#helvet magazine Verbier | Winter 2018-2019 | EN by district creative lab

living the high life

Verbier

Verbier / Winter 2018-2019

Beneath the swirling snowflakes, a vibrant resort sits contentedly at the heart of one of the most beautiful freeride areas in the world.

Living the high life

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Editorial Pure energy lives here A Swiss Nordmann with its deep green hues or a spruce with its delicate needles? Baubles or tinsel? Pine cones or a star? The choices are tough but the cause is a good one. The festive season is just around the corner, the grey landscape is receding, and a white blanket is gradually descending from high ground to low. The time has come to soak up, with starry eyes, the panoramic views and the promise of Verbier. There, in the mountains, lies a newly liberated world. The intricate web woven by the ski lifts spins out from the centre of the village, a nerve centre in its own right. There is only one direction and that is up, to the lofty peaks, the snow-covered summits, and the silvery glaciers, places of striking purity perched high up above the gloomy valleys, where, in the hustle and bustle, man too often forgets the need to take a breath and live life with calm. The freeriding community has made Verbier one of its capitals. The inhabitants of their madcap world are on a carefree quest for intensity, thrills, and emotion too, played out on the long-awaited virgin snow that envelops this gorgeous corner of the world. Beyond the uppermost lifts, where man can do nothing to make his mark, the Alps reign supreme. You could be forgiven for thinking you are in deepest Alaska. And though youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not, you are at one with nature and its intangible realities. Back at the resort, the passions aroused by the surroundings are echoed by the pulsating aprĂ¨s-ski scene, where positive energy is released in great quantity by a multifaceted and multicultural crowd united not by language or customs but by the same love for life. This enthusiasm is shared by many. As proof, Verbier has recently won the title of 2018 Best Swiss Ski Resort, at the World Ski Awards ceremony, while the W Verbier was awarded the position of 2018 Best Swiss Ski Hotel. A nice double win! It is this timeless and reassuring beauty that reaches our heart and soul and the passion that Verbier generates around the world that Helvet wants to share with you, both in this magazine and in a very fine book devoted to the Val de Bagnes, the resort and its very best chalets. A host of winter retreats, a host of dreams awakened, and a host of opportunities for the Helvet brand to shine a light on a Switzerland that is both our success story and its own. Christian Bugnon

Publisher & Editor-in-chief

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REDEFINING THE LUXURY CHALE T E XPERIENCE

brambleski.com

Contents 14

News Winter 2018-2019 20

Verbier – Zermatt via the Haute Route 26

La Cordée des Alpes An Opulent Getaway 30

Ski area The joys of Les 4 Vallées 34

Portfolio Melody Sky in tune with the mountains 46

Portrait Jean-Nicolas Michaud

Steiger & Cie Real estate from A (for Alps) to Z (for Zermatt) 84

Verbier Festival Symphony of the Summits 90

Freeride Meeting the Xtreme 97

The closely guarded secrets of the Bagnes Valley raclette 98

Charity Night A winning blend of fun and philanthropy 100

W Verbier

The incomparable

Trends

Chalet Chouqui Chalet Bioley 66

High Jewellery Legendary jewels 74

High Jewellery Watches When time becomes all the more precious

106

Watches 111

Watch Fairs Where the best convene 112

Trends Luxury

Editing, administration and advertising CB Communication sàrl I Place de l’Hôtel de Ville 2 – 1110 Morges - Suisse I info@cbcommunication.swiss I www.cbcommunication.swiss I Tel : +41 21 312 41 41, Fax : +41 21 312 41 11 | 30° degrees magazine special issue Editor-in-chief Christian Bugnon : christian@cbcommunication.swiss Assistant Mélissa Hertzeisen : melissa@cbcommunication.swiss Writers (in order of appearance) Claude Hervé-Bazin, Daniel Bauchervez, Nathalie Cobos, Sophie Czaplejewicz, Isabelle Guignet, Christian Bugnon Photographers (in order of appearance) Yves Garneau, La Cordée des Alpes, Melody Sky, Sven de Almeida, Thomas Roulin, Stéphane Ouzounoff, Christian Lutz, Pierre-Henri Verlhac, Gérard Monico, David Carlier, Martin Wichardt, Verbier Promotion, PPR Media Relations / Dominic Steinmann Graphic design District Creative Lab – Sandy Chanel, Camille Deillon, Tania Bétrisey, (AD) Alexandre Henriques, (AD) Christian Bugnon English translation Simon Till, Paul Subrenat Photo-offset printing Images 3 Advertising info@cbcommunication.swiss Copyright © 2018 helvet magazine, Unauthorized duplication/copying of all or any part of this magazine is strictly prohibited without the express prior permission of the rightful owners. Cover : Yves Garneau | Next issue: winter 2019-2020 I from the same collection: the helvet Verbier book – helvet Zermatt magazine | available on www.helvet.swiss Living the high life

Holiday camps

news

Smart vacations

at Les Elfes

Based in Verbier, with satellites at La Tzoumaz and Crans-Montana, Les Elfes have for the past 30 years been holding winter and summer holiday camps for children ages 7 to 18 years.

Winter 2018-2019 Winter sports

Ski touring: an enchanting

getaway

Rosablanche, Parrain, Fenêtre d’Allèves, Méteiller, Pierre Avoi, Fou, Rogneux, Tête de la Payanne ... the 4 Vallées ski area

From early December to the end of August, over 70 nationalities rub shoulders in a highly international environment while enjoying sports activities, language courses, personal deve-

pool, heated to a comfortable

Verbier counts no less than seven

lopment sessions, and group

29°C, complete with an open

paragliding schools that offer

outings. It’s the perfect oppor-

fireplace and adjacent Jacuzzi,

tandem aerial experiences and

tunity to improve in sports and

a sauna, steam room and three

training sessions. And it’s even

linguistic abilities while having

separate massage booths where

easier in the winter with your

fun and making new friends!

guests are pampered with Cinq

skis on. Taking off from Les

www.leselfes.com

Mondes and Karin Herzog treat-

Ruinettes, which is easy to get to

ments. The spa is open to the

by gondola, you can fly over the

public every day, from 10.00

sunny cirque of the resort and,

a.m. to 8.00 p.m. but can also

on a clear day, discover what lies

be privatised if you prefer so-

beyond the snow-capped peaks

mething more intimate.

as thermals often allow pilots

http://www.hotelcordee.com/en/

to attain heights of more than

relax/wellness-area/

3,000 m. A peaceful moment

Wellness

Your very

reached with seal skins.

own spa

After one, two, or up to five

La Cordée des Alpes, member

hours of walking on tails and

of the Small Luxury Hotels of

tips, hikers with some expe-

the World, is one of Verbier’s

rience can discover and enjoy

most reputed establishments

truly unique sensations in a

and home to a fabulously dis-

pure and unspoiled setting.

cerning spa where a timeless

However, it is recommended

carved wooden décor is cle-

not to throw oneself headlong

verly imprinted with sleek

into the beckoning powder

modern style. It boasts a 15 m

abounds with peaks that can be

without first securing the services of a knowledgeable guide. Competitive types can take the Chemin du Rogneux so they can time themselves on the section between Lourtier and Cabane Brunet which has timing antennas along the way! Times can be recorded using a smartphone app. www.verbier.ch/fr/ski-de-randonnee.htm www.guideverbier.com

before gently touching down on

Sport

Bagnes Valley

as seen from

the sky

the slopes. www.flyverbier.ch www.verbier-summits.com www.gravite0.ch

Mountain refuge

Simple pleasures

at La

Cabane du Mont-Fort

La Cabane du Mont-Fort is a bit like a catchy song - once you’ve

and which comes with nine

snow carry you to the wild dell

treatment rooms, a 15 m pool,

of Arbi, or swing over towards

a steam room, Finnish sauna

Nendaz or Siviez. Or better yet:

and gym. Not to mention the

take the cable car to Mont-Fort

home cinema, hairdresser,

(3330 m) and greet the majestic

disco and vodka bar. And they

trio of the Combins range, the

also serve sushi!

Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

www.l-raphael.com/en/verbier

www.4vallees.ch

Chalet-beauty-spa.html

Winter sports

Hotels

mate atmosphere, carefully

4 Vallées:

Experimental

their hallmark - a bar right in

land of Chalet

selected seasonal produce and, the middle! Experimental Chalet embraces these criteria and varnishes them with a mountain

tain refuge is perched at 2,457 m

dreams opens in

halfway between La Chaux and

From groomed runs to powder

the Col des Gentianes, and has

slopes, from tree slaloms to the

Verbier

been run under the expert mana-

steepest chutes, the 4 Vallées (4

It started with a bar in Pa-

spa, an après-ski cocktail bar,

gement of Daniel Bruchez and

Valleys) offers everything you

ris which turned into a hotel

a bistro serving traditional Al-

his wife Frances since 1983.

could wish for when it comes to

group that planted its flag in

pine fare with a contemporary

Skiers are guaranteed a warm

ski sports. Start the adventure by

the swankiest spots on the pla-

twist, ... and the famous Farm

welcome from December to mid-

heading to the Ruinettes (2200 m)

net: New York, London, Ibiza

Club nightclub which has been

May and a seat at the table to en-

and the Attelas (2727m) to enter a

and now Verbier (at what used

incorporated into the building.

joy delicious home-made meals,

sparkling world blanketed with

to be the Nevaï). The brand’s

Decidedly hip.

including the obligatory fondue,

white gold. From there, let the

concept is based on an inti-

www.experimentalchalet.com

heard about it, you can’t get it out of your head! This moun-

slant under the inspiration of trendy interior designer Fabrizio Casiraghi. What’s in store: 39 bedrooms and suites, some with a terrace and Jacuzzi, a

röstis, sausage and pizza. www.cabanemontfort.ch

Beauty

Pamper therapy at theTemple of

Beauty Skin care and anti-ageing pioneer L.Raphael has spas in Geneva, Cannes, New York and Beverly Hills. Now Verbier joins the list with the ultra-luxurious Temple of Beauty located inside a 280 m² spa chalet that can be privatised

Photo : Thomas Crauwels

lighthearted competition that wraps up the season and draws

news

in professional skiers and boarders, local personalities and the public alike (300 qualified participants). Four fun and friendly races are lined up: giant slalom, mini kilometre sprint, ski cross and, since 2018, waterslide — or how to surf across a lake on skis

Ski area

Freeride

in Bruson The small resort of Bruson sits snugly on the western side of Bagnes valley opposite Verbier

(tip: it’s all about the run-up!). Activities, DJs, concerts, snow Jacuzzis and good vibes are also on the agenda. www. verbierhighfive.com

Verbier by night

The Farm

Event

The Bec des

Rosses adrenaline fix

within range are the Weisshorn (4,505 m), the near-perfect pyramid of the Dent Blanche (4,357 m), the Matterhorn (4,478 m) and the Dent d’Hérens (4,171 m), the Combins (4,314 m)

place to ski in the morning as

Club

the rising sun hits the slopes,

Diana Ross, David Bowie, Bono

Xtreme, the prestigious grand

a panoramic view.

and on snowy days when slopes

and James Blunt have danced

finale that tops off the Free-

www.verbier.ch/en/fppoi-igloo-du-

everywhere else turn to mush.

there. The Farm Club is to Ver-

ride World Tour on the legen-

mont-fort-199.html

Freeriders flock here every

bier what the Moulin Rouge is

dary Bec de Rosses. Slope: a

year for a spectacular contest

to Paris: elementary! It was

good 50°. This year’s event

on the slopes of Six-Blanc and

around this establishment that

will take place between 23

La Pointe de Sésal (35-45°). This

the resort’s cosmopolitan night

and 31 March, depending on

year it will be held on 16th Fe-

life slowly grew, starting in

the weather.

bruary and end with a musical

1971. Forty-seven years later,

www.freerideworldtour.com

flourish at the Yeti Party.

it remains the undisputed pillar

www.4vallees.ch

of Verbier’s nights and its glam-

www.brusonfreeride.ch

our! A word of advice: To avoid

(a gondola runs between the two) and is a perfect haven for those aspiring to the quiet life in among the forest. It’s a great

having to queue on freezing

Event

High

Five turns 20!

nights, take a seat at the bar of the Experimental Chalet, where a VIP door leads guests directly to the club. www.experimentalchalet.com/ party

and Mont Blanc. To enjoy the

For 20 years, the most fearless

view without the chill, admire

riders in the world have come

it through the windows of the

together between the end of

snug Mont Fort igloo over a

March and early April for the

unique fondue experience with

Restaurant

Europe’s

highest

fondue

Hotel-chalet

No. 14,

a hotelstyle chalet

We all know about Verbier’s prestigious modern chalets that cater to the elite jet set. No. 14 is unarguably one of them, boasting an indoor pool, spa, cedar-clad whirlpool, private

You don’t need to be a free-

cinema, bespoke London-made

ride demon to reach dizzying

furniture and 15 live-in staff

heights. The view from the

to cater to their guests’ every

sweeping mountain-top ter-

whim. But there’s one big diffe-

Save the date! 6th April 2019 sees

race of the Mont Fort ski lift is

rence; during certain periods,

the 20th edition of High Five

so vast it will almost make you

No. 14 takes bookings for each

by Carlsberg, the unmissable

giddy. The most notable peaks

of their 13 suites by the night,

sical music scene. But Verbier’s

(3,790 m), before leaving your

artistic flair doesn’t end there. In

tracks in the unspoilt powder

January, the biggest names in the

of untouched slopes like a true

international arts world flock to

conqueror. There’s one non-ne-

the Verbier Art Summit for ex-

gotiable condition: you must be

citing debates about art and its

accompanied by a guide.

evolution. These talks are open

www.air-glaciers.ch, www.helialps.

to the public. Meanwhile, the 3D

ch, www.guideverbier.com

Sculpture Park is here all year round; its giant creations which veer towards land art are disgiving mere mortals the chance to experience the exclusive luxury of this type of establishment. A unique opportunity. www.no14verbier.com

Winter sports

Freeriding with

a world

Restaurant

The best of

Bagnes cuisine at La Ferme du

Soleil

In the autumn of 2017, pioneers of agrotourism in the Bagnes

played along a panoramic route above the resort between Les Ruinettes and La Chaux. www.verbierartsummit.org, www.3-dfoundation.com

Event

L’Infernale,

a crazy

course

Local ski champion William

Winter sports

Thrills

and spills

Besse has created a winter version of the popular Tough Mudder-style obstacle courses. Infernale will take place on 16th March in Bruson and include

champion

Valley Blaise and Viviane Col-

with heliskiing

per-G slalom, giant slalom, ska-

in Médières, opened a restau-

Freeriding fans will be rub-

rant on their Hérens cattle farm.

Although a rather pricey pas-

with a series of obstacles to be

bing their hands in glee: this

Expect to find home-grown pro-

time, hardcore freeriders will

negotiated to get from one part

winter, between January and

ducts on the menu: osso bucco

find it hard to resist the thrill

of the course to another; think

April, two world champions,

and rump steak, tartares, gratin,

of being dropped from a he-

a tunnel in the snow, a wall of

Xavier De Le Rue and Géraldine

cheeses, fondue and, of course,

licopter at a deserted summit,

tyres, and zig-zag paths through

Fasnacht will take a couple of

an assortment of Valais dried

at least once in their life. Well,

the forest. Participants can take

lucky riders out to show them

meats. You can also buy pro-

guess what: Verbier is their

part on their own or as a team

the ropes of Verbier’s XXL

ducts from their shop and visit

Mecca. Fly to the Petit Com-

and the race is open to adults

freeride domain. An experience

the farm if you let them know

bin (3,663 m), Rosablanche

and children. Fun, festive and

totally beyond your wildest

in advance (telephone +41 (0)78

(3,336 m), the Trient glacier (ap-

furious, with concerts to boot.

dreams, that will only happen

684 63 62).

prox. 3,000 m) or Pigne d’Arolla

www.infernale.ch

four times during the season.

www.facebook.com/La-Ferme-du-

Experience and guts required.

soleil-1423721901259621/

lombin from La Ferme du Soleil

five disciplines: running, suting and special slalom, along

www.guideverbier.com

Event

Artistic Verbier At the ripe old age of 25, the three-week Verbier Festival held in July and August has become a key fixture on the European clas-

Winter sports

news

Sledging in La Tzoumaz:

a legend Think sledging is just for kids? Not in Verbier! Starting from

Après-ski

After the slopes,

the après-

ski

the top of the Savoleyres gondola (2,354 m), with breathtaking views of the village and the mountains, La Tzoumaz boasts no less than 10 km of sledge slope (and 848 m of altitude drop) over sunny hillside and forest paths! This is the longest and fastest slope you’ll find in western Switzerland and promises a scenic ride

With an international reputation

coupled with exhilarating sen-

for its sizzling cosmopolitan

sations. You can hire a sledge

night-life, Verbier is rightfully

in the resort or at the top of the

proud of its legendary après-

gondola.

ski and buzzing clubs. After an

www.verbier.ch/fr/luge.htm

exhilarating day on the slopes, what better than hitting the venues that have put Verbier on the map: Pub Mont-Fort, the Fer à Cheval and the Off-Shore, not forgetting Le Rouge, the Mouton Noir and Off-Piste at W, or Farinet’s après-ski concerts. Follow the beat of the night and take your pick from the ever-fashionable Farm Club, which has been the capital of Verbier’s night-life for 48 years, L’Étoile, Farinet South or La Casbah. www.verbier.ch/en/lifestyle.htm

As the season draws to a close, a handful of Michelin-starred

Gastronomy

High Cuisine :

the culinary events

you won’t want

to miss

chefs from all over Europe will gather at the W hotel for four

good

days of all things gastronomi-

The setting establishes the one:

cal. And you won’t just get to

subdued lighting, warm wood

eat well - you’ll also be able to

panelling, deep luxurious couch-

learn their secret tips and tricks

es and thick carpets. A standard

during lessons held every mor-

bearer of Neuchatel jewellery

ning. The evening will be all

and watchmaking for four gen-

about tasting, in the presence

erations, Bijouterie Michaud

of the chefs against a backdrop

opened the doors to its world in

of cocktails, music and fashion

Verbier in 2011. Expertise and the

parades. The 2019 event will be

very best advice are the order of

held from 3 to 6 April.

the day in a store in which every

www.wkitchen-verbier.ch/en/haute

detail recalls the ambiance of a

cuisine

fine chalet, which is all the better for showcasing the elegance

Jewellery

Bijouterie Michaud, time never

looked so

of pieces designed by Rolex, Cartier, Hublot, Breitling, Panerai, H. Moser, Zenith, Tudor, Messika and Shamballa Jewels, to name but a few of the finest brands. Step into the luxurious world of Bijouterie Michaud and you’ll almost forget about the skiing altogether. www.michaud.ch

Collection Move Joaillerie avec Gigi Hadid

#DiamondAddi cti o n

Verbier – Zermatt via the Haute Route Text: Claude Hervé-Bazin / Photos: Yves Garneau

Previous page: The panoramic views of the Grand Combin’s north slope and the great Corbassière glacier are breathtaking.

Rosablanche (3,336 m) is part of the Haute Route but is also a popular day-destination for cross-country skiiers coming from Verbier.

It’s as winter ends and early spring begins that one sets out on this mythical journey. As part of the full Haute Route ski tour, which goes from Chamonix to Zermatt, this section linking Verbier and Zermatt is a 4-5 day journey flush with incredible mountain views. As one sets out from Verbier the village quickly disappears from view. A crystalline atmosphere and profound silence fill the air, reinforced by the cable car’s discreet hum. As one approaches the Col des Gentianes (2,950 m) the skyline is dominated by high mountain peaks. Using a set of climbing skins, the ski tour crossing towards the Col de La Chaux (2,940 m) is rather easy, revealing Mont Fort just above (3,330 m) and the Bec des Rosses (3,223 m) just ahead. A short descent is next, followed by a beautiful sun-kissed climb in the cotton-white, over ridges and flat zones until arriving at Rosablanche (3,336 m). Towards the south lie the Grands Combins in all their glory and, in the far-off distance, Mont Blanc. All one has to do now is ski down the Glacier de Prafleuri towards its cabane (mountain hut) at 2,662 m, where hot showers await. Day two begins with a climb towards the Col des Roux (2,804 m) and a rather long, inconvenient crossing over the eastern slope of the Sâle towards the Pleureur, always heading in the direction of the southern side of Lake Dix (which may be difficult to recognize if it’s still under winter’s snow). From there, a large rocky overhanging leads narrowly into the Pas du Chat. It takes 4-5 hours to reach the Dix Hut from here, giving one plenty of time to soak in the spectacular views of the north face of Mont Blanc de Cheillon (3,870 m), which towers above the Val des Dix.

LIMITLESS VISION

1. The Corbassière Glacier begins to form at the base of the Grand Combin- it’s the fifth longest glacier in Switzerland (9.8 km).

2. It’s not all steep climbs- vast, snow-covered plateaus also provide a welcome break and give one extra time to enjoy the incredible views.

XXL GOGGLES

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The next day’s long, steep climb towards Pigne d’Arolla (3,790 m) is broken up by an icy passage requiring crampons and roping up at La Serpentine. The reward is not far off and the summit offers unobstructed views of the entire Haute Route passage, from Chamonix to Zermatt, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. While soaking in the views, true Haute Route regulars may find their minds already drifting towards the rösti that awaits them at the Vignettes Hut. Day four is dismal. Strong winds brutally drive the sleet into any bit of exposed skin with a biting sting. The climb to Col de l’Évêque (3,386 m) feels never-ending and the descent over the Arolla glacier feels more dangerous than amusing. The final leg towards the Bertol Hut includes a dishearteningly steep climb (nearly 800 meters in altitude change), and an obligatory climb over long metal ladders that are drilled into the rocks themselves… ugh. And yet the last part of the journey boasts incredible views, making it worth the struggle, especially when good weather returns. The exceptional lookout reveals the Tête Blanche (3,710 m) at the Italian border, Dent Blanche (4,357 m)

to the northeast, Dent d’Hérens (4,174 m) ahead, and the Matterhorn (4,478 m) in the distance. The five-hour descent down the northern slopes towards Zermatt takes one between serac tops and suspended glaciers. A journey that feels almost too short given the unparalleled beauty of the view. On a technical level, the trail is designed for skiers in good physical condition who are able to travel four to five hours at medium speed (at around 300 m in positive altitude change per hour). Les Guides de Verbier offer an organized trip leaving March 24, 2019, available for four or more participants for 1,300 francs/person, including half-board at the cabanes (technical equipment and transportation included).

www.guideverbier.com www.cabanedesdix.com www.cabanedesvignettes.ch www.bertol.ch www.slf.ch (avalanche updates) 25

La Cordée des Alpes An Opulent Getaway Text: Claude Hervé-Bazin / Photos: La Cordée des Alpes

Most of the rooms in the hotel have a balcony facing South, offering a perfect view of the Grand Combin massif.

La Cordée is a hotel, a residence, and a prestigious chalet, combining the timelessness of the mountain spirit with a contemporary design and friendly atmosphere. Nestled in the background are all the services of a luxury four-star plus establishment. At La Cordée des Alpes, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, it’s all about discreet luxury in inviting surroundings which cater to your well-being. The décor is discerning; contemporary interiors infused with subtle touches of nostalgia harking back to the Alps of times gone by. A pair of old, weather-worn skis lean delicately against the wall, old wooden panelling and furniture feature throughout, and the intricacy of the carved balconies is akin to lace. The cosy décor makes you instantly feel at home — but better! In the 32 bedrooms and suites, the quilts are plumped up like clouds, the pillows dreamily soft, and cosy throws yearn for you to wrap yourself up in them — an unadulterated invitation to kick back and relax. Further on, you come to a lounge area with a fireplace, a huge bathroom and a balcony offering a panoramic view of the mountains. The pursuit of well-being continues in a delicious spa (that can be privatised) in the basement. Sink into the water in the Jacuzzi or do a few gentle laps in the adjacent 15 m pool (heated to 29 °C), surrounded by high vaulted ceilings and sculpted wooden screens. Along with the steam room and a

sauna, there’s a warm stone bench, a fireplace, a panoramic view and three wellness rooms where you will find Cinq Mondes and Karin Herzog Spa treatments with aromatic plants and Balinese fruit. La Cordée’s fine dining restaurant (Gault&Millau’s verdict: 14 out of 20) is a blend of urban brasserie, cosy booths, exposed beams and shuttered windows which lay claim to its Alpine identity. Working away in the open kitchen is the chef Fabrice Taulier who comes from Cannes and has worked in a number of Michelin-starred restaurants in France and Switzerland. He swears by fresh and local products. Tucked inside La Cordée des Alpes there are also 17 very high-end private apartments (ranging from 75 to 300 m²!), some of which can be hired for the day or by the week. Comprising two or three bedrooms, they can accommodate up to six guests and have access to the same services as the hotel’s rooms. They also come with the personalised services of a concierge, which can be called upon to book private ski lessons or a mountain guide for example. Ultimate luxury. www.hotelcordee.com

Your partner for real estate acquisitions and sales in Verbier, Crans-Montana and Zermatt.

Steiger&Cie | Rue de la Poste 11, 1936 Verbier | +41 27 771 81 71 | verbier@steigercie.ch | www.steigercie.ch

The joys of Les 4 Vallées Text: Claude Hervé-Bazin / Photo: Yves Garneau

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Previous page: Powdery groomed slopes, Alpine backdrops and mogul fields; these are some of the best things Verbier has to offer.

The largest all-Swiss ski area, Les 4 Vallées boasts 115 runs stretching for 412 kilometres in total and weaving a network that links no fewer than six resorts together. It is no surprise, then, that it occupies a privileged position on the European skiing scene, a position enhanced by the appeal of one of the world’s most stunning freeride areas, which makes for quite a backdrop. While the name of Verbier is always up in lights, its ski area is far bigger than the resort itself. The appropriately named 4 Vallées extends, in fact, from both sides of the Val de Bagnes (in the west), through the untamed Vallon d’Arbi and the Val de Nendaz, and on to the Val d’Hérémence (in the east). These four valleys are joined by a welter of peaks and summits so numerous that counting them is no easy task. From the beating heart of Verbier, the resort’s newly installed, comfortable and speedy ski lifts (82 of them at the last count) climb over the natural balconies of Savoleyres, La Croix-de-Cœur, Les Ruinettes and La Chaux, dotted on the crests of the amphitheatre formed by the resort, which faces due south, out to the Combins and Mont Blanc massifs. Panoramic is not the word. Into the bargain there is a vast range of blue and red runs for intermediate skiers to enjoy, with snow guaranteed by a battery of snow cannons should the weather fail to deliver. On the eastern side we soar up to the peaks of Les Attelas (2,727 m), Mont Gelé (3,023 m), the Col des Gentianes (2,950 m) and, up above, Mont Fort (3,330 m), the high point of the ski area and a place that affords the most stunning views of the Pennine Alps. Anything is possible from here, provided that you have the skills. The pick of the runs are the black one that shoots down from the summit and features long moguls sections, and the yellow runs (marked but not groomed), which offer a taste of freeride. And there’s a whole host of altitude bars and restaurants to meet your R&R needs.

Over on the northern side, we swing our way through the forest to La Tzoumaz, a tranquil family resort with a newly installed travellator, making it ideal for beginners. Blues and reds also prevail here. Lying just to the north of MontFort, Nendaz is famed for its snow cover and proud of its “families welcome” tag, as the presence of two snow gardens, two day-care centres, a snowpark, a snow tubing park and an ice rink shows. On the opposite side of the valley stands the authentically unassuming Veysonnaz, which is home to just eight runs, among them the celebrated Piste de l’Ours, the venue of many a World Cup event. Situated on the western flank of the Val d’Hérémence, Thyon, with its three terraces ranging in altitude from 1,600 m to 2,000 m, offers copious amounts of sunshine, facilities for children (including a snow garden), a beginners-only area (with three runs), and an excellent snowpark by the name of Centralpark. Treasure hunts are also held on the blue runs. And let us not forget the smallest ski area of them all: Bruson. Getting there involves taking the Châble gondola lift down from Verbier and then climbing back up the opposite side of the Val de Bagnes. At journey’s end lie a fistful of runs (most of them red), good snow cover, and some superb semi-wild runs through the forest, for those of you who like to go off the marked track. www.4vallees.ch 33

Melody Sky in tune with the mountains Text: Claude HervĂŠ-Bazin / Photos: Melody Sky

Previous page: Towering above the valleys of Bagnes, Entremont and Ferret, submerged beneath a thick blanket of clouds, the Mont Blanc massif provides an extensive backdrop to the French-Swiss border, from Mont Dolent (3,820Â m) in the west to the Aiguille du Tour (3,540 m) in the east.

The call of the powdery snow fields below the Col de Mourti (2,908 m) is irresistible. Situated at the foot of the Rosablanche (3,336 m), the sector overlooks the Lac des Dix away in the distance. Ski tourers often pass through here en route to the Dix mountain hut.

The Valais Alps lie beneath the summit of Mont GelĂŠ (3,023 m), served by a cable car that links up with the 4 VallĂŠes ski area. At its foot lie two off-piste runs marked out in fairly rudimentary fashion and providing a perfect introduction to the joys of freeride.

1. A Verbier resident for the last 15 years, having skied on three continents, Swedish ski professional Anders Fritzon can sniff out powdery slopes better than anyone, a gift he displays here near the Mont-Fort mountain hut. 2. Heavy snowfall followed by a sunny day: snowboard guide André Sommer could not wish for more. In the background stand the Aiguille d’Argentière (3,940 m) and the Aiguille du Chardonnet (3,824 m), due west. 3. The lure of skiing is huge. Many, like Veronika Manhal, have moved to Verbier to make the most of the stunning freeride area that surrounds it. Here she is, hurtling down the slopes of Fontanet, opposite the vast white expanse of the Grands Combins.

Night begins to fall over the Pennine Alps, somewhere up above Verbier.

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Bathed in sunshine, the resort awakens after heavy snowfall has shrouded the pines and village rooftops. Another powder day lies ahead.

Scottish by birth, a Bagnard at heart, and an insatiable globetrotter, Melody Sky loves life. Her passions are the mountains and the sea, skiing and diving; her career is photography and adventure films; and her yearnings are too numerous to mention. It all started by the water’s edge, in Auchenblae, near Aberdeen, and then in Cornwall, where she spent part of her childhood with her surfer father and artistically inclined mother, a part-time photographer, whose passions she inherited. No sooner had she finished school than she took off for Cyprus and a diving club, before venturing to Turkey, Egypt and the Caribbean. Gripped by the travel bug, she was also in love with the sea, chasing after sharks, having seen one from the beach when she was a child. She was 22 when she arrived in Tignes, where she found a job that was a little bit out of the ordinary: an ice diving guide. Day after day, Melody would pull out a chainsaw or ice pick and cut holes in the surface of the resort’s icy lake for clients to slide through. Her highlights of the whole experience were making bubbles beneath the surface and making the clients laugh by walking upside down on the underside of the ice. Having settled in the mountains, it was only to be expected that Melody would want to strap on some skis. Falling in love with freeriding after watching a film about it, she had the sudden impulse to give it a go, undeterred by the fact she knew nothing about it. Driven and passionate, she started out with an old Hi8 before deciding to take things seriously, killing two birds with one stone by studying film and sport. She made the wise choice of going to Melbourne, where she could nurture her love for the sea and the mountains. She

wrote her thesis on the influence of the media on extreme sports’ culture, which made her decision to return to the Alps to study it close up an entirely logical one.

And so to Verbier With degree in hand, Melody moved into the world of TV films and headed to Verbier for a shoot with a former Olympic champion. She fell in love with the Swiss resort straightaway and began producing ski movies for Eurosport, becoming, it was said, the first woman to hold such a position. As the years passed, however, so gradually photography took over. The projects are coming thick and fast now. Only this summer she travelled to Greenland (more sea and mountains and another case of love at first sight) in the company of the adventurer and director Jimmy Chin and celebrated extreme skier Scot Schmidt, whom she long admired before their paths crossed. This winter sees her in the Andes and Amazon for a photography expedition, where she will pursue yet another passion as she has her say on and investigates environmental issues. Photography and the environment will also provide the main focus of her upcoming trips to the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the gorilla reserves of Rwanda. In between times she has the chance to breathe the mountain air in Verbier, where she has been living for years. It’s a place she describes as “near perfect”. “It looks out on to the mountains, there’s lots of interesting people, and I always love coming back here,” she says. And though time is at a premium, you’ll sometimes find her out on the slopes, doing her thing in the Bruson forests, on Mont Gelé and Backside Mont-Fort. www.melodysky.com 45

Jean-Nicolas Michaud Swiss Mountain Time Text: Daniel Bauchervez / Photo: Sven de Almeida

The Michaud family has been working in jewellery and fine watchmaking for an impressive 110 years. In 2011, Jean-Nicolas Michaud opened a branch of the highly reputed Neuchâtel business in Verbier — as close as possible to the mountain he loves. For as long as he can remember, Jean-Nicolas Michaud has spent the winter in Verbier, eagerly awaiting the first snowflakes and the chance to hit the slopes with his father, brothers and sister. What began as a family tradition has become their raison d’être, with Verbier’s booming market leading them to open a boutique there. A perfect opportunity to leave the city behind in pursuit of the blue skies and fresh air of the mountains.

“The biggest sports challenge of my life” It was when Jean-Nicolas Michaud moved to Verbier with his family that a childhood friend introduced him to a new type of skiing: ski touring. He discovered a new-found freedom, initially laced with fear but which he gradually learned to overcome, and the sheer unadulterated pleasure of roaming the mountain. The exhilaration of cutting the first ski traces on virgin-white peaks instantly dispels all the pressures of everyday life. 47

18 july 3 august 2019

Michaud’s jewellerytimepiece boutique can be found in the centre of Verbier, at 5 rue de Médran. Photo: Thomas Roulin

It didn’t take long for Jean-Nicolas Michaud to get the PDG bug. He did his first patrol in 2014 from Arolla and did the Grande Patrouille des Glaciers along the full Zermatt-Verbier route in 2018. He describes the day as being as “gruelling as it was extraordinary” and left nothing to chance, be it his diet or his arduous training. The challenge was to stay the distance. The three friends held out and crossed the finish line in just under 15 hours. Albeit a far cry from the new record of 5 hours 35 minutes set by the Italian team, they ended the race bursting with the type of joy that can only be experienced by overcoming challenges and fears. Tired but not exhausted, Jean-Nicolas Michaud initially thought “never again”. But the first snowflakes of winter have got him thinking... why not give it another shot after all? He’s well and truly bitten by the bug.

Verbier: a state of mind Life in Verbier is all about skiing. But it’s also about enjoying the resort’s après-ski and the cosmopolitan ambiance. And Jean-Nicolas Michaud is extremely well placed in that regard. From his cosy boutique on Rue de Médran, he sees

revellers heading towards the resort’s nightlife headquarters aka Le Fer à Cheval. Last winter, an Englishman crossed the road, beer in hand, and came into his shop, leaving minutes later with an engagement ring for the woman he’d just proposed to. The decor and the items displayed in the lounge-style boutique capture Verbier perfectly: a mix of tradition and modernity that creates a resolutely trendy chic feel. It’s nothing like city life, and many people who step inside the shop are kitted out in woolly hats or helmets. If it has snowed enough, they may take off their boots at the door. Some are just regular people and others become regular people while they are there: designer friends like Mads Kornerup, the man behind the Shamballa talisman jewels; international business magnates (think Sir Richard Branson); celebrities and royalty. The English and Scandinavian royal families don’t only grace the slopes of Verbier, they are also regulars at the Michaud jewellery boutique. Simple and unpretentious. www.michaud.ch 49

Chalet Chouqui Text: Claude HervĂŠ-Bazin Photos: Yves Garneau

1. Flooding one of the two large lounges with warmth and light, the contemporary glass-encased fireplace sits between a slab of stone and solid wood, both redolent of eternity. 2. Neither too much wood nor too little: Chalet Chouqui strikes a balance between imposing beams, bare walls, and discreet, fine fabrics.

1. Outside, mountains provide the setting. Inside, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a cocooning atmosphere behind the warmth of the curtains. 2. The large dining table can seat up to 20 guests. All you have to do is put the guest list together. 3. Contrasting with the chill of winter, the inviting rooms and warm lighting pose a simple question: why on Earth would you want to go out?

Sometimes one cannot help but use superlatives: the ultimate chalet, the pinnacle of comfort, the essence of good taste, the best of contemporary mountain architecture... The roofs of the village’s other chalets lie at its foot, and the village itself under its heel. Even Mont Blanc seems to shrink a little before it, as if bowing down in the distance from its sparkling horizon. Le Chouqui is one of the biggest of all Verbier’s large contemporary chalets: more than 900 m² of living space across two neighbouring chalets separated by a hedge. Far from posing a problem, big families are in fact a solution here, the only way of occupying all nine ensuite bedrooms — each with their own balconies —, the 12 spaces in the underground car park, and the 20 seats around the huge dining table. And why settle for one lounge when you can have two, which means twice as many luxurious sofas and twice as many cushions, twice the faux fur throws, twice the amount of 55

Place Centrale Tel. + 41 27 771 22 77 www.fellay-verbier.ch

herringbone tweeds, and twice the number of fireplaces too? The more beautiful of the two, encased in glass and seated on a slab of schist that seems to have been ripped from its bedrock, gently hums above its log store and beneath a wooden hood adorned with a bear’s head. Everything about this place is superlative, for this is the ultimate superchalet, the height of comfort, and the essence of good taste and of contemporary mountain architecture. No detail has been overlooked: the furniture — British — is custom-designed, as is the LED lighting and the wireless, voice-controlled Sonos sound system. No facilities are missing either, from the useful to the frankly luxurious: a funky home cinema room, a wine cellar with its own bar, a bunk room, games room, laundry room, and ski room. Then there are the centrepieces of this château in wood: a 15-metre indoor swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub steaming in the icy air, and a hammam lit by lights that sparkle like the night sky. And just for good measure, there is also one of Verbier’s most expansive outdoor terraces. Eleven dedicated staff take turns in making this little hive tick, right around the clock: in-resort drivers on hand 24 hours a day, concierge service, a private chef and maître d’, and a nanny and chalet hosts. All a touch excessive? Well, one thing is for sure: this is more than a chalet, or even two; it is a destination in itself, the kind of whim that only a star or a billionaire can enjoy, the ultimate form of recognition for anyone who may, at some stage, have doubted their ability to make it big. To enjoy this insane luxury is to savour a life of success.

Flanked by an understated lounge area, the 15-metre indoor swimming pool oozes restraint.

Chalet Bioley Text: Claude HervĂŠ-Bazin Photos: Yves Garneau

Previous page: 2 When it comes to views, there is much to admire from Chalet Bioley: Verbier sits at its feet, while the peaks of Les Combins and Mont Blanc provide the backdrop.

There is an air of smart simplicity about the Chalet Bioley, a certain Swiss timelessness, poetically enhanced and divested of all useless influences. The finely crafted details of its large wooden balustrade — featuring alternating snowflake and cow’s head motifs — set the tone on arrival. This is more a statement than a fantasy, a way of infusing the chalet with the soul of its surroundings, its head high up in the snow squalls, its feet firmly planted in the grass of the meadows. It’s all here, within sight and easy reach: the village centre, the ski lifts, the eternal mountain in the background. The views are largely to the south, enjoyed fully from the covered terrace on the second floor, part of a balcony that runs generously around three sides of the chalet. It’s a perfect outpost for breakfast looking out on to the powdery snow. It’s the same again on the lower floor, home to the five bedrooms, three of which offer full-frame panoramic views. A flight of fancy is provided by the fire pit and hot tub on the balcony, which invite you to defy the chilly twilight air.

1. The granite fireplace, heavy beams and ubiquitous wood all speak of understatement, of a chalet firmly rooted in Alpine tradition. 2. Parties are all about being hospitable and enjoying that hospitality in return. Chalet Bioley has it all in that respect, with its bar, lounge area and light-filled open-plan dining room.

Given its appearance, it is hard to believe that the Chalet Bioley has just been built. The imposing master beams, fine stone fireplace, and the deer-head chandelier all speak of tradition. The furniture also blends in seamlessly with the décor. There are no avant-garde follies here; just wicker armchairs, sofas the colour of dry earth (but very comfortable all the same), and cushions that make no attempt to be noticed. This is living done the simple way. The figures also reflect this sense of modesty, deceiving though it is. A floor area of 600 m² is relatively small for the times and the superchalet race we live in. Some of the resort’s larger offerings boast more than 1,000 m² of living space. Yet this is no flashback either: the Bioley is very much of its time, with its designer lighting, state-of-the-art Bluetooth-compatible Bose sound system, large lift, double washbasins, and boot room with ski boot warmers. Comfort guaranteed, no question!

1. With views like this, getting out of bed in the morning can be a bind. But, then again, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here for: to soak up the majesty of the mountains? 2. Balconies and a generous number of floor-to-ceiling windows let the light flood in and offer no shortage of vantage points. 3. Situated in the heights of Verbier, Chalet Bioley is surrounded by large firs, making it a perfect retreat both night and day.

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Legendary jewels Imbued with deep symbolic value, jewellery pieces take on a talismanic power. Inspired by mythology, the tales of our childhood and legendary animals, they have a protective quality and take us places. Like Proustâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s madeleines, they lead us on a search of lost time. Powerful icons that are appropriately daring in spirit, these creations have an utterly majestic allure. We set sail on an amazing journey to a land of legendary pieces that are high on colour and filled with emotion. Text: Nathalie Cobos

Previous page: Chanel Passionate bracelet An icon of Gabrielle Chanel, the lion is ever-present in the world of the Parisian designer. Powerful and all-conquering, he takes centre stage, his paw resting on the world, represented here by a diamond. He watches over the orange topaz and diamonds, expressing the sheer power of this cuff with its striking aesthetics. The matching earrings provide the same symphony of gems, set off with yellow sapphires positioned asymmetrically.

Graff Foliage earrings Dancing with every movement, their rubies sparkling with every step, these Foliage earrings recall leaves fluttering in the wind. While there seems to be no pattern to the way the stones are set, that could not be further from the truth. Graff takes its inspiration from the world of music, immersing itself in the hypnotic rhythms of jazz, with notes taking flight in a joyous whirlwind.

Chopard Aquamarine and tanzanite necklace This Chopard necklace is finesse, refinement and poetry personified. Drawing its inspiration from the deepest Orient, it extends an invitation to dive into the blueish sparkle of the fascinating aquamarine set at the heart of a reddish titanium motif. Subtle ribbing adorns the centrepiece, reminiscent of a delicate shell, from which the overhanging golden pearl seems to have escaped. Six faceted tanzanites add to the sense of sea spray and allow the piece to be worn more closely to the neck.

Bulgari Serpenti bracelet

Van Cleef & Arpels Clair de Lune long necklace

Bulgari’s totemic animal, the serpent, is the icon of the Serpenti range. Sophisticated and bewitching. The Italian jeweller creates pieces with feminine impertinence and voluptuous elegance, such as this gorgeous bracelet. The reptile’s scales are each articulated, allowing the piece to coil effortlessly around the wrist. Bringing a splash of colour to a luxurious white gold skin set with diamonds, the eyes captivate and fascinate with their emerald accents.

Van Cleef revisits a Brothers Grimm fairy tale and leads us on a search for the golden bird, glimpsed in the moonlight by the king’s youngest son, making off with a golden apple. The centrepiece of this long necklace, the pendant is a removable clip, at the centre of which resplendently sits a sugar-loaf purple sapphire. Diamonds, grey cultured pearls, and blue and purple sapphires bring light to this dreamlike creation, which recalls in captivatingly poetic fashion the bird’s prized plumage.

Adler Nahua long necklace Imbued with Aztec mythology, the Nahua necklace pays tribute to the all-powerful sun, represented here by a sparkling yellow diamond between two rows of pearls in white and coppery tones. The central element recalls a feathered headdress, which the Aztecs regarded as an extension of the soul, in direct contact with the sky, and which had a talismanic, protective power. A luminous creation filled with energy, Nahua inspires the wildest of dreams.

Cartier PanthĂ¨re Narcisse bracelet An animal beloved of Cartier, the panther that forms part of this outstanding bracelet tells a story. Hypnotised by the beryl that adorns the piece, the big cat, which believes it has found a source of water from which to slake its thirst, seems to be gazing at it, fascinated by the reflections of the stone, the depth of which is accentuated by the yellow gold motifs and the trompe-lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeil diamonds. The path stalked by the panther is comprised of rectangles of obsidian and white and brown diamonds.

When time becomes all the more precious Sparkling, vibrant, timeless: the latest creations ofÂ the finest watchmakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pay a passionate tribute toÂ femininity. These masterpieces of know-how, adorned with the most precious of gems, celebrate the joy of life in a circle of audacious colours. Each has their own character and personality. Jewellery watches or watches with jewels, they enhance time in a delightful parenthesis. Beauty is not measured here; it is distilled and savoured. Text: Nathalie Cobos

Previous page: Chopard Opal secret watch

Chanel Eternal beryl secret watch

Mysterious and iridescent, a sparkling black opal is delicately set in interlacing tanzanite beads. Surrounded by turquoise, jade, emeralds, diamonds and onyx, the stone moves to reveal the watch face with its pink mother-of-pearl and chalcedony. Evoking the finest Chinese mother-of-pearl, this is a creation that opens a timeless window on the Orient.

Gabrielle Chanel’s astrological sign, Leo is an integral part of the Parisian designer’s symbolic language. The embodiment of power and the fashion house’s know-how, this majestic feline, carved from yellow beryl, takes pride of place here and hides the bracelet’s secret: press it and it reveals the watch face, lined entirely with diamonds.

De Grisogono Cascata watch This is a watch that carries its head high and wears, with a haughty air, the nuanced amethysts that encase it in its entirety. Its complex architecture comprises a gemset gold wire structure upon which sits a stunning stream of precious stones concealing the watch face, housed in a setting so delicate that it seems to have been carved from a single gem. The resulting piece is pure poetry.

Van Cleef Papillon secret watch Delicately set in the hollow of the strap, two butterflies encase a deeply shimmering emerald. Symbolising the ephemeral, their wings cover a mother-ofpearl watch face, revealed with the press of a fingertip. Time is read like a secret, in a swarm of diamonds, black spinels and emeralds, creating a highly impactful piece that combines striking symmetry and poetry.

Bulgari Serpenti watch A jewellery watch that could not be more aesthetically pleasing, this is a piece that takes on the mysterious and captivating character of the serpent, represented by the thoroughbred elegance of the reptileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head and the seductive power of its magnetic gaze, with emerald eyes set on unknown horizons. The precious snakehead opens to reveal the secret of time, which continues on its ceaseless course.

Steiger & Cie Real estate from A (for Alps) to Z (for Zermatt) Text: Claude HervĂŠ-Bazin / Photos: Yves Garneau

Architecture: Baris Kansu - Design: Olivier Rambert - ÂŠ daniela et tonatiuh

Since 1821 in Morges, www.moyard.ch

Previous page: On the heights of Verbier, the stone and timber-walled chalet Bora Bora with its slate roof.

From left to right: Angéline Vincent, Nicolas Testart, Vanessa Moro, Oliver Herweg, Nicolas Koch, Florian Steiger

It all began with a passion for the Swiss Alps, and for Verbier in particular. In the early 2000s Florian Steiger left the music industry, just as record sales began to plummet, and headed to the mountains to recharge his batteries. In the process, he became a father and mapped out a new future for himself. An entrepreneur at heart, and an occasional hedonist, Florian Steiger is also a committed hiker, mountaineer and a skilled skier. The Swiss Alps are his opium, his nirvana. And what he has seen in Verbier has only proven to him that his hunch was right: that there is a lack of services in the luxury property market in Swiss ski resorts. In response, he approached VHS, Verbier Hospitality Services, creating a shape-shifting company that is one of a kind.

The ecosystem His philosophy? To offer real estate clients a comprehensive ‘ecosystem’ that encompasses every aspect of selling and managing properties, making the whole process entirely hassle-free, both before, during and after the deal. “It’s an approach that’s different from the outset, more inclusive,” he explains. The ecosystem comprises a complete portfolio of highend services designed to cover every angle of real estate projects, both directly and through partnerships that have been carefully nurtured over time. From legal and tax information to property management, rental management, the provision of hotel-type services and the monitoring or construction sites and renovation projects, Steiger & Cie offers a range of services that encompass all the things that, in one way or another, make up the life cycle of real estate. It is a veritable one-stop shop. The company has formed some key partnerships over the years. Architectural projects are entrusted to the architectural group Comina, which has been active in

Verbier since 1967. Hotel-type services are overseen by Haute Montagne, seasoned specialists in the field, while sales and acquisitions are handled thanks to an exclusive and select partnership with Cardis|Sotheby’s International Realty, which ensures global visibility both in Verbier and the two other ski resorts where Steiger & Cie operates: Zermatt (since 2012, in partnership with Mario Julen) and Crans-Montana (since 2016). Brokerage services cover every segment of the market in these three resorts. To complete the ‘ecosystem’ is luxury travel agency Leo Trippi, which in 2018 won the World’s Best Ski Travel Agent award for the fifth year running.

Bespoke projects With its network and 15 years of experience behind it, Steiger & Cie is now a powerful player in the high-end luxury property market, which makes it an essential port of call for wealthy clients looking for refuge in the sanctuary that is Verbier and in Valais’ most beautiful resorts. The team also manages highly complex development projects on behalf of its clients, such as “Les Hauts du Sonalon”, the three ultra-luxury “Sagarmatha Chalets”, and the chalet “Bora Bora” in Verbier. Like the rest of the company, the Verbier team, headed up by the Swiss-American Nicolas Koch — a partner in the firm — is made up of talented professionals with largely international backgrounds. French and English is spoken, as you might expect, as well as German, Swedish and Portuguese. The property management team oversees some 35 properties on a daily basis. Verbier’s large luxury chalets are substantial both in terms of their size — floor areas range most typically from 400 to 1,000 m2 — and price tags, which often vary between CHF 10m and upwards of CHF 30m. Hailing mainly from Europe (the UK, Sweden, Belgium, France...), Steiger & Cie’s clients are industry leaders, brokers and the odd celebrity, attracted first and foremost by the wonderful lifestyle and the joys of skiing in Verbier. www.steigercie.ch 83

Verbier Festival Symphony of the Summits Text: Claude HervĂŠ-Bazin

Verbier has a musical ear. Every year, for a quarter of a century, this Bagnes resort has hosted a festival hailed as one of the best events in the European classical music calendar. Why Verbier? Because it’s a stunning setting. And because it whips up the poetic sound of the greatest symphonies played by the world’s best musicians and brings it to a pinnacle.

Previous page: Hassan J.J. Wiggins played with Monty Alexander and Barbara Hendricks during the festival’s early years, seen here at an intimate concert. Photo: Stéphane Ouzounoff

1. Micha Maisky, Martha Argerich and Evgueni Kissine share some down time together after a concert; Martha and Evgueni have since become close friends. Photo: Christian Lutz

The festival’s instant success back in 1994 is already a distant memory. Its 25th anniversary celebrations in summer 2018 were majestic, with an exquisitely engineered line-up featuring 30 illustrious maestros, almost 300 young musicians and no less than 65,000 spectators. The programme included symphonic concerts, modern fugues, recitals, opera, unprecedented on-stage collaborations, a magnificent gala concert with soloists, and an after dark programme which included headline concerts embracing the pop scene and even secret performances. Among them, the flamboyant Russian pianist Evgueni Kissine, a loyal and long-standing partisan of the festival, and Micha Maisky. Not forgetting the pianist Daniil Trifonov, the violinists Renaud Capuçon, Maxime Venguerov and Vadim Repine — dubbed “the best and most perfect of violinists” by Yehudi Menuhin. The landmark anniversary event is celebrated in a book written by festival connoisseur Julian Sykes (published by Noir sur Blanc) which encapsulates twenty-five years of emotion, sneak peeks and highlights.

2. Manfred Honeck directed the Verbier Festival Orchestra for the first time in 2007. Shown here with Anne-Sophie Mutter during a memorable rendition of Brahmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Violin Concerto. Photo : Pierre-Henri Verlhac

ARTISANAL TEA FOR MODERN LIFE

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Over the years, the Verbier Festival has struck up a close relationship with many big names on the international music scene. They come once then keep coming back, bowled over by the audience’s enthusiasm, the sheer beauty of the Alps and their attentive ear, the flourishing cluster of talent and the relaxed atmosphere that abounds here — a far cry from strict and sterile city venues. This bond is reflected in the unusually intimate atmosphere of the festival’s concerts, but also through the ties that grow between eminent masters and those who may one day succeed them. The festival is reputed as an excellent training ground; every year, Verbier Festival Academy puts on around a hundred master classes for musicians aged 16 to 30, while Verbier Festival Discovery runs fringe events to initiate the public. But the festival’s founder, Martin T:son Engström, doesn’t stop there. After setting up two resident orchestras, he wants to perpetuate everything that’s been learned from it. Launched in 2000, the Verbier Festival Orchestra (VFO), which is led by the passionate star conductor Valery Gergiev as of this year, has made a name for itself as one of the best training orchestras in the world. It has trained more than 1,000 young musicians aged 18 to 28, from 61 countries, most of whom have gone on to enjoy an international career. The Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra (VFCO) is made up of musicians trained right here; they perform all over the globe and, of course, in Verbier, where they put on eight concerts during the festival, including a free open-air concert on the slopes of La Chaux. Meanwhile, younger players aged between 15 and 18 meet up for three weeks to perform with the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra (VFJO). A great way to scout for and nurture the budding talent of tomorrow. www.verbierfestival.com www.medici.tv (concert broadcasts)

Verbier Hamlet, designed by the architect Pierre Dorsaz, is used to host open-air concerts and Academy master classes. Photo: Gérard Monico

Meeting the Xtreme Text: Claude HervĂŠ-Bazin

Previous page: What makes Verbier one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best freeride spots? The scale of the resort, the variety of runs, and ski-lift access. Photo: David Carlier ;;

1. With her roots in mogul skiing, the Norwegian Hedvig Wessel has received a wild card for the 2019 FWT season, coached by 2008 freeride world champion Henrik Windstedt Photo: Martin Wichardt 2. Le Bec des Rosses, HQ of the Xtreme. Photo: David Carlier.

This year, from March 23rd through March 31st, depending on the weather, the top freeskiers and snowboard freeriders on the planet will be taking on the steep slopes of the Bec des Rosses for the Xtreme Verbier: the final stage and grand finale of the Freeride World Tour. Launched almost 25 years ago around a band of freeriding enthusiasts on the dizzying slopes of the Bec des Rosses (maximum incline: 58Â°), the Freeride World Tour exploded onto the media scene and into the imaginations of young skiers everywhere. Via video, social media, and even the big screen, images of these superhuman riders â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with total disregard for the dangers involved in chasing ever-steeper and purer slopes, perfectly powdered and peppered with rocky ridges â&#x20AC;&#x201D; gave form to legend. Off-piste skiing has evolved into freeriding, with an entire industry blooming around this activity: brands, specialised equipment, events, and required safety training. The FWT has grown to take the world by storm, attracting thousands

The man behind the legend: Nicolas Hale-Woods co-founded the Verbier Xtreme in 1996 and launched the Freeride World Tour in 2008.

of followers in the process. The circuit now includes some 150 events held annually between the different categories of competition: Freeride World Tour proper (drawing the best of the best), Freeride World Qualifier, Freeride Junior World Championships and Freeride Skiing Team Competition (Skiers Cup).

The unfulfilled dream of the perfect run This year, the FWT has stops lined up in Hakuba (Japan), Kicking Horse (Canada), Fieberbrunn (Austria) and VallnordArcalís (Andorra), between mid-January and early March. But all roads lead back to the Bec des Rosses, whose summit will host around thirty of the season’s best riders in the early days of spring. No defined routes, no gates, no stopwatch, no imposed tricks. With freeriding, everything stems from the choice and the beauty of the line — its flow, what style it lends itself to, the technique and control used by the rider to navigate it. All that’s left to do is juggle the speed, snow quality, icy patches, rocks lurking just beneath the powder carpet, crevasses, no-fall zones (with zero room for error) that force riders to slow down the pace a little, and, of course, avalanches.

that ultimately what has to be delivered to the judges is a good show — one which showcases phenomenal aesthetics, risk, originality, and not to mention a few jumps to spice things up. So be sure to be present at the foot of Bec des Rosses between March 23rd and 31st, where the Event Village, first introduced in 2018, will make its return. In full sun, at the foot of the mountain face, the freely accessible site offers the ideal vantage for spectators to watch every run — except for one section of the Dog Leg couloir that will be broadcast on the on-site jumbotron. With competition that’s always getting hotter thanks to a steady stream of fierce young competitors entering the game, this season’s show promises to be bigger than ever. www.freerideworldtour.com

In contrast to the image of total freedom they might convey, freeskiers and freeriders take no unnecessary risks. Every pro knows how to meticulously spot their line, burn it into their brain, and to scan the conditions using binoculars, a high-res camera, mapping software, a drone or even helicopter. Maybe not the greenest way to go, but often an essential measure to ensure survival. But then which line to choose? Thanks to their experience, the best riders are able to immediately just “feel it”. They know 95

Switzerland is a warm and inviting place, its mountains a source of inspiration, and the contemporary architecture of its most beautiful resorts a unique nexus between the past and the future. helvet has published its first book, marking the start of a new collection. Our destination is Verbier and a 288-page journey through stunning images. The essence of the Val de Bagnes and its breathtaking winter and summer landscapes occupy 88Â pages and provide the backdrop to the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sublime chalets, the subject of the remaining 200. Be among the first to receive a copy in the comfort of your own home! Available to order now at www.helvet.swiss/shop

The closely guarded secrets of the Bagnes Valley raclette Text: Daniel Bauchervez / Photo: Verbier Promotion

Bagnes Valley has two inseparable great loves: its hardy Hérens mountain cattle and the raclette cheese made from their milk. A raclette is never a run-of-the-mill affair. It’s not something to be wolfed down quickly when you’re on the go, or thrown together for a make-do weekday supper. A raclette is always an occasion, an eagerly anticipated get-together that holds the promise of an enjoyable evening savouring a delicious Valais spread of dried meats (Hérens, obviously), cured ham and bacon, garlic or pepper flavoured dried sausage, potatoes, and the obligatory side dish of gherkins and pickled onions. But what exactly is raclette, you may ask. Well, it’s a full-fat cheese (50%) with a semi-hard rind, which is traditionally made in the Alpine pastures during the summer, or at dairies in the valley between October-November and May-June (depending on the altitude of the summer pastures). Old documents show that Bagnes’ raclette cheese had already earned itself a reputation by the late Middle Ages. Cheeses can only lay claim to the Appellation d’Origine Protégée classification which guarantees their bold character by following rigorous procedures throughout the production process: raw milk must be collected in an environmentally-friendly way (50 litres for a 7-kilo cheese wheel),

transformed by an artisan cheese maker in copper vats and matured on redwood planks at 11°C for at least three months (and regularly turned), and only stored in Valais, not to mention routine quality controls. That’s what it takes to obtain one of the best melting cheeses in the world creamy and flavoursome, floral and tangy in equal measure. Each dairy has its own number, which is stamped onto the cheese wheels; Bagnes 1 comes from Verbier, Bagnes 25 from Champsec, and Bagnes 30 from Lourtier… Raclette cheese has its own equivalent of the Oscars: the annual Fromage et Cime tasting competition which is held in mid-September in Ovronnaz, in the nearby Rhone Valley. The most acclaimed winners (three times) include the particularly fervent cheese maker Carlos da Fonseca, a “Portuguese mountain dweller” as he describes himself, who runs the Lourtier dairy in the low season and spends the summer out on the pastures in Charmotane. He is passionate about his work – he owns Hérens cattle himself – and learnt the ropes from old Bagnes locals. The cheese competition takes place during La Désalpe when cattle are moved back down to the plains, and coincides with another event organised by Bagnes Agritourisme, the Bagnes Capital of Raclette festival which features cow fighting, a folk parade and, of course, tasting sessions. www.bagnesraclette.ch www.fromagesuisse.ch 97

The end of the season in Verbier is marked by two events that take place at the same time: the Verbier High Five by Carlsberg, a fun-filled occasion that gives members of the public the chance to take on professional skiers; and the Charity Night, where diners rub shoulders with the stars of the slopes, all in a good cause. It has been 12 years since former Téléverbier CEO Éric-A. Balet organised the inaugural Charity Night. Still at the helm of the event, Balet’s goal is to raise money for a number of charities and help young athletes by bringing eight members of the public and two VIPs or snow-sports stars together around a ten-seat table for a delicious meal. There are 25 tables in all, each of which sell for a price of CHF 4,000. The 11 Charity Nights held to date have raised a total of nearly CHF 700,000. Good causes The evening’s main beneficiary is Right to Play. Founded in 2001, it aims to educate children, protect them from war and conflict, exploitation and early marriage, and offer them the precious ray of freedom that is play. As well as giving them time to themselves, play allows them to be children, to forget about the demands made of them, and to think about their futures. The story goes back to 1994, the year Lillehammer hosted the Olympic Winter Games, when the Norwegian speed skater and four-time Olympic champion Johann Olav Koss went to Eritrea on a humanitarian mission. Faced with truly

harrowing scenes, he was saddened that all he had to offer in response were toys. The nation’s president was nevertheless delighted he had brought them: “They are the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given us,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve been treated like human beings, not like things that have to be kept alive. For the first time our children can go and play like children do everywhere else.” The charity promptly set up in Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mali, Thailand, Rwanda, and the Palestinian Territories. Today, 1.9 million children in around 15 countries across the world benefit from its programmes, which offer equal opportunities for girls, combat violence, prevent illness, and promote respect. The Charity Night raises money for two other organisations: the Verbier Freeride Association and Aide Sportive Suisse, which helps the country’s young athletes overcome financial obstacles so they can progress in their sports. The 12th Charity Night takes place on 5 April 2019. If you would like to share a table with a skiing star, then you might just be in luck: helvet has a place (worth CHF 500) to give away to one of its readers, who will be accompanied by its editor-in-chief Christian Bugnon. Head to www.helvet.swiss to sign up. To book a table please write to verbiercharitynight@televerbier.ch www.righttoplay.ch www.aidesportive.ch

Charity Night A winning blend of fun and philanthropy Text: Christian Bugnon / Photos: PPR Media Relations / Dominic Steinmann

W Verbier The incomparable Text: Claude HervĂŠ-Bazin / Photos: Yves Garneau

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Previous page: W Verbier’s vast pool sits half inside and half outside, with large windows separating the two parts. In winter, a dive beneath them takes you from one space to the other.

A leading light of avant-garde Spanish cuisine, Sergi Arola is in charge of the menu at the EatHola tapas bar and also takes part in the Haute Cuisine culinary event, held every spring at W.

The luxury chain’s first mountain hotel, W Verbier has garnered nothing but praise since it opened, including three consecutive World’s Best Ski Hotel awards. Its many strong suits include a stunning spa and Spanish star chef Sergi Arola. You’re most likely to find W hotels in cities. Founded 20 years ago in New York, they have made their stylishly hip mark around the world and have now branched out to coastal locations and the mountains too, in Verbier to be exact, right at the foot of the slopes, in the form of four large, opulent chalets. So, why here? Because the resort and the brand share the same energy, the same trendy appeal, and the same youthful, fun-loving clientele. W for Wow. The 5-star establishment immerses its guests in a funky ambience that simply cannot be found at major hotel chains. There’s no lobby here but a living room, while guests don’t “stay” but “live” and drink to DJ beats in ultratrendy interiors boasting a liberal sprinkling of cushions, a green stag and a pink rabbit. The wow factor also infuses its

W VERBIER 5* LUXURY HOTEL

Escape to the extraordinary 123 stylish rooms & suites 6 signature bars & restaurants Away® spa featuring La Prairie Open all year round

W Verbier Rue de Médran 70 - 1936 Verbier T. +41 27 472 88 88 E. info.wverbier@whotels.com wverbier.com

The Eat-Hola tapas bar sees W and chef Sergi Arola (a one-time wannabe rocker) share a funky, offbeat approach.

123 rooms and suites, which offer luxurious comfort lit up by glass-encased fireplaces, not to mention walls and alcoves upholstered in bright red, translucent pendant-shaped lights, and trunk stools. W for What a vieW! Each room has a balcony looking out on to Les Grands Combins. W for Whatever Whenever, which happens to be the slogan of the concierge service. The W is a place where every wish is fulfilled. The plentiful staff are both extremely well trained and attentive to your every need. Finding employment at a W hotel is no easy task; an article in a Boston newspaper described places at Harvard as easier to come by.

Phyto5). On offer are massage detox packages, holistic treatments, and chromotherapy, as well as fitness facilities and a yoga and pilates room. And if you’re feeling peckish, apples are available to munch on as well as a menu featuring sweet and savoury snacks. There are also off-piste nibbles to be had at the essential Carve sushi bar and at Eat-Hola, a chic, sleek tapas bar run by Catalan star chef Sergi Arola. In the evening W Kitchen serves up delicious Swiss cuisine with a twist beneath clusters of copper-accented lights, with an illuminated bottle wall forming the backdrop. www.wverbier.com

W for Wet. Every W hotel has its swimming pool. With its graceful curves reminiscent of turns carved in powder snow, W Verbier’s pool goes through walls, sitting as it does half inside and half outside, with huge windows separating the heat from the cold. Covering a floor area of no less than 800 m2, the adjoining AWay© Spa comprises a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, chill-out area, and treatment rooms (La Prairie and 105

watches

Rolex GMT-Master II An iconic model that is immediately recognisable thanks to its large bidirectional rotatable bezel with 24-hour graduated insert, the GMT-Master II is a watch for globetrotters, and not without reason. In complementing its robust design, which combines both steel and exclusive Everose gold alloy, Rolex have ramped up its functionality: enhanced legibility of the second time zone and the date, an adjustable Oyster bracelet, and the COSC-certified precision of the new calibre 3285 self-winding mechanical movement, which gave rise to ten patents. www.rolex.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

Hublot Big Bang UNICO Red Magic 45mm The striking red colour of this Big Bang timepiece is symbolic of love and passion. First unveiled in the spring, Hublot’s R&D department have dedicated four years of hard work to creating the watchmaker’s first polished red ceramic case, which measures 45mm and is protected by a number of patents. The hallmarks of this flyback chronograph, available in a limited edition of 500 pieces, are increased resistance to wear and tear, a striking appearance, and ultimate precision. www.hublot.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic 38mm

Cartier Santos

Tudor Black Bay GMT

After 65 years of loyal service to pilots and aviation lovers, the Navitimer has this year made a much-rmarked departure. The 1 Automatic’s steel case, which has been trimmed to 38mm to suit every wrist, houses, for the very first time, a three-hand movement: the calibre Breitling 17. Stripped of its traditional chronograph sub-dials, but still displaying the date, it is more understated and refined than ever. Small as it may be compared to other models in the collection, this timepiece embodies true elegance and sophistication. www.breitling.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

It has negotiated a century without ever going out of fashion. Its functionality and design, inherited from the 1904 model designed by the flamboyant aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, looks as fresh as ever. Sculpted in steel, the new Santos takes the same shape as its predecessors, but now comes with a steel bracelet that is easily interchangeable and can be adjusted without tools. The mechanical movement with automatic winding 1847 MC is also resolutely modern and is both shockproof and resistant to magnetic fields. www.cartier.ch On sale at Michaud, Verbier

Tudor’s essential diving watch proves that it is just at ease operating between two time zones as it is at the bottom of the ocean. The brand has added a new GMT function that tells both local time and the time in additional time zones. As you might expect, this handsome watch is stylish too, with its 41mm steel case, bidirectional rotatable steel bezel with anodized aluminium disc in matt burgundy and blue, and steel bracelet. Meanwhile, precision is guaranteed by the COSC-certified manufacture calibre. www.tudorwatch.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

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watches

4. IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”

2. Hublot Big Bang One Click Steel Jewellery 39 mm

1. H. Moser & Cie Venturer Small Seconds XL Purity At a time when watchmakers continue to play around with 50 shades of green, H. Moser & Cie have gone and created Cosmic Green, a deep colour that recalls the magical light of the Aurora Borealis. It is teamed up here with the Venturer Small Seconds XL Purity, which comes in a white gold case measuring 43 mm, the brand’s largest. Another distinctive sign is the absence of a logo on the smoked fumé dial. Available in a limited edition of 50 pieces, it boasts a hand-wound calibre and three days of power reserve. www.h-moser.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

With 118 diamonds on the case and 48 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel, this all-new timekeeping diva certainly knows how to shine. That glittering array of gems is the secret to its beauty. The light they cast complements the icy sheen of the steel case to perfection and lends contrast to the matt black dial. Boasting a self-winding movement with a generous 50-hour power reserve, this Big Bang stands out like a fashion queen thanks to its One-Click interchangeable strap system. www.hublot.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

3. Chopard Happy Sport 36 mm Automatic Chopard has been reworking this iconic model since 1993, designing variations that pay tribute to freedom. Blessed with a sporty, playful feel and aesthetically pleasing with it, the Happy Sport 36 mm Automatic is home to five moving diamonds that dance on a silver dial accentuated by a sleek case and matching rose gold bracelet. Elegantly feminine, this is a watch that could almost make you forget the passage of time were it not for the reliably accurate self-winding mechanical movement. www.chopard.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

The reason Pallweber’s old pocket watches only met with very limited success was because their display of the hours and minutes in a digital format was way ahead of its time. For the first time, IWC has integrated this once-pioneering technology into a wrist watch that features in its 150th-anniversary collection. This is a timepiece with a sleek steel case and a blue lacquered dial, beneath which sits a new IWC-manufactured patented calibre. The model is limited to 500 watches. www.iwc.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

5. Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic, Acciaio 38 mm PAM00755 A strong wrist is no longer required to wear a Panerai watch. The Italian brand has had the clever idea of slimming down its iconic case, which is now smaller than ever before at 38 mm yet remains elegant and versatile. From the famous crown guard to the sunbrushed anthracite dial, which comprises a date function, the Luminor Due reworks the features that have brought Panerai success. And it goes without saying that precision is an essential characteristic, thanks to the self-winding manufacture movement. www.panerai.com On sale at Michaud, Verbier

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MARCH 21 ï&#x161;» 26 W W W. B AS E LW O R L D . C O M

Watch Fairs Where the best convene Text: Isabelle Guignet

Every year, professionals and connoisseurs of fine jewelry and watches come together on two key occasions: the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, in January, and Baselworld in Basel, in March. These two highly prestigious Swiss events define annual trends and are absolute essentials for anyone in the industry. Who better than the industry professionals, collectors and aficionados of fine, luxury watches to countdown the days until the doors open for 2019’s first major industry trade show? Geneva is first on the annual calendar with its January SIHH taking the stage just a few months before Basel’s traditional show-stopper in March. Trends for 2019 will already take shape in Geneva, powered by each brand’s never-ending quest for creativity and reinvention. Perhaps not all that glitters is gold, but in Switzerland, and especially at these events, the glitter is certainly out and on display in the most beautiful of settings. Geneva’s 29th annual Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie will take place over four back-to-back days (January 14-17) with extended hours for this edition. The traditional Friday public grand opening will be moved to Thursday this year and complimented by an evening event. It’s a chance to rub shoulders with the best of the watch industry while discovering the newest mechanical innovations and a wide array of incessant activities. One of the most significant new changes is the LAB, which will present the latest technological and digital advancements from brands on display accompanied by start-up developments from within the industry. 18 leading luxury brands will be represented along with 17 independent creators that are part of the Carré des Horlogers.

SIHH has undergone constant evolution over the past three years, shifting deeper into the realms of relationship-building and networking. More than the rigidly-beautiful boutique display of the past, the salon wants to be seen today as a communications platform and an immersive experience, as much for the journalists as for the collectors and visitors. The goal is stay relevant, to remain one of the penultimate luxury watch-making events on the industry’s calendar, and the 2019 edition of the event is expecting around 25,000 visitors- a new record. A few weeks after SIHH, Basel becomes the epicenter of the watch-making world. The 101st BaselWorld will feature unveilings of the latest designs from all the biggest watch and jewelry brands. So what will make waves in 2019? What great innovation will fascinate the crowds? Brands on display at this annual fair will each have a chance to answer that question for themselves when they reveal their latest timepieces. The event is also undergoing a transformation as it adapts to the times. The fair says it will be unveiling an attractive new communications platform for brands and the public. Without revealing too many details, it has been called “a new way of thinking” by the event’s latest Director, Michel Loris-Melikoff. Come experience the event for yourself and join the greatest luxury watch and jewelry brands, independent creators, gemologists and a host of other industry providers for the 2019 edition of BaselWorld. One thing is for certain: the event is sure to offer a taste of the finest beauty, elegance and innovation in the industry. Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Geneva, January 14 - 17, 2019 www.sihh.org Baselworld Basel, March 21 - 26, 2019 www.baselworld.com 111

trends

1. Black Nose Mouton sculptural seat Made entirely at Christian Schneiterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studios in Vicques (DelĂŠmont), this interior sculpture has been fashioned from resin mouldings and the fleeces of Valais Blacknose sheep (aged three and under), a breed noted for the fineness of its coat. www.k-line.ch

2. Louis Vuitton LV In The City scarf in beaver fur Made with exquisitely soft beaver fur, the LV In The City scarf has a silk lining with a Monogram-pattern. The scarf is also available in two colour schemes: black and bright pink, as well as pearl grey combined with a distinctly feminine pastel pink. www.louisvuitton.com

3. Hästens Travel pillow and down boots Filled with the finest down, this healthy comfortable pillow guarantees a good sleep when you’re on your travels. Filled with 90% goose down and 10% goose feathers and made from high-quality organic cotton, these breathable down boots offer even more softness. www.hastens.com

4. Victorinox Sportsman White Christmas Special Edition 2018 Combining white and silver accents for a festive look, this all new limited-edition Swiss Army pocket knife features a stylish Christmas tree motif on the sides as well as iridescent stars on the blade, and comes in a white, transparent-sided box. www.victorinox.com

5. Søren Henrichsen Hansruedi Combining tradition & modernity and handcrafted in Geneva with sustainability in mind, this Swiss cuckoo clock sings the time & guarantees a good night’s sleep, with a light sensor that mutes the sound during the night hours. Each clock is unique & numbered. www.sorenhenrichsen.com

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6. Klybeck YY

An original coathanger or a decorative piece? Well, both actually. Available in two kinds of woods and different fabrics, YY is a modern take on the hunting trophy, fashioned by the young Swiss carpenter and designer Baptiste Ducommun. www.klybeck.net 7. Trauffer Vache en bois Trauffer of Hofstetten (Solothurn) have been making 100% Swiss FSC-certified wooden toys since 1938. The company’s most iconic creation is this small hand-painted spotted cow, much loved by children the world over. www.trauffer-holzspielwaren.ch 8. Dom Pérignon P2 Dom Pérignon champagnes improve with age – naturellement – but not in a linear way. After going through various stages of maturation over a period of 16 years, they reach their second peak of maturity and are ripe for tasting. What better time to enjoy them? www.domperignon.com

Big Bang One Click. Case in 18K King Gold. Bezel set with 42 diamonds. Self-winding movement. Interchangeable rubber strap using patented One-Click system.

DEF Y EL PRIMERO 21

Z E N I T H , T H E F U T U R E O F S W I S S W AT C H M A K I N G

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