The savvy, smart, experienced collectors I know don’t always go for <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/patek-philippe-dominates-spring-watch-auctions-1235618152/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the big lots on the watch auction circuit</a>, but instead identify some really interesting pieces they’re passionate about that also seem like they’ll go up in value. Some of these collectors have flipped these low-key sleepers years later for serious money, which adds up to fund that newsworthy big lot at a later date. In one case I know of, a very chill purchase turned into a second home—and a rather nice one at that. If, like me, you are curious to know what this insider scene of the watch circuit is like, you may be interested in following the <a href="https://www.phillips.com/auctions/auction/HK080224" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hong Kong Watch Auction that Phillips is putting on this week</a>, which happens to be full of interesting watches with entirely down-to-earth estimates. Let’s call them sleepers.



The key at this year’s Hong Kong Watch Auction is, in my estimation, to look at what is often called “neo-vintage.” This is a relatively new and hot category—one which I cynically believe pre-owned dealers created to jack up prices on out-of-style, ageing stock. Despite the crass impulse behind the genre’s creation, the result has been an increased awareness of what watch collectors often call “sweet spot” or “sleeper” pricing: Watches that are neither old enough to be vintage nor new enough to be hot pre-owned models. As a soft rule, neo-vintage watches are roughly 20 to 40 years old.



A few things to note about this selection below, however: First, neo-vintage watches are often wildly out of style, but they’re going to come back in, just as everything does after enough nostalgia and buzz accrues. Second, not all the watches I’m recommending are neo-vintage, as I think a few of the offerings at the Hong Kong Watch Auction of recent vintage could end up being “big watches” to own down the road, too. The softening market doesn’t hurt either.



Let’s jump into the lots I think you should keep an eye on.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Rolex-Coral-Oyster-Pepetual.jpg?w=1024" alt="Rolex Coral Oyster Perpetual 36 - Lot 803, $5,100 - $7200"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rolex Coral Oyster Perpetual 36 | Lot 803</h3>



Created in 2021, this coral Oyster Perpetual is probably the newest watch I’ll recommend here, but selling for around the retail prices, as estimated here, seems unlikely. These were hotter than hotcakes when they dropped in multiple colours, drawing interest around the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/rolex-watch-grails-fails-1235591914/rolex-reference-1803-day-date-with-lilac-stella-dial/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1970’s Stella Dials</a> to which these colourful OPs pay tribute. Coral is among the hottest—both in hue and in demand. Keep an eye on this one, because it only takes two people who really want it to send it off the charts. If it doesn’t soar, and you dig it, then pounce! 



Presale estimates: US$5,100 to US$7,200 (HK$39,785 to HK$56,170)



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP-Chronograph-Royal-Oak.jpg?w=1024" alt="Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph | Lot 816"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph | Lot 816</h3>



This is a great example of the neo-vintage effect. From 2005, this one is just 19 years old, and its estimate range is downright low for a stainless steel Ref. 25860ST. If anything else tells me the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/q1-2024-report-watch-market-slows-1235602572/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch market is slowing down</a>, it could be the estimate on lot 816, which I’m going to watch closely. Mid-pandemic, this reference was nearly unobtainable.



Presale estimates: US$19,200 to US$32,100 (HK$149,785 to HK$250,420)



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/rolex-GMT-Master-II-Solid-Gold.jpg?w=1024" alt="Rolex GMT Master II 16718 | Lot 829"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rolex GMT Master II 16718 | Lot 829</h3>



I’ve gone on <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/how-to-buy-your-first-rolex-1235609142/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">at length about how the four-, five- and six-digit reference numbers from Rolex</a> have created a kind of lull around the value of the five-digit references, and this watch only proves my theory. Dating to 2002, this GMT Master II is entirely solid gold and ready to be scooped up in the mid-US$20,000 (HK$156,025) region. Neither rare nor really even in style right now, the model is only going to go up in value as it ages into the vintage category over the next decade. Being post-1998–1999, it will be loaded with Super-LumiNova, and, on this example, I’m seeing a rather well preserved aluminium bezel insert and only modest polishing. Definitely watching this bad boy.



Presale estimates: US$20,500 to US$30,800 (HK$159,925 to HK$240,280)



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Vacheron-Constantin-40-mm-Triple-Calendar.jpg?w=1024" alt="Vacheron Constantin 40 mm Triple Calendar | Lot 834"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Vacheron Constantin 40 mm Triple Calendar | Lot 834</h3>



These were <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/slideshow/8-hallmarks-of-the-golden-age-of-steel/vacheron-constantin-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">so hot when they launched a few years ago</a> that everyone seemed to have one. Then they were kind of the meh-watch, and then they were all over the used market, and still are today. Why this Ref. 3110V/000A-B425 from 2019 is at auction is a good question. I think this could go for (gulp) under US$10,000 (HK$78,015)—because, in my opinion, this isn’t the kind of watch people go to auctions to find (more of an eBay watch, if there is such a thing). As a minor collector of Vacheron Constantin myself, I don’t even particularly like this model at 40 mm (seems cartoonish), but I know a potential steal when I see one. Could be a total sleeper. And it is beautiful, really.



Presale estimates: US$7,700 to US$15,400 (HK$60,070 to HK$120,150)



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Rolex-Datejust-Two-Tone-Diamonds.jpg?w=1024" alt="Rolex Datejust Two Tone Diamonds | Lot 850"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rolex Datejust Two Tone Diamonds (NOS) | Lot 850</h3>



This reference 116233 is from 2010, and it is listed as new old stock (NOS), which means it’s never been worn. It also comes with its original box, hang tags, and owner’s card. Snag this one for under US$10,000 (HK$78,020), drop it in the safe, and watch it outperform your portfolio year after year. Then, once the market is hot for these tasty Champagne dials—because everything goes in and out of style—bring it back to Phillips and flip it for that money you’re going to drop on the truly rare gem of your collection.



Presale estimates: US$6,200 to US$10,300 (HK$48,370 to HK$80,355)



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/White-Gold-Patek-Philippe-Perpetual-Calendar.jpg?w=1024" alt="White Gold Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar—Lot 854, $25,600 - $51,300"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">White Gold Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar | Lot 854</h3>



It wasn’t that long ago that Patek Philippe was still making perpetual calendars at the “correct” size of 36 mm—this my opinion, of course, but one I feel quite strongly about. A reference 3940G-013 that could land in the middle of the US$30,000 (HK$234,045) range? Need I say more? This is the magic of that neo-vintage sweet spot in a nutshell. The 2005 vintage may be a dead zone now, but give it 10 years and boom!



Presale estimates: US$25,600 to US$51,300 (HK$199,720 to HK$400,220)<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Platium-Patek-Philippe-Annual-Calendar-37-mm.jpg?w=1024" alt="Platinum Patek Philippe Annual Calendar | Lot 856"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Platinum Patek Philippe Annual Calendar | Lot 856</h3>



For starters, 37 mm is a very tasty size for a truly complicated Patek Philippe. Add in the platinum build, the slate-grey dial, the moon phase, and this thing is simply a crazy good deal. The 2002 vintage puts it squarely in the neo-vintage category. With a classic visage and amazing pedigree, barring some unforeseen apocalyptic event, I am 100 per cent confident you won’t be getting a reference 5056P-001 for this kind of money for much longer. If this one stays below US$20,000 (HK$156,030), I’d be amazed—and impressed by the savvy bidder who took it home for peanuts.



Presale estimates: US$15,400 to US$25,600 (HK$120,145 to HK$199,720)



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/F.-P.-Journe-Resonance.jpg?w=1024" alt="F. P. Journe Resonance (First Generation) | Lot 865"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FP Journe Resonance (First Generation) | Lot 865</h3>



I know the six-figure mark may not sound like a deal, but this is a first generation Resonance, people! We have <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/f-p-journes-chronometre-a-resonance-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary-2916635/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">detailed this remarkable model from FP Journe, so you can read up on why it’s significant</a> and why a Gen. 1 is going to be the thing to put your kids through college in no time at all. Frankly, I’m shocked at the estimate, but given the softening of the market and threat of rising interest rates, this could be the moment to jump on one of these rare beauties. As odd as it may sound, this may be the sleeper of this auction. Note the 2002 date of creation, which seems to be the sweet spot for this year’s edition of the Hong Kong Watch Auction.



Presale estimates: US$121,000 to US$231,000 (HK$943,950 to HK$1.8 million)<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Piaget-Alta-Plano-Stone-Dial.jpg?w=1024" alt="Piaget Altiplano Stone Dial Ref. 9025 | Lot 869"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Piaget Altiplano Marble Dial Ref. 9025 | Lot 869</h2>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/how-watch-collectors-styling-piaget-timepieces-today-1235582152/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Piaget is hot</a>. Stone dials are hot. Thin watches are hot. <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/small-mens-watches-trend-1234825319/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Small watches are hot</a>. Why aren’t you rushing to place your bid for this 30 mm, marble-faced beauty? Get into this mid-1990s model for the price of a long weekend in the islands, and you’ll turn that into a two-week stay further abroad before you know it.



Presale estimates: US$3,200 to US$6,400 (HK$24,960 to HK$49,925)<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Patek-Philippe-Calatrava-with-Salmon-Dial.jpg?w=1024" alt="Patek Philippe Calatrava With Salmon Dial | Lot 886"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Patek Philippe Calatrava With Salmon Dial | Lot 886</h2>



Reference 3796 was Patek’s follow up to the venerable reference 96 that started it all in 1932. And if there’s a company that <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/salmon-watch-dials-history-1235615405/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">makes a proper salmon dial</a>, it is Patek Philippe. I think every watch writer goes through what I just went through before including this watch: The temptation to not include it so that the price stays as low as I can possibly keep it. Why? Because I really want this watch! But I am a journalist first and a watch collector second, so here it is in all its affordable glory, one of the most beautiful 31 mm watches ever produced in the history of watchmaking. This baby is exactly 30 years old, setting it straight in the middle of the neo-vintage market. And with a hint of reluctance, I sign off with this pink gold piece of perfection. Happy bidding!



Presale estimates: US$6,400 to US$12,800 (HK$49,925 to HK$99,850)



All images courtesy of Phillips.

Audemars Piguet

FP Journe

Patek Philippe

Phillips

Piaget

Rolex

Vacheron Constantin

10 Collectible Sleepers at Phillips’s Hong Kong Watch Auction, From Neo-Vintage Standouts to Aughts Gems

Geneva is set to welcome a host of dazzling guests this May.



At the first jewellery auction to be held at Hotel President in Geneva, a new venue selected by auction house&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/phillips/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phillips</a>, the debut has to be appropriate stunning. Leading the sale is a trifecta of significant stones: a rare fancy red diamond weighing 1.56 carats, a magnificent fancy vivid pink diamond ring of 6.21 carats, and jaw-dropping Colombian emerald bearing a whopping 280.8 carats. How far will the hammer fall is uncertain, and the estimates are in multiple figures, but there’s so much more in the 100-plus lots that are worthy of inspection.&nbsp;



<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="768" height="1024" data-id="1234787153" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Argyle-Phoenix-Mesmerizing-Fancy-Red-diamond-ring-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787153" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Argyle-Phoenix-Mesmerizing-Fancy-Red-diamond-ring-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Argyle-Phoenix-Mesmerizing-Fancy-Red-diamond-ring-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Argyle-Phoenix-Mesmerizing-Fancy-Red-diamond-ring-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Argyle-Phoenix-Mesmerizing-Fancy-Red-diamond-ring-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">‘The Argyle Phoenix’, Fancy Red diamond ring</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" data-id="1234787155" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Magnificent-Fancy-Vivid-Pink-diamond-ring-2-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787155" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Magnificent-Fancy-Vivid-Pink-diamond-ring-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Magnificent-Fancy-Vivid-Pink-diamond-ring-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Magnificent-Fancy-Vivid-Pink-diamond-ring-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Magnificent-Fancy-Vivid-Pink-diamond-ring-2.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fancy Vivid Pink diamond ring</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" data-id="1234787154" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-2-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787154" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-2.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">‘The Amazon Queen’, Colombian emerald</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



“As our Jewels department experiences continued growth and expansion, we are proud to unveil these exquisite highlights in anticipation of our second Jewels auction in Geneva this May,” Benoît Repellin, worldwide head of jewellery at Phillips, shared in a statement.



Rifle through the catalogue to find the famed, the familiar, and the jewellery houses of note shimmering on the pages, among them Cartier, JAR, Sterlé, Suzanne Belperron, and Van Cleef &amp; Arpels. As relevant today as they were a century ago—and more so in some cases—some of the limited-edition archival pieces are so rare in the market that collectors from around the world are expected to collate in Switzerland this May for a closer look. Several statement pieces in the hands of private collectors, often staying within the family for generations, are finally up for grabs.&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;has zoned in on a selection of sensational lots of great provenance, historical reference, celebrity, and rarity from the catalogue for a teaser of what will be on offer at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phillips.com/auctions/auction/CH060224" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geneva Jewels Auction: Two</a>.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-4-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787156" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-4-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-4-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-4-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-4-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-4-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/‘The-Amazon-Queen-Impressive-Colombian-emerald-4.jpeg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



One of the star lots of the occasion, the “Amazon Queen,” a&nbsp;280.8-carat Colombian emerald, is said by Phillips to be one of the largest gem-quality emeralds to hit the auction block. For that reason alone, it is expected to fetch up to US$2.6 million (HK$20.3 million).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="877" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Suzanne-Belperron-Pair-of-sapphire-and-emerald-ear-clips-877x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787157" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Suzanne-Belperron-Pair-of-sapphire-and-emerald-ear-clips-877x1024.jpg 877w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Suzanne-Belperron-Pair-of-sapphire-and-emerald-ear-clips-257x300.jpg 257w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Suzanne-Belperron-Pair-of-sapphire-and-emerald-ear-clips-768x896.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Suzanne-Belperron-Pair-of-sapphire-and-emerald-ear-clips-1316x1536.jpg 1316w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Suzanne-Belperron-Pair-of-sapphire-and-emerald-ear-clips.jpg 1371w" sizes="(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px" /></figure>



A chic pair of&nbsp;sapphire and emerald ear clips&nbsp;from&nbsp;Suzanne Belperron&nbsp;is estimated to fetch up to US$50,000 (HK$391,495). Observers with a keen eye will note that this elegant accessory is not signed; Belperron, born at the turn of the century in France, once famously said, “Mon style est ma signature.” (“My style is my signature.”)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="877" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Van-Cleef-Arpels-Pair-of-gold-and-diamond-clip-brooches-877x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787116" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Van-Cleef-Arpels-Pair-of-gold-and-diamond-clip-brooches-877x1024.jpeg 877w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Van-Cleef-Arpels-Pair-of-gold-and-diamond-clip-brooches-257x300.jpeg 257w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Van-Cleef-Arpels-Pair-of-gold-and-diamond-clip-brooches-768x896.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Van-Cleef-Arpels-Pair-of-gold-and-diamond-clip-brooches-1316x1536.jpeg 1316w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Van-Cleef-Arpels-Pair-of-gold-and-diamond-clip-brooches.jpeg 1371w" sizes="(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px" /></figure>



A pair of&nbsp;gold and diamond clip brooches&nbsp;from&nbsp;Van Cleef &amp; Arpels, circa 1940, may close at up to US$30,000 (HK$234,900). Made nearly 90 years ago, the classic bejewelled accessories by the historic maison stand the test of time, proving again and again what worthy investments the gorgeous pieces from the acclaimed jewellery house are.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="829" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cartier-Diamond-ruby-and-onyx-necklace-829x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787120" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cartier-Diamond-ruby-and-onyx-necklace-829x1024.jpg 829w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cartier-Diamond-ruby-and-onyx-necklace-243x300.jpg 243w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cartier-Diamond-ruby-and-onyx-necklace-768x949.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cartier-Diamond-ruby-and-onyx-necklace-1243x1536.jpg 1243w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cartier-Diamond-ruby-and-onyx-necklace-1658x2048.jpg 1658w" sizes="(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px" /></figure>



Ah, there she rests on an onyx stand:&nbsp;Cartier’s famed Panthère motif in repose is festooned with diamonds and rubies, a masterful result of exquisite craftsmanship. As befitting such a regal accessory, this&nbsp;necklace&nbsp;is expected fetch up to US$150,000 (HK$1.1 million).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="877" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sterle-Diamond-Brooch-877x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787117" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sterle-Diamond-Brooch-877x1024.jpg 877w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sterle-Diamond-Brooch-257x300.jpg 257w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sterle-Diamond-Brooch-768x896.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sterle-Diamond-Brooch-1316x1536.jpg 1316w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sterle-Diamond-Brooch.jpg 1371w" sizes="(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px" /></figure>



A 1960s throwback, the&nbsp;Sterlé&nbsp;diamond brooch&nbsp;is a bejewelled flower petal looking for a shoulder to pin on, realised in an elegant shape that is so simple yet so stunning. Interested parties can expect this piece to go for up to US$90,000 (HK$704,685).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="829" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Emerald-and-diamond-pendantbrooch-829x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787119" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Emerald-and-diamond-pendantbrooch-829x1024.jpg 829w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Emerald-and-diamond-pendantbrooch-243x300.jpg 243w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Emerald-and-diamond-pendantbrooch-768x949.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Emerald-and-diamond-pendantbrooch-1243x1536.jpg 1243w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Emerald-and-diamond-pendantbrooch.jpg 1295w" sizes="(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px" /></figure>



An&nbsp;emerald and diamond pendant&nbsp;that can easily morph into a brooch, this&nbsp;Harry Winston&nbsp;rarity, an artistic gem from the archives, could fetch US$240,000 (HK$1.8 million).



<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="877" height="1024" data-id="1234787163" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Sapphire-and-Diamond-Necklace-877x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787163" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Sapphire-and-Diamond-Necklace-877x1024.jpg 877w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Sapphire-and-Diamond-Necklace-257x300.jpg 257w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Sapphire-and-Diamond-Necklace-768x896.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Sapphire-and-Diamond-Necklace-1316x1536.jpg 1316w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harry-Winston-Sapphire-and-Diamond-Necklace.jpg 1371w" sizes="(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Harry Winston, Sapphire and Diamond Necklace</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="877" height="1024" data-id="1234787161" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-sapphire-and-diamond-earrings-877x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787161" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-sapphire-and-diamond-earrings-877x1024.jpg 877w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-sapphire-and-diamond-earrings-257x300.jpg 257w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-sapphire-and-diamond-earrings-768x896.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-sapphire-and-diamond-earrings-1316x1536.jpg 1316w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-sapphire-and-diamond-earrings.jpg 1371w" sizes="(max-width: 877px) 100vw, 877px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pair of sapphire and diamond earrings</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="829" height="1024" data-id="1234787162" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-Kashmir-sapphire-and-diamond-ear-clips-1-829x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787162" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-Kashmir-sapphire-and-diamond-ear-clips-1-829x1024.jpg 829w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-Kashmir-sapphire-and-diamond-ear-clips-1-243x300.jpg 243w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-Kashmir-sapphire-and-diamond-ear-clips-1-768x949.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-Kashmir-sapphire-and-diamond-ear-clips-1-1243x1536.jpg 1243w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pair-of-Kashmir-sapphire-and-diamond-ear-clips-1.jpg 1295w" sizes="(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pair of Kashmir sapphire and diamond ear clips</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



Sapphire has been an intrinsic part of crown jewels and these three sets have an air of regal imprimatur. A&nbsp;Harry Winston&nbsp;sapphire and diamond necklace, a pair of&nbsp;sapphire and diamond earrings&nbsp;of 15.04 and 13.03 carats, and a pair of&nbsp;Kashmir sapphire and diamond ear clips&nbsp;weighing 2.48 and 2.68 carats are estimated to fetch up to US$260,000 (HK$2 million), US$240,000 (HK$1.8 million), and US$100,000 (HK$783,010), respectively.



For those seeking something new, something pink, and something blue, the a diamond, spinel, and sapphire&nbsp;Fleur de Magnolia brooch&nbsp;from&nbsp;Maison Alix Dumas&nbsp;stands out from&nbsp;Symbols, Colour and Form, a spring selling exhibition of jewels made by contemporary designers to complement the Geneva Jewels Auction: Two. Exhibiting obvious influences of flora and fauna, the sculptural designs secured Dumas, the designer from Brittany, an award in the “Best in Haute Couture” category at the Couture Design Awards in 2023.&nbsp;



All this and so much more is ripe for the picking this coming auction.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.phillips.com/auctions/auction/CH060224" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Geneva Jewels Auction: Two</a>



Auction Viewing: 8–13 May 2024



Auction: 13 May 2024



Hotel President, Quai Wilson 47, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland



All images courtesy of Phillips.

Auction

Cartier

jewellery

Jewellery auction

Phillips Auction

Van Cleef & Arpels

This 280.8-Carat Colombian Emerald Is Estimated to Fetch HK$20.3 Million at Auction

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fair Trade</h2>



Pre-pandemic, gallerists and collectors alike were so exhausted from the global calendar of fair-hopping that someone actually coined the word “fair-tigue”—and the fact that this poorly conceived term entered the art-world lexicon is telling of how prevalent the emotion was. 



Well, there’s nothing like two or three years of sheltering in place to remind culture vultures that there is a world of opportunity out there—even if it is taking place in fluorescent-lit convention centres. It’s those same exhausted travelling collectors who keenly booked up tickets to the Basels and the Friezes, as well as to new fairs that were mushrooming across the globe in art-capital hopefuls.



Nowhere was that more true than in Asia, where fairs began popping up to great fanfare. While the debut of Frieze in Seoul in late 2022 was the big show pony that had people talking—in particular, whether Seoul would overtake Hong Kong as Asia’s primary art hub—November 2022 saw the launch of Art Week Tokyo, followed by Art SG in January 2023, and Tokyo Gendai just half a year later.



“We’re really seeing the pluralisation of art hubs in Asia,” says Erica Siu, senior vice president at Sutton, whose firm represents Art Basel, Taipei Dangdai, and Art SG, as well as Art Week Tokyo and Gallery Weekend Beijing. “What you see in the first edition of a new art fair is only the beginning. As the overseas galleries coming in to show get to know the idiosyncrasies of each market and understand local collectors’ tastes, you’ll see the fairs get even better. The curation will grow more targeted and sophisticated, and sales performance will increase as well. The same goes for various festivals that can shed light on the local art scene, evolving year after year to attract both local and overseas audiences.”



This can already be seen in Seoul, which in September 2023 welcomed everybody who was anybody from across the Asian region—in art or otherwise. Our Week, an emerging satellite fair, also joined the fray, launching during the Frieze fair period with booths from Hong Kong galleries Kiang Malingue, PHD Group, and Flowers Gallery. 



Enrico Polato, whose gallery, Capsule Shanghai, does six or seven shows per year in its cosy, residential-style space in the Chinese city’s French Concession area, counted that by the time 2023 ends, they will have taken booth space at 12 global fairs, including Art SG, Hong Kong’s Art Basel, Taipei Dangdai, Frieze Seoul, and West Bund—in effect, staging some 12 off-campus exhibitions, as Polato has a practice of creating one- or two-artist presentations at fairs, instead of the hodgepodge of bestsellers that some participating galleries prefer.



“What we’re trying to do is to open up possibilities into new markets,” Polato says of the rationale behind taking part in these fairs, despite the hefty cost and sometimes uncertain returns. “And the only way to do it is just to be on the spot. What I find challenging is that you really have a short time to connect with a large number of people, and the pace of a fair is very fast, so it is sometimes frustrating. But the results come in the long run. I had cases where people reached out after the fair because we had a show with the artists they saw at the fair, and there was some sort of visual memory, and so they reached out for information about the new body of works.” 



Ultimately, it’s revenge travel with a purpose—but if it ups the game and diversifies the market in Asia’s art capitals, then we’re all for it.



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="858" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zeng-Fanzhi_Mask-2000-No.-3-2000-858x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782641" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zeng-Fanzhi_Mask-2000-No.-3-2000-858x1024.jpeg 858w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zeng-Fanzhi_Mask-2000-No.-3-2000-251x300.jpeg 251w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zeng-Fanzhi_Mask-2000-No.-3-2000-768x917.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zeng-Fanzhi_Mask-2000-No.-3-2000-1287x1536.jpeg 1287w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Zeng-Fanzhi_Mask-2000-No.-3-2000-1716x2048.jpeg 1716w" sizes="(max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Auction Debut</h3>



Bonhams



Mask 2000 No. 3 by Zeng Fanzhi



This special Zeng Fanzhi work was the headline lot at the “Rediscovery: Manfred Schoeni’s Legacy” sale in May 2023, comprising works from the personal collection of the late art dealer and collector who died tragically in 2004 and was known as one of the early champions and patrons of Chinese art, contributing to its meteoric rise in the early 2000s. Acquired directly from the artist’s studio, the fresh-to-market canvas made it onto the block at Bonhams with a high estimate of HK$25 million before closing at a respectable HK$24.7 million; a portion of the painting’s proceeds was earmarked for the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.



This large piece from the Mask series, besides representing a key trope in Chinese contemporary art of its time, showcases a masked figure in a Western-style suit accompanied by a bulldog, capturing a poignant era in China’s history and acting as a marker of globalisation and the rapid modernisation happening in the country during that period.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="938" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yoshitomo-Nara_Lookin-for-a-Treasure-938x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782640" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yoshitomo-Nara_Lookin-for-a-Treasure-938x1024.jpeg 938w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yoshitomo-Nara_Lookin-for-a-Treasure-275x300.jpeg 275w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yoshitomo-Nara_Lookin-for-a-Treasure-768x838.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yoshitomo-Nara_Lookin-for-a-Treasure-1407x1536.jpeg 1407w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yoshitomo-Nara_Lookin-for-a-Treasure-1876x2048.jpeg 1876w" sizes="(max-width: 938px) 100vw, 938px" /></figure>



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



Phillips



Lookin’ For a Treasure by Yoshitomo Nara



The work of Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara is a familiar sight at auctions, and his so-called “Nara girls” regularly top auction records, but the sale of this piece for a cool HK$83.8 million is a strong reminder to look deeper at the nuance of each seemingly similar work. For starters, Nara canvasses of girls dressed in yellow are rarer within the artist’s oeuvre—they feature in fewer than 20 works before 2000. (Meanwhile, ladies in red or blue are three or four times more common, and so the bulk of Nara’s record-breaking sales at auction tend to feature yellow-clad youngsters.)



Moreover, the year that Lookin’ for a Treasure was painted also marked the beginning of the artist’s transition to a more delicate and painterly aesthetic—the style he is best known for today. Lookin’ for a Treasure last appeared at auction in 2011, selling for HK$4.2 million, representing an increase in value of over 20-fold in the last 12 years.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="897" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Matthew-Wong-River-at-Dusk-王俊傑-《黃昏的河流》-897x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782642" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Matthew-Wong-River-at-Dusk-王俊傑-《黃昏的河流》-897x1024.jpeg 897w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Matthew-Wong-River-at-Dusk-王俊傑-《黃昏的河流》-263x300.jpeg 263w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Matthew-Wong-River-at-Dusk-王俊傑-《黃昏的河流》-768x877.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Matthew-Wong-River-at-Dusk-王俊傑-《黃昏的河流》-1345x1536.jpeg 1345w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Matthew-Wong-River-at-Dusk-王俊傑-《黃昏的河流》-1794x2048.jpeg 1794w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" /></figure>



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



Sotheby’s



River at Dusk by Matthew Wong



Matthew Wong’s death by suicide in 2019 ignited an auction-market frenzy that has yet to abate, if the sale of this work is any indication. The Canadian-born artist of Chinese descent—who was on the autism spectrum, had Tourette’s syndrome, and suffered from depression for much of his adult life—spent many of his formative years in Hong Kong and exhibited both here and in New York, with shows that were critically lauded from the start.



His style of painting—using saturated hues, dots, and dabs—carry vibrance and melancholy in equal measure, synthesising inspiration from many of the great painters of the world, but in a visual language both authentic and unique. River at Dusk in particular was created a year before the artist’s passing and hit the block a mere two years after fetching a record breaking HK$37.8 million in December 2020—this time, it achieved a hammer price of HK$52.3 million.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ABHK23__Galleries__Nanzuka__Public_Interactions__PR__MC_1062_HiRes-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782643" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ABHK23__Galleries__Nanzuka__Public_Interactions__PR__MC_1062_HiRes-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ABHK23__Galleries__Nanzuka__Public_Interactions__PR__MC_1062_HiRes-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ABHK23__Galleries__Nanzuka__Public_Interactions__PR__MC_1062_HiRes-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ABHK23__Galleries__Nanzuka__Public_Interactions__PR__MC_1062_HiRes-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ABHK23__Galleries__Nanzuka__Public_Interactions__PR__MC_1062_HiRes-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Art Basel Hong Kong 2023. ABHK23, Galleries, Nanzuka, Public Interactions, PR, MC .</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Art Fair</h3>



Art Basel Hong Kong 2023



If we had to choose a single moment pinpointing Hong Kong’s return to glory following the strict travel restrictions that ruled for most of 2022, it was Art Basel. After all, the unofficial slogan of the fair—and the refrain of most gallerists, local or otherwise—was “Hong Kong’s back,” and indeed it was, with telltale signs across social and financial aspects. Art parties were plentiful (unmasked and oversubscribed) while sales were brisk. Among the top-end primary-market sales were pieces by Mark Bradford, Roni Horn, and George Condo by Hauser &amp; Wirth, an Elizabeth Peyton by David Zwirner, and two Alex Katz paintings by Gladstone Gallery.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="811" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lot-2902-1024x811.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782644" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lot-2902-1024x811.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lot-2902-300x238.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lot-2902-768x608.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lot-2902-1536x1216.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Lot-2902-2048x1621.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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



Christie’s



Yangcai Reticulated and Rotating “Dragon Boat” Vase



Considered the most iconic of the Qianlong imperial ceramics, the zhuanxinping—rotating vases—are all the more precious for their rarity. Created in the mid- to late 1700s at the behest and taste of the Qianlong Emperor, this specimen features a lantern shaped outer body carved with four open-worked and interlocked ruyi-shaped panels set in an enamelled latticework backdrop, with a detachable waisted neck that is flanked by ornate handles shaped as dragons. Behind the latticework on the body of the vase is an inner cylindrical vessel, featuring festive scenes from a traditional dragon-boat race, with rowers and spectators dotting the intricate landscape. Turning the neck of the vase allows the body to rotate accordingly so that the interior artwork can be examined through the reticulated portion. This stunning piece had a hammer estimate of up to HK$30 million, finally selling for just over HK$40.3 million.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kusama_West-Gallery-Installation-View-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782645" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kusama_West-Gallery-Installation-View-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kusama_West-Gallery-Installation-View-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kusama_West-Gallery-Installation-View-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kusama_West-Gallery-Installation-View-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Kusama_West-Gallery-Installation-View-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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



M+



Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now



Kusama’s pumpkins are by now so ubiquitous a trope that you’d think the art world would be over the “Queen of Dots,” but this intriguing artist’s oeuvre is so diverse and complex that to do so would be to overlook a boundary-breaking career that is so much more than a spotted vegetable (that said, said pumpkins continue to smash auction records as we speak).



This survey show of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s practice delivered on both commercial and critical fronts, deftly balancing the technicolour dreamworld that the public sees at first glance with the intricacies of the artist’s various phases and inner universe, from her psychedelic, wearable phallic soft sculptures to her avant-garde New York performative work, as well as the more meditative visual musings arising from her hallucinatory visions.



Besides offering a more considered look into a storied artist, Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now acts as a shining example of why Hong Kong’s own world class art museum was well worth the wait.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_3156-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782646" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_3156-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_3156-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_3156-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_3156-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/DSC_3156-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gallery Show</h3>



Kwai Fung Hin



Worlds Beyond Reality—Monet’s Legacy



Few local galleries could attempt to mount a show such as Worlds Beyond Reality—Monet’s Legacy, but Kwai Fung Hin, operating from its new location in Tai Kwun, did it flawlessly and elegantly. In this exhibition, Claude Monet’s Pivoines (1887)—executed during his early years in Giverny and later referred to by the artist himself as “my most beautiful work of art”—is placed in conversation with the works of assorted artistic greats, including Zao Wou-ki, Lalan, and Chu Teh-chun, along with David Hockney, Shara Hughes, Ziad Dallol, and Myonghi Kang. The juxtaposition of these artists, hailing from East and West, through modernist and contemporary eras, are proof of the Impressionist artist’s enduring legacy.

Art Basel

Bonhams

Christie's

Exhibition

gallery

Kwai Fung Hin

Sotheby's

The Best in Art, From Art Basel Hong Kong to Yoshitomo Nara and Zeng Fanzhi

Get ready to to reach for the stars,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex</a>&nbsp;lovers.&nbsp;



A rare&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/NY080223/23" target="_blank">Rolex “Space-Dweller”</a>&nbsp;will be offered in&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/phillips/">Phillips</a>’s The New York Watch&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://robbreport.com/tag/auction/" target="_blank">Auction</a>: NINE, taking place in December. The Swiss watchmaker lost a contract to Omega for outfitting NASA’s astronauts on missions to the moon. But shortly after Project Mercury astronauts visited Japan in 1963, Rolex unveiled its special ref. 1016 Explorer watch, a.k.a. the Space-Dweller to capitalize on the publicity. It’s unclear how many examples were made, but the lone model headed to the auction block is expected to fetch between US$50,000 (HK$389,343) and US$100,000 (HK$778,681), according to pre-sale estimates. &nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="708" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD3.jpg-708x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234781352" style="aspect-ratio:0.6923076923076923;width:649px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD3.jpg-708x1024.webp 708w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD3.jpg-207x300.webp 207w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD3.jpg-768x1111.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD3.jpg.webp 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">View of the Rolex Space-Dweller’s case and dial COURTESY OF PHILLIPS</figcaption></figure>



The watch features a 36 mm stainless-steel case that houses a glossy black dial, complete with gilt graphics and golden luminous material on the hands and indexes. The display also includes text that reads “Space-Dweller,” alluding to its otherworldly inspiration. Experts believe that Rolex produced the timepiece in limited quantities for the Japanese market. According to the auction house’s website, this initial run of ref. 1016’s did not gain traction, resulting in the brand abandoning the Space Dweller as a model name going forward.&nbsp;



Few models bearing the moniker have appeared publicly since then, so the example headed to auction is is indeed rare. The well-preserved watch runs on calibre 1570, an automatic movement that includes 26 jewels and provides a 48-hour power reserve. The winning bidder will receive two service receipts from Rolex Japan dated June 19, 2003 and August 5, 1998 with the wrist piece that confirm its authenticity.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="660" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD1.jpg-660x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234781353" style="aspect-ratio:0.6454849498327759;width:650px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD1.jpg-660x1024.webp 660w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD1.jpg-193x300.webp 193w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD1.jpg-768x1192.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD1.jpg-990x1536.webp 990w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Rolex_SD1.jpg.webp 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A close-up look at discontinued model name featured on the dial&nbsp; COURTESY OF PHILLIPS</figcaption></figure>



If you want to own a piece of Rolex—and space—history, you can place bids on the Space-Dweller in Phillips’s The New York Watch Auction: NINE from December 9 to 10. The auction house is also accepting advanced bids for the watch via&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/NY080223/23" target="_blank">its website</a>.

The New York watch auction

This Rare and Otherworldly Rolex Space-Dweller Could Fetch up to HK$778,681 at Auction

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend—especially when they’re attached to a stunning sapphire.&nbsp;



Fans of both will get the chance to bid on this one-of-a-kind necklace at a Phillips sale held in Hong Kong on May 23. Crafted in 2004, the showstopper is headed to auction for the first time from a private collection. Its starring attraction, the unheated cushion-shaped sapphire at its center, weighs a whopping 118.5 carats, making it one of the largest&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/sapphires/">sapphires</a>&nbsp;to reach auction in the three decades.&nbsp;



The massive stone hails all the way from gem-rich Sri Lanka and comes with SSEF and Gübelin gemmological reports, as well as an appendix letter that details the sapphire’s rarity. Awarded 98 out of 100 Gübelin points, it’s considered to be an “exceptional” grade. Gübelin Gem Lab gave the stone its royal blue color grading, thanks to its even saturation, which is rarely seen in unheated blue sapphires of its size. The&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/diamond/">diamond</a>&nbsp;arrangement surrounding the gem, meanwhile, echos earlier&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bulgari/">Bulgari</a>&nbsp;designs from the thirties and fifties.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace3-1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234773280" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace3-1.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace3-1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace3-1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A front-facing view of the sapphire and diamond necklace by Bulgari Phillips</figcaption></figure>



Each circular link of the necklace is formed by tapered baguette diamonds, as opposed to brilliant-cut alternatives. The links are connected by pear-shaped diamonds at points, which keeps the seemingly hefty piece feeling fairly lightweight. Its repeating links mirror Bulgari’s modulo jewelry designs as well, in which parts are produced in a series and connected later on. The brand’s unique piece will lead the Hong Kong Jewels &amp; Jadeite Sale at Phillips’s new headquarters in Asia, and it’s estimated to fetch between US$3.2 million (HK$25.12 million) and US$4.5 million (HK$35.32 million).



“Phillips is truly honored to bring this exceptional and impressive sapphire and diamond necklace by Bulgari to auction,” says Benoît Repellin, Phillips’s worldwide head of jewelry, in a statement. “Unique in its size, color, and origin, the [sapphire] stone embodies the transparency and luminosity pursued by Bulgari for its High Jewelry creations. This jewel is a holy grail for any collector, with a classic and elegant design typical of Bulgari that emphasizes the beauty and extraordinariness of the gem.”&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="767" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace1.jpg-767x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234773281" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace1.jpg-767x1024.webp 767w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace1.jpg-225x300.webp 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace1.jpg-768x1025.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bulgari_Necklace1.jpg.webp 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The necklace alongside a Gemmological Report and Gemstone Rating, which you’ll receive.&nbsp; Phillips</figcaption></figure>



The sapphire is so memorable that Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari’s jewelry creative and gems buying executive director, can recall when she first held the gem over 20 years ago. “I was so impressed and touched that I still remember the emotion I felt.” The jeweler’s one-of-a-kind necklace was featured in its “125 Years of Italian Magnificence” retrospective in China from 2011 to 2012.



Want to view the whopping sapphire for yourself? The necklace will be displayed at Phillips in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District from now until March 31.&nbsp;After leading the auctioneer’s Hong Kong Jewels &amp; Jadeite Sale on May 23, it will embark on an international tour to New York, Singapore, Taipei, and Geneva from April 6 through May 15.

Bulgari

Hong Kong auction

This Bulgari Necklace With a Whopping 118-Carat Sapphire Is Heading to Auction in Hong Kong

By JW and P.Ramakrishnan



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Big Idea: More Than Token</h2>



Change is always precipitated by an increasingly urgent need for something—sometimes, anything!—different. For the auction and art market, notoriously reserved, the pandemic was one such catalyst. As is the number of HNWIs that skew younger, younger, and younger still than the average 63-year-old billionaire. As is the hyper-digitisation of valuable artefacts like currencies, art (see Christie’s 3.0 facilitating on-chain NFT sales) and the metaverse (see Sotheby’s being the first to open a virtual gallery) that swung the pendulum even further towards the change-is-necessary end of its arc.



Going online, something that was just a necessity in the midst of the pandemic, ultimately shattered records at the biggest international auction houses. At the time of writing, online purchases accounted for 20 percent of sales in the art market over the past year, which more than doubled the nine percent of pre-pandemic 2019. And with cause comes effect: the&nbsp;how&nbsp;has since encouraged the&nbsp;who&nbsp;(see: younger HNWIs) and, more interestingly, the&nbsp;what, which might just be sneakers, streetwear, collectibles, or designer toys.



This past September, Christie’s launched Department X, slotting Air Jordans, skate decks, and hypey add-to-cart items right alongside the Old Masters. “We’ve watched the classic luxury departments start incorporating these elements of sneaker culture and streetwear through the leadership and the guidance of people like Virgil Abloh and Kim Jones, who have come into these really storied, iconic fashion houses and brought in this influence,” said Department X head Caitlin Donovan at launch. Donovan noted that the influence of these figures had been seen across jewellery and timepieces already, that the market was continually growing, and that it was not only “a very expansive and important department to grow into, but also these collectors are serious and educated”.



And while as of writing, Department X had received some backlash over a couple of its early collaborators, the appetite for this very specific genre of hype-ified, culture-attuned luxury has not waned—and doesn’t seem to be any time soon.



The trend was further underlined when Joopiter, Pharrell Williams’s newly launched online auction house, easily pulled six-figure bids on items including a US$2 million (HK$15.7 million) chain, a US$121,000 (HK$949,566) Louis Vuitton trunk, and 45 other items pulled from the musician’s own extensive archive. “The idea behind Joopiter is to embrace the energy that’s released when objects change hands,” said Williams in a statement. “Joopiter is a new platform for myself and for my fellow curators, one where existing and future generations of collectors can feel welcome to take part in this exchange.”



And considering the Joopiter website endured a much-publicised crash due to heavy traffic almost immediately post-launch, it’s tough to overstate the volume of interest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Christie’s</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Landscape after the Four Yuan Masters and “Fu Di” Poems in Running Cursive Script</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="258" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-856-1024x258.jpg" alt="Landscape after the Four Yuan Masters; Christie’s" class="wp-image-1234770708" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-856-1024x258.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-856-300x76.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-856-768x194.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-856-1536x387.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-856-2048x516.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="302" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-829_11zon-1024x302.jpg" alt="“Fu Di” Poems in Running Cursive Script; Christie’s" class="wp-image-1234770709" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-829_11zon-1024x302.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-829_11zon-300x88.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-829_11zon-768x226.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-829_11zon-1536x452.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lot-829_11zon-2048x603.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Tangible linkages to the past frequently find themselves under the gavel. And despite Christie’s recent diversification focused on the sneaker-shaped impulses of latter Millennials and Gen Z, some of the house’s most impressive lots of 2022 turned back the pages of history. Two pieces at the Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy auction in early December, presented by Christie’s Chinese Paintings department, were stunning exemplars.



Lot 856,&nbsp;Landscape after the Four Yuan Masters&nbsp;by Qian Weicheng (1720–1772), sold for HK$8,820,000 (US$1.1 million), in the vicinity of the estimates. One of the most important scholar-painters of the Qianlong period, Qian’s scrolls, landscapes, and fans have seen enduring appeal. While other works were produced in the style of one or two of the Masters, it’s rare to find a work that synthesises all four. Given the providence, rarity, and historical value of the lot, there was no surprise in how quickly the gavel fell.



Lot 829, however, created a heady bidding war.&nbsp;“Fu Di” Poems in Running Cursive Script&nbsp;by Wen Zhengming (1470–1559), inscribed and signed with five seals from the artist and dated 1557, was realised at HK$26,850,000 (US$3.4 million). Sold at more than 17 times its estimate, the scroll was easily the most valuable lot of the year’s Chinese Paintings sale series.



<a href="https://www.christies.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">christies.com</a>



Images courtesy of Christie’s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bonhams</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Yangcai Painted Imperial Poems and Landscapes Vase</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="815" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-MAGNIFICENT-AND-IMPORTANT-YANGCAI-PAINTED-IMPERIAL-POEMS-AND-LANDSCAPES-INCISED-CELADON-GROUND-LOBED-OVAL-VASE_11zon-815x1024.jpg" alt="Yangcai Painted “Imperial Poems and Landscapes” Vase; Bonhams" class="wp-image-1234770707" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-MAGNIFICENT-AND-IMPORTANT-YANGCAI-PAINTED-IMPERIAL-POEMS-AND-LANDSCAPES-INCISED-CELADON-GROUND-LOBED-OVAL-VASE_11zon-815x1024.jpg 815w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-MAGNIFICENT-AND-IMPORTANT-YANGCAI-PAINTED-IMPERIAL-POEMS-AND-LANDSCAPES-INCISED-CELADON-GROUND-LOBED-OVAL-VASE_11zon-239x300.jpg 239w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-MAGNIFICENT-AND-IMPORTANT-YANGCAI-PAINTED-IMPERIAL-POEMS-AND-LANDSCAPES-INCISED-CELADON-GROUND-LOBED-OVAL-VASE_11zon-768x964.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-MAGNIFICENT-AND-IMPORTANT-YANGCAI-PAINTED-IMPERIAL-POEMS-AND-LANDSCAPES-INCISED-CELADON-GROUND-LOBED-OVAL-VASE_11zon-1223x1536.jpg 1223w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-MAGNIFICENT-AND-IMPORTANT-YANGCAI-PAINTED-IMPERIAL-POEMS-AND-LANDSCAPES-INCISED-CELADON-GROUND-LOBED-OVAL-VASE_11zon-1631x2048.jpg 1631w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/A-MAGNIFICENT-AND-IMPORTANT-YANGCAI-PAINTED-IMPERIAL-POEMS-AND-LANDSCAPES-INCISED-CELADON-GROUND-LOBED-OVAL-VASE_11zon-scaled.jpg 2038w" sizes="(max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px" /></figure>



The most important transactions at Bonhams in 2022, arguably, had nothing to do with discernible lots. Rather, it was the acquisition of four major local auction houses around the world—Bukowskis from the Nordics; Skinner from the US; the Danish Bruun Rasmussen; and Cornette de Saint Cyr from France—that rounded out an impressive global-to-local strategy aimed at increasing the firm’s varied foothold in each milieu.



However, one exemplar of discerning pieces that make perfect sense in time, place, geographical specificity, and ensuing provenance was the star lot in the house’s recent Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art sale. Held at the tail end of May in Hong Kong, the event featured a Yangcai painted “Imperial Poems and Landscapes” incised celadon-ground lobed oval vase, complete with a Qianlong seal mark. At a height of 35.5 centimetres, the exquisitely potted pear shape rises from a spreading foot moulded with key-fret band and upright lappets flanked by a pair of gilt elephant-head handles. The body is incised with&nbsp;ruyi-head clouds around four lobed panels enclosing landscape scenes and poetic inscriptions. The timeless beauty sold for HK$32,253,000 (US$4.1 million).



<a href="https://www.bonhams.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bonhams.com</a>



Image courtesy of Bonhams.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sotheby’s</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Spider IV</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="832" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-artist-pictured-with-the-steel-version-of-Spider-IV_1996_Photo_Peter-Bellamy_Artwork_2022_The-Easton-Foundation_Licensed-by-VAGA-at-Artists-Rights-Society_ARS_NY--832x1024.jpg" alt="The artist pictured with the steel version of Spider IV; Sotheby’s" class="wp-image-1234770711" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-artist-pictured-with-the-steel-version-of-Spider-IV_1996_Photo_Peter-Bellamy_Artwork_2022_The-Easton-Foundation_Licensed-by-VAGA-at-Artists-Rights-Society_ARS_NY--832x1024.jpg 832w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-artist-pictured-with-the-steel-version-of-Spider-IV_1996_Photo_Peter-Bellamy_Artwork_2022_The-Easton-Foundation_Licensed-by-VAGA-at-Artists-Rights-Society_ARS_NY--244x300.jpg 244w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-artist-pictured-with-the-steel-version-of-Spider-IV_1996_Photo_Peter-Bellamy_Artwork_2022_The-Easton-Foundation_Licensed-by-VAGA-at-Artists-Rights-Society_ARS_NY--768x945.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-artist-pictured-with-the-steel-version-of-Spider-IV_1996_Photo_Peter-Bellamy_Artwork_2022_The-Easton-Foundation_Licensed-by-VAGA-at-Artists-Rights-Society_ARS_NY--1248x1536.jpg 1248w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-artist-pictured-with-the-steel-version-of-Spider-IV_1996_Photo_Peter-Bellamy_Artwork_2022_The-Easton-Foundation_Licensed-by-VAGA-at-Artists-Rights-Society_ARS_NY--1664x2048.jpg 1664w" sizes="(max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px" /></figure>



“She was deliberate, clever, patient, soothing, reasonable, dainty, subtle, indispensable, neat, and as useful as a spider,” said artist Louise Bourgeois of her mother, the unlikely muse behind her arachnid-themed masterworks. Fourth in the series,&nbsp;Spider IV, at once menacing, impressive at two metres tall, and decidedly NSFW for arachnophobes, became the most valuable sculpture ever sold in Asia last April.



Also marking the first of the artist’s famous Spider series to hit the auction block in the region, the 1996 piece is designed to be wall-mounted, a method of presentation particularly rare on the market—and a method especially dramatic as long, sloping shadows inch from the piece’s spindly legs against an anchored spotlight.&nbsp;Spider IV&nbsp;is also intensely personal to Bourgeois, as the crawler was chosen by the artist to feature in the now-famous portrait photographed by Peter Bellamy; the artist, with a grin, wraps her fingers tightly around the piece’s outstretched hind legs. At closing, it fetched a monstrous HK$129.2 million (US$16.4 million).



<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sothebys.com</a>



Image courtesy of Sotheby’s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Phillips</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Untitled (1982)</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="489" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Basquiat-Untitled-1982_11zon-1024x489.jpg" alt="Jean-Michel Basquiat, Untitled, 1982; Phillips" class="wp-image-1234770710" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Basquiat-Untitled-1982_11zon-1024x489.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Basquiat-Untitled-1982_11zon-300x143.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Basquiat-Untitled-1982_11zon-768x367.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Basquiat-Untitled-1982_11zon-1536x734.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Basquiat-Untitled-1982_11zon-2048x979.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The name Jean-Michel Basquiat, right alongside his contemporary Andy Warhol, is practically an auction-house mainstay, a surefire entry into running bids that reach the stratosphere. One such case for Phillips this season was the artist’s&nbsp;Untitled&nbsp;(1982), a horned devil acrylic-on-canvas manifesto from the collection of renowned entrepreneur and art collector Yusaku Maezawa, who purchased it for US$57.3 million (HK$449 million) in 2016. A mere six years later, the same painting, a tour de force at five metres wide, would close at US$85 million (HK$666 million)—the third-highest price ever paid for a Basquiat—with its winning bid from Asia.



And of the US$590 million accrued from the house’s record-breaking spring season, which was up 30 percent compared to H1 2021, this Basquiat from the New York Evening Sale of 20th Century &amp; Contemporary Art went on to top every realised lot, tallying up to the highest total in Phillips’ history.



<a href="https://www.phillips.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phillips.com</a>



Image courtesy of Phillips.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Vox Pop: Kate Bryan </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Art_Kate-Bryan-5604_11zon-682x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234770829" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Art_Kate-Bryan-5604_11zon-682x1024.jpeg 682w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Art_Kate-Bryan-5604_11zon-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Art_Kate-Bryan-5604_11zon-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Art_Kate-Bryan-5604_11zon-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Art_Kate-Bryan-5604_11zon-1365x2048.jpeg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Art_Kate-Bryan-5604_11zon-scaled.jpeg 1706w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure>



The art world now watches Hong Kong with a lot of interest. We really want to know what’s going on in the local scene: the new museums, the new art institutions—we’re extremely tantalised by all of it, those of us who have been at an arm’s length during the pandemic. And seeing these auction results really compounds that interest because we know there’s an enormous appetite in Hong Kong. I think it’s a reminder to everybody that there are an awful lot of very young, very hungry collectors across Asia.



And there’s also just a very young group of people across Asia that are now interested in art, and many wealthy people with an acute interest and investments in art. I think if you’re living in a difficult, complex time like the pandemic, you might find some joy or fulfilment through art and culture.



A lot of people have invested very wisely in art in Hong Kong—I know that personally. I know the kind of artists they were buying back in the day, too: Hong Kong artists, people who are from Hong Kong, who trained in Hong Kong. Those artists were woefully underserved, underrepresented, and undervalued, and now hopefully they’re getting their time to shine. And there are incredible galleries in Hong Kong, like Blindspot Gallery, that have great programmes of Hong Kong artists.



For people who are lucky enough to have wealth, I think it’s becoming more and more normalised to have art—historic art, and most times contemporary art. People want to support art and culture, and for some there’s a status attached to it. You only need to look at K-pop or Canto-pop stars: they’re savvy, they talk about art in their music videos, they socialise and party with contemporary artists. It’s a great world and scene to get into. It’s very nourishing, and you can be a bit distinctive. There are only so many handbag companies in the world, but there are thousands upon thousands of museum-level artists you can adhere to. It means you can carve out a more independent, unique space for yourself, based on what your taste is, what your values are, and how the artist is manifesting those values.



By Kate Bryan, Global Director of Art, Soho House

The Best in Art, From Traditional Chinese Paintings to Jean-Michel Basquiat

There will soon be a new butterfly flying over Southern California. <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/overair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overair</a> today announced the completion of its full-scale Butterfly electric air-taxi prototype. The Santa Ana firm expects to begin flight tests early next year.



Overair joins other California-based <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/evtol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eVTOL</a> competitors <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/joby-electric-air-taxi-first-piloted-flight-1235268626/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joby </a>and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/archer-midnight-evtol-aircraft-flight-launch-1235386743/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archer</a>, as well as European firms like <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/voloconnect-evtol-completes-maiden-flight-1234689152/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volocopter,</a> <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/lilium-special-edition-electric-jet-1234751448/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lillium</a> and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/vertical-aerospace-first-evtol-flight-1234753186/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vertical Aerospace</a>, in testing their electric air taxis. A number of these manufacturers expect to have FAA certification by 2025, with commercial operations starting shortly afterwards.



Overair CEO Ben Tigner, according to the <a href="https://www.ocbj.com/technology/ben-tigner-taking-overair-to-the-skies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orange County Business Journal</a>, expects FAA certification in 2027. “Shortly thereafter we should be able to begin commercial operations,” he told the paper.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-Prototype-Group-Image85.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782634" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-Prototype-Group-Image85.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-Prototype-Group-Image85-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-Prototype-Group-Image85-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Butterfly prototype will soon begin flight testing. Image courtesy of Overair</figcaption></figure>



The Butterfly incorporates four 20-foot-long rotors—about twice as large as other eVTOL models—into its design. Overair says the Optimum Speed Tilt Rotor (OSTR) and Individual Blade Control (IBC) technologies also differentiate its electric aircraft from competitors. OSTR varies propeller revolutions per minute to increase efficiency across vertical, transitional, and forward flight phases. It can also reduce power demand during the hover phase—the most energy-consuming part of an eVTOL flight—by 60 per cent. IBC also reduces vibration and propeller loads, resulting in a smoother, quieter flight, according to the company.



“Together, these technologies deliver an efficient, quiet, and reliable propulsion system in almost any weather, temperature, or altitude,” said a company statement. Tigner co-founded Overair in 2020 with Predator&nbsp;drone pioneer&nbsp;Abe Karem, who remains closely involved with the Butterfly project.



The Butterfly will have space for a pilot, five passengers and bags. The zero-emissions craft will have a 100-mile range and 200-mph top end, and theoretically, will be the quietest eVTOL on the market. The company it is designed to have no single point of failure, with the ability to hover on two of its four propellers.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-runway_night_V003.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234782633" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-runway_night_V003.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-runway_night_V003-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2.-runway_night_V003-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The company claims the Butterfly will be the quietest eVTOL on the market, producing decibel levels similar to a normal human conversation. Image courtesy of Overair</figcaption></figure>



After initial testing in Santa Ana, the prototype will move to Overair’s flight centre in Victorville, California, to test in different flight and weather conditions, as well as validating its 55-decibel noise target—equivalent to a normal conversation between two people. The Butterfly can be configured for different markets, including passenger, medical, cargo and military applications.



Overair has signed development agreements with authorities in Arlington, Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth to explore eVTOL transport from those airports, as well as recently taking orders for 20 aircraft for South Korea air taxis and police. It recently received a US$145 million investment from a South Korean backer, according to the Business Journal.

This New Butterfly-Shaped eVTOL Aims to Be the Quietest and Safest in the Sky

The Best in Aviation, From Bombardier’s Global 8000 to Icon Aircraft’s Icon A5

The&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/starliner-spacecraft-launch-details-1235600665/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starliner spacecraft</a>&nbsp;hasn’t had the smoothest ride thus far, but it will soon attempt its return home.



The&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/nasa-starliner-spacecraft-fly-international-space-station-april-1235487687/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boeing vessel</a>&nbsp;is scheduled to come back to Earth on Friday evening,&nbsp;The New York Times&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/04/science/space/boeing-starliner-space-station-nasa.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, parachuting into White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico six hours after undocking from the International Space Station. The return will take place a full three months after Starliner arrived at the ISS in June, but it will leave behind the astronauts it delivered to the space station.



“We have confidence in the vehicle,” Steve Stich, the manager of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/nasa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>’s commercial crew programme, said during a news conference, according to the Times. “We’ve had two good landings with Starliner so far, and we’re expecting another one Friday.”



In the works&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boeing-starliner-iss-launch-1234680879/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for years</a>, Starliner finally took off for the ISS with astronauts in tow earlier this summer. But as the craft approached the space station, it encountered propulsion system problems,&nbsp;The New York Times&nbsp;noted. NASA officials said they’re still not sure what caused those issues, but they don’t expect them to reoccur upon Starliner’s return.



Still, NASA decided that the vessel should come back sans the astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. The duo will stay on the ISS until February, the Times wrote, when they’ll return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Dana Weigel, NASA’s programme manager for the space station, told the newspaper that Williams and Wilmore both trained for a longer mission, and that they know how to perform spacewalks and operate the ISS’s robotic arm.



“We had them well prepared to move into this role,” she said.



As for what will happen with Starliner after it returns to Earth, it’s not clear what NASA has planned. The most recent flight to the ISS was supposed to be the space agency’s last step in making sure that the craft could take astronauts to the space station once a year,&nbsp;The New York Times&nbsp;reported. Now, NASA could ask&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/boeing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boeing</a>&nbsp;to undertake another crewed test flight before those more regular trips begin. (Last month, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that Kelly Ortberg, the new CEO of Boeing, had told him that the company would continue to work on Starliner.)



The first step, though, will be the craft’s return home tomorrow. If weather or technical issues force a delay, backup dates are set for 10, 14, and 18 September.

boeing starliner

starliner spacecraft return

Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft Is Coming Back to Earth—Without NASA Astronauts

Jet-setters just got a luxurious new way to travel between&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/italy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Italy</a> and the dreamy islands of South Asia.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/beond/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beond</a>, which markets itself as “the world’s first <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/beond-aviation-start-up-maldives-1235562349/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">luxury leisure airline</a>,” recently <a href="https://flybeond.com/latestnews" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched flights</a> between <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/milan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milan</a> and the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/maldives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maldives</a>. The new route connects Malpensa (MXP) and Malé (MLE), with a 45-minute refuelling break in Dubai in between. (Guests remain onboard during the brief stopover.) The flight takes roughly 12 hours and runs twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays.



Milan is the third addition to Beond’s European network, which includes Munich, Germany, and Zurich, Switzerland. The airline recently decided to reduce flights to Munich (MUC) and Zurich (ZRH) due to seasonal demand and therefore could launch the new service.



<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/2024/08/Beond_1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790465" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The seats were designed by Optimares and upholstered by Poltrona Frau. Image courtesy of Matheen Faiz</figcaption></figure>



Beond enlisted Poltrona Frau to help glamorise the first aircraft on the Milan-Malé route. The renowned Italian furniture brand upholstered all 44 lie-flat <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/business-class/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">business-class</a> seats on the specially designed Airbus A319. Designed by Optimares, each seat was handmade by artisans using full-grain Pelle Frau leather from Poltrona Frau. They also feature unique quilting that ensures more comfort than the typical aircraft seat, according to Beond.



“Partners like Poltrona Frau and Optimares were instrumental in the design of our luxurious cabin,” Beond CEO Tero Taskila said in a statement. “They understood from the outset our vision for customer comfort.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_4-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790466" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_4-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_4-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_4-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_4-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_4-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_4.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The lie-flat seat.</figcaption></figure>



The cabin décor echoes the dark charcoal livery of the A319. The white leather seats and light walls are elegantly juxtaposed with dark flooring. Seats are in pairs on both sides of the aisle, with enough room in between that each passenger can stretch out and catch Zs. In the air, fliers can expect professional service, top-notch fare, iPads, and Bose headphones.



<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/2024/08/Beond_3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790467" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The iPad and Bose headphones.</figcaption></figure>



For the unversed, Beond offers three types of “experiences”: Delight, Bliss, or Opulence. Delight is the least expensive fare and offers the fewest perks. Bliss includes access to the airport lounges and premium seat selection. Opulence has those perks, plus a private chauffeur transfer, a more generous baggage allowance, free booking changes, and access to an&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/beond-maldives-apple-vision-pro-1235524165/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apple Vision Pro</a>&nbsp;headset.&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/beond-aviation-start-up-maldives-1235562349/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently flew “Bliss”</a>&nbsp;from Zurich to the Malé, awarding the overall experience four stars out of five.



Beond recently took delivery of a second aircraft, with the Airbus A321 currently undergoing refurbishment. Look for more new routes soon, then.

Beond

italy

jetsetting

luxury aircrafts

luxury leisure

Maldives

Milan

Luxury Airline Beond Is Now Flying Between Milan and the Maldives

Heart Aerospace is almost ready for takeoff.



The Swedish outfit is set to launch its&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/hybrid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hybrid</a>-electric airplane in 2028, after reaching several significant milestones in the past few months.



First unveiled in 2022, the&nbsp;<a href="https://heartaerospace.com/newsroom/heart-aerospace-unveils-new-airplane-design-confirms-air-canada-and-saab-as-new-shareholders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ES-30</a>&nbsp;is designed to make regional travel cleaner and more efficient. (<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/gallery/regional-aircraft-electric-vtols-1235523846/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nine other companies</a>&nbsp;have developed concepts to do the same.) The hybrid can run on either lithium-ion batteries or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), meaning it will produce fewer emissions than traditional&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aircraft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aircraft</a>. It will also be cheaper to operate than conventional competitors, according to Heart.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2400" height="1600" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_301.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790041" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_301.jpg 2400w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_301-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_301-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_301-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_301-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_301-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The onboard batteries. Image courtesy of Heart Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



Powered by four electric motors, the ES-30 can fly 124 miles in emissions-free “electric mode” or 249 miles in “hybrid mode” with the help of two turbo generators. The reserve-hybrid system means that the generators only kick in when additional grunt is needed on longer routes. The ES-30 will also be quieter than gas-powered craft and can take off from runways as short as 3,609 feet.



The ES-30 will offer all the usual creature comforts, too. The spacious cabin features three-abreast seating that can accommodate up to 30 fliers. (Having 25 passengers aboard increases the hybrid range to 497 miles.) The interior also features a galley, a lavatory, and large overhead bins to ensure a comfortable in-flight experience.



Heart has a rather aggressive timeline, but is making solid progress. The company opened a new research and development hub in the United States in May to speed up the development of the ES-30. The team plans to test the propulsion system on a full-scale demonstrator and showcase fully electric flight in 2025. It will then pursue type certification in 2028.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2400" height="1600" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_303.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790042" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_303.jpg 2400w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_303-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_303-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_303-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_303-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Heart_ES_303-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The ES-30 in flight. Image courtesy of Heart Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



Heart has a decent amount of backing, too. It has already raised US$145 million (HK$1.13 billion) in development funding from significant industry players like <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/united-airlines-100-electric-planes-from-swedish-1234625038/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Airlines</a>, Air Canada, and Saab.



“Heart Aerospace has just entered an exciting new phase of hardware testing, and our aim is to have a hybrid-electric passenger plane on the market before the end of this decade;” Heart Aerospace CEO and co-founder Anders Forslund said in a <a href="https://heartaerospace.com/newsroom/swedish-region-gotland-partners-with-heart-aerospace-for-sustainable-aviation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>. “As we get closer to this goal, collaborations with airports, operators, and regional authorities are crucial to ensure the eco-system needed to support electric aviation.



Heart has secured 250 orders for the ES-30, with purchase rights for another 120 planes. It has also received letters of intent for a further 191 aircraft.

Airplane

clean travel

electric aviation

Heart Aerospace

hybrid-electric airplane

Swedish

This New Hybrid-Electric Airliner Could Hit the Skies by 2028

In terms both of size and exclusivity, the pinnacle of private aviation has long been contested between just two parties: <a href="https://businessjets.boeing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boeing Business Jets</a> (BBJ) and <a href="https://www.acj.airbus.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Airbus Corporate Jets</a> (<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/acj/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACJ</a>). Each converts its large commercial aircraft into lavish, sometimes outlandish, business jets commissioned by captains of industry, world leaders, and royalty. Yet these duelling giants have seen shrinking market shares against competitors such as <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/gulfstream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gulfstream</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bombardier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bombardier</a>, and <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/dassault/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dassault</a>—and in the bizliner biz, less is never more. 



“The biggest wide-bodies comprise only about 5 per cent of the bizliner world,” says Richard Gaona, chairman of <a href="https://comlux.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comlux</a>, a Zurich-based provider of aviation services certified for both BBJ and ACJ interior completions. Gaona notes that, in this rarefied segment, “most interiors tend to be subtle and elegant, designed for heads of state who want their aircraft to represent their countries,” which means total customisation has always been a given. 



After recognising that this elite customer base was an underserved market, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/boeing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boeing</a> launched its BBJ arm in 1996. The first four years saw annual deliveries to their interior-completions partners range from 18 to 20 units, but from 2002 through 2015 the number dipped to about 10 examples per year. Since 2019, following Boeing’s second 737 Max incident, demand has steadily declined to the point where, in 2023, BBJ sold only four jets.



<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/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789909" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An office and bedroom from a pre-engineered BBJ Select. Image courtesy of Boeing</figcaption></figure>



Last year, the company pivoted by launching&nbsp;<a href="https://businessjets.boeing.com/select/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBJ Select</a>, for the first time offering semi-custom, modular interiors for the program’s 737-7 model; between layout and material choices, 216 cabin configurations are available. Compared to one of BBJ’s bespoke interiors, the pre-engineered Select versions can drastically reduce variable costs while also saving up to six months of engineering time. “It’s appealing to those who don’t want to design a clean-sheet interior yet want the amenities of a turnkey BBJ,” says BBJ president Joe Benson.&nbsp;



Those hundreds of pre-engineered options from BBJ Select, and the similar <a href="https://www.acj.airbus.com/en/acj-twotwenty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACJ TwoTwenty</a> programme from Airbus, are return salvos against dedicated business-jet competitors including Gulfstream, Dassault, and Bombardier, which represent the bulk of the ultra-long-range market. These three have also invested heavily over the past decade in larger and more amenity-rich flagships. The resulting aircraft offer faster speeds and longer ranges than the BBJ 737, which can cost up to 50 per cent more thanks to the fully tailored cabin. 



The BBJ Select 737-7, though, can drop that price by at least US$25 million (HK$194.4 million), while the ACJ TwoTwenty is set to compete directly with the Gulfstream G700, Bombardier’s Global 7500, and Dassault’s new 10X flagship. These allow BBJ and ACJ to offer bizliners boasting significantly larger cabins and lower operating expenditures, plus a more luxurious in-flight experience. “We’ve reduced costs, production times, and, frankly, the risks involved with bespoke interiors,” says Chadi Saade, ACJ’s president. 



<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/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789906" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A social area on a recently delivered ACJ TwoTwenty. Image courtesy of Adrien Daste/Airbus</figcaption></figure>



ACJ claimed nine orders when it announced the ACJ TwoTwenty programme in 2020 and has since delivered two aircraft. The third is currently being completed by Comlux (the company was contracted for the first 15 interiors) at its Indianapolis facility, which has “the capacity to do four or five per year,” according to Gaona. 



The big question now is whether BBJ Select can revive Boeing’s flagging bizliner figures in the same way the ACJ TwoTwenty initiative made Airbus a more viable competitor. According to ACJ’s Saade, annual bizliner conversions typically number in the mid-single digits—a small slice of the market compared to last year’s total sales of 164 long-range aircraft from Gulfstream and Bombardier. Boeing’s 737 Max issues will also likely continue to impact BBJ sales, though Benson insists the division is experiencing “continued growth and strong demand” via repeat clients.&nbsp;



“Our customers are already ordering new models that will be introduced and enter service over the next few years,” says Benson, likely referring to BBJ’s 777X, with its 3,700-square-foot cabin and 11,000-mile range. With a projected first delivery in 2025, the 777X is poised to be the world’s largest and most prestigious business aircraft—one on which Boeing, in its struggle to maintain market relevance, is betting big.&nbsp;

Boeing

custom

Luxury Travel

Private Jet

Boeing’s New Configurator Lets You Design a Semi-Custom Private Jet

Chinese couture

couturier

Guo Pei

Haute Couture

Hong Kong exhibition

Met Gala outfit

red wedding gown

Rihanna

First Look: Chinese Haute Couture Icon Guo Pei Brings a Career-Spanning Collection to M+

This year marks the 10th anniversary of my first visit to Giacomo Conterno. Hosted by Roberto Conterno, the third-generation winemaker at the helm of arguably Piedmont’s most famed estate, we spent four wonderful hours together tasting wines both in the cellar, and later in his reception lounge, while enjoying some local cheeses and meats.&nbsp;



Roberto Conterno is not like many Italian winemakers I have met. Firstly, he’s serious and fastidious. A clean freak, the cellar is always spotless. While tasting wine from one of his barrels, he almost had a coronary when a few drops of red wine spilled from his pipette onto the cellar floor. We met again a few years later, and nothing had changed, except he was keen to show me his new range of glassware, Sensory, that he had designed to taste with wines from any region. In the process, he opened some very pricey wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux to prove his point. Convinced by the taste test, I purchased the first 36 glasses sold in the UK market.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="697" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Roberto_2015-1394x2048.jpg-697x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791428" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Roberto_2015-1394x2048.jpg-697x1024.webp 697w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Roberto_2015-1394x2048.jpg-204x300.webp 204w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Roberto_2015-1394x2048.jpg-768x1128.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Roberto_2015-1394x2048.jpg-1046x1536.webp 1046w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Roberto_2015-1394x2048.jpg.webp 1394w" sizes="(max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roberto Conterno.</figcaption></figure>



Roberto is deeply respectful of the terroir that he inherited from his late father, Giovanni. This includes the fourteen-hectare monopole (solely owned designated vineyard) of Cascina Francia, in what is considered the best village in Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba. 400 metres in altitude, it includes 9.4 hectares of Nebbiolo, the varietal he uses in his Barolo designated wines. In 2008, Roberto increased the estate’s landholdings by acquiring three hectares of Cerretta, another well regarded vineyard in the village. Finally, in 2015, he purchased Arione, a highly-sought after nine-hectare vineyard situated next to Cascina Francia. 



Although the estate makes more than 10 cuvées, undoubtedly the best is Monfortino Riserva. An iconic wine designed for long-ageing, it has more than a hundred years of history since the inaugural 1920 vintage. Monfortino Riserva is aged for a minimum of seven years in either 50-plus-year-old Slavonian oak or newer Austrian Franz Stockinger large casks. 



Returning from the First World War, Roberto’s grandfather, Giacomo, had the vision to create a unique bottling of Nebbiolo, sourcing the best grapes from different growers at a time when wine was typically sold in cask or purchased by local merchants for blending. Only from 1978 was the first Monfortino produced from grapes sourced from the family’s own Cascina Francia vineyard. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cantina-2015-2048x1365.jpg-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791429" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cantina-2015-2048x1365.jpg-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cantina-2015-2048x1365.jpg-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cantina-2015-2048x1365.jpg-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cantina-2015-2048x1365.jpg-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cantina-2015-2048x1365.jpg.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



I first realised that Monfortino Riserva was one of the world’s greatest wines when I purchased some very old bottles from a little wine shop in Alba fifteen years ago: 1955, 1961, and 1978, all legendary vintages. Opening them at various dinners, they all performed remarkably well. The 1955 vintage had a bizarre trajectory. On opening, it buzzed with aromas of violets, rose petals, and a hint of tar, collapsing to oblivion within 20 minutes of pouring. The wine in my glass had become a deadly shade of pale.  However, after a further 30 minutes, it had miraculously revived and was as good as when it had first been poured. The greatest comeback since Lazarus!



Monfortino Riserva is still Italy’s reference fine wine. It is also one of (if not the) most expensive, with many vintages selling in the secondary market for more than £1,000 (HK$10,370) per 75cl bottle. But it’s worth every penny. Fear not, however. Roberto’s other bottlings, in particular Cerretta and Arione, are incredible wines that cost a fraction of the price of Monfortino Riserva. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Facciata-2048x1365.jpg-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791430" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Facciata-2048x1365.jpg-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Facciata-2048x1365.jpg-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Facciata-2048x1365.jpg-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Facciata-2048x1365.jpg-1536x1024.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Facciata-2048x1365.jpg.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lewis’s Best 3 Wines from Giacomo Conterno</h2>



Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Riserva, 2010: An iron fist in a velvet glove is the most apt description of a wine full of power and grace that will no doubt be showing well for the next fifty-plus years. Monfortino is known for aromas of leather, liquorice, incense, and dried rose petals, and this wine has it in abundance.  However, the coup de grâce was the extremely long finish that captivates you to drink the rest of the bottle before your wife reaches for the bottle. 



Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Riserva, 2002: I was lucky enough to try the 2001 and 2002 (in magnums) together at a dinner in Turin. It was a close toss-up as to which gave greater pleasure. However, the 2002 got the nod as I was wowed by the balsamic and black tea aromas, savoury sweet mid-palate, and the silky but firm tannins. Just divine.



Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Riserva, 1955: You just can’t beat having a wine that’s older than oneself and marvelling at how it can make you smile. The flowery petal notes, the intensity of the palate despite the wine having lost almost all its colour, and a long delicate finish. The fact that the wine died and then revived miraculously only added to the long-lived memory of its happy consumption. 



The 2024 edition of the Golden Vines awards will take place in Madrid between&nbsp;25–27&nbsp;October 2024. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://liquidicons.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liquidicons.com</a>.



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

Barolo

Giacomo Conterno

King of Wines

Roberto Conterno

vineyard

Wine

Barolo is the ‘King of Wines’—and This Vineyard is its Crowning Glory

Here’s a good example of why “last but not least” exists as a phrase.



An example of the <a href="https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/ms24/lots/r0001-2006-ferrari-248-f1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrari 248 Formula 1 race car</a> driven by <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/michael-schumacher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Schumacher</a> during his final season with the team will be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s next month. His place in motorsports history was secure well before he ever got behind the wheel of this vehicle, but it still played an important part in burnishing his legacy.



With the possible Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes-AMG Petronas, there is no more successful driver-constructor partnership in F1 history <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/michael-schumacher-ferrari-f2001b-formula-1-car-auction-1234874572/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">than Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari</a>. The German helped return the team to its winning ways during their 11 seasons together (1996 to 2006) and became the sport’s biggest star in the process, claiming five titles in a row between 2000 and 2004. Needless to say, he drove several excellent race cars during that time, and it was in 248 that he achieved some of his greatest success.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/f125402.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792630" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/f125402.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/f125402-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/f125402-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Michael Schumacher’s 2006 <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ferrari/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrari</a> 248 F1. Image courtesy of RM Sotheby’s</figcaption></figure>



Ferrari developed the 248 race car for use during the 2006 F1 season. Schumacher may not have won the title that year—which was his last with the Italian automaker—but he was able to bounce back from the disappointment of finishing third in 2005 and was had a shot at the championship until the season’s final weeks. Schumacher’s best stretch that season happened in this car, chassis no. 254. The car was in use from April until August, and it was in that period that the driver claimed five of his seven victories that season (the San Marino, European, United States, French, and German Grands Prix). He also took three pole positions in the car, including the one (at San Marino) that Ayrton Senna’s record and the final of his career (United States).



The seller purchased chassis no. 254 directly from Scuderia Ferrari in late 2007. The car wears the same racing livery during its time on the track and received Ferrari Classiche Red Book certification in 2008. That means that the marque itself has confirmed it to retain all its number-matching components, including a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre V-8 that makes 785 hp and longitudinal gearbox.



Chassis no. 254 will be go up for bid during the latest of the auction house’s Sotheby’s Sealed sales. Bidding for the race car is set to open on Thursday, 14 November, and run until Tuesday, 19 November. No estimate has been made public, though one is available upon request. Considering how important the vehicle is to both Schumacher and Ferrari’s racing legacy, it’s sure to command a hefty sum.

Ferrari

Michael Schumacher

RM Sotheby’s

Michael Schumacher’s Last Ferrari F1 Car Is Heading to Auction

For its fifth edition of the Global Family Office Survey Insights report, <a href="https://www.privatebank.citibank.com/insights/the-family-office-survey?utm_source=RobbReportHK&amp;utm_medium=paid_referral&amp;utm_content=2024web&amp;utm_campaign=fosurvey24&amp;login=no" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Citi Private Bank</a> asked its global network of family-office clients 50 wide-ranging questions to gauge their sentiments and activities, as well as the trends and issues at the top of their agenda. Here are some important takeaways from the <a href="https://www.privatebank.citibank.com/insights/the-family-office-survey?utm_source=RobbReportHK&amp;utm_medium=paid_referral&amp;utm_content=2024web&amp;utm_campaign=fosurvey24&amp;login=no" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Family Office 2024 Survey</a> Insights.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway01-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792650" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway01-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway01-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway01-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway01-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



From cash to risk assets



Cash holdings fell in 2024 as family offices put their liquid resources to work in the markets. Some 43 per cent of respondents increased their exposure to public and private equity, with the strongest shift into public equity recorded in Asia. Fewer family offices raised their weighting to cash—31 per cent compared to 47 per cent in 2023—while 37 per cent of respondents cut cash holdings in 2024. Allocations to real estate saw little overall movement, as in 2023. Meanwhile, half of those surveyed upped their allocation to fixed income.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway02-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792652" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway02-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Bullish expectations



Almost all respondents (97 per cent) had a positive outlook for portfolio returns over a 12-month horizon, a two-percentage point increase from 2023. Their optimism last year indeed gave way to upside, with over three quarters of respondents registering gains.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway03-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792653" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway03-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway03-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway03-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway03-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Future path of interest rates



The evolution of interest rates was a worry this year with some 52 per cent cited high and rising interest rates as a concern, overtaking inflation in the list of priorities. US-China relations and market overvaluation were also top of mind, mentioned by 45 per cent of respondents.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway04-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792654" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway04-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway04-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway04-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway04-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway04-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Sophisticated investment approaches



More and more family offices, around 60 per cent, are embracing sophisticated, disciplined processes, such as building in-house teams led by CIOs, creating investment committees, and introducing investment policy statements. Alternative investments are also receiving greater weight in portfolios.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway05-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792655" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway05-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway05-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway05-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway05-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway05-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Increasing leverage



Family offices are making strides in adopting institutional techniques. These include exploring active strategies to manage the risks of concentrated positions, such as derivative solutions. While nearly half of respondents were not leveraging their portfolio at all, two thirds were exploring their financing needs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway06-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792656" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway06-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway06-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway06-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway06-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway06-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Gradual adoption of AI



While portfolio exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) has increased and it is likely a driver of the strong portfolio returns that many family offices saw over the past year, the adoption of generative AI within their operations is lagging, with just one in 10 family offices saying they were doing so. This is broadly similar to the situation across the business world.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway07-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792657" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway07-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway07-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway07-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway07-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway07-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Coping mechanisms



While 86 per cent of family office respondents identified at least eight areas of risk, most felt that they were handling them well. Cybersecurity, geopolitics, and family dynamics remained top concerns. Against this backdrop, many respondents mentioned risk management as a key responsibility of family office heads, second only to investment management.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway08-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792658" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway08-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway08-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway08-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway08-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway08-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Adopting formal governance



While two thirds of families relied on a governance system within investments, governance remains a work-in-progress across the broader family enterprise, such as other financial, business, philanthropic, and family activities. Almost half of survey respondents said they did not have a formal investment policy statement. The philanthropic decision-making process appears to be largely informal.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway09-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792659" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway09-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway09-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway09-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway09-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway09-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Balancing finance and family



Addressing wealth management and family matters remained top priorities for family offices and the families they serve. Family matters embrace the likes of fostering family unity and continuity, such as preparing the next generation for their future responsibilities as stewards of wealth. However, many family offices often find it a struggle to fulfil both mandates. Over half of them said that meeting family expectations were now an ever-greater priority than adapting to shifting market conditions.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway10-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792660" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway10-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway10-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway10-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-family-office-survey-insights-takeaway10-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



External collaboration



Serving families effectively increasingly requires collaboration with external parties. Family offices reported more collaboration with such partners, as they further professionalised their operations and investment functions. Investment management and reporting services are most commonly performed in-house, while other tasks are carried out externally or in collaboration with external providers.



Read the full Citi Private Bank Global Family Office 2024 Survey Insights <a href="https://www.privatebank.citibank.com/insights/the-family-office-survey?utm_source=RobbReportHK&amp;utm_medium=paid_referral&amp;utm_content=2024web&amp;utm_campaign=fosurvey24&amp;login=no" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.<a id="_msocom_1"></a>

Citi Private Bank

family offices

Global Family Office Survey Insights

Citi Private Bank Revealed Its 2024 Global Family Office Survey Insights. Here Are 10 Key Takeaways You Should Know.

I recently viewed some of my old tasting notes, including a bottle of 2001 Harlan Estate tasted in October 2007: “Left-Bank Bordeaux aromas with ripe black fruit, powerful but refined mid-palate and an exciting finish—my first-ever Harlan!” English wine lovers generally don’t buy heaps of American wines, often having preconceived conceptions that they are all likely to be alcoholic fruit bombs. However, Harlan produces majestic wines that rank among the very best in the world.



In adding a Californian estate to my World’s Best 12 Fine Wine Estates, I debated long and hard between Ridge Vineyards and Harlan Estate. After all, Ridge makes one of my favourite wines, Ridge Monte Bello, in a European style that is still underrated and under-appreciated by many American collectors. 1,000 fine wine professionals from 120 countries voted Ridge the Golden Vines® Best Fine Wine Producer in the Americas in 2021, 2022, and 2023—above Harlan that ranked consistently in the top three. But the clincher for me was that the Harlan family also produces two other wines that are close to the level of Harlan Estate: Promontory and Bond. For this reason, the Harlan family—rather than just Harlan Estate—more than justify the ranking. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="945" height="630" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0078-Harlan_031222.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792257" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0078-Harlan_031222.jpg.webp 945w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0078-Harlan_031222.jpg-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0078-Harlan_031222.jpg-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px" /></figure>



Bill Harlan had been in the real estate business when, in the early 1980s, he followed through on a lifelong dream to establish a wine-growing estate, modelling the endeavour on the Bordeaux Left-Bank First Growths. In 1984, his vision for creating a “First Growth” of California began with the purchase of a 240-acre tract of land—33 acres of which are under vine—on east-facing volcanic soils situated on the western side of Oakville in Napa Valley. “My dad wanted to build something that would be in the family for generations, and which could produce wines that might someday be considered among the fine wines of the world. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, a small parcel of Merlot, and a very small parcel of Petit Verdot,” Will Harlan, Bill’s son who now runs the estate, told me.



Bill Harlan’s vision became a reality. Producing less than 3,000 cases annually at a release price of US$1,700 (HK$13,210) per bottle, the 2023 Liv-Ex Classification (inspired by the 1855 Bordeaux Classification to determine a hierarchy of the leading global fine wine estates) places Harlan Estate as the only non-French fine wine label in the top ten (10th place). Screaming Eagle, also from Napa Valley, is the next highest-placed Californian wine in 23rd place.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="945" height="630" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0001-Harlan_031222.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792258" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0001-Harlan_031222.jpg.webp 945w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0001-Harlan_031222.jpg-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/0001-Harlan_031222.jpg-768x512.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px" /></figure>



Will Harlan took over the stewardship of the family’s wine holdings in 2020, although his father remains the chairman and founder, and the two—along with his sister, Amanda—remain closely united on their long-term vision. “My father and I are aligned one thousand per cent on where we want to go and what we feel the potential is, with regards to deciphering the language of the land and translating that into the wine.” 



One of their shared beliefs is in evolution, rather than revolution. “We’re coming up to our 40th anniversary next year. Our understanding of the vineyard, the vines, and the soils have improved greatly over time. We have dialled back on many of the inputs at Harlan Estate. The vineyard is now almost entirely dry farmed [no irrigation], the harvest date has moved forward, extraction is gentler, and therefore we have removed the layers obscuring the essence of the wine.”  The result is wine that is different from those which many Francophiles associate with Napa Valley. There can be a profound elegance and refinement, especially in recent vintages.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="751" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-tankroom-2.jpg-1024x751.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792259" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-tankroom-2.jpg-1024x751.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-tankroom-2.jpg-300x220.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-tankroom-2.jpg-768x564.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-tankroom-2.jpg.webp 1296w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lewis’s Best 3 Wines from Harlan Estate</h2>



Harlan Estate, 2019: This is the wine that really showcases the evolution of the vines and the “dialling back of the inputs” that Will Harlan had explained. Dark ink in colour, the nose is still quite primary, but exhibits black fruits, liquorice, and a eucalyptus note. The tannins are remarkably soft, and there are no obvious oaky notes. The wine is very fine, and defined by fresh acidity which gives it an attractive lift in the mid-palate, and a savoury long finish. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-Estate-2019-Bottle-1338-Harlan_011323.jpg-683x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792260" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-Estate-2019-Bottle-1338-Harlan_011323.jpg-683x1024.webp 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-Estate-2019-Bottle-1338-Harlan_011323.jpg-200x300.webp 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-Estate-2019-Bottle-1338-Harlan_011323.jpg-768x1152.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Harlan-Estate-2019-Bottle-1338-Harlan_011323.jpg.webp 945w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



Harlan Estate, 1995: A wow wine that is still remarkably fresh and vibrant, and is as good as most First Growths from that period of time. Bright dark berry fruits, hints of eucalyptus, and forest floor—a firm but full mid-palate and a long satisfying finish. 



Harlan Estate, 1993: An early expression of Harlan Estate, the wine was made from seven-year-old vines. A ringer for a high-quality expression of aged Left-Bank Bordeaux, the nose was complex with floral petal notes, tobacco, chocolate, sweet spices, dark fruits, and liquorice. In the mouth, the wine was still full of fruit with a good amount of fresh acidity and a cool menthol, eucalyptus taste on the long finish.



The 2024 edition of the Golden Vines awards will take place in Madrid between 25–27 October 2024. <a href="https://liquidicons.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">liquidicons.com</a>



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

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley

Napa wines

A Deep Dive Into Napa’s Leading Fine Wine Estate—and the Bottles to Sample

Are you looking for the right <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/porsche/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche</a> race car for your collection? Well, you might be in luck.



Broad Arrow <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/auctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auctions</a> will take bids for the final 1984 911 SC RS at its inaugural Chattanooga sale next month. Not only is this the last Type 954 rally car the German automaker built, but it’s also thought to be one of the most original still in existence.



The 911 SC RS, or <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/1984-porsche-911-sc-rs-gruppe-b-evolutionsserie-broad-arrow-auction-chattanooga-1235842595/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">911 Evolutionsserie</a> as it is sometimes known, was built from the start for competition in FIA Class B rally racing. The company built just 21 examples in 1983, five of which went to professional racing teams. The rest, including this vehicle, were sold to private customers. These 16 cars were built for the (dirt) track, but could also be registered for road use. Yes, the 911 SC RS is street-legal.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="681" height="383" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/911scrs02.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792045" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/911scrs02.webp 681w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/911scrs02-300x169.webp 300w" sizes="(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">1984 Porsche 911 SC RS Gruppe B “Evolutionsserie.” Image courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions</figcaption></figure>



This example, chassis 021, was the last to roll off the line. It may have left the factory in a Dutch flag-inspired colourway, but its aluminium body panels, fibreglass bumpers, a rally light pod, and forged Fuchs wheels are now all finished in a brilliant coat of white. Since it is an actual racer, the 911 SC RS’s interior is about as spartan as they come. It features a roll cage and 935-style “lollipop” seats, along with a few creature comforts, including a radio, power windows, and air-conditioning. The relative lack of features like soundproofing helped keep the vehicle’s curb weight down to just 2,160 pounds.



A mechanically injected 3.0-litre flat-six since in the vehicle’s engine bay. The number-matching mill is mated to a race-spec five-speed manual gearbox and produces 280 hp. 184 ft lbs of torque, and has an 8,000-rpm redline. Back in 1984, Porsche claimed the car could hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, but testing has shown that figure to be rather conservative. It tops out just shy of 159 mph.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="681" height="383" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/911scrs03.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792046" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/911scrs03.webp 681w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/911scrs03-300x169.webp 300w" sizes="(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the 911 SC RS Gruppe B “Evolutionsserie.” Image courtesy of Broad Arrow Auctions</figcaption></figure>



This example was originally delivered to importer Tycho Christian van Dijk in 1984. He intended to race the car in multiple events, but it would wind up only competing in one event, that season’s Tour de Corse on Corsica. It finished 14th, the best of any Porsche entered in the rally. Its brief racing career means the car never claimed any honours, but it does mean the car is in stellar shape four decades later. It’s changed hands just once over the year—the seller acquired the vehicle in 2004—and has just 3,237 miles on the odometer. It also comes with an extensive paperwork history, as well as a Porsche Classic Technical Certificate.



Intrigued? The 911 SC RS is set to hit the auction block on Saturday, 12 October. Prepare to spend big if you want to take it home with you, though. Broad Arrow expects the vehicle to go for between US$2.6 million and US$3.5 million (HK$20.2 million and HK$27.2 million).

Broad Arrow Auctions

Porsche

This Ultra-Rare 1984 Porsche Rally Car Could Fetch HK$27.2 Million at Auction

Nestled just a stone’s throw from the vibrant Orchard Road, the Grand Hyatt Singapore has reemerged from a period of significant transformation, unveiling a reimagined elegance that harmoniously blends modern luxury with a commitment to sustainability.&nbsp;



Officially, the hotel reopened earlier this year on 10 July 2024. While there’s more to be unveiled in the coming year—more on that later—we at&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;were invited for a first look and stay. The most glorious things about the hotel—of which there are many—are the wide-open spaces, lush greenery, well-thought-out design, excellent curation, verdant views, and, of course, incredible dining. An inside look reveals that there is so much more to the heart of the Grand Hyatt Singapore.



This iconic hotel has embarked on a new chapter, boasting of new wings, refreshed dining concepts, and generous public spaces that promise an extraordinary experience for discerning travellers. Nature-inspired interiors, wood motifs, and greenery make up this sanctuary in the heart of a city, topped by diverse and delectable food. As anyone in Asia knows, Singapore consistently ranks high as a prime food destination, and the hotel has opted to step up the game with fine cuisine options, novel interiors, and bars to compete with any Asian destination worthy of being named a dining capital.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Terrace-Suite-Daybed-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792220" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Terrace-Suite-Daybed-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Terrace-Suite-Daybed-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Terrace-Suite-Daybed-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Terrace-Suite-Daybed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Terrace-Suite-Daybed-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Terrace Suite at the Terrace Wing of the Grand Hyatt Singapore.</figcaption></figure>



First stop—the newly unveiled Terrace Wing. It is nothing short of a haven, designed to immerse guests in the restorative embrace of nature. Jointly crafted by Tokyo-based design firm Strickland and landscape architects Grant Associates from the UK, it features tropical gardens, soothing waterfalls, and a meditative atmosphere.&nbsp;



Its design reflects Singapore’s identity as a “city in nature,” with all 292 rooms adorned in calming neutral tones, accented with ice-green marble and elegant wooden furnishings. Each guest-room, starting at a generous 42 square metres, comes equipped with modern amenities, including cosy daybeds in alcoves and dual-sink vanities, ensuring a stay defined by comfort and sophistication.



<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="682" data-id="1234792209" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2NwsJV5g-1024x682.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792209" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2NwsJV5g-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2NwsJV5g-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2NwsJV5g-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2NwsJV5g-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2NwsJV5g-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="892" data-id="1234792210" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TFhdoj1w-1024x892.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792210" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TFhdoj1w-1024x892.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TFhdoj1w-300x261.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TFhdoj1w-768x669.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TFhdoj1w-1536x1338.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TFhdoj1w-2048x1784.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" data-id="1234792211" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/zrz3GCA-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792211" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/zrz3GCA-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/zrz3GCA-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/zrz3GCA-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/zrz3GCA.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>
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As part of the wellness-centric ethos, guests can indulge in the newly enhanced fitness centre and a 25-metre lap pool. Outdoor spaces have been thoughtfully integrated, allowing for guided meditation, yoga, and more amidst the tranquil gardens. Damai, the hotel’s dedicated wellness hub, further embodies this focus on wellness with a range of holistic therapies that marry traditional practices with cutting-edge treatments.



<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="683" data-id="1234792226" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792226" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pete’s Place.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234792227" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792227" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/petesplace2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pete’s Place.</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



Culinary excellence remains at the forefront of Singapore as a tourist attraction, and the Grand Hyatt Singapore’s offerings are on par with the greatest of dining destinations. Its reopening introduces an array of dining concepts that are as diverse as they are delectable. StraitsKitchen, renowned for its vibrant marketplace atmosphere, returns with refreshed interiors and a menu that celebrates the rich tapestry of Singaporean cuisine. Expect to savour halal-certified favourites such as chilli crab, laksa, and butter chicken, all crafted with the freshest ingredients. For those seeking a lively nightlife experience, Brix is set to reignite the social scene; this underground bar features distinct sections, including a main bar, wine bar, and whisky bar, where guests can enjoy live music in a dynamic setting. The martini bar will also make a return, alongside Pete’s Place, a beloved establishment serving classic Italian fare since 1973.



Debuting later this year will be Le Pristine Singapore, an exciting collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman, elevating the culinary landscape with contemporary dishes inspired by Zeeland, further enriching the gastronomic repertoire.



<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="683" data-id="1234792224" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792224" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">StraitsKitchen.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234792225" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792225" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/sk-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">StraitsKitchen.</figcaption></figure>
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Every new enterprise seems to throw about that phrase “sustainability” ad hoc, but sustainability is paramount with the conscientious Grand Hyatt Singapore, as it is leading the charge in eco-friendly hospitality. For the past two decades—since 2002, in fact—the hotel has operated on 100 per cent renewable electricity, achieved through partnerships that utilise renewable-energy certificates. An innovative in-house food-waste management system converts excess food into compost, significantly reducing environmental impact. The hotel has also introduced an automated water bottling plant, providing purified water in reusable glass bottles to diminish plastic waste and enhance the guest experience, aligning with a broader commitment to sustainability.



<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="768" data-id="1234792214" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Entrance-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792214" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Entrance-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Entrance-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Entrance-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Entrance-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Entrance.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Presidential Suite.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="686" data-id="1234792215" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Dining-Room-1024x686.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792215" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Dining-Room-1024x686.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Dining-Room-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Dining-Room-768x515.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Dining-Room-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Grand-Hyatt-Singapore-Presidential-Suite-Dining-Room.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Presidential Suite.</figcaption></figure>
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The Grand Hyatt Singapore has long been synonymous with luxury and impeccable service. A welcome smile is always around the corner, and how the team goes out of their way to ensure a stay is top-notch needs to be stated. With its recent transformation, the hotel is poised to continue this legacy, offering a sophisticated urban oasis that caters to the needs of modern travellers.&nbsp;



But that’s not all—the completion of the Grand Wing in early 2025 will further bring together 699 elegantly designed guestrooms and suites, multiple dining venues, and versatile event spaces that cater to both leisure and business guests.



As the sun sets over Orchard Road, the Grand Hyatt Singapore stands ready to welcome a new generation of guests, inviting them to indulge in elevated experiences that are both captivating and rejuvenating. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat, a gastronomic adventure, or a commitment to sustainability, this iconic hotel promises to deliver an unforgettable stay in the heart of Singapore.



All images courtesy of Grand Hyatt Singapore

Grand Hyatt

Grand Hyatt Singapore

hotel

Hotels

Grand Hyatt Singapore Reopens After a Major Revamp, Revealing a New Chapter

It’s been a season of new drops—that’s an intended pun—from some of the biggest names in the drinks business as anniversaries, collaborations, and special editions have reached our shores to quench every thirst. Some of the listed top-of-the-line names below cost more than liquid gold—and we’re not joking. As we go to publish, gold per ounce stands at HK$20,374 (US$2,622) and there’s a sip of Glenlivet that wishes it were on par.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 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="1234792158" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/efv_BtxQ-1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792158" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/efv_BtxQ-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/efv_BtxQ-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/efv_BtxQ-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/efv_BtxQ-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/efv_BtxQ-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" data-id="1234792159" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iHePZ33g-1-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792159" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iHePZ33g-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iHePZ33g-1-300x169.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iHePZ33g-1-768x432.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iHePZ33g-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/iHePZ33g-1-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hennessy</h3>



Leading the charge, Hennessy has unveiled an exclusive collaboration with renowned artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, introducing two stunning XO decanters: the Hennessy XO Masterpiece and the Hennessy XO Limited Edition.&nbsp;



Hennessy’s Masterpiece, a Baccarat crystal design, captures such luminescence with its multi-faceted elegance, while the Limited Edition resembles a vibrant ruby gem in a golden structure, featuring a refillable design reflecting the cognac-maker’s sustainability ethos. This partnership not only builds on Hennessy’s artistic legacy but also pushes the boundaries of luxury spirits, merging fine art with exceptional artistry and craftsmanship. Collectors can now find these exquisite creations at select retailers in Hong Kong.



However, why do just one grand collaboration and release when you can do two in the same season? Indeed, only a few days ago, Hennessy unveiled the Hennessy VSOP Limited Edition by LeBron James, marking an exciting joint project between the iconic cognac brand and the basketball legend. This unique release features a striking design that pays homage to LeBron’s influence both on and off the court, with vibrant purple and orange illustrations adorning the bottle and gift box. Laurent Boillot, CEO of Hennessy, emphasised the shared values of excellence and cultural impact that define this partnership, which has scored so well. It’s available in Hong Kong and Macau from October 2024 onwards.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Salute-21-Year-Old-Miami-Polo-Edition-5-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792148" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Salute-21-Year-Old-Miami-Polo-Edition-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Salute-21-Year-Old-Miami-Polo-Edition-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Salute-21-Year-Old-Miami-Polo-Edition-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Salute-21-Year-Old-Miami-Polo-Edition-5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Salute-21-Year-Old-Miami-Polo-Edition-5-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Royal Salute</h3>



Royal Salute has launched the limited-edition 21-Year-Old Miami Polo Edition, a vibrant whisky that celebrates the polo culture of Miami, featuring a unique blend finished in first-fill rye and bourbon casks—a first for the brand. The striking “Florida Pink” flagon mirrors the city’s Art Deco charm, while tasting notes unveil juicy pears, honey, and coconut. Launched in Hong Kong at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, the chief mixologist of the hotel will craft exclusive cocktails to complement the experience, allowing guests to savour this luxurious addition to Royal Salute’s prestigious Polo Collection. Catch the debut in Hong Kong at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s Waterfall Bar from 14 October to 1 November 2024.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Large-A_4_Dalmore_CCS_Port_Ed_Product_16x9_300dpi-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792149" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Large-A_4_Dalmore_CCS_Port_Ed_Product_16x9_300dpi-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Large-A_4_Dalmore_CCS_Port_Ed_Product_16x9_300dpi-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Large-A_4_Dalmore_CCS_Port_Ed_Product_16x9_300dpi-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Large-A_4_Dalmore_CCS_Port_Ed_Product_16x9_300dpi-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Large-A_4_Dalmore_CCS_Port_Ed_Product_16x9_300dpi-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Dalmore</h3>



The Dalmore has unveiled its highly anticipated Cask Curation Series Port Edition, debuting in the Douro Valley, Portugal. Limited to just 150 sets, this exclusive release features three exquisite single malts aged 27, 30, and 43 years, each finished in rare Graham’s Port casks. Presented in the Dalmore’s signature green leather case, the collection celebrates the rich heritage and artistry of both the Dalmore and Symington Family Estates. Detailed tasting notes reveal complex layers of forest fruits, dark chocolate, and warm spices, embodying the luxurious character synonymous with the brand. It’s an elegant offering marking a new pinnacle in whisky craftsmanship. For an in-depth analysis on this premium drink, check out fellow Robb Report scribe Jonah Flicker’s exclusive first-look feature <a href="https://robbreport.com/food-drink/spirits/the-dalmore-cask-curation-series-port-edition-single-malt-scotch-whisky-1235890099/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Timeless-Tasty-8th-Anniversary-Bottle2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792150" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Timeless-Tasty-8th-Anniversary-Bottle2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Timeless-Tasty-8th-Anniversary-Bottle2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Timeless-Tasty-8th-Anniversary-Bottle2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Timeless-Tasty-8th-Anniversary-Bottle2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Timeless-Tasty-8th-Anniversary-Bottle2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Whiskies &amp; More</h3>



In celebration of its 8th anniversary, Whiskies &amp; More has launched the exclusive Secret Highland 20 Years whisky, priced at HK$2,180. Distilled in 2004 and matured for two decades, this peated gem is finished in PX sherry casks, resulting in a remarkable spirit bottled at 53.1 per cent ABV. Limited to just 134 bottles, it encapsulates the rugged essence of the Scottish Highlands. Founder Hil Ying-tse describes the whisky as a sensory journey, evoking autumnal forest walks and campfire evenings. Get yours at Timeless &amp; Tasty.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TGL_55YO_Lifestyle-Shot_2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792151" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TGL_55YO_Lifestyle-Shot_2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TGL_55YO_Lifestyle-Shot_2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TGL_55YO_Lifestyle-Shot_2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TGL_55YO_Lifestyle-Shot_2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TGL_55YO_Lifestyle-Shot_2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Glenlivet</h3>



The Glenlivet has unveiled its oldest single malt, the 55-Year-Old, as part of the new Eternal Collection, commemorating its 200-year legacy. Limited to just 100 exquisitely crafted bottles, this rare whisky is matured in seasoned sherry casks, showcasing a complex flavour profile with notes of autumn fruits, Seville oranges, and dark chocolate. Housed within a stunning sculpture by computational architect Michael Hansmeyer, the decanter reflects the flowing essence of the River Livet. Priced at approximately HK$420,000 (€50,000/US$55,000), this remarkable release from The Glenlivet is perfect for discerning collectors seeking a true pièce de resistance from the celebrated casks on its anniversary year.



All images courtesy of their respective brands.

Hennessy

Royal Salute

The Dalmore

The Glenlivet

Whiskies & More

7 New Spirits to Drink Right Now, From Hennessy and The Dalmore to The Glenlivet

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/michelin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mich</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/michelin/">elin</a> season is in full swing, and <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/tokyo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tokyo</a> is the latest city to have new stars shown upon it.



The most recent Michelin Guide for the Japanese capital was revealed earlier this week, and Tokyo now has an additional three-starred restaurant: <a href="https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/asia-50-best-restaurants-sezanne-tokyo-1235560426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sézanne</a>, at the city’s Four Seasons hotel, has been upgraded from the two-star ranking. Led by the chef Daniel Calvert, the restaurant serves up modern French fare.



“With a refined, borderless sensibility, the restaurant blends French ingredients with Japanese influences, resulting in exceptional, sophisticated, and emotionally resonant creations,” the Michelin Guide wrote. With the elevation of Sézanne, Tokyo now has a total of 12 three-starred spots—which nearly equals the number of top-rated restaurants in <a href="https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/gallery/3-michelin-star-restaurants-america-1235488162/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">all of America</a>.



Another Michelin-starred restaurant has reason to celebrate this week: Tempura Motoyoshi has moved from a one-star to a two-star. With the chef Kazuhito Motoyoshi at the helm, the establishment is focused on elevating and innovating with tempura. “Light, crisp, intense in flavour, remarkable in texture, and intriguing in temperature, each dish presented by the chef from the open kitchen at the counter is a masterpiece worth a special detour,” the inspectors wrote. In total, there are now 26 two-starred restaurants in Tokyo.



Farther down the list, 13 restaurants have received their very first <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/michelin-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michelin star</a>. The bulk of those are known for either their Japanese or French cuisine—some for their mix of the two. In the former category, you have Yakitori Takahashi, Sanosushi, Kappo Muroi, Yotsuya Minemura, and Higashiyama Muku. In the latter, Héritage by Kei Kobayashi, Cycle by Mauro Colagreco, Apothéose, Hortensia, and Saucer. Hakunei, meanwhile, serves a Japanese-French fusion. Rounding out the new one-stars are the Italian Primo Passo and the dessert-only Yama, the first such starred restaurant in Tokyo. In all, the city has 132 one-starred establishments.



With an impressive 170 starred restaurants, Tokyo holds the title of being the most Michelin-starred city in the world, Time Out <a href="https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/michelin-announces-2025-guide-for-tokyo-with-a-new-three-star-restaurant-101824" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> on Friday. Still, that doesn’t mean some restaurants weren’t demoted from the list this year. Udatsu Sushi, for example, held one Michelin star in the previous ranking—and used some of that cred to <a href="https://robbreport.com/food-drink/dining/udatsu-sushi-los-angeles-1235866405/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open an outpost</a> in Los Angeles just last month. But the Tokyo location seems to have lost its star in the new Tokyo Michelin Guide.



While many restaurants will be celebrating, then, others may be ruing their loss.

Japan

Michelin

Sézanne

The Michelin Guide

Tokyo

Tokyo’s Sézanne Just Became the World’s Newest Michelin 3-Starred Restaurant

What seems like an eternity ago, I went on a weekend of silence. At a convent. The only sounds were birds outside, the quiet flip-flop of sensible shoes as people walked, and the too-loud chomp-chomp of hungry retreaters salivating. That’s how retreats were, in those days.



The earliest known use of the noun “retreat” in the English language is sometime around 1330. Retreats at that time were definitely religious affairs. Now, no longer. Think hiking and chattering as you climb the latest hill as a retreat activity, or cycling along the Chao Phraya riverbank.



Lien Galle, based near Ghent, Belgium, runs a highly successful nine-night retreat formula in Thailand. Three nights are spent as orientation, sightseeing, and, indeed, pedalling round Bangkok, then the group flies to Phuket and checks in at Amanpuri. Now comes the serious mental work, coupled with yoga and breathwork. Galle designs bespoke retreats for one up to 15 participants. The ideal number, she says, is five to seven; anything more can be unwieldy. She uses private houses and top-class resorts and aims her programmes at a 35 to 60 age group, predominantly female.



Some retreat regulars, who know they need a break from their usual lives, just make up their own programmes. Follow the stars, particularly football big names. Increasingly, they are eschewing Courchevel and other chi-chi ski-and-summer-sun haunts for individual luxury villas in the Dolomites. Ingeborg Castlinger, owner of one such idyllic place, has, with her colleague Rachele Belladelli, formed Dolomites Retreats. There’s a whole range of mountain-set properties and if you want a yoga master, just say.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RYS-Bhutan2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792573" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RYS-Bhutan2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RYS-Bhutan2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RYS-Bhutan2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RYS-Bhutan2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RYS-Bhutan2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Reclaim Yourself Retreats</figcaption></figure>



Frankly, the best guide to what is available worldwide is The Global Retreat Company, owned and co-run by top publicist Victoria Fuller. Among the curated enticements currently on the site are yoga and hiking in Bhutan, which runs from 4 to 14 May 2025, and a yoga adventure in Mongolia, 24 July to 3 August 2025, both offered by Reclaim Yourself Retreats—yes, yogaphiles, you could sign up for both!



At any time, Fuller says, think of The Place in Seminyak, Bali. It’s run by Belgian psychotherapist Jean-Claude Chalmet, and highly admired in the realm of retreats. Serious psychotherapy and healing are on the cards for burnt-out, exhausted, and unhappy individuals, and couples and families in need of holistic and psychological healing. If you want a hand-held, transformative retreat, this is perfect—some become so enamoured of Chalmet’s care that The Place becomes a temporary home for as long as three months.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Healing-Environment-Pavilion-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792574" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Healing-Environment-Pavilion-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Healing-Environment-Pavilion-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Healing-Environment-Pavilion-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Healing-Environment-Pavilion-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Healing-Environment-Pavilion-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of The Farm at San Benito</figcaption></figure>



Separately from The Global Retreat Company, The Farm at San Benito, a 90-minute drive south from Manila International Airport, has a following far beyond the Philippines. It’s owned by the leading Nepalese conglomerate CG Corp—in other words, the Chaudhary family—and it is highly likely that Binod Chaudhary or one of his sons will be on-site. The Farm has specialist retreats for, say, detox, pre-wedding, and postpartum—and frequent flying.



Yes, all you busy executives, The Farm has just your ticket. A six-night stay includes vegan meals and nutritional juices, holistic health consultation, and assessments on fitness and nutrition, cellular health screening, and psycho-emotional clearing—plus brain biofeedback, Dolphin Neurostim, OligoScan, sensory deprivation floatation, and physiotherapy. If you don’t know what all those must-haves are, go and find out.



Retreats today are, indeed, what you want, from simple walking in a forest (as in, forest bathing) through to tomorrow’s technology. The main essential is a change from the everyday grind, to refresh and—if you feel like it—talk about the experience. No need for silence.

More and More Luxury Travellers Are Customising Retreat Holidays For Their Next Vacations

Suite number 248 at Hotel De L‘Europe Amsterdam takes art in hotels to a new level. Thanks to the property’s close association with descendants of the artist, hotel MD Robert-Jan Woltering—one of the most creative and extroverted hoteliers in the industry—has worked with colleagues at the 97-room hotel to come up with a unique proposition. Stay in suite number 248 and you get a personalised welcome note from Vincent Van Gogh’s great-nephew Willem Van Gogh. Its living room is suitably sunflower-yellow, and decorations include the artist’s memorabilia. Study copies of his sketchbooks and try your own hand at drawing in his style, or however you like. Choose which authentic copy of a Van Gogh painting is your favourite and have it hanging in your temporary home, here in Amsterdam.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06.-Interior_Library_Room_1_De-LEurope-Amsterdam-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792612" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06.-Interior_Library_Room_1_De-LEurope-Amsterdam-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06.-Interior_Library_Room_1_De-LEurope-Amsterdam-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06.-Interior_Library_Room_1_De-LEurope-Amsterdam-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06.-Interior_Library_Room_1_De-LEurope-Amsterdam-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/06.-Interior_Library_Room_1_De-LEurope-Amsterdam-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hotel De L‘Europe Amsterdam takes art in hotels to a new level. Image courtesy of Hotel De L‘Europe Amsterdam</figcaption></figure>



Hotel De L‘Europe Amsterdam, a newly anointed Leading Hotel of the World, is personally owned by descendants of another creative name, Fredy Heineken. If you’re really into Van Gogh, visit the Van Gogh Museum, a 22-minute over-canals walk from the hotel. You can also go from Amsterdam to London to see a Van Gogh exhibition at the National Gallery, now till 19 January 2025.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Suite-dining-room_credit-Hospitality-Builders-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792471" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Suite-dining-room_credit-Hospitality-Builders-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Suite-dining-room_credit-Hospitality-Builders-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Suite-dining-room_credit-Hospitality-Builders-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Suite-dining-room_credit-Hospitality-Builders-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Royal-Suite-dining-room_credit-Hospitality-Builders-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The 233-square-metre Della Gherardesca Royal Suite has trompe-l’oeil upper walls and ceiling frescoes. Image courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Firenze</figcaption></figure>



At the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, 15 minutes’ walk from the city’s duomo, you feel you are entirely ensconced in art. Part of the 116-room hotel is a conversion of the Palazzo della Gherardesca, built in 1430 by Lorenzo de Medici as a wedding gift for his sister, marrying into the Gherardesca family. Its 233-square-metre Della Gherardesca Royal Suite, for instance, has trompe-l’oeil upper walls and ceiling frescoes, and it takes your breath away.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JR1_2582-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792474" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JR1_2582-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JR1_2582-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JR1_2582-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JR1_2582-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JR1_2582-1365x2048.jpeg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/JR1_2582-scaled.jpeg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sir Antony Gormley’s Crouching Man is part of the Beaumont Hotel’s façade. Image courtesy of The Beaumont Hotel</figcaption></figure>



The Beaumont Hotel, in London’s Mayfair, is a 10-year-old hotel that evolved out of a 1926 vintage multi-storey carpark built exclusively for customers of the Selfridge’s department store, a couple of blocks north, on Oxford Street. Look up as you approach it to see a 25-foot-tall modern sculpture appearing to clutch the outside of one corner of the building. This is Crouching Man, by Sir Antony Gormley. Inside, the Antony Gormley Suite extends to the inside of the statue. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Magritte-Bar-01_00011-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792473" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Magritte-Bar-01_00011-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Magritte-Bar-01_00011-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Magritte-Bar-01_00011-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Magritte-Bar-01_00011-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Magritte-Bar-01_00011-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Le Magritte Bar &amp; Terrace is named after the Belgian surrealist artist. Image courtesy of The Beaumont Hotel</figcaption></figure>



In general, the Thierry Despont-designed hotel is classical-with-edge: The name of the bar, Magritte, and the lounge, Gatsby’s, correctly indicate a considerable eclecticism—which, of course, is what art, in the plural sense, is all about. There are society portraits in the public areas, and bedrooms and corridors give hanging space to some of the 3,000 black-and-white photos of the famous—and infamous.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fairmont-Golden-Prague-FB-Zlata-Praha-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792475" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fairmont-Golden-Prague-FB-Zlata-Praha-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fairmont-Golden-Prague-FB-Zlata-Praha-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fairmont-Golden-Prague-FB-Zlata-Praha-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fairmont-Golden-Prague-FB-Zlata-Praha-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Fairmont-Golden-Prague-FB-Zlata-Praha-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fairmont Golden Prague is planned as a hotel and also a museum of art—ancient, modern, and exclusively Czech. Image courtesy of Fairmont Golden Prague</figcaption></figure>



Art lovers will be waiting, too, for the March 2025 opening of Fairmont Golden Prague on the bank of the Vitava river, a complete redo of the most famous Brutalist building in today’s Czech Republic. Built in 1974 as a hotel and monument to what could be done with unadorned concrete and glass, the style will be retained, but the hotel will also become a museum of art—ancient, modern, and exclusively Czech. It’s the private collection of one of the three local millionaires who own the hotel, and they have added an adjacent pair of glass cubes, the size of two-floor-high squash courts, for high-end retail opportunities. And fashion, as we all know, is, of course, also an art.

Fairmont Golden Prague

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Hotel De L‘Europe Amsterdam

The Beaumont Hotel

Art-Forward Hotels Are Transforming the Guest Experience. Here are 4 Places to Check Out.

<a href="https://www.raffles.com/singapore/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raffles Singapore</a> is the main setting for what will undoubtedly prove to be the luxury traveller’s catchphrase for a long—if not a very long—time: “The butler did it.” Full stop. Now, here are four words that imagine and intrigue (what do they say to you?). It’s also <a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/raffles/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raffles</a>’s new campaign; fashion, but for a hotel brand, or rather, the butler brand. Robb Report Hong Kong wanted to know how it all came about.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="725" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RAFFLES_The-Butler-Did-It_Pool-1-725x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792411" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RAFFLES_The-Butler-Did-It_Pool-1-725x1024.jpeg 725w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RAFFLES_The-Butler-Did-It_Pool-1-213x300.jpeg 213w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RAFFLES_The-Butler-Did-It_Pool-1-768x1084.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RAFFLES_The-Butler-Did-It_Pool-1-1088x1536.jpeg 1088w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RAFFLES_The-Butler-Did-It_Pool-1-1451x2048.jpeg 1451w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/RAFFLES_The-Butler-Did-It_Pool-1-scaled.jpeg 1813w" sizes="(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Raffles’s new The Butler Did It campaign was shot at Raffles Singapore and launched during New York Fashion Week. Image courtesy of Raffles</figcaption></figure>



Raffles brand director, Claudia Kozma Kaplan, is the creative key. She came from a decade in dressing—including being SVP of marketing for Christian <a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/dior/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dior</a> Couture. Now based in New York, she called four top-notch creative agencies into bid. Trey Laird, who is well-known in A-list circles—and he who has Tiffany and <a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/tom-ford/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Ford</a> in his professional pocket—hardly took breath after hearing the brief. Ah, he said immediately, we’re talking about “the butler did it.”



That was that. Shooting at Raffles Singapore was, well, so appropriate, as butlers were a part of the iconic hotel from the first day of operations, all the way back in 1887. As director, among “guests” whom Laird signed for the campaign video are Malaysian model and writer May Siu, and flamboyant Punjabi actor <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/actor-waris-ahluwalia-launches-his-new-guilt-free-sparkling-elixir-in-hong-kong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Waris Ahluwalia</a>, known for his stunning finger rings. The butler, of course, needed to be an ageless English gent. Think versatile fashion model Tim Easton. Cementing its fashion DNA, The Butler Did It was officially launched during New York Fashion Week.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TLBNK-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792410" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TLBNK-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TLBNK-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TLBNK-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TLBNK-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/TLBNK-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Customs House, on the Chao Phraya river, will become a 78-room Langham hotel. Image courtesy of Langham Hospitality Group</figcaption></figure>



Heritage is increasingly important in these days of newness. We hear that Bangkok’s 1888-vintage Customs House, on the Chao Phraya river, will become a 78-room Langham hotel. It’s scheduled for opening in 2026. As always, any property on the river has extra clout, especially in Bangkok.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/506675-Anantara-Palazzo-Naiadi-Rome-Hotel-Front-Facade-bb5b38-original-1696934968-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792415" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/506675-Anantara-Palazzo-Naiadi-Rome-Hotel-Front-Facade-bb5b38-original-1696934968-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/506675-Anantara-Palazzo-Naiadi-Rome-Hotel-Front-Facade-bb5b38-original-1696934968-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/506675-Anantara-Palazzo-Naiadi-Rome-Hotel-Front-Facade-bb5b38-original-1696934968-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/506675-Anantara-Palazzo-Naiadi-Rome-Hotel-Front-Facade-bb5b38-original-1696934968-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/506675-Anantara-Palazzo-Naiadi-Rome-Hotel-Front-Facade-bb5b38-original-1696934968-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome will host the Anantara Concorso Roma presented by UBS in April 2025. Image courtesy of Minor Hotels</figcaption></figure>



Who first comes to mind when thinking about Bangkok and luxury lifestyle? US-born Thai citizen Bill Heinecke is a main contender. As the boss of Minor—named because he was underage when he founded the company (his father signed the relevant papers)—his now-worldwide empire encompasses elephant sanctuaries and tented camps, foods from fast to Michelin-starred, and some stunning hotels. Think St Regis in Bangkok, and the equally gorgeous Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome, an 18th-century marble palace overlooking the Fountain of the Naiads. It is the official host hotel for the Anantara Concorso Roma presented by UBS, scheduled for 24 to 27 April 2025. Expect an exclusively Italian line-up of motor marques, with Heinecke, a renowned collector of the best, beaming throughout.



One wonders if luxury hotel owners and petrolheads go together naturally. Sir Michael Kadoorie, the Peninsula legend, is similarly a renowned lover of vintage cars (and planes). At its Quail Lodge in California, the Peninsula presents the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The 2024 event’s two-day auction realised over US$108 million (HK$839.5 million) in total sales. Star of the show was a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Lungo Spider, sold for US$14 million (HK$108.8 million)—its value perhaps enhanced by having recently been rescued from a high-profile heist. The auction was conducted by leading car auction house Gooding &amp; Company. Founded by CEO David Gooding and his wife Dawn Ahrens, Gooding &amp; Company was recently bought by Christie’s, which in turn is owned by the Pinault family’s Artemis.

Anantara

Bangkok

Langham

Minor Hotels

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Raffles

Raffles Singapore

rome

Raffles Launches “The Butler Did It” Campaign, The Langham Is Opening a New Hotel in Bangkok, and Other Things to Bookmark this October

Since its introduction late last year, the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/rolls-royce-spectre-arrival-1234864752/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolls-Royce Spectre</a>&nbsp;has made quite some wafting ripples in the luxury EV landscape. Enough, in fact, for&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;editors to have named it the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/best-of-the-best/gallery/2024-botb-automotive-1235638998/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best of the Best&nbsp;</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/electric-vehicle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Electric Vehicle</a>&nbsp;for 2024. Its substantial presence and performance make it an obvious choice, with the latter every bit the equal of that found in any of Goodwood’s V-12-engined cars.



What makes the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/rolls-royce-spectre-ev-on-sale-blacklist-1235497187/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spectre&nbsp;</a>a standout among other zero-emissions models is its very EV-ness as it embodies the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/rolls-royce-facts-2900540/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolls-Royce&nbsp;</a>ethos of silent comportment and refined luxury, something to which even the most muffled&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/the-dirty-dozen-why-12-cylinder-engines-remain-magical-2747474/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">V-12</a>&nbsp;can never match. (It’s to be noted that the original 2004 Phantom did not have visible exhaust tailpipes, so discreet and elegant was its design.)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2400" height="1600" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-w-Spectre-Semaphore-5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790121" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-w-Spectre-Semaphore-5.jpg 2400w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-w-Spectre-Semaphore-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-w-Spectre-Semaphore-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-w-Spectre-Semaphore-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-w-Spectre-Semaphore-5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1-w-Spectre-Semaphore-5-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The one-off <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolls-royce/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolls-Royce</a> Spectre Semaphore. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars</figcaption></figure>



Rolls-Royce automobiles, though, have never been shrinking violets. The automaker has been amenable to bespoke commissions from the very beginning, some of which have been remarkable in the extreme. Today, the latest one-off Rolls-Royce is the Spectre Semaphore, which pushes the creative envelope far afield. This unique Spectre features one-of-a-kind artwork on the bonnet (Brit-speak for a car’s hood), which is, according to Rolls-Royce, “a dramatic ‘Marbled Paint Spill’ requiring 160 hours of development by Rolls-Royce craftspeople, who applied silver lacquer and multiple layers of clear coat for a seamless finish.”



To us, it recalls paintings by Morris Lewis or Paul Jenkins, whose poured colour fields expressed lyrical abstract patterns across vast expanses of canvas or paper, though these were created in far less time than it takes to paint a bespoke Rolls-Royce. The Semaphore Yellow colour was “inspired by the informal elegance of coastal California,” according to the marque’s official statement, which we interpret as a romantic glance over the shoulder at the days when driftwood beaches instead of concours lawns were a destination for drivers coming up from bustling Los Angeles or down from freezing-in-the-summer San Francisco.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2400" height="1600" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-w-Spectre-Semaphore-11.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790122" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-w-Spectre-Semaphore-11.jpg 2400w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-w-Spectre-Semaphore-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-w-Spectre-Semaphore-11-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-w-Spectre-Semaphore-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-w-Spectre-Semaphore-11-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-w-Spectre-Semaphore-11-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has given the name “Marbled Paint Spill” to the abstract artistic expression adorning the hood. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars</figcaption></figure>



Donovan’s hit album&nbsp;Mellow Yellow&nbsp;was all the rage in 1966, and the psychedelic patterns of the Spectre’s hood—er, bonnet—would be perfectly at home on a fluorescent Fillmore poster stapled to the wall at a Haight Ashbury love-in. Inhale (the nostalgia) deeply.



Like a field of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/auctions/christies-auction-van-gogh-1235600846/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Van Gogh</a>&nbsp;sunflowers, yellow is carried through the Spectre’s interior in a combination of Bespoke&nbsp;Lemon Yellow and Citrine Yellow leather across the seats, Starlight doors, and above&nbsp;the instrument panel. Grace White and Slate Grey leather is enlivened by Lemon&nbsp;Yellow stitching that enhances the creative vision.



<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/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790123" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bespoke Lemon Yellow and Citrine Yellow leather dress the interior. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars</figcaption></figure>



The team at Goodwood also programmed the Spectre’s SPIRIT operating system to illuminate instrument dials in the Semaphore Yellow colourway. Highly polished wood serves as complementing trim, and is finished in Cashmere Grey paint infused with silver mica flakes that sparkle when illuminated.



<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/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790124" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Semaphore Yellow paint colour was “inspired by the informal elegance of coastal California,” according to the marque’s official statement. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars</figcaption></figure>



The Rolls-Royce Spectre Semaphore is infinitely rarer than even a sealed first pressing of Yellow Submarine (The Beatles, 1969). In fact, the factory is emphatic that only one Spectre Semaphore will be built for the entire global market. This one-of-one is available exclusively through authorised dealer partners of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the United States.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/?post_type=pmc-gallery&amp;p=1235801503/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the Rolls-Royce Spectre Semaphore.

Best of the Best 2024

Electric Vehicle

luxury car

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Spectre

Rolls-Royce Spectre Semaphore

Rolls-Royce Just Unveiled a Psychedelic, One-of-a-Kind Spectre. Here’s What We Know.

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ferrari/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrari</a>’s electric future will be before you know it.



The storied automaker’s CEO, Benedetto Vigna, has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ferrari-boss-sets-ambitious-brief-2025-debut-ev" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">confirmed to&nbsp;Autocar</a>&nbsp;that the company’s first EV will make its debut in 2025. He also revealed that the company’s test drivers have already put thousands of miles on test mules of the vehicle.



Vigna was careful not to reveal too much about the vehicle, but he did say it will be unveiled late next year, before going on sale sometime in 2026. That timeline isn’t all surprising since Ferrari has been spotted testing out mysterious prototypes around Maranello. The executive didn’t have to say much about that other than that the company’s drivers had already put “several thousand kilometres” on the test mules. Spy shots have shown a heavily camouflaged vehicle wearing a modified version of the Maserati Levante’s body. It remains to be seen whether the finished EV will look at all like that SUV, though. Prototypes of the Ferrari Purosangue (which is pictured above) were also based on the Levante, but the production version was significantly different.



Whatever shape the battery-powered model ends up taking, Vigna is convinced it will appeal to the brand’s most ardent supporters and tech-savvy newcomers alike. That’s because, as Vigna puts it, there’s not one thing that makes a Prancing Horse a Prancing Horse—though they are all fun to drive.



“There is not a pattern really,” Vigna told the magazine. “People buy a Ferrari because when they buy a Ferrari, they have a lot of fun. 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.”



Although Ferrari is keeping information about the model close to the vest, there has been plenty of speculation about the vehicle. Last month, Reuters reported the company’s debut EV <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferraris-first-ev-will-cost-over-1235661037/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">will likely start at well over US$500,000</a> (HK$3.9 million) and that another battery-powered model is already in the works. Vigna wouldn’t comment on the report other than to say that the price likely won’t be finalized until just before launch.



An electric Prancing Horse may be on the way, but the sports car&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-exec-says-first-ev-deliver-authentic-sound-1235650084/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remains committed to the traditional gas-powered engine.</a>&nbsp;Vigna didn’t go into much detail about the company’s future but did say it plans to offer internal combustion, hybrid-powered, and all-electric models.

battery-powered

electric car

gas-powered engine

Ferrari Confirms Its First Electric Car Is Coming Next Year

The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/mercedes-benz-updated-2025-g-class-design-smaller-powertrain-1235560384/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen</a> is getting dressed up for its 45th anniversary.



The German luxury marque has a new ultra-exclusive G Class variant called the Past II Future. The special edition is limited to just 20 examples and was designed by fashion designer Nigo, who worked in several references to the model’s rich heritage.



The G Class Past II Future is the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/mercedes-benz-moncler-g-wagen-project-mondo-g-1234810076/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">latest extension of the automaker’s collaboration with Moncler</a> and was unveiled at the pair’s recent “The City of Genius” show in Shanghai. The vehicle is directly inspired by a one-off restoration that was designed by <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/nigo-personal-collection-pharrell-joopiter-auction-1235393940/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nigo</a>. But while that G-Wagen was a two-door convertible, this one is the hardtop four-door that’s closer to what most people think of when they think of the nameplate.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="681" height="383" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gpastiifuture01.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792589" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gpastiifuture01.webp 681w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gpastiifuture01-300x169.webp 300w" sizes="(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mercedes-benz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercedes-Benz</a> G-Class Past II Future. Image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz</figcaption></figure>



The 4×4 features a two-tone paint job that pairs olive green with grey. The combo is offset by a number of matte black trim on the window frame, vehicle-spanning bumper guards, and light alloy wheels. Rounding out the exterior package is “Past II Future” branding and a rear-mounted spare wheel with a cover that features the Mercedes-Benz x <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/moncler/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moncler</a> collaboration logo.



The interior is just as stylish. The cabin isn’t radically different from that of the standard G Class, but its seats feature striking checkered inserts just like those found on the restoration (the pattern also conveniently matches that used on the shirts in the latest Mercedes and Moncler’s capsule collection). The centre console also features the vehicle’s “1 of 20” series number.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="681" height="383" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gpastiifuture03.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792590" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gpastiifuture03.webp 681w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/gpastiifuture03-300x169.webp 300w" sizes="(max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the G-Class Past II Future. Image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz</figcaption></figure>



The G Class Past II Future is available with either the G 450d’s turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six diesel engine or the G550’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8. The former churns out 362 hp and 553 ft lbs of torque, while the latter makes 416 hp and 450 ft lbs of torque. These are G-Wagens we’re talking about, of course, so all that grunt is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.



With only 20 G Class Past II Future examples set to roll off the line, the SUV will likely be exceedingly hard to get. Mercedes has not said how many are destined for the US but did say that deliveries of the model will begin next spring. It also remains to be seen how much the vehicle will cost but it figures to be well north of the G-Wagen’s US$150,000 (HK$1.16 million) starting price.

collaboration

G-Wagen

Mercedes-Benz

Moncler

Nigo

Mercedes-Benz Teamed up With Moncler for This New Ultra-Exclusive G-Wagen

After years of celebrating&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/james-bond/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Bond</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aston-martin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a>&nbsp;is turning its attention to the spy’s rogues’ gallery.



The British marque has just unveiled a new exclusive model called the DB12 Goldfinger Edition. That’s right, the limited grand tourer pays tribute to one of Agent 007’s fiercest rivals.



You know a Bond villain is nefarious when they name a film after them, something which has only happened twice in the series’ 27 instalments. Goldfinger, the third entry in the franchise and first to feature the spy’s beloved Aston Martin DB5, is named for Auric Goldfinger, a crazed gold smuggler who won’t let anyone get in the way of his plan to rob Fort Knox and disrupt the world economy. In the film’s most infamous scene, the antagonist’s henchmen murder Bond’s love interest, Jill Masterson, after they paint her gold from head to toe inducing “skin suffocation.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger02.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792563" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger02.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger02-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger02-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger Edition. Image courtesy of Dominic Fraser/Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



Considering how intertwined Aston Martin and the Bond are in the public consciousness, it only makes sense that the marque would want to honour the series’ breakthrough film on its 60th anniversary. It’s also fitting that they would choose the DB12, a vehicle so impressive we named our Car of the Year in February, to do so. The special edition of the grand tourer will be built by Q, the marque’s bespoke division, and, as you may have guessed by now features several gold accents inside and out.



The athletic two-door is painted in Silver Birch, just like Bond’s trademark DB5. The gorgeous finish is offset by gold side strakes, enamelled badging, and a set of unique 21-inch wheels silver-plated, multi-spoke wheels. Inside, you’ll find leather seats with fluted stitching and Prince of Wales-pattern inserts. The pattern can also be found on the door cards and headliners. Other model-specific details include 18-carat gold plated accents, embroidered sun visors, and a polished plaque noting the film’s anniversary. Mechanically, the car is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V-8 that makes 671 hp and 590 ft lbs of torque.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger03.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792565" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger03.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger03-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/amgoldfinger03-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Dominic Fraser/Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



Aston Martin will build just 60 examples of the DB12 Goldfinger Edition. No price has been announced, though we imagine it will cost well north of the model’s US$245,000 (HK$1.9 million) starting price. Anyone lucky enough to snag one will also get a special car cover, key presentation box, and a segment of 35mm film from the movie’s famous Furka Pass scene.



Click&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-exclusive-aston-martin-db12-goldfinger-edition-1235952519/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;for more photos of the Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger Edition.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin DB12

Goldfinger

James Bond

This New Aston Martin DB12 Is Stylish Enough for a Bond Villain

One of the year’s best concepts is becoming a reality.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW</a> has confirmed that it will put the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmws-new-concept-skytop-maybe-headed-production-1235631150/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Concept Skytop</a> it brought to this year’s Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza into production. The German marque plans to build just 50 examples of the two-seater, but the fact that it’s going into production at all is a victory for anyone who appreciated beautiful automotive design.



The announcement was made during a special event hosted by the House of BMW in Milan late last week. It was there that Adrian van Hooydonk, the head of BMW’s design team, revealed that a strictly limited run of the vehicle had been approved due to the hugely positive response it received following its appearance at the annual Concours event. The marque has increasingly catered to collectors with ultra-limited special editions in recent years including the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-3-0-csl-50th-anniversary-1234777699/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW 3.0 CSL</a>, a tribute to the company’s first M car, the “Batmobile.”



It’s easy to see why the Skytop generated so much excitement following its debut. The hand-built two-seater is a celebration of the brand’s long history of sporting convertibles. It features a sculptural look that calls to mind the Z8. It’s based on the current 8 Series convertible but features a revised front fascia with illuminated kidney grille, more aggressive lines, including a visually striking central spine, and removable roof panels that can be stored in the trunk when the weather’s nice. Rounding things out is a set of alloy wheels with a gill-like covering.



No performance details were announced back in the spring, other than that it is powered by the most powerful engine the automaker makes. That suggests it will have the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V-8 from the M8 Competition under the hood. The potent mill makes 617 hp and 553 ft lbs of torque, suggesting the convertible will be plenty fast.



Unfortunately, it’s also going to be plenty hard to acquire. All 50 examples BMW will build have already been spoken for, the company announced last week. It’s unclear what the price tag will be, but expect it to cost significantly more than the range-topping M8 Competition Convertible which starts at US$148,800 (HK$1.15 million).



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-spectacular-bmw-concept-skytop-1235631328" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the BMW <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/concept/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Concept</a> Skytop.

Skytop

BMW’s Stunning Skytop Concept Convertible Is Going Into Production

Lucid Motors may have finally figured out how to sell its EVs.



The California-based company just set its quarterly delivery record in a row,&nbsp;<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/07/lucid-motors-sets-third-straight-quarterly-sales-record-gravity-launch/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">according to Tech Crunch</a>. If that wasn’t impressive enough, the company has already bettered the number of vehicles it sold all of last year with three months left to go in 2024.



Lucid announced on Monday that it delivered 2,781 examples of its one and only model, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/lucid-air-pure-most-efficient-ev-market-1235777811/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air</a> sedan (seen above), between the beginning of July and the end of September. Most automakers, including the leading EV leader, Tesla, don’t release concrete sales data, so delivery numbers are generally considered the closest approximation.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="562" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/lucidgravity01.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792122" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/lucidgravity01.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/lucidgravity01-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/lucidgravity01-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lucid’s first SUV, the Gravity, will go into production later this year. Image courtesy of Lucid Group</figcaption></figure>



Not only does this figure represent an increase over the past two quarters—when Lucid delivered 1,967 and 2,394 units, respectively—but it’s a 91 per cent increase over the same period last year. It also puts total sales for 2024 at 7,142 units, which is significantly more than the 6,001 examples of the Air that were sold during the entirety of 2023. Manufacturer discounts—which averaged US$19,403 (HK$150,770) per vehicle for the third quarter, according to InsideEVs—likely played a big part in the increase.



Deliveries may have risen in the third quarter, but production fell 1,805 units, down from the 2,110 EVs that it built in the second quarter of the year. Lucid has previously said that it wants to build 9,000 examples of the Air in 2024, which means it will have to build more than 3,000 between now and the end of the year. That number, if it can be reached, would establish a new production record for the company.



There is still room for improvement—and a lot of it. Lucid may have set successive sales records each quarter of 2024, but it remains far from the sales pace that it promised when it went public in July 2021 through a SPAC deal. At the time, the automaker said it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/28/lucid-shares-skyrocket-after-confirming-deliveries-of-169000-air-sedan.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">planned to build 20,000 examples</a>&nbsp;of the Air per year. The company’s deliveries also&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://ir.tesla.com/press-release/tesla-third-quarter-2024-production-deliveries-and-deployments" target="_blank">can’t compete with Tesla’s total of 463,000 units</a>.



Luckily, help is on the way. Lucid’s second model, the full-size <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/lucid-ev-gravity-first-images-1234773808/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gravity</a>, will go into production later this year. As other premium automakers like Bentley and Lucid can attest, introducing an SUV is a great way to increase sales performance. A third model, which will be a mid-size SUV, is <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/lucid-ceo-third-model-mid-size-suv-1235613641/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected to follow sometime in 2026</a>.

Lucid

Lucid Air

Lucid Gravity

Lucid’s New All-Electric SUV Will Launch Later This Year

Following on the heels of <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/lists/audemars-piguet-new-watches-royal-oak-mini-1235632777/royal-oak-mini-frosted-gold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the May release of multiple Royal Oaks</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audemars-piguet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audemars Piguet</a> is back with a <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/41-mm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">41 mm</a> self-winding <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/openworked/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">openworked</a> offering, now in three striking case and bracelet materials. Stainless steel is going to resonate with the traditionalists, the yellow gold with those who like a louder wrist flex, and black ceramic will offer up a stealthy, futuristic vibe.



We’ve been <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/shopping-time-audemars-piguet-royal-oak-prices-are-dropping-fast-heres-5-you-can-buy-right-now-1235684745/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reporting that Royal Oaks are coming down in price</a> on the pre-owned and <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/neo-vintage-watches-how-to-collect-them-1235624589/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neo-vintage</a> market, and we’ve even just published <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/audemars-piguets-royal-oak-history-1234669410/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a brief history of the “RO.”</a> The <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/royal-oak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Oak</a> was originally penned by acclaimed designer <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gerald-genta-2864111/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gerald Genta</a>, who singlehandedly revolutionised the sports watch market.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="555" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Audemars-Piguet-Royal-Oak-Openworked-41-mm-1024x555.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789172" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Audemars-Piguet-Royal-Oak-Openworked-41-mm-1024x555.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Audemars-Piguet-Royal-Oak-Openworked-41-mm-300x163.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Audemars-Piguet-Royal-Oak-Openworked-41-mm-768x416.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Audemars-Piguet-Royal-Oak-Openworked-41-mm.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked 41 mm in stainless steel. Image courtesy of Audemars Piguet</figcaption></figure>



Audemars Piguet is sometimes said to have a hard time getting past its <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=patek+royal+oak+robb+report&amp;rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS1103US1104&amp;oq=patek+royal+oak+robb+report&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORigATIGCAEQRRg8MgYIAhBFGDwyBggDEEUYPNIBCDQzNDdqMWo3qAIAsAIA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strong association with the Royal Oak</a>, but this doesn’t seem to be hurting the brand whatsoever. As expert collector and vintage dealer at <a href="http://shift/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Analog:Shift</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/slideshow/5-dapper-vintage-timepieces-from-the-analog-shift-x-j-press-pop-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Lamdin</a>, told us last week, “The brand is still in demand, and so [the Royal Oak] is still hard to get at the boutiques.” This situation may not come as a surprise to experienced collectors of the Royal Oak, though this new iteration may be especially difficult to get one’s hands on, as it’s at what many consider a perfect size (41 mm) with just enough technology (dual-barrel calibre 3132) and flash (openworked dial) to sing on the wrist.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="555" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Royal-Oak-Openworked-41mm-Black-Ceramic-and-Yellow-Gold-1024x555.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789173" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Royal-Oak-Openworked-41mm-Black-Ceramic-and-Yellow-Gold-1024x555.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Royal-Oak-Openworked-41mm-Black-Ceramic-and-Yellow-Gold-300x163.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Royal-Oak-Openworked-41mm-Black-Ceramic-and-Yellow-Gold-768x416.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Royal-Oak-Openworked-41mm-Black-Ceramic-and-Yellow-Gold.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked 41 mm in black ceramic (left) and yellow gold. Image courtesy of Audemars Piguet</figcaption></figure>



Especially attractive here is the rose gold movement in the steel and ceramic versions. Rose gold from Audemars Piguet is especially warm due to its copper content. Against the steel, you’ve got a unique <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/two-tone-watches-are-having-a-comeback-here-are-5-worth-buying" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bi-metal</a> (or <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/two-tone-watches-1235484110/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two-tone</a>) sensibility, and against the black ceramic that rose-gold movement seems to blossom like a midnight flower. Both are very chic. But it may be the yellow gold iteration that comes closest to classic Royal Oak vibes, with the long-used 18-carat case and bracelet featuring a much quieter rhodium-plated movement that’s all smoke and shadow.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="619" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-1024x619.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789174" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-1024x619.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-300x181.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-768x464.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-1536x929.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image.webp 1882w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The dual balance wheel mechanism of calibre 3132 helps stabilise the balance staff in its ruby mount, which improves precision. Image courtesy of Audemars Piguet</figcaption></figure>



Calibre 3132 employs a dual balance wheel, which is a unique approach to minimising the tilt of the balance staff (the axil on which the balance wheel oscillates back and forth). When the balance wheel swings, there is a tendency for it to tilt within its ruby mount, which allows gravity to have its way with it, causing timing discrepancies in different positions (known as positional variance). By adding a second balance wheel (not just a second spring, as found in some movements), Audemars Piguet has added stabilising mass to the mechanism, as well as counter-force that steadies the balance staff as it changes direction, according to Audemars Piguet.



Prices are US$76,400 (HK$596,650) for stainless, and US$101,100 (HK$789,545) for either the ceramic or yellow-gold model.

Royal Oak

Audemars Piguet Just Unveiled 3 New Openworked Royal Oaks

Still flying under the radar, but gaining in popularity among the most discerning collectors, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/parmigiani/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parmigiani</a> Fleurier has slowly updated its sports watch catalogue since 2021 when the Swiss brand introduced <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/parmigiani-fleurier-tonda-pf-sport-1234857775/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the “PF” line of watches</a>. These PF models replaced previous versions, as is the case with the PF <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/tonda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tonda</a> Sport <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/chronograph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chronograph</a>, which stepped in for the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/parmigiani-tondagraph-gt-hands-on-review-2940379/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previous Tonda GT Line</a>. This most recent refresh of the Tonda Sport Chronograph brings a fresh trio of luxurious colours.



These new models feel very much on trend with <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/from-grand-seiko-to-parmigiani-pale-green-watch-dials-are-low-key-killing-it-right-now-1235586760/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paler shades making the rounds</a> these days, as well as with the rest of<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/new-watches-watches-wonders-2024-1235570773/parmigiani-fleurier-tonda-pf-micro-rotor-_e8354c/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the 2024 Parmigiani catalogue</a>, which blew us away at <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/new-watches-watches-wonders-2024-1235570773/a-lange-sohne-datograph-perpetual-tourbillon-honeygold-lumen-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watches and Wonders</a> this year. Parmigiani is calling these new colours Milano Blue, Arctic Grey, and London Grey, names evocative of entirely different locations united by a sense of adventure and/or sophistication. But what makes these new Tonda Sport Chronographs so special are rather subtle upgrades.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234788321" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-300x300.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-150x150.webp 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-768x768.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier</figcaption></figure>



Consider, for example, the new guillouché dial, which refines the previous engraving pattern with a subtler clou triangulaire pattern. This new pattern is akin to a clous de Paris dial, also made of pyramids, which Audemars Piguet would call a tapisserie dial. But putting French semantics aside, we can agree that this Parmigiani guillouché pattern breathes more than the chunkier pyramid-grid dials out there, lending the watch a quietness that suits the desaturated colourways.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Chronograph-Tonda-Black-and-Rose-Gold-2024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234788320" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Chronograph-Tonda-Black-and-Rose-Gold-2024.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Chronograph-Tonda-Black-and-Rose-Gold-2024-300x300.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Chronograph-Tonda-Black-and-Rose-Gold-2024-150x150.webp 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Fleurier-Chronograph-Tonda-Black-and-Rose-Gold-2024-768x768.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier</figcaption></figure>



Further distinguishing these chronographs is the movement. Calibre PF-070 is crafted in-house, and the beat rate of five Hz lends 10th of a second precision, a smoother sweep of the seconds hand on the sub-dial as well as the central timing hand, and—most would agree—improved precision. Rather impressively, the movement still provides 65-hours of power reserve, despite burning through power at a greater frequency than most mechanical watch movements do.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-Back-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234788322" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-Back-1.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-Back-1-300x300.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-Back-1-150x150.webp 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parmigiani-Macro-Tonda-Chronograph-2024-Back-1-768x768.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Parmigiani Fleurier</figcaption></figure>



None of that may interest the person who is buying this watch to luxuriate in its immaculate elegance, and instead may turn their interest to the solid-gold oscillating weight that imitates the steering wheel of a Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most beautiful and iconic cars of all time. A watch like the Tonda Sports Chronograph seems perfectly suited to unabashedly luxurious driving experiences, including the inevitable long lunch, glamorous destinations and high-end accommodations surely to appear on the roster when cruising in a vintage air-cooled Ferrari—or the latest electronic super car.



The watches come in satin stainless steel in the new colourways at US$30,000 (HK$234,520), or 18-carat rose gold at US$50,000 (HK$390,865).

Parmigiani Fleurier

Tonda PF

Tonda PF Sport

Parmigiani Fleurier Unveils New Tonda PF Sport Chronographs

It has taken the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/mclaren-w1-hypercar-revealed-1235895890/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McLaren W1</a> less than a week to inspire its first outlandish timepiece.



The British automaker’s long-time collaborator, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/richard-mille/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Richard Mille</a>, has just unveiled the RM 65-01 <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mclaren/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McLaren</a> Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph W1. The bold watch is the fourth born out of a years-long partnership between the two brands, both of which are among the most respected names in their respective industries.



The W1 is McLaren’s follow-up to one of the brand’s most revered vehicles, the F1, and its successor, the P1. Each 1 car has been a halo model, showcasing the marque’s most advanced designed techniques, delivering boundary-pushing performance, and built-in low numbers. Sure enough, the W1 looks like a Transformer and is powered by a motorsports-derived, hybrid-assisted twin-turbocharged V-8 that makes a ferocious 1,275 horses. It’s little surprise that the vehicle costs US$2.7 million (HK$20.9 million) and is limited to just 399 examples.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/opener-w--1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792482" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/opener-w--1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/opener-w--300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/opener-w--768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/opener-w-.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McLaren W1. Image courtesy of McLaren Automotive Limited</figcaption></figure>



Fittingly, Richard Mille claims that the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/richard-mille-rm-65-01-chronograph-in-gray-quartz-1234876158/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RM 65-01</a> model is its most powerful timepiece yet. The watch is powered by the Swiss company’s high-performance RMA4C automatic chronograph movement. It beats at high 5Hz, or approximately 36,000 vibrations per hour, and can keep track of two times to the nearest tenth of a second, according to the watchmaker. The 480-piece movement sits on chassis mounting rubbers and has a “rapid winding” system that allows wearers to quickly charge its 60-hour power reserve by using a special pusher made from Quartz TPT.



Performance isn’t the only area in which the watch is a match for its namesake. It features an eye-catching look as well. Its case, which measures 43.84 x 49.94 x 16.19 mm, is made from multi-later TPT carbon, features Richard Mille’s thinnest bezel yet, and sports a design influenced by the lines of the supercar. The skeletonised dial, meanwhile, is made of titanium, shares a pattern with the W1’s wheels, and has several colour accents synonymous with the automaker. Its trademark colour, Papaya Orange, also abounds, popping up on the dial, crowns, and, most notably of all, the rubber strap.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rm6501w102-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792481" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rm6501w102-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rm6501w102-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rm6501w102-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/rm6501w102.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Richard Mille RM 65-01 McLaren Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph W1. Image courtesy of Richard Mille</figcaption></figure>



Richard Mille plans to build 500 examples of the RM 65-01 McLaren Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph W1. It will <a href="https://uk.motor1.com/news/736783/richard-mille-mclaren-w1-chronograph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly cost 320,000 Swiss francs</a>, or roughly US$374,000 (HK$2.9 million). The first 399 will be offered to W1 owners. That means there will be around 100 examples for those just looking to complete their collection of McLaren-themed Richard Mille timepieces.

McLaren

Richard Mille

Richard Mille Just Unveiled a Sleek Watch Inspired by McLaren’s New Hypercar

Antiquorum, the preeminent name in the world of horology, is set to dazzle collectors and enthusiasts alike with its autumn auction in Hong Kong on 26 October 2024. Held at the Mandarin Oriental, this eagerly awaited event promises an exquisite collection of 364 rare timepieces and jewellery, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of some of the most revered brands in the industry, a line-up of all the usual suspects: Rolex,&nbsp;Patek Philippe, A. Lange &amp; Söhne, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, among others.



As one of the foremost auction house in the world, renowned for curating timepieces, Antiquorum has built a reputation for presenting only the finest examples of horological excellence. Its autumn auction will feature a significant selection of grand-complication watches, vintage treasures, and exceptional models—quite a handful of which are no longer in production. Collectors will be particularly drawn to the rare double-signed pieces from illustrious brands like Patek Philippe and Rolex, as well as military and tropical timepieces that tell their own unique stories of heat and artillery that leave an enduring legacy.



<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/2024/10/WhteAo7A-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792390" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhteAo7A-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhteAo7A-1-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhteAo7A-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhteAo7A-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhteAo7A-1-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WhteAo7A-1.jpeg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lot 351 is a platinum Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar.</figcaption></figure>



Among the highlights is Lot 351, a magnificent Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in platinum, estimated to fetch between HK$3.2 million and HK$5 million at auction, a stunning piece that exemplifies the watchmaker’s commitment to technical innovation and timeless elegance. We also expect all eyes on Lot 139, an 18-carat Honey Gold Richard Lange Tourbillon “Pour Le Mérite” by A. Lange &amp; Söhne, with an estimate of HK$1.1 million to HK$2 million. In fact, several of the watches are over a cool million, and each of these timepieces not only represent a formidable investment, but also a rare opportunity to own a piece of horological history that can stand the test of time.



Antiquorum will also feature exceptional vintage pieces—brace your britches; watches from the 1980s and 1990s are now marked as “vintage”—including Lot 350, a tropical Patek Philippe Nautilus from circa 1991, estimated at HK$680,000 to HK$1 million, and Lot 364, a stunning 18-carat Yellow Gold Rolex Daytona from 1983, valued at up to HK$1.6 million.&nbsp;



Antiquorum has made it a point to engage with its clientele through public previews, allowing aficionados to experience these horological masterpieces up close. For the autumn auction, the previews will take place from 23 to 25 October at Antiquorum Auctioneers in Central, providing a rare chance for potential bidders to appreciate the meticulous details and craftsmanship of each lot in minute detail.



Since opening its doors in 1974, Antiquorum continues to lead the charge in the world of collectible watches. Its autumn auction is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of artistry, history, and the enduring allure of timepieces that transcend generations. For those seeking to acquire a timeless treasure, the upcoming auction promises to be an unmissable occasion.



All images courtesy of Antiquorum.

A. Lange & Söhne

Antiquorum

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Watch

Watches

Antiquorum’s Autumn Auction in Hong Kong Leads With a Patek Philippe Estimated to Fetch Up to HK$5 Million

It was one small decision for <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/omega/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Omega</a>, one giant win for <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/watch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch</a> collectors.



The Swiss watchmaker has re-released the first <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/speedmaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Speedmaster</a> that went to space, combining classic 1950s styling with modern horological innovations.



Launched in 1959, the original watch (Ref. CK 2998) was the successor to the first Speedmaster model that Omega unveiled in 1957. It featured a symmetrical 39.7 mm case, a dark bezel, and slender Alpha hands that set it apart from the previous iteration. <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/nasa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> astronaut Walter “Wally” Schirra famously wore the second-gen Speedy on the Mercury-Atlas 8: Sigma 7 mission of 1962, earning it the title of “first Omega in Space.” Omega did drop a model in 2012 to honour this feat but discontinued it in 2021. The “First Omega in Space” is now back, with a bold new look.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space4-820x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792269" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space4-820x1024.webp 820w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space4-240x300.webp 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space4-768x959.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space4.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A close-up of the dial. Image courtesy of Omega</figcaption></figure>



The contemporary release takes design cues from the CK 2998, maintaining the same polished-brushed stainless-steel case, triple-register chronograph display, and domed crystal. The CVD-coated dial is finished in a grey-blue hue that appeared on some CK 2998 models produced in the 1960s, while the black aluminium bezel features the signature “Dot-Over-Ninety” tachymeter bezel synonymous with the earliest Speedys. The hour markers and Alpha hands are filled with Super-LumiNova in a golden hue that gives an aged quality. In keeping with that historic feel, vintage Omega logos have been added to the dial and crown.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space2-819x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792270" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space2-819x1024.webp 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space2-240x300.webp 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space2-768x960.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The engraved caseback. Image courtesy of Omega</figcaption></figure>



The major difference between the two is the movement. The original was powered by the Calibre 321, while the modern edition is driven by the Calibre 3861. The hand-wound movement, which has the all-important Master Chronometer certification from METAS, offers the highest standard of precision, performance, and magnetic resistance, according to Omega. It has a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz) and a power reserve of 50 hours.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space3-819x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792271" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space3-819x1024.webp 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space3-240x300.webp 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space3-768x960.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Speedmaster_Space3.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The stainless-steel bracelet. Image courtesy of Omega</figcaption></figure>



The new Speedmaster also has a couple of special, sentimental touches. The caseback showcases an integrated Seahorse medallion and the engravings “Speedmaster,” “The First Omega in Space” and “October 3, 1962.” The latter is the date that the Mercury-Atlas spacecraft took off from the Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, orbiting the Earth six times, before landing in the Pacific Ocean. Schirra was the sole occupant of the spacecraft, completing the nine-hour mission with his trusty Speedmaster on his wrist.



The new Speedmaster First Omega in Space costs US$7,500 (HK$58,265) with a leather strap or US$7,900 (HK$61,375) with a steel bracelet.

Omega

Speedmaster

Omega Just Re-Released Its First Watch to Ever Go to Space

Breitling

Georges Kern

Leaders of Luxury

luxury wathes

Swiss

Breitling CEO Georges Kern on Celebrating 140 Years of Breitling and Expanding the Evolution of the Historical Watch Brand