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Objects that took a long time to make and reward a long time looking at.
Ornamental by Lameice is glassware that refuses to fade into the background. Vibrant, charming and playful, the pieces are pure showstoppers. Founder Lameice Abu Aker began the brand amid Covid in 2021.
Standing beneath a 102-metre hull in a misty polder, the prefix “super” feels insufficient. Nicolas Shammas tours Yacht Valley, the lowlands constellation of yards and craftsmen quietly building the most coveted boats on Earth.
Some custom motorcycles stop you mid-step. Bandit9's radical take on Ducati's Monster 821 is less a modified bike than a provocation, asking what happens when an Italian streetfighter wakes inside a piece of industrial sculpture.
When Richard Hammond bought a Series 1 E-type Jaguar during their Top Gear days, Jeremy Clarkson felt distinctly jealous, especially as the car's value doubled and trebled while his own money sat idle in the bank.
The design codes underpinning Hermès’ Chaîne d’Ancre motif may be longstanding, but they’ll never feel dated. The director of the Maison’s jewellery division has even added his own twist to this familiar theme, creating some wonderfully collectable new references.
Editor's Pick
Supercars are supposed to be stupid: loud, lairy, utterly pointless theatre. Hybrids are supposed to be sensible. The Revuelto proves both can coexist — while, somehow allowing the madness to win.
A 42.5-metre transatlantic explorer conceived by buy.com founder Scott Blum, the Sea Rover marries sporting versatility with serious spa indulgence as the first of just ten vessels from new builder Dutch Design.
Under the watchful eye of operators AllianceJet, Winch Design imagined the ambitious refurbishment of a Bombardier Global 6000, transforming the ten-year-old business aircraft into a unique modern masterpiece, both within and without.
Editor's Pick
Forget another tarted-up 911. This brutal wedge from Italy’s wildest decade has been quietly reborn, reengineered, and gunning for the restomod crown — with a spec sheet that finally matches its jaw-dropping attitude.
Léa the Label is a Middle Eastern brand with a global following thanks to their highly desirable swimwear but there's more to this story than meets the eye.
The last thing the world needs is another perfume brand—yet Perfumehead, a seven-scent, $425-a-bottle upstart, is hijacking nostrils and headlines with high-voltage extracts, genderless allure and a cinematic LA “osmocosm” that actually smells original.
The result of her owner's third attempt at building his dream yacht, Kismet is an incredible thing. Coming in at 122 metres with six decks, she can briefly cruise on electric power, boasts an array of amenities, and a style that fuses Louis XIV and Interstellar.
Egyptian jewellery legend Azza Fahmy steps beyond the jewel box, teaming up with Beirut’s textile mavericks Bokja on a capsule that wraps history, homeware flair and heirloom-level craftsmanship into vivid, wearable stories.
Patek Philippe’s annual ‘Rare Handcraft’ collection celebrates the micro-arts — enamelling, miniature painting, marquetry, guilloché — in 82 works glimpsed before they vanish into collectors’ hands.
Marble has long defined luxurious interiors, from grand museums to stately homes. Stone Studios, an emerging Middle Eastern brand, turns the timeless material into statement furniture and accessories for thoroughly modern spaces.
The most extraordinary boat at this year's Monaco Yacht Show, Royal Huisman's 52-metre, six-deck Special One was commissioned by Prince Turki bin Muqrin of Saudi Arabia and resembles an American convertible scaled three times over.
Scramblers make sense today, balancing on-road comfort with off-road capability and undeniable good looks. A more approachable riding position and lower seat height make them easier for newcomers to handle and enjoy.
Some cars disappoint the camera; the new Range Rover does the opposite. Familiar to viewers of The Diplomat and Succession, it may be the most photogenic car Nicolas Shammas has ever encountered.
Founded in 1948 by Colin Chapman, Lotus once lived by the creed “simplify, then add lightness”. Since Geely's 2017 takeover and the pivot to electric lifestyle vehicles, many wonder whether that spirit survives.
There is something wonderfully self-indulgent about the Loro Piana Extra Pocket L19. Free of logos and identifiable quilting, it whispers rather than shouts, epitomising the quiet, normcore elegance and enduring allure of true simplicity.
Hotel and resort brands are extending their hospitality far beyond dry land, launching a fleet of branded yachts. We chart how the finer things now reach remote destinations, carrying loyal guests with them.
Bulgari's then watch chief explains why a Roman jeweller builds avant-garde timepieces in Neuchatel, how Italian design fuses beauty with function, and why the record-breaking Octo Finissimo Ultra defines the house.
Over two decades the power-catamaran has been reinvented many times, from mastless sailing cats to efficient planing hulls and design-led cruisers. We chart this restless evolution and the latest generation now leading the multihull pack.
What you see here is Rolls Royce’s newest driver-focussed coupé. It’s called the Spectre and, even if it’s a four-seat fastback with a long bonnet and two rear-hinged doors, it is not actually a direct replacement for the discontinued Wraith. (The Spectre’s 420,000 USD price tag a…
At The Peninsula, a fleet of thirteen magnificent green motorcars graces the cobbled forecourt. From Rolls-Royce Phantoms and hybrid Bentley Bentaygas to BMW i7s and an electrified vintage taxi, the collection blends heritage with modern luxury.
I was recently invited to Scotland, by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), to test their latest and greatest halo model, the 2025 twin-turbo V8 Range Rover SV, and though I will be writing up that story separately, I also wanted to draw attention to the fact that I had the good fortune of testing …
Ulysse Nardin’s Freak is the horological equivalent of the Porsche 911. On paper neither product makes sense. I mean, who hangs an engine out over the rear wheels of a car and expects it to be dynamic? Likewise, who decides to remove the dial, hands, and crown of a watch? Both are techn…
It seems wireless loudspeakers have finally come of age. Not only are these Theia speakers from Goldmund better than almost anything with a wire, but they also have a whopping 875 Watts of power and are great to look at, with some impressive sophistication under the surface too. Mind yo…
Few in the world of fashion have managed to make numbers quite as symbolic as Chanel. Think 5, 22, 31 – these are just some of the numerals that have become synonymous with Coco and her brand. Well, two years ago, to celebrate the centenary of the No.5 perfume, the head of the Chanel Fine
Tyde is an unconventional new boat brand. Founded in 2021, it manufactures emission-free electric motorboats that use hydrofoiling technology developed by America’s Cup sailing boats to maximise efficiency (and cut energy usage by 80 per cent). “Everyone in the boating industry knew the…
Porsche has taken a four-wheel-drive 911 GTS, added underbody protection and beefed-up suspension, and named it the Dakar. Jeremy Clarkson explains why this unlikely, rally-inspired machine has so many enthusiasts thoroughly intrigued.
If we could offer three words of advice to make any flight feel less long-haul, they would be: comfort, comfort, and comfort. That’s not to say you should join the masses and opt for some saggy sweatpants and a neck support. Definitely not. Instead, we’d recommend you channel the philos…
Manufactured in Finland but with a single boutique in Monaco, Verge is not your average motorcycle brand. Their entire range is electric. Each model is radically designed with only the best off-the shelf parts (like Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes). And they all come with a proprietary
“In addition to motoryachts and sailing yachts, I believe that submersible superyachts will be an additional and appealing third category of private vessels,” reveals Christian Gumpold, the CEO of Migaloo PSY (Private Submersible Yachts), the Austrian design company behind this 166-metr…
URWERK presents the UR-120 Space Black, fusing advanced technology, celestial inspiration and science fiction. Designer Martin Frei explains how the power of black both exudes elegance and transforms our perception of the watch.
In case you weren’t aware, Delta Airlines (America’s oldest airline – and its best according to the Wall Street Journal’s annual ranking) has enjoyed a long-running partnership with Porsche. Over the years it has sporadically used Cayennes and Panameras for shuttling passengers in a han…
Every fashion house dreams of creating an 'it' bag, yet few reach that hall of fame. From the Hermès Birkin to Bottega Veneta's Padded Cassette, we explore what sets the legends apart.
Get ready to hop on MENA’s first luxury sleeper train. Due to begin service in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2025, the expectation is that the ‘Dream of the Desert’ will enter the pantheon of iconic rail journeys like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Royal Scotsman, and Africa’s Rovo…
I’ve always thought that an Aston Martin is a very refined choice for someone looking to buy a modern dream car. Indeed, not only are Astons stunning to look at, but they also come with a lot of positive brand equity: they’re rare, they’re loved, and they’re respected. As a result, you’…
Our pick of the most unconventional timepieces, from a Chanel sautoir hiding its dial behind a pivoting sculpted lion's head to other characterful designs that reward those seeking something far from the ordinary.
Stephanie Sayar and Charbel Garibeh are the Lebanese creatives behind Sayar & Garibeh. They recently received a huge boost in terms of global awareness when their brand was one of ten selected by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to contribute to D&G Casa, for whom they created…
With superyachts getting bigger – just think of the 180-metre Azzam or 162-metre Eclipse as perfect reminders – and cruise ships getting smaller (so as to cater to a growing demand for longer, more immersive journeys alongside fewer passengers, and with a lighter carbon footprint), it s…
It was over twenty-five years ago that Hamad Sultan (above) and Achille Rossini first met as students at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). Then, after they both graduated in 2000, they ended up getting recruited by the same architecture firm in Boston – NADAAA (formerly Office dA). …
Wally launched the WallyWHY series in the summer of 2022 with the debut of the 200. The name was formed with the ‘W’ standing for Wally, the ‘H’ for hybrid and the ‘Y’ for yacht, and the 200 ushered in a bold new chapter in wide-bodied yachts for the Ferretti group. Of course, other yac…
Something has fundamentally changed in women's fashion, and nobody is quite sure how. We explore whether it stems from a post-lockdown desire to be seen, a response to legislation, or a raising of the bar.
The founder explains how God Save Queens plays on a traditional phrase to capture its mission of female empowerment, a name chosen to help women feel confident, sensual and fearless in themselves.
Understanding the difference between fashion jewellery and fine jewellery is simple enough: it all comes down to the materials that the jewellery is made with. Fine jewellery describes jewellery made of solid gold, sterling silver, or platinum in combination with genuine precious gemsto…
The Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition is like a travelling road show that takes place every two years. In previous years it has visited Dubai, Munich, London, New York City and Singapore, and, following a one-year delay caused by the world stopping in 2020, this year saw its ret…
Sister companies founded by Kevin and Lukas Czinger, Divergent 3D and Czinger Vehicles work hand in hand. Their AI-enabled 3D printing promises optimised production while Czinger pursues the world's most technologically advanced cars.
Legacy is everything in the world of watches. Just look at the world’s most coveted sportswatches – the Submariner by Rolex, the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet, and the Nautilus by Patek Philippe – they were all created more than 50 years ago and even if they’ve evolved over the years, th…
Just as carmakers flaunt their expertise through concept cars, the great fashion houses use haute couture to showcase their most outrageous, budget-free ideas, and Chanel's creative director takes that ambition to striking new extremes.
Invited by Dubai retailer Perpétuel, founded by Melika Yazdjerdi and Hamdan Alhudaidi, we flew to Germany to discover Lang 1943. Founded in 2022, its name marks the birth year of the man himself.
Have you ever dreamt of riding a magic carpet? “I can show you the world. Shining, shimmering splendid.” It’s something we’ve all fancied at one time or another. The great thing is it’s now possible thanks to Lift, the Puerto Rico-based pioneer of electric eFoils. As its co-founder, Nic…
As resale prices tumble and the primary market cools, our HY1 2023 horological survey weighs the state of the Swiss watch industry and picks the new releases that genuinely earned our attention this year.
With e-bike sales soaring since the pandemic and outpacing electric cars in some markets, Ducati now offers three models. From the all-mountain MIG-S to our favourite e-enduro TK-01RR, the marque applies its clout to two wheels.
First unveiled in Monaco, Chanel's Resort 2023 collection was given a second outing in Miami last November on a set designed by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, bringing its languid beach glamour closer to American clients.
Vehicle manufacturers don’t tend to come from emerging markets but then again Bandit9 is no ordinary company. Based out of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, they’ve been customising motorcycles for years but now they’re trying their hand at EVs too, and boy is their first effort – the Monaco …
Blending Roman, Byzantine, Persian, Ottoman and Berber influences, this retro-modern Middle Eastern inspired bathroom by Axor is the creation of Tehran-born, Hamburg-based architect Hadi Teherani. The brief was to design a “bathroom with personality” and Teherani’s response was an uncon…
There’s a whole world of television sets aimed at people who want something special and don’t mind paying for it. For example, there’s a 50,000 USD Bang & Olufsen called the Beovision Harmony 88 that’s not only the world’s first 88-inch 8K television set, it’s also the largest OLED …
Commissioned by Canadian billionaire Michael Lee-Chin and dressed by Nuvolari Lenard, this 115-metre Lürssen superyacht weaves Jamaican, Canadian and Asian heritage into an Olympian exercise in maritime luxury.
Designed inside and out by Nuvolari-Lenard, this custom yacht reunited the team behind the owner's first vessel, the eighty-six-metre Quattroelle. This time the brief was simple yet exacting: make her better, nicer and decidedly richer.
The largest new build to emerge from Turkey, the eighty-five-metre Victorious is an explorer fitted for world circumnavigation with Jacuzzis, a steam room and cinema. Yet its open fires and gentleman's snug prove most surprising of all.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira commissioned Emirati designer Aljoud Lootah to create its bespoke fan. Renowned for collectable objects that reinterpret Emirati heritage in a contemporary light, she was the first from the nation acquired by an international museum.
Founded in 1975 by Henry Cremona and a traditional nose, the perfume house Henry Jacques remains a family affair. Chief executive Anne-Lise Cremona reveals the chance encounter and middle name behind its quietly legendary identity.
Now in its fifth Dubai edition, the Seddiqi-organised fair drew a record 16,000 visitors with masterclasses, the Horology Forum, food concepts and a wave of limited-edition reveals from Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Hublot and others.
Everything about the Czinger 21C is extraordinary. It’s an American hypercar, limited to 80 units, which was created using AI and 3D print technology and, as a result, it has the entire automotive industry paying close attention. It’s neither left-hand-drive nor right-hand-drive but rat…
There’s no denying Breitling is in a good place these days. Sales have been growing exponentially since the European private equity firm CVC Capital Partners acquired it from the Schneider family in 2017, placing it in the hands of industry veteran Georges Kern (who was, of course, prev…
Spending a week with the Aston Martin DBX proved a genuine pleasure. With enough glamour to raise a smile each morning, it rewards every backward glance, while its sumptuous interior more than lives up to expectations.
The Vespera by Vaonis has been hailed as an ideal blend of telescope and camera. What it is though is the smallest telescope in the world, and one of the smartest you’ll come across too. Then again it better be as there’s no traditional eyepiece. Instead, you have to link it to your sma…
Airbus’ ACJ TwoTwenty is a gamechanger in the business jet segment. Based on the successful A220 airliner, which was itself designed by Bombardier to be their C-Series (a division that was acquired by Airbus in 2018), the TwoTwenty has an airliner-sized cross-section but is only the siz…
Spread across ten beautifully curated rooms, the biggest challenge for Karim Abdul Muttalib and Ann Abukhalil, the two founders of K.A. Interiors, was to make sure the entire villa reflected a unified theme while still giving each room its unique character and identity. To fulfil their …
You probably haven’t heard of IXO (Iconic Xtrem Objects) but they’re Spanish carbon fibre prepreg experts, and their latest project was a collaboration with Bugatti in the form of the world’s most expensive pool table. Trust us when we say, this thing is mind-blowingly indulgent. The ta…
Brunello Cucinelli has never released eyewear, and never formed a partnership, until now. Co-creative director Carolina Cucinelli explains why Oliver Peoples was the only label honest enough to share the frame.
Leaving the house used to be a simple affair: wallet, check; keys, check; phone, check. Nowadays though, what with alcohol sprays, spare masks, antiseptic gel, wet wipes and gloves, not to mention added paraphernalia for the kids and, more often than not, husband, and you can understand…
As part of its B Series, an ever-expanding collection of special edition items by creative director Riccardo Tisci, the English fashion house of Burberry collaborated with French motorcycle manufacturer DAB Motors to create a set of top-shelf electric motorcycles for a limited number of…
At a remarkable 2,990GT, the diesel-electric Artefact is the world's largest eighty-metre yacht by volume. A genuine platform for innovation, it showcases what modern superyacht builders can achieve, complete with a strikingly sculptural interior.
Limited to thirty examples at 300,000 USD apiece, the Bugatti table pairs Spanish carbon-fibre artisanry with titanium, Italian slate and a gyroscopic self-levelling system designed for megayacht owners.
1. This 41-year-old Copenhagen-based jeweller started her eponymous brand ten years ago and it’s now widely considered as a driving force behind Denmark’s new design era. 2. Bille Brahe creates jewellery with a philosophy of paring back rather than ostentation or bling. It’s classicism …
In an age of disruption, businesses live and die by their ability to adapt. That’s because, for global enterprises, innovation and change are the twin engines of growth, competitive advantage, and success. Yet, instigating change is so much easier said than done, and companies often str…
Corona has changed the world, of that there is no doubt. And while 2021 was many things to many people, one particular ray of sunshine – that also happens to be a perfect fit for an Official Bespoke Ultimate – was the 100th anniversary of Chanel No. 5. It turns out that the reason Numbe…
Fifty-one years on, the original luxury SUV bows out with a limited-run commemorative edition. We trace the Range Rover from box-section pioneer to Rolls-rivalling icon, and salute the Mk4's heritage-hued farewell.
Fifty-three years old now, yet as contemporary as ever, Van Cleef & Arpel’s Alhambra collection must be the jewellery industry’s luckiest charm. 1. Its motif was designed by Jacques Arpels in 1968, combining the Gothic quatrefoil of the Doge’s Palace in Venice, the scalloped Moorish…
While hotels, airports and everyday normality shut down in 2020, explorer yachts came into their own. Built for autonomous world-cruising in the deepest of remote corners, they epitomise what we’re all craving these days – a private, personalised sanctuary away from civilisation where w…
Bulgari recently unveiled Ref. 103534 (top left) and it’s a collaboration with Japanese architect Tadao Ando that has truly captivated us. The base of the watch is clearly the 40mm, three-hand automatic Octo Finissimo but Ando has changed the regular case and bracelet to a textured, san…
The artistic force behind Bulgari, Lucia Silvestri, wears two distinct hats. She happens to be both the Jewellery Creative Director and the Gems Buying Executive Director of the esteemed Rome-based jewellery house. “This gives me a very peculiar and unique advantage in how I operate as …
In an ideal world, every potential Rolls-Royce customer looking for a four-door saloon would simply go and buy a Phantom, as it’s a phenomenal car. The only downside (for some) is it comes with the emotional baggage of telling the world: “I’m worth a tonne of money and to hell wit…
After Covid-19 hit Italy hardest among Western nations, Lamborghini commissioned a photographer from each of its twenty regions to capture the beauty and passion of home.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE RETHINK PROJECT AND HOW LONG IT TOOK TO COME TO FRUITION? [Giuseppe Santoni] We believe in creating beautiful products in an ethical and responsible way. For us, beauty is not just the result, but also the method. Consequently, it has been over ten yea…
THE ORIGINAL CHRONOMAT CARRIED AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE AT THAT TIME, WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THIS NEW SUPER CHRONOMAT [George Kern, CEO Breitling] You’re right, when the Chronomat was launched in 1983 it was an ice breaker for the industry because it emerged at a critical point during the q…
Did you know that the Geländewagen – better known as G-wagon – was first introduced in 1979? Incredibly, it took Mercedes-Benz 39 years to replace the icon, finally doing so in 2018 with an all-new model that, even though it looks very similar, boasts a range of improvements including a…
Let’s be honest, this year had initially looked like a barren one for us Rolex lovers, didn’t it? What with the pandemic and then Rolex’s withdrawal from (and subsequent collapse of) the Baselworld watch fair, rumours reached a fever pitch by the end of April with news that …
They say a home isn’t just where you are, it is who you are. In the case of The Lost House in London, possessing the title deeds to such a pad will, ipso facto, make you a chef-d’oeuvre. Designed by the Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye, it is such a triumph in spa…
Some yachts are bought to look pretty on the Med. Others are born to sail the Caribbean trade winds. And then there’s Ragnar; half yacht, half commercial vessel. A beautiful mongrel designed for exploration and built to last. In her former life, she was a 68-metre icebreaking support ve…
Editor's Pick
Patek Philippe prides itself on making the most mechanically complicated and precious watches, so what happens when their single most popular model racks up a waiting list of over ten years? They cancel it. That’s right. Here’s everything you need to know about the Nautilus and
Two low-key names — a Swedish maker of sustainable men's essentials and a vast Mexican eco-resort — join forces on a limited-edition swim collection that turns colour-blocking into a shared philosophy.
The future of yachting is electric. Not hybrid propulsion or batteries that support yacht households, but all-singing, all-dancing, fully electric. You didn’t hear it from us though. This is the opinion of Jochen Rudat, former director of Tesla Central Europe and newest member of Silent…
WHAT WAS THE MOTIVATION FOR BOTH OF YOU TO CHANGE CAREER PATHS FROM FILM TO DESIGN AND CREATE TOLLGÅRD DESIGN GROUP? [Staffan Tollgård] It was our first house project that was the catalyst for my move into the design world. Monique and I met in our twenties on the set of a low budget fe…
There were always influencers. The only difference was that the people who used to do the influencing normally affected change as a consequence of who they were, rather than as the result of some career goal or monetary incentive. Case in point, when Grace Kelly decided to hide her preg…
Saudi National Basma Altwejri must be a formidable multitasker for she is both a programme analyst at the policy design and advocacy department of the King Khalid Foundation as well as a social entrepreneur who founded the ‘Pay It Forward’ social initiative in March 2016. Even so, she h…
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has changed life as we knew it. No longer can we meet up with friends, embrace family, engage in sports, go to school, party till sunrise and so on. Instead, we have spent the vast majority of 2020 confined indoors, compelled to experience life thro…