By Michael Verdon, Julie Boatman, and Jen Paolini



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Gulfstream



G700



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



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



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



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



Sentient



SJ25+



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



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



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



Textron Aviation



Citation CJ3 Gen2



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



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



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



VistaJet



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



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



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



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



Dassault



6X



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



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



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



Embraer



Phenom 100EX



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

Aviation

Best of the Best

Best of the Best 2025

Dassault

Gulfstream

Private Jet

Sentient

Textron Aviation

VistaJet

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Sounds like quite the upgrade.

Heathrow

London

Private Terminal

The Windsor

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

bombardier

Bombardier Global 7500

Business jet

Here’s What It’s Like to Fly on the World’s Largest, Most Luxurious Business Jet

<a href="https://boomsupersonic.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Boom Supersonic</a>&nbsp;hit a milestone yesterday when its XB-1 experimental jet passed Mach 1.0, the speed of sound, on its way to Mach 1.122 or 860.87 mph. The event took place over the Mohave Desert, the same location where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier for the first time in 1947. Yesterday’s flight was number 11 of the XB-1 human-piloted test flights that started last March.



And the test also the culmination of years of work for Boom, which began operations in 2014 and, against much industry skepticism, has become the first US independent company to join the <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/supersonic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supersonic</a> club. The last civil supersonic jet was the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/supersonic-jet-concorde-replaced-boom-overture-1235428265/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Concorde</a>, which flew from 1969 through 2003.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795490" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-3-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Test pilot Tristan Brandenburg before flying the XB-1. Image courtesy of Boom Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



“XB-1’s supersonic flight demonstrates that the technology for passenger supersonic flight has arrived,” said Boom’s founder Blake Scholl. “A small band of talented and dedicated engineers has accomplished what previously took governments and billions of dollars.” Boom has not received grants from any US military programmes, which some competitors considered essential to get a supersonic programme off the ground.



<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/supersonic-jet-test-flight-pilot-1236111411/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg</a>, Boom’s chief test pilot and a former Navy test pilot, made the flight yesterday. It followed a protocol that expanded its flight envelope through subsonic, transonic, and then supersonic speeds. It was shadowed by two former fighter jets that Boom uses to monitor the XB-1 during the test flights.



Scholl said the next step is to scale up the technology used on the XB-1 for Boom’s supersonic airliner called the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-major-steps-towards-flight-1234860127/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overture</a>. “Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone,” he said.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795489" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-XB-1-SSF-5-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The first supersonic flight of a US-designed civil aircraft attracted a large crowd. Image courtesy of Boom Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



The Overture is a much larger, more complicated commercial aircraft, designed to fly at Mach 1.7 and carry 64 to 80 passengers. Boom anticipates that the first commercial Overtures will take flight in <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-supersonic-jet-fly-next-months-1234889597/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2029</a>. It has begun construction of a <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/boom-opens-supersonic-factory-north-carolina-1235657781/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production facility</a> in North Carolina and has received 130 orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines.



Boom says, at scale, it should be able to produce 66 Overtures per year. But that is still just a business plan that many aviation experts believe is unrealistic, citing the fact that the company was forced to build its own supersonic engines after major aviation engine manufacturers turned down the project.



Still, the company proved that it has reached the first step through an experimental jet—a step that its better-funded competitor, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/aerion-shuts-down-1234615163/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aerion</a>, never reached aft 20 years of developing its own supersonic business jet concept. It abruptly shut down in May 2021, citing little investor appetite in the supersonic concept.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234795488" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2.-Overture-4.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The XB-1’s goal is to prove the technologies needed to the larger Overture commercial supersonic airliner. Image courtesy of Boom Aerospace</figcaption></figure>



As a test platform, the XB-1 tries out multiple technologies that will be applied to the much larger and more complicated Overture. They include an augmented-reality vision system, which aids the pilot in seeing the runway on takeoff and landing, and digitally optimised aerodynamics, referring to the shape of the airframe and wings for the greatest stability at supersonic speeds. The aircraft is almost entirely made from carbon-composite materials, which allowed the designers to shape it more precisely.



The company will continue testing the XB-1 going forward.

boom supersonic

Boom’s Supersonic Jet Just Broke the Sound Barrier

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" data-id="1234798053" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-819x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798053" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spirits-of-Distinction-Whisky-Cognac-Rarities_Brora-40-year-old_RS.jpeg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>
</figure>



For spirits aficionados, Bonhams will also present the&nbsp;Spirits of Distinction: Whisky &amp; Cognac Rarities auction, running from 16 to 27 May. It will showcase rare Japanese whiskies, including the coveted Hanyu Ichiro Malt “Four Aces.” Estimated between HK$360,000 and HK$550,000, this limited release reflects the distillery’s artisanal craftsmanship and the rarity of its casks, ceasing production in 2000.&nbsp;



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



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



All images courtesy of Bonhams Hong Kong.

Auction

Bonhams

Bonhams Hong Kong

Hong Kong auction

Whiskey

Whiskey auction

Wine

wine auction

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

Let’s set the scene. The host: Robb Report Hong Kong. Our partner: Edrington. The location: The Garden Suite at The Peninsula Hong Kong. The occasion: The grand unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, a rare and exceptional bottle so precious that only one (of five total in all of Hong Kong) was in the room, guarded by the sharpest of eagle eyes. 



Anyone with HK$363,000&nbsp;to spare for The 51 would join an elite club of just 100 worldwide, and be invited to fly down to Scotland, welcomed at the distillery, and learn about how this liquid gold is created in the finest casks for an unforgettable pour, swivel, sniff, and sip.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797201" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797201" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



It was an exceptional evening as&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;played host to just a handful of VIP guests and distinguished RR1 Hong Kong members as a remarkable whisky, which has been meticulously matured for more than half a century,&nbsp;made&nbsp;its first appearance in Hong Kong, following successful unveilings in San Francisco, New York, and London.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797211" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Upon arrival, attendees were greeted by the breathtaking panorama of Victoria Harbour and the newly launched Best of the Best 2025 annual magazine by&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, setting the tone for a night steeped in sophistication. Our by-invitation-only guests assembled, each eagerly anticipating the celebration of this extraordinary release.



Tak Man, CEO and publisher of&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, began the evening with a warm welcome. “It is an honour to have you all here tonight for a very special occasion: to unveil the&nbsp;Glenrothes&nbsp;51, a whisky that not only boasts an incredible 51 years of maturation but also introduces a world’s-first in whisky packaging design,” he remarked to the gathering. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797203" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797203" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">John Laurie.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" data-id="1234797431" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797431" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797466" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797466" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797204" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797204" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797212" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797212" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



While the highlight of the evening was, undoubtedly, the unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, the reveal of the highly anticipated whisky was preceded by a spirited (pun intended) talk and engaging fireside chat led by Tak Man, featuring three esteemed whisky connoisseurs: Kam Daswani of Dram Good Stuff, Benjamin Po of Edrington, and John Laurie, head of global partnerships and private client management at The Glenrothes, who had flown in from Scotland specifically for the event. Together, they delved into the nuances of whisky appreciation, sharing insights that resonated with the gathered aficionados.



Guests raised their glasses&nbsp;to toast the occasion, and the selection of welcome drinks curated for the evening featured a range of exquisite Glenrothes, including the 18-, 32-, and 42-year-old variants—each a testament to the artistry and dedication behind every bottle.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797467" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797467" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797207" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797207" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797205" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797205" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797209" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797209" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



In anticipation of the excellent pours, the fine folks at The Peninsula Hong Kong crafted a menu that complemented the notes of the fine whisky. Guests started the meal with appetiser options of either Boston lobster avocado roulade or Hokkaido scallops with cauliflower and seaweed beurre blanc. For the main course, a slow-roasted Wagyu beef striploin was a solid option, and for those preferring lighter fare, there was a crispy&nbsp;amadai&nbsp;fillet with razor clam and young leek ragout. Cooling off the evening with a palate cleanser, dessert naturally had to be a Dulcey whipped ganache with the piquant tastes of mango marmalade and ginger madeleines.



This special gathering&nbsp;was not merely about unveiling a whisky—it was an homage to the shared love of exquisite craftsmanship, heritage, the bonds forged over fine spirits, and the indomitable spirit of fine whisky-making. As guests departed, they carried with them memories of an exceptional evening and the spirit of The Glenrothes and its enduring legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;



All images shot exclusively for Robb Report Hong Kong.

RR1 event

The Glenrothes

Robb Report Hong Kong and RR1 Hong Kong Members Celebrated the Grand Unveiling of The Glenrothes 51 in Hong Kong

When <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/tom-dixon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tom Dixon</a> designs a sea-view villa, you know it’s not going to be your average beach cottage. Enter Aimasia, a nearly 10,000-square-foot love letter to <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/mykonos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mykonos</a>, crafted with the renowned British designer’s signature flair and the finesse of <a href="https://a31.gr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A31 Architecture</a> founder Praxitelis Kondylis. Tucked into the rocky folds of Elia, the six-bedroom estate isn’t so much built on the land as it is at one with it—a swooping, Brutalist sculpture drenched in clear Greek sunlight. Now it can now be yours for a cool US$25 million (approximately HK$193.9 million).



“This villa isn’t just perched above Psarou Beach—it commands it,” says Nest Seekers International agent Amanda Lynn, who shares <a href="https://www.nestseekers.com/4098653/elia-mikonos-846-00-greece-villa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the listing</a> with colleague Efthalia Anastasiadou. “The views are cinematic, the architecture is breathtaking, and you’re steps from the most iconic beach clubs in the world. It’s the ultimate Mykonos experience&#8230; private, luxurious, and completely unforgettable.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-1024x1024.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797587" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-300x300.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-150x150.webp 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg-768x768.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0666.jpeg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 200-foot-long local stone wall forms part of the property. Image courtesy of Mike Kelley</figcaption></figure>



Dixon’s <a href="https://www.designresearchstudio.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Design Research Studio</a> (DRS) both juxtaposed and channelled the island’s rugged terrain into every inch of Aimasia. Think boulders repurposed as interior sculptures, a kitchen island of polished granite with softly curved edges, and plaster bed frames tinted with Mykonian soil. Sustainability isn’t an afterthought here either—it’s imbedded into the bones: from the low-carbon concrete and native green roof to smart cross-ventilation and energy-efficient systems. 



The villa is anchored—literally—by a roughly 200-foot-long granite wall, a remnant of the site that now serves as both structure and storytelling device. The wall slices through the home, guiding you from the open-air atrium to indoor living spaces, all wrapped in sliding glass and shadow play.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="830" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-1024x830.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797588" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-1024x830.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-300x243.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg-768x623.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0674.jpeg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A dining area flows into an outdoor terrace and infinity pool.  Image courtesy of Mike Kelley</figcaption></figure>



Each of the six bedrooms is its own private haven. Two have private plunge pools, and a detached suite is notched into the hillside below the main house for maximum seclusion. But even indoors, the line between architecture and nature blurs. Stone, oak, and soil mingle with custom furniture, including some of Dixon’s most important pieces, like the S-Chair, which is included in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, and experimental pieces made just for Aimasia—paper mâché totems, metal sculptures, and disk-like pendant lights that&nbsp;are artfully suspended over the kitchen.&nbsp;



And then there’s the view: the Aegean stretched out beyond an infinity pool. The outdoor living spaces—shaded terraces, a BBQ kitchen, and a dining pavilion—are primed for long lunches and slow sunsets. “Whether you’re throwing a legendary party or just escaping with friends, this villa is the kind of place people talk about long after summer ends,” Lynn adds. &nbsp;



Click&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/shelter/homes-for-sale/gallery/aimasia-villa-mykonos-photos-1236521249">here</a>&nbsp;to see more photos of Tom Dixon’s Mykonos villa.

Investment

mykonos

Real Estate

Tom Dixon

Travel

Villa

British Design Legend Tom Dixon Just Listed His Curvaceous Villa in Mykonos for HK$194 Million

As part of Hong Kong Luxury Week, Christie’s is set to showcase two exquisite pieces of jewellery—a 35.09-carat Kashmir sapphire and a 13.22-carat Burmese ruby ring—during the Magnificent Jewels live auction on 27 May 2025. Both items are from an important private collection and will appear on the dock for the first time in years.



First up, The Regent Kashmir, a remarkable sapphire, boasts an estimate of a jaw-dropping range: HK$65 million to HK$95 million. With its captivating “royal blue” hue, this gem is distinguished by its exceptional clarity and the rarity of its origin. As the most valuable piece of Kashmir sapphire jewellery offered by Christie’s globally in the past five years, it is anticipated to generate intense interest from collectors and connoisseurs alike. Its velvety appearance and historic significance render it a once-in-a-generation masterpiece.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="810" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-810x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797732" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-810x1024.jpg 810w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-237x300.jpg 237w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-768x971.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB-1215x1536.jpg 1215w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/73934950-sp1_RGB.jpg 1266w" sizes="(max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Regal Ruby.</figcaption></figure>



In tandem with The Regent Kashmir, The Regal Ruby is estimated to fetch HK$50 million to HK$80 million, and this 13.22-carat Burmese ruby ring is poised to be the largest and most valuable ruby sold at Christie’s in Hong Kong over the last decade. Unheated rubies of this size are exceedingly scarce, and The Regal Ruby is particularly noteworthy for its vivid colour and outstanding transparency. Its provenance and quality further ensure that it stands out as a natural treasure in the gemstone market.



Ronny Hsu, head of sales, jewellery at Christie’s Asia-Pacific—and one of the key speakers at the <a href="https://robbreport.hk/posts/robb-report-hong-kong-leaders-of-luxury-summit-gala-dinner-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leaders of Luxury Summit 2024</a>—points out what makes these pieces so significant during an exclusive chat with Robb Report Hong Kong.“Both The Regent Kashmir and The Regal Ruby are exceptional for their extraordinary size and rarity. Sapphires of over 10 carats with the coveted ‘royal blue’ colour grading, as well as Burmese rubies exceeding five carats with no heat treatment, are incredibly rare and almost never seen in today’s market. These qualities firmly establish them as some of the most significant gemstones available today,” Hsu says, having seen the pieces up close with white-gloved hands. “The Regent Kashmir sapphire holds immense historical significance, as it originates from the legendary Kashmir mines, which were only in production for a brief five-year period between 1882 and 1887.”



Around the world, serious collectors keep an eye out for high-quality&nbsp;coloured&nbsp;gemstones with particular interest in sapphires that originate from Kashmir, Burma, and Ceylon; rubies from Burma; and, of course, emeralds from Colombia. “These natural treasures are not only celebrated for their beauty and rarity but also valued as timeless collectibles, driving strong interest among discerning collectors worldwide,” Hsu explains.



Presenting high-value pieces like these comes with its own set of challenges, especially in a volatile market. The exceptional nature of these gemstones generates significant excitement and anticipation, attracting serious bidders only. While market fluctuations can create uncertainty, the rarity and quality of these pieces typically shield them from broader economic trends, making them highly sought after by connoisseurs worldwide.



“Rare, exceptional, and high-quality&nbsp;coloured&nbsp;gemstones, as well as&nbsp;coloured&nbsp;diamonds, have seen increasing demand in recent years due to three factors: their natural scarcity, uniqueness, and enduring appeal,” says Hsu. “Collectors are drawn to these pieces not only for their intrinsic beauty but also for their ability to hold cultural and historical significance. Additionally, there is a growing appreciation for gemstones with distinguished provenance and quality.”&nbsp;



Complementing these remarkable pieces are other notable items in the auction, including a 10.35-carat Colombian emerald and diamond ring, estimated to fetch between HK$6.8 million and HK$9.8 million, and a pair of Colombian emerald and diamond earrings weighing 7.03 and 6.92 carats, estimated at HK$5.5 million to HK$7.5 million. Rare pieces from famed jewellery houses—including Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston, Van Cleef &amp; Arpels, and others—are also on offer as unique collections make an appearance on auction, often for the very first time. Hsu states, “We anticipate continued growth in this space, with coloured gemstones remaining a focal point for both seasoned collectors and new buyers seeking unique and timeless treasures.”



All images courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd 2025.

Christie's

The Regal Ruby

The Regent Kashmir

Two Extraordinary Jewels Could Fetch Up to HK$95 Million and HK$80 Million at Christie’s Upcoming Auction

<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-daytona-history-1234730684/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Daytonas</a> are famous for fetching top dollar at auction, but they do pop up season after season on the auction block and other secondary markets. What does not show up very often are unique custom-order Daytonas. On 11 May in Geneva, Sotheby’s will auction a singular platinum version of the coveted model with a light pink mother-of-pearl dial and diamond hour markers during its live <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/important-watches-part-i-ge2501?locale=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Important Watches sale</a>. Made as a special piece for one VIP collector, the watch is fresh to the market.



Unlike many other luxury watch companies, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex</a> isn’t known for producing custom orders. In fact, the Crown isn’t known for doing favours of any kind, so this particular piece is exceedingly rare. In a press statement, Sotheby’s head of watches, Benoît Colson, claims it is one of the most important Daytona examples to ever be offered at auction. “It is also an exceptional book ending to the sale of this extraordinary commission of four masterpieces, three of which have already found new homes through previous Sotheby’s sales,” he says. The watch is part of a single order of four custom Rolex watches created between 1998 and 1999 for the important collector. All four have the same reference number 16516, with the ending “6” referring to the platinum cases—made 15 years before Rolex ever made a platinum Daytona commercially available.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797356" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rolex-Cosmograph-Daytona-ref-16516-platinum-with-diamond-set-mother-of-pearl-dial-1998_est-700000-1400000-CHF_Sothebys-6.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/rolex-daytona/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Daytona</a> <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ref-16516/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ref. 16516</a>. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s</figcaption></figure>



The three pieces that sold at Sotheby’s before this current offering were as equally eye-catching as this mother-of-pearl version. The <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2018/important-watches-hk0816/lot.2265.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first Ref. 16516 </a>to appear on the block also had a mother-of-pearl dial, but in a rainbow hue with Arabic numerals and small white indices replacing the 3, 6, and 9 hour markers; that iteration sold for US$872,100 (approximately HK$6.76 million) at Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Hong Kong. A Ref. 16516 with a <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/important-watches/rolex-cosmograph-daytona-reference-16516-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lapis lazuli dial </a>and a turquoise strap from the collector popped up at the same sale two years later in 2020 and fetched HK$25,375,000 (approximately $3,270,287, according to exchange rates at the time). It was followed a year later at the same sale by a <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/important-watches/rolex-cosmograph-daytona-reference-16516-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lacquered turquoise Stella dial model </a>with Arabic numerals and a brown leather strap, which sold in 2021 for HK$24,375,000 (approximately $3,138,562 according to exchange rates at the time).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797357" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RolexLead.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rolex Ref. 16516 models that previously sold at Sotheby’s. Image courtesy of Sotheby’s</figcaption></figure>



The identity of the collector remains a secret, but some have speculated that Patrick Heiniger,&nbsp;the CEO of Rolex from 1992 to 2008, commissioned the four unique Daytonas. If anyone were to have the power to order four singular versions of the model, it would certainly make sense that it was the former head honcho of the company. Heiniger passed away in Monaco in 2013 but was reportedly seen wearing a platinum Daytona during his lifetime.



Regardless, this is singular opportunity to own a unique Daytona. It is the last of the four to come up for sale and is the only version with diamond hour markers. It has an estimate of CHF 700,000 to CHF 1,400,000 (approximately US$858,830 to US$1,717,660/HK$6.66 million to HK$13.32 million). Based on its predecessors’ hammer prices, you can expect this timepiece to rake in well above its top estimate.

Rolex

rolex daytona

Sotheby's

A One-of-a-Kind Custom Rolex Daytona Could Fetch More Than HK$12.41 Million at Auction

When I reach the pearly gates of heaven, I am going to be on bended knees asking God to answer two questions I have had swirling in my head for the last 20 years. Firstly, how did Jim Simons’s Medallion Fund manage to extract between US$5 to US$10 billion of profits from the financial markets year-on-year for the last three decades? Secondly, how have Dom Pérignon managed to produce millions of bottles of the finest Champagne in every declared vintage?



It is surely one of the wonders of the world that this remarkable Champagne brand is able to produce an artisanal, extremely high quality product in such high quantity that it makes Château Lafite Rothschild’s production numbers look miniscule. The exact numbers are a trade secret that no one, including former employees, are ever willing to talk about. They believe revealing the numbers will somehow diminish their brand and achievements. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It would be something to be admired and marvelled at given that the end-product is as good as anything else produced in the Champagne region. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="945" height="708" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797922" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg.webp 945w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg-300x225.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dom-Perignon-Hautvillers-abbey-1-©James-Bort-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime.jpg-768x575.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px" /></figure>



As a long-time lover of <a href="https://www.domperignon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dom Pérignon</a>, it is clear that what sets this maison apart from its competitors are its resources: it attracts and keeps the most talented human resources in the industry; it has more financial muscle than any other wine estate globally; and it controls huge swathes of Premier Crus and Grands Crus vineyards all over the region. Add to this a history of pioneering and emblematic chefs de caves—modelled in some respect after the original man himself, Dom Pierre Pérignon (1638–1715), the French Benedictine monk who it is said invented the process of second fermentation in bottle (i.e. sparkling wine)—and you have all the ingredients for greatness.



The maison’s main product is Dom Pérignon Brut, always impressive, always admired and always delicious. Made in a reductive style, it’s the essence of what people have come to expect of Champagne: notes of brioche, toasted bread, chalky minerality, vibrancy, and generosity on the palate and in the finish. However, as well as a highly regarded and often epic Dom Pérignon Brut Rosé, the recently retired legendary chef de cave, Richard Geoffroy, introduced the concept of Plénitudes, both for white and rosé Champagnes. Today, Geoffroy’s able acolyte, Vincent Chaperon, holds the reins at the estate. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="921" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-1024x921.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797923" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-1024x921.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-300x270.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg-768x691.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/VINCENT-CHAPERON-CHEF-DE-CAVE-DOM-PERIGNON-5-©ALEX-MAJOLI-DomPerignon_BalayMaxime-1.jpg.webp 1134w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vincent Chaperon.</figcaption></figure>



Plénitudes are principally about longer ageing than the standard Dom Pérignon Brut which is typically aged for at least eight years on its lees (dead yeast cells). The second Plénitude (P2) will be aged for between 12 to 15 years (and longer for the P2 Rosé). The third Plenitude (P3) will see at least 25 years of ageing on its lees.  



P2 is made in much smaller quantities than the Brut (often referred to as P1 at the maison). P3 is made in relatively minute quantities. The difference between a P1 and P2 can be stark in terms of additional complexity and length on the finish. The difference between a P2 and a P3 can be gigantic in that P3 can often be a wine that stands alongside the very greatest fine wines you are ever likely to taste. The price tag is equally reflective of this jump in complexity and quality, as well as the rarity factor compared with P1.



October is a great month to visit Abbaye d’Hautvillers, the spiritual heart of Dom Pérignon, which is seeing a major renovation project due to complete around 2028 that will greatly enhance the visitor experience. Harvest is over, the vins clairs (the base wines) are being produced, and the autumnal leaves enhance the beauty of the vineyards. I highly recommend it.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-1024x682.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797924" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-1024x682.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-300x200.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg-768x512.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/©2023-Harold-De-Puymorin-06–-Dom-Perignon_RGB.jpg.webp 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lewis’s Best 3 Wines from Dom Pérignon&nbsp;</h2>



Dom Pérignon P2, 1995: From a vintage that was nowhere near as highly regarded as its successor, the development of this wine over the years has now surpassed the 1996 vintage. There is not a P2 vintage drinking better than the 1995 right now. The nose is hugely complex and it has an ethereal quality in the mouth that makes you sit up and smile. An extraordinary wine. 



Dom Pérignon P3, 1975: A wine of such depth, complexity, and one of the longest finishes I have ever experienced, it’s firstly a fine wine and only secondly a sparkling wine. Floral, petal-y aromas compete with the typical toasty notes you would expect of a long-aged Champagne. 



Dom Pérignon Oenothèque Brut Millésime, 1966 (Magnum): Oenothèque is the precursor to the longer-ageing Plénitudes. Richard Geoffroy, the former chef de cave, opened this magnum at the home of Dom Pérignon, Abbaye d’Hautvillers, for a friend and I to share. All three of us were overwhelmed by how incredible this bottle showed. Graceful, powerful, constantly evolving in the glass. One of the all time greatest wines I have tasted. 



The Golden Vines® 2025 will take place in Miami, USA between 7–9 November 2025, recognising the world’s best fine wine estates as voted by hundreds of fine wine professionals. Please register your interest for tickets on the website: <a href="https://liquidicons.com/work/golden-vines-awards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://liquidicons.com/work/golden-vines-awards</a>.



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

Champagne

Dom Pérignon

Take an Exclusive Look Inside the Remarkable Dom Pérignon Champagne House

Let’s set the scene. The host: Robb Report Hong Kong. Our partner: Edrington. The location: The Garden Suite at The Peninsula Hong Kong. The occasion: The grand unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, a rare and exceptional bottle so precious that only one (of five total in all of Hong Kong) was in the room, guarded by the sharpest of eagle eyes. 



Anyone with HK$363,000&nbsp;to spare for The 51 would join an elite club of just 100 worldwide, and be invited to fly down to Scotland, welcomed at the distillery, and learn about how this liquid gold is created in the finest casks for an unforgettable pour, swivel, sniff, and sip.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797201" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797201" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-47-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



It was an exceptional evening as&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;played host to just a handful of VIP guests and distinguished RR1 Hong Kong members as a remarkable whisky, which has been meticulously matured for more than half a century,&nbsp;made&nbsp;its first appearance in Hong Kong, following successful unveilings in San Francisco, New York, and London.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797211" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-3-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Upon arrival, attendees were greeted by the breathtaking panorama of Victoria Harbour and the newly launched Best of the Best 2025 annual magazine by&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, setting the tone for a night steeped in sophistication. Our by-invitation-only guests assembled, each eagerly anticipating the celebration of this extraordinary release.



Tak Man, CEO and publisher of&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, began the evening with a warm welcome. “It is an honour to have you all here tonight for a very special occasion: to unveil the&nbsp;Glenrothes&nbsp;51, a whisky that not only boasts an incredible 51 years of maturation but also introduces a world’s-first in whisky packaging design,” he remarked to the gathering. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797203" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797203" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-94-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">John Laurie.</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" data-id="1234797431" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797431" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/gl_rs-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797466" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797466" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-127_RS-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797204" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797204" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-132-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797212" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797212" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-2-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



While the highlight of the evening was, undoubtedly, the unveiling of The Glenrothes 51, the reveal of the highly anticipated whisky was preceded by a spirited (pun intended) talk and engaging fireside chat led by Tak Man, featuring three esteemed whisky connoisseurs: Kam Daswani of Dram Good Stuff, Benjamin Po of Edrington, and John Laurie, head of global partnerships and private client management at The Glenrothes, who had flown in from Scotland specifically for the event. Together, they delved into the nuances of whisky appreciation, sharing insights that resonated with the gathered aficionados.



Guests raised their glasses&nbsp;to toast the occasion, and the selection of welcome drinks curated for the evening featured a range of exquisite Glenrothes, including the 18-, 32-, and 42-year-old variants—each a testament to the artistry and dedication behind every bottle.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797467" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797467" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-32_RS-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797207" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797207" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-107-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797205" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797205" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-136-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="684" data-id="1234797209" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1024x684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797209" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-768x513.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RRHK-x-Glenrothes-51-Private-Dinner-46-2048x1367.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
</figure>



In anticipation of the excellent pours, the fine folks at The Peninsula Hong Kong crafted a menu that complemented the notes of the fine whisky. Guests started the meal with appetiser options of either Boston lobster avocado roulade or Hokkaido scallops with cauliflower and seaweed beurre blanc. For the main course, a slow-roasted Wagyu beef striploin was a solid option, and for those preferring lighter fare, there was a crispy&nbsp;amadai&nbsp;fillet with razor clam and young leek ragout. Cooling off the evening with a palate cleanser, dessert naturally had to be a Dulcey whipped ganache with the piquant tastes of mango marmalade and ginger madeleines.



This special gathering&nbsp;was not merely about unveiling a whisky—it was an homage to the shared love of exquisite craftsmanship, heritage, the bonds forged over fine spirits, and the indomitable spirit of fine whisky-making. As guests departed, they carried with them memories of an exceptional evening and the spirit of The Glenrothes and its enduring legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;



All images shot exclusively for Robb Report Hong Kong.

This story is part of a series of features covering <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025</a>, hosted at MGM COTAI in Macau on 7–8 June 2025.



Becoming a sushi chef in Japan traditionally takes shape as a many-stepped ritual. Complex, laboursome, and arduous, the rigid and prescribed path to becoming an expert in the art of sushi-making demands time, attention, and dedication, following the shokunin craftsmanship culture. It is often repeated that apprentices and chefs must complete around a decade of training under a master before they are deemed ready to open their own restaurant.



And then, there are some people who forge their own path, and do things completely differently. Growing up, Hiroki Nakanoue had a connection to the world of sushi-making through his father, who ran a traditional sushi restaurant in Osaka. He had ambitions of becoming a sushi chef himself, but when he inherited his father’s eatery, he found that he was wholly unprepared for the reality of the business, as he had never undertaken a formal apprenticeship. Nakanoue spent years self-learning the art of Edomae-style sushi to master the craft before he realised that expanding his creative perspective could help him elevate his gastronomy, breaking away from the rules that govern traditional Japanese cuisine.



His perseverance paid off. His Osaka restaurant, Sushiyoshi, gained two coveted Michelin stars, impressing diners and critics alike. Now with Sushiyoshi locations in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Taipei, Nakanoue’s regional expansion feels synergetic with the global inspirations that have garnered him critical acclaim. International culinary cultures, overseas working experiences, as well as his own travels have contributed to the ebullient chef’s signature approach of blending traditional Edomae sushi with modern, Western-influenced appetisers, harmonising time-honoured Japanese omakase with contemporary inflections.



In conversation with Robb Report Hong Kong ahead of MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, Nakanoue tells us what inspired him to become a chef, how he embraced his individuality, the growing pains of opening a restaurant, and the importance of remembering first feelings.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798196" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Hiroki_4-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Who or what inspired you to become the chef you are today?



I admired a restaurant in Tokyo called Tsuruhachi. When I was 12 years old, I got a culture shock from [reading] a book [Kanda Tsuruhachi: Chotto Koikina Sushibanashi] written by the master chef of Kanda Tsuruhachi [Yukio Morooka], which inspired me to become a sushi chef. The book became a bestseller and was made into a TV drama [Iki no Iyatsu] and I watched the drama and read the book over and over every day.



You inherited your father’s sushi restaurant. What was his restaurant like when you inherited it, and what challenges did you face when opening Sushiyoshi?



One of the reasons [why] I wanted to become a sushi chef was because my father was a sushi chef, but his restaurant was a real down-to-earth restaurant and it was really hard to change it into my ideal sushi restaurant. My mother was helping me at the time, but she didn’t like changes. In the past, it wasn’t as easy to open a shop as it is now, and I didn’t have any training. It was hard to acquire skills and [business] was really slow. For the first seven years after I opened the shop, it was always in red figures.



Western culinary cultures have played a role in influencing your cuisine. How did that culinary inspiration begin?



About seven years after opening, the restaurant gradually became busier and busier, and I was proud and confident of my idea of Edomae sushi, but I had always had a great desire to do it overseas. When I made sushi at an event in New York for the first time, I realised that my technique was not good at all. Edomae sushi is a food that can be served at a small counter in Japan, and I realised that there is a limit to how good it can be served overseas to a large number of customers.



My restaurant was in Osaka, but at the time, there were still no Edomae sushi restaurants in Osaka, and sometimes, customers from Tokyo would say that my sushi was just an imitation of Tokyo sushi, and that there was a trend that you had to kill your own individuality in order to make Edomae sushi, and I found that difficult. I think my decision to adopt Western cooking techniques came from my rebellious attitude towards that sort of thing. I didn’t know anything about the world at that time.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798211" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dishes_2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



How do you balance Western and Japanese flavours in your development of dishes?



I don’t take a Western style now as much as I used to. Now that I live in Hong Kong, I’m more interested in balancing Chinese and Japanese food. But in the past, sushi used to be served in a traditional Edomae style with a little bit of Western skill on the tsumami side.



What are the fundamental principles of Edomae sushi that you follow?



Edomae sushi is a food made up of rice, fish, wasabi, and soy sauce, and I believe that if any one of these elements is missing, the sushi will lose its taste.



You’ve gained high honours in the food world. What’s your secret to success?



It is about always remembering the first feeling. For example, the feeling of excitement when you first eat sushi. Or when you cook a fish and it’s at its best. I think I know what my best dish is, so I always try to get closer to it.



Has success changed your perspective towards your culinary craft in any way?



I don’t think it’s because I’m successful or anything, but I don’t think I have the same longing for sushi as I did in the past. I’ve come to feel that sushi is more than just a food that warms the heart. I want to create a sushi restaurant that is different, that warms people’s hearts, and makes people happy.



One of the unusual courses you’ve served at Sushiyoshi features lobster with Sprite. Can you tell us more about this dish?



Lobster [with] Sprite is not a typical dish at all. It is something I learnt from Thai staff when I used to work in Bangkok. I think there are a lot of opportunities to learn about things we usually throw away or things we didn’t realise we had. I think the basis of creating new dishes is to be moved by them with an honest heart.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798209" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sushiyoshi_2-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Why did you choose to expand Sushiyoshi internationally?



After considering opening my first overseas shop in Hong Kong, I achieved great success due to the strong support of my existing customers. This success encouraged further expansion to Taipei and Shenzhen. Our Taipei shop was awarded one Michelin star in 2022, affirming our commitment to the service and dishes.



What ingredient are you most excited to highlight in your dishes for MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025?



For MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, I’m thrilled to highlight quality Japanese ingredients in my dishes. While sushi is seldom featured at events like these, I am excited to create unique sushi and other dishes that deliver uncompromising taste and quality, ensuring our guests are delighted and completely satisfied.



How will your contribution to MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 sync up with this year’s theme, “Flavors of Harmony: A Journey Through East Asia”?



I am excited to join MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, contributing Sushiyoshi’s innovative dishes to the “Flavors of Harmony” theme. I will collaborate with all the chefs to craft a menu blending East Asian flavours, ensuring a memorable dining experience.



What does luxury mean to you?



I met chef Massimo [Bottura] of Osteria Francescana at [Culinary Masters in Macau] in 2023! I’ve never been to eat at his restaurant, but I admire him [through his] books [and on] social networks. I was wearing a Gucci outfit and he was staring at me. Because he’s a Gucci fan, too! I was so moved to meet him and talk to him, and he was like, “Who is this Gucci guy?” I loved Gucci before that, but from that moment on, my Gucci fever blew up. Because if I hadn’t been wearing Gucci at that time, Chef Massimo wouldn’t have noticed me.



For more delicious details, visit <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025</a>.



This interview has been translated from Japanese and edited for clarity.

Culinary Masters

Culinary Masters 2025

Hiroki Nakanoue

Macau

MGM Cotai

Sushiyoshi

Sushiyoshi’s Chef Hiroki Nakanoue on Forging His Own Path, Finding Inspiration in International Culinary Cultures, and Keeping an Honest Heart

A new hospitality brand is set to shake things up in Southeast Asia.



Kaia, the brainchild of outdoor hospitality specialist Cloud Collective and hospitality investment and development firm Bound and Beyond—which owns the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok by the Chao Phraya river as well as Capella Bangkok—comprises a collection of outdoor luxury resorts with a focus on tented suites, conscientious luxury, and connection with nature, local communities, and social engagement.



With its first property due to debut at the end of 2025—and more to be announced later this year—Koh Phangan island in Thailand is the stage on which Kaia’s novel concept will unfold. Located just 30 minutes from Koh Samui by speedboat, Koh Phangan’s northeastern coast is surrounded by a protected national forest, promising peaceful seclusion, deep immersion in verdant, natural landscapes, and serene beaches, with direct access from the resort.



Kaia Koh Phangan will leverage Cloud Collective’s expertise in design-driven, minimal-footprint hospitality development to offer tented accommodations rooted in mindful elegance, barefoot luxury, and respect for the environment. Acclaimed interior designer Vichada “Dao” Sitakalin—also the co-founder of high-end furniture company Quattro Design—brings her unique vision to the resort, where local craftsmanship is a primary focus. Natural, sustainably sourced materials and open-air design are positioned as construction tentpoles, breaking down the divide between indoor and outdoor living. Kaia will also eliminate single-use plastic from its resort, and lean on filtered water systems and biodegradable packaging to aid its sustainable mission.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798099" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_T510_INT01-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



All 31 abodes—spanning 77 to 248 square metres in size, boasting views over the Gulf of Thailand—will showcase traditional woven textiles, upcycled teak floorboards, and rugs made from recycled plastic. Guests can expect outdoor decks with bathtubs, draped four-poster beds, teak-panelled showers, and pantries filled with artisanal products and local delicacies. Among its accommodations, Kaia Koh Phangan will also have four two-bedroom tented villas, each with their own private pool.



On the property, a dynamic clubhouse, outdoor infinity pool, and beach-club venue will serve as the social hubs of the resort. Activities such as open-fire beachside feasts, sunset celebrations, and chef-led foraging excursions through the surrounding forests make up part of the experience programme. Kaia will also create opportunities for guests to engage in adventures led by the local community, like nighttime squid safaris, pottery-making with ceramicists, live-band music performances, and more. Wellness goes beyond massages and spa treatments to include nature walks, yoga sessions, guided meditation, and the more unusual ice-bathing session on a longtail boat.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798100" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/KPN_Clubhouse_005C-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As part of Kaia’s mission to uplift authentic culture, local experiences, and the surrounding communities, the culinary programme at the resort will champion sustainability, seasonality, and available produce sourced from nearby farms and fisheries, with an emphasis on cuisine prepared over an open flame. Kaia will also lean into a closed-loop food system to grow ingredients and compost food on-site as much as possible, gather produce and honey from its own organic farm and beehives, and partner with ethical, low-impact fishers and farmers to provide a positive impact.



With inclusivity and the local jao baan hospitality philosophy in mind, human connection, tradition, community, and culture are prominent aspects of the Kaia ethos.



“With Kaia, we are redefining luxury by seamlessly blending immersive outdoor hospitality with a deep reverence for nature and local culture,” says Beverly Chen, co-founder of Kaia and co-founder and COO of Cloud Collective. “Each resort is thoughtfully designed to foster meaningful connections—between guests, the land, and the community—while upholding the highest standards of sustainability.



“As demand for transformative travel experiences continues to grow, Kaia represents a bold step forward in luxury hospitality—one that harmonises refined elegance with environmental and social responsibility,” Kamonwan Wipulakorn, managing director of Bound and Beyond and co-founder of Kaia, affirms.



“As travellers seek more meaningful experiences, we are creating a hospitality model that is deeply rooted in local traditions, craftsmanship, and community. At Bound and Beyond, we believe that true luxury is not just about indulgence—it’s about honouring the spirit of a place and the people who shape it,” Wipulakorn adds. “Through Kaia, we are crafting resorts where guests can immerse themselves in the richness of local heritage while embracing a lighter, more conscious way of travelling.”



“At Cloud Collective, we are committed to pioneering hospitality concepts that not only set new industry benchmarks but also create lasting value for our guests and the destinations we serve. Kaia embodies this vision, offering a sanctuary where luxury, sustainability, and cultural authenticity converge,” Chen explains.



All images courtesy of Kaia.

Bound and Beyond

Cloud Collective

Kaia

Koh Phangan

Outdoor Luxury Resort

Thailand

A Brand-New Outdoor Luxury Resort Brand Is Coming to Southeast Asia This Year

This story is part of a series of features covering&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025</a>, hosted at MGM COTAI in Macau on 7–8 June 2025.



At MGM COTAI, Pan Sihui, the chef de cuisine of Aji, is at the forefront of a culinary revolution that marries Southeast Asian flavours with Western techniques. It’s made him an enticing magnet, attracting connoisseurs and critics in equal measure, fascinated by what he plates with such confident ease. Aji at MGM COTAI serves an inspired dining experience, showcasing a refreshed menu that embodies the evolution of Pan’s innovative concept, “Asian Bistronomy.” His contemporary interpretation of authentic Asian flavours, enhanced by distinctly Western culinary techniques, invites guests on a remarkable epicurean journey amidst the dramatic backdrop of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mgm.mo/en/cotai/entertainment/the-spectacle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spectacle</a>&nbsp;at MGM COTAI.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Festive-dish-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798139" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Festive-dish-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Festive-dish-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Festive-dish-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Festive-dish-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Festive-dish.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Festive dish at Aji.</figcaption></figure>



Hand-picked to be a part of the gilded roster of chefs for MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, Pan brings youthful zest to a panel of maestros who are all set to create a series of Michelin-star-studded plates for a gala dinner like no other. How will his culinary approach segue into the menu? One will have to wait as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the countdown to the event</a> begins.&nbsp;



“Bistronomy” denotes a culinary style that marries the casual ambience of a bistro with gastronomic artistry. Where else can you find smoked salmon with pickled beet and mango turmeric, or the Aji lobster Thermidor with salted egg and&nbsp;sudachi&nbsp;Comté cheese? Ingredients born worlds apart meet on Pan’s signature plates for a unity of flavour. Aji’s redefined approach to modern bistro cuisine features an array of meticulously crafted dishes, each reflecting the extensive global culinary expertise of the loquacious Pan.&nbsp;



Hailing from Singapore, Pan possesses an innate understanding of the ingredients and flavours intrinsic to Southeast Asian cultures. (Pan-Asian—it sort of writes itself, doesn’t it?) A graduate of the haloed Culinary Institute of America, he adeptly fuses Western cooking methods with Asian elements, offering diners a distinctive experience. His accolades and multiple awards affirm his status as a leading culinary figure in the region.&nbsp;



In a surprisingly candid conversation with&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong, Pan reflects on his journey, inspirations, and the philosophy that drives his innovative cuisine.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Pan-Sihui-2-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798136" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Pan-Sihui-2-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Pan-Sihui-2-240x300.jpg 240w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Pan-Sihui-2-768x959.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Pan-Sihui-2-1230x1536.jpg 1230w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Pan-Sihui-2.jpg 1281w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chef Pan Sihui.</figcaption></figure>



What inspired you to blend Southeast Asian flavours with Western cooking techniques?&nbsp;



I think it’s just representative of my own heritage, being a home-grown Singaporean, trained in Western cooking. Travelling to so many places very naturally [brought about] the style of my own cooking and my own flavour profiles. We have been exposed to different flavours, different races, and different cultures since young and working in many places around the world has built up my confidence in my own culinary beliefs and my own practice.



Does this bother traditionalists?



I think yes. But I have my own core beliefs, and I just chose to work on what I felt was right. It wasn’t always easy. I didn’t always convince everyone. But I certainly believe in this creative approach, and I believe that my style of cuisine speaks for itself.



How did your time at the Culinary Institute of America influence your culinary style? Did traditional Asian dishes get a touch of Western influence?



Graduating from the Culinary Institute of America was one of the most amazing experiences. It really built the core of my cooking basis. [I learnt] everything from culinary skills to waste management, managing people, [and how to] design the menu. It’s where I really learned the basics from scratch. I think you build a really awesome foundation. And I would really recommend young chefs thinking of getting a culinary degree to consider that school.



When we were doing Asian dishes at that time, because of the geographical location, they couldn’t get authentic ingredients, and they’d have to come up with alternatives to cater to the creation of the menu. It shows how chefs should be working on the spot, thinking about how we can play around with ingredients and also different techniques while still trying to keep the authenticity of what we want to showcase to the customers. I think that’s the important thing—problem-solving. Sometimes you can get certain ingredients or sometimes different customers have different preferences. Cooking is really “on the spot.”



Where do you draw your personal culinary inspiration from?



My mum was the main inspiration. When I was growing up, she was not a great cook, so it was her cooking that gave me the passion to try and find out what goes on in the kitchen. I think I took some initiative to survive. [laughs] I wanted to try and see, “Can I make any food taste good?” And that kept me going. I enjoyed myself when I was working in the kitchen, cooking meals for my family. And then I suddenly felt that maybe this might be a career for me, actually. Yeah, it was survival mode.



How does your “Asian Bistronomy” concept redefine modern bistro cuisine?



When we talk about “Asian Bistronomy,” it’s a place that you go to that I feel is casual, but they can still get gastronomy out of the bistro setting. You don’t have to have white tablecloths or people wearing suits and ties. You can dress smart casual but still enjoy good food that has certain standards and flavours. It’s very layered. We do Western food with a lot of Asian or Southeast Asian influences. We don’t shy away from using ingredients like lemongrass, or even fish sauce. I think, as long as the food is layered and the taste is awesome, then people will keep coming back. I think “Asian Bistronomy” is a place where you can enjoy a gastronomic experience but in a really casual and fun setting at the same time.



What’s your creative process for developing a new dish? With the Michelin recognition, is there more pressure to ensure everything new is as great as a dish of the past?&nbsp;



When I’m thinking about creating a new dish, I think the most important is always the taste, whether the customers would like the taste, and then followed by the textures. Food is not only about flavours, but also textures in the mouth that give memories to the customers. And then last is the look. I always follow this path and I always draw back to things that I enjoy. If I enjoy the pairing, then I will actually make connections to it. For example, when I have sushi and soy sauce, I really enjoy having green tea. So on one of the menus, we have this dish, where we paired fish with a matcha green tea sauce, which was amazing. It is actually a pairing by nature itself, but a lot of people didn’t think about it. It is through the dining process of what I like to eat that I combine all these things together.



Getting the Michelin star is really something that I think a lot of chefs would like to get as a recognition. I think it shows that what the team in Aji has done is going in the correct direction. It does add a bit of pressure because diners tend to have a high standard set before they come into the restaurant because of that award. But I truly believe that as long as we keep the same culinary approach and the standards as before, at Aji, the philosophy is actually very easy. Customers, when they come, they truly enjoy it, and when they leave, there’s something that makes them want to come back again. It’s pressure, but I think it’s a good pressure, and it also helps gather the team to progress in the same direction.



What are some of the challenges and rewards of working with seasonal ingredients?



I think working with seasonal ingredients is actually the natural job of a chef. We have to respect Mother Nature. I think the most rewarding part is when I’m able to come up with different pairings for the seasonal ingredients that customers cannot think of, or people have never experienced before, and it gives them this wow factor. Most of the customers, when they taste something different, they would say that they have never thought that this could be done in this way, or even imagine that this flavour can be so beautifully crafted together.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Venue-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798140" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Venue-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Venue-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Venue-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Venue-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Venue-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aji at MGM COTAI.</figcaption></figure>



What do you hope guests will take away from their dining experience at Aji? 



As a chef, I hope that guests will come to Aji to gain different experiences in terms of taste. I think that is really important because of our creative approach. I’m really glad every time when customers talk to me and say that something they tried is very interesting and they enjoyed it a lot, like they enjoyed the flavours and the dishes that we put out, and when they say that they’ll bring their friends to come back. I think that is the proudest moment, actually.



How has recognition from “Global Delicacy–Excellent Chef Cooking Contest,” Black Pearl Restaurants, the Michelin Guide, and Mingchu China impacted your career?&nbsp;



It’s a morale booster for my culinary approach and philosophy. Because we must have done something right and that’s why people are giving us the recognition. I think it strengthens my belief that what we are doing is something different and, at the same time, enjoyable. Receiving recognition is definitely a good feeling for me and my team. And that is one of the catalysts that makes us strive for even better results to keep up the standards.



What is the significance of the wine and cocktail pairings at Aji?&nbsp;



We don’t have boundaries and say that we have to use Old World wines or New World wines. We’ll pair food together with certain cocktails or even Chinese liquors. I think the most important thing is to find the best beverage that can match with the food so that they can create a different synergy together and enhance the dining experience.



Tell us about the live-cooking counter experience at Aji.&nbsp;



I think the degustation menu that is offered at the counter at Aji truly reflects my own cooking philosophy and my culinary beliefs. I showcase some of my childhood memories from when I was growing up, and some interesting stories of myself. I truly believe that the food that I present to guests—every single dish is something that I really enjoy myself, and is something that I’m proud of putting in front of the customer when I’m serving them.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Smoke-Salmon-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798141" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Smoke-Salmon-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Smoke-Salmon-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Smoke-Salmon-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Smoke-Salmon-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Smoke-Salmon-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aji-Smoke-Salmon-1.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Smoked salmon at Aji.</figcaption></figure>



How do you ensure that the natural properties of the ingredients shine through?&nbsp;



First of all, we need to understand the product itself. Sometimes, it’s important to know that certain products react differently to temperatures or acids, or even cooking. I think when we are making a dish, when we have one product, a star product that we want to showcase, we will always try different methods. For example, if we get a really nice abalone, we’ll try to steam it. We will try to create thinly sliced sashimi and see which method is actually the best representation of that product at that particular time. Because you must also understand that different products have different stages and seasons. Langoustine in autumn is good for sashimi, but when it’s wintertime, it’s good for roasting. You must respect each ingredient during that different part of their life, and also what flavours they bring naturally.



MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 brings different chefs from all over the world together in one place for an extraordinary gastronomic exchange. What are you most excited about for the event?



What I am really looking forward to this year is working with all the great chefs around the world, understanding their philosophy, and even tasting their dishes—I think that is definitely one of the highlights. I mean, as a chef, to be able to see different masters showcasing their best to the customers is something that I really look forward to. I hope to act like a sponge to absorb whatever I can during the event, and getting to know their team and getting to work with them would be an awesome learning experience. You can pay to go and visit the restaurant and dine in the restaurant, but working with them and seeing them in the back of the house, how they work on their produce, how they react, and how they talk to the team—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience which money cannot buy, right?



What do you hope diners will take away with them after they experience MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025?&nbsp;



I hope that, through the culinary experience at MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025, that customers will want to come again and try Aji itself to understand more on my philosophy and the “Asian Bistromony” concept.



And finally, what does luxury mean to you?



I think luxury to me is personal enjoyment. If I enjoy it, I think it’s luxury. It’s something that no one can take away from me. It means the freedom to do what I want and being true to myself. If I’m by the beach with a bit of sunshine and a gin and tonic and I have my own enjoyment, I think that’s luxury to me. It doesn’t have to be everything in this world.



For more delicious details, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025</a>.

Chef

Chef Pan Sihui

Aji’s Chef Pan Sihui on Culinary Innovation, “Asian Bistronomy,” and Weaving a Rich Tapestry of Eastern and Western Flavours

This story is part of a series of features covering <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025</a>, hosted at MGM COTAI in Macau on 7–8 June 2025.



A distinguished culinary maestro hailing from our own shores, Cheung Yat-fung currently spearheads the famed Chao Shang Chao (Chaoyang) restaurant in Beijing. (You know, the one with not one, but three coveted Michelin stars.) As the executive chef with an unwavering passion for Chinese culinary arts, Cheung adeptly showcases innovative techniques and flavours through meticulously crafted menus that pay homage to the richness and sophistication of his heritage. Adding him to the gilded roster of <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025</a> proved to be the easiest decision by the powers that be.



Cheung’s professional journey began in his native city, but it was under the tutelage of master chef Tsang Chiu-king—the current culinary director of Ming Court Wanchai—that his career truly flourished. Tsang imparted not only his exceptional Cantonese culinary skills but also underscored the significance of respecting ingredients and nurturing a spirit of innovation. Inspired by this mentorship, Cheung retains a commitment to cultivating young talent, ensuring the preservation and evolution of Chinese gastronomic traditions.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-8-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798059" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-8-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-8-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-8-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-8-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chao Shang Chao restaurant in Beijing.</figcaption></figure>



His early accolades include a Gold Medal at the 2015 Chinese Cuisine World Championship, followed by a turn as the executive chef at the renowned Ji Pin Court in Shanghai, where he garnered a Michelin star in 2019, followed by two stars in the subsequent years. Since assuming leadership at Chao Shang Chao (Chaoyang) in 2020, Cheung has further cemented his remarkable reputation, achieving a two-Michelin-star recognition for the restaurant in 2022 and 2023, and further elevating the restaurant to three-star status in 2024 and 2025.&nbsp;



Cheung’s influence is further evidenced by his receiving Three Knives at the 2024 Best Chef Awards just a few months ago. Although not a native of&nbsp;Chaozhou, he embraces the region’s culinary traditions, utilising his creativity and expertise to craft unique delicacies that elevate Chinese cuisine on the global stage. His journey through the intricate world of time-honoured dishes reveals a profound commitment to both heritage and creativity that has impressed even the most severe critic at the haloed halls of the Michelin Guide. As we delve into his philosophy, one cannot help but feel that Cheung is not merely a chef, but a custodian of a rich cultural tapestry, the threads of which he holds dearly to his ambitious heart.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-7-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798060" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-7-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-7-768x511.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-7-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-7-2048x1364.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As part of the third iteration of the famed MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau series, Cheung joins an excellent roster of pan-Asian master chefs to put his spin on the theme “Flavours of Harmony: A Culinary Journey Through East Asia.” Speaking to&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;ahead of the event, we had much to talk about, and thankfully, he has much to say about traditions, innovation, stepping ahead, and stepping up to meet every challenge.



Before we dive in, we must congratulate you on the Three Knives distinction at the 2024 Best Chef Awards. How did it feel to receive such a prestigious accolade recognising your excellence in modern Chinese cuisine?



I am truly grateful and honoured to receive the prestigious Three Knives award. This accolade not only recognises my personal dedication but also acknowledges the collective effort of my entire team. Modern Chinese cuisine is a realm brimming with innovation and challenges, and being honoured in this field inspires me to continually push boundaries and pursue higher culinary excellence.



What does it mean to you to lead a three-Michelin-star Chinese restaurant in Beijing, especially as a chef from Hong Kong?&nbsp;



As a Hong Kong chef overseeing a restaurant in Beijing, my role involves blending diverse regional culinary cultures. The challenge lies in preserving the essence of Hong Kong cuisine while adapting to the palates of Beijing and Mainland diners. Beyond the work of an ordinary chef, I must balance maintaining high-end quality with showcasing Hong Kong’s culinary identity, all while navigating evolving ingredient availability and market demands.



How did your foundation under Chef Tsang shape your culinary style and philosophy?



Chef Tsang taught me the refined techniques and profound cultural heritage of traditional Cantonese cuisine. This foundation shaped my culinary style, emphasising that innovation must never overshadow tradition. My cooking philosophy now revolves around honouring the natural flavours of ingredients and mastering time-honoured techniques. &nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-2-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234798061" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-2-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-2-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Chef-Cheung_-photo-2.jpg 1067w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cheung Yat-fung.</figcaption></figure>



How do you balance upholding tradition with shaping the future of Chaozhou cuisine?&nbsp;



To balance preserving tradition and shaping the future of Chaozhou cuisine, I introduce new ingredients and creativity while retaining its classic methods and flavours. Finding harmony between old and new, I first delve into the nuances of traditional dishes before integrating modern elements. For example, I might use traditional steaming, braising, or stir-frying techniques but pair them with innovative seasonings or ingredients, preserving Chaozhou’s essence while offering diners fresh perspectives.



What is the philosophy behind Chao Shang Chao, and how does it reflect your personal culinary vision?



Chao Shang Chao embodies a philosophy of merging tradition with innovation, prioritising fresh, premium ingredients, and showcasing&nbsp;Chaozhou&nbsp;cuisine’s charm through meticulous technique. This reflects my personal pursuit: to let diners experience&nbsp;Chaozhou’s cultural depth and innovative spirit through my dishes.



With the new Chao Shang Chao opening in Shenzhen, how do you plan to maintain the same level of quality and innovation across multiple locations?



For the new Chao Shang Chao in Shenzhen, I will implement a rigorous quality control system, overseeing everything from ingredient sourcing to cooking processes. Regular staff training ensures consistency in skills and philosophy. Additionally, I’ll adapt the menu to Shenzhen’s local market preferences and ingredient availability, maintaining our identity while embracing the new environment. &nbsp;



The Michelin Guide mentions your new takes on Chaozhou classics, such as braised eel wrapped in lotus leaf. Can you describe your creative process when reimagining these traditional dishes?&nbsp;



I first study their history and cultural context, then innovate while preserving their soul. For instance, my braised eel wrapped in lotus leaf uses fresh eel with classic braising techniques, enhanced by the lotus leaf’s fragrance for richer flavour and visual appeal. For contemporary classics, I focus on colour harmony and artistic plating, ensuring dishes delight both the palate and the eye. &nbsp;



What is the inspiration behind your Chao ½ Chef’s Table, and what kind of creative freedom do you give the young chefs involved?



The inspiration behind Chao ½ Chef’s Table is to create a platform for guests to intimately witness the culinary creative process. I grant young chefs creative freedom to experiment, while guiding them to ensure dishes align with the restaurant’s style and quality standards. Encouraging them to explore diverse ingredients and techniques fosters their creativity. &nbsp;



What do you hope diners experience when they visit Chao Shang Chao or any of your tables?



I hope guests at Chao Shang Chao or any of my tables experience Chaozhou cuisine’s unique allure and our dedication to ingredients and craft. Beyond savouring the food, I want them to appreciate its cultural depth and leave with cherished memories. Through my work and achievements, I aim to convey respect for tradition and passion for innovation. I want people to know Chinese cuisine is not only rooted in history and culture but also thrives through modern evolution, retaining its timeless appeal. &nbsp;



Since winning the accolades and the Michelin stars, has it added pressure to maintain status quo, or would you like to continue to experiment and expand further?



Since earning Michelin stars, the pressure has grown, but it fuels my drive. I refuse complacency—experimentation and expansion will continue. Innovation is key to sustaining our competitiveness and spreading love for Chaozhou cuisine. &nbsp;



What did the first initial Michelin recognition mean to you?



My initial Michelin recognition was a tremendous encouragement, solidifying my culinary path. It affirmed my efforts and highlighted the Michelin Guide’s respect for Chinese cuisine, motivating me to elevate its global standing. &nbsp;



MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 brings different chefs from all over the world together in one place for an extraordinary gastronomic exchange. What are you most excited about for the event?



What excites me most about events like Culinary Masters, where chefs worldwide gather, is exposure to diverse styles and philosophies. Through exchange, I learn from other cuisines, share Chaozhou’s uniqueness, and foster cross-cultural fusion and creativity.



What ingredient are you most excited to highlight in your dishes for MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025?



In my dishes [for Culinary Masters], I’m eager to spotlight Chaozhou’s signature seafood—lobster, abalone, and other ingredients—prized for [their] freshness, flavour, and nutrition. Using traditional Chaozhou techniques, I [will] highlight their natural sweetness while enhancing them with unique seasonings for layered complexity.



How will your contribution to MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 harmonise with this year’s event theme?&nbsp;



This year, my contributions will focus on Chaozhou’s heritage and innovation, aligning with the event’s theme. I’ll infuse contemporary elements, like molecular gastronomy, to reimagine classics. Collaborating with other chefs, I’ll communicate openly to harmonise ideas, avoid stylistic clashes, and curate a vibrant, cohesive feast.



What do you hope diners will take away with them after they experience MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025?



I hope guests leave the event with deeper appreciation for global cuisines and a renewed passion for food. May they respect the artistry behind diverse cultures and find inspiration to experiment with new dishes and methods in their own kitchens.



And finally, what does luxury mean to you?&nbsp;



Luxury transcends premium ingredients and elegant settings—it’s about devotion to craft and respect for diners. It’s a relentless pursuit of perfection, from sourcing to plating, and an immersive experience where guests savour not just food, but a unique cultural ambience and service ethos.



For more delicious details, visit <a href="https://www.rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2025</a>.

Beijing

Chao Shang Chao

Chef Cheung Yat-fun

Chinese Chef

Hong Kong Chef

Chao Shang Chao’s Chef Cheung Yat-fung on Chinese Culinary Philosophy, Future Aspirations, and Stepping Up to Meet Every Challenge

Aston Martin

Bentley

Hypercar

Lamborghini

luxury car

motors

Rolls-Royce

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

hybrid

Supercar

Aston Martin Just Unveiled Its First Plug-In Hybrid Supercar

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/bmw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW</a>&nbsp;stans who’ve always wanted to learn how to race could now have their dreams come true.&nbsp; On Friday, the German marque unveiled a new “entry-level” track-only sports car called the M2&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/racing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Racing</a>, which promises relatively cheap thrills for track enthusiasts in a car that might remind buyers of&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/first-drive-2023-m2-1234833103/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW M cars of old</a>.



The new racer can be ordered in June and will get delivered in time for the 2026 season, BMW said, and will make 313 horsepower from its four-cylinder engine, sending that power through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. That is perhaps a concession to the M2 Racing’s entry-level aspirations, but the M2 Racing also only weighs 3,300 pounds, so its power-to-weight ratio is not all that different from a&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/2025-bmw-m2-more-power-revised-interior-1235653512/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regular M2</a>&nbsp;and its six-cylinder, 473 horsepower engine.



BMW <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-entry-level-race-car-m2-sports-car-1235822502/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first hinted at the new M2 Racing</a> last year. On Friday, the marque said the new BMW M2 Racing will start at €98,000, or around US$111,500 (approximately HK$864,780) at current exchange rates. That’s a significant premium over the base M2’s starting price of US$66,675 (approximately HK$517,120) in the US, though cheaper than many a track-only car. It’s somewhat rare to hear German automakers talk about their cars so explicitly in terms of price, and even rarer to them talk about saving money at the race track, but that’s exactly how BMW describes the M2 Racing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="577" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-1024x577.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797596" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-1024x577.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg-1536x865.webp 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P90596729_highRes_munich-ger-25-april-e1745847955961.jpg.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The new BMW M2 Racing from the rear right.  Image courtesy of Agnieszka-Doroszewicz</figcaption></figure>



“Like its predecessors—the BMW M235i Racing, BMW M240i Racing, and BMW M2 CS Racing—the new BMW M2 Racing will redefine the entry-level segment,” Franciscus van Meel, BMW M’s CEO,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0449797EN/the-new-entry-level-model:-bmw-m-motorsport-presents-the-bmw-m2-racing" target="_blank">said in a statement</a>. “The car is affordable while offering racing teams and drivers uncompromising performance, durability, and pure driving pleasure. At BMW M Motorsport, supporting customer racing with cars that are easy to maintain, cost-efficient, and thrilling to drive is a top priority.”



The M2 Racing is built in Mexico, and comes stripped of many extracurriculars on the inside, but it’s equipped with racing necessities: a roll cage, fire suppression equipment, and a racing dashboard. Aerodynamics have also been modified for the track, and the brake-cooling system is made by BMW M. A speed limiter for pit lanes is included, and the M2 Racing will also only come in a single colour: white, which is all the better for private teams who want to add their own designs or sponsorship logos.



The M2 Racing provides a turnkey race-car experience for private teams or for private individuals who simply want to get in and go. After a while in the M2 Racing, you might even decide that it’s time to sink some real money into your track habit.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/new-bmw-m2-racing-photos-1236697611/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the new BMW M2 Racing.

race car

Track-only

BMW Just Unveiled a Track-Only Race Car for Beginners

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/ferrari/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ferrari</a>‘s first EV&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-ceo-confirms-first-ev-debut-1235777810/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is coming this fall</a>, likely in October, and, being an EV, won’t have any use for a manual transmission, though that isn’t stopping the automaker from possibly giving it gear-shifting abilities anyway.&nbsp;



Such a system would mimic a manual transmission and has been considered or is under development by automakers from Porsche to <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/honda-testing-manual-transmission-for-upcoming-evs-1235928219/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Honda</a> and <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/toyota-gr-performance-ev-manual-transmission-1234857178/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toyota</a>, but Ferrari doing so would up the stakes for EVs, as happens when Ferrari does anything. Ferrari’s system, as described in patents <a href="https://www.motor1.com/news/757650/ferrari-ev-fake-shifting-sound/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported by Motor1 on Thursday</a>, would have two components: paddle shifters on the steering wheel to change the torque output to the electric motor to simulate gear shifting, and a separate system to alter the car’s sounds as well, which can be customisable based on driver preferences, from anything to loud and aggressive to placid and “relaxed.” 



What that all sounds like is a car that replicates the current Ferrari driving experience. That experience is highly engineered for driver comfort and, more importantly, excitement, such that when driving the 986 hp plug-in hybrid SF90 Stradale, for example, drivers can cruise along comfortably as if in a Honda Civic or access all of that power with the stomp of one’s foot and the press of the paddle shifters.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797605" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sf903.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ferrari’s plug-in hybrid SF90 Stradale. Bring a Trailer</figcaption></figure>



It is vital for Ferrari to give its drivers the option for excitement, in other words, even if many of its cars are fated to sit in garages or traffic in Monaco. In the EV era, that is perhaps a taller task, given that EVs have a much simpler powertrain than internal combustion engine cars, and require less driver input, but Ferrari has taken its time making its first EV because it still wants to provide some driving excitement and produce a car worthy of the name.



“People buy a Ferrari because when they buy a Ferrari, they have a lot of fun,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna has said. “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.”



Hence: synthetic gear shifting in its first EV, possibly, and also the interior sounds that suggest gear-shifting, and exterior sounds that&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-exec-says-first-ev-deliver-authentic-sound-1235650084/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">will make a “roar.”</a> This is common for ICE cars, too, these days, though more important for an automaker such as Ferrari, which, above all, is trying to sell an experience, especially in its first EV.

Ferrari

Ferrari’s First EV Might Have Synthetic Gears

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/genesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gene</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/genesis/">sis</a>&nbsp;just kicked off the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/best-cars-new-york-auto-show-1235563221/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 New York International Auto Show</a>&nbsp;in spectacular style.



One year after pulling back the curtain on the dazzling&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/genesis-neolun-concept-preview-electric-flagship-suv-1235560385/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neolun</a>&nbsp;at the same convention, the company has returned with an even more striking&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/concept/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concept</a>, the X Gran Equator. The marque’s first adventure vehicle prototype offers a glimpse of a future where you can overland in the utmost style and comfort.



Over its decade in business, Genesis has shown it can build a beautiful car, conceptual or otherwise. Still, with this latest design—which the brand says is meant to channel “Athletic Elegance”—it has taken things to a new level. The long-nosed SUV looks as futuristic as it does sophisticated, with its grille-less front fascia, smooth, sweeping lines, and split-opening tailgate. Rounding things out are a gigantic set of 24-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires and a two-line lighting package that has&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/genesis-x-convertible-concept-trilogy-1234773807/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">become a trademark of the company’s concepts</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797348" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator06.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Genesis X Gran Equator Concept. Image courtesy of Genesis</figcaption></figure>



Genesis says the X Gran Equator is meant to signal its continued expansion into “lifestyle-oriented” vehicles. This can best be seen in the concept’s cabin. The visually arresting space mixes old and new, with the gigantic central touchscreen found in the brand’s production models replaced by smaller, vintage-style digital gauges and physical buttons. The interior is done up in a fetching two-tone colourway that pairs a rich navy blue with tan. There are several opulent details to remind you that you’re in a Genesis as well, like a four-panel sunroof and crystal ball shifter.  



Unfortunately, we don’t know what kind of powertrain is in the concept. The announcement is short on mechanical details, but the lack of a grille, along with the nature of most of the brand’s recent prototypes, suggests the X Gran Equator is probably all-electric. We do know that it does feature all-wheel drive, which isn’t a surprise since it is an adventure vehicle after all.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797349" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xequator01.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the X Gran Equator Concept. Image courtesy of Genesis</figcaption></figure>



So now to the big question: will you ever be able to drive the X Gran Equator? Genesis says the vehicle has not been “confirmed for production” but does say that it is meant to “showcase the brand’s future design potential.”



Regardless, you’ll be able to see the X Gran Equator in person in New York over the next few months. The concept will be parked at the marque’s booth at the New York Auto Show, which opens this Friday, after which it will be on display at the Genesis House in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District through the end of July.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-genesis-x-gran-equator-off-roading-concept-1236476732" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the Genesis X Gran Equator concept.

Genesis

off-raoder

Genesis Just Unveiled a Stunning New Off-Roader

The&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-a6-e-tron-concept-shanghai-auto-show-1234608354/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audi A6</a>&nbsp;sedan is getting a makeover for 2026.



The German luxury marque has just unveiled the latest iteration of its long-running mid-size four-door. It isn’t just a minor refresh, either. The executive car features a sleeker exterior, a tech-packed interior, and more power under the hood.



We got our first look at the sixth-generation A6 last month when the company unveiled the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-a6-avant-sedan-1236323600/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A6 Avant</a>&nbsp;wagon. The sedan and longroof look almost identical to the C-pillar, but that’s a good thing. The new A6 has a more aggressive front end, the highlight of which is a pair of razor-sharp headlights, and a smoother shape than before. Thanks to the latter, the sedan has a drag coefficient of 0.23 (compared to 0.25 for the wagon), making it the most aerodynamic gas-powered&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/audi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audi</a>&nbsp;in history.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797386" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a603.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 Audi A6 Sedan. Image courtesy of Audi</figcaption></figure>



These changes also ensure that the vehicle stands out from its electric equivalent, the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/audi-a6-etron-concept-production-vehicle-1234627346/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A6 E-Tron</a>. The two models are clearly related, but the battery-powered four-door lacks the athleticism and grace of its new ICE counterpart despite being more aerodynamic (it has a drag coefficient of 0.21).



The design of the sedan’s interior has also been reworked.  Like that of the A6 Avant, the front is dominated by a trio of displays, including an 11.9-inch instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and an optional 10.9-inch passenger display. There’s also better sound insulation, which results in a 30 per cent quieter cabin, along with a panoramic glass roof with adjustable opacity levels, and an optional Bang &amp; Olufsen speaker system. Trunk space comes out to 17.37 cubic feet, which isn’t that far off from the 17.76 cubic feet offered by the A6 Avant, though that number grows to 54.17 cubic feet when the wagon’s rear seats are folded down.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797387" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a601.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the 2026 A6 sedan. Image courtesy of Audi</figcaption></figure>



The new A6 is built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion platform and will be available with either a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.0-litre turbocharged V-6 with mild hybrid tech. Only the latter will be available in the US and it will make 362 hp, which represents a 27 hp boost, that is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In addition to more pep, the sedan also features an improved base suspension. There’s also an optional adaptive air suspension that can be controlled via voice commands.



The new A6 will launch as part of Audi’s upcoming 2026 model year lineup. The sedan is set to go on sale later this month in Europe, with a starting price of €55,500 (or roughly US$63,000/approximately HK$488,790). It’s expected to go on sale in the US during the second half of the year, but it may be some time until we know how much <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/trumps-tariffs-affect-every-luxury-automaker-1236442762/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">it will end up costing</a>.



Click <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/gallery/photos-sleek-2026-audi-a6-sedan-1236475680/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> for more photos of the 2026 Audi A6 sedan.

A6 Avant

audi

sedan

The New Audi A6 Has Sleeker Skin and Even More Power

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



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



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



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



Silhouette CX Snake



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



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



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



Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Cobra



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



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



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



Lange 1 Moon Phase



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



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



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



Portofino Automatic Moon Phase



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



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



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



Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Snake



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



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



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



Tonda PF Xiali Chinese Calendar in Rose Gold



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



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



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



Classique 7145 Lunar New Year 2025



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



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



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



Conquest Heritage Year of the Snake



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



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" data-id="1234794974" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234794974" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Jaeger_2400x1600-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre</figcaption></figure>



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



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



Reverso Tribute Enamel “Snake”



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



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



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



Chinese New Year Automatic



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



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



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



Espiègleries Tresors d’Afrique



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



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



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



The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac—Year of the Snake



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

2025 new watches

A. Lange & Söhne

Breguet

Breitling

Chaumet

Chinese New Year

exclusive watches

Franck Muller

Harry Winston

Hublot

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

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



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



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



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



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

Gold Rolex

Gold Watches

Watches

Rolex’s Gold Watches Just Got More Expensive

<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/met-gala-watches-1235608832/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Another season of the Met Gala</a> got underway this evening with this year’s theme of “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” centered around black dandyism and, as usual, the stars came out in their best eye-catching attire for the Costume Institute’s big event. And even though brooches have taken men’s style by storm on the red carpet these days, there were still plenty of timepiece moments to watch out for. There were a few surprises like Philadelphia Eagles running back, Saquon Barkley choosing an H. Moser &amp; Cie to wear with his Thom Browne suit or Colman Domingo debuting a yet-to-be-released Omega. And then, of course, there were the usual suspects wearing the kind of pieces one would easily spot across the room like Shaboozey in the turquoise dial 18-karat yellow gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Here are some of our favorite timepieces (and, in a few cases, looks) of the evening.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797679" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Trammell_Tillman.jpg-1.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Jaeger-LeCoultre</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tramell Tillman in Jaeger-LeCoultre</h2>



Best known, currently, for his role as Seth Milchick in Apple TV’s Severance, Trammell Tillman donned a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in 18-karat pink gold. Like Saquon Barkley, he also chose a Thom Browne ensemble—again, one of the better looks of the evening. Like the sports star, he also chose a sophisticated timepiece with a tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Just like a true dandy, this Jaeger-LeCoultre is sleek, but a little cheeky.



<a target="_blank" href="https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/us-en/watches/reverso/reverso-tribute/reverso-tribute-duoface-tourbillon-q392242j" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: PRICE UPON REQUEST</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797680" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Saquon_Barkley.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; H. Moser &amp;. Cie</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saquon Barkley in H. Moser &amp; Cie</h2>



Philadelphia Eagles running back, Saquon Barkley had one of the coolest watches of the night. The sports star made a sophisticated choice with the H. Moser &amp; Cie Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack. It’s great to see an athlete supporting an independent watchmaker—especially when his choice is one of the stealthiest models in the brand’s lineup. He paired it with simple black Tuxedo by Thom Browne, which had all the hallmarks of the designer’s famously quirky proportions. Although the suit made Barkley look a little short despite his six-foot-tall frame, it was a clever and thoughtful choice just like his watch. After a sea of rather ridiculous looking ensembles during the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/nfl-draft-2025-best-watches-pictures-1236523614/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NFL draft</a>, it’s nice to see one of its established stars making more sophisticated choices.



<a href="https://h-moser.com/product/endeavour-tourbillon-vantablack-1805-1200/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: US$82,500</a>/HK$640,584



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797681" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Barry_Keoghan.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Omega</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Barry Keoghan in Omega</h2>



Barry Keoghan is the toast of young Hollywood and like many of his fellow “it guys” he’s testing the waters with fashion. It doesn’t always work for him as tonight proved, but one thing that is thankfully consistent is his wrist game. The actor is a brand ambassador for Omega, so fortunately he always comes correct with his timekeepers. For this year’s Met Gala, he wore an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional 42 mm in Moonshine Gold with a matching dial in the same material.



<a href="https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-speedmaster-moonwatch-professional-co-axial-master-chronometer-chronograph-42-mm-31060425099002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: US$47,200</a>/HK$366,491



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797682" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Colman_Domingo.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Colman Domingo in Omega</h2>



Colman Domingo had the biggest flex of the evening by wearing an unreleased Omega Speedmaster model that has not been publicly announced. According to a statement from the company: “The brand will not be revealing any details about the new watch until a later date.” Regardless, this watch teaser got rather lost in Domingo’s fashion-focused Valentino look. It’s safe to say, die-hard Omega Speedmaster fans might have missed this one.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797683" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WalterGoggins.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Vacheron Constantin</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Walter Goggins in Vacheron Constantin</h2>



White Lotus&nbsp;star, Walter Goggins showed up in a fearless Thom Browne suit skirt and an equally fearless timepiece to match. On his wrist, he wore a 41 mm Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Complete Calendar in platinum. It’s the kind of watch that would be right at home on a&nbsp;White Lotus&nbsp;character, but perhaps more in line with Jason Isaacs’ character Timothy Ratliff than Goggins’ Rick Hatchett. It seemed like all the cool guys wore Thom Browne tonight, but it appears only one fella got to wear Vacheron, and a very excellent one at that.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797684" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JanelleMonae2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Janelle Monae in Vacheron Constantin</h2>



It seemed like everyone was in Thom Browne at the Met Gala, but Janelle Monae has long been a fan of the designer, often wearing his elaborate ensembles on the red carpet. This time she paired one of his tailored suit skirt looks complete with a bowler hat with a monocole featuring a watch dial and a time- and date-only Vacheron Constantin Fifty Six. It ticked all the right boxes: dandy, costume, and fashion-forward.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797685" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Khaby_Lame.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Khaby Lame in pocket watches</h2>



Khaby Lame is a Senegalese-Italian influencer whose claim to fame, incredibly, is having the most followers on TikTok (@khaby.lame). Naturally, he came to be noticed and to stand out in a sea of watch peacocking, Lame wore not one watch, but a multitude of pocket watches on the gray vest of his ultra-stylish three-piece suit. This was one of our favorite translations of the evening’s dandy theme.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797686" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Pusha_T.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Rolex</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pusha T in Rolex</h2>



Rapper Pusha T paired his burgundy suit with sequins dripping down the shoulders and lapels with an equally colorful timekeeper. On his wrist was a coveted <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolexs-collectible-rainbow-daytona-in-everose-2791121/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Cosmograph Daytona</a> in the crown’s proprietary Everose gold. A rare spotting in the red-carpet zoo, this is likely a watch he owns. It’s also a watch that fetches well into the six figures on the secondary market.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797687" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RR_20250505_Met_Gala_WJ_Shaboozey.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Wrist Aficionado</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shaboozey in Audemars Piguet</h2>



Turquoise beaded torso jewelry, a turquoise ring, a turquoise watch, and turquoise teeth! Shaboozey went wild for the color tonight. On his wrist was a 37 mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in yellow gold with a turquoise dial. The ultimate showpiece, this watch doesn’t just have a turquoise-colored dial, it’s actually made from the stone. This watch retailed for $61,500 in 2023, but now requires $8,400 more if you want to take it home. It’s a Royal Oak you don’t see on too many wrists in the wild. And you’ll likely only find it on the wildest of wrists.



<a href="https://www.audemarspiguet.com/com/en/watch-collection/royal-oak/15550BA.OO.1356BA.01.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: US$69,900</a>/HK$542,749



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797690" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AngelaBassett.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo : Getty Images; Glashütte</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Angela Bassett in Glashütte Original</h2>



What’s not to love about Angela Bassett rocking a mother-of-pearl dial Glashütte Original? The 32.5 mm Serenade Luna model sports a diamond bezel and hour markers and comes on a leather alligator strap. This marks the first time Glashütte has been worn on the Met Gala’s red carpet and for a rather small niche brand based in Germany, we’d say Bassett was a big-time win. It also pairs perfectly with her blue velvet jumptuit



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797691" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CalebMcLaughlin.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Caleb McLaughlin in Zenith</h2>



Stranger Things&nbsp;star, Caleb McLaughlin got the evening’s memo and did it right. OVer his baby blue velvet gloves he wore a boutique edition Zenith Defy Skyline. The 41 mm steel bracelet watch is a rather sporty choice for the evening but upon closer inspection its bezel is decked in sapphires. Besides, the mix of sporty with velvet gloves, brooches, and an orange accented lapel is full-on eccentric dandy in a way we totally can get behind.



<a href="https://www.zenith-watches.com/en_us/product/defy-skyline-16-9300-3620-51-i001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BUY NOW: HK$27,900</a>/HK$216,634<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>

Met Gala

From Saquon Barkley’s H. Moser &. Cie to Colman Domingo’s Omega: Notable Watches from This Year’s Met Gala

By all accounts,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/watches-wonders-2025-best-new-watches-1236430295/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watches &amp; Wonders 2025</a>&nbsp;was one for the record books. And we mean that literally.



On Monday, the final day of the world’s largest horological trade show, the organizers announced that this year’s edition reached a new attendance benchmark, with over 55,000 <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/watches-and-wonders-best-dressed-1236445545/%3C/a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people visiting over the course of the week.</a>



A whopping 6,000 of those at the fair were dealers, the individuals whose work shapes which watches end up in which markets—and, ultimately, what ends up in your collection. For the most dedicated collectors, that’s a tall order, especially with an increasingly limited number of coveted watches available and serious enthusiasts focused on novelty more than ever before.



“People are really looking to fill gaps in their collections,” says Nick Boulle, president of&nbsp;<a href="https://deboulle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">de Boulle Diamond &amp; Jewelry</a>, which operates boutiques in Houston and Dallas. “I think someone who wants a smaller collection is looking for something that speaks to them. When you look at all of the different brands, they have to cater to the different occasions that people will wear watches to, because everything is a lifestyle.”



But what about their own lifestyles? Below, we asked a group of leading watch dealers about the standout timepieces of Watches and Wonders, and which ones they’re prepared to buy for themselves.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797615" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Nick_Emma_Boulle.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Tudor, Laurent Ferrier, Patek Philippe, Rolex



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Nick and Emma Boulle, de Boulle Diamond and Jewellery</h2>



Nick:&nbsp;“I think the fear right now is that we won’t get enough of everything we’ve seen, more than it is about what we’d want to buy. &nbsp; “If I was buying for myself, there’s a lot, I have to say. The meteorite Daytona struck me. I think that’s a great one. And then the Patek Ref. 5328 really jumped out. Additionally, Tudor Watches—the new Pelagos that goes to 1,000 meters with just that little detail of turquoise text on the dial is just amazing. And then another partner of ours, Laurent Ferrier, came out with an ice-blue dial that really caught my eye.” &nbsp; Emma:&nbsp;“I would say the new Ladies’ Nautilus with the turquoise dial. It’s stunning, the detail on that dial. It’s a great size. It wasn’t too big, it was not too small. And I like larger watches, but it was stunning on the wrist.” &nbsp; Nick:&nbsp;“It’s cool, too, because it’s a new color of blue. It’s not something I’ve seen from another brand yet.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797616" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Raphael_Gubelin.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Patek Philippe, Chanel, Bulgari



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Raphael Gübelin, CEO, Gübelin Group</h2>



“I do have to say there were a few highlights, and one of them is definitely the Patek Philippe, the Ref. 5370R, beautiful rose gold, brown. I really love that. And they also had the Ref. 5326 blue, love that.   “The <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/chanel-j12-ceramic-watch-midnight-blue-1236353752/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chanel J12 Bleu</a>? Fabulous. It’s not shiny, it’s matte. Great, great. And also, Bulgari has a black Octo Finissimo, I also like that a lot.    “I probably would buy all of them that I was mentioning. But at the end, it’s always about availability. I saw the nice new <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/patek-philippe-debuts-cubitus-collection-watches-1235953276/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cubitus</a> in a slightly smaller version. I know they’re going to be doing very good—and I’m not going to have one of those, but I’m very happy if my customers have them, and I enjoy seeing them on the rest of my customers.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797617" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Rudy_Albers.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Rolex, Patek Philippe



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rudy Albers, President, Wempe U.S.A.</h2>



“I had a great meeting with Patek Philippe and got to see their new pieces. They’re super exciting, fantastic finishing and complications. So that was great. I went to see Cartier. They certainly had some beautiful new creations there as well. So we’re making the rounds to take it all in. Of course, my phone’s been burning up for the <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/rolex-land-dweller-most-significant-watch-1236445533/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rolex Land-Dweller</a>.   “I wish I could remember the new reference number of the Patek Philippe with the eight-day power reserve and the blue dial. That just floored me. I love blue. So that’s right up my alley.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797618" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Bryan_Govberg_2.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Patek Philippe, Cartier



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brian Govberg, Global Sales Director, the 1916 Company</h2>



“The Ref. 6196P from Patek is a watch that, if I closed my eyes and had to imagine the best possible Calatrava, that would be it. And the second would be the new&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/de-bethune-swizz-beatz-db-kind-of-two-gmt-season-1236383726/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swizz Beatz DeBethune Kind of Two GMT</a>, which is just an awesome watch. &nbsp; “I’m a very big fan of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/cartier-tank-a-guichets-revival-history-1236442899/" rel="noreferrer noopener">jump hour complication</a>, and I think that it’s a complication that’s not utilized nearly enough. Cartier just came out with a beautiful reference that incorporates this complication, and I would love to see more brands do the same.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797619" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Derek_Mon.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Zenith, Cartier



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Derek Mon, Carat &amp; Co.</h2>



“I really like the new Cartier Tank Louis. It’s manual winding, and even though it’s a large size, it fits really well on the wrist. Specifically, it would fit great on my wrist, and that’s why I like it. &nbsp; “The other one that was intriguing to me was the Zenith GFJ Platinum watch. To me, that is Zenith going in the more independent watchmaking route with a stunning lapis lazuli dial with mother of pearl along with a full platinum case and bracelet. The size is awesome, and I haven’t seen that shade of blue done anywhere else all fair!”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234797620" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_Watches_and_Wonders_Retailers_Favorites_Yoni_Ben_Yehuda.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



<a href="https://robbreport.com/"></a>



Photo&nbsp;:&nbsp;Cartier, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Yoni Ben-Yehuda, Head of Watches, Audemars Piguet x Material Good</h2>



“We were just joking that this is a very expensive trip for me. But the three that stood out for me that I’m like, ‘Shut up and take my money,’ would be the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso on the Milanese bracelet and the rose gold with the tonal dial; the Andy Warhol Piaget, absolutely, especially with some customization to it; and the limited edition Cartier jump hour (<a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/gallery/cartier-tank-a-guichets-revival-history-1236442899/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tank à Guichets</a>) in platinum. I think those are three of some of the most exciting pieces.



“I also really love the Moser stone dials, especially the pink. There’s so much. The worst version of me just gets paid in watches, and lives, like, under a bridge by the river.”

Bulgari

Cartier

Chanel

Patek Philippe

Watches and Wonders 2025

‘Shut Up and Take My Money’: The Best New Watches Dealers Want to Buy for Themselves

<a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/de-bethune-swizz-beatz-new-watch-season-1234820436/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swizz Beatz and De Bethune</a>&nbsp;are back at it again.



The record producer and the Swiss watchmaker just dropped an all-new timepiece, the DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3,” marking their <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/de-bethune-dream-watch-5-tourbillion-season-1234644131/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">third collaboration</a> since 2021. And, as usual with this dream team, this release shows off some seriously inspired engineering: The watch offers up two distinct dials—one contemporary, one classic—that wearers can choose via an ultra-precise flipping mechanism.



For this vision from Beatz and Denis Flageollet, <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/de-bethune/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">De Bethune</a>’s master watchmaker and founder, an extra level of mechanical wizardry was required. For the new launch, known as reference DBK2V1SB, the brand created a hand-wound movement that was entirely developed and produced in its Swiss manufacture. The calibre DB2517 is made up of 394 parts and offers up a four-day power reserve, ensured by a self-regulating twin barrel.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796826" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethuneDB-Kind-of-Two-GMT-Season-3.png.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The contemporary dial on the new DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3.” Image courtesy of De Bethune</figcaption></figure>



The contemporary dial, one of two personalities you’re getting with “Season 3,” is made to show off that movement. With a black-and-gold colour scheme, the timepiece features a black open-worked deltoid bridge in its centre, mimicking the shape of a triangle. On this side, a sub-dial at six o’clock shows off the golden hour markers, while the minutes are shown around the periphery—both equipped with polished, blue-steel hands. Alongside the microlight and satin finishes, you can catch a glimpse of the dual central gold wheels of the jumping time mechanism and those silver twin barrels.



Flipping over to the other side, you’ll find the classic GMT dial, done up in silver, black, and hints of De Bethune’s signature blue. Here, you get the polished mirror-finished steel jumping seconds hand in all its glory, tracking the silver numbers around the dial’s outer edge. The hour numerals, meanwhile, are set on a wider ring, marked by blue titanium hands. A hand-guilloché central motif streaked with waves of silver and blue mark the centre of the dial.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796827" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/swizzbeatzdebethunewatchdials.png-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A close-up of both dials. Image courtesy of De Bethune</figcaption></figure>



On the DB Kind of Two GMT “Season 3,” the contemporary dial is where you’ll set your home time, using the crown in position three. Then, the second time zone is set on the GMT dial by pulling the crown to its second position.



With a Nubuck strap, the new launch is also housed in a 43.3 mm case, which sits at a 11.4 mm thickness and is crafted from zirconium and satin-finished Grade 5 titanium. The floating lugs were redesigned just for this timepiece, allowing you to move with ease between the two dials. And if you’re into the Jekyll and Hyde effect, you better act fast: Limited to just 10 pieces, the “Season 3” is priced at US$235,000 (CHF 210,000/HK$1.9 million).



As we mentioned, this isn’t Beatz’s first collab with De Bethune. The duo launched <a href="https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/de-bethune-dream-watch-5-tourbillion-season-1234644131/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Dream Watch 5 Tourbillon “Season 1”</a> back in 2021, a striking, ogive-shaped timepiece that showed off a flurry of the watchmaker’s signature patents. That first drop was followed by the sleek <a href="https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/de-bethune-swizz-beatz-new-watch-season-1234820436/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DBD “Season 2”</a> with a burgundy dial just two years later, a 43 mm number that Beatz described as “the culmination of a constant quest in which beauty meets virtuosity.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796828" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/debethunelounge1916newyork.png.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Inside the new De Bethune lounge at the 1916 Company New York. Image courtesy of De Bethune</figcaption></figure>



And, in case you need another reason to celebrate, De Bethune is opening its first dedicated space in the US, joining two other locations in Geneva and Hong Kong. Known as the De Bethune Lounge at the 1916 Company New York, it is housed in the Big Apple’s Fuller Building on Madison Avenue. There, you can explore De Bethune’s rotating collection of timepieces, both old and new, and eventually use its upcoming custom-strap service on your favourite models from the watchmaker. You won’t have to wait long to check it out, either: The new space will start welcoming customers via private appointment starting 24 March.

collab

De Bethune

Dual-dial watch

Swizz Beatz

Watch

De Bethune and Swizz Beatz Team Up (Again) on a Bonkers Dual-Dial Watch

<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/pershing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pershing</a>’s sporty fleet just got a new member.



The Italian shipyard, part of the Ferretti Group, launched its first GTX70 from the port of Fano last week. The third model in the brand’s Sport Utility&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/yachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yachts</a> range, the 72-footer offers up all the agility and space you’d expect from a Pershing—just in a slightly smaller package.



The GTX70 is the brainchild of Vallicelli Design, the Ferretti engineering department, and the group’s Product Strategy Committee, led by Piero Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari’s son—which makes sense, given the yacht’s supercar-like exterior. With a nearly 18-foot beam, the launch is decked out in Pershing’s signature grey, with sweeping lines that can be seen across the exterior.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796834" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pershinggtx70aerial.png.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pershing’s sporty GTX70 can hit a top speed of 35 knots. Image courtesy of Pershing</figcaption></figure>



That exterior (and interior) space is more extensive than other models of a similar length, Pershing says, and that can be seen especially in the beach area aft. On this first GTX70, the yard placed a sunpad on the transom; the space’s stern swim platform, besides being the perfect spot to launch your Jet Ski, comes with dual linear lift tech, which gives you more space to unwind by aligning the platform with the beach area. In total, the area spans about 248 square feet when the side terraces are open.



As for the sportbridge, the 172-square-foot space is divided into three zones: a spot for sunbathing, a dining area, and the helm station. This first GTX70 also comes with an electric bimini top, which can give you some much-needed shade in the helm and the dining area if you’ve spent too much time in the sun.



The main deck, meanwhile, has a sprawling, open layout. Here, the owners can enjoy a fully shaded cockpit, with a sofa and a table. Heading inside, the exterior and interior space are connected by the galley, much like on the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/pershing-new-gtx80-sport-yacht-1235486267/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GTX80</a>. The L-shaped sofas inside are done up in a dark nubuck leather, while the muted tones of the stairwell close by add contrast to the area.



Accommodations onboard, also crafted to optimise space, include three cabins and three en suite bathrooms on the lower deck. In terms of grunt, the GTX70 has three 900 hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS12000, which helps bush the yacht to a top speed of 35 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots.



As we mentioned, the GTX70 does share some similarities with the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/pershing-gtx80-yacht-1236011533/">G</a><a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/pershing-gtx80-yacht-1236011533/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TX80</a>, which we checked out at the Cannes Yachting Festival last year. That weekend cruiser, a touch larger than Pershing’s newest launch, also has a spacious beach area and an open-concept main deck. After all, two sporty yachts are always better than one.

Ferretti Group

Pershing

Yacht

Pershing Just Launched Its New Sporty 72-Foot Yacht

By Michael Verdon, Julia Zaltzman, and P. Ramakrishnan



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sailing Towards Sustainability</h2>



For a growing number of younger sailors, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword but the chief driver behind their new builds. Designers and shipyards understand that their vessels must now be the bleeding edge of green technology.



“The wonderful thing about sailing is that you can move a 50-ton vessel in style across the Atlantic without using fossil fuel,” says Anders Berg of Dixon Yacht Design, highlighting sailing’s windharnessing advantage over powerboats. A younger, more tech-savvy clientele has emerged, with “different expectations that are catalysing new technologies.” 



“Our demographics changed tremendously after we started building hybrid boats,” notes Seth Hynes, president of HH Catamarans, a producer of luxury sailing cats from 44 to 88 feet. “We’re now looking at mostly younger buyers—families taking sabbaticals or first-time owners living off the grid.”



Hybrid propulsion has significantly lowered emissions compared to conventional diesel power, while solar panels designed into the exterior and lithium-ion batteries recharged by the spinning of the props are becoming integral to the latest generation of bespoke sailing yachts. Green technology is also trickling, albeit more slowly, into production sailboats.



In a reverse trend, designer Bill Tripp has seen motoryacht owners gravitate toward sailing vessels. “About a third of new clients at Y Yachts owned powerboats,” he explains, adding that the tech transfer represents a “seismic shift” during his 47 years as a naval architect: “There are great opportunities now for owners who approach this reflectively.”



One of Tripp’s clients is building a 70-foot “pure-electric” world-cruising sailboat with zero fossil-fuel components. But that remains rare. “Sailing’s still waiting for its Tesla moment, when batteries are light and powerful enough to make a boat independent,” he adds. 



Nobody believes the demand for increased sustainability will fade. “It’s accelerating,” says Berg, citing a recent clean-sheet project he designed around emerging technology rather than trying to pigeonhole alternative-propulsion components into a traditional hull. “This new generation of owners want things nobody asked for five years ago,” adds Tripp. “They want, and will eventually get, perpetual-motion machines.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796238" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/www-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Courtesy of Lürssen: Klaus Jordan</figcaption></figure>



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



Kismet



The latest and largest Kismet is the third yacht of the same name for Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. At 400 feet, it’s 88 feet longer than its predecessor, though it shares flash features such as a basketball court on the helipad, video walls, wild chandeliers, and a silver jaguar inlaid into the bowsprit. The interior by Reymond Langton is tastefully flamboyant. The full-beam, two-level owner’s apartment is accented in gold, tempered by the fireplace, marbled bathrooms, dressing rooms, and enormous skylight above the bed. Other over-the-top features include a cryotherapy chamber, a Bogányi grand piano on the upper deck, and a “Tron Corridor” with a dance floor that flashes pink and blue. The cinema may claim the Khan prize for coolest feature: Under the 150-inch television is a Nemo Lounge, a window to whatever is swimming outside. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796242" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/wb-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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



Wally



Wallywhy150



As the latest addition to the Wally fleet, the Wallywhy150 is a stunning 79-foot motoryacht that advances the design principles established by its predecessors. Studio Vallicelli Design was tapped to come up with the luxurious interiors, collaborating with the Wally-Ferretti Group team to create this cutting-edge vessel. Showcasing an ingenious layout that prioritises accessibility and flexibility, the Wallywhy150 features a master cabin on the main deck with expansive panoramic views and a unique split-level saloon that flows effortlessly onto an aft terrace—an embodiment of Wally’s signature “terrace-on-the-sea” concept. It also offers direct access to the sea at cockpit level, sans stairs—effectively a loft floating above the water.



Wally, a distinguished brand under the aegis of Ferretti Group, has consistently set the benchmark for innovation, seamlessly blending advanced technology with contemporary design. Engineered for stability and speed, the Wallywhy150 boasts a cruising range of 400 miles, powered by three optional Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines capable of reaching 23 knots. With its impressive interior volume and adaptability for various uses, this motoryacht promises an extraordinary experience. As founder Luca Bassani intended, the essence of Wally lies in its audacious reimagining of what a yacht can be, ensuring it resonates with discerning owners worldwide. Without a doubt, the Wallywhy150 is a zippy model to add to the collection.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="956" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-1024x956.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796244" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-1024x956.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-300x280.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-768x717.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3-1536x1434.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w3.jpg 1714w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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



Ultra G



This Heesen, one of the fastest yachts in its class, is powered by MTU diesels with a total of 22,000 hp, connected to four water jets, that deliver a top speed of 37 knots. Speed is essential for the angling-obsessed owner to reach cruising grounds 100 miles offshore. But even with a fishing platform and an angler’s lounge (with screens showing live underwater feeds), the owner refers to Ultra G as a fast superyacht rather than a sportfisherman. That’s one reason why we chose this 197-footer—its speed doesn’t compromise comfort. The other is the Harrison Eidsgaard interior, which features a full owner’s bridge deck with an aft-facing suite, private terrace, and whirlpool. The yacht’s media room includes a cinema and games table, and in addition to the requisite sauna and steam room, the wellness area boasts a snow room. A surprising architectural highlight: the central staircase that winds through a glass-topped atrium.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796245" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Floating Residence</h3>



Ulyssia



Soon in the near future, Ulyssia, a residential yacht like no other, is set to redefine the meaning of luxury living at sea. Designed by the renowned Espen .ino and constructed by Meyer Yachts with interiors by FM Architettura, this 1,050-foot behemoth will comprise 133 one- to six-bedroom residences for purchase, ranging from penthouses to duplexes and more, all with uninterrupted sea views and private terraces, and 22 guest suites for rent for visiting guests.



On board, cutting-edge technology and world-class leisure, entertainment, and health and fitness amenities further enhance the opulent experience. It would be easier to note what Ulyssia won’t offer, as its facilities encompass a dive centre, spa, hair and beauty salon, medical centre, indoor and outdoor pools, walking track, multiple restaurants and bars, wine cellar, gourmet market, padel and pickleball courts, conference rooms, golf club and simulator, art studio&#8230; the list goes on. Residents aboard Ulyssia can relish private voyages to iconic destinations and remote locales, making up a vibrant community of discerning individuals who can positively impact the regions they explore. (Ulyssia plans to partner with charitable organisations to introduce its residents to different marine conservation projects around the world.)



Environmental concerns are also addressed through design and engineering measures to minimise Ulyssia’s carbon footprint. With a commitment to sustainability, philanthropy, exceptional service, and unmatched lifestyle, Ulyssia is positioned as a beacon of innovation in the luxury yacht sector, inviting individuals to “live without boundaries.”



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



Special One



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796246" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/w1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Royal Huisman’s 171-foot Special One is the largest and most heavily customised sportfisherman ever. Studio Vripack did its best to define the vessel as a serious offshore battlewagon, with a dramatically long forefoot, high bulwarks, six decks, and signature tuna tower on top. In profile, it looks like a conventional sportfisherman on steroids. In the stern is an oversized angler’s cockpit, complete with the requisite fighting chair. Four tiered aft decks give spectators a view of the action, while the tuna tower is designed for spotting pelagics many miles away. Despite the interior luxuries, this vessel is no pretender: It’s equipped with live-bait wells, rod holders, fish freezers, tuna tubes, and a bait-and-tackle room. On the foredeck, an outdoor cinema screen and studio-quality speakers provide a postcatch respite from fishing.

gigayacht

Kismet

Luxury

Luxury vessels

Megayacht

Ultra G

Ulyssia

Wally

Wallywhy150

The Best in Water 2025, From Gigayacht Kismet and Wally’s Wallywhy150 to Ulyssia Floating Residence

This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRdt9F3RtIQ&amp;t=2s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video</a> shows what it’s like to approach the mythical 54-knot (62.1 mph, 100 kmh) speed barrier, considered the supersonic barrier on the water, on an unpowered sailboat. At that speed, cavitation beneath the water begins to slow down any hull, and with no motor to push it through, the hull design is critical for moving beyond that hump. 



The team behind the rocket-like <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/sp80-sailboat-break-speed-record-1235060507/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SP80</a> foiler, which recently reached 51-plus knots (59.03 mph), plans to soon cross the magical 54-knot line on its way to beating the speed record of 65.45 knots (75.3 mph), set by Paul Larsen in 2012 aboard Vestas Sailrocket II.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="686" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-1024x686.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796892" style="width:838px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-1024x686.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-300x201.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg-768x515.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.SP80.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The SP80 uses a giant sail kite (upper left of the image) for propulsion, requiring excessive wind and a smart hull design. Image courtesy of SP80</figcaption></figure>



“This run above 50 knots allowed us to finally observe the behaviour of our foil in a speed range that remains largely unexplored in the world of sailing,” said Benoît Gaudiot, kite pilot aboard the SP80 experimental raceboat. “We deliberately slowed the boat down just before reaching 52 knots as a precaution, but our analysis of the data indicates that it did not encounter any major barriers.”



The slender, 33-foot foiling trimaran, with sponsons on both sides and a small, protected cockpit for the pilot and a co-pilot, performs more like a kiteboard than a traditional sailing yacht. The team hopes to not only break Vestas Sailrocket II’s record, but shatter it since its boat has a theoretical top speed of 80 knots, or 92 mph. Hence the SP80 name.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796893" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.PilotSP80.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benoît Gaudiot piloting the trimaran, keeping an eye on the kite sail and the waves.  Image courtesy of SP80</figcaption></figure>



Despite its sponsorship by Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille, the SP80 initiative is a shoestring startup launched nine years ago by three friends—Mayeul van den Broek, Xavier Lepercq, and Benoit Gaudiot—who decided to create a boat that would cross the seemingly uncrossable 80-knot mark. The team is using a proprietary—and yet unproven—design that pairs the massive kitesurfing sails with a carbon-fibre hull weighing just 330 pounds. The trimaran initially took more than two years and 40,000 hours to design, and it has since gone through several iterations.



Under the rules, the SP80 is not allowed to use the same type of electronics or lithium batteries to help adjust the sails as, say, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/americas-cup-f1-ocean-next-year-1235434383/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">America’s Cup</a> or <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/what-its-like-on-foiling-yacht-1234865806/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SailGP</a> foilers, even though, proportionally speaking, the SP80 is facing a much higher load on its sails. It’s only allowed to use wind power. As a result, it is testing in one of the world’s windiest stretches outside Leucate, France.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796894" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg.webp 1000w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-1.-MOnaco-Yacht-ShowIMG_0774-1.jpg-768x432.webp 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cofounders Lepercq, van den Broek, and Gaudiot show off the boat at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show. Image courtesy of Laura Manon</figcaption></figure>



“The boat is now close to its full technical potential,” says SP80 pilot Mayeul van den Broek. “The challenge for Benoît and I now is to sail as much as possible to master the boatʼs behaviour from 0 to over 70 knots (130 km/h). We need to fine-tune our trajectories, improve our synchronisation, and push the machine even further.”



One mistake at these speeds could shatter the boat.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796895" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.VestusSailrocket.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The current record holder, the Vestas Sailrocket II, used a very different sail technology in 2012.  Image courtesy of Vestus Sailrocket</figcaption></figure>



“The weather has not always been favourable, with winds often too light to accumulate significant sailing hours,” added van den Broek. “But with each outing, we can feel it—the logistics are running smoothly, the boat wants to go faster. All we need now is more time on the water to unleash its full potential.”



It hopes to reach that potential in the next few weeks.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, the Swiss team has a French competitor,&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/moonshoti-smash-sailing-speed-record-1234655312/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Syroco</a>, employing a kitesurfing sail that actually lifts the vessel above the water. But it will be tethered to the water by a long fin below the surface that serves as a sea anchor. That team plans to up the SP80’s ante by sailing just a hair faster, at 80.99 knots (or 93.2 mph).

super yacht

trimaran

This Trimaran Uses a Giant Kite to Hit Lightning-Fast Speeds, and It Could Break a Sailing Record

<a href="https://robbreport.com/feature/20-best-superyacht-shipyards-2835363/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nautor Swan</a>&nbsp;announced that it had formed a superyacht division for its iconic sailboats.&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/sanlorenzo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sanlorenzo</a>&nbsp;Yachts, which acquired the Finnish sailboat builder last June, held a roundtable press conference aboard one of its superyachts at the&nbsp;<a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/palm-beach-international-boat-show-new-launches-2025-1236362830-1236362830/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palm Beach International Boat Show</a>&nbsp;to announce the new series.



The first vessel will be a 43-metre (141-foot) Maxi alloy sailing yacht, expected to be launched in 2028. <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/nautor-swan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nautor Swan</a> CEO Giovanni Pomati said the largest maxi sailing yacht they have is a 128-footer, which is scheduled to launch later this year. “As you can imagine, the owners of those kind of boats are looking for even bigger ones,” Pomati said at the press conference. Eventually, the brand will build a 56-metre (184-foot) vessel and a 65-metre-plus (213-foot) superyacht as part of the series.



The market for large <a href="https://robbreport.com/tag/sailing-superyachts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sailing superyachts</a> is a fraction of the motoryacht segment above 100 feet, with firms like <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/new-perini-navi-yachts-2820124/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perini Navi</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/royal-huisman-worlds-tallest-sailing-yacht-1235593085/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Huisman</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/baltic-yachts-first-catamaran-1235878141/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baltic Yachts</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/southern-wind-hybrid-sailing-yacht-gelliceaux-1235384254/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Wind</a>, each turning out one or two boats per year. Of course, the two largest-ever sailing yachts came from <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/worlds-largest-sailing-yachts-1236116901/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceanco</a>, <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/slideshow/best-of-the-best-top-7-yachts-of-the-year/2797055/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Pearl</a> and Jeff Bezos’s <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/jeff-bezos-koru-sailing-superyacht-1235852521/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Koru</a>. The new Nautor Swans will be built of an aluminium alloy, which requires specialised technology and knowledge that Nautor Swan will import from the Netherlands. The new superyachts will also be built at a facility near Sanlorenzo’s headquarters in Viareggio, Italy, which will also have its own technical centre. Pomati noted that Sanlorenzo’s much larger size and engineering capacity gives the project “financial and material synergies” to create the new line of maxi yachts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="575" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-1024x575.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796917" style="width:839px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-1024x575.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg-768x431.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RR_MV_032425_1.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The first rendering of the new 43M Nautor Swan sailing superyacht. Image courtesy of Nautor Swan</figcaption></figure>



Sanlorenzo chairman Massimo Perotti noted that one of his powerboat brands, Bluegame, built and designed a hydrogen-powered tender for the US America’s Cup team, American Magic, which competed in last year’s event in Barcelona. “That was an important step for Swan,” said Perotti, noting that sustainability will be a mantra for the motoryacht builder going forward. Last year, it launched the world’s first 164-foot <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/sanlorenzo-launches-50steel-superyacht-1235622752/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">50Steel Almax</a> motoryacht, incorporating a green-methanol fuel cell that powers its hotel load with zero carbon emissions. By 2028, it will have another superyacht powered by 80 per cent carbon-free methanol to propel the boat.



Nautor Swan also launched its first hybrid sailing yacht last summer, the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/nautor-swan-launches-first-hybrid-sailing-yacht-1235591698/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swan 88</a>, which previewed at the <a href="https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/gallery/monaco-yacht-show-2024-1235866205/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monaco Yacht Show</a>. In Palm Beach, Perotti also spoke about designing and building the “perfect sailboat” within the next five years, that will be powered only by wind and an electric generator in the lower decks that produces up to 50 KwH of energy. “That will be enough to power a 40-metre (131-foot) boat at eight knots,” he said. “It also puts us well on the road to being carbon-neutral by 2030.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-1234796918" style="width:840px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-300x169.webp 300w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg-768x432.webp 768w, https://cms.robbreport.hk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2.-JC-BM-6235.jpg.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sanlorenzo’s Massimo Perotti, Nautor Swan CEO Giovanni Pomati, Edmiston sailing superyacht expert Bruce Brakenhoff, and Edmiston CEO Jamie Edmiston have teamed up to launch the division. Image courtesy of Sanlorenzo</figcaption></figure>



But the purpose of the press conference was the new Swan Maxi alloy series. Pomati said the initial engineering has begun, and the team released an initial rendering that shows a long, slender vessel, but without much detail. Edmiston Yachts, which has sold more large sailing superyachts than any other brokerage firm, will also be part of the initiative. “We’re going to work very closely with Massimo and Giovanni to help innovate the product,” said Jamie Edmiston, the brand’s CEO. “We’ve got a reasonably good idea what we think is going to sell in the marketplace. And then we’re going to be very focused on the sales and marketing and putting the opportunities in front of the client base worldwide.”



Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design will design the new line.&nbsp;Antonio Santella, who launched Sanlorenzo’s superyacht division, will also oversee this new division. The sales and marketing office will be in Newport, Rhode Island, which many consider the historic home of competitive sailing. It has hosted many America’s Cup events since the first in 1930, and the New York Yacht Club, which sponsored American Magic, has its summer headquarters there. Bruce Brakenhoff, former president of Perini Navi USA, is now a broker at Edmiston and will lead the sales effort. “I am positive that we can do well with this new product,” said Brakenhoff at the press conference. “There is absolutely a hole in the marketplace.”



It’s a hole that this team plans to fill in the next five years.

Nautor Swan

Sanlorenzo Yachts

This New Line of Sailing Superyachts Will Be Made From an Aluminium Alloy

For the latest edition of&nbsp;Leaders of Luxury, CEO of Humansa, Don So, emphasises his—ipso facto his company’s—focus on optimising health rather than simply preventing illness. With a background in technology and finance, he highlights the need for integrated health management, addressing issues like fragmentation and literacy in healthcare.



For this&nbsp;Robb Report Hong Kong&nbsp;digital exclusive, So unveils an inside look at Humansa as it aims to provide a holistic approach to longevity, combining medical expertise with lifestyle education and community support. Humansa targets various age groups, notably younger clients, and leverages technology, including AI, to enhance health outcomes. All this and so much more with the head of a company that ultimately seeks to empower individuals to enjoy life longer by prioritising their health and well-being—the ultimate luxury.



Video by Chris Yau.&nbsp;

Don So

Humansa

Leaders of Luxury

Leaders of Luxury: Don So, CEO of Humansa 