater sense of eco-awareness with great focus on electric propulsion. As some of the world’s strictest emissions standard, there has been ongoing talks in China to even ban gas- and diesel-powered cars altogether.

For a clearer glimpse into the glitz and glamour of the Beijing auto show, we’ve rounded up a list of the most flamboyant and swanky cars on display.

Rolling on with Diamonds

Custom Premium

Reborn with Tech

Going Green

Suave Call

Plush Ride

Are you “car-on-wall” rich?

Modern trends seem to be exploring the boundaries of typical interior decorations. If you’re a car enthusiast, consider hanging an entire car in your living room like Pablo Perez did with a Pagani Zonda Revolution.

The Wayaland Floating Community is a Chic and Real Waterland

Pierpaolo Lazzarini, the Italian designer behind the UFO 2.0 floating home, has conceived his own Waterland with the Wayaland Floating Community, made up of solar-powered pyramid-shaped buildings.

Exquisite International Properties to Keep an Eye On

1| Unparalleled Beachfront Estate in Bali

2| Solana

3| Estate in Jumby Bay Island

4| 152 Saturn St, San Francisco, CA 94114

The Cheetah Uncaged for Guernsey’s Auction

A true icon amongst car enthusiasts, the Cheetah is one of the rarest and most sought after racing cars. With such an iconic car taking the centre stage of Guernsey’s Auction House event in May, the event is a must visit for any petrolhead.