https://www.scmp.com/rss/322901/feed Be inspired by the most luxurious tech gadgets, supercars, jets, yachts and home decorations that money can buy en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. has unveiled the latest of its exclusive Coachbuilt series, the Rolls-Royce Droptail. Inspired by high-speed sailing yachts of the 1930s, the roadster seats two and comes with a removable hardtop made from carbon fibre and electrochromic glass that alters the amount of light entering the interior at the touch of a button. Specific pricing on the vehicle has not been announced, but it is estimated to cost more than US$30 million. Previous Coachbuilt vehicles, which... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3232010/inside-rolls-royces-new-us30-million-droptail-roadster-limited-coachbuilt-car-resembles-luxury-yacht?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3232010/inside-rolls-royces-new-us30-million-droptail-roadster-limited-coachbuilt-car-resembles-luxury-yacht?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Aug 2023 08:00:11 +0000 If you spot four Ferraris on a street in China, chances are a woman is behind the wheel of at least one. That’s because China has become the first country where supercar-maker Ferrari NV sells more than a quarter of its new and pre-owned vehicles to women, according to people familiar with the matter. Female buyers on average accounted for 26 per cent of the company’s sales in China over the last five years, the sources said, a figure that does not include Taiwan and Hong Kong. That far exceeds... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3230795/how-rich-chinese-women-became-key-market-ferrari-female-buyers-account-over-quarter-supercar-makers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3230795/how-rich-chinese-women-became-key-market-ferrari-female-buyers-account-over-quarter-supercar-makers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Aug 2023 08:00:14 +0000 The “Virtually Versailles” immersive exhibition has landed in Macau this summer as part of Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023. The exhibition, previously shown in Singapore in 2018 and Shanghai in 2021, brings the Palace of Versailles to life at the Grand Lisboa Palace. It officially opened on July 30 and will run until October 15. Visitors can expect to be enthralled by the creative use of sound, smell and groundbreaking technology bringing forth some of Versailles’ most iconic... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3230263/what-see-virtually-versailles-exhibition-macau-after-stops-singapore-and-shanghai-immersive-show-has?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3230263/what-see-virtually-versailles-exhibition-macau-after-stops-singapore-and-shanghai-immersive-show-has?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:26:04 +0000 Since late 2022, Wall Street has been rife with predictions for the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate increases to wreak havoc in the US economy and stock market. But while the broader economy has held up surprisingly well, the monetary blitzkrieg has sparked a downturn of a different kind – a rout in the secondary market for luxury watches. The WatchCharts Overall Market Index – which tracks the prices of 60 timepieces from top brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet – has... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3229997/what-great-rolex-recession-and-it-really-here-amid-fears-economic-downturn-buyers-scale-back?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3229997/what-great-rolex-recession-and-it-really-here-amid-fears-economic-downturn-buyers-scale-back?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:02:00 +0000 A pair of vintage Apple trainers are on sale, but they cost more than what some people make in a year. Would you be willing to pay US$50,000 for rare Apple kicks? The Omega Sports Apple Computer trainers were made for Apple employees in the 1990s. They have never been officially sold by Apple to the public, but a mint-condition pair is currently available courtesy of Sotheby’s. The white trainers have a rainbow Apple logo on the tongue and on the sides. They are a US men’s size 10.5. Photos... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3229581/would-you-splurge-us50000-apples-original-vintage-sneakers-tech-giants-1980s-merch-got-discontinued?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3229581/would-you-splurge-us50000-apples-original-vintage-sneakers-tech-giants-1980s-merch-got-discontinued?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Aug 2023 04:38:51 +0000 We’ve reached peak summer, and while we’ve already covered what type of watches you should own for the season elsewhere, the horological world continues to buzz with even more activity. We’ve spotted high horology pieces on the court and sidelines of Wimbledon, while upcoming events include the Only Watch auction in Geneva, and the Vicenzaoro watch and jewellery fair in Venice. Cristiano Ronaldo just became business partners with Bernard Arnault by investing in online watch reseller Chrono24,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3229265/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-july-2023-wimbledon-champ-carlos-alcarazs-rolex-daytona-and-cristiano?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3229265/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-july-2023-wimbledon-champ-carlos-alcarazs-rolex-daytona-and-cristiano?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Jul 2023 02:00:16 +0000 The world’s favourite endurance sports car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, celebrates its centenary year in 2023. The anniversary was celebrated not just at the race itself, but also at its retro companion event the Le Mans Classic, in addition to a new timepiece from the Swiss luxury watch brand that has partnered with the Le Mans Classic since its inception in 2002, Richard Mille. This was the 11th edition of the Le Mans Classic, which takes place on the same legendary Circuit de la Sarthe as... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228847/style-edit-richard-mille-celebrates-24-hours-le-mans-centenary-year-new-limited-edition-timepiece-rm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228847/style-edit-richard-mille-celebrates-24-hours-le-mans-centenary-year-new-limited-edition-timepiece-rm?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:00:12 +0000 Remember film director James Cameron’s 2009 magnum opus Avatar – one of the highest grossing films of all time? In particular, recall the beguiling Tree of Souls, the closest connection that the Na’vi indigenous people have to their deity Eywa? Now European real estate developer R.evolution is aiming to make that dream world a reality with its first residential project in the UAE, named Eywa. The boutique residential development aims to be the acme of luxury living, styled to recall the tree... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3228708/how-dubai-tower-was-inspired-james-camerons-avatar-welcome-eywa-boutique-waterside-development-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3228708/how-dubai-tower-was-inspired-james-camerons-avatar-welcome-eywa-boutique-waterside-development-next?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Jul 2023 07:24:51 +0000 Six months before its maiden voyage, Royal Caribbean’s massive new ship, the Icon of the Seas, is already generating an incredible response – and when you take a look at the pictures, that’s absolutely zero surprise. The ship is reportedly five times bigger than the Titanic, boasting 20 decks. Coming in at 1,198 feet (365 metres) long and 250,800 tons, the cruiseliner will be able to hold more than 7,000 people. It’s area is split into eight themed “neighbourhoods”. It will have a surf... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3228338/new-luxury-cruise-ship-5-times-bigger-titanic-and-its-scaring-people-meet-royal-caribbeans-epic-icon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3228338/new-luxury-cruise-ship-5-times-bigger-titanic-and-its-scaring-people-meet-royal-caribbeans-epic-icon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jul 2023 08:36:55 +0000 For much of watchmaking history, pieces have been made to tackle all sorts of scenario-based time keeping – from racing and diving to international travel and alarms. They have followed their wearers to every sort of endeavour imaginable, even onto the moon. However, these days, precision instruments have taken the place of traditional wristwatches for many of these applications. As a result, watchmaking has pivoted to evoking a spirit of the frontier via design. So, if there are watches that... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228109/5-best-futuristic-spaceship-inspired-watches-tomorrow-kickstarter-funded-argon-spaceone-and-mbfs-hm8?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3228109/5-best-futuristic-spaceship-inspired-watches-tomorrow-kickstarter-funded-argon-spaceone-and-mbfs-hm8?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:00:09 +0000 Singapore’s Changi Airport was once again voted the winner of this year’s World Airport Awards, but Hong Kong International Airport is fast catching up in traveler convenience and luxury. This month marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)’s relocation from Kai Tak to its new (and current) location Chek Lap Kok. Its predecessor was notorious for having plane landings amid high-density surroundings that could rattle even the steeliest of pilots. A landmark project... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3227966/move-over-changi-8-reasons-love-hong-kong-international-airport-michelin-starred-dining-duddells-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3227966/move-over-changi-8-reasons-love-hong-kong-international-airport-michelin-starred-dining-duddells-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:24:45 +0000 Green dials on timepieces have gone from exceptionally rare to near-ubiquitous, and yet the trend shows no sign of wearing itself out, as watchmakers show increasingly ingenuity when adding a viridescent tinge to make their designs pop. It’s difficult these days – especially at Watches and Wonders – to avoid the wave of new releases featuring a green dial, simply because the world wants more. And it can prove extremely hard not to miss the growing list of green-dial variations of long-celebrated... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3227700/8-daring-watches-redefining-green-dial-trend-2023-unlikely-kermit-frog-aston-martin-and-nespresso?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3227700/8-daring-watches-redefining-green-dial-trend-2023-unlikely-kermit-frog-aston-martin-and-nespresso?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Jul 2023 23:00:08 +0000 After being on the market for months, British comedian and TV host James Corden has finally sold his LA mansion for US$17 million in an all-cash deal. The buyer? A Hong Kong billionaire’s family member, no less! The buyer is related to Hong Kong financier Weijian Shan, who is widely considered to be one of the most influential private equity businessmen in Asia. The sale not only came at a steal for the wealthy family at US$5 million less than the asking price, per The Real Deal, but the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3227539/james-cordens-la-mansion-sold-hong-kong-billionaire-heiress-british-tv-hosts-lavish-us17-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3227539/james-cordens-la-mansion-sold-hong-kong-billionaire-heiress-british-tv-hosts-lavish-us17-million?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Jul 2023 07:45:38 +0000 Qatar Airways is considered one of the most luxurious airlines in the world – recently ranked second on Skytrax’s annual poll. But, unbeknown to many travellers, the Doha-based carrier also runs a private arm known as Qatar Executive. The high-end subsidiary targets the airline’s most elite travellers – specifically those willing to pay up to six figures for a flight. The business was launched in 2009 and has since amassed a fleet of multimillion dollar corporate jets, including the Gulfstream... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3227398/inside-qatar-airways-new-gulfstream-g700-private-jet-qatar-executive-now-offers-travel-same?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3227398/inside-qatar-airways-new-gulfstream-g700-private-jet-qatar-executive-now-offers-travel-same?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Jul 2023 04:30:43 +0000 There are few brands that have spoiled the world of horology with outstanding version after version of a single collection, like Parmigiani Fleurier has done with the Tonda. Over the last two years, the Tonda has seen stunning takes on the GMT Rattrapante, a Chinese calendar, a skeletonised piece, a tourbillon and a chronograph that proves Parmigiani Fleurier’s design language – knurled bezel, skeleton delta hands and all – is nearly unmistakable. However, the brand is not content to rest on... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225882/style-edit-parmigiani-fleurier-releases-new-tonda-pf-sport-automatic-and-sport-chronograph?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225882/style-edit-parmigiani-fleurier-releases-new-tonda-pf-sport-automatic-and-sport-chronograph?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jul 2023 02:00:08 +0000 French firm Dassault just brought a model of its Falcon 10X private jet to the Paris Air Show, which took place from June 19 to 26. It’s not due to go into service until 2025 – but the cabin tour showed just how luxurious it’ll be. With a shower on board and a 203cm (6 ft 8 inches) tall cabin, it’s nicknamed “the penthouse of the skies”. As an ultra-long-range jet that can travel 12,000km (7,500 miles) with a top speed of Mach .925 (around 1,142 km/h or 710mph), it is competing with the likes... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3226096/inside-brand-new-dassault-falcon-10x-private-jet-set-fly-2025-luxurious-us75-million-aircraft-dubbed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3226096/inside-brand-new-dassault-falcon-10x-private-jet-set-fly-2025-luxurious-us75-million-aircraft-dubbed?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Jul 2023 00:00:13 +0000 High horology kept busy around the world as Dubai Watch Week and Watches and Wonders announced new fairs later in the year in Dubai and Shanghai respectively. Patek Philippe just concluded its exhibition in Tokyo, showcasing its entire collection as well as six stunning new releases, while Rihanna wore a watch choker at Louis Vuitton’s Paris Fashion Week show. Meanwhile, Bremont, Audemars Piguet, Girard-Perregaux and more brands released new pieces borne out of collaborations, and Phillips just... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3226065/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-june-2023-audemars-piguets-spider-man-watch-marvel-and-rihannas-jacob-co?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3226065/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-june-2023-audemars-piguets-spider-man-watch-marvel-and-rihannas-jacob-co?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:34:06 +0000 Richard Mille watches are modern-day classics among luxury timepieces; tonneau-shaped marvels feted for their innovation in design, materials and movements. The latest offering – the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph – though less outwardly flashy than some models, is no different. The brand’s first in-house flyback chronograph, it features a double-oscillating pinion mechanism that took a full 30 months to develop. Unsurprisingly, after such efforts, a patent is pending for the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225884/style-edit-richard-milles-72-01-lifestyle-house-chronograph-everyday-watch-nevertheless-another?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3225884/style-edit-richard-milles-72-01-lifestyle-house-chronograph-everyday-watch-nevertheless-another?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jun 2023 02:00:14 +0000 Chinese electronics giant Oppo has signed Maye Musk, the mother of Elon Musk, as the global ambassador for the brand’s flagship smartphone – Find X6 Pro. The 75-year-old model and dietitian will appear in a series of commercials and events to promote the Find X6 Pro, which is being touted as the best camera smartphone in the world. Photos from the first official shoot recently surfaced on the internet along with a video ad that was leaked on YouTube. In the commercial, Maye can be seen holding... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3225752/maye-musk-signs-huge-deal-chinese-electronics-giant-oppo-worlds-richest-man-elon-musks-supermodel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3225752/maye-musk-signs-huge-deal-chinese-electronics-giant-oppo-worlds-richest-man-elon-musks-supermodel?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:00:16 +0000 Rolex is arguably the most recognisable watch brand in existence – and for good reason. For more than a century, it has produced some of the best Swiss-made timepieces. Worn by everyone from US presidents and A-list celebrities to Cern scientists and professional scuba divers, Rolex is widely known as a watch brand that’s equally timeless in style and high-end in build. And if you’re in the early stages of acquiring your own, you’re likely looking for where to buy Rolex watches online. As one... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3224881/where-buy-new-and-pre-owned-rolexes-online-6-most-trustworthy-marketplaces-verify-authenticity-ebay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3224881/where-buy-new-and-pre-owned-rolexes-online-6-most-trustworthy-marketplaces-verify-authenticity-ebay?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:21:07 +0000 A mansion evocative of Versailles is for sale in Dubai for 750 million dirhams (US$204 million), making it the most expensive house on the market in a city where luxury property is red-hot. The home in the desirable Emirates Hills neighbourhood has 60,000 square feet of indoor space though only five bedrooms – and at 4,000 square feet, the primary bedroom is bigger than most homes. Building the Marble Palace Construction of the property – nicknamed the “Marble Palace” by the selling agents –... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3224336/inside-dubais-most-expensive-home-us204-million-marble-mansion-versailles-style-palace-uaes-beverly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3224336/inside-dubais-most-expensive-home-us204-million-marble-mansion-versailles-style-palace-uaes-beverly?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jun 2023 02:00:08 +0000 So far, 2023 has been a stellar year for chronographs, with a healthy mix of brands commemorating anniversaries for their chronograph collections, releasing editions of other iconic pieces with the stopwatch complication, and releasing stellar one-off pieces just because. The complication itself needs little introduction – chronographs with subdials and pushers that help track time by whole and split seconds are ubiquitous in horology. As a result, these instruments are pivotal to human... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3224329/why-2023-year-chronograph-6-watch-brands-celebrating-stopwatch-complication-rolex-daytona-and-tag?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3224329/why-2023-year-chronograph-6-watch-brands-celebrating-stopwatch-complication-rolex-daytona-and-tag?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jun 2023 00:00:15 +0000 There was plenty to keep up with in the world of luxury watches during the month of May. High horology sparkled at the Met Gala and during the coronation of King Charles, while makers continue to push the boundaries of watch making with ever more daring case designs and materials like titanium. Meanwhile, Patek Philippe and Rolex look to add two more entries to their expansive inventory of watches among the most expensive ever sold, and Audemars Piguet and Bremont gets new management. Read on... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3221691/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-may-2023-roger-federers-rolex-perpetual-1908-and-eileen-gus-iwcs-met?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3221691/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-may-2023-roger-federers-rolex-perpetual-1908-and-eileen-gus-iwcs-met?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 May 2023 00:00:12 +0000 The word multi-hyphenate is used indiscriminately these days, but in the case of Yoon Ahn, the term couldn’t be more apt. When the Korean-American entrepreneur launched Ambush in 2008, it made its name at first for cool streetwear-inspired jewellery, but under her direction it soon evolved into a multidisciplinary platform that goes well beyond fashion. 9 of Bling Empire star Dorothy Wang’s favourite things, from fashion to food Today the Ambush universe includes ready-to-wear for men and women,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3221669/ambush-founder-yoon-ahn-content-collabs-and-web3-hired-dior-men-and-compared-pharrell-williams-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3221669/ambush-founder-yoon-ahn-content-collabs-and-web3-hired-dior-men-and-compared-pharrell-williams-and?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 May 2023 00:00:26 +0000 Lotus recently started deliveries of the Eletre, an electric SUV that is all the rage in China, where parent company Geely is transitioning the British brand to go all electric. On a recent drive out in California, on the wild edge of a continent far from China, all that EV hoopla seems about as real as a Ridley Scott film. I’m in the 2024 Lotus Emira, blasting a supercharged V6 engine past ochre super blooms and mid-century modern mansions halfway up Mulholland Drive. “Electric-shmelectric,” I... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3220603/looks-supercar-half-price-meet-lotus-emira-geelys-british-brand-releases-its-last-gas-powered-sports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3220603/looks-supercar-half-price-meet-lotus-emira-geelys-british-brand-releases-its-last-gas-powered-sports?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 May 2023 00:00:17 +0000 When LVMH acquired US jeweller Tiffany & Co. for a whopping US$15.8 billion in January 2021, it was the industry’s biggest ever deal. LVMH – the world’s largest luxury group and the company behind brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Bulgari – didn’t waste time in giving a much-needed revamp to the storied all-American brand. Shortly after the acquisition, the company appointed Alexandre Arnault, formerly CEO of Rimowa and son of LVMH’s owner Bernard Arnault, as its executive vice-president of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3219486/inside-tiffany-cos-reopened-fifth-avenue-flagship-audrey-hepburns-historic-new-york-haunt-was-just?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3219486/inside-tiffany-cos-reopened-fifth-avenue-flagship-audrey-hepburns-historic-new-york-haunt-was-just?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 May 2023 06:29:36 +0000 The return of the sautoir watch, one of the most glamorous trends from this year’s Watches and Wonders fair in Geneva, makes complete sense. In the age of the smartphone, when we scarcely need a watch to check the time, well, why not wear a timepiece as a glittering jewel? It’s certainly not the first time necklace watches have made an appearance. The style originated in the 16th century, a precursor to the pocket watch, and was typically the domain of wealthy women. In the 19th and early 20th... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3218739/necklace-watch-2023s-hottest-timepiece-trend-watches-and-wonders-saw-400-year-old-chain-and-pendant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3218739/necklace-watch-2023s-hottest-timepiece-trend-watches-and-wonders-saw-400-year-old-chain-and-pendant?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Apr 2023 00:00:09 +0000 Not all racing cars are created equal. Those that excel in their field often stand out in more ways than one, their success intrinsically tied to their technical prowess and sleek aerodynamics. The same can be said for the world of watches. Watchmaker Richard Mille knows both fields better than most, and its latest partnership with Ferrari has resulted in a visually striking technical marvel. The first timepiece to result from the partnership, the RM UP-01 is the thinnest watch in the world,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3218300/style-edit-inside-impressive-richard-mille-rm-01-ferrari-french-watchmaker-and-italian-car?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3218300/style-edit-inside-impressive-richard-mille-rm-01-ferrari-french-watchmaker-and-italian-car?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Apr 2023 02:00:36 +0000 Customers at a Bahrain jewellery store study displays of pearls that are, unusually, 100 per cent natural – the result of attempts to preserve a centuries-old industry. While rare elsewhere, natural pearls prised from seabed oysters by divers are the only variety produced in the Gulf kingdom, which is fiercely proud of its pearling tradition. The cultivation of artificial pearls is banned in Bahrain Bahrain, a tiny island state neighbouring Qatar, is the sole country worldwide to have banned... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3218146/how-bahrain-preserving-its-centuries-old-natural-pearl-industry-qatars-neighbouring-state-only?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3218146/how-bahrain-preserving-its-centuries-old-natural-pearl-industry-qatars-neighbouring-state-only?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Apr 2023 01:00:20 +0000 Fans of HBO’s hit show Succession are not only obsessed with the sibling rivalry between brothers Roman and Kendall Roy, but also the luxury lives they lead. While Roman (played by Kieran Culkin) lives on the Upper West Side, his brother Kendall (played by Jeremy Strong) stays in a triplex penthouse on the Upper East Side. And if you liked Kendall’s three-story home enough, now might be your chance to snap it up – as it’s up for sale. The 88th Street flat is on the market right now for US$29... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3217888/inside-us29-million-luxury-flat-featured-succession-sale-owned-kendall-roy-hbo-show-nyc-abode-has?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3217888/inside-us29-million-luxury-flat-featured-succession-sale-owned-kendall-roy-hbo-show-nyc-abode-has?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Apr 2023 16:10:48 +0000 On April 15, Singapore’s The Giverny Residences, a boutique development with just six flats, made its debut. The property is located at 6 Robin Drive in prime District 10 and sits on a 10,245 sq ft freehold site. The site was bought en bloc for US$12.7 million (S$17 million) in 2021 by Arc LH (a joint venture between Patrick Kho and property investment and development company Lian Huat Group) jointly with 2E Capital and “a few other close friends”, says Kho, group managing director of Lian Huat... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3217882/villas-sky-inside-singapores-gorgeous-giverny-residences-sale-6-exclusive-homes-are-priced-us4?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3217882/villas-sky-inside-singapores-gorgeous-giverny-residences-sale-6-exclusive-homes-are-priced-us4?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Apr 2023 00:00:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Luxury watchmakers are using Snapchat and bitcoin to woo Generation Z, unused to wearing something on the wrist, believing younger buyers could become a powerful driver of sales growth for top-end timepieces. Millennials (born between 1980 and the late 1990s) and Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2010) are taking an early interest in luxury goods, according to a study by management consultants Bain & Company and the Italian luxury brands association Altagamma Foundation. Their spending is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3217078/luxury-watchmakers-are-adapting-attract-tech-savvy-gen-zs-and-millennials-virtual-try-cartier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3217078/luxury-watchmakers-are-adapting-attract-tech-savvy-gen-zs-and-millennials-virtual-try-cartier?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Apr 2023 00:00:13 +0000 The Romans had their Colosseum, a brick and stone structure built to host audiences of 80,000 for spectacles from gladiatorial contests to mythological dramas, still standing almost 2,000 years on. Casetify, the Hong Kong-based maker of those colourful phone cases you see everywhere, may not be as big as the Roman empire – yet – but now they too boast an amphitheatre of sorts. Made out of mobile phone cases, naturally. This 21st-century show-stopper is the centrepiece of Casetify’s new... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3216774/back-office-style-casetifys-new-hong-kong-hq-crosby-studios-designed-vibrant-gen-z-ready-workplace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3216774/back-office-style-casetifys-new-hong-kong-hq-crosby-studios-designed-vibrant-gen-z-ready-workplace?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Apr 2023 01:00:21 +0000 Over the years, billionaires and executives have poured millions into building their own utopias. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Elon Musk plans to build a town named “Snailbrook”, but he is far from the only billionaire or entrepreneur to discuss building his own kingdom of sorts. From Larry Ellison to Peter Thiel, here are 11 billionaires who have taken similar steps. 1. Elon Musk’s “Snailbrook”, “Starbase” and Mars colony Musk is planning to build his own town for... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3216683/11-billionaires-trying-build-their-own-utopias-elon-musks-mars-colony-and-bill-gates-smart-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3216683/11-billionaires-trying-build-their-own-utopias-elon-musks-mars-colony-and-bill-gates-smart-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Apr 2023 19:00:17 +0000 Chanel has set out on a journey to the stars. The storied Parisian maison has taken the world of space travel as a source of inspiration in the past – see its dazzling rocket ship-fuelled autumn/winter 2017 show, for example – but it’s really excelled for 2023 with the Interstellar collection, which draws on everything from robotics to circuit boards to the shapes of heavenly bodies to reimagine a series of classic Chanel timepieces in stunning new space age forms. Prominent in the collection... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214672/watches-wonders-edit-chanels-interstellar-collection-reimagines-parisian-maisons-classic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214672/watches-wonders-edit-chanels-interstellar-collection-reimagines-parisian-maisons-classic?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Apr 2023 02:00:22 +0000 On day one of the annual Watches and Wonders trade show in Geneva, A-list celebrities like David Beckham and Julia Roberts wandered the halls. But it was a handful of debuts from Rolex that received outsized attention both within the convention centre Palexpo and on social media. “New” at the powerhouse brand, which for years has topped the industry in terms of revenue, usually means subtle tweaks on existing models and the occasional ultra-blinged jewellery watch. Last year when it released a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3215099/5-exciting-rolex-timepieces-watches-and-wonders-2023-new-cosmograph-daytona-and-1908-gmt-master-ii?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3215099/5-exciting-rolex-timepieces-watches-and-wonders-2023-new-cosmograph-daytona-and-1908-gmt-master-ii?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Mar 2023 07:50:10 +0000 On April 26, Taiwanese luxury carrier Starlux Airlines will launch its first-ever flight from Taipei to Los Angeles. The route, which will compete with established Taiwanese carriers Eva Air and China Airlines, will fly five times a week until June when it will ramp up to daily service. A fleet of Airbus A350-900 aircraft will power the transpacific trek, journeying 12 hours across some 11,000km. Starlux also flies the Airbus A330neo and the Airbus A321neo aircraft – the narrowbody plane being... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3214729/inside-starlux-airlines-new-luxury-flight-taipei-la-taiwans-stylish-carrier-launched-eva-airs-former?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3214729/inside-starlux-airlines-new-luxury-flight-taipei-la-taiwans-stylish-carrier-launched-eva-airs-former?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Mar 2023 00:00:09 +0000 Fancy an ultra-plush holiday at sea? Now might be your perfect chance. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has opened bookings for its second upcoming cruise vessel, the Ilma. The 456-guest ship will enter service in September 2024, starting at US$6,800 per person. Following the success of the hospitality giant’s first floating hotel launch, the Ilma will offer equal levels of unparalleled service and amenities to cater to the world’s elite travellers. Here’s a peek inside the new floating... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3214731/inside-ritz-carltons-shiny-new-ilma-superyacht-cruise-vessel-starting-us6800-person-luxurious-ship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3214731/inside-ritz-carltons-shiny-new-ilma-superyacht-cruise-vessel-starting-us6800-person-luxurious-ship?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Mar 2023 02:00:27 +0000 The watch world ticks louder and louder in the lead up to Watches & Wonders, but in the meantime watch heads have had a lot to discuss. Omega and Swatch dropped a new MoonSwatch, Louis Vuitton built an homage to Chinese opera, H. Moser & Cie is taking us into the future with a QR Code watch, a Patek Philippe belonging to the last Qing emperor just resurfaced thanks to Phillips, and, of course, the world’s most glamorous individuals absolutely showed out with insane pieces at the 95th Academy... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214662/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-march-michelle-yeohs-richard-mille-and-ke-huy-quans-omega-oscars-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214662/5-biggest-timepiece-moments-march-michelle-yeohs-richard-mille-and-ke-huy-quans-omega-oscars-new?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Mar 2023 00:00:14 +0000 The spirit of motor racing is woven into the DNA of Richard Mille. Since it first started making its coveted timepieces more than two decades ago, the most innovative and most technologically sophisticated of all Swiss luxury watchmakers has drawn much of its inspiration from heroes of the racetrack, with high performance autos influencing everything from the aesthetics of its timepieces to its choice of materials. The brand has also closely intertwined itself with the glamorous world of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214563/style-edit-how-richard-mille-embodies-spirit-racing-its-all-female-team-and-f1-ferrari-and-mclaren?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214563/style-edit-how-richard-mille-embodies-spirit-racing-its-all-female-team-and-f1-ferrari-and-mclaren?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Mar 2023 02:00:18 +0000 A rare Patek Philippe watch sold for US$5.8 million in Hong Kong, the highest price ever paid for a timepiece in an online auction. The Patek Philippe “Sky Moon Tourbillon”, with a blue handmade enamel dial and white gold hand-carved case, fetched US$5.8 million (HK$45.45 million) on Tuesday, Christie’s, the auction house, said in a statement. The price shows collectors are still willing to shell out for rare watches despite troubling issues in the banking sector. Expensive watches are a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214560/rare-patek-philippe-watch-just-sold-record-us58-million-hong-kong-swiss-brands-sky-moon-tourbillon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214560/rare-patek-philippe-watch-just-sold-record-us58-million-hong-kong-swiss-brands-sky-moon-tourbillon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Mar 2023 08:23:23 +0000 We may expect our watches to show us the time, date, day and month of the year, but a timepiece that can account for leap years and the number of days in any given month without adjustments requires a great deal more sophistication. So impressive is a watch with a perpetual calendar function, in fact, that it won’t need to be adjusted until the year 2100 – a dream piece for collectors. Here are some of the most impressive perpetual calendar watches on the market: 1. Audemars Piguet Crafted in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214441/5-best-luxury-timepieces-perpetual-calendar-functions-audemars-piguets-royal-oak-and-jaeger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3214441/5-best-luxury-timepieces-perpetual-calendar-functions-audemars-piguets-royal-oak-and-jaeger?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Mar 2023 01:00:15 +0000 Have you ever wondered what it would look like if Charles Darwin rode Napoleon’s horse into battle against a dragon and its army of video game characters? Well, you could spend years – even decades – on artistic and design training to create the tableau yourself … or you could circumvent all that by using one of the many AI art generators that have become the subject of much public discussion recently. Platforms such as Dall-E, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, which emerged in 2021 and 2022,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3214160/ai-future-art-and-will-it-put-artists-out-work-virtual-human-monoc-creation-hong-kongs-gusto?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3214160/ai-future-art-and-will-it-put-artists-out-work-virtual-human-monoc-creation-hong-kongs-gusto?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Mar 2023 00:00:22 +0000 Erica Fong Erica Fong Blockchain and bitcoin might go hand in hand, but what do blockchain and art have to do with each other? As it turns out, quite a lot actually. From verifying the authenticity and provenance of works, to spurring new forms of digital art through non-fungible tokens (NFTs), blockchain technology is having a huge impact on the art scene. Put simply, blockchain is a secure and transparent electronic ledger that is digitally distributed, decentralised, open source and public. Each block in a chain... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3213612/4-ways-art-world-needs-blockchain-nfts-spurred-explosion-digital-art-christies-and-sothebys-make?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3213612/4-ways-art-world-needs-blockchain-nfts-spurred-explosion-digital-art-christies-and-sothebys-make?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Mar 2023 02:00:09 +0000 Swiss watch maison Parmigiani Fleurier recently opened its first Hong Kong boutique, celebrating the occasion on March 7 by hosting a lunch and unveiling a prototype of their Tonda PF Xiali Calendar teased since January this year. The piece is set to be one of a unique class of watches, as Chinese characters feature extremely rarely among luxury watches – though there are plenty of Chinese zodiac pieces every year. As rare as they are, we take a closer look at some of our favourite uses of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3213038/4-best-luxury-watches-chinese-characters-dial-hublots-classic-fusion-singapore-special-edition-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3213038/4-best-luxury-watches-chinese-characters-dial-hublots-classic-fusion-singapore-special-edition-new?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Mar 2023 22:00:10 +0000 Ever since spring-powered clocks were developed in 15th century Europe, watchmakers have strived to advance the science behind haute horlogerie. First, the mainspring was brainstormed as a mechanism for powering a clock. This apparatus stopped the cracking and weakening of a timepiece’s movement so it could withstand numerous cycles. Next came the balance wheel, which ensures that movements are able to keep regular time, invented in the mid-17th century by Dutch mathematician and all-round... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3212482/how-nanotechnology-breaking-boundaries-luxury-watches-hermes-incorporated-photolithography-technique?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3212482/how-nanotechnology-breaking-boundaries-luxury-watches-hermes-incorporated-photolithography-technique?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2023 04:50:00 +0000 In 1898 in Cologne, Germany, a company was founded that has since become synonymous with quality luggage – one that combines German craftsmanship and technology with an unmistakable sleek aesthetic: Rimowa. Nearly four decades later, in 1937, the brand created the suitcase that cemented its place in design history, taking its cues from the world of aviation to introduce a grooved aluminium look that has become the undisputed icon of the brand and a byword for luxurious luggage. Since then, the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3212240/style-edit-rimowa-move-its-latest-exhibition-ingenieurskunst-seit-1898-german-luxury-luggage-brand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3212240/style-edit-rimowa-move-its-latest-exhibition-ingenieurskunst-seit-1898-german-luxury-luggage-brand?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:00:14 +0000 Luxury watch brand Breitling is struggling to keep up with demand. We sat down with Georges Kern, the Swiss watchmaker’s CEO, to find out why that is the case. In recent years, Breitling has undergone a transformation and turned into what Kern calls “a generalistic manufacturer”. The luxury CEO shares his strategies for the company’s growth, emphasis on sustainability and his thoughts on technology’s role in the analogue watch industry. What has been your proudest moment with Breitling so... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3212188/why-breitling-blazing-sustainable-trail-no-other-luxury-watch-brands-ceo-georges-kern-reveals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3212188/why-breitling-blazing-sustainable-trail-no-other-luxury-watch-brands-ceo-georges-kern-reveals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Mar 2023 06:00:12 +0000 As Saudi Arabia’s image overhaul unfolds, it’s clear the kingdom’s rulers are intent on redefining the conservative desert nation as the world’s next luxury tourist destination. Next on the shopping list? The Sheybarah Island resort has installed the country’s first pod-style overwater villas. Maldivian-style modular villas were delivered by construction delivery and transport specialist Mammoet to the forthcoming destination. Part of the Red Sea Project, Sheybarah Hotel is a hyper-luxury resort... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3211954/move-over-maldives-saudi-arabias-luxury-sheybarah-island-resort-wants-be-worlds-next-eco-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3211954/move-over-maldives-saudi-arabias-luxury-sheybarah-island-resort-wants-be-worlds-next-eco-tourism?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Mar 2023 09:17:46 +0000 Since it was established in 2001, Richard Mille has gained a stellar reputation among watch lovers for zigging where others zag. Proudly avant-garde, the company constantly pushes horological boundaries, taking risks no other brand would consider and drawing inspiration from a range of unconventional sources, particularly the world of high-performance sport. Now you can add rock ‘n’ roll to that list of unusual inspirations, in the form of the new RM 66 Flying Tourbillon. Taking pride of place... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3211700/style-edit-richard-mille-launches-rock-n-roll-watch-rm-66-flying-tourbillon-limited-edition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3211700/style-edit-richard-mille-launches-rock-n-roll-watch-rm-66-flying-tourbillon-limited-edition?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Feb 2023 02:00:10 +0000