Longevity runs for a long time, but it needs at least occasional refreshment. Fashion knows how to diversify outside the box—think Dior Home. So, too, do cars—we have McLaren Residences, Peugeot salt and pepper mills, and Porsche clothing and suitcases. Hotels usually think more in vertical expansion, but Aman breaks that mould.



It is now 35 years since Adrian Zecha opened Amanpuri in Phuket. As Aman grew, the brand became synonymous with individual units offering ultimate privacy and seclusion. Now, in 2024, the Aman concept has a sibling, Janu (“soul” in Sanskrit), that boldly says social connection.



Janu opened in Tokyo’s newest “village,” Azabudai Hills, in March 2024. The exterior looks like any other modern Tokyo glass-and-steel block, but it is set in striking green landscape architecture by Thomas Heatherwick—typical of the designer who came up with New York’s High Line and London’s bulbous-ended red buses. One of Azabudai Hills’ residential blocks is a grass-topped rollercoaster shape.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janu-Tokyo-Japan-Accommodation-City-View-Suite_48601-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789604" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janu-Tokyo-Japan-Accommodation-City-View-Suite_48601-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janu-Tokyo-Japan-Accommodation-City-View-Suite_48601-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janu-Tokyo-Japan-Accommodation-City-View-Suite_48601-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janu-Tokyo-Japan-Accommodation-City-View-Suite_48601-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Janu-Tokyo-Japan-Accommodation-City-View-Suite_48601-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Janu Tokyo has 122 rooms, many of which can be connected to each other for larger groups staying together. Image courtesy of Janu Tokyo</figcaption></figure>



Inside Janu, the 122 rooms are, in many cases, connected, so you can link, say, four rooms together. See the socialising every day at 12 pm noon when afternoon tea starts: the Janu Lounge in the lobby is all-seats-taken with local lovelies networking before rushing off to pick up their kids from the nearby British School. Tokyo pleasure-seekers use Janu constantly—the Chinese restaurant Hu Jing is the most popular of the eight dining venues. When it comes to wellness, the indoor pool is a staggering 25 metres long. Do try a Janu Experience, with warmed copper massage sticks.



Interestingly, Janu’s main art decoration is dorodango, an ancient Japanese art using plain old mud. The result is that all rooms have large sections of their cream walls covered with deliberately pockmarked panels of dried mud, and remarkably effective it is, too. A hardback in bedrooms, Dorodango: The Japanese Art of Making Mud Balls by specialist Bruce Gardner, explains the process.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="747" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72329580-scale-a-30042024-1024x747.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789602" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72329580-scale-a-30042024-1024x747.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72329580-scale-a-30042024-300x219.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72329580-scale-a-30042024-768x560.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72329580-scale-a-30042024-1536x1120.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/72329580-scale-a-30042024-2048x1493.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of Andy Warhol’s many signed Flowers artworks realised HK$35 million, under estimate, at Christie’s Hong Kong. Image courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2024</figcaption></figure>



Talking of art, is Asian investment taste diversifying away from speculating in things to hang on walls? One of Andy Warhol’s many signed Flowers artworks realised HK$66.6 million at Christie’s Hong Kong on 28 May. Anders Petterson, managing director of ArtTactic, a research firm, says that overall evening art sales in Hong Kong are 40 per cent down year-on-year. It will be interesting to see what happens at Christie’s Hong Kong’s next sale of 20th- and 21st-century art, scheduled for 26 and 27 September. This will be at the global auction giant’s new Asia-Pacific headquarters, in the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Henderson Building in Central.



At youthful level, Gen Zs are, it seems, still investing in sneakers, especially white, and in fragrance. Italian cashmere king Brunello Cucinelli may be on to a good thing. He is working with celebrated noses on aromas that are inspired by the Cucinelli base in Umbria. OK, Cucinelli is Italian, so why name the perfumes in French? Brunello Cucinelli Pour Femme apparently blends notes of sweet chestnut, citrus, orange blossom, and pink pepper to capture the elegance and depth of women. This perfume has been created by nose Daphné Bugey, a kite-surfing world traveller whose clients also include Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Kenzo. For men, meanwhile, Brunello Cucinelli Pour Homme is said to be a blend of cypress, juniper, sage, and ginger; this was created by Olivier Cresp, one of the legends of his hometown of Grasse, often said to be French home of perfume.



Cresp is working on five to 10 new fragrances at any one time. It’s probably rather like a chef having to create several menus simultaneously. Switching from one to the other could well stimulate creativity. At his Amber base in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, culinary director Richard Ekkebus sees an increasing number of customers—lunch as well as dinner—choose 10-course menus. Planning means an awful lot of tastes to consider. Perhaps multi-thinking is good for the brain, and thus longevity.

Brunello Cucinelli

Christie’s Hong Kong

Janu Tokyo

Explore the New Janu Tokyo in Azabudai Hills, Discover Brunello Cucinelli’s Range of Fragrances, And Other Things to Bookmark this July

In an auction filled with rare offerings from across the world of luxury, one lot shined the brightest.



Christie’s New York Luxury Week brought in a whopping US$70.3 million (HK$548.5 million), led by the US$13.3 million (HK$103.8 million) <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/jewelry/eden-rose-pink-diamond-auction-1235625077/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eden Rose diamond</a>. That stone—a 10.2-carat fancy intense pink, internally flawless diamond—outperformed its presale estimates to become the top diamond of the spring auction season globally.



In all, last week’s sales, which spanned jewels, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/watches/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watches</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/wine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wine</a>, and handbags, achieved 137 per cent of the combined lots’ presale low estimates. Collectors from all over the globe placed bids, and 52 per cent of all winning bids came via the auction house’s online forum. Plus, 44 per cent of buyers were new to Christie’s, showing how luxury goods are becoming even more coveted.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="815" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Watch-815x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234788850" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Watch-815x1024.webp 815w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Watch-239x300.webp 239w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Watch-768x965.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Watch.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Richard Mille Limited Edition RM56-02 AO Tourbillon Sapphire. Image courtesy of Christie’s</figcaption></figure>



While the Eden Rose ring was far and away the star of the show, other jewels shined as well: In fact, six separate pieces sold for more than US$1 million (HK$7.8 million) each, including an 84-carat yellow diamond pendant that hammered down for US$2.2 million (HK$17.1 million) and a 2.3-carat blue diamond ring that fetched US$2.1 million (HK$16.3 million).



The other luxury categories similarly saw high price tags for their assorted lots. During the Important Watches auction, a Richard Mille Limited Edition RM56-02 AO Tourbillon Sapphire achieved an eye-popping US$3.1 million (HK$24.1 million), making it the most expensive watch ever sold by Christie’s and the third most valuable Richard Mille in the world. And seven purses sold for more than US$100,000 (HK$780,365) during the Handbags Online sale. Coming out on top was a black crocodile Hermès Birkin bag that doubled its low estimate to sell for US$214,200 (HK$1.6 million).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="992" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Purse-992x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234788851" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Purse-992x1024.webp 992w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Purse-291x300.webp 291w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Purse-768x793.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Christies-Purse.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The black crocodile Hermès Birkin bag. Image courtesy of Christie’s</figcaption></figure>



And in the world of wine, the Fine and Rare Wines Online sale set six new world records. The two top lots were a dozen bottles of Petrus 1982 and a dozen bottles of Petrus 1989, both of which hammered down for US$43,750 (HK$341,410). Also of note is the fact that oenophiles are becoming younger and younger: Millennials made up 30 per cent of all buyers in the auction. (New data out of Bank of America just showed that Millennials and their Gen Z counterparts are <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/young-wealthy-collectibles-interest-1235657300/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more interested than other generations</a> in collecting luxury goods like wine. This certainly seems to prove that point.)



With more jewel, handbag, and wine <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/auctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">auctions</a> to come from Christie’s this year, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled—and our paddles handy—to see what other records may fall in 2024.

Christie’s

This Flawless Pink Diamond Just Sold for HK$103.8 Million at Auction

Pink diamonds have become&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/jewelry/argyle-pink-diamonds-australia-2874894/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">incredibly scarce</a>&nbsp;in the past few years, but one such rarity will lead Christie’s&nbsp;<a href="https://press.christies.com/christies-presents-magnificent-jewels" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Magnificent Jewels&nbsp;</a>auction this summer.



Fittingly christened the Eden Rose, this particular pink <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/diamond/">diamond</a> is big, beautiful, and brilliant. As such, the auction house expects it will hammer down for between US$9 million and US$12 million (HK$70.2 million and HK$93.6 million) at the sale in June.



Weighing an impressive 10.20 carats, the fancy intense gem exhibits a pure pink hue that is exceptionally rare. Natural pink diamonds typically display secondary hues such as purple, orange, or grey, but the Eden Rose is entirely one colour. The stone has been awarded Type IIa classification, meaning it is chemically the most pure. It also showcases remarkable flawless clarity, naturally. In addition, the round brilliant cut accentuates the stone’s natural attributes and ensures a mesmerising display of brilliance.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose3-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234788013" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose3-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose3-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose3-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose3.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Eden Rose is 10.20 carats. Image courtesy of Christie’s</figcaption></figure>



The Eden Rose has never before been offered at auction, and Christie’s expects it will receive quite a bit of attention from international collectors at the upcoming sale. “Christie’s excels in presenting our collectors with the highest level of quality, exemplified by the Eden Rose,” Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International head of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/jewelry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jewellery</a> said in a statement. “Given its rarity, we are anticipating significant interest from around the world.”



Since the closure of <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/jewelry/argyle-pink-diamonds-australia-2874894/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western Australia’s Argyle Mine</a> in 2020, the demand for pink diamonds has outstripped a rapidly dwindling supply. Still, Christie’s has sent several notable stones under the gavel. The 18.96-carat <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/jewelry/rare-18-96-carat-pink-diamond-shatters-auction-records-2828444/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winston Pink Legacy</a> achieved US$50 million (HK$390.3 million) in 2018, setting a world record price per carat (US$2.65 million/HK$20.6 million) for a pink diamond sold at auction. Other notable sales include the 14.93-carat Pink Promise (US$32.1 million/HK$250.6 million), the 15.81-carat <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/jewelry/a-flawless-purple-pink-diamond-weighing-nearly-16-carats-could-sell-for-38-million-at-auction-1234612941/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sakura</a> (US$29.3 million/HK$228.7 million), the 12.04 Martian Pink (US$17.4 million/HK$135.8 million), and the 14.23-carat Perfect Pink (US$23.2 million/HK$181.1 million). The auction house says the Eden Rose is the most significant of this style of pink diamond to be offered at auction since the Martian Pink.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose2-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234788014" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose2-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose2-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose2-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eden_Rose2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The stone has received Type IIa classification. Image courtesy of Christie’s</figcaption></figure>



You can see the bling in person, too. The Eden Rose will be exhibited at Christie’s Hong Kong from 24 to 27 May and at Christie’s Rockefeller Center in New York City from 7 to 10 June. The Magnificent Jewels auction will take place on 11 June.

Eden Rose

Pink Diamond

This Rare 10-Carat Pink Diamond Could Fetch Up to HK$93.6 Million at Auction

On 26 May, Christie’s Hong Kong will present a highly anticipated live auction when a rare Patek Philippe wristwatch will take to the stage. An intricate timepiece depicting a map of Eurasia on a polychrome&nbsp;cloisonné&nbsp;enamel dial, the dazzling 18-carat yellow-gold Dual-Crown World Time Wristwatch Ref. 2523, rendered in violet, turquoise, gold, dark blue, and green, is striking from every angle, and set to be one of the most coveted accessories in recent times as the estimated price hovers between HK$39 million and HK$78 million.



As a leading watch capital, Hong Kong is one of few cities privy to this rare timepiece—only one of three known to exist—which has been preserved in mint condition since 1955. If the estimate numbers seem amplified, even for Patek Philippe’s lofty standards, there’s a reason why—there has been a chronology of high watermark auctions in recent years that have elevated the numbers to such dizzying heights. In May 2023, a wristwatch from 1955, in yellow gold with a&nbsp;cloisonné&nbsp;dial showing the North American continent, peaked at HK$66.6 million during Christie’s Hong Kong’s 20th–21st Century Art Evening Sale.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies--1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787201" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies--1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies--300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies--768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies--1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies--2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime</figcaption></figure>



A striking timepiece with a blue enamel dial, the Patek Philippe “L’Heure Bleue,” a one-of-a-kind “Heures Universelles” Dual-Crown World Time in rose gold dating back to 1953 with “Gobbi Milano” stamped on the dial, was another one for the books. Gobbi Milano, a distinguished watch and jewellery store in Milan that opened in 1842, was the original touchstone for refined accessories, and the Patek timepieces sold through the legendary business were often printed with the store’s insignia, a rare feat in cross-branding that is now coveted by collectors. It went for HK$70.175 million. A Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime set a record when the hammer slammed at HK$242.7 million at Christie’s in Geneva just five years ago—making it&nbsp;the&nbsp;most expensive watch ever sold (as we go to publish).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="783" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies-2-783x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234787202" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies-2-783x1024.jpg 783w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies-2-230x300.jpg 230w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies-2-768x1004.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies-2-1175x1536.jpg 1175w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/pp-at-christies-2.jpg 1224w" sizes="(max-width: 783px) 100vw, 783px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Patek Philippe“L’Heure Bleue” (Ref. 2523)</figcaption></figure>



And now, all eyes are darting toward 26 May 2024. Bearing historical significance, preserved in near-flawless condition, and on auction for the first time in two decades—collectors the world over are expected raise their placards for what promises to be an all-out bidding war.&nbsp;



An incredible team of legendary craftsmen worked on this masterpiece. Housed within the casing is the 12 400 HU movement created by Antoine Gerlach, with two 18-carat gold crowns made by Boninchi Frères. Stern Frères supplied the&nbsp;grand feu&nbsp;enamel artistry for the world time dial, while Marguerite Koch worked on the&nbsp;cloisonné&nbsp;enamel map.



Auspiciously, exactly a year ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/this-hk45-5-million-patek-philippe-is-now-the-most-expensive-watch-ever-sold-at-auction-online-in-hong-kong">Christie’s set a global record</a>&nbsp;for the most expensive watch auctioned online with the US$5.8 million (HK$45.5 million) sale of an ultra-rare Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon. Will there be an equally jaw-dropping moment that’ll beam around the world with the Patek Philippe’s Dual-Crown World Time Wristwatch?



All images Courtesy of Christie&#8217;s Images Ltd. 2024

Auction

Patek Philippe

rare watch

Watch

Watches

This One-of-a-Kind Patek Philippe is Heading to Auction—and It Can Be Yours for HK$78 Million

As Christie’s prepares to ignite its first watch auction of the year, scheduled from 27 March to 9 April in Hong Kong for the 2024 spring season, the result of the local chapter is bound to set the tone for what lies ahead. 15 live and online auctions are in the offing in 2024, studded around the globe in various watch capitals, for enthusiasts and discerning collectors to congregate and bid as the hammer rises and falls with clockwork precision.



On 27 March, Christie’s is holding its online auction, with a live one following in May, and the attention of the watch world will be directed at the city for one simple reason: the numbers. Last year’s sales, particularly the ones from this past November, has made the Hong Kong chapter the cynosure of all eyes. On one autumnal evening, the auctioneers clocked in record global sales and participation from 39 countries spanning five continents. Important watches, those of historical value, the rarest of rarities, and mint collections were up for grabs; Christie’s presented three live watches auctions in Hong Kong and achieved a total of HK$222 million—the second-highest autumn sale at Christie’s Asia, ever.



In fact, Hong Kong established a new record sale total of HK$696 million, representing a 15 per cent year-on-year increase. Christie’s Hong Kong also achieved the highest price for any watch auctioned online, when Patek Philippe’s “Sky Moon Tourbillon” Ref. 6002G-001 attained HK$45.4 million in the Watches Online: Top of the Time auction.



“2023 defined a standout year for luxury with record growth across all departments.&nbsp;&nbsp;Together, Watches, Jewellery, Handbags, and Wine contributed US$1 billion to Christie’s annual global auction results, achieving the strongest-ever departmental sales total. Watches alone contributed US$234 million (HK$1.83 billion), representing the highest annual result ever achieved for the category. Whether the watches event is live or online, a key focus is to ensure seamless access to our auctions as we cater for a global clientele operating in physical and digital spaces,” says Emmanuel Danan, global managing director, luxury at Christie’s.



“Patek Philippe’s ‘Sky Moon,’ which sold online in Hong Kong at US$5.8 million (HK$45.4 million), is a strong indicator of the shift that is underway and gaining momentum, also due to 38 per cent of Christie’s global watch clients being millennials,” Danan reflects.



Highlights for horologists run the gamut, from a diamond-studded Cartier to a colourful novelty like Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore Music Edition. Here are five watches from the Watches Online: The Hong Kong Edit auction that caught our eye:



<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="753" height="1024" data-id="1234786326" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.13 AM-753x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234786326" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.13 AM-753x1024.jpg 753w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.13 AM-221x300.jpg 221w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.13 AM-768x1044.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.13 AM-1130x1536.jpg 1130w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.13 AM.jpg 1177w" sizes="(max-width: 753px) 100vw, 753px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Music Edition (Limited Edition Of 500 Pieces)  HK$180,000–HK$350,000 </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="860" height="1024" data-id="1234786324" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.27 AM-860x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234786324" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.27 AM-860x1024.jpg 860w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.27 AM-252x300.jpg 252w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.27 AM-768x915.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.27 AM-1289x1536.jpg 1289w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.27 AM.jpg 1343w" sizes="(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rolex Daytona With “Mustard Dial”  HK$400,000-HK$800,000 </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="806" height="1024" data-id="1234786325" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.37 AM-806x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234786325" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.37 AM-806x1024.jpg 806w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.37 AM-236x300.jpg 236w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.37 AM-768x975.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.37 AM-1210x1536.jpg 1210w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-9.26.37 AM.jpg 1260w" sizes="(max-width: 806px) 100vw, 806px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cartier 18k Pink-Gold and Pavé Diamond-Set Ballon Bleu, Ref. 3271  Estimate: HK$350,000-HK$700,000 </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="749" height="1024" data-id="1234786323" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/c-749x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234786323" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/c-749x1024.jpg 749w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/c-220x300.jpg 220w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/c-768x1049.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/c-1124x1536.jpg 1124w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/c.jpg 1171w" sizes="(max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Panerai Legendary Platinum Wristwatch with Rolex-Based Movement  HK$320,000-HK$650,000 </figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" data-id="1234786322" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/71972770-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234786322" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/71972770-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/71972770-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/71972770-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/71972770-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/71972770-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/71972770.jpeg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rolex Daytona “Eye Of The Tiger”  HK$1,000,000–HK$2,000,000 </figcaption></figure>
</figure>



Watches Online: The Hong Kong Edit



27 March–9 April



For more information, visit <a href="https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/watches-online-hong-kong-edit/lots/3502" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">onlineonly.christies.com</a>.

Christie's

Watch capital

This Diamond-Studded Rolex Daytona Is Expected to Fetch HK$2 Million at Auction

It looks like Christie’s first <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/jewelry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jewellery</a> auction of the year will be a blinder. 



Running from 11 to 21 March, the <a href="https://www.christies.com/en/auction/jewels-online-23084-nyr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jewels Online</a> sale comprises a spectacular assortment of signed jewels, diamonds, and coloured gemstones. The 200 lots include rarified bling by industry heavyweights such as <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/david-webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Webb</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/cartier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cartier</a>, and Jean Schlumberger. The pièce de résistance, however, is a dazzling diamond ring by American jeweller <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/harry-winston/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harry Winston</a>.



The pear-shaped, brilliant-cut diamond at the centre of the platinum ring totals an impressive 17.09 carats. It is a D-colour stone of VVS2 clarity with perfect symmetry and polish, according to a report by the Gemological Institute of America. Tapered baguette-cut diamonds sit on either side of the main stone, creating a truly eye-catching piece. All that bling comes at a cost, of course, with the ring expected to fetch between US$700,000 and US$1 million (HK$5.4 million and HK$7.8 million) at the auction.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Jewels.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234786052" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Jewels.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Jewels-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Jewels-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A collection of Bulgari jewels from a private collector. Image courtesy of Christie’s</figcaption></figure>



If you don’t win the Harry Winston, try your luck with two other diamond rings. The first stunning piece is topped by a fancy blue diamond of 1.13 carats (estimate: US$150,000 to US$250,000/HK$1.1 million to HK$1.9 million), and the second gold design is adorned with a fancy yellow diamond of 10.01 carats and two smaller, clear diamonds (estimate: US$70,000 and US$100,000/HK$547,375 and HK$781,965).



The sale will also offer an impressive collection of Bulgari pieces that range from a gold necklace with matching earrings to a multi-gem butterfly brooch from 1965 (estimate: US$15,000 to US$20,000/HK$117,295 to HK$156,395). Other highlights include a 1960s Van Cleef &amp; Arpels diamond and gold evening bag (high estimate: US$20,000/HK$156,395) and an Art Deco-inspired ring by Dreicer &amp; Co from 1920 (estimate: US$15,000 and US$20,000/HK$117,295 and HK$156,395).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Brooch.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234786051" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Brooch.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Brooch-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulgari_Brooch-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bulgari multi-gem and diamond butterfly brooch in the sale. Image courtesy of Christie’s</figcaption></figure>



Most antique, vintage, and contemporary jewels in the sale are from “A Fashionable Life: The Collection of an Elegant Lady” and “Property from the Collection of Fritz and Lucy Jewett.” Two charitable collections will also be presented. Proceeds from the “Collection of Nate Berkus” will benefit the Grace Church School in New York City. That means you can feel extra good about buying that bling.



You can view the auction highlights in a New York exhibition at Christie’s Rockefeller Center location from 17 to 20 March. <a href="https://www.christies.com/en/auction/jewels-online-23084-nyr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bidding opens </a>on 11 March.

diamond

Diamond Ring

Harry Winston

jewellery

This 17-Carat Harry Winston Diamond Ring Could Fetch HK$7.8 Million at Auction

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

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

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/qatar-airways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qatar Airways</a>&nbsp;is giving its&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/airlines-increasing-premium-seating-1234845344/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">business-class passengers</a>&nbsp;a big upgrade.



The airline unveiled on Monday an update to <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/qatar-airways-new-qsuite-business-class-boundary-breaking-265981/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its signature Qsuite</a>, dubbed the Qsuite Next Gen. While many consider the existing <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/gallery/7-most-extravagant-cabins-commercial-airlines-1234892023/5-qsuite-credit-qatar-airways-3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">business-class seats</a> some of the best in the biz, Qatar Airways is making them even better with extra amenities like larger beds, movable displays, and turndown service.



“We are excited to have finally revealed the long-awaited Qsuite Next Gen at the Farnborough International Airshow,” Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the CEO of the Qatar Airways Group, said in a statement. “Qatar Airways has once again raised the bar for its award-winning product, the Qsuite.”



The most notable change to the Qsuite may be the addition of movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova IFE screens, allowing professionals to work smarter while they’re in the air. It’s the first time any carrier is offering such an amenity, giving Qatar Airways yet another boost in the world of air&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">travel</a>. The screens can be moved to the side to create what the airway calls “the largest social and productivity space in the sky.”



One of the best parts of flying business may be the extra room for sleep, making it easier to get some shut-eye while you’re traveling. The new Qsuite adds larger lie-flat and double beds to its Quad Suites, and turndown service is inclusive of a “make my bed” feature, so you don’t have to deal with any rumpled sheets once you wake. The Quad Suite is also getting a larger space for communal dining if you’re travelling with friends or family, and taller dividers for even more privacy if that’s what you’re after.



The Companion Suites, meanwhile, are now even more similar to the deluxe Quad Suites, and they offer shared space in window aisles. Across all Qsuites, new technologies and upgraded touchscreen control units allow you to customise your voyage, with options such as ambient lighting and privacy controls.



While frequent fliers probably can’t wait to experience the Qsuite Next Gen, they’ll have to wait until next year—that’s when the airline will begin rolling out the new offering on its Boeing B777-9 planes. There’s never been a better excuse to start planning your 2025 travel.

air travel

Boeing planes

Business class

luxury flight

Qatar airways

Qsuite

suites

Travel

Qatar Airways’ New Business-Class Suites Come With Giant Beds and Turn-Down Service

The world’s wealthiest are <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/spaces/hong-kong-most-ultra-high-net-worth-1234895563/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flocking to Hong Kong</a>, and the city itself is shaping up to be one of the top financial centres in the world.



Adrian Cheng, CEO of investment firm New World Development Co, recently told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-14/hong-kong-tycoon-cheng-expects-city-to-become-no-1-hub-for-rich?srnd=wealth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a> he foresees Asia’s World City becoming a global hub for <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/billionaires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">billionaires</a>. “I’m very confident we will be number one for family office wealth management in the future,” said Cheng, who hails from one of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/hong-kong/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hong Kong</a>’s richest families. The third-generation heir recently established the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy and was appointed as the chairman of the board of directors in 2023 in an effort to boost the city’s <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/ultra-wealthy-population-growth-report-1235789531/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-net-worth population</a>.  



As far as Cheng’s ambitions are concerned, the property tycoon admitted to Bloomberg that the goal is to turn Hong Kong into a leading destination for super-wealthy family offices—and the region is already well on its way. A Deloitte survey commissioned by the Hong Kong government revealed that the city had over 2,700 single-family offices at the end of last year and approximately one-third of them managed at least US$100 million (HK$779.2 million) in assets. In addition, Cheng is hopeful that his newly created academy can act as a “super connector” for wealthy individuals interested in setting up offices in Hong Kong.



<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/Adrian-Cheng-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790490" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Adrian-Cheng-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Adrian-Cheng-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Adrian-Cheng-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Adrian-Cheng-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Adrian-Cheng-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Adrian Cheng, chief executive officer of investment firm New World Development Co. Image courtesy of Stewart Cook/Getty Images for Asia Society Southern California</figcaption></figure>



In 2023, Hong Kong had the largest population of ultra-high-net-worth people in the world, according to a report by Wealth-X. At the time, the data found that there were 12,615 individuals worth US$30 million (HK$233.7 million) or more. More recently, Altrata’s latest World Ultra Wealth Report revealed that Hong Kong’s UHNW population dipped to 12,546. The bustling metropolis was only slightly behind <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/new-york/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York</a>, which currently has the<a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/finance/new-york-city-millionaires-1235609330/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> most millionaires </a>of any other locale around the globe.  



“Hong Kong has a long-standing and proven history as a global financial hub,” said&nbsp;Ho-Pin Tung, head of private office at Knight Frank Hong Kong, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apac.knightfrank.com/hubfs/Research%20Reports/Residential/Report%20PDFs/Rise%20of%20the%20Super%20Wealth%20Hub%20Series%20-%20Hong%20Kong%20Edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new report</a>. “The city’s connectivity to the Chinese mainland, robust infrastructure, and extensive experience with legislation and compliance have fostered stability, making it an attractive destination for family offices to establish themselves.”&nbsp;



Cheng added that Hong Kong is also in the midst of building an ambitious, tax-free art hub in a bid to lure more wealthy residents to the city.&nbsp;

Adrian Cheng

billionaires

family offices

global financial hub

global hub

high-net-worth population

Investment

New World Development Co.

ultra-rich

A Hong Kong Billionaire Says the City Will Become a Global Hub for the Ultra-Wealthy

<a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/sothebys/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sotheby’s</a>&nbsp;has unveiled its new&nbsp;maison&nbsp;at Landmark Chater in the heart of Central, Hong Kong. A dazzling testament to the auction house’s finest curation of grand art, the opening puts divine Asian sculptures, rare books and first editions, vintage artefacts, large-scale ink drawings, paintings, diptychs, triptychs, rare antiquities, and a dinosaur skeleton on display to showcase the breadth of its collection.&nbsp;



Sotheby’s has morphed what was once prime retail real estate—goodbye, Armani café, Armani Fiori, and more blue-chip brands that were housed there before—into a 24,000-square-foot exhibition and retail space; some of the collections on show within the salons (the first floor is divided into thematic rooms) are available now, others will eventually be auctioned off to a discerning global clientele at calendar-scheduled auctions.



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234789814" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00723-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789814" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00723-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00723-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00723-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00723-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00723-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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However, there are rare exceptions. Not up for auction, Gerhard Richter’s 1982 masterpiece&nbsp;Eisberg&nbsp;is on loan from the Long Museum, Shanghai, and an exceptionally rare Ru brush washer from circa 1,100 AD is housed and displayed in its own enclave, paired with the sounds of an ever-raging storm to enhance the multi-sensory experience. Similarly, Banksy’s unfailingly popular half-shredded canvas,&nbsp;Girl with Balloon [Girl without Balloon, renamed after the shredding!] , is on full view, on loan from its owner.



Embracing great art and priceless relics in novel perspectives could be the seminal theme of the entire enterprise, a new way of looking at often-historic things of rare vintage and provenance. Pieces are brought to light and to music, and palpable and sensorial experiences invite the visitor to set sight on visionary works beyond dusty archives and secluded storage spaces. Where else can you find samurai armour, a first edition of HG Wells’s&nbsp;The War of the Worlds, Kim Dong-jun’s&nbsp;Moon Jar, and a signed edition of Picasso’s&nbsp;Profil de Jacqueline&nbsp;in one place?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="774" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00785-enhanced-nr-1024x774.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789818" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00785-enhanced-nr-1024x774.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00785-enhanced-nr-300x227.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00785-enhanced-nr-768x581.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00785-enhanced-nr-1536x1161.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00785-enhanced-nr-2048x1549.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nicolas Chow, chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, and worldwide head of Asian art.</figcaption></figure>



&nbsp;“Sotheby’s salons drive a tension between objects—these unexpected juxtapositions tell a story of diverse cultures, across time and geography, and narratives intertwine like the pages of a compelling book,” says Nicolas Chow, chairman of Sotheby’s Asia, and worldwide head of Asian art. “This diversity [and] synthesis creates an emotion that will resonate with the discerning eye and the curious soul.”



In more ways than one, Chow leads the way as he showcases what might seem incongruous—a prehistoric woolly mammoth skull close to&nbsp;A Collection of Record Covers with Cover Art&nbsp;by Andy Warhol—but is perfectly in harmony in the salons.&nbsp;



While many of us are used to the austere hush of most exhibits, the soundtracks are a key component of the salons, altering the reception of art works by enhancing one’s reaction to it. Ambrosius Benson’s&nbsp;Circle, The Virgin and Child with the Veil&nbsp;looks very different when observed with&nbsp;Carmina&nbsp;Burana’s&nbsp;O Fortuna&nbsp;playing in the background versus The Beatles’&nbsp;Baby It’s You.



“Music has the power to intensify emotions, and the perception of a piece of art can evolve based on the setting and sensory experience,” says Chow. “At Sotheby’s, we strive to create a multi-sensory experience that enriches the way we engage with art, inviting individuals to delve into a realm where different forms of expression blur. Our endeavour is to cultivate a space where art resonates on a deeper level, sparking new perspectives and emotions within each observer.”



“To see rare, exceptional work must be an experiential process,” Chow continues as he leads a group through Sotheby’s salons for a preview of the space, where the popular can meet the esoteric, where the curated and the kitsch keep each other company. On one of the glass partitions, a quote by HG Wells reads, “I was a battleground of fear and curiosity.”



Yoshitomo Nara’s&nbsp;Agent Orange (In the Milky Lake)&nbsp;is in fine company near Banksy. Yuichi Hirako’s&nbsp;Tree Ring&nbsp;warrants explanation, while an oft-photographed Cartier brooch dazzles not far from a limited-edition Hermès White Matte Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin. If you were wondering, the Birkin is up for grabs for a cool HK$1.8 million. From bags to riches, there are multiple narratives at constant play at Sotheby’s.



“Our new&nbsp;maison&nbsp;promises to be a destination where history is told and made,” says Chow, “a place where the most remarkable tales come to life.”&nbsp;



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While the first floor features a finely honed retail experience, with art and luxury showcased in bell-jar salons spanning 80 million years of history (the slack-jawed dinosaur skeleton will make you pause) and prices range from HK$5,000 to HK$50 million, there’s another section that has us captivated. Go down the rabbit hole, or, in this case, the wood-panel pathway designed by Rotterdam-based architecture studio MVRDV, to enter a whole new world, the debut exhibition of Bodhi: Masterpieces of Buddhist Art.



An entirely contrasting feel takes over the ground floor as sculptures and statues repose in a darkened, high-ceilinged hall. “I wanted it to be a totally different experience upstairs and downstairs, night and day,” remarks Chow to a stunned audience.&nbsp;



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Mission accomplished: the larger-than-life sculptures astound. The grey schist standing figure of Buddha from the Kushan period, the wood figure of a seated Bodhisattva dating back to the Song dynasty, or any of the statues and sculptures arranged under the arc lights are presented with such exalted elegance that the serene series will have you lost in nirvana. The cynosure of all eyes, mystifying from every angle, is the seated bronze figure of Buddha from the Ming dynasty, dating back to the fifteenth or early sixteenth century.&nbsp;



“Another world embodies the philosophy of our&nbsp;maison&nbsp;in Central,” affirms Chow, “a place where visitors will be able to enjoy both unique museum experiences as well as an extraordinary retail journey across art and luxury spanning millions of years to the present day, from all cultures and civilisations, 365 days a year.”



<a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/videos/happening-now-in-hong-kong-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sotheby’s Maison</a>



Landmark Chater, 8 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong



All original images by Chris Yau, shot exclusively for Robb Report Hong Kong.&nbsp;

Hong Kong

Sotheby's

Sotheby's Maison

Sotheby’s New Maison at Landmark Chater Features Artwork Ranging From HK$5,000 to HK$50 Million, Encompassing a Timeline of 80 Million Years

Real estate in any region is always worthy of inspection, a fine harbinger charting the state of the economy, mood of a city, and even demarking times of historical significance. Just ask Georgina Atkinson of Origin Private Office, who only works on prime global real estate and ultra-luxury properties for a clientele with global interest.



Several images, graphs, and reports on Hong Kong property and rental price indexes show dramatic highs followed by incremental dips, and, almost inevitably, staggering heights again. But if you take a step back, you’ll notice the overall arc, an incline that has grown exponentially over the past century. In a world with no surefire bets, dealing in property in Hong Kong has served UHNW individuals exceedingly well.



In conversation with Origin’s new Private Office, dedicated to “ultra-prime” real estate,&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;learns about how the company deals bespoke client services within the real estate sector to VVIPs.



“At the moment, we don’t have an office in Hong Kong, or currently a project in the city, but we do have many clients who are based in Hong Kong, which brings me back often,” says Atkinson as we mull over the markets. “I’ve had the privilege to travel back and forth to Hong Kong regularly and it is considered a global powerhouse and financial hub that attracts foreign talent and foreign investment, which has an impact on the real estate sector, and because of the geological scarcity of land, it supports prime pricing in real estate.”



“Despite market trends, which obviously come and go in every real estate market around the world, Hong Kong continues to witness strong demand for ultra-prime real estate from both local and international buyers.”



Chances are, this will never change. Looking at the property sales graph of Hong Kong, it appears like the erratic heartbeat of an island, one where luxury property prices are surreal. Ultra-high net worth individuals in Hong Kong don’t just dabble in real estate—their net worth and it are one and the same.



“In Asia, wealth preservation and diversification in real estate is a primary purchasing driver,” says Atkinson, “and we see Asian ultra-high net worths view prime real estate as a store of value, and, of course, as a hedge against inflation.



“We see sustained demand for ultra-luxury real estate, both domestically in Asia, and internationally; and we continue to see this appetite for homes in the ultra-prime, ultra-luxury segment of the market. Buyers from Asia enjoy exclusivity, privacy, access to the very best amenities and service, and, of course, they enjoy unique, beautifully tailored finishes.”



What&nbsp;has&nbsp;changed in recent years is the role of women in wealth. The recent tangent brought to business has not gone unnoticed by savvy purveyors of property ownership. And the number of female-led ones is only growing.



“We’ve seen it increase considerably, and I think this will only continue,” agrees Atkinson, who herself mentors women working in real estate, and counsels high-net-worth women buyers. “Particularly in Asia. Today, more than ever, we are seeing women make an enormous difference in business, but also, obviously, that then transpires into the wealth side of many women now owning real estate in different markets around the world. We are acting for several prominent Asian women at present who are building portfolios in different markets. For example, I was recently in New York with some celebrity clients of ours from Asia—myself and my colleague took them over for the weekend to view property in Manhattan. We looked at real estate, we ate together, we shopped together, we met some of our partners on the ground together. It is incredible to see the rise of female wealth.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GA-Headshot-Colour-2-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789643" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GA-Headshot-Colour-2-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GA-Headshot-Colour-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GA-Headshot-Colour-2-768x1153.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GA-Headshot-Colour-2-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GA-Headshot-Colour-2.jpg 1066w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Georgina Atkinson of Origin Private Office.</figcaption></figure>



For the Origin team, led by Ross Savas, Georgina Atkinson, and Scott Tanner, Zoom calls are part of the gig, and so is hopscotching the world, either to meet a client or to view developments in the most stunning—you know it—location, location, locations!



“I’m in Dubai now and it’s a wonderful time to get business done. The UAE market is fast paced and very exciting—we continue to see buyers from around the world gravitate to Dubai in particular, and we are now witnessing new developments come forward every day. I think the UAE government has created some extraordinarily strong initiatives, and they are putting incredible infrastructure into place for their residents. From a lifestyle perspective, there are many pluses.”



As with any agency of this calibre, there really is no singular country that has all its attention, but a global market that includes Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the US, the UK, and the UAE. Also of note, the recent global health crisis shifted the wants and needs of buyers who turned introspective, looking at health as a priority.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="640" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG-r342r-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791031" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG-r342r-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG-r342r-300x188.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG-r342r-768x480.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG-r342r-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG-r342r-2048x1280.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">888 Brickell, Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Ballroom, JDS Development Group.</figcaption></figure>



“We absolutely see wellness now as a preference when it comes to purchasing real estate,” concurs Atkinson. “On the development side, we see many offerings of customised health and fitness programmes that are delivered in-house. We are seeing fully integrated medical facilities; we’re seeing open space be prioritised more so than ever. And we are seeing the incorporation of multi-functional wellness spaces into home design from the outset. Healthcare and wellness is definitely become an increasing trend that we’re seeing particularly in the new development segment of the market.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="677" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Af10Eld4-1024x677.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790998" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Af10Eld4-1024x677.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Af10Eld4-300x198.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Af10Eld4-768x508.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Af10Eld4-1536x1015.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Af10Eld4-2048x1353.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">111 West 57th Street, New York.</figcaption></figure>



One of the many perks of the job, Atkinson gets a first look to locations that will eventually be sold for staggering figures. The world loves to get a glimpse of how the one per cent lives.&nbsp;



“I have just returned from New York; there is a building that is complete, called 111 West 57th Street, which sits central on Central Park South. It is the former Steinway Building—it is incredibly elegant and truly unique,” says Atkinson, listing off some of the most memorable places that are, or soon will be, on the market. “The developer is Michael Stern’s JDS Development Group.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/shop-architects-site-santa-fe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SHoP Architects</a>&nbsp;designed&nbsp;the exterior, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-the-new-york-offices-of-ad100-firm-studio-sofield" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AD100 designer Studio Sofield</a>&nbsp;designed the interiors. What it has brought to the table, probably for me, is one of the most iconic residential buildings in the world. You have the sweeping full floor and duplex residences overlooking the park; however, what also it really represents is a marriage of the old and the new: the former historic Steinway Building co-existing with the new tower that rises above.”



And what of properties in Asia that have caught her—and many Asian buyers’ eye? “In Asia, in respect of city destinations, I love Aman. I think Aman creates incredible spaces and homes. The brand really sets a benchmark when it comes to the ultra-luxury segment of the market. On that level, if you just look at, for example, Aman in&nbsp;Azabudai Hills,&nbsp;Tokyo; this is Aman’s very first standalone private residences. Overlooking Tokyo Tower, you have residences that really offer owners a sanctuary within the city, surrounded by art, dining, cultural experiences, and an international school, all within a beautiful urban green space in central Tokyo. Aman across Asia and globally deliver a truly special product.”



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="715" data-id="1234790985" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EgBncafL-1024x715.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790985" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EgBncafL-1024x715.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EgBncafL-300x210.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EgBncafL-768x536.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EgBncafL-1536x1073.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EgBncafL-2048x1430.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nihi Sumba in Indonesia.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" data-id="1234790983" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AZke4Y0l-1024x575.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790983" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AZke4Y0l-1024x575.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AZke4Y0l-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AZke4Y0l-768x431.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AZke4Y0l-1536x863.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AZke4Y0l-2048x1150.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nihi Sumba in Indonesia.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="779" data-id="1234790986" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/uKj73oOq-1024x779.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790986" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/uKj73oOq-1024x779.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/uKj73oOq-300x228.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/uKj73oOq-768x584.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/uKj73oOq-1536x1168.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/uKj73oOq-2048x1557.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nihi Sumba in Indonesia.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234790984" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790984" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nihi Sumba in Indonesia.</figcaption></figure>
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For those seeking something off the beaten path, there’s always the exotic, the eccentric, the island, and the not-on-the-map destination that can intrigue the average billionaire buyer. “I recently had the privilege of spending time in <a href="https://www.robbreport.hk/posts/inside-nihi-sumba-where-you-can-stay-in-all-inclusive-treehouses-and-get-chocolate-spa-treatments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nihi Sumba</a> in Indonesia; this was developed by Christopher Burch and James McBride. I can only describe it as magic. I’ve been lucky enough to experience many ‘luxury’ hotels around the world. However, this, for me, is, hands down, one of the most magical places on earth. It is barefoot luxury, leaning into its finest. You have the hotel, and then you have a handful of very special private residences. Owners of the residences in Sumba are offered award-winning, uniquely designed villas, which really make you feel you are sitting on the edge of wilderness. You have an array of wonderful amenities, wellness activities, and programming on your doorstep coupled with exceptional local&nbsp;Sumbanese service, which&nbsp;only enhances what I would call ‘paradise.’ The Nihi Group are currently developing their new resort and private residences in Santo Tomas, Costa Rica, which will be coming forward in 2026—given what has been created in Indonesia, I have no doubt that Costa Rica will be just as magical.”



All in all, when it comes to today’s UHNW market, it’s not just square foot that is considered, but amenities, the news, the weather—everything is a touchpoint that can affect the mood of the market. “I wake up to Bloomberg! But of course, absolutely, so many things affect a client’s proclivity to purchase—and rightly so. Currency, the weather, political and economic stability, education, transport, amenities, cultural destinations. There are many factors that go into that decision of where to purchase property.”

Hong Kong Property

property

Real Estate

Hong Kong Will Always Be a High-Interest Ultra-Luxury Property Market. Here’s Why. 

For some time now, branded residences by household names like Armani and Fendi have attracted those with a lust for designer luxury. Car makers have entered the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/real-estate-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">real estate</a> market, too, with unique offerings by Bugatti and Bentley as well as <a href="https://www.porsche-design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche Design</a>, which has launched residential towers in Stuttgart, Germany, and Miami, Florida. The German lifestyle brand, founded by Ferdinand Alexander <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/porsche/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche</a>, creator of the iconic Porsche 911, now has plans to take their real estate endeavours to Asia. 



On Tuesday, the company unveiled it’s third real estate development, a collaboration with Ananda Development, a&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/thailand/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thailand</a>-based developer, to introduce the Porsche Design Tower&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bangkok/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bangkok</a>. Construction on the 21-story tower begins next year and is set to wrap by the end of 2028. The ultra-luxury condo will be located on Sukhumvit 38, one of the most prestigious addresses in Bangkok.



<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/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790937" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Residences will have double-height living spaces with aerodynamically curved walls of glass. Image courtesy of Porsche Design</figcaption></figure>



“The Porsche Design Tower Bangkok is the next big thing for Porsche in Southeast Asia,” says Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of the executive board at Porsche AG, in a statement. The region is becoming increasingly important for us, which is highlighted by major events taking place here these days. To name just one example: in January we celebrated the world premiere of the new all-electric Macan in Singapore.”



The tower’s striking design, as seen in renderings, is inspired by the kinetic movement of the 911 Targa roof mechanism, according to a press release. Its exposed pedestal structure, called “X-Frame,” takes cues from the design of the auto brand’s Mission R concept car and its exoskeleton structured to create a unique entry experience. A vibrant red light strip crowns the building, mirroring light displays on Porsche’s iconic sports cars.&nbsp;



<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/Porsche_Bangkok7-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790938" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside one of the “passion spaces,” which can be tailored to fit the needs of residents. Image courtesy of Porsche Design</figcaption></figure>



The tower will house 22 exclusive duplex and quadplex “Sky Villas,” aimed at attracting “ultra-high net-worth individuals,” according to a press release. The abodes will range from 5,651 to 12,217 square feet, with a price range of US$15 million to US$40 million (HK$116.9 million to HK$311.9 million). Owners can expect to find luxury furnishings and high-end appliances throughout the residences and the building that evoke the car company’s commitment to elegance, power, and flawless craftsmanship.



The complex’s many amenities will include an 82-foot-long swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, social lounge, and a luxury garage with “passion spaces,” similar to showrooms, that can be tailored to the individual liking of residents. Upscale restaurants and shopping malls are located nearby for a variety of entertainment options. Visit <a href="https://www.pdtowerbangkok.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pdtowerbangkok.com</a> for more details.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/gallery/porsche-design-tower-bangkok-photos-1235832636" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for additional renderings.

porsche bangkok condo

porsche design bangkok

porsche real estate

porsche thailand

Porsche Design Unveils a Luxury Residential Tower in Bangkok

Julien’s&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/auctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auctions</a>&nbsp;may mostly sell Hollywood memorabilia, but the auction house is gearing up to take its wares all the way across the globe.



Next month, Julien’s will hold its very first auction in <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/hong-kong/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hong Kong</a>, the company announced on Thursday. “Legends in Motion” will encompass 89 lots, spanning items that once belonged to <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/music-memorabilia-from-michael-jackson-john-lennon-to-auction-1235332972/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Jackson</a>, Bruce Lee, Taylor Swift, <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/kobe-bryant-rookie-jersey-auction-record-1234615181/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kobe Bryant</a>, and more stars. Leading the way is a signed Tompkins and Bush embellished denim jacket that Jackson wore in 2002, expected to hammer down for up to US$200,000 (HK$1.55 million).



“Julien’s is thrilled to kick off our first auction in the dynamic city of Hong Kong with this stellar line-up of iconic items from Hong Kong hero Bruce Lee to other legends in motion including Taylor Swift, BTS,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/michael-jackson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Jackson</a>, as well as winning sports memorabilia from FIFA, the NBA and more,” David Goodman, the CEO of Julien’s, said in a statement. “We look forward to being a part of the tremendous excitement Hong Kong is creating in the art and auction world and welcome the public to discover these incredible objects at our museum-like exhibition at Pacific Place.”



<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/Bruce-Lee-Chops-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790514" style="width:731px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bruce Lee’s onyx chops. Image courtesy of Julien’s Auctions</figcaption></figure>



Almost half of the lots are dedicated to Lee, the martial-arts legend and film star who became known for Enter the Dragon, one of the most profitable Warner Bros. movies of all time, according to the auction house. The highlight of Lee’s memorabilia is a pair of onyx chops that feature the icon’s signature (estimated at US$80,000 to US$100,000/HK$623,345 to HK$779,180). Lee used the chops to endorse contracts, personal letters, official certificates, and more. Elsewhere, Julien’s is offering a stunt nunchaku from Enter the Dragon made to Lee’s specifications (up to US$50,000/HK$389,585), screen-used nunchakus from Fist of Fury (US$30,000/HK$233,750), and vale-tudo gloves (also US$30,000/HK$233,750).



With the realms of movies and music covered, Julien’s is also bringing to the block pieces of sports history—notably, a game-worn Bryant jersey that the Los Angeles Lakers star wore during the 2013–14 NBA season. Expected to fetch up to US$100,000 (HK$779,180), the jersey was worn by Bryant during two road games.



Prior to the auction on 28 September, the public will have the chance to view the various lots during an exhibition open 14 to 27 September in Hong Kong. Then the bidding begins—for Julien’s, the first time the company gets to see the city’s appetite for its offerings.

auctions

Bruce Lee

Hong Kong auction

Kobe Bryant

Michael Jackson

Pacific Place

Taylor Swift

Julien’s First Hong Kong Auction Will Offer Memorabilia From Bruce Lee to Taylor Swift

Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;is delighted to announce that the first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/leaders-of-luxury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leaders of Luxury Summit</a>&nbsp;will be held in Hong Kong at the spectacular Regent Hong Kong from 26 to 28 November 2024 for what is expected to be the most exciting international luxury event to take place in Hong Kong this year.



Organised by&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, the leading voice in the global luxury market, the Leaders of Luxury Summit will gather luxury leaders, heads of international luxury companies, top business leaders and entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and international&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;editions to deep-dive into the dominant trends, disruptions, and direction of the global luxury industry through a series of engaging talks, thought-provoking panel discussions, and stimulating keynote speeches under the theme “Redefining Luxury Through a Global Lens.”



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V6ckfDRsrRE?si=Rx_WHCrxwqFE4TeC" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>



From exploring the Greater Bay Area and how family offices can drive luxury growth, to the impact of AI on luxury commerce, and the role sustainability plays while defining the financial forces impacting the global luxury market, a rich variety of seminal topics will explore the direction of the luxury industry and how current economic development in the region is creating opportunities for global luxury markets. 



Major tentpole topics covered by&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;pages, such as wheels, wings, and water, as well as travel, fashion, watches, and all matters of lifestyle, will be discussed at length as the Leaders of Luxury Summit represents a platform for speakers to engage, enlighten, and inform a gathering of influential guests and fellow industry players.



“I am delighted to announce that Hong Kong has been chosen as the city to host the inaugural&nbsp;Leaders of Luxury Summit,” says Tak Man, CEO and publisher of&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong. “For the first time ever in Asia, to bring this kind of event to Hong Kong is exciting on a global level—an event like this sets the stage to announce that Hong Kong is the definitive luxury hub of Asia, and we are thrilled to be the host.”



Hong Kong remains a dynamic luxury consumer hub and an all-important gateway to mainland China, one of the most significant markets for any brand worthy of its stripes.&nbsp;The Leaders of Luxury Summit sets out to zero in on Hong Kong’s position as the defining luxury hub of Asia, analysing its unique position as a leading consumer of luxury goods and services, as well as a driver of redefining luxury on a global scale.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="628" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/botb--1024x628.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790842" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/botb--1024x628.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/botb--300x184.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/botb--768x471.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/botb--1536x943.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/botb--2048x1257.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Capping off the entire event, the spectacular&nbsp;Best of the Best themed black-tie gala dinner will be held in the grand ballroom of Regent Hong Kong on 27 November 2024 to honour the finest in luxury, burnished by an exclusive awards presentation. It will be attended by top leaders of luxury and the global publishers and editors of international&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;editions.



Click <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/leaders-of-luxury" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/leaders-of-luxury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more information.

Leaders of Luxury

Robb Report

Robb Report Hong Kong

Summit

Robb Report Hong Kong Launches Inaugural Leaders of Luxury Summit this November

A gastronomic powerhouse is making his presence felt at Galaxy Macau this summer.



Miyakawa Maasaki, one of only six sushi masters in Japan to be honoured with three Michelin stars, has landed at <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/what-its-like-to-stay-at-raffles-at-galaxy-macau-the-groups-largest-suite-only-hotel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raffles</a> in Macau with his new restaurant, the first outside of his native Japan. Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa distils the essence of traditional Edomae-style sushi into a refined dining ritual, where the meticulous preparation of seasonal ingredients at their peak shapes the sophisticated heart of the intimate experience.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1707" height="2560" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Masaaki-Miyakawa-scaled.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789960" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Masaaki-Miyakawa-scaled.jpeg 1707w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Masaaki-Miyakawa-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Masaaki-Miyakawa-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Masaaki-Miyakawa-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Masaaki-Miyakawa-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Masaaki-Miyakawa-1365x2048.jpeg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Miyakawa Maasaki is one of only six sushi masters in Japan to be honoured with three Michelin stars.</figcaption></figure>



Diners might recognise Miyakawa from Sushi Yoshitake’s Hong Kong outpost, where he had led the restaurant to achieve three Michelin stars in the mid-2010s. He later returned to Hokkaido to set up the equally lauded Sushi Miyakawa, another establishment conferred with three-star status in the 2017 edition of the Michelin Guide Hokkaido. Sushi Shin by Miyakawa in Niseko and at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo hotel soon followed, as did the acclaim and praise from guests, critics, and press alike.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1707" height="2560" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524-Sushi-Kissho0185-v1-1-scaled.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789963" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524-Sushi-Kissho0185-v1-1-scaled.jpeg 1707w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524-Sushi-Kissho0185-v1-1-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524-Sushi-Kissho0185-v1-1-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524-Sushi-Kissho0185-v1-1-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524-Sushi-Kissho0185-v1-1-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524-Sushi-Kissho0185-v1-1-1365x2048.jpeg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sushi Kissho’s concept is inspired by wabi-sabi, the art of finding beauty in the simple, imperfect state of things.</figcaption></figure>



Now, in Macau, Miyakawa has set yet another stage to further the art of sushi, in a simple, wabi-sabi way that celebrates this delicate Japanese cuisine through a trinity of honouring tradition, taste, and trust between chef and diner. Miyakawa is a soft-spoken conductor—a small smile is perched upon his face throughout the refined omakase dinner as he leads the gastronomic action, deftly slicing through aged otoro tuna, shaping bite-sized pieces of seasoned shari rice, and preparing a delicate nishin herring roll with shiso leaf. 



His team is equally composed, each man at his station, well-oiled cogs in a culinary machine to advance the seamless procession of the meal. Executive chefs Satake Hironori and Maeda Norihisa and their cadre of skilled sushi chefs stationed at Kissho, all trained by Miyakawa himself, are positioned across the culinary stage of the open kitchen, demonstrating every step that results in the lengthy, almost 20-course omakase menu, from mochi-pounding to unagi-roasting over a live fire.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chu-Toro-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789964" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chu-Toro-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chu-Toro-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chu-Toro-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chu-Toro-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chu-Toro-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chu-toro medium fatty tuna is one of the sushi courses on the omakase menu. </figcaption></figure>



A symphony of flavours is the result, beginning with a Hokkaido corn pudding with sea urchin that perfectly captures the essence of the season, followed by appetisers such as tender Shimane black abalone dressed in a rich liver sauce and Nagasaki beltfish, among others. 10 sushi courses follow in efficient succession, from chu-toro medium fatty tuna, delicately prepared kohada gizzard shad, and kuruma-ebi prawn to arguably the most fawned-over moment of the night: Hadate’s Murasaki uni, the highest-rated batch of sea urchin available that day, a highly sought-after item that Miyakawa had successfully secured for the day’s service. From one nigiri to another, Sushi Kissho takes diners on an oceanic adventure, hopping from prefecture to prefecture for a taste of the freshest catches and regional specialities.



Its curation of accompanying sake is just as painstaking and features rare homegrown labels including the likes of Kokuryu, Mutsu Hassen, Hakurakusei, and Tatenokawa, which boasts a 180-year-old history. Sushi Kissho is also one of the few establishments that offers a taste of Wa8, a private-label junmai daiginjo sake developed by Sumikawa Shozo Brewery and Wa Creations.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kohada-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa0-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789966" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kohada-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa0-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kohada-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa0-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kohada-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa0-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kohada-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa0-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Kohada-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa0-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kohada gizzard shad. </figcaption></figure>



Guests, meanwhile, spectate the goings-on from behind an imposing 300-year-old kiso hinoki cypress slab inlaid with momiji maple-leaf motifs, crafted by a seasoned Japanese carpenter who specialises in constructing counters for sushi restaurants. Hand-installed on-site, this fine centrepiece anchors the minimalist dining space, punctuated by exquisite handmade pottery sourced from generations-old producers and workshops in Japan. Ceramics made by the Miyagawa family, specialists in the delicate art since the Edo period, and antique ikebana baskets add character to the natural setting. As expected of an experience this exclusive, Sushi Kissho seats just 10 at the main carved counter, with another 10 in a private dining room, but you really want to be close to the action to take in the meticulous artistry practised by the masters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sushi-Counter-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789961" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sushi-Counter-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sushi-Counter-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sushi-Counter-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sushi-Counter-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Sushi-Counter-Sushi-Kissho-by-Miyakawa1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Diners spectate the preparation of the omakase meal while seated at a 300-year-old kiso hinoki cypress counter.</figcaption></figure>



As luck would have it, the restaurant recently announced that Miyakawa will return to Sushi Kissho from 1 to 4 August to offer an exclusive, limited-time omakase menu and curated beverage pairing featuring Japanese wines and spirits that will tantalise the senses. In these bimonthly visits, the chef, alongside his team, will showcase seasonal ingredients sourced from a trusted roster of farmers, foragers, and fishermen.



Run, don’t walk, to make your booking—this is one sushi dinner you don’t want to miss.



<a href="https://www.galaxymacau.com/dining/restaurants/sushi-kissho-miyakawa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa</a>



2/F, Raffles at Galaxy Macau, Cotai, Macau



Tel: (+853) 8883 2221



All images courtesy of Sushi Kissho.

Japanese Cuisine

Macau

Miyakawa Maasaki

Omakase

Raffles at Galaxy Macau

Sushi

Sushi Kissho

Inside Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa, a New Edomae-Style Sushi Restaurant Helmed By a 3-Michelin-Starred Chef

When the modern globetrotters evoke the golden age of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">travel</a>, they’re usually referring to the sophisticated jet-setters of the 1950s and 1960s. And yet, even that model of luxuriantly civilised air transport pales in comparison to the extravagant trains of the Orient Express during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Operated today by <a href="https://www.belmond.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopzZXcn8YTXvtz2asI5Y1hfg9x1i0a3Mhf4oOVMUzNmzMZYESpI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belmond</a> (and not to be confused with the Accor-managed Orient Express brand), the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a study in opulence from the moment uniformed porters greet you at the station entrance to escort you to your gold-trimmed carriage. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express4-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791026" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express4-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express4-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express4-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express4.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The rail car’s sophisticated design evokes a bygone era. Image courtesy of Belmond</figcaption></figure>



With access to three dining rooms and a bar car, you needn’t worry about being confined to your suite—though once you’re ensconced, it’s remarkably easy to spend hours marvelling over the details in the captivating space. Each Grand Suite is named for cities along the route—Istanbul, Venice, Budapest—and showcase beautifully inlaid panels, delicate marquetry work, Venetian-style lanterns, and myriad hidden compartments. Large picture windows next to the king-size bed and dining table provide views of towering mountains, rivers, and quaint villages as you sip <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/champagne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champagne</a> and nibble on blini topped with Beluga caviar. Even the two closets are small wonders (no easy feat on a train), with lovely curved doors and enough room for shoes and three hangers, which is all you need for your eveningwear and a smart change of clothes or two. The ample marble shower boasts elegant brass fittings, and, somehow, there’s a surfeit of power outlets and USB chargers nestled within this paragon of old-world luxury. 



<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/2024/09/Orient_Express1-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790925" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express1-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express1.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">One of the several dining areas. Image courtesy of Belmond</figcaption></figure>



Onboard menus are designed by chef Jean Imbert, who recently earned a Michelin star at the Plaza Athénée in Paris. Lunch and dinner are served in spacious dining rooms outfitted with plush velvet, crisp white tablecloths, fine porcelain, and Italian silver. For a limited number of <a href="https://www.belmond.com/ideas/articles/solairejourneys?srsltid=AfmBOoqH9av172AhH_Z9D8WEQYGJ1IcYPNz0JNmbF3N07EbCWFa71z_-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solaire Journeys</a>, which travel east-to-west following the sun, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/belmond/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belmond</a> has partnered with <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/veuve-clicquot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Veuve Clicquot</a> to offer luxurious, Champagne-focused rail expeditions with gala dinners (both prior to embarkation and on board) paired with exquisite prestige cuvées courtesy of Veuve’s cellar master Didier Mariotti or director of winemaking operations Pierre Casenave. Breathtaking landscapes are another feature of the journey, with a focus—as the name suggests—on epic sunrises (the Champagne house’s sunshine-yellow label was an inspiration).



<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/2024/09/Orient_Express7-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790926" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express7-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express7-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express7-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express7-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express7-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express7.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Veuve Clicquot never stops flowing. Image courtesy of Belmond</figcaption></figure>



The first of this year’s Solaire Journeys rolled from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur via the Eastern &amp; Oriental Express, while the year’s final voyage—from Cusco, Peru, to Arequipa and Machu Picchu—will take place in October aboard two Belmond trains: the Hiram Bingham and the Andean Explorer. In July, we traveled from Vienna to Reims on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (a nod to the fact that Madame Clicquot’s first exported bottles were delivered to Venice) for an over-the-top exercise in hospitality that included a pre-trip stay at Vienna’s Hotel Imperial, a former palace that properly sets the stage for the pampering ahead.&nbsp;



<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/2024/09/Orient_Express5-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790927" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express5-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express5-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express5-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express5-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express5-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Orient_Express5.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An enchanting Art Deco-style suite. Image courtesy of Mattia Aquila</figcaption></figure>



The opening-night dinner in the <a href="https://www.palaisliechtenstein.com/en/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liechtenstein Palace</a>, followed by a carriage ride around the ancient city the next morning, conjures a level of royal treatment that carries over seamlessly as soon as you set foot on the train. Vintage Veuve Clicquot and La Grande Dame flow freely the entire trip, particularly during the multi-course lunch prepared by Imbert and chef Mory Sacko during a stop at the Champagne house’s limestone crayères in Reims, ending only when you finally pull into the station in Paris three days later. In-between, there’s nighttime entertainment in the bar car featuring piano and burlesque dancers, in-suite breakfasts of caviar-topped omelette—served with more vintage Veuve, naturally—and, the closing surprise, a live DJ set paired with Champagne and sliders during the final 90 minutes of your adventure. Disembarking from such a lavish fantasy world was a difficult step down, indeed.

luxury train

luxury train tour

Michelin food

old world luxury

Orient Express

Paris

rail expeditions

Solaire Journeys

Vienna

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Veuve Clicquot Team Up for Luxe, Bubbly Train Trips

Come 2025, one of the youngest conductors in the world will officially take his place as the music director designate of the <a href="https://www.hkphil.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil)</a> at just 25 years old. To open the orchestra’s 51st season, Tarmo Peltokoski and young violin virtuoso Daniel Lozakovich, 23, will headline two performances at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on 5 and 6 September.



It is an exciting time for the HK Phil, which recently celebrated its <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/hong-kong-philharmonic-orchestra-50th-anniversary-gala-dinner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">50th anniversary</a> and released the headline-worthy news revealing its next maestro’s identity. With global interest rising since the news broke, the musical institution maintains itself as one of the most reputable in the world, its young blood making for a leap in interest among music lovers of all ages, inspiring aspiring musicians and making classical music accessible to multiple generations.



<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/Tarmo-Peltokoski-c-Peter-Rigaud-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790409" style="width:684px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tarmo-Peltokoski-c-Peter-Rigaud-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tarmo-Peltokoski-c-Peter-Rigaud-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tarmo-Peltokoski-c-Peter-Rigaud-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tarmo-Peltokoski-c-Peter-Rigaud-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tarmo-Peltokoski-c-Peter-Rigaud.jpg 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tarmo Peltokoski. Photo by Peter Rigaud</figcaption></figure>



Its upcoming season’s programme is set to attract over 200,000 music lovers to a whopping 150 concerts over a 44-week period. A diverse array of classical celebrated gems as well as Chinese composers of historical significance are among the symphonies that the HK Phil has in store. Composers soon to be revived in concerto include, among others, Brahms, Haydn, Bruckner, Grieg, Stravinsky, and Sibelius. Adding to the mix, Huang Ruo and Erkegali Rakhmadiyev’s creations will inject more contemporary compositions to the harmony.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC09911-c-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790408" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC09911-c-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC09911-c-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC09911-c-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC09911-c-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DSC09911-c-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Desmond Chan </figcaption></figure>



But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, the 2024/2025 season opening is marked by Daniel Lozakovich’s Hong Kong debut. Lozakovich, who has already received several awards, including first prize at the 2016 Vladimir Spivakov International Violin Competition, gets to prove his mettle for the first time in the region. Renowned for being one of today’s most remarkable violinists, Lozakovich regularly performs with eminent conductors and promises to inspire audiences like never before as he brings to life Sibelius’s ethereal Violin Concerto.



In honour of Anton Bruckner’s bicentenary, Tarmo Peltokoski will also lead the HK Phil to the notes of the Austrian composer’s&nbsp;Ninth Symphony, an unfinished masterpiece that stands witness to the musician’s devotion to the arts, a portentous sign of the night’s grandeur.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="681" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vasily-Petrenko_c-Mark-McNulty-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790422" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vasily-Petrenko_c-Mark-McNulty-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vasily-Petrenko_c-Mark-McNulty-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vasily-Petrenko_c-Mark-McNulty-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vasily-Petrenko_c-Mark-McNulty-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vasily-Petrenko_c-Mark-McNulty-2048x1363.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vasily Petrenko Photo by Mark McNulty</figcaption></figure>



Just a few weeks later, and in anticipation of its region-wide celebrations, it will be time for National Day concerts. For the occasion, the HK Phil will welcome guest conductor Vasily Petrenko—who was honoured with the Artist of the Year Award at the prestigious Gramophone Awards in 2017—and cellist Li-Wei&nbsp;Qin, who remains one of the most sought-after musicians of his generation. As they bring&nbsp;Huang Ruo’s&nbsp;Folk Songs for Orchestra&nbsp;to the hall, Petrenko’s baton will direct Qin as he performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1, a composition by Delius, and Stravinsky’s complex&nbsp;The Rite of Spring.&nbsp;



September ends with another concert conducted by Vasily Petrenko, joined by the famed pianist Anna Fedorova. Fedorova’s mass appeal is a towering testament to her fine talents; her live recording of Rachmaninov’s&nbsp;Second Piano Concerto has over 42 million views on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEGOihjqO9w&amp;t=2s">YouTube</a>,&nbsp;and she has&nbsp;collaborated with the greatest orchestras in the world.&nbsp;Theshow kicks off with an orchestral showpiece by Kazakhstani composer Rakhmadiyev. Although it’s only at its dawn, Fedorova’s highly anticipated Piano Concerto with the HK Phil within the Hong Kong Concert Hall promises to be one of the highlights of the entire season.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HK-Phil-Tarmo-Peltokoski-photo_-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790407" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HK-Phil-Tarmo-Peltokoski-photo_-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HK-Phil-Tarmo-Peltokoski-photo_-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HK-Phil-Tarmo-Peltokoski-photo_-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HK-Phil-Tarmo-Peltokoski-photo_-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HK-Phil-Tarmo-Peltokoski-photo_-Desmond-Chan_HK-Phil-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Desmond Chan </figcaption></figure>



Best of all, the above-mentioned shows are but the tip of the iceberg as the calendar year ahead promises great symphonies, and great evidence why the HK Phil was deemed Orchestra of the Year at the 2019 Gramophone Classical Music Awards ceremony, continuing the Hong Kong institution’s grand legacy of music and maestros.



Season Opening: Tarmo Peltokoski &amp; Daniel Lozakovich 



5 &amp; 6 September 2024, 8 pm



Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui



Tickets from HK$50, $380, $520, $700, and <a href="https://www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/11809" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



For enquiries, please call (+852) 2721 2332 or visit <a href="https://www.hkphil.org/concert" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hkphil.org</a>.

Concert

Daniel Lozakovich

Hong Kong Music

Hong Kong Musicians

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

Orchestra

Tarmo Peltokoski

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s 51st Season Springs to Life with Virtuosos

With some help from <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/challengers-movie-luxury-product-placement-1235594867/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Challengers</a>, private suites at the 2024 <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/us-open/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Open</a> are a hot commodity.  



The annual Grand Slam tournament is underway at the Billie Jean King National <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/tennis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tennis</a> Center in Flushing, Queens, and VIPs are taking centre court at this year’s star-studded sporting event. According to the United States Tennis Association, tickets for the two-week championship—which sold out in April—have already surpassed last year’s record-setting 799,402 attendees, CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/24/business/us-open-2024-tennis-business-suites/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>. Plus, private suite sales are on track to exceed the 2023 tournament as well, with some high-rolling fans shelling out upwards of US$100,000 (HK$779,525) for box seats. And yes, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/zendaya/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zendaya</a>’s tennis flick might have something to do with it.



“Coming out of Covid-19, the growth of tennis has gone way up,” Shiz Suzuki, vice president for global brand sponsorships and experimental marketing for American Express, explained to CNN. “Similarly,&nbsp;the fandom of tennis has gone up. Some of the audience has gotten younger and some of the audience is a new audience that perhaps has not tuned in before.”&nbsp;



The US Open notoriously draws a crowd of famous, deep-pocketed faces from Kylie Jenner and <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/fashion/timothee-chalamet-custom-givenchy-dune-premiere-paris-1235509068/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Timothée Chalamet</a> to Charlize Theron and the Obamas. Starry spectators, whether they’re invited by sponsors or paying big bucks for one of the stadium’s 90 exclusive lounges, can enjoy a slew of perks from multiple big-screen TVs to plush seats, swanky amenities, and gourmet cuisine. 



For example, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/emirates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emirates</a> Airlines is dishing out decadent seafood towers, Champagne, and caviar. Elsewhere, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/grey-goose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grey Goose</a>, the tournament’s vodka sponsor, has an open bar serving up the iconic Honey Deuce cocktail—a mix of vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and honeydew melon balls that’s become a signature of the US Open. 



“That’s one of the things that’s unique about the US Open versus other tennis tournaments is that really is like an elevated affair,” Aleco Azqueta, vice president of marketing for Grey Goose, told CNN. “Our suite is the place now to see and be seen. We actually get a lot of requests from celebrities for limited spots. It comes down to brand fit and someone that genuinely wants to be there and enjoy the event.”



Last year, Grey Goose welcomed Emily Blunt and John Krasinski to its 1,400-square-foot suite along with actor-director Zach Braff. Elsewhere, Emirates invited Justin and Hailey Bieber, Nicole Kidman (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/nine-perfect-strangers-season-two-1234868989/">Nine Perfect Strangers</a>), New York Yankees star Aaron Judge,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/bridgerton-travel-experience-england-1234839492/">Bridgerton’s</a>&nbsp;Nicola Coughlin, and Zendaya herself to its lounge.



“It’s always exciting to see photos of stars enjoying the space and putting our brand in the spotlight as they enjoy the matches,” Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’s divisional vice president for US and Canada, told CNN.



For now, we’ll be keeping tabs on which celebs get in on the action this year.

tennis private suites

US Open

US Open private suites

US Open suites

High-Rolling Tennis Fans Are Snapping Up Private Suites at the US Open

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

Ferrari

gas-powered engine

Ferrari Confirms Its First Electric Car Is Coming Next Year

Worried that the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/lucid-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucid Air</a>&nbsp;isn’t tough enough? You’re in luck.



<a href="https://www.usarmorgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US.Armor Group</a> has just announced plans to sell an armoured version of the top-of-the-line Air Sapphire. The toughened EV offers bullet-proof cladding, “impenetrable Wi-Fi,” and the option of poison gas detection to put even the most paranoid of drivers at ease.



The Air Sapphire is easily one of the most impressive battery-powered vehicles currently on the market. The luxury sedan range-topping variant combines a sleek design with luxe amenities and boundary-pushing performance. The quad-motor powertrain produces 1,234 hp, which is enough might to rocket the car from zero to 60 mph in just 1.8 seconds. Best of all, it can run for 427 miles on a single charge and if you are short on juice you can add another 200 miles or range in just 15 minutes. The only thing missing is the ability to withstand a gunshot.



<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/2024/09/armoredlucid02-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790944" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">US Armor Group’s bulletproof Lucid Air Sapphire. Image courtesy of US Armor Group</figcaption></figure>



That’s no longer the case thanks to US Armor Group.  The Los Angeles-based operation has equipped the four-door with a military-grade composite that’s 10 times stronger than ballistic steel and covered its windows in a transparent laminate that can withstand a shot from a .44 magnum. Despite the added toughness, the armour adds just 385 pounds, or well under 10 per cent, to the Air Sapphire’s 5,336-pound curb weight. Because of this, the sedan can still reach a top speed in excess of 200 mph, though we imagine its range has taken a hit.



“With the armoured Air Sapphire, our company has taken one of the world’s fastest production vehicles ever built and transformed it into the fastest armoured car on the planet,” US Armor Group founder Jeffrey Engen said in a statement.



<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/2024/09/armoredlucid03-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790945" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside US Armor Group’s Air Sapphire. Image courtesy of US Armor Group</figcaption></figure>



Inside, the armoured EV looks almost identical to its stock counterpart but includes several updates. These features include technology that’s constantly scanning for threats, a one-touch safety outreach system, and “impenetrable Wi-Fi,” that will safeguard your personal data from hacking attempts.



Interested in the bullet-proof Air Sapphire. US Armor Group is selling upgraded examples of the EV for US$475,000 (HK$3.7 million), which is US$226,000 (HK$1.76 million) more than the EV’s sticker price. That is just a starting price. The company also offers a long list of options to further beef up security, including electric shock door handles, poison gas detection, concealed gun ports, and even stronger armour that can stop grenades and other explosives.

Air Sapphire

Armoured Vehicle

bulletproof car

military-grade

Supercar

This Armoured, Bulletproof Lucid Air Lets You Drive Through the Apocalypse Emissions-Free

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/pagani/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pagani</a>&nbsp;V-12s aren’t going anywhere.



The boutique supercar maker’s founder and namesake, Horacio Pagani,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thedrive.com/news/horacio-pagani-is-sticking-with-v12s-because-no-one-wants-a-hybrid" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told The Drive</a>&nbsp;that the company’s customers are the reason the company hasn’t built an electrified model, hybrid or otherwise. They just don’t want one.



The Pagani boss talked to the website during the recent unveiling of the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/pagani-utopia-ideal-hypercar-debut-1234747942/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utopia</a>’s Roadster variant and revealed that the marque’s third hypercar was almost a hybrid. Back in 2017, at the beginning of the vehicle’s development, the was thought that it would feature a hybrid twin-turbo V-8. But it quickly became clear the powertrain would add too much weight to the car, which just wouldn’t do for a Pagani.



<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/2024/09/RR_Pagani_Utopia-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790909" style="width:673px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Pagani_Utopia-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Pagani_Utopia-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Pagani_Utopia-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Pagani_Utopia-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Pagani_Utopia-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Utopia, like the company’s other models, is powered by a V-12. Image courtesy of Pagani</figcaption></figure>



“The hybrid V-8 was considered, but the car was just too heavy, 400 or 500 kilos [roughly 900 to 1,100 pounds] more, and our clients didn’t want anything to do with it,” the executive explained. “We have to build what the client is going to buy from us.”



Instead, Pagani and its powertrain partner, Mercedes-AMG, wound up developing a new twin-turbo 6.0-litre V-12. The combustion engine produces 852 horses without the help of any electric motors. It also meets worldwide regulations standards. Because of that last part, Pagani can hold off going hybrid or electric for a while longer. That’s good for the company since it’s a little more reliant on the whims of its customers than some of its bigger peers (although they’re <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-combustion-engine-shift-focus-ev-hybrids-1235580040/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">not necessarily immune to the same issue</a>).



“It’s not about being stubborn on whether it’s electric or hybrid—they are all fresh challenges for us,” he told The Drive. “Pagani is a family, we don’t have a massive automaker or conglomerate behind us, we have to build what the customer wants to buy and we have to have lots of technology to rapidly pivot in case we need to change.”



Pagani’s comments leave room for an eventual electrified Pagani, but for the time being, the company is sticking with traditional internal combustion engines. Pagani models tend to stick around for a while too (the company unveiled the final example of the 25-year-old Zonda earlier this month). That means you should be able to buy a V-12-powered hypercar from the company well into the next decade, if not longer.

pagani hypercar

pagani utopia

pagani v12

Pagani Will Keep Making V-12 Hypercars Because Its Customers Don’t Want Hybrids or EVs

It will take more than money to get behind the wheel of the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/xiaomi-su7-ultra-variant-break-taycan-nurburgring-record-1235787149/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Xiaomi SU7 Ultra</a>.



The Chinese electronics giant won’t sell the upcoming high-performance version of its battery-powered sedan to just anyone,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2024/08/xiaomi-will-put-the-wild-1527-hp-su7-ultra-into-production/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">according to CarScoops</a>. The company will require anyone interesting in buying the outrageous EV to pass a special driving test first.



Earlier this year, Xiaomi, which has previously best been known for its smartphones, announced that it would be getting into the car business. Its first model, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/xiaomi-first-ev-su7-sedan-less-than-tesla-model-1235564689/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SU7</a>, has been specifically designed and engineered to compete with two of the best-regarded EVs on the market, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/efreshed-2025-porsche-taycan-more-powerful-than-918-spyder-supercar-1235502222/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche Taycan</a> and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/tesla-model-s-plaid-track-package-200-mph-1234840032/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Model S</a>. It was an impressive debut, but Xiaomi has bigger ambitions than that.



This summer, the brand began teasing a high-performance, track-focused version of the SU7 called the Ultra. It will be powered by a tri-motor powertrain that the company claims will pump out 1,517 horses, 853 hp more than the current range-topping SU7 Max. It will also wear an aggressive carbon-fibre aero package that produces over 4,700 pounds of downforce while reducing curb weight by over 1,000 hp. Thanks to the added oomph and body kit, the brand claims the EV will be able to rocket from zero to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 217 mph.



If Xiaomi is able to deliver on what it’s promised, the SU7 Ultra will be a lot to handle. Because of this, Xiaomi is taking the unusual step of requiring customers to meet certain criteria to buy the car. It’s unclear what exactly this will entail, but CarScoops reports that anyone interested in the EV will need to pass a “step-by-step exam” before being given the keys to the powerful four-door.



Luckily, anyone interested in the SU7 Ultra will have time to study and improve their skills. Xiaomi won’t open up the order books for the battery-powered track beast until the first quarter of next year. Pricing information has yet to be announced, but considering that the SU7 starts at around US$30,000 (HK$233,925), it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Ultra costs less than the top-of-the-line Taycan Turbo S (US$195,000/HK$1.52 million) and Model S Plaid (US$90,000/HK$701,780).

Electric Supercar

new car

powerful car

Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s New 1,517 HP Electric Supercar Is So Absurdly Powerful, You’ll Need to Pass a Special Test to Buy It

What’s better than a <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/james-bond/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Bond</a>-themed motorcycle? How about two of them once owned by one of the most beloved actors to play cinema’s favourite spy?



A pair of Bond Edition <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/triumph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Triumph</a> motorcycles, a <a href="https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29728/preview-lot/5901417/property-of-daniel-craig-proceeds-to-benefit-the-rnli-in-their-200th-year-generously-donated-by-triumph-uk-2020-triumph-scrambler-1200-bond-edition-frame-no-smtdad82hyl960803-engine-no-962913/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scrambler 1200</a> and <a href="https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29728/preview-lot/5901418/property-of-daniel-craig-proceeds-to-benefit-the-rnli-in-their-200th-year-generously-donated-by-triumph-uk-2020-triumph-tiger-900-bond-edition-frame-no-smttre67d8pay3421-engine-no-an5712/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiger 900</a>, that belonged to Daniel Craig will be auctioned off separately by <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bonhams/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bonhams</a> in October. Whoever wins the bikes won’t just get a cool 007 memento, they’ll also be helping a good cause, as a portion of both sales is going to charity.



The two motorcycles, which are the first released in conjunction with the franchise, debuted in 2022, the same year the series celebrated its 60th anniversary. Triumph may be the UK’s most famous motorcycle manufacturer, but it wasn’t until entry no. 25, No Time to Die, hit theatres in 2021 that one of the company’s bikes appeared on-screen in a Bond movie. That film also brought an end to Craig’s five-film run playing the character and filled in his backstory like no other entry in the franchise.



<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/bondscrambler-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790788" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondscrambler-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondscrambler-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondscrambler-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondscrambler-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondscrambler-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Triumph Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition. Image courtesy of Bonhams</figcaption></figure>



The Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition was directly inspired by the Triumph that&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2021/artisans/news/no-time-to-die-stunts-daniel-craig-motorbike-1235083349/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">appears in one of&nbsp;No Time to Die’s most daring action scenes</a>. It’s a stylish adventure bike with classic flare powered by a 1200 cc eight-valve engine that kicks out 89 hp and 81 ft lbs of torque. The trail-friendly Tiger 900 Bond Edition, meanwhile, is a two-sport bike that doesn’t appear in the movie, but wears a black and gold 007 livery and is powered by an 888 cc 12-valve mill that makes 93 hp and 64 ft lbs of torque. Both were exclusive models limited to just 250 units each.



Unsurprisingly, Craig’s bikes, both of which bear the actor’s signature, are both low-serial number examples. His Scrambler 1200 was the third to roll off the line, while his Tiger 900 was the first. They also come with certificates of authenticity signed by Craig and Triumph CEO Nick Bloor. Winning bidders are also eligible for a trip to the Triumph Adventure Experience in Wales, where they’ll receive riding lessons from Bond stunt coordinators Lee Morrison and stunt double Paul Edmundson.



<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/bondtiger-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790795" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondtiger-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondtiger-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondtiger-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondtiger-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/bondtiger-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Triumph Tiger 900 Bond Edition. Image courtesy of Bonhams</figcaption></figure>



Craig’s Bond Edition motorcycles will hit the block during Bonhams <a href="https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29728/the-autumn-stafford-sale-the-classic-motorcycle-mechanics-show/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Autumn Stafford sale</a>, which runs Saturday, 12 October, to Sunday, 13 October. The bikes are being auctioned as separate lots and are both expected to sell for between US$13,000 and US$26,000 (HK$101,365 and HK$202,735) each. A portion of the proceeds from both sales will go to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity that saves lives at sea and which Craig has been connected to for years.

007 motorcycle

Bond edition motorcycles

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig motorcycles

exclusive motorcycles

motorcycle auction

No Time to Die motorcycle

signed motorcycle

Daniel Craig’s James Bond-Inspired Triumph Motorcycles Are Heading to Auction

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.

Audemars Piguet

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

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/panerai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panerai</a> has been inventing new ways of illuminating dive watches as far back as the First World War. In 1916, it created a radium-based powder, dubbed Radiomir, to light up maritime instruments for the Italian Royal Navy, and by 1935 it was being used on military-dive-watch prototypes. Luminor, a tritium-based luminescent substance with low, harmless emissions was patented and approved for use by the company in 1949; 17 years later, Panerai pioneered the use of a new material called Elux, deploying it to light up command centres, internal signalling boards, and pathways for helicopters landing on military ships. And while luminescence has now become a proprietary point of differentiation among elite watchmakers—Grand Seiko has Lumibrite, Rolex offers Chromalight, etc.—Panerai continues to innovate, making things brighter with its new <a href="https://www.panerai.com/us/en/focus/elux.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Submersible Elux LAB-ID</a>. 



At first glance, the 49 mm by 21.9 mm watch looks like a standard model for the company. (The exception is its case, made of Ti-Ceramitech, a patent-pending material whereby ceramitised titanium is put through a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation process to achieve its special matte-blue hue.) But a simple push of the clicker, located beneath the Elux-branded protector at eight o’clock, illuminates the hands, indexes, subdial, power reserve—even the triangular pip on the bezel. It’s the first mechanical watch where lume can be activated on demand, rather than by absorbing and re-emitting light, which is how Super-LumiNova, the industry standard, works. It sounds simple, yet the invention was eight years in the making in Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee, the company’s research and development workshop, and required four patents. 



<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/Panerai_SElux2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790771" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Panerai_SElux2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Panerai_SElux2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Panerai_SElux2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Panerai_SElux2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Panerai_SElux2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Close-up of the dial. Image courtesy of Panerai</figcaption></figure>



The Ref. PAM01800, which is water resistant up to 1,640 feet, achieves its glow thanks to four minuscule barrels that draw on the movement’s kinetic energy and then, at the push of the button, unwind in a microgenerator, thus converting that energy into electricity that can power the LEDs for up to 30 minutes. (Another two barrels are used to power the movement, which has a three-day power reserve.) Should time run out on the activated lume, the watch also sports Super-LumiNova on the indices, hour markers, minute hand, and bezel dot.&nbsp;



Limited to just 150 pieces at US$96,300 (HK$750,820) each, with only 50 pieces released each year through 2026, getting your hands on one is likely a shot in the dark. But for those elite Panerai obsessives who have cultivated deep collections and the connections to match, the future looks bright indeed.