In a world where audio excellence is often an elusive pursuit, there are a handful of brands that are ever reliable (and often listed in our <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/the-best-in-gear-from-devialets-lifestyle-stereo-to-lgs-5k-dual-monitors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best in Gear</a> annual compendium). <a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/devialet/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devialet</a> has consistently emerged as a beacon of innovation and luxury; every new drop is a highly anticipated event among technophiles and audiophiles. Now, the French acoustic engineering company has unveiled its latest masterpiece—the <a href="https://www.devialet.com/en-hk/amplifiers/?srsltid=AfmBOoqVI75JWUIEUJaz4-69exF7xZL8RI_IsPM1MX8UJp2KxohQq02v" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devialet Astra</a>, a high-end amplifier that promises to redefine the auditory experience for discerning listeners.



Launched in Hong Kong this past November,&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;went in for a spin (so to speak) as the hype and hoopla dusted down to spend some time with this avant-garde device that seamlessly harmonises cutting-edge technology with minimalist aesthetics, appealing to both audiophiles and design aficionados alike. Unfamiliar with new-age music, we requested a 1960s throwback album, and the&nbsp;Sound of Silence&nbsp;was palpably felt.&nbsp;



At its core, the Devialet Astra embodies the company’s signature Analog Digital Hybrid (ADH) technology, a revolutionary approach that combines the purity of analogue amplification with the compact power of digital systems. It’s this advanced integration that allows the Astra to deliver an impressive 2&#215;300 watts in stereo mode and a staggering 2&#215;600 watts in dual mono configuration, ensuring that every note is rendered with unparalleled clarity and depth. In fact, the amplifier’s frequency response extends to remarkable limits, capturing the nuanced details that make live performances so captivating.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DEVIALET-Astra_Packshots_Dual_Opera-de-Paris_01-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234793795" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DEVIALET-Astra_Packshots_Dual_Opera-de-Paris_01-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DEVIALET-Astra_Packshots_Dual_Opera-de-Paris_01-300x300.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DEVIALET-Astra_Packshots_Dual_Opera-de-Paris_01-150x150.png 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DEVIALET-Astra_Packshots_Dual_Opera-de-Paris_01-768x768.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DEVIALET-Astra_Packshots_Dual_Opera-de-Paris_01-1536x1536.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DEVIALET-Astra_Packshots_Dual_Opera-de-Paris_01.png 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



“Our ability to reproduce sound in infinite detail brings true and vibrant emotions to life,” says Devialet CEO Jacques Demont, and this sentiment is echoed throughout the design and engineering of the Astra, which boasts a sleek, brushed-aluminium exterior inspired by the Art Deco movement. The result is an object of beauty that not only enhances auditory experiences but is also stark in its simplicity, serves as a visual statement in any setting.



Significantly, the Astra integrates a suite of proprietary technologies that elevate its performance. Speaker Active Matching (SAM) technology ensures that the audio signal is precisely adapted to the unique specifications of passive speakers, preserving their acoustic signature in real time. This capability is bolstered by Record Active Matching (RAM) technology, which allows for dynamic EQ adjustments tailored to the specific characteristics of any turntable or vinyl record. Such innovations underscore Devialet’s commitment to providing an audio experience that is as personalised as it is powerful.



The Astra is available in two exquisite finishes: the Light Bronze model and the exclusive Opéra de Paris edition, adorned with 23-carat gold leaf applied by master gilders Les Ateliers Gohard. This partnership not only highlights Devialet’s dedication to craftsmanship but also its commitment to cultural heritage, as seen in its long-standing collaboration with the Opéra National de Paris. With a price point starting at HK$149,900 for the Light Bronze stereo configuration and ascending to HK$377,800 for the dual mono Opéra de Paris edition, the Astra positions itself at the pinnacle of luxury audio equipment. Its launch in Hong Kong marks the beginning of a broader rollout across the Asia-Pacific region in March 2025.



All images courtesy of Devialet.

audio

Devialet

Devialet Astra

Gear

Devialet’s Elegant New Astra Amplifier Is an Audiophile’s Dream

By P. Ramakrishnan and Josh Condon



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">You Ask, AI Listens</h2>



ChatGPT and other large-language artificial-intelligence (AI) models remain a source of fascination due to the uncanny way they can mimic human speech, but data-savvy companies are already using AI to help shape the products you buy—not by talking, but by listening.



Consider every time you’ve tossed an annoyed @ on X (formerly Twitter) complaining about the concierge service at your vacation villa rental or griped to a chatbot about a confusing tech user interface. Ditto blowing up a sneaker brand’s comments section pleading for a new colourway or taking to a watch forum to debate the design merits of an overlooked vintage model. Each of these seemingly off-the-cuff interactions is, in fact, incredibly rich with data points—a trove of unvarnished opinions, desires, and ideas, proffered by engaged consumers who often believe they’re just talking amongst themselves.



But there’s likely an invisible observer: AI brands use the technology to trawl public content on Reddit, Instagram, X, Tripadvisor, Facebook—anywhere people express opinions, upload images or videos, or even just “like” or down-vote something someone else posted. 



“Particularly for luxury, fashion, tech—those categories have very passionate, discerning fan bases in these niche parts of the internet,” says Chris Bingham, CTO of Brandwatch, a social-media suite in New York City that has worked with BMW, Unilever, and Carlsberg, among many others. “There’s this huge amount of information that’s available to brands to use for understanding how their own products are perceived, how their competitors’ [products are perceived], industry trends, what [customers] like, don’t like, et cetera,” he says, adding that it can be a replacement for, or complementary to, traditional market research, which tends to be expensive and slow. “This way, you’re tapping organically into what people are already talking about—they’re probably already answering the questions you would have asked them.”



The ability to turn the internet into a massive, ad hoc focus group has been around for a while (if rarely discussed by the brands that employ it) but is currently benefitting from the same technological leap that transformed ChatGPT, Midjourney, and others into household names. The key, now, is AI’s ability to deduce sentiment, according to Grant Hartanov, associate vice president of CXM Best Practices Group at Sprinklr, a New York firm that provides AI insights for clients including Prada and Lenovo. “The more robust a listening infrastructure is, the better you can identify themes and trends, but there’s also the ability to leverage AI to create visual insights,” he says. “That could be a really interesting way for a sneaker designer to say, ‘Hey, we’re seeing people gravitate towards this colour,’ but more importantly: How are people perceiving the colour?” In other words, AI can not only notice that people are posting or reacting to pictures with the colour green, but also deduce how people feel about the shade. 



“With better AI, you’re able to ask more specific questions and get more targeted, relevant insights,” Bingham says. But, he notes, “the human still has an extremely important job.” When it comes to “interesting, high-value products” like those covered by Robb Report, he says, “there’s some discernment, there’s some taste, there’s some innovation—that’s powered by people, that doesn’t just come out of the algorithm.”



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="982" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.40 PM-1024x982.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234781812" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.40 PM-1024x982.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.40 PM-300x288.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.40 PM-768x736.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.40 PM-1536x1473.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.40 PM.png 1746w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Turntable </h3>



Bang &amp; Olufsen



Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn Limited Edition



Groovy, baby, the 1970s are back! In March 2023, a BBC headline went viral for reporting that vinyl records outsold CDs for the first time in decades. For a generation of a certain vintage, nothing compares to the audible pleasure of vinyl. Well, a daring Danish brand heard the siren call and released a limited-edition vinyl turntable and stereo speakers to meet our needs: the Beosystem 72-23.



“As part of the Recreated Classics Initiative, the Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn Limited Edition symbolises a new beginning for a future where audio products are designed to last, where luxury is expert craftsmanship that expands beyond the first life cycle, and where connectivity can be timeless,” says Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, head of product circularity at Bang &amp; Olufsen.



As expected from the renowned brand, it’s a visual delight as much as audible; the Beogram 4000C turntable, created in warm colours with a birchwood panel and Nordic aesthetics, is accompanied by a matching pair of Beolab 28 speakers. A Beoremote Halo remote control allows for seamless operation of the system. Each unit comes with a walnut presentation box, which doubles as a storage cabinet for your record collection—it’s a nostalgic touch of the past that warms our heart, while the handy wireless charging station looks into the future.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="569" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.22.37 PM-1024x569.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234781814" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.22.37 PM-1024x569.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.22.37 PM-300x167.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.22.37 PM-768x427.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.22.37 PM-1536x854.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.22.37 PM-2048x1139.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Projector</h3>



Samsung



The Freestyle 2nd Generation



Forget the ancient projector you’re used to from your school days, when the substitute teacher wheeled in a contraption with spotty picture and unsynchronised sound to enlighten how plants photosynthesise. Samsung’s second-generation Freestyle projector, with its phenomenal sound and colour, has us pelted in shades of wow. 



At home, you can watch a blockbuster film as Spielberg intended, on the big screen—even if the screen happens to be your ceiling! The Freestyle can project visuals with such precision that lying on your bed watching all the stars in the cosmos feels close to the real thing—this technological marvel can (almost) transport you to other worlds. 



In fact, on trial, we saw Lawrence of Arabia’s widescreen magic on a spotless wall with 360-degree surround sound in breathtaking technicolour. Samsung’s Smart Edge Blending technology permits two devices to merge and project a wide cinematic screen, providing a panoramic viewing experience.



Compact, ultra-portable, and lightweight, the new Freestyle does so much more than just allow you to binge-watch Netflix shows and nature documentaries in high definition—gamers can also connect their controllers to the Gaming Hub to access Xbox titles without a console, among other cloud-based gaming streaming partners. For gadget geeks, The Freestyle is a game-changer.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.58 PM-820x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234781815" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.58 PM-820x1024.png 820w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.58 PM-240x300.png 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.58 PM-768x959.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.20.58 PM.png 876w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Camera Lens</h3>



Leica



Noctilux-M 50mm F/0.95 ASPH “Titan”



As the professional photographer’s OG camera brand of choice, Leica’s first Noctilux lens debuted in 1966, but in the concentric circles of renowned cameramen the world over, the brand resonates to this day, and Leica’s new limited-edition “Titan” model of its Noctilux-M range is assuredly magnificent.



Its moniker, “Titan,” is apt—all the visible components are made of solid titanium, a lightweight yet sturdy metal that marries beauty with practicality, and matches well with Leica camera bodies. At an open aperture, the Noctilux-M lens offers an extremely shallow depth of field, delivering a distinctive bokeh effect and image aesthetics that are unmistakably Leica. 



Challenging lighting conditions are easily surmounted—the Noctilux-M is calibrated to tease out fine details and high contrast, promising exceptional imaging performance. If there can be such a thing as a legacy lens, then this is it, as each of the previous Noctilux generations was the best of its era, a sign of a gadget for all time. However, there’s the matter of getting your hands on one: there are only 100 pieces available globally, each engraved with a limited-edition serial number, with an appropriately high price tag.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="897" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.21.05 PM-1024x897.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234781816" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.21.05 PM-1024x897.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.21.05 PM-300x263.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.21.05 PM-768x672.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screenshot-2023-12-06-at-4.21.05 PM.png 1238w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wireless Earbuds</h3>



Devialet



Gemini II



When it comes to wireless earbuds, one is just begging to be lost, isn’t it? Despite the proliferation of brands and styles promising ease and otherworldly audible dimensions, we’re finally convinced we’ve found a pair that has sound appeal. Ergonomic design, superb connectivity, and blissful noise cancellation are joyfully married in Devialet’s Gemini II, the sequel we didn’t know we wanted until we got it in hand and shoved in ear. 



According to the sound engineers, it has taken nearly two decades of R&amp;D to deliver the latest gadget. Among the “suite” of enhanced features is the trademarked Devialet Adaptive Noise Cancellation, and the resulting sound quality is expectedly first-class. “We have condensed 15 years of expertise in acoustic research and development into Devialet Gemini II to deliver an even bigger sound experience in our smallest package yet,” says Devialet CEO Franck Lebouchard. “Driven by our vision to continually break boundaries in audio design, Devialet Gemini II’s new design offers a universal luxury listening experience thanks to improved ergonomics that lets listeners experience industry-leading proprietary technologies without feeling the earbuds in place. On-the-go audio has never felt better.” 



With the Gemini II wireless earbuds in place, they adjust with surprising symmetry—you can knock your head around and they don’t pop out at every move, which make them perfect for runners. Plus, the improved battery life is a huge perk. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="640" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/K_2-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234781817" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/K_2-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/K_2-300x188.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/K_2-768x480.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/K_2.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Speakers </h3>



KEF



LS60 Wireless



The bane of interior designers is tangled wires and the constant conundrum of hiding them from sight, especially if a chic room is about to be photographed, but KEF has put forth an aesthetic home solution with stellar audio quality to boot.



KEF introduces its very first wireless floor-standing speaker system to bring high-fidelity sound into your home and engulf your senses in an authentic, immersive experience. What we particularly love about this model is that it’s got the fingerprints of Hong Kong-based designer Michael Young all over it.



Young collaborated with the KEF product design team to create the slim LS60 Wireless that can slide into any living space with ease, and the svelte silhouette is only possible because of the advanced technology contained within the sleek cabinet. KEF offers the audio powerhouse in three elegant matte finishes: titanium grey, mineral white, and royal blue. As to how the LS60 Wireless is able to project pristine audio, that’s the result of KEF engineers incorporating the latest developments in tech—such as a Uni-Q driver array, trademarked Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), and Uni-Core bass drivers—into the pretty package to eradicate distortion and maximise bass performance. As the name suggests, the unit supports WiFi and Bluetooth wireless connection, as well as cable options. Everything is interlinked with the KEF Connect app to permit listeners to stream music and podcasts at the touch of a button.

Bang & Olufsen

Beosystem

camera

Camera lens

Devialet Gemini II

Leica

The Best in Gear, From Bang & Olufsen and Samsung to Devialet and KEF

The Best in Gear, From Devialet’s Lifestyle Stereo to LG’s 5K Dual Monitors

By Michael Verdon, Julie Boatman, and Jen Paolini



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Next-Gen Piloting Is Here</h2>



The fast-approaching era of electric aircraft will transform intracity and regional travel for passengers, but it will also fundamentally change the pilot experience. The new crop of electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) craft are smaller than most helicopters and conventional planes, but also potentially more complex, with multiple rotors that tilt for hovering and forward motion. That’s supplemented by the need to constantly assess flight conditions in what promise to be busy urban airways, all while managing prop and rotor pitch and adjusting ailerons, rudders, elevators, and landing gear.



How does one lessen the pilot’s burden without compromising safety? The answer, eVTOL leaders Archer and Joby agree, involves unified flight controls, adopted from military programmes such as the F-35B fighter jet. The fly-by-wire systems used by Dassault, Gulfstream, and Bombardier operate on the same principle, with a flight control computer (FCC) linked to a multi-servo digital autopilot. Unlike mechanical systems of older aircraft, where a pilot controls every aspect of flight, here the computer takes over once the pilot inputs commands.



The next generation of unified flight controls are significantly faster, smaller, and more sophisticated. BAE Systems has designed controls that relay pilot input every few milliseconds but are 40 per cent more compact than five years ago. This customised technology is designed to be intuitive for fixed-wing or rotorcraft pilots and far more simplified. 



Joby’s inceptor, or the stick that controls speed, for example, recentres after an input, maintaining the airspeed set by the pilot—similar to cruise control in a car. “If I want to go to 100 knots, I’ll kind of peg the stick,” says Joby’s Greg Bowles. “The number reaches 100, you let go, and it’s going to stay at 100. If you continue to accelerate, it’ll get to a maximum safe top speed and stop.”



“The pilot doesn’t control power,” adds Archer’s Brian Gump. “The pilot commands acceleration or deceleration, a climb or descent, or a heading change, and the FCCs allocate power as required to meet that command.” Archer’s controls include two sticks: the left regulates velocity while the right handles vertical speed and direction. 



These advances signal a new chapter for not only the eVTOL world, but also how pilots train. Flight is not so automated that the aviator is entirely removed from the equation—the pilot still dictates the direction and navigation of the aircraft’s path—but it is a fundamentally new way of flying. Not exactly a magic carpet, but closer than aviation has ever been before.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796192" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bb-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Speed</h3>



Gulfstream



G700



Breaking one record for rapid transit is remarkable enough, but what about two? Gulfstream’s ultra-large-cabin G700 did exactly that on recent trips from Savannah to Honolulu, covering the distance in eight hours and 52 minutes at an average speed of Mach 0.9 using a blend of sustainable aviation fuel, and Los Angeles to Sydney in just 14 hours and 26 minutes—that’s two more performancebased honours to swell the G700’s growing tally of city-pair speed records.



Add to that the numerous features that make Gulfstream a commanding presence in its sector—whisper-quiet noise levels, the most spacious cabin in business aviation, 100 per cent freshair ventilation technology, natural-light design with panoramic windows, layout configuration flexibility, the lowest cabin altitude in the industry, and a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935—and the G700 stands for not only the fastest aircraft in the company’s fleet, but also the most comfortable, providing an unrivalled experience for passengers. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796193" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ee-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jet Card</h3>



Sentient



SJ25+



If there’s a gold standard for jet cards, Sentient, which launched the industry’s first in 1999, can claim the title. Despite the onslaught of competitors, its 25-hour card has remained at the top of the pack even as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The differentiators: Sentient’s new app allows clients to quote prices and book flights in under 60 seconds via text, its preferred aircraft fleet is top-tier, and the card is backed by a multi-tiered safety structure for its clients, including an independent safety advisory board. Or just consider the numbers over the past 25 years: more than one million passengers flown to over 2,500 destinations; 6,700 active card owners; and revenue growth of 549 per cent. Not to mention the company’s expanding partnerships with luxury hotels and events, which in 2024 offered perks valued at US$225,000 (HK$1.74 million), and its sustainability programme that offsets emissions 300 per cent from each flight with no cost to clients (to date, Sentient has offset 1.34 million metric tons of carbon). 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796194" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cc-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Super-Midsize Jet</h3>



Textron Aviation



Citation CJ3 Gen2



While it was no surprise that Textron Aviation would sequence through one of its most successful models for next-gen treatment, the Citation CJ3 Gen2 update still rocks, making it our pick for the best of the super-midsize fleet. Inside, the revised CJ3 looks and feels like a bigger jet than its predecessor, with an interior that its engineers are justifiably proud of—from the articulating seats to the use of eco-friendly materials throughout. On the flight deck, the updated Garmin G3000, coupled with the new GDL 60 data link, transforms the pilot’s suite into a connected cockpit. The jet has a max cruise of 416 knots true airspeed, a max range of 2,040 nautical miles, and a landing distance of 2,770 feet. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796195" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffs-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Exclusive Experiences</h3>



VistaJet



A global leader in private and business aviation, now with two decades under its belt, VistaJet knows better than most that getting travellers to and from their destination is only one part of the journey. As the demand for tailored experiences continues to rise, the company is reinforcing its commitment to its exclusive Private World programme, creating even more opportunities for VistaJet members to unlock a wealth of unparalleled adventures across the planet. 



From exploring the beautifully restored Bottega Veneta residence in Venice, witnessing spectacular wildlife on a luxury safari in the Serengeti National Park, and cruising through Costa Rica’s waters to discover humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles to highly coveted access to Formula 1 racetracks through Ferrari, VistaJet’s Private World collaborations with diverse partners are designed to offer members an everchanging calendar of activities that are personalised, unique, and exciting—not to mention completely unforgettable.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796196" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/a-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Large Cabin</h3>



Dassault



6X



Dassault recently delivered its first long-range 6X, completing a circle that began after the French aerospace firm cancelled its four-year-old 5X programme in 2017 without delivering any aircraft. It stretched the 5X’s fuselage by 20 feet to get the 6X, creating its debut wide-body configuration, which has a wider floor and taller cabin than its competitors. Despite the extra girth, the 6X’s stats are impressive: 5,500-nautical-mile range (delivering nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Geneva or S.o Paulo to London), 16-passenger capacity, and maximum speed of Mach 0.9. The customisable cabin, divided into three zones, has 30 extra-large windows, a full galley, and features such as a low-altitude pressurisation system and circadian-rhythm lights to mitigate jet lag. Fly-by-wire controls and an advanced situational awareness system called Falcon Eye are the cockpit differentiators. Plus, the 6X has paved the way for an even larger wide-body, the ultra-long-range 10X, scheduled for delivery in 2027. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796199" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ffe-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Light Jet</h3>



Embraer



Phenom 100EX



Embraer leans into the big E with its evolution of the Phenom 100EX. Choose your word: Efficiency, environment, experience—they all play a part to make it the biggestfeeling light jet on the market, which is a particularly crowded segment. Up front, the optional Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS) that enhances stabilised approaches adds an extra layer of protection during a critical phase of flight, while the Flight Stream 510 allows the pilot to connect portable electronic devices to the aircraft avionics, thus reducing workload. In the cabin, Embraer’s design team has revised every element—opening up the space, upgrading the seats, increasing workspace by 30 per cent by repositioning tables, and using new combinations of leather, Ultraleather, and veneer to dress up the interior. Stats remain best in class: a top speed of Mach 0.7, a 1,178-nautical-mile range, and a takeoff distance of 3,190 feet.

Aviation

Best of the Best

Best of the Best 2025

Dassault

Gulfstream

Private Jet

Sentient

Textron Aviation

VistaJet

The Best in Wings 2025, From Gulfstream’s G700 and Dassault’s 6X to Textron Aviation’s Citation CJ3 Gen2

The private-jet world seems to be <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/private-aviation-declining-newcomers-leaving-1234792248/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">levelling off</a> from its record highs during the Covid years. The fractional and jet-card segments are still above pre-Covid sales levels, while others such as used aircraft sales and on-demand charter have declined from giddy highs in 2021 and 2022.



Sentiment for the near-term of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/business-aviation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">business aviation</a> was positive at last week’s <a href="https://www.corporatejetinvestor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) </a>conference in Miami, in an industry known for its cyclical highs and lows. Aircraft company CEOs, jet-card executives, aviation attorneys, aircraft brokers, and private equity reps examined different sectors of the industry during three days of interviews and panel discussions. They agreed, with some exceptions, that <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/private-jet-market-outlook-fall-2024-1235963576/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the market remains strong</a>, following those unprecedented pandemic highs.



“We’re happy as clams,” said Don Dwyer, a principal with Guardian Jet, a brokerage firm specialising in consulting and used aircraft sales. “We’re seeing an underlying optimism in people buying and selling aircraft. The market remains strong. This is our biggest year ever.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-85642743.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794823" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-85642743.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-85642743.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-85642743.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-85642743.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">High-net worth clients have largely remained in business aviation since Covid, while the sector has also seen a return of corporate travelers.  Image courtesy of Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



The re-election of Donald Trump seems to have had an immediate beneficial impact. “Our market indicators have gone up 35 points since the election,” says Rollie Vincent, director of JetNet IQ, which tracks business aviation in industry surveys. “There are a lot of signs right now that things aren’t going to slow down, at least not for the short term—barring a black-swan event.”



Business aviation is broken down across different categories, between new and used aircraft sales, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/fractional-ownership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fractional ownership</a> (where a company or individual buys an ownership stake in a jet for three to five years), on-demand charter, and jet cards.



“It’s nuts. We saw our spring being extended beyond its usual season and then summer was really busy,” says Alan Walsh, senior vice president of client management and operations for Sentient, a jet-card maker. He explains that the company expects to sell US$100 million (around HK$778.50 million) worth of flights by the end of the year, and expects a strong year next year, “barring any unforeseen larger issues.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1.-Flexjet-Global-HQ-Exterior-Rampside.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794824" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1.-Flexjet-Global-HQ-Exterior-Rampside.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1.-Flexjet-Global-HQ-Exterior-Rampside.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1.-Flexjet-Global-HQ-Exterior-Rampside.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fractional ownership firms like <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/flexjet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flexjet</a> are seeing growth and making investments in new aircraft and infrastructure. Flexjet’s new US$50 million (around HK$389.25 million) headquarters.  Image courtesy of Flexjet</figcaption></figure>



Sentient’s sister company, Flexjet, has seen its fractional business grow during the Covid years and beyond. The company reported an 11 per cent year-to-date sales growth compared to last year, with a waiting list.



For the entire fractional segment, including fractional’s largest firm, NetJets, Flexjet, and nearly a dozen smaller companies, the number of flights was up 59 per cent in the second quarter of 2024, compared to the same quarter of pre-Covid 2019. A mix of whole aircraft owners, now selling their jets and moving into fractional, charter users, and corporate flight departments are driving the increase.



“Surprisingly, our fractional customer profile has gotten about 10 years younger,” said Kenn Ricci, the principal of Directional Aviation Capital, during the keynote address. “That’s a good thing because they’ll be with us longer. We’re also selling shares in four times as many mid- and super-mid aircraft than we do light jets. So, the jets are getting bigger. The other big change is our international growth.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-582758850.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794825" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-582758850.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-582758850.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-582758850.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-582758850.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bizav’s weak links are shortages of repair facilities, technicians and spare parts. Some aircraft can be grounded for weeks.  Image courtesy of Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



The used-aircraft market, which softened after frenzied sales activity in 2021 and 2022, seems to be stabilising in the second half of this year, according to Vincent. “Values are holding up higher and longer than we expected, and we expect values to increase in the fourth quarter of this year,” he said. Because of US tax, the fourth quarter sees a surge of business jet sales.



New business jet deliveries were valued at about US$700 million (around HK$5.5 billion) this year, said Vincent, noting there is also a backlog of unbuilt, ordered aircraft valued at about $51 billion. “It’s enough for several years of production,” he said. “That leaves the aircraft manufacturers in good shape.”



On-demand charter is the only segment of the market that is softer, according to industry analyst Argus, which reported a 5.2 per cent drop in total hours during the first half of 2024, compared to the first half of 2023. But the 14.7 per cent decline from the 2022 high is even a better indicator in the decline of on-demand charter.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-158315417-1.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794826" style="width:837px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-158315417-1.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-158315417-1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-158315417-1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2.-GettyImages-158315417-1.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An ongoing pilot shortage also continues to dog the industry, with many owners unable to find pilots to fly their jets.  Image courtesy of Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



The shortage of aircraft repair technicians, and not enough Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) centres, along with a continued supply-chain shortage of parts, is keeping many aircraft grounded for days, or even weeks. Ricci says a third of the Flexjet fleet is undergoing repairs at any given point. Most experts expect it to continue for several years.



The conference also had panels focusing on new connectivity technologies for aircraft cabins, the use of AI toward pilot-less aircraft, and the FlyHouse app that promises a seamless, Uber-like experience for people who want to book on-demand charters. Jack Lambert, FlyHouse’s founder, said the app lets potential charterers initiate a “reverse auction” among multiple charter firms and gain the best price. “On the low end, we expect this to be a US$3 (approximately HK$23.36 billion) to US$5 billion (around HK$38.93 billion) market in five years,” he said.

Business jet

corporate jet

private

The Private-Jet World Is Optimistic About 2025, Despite a Post-Covid Slow-Down

bombardier

Bombardier Global 7500

Here’s What It’s Like to Fly on the World’s Largest, Most Luxurious Business Jet

Why settle for a seat when you can have a suite?&nbsp;



<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London</a> Heathrow’s private terminal, the Windsor, once a well-kept secret among royals and celebrities, has undergone a major renovation unveiling eight lavish lounges and a host of exclusive amenities from British brands. The first phase of the terminal’s three-year refurbishment offers up suites by Oliver Burns Studio, in addition to door-to-plane chauffeur service, a special menu by celebrity chef Jason Atherton, and private security screenings. To get in, you’ll need to be departing or arriving either business or first class on any airline. You’ll also have to pay a one-way entry fee of £3,812 (about US$4,795/HK$37,290) for up to three guests or £7,624 (US$9,648/HK$59,290) if you want round-trip access.  



Unlike the typical airline or credit-card-affiliated lounges, Heathrow’s Windsor terminal is directly owned and operated by the airport itself. You’ll be escorted from their front door directly to the plane in an all-electric <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW</a> i7, with pickup available within a 25-mile radius. A personal porter will meet you at the entrance to take your checked luggage. If you’re travelling internationally, a dedicated Border Force will be present to manage private immigration services. Then, just hand over your passports and documents to your host, and the rest is taken care of. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795730" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/the-windsor-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Members of the Windsor get shuttled to and around the airport in a private BMW. Image courtesy of the Windsor by Heathrow</figcaption></figure>



Each suite is named after a prestigious London neighbourhood, such as <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/chelsea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelsea</a> and Kensington, and sport bespoke furnishings, soft-hued Axminster carpets, Commune toiletries, and August&amp;Piers fragrances. The private terminal doesn’t currently offer showers or beds; however, each suite comes with a private bathroom and there are plans to add showers in the future, Burns told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-20/inside-heathrow-s-private-terminal-for-vips-the-windsor?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>. The high-end art on display, which changes every two months, includes pieces from Banksy and Andy Warhol and are available for purchase via a QR code.  



When it comes to the food, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/michelin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michelin</a>-starred chef Jason Atherton has crafted a selection of exclusive dishes for the Windsor, including English butter shortbread with praline cream, Earl Grey tea ice cream, custard sauce, and charred mandarin. There’s also a traditional tea trolley that rolls through carrying everything from Champagne to Victoria sponge cakes.  



“The Windsor by Heathrow is more than just a rebrand, it’s a testament to our heritage in pioneering luxury travel,” Charlotte Burns, VIP lead at Heathrow, said in a press statement. “From our carefully curated interiors to our exceptional service, we provide our guests with an unparalleled experience that reflects the finest of British hospitality.”&nbsp;



Sounds like quite the upgrade.

Heathrow

London

Private Terminal

The Windsor

Inside the Windsor, the Private Terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport

<a href="https://boomsupersonic.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Boom Supersonic</a>&nbsp;hit a milestone yesterday when its XB-1 experimental jet passed Mach 1.0, the speed of sound, on its way to Mach 1.122 or 860.87 mph. The event took place over the Mohave Desert, the same location where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier for the first time in 1947. Yesterday’s flight was number 11 of the XB-1 human-piloted test flights that started last March.



And the test also the culmination of years of work for Boom, which began operations in 2014 and, against much industry skepticism, has become the first US independent company to join the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/supersonic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supersonic</a> club. The last civil supersonic jet was the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/supersonic-jet-concorde-replaced-boom-overture-1235428265/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Concorde</a>, which flew from 1969 through 2003.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795490" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Test pilot Tristan Brandenburg before flying the XB-1. Image courtesy of Boom Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



“XB-1’s supersonic flight demonstrates that the technology for passenger supersonic flight has arrived,” said Boom’s founder Blake Scholl. “A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars.” Boom has not received grants from any US military programmes, which some competitors considered essential to get a supersonic programme off the ground.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/supersonic-jet-test-flight-pilot-1236111411/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg</a>, Boom’s chief test pilot and a former Navy test pilot, made the flight yesterday. It followed a protocol that expanded its flight envelope through subsonic, transonic, and then supersonic speeds. It was shadowed by two former fighter jets that Boom uses to monitor the XB-1 during the test flights.



Scholl said the next step is to scale up the technology used on the XB-1 for Boom’s supersonic airliner called the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-major-steps-towards-flight-1234860127/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overture</a>. “Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795489" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The first supersonic flight of a US-designed civil aircraft attracted a large crowd. Image courtesy of Boom Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



The Overture is a much larger, more complicated commercial aircraft, designed to fly at Mach 1.7 and carry 64 to 80 passengers. Boom anticipates that the first commercial Overtures will take flight in <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-jet-fly-next-months-1234889597/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2029</a>. It has begun construction of a <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-opens-supersonic-factory-north-carolina-1235657781/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production facility</a> in North Carolina and has received 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines.



Boom says, at scale, it should be able to produce 66 Overtures per year. But that is still just a business plan that many aviation experts believe is unrealistic, citing the fact that the company was forced to build its own supersonic engines after major aviation engine manufacturers turned down the project.



Still, the company proved that it has reached the first step through an experimental jet—a step that its better-funded competitor, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/aerion-shuts-down-1234615163/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aerion</a>, never reached aft 20 years of developing its own supersonic business jet concept. It abruptly shut down in May 2021, citing little investor appetite in the supersonic concept.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795488" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The XB-1’s goal is to prove the technologies needed to the larger Overture commercial supersonic airliner. Image courtesy of Boom Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



As a test platform, the XB-1 tries out multiple technologies that will be applied to the much larger and more complicated Overture. They include an augmented-reality vision system, which aids the pilot in seeing the runway on takeoff and landing, and digitally optimised aerodynamics, referring to the shape of the airframe and wings for the greatest stability at supersonic speeds. The aircraft is almost entirely made from carbon-composite materials, which allowed the designers to shape it more precisely.



The company will continue testing the XB-1 going forward.

boom supersonic

Boom’s Supersonic Jet Just Broke the Sound Barrier

Let’s set the scene. The host: Robb Report Hong Kong. Our partner: Edrington. The location: The Garden Suite at The Peninsula Hong Kong. The occasion: The grand unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, a rare and exceptional bottle so precious that only one (of five total in all of Hong Kong) was in the room, guarded by the sharpest of eagle eyes. 



Anyone with HK$363,000&nbsp;to spare for The 51 would join an elite club of just 100 worldwide, and be invited to fly down to Scotland, welcomed at the distillery, and learn about how this liquid gold is created in the finest casks for an unforgettable pour, swivel, sniff, and sip.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797201" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797201" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



It was an exceptional evening as&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;played host to just a handful of VIP guests and distinguished RR1 Hong Kong members as a remarkable whisky, which has been meticulously matured for more than half a century,&nbsp;made&nbsp;its first appearance in Hong Kong, following successful unveilings in San Francisco, New York, and London.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797211" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Upon arrival, attendees were greeted by the breathtaking panorama of Victoria Harbour and the newly launched Best of the Best 2025 annual magazine by&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, setting the tone for a night steeped in sophistication. Our by-invitation-only guests assembled, each eagerly anticipating the celebration of this extraordinary release.



Tak Man, CEO and publisher of&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, began the evening with a warm welcome. “It is an honour to have you all here tonight for a very special occasion: to unveil the&nbsp;Glenrothes&nbsp;51, a whisky that not only boasts an incredible 51 years of maturation but also introduces a world’s-first in whisky packaging design,” he remarked to the gathering. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797203" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797203" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">John Laurie.</figcaption></figure>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797204" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797204" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797212" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797212" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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While the highlight of the evening was, undoubtedly, the unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, the reveal of the highly anticipated whisky was preceded by a spirited (pun intended) talk and engaging fireside chat led by Tak Man, featuring three esteemed whisky connoisseurs: Kam Daswani of Dram Good Stuff, Benjamin Po of Edrington, and John Laurie, head of global partnerships and private client management at The Glenrothes, who had flown in from Scotland specifically for the event. Together, they delved into the nuances of whisky appreciation, sharing insights that resonated with the gathered aficionados.



Guests raised their glasses&nbsp;to toast the occasion, and the selection of welcome drinks curated for the evening featured a range of exquisite Glenrothes, including the 18-, 32-, and 42-year-old variants—each a testament to the artistry and dedication behind every bottle.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797205" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797205" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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In anticipation of the excellent pours, the fine folks at The Peninsula Hong Kong crafted a menu that complemented the notes of the fine whisky. Guests started the meal with appetiser options of either Boston lobster avocado roulade or Hokkaido scallops with cauliflower and seaweed beurre blanc. For the main course, a slow-roasted Wagyu beef striploin was a solid option, and for those preferring lighter fare, there was a crispy&nbsp;amadai&nbsp;fillet with razor clam and young leek ragout. Cooling off the evening with a palate cleanser, dessert naturally had to be a Dulcey whipped ganache with the piquant tastes of mango marmalade and ginger madeleines.



This special gathering&nbsp;was not merely about unveiling a whisky—it was an homage to the shared love of exquisite craftsmanship, heritage, the bonds forged over fine spirits, and the indomitable spirit of fine whisky-making. As guests departed, they carried with them memories of an exceptional evening and the spirit of The Glenrothes and its enduring legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;



All images shot exclusively for Robb Report Hong Kong.

RR1 event

The Glenrothes

Robb Report Hong Kong and RR1 Hong Kong Members Celebrated the Grand Unveiling of The Glenrothes 51 in Hong Kong

By Jen Paolini and P.Ramakrishnan



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Living Well</h3>



Hong Kong continues to hold its position as one of the most prominent wealth hubs in the world, Knight Frank’s 2025 Wealth Report reveals, with one in every 176 individuals in the city estimated to hold a net worth of over US$10 million (HK$77.7 million). Among the affluent, luxury real estate remains a desirable asset; Knight Frank also reported that for Hong Kong real-estate transactions valued at more than US$10 million (HK$77.7 million), 132 luxury housing sales were recorded between Q2 2023 and Q1 2024, while 166 “super-prime” sales were achieved for 2024. Following the removal of property cooling measures, the primary and secondary residential market is set to experience a rebound. “Markets are at a turning point now following the slowdown in 2023,” says Victoria Allan, founder and director of real-estate agency Habitat Property. “People have been waiting to purchase, and now’s the time. Our clients are buying again for self-use; investors will soon follow.” Developers are also doubling down on attractive financing terms and incentive packages to encourage transactions and move stock. “In a year’s time, we’ll likely experience a shortage of supply, but right now, there are still choices available, especially for those looking for properties in Hong Kong with uncommon features that are not usually available on the market, like a home with a pool or a garden. Buyers can be more selective,” Allan shares. As wealth shifts from one generation to another, many still see investing in real estate as a major consideration. Knight Frank’s Next Generation Survey reveals that 29.8 per cent of respondents would choose to spend on property as a luxury asset, topping the list. But living large is no longer enough—homeowners also want to live well. 24 per cent of those surveyed place great significance on wellness and health, and that desire is seeping into their decision-making for choosing properties that reflect their personal values and way of life. “Buyers are really prioritising quality of life, so they want to have homes or developments that reflect that; they want air- and water-purification systems and access to the best fitness facilities,” says Georgina Atkinson, managing partner of real-estate advisory firm Origin Private Office. “Developers are having to respond to this by incorporating wellness-focused amenities into their projects from the outset, and there’s also a strong sense of encouraging community spaces for social interaction and relaxation. We still see [our next-generation clients] invest into traditional wealth-building assets such as stocks, bonds, and real estate, but they are really aligning their purchases with their personal values.” Brand loyalty is also a game-changing factor in the competitive landscape of branded residences. Consider the growing number of Mandarin Oriental Residences around the world, with a new Abu Dhabi development in the works. Four Seasons occupies a prominent place in this market, and a great number of Aman Residences will soon stud the globe. “Our clients from Asia especially gravitate towards brands because they trust a brand, and they know that particularly hospitality brands will deliver to a certain standard,” says Atkinson.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">VICTORIA PEAK </h3>



WHEELOCK PROPERTIES 1 Plantation Road



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Nestled within a stretch of verdant landscape with uninterrupted panoramic views of Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak, 1 Plantation Road stands as one of Wheelock Properties’ premier developments, featuring a bespoke collection of just 20 meticulously crafted residences. Each home is thoughtfully designed to cater to the unique preferences of its owners, boasting expansive gardens and interiors embellished with handpicked materials, thereby achieving a seamless balance between aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. Ricky Wong, managing director of Wheelock Properties, shares that “each home we build has its own identity. At 1 Plantation Road, no two houses are alike, as we recognise that discerning buyers seek unique residences reflecting their values: lifestyle, privacy, and harmony with their surroundings.” He emphasises sustainability as an important factor for the sophisticated clientele of today, citing it as the motivation behind the development’s use of advanced green building techniques, vertical vegetation, filtered water systems, and more. Even the private garages are crafted to evoke a sense of home. “When owners return, they are not welcomed by a cold, utilitarian concrete structure, but rather a warm, inviting space that embodies the essence of ‘home sweet home,’” Wong says. In every detail, 1 Plantation Road epitomises luxury living, intertwining modernity with ecological consciousness.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">QUEZON CITY </h3>



VICTOR CONSUNJI DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION M Residences Capitol Hills



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M Residences offers an exquisite collection of meticulously designed urban retreats, ensuring that every house seamlessly transforms into a cherished family home. Its Capitol Hills project, in Quezon City, perfectly embodies this ethos of fully customisable living. Some of the key elements that make M Residences stand out are the personalised interiors and different home styles offered to residents, alongside invaluable community amenities such as a recreational pool, clubhouse, function rooms, sunbeds, and shared lounge areas. At M Residences, the compact Aerin Corner townhouse provides functional elegance with its expansive open-plan living areas and soaring ceilings, making it the ideal sanctuary for newlyweds, downsizing empty nesters, or small families. Aerin’s flexible floor plan accommodates at least three bedrooms, with beautifully appointed spaces awaiting your personal touch—be it wider kitchen counters, tempered-glass stair railings, or an expanded rooftop room. Meanwhile, the multi-bedroom Elise features intelligently planned open spaces and functional amenities, with an adaptable layout for growing families. From spacious walk-in wardrobes to intimate gardens and sunlit balconies, every inch is maximised for privacy and comfort. Designed for larger families, with as many as seven bedrooms available, the Kiara residence boasts generous spaces ideal for living and entertaining, abundant storage, and striking floor-to-ceiling windows. Its flexible design accommodates evolving family needs, ensuring style and sophistication remain paramount. All townhouses are designed with a tropical touch, emphasising M Residences as a private urban oasis.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">BANGKOK </h3>



ANANDA DEVELOPMENT Porsche Design Tower Bangkok



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Porsche Design has joined forces with Ananda Development to introduce Asia’s first Porsche Design Tower in Bangkok, with an expected 2028 completion date. Following predecessors in Miami and Stuttgart, the project will be the third of its kind globally, with a prestigious address on the illustrious Sukhumvit thoroughfare. With the Porsche name attached to it, this state-of-the-art luxury residence is expected to feature cuttingedge design that answers the needs of its ultra-high-net-worth clients. 22 exclusive duplex and quadplex “sky villas,” priced between US$15 million and US$40 million (approximately HK$116.5 million and HK$310.9 million), are planned, and range in size from 525 to 1,135 square metres. It’s not just the space that will be impressive to investors looking for a Bangkok home—the facilities and technology imbued into the structure are remarkable as well. “Our vision is to create a living space where one’s passion thrives,” Stefan Büscher, chairman of the executive board of Porsche Lifestyle Group, shared in an official announcement, expressing his vision for the project. Merging exquisite aesthetics with optimal, modern functionality, the Porsche Design Tower Bangkok will feature integrated “Passion Spaces”—customisable luxury garages for residents to showcase their curated collection of wheels. Central to the architecture is the spiral “Loop” car ramp leading into the building, the exposed “X-Frame” pedestal structure serving as the entry experience, the “Crown” light signature at the top of the high-rise, as well as automated terrace systems blending indoor and outdoor living. Residents will also enjoy a plethora of luxurious shared spaces, including a 25-metre swimming pool, a spa, a business lounge, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Inside their own homes, tasteful furniture and materials enhance the opulent living experience.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NISEKO</h3>



ODIN PROPERTIES Odin Hills



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Located in the spectacular mountains of Niseko, Odin Hills epitomises the pinnacle of alpine luxury. It has achieved a remarkable degree of sales and success as a significant number of its residential plots have already been spoken for as we head to print—a testament to the strong market interest and the inherent appeal of this exceptional community. Aside from a collection of Japanese-European-inflected mountain-village developments—which owners can customise through their own appointed team, or construct following a set of design guidelines Odin Hills developed with award-winning architects such as Shigeru Ban—the community is further enhanced by a soon-to-come Clubhouse, serving as the heart of this prestigious enclave. Keiji Ashizawa’s “honest design” philosophy champions natural aesthetics for a seamless blend of functionality and beauty, offering residents a sanctuary of wellness and social amenities, including a spa, gym, pool, natural onsen, and thermal baths. Designs for the homes can feature multiple bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, open-plan living spaces, an entertainment room, as well as a private outdoor deck. Odin Properties, a design-driven property brand, champions “intelligent luxury,” prioritising experiential quality over mere prestige. Founded in 2007 by Bjorn Fjelddahl, Chris Fjelddahl, and Nicolas Gontard, Odin has revolutionised the luxury real-estate market in Niseko.

Bangkok

Japan property

Niseko

Robb Report Hong Kong

Thailand property

The Best in Property 2025, From Victoria Peak and Bangkok to Niseko and Quezon City

<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-daytona-history-1234730684/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Daytonas</a> are famous for fetching top dollar at auction, but they do pop up season after season on the auction block and other secondary markets. What does not show up very often are unique custom-order Daytonas. On 11 May in Geneva, Sotheby’s will auction a singular platinum version of the coveted model with a light pink mother-of-pearl dial and diamond hour markers during its live <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/important-watches-part-i-ge2501?locale=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Important Watches sale</a>. Made as a special piece for one VIP collector, the watch is fresh to the market.



Unlike many other luxury watch companies, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex</a> isn’t known for producing custom orders. In fact, the Crown isn’t known for doing favours of any kind, so this particular piece is exceedingly rare. In a press statement, Sotheby’s head of watches, Benoît Colson, claims it is one of the most important Daytona examples to ever be offered at auction. “It is also an exceptional book ending to the sale of this extraordinary commission of four masterpieces, three of which have already found new homes through previous Sotheby’s sales,” he says. The watch is part of a single order of four custom Rolex watches created between 1998 and 1999 for the important collector. All four have the same reference number 16516, with the ending “6” referring to the platinum cases—made 15 years before Rolex ever made a platinum Daytona commercially available.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797356" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolex-daytona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Daytona</a> <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ref-16516/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ref. 16516</a>. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s</figcaption></figure>



The three pieces that sold at Sotheby’s before this current offering were as equally eye-catching as this mother-of-pearl version. The <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/important-watches-hk0816/lot.2265.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first Ref. 16516 </a>to appear on the block also had a mother-of-pearl dial, but in a rainbow hue with Arabic numerals and small white indices replacing the 3, 6, and 9 hour markers; that iteration sold for US$872,100 (approximately HK$6.76 million) at Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Hong Kong. A Ref. 16516 with a <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/important-watches/rolex-cosmograph-daytona-reference-16516-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lapis lazuli dial </a>and a turquoise strap from the collector popped up at the same sale two years later in 2020 and fetched HK$25,375,000 (approximately $3,270,287, according to exchange rates at the time). It was followed a year later at the same sale by a <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/important-watches/rolex-cosmograph-daytona-reference-16516-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lacquered turquoise Stella dial model </a>with Arabic numerals and a brown leather strap, which sold in 2021 for HK$24,375,000 (approximately $3,138,562 according to exchange rates at the time).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797357" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rolex Ref. 16516 models that previously sold at Sotheby’s. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s</figcaption></figure>



The identity of the collector remains a secret, but some have speculated that Patrick Heiniger,&nbsp;the CEO of Rolex from 1992 to 2008, commissioned the four unique Daytonas. If anyone were to have the power to order four singular versions of the model, it would certainly make sense that it was the former head honcho of the company. Heiniger passed away in Monaco in 2013 but was reportedly seen wearing a platinum Daytona during his lifetime.



Regardless, this is singular opportunity to own a unique Daytona. It is the last of the four to come up for sale and is the only version with diamond hour markers. It has an estimate of CHF 700,000 to CHF 1,400,000 (approximately US$858,830 to US$1,717,660/HK$6.66 million to HK$13.32 million). Based on its predecessors’ hammer prices, you can expect this timepiece to rake in well above its top estimate.

Auction

Rolex

rolex daytona

Sotheby's

A One-of-a-Kind Custom Rolex Daytona Could Fetch More Than HK$12.41 Million at Auction

For those in search of an idyllic escape at the bottom of the world,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/new-zealand/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Zealand</a> is offering a rare opportunity. After years of tight restrictions on foreign property ownership, a recent court ruling has opened the door for international buyers to purchase land in one of the country’s most breathtaking locations. And thanks to the foresight of entrepreneur Craig Heatley, a few select parcels of prime waterfront in the stunning Bay of Islands are now available.



<a href="https://omarino.co.nz/explore-omarino/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ōmarino</a> is the brainchild of Heatley, one of New Zealand’s most respected entrepreneurs. He and his family have owned the pristine, hilly land for nearly 24 years, and in that time, they’ve transformed what was once cattle-grazing land into a thriving, eco-friendly oasis. The over 350-acre property now comprises four fully completed homes, with five exclusive parcels still up for grabs, starting at US$8 million (approximately HK$62.15 million) per lot. Each lot spans 15 to 20 acres, ensuring owners enjoy both space and privacy. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="767" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/11.jpg-1024x767.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796686" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/11.jpg-1024x767.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/11.jpg-300x225.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/11.jpg-768x575.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/11.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The 350-acre Ōmarino community is set within New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. Image courtesy of Ōmarino</figcaption></figure>



New Zealand is known for its commitment to protecting its remarkable landscapes, and for good reason. In fact, the nation has strict laws surrounding foreign ownership, especially when it comes to its coastal regions.



“Ōmarino stands out as the premier development of its kind in New Zealand. As the only <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/real-estate-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">real estate</a> available to foreign buyers, it holds a unique distinction—only further enhanced by its breathtaking beauty,” Heatley tells Robb Report. “Ōmarino represents the pinnacle of luxury living defined by its unparalleled privacy, serenity, and exquisite Bay of Islands location.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="767" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21.jpg-1024x767.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796687" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21.jpg-1024x767.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21.jpg-300x225.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21.jpg-768x575.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/21.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">There are four already built homes in the development, with another five homesites now available. Image courtesy of Ōmarino</figcaption></figure>



The Overseas Investment Act (OIA) regulates who can buy land, making it incredibly challenging for outsiders to purchase property here. The OIA requires foreign buyers to get approval for sensitive properties in New Zealand. However, Ōmarino’s special OIA waiver allows international investors to purchase land in this exclusive community while bypassing typical restrictions.&nbsp;



The development offers more than just breathtaking views and epic homesites. Residents enjoy private beach access,&nbsp;a dedicated jetty for yachts up to 75 feet, world-class fishing, diving, golfing, and a private helipad for quick trips to Auckland. Plus, a full-time maintenance team ensures everything is kept pristine. In addition, the subdivision is also a model of sustainability. Over a million trees have been planted to restore soil stability and biodiversity.&nbsp;



But with only five parcels available, there’s bound to be some stiff competition from those looking for a remote and uncommonly beautiful escape from it all.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/new-construction/gallery/omarino-new-zealand-photos-1236362717" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to see more photos of the New Zealand development.

Investment

New Zealand

New Zealand property

property

Real Estate

Inside Ōmarino, the Only Properties Open to Foreign Buyers in New Zealand

Scotch whisky distillery The Glenrothes has unveiled its latest creation, the remarkable 51, and among aficionados and connoisseurs, this refined and highly anticipated edition is the talk of the town. Aged for an impressive 51 years, this release represents the distillery’s oldest and most ambitious offering to date. Founded in 1879 with a goal of crafting the most elegant whisky in the world, The Glenrothes has long been synonymous with quality and sophistication, and The 51 embodies this vision in its most rarified form.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2022_RS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797024" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2022_RS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2022_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2022_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2022_RS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2022_RS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It all starts with the water: the distillery sources exceptionally pure water from its own private spring which contributes to a delicate character that evolves beautifully over time. The 51 serves as a celebration of this natural phenomenon, epitomising a “strength in fragility” akin to the wild orchids that flourish discreetly on the Speyside estate. Such flowers inspired the crafting of this exceptional single malt, which is drawn from only two casks, resulting in a whisky that boasts a complexity and vibrancy seldom encountered in such aged spirits. Moreover, the unique composition of The 51 includes one cask that imparts floral notes reminiscent of the orchids’ fragrance, while the other delivers a luxurious richness.



With only 100 bottles available worldwide, this limited whisky release is as rare as it is fragrant, positioning The 51 as the crown jewel of The Glenrothes collection. Each sip reveals new layers of flavour, from soft floral notes to profound complexity, mirroring the cyclical beauty of the orchids that bloom annually on the estate.



“The 51 is a testament to those rare moments in whisky-making when patience, nature, and craft align perfectly,” says&nbsp;master whisky maker Laura Rampling of the special Glenrothes edition. She explains that “this whisky defies expectations—elegant yet powerful, it offers a singular experience for those who truly understand and appreciate rarity.”&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" data-id="1234797026" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CLEAN_WHITE_PORTRAIT-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797026" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CLEAN_WHITE_PORTRAIT-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CLEAN_WHITE_PORTRAIT-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CLEAN_WHITE_PORTRAIT-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CLEAN_WHITE_PORTRAIT-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CLEAN_WHITE_PORTRAIT.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" data-id="1234797025" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CRACKED_WHITE_PORTRAIT-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797025" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CRACKED_WHITE_PORTRAIT-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CRACKED_WHITE_PORTRAIT-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CRACKED_WHITE_PORTRAIT-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CRACKED_WHITE_PORTRAIT-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR_THE_51_COLUMN_CRACKED_WHITE_PORTRAIT.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="682" height="1024" data-id="1234797027" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2023-SOURSOP_ElenaHeatherwick-3583-FINAL-sRGB-682x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797027" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2023-SOURSOP_ElenaHeatherwick-3583-FINAL-sRGB-682x1024.jpeg 682w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2023-SOURSOP_ElenaHeatherwick-3583-FINAL-sRGB-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2023-SOURSOP_ElenaHeatherwick-3583-FINAL-sRGB-768x1153.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2023-SOURSOP_ElenaHeatherwick-3583-FINAL-sRGB-1023x1536.jpeg 1023w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TGR-2023-SOURSOP_ElenaHeatherwick-3583-FINAL-sRGB.jpeg 1066w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure>
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In a bold departure from traditional whisky packaging design, The 51 is encased in a solid, sustainably sourced jesmonite column—this innovative and interactive presentation necessitates the destruction of the receptacle to access the whisky, with each column breaking in a unique manner. Inside, a hidden “orchid” rewards those brave enough to unveil it. Once retrieved, owners are invited to return the remnants of the column to The Glenrothes, where a&nbsp;kintsugi&nbsp;artist will restore the pieces with precious metal, creating a bespoke vase that can nurture a real orchid, thus turning the remnants into a lasting work of art.



Jonny Fowle, global head of whisky at Sotheby’s, highlights the bottle’s appeal “for true lovers of whisky; those who interact, drink, and enjoy Scotch.” He commended The 51 for its bright tropical fruit characteristics and rare vitality, which reflect the distillery’s exceptional ability to age whisky, with each layer of flavour harmoniously integrated.



The launch of The 51 marks a pivotal moment for The Glenrothes, a bold reimagining that pays homage to the distillery’s founding story. Priced at £37,000 (approximately HK$370,655), this extraordinarily limited release offers connoisseurs a rare opportunity to experience a transformative moment in an industry poised for innovation.



Available through select whisky specialists, including Sotheby’s.



All images courtesy of The Glenrothes.

The 51

Whisky

The Glenrothes Unveils Its Oldest and Most Ambitious Scotch Whisky to Date

Let’s set the scene. The host: Robb Report Hong Kong. Our partner: Edrington. The location: The Garden Suite at The Peninsula Hong Kong. The occasion: The grand unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, a rare and exceptional bottle so precious that only one (of five total in all of Hong Kong) was in the room, guarded by the sharpest of eagle eyes. 



Anyone with HK$363,000&nbsp;to spare for The 51 would join an elite club of just 100 worldwide, and be invited to fly down to Scotland, welcomed at the distillery, and learn about how this liquid gold is created in the finest casks for an unforgettable pour, swivel, sniff, and sip.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797201" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797201" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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It was an exceptional evening as&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;played host to just a handful of VIP guests and distinguished RR1 Hong Kong members as a remarkable whisky, which has been meticulously matured for more than half a century,&nbsp;made&nbsp;its first appearance in Hong Kong, following successful unveilings in San Francisco, New York, and London.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797211" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Upon arrival, attendees were greeted by the breathtaking panorama of Victoria Harbour and the newly launched Best of the Best 2025 annual magazine by&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, setting the tone for a night steeped in sophistication. Our by-invitation-only guests assembled, each eagerly anticipating the celebration of this extraordinary release.



Tak Man, CEO and publisher of&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, began the evening with a warm welcome. “It is an honour to have you all here tonight for a very special occasion: to unveil the&nbsp;Glenrothes&nbsp;51, a whisky that not only boasts an incredible 51 years of maturation but also introduces a world’s-first in whisky packaging design,” he remarked to the gathering. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797203" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797203" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">John Laurie.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" data-id="1234797431" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797431" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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While the highlight of the evening was, undoubtedly, the unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, the reveal of the highly anticipated whisky was preceded by a spirited (pun intended) talk and engaging fireside chat led by Tak Man, featuring three esteemed whisky connoisseurs: Kam Daswani of Dram Good Stuff, Benjamin Po of Edrington, and John Laurie, head of global partnerships and private client management at The Glenrothes, who had flown in from Scotland specifically for the event. Together, they delved into the nuances of whisky appreciation, sharing insights that resonated with the gathered aficionados.



Guests raised their glasses&nbsp;to toast the occasion, and the selection of welcome drinks curated for the evening featured a range of exquisite Glenrothes, including the 18-, 32-, and 42-year-old variants—each a testament to the artistry and dedication behind every bottle.&nbsp;



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In anticipation of the excellent pours, the fine folks at The Peninsula Hong Kong crafted a menu that complemented the notes of the fine whisky. Guests started the meal with appetiser options of either Boston lobster avocado roulade or Hokkaido scallops with cauliflower and seaweed beurre blanc. For the main course, a slow-roasted Wagyu beef striploin was a solid option, and for those preferring lighter fare, there was a crispy&nbsp;amadai&nbsp;fillet with razor clam and young leek ragout. Cooling off the evening with a palate cleanser, dessert naturally had to be a Dulcey whipped ganache with the piquant tastes of mango marmalade and ginger madeleines.



This special gathering&nbsp;was not merely about unveiling a whisky—it was an homage to the shared love of exquisite craftsmanship, heritage, the bonds forged over fine spirits, and the indomitable spirit of fine whisky-making. As guests departed, they carried with them memories of an exceptional evening and the spirit of The Glenrothes and its enduring legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;



All images shot exclusively for Robb Report Hong Kong.

It might surprise you to know that one of the most in-demand Burgundy domaines (as wine estates are known in that region) is owned and run by a champion rock climber: Pierre Duroché of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.domaine-duroche.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Domaine Duroché</a>&nbsp;from the village of Gevrey-Chambertin in the Côte de Nuits. Burgundy is full of eccentric vignerons (winemakers), as well as people who have enjoyed successful previous careers (such as, Jean-Marc Roulot, the actor and owner of famed white wine domaine, Domaine Jean-Marc Roulot). So perhaps we should not be surprised to see a champion rock climber running up and down the vines either.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hot Property</h2>



As a passionate wine collector of Burgundy wines, Domaine Duroché came onto my radar around 2015. I had heard some gossip that there was a new guy making top quality wine in the small village of Gevrey-Chambertin. Eventually, thanks to my persistence, I managed to gain an audience at the estate with Pierre and his charming wife, Marianne. Having tasted the wines—stylistically focused on elegance and purity—I realised that I had to own them. Ever since, I have come back to the Domaine at every opportunity, and have seen a continual improvement in wine quality as the youthful, Pierre, learns his trade.



Born in 1982, Pierre and his wife, Marianne, make no less than 18 wines (or cuvées, as they are called) from an estate covering a mere 8.6 hectares, recently adding a new grand cru (a tiny 0.099 hectare plot) to their repertoire, Charmes-Chambertin. (They also make a few wines from buying grapes, known as négociant wines.) Indeed, to add to the workload, for the 2020 vintage, Pierre makes eight cuvées of one barrel or less (i.e. less than 300 bottles). Included is his tiny production of Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, where he makes 85 litres (less than 115 bottles) in a mini-barrel specially made by Burgundy’s 30-year-old wizkid cooper, Pierre Cavin at Tonnellerie Cavin. Indeed, the Griotte is the smallest declared single cuvée in the whole Burgundy region, in part because very few vignerons would even attempt to make a wine from such little juice. 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Aiming High</h2>



Rock climbing has been in Pierre’s blood from a very young age. His parents noticed his fascination with climbing when they took him on family holidays to Zermatt, Switzerland and found him continually wandering off to climb things, causing his parents no end of stress! At age 12, his best friend, Bertrand Dugat of Domaine Claude Dugat, introduced him to the sport. Bertrand was one of the best climbers in the Burgundy region, and Pierre naturally wanted to be better. Honing his skills, he rose through the ranks, and was then called up to the French national team to compete in the World Cup of Rock Climbing in 2004. Of the five members of the French squad, due to his inability to escape the family vineyards, he was the only amateur to compete—all of the rest were professionals. Competing at World Cups in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008, he usually ranked in the top 10 to 25 competitors individually, at a time when the French were the team to beat. Unfortunately, due to the pressures of work, he gave up competing at this level in 2013, although he still dabbles, especially on holidays; this summer, he was rock climbing with the family in Squamish, Canada.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conquering the Peaks</h2>



One claim to fame is how he conquered a particularly impassable route in the Cormot, a famed climbing area in the Burgundy region. One of the routes, graded 9A in difficulty, had never been traversed. (Difficulty levels are graded from 3A all the way up to 9B, which is the maximum.) In 2007, Pierre achieved what nobody else had previously done and nobody else has done since despite the attempts of hundreds of climbers. Chapeau, Monsieur Duroché!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Partner in Life and Wine</h2>



He has a lot to be thankful for when it comes to rock climbing: he met his wife, Marianne, at a rock climbing gym in 2007, as she had come along with her brother, another passionate rock climber, who now runs Domaine Jacques Cacheux down the road in Vosne-Romanée. (Whoever knew there were so many rock climbers in the Côte de Nuits?!) After they married in 2014, Marianne and Pierre became partners in life and at work. They run the estate together, and Marianne is involved in all aspects of the work, whether in the vineyards, cellar or office. They have even managed to build a small négociant business by buying grapes from her brother in Vosne, to make a Vosne-Romanée village and an Echezeaux Grand Cru wine. According to Pierre, Marianne is generally always right when it comes to difficult decisions—something a lot of us married men have come to appreciate about our wives!  The couple have two children: Albane, a daughter, who is six, and Edgar, a son, who is four; keeping them out of playing in the vats or on the tractor is a perennial problem. 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It’s in the Blood</h2>



Pierre’s journey in the wine world started from youth, growing up on the estate run by his father and mother (who passed away from cancer in May 2022). The estate has been in the family for five generations, since 1906. His father tended to sell the grapes to négociants rather than bottle the wines under his own label. Having grown up around the vines, it was natural for Pierre to study viticulture. His course consisted of one-third class study and two-thirds apprenticeship. A career away from rock climbing was a necessity in order to continue with the family business. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Taking Control</h2>



In 2003, his father asked him to come in as a partner. Pierre promptly arranged a bank loan and bought 50 per cent of the estate. From the start, his father was more interested in the administration side of the business, leaving the vineyard and cellar work to his young passionate son. Pierre’s influence led to them bottling more and more wine under their own Domaine Duroché label, until 2013, when they stopped selling grapes to négociants entirely. In 2015, Pierre bought out the remaining 50 per cent of the estate from his father, who is now retired. 



Principally self-taught, Pierre’s moment of enlightenment came in 2005, when he and his best friend, Bertrand Dugat, opened two incredible bottles together: Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru 1995 from Bertrand’s family estate and a Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Denis Mortet. It was at that moment, Pierre realised how good wine could be, and he made it his mission to try to make wines of this level from his family estate. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quality-Driven</h2>



To reach these heights, he made the decision early on to cut the amount of new oak barrels for ageing—which he felt negatively affected the elegance of the wines—as well to avoid fining and filtration entirely. In the vineyard, starting with the Cazetiers vineyard in 2014, he began to increase the size of the canopy, focusing on reducing the crop yield and increasing homogeneity through more precise pruning and de-buding work; as a result, even in the difficult 2021 vintage, there was no need for Pierre to sort the grapes. Depending on the vineyard, he has experimented with vine training techniques, such as the time-consuming Echalas system, used by Charles Lachaux at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux and Jean-Yves Bizot at Domaine Bizot, two of Burgundy’s greatest winemakers. In his very old vineyards, where there are already a lot of smaller grapes that ripen well, there is less need to experiment with such techniques, as they would take too much energy from the old vines. Pierre’s philosophy is to be flexible and adopt the best techniques for each vineyard, rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach. 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pleasure Seeker</h2>



Elegance, purity, precision, and pleasure are what Pierre is aiming for in his wines. Indeed, on a recent trip together with our wives, Pierre told me about how his friend, Klaus-Peter Keller (the famed German winemaker), who had come to the Domaine to taste, commented that “when you have a sip, you always want to have another one”—proof that Pierre is achieving his goals. To confirm the theory, when arranging a trip to Château Latour for Pierre and I, Jean Garandeau, the sales and marketing director at Latour, expressed his excitement to see Pierre; I asked him if he liked Pierre’s wines, to which he responded: “What’s not to like about the Duroché wines?” (Of course, no homegrown Bordelais would have ever made that comment, but Garandeau is originally from Burgundy.)



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Great Terroir</h2>



Pierre’s job is helped considerably by the vineyards he owns, which include four Grand Crus: Griotte-Chambertin, Latricières-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, and the famed Chambertin Clos de Bèze. The vine age across the estate is 70 years, but in Chambertin Clos de Bèze, it is over a hundred years old, which explains why he made a 100-year anniversary wine in 2020 in memory of his grandfather: the Hommage à Philippe. Old vines, although less productive, make very concentrated berries, which help create depth and complexity in the wines. Pierre thinks he has more millerandage in his vineyards than most estates due to the age of his vines—these are the small, shot berries that produce potently concentrated juice. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arsenal Above All</h2>



What I like most about Pierre is that he’s an Arsenal fan. At my suggestion, he completely renovated a new cellar with an Arsenal crest logo embedded into the marble. It has become known as the “Arsenal Cellar,” perhaps the only example of its type in the world of wine!



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As a mad, passionate Gooner (as us Arsenal fans are known), there’s an instant connection with anyone who “bleeds red and white.” Pierre’s love of the world’s greatest football team came from watching Frenchman and legendary Arsenal player, Thierry Henry, play some of the most breathtaking football ever seen in the English Premiership. Our joint love of Arsenal, therefore, created an instant brotherly bond between us, despite the fact that Pierre—as he himself admits—is shy and reserved, and takes a little time to open up. Marianne, on the other hand, is naturally friendly, and her smile can disarm even the sternest of customers. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Not Enough Wine</h2>



Although he only made 20,000 bottles across the estate in 2020, he sells to 40 countries. As one of the superstars of Burgundy, Pierre isn’t short of buyers for his wines. The issue is having enough wine to sell—a familiar retort from all the top winemakers in the region. Nonetheless, despite having precious little wine, I asked Pierre to open the best three wines he has ever made so we could taste them together.  



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pierre’s Top 3 Wines</h2>



We started with the 2019 Chambertin Clos de Bèze. (He would have opened the 2020, which he thinks is better, but it’s still too young.) Despite being one of the top Grand Cru in the Côte de Nuits, he used no new oak on this wine. The tannins were super silky, the red fruit character fresh and juicy, filling the mouth and ending with a long sweet finish. The wine had all the characteristics I recognise when tasting Pierre’s Chambertin Clos de Bèze: elegance, concentration without being heavy, and a touch of sweet spice. At 13 per cent ABV, the wine has wonderful balance without the power being muted. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_4901.jpg-768x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796979" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_4901.jpg-768x1024.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_4901.jpg-225x300.webp 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_4901.jpg-1152x1536.webp 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_4901.jpg.webp 1417w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



The 2016 Chambertin Clos de Bèze is from a vintage which suits Pierre’s winemaking style. Even purer than the 2019, with a little bit more sweet spice, the crushed raspberry nose is very complex and the sweet long finish is typical of all Pierre’s wines. A class act.



Finally, the pièce de résistance, the 2016 Griotte-Chambertin from the tiny 85 litre Cavin barrel. Simply a wow wine: darker, denser, and more mature than the Chambertin Clos de Bèze, the wine has a lot more power and concentration while maintaining an elegance and purity that defies explanation. Made from vines planted in 1923, using the whole bunch method (i.e. the grapes have not been de-stemmed), vinifying such a small quantity of grapes is an art form in itself. I have to admit that I couldn’t stop tasting the wine until I had finished the bottle, such was the pleasure I derived from it. Shame, he didn’t have another bottle with him!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best 3 Red Wines Pierre has tasted – but not made</h2>



1953 Château Cos d’Estournel



1952 Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Richebourg Grand Cru



1976 Domaine Dujac, Bonnes Mares Grand Cru



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best White Wine Pierre has tasted</h2>



1962 Joseph Drouhin Marquis de Laguiche, Montrachet Grand Cru&nbsp;



Pierre’s Death-Row Last Request:



1982 Château Lafleur in Magnum



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pierre’s Desert Island Choices</h2>



Book: L’Axe du Loup by Sylvain Tesson



Film: Les Tontons flingueurs



Music: Alain Souchon &amp; The Doors



Luxuries: Swiss Army Knife&nbsp;



Past-time: Rock climbing &amp; gardening



The 2025 edition of the Golden Vines awards will take place in Miami between 7–9 November. <a href="https://liquidicons.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liquidicons.com</a>



Lewis Chester DipWSET is a London-based wine collector, member of the Académie du Champagne and Chevaliers du Tastevin, co-founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://liquidicons.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liquid Icons</a>&nbsp;and, along with Sasha Lushnikov, co-founder of the Golden Vines® Awards.&nbsp;He is also the honorary president and head of fundraising at the&nbsp;<a href="https://gerardbassetfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gérard Basset Foundation</a>, which funds diversity and inclusivity education programmes globally in the wine, spirits, and hospitality sectors.

burgundy

Wine

Wine Column

Winemaker

Meet Burgundy’s Champion Rock Climber Turned Winemaker

The concept of longevity—extending both lifespan and quality of life through lifestyle practices—has never been more prevalent. According to health assessment specialist Dr. Sabine Donnai, the term gained significant traction during the Covid-19 pandemic.



“I think it made a lot of people much more aware that they can take charge of their health,” she told&nbsp;Robb Report.&nbsp;Donnai is the founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://viavi.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Viavi,</a>&nbsp;a health management company that evaluates clients based on personal data ranging from DNA to lifestyle habits.



While Covid helped mainstream the idea, longevity’s roots stretch further back. Even before the pandemic, the concept had moved beyond sterile doctors’ offices into luxurious spaces that feel more like five-star resorts (and some are). Around the world, medical spas staffed with certified doctors and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities offer personalized health programs designed to optimize your physiology. These centers go far beyond massages and facials; they conduct medical-grade testing—including blood work—to build tailored regimens aimed at extending lifespan, detoxifying body and mind, and regenerating overall health.



In Switzerland, the Kusnacht Practice’s BIO-R approach evaluates clients on a biomolecular level to address chronic diseases, aging, and psychiatric conditions. Also in Switzerland, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce inflammation and boost energy production. Meanwhile, Chenot Palace Weggis, alongside its sister locations across the world, applies its renowned 50-year-old Chenot Method—a detox regimen that combines specialized treatments and diet plans—to eliminate toxins and promote overall wellness.



As Donnai points out, true success comes from individualized care, not a one-size-fits-all solution.”That’s why I set up Viavi: How can I actually really help an individual identify their risks? What do they need to change to really optimize their health and their well-being for as long as possible? . . . How can I give an individual a strategy for their health?



The world’s leading medical spas are answering those questions. Ahead, discover 13 spas and centers delivering premium, personalized health assessments, and strategies designed to help you live longer—and better.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/buchinger-wilhelmi-clinic-02.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797630" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/buchinger-wilhelmi-clinic-02.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/buchinger-wilhelmi-clinic-02.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/buchinger-wilhelmi-clinic-02.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Winfried Heinze</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Buchinger Wilhelmi | Überlingen, Germany</h2>



Therapeutic fasting is <a href="https://www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buchinger Wilhelmi</a>’s claim to fame, and the German clinic doesn’t disappoint. The process calls for you to eat about 200 to 300 calories a day throughout your stay (the recommended residency is at least 10 days for the effects to take hold properly), allowing your body to live off its fat reserves and leading to a massive regeneration—a.k.a., a giant reboot—of your cells and tissues. And this isn’t just a method to shrink your waistline: The pros at Buchinger say that fasting is able to improve your quality of life both now and in the future, acting as a safeguard against aging. In fact, one of our <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/fasting-process-at-buchinger-wilhelmi-clinic-2936775/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">editors</a> considers himself a convert to the process. Soon enough, you may be a believer, too.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>From about US$1,500 (around HK#11,635) for three nights in a Standard room



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kusnacht-Practice.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797631" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kusnacht-Practice.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kusnacht-Practice.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kusnacht-Practice.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kusnacht-Practice.png.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Kusnacht Practice</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kusnacht Practice | Zollikon, Switzerland</h2>



No medical-spa list would be complete without mentioning the Kusnacht Practice. In one of its offerings, the world-renowned Swiss center is all about BIO-R (aka Bimolecular Restoration), a medical approach that combines the powers of advanced diagnostics, biotechnology, and extreme personalised health care to give you, among other things, the gift of longevity. That means doing a deep dive into your physical and mental health to find out what will work best for the changes you need most. You could also embark on treatments for addiction, mental illnesses, and many others. 



From about US$143,000 (around HK$1,109,172)per week 



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/PalaceMerano.png?w=800" alt="Palace Merano"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Palace Merano</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Palace Merano | Merano, Italy</h2>



An Italian hub for all things longevity, <a href="https://www.palace.it/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palace Merano </a>blends all the five-star excellence you expect with the care and treatments you deserve. The most important thing at this locale, as with many others, is your well-being, both mental and physical. Its Revital Center blends Traditional Chinese Medicine, using the discipline’s five forms of energy to identify the most prevalent within your body, and Western Medicine, helping to revitalize your body against any persnickety problems. That means embarking on a deep cleanse and an overall reset, aided by top tech.



From about US$3,700 (around HK$28,699) for a five-night Detox and Longevity Program



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SHA.png?w=800" alt="SHA"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : SHA Wellness Clinic</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHA | Altea Bay, Spain</h2>



At <a href="https://shawellness.com/en/locations/sha-spain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SHA, </a>you’ll be living by the SHA Method. And it’s a process worth your devotion, as the practice is proven to show effective results in the shortest amount of time across all categories, including regenerative medicine, cognitive health and well-being, functional and longevity medicine, and more. The 360-degree approach, as the brand calls it, aims to extend your life expectancy—and help you live all those years in the best quality possible. And you can pick which program is best for you under the practice (all personalized just for you, of course): The Recover and Energize, for example, helps you achieve peak vitality, return to homeostasis, and reduce stress.



From about US$6,800 (around HK$52,744) for the four-day Recovery and Energise Program, with a Deluxe Mountain View room inclusive of the SHA nutrition plan



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/HiltonHead.png?w=800" alt="Hilton Head"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Hilton Head Health Wellness Resort &amp; Spa</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hilton Head Health | Hilton Head, South Carolina</h2>



Not all the best medical spas are in Europe. <a href="https://www.hhhealth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hilton Head Health</a> is nestled in—you guessed it—the tony Hilton Head, South Carolina. Lauded for its weight-loss programs, the property also wants to imbue you in lasting wellness, practices you can take home and use far beyond your stay within its walls. Check out its JumpStart Retreat to help meet those goals; the longer you stay, the more tailored your experience will become. Even better, the folks at HHH gave its wellness program an overhaul at the top of this year for the first time since its inception, creating a more personalised opportunity to better yourself inside and out.



From US$2,250 (around HK$17,452) for a three-day stay



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SenseiLanai.png?w=800" alt="Sensei Lana’i"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort/Austin John</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sensei Lanai | Lanai City, Hawaii</h2>



Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison’s expansion into hospitality includes the tropical <a href="https://www.fourseasons.com/sensei/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sensei Lanai</a>. Under the Four Seasons umbrella, the secluded Hawaiian locale’s excellent service is a given, but it’s the wellness formula here that stands out. Before you even step on the property, you’ll be sent a WHOOP wearable strap (a health tracker) to gather intel on your sleep, fitness, and recovery abilities. Upon your arrival, you’ll meet with a member of staff for an overall health examination. From there, your personalized experience is born, dedicated to striking a balance between Move, Nourish, and Rest—a trio called the Sensei Way. A cherry on top: A round-trip, semi-private flight from the larger Honolulu is included, making it that much easier to plan your stay.



From US$1,355 (around HK$10,510) per night for single occupancy and US$1,950 (around HK$15,125) for double occupancy under the Optimal Wellbeing Program. Five-night minimum.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GreatResortBadRagaz.png?w=800" alt="Grand Resort Bad Ragaz"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Grand Resort Bad Ragaz Helenabad</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Resort Bad Ragaz | Bad Ragaz, Switzerland</h2>



<a href="https://www.resortragaz.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grand Resort Bad Ragaz</a> was destined to be a health-centric retreat: Huntsmen discovered the historic spring that lets guest enjoy the property’s thermal waters all the way back in 1242. Over time, the Swiss location developed into the health hub (and five-star accommodations) we see today, cementing itself in the medical-spa sphere. If you can tear yourself away from those scrumptious springs, try its Smart Aging program—with ozone therapy sessions and skin analyses—or its Detox and &amp; Health Cleansing plan—with lymphatic drainage on the menu. New on the menu? Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, meant to boost your body’s immune system and offer up shorter regeneration phases.



From about US$600 (around HK$4,654) per night, single occupancy



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ChenotPalaceWeggis.png?w=800" alt="Chenot Palace Weggis"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Chenot Palace Weggis</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chenot Palace Weggis | Weggis, Switzerland</h2>



The aging process can be slowed down—if you have the right help, of course. Look no further than the Chenot Method, a 50-year-old practice that has made <a href="https://www.chenot.com/chenot-palace/weggis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chenot Palace Weggis </a>a name known not just in the Swiss medical spa community, but around the world. The method takes your body’s natural functions and framework and gives them some support with its various treatments, allowing you to heal right from within. The program also uses biomarkers, its advanced diagnostics, to see just how much your lifestyle affects your body—the way you live influences your health by 80 percent, according to Chenot. Its seven-night programs aim to help you reach ultimate vitality by rebalancing your mind, body, and spirit.



Programs from US$6,044 (around HK$46,880) a week; accommodation from US$450 (around HK$3490) per night



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/PalazzoFiuggi.png?w=800" alt="Palazzo Fiuggi"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Tyson Saldo</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Palazzo Fiuggi | Fiuggi, Italy</h2>



The basis of <a href="https://www.palazzofiuggi.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palazzo Fiuggi</a>’s ethos is a tree; much like the leafy giants, we humans need a strong root system to sustain our healthiest life. The Italian medical spa has plenty of programs to help strengthen your foundation, which use treatments such as a Dexa whole body scan, a carotid ultrasound, and more paired with wellness activities. Food, of course, is as important as any medical procedure; your custom nutrition plan will be fueled by biodynamic and sustainable organic ingredients, as well as vegetables plucked right from the property’s garden. And the natural springs in Fiuggi, known for their purifying and healing properties, reflect the work the Palazzo team is undertaking to help you live a better life for much, much longer.



From about US$3,300 (around HK$25,596), including accommodation, full board, and a three-night program with treatments



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RAKxa.png?w=800" alt="RAKxa"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : RAKxa</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RAKxa | Bang Nam Phueng, Thailand</h2>



“Rakxa” translates to “to preserve” or “to heal” in English, and that’s exactly what you can expect from your stay at <a href="https://rakxawellness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAKxa</a> in Thailand. The aim here is to get your body, mind, and lifestyle in perfect harmony, something that can be achieved via its Hormonal Rebalance, Detox, and other programs. A Longevity Lab Checkup will give you a body blueprint, covering everything from a toxic heavy metal screening and liver enzyme test to cardiovascular testing. It’s that test that will be the crux of your personalized program, designed to tackle any issues that may arise.



From about US$7,000 (around HK$54,293) for a five-night Detox program



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/lanserhof-tegernsee.png?w=800" alt="Lanserhof Tegernsee"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Alexander Haiden</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lanserhof Tegernsee | Waakirchen, Germany<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a><a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a></h2>



A stay at <a href="https://lanserhof.com/en/lanserhof-tegernsee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lanserhof Tegernsee</a> is about your whole self—that means the mind, the body, and the spirit. The way to align this trio at this German practice starts in your gut; from there, the program helps ignite a regeneration of your body via fasting. First, though, comes the comprehensive examination to assess your current state of well-being. Then, the fasting begins, supported by movement therapies (think swimming or yoga), a curated diet made just for you, and some physical therapy mixed in. And you’ll be leaving the property equipped with the proper tools to aid in sustainable prevention—perhaps the most helpful takeaway of all.



From US$8,940 (around HK$69,340) , seven-night minimum  



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BrennersPark.png?w=800" alt="Brenners Park"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Brenners Park</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brenners Park-Hotel &amp; Spa | Baden-Baden, Germany</h2>



Germany’s <a href="https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/brenners-park-hotel-spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brenners Park</a> runs the gamut of medical-spa treatments: Think everything from detox offerings to medical fitness regimes. Its signature, though, is its Ultimate Medical Health package, and its downright forensic. Here, you’ll get the ultimate inside look at your, well, insides, including an in-depth lab analysis—including urine and stool studies—a heart examination, a full-body MRI, and more. In addition to those tests, you’ll undergo two treatments to clear out your intestines and two more to increase the amount of oxygen that’s transported in the blood. At the end of the process, you’ll meet one-on-one with a pro from the medical team to go over your results—and determine how best to adapt your lifestyle to make any needed changes.



From about US$46,500 (HK$360,659) for the 10-day Ultimate Medical Health package



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Revivo-Vitality-Center.png?w=800" alt="Revivo Vitality Center"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Revivo</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Revivo Wellness Resort | Bali</h2>



Already a bastion of wellness, <a href="https://www.revivoresorts.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revivo Wellness Resort</a> is upping the ante on its offerings in 2025: The Bali property just opened its Vitality Centre this past December. There, you can focus on all things longevity wth a wide variety of treatments. Choose to engage in pulsed electromagnetic therapy, which penerates deep into your tissue to decrease inflammation and promote detoxification. Or perhaps the team will set you up in some lymphatic-drainage compression boots. No matter which treatments you choose, you can expect custom-tailored meals to enjoy throughout you stay. The environs also help calm your nervous system, too, thanks to the nearly 40 hectares of lush forest.



From about US$700 (around HK$5,429) per night

Resort

Travel

wellness

Forget Massages. These 13 Medical Spas Want to Help You Extend Your Life.

For fans of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/the-white-lotus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Lotus</a> who’ve ever wondered what it might be like to sip a lychee martini at sunset while silently judging the other guests (or planning your next existential reckoning), your fantasy can now become your permanent <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/thailand/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thailand</a> address. Minor International has unveiled three new villas at The Estates Samui, an exclusive enclave nestled within the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/four-seasons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Four Seasons</a> Resort <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/koh-samui/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Koh Samui</a>—a.k.a. the impossibly gorgeous filming location for season three of HBO’s cult favourite series.



“The three new villas at The Estates Samui embody the spirit of the White Lotus. It represents not only a private paradise but also an investment in a lifestyle defined by beauty, innovation and exclusivity,” said Micah Tamthai, COO of lifestyle and real estate at Minor International, in a statement. “As film tourism continues to drive global travel inspiration, savvy investors and discerning homeowners alike are attracted to owning a slice of this cinematic magic in one of Thailand’s most coveted destinations.”&nbsp;



Perched cliffside above the cerulean Gulf of Thailand, these villas are indeed cinematic in every sense—think sweeping sea views, infinity pools with bubble beds and water jets, shaded BBQ areas for alfresco feasts, and pool bars that practically demand a dramatic toast. Designed by AD100 architect and landscape whisperer <a href="https://www.bensley.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Bensley</a>, each residence is a masterclass in tropical elegance, set across a lush six acres canvas of palms and paradise.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Estates-Samui-villa.jpg-2-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797363" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Estates-Samui-villa.jpg-2-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Estates-Samui-villa.jpg-2-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Estates-Samui-villa.jpg-2-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Estates-Samui-villa.jpg-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Minor International</figcaption></figure>



With prices starting at US$12.5 million (approximately HK$96.98 million), these homes are as rare as Rick’s emotional availability. Each villa offers either freehold or leasehold ownership, with generous layouts spanning two to five bedrooms, hardwood decks, sunken dining pavilions, and floor-to-ceiling glass framing endless ocean views. Primary suites open directly onto plunge pools. It’s like staying in a resort—except it’s your house, and no one’s interrupting your spa appointment with a mid-season plot twist. 



Of course, owners enjoy full access to the Four Seasons Koh Samui’s gold-standard amenities: tennis courts, water sports, a world-class spa, and beachside dining that could rival any&nbsp;White Lotus&nbsp;dinner scene. Room service? Naturally. Housekeeping? Flawless. Emotional baggage? Optional. Whether you lean more Jaclyn, Kate, or Laurie, consider this your invitation to check in—forever. Preferably without the shocking murders.&nbsp;

Four Seasons Resort

Koh Samui

Thailand

The White Lotus

Villa

You Can Now Own a Villa at the Thailand Resort Where ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Was Filmed

Welcome to Checking In, a review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.



Describe the hotel in three words: Sumptuous city sanctuary.



What’s the deal?



At long last, the Ritz-Carlton brand has entered the Bangkok market, putting down roots at the 216-metre-tall One Bangkok tower, a brand-new business and lifestyle destination at the edge of Lumpini Park, the city’s first public garden. Envisioned as an ode to its location on Wireless Road—historically the reserve of nobility and grand residences—the concept, “Meeting of Two Civilisations,” informs the dynamic architecture and design of the sophisticated building and interiors, creating a restful retreat in the heart of the city.



260 rooms, three distinct F&amp;B concepts, spacious wellness and fitness facilities, a Club Lounge, a Ritz Kids Club, and nine business- and celebration-appropriate function rooms, as well as a grand ballroom accommodating 1,200 guests, are spread out across 25 floors. Guests can glimpse into modern interpretations of local cultural rituals, such as the daily klong yao long-drum performance to welcome the start of the evening. Morning terrace tai chi sessions, flower-pressing activities, and art tours provide fresh perspectives.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_RitzCarltonSuite_LivingRoom-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797505" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_RitzCarltonSuite_LivingRoom-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_RitzCarltonSuite_LivingRoom-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_RitzCarltonSuite_LivingRoom-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_RitzCarltonSuite_LivingRoom-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_RitzCarltonSuite_LivingRoom-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Ritz-Carlton Suite living room.</figcaption></figure>



The best room?



At the top of its class—literally, it’s the penthouse—the best room has got to be the Ritz-Carlton Suite. Comprising two bedrooms, two bathrooms with double vanities, a living room, a separate sitting area, and unobstructed views over Lumpini Park, the 398-square-metre penthouse residence is the crème de la crème. Interior design studio PIA blends modern elegance with tasteful touches referencing local culture and traditions, seen through subtle patterns, shapes, and textiles, to honour the rich heritage of the property’s location.



If the Ritz-Carlton Suite is not available on the dates of your stay, the Marigold Suite and Amaranth Suite—both with balconies—are excellent choices too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lobby_Arch_Lily_Pond_Art_Piece_Day-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797504" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lobby_Arch_Lily_Pond_Art_Piece_Day-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lobby_Arch_Lily_Pond_Art_Piece_Day-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lobby_Arch_Lily_Pond_Art_Piece_Day-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lobby_Arch_Lily_Pond_Art_Piece_Day-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lobby_Arch_Lily_Pond_Art_Piece_Day-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok lobby.</figcaption></figure>



Did they greet you by name at check-in?



A resounding yes. Our stay started off on a grand and personalised note as a sizeable contingency of staffers and Ritz-Carlton Bangkok team members stood at the ready at the hotel entrance to give a warm welcome. It was quite the greeting to make you feel special.



Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived?



Sadly not. We were ushered up to our room straight away upon arrival, resulting in a relaxed and informal check-in process, which we enjoyed, but lamentably, the welcome drink got lost in the mix. However, we were later informed that all guests are ordinarily greeted with a lychee cooler, made with Nin black tea, lychee, lemon, and house-made floral syrup. In the room, there was a bottle of red Bordeaux blend, as well as fresh mangoes and the most divine chocolate biscuits stamped with the Ritz-Carlton logo, so all in all, a pleasant welcome.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Marigold_Suite-Bedroom-Primary-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797507" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Marigold_Suite-Bedroom-Primary-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Marigold_Suite-Bedroom-Primary-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Marigold_Suite-Bedroom-Primary-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Marigold_Suite-Bedroom-Primary-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Marigold_Suite-Bedroom-Primary-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Marigold Suite bedroom.</figcaption></figure>



Private butler for every room?



No, not as a standard for all room categories. Guests at Club Lounge level can turn to the Ritz-Carlton’s Club Lounge Concierge for assistance and enquiries as usual. If access to a dedicated butler is non-negotiable, ask for a Guardian Angel, a service that the hotel provides only upon request, which essentially fulfils the functions of a private butler.



Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?



You bet. Guests will be comfortably cocooned in 400-thread-count Frette bed linen.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Amararnth_Suite-Bathroom-Day-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797506" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Amararnth_Suite-Bathroom-Day-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Amararnth_Suite-Bathroom-Day-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Amararnth_Suite-Bathroom-Day-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Amararnth_Suite-Bathroom-Day-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Amararnth_Suite-Bathroom-Day-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Amaranth Suite bathroom.</figcaption></figure>



Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?



No heated floors, which is just as well, considering the hot and humid climate of Bangkok—we wouldn’t want to be unintentionally locked into a game of “the floor is lava.” Bidet functions are handily built into the Kohler smart toilet, operated by a touchscreen panel set into the wall. Adjust everything from seat and water temperatures to pressure and positioning.



Are the toiletries full-sized?



Naturally. As per Ritz-Carlton standard, the in-room toiletries are from Diptyque’s fig-forward Philosykos line—a refreshing touch of Grecian summer in the Asian tropics. You can expect the customary trio of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower, and hand lotion and bar soaps by the double-vanity sinks in the bathroom.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Pool_Day-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797501" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Pool_Day-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Pool_Day-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Pool_Day-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Pool_Day-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Pool_Day-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pool at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok.</figcaption></figure>



Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? How are the spa and gym?



No, none of the rooms come with private pools, but the hotel has a good-sized outdoor saltwater pool that is available to all guests, replete with cabanas lining the edge, as well as a smaller kids’ pool. Five treatments rooms and a couple’s spa suite are available at The Ritz-Carlton Spa for luxurious journeys to rejuvenate the mind, body, and skin, inspired by holistic healing traditions and time-honoured wellness techniques. From body scrubs and wraps, facials, and massages to cosmetic services, it’s a one-stop-shop for feeling and looking your best. Bangkok’s Ritz-Carlton Spa also partners with skincare brand Espa for its beauty regimens. A fitness centre equipped with cardio and weight-training machines is available to guests around the clock, and a steam room and dry sauna sees to the post-workout aftercare.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Duet_Seating-01-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797496" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Duet_Seating-01-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Duet_Seating-01-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Duet_Seating-01-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Duet_Seating-01-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Duet_Seating-01-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Duet by David Toutain.</figcaption></figure>



Is the restaurant worth its salt?



Yes. Dining is, in fact, a highlight—though that should not come as a surprise, as one of the restaurants on-site is the brainchild of chef David Toutain, the culinary extraordinaire behind the eponymic Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, and Feuille in Hong Kong. Duet By David Toutain, executed in harmony with chef de cuisine Valentin Fouache, presents a fine gastronomic exploration of the dichotomy between food and nature, and it’s a serious experience, set in a dramatic venue reminiscent of a Victorian-greenhouse-slash-birdcage.



Choose from two tasting menus, where each course sharpens the focus on a key seasonal ingredient around which the dish is shaped. Whether it’s verbena, tarragon, XO sauce, dill, elderflower, or tamarind, each ingredient has a story to tell, and that story is meticulously documented with tasting notes, emphasising provenance, characteristics, and their role in the dish. It’s as much a meal as it is enlightening instruction; the only trouble is retaining all that information after romping through eight intricate courses. Coriander and pineapple are fashioned into a sorbet dessert; fig leaves are pickled, jellied, and served with red-port Stilton cheese; pine needles are made into a sabayon and paired with succulent lobster—Toutain and Fouache invite nature into the dining room for a remarkable and flavourful experience. Ingredients are also largely locally sourced, or flown in from Europe.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lilys_Cold-Station-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797497" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lilys_Cold-Station-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lilys_Cold-Station-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lilys_Cold-Station-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lilys_Cold-Station-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lilys_Cold-Station-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lily’s.</figcaption></figure>



All-day restaurant Lily’s also proved to be a hit—it deftly balances refined and casual, lively and dignified, classic and inventive. An expansive buffet and à la carte options are on offer for breakfast—don’t miss the caramelised flat croissants from the baked goods and pastry counter—while the khao soi crab curry, Phuket lobster linguine, and pork-cheek massaman from the lunch menu are firm favourites. Add on the signature Thai tea waffle, served with Nam Dok Mai mango and whipped cream, and you are guaranteed a good time.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Caleo_Main-Bar-Day-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797498" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Caleo_Main-Bar-Day-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Caleo_Main-Bar-Day-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Caleo_Main-Bar-Day-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Caleo_Main-Bar-Day-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Caleo_Main-Bar-Day-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Caleō.</figcaption></figure>



Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?



Absolutely, and considering the crowd we encountered, the buzzy environment is calling to everyone. Inspired by the legendary social clubs of yore, with a theatrical touch of Latin romance, Caleō is the place to see and be seen. Snag a seat at the oval bar counter, the striking centrepiece of the venue, for the best spot in the house to watch a team of skilled bartenders at work. Its menu and creative tipples pay homage to the storied establishments that shaped the fine art of drinking over time, blending the past and present. For those in the know, names like the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Les Deux Magots, and Rick’s Café Américain will be a pleasant throwback and reminder of how far cocktail culture has come.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lumpini_Terrace_Sunset-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797503" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lumpini_Terrace_Sunset-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lumpini_Terrace_Sunset-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lumpini_Terrace_Sunset-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lumpini_Terrace_Sunset-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RC_BKKRB_Lumpini_Terrace_Sunset-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lumpini Terrace at sunset.</figcaption></figure>



Would you buy the hotel if you could?



If the opportunity presented itself, it would be a tough one to pass up, as the prospect of wolfing down three caramelised flat croissants in quick succession as a daily ritual is a tempting one indeed. We consider the greatest strength of the Ritz-Carlton brand to be that the overall experience, quality, service, and atmosphere, from one Ritz-Carlton hotel to another, is impressively consistent, reliable, and top-notch—hence why our eyes remain glued to the Bangkok property. Familiarity with the brand meant that we knew what to expect even though it was our first time stepping foot into this Ritz-Carlton, but in no way did comfort pose as compromise, as there were still plenty of surprises in store for us that made the stay and experience wholly unique to The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok. It naturally felt like home from the moment we arrived, and that feeling is worth its weight in gold.



Score: 8



What Our Score Means:



1–3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.



4–6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch.



7–8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms.



9–10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?



All images courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok.

Hotel Review

Ritz-Carlton

Ritz-Carlton Bangkok

What It’s Like to Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, an Elegant Ode to Thai History

Professional partnerships in the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/wine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wine</a>&nbsp;industry are far less frequent than fashion or watch collaborations. But even if they were a dime a dozen, the oenological world would likely still be fervently excited about the just-released joint effort by Penfolds Grange and La Chapelle, which blends two of the world’s finest Syrahs—one grown in&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australia</a>, where the grape is called&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/shiraz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shiraz</a>, and the other in&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/france/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">France</a>—into a single bottle.&nbsp;



It helps that Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago and La Chapelle owner and winemaker Caroline Frey are longtime friends. They came up with the idea to blend their products over—what else?—a glass of wine after meeting at the Vinexpo trade fair in Bordeaux many years ago. And though both prestigious businesses produce coveted vintages, the resulting bottling is somehow far greater than the sum of its parts.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Grange_LaChapelle_Bottle.jpg-2-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797380" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Grange_LaChapelle_Bottle.jpg-2-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Grange_LaChapelle_Bottle.jpg-2-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Grange_LaChapelle_Bottle.jpg-2-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Grange_LaChapelle_Bottle.jpg-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The finished collaboration bottle.  Image courtesy of Penfolds Wines</figcaption></figure>



Penfolds Grange was created in 1951 and is named for the original estate cottage Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfolds and his wife, Mary, had built in Adelaide, in 1844. Once completed, they planted cuttings of Syrah grapes transplanted from France. It is arguably the most coveted Australian wine among connoisseurs in the know. La Chapelle also takes its name from a specific structure: the chapel of St Christopher, which sits atop a granite hill on the banks of the Rhône. It has been tempting collectors since the 1920s, and several of its vintages have scored the elusive 100-point grading from critics, placing it among the most acclaimed bottles in the world. 



“The two wines, La Chapelle and Grange, the Syrah and Shiraz, have such a connection, such a long story,” Frey says. “Even if it seems a little crazy, the idea to blend them came quite naturally.”&nbsp;



Because they could legally not be mixed in France, the La Chapelle 2021 had to be air-freighted to Australia in temperature-controlled tanks before being combined with an equal amount of Grange. “They were initially oak-aged separately, then blended, and then went back to oak,” Gago explains. “That helps us with the harmony, not just of the flavours, but also the tannins.” In other words, Frey adds, “you don’t identify those two wines in the blend, but for me the interesting thing is that it shows me the powerful side of La Chapelle and the elegance of Grange.” 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Syrah_Fields.jpg-2-683x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797379" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Syrah_Fields.jpg-2-683x1024.webp 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Syrah_Fields.jpg-2-200x300.webp 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Syrah_Fields.jpg-2-768x1152.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Syrah_Fields.jpg-2-1024x1536.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Syrah_Fields.jpg-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Syrah fields that produce La Chapelle’s wines. Image courtesy of La Chapelle</figcaption></figure>



The result, called Grange La Chapelle 2021, is violet in the glass and offers a bouquet of black cherry, pomegranate, and eucalyptus with a pleasant touch of forest floor. After an opening burst of cranberry, slightly grippy tannins and well-balanced acidity support flavours of purple plum, blackberry, milk chocolate, mint, and black pepper, with a soft hint of baking spices that lingers into the persistent finish. 



You won’t find it on a store shelf anywhere: The tightly limited bottling is being sold directly to customers (at US$2,500/approximately HK$19,395 apiece). Those who miss out will be pleased to learn that the 2022 and 2023 vintages are already bottled and resting in the Penfolds museum under Gago’s watchful eye.

La Chapelle

Penfolds

Penfolds Grange

Penfolds Grange and La Chapelle Team Up for a Limited-Edition Wine Collaboration

Aston Martin

Bentley

Hypercar

Lamborghini

luxury car

motors

Rolls-Royce

The Best in Wheels 2025, From the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II and Aston Martin Vantage to Porsche 911 S/T

It has taken its time, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-reveals-production-valhalla-supercar-1234624583/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin Valhalla</a>&nbsp;has finally made it to the finished line.



The British marque just unveiled the production version of its eagerly anticipated&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/plug-in-hybrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;supercar. The futuristic speed machine will launch as part of the automaker’s 2026 model class and is somehow more impressive than what was originally promised.



The Valhalla made its debut way back in 2019 in the guise of the AM-RB 03 concept. Five years is a significant chunk of time and it should come as no surprise that the supercar has evolved in that time, even since the production version was first teased in 2021. Sure, the finished version of the car may look about the same, but thanks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martins-formula-1-team-helped-develop-valhalla-supercar-1235041677/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help of the automaker’s Formula 1 team</a>&nbsp;the hardware is different—and more powerful.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794261" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla03.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aston-martin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a> Valhalla. Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



The big story with any supercar is bound to be the powertrain, and the Valhalla is no different. At the centre of the plug-in hybrid setup is a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8. It’s similar to the mill found in the DBX707 but has a flat-plane crank, dry-sump lubrication system, reworked pistons, and bespoke ignition system. Thanks to these changes the engine, which is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, makes 817 hp, which is 77 hp more than the brand said it was targeting in 2021.



That figure alone would make the Valhalla potent, but its powertrain also includes three electric motors, one more than was supposed to be present in 2021. Two of the motors are positioned on the front axle (which gives the car all-wheel drive) and the other is integrated into the transmission and acts as a starter generator. The trio gets its juice from a 6.0-kWh battery pack that can be recharged while decelerating. Thanks to the motors the vehicle can also operate in EV mode, in which it can cover 8.6 miles at speeds of up to 80 mph.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794262" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla05.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



When the engine and all three motors are working together output comes to a combined 1,064 hp and 811 ft lbs of torque. The first figure is 127 hp more than the number quoted in 2021 (937 hp), meaning the powertrain is nearly 14 per cent more powerful than expected. Performance numbers remain the same, but it’s hard to imagine anyone complaining. Aston Martin says the Valhalla can rocket from zero to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph.



That last number is helped by the Valhalla’s rather aggressive aero kit. The vehicle, as is increasingly common in its class, looks like a LMDh prototype racer with slightly cleaner, more attractive lines. It sits low to the ground, has a wide-mouth grille, sculpted curves, and an active rear wing that can elevate up to 10 inches up into the air. These elements combine to produce 1,323 pounds of downforce once you reach 149 mph, helping keep the car glued to the road. It’s also equipped with a set of forward-hinted dihedral doors that open up to reveal a surprisingly minimalist interior. The cabin lacks the flare of the exterior, but the flat-bottomed steering wheel and simplified digital screen setup are nice touches.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794263" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/valhalla06.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



The Valhalla is a 2026 model and because of that it won’t go into production until the latter half of next year. The marque plans to build just 999 examples of its electrified supercar, which will likely sell quick. No final price has been announced, but it’s previously been speculated that it would cost between US$800,000 (approximately HK$6.21 million) and US$1 million (approximately HK$7.77 million).



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-production-ready-2026-aston-martin-valhalla-1236116968" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the 2026 Aston Martin Valhalla.

hybrid

Supercar

Aston Martin Just Unveiled Its First Plug-In Hybrid Supercar

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ferrari/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrari</a>‘s first EV&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-ceo-confirms-first-ev-debut-1235777810/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is coming this fall</a>, likely in October, and, being an EV, won’t have any use for a manual transmission, though that isn’t stopping the automaker from possibly giving it gear-shifting abilities anyway.&nbsp;



Such a system would mimic a manual transmission and has been considered or is under development by automakers from Porsche to <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/honda-testing-manual-transmission-for-upcoming-evs-1235928219/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Honda</a> and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/toyota-gr-performance-ev-manual-transmission-1234857178/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toyota</a>, but Ferrari doing so would up the stakes for EVs, as happens when Ferrari does anything. Ferrari’s system, as described in patents <a href="https://www.motor1.com/news/757650/ferrari-ev-fake-shifting-sound/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported by Motor1 on Thursday</a>, would have two components: paddle shifters on the steering wheel to change the torque output to the electric motor to simulate gear shifting, and a separate system to alter the car’s sounds as well, which can be customisable based on driver preferences, from anything to loud and aggressive to placid and “relaxed.” 



What that all sounds like is a car that replicates the current Ferrari driving experience. That experience is highly engineered for driver comfort and, more importantly, excitement, such that when driving the 986 hp plug-in hybrid SF90 Stradale, for example, drivers can cruise along comfortably as if in a Honda Civic or access all of that power with the stomp of one’s foot and the press of the paddle shifters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797605" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ferrari’s plug-in hybrid SF90 Stradale. Bring a Trailer</figcaption></figure>



It is vital for Ferrari to give its drivers the option for excitement, in other words, even if many of its cars are fated to sit in garages or traffic in Monaco. In the EV era, that is perhaps a taller task, given that EVs have a much simpler powertrain than internal combustion engine cars, and require less driver input, but Ferrari has taken its time making its first EV because it still wants to provide some driving excitement and produce a car worthy of the name.



“People buy a Ferrari because when they buy a Ferrari, they have a lot of fun,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has said. “They don’t buy a Ferrari because A, B, C, D, or a single element. It’s a combination of things. When we do electric cars, we will produce them in the right way.”



Hence: synthetic gear shifting in its first EV, possibly, and also the interior sounds that suggest gear-shifting, and exterior sounds that&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-exec-says-first-ev-deliver-authentic-sound-1235650084/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">will make a “roar.”</a> This is common for ICE cars, too, these days, though more important for an automaker such as Ferrari, which, above all, is trying to sell an experience, especially in its first EV.

Ferrari

Ferrari’s First EV Might Have Synthetic Gears

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/genesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gene</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/genesis/">sis</a>&nbsp;just kicked off the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/best-cars-new-york-auto-show-1235563221/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 New York International Auto Show</a>&nbsp;in spectacular style.



One year after pulling back the curtain on the dazzling&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/genesis-neolun-concept-preview-electric-flagship-suv-1235560385/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neolun</a>&nbsp;at the same convention, the company has returned with an even more striking&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/concept/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concept</a>, the X Gran Equator. The marque’s first adventure vehicle prototype offers a glimpse of a future where you can overland in the utmost style and comfort.



Over its decade in business, Genesis has shown it can build a beautiful car, conceptual or otherwise. Still, with this latest design—which the brand says is meant to channel “Athletic Elegance”—it has taken things to a new level. The long-nosed SUV looks as futuristic as it does sophisticated, with its grille-less front fascia, smooth, sweeping lines, and split-opening tailgate. Rounding things out are a gigantic set of 24-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires and a two-line lighting package that has&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/genesis-x-convertible-concept-trilogy-1234773807/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">become a trademark of the company’s concepts</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797348" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Genesis X Gran Equator Concept. Image courtesy of Genesis</figcaption></figure>



Genesis says the X Gran Equator is meant to signal its continued expansion into “lifestyle-oriented” vehicles. This can best be seen in the concept’s cabin. The visually arresting space mixes old and new, with the gigantic central touchscreen found in the brand’s production models replaced by smaller, vintage-style digital gauges and physical buttons. The interior is done up in a fetching two-tone colourway that pairs a rich navy blue with tan. There are several opulent details to remind you that you’re in a Genesis as well, like a four-panel sunroof and crystal ball shifter.  



Unfortunately, we don’t know what kind of powertrain is in the concept. The announcement is short on mechanical details, but the lack of a grille, along with the nature of most of the brand’s recent prototypes, suggests the X Gran Equator is probably all-electric. We do know that it does feature all-wheel drive, which isn’t a surprise since it is an adventure vehicle after all.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797349" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the X Gran Equator Concept. Image courtesy of Genesis</figcaption></figure>



So now to the big question: will you ever be able to drive the X Gran Equator? Genesis says the vehicle has not been “confirmed for production” but does say that it is meant to “showcase the brand’s future design potential.”



Regardless, you’ll be able to see the X Gran Equator in person in New York over the next few months. The concept will be parked at the marque’s booth at the New York Auto Show, which opens this Friday, after which it will be on display at the Genesis House in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District through the end of July.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-genesis-x-gran-equator-off-roading-concept-1236476732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the Genesis X Gran Equator concept.

Genesis

off-raoder

Genesis Just Unveiled a Stunning New Off-Roader

The&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-a6-e-tron-concept-shanghai-auto-show-1234608354/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audi A6</a>&nbsp;sedan is getting a makeover for 2026.



The German luxury marque has just unveiled the latest iteration of its long-running mid-size four-door. It isn’t just a minor refresh, either. The executive car features a sleeker exterior, a tech-packed interior, and more power under the hood.



We got our first look at the sixth-generation A6 last month when the company unveiled the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-a6-avant-sedan-1236323600/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A6 Avant</a>&nbsp;wagon. The sedan and longroof look almost identical to the C-pillar, but that’s a good thing. The new A6 has a more aggressive front end, the highlight of which is a pair of razor-sharp headlights, and a smoother shape than before. Thanks to the latter, the sedan has a drag coefficient of 0.23 (compared to 0.25 for the wagon), making it the most aerodynamic gas-powered&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audi</a>&nbsp;in history.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797386" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 Audi A6 Sedan. Image courtesy of Audi</figcaption></figure>



These changes also ensure that the vehicle stands out from its electric equivalent, the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-a6-etron-concept-production-vehicle-1234627346/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A6 E-Tron</a>. The two models are clearly related, but the battery-powered four-door lacks the athleticism and grace of its new ICE counterpart despite being more aerodynamic (it has a drag coefficient of 0.21).



The design of the sedan’s interior has also been reworked.  Like that of the A6 Avant, the front is dominated by a trio of displays, including an 11.9-inch instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and an optional 10.9-inch passenger display. There’s also better sound insulation, which results in a 30 per cent quieter cabin, along with a panoramic glass roof with adjustable opacity levels, and an optional Bang &amp; Olufsen speaker system. Trunk space comes out to 17.37 cubic feet, which isn’t that far off from the 17.76 cubic feet offered by the A6 Avant, though that number grows to 54.17 cubic feet when the wagon’s rear seats are folded down.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797387" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the 2026 A6 sedan. Image courtesy of Audi</figcaption></figure>



The new A6 is built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion platform and will be available with either a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.0-litre turbocharged V-6 with mild hybrid tech. Only the latter will be available in the US and it will make 362 hp, which represents a 27 hp boost, that is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In addition to more pep, the sedan also features an improved base suspension. There’s also an optional adaptive air suspension that can be controlled via voice commands.



The new A6 will launch as part of Audi’s upcoming 2026 model year lineup. The sedan is set to go on sale later this month in Europe, with a starting price of €55,500 (or roughly US$63,000/approximately HK$488,790). It’s expected to go on sale in the US during the second half of the year, but it may be some time until we know how much <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/trumps-tariffs-affect-every-luxury-automaker-1236442762/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">it will end up costing</a>.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-sleek-2026-audi-a6-sedan-1236475680/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the 2026 Audi A6 sedan.

A6 Avant

audi

sedan

The New Audi A6 Has Sleeker Skin and Even More Power

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/genesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genesis</a>&nbsp;unveiled its first full-scale&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/genesis-new-race-team-gmr-001-prototype-racer-le-mans-1236110595/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GMR-001 hypercar</a>&nbsp;this week in New York City, where it will go on display at the New York International Auto Show ahead of a campaign next year that will see it race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.&nbsp;



The company had&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/genesis-new-race-team-gmr-001-prototype-racer-le-mans-1236110595/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previously shown a version of the race car</a>, launched by Genesis Magma&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/racing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Racing</a>, the luxury marque’s racing team. The new prototype is for LMDh endurance racing, including in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which races at Le Mans, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship, whose most famous races are the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.



Genesis’s new hypercar is intended to show that the luxury marque can compete with the world’s very best when it comes to endurance racing, and, therefore, perhaps manufacturing performance-oriented luxury cars as well. Porsche, Toyota, and Audi have dominated the World Endurance Championship in recent seasons.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="577" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6_GMR_REAR-BOTTOM_-SAMIR-e1744813487991.jpg-1-1024x577.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797332" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6_GMR_REAR-BOTTOM_-SAMIR-e1744813487991.jpg-1-1024x577.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6_GMR_REAR-BOTTOM_-SAMIR-e1744813487991.jpg-1-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6_GMR_REAR-BOTTOM_-SAMIR-e1744813487991.jpg-1-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6_GMR_REAR-BOTTOM_-SAMIR-e1744813487991.jpg-1-1536x865.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/6_GMR_REAR-BOTTOM_-SAMIR-e1744813487991.jpg-1.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Genesis GMR-001. Image courtesy of Genesis</figcaption></figure>



The car Genesis revealed Wednesday shows a livery that the company says is inspired by the brand’s Korean heritage. The livery incorporates elements of Hangul, including the lettering for “magma,” or 마그마. A team supervised by Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke, who is perhaps best known his work on&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/drive-review-2001-lamborghini-diablo-1236144323/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Lamborghini Diablo</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/car-of-the-year-2009-winner-lamborghini-gallardo-lp5604-237055/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lamborghini Gallardo</a>, designed the car’s bodywork.



“The GMR-001 Hypercar, like every race car, is a sculpture designed by the constraints of efficiency and performance—combined with the design DNA of Genesis—the brand with the Two Lines,” Donckerwolke said in a statement. “The livery is an orchestration of the tension and balance of the distinctly Korean character of the brand with gradients from Magma orange to dark red emphasising the high temperature of the powertrain. And the colour gradients from light to dark of the Magma writing in Hangeul is an optical doppler effect that expresses the glorious sound of the V-8 Twin Turbo engine in motion.”



Genesis has not released performance numbers for the hypercar, though it will conform to endurance racing regulations, including with the twin-turbo V-8. It’s expected to make around 670 horsepower.



The new car represents a big push for Genesis Magma Racing, which is Genesis’s motorsport program. That itself is an expression of Magma, which is Genesis’s new performance sub-brand for its luxury cars, in the same way that Mercedes has AMG and BMW has M. With endurance racing and a big splash at the New York International Auto Show, Genesis is hoping that in a decade or two buyers will put Genesis Magma in the same sentence as those two marques.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/genesis-gmr-001-photos-1236476504/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the Genesis GMR-001.

le mans

Genesis Just Unveiled Its New Hypercar for Le Mans

As the Lunar New Year approaches, this is not just a time for celebration, but also for the most prestigious watchmakers in the world to unveil their exclusive, carefully crafted, limited-edition snake- and serpent-themed timepieces—an annual affair that we have come to embrace as artisans and craftspeople of note exercise their deft skillsets in creating absolutely striking (pun intended) timepieces.



Lunar New Year is always a special occasion in the world of luxury timepieces, with watchmakers unveiling exclusive designs that celebrate the rich symbolism of the Chinese zodiac. As the spotlight falls on the Year of the Wood Snake, precision meets artistry in a series of breathtaking creations. From intricate engravings to masterful enamel work, these watches embody not just a celebration of tradition but also a daring exploration of modern craftsmanship.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FRANCK-MULLER_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794971" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FRANCK-MULLER_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FRANCK-MULLER_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FRANCK-MULLER_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FRANCK-MULLER_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FRANCK-MULLER_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Franck Muller</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Franck Muller</h3>



Silhouette CX Snake



Paying homage to the transformative power of the snake, Franck Muller’s Silhouette CX Snake is a striking creation that blends serpentine allure with cutting-edge technical innovation. Its unmissable ophidian influence is complemented by the debut of the Silhouette CX case, making this piece an instant standout. With only 28 pieces available in Asia-Pacific, the watch promises to be as rare as it is captivating.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BREITLING-_2400x1600-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794969" style="width:841px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BREITLING-_2400x1600-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BREITLING-_2400x1600-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BREITLING-_2400x1600-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BREITLING-_2400x1600-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/BREITLING-_2400x1600-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Breitling</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breitling</h3>



Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Cobra



Breitling’s latest release, the Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Cobra, features a bold take on the Year of the Snake with a striking cobra motif, with just 200 pieces available. Find the hidden-in-plain-sight snake on the nine o’clock subdial, paired with a conspicuous yellow, black, and red colour scheme. A true statement of power with a perfect fusion of watchmaking mastery and striking design, this distinctive timepiece conveys both personality and prominence.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LANGE-1-MOON-PHASE_2400-1600--1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794975" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LANGE-1-MOON-PHASE_2400-1600--1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LANGE-1-MOON-PHASE_2400-1600--300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LANGE-1-MOON-PHASE_2400-1600--768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LANGE-1-MOON-PHASE_2400-1600--1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LANGE-1-MOON-PHASE_2400-1600--2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of A. Lange &amp; Söhne</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A. Lange &amp; Söhne</h3>



Lange 1 Moon Phase



Not a snake in sight but nevertheless a special edition launched ahead of the Lunar New Year, we had to embrace this gorgeous release from A Lange &amp; Söhne. Its unique design is such that the watch captures the spirit of the new year perfectly with its off-centre design—a Lange signature, based on the golden ratio—and moon-phase display.&nbsp;Imagine experiencing this masterpiece, where the moon-phase display unfolds before one’s eyes, with a celestial disc gracefully rotating every 24 hours.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IWC-Schaffhausen-_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794967" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IWC-Schaffhausen-_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IWC-Schaffhausen-_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IWC-Schaffhausen-_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IWC-Schaffhausen-_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IWC-Schaffhausen-_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of IWC Schaffhausen</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">IWC Schaffhausen</h3>



Portofino Automatic Moon Phase



IWC Schaffhausen celebrates the Lunar New Year with a limited-edition Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 Year of the Snake, available exclusively at the newly reopened boutique in IFC Mall in Hong Kong. Its 37 mm stainless-steel case is paired with a vibrant burgundy dial, symbolising the colour of fire, while the golden moon and stars create a stunning contrast. Limited to just 500 pieces, this elegant timepiece is a perfect fusion of tradition and sophistication for the festive season.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hublot_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794973" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hublot_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hublot_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hublot_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hublot_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hublot_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Hublot</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hublot</h3>



Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake



Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake is a captivating tribute to the wisdom, transformation, and allure of the snake in the Chinese zodiac. Limited to just 88 pieces—a lucky number denoting good luck, fortune, and blessings in Chinese culture—this remarkable timepiece features an intricate, gold-plated snake integrated into the open dial. With the snake motif extending across the engraved bezel and strap, it flawlessly combines horological craftsmanship and artistic expression.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Tonda-PF_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794977" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Tonda-PF_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Tonda-PF_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Tonda-PF_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Tonda-PF_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Tonda-PF_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Parmigiani Fleurier</h3>



Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar in Rose Gold



Parmigiani Fleurier’s intricate Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar made waves as the first-ever mechanical watch capable of displaying the complexities of the complete Chinese calendar, seamlessly merging Swiss watchmaking with Chinese&nbsp;cultural heritage. Now available in rose gold, the timepiece celebrates the heritage, innovation, and artistry of Chinese history, and its powerful relationship with the cosmos.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Breguet_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794968" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Breguet_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Breguet_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Breguet_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Breguet_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Breguet_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Breguet</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breguet</h3>



Classique 7145 Lunar New Year 2025



Breguet’s latest creation honours the elegance and enigmatic symbolism of the serpent, showcasing trademark artisanal mastery through a gold-engraved dial in bas-relief to transform the dial into a stunning miniature sculpture. Open-tipped hands and a delicate profile make this an instantly recognisable Breguet timepiece, revealing the depth and brilliance of the&nbsp;maison’s mastery and horological expertise.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Longines_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794976" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Longines_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Longines_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Longines_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Longines_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Longines_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Longines</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Longines</h3>



Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake



Conquest Heritage gets a timely new appearance for the Year of the Snake. Chinese artist Wu Jian’an collaborated with Longines on this project to create a design appropriately dressed in red and gold. On the caseback, the intricate engraving shows a serpent holding a&nbsp;lingzhi&nbsp;mushroom in its mouth, symbolising longevity.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234794974" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794974" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234794983" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jaeger_2400-1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794983" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jaeger_2400-1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jaeger_2400-1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jaeger_2400-1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jaeger_2400-1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/jaeger_2400-1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jaeger-LeCoultre</h3>



Reverso Tribute Enamel “Snake”



Jaeger-LeCoultre is back with another instalment of its festive Lunar New Year timepiece series, a fine addition for collectors looking to complete the zodiac. Using hand-engraving and enamelling techniques, the Reverso Tribute Enamel “Snake” features a pink-gold case with Art Deco-inspired detailing. A coiled snake motif, enveloped by clouds, stands as the main highlight, powerfully projected off the black&nbsp;grand feu&nbsp;enamel background that has become a signature for the collection.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Harry-Winston_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794972" style="width:823px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Harry-Winston_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Harry-Winston_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Harry-Winston_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Harry-Winston_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Harry-Winston_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Harry Winston</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Harry Winston</h3>



Chinese New Year Automatic



Harry Winston observes the arrival of the Year of the Snake with a pair of extremely limited, 36 mm timepieces in 18-carat rose and white gold. Featuring a green-and-red colourway with a diamond-studded rose-gold case, and a blue-and-red colourway for the equally sparkling white-gold design, the mother-of-pearl dial is decorated with a lacquered snake and painted metal leaves, paired fittingly with a red leather strap.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chaumet_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794970" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chaumet_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chaumet_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chaumet_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chaumet_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chaumet_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Chaumet</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chaumet</h3>



Espiègleries Tresors d’Afrique



Not strictly a Lunar New Year watch, but certainly bearing a serpent motif, Chaumet’s Espiègleries Tresors d’Afrique celebrates Africa’s lush flora and fauna, highlighting the snake as the centrepiece of the dial. It features a golden snake set with brilliant-cut tsavorite garnets and yellow sapphires, decorated with enamel and enhanced with a yellow-gold frog and leaves, completing its vivid design.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VAC_MdA_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794978" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VAC_MdA_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VAC_MdA_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VAC_MdA_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VAC_MdA_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/VAC_MdA_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Vacheron Constantin</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Vacheron Constantin</h3>



The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac—Year of the Snake



In honour of its historic ties with China, Vacheron Constantin recently unveiled&nbsp;the latest addition to its Legend of the Chinese Zodiac series to herald the Year of the Snake. An annual exercise to commemorate Lunar New Year, the timepiece features an exquisite dial decoration crafted by a master artisan, who delicately applies enamel powder using a fine brush. Each layer of colour is fired at high temperatures to create a stunning gradient of hues from the centre to the edge.

2025 new watches

A. Lange & Söhne

Breguet

Breitling

Chaumet

Chinese New Year

exclusive watches

Franck Muller

Harry Winston

Hublot

Lunar New Year 2025: 12 Luxury Watches to Celebrate the Year of the Snake

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex</a>&nbsp;is rolling into 2025 hot with a price hike on its&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/gold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold</a>&nbsp;models. For those who bought new models at retail last year, that’s good news, but for those still on the Crown’s seemingly eternal waitlists, that could mean paying more when the time comes to collect on your long-awaited timekeeper.&nbsp;



Hard-to-get and expensive references are becoming even more out of reach. <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/all-of-rolexs-new-watches-from-watches-wonders-1235575848/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last year’s gold releases </a>saw price increases of around nine to 11 per cent. The Rolex Deepsea—the company’s shockingly heavy dive watch with an equally hefty price to match—went up from US$52,100 (approximately HK$405,049) in 2024 to US$58,000 (approximately HK$450,918) today for an 11.33 per cent climb. Meanwhile, Everose models, such as the Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref. 228235 and the Sky-Dweller Ref. 336935, rose 11.57 per cent and 9.26 per cent, respectively, for new price tags of US$46,300 (approximately HK$359,957) for the Day-Date and US$57,800 (approximately HK$449,363) for the Sky-Dweller. That’s almost US$5,000 (HK$38,872) more for each and that doesn’t factor in taxes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/m228235-0055-.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794616" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/m228235-0055-.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/m228235-0055-.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/m228235-0055-.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/m228235-0055-.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It’s not a price hike just because they’re Rolex, <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-certified-pre-owned-program-shorting-watch-market-1235779745/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and they can</a>…although they could certainly get away with it. This is due to the continuing rise of the precious metal industry globally. In 2024, gold prices rose by nearly 40 per cent with both consumers and countries betting on the investment due to varying factors from worldwide instability. At the beginning of last year, gold was roughly US$2,000 (approximately HK$15,549) per ounce and was up to US$2,800 (approximately HK$21,768) by the end of the year. According to some jewellers we’ve spoken with, they expect the price of gold to continue to rise and, given Rolex is, on its own, a pretty steady value riser, getting in on its gold models, even at higher prices than last year, is probably a pretty good idea. That is if you can get your hands on them. Pre-owned Rolex expert <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-paul-altieri-bobs-watches-2723552/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul Altieri</a> of <a href="https://www.bobswatches.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAj9m7BhD1ARIsANsIIvDdxplWFHPCPwqGJk2OHAUP8fVClqoGhcjQ72i-8OiZwqNvb-gZxgcaAg1IEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bob’s Watches</a> sees it for what is typically the driving factor in the watch world: rarity. “The Rolex price increases aren’t just an economic reaction,” he tells Robb Report. “It’s a recalibration of value in a world where craftsmanship and scarcity remain timeless currencies.” As suspected, he adds that a price increase at Rolex nearly always equates to an increase in demand.



In other words, it may be high time to follow up with your Rollie AD&#8230; again.

Gold Rolex

Gold Watches

Watches

Rolex’s Gold Watches Just Got More Expensive

<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/met-gala-watches-1235608832/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Another season of the Met Gala</a> got underway this evening with this year’s theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” centered around black dandyism and, as usual, the stars came out in their best eye-catching attire for the Costume Institute’s big event. And even though brooches have taken men’s style by storm on the red carpet these days, there were still plenty of timepiece moments to watch out for. There were a few surprises like Philadelphia Eagles running back, Saquon Barkley choosing an H. Moser &amp; Cie to wear with his Thom Browne suit or Colman Domingo debuting a yet-to-be-released Omega. And then, of course, there were the usual suspects wearing the kind of pieces one would easily spot across the room like Shaboozey in the turquoise dial 18-karat yellow gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Here are some of our favorite timepieces (and, in a few cases, looks) of the evening.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797679" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Jaeger-LeCoultre</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tramell Tillman in Jaeger-LeCoultre</h2>



Best known, currently, for his role as Seth Milchick in Apple TV’s Severance, Trammell Tillman donned a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in 18-karat pink gold. Like Saquon Barkley, he also chose a Thom Browne ensemble—again, one of the better looks of the evening. Like the sports star, he also chose a sophisticated timepiece with a tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Just like a true dandy, this Jaeger-LeCoultre is sleek, but a little cheeky.



<a target="_blank" href="https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/us-en/watches/reverso/reverso-tribute/reverso-tribute-duoface-tourbillon-q392242j" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: PRICE UPON REQUEST</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797680" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; H. Moser &amp;. Cie</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saquon Barkley in H. Moser &amp; Cie</h2>



Philadelphia Eagles running back, Saquon Barkley had one of the coolest watches of the night. The sports star made a sophisticated choice with the H. Moser &amp; Cie Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack. It’s great to see an athlete supporting an independent watchmaker—especially when his choice is one of the stealthiest models in the brand’s lineup. He paired it with simple black Tuxedo by Thom Browne, which had all the hallmarks of the designer’s famously quirky proportions. Although the suit made Barkley look a little short despite his six-foot-tall frame, it was a clever and thoughtful choice just like his watch. After a sea of rather ridiculous looking ensembles during the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/nfl-draft-2025-best-watches-pictures-1236523614/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NFL draft</a>, it’s nice to see one of its established stars making more sophisticated choices.



<a href="https://h-moser.com/product/endeavour-tourbillon-vantablack-1805-1200/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: US$82,500</a>/HK$640,584



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797681" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Omega</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Barry Keoghan in Omega</h2>



Barry Keoghan is the toast of young Hollywood and like many of his fellow “it guys” he’s testing the waters with fashion. It doesn’t always work for him as tonight proved, but one thing that is thankfully consistent is his wrist game. The actor is a brand ambassador for Omega, so fortunately he always comes correct with his timekeepers. For this year’s Met Gala, he wore an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional 42 mm in Moonshine Gold with a matching dial in the same material.



<a href="https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-speedmaster-moonwatch-professional-co-axial-master-chronometer-chronograph-42-mm-31060425099002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: US$47,200</a>/HK$366,491



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797682" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Colman Domingo in Omega</h2>



Colman Domingo had the biggest flex of the evening by wearing an unreleased Omega Speedmaster model that has not been publicly announced. According to a statement from the company: “The brand will not be revealing any details about the new watch until a later date.” Regardless, this watch teaser got rather lost in Domingo’s fashion-focused Valentino look. It’s safe to say, die-hard Omega Speedmaster fans might have missed this one.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797683" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Vacheron Constantin</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Walter Goggins in Vacheron Constantin</h2>



White Lotus&nbsp;star, Walter Goggins showed up in a fearless Thom Browne suit skirt and an equally fearless timepiece to match. On his wrist, he wore a 41 mm Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Complete Calendar in platinum. It’s the kind of watch that would be right at home on a&nbsp;White Lotus&nbsp;character, but perhaps more in line with Jason Isaacs’ character Timothy Ratliff than Goggins’ Rick Hatchett. It seemed like all the cool guys wore Thom Browne tonight, but it appears only one fella got to wear Vacheron, and a very excellent one at that.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797684" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Janelle Monae in Vacheron Constantin</h2>



It seemed like everyone was in Thom Browne at the Met Gala, but Janelle Monae has long been a fan of the designer, often wearing his elaborate ensembles on the red carpet. This time she paired one of his tailored suit skirt looks complete with a bowler hat with a monocole featuring a watch dial and a time- and date-only Vacheron Constantin Fifty Six. It ticked all the right boxes: dandy, costume, and fashion-forward.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797685" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Khaby Lame in pocket watches</h2>



Khaby Lame is a Senegalese-Italian influencer whose claim to fame, incredibly, is having the most followers on TikTok (@khaby.lame). Naturally, he came to be noticed and to stand out in a sea of watch peacocking, Lame wore not one watch, but a multitude of pocket watches on the gray vest of his ultra-stylish three-piece suit. This was one of our favorite translations of the evening’s dandy theme.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797686" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Rolex</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pusha T in Rolex</h2>



Rapper Pusha T paired his burgundy suit with sequins dripping down the shoulders and lapels with an equally colorful timekeeper. On his wrist was a coveted <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolexs-collectible-rainbow-daytona-in-everose-2791121/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Cosmograph Daytona</a> in the crown’s proprietary Everose gold. A rare spotting in the red-carpet zoo, this is likely a watch he owns. It’s also a watch that fetches well into the six figures on the secondary market.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797687" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Wrist Aficionado</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shaboozey in Audemars Piguet</h2>



Turquoise beaded torso jewelry, a turquoise ring, a turquoise watch, and turquoise teeth! Shaboozey went wild for the color tonight. On his wrist was a 37 mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in yellow gold with a turquoise dial. The ultimate showpiece, this watch doesn’t just have a turquoise-colored dial, it’s actually made from the stone. This watch retailed for $61,500 in 2023, but now requires $8,400 more if you want to take it home. It’s a Royal Oak you don’t see on too many wrists in the wild. And you’ll likely only find it on the wildest of wrists.



<a href="https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/en/watch-collection/royal-oak/15550BA.OO.1356BA.01.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: US$69,900</a>/HK$542,749



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797690" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Glashütte</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Angela Bassett in Glashütte Original</h2>



What’s not to love about Angela Bassett rocking a mother-of-pearl dial Glashütte Original? The 32.5 mm Serenade Luna model sports a diamond bezel and hour markers and comes on a leather alligator strap. This marks the first time Glashütte has been worn on the Met Gala’s red carpet and for a rather small niche brand based in Germany, we’d say Bassett was a big-time win. It also pairs perfectly with her blue velvet jumptuit



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797691" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Caleb McLaughlin in Zenith</h2>



Stranger Things&nbsp;star, Caleb McLaughlin got the evening’s memo and did it right. OVer his baby blue velvet gloves he wore a boutique edition Zenith Defy Skyline. The 41 mm steel bracelet watch is a rather sporty choice for the evening but upon closer inspection its bezel is decked in sapphires. Besides, the mix of sporty with velvet gloves, brooches, and an orange accented lapel is full-on eccentric dandy in a way we totally can get behind.



<a href="https://www.zenith-watches.com/en_us/product/defy-skyline-16-9300-3620-51-i001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: HK$27,900</a>/HK$216,634<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>

Met Gala

From Saquon Barkley’s H. Moser &. Cie to Colman Domingo’s Omega: Notable Watches from This Year’s Met Gala

By all accounts,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/watches-wonders-2025-best-new-watches-1236430295/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watches &amp; Wonders 2025</a>&nbsp;was one for the record books. And we mean that literally.



On Monday, the final day of the world’s largest horological trade show, the organizers announced that this year’s edition reached a new attendance benchmark, with over 55,000 <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/watches-and-wonders-best-dressed-1236445545/%3C/a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people visiting over the course of the week.</a>



A whopping 6,000 of those at the fair were dealers, the individuals whose work shapes which watches end up in which markets—and, ultimately, what ends up in your collection. For the most dedicated collectors, that’s a tall order, especially with an increasingly limited number of coveted watches available and serious enthusiasts focused on novelty more than ever before.



“People are really looking to fill gaps in their collections,” says Nick Boulle, president of&nbsp;<a href="https://deboulle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">de Boulle Diamond &amp; Jewelry</a>, which operates boutiques in Houston and Dallas. “I think someone who wants a smaller collection is looking for something that speaks to them. When you look at all of the different brands, they have to cater to the different occasions that people will wear watches to, because everything is a lifestyle.”



But what about their own lifestyles? Below, we asked a group of leading watch dealers about the standout timepieces of Watches and Wonders, and which ones they’re prepared to buy for themselves.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797615" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Tudor, Laurent Ferrier, Patek Philippe, Rolex



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Nick and Emma Boulle, de Boulle Diamond and Jewellery</h2>



Nick:&nbsp;“I think the fear right now is that we won’t get enough of everything we’ve seen, more than it is about what we’d want to buy. &nbsp; “If I was buying for myself, there’s a lot, I have to say. The meteorite Daytona struck me. I think that’s a great one. And then the Patek Ref. 5328 really jumped out. Additionally, Tudor Watches—the new Pelagos that goes to 1,000 meters with just that little detail of turquoise text on the dial is just amazing. And then another partner of ours, Laurent Ferrier, came out with an ice-blue dial that really caught my eye.” &nbsp; Emma:&nbsp;“I would say the new Ladies’ Nautilus with the turquoise dial. It’s stunning, the detail on that dial. It’s a great size. It wasn’t too big, it was not too small. And I like larger watches, but it was stunning on the wrist.” &nbsp; Nick:&nbsp;“It’s cool, too, because it’s a new color of blue. It’s not something I’ve seen from another brand yet.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797616" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Patek Philippe, Chanel, Bulgari



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Raphael Gübelin, CEO, Gübelin Group</h2>



“I do have to say there were a few highlights, and one of them is definitely the Patek Philippe, the Ref. 5370R, beautiful rose gold, brown. I really love that. And they also had the Ref. 5326 blue, love that.   “The <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/chanel-j12-ceramic-watch-midnight-blue-1236353752/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chanel J12 Bleu</a>? Fabulous. It’s not shiny, it’s matte. Great, great. And also, Bulgari has a black Octo Finissimo, I also like that a lot.    “I probably would buy all of them that I was mentioning. But at the end, it’s always about availability. I saw the nice new <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/patek-philippe-debuts-cubitus-collection-watches-1235953276/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cubitus</a> in a slightly smaller version. I know they’re going to be doing very good—and I’m not going to have one of those, but I’m very happy if my customers have them, and I enjoy seeing them on the rest of my customers.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797617" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Rolex, Patek Philippe



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rudy Albers, President, Wempe U.S.A.</h2>



“I had a great meeting with Patek Philippe and got to see their new pieces. They’re super exciting, fantastic finishing and complications. So that was great. I went to see Cartier. They certainly had some beautiful new creations there as well. So we’re making the rounds to take it all in. Of course, my phone’s been burning up for the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-land-dweller-most-significant-watch-1236445533/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Land-Dweller</a>.   “I wish I could remember the new reference number of the Patek Philippe with the eight-day power reserve and the blue dial. That just floored me. I love blue. So that’s right up my alley.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797618" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Patek Philippe, Cartier



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brian Govberg, Global Sales Director, the 1916 Company</h2>



“The Ref. 6196P from Patek is a watch that, if I closed my eyes and had to imagine the best possible Calatrava, that would be it. And the second would be the new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/de-bethune-swizz-beatz-db-kind-of-two-gmt-season-1236383726/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swizz Beatz DeBethune Kind of Two GMT</a>, which is just an awesome watch. &nbsp; “I’m a very big fan of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/cartier-tank-a-guichets-revival-history-1236442899/" rel="noreferrer noopener">jump hour complication</a>, and I think that it’s a complication that’s not utilized nearly enough. Cartier just came out with a beautiful reference that incorporates this complication, and I would love to see more brands do the same.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797619" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Zenith, Cartier



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Derek Mon, Carat &amp; Co.</h2>



“I really like the new Cartier Tank Louis. It’s manual winding, and even though it’s a large size, it fits really well on the wrist. Specifically, it would fit great on my wrist, and that’s why I like it. &nbsp; “The other one that was intriguing to me was the Zenith GFJ Platinum watch. To me, that is Zenith going in the more independent watchmaking route with a stunning lapis lazuli dial with mother of pearl along with a full platinum case and bracelet. The size is awesome, and I haven’t seen that shade of blue done anywhere else all fair!”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797620" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Cartier, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Yoni Ben-Yehuda, Head of Watches, Audemars Piguet x Material Good</h2>



“We were just joking that this is a very expensive trip for me. But the three that stood out for me that I’m like, ‘Shut up and take my money,’ would be the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso on the Milanese bracelet and the rose gold with the tonal dial; the Andy Warhol Piaget, absolutely, especially with some customization to it; and the limited edition Cartier jump hour (<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/cartier-tank-a-guichets-revival-history-1236442899/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tank à Guichets</a>) in platinum. I think those are three of some of the most exciting pieces.



“I also really love the Moser stone dials, especially the pink. There’s so much. The worst version of me just gets paid in watches, and lives, like, under a bridge by the river.”

Bulgari

Cartier

Chanel

Patek Philippe

Watches and Wonders 2025

‘Shut Up and Take My Money’: The Best New Watches Dealers Want to Buy for Themselves

<a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/de-bethune-swizz-beatz-new-watch-season-1234820436/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swizz Beatz and De Bethune</a>&nbsp;are back at it again.



The record producer and the Swiss watchmaker just dropped an all-new timepiece, the DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3,” marking their <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/de-bethune-dream-watch-5-tourbillion-season-1234644131/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">third collaboration</a> since 2021. And, as usual with this dream team, this release shows off some seriously inspired engineering: The watch offers up two distinct dials—one contemporary, one classic—that wearers can choose via an ultra-precise flipping mechanism.



For this vision from Beatz and Denis Flageollet, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/de-bethune/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">De Bethune</a>’s master watchmaker and founder, an extra level of mechanical wizardry was required. For the new launch, known as reference DBK2V1SB, the brand created a hand-wound movement that was entirely developed and produced in its Swiss manufacture. The calibre DB2517 is made up of 394 parts and offers up a four-day power reserve, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796826" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The contemporary dial on the new DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3.” Image courtesy of De Bethune</figcaption></figure>



The contemporary dial, one of two personalities you’re getting with “Season 3,” is made to show off that movement. With a black-and-gold colour scheme, the timepiece features a black open-worked deltoid bridge in its centre, mimicking the shape of a triangle. On this side, a sub-dial at six o’clock shows off the golden hour markers, while the minutes are shown around the periphery—both equipped with polished, blue-steel hands. Alongside the microlight and satin finishes, you can catch a glimpse of the dual central gold wheels of the jumping time mechanism and those silver twin barrels.



Flipping over to the other side, you’ll find the classic GMT dial, done up in silver, black, and hints of De Bethune’s signature blue. Here, you get the polished mirror-finished steel jumping seconds hand in all its glory, tracking the silver numbers around the dial’s outer edge. The hour numerals, meanwhile, are set on a wider ring, marked by blue titanium hands. A hand-guilloché central motif streaked with waves of silver and blue mark the centre of the dial.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796827" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A close-up of both dials. Image courtesy of De Bethune</figcaption></figure>



On the DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3,” the contemporary dial is where you’ll set your home time, using the crown in position three. Then, the second time zone is set on the GMT dial by pulling the crown to its second position.



With a Nubuck strap, the new launch is also housed in a 43.3 mm case, which sits at a 11.4 mm thickness and is crafted from zirconium and satin-finished Grade 5 titanium. The floating lugs were redesigned just for this timepiece, allowing you to move with ease between the two dials. And if you’re into the Jekyll and Hyde effect, you better act fast: Limited to just 10 pieces, the “Season 3” is priced at US$235,000 (CHF 210,000/HK$1.9 million).



As we mentioned, this isn’t Beatz’s first collab with De Bethune. The duo launched <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/de-bethune-dream-watch-5-tourbillion-season-1234644131/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Dream Watch 5 Tourbillon “Season 1”</a> back in 2021, a striking, ogive-shaped timepiece that showed off a flurry of the watchmaker’s signature patents. That first drop was followed by the sleek <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/de-bethune-swizz-beatz-new-watch-season-1234820436/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DBD “Season 2”</a> with a burgundy dial just two years later, a 43 mm number that Beatz described as “the culmination of a constant quest in which beauty meets virtuosity.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796828" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the new De Bethune lounge at the 1916 Company New York. Image courtesy of De Bethune</figcaption></figure>



And, in case you need another reason to celebrate, De Bethune is opening its first dedicated space in the US, joining two other locations in Geneva and Hong Kong. Known as the De Bethune Lounge at the 1916 Company New York, it is housed in the Big Apple’s Fuller Building on Madison Avenue. There, you can explore De Bethune’s rotating collection of timepieces, both old and new, and eventually use its upcoming custom-strap service on your favourite models from the watchmaker. You won’t have to wait long to check it out, either: The new space will start welcoming customers via private appointment starting 24 March.

collab

De Bethune

Dual-dial watch

Swizz Beatz

Watch

De Bethune and Swizz Beatz Team Up (Again) on a Bonkers Dual-Dial Watch

By Michael Verdon, Julia Zaltzman, and P. Ramakrishnan



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sailing Towards Sustainability</h2>



For a growing number of younger sailors, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword but the chief driver behind their new builds. Designers and shipyards understand that their vessels must now be the bleeding edge of green technology.



“The wonderful thing about sailing is that you can move a 50-ton vessel in style across the Atlantic without using fossil fuel,” says Anders Berg of Dixon Yacht Design, highlighting sailing’s windharnessing advantage over powerboats. A younger, more tech-savvy clientele has emerged, with “different expectations that are catalysing new technologies.” 



“Our demographics changed tremendously after we started building hybrid boats,” notes Seth Hynes, president of HH Catamarans, a producer of luxury sailing cats from 44 to 88 feet. “We’re now looking at mostly younger buyers—families taking sabbaticals or first-time owners living off the grid.”



Hybrid propulsion has significantly lowered emissions compared to conventional diesel power, while solar panels designed into the exterior and lithium-ion batteries recharged by the spinning of the props are becoming integral to the latest generation of bespoke sailing yachts. Green technology is also trickling, albeit more slowly, into production sailboats.



In a reverse trend, designer Bill Tripp has seen motoryacht owners gravitate toward sailing vessels. “About a third of new clients at Y Yachts owned powerboats,” he explains, adding that the tech transfer represents a “seismic shift” during his 47 years as a naval architect: “There are great opportunities now for owners who approach this reflectively.”



One of Tripp’s clients is building a 70-foot “pure-electric” world-cruising sailboat with zero fossil-fuel components. But that remains rare. “Sailing’s still waiting for its Tesla moment, when batteries are light and powerful enough to make a boat independent,” he adds. 



Nobody believes the demand for increased sustainability will fade. “It’s accelerating,” says Berg, citing a recent clean-sheet project he designed around emerging technology rather than trying to pigeonhole alternative-propulsion components into a traditional hull. “This new generation of owners want things nobody asked for five years ago,” adds Tripp. “They want, and will eventually get, perpetual-motion machines.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796238" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Courtesy of Lürssen: Klaus Jordan</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gigayacht</h3>



Kismet



The latest and largest Kismet is the third yacht of the same name for Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. At 400 feet, it’s 88 feet longer than its predecessor, though it shares flash features such as a basketball court on the helipad, video walls, wild chandeliers, and a silver jaguar inlaid into the bowsprit. The interior by Reymond Langton is tastefully flamboyant. The full-beam, two-level owner’s apartment is accented in gold, tempered by the fireplace, marbled bathrooms, dressing rooms, and enormous skylight above the bed. Other over-the-top features include a cryotherapy chamber, a Bogányi grand piano on the upper deck, and a “Tron Corridor” with a dance floor that flashes pink and blue. The cinema may claim the Khan prize for coolest feature: Under the 150-inch television is a Nemo Lounge, a window to whatever is swimming outside. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796242" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Motoryacht</h3>



Wally



Wallywhy150



As the latest addition to the Wally fleet, the Wallywhy150 is a stunning 79-foot motoryacht that advances the design principles established by its predecessors. Studio Vallicelli Design was tapped to come up with the luxurious interiors, collaborating with the Wally-Ferretti Group team to create this cutting-edge vessel. Showcasing an ingenious layout that prioritises accessibility and flexibility, the Wallywhy150 features a master cabin on the main deck with expansive panoramic views and a unique split-level saloon that flows effortlessly onto an aft terrace—an embodiment of Wally’s signature “terrace-on-the-sea” concept. It also offers direct access to the sea at cockpit level, sans stairs—effectively a loft floating above the water.



Wally, a distinguished brand under the aegis of Ferretti Group, has consistently set the benchmark for innovation, seamlessly blending advanced technology with contemporary design. Engineered for stability and speed, the Wallywhy150 boasts a cruising range of 400 miles, powered by three optional Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines capable of reaching 23 knots. With its impressive interior volume and adaptability for various uses, this motoryacht promises an extraordinary experience. As founder Luca Bassani intended, the essence of Wally lies in its audacious reimagining of what a yacht can be, ensuring it resonates with discerning owners worldwide. Without a doubt, the Wallywhy150 is a zippy model to add to the collection.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="956" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-1024x956.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796244" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-1024x956.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-300x280.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-768x717.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-1536x1434.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3.jpg 1714w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Megayacht</h3>



Ultra G



This Heesen, one of the fastest yachts in its class, is powered by MTU diesels with a total of 22,000 hp, connected to four water jets, that deliver a top speed of 37 knots. Speed is essential for the angling-obsessed owner to reach cruising grounds 100 miles offshore. But even with a fishing platform and an angler’s lounge (with screens showing live underwater feeds), the owner refers to Ultra G as a fast superyacht rather than a sportfisherman. That’s one reason why we chose this 197-footer—its speed doesn’t compromise comfort. The other is the Harrison Eidsgaard interior, which features a full owner’s bridge deck with an aft-facing suite, private terrace, and whirlpool. The yacht’s media room includes a cinema and games table, and in addition to the requisite sauna and steam room, the wellness area boasts a snow room. A surprising architectural highlight: the central staircase that winds through a glass-topped atrium.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796245" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Floating Residence</h3>



Ulyssia



Soon in the near future, Ulyssia, a residential yacht like no other, is set to redefine the meaning of luxury living at sea. Designed by the renowned Espen .ino and constructed by Meyer Werft with interiors by FM Architettura, this 1,050-foot behemoth will comprise 133 one- to six-bedroom residences for purchase, ranging from penthouses to duplexes and more, all with uninterrupted sea views and private terraces, and 22 guest suites for rent for visiting guests.



On board, cutting-edge technology and world-class leisure, entertainment, and health and fitness amenities further enhance the opulent experience. It would be easier to note what the Ulyssia won’t offer, as its facilities encompass a dive centre, spa, hair and beauty salon, medical centre, indoor and outdoor pools, walking track, multiple restaurants and bars, wine cellar, gourmet market, padel and pickleball courts, conference rooms, golf club and simulator, art studio&#8230; the list goes on. Residents aboard the Ulyssia can relish private voyages to iconic destinations and remote locales, making up a vibrant community of discerning individuals who can positively impact the regions they explore. (Ulyssia plans to partner with charitable organisations to introduce its residents to different marine conservation projects around the world.)



Environmental concerns are also addressed through design and engineering measures to minimise Ulyssia’s carbon footprint. With a commitment to sustainability, philanthropy, exceptional service, and unmatched lifestyle, Ulyssia is positioned as a beacon of innovation in the luxury yacht sector, inviting individuals to “live without boundaries.”



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sportfisherman</h3>



Special One



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796246" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Royal Huisman’s 171-foot Special One is the largest and most heavily customised sportfisherman ever. Studio Vripack did its best to define the vessel as a serious offshore battlewagon, with a dramatically long forefoot, high bulwarks, six decks, and signature tuna tower on top. In profile, it looks like a conventional sportfisherman on steroids. In the stern is an oversized angler’s cockpit, complete with the requisite fighting chair. Four tiered aft decks give spectators a view of the action, while the tuna tower is designed for spotting pelagics many miles away. Despite the interior luxuries, this vessel is no pretender: It’s equipped with live-bait wells, rod holders, fish freezers, tuna tubes, and a bait-and-tackle room. On the foredeck, an outdoor cinema screen and studio-quality speakers provide a postcatch respite from fishing.

gigayacht

Kismet

Luxury

Luxury vessels

Megayacht

Ultra G

Ulyssia

Wally

Wallywhy150

The Best in Water 2025, From Gigayacht Kismet and Wally’s Wallywhy150 to the Ulyssia Floating Residence

Steve Kozloff is making his marine dream a reality.



The California-based designer, known for penning pioneering <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/steve-kozloff-2us-sailing-yacht-1234895603/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sailing yachts</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/steve-kozloff-trimaran-trident-1234694754/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trimarans</a>, and <a href="https://robbreport.com.au/motors/boating/a-hybrid-expedition-yacht-concept-claims-11000km-on-a-single-tank/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explorers</a>, just unveiled a new <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/submarine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">submarine</a> concept that would allow him to fulfil his dream of traversing the deep sea with his wife, Terry.



Aptly christened the Deep Sea Dreamer, the 107-footer allows two or more seafarers to explore the underwater world in complete privacy. Constructed entirely of sturdy steel, the sub features massive viewing windows and a forward observation bubble that provides cinematic vistas of the surrounding ocean. It can also function as a regular yacht should you wish to explore the world above the waves.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_3-1024x576.webp" alt="Computer rendering of a panoramic observation salon inside a submarine, with dining tables, a grand piano, and armchairs." class="wp-image-1234786638" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_3-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_3-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_3-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_3.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The panoramic observation salon. Image courtesy of Steve Kozloff</figcaption></figure>



Built for extended expeditions, the Dreamer is equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system comprised of two Cummins engines, one electric motor, and 10 directional thrusters. During long voyages, the vessel cruises just below the waterline, with a fixed dorsal providing fresh air to the interior and the genset while expelling the exhaust. Kozloff says this submerged cruising position results in exceptional range, decent speeds, and smooth conditions. The sub has an estimated cruising speed of six knots, a maximum speed of 10 knots, and a go-anywhere range of 6,000 miles.



In addition, the Dreamer can dive to 328 feet and travel up to 100 miles on silent, electric power. The sub can also remain firmly planted on the ocean floor for up to seven days, with the onboard batteries providing power for the week.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_Owner3-1024x576.webp" alt="Computer rendering of a suite inside a submarine concept, showing a bed and cabinets." class="wp-image-1234786639" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_Owner3-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_Owner3-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_Owner3-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DeepSeaDream_Owner3.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The owner’s suite. Image courtesy of Steve Kozloff</figcaption></figure>



Explorers will traverse the seas in the lap of luxury, too. The plush living quarters are akin to that of a <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/superyacht/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superyacht</a>. The two distinctive decks offer approximately 1,500 square feet of space for lounging and entertaining. Guests can easily travel between decks using the watertight elevator or ladder tube.



The interior includes an elegant dining area, a gourmet galley, a spacious salon, a forward lounge, a full-beam owner’s suite of 275 square feet, two guest cabins, and crew quarters. The panoramic observation salon is the highlight of the interior, with four recliners on the glass floor enabling guests to appreciate oceanic treasures. In addition, guests can enjoy nearly 2,500 square feet of space on the expansive exterior deck when the vessel is above water.



The sub remains a concept at this stage but Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/deep-sea-dreamer-1235558165/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to see all the photos of the Deep Sea Dreamer.

Deep Sea Dreamer

Steve Kozloff

Submarine

This Insane Submarine Concept Doubles as a 107-Foot Superyacht

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/pershing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pershing</a>’s sporty fleet just got a new member.



The Italian shipyard, part of the Ferretti Group, launched its first GTX70 from the port of Fano last week. The third model in the brand’s Sport Utility&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/yachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yachts</a> range, the 72-footer offers up all the agility and space you’d expect from a Pershing—just in a slightly smaller package.



The GTX70 is the brainchild of Vallicelli Design, the Ferretti engineering department, and the group’s Product Strategy Committee, led by Piero Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari’s son—which makes sense, given the yacht’s supercar-like exterior. With a nearly 18-foot beam, the launch is decked out in Pershing’s signature grey, with sweeping lines that can be seen across the exterior.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796834" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pershing’s sporty GTX70 can hit a top speed of 35 knots. Image courtesy of Pershing</figcaption></figure>



That exterior (and interior) space is more extensive than other models of a similar length, Pershing says, and that can be seen especially in the beach area aft. On this first GTX70, the yard placed a sunpad on the transom; the space’s stern swim platform, besides being the perfect spot to launch your Jet Ski, comes with dual linear lift tech, which gives you more space to unwind by aligning the platform with the beach area. In total, the area spans about 248 square feet when the side terraces are open.



As for the sportbridge, the 172-square-foot space is divided into three zones: a spot for sunbathing, a dining area, and the helm station. This first GTX70 also comes with an electric bimini top, which can give you some much-needed shade in the helm and the dining area if you’ve spent too much time in the sun.



The main deck, meanwhile, has a sprawling, open layout. Here, the owners can enjoy a fully shaded cockpit, with a sofa and a table. Heading inside, the exterior and interior space are connected by the galley, much like on the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/pershing-new-gtx80-sport-yacht-1235486267/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GTX80</a>. The L-shaped sofas inside are done up in a dark nubuck leather, while the muted tones of the stairwell close by add contrast to the area.



Accommodations onboard, also crafted to optimise space, include three cabins and three en suite bathrooms on the lower deck. In terms of grunt, the GTX70 has three 900 hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS12000, which helps bush the yacht to a top speed of 35 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots.



As we mentioned, the GTX70 does share some similarities with the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/pershing-gtx80-yacht-1236011533/">G</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/pershing-gtx80-yacht-1236011533/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TX80</a>, which we checked out at the Cannes Yachting Festival last year. That weekend cruiser, a touch larger than Pershing’s newest launch, also has a spacious beach area and an open-concept main deck. After all, two sporty yachts are always better than one.

Ferretti Group

Pershing

Yacht

Pershing Just Launched Its New Sporty 72-Foot Yacht

This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRdt9F3RtIQ&amp;t=2s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video</a> shows what it’s like to approach the mythical 54-knot (62.1 mph, 100 kmh) speed barrier, considered the supersonic barrier on the water, on an unpowered sailboat. At that speed, cavitation beneath the water begins to slow down any hull, and with no motor to push it through, the hull design is critical for moving beyond that hump. 



The team behind the rocket-like <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/sp80-sailboat-break-speed-record-1235060507/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SP80</a> foiler, which recently reached 51-plus knots (59.03 mph), plans to soon cross the magical 54-knot line on its way to beating the speed record of 65.45 knots (75.3 mph), set by Paul Larsen in 2012 aboard Vestas Sailrocket II.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="686" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-1024x686.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796892" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-1024x686.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-300x201.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-768x515.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The SP80 uses a giant sail kite (upper left of the image) for propulsion, requiring excessive wind and a smart hull design. Image courtesy of SP80</figcaption></figure>



“This run above 50 knots allowed us to finally observe the behaviour of our foil in a speed range that remains largely unexplored in the world of sailing,” said Benoît Gaudiot, kite pilot aboard the SP80 experimental raceboat. “We deliberately slowed the boat down just before reaching 52 knots as a precaution, but our analysis of the data indicates that it did not encounter any major barriers.”



The slender, 33-foot foiling trimaran, with sponsons on both sides and a small, protected cockpit for the pilot and a co-pilot, performs more like a kiteboard than a traditional sailing yacht. The team hopes to not only break Vestas Sailrocket II’s record, but shatter it since its boat has a theoretical top speed of 80 knots, or 92 mph. Hence the SP80 name.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796893" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benoît Gaudiot piloting the trimaran, keeping an eye on the kite sail and the waves.  Image courtesy of SP80</figcaption></figure>



Despite its sponsorship by Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille, the SP80 initiative is a shoestring startup launched nine years ago by three friends—Mayeul van den Broek, Xavier Lepercq, and Benoit Gaudiot—who decided to create a boat that would cross the seemingly uncrossable 80-knot mark. The team is using a proprietary—and yet unproven—design that pairs the massive kitesurfing sails with a carbon-fibre hull weighing just 330 pounds. The trimaran initially took more than two years and 40,000 hours to design, and it has since gone through several iterations.



Under the rules, the SP80 is not allowed to use the same type of electronics or lithium batteries to help adjust the sails as, say, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/americas-cup-f1-ocean-next-year-1235434383/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">America’s Cup</a> or <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/what-its-like-on-foiling-yacht-1234865806/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SailGP</a> foilers, even though, proportionally speaking, the SP80 is facing a much higher load on its sails. It’s only allowed to use wind power. As a result, it is testing in one of the world’s windiest stretches outside Leucate, France.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796894" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cofounders Lepercq, van den Broek, and Gaudiot show off the boat at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show. Image courtesy of Laura Manon</figcaption></figure>



“The boat is now close to its full technical potential,” says SP80 pilot Mayeul van den Broek. “The challenge for Benoît and I now is to sail as much as possible to master the boatʼs behaviour from 0 to over 70 knots (130 km/h). We need to fine-tune our trajectories, improve our synchronisation, and push the machine even further.”



One mistake at these speeds could shatter the boat.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796895" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The current record holder, the Vestas Sailrocket II, used a very different sail technology in 2012.  Image courtesy of Vestus Sailrocket</figcaption></figure>



“The weather has not always been favourable, with winds often too light to accumulate significant sailing hours,” added van den Broek. “But with each outing, we can feel it—the logistics are running smoothly, the boat wants to go faster. All we need now is more time on the water to unleash its full potential.”



It hopes to reach that potential in the next few weeks.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, the Swiss team has a French competitor,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/moonshoti-smash-sailing-speed-record-1234655312/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Syroco</a>, employing a kitesurfing sail that actually lifts the vessel above the water. But it will be tethered to the water by a long fin below the surface that serves as a sea anchor. That team plans to up the SP80’s ante by sailing just a hair faster, at 80.99 knots (or 93.2 mph).

super yacht

trimaran

This Trimaran Uses a Giant Kite to Hit Lightning-Fast Speeds, and It Could Break a Sailing Record

<a href="https://robbreport.com/feature/20-best-superyacht-shipyards-2835363/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nautor Swan</a>&nbsp;announced that it had formed a superyacht division for its iconic sailboats.&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/sanlorenzo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sanlorenzo</a>&nbsp;Yachts, which acquired the Finnish sailboat builder last June, held a roundtable press conference aboard one of its superyachts at the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/palm-beach-international-boat-show-new-launches-2025-1236362830-1236362830/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palm Beach International Boat Show</a>&nbsp;to announce the new series.



The first vessel will be a 43-metre (141-foot) Maxi alloy sailing yacht, expected to be launched in 2028. <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/nautor-swan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nautor Swan</a> CEO Giovanni Pomati said the largest maxi sailing yacht they have is a 128-footer, which is scheduled to launch later this year. “As you can imagine, the owners of those kind of boats are looking for even bigger ones,” Pomati said at the press conference. Eventually, the brand will build a 56-metre (184-foot) vessel and a 65-metre-plus (213-foot) superyacht as part of the series.



The market for large <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/sailing-superyachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sailing superyachts</a> is a fraction of the motoryacht segment above 100 feet, with firms like <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/new-perini-navi-yachts-2820124/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perini Navi</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/royal-huisman-worlds-tallest-sailing-yacht-1235593085/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Huisman</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/baltic-yachts-first-catamaran-1235878141/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baltic Yachts</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/southern-wind-hybrid-sailing-yacht-gelliceaux-1235384254/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Wind</a>, each turning out one or two boats per year. Of course, the two largest-ever sailing yachts came from <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/worlds-largest-sailing-yachts-1236116901/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceanco</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/slideshow/best-of-the-best-top-7-yachts-of-the-year/2797055/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Pearl</a> and Jeff Bezos’s <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/jeff-bezos-koru-sailing-superyacht-1235852521/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Koru</a>. The new Nautor Swans will be built of an aluminium alloy, which requires specialised technology and knowledge that Nautor Swan will import from the Netherlands. The new superyachts will also be built at a facility near Sanlorenzo’s headquarters in Viareggio, Italy, which will also have its own technical centre. Pomati noted that Sanlorenzo’s much larger size and engineering capacity gives the project “financial and material synergies” to create the new line of maxi yachts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796917" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The first rendering of the new 43M Nautor Swan sailing superyacht. Image courtesy of Nautor Swan</figcaption></figure>



Sanlorenzo chairman Massimo Perotti noted that one of his powerboat brands, Bluegame, built and designed a hydrogen-powered tender for the US America’s Cup team, American Magic, which competed in last year’s event in Barcelona. “That was an important step for Swan,” said Perotti, noting that sustainability will be a mantra for the motoryacht builder going forward. Last year, it launched the world’s first 164-foot <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/sanlorenzo-launches-50steel-superyacht-1235622752/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">50Steel Almax</a> motoryacht, incorporating a green-methanol fuel cell that powers its hotel load with zero carbon emissions. By 2028, it will have another superyacht powered by 80 per cent carbon-free methanol to propel the boat.



Nautor Swan also launched its first hybrid sailing yacht last summer, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/nautor-swan-launches-first-hybrid-sailing-yacht-1235591698/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swan 88</a>, which previewed at the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/monaco-yacht-show-2024-1235866205/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monaco Yacht Show</a>. In Palm Beach, Perotti also spoke about designing and building the “perfect sailboat” within the next five years, that will be powered only by wind and an electric generator in the lower decks that produces up to 50 KwH of energy. “That will be enough to power a 40-metre (131-foot) boat at eight knots,” he said. “It also puts us well on the road to being carbon-neutral by 2030.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796918" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sanlorenzo’s Massimo Perotti, Nautor Swan CEO Giovanni Pomati, Edmiston sailing superyacht expert Bruce Brakenhoff, and Edmiston CEO Jamie Edmiston have teamed up to launch the division. Image courtesy of Sanlorenzo</figcaption></figure>



But the purpose of the press conference was the new Swan Maxi alloy series. Pomati said the initial engineering has begun, and the team released an initial rendering that shows a long, slender vessel, but without much detail. Edmiston Yachts, which has sold more large sailing superyachts than any other brokerage firm, will also be part of the initiative. “We’re going to work very closely with Massimo and Giovanni to help innovate the product,” said Jamie Edmiston, the brand’s CEO. “We’ve got a reasonably good idea what we think is going to sell in the marketplace. And then we’re going to be very focused on the sales and marketing and putting the opportunities in front of the client base worldwide.”



Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design will design the new line.&nbsp;Antonio Santella, who launched Sanlorenzo’s superyacht division, will also oversee this new division. The sales and marketing office will be in Newport, Rhode Island, which many consider the historic home of competitive sailing. It has hosted many America’s Cup events since the first in 1930, and the New York Yacht Club, which sponsored American Magic, has its summer headquarters there. Bruce Brakenhoff, former president of Perini Navi USA, is now a broker at Edmiston and will lead the sales effort. “I am positive that we can do well with this new product,” said Brakenhoff at the press conference. “There is absolutely a hole in the marketplace.”



It’s a hole that this team plans to fill in the next five years.

Nautor Swan

Sanlorenzo Yachts

This New Line of Sailing Superyachts Will Be Made From an Aluminium Alloy