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The 12 Hottest Menswear Looks, Trends, and Accessories of Summer 2024

The numbers are in—according to reports from&nbsp;The&nbsp;Washington Post,&nbsp;Euromonitor International, and Circana, not only has the multi-billion-dollar behemoth that is the fragrance industry recorded an august two-figure growth in 2023 as new designer bottles drop and reimagined classic scents return to the shelves, but sales of the US$64.4 billion (HK$502.25 billion) global fragrance market have been on a steady incline this year, too.



The&nbsp;Post’s analysis of this boom points to fragrance as the fastest-growing category in the beauty sector, thanks to men and first-time buyers driving the rise in sales and revenue of brands the likes of Chanel, YSL, Dior, Le Labo, Jo Malone, and Tom Ford, to name a few.&nbsp;



Come September, the biggest names in the field—Jo Malone, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Chanel, and Valentino—will dispense their latest scents. In the meantime, taking top notes from the above-mentioned reports, we knocked on the doors of the most elite aromatic designers in the hopes of getting a whiff of what’s already in store this summer. From the classics (Tom Ford) to the fashionable (Dior and Versace) and the novel (Brunello Cucinelli ventures into scents for the first time), the following fragrances have us swooning.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Brunello Cucinelli</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="726" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pack_Cucinelli-Insieme-726x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790129" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pack_Cucinelli-Insieme-726x1024.jpg 726w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pack_Cucinelli-Insieme-213x300.jpg 213w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pack_Cucinelli-Insieme-768x1084.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pack_Cucinelli-Insieme-1089x1536.jpg 1089w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pack_Cucinelli-Insieme.jpg 1134w" sizes="(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px" /></figure>



Just this past May, Brunello Cucinelli unveiled the Brunello Cucinelli Pour Femme and Brunello Cucinelli Pour Homme fragrances at a star-studded bash at Regent Hong Kong. Both scents were inspired by the Umbria region in Italy, with a touch of aromatic splendour and a wisp of quiet luxury. A new chapter in the story of the brand—the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/menswear/brunello-cucinelli-70th-birthday-celebration-italy-1234891575/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personal and business successes</a>&nbsp;of Brunello Cucinelli were jointly celebrated just a few months ago—the men’s fragrance is a refined blend of angelica, black pepper, ginger, and sage, courtesy of a fruitful collaboration with French master perfumer Olivier Cresp.



Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://shop.brunellocucinelli.com/en-hk/fragrances/mens-fragrances/?_gl=1*1po49qj*_up*MQ..&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiOy1BhDCARIsADGvQnCPA2WSXgogL-1rQTr2PoivNmlfU77uFBxAoN1aOKUeuuDFaa_rOWkaAjwrEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tom Ford</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="732" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/993364_NA_1__77683-732x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790159" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/993364_NA_1__77683-732x1024.jpg 732w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/993364_NA_1__77683-214x300.jpg 214w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/993364_NA_1__77683-768x1075.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/993364_NA_1__77683-1097x1536.jpg 1097w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/993364_NA_1__77683.jpg 1143w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" /></figure>



If the past decade is anything to go by—with the release of wallet-distilling perfumes like Bitter Peach, Lost Cherry, Velvet Orchid, and other magical potions with vivid titles—exceptional scents are to be expected from Tom Ford. As per an early report by JP Morgan, Tom Ford fragrances help to propel the brand to among the top 10 most prestigious in China based on sales, a huge part of the company’s achievements, and the latest drop can certainly only strengthen that sweet smell of success.&nbsp;



Released just seven months ago in the US, you can now find the latest unisex eau de parfum Vanilla Sex at Tom Ford Beauty in Hong Kong. Its top notes are vanilla tincture, vanilla absolute, floral notes, bitter almond, sandalwood, tonka bean absolute, and Ultravanil—the ingredients read like a baking recipe, which is why it is only fitting that the scent itself has a florid, almost pastry-like essence and resonance. Vanilla Sex is light, airy, and quite frankly, delicious.



Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tomfordbeauty.com/product/vanilla-sex-eau-de-parfum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;or at Lane Crawford&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lanecrawford.com.hk/product/tom-ford/vanilla-sex-eau-de-parfum-50ml/_/EHR876/product.lc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dior&nbsp;</h3>



<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/Dior-LCP-Summer-Eden-Roc-02_LR-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790246" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dior-LCP-Summer-Eden-Roc-02_LR-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dior-LCP-Summer-Eden-Roc-02_LR-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dior-LCP-Summer-Eden-Roc-02_LR-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dior-LCP-Summer-Eden-Roc-02_LR-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Dior-LCP-Summer-Eden-Roc-02_LR-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Fashion history repeatedly proves that when Dior does something, it does it right. Instead of confining itself to just one perfume, the La Collection Privée line&nbsp;features three fragrances to encapsulate the essence of summer. The limited-edition scents are housed in couture cases adorned with the Dioriviera 2024&nbsp;toile de Jouy&nbsp;motif: Dioriviera in emerald green, Eden-Roc in yellow, and a blood orange hue for the floral Jasmin des Anges.



To the jet-setting crowd, the unisex eau de parfum trio will ignite memories of the south of France, its scents vividly bringing back memories from the region—and its harmony of top notes are a reminder of Dior’s ideal of&nbsp;la dolce vita&nbsp;and celebration of the season. As Jasmin des Anges’s name suggests, the fragrance has the heady charisma of a jasmine bouquet, blended with apricot nectar and honey. Dioriviera’s dance between fig and rose has a more feminine mystique, while the Eden-Roc’s gentle sophistication is a tribute to the pleasure-indulging Cap Eden-Roc location, just south of Antibes on the Côte d’Azur.



Shop&nbsp;<a href="https://shop.dior.com.sg/collections/la-collection-privee-summer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Versace-Eros-Energy_3-819x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790125" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Versace-Eros-Energy_3-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Versace-Eros-Energy_3-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Versace-Eros-Energy_3-768x960.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Versace-Eros-Energy_3-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Versace-Eros-Energy_3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>



The latest adverts from Versace featuring actor Channing Tatum, returning to his roots as a model, have <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kt48vT99u8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spread online</a> and on billboards across cities overnight, causing quite the media stir. As the eau de parfum for men, Eros Energy—part three of the existing Eros and Eros Flame family of fragrances—lands on our storied shelves, clips of Tatum chasing after an arrow as the star of the new Versace Eros campaign have gone viral.



Like in most perfume adverts, the storyboard is theatrical, with many flashes of striking visuals, overwrought masculinity, and a questionable respect of physics. But how’s the scent? Pretty good, in fact. Perfect for the season, the designer drop has soothing citrus top notes of blood orange, lime, grapefruit, lemon, Sicilian bergamot, and mandarin orange. Fit for olfactory seduction, the base notes are musk, patchouli, and oakmoss, while the middle notes are white amber, pink pepper, and blackcurrant. The yellow bottle is in line with Versace’s signature Greca and Medusa motifs with the crowning glory of a bronze-coloured cap reminding one that it’s a jewel to possess&nbsp;Eros Energy&nbsp;this sizzling season.&nbsp;



Coming soon. All images courtesy of their respective brands.

Aroma

Colognes

latest releases

Perfumes

Perfumes 2024

Scents

Summer Scents

Tom Ford

4 Stellar Summer Scents, From Tom Ford and Brunello Cucinelli to Dior and Versace

Summer 2024

10 Best Summer Menswear Looks, Trends, and Accessories for Your Season in the Sun

Hermès

Prada

Versace

The Best in Style, From Brunello Cucinelli and Stefano Ricci to Louis Vuitton

Believe it or not, but every third Friday in December is “National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day,” according to the internet. While we sip on that—and mulled wine, too—we agree that there’s a time and a place for everything. Ugly Christmas sweater parties as a one-off is great for a quick giggle, but if you’re hitting the slopes of Niseko, that’s a no. Menswear and accessories in the cooler month should be a bit more elegant, even if the colour and volume are amplified a tad.&nbsp;



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Armani_-2023-12-18-at-11.55.51 AM-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234783046" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Armani_-2023-12-18-at-11.55.51 AM-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Armani_-2023-12-18-at-11.55.51 AM-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Armani_-2023-12-18-at-11.55.51 AM-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Armani_-2023-12-18-at-11.55.51 AM-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Armani_-2023-12-18-at-11.55.51 AM-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Armani_-2023-12-18-at-11.55.51 AM-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The seasonal colour, bright red, doesn’t permeate the garment, but if you look closely, it’s speckled in the grosgrain details of this single-breasted jacquard jacket. Made by the house of Armani—of course—in Italy and embellished with notched lapels, fabric-covered buttons, clean lines, and elegant hues of mulberry, this silk jacket is for the sophisticated. The lining hides the signature logo in plain sight. Although elegant, there’s nothing plain about this look.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Loro Piana</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Loro_Piana_FAN4352_F5LG_ZOOM-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234783043" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Loro_Piana_FAN4352_F5LG_ZOOM-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Loro_Piana_FAN4352_F5LG_ZOOM-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Loro_Piana_FAN4352_F5LG_ZOOM-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Loro_Piana_FAN4352_F5LG_ZOOM-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Loro_Piana_FAN4352_F5LG_ZOOM-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Loro_Piana_FAN4352_F5LG_ZOOM-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



There are popular casual hoodies (Gap, Lululemon) and sporty, technical ones (Nike, Patagonia), and then, there’s Loro Piana. Loro Piana calls it the Yury jacket, with embroidered shearling and three horn buttons made of 100 per cent sheepskin. It’s simply a chic (and warm, and comfortable beyond belief) hoodie.



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gucci_762183_ZAPDW_6313_001_100_0000_Light-GG-wool-flannel-padded-overshirt-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234783048" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gucci_762183_ZAPDW_6313_001_100_0000_Light-GG-wool-flannel-padded-overshirt-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gucci_762183_ZAPDW_6313_001_100_0000_Light-GG-wool-flannel-padded-overshirt-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gucci_762183_ZAPDW_6313_001_100_0000_Light-GG-wool-flannel-padded-overshirt-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gucci_762183_ZAPDW_6313_001_100_0000_Light-GG-wool-flannel-padded-overshirt-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gucci_762183_ZAPDW_6313_001_100_0000_Light-GG-wool-flannel-padded-overshirt-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Gucci_762183_ZAPDW_6313_001_100_0000_Light-GG-wool-flannel-padded-overshirt-2048x2048.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



This red shirt stood out from Gucci’s Cruise 2024 collection. And how could it not—the classic, bright scarlet overshirt is hard to miss. Presented in GG-patterned wool flannel, this relaxed overshirt is lightly padded to create a bulkier silhouette and finish. And yes, it’s as comfortable and relaxed as it looks.



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="862" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferragamo_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-3.09.32 PM-862x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234783049" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferragamo_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-3.09.32 PM-862x1024.jpg 862w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferragamo_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-3.09.32 PM-253x300.jpg 253w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferragamo_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-3.09.32 PM-768x912.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferragamo_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-3.09.32 PM-1293x1536.jpg 1293w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferragamo_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-3.09.32 PM-1725x2048.jpg 1725w" sizes="(max-width: 862px) 100vw, 862px" /></figure>



For those who can’t take the maximalist primary colour motif of the season, how about a happy compromise of adding just a touch of colour with this maxi-logo scarf from Ferragamo? With its bold palette, this knit, with a large-print, full-length logo, is made of the finest wool. The reversible weave gives you options, too, when pairing your outfit. A splash of colour and print is just what you need to add a special touch to your head-to-toe look, and this is perfect as something to quickly throw on before braving the winter winds.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stefano Ricci</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1016" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stefano_Ricci_661873002-1016x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234783050" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stefano_Ricci_661873002-1016x1024.jpeg 1016w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stefano_Ricci_661873002-298x300.jpeg 298w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stefano_Ricci_661873002-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stefano_Ricci_661873002-768x774.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stefano_Ricci_661873002-1524x1536.jpeg 1524w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stefano_Ricci_661873002-2032x2048.jpeg 2032w" sizes="(max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px" /></figure>



If luxury cars and yachts are going hybrid, why not menswear? Slip into the comfort of this wool, silk, and cashmere blend, featuring a vanise knit pattern. The wool will keep you warm, while the cashmere and silk are here for a tad of luxurious indulgence. Another Italian find, this season’s Stefano Ricci menswear collection is a mix of technical prowess and elegance.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tom Ford</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tom_Ford_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-2.33.32 PM-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234783051" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tom_Ford_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-2.33.32 PM-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tom_Ford_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-2.33.32 PM-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tom_Ford_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-2.33.32 PM-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tom_Ford_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-2.33.32 PM-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tom_Ford_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-2.33.32 PM-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Tom_Ford_Screenshot-2023-12-18-at-2.33.32 PM-2048x2048.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



If you plan to wear green this season, try avoid looking like a decorated tree or fern in motion. How about this retro-chic jacket from Tom Ford, for instance? Firstly, it’s not green—how dare you?—it’s teal. Secondly, as per the brand literature, it’s a “brushed heathered suede contrast zip ‘blouson’ with smooth leather framing and tab detail.” Well, the details are certainly beguiling: note the logo, the zip detail along the cuffs, the waist adjusters on the side, press-stud fastening, and the smooth leather frame along the waist. The silhouette even makes you look taller and thinner. Tom Ford may be a definitive all-American brand, but this piece was constructed in Italy. I’ll have three, please.



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zegna_TCK66A6-POL-V05-F-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234783052" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zegna_TCK66A6-POL-V05-F-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zegna_TCK66A6-POL-V05-F-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zegna_TCK66A6-POL-V05-F-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zegna_TCK66A6-POL-V05-F-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zegna_TCK66A6-POL-V05-F-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zegna_TCK66A6-POL-V05-F-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Much digital ink has been spilt on the collaboration between Zegna and The Elder Statesman, the vividly coloured, whimsically printed, and psychedelically patterned LA brand famed for its cult following. Collab fashion purveyors didn’t see this coming—the partnership had a huge impact and the world embraced the festival of colours. In any other context, this “waffle-stitch” Oasi cashmere long-sleeve knit polo shirt, in this particular shade of green, would be too much. However, it is the season! We love the relaxed silhouette, the drape, the tactile finish, the conscious craftsmanship, and the luxuriate 100 per cent cashmere&#8230; We’re as committed to Zegna as the brand is to sustainability and traceability.

Robb Report Hong Kong’s Christmas Gift Guide 2023: 7 Menswear and Accessories That Are Perfect For Holiday Parties

Sitting at a few degrees south of the equator, almost every season is yacht season in the sizzle of offshore life aquatic in Hong Kong. (Well, unless a typhoon’s about to hit—and that’s but a half-day pause that any long-time resident barely raises an eyebrow for.)



Boat parties, junk trips, beach BBQs, and gilded RSVP slips for soirées on ludicrously large yachts are already pencilled into the calendar. What to wear is always a question and we’re happy to answer the call of the mild… weather.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Brunello Cucinelli </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="698" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MBRHU420_CZR76_RS-1024x698.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234777926" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MBRHU420_CZR76_RS-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MBRHU420_CZR76_RS-300x205.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MBRHU420_CZR76_RS-768x524.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MBRHU420_CZR76_RS-1536x1047.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MBRHU420_CZR76_RS-2048x1396.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Brunello Cucinelli gets so much love for its linen menswear in summer, but we are casting our eyes a bit further north, to the accessories lined on perfectly appointed shelves in the expansive store in Central. The dual-toned, leather weekend bag has been crafted on home turf in Solomeo, Italy. With lots of storage and an easy elegance, this is the perfect carrier to stuff with all your essentials before setting sail.&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chevaux-en-symetrie-3d-t-shirt-357935HA90-worn-4-0-0-800-800_g.jpg-1024x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234777927" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chevaux-en-symetrie-3d-t-shirt-357935HA90-worn-4-0-0-800-800_g.jpg-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chevaux-en-symetrie-3d-t-shirt-357935HA90-worn-4-0-0-800-800_g.jpg-300x300.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chevaux-en-symetrie-3d-t-shirt-357935HA90-worn-4-0-0-800-800_g.jpg-150x150.webp 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chevaux-en-symetrie-3d-t-shirt-357935HA90-worn-4-0-0-800-800_g.jpg-768x768.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chevaux-en-symetrie-3d-t-shirt-357935HA90-worn-4-0-0-800-800_g.jpg-1536x1536.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chevaux-en-symetrie-3d-t-shirt-357935HA90-worn-4-0-0-800-800_g.jpg.webp 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In this heat and humidity, less is indeed more. The Hermès short-sleeve crewneck t-shirt in cotton is as simple as can be, but with the embossed print of&nbsp;Chevaux en Symetrie&nbsp;(“Horses in Symmetry”—the equestrian motif is always on point) in 3D, the menswear staple is&nbsp;tres chic, non?



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/G000270X06_8799_PR_RS-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234777928" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/G000270X06_8799_PR_RS-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/G000270X06_8799_PR_RS-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/G000270X06_8799_PR_RS-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/G000270X06_8799_PR_RS-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/G000270X06_8799_PR_RS-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Just voted the hottest brand of the year, the latest men’s sunglasses from Loewe has been an editorial favourite we’ve seen repeatedly in fashion shoots the world over. The Inflated Butterfly sunglasses come in silver and grey, dark green, and black.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mazu Resortwear&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-16 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="989" height="1024" data-id="1234778056" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mazu_rs-989x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234778056" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mazu_rs-989x1024.jpg 989w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mazu_rs-290x300.jpg 290w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mazu_rs-768x795.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/mazu_rs.jpg 1356w" sizes="(max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" data-id="1234778055" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HAPA03-Front-_WEB.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234778055" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HAPA03-Front-_WEB.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HAPA03-Front-_WEB-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HAPA03-Front-_WEB-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/HAPA03-Front-_WEB-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



 Let’s hear it for a home-grown menswear brand. Eurasian designer Adam Raby’s Mazu is a local favourite, incorporating Hong Kong iconography, prints, and city- and sea-inspired features from our humble shores. The Lei Yue Mun at Sunset swim shorts are great for a dip, but to strut around with a glass of Dom Pérignon, the Hapa Shorts in midnight navy with red piping can transport you from the seas to the city with equal ease. The little Hong Kong junk logo on the button is a cute signature touch.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Paul Smith</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1R-090YM-K01967-41_2_RS-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234777924" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1R-090YM-K01967-41_2_RS-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1R-090YM-K01967-41_2_RS-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1R-090YM-K01967-41_2_RS-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1R-090YM-K01967-41_2_RS-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1R-090YM-K01967-41_2_RS-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/M1R-090YM-K01967-41_2_RS.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



Straight off the ramp from Paul Smith’s spring-summer 2023 show, the slightly schizophrenic shirt has a wildly comfortable, loose oversized shape featuring multiple striped patterns across each panel. Smith may be one of the definitive British designers (and eponymous brands), but this lightweight cotton shirt is made entirely in Italy. Look for the devil in the details, like the shell buttons throughout.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Richard Mille</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RM88_RG_3-4FRONT-WB_RS-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234778054" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RM88_RG_3-4FRONT-WB_RS-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RM88_RG_3-4FRONT-WB_RS-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RM88_RG_3-4FRONT-WB_RS-768x1153.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RM88_RG_3-4FRONT-WB_RS-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RM88_RG_3-4FRONT-WB_RS-1364x2048.jpg 1364w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RM88_RG_3-4FRONT-WB_RS.jpg 1599w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure>



Launched just 10 months ago, the Richard Mille RM 88 Automatic Tourbillon Smiley makes everyone, as intended, smile. With its bright straps, yellow circle, two oval eyes, and a wide upturned mouth, the smiley-face watch is a limited-edition trinket (only 50!) that, at US$1.2 million (HK$9.37 million), is no laughing matter.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tom Ford</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tom-Ford-Soleil-De-Feu-EDP_50ml5-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234777929" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tom-Ford-Soleil-De-Feu-EDP_50ml5-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tom-Ford-Soleil-De-Feu-EDP_50ml5-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tom-Ford-Soleil-De-Feu-EDP_50ml5-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tom-Ford-Soleil-De-Feu-EDP_50ml5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tom-Ford-Soleil-De-Feu-EDP_50ml5-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Tom-Ford-Soleil-De-Feu-EDP_50ml5.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Before you climb aboard a wooden deck, spritz yourself with a dash of Soleil de Feu&nbsp;(“Fire Sun”—the literal translation), the latest aroma that’s been much ballyhooed about. It “recalls the fiery strokes of a bronze sunset as it illuminates the shimmering sea,” or so says the press spiel. As it’s from the famed house that Ford built (and recently exited), we are all basking in the waves and notes he left behind, mainly hints of tuberose, sandalwood, and bonzoin. It’s a gender-neutral&nbsp;eau de parfum&nbsp;that can be splashed on any body—however you define your body.



All images courtesy of their respective brands.

accessories

Resortwear

sytle

Robb Recommends: 7 Stylish Menswear Looks and Accessories to Wear on a Yacht

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

boeing starliner

starliner spacecraft return

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

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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790465" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The seats were designed by Optimares and upholstered by Poltrona Frau. Image courtesy of Matheen Faiz</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790467" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beond_3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The iPad and Bose headphones.</figcaption></figure>



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



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

Beond

italy

jetsetting

luxury aircrafts

luxury leisure

Maldives

Milan

Luxury Airline Beond Is Now Flying Between Milan and the Maldives

Heart Aerospace is almost ready for takeoff.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Airplane

clean travel

electric aviation

Heart Aerospace

hybrid-electric airplane

Swedish

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

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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789909" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BBJ_Interiors-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An office and bedroom from a pre-engineered BBJ Select. Image courtesy of Boeing</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789906" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ACJ_MainLounge-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A social area on a recently delivered ACJ TwoTwenty. Image courtesy of Adrien Daste/Airbus</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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

Boeing

custom

Luxury Travel

Private Jet

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

Chinese couture

couturier

Exhibition

Guo Pei

Haute Couture

Hong Kong exhibition

Met Gala outfit

red wedding gown

Rihanna

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Barolo

Giacomo Conterno

King of Wines

Roberto Conterno

vineyard

Wine

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley

Napa wines

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Broad Arrow Auctions

Porsche

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

In a stunning display of artistic prowess, auctioneering excellence, and exquisite curation at its mint new home at The Henderson, Christie’s Hong Kong’s inaugural sales proved to be a resounding success, amassing a total of HK$1.25 billion (around US$162 million).&nbsp;



For art lovers and connoisseurs, buyers and collectors, purveyors and voyeurs, critics and editors,&nbsp;the&nbsp;place to be in the last days of September was on the 7th floor of the recently opened commercial development The Henderson, the Zaha Hadid Architects-designed tower from where Christie’s Hong Kong’s new Asia-Pacific headquarters loom large over the city.&nbsp;



These landmark auctions not only cemented Christie’s Hong Kong’s position as a leading force in the global art market, but it also captivated discerning collectors who gathered to witness the unveiling of magnificent masterpieces at close proximity, of which many rare items from the East and the West were on display in Hong Kong for the first time.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="878" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/72983188-frame-rs_Digital-Content-JPEG-1024x878.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791866" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/72983188-frame-rs_Digital-Content-JPEG-1024x878.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/72983188-frame-rs_Digital-Content-JPEG-300x257.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/72983188-frame-rs_Digital-Content-JPEG-768x659.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/72983188-frame-rs_Digital-Content-JPEG-1536x1317.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/72983188-frame-rs_Digital-Content-JPEG-2048x1756.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Moored Vessel, Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)</figcaption></figure>



A testament to Christie’s Hong Kong’s unwavering commitment to bringing the greatest works of art to the most discerning buyers in the world, the top marquee of the art segment shone bright. As expected, the much ballyhooed pieces were the van Gogh and the Monet; the top lot, Les Canots Amarrés (1887) by the Dutch painter, peaked at HK$250.6 million (around US$32 million). Owned by Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, the auctioning of the painting was easily one of the most memorable moments of the night. Claude Monet’s Nymphéas went for HK$233.3 million (US$30 million)—well over expectation.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="667" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/71839684_Digital-Content-JPEG-1024x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791865" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/71839684_Digital-Content-JPEG-1024x667.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/71839684_Digital-Content-JPEG-300x195.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/71839684_Digital-Content-JPEG-768x500.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/71839684_Digital-Content-JPEG-1536x1000.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/71839684_Digital-Content-JPEG-2048x1334.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pastorale, Alix Aymé (France, 1894-1989) </figcaption></figure>



Other achievements of the three inaugural sales that took place from 26 to 27 September included Ronald Ventura’s&nbsp;State of Bloom&nbsp;going for HK$36.7 million (US$4.7 million), Lalan’s&nbsp;La Mère de Nuage&nbsp;fetching HK$23.4 million (US$3 million),&nbsp;18:50&nbsp;by Lucy Bull realising HK$18.5 million (US$2.4 million), and more. Over 90 per cent of the lots at the Inaugural Sales and 20th and 21st Century Evening &amp; Day Sales were sold, while the Au Bak Ling Collection sold at 100 per cent, achieving 160 per cent over the low hammer estimate.



With over 12,000 visitors who attended the preview leading up to the sale, and 5.2 million viewers following the event on a livestream, the air was thick with anticipation. While the hammer went down hard on famed yesteryear artists, the evening proved that more recent Asian artists equally got their tacit nod of approval from the volley of bids. A mesmerising abstract landscape by Zao Wou-ki, 29.09.64, a vibrant tryptic that captivated bidders with its masterful blend of colour and range of emotion, realised HK$95.3 million.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="541" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ZWK_Digital-Content-JPEG-1024x541.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791867" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ZWK_Digital-Content-JPEG-1024x541.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ZWK_Digital-Content-JPEG-300x159.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ZWK_Digital-Content-JPEG-768x406.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ZWK_Digital-Content-JPEG-1536x812.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ZWK_Digital-Content-JPEG-2048x1083.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">05.06.80 – Triptyque, 1980, Zao Wou-Ki</figcaption></figure>



“We are honoured to present this seminal triptych by Zao Wou-ki this September at our new Asia-Pacific headquarters and to offer such an important and rare acquisition opportunity for collectors,” said Cristian Albu, Head of 20th and 21st Century Art, Asia-Pacific. “The 20th and 21st Century Inaugural Sales at The Henderson will epitomise a key aspect of our curatorial mission for the category in Hong Kong—to globally showcase both Eastern and Western artistry, and the dialogues between them, through exceptional masterpieces.”



As the curtain eventually fell on this momentous occasion, and with many more auctions to come at Christie’s new Hong Kong address, the house is poised to continue its tradition of excellence and innovation. The auction house’s commitment to Hong Kong remains a beacon for collectors, offering unparalleled access to the most coveted masterpieces in the world.



All images courtesy of Christie&#8217;s

Auction

Christie's

Hong Kong

Monet’s “Nymphéas” Just Sold For a Staggering HK$233 Million at Auction

A French&nbsp;maison, a Japanese artist, and a New York auction house just made history.



A <a href="https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/handbags-online-september-edition/rare-limited-edition-yellow-black-monogram-leather-pumpkin-bag-silver-60/231632" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">limited-edition handbag</a> <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/louis-vuitton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Louis Vuitton</a> created in collaboration with <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/yayoi-kusama/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yayoi Kusama</a> sold for US$151,200 (HK$1.17 million) via Christie’s New York on Wednesday, setting two new world records in the process.



Kusama first began working with LV in 2012, creating playful versions of the Keepall, Neverfull, Papillion, and Speedy that were adorned with her signature dots. Just over a decade later in 2023, the contemporary artist put her quirky stamp on more of the French fashion house’s designs. (You might remember the bonkers&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/fashion/louis-vuitton-kusama-pop-up-tokyo-1234791849/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">co-branded pop-up</a>&nbsp;that opened in Japan.) Clothing and accessories from both collections sell for a premium on the secondary market, but it was a “pumpkin bag” from the most recent drop that achieved the new records.



<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/LV_Pumpkin_Bag1.jpg-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791654" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag1.jpg-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag1.jpg-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag1.jpg-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag1.jpg-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag1.jpg-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The bag opens to reveal a co-branded badge. Image courtesy of Christie’s New York</figcaption></figure>



As the name suggests, the distinctive design was inspired by Kusama’s iconic pumpkin sculptures and prints. Crafted from grained cowhide leather, the yellow bag is shaped like a pumpkin and covered with black LV monograms and motifs. The piece is not only quirky and cute but also highly collectible. This particular example was expected to fetch between US$10,000 and US$15,000 (HK$77,835 and HK$116,755) but hammered down for roughly 10 times that to set a new record price for the model and any LV bag to sell at auction. The previous records were held by <a href="https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/handbags-online-new-york-edit/rare-limited-edition-yellow-black-monogram-leather-pumpkin-bag-silver-55/205202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">another pumpkin bag</a> that sold for US$44,100 (HK$343,260) at Christie’s in December 2023.



<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/LV_Pumpkin_Bag2.jpg-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791655" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag2.jpg-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag2.jpg-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag2.jpg-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag2.jpg-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LV_Pumpkin_Bag2.jpg-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The bag features a removable strap. Image courtesy of Christie’s New York</figcaption></figure>



Interestingly, the pumpkin bag wasn’t the star of Christie’s inaugural <a href="https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/handbags-online-september-edition/lots/3741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Handbags Online: The September Edition</a> auction. The top lot of the sale was a rare Hermès Himalaya Retourné Kelly 25 with matte niloticus crocodile and palladium hardware that sold for US$163,800 (HK$1.27 million). Two coveted Hermès Birkins also sold for US$119,700 and US$63,000 (HK$931,715 and HK$490,375), respectively. The results highlight the fact that <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/hermes-birkin-luxury-handbag-slingo-1234871666/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birkins</a> and <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/accessories/ultimate-fashion-collectors-item-hermes-2767515/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kellys</a> remain the holy grails for collectors, proving to be <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/accessories/luxury-handbags-are-now-the-best-investment-items-2931458/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solid investments</a> that appreciate over time. A Himalaya crocodile Retourné Kelly 28 sold for a record US$513,200 (HK$3.99 million) at Christie’s in 2021, in fact. Christie’s currently holds the record prices for the most expensive Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/handbags/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">handbags</a> to sell at auction.



Nearly all (99 per cent) lots part of Handbags Online were sold, resulting in an impressive total of US$1,931,202 (HK$15 million). Not bad for 118 bags.

pumpkin bag auction

yayoi kusama louis vuitton auction

yayoi kusama LV pumpkin bag

Yayoi Kusama’s Louis Vuitton Pumpkin Bag Just Sold for a Record HK$1.17 Million at Auction

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.”



<figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://video.wixstatic.com/video/86217e_d6e7d4883e814c81904cdddb202c021e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4"></video></figure>



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.



<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/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791214" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Anantara

Bangkok

Langham

Minor Hotels

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Raffles

Raffles Singapore

rome

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

Manhattan

Martin Brudnizki

New York

The Fifth Avenue Hotel

What It’s Like to Stay at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, a Whimsical New York City Escape Designed by Martin Brudnizki

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/silversea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Silversea</a> is venturing into new (and rather faraway) territory.



The Monaco-based cruise line, which has offered <a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/silversea-cruises-silver-endeavour-antarctica-1234787959/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">luxurious ocean expeditions</a> for the <a href="https://robbreport.com/partners/silversea-celebrates-30-years-luxury-travel-1235633816/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">past three decades</a>, just announced it is building “the southernmost hotel on Earth.” Located in Puerto Williams, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/chile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chile</a>, the 150-key property will enhance the cruise line’s <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica</a> expedition experience by providing guests with a swish place to stay as they traverse the White Continent.



Puerto Williams sits on the remote southern tip of the South American continent, making it the world’s southernmost city. Silversea is currently the only cruise line with ships that homeport in Puerto Williams during the Antarctica season. Guests embarking on the cruise line’s innovative Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise programme will also fly directly to the city from Chile’s capital Santiago. Cruise-goers can use the yet-to-be-named hotel as a base camp while they explore the far-flung region.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Puerto_Williams.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234792278" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Puerto_Williams.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Puerto_Williams-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Puerto_Williams-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A view of Puerto Williams and the Beagle Channel. Image courtesy of Rosemary Calvert/Getty</figcaption></figure>



Nestled amid a thick forest, the property will offer spectacular views of the Beagle Channel and the snow-capped Patagonian mountains. The building itself will take design cues from the local architecture and incorporate materials from the area to ensure it blends with the surrounding environment. In addition to the 150 rooms, the interior will include an expansive restaurant ideal for group gatherings, a bar and lounge, a fitness centre, and a gift shop stocked with creations by local artisans.



Beyond the hotel, guests will have a full run of the unscathed Chilean region. You can head to the nearby Torres del Paine National Park to see breathtaking blue-white glaciers and towering Andean peaks, for instance. You can also check out the other wonders of Antarctica, such as uninhabited islands, magnificent icescapes, and diverse wildlife.



“We’re thrilled to enhance the Antarctic travel experience by offering seamless journeys that remove traditional barriers for guests to this region,” Silversea president Bert Hernandez said in a statement. “This development not only differentiates us from other polar expeditions but also reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence as Silversea continues to set the standard in experiential luxury travel.”



The hotel, which will be built in partnership with a consortium of Chilean investors, has an optimistic opening date of the end of 2025. Construction is already underway, so that ambitious goal could very well become a reality.

Chile

hotel

Puerto Williams

Silversea

Silversea Is Planning to Open the World’s Southernmost Hotel in Chile Next Year

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lucid

Lucid Air

Lucid Gravity

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

A new dawn for <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mclaren/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McLaren</a> supercars is fast approaching.



The British marque released the first teaser for the successor to the P1 earlier this week. We won’t have to wait too much longer for the full reveal, either. The company plans to unveil the finished vehicle, which will be named the W1, early next month.



As of now, we know next to nothing about the company’s latest model except for what it will be called. On Wednesday, the company <a href="https://youtu.be/hTkMHrSjEb4?si=WscWgKO-MyOIvS1K" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">released a video</a> about its 1 cars—a very select group that includes the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=mclaren+f1+robbreport&amp;rlz=1C5GCCM_en&amp;oq=mclaren+f1+robbreport&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg80gEINjQ2MGowajSoAgCwAgE&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iconic F1</a>, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/15-facts-mclaren-p1-hypercar-2910319/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">P1</a>, and, soon, the W1—that included a few quick peeks at the vehicle. The short clip was short on detail, but if a quick shot of the company’s Formula 1 driver Lando Norris giggling is anything to go by, it’ll be fun to drive.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="What makes a ‘1’ car? An icon that redefines what&#039;s possible." width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hTkMHrSjEb4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Plenty of enthusiasts outside the automaker’s Woking headquarters hold the 1 cars in high regard. Because of this, there has been plenty of rumour and speculation about what to expect of its latest model. On Thursday, a <a href="https://www.autonews.com/cars-concepts/mclaren-revealing-1200-hp-halo-hypercar-phev" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report in Automotive News</a> claimed that the new model would be cross between the P1 and the Senna. It will supposedly feature an all-new V-8 engine paired with hybrid technology similar to that used by the company’s Formula 1 team. The potent setup will produce up to 1,200 horses, while still being significantly lighter than the hardware used by the brand’s other hybrids. Additionally, the car will feature an advanced aero system meant to provide plenty of oxygen for its internal combustion mill.



Regardless of what the finished vehicle looks like and is capable of doing, it has an awful lot to live up to. The F1 and P1 are two of the greatest performance vehicles of the last half-century. The former, which was conceived of and designed by the legendary Gordon Murray, created the blueprint for the modern-day <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/supercar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supercar</a> when it debuted in 1992. The latter, meanwhile, may not have been as much of a shock to the system as its predecessor, but it proved that the marque remained at the vanguard of performance engineering when it launched in 2013.



McLaren will pull back the curtain on the W1 on Sunday, 6 October. Why then, you may ask. That will mark 50 years since the company won its first Formula 1 constructor’s championship and Emerson Fittipaldi won the driver’s championship. What better time to reveal the closest road-going equivalent the brand has to a race car?

McLaren

Supercar

McLaren’s Next Supercar Is Coming Next Month

Setting a record is great and all, but what about setting one when you’re not even trying?



That’s what happened to a <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/mcmurtry-speirling-road-car-planned-1234695058/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McMurtry Spéirling</a>. The electric fan car recently posted two different lap records at Laguna Seca—both with a “non-professional” driver behind the wheel. The Spéirling is now the fastest EV and production car in the track’s history.



The two marks were set during a demonstration event held during the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The display ran for 10 minutes and featured two of the fan cars running together in public for the first time. One of the vehicles, a Spéirling Pure model driven by Philip Kadoorie, was able to circle the 2.238-mile track seven times, posting a best lap of 1:18.413 minutes.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Laguna Seca - 7 laps onboard McMurtry Speirling PURE inc. EV lap record 17/08/24 - Philip Kadoorie" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9gOs99X7-_0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



That time makes the Spéirling the fastest EV in track history, besting a mark posted by the Porsche Taycan GT this March, as well as the fastest production car, beating a Czinger 21C that had owned the record for less than a week. If all that wasn’t impressive enough, the record was set while the EV’s running power and downforce were set at just 50 per cent.



“The confidence I had with the fan assisted aero is one of the reasons we broke the EV record today without really trying,” Kadoorie, who races a Porsche 962 Group C car in historic competitions, said. “I’d love to return next year and try the more powerful fan and power settings next for the outright lap record.”



Of course, it’s no surprise to see the Spéirling break another record, something it’s been doing since making its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2021. The Batmobile-like EV has an ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque chassis—thanks to which it tips the scales at just 2,200 pounds—and a dual-motor powertrain that produces 1,000 hp. The real difference maker, though, is a set of two turbine fans that can create over 4,000 pounds of downforce, keeping the car glued to the tarmac as it rips around the track. It can rocket from zero to 60 mph in 1.55 seconds and has a top speed of 185 mph.



Interested in setting some track records of your own? The Spéirling Pure is available now through McMurtry. Pricing for the truly outrageous fan car starts at US$1.178 million (HK$9.17 million).

EV Hypercar

Hypercar

Laguna Seca

McMurtry

record

Spéirling

This Electric Hypercar Just Set the Laguna Seca Lap Record by Accident

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/lewis-hamilton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lewis Hamilton</a> isn’t the only <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/formula-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Formula 1</a> legend changing teams.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/the-7-greatest-race-cars-designed-by-adrian-newey-1235656134/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adrian Newey</a>, one of the most respected design bosses in the competition’s history, has agreed to a five-year deal to join the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aston-martin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a> Aramco (AMR) team.  He will now serve as the team’s managing technical partner, starting early next year.



The entire F1 world has been waiting to find out where the 65-year-old would end up after he announced he was leaving Red Bull Racing in May. Newey is F1’s foremost designer and won 25 world championships. He also designed the outfit’s first hypercar, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/red-bulls-first-hypercar-rb17-debut-goodwood-festival-speed-1235755774/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">track-only RB17</a>, which made its public debut earlier this year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.



Since leaving Red Bull, Newey has met with a number of teams, including Ferrari and Williams,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/breaking-adrian-newey-to-join-aston-martin-as-silverstone-squad-win-race-to.4hHfMt6Z5FX1KiLDqWRV4C" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">according to Formula1.com</a>. A private tour of the brand-new AMR Technology Campus located near the Silverstone Circuit in June is said to have helped the designer decide which team was the right one for him.



The large sums of money that Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll will reportedly pay Newey probably didn’t hurt, either. In addition to agreeing to serve as the team’s managing technical partner, the designer will also become a shareholder. The five-year agreement is thought to be worth £30 million per season, or around US$200 million (HK$1.55 billion) in total, according to ESPN. That would make Newey the sport’s second highest-paid figure, behind only Hamilton, its biggest star.



“I am thrilled to be joining the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team,” Newey said in a statement “I have been hugely inspired and impressed by the passion and commitment that Lawrence brings to everything he is involved with. Lawrence is determined to create a world-beating team. He is the only majority team owner who is actively engaged in the sport.”



Although he’ll start his new job next March, the partnership won’t really begin to yield results until the next year. When Newey does officially join up with AMR, he will immediately begin work on the team’s car for the 2026 season. That is when a new set of car regulations, including a new power unit formula, are set to go into effect. It’s Aston Martin’s hope that Newey’s involvement will help give the team a leg up on the competition as the F1 enters its next era.

Adrian Newey

Aston Martin

Formula 1

Legendary Formula 1 Car Designer Adrian Newey Is Joining Aston Martin

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



All images courtesy of Antiquorum.

A. Lange & Söhne

Antiquorum

Cartier

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Patek Philippe

Rolex

Watch

Watches

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Omega

Speedmaster

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

Breitling

Georges Kern

luxury wathes

Swiss

Swiss watches

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