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Chinese regional cooking styles are as manifold as they are complicated and distinct. When approaching this gastronomic beast, one must first become familiar with the “Big Eight”—Sichuan, Hunan, Cantonese, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Shandong—commonly known as the major Chinese regional cuisines. Even among the “Big Eight,” some cuisines are better known, and better represented, than others. Fujian cuisine, in particular, is experiencing a moment in the limelight: In December 2024, the first Michelin Guide dedicated to the Fujian province was unveiled, adding new dimensions to modern Chinese fine dining. <a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila/dining/restaurants/ming-pavilion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ming Pavilion</a> at <a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong</a> is part of this movement, and the restaurant has staunchly continued its mission of shedding light on the refined aromas and traditions of Fujian cuisine.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803530" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



All of this in no small part thanks to the guidance of head chef Jack Lam, whose deep understanding of the delicate flavours and refined traditions of Fujian cuisine drives the concept forward, carving out a rightful place for this intricate cooking style in today’s dining landscape, often dominated by more popular regional fare. Ming Pavilion marries culinary heritage with modern sophistication, preserving time-honoured techniques with contemporary nuance, inviting diners to discover the essence of Fujian’s seafood-focused treasures.



“Fujian cuisine, hailing from the coastal Fujian province, is defined by its emphasis on fresh seafood, such as fish, shrimp, and oysters, prepared with techniques like stir-fried or braising to preserve natural flavours and textures,” Lam explains. “Its distinctive sweet-sour flavour profile, often achieved with ingredients like red wine lees, sets it apart from other Chinese regional cuisines, reflecting the province’s maritime heritage and culinary finesse.”



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803523" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Australia-Southern-Rock-Lobster-with-Red-Wine-Lees-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803523" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Australia-Southern-Rock-Lobster-with-Red-Wine-Lees-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Australia-Southern-Rock-Lobster-with-Red-Wine-Lees-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Australia-Southern-Rock-Lobster-with-Red-Wine-Lees-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Australia-Southern-Rock-Lobster-with-Red-Wine-Lees-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Australia-Southern-Rock-Lobster-with-Red-Wine-Lees-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803522" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ming-Pavilion-Cereal-Prawn-with-Red-Lees-Sauce-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803522" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ming-Pavilion-Cereal-Prawn-with-Red-Lees-Sauce-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ming-Pavilion-Cereal-Prawn-with-Red-Lees-Sauce-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ming-Pavilion-Cereal-Prawn-with-Red-Lees-Sauce-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ming-Pavilion-Cereal-Prawn-with-Red-Lees-Sauce-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Ming-Pavilion-Cereal-Prawn-with-Red-Lees-Sauce-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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As traditional boundaries blur, Lam brings Fujian cuisine into the spotlight, focusing on the uncompromising aspect of freshness while enhancing visual appeal. Elevating rustic plates with vibrant garnishes and minimalist design, using elegant ceramics as the canvas on which to paint the best picture of the dish’ natural colours—Lam’s approach to adapting Fujian’s culinary art for a modern audience embraces contemporary presentation and ingredient innovation. Incorporating local produce such as three-yellow chicken and live sea whelk not only supports farmers in the area, but nurtures authenticity in flavour.



Ming Pavilion’s Fujian appetiser platter, comprising five bite-sized morsels—five-spice bean curd pork roll, drunken razor clam, Fujian-style “pie” with hot and sour mud crab meat, jellyfish terrine, and pickled pumpkin—is a concise introduction to this new chapter of Fujian cooking. Lam enriches the menu with dishes such as Wuyi Mountains smoked goose to infuse the dining experience with “bold, authentic Fujian character” and imports ingredients, such as those for the braised shan su vegetable in tofu box, directly from Fujian to ensure traditional flavours. “Freshness, locality, and authenticity” are the three key tenets of Lam’s sourcing ethos.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Xiamen-Style-Popiah_1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803527" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Xiamen-Style-Popiah_1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Xiamen-Style-Popiah_1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Xiamen-Style-Popiah_1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Xiamen-Style-Popiah_1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Xiamen-Style-Popiah_1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Popiah, the famed spring roll of Xiamen origin, is given the deconstructed treatment under Lam’s supervision; its assortment of ingredients, from cabbage and carrots to pork and shrimp, are laid bare on a puzzle-like tray of small plates, served with thin pancakes for self-assembly. Red wine lees are used liberally to elevate Australian lobster, live sea whelk, and cereal prawns, celebrating the local delicacies and fresh flavour traditions of Xiamen and Fuzhou. Xiamen-style ginger duck, tea-smoked crispy chicken, sweet-and-sour lychee pork, and braised pork hock with shiitake continue the rich narrative of soulful flavours, proving that Fujian’s mountain specialities are just as impactful as the ones derived from the ocean’s bounties.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803525" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Braised-Boletus-in-Tofu-Box-with-Shan-Shu-6_low-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803525" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Braised-Boletus-in-Tofu-Box-with-Shan-Shu-6_low-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Braised-Boletus-in-Tofu-Box-with-Shan-Shu-6_low-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Braised-Boletus-in-Tofu-Box-with-Shan-Shu-6_low-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Braised-Boletus-in-Tofu-Box-with-Shan-Shu-6_low-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Braised-Boletus-in-Tofu-Box-with-Shan-Shu-6_low-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803524" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Fujian-Red-Wine-Lees-Flavoured-Crispy-Eel-3_low-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803524" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Fujian-Red-Wine-Lees-Flavoured-Crispy-Eel-3_low-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Fujian-Red-Wine-Lees-Flavoured-Crispy-Eel-3_low-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Fujian-Red-Wine-Lees-Flavoured-Crispy-Eel-3_low-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Fujian-Red-Wine-Lees-Flavoured-Crispy-Eel-3_low-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Fujian-Red-Wine-Lees-Flavoured-Crispy-Eel-3_low-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803526" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Tea-Smoked-Crispy-Skin-Chicken-3_low-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803526" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Tea-Smoked-Crispy-Skin-Chicken-3_low-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Tea-Smoked-Crispy-Skin-Chicken-3_low-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Tea-Smoked-Crispy-Skin-Chicken-3_low-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Tea-Smoked-Crispy-Skin-Chicken-3_low-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MP-Tea-Smoked-Crispy-Skin-Chicken-3_low-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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Among all of the creations on Ming Pavilion’s menu, Lam easily cites his favourite: the reimagined Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, a showcase that “captures the cuisine’s complexity,” he notes. Lam’s take on Fujian’s iconic soup demonstrates his skill; the labour-intensive dish, rich in umami, features an exquisite blend of abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, and dried scallops simmered with chicken, pork ribs, and duck in a Shaoxing ceramic wine jar, resulting in a flavourful broth that lingers on the palate. (Delicious enough to convince a monk to break vows of vegetarianism, so the lore behind the name of this particular dish implies.) “I’m proud of it because it showcases Fujian’s mastery of balancing textures and flavours, creating a harmonious and unforgettable culinary experience,” the chef affirms.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803517" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Fresh-Prawn-Dumpling-with-Pickled-Spicy-Yellow-Capsicum-Sauce-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803517" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Fresh-Prawn-Dumpling-with-Pickled-Spicy-Yellow-Capsicum-Sauce-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Fresh-Prawn-Dumpling-with-Pickled-Spicy-Yellow-Capsicum-Sauce-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Fresh-Prawn-Dumpling-with-Pickled-Spicy-Yellow-Capsicum-Sauce-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Fresh-Prawn-Dumpling-with-Pickled-Spicy-Yellow-Capsicum-Sauce-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Fresh-Prawn-Dumpling-with-Pickled-Spicy-Yellow-Capsicum-Sauce-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803518" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Dumpling-with-Agaricus-Blazei-Sugar-Pea-and-Spinach-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803518" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Dumpling-with-Agaricus-Blazei-Sugar-Pea-and-Spinach-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Dumpling-with-Agaricus-Blazei-Sugar-Pea-and-Spinach-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Dumpling-with-Agaricus-Blazei-Sugar-Pea-and-Spinach-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Dumpling-with-Agaricus-Blazei-Sugar-Pea-and-Spinach-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Steamed-Dumpling-with-Agaricus-Blazei-Sugar-Pea-and-Spinach-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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Lam also leads Ming Pavilion’s distinct take on dim sum, following the Fujian tradition, offering a departure from the bustle of Cantonese teahouses. Cantonese dim sum is vibrant and varied, Lam notes; the Sunday dim sum brunch emphasises “a more intimate, seafood-centric experience.” On the menu, steamed fresh prawn dumplings are perked up with a bright pickled spicy yellow capsicum sauce, pan-fried taro dumplings are carefully filled with minced pork and lobster, and oyster pancakes with seaweed and baby leek are delicately fried, opening a window into the Fujian’s nuanced gastronomic heritage. Dishes like Xiapu seaweed soup with pork dumpling and stir-fried sea whelk with shiso leaves balance richness and freshness.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion0-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803531" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion0-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion0-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion0-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion0-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interiors-Ming-Pavilion0-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Fortifying Lam’s nouveau approach to Fujian cuisine, interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán deviates from the norm for Ming Pavilion’s appearance, eschewing chinoiserie and the archetypal mood board of auspicious red hues for tropical greenhouse vibes and a jungle-green colour palette. Decidedly Western in silhouette and material choices, subtle Chinese influences and nods to Hong Kong’s native flora are woven into the elegant space—note the bamboo-shaped ribbing between narrow panels of custom wallpaper, for one. Marble and tilework add visual rhythm and depth, blending modern touches with a narrative of heritage.



<a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila/dining/restaurants/ming-pavilion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ming Pavilion</a>



8/F, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong



Tel: (+852) 2820 8580



All images courtesy of Ming Pavilion.

Fujian Cuisine

Island Shangri-La

Ming Pavilion

Inside Ming Pavilion, a Vibrant Homage to Hokkien Flavours and Fujian Heritage

In the annals of history, the Salon des Refusés was famously known as an exhibition of Paris Salon rejects, a collection of works considered too avant-garde for the conservative tastes of the time. Its legend of nonconformism and attitude of experimentation now lives on—at least in spirit—in the unlikeliest of places: a quiet corner of Bridges Street in Hong Kong’s Soho, at an eponymous eatery under the Black Sheep Restaurants hospitality umbrella.



Except for those who know what a Black Sheep restaurant normally feels like, <a href="https://blacksheeprestaurants.com/restaurants/salon-des-refuses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salon des Refusés</a> presents decidedly as the opposite of that. Intimate, understated, and restrained in personality compared to its loud, larger-than-life siblings in town, Salon des Refusés walks a different path, one set by Luca Marinelli, formerly of Osteria Marzia at The Fleming hotel.



Hailing from the landlocked town of Varese in the north of Italy, swaddled by hills and gardens, a deep love for the ocean’s fresh bounties and salted breeze was nonetheless instilled into Marinelli from a young age, bolstered by frequent family excursions to coastal regions. It eventually sent him on a journey of culinary exploration and skill-honing that took him to Italian gastronomy pioneer Gualtiero Marchesi, Mauro Uliassi at Uliassi, and Jesús Sánchez Sáinz at Cenador de Amós. In 2010, Marinelli made his way to Hong Kong—a city that was meant to be temporary, good for a seasonal stint, but fate had other ideas in mind.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chef-Luca-Marinelli-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803496" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chef-Luca-Marinelli-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chef-Luca-Marinelli-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chef-Luca-Marinelli-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chef-Luca-Marinelli-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chef-Luca-Marinelli-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Luca Marinelli.</figcaption></figure>



“Salon des Refusés” evokes a rich history, harking back to a celebration of works rejected by the mainstream. In the culinary realm, Marinelli embraces this concept of rejection as a catalyst for creativity. “As chefs, we end up falling in love with the ‘no’s’ because they keep us hungry,” he muses. It’s this spirit of defiance that permeates the restaurant’s offerings. From the dishes that light up each table to the immersive dining experience that unfolds every night, Salon des Refusés is a celebration of cuisine that refuses to conform.



Much like the unorthodox art that defined the exhibition that lent the restaurant its name, the maverick cuisine of Salon des Refusés is not straightforward to pin down. “Mediterranean” is too generalised; “French-Italian-Japanese” doesn’t roll off the tongue. For simplicity’s sake, we must settle, then, on defining it as Marinelli’s unique interpretation of la cuisine du soleil, where the sun-kissed flavours of coastal France and Italy are reimagined through the use of fresh seafood from local and regional markets and the influence of Japanese ingredients.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-2-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803497" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-2-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-2-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-2-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-2-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-2-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



“On the surface, la cuisine du soleil is a type of cuisine that celebrates flavours touched by the sun, from sea to land. My mentor, chef Mauro Uliassi, taught me how pristine seafood needs little more than sea and sun to shine—a sprinkle of sea salt here, a drizzle of olive oil there. It encompasses not only the vibrant tastes of the seafood we source but also the feeling of warmth and community that comes with sharing meals and discovering something new,” Marinelli shares with Robb Report Hong Kong. “Each night is an opportunity to showcase the beauty of this cuisine, offering a unique dining experience that evolves with the tides.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-5-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803501" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-5-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-5-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-5-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-5-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-5-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



Located in a city that thrives on its coastal identity, Salon des Refusés draws a powerful parallel between Hong Kong’s rich marine tapestry and the Mediterranean’s time-honoured fishing traditions. “It is a very specific part of the Mediterranean that we draw our inspiration from, but this connection to the sea is fundamental to both their world and ours here in Hong Kong, and we emphasise this at Salon des Refusés by sourcing our seafood daily from the markets,” Marinelli states. Each day, he and his team, including protégé Gabe Chan, venture to the bustling seafood market in Ap Lei Chau in pursuit of the freshest catches. His daily pilgrimage is more than routine; it is an essential ritual that informs the ever-evolving menu. Marinelli elaborates that “this practice allows us to honour the sea itself, showcasing ingredients that reflect the local identity while embracing traditional Mediterranean techniques.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-4-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803499" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-4-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-4-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-4-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-4-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-4-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



His culinary philosophy pulses through the menu, which features dishes designed to highlight sun-drenched ingredients. In Marinelli’s hands, the concept of la cuisine du soleil transforms into more than mere culinary technique; it embodies a feeling of warmth, community, and discovery. At the heart of this is the emblematic Hokkaido scallops, seared to perfection and topped with Sicilian pistachios. It captures the ethos of Salon des Refusés: a commitment to celebrating freshness while showcasing seafood in its most radiant form.



Among the concise but diverse offerings on the menu, Marinelli’s personal favourite is the wonderfully simple iwashi sardine on toast. “We serve it with aioli, confit Japanese fruit tomato and Cantabrian anchovies, which provides a wave of umami,” he explains. It’s a dish that transports him directly to the coast; the textures and flavours unite seamlessly, representing a journey through Mediterranean influences infused with local, vibrant ingredients.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-3-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803498" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-3-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-3-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-3-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-3-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-3-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



At Salon des Refusés, dishes adhere to a small form factor, so expect bite-sized enjoyment, allowing for the sampling of more offerings. Order the Hokkaido uni on brioche toast, with a hint of lime for brightness and moreish seaweed butter, and the creamy cod tarama with French radishes and toasted croutons to start as a toe-dip into the world of this eccentric restaurant. Next, the Petrosian caviar spaghetti “alla Marchesi” with chive and Menton lemon zest is a quiet, elegant tribute to the late Marchesi, father of Italian nouvelle cuisine, while the ma yau threadfin fish, prepared in “alla tuba” style with capers, anchovy, and brown butter, speaks much louder with its crisped skin and tender meat, atop a bed of lightly acidic, tomato-led sauce vierge. A spiny lobster tagliatelle, dressed in tomato and preserved lemon, or the special of red prawn carbonara continues the symphony of indulgent flavours, and finds a sweet finale with the golden-coloured, powdered-sugar-dusted torta “Aurora” sponge cake.



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Is it challenging for Salon des Refusés to maintain the authenticity of Mediterranean flavours while adapting to local seafood catches? Marinelli embraces this as a happy problem, viewing it as an essential part of the restaurant’s narrative. After all, Salon des Refusés, in nature, disregards conventionality. It’s a delicate balancing act between respecting Mediterranean traditions, sourcing hyperlocal ingredients, and resisting conformity. “While we honour Mediterranean traditions, working with freshly caught local seafood allows us to create dishes that resonate with both cultures,” he says. Every dish is crafted to tell a story, weaving together the rich culinary heritage of the Mediterranean with the vibrant flavours of Hong Kong, and the restaurant is a bridge between these two worlds, inviting diners to explore the nuances of both.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-Interior-2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803502" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-Interior-2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-Interior-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-Interior-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-Interior-2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDR-Interior-2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Salon des Refusés’ atmosphere and interiors, too, defy stereotypical characterisation. Marinelli might even say that being contrarian is the cornerstone of this new restaurant concept: “As the Salon des Refusés, we were always going to be different.” Designer Melissa Collison was instrumental in creating a space that communicated that divergence. Collison and Marinelli wanted to capture the essence of coastal life, and the result is a dramatic, nostalgic dining room that feels like a moment frozen in history, a snapshot captured in amber. Kitchen notes are liberally scribbled on the cocoa-coloured wall tiles, checkered marble flooring and mosaics evoke Art Deco inspirations, and everywhere you turn, the seashell motif is embedded. Marinelli shares that “the seaside tones are there, you have dark wood and plush velvet, [and] the idea is to create a warm and intimate space with a focus on connection and hospitality.”



One distinct feature of the restaurant is the “beautiful bar counter,” an inviting focal point that allows for direct interaction between chefs and diners; this dynamic invites guests into the culinary process, creating an intimacy that enhances the dining experience—something Marinelli cherishes. As a chef, it is really special to have that connection, he affirms.



<a href="https://blacksheeprestaurants.com/restaurants/salon-des-refuses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salon des Refusés</a>



9 Bridges Street, Central, Hong Kong



Tel: (+852) 2154 6106



All images courtesy of Salon des Refusés.

French

Hong Kong

Italian

Luca Marinelli

Restaurant

Salon des Refusés

Inside Salon des Refusés, an Intimate Celebration of Coastal, Seafood-Driven Cuisine

It’s true what they say—time flies when you’re having fun.



In the blink of an eye, the <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/upper-house-unified-rebrand-international-expansion" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently rebranded Upper House Hong Kong</a> has reached its 16th anniversary. Naturally, a milestone like this does not go uncelebrated, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a one-night-only feast presented by one of Asia’s finest?



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" data-id="1234802895" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Jordy_Toyo-Eatery-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802895" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Jordy_Toyo-Eatery-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Jordy_Toyo-Eatery-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Jordy_Toyo-Eatery-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Jordy_Toyo-Eatery-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Jordy_Toyo-Eatery-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Jordy_Toyo-Eatery-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jordy Navarra.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" data-id="1234802896" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Ricardo_Salisterra-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802896" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Ricardo_Salisterra-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Ricardo_Salisterra-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Ricardo_Salisterra-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Ricardo_Salisterra-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Ricardo_Salisterra-1536x1536.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chef-Ricardo_Salisterra-2048x2048.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ricardo Chaneton.</figcaption></figure>
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On 7 November 2025, Salisterra at Upper House Hong Kong will welcome chef Jordy Navarra of Manila’s one-Michelin-star Toyo Eatery, who will join hands with Ricardo Chaneton, Salisterra’s culinary advisor, to create culinary magic that bridges the Mediterranean and the Philippines. Both gastronomic traditions are big on shared dining experiences, and for the chefs, this collaboration represents a renewed meeting of minds—Navarra and Chaneton partnered up for a stint at Mono two years ago, which we can assume went well enough to bring about a sequel.



Toyo Eatery, its name derived from the Tagalog word for soy sauce, is dedicated to the appreciation and continuation of Filipino culinary heritage. It also stands as a champion of sustainability, with a strong focus on “closing loops,” sourcing produce locally, and supporting small artisan communities in the Philippines. One of the signature experiences at this acclaimed restaurant in Makati is the kamayan tasting menu, a direct tribute to the Filipino communal dining tradition of enjoying a shared meal off a banana leaf with your hands.



After the meal, the party continues in the Green Room, where the award-winning Ethan Liu of CMYK in Changsha, ranked No. 16 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, will be putting in a guest shift. For a limited time only, to commemorate the unified brand relaunch of Upper House, the Green Room will also be serving signature cocktails from the Chengdu and Shanghai properties.



For booking enquiries, click <a href="https://www.sevenrooms.com/explore/salisterra/reservations/create/search/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



<a href="https://www.upperhouse.com/en/hongkong/restaurants-and-bars/salisterra/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salisterra</a>



Level 49, Upper House Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong



Tel: (+852) 3968 1106



All images courtesy of Upper House Hong Kong.

Salisterra

Toyo Eatery

Upper House Hong Kong

Manila’s Toyo Eatery Comes to Hong Kong For 1 Night Only This Month

As Hong Kong gears up for the eagerly anticipated Festival of Wine, running from 4 to 25 November 2025, <a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/island-shangri-la/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong</a> is poised to transform into a veritable paradise for wine enthusiasts and culinary aficionados alike. This year’s festival promises to be the most ambitious yet, showcasing a curated selection of exquisite wines from the world’s most prestigious vineyards, paired with gastronomic creations by chef Uwe Opocensky—<a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/uwe-opocensky-frederic-chabbert-petrus-collaboration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">no stranger to Robb Report Hong Kong</a>—of the acclaimed Restaurant Petrus.



The festival’s allure is undeniable, offering an unparalleled opportunity to indulge in eight extraordinary evenings dedicated to the celebration of wine and food. With a collection spanning the elite estates of Burgundy to the cult classics of Napa Valley, each event weaves a unique narrative, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the storied legacies of legendary producers and rare vintages. The experience is elevated further by distinguished winemakers and sommeliers, who will share their insights and tales behind each bottle, transforming every sip into a moment of connection and discovery.



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One of the Festival of Wine’s highlights is the Domaine Leroy Wine Dinner, scheduled for 6 November at the intimate Restaurant Petrus. Limited to just eight guests, this exclusive gathering will feature some of Burgundy’s rarest and most coveted vintages, including the legendary Clos de la Roche 2006 and Romanée-St-Vivant 1998. Opocensky’s artistry shines through in a specially crafted menu, where seasonal French autumn ingredients harmonise with the exceptional wines. Picture a delicate lobster and scallop dish paired with the illustrious Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2001, or rich beef cheeks elegantly complemented by Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Combettes 2013.&nbsp;



For those with a penchant for exploration, the Prieuré Roch Wine Dinner on 18 November offers a bold culinary journey through the artistry of minimal-intervention wines. Opocensky harnesses earthy, umami flavours to create dishes that perfectly complement the natural, unfiltered wines from Domaine Prieuré Roch. Guests can expect to savour a rich cep mushroom tart alongside the Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru VV Magnum 2022, culminating in the evening’s pièce de résistance: tarte tatin with confit Rhug venison paired with the magnificent Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2022. With Yannick Champ, the winemaker and co-director, personally presenting these exceptional vintages, the evening will be unforgettable.



As the festival unfolds, the spotlight shifts to Napa Valley’s most illustrious producer during the Harlan Estate Wine Dinner on 25 November. This event promises a grand showcase of wines that have garnered perfect scores from Robert Parker, reflecting their uncompromising quality. Opocensky’s family-style service will feature a delightful array of dishes, from pork head terrine to whole grilled turbot, all designed to complement the structured and complex profiles of Harlan Estate wines.



Not to be overlooked, the Pommery Champagne Dinner on 4 November sets the stage for a celebration of sparkling elegance. Since 1858, Pommery has been at the forefront of Champagne innovation, and this evening will honour both its classic heritage and contemporary vision. Opocensky’s culinary interpretations will feature a selection of seafood dishes meticulously paired with six exceptional Pommery cuvées, including the celebrated Y by Yoshiki Brut and the rich Louise Brut Rosé 2004.



Each dining experience during the festival is designed to showcase the harmony between exceptional wines and culinary artistry, with chefs drawing inspiration from the unique terroirs of the wine regions. The Château Duhart-Milon Wine Dinner on 13 November, for instance, celebrates the heritage of this distinguished Pauillac estate with creative pairings that surprise and delight. From the rare Sauvignon Blanc Le Blanc de Duhart-Milon 2023 served with Japanese oysters to unexpected charcoal-grilled Wagyu lasagne skewers complementing the elegant 2007 vintage, this evening offers a masterclass in flavour synergy.



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As the festival culminates, Ming Pavilion will host the Pegasus Bay Wine Dinner on 20 November, showcasing expressive wines from New Zealand’s Waipara Valley. The evening will feature masterful Fujian cuisine pairings, highlighting the versatility and complexity of Pinot Noir and Riesling, ensuring that each dish resonates with the wine’s character.



With limited seats available, guests are encouraged to secure their reservations promptly to avoid disappointment. For those seeking an extraordinary oenophile experience, the Festival of Wine at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong promises to be a highlight—nay,&nbsp;the&nbsp;event of the year.



For more information and reservations, visit <a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/en/landing/isl-festival-of-wine-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shangri-la.com.</a>

Event

Festival of Wine

Hk Dining

Hong Kong event

Wine

Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong’s Sixth Festival of Wine is Primed for Oenophiles

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Aqua Restaurant Group has transformed from a single restaurant in the heart of Hong Kong into a culinary powerhouse, boasting 25 venues across major cities such as London, New York, and Dubai, with its latest addition gracing the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris. As Aqua Restaurant Group races past this remarkable milestone, Aqua invites discerning diners to partake in a month-long celebration, offering exclusive menus that encapsulate the essence of its storied journey.



Aqua’s inception dates back to 2000 when David Yeo, a lawyer-turned-restaurateur, opened the first Aqua restaurant in Hong Kong. Yeo’s vision was clear: to create a dining experience that transcended mere sustenance, fusing innovative cuisine with striking design. It wasn’t long before Aqua became a sensation, earning accolades and recognition, including a place on the World’s Hottest Tables list. Its initial success laid the foundation for future expansion and set the stage for a culinary odyssey that would span the globe.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hutong-Entrance-Alleyway-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803463" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hutong-Entrance-Alleyway-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hutong-Entrance-Alleyway-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hutong-Entrance-Alleyway-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hutong-Entrance-Alleyway-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hutong-Entrance-Alleyway-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Aqua Restaurant Group now boasts an impressive portfolio that extends beyond its flagship brands, Aqua and Hutong. Committed to diverse culinary expressions, Aqua Restaurant Group embraces over six distinct cuisines, presenting a tapestry of dining experiences that cater to the most refined palates. Each restaurant—whether it’s The Chinese Library, Cantina, or the Dim Sum Library—offers a unique narrative, weaving together traditional techniques with modern sensibilities, exhibiting a dedication to culinary craftsmanship that is matched only by a commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients, ensuring that every dish tells a story of quality and innovation.



As part of its anniversary celebrations, Aqua has meticulously curated special menus that reflect its rich history, culinary prowess, and exciting future. Guests dining at any Aqua restaurant in Hong Kong will be treated to limited-time dishes that embody the essence of each venue. For instance, Hutong’s wok-tossed lobster, a dish originally crafted to commemorate the restaurant’s first Michelin star, makes a triumphant return as a nod to the past. Meanwhile, Aqua’s contemporary signature short rib offers a glimpse into the present, showcasing the brand’s ongoing commitment to innovation and artistry.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Chinese-Library-Main-Dining-Room-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803464" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Chinese-Library-Main-Dining-Room-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Chinese-Library-Main-Dining-Room-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Chinese-Library-Main-Dining-Room-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Chinese-Library-Main-Dining-Room-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Chinese-Library-Main-Dining-Room-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Not content to merely reflect on its achievements, Aqua Restaurant Group is also looking forward. The “future” dishes in these anniversary menus hint at the direction in which the culinary landscape is heading. Aqua’s chefs are pushing boundaries, experimenting with flavours and techniques that promise to delight and surprise. But the celebration doesn’t end there: Aqua is also hosting a social media contest, inviting guests to share their dining experiences online for a chance to win a trip for two to Paris, including a special dinner at the newly opened Aqua Kyoto.



As Aqua Restaurant Group embarks on its next chapter, it carries a legacy of culinary excellence, innovation, and a passion for creating unforgettable dining experiences. With its sights set on the future, Aqua stands ready to continue its journey, inviting diners to join in celebrating not just a milestone, but the very essence of what it means to dine with purpose and passion. Whether you’re a long-time patron or a first-time visitor, there has never been a better time to experience the essence of Aqua. 25 years have passed? Here’s to 25 more!

Aqua Restaurant Group

Aqua Restaurant Group Marks 25 Years of Excellence, Celebrating a Timeless and Global Culinary Odyssey

By Michael Verdon, Julie Boatman, and Jen Paolini



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Gulfstream



G700



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



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



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



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



Sentient



SJ25+



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



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



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



Textron Aviation



Citation CJ3 Gen2



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



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



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



VistaJet



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



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



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



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



Dassault



6X



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



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



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



Embraer



Phenom 100EX



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

Aviation

Best of the Best

Best of the Best 2025

Dassault

Gulfstream

Private Jet

Sentient

Textron Aviation

VistaJet

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Sounds like quite the upgrade.

Heathrow

London

Private Terminal

The Windsor

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

The new age of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/space-tourism/">space tourism</a>&nbsp;hasn’t arrived quite yet.



Richard Branson’s <a href="https://www.virgingalactic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virgin Galactic</a> is delaying the launch of its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/virgin-galactic-delta-spacecraft-first-flight-planned-1236263298/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">much-anticipated Delta spacecraft</a>, a vessel for both tourists and research opportunities to reach suborbital flight. The craft was set to debut in summer 2026 but is now slated for the fall of that year, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-06/virgin-galactic-spce-to-delay-first-spaceplane-flight-to-fall-2026?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a> reported.



The British American company has paused all commercial operations since June 2024 in anticipation of the Delta commercial flight’s launch next year, after which tourism trips will resume. The updated timeline follows quarterly financial results that fell short of analysts’ expectations.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/virgin-galactic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virgin Galactic</a> reported about US$410,000 (approximately HK$3,192,690.50) in revenue for the second quarter, slightly below the US$420,000 (around HK$3,270,561) forecasted by analysts polled by <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-06/virgin-galactic-spce-to-delay-first-spaceplane-flight-to-fall-2026?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>. The company also reduced the size of its in-house engineering team and overall workforce by 7 percent as it fights to bring to market the upgraded Delta spaceplane.



While Virgin Galactic stock has been down roughly 35 percent for the year, shares rose 2.1 percent in US post market trading this week—a relief for investors who expected a greater loss per share of US$2.34 (HK$18.22) compared to the actual US$1.47 (HK$11.45) dip.



Prior to the halt in operations, Virgin Galactic had been selling seats on the Delta spacecraft for around US$600,000 (HK$4,672,230), and said it plans to raise prices when ticket sales resume at the start of 2026, according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-06/virgin-galactic-spce-to-delay-first-spaceplane-flight-to-fall-2026?srnd=homepage-americas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>.



The company’s current focus is on developing the upgraded spaceplane, which is being optimised for reusability and faster turnaround time between flights—perhaps an effort to compete with rival commercial space tech companies like Jeff Bezos’s <a href="https://www.blueorigin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue Origin LLC</a> or Elon Musk’s <a href="https://www.spacex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SpaceX</a>. In all cases, flights are sold as short trips to space for sightseeing or research.



Virgin Galactic told Bloomberg that it burned through roughly US$55 million (approximately HK$428.29 million) in cash during the second quarter, down from around US$79 million (HK$615.18 million) during the same period last year. It had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of US$508 million (around HK$3.96 billion) as of the end of June.



Hopefully, Virgin Galactic can unveil a groundbreaking Delta spaceplane next fall in the wake of ongoing delays. While it’s unclear what the availability and pricing of the commercial flights will be, one thing is certain: We can’t hop on just yet.

aviation concept

concept

space

Spaceplane

Virgin

virgin galactic

Virgin Galactic Is Delaying the Launch of Its Delta Spaceplane

<a href="https://www.tcsworldtravel.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">TCS World Travel</a>&nbsp;is taking the air cruise to new heights.



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/slideshow/take-these-private-jet-trips-lifetime/tcs-world-travels-around-the-world-culinary-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seattle-based travel company</a> just unveiled its “most ambitious itinerary to date,” which will allow travellers to visit all seven continents in a month.



The 29-day itinerary, aptly named Seven Continents by&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/private-jet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Private Jet</a>, includes stops in 12 iconic destinations, from Machu Picchu, Peru, to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Travellers will also embark on some truly incredible experiences, such as walking the otherworldly ice tunnels of Antarctica, trekking across Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, and exploring the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo.



“Visiting all seven continents in a single journey has long been a dream for TCS World&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Travel</a>, and now it’s a reality,” TCS president Shelley Cline said in a statement.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801241" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_1.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The itinerary includes stops in Cairo and Luxor. Image courtesy of TCS World Travel</figcaption></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/air-cruise-1235786817/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air cruises</a> have taken off in the past few years, with several firms now offering incredible <a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/round-the-world-trip-plan-1235865827/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">private jet expeditions</a> that enable high-fliers to live out Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days at a far greater pace. TCS has carried out 300 jet expeditions to more than 200 destinations over the past 30 years, but has never before offered a seven-continents-in-one adventure.



“Seven Continents is the pinnacle of global adventure—a bucket list experience delivered with comfort, ease, enriching cultural encounters, and the exceptional service our guests know they can expect,” Cline adds.



TCS has also teamed up with White Desert—one of the few companies with commercial jet access to the Antarctic interior—to bring jet-setters even closer to icy tundra. Guests will depart from Cape Town and land on a striking blue-ice runway, before spending a full day immersed in Antarctica’s untouched beauty. Parkas and Baffin boots will, of course, be provided to keep you nice and cosy. As the jaunt will take place during the Antarctic summer, you’ll enjoy 24 hours of sunlight, too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801242" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_4.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Travellers will take a trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania, which was not a part of previous Around the World Trips. Image courtesy of TCS World Travel</figcaption></figure>



That isn’t the only new experience TCS has added, either. Travellers will also have the opportunity to visit the spice markets and white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania, and take a deeper, end-to-end dive into Africa. Overnight stays will take place at luxury hotels and resorts by One&amp;Only, Belmond, Four Seasons, &amp;Beyond, Raffles, and other hospitality heavyweights.



As for the plane itself, TCS has created a custom Airbus A321 with a spacious cabin that offers leather flatbed seats for up to 52 guests, large lavatories, and full-length mirrors. The aircraft is manned by a crew of 18, including a dedicated chef and an onboard physician, meaning fliers will be taken care of from takeoff to landing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801243" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/TCS_Seven_Continents_2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Guests will be flown in a TCS-branded Airbus A321. Image courtesy of TCS World Travel</figcaption></figure>



The Seven Continents expedition costs US$205,000 (approximately HK$1.596 million) per person based on double occupancy. The itinerary is all-inclusive, with everything from private flights to ground transportation covered in the initial fee. Guests can also request optional suite upgrades.

TCS World Travel

Travel

This New Private Jet Expedition Lets You Explore All 7 Continents in 29 Days

It’s that splendid time of year again to embrace Mid-Autumn festivities in grand style. As the full moon ascends, casting a serene glow over the autumn night, the Mid-Autumn Festival invites families across Asia to gather in celebration, and this cherished occasion calls for indulgent feasts, heartfelt moments, and the warm embrace of tradition. In a remarkable fusion of culture and luxury, <a href="https://www.vistajet.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VistaJet</a> unveils an extraordinary mooncake and mixology experience designed to elevate this festive period to new heights—quite literally.



From 22 September to 7 October, VistaJet Members may savour an exclusive selection of artisanal mooncakes, crafted in collaboration with the renowned Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for selected departures in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore City. Signature cocktails and mocktails that pay homage to the vibrant spirit of key Asian cities will be curated to pair with the range of delicacies. With each sip and bite, passengers embark on a sensory journey that transcends the ordinary, transforming their in-flight experience into an unforgettable celebration of heritage and craftsmanship.



“With sophisticated cocktails for toasting, playful mocktails for children’s enjoyment, and decadent mooncakes for all, we ensure every passenger partakes in the festive spirit,” says Crystal Wong,&nbsp;president,&nbsp;Asia-Pacific.&nbsp;



VistaJet’s emphasis on inclusivity fosters a sense of togetherness high above the clouds, and members departing from major hubs in Asia will enjoy an exquisite selection of mooncakes, each paired with a beverage that encapsulates the essence of its respective city. In Hong Kong, for instance, the Torii cocktail offers a distinctive twist on the classic Negroni, featuring sweet potato&nbsp;shochu&nbsp;and the delicate, fruity aromas of lychee to mirror the tranquil beauty of Hong Kong, where nature and urban life coexist harmoniously.



In Shanghai, the Memory cocktail pays tribute to the city’s rich heritage, blending osmanthus-infused gin with mellow yellow rice wine. Accented by vanilla syrup and a hint of lemon, this layered concoction evokes the elegant charm of autumn evenings along the Bund, transporting passengers to the heart of the vibrant culture of Shanghai.



In Beijing, the Palace Turret cocktail captures the golden silhouette of the Forbidden City’s iconic towers at dusk. A harmonious blend of jasmine, peach, gin, and Champagne allows passengers to savour a taste steeped in six centuries of history. For those preferring a non-alcoholic option, the Kirin mocktail reflects the sophistication of the auspicious Chinese beast, combining layers of pineapple, mango, coconut, and lemon for a refreshing delight.



In Singapore, the Reclaimed Sling reimagines the city’s iconic gin-based cocktail, incorporating pomegranate and herbal liqueur for a smooth, flavourful sip that showcases the region’s culinary prowess. The Gao Lak mocktail, named after beloved roasted chestnuts, pays homage to childhood nostalgia and Singapore’s vibrant hawker culture with its rich blend of black-bean vinegar, water chestnut syrup, and non-alcoholic malt.



Beyond the curated cocktails and mooncakes, VistaJet Members can explore a selection of fine wines through the exclusive Wine in the Sky programme, ensuring every sip complements the exquisite in-flight dining experience. With access to a global network of over 7,000 suppliers, private chefs, and Michelin-starred restaurants, VistaJet guarantees a meticulously crafted culinary journey from take-off to landing.



For those eager to deepen their appreciation of mixology, VistaJet offers an exclusive workshop at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong and&nbsp;Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Guided by expert mixologists, families can engage in an interactive session to uncover closely guarded recipes and master the art of crafting signature cocktails and mocktails, creating lasting memories and instilling a sense of pride in the art of mixology as families unite in Mid-Autumn celebrations.



As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, VistaJet stands poised to deliver an unparalleled experience that transcends convention. With guaranteed access to a fleet of over 270 aircraft, VistaJet Members can embark on the ultimate journey to reunite with loved ones amid the luxurious amenities and services that define the brand. For those seeking the pinnacle of comfort, the Global 7500—with four distinct living spaces, including an entertainment room and a permanent stateroom—offers an extraordinary setting for a memorable celebration.&nbsp;



VistaJet not only elevates the experience of flying this Mid-Autumn Festival but redefines it, allowing passengers to savour the rich tapestry of Asian culture and tradition at 45,000 feet. As the moon illuminates the night sky, let VistaJet guide you on a luxurious adventure through the firmament, capturing the spirit of togetherness in every unforgettable moment.



All images courtesy of VistaJet.

Reach For the Skies This Mid-Autumn Festival With VistaJet’s Luxurious Mooncake & Mixology Adventure

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/archer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Archer</a> Aviation’s flagship air taxi just passed another major milestone on the road to launch.



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/archer-midnight-evtol-first-2024-certification-1234769778/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Midnight eVTOL</a> has completed its first piloted test flight, according to a <a href="https://news.archer.com/archer-showcases-piloted-midnight-flight-as-it-advances-to-next-phase-of-flight-test-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> shared by the Silicon Valley firm on Monday. The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/archer-aviations-midnight-evtol-successful-transition-flight-1235654497/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">five-person craft</a> notched more than<a href="https://news.archer.com/archer-surpasses-400-test-flights-this-year-achieving-company-milestone-four-months-ahead-of-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> 400 test flights</a> in 2024 alone, but this is the first time a pilot has been at the controls.



<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="Midnight Piloted Flight with CTOL | Full Flight Video" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gmz5yjmeZQ8?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>
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With Archer’s chief test pilot, Jeff Greenwood, at the helm, Midnight cruised at speeds up to 125 mph and reached a maximum altitude of over 1,500 feet. The craft also completed a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) rather than executing both vertically. Midnight already showcased a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in the latter half of 2023.



“Flying Midnight felt just like flying the simulator—everything responded exactly as we trained for, which is exactly what you hope for during a test flight,” Greenwood said in a statement.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800118" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg.webp 1200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Archer pilot Jeff Greenwood inside Midnight. Image courtesy of Archer Aviation</figcaption></figure>



Archer says government regulators and customers have stressed the importance of being able to take off and land both conventionally and vertically in Midnight. Having an aircraft that is capable of both results in greater operational flexibility and also increases safety, according to Archer.



“Midnight’s VTOL and CTOL capabilities are a strong differentiator for us as they are critical for delivering an aircraft that can integrate into a wide range of operational scenarios while also providing enhanced safety,” added Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein.



Equipped with 12 wing-mounted tilting propellers and six battery packs, Midnight will be able to carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 150 mph. Weighing roughly 6,500 pounds, the aircraft will have a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds and can be charged in minutes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800116" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Archer_Midnight2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Midnight <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/evtol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eVTOL</a>. Image courtesy of Archer Aviation</figcaption></figure>



During the next phase of testing, Archer will focus on things like the control responsiveness and stability of Midnight. The firm is also working to get the aircraft certified and into commercial service in both the US and the UAE. The plan is to eventually launch an <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/archer-first-electric-air-taxi-network-new-york-1236478225/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air-taxi network</a> in New York, providing fliers with the ability to zip from Manhattan to New York’s largest airports in five to 10 minutes for about US$200 (approximately HK$1,570). Rival eVTOL builder <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/joby-toyota-investment1235893105-1235893105/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joby Aviation</a> is also hoping to get its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/joby-demonstrates-its-quiet-electric-mini-chopper-for-the-first-time-1234599351/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">S4 electric aircraft</a> flying around the Big Apple. The timing of Archer’s stateside rollout is still, well, up in the air, but the team expects to start a commercial service in Dubai by the end of this year. Stay tuned.

Air Taxi

Archer Aviation

Electric Air Taxi

eVTOL

Midnight eVTOL

test flights

This 5-Person Electric Air Taxi Just Completed Its First Piloted Flight

Over the past few weeks, whisky collectors, connoisseurs, and the curious have been part of a fine whisky experience, launched on a luxury yacht in Monaco, at an all-villa resort in Singapore, and at one of the swishest clubs in Hong Kong (where we at&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;were the only press invited to the event). How could we possibly say no?



Particularly to the familiar charms of James Mackay—no stranger to Hong Kong—who may have left our post-typhoon-Wipha-whipped shores years ago for the bucolic adventures of village life in Edinburgh, but the city’s gritty fibres remain in his arteries.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800422" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/James-Mackay-Private-Client-Director-of-Artisan-Spirits-Company-at-the-global-launch-of-Artisan-Casks-in-Monaco-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">James Mackay.</figcaption></figure>



Mackay, a rare whisky and fine spirits specialist with three decades of independent consultancy and positions with industry leaders, is an easily recognised and award-winning figure. He once had a popular drinks column in Hong Kong when he was a resident. His in-depth features read like a friend explaining the glories of vine, wine, wood, and cask as he took more than a passing interest in the exquisite drinks that arrived in the city. He left some time ago but stayed in the news: In 2022, he was made a Keeper of the Quaich, a lifetime honour recognising outstanding contributions to the Scotch whisky industry, and in 2023, he became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.



But Hong Kong is like a habit he can’t break, so he returns with a bag of tricks and trinkets—or rather, what looks like a trunk fully furnished with armour, but within its protective, sponge-cast interior lies the rarest liquids of amber and gold. He wheels into view and unloads three of the finest whiskies known to cask and country. We sampled Macallan 1993 Artisan Cask, Bowmore 2004 Artisan Cask, and “Ancient Alba” 1972 Artisan Cask while Mackay expounded the raison d’être of Artisan Casks and how it all came to be.



<a href="https://artisanal-spirits.com/artisan-casks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artisan Casks</a> was launched by the <a href="https://artisanal-spirits.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artisanal Spirits Company</a>, and it’s an exquisite new private cask programme that offers discerning individuals the opportunity to acquire a selection of exceptional, aged Scotch whisky casks, each with a story as rich as the liquid it holds. It is not about owning one bottle, but an entire fleet, and this initiative is not merely a purchasing opportunity—it is an invitation to immerse oneself in the intricate artistry and heritage of whisky, joining an elite club of like-minded individuals who prize exclusivity, experience, and erudition—well, not exactly in that order—and in having their name and indeed legacy imprinted for posterity, one bottle at a time. Apart from the art of procuring, there’s the F-word that doesn’t often percolate in the refined circles of connoisseurship: fun.



Owning these casks is, quite frankly, for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the one percent who are looking for something beyond a rare bottle at auction. Artisan Casks epitomises the artisanal spirit of whisky production, allowing connoisseurs to appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship that defines this revered spirit. Each cask, aged a minimum of 20 years, is primed for immediate bottling but also offers the potential for further maturation, tailored to individual preferences in consultation with the company’s expert whisky-makers.



Each year, only a limited number of casks will be made available, with this inaugural selection featuring illustrious names such as Laphroaig, The Macallan, Mortlach, and Bowmore. Prices for these exquisite offerings range from £50,000 (approximately HK$530,615) to £600,000 (HK$6.36 million), reflecting the cask’s age, provenance, and size, ensuring that each acquisition is as unique as the whisky it contains.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" data-id="1234800423" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sketch-of-Artisan-Cask-bottle_RS-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800423" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sketch-of-Artisan-Cask-bottle_RS-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sketch-of-Artisan-Cask-bottle_RS-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sketch-of-Artisan-Cask-bottle_RS-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sketch-of-Artisan-Cask-bottle_RS-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sketch-of-Artisan-Cask-bottle_RS.jpeg 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" data-id="1234800424" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800424" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image_RS.jpeg 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" data-id="1234800425" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-683x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800425" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-683x1024.jpeg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-768x1152.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS-1024x1536.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-whisky-image-during-Asia-launch_RS.jpeg 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="682" height="1024" data-id="1234800426" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-682x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234800426" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-682x1024.jpeg 682w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-200x300.jpeg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-768x1153.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS-1023x1536.jpeg 1023w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Artisan-Casks-launch-in-Monaco-whiskies_RS.jpeg 1066w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure>
</figure>



As mentioned, the programme was unveiled to a select audience at the Presidential Villa at Raffles on Sentosa in Singapore, marking the Asia launch after a spectacular debut aboard the 125-year-old classic sailing yacht,&nbsp;The Black Swan, in Monaco. For good measure, we had the exclusive first look under the aegis of Club Bâtard. Further events are slated for New York and Dubai, indicating global interest in this remarkable initiative.



At the helm of this innovative programme, Mackay, the newly appointed private client director for the Artisanal Spirits Company, brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as global private client director and head of rare &amp; exceptional spirits for Diageo. His expertise is instrumental in guiding clients through the unique journey of cask ownership without delving into the tedious notions of numbers, return-on-investment figures, pie charts, or graphs to indicate the fiscal state of the owner’s prized portfolio. What can be discussed is quality and rarity—value, not cost. “[Artisan Casks] unites the core elements that make single malt Scotch whisky extraordinary: authentic craftsmanship, technical artistry, and unwavering attention to detail,” he says, articulating the essence of Artisan Casks. “Owning a cask is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am eager to share with fellow enthusiasts.”



The Artisanal Spirits Company prides itself on the individuality of each cask, underscoring a commitment to superior cask management and an artisanal vision. Its dedication to nurturing each cask ensures that it reaches the zenith of its potential, with regular assessments and meticulous attention to the interplay between spirit and wood. Whisky-makers meticulously select and pair each spirit with the appropriate wood, regularly monitoring its maturation to maintain a harmonious balance, often sourcing casks from the finest cooperages and sherry bodegas, ensuring that no expense is spared in the pursuit of excellence.



Cask owners will be welcomed into an elite circle, sharing an appreciation for the finest craftsmanship and lavish experiences. Collaborations with the company’s esteemed partners will allow them privileged access to some of the most celebrated distilleries in Scotland, exclusive bottlings, and invitations to private events, all designed to deepen their connection to whisky culture. Over the past four decades, the Artisanal Spirits Company has sourced an exceptional assortment of casks from more than 100 renowned single malt Scotch whisky distilleries, curating and selling limited-edition whiskies that celebrate craftsmanship and heritage. Housed in a state-of-the-art facility in Scotland, each cask is matured with the singular aim of achieving peak quality at bottling and the bespoke approach to cask care necessitates an unparalleled level of craftsmanship and precision.



Among the Artisan Casks being showcased are: • The Macallan 1993 Artisan Cask No. #305118 • Bowmore 2004 Artisan Cask No. #161217 • Laphroaig 1998 Artisan Cask No. #151785 • Caol Ila 1992 Artisan Cask No. #180965 • Highland Park 2005 Artisan Cask No. #160821 • Mortlach 1991 Artisan Cask No. #304589 • Bunnahabhain 2004 Artisan Cask No. #903350 • Glen Grant 1994 Artisan Cask No. #305100



In addition to its cask programme, the Artisanal Spirits Company owns the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), further enhancing its capability to provide some of the world’s finest whisky experiences through its beautifully appointed clubhouses in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London. Artisan Casks is an entry into the world of whisky craftsmanship, inviting aficionados to partake in an extraordinary journey of flavour, artistry, and heritage.



For more information, visit <a href="https://artisanal-spirits.com/artisan-casks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artisanal-spirits.com</a>.



All images courtesy of Artisan Casks.

Artisan Casks

Whisky

Artisan Casks Presents a Curated, Exclusive, and Exquisite New Era in Luxury Whisky Ownership

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



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



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



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



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



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



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" data-id="1234798054" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-819x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798054" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Oasis-Collection-The-Vault-of-Legacies_DRC-Assortment-Cases_RS.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>



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



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



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



All images courtesy of Bonhams Hong Kong.

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Bonhams

Bonhams Hong Kong

Hong Kong auction

Whiskey

Whiskey auction

wine auction

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

A ski home has been a favourite getaway for the ultra-rich ever since people started strapping sticks to their feet, but over the past two decades, they’ve become a lot more than just seasonal escapes—they’re serious lifestyle investments that increasingly offer year-round activities. According to the latest <a href="https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/382092-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Savills Ski Report</a>, which marks 20 years of tracking the global ski <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">market</a>, prices for prime ski properties have jumped a whopping 150 percent since 2006.



Switzerland has stayed steady through it all. Ski homes in the Alpine country are up seven percent in the past year and 20 percent over the last five, and over 20 years they’ve nearly doubled in value. Resort towns long popular with aristocrats and jet-setters, such as Gstaad and St Moritz, still draw buyers looking for privacy and stability, with ultra-luxury chalets in Gstaad selling for around €51,500 per square metre—about US$55,000/HK$468,870 per square foot.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803309" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-property-prices.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Prime ski property prices have surged 150 percent over the past 20 years. Image courtesy of Don &amp; Melinda Crawford/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



The US market is equally dramatic. Short-term numbers may look flat, but over 10 years, values have jumped 84 percent, and over 20 years, they’ve soared by 228 percent. <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aspen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aspen</a> continues to lead the pack, with prime homes averaging roughly US$3,750 (approximately HK$29,170) per square foot and ultra-prime homes going for around US$7,400 (HK$57,565) per square foot. 



To put that into perspective, a contemporary log cabin on what’s known as Aspen’s Billionaire Mountain hit the market earlier this year <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/aspen-contemporary-home-red-mountain-1236320940/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for US$45 million</a> (approximately HK$350.06 million), while a 6,180-square-foot home sold last year for<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/07/04/this-66-million-aspen-ski-outpost-is-2024s-priciest-home-on-record-heres-the-full-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> a record US$66.5 </a>million (HK$517.31 million), or US$10,761 (HK$83,710) per square foot. As it turns out, the most expensive home currently on the US market is in Aspen: Stewart and Linda Resnick’s Little Lake Lodge, a 74-acre compound with a 19,000-square-foot mansion <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhochman/2025/08/28/most-expensive-home-in-america-hits-the-market-at-300-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">listed for US$300 million</a> (HK$2.33 billion), an amount that breaks down to a staggering US$15,790 (HK$122,835) per square foot.



Even with a brutal 10 percent dip last year, France is also seeing strong growth. Five-year gains are still a solid 31 percent, and 10-year gains are 58 percent, while the 20-year growth figures skyrocketed by 197 percent. High-altitude resorts like Val d’Isère and Courchevel 1850 are especially popular, thanks to reliable snow and international prestige. 



Luxury listings in Courchevel 1850 illustrate the scale. They include a 3,123-square-foot chalet on the market for €8.4 million (about <a href="https://www.frenchestateagents.com/french-property-for-sale/view/A16255?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US$9.5 million</a>/HK$76.46 million), which translates to US$3,043 (HK$23,670) per square foot, and an enormous 10-bedroom spread listed for €36 million (<a href="https://www.jamesedition.com/real_estate/courchevel-france/exceptional-five-bedroom-chalet-with-swimming-pool-in-the-heart-of-courchevel-1850-14939324?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US$41.8 million</a>/HK$327.71 million), or US$6,934 (HK$53,940) per square foot.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803310" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ski-homes.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aspen remains the global leader for ultra-prime ski homes, with average prices topping US$7,400 per square foot. Image courtesy of JARRY/TRIPELON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



Even with some ups and downs, prime-property values are still 27 percent above pre-pandemic levels, and demand is surging as wealthy individuals look for lifestyle escapes that double as investments, remote work makes mountain living more practical, and high-altitude, snow-reliable resorts offer long-term resilience against climate volatility. 



“Despite continued economic uncertainty, prime ski property markets have proven resilient,” says Kelcie Sellers, associate director at Savills World Research. With more than 366 million skier visits worldwide in the 2024–25 season, owning a luxury ski home in Aspen, Val d’Isère, or Gstaad isn’t just about the perfect powder—it’s also about securing a prime piece of property in a market that just keeps climbing.

Aspen

Gstaad

Luxury Ski Homes

Savills

Savills Ski Report

Luxury Ski Home Prices Jumped 150% in 20 Years, a New Report Says

Vineyard living and modern luxuries go hand-in-hand at&nbsp;<a href="https://stanlyranchnapa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Napa’s Stanly Ranch</a>. Part of Auberge Collection, the 700-acre-plus property is home to a winery, resort, and spa, as well as 40 turnkey villas and 70 vineyard homes. We gave readers a&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/new-construction/auberge-residences-napa-valley-1234642014/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first look at its residences</a>&nbsp;back in 2021, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/stanly-ranch-launches-villas-1234895838/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an exclusive peek into its villas</a>&nbsp;two years later. Now, we have yet another scoop.



The hospitality group recently announced it is teaming up with <a href="https://www.kendallwilkinson.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kendall Wilkinson Design</a> (KWD) to help buyers further customise their vineyard homes. The San Francisco-based interior design firm, founded by Kendall Wilkinson in 1992, blends classic and modern styles to create spaces that are not only beautiful and comfortable but also evocative. That is no doubt why Auberge enlisted KWD for this particular endeavour. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-1024x684.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802942" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-1024x684.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2-768x513.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_7.jpg-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The living room of the first vineyard home staged by KWD. Image courtesy of Paul Rollins</figcaption></figure>



Featuring simple but elegant exteriors by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foreststudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Studio</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ebta.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EBTA Architects</a>, the vineyard homes range from 2,300 to 5,600 square feet and offer between three and six bedrooms. Wilkinson and her team can work on single rooms or completely reimagine the entire interior, originally designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.edmondslee.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edmonds + Lee Architects</a>.



“For us, collaborating with Stanly Ranch Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, is a natural extension of the work we do with our clients who seek that same elevated, intimate lifestyle,” Wilkinson said in a statement.



With ties to galleries, artists, and international suppliers, as well as 30 years of industry experience, KWD is able to fully realise a buyer’s vision and inject their personality into a space. The studio is also hoping to capture “the spirit and understated luxury of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/napa-valley/">Napa Valley</a>’s Wine Country” within the respective four walls.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="606" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-1024x606.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802943" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-1024x606.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-300x178.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2-768x454.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Auberge_StanlyRanch_Napa_10.jpg-2.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Out under the covered patio, where handcrafted outdoor furniture sits by the private pool. Image courtesy of Paul Rollins</figcaption></figure>



The first vineyard home staged by KWD (pictured) demonstrates the chic touch buyers can expect. Sitting beneath a soaring cathedral ceiling with exposed beams, the main living area is adorned with contemporary furnishings by <a href="https://www.ironies.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ironies</a> via <a href="https://kneedlerfauchere.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kneedler Fauchère</a> and a rug from <a href="https://www.tonykitzgallery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tony Kitz Gallery</a>. The nearby dining table is anchored by a striking onyx vessel from San Francisco’s <a href="https://www.sloanm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sloan Miyasato</a>, and over in the kitchen, a <a href="https://www.desousahughes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">De Sousa Hughes</a> light fixture hangs above a wood-panelled island. Outside, handcrafted, aluminium outdoor furniture by <a href="https://www.mckinnonharris.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McKinnon &amp; Harris</a> sits by the pool.



Beyond the home itself, residents can access the resort’s award-winning spa, a trio of dining venues, and a range of other “immersive experiences.” Not to mention, there is the rest of Napa to explore.&nbsp;



Vineyard homes start at US$4.5 million (approximately HK$34.98 million). Owners will have to pay an additional fee to work with Wilkinson and her team, with KWD’s design services starting at US$250,000 (around HK$1.94 million). You can find out more on <a href="https://stanlyranchnapa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanly Ranch’s website</a>.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/gallery/stanly-ranch-napa-auberge-residence-photos-1237317126" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more images of the Napa Valley home.

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Investment

Napa's Stanly Ranch

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Real Estate

Stanly Ranch

Vineyard Homes

Auberge’s Stanly Ranch Is Giving Its Vineyard Homes a High-Design Twist. Here’s a Look Inside.

Giuseppe <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/cipriani/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cipriani</a> is betting that Uruguay’s Punta del Este—long a secluded playground for A-listers from Shakira and <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/leonardo-dicaprio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leonardo DiCaprio</a>—is ready for an upgrade. The hospitality magnate has launched US sales for Cipriani Punta del Este Resort, Residences &amp; Casino, a US$600 million (approximately HK$4.66 billion) oceanfront development representing the largest investment in the city’s history. Robb Report has the exclusive on the launch, providing American buyers first access to one of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/south-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South America</a>’s most ambitious luxury residential projects.



Designed by the late Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly, the spread will include three towers along the coast, including South America’s second-tallest. Phase one, set for completion in 2026, will introduce a Monte Carlo-style casino, upscale dining and entertainment venues, a 27,000-square-foot event space, and a private beach club. The historic San Rafael Hotel, a local landmark, will also undergo a reconstruction as part of the resort. The first residential tower scheduled for delivery in 2028.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-Restaurant-Interior.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802930" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-Restaurant-Interior.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-Restaurant-Interior.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-Restaurant-Interior.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-Restaurant-Interior.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">There will be a Cipriani restaurant on-site. Image courtesy of Vinoly Architects</figcaption></figure>



Punta del Este, often likened to a blend of Hamptons exclusivity and Miami Beach-style high rises, has long drawn the continent’s wealthy with its sun, privacy, and political stability. In the wake of the pandemic, the city has seen a surge of international buyers—from the US, Europe, and across South America—attracted by favourable tax policies and Uruguay’s growing reputation as an investor-friendly haven amid widespread economic uncertainty.



International interest has been strong. One of the three penthouses within the development has <a href="https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2025/01/24/cipriani-sells-us17-million-penthouse-in-punta-del-este-luxury-complex-as-construction-advances/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">already sold for US$17.1 million</a> (approximately HK$132.95 million) to a European buyer, signalling demand for Cipriani’s combination of design, location, and brand heritage. US buyers now have the opportunity to purchase residences starting at US$1.9 million (approximately HK$14.76 million), marking the first time Cipriani Punta del Este has opened its doors to the American market.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-PDE-Terrace.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802929" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-PDE-Terrace.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-PDE-Terrace.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-PDE-Terrace.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cipriani-PDE-Terrace.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Residences will start at US$1.9 million. Image courtesy of Hassen Balut Studio</figcaption></figure>



The residences were conceived by interior architect Hassen Balut. Units are designed to maximise ocean views, with 11-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors that frame panoramas of Playa Brava and Playa Mansa. The half- and full-floor homes also feature scenic private terraces. Each residence includes custom kitchens with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, Neolith countertops, Italian cabinetry, backlit mirrors, and smart interfaces controlling concierge, valet, and security services. You can also expect marble floors throughout the kitchens and bathrooms.



The Cipriani brand brings nearly a century of history to the project. Founded in 1931 with the opening of Harry’s Bar in Venice, the family-owned company has since expanded into residential and luxury hotels, private membership clubs, and resorts globally, including<a href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/home-design/cipriani-residences-in-miami-1234740139/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Cipriani Residences in Miami</a>. The US sales launch marks a new chapter for Punta del Este, connecting American buyers with one of South America’s most prominent luxury coastal developments and cementing Cipriani’s footprint in the region.



Click&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/new-construction/gallery/cipriani-punta-del-este-photos-1237321904">here</a>&nbsp;to see more photos of these new residences in Uruguay.

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urugua

Cipriani’s Uruguay Residences Are Now Up For Grabs at HK$14.76 Million a Pop

An extraordinary evening awaits the most discerning palates on 22 October 2025. In partnership with the venerable whisky specialist <a href="https://www.gordonandmacphail.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gordon &amp; Ma</a><a href="https://www.gordonandmacphail.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cPhail</a>, Robb Report Hong Kong is hosting a by-invitation-only dinner for RR1 Hong Kong members and VIP guests to embark on a profound odyssey into the artistry of whisky maturation. 



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Gordon &amp; MacPhail | The World&#039;s Oldest Single Malt Scotch Whisky" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6KtkTxwqELk?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>
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Held at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Restaurant Petrus, the special evening promises an exceptional encounter with the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/oldest-scotch-whisky-gordon-macphail-glenlivet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gordon &amp; MacPhail 85 Years Old</a>—a masterpiece hailed as the oldest single malt Scotch whisky, a liquid testament to patience, heritage, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Gordon &amp; MacPhail stands as a titan in the realm of Scotch whisky, a brand whose legacy spans 130 years and commands reverence among connoisseurs worldwide. Founded in 1895 in the Speyside heartland of Elgin, Scotland, this independent bottler and distiller has elevated the art of whisky to sublime heights. What sets Gordon &amp; MacPhail apart is its unwavering commitment to maturation—casks are procured from distilleries across Scotland and diligently nurtured, allowing time to weave its magic far beyond the haste of commercial production. Its portfolio boasts some of the rarest expressions ever released, including vintages that whisper tales of bygone eras.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-x-Decanter-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801772" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-x-Decanter-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-x-Decanter-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-x-Decanter-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-x-Decanter-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-x-Decanter-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jeanne Gang with Decanter, Gordon &amp; MacPhail 85 Years Old from Glenlivet Distillery.</figcaption></figure>



Acclaimed for its expertise in cask selection and blending, Gordon &amp; MacPhail owns the Benromach distillery, where the brand revives traditional methods to produce whiskies of exceptional depth and character. It is this dedication to quality over quantity that has earned Gordon &amp; MacPhail a reputation as guardians of Scotch heritage, with releases often fetching astronomical sums at auction. In an industry dominated by giants, Gordon &amp; MacPhail proves that true greatness lies in the slow, deliberate embrace of nature’s rhythms.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-Gang-Sketching-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801775" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-Gang-Sketching-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-Gang-Sketching-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-Gang-Sketching-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-Gang-Sketching-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/1.-Jeanne-Gang-Sketching-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jeanne Gang sketching at Gordon &amp; MacPhail 85 Years Old from Glenlivet Distillery.</figcaption></figure>



Robb Report Hong Kong’s private dinner embodies that ethos, transforming a simple repast into a celebration of sensory indulgence. Under the guidance of Restaurant Petrus’s masterful chefs, a curated menu will harmonise with the evening’s liquid stars, each dish crafted to accentuate the nuanced profiles of the whiskies on offer. Guests will embark on a tasting journey beginning with Gordon &amp; MacPhail vintages. Drawn from casks that have slumbered for decades, these drams offer glimpses into whisky evolution—notes of rich oak, subtle spices, and ethereal fruits that dance on the tongue like forgotten memories revived.



Yet the true crescendo arrives with the unveiling of the Gordon &amp; MacPhail 85 Years Old. Distilled in 1940 at the Glenlivet and bottled in 2025 after an astonishing 85 years in a single cask, this whisky is a rarity without parallel. Only 125 decanters exist, each a bespoke creation born from a collaboration with the celebrated American architect and designer Jeanne Gang. Her visionary touch infuses the presentation with architectural poetry: crystal decanters that evoke the fluidity of time and the strength of nature, housed in cases that blend modern minimalism with organic forms. It’s an a homage to the inexorable forces that shape excellence—the whisper of wind through Highland glens, the patient seep of wood into liquid gold, and the human artistry that shepherds it to perfection.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3.-Stephen-Rankin-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234801771" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3.-Stephen-Rankin-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3.-Stephen-Rankin-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3.-Stephen-Rankin-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3.-Stephen-Rankin-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/3.-Stephen-Rankin-@-Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery_CREDIT-GORDON-MACPHAIL_RS-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stephen Rankin, Gordon &amp; MacPhail 85 Years Old from Glenlivet Distillery. </figcaption></figure>



For the fortunate invitees, this is an opportunity to partake in history and savour a dram that encapsulates nearly a century of quiet transformation. In a world of fleeting trends, such occasions remind us of the enduring value of heritage, where every sip is a bridge to the past and a toast to the future. It’s the perfect time to raise glasses to the artistry of Gordon &amp; MacPhail, celebrating a legacy that continues to redefine the boundaries of Scotch whisky. In this intimate setting, time stands still, allowing the essence of 85 years to unfold in a single, transcendent taste. Such evenings are the stuff of legends, reserved for those who seek not just indulgence, but enlightenment of the senses.



Learn more about the Gordon &amp; MacPhail dinner in Hong Kong&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/gordon-macphail-dinner-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. 



All images courtesy of Gordon &amp; MacPhail.

Gordon & Macphail

whiskey dinner

Gordon & MacPhail Unveils World’s Oldest Whisky at an Exclusive Robb Report Hong Kong Dinner For RR1 Hong Kong Members

As Hong Kong welcomes the Year of the Horse, one of the city’s most anticipated sporting and lifestyle events returns for its grand sophomore edition. Returning to the AsiaWorld-Expo for three exhilarating days, the <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show</a> (LHKIHS) sets the stage for a thrilling showcase of equestrian excellence, world-class competitions, and entertainment experiences.



A joint undertaking between Clarion Events Asia and HPower Group, with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the strategic partner, LHKIHS 2026 aims to advance the equestrian community in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, foster competition and talent in the region, and nurture interest in the sport.



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803691" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803691" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803689" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803689" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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From 30 January till 1 February, the 5-Star International Show Jumping marquee event in Hong Kong will present breathtaking athletic achievements from world-class steeds and their international riders across all three days. The highly popular Shetland Pony Grand National competition will be back this year—there’s nothing quite as gripping as this spectacle of speed and agility, where junior jockeys and their ponies race around the track and leap over obstacles for the honour of being crowned winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803684" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The show promises to be a full-scale cultural and lifestyle weekend, with its final evening featuring a live performance by Hong Kong pop icon Ian Chan of Mirror, followed by the weekend’s highest-priced show jumping class: the Longines Grand Prix.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803685" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



New to the 2026 edition is the Dog Agility programme, an initiative supported by The Royal Kennel Club. Be amazed by the control, dexterity, skill, and speed of expertly trained canines and their handlers as they race against the clock to complete jumping, tunnelling, and weaving exercises. Another addition is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Asian Youth Challenge, inviting emerging showjumping talents from around Asia to compete and showcase their equestrian abilities on a world stage.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803686" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



But LHKIHS 2026 is about more than competition alone. Alongside the scheduled competitions and equestrian performances, the Lifestyle Shopping Village offers a wide range of retail, entertainment, leisure, and dining experiences—making it easy to enjoy a full day out. Shop from respected equestrian suppliers, curated fashion and accessories brands, and interior and design specialists; while enjoying wine, beverages, and food stations; and pick up something to bring home from the lifestyle stalls.



In celebration of the Year of the Horse, the Show will also feature an interactive digital horse installation, where you can share your New Year wishes or aspirations and see them come to life across a large-scale arena display. The Fashion Runway will present the latest designs from labels like Beijing’s BIFU and Isabelle C, while families can enjoy the return of the Hong Kong Kids Fashion Week. At the Kids Zone, children can take part in dynamic hobby horse competitions, face-painting, and balloon art activities designed to spark early interest in equestrianism.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803693" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Visit the Live Zone to join the Meet the Shetland Pony Jockeys sessions, hear from an expert dog trainer, admire the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong showcase featuring 22 vehicles, or unwind at the Champagne Taittinger Bar presented by Cathay Cargo.



With an expanded programme of competitions, performances and lifestyle experiences, LHKIHS 2026 promises to be a standout sporting and cultural highlight of the Year of the Horse.



Tickets are now available via Klook. Enjoy 10 percent off with promo code HSROBB10 and book <a href="https://s.klook.com/lhkihs2026">here</a>.



Learn more at <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/">hongkonghorseshow.com</a>.



All images courtesy of Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show.

LHKIHS

LHKIHS 2026

Year of the Horse

Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show Returns For an Auspicious Year of the Horse

Steeped in history and tradition since its inception in 1895, Gordon &amp; MacPhail is the family-owned independent bottler that has become synonymous with the meticulous art of whisky maturation and single malt excellence. At the helm of this illustrious legacy stands Richard Urquhart, the sales director of Gordon &amp; MacPhail and a proud member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, which has deftly navigated the evolving landscape of whisky production while remaining steadfastly true to its Scottish roots.



As we sit down with Urquhart in the vibrant heart at Restaurant Petrus, mere minutes before an exclusive <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/gordon-macphail-85-year-old-whisky-private-dinner-hong-kong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RR1 Hong Kong dinner</a> with the brand and an exclusive guest list made up of RR1 Hong Kong members, he exudes a calm passion that is palpable. His journey with Gordon &amp; MacPhail began at the tender age of 14, working in various roles that have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the whisky-making process. From crafting boxes to engaging in management training, Urquhart’s hands-on experience has equipped him with a unique perspective on the business and its heritage. “I’ve worked in every part of the business,” he says, reflecting on his formative years, “and this deep connection to every aspect of the company fuels my commitment to upholding its values.”



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Urquhart’s role today is multifaceted, encompassing global sales and strategic direction, yet he remains deeply attuned to the ethos of Gordon &amp; MacPhail: a commitment to producing exceptional single malt whiskies that stand the test of time. “What defines us is our unwavering dedication to quality,” he explains. “We were pioneers in the world of single malt whisky when most of the industry was focused on blending. My great-grandfather and grandfather had the foresight to lay down casks for future generations, a decision that has allowed us to offer some of the oldest and rarest whiskies available today.”



Gordon &amp; MacPhail’s philosophy revolves around maturing whisky to its fullest potential, an art that requires both patience and expertise. Urquhart elaborates on the intricate process: “We carefully select the types of casks we use, whether sherry butts or hogsheads, ensuring that each whisky achieves the right balance and maturity.” Meticulous attention to detail is the cornerstone of the Gordon &amp; MacPhail approach, and has garnered the company accolades from whisky connoisseurs worldwide, particularly with the recent release of the <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/oldest-scotch-whisky-gordon-macphail-glenlivet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">85-year-old Glenlivet single malt</a>, which has been lauded for its exceptional quality.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803368" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Gordon-MacPhail-85-Years-Old-from-Glenlivet-Distillery-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gordon &amp; MacPhail 85 Years Old from Glenlivet Distillery.</figcaption></figure>



As we delve deeper into the conversation, Urquhart highlights the importance of sustainability in the luxury spirits industry. “We recognise our responsibility to the environment,” he asserts. Gordon &amp; MacPhail has committed to sustainable practices, aligning with the Scotch Whisky Association’s regulations and investing in initiatives aimed at preserving natural resources. Its partnership with American Forests, which includes auctioning a decanter from the 85-year-old release to support reforestation efforts, exemplifies the company’s dedication to giving back. “It’s essential that we not only create extraordinary products but also ensure that future generations can enjoy them,” Urquhart shares, underscoring Gordon &amp; MacPhail’s holistic approach to luxury.



Our conversation naturally shifts towards the future of Gordon &amp; MacPhail. Urquhart teases upcoming projects that promise to surprise whisky enthusiasts, including the return of some beloved older labels. “We aim to tell our story through every bottle we release,” he explains, reflecting on the brand’s commitment to innovation while respecting its storied past. Its ethos—showcasing the finest expressions of whisky craftsmanship that embody both heritage and modernity—resonates deeply around the world.



In an industry often tempted by market trends and corporate partnerships, Urquhart reaffirms the importance of family ownership. “We’ve always wanted to retain that family connection,” he states confidently, and the Urquhart family’s direct lineage from founder James Urquhart serves as a steadfast reminder of the values that have shaped the company. “It’s about passing on a legacy in a stronger position for the next generation,” he adds, illustrating a commitment to not just the whisky but to the family’s heritage as a whole.



As we discuss the luxury of whisky, Urquhart reflects on what this term means to him. “Luxury is something that is earned over time,” he states thoughtfully. “It’s about doing the right things consistently, allowing your customers to recognise and appreciate that commitment.” His perspective is integral to the Gordon &amp; MacPhail identity, where every drop of whisky encapsulates decades of expertise, patience, and passion. “It’s a privilege to share these extraordinary whiskies with people all around the world,” he says, “and the best part of the job? I get to travel the world and share a whisky with it.” And with that, Urquhart carries the enduring spirit of a family dedicated to excellence.

Richard Urquhart

Gordon & MacPhail’s Richard Urquhart on the Enduring Legacy of Exceptional Whisky Craftsmanship and Telling Stories Through Single Malt

As Hong Kong welcomes the Year of the Horse, one of the city’s most anticipated sporting and lifestyle events returns for its grand sophomore edition. Returning to the AsiaWorld-Expo for three exhilarating days, the <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show</a> (LHKIHS) sets the stage for a thrilling showcase of equestrian excellence, world-class competitions, and entertainment experiences.



A joint undertaking between Clarion Events Asia and HPower Group, with The Hong Kong Jockey Club as the strategic partner, LHKIHS 2026 aims to advance the equestrian community in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, foster competition and talent in the region, and nurture interest in the sport.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803692" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803692" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803688" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803688" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-CATHAY-CARGO-REACH-FOR-THE-SKIES-STAKES-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803690" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803690" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_HKJC-NATIONAL-JUMPING-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803691" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803691" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-WELCOME-STAKES_Richard-Vogel-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234803689" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803689" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_THE-LONGINES-STAKES_Patrick-Lam-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



From 30 January till 1 February, the 5-Star International Show Jumping marquee event in Hong Kong will present breathtaking athletic achievements from world-class steeds and their international riders across all three days. The highly popular Shetland Pony Grand National competition will be back this year—there’s nothing quite as gripping as this spectacle of speed and agility, where junior jockeys and their ponies race around the track and leap over obstacles for the honour of being crowned winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803684" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_2076-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The show promises to be a full-scale cultural and lifestyle weekend, with its final evening featuring a live performance by Hong Kong pop icon Ian Chan of Mirror, followed by the weekend’s highest-priced show jumping class: the Longines Grand Prix.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803685" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Dog-Agility-Image-Credit-LHKIHS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



New to the 2026 edition is the Dog Agility programme, an initiative supported by The Royal Kennel Club. Be amazed by the control, dexterity, skill, and speed of expertly trained canines and their handlers as they race against the clock to complete jumping, tunnelling, and weaving exercises. Another addition is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Asian Youth Challenge, inviting emerging showjumping talents from around Asia to compete and showcase their equestrian abilities on a world stage.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803686" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LHKIHS_Warm-Up-Ring-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



But LHKIHS 2026 is about more than competition alone. Alongside the scheduled competitions and equestrian performances, the Lifestyle Shopping Village offers a wide range of retail, entertainment, leisure, and dining experiences—making it easy to enjoy a full day out. Shop from respected equestrian suppliers, curated fashion and accessories brands, and interior and design specialists; while enjoying wine, beverages, and food stations; and pick up something to bring home from the lifestyle stalls.



In celebration of the Year of the Horse, the Show will also feature an interactive digital horse installation, where you can share your New Year wishes or aspirations and see them come to life across a large-scale arena display. The Fashion Runway will present the latest designs from labels like Beijing’s BIFU and Isabelle C, while families can enjoy the return of the Hong Kong Kids Fashion Week. At the Kids Zone, children can take part in dynamic hobby horse competitions, face-painting, and balloon art activities designed to spark early interest in equestrianism.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803693" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A7S03012-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Visit the Live Zone to join the Meet the Shetland Pony Jockeys sessions, hear from an expert dog trainer, admire the Classic Car Club of Hong Kong showcase featuring 22 vehicles, or unwind at the Champagne Taittinger Bar presented by Cathay Cargo.



With an expanded programme of competitions, performances and lifestyle experiences, LHKIHS 2026 promises to be a standout sporting and cultural highlight of the Year of the Horse.



Tickets are now available via Klook. Enjoy 10 percent off with promo code HSROBB10 and book <a href="https://s.klook.com/lhkihs2026">here</a>.



Learn more at <a href="https://www.hongkonghorseshow.com/">hongkonghorseshow.com</a>.



All images courtesy of Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show.

As one year melds into the next, we get to bask in the unique joy of living in Asia, where a Gregorian New Year’s celebration is quickly followed by a Lunar one—all the more reason to uncork a bottle and toast to health, happiness, and success.



Marking the arrival of the Year of the Horse, <a href="https://robbreport.hk/brands/penfolds/stories" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penfolds</a> has launched its exclusive <a href="https://www.penfolds.com/en-ae/wines/occasions/lunar-new-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lunar New Year gifting series</a>, comprising its flagship Grange 2021, Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, St Henri Shiraz 2021, Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2023, and FWT 585 Cabernet Merlot Petit Verdot 2022. Wrapped in auspicious red with hints of gold and jade, the wines are housed in special presentation boxes to make their moment of unveiling even more memorable.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Grange-Tool-Close-Up-5-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803678" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Grange-Tool-Close-Up-5-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Grange-Tool-Close-Up-5-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Grange-Tool-Close-Up-5-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Grange-Tool-Close-Up-5-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Grange-Tool-Close-Up-5-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Inside the bespoke packaging for the Lunar New Year Grange 2021, something even more novel awaits: a tool that allows for interactive engagement with the paper-cutting-inspired horse motif on the outer box, allowing the recipient to delicately lift and reveal the intricate layers of the stylised illustration. After its practical usage, the tool transforms into an aesthetic accessory as an elegant Penfolds keychain, designed to live on as a cherished keepsake.



As Penfolds’s flagship product, the aromatic and nuanced Grange 2021 leads the pack with scents of dark chocolate, marbled meats, beef fat, and marrow, while its mid-palate reveals dusty tannins and caramelised oak. Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 gives off blackberry and mulberry notes, laced with spices and black olives. St Henri Shiraz 2019 shines with dark fruits, liquorice, fennel seeds, and dried mint before giving way to warm flavours and sweet custard. Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2023 imparts red fruits, vanilla, and exotic spices, and the FWT 585 Cabernet Merlot Petit Verdot 2022 blends black cherry, chocolate mint, and violet notes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Bin-389-Cabernet-Shiraz-2023-750ml-Lifestyle-1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803679" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Bin-389-Cabernet-Shiraz-2023-750ml-Lifestyle-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Bin-389-Cabernet-Shiraz-2023-750ml-Lifestyle-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Bin-389-Cabernet-Shiraz-2023-750ml-Lifestyle-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Bin-389-Cabernet-Shiraz-2023-750ml-Lifestyle-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Penfolds-LNY-Bin-389-Cabernet-Shiraz-2023-750ml-Lifestyle-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Penfolds is hosting a festive pop-up at Harbour City from 31 January to 8 February to showcase its vibrant Lunar New Year series. Naturally, the venue will be delightfully horse-themed and provide experiences such as personalised digital calligraphy services for Lunar New Year couplets and wine flight tastings on 6 to 8 February. Limited spaces are offered for these complimentary activities, so registration is advised, though walk-ins are accepted based on availability.



“We’re thrilled to present the Penfolds Lunar New Year Horse series in celebration of this important global festive season. Showcased across digital, in-store, immersive experiences, and, for the first time, lifestyle accessories, these striking designs are unmistakably Penfolds and make the perfect gift or collector’s piece for the Lunar New Year,” says Kristy Keyte, chief marketing officer of Penfolds.



All images courtesy of Penfolds.

Penfolds

This New Limited-Edition Wine Collection Celebrates the Year of the Horse

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/robb-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robb Report</a>, for the third year running, is giving the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/golden-globes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden Globes</a>’ biggest stars a treat that may rival that coveted statuette.



The winners and presenters at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes on January 11 will be gifted the world’s most luxurious gift bag. The nearly US$1 million (approximately HK$7.78 million) Ultimate Gift Bag has been curated by Robb Report to include a luxury array of exclusive items and experiences, from travel adventures and luxury spirits to cutting-edge skincare and wellness selections, for a total of 35 standout offerings—with nearly double the amount of travel getaways as <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/2025-golden-globes-gift-bag-1236125063/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the year prior.</a>



“Partnering with the Golden Globes to craft a gift that captures the artistry and excitement of ‘Hollywood’s Party of the Year’ is something we look forward to every season,” Luke Bahrenburg, president of Robb Report and head of luxury sales at PMC, said in a statement. “From an expanded slate of global getaways to standout moments in wellness, beauty, and spirits, recipients have the opportunity to create a luxury experience that feels entirely their own. Every detail reflects our commitment to celebrating the best in class, bringing together remarkable destinations and rare, indulgent finds to create an unforgettable gifting experience.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bellamar-golden-globes-bag.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803635" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bellamar-golden-globes-bag.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bellamar-golden-globes-bag-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bellamar-golden-globes-bag-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Casa Bellamar by Destinations in Paradise. Destinations in Paradise</figcaption></figure>



All that decadence is housed in an Atlas Signature Duffel Bag from <a href="https://atlas-bespoke.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlas Bespoke</a>, a piece that was made especially for next year’s Golden Globes in collaboration with Robb Report. Crafted from a premium suede, the exclusive duffel offers up a sculpted silhouette paired with polished gold-tone hardware, dual-top handles, and an interior lined with 100 percent cotton. Rounding out the design are the detachable shoulder strap and a Golden Globes travel bag, making the Atlas duffel the perfect companion for celebs as they traverse the globe. Inside, the bag will also include a guide that shows off what A-listers can get via the Ultimate Gift Bag, complete with each item’s availability and monetary value.



From there, each recipient can pick among the selections on offer, tailoring their gift bag to their own desires. Those with wanderlust on the mind can choose to indulge in a three-night beachfront villa trip at Mexico’s Casa Bellamar by Destinations in Paradise. Or they can journey to Bangkok, where they’ll enjoy a Royal Suite experience at the Waldorf Astoria. Trips to New Zealand, Singapore, Bali, and Austria are also up for grabs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/beau-domaine-golden-globes-gift-bag.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803636" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/beau-domaine-golden-globes-gift-bag.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/beau-domaine-golden-globes-gift-bag-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/beau-domaine-golden-globes-gift-bag-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Beau Domaine. Beau Domaine</figcaption></figure>



As for beauty and wellness, the celebs can add Brad Pitt’s skincare routine to their rotation, courtesy of his brand Beau Domaine. A year-long membership to Maison Devereux’s Golden Circle, an LED hair-growth helmet, and a massage experience for two at the Guerlain Wellness Spa can also be included. And in the wine and spirits category, actors can go home with a membership to&nbsp;Robb Report’s&nbsp;672 Wine Club, as well as a bottle of Cygnet 22 and 77. One lucky recipient can even snag nine ultra-rare bottles from Liber Pater.



The <a href="https://goldenglobes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden Globes</a> air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ Sunday, 11 January 2025, at 8 pm EST.



Below is the full list of products and experiences offered in the Ultimate Gift Bag.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Travel and Experiences:</h3>



<ol start="1">
<li>Casa Bellamar by Destinations in Paradise: Three-night stay in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, at a beachfront villa (US$25,000, available to five recipients)</li>



<li>Celestia Phinisi: Five-day luxury yacht charter throughout the Coral Triangle in Indonesia (US$60,000, available to all participants)</li>



<li>Conrad Koh Samui: Three nights in the Gulf of Thailand at The Royal Villa (US$15,370, available to three recipients)</li>



<li>Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: Two-night stay at The Muraka, the world’s first undersea residence, followed by a two-night stay at the Rangali Ocean Pavilion (US$70,000, available to five recipients)</li>



<li>Conrad Singapore Orchard: Four-night stay in Singapore at a Premium Suite (US$12,000, available to three recipients)</li>



<li>Flockhill, ROKI, and Minaret: Six-night stay across a trio of New Zealand luxury lodges (US$31,307, available to one recipient)</li>



<li>Foley Entertainment Group: Four-night stay in New Zealand at Wharekauhau Country Estate with a private winemaker dinner (US$14,450, available to 10 recipients)</li>



<li>Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort &amp; Spa: Three-night stay in the Maldives at The Residence, a six-bedroom villa (US$80,000, available to five recipients)</li>



<li>Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: Three-night stay in Bali, Indonesia (US$5,800, available to three recipients)</li>



<li>Naturhotel Forsthofgut: Three-night stay in Leogang, Austria (US$11,500, available to five recipients)</li>



<li>Robb Report: Test drive the most coveted vehicles of 2027 at The Concours Club in Boca Raton, FL (US$31,400, available to one recipient)</li>



<li>Robb Report: Two tickets to Car of the Year (US$31,400, available to one recipient)</li>



<li>Round Hill Hotel and Villas: Three-night stay in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at The Estate Villa (US$30,000, available to one recipient)</li>



<li>The Reserve at Grace Bay by Beach Enclave: Three-night stay in Turks and Caicos at a beachfront villa (US$50,000, available to six recipients)</li>



<li>Umana Bali, LXR Hotels &amp; Resorts: Four-night stay in Bali, Indonesia at the Panoramic Ocean View Villa (US$21,000, available to three recipients)</li>



<li>Waldorf Astoria Bangkok: Four-night stay in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Royal Suite (US$20,500, available to three recipients)</li>



<li>Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi: Three-night stay in the Maldives at the Grand Overwater Villa (US$26,000, available to six recipients)</li>



<li>XO: Behind-the-scenes access at a 2026 W.E.C. race and a five percent private jet flight incentive valued at up to US$10,000 (US$14,000, available to five recipients)</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beauty and Wellness:</h3>



<ol start="1">
<li>Beau Domaine: Brad Pitt’s skincare routine with The Serum and The Cream (US$273, available to all recipients)</li>



<li>Cellcosmet: A skincare set with the Active Tonic and Ultra Intensive Elasto Collagen XT (US$445, available to all recipients)</li>



<li>CurrentBody Skin: A cutting-edge LED hair growth helmet (US$860, available to all recipients)</li>



<li>DOGPOUND: An exclusive full club rental experience at an ultra-private gym (US$7,500, available to five recipients)</li>



<li>Elysium Health: A one-year subscription to a doctor-recommended supplement for healthy aging, Basis (US$480, available to all recipients)</li>



<li>Guerlain Wellness Spa Waldorf Astoria New York / Guerlain Wellness Spa Regent Santa Monica: Time Together massage experience for two people (US$480, available to 25 recipients)</li>



<li>Maison Devereux: A year-long membership to The Golden Circle as well as a set of gold shampoo and conditioner (US$21,000, available to three recipients)</li>



<li>Perfumehead: Choose a scent from the Extrait de Parfum collection (US$615, available to all recipients)</li>



<li>Robb Report: Two passes to Robb Report’s inaugural wellness retreat, Re:Well (US$20,000, available to two recipients)</li>



<li>Sothys: Sothys x Bernardaud Porcelaine La Crème 128 (US$640, available to all recipients)</li>



<li>TRONQUE: Spa box with triple-active body milk, exfoliating body serum, firming butter, and an ionic dry brush (US$465, available to all recipients)</li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wine, Spirits, and Cigars:</h3>



<ol start="1">
<li>672 Napa Valley Wine Club by Robb Report: Three-bottle Discovery Level membership (US$300, available to three recipients)</li>



<li>Cygnet: A bottle of Cygnet 22 and 77 as well as a pair of martini and rocks glasses by Erik Lorincz (US$500, available to all recipients)</li>



<li>Isle of Harris Distillery: One, six-bottle case of whisky from a cask produced exclusively for recipients (US$1,080, available to approximately 35 recipients)</li>



<li>Liber Pater: Nine ultra-rare bottles of French wine from 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2019 (US$210,000, available to one recipient) </li>



<li>Liber Pater: Two tickets to the Jubilee at the Liber Pater estate in Bordeaux (US$117,000, available to one recipient)</li>



<li>Liquid Icons: Two tickets to the 2026 Golden Vines (US$30,000, available to one recipient) </li>
</ol>

Golden Globes

The 2026 Golden Globes Gift Bag Will Be Worth Nearly HK$7.78 Million—Here’s What’s Inside

Sipping <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/wine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wine</a> in the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/british-virgin-islands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Virgin Islands</a> just got a little more exciting. 



<a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/resorts/villa-katsura-rosewood-little-dix-bay-bvi-1235628365/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rosewood Little Dix Bay</a> has unveiled the first—and only—underwater wine cellar in the Caribbean region, allowing guests of the <a href="https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/media/press/2020/rosewood-little-dix-bay-opens-today-following-an-extensive-four-year-reimagination" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently revamped</a> five-star resort to enjoy vino that has been aged in a fresh, new way beneath the waves. 



The novel maturation method uses the natural conditions of the sea to age the wine. Select bottles will be stored in steel cages in the waters off the resort’s coastline, with currents, pressure, and temperature all impacting the wine within. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-underwater-wine-cellar2.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803624" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-underwater-wine-cellar2.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-underwater-wine-cellar2-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-underwater-wine-cellar2-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Each bottle gets coated with coral and algae during ageing. Rosewood</figcaption></figure>



Ageing on the seabed is not a new concept, of course. Pierluigi (Piero) Lugano of Bisson created what could be considered the first underwater cellar back in 2009, submerging 6,500 bottles of <a href="https://bissonvini.it/spumante-degli-abissi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abissi sparkling wine</a> (2008 vintage) off the coast of Portofino. The winery says the currents give the sparkling distinctive aromas and structure.



Similarly, Rosewood says the process softens tannins and acidity in the wine while preserving its aromatic profile. It also impacts aesthetics: Each bottle returns to land coated with coral, algae, and other marine oddities, becoming a uniquely beautiful and highly drinkable artefact. The wines will be served exclusively through the resort’s 10-course <a href="https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/little-dix-bay-virgin-gorda/dining/chefs-table#accordion-86e647aa63-item-e7bd1b7e59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chef’s table experience</a>, complementing the fresh vegetables and herbs from the resort farm and the ocean delicacies straight from the sea. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience2.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803625" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience2.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience2-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience2-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The ocean-aged wine will be served at the resort’s 10-course chef’s table experience. Rosewood</figcaption></figure>



The move comes as travellers seek out singular culinary experiences beyond the typical resort dinner and predictable hotel wine list. The initiative also ties into Rosewood’s broader ethos of incorporating the best of the British Virgin Islands across the hotel’s dining destinations. Rosewood Little Dix Bay is home to three restaurants and one bar, with Sugar Mill serving up classic Caribbean cuisine and craft cocktails, Reef House offering fresh farm-to-table dishes, and Pavilion spotlighting local ingredients in shared plates of comfort food. The Rum Room, meanwhile, slings signature cocktails from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as rare and aged rums. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803626" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience1.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience1-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/rosewood-little-dix-bay-chefs-table-experience1-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rosewood says ageing underwater softens tannins and acidity in the wine.</figcaption></figure>



The chef’s table experience is hosted in the private Rockefeller Room at Sugar Mill and costs US$425 (approximately HK$3,310) per person. That includes two glasses of ocean-aged wine. Bookings are subject to availability and can be made via <a href="https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/little-dix-bay-virgin-gorda/dining/chefs-table#accordion-86e647aa63-item-e7bd1b7e59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rosewood</a>.

British Virgin Islands

Rosewood Little Dix Bay

Underwater Wine Cellar

The First Underwater Wine Cellar in the British Virgin Islands Was Just Unveiled

Aston Martin

Bentley

Hypercar

Lamborghini

luxury car

motors

Rolls-Royce

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

hybrid

Supercar

Aston Martin Just Unveiled Its First Plug-In Hybrid Supercar

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/porsche/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche</a> just unveiled its <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/porsche-cayenne-ev-wireless-charging-1237014828/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-awaited new all-electric Cayenne</a>, and the surprise isn’t faster charging or a bigger range, but enormous speed. The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/porsche-confirms-electric-cayenne-model-fouth-generation-1235787148/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cayenne Electric</a> makes 1,139 horsepower, the marque says says, and can go from zero to 60 in 2.4 seconds, which is faster than a Bugatti Veyron. That means the new model can haul groceries and also outdrag almost any other car on the road.



Porsche’s electric ambitions have run <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/porsche-quarter-three-2025-loss-ev-delays-1237318687/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">into some speed bumps lately</a>, as have the EV goals of every other automaker, but, as <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/review-2025-porsche-taycan-turbo-gt-1235583052/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">with the Taycan</a>, the German automaker seems determined to pursue a slow-and-steady strategy. Porsche will continue to make, market, and design new EVs, and when the dust settles, it might just have some of the very best on the market, like the Taycan.



The new Porsche Cayenne Electric certainly feeds into that ambition. There are the speed and raw power numbers, which are impressive, but so are the charging times: The Cayenne Electric is capable of getting to 80 percent in less than 16 minutes. The new car can also charge wirelessly, the first Porsche to do so—charging floor plate not included. Porsche’s latest model will be one of three flavors of Cayenne offered, including internal combustion and hybrid models, meaning that the company is hedging its bets for now, though the Cayenne Electric seems like a pretty good one.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="577" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803221" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/porsche-cayenne-electric-6-e1763567380683-768x433.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Porsche Cayenne Electric in profile, climbing a hill. Image courtesy of Porsche</figcaption></figure>



The 1,139 HP version is the Cayenne Electric Turbo, while the base model makes 435 horsepower. Even the comparatively underpowered base model will get to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, which, a generation ago, was almost unthinkably fast. Porsche did not say what the all-electric range of either car would be, but our guess is that it won’t small enough to be a dealbreaker.



On the inside, there are multiple screens, including a 14.25-inch OLED screen for the driver, and an optional 14.9-inch screen for the passenger, in addition to an 87-inch “display” that, visually, appears several feet in front of the car.



The Cayenne Electric will start at US$109,000 (approximately HK$848,410), while the Cayenne Electric Turbo will start at US$163,000 (approximately HK$1.26 million), not including shipping charges. The car will start to reach customers next summer as a 2026 model. The Cayenne Electric is also the fourth-generation Cayenne, beginning with a lineage that started in 2002. The ICE and hybrid versions Porsche plans to sell in parallel will remain the third-generation car, meaning that if you want the latest and greatest, the Cayenne Electric will have to do.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/porsche-cayenne-electric-photos-1237368382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the Porsche Cayenne Electric.

Porsche

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche’s New 1,139 HP SUV Is Its Most Powerful Production Car Ever

There may still be three races left on the 2025 <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/formula-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Formula 1</a> calendar, but <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audi</a> is ready for the 2026 season to get underway.



The German marque unveiled an unusual concept called R26 on Wednesday. No, the low-slung, stretched out vehicle doesn’t offer up a glimpse of a future road car. Instead, it previews the automaker’s first F1 car, which is set to start competing in the championship next year.



Audi has plenty of experience in motorsports, but 2026 will mark the first year it’s competed in F1. The competition’s cars don’t change much season to season, and because of this the R26 <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/first-look-every-formula-1-car-racing-in-1236260321/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">doesn’t look radically different</a> from those that will be competing for the checkered flag in Las Vegas on Saturday, 22 November. It features a louvred front wing, extended nose box, curvaceous body, a halo device protecting the open-air cockpit, and an adjustable rear wing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803006" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/audi-r26-concept-f1-race-car-7.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audi R26 concept. Image courtesy of Audi</figcaption></figure>



The vehicle’s general shape and profile may not hold any surprises, but its livery does. Audi makes clear that R26 previews its new “Formula 1 identity.” The design, which is defined by precise geometric cuts, consists of three colours: Titanium up front, Audi Red on the side pods, and Carbon Black in the rear. The brand’s iconic logo can also be seen in Audi Red on the tip of the nose, on the sides of the engine intake, and on top of the rear wing. The finished car, which will be officially unveiled in January, will also be littered with sponsor decals, but this is more or less what to expect from the brand’s first F1 car.



“We are implementing a unifying design language that draws together every aspect of our organisation,” the company’s chief creative officer, Massimo Frascella, said in a statement. “This makes the Formula 1 project a pioneer for the new brand identity, which will be rolled out in the future both for the F1 team and Audi as a whole.”

audi

Formula 1

Audi Just Revealed Its First Formula 1 Concept Car

<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/fascinating-facts-mclaren-1235611308/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McLaren</a> has been mulling whether to join <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/porsche-cayennes-ranked-1235657089/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Porsche</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-purosangue-four-door-revealed-1234747591/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrari</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/lamborghini-suv-history-lm002-urus-1236734349/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lamborghini</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-dbx-highest-selling-marque-vehicle-1234645743/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a>, and basically every other automaker in the world in making an <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/suv/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUV</a>, and now we have a date, according to a new report. The marque’s SUV will launch in 2028, part of a few new cars planned for the British brand that built its reputation on racing.



The SUV was partially unveiled at a dealer meeting in the United Kingdom this week, and by that we mean in clay model form, according to <a href="https://www.autonews.com/mclaren/an-mclaren-first-4-door-model-1112/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Automotive News</a>. The new SUV is codenamed P47 and will not only be the first <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mclaren/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McLaren</a> SUV but also the first McLaren to have four doors and five seats.



The powertrain is said to include a V-8 engine in a hybrid setup and be all-wheel-drive. The SUV has 24-inch wheels, and those in attendance told Automotive <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">News</a> that it had a similar profile to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802998" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cayenne.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. Image courtesy of Porsche</figcaption></figure>



The McLaren SUV will not be a plug-in hybrid, but a milder hybrid, with the electric power meant to complement the gas engine. The car will have a rear spoiler and aerodynamics that look “sculpted and muscular,” which is surely what McLaren is going for.



The SUV will not be a surprise, unless you’ve been living under a rock for a couple of decades. SUVs have come to dominate nearly every aspect of the automotive industry in North America, home to the second-biggest car market in the world, a.k.a. the US. For McLaren, the question has not been if it would build an SUV, but when.



The supercar maker is also under new ownership since April, when Abu Dhabi-based investors acquired it. McLaren has new leadership, too, with <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/mclaren-luxury-brand-electric-suv-1237000673/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEO Nick Collins taking over then</a>. There had been some reports that the marque was developing an all-electric SUV, to the horror of some purists, but a hybrid SUV seems like a decent compromise, since supercar makers are now relying on SUVs to keep themselves afloat and keep the supercars coming.



Purists were also aghast when Ferrari started <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-purosangue-suv-official-image-1234670519/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">selling the Purosangue SUV</a>, though after that happened the world did not end. McLaren also has some more fun cars coming in addition to the SUV, including the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/mclaren-w1-hypercar-revealed-1235895890/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">W1 hypercar</a> next year, a coupé in 2027, a replacement for the 750S, and a replacement for the GTS. McLaren’s kitchen is cooking.

McLaren

McLaren’s First SUV Is Coming in 2028: Report

The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/toyota-ft-se-electric-concept-porsche-718-cayman-rival-1235392170/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tokyo Motor Show</a>, which has been rebranded the Japan Mobility Show, opened this week with a more muted presence than in years past, with Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, and others unveiling new cars, concepts, and, sometimes, mobility fantasies in an attempt to explore the cutting edge of moving around and stir the emotions of attendees.



The show, which has run since 1954 on an annual or biannual basis, is the most important auto show in Asia, and, probably, the world, now that the glory days of the auto shows in Detroit, Frankfurt, Geneva, Los Angeles, and other once-vibrant venues are well and truly behind them. The motor show in Tokyo is also said to be the most interesting—a mix of futuristic concepts, Japanese design, and a huge variety of vehicles that are simply never sold in Europe or North America, often smaller cars that are judged not to be viable in the lands where enormous SUVs are dominant.



This year was no exception, with new cars from every major Japanese automaker, in addition to a few Korean and Chinese automakers as well. Toyota had the biggest presence, occupying an enormous space in one of the Tokyo International Exhibition Center’s exhibition halls, which is not surprising for the biggest automaker in the world by volume. That space included sections for Toyota-branded cars as well as those from its luxury division Lexus, the small-volume brand Daihatsu, and the new ultra-luxury brand Century, which Toyota thinks can take on Rolls-Royce and Bentley.



Honda’s space was not much smaller than Toyota’s, but commensurate with its place in the world of Japanese automaking, along with the space for Subaru, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki. Among the non-Japanese manufacturers, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, and BYD made the biggest impressions. The Tokyo Motor Show used to be better, several attendees remarked, though it is still pretty great.



Here are 7 of the best cars here this year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toyota Century Coupe Prototype</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/toyota-century-e1761709137702.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802791" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/toyota-century-e1761709137702.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/toyota-century-e1761709137702.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/toyota-century-e1761709137702.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/toyota-century-e1761709137702.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Erik Shilling</figcaption></figure>



The Century Coupe prototype is the car that Toyota thinks can take on Rolls-Royce and Bentley, along with a&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/toyota-says-century-suv-is-not-suv-1235331243/">Century (not) SUV&nbsp;</a>unveiled a couple of years ago. That, alone, is a pretty bold vision, since automakers as esteemed as Mercedes have attempted to take on Rolls-Royce and Bentley in the ultra-luxury space—Mercedes does so with its Maybach sub-brand—and gotten mixed results. But it’s also hard to count out Toyota, since people also discounted Lexus after its debut over three decades ago. Whatever happens, the Century coupe prototype Toyota showed in Tokyo is extremely slick.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hyundai Insteroid</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://robbreport.com/"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Hyundai-project-e1761709360576.jpg?w=800" alt="Hyundai Insteroid"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Erik Shilling</figcaption></figure>



The Hyundai Insteroid is a very silly car that, in many ways, is what the Tokyo Motor Show is all about. The four-wheeler, first unveiled earlier this year, is a version of the Hyundai Inster EV, a compact crossover SUV that is sold in parts of Asia and Europe. Except this Inster is on steroids, hence the name, with fat rear tires, a ridiculous rear wing, roll cage, stripped-down interior, and a look that appears to be something out of a video game. Hyundai will not confirm what kind of power it makes. The car is delightful.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lexus LS Concept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://robbreport.com/"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/LS_Concept_9_s-e1761708478805.png?w=800" alt="Lexus LS concept"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Lexus</figcaption></figure>



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/2018-lexus-showcases-japanese-artistry-2728157/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lexus LS sedan</a> will be discontinued after next year, ending a run of nearly four decades as the marque’s flagship vehicle, and the car that took on the S-Class way back in the heady times of the Japanese bubble and proved it could not only compete but win. Lexus isn’t quite sure what to do next, but one thing that seems for sure is that the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/lists/lexus-ls-history-japanese-luxury-cars-1237286175/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LS name</a> is sticking around, though it won’t stand for “luxury sedan” anymore, but perhaps “luxury space,” like in the six-wheeled <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/lexus-ls-van-concept-luxury-limousine-1237327477/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lexus LS Concept</a>. The LS Concept wants to be the nicest van ever made, with four wheels in the rear for packaging purposes (so the car can sit lower) and an interior that is supposed to make passengers feel enveloped in luxury and safe from the world. It’s possible that the LS Concept will never be seen again, but you probably wouldn’t have seen a six-wheeled luxury van at the Detroit show to begin with.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honda Alpha</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://robbreport.com/"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/honda-alpha-e1761709497208.jpg?w=800" alt="Honda Alpha"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Honda</figcaption></figure>



Honda debuted the new 0 Series EVs at CES earlier this year, and they are sleek-looking cars that are meant to capture the eye of sleek-looking EV buyers, and also, a bit of a dunk on brands like Tesla, whose EVs are looking increasingly dated. The Honda 0 Series barely stands out, though, at the Tokyo Motor Show, given the presence of other EV-forward&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/yangwang-u9-xtreme-worlds-fastest-production-car-1237086187/">brands like BYD</a>. The Honda Alpha, part of the 0 Series, first being unveiled in Tokyo, is a new “global” EV that is actually mostly for Japan and Indonesia and, unlikely, for North America. That’s a shame, because it’s the kind of workaday-but-special-looking EV that some American buyers have long pined for.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Daihatsu Copen</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://robbreport.com/"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/daihatsu-kopen-e1761709588888.jpg?w=800" alt="Daihatsu Copen"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Erik Shilling</figcaption></figure>



The old Daihatsu Copen is dying, but the marque showed a new one in Tokyo, a rear-wheel drive tiny sports car or convertible that is radical in its simplicity and viscerally exciting, since it almost looks like a toy. But, as a Toyota executive said in Tokyo during a presentation, making a small car is quite difficult given all the safety tech required these days, which is another excuse automakers have to not even try. If they did, they could make something as good as the Copen, which is two seats of pure excitement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honda Prelude</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://robbreport.com/"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/honda-prelude-e1761709412147.jpg?w=800" alt="Honda Prelude"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Erik Shilling</figcaption></figure>



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/japanese-collector-cars-1980s-1990s-2843842/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prelude</a> that Honda showed in Tokyo is not new, having debuted earlier this year, but it is a welcome play at nostalgia for the old Prelude, a small sports car that was discontinued in 2001 but lived on in the parking lots of high schools across America for many a year after. The new one is a hybrid and intended for Europe and Japan. The styling is a little pedestrian, and the hybrid-ness is a little pedestrian, too, but sometimes, it’s good just to see an old friend again, after all this time



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lexus LS Mobility Concept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://robbreport.com/"><img decoding="async" src="https://robbreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/lexus-mobility-concept-e1761709241594.jpg?w=800" alt="Lexus LS Micro Concept"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Lexus</figcaption></figure>



The Lexus LS Mobility Concept is the third LS concept at Tokyo this year, and also the most far out, which is saying something because one of the other concepts is a <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/lexus-ls-van-concept-luxury-limousine-1237327477/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">luxury six-wheeled van</a>. The LS Mobility Concept is designed for one person, and opens as a jewelry box might, and ferries one around an urban environment in a space that keeps you safely sealed off from the world among many screens. There is little to no chance the LS Mobility Concept ever sees the light of day, but it’s safe to assume that Lexus designers had fun making it, and, for now, it’s fun to look at and imagine.

Honda

Japan Mobility Show

Leux

Lexus Van

Tokyo Motor Show

The 7 Best Cars at the Tokyo Motor Show, From a Honda EV to a Bonkers Lexus Van

South Korea

The Hanok Heritage

Experience the Art of Rest and the Grace of Korean Hospitality at The Hanok Heritage

In the whirlwind of global travel, the liminal moments of a trip are habitually written off as an afterthought. From the instant of departure, our gaze is trained on the destination, our patience on the remaining time till arrival. But trends are protean, and as the demand to slow down reaches a crescendo, the resurgence of train travel radiates profound attraction to the discerning traveller. At the helm of this renaissance stands <a href="https://www.orient-express.com/la-dolce-vita/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Dolce Vita Orient Express</a>, a legend reborn. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RESTAURANT-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803785" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RESTAURANT-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RESTAURANT-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RESTAURANT-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RESTAURANT-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RESTAURANT-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© La Dolce Vita Orient Express 2026. Photo credit: Mr. Tripper</figcaption></figure>



La Dolce Vita Orient Express marks the modern revival of a storied brand. More than 140 years ago, the Orient Express train cut a fine figure on the tracks between Paris and Constantinople, bridging more than distances across the continent—it set in motion the reinvention of slow travel, infusing it with opulence and refined experiences. Across the decades, Orient Express has since been memorialised in literature, on film, and on screens, but nothing quite comes close to the real thing.  



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SUITE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803784" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SUITE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SUITE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SUITE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SUITE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SUITE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© La Dolce Vita Orient Express 2026. Photo credit: Mr. Tripper</figcaption></figure>



With the Italian-made La Dolce Vita Orient Express comes a markedly Italian perspective on leisure and travel, not least because of Dimorestudio’s significant contribution to the project. Imagine the time and place: 1960s Italy in the embrace of romance and enchantment, as seen through the lens of Federico Fellini, the glamour of Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, and the dulcet sounds of Adriano Celentano, Rita Pavone, and Mina. Dimorestudio’s Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran distilled the unmistakable essence of this Italian golden age into the design of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, suffusing its cabins and cars with rich materials, artistic references, and exquisite craftsmanship. Polished brass, retro silhouettes, soft velvet, earthy colours, and walnut place the interiors into the arms of evocative mid-century aesthetics, an homage to heritage, nostalgia, and the avant-garde. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AERIAL-VIEW_-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Oliver-Astrologo-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803786" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AERIAL-VIEW_-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Oliver-Astrologo-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AERIAL-VIEW_-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Oliver-Astrologo-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AERIAL-VIEW_-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Oliver-Astrologo-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AERIAL-VIEW_-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Oliver-Astrologo-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AERIAL-VIEW_-©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Oliver-Astrologo-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© La Dolce Vita Orient Express 2026. Photo credit: Oliver Astrologo</figcaption></figure>



It all begins at the Roma Ostiense station in the capital, in the comfort of Hugo Toro’s sumptuous La Dolce Vita Lounge, setting the tone for the approaching journey. After canapés and drinks, admiring mosaics and landscape paintings evoking the European Grand Tours of the 18th and 19th centuries, and completing check-in, life on board begins. La Dolce Vita Orient Express comprises a dozen deluxe cabins, 18 suite cabins, and one exclusive La Dolce Vita Suite, alongside a restaurant car and a lounge bar. Heinz Beck, adorned with a three-Michelin-star recognition, curates the gastronomic encounters from morning till night, revealing the bounties and flavours of Italian regions as the locomotive crosses them. From freshly baked breakfast pastries to gnocchetti di zita cacio e pepe en route to Portofino, and Fassona tartare with hazelnuts and Castelmagno cheese shavings as the train crosses Piedmont, each kilometre traversed is a step taken towards understanding the land through food. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DELUXE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803787" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DELUXE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DELUXE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DELUXE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DELUXE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DELUXE_©La-Dolce-Vita-Orient-Express-2025-Photo-Credits-Mr.Tripper-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">© La Dolce Vita Orient Express 2026. Photo credit: Mr. Tripper</figcaption></figure>



Observe the transformation of the countryside from the comfort of your cabin or from the lounge car as La Dolce Vita Orient Express meanders&nbsp;past&nbsp;sloping vineyards and their neat striations, rolling hills and mountaintop hamlets, Italian cypresses standing sentinel,&nbsp;and along shimmering coastlines.&nbsp;From Rome to Verona,&nbsp;Venice&nbsp;and Siena, or&nbsp;Siracusa&nbsp;to Palermo, the unhurried expedition invites reflection and finding delight in the moment. Pursue the white truffle route from Rome to Nizza Monferrato, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Matera,&nbsp;land&nbsp;aces on some of Italy’s most iconic&nbsp;golf&nbsp;courses,&nbsp;or trace the path of a brand-new route from Rome&nbsp;to Istanbul,&nbsp;through Budapest and&nbsp;Brașov.&nbsp;&nbsp;



La Dolce Vita Orient Express embodies the mesmerising magic of timeless travel, the sentimental allure of golden-age nostalgia, and the&nbsp;precious creation of&nbsp;lasting memories. In this&nbsp;colourful&nbsp;celebration of&nbsp;craftsmanship, culture, and creativity,&nbsp;Italy’s most cherished treasures are found.&nbsp;



Learn more&nbsp;about La Dolce Vita Orient Express and your next Italian adventure&nbsp;<a href="https://www.orient-express.com/la-dolce-vita/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Orient Express

Embark on a Timeless Journey Aboard La Dolce Vita Orient Express, a Love Letter to Italy

Jumeirah

Shaun Killa

Inside Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, a Nautical Masterpiece of Coastal Sophistication in Dubai 

Bab Al Shams

Desert Resort

Design

LW Design Group

This Seminal Desert Resort in Dubai Embraces a New Chapter of Arabian Design

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



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



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



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



Silhouette CX Snake



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



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



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



Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Cobra



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



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



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



Lange 1 Moon Phase



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



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



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



Portofino Automatic Moon Phase



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



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



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



Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake



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



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



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



Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar in Rose Gold



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



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



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



Classique 7145 Lunar New Year 2025



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



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



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



Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake



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



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234794974" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794974" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre</figcaption></figure>



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



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



Reverso Tribute Enamel “Snake”



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



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



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



Chinese New Year Automatic



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



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



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



Espiègleries Tresors d’Afrique



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



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



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



The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac—Year of the Snake



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

2025 new watches

A. Lange & Söhne

Breguet

Breitling

Chaumet

Chinese New Year

exclusive watches

Franck Muller

Harry Winston

Hublot

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

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



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



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



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



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

Gold Rolex

Gold Watches

Rolex

Watches

Rolex’s Gold Watches Just Got More Expensive

A <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/grand-sonnerie/">grand sonnerie</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/petite-sonnerie/">petite sonnerie</a>, and <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/minute-repeater/">minute repeater</a> with proprietary sapphire crystal gongs plus a <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/tourbillon/">tourbillon</a>, stop-seconds function, and COSC and Poinçon de Genève certifications comprise <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/chopard/">Chopard</a>‘s latest tour de force timepiece. Unveiled today at Dubai Watch Week, it marks the most complicated chiming watch from the Swiss watchmaker and the first time Chopard has done a grand sonnerie. The L.U.C Grand Strike required 11,000 hours of research and development, of which 2,500 hours were invested in fine adjustments during the prototyping phase alone to ensure the many components work together. Its dial-less display puts this horological expertise front-and-centre where many of the 686 components—all packed into a 43 by 14.08 mm 18-karat ethical gold case—can be seen in action.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-1.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803187" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-1.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-1-300x168.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-1-768x431.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike.</figcaption></figure>



Despite its obvious complexity, the Grand Strike is thoughtfully constructed for ease of use. Case in point: The slider, typically used to activate the minute repeater, has been upgraded so the user can easily change between three modes from one touch point. Here, you can switch between “G” for the grand sonnerie to “P” for the petite sonnerie to “S” for silence—all shifting via an openworked disc. Just beneath is the fluted bassiné-style crown where you can activate the minute repeater via a button in the center or wind up the barrel for the movement on one side and the barrel for the sonnerie mechanism on the other side. On the lower half of the dial lies the 60-second tourbillon at 6 o’clock with a small seconds on the cage which comes with a stop seconds function for precise time setting.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-5.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803186" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-5.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-5-300x168.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-5-768x431.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



But what makes this watch really sing are its sapphire crystal gongs operating with two steel hammers (pictured top left between 9 and 11 o’clock). The manufacture worked with the Haute Ecole du Paysage, d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture (HEPIA) for the analysis and nuances of its signature chime with notes tuned to emit a C#-F♮ chord. Traditionally, a sonnerie chime emits sound via hammers that strike steel gongs which transmit acoustic energy through vibrational waves traveling through the dial crystal and creating sound through the air, which can result in energy loss via the gong attachments, movement, and case, thereby decreasing the effect of the sound. Here, Chopard combines the gongs and the dial crystal which are machined from a single monobloc of sapphire crystal, so that when they are struck by the hammers they vibrate in concert with the dial crystal directing the sound toward the exterior and avoiding the usual loss of acoustic energy through the movement and case. The result is a crisper, clearer sound.



Furthermore, the sapphire crystal gongs use a square cross-section to maximize contact with the hammers and channel vibrations into distinct, layered modes, yielding a richer and more textured chime than traditional round steel gongs. Combined with the material’s monocrystalline hardness—which resists deformation and produces an ethereal, resonant tone—this construction gives Chopard’s sonneries their unmistakable symphony.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-4.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803185" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-4.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-4-300x168.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-4-768x431.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike.</figcaption></figure>



Chopard developed five new patents to support and safeguard its exceptional sonnerie: two ensure intuitive, worry-free use by allowing the chime to be activated or modes to be switched at any time without harming the movement, while three focus on performance, including an energy-efficient clutch that reduces torque and extends the sonnerie’s power reserve (a minimum of 12 hours in grand sonnerie mode), a safeguard that blocks activation when torque is insufficient to prevent incomplete chimes, and a redesigned hammer geometry that minimises shock to the sapphire gongs without compromising sound quality.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-2.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234803184" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-2.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-2-300x168.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chopard-LUC-Grand-Strike-2-768x431.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chopard L.U.C Grand Strike.</figcaption></figure>



Beyond its extensive technical achievements, which have a total of 10 patents (some of which are still pending), its Poinçon de Genève certification is the icing on the cake. The prestigious hallmark is awarded to watches assembled and regulated in the Canton of Geneva meeting the strictest standards of craftsmanship, quality, construction integrity, durability, and finishing. The components have been hand finished with the main plate and bridges in German silver. The same material can be found in&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/chopard-l-u-c-full-strike-sapphire-1234673460/">Chopard’s Full Strike watches</a>&nbsp;and is only used in their exceptional creations. And, while the maison considered using sapphire for the tourbillon bridge, it ultimately landed on stainless steel, which they felt was more impactful.



Despite the incredible amount of haute horology packed inside, the movement manages 70 hours of power reserve. It is both a work horse and a work of art. Furthermore, it is proof that, Chopard’s manufacture in Fleurier, Switzerland is positively flourishing.



The piece is not a limited edition, but will be limited in production to the tune of approximately just 3 pieces a year.

Chopard

LUC Grand Strike

Chopard Just Unveiled Its Most Complicated Watch Yet at Dubai Watch Week

The introduction of a new collection of watches is often met with a mix of anticipation and scepticism, particularly when it promises to redefine conventions. Atelier Wen, a brand that has steadily carved its niche in the luxury watch market, has done just that with its latest offering: the Inflection, that launched earlier this week in Hong Kong. With a novel range of hues and ideation, well, colour us intrigued. 



This innovative collection marks a significant milestone not only for the brand but for watchmaking connoisseurs and collectors. Atelier Wen, renowned for its dedication to marrying traditional&nbsp;craftsmanship&nbsp;with contemporary design, brings to the table with Inflection an ambitious new standard, utilising 99.9% pure tantalum—a metal rarely seen in watchmaking outside the most elite brands.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Duo_Permanent_1_RS-1024x682.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802838" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Duo_Permanent_1_RS-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Duo_Permanent_1_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Duo_Permanent_1_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Duo_Permanent_1_RS-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Duo_Permanent_1_RS-2048x1364.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The Inflection collection&nbsp;comprises&nbsp;three variants, each showcasing tantalum&#8217;s unique properties. This rare metal, known for its remarkable corrosion resistance and striking bluish-grey hue, is not merely a choice of material but a visual statement. The watch&#8217;s case and bracelet are crafted entirely from tantalum, a feat that underscores Atelier Wen&#8217;s commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary haute horology.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Tantalum matters on the wrist for three clear reasons,” explains Robin&nbsp;Tallendier, co-founder of Atelier Wen. “It is dense,&nbsp;more or less like&nbsp;18k gold, so it feels&nbsp;substantial&nbsp;and has real presence. Its natural colour is a distinctive bluish grey that is unlike anything else. It is extremely difficult to machine, since the metal is gummy, slow to cut, and unforgiving of tolerances.” Historically, full tantalum bracelets have been extremely rare, existing solely as&nbsp;pièces&nbsp;uniques.&nbsp;Inflection changes that with a complete bracelet in pure tantalum, where every link and clasp&nbsp;component&nbsp;meets tight tolerances in a material that resists every operation.&nbsp;



The collection features a grand feu enamel dial created by the esteemed Kong&nbsp;Lingjun&nbsp;workshop, a name synonymous with exquisite enamel&nbsp;craftsmanship&nbsp;in China. The collection features a grand feu enamel dial created by the esteemed workshop of Kong&nbsp;Lingjun, a name synonymous with exquisite enamel&nbsp;craftsmanshipin China. This collaboration highlights not only the beauty of the material but also the cultural heritage that Atelier Wen&nbsp;seeks&nbsp;to celebrate. “We began with a principle, not a palette: balance,”&nbsp;Tallendier&nbsp;says of the colour scheme. “Inflection is about duality, expressed through material, geometry, and finish, so colour had to support that idea and sit naturally with tantalum’s bluish grey. It also had to work with grand feu enamel, which builds tone through multiple firings and can easily tip into harshness if pushed the wrong way. We chose tones that invite a closer look, serve the architecture, and age well, rather than colours that dominate the object.”&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Wristshot_Black_RS-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234802837" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Wristshot_Black_RS-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Wristshot_Black_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Wristshot_Black_RS-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Wristshot_Black_RS-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Inflection_Wristshot_Black_RS-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The Inflection collection is available in three distinct variants: the limited launch edition&nbsp;Yōu, which features a&nbsp;fumé&nbsp;enamel dial transitioning from pale green to deep viridian; the&nbsp;Mò, an obsidian black variant; and the&nbsp;Yuān, which&nbsp;showcases&nbsp;a stunning midnight blue hue. Each dial is not only a testament to the skill of the artisans involved but also highlights the intricate and labour-intensive process of creating grand feu enamel. The enamelling process, which involves multiple firings at extreme temperatures, results in a surface that is both glossy and durable, providing a perfect canvas for the watch’s unique design elements.&nbsp;



Yōu&nbsp;is calm and inward-looking. “The enamel sits on a hand-hammered 925 silver base, so light breaks subtly across the surface and the gradient gains a quiet sense of movement,”&nbsp;Tallendier&nbsp;notes. “It is a demanding colour to execute because a broad, balanced gradient in green is unforgiving during firing. When executed correctly, the dial looks even and composed, and the colour supports the case and bracelet instead of competing with them.”&nbsp;



Mò&nbsp;is tuned to be a profoundly deep black that absorbs light instead of returning it. “That depth creates a very pure stage for the case and bracelet, sharpening the read of concave and convex surfaces and making each transition in brushing, frosting, and polishing register with maximum clarity,” he adds. “On a&nbsp;925 silver&nbsp;base, a black of this intensity requires careful preparation to avoid milkiness and micro-bubbling through repeated firings. The result is restraint, precision, and legibility without noise, which is the clearest expression of the design language.”&nbsp;



Yuān&nbsp;takes midnight blue and aligns it precisely to tantalum. “The metal carries a natural bluish tint, and&nbsp;Yuān&nbsp;extends that temperature onto the&nbsp;dial&nbsp;so the piece reads as a single composition rather than a metal plus a colour,”&nbsp;Tallendier&nbsp;explains. “The enamel opens gently under changing light, revealing depth without pulling focus from the overarching blueish tint of tantalum. The challenge here is consistency: if the blue drifts warmer or colder, the harmony with the metal breaks.” Traditional “lucky” reds or golds were avoided because, as&nbsp;Tallendier&nbsp;puts it, “those&nbsp;colors&nbsp;would dominate the object and reduce the watch to a statement about colour. We intended to let colour support narrative and craft, and to allow tantalum, geometry, and finishing to carry the conversation.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



At the heart of Inflection is the customised Girard-Perregaux&nbsp;movement, calibre 03300, a powerhouse renowned for its precision and finishing. This partnership with a prestigious Swiss manufacture speaks volumes about Atelier Wen’s aspirations. The support from the prestigious Swiss manufacture speaks volumes about Atelier Wen’s aspirations. The movement is adorned with features that pay homage to traditional Chinese aesthetics, including sweeping lines inspired by motifs of wind found in historical paintings. This attention to detail embodies a philosophy of harmony and balance, echoing the yin and yang dichotomy intrinsic to Chinese culture. Each&nbsp;component, from the ruthenium-plated bridges to the meticulously designed rotor, reflects a commitment to high-end finishing that is both functional and visually captivating.&nbsp;



Inflection removes flat planes from the case and bracelet, using alternating concave and convex forms with long, sharp transitions. “We did not simplify the design to make production easier; we increased its complexity to fully embrace our design vision,”&nbsp;Tallendier&nbsp;emphasises. “That makes manufacturing harder, then finishing harder again: vertical brushing must stay straight on curves, polished mid-links must remain clean, and long mirror-polished chamfers must be sharp without rolling edges.” On the wrist, the result is a character distinct from gold, platinum, titanium, or steel—delivering gravitas with a cooler, contemporary blue sheen. “Inflection is not a one-off experiment; it is a continuous collection in pure tantalum, manufactured and finished to an&nbsp;unheard of&nbsp;standard,” he says.&nbsp;



Given the complexity of tantalum manufacturing and limited production capacity—only 100 pieces of Inflection will be available in the first year—this collection is poised to become highly sought after. The by-application sales process further emphasises exclusivity, ensuring each piece finds a home with someone who&nbsp;truly appreciates&nbsp;its artistry.&nbsp;



Atelier Wen’s founders, Robin&nbsp;Tallendier&nbsp;and Wilfried Buiron, have long dreamed of creating a watch that transcends boundaries. With Inflection, they have achieved that, infusing high horology with Chinese cultural elements. You might have heard ‘East meets West’ ad nauseum, but&nbsp;here’s&nbsp;an accessory that encapsulates the phrase in form. Inflection promises to be more than a watch; it will be&nbsp;a lasting legacy, a conversation starter, and a celebration of artistry.&nbsp;



Regarding&nbsp;the market,&nbsp;Tallendier&nbsp;offers perspective: “It offers a clue, but does not give the full picture on its own. In Hong Kong, watch demand tends to move with cross-border travel and overall liquidity&#8230; For us, the situation is&nbsp;very different. Our orders for Inflection are driven&nbsp;mainly by&nbsp;committed collectors, through applications and allocations&#8230; Demand is global and tied to the work itself.” Inflection stands apart, a masterpiece in full tantalum.&nbsp;



For more information log on to&nbsp;<a href="https://atelierwen.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor0_SaIRPSxNsQV0TwMpnpxMKETzAyb1DitufMow7dzrFnIarbK" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AtelierWen.com</a>&nbsp;

Asian

Asian watch

Atelier Wen

Atelier Wen Unveils Inflection Wristwatch Collection: A Masterpiece in Full Tantalum 