Ultra-luxury takes the best to an even higher level than you didn’t hitherto expect. In fact, the recent inaugural Ultra by Private Luxury Events, suitably at Atlantis the Royal in Dubai, showed how some fabulous operations are already looking up and giving luxury travellers what they hadn’t anticipated.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atlantistheroyal-skyblazefountainfire-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797820" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atlantistheroyal-skyblazefountainfire-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atlantistheroyal-skyblazefountainfire-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atlantistheroyal-skyblazefountainfire-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atlantistheroyal-skyblazefountainfire-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/atlantistheroyal-skyblazefountainfire-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Atlantis the Royal in Dubai. Image courtesy of Atlantis the Royal</figcaption></figure>



Atlantis the Royal does just that. Its 17 dining, drinking, and entertaining venues include a beach-set Nobu with water features on the outdoor terraces. The 18-area Gastronomy includes a wall of help-yourself vignette dressings, and a 55,000-bottle winery. Up on the 22nd floor, appropriately named Cloud 22 includes an outdoor pool surrounded by lounging areas and bars. Some of the 795 rooms also have stunning Dubai high-rise or ocean rooms. Suite 32520 is one that, in addition to views, has a totally private outside pool—heated, glass-walled, and secret enough for skinny-dip swimming.



Privacy, authenticity, and service: these are the three words that dominate ultra-luxury. Why have aficionados long admired Kauri Cliffs, now Rosewood, in Matauri Bay in New Zealand? One reason is that the 26-room lodge sits in 6,000 acres of working-sheep-farm land. Oh, the privacy of space.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Walking-Tour-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797893" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Walking-Tour-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Walking-Tour-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Walking-Tour-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Walking-Tour-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Walking-Tour-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Walking-Tour-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong</figcaption></figure>



When it comes to authenticity, ultra-luxury warrants the real deal. At Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, for instance, offered experiences include curated walking in historic areas and learning about parts of the city that tourists generally don’t see. For instance, take in the Old Wan Chai Post Office, which operated from 1915 till 1992 before being repurposed as an Environmental Resource Centre (in 2024, it evolved again, to become the Know Carbon House to promote carbon neutrality in Hong Kong).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CapellaSydney_Aperture_5468_LR-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797867" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CapellaSydney_Aperture_5468_LR-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CapellaSydney_Aperture_5468_LR-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CapellaSydney_Aperture_5468_LR-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CapellaSydney_Aperture_5468_LR-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CapellaSydney_Aperture_5468_LR-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Capella Sydney</figcaption></figure>



Our highest-end travellers do like a bit of education, if it isn’t overdone. In Sydney, the Capella on Bridge Street is a conversion of two early-20th-century structures, the Department of Education and Department of Lands buildings. Capella Culturists—concierges who are more akin to tour guides—are on hand to share invaluable insights on the local central business district, neighbourhood, and to make restaurant and nightlife recommendations. Every visitor should experience BridgeClimb, the escorted walking ascent over the city’s Sydney Harbour Bridge. In addition, as in all Capella hotels, there’s a Living Room, which hosts a daily ritual for everyone to share in immersive storytelling.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lifestyle-Sound-Healing-3-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797874" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lifestyle-Sound-Healing-3-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lifestyle-Sound-Healing-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lifestyle-Sound-Healing-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lifestyle-Sound-Healing-3-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lifestyle-Sound-Healing-3-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sound healing remedies at Joali Being. Image courtesy of Joali Being</figcaption></figure>



Authenticity requires genuine well-being. In the Maldives, the two Joali properties have, between them, over 39 transformational disciplines. An expected lineup of Ayurvedic and TCM practitioners is complemented by naturopaths, nutritionists, sound healers, watsu therapists, herbalists, mind and body specialists, and energy healers, all contributing to what Joali calls the joy of weightlessness. Alongside this is the ESG that is also an integrated part of today’s ultra luxury—the company’s sustainability programme, Joy of Caring, includes such offerings as reef restoration and turtle rehabilitation. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CJA01216-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797877" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CJA01216-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CJA01216-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CJA01216-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CJA01216-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CJA01216-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ruinart pop-up at Joali Maldives. Image courtesy of Joali Maldives</figcaption></figure>



Add, too, the fact that Joali Maldives’ recent Ruinart beverage pop-up featured bottles with recycled second skins by New York-based English-French artist Sophie Kitching (she’s also partnered with Bulgari on its Serpenti range, Bergdorf Goodman, and Nassau’s The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Michelin-Starred-Man-Wah-Private-Dining-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797892" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Michelin-Starred-Man-Wah-Private-Dining-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Michelin-Starred-Man-Wah-Private-Dining-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Michelin-Starred-Man-Wah-Private-Dining-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Michelin-Starred-Man-Wah-Private-Dining-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mandarin-Oriental-Hong-Kong-Michelin-Starred-Man-Wah-Private-Dining-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Man Wah at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Image courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong</figcaption></figure>



And finally, service. Well, we can all recognise interactions that are truly bespoke. A male globalist who always appreciates raspberries for his Champagne, a female counterpart who simply wants one empty pillowcase rather than six heavily-stuffed pillows (she’s trying to prevent yet another double chin)—it’s back to where we started. It’s service that ultimately raises the luxury level, and that’s why Greg Liddell, who runs Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, believes that enhancing traveller communication before arrival elevates anticipation and the stay.

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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.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Living-Room-View-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787580" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Living-Room-View-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Living-Room-View-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Living-Room-View-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Living-Room-View-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Living-Room-View-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes welcomed Villa Mayavee into its growing portfolio in late 2023.</figcaption></figure>



Describe the hotel in three words: Million-dollar views.



What’s the deal?



In late 2023, Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes welcomed <a href="https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/exclusive-homes/villa-mayavee#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Villa Mayavee</a> into its growing portfolio of branded properties. As part of the exclusive programme, Mandarin Oriental hand-selects luxurious private homes around the world and swoops in to ensure the premises, service, amenities, and features are up to five-star snuff before stamping the property with its seal of approval, bolstering it with the international hotel group’s award-winning hospitality. Currently, Mayavee is one of only three such MO-affiliated villas in Asia-Pacific.



Named by a Buddhist monk during a blessing ceremony for the property’s construction, “Mayavee” is Sanskrit for “mesmerising.” Its modern design will certainly leave you captivated, if not its ideal location on Phuket’s Millionaire’s Mile, a stretch along the western coast that’s home to the city’s most expensive homes. Mayavee’s cliffside perch also means guests have unobstructed, front-row views to picturesque, warm-hued sunsets come eventide.



A 45-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, Mayavee’s indoor-outdoor design composition invites nature into the home, integrating the property into the jungle and mountainside. Comprising four bedrooms, six bathrooms, two dining rooms, multiple sitting areas, an infinity pool, a fitness room, a library and office, a fully equipped kitchen, and more, the multi-storey Mayavee sleeps up to eight guests, though its open-plan design and 1,200-square-metre living spaces can accommodate up to 20 in a social setting.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Suite-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787581" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Suite-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Suite-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Suite-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Suite-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Suite-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The master suite comes with a plunge pool with Jacuzzi.</figcaption></figure>



The best room?



It would have to be the master suite, which comes with a sizeable private balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, plunge pool with Jacuzzi features that is accessible straight from the bedroom, and rooftop terrace, plus some of the best views that look out across the waters and surrounding greenery as well as parts of the villa. It even has a separate dressing room with plenty of wardrobe storage. Although the other rooms in the villa are modest in comparison, each is similarly well appointed, and there are common spaces aplenty for lounging.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787584" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Villa Mayavee has multiple indoor and outdoor areas for lounging.</figcaption></figure>



Did they greet you by name at check-in?



At Mayavee, there is no formal check-in process—the arrival experience is almost like coming home. Each reservation made through Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes, in collaboration with luxury home rental platform <a href="https://www.stayone.com/mandarin-oriental-exclusive-homes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">StayOne</a>, includes thorough pre-arrival communication so the housekeeping team can become familiar with the travelling party before their stay begins, including food preferences, dietaries, guest profiles, interests, and so on. If you have previously stayed at a Mandarin Oriental hotel, the process is made even more convenient, as MO can simply refer to its existing records for likes and dislikes.



Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived?



No, we were greeted with cooling towels and a garland of flowers when we arrived. While the welcome drink was not waiting for us when we stepped out of the car, we were immediately asked what we wanted to drink upon arrival, and the bevvies were swiftly prepared and served to us while we were taken on a tour of the villa and the facilities.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787585" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Lounge-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The master suite comes with an outdoor lounge area as well as a rooftop terrace.</figcaption></figure>



Private butler for every room?



More like a private team for the entire villa that you can turn to for anything you need. Five members of staff are allocated to the property to manage operations during each stay, including a villa manager, on-site chef, senior housekeeper and junior housekeeper, and a gardener-slash-engineer. 



On regular occasions, two members of staff remain at the villa overnight during the guests’ stay, including the live-in junior housekeeper, so there’s always someone around. We have been told their official hours are from 7 am to 10 pm, though this can be adjusted to the guests’ needs if they require certain services outside of those times. Our experience with the housekeeping team was extremely pleasant; the staff members proved to be just the right amount of perceptive, approachable, and welcoming. We were well taken care of and attended to throughout the day and our various requests were promptly met.



Mayavee’s villa manager is also in charge of arranging activities, experiences, and services—guests can refer to the villa guidebook for details on spa treatments and fitness classes; tours to nearby attractions such as beaches, islands, and national parks; private yacht charters, cruises, water-sports rentals, and excursions to golf clubs; as well as babysitting and car hires.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Bedroom-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787587" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Bedroom-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Bedroom-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Bedroom-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Bedroom-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Bedroom-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Villa Mayavee comprises four bedrooms, each with a different layout.</figcaption></figure>



Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?



Exactly 300—all linens are domestically produced from 100 per cent local cotton.



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



No heated floor—temperatures in Phuket are balmy year-round, so there’s really no need—but there are bidets in each of the four en-suites. From freestanding tubs to walkthrough showers and space galore, the bathrooms differ in layout and size, but they really do have it all, and the one in the master suite even overlooks the Andaman Sea, so you can enjoy the view while getting ready or enjoying a soak. 



However, our favourite had to have been the guest bathroom in the main living space, a rectangular room dedicated to the super-smart Kohler toilet with a minimalist black bamboo installation to complete the serene lavatory visit. Is it an indispensable feature of the villa? Perhaps not. Did we enjoy using it anyway? 100 per cent. Going to the washroom has never felt more like an experience than a need.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Bathroom-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787579" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Bathroom-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Bathroom-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Bathroom-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Bathroom-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Master-Bathroom-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Villa Mayavee’s master bathroom is attached to a covered balcony.</figcaption></figure>



Are the toiletries full-sized?



Yes; the mandarin- and lemongrass-scented toiletries are full-sized and sourced from a local Phuket manufacturer aptly named Lemon Grass, which we are told supplies most other five-star hotels in town. Other bathroom amenities are Mandarin Oriental-branded.



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



Yes—a long plunge pool runs alongside the master suite, so if that is your chosen room, you’re in luck, though the slim dimensions of the pool make it more suitable for dipping your toes in and splashing around with a drink in hand than swimming laps. For everyone else, there is a much larger infinity pool with sunbeds, umbrellas, and oversized pool floats.



Meanwhile, the villa gym is decently equipped with a range of LifeFitness machines, free weights, and medicine balls, and it even comes with a steam room. Spa treatments can be had wherever you want it, whenever you want it—just request the service through the villa manager with some advance notice and they will arrange for the wellness therapists to come to the villa. (We recommend getting a stress-relieving massage on the covered balcony of the master suite, overlooking the Andaman Sea, with a lovely breeze in the air.)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Dining-Room-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787586" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Dining-Room-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Dining-Room-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Dining-Room-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Dining-Room-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Dining-Room-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Meals can be taken in the dining room, by the pool, or even on the rooftop terrace.</figcaption></figure>



Is the restaurant worth its salt?



Bien sur. In-house chef Po’s culinary skills are Mandarin Oriental-approved, and what he can cook is a long laundry list of dishes and cuisines that takes up over 20 pages in the villa’s menu booklet. From pancakes and eggs your choice to satay skewers, fresh spring rolls, fermented pork sausages, pomelo and papaya salads, larb, stir-fries, grilled meats, curries, noodles, rice, tom yum soup, mango sticky rice, and local-style banana fritters, there is a comprehensive selection to choose from. Western-style salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, pizza, barbecued dishes, and desserts can be had as well. Dietary needs and allergies can be catered to, of course, as well as special requests. 



We had a hankering for hash browns to go with our breakfast spread and informed the housekeeping staff the evening before—the next day, a platter of homemade, grated potato pancakes, similar in shape and appearance to latkes, appeared on the table, and they were simply phenomenal. Meals can be taken wherever you like—by the pool, in the dining room, or even on the roof terrace.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Rooftop-Terrace-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787582" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Rooftop-Terrace-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Rooftop-Terrace-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Rooftop-Terrace-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Rooftop-Terrace-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Rooftop-Terrace-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Spend the evening on the rooftop terrace for the best sunset views.</figcaption></figure>



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



Well, this is a private villa, so there is no lobby bar—or rather, anywhere on the property can become a lobby bar, if you so wish it. We think that sundowners on the villa rooftop is tough to beat, so that was the spot from which we viewed the fabulous sunset one late afternoon with wine from the villa’s selection and homemade canapés. Another evening saw us basking in the warm, orange twilight from the comfort of the pool lounges, clinking fresh fruit juices.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Pool-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787583" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Pool-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Pool-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Pool-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Pool-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Villa-Mayavee-Pool-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The infinity pool overlooks the Andaman Sea.</figcaption></figure>



Would you buy the hotel if you could?



Absolutely. Quiet, secluded, and with neighbours so far away that you can hardly see or hear them, this is your own little slice of tropical heaven if you are seeking a pampered Phuket getaway replete with warm hospitality and lazy days by the pool to revive you from the rapid pace of urban life. In fact, most guests tend to stay at Villa Mayavee for anywhere between a week to three weeks—that’s how much this place feels like home, and that’s the point.



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 Mandarin Oriental.

Phuket

Thailand

Villa Mayavee

What It’s Like to Stay at Villa Mayavee, the First Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes in Phuket

In April 2017, Emma Morano died at the age of 117. She attributed her longevity to eating three eggs a day, but others might cite exercise. In a bid to keep going, your correspondent climbed down and up the Spanish Steps every day for four days—132 steps down and 132 steps up, times four. Most importantly, the main takeaway was not that she did it, but that there were so few crowds around in what was still winter. In summer, the same activity would be like trying to get into Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert without a ticket.



The realisation of the joy of travelling out of season is expanding. More and more appreciate planning and taking trips when crowds are less dense, and when prices for airfares and rooms and suites are lower. Because of this, the shoulders between high and low are stretching and “the season”—high season—is also lengthening.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/off-season-travel-rajasthan-1024x683.jpg" alt="A large brown palace sitting atop a lake, against a background of mountains." class="wp-image-1234786683" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/off-season-travel-rajasthan-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/off-season-travel-rajasthan-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/off-season-travel-rajasthan-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/off-season-travel-rajasthan-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/off-season-travel-rajasthan-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jal Mahal, a landmark on the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Image courtesy of Sohan Rayguru/Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



In Goa, says Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO of IHCL, parent of Taj Hotels and Resorts, the season was only six months. Now, it is year-round. In Rajasthan, where temperatures can soar to 45 degrees Celsius, the season has doubled from four to eight months. In both instances, the same number of tourists is not more widely distributed—there are simply more tourists.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Capella-Sydney-Main-Entrance-Farrer-Place-HR-1024x683.jpeg" alt="A brown historical building surrounded by trees and skyscrapers." class="wp-image-1234786679" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Capella-Sydney-Main-Entrance-Farrer-Place-HR-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Capella-Sydney-Main-Entrance-Farrer-Place-HR-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Capella-Sydney-Main-Entrance-Farrer-Place-HR-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Capella-Sydney-Main-Entrance-Farrer-Place-HR-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Capella-Sydney-Main-Entrance-Farrer-Place-HR-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Capella Sydney is located in the historical heart of the city. Image courtesy of Timothy Kaye/Capella Sydney</figcaption></figure>



Marc von Arnim, GM of Capella Sydney, feels Southeast Asia really doesn’t have a low season at all. “Sydney sees far more demand for travel in winter months, [which is] traditional low season. In Australia, travelling without children off-peak means less queues and more access to popular spots.”



This out-of-season trend extends even further east. Speaking from Tahiti, Guillaume Epinette, area GM of InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), says that throughout French Polynesia, the distinction between high and low season is gradually fading. Advantages of travelling during the slightly quieter periods include opportunities to delve deeper into the culture and experience the true essence of the beautiful islands.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FSHK-Gallery-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Hotel lounge with colourful armchairs, dining tables, and a bar." class="wp-image-1234786684" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FSHK-Gallery-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FSHK-Gallery-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FSHK-Gallery-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FSHK-Gallery-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FSHK-Gallery-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Four Seasons Hong Kong. Image courtesy of Four Seasons Hong Kong</figcaption></figure>



In Hong Kong, Christian Poda, VP of Four Seasons Hotels &amp; Resorts and GM of Four Seasons Hong Kong, agrees completely: travelling out of season allows you to experience a more authentic culture with deeper engagements with locals.



Poda also, from an outbound viewpoint, stresses that, indeed, global travellers, many of whom he sees in transit, are certainly redefining traditional travel patterns by venturing to destinations during what was previously considered off-season. “The distinction between high and low seasons becomes increasingly blurred,” he says.



But does low season always mean low(er) pries? Not always. Jill Goh, who recently relocated from Hong Kong to be GM of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, points out that sometimes travel periods are determined by adults’ work or kids’ school breaks. In Singapore, she says, one can visit 365 days and the prices of hotel do not fluctuate too much.



Poda, in Hong Kong, gets the last word. “To sum up, one of the key benefits of off-season is the opportunity to avoid crowds and experience popular destinations in a more peaceful and authentic way.”



And, as a worthy and related postscript, he adds that impulsive travel is currently a trend. As travel decisions are significantly influenced by social media and television develops travel desires, if influencers travel out of season, why not tag along, and perhaps stay younger longer?

Capella Sydney

Four Seasons Hong Kong

InterContinental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Singapore

Off-Season Travel

Taj Hotels

Off-Season Travel Is Becoming More and More Popular. Here’s Why.

Mandarin Oriental

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

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

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

Etihad is bringing its signature luxury to flights a little closer to home.



The UAE airliner just unveiled its new A321LR aircraft, a narrow-body plane that will bring the upmost comfort on short- and medium-haul flights (think flights to Milan, Bangkok, Zurich, and more). The occasion marks the first time the new First Suites are making an appearance in a single-aisle aircraft.



And those enclosed First Suites are offering up an intimate onboard experience. With just two of these seats on the plane, you’ll get to lounge in a fully flat, forward-facing bed that extends up to 78.65 inches when reclined; it also has a seat width of 21.5 inches and a spot for a companion to sit if they feel like popping in. Once it’s time for some shut-eye, a full turn-down service will begin, complete with loungewear from Giorgio Armani. When you wake up from your snooze, you can enjoy some à la carte any-time dining and a 20-inch 4K screen for all your entertainment needs, too.



<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/Etihad-A321LR-First-Suite-2.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797561" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-First-Suite-2.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-First-Suite-2.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-First-Suite-2.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-First-Suite-2.png-1536x864.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-First-Suite-2.png.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The First Suite. Image courtesy of Etihad Airways</figcaption></figure>



Your first-class experience begins, though, before you even step on your flight. The Etihad Concierge will be around to help you plan your trip 24/7, and you’ll also get a private chauffeur service to and from the airport. And the First Suite ticket also comes with a dedicated check-in, along with a personal escort, who will take you to the First Lounge and then to boarding. Upon embarking the plane, you will be accompanied right to your chauffeur. If flying out of Abu Dhabi, you can even have a bag-free trip, thanks to the Home Check-In and Land &amp; Leave Services.



“First isn’t just a seat—it’s an experience that starts the moment you choose to fly with us,” Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/etihad-airways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Etihad Airways</a>, said in a statement. “We’re bringing First to more destinations and elevating it at every touchpoint, combining the elegance of Champagne and caviar with the convenience of modern luxury.”



<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/Etihad-A321LR-Business-2.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797562" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-Business-2.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-Business-2.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-Business-2.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-Business-2.png-1536x864.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Etihad-A321LR-Business-2.png.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Business class on the new Etihad’s A321LR. Image courtesy of Etihad Airways</figcaption></figure>



The Business cabin has its perks, too, with 14 fully flat 78-inch beds, a 17.3-inch screen, and plenty of storage space. Economy, meanwhile, has 144 seats that are better than the typical economy class; those perches offer a five-inch recline on a 18.4-inch-wide seat. No matter where you sit onboard, you’ll get access to streaming, live television, and more, thanks to the plane’s Viasat system with speedy Wi-Fi.



The A321LR is set to hit the skies on 1 August, along with 10 other aircraft joining the Etihad fleet this year. Happy flying.

A321LR

Etihad Airways

flight

Travel

Etihad Just Unveiled Its New First Class Suites

Even in the rarefied world of private jets, records matter. <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/gulfstream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gulfstream</a> just announced that it has achieved 700 city-pair records with its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/gulfstream-g700-jet-1234642112/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flagship G700</a> on a flight from Taipei to Miami. The flight lasted 14 hours and 38 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.87. The G700 and 700th flight make good bookends, representing the 50-year anniversary of Gulfstream’s first city-pair record, set in 1975 by the Gulfstream GII. That early Gulfstream flew from St John’s, Antigua, to Dakar, Senegal.



The company told&nbsp;Robb Report that these speed records, rather than being a staged event to set a record, highlight the aircraft’s “real-world performance” during a normal flight. Many of the city-pair records typically involve somewhat obscure destinations and are set by owners in their aircraft.&nbsp;



“Every manufacturer in business-jet land uses these records as marketing tools,” says Brian Foley, an aviation consultant who has worked for several aircraft manufacturers. “They can say that this aircraft holds 50 speed records. If you’re a customer who just bought a plane and set the record on it, it carries some bragging rights.”



Gulfstream counters that it’s important to have “verified examples” of what their aircraft can do. “This latest accomplishment once again proves, in real-time demonstration, that our aircraft give customers the advantage of traveling farther faster than any other aircraft in the industry,” added Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream at a press event in Manhattan, announcing the 700th milestone. The records are accredited by the US National Aeronautic Association, which verifies all types of air-speed records.



<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.Gulfstream.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797581" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Gulfstream.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Gulfstream.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Gulfstream.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Gulfstream.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The speed records focus on range and performance, but ignore the luxuries and comfort of the G700.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>



But city-pair records are also important to other aircraft manufacturers, including Gulfstream’s direct ultra-long-range competitor, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bombardier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bombardier</a>, and Embraer, which also competes in the super-midsize category. French business-jet maker Dassault Falcon, which goes head-to-head with Gulfstream and Bombardier, does not put much stock in the speed records.



Bombardier’s current flagship, the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/gallery/best-bombardier-aircraft-1236219544/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global 7500</a>, recently set a&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/bombardier-global-7500-transatlantic-record-1236362828/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">city-pair record</a> from San Luis Obispo to London’s Biggin Hill airport. “This is a performance demonstration since we set these records under normal flight conditions, pairing cities on routes that many businesses fly,” Mark Masluch, Bombardier’s Senior Director of Communications, told&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;during that flight. Owners aren’t just looking at the aircraft’s specs, he added: “They’re already thinking about cities they’ll fly into, with real-life speeds and ranges. The records prove the stats are legitimate.”



But they also provide bragging rights for the aircraft manufacturer. That Global 7500 flight, for instance, was the 100th record flight for Bombardier’s flagship. After a year in service, the G700 has already passed 80 city-pair records, with many ahead. Gulfstream’s previous flagships, the G650 and G650ER, have more than 130 records between them, and Gulfstream says the G700 is moving at a faster rate.



<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.Record.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797580" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Record.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Record.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Record.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.Record.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gulfstream president Mark Burns (centre) with the plaque certifying its 700th city-pair speed record. </figcaption></figure>



The G700 can credit its performance and range stats to its Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, as well as the aerodynamic shape of the fuselage and high-speed winglet that was introduced on this aircraft. The cockpit’s Predictive Landing Performance System and dual head-up display with Gulfstream’s Combined Vision System (CVS) increases the pilot’s situational awareness and access to more airports.



What’s missed, or possibly taken for granted, behind the claims regarding speed, range, and technology, are the cabin comforts. Both flagships have four large zones, including social and dining areas, and the possibility of a bedroom in the rear, with the differences in length, headroom, and width measured in inches. They also have state-of-the-art air purification systems and lighting to mitigate jet lag as well as top-notch entertainment and connectivity.



<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.-Gulfstream-G700-Flight-Deck.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797579" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-Gulfstream-G700-Flight-Deck.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-Gulfstream-G700-Flight-Deck.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-Gulfstream-G700-Flight-Deck.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-Gulfstream-G700-Flight-Deck.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The G700’s flight deck. Image courtesy of Gulfstream</figcaption></figure>



With Gulfstream launching its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/gulfstream-g800-broke-distance-record-1236477480/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">G800</a> later this year, and Bombardier its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/bombardier-global-8000-business-jet-1236458103/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global 8000</a>, the city-pair record race will undoubtedly heat up, as both aircraft up the range ante to over 8,000 nautical miles.



Foley says that the city-pairing records would be more interesting if they included major destinations like New York to Paris, or Sydney to London. “Those do carry some weight,” he says.&nbsp;



One record remains in doubt, and it’s the big one: The farthest flight in business-aviation history. Gulfstream claims its&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/slideshow/lassic-airplanes-gulfstream-embraer-phenom-cessna-citation/gulfstream-g650er/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">G650ER</a>&nbsp;holds the record for the farthest, fastest flight from Singapore to Tucson, Arizona, a distance of 8,379 nautical miles in 15 hours and 23 minutes. Bombardier, by contrast, says its flight from Sydney to Detroit was the world’s longest flight. Sounds like a dispute for the National Aeronautic Association to handle.

G700

Gulfstream’s G700 Jet Sets the Brand’s 700th Speed Record

bombardier

Bombardier Global 7500

Business jet

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

In a groundbreaking event for wine connoisseurs, Bonhams Hong Kong is set to unveil the first-ever Middle Eastern private wine collection at a live auction on 24 May 2025. Entitled&nbsp;The Oasis Collection, the headline auction showcases over 13,000 meticulously curated bottles, reflecting the refined palate and commitment to provenance of its unique collector. Accompanying this notable collection is&nbsp;The Vault of Legacies, another private collection that highlights the exceptional depth of an Asian collector’s acquisition.



The&nbsp;Oasis Collection&nbsp;represents a significant milestone in the global wine market, shedding light on the sophistication of the Middle East’s oenophile culture for the first time in the city. Each bottle has been stored under optimal conditions, thanks to the expertise of MMI, the exclusive fine wine importer in the region. Careful preservation ensures that the wines retain their integrity and quality, setting a new standard for private collections entering the scene.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Springbank-Millennium-Collection_RS-1-1024x682.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798184" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Springbank-Millennium-Collection_RS-1-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Springbank-Millennium-Collection_RS-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Springbank-Millennium-Collection_RS-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Springbank-Millennium-Collection_RS-1-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Springbank-Millennium-Collection_RS-1-2048x1364.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Spirits of Distinction Whisky &amp; Cognac Rarities</figcaption></figure>



Among the auction highlights are 10 vintages of the illustrious Château Pétrus, including a 2000 vintage estimated between HK$55,000 and HK$80,000, alongside a 1996 Magnum valued at HK$28,000 to HK$42,000. Additionally, there are 37 lots featuring the prestigious Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, with the Echézeaux 2002 Magnum estimated at HK$38,000 to HK$55,000, and the Richebourg 2015, with an estimate of HK$110,000 to HK$160,000.



The Vault of Legacies is a testament to decades of dedication by its Asian collector, who has sourced only the finest wines in pristine condition. It includes 43 lots from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and features other sought-after wines, such as d’Auvenay Mazis-Chambertin 1996 and Leroy Chambertin 2001, complemented by an impressive selection of Italian wines, notably Gianfranco Soldera and Masseto, adding further depth to the offerings.



In addition to the live auction, Bonhams will hold an online sale,&nbsp;The Oasis Collection &amp; Grand Cru Collective, from now till 27 May, providing enthusiasts with additional opportunities to acquire rare wines. Its online auction will feature a diverse selection, ensuring that collectors can engage with the collection from anywhere in the world.



<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="819" height="1024" data-id="1234798054" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-819x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798054" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS.jpeg 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="1234798053" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-819x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798053" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>
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For spirits aficionados, Bonhams will also present the&nbsp;Spirits of Distinction: Whisky &amp; Cognac Rarities auction, running from 16 to 27 May. It will showcase rare Japanese whiskies, including the coveted Hanyu Ichiro Malt “Four Aces.” Estimated between HK$360,000 and HK$550,000, this limited release reflects the distillery’s artisanal craftsmanship and the rarity of its casks, ceasing production in 2000.&nbsp;



Collectors can further explore a selection of high-age-statement Scotch whiskies, highlighted by Brora’s 40-Year-Old, with an estimate of HK$110,000 to HK$160,000. Cognac enthusiasts will not be disappointed, as the also auction features the Rémy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl, a rare blend crafted from one of the oldest casks in the house’s reserve. It is expected to fetch a sum between HK$90,000 and HK$140,000.



As Bonhams continues to elevate its offerings in such high spirits, the debut of The&nbsp;Oasis Collection&nbsp;marks a key moment for the auction house and the fine wine market in Asia. With an impressive array of wines and spirits, the auction promises to be a highly anticipated event for the city’s collectors, curators, and epicureans, celebrating the growing sophistication and global reach of wine culture in the region.



All images courtesy of Bonhams Hong Kong.

Auction

Bonhams

Bonhams Hong Kong

Hong Kong auction

Whiskey

Whiskey auction

Wine

wine auction

A Rare Middle Eastern Private Wine Collection Featuring Pétrus and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Vintages Is Heading to Auction at Bonhams Hong Kong

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-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="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-3 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>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797466" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797466" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-2048x1367.jpeg 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="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>
</figure>



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-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="1234797467" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797467" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-2048x1367.jpeg 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="1234797207" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797207" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-2048x1367.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="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>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797209" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797209" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



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

When <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/tom-dixon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Dixon</a> designs a sea-view villa, you know it’s not going to be your average beach cottage. Enter Aimasia, a nearly 10,000-square-foot love letter to <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mykonos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mykonos</a>, crafted with the renowned British designer’s signature flair and the finesse of <a href="https://a31.gr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A31 Architecture</a> founder Praxitelis Kondylis. Tucked into the rocky folds of Elia, the six-bedroom estate isn’t so much built on the land as it is at one with it—a swooping, Brutalist sculpture drenched in clear Greek sunlight. Now it can now be yours for a cool US$25 million (approximately HK$193.9 million).



“This villa isn’t just perched above Psarou Beach—it commands it,” says Nest Seekers International agent Amanda Lynn, who shares <a href="https://www.nestseekers.com/4098653/elia-mikonos-846-00-greece-villa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the listing</a> with colleague Efthalia Anastasiadou. “The views are cinematic, the architecture is breathtaking, and you’re steps from the most iconic beach clubs in the world. It’s the ultimate Mykonos experience&#8230; private, luxurious, and completely unforgettable.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-1024x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797587" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-300x300.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-150x150.webp 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-768x768.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 200-foot-long local stone wall forms part of the property. Image courtesy of Mike Kelley</figcaption></figure>



Dixon’s <a href="https://www.designresearchstudio.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Design Research Studio</a> (DRS) both juxtaposed and channelled the island’s rugged terrain into every inch of Aimasia. Think boulders repurposed as interior sculptures, a kitchen island of polished granite with softly curved edges, and plaster bed frames tinted with Mykonian soil. Sustainability isn’t an afterthought here either—it’s imbedded into the bones: from the low-carbon concrete and native green roof to smart cross-ventilation and energy-efficient systems. 



The villa is anchored—literally—by a roughly 200-foot-long granite wall, a remnant of the site that now serves as both structure and storytelling device. The wall slices through the home, guiding you from the open-air atrium to indoor living spaces, all wrapped in sliding glass and shadow play.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="830" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-1024x830.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797588" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-1024x830.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-300x243.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-768x623.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A dining area flows into an outdoor terrace and infinity pool.  Image courtesy of Mike Kelley</figcaption></figure>



Each of the six bedrooms is its own private haven. Two have private plunge pools, and a detached suite is notched into the hillside below the main house for maximum seclusion. But even indoors, the line between architecture and nature blurs. Stone, oak, and soil mingle with custom furniture, including some of Dixon’s most important pieces, like the S-Chair, which is included in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, and experimental pieces made just for Aimasia—paper mâché totems, metal sculptures, and disk-like pendant lights that&nbsp;are artfully suspended over the kitchen.&nbsp;



And then there’s the view: the Aegean stretched out beyond an infinity pool. The outdoor living spaces—shaded terraces, a BBQ kitchen, and a dining pavilion—are primed for long lunches and slow sunsets. “Whether you’re throwing a legendary party or just escaping with friends, this villa is the kind of place people talk about long after summer ends,” Lynn adds. &nbsp;



Click&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/gallery/aimasia-villa-mykonos-photos-1236521249">here</a>&nbsp;to see more photos of Tom Dixon’s Mykonos villa.

Investment

mykonos

Real Estate

Tom Dixon

Villa

British Design Legend Tom Dixon Just Listed His Curvaceous Villa in Mykonos for HK$194 Million

As part of Hong Kong Luxury Week, Christie’s is set to showcase two exquisite pieces of jewellery—a 35.09-carat Kashmir sapphire and a 13.22-carat Burmese ruby ring—during the Magnificent Jewels live auction on 27 May 2025. Both items are from an important private collection and will appear on the dock for the first time in years.



First up, The Regent Kashmir, a remarkable sapphire, boasts an estimate of a jaw-dropping range: HK$65 million to HK$95 million. With its captivating “royal blue” hue, this gem is distinguished by its exceptional clarity and the rarity of its origin. As the most valuable piece of Kashmir sapphire jewellery offered by Christie’s globally in the past five years, it is anticipated to generate intense interest from collectors and connoisseurs alike. Its velvety appearance and historic significance render it a once-in-a-generation masterpiece.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="810" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-810x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797732" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-810x1024.jpg 810w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-237x300.jpg 237w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-768x971.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-1215x1536.jpg 1215w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB.jpg 1266w" sizes="(max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Regal Ruby.</figcaption></figure>



In tandem with The Regent Kashmir, The Regal Ruby is estimated to fetch HK$50 million to HK$80 million, and this 13.22-carat Burmese ruby ring is poised to be the largest and most valuable ruby sold at Christie’s in Hong Kong over the last decade. Unheated rubies of this size are exceedingly scarce, and The Regal Ruby is particularly noteworthy for its vivid colour and outstanding transparency. Its provenance and quality further ensure that it stands out as a natural treasure in the gemstone market.



Ronny Hsu, head of sales, jewellery at Christie’s Asia-Pacific—and one of the key speakers at the <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/robb-report-hong-kong-leaders-of-luxury-summit-gala-dinner-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leaders of Luxury Summit 2024</a>—points out what makes these pieces so significant during an exclusive chat with Robb Report Hong Kong.“Both The Regent Kashmir and The Regal Ruby are exceptional for their extraordinary size and rarity. Sapphires of over 10 carats with the coveted ‘royal blue’ colour grading, as well as Burmese rubies exceeding five carats with no heat treatment, are incredibly rare and almost never seen in today’s market. These qualities firmly establish them as some of the most significant gemstones available today,” Hsu says, having seen the pieces up close with white-gloved hands. “The Regent Kashmir sapphire holds immense historical significance, as it originates from the legendary Kashmir mines, which were only in production for a brief five-year period between 1882 and 1887.”



Around the world, serious collectors keep an eye out for high-quality&nbsp;coloured&nbsp;gemstones with particular interest in sapphires that originate from Kashmir, Burma, and Ceylon; rubies from Burma; and, of course, emeralds from Colombia. “These natural treasures are not only celebrated for their beauty and rarity but also valued as timeless collectibles, driving strong interest among discerning collectors worldwide,” Hsu explains.



Presenting high-value pieces like these comes with its own set of challenges, especially in a volatile market. The exceptional nature of these gemstones generates significant excitement and anticipation, attracting serious bidders only. While market fluctuations can create uncertainty, the rarity and quality of these pieces typically shield them from broader economic trends, making them highly sought after by connoisseurs worldwide.



“Rare, exceptional, and high-quality&nbsp;coloured&nbsp;gemstones, as well as&nbsp;coloured&nbsp;diamonds, have seen increasing demand in recent years due to three factors: their natural scarcity, uniqueness, and enduring appeal,” says Hsu. “Collectors are drawn to these pieces not only for their intrinsic beauty but also for their ability to hold cultural and historical significance. Additionally, there is a growing appreciation for gemstones with distinguished provenance and quality.”&nbsp;



Complementing these remarkable pieces are other notable items in the auction, including a 10.35-carat Colombian emerald and diamond ring, estimated to fetch between HK$6.8 million and HK$9.8 million, and a pair of Colombian emerald and diamond earrings weighing 7.03 and 6.92 carats, estimated at HK$5.5 million to HK$7.5 million. Rare pieces from famed jewellery houses—including Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston, Van Cleef &amp; Arpels, and others—are also on offer as unique collections make an appearance on auction, often for the very first time. Hsu states, “We anticipate continued growth in this space, with coloured gemstones remaining a focal point for both seasoned collectors and new buyers seeking unique and timeless treasures.”



All images courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd 2025.

Christie's

The Regal Ruby

The Regent Kashmir

Two Extraordinary Jewels Could Fetch Up to HK$95 Million and HK$80 Million at Christie’s Upcoming Auction

<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.

Rolex

rolex daytona

Sotheby's

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

When I reach the pearly gates of heaven, I am going to be on bended knees asking God to answer two questions I have had swirling in my head for the last 20 years. Firstly, how did Jim Simons’s Medallion Fund manage to extract between US$5 to US$10 billion of profits from the financial markets year-on-year for the last three decades? Secondly, how have Dom Pérignon managed to produce millions of bottles of the finest Champagne in every declared vintage?



It is surely one of the wonders of the world that this remarkable Champagne brand is able to produce an artisanal, extremely high quality product in such high quantity that it makes Château Lafite Rothschild’s production numbers look miniscule. The exact numbers are a trade secret that no one, including former employees, are ever willing to talk about. They believe revealing the numbers will somehow diminish their brand and achievements. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It would be something to be admired and marvelled at given that the end-product is as good as anything else produced in the Champagne region. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="945" height="708" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797922" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg.webp 945w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg-300x225.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg-768x575.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px" /></figure>



As a long-time lover of <a href="https://www.domperignon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dom Pérignon</a>, it is clear that what sets this maison apart from its competitors are its resources: it attracts and keeps the most talented human resources in the industry; it has more financial muscle than any other wine estate globally; and it controls huge swathes of Premier Crus and Grands Crus vineyards all over the region. Add to this a history of pioneering and emblematic chefs de caves—modelled in some respect after the original man himself, Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638–1715), the French Benedictine monk who it is said invented the process of second fermentation in bottle (i.e. sparkling wine)—and you have all the ingredients for greatness.



The maison’s main product is Dom Pérignon Brut, always impressive, always admired and always delicious. Made in a reductive style, it’s the essence of what people have come to expect of Champagne: notes of brioche, toasted bread, chalky minerality, vibrancy, and generosity on the palate and in the finish. However, as well as a highly regarded and often epic Dom Pérignon Brut Rosé, the recently retired legendary chef de cave, Richard Geoffroy, introduced the concept of Plénitudes, both for white and rosé Champagnes. Today, Geoffroy’s able acolyte, Vincent Chaperon, holds the reins at the estate. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="921" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-1024x921.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797923" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-1024x921.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-300x270.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-768x691.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg.webp 1134w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vincent Chaperon.</figcaption></figure>



Plénitudes are principally about longer ageing than the standard Dom Pérignon Brut which is typically aged for at least eight years on its lees (dead yeast cells). The second Plénitude (P2) will be aged for between 12 to 15 years (and longer for the P2 Rosé). The third Plenitude (P3) will see at least 25 years of ageing on its lees.  



P2 is made in much smaller quantities than the Brut (often referred to as P1 at the maison). P3 is made in relatively minute quantities. The difference between a P1 and P2 can be stark in terms of additional complexity and length on the finish. The difference between a P2 and a P3 can be gigantic in that P3 can often be a wine that stands alongside the very greatest fine wines you are ever likely to taste. The price tag is equally reflective of this jump in complexity and quality, as well as the rarity factor compared with P1.



October is a great month to visit Abbaye d’Hautvillers, the spiritual heart of Dom Pérignon, which is seeing a major renovation project due to complete around 2028 that will greatly enhance the visitor experience. Harvest is over, the vins clairs (the base wines) are being produced, and the autumnal leaves enhance the beauty of the vineyards. I highly recommend it.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-1024x682.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797924" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg.webp 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lewis’s Best 3 Wines from Dom Pérignon&nbsp;</h2>



Dom Pérignon P2, 1995: From a vintage that was nowhere near as highly regarded as its successor, the development of this wine over the years has now surpassed the 1996 vintage. There is not a P2 vintage drinking better than the 1995 right now. The nose is hugely complex and it has an ethereal quality in the mouth that makes you sit up and smile. An extraordinary wine. 



Dom Pérignon P3, 1975: A wine of such depth, complexity, and one of the longest finishes I have ever experienced, it’s firstly a fine wine and only secondly a sparkling wine. Floral, petal-y aromas compete with the typical toasty notes you would expect of a long-aged Champagne. 



Dom Pérignon Oenothèque Brut Millésime, 1966 (Magnum): Oenothèque is the precursor to the longer-ageing Plénitudes. Richard Geoffroy, the former chef de cave, opened this magnum at the home of Dom Pérignon, Abbaye d’Hautvillers, for a friend and I to share. All three of us were overwhelmed by how incredible this bottle showed. Graceful, powerful, constantly evolving in the glass. One of the all time greatest wines I have tasted. 



The Golden Vines® 2025 will take place in Miami, USA between 7–9 November 2025, recognising the world’s best fine wine estates as voted by hundreds of fine wine professionals. Please register your interest for tickets on the website: <a href="https://liquidicons.com/work/golden-vines-awards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://liquidicons.com/work/golden-vines-awards</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.

Champagne

Dom Pérignon

Take an Exclusive Look Inside the Remarkable Dom Pérignon Champagne House

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-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="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-6 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>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797466" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797466" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-2048x1367.jpeg 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.

Bombay, as so many locals still call it, or Mumbai, as others use, is on its way to rivalling Miami or Monte Carlo as a must-visit world city. Like the other two greats, it’s got the ocean, it’s got history, and it certainly has a terrific A-list lifestyle. Infrastructure for a city that has for generations been renowned for non-stop potholes and solid traffic that includes thousands of mini-taxis and tuktuk three-wheelers is, believe it or not, getting better. New mega-roads sidestep some of the main areas (a road from Worli towards the Bandra area to the west of the city soars out over the sea most of the way). A coastal road that similarly jumps over the ocean means that the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, which used to be in a way-out part of the city, is now reachable within 15 minutes from such other well-known spots as the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai.



There are also completely new areas. The Trees is one such complex, near Vikhroli district, under nine miles northeast of the airport and surrounded by approximately 14,580 acres of mangroves. The canny Godrej family have—with the exception of an old chimney—replaced a sugarcane plant by a modern community. Within the space of about four football fields, there are 70 international companies’ offices, plus 800 very desirable residences and top-class retail and restaurants, plus the 151-room Taj the Trees, topped by enticing 12th-floor rooftop lounge, ideal for sunset-watching and stargazing. All these buildings surround an extremely lush, all-green nature reserve with stunning sculptures as part of the whole. There’s an Anish Kapoor, a 12-foot-high iridescent shape that looks like the top of a tagine dish. There’s also an extended coil made of squashed aluminium cans; the open coil, tall enough for a basketball player to stand in, itself goes round a circle about 30 feet in diameter.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Four-Seasons-Mumbai-11-Opus-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797968" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Four-Seasons-Mumbai-11-Opus-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Four-Seasons-Mumbai-11-Opus-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Four-Seasons-Mumbai-11-Opus-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Four-Seasons-Mumbai-11-Opus-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Four-Seasons-Mumbai-11-Opus-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Opus at Four Seasons Mumbai. Image courtesy of Four Seasons Mumbai</figcaption></figure>



There’s also sunset- and star-watching atop the 34-floor Four Seasons, which now has, 50 feet away, its own block of three-floor residences behind it (buy a residence and you get your own personal lift). At the top of the hotel is Aer, apparently the highest-grossing entertainment venue by square footage anywhere in a subcontinent that is forever addicted to entertainment and socialising. Until three every morning, seven days a week, it’s where all the top people gather, from Bollywood to biz tycoons to beauts.



<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/2025/04/JIO55-gallery_RS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797450" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JIO55-gallery_RS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JIO55-gallery_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JIO55-gallery_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JIO55-gallery_RS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JIO55-gallery_RS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stage at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. Image courtesy of NMACC</figcaption></figure>



Another newcomer to bustling Bombay’s outskirts is the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, <a href="https://nmacc.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NMACC</a>, named for the classical-dance-loving philanthropist wife of the boss of Reliance Industries, said to be worth US$86.3 billion (HK$669.39 billion). NMACC is far more than culture. It’s a 21st-century complex of sculptured buildings, which offer everything from seeing genuine Kashmiri workers forever knotting the most beautiful rugs, or stitching unimaginably divine pashminas, through to the latest in Broadway entertainment. There are four theatres in the complex—one, which seats well over 2,000, is currently showing Phantom of the Opera, straight from Broadway and offering real-time simultaneous translation in 18 languages. Oberoi, in which Reliance has a minority stake, does all the catering here (Amadeus restaurant, with several different international cuisines, is perennially popular).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Taj-Mahal-Palace-Tower-Mumbai_RS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797984" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Taj-Mahal-Palace-Tower-Mumbai_RS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Taj-Mahal-Palace-Tower-Mumbai_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Taj-Mahal-Palace-Tower-Mumbai_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Taj-Mahal-Palace-Tower-Mumbai_RS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Taj-Mahal-Palace-Tower-Mumbai_RS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. Image courtesy of Taj Mahal Palace</figcaption></figure>



The older parts of town have not been left out either. Taj Mahal Palace, of course, is a must for any visitor to town and it seems to be more gorgeous than ever. Stay in the Rajput Suite, overlooking the Gateway of India, and your terrace is cantilevered out over the crowds far below. The vista also includes thousands of small boats always anchored just offshore. Within the Rajput Suite, you have a circular office with a hemispherical mirrored ceiling from which hangs a swing big enough for two, and, floor level, a copper footbath lined with red and white rose petals can be filled with unctuous salts. Two feet at a time.



Even for repeat visitors, an absolute must while at Taj Mahal Palace is to book a complimentary hour-long landau trip in E-Victoria, an open carriage that’s basically a four-seat pony and trap without a pony (it’s electric, driven by a coachman in a tremendously tall turban with a tail that hangs down about five feet). The trip takes in some of the old sights of the town, the beautiful grassy areas where families play cricket, endless streets of side-by-side clothes and jewellery mini-stores, and the Gothic-style main rail station. You trot along Marine Drive, ideally at sunset, when thousands gather to watch the glorious spectacle, and then back past the Gateway of India and the many more thousands of Indian tourists there. Honestly, Miami and Monte Carlo don’t have a viewing experience like this. Go for it. Bombay, or Mumbai, is world-class.

Four Seasons

Mumbai

Mumbai Is on Its Way to Rivalling Other Must-Visit World-Class Cities

This story is part of a series of features covering <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025</a>, hosted at MGM COTAI in Macau on 7–8 June 2025.



When chef-owner Kang Mingoo opened Mingles in Seoul in 2014, little did he know that his forward-thinking take on transforming Korean cuisine for a modern audience would soon sweep the globe. Creative, experimental, and always with a respectful nod at tradition, Mingles’s unique hansik (Korean cuisine) captures the soul of Korean flavours in unexpected ways, making Kang an ideal addition to the star-studded group of chefs leading MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, set to take place at MGM COTAI on 7–8 June 2025.



Kang had known from a young age that he wanted to be a chef, and he pursued his goal with vigour, completing apprenticeships and internships at various establishments around the world. His tenure at Nobu Bahamas marked him as the restaurant’s youngest head chef, and his ascent to culinary stardom has been bolstered by numerous accolades and achievements over the years, enough to fill a trophy cabinet. After learning from culinary giants, the likes of which include Martín Berasategui, Cho Hee-sook, and Buddhist nun Jeong Kwan, Kang set out to meld his international experiences with the fundamental cornerstones of Korean cuisine, balancing innovation and tradition in equal measure to honour his heritage.



Mingles gained its first Michelin star in 2017 when the Michelin Guide launched in Seoul, and a second star was quickly collected in 2018. Kang’s peers in the industry voted for him to receive the Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021. He was honoured on the Top 100 Best Chef list for two years running and received the Three Knives distinction in 2024. Remarkably, amidst consulting for brands in Seoul, opening a second restaurant in Hong Kong, and actively joining collaboration events with other award-winning establishments around the world, Kang also carved out time to co-author a cookbook in 2024.



Most recently, the celebrated chef led Mingles to become the only three-Michelin-star restaurant in Korea, and secure the No. 5 spot on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, its highest-ever position. Not bad for a restaurant that opened just over a decade ago.



Robb Report Hong Kong speaks with Kang ahead of the highly anticipated MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 to dive into his vision for modern Korean cuisine, why jang (fermented soybean paste) is the basis of his gastronomic philosophy, and his mission to advance Mingles as a dining destination that defies expectations.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-4-819x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798257" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-4-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-4-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-4-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-4-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-4-1638x2048.jpeg 1638w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-4-scaled.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>



Who or what inspired you to become the chef you are today?



I didn’t really have a role model. However, I naturally liked making new things since I was young, and the fact that cooking is evaluated based on taste was appealing. I also liked eating, so I wanted to be a chef since elementary school.



Your cooking style is often described as an innovative and forward-thinking take on traditional Korean cuisine. What inspired you to adopt this approach to your food?



I get a lot of inspiration from traditional Korean food and try to express it in a non-obvious way by using seasonal ingredients. I get ideas by experiencing various food cultures and developing new menus based on them. In particular, temple food is a dish made with vegetables, so even if you overeat, it doesn’t put a strain on your stomach, and the various fermentation techniques are attractive. Through this, I learned about fermentation culture, which is an important element of Korean food, and the mindset for dealing with the essence of ingredients.



A bulk of your career was built overseas at places such as Nobu Bahamas, and in Spain while training with Martín Berasategui. How did your time abroad influence your culinary style?



While working abroad, I worked mainly in restaurants that reinterpreted their own cuisine and received great responses from people all over the world. While working there, I discovered new possibilities for Korean food. Through my various experiences, I became more determined to make my own Korean food.



How do you balance the teachings of your time abroad with Korean mentors such as Cho Hee-sook and Jeong Kwan? How have they influenced your approach to Korean cookery?



Chef Cho Hee-sook [has] a mind that constantly studies and explores—this is the secret to presenting such creative Korean food without going beyond the boundaries of Korean food. Priestess Jeong Kwan [has] a mind that approaches food as a practice, focusing on the essence of ingredients.



I have been interested in Korean food since I started cooking, but I have never studied it properly. Since it is food that I have always eaten, I thought I would be able to make new Korean food through overseas experience, but home-cooking and professional Korean food are really different. Meeting [them] gave me a new perspective on studying Korean food.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior8-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798259" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior8-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior8-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior8-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior8-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior8-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



What drew you back to Seoul to open Mingles? What challenges did you face at first?



I thought I could do it because I had been eating Korean food my whole life, but the moment I realised that the Korean food I could make was limited to home-cooking, I had to study more about professional Korean food, the Korean food that would be presented at Mingles.



Can you tell us about your vision for a modern interpretation of Korean cuisine?



In order for Korean cuisine to be established around the world, it is important to understand the essence of Korean cuisine and to globalise it while not losing its tradition. It is essential to maintain the identity of Korean cuisine while localising it in various countries. In other words, it is important to respect tradition at the core while adding modernity.



Jang (fermented soybean paste) is one of your specialities at Mingles. What’s your personal relationship with this ingredient and why is it special to you and your cooking?



Jang is the basis of Korean food and is used in most dishes. Using jang creates a deep and rich flavour, which is a key element of Korean food. At Mingles, we believe it is very important to convey the taste of Korean food, and it can be used in various dishes beyond Korean food. I wanted to make the importance of jang known to the world through the book [Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking].



What is your favourite dish or recipe that you’ve developed, and why?



It’s hard to pick a specific menu. The menu I’m most interested in these days is Mingling Pot. It recreates the soup culture, dumpling culture, and wrap culture of Korean cuisine with seasonal ingredients. Many ingredients and techniques are put into one bowl, and it’s completed with broth made from anchovies and seasoned with Mingles’s ganjang (Korean soy sauce). It’s called Mingling Pot because it blends so well and becomes Mingling.



In traditional Korean cuisine, a bowl of rice or noodle often follows the main course, and bibimbap is one of the most beloved examples of such dishes. At Mingles, however, the tasting menu is longer and more diverse than a typical Korean course meal, so we chose to reinterpret bibimbap not as part of the main dish, but as a dessert.



Creamy rice pudding is made with glutinous rice and served with crispy puffed rice for texture. A scoop of rice ice cream sits on top, surrounded by seasonal herbs and greens, just like the assorted vegetables found in classic bibimbap. A drizzle of sesame oil and Mingles’s house-made hansik ganjang adds depth and gamchil-mat (savoury taste), creating a uniquely sweet and savoury dessert expression of one of Korea’s most iconic dishes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior6-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798260" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior6-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior6-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior6-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior6-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Restaurant-Mingles-interior6-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



You’ve gained high honours in the food world. What’s your secret to success?



I think it is a great happiness and luck to have a job that matches what you like to do. Because cooking is what I like and what I am good at.



Another thing to mention is teamwork. I always think about whether my team members are all moving forward with the same goal and whether I am inspiring them. Good teamwork is an important factor in running a successful restaurant.



A memorable restaurant experience is more than just the food. What special considerations do you take at Mingles to make sure the guests have an immersive experience that helps them appreciate the food and the dining aspect so much more?



Providing a unique experience that can only be felt at Mingles. The most important thing is to present new Korean cuisine with good ingredients and seasonal ingredients.Through Mingles’s menu, I want to experience the characteristics of Korean cuisine and change the perception or limitations that customers have had about Korean cuisine. I also hope that Mingles will become a restaurant that expands the realm of Korean cuisine.



You have recently been named a Friend of the Brand by Swiss watchmaker Hublot. What parallels you do see between the worlds of gastronomy and horology?



I think Hublot is a brand that demonstrates craftsmanship based on respect for tradition. I also felt that the fact that it uses unconventional materials that watch brands do not use is similar to my food, and that it also creates heritage.



MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 brings different chefs from all over the world together in one place for an extraordinary gastronomic exchange. What are you most excited about for the event?



I get a lot of inspiration from meeting artisans from different fields. I am so excited to be invited to this event and to connect with various masters from all over the world, cook together, and create wonderful events and memories.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-Profile3-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798261" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-Profile3-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-Profile3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-Profile3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-Profile3-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Mingoo-Kang-Profile3-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



What ingredient are you most excited to highlight in your dishes for MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025?



Korean pine-nut sauce. Korea has traditionally produced little dairy products, and traditional Korean cuisine does not often use dairy products. So when we want to make creamy texture, we often use nuts, and among the nut-based sauce, Korean pine-nut sauce is really attractive. Finely grind the savoury pine nuts, add ganjang and rice vinegar, and make a refreshing and savoury sauce to use as an appetiser.



How will your contribution to MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 harmonise with this year’s event theme? How will you balance your dishes with the other chefs?



Each course is designed to suit the characteristics of each chef. Since the flow is very important in [the] course menu, we, who are in charge of the middle course, will create a menu that is not too strong in taste or character, but still contains the charm of Korean food, so that it flows smoothly with the preceding and following dishes.



We are also in charge of the last dessert, and we plan to present a signature [dish] that has always been on the menu since Mingles opened in 2011.



What do you hope diners will take away with them after they experience MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025?



I hope [diners will] feel like [they] have tasted a course that harmoniously blends the characters of all the chefs, and I hope [they] feel the charm of Korean food through the menu of Mingles, and even feel like [they] want to go to Korea.



What does luxury mean to you?



Providing an experience that cannot be bought, no matter how much money you pay. An experience that captures that space, moment, and emotion.



For more delicious details, visit <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025</a>.

Culinary Masters

Culinary Masters 2025

Kang Mingoo

Macau

MGM Cotai

Mingles

Mingles’s Chef Kang Mingoo on Globalising Cuisine Without Losing Its Essence, Balancing Tradition and Innovation, and the Soul of Korean Food

This story is part of a series of features covering <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025</a>, hosted at MGM COTAI in Macau on 7–8 June 2025.



Becoming a sushi chef in Japan traditionally takes shape as a many-stepped ritual. Complex, laboursome, and arduous, the rigid and prescribed path to becoming an expert in the art of sushi-making demands time, attention, and dedication, following the shokunin craftsmanship culture. It is often repeated that apprentices and chefs must complete around a decade of training under a master before they are deemed ready to open their own restaurant.



And then, there are some people who forge their own path, and do things completely differently. Growing up, Hiroki Nakanoue had a connection to the world of sushi-making through his father, who ran a traditional sushi restaurant in Osaka. He had ambitions of becoming a sushi chef himself, but when he inherited his father’s eatery, he found that he was wholly unprepared for the reality of the business, as he had never undertaken a formal apprenticeship. Nakanoue spent years self-learning the art of Edomae-style sushi to master the craft before he realised that expanding his creative perspective could help him elevate his gastronomy, breaking away from the rules that govern traditional Japanese cuisine.



His perseverance paid off. His Osaka restaurant, Sushiyoshi, gained two coveted Michelin stars, impressing diners and critics alike. Now with Sushiyoshi locations in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Taipei, Nakanoue’s regional expansion feels synergetic with the global inspirations that have garnered him critical acclaim. International culinary cultures, overseas working experiences, as well as his own travels have contributed to the ebullient chef’s signature approach of blending traditional Edomae sushi with modern, Western-influenced appetisers, harmonising time-honoured Japanese omakase with contemporary inflections.



In conversation with Robb Report Hong Kong ahead of MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, Nakanoue tells us what inspired him to become a chef, how he embraced his individuality, the growing pains of opening a restaurant, and the importance of remembering first feelings.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798196" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Who or what inspired you to become the chef you are today?



I admired a restaurant in Tokyo called Tsuruhachi. When I was 12 years old, I got a culture shock from [reading] a book [Kanda Tsuruhachi: Chotto Koikina Sushibanashi] written by the master chef of Kanda Tsuruhachi [Yukio Morooka], which inspired me to become a sushi chef. The book became a bestseller and was made into a TV drama [Iki no Iyatsu] and I watched the drama and read the book over and over every day.



You inherited your father’s sushi restaurant. What was his restaurant like when you inherited it, and what challenges did you face when opening Sushiyoshi?



One of the reasons [why] I wanted to become a sushi chef was because my father was a sushi chef, but his restaurant was a real down-to-earth restaurant and it was really hard to change it into my ideal sushi restaurant. My mother was helping me at the time, but she didn’t like changes. In the past, it wasn’t as easy to open a shop as it is now, and I didn’t have any training. It was hard to acquire skills and [business] was really slow. For the first seven years after I opened the shop, it was always in red figures.



Western culinary cultures have played a role in influencing your cuisine. How did that culinary inspiration begin?



About seven years after opening, the restaurant gradually became busier and busier, and I was proud and confident of my idea of Edomae sushi, but I had always had a great desire to do it overseas. When I made sushi at an event in New York for the first time, I realised that my technique was not good at all. Edomae sushi is a food that can be served at a small counter in Japan, and I realised that there is a limit to how good it can be served overseas to a large number of customers.



My restaurant was in Osaka, but at the time, there were still no Edomae sushi restaurants in Osaka, and sometimes, customers from Tokyo would say that my sushi was just an imitation of Tokyo sushi, and that there was a trend that you had to kill your own individuality in order to make Edomae sushi, and I found that difficult. I think my decision to adopt Western cooking techniques came from my rebellious attitude towards that sort of thing. I didn’t know anything about the world at that 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/2025/05/Dishes_2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798211" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



How do you balance Western and Japanese flavours in your development of dishes?



I don’t take a Western style now as much as I used to. Now that I live in Hong Kong, I’m more interested in balancing Chinese and Japanese food. But in the past, sushi used to be served in a traditional Edomae style with a little bit of Western skill on the tsumami side.



What are the fundamental principles of Edomae sushi that you follow?



Edomae sushi is a food made up of rice, fish, wasabi, and soy sauce, and I believe that if any one of these elements is missing, the sushi will lose its taste.



You’ve gained high honours in the food world. What’s your secret to success?



It is about always remembering the first feeling. For example, the feeling of excitement when you first eat sushi. Or when you cook a fish and it’s at its best. I think I know what my best dish is, so I always try to get closer to it.



Has success changed your perspective towards your culinary craft in any way?



I don’t think it’s because I’m successful or anything, but I don’t think I have the same longing for sushi as I did in the past. I’ve come to feel that sushi is more than just a food that warms the heart. I want to create a sushi restaurant that is different, that warms people’s hearts, and makes people happy.



One of the unusual courses you’ve served at Sushiyoshi features lobster with Sprite. Can you tell us more about this dish?



Lobster [with] Sprite is not a typical dish at all. It is something I learnt from Thai staff when I used to work in Bangkok. I think there are a lot of opportunities to learn about things we usually throw away or things we didn’t realise we had. I think the basis of creating new dishes is to be moved by them with an honest heart.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798209" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Why did you choose to expand Sushiyoshi internationally?



After considering opening my first overseas shop in Hong Kong, I achieved great success due to the strong support of my existing customers. This success encouraged further expansion to Taipei and Shenzhen. Our Taipei shop was awarded one Michelin star in 2022, affirming our commitment to the service and dishes.



What ingredient are you most excited to highlight in your dishes for MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025?



For MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, I’m thrilled to highlight quality Japanese ingredients in my dishes. While sushi is seldom featured at events like these, I am excited to create unique sushi and other dishes that deliver uncompromising taste and quality, ensuring our guests are delighted and completely satisfied.



How will your contribution to MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 sync up with this year’s theme, “Flavors of Harmony: A Journey Through East Asia”?



I am excited to join MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, contributing Sushiyoshi’s innovative dishes to the “Flavors of Harmony” theme. I will collaborate with all the chefs to craft a menu blending East Asian flavours, ensuring a memorable dining experience.



What does luxury mean to you?



I met chef Massimo [Bottura] of Osteria Francescana at [Culinary Masters in Macau] in 2023! I’ve never been to eat at his restaurant, but I admire him [through his] books [and on] social networks. I was wearing a Gucci outfit and he was staring at me. Because he’s a Gucci fan, too! I was so moved to meet him and talk to him, and he was like, “Who is this Gucci guy?” I loved Gucci before that, but from that moment on, my Gucci fever blew up. Because if I hadn’t been wearing Gucci at that time, Chef Massimo wouldn’t have noticed me.



For more delicious details, visit <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025</a>.



This interview has been translated from Japanese and edited for clarity.

Hiroki Nakanoue

Sushiyoshi

Sushiyoshi’s Chef Hiroki Nakanoue on Forging His Own Path, Finding Inspiration in International Culinary Cultures, and Keeping an Honest Heart

A new hospitality brand is set to shake things up in Southeast Asia.



Kaia, the brainchild of outdoor hospitality specialist Cloud Collective and hospitality investment and development firm Bound and Beyond—which owns the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok by the Chao Phraya river as well as Capella Bangkok—comprises a collection of outdoor luxury resorts with a focus on tented suites, conscientious luxury, and connection with nature, local communities, and social engagement.



With its first property due to debut at the end of 2025—and more to be announced later this year—Koh Phangan island in Thailand is the stage on which Kaia’s novel concept will unfold. Located just 30 minutes from Koh Samui by speedboat, Koh Phangan’s northeastern coast is surrounded by a protected national forest, promising peaceful seclusion, deep immersion in verdant, natural landscapes, and serene beaches, with direct access from the resort.



Kaia Koh Phangan will leverage Cloud Collective’s expertise in design-driven, minimal-footprint hospitality development to offer tented accommodations rooted in mindful elegance, barefoot luxury, and respect for the environment. Acclaimed interior designer Vichada “Dao” Sitakalin—also the co-founder of high-end furniture company Quattro Design—brings her unique vision to the resort, where local craftsmanship is a primary focus. Natural, sustainably sourced materials and open-air design are positioned as construction tentpoles, breaking down the divide between indoor and outdoor living. Kaia will also eliminate single-use plastic from its resort, and lean on filtered water systems and biodegradable packaging to aid its sustainable mission.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798099" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



All 31 abodes—spanning 77 to 248 square metres in size, boasting views over the Gulf of Thailand—will showcase traditional woven textiles, upcycled teak floorboards, and rugs made from recycled plastic. Guests can expect outdoor decks with bathtubs, draped four-poster beds, teak-panelled showers, and pantries filled with artisanal products and local delicacies. Among its accommodations, Kaia Koh Phangan will also have four two-bedroom tented villas, each with their own private pool.



On the property, a dynamic clubhouse, outdoor infinity pool, and beach-club venue will serve as the social hubs of the resort. Activities such as open-fire beachside feasts, sunset celebrations, and chef-led foraging excursions through the surrounding forests make up part of the experience programme. Kaia will also create opportunities for guests to engage in adventures led by the local community, like nighttime squid safaris, pottery-making with ceramicists, live-band music performances, and more. Wellness goes beyond massages and spa treatments to include nature walks, yoga sessions, guided meditation, and the more unusual ice-bathing session on a longtail boat.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798100" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As part of Kaia’s mission to uplift authentic culture, local experiences, and the surrounding communities, the culinary programme at the resort will champion sustainability, seasonality, and available produce sourced from nearby farms and fisheries, with an emphasis on cuisine prepared over an open flame. Kaia will also lean into a closed-loop food system to grow ingredients and compost food on-site as much as possible, gather produce and honey from its own organic farm and beehives, and partner with ethical, low-impact fishers and farmers to provide a positive impact.



With inclusivity and the local jao baan hospitality philosophy in mind, human connection, tradition, community, and culture are prominent aspects of the Kaia ethos.



“With Kaia, we are redefining luxury by seamlessly blending immersive outdoor hospitality with a deep reverence for nature and local culture,” says Beverly Chen, co-founder of Kaia and co-founder and COO of Cloud Collective. “Each resort is thoughtfully designed to foster meaningful connections—between guests, the land, and the community—while upholding the highest standards of sustainability.



“As demand for transformative travel experiences continues to grow, Kaia represents a bold step forward in luxury hospitality—one that harmonises refined elegance with environmental and social responsibility,” Kamonwan Wipulakorn, managing director of Bound and Beyond and co-founder of Kaia, affirms.



“As travellers seek more meaningful experiences, we are creating a hospitality model that is deeply rooted in local traditions, craftsmanship, and community. At Bound and Beyond, we believe that true luxury is not just about indulgence—it’s about honouring the spirit of a place and the people who shape it,” Wipulakorn adds. “Through Kaia, we are crafting resorts where guests can immerse themselves in the richness of local heritage while embracing a lighter, more conscious way of travelling.”



“At Cloud Collective, we are committed to pioneering hospitality concepts that not only set new industry benchmarks but also create lasting value for our guests and the destinations we serve. Kaia embodies this vision, offering a sanctuary where luxury, sustainability, and cultural authenticity converge,” Chen explains.



All images courtesy of Kaia.

Bound and Beyond

Cloud Collective

Kaia

Koh Phangan

Outdoor Luxury Resort

A Brand-New Outdoor Luxury Resort Brand Is Coming to Southeast Asia This Year

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/bmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW</a>&nbsp;plans to keep producing wagons for the foreseeable future.



The German marque’s design boss Adrian van Hooydonk said as much&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-i3-name-and-touring-model-primed-electric-3-series" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in an interview with&nbsp;Autocar</a>. He even suggested that a long-roofed version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-vision-neue-klasse-concept-debut-future-production-1234892200/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">redesigned 3 Series</a>&nbsp;could launch within the next few couple of years.



Talk of the new wagon came up while van Hooydonk was discussing the upcoming, eighth-generation 3 Series sedan. That car is expected to be the second of BMW’s Neue Klasse generation of battery-powered vehicles. The architecture that underpins the new car was designed for electric powertrains but also works with internal combustion engines. This will allow BMW to sell both battery- and gas-powered versions of the next-gen 3 Series.



<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/2025/05/m5touring01.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797709" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/m5touring01.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/m5touring01.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/m5touring01.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/m5touring01.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The success of the BMW M5 Touring means the company will build more wagons. Image courtesy of Fabian Kirchbauer/BMW</figcaption></figure>



“First, we will start with an SUV [the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmws-neue-klasse-x-concept-future-electric-1235554974/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new-look X3</a>&nbsp;that is scheduled to debut later this year], then pretty soon after we will come with our new interpretation of a sporty sedan;&nbsp;we believe that segment is not dead,” the executive told the British publication.



The order makes sense because SUVs represent half the company’s business, while sedans remain integral to the brand’s identity. But van Hooydonk also hinted that a wagon version could follow soon after the 3 Series is unveiled early next year. The reason is simple: the success of the M3 Touring and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-confirms-m5-touring-wagon-coming-to-us-1235572433/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">M5 Touring</a>—the latter of which <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-m5-touring-performance-wagon-us-release-1235813115/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is sold in the US</a>—has convinced the automaker that the body style still has plenty of life in it.



“I think the ‘touring’ [estate] is making a comeback,” he told the magazine. “Of course, we’ve propelled it with the M3 Touring and M5 Touring: they seem to be very popular, even in countries where tourings or estates are traditionally not very [popular].”



In the same article,&nbsp;Autocar&nbsp;also reports that BMW’s head of production, Bernd&nbsp;Körber, has confirmed that the electric version of the new 3 Series will be called the i3. The name was previously used for a compact electric hatchback that was discontinued in 2022. The name will bring the battery-powered 3 Series in line with the company’s other EVs, the iX SUV and i4, i5, and i7 sedans. The ICE version, meanwhile, will continue to bear the traditional 3 Series name.

3 Series

Station Wagon

BMW Is Making a New All-Electric Station Wagon

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW</a>&nbsp;stans who’ve always wanted to learn how to race could now have their dreams come true.&nbsp; On Friday, the German marque unveiled a new “entry-level” track-only sports car called the M2&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/racing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Racing</a>, which promises relatively cheap thrills for track enthusiasts in a car that might remind buyers of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/first-drive-2023-m2-1234833103/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW M cars of old</a>.



The new racer can be ordered in June and will get delivered in time for the 2026 season, BMW said, and will make 313 horsepower from its four-cylinder engine, sending that power through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. That is perhaps a concession to the M2 Racing’s entry-level aspirations, but the M2 Racing also only weighs 3,300 pounds, so its power-to-weight ratio is not all that different from a&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/2025-bmw-m2-more-power-revised-interior-1235653512/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regular M2</a>&nbsp;and its six-cylinder, 473 horsepower engine.



BMW <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-entry-level-race-car-m2-sports-car-1235822502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first hinted at the new M2 Racing</a> last year. On Friday, the marque said the new BMW M2 Racing will start at €98,000, or around US$111,500 (approximately HK$864,780) at current exchange rates. That’s a significant premium over the base M2’s starting price of US$66,675 (approximately HK$517,120) in the US, though cheaper than many a track-only car. It’s somewhat rare to hear German automakers talk about their cars so explicitly in terms of price, and even rarer to them talk about saving money at the race track, but that’s exactly how BMW describes the M2 Racing.



<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/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-1024x577.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797596" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-1024x577.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-1536x865.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The new BMW M2 Racing from the rear right.  Image courtesy of Agnieszka-Doroszewicz</figcaption></figure>



“Like its predecessors—the BMW M235i Racing, BMW M240i Racing, and BMW M2 CS Racing—the new BMW M2 Racing will redefine the entry-level segment,” Franciscus van Meel, BMW M’s CEO,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0449797EN/the-new-entry-level-model:-bmw-m-motorsport-presents-the-bmw-m2-racing" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>. “The car is affordable while offering racing teams and drivers uncompromising performance, durability, and pure driving pleasure. At BMW M Motorsport, supporting customer racing with cars that are easy to maintain, cost-efficient, and thrilling to drive is a top priority.”



The M2 Racing is built in Mexico, and comes stripped of many extracurriculars on the inside, but it’s equipped with racing necessities: a roll cage, fire suppression equipment, and a racing dashboard. Aerodynamics have also been modified for the track, and the brake-cooling system is made by BMW M. A speed limiter for pit lanes is included, and the M2 Racing will also only come in a single colour: white, which is all the better for private teams who want to add their own designs or sponsorship logos.



The M2 Racing provides a turnkey race-car experience for private teams or for private individuals who simply want to get in and go. After a while in the M2 Racing, you might even decide that it’s time to sink some real money into your track habit.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/new-bmw-m2-racing-photos-1236697611/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the new BMW M2 Racing.

race car

Track-only

BMW Just Unveiled a Track-Only Race Car for Beginners

<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

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-10 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

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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

Before <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/horological-historian-nick-foulkes-just-released-an-encyclopedic-new-book-dedicated-to-the-iconic-jaeger-lecoultre-reverso-1234603074/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso</a> became the Swiss watchmaker’s biggest pillar and a canvas for some exceptional miniature painting, engraving, and mechanics, it was a practical tool watch developed for polo-playing field officers stationed in India during the British Raj of the 1930s. Its innovative dial was made to flip over so the metal back case would face the sun while on the wrist during a match, so the dial wouldn’t get damaged. 



In today’s era, it is considered one of the most classic dress watches on the market, but it’s rectangular shape and clever flip-flop mechanism has also allowed it to become one of the most creative models in the business. Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to innovate on the Reverso. “Under one roof, we have the presence of more than 430 registered patents and the development of 1,400 movements and all that is making the Reverso, as well [as the brand’s other timepieces], truly unique and truly an icon of its time,” CEO Jérôme Lambert told Robb Report in March. The wildest example? The <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/greatest-grand-complication-watches-in-the-world-1235972635/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reverso Hybris Mechanica Quadryptique</a>, which debuted with four sides—a world first with mechanics on the both dials of the flip-face, as well as the cradle and caseback. It may be the most complicated of the Reverso’s to date, but this year, as the exhibition for which Art Deco was named (the 1925 Exposition des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes from Paris) celebrates its centennial, Jaeger-LeCoultre ramped up the focus on the model to debut a slew of new versions that wowed the crowds at <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/watches-wonders-2025-best-new-watches-1236430295/rr-als-ww-minute-repeater/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watches &amp; Wonders</a>. Here are a few of our favourites.



<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/JLC_Reverso3.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797717" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso3.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso3.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso3.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



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



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>Image courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179</h2>



One of the most complicated Reverso models in the Jaeger-LeCoultre catalogue, the Hybris Artistica is notable for its impressive Gyrotourbillon: Its inner cage rotates 360 degrees every 16 seconds while a peripheral carriage completes a full turn every minute. This single complication alone requires 123 tiny components to set its horological dance into motion. Just for the cage of the Gyrotourbillon, 14 hours of hand-bevelling work has been done to finish this tiny component to the hilt. Eight hours of hand-chamfering is required for the signature bridge on the reverse side. The mechanics are accentuated by hand-applied lacquer work in a stunning combination of art and engineering. The new white-gold version is limited to just 10 pieces worldwide.



<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/JLC_Reverso2.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797718" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso2.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



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



Image courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reverso Tribute Minute Repeater</h2>



Some minute repeaters show off their mechanical complexity through the dial side, while others display it through the caseback. The Reverso Tribute does both. If you’d prefer to be discreet, the hours and minutes contrast with an elegantly hand-guilloched dial. But if you feel like showing off, flip it over for a full view of the brand-new Calibre 953 so you can explain, with visuals, why the movement has seven patents—and why only 30 will ever exist. “What you see here is the Reverso Minute Repeater of 1994 and this for this reinterpretation of the watch, our art director and developers have been again taking the path of the invention to propose to the watch a new movement (the 953), a new face, and a set of new patents to support the proposition,” says Lambert. The patents are for its crystal gongs, trébuchet hammers, and a silence gap suppression, to name a few.



<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/JLC_Reverso1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797719" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso1.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JLC_Reverso1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



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



Image courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel “Shahnameh”</h2>



Polo is one of the oldest team sports in existence, believed to have originated in Persia in the sixth century BCE. Coincidentally, miniature painting is also linked to the region during this period. Limited to 10 pieces each in a series of four iterations, these timepieces portray early polo scenes—via guillochage, grand feu enamelling, paillonnage, and miniature enamel-painting techniques—depicted in the 16th-century edition of the Persian epic Shahnameh, or The Persian Book of Kings.



“It is the first time in history that polo was named in a book describing characters playing ball on a horse,” says Lambert. “And we have been able to recreate that scene in miniature painting.” The gold sky is actually leaves of gold integrated into the hand-painting work. “We&nbsp;use a technique of&nbsp;paillonage, which is an antique technique of enameling that we combine with miniature painting like it would have been done in a book,” he says. The idea was to mimic the threads of gold that were used in the ancient text. It is just one of the many extraordinary techniques that serve as a reminder of the preservation of incredible centuries-old craftsmanship, still alive and well in Switzerland today.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Reversos

How Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Newest Reversos Blend Intricate Painting With Complex Movements

<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/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

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 Yachts 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 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 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 Ulyssia Floating Residence

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