February 2018
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M A L AY S I A
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64 PAGES OF LUXURY WITH AN INVESTMENT EDGE
AUDEMARSPIGUET.COM
TO BREAK THE RULES, YOU MUST FIRST MASTER THEM.
THE VALLÉE DE JOUX. FOR MILLENNIA A HARSH, UNYIELDING ENVIRONMENT; AND SINCE 1875 THE HOME OF AUDEMARS PIGUET, IN THE VILLAGE OF LE BRASSUS. THE EARLY WATCHMAKERS WERE SHAPED HERE, IN AWE OF THE FORCE OF NATURE YET DRIVEN TO MASTER ITS MYSTERIES THROUGH THE COMPLEX MECHANICS OF THEIR CRAFT. STILL TODAY THIS PIONEERING SPIRIT INSPIRES US TO CONSTANTLY CHALLENGE THE CONVENTIONS OF FINE WATCHMAKING.
ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE CHRONOGRAPH IN STEEL
AUDEMARS PIGUET BOUTIQUE: STARHILL GALLERY: ADORN FLOOR
CONTENTS
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Robb Report
REGULARS
20 Letter from the Editor 22 Agenda 24 Frontrunners 27 Auctions 28 Grand Openings 32 Robb Collections 36 Portfolio 158 Robb Reader 162 The Last Word 35
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38 Money & Investments This issue uncovers the myriad ways in which to hold your investments across luxury segments, and possibly, grow your asset portfolio. 116
29 Cover photo SIPHO MABONA
CONTENTS
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Style 102 Chamber of Secrets Dior’s new haute joaillerie collection offers an exquisite labyrinth of scintillating facets modelled after the Versailles.
Art & Design 106 Italian Masterpieces Flexform’s latest flagship store hints at a growing demand for the brand’s exceptional pieces.
Wheels 110 Velocity for Four Dubai’s sandy dunes hosts the GTC4Lusso T from Ferrari, a car which combines practicality and undeniable supercar cred.
Time 118 Feel the Steel Franck Muller’s Vanguard Backswing becomes the brightest
and newest arm candy to sport on fairways and greens.
Money 122 A Great Place to Live Properties in Central London come to the forefront of desirability, with a balance of value and the undeniable appeal of location.
CONTENTS
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Travel & Leisure 126 Coming Home Relaxation, gastronomy and swish living come together in one glorious package at The Peninsula Tokyo. 152
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Savour 144 Sweet Spot Maison Pierre Marcolini in Shanghai’s Plaza 66 is the stuff of chocolate lovers’ fantasies.
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MALAYSIA
Robb Report
Editorial
Editorial Director Kenneth Tan (k.tan@imv.com.sg) Editor-in-Chief Shamilee Vellu (s.vellu@imv.com.sg) Online Editor Sam Yen (s.yen@imv.com.sg) Associate Editor Keegan Dorai (k.dorai@imv.com.sg) Editor-At-Large, Watches and Jewellery Celine Yap (c.yap@imv.com.sg) Motoring & Technology Editor Daryl Lee (d.lee@imv.com.sg) Chief Sub-Editor Jacqueline Danam Editorial Assistant Allisa Noraini
Art
Group Creative Director IMV Shabir Mahmood (s.mahmood@imv.com.sg) Designer Le Thu Trang Designer Phuong Nguyen Designer Tung Dinh Picture Editor Kenny Nguyen
Contributing Experts Savour Clement Lim Travel & Leisure Terry Lim Wheels Wolfgang Stegers Wines & Spirits Zephyr Tan
Production Group Production Manager Hilal Rethashah
Contributors Ana Ongko, Arianne Nardo, Jennifer Choo, Mark Lean, Rebecca Morris, Renyi Lim, Sanjay Surana, Sasha Gonzales, Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop
Production Design Concept Dmitry Barbanel Typefaces Alexey Chekulaev, Yuri Gordon, Eugeny Yukechev Prepress IMV Repro Printer Percetakan Zanders Sdn Bhd (205766A), No 16, Jalan BK 1/11, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
MALAYSIA
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Advertising Sales and Marketing Director Regional Sales IMV Perlyn de Rouvray (p.derouvray@imv.com.sg) Malaysia Director of Sales Venis Loo (v.loo@imv.com.sg) Sales Manager Xana Lai (x.lai@imv.com.sg) Sales Manager Phoon Qian Yu (qy.phoon@imv.com.sg) Senior Marketing Executive Onnia Law (o.law@imv.com.sg) Singapore Marketing Director Singapore and Malaysia Natasha Damodaran (n.damodaran@imv.com.sg) Marketing Manager Renee Chea (r.chea@imv.com.sg) Sales & Marketing Assistant Allisa Noraini (a.noraini@imv.com.sg) For sales and marketing enquiries, please call +603 6211 4288
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Michael von Schlippe Published by Indochine Media Ventures Sdn Bhd B-7-13A, Gateway Kiaramas, No. 1, Jalan Desa Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603 6211 4288 under the licence of Robb Report Media LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
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MALAYSIA
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ROBB REPORT GLOBAL Managing Director David Arnold Executive Vice President, Editor in Chief Brett Anderson Executive Editor Bruce Wallin Creative Director Robb Rice Senior Vice President, Live Media Cristina Cheever Vice President, Communications & Business Affairs Elyse Heckman
PENSKE MEDIA CORPORATION Chairman and CEO Jay Penske Chief Operation Officer George Grobar Senior Vice President, Finance Ken DelAlcazar Managing Director, International Markets Debashish Ghosh Robb Report Malaysia is published monthly by Indochine Media Ventures Sdn Bhd, registration number 1103831-D. Permit number PP18627/10/2014 (034060). Indochine Media has taken every reasonable care to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the information contained in this publication, but accepts no responsibility for the content of advertisements published, and no liability for mistake, misprint, omission, typographical error, loss or damage suffered as a result of relying wholly or in part on the content of advertising or editorial published herein. Indochine Media reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or advertorial for any reason. All artwork designed by Indochine Media or any part of this publication may not be reproduced in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by means – graphical, electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording, taping, etc – without prior permission in writing from the Publishers.
22 – 27 March 2018
BASELWORLD.COM
Be there when the world’s most important watch and jewellery brands present their latest innovations and creations. BASELWORLD: THE PREMIERE SHOW
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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Robb Report
A CASE FOR INVESTMENT
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lternative investments, which run the gamut of rare whiskies, cult wines, storied timepieces and art, has always been a great source of interest, particularly for the frenzy they may generate, be it at auctions or otherwise. On 12 and 13 May, Phillips Geneva together with auctioneer supreme Aurel Bacs, will put a very special timepiece on the block, created by Saxon watchmaker A Lange & Soehne this year. The piece, called the 1815 Homage to Walter Lange, is a stainless steel watch – an absolute rarity given that this watchmaker never makes stainless steel timepieces save for a handful in its past – which became absolute treasures as well. Proceeds from the sale of this timepiece will be channelled to the Children Action Foundation.
Perhaps what makes this auction most interesting is not just the timepiece itself, but of the heritage and history which it represents; a court clockmaker’s apprentice who eventually became one of Dresden’s most beloved heroes, creating gainful employment for its inhabitants in a time of economic paucity and going on to produce some of the best watches in the world. And of how this legend re-entered the stream of present-day history, three generations later, through his descendant Walter Lange who, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, decided to return to the place where it all began. Last year, at the age of 93, Walter passed on, after seeing his family legacy revived in grand style and be considered, once again, among the world’s leading lights of horology. Kenneth Tan
22 – 27 March 2018 Basel – Switzerland
Witness the
Dawn of Trends trends that will capture the world’s attention in 2018. Only Baselworld brings together the most prestigious brands, the most influential media and world-class buyers. Come and experience first-hand tomorrow’s trends. Baselworld: the Show of world premieres! BASE LWO R LD.C O M
Be there when the world‘s most important watch and jewellery brands present their latest innovations and creations. March 22 marks the start of six days during which the foremost watch and jewellery brands convene in Basel to unveil a new cycle of
AGENDA
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Robb Report
EVENT GUIDE What’s worth doing this month and next. By SASHA GONZALES
HSBC WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
1 to 4 March Held at the new Tanjong Course in Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club’s, this event will see top women players battle it out to win the coveted title from defending champion, Inbee Park. The tournament will also feature world-class entertainment and acts to add to the festivities and excitement. www.hsbcgolf.com
EVITA
23 February to 11 March This Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical charts the story of Eva Peron, First Lady of Argentina from 1946 to 1952, who used her position to fight for women’s rights and improve the lives of workingclass Argentinians. The musical is held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. www.marinabaysands.com
WHITE NIGHT MELBOURNE
17 to 18 February This celebration of culture and creativity is inspired by the international Nuit Blanche movement, which began in Paris. Melbourne’s city streets, parklands, laneways, public spaces and cultural institutions will come to life with exhibitions, street performances and illuminations. whitenight.com.au Evita photo CHRISTIAAN KOTZE
CHINESE NEW YEAR RACE MEETING
18 February This popular horseracing event, held at Sha Tin Race Course in Hong Kong, is the first race in the Year of the Dog. In addition to the official racing programme, visitors can look forward to a grand opening show, cultural and entertainment performances, and a chance to meet with jockeys. www.hkjc.com
AGENDA
February - 2018
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ART CALENDAR Robb Report Malaysia presents this month’s most aesthetically pleasing picks for your viewing pleasure. By ANA ONGKO
CHANEL MADEMOISELLE PRIVE Following its successful chapters in London 2015 and Seoul 2016, this four-week exhibition offers an immersive experience of the brand’s collections by capturing the irreverent spirits of the house’s two creative forces – Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld. An accompanying smartphone app for iOS and Android provides updates on the exhibition as well as teaser content. Where: PMQ, Hong Kong
HUBERT LE GALL: WELCOME TO MY WORLD
When: Now – 10 Feb Tickets: Free
If you are in need of design inspiration, whimsical furniture pieces by French artist-designer Hubert Le Gall might just tickle your fancy. Le Gall’s iconic works such as the Ferriere commode (a chest of drawers covered with flowers), rabbit ear armchairs and limitededition flower tables inspired by Andy Warhol’s daisies will feature at Mazel Galerie in Singapore. The 57-year-old has also designed for luxury brands such as Dior and Ruinart. Where: Mazel Galerie, Singapore When: Now – 25 Mar Tickets: Free
ASIAN ART BIENNIAL
FASHIONED FROM NATURE
Amid today’s political conundrum in Asia, does contemporary art have a role to play in the decisions we make? Curators of the sixth Asian Art Biennial invited 30 artists/collectives to participate in the event’s theme – Negotiating the Future. The participating artists seek to address recent events and latent tension in Asia. Daily programmes include performance art and workshops. Where: National Taiwan Museum of Fine
Emma Watson made recycling look chic – especially at a fashionable event like the Met Gala. In 2016, she took a striking black and white Calvin Klein gown made completely out of repurposed plastic bottles to the red carpet. The gown is being showcased at this exhibition, alongside 300 other exceptional pieces such as a bag crafted from pineapple fibre and a cockerel feather cape. Where: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Arts, Taichung When: Now – 25 Feb Tickets: Free
When: Now – 21 Apr Tickets: £12 (RM66)
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FRONTRUNNERS
Robb Report
THE LATEST IN LUXURY
“I DON’T WANT TO BE TOO PROUD, BUT I HAVE A GOOD PERSONAL STYLE.” Alexander McQueen
FRONTRUNNERS
February - 2018
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THE LATEST IN LUXURY
A GLOW IN THE DARK Alexander McQueen Studio and The Rug Company practice the dark arts. By ARIANNE NARDO
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o mark its 20th anniversary last year, London-based The Rug Company unveiled the TRC20 capsule collection of handmade rugs featuring creations from Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Kelly Wearstler as well as company co-founder Suzanne Sharp. TRC20’s Chiaroscuro, created in collaboration with Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah
Burton, is limited to 40 editions (starting at US$9,456, RM37,230, for a 1.52m-by-0.91m rug). Its pattern is a gothic, moody free fall into Dutch floral paintings of the 17th century. The pieces are handwoven (as are all TRC20 designs) from natural yarns, with every colour blended by hand to impart an impressive contrast of light and dark. Years ago, The Rug Company worked with McQueen on a number
of editions that resonate for their design and dimension. Co-founder Christopher Sharp says: “He was amazed by the craftsmanship involved in our rugs. We asked him to come up with the best rug designs he could and not to worry about how we’d make them. The designs were incredible and challenged us to explore new weaving techniques, and they have since become iconic.” therugcompany.com ≠
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FRONTRUNNERS
Robb Report
THE LATEST IN LUXURY
Canine Capers
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Royal Selangor gets tails wagging for the Year of the Dog.
he protective nature of man’s best friend has captured the Chinese imagination for thousands of years, and Royal Selangor is determined to give the 11th animal in the Chinese zodiac the welcome it deserves in 2018. Only 1,000 Year of the Dog plaques (RM3,500) will be available for sale worldwide, featuring a chow chow against a backdrop of lush crab apple flowers which herald good fortune and wealth. The dog, which bears a close resemblance to the Foo Dog – a mythical part-lion dog believed to ward off evil – comes embellished in 24-carat gold. The plaque is also engraved with a lyrical poem that alludes to the arrival of prosperity in the new lunar year. www.royalselangor.com
Good Morning Revival
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Rise and shine in New & Lingwood’s opulent silk dressing gowns.
staple of the discerning gentleman’s wardrobe since the late 17th century, New & Lingwood brings more than a touch of sophistication to your morning routine with its luxurious silk gowns, which take their inspiration from Oriental robes. Its Turquoise Gothic Lined Silk Dressing Gown (£2,250, RM12,320) is crafted from pure English silk woven in an original art nouveau archive design, with gold and pale turquoise colouration typical of the period. It comes fully lined in Trafalgar blue satin, with contrasting navy silk quilted revers and cuffs, and is trimmed throughout with corded piping. www.newandlingwood.com
Full of Grace
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Freolic London serves a seductive vision in lace.
elicate blush pink French corded lace, picot-edged elastics and ultra-feminine rose gold hardware enable Freolic London’s Grace lingerie set (£355, RM1,944) to pull off the rare feat of looking simultaneously demure yet seductive. A sumptuous Valentine’s Day treat for your lady, it goes best with stilettos, a smile and little else. Comprising a strapless bra with detachable straps, a suspender belt with eyelashedged scallops and a lowrise thong with a cheeky sheer mesh back, a pair of the finest silk stockings will complete this incredibly romantic set. www.freolic.co.uk
Year of the Dog plaque photo ROYAL SELANGOR
February - 2018
AUCTIONS
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OFF THE BLOCK We keep you up-to-date on the hottest lots under the hammer. By RENYI LIM
Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond and Diamond Ring
Auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York for US$15.1 million (RM59.5 million). his 5.69-carat diamond was the highest-selling lot of the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale last December. The emerald-cut diamond, which boasts a natural colour with VVS1 clarity, is flanked by baguette diamonds, making it a standout lot. The sale also featured a number of other spectacular diamonds in a variety of hues and shapes, including an extremely rare 110.92-carat round diamond - the largest of its kind to be offered at auction. www.sothebys.com
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Twelve Landscape Screens by Qi Baishi Auctioned by Poly International Auction in Beijing for RMB931.5 million (RM573.6 million).
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surprise star of the auction world in 2017, the sale of this collection propelled Qi Baishi into the $100 million club. The ink-brush master artist is now the first Chinese artist to fetch more than US$100 million at auction, making Twelve Landscape Screens the second most expensive item to be auctioned last year. Each painting is framed in a vertical shaft measuring 1.8m in length. www.polypm.com.cn
Natural Pearl and Diamond Drop Pendant
Auctioned by Bonhams in New York for US$1.5 million (RM5.9 million). frenzied bidding war surrounded this natural pearl and diamond drop pendant from the estate of American philanthropist Mary Clark Thompson, eventually going on to fetch the highest price for a natural pearl at auction in the last six years. The single drop pearl, which measures 14.1mm, features a rose-cut diamond surmount and was praised for its size, symmetry, rich lustre and blemish-free skin. A true rarity in the jewellery world, the pendant also became the third most valuable single natural pearl drop to be sold at auction.
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www.bonhams.com
Pendant photo STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
GRAND OPENINGS
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Robb Report
ITALY REDUX The second Bottega Veneta boutique has landed at Suria KLCC. By WEI-YU WANG
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onnoisseurs of Italian design and craftsmanship will take note of the new Bottega Veneta boutique at Suria KLCC. This marks the second such store in Malaysia, following the one at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The store is a roomy 189sqm and follows a fresh concept emphasising lightness and space, with liberal use of brighter colours. The overall effect is that of minimalistic, understated luxury — much like the label’s trademark style. On display are the handcrafted leather goods that have earned
Bottega Veneta its renown, including luggage, handbags and shoes for men and women, all with the brand’s signature intrecciato weave pattern. Other offerings include jewellery, fragrances and eyewear. An in-store customisation service allows buyers to have their initials stamped on their purchases. Bottega Veneta Lot G21-22, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603 2161 1345 www.bottegaveneta.com ≠
GRAND OPENINGS
February - 2018
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ROME COMES CALLING Fendi’s newly renovated store in Suria KLCC marks a return to its lavish Roman roots. By RENYI LIM
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talian sophistication, an obsession with details and a love of grandeur permeate Fendi’s recently refreshed store, which reopened last December. The duplex offers a multitude of signature Fendi elements, including an extensive range of women’s ready-to-wear pieces, furs, handbags, shoes and accessories.
Revisiting the story and traditions of the Roman luxury maison, the store concept features a selection of sketches by Karl Lagerfeld and a patchwork fur tablet showcasing Fendi’s craftsmanship and ingenuity. Meanwhile, the second level displays - for the first time in Malaysia - the full range of the men’s ready-to-wear
collection, leather goods, shoes and accessories. In celebration of this store’s opening, Fendi has released 10 limited-edition Mini Peekaboo bags covered in precious baby pink sequins, retailing at RM26,150 - a worldwide exclusive available only at the boutique. Fendi G31 & 125 Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603 2166 0882 www.fendi.com ∆
GRAND OPENINGS
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MAXIMALIST MAKEOVER The new Zen Beauty elevates the Thai capital’s retail scene. By MARK LEAN
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overing over 3,000sqm of retail space, the updated Zen Beauty store in Central Bangkok is a perfect canvas on which to highlight the world’s most coveted beauty labels. Matching retail scene with digital sphere, the multi-brand store is kitted out with state-of-the-art LED screens beaming the latest runway beauty looks. International names such as
Dior, Chanel, Shiseido, Jo Malone London, Tom Ford Beauty, Shu Uemura, Cle De Peau, Aesop, Fresh and Urban Decay take centre stage. Zen Beauty features cosmetics, skincare products and perfumes for men and women spanning over 130 brands. Zen Department Store 4, 4/5 Rajdamri Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok Tel: +66 2 100 9999 www.zen.co.th ≠
Robb Report
GRAND OPENINGS
February - 2018
MEKONG MARVEL Azerai unveils its second hotel on an island in the middle of the Mekong River. By SAM YEN
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fter debuting with Azerai Luang Prabang last year, Adrian Zecha’s emerging Azerai brand is ready for the followup. Set on the eight-hectare private Au Islet in the middle of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the 60-room hotel offers rooms with river, lake or garden views. Home to Vietnam’s largest floating market, Can Tho can be an overwhelmingly busy
city at times, but at Azerai Can Tho – accessible by a 10-minute private boat ride – serenity reigns. Blending a colonial vibe with touches of traditional Vietnamese elements, the resort also has a particular focus on wellness in the comprehensive Azerai Spa. Azerai Can Tho Hung Phu, Cai Rang, Can Tho, Vietnam Tel: +84 292 3627888 www.azerai.com ≠
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ROBB COLLECTIONS
Robb Report
ELEGANT LUXURIOUS STYLISH
“THE MAN WHO INVENTED THE RED CARPET NEEDED HIS HEAD EXAMINED.” Prince Philip
ROBB COLLECTIONS
February - 2018
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ELEGANT LUXURIOUS STYLISH
SCREEN WRITING Montblanc Muses Marilyn Monroe Special Edition
By REBECCA MORRIS
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arilyn Monroe is one of the 20th century’s most recognisable and memorable figures. Montblanc pays tribute to her glamour and charisma through its new Montblanc Muses Marilyn Monroe Special Edition, which includes a fountain pen (S$1,350, RM4,031) and ballpoint (S$995). The shape of the writing instrument is reminiscent of the four-inch heels Monroe favoured and the resin of the cap and barrel is the red of the specially made lipstick that encased her famous
pout. Champagne gold makes an appearance in the cap top, fittings and the nib, which features an engraved portrait of the actress. The hole in the nib, which is traditionally round, is heart-shaped here. One of Photo JACOB | REISCHEL
Monroe’s few fashion accessories was a single row of Akoya pearls given to her by her second husband, baseball star Joe DiMaggio, which are depicted as a single pearl on the pen clip. In reference to her famous song, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friends, the cone is decorated with diamonds, alongside her signature. Monroe is the latest inspiration for the Muses writing instruments. Earlier muses have included Princess Grace of Monaco and Greta Garbo. www.montblanc.com ≠
ROBB COLLECTIONS
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ELEGANT LUXURIOUS STYLISH
LOUD AND CLEAR Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 50 By KEEGAN DORAI
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he new Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 50 (RM165,000) comes as a pair of speakers that combine radical audio technology with a unique design. An acoustic lens, which appears when the speakers are powered on, measures the room to ensure optimal sound clarity based on the room’s dimensions.
BeoLab 50 also comes with the Beam Width control function which, upon activation, projects sound onto an area of your choice. By dispensing audio to multiple positions in front of the speaker, you can enjoy a quiet melody in your own company or project a fullon concert to a gathering of friends. www.bang-olufsen.com ≠
Robb Report
February - 2018
ROBB COLLECTIONS ELEGANT LUXURIOUS STYLISH
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS TWG Tea’s rose-inspired collections
By REBECCA MORRIS
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oses are obligatory for Valentine’s Day, but the foodie gift of choice doesn’t have to be chocolates. Instead, you can surprise your significant other with a rose-themed breakfast by TWG Tea. Amour de The (S$40, RM119) is an elegant Darjeeling tea blended with rose blossoms and packaged in a blush pink and gold caviar tin gift box. Mon Amour Tea (S$40), a rich, black tea with sweet quince notes, is inspired by the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, who is associated with the fruit. The Rose Collection also includes Breakfast Queen, Crimson Hill, Crystal Water, Eternal Summer, Festive Night,
Golden Rose, Imperial Rose, Magic Charm, Morning Mist, Mon Amour, Rose Boudoir, Rose Zephyr, Silk Water and Snow Mountain Teas. Accompany the drink with rosecoloured macarons (from S$12), whose centres are infused with Bain de Roses Tea, a Darjeeling blended with roses and hints of vanilla. Serve this most romantic of breakfasts in his-and-hers Rose and Turquoise TWG Tea Glamour teapots (from S$248) with matching tea bowls (from S$98). For a cosy evening a deux, a Bain de Roses tea-scented candle (S$90) will seal the romantic ambience of your stay-at-home date. www.twgtea.com ≠
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PORTFOLIO
RAMBO LAMBO The stable of the raging bull unveils its long-awaited SUV. By DARYL LEE
Robb Report
February – 2018
PORTFOLIO
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ontrary to popular belief, the Lamborghini Urus isn’t the stable of the raging bull’s first attempt at an SUV. Nor is it the concept car it’s based on, first exhibited at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. That distinction belongs to the LM002 of the late 1980s. While the LM002 never found commercial, or even critical, success, there’s no denying it was a car far ahead of its time. The Urus is as rapid as you expect a Lamborghini to be. It has a four-litre twin-turbo V8 and with 650bhp/850Nm at its disposal, the 0-100km/hr dash occurs in 3.6 seconds, while the top speed is a claimed 305km/hr. Interestingly, Lamborghini says the Urus is also possessed of a great breadth of ability, “as sporty or as elegant as the owner wishes, and can equally be used as a daily luxury drive or provide an exhilarating super sports experience”. I’ll reserve judgment for when I actually get some time behind the wheel, but what I can tell you right now is it’ll face some stiff competition in the form of the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Turbo (a close relative of the Urus) and if you’re prepared to wait a year or two, the Aston Martin DBX. www.lamborghini.com ≠
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Robb Report
“FEW MEN HAVE VIRTUE TO WITHSTAND THE HIGHEST BIDDER.” George Washington
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February – 2018
Photo STEVE MCALISTER/GETTY IMAGES
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Robb Report
Art deco period furnishings and decor accounted for the greatest value of sales in 2016.
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February - 2018
DESIGNS OF THE TIMES
Recent sales figures from five of the world’s top auction houses suggest that the overall collectible-design market is on the rise and contemporary styles could be poised for a big comeback. By LARRY BEAN
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he overall market for 20th-century design made a strong recovery in 2016, even after a sharp fall in 2012 followed by three flat years. Art deco period furnishings and decor accounted for the greatest value of sales in 2016, but the volume of sales from that era declined compared to 2015. Meanwhile, interest in postwar-modern and contemporary works trended upward. Twentieth-century design can be broken up into roughly five styles and time spans: art nouveau (1900–1920), art deco (1920–1945), postwar-modern (1945–1970), postmodern (1970–1990) and contemporary (1990–2011). DeTnk — which is an online marketplace for
Alberto Giacometti’s 1949 footed bowl sold for US$1.6 million at a Christie’s sale in March 2017.
collectible design, a showcase for designers, and a self-proclaimed think tank dedicated to interior design — released a report that analyses sales prices and volumes for each period. Using sales data from auction houses Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Phillips, Dorotheum and Wright, the report also includes the DeTnk Design Index, which summarises data into a simple number to assess the market’s climate year after year. For 2016’s market activity, that simple number is 145. This figure becomes meaningful only when you compare it with the number for 2015 and find that it’s nearly 12 points greater, indicating strong overall market growth. It’s also more than 50 points
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greater than the Design Index for 2008, when the market bottomed out during the Great Recession. However, activity is still down from 2012, when the index peaked at 175. “I was surprised by the fall in the market in 2013,” says architect and designer Rabih Hage, who founded DeTnk. “But since then, we have seen a steady maturing of the market, which is remaining more steady without much volatility.” Hage views the 2013 index decline as more of a correction than a crash. “After the fantastic year
Robb Report
accounted for the largest portion of the overall volume with 36 per cent and contemporary was also the smallest by this measurement at just eight per cent. DeTnk found that only 66 per cent of art deco items offered at auction in 2016 were sold, but they also garnered the highest average price. The report notes that a single extraordinary sale can greatly affect this average-price figure. The average-price figure suggests that collectors have an
“We have seen a steady maturing of the market, which is remaining more steady without much volatility.” of 2012, people started offering a great deal of lots for sale between 2013 and 2015, thinking they would be able to sell as they had in 2012. Unfortunately, the great success of 2012 didn’t continue, but now we have more sustained growth.” Indeed, according to DeTnk, the total value of the global 20thcentury design market increased 36 per cent from 2015 to 2016, and the average sales price jumped nine per cent. In 2016, art deco accounted for 25 per cent of the value of all 20thcentury design-market sales, the largest portion of the total market value. Contemporary works made up the smallest portion at just 11 per cent. The modern period
increased interest in art deco. But with a third of the items going unsold, the prices may be too high, says Hage. “We’re seeing an incremental retreat from art deco.” Carina Villinger, the head of Christie’s 20th- and 21stcentury design department, also notes a retreat from some items that DeTnk’s timeline categorises as art deco. “The 1940s market is usually associated with more ornate work and a more ornate aesthetic is not doing so well now,” she says. “Those prices have levelled off and people have turned to other periods that reflect a more contemporary look.” DeTnk’s findings support this observation. Postwar-modern items
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Some of the more significant recent sales at Phillips have involved artists that fall into DeTnk’s postmodern category. had the lowest average selling price, but 74 per cent of the works that went to auction were purchased. Postmodern also sold at a 74 per cent rate.
POSTMODERN ON THE RISE
Some of the more significant recent sales at Phillips have involved artists that fall into DeTnk’s postmodern category. “We have seen an increased interest in works of handcrafted British modernism
Marc Newson’s Lockheed Lounge. Facing page: works by Rie have been attracting attention from collectors across the globe.
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“Works with a handmade or handcrafted element tend to evoke an emotional response.” FUTURE BUYS
— particularly studio ceramics and textiles,” says Meaghan Roddy, Phillips’ senior specialist of design. In December 2016, Phillips set a new auction record for Rie when a circa-1978 white glazed bowl of hers sold for US$212,500 (S$286,200) in a New York sale. “Works with a handmade or handcrafted element tend to evoke an emotional response, which really holds appeal for collectors,” says Roddy. “And this can certainly explain the recent surge in interest for works of the studio movement.” Another recent notable Phillips sale from the postmodern era involved Marc Newson’s circa-1990 Lockheed Lounge, which fetched approximately US$3,700,400 at a 2015 sale in London. Like art deco, art nouveau may have also reached its peak, according to DeTnk. Only 67 per cent of items that went to auction in 2016 were sold. The world record for any piece of 20th-century furniture belongs to what DeTnk would classify as an art nouveau item: Eileen Gray’s Fauteuil aux Dragons (Dragon Armchair). This piece sold for over US$28 million at a Christie’s sale in Paris in 2009.
Recent sales involving items from the art deco period include Phillips’ 2014 auction of Isamu Noguchi’s 1939 Goodyear Table, which brought more than US$4.45 million.
Notwithstanding DeTnk’s observations about the recent activity relating to art nouveau works, one segment of that market has been doing well at Christie’s, according to Villinger. “We’ve seen a renewed interest in French art glass,” she says, specifically citing the work of Emile Galle. “That market had definitely shrunk a little, but we got a great response to a sale we had in March 2016.” During that sale, one vase by Galle sold for US$72,500 and another for US$106,250. The former had a presale estimate of US$30,000 to US$50,000 and the latter, US$50,000 to US$70,000. “I think the French art-glass market is the sort of market that is always alive, even if it’s not necessarily incredibly contemporary and sexy,” says Villinger. “It’s a market that is very well supported by collectors who truly love the material and the designs of these pieces. They tend to be slightly older collectors. It’s definitely a market that appeals to a more seasoned collector who has a more historic outlook. A young collector of contemporary art would not want something from Galle.” Those young collectors, observes Hage, will be the strongest influence on the collectible-design market for the next decade and they will be driving demand for items from the contemporary period. “The contemporary market is coming back slowly and this trend will continue with the younger buyers,” he says. Contemporary
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“We’ve seen a renewed interest in French art glass.”
Diego Giacometti’s 1983 table was once owned by iconic fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy.
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This lantern, which Christie’s says is probably a unique piece, is a prelude to the lights that Diego Giacometti created for his last commission for Musee Picasso.
“You should focus on buying what you like and — especially with design — buying what you need.”
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works had the second-highest average sale price in 2016, and 71 per cent of the items that went to auction were purchased. In offering general advice on buying collectible design, Roddy suggests those younger collectors should consider items such as French art glass. “You should focus on buying what you like and — especially with design — buying what you need. Buying design for investment purposes shouldn’t be your objective. You should focus on works that speak to you and those you genuinely want to live with. I would, however, recommend that you not buy only what makes you feel comfortable. You should always challenge yourself a bit and broaden your horizons. That’s often how the most interesting and
Diego Giacometti’s Mill Reef is modelled after a thoroughbred of the same name.
Collectors seeking to acquire work by a designer for investment purposes should not wait until he or she is in the spotlight — not if they want to avoid paying a premium.
This table by Diego Giacometti was made in 1966 for the Kronenhalle restaurant in Zurich.
successful collections are made.” Collectors seeking to acquire work by a designer for investment purposes should not wait until he or she is in the spotlight — not if they want to avoid paying a premium. “If a designer is the subject of a museum retrospective or a new catalogue raisonne, this increased attention to their life and work will often lead to stronger auction results,” says Roddy. Hage agrees, adding that if you are reading about a designer, the price for his or her work has already risen. “When people have the name on their minds,” he says, “sellers can take advantage of this by putting items at auction, judging it as the right time to sell.” ¬
Photos CHRISTIE’S
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JET SET, GO A partnership between VistaJet and leading auction house Christie’s offers three unique ways of experiencing the exhibition and global tour of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller. By SAM YEN
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lear your schedule for spring 2018: you’ll want to be on board for this curated experience of the exhibition and tour of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller. Hosted by Christie’s and sponsored by VistaJet, art and philanthropy meet in three exclusive experiences (prices upon request) for VistaJet
and Christie’s clients. The World of Art Experience - a multi-leg journey conducted over the first quarter of the year allows customers to travel to The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller exhibitions in London, Los Angeles and New York onboard VistaJet. They’ll enjoy a private tour at each location, a
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VistaJet is the worldwide sponsor of the exhibition and tour of The Collection of Peggy and David (inset) Rockefeller, the most significant auction entirely dedicated to raising funds for philanthropic causes.
year-long membership to global arts club The Cultivist, and VistaJet will transport clients (and their art) at no additional cost on flights anytime, anywhere. With The Direct Experience, guests flying with VistaJet to any of the exhibitions will also receive complimentary membership to VistaJet Direct worth US$10,000 (S$13,000), which includes access to private flights at special rates through its business jet app. Meanwhile, The Rockefeller Experience - a truly intimate, up-close-and-personal journey
- is available for up to 10 guests travelling with VistaJet on one of its 72 silver and red jets to New York. Guests will have access to a discovery tour of the Rockefeller collection before sampling a multitaste feast at an exclusive Upstate New York venue. Following that, they’ll be invited for a personal tour of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller exhibition in New York, and can experience the excitement of joining the live auction at Christie’s New York with leading art experts. www.vistajet.com ≠
The World of Art Experience is a multi-leg journey conducted over the first quarter of the year.
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HAMMER TIME As watch collecting reaches new heights, the auction market is booming.
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By CELINE YAP
ver considered buying your next watch through an auction house? If the answer is no, now may be a good time to start. Over the past five years, the world’s greatest auction houses have taken initiatives to woo consumers here, even though the auctioning takes place somewhere else. In the AsiaPacific region, Hong Kong is the auction capital while Geneva, New York and of course London continue to lead the scene in the West.
Photo TSO WAI LOK
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BIDDING TRENDS
otheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams and Phillips are the Big Four. Luxury watch auctions are staged typically every quarter and some common themes include Important Watches, Fine Timepieces and Rare Watches but it’s not unusual for an auction to be styled without a theme. It is, however, always interesting when an auctioneer organises something specific like an Omega auction, or one focused solely on Rolex sport models or historical pocket watches.
Lately, auctioneers have begun to offer a wider portfolio of brands apart from staples like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Omega. Vintage and contemporary watches by the likes of Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin have become more frequently spotted, and sold at good prices, suggesting that bidders are no longer strictly from the esoteric collector’s circle. An increasing number are people interested in acquiring a watch from an earlier era or at a better price.
Sotheby’s auctioned this FP Journe tantalum wristwatch for US$17,500 at its Important Watches sale in New York last June, well within its estimate of US$15,000 to US$20,000.
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TRIED & TRUE
ollectors who are primarily interested in growing the value of their collections inevitably focus most of their attention on only two brands: Rolex and Patek Philippe. These two are the most hotly exchanged brands after all, not to mention the way they constantly hog the limelight and news headlines. But being great manufactures with immense watchmaking expertise, they
Photos FABIO SANTINELLI
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produce large numbers of watches each year. Rolex, it is said, makes a million watches per year and Patek Philippe, around 50,000. So even though the two brands are auction stars in general, and they make up the bulk of auction lots, not every model is a winning watch. Eager bidders are advised to study the market and observe key trends to avoid making rookie mistakes. When it comes to Rolexes, you won’t go wrong with a sport model. Timeless icons such as the Daytona, Submariner
This is the only “exotic”-dialed Daytona that Paul Newman owned, inspiring the storied nickname for the most prestigious version of Rolex’s Daytona.
and GMT-Master II hold their value beautifully. Some like the Sea-Dweller have become recent rising stars thanks to Rolex’s new releases on the primary market. Indeed, what the manufacture does has a direct and almost immediate impact on the value of its watches in the secondary market. Yet not all sport models are desired equally. The Milgauss, the Air-King and Yacht-Master are some examples which have not garnered as fervent a following as its more popular siblings.
Eager bidders are advised to study the market and observe key trends.
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Patek Philippe models that break the milliondollar mark are increasingly common. Demand for the Daytona is expected to spike in 2018 following the high-profile auctioning of the legendary Paul Newman Daytona owned by the actor-race car driver himself. That watch sold at a Phillips (www.phillips.com) auction in New York for more than US$17 million (S$22 million), making it the world’s most expensive wristwatch. In anticipation of the soaring interest, Phillips is set to stage yet another Daytona-themed auction in Geneva in May called Daytona Ultimatum – the name speaks for itself. Bidders, get your paddles (and wallets) ready. Similarly, prices for the GMTMaster II have been on the rise ever since Rolex introduced the Cerachrom bezel in the muchloved Pepsi red-and-blue colourway ref 116719BLRO. Vintage references like the ref 16710 have now reached US$9,000, with rarer models like the ref 1675 breaking far beyond five figures. The Submariner too remains robust in terms of secondary market value, while prices
Launched in 2001 as Patek Philippe’s most complicated wristwatch, the Sky Moon Tourbillon ref 5002 achieved HK$11.02 million (S$1.9 million) at Sotheby’s Important Watches auction in Hong Kong last October.
for the Sea-Dweller are beginning to move in an upward trajectory as a response to Rolex’s release of the new 50th anniversary Single Red Sea-Dweller in 2017, which has a list price of US$11,350 and has yet to appear on the auction scene. Robust resale prices form the top reason why people always buy Patek Philippe when they can. The much higher average price point of its watches (in comparison with Rolex) precludes the majority of buyers from getting into this hallowed circle. That said, Patek Philippes aren’t all that rare and it’s quite possible to get one as long as you’re not too fixated on which one you’re getting. On the auction scene, Patek Philippe models that break the million-dollar mark are increasingly common, attesting to their perennial popularity and ever-rising prices. Vintage Patek Philippes continue to be particularly soughtafter especially the complicated models and even more so the stainless steel pieces.
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This Rolex GMTMaster II was among the 291 lots sold at Sotheby’s Important Watches auction in Hong Kong last October, which yielded a grand total of HK$83 million, including buyer’s premium.
Prices for GMT-Master II have been on the rise since Rolex introduced the Cerachrom bezel in the Pepsi colourway.
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Patek Philippe chronographs and world timers are deeply desired.
An Asian buyer bought this Patek Philippe Ref 5002R for HK$11 million at the Sotheby’s Important Watches sale, just above its estimate of HK$8 million to HK$10 million.
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When these two features combine, records get broken, which was exactly what happened in November 2016 at Phillips’ Geneva Watch Auction Four. One of only four in the world, a stainless steel perpetual calendar Ref 1518 made in 1941 sold for SFr11 million. In contrast, a similar model in yellow gold raked in only SFr598,000 and a rose gold one took SFr1.5 million. Patek Philippe chronographs and world timers are also deeply desired, as are Nautiluses. It’s highly unusual for any Patek Philippe to go unsold at any auction, although it has happened. At the same Phillips auction where a Rolex ref 6062 nicknamed Bao Dai (after the Vietnamese emperor who owned it) closed at US$5 million, a Patek Philippe
Accompanied by a Rolex guarantee, this bejewelled lady’s watch achieved HK$250,000 at Sotheby’s Important Watches sale last October.
Calibre 89 pocket watch failed to even meet the low estimate and went unsold. Once the world’s most complicated timepiece, with 33 complications, Calibre 89 was made on the occasion of the manufacture’s 150th anniversary and a lukewarm response from the market like that points to a waning interest in pretentious timepieces. Still, auctions are a great avenue through which to acquire your next Patek Philippe, especially if you’re on the hunt for a vintage piece or something less mainstream, like a Golden Ellipse or an outof-production Ellipse TV Screen. These may not be the hottest models on the market, but you can be sure they’ll hold their value as you “look after it” for the next generation. ≠
Auctions are a great avenue through which to acquire your next Patek Philippe.
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MARKET WATCH
Collecting and trading timepieces just got easier with Watchbox, a digital luxury watch platform that puts your interests above all. By CELINE YAP
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or the longest time, watch collectors were never able to swiftly and conveniently upgrade their collections. Unlike collecting art or jewellery, for which there are galleries and traders aplenty, there are far fewer trustworthy avenues through which a watch collector may choose to offload or liquidate his pieces. Auction houses are, of course, reputable but they take months to turn watch to cash, while pawnshops and dealers are dodgy at best. Either way, the collector finds himself at the mercy of the industry. This is where Watchbox comes in. A digital luxury watch platform for collectors, Watchbox was founded by Danny Govberg of Govberg Jewelers from the US, Tay Liam Wee whose family established the Sincere Watches retail chain
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and Justin Reis, an investor and entrepreneur across various industries. They are joined by Samuel Lee who spent 20 years running Elegant Watch & Jewellery in Hong Kong. The idea originated from Govberg’s headquarters in Philadelphia where he’s already grown the business model from a traditional authorised dealer to a luxury technology company that buys, sells and trades new and preowned watches. In a rapidly maturing luxury watch market, the services provided by Watchbox offer collectors a greater level of fluidity and more transparency in terms of the market value of their timepieces. Says Reis: “In the last two decades, Liam Wee and Samuel
“Ours is a platform that’s trusted.”
Top from left: Danny Govberg, Tay Liam Wee and Justin Reis.
have sold a good six billion dollars’ worth of watches, and that’s just the two of them. This means there’s a huge volume of watches Top photo STEPHANIE TENG
sitting in drawers and safes everywhere. Ours is a platform that’s trusted and that customers can use on a frequent basis knowing they’re able to get cash for watches in a very short span of time. We’re principal in every transaction and we pay you within 24 hours of authenticating the watch.” Tay adds, “We’ve noted a change in consumer buying patterns. In the old days, selling your valuable watches come with negative connotations. But today, with technology and with a newgeneration consumer, buying preowned and selling your watch is not only accepted but the norm. So there’s a great opportunity here to bring this service to the marketplace.” With vintage fever showing no sign of letting up, it does appear that
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“We provide real-time pricing of their watch collection through our app.” consumers will continue to look for pre-owned timepieces and Watchbox distinguishes itself from other preowned watch sites in that it owns the inventory. Reis explains: “In the pre-owned category, there’s an incredible amount of information online and customers are very sophisticated. We provide real-time pricing of their watch collection through our app. We think it’s important for customers to understand the value of their own collection.” Indeed, Watchbox is a multichannel tech business that allows customers to access its services through every possible means, from online to phone to physical interaction. Govberg elaborates: “The way people learn and explore has changed. You used to do it by going to stores. Now it’s through your phone. People are exploring all the time. Beginning with social media, then to the websites and then maybe to a phone sale where you talk to experienced people who understand value … that builds another level of trust. We’re basically giving consumers luxury any way they want it.” Its impact on the luxury watch primary market has yet to be felt,
Robb Report
but over time,Watchbox may create new opportunities and of course threats. According to Govberg, five out of every 10 new watches sold by Govberg Jewelers involve a trade, meaning half of the business involves somebody trading a preowned watch for a new one. If a collector could offload pieces he no longer likes in order to buy a new
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one, it’s a win-win situation for all. On the other hand, having a platform that sells pre-owned timepieces also means that Watchbox could potentially compete with the primary market for new entrants, namely, the millennial set for whom online shopping is practically second nature. Tay believes that a platform like Watchbox is a good way to engage them through value and help meet their aspirational needs. Currently, Watchbox sees over 100 transactions a day predominantly in the US, with an average selling price of US$10,000 (S$13,000). Following its launch in Asia, the numbers are expected to rise. Says Tay: “From our own estimates, we think there’s half a
trillion dollars’ worth of watches lying out there, all over the world.” Every watch sold to Watchbox gets assessed, authenticated and reconditioned. The majority of its stock are within 12 to 15 years or younger. Says Govberg: “We have customers who start the year with over 100 watches, a million-dollar collection, and yet at the end none of the watches are the same. It’s the same with the art market or with car collectors. People are constantly upgrading their collections. In the watch industry such services were never offered. The biggest collectors today, people enjoying the hobby the most, are now given the opportunity to trade whatever they want, whenever they want.” www.thewatchbox.com ≠
Govberg’s three-storey headquarters in Philadelphia houses a watch repair shop, a pre-owned watch department (inset) and executive offices.
“We think there’s half a trillion dollars’ worth of watches lying out there.”
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According to De Beers, an exceptional diamond colour can be traced to the lattice of carbon atoms that form a diamond’s microscopic structure. Facing page: Andrew Coxon.
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GREEN WITH ENVY
Coloured diamonds, in particular the rare greenhued stones, are increasingly gaining favour among collectors and investors. By SONIA KOLESNIKOV-JESSOP
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eautifully crafted in the style of a glittering three-dimensional astrolabe or celestial object d’art, De Beers’ Wondrous Sphere incorporates 476 polished and rough diamonds placed on orbiting white gold rings articulated around a 13.17-carat olive green rough diamond. That centre diamond took De Beers (www.debeers.com) chief diamond buyer Andrew Coxon nine months to find. Coxon is also the president of the De Beers Institute of Diamonds. “The design required a rough diamond of stature and beauty,” he explains, adding the diamond would have probably gone straight to the polishing wheel if he hadn’t “rescued” it. Natural vivid green diamonds are the second-rarest diamonds to be found naturally — fancy red diamonds being the
rarest — says Coxon, who has bought and sold some of the world’s most famous and largest diamonds. They include the 59.60-carat CTF Pink that came from a 132.5-carat rough diamond mined by De Beers in 1999 and which was bought by jewellery retailer Chow Tai Fook at Sotheby’s Hong Kong last April, setting a new world auction record for any diamond at US$71.2 million (S$94.9 million) or US$1.19 million a carat. In 2016, Chow Tai Fook set the auction world record for a fancy vivid green diamond when it bought Aurora Green for US$16.8 million or US$3.3 million per carat.At 5.03 carats, Aurora Green was a fraction of the size of CTF Pink yet achieved a much higher per carat price. It was also the largest fancy vivid green diamond sold at auction, attesting to the rarity of the most sought-after
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The green results from millions of years of exposure to natural radiation beneath the surface of the earth. saturated colour among green diamonds. While other coloured diamonds form as a result of a contamination in the carbon crystal (such as boron for blues and nitrogen for yellows), the green results from millions of years of exposure to natural radiation beneath the surface of the earth. The largest and perhaps finest natural green diamond known is the 40.7-carat Dresden Green, a pear-shaped diamond first acquired by Frederick Augustus II, king of Poland, from a Dutch merchant in 1741. It now resides permanently in the Green Vault of the Dresden Royal Palace. The second largest green diamond, Gruosi, is owned by De Grisogono and weighs 25 carats. It is set in a gold ring with 282 black diamonds. The majority of naturally irradiated
From above: a piece from De Beers’ 1888 Master Diamonds collection; Aurora Green.
diamonds only maintain their green colouring on the surface (also known as skins) and often lose that rare colour during the cutting process. Among these rare stones very few have a pure fancy green colour, with most green diamonds containing a modifying hue (blueish, greyish or yellowish) that will greatly affect the pricing of the stone. “The most attractive modifier is the blue green. They can have a wonderful Caribbean Sea colour. For me, as a professional, I prefer those to the straight vivid green because it has a warmer hue. But it’s not as rare as the vivid green. The least valuable are the greyish yellowish green diamonds, which are actually very affordable. You could buy a threecarat greyish yellowish green for US$15,000 to US$20,000 per carat,” explains Graeme Thompson,
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The first appearance of a lily pad is captured by De Beers in the Awakening Lotus necklace with an unusual 18.79-carat rough blueish green macle – or slendershaped lozenge diamond.
“The most attractive modifier is the blue green.”
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A 1.17-carat natural fancy vivid green diamond from De Beers. Facing page: this necklace with a 1.66-carat natural fancy deep green heart-shaped diamond pendant is up for sale at Bonhams Hong Kong’s Rare Jewels and Jadeite auction in May; Alisa Moussaieff.
Bonhams will offer a beautiful fancy deep green diamond in May. Bonhams’ director of jewellery in Asia. He points out: “Yellowish and greyish green diamonds are featured in our auctions quite frequently, but we’ve never had a fancy vivid green diamond. We
did have a 1.24-carat fancy intense green diamond in 2015, which sold for HK$1 million.” Bonhams (www.bonhams.com) will offer a beautiful fancy deep green diamond in May, which Thomson describes as having “a
Photo DAVID KATZ
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slightly darker tone than a fancy vivid green diamond, a very alpine colour.” Thompson says the market for green diamonds is “very much in Asia” because the colour is considered auspicious by Asian buyers who already have a long tradition of appreciating jadeite. That Asian interest has been noted by Alisa Moussaieff, the 88-year-old driving force of London-based Moussaieff Jewellers (www.moussaieff.co.uk), who says that in recent years, Asian jewellery lovers have become “more and more discerning when it comes to the finer points in coloured diamonds”. The high-end jeweller points out that “the colour of green diamonds is extremely versatile and combines really well with other colours in diamonds”. Moussaieff likes to pair green diamonds with pink diamonds in her creations. Prices for green diamonds have been rising, but collectors also need to be cautious and buy with their “eyes and heart” as well as the backing of a certificate from a body such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), says Thompson. While natural green diamonds are extremely rare, the colour can be reproduced artificially so
convincingly that it can be difficult for a seasoned jeweller to distinguish between a natural green diamond and one artificially treated. To reassure buyers, the GIA has developed thorough, in-depth lab tests that manage to rule decisively whether the diamond’s green colour was created in a natural or artificial process. “Very few green diamonds pass the stringent tests,” says Coxon, adding that it has now become a requirement to show the original rough diamond to the diamond grading laboratory for them to examine its original green skin, before it is partially polished away in the manufacturing process. “Never buy any fancy coloured diamond which does not have a recent GIA diamond grading report and which is not sourced for you by a trusted brand with undoubted expertise,” Coxon advises. He adds: “In addition to the vital GIA certificate and a trusted brand’s guidance, the most important rules to remember when purchasing a piece of diamond jewellery are: eye, brain, heart. Do the diamonds excite your eyes, do they mesmerise your brain, is your heart captivated by them? Choose for beauty!” ≠
Photo MARK FRENCH, TOM JAMIESON
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According to Robert Swade (facing page), “the Grace St Moritz Apartments project has huge appeal to overseas buyers looking to own a home in one of the world’s most glamorous all-year-round resorts”.
FULL OF GRACE
Under new CEO Robert Swade, Grace Hotels is branching out with a fresh hospitality/residential concept, beginning with the upcoming Grace St Moritz.
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By SAM YEN
strict Lex Koller and Lex Weber ownership regulations, allowing unique freehold property ownership in Switzerland. Prices start from SFr740,000 (S$1 million) for a studio and SFr9.9 million for a penthouse. “Since the launch, we have noticed that the project has huge global appeal. Buyers are drawn to the prospect of owning a home in one of the world’s most exclusive locations.”
The scheme allows non-Swiss nationals to circumvent the strict Lex Koller and Lex Weber ownership regulations.
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mbracing new challenges is key to the success of any business. When Robert Swade joined Grace Hotels in 2016, it coincided with a dramatic expansion programme. With 11 properties now either open or under development, the brand is pioneering new offerings. With Grace St Moritz, its first venture into the Alps, it is introducing a hospitality/ residential scheme that is part of the larger Grace St Moritz hotel, scheduled to open in 2019. In Asia, this concept – serviced apartment collaborations with hotel brands – is increasingly common. In Europe, it is rare, especially one in the heart of a winter sports paradise. But success comes from being bold.
“Grace St Moritz is our third hotel with a residential offering, after Grace Cafayate and La Dolfina Grace in Argentina,” says Swade. “There is growing demand from homeowners around the world who seek a luxury residence blended with the service levels of a worldclass hotel brand.” In that sense, Grace’s expansion to St Moritz, a location synonymous with international jet-set glamour, feels natural. With 17 units made available to hotel guests when owners are not in residence, the scheme allows non-Swiss nationals to circumvent the Inset photo OLIVER DORAN
The proposition means buyers can benefit from long-term capital growth while earning rental income, with Grace Hotels managing the entire process. Swade intends to develop this in upcoming projects. For the moment, Asia is not on that list – Grace is only present in the Americas, Europe and Africa – but Swade believes that China, Malaysia and Singapore are a good fit. “We are committed to prov id i ng bespoke, luxury experiences. Asia is a fantastic location to provide that authenticity.” w w w. g r a c e h o t e l s . com ≠
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HEDGING FUTURES
Daryl Lee selects some new under-the-radar cars you can buy today that have the potential to be auction stars in the near future.
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n the past couple of years, prices of classic cars, and even modern classics have gone through the proverbial roof. While most of these transactions took place between private sellers and buyers, 2017 also saw some big sales at auction. A quick search will throw up cars like 993-generation Porsche 911 GT2 that sold for ÂŁ1.8 million (S$3.3 million). While that Porsche is from some two decades ago, even more modern examples can switch hands for several times the price they were bought for.
A Lamborghini Reventon Coupe went for US$1.3 million (S$1.7 million), a Ferrari SA Aperta for US$1.49 million and despite production not having started yet, a LaFerrari Aperta was sold for US$10 million. Those cars are out of reach to most simply because they rarely come up for sale. In light of that, I have selected some relatively easily attainable (non-limited production), under-the-radar cars that may well become the stars of a Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2038.
Photos RACHEL PALMER, TOM KIRKPATRICK, PATRICK GOSLING, DAIMLER
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Aston Martin V12 Vantage
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an you get past the wonky Ford-era switchgear and the clunky single-clutch automated manual gearbox? It’s a fair bit to ask, but I can assure you, the biggest engine Aston Martin makes lurking in the smallest car it produces is well worth the price of admission. Its naturally aspirated 5.9-litre V12 develops a titanic 565bhp and is complete overkill for a car that’s just shy of 4.4m long. You only have to pop its bonnet to see how ludicrous a car the V12 Vantage
The V12 Vantage S is a sportier version of the V12 Vantage supercar that it replaced in 2013.
is. The motor dominates the engine bay, with hardly any wasted space, and I can only imagine working on it is a mechanic’s worst nightmare. While its myriad idiosyncrasies are the secret to its charm, they are completely unnecessary (from a business standpoint) and an exercise in sheer excess. Adding to its, shall we say, niche appeal is how that mighty V12 powerplant is no longer in production, and if my crystal ball is right, will never be made again. global.astonmartin.com
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BMW 1 Series M Coupe
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must confess to not being too enamoured of the 1 Series M Coupe when it made its debut. Not only was it saddled with a clunky name, it was a parts bin special of the highest order. It used a three-litre turbocharged engine from a Z4 sDrive35 and most of the running gear from the M3 of the day. Even more shocking was its twitchy handling owing to the short wheelbase and brutish, low-end punch of the engine, making it feel
like a blunt instrument, as opposed to the scalpel precision so typical of M cars. Well, it did at least come with a six-speed manual gearbox, the only transmission choice on offer, which did appease the purist in me somewhat. That, and how it was made in extremely small numbers. Exact figures are difficult to verify, but as production lasted for just 15 months, expect production numbers to be correspondingly tiny. www.bmw.com
Made for only 15 months, production numbers are correspondingly tiny.
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Ferrari 458 Italia
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he market for the redhot Latin firebrands from Maranello is red-hot right now, and consequently, prices are unrealistic, to put it charitably. But fear not, because there are plenty of good examples of the Ferrari 458 Italia, to be had for very reasonable prices on the used car market. Don’t let its relative lack of rarity fool you, however, because the 458 is arguably the finest midengined Ferrari of the modern era. After the beauty and brilliance of the 355, Maranello had the
The Ferrari 458 Italia has garnered over 30 international awards in its short career.
utterly forgettable 360 and 430, though Ferrari finally got it right with the 458.
However, I didn’t think so at the time, mostly down to the 458’s slitty, vetically-oriented headlights, triple tailpipes and the control stalks functions (signals, wipers) relocated to the steering wheel. But where it counts, the 458 defies belief. Its seating position is perfect, with great all-round visibility and its steering fingertiplight, yet laser accurate. And the best part? It feels as good being driven at 30km/hr and at 300km/hr, the truest mark of a great car. auto.ferrari.com
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McLaren MP4-12C
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here was, understandably, high hopes when McLaren announced the MP4-12C, a car that would later have its name shortened to 12C. It was, after all, the first “true” McLaren road car since the legendary F1 was launched some two decades prior (no, the SLR doesn’t count, since it was a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz). Those hopes fizzled a little when early testers declared it incredibly composed but a little too clinical, and early production models were plagued by electronics gremlins. McLaren,
The 12C’s low cowl creates the optimum viewing angle from the driver’s seat.
to its credit, did sort those issues out, adding a more characterful tone to the 592bhp 3.8-litre twinturbo V8 and made sure the sat-
nav, when it felt like working, didn’t lead you to Timbuktu. All the better to let its brilliant chassis shine. Built around a carbon fibre tub, the 12C was remarkably stiff, with rock solid control and yet – this is the best part – still remained extremely comfortable enough for daily use. It’s every iota the everyday supercar, a concept the Porsche 911 Turbo pioneered in the late 1970s. And having been produced for only three short years before being superseded by the oddlooking 650S, its rarity down the road is assured. cars.mclaren.com
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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
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f the SLS doesn’t fetch huge prices at auction in the years to come, I’m going to eat my hat. Let’s go over the ways – it’s the first car to be developed entirely in-house by AMG on its first aluminium chassis, those dramatic gullwing doors and what would later turn out to be the last outing of the carmaker’s epic 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8.
Yes, its interior may not be much to write home about, given how it’s a smattering of bits from the Daimler Group’s expansive parts bin, but I contend if you’re staring too hard at the centre console, you’re doing it wrong. Its engine is just divine, blessed with sledgehammer performance and it has a throaty soundtrack that could bring tears to the eyes
of angels. Production lasted from 2010 to 2014. When you consider how its successor, the Mercedes-AMG GT was not a patch on the SLS, you will see how it’s shaping up to be a future winner. Prices for the SLS are now extremely reasonable too, so get yourself one before prices inevitably go through the roof. www.mercedes-amg.com ∆
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Photo RELATED–OXFORD
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ASCENDING ADDRESSES
Some of the latest and most alluring luxury neighbourhoods are blossoming on once-barren soil, bringing vibrant new life to their formerly undistinguished locations.
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By ALEXANDRIA ABRAMIAN AND REBEKAH BELL
torms, neglect, commercial and industrial encroachment or social decline can take a heavy toll on even the most charming communities. Yet many long-suffering neighbourhoods have shed their problem pasts to become newly minted seats of residential splendour. The forces driving such transformations
are many but include scarcity of available land, ease of access, the expansion of upscale commercial venues and amenities, and advances in technology that allow planners to execute increasingly ambitious feats of engineering. Those seeking to embellish their real estate portfolios should take a closer look at the following dynamic markets.
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Kohanaiki comes with a clubhouse that offers a winetasting room and movie theatre, among other attractions.
Kona Coast
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he Big Island of Hawaii’s dramatic, lava-lined coast has become the hot spot for outsized luxury compounds. The primary appeal is its near-perfect weather. Compared to all other Hawaiian islands, Kona has the most stable weather conditions, with an average of just 56cm of rain per year and 355 days of sun.
Kohanaiki is the principal catalyst of Kona’s exploding real estate market. The 182-hectare private club community may be the last private residential community along Kona’s 97km of coastline. “There’s only so much land, and the Hawaiian government has made it pretty clear that they’re not going to allow additional private residential communities,” says Kohanaiki general manager George Punoose. Kohanaiki will be limited to around 400 homes ranging in
size from 195 to 650sqm. This inventory includes homes designed and constructed by the developers as well as vacant parcels where owners can implement their own designs. Approximately 85 of these properties have already been purchased. “Initially, if you were buying a second-row lot in 2013 when we first opened, you could acquire it for just over US$2 million (S$2.7 million),” says Punoose. “Today you’re looking at just under US$6 million.”
Kohanaiki is the principal catalyst of Kona’s exploding real estate market.
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alm Beach and West Palm Beach may be connected by three bridges, but historically the two neighbourhoods have remained worlds apart. “West Palm Beach was desolate with many empty lots — even into the 1990s,” says real estate agent Chris Leavitt. This bias, however, has been lifted thanks to Palm Beach’s limited acreage, the vastly improved transportation in West Palm Beach, and a spate of high-end retailers and developers who are migrating across the bridge. The largest new West Palm development
West Palm Beach
is The Bristol, a just-completed 25-storey waterfront condominium project containing 69 units priced between US$5 million and US$40 million, more than 70 per cent of which were sold prior to completion.
the Intracoastal Waterway, Atlantic Ocean and Palm Beach Island are the best features of all. “You can’t build past eight stories on Palm Beach Island,” he says. “In West Palm, you not only get the views, but you also get these amazing high ceilings. It’s like a beacon in the sky.” Even the less-lofty existing singlefamily homes are feeling the upward momentum, he notes. “While not quite yet at Palm Beach levels, prices have started rising dramatically in the past few years.” Investment hunters, take note.
The Bristol contains 69 units priced between US$5 million and US$40 million. Owners of these spacious dwellings, which average 380sqm, have access to an on-site beauty suite, airconditioned garages, a club lounge and a catering kitchen. But Leavitt believes the unobstructed views of
Private lifts open directly into each residence at The Bristol, with separate service lifts for staff and deliveries.
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London
ith a slew of luxury residential projects u nder constr uction, London’s West End is becoming a residential real estate juggernaut with prices poised to compete with the city’s fashionable neighbourhoods. No development epitomises this shift more than Centre Point, located on the border of Covent Garden and Soho. Built in 1966 as a stylish office building, the 34-storey tower has undergone a massive makeover to become the tallest residential tower in the West End. And while the 82-condominium complex will include no shortage of appealing comforts and conveniences — a residents’ club featuring a
30m pool, luxury concierge service, sauna, gym facilities and Boffi kitchens by designers at Conran & Partners — one facet sets it apart from neighbouring blocks: sweeping city views. “In a city where the average building is five stories high, this is an incredible place to live, and no future development will get anything near to this,” says Mike Hussey, chief executive of Centre Point developer Almacantar. The project’s largest home is the two-floor, 670sqm duplex penthouse, featuring 360-degree city views and an asking price of US$70 million. Hussey notes that 50 per cent of the units had already been sold even while Centre Point was still under construction.
The 34-storey tower has undergone a makeover.
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New York
o superlatives have been spared in describing Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side. Located on 11 hectares of some of New York’s first rail yards, this prime piece of urban land — the largest private real estate development in the history of the US — is being transformed into an upscale city within a city. When completed, Hudson Yards will include approximately 4,000 residences, office towers, a public school, a collection of restaurants curated by Thomas Keller, and more than 100 shops, among them New York’s first Neiman Marcus. Developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group, the mega-project will also incorporate open spaces as well as art-installation and performance venues. “This was once a noman’s land that just wasn’t
With its striking views, soaring ceilings and custom interiors, Hudson Yards offers an array of residences for every taste.
on the radar,” says Lisa Simonsen of Douglas Elliman. “And now you have prices that are over US$3,000 a square foot. That’s a huge number for a new area.” Slated to open in 2018, Hudson Yards’ condos start at about US$3.8 million for a two-bedroom and top out at US$32 million for a duplex penthouse with panoramic views. Prices per square foot are competing with those in long-established luxury neighbourhoods such as Fifth Avenue, and many believe this could become one of the city’s most valuable centres. “This is the very beginning,” says Sherry Tobak, senior vice president of Related Sales. “Hudson Yards is an opportunity for buyers to get in on the first residential building before prices go up.”
Many believe this could become one of the city’s most valuable centres.
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Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is one of the investors in the Hollywood branch of the Arts Club.
Los Angeles
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he 2.6km stretch of Sunset Boulevard running through West Hollywood was once the hub of activity for the entertainment elite, serving as the home and playground of such stars as Marilyn Monroe. Over time, this glamour
overall, and with that is its approach to high-rise living,” says real estate agent James Harris of the Agency. ” Harris has played a pivotal part in the area’s transformation. Along with partner David Parnes, he sold the famed Hustler store on
the Strip for US$18.5 million in 2015 and helped recruit the Arts Club — an ultra-exclusive London-based membership outfit — to build its first US outpost on the site. Harris sees this venture as a force to itself bolster real estate,
“The Arts Club is going to drive up prices on residential and high-rise development.” faded as legendary dining and music venues frequented by celebrities gave way to seedy strip clubs. In the last five years, however, the street has established itself as one of the fastest-evolving areas in Los Angeles for high-rise luxury-home developments. “Los Angeles has completely transformed as a city
noting: “The Arts Club is going to drive up prices on residential and high-rise development.” The Club will share the neighbourhood with Soho House, which, since its 2010 debut, has contributed significantly to not just reviving the area but also attracting Michelin-starred restaurants. Photos GENSLER
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Montage Los Cabos features luxury residences, guestrooms and five-star amenities.
Los Cabos
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os Cabos, located on the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, is experiencing an explosion of ultra-luxury-home construction. Many of the new projects are hotel-based residences that offer owners not only valuable property but also round-the-clock resort services. Among the newest offerings is a collection of 30 private residences from Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort. Homes will boast authentic Mexican design, private infinity pools, 24-hour butler service and rooftop putting greens. Penthouses are priced at US$7 million and include views of the Sea of Cortez.
Next year sees other resort brands introducing residential projects. Four Seasons will unveil its Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. The enclave will comprise 145 residences and a Robert Trent Jones Jr–designed 18-hole golf course. Homes will range from US$1.5 million to US$20 million. Ritz-Carlton will offer 27 four- and five-bedroom homes adjacent to its new Reserve hotel; there, prices start at US$4.1 million. And the Montage hotel group is developing Residences Los Cabos, also expected to open in 2018. Whole-ownership residences will start at US$2.7 million. ¬ Interior photo BARBARA KRAFT
Many of the new projects are hotel-based residences.
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THE PLOTS THICKEN The experts at Christie’s International Real Estate point to the top five residential outposts to watch in 2018 and beyond. ISLAND INTRIGUE
has high-end homes at relatively low
Exper ts believe luxury buyers
Abundant white-sand beaches and
prices, offering ideal opportunities
interested in sustainable living will
crystal-clear waters have long lured
for investors.
soon follow suit.
many to the Bahamas. But even
CAPITAL ATTRACTION
LAKE LIVING
more enticing for homeowners are
Affluent millennial buyers drawn by
Located 3.5 hours from San
the island nation’s low taxes and
the strong job market and award-
Francisco, the Lake Tahoe region
promise of privacy.
winning schools in the Washington,
– a freshwater reservoir and alpine
ANCIENT ADDRESS
DC, metro area are moving the city’s
community that straddles the
In January, Morocco rejoined the
valuation needle. Million-dollar-plus
border of California and Nevada
African Union after a 33-year
home sales have increased seven per
–
absence — a move likely to bolster
cent since last year.
workers as well as telecommuting
the nation’s financial and economic
ECO ESTATES
millennials and boomers. Hiking,
stability. Dating back to 1062, the
Last fall, the actor Leonardo DiCaprio
windsur f ing,
medieval city of Marrakech – a
received the green light to build an
draws; not surprisingly, most of
kaleidoscope of markets, historic
eco-friendly resort on Blackadore
the proper ties are second and
mosques and fragrant gardens –
Caye, an island off the coast of Belize.
third homes.
is attracting Bay Area tech
and
skiing
are
Marrakech was founded almost 1,000 years ago and is now a UNESCO Heritage Site.
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TIME IS MONEY Apart from Rolex and Patek Philippe, here are six other brands worth investing in now. By CELINE YAP
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o much has happened in the auction scene in 2017 that it can be said to be the ultimate record year for auctioneers. In May, a rare Rolex Ref 6062 nicknamed Bao Dai (after the Vietnamese emperor who owned it) went under the hammer at a Phillips watch auction in Geneva for over US$5 million (S$6.6 million). This came just six months
after the auctioneer sold a stainless steel Patek Philippe perpetual calendar Ref 1518 for US$11,136,642. In October, Phillips again made headlines as it commanded a New York auction for the Paul Newman Daytona, which had been owned and worn by the legend himself. Bidding started at US$1 million dollars and closed at US$17.8 million dollars, making it the most Photo MARTIN SANDBERG/GETTY IMAGES
expensive Rolex and wristwatch of all time. With the auction scene on fire over the past couple of years, more people are turning to it not just to hunt for rare treasures but simply to buy or sell anything from preowned and limited-edition pieces to out-of-production references – and unearthing a few new gems in the process.
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PHILIPPE DUFOUR
e is unanimously admired and universally applauded. Philippe Dufour is the last of the great old masters in classical, traditional, independent watchmaking. He was the first to have made a grande sonnerie wristwatch and a wristwatch with twin escapements named Duality. Only nine Dualities were made, one of which appeared at a Phillips auction in New York – the same one that sold the Paul Newman Daytona – and exchanged hands for US$900,000. As rarity is one of the most prized qualities of a timepiece, and as handcrafted watches become ever more scarce, landing a Duality is literally like striking the lottery. Dufour had also produced a simpler timepiece humbly named Simplicity, but even though it’s simple in terms of function, and not quite as rare (around 200 pieces have been made), it was finished so perfectly it could well be the ultimate symbol of high watchmaking. These pieces keenly reflect Dufour’s watchmaking philosophy, which makes sense especially when they’re made by his own hands or under his watchful eye. The man is also 70 this year – just saying.
Duality was the first wristwatch with two balance wheels. Photo FABIO SANTINELLI
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A LANGE & SOHNE
W
ith an annual production of just 5,000 watches per year, A Lange & Sohne epitomises luxury watchmaking like few brands do. This German watch manufacture is often compared to Swiss peers like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin in terms of quality, and the reason is simply because there is no German equal for A Lange & Sohne. Many of its watches are straight-up Holy Grail material; the Tourbograph Perpetual Pour Le Merite, the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar, the Lange 1 Tourbillon, the Double Split, not to mention all the watches in the amazing Handwerkskunst collection ‌ what’s not to love? But the more hotly desired models are, in fact, non-complicated classics like the original Datograph in platinum and the original Lange 1 in yellow gold that have gone out of production, while special pieces like the Lumen series as well as limited editions like the honey-coloured gold series do well at auctions. The average value of an A Lange & Sohne may not yet be on par with that of contemporaries like Patek Philippe, and the auction prices are still a few notches below list price, but hey buy-lowsell-high is the mantra right? www.alange-soehne.com
The 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar unites two refined classic complications: a split-seconds chronograph and a perpetual calendar.
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Phillips sold this Tudor Ref 7031/0 stainless steel chronograph wristwatch for SFr52,500 at its Geneva auction last November.
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hat a great surprise Tudor turned out to be. Who knew this late bloomer would turn out to be a great horological investment too? This little brother of Rolex is little no more, as it soared year after year in the popularity polls. It all began in 2012 when the company released Heritage Chrono, a watch that combines vintage style with trendy vibes. That watch started a whole line of vintage throwbacks and then in 2014 Tudor hit the jackpot with a watch called
TUDOR Black Bay. That’s the one with the unmistakeable snowflake-shaped hour hand. Multiple variations of Black Bay had been made over the years, with demand outstripping supply. Special pieces like the limitededition Black Bay Bronze Blue for Bucherer and the limited-edition green model for Harrod’s are all collectors could talk about. But what earned Tudor’s spot in modern horology’s hall of fame are the insane hammer prices
it commanded at Only Watch, a charity auction event. In 2015, a Tudor ref 7923 Submariner estimated at between SF53,500 and SFr4,500 fetched SFr375,000, while in 2017, a Tudor Black Bay Bronze One with left-hand crown sold for SFr350,000. Granted they’re for charity but the spill-over effect on the commercial market will not go unnoticed. In fact, vintage Tudors are already being exchanged online for five-figure sums. www.tudorwatch.com
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FP JOURNE
he beauty of an FP Journe timepiece lies in its unique peculiarity. As an independent watchmaker, Journe made watches only he could dream up. The 61-year-old Frenchman has won more accolades and awards than he cares to remember, particularly at the Geneva watchmaking Grand Prix where he picked up the most coveted award, the L’Aiguille d’Or, not once but twice. The first time was in 2004 for the Tourbillon Souverain and then in 2006 for the Sonnerie Souverain. By virtue of their limited production numbers, FP Journe timepieces don’t show up a lot in auction rooms but when they do, they often draw bidders in droves. At the 2015 and 2017 Only Watch auctions, Journe’s unique pieces pulled in big money for the charity. The 2015 Tourbillon Souverain bleu was estimated at between SFr250,000 and SFr400,000 but closed at SFr550,000, while the 2017 Monopusher SplitSeconds Chronograph fetched SFr1.15 million, unseating the Philippe Dufour Duality as the most expensive independent watchmaker’s timepiece sold at auction. With so much attention on Journe now, coupled with his unrivalled watchmaking skill and small-scale production, it’s certain that his watches will continue to rise in value. www.fpjourne.com
Introduced in 2000, the Resonance was the second serial production watch released by FP Journe.
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In 2007, Richard Mille released a new RM 011 developed in collaboration with Felipe Massa. It was sold for HK$1 million by Sotheby’s at its Important Watches auction.
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t’s not often that a watchmaker’s creation creates excitement in spheres other than its own, but Richard Mille has the ability to do that. Many a jaw has dropped and many a mind blown each time he releases a novelty, which only seems to get increasingly outrageous. In many ways, a Richard Mille timepiece is the antithesis of a typical auction room winner; it’s the exact opposite of a classic Patek Philippe, for starters. Yet, the demand for his watches have never
RICHARD MILLE been higher. At a Sotheby’s auction in April 2017, Richard Mille’s watches dominated the event, selling all five of its timepieces, two of which made it to the auction’s top five lots. Two months later, a rare RM056 Prototype No. 2 cased entirely in sapphire fetched US$1.2 million at a Christie’s auction in New York. A similar model with a tourbillon calibre, an RM56-02 numbered 10/10, sold at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in October for HK$14.5 million (S$2.4 million).
This is the highest sum paid for a Richard Mille timepiece at auction. Richard Milles may not have much in common with typical auction stars, but the same rules apply and collectors are hot for the rare and limited-edition models. It’s been 17 years since Mille started the business and references made in the early and mid-2000s are beginning to appear on the auction scene, ostensibly as early adopters trade up for newer, sexier models. richardmille.com
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OMEGA
onsistently doing okay at auctions, Omega is one of those middle-of-the-pack brands that bring in the numbers but always fall short of making headlines – until now. For the most part, Omegas that make it to the auction block are the Speedmasters, the occasional rare limited-edition Moon Watch or one of the vintage Seamasters or Constellations. But for the first time, in November 2017 at a Phillips auction in Geneva, bidders were shellshocked by a unique prototype tourbillon Omega, which was the object of a 19-minute bidding war and set the world record for any Omega sold at auction. SFr1.4 million was the final hammer price for this timepiece that dates back to the 1940s. This stainless steel timepiece is one of Omega’s rare watches with a tourbillon regulator but unlike usual watches with the complicated device, this one does not display it for all to see. The reason goes back to the company’s quest for timekeeping precision between 1947 and 1952, during which it had made 12 calibres for various Observatory trials. It’s not every day that one comes across a million-dollar Omega, so the next time you see an Omega that’s kind of peculiar, maybe don’t ignore it. www.omegawatches.com ≠
Released in 2009, the Milestone 1941 No. 9 is the ninth release in Omega’s Museum Collection. It was sold for HK$62,500 at Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Hong Kong last October.
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AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART This was just going to be another regular underwater expedition, but Tim Hartnoll discovered more than he bargained for in Indonesia’s Anambas archipelago.
Bawah is a marine conservation area and comprises five islands, three lagoons and 13 beaches.
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By SANJAY SURANA
ome investors like to park their money in stocks or funds. Others favour real estate. For Tim Hartnoll, a Singapore-born shipping executive, a recent vehicle of choice was to build a private island resort. That is how Bawah Island, in Indonesia’s Anambas archipelago, opened in the second half of 2017. “I’ve always had a deep interest in the underwater world and exploration,” he explains. “During one of my expeditions to the Anambas islands in 2006, I stumbled on Bawah. Instead of staying for one night (on a boat there), I ended up staying for over a week.” Hartnoll wanted to create a luxurious, authentic travel experience in a sustainable, community-enriching manner. The dream became reality three months later, when the opportunity to buy this group of untouched islands came up. Together with eight investors, he set about developing a pristine site — one teeming with flora and fauna and surrounded by healthy corals and rich marine life — in a responsible, sustainable way. “We are fiercely protecting (the environment) through our firm stance against fishing, anchoring and collection
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“The challenge was to complete the resort construction by hand – from recycling stones to breaking boulders.” of any marine life on Bawah. We’re in the midst of developing Bawah into a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the next 10 years.” The resort, which is on the largest island, took five years to build without the use of any heavy machinery. “We made the decision very early on, as we wanted to preserve and protect Bawah’s 300 acres of natural environment, so the challenge was to complete the resort construction by hand – from recycling stones to breaking boulders for building material. It was very fulfilling to see this completed.” The result is a gorgeous private island idyll with 35 overwater, beachfront and garden villas made of bamboo and recycled teak, each with recycled copper tubs and showers, and day beds that look out onto gorgeous
From above: Bawah can accommodate a maximum of 70 guests at any one time; Tim Hartnoll.
waters. In addition, the resort offers a full spa, three bars and restaurants with a nautical theme (and each with stunning marine-themed installations or fixtures), a full water-sports centre, marked hiking trails through the primary and secondary forests that form the interior of the island, and crystal clear seascapes that recall the Maldives but enlivened by dramatic, hilly, tree-filled mountains. Bawah is vigilant about being environmentally and socially conscious, hence its forest replantation programme, use of recycled and sustainable wood in the construction of villas, water recycling, biological filtration systems, permaculture garden, sense of community with staff, and more. Bawah gives guests the feeling of
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FIVE CARDINAL RULES OF BUILDING A PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT Dream a little This type of project is rarely grounded in practicality and will be riddled with obstacles, so it’s good to have lofty ideals at which to aim and to maintain your focus. Expect to be educated There will be frustrations and doubts along the way, but the process will be illuminating. The experts that you need to work with will be immensely educative, the bureaucratic
Guests can encounter flourishing species of corals, turtles and schools of fish, or step foot in primary forest that has never been cut or burnt.
being in an extremely remote environment, even if it’s not that far from Singapore or Malaysia, since getting here requires desire and effort. Guests must get to Batam airport and take a seaplane to the island. There are no other resorts anywhere else in the archipelago, heightening Bawah’s sense of glorious isolation. It’s a place that visitors can’t help but fall for, which is what drew Hartnoll to it — both as a labour of love and as a carefully thought-out, meticulously calculated business decision, one that the investors have ploughed about S$35 million into. “Bawah is an affair of the heart rather than the head. Sometimes you have to do something that doesn’t make complete rational sense in your life. Having said that, I am a realist and have spent a lot of time examining the economic model in order to justify this as an investment. I’ve been successful in businesses so I used the lessons learnt in starting up businesses and running them and applied them to Bawah.” Clearly an example of having one’s cake and eating it. bawahisland.com ≠
processes probably eye-opening and the completion gratifying beyond belief. Don’t rush Determination and patience are key. Remember this isn’t a short time investment, but a long-run play. Plan on making a difference Guests of private islands are of ten entrepreneurs, decision makers, movers and shakers. You should plan to inspire them with your resor t so that they make decisions that change the world for the better. Plus, having strong CSR principles is a sound business practice, plain and simple. Expect the budget to be fluid Even if you are clear from the outset what type of development you want to build, the cost is going to be higher than any initial forecasts. Even so, it is vital to plan everything out carefully and be clear with your concept before you go ahead; the effort will save you time and money.
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THE HEIGHT OF LUXURY Unprecedented views, interiors by Bowler James Brindley and an enviable address place The Nova Penthouse at the pinnacle of opulence. By RENYI LIM
The beautiful rectilinear facade of The Nova Building. Facing page: the apartment is intended to be youthful, sexy and provocative. Photo HUFTON+CROW
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f the 170 finely appointed apartments at The Nova Building - part of Nova, Victoria, a recently completed LandSec development in SW1 The Nova Penthouse is its crowning glory. The 472.8sqm duplex penthouse (£20 million, S$36 million) boasts four bedrooms, a generously proportioned roof terrace and exceptional living spaces. Occupying the 13th and 14th floors of the development’s highest mansion block, the apartment is very much a love letter to London, as Lucy Southall, co-founder of the design studio responsible for dressing the unit, Bowler James Brindley, explains. “We wanted something that looked special, luxurious and had a Sixties-inspired vibe,” remarks Southall.
The interiors not only reflect the building’s architectural design, which references the work of European modernist architects from the 1960s and 1970s, but pays tribute to London’s artists, writers and musicians from that period who sparked a cultural revolution. The personality-driven, eclectic aesthetics within The Nova Penthouse draw on figures such as Mick Jagger, Barbara Hulanicki, Jimi Hendrix in his The Wind Cries Mary era, and Twiggy - individuals who challenged conventions, changed paradigms and cultivated new attitudes. Against a palette of light oak and strong blue, cleverly selected pieces of art and bespoke furniture bring the Swinging London theme to life. Chandeliers from Alfie’s Antiques in
The penthouse is very much a love letter to London.
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Marylebone decorate the striking hallway, for instance, while the open-plan living and dining area features dark burgundy dining chairs from Jonathan Adler and ‘hanging hoop’ swing chairs by Lee Broom. Although the apartment can certainly be described as expansive, Bowler James Brindley and architects Benson + Forsyth have made the most of the space, introducing a wide oak stairway that leads upwards to the main reception area. The curved cocktail bar, with its black galaxy granite bar top, plated brass detailing and bronze-mirrored, illuminated backdrop, is sure to be a popular statement feature, elevating celebratory nights to new heights. Polished rosewood, blue velvet, veneered walls, daring
Residents can take advantage of the private bar to practice their mixology skills.
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portraits and wraparound drapes put the finishing touches on The Nova Penthouse, along with a spectacular master bathroom outfitted entirely in marble, which imparts a sophisticated spa-athome atmosphere. Outside on the roof terrace, which provides enough space for lounging, cooking and dining, occupants can make the most of every sunrise and sunset, as well as the view onto Nova, Victoria’s distinguished next-door neighbours at Buckingham Palace. (And if that’s not enough for the extrainquisitive, a shared roof garden and a private residents’ lounge on the ninth floor also overlook the Palace.) Meanwhile, Nova Food’s 17 restaurants at the base of the estate ensure residents
won’t go hungry, with tempting options in the form of new dining concepts like Stoke House by Will Ricker and Hai Cenato by Jason Atherton. The dining area features bold furniture choices, while the master bedroom is covered in marble. Inset: Lucy Southall is responsible for developing the ‘narrative’ approach of the design of a project.
The unparalleled 360-degree panorama offered by the apartment is mirrored by its prime position in central London once on ground level. The 2.2-hectare estate of Nova South, Nova North and The Nova Building is a stone’s throw from Belgravia and within walking distance of Pimlico, Knightsbridge and Mayfair, allowing residents to keep their thumbs on the city’s pulse. Its proximity to royal buildings, museums and heritage spaces means that opportunities for working and playing hard are unlimited for local and international residents, be it a jaunt through Tate Britain or even an invitation to afternoon tea next door. www.thenovabuilding.co.uk ∆
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TRENDS WITH BENEFITS Aspiring to meet the rising expectations of London’s well-heeled property buyers, luxury residential developments across the city have begun to introduce a variety of distinctive amenities. A 24-hour concierge service, a private cinema and a fully furnished gym are some of the benefits of living at The Nova Building - or perhaps these other services might tickle your fancy instead.
properties - sharp, slick and of-themoment design counts for a lot. Aykon London One in Nine Elms has formed an exclusive partnership with Versace Home, incorporating the Italian fashion house’s vivacious interior design touches in every detail of the property, such as mosaic walls and Greek key inlays. Similarly, all 49 Snow cabins and ice fountains
apartments at The Compton in St
Private members’ clubs
The thermal suite of the 50-storey
John’s Wood feature celebrated
One perk of owning an apartment at
One Blackfriars development on
interior designer Kelly Hoppen’s
Landmark Place on the River Thames
the South Bank offers residents
signature clean lines and neutral
is its private residents’ club, which
the oppor tunity to nip from the
tones, and come furnished with
comes with a library and cinema
sauna and steam room to the
Kelly Hoppen London handcrafted
room. At The Madison in Canary
arctic chill of a snow cabin and
furniture and home accessories.
Wharf, you automatically become a
ice fountain. The extreme change
member of The Highline Club, which
in temperature is thought to
sits on the 16th floor and is reserved
stimulate the body’s circulation
for residents and their guests.
and give the immune system a
Its private lounge has an open
much-needed jolt.
kitchen and bar, a high-tech meeting
Residents’ gardens
area called The Met Room and
A private courtyard garden for
three terraces that overlook the
residents - such as the one at
London skyline.
21 Young Street in Kensington
Chauffeur-driven Bentleys
- provides a space for quiet
The Mansion in Marylebone’s
contemplation. Upper Riverside
exceptional concierge service can
in Greenwich Peninsula takes this concept further with green terraces, a roof garden and a sundeck. Designer collaborations It’s not always about location, location, location with luxury
From above left: residents of One Blackfriars can seek relaxation at the development’s treatment rooms; Aykon London One comprises 360 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; in addition to a private lounge, Landmark Place also offers a 24-hour concierge service, 20m pool and a spa.
arrange for an on-call, chauffeurdriven Bentley to drop residents off or pick them up in central London. On the downside, you won’t have any excuse for being late, but it’s a small price to pay for this privilege.
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With colourful fins in primary colours, The Nova Building makes its presence felt on Buckingham Palace Road.
Photo HUFTON+CROW
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This teardropshaped pendant opens to reveal a diamondencrusted skull inside.
STYLE
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CHAMBER OF SECRETS
Venture into the secret world of Versailles, an enticing maze formed from hidden passages and private boudoirs, through the new Dior Haute Joaillerie collection. By RENYI LIM
A
total of 36 Dior Haute Joaillerie pieces - 22 rings, four earrings, nine necklaces and one bracelet - comprise the Dior a Versailles, Pieces Secretes collection. As the third and final chapter of the Dior a Versailles High Jewellery collection, this intimate, romantic and symbolic collection provides an insight into the less well-known side of the Chateau of Versailles, hidden away from prying eyes. “After two collections about Versailles, evoking all the splendour of the salons and the gardens, we enter into the hidden rooms where we discover their treasures,� explains Victoire de Castellane, the creative director of Dior Joaillerie.
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The ‘faded’ colours and decorative, Rococo settings make these pieces look almost like antiques.
Just as the palace houses concealed doors, secret passages, studies, libraries and private apartments, the Pieces Secretes collection takes on the role of a secret-keeper and the bearer of coded messages. Within the collection lies a multitude of symbols - a heart, a crown, a star, a sun, a bow, a feather, a dove, a four-leaf clover, the number eight, and a skull and crossbones. Not only are these mysterious, almost spectral, motifs significant to de Castellane and the House of Christian Dior, but they echo hidden messages for their wearer to keep or to share with a loved one. “The skulls appear in the bottom of the boxes as they open,” de Castellane remarks. “They can barely be made out through a diamond or in the sculpture of a moonstone.”
From classic stones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires to the more unusual spinels, tanzanites and opals, the Pieces Secretes jewels come imbued with a strong emotional charge - the passion of a liaison or the flame of an eternal union. There are additional surprises to be found in playful and varied opening systems, such as swivelling caps, sliding drawers, and stones that can be lifted up - all specially developed, of course, to create astonish and delight. Even more ingeniously, the mechanisms never open completely, ensuring the mystery of every piece stays in place and is never completely revealed, remaining a lucky charm exclusively for its wearer’s pleasure. www.dior.com ≠
These mysterious, almost spectral, motifs echo hidden messages for their wearer to keep or to share.
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The special mechanisms and feats of craftsmanship required to create the hidden doors is almost futuristic and speaks to the skill of the atelier.
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ITALIAN MASTERPIECES Flexform’s new flagship store in Singapore is a celebration of fine Italian design.
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Part of Flexform’s latest 2017 collection, the Adda sofa carries a clean, contemporary look.
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F
Robb Report
By JENNIFER CHOO
ood. Fashion. Fast cars. Furniture. The Italians are the undisputed masters of those categories. And when it comes to the furniture, one of the greats in the Italian canon of modern design is Flexform. Founded by the Galimberti brothers in 1959, Flexform is still run by the secondand third-generation members of the family who continue the passion their forefathers had for furniture. Balancing tradition and modern innovation, Flexform has evolved from a business based on artisanal skills to an industrial model, with 27 flagship stores across the world. In the last quarter of 2017, Flexform in conjunction with Malaysia-based retailer of designer
furniture, Studio 216, officially launched its first mono-brand store in Singapore. Spread across two levels, this 279sqm space with a generous frontage along the upscale Newton area showcases the vision of renowned designer and long-time Flexform collaborator, Antonio Citterio.
pieces are shown in the context of our identity,” explains Giuliano Galimberti, third-generation owner and global manager of Flexform. “We have our own identity and are very proud of it, so we speak this language through our flagship stores. When you are appreciated by so many countries that all have different ways of living, I believe it means that they really like Flexform.” I ndeed, hav ing another f lagship so soon after the Flexform flagship in Kuala Lumpur opened in 2015, also spearheaded by Studio 216, reflects a burgeoning market for fine Italian design. “We believe it’s not just about the economic effect but a maturation of taste. There is now a kind of client here who is looking for more than
Flexform is still run by the second- and third-generation members of the family. The store espouses the brand’s trademark refined and contemporary elegance. “A flagship is the best way to approach the Flexform collection because when you enter a mono-brand store, you enter the Flexform world where our
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just functional furniture pieces, they want products which please their needs in terms of quality and design and they know how to recognise a brand which covers these factors,” enthuses Giulano. Pietro Galimberti, the secondgeneration owner and architect of Flexform’s collaboration with Citterio, sums it up best.
ART & DESIGN
Pietro Galimberti (left) played a crucial part in steering Flexform to its golden age, while his nephew Giuliano manages the brand’s commercial interests across the globe.
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“There is a culture of beauty in our DNA even in the small things. For example, we don’t say a delicious plate of spaghetti but say a beautiful plate of spaghetti. “The Italians have always had a sense of beauty and style of living which now is envied and recognised by the world,” he says. www.flexform.it ≠
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The new GTC4Lusso T is Ferrari’s first four-seater to be powered by a V8 engine.
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WHEELS
VELOCITY FOR FOUR
Ferrari’s GTC4Lusso T delivers a top-notch combination of practicality and supercar speed. By KEEGAN DORAI
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T
he first three things that come to mind at the mention of the Ferrari name is speed, sex appeal and sublime motoring. The 458 Italia, for example, has been the most well-balanced modern Ferrari to drive so far in my experience. Here in Dubai, the new Ferrari GTC4Lusso T is put to the test amid the sandy dunes and wide throroughfares of the city. It’s one of the more outlier members of the Prancing Horse stable, with its 2+2 configuration and a sizeable boot for luggage. It also serves as the evolutionary descendant of the FF, with its new grille and restyled vents.
One of most innovative features of the GTC4Lusso T’s V8 is Variable Boost Management, a control software that adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected.
Robb Report
To spice things up, it’s powered by a 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 that transfers 602bhp and 760Nm to the rear wheels. Gearing is performed through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is thoroughly optimised for both cruising and dynamic driving. In the century sprint, it takes you from standstill to 100km/hr in just 3.5 seconds. Putting that claim to the test, I push the GTC4Lusso T on the Sheikh Zayed Highway upon passing the majestic dunes of Al Quwain towards the stony mountains of Ras AlKhaimah. Hitting 300km/hr on this speedgoverned stretch is easily achievable, with the car well planted and the reserves of power
It’s powered by a 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 that transfers 602bhp and 760Nm to the rear wheels.
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waiting to be unleashed. Its Grand Tourer nature ensures that the GTC4Lusso T returns a refined performance, even in comfort mode. Inside, the dual-cockpit dashboard keeps your front passenger up to date through a screen displaying speed, navigation, or even when Spandau Ballet is being played on the media display. There’s ample space for two rear occupants with proper air-conditioning outlets for convenience. Off the highway and on the mountain pass headed towards Jebel Jais, the GTC4Lusso T immediately transforms from an easy-
The streamlined, tapered shape gives the GTC4Lusso T an almost fastbacklike silhouette.
going GT into an absolute blast to drive. An eager power plant, pin-sharp steering and an agile chassis with adaptive dampers helps the driver gun through corners with extreme precision and feedback. Push it slightly harder with traction control off and you’ll soon experience proper fun with some sliding action when progressing out of a bend. On the final leg heading to the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi, the GTC4Lusso T comes out trumps for those seeking practicality infused with a twist of Ferrari dynamics and thrill. gtc4lussot.ferrari.com ≠
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TAKING A SHINE
Montblanc turns the clock back a century to find the inspiration for its horological teaser for 2018.
By KENNETH TAN
F
rom its origins as a maker of gold pocket watches, Minerva has been a pioneer of numerous horological achievements, including accurate split-second readings on chronographs, beautifully constructed movements wound with a crown (instead of a key) as well as highly legible dials commissioned by railway companies. Davide Cerrato, managing director of Montblanc’s watch division, refers to the “very differentiated watchmaking character” in Minerva as a strong concept that Montblanc inherited when it assumed ownership of the company 12 years ago. “For the Star Legacy collection, we looked to Minerva’s pocket watches at the turn of the 20th century, many of which bore key design
Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph pays tribute to the French watchmaker who invented the first inking chronograph in 1821. Inset: Star Legacy Automatic Chronograph has a 46-hour power reserve.
codes which you find in the new Star Legacy, such as distinct minuterie and its pebble-shaped case,” Cerrato says. One inspiration, in particular, was Minerva’s Gold Hunter Calibre 19” of 1927 which possessed a similar onion-shaped crown, curved sides and horns as the duo of new Star Legacy releases. The Star Legacy Automatic Chronograph (42mm stainless steel) and the Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph (44.8mm stainless steel) are further accented by Arabic numerals with in-house calibres – the latter a monopusher chronograph movement with a second time zone. To complete the look, both timepieces are fitted with matching Sfumato alligator leather straps, handcrafted at the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence. www.montblanc.com ≠
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THE UNPUNISHED JOKER
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Master restorer and watchmaker Michel Parmigiani takes on the extreme challenge of creating the Bugatti Type 390 timepiece to mirror last year’s stupendous Chiron. By KEEGAN DORAI
T
he mechanics in the new Bugatti Type 390 by Parmigiani Fleurier (RM1.2 million) are concentrated in a tubular shape that’s inspired by last year’s stunning Bugatti Chiron, one of the world’s fastest street-legal hypercars in production. The use of a hand-wound coaxial movement makes the timepiece the brand’s most complex movement. “ There are similarities between the automotive and watchmaking industries, and the Bugatti collection by Parmigiani is an expression of extravagance. It’s like a joker who goes unpunished, where he can do anything he wants,” says master watchmaker Michel Parmigiani. “Creating a watch inspired after an engine block to be worn on a wrist is not easy, so proportions must be spot on.” On a case of either white or rose gold, you find large openings covered with concave sapphire
crystal displaying the heart of the watch, inspired by the Chiron’s W16 engine. While the Bugatti Type 390 and its predecessors are known for their unorthodox designs, Parmigiani’s other
Michel Parmigiani. Facing page: the Type 390 is packed with automotiveinspired DNA straight from the Chiron.
“I channel my creativity into creating my own timepieces at night.”
timepieces follow a traditional style, taking inspiration from nature and architecture. The design influence of the Toric, for example, comes from the base of the columns found on ancient Greek temples. For the Tonda, it visualises the old paintings made by Michelangelo. Parmigiani’s source of invention comes from a hard-earned past in restoring old timepieces during the 1970s quartz crisis. “Restoration is harder compared to creating something new from scratch. For originality, I can’t be creative during restoration, so I channel my creativity into creating my own timepieces at night.” Bugatti, however, will be his only collaboration with an automotive marque. “There are similarities between both brands — the exclusivity, technicality and engineering of our Bugatti watch is shared with the actual car. It can’t be applied to any other makes. Parmigiani Fleurier and Bugatti just fit.” www.parmigiani.com ≠
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TIME FOR TEE The Vanguard Backswing by Franck Muller helps you track your golfing prowess.
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By KEEGAN DORAI
I
n the world of haute horlogerie, Franck Muller watches are known to be one of the finest and most complicated. The steel-titanium body of the Vanguard Backswing, the brand’s first golf watch (RM47,429), portrays the dimpled-surface of a golf ball done by a meticulouslyprogrammed CNC machine. “In detail, there are over 200 dimple holes on the body, and the case is polished by hand,” says
surroundings with low light, the Superluminova-coated hands glow in the dark to keep track of time. The backswing counter in the middle, coupled with a Score and Reset button on the side, enables golfers to measure the performance completed on each swing. Durability is also improved by the use of a silicone ring to bolster shock and vibrations. “Our engineers have tested the Backswing rigorously and, to date,
“Our clients will travel the world to play golf and the Vanguard Backswing is designed to complement their favourite sport.” Nicholas Rudaz, the brand’s chief operating officer. This aesthetically striking model comes in three colours: black, white or yellow. “The yellow version takes inspiration from the yellow-coloured golf ball that’s commonly used during winter for better visibility.” Like all Vanguard models, selected parts used in the movement are curved, reinforced and reengineered to complement the Backswing’s dial and profile. For
In a Robb Report interview last September, Nicholas Rudaz described the Backswing as “a cool and fun watch”.
it has proven to withstand the various forces generated during a golf swing,” says Rudaz. “When we first presented the Vanguard Backswing in 2016, the response was fantastic. But with it being our very first golf watch, we gathered valuable feedback to ensure it’s practical during a golf game or for casual use. Our clients will travel the world to play golf and the Vanguard Backswing is designed to complement their favourite sport.” www.franckmuller.com ≠
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A LIGHT TOUCH Hermes refreshes the design of Carre H. By KENNETH TAN
T
he Carre H, a Marc Berthier-designed timepiece, debuted in 2010. Its square case and emphasis on instant legibility made it an easy favourite for adherents of cool design. Now, eight years later, Berthier has enlargeed the square and employed light as the means to illuminate the new Carre H (RM34,400). Polishing and microbeadblasted finishes on the 38mm case, as well as
right-angled guilloche work on the dial, add refractive surfaces for an animated, almost hypnotic, lustre. The use of an exclusive font for the indices – including the novel use of zero – adds new character to an Hermes favourite, which comes with dial choices of dark grey or black, paired with natural or black Barenia calfskin. www.hermes.com ≠
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A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE Taylor Wimpey Central London’s portfolio of properties balances opportunity and excellence. By SAM YEN
Ebury Place is centrally located on Sutherland Street, Pimlico, SW1.
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New luxury residences in prime central London are supply constrained, pushing development into new areas.
A
ccording to property consultant Cluttons, the top three London boroughs for high-net-worth Middle Eastern clients since 2016 include the predictable Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. Sandwiched between those two, however, was Canary Wharf. That’s quite unusual; while a business dynamo, Canary Wharf is not a prestigious residential London address. There are two stories here. One is that new luxury residences in prime central London are supply constrained, pushing development into new areas; the other is that the demographics of those investing are
evolving. With this playing out over the foreseeable future, Taylor Wimpey Central London (TWCL), part of the larger Taylor Wimpey development group, has put Westminster Quarter will comprise 90 luxury apartments with one, two or three bedrooms.
Inset photo SERGIO AMITI/GETTY IMAGES
itself in a position to exploit these twin trends. Palace View, south of the river in Lambeth, encapsulates what TWCL is trying to achieve. Consisting of 55 apartments, ranging from one- to threebedroom units, the nine-storey building may be new, but slots into the area smoothly. Its brick facade picks out the exterior of neighbouring buildings, while copper accents blend in colourwise. From the roof terrace, the views are spectacular – overlooking Lambeth Palace and the iconic Palace of Westminster beyond. It isn’t on the Thames – which is a block away – and that defines
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the TWCL approach. Sales and marketing d irector Da rren McCormack describes this as the difference between a AAA and an AAB location. Rather than develop in the saturated and physically limited AAA areas, TWCL is instead looking at AAB zones – then imbuing them with AAA quality. The Music Box - a striking collection of 41 apartments cantilevered over the London Centre of Contemporary Music in the same building - is a great example of this. Vertical panel strips interposed between glass panes not only create the illusion of height outside but also frame beautiful views of London, including Tate Modern, which is a mere fourminute walk away. Inside, the
MONEY
The Music Box is a great example of this. Each home in The Music Box (above) is flooded with natural light, while the apartments at Battersea Exchange feature triple-glazed windows. Facing page: The Denizen.
Inset photo MODEL WORKS MEDIA LONDON
Robb Report
generous space is a perfect canvas for highend living, while the oh-so-slight distance from the Thames makes its prices oh-soslightly-friendlier. This theme continues over TWCL’s other ongoing developments – Westminster Quarter in Westminster, Battersea Exchange in Battersea, Ebury Place in Pimlico and The Denizen in EC1. Then there are times when TWCL’s approach places it in the middle of an urban zeitgeist. In Dalston, the cladding on FiftySevenEast has just come off, revealing an eye-catching curved bronze tower of 83 apartments in a rapidly gentrifying area where a Nigerian butcher can sit next to an avant-garde fashion boutique. What Dalston could become is
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MONEY
what King’s Cross is now. Formerly dingy and forbidding, King’s Cross now reverbrates with energy after a massive redevelopment project that has made it the site of Central St Martins and Google’s London headquarters. Perched just on the edge of this is TWCL’s Onyx Apartments, which will overlook all this buzz when completed later this year.
In a city constantly in flux, choosing to focus on the next big thing over the current big thing is a smart move. By developing properties that strategically sit within a close radius of London’s established and upcoming hotspots, while cleaving well to their surrounding mould, TWCL has hit upon a winning strategy. www. taylorwimpeycentrallondon.co.uk ≠
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COMING HOME At The Peninsula Tokyo, rarefied living comes easy with the luxury of space in the heart of the city.
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T
By TERRY LIM
he Peninsula Tokyo celebrated its first decade just last year. The hotel’s location at the triangulated centre of Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace and Ginza enables you to take a leisurely five-minute stroll to either of the three. As you return from your day out in one of the most eclectic cities in the world, you pass the hotel’s customised fleet of luxury automobiles including a 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II (one of just four in the world), extended wheelbase Phantoms and a Tesla Model S finished in The Peninsula’s signature Brewster green. That familial feeling of The Peninsula’s lobby envelopes you the moment you walk in, together with an aural ambience provided by a three-piece classical ensemble. The serenade may also take the form of the traditional Japanese shakuhachi flute music, which you can enjoy as you nurse the hotel’s tribute cocktail to Humphrey Bogart, a Tokyo Joe, which blends Bombay Sapphire, umeshu, Drambuie and cranberry juice. Inside the hotel’s 314 guestrooms and suites, a wealth of amenities and technology
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are embedded, courtesy of The Peninsula’s dedicated research and development efforts. Walk-in closets, full-sized bathrooms and generously sized spaces ensure that guests could spend weeks here with a freedom of space and comfort. With an understanding that the guestroom is a temporary workspace as well as a home away from home, the hotel has enabled facilities such as Internet radio with over 3,000 stations, nail dryers and an outdoor temperature and humidity level display at the desk (making it easier to dress for the outdoors). Bathrooms incorporate three lighting moods, such as a spa button that dims the bathroom lights, plays soothing music and sets up a privacy command for the phone and doorbell. The hotel’s famed spa is a perfect study of Japanese interior design with Yukio Hashimoto’s indulgent
use of gold and chocolate, beige marble and dark woods. Aji-ishi granite from the Kagawa prefecture and washi paper juxtapose the hard and soft, a harmony which helps transition you into deep relaxation, aided by the practised
Robb Report
hands of Espa-trained therapists. Its signature Keihatsu Enlightenment Massage (¥39,500, RM1,430 for one hour and 50 minutes) draws from a 3,000-year-old East Asian tradition which promotes the healthy flow of qi through deep kneading, rolling and stretching movements. Just a f loor down, the nearly 929sqm fitness centre includes an indoor heated swimming and vitality pool with balcony views of the nearby Imperial Palace Gardens and Hibiya Park. In one of the greatest culinary capitals of the world, a quartet of dining options at the hotel means you’re never too far from a good meal. Peter, on the 24th floor, does prime-cut meats and seafood with 180-degree views, and a bar equipped with all manner of libations and cigars. The Cantonese-styled Hei Fung Terrace offers dinner in a
Bathrooms incorporate three lighting moods. All rooms of the Hibiya Suite (above) have magnificent garden and city skyline views, while the magnificent Peninsula Suite is styled throughout in contemporary Japanese minimalism.
Photos WILLIAM FURNISS
February - 2018
Suzhou garden theme, while Kyoto Tsuruya is the sister outlet to the famous Kyoto kaiseki restaurant. The Lobby and its signature afternoon tea is a perennial hit with locals and tourists alike, thanks to the inventive chef de cuisine Jun Ishii who enhances the experience with culinary flourishes such as pan-seared red snapper with organic brown rice and a Kobe beef steak sandwich on crusty baguette, chimichurri and truffle fries. In October last year, a gala event in honour of the hotel’s 10th anniversary showcased chefs from
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all 10 Peninsula Hotels destinations, each of whom created gourmet dishes inspired by their location of origin. The anniversary celebrations included The Peninsula Tokyo Rally Nippon 2017 – a four-day
drive by 160 drivers in 80 iconic automobiles from Kyoto to Tokyo with visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, underscoring the hotel chain’s long association with classic cars. These events, and the continuing ethos of The Peninsula, was most succinctly encapsulated by the hotel’s general manager Sonja Vodusek who said: “We are with you, always – now and in the years to come. Creating everlasting memories and guests for life – generation by generation.” tokyo.peninsula.com ≠
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Members of staff instinctively know how to address your needs.
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EMERALD ESCAPE
Amanjiwo in central Java offers a soulful encounter among paddy fields and the ancient Borobudur.
T
he drive to Amanjiwo takes you through the rice plains of central Java, through bamboo forests, rustic landscapes and the awe-inspiring UNESCO-protected Borobudur, replete with its ancient stupas erected over a millennia ago. This exposition to the arrival informs you of a journey quite unlike any other, before you finally show up at the grandiose reception, to be greeted by name.
By CLEMENT LIM
Amanjiwo is fashioned entirely from coral-beige paras yogay, the locally hewn limestone.
Just behind the reception, the sprawling Borobudur sits in contemplative repose.
Just behind the reception, the sprawling Borobudur sits in contemplative repose, a surreal backdrop to the start of your journey at Amanjiwo. Amid the lush and rugged landscape in Magelang, Amanjiwo becomes its tranquil counterpoint, with its temple-like aesthetics and faultless service undoubtedly its high points. Members of staff instinctively know how to address your needs without second
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Robb Report
The landscape’s enigma also draws artists and photographers to Amanjiwo. guessing; service is detailed with careful attentions to preferences. A picnic excursion through an estate where two rivers meet in a confluence includes many enlightening moments with an intuitive guide, who enables you to keep your own pace. Here, 36 freestanding suites include the 1,200sqm Dalem Jiwo Suite with its own wraparound terrace, private compound for dining, lounging and a private 15m pool.
The food served at the restaurant is a blend of Indonesian and Western cuisines.
The restaurant, which comes with a bar and terrace, fans out to the arresting scenery of Borobudur and serves ingredients harvested from the chef’s garden and local farms. The landscape’s enigma also draws artists and photographers to Amanjiwo who hold regular exhibitions in the art room while excursions to nearby temples and cultural attractions deepen that heartfelt serenity which this beautiful place confers on the visitor. www.aman.com ≠
SPECIAL FEATURE
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THE NEW WINGS OF OMAN A
Oman Air connects Malaysia to the beautiful Sultanate of Oman.
s the national flag carrier,
riches – are the promise of a fantastic
Oman Air is the world’s
journey in a land of wonder. The airline
gateway to the Sultanate of
flies to 50 destinations worldwide from
Oman, a treasure trove of experiences that range
which will introduce
from desert safaris to
a new terminal this
exploring ancient
year. Oman Air
cities. Its fleet of 48
operates
two
aircraft bearing the
daily flights from
signature blue and
Kuala Lumpur to
gold livery – blue for the boundless sky, gold for the country’s natural
Oman Air has been flying non-stop between Muscat and Kuala Lumpur since 2015.
Muscat International Airport,
Muscat, departing at 9.40am and 9.05pm. www.omanair.com
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TRAVEL & LEISURE
LAND BEFORE TIME
Ipoh’s The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat takes you deep into relaxation and rejuvenation. By KENNETH TAN
Photos STEPHEN WONG
Robb Report
TRAVEL & LEISURE
February - 2018
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our perspective of the world is bound to change the moment you arrive at The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat. In this nine-hectare valley situated two hours north of Kuala Lumpur, you discover nature like never before; from caves and waterfalls to geothermal hot springs and
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260-million-year-old limestone hills. The resort’s magic in returning guests to a time before the dawn of human civilisation is almost instantaneous. Your urban realities dissolve amid the richness of the foliage, sounds of the rainforest and languorous vapours from the hot springs – which receive up to three million
The resort’s magic in returning guests to a time before the dawn of human civilisation is almost instantaneous.
The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat claims to be Malaysia’s first luxury natural hot springs wellness retreat offering bespoke holistic experiences.
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litres of fresh, mineralrich water daily. Its focus on wellbeing is exemplified by a detailed spa menu, centred on optimising relaxation through the practised hands of its therapists. Its spa manager Dr Shekhar Pathak is adept in Ayurvedic wellness with his PhD coming from yoga philosophy. Guests may sign up for consultations on detox, longevity, rejuvenation, weight management, traditional Chinese medicine and fitness. This wisdom is allied by a comprehensive suite of treatments ranging from acupuncture (RM350), Ayurvedic massages and the famed Malay Ramuan Journey (RM795 for 180 minutes) which comprises wraps, compresses and deep cleanses. The
Banjaran signature massage (RM560 for 90 minutes) is an amalgamation of the eastern practices beginning with an Indian head massage, traditional Malay urut and Chinese pressure point foot therapy. At almost every turn, the idea of wellness is reinforced by artful touches such as the swimming pool which receives an infusion of the geothermal waters, a cave of amethyst and quartz crystals to help with metaphysical healing, ice dipping pots, and a fish spa where Garra rufa – also known as doctor fish – slough off dead skin with gentle nibbling. Meanwhile, exercise classes run the gamut of qi gong (RM188 per hour), meditation (RM165 per hour) or Pranayama breathing (RM165 per hour)
At almost every turn, the idea of wellness is reinforced by artful touches. From above: meditation cave; Malay Ramuan Journey.
Robb Report
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TRAVEL & LEISURE
which enables you to master breath control for better health. A more recent development is the addition of 20 Lake Villas to the existing set-up of 16 Garden Villas and nine Water Villas. The Lake Villas offer a generous living space of 81sqm and are equipped with a private plunge pool and hot tub, with views overlooking the lake. Its top-ofthe-line Garden Villas are sprawled across 260sqm of space, and comprise a courtyard, private pool and a sunken jacuzzi in which flows the natural geothermal hot springs water. Even here, you find carefully thought out enhancements such as pillow menus, an in-room playlist of tranquil music and 10cmthick feather-topped mattresses. Jeff’s Cellar, a restaurant in a natural cave, offers you a study of the long and meticulous process of nature’s work in
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the towering stalactites, while a secondary cave becomes the natural choice for storing some phenomenal labels such as Chateau Lafite and Chateau Margaux. Here, a tasting menu (RM700 per person) lets you partake of Osetra caviar on blinis, foie gras on brioche, lobster risotto and M9 Wagyu sourced from Australia’s Margaret River. Should you prefer to make your dining experience more private, the resort’s Dine & Dream packages put out a lavish food presentation by the geothermal lake, on an alcove with a panoramic view or in the comfort of your villa. A chef in attendance grills all manner of seafood and meats as you luxuriate in the extraordinary ambience, one which restores you to the equilibrium of perfect harmony with nature. www.thebanjaran.com ≠
Sizzle & Flames is a romantic Dine & Dream experience for two. Inset: each Garden Villa comes complete with a courtyard.
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Robb Report
Shaded sunbeds and cabanas surround the pools, providing the perfect place to unwind.
WHERE TRADITION MEETS RELAXATION Tanjong Jara Resort takes historical Malay hospitality and infuses it into a peaceful seaside retreat.
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TRAVEL & LEISURE
By WEI-YU WANG
n the shores of Terengganu is the small town of Kuala Dungun and Tanjong Jara Resort, which sits on a private crescent of golden beach. The r e s o r t ’s architectural language harks back to grand 17thcentury Malay palaces. Its buildings are spacious, airy and naturalistic. Clean stonework marries perfectly with smooth, polished woods. The accommodation is arranged in blocks reminiscent of longhouses; inside, the theme continues with a graceful, contemporary take on traditional Malay styling. Enormous en-suite bathrooms offer a private sanctuary in which to relax, and full-length windows overlook either the ocean or the resort’s manicured gardens. Outside, paths traverse between coconut palms, taking you across the grounds or
down to the beach. If you don’t feel like braving the ocean, dive instead into one of the two swimming pools. The more culturally inclined may partake in batik painting classes or accompany the personable chef Ann on a trip to the local market to shop for produce and seafood. Her daily cooking lessons reveal the secrets to her assam fish curry and beef rendang. That plethora of local delicacies are best manifested at the resort’s Di Atas Sungei restaurant, where one may sample the market-fresh local cuisine. The Teratai Terrace, ensconced in the middle of the resort, is a more casual setting where you can enjoy a nightly film presentation while lounging on a poolside deckchair. If you fancy a drink, the Nelayan restaurant boasts a well-stocked bar, as well as a wondrous ocean view.
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If you need some pampering, the resort’s Spa Village occupies its own secluded corner of the grounds. On Saturday afternoons, the Kampong Life experience brings time-honoured Malay customs to the heart of the resort. Drums and laughter fill the air as guests are invited to participate in traditional games while enjoying freshly made local treats such as apam balik. Those searching for something more energetic would likely start their day with a guided Sucimurni exercise class, aimed at balancing mind, body and spirit. There are also two tennis courts, a volleyball court and a gym. The more adventurous types can take a walk up nearby Jara Hill,
At Tanjong Jara Resort, you can choose from a wide variety of experiences, from energetic to indulgent.
where your naturalist-cum-guide will point out the more interesting flora, or visit the Dive Centre to arrange a trip to Tenggol Island and its exquisite coral reefs and plentiful marine fauna. If you need some pampering, the resort’s Spa Village occupies its own secluded corner of the grounds. Its 100-minute Malay Signature Experience revolves around the rejuvenating properties of the Roselle plant, and includes a fullbody massage to work away your aches, as well as a body scrub that leaves your skin glowing. www.tanjongjararesort.com ≠
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TRAVEL & LEISURE
Drums and laughter fill the air as guests are invited to participate in traditional games.
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MARTELL BE CURIOUS DINNER
Robb Report
CURIOSITY CALLS FOR A TOAST Celebrate a blissful night with Martell at the Be Curious dinner series.
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By KEEGAN DORAI
February – 2018
MARTELL BE CURIOUS DINNER
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1) A snifter of Martell Cordon Bleu paired with the starter of foie gras resembling cherry tomatoes. 2) Unveiling different cocktails behind the sliding panels conjured with a dash of Martell cognac. 3) The evening’s menu played on the theme of curiosity with constant surprises and discovery. 4) Garnishing a Martell signature cocktail. 5) Pernod Ricard Malaysia’s marketing director Emmanuel Dokhelar explains the nuances of terroir in the creation of Martell cognac to guests. 6) Chef Nathalie Arbefeuille. 7) Martell’s brand ambassador Pierre Boyer.
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obb Report Malaysia and Pernod Ricard Malaysia hosted guests to a Martell Be Curious dinner, one night in a glorious series of six held at the Kuala Lumpur Equestrian Club in Bukit Kiara. Underneath a marquee, guests were thrilled by a variety of engaging activities such as classic cognac cocktails chosen at random, a magic eight-ball giveaway, a psychedelic photo booth
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and a Martell-branded bar with mixologists in attendance. Dinner by chef Nathalie of Nathalie Gourmet was presented with a tinge of intrigue, from a Morel liquid sphere with truffle cremeux to cherry tomato-shaped foie gras. Each of the five courses was artfully accompanied by a Martell expression from the fun VSOP to the spectacular Martell Chanteloup, paired with a delicious chocolate and pear dessert. ≠ Photos PERNOD RICARD MALAYSIA
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Robb Report
Customers can have a taste of the unique Eskimo Choc Ice, which makes its mainland China debut at Plaza 66.
SWEET SPOT Maison Pierre Marcolini at Shanghai’s Plaza 66 creates edible works of art that remain true to the chocolatier’s grandest dreams. By MARK LEAN Photos MARCEL SNOW
February - 2018
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During a rare workshop at the relaunched mall, Marcolini was a passionate proponent of the humble cocoa bean.
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hocolatier Pierre Marcolini’s arrival in Shanghai is timed perfectly. The city is fast becoming an epicentre of style and good taste. The recent opening of Maison Pierre Marcolini at Plaza 66 is one of over 30 such outlets around the world in destinations as varied as France, the UK, Monaco, Japan and Kuwait. During a rare workshop at the recently relaunched uber luxury shopping mall, the Belgium-born Marcolini was a passionate proponent of the humble cocoa bean. In between whipping cream and designing his interpretation of a summer black forest
Well-known chocolatier Pierre Marcolini was at Plaza 66 to open his new boutique.
gateau, he talks about inspiration. “I draw it (inspiration) from everywhere: at a modern art exhibition or a conversation among friends or when I discover a new flavour at a restaurant,” he says. But it’s during trips around the world, Marcolini explains, when one’s mind opens, allowing for experiments “with mixing unexpected flavours inspired by cultures other than our own”. He scours the world – Peru, Vietnam and Brazil – in search of cocoa producers who assist him to create the purest, most sublime varieties of designer chocolate. eu.marcolini.com ≠
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A NEW PEAK Dom Perignon P2 2000 is proof that things can only get better with age. By SAM YEN
Notes of guava and spicy green grapefruit zest combine with white peach and nectarine in Vintage 2009.
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February - 2018
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f Dom Perignon 2000, released in 2008, was a work of art, then Dom Perignon P2 2000 is a more intimate rendezvous with the house’s 2000 vintage. “In a gallery, from five metres away, you can already tell whether you like a painting or not. Likewise, at your first sip of Dom Perignon 2000, you can immediately say whether you like the champagne’s style or not,” says Pierre-Louis Araud, brand ambassador of Dom Perignon. With that firmly established, the Dom Perignon P2 2000 (RM2,088) is an invitation to take a step closer to a masterpiece, where flavours and details once vague or subtle are now suffused with clarity. What exactly is the P2? It is a bottling born
From left: the main course of French quail was paired with the P2 2000; Pierre-Louis Araud.
out of the realisation that Dom Perignon does not develop linearly with time. Careful observation notes that the liquid reaches an optimal level of aged harmony, or plenitude, after seven to 10 years in the cellar. That became P1, or Dom Perignon 2000. After about 16 years, a second peak is achieved - the current P2 2000. And at the quarter century mark or thereabouts, there will be a third plenitude, or P3.
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Creating the P2 2000 is a labour of love and time. So it is appropriate that it was introduced to connoisseurs over a languid lunch by chef Darren Chin of DC Restaurant. Together with the Dom Perignon Vintage 2009 (RM899), the champagnes carefully articulated the nuances of each dish. Cold somen with uni and Galician octopus in a mango green curry complemented the Vintage 2009’s fruitiness and sunny maturity well, while the P2 2000’s precision and gravitas made the roasted quail and braised chayote radiant. Vibrant and complex, the P2 2000 makes fans of Dom Perignon anticipate their eventual taste of P3 2000 that much more. www.domperignon.com ≠
The champagnes articulated the nuances of each dish. Photos BONNIE YAP
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FESTIVE INDULGENCE Usher in prosperity with The St Regis Kuala Lumpur’s Lunar New Year set menus. By SAM YEN
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he St Regis Kuala Lumpur is offering indulgent feasts to celebrate the Lunar New Year this month. The hotel’s eight-course set menus will be offered over the festive period, starting with three prosperity Yee Sang variations (based on a recipe by the hotel’s owners) followed by individual servings of handmade Jiao Zhi
dumplings, rice with supreme fish stock and more. Vegetarians will not feel left out with a vegetarian menu, while a very special set will be served on the seventh day or Ren Ri (22 February). All set menus start from RM298+ per person and private room reservations are available with a minimum spend of RM3,000. www.stregiskualalumpur.com ≠
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SAVOUR
February - 2018
A RITZY LUNAR NEW YEAR Li Yen at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur is serving a traditional Cantonese banquet to celebrate the new lunar year. By SAM YEN
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sher in the Year of the Dog with a traditional Cantonese banquet at Li Yen, The RitzCarlton Kuala Lumpur’s awardwinning Chinese restaurant. Chef Leung Kwai Hong has crafted six menus featuring treasured Chinese ingredients, preceded by a requisite Prosperity Yee Sang. With dishes such as double-boiled chicken soup with abalone and mushrooms,
roasted duck, braised pork knuckle with oysters and steamed claypot rice with Chinese waxed meats, it will truly be a Lunar New Year to remember at Li Yen. The restaurant’s festive menus are available from 15 to 18 February, with prices starting from RM1,388 nett per table of 10 for lunch and RM1,888 nett for dinner. www.ritzcarlton.com ≠
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STARRY-EYED SURPRISE Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel’s Find Your Lucky Star pop-up restaurant is truly the stuff of dreams.
Lighting was kept minimal so diners could see the projection of stars all around them.
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By RENYI LIM
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ow do we make our dreams come true? At Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel, a delightful pop-up restaurant offering the Find Your Lucky Star dining experience toyed with that question last December. Seated within a box created by the internationally acclaimed Australian hospitality designer Emma Maxwell, guests dined amid cleverly engineered projections of starlight, nebulae
From above: chef Francois Mermilliod; seared scampi with angel hair pasta, Hokkaido sea urchin and Sakura shrimp.
(from RM438, with wine pairing) featured an impressive menu by chef Francois Mermillod of Singapore’s Bar-A-Thym from 12 to 16 December. Angel hair pasta entwined with seared scampi, Hokkaido sea urchin and Sakura shrimp, along with milk-fed veal tenderloin and foie gras foam left diners on cloud nine. This was followed by an Italianinspired menu by chef Gaetano Di Stefano, from the hotel’s Villa Danieli, up until 29 December,
“Guests are swept from the chaotic and bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur and submerged in a seductive and evocative ‘other world’.” and shooting stars as they sought to make a wish on their lucky star. “Guests are swept from the chaotic and bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur and submerged in a seductive and evocative ‘other world’,” Maxwell explained. “They’re then placed ‘upside down’ in a landscape where the clouds and the treetops are the basis for the floor and walls.” A four-course lunch (from RM238, with wine pairing) or a six-course dinner
with highlights including a baked turbot with Mediterranean vegetables, sea urchin foam and tomato-vanilla sauce. With just 12 places at the mirrored table available for each dining session, Find Your Lucky Star proved to be 2017’s most intimate and memorable dining experience and certainly, the one most likely to leave you star-struck. www. sheratonimperialkualalumpur.com ≠
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Robb Report
The Benrinnes 21 Year Old boasts a heavier malt that’s mainly matured in European oak.
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February - 2018
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AS THE RUSH COMES An exploration of Diageo’s Classic Malts collection uncovers the much sought-after Benrinnes 21 Year Old.
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tealing the limelight from the rest of Diageo’s Classic Malts collection is no easy task. So all credit, then, to the Benrinnes 21 Year Old a single-malt Scotch whisky you’ll want to hunt down - with its seductive tones of burnished gold and polished copper. Hailing from a distillery that sits atop an 840m peak that looms over Speyside, the Benrinnes 21 Year Old draws its flavour from the mountain springs of the Rowantree and Scurran Burns. The Benrinnes distillery is also known for its unusual distillation method, where six stills are utilised for partial triple-distillation, contributing to this particular single malt’s light, fruity notes of cantaloupe and raisins.
By RENYI LIM
Diageo has owned the Benrinnes distillery since 1997.
It is not, however, a demure whisky: with hints of molasses and notes that alternate between salty and savoury, this wellbalanced malt swiftly reveals its sweet and spicy personality, surprising the palate with a slightly astringent rush. Only 550 bottles of the Benrinnes 21 Year Old exist worldwide, with 262 bottles available in Malaysia (prices start from RM3,000), making this a prime opportunity for collectors. As part of Diageo’s Casks of Distinction programme, it’s even possible to purchase entire casks from the distillery, allowing you to decide whether to bottle your whisky or continue ageing it. www.diageo.com ≠
The Benrinnes distillery is known for its unusual distillation method, where six stills are utilised for partial triple-distillation.
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Photos LAW SOO PHYE
Robb Report
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PRIME-TIME TREATS Choice cuts of dry-aged beef take centre stage at Le Meridian Kuala Lumpur’s definitive steak restaurant, Prime.
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t’s easy to glide past Prime’s dry-age beef cellar in your eagerness to claim your table - perhaps understandably, since their DX 1000 dryageing fridges sit quietly by the entrance - but this, you see, is where the magic happens. Take a closer look through the doors and you’ll spot a tantalising display of Australian beef on racks, all dryaged in-house and waiting to be thrown on the grill and devoured. Dry-ageing is an exercise of patience, requiring a minimum of 21 days to allow the meat to mature, soften and rest, encouraging the
By RENYI LIM Prime prides itself in serving only the finest halal-certified imported beef, complemented with an exquisite wine selection.
beef ’s flavours to deepen and become more concentrated. The steady humidity and optimal air quality of Prime’s cellar do marvellous things to an extensive range of black Angus and delicately marbled Wagyu, enhancing their buttery texture and robust character. Its 21-day dry-aged cuts include the Wagyu cube roll, sirloin, prime rib or a Black Angus prime rib, while a 31-day Wagyu sirloin is also available (prices vary according to individual cuts and prior booking is recommended). You can choose to have your steak or prime rib seasoned lightly
Dry-ageing is an exercise of patience, requiring a minimum of 21 days to allow the meat to mature, soften and rest.
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and laid on a charcoal grill or ask for your beef to be cooked over redhot lava stones, which produce an intense heat capable of searing a beautiful finish onto the meat. It’s a unique grilling method that truly does justice to, say, Wagyu beef that’s been lovingly grainfed for 450 days and subsequently transformed into an aroma-filled powerhouse without even a hint of iron to it.
Impressive floor-toceiling wine walls present throughout Prime reflect the marriage of great steaks and great wines.
SAVOUR
Ask for your beef to be cooked over red-hot lava stones. Partner your beef of choice with the restaurant’s considerable selection of homemade sauces
Robb Report
and mustards, including cracked Sarawak peppercorn sauce, basil and orange marmalade mustard, and Argentinean chimichurri. Prime’s much-loved truffle mashed potato and sauteed jumbo asparagus make excellent accompaniments, as will a Rioja Orube Alta Expresion (RM450) from its range of Spanish wines, if you fancy a fine red to match the colour of your meat. www.lemeridienkualalumpur.com ≠
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Robb Report
Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, group president and CEO of Maybank, regards this month’s Maybank Championship as more than just a sporting event as it showcases some of the best Southeast Asian players. Photo MARCUS WONG/BLINK STUDIO
February - 2018
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By KENNETH TAN
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amed CEO of the Year at the 2015 ASEAN Business Awards Malaysia, Datuk Abdul Farid Alias has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the banking and finance sector. A 20-year span across investment banking, corporate finance and capital markets with stints at JP Morgan and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, among others, eventually led to his current position as group president and CEO of Maybank. This month’s Maybank Championship held on 1 to 4 February at the Saujana Golf & Country Club in Shah Alam gives him the chance to show a global viewership of 450 million households what Maybank and Southeast Asia are all about. We’ve been tied to the game of golf since 2006, at a time when few international-level golf tournaments were being staged in the country. The scene today is much more developed, and we are glad to see our initial efforts pay off. We continue to be deeply committed in our intentions to enable Southeast Asian and Malaysian golfers to play against the world’s best players, and invest in junior development. Now we are in our third year of holding the Maybank Championship, and we
According to Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, Saujana Golf & Country Club offers something for everyone, from its challenging Palm Course to its varied facilities.
“Once in a while, we made some of the shots but I’ve never had a hole in one!” hope to diversify the programme, improving the experience for tens of thousands who will attend
the championship as spectators (last year drew a crowd of 52,000 people). Our CSR programme, the Eco-Weavers, will show our promotion of traditional textiles which also creates economic independence and financial inclusion for women across Southeast Asia. The Village – an addition to the Championship – will house many other activities including traditional Katakatha dance performances, silent charity auctions and culinary experiences by chef Vin of Manja restaurant in Kuala Lumpur and Adrian Richardson – star of television show Good Chef Bad Chef. I’ve played golf for a long time without ever getting better. The game has always had a more social appeal for me with my best memories of it being weekends with friends. Once in a while, we made some of the shots but I’ve never had a hole in one! If there’s one thing the game of golf has taught me, it is to stay humble. Know the risks and play within those risks. Sometimes, you forget and spurred by the excitement, you try to get ahead without fully reading the scenario. It takes a pro, confronted by that sort of scenario with regularity, to have a better chance of success. ≠
STOCKISTS
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A Lange & Sohne
BMW
Fendi
Sincere Fine Watches G03M-P, Ground Floor Suria KLCC Shopping Centre 03 2166 2181 www.alange-soehne.com
Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur 362 Jalan Tun Razak 03 2056 4288 www.bmw.com.my
G31 & 125, Ground Floor Suria KLCC Shopping Centre 03 2166 0882 www.fendi.com
Aston Martin
Bottega Veneta
Ferrari
#G21 & G22, Ground Floor Suria KLCC Shopping Centre 03 2161 1345 www.bottegaveneta.com
Naza Italia Lot 3 Jalan 15A/221, Petaling Jaya 03 7956 8599 www.ferrari.com
Ground Floor Etiqa Twins 11 Jalan Pinang 03 2163 1196 www.astonmartin.com
Bang & Olufsen #S-239A, Level 2 The Gardens Mall 03 2283 2218 www.bang-olufsen.com
Bentley Ground Floor Etiqa Twins 11 Jalan Pinang 03 2165 1688 www.bentleykualalumpur.com
Cortina Watch Malaysia
Flexform
UG34, Adorn Floor Starhill Gallery 03 2144 1188 www.cortinawatch.com
#S-203 & 205, Level 2 The Gardens Mall Mid Valley City 03 2202 1798 www.flexform.it
Dior #G20 - G22, Indulge Floor Starhill Gallery 03 2143 1886 www.dior.com
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Franck Muller
Mercedes-Benz
Parmigiani
Sincere Fine Watches #2.01.07, Level 2 Pavilion Kuala Lumpur 03 2141 8418 www.franckmuller.com
Mercedes-Benz City Store #E-G-16, Ground Floor TREC Kuala Lumpur 03 9212 3063 www.mercedes-benz.com
The Hour Glass #2.41.00, Level 2 Pavilion Kuala Lumpur 03 2148 8930 www.parmigiani.com
Hermes
Montblanc
Richard Mille
#2.27.01, Level 2 Pavilion Kuala Lumpur 03 2142 0048 www.hermes.com
#2.18.00 & #3.20.00, Level 2 & 3 Pavilion Kuala Lumpur 03 2144 3323 www.montblanc.com
#UG15A, Adorn Floor Starhill Gallery 03 2144 0669 www.richardmille.com
Lamborghini
Omega
Royal Selangor
12 Jalan Juruhebah U1/50 Temasya Industrial Park Glenmarie Shah Alam 03 5567 0888 www.lamborghini.com
#G16, Indulge Floor Starhill Gallery 03 2144 0035 www.omegawatches.com
#3.11.00 & 4.11.00, Level 3 & 4 Pavilion Kuala Lumpur 03 2144 5282 www.royalselangor.com
THE LAST WORD
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DARE TO POKE THE BEAR Here are four stellar performers on the American stock exchanges that might have escaped your radar. By MARCUS YEW
Activision Blizzard
Align Technology
With eight billion-dollar gaming franchises in its portfolio, including the wildly popular Call of Duty and Destiny, Activision Blizzard’s share price shot up 79 per cent in 2017.
Posting a 132 per cent growth over 2017, the company behind Invisalign is the S&P 500’s best performer. Its 10 per cent market share is only going up because metal braces will never be cool.
First Solar
Boeing
A beneficiary of the America First doctrine, First Solar’s share price rose a 114 per cent thanks to likely tariffs on Chinese imports. Green tech = greenbacks!
High dividends may explain its 89 per cent rise, but a seven per cent increase in commercial plane deliveries helped too. Guess who committed to US$3 billion (RM12 billion) worth of planes last year? Hint: Malaysia.