Leapher Yachts is slowly but surely getting bigger.



The <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/leapher-yachts-new-expedition-vessels-1234844080/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nascent Dutch shipyard</a>, which opened in Tolkamer, the Netherlands only last year, has just added a second model to its lineup. Christened the <a href="https://leapher.com/leapher-yachts-unveils-the-navix50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NAVIX50</a>, the new 161-foot explorer yacht takes design cues from the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/leapher-yachts-new-expedition-vessels-1234844080/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">198-foot NAVIX60</a> that debuted in May 2023 but is more compact.



Penned in partnership with Italian studio AB Yacht Design, the newcomer features a steel displacement hull, a lightweight aluminium superstructure, a high bow, and distinctive geometric glazing. Built for transoceanic adventures, the robust, bluewater cruiser has an impressive range of 5,500 nautical miles at 10 knots and offers up to six days of autonomy at sea. The hull can also be ice-class certified for polar expeditions.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_5.jpg-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791170" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_5.jpg-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_5.jpg-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_5.jpg-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_5.jpg-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_5.jpg-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The salon. Image courtesy of Leapher Yachts</figcaption></figure>



“The <a href="https://leapher.com/navix50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NAVIX50</a> embodies our philosophy of creating vessels that excel in any environment,” Leapher CEO Yiannis Andriotis said in a statement. “From the Drake Passage to the coast of St Tropez, this yacht redefines what’s possible in the sub-500GT category.”



The spacious interior includes six generous cabins, with the option for a seventh cabin or expanded skylounge. The guest cabin on the main deck can also be turned into a gym, wellness area, or an expanded owner’s suite. All guest cabins are equipped with king-size beds, while the owner’s suite is fitted with a plush super king-size bed. The yacht is also home to six crew cabins that can sleep up to 11.



The exterior decks are replete with alfresco dining areas, lounges, and sunbeds. The aft deck is arguably the standout, with two folding terraces, a large, 18-foot pool, a sprawling sunbathing area, a swim platform, and not one but two wet bars. At the opposite end, the foredeck doubles as a garage for two tenders.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_4.jpg-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791171" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_4.jpg-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_4.jpg-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_4.jpg-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_4.jpg-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NAVIX50_4.jpg-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The aft deck. Image courtesy of Leapher Yachts</figcaption></figure>



“It [the NAVIX50] offers unparalleled versatility and luxury while maintaining an attractive value proposition for seasoned owners,” added Andriotis.



Leapher operates on a site formerly owned by cruise ship producer De Hoop that closed at the height of the pandemic. The yard is set to deliver the first NAVIX60 later this month. Christened Horizon, the 198-foot explorer will be on display at the Monaco Yacht Show from 25 to 28 September.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/leapher-navix50-yacht-1235848354/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to see all the photos of the NAVIX50.

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This New 161-Foot Explorer Yacht Offers 6 Days of Autonomy at Sea

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/tiara-yachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiara Yachts</a> just joined a small, elite group of builders specialising in <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/large-center-consoles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large centre consoles</a>—very large centre consoles above 54 feet. When HCB launched its monster 65-foot in 2018, with five 627 hp custom outboards, it started a new trend. Others soon followed: Midnight Express followed with its 60 Pied-A-Mer, the Cigarette Tirranna 59, Nor-Tech 560 Sport, Scout 539 LXF, and Valhalla V-55.



These boats turned out to be a revolution, rather than an evolution, for the centre-console segment, which just a decade ago leaned towards humble, utilitarian designs in the 20- to 30-foot range, almost exclusively used by offshore fisherman. The explosion of outboard-power, in ever-larger horsepower sizes, gave designers, and a new segment of non-fishing boaters, the realisation that centre consoles make excellent dayboats. And that’s exactly where the sub-50-foot market has headed in the last decade.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara56LS-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790897" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara56LS-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara56LS-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara56LS-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara56LS-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara56LS-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The 54 LS’s open transom can be configured with multiple layouts, thanks to its modular components. Image courtesy of Tiara Yachts</figcaption></figure>



These larger models have become status symbols, partly for their impressive speeds, but also for the luxurious details—at least insofar as sportfish boat makers view luxury—across the boats. But many don’t quite understand the definition of luxury on a boat, at least not the same level that brands from Italy understand and implement it, which explains the significant increase in imports over the last 10 years.



Tiara is one of the few US boat brands that gets luxury is more than expensive looking gadgets, but about the whole package.



Its new 56 LS, standing for luxury sport, strikes a nice balance between the two words in its name, without going to extremes on either end. “We want to have the performance, but offer a true luxury experience,” Tom Slikkers, Tiara CEO told&nbsp;Robb Report, bristling a bit when his new boat is compared to competitors. &nbsp;“We see luxury as not just being able to get from point a to point b in record time, but enjoying the whole day aboard. Our competitors aren’t necessarily thinking that way.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790898" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Another view of the cockpit with the modular furniture set up for dining. Image courtesy of Tiara Yachts</figcaption></figure>



The LS flagship is the fastest boat Tiara has ever designed, with four 600 hp Mercury Verado outboards hanging off the transom. It can reach a top end of 57 mph. That’s slower than most of its competitors, but is fine with Tiara owners. “We did voice of the customer surveys with clients, specifically the ones pushing for this, and they’re happy with that speed,” says Slikkers. “They’re even more happy with a day yacht that offers a free flow of space, so you can move around quite easily.”



The 56 LS also has some distinctive features from its smaller 48LS and 43LS siblings. “We realised it was time for the next generation,” says Andrew Bartlett, Tiara’s director of design. “We wanted to keep the DNA of our centre console design, but provide more enclosure behind the helm station, so owners can seal it during bad weather.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.TiaraForedeck-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790900" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.TiaraForedeck-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.TiaraForedeck-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.TiaraForedeck-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.TiaraForedeck-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.TiaraForedeck-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The foredeck seating is also roomy. Image courtesy of Tiara Yachts</figcaption></figure>



A disappearing bulkhead, a feature taken from its EX60 inboard model, proved a viable solution. “That let us keep the boat’s main characteristic of openness in good weather, but provides protection so owners don’t have to go below-decks in bad,” adds Bartlett.



The aft cockpit has a modular design that allows movement of the seating, inclusion of the dining table and connection to the outdoor galley for different social occasions. Both rear sides fold down to expand the cockpit size by about a third.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790901" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2.Tiara-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The LS has a “disappearing bulkhead” at the rear of the cockpit that closes the helm area off during bad weather. Image courtesy of Tiara Yachts</figcaption></figure>



The cabin is a two-stateroom design, with two heads and a shower. The foredeck also has a settee and table, more in line with a cruiser than a centre console. Fit and finish throughout promises to be as luxurious as Tiara’s other models.



The new 56 LS may not be able to claim the title for speed or size—Scout is building a new 67-foot centre console for release later this year—but it could well be the most luxurious centre console on the water when it debuts at the Miami International Boat Show next February.

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Tiara’s Newest 56-Foot, 600 HP Boat Is a Speed Demon in a Full-Feature Package

<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/slideshow/10-best-charter-yachts-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Dea II</a>&nbsp;may have notched nearly 20 years on the high seas, but she’s looking fresher than ever.



The sleek 161-footer, which American yard&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/trinity-yachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trinity Yachts</a>&nbsp;delivered in 2007, has been meticulously refit not once but twice in the past two decades. The latest work was completed earlier this year, meaning&nbsp;La Dea II&nbsp;is ready for her next stint on the water.



Suited to a social couple or a large family, the vessel features several large entertaining areas and a range of top-notch amenities. The panoramic skylounge and vast sundeck, which were both revamped in 2014, provide an elegant setting for alfresco soirees. The main deck aft is another splashy spot where guests can socialise, with two staircases leading to a generous swim platform at the stern.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_9-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790699" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_9-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The swim platform. Image courtesy of IYC</figcaption></figure>



The spacious interior is outfitted with five large cabins that can collectively sleep up to 12 guests. Located on the main deck, the expansive, full-beam owner’s suite includes a private study, dual walk-in closets, and a sizeable en-suite bathroom with double sinks. The four well-appointed guest cabins are located on the lower deck. The two kings and two twins all come with en-suites, flat-screen TVs, and plenty of storage space.



Another major draw is the variety of water toys. La Dea II is equipped with kayaks, wave runners, towables, and wakeboards, allowing guests to partake in a range of activities and water sports. La Dea II also has an impressive track record. The proven world cruiser has an impressive nautical mile range and has embarked on many global expeditions to far-flung destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Islands, Australia, and Asia. She has even travelled to exotic spots such as Myanmar and Indonesia.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_7-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790700" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_7-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/La_Dea_II_7-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The salon. Image courtesy of IYC</figcaption></figure>



La Dea II is a smooth operator, too. The <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/superyacht/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superyacht</a> is equipped with Quantum Zero Speed stabilisers, ensuring steadiness and comfort in all conditions. She can also reach a top speed of 22 knots or cruise leisurely at 18 knots.



The best part? La Dea II was just put up for sale with IYC, with an asking price of US$15.9 million (HK$124 million). Managing partner of IYC Monaco Kevin Bonnie holds the listing.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/la-dea-ii-superyacht-1235823613/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to see all the photos of La Dea II.

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This Revamped 161-Foot Trinity Superyacht Could Be Yours for HK$124 Million

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/candela/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Candela</a>&nbsp;is taking its flying yacht to new heights.



The Swedish yard announced on Monday that a fleet of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/candela-p12-foiling-yacht-first-flight-1235418188/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">P-12 electric foilers</a>&nbsp;will be rolled out to the Red Sea starting next year. NEOM, the new tourism destination currently being built off the coast of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/saudi-arabia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saudi Arabia</a>, has ordered eight vessels for its planned water network.



“Unlike legacy systems with large, slow, and energy-inefficient conventional ferries, the Candela P-12 is a smaller and faster unit, allowing much more frequent departures and quicker journeys for passengers,” Candela founder and CEO Gustav Hasselskog said in a statement. “All daily necessities and services will be just a short boat commute away.”



Announced in June 2022 and launched in November 2023, the <a href="https://candela.com/p-12-shuttle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">P-12</a> is the fourth model in Candela’s fleet, following the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/candela-electric-hydrofoil-powerboat-details-2946627/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C-7</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/candela-c8-electric-foiling-speedboat-1234632435/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C-8</a>, and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/candela-p8-voyager-electric-foiling-yacht-water-taxi-1234682456/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">P-8 Voyager </a>that debuted in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. (The yard also launched a <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/candela-c8-polestar-electric-boat-1235694421/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C-8 Polestar Edition</a> in July.) The zero-emission 39-footer “flies” above the waves using computer-guided hydrofoils that are adjusted 100 times per second to ensure smoothness and stability. Candela says the P-12 uses 80 per cent less energy than conventional shuttle ships and will emit 97.5 per cent less CO2 during its lifetime than a traditional diesel-powered vessel of the same size.



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XSkjdfaHxhw?si=C2JbKIHEWu2IT7fD" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>



Equipped with two of Candela’s electric C-POD motors and four 63 kWh batteries, the P-12 has a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 40 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 25 knots. The yacht also creates a minimal wake and is well-suited to coastal cruising. The fleet serving the Red Sea will be able to carry 30 passengers around the northwestern shores of Saudi Arabia.



“We’re extremely proud to provide a vessel system designed with both passengers and the environment in mind,” Hasselskog adds.” Short waiting times, quick connections, and a very enjoyable experience without taxing the environment with wakes, emissions, and noise will revolutionise how we travel on water.”



The NEOM deal is significant for multiple reasons: It is the largest order Candela has received to date and is further proof that tourism is embracing emission-free transportation. Candela isn’t the only company creating electric ferries for commuters, either:&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/self-sailing-electric-ferry-stockholm-1234837673/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zeam</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/captn-vaiaro-autonomous-electric-ferry-concept-1234606187/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CAPTN</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/new-electric-foiling-ferry-electra-1234645318/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boundary Layer Technologies</a>&nbsp;have all floated similar concepts.



The P-12 will debut as part of Stockholm’s public transport system this autumn. The NEOM fleet will then be delivered in 2025 and early 2026.

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A Fleet of Candela’s Electric Foiling Yachts Is Rolling Out to the Red Sea in 2025

ART Shipyard’s new fleet member&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oceanindependence.com/yachts-for-sale/yacht/bee-yacht/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bee</a>&nbsp;gets an A+ for design.



The compact explorer, which the Besiktas Group brand recently launched in Tuzla Bay, Turkey, spans just 116 feet but is as comfortable and durable as a larger expedition ship.



ART Shipyard CEO Hüseyin Yardimci enlisted Hydro Tec president Sergio Cutolo to spearhead the exterior design and naval architecture. The team started with a smaller, 82-foot concept, but eventually increased the length to 116 feet and the beam to 25 feet. As such,&nbsp;Bee&nbsp;offers exceptional interior volume but remains under the 300 GT threshold.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_Yacht3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790459" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_Yacht3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_Yacht3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_Yacht3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_Yacht3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_Yacht3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A bird’s-eye view of “Bee.” Image courtesy of Ocean Independence</figcaption></figure>



“This is really a pocket megayacht with all the contents and equipment that you may find on a much bigger yacht,” Cutolo told&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;via email. “The intention of the yard was to look directly to the North European and Italian competition.”



Showcasing a steel full-displacement hull and an aluminium superstructure, Bee is sturdy yet lightweight and efficient. The vessel has an impressive fuel capacity, meaning long-range expeditions are a cinch. It is also equipped with zero-speed stabilisers that ensure smoothness on the high seas. As for grunt, twin Caterpillar engines capable of producing 715 hp result in a top speed of 13 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790460" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bee_3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The main salon. Image courtesy of Ocean Independence</figcaption></figure>



The interior, styled by Michele Dragoni of Dragoni Design Lab, features expansive windows, light oak floors, and white lacquered ceilings, which collectively create a bright and airy feel. The layout includes a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck, four staterooms on the lower deck, and crew quarters for up to six crew. The living quarters also offer multiple lounges and dining areas.



The exterior decks are adorned with even more lounges, with plush seating gracing the upper decks and the bow. The aft deck centres around a striking infinity Jacuzzi that offers sweeping views of the ocean and beyond. Further aft lies a swim platform with direct access to the sea. Another exterior highlight is the crane, which can be used to deploy and retrieve toys and tenders.



The best part? Bee is currently for sale with <a href="https://www.oceanindependence.com/yachts-for-sale/yacht/bee-yacht/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Independence</a>, with an asking price of about $16.8 million (€15.3 million/HK$131.7 million).



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/bee-explorer-yacht-1235808608/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to see all the photos of Bee.

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This New 116-Foot Pocket Explorer Will Make Larger Expedition Yachts Jealous

The newest&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/megayacht/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">megayacht</a>&nbsp;from the drawing board of&nbsp;<a href="https://dorriesyachts.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dörries Yachts</a>&nbsp;is downright heavenly.



Named after Zephyrus, the god of the west wind in Greek mythology, Zephyr spans some 378 feet (115.2 meters) and offers ample space for relaxing or entertaining at sea.



“Zephyr represents a harmonious balance of bold creativity and enduring style, making it a standout in any era,”&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/dorries-yachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dörries Yachts</a>CEO Henning Dörries told&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;via email.



Penned in collaboration with British studio&nbsp;<a href="https://www.h2yachtdesign.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">H2 Yacht Design</a>, the all-white vessel cuts an elegant profile, with long, sleek lines running from the sharply pointed bow to the sculpted stern. The four decks are cleverly positioned to create expansive open spaces for sun worshippers forward and aft. The aft decks are also equipped with glass bulwarks to ensure uninterrupted ocean views.



“The final design is not only stunning but also boasts a timeless appeal with modern surfacing and meticulous detailing,” added H2 owner Jonny Horsfield. “Featuring expansive glass and spacious outdoor decks, Zephyr epitomizes the contemporary preferences of today’s discerning clientele.”



The interior is sure to be gargantuan, though Dörries has yet to specify the gross tonnage. The German shipyard also didn’t share any details regarding the layout of the living quarters, but pictures of the exterior show that Zephyr will certainly not be short on luxury amenities.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zephyr_9-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790313" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zephyr_9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zephyr_9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zephyr_9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zephyr_9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Zephyr_9-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The main deck pool. Image courtesy of Dörries Yachts.</figcaption></figure>



Starting at the top, the sundeck is adorned with a plunge pool and sun pads forward and a large circular lounge aft. Alfresco dining areas big enough for 12 and more plush lounges grace the next two decks, while an inviting Jacuzzi occupies pride of place in the bow. The bow is so long it can also accommodate a helicopter that can be used for comings and goings. The owner’s suite will likely have private access to the bow area, as is customary with many high-end cruisers.



The real pièce de résistance is the swimming pool on the main deck, though: The striking body of water is flanked by sun beds and affords sweeping vistas out to sea. Two sets of stairs lead from the aft of the main deck to the swim platform below. The sizable platform offers direct access to the water and a garage stocked with all the requisite water toys. It is also dotted with sunbeds for any seafarers looking to chill by the ocean.



Dörries Yachts has unveiled some pretty extraordinary&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/dorries-project-arwen-megayacht-1235590616/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">megayachts</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gill-schmid-design-explorer-yacht-supply-vessel-1234601231/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explorers</a>&nbsp;over the past few years, but Zephyr is perhaps one of the most divine designs. The best part? The megyacht is up for sale. More details will be announced at the Monaco Yacht Show in late September, with a full sales brochure also available to interested buyers.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/zephyr-megayacht-1235806467/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to see more photos of Zephyr.

Dörries Yachts

Jacuzzi

luxury yacht

Megayacht

multiple pools

Pool

Zephyr

Meet Zephyr, a Giant 378-Foot Megayacht With Not One But Two Pools

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

boeing starliner

starliner spacecraft return

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Beond

italy

jetsetting

luxury aircrafts

luxury leisure

Maldives

Milan

Luxury Airline Beond Is Now Flying Between Milan and the Maldives

Heart Aerospace is almost ready for takeoff.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Airplane

clean travel

electric aviation

Heart Aerospace

hybrid-electric airplane

Swedish

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Boeing

custom

Luxury Travel

Private Jet

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

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



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



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234789816" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc01059-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789816" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc01059-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc01059-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc01059-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc01059-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc01059-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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However, there are rare exceptions. Not up for auction, Gerhard Richter’s 1982 masterpiece&nbsp;Eisberg&nbsp;is on loan from the Long Museum, Shanghai, and an exceptionally rare Ru brush washer from circa 1,100 AD is housed and displayed in its own enclave, paired with the sounds of an ever-raging storm to enhance the multi-sensory experience. Similarly, Banksy’s unfailingly popular half-shredded canvas,&nbsp;Girl with Balloon [Girl without Balloon, renamed after the shredding!] , is on full view, on loan from its owner.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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">
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="684" height="1024" data-id="1234789819" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00963-684x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789819" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00963-684x1024.jpg 684w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00963-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00963-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00963-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00963.jpg 1068w" sizes="(max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="684" height="1024" data-id="1234789821" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00964-684x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789821" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00964-684x1024.jpg 684w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00964-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00964-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00964-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/dsc00964.jpg 1068w" sizes="(max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px" /></figure>



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



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



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



Landmark Chater, 8 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong



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

Hong Kong

Sotheby's

Sotheby's Maison

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

Close to 70 international and local galleries from around the world gathered at Pacifico Yokohama over the first weekend of July for the sophomore edition of <a href="https://tokyogendai.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tokyo Gendai</a>.



From 5 to 7 July, collectors, artists, connoisseurs, gallerists, and art lovers from 40 countries and territories congregated to witness a diverse showcase of contemporary collections that featured the likes of Lois Weinberger, Roby Dwi Antono, Ozaki Satoru, Tsujimura Shiro, Ando Miya, and Robert Longo, whose new set of drawings, presented by Pace Gallery, was among the most expensive lots that found placement with buyers.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1007" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Longo-Robert-Study-of-Split-Roaring-Tiger-2023-Ink-and-charcoal-on-vellum-1024x1007.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789502" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Longo-Robert-Study-of-Split-Roaring-Tiger-2023-Ink-and-charcoal-on-vellum-1024x1007.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Longo-Robert-Study-of-Split-Roaring-Tiger-2023-Ink-and-charcoal-on-vellum-300x295.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Longo-Robert-Study-of-Split-Roaring-Tiger-2023-Ink-and-charcoal-on-vellum-768x755.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Longo-Robert-Study-of-Split-Roaring-Tiger-2023-Ink-and-charcoal-on-vellum-1536x1510.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Longo-Robert-Study-of-Split-Roaring-Tiger-2023-Ink-and-charcoal-on-vellum-2048x2014.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Robert Longo’s Study of Split Roaring Tiger was presented by Pace Gallery. Image courtesy of Robert Longo and Pace Gallery</figcaption></figure>



For its second year, the fair welcomed notable private collectors, museum directors, patrons, and curators, and even a few art-loving celebrities. Reporting robust sales, Tokyo Gendai 2024 marks an ambitious step forward in its bid to promote and expand the contemporary art market in the country. Local gallery A Lighthouse called Kanata secured sales for six seminal pieces, while a pair of works titled Waterfall on Colours by Senju Hiroshi went for US$570,000 (HK$4.44 million) and US$385,000 (HK$3 million). Trevor Shimizu’s Water and Branches (2) was sold by Misako &amp; Rosen for US$85,000 (HK$663,360).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/許寧-Xu-Ning-Painting-Fairytale-2023.-Oil-on-canvas.-113.5-x-163.5cm.-Photo-by-Kenji-Takahashi.-Courtesy-of-Tomio-Koyama-Gallery-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789497" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/許寧-Xu-Ning-Painting-Fairytale-2023.-Oil-on-canvas.-113.5-x-163.5cm.-Photo-by-Kenji-Takahashi.-Courtesy-of-Tomio-Koyama-Gallery-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/許寧-Xu-Ning-Painting-Fairytale-2023.-Oil-on-canvas.-113.5-x-163.5cm.-Photo-by-Kenji-Takahashi.-Courtesy-of-Tomio-Koyama-Gallery-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/許寧-Xu-Ning-Painting-Fairytale-2023.-Oil-on-canvas.-113.5-x-163.5cm.-Photo-by-Kenji-Takahashi.-Courtesy-of-Tomio-Koyama-Gallery-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/許寧-Xu-Ning-Painting-Fairytale-2023.-Oil-on-canvas.-113.5-x-163.5cm.-Photo-by-Kenji-Takahashi.-Courtesy-of-Tomio-Koyama-Gallery-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/許寧-Xu-Ning-Painting-Fairytale-2023.-Oil-on-canvas.-113.5-x-163.5cm.-Photo-by-Kenji-Takahashi.-Courtesy-of-Tomio-Koyama-Gallery-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Xu Ning’s 2023 Fairytale painting was one among several pieces that made up her sold-out show. Photo by Kenji Takahashi. Image courtesy of Tomio Koyama Gallery</figcaption></figure>



Blum fetched US$160,000 (HK$1.24 million) for a canvas by Okazaki Kenjiro. Beijist artist Xu Ning—featured in Tomio Koyama Gallery’s booth in the fair’s Hana section—experienced a sell-out show for her pieces. Both contemporary and traditional mediums found success with collectors during the fair, from large-scale works, tapestries, ceramics, and paintings to drawings, sculptures, and photography.



In addition to the fair sectors, Tokyo Gendai offered attendees the opportunity to participate in special VIP events, openings, and exhibitions, in collaboration with Artizon Museum, Mori Art Museum, the Tokyo National Museum, Kiyoharu Art Colony, Pola Art Museum, Enoura Observatory, and more to showcase Japan’s art scene.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-3-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789498" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-3-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-3-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-3-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-3-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Yoshitomo Nara’s Puff Marshie on display, courtesy of Blum. Image courtesy of Tokyo Gendai</figcaption></figure>



Kojima Reiri, general manager of Tokyo Gendai, says, “It was incredible to feel the energy and enthusiasm from both returning and new visitors alike. While the art market in Japan is still growing, we were very encouraged to hear that visitors were delighted by the galleries’ presentations, as well as the public and VIP programmes that connected Japan’s many cultural institutions to the global art world.”



Similarly, co-founder Magnus Renfrew adds that “the second edition of Tokyo Gendai built on the solid foundations laid last year. We were thrilled by the response to the fair by both the Japanese art community and international collectors. Consensus is emerging that Japan has the potential to play a much bigger role in the global art market and we are honoured to be playing an important role in both putting the spotlight on the incredible art scene in Tokyo and connecting Japan to the global art world. We are excited to have secured new autumn dates that will allow the potential for greater participation from galleries, collectors, and international visitors.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-7-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234789499" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-7-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tokyo-Gendai-2024-7-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nan Ke Gallery’s booth featured Meng Zhou’s Mount Top sculpture. Image courtesy of Tokyo Gendai</figcaption></figure>



Following feedback from attendees and gallerists, the upcoming third edition of the Tokyo Gendai fair will return next year in autumn, with dates set for 12 to 14 September 2025, while the preview and vernissage will take place on 11 September 2025. Stay tuned for more information.

Japan

Tokyo Gendai

Tokyo Gendai 2024

Tokyo Gendai 2024 Concludes With Robust Sales and Sell-Out Shows, Counting Robert Longo Drawings Among Most Expensive Lots

The wealthy are only getting wealthier.



Super-rich families are set to be worth a bonkers US$9.5 trillion (HK$74 trillion) by 2030, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-04/ultra-rich-families-set-to-control-9-5-trillion-by-2030-deloitte-says?srnd=wealth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> on Wednesday. That sky-high number, from a new Deloitte report that surveyed family offices, is an impressive 73 per cent increase from the US$5.5 trillion (HK$42.8 trillion) currently owned by people with such businesses. In that same time span, the number of family offices is expected to jump by one-third to 10,720.



In recent years, family offices have become more popular with those wealthy enough to have them, Bloomberg noted. It’s become easier to open a family office, for example, and they have fewer restrictions than a hedge fund. Because of that, though, they can also lead to major problems—take the case of Bill Hwang: The investor’s Archegos Capital Management defaulted in 2021, and in July, he was found guilty of criminal charges related to the collapse.



The family offices assessed in the Deloitte report managed an average of US$2 billion (HK$15.5 billion) in assets, according to Bloomberg. With just about 15 employees, only one-third were led by someone outside the family in question. “It can definitely be risky managing that much <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/wealth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wealth</a>,” Rebecca Gooch, global head of insights for Deloitte Private, told the outlet. “Family offices really need to be careful about who they bring on board.”



The new data are just the latest signal that the super-rich are controlling more money than ever before. To even be considered a member of the 1 per cent in the United States, you would need to have at least US$5.8 million (HK$45.2 million), a report from earlier this year <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/finance/world-1-percent-threshold-1235527233/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">showed</a>. That’s a 15 per cent increase from 2023. (If you live in Monaco, you would need an even more hefty US$12.8 million/HK$99.7 million to meet that threshold.) And just last month, another report noted that the world’s ultra-wealthy population—those with a net worth of US$30 million (HK$233.8 million) or more—is <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/ultra-wealthy-population-growth-report-1235789531/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expected</a> to grow 38 per cent by 2028.



Those numbers pale in comparison to the wealth depicted in Deloitte’s report, which is largely focused on <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/billionaires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">billionaires</a> rather than millionaires. And in fact, the 500 richest people in the world collectively got <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/finance/richest-people-2023-wealth-gains-1235459176/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US$1.5 trillion (HK$11.6 trillion) wealthier</a> last year. They’re on track to bring in only more dough in the next six years.

billionaires

family offices

ultra-wealthy

wealth

Ultra-Wealthy Families Will Be Worth HK$74 Trillion by 2030, a New Report Says

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234790984" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790984" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ReadMcKendree_2017-06-09-Nihiwatu-51-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nihi Sumba in Indonesia.</figcaption></figure>
</figure>



For those seeking something off the beaten path, there’s always the exotic, the eccentric, the island, and the not-on-the-map destination that can intrigue the average billionaire buyer. “I recently had the privilege of spending time in <a href="https://www.robbreport.hk/posts/inside-nihi-sumba-where-you-can-stay-in-all-inclusive-treehouses-and-get-chocolate-spa-treatments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nihi Sumba</a> in Indonesia; this was developed by Christopher Burch and James McBride. I can only describe it as magic. I’ve been lucky enough to experience many ‘luxury’ hotels around the world. However, this, for me, is, hands down, one of the most magical places on earth. It is barefoot luxury, leaning into its finest. You have the hotel, and then you have a handful of very special private residences. Owners of the residences in Sumba are offered award-winning, uniquely designed villas, which really make you feel you are sitting on the edge of wilderness. You have an array of wonderful amenities, wellness activities, and programming on your doorstep coupled with exceptional local&nbsp;Sumbanese service, which&nbsp;only enhances what I would call ‘paradise.’ The Nihi Group are currently developing their new resort and private residences in Santo Tomas, Costa Rica, which will be coming forward in 2026—given what has been created in Indonesia, I have no doubt that Costa Rica will be just as magical.”



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

Hong Kong Property

property

Real Estate

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

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790937" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok1-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Residences will have double-height living spaces with aerodynamically curved walls of glass. Image courtesy of Porsche Design</figcaption></figure>



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790938" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Porsche_Bangkok7-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside one of the “passion spaces,” which can be tailored to fit the needs of residents. Image courtesy of Porsche Design</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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

porsche bangkok condo

porsche design bangkok

porsche real estate

porsche thailand

Porsche Design Unveils a Luxury Residential Tower in Bangkok

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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790514" style="width:731px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Bruce-Lee-Chops-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bruce Lee’s onyx chops. Image courtesy of Julien’s Auctions</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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

auctions

Bruce Lee

Hong Kong auction

Kobe Bryant

Michael Jackson

Pacific Place

Taylor Swift

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791214" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>

Leaders of Luxury

Robb Report

Robb Report Hong Kong

Summit

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Tel: (+853) 8883 2221



All images courtesy of Sushi Kissho.

Japanese Cuisine

Macau

Miyakawa Maasaki

Omakase

Raffles at Galaxy Macau

Sushi

Sushi Kissho

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

Forget a resort. On your next European jaunt, you’ll have a slew of stylish estates where you can rest your head. &nbsp;



Luxury travel company Red Savannah just unveiled its <a href="https://www.redsavannah.com/ultimate-estates/ultimate-estates?filter=%7B%22continent%22%3A%22%22%2C%22country%22%3A%22%22%2C%22region%22%3A%22%22%2C%22priceRange%22%3A%5B35400%2C219900%5D%2C%22currency%22%3A%22GBP%22%2C%22guests%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22rooms%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22greatFor%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22amenities%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22sortMethod%22%3A%22featured%22%2C%22itemsPerPage%22%3A999999%2C%22currentPage%22%3A0%2C%22product%22%3A%22%22%7D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ultimate Estates</a> collection, an assembly of private vacation rentals scattered across Italy, France, Greece, and Spain, to name a few. The 21 properties essentially function as a five-star hotel, with the added bonus of not having to share your space. 



Want to stay in an English manor in the Cotswolds? How about a beach club-inspired villa in <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ibiza/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ibiza</a>? You can expect to find a minimum of six bedrooms no matter the booking, plus epic amenities like spas, private boats, gyms, tennis courts, wine cellars, and home movie theatres. In addition, each reservation comes with a full team of staff including chefs and a 24/7 concierge contact. 



“These highly experienced travel specialists act as personal travel assistants to organise bespoke itineraries, secure one-of-a-kind experiences, and ensure a flawless stay,” Red Savannah said in a statement. “Past arrangements have included delivering a Steinway grand piano by helicopter to Villa La Cassinella and arranging for a soprano from Milan’s La Scala to serenade guests during dinner on a wisteria-draped terrace overlooking Lake Como.” 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Villa-Xi.jpg-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791188" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Villa-Xi.jpg-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Villa-Xi.jpg-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Villa-Xi.jpg-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Villa-Xi.jpg-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Villa-Xi.jpg-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Villa Xi on Ibiza. Image courtesy of Red Savannah</figcaption></figure>



For bigger parties and a glitzy beach-club vibe, look no further than the 10-bed Villa Xi on Ibiza. At the property—which is just down the road from the iconic Blue Marlin on Cala Jondal—you and your family can tuck your toes in a sandy bar area nestled underneath pine trees and, by night, hang by the palm-shaded Jacuzzi. The villa’s generous 10 acres offer up plenty of opportunities to stay active, from playing volleyball to swimming in the over-80-foot pool. The villa itself was recently completed in 2017 and is decked out with modern interiors that merge Scandinavian and Indonesian designs: Think en-suite bedrooms with Balinese-style showers and tropical shrubs. &nbsp;



Nestled in the heart of the French Riviera on the Cap d’Antibes, Red Savannah’s Domaine de la Garoupe is perfect for smaller groups perhaps seeking a respite from the famous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. The château has nine total bedrooms, split between a main house (known as La Palombière) and two separate dwellings dubbed&nbsp;La Maison du Cap and La Petite Palombière. Altogether, the abode can sleep up to 18 guests and packs a ton of perks such as a private spa, a salon for hair and nail treatments, a gym, a wine cellar, and a 15-seat cinema. La Palombière acts as the property’s hub with a marble-clad kitchen, a drawing room overlooking the garden, and an outdoor swimming pool.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Great-House.jpg-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791189" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Great-House.jpg-1024x683.png 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Great-House.jpg-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Great-House.jpg-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Great-House.jpg-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/The-Great-House.jpg-2048x1365.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Great House in <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/barbados/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barbados</a>. Image courtesy of Red Savannah</figcaption></figure>



If you’re looking for something with say, a tropical flair, the Ultimate Estates collection includes the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/caribbean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caribbean</a>, too. There’s a massive 12-suite spread in Barbados planted right on the beach on the island’s northwest coast. The Great House, as it’s known, can sleep up to 30 people between its main digs, the Hillaby House, and two cottages. However, you’ll most likely spend a lot of time outdoors enjoying the alfresco perks. Chief among them is a beach bar with a pizza oven, a 33-foot motorboat, kayaks, and water toys. &nbsp;



As for any non-estate escapes, Red Savannah’s got you covered there, too. One of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/red-savannah-yves-saint-laurent-trip-1235737638/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its newest itineraries</a>&nbsp;will let you explore Marrakech just like Yves Saint Laurent, or you can opt for a litany of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/gallery/literary-themed-travel-1235780266/o-41/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">literary-themed activities</a>&nbsp;in the brand’s In the Footsteps of the Great Detectives series.

latest europe private estate

new european private estate

red savannah new estate

This Collection of Lavish Private Estates Is Ready for Your Next European Vacation

Robb Report Hong Kong is excited to announce the debut of the <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/leaders-of-luxury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leaders of Luxury Summit</a>, taking place in Hong Kong as the host city. With the welcomed support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the inaugural Leaders of Luxury Summit highlights the city’s position as a hub of luxury lifestyle and an important destination for international luxury brands.



Organised by&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong,&nbsp;the highly anticipated Leaders of Luxury Summit will be held at Regent Hong Kong from 26 to 28 November 2024. It is set to be the most exciting international luxury event to take place in the city this year. A host of world-class speakers and panellists are expected to attend the event for thoughtful discussions centred around this year’s summit theme, “Redefining Luxury Through a Global Lens.”



Heads of international luxury companies, top business leaders, global entrepreneurs, C-level executives, and international&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;editors will deep-dive into the dominant trends, disruptions, and direction of the global luxury industry through a series of engaging talks, thought-provoking panel discussions, and stimulating keynote speeches.



Additionally, the publishers and editors of&nbsp;Robb Report&nbsp;titles around the world have been invited to attend the Leaders of Luxury Summit and participate in this significant event that has global implications on the luxury front.



An important day of discussion will lead to a glamorous night of entertainment, as a by-invitation-only black-tie gala dinner will cap off the summit. Under the theme “Best of the Best,” an awards presentation and exciting evening with luxury leaders are on the agenda.



Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/leaders-of-luxury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;for more information.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791301" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_-2024-09-11-at-10.49.17 AM-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>

Leaders of Luxury Summit

Robb Report Hong Kong Joins Hands with Hong Kong Tourism Board to Bring Inaugural Leaders of Luxury Summit to the City

Bali

Nirjhara

Tabanan

What It’s Like to Stay at Nirjhara, a Boutique Luxury Retreat in Tabanan, the “Rice Bowl” of Bali

Gary Lowe, 66, and his wife, Pam, 69, have long been adventurous travellers, but two years ago, the couple challenged themselves to the ultimate trip: circumnavigating the globe—solo. Their inspiration wasn’t The Amazing Race, but rather the book that likely inspired that show, Jules Verne’s Around The World in 80 Days. Published in 1873, Verne’s novel follows eccentric protagonist Phileas Fogg and his loyal valet, Jean Passepartout, as they attempt to win a wager and prove that then-novel modes of transport—like the steam train—have made it possible to circumnavigate the world in less than three months (Spoiler alert: Fogg wins the bet, albeit only just). To see if they could match Fogg’s jaunt the Lowes, who live between rural England and Cataluña in Spain, the Lowes traveled using a combination of planes, trains, and buses. They spent around US$85,000 (HK$662,740) on the entire trip, creating extraordinary memories along the way.



This is their story.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Plans and Prep</h2>



They dreamed up their ambitious adventure on a whim—sitting in a restaurant in Italy one winter day, dreaming of warmer climes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_l-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791059" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_l-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_l-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_l-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_l-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_l-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gary and Pam Lowe landed in <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/sydney/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sydney</a> after a club hopping in <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/malaysia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Malaysia</a>. Image courtesy of Gary and Pam Lowe</figcaption></figure>



We thought about doing this in January 2022, and we departed on 2 October that year, so we didn’t have an awful lot of time to make detailed preparations. I had a fairly clear idea of where I wanted to go, and we got the basic itinerary drawn on a placement in a restaurant. We were paying lip service to Jules Verne’s novel and wanted to go round the world in exactly 80 days, and to a number of the places Phileas Fogg went. But obviously, he couldn’t use air transport. We didn’t want to suffer, but we also didn’t want to do it in the most luxurious way, either; so we didn’t consider one of those air cruises.



Instead, we flew business everywhere we could, and the airlines themselves were terrific—Qatar especially, because of the cleanliness of the plane, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Adventure Begins</h2>



The first leg of the trip: Europe and the Middle East, with a detour to North Africa.



When Phileas Fogg did his trip, he went from London to Paris to Turin, which we did, too. But we also decided to stay longer in places we thought we’d need more time to see, like&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rome</a>. We walked everywhere, in all the cities. My belief is that you can’t really get the feel of a place without walking it, so we walked and walked and walked.



We went to Jerusalem, Cairo, and Alexandria, too. Cairo was probably Pam’s least favourite place: big, dirty, and busy. It was almost impossible to cross the road. But we took the train from Cairo to Alexandria, which cost around £5 [HK$50] in first class for a three-and-a-half-hour journey, and it was very comfortable. We needed somewhere luxurious to stay at the end of that, but the Four Seasons there was disappointing. It was under construction, so the bars and swimming pool were not available. In Alexandria, you feel the history but not in the same way as in, perhaps, Istanbul.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Highlight</h2>



Both Gary and Pam treated&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/india/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">India</a>&nbsp;as the crown jewel of their trip.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_i-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791060" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_i-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_i-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_i-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_i-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_i-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">India was a highlight of the journey. Image courtesy of Gary and Pam Lowe</figcaption></figure>



India was the central focus—the driving force behind the whole trip. We picked a train called the <a href="https://www.the-maharajas.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maharajas Express</a> around the Golden Triangle and really enjoyed it. I’d absolutely recommend it unreservedly.



We slept pretty well, though some people found that difficult. The most important feature was the logistics: We were travelling at night, at low speed. That’s how we got to Bombay. Phileas Fogg went to Bombay by going down the Suez Canal. We thought about maybe doing that, as we have a friend who’s in shipping and said “I can get you down there, no problem, any day of the week.” But I wasn’t sure we really wanted to travel on a container ship, or finish up in Yemen, because it’s a conflict zone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Change in Itinerary</h2>



Lingering pandemic-era restrictions forced the Lowes to deviate further from Fogg’s journey.



From Bombay, Fogg went to Calcutta, Singapore, and Hong Kong. But Covid was still a problem in China [in late 2022], and if we had gone there, it would have been very risky, as we could have got stuck. So we went to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, as we have a very good friend there, and neither of us had been. We stayed with friends and Pam booked our hotels. A few of the clubs had reciprocals for mine in Europe. We’re also part of the <a href="https://www.cresta-run.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cresta Run Club</a> in Switzerland, and we played golf with the grandson of the most recent king, who’s also ridden the Cresta with us. That was terrific.



From here, Fogg went to Japan before taking the steamer from Yokohama to San Francisco. He never went south of the equator. But we deviated again, going down to stay with more friends who are members of the Cresta, this time in Sydney. Pam’s oldest son lives in Perth in Western Australia, and he came over for a few days. They played golf together. I’m a keen cyclist, so I rented a bike to cycle down the south of Sydney to a place called Wollongong, with such a beautiful coastline. It was a thrill for me.



We went from there to Santiago. It took some persuading for Pam to drive over the Andes, going from Santiago to Mendoza. It was a very long trip, but it had to be done, and in the end, it was on a fabulous coach that was quite luxurious as coaches go. It took about 10 hours, but that included a three-hour stop at the border as you go into Argentina. Goodness knows why it takes so long, but it’s well known to happen.&nbsp;We flew back. That took one hour.



After time in Lima and California, plus a brief stop to see Chicago’s skyscrapers, the couple was on the home stretch.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_o-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791061" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_o-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_o-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_o-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_o-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_o-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/RR_Around_the_World_in_80_Days_o.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/new-york/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York</a> was an opportunity for indulgence. Image courtesy of Gary and Pam Lowe</figcaption></figure>



I had lived in the States, and we went to New York where our friends put us up and threw a big party—we’d been relatively abstemious on the trip. But that night we definitely had too much to drink. I was celebrating my birthday on 17 December. Then we flew home the next day, just in time for Pam’s birthday on 19 December.



Famously, in the novel, Fogg got his timings wrong because of the dateline, so we thought the sensible thing to do in case anything went wrong was to build in a two-day buffer, which we didn’t end up needing. Then we went to the Reform Club, as he had, on the 80th day after leaving, for a nice lunch with some Champagne. It was December 21, the same day as Fogg.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Travel Hacks</h2>



The two biggest tips from Lowe: cutting costs on laundry, and a need-to-read book in prep.



One of the great problems is how to manage your clothing situation. We travelled with quite a lot of luggage—two hard suitcases and a backpack, each—which was no problem on airlines, but became a problem when we took the train. For the most part, it was hot everywhere we went; in fact, all the way until we got to North America. So we had sent a suitcase ahead to our friends in Los Angeles, full of warm clothes, and that’s when we switched.



Pam also became an expert on the laundromats of the world. Most places, you have serviced laundry done, with all your clothes washed and ironed back within 24 hours. We didn’t use the hotel laundry service, which saved us a fortune.



I read the Jules Verne novel maybe once or twice before we planned our trip, and re-read it again while we did. But there’s another book that’s just as interesting, by this fascinating woman who wrote under the pen name Nellie Bly. She did a round the world trip, more or less on his route, as a woman alone, in the 1880s, and wrote&nbsp;Around The World in Seventy-Two Days.&nbsp;That’s quite a story.

around the world

Around The World in Eighty Days

California

global travel

India

London

New York

rome

We Recreated Jules Verne’s ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ and Had the Journey of a Lifetime

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790123" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/3-w-Spectre-Semaphore-6-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bespoke Lemon Yellow and Citrine Yellow leather dress the interior. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars</figcaption></figure>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790124" style="width:680px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/4-w-Spectre-Semaphore-9-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Semaphore Yellow paint colour was “inspired by the informal elegance of coastal California,” according to the marque’s official statement. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars</figcaption></figure>



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



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

Best of the Best 2024

Electric Vehicle

luxury car

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Spectre

Rolls-Royce Spectre Semaphore

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

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



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



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



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



“There is not a pattern really,” Vigna told the magazine. “People buy a Ferrari because when they buy a Ferrari, they have a lot of fun. They don’t buy a Ferrari because A, B, C, D or a single element. It’s a combination of things. When we do electric cars, we will produce them in the right way.”



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



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

battery-powered

electric car

Ferrari

gas-powered engine

Ferrari Confirms Its First Electric Car Is Coming Next Year

Some things are even better than expected.



You can add the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/shelby-ford-mustang-gt500-code-red-1234742468/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shelby GT500 Code Red</a> to that list. The heavily modified <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ford</a> Mustang is even faster than initially thought, recently <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajsZ3rrLxjs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">running the quarter mile in just 8.59 seconds</a> at 161 mph. And what might be most impressive about the feat is that it comes more than two years after the track-only muscle car made its debut.



That quarter-mile time makes the GT500 Code Red one of the quickest accelerating cars currently available. Only four other vehicles can cover that much ground in under nine seconds,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2024/09/shelbys-1300-hp-gt500-code-red-runs-1-4-mile-in-insane-8-59-seconds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Car Scoops</a>. They include the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/first-drive-lucid-air-sapphire-1234882587/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lucid Air Sapphire</a>&nbsp;(which runs the quarter-mile in 8.93 seconds), the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/dodge-challenger-srt-demon-170-final-last-call-car-1234820866/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170</a>&nbsp;(an NHRA-certified 8.91 seconds), the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/first-drive-pininfarina-battista-1234893734/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pininfarina Battista</a>&nbsp;(8.55 seconds), and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=rimac+nevera+robbreport&amp;rlz=1C5GCCM_en&amp;oq=rimac+nevera+robbreport&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgkIARAAGAoYgAQyDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgEEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyBggFEEUYPDIGCAYQRRg8MgYIBxBFGDzSAQgzMDMyajBqNKgCALACAA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rimac Nevera</a>&nbsp;(8.23 seconds). Three of those vehicles are all-electric, including two seven-figure hypercars, while one, the Demon 170 is gas-powered. That makes the GT500 Code Red the quickest accelerating ICE car currently available.



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ajsZ3rrLxjs?si=En_C5uLLHSy1Lkr3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>



Of course, it’s not a complete shock to see the GT500 Code Red post such a ridiculous quarter-mile time. It is, after all, the pinnacle of <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/shelby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shelby</a>’s upgraded Mustang lineup. The hardcore muscle car was designed specifically for straight-line performance. Shelby took the already powerful Mustang GT500, the stock version of which has a 5.2-litre supercharged V-8 that makes 760 hp and 625 ft lbs of torque, and turned everything about it up to 11.



The Shelby wears a carbon-fibre wide-body kit, has a revised suspension setup, and, most importantly of all, has had its powertrain completely overhauled. Its supercharger has been swapped out for a pair of turbochargers and it’s been equipped with Manley pistons, Ferrara competition valves, and a new fuel system. Thanks to those changes the brawny setup churns out a staggering 1,300 horses and 1,000 ft lbs of twist. Shelby didn’t release performance numbers at the time of the vehicle’s debut, but, as we now know for certain, it’s awfully fast. What it isn’t though, is a series production model. Instead, the GT500 Code Red is limited to just 30 units.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/codered02-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791208" style="width:713px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/codered02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/codered02-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/codered02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/codered02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/codered02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shelby GT500 Code Red. Image courtesy of Shelby American</figcaption></figure>



Unsurprisingly, that kind of drag strip dominance does not come cheap. Pricing for the upgraded package starts at US$224,995 (HK$1.75 million). That figure, as Shelby notes on its website, doesn’t include the actual vehicle. When it was last available in 2022, the Mustang GT500 started at US$79,420 (HK$619,685), so you’re looking at more than US$300,000 (HK$2.34 million) for the entire build.

Ford Mustang

GT500 Code Red

modified car

new speed record

quickest accelerating ICE car

racecar

Shelby

track-only car

The Shelby GT500 Code Red Just Set a New Gas-Powered Car Speed Record

There’s more than electricity in&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW</a>’s future.



The German luxury marque has <a href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0444790EN/hydrogen-pioneers:-bmw-group-and-toyota-motor-corporation-take-collaboration-to-the-next-level-to-offer-fuel-cell-electric-vehicle-fcev-options-for-passenger-cars" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced plans</a> to put its first <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/hydrogen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrogen</a> car into production. You won’t have to wait long for the vehicle, either. If everything goes to plan, it will be here by 2028.



BMW is teaming up with&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/toyota/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toyota</a>&nbsp;to develop a new generation of fuel-cell powertrains. The two automakers have worked together in the past, most notably on the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/2021-toyota-gr-supra-review-3-0-1234577829/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">current-generation Supra</a>, but hope that pouring more resources into the partnership can help make hydrogen vehicles more viable. Up until now, the technology, which converts hydrogen into electricity while only emitting water, has failed to catch on despite the abundance of the element due to high costs and the lack of infrastructure,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-05/bmw-to-sell-hydrogen-cars-from-2028-in-partnership-with-toyota" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Bloomberg</a>. Sales of hydrogen cars, the most popular of which may be the Toyota Mirai, dwindled to just 9,000 units last year.



With 2028 still four years away, BMW’s announcement was devoid of concrete details about its first hydrogen car other than it will be integrated into the brand’s existing portfolio. The brand has previously tested a hydrogen-powered iX5 pilot fleet (pictured above), so it would not be a surprise if the vehicle is based on the mid-size SUV. The next generation of the model is expected to debut before 2028, <a href="https://www.motor1.com/news/732646/2028-bmw-hydrogen-car-confirmed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Motor1.com</a>, so the timing would work out nicely.



“This is a milestone in automotive history: the first-ever series production fuel cell vehicle to be offered by a global premium manufacturer. Powered by hydrogen and driven by the spirit of our cooperation, it will underscore how technological progress is shaping future mobility,”&nbsp;Oliver Zipse, the chairman of BMW’s Board of Management, said in a statement.



Don’t view BMW’s pledge to build a hydrogen car as a pivot. The company remains committed to electrifying its lineup of vehicles—and with good reason. At a time when the rest of its peers are pumping the breaks on their electrification strategy due to a lack of customer demand, BMW’s EVs are&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-sold-more-evs-in-europe-tesla-july-1235825216/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">selling better than ever before</a>. In fact, the company is expected to debut its next-generation of battery-powered vehicles, dubbed the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-boss-confirms-neue-klasse-suv-sedan-1235612189/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neue Klasse</a>&nbsp;lineup, next year. Instead, hydrogen vehicles will become just another segment for the automaker, along with gas-, hybrid-, and battery-powered vehicles.

hydrogen-powered car

new BMW

toyota

BMW’s First Hydrogen-Powered Car Is Coming in 2028

The&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/slideshow/robb-reports-top-10-summer-rides/aston-martin-vanquish-volante/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin Vanquish</a>&nbsp;is ready for its comeback.



The British marque has just pulled back the curtain on the third iteration of the long-running nameplate. The powerful coupé will retake its spot atop the brand’s grand tourer lineup when it goes on sale later this year and offers up the best proof yet that the company is listening to its customers.



Earlier this year, company chairman Lawrence Stroll announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/aston-martin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston Martin</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-combustion-engine-shift-focus-ev-hybrids-1235580040/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">was backtracking</a>&nbsp;on a previous pledge to phase out internal combustion engine powertrains. The executive said it had become clear that a big part of the draw of its cars was the “sound and smell” of their potent gas engines, and, as such, the automaker was shifting its development focus from EVs to hybrids.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish01-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791089" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish01-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish01-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish01-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish01-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 Aston Martin Vanquish. Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



The new Vanquish, which is the first all-new model that’s been unveiled since Stroll’s comments, may not be a hybrid, but it does have one of those big ICE mills that the brand’s customers are so enamoured with. The two-door is powered by an all-new twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V-12 mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. The engine can make a very impressive 824 hp and 738 ft lbs of torque, making it significantly more potent than the V-12 in the Vanquish’s predecessor as Aston Martin’s top GT, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/aston-martin-dbs-770-ultimate-flagship-goodbye-1234796507/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DBS 770 Ultimate</a>, which made 759 hp and 664 ft lbs of torque. Thanks to all that raw power, the Vanquish can sprint from zero to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 214 mph. The mill has also been designed and engineered to meet new stricter emission requirements.



“When you talk about some of those figures, in terms of the differences from the old [V-12] and the new engine, you’re not talking about 10 per cent, 15 per cent, actually, we’re talking about 30, 40 per cent improvements in efficiencies.” James Owen, senior manager of vehicle engineering operations, told us in July. “Because the challenge is there, from a legislative [standpoint], to keep an ICE engine in production, we have to make those steps.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish03-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791090" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish03-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish03-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish03-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish03-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the new Vanquish. Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



Of course, performance is only part of the grand tourer equation. Fortunately, the Vanquish more than looks the part. The car’s body, which features more carbon fibre and has a longer wheelbase than previous Aston Martin GTs, is both sophisticated and powerful. It’s not a dramatic style departure by any stretch, but it’s also got more edge thanks to a shark-like front end, sculptural insets on the hood and side panels, and Kamm tail rear. It’s the kind of car that looks as comfortable parked at the country club as it does covering winding roads at speed.



Inside, the Vanquish offers all the luxury amenities that drivers have come to expect from the brand. The cushy two-seat cabins are covered in premium materials, like quilted leather. The space is equipped with an Aston Martin-designed digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, plenty of physical buttons and switches, and a standard glass roof (though a carbon-fibre upgrade is available).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish02-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234791091" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish02-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vanquish02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Aston Martin</figcaption></figure>



The new Vanquish will be limited to just 1,000 units per year. Deliveries of Aston Martin’s latest flagship are set to begin before the end of the year. The powerful coupé will start at US$429,000 (HK$3.34 million), which is about US$10,000 (HK$77,960) more than the DBS 770 Ultimate cost last year.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-new-2025-aston-martin-vanquish-1235841781/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish.<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-new-2025-aston-martin-vanquish-1235841781/"></a>

Ashton Martin Vanquish

British car

coupe

infotainment car system

new Aston Martin

new car

new Vanquish

Vanquish

The New Aston Martin Vanquish Is a Luxury V-12 Beast

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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790944" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid02-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">US Armor Group’s bulletproof Lucid Air Sapphire. Image courtesy of US Armor Group</figcaption></figure>



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234790945" style="width:711px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/armoredlucid03-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside US Armor Group’s Air Sapphire. Image courtesy of US Armor Group</figcaption></figure>



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



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

Air Sapphire

Armoured Vehicle

bulletproof car

military-grade

Supercar

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak

Audemars Piguet Just Unveiled 3 New Openworked Royal Oaks

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Parmigiani Fleurier

Tonda PF

Tonda PF Sport

Parmigiani Fleurier Unveils New Tonda PF Sport Chronographs