Hublot’s New Watch Collection brings over

Hublot‘s New Watch Collection brings over 300 Baguette-Cut Diamonds

| BY JARONE ASHKENAZI

Hublot’s High Jewelery Collection bring diamonds to the forefront of its newest watch series. Diamond-encrusted timepieces are nothing new to the market, but this collection of three watches marries mechanical brilliance with subtle execution to bring more than 300 baguette-cut, hand-placed diamonds to each timepiece. These three new Hublot models showcase the expertise of master watchmakers at Hublot all while highlighting the sophisticated beauty of these spectacular diamonds.

Staying true to the decades of traditions of the Hublot brand and driving innovation for the future was vital in these watches. Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, went on to explain that setting the stones is a “discipline is both a science of absolute precision and an art form.”

Classic Fusion High Jewelery – 427 baguette-cut diamonds –20.8 carats

Producing a hypnotic shimmering effect, this timepiece has a staggering 427 baguette-cut diamonds, amounting to 20.8 carats. This elegant timepiece might be more of a fashion statement than the rest in the collection, but it is a technical wonder powered by its HUB1710 self-winding movement. A composition of 391 rectangular and trapeze-cut diamonds (18.6 carats) encrust the elegant face while the strap is also set with 36 diamonds (2.2 carats).

Big Bang Unico High Jewelery – 334 baguette-cut diamonds – 12.5 carats

On an 18-karat white gold background and powered by the brand’s HUB1280 caliber movement, this eye-catching timepiece has a total of 334 baguette-cut diamonds, for a total of 12.5 carats. 243 diamonds (8.6 carats) adorn the 42 mm case and the bezel, while 61 stones (1.3 carats) compliment the dial and its alligator strap features a deployant buckle set with 30 diamonds (2.6 carats).

Spirit of Big Bang High Jewelery - 346 baguette-cut diamonds – 13.1 carats

Last, but certainly not least, is this watch powered by the highly regarded HUB4700 movement, considered by some to be one of the finest Swiss chronographs ever created. Directly inspired by the Big Bang, the timepiece is home to 346 baguette-cut diamonds, equaling out to 13.1 carats. 178 diamonds (8.1 carats) adorn the silhouette, while 113 more (2.1 carats) are set around the edges and its elegant alligator leather sewn strap is adorned with 55 baguette-cut diamonds (2.9 carats).

The Spirit of Big Bang High Jewelery and the Classic Fusion High Jewelery will each sell for $369,000, while The Big Bang Unico High Jewelery will sell for $316,000.00.

The New ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST Subtle opulence

| BY SOMNATH CHATTERJEE

Anew luxury sedan with a massive V12 engine nestled beneath its hood may not seem the right car to launch now especially with a world obsessed with EVs and SUVs but Rolls-Royce exists on a different stratosphere. To them and for the super luxury sector the new Ghost would be a major volumes model along with the Cullinan SUV. The previous Ghost expanded the Rolls portfolio and also pushing the outer edges of how much engaging to drive a Rolls-Royce can get. The Wraith and Dawn along with the Black Badge models brought in a new clientele along with cementing Rolls-Royce as luxury behemoth that it is today. Thus the new Ghost and the later models from this range of cars would be a significant facet of what Rolls-Royce would be for years to come, hence getting this one right was of utmost important. Rolls has played it safe and kept the original essence of the Ghost but subtly steered it into a new direction.

The new Ghost has to be more than just a collection of numbers and here Rolls has stuck to its roots with making some substantial changes beneath the skin. The biggest one would be the fact that the new Ghost sits on a bespoke architecture that also underpins the Cullinan and Phantom thus being “free from the constraints of platforms used to underpin high-volume vehicles”. By that it means the new Ghost does not sit on a 7-Series platform and that is a crucial factor in today’s world of increasing platform sharing. It also means more rigidity and flexibility along with added refinement plus comfort. The new Ghost is also all wheel drive and features all wheel steering thus further cementing its status as the most advanced Rolls ever made. However we must also discuss the exterior and interior where Rolls is speaking of a shift in its approach with ‘Post Opulence’ being the term. Thus the new Ghost is all about less clutter, less flamboyance and subtle luxury with all the usual Rolls trappings but not layered with the slightly vulgar outlook of too much technology being smeared all over. The Ghost is for Rolls-Royce customers who want luxury but without shouting from the rooftops about it.

Thus it does not move too far from the previous generation car in terms of design yet you do identify the subtle changes enough to differentiate it from the earlier Ghost. It is sharper but still restrained and has a more ‘flowing’ design. It is bigger and wider to liberate more space inside. Speaking of which, the interior is also bathed in the new Rolls philosophy of minimalistic execution. The new Ghost like any modern day luxury car is fitted with all kinds of luxury and technology features but executing them is much simple compared to many other luxury cars that flaunt their technology prowess more.

For Rolls-Royce the comfort and silence matters more. Hence noise reduction to the absolute minimum was the core focus and here its aluminum architecture played a big role along with extra sound deadening material. Every switch and control inside the car has been tuned by the engineers for utmost refinement though appar-

ently complete silence has been avoided and a subtle undertone is being embedded in.

Elsewhere you now have doors that are now fully electric in its mechanism while there is also a ‘Micro Environment Purification System’ that removes nearly all ultrafine particles from the cabin environment in less than two minutes.

We will not dive into the long equipment list or the 1300W output as instead the interior design and finish is more worthy of words here. Amongst the vast array of personalization options available the new Ghost interior requires 20 half hides to complete one interior while openpore wood finish is draped generously throughout the cabin. Not just that as there is also an “Illuminated Fascia” which replicates the starlight headliner!

Of course while an all-electric Ghost would have been insync with the times we live in, there is no arguing with the new 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine. It develops 563 bhp and would no doubt whisk away the Ghost to ludicrous speeds with ease. There is also the ‘Magic Carpet Ride suspension system’ and the ‘Flagbearer system’ system where it scans the road ahead to ‘prepare’ the car’s suspension plus more such devotion at the altar of comfort and refinement.

No doubt the new Ghost is an impressive feat and is rather wonderfully different from other luxury cars out there. Of course it needs to be since Rolls-Royce owners already own other cars and the Ghost needs to deliver a different or dare I say it a ‘Rolls’ experience.