Prestige Magazine

PRESTIGE i n

ISSUE NO. 34

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• Watches • Yac h t s • D i a m o n d s • P l a n e s & T r a i n s • A u d i o • • Property • Des i g n • S p a s • A d v e n t u r e • T r a v e l • C u f f l i n k s • • Submersibles • K i d s F a s h i o n • C h a m p a g n e •

Handbags •

• Pens • Cars • B u s i n e s s & T e c h n o l o g y • A r t • G i f t s & m o r e . . . •

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Waterloo Road, Wynberg, 7800 C a p e To w n t: 021 762 8935 f: 021 762 8957 www.kiids.co.za

F E AT U R E

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w w w. p r e s t i g e m a g . c o . z a

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foreword

on luxury

contents

From the Helm Southern African Luxury Perspective Live the Life

16 20 22

paragons

of luxury

par•a•gon [par-uh-gon, -guhn] – noun: a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence.

Louis XIII Panerai Döttling

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30 34 38

contents

Adventure, Travel & Wellness Dogsledding 56 Clifftop Lodge 68 Lord Howe Island 98 Super Falcon Submersible 102 Shanti Ananda Maurice 130 MagniGyro 162

Yachting SuperYacht Soliloquy Bavaria, Kral & Aicon Pershing & Ferretti Azimut, Cobalt & Mastercraft Fairline Phantom 48 Riviera RBS Marine Insurance

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44 76 112 134 150 154 168

Hawker

Fly with grace, poise and style

Hawker 4000

Hawker 900XP

Hawker 750

Hawker 400XP The sophistication of business travel is epitomised by the versatile range of Hawker jets.

When you experience a Hawker’s luxuriously spacious cabin, high cruise speed and best in class characteristics, you can be forgiven for feeling superior.

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For more information on these awe-inspiring aircraft, call National Airways Corporation.

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F E AT U R E

Planes, Trains & Automobiles Zenvo ST 1 Dassault Falcon 7X Maserati GranCabrio Private Charter: Bluestar Jets World's Best Train Trips Rolls Wholly Ghost Tour

contents

Aston Martin 4-Door Rapide ExecuJet Fractional Ownership

LuxuryLiving Graham's Fine Art Gallery Extreme Audio Diamant Classique Kiids Boutique Functional Design

Property&Architecture Zil Pasyon & Seychelles The Case for Buying Agents Premier Portfolio

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52 58 86 94 116 125 142 148

46 106 122 138 166

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Jewellery & Accessories

contents

Shimansky Judith Leiber Handbags Cufflinks Montblanc

100 128 146 164

Business, Technology & CSI Why the Bubble Burst MTN SA Foundation Citadel Investments

Haute Horlogerie Breguet – Churchill's Pocket Watch Resilient Horology Ladies Watches from Cartier Franck Muller – Aeternitas Longines Rado

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62 108 144

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fromthehelm

We had to wait the whole year for what will likely be the one moment our family will remember and replay more than the tropical island visits, plane and chopper rides, yacht excursions and glitzy events that form part of the luxury publishing territory. Our little blonde boy with curls down to his shoulders squeezing his sturdy three-year-old body into a very hot cow costume for his end-of-year play, sitting remarkably still Wisdom of while shepherds, angels and kings the innocents played their parts, and then finally getting the chance to say his immortal line: “Moo.” This focused and very important split-second in his young life gave us much upon which to reflect.

For starters, the cow theme reminded us of how fast this year has gone and how time for quality moments has just rushed by while we were frantically chasing something else. Author Terry Pratchett tells of the old fruit fly which, close to the end of its 24-hour lifespan, points out to a young fruit fly: “See those cows over here? I remember the good old days, when they were still standing there!” Yes, each of us, from our own busy perspectives, missed several good moments this past year, wasting that ultimate luxury commodity – time – and romanticising about the simpler life we may have known before.

Then, as we stood knee-high amid an army of gnomes, angels, donkeys, and other nativity scene bit-actors, the sheer joy and enthusiasm of this young crowd, and their pride in the repertoire of songs and movements they had just mastered, was tangible. Just then my cell phone rang, and I had to take a call from a very unpleasant adult on a rather petty matter where his extreme greed could only be matched by his arrogant stubbornness and by the incompetence of his army of sycophants. The contrast with the raw human potential munching cookies around our knees could not have been more profound, and made us wonder what kind of world it is we live in that transforms such affectionate little sponges for love and learning into the kind of person on the other side of the phone.

Sipping the last of the orange cordial, now sticky and hot from the sun, another parent poked me in the ribs and made fun of the fact that a cow had now found its way into the nativity play. Same with the gnomes. Well, we figured, this is nothing new. We deal, on a daily basis, with rich and powerful people in this country who have become so used to creating their own reality, often in quite a self-delusional fashion and egged on by their yeah-saying groupies, that neither cow nor gnome was going to surprise us one bit. As the phone kept us connected between the exuberance of this young crowd and the pressures back at the office, the divergence between the two worlds of childish simplicity and adult intrigue could not have been starker.

For our readers, we wish you a restful end of year period that will refocus you on the unpretentious pleasures in life. We present you with a “Best of the Best” edition that will become an annual institution, in order to make you dream about the good things life can offer, but also with a reminder that most of the families and colleagues who craft the world’s finest items, and the people who find pleasure in these items, find meaning in more than just the ownership. May this balance not elude you, and may the New Year find you open to the love and curiosity with which we all started this wonderful journey called life.

Charl & Tanya

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CHAIRMAN – Vivien Natasen vivien@neoafrica.com MANAGING EDITOR – Charl du Plessis charl@prestigemag.co.za GROUP EDITOR – Tanya Goodman tanya@prestigemag.co.za EDITOR – Toni Ackermann toni@prestigemag.co.za AVIATION EDITOR – Kevin Barker (Durban) kevin@prestigemag.co.za ADVERTISING Rui Barbosa (Sales Manager) Tel: +27 84 290 2070 rui@prestigemag.co.za Michiel Faber (Cape Town) Tel: +27 82 922 3856 michiel@prestigemag.co.za

Jean Ramsay (Media Agencies) Cell: +27 79 508 0428 jean@prestigemag.co.za Lodene Grobler (Gauteng) Tel: +27 79 876 4130 lodene@prestigemag.co.za Namibia Mynard Slabbert (Commercial Manager) Tel: +264 81 227 2380 mynard@prestigemag.co.za Wilna van Eeden Tel: +264 81 359 9692 wilna@prestigemag.co.za Anne Bertinot Tel: +264 81 277 3848 anne@prestigemag.co.za DESIGN & LAY-OUT VDS Design Studio Liesel van der Schyf Tel: +27 82 336 7537 liesel@vdsdesign.co.za SUBSCRIPTIONS R499 for 12 issues; R949 for 24 issues SMS the words SUBSCRIBE PRESTIGE, followed by your name and email address, to +27 82 452 8110. Alternatively, email your name, cell number and delivery address to mail@prestigemag.co.za.

Print Type & Repro, Johannesburg DISTRIBUTION Prestige is available on newsstand and through subscription. Free public space distribution includes over 50 charter fleets operating in the Southern African region.

Top five-star hotels and all major business class airport lounges nationally receive free monthly copies. Also look for Prestige in up-scale coffee shops, spas, and private banking waiting areas.

Cover Images Credits Franck Muller; iStockphoto.com; Montblanc; Zenvo Automotive; Wally Yachts All rights are reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. PRESTIGE is published

by Neo Publishing. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or any of its clients.

Information has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information and reports in this magazine, the publisher does not accept any responsibility, whatsoever, for any errors, or omissions, or for any effects resulting there from. No part of this publication may be used, or reproduced in any form, without the written permission of the publisher.

Copyright © 2009/2010. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to Neo Publishing and/ or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

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PUBLISHER – Neo Publishing (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 82 452 8110 Fax: +86 678 6370

SMS the words "Subscribe Prestige" to +27 82 452 8110 or email your

PRE S TI G e name, cell number and delivery address to mail@prestigemag.co.za.

November Winner: Stuart Fraser of Johannesburg

Elegance is an attitude “It’s time to give a little bit of your time to others.”

Andre Agassi

The Longines Master Collection Retrograde

www.longines.com The Swatch Group South Africa - (011) 669 0630

Longines supports the Andre Agassi Foundation

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F E AT U R E

Luxury The SA Perspective

Piers Schmidt – Chairman, The Southern Africa Luxury Association

I

ndeed, 2009 has been a tough year for the global luxury industry, causing many of its participants to reflect deeply on the identity and purpose of the sector’s brands. A prior decade of easy growth, followed by the sudden collapse in demand, also prompted a questioning of direction and brought some luxury enterprises to a significant inflection point.

In comparison, South Africa’s economy has held up well during this recession.

Government-sponsored infrastructure projects and a swelling middle class of working professionals have compensated for a decrease in demand for the country’s raw outputs.

However, understanding how these currents have impacted on South Africa’s nascent luxury industry relies predominantly on anecdotal evidence because the sector is still organised on a largely informal basis.

The developed luxury markets of Europe and the US are centres of both luxury brand production and consumption. In other words, there is a long history not only of purchasing and living with luxury but of actually conceiving and making the goods too.

This history has fostered a culture of not only greater discernment but also

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a sense of community and interaction among the consumers of luxury brands and the organisations that develop and market them.

By contrast, most emerging markets neither make their own luxury brands nor have they yet acquired a history of consumption that promotes the all-important symbiotic customerbrand relationship.

This is why, during 2009, we decided to form the Southern Africa Luxury Association (SALA); to provide a focal point, some basic structure and a greater degree of visibility and formality to the region’s luxury enterprises and their select number of valuable customers.

While some people would argue that the notion of luxury is incompatible with the unacceptable poverty gap that characterises South African society, I believe that luxury is a fundamental human requirement that satisfies humanity’s desire to mark and reward individual progress and achievement. As such, luxury provides vital motivation in moving on up. The issue in South Africa is surely to distribute the ability to progress more evenly; not to regulate, nor to frown upon access to the rewards for those who have.

While the number of SALA members has now reached more than 40, the leisurely pace of uptake in the membership illustrates just how much the local luxury industry has to learn.

People here are slow to share and to cooperate. We attribute this reluctance to the lack of confidence that managers have in themselves, in their brands and

ultimately in their customers. Leaders of the South Africa luxury industry should look North, West and East to see how their more successful counterparts in Europe, the Americas, India and China collaborate generously with each other to build bigger and more profitable franchises. People need to think in terms of increasing the size of the pie instead of jealousy protecting the size of the slice they currently hold. They should seek inspiration from each other’s challenges and the solutions that can be developed together.

In November, we published South Africa: a New Frontier for Luxury Brands?; the findings of the largest inquiry into the market for luxury brands ever conducted in South Africa. In terms of confirming that the country represents a potentially fertile market for luxury, the results are encouraging. But the picture is still fragmented by region, by race and by a general failure to appreciate the nuances of building and sustaining valuable relationships with the super wealthy.

Indeed, 2010 will be the year that South Africa comes under a global spotlight. I would urge all SALA members, and anybody involved in the country’s luxury industry for that matter, to learn the lessons that those more sophisticated and mature markets have to teach us so that we may together consolidate what has already been achieved and build an even stronger foundation for the brands of the luxury sector going forward. 

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the life

live

Franck Muller’s

Crazy Hours

Watch

Since the earliest sun dials, watch hands have always moved in chronological order from 1 to 12. The association of the zenith with noon is so strong that nobody needs to recognise the numeral 12 in order to know what time it is. In 2003, the House of Franck Muller revolutionised the world of watch making with a totally innovative approach to the very notion of time, offering an entirely new reading of this illusive entity. Called the Crazy Hours watch, the numerals on the dial of this model are presented in an unconventional order; however, the reading of the hours remains precise.

Thanks to a patented mechanism, the central hour hand literally jumps from the numerals 1 to 12 placed randomly on the dial, whereas the central minutes hand moves in a conventional way. With a self-winding mechanical movement; sun-stamped, white translucent lacquered dial with multi-coloured numerals; and hand-sewn alligator strap or gold bracelet, the Crazy Hours watch makes a fun, functional, and quite peculiar gift.

New-Look

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel in South Africa

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel is the world’s only charcoal-mellowed single barrel Tennessee whiskey.

Its bold, full-bodied taste of toasted oak flavour and intense vanilla and caramel essences, is the work of craftsmen with a singular devotion to old-time whiskey making. And now, the drink appreciated by aficionados the world over has changed its look, taking its cue from a classic decanter with a thick glass base and smooth, rounded edges. To mark its distinctive nature, each bottle is hand-labelled with its rick, barrel number and individual bottling date. The redesigned label as well as a raised, scripted signature of Jack Daniel blown into the glass, plus a collectible coin encased in the top of each wooden stopper, are all new features that express the attention to detail that goes into each bottle. Said Joffy Senekal, Jack Daniel’s Brand Manager for South Africa: “The label design improves visibility, making it easier to see on the shelf and behind the bar, and better communicates the status of the brand. We believe it will attract a sophisticated, discerning consumer.”

Certainly. We’ll surely see it in many other places too – Santa’s stocking, under the Christmas tree, perhaps beside the swimming pool on New Year’s Day, too. The new-look Single Barrel is already available at selected liquor outlets.

Give a Gift of Boschendal

Bubbly

Celebrate good times with Boschendal and the launch of the Methode Cap Classique Grande Cuvée Brut and Le Grand Pavillon Brut Rosé. The ideal sparkle to complement any event – and a delightful stocking filler – Le Grand Pavillon Brut Rosé is multifaceted and stylish. From enlivening a breakfast with its refreshing blush to lunches embodying the spirit of the good life and jovial late-night soirées; Le Grand Pavillon Brut Rosé is the perfect accompaniment. Beautiful to behold in its sparkling hues of pink and plum, it is balanced, fresh and endlessly versatile. Boschendal’s crème de la crème, though, is the Grande Cuvée Brut 2006 – a vintage Cap Classique of great distinction, elegance and quality that accompanies the joy of celebration. As a vintage bubbly, Grande Cuvée Brut 2006 has a wonderfully developed character. Perfectly attired for sophisticated parties, superlative with oysters and all manner of luxury foods, and a perfect gift on Christmas morning, the new Boschendal bubblies are available at selected retail outlets. Visit www.boschendalwines.com for more information.

Destination Management with a touch of class.

Abu Dhabi Yacht Show 2010

Bigger

& Better

ADYS, the Middle East’s first and only show exclusively for yachts over 25 metres, returns from 25-27 February 2010 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Marina. The 2009 inaugural event saw sales of vessels totalling more than US$200 million, confirming the growing importance of Abu Dhabi as a leading super- and mega-yacht destination.

ADYS was created to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Middle East yachting market, as well as the nascent market in South East Asia and beyond. Currently, there are about 9,000 berths in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, with plans to build another 7,000 by 2012. Bringing together some of world’s leading shipyards, and an important number of service and supply companies, brokers, interior designers, consultants, and marina developers, ADYS 2010 will offer a comprehensive overview of the latest luxury yacht products and technological innovations. This year’s event will enjoy considerably more exhibition space and several changes in format, enabling organisers to showcase even more effectively to the thousands of high net worth visitors expected. Visit www.abudhabiyachtshow.com for more information and full exhibitor list.

A Gift of Prestige E G I T S PR E i n

T MOTO R YACH

COLL ECTIB LES

ICON IC CHE

TIN ASTO N MAR

RI DHOW SAFA ISSUE NO. 28

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Contact us, your travel partner for Southern Africa.

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l u x u r y

For the person who has everything – give that special someone in your life a gift that lasts the entire year. A subscription to Prestige is a muchappreciated gift. Prestige incorporates the latest on the sport of kings and the king of sports (yachting), luxury travel, exotic motoring, private aviation, style and design, food and decor, arts and architecture, collectibles, jewellery, fashion, property and holistic well-being. Working with a finely nuanced definition of luxury, it is a magazine for families with finesse and financial freedom who engage with the world across many dimensions. With each edition, Prestige pursues a mix of luxury elements that include E RAC L A S T IN G G rarity, nostalgia, elegance, understatement, freedom, curiosity, generosity, intelligence, wit, aesthetics, adventure and more. Simply holding and enjoying Prestige should already feel like a luxury in itself. SMS "Subscribe Prestige" to +27 82 452 8110, or email mail@prestigemag.co.za. R499 for 12 issues; R949 for 24 issues.

Tel: +264 61 272 185 · Fax: +264 61 250 191 E-mail: m.ihms@namibia-safaris.com Website: www.namibia-safaris.com P.O. Box 40458, Ausspannplatz, Windhoek

the life

live

A Time to Share

Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™ Limited Edition A gift of Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™ is international shorthand for the recognition of success; an icon of masculine style. Presented in a hand-made highly polished, deep-blue lacquered case, the Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™ Walker & Son Limited edition pack contains a bottle of Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™ and two bespoke crystal whisky tumblers.

The most renowned Scotch whisky blend in the world, Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™ has an unparalleled rich taste, and velvety texture: the definitive expression of the whisky blender’s art. Each and every whisky that goes into this legendary blend is handpicked from exceptional casks, set aside by the master blender from a range of exclusive distilleries, including highly prized casks from distilleries no longer in production. Each bottle is polished, cork-stopped and individually numbered as a guarantee of perfection and provenance. The outcome is a limited supply of exclusive whisky. The Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™ Walker & Son Limited edition pack is only available at Makro stores nationwide.

La Plantation

d’Albion Villas Mauritius

Enjoy the quiet comfort of your own personal villa at La Plantation d’Albion, opening 3 April 2010. At this Club Med development, guests can discover the luxury of one of 24 majestic private villas designed in complete refinement with its own garden, Mauritian veranda and swimming pool. There is a choice of a two, three, or four-bedroom villa, which have either a sea or mountain view. Also on offer is a butler and concierge service along with options for in-villa beauty treatments, private excursions and a personal chef. In addition, guests will enjoy free access to all of the activities at Club Med’s flagship 5-Trident Resort, while children aged 4 to 11 years will have access to the Mini Club Med facilities. Golf-lovers can enjoy complimentary, unlimited golf on the 18hole Tamarina course. Full-board dining throughout the stay, open bar and snacking as well as Club Med’s exceptional entertainment is included. For more information, contact the Club Med Travel Boutique on 0860 CLUB MED or visit www.clubmed.co.za.

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Diamond Delight Diamant Classique

Get ready for a New Year's surprise that will take her breath away. From Diamant Classique – brainchild of Brandon Kerzner (yes, you guessed right) and Ryan Bond – comes a merger of Africa's best. A leather encased bottle of awardwinning methode cap classique sparkling wine with a 1.0 carat diamond inside. Ready to wear with a pendant and chain, see her eyes light up when you present her with a glass of the finest. Selling at R28,000, the certified diamond comes in at a 30 percent discount to its real value. Contact: Ryan Bond at +27 82 555 7008 or +27 21 433 1732.

Neo Africa was developed to establish a platform for like-minded people with a flair for developing and implementing innovative business solutions both in the Consulting and Information Technology sectors.

Our lifestyle division was started to complement our core business through creating a seamless platform for service delivery with accountability and performance monitored through our own systems.

Our Lifestyle division was born out of an evident need in the market for an exclusive and personalized concierge service, in today’s luxury travel and hospitality service industry, to manage high profile VIP clients in a seamless turnkey solution, surpassing industry standards.

We currently have the unrivalled ability to meet unique requirements by operating as a luxury facilitation mechanism with the following premium service capabilities: › Event management, planning and delivery › Business rebranding and activation › Aviation division for charters and pilot training › Luxury car hire and chauffeur service › Access to major events as a VIP Our Events Division is an elite, dynamic, events management and coordination entity with an additional full-house marketing,

communications and public relations services ability able to handle any event and related activation.

Our Aviation division provides our clients with access to high quality aircraft solutions for charters anywhere in the world again smoothly integrated with our concierge and events capability. We are a fully accredited flight academy to take aspiring pilots all the way to commercial licenses.

We further offer the rental of exclusive luxury vehicles or other unique media geared towards the top end consumer.

Many discerning clients are seeking alternative options to vehicle ownership and many are looking for more cost effective means to experience their passion for driving. We also have a private chauffeur service that operates as a pointto-point service in luxury and exotic vehicles. These vehicles can be branded to your specification.

We pride ourselves on being able to provide our clients with opportunities for experiences that surpass any expectations.

Experience beyond… beyond experience…

the life

live

Synonymous with luxury, performance and style, and surely every businessman’s best friend, is the attaché case. Much like a Patek Philippe watch or a Montblanc pen, an attaché conveys a certain sense of power and says a great deal before a word is even uttered.

Attaché Cases Louis Vuitton Odessa Briefcase

Taïga leather, lining in textile Retail price R20,000 Contact +27 11 784 9854 (Sandton) or +27 21 405 9700 (Cape Town)

Bally Misitrol Travel Bag

Bamboo colour, embossed calfskin Retail price R11,000 Visit www.bally.com

Cartier Pasha de Cartier Double-Compartment Briefcase Black crocodile leather Retail price R19,700 Contact +27 11 666 2800

Louis Vuitton Pilot Case

Damier graphite canvas, leather trimming, lining in cotton Retail price R22,900 Contact +27 11 784 9854 (Sandton) or +27 21 405 9700 (Cape Town)

www.rado.com

CERAMICA CHRONOGRAPH JUBILÉ

PA R A G O N

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PA R A G O N

Louis XIII Cogna c

A Century in a Glass The history of Louis XIII Cognac is the meeting of two exceptional lines: that of 10 generations of company heads who have succeeded each other in an unbroken line since 1724, and that of the cellar masters, the vigilant guardians of the treasures kept in the reserves.

T

Words: CHARL DU PLESSIS Images: © RÉMY MARTIN

he carafe dates back to a medieval battlefield, and the land on which the grapes grow has been in the hands of the same family since the early 1600s during Louis XIII’s reign. Century-old Limousin oak barrels age the eaux-de-vie, and the final product has received the loving care of four Cellar Masters over the span of a hundred years or more. No money in the modern world can recreate the tradition, heritage and rarity that firmly establish this iconic cognac as one of our Paragons of Luxury this year.

It was a fierce battle as religious fervour alone can inspire. At the end of the Battle of Jarnac in 1569, pitched between two cousins, the Protestant Prince de Condé and the Catholic Duke d’Anjou, a metal gourd from which one of them sought relief during the fighting remained on the bloody battleground. Only the encrusted fleurs-de-lis testified to its connection to the throne. In 1850, PaulÉmile Rémy Martin I, landowner in the Cognac region of France, bought this gourd from a peasant in a nearby village who had found it on the battlefield, and the inspiration for the now-famous Louis XIII carafe was born. It would take another 24 years before it was finally put to use in glass form, and another 62 years for this iconic carafe to be transformed into the fine crystal from which we pour liquid gold today.

The Cognac region is a regal landscape, and no other place on Earth is better suited for growing grapes. Under the effect of a perfect balance of influences from the ocean and inlands, with a soil characterised by a high limestone content, this generous terroir allows the roots of the vine to become deeply embedded in the heart of the earth. Among these finest vineyards, the most prestigious of the six crus are classed as Grande Champagne, and every batch used to blend Louis XIII comes exclusively from these pristine, chalky lands. Yet, their selection marks but the start of a century-long journey through which nature transmits to humanity its gifts of life, growth, sun and minerals.

The journey of the grapes for the next century is the combination of two exceptional lines of heritage. The Rémy Martin family has contributed 10

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generations, in an unbroken line since 1724, of diligent Company Heads who have lived and prospered on these fertile soils, and built the most respectable cognac brand in the world. At their side through these ages have been the masters of their craft, the distillers and Cellar Masters who have been the vigilant guardians of the treasures kept in the reserves.

Today, the Rémy Martin group has a large team of the world’s best schooled and tenured distillers, from among which only the most talented will rise to become Cellar Master, the custodian of the next generation of Louis XIII. Passed down from generation to generation, the secrets of distillation involve searching for subtle flavours,

patiently for the sacred moment of blending with the generations before.

The Cellar Master is tasked to bring her own vision to the fore in their generation’s blend, yet to remain committed to the tradition of Louis XIII. Pierrette Trichet can draw on a treasure trove of extremely old eaux-de-vie in the art of blending, and in the final result, more than 1,200 eaux-de-vie may be included, some as young as 40 years, and the oldest over 100 years old. The result is always a pleasant assault on the senses. From its mahogany colour emanates a rich floral aroma with spicy fragrances. Jasmine dominates with a saffron tone. The good nose will detect five Chinese spices and the scents of Havana, followed by

the iconic cruise liners of the twenties, the maiden voyage of the Orient Express in 1929, and in 1984 on the first Concorde flight. As the world’s most famous hotels adopted Louis XIII, Charlie Chaplin, Roosevelt, Churchill and Cocteau rubbed shoulders in the company of this fine cognac. From 1938 Versailles to Josephine Baker in a rainy Paris, to Puff Daddy, Placido Domingo and Oscar de la Hoya; the history of Louis XIII has run parallel to the great names of every era. Perhaps its finest moment was De Gaulle celebrating Free France’s first Christmas in December 1944, toasting Louis XIII. The creation of the Louis XIII cognac in 1874 represents the absolute mastery of time, a succession

and controlling the heating process from which more than a thousand eaux-de-vie will be selected each year for presentation to current Cellar Master, Pierrette Trichet, and her Rémy Martin tasting panel. She will select the rarest components, lay them to slumber in tierçons barrels with incredibly thin walls, which encourage an exchange between the air outside and the eaux-de-vie inside. In silence, aging in these Limousin oak barrels, the eaux-de-vie begin their mysterious alchemy far from the gaze of humans, and wait

perfumes of flowers and exotic fruits and nuances of dried fruit and frankincense. The tongue detects fig and sandalwood and, in the words of former Cellar Master, Georges Clot, “When you discover Louis XIII, you become a different man.”

Louis XIII has travelled the four corners of the world, always only in the best company, as the true ambassador for the French way of life.

It was served at the Royal Courts of Europe in previous epochs, and later embodied the emotions of great historic moments by being present on

of daring initiatives and commitment, and an unceasing quest for quality.

Louis XIII ties a prestigious bond between the past and the future and illustrates the collective work of people with strong connections to their land and the guardians of secular secrets. This art will transmit into future centuries with boldness and new initiatives, not quite unlike the cathedral builders of grand Europe who never saw the completion of their work, yet played their part in bringing the best of each generation to the fore. 

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Eilean 1 9 3 6

Panerai’s New Flagship

It was time for sunset cocktails in English Harbour, Antigua, and after a busy day attending the local leg of the 2006 Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge, Panerai CEO, Angelo Bonatti could not believe his eyes when he looked out onto the water. Tied to an old, rusty tugboat to stop her from sinking sat the Eilean, a 1936 Bermudian Ketch with unmistakable William Fife boatyard pedigree.

Words: CHARL DU PLESSIS Images: Š PANERAI & Beken of Cowes - Eilean 1939

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AG T UORN E P AFRE A

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he discovery of Eilean started one of the most inspiring stories of tradition, seamanship, care, passion and precision craftsmanship. Since 2005, Officine Panerai, one of the world’s most prestigious watch brands, has sponsored the Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge, bringing together the beautiful, old ladies of the sea, built between the late 1800s and early 1900s, in settings where the history of sailing was written.

Already smitten by this most breathtaking sight of fully restored or carefully reconstructed classic yachts under full sail, Bonatti decided there and then that the Eilean would be destined for great things once again; to be fully restored and to become Panerai’s very own flagship vessel at these events.

Eilean had a checkered history.

Built by the 80-year-old William Fife III, her waterlines were inspired by the J-Class yachts popular in the America’s Cup in the 1930s. Her first owners, the Fulton brothers – James V and Robert W – sailed her for only a short while before both lost their lives in WWII. Changing hands several times over the next decade, yet with very little of her activity recorded, Eilean got her chance in the 1970s, when architect John Shearer, who sailed on her as a child when she was skippered by his uncle, bought Eilean to turn her into one of the most popular charter yachts in the Caribbean. A brief 15 minutes of fame came when pop-group Duran Duran shot the video for their song “Rio” on a chartered Eilean.

After 14 Atlantic crossings, Eilean's slow demise began when she was damaged by a stricken ferry off the coast of Malaga. Shearer scraped home to Old Harbour, where first the rusted tug-boat companion, and later termites, gradually stripped her of her former glory.

So, to give Eilean her make-over, Panerai had a huge job at hand. Tied by mooring cables to the mangrove

swamps, stripped of her masts, gunwale split, toerail dismantled, desk features useless and the interior emptied out, she was unfit to cross the Atlantic. Eilean was towed out to sea, to Martinique, filled with inflated balloons to keep her afloat. From there she was shipped on a special yacht carrier to Genoa’s Voltri Port, and onwards to the Francesco Del Carlo boatyard in Viareggio, which had been commissioned to undertake her restoration.

At the Del Carlo boatyard, the restoration steered as close to original materials and plans as possible.

Almost all of the original fourcentimetre thick Burma teak planking of her hull was restored, as was the

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teak cockpit in Eilean's stern, with original features such as the wooden steering wheel and the column of the brass compass perfectly refitted. The original bronze gear mechanism was remounted after restoration. The Fife deck-house, also made from Burma teak and located aft of the cockpit, was dismantled and restored in its original 1936 shape and chamber, as were the four original bronze portholes.

Fresh materials were introduced for the 50 square metres of Eilean's deck, sporting new teak boards.

Rigging and equipment on the deck was replaced with seven new bronze winches, all manual and double speed, with no electric or hydraulic mechanisms. Around six cubic metres of African mahogany were introduced for the interior and cabins, all in the original layout, which interestingly enough never included a dedicated owner’s cabin. This ketch was built for long trips at sea, and with this in mind, the single bunk complete with lee cloth was preferred.

The two most striking features on Eilean are the generous central saloon and the two masts. Entering the wardroom saloon is akin to entering an

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old library, complete with rare books and mahogany graining. The two masts, the boom and the bowsprit, used six cubic metres of Alaskan spruce from just one tree. The mainmast is 28.5 metres tall and weighs around 800 kilograms, while the 18.3-metre tall mizzenmast weighs in at 300 kilograms. Planks from the Alaskan tree were glued together for a square section, which was then handrounded. The result is hollow masts with a striking pear-shape pattern repeated on both. These masts were fitted with the same zinc-plated iron used in the 1930s construction. The Fife boatyard's symbolic dragons have once again been carved on both sides of the hull, with their heads on the bow and their tails on the stern. Eilean, Gaelic for “little island,” is carved into the transom wood. The combination of repolished old and brand new is a sight to behold.

After a labour of love for almost three years, the newly renovated Eilean was recently introduced to the press in the Italian Navy’s La Spezia Harbour, with Prestige invited to witness this remarkable transformation.

Declared Bonati at this event: “Seeing Eilean restored to her former glory is

very moving, and I am sure that all lovers of vintage sailing boats share my emotion. With her elegance and perfect lines, Eilean is not just an example of craftsmanship and authenticity, but also a symbol of a love for the sea that only sailing manages to convey.”

Eilean will be setting out in early 2010 for her first Atlantic crossing since her restoration, and will join the Antigua Classic week; this time not tied to a rusted tugboat, but running free in the wind with several of her older sisters from the boatyards of William Fife I, II & III. 

Panerai Watches Panerai watches are sold exclusively through a select international network of approximately 500 authorised retailers and in the Panerai boutiques in Florence, Portofino, Madrid, Beverly Hills, New York, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo. Each boutique carries all of the brand’s luxury watch collections, and offers clientele the chance to buy the limited editions reserved only for sale from the Panerai boutiques.

FRATELLI ROSSETTI is now available at selected Europa Art Shoes stores S a n d t o n

•

C a v e n d i s h

S q u a r e

•

M e n l y n

P a r k

•

E a s t g a t e

Head Office: +27 11 455 0949

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PA R A G O N

Dﾃｶttling Luxury Safes

With their solid structure, exceptional craftsmanship and delicate gold plating, their polished walnut interiors and stateof-the-art electronic locking system, it is easy to see why Dﾃｶttling safes are so sought after by those wishing to safely stow their most treasured collectibles.

Words: TONI ACKERMANN Images: ﾂｩ Dﾃ傍TLING

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E

ver since Ernst Döttling founded the manufactory in 1919, in the southern German town of Maichingen, two fundamental values have shaped the daily work of Döttling’s locksmiths and restorers: the consistent pursuit of perfection and an irrepressible, innovative strength.

Current owner Markus Döttling represents the fourth generation in a company whose history extends back nearly a century, and he takes the notion of handcraft quite literally and very seriously. Today, almost every safe made or restored passes through the gates of the manufactory.

Throughout the years, Döttling has upheld the traditional locksmith’s craft in the style of Royal Prussian smiths of old. Gold plating work, a laborious and time-consuming process, is done painstakingly by hand using 24-carat gold leaf in chosen shades. When it comes to saddler work, meticulous handcrafting

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is done here too. Each hide is hand cut, later to be edge bevelled, sewn and worked by hand as well, and there is hardly a type of material that Döttling’s master saddlers have not handled.

In 2007, Döttling launched the first and only high-security safe in the luxury segment: The Bel-Air. Taking some two years to develop, Döttling engineers created a masterpiece that caused something of a sensation among those in the know across the globe.

Visually, the Bel-Air is based on the overseas trunks of the 1900s’ “upper crust.” These safes are crafted from solid steel, their 800-kilogram frame and electronic locking system developed in-house and offering the highest standards of security. Of course, the finest of materials, both for the interior and for the external panelling, elevate the safe to an aesthetic masterpiece. Following Döttling’s Bel-Air was the Bel-Air Magnus, a safe twice the size of its predecessor, but just as beautiful, and featuring double-doors opening out from the centre.

Although Döttling's traditions can quite aptly be described as timehonoured, most of the antique safes in the company’s Legends series are far older than the company itself. The Legends series comprises highly-exclusive antique safes, all of which were lovingly restored at the Maichingen manufactory.

The quality, technical perfection, and meticulous, loving attention to detail paid to these historic safes set standards that remain internationally unsurpassed.

The unforgettable impression that a Legends safe leaves behind is marked by its own personal history. Be it a Wilhelminian strongbox from the early 20th Century, a Napoleonic

coffer-fort from the mid-19th Century, or a work commissioned by the last of the Medici from Milan and dating back to the 1700s, each safe delivered by Döttling is a remarkable magnum opus.

The number and availability of these antique safes may be extraordinarily limited, but their interior design knows no bounds.

Humidors, cocktail bars, jewellery compartments, watch winders, collector’s showcases or locking drawers; the only premise is the highly-individual requests of the client. Each item that Döttling creates really is distinctive, tailored to the exact wants, needs, lifestyle, and fastidious desires of its owner. In fact, Markus Döttling personally consults with his customers to ensure all details are correct and just to their liking.

Today, specialised Döttling scouts are scouring the globe to uncover more of the very few antique specimens remaining in the world.

Even safes that appear to be in derelict condition can pique the interest of Markus Döttling. “In the end it’s important that the skeletal structure of the safe, its basic functions and particularly its characteristic stylistic elements, have been preserved,” he says. “Everything else is taken care of by our specialists and restorers.”

On request, the antique masterpieces can, of course, also be equipped with the latest security engineering by means of a method specially devised by Döttling, making them not just aesthetically pleasing, but absolutely state of the art in their function too. Thus, it is in only this aspect that all Döttling’s safes are alike; otherwise, they are the grand expression of a lifestyle reserved for only a lucky few. 

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Breguet Churchill’s Pocket Watch

Words: KEN KESSLER Images: © BREGUET

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s illustrious a list of clients as Breguet’s certainly cannot be found elsewhere. From Marie-Antoinette to Napoleon Bonaparte; from the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire to Alexander l, Tsar of Russia; the military leaders and princes and barons and dukes and kings of the 18th and 19th Centuries favoured Breguet as their maker of fine timepieces. The modern era would see Breguets owned by great musicians and pilots of the French Air Force,

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while carmaker Ettore Bugatti would install a Breguet stopwatch in the steering wheel hub of the legendary Royale. Fittingly, from the dawn of the 20th Century, the man who would be recognised as its single greatest figure, too, would carry a Breguet pocket watch every day.

Arguing about the greatness of Winston Churchill is futile. If for no other reason than being the first of his peers to stand against Hitler, even when his colleagues thought it better to do otherwise, Churchill represents all that is best about

England.

Bridging two eras; Victorian and Modern, his life encompassed the Age of Steam, the Industrial Revolution and the Atomic Age. He participated in its two world wars. He wrote history books yet to be surpassed. Fashion, political correctness, party politics – none of these petty forces have been able to diminish his legacy, nor should they.

As close to Winston Churchill as his cigars was the remarkable timepiece inherited from his grandfather, the Duke of Marlborough.

G E N E R AT I O N S

Given to him in 1901, the watch would become a daily accoutrement for the next 64 years. Its significance to and about Churchill covers both the enormity of marking the passage of time (his was among the most precious) while also signifying the power that tradition and history held over him in even the smallest details: in the wake of WWI, when wristwatches would almost completely supplant the pocket watch, Churchill would continue steadfastly to employ his Breguet. Rare are the images of him without a watch chain crossing his waistcoat.

Breguet No. 765 was acquired by the Duke of Marlborough in 1890. He chose a timepiece that any connoisseur of the present era would find dazzling. Combining two of the most challenging “complications” that can be added to the basic function of marking the hours, minutes and seconds, Breguet

Breguet. Instead of the signature hands and numerals featured on the majority of the House’s timepieces, No. 765 bore straight Arabic numerals rather than Italic or Roman, while the hands terminated in solid pointers instead of the characteristic pointer with holes through their end-pieces.

The dial does not carry the maker’s name; adding to a sense of discretion.

Appropriately, its functionality and legibility were uncompromised, with a small seconds dial at the 12 o’clock position and a minute recording dial at the 6 o’clock position, with every five minutes in the “chapter ring” highlighted in red.

How Churchill put it to good use is illustrated in an anecdote that his daughter, Sarah Churchill, recounted in her memoir, Thread in the Tapestry: “One day at lunch when coffee and brandy were being served my father decided to have a slight ‘go’ at (a) Prof who had just completed a treatise on

more than a mere watch: attached to its heavy gold waistcoatchain were a number of items dear to him. These included a silver head of fellow Breguet owner Napoleon, who Churchill always admired; a medallion of the Westminster Abbey Division By-Election of 1924, which he lost by 43 votes; a garnet stone set in the shape of a heart with surrounding gold band, a gift from Clementine his wife on their Wedding Day in September 1908; a small round gold case for holding gold Sovereigns; a “V for Victory” emblem believed to be similar to the one Churchill gave to the members of his Wartime Cabinet in 1945; and a smaller golden heart Clementine gave to Churchill on his 90th birthday, after 56 years of marriage and less than eight weeks before his death.

Since Churchill’s passing in 1965, the watch, still in perfect working

No. 765 is a minute repeater chronograph with flyback second hand. The chronograph function provides the user with a means of marking time intervals, as a stopwatch does, while the minute repeater chimes the time. This audible indicator, achieved through the gong system first devised by Abraham Louis Breguet, proves most useful when one simply cannot take a pocket watch from its secure resting place, in order to gaze upon its hands and dial.

Dubbed the “Turnip” by Churchill, it consisted of a gold case and white enamel dial, with details atypical of a

the quantum theory. ‘Prof’ he said, ‘tell us in words of one syllable and in no longer than five minutes what is the quantum theory.’ My father then placed his large gold watch, known as the ‘Turnip’, on the table. When you consider that (this) Prof must have spent many years working on this subject, it was quite a tall order.

However, without any hesitation, like quicksilver, he explained the principle and held us all spellbound. When he had finished we all spontaneously burst into applause.”

Another revelation about No. 765 reveals that Churchill regarded it as

order, has remained with the family; it is now in the possession of his grandson, Winston S Churchill. Not seen in public since then, greatgrandson Randolph Churchill revealed that it “only comes out on high days and holidays.” Thanks to the relationship between the Churchill family and Nicolas G Hayek, President and Chief Executive Officer of Breguet, Winston Churchill’s Breguet pocket watch will soon be on display in the Cabinet War Rooms at the Churchill Museum. Those fortunate enough to see it will enjoy a once-ina-lifetime privilege. 

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Soliloquy Super-Green SuperYacht

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: Š ALASTAIR CALLENDER (UK And Design Right, Registered Design, UK 4011030, Other rights pending; Solar Sails by Solar Sailor Ltd.)

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owadays, indulging in the world of superyachts while keeping your ecofriendly conscience intact is tough to do.

However, Soliloquy is a radical yacht design that signals the new frontier of clean, luxury yachting.

This 58-metre superyacht is designed to run on solar, wind and hybrid marine power technologies and will offer zero-emission capabilities.

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ECO-LUXURY

Its striking profile will take your breath away too.

Alastair Callender, of Callender Designs in the UK, is an awardwinning 23-year-old Coventry University graduate. He has not only impressed his lecturers - getting a first class Honours degree with professional enhancement and being voted Yacht Designer of the Year by an independent panel of judges - he has also taken the superyacht world by storm with his revolutionary super-

green superyacht, Soliloquy. The design brief was written to try to prove that eco-luxury is now possible, thanks to renewable energies, along with eco-friendly materials and construction techniques. As a result, this yacht will not only comply with, but excel in, various industry requirements, including the new Green Star Plus certification from RINA in Italy.

Inspired by the dynamic architectural form of the Rotating Tower development in Dubai with its ever-changing shape, and the zero-emissions Masdar City and Ghantoot Green City projects in Abu Dhabi, this yacht offers numerous advantages, not least being powered quietly by renewable and hybridelectric energy.

It is the Solar Sailor “hybrid marine power” (HMP) and “solar wing” technology, designed and patented by Solar Sailor Holdings in Australia, which gives this buck its bang. The technology is suitable for a wide range of applications from small, unmanned vessels to large tankers, including ferries, tourist cruisers and private yachts.

Callender has developed his radical, rigid-wing superyacht concept to use these systems to harness solar power so efficiently that the yacht has the capability to be energy positive – generating more power than it uses.

When asked about the project’s holistic design approach, Callender said: “In this ever-increasing environmentally-conscious time, I wanted to focus my attention on looking at possible solutions to some of the current issues associated with the superyacht industry. Eco-luxury should no longer be viewed as an oxymoron. Soliloquy – the SuperGreen SuperYacht is a true metaphor to show that this ideal is viable.

Soliloquy brings all the luxury one would expect of a superyacht, without the noise, vibration, fuel costs and vast pollution levels of a motor yacht, or the crew manning levels needed of a cloth-sailed rig.”

Soliloquy’s configuration provides

up to 12 guests and three crew with stylish accommodation and unrivalled inside and outside socialising areas, especially when dining or relaxing alfresco. One of Callender’s innovations, an “ever-evolving” superstructure, will create a remarkable visual display to all onlookers. Besides her hybrid power and renewable energy sources, Soliloquy’s other eco-friendly features include interior design with carefully selected renewable materials, resulting in a minimal carbon footprint, and coldmoulded construction technique of the hull using wood from sustainablymanaged forests.

The Soliloquy Super-Green SuperYacht design is currently looking for an owner, and has attracted worldwide yachting and luxury press attention. There are a number of parties interested in taking it from the drawing board to launch.  For more information, contact Alastair Callender: • Tel: +44 (0)7782 879618 • Email: alastair@callenderdesigns.co.uk • Visit: www.CallenderDesigns.co.uk Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd • Tel: +44 (0)7782 879618 • Email: soliloquy@solarsailor.com.au • Visit: www.solarsailor.com.au

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Pierneef, JH (1886-1957); "Reflections - Pienaar's River"; Oil on Canvas; 87cm x 83cm; Signed: "JH Pierneef" (Lower/Right); Dated: 1930

Graham’s Fine Art Gallery

2009 Art Words & Images: © GRAHAM’S FINE ART GALLERY

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Stern, Irma (1894-1966); “Zanzibar Woman”; Oil on Canvas; 59cm x 49.5cm; Signed: "Irma Stern" (Upper/Left); Dated: 1939

Market w e i v e R w w w. p r e s t i g e m a g . c o . z a

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Sekoto, Gerard (1913- 1993); “Woman working in the fields”; Oil on Canvas; 65cm x 81cm; Circa: 1955/56

C

hief Economist of the STANLIB Group, Kevin Lings, recently put into perspective many questions related to the current economic situation. He said that, although a year has already gone by since the global financial crisis began in September 2008, most economies remain fragile, though there are definite signs of improved stability.

“Financial conditions have recovered more than expected, while high-frequency economic indicators point to a diminishing rate of deterioration in the past few months.” He continued: “Leading economic indicators in most of the G7 countries have also improved meaningfully, signalling an impending global recovery in 2010.” Giles Peppiatt, Head of South African Art at Bonhams, sees this as a positive for the local art market: “South African art has bounced out of the recession ahead of many other sectors of the art market.”

The October auction sales of local art have proved to be a resilient bubble throughout this uncertainty,

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and South African art has established itself as a defensive asset class amid this crisis. The last few months, October in particular, have been fantastic for South African art; both locally and internationally, as numerous startling new records were set for Post-War and Contemporary artists. The Modern Impressionists also did incredibly well, continuing their escalating trends. On the below auction results, note that values listed have been calculated to include all additional costs relevant to works entering South Africa, including buyer’s premium, VAT and Import VAT where applicable, and rounded up to the nearest Rand. Costs were calculated in accordance with exchange rates and information available at the time of calculation in mid November.

49.5cm. The estimate on the work was placed at between R2.5 and R3.5 million, though the painting sold for an astounding R5,570,000. Similarly, at a sale in London earlier this year, a Stern landscape fetched a sum of R3,458,337; thereby demonstrating a marked increase in interest in South African art abroad.

Irma Stern

Post-War and Contemporary Artists

At a successful sale in Cape Town, all four of Stern’s oils up for sale were sold; three selling well above their already high estimates. Of particular interest was a portrait, Carla; 55 x

JH Pierneef

One of Pierneef’s landscapes also did exceptionally well abroad, selling for a total of R2,728,043. This shows great strength in the South African art market not only at home, but also internationally. At the October sale in Cape Town this year, Pierneef achieved the highest price on the sale with his piece, The Boabab, Bushveld Messina; 45 x 60.6cm; which fetched an amount of R3,183,040.

Post-War and Contemporary art also saw a market escalation, with artists such as Wolf Kibel, Stanley Pinker and Stephanus Eloff being the

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Pinker, Stanley (1924-); “Vision”; Oil on Canvas; 151cm x 150cm; Signed: "SF Pinker" (Lower/Right)

Sculpture

major successes at an earlier Cape Town sale; setting new auction records. A portrait by Kibel estimated at a high of R600,000 sold for just more than double this – R1,225,400.

A sculpture by Stephanus Johannes Paulus (Fanie) Eloff estimated at a high of R100,000 sold for some R401,040; while a Johannes Meintjies piece sold for R423,320 – some R200,000 higher than the previous auction record for this artist.

Stanley Pinker

To date, one of the more unexpected sale highlights of the year revolved around the paintings of Stanley Pinker, an artist fairly new on auction circles. Pinker’s paintings have definitely made an impression over the last few years. In November 2000, a work of his sold for just under R50,000. Some six years later, his works were selling for around R250,000 apiece. This year alone he has beaten every record at auction; his own record, in fact, broken twice in October, reaching a new high of R682,080. This was for the selling of a work entitled Suntan, which far

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outreached its estimates of between R300,000 and R400,000.

The other record was for a painting at a Cape Town sale, estimated at a high of R200,000 but which sold for a remarkable R579,280.

Other exciting results followed, most notably for Christo Coetzee and Maud Sumner. A still life by Coetzee, estimated at a high of R104,760, in fact sold for more than eight times this amount and nearly four times higher than the previous auction result set earlier this year. An abstract landscape by Sumner, estimated at a high of R209,520, sold for quadruple this amount at R886,614; nearly doubling the previous auction high set for this artist in 2000.

Gerard Sekoto

Another artist who performed impressively on the auction circuit was Post-War artist Gerard Sekoto, whose Eastwood painting sold in New York for the sum of R4,748,006. This was also a new auction record for Sekoto’s work; at over R1 million higher than his previous auction record, which was set in 2008.

Another surprise on auction was the fantastic results achieved for sculpture. At the last Cape Town sale, out of the five sculptures on the auction, four exceeded their high estimate. Anton van Wouw achieved an exceptional result for Study of a Bullfrog, estimated at a high of R200,000 but selling for R454,720.

Sculptor George Jaholkowski achieved a new record with Chicken, which was estimated at a high of R7,000 but which sold for R34,104. Two works by Jean Doyle also exceeded their high estimates: The Cat and the Pigeons and Madonna of Muizenberg, which sold for R25,009 and R13,641 respectively.

Other noteworthy records include a work by Keith Alexander, estimated at between R120,000 and R160,000, but which fetched a total of R250,096; nearly double the previous record for the artist achieved in 2007. As well as a landscape by John Meyer, which sold for R255,754; an ink, pen and watercolour on paper by Dumile Feni, which sold for R170,502; a silver gelatine print by Jurgen Schadenerg, achieving R85,251; and an oil on canvas by Stella Shawzin, which sold for R69,166.

Indeed, these sales results clearly demonstrate an increase in attention for Post-War and Contemporary art emerging on the market.

Sculptors and their works also fared incredibly well, and art experts expect to see an improvement in the results for more abstract works and a similar increase in the near future, as South African art bounces out of the recession ahead of many other sectors. Contact Graham’s Fine Art Gallery on +27 11 465 9192 or visit www.grahamsgallery.co.za. 

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Zenvo Danish Design's Assault on Reality

ST 1

Words: TONI ACKERMANN Images: © ZENVO AUTOMOTIVE

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resh out of Denmark and set to join the ranks of the automotive world’s elite, is the Zenvo ST1.

Looking to compete with such greats as Pagani, Koenigsegg, SSC and Bugatti for the title of fastest and meanest motorcar around, the ST1 will likely be among the most expensive, too. And production will be seriously limited, as just 15 of these beauties will be built and up for sale to special, approved customers only.

Zenvo Automotive was founded with just one goal in mind: to produce exceptional, hand-built supercars.

Engineers have been hard at work for the last five years, researching and developing a prototype that was finally completed earlier this year and presented to audiences at the Le Mans 24-hour race.

The car is 100 percent designed and made in Denmark. While this country has often been lauded for its cutting-edge design, this is the first time these talents have been applied to supercar manufacture. A tight, taught beauty, the Zenvo ST1 – while some details are, admittedly, a little reminiscent of those found other supercars – manages to avoid looking like a who’s-who motoring mash-up. Its design is angular; precise. It encompasses free-flowing, accelerating lines, which create the shape of the wheel arches, the roof lines, side line, and the lower side air intake. The big gaping front air vents draw the eye towards the bodywork; the softer body corners leading along the main line towards the rear, keeping its shape original, though the front end does smack a little of Lamborghini while the derriere brings to mind the Lotus Evora. The rear spoiler – mandatory for a car capable

of extreme high speeds – is partly integrated. The frame is a racing light steel structure; the body panels gleaming, reflective carbon fibre.

Done in-house, the design is unusual to say the least, appealing, and really rather marvellous – quite befitting of a supercar with more than 1,100 horsepower.

The brawn behind this Batmobile wannabe is a 7-litre V8, which is both turbocharged and supercharged, giving this car a power output of some 1,104bhp, with 1,055ft-lb of torque. For the layman, that means this pretty little rocket packs a greater punch than the Bugatti Veyron.

Touché. The Bio Flex engine runs on normal unleaded 98 fuel, Bio fuel (E85), or a combination of both.

With an electronically-limited top speed of 375km/h, the ST1 won’t be breaking any production land-speed records, though it will certainly cause the wind to blow your hair back for reasons other than just its speed capabilities. The ST1 features a fairly sophisticated double wishbone suspension set-up, with gas/hydraulic adjustable racing shocks. The 6-speed manual transmission works hard to maintain the power output, while a hydraulic limited slip and traction control aid the 19-inch front, and 20-inch rear wheels in putting that pull to the ground.

Should this beautiful beast make its production date of early 2010, as anticipated by the manufacturer, it will surely receive at least one design award. How well the complete package will fare, handle and perform under the intense driving of each new owner has yet to be proved, though interest has undoubtedly been piqued.

Visit www.zenvoautomotive.com for more information. 

F E AT U R E

Silent The

Way Lapland by Dogsled Words: KEVIN BARKER Image: © The Silent Way : Cathrine Gjemmestad

I

t is astonishing how certain words can be so powerful in conjuring up mental images.

Think about Lapland, and inevitably your mind visualises Mother Nature in her purest, most crisp form, with herds of reindeer, vast forests of emerald green, and Europe’s magnificent wild side that stretches over sheer valleys and towering peaks right at the snowclad top of the world.

There can be few better ways to get a first-person perspective on the place a certain “Mr Claus” calls home, than to glide over its snow-flaked surface, mushing (or driving) a team of Alaskan huskies, living off the fertile land, and leaving the pristine environment unmarked except for

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sled tracks and paw prints. Since time immemorial, man’s canine companion has been loyally at his heel, and the idea of a dog-powered holiday should warm the cockles of any carbonconscious heart. This is eco-tourism in its purest form.

Accompanied by expert guides who provide complete dogsled training and are able to regale you with wintery tales about mushing, fishing and wildlife, it takes less than a day to build the confidence and skills required to handle a dogsled. Each client is then in charge of their own small team of five to eight dogs, which are said to enjoy pulling the sleds even more than they love interacting with guests during downtime.

Trips are typically six or seven

days long and cover 30 to 55 kilometres per day, with nights spent in cosy wilderness cottages and small lodges.Using local preparation methods, daily meals consist of ingredients that can be found on the land, such as elk, reindeer, fresh mountain trout and char, with wild mushrooms and even heavenly pies made from fresh berries plentiful in the autumn months.

Tours ranging up to 15 days cover Europe’s biggest nature reserves, Vindelfjällens, the Padjelanta and Sarek National Park, Kebnekaise, and the mountains of northern Sweden.

The longer tours during March and April cross the Arctic Circle, opening up a complex mix of fairy-tale forests, bare white mountainsides and deep valleys that hold pure crystalline lakes teeming with fish. On cloudless nights during the equinoxes, the Aurora Borealis can be seen dancing in the heavens; a nightly luminous ballet that features as a visual highlight in nearly every guest’s recollections.

It is a feast for all the senses – especially for people who seek raw, natural adventure.  For more information, contact Cathrine & Kenneth Gjemmestad: • Tel: +46 95152043 or +46 732771640 • Email: info@silent-way.com • Visit: www.dogsledding-adventures.com

F E AT U R E

The

Dassault Falcon 7X

Words: KEVIN BARKER Images: © DASSAULT FALCON

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n life, there are few moments as mesmerising as when a man-on-a-mission becomes one with a high-performance piece of machinery. For that short space in time this integration of man and machine borders on the divine; think Valentino Rossi on a superbike; Jimi Hendrix and his Stratocaster. Je ne sais quoi is a term frequently used to describe that somewhat unknown quotient which attracts people to something.

In the case of Dassault Aviation’s flagship, the Falcon 7X, it is not the unknown quotient that is important, but rather that which is known.

Recognised as the world’s first fly-by-wire (FBW) business jet and the smoothest ride on the market, the Falcon 7X is the latest in a long and distinguished line of trend-setting business aircraft and cuttingedge fighters to come out of the Dassault stable.

If one had to think of where the most extreme controllability is required in aviation, it would certainly be in the high-performance fighter arena. The Falcon 7X inherited its state-of-theart flight control systems from here.

Combined with Dassault’s intuitive and user-friendly EASy cockpit and side-stick control, everything in that

front space is designed around connecting man and machine in the most comfortable manner, while also offering access to vast tracts of information merely a point and click away. The 7X represents the top end of what is currently on offer in terms of situational awareness and enhanced safety.

Having developed FBW controls more than 30 years ago during production of the Mirage 2000, Dassault has continued to improve and upgrade the system to the point where it can now be seen in the company’s frontline fighter: the Rafale. In short, FBW enables designers to extract maximum performance and efficiency out of an airframe, with far higher margins of safety than conventional flight controls, while preventing the aircraft from exceeding safe angle-of-attack, airspeed/Mach or load limits – all regardless of pilot inputs.

If the cockpit is the epitome of every pilot’s fantasy, it is behind the cockpit and aft of the fully-equipped galley that the businessman can transcend his mortality in the plush passenger cabin. Comprising three separate accommodation areas, it is the unseen elements of comfort that draw passengers back to the Falcon 7X

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Hobatere Lodge, bordering Western Etosha, is situated in the former Damaraland and the gateway to Kaokoland. It is a concession area, privately run by Steve and Louise Braine for the past eighteen years. Hobatere offers a taste of the wilderness, with free roaming animals on an area of 32 000ha, such as elephants, lions, cheetah, leopard, spotted & brown hyena, oryx, eland, giraffe, kudu, springbok, Hartman's zebra, aardvark, aardwolf, cape fox, bat eared fox, and many more.

The lodge consists of 14 thatched rooms and bungalows nestled between large Mopane trees.

Activities:

Game drives as well as night • drives in open vehicles • Bird watching • Guided walks • Swimming pool with a game • viewing deck overlooking a • waterhole where elephants are • often seen • The lodge is situated within easy • day trip reach to opuwa • The khowarib schlucht • There is also a rustic two-bedded • tree house overlooking a waterhole •

TEL: +264 67 687 066 • FAX: +264 67 687 067 hobatere@mweb.com.na

Hobatere Lodge Namibia TO REACH US: FROM KAMANJAB TAKE THE RUACANA ROAD (C35) TRAVEL 65 KM ON TARMAC, TURN LEFT AT HOBATERE SIGN, TRAVEL 15 KM TO LODGE. AIRSTRIP – HARD GRAVEL – CO-ORDINATES: 19°19'S 14°22' E

An African dream...

time and again. These include “quieting acoustics,” an advanced temperaturemonitoring system that allows for different temperature zones onboard, and an in-flight cabin altitude of only 6,000 feet when cruising at the 7X’s maximum cruising altitude of 51,000 feet. The cabin is bathed in natural light thanks to the 28 windows, which are sized and positioned to let in more sunlight; and also to offer more expansive viewing angles.

Comfort is the weaving together of several elements, not least of which is the total custom-crafted interior furnishings, hand selected by the customer and meticulously installed

by Dassault. The cabin features a 1.88-metre-high cross section, a big forward galley and crew rest-area with lavatory, and another large passenger lavatory in the rear.

The Falcon 7X is powered by three Pratt and Whitney Canada PW307A engines; each producing 6,400 lbs of thrust. Its efficient wing design and fuel saving winglets have added a two percent increase in range. Thus, the craft offers a maximum range of over 11,000 kilometres at a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.8. Capable of

a full fuel payload of 615 kilograms and with an operating cost some 20 percent less than rivals; the Falcon 7X is a quantum leap into the future of business jets. Dassault’s Falcons have always been lauded for their favourable handling qualities, comfort and efficiency, but the Falcon 7X will surely come to be known as Dassault’s best yet.  Contact Dassault Aviation: • Tel: +33 (0)1 4711 82 32 • Visit: www.dassaultfalcon.com

SPECIFICATIONS Length Wingspan Cabin Height Basic Operating Weight Max Take-Off Weight Max Fuel Weight Payload (with full fuel) Typical Cruise Speed Max Altitude Take-Off Distance Landing Distance Range

23.2m 26.2m 1.88m 15,545kg 31,300kg 14,490kg 1,355kg M0.85 51,000ft 1,678m 689m 11,010km

P/E ENVY

Mr Bubble & Dr Doom

The Economist Who Cried Wolf

Yale University's Robert Shiller correctly predicted both the dotbomb and housing bubble bust, through what now seems like an infinitely obvious adjustment to the calculation of priceearning ratios. He has a lot to say about the future, too.

Words: DAVID LEONHARDT, NY TIMES ECONOMICS COLUMNIST Images: © MICHAEL MARSLAND FOR YALE OPA

I Robert J Shiller, Arthur M Okun Professor of Economics at Yale University

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n the mid-1980s, Robert Shiller and John Campbell created "The Chart." It wasn’t especially complicated. The Chart showed average stock prices, relative to corporate earnings, going all the way back to the late 19th Century. The measure is called the price-earnings ratio (P/E), and is the single most common analytical yardstick of the stock market. The yardstick that Shiller and Campbell created, however, came with a twist – a twist that transformed their little chart into The Chart.

Today, The Chart stands as one of the signature pieces of economic

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research of the past generation. It is rigorous enough to have appeared in the Journal of Portfolio Management and simple enough to be understood by those of us who are behind on our Portfolio Management reading.

Anyone who heeded the central lesson of Shiller and Campbell’s analysis, as well as the lesson of a subsequent chart, created by Shiller, on the housing market, could have avoided some of the worst pain of the financial crisis. If Alan Greenspan had taken The Chart seriously during the late 1990s, his reputation might be in better shape today. So might the US and global economies.

When Wall Street analysts talk about the P/E ratio, they generally base their analysis on a very short-term measure of corporate earnings. They typically look at earnings over the past

year or at forecasts of earnings over the coming year. They then divide the price of a company’s stock by this measure of earnings, to judge whether the stock is fairly valued. The same can be done for the market as a whole; the Standard & Poor (S&P) 500 index, for instance, divided by the average earnings of the companies in the index.

Shiller and Campbell, a former Shiller student and longtime Harvard professor who now runs Arrowstreet Capital, had come to believe that such measures were fatally flawed. Earnings over any given 12 months can fluctuate wildly, depending on whether the economy is booming or busting.

Forecasts of earnings are even more problematic, given Wall Street’s unimpressive forecasting record.

So Shiller and Campbell created a way to get a better glimpse of the

future, by looking further into the past.

They compared stock prices at any given time with average corporate earnings over the previous 10 years.

Until Shiller and Campbell came along, long-term P/E ratios were virtually absent from public discussion. Until December 1996, that is.

Shiller and Campbell were both among a group of economists and stock market analysts invited to the Federal Reserve to speak with Alan Greenspan, who was then its Chairman. During their presentation, they distributed a handout containing a version of The Chart. Its pattern was clear: the higher the ratio, the lower future returns tended to be. Even in late 1996, more than three years before stocks peaked, this pattern was foreboding. The P/E ratio was then above 25, higher than it had been at

The Chart: Shiller-Campbell ratio of S&P 500 stock price to long-term earnings With the graph above, Shiller and his former student, Harvard professor John Campbell, created one of the signature pieces of economic research of the past generation. Wall Street had long used the ratio of a company’s stock price to its earnings to judge whether the stock was fairly valued. But Shiller and Campbell used average earnings over 10 years instead of current earnings. The resulting graph foretells stock market peaks and plunges with uncanny accuracy.

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any time since 1929. Wall Street’s standard P/E ratios missed this development, because corporate earnings were also soaring at the time, making the ratio look almost normal. But earnings are highly cyclical. They rarely stay very high for very long. The Shiller-Campbell ratio showed that stock prices were now based on the idea that earnings had reached a new, permanent level.

Otherwise, stock prices were headed for a fall. Investors, Shiller told Greenspan, had become irrational.

Greenspan listened without betraying his own views, and Shiller headed back to New Haven assuming that he hadn’t persuaded the Chairman. Three days later Shiller heard a radio report that stocks around the world had begun to drop.

Investors were reacting to a speech Greenspan had given at a dinner in Washington the night before. “How do we know,” he asked, “when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values, which then

become subject to unexpected and prolonged contractions as they have in Japan over the past decade?” After that one speech, however, Greenspan didn’t continue to sound the alarm.

Soon enough, stock prices resumed their rise. The long-term P/E ratio peaked at 43 in 2000. If you believed The Chart, stocks were then more than twice as expensive as could be justified by their economic fundamentals. History suggested that they would eventually drop by more than 50 percent. In 2000, only weeks after the market peaked, Shiller published a book making his argument. He called it Irrational Exuberance. The Chart appeared in the first chapter.

Over the next few years, Shiller moved on to another subject: housing.

In the wake of the dotcom crash, which helped make Shiller a public figure, Americans turned their financial attention from stocks to real estate. House prices were rising rapidly, and people had begun to see

real estate as a can’t-miss investment.

Shiller wanted to know what history might say about that, but he realised that data for house prices didn’t exist going back more than a few decades.

“Clearly,” he has written, “no one was carefully evaluating the real estate market and its potential for speculative excess.” So he began compiling data himself, from a patchwork of various government surveys and newspaper real-estate advertisements. Shiller’s historical data were hardly perfect. The data from 1934 to 1953, based entirely on ads, are “the weakest link,” as Shiller says. But for all their limitations, the numbers still seemed to tell a compelling story.

Over the long term, house prices tend to rise at the same rate as household income. If prices increase more slowly than income for a few years, they soon catch up. If they rise more rapidly than income, they eventually come back to Earth. In early 2005, Shiller published a second

House prices and household income Over the long term, house price increases follow household income increases more closely than other factors. The graph above shows the historical data on the housing market and household income since 1970.

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edition of Irrational Exuberance, which added a chart on house prices.

That summer Shiller said that over the coming generation he expected inflation-adjusted house prices to decline by 40 percent. "In all likelihood," he said, "the bursting of the housing bubble would, at some point, cause a recession."

What’s striking, in retrospect, is just how radical a position this was at the time. By the summer of 2005, even Shiller’s famous stock market prediction was no longer looking quite so smart. The Standard & Poor 500 had rallied sharply from its lows in the wake of the dotcom crash.

Shiller had predicted in 2001, as the crash was happening, that the market might fail to keep pace with inflation over the coming decade. Instead, it began rising in 2002 (on its way to a new, much-hyped record high in 2007). Yet here, in 2005, was Shiller — who has been called both Mr Bubble and Dr Doom — publicly forecasting another cataclysm.

Shiller himself couched his message carefully. He always specified that a long-term stagnation, in which prices fail to keep pace with inflation, might be the most likely outcome. But the implications were still serious.

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Housing had become an enormous part of the American economy. If it were in the midst of a bubble – “the biggest boom we’ve ever had,” as he said in 2005 – it was going to create big problems. We know how the story ends. House prices have indeed fallen across the US. In some cities, like Miami and Las Vegas, they have fallen a staggering 50 percent. The housing bust has helped to cause not merely a recession, but the worst recession in at least a generation and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. And that stock market rally that followed the dotcom crash?

It, too, has ended with a crash. In mid-August this year, the S&P 500 was trading at slightly more than half of its 2000 peak, adjusted for inflation.

Since Irrational Exuberance, Shiller has published three other books. The most recent, and in many ways the broadest, is Animal Spirits, a collaboration with George A Akerlof, an economist at the University of California–Berkeley.

Akerlof shared the 2001 Nobel Prize in economics with A Michael Spence and Joseph Stiglitz, largely for work that has come to be known as the “lemons” research.

Much like Shiller’s work on "bubbles," the "lemons" research challenged the basic idea of neoclassical economics: that markets generally function well. The discipline of economics concedes that markets have imperfections, but has long considered the flaws to be mere anomalies, which will be eliminated during the normal give-and-take of market transactions themselves.

The occasional dishonest used-car dealer will be driven out of business because consumers will catch on to him. And, yes, there might be the occasional bubble, but it won’t get too big. Investors, acting out of rational self-interest, will not let it happen.

Akerlof and Shiller disagree. They argue that flaws and excess are inherent to a market economy – and that these are not minor. “The economics of the textbooks seeks to minimise as much as possible departures from pure economic motivation and from rationality,” Akerlof and Shiller write. “Our book marks a break with this tradition. In our view economic theory should be derived not from the minimal deviations from the system of Adam Smith, but rather from the

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deviations that actually do occur and can be observed.”

The common thread that runs through these deviations is human emotion – or, as the early 20th Century economist John Maynard Keynes described it, “animal spirits.”

Over the past generation a group of scholars, who have become known as behavioural economists, have helped change the discipline by pointing out just how important human emotion is. People are not, in fact, computers who analyse the offers sent by mutual funds or health clubs and always make the rational choice.

People are deeply affected by how the options are framed and how their ultimate decisions make them feel.

They are driven, Akerlof and Shiller write, by trust and confidence, by notions of fairness, and by compelling stories about how the world supposedly works.

“If we thought that people were totally rational, and that they acted almost entirely out of economic motives,” Shiller and Akerlof write in Animal Spirits, “we, too, would believe that government should play little role.” In recent years, no one came to embody the laissez-faire idea more than Greenspan. “Those of us who have looked to the self-interest of lending institutions to protect shareholders’ equity, myself included, are in a state of shocked disbelief,” Greenspan told a congressional committee during a humbling appearance last fall. He had, he admitted, found “a flaw” in his theory.

With the big bubbles largely gone, Shiller is now arguing for an approach to economic policy that takes animal spirits far more seriously. And it isn’t just about bubbles. “Whenever the public endures a crisis, ordinary citizens start to wonder how – and whether – our institutions really work,” Shiller wrote in the Washington Post two weeks after Lehman Brothers collapsed and financial markets froze.

“We no longer take things for granted.

It is only then that real change

becomes possible.”

In the wake of the crisis, Shiller argued: “We’re going through a seismic change, and our sense of support for capitalist institutions is not going to be the same.” His proposed solutions can be seen as part of a larger societal effort to recalibrate the balance between government and the market. It makes sense, then, that Animal Spirits has become a “new must-read in Obamaworld,” Michael Grunwald wrote earlier this year in Time.

For all the radicalism of Shiller’s past predictions, many of his current ideas are fundamentally conservative.

He does not believe that the democratisation of finance went too far. He thinks it did not go far enough.

"Finance is essentially about the management of risk," he says. Yet, many of the risks mitigated by companies, individuals and families cannot manage in the same way.

Most families have a huge share of their net worth in their house. They have no way to diversify this risk.

Shiller wants people to have the same ability to manage risk in their everyday finances that investors do with their assets.

He fleshed out his ideas in a 2003 book, The New Financial Order, and talks about them frequently. He has suggested the creation of a market for something called “livelihood insurance,” which would allow people to take out policies protecting them from a future decline in their income, much as fire insurance already allows them to pay small amounts of money in exchange for protection against financial calamity.

Along similar lines, he wants homeowners to be able to hedge against the possibility that their home values will drop. He wants them, and other investors, to be able to “short” the housing market – that is, to bet that prices will drop.

Of all his policy ideas, the broadest is one that he calls the “Rising Tide Tax System,” essentially a form of

inequality insurance. Under such a system, tax rates would automatically adjust along with levels of income inequality. If the incomes of the middle class and the poor were growing at a faster pace than the incomes of the rich, as happened during the 1950s and 1960s, tax rates on the rich would fall. But if the incomes of the rich were growing the fastest, as has happened over most of the last 35 years, their tax rates would rise. The opposite, in fact, has happened in recent years. The wealthy have received both the largest pre-tax raises and the largest tax cuts. The middle class and poor have not done nearly so well.

That combination, Shiller worries, created disaffection. And the disaffection has made it harder for policy makers to take steps, such as removing trade barriers, which would lift the economy and enlarge the nation’s economic pie. The inequality tax may allow Washington to promise voters that they would not be denied a fair share of the nation’s economic bounty. Shiller believes that if large economic forces caused middle-class incomes to stagnate, tax policy would help out – not erasing the effect of those forces but at least ameliorating them.

The tax idea connects directly to Shiller’s conception of how an economy works. The Rising Tide Tax System is meant to make people feel that the economy is fair, that they can trust the institutions around them, that they can have the confidence to take risks that, in the end, will benefit the larger economy. “I think these are exciting ideas,” Shiller says. “But they’re not going anywhere.” He considers, before adding, “Maybe someday.”

You can take that as the lament of an academic who realises his ideas are never likely to spread beyond the ivory tower. Or, you can take it as the musings of a man who has known what it’s like to be ahead of his time.

If only they listened. 

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p o t f f i l C

ESCAPE

Words: JANNIE NEL Images: © CLIFFTOP; THREE CITIES TOURISM

Exclusive Safari Hideaway E s c a p e

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or two very busy Gauteng professionals, a weekend excursion to Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway, located in Limpopo’s Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, an easy two-and-ahalf hour drive from Johannesburg, became a real treat for the senses.

Perched high on the side of a mountain, the panoramic view from our private plunge pool is spectacular.

Peering over the side I watch the Sterkstroom River flowing along the bottom of the valley more than a hundred metres below – the dramatic fall belying its tranquillity. The sheer cliff face ascending the opposite side of the valley has been carved out by the river over a period of two billion years.

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Ensconced in the beautiful decor of the honeymoon suite of Clifftop, I am lazing on the deck before breakfast, after our first game drive.

Despite being roused at dawn, with the requisite coffee fix and the fresh spring morning air, I bask contentedly in the almost “audible” silence of the bushveld.

Exclusively designed to host only a small number of guests, Clifftop has eight luxurious suites situated with maximum privacy in mind. Laurie Owen Interiors is responsible for the elegant, eco-friendly style and was nominated as one of the Top Interior Designers 2008 by VISI. Owen explains her design philosophy: "I wanted to create a romantic, organic style for Clifftop where the guest experiences a soothing of the soul, quieting of the

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mind and an escape to calm." Each of the suites is thus decorated using all natural hand-made fabrics, inviting guests to revel in the simple pleasures as they relax and unwind.

Welgevonden Private Game Reserve forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere, awarded International Biosphere status by UNESCO in 2001.

Welgevonden alone covers 35,000 hectares and is home to not only the Big Five (all of which we were privileged to see in the course of three game drives), but numerous species of buck as well as zebras, giraffes and a wonderfully varied bird life. The result of a pioneering project begun in 1987 to return farmland to its original wild state, Welgevonden has grown to become one of South Africa’s premier privately-held reserves.

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As we set out on our afternoon game drive, a radio alert from rangers some kilometres away led us to a rarely seen cheetah in full splendour.

Knowing how shy these animals are, this was a special treat. An honourable mention, however, must go to the iguana we saw at one of the low water bridges and the hoopoe feeding in the middle of the road, oblivious to our presence.

The two-hour game drive twice a day, led by our very knowledgeable Clifftop ranger, worked up a healthy appetite. The Clifftop culinary team rose to every occasion, with the cuisine a superb fusion of African and Western flavours. On our first evening we were treated to an impromptu floor show by a tag team of waiters who, in jest, offered the couple at the

next table an entrée of mopani worms and a main course of porcupine pie.

The rest of us, already initiated into the routine, enjoyed the team’s humour. On our second night we were spoilt with an intimate candle-lit dinner in the privacy of the lodge cellar, well-stocked with outstanding local wines.

I must confess to skipping one afternoon game drive, my level of relaxation reaching the point where I gave in to the lure of the king-sized bed and a long siesta. Waking up, I took another dip au naturel in the plunge pool and, although I am an avid reader and my novel was at a critical point in the plot, the hush of the surroundings so seduced me that I could only finish a couple of paragraphs before sitting instead in

companionable silence watching birds hop across the deck and the sun sink behind the ridge.

If I could be this relaxed after less than two days, I can only imagine what it would be like to stay for longer, which made the decision to return in the near future an absolute certainty.

Rates range from R2,690 to R4,320 per person sharing, depending on season. Clifftop is easily reached by road or via air from OR Tambo or Lanseria airports, direct to the Reserve’s private landing strip.

Helicopter transfers can also be arranged.  For reservations contact: • Tel: +27 11 463 3070 or +27 14 755 4920 • Email: lodge@clifftoplodge.com • Visit: www.clifftoplodge.com

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Resilient HOROLOGY Industry Highlights & Timekeeping Trends

To most South Africans, the words “movement” and “complication” sound like political claptrap. Yet, as more of the world’s finest watch brands arrive on our shores, an industry that captivates and delights connoisseurs is progressively offering local high net worth individuals the magic of watch design, technology and investment all in one. Welcome “Haute Horlogerie.”

Words: KRISTIAN HAAGEN Images: © PRESS

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uxury watch aficionados should thank a certain Jean Calvin and the Huguenot movement of the 15th Century. Calvin (1509-64) reformed the Protestant church and introduced, among other things, a strict law regarding the decoration of church interiors. This meant less work for the talented craftsmen who made a living from creating blingy appraisal of the Almighty.

Many of these craftsmen settled in the Swiss valleys of what we now know as Geneva, working as farmers in the summer and watchmakers in the winter. Their understanding of gold and small parts was fundamental to early horology, and became the foundation of the huge success

that Swiss watch making enjoys today.

Success, however, is not constant and must be worked at continually – as Swiss watchmakers know all too well. World wars, depressions and Japanese quartz all affected the Swiss watch industry through modern times, though this proud industry got back onto its feet again and again; each time in better shape than before. And, amid a global economic slowdown, the industry is showing its resilience once again.

The Seductive Polo

One of the most recent re-launches of a modern classic deserving a mention is the striking Piaget Polo.

This watch rose to fame 30 years ago when Yves Piaget seduced Hollywood actors and other A-list celebrities with his elegant but sporty design, which offered a brilliant integration of the case and bracelet. The unit appeared to be one elegant piece, and was embraced as one of the most popular luxury sports watches of its time.

Now it is back; stronger and betterlooking than before, and nowadays offered in titanium – a light but tough material not previously used by this manufacturer. The movement inside this incredible flyback chronograph is produced by Piaget, again showing the strength of the haute horlogerie

manufactured from their facilities in the little village of Côte-aux-Fées in the Jura Mountains, where it all began back in 1874.

Sporty Albeit Old

Another sporty watch that appeared from the workshops of a luxurious watch-making brand is the Vacheron Constantin Overseas

Chronograph. Not only does Vacheron Constantin belong to the prestigious band of Swiss watchmakers known as The Grand Three, (the other brands being Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet), but Vacheron Constantin also boasts the oldest continuing watchmanufacturing history, dating back to 1755. This house is famous for offering some of the most “complicated,” as connoisseurs would call it, wristwatches on the market; making the Overseas Chronograph almost simple in terms of mechanical features. First introduced in this shape in 1996, the Overseas Collection has been a tremendous success for the highly-respected watch brand; proving its high ranking in Swiss horology. The latest novelty, Overseas

Chronograph Gray, is a stunning watch dressed all in grey; an almostmonochromatic wonder made of steel and titanium, and sporting a matching slate-grey dial.

The Shrinking Italian

January is the month of the Salon International de Haute Horlogerie

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(SIHH) fair in Geneva; an exclusive watch show that exhibits novelties from some of the finest Swiss watch companies.

Journalists and retailers from all over the world dress smartly to match the elegant surroundings and sip champagne while admiring watches from Cartier, IWC, Parmiagiani, Richard Mille and Officine Panerai.

The latter laid the foundations of the oversized watch trend, backed by a DNA of 47-millimetre divers’ watches made for the Italian military during the Second World War. The standard size of Panerai's watches seems to be 44 millimetres, making the brand a masculine choice. The male wrist may get some competition from more slender female wrists, though, as a stunning 42-millimetre version of the famed Radiomir will be introduced at the 2010 SIHH watch show. This pink gold Radiomir with brown dial will be a novelty, as will the manual movement inside, the P.999 being manufactured in-house by Panerai.

DIY Breitling

The word manufacteur is an important one in the watch industry.

For many years, most Swiss watch brands used movements produced by specialist external producers. For example, the Swatch Group owned ETA and Valjoux, which produced their movements. Now, as the Swatch Group is tightening its hold on brands outside the group (Swatch Group owns Omega, Jaquet Droz, Longines, RADO, Tissot, Blancpain, and Breguet),

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many other watch companies will benefit; creating a new trend of inhouse movements. Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex have all been producing their own movements for ages, and now Breitling has introduced their first movement: the highly-acclaimed calibre B01.

Breitling has chosen the legendary Chronomat as the first model to feature a movement that offers an automatic chronograph and date aperture. On top of that, the Chronomat B01 offers water resistance up to 500 metres (in the steel and bicolour version only); with the gold version water resistant up to 200 metres.

Black Lightweight

Aforementioned Audemars Piguet (AP) is still among the few independent watch companies doing very well even in times like these; not only because of the company’s 134-year history, but also due to their innovative watch making. This is evident in their fantastic movements and unique cases, made out of forged carbon. AP is not the only watch company working with this black and very lightweight material, but they are the only watch company really mastering it. It took four engineers several years to develop a sturdy, lightweight case, proving AP’s efforts in meeting the high standards that this brand sets itself.

The Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon with 10-day power reserve is the latest launch from AP. This striking novelty combines the haute

horlogerie for which AP is so famous with their stylish, forged carbon watchcase. Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon is undoubtedly a watch that will see quite some attention, despite its weight of just 69.44 grams.

Limited Horology

With Omega producing 800,000 watches a year, Rolex 700,000 and Rado 500,000, the more exacting watch buyers are looking for small companies with even smaller production numbers and limited edition models. Such a company is Richard Mille, creator of some of the most intriguing and fascinating wristwatches on the market.

Richard Mille produces no more than 2,000 watches annually, and thus belongs to an exclusive group of watchmakers who offer high-end watches to a lucky few – and very rich, mind you – clients. Mille works closely with movement makers Renaud & Papi, and has a strikingly different approach to horology. The first futuristic and daring model from Mille’s talented hand was presented in 2000 and introduced a watch that looked like a mix between automobile design and a Dubai construction site.

Skeleton dials, blackened movement parts, exotic materials such as nonmetallic alloys, carbon nanofibre, silicium and ceramics dominate Mille’s watches. This shows a clear influence from Formula One, as such materials have long been standard on the cars, but are all new in the watch industry. Richard Mille is a pioneer; a

JHB 23307

pioneer who enjoys great success and runs a firm once described by legendary British vintage watch dealer Tom Bolt, of Watch Guru, as a company “that makes me love watches again.”

The World’s Most Complicated Wristwatch

“Complication” is a word embraced by watch connoisseurs the world over. It doesn’t, however, indicate that a particular watch with complications is hard to operate.

Complication means “function” in techno-speak, and the more functions a wristwatch contains, the more credits the company behind it gets; both in the watch industry and among demanding connoisseurs. JaegerLeCoultre is the talk of the town in terms of horological complications thanks to its launch of the world’s most complicated wristwatch, Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie. The latest invention of this Grande Maison comes to light through the realisation of the most complex and demanding form of horology: the striking of the time just as the Tower of Big Ben in Great Britain dictates: every hour, quarter and minute – fully automatic and miniaturised to the size of a wristwatch. Combined with this outstanding feature, the watch also comprises a flying tourbillon and a perpetual calendar with retrograde hands. A jumping hour mechanism rounds off the concerto of this elaborate 26-complications masterpiece. This

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timepiece, which alone contains 1,300 separate parts, is offered in a leather-clad, 200-plus-kilogram vault, which contains two of JLC’s other complicated watches: the Hybris Mechanica à Tryptique and the Hybris Mechanica à Gyrotourbillon.

A horological dream such as this does not come cheap, and we learnt of an expected retail price of some €1.8 million.

The World’s Most Complicated Pocket Watch

Nowadays, pocket watches are not as popular as they were in the early 20th Century, before the wristwatch became the standard for both men and women. However, a recent auction held at famed auction house, Antiquorum, proved that pocket watches still have rich collectors on the hunt for the finest of the lot. And the finest is certainly a Patek Philippe Calibre 89, which was launched in 1989. Only four models of the Calibre 89 were ever produced; one each in yellow, pink and white gold and one in platinum. The present Calibre 89 in yellow gold was previously sold by Antiquorum at the 1989 sale of The Art of Patek Philippe, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of this legendary brand.

A watch like this is rarely found on auction and, when Antiquorum opened the bidding on 15 November at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva, it was an exceptional opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the most important timepieces

in existence. The auction room buzzed with anticipation when the bidding was released; the winning bid reaching €3.6 million after only one minute and 25 seconds! One of the most complicated watches ever produced changed hands – and pockets – proving the staying power of the pocket watch market. But only if it says Patek Philippe on the dial and offers several handmade complications, mind you.

Auction Time

Watches are popular items at auctions around the world and, in troubled times, investing in fine specimens of Swiss micro-mechanics is a safe bet. The most impressive recent hammer results are from established brands such as early chronographs and enamel dial Patek Philippe, the sports Rolex series from 1950-70, 1936-1997 Panerai, early Cartier and independent brands such as complicated pieces from Ulysse Nardin. Up-and-coming auction favourites are early watches from Breguet and Vacheron Constantin; tourbillons from Audemars Piguet; and anything with a proven provenance, such as Steve McQueen's Heuer Monaco and Rolex Submariner; Gandhi's Zenith pocket watch and Einstein's Longines; JFK's... well, anything from JFK, really. So, if your ancestors belong to a historical A-list then do look thoroughly through the drawers for a watch that belonged to him or her – and expect sudden wealth! 

B AVA R I A A I C O N K R A L

B AVA R I A A I C O N K R A L

What You Need

on the

Water

Wiltel Marine Words& Images: © WILLIE TRUTER; WILTEL MARINE

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iltel Marine represents some of the most successful boating brands in Europe.

Brands that were carefully selected to specifically address the needs of Southern African consumers. “The Europeans have different boating requirements to us,” says Willie Truter, Managing Director of Wiltel Marine.

“We have seen that many of our boat owners are new to boating or at least

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new to the larger boat sizes. This in no way means they are not demanding. It is just that they have specific needs and Aicon, Bavaria and Kral address these well.”

Boating offers an excellent lifestyle choice and is one of the few activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Your children will seldom find it difficult convincing their friends to come along. But today’s hectic schedules and busy routines leave very little time for

looking after a boat that is bound to be your second largest investment after your house.

Says Truter: "At Wiltel Marine, we assist you through the whole ownership process, even if you have never done any boating. We will help you choose a boat to suit your budget, purpose and specific needs and, while your boat is being manufactured, we will provide you with complimentary skipper’s ticket training in our Bavaria Sea School.” Because Wiltel believes

A I C O N B AVA R I A K R A L

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boating is a family affair they offer complimentary training for two people, which is why you will often see a husband and wife team or father and son team attending the courses together. When venturing onto high seas or going out for the first few times, it will be comforting to know there are two competent, trained people onboard.

Once your boat arrives, Wiltel staff will provide practical training onboard the craft, which will include mooring, equipment use and navigation. “We have seen many competitors’ boats being left in their moorings after the first trip out to sea due to a lack of training by the dealer,” Truter says. “Because of the confidence and support we provide our customers, they tend to spend many enjoyable and memorable days on the water enjoying their boat in good company.”

Training aside, Wiltel also provides a full valet and maintenance service, which includes cleaning, servicing, refuelling and maintenance.

All you need to do is arrive at the marina when ready to set sail.

When it comes to buying a boat, Wiltel offers a full range of

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powerboats from 27 to 110 foot. In the sailing boat arena, they offer boats from between 30 to 55 foot.

The Bavaria powerboats start at 27 foot, right up to 46 foot.

Interestingly, both the Sport 28 and Deepblue 46 have been nominated for “European Powerboat of the Year 2010” Awards in their respective size segments. This is reassuring, as it means you can expect no compromise in terms of size, design and quality on the smaller boats. All the Bavaria boats were designed in collaboration with BMW DesignworksUSA, a division of BMW. The latest addition, the Sport 38 is set to continue on the success of these new designs. The company has built over 30,000 power and sailing yachts since 1978, assembled in one of the world’s largest serial product lines covering a length of nearly six kilometres.

The Bavaria sailing yachts are just as exciting with a further nomination for "Yacht of the Year." These were jointly designed by Farr Yacht Design and BMW DesignworksUSA. Kral boats celebrate the golden era of boating, where classic boats were still hand crafted for each customer.

On a Kral, the teak of the upper deck is

hand cut, glued and UV protected with many layers of varnish to give a superior finish, and all the stainless steel trim is hand crafted. Each boat is therefore unique in styling and finishes and well representative of its owner.

Aicon Yachts, which range in size from 56 to 110 foot are custom built and manufactured in Sicily. Italy is a country that has long been recognised for its interior design and decades of craftsmanship and expertise are handed down from one generation to the next. Over the years Aicon has received a number of awards, including "Yacht of the Year" for the launch of the 56FLY at Cannes. This boat was also selected by the awardwinning Cape Grace Hotel as their boat of choice for exclusive charter operation. As a final feather in its cap, Aicon recently launched the 82 OPEN, which will set new standards in luxury for the serious boater. Wiltel Marine will ensure you get the most out of your boating.  Contact them on: • Tel: 0860 MARINE (086 627463) or 021 421 8426 • Cell: +27 82 562 5145 (all hours) • Email: info@wiltelmarine.co.za • Visit: www.wiltelmarine.co.za

F E AT U R E

Félicité Island in the Seychelles is undergoing an out-of-this-world transformation. The first four of Zil Pasyon’s ultraluxury private residences are under construction, and ownership is now possible through a fractional ownership scheme that includes four large Sunseeker yachts.

Words: GARTH SUMMERS Images: © ZIL PASYON

Barefoot Luxury Zil Pasyon Fractional

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S E Y C H E L L E S P R I VA T E

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his is a development for the world’s most discerning individuals only. Zil Pasyon is a private island hideaway sat amidst the raw untouched beauty of Félicité Island in the breathtaking Seychelles archipelago. “This island of passion,” as its name translates, offers a collection of iconic, secluded hilltop residences that set a new standard in owning part of a private island.

Luxurious, elegant and with an unmatched level of bespoke personal services available, Zil Pasyon will exceed the expectations of even the most demanding. At a price to match

its very exclusive nature, one should hurry to add.

Zil Pasyon and Sunseeker Seychelles have developed a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for investors to join a remarkable Fractional Ownership Programme – one that delivers both a cost-effective approach to luxury property and motor yacht ownership. By purchasing a share, new owners save the costs and responsibilities of managing assets in a remote paradise, yet benefit from plenty of time to enjoy the best luxury on and off the water.

Sunseeker is one of the most iconic yachting brands on the market

and has become an icon of legendary performance and unbridled style.

There is good reason why James Bond speeds about in a Sunseeker. For the Zil Pasyon Fractional Ownership Programme, four magnificent yachts have been secured.

As a result, each of the threebedroom, villa-type residences of 770 square metres are accompanied by a Sunseeker Manhattan 52. Owners of a four-bedroom villa measuring 880 square metres will share the Sunseeker Manhattan 60. The five-bedroom, 1,200 square-metre villas are accompanied by a Sunseeker 80, while owners of the largest 1,400

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Villa Type

Size in square metres

Yacht Type

Share Price (GBP)

Annual Levy (Euro)

3 Bedroom

770

Manhattan 52

760,000

16,000

4 Bedroom

880

Manhattan 60

925,000

25,000

5 Bedroom

1,200

Sunseeker 80 ft

1,525,000

55,000

5 Bedroom

1,400

Sunseeker 30 m

2,400,000

99,000

square-metre units will grace the water in a 30-metre Sunseeker. Each unit has only six shares for sale, meaning that each owner has plenty of time each year to make use of the fantastic Seychelles weather to enjoy the investment.

Dotted along the coast, the Zil Pasyon residences stealthily melt into the granite and existing tropical flora.

The four properties currently under development, with foreign architects, quantity surveyors, structural engineers and project managers hard at work, are emerging with sensitivity to the surrounding environment as if occupying their own, pre-ordained niche in the terrain. The team of landscape gardeners are recording every species of flora to be conserved on each site, occasionally moving some to another location on the property for protection. The resident nursery is nurturing 36,000 plants to enhance the beauty of the landscape.

This includes many indigenous species that have all but disappeared from Félicité, and is aimed at attracting the abundant bird life that could thrive on this floral palette. The Zil Pasyon farm already cultivates enough vegetables for all of the 150 workers engaged on the four respective sites, often sending on produce to nearby

La Digue. Residents at Zil will share in this fresh crop during their stay.

In line with the philosophy that happy employees deliver exceptional service, Zil Pasyon is recruiting only the highest calibre of staff, whose comfortable quarters are underway.

Facing the ocean, the facilities will include a staff swimming pool, TV room and gym.

There are plans to offer the ultimate in granite spa-style individual experiences, with the best international treatments set in awesome surrounds. Massive boulders with natural caverns and seaside stone will envelop the treatment rooms, setting a quiet scene for the most desirable wellness and spa rejuvenation experiences.

Zil Pasyon is limited to only 28 residences, and several outright purchases have been concluded, allowing very little room for owning even a share if one waits too long. Get in touch with the Sunseeker and Zil Pasyon teams in the Seychelles as soon as possible to start planning your dream property.  Contact Zil Pasyon, Seychelles • Tel: +248 28 9900 • Tony Young: +248 52 8882 • Email: info@zilpasyon.com • Visit: www.zilpasyon.com

not to prepare for life” (Boris Pasternak 1890-1960, Russian novelist)

Exquisite homes in natural surroundings.

• Six show houses designed by leading architects for sale • Prices available on application

Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate – inspired architecture for an exceptional lifestyle.

MAIN PHOTO: Architecture by Stauch Vorster Architects tel: 011 783 1710 Architecture by SBE Architects contact Johan Breytenbach 011 807 3442 Architecture by Nico van der Meulen Architects contact Nico van der Meulen 011 789 5242

Secure • Spacious • Serene

Uppe Marketing A02865

“Man is born to live,

F E AT U R E

Maserati

GranCabrio

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BELLISIMO

T

Words: JASON CLEGHORN Image: © MASERATI

he Maserati GranCabrio introduces a third model beside the Quattroporte and GranTurismo ranges.

It is intended to appeal to a different sort of customer; one for whom exclusivity and beauty are crucial. Inspired by the GranTurismo, the GranCabrio opens a new chapter in the history of the marque. With a specific focus on the comfort of the passenger compartment, the GranTurismo emphasises the experience; redefining driving pleasure and standout styling.

These are, after all, the hallmarks of this distinctive brand.

With the roof closed, the Maserati GranCabrio presents a dynamic, modern and elegant profile. At the touch of a button, it takes less than 30 seconds to transform the car into raw feline power as the softop roof comes down. The exterior is muscular, with volumes of natural and decisive fluidity that create a powerful, graceful form. The GranCabrio is characterised by the “ray of light” sculpted under the door, which offers stability to its lines. The chrome profile, three air intakes and the classic Maserati “V” strake lighten the front of the car, while the rear shows sportiness and technological prowess.

The GranCabrio’s 20-inch wheel rims are standard and, in conjunction with LED headlights, further accentuate its sportiness and sense of supremacy. Special attention has been paid to the interior to ensure the roominess and elegance of the passenger compartment. The rear seats are separate and similarly shaped to the front seats, thereby making for a comfy, compact personal environment – even over long journeys.

At the heart of the GranCabrio is the new and most powerful version of the classic Maserati 4.7-litre, wet sump V8 engine; with high specific

power, fluid response and low running noise as well as the typical, aggressive, engine-speed acceleration. A power rating of 440hp at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 490nm at 4,750rpm allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 in 5.4 seconds. The engine, combined with the 6-speed ZF automatic gearbox, promises to excite even the most demanding drivers through excellent accelerator-pedal response and smooth gear changes.

Four operating conditions are available at the touch of a button, ensuring optimal driving pleasure with ease in all conditions. The GranCabrio’s exhaust system is controlled by pneumatic valves which, depending on driving conditions, allow the driver to unleash the fullthroated roar of the engine or enjoy a comfortable, discreet purr.

The GranCabrio enters the market alongside the BMW Series 6 Cabrio and the Jaguar xk and xkR Cabrios, but has the edge in that it offers a larger passenger compartment and comfortable seating for four adults.

Due to its smart styling and ample dimensions, it also offers competition to the Aston Martin DB9 Volante and the Bentley Continental GTC for those in search of a more sophisticated ride.

The Maserati GranCabrio possesses a unique soul that separates it from other Maserati models, and puts it on a level well above competitors. Its anticipated arrival in South Africa is in May 2010, and you can expect to shell out some R2 million for it.  Contact Maserati: Cape Town: • Tel: +27 21 464 3560 Johannesburg: • Tel: +27 11 706 6900 Alternatively: • Email: maserati@viglietti.co.za • Visit: www.maserati.co.za

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F E AT U R E

T

he most finely-shaped items brimming with charm, elegance and value; Cartier watches gracefully invent time devoted to sheer pleasure.

The watches in the Cartier Libre Collection are like jewels emphasising the allure of an haute couture attitude, while those in the Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier Collection bear a figurative and narrative power. Great classics, such as the Ballon bleu de Cartier, have been re-interpreted and are gloriously adorned with colours and diamonds, while items from the Fine Jewellery Collection display the hours.

Perles de Cartier Watch Cartier Libre Collection

Cartier’s

Crème de la Crème Words: INGRID KENMUIR Images: © CARTIER

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One watch, four circles. Circles within circles; gleaming mother-ofpearl dials surrounded by diamonds and set with pearls. And, to count the hours, giant black numerals in a graceful, graphical style.

Case in 18-carat, rhodium-plated white gold set with round diamonds and two freshwater pearls; white mother-of-pearl dial featuring a flinqué pattern; dark-grey, brushedcanvas strap with ardillon buckle in 18-carat, rhodium-plated white gold set with round diamonds; quartz movement; approximately 2.9 carats.

Watch with Parrot Decor Fine Jewellery Collection

A diamond bracelet with a garland of lily of the valley, palms and leaves creating a sparkling natural scene in which a precious parrot makes its nest. Absolute white contrasts with the bird's onyx beak and piercing emerald eyes, while yet another emerald adds a glint of chlorophyll to the dial, paved entirely with diamonds.

Watch in 18-carat, rhodiumplated white gold; 11 princess-cut diamonds totalling 0.71 carats, 21 baguette-cut diamonds totalling 1.13 carats, 429 round diamonds totalling 15.43 carats.

LIFE PASSION ADVENTURE

OfямБcial agent for Riviera luxury motor yachts in South Africa.

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LIFE PASSION ADVENTURE

diamonds. The silhouette of this circus hero, outlined in white gold and pavéd with diamonds, invades the pink gold dial decorated with a shimmering hint of diamonds.

Case in 18-carat pink gold, set with round diamonds; elephant in 18-carat, rhodium-plated white gold, set with round diamonds and an emerald; dial in 18-carat pink gold, set with round diamonds and partially decorated with guilloche; strap is dark-grey, brushed, with an ardillon buckle in 18-carat pink gold, set with round diamonds; total carats approximately 7.2.

Watch with Elephant Motif Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier Collection

This Collection comprises just three original creations, in a limited edition series of 50 individually numbered timepieces.

Cartier exhibits the full extent of its jewellery making and technical virtuosity in these creations, from stone setting to enamelling; engine turning to diamond paving; sculpting to engraving.

Here, a delicate jewelled elephant stands balanced atop a ball of pink gold covered in sparkling, star-set

Secret Watch with Engraved Emerald Fine Jewellery Collection

A journey to India; a tale of marvels in which time appears and disappears, leaving behind the magic illusion of a cuff bracelet decorated with exceptional stones. A jewellery watch with a hexagonal emerald which, engraved with a floral decoration, conceals a dial bearing the same motif. The emerald is the central stone in a glittering ribbon of diamonds, whose sharp geometric motifs are tempered by the soft roundness of emerald spheres. A study in contrasts, shapes and colours in which two rose-cut diamonds, one round, the other pear-shaped, underline the rhythm of the jewellery.

Watch in 18-carat, rhodiumplated white gold, engraved emerald weighing 16.85 carats; rose-cut, pear-shaped diamond weighing 3.42 carats; rose-cut, round diamond weighing 6.15 carats; 535 round diamonds totalling 9.52 carats; 252 briolette-cut diamonds totalling 45.48 carats; 76 emerald spheres totalling 57.19 carats.

Monica Bellucci Wearing Ballon Bleu de Cartier Flying Tourbillon

This timepiece conjugates and heightens the elegance and sophistication of the original Ballon bleu de Cartier model. It is the innovative version of the watch with

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a doubly-rounded case, the soft curves of which are enhanced by the addition of a leather strap. The alligator-skin strap foretells the unusual dandy style of the watch – the powerful beauty of the winding mechanism that orbits around the dial; the magic of the curious glass that magnifies the numbers and distorts time; the lightness of its form – round underneath and on top, as if it were almost weightless.

Case in 18-carat white gold; circular-grained crown in 18-carat

white gold, set with a sapphire cabochon; transparent case-back with sapphire crystal; galvanic, slatecoloured guilloche dial, sun-ray openworked grid with roman numerals; sword-shaped, blued-steel hands; black alligator skin strap with dual adjustment folding clasp in 18-carat white gold; manufacture-crafted mechanical movement with manual winding, 9452 MC calibre, bearing the Geneva seal; flying tourbillon with C-shaped index indicating the seconds; total 19 jewels; movement comprising some 142 parts.

Price of each item on request. For more information on any of these timepieces, or for more on Cartier’s range of fine jewellery, contact the Cartier Boutique, Sandton on +27 11 666 2800. 

F E AT U R E

Fly

Like You Own It –

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B L U E S TA R

N

Pay Like You Don’t!

Bluestar Jets on Demand Words: KEVIN BARKER Images: © BLUESTAR JETS

ews keeps filtering in of large corporates closing the hangar doors to their flight departments due to the looming shadow cast by the cost of enforced economic prudence, not to mention the widespread demonization of corporate aircraft from the ever-loudening green and “greenback” lobbies. This is aside from the fact that business aviation has been shown to contribute a measly 0.2 percent of the total global carbon emissions. But fear not, for a new star is rising in the South, bringing new light into the African corporate flight market.

One glaring fact has become increasingly obvious as decision makers are being forced to do without their business jets, and this is that the corporate jet is far more than just a luxury. In today’s express-paced world, the business jet is an absolutely essential means of doing business that promotes efficiency, saves money, and offers unmatched levels of safety and privacy. The big secret is to use the right tool for the right job.

New to the African market, Bluestar Jets (BSJ) is the world’s most comprehensive and efficient privatejet brokerage company. With access to operators of the largest networks of luxury flights, BSJ is able to arrange access to the ideal jet for any given flight to any destination in the world on a moment's notice, putting the decisions on aircraft suitability into professional hands.

BSJ was started by a group of business executives who regularly

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Private Jet SkyCard™ Luxury Charter Programme

As an alternative to costly fractional aircraft ownership, the Bluestar Jet SkyCard entitles members to special privileges and services designed to make the charter flight experience the best it can be.

This programme has overwhelming benefits over the fractional ownership model in that it has five different levels on offer to match personal and business travel needs, with special charter jet services at each level – including free upgrades. Clients have the ability to extend available SkyCard flight privileges to anyone in their family or company, and only one card is needed for any chartered flight.

As an added benefit, the card includes a personal travel consultant as well as personal concierge services to assist with travel, dining and entertainment arrangements. Furthermore, there are no membership fees, no costs involved with aircraft acquisition or management fees, and no long-term contractual commitments. With services including private jets, executive jets, air charter, air cargo, aircraft rentals, and even aircraft ownership, Bluestar Jets is a one-stop solution to satisfy the most demanding of aviation asset requirements.

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travelled on private aircraft but were feeling frustrated with both the lack of service and the cost of flying privately. They quickly realised that most business and leisure travellers using private jets did not need to own a full or a fractional share of a jet, and would respond favourably to a more cost effective and flexible alternative.

BSJ does not manage or operate aircraft on behalf of its clients. Rather, it assists clients in finding the best operators for any aircraft, to best suit their requirements. BSJ’s objective is to offer an attractive and lower-cost alternative to the high costs of fractional ownership.

Its motto: ANY JET, ANY TIME, ANY PLACE™ means that clients will enjoy the freedom of not having the obligations and constraints of fractional ownership, or the contracts to pay, but the flexibility of being able to use the best aircraft for each trip instead of the one fractionally owned.

Clients only pay for trips taken, and

F E AT U R E

will have access to the right aircraft for the job even if they give as little as four hours notice.

To maximise the advantage of its extensive domestic and international network, Bluestar Jets uses systems that locate the optimal aircraft for specific travel needs and budget. Set up around aviation specialists who serve as brokers, BSJ is able to obtain at least three competitive bids on each flight request, utilising only the most modern fleets and experienced flight crews. The savings from the competitive bidding process can then be passed on to the client.

Bluestar Jets also subscribes to the Wyvern Standard, today’s benchmark for business aviation safety. The standards are an enhanced set of safety measurement criteria, which were developed over the years in cooperation with the Wyvern Customer Advisory Board.

Talk is cheap though; the real story can be observed in the following

statistical summaries of US business aircraft accidents: Of all the 1,177 fatalities from January 1991 to April 2009, none (zero percent) involved a Wyvern-recommended aircraft or aircrew. This is directly attributed to the stringent audits in terms of aircraft, maintenance and crews that need to be passed in order to remain Wyvern accredited.

Key to the operation are the specialists available on call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address the client’s specific requirements.

Every need, from the food enjoyed onboard, to the make and model of jets preferred, is addressed, with everything in between taken care of, meaning it is literally a case of hopping onboard and launching into the great blue yonder.  Contact Lauren Mark: • Cell: +27 76 075 1913 • Email: lauren@bluestarjets.com • Visit: www.bluestarjets.com

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Paradise Found Lord Howe Island

A

sub-tropical island sanctuary lost in time and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lord Howe Island is considered by many as the last paradise in the Pacific Ocean.

After visiting the Island, worldrenowned naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, exclaimed: “Lord Howe Island is so extraordinary it is

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almost unbelievable. You can get to it within two hours from great cities. Yet, once there, you can see five species of bird and over 50 plant species that live nowhere else on Earth.”

The adventure begins with a 100-minute, 700-kilometre flight from either Sydney or Brisbane and an exciting touchdown on the 902-metre runway. Too short for

commercial jets, the runway is perfect for the QantasLink Dash 8, which flies to the Island on a daily basis.

As the most southerly point of the 3000-kilometre-long Great Barrier Reef, Lord Howe Island is rich in biodiversity and cultural folklore – a rare pleasure limited to a maximum of 400 visitors at any given time.

With rugged volcanic peaks and basalt outcrops, the Island is encircled

OZ

Words & Images: © BERNARD K HELLBERG

by the world’s southern-most coral reef, which is home to a kaleidoscope of marine life.

The main reason for visiting Lord Howe is certainly the pristine natural environment and the waters ablaze with colour. The aquatic environment of this far-flung part of New South Wales is utterly unlike any other part of Australia, with various tropical and temperate species brought along the

converging currents, and a large number of plants and animals that occur nowhere else. The waters of this special place are managed within a Marine Park, established in 1999, extending three nautical miles out to sea from the mean high water mark, and covering an area of approximately 48,000 hectares.

Delicate soft corals, hard coral formations and abundant sub-tropical fish life can be experienced by way of glass-bottomed boats or snorkelling.

Those keen to stay on top can kayak or sail while others who seek to venture deeper can scuba dive. Island operators provide a certified course over several days and, because of the strong tidal currents around the Island, it is best to dive with a local dive boat operator.

A cruise to Ball’s Pyramid – the world’s largest sea stack, which stands at a height of 551 metres – is an awesome and astonishing expedition.

Both Ball’s Pyramid and the Lord Howe Island in its entirety are peaks of the same large underwater mountain that rises from the seabed some 2,000 metres down. The Island is dominated

and recycling are also high priorities.

In one innovative programme, the Island instituted a revolutionary biowaste treatment process known as a Vertical Composting Unit (VCU). The VCU goes beyond other composting options because it is able to process all of the Island's organic waste including meat, dairy products, food scraps, green waste, cardboard, paper and sewage sludge.

All the accommodation on Lord Howe, whether a well-maintained self-catering lodge or a five-star boutique facility, is owned and operated by islanders; no backpacking or camping is allowed. At the top end, Capella Lodge, the only accommodation on the Island with ocean, lagoon and mountain views, is the destination that offers every luxury amenity – except cell phone reception. In fact, the decision not to have cell phone reception was taken two years ago in a virtually unanimous vote by the islanders. Capella Lodge hosts a maximum of 20 guests, accommodated in spacious suites with king-sized beds, BOSE music systems with MP3 input and dramatic island-inspired basalt

by two erosion-resistant peaks, Mt Gower – at 875 metres – and Mt Lidgbird – at 777 metres, both of which were formed around 6.4 million years ago when lava flows filled the crater of the Lord Howe volcano.

Lord Howe is managed in an ecologically-sensitive manner. All waste generated on the Island, for example, is physically removed every two weeks when the 500-ton Island Trader docks. Composting, conserving

stone rain showers. The recommended minimum stay is one week, and the best swimming conditions are from October to April when the water temperature reaches 25 ˚C. Besides marine activities, Lord Howe Island also offers walking trails, bike riding, tennis, bowls and golf.

Spa and wellness treatments are available at Capella Lodge and Arajilla Retreat. For more information, visit www.lordhoweisland.info. 

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Shimansky Diamonds Celebrating Special Moments with

Words & Images: Š SHIMANSKY

T

he origin of a Shimansky diamond began billions of years ago, deep in the Earth’s core, where carbon made its slow, alchemic transformation into this precious gem; to be one day released from its soil birthplace. When cut and polished to perfection it becomes a legend in brilliance, fire and scintillation; coming to light through

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the ardour, creativity and commitment of Yair Shimansky.

But it is only when this diamond passes from Shimansky’s custodianship to your hands that it fulfils its ultimate purpose: becoming a symbol of love and passion; of a lifetime of devotion or a life partnership. The true value of a Shimansky diamond is intangible; much like love, loyalty, passion and commitment. It marks a milestone,

salutes a special moment, rewards a phenomenal achievement, and becomes an heirloom. No-one understands the significance of this better than Shimansky. The beauty of a perfectly-cut diamond lies not just in its exquisite visual performance but also in the way it makes you feel; and this makes it priceless.

Behind the moment lies the Shimansky promise: the diamond you

LASTING

her life; moments that Shimansky values most.

At Shimansky, natural diamonds from the African soil, as well as tanzanite – the rarest gem of all – set in platinum or gold, form only a small part of a selection of jewellery designed for glamorous occasions, celebrations and naturally, romance.

Visit Shimansky’s flagship store in Sandton City, Johannesburg, for a refined jewellery-shopping experience. Or visit their Cape Town head office for a personally guided tour of the jewellery showroom at The Clock Tower, V&A Waterfront. Other retail outlets are located in Cape Town at

have chosen is unique, for every diamond has its own legend and no two are alike. Sourced directly from South African mines, these gems are guaranteed 100 percent conflict-free.

A Shimansky diamond comes with international certification from the GIA or EGL, though Shimansky’s security lies deeper still. Their matchless diamond designs, such as the most sought-after engagement ring in South Africa – The Millennium Diamond Ring – and the internationally-patented My Girl™ diamond cut, travel the world.

But no matter where the diamond ends its journey, a laser-inscribed

certificate number, no bigger than a few microns on the girdle, along with the carat weight, colour and clarity tie the owner to the stone. They become inextricably linked; a signature of provenance. Thus, when international celebrities, statesmen and stars visit South Africa, Shimansky invariably becomes a part of their itinerary. Katie Melua wears an 18-carat white-andyellow-gold flower pendant with sapphires, inspired by the national flower of Georgia, her country of

birth. James Blunt’s Shimanskydesigned, 18-carat yellow-and-whitegold monkey pendant studded with 5.50 carats of diamonds is a treasured keepsake and reminder of his successful South Africa tour. Lionel Richie returned home with not only an elephant hair and 18-carat, yellowgold cuff, but also with a priceless gift for his granddaughter, two-year-old Harlow Madden. Harlow’s keepsake – a My Girl™ diamond set in a pendant – will be held until a special moment in

Canal Walk and Cape Town International Airport; in Pretoria at Brooklyn Mall and Menlyn Shopping Centre; and in Durban at the Pavilion in Westville.

If there is one line from Shakespeare that expresses what Shimansky sees every day as their jewellery pieces begin their new journey it is this: “They do not love that do not show their love.”

Visit www.shimansky.co.za, or contact +27 21 421 2788. 

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F E AT U R E

Flying Liquid Skies Deep Flight Super Falcon

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BELOW

H

Words: KEVIN BARKER Images: © HAWKES OCEAN TECHNOLOGIES

umankind's perpetual quest for discovery and learning has seen us throw ourselves at the skies in all sorts of heavier-than-air flying machines. By way of fiery rocket ships we even pierced the protective atmosphere that surrounds Earth to discover who knows what. Curious then, that the world beneath the waves – the underwater realm that holds the key to all life on our planet – remains convincingly unchallenged.

In a quest to supply aquatic adventurers with a new form of undersea transport, Hawkes Ocean Technologies recently launched their fourth generation winged submersible: The Deep Flight Super Falcon. Benefiting from 40 years in the submersible design and manufacturing game – and having produced over 50 advanced sub-sea vehicles, including the Deep Rover submersibles, as well as the record breaking 37,000-foot Deep Flight Challenger, which was built for the late adventurer Steve Fossett – Hawkes Ocean Technologies delivered the first production Super Falcon to Tom Perkins’ yacht S/Y Maltese Falcon in the second half of 2008.

Right off the bat, the Super Falcon’s apparent similarity to the shape of a fighter jet is not merely coincidence. It uses the same principles as an aircraft to “fly” through the water. While the laws of physics at work on an aircraft in flight are called aerodynamics, in water they are known as hydrodynamics, with nearly identical characteristics.

Super Falcon is designed to fly at a depth of up to 500 metres and speeds reaching six knots, and is as different to previous submersibles as aircraft are to balloons. Instead of being utilised for straight up-anddown dives, the Super Falcon’s wings allow for unprecedented levels of manoeuvrability, meaning no-holdsbarred flight through deep blue space.

The Super Falcon is ideally suited for operation from superyachts and is designed with ease of operation and maintenance in mind. Where conventional submersibles are neutrally or negatively buoyant, Deep Flight submersibles remain positively buoyant at all times, meaning that they can never sink to the bottom – no matter what – opening up all ocean depths to exploration from yachts.

At Hawkes Ocean Technologies, researchers believe that human comfort and safety are inseparable.

Since the start of submersible research, however, most designs have been based on a classic spherical shape required by pressure hull geometry. As a result, the human body needed to contort to fit the space.

From its research in material technology with the 37,000-foot submersible, the Deep Flight Challenger, the company was able to reshape convention by abandoning its circular hull sections so that the Super Falcon hull literally fits the human form. With added room over the elbows and shoulders, the seating position is relaxed and somewhat supine, and offers 360-degree viewing.

Controlled by a state-of-the-art, fly-by-wire flight control system that uses micro-controllers and powerful electro-mechanical actuators to manage the rudders, elevators and ailerons, the Super Falcon is unlimited in its range of roll and pitch excursions, meaning that it can be flown “acrobatically” underwater.

Super Falcon raises the bar even further with its highly-advanced electronic displays, which present information on navigation and lifesupport systems, and which include a heads-up graphical flight display that would not be out of place in a modern fighter jet.

Another first for submersibles is the computerised track plotter, which enables the pilot to mark waypoints and navigate the sub back to its point of launch. The flight screen provides

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Experience Travel

As the leading provider of global

the pilot with much information, such as the craft’s orientation in roll, pitch and heading, as well as current depth, and rate of depth change, which is a spritely 200 ft/min in descent, or 400 ft/min on an ascent.

Powered by an electric motor running off two lithium phosphate batteries, the Super Falcon can travel at four knots for five hours, and requires charging time of about four hours once depleted. This allows for up to four dives in a day. The craft can sustain its occupants for up to 24 hours should the need arise. The occupants are able to converse

allowing it to operate over depths that exceed its limits. In an extreme situation, surface emergency flotation provides 800 kilograms of additional positive buoyancy, which is sufficient to maintain the craft safely on the surface, allowing the crew to exit, even in the heaviest of seas.

Hawkes Ocean technologies has designed the standard Super Falcon around a pressure hull in a two seat in-line configuration, but also offers custom built submersibles in one-tothree seat, and four-to-six seat configurations in larger craft with two fuselages.

normally underwater because they share a single hull, and further communications means are provided in the form of a surface VHF radio, 20W base transceiver via pushto-talk, and also through-water communications.

When it comes to safety, Super Falcon stands out way above all other submersibles. As a fixed positive buoyancy craft, it will return to the surface when the engine is cut off,

The Deep Flight Super Falcon is incomparable to any other submersible on the market today. It can provide hours of graceful liquid ballets beneath the waves, but can also keep up when it comes to barrel-rolling with dolphins, spy-hopping with whales or searching for sunken treasure.  For more information contact Karen Hawkes: • Email: karen@deepflight.com • Visit: www.deepflight.com

personalized travel services for the business and leisure traveler, your unique needs and desires are as important to us as the globe and what it has to offer. There’s always a professional travel counselor near you, bringing unsurpassed expertise to an industry that is multifaceted and ever changing - just like your business is. You can depend on the support of our global network of 800 outlets, first world systems, processes and over 65 outlets in sub-Saharan Africa. Why not call UNIGLOBE, a team with over 25 years of exceeding your expectations, today.

Iris Piehl

Managing Owner

Tel: +264 61 254 702 Fax: +264 61 254 703 Email: iris@uniglobenamibia.com www.UniglobeExperienceTravel.com Old Power Station, Shop 18 PO Box 32033 Windhoek, Namibia

® / ™ Licensed Trademark of Uniglobe Travel International Limited Partnership

F E AT U R E

KEF Muon with designer Ross Lovegrove

Extreme

Audio Words: KEN KESSLER Images: © KEF; Nagra, Rockport Technologies

S

ome 40 years ago, a decent hi-fi system was Number 3 in the market research tables of “most important purchases,” right after a house and a car. Though challenged in the ensuing years by other distractions – computers, personal hi-fis, lavish vacations, home cinemas – pure audio systems are ready for a renaissance. And the impetus is due, in no small part, to the very force that diminished its importance: the iPod. But, like mechanical watches and fountain pens, there is a backlash. The cash-rich but time-poor want to

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savour their every spare moment.

Listening to music remains one of the most enjoyable, soothing and invigorating pursuits. And all it takes to convert a music lover from headphone sound to the superior pleasures of “proper” hi-fi listening is a simple demonstration of a finer sound system.

Most people have no idea how good music can sound in the home.

Too many down-market/mass-market purveyors of junk have succeeded in promoting features over sound quality. But if one prerequisite is met by the customer – an overpowering passion for music – there is only one route to musical nirvana, and that is

through a serious sound system.

At the cutting edge, where the manufacturer assumes that the client has the space to house zero-compromise equipment, the components are almost unrecognisable as traditional audio gear. Some even qualify as functional sculpture. It is a world of speakers consisting of transparent mesh panels or massive enclosures finished in the same paint used on a Porsche or Ferrari; turntables so advanced that they require their own, dedicated floor-stands; cables the diameter of a bull-whip; and headphones carved from solid timber.

It started in Italy, in the early 1980s. After decades of a global

C R Y S TA L

obsession with said cubist wooden speaker boxes and simple metal enclosures for the electronics, Sonus Faber introduced hand-finished loudspeakers with curved edges, using solid timber instead of veneers – staves of Italian walnut polished to violin-making standards. They did the same to amplifiers, housing them in abstract wooden forms that added visual warmth to what was otherwise merely a laboratory look.

Along with the new styling, soon copied by every speaker maker from Berlin to Boston, came the knowledge

another idea: why not offer the customer the same paints as in the automotive palette? If you like, sir, your Wilson Alexandrias can be painted to match your Aston Martin.

While customising the equipment is no more rampant in audio than it is with fine watches, a modicum of flexibility does allow systems to be personalised to users’ tastes. Then again, with few exceptions, most high-end systems use components from separate manufacturers, so tailoring the package from varying hardware makers is inherent in its

your room, and that the installation is set-up to perfection before they leave you to enjoy its pleasures.

For the vacillating music lover, the procedure is simple: find a hi-fi emporium with a proper showroom.

Make an appointment for a private demonstration. Bring along a muchloved LP or CD, or even your iPod. With the exception of allowing you to light up your favourite Cohiba, you need to replicate the conditions in which you wish to delight in the music of your choice. The system needs to do only one thing: transport

KEF Muon loudspeaker; Nagra VPA amplifiers; Rockport Technologies Arrakis loudspeaker

that build quality and finish had to reflect the value of the acquisition.

When asking a client for an investment akin to that needed for a Ferrari, it is only right that the pride of ownership be their equal – perceived value had to be built into the equation.

Wilson Audio, one of the most accommodating of brands, realised that there was nothing to stop them from finishing their speakers in any colour the client desired. And why not? With speakers standing nearly two metres tall and akin more to a 185-kilogram gorilla than a 270-kilogram ape, they dominate the listening area. At the factory, Wilson installed a paint booth so advanced it can be used to spray-paint an automobile. Which gave Wilson

purchase – amplifiers from one company, speakers from another.

Challenging them, though, are those such as Burmester (who make the sound system in the new Porsche Panamera) or Krell, who manufacture every type of component, thus eliminating the need to choose.

Any audiophile could also argue that a major part of the pleasure of acquiring a sound system is putting it together from the tens of thousands of candidates suitable for inclusion.

Whichever route you choose, however, you should be guided by a retailer capable of dealing with highperformance audio components. This retailer will also be there to ensure that the system’s components possess synergy, that the system works in

you to the venue where the music was recorded. If it is so realistic and convincing that you would swear the performer was in the room, you have heard what extreme audio equipment can do. Then try it again with your ear-bud headphones or your in-car sound system, or perhaps your table-top radio. It will be like squeezing box grape juice after a glass of Romanée-Conti. 

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SOCIAL INVESTMENT

Artists as Living Treasures

Peter Clarke, Die Lang Pad, 1962. Woodcut. MTN Art Collection

Words: COMPILED FROM MATERIAL ON THE MTN ART COLLECTION PREPARED FOR "ARTTALK" (VOL 10 NO 3, 2009) Images: © COURTESY MTN ART COLLECTION AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS

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SOCIAL INVESTMENT

L

iving treasures are those people, including artists, who contribute towards revitalisation of cultural traditions, keeping them alive. Through their work, they affirm the cultural expression of communities. They are seen as role models and sources of inspiration

Collection holds artworks by all of these remarkable artists, three of which we feature in this article.

Allina Ndebele

Allina Ndebele was born in 1939 in Ekuhlengeni, a mission in KwaZuluNatal. As a girl, her imagination was fired by evenings of storytelling in her

translation, and learnt drawing, linocut, sewing, design and weaving during her leisure hours.

By 1963 the Goweniuses had opened the Evangelical Lutheran Art and Craft Centre in Rorke’s Drift.

Allina Ndebele played a key role teaching weaving at this large new centre, also going to Sweden to study

Allina Ndebele, Nqakamatshe and His Muti Magics, 2000. Weaving, MTN Art Collection

because they bring people in their communities closer together. They also impart knowledge and are considered to be excellent in their application of skills and techniques, not least in the field of art. According to this definition, many South African artists qualify as living treasures, including Credo Mutwa, the Makhubele family, Jackson Hlungwane, Mmakgabo Sebidi, Noria Mabasa, Allina Ndebele, Peter Clarke and Azaria Mbatha. The MTN Art

grandmother’s traditional home – stories of a past populated with extraordinary animals, many of them subjects that would reappear in Ndebele’s own tapestries later.

While training to be a nurse at Ceza Hospital in 1961, she was offered an opportunity to be a translator for a newly-arrived Swedish couple, Peder and Ulla Gowenius. The Goweniuses were artists working as occupational therapists at the hospital. Ndebele assisted with

further in 1964. She returned to Rorke’s Drift to teach weaving but eventually took the courageous step of leaving the Centre in 1977 to establish herself as an independent artist-weaver.

Today, she continues to work as an artist-weaver, still accepting the occasional commission. She has also initiated a self-help scheme for local women who weave in her large workshop and take on commissions of their own. Allina Ndebele’s remarkable

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Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi, A Bone Thrower Talking to the Bones, Near Skilpadfontein, 1981. Oil on board. MTN Art Collection, courtesy David Krut Publishing

tapestries are represented in collections worldwide. Her largest work ever, Nqakamatshe and His Muti Magics, was commissioned by MTN in 2000.

Peter Clarke

For the past six decades, the career of Peter Clarke as an artist and writer has stood as an outstanding example in the creative life of South Africa; so much so that in 2005 he received the President’s Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for excellence in the fields of art and literature.

Born in Simon’s Town in 1929, Clarke has produced drawings, photographs, paintings, relief prints, etchings, collages, and paper constructions that are now recognised as a seminal contribution to South African heritage. Despite the disadvantage of exclusion from mainstream training in the arts due to Apartheid legislation, Peter Clarke has produced a remarkable volume of work. It forms a telling record of the marginalised existence of the “coloured” community of the Western Cape since the 1940s, and of those who, like him, suffered forced removal after the 1960s.

Indeed, it can be said that his life as an artist has in itself been a microcosm of the social history of a period that saw both the rise and

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fall of Apartheid. The disquieting Die Lang Pad was made in 1962, as the Apartheid authorities accelerated the forced-removals drive that would displace multitudes of South Africans, including, eventually, Clarke’s own community at Simon’s Town.

Although his art is not political in a propagandistic sense, it comments obliquely, yet potently, on the turmoil of relocation and dispossession, the harsh struggle of human experience and on the reclamation of human dignity.

Mmakgabo Helen Sebidi

Mmakgabo Mmapula Mmankgato Helen Sebidi is one of the most important contemporary painters in South Africa. Over the last two decades she has developed a style and a colour palette immediately recognisable for their intensity and vibrant energy.

Sebidi, who was born near Hammanskraal in 1943, grew up with her grandmother in the rural village of Marapyane, and cut her teeth on city living when she moved to Johannesburg in the tumultuous 1980s. She learnt about colour and form from studying the traditions and techniques of Tswana and Venda mural painting and pottery making.

Struggling to find her feet as an artist and to make a living in the

danger and hustle of Johannesburg, Sebidi doggedly pursued art in the only way she knew how – showing her work at outdoor venues in the city. Finally, and with very little help, she found her way to the Katlehong Art Centre and later, through a chance meeting with David Koloane, to the Johannesburg Art Foundation. During this period she painted the work in the MTN Art Collection, A Bone Thrower Talking to the Bones, Near Skilpadfontein. In 1987, a year of personal trauma and artistic triumph, she discovered a visual language that startled not only her tutors, but also herself. Combining drip painting, collage and quasiimpressionist techniques, Sebidi began to produce explosive paintings and pastel drawings, works jostling with strange figures and shapes that pushed the boundaries of contemporary figurative painting and signalled the emergence of a major South African artist.

The MTN Art Collection is part of the MTN SA Foundation, which is responsible for the company’s social investment strategy. Arts and Culture form one part of the Foundation, along with its focus on Education, Health, and Entrepreneurship Development.

For more information, contact the Curator, Philippa Hobbs, via email at hobbs_p@mtn.co.za.

Building Strategic Competency for the Future Modules

Business Management is designed to enrich and empower both the company and staff alike to understand

business management. The benefits of the pro-active management module transcends that of the people who represent companies at point-of-sale and guarantees that staff become involved and responsible business stakeholders as opposed to mere employees.

Sales Philosophy provides a new and fresh way of interacting with consumers at point-of-sale. This module

provides diverse and effective ways of converting share of recommendation into sales. Staff will learn how to connect with consumers and explore their needs. Creating experiences and building lasting relationships is core to this module and will enable your staff to pro-actively contribute to your market share.

Value Selling is globally recognised as the leading course in selling. This module specifically provides unique and new ways of building relationships with customers and understanding the value of your product and service in relation to customer needs. Making the focal shift to selling value and long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between supplier, representative and customer is the key purpose of this module.

Essentials of Selling is the core foundation of all sales resources and individuals. This module creates the

core competencies needed in order to understand and apply the key ingredients for successful selling.

Understanding and exploring the key factors that create demand from suppliers or service providers and combining unique core selling skills enable sales staff to become effective and pro-active in the sales approach.

Consumer Excellence is a dynamic NEW module developed to radically transform the success and impact

of “Customer Service,� which in turn impacts on retention.

Project Management is an essential set of skills that ensures coherent ways of managing a project of any

size and scope. The impact of successful and efficient project management is defined and measured by the ability to plan, control and execute with precision.

Consumer Segmentation analyses the diversity of consumers. Understanding consumer behaviour, preferences and lifestyles will ensure proper product recommendations and targeting the right consumer with the appropriate solution, which in turn aids successful selling with greater consumer retention.

Soft Skills is the most extensive and involved module due to the diverse and broad number of individual modules offered. Ranging from Negotiation Skills to Non-Verbal Communication, the course provides an array of skills development that binds all and any competencies in the work place. Soft Skills is suitable for any environment or industry and can be applied in depth to staff members across all functions and seniority.

To find out more about the trans-fu-zion Competency Development Framework and the individual modules or programmes, contact Richard Smith: Tel: +27 82 948 0090 • Email: richard@transfuzion.net

F E AT U R E

Aegir

Performance Yachts; Performing Assets Words: CHARL DU PLESSIS Images: © PERSHING; FERRETTI

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P E R S H I N G F E R R E T T I

O

ne of the most exciting developments this past year in the South African luxury yachting environment was the announcement

by Aegir Performance Yachts in Cape Town that they had secured the local agencies for both the Pershing and the Ferretti series of Italian power yachts.

These series are hallmarks of the finest engineering and design innovation, with Pershing taking the limelight in each marina thanks to its introduction of new exterior finish colours and lines, and the already beautiful Ferretti breaking new ground with its stability systems.

The Makelberge family behind Aegir have been yacht owners themselves for years, and are as familiar with European cruising conditions as they are with local waters. Their first Pershing to arrive in South Africa, a 46 foot, is moored in Cape Town and has given many a prospective yacht owner a chance to experience conditions off our more demanding coast, coming up good every time.

Pershing took on iconic status when it launched its Pershing 115 a few years ago. Silver and sleek with a fluid and aggressive design resting atop bedevilling power, it immediately captured the imagination of the yachting community. In 2009, Pershing followed suit when introducing the Pershing 108. A sinuous yacht in the same aggressive, long-nosed tradition of Pershing, its innovations include a private bow dinette at the front sundeck and split engines capable of racking up 43 knots. Unmistakable Pershing exterior finishes are complemented by only the best designer brands in its interior.

This yacht is a rare beauty, but not one to pamper too lightly. Speaking to Allessandro Diomendi at the Cape Town Boat Show earlier this year, he stated: “Pershing just gets better with every new yacht they bring to market, and this yacht will do fantastically well all over the world. It is spacious, has plenty of light inside, and can be configured to each client’s needs. If

anything, the 108 represents the Pershing idea that if you can think it, you can do it.” The team at Aegir can assist prospective buyers in visiting the Pershing factory in Italy, and to either import their Pershing of choice into regional waters or to set up a permanent moorings base in their preferred European destination.

Ferretti has a range of 12 yachts between sizes 47 and 88 foot. Its Altura 840 won honours this past year at both the Cannes and Croatian Boat Shows for its cutting-edge thinking on layout and engineering in its class.

Other new models introduced in the latter part of the year are the Ferretti 510 and the Ferretti 830 Hard Top. But, considering local conditions, it is the new Ferretti 560 that should

a fun set of entertainment options at anchor.

Aegir Performance Yachts not only acts as brokerage for new and pre-owned yachts anywhere across the world, but also manage their clients’ yachts, effectively taking the pains of post-trip clean-up and maintenance out of the equation. Get collected at the airport by a chauffeur and arrive at your clean yacht, fully stocked with the caviar and champagne of your choosing. Also speak to Aegir about chartering some of the world’s finest yachts in the destination of your choice, as they represent the local face of one of the most dominant international yachting outfits. The Ferretti Group not only owns the Pershing brand, but also

have South Africans sitting up to take note. This is probably the most ideal size yacht, offering compact power and stability in our rougher waters, yet allowing enough space below decks to accommodate owners and friends with extreme comfort on overnight or medium-range cruises.

Three cabins with three bathrooms and enough head space to feel as if you are in your own home; big windows on all levels, plenty of sun pads for guests, and free-flowing entertainment areas that seamlessly connect. Upstairs, a flybridge with bimini for sunset moments has proven its popularity with local yacht owners.

These accoutrements and more make for an ideal day out on the water and

several other highly desirable nautical brands such as Itama, Custom-Line, Apreamare, Mochi Craft, and CRN. Finally, for the entry-level power yachting novice, and for exacting sailors, it will be excellent news to learn that Aegir now also represents the Jeanneau range of yachts in South Africa. View the options online at www.jeanneau.com. Let Aegir introduce you to the whole family.  Contact: Frederic Makelberge • Tel: +27 21 557 4719 • Cell: +27 72 244 1982 John Makelberge • Cell: +27 72 683 2660 info@ aegirperformanceyachts.co.za www.aegirperformanceyachts.co.za

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watch

Million Bucks Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4

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Words: KEN KESSLER Image: Š FRANCK MULLER

GRAND PRIX

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n Early November, Franck Muller held its first World Presentation of the Haute Horlogerie of Monaco. Here, amid the splendour of this glitzy town, they delivered the first Franck Muller Aeternitas Mega 4 to its giddy new owner. Pomp was the order of the day, with hundreds of guests dining at the Hotel de Paris, serenaded by three opera singers while enjoying a rather nice Chateau Lagrange des Tours 2005. This was evidently no typical watch launch. But then, the Aeternitas Mega 4 is no typical watch. It is the latest in a genre of super-complications, vying with companies such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin for the informal title of “Who has the Most?”

Alas, the answer is not that clear, though the Aeternitas Mega 4 is certainly in with a shot. It is an absolutely eye-watering achievement; a massive, impressive beast housed in

a 61x42-millimetre Conquistador-style case. Inside are 1,483 components that combine to deliver what, at its base, is an automatic tourbillion, in itself a highly desirable piece. To this, the company has added the “Grande Sonnerie” Chimes of Westminster striking mechanism sounding on the hours and quarter hours, as well as a “Petite Sonnerie” with the strike on the hour removed, to sound only on the quarter hours.

A minute-repeating tourbillion is enough to set enthusiasts’ hearts aflutter. But then follows a litany of complications: 32 with creative accounting; closer to 20 if you’re a pedant. Among them are displays of two additional time zones, equation of time, year display up to 999, perpetual calendar, retrograde date, power reserve indicators for both the watch and the strike mechanism, and daynight display. To deal with all of these you need seven buttons on the case’s sides (one in the winder), as well as 18 hands, seven dials and six arc’d retrograde scales.

As far as the evening’s buzz was concerned, the Aeternitas Mega 4 generated more chatter than any watch I can recall: “Will they only make five?” “I heard they sold two more this evening!” “Is it really a million Euros/Swiss Francs/Dollars?”

If creating controversy was part of the design brief, Muller has done it again. Vartan Sirmakes, CEO of the Franck Muller Group, was more than happy to remind visitors that, as with Mark Twain, rumours of the company’s death are premature. The weekend celebration was extravagant, fabulous, overwhelming; too bad the name “Big Bang” is already taken.

Overshadowed by the Aeternitas Mega 4 spectacle were dozens of new models in the Master Banker, Crazy Hours and Infinity Reka series, while the most intriguing of all was something of a departure for Franck

Muller. The Chronograph Conquistador Grand Prix certainly is a more humble piece than its Grande Complication sibling, but its importance should not be underestimated; it is the most sporting Franck Muller watch in a long time. It is a natural rival to the new wave of multi-material macho machines from companies including Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, Roger Dubuis, Hublot and others who approach watch design as if they were building GT cars.

Produced in honour of the 2009 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, the Chronograph Conquistador Grand Prix is not Muller’s first car-related timepiece. Enthusiasts will recall his 24-hour “Endurance” model in honour of Le Mans. That, however, was developed in the days before rubber, carbon fibre, titanium and other materials began to appear in watches.

Not so the Chronograph Conquistador Grand Prix. For this giant watch, developed in the form of a Cintrée Curvex body as if reinterpreted by the makers of Transformers, the company accessed F1 technology. This includes a high-tech alloy; an ultra-light and highly-robust material called Ergal, which is anodised to improve its resistance to corrosion and abrasion.

The Chronograph houses the FM 7000 automatic movement, features a date corrector push-piece at 9 o'clock (enabling the wearer to set the date back or forward with a simple press of the button), a heavilysculpted bezel, and elements in contrasting colours. The most radical feature, though, is the black model highlighted in red, which positively screams “motorsport!”

After a few quiet years, during which Muller’s position as the watch of choice for those with a penchant for the bold has been challenged by countless newcomers, the Genevoise house is again flexing its muscles.

We say, let the games begin. 

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Train

F E AT U R E

T ripping

Few forms of travel are able to shift the boundaries of our expectations.

In most cases the final destination is the goalpost; the journey itself compromised. Imagine a trip where the journey was the goal, and the destination merely an incidental bonus. If you picture nostalgic imagery of trains and stations, well then, you’re on the right track.

Words: KEVIN BARKER Images: Š Jos Beltman; Ian Lloyd; Willy Tang; Ron Bambridge; The Royal Scotsman; GW Travel; Eduardo Saldarriaga; Orient Express

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ON TRACK

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s the grand daddy of all forms of travel, trains and railways can literally claim to have paved the way for man to travel over land. In stark contrast to the jaded fashion in which we approach travel nowadays, the glory days of the railway era ensured that the journey was the highlight, and that travellers’ every possible need was catered for aboard.

Does the essence of reaching a destination not lie in watching the scenery change from the familiar to the unknown; in the thrill of watching a dramatic new landscape unfold before your eyes? What follows is a closer look at some of the world’s top train trips on offer today – adventures that embody the ethos of life being a journey.

The Glacier Express

Known as the slowest fast train in the world, the Glacier Express must be one of the most photogenic eight hours available on the planet. Crossing 291 bridges passing through 91

tunnels, the train traverses the heart of Switzerland; passengers enjoying the sights and sounds of the Graubünden holiday region, crossing viaducts and gaping chasms in the Valais region before settling into a more modest trot through alpine meadows in the south. Although not falling into the über-luxury market, the trip from Zermatt to St Moritz is a feast for the eyes from the panoramic coaches, which make maximum use of uncluttered glass windows and allow passengers to absorb the natural energy radiating from the alpine landscape. The highlight of this trip is the gut-wrenching Oberalp Pass, which presents passengers with a vertical drop of over two kilometres.

Visit www.glacierexpress.ch.

Shangri-La Express

Steeped in an age-old shroud of secrecy, the Tibetan legend of Shambhala or Shangri-La – a mystical, earthly paradise hidden beyond the Himalayas – seems to materialise not as a destination, but in the journey aboard the Shangri-La

Express, also known as the China Orient Express. Travelling through the vast expanse of China, the journey winds its way around the Three Gorges Dam before heading into Tibet; ending at Lhasa, "Place of the Gods." At its zenith, the train crests the world's highest railway pass at Tangula; some 5,070 metres up. This 14-hour segment of the journey takes place in daytime, undertaken in a special high-altitude train with supplemental oxygen. Highlights of the journey include the Tibetan Holy sites at Lhasa and the mysterious Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an.

Visit www.gwtravel.co.uk.

Venice Simplon Orient Express

In the 1920s, the carriages of the Venice Simplon Orient Express formed the romantic link between the main centres of European culture. Today, in these same carriages, with their Lalique glass panels, wood-burning stoves and art deco marquetry, it is possible to relive a renaissance of fine pampering and service fit for royalty

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include the world’s finest foods, wines and undoubtedly best service levels.

Visit www.orient-express.com.

Eastern & Oriental Express

on various routes between Venice and London. Known as the train by which all other luxury trains are judged in the non-fiction world, and as murderous adventure grounds for the fictional Bonds and Poirots of the world, the Venice Simplon Orient Express is the epitome of luxe train travel. Highlights of the journey

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Agatha Christie said: “Trains are wonderful… To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns… and rivers, in fact, to see life.” Few train journeys offer such an in-depth glimpse into life as a whole, as the Eastern & Oriental Express. Nearly 500 metres long, with 66 airconditioned cabins, this train is perhaps the perfect way to discover south-east Asia in a celebration of gourmet cuisine, personal service and lush accommodation. The 2,000-kilometre journey, linking Singapore and Bangkok, harks back to a colonial age of rattan chairs on the veranda, linen suits and enchanting tea dances and ceremonies. The interior is inspired by the East, and decorated with veneers of wooden marquetry, mirrors and motifs that

fuse Chinese, Thai and Malaysian themes. Highlights include being able to travel through all of the countries that contributed to the design and decor of the train, and watch the patchwork paddy fields unspooling from the observation car windows to get a real sample of the cultures that live along the tracks.

Visit www.orient-express.com.

The Royal Scotsman

For those who aspire to smaller, more intimate trains, the Royal Scotsman offers journeys straight into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The Western tour that runs on Scotland’s West Highland Line, famous as one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, originates in Edinburgh and winds through the wild Scottish countryside past Ben Nevis before meeting the coastline with magnificent views of numerous isles and beaches that stretch for miles. Through emerald green pine

forests and moors that turn purple when the heather is in bloom, it is easy to get lost in your thoughts among only 36 other passengers.

Highlights include remote, foreboding castles steeped in mystery and romance, serene white-washed villages and calm, wide lochs that reflect the changing moods of the sky.

Visit www.royalscotsman.com.

Hiram Bingham/Andean Explorer

Featuring the best on offer in South American train journeys, these trains ply the route between Puno on Lake Titicaca and Machu Pichu.

Starting off, the slightly-less-

luxurious Andean Explorer offers a wealth of Peruvian culture in the form of food, art and music that typify the jovial journey. The trip between Puno and Cusco, which takes some 10 hours, traverses stark, inhospitable landscapes and strong-flowing rivers.

From Cusco, the journey continues onboard Hiram Bingham, a narrowgauge luxury train that makes the three-hour trip to Machu Pichu. Its dining car serves Peruvian specialities, and there is also a bar with live music aboard. Once more, the judicious use of large widows and open-air spaces allow passengers to get the most out of their journey.

Visit www.irtsociety.com. ď ?

LIFE PASSION ADVENTURE

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LIFE PASSION ADVENTURE

F E AT U R E

Diamant

Classique Sparkling Wine with Sparkling Diamonds Words: PETER BAILEY Images: Š DC

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S I P & S AV O U R

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rom deep inside African soil you take a brilliant diamond. From sunny African winelands you harvest the finest grapes and turn them into an exquisite methode cap classique sparkling wine. You then enfold the result in a finely handcrafted leather and polished aluminium casing to produce: Diamant Classique – the ultimate surprise for the most special of moments.

New Year’s Eve, engagement parties, a sunset drink to make up with a lover, or a big bling club moment at the bewitching hour – when the Diamant Classique (or DC as it is also known) comes out, the music stops, people stand closer, and all eyes fix on the glasses. Because when the fizz settles, one glass will have a real diamond resting in it. And not just a little teaser stone either. Each bottle of Diamant Classique has a genuine and very valuable diamond inside, complete with a full certificate which the lucky recipient can take straight to their jeweller (and insurance company) the next day for valuation. These certificates come from an independent laboratory where trained technicians grade each diamond according to the four Cs. The certificate also testifies to authenticity and that no laser drilling, irradiation, colour enhancement, or fracture treatment of fissure filling has taken place.

Bringing Africa’s very best elements together in this brilliant manner is the brainchild of Ryan Bond and Brandon Kerzner – son of one of this country’s other finest exports, maverick hospitality king, Sol Kerzner.

And that Kerzner trademark for being super exacting, the source of many an interesting tale in the hospitality industry, shows in similar fashion with this initiative. When the pair introduced us to this product at the Kernzer’s Leeukoppie Estate in Hout Bay, it was presented in a handsome carry-case holding four bottles.

Casings are finished in pearl white or black leather – either ostrich or calf – with the silver font on the labelling drawing the eye to the smooth,

polished rims of the aluminium trim of the case.

The sparkling wine – prepared methode traditionelle and originating from an international, award-winning estate in Stellenbosch – ranges from a 2003 Cuvée Brut Royale to a 2007 Brut, and also a beautifully coloured 2007 Brut Rosé. These wines were chosen for their quality alone, and the novel presentation of Diamant Classique should not lead one to believe for even a moment that it plays second fiddle to the precious stones inside each bottle. Brandon Kerzner quipped: “My old man and his connoisseur friends did a blind tasting for us and chose this sparkling wine over some well-known international brands. Now that should tell you something.”

The diamonds range between a .25 carat, a .50 carat, and a 1.0 carat, with the vintages priced at R1,890, R6,585, and R28,000 respective to the carat weights. For more momentous occasions, diamonds of over 1.0 carats can be custom ordered from Diamant Classique. Guaranteed conflict-free, each diamond represents about a 30 percent discount to its retail value, and rests inside a delicately crafted,

stainless steel pendant. And that lucky lady across the table need not fish it out of her glass with the sushi chopstick, as it is ready to grace her neck immediately and until such time as she decides to have it re-set as she chooses.

Bond and Kerzner see a great future for this amalgamation from Africa’s best. And we would have to agree. There is no finer choice for foreign visitors than to take a bottle of Diamant Classique home with them. On local shores, why not celebrate our African origins when the bubbly comes out? But perhaps the biggest dream of it all, in typical Kerzner fashion – wellgrounded and capable of delivery – Brandon’s own social and career circles make him a firm believer that their product will become the taste of the mega-spending local and international scene. Sparkling wine, bling and African roots all in one.

Move over Euro-brands, here comes Africa’s finest.  For more information, contact Ryan Bond: • Tel: +27 82 555 7008 • Tel: +27 21 433 1732 • Email ryan@diamantcapclassique.com

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Where Luxury Docks

25 - 27 FEBRUARY 2010 Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

The world’s most beautiful ocean vessels, at the region’s most stylish boat show.

Headline Sponsor

Associate Sponsor

Organised by

Conference Partner

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces

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To visit and for information contact The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show Tel: +971 4 3365161 Email: info@abudhabiyachtshow.com Web: www.abudhabiyachtshow.com

Art

SPIRIT

on Wheels

Rolls-Royce Wholly Ghost Tour

Words: TANYA GOODMAN Images: © GALLO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES; ROLLS-ROYCE

P

ossessing a piece of art and history on wheels can be thrilling. But why leave that classic beauty in the garage, only to be polished and primed for a Sunday afternoon drive? There are some whose passion for their RollsRoyce Silver Ghost is taken beyond the bounds of the ordinary as they successfully merge their desire for exhilarating experiences with a great sense of adventure.

These are the few owners from around the world who, from time to

time, gather in a spectacular part of the world, ship their beloved cars to meet them there, and then embark on a road trip to beat all road trips. This year, South Africa was graced by the presence of some 22 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, whose owners came from more than eight countries, to experience our glorious landscape from behind the wheel of these grand old dames.

Included in the tour were enthusiasts from England, Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Portugal, and Monaco.

This was the second Silver Ghost Association of America's “Wholly Ghost Tour” of South Africa (the first was in 1999). Starting in Durban and then travelling through Swaziland and into the Drakensberg, the tour made its way through the Karoo and then down the Garden Route for a final stop in Cape Town. Participants were treated to local hospitality, staying over at luxury game lodges, exclusive resorts and in small historical towns along the route.

The sight of an open vehicle of this heritage and styling rambling

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through the sugarcane fields of KwaZulu-Natal or climbing the steep mountain passes, taking in the breeze, must surely have been quite something for those in rural villages en route to see. Not a typical sight for the big city either. Imagine a row of classic Rolls-Royces lined up on the streets of Graaff-Reinet and Craddock, rolling through the dusty bushveld in the Eastern Cape, or along the

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magnificent coastal roads at Storms River Mouth or the Knysna Heads, and then parked at the southernmost tip of Africa – Cape Agulhus. Of course, no trip like this would avoid the lush vineyards of Franschhoek or the dramatic scenery and beaches of the Mother City. Averaging no more than 240 kilometres a day, those on the Wholly Ghost Tour saw the best of the best of South Africa from a remarkable vantage point, and with a panache not often experienced in today’s fastpaced world.

The Silver Ghost holds a special place in Rolls-Royce history. It was the car that gave Rolls-Royce the claim to fame of making the "best car in the world" – a phrase coined not by themselves, but by the prestigious publication Autocar in 1907. More than 6,000 Silver Ghosts were built between 1907 and 1925, and sold throughout the world. The majority are still in good running order, as this South African expedition proved.

According to Rolls-Royce, the Silver Ghost name was born when then-Managing Director, Claude Johnson, silver plated the fittings of a

40/50hp six-cylinder Rolls-Royce and painted the coachwork silver. Making an immediate impact, the car quickly became known as The Silver Ghost, reflecting the car’s virtual silent running as well as its appearance. The name was later adopted for all the 40/50hp cars manufactured between 1907 and 1925. The original Silver Ghost, registered AX-201, competed in the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial, for which it won the gold medal in its class for hill climbing speed and reliability. In that same year, the Silver Ghost went on to break the world record for a non-stop motor run, covering a London-to-Glasgow route 27 times, with mileage recorded at some 14,371 miles (23,128 kilometres).

In 2007, Rolls-Royce produced a limited edition, named Phantom Silver, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Silver Ghost. The special model, of which only 25 were made, pays homage to one of the most famous automotive names of all time. One wonders whether these masterpieces might not, once again, be touring the coast of Southern Africa one hundred years from now. 

F E AT U R E

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S PA R K L E

Handbags Classic, Collectible from Judith Leiber

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merican luxury brand Judith Leiber is affiliated with elegance, style and sophistication. Each product is executed with meticulous attention to detail and flawless handcraftsmanship. A Judith Leiber creation, while it is on the cutting edge of high fashion, will remain a timeless classic.

Spanning a career that started in 1963, Judith Leiber has created more than 3,000 different handbag designs.

She fashioned her first minaudière in 1967, quite by accident really, when a shipment of handbag cases was erroneously painted with green spots.

To salvage the stock, Judith resourcefully covered the areas with crystal rhinestones.

Her first masterpiece was in the shape of a chatelaine or drawstring bag, and remained so popular that it is still in production today.

Judith Peto was born in 1921, in Budapest, Hungary. At 18 years of age, she became the first woman

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Words: TONI ACKERMANN Image: © JUDITH LEIBER

accepted into the Hungarian handbag-maker’s guild. During her apprenticeship, Judith mastered every aspect of designing and constructing a handbag – from pattern making and constructing frames to hand-tacking and sewing.

In 1945, she met Gerson Leiber, a Signal Corps sergeant in the United States army in Budapest. They married and moved to New York – Gerson’s hometown. Here, Judith spent many years working for leading New York handbag manufacturers.

In 1963, with the support of her husband, Judith launched her own company.

The first Judith Leiber factory had just four employees alongside whom Judith worked, sharing her expertise.

She remembers, “I made my first line in a grey/green calf, which was not that well received. Nevertheless, I was determined to make my bags as beautiful and as well as I could and not to compromise. I have never swerved from that goal. Never.”

The majority of the 100-plus parts of each handbag are made and assembled by hand. The beading of a single bag takes up to five days to complete, with between 10,000 and 18,000 crystals applied, depending on the design. Judith’s ideas originate from an assortment of sources, though her personal interests, as well as those of her friends, are perhaps her greatest inspiration. Art has always been a strong influence – Asian art in particular, which Judith collects – while her love of gardening led to the asparagus, tomato, watermelon, and rose handbags.

Judith’s work has made a significant contribution to the flair and sophistication of the stylish woman. Like Cartier and Tiffany, these creations have transcended their original function to be regarded as art.

In 1993, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honoured her with a lifetime achievement award, while in late 2008 the New York-based Luxury Institute rated Judith Leiber the most prestigious luxury handbag brand for the second year running.

A Judith Leiber handbag is hailed for its incomparable originality and faultless craftsmanship. These elegant accessories are collected with passion and toted at innumerable events, from presidential inaugural balls to opera opening nights and movie premieres. Leiber bags are in the permanent collections of worldrenowned museums, such as The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Adding to Hollywood’s nearly 50-year love affair with the brand, Leiber’s designs have graced the arm of celebrities including Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Rivers, Beverly Sills, Barbara Walters, Elizabeth Hurley, and Renée Zellweger. And almost every First Lady since Nancy Reagan has carried these custom-made bags to state ceremonies.

The collection is available globally.

Visit www.judithleiber.com for more information. 

F E AT U R E

Shanti

Ananda Maurice Words: TONI ACKERMANN Images: © SHANTI ANANDA MAURICE

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WELL-BEING

Modelled on the same principles that made its award-winning sister spa, Ananda Himalayas, one of the world’s most sought-after retreats, 35-acre Shanti Ananda seeks to recreate the balance of mind, matter and intellect. It does this through its proximity to nature and the ancient processes and philosophies of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta.

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hen my partner and I arrive in a flurry of too much hand luggage, the quiet calm of Shanti Ananda soon hushes us. My breathing eases and my thumping heart slows, I drop my bags and stare across the atrium and straight out to the azure sea. Two attendants wearing red saris with delicate gold beadwork glide across the tiles towards us. They perform a brief ceremony, anointing our foreheads with water and draping Rudraksha beads – said to combat the effects of stress – around our necks.

We are led to our suite, where we don comfy, all-cotton Kurta pyjamas, and step out onto the balcony. Shanti Ananda is positioned in the shadows of jungle-clad mountains along the far-reaching shores of the secluded south coast of Mauritius, and thus we are greeted with a sweeping view of

the untamed shoreline, fringed with dark volcanic rock outcrops and clumps of lush vegetation.

A stay at Shanti Ananda Maurice goes well beyond physical rejuvenation, encompassing all the elements of holistic and stress-free living. In Sanskrit, “Shanti” means peace and “Ananda” means bliss – perfect words to describe this resort, a haven for those seeking a little “me-time.”

The afternoon of our arrival, I have a consultation with the Ayurvedic physician, Dr Mane. We sip aromatic Green Tea as he talks to me about Ayurveda. I listen, rapt, as he details these ideas and principles.

Ayurveda is the science of life: “ayus” meaning life and “veda” meaning knowledge. It is an ancient Indian healing system that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. It is a holistic belief – meaning it treats the person as a whole, not as a collection

of individual parts. The basic Ayurvedic philosophy is that everything in the universe, including us, comprises five elements called Panchamahabhutas together with Tridosha (or bio-energies), which govern our health and determine our physical constitution (or Prakrati).

The five elements include ether, air, fire, water and earth, while the three principle bio-energies are vata, pitta and kapha. Most individuals have a predominant dosha, which determines body type, of which there are seven variations.

Dr Mane takes my blood pressure and checks my pulse. He frowns and shakes his head. I sit up straighter. He rattles off a list of questions, and I answer yes, no, maybe, sometimes, yes, definitely. “Which personality sounds more like you?” he asks, starting with the first list of characteristics. My smile broadens as he gets further down the list. “This person is emotional,” he says, “impulsive, compassionate, driven.”

He is describing me to a tee. “They worry a lot, and their minds are hyperactive – always thinking, always busy.” After more questions he seems satisfied and announces that I am a pitta-vata dosha. He tells me I need to manage my stress, take time to relax and meditate. And he advises me to breathe more. He suggests a grounding scrub followed by an aromatherapy massage to help me relax and ease muscle tension, insists

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that I attend the morning yoga class to learn breathing techniques, and recommends an Ayurvedic session. I am to start my treatment immediately.

I soon find myself lying on a marble table, damp from a quick shower, natural light flooding the room and the fragrance of scented oils hanging on the air. Soft hands sweep across the soles of my feet and I soon understand their suppleness as rough grains of sea salt are rubbed vigorously along my feet, calves and thighs. My back is next, and before long I am flipped over and the procedure repeated from toe to top.

When I leave about an hour later I feel invigorated, tingly and alive. The therapist leads me through the sedate spa complex to another treatment room, this one dark and warm. I am looking forward to this aromatherapy massage, which will see carefully blended essential oils and pressure point massage techniques work tension from my muscles and aid lymph drainage. The ritual involves lightly washing my feet, which the petite therapist does on bended knees before breathing an incantation to begin the session. The aroma of the oils is floral, sweet and heavy, but not unpleasantly so. My muscles start to supple up as the pressure of the therapist’s hands increases.

I drift off as she reaches the left thigh, and wake myself with an awkward snore as she reaches the right one. The massage seems to last forever, and I doze off several more times, numbed into an altered state of awareness by the evenly measured strokes.

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At Shanti Ananda, complimentary activities do not include water sports or golf games – though these can be arranged – but rather early-morning, noon and sundown yoga sessions, meditation sittings, Vedanta lectures, nature treks, and fitness classes. An elaborate dark marble and granite infinity pool is the centre point of the property’s two restaurants, Pebbles and Da Maurizio, and the lounge bar, Red Ginger. Between treatments, guest flit from these to the crystalblue sea.

That evening at dinner, I follow the physician’s advice and order off the Ayurveda menu for pitta body types. My meal is a cappuccino of mushroom soup followed by buckwheat pasta with tomato, olives, parmesan cheese and porcini mushrooms, and rounded off with a eucalyptus jelly dessert. I sleep peacefully and wake feeling well. We jog to the spa’s yoga pavilion for an hour of Shanti yoga. It is the first time either my partner or I have done yoga, and I giggle as he tries to turn himself into a pretzel and chant his “ohms.”

He returns the favour by chuckling as I struggle awkwardly to bend my knees, yoga-style, to rest my feet cross-legged on top.

After breakfast I return to the spa for my abhyanga treatment, a synchronised whole body massage performed by two therapists using Shanti’s dosha-specific oil blends – pitta-vata in my case. I am nervous, as this treatment requires I slip on some seriously scanty panties and lie otherwise naked on the wooden table.

About five minutes into the session

this shyness disappears, and I relish the warm oils and deft movements.

Yesterday’s aromatherapy massage holds nothing against the sensation of four hands simultaneously kneading the width of my back, rolling up my arms, twisting across my back, springing over my buttocks (nimbly whipping off said scanty panties), tracking the length of my legs down to my feet, and cracking the knuckle of each toe in completion. I am flipped over onto my back and the therapists pull their hands across my shoulders, round my neck and trace a figure of eight over my chest. Superlatives fail me... The pair do this for the better part of an hour before sitting me upright and helping me into a scorching steam shower. My skin turns pink and I’m sure what I feel is a year’s worth of pent-up toxins seeping from my pores. I don’t recall ever feeling this good. I spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with a serene smile fixed to my face, the blissful sense of calm not budging.

Three days at Shanti Ananda mean we only skimmed the surface of what the resort has to offer, and the good that can come from a solid, stringent programme of Ayurvedic treatments coupled with a diet suited to your body type, and daily lifestyle lectures. A minimum of five days is recommended, though most guests stay an average of 14, and the lucky ones, as many as 21.  Contact Shanti Ananda Maurice: • Tel: +230 603 7200 • Email: info.maurice@shantiananda.com • Visit: www.shantiananda.com

F E AT U R E

Broderick Marine Top in Each Class

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A Z I M U T C O B A L T M A S T E R C R A F T

Words: CHARL DU PLESSIS Images: © AZIMUT; MASTERCRAFT; COBALT

T

here is a class outfit some 45 minutes from the financial heartland of Johannesburg. At the stylish Riviera on Vaal Hotel, in a showroom 500 metres from the marina, Broderick Marine presents boating enthusiasts with a series of boats and yachts that represent the absolute top of the range in each class. Fly in the chopper, play a round of golf, or slip away from your company’s conference at the Riviera to let John Broderick and Mike Friedman take you out on the water to see what boating is all about.

Formerly known as Broderick Sports and now Broderick Marine, this company has a long and solid history among in-land watersport enthusiasts for supplying quality crafts and service. Over the past years though, with a growing demand for more expensive upper-end boats on the Vaal, the brains behind this company travelled the world to secure the agencies for at least three awardwinning series of boats, for in-land and coastal use.

At the absolute upper-end, Broderick Marine is the Southern African agent for the Azimut series of Italian power yachts. Azimut is one of the most desired and awarded yacht

ranges on the international yachting scene. Its beautiful yachts can be seen in every marina of note – Monte Carlo, Cannes, Abu Dhabi, Malta, Majorca, St Tropez, Porto Cervo, Rhodes Island, and Bimini. Closer to home, Broderick has delivered Azimuts to the Seychelles, Mauritius and recently to Fort Lauderdale.

The Azimut/Benetti Group celebrated its 40th birthday in 2009 by launching eight new yachts, of which the Leonardo 100 is the largest, and breaking with some traditional style elements when launching the beautiful Magellano 74. Other new models introduced to make waves in the yachting fraternity include the Azimut 38, Azimut 40S, Azimut 53, Azimut 72S, Azimut 78, and Azimut 88. The Magellano is a medium-range yacht as pleasing to the eye as any Azimut, yet it shows its roots in the explorer idiom. Its adventurous name notwithstanding, the finishes on this yacht are intended for maximum style and comfort in the finest Italian yachting mould.

For serious buyers in this multimillion-Rand range, Broderick Marine can arrange site visits and tests in Italy, or even set up a summer charter where the prospective owner can really get a feel for the yacht

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before taking the plunge and investing in his own.

Locally, Azimut clients have come up with many variations to make the Azimut lifestyle part of their week.

Corporate ownership on the Vaal has allowed owners to schedule team incentives, corporate planning sessions, and client entertainment

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within a short distance from headquarters, enjoying lazy cocktails watching the end of day on the calming waters of the Vaal.

Moving across the Atlantic, Broderick Marine secured the rights to the Cobalt series of runabouts and yachts. The ideal day-boat, the Cobalt pedigree is that of a robust and

powerful boat that leaves onlookers gaping. In terms of customer satisfaction, Cobalt has walked away – eight years in a row – with first place in the JD Powers & Associates’ Boat Competitive Study. The Cobalt is a spacious boat, and the larger models can be used as overnighters. The creative use of space for the cockpit and entertainment area means that Cobalt owners live their boats large, with nothing on local waters to compare to what they are putting in the water. The boat abounds with solid and innovative engineering, looking like a seagoing Lexus with its upscale appointments and attention to detail. Prices range from the mid R500,000s up to R5.5 million.

For real in-the-water action, Broderick Marine imports Tennessebuilt Mastercraft. For more than 30 years, Mastercraft has toiled at only one thing: to build the world’s best ski, wakeboard and luxury performance powerboats. The secret of a good wake lies in the hull design, and the hulls of Mastercraft’s X series are legends in their own right among this acrobatic bunch. Built for power, manoeuvrability and big air from the perfectly engineered wake, one can invite friends out for a day of hard play and then kick back in comfort when it is time to retell the stories of the day’s best wakes and wipe-outs.

The Prostar and Maristar ranges add power and size to make it a family affair, while the Saltwater range is robust enough to take out off the coast. Recently launched is the new MC300, a magnificent 30-foot day cruiser that will take your breath away. Safety is designed into every Mastercraft. To wakeboard behind or simply cruise in a Mastercraft is to gain the bragging rights of an awardwinning team. Boat prices range from the R500,000s up to R4 million.  Contact: • Mike Friedman: +27 82 801 7065 • John Broderick: +27 83 629 2835

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17 Soetdoring Avenue, Bassonia, Johannesburg, 2061 | Phone: +27.11.432 0075 | Fax: +27.11.432 0502 | Email: info@blueskysat.com | Web: www.blueskysat.com

F E AT U R E

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Kiids

MINI-CHIC

Boutique Pint-Sized Style

Words: INGRID KENMUIR Images: © KIIDS BOUTIQUE

O

pened in September 2009 in Little Chelsea, Wynberg, Kiids Boutique is a new children’s store where style and quality do not have to be compromised. Owned by Lisa Korver, the Boutique specialises in all things children and is a place for parents to have fun shopping with, and for, their youngsters – from clothes and linen to furniture and toys, all sourced from high-end European designers.

Kiids Boutique is as much an escape as it is an enjoyment, and shopping here will not be frenetic or rushed. Children can sit together and play on bean bags or draw while moms and dads, grannies and aunties take a break from their shopping to grab a bite to eat at the restaurant, Dutch, or stop for flowers at Alison’s Flowers.

According to Lisa, the in-store excitement is almost tangible, with some parents fighting the urge to have babies all over again. “Grandmothers are spoiling their grandchildren, mothers are happy to get their hands on these beautiful products, and friends are thrilled to be able to purchase something funny or

distinctive – even if it’s a pair of baby booties that say ‘dancing feet’ on the undersoles,” she says.

Having lived abroad for several years and taken many trips to Europe, Lisa has always been on the lookout for fun, interesting, functional, and different must-have products and designers. Experience has taught her that there are a lot of money-wasting products on the market and she firmly believes that, as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for.

Petit Bateau, from France, is one of the most famous baby ranges on offer at Kiids, with Snooze Baby, Bam Bam, Kartell, Vitra, Kids on Roof and Lodger also on the list. “These are smart toys; practical and specialist,” she says.

When it comes to designing for children, certain elements are favoured over others – functionality, convenience and ease of cleaning, for example. She says: “Don’t over style it – it’s not worth it. In their rooms kids need to be able to sleep, play and just be.” Lisa is looking at a fantastic new local supplier, and will be introducing two new brands in January.

“The first – Noppies, is a casual but funky clothing range,” she says.

“The second is Happy Horse, a range

of soft toys with attitude. It’s all very exciting.”

The first store of this kind in South Africa, Kiids Boutique has thus far been very well received. “Parents were in need of something different for their children, and there was not much variety or ease of access to top European brands. We specialise in making these brands available locally.

It is rewarding to see customers walk into the store, recognise a particular brand and exclaim, ‘It’s about time these came to South Africa’. Even though the store opened during a challenging economic time, people still like to spend money on their babies and children,” she says.

Next year will see Lisa identifying stores in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, which will act as retailers to some of these top designer brands. They won’t all be children’s stores; some might be designer stores, but each will identify the range best suited to their clientele, and carry appropriate stock. Plans are underway to launch a Johannesburg Kiids Boutique as well. For more information contact +21 762 8935, email lisa@kiids.co.za, or visit www.kiids.co.za. 

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ased out of St Imier, Switzerland, since 1832, watchmaker Longines, with its signature winged hourglass emblem, can look back on more than 175 years of non-stop craftsmanship, not to mention a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports, and as collaborator with a number of different international sports federations.

On the strength of its long experience in timing, Longines has designed a timepiece that pays tribute to the various timing mechanisms developed during the company’s rich and extensive history.

Named the Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph, this model houses a brand new calibre whose exclusive development by ETA was mandated and financed by Longines and other brands within the Swatch Group.

This self-winding chronograph movement has a column wheel which drives the mechanism that measures periods of time – a technical device used by the famous St Imier brand since 1878.

The company first started manufacturing timing equipment in 1878 with the launch of a simple 20 line chronograph; reference number 20H, which had a column wheel (covered by a washer) that governed the chronograph mechanism.

Following Longines’ progression into the field of timing, almost all the measuring equipment they devised used this same principle. Calibres for pocket chronographs made by Longines, such as the 19CH (1889), the 19.73 (1887), the 19.73N (1909), and the 19.73N with a split-seconds function (1922); the 18.72 (1929) or the 24 line calibre intended specifically for sports timing (1939); and movements for the brand’s wrist-chronographs, such as the 13.33Z (1913), the famous 13ZN (1946) or the 30CH (1947) thus all

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incorporated column-wheel systems for controlling and activating the chronograph functions.

These functions varied according to the specific calibre. This collection of timing equipment formed the foundation for the brand’s extensive involvement in timing and the world of sport. The mechanical, columnwheel chronograph thus became a traditional and authentic technical device at Longines, and the new Column-Wheel Chronograph model continues this horological heritage into the 21st Century.

Fitted with 27 jewels, the L.688.2 movement is a self-winding calibre with a diameter of 30 millimetres and a height of 7.90 millimetres. The blued steel column wheel controls the chronograph functions (start, stop, return to zero) and is part of a work of art that is a stylish update of a traditional technique. Beyond its sleek design, the L.688.2 calibre is an inspiring creation designed specifically to meet today’s timing demands.

To house this brand-new, exclusive movement, the watch maker has chosen classic and elegant lines reminiscent of the timepieces that contributed to its success during the 1900s. The Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40 millimetres that houses the L.688.2 calibre, whose intricate workings can be admired through the transparent case back.

The gold-plated Dauphine-style hands are mounted on top of a silvered dial featuring gold-plated applied hour symbols, a small second hand at 9 o’clock, a 30-minute continuous action counter at 3 o’clock, and a 12-hour continuous action counter at 6 o’clock.

The features of the Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph, combined with its simple, elegant and timeless design, make this a contemporary watch that echoes the great tradition of mechanical timing. 

Longines

The Column-Wheel Chronograph Words & Images: Š SWATCH GROUP

F E AT U R E

Aston

Martin

Rapide 4-Door

R

ecently, at the 63rd Frankfurt Motorshow, Aston Martin unveiled one of the most eagerly awaited cars of 2009: the elegant Rapide.

As the marque’s first fourdoor production sports car, Rapide encapsulates the Aston Martin core values of power, beauty and soul, and offers the engaging driving experience expected of this make of motorcar.

Four “swan wing” doors provide access to cosseting sports seats both front and rear, giving occupants ample accommodation. Rapide’s rear environment has been intelligently packaged to create a space where passengers feel a part of the driving experience with clear views to the front and sides. Comfort and support are supplied in the form of two hand-

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trimmed individual seats and a personal face-level heating and airconditioning system.

Aiding the practicalities of everyday use, a 301-litre luggage compartment affords generous space for belongings for all four passengers – be they sports bags, golf clubs or sets of skis. The luggage compartment features a movable bulkhead to permit access from the rear cabin, while the rear seats fold flat at the touch of a button to create a level loading space, increasing the luggage compartment to 750 litres.

At the heart of every Aston Martin lies an evocative engine giving effortless power and torque: Rapide features a hand-built 6-litre V12 engine producing 470bhp with peak power delivered at 6,000rpm and 600nm peak torque at 5,000rpm. A

F E AT U R E

Words & Images: © ASTON MARTIN

specifically tuned 6-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission features as standard, allowing the driver to change gear automatically or manually via the steering columnmounted magnesium paddles.

Director of Design, Marek Reichman, who led the in-house team that penned the Rapide, explained their vision: “Like a race horse standing still, you can see its strength and elegance. The shape of Rapide’s rear haunches are muscular, conveying the power that lies beneath, while its low stance produces a commanding look.

There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit. The new double grill gives more presence on the road while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear doors to enhance its lateral proportions in a subtle, yet elegant

way. The car’s purity makes it look right from every angle.”

First shown in 2006 in concept form at the Detroit Auto Show, the Rapide project received an immediate green light from Aston Martin’s new shareholders in mid-2007, following the sale of the marque by the Ford Motor Company. In a little over two years, Aston Martin’s design and engineering team has delivered a new car from the ground up. Rapide has been developed from the “V/H Architecture” platform, which already forms the backbone of Aston Martin’s critically acclaimed line-up: the DBS, DB9 and Vantage ranges.

Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez, says: “Rapide is the culmination of the Aston Martin range of sports cars; a car that seals the revival of a truly admired marque. There is now an

Aston Martin for every taste and for every use. With Rapide, the entire family can enjoy their Aston Martin together in unison, in an invigorating yet comfortable environment, sitting low, with plenty of visibility from every seat and with new levels of comfort, refinement and entertainment.”

First deliveries of the Rapide will commence early in 2010 and will be available globally through Aston Martin’s 125-strong dealership network.  Contact Aston Martin: Sandton: • Tel: +27 11 301 7100 • Email: info@astonmartin.co.za Cape Town: • Tel: +27 21 425 2007 • andrew@astonmartin.co.za Alternatively: • Visit: www.astonmartin.co.za

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F E AT U R E

Becoming a

Global Citizen Words & Image: © LEE CAIRNS; CITADEL

Lee Cairns – Wealth Planner

M

any people have surely stopped over in fascinating cities like Hong Kong, Sydney, London or Toronto, and thought to themselves: “Yes, I could live here.”

You like the idea of becoming a global citizen. What if you and your family had the freedom to taste and experience an international existence – two years here, three years there; a summer here and a winter there?

Let’s assume you and your family have the opportunity to experience life in Hong Kong for three years, living as part of a cosmopolitan and international community with the gateway to the East on your doorstep.

You have a contract with a company in Hong Kong that affords you the living expenses, and off you go.

The problem arises as you realise the income you are earning is insufficient to support the same lifestyle to which you and your family had become accustomed back home.

Your income may be sufficient to support the lifestyle of a Hong Kong citizen considered to be upper class, but it becomes apparent that your lifestyle back home was closer to the upper-end of upper than you had

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previously realised or appreciated.

Where did your dream of being this global citizen start to fall apart?

Before taking the plunge to move to Hong Kong, you had worked out some fairly realistic living scenarios.

You were correct in the assumption that the excellent public transport would mean you would no longer need two cars. However, you grossly underestimated how onerous the taxes – you now being a Hong Kong tax resident – would be. Perhaps you chose the wrong city, but then a conversation with the Barnes family – who decided to take up a similar adventure to Sydney – made you realise that the 45 percent income and CGT tax in Australia is placing an even bigger strain on them. What do you do?

Fortunately you had saved and invested a fair amount of money back home. You decide to bring this money to Hong Kong to provide the extra luxuries required to make life as comfortable as you need it to be. It is a pity you did not do the conversion 12 months before when the exchange rate was much stronger, or thought to invest in an offshore portfolio, which would have preserved the global value of your investments. How long the investments can support this new lifestyle is unclear, but the reprieve from the previously-stressful living environment has made it every bit worthwhile. You will look at the financial situation if, and when, it begins to look as if it is getting out of hand.

The above scenario of living beyond one's means has lead many from riches to rags. So how do you make the dream of becoming a global citizen a reality?

In just three simple steps:

1. Identify your Lifestyle Requirements Once you understand the ongoing living standard requirements you and your family are unwilling to live without, you can start building an investment plan. A sophisticated plan will be able to forecast an amount, in a particular currency, which needs to be achieved to support you and your family’s lifestyle for an indefinite period.

2. Manage your Investment Effectively You have identified the amount needed to sustain your lifestyle, now you need to identify a suitable portfolio structure. It must be designed with the necessary expertise and know-how so to outperform inflation, cost and taxes in the currency required to fund your lifestyle. While a 100 percent allocation to cash savings will prove ineffective, a 100 percent allocation to equities could prove both ineffective and disastrous. Choose an advisor who has both the credentials and proven track-record to help you reach your all-important goals.

3. Live the Dream You have identified an amount needed to sustain your current lifestyle, not only in your current place of existence, but in many an exotic or first-world city. Once you have achieved this goal – one which provides predictability and certainty – you can relax and enjoy life comfortable in the knowledge that the world is your playground.  Contact Lee Cairns at Citadel: • Tel: +27 11 722 7600 • Email: leec@citadel.co.za • Visit: www.citadel.co.za

OUR CLIENT LIST READS LIKE THE WHO’S WHO. BUT WE PREFER

OMcI 15342

NOT TO SAY WHO.

Some might consider our strict policy of discretion a hindrance. After all, advertising would be so much easier if we could mention just a few of our many wealthy and influential clients. But then Citadel has never done anything the easy way. We prefer to do it the right way, which is to be discreet at all times. Not that we’re paragons of virtue.

It’s just that our wealthcare managers can only do their job of providing highly tailored, efficient and effective solutions to our clients if they know about their dreams and ambitions, their families and their lifestyles; all of which requires an atmosphere of openness and trust. It’s an approach that has attracted many people you may have heard of, but not from us. And that’s the way we think it should be.

Port Elizabeth: 041 394 1300 Johannesburg: 011 722-7600 Pretoria: 012 470 2500 Claremont: 021 670 9100 Tyger Valley: 021 940 7200 Durban: 031 560 7000 Citadel is an authorised financial services provider. Member of the

Group.

www.citadel.co.za

F E AT U R E

S

Not Off the

Cuff

Words: INGRID KENMUIR Images: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; ORPHEO TWINS JEWELLERS

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ome people believe that one can trace every significant movement in art through the design of cufflinks. In fact, many consider cufflinks to be, in themselves, miniature works of art.

Historically, these little items predate the dress shirt. According to the National Cufflink Society (yes, a real society headquartered in the United States) evidence of their existence has been found as far back as ancient Egypt, where reference to these accessories exists in hieroglyphics in King Tutankhamen’s tomb. Cufflinks as the modern man knows them, though, were first introduced in the 18th Century and while no one can pinpoint precisely when the cufflink first entered the picture, it made its way into written history in the late 1780s.

Those who collect cufflinks believe that, like most hobbies, this one is addictive and the deeper you get into it, the more interested you become. According to Gene Klompus, who founded the Cufflink Society: “Eventually all collectors graduate to at least a few pairs of ‘special’ cufflinks. Typically, it’s the desire for a solid gold pair, a pair of ‘signature cufflinks’ – a pair that was created by a well-known designer and which bears his or her name, for example – or a pair that carries some nostalgic reference.” He relates the tale of a New York City collector who recently purchased an entire collection just to gain ownership of a pair that once belonged to her movie idol, the late Clark Gable.

Like auxiliary collectibles such as dress sets, tie tacks and cuff buttons, cufflinks have largely been overlooked in the serious world of collecting. As auction track records develop and their popularity increases, cufflinks will surely become more valuable and scarce. The most expensive and, indeed, famous pair of cufflinks sold

CLIP

on auction in 1987 for some US$440,000. Diamonds set in platinum, with baguette-shaped diamonds forming the initials E and W; the set was custom ordered by Wallis Simpson in 1935 as a gift to Edward, the soon-to-be-King of England.

Said J Andy Stinson, fashion historian and author of Iconic Fashion Classics. A Storied History of Fashion: “Double-sided cufflinks communicate an unspoken but mutually recognised savoir faire that instantly identifies one connoisseur to another and their concern for attention paid to the smallest details. Among fashion’s insiders, they signal a grasp of history and a mutually-shared awareness of fashion protocol and sartorial decorum. Collectively, they distinguish the fashion savvy savant from the mediocrity of ‘masses-fashion’.” Cigar Aficionado’s Jack Bettridge echoed this sentiment: “The charm of the cufflink is an understated expression of personality as it peeks from your sleeve. Predictably, the doubled version ups the price, but the payoff for the redundancy is that the cufflink shows all its glory from whatever angle your sleeve is viewed.”

Believed to have come about because men wanted something more elegant to hold their cuffs together than simply ribbons or tape ties, the cufflink was initially a small chain fastened to the end of a button, fed through the holes of the cuff to hold them together. These small, decorative buttons were often made from silver or gold and frequently set with precious stones. An extravagance reserved for the wealthier classes, these were all handmade and distinctly luxurious items.

After several years and numerous industry developments making it possible for cufflinks to be mass produced, their elitism diminished somewhat, and the middle classes took to wearing cufflinks, though

Local designers, Orpheo Twins, create a range of bespoke men's jewellery, including a stunning selection of modern cufflinks. For more information, visit www.orpheotwins.com or call +27 011 325 5048.

they were unable to afford the precious metals, gems or enamel items and opted instead for replicas – fake diamonds or gold-coloured alloys with foil backing.

Nowadays, a person's choice of cufflinks can be small and discreet or large and outrageous, traditional and refined or whimsical and original.

They can express the wearer’s success, social status, religious or political

stance; a favourite indulgence such as poker or cigars; or can be shaped to house a small display case with a minute fishing fly or favourite sporting team's insignia. Though their popularity waxed and waned over the years, as did their exclusivity, it has again increased these past two decades; cufflinks reinstated once more as a classy, collectible addition to a man’s – or women’s – closet. 

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EXECUJET

Unlock the Efficiency of the Skies

Aircraft Charter

Made Easy Words: KEVIN BARKER Image: © EXECUJET

B

uying into aviation has, for many business executives, unlocked the secret to more time, added security and maximum efficiency.

With the recent introduction of its SimplyFly Membership Card, the Execujet Aviation Group has opened the doors to simplified pricing, flexible aircraft usage and total peace of mind.

The card introduces a genuine turnkey solution to getting your business airborne. After consultation with a SimplyFly consultant to assess your ideal mission requirements, which are based on the frequency of flights, the range of destinations that you need to cover, the typical number of passengers and your aircraft preference; your ideal usage package is identified.

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Based on its fleet of more than 40 aircraft in the Southern African region, ExecuJet South Africa offers 25, 50 or 100-hour utilisation packages using your preferred aircraft type (the Primary Aircraft).

The whole process is simple and hassle-free, and tailored to address your business, your budget and your needs. Even if your requirements change, the SimplyFly Membership Card allows flight hours to be traded across the entire Execujet fleet to suit the mission at hand.

Membership encompasses all costs including the aircraft, fuel, crew, flight charges (subject to conditions) and first-class catering.

Fixed costs and priority availability are two treasures hard to find in the corporate charter market and, as a SimplyFly member, should you need to

cancel your flight, only the actual costs incurred up to the time of cancellation are billed. The predefined fixed price for the duration of the membership is another benefit of this programme.

Bookings are made by calling the 24/7 SimplyFly number on the back of the card to confirm the route, expected schedule and any special requirements. ExecuJet then provides you with a flight confirmation document before the flight, and you receive a monthly utilisation report detailing your usage. You see: simple as pie – or should that be fly?  Contact Execujet South Africa: • Tel: +27 11 516 2300 • Fax: +27 11 659 1071 • Email: simplyflycard@execujet.co.za

B1 Western Bypass, Windhoek South, Namibia Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264 (0) 61 205 5911 Fax: +264 (0) 61 205 2797 E-mail: windhoek@legacyhotels.co.za GPS co-ordinates: 22°37’6”S | 17°4’23”E

Namibia 2 Theo-Ben Gurirab Avenue Swakopmund, Namibia Tel: +264 (0) 64 410 5200 Fax: +264 (0) 64 410 5360/1 E-mail: swakopmund@legacyhotels.co.za GPS co-ordinates: 22°40’27”S | 14°31’13”E

F E AT U R E

Fairline Phantom 48 Luxury High-Performance Cruiser

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B O AT I N G W O R L D

T

Words: JESSICA WEBB; FAIRLINE Images: © FAIRLINE

he latest luxury motor yacht to make its way into Boating World’s collection of world-class cruisers is the new Fairline Phantom 48. This “Bentley of the Waterways” is the ideal choice for stylish family cruising along the South African coast. Designed for serious long-distance cruising, it is the perfect boat for adventure and exploration, and comprises both beauty and substance.

The 48 is one of three boats in the Phantom series. The flybridge cruiser concept has proven to be a major success for Fairline, gaining a solid reputation for blending highlyadvanced specifications and elegant design features with thorough seaworthiness and reliability.

Guests board by way of a teakcovered swim platform and steps, finding themselves on a generouslyproportioned entertainer’s cockpit.

They are made acutely aware that this boat has been designed in a sophisticated, contemporary fashion.

With flawless finishes, American white oak interiors, high-quality fabrics and elegant detailing, this is an environment pleasantly suited to relaxation.

This well-appointed luxury cruiser also features large social spaces in the saloon and up on the flybridge, excellent for entertaining in style. The flybridge has a factory-fitted dinner so you can grill your steaks and enjoy beautiful ocean views at the same time.

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The Phantom 48 captures the elusive balance between solid, secure sea-keeping qualities and refined, soft-riding comfort. The Flybridge level very much retains the wind-inyour-face feel of a genuine Europeanstyle sports cruiser, although the wind dodger does well to protect the skipper and guests from the elements.

This spacious and impressive 48 footer provides accommodation for as many as seven people. The master stateroom, featuring an en suite bathroom, is placed amidships, allowing the large, panoramic hull windows to flood the space with light.

The forward stateroom offers topquality accommodation and features an over-sized double bed with upholstered headboard and LCD TV,

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while the starboard cabin has twin Pullman berths, which fold away to provide flexibility and floor space.

The Phantom 48’s performance is also impressive. Owners have a choice of three different engines, namely a twin Volvo Penta D9-575 EVC Shaft Diesel; a twin Volvo Penta D11-670 Shaft Diesel; or a twin Caterpillar C9-575 Shaft Diesel. On testing, the Volvo D9-575 comfortably managed a top speed of 32 knots, though any of these engines guarantee stability and speed, as well as a most enjoyable boat-driving experience.

With its practical design features and thoughtful use of space, the Fairline Phantom 48 is a perfect liveaboard boat ready to meet the demands of extended cruising. It is a great motor yacht on which to spend

plenty of time with seafaring family and friends.

Boating World is the leading importer of top-quality luxury motor yachts. Catering for discerning buyers through sales, exceptional back-up service and brokerage, Boating World offers expert advice as well as the best quality new and preowned products.

Boating World can provide more information on the Fairline Phantom 48 as well as their other fantastic luxury yacht offerings, which include Riviera and Fairline. Boating World has offices in Durban and Cape Town.  Contact: • Tel: 0861 324 754 • Email: info@boatingworld.co.za • Visit: www.boatingworld.co.za

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Riviera

Rendezvous to Dassen Island Words: JESSICA WEBB; RIVIERA Images: © RIVIERA; BOATING WORLD

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B O AT I N G W O R L D

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ix together four high-spirited boat owners and their boats, plus 15 of their most enthusiastic friends; throw in a dash of fine weather and the most perfect, motionless seas, and head for a remote island off the coast of Cape Town and you will find you have the perfect recipe for a splendid weekend getaway.

The uninhabited Dassen Island is formed on a granite base – finegrained tourmaline-granite with a few areas of biotite granite. It is predominantly sandy with patches of exposed rock mainly along the shore.

It is a bird lover’s paradise and home to some 68,000 birds, among them

African penguins, white pelicans, white-breasted cormorants, African black oystercatchers, swift terns, Hartlaub’s gulls, and Leach’s storm petrels. But above all, it is a marvellous destination for those seeking complete tranquillity.

The four boats departed Cape Town’s Granger Bay in the late afternoon for what would be a twohour trip. The small convoy settled into a speed of around 20 knots and those onboard witnessed before them a gorgeous, glassy ocean, while behind them the mighty Table Mountain towered, becoming smaller and smaller as they cruised along. For most of the journey, several whales, closely followed by a school of dolphins, swam lazily alongside the

boats, eliciting excited squeals from those onboard.

The small crowd dropped anchor in a natural harbour on the north of Dassen Island, a spot which offers excellent shelter from the South Easter, and almost no water movement. At just 220 hectares, the Island is small, though its stark wilderness never fails to captivate visitors.

A glass of bubbly in hand, the voyagers were just in time to watch a most spectacular sunset. As darkness fell, all one could see were the mood lights from the four boats. With the Riviera 37's underwater lighting, it was remarkable to observe the many sea creatures beneath the surface of the water. Interestingly, the water here is home to millions of minute sea

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lice, which come to feed off the algae of the boats’ hulls. It is a remarkable phenomenon, as there are only two places in the world where this occurs, Dassen Island being one of them. In days gone by, large sailing ships would anchor here to have their hulls cleaned in this manner, making the vessels much faster through the water.

As morning dawned, the crayfish nets were hauled out and, after just five attempts, enough crayfish – of legal size, mind you – had been caught for an early morning feast.

The crayfish were steamed in white wine, scenting the coastal air

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with the sweetest of smells. What an indulgent treat to enjoy freshlycooked crayfish and white wine for breakfast!

For the traveller who has experienced everything else, a journey to Dassen Island by way of a luxury yacht is a definite must. It combines the best of both worlds – the wildness of the ocean and the raw beauty of the West Coast with the sumptuousness of a Riviera motor yacht; and all just a short hop from the Mother City.

The 37 Riviera model used for the trip has now been replaced by the 2010 Riviera 38. This new and

improved open flybridge is incredibly versatile and lends itself to the task of being a practical fishing vessel while still retaining its tasteful sense of style. It also features a novel innovation inside its saloon, where the lounge suite cleverly converts electronically into a double bed.

If you are interested in discussing expeditions such as this or would like to find out more about the Riviera and Fairline ranges, drop by the Boating World Offices in Cape Town or Durban, or contact Derrick Levy on 0861 324 754, email info@boatingworld.co.za, or visit www.boatingworld.co.za. 

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Hard Materials,

Soft Feelings

The New Rado r5.5

Words: JUSTIN SEIDMAN Images: Š RADO

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r5.5

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or some, design is merely decoration, a superficial layer wrapped around components. For Swiss watch company Rado, however, design is essential; the basis of the world in which we live. An intelligent answer to individual needs, design is the materialisation of a vision, the promise of innovation, a creative progression and the human touch in an otherwise industrial process.

Whereas the trend in haute horlogerie has progressively been inwards – towards more movements and complications – Rado has turned its focus towards remarkable innovations on the exterior. As such, they have introduced new materials like titanium and ceramics, and new lines through the collaboration of established and emerging young designers from outside the watch world. Rado’s concepts and materials are evidence of a relentless quest to test the limits of technology.

The products are the results; the hard proof that humans live to dream – to challenge and to shape the future.

For its latest launch, the r5.5 Collection, Rado turned to Jasper Morisson, a legend in the world of design. His “Super Normal” design philosophy has seen him direct his talents to the reinvention of categories such as sofas, barstools, kitchens, kitchenware, wall clocks and more – the everyday elements with which we surround ourselves. And, in the process, he managed to set both the haute horlogerie and design worlds abuzz; likely placing Rado at the forefront of another

series of international design awards.

The stunning new r5.5 Collection again showcases how Rado is the pioneer in the use of high-tech ceramics in the watch making industry, a position they have proudly held for more than 20 years.

Integration of form has always been a preoccupation for Rado and drawing on its unrivalled knowledge of high-tech materials has allowed them to produce this extraordinary range of timepieces. The watches are unpretentious and unassuming; absolute comfort being the ultimate luxury where the watch becomes one with its wearer. Instinctive and natural: a perfect synthesis of two talents.

With this wistful aesthetic model, Rado lives by their signature. The case exquisitely and expertly fuses into the bracelet and the links gradually reduce so it appears as one; perfectly hugging the wrist. It is a chronograph reduced to the essential: three hands, two counters, and a date at 3 o’clock; all lying under the flat sapphire crystal and activated through the gently-curved ceramic crown. The steel coloured indexes and white luminous hands sparkle together against the sun-brushed black finish of the dial, a continuous entrancing and alluring play of light. Deliberately available in only one size; it is the distinctive square silhouette with curved edges and the measure of the radius that gives the Collection its name.

Captivating and irresistible. Bold and definitive.

Sensual and sophisticated. This is indeed a new design classic; and Swiss made, too. 

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Rado

High-Tech Materials “It all began with a vision unlike any other. There was nothing to see, only a mysterious belief in the power of imagination, our ability to envision a future, then to create it. We began by imagining a surface without flaws. A surface of extreme purity and beauty. In the years to come we sought, and ultimately found, a way to transform this image into the tangible reality of a watch.” – Rado Words & Images: © RADO

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he Vickers scale is used to indicate hardness: the higher a value, the greater the resistance to scratches.

Rado uses several proprietary materials that offer extreme hardness, thereby guaranteeing timeless beauty and brilliance. Rado’s high-tech materials commence at Vickers 1,200 – far higher than gold, steel or platinum. The top value of 10,000 is attributed only to natural diamonds and to the Rado high-tech diamond surface.

High-Tech Ceramics 1,200 - 1,900 Vickers

In the mid-1980s, Rado engineers discovered a high-tech ceramics substance that had not been used in the watch industry before. Previously applied in medicine, Formula One motor racing, and on the Space Shuttle’s heat shield, Rado’s application of this material led to the iconic Rado Ceramica watch. The raw material is ultra-fine zirconium-oxide or titanium-carbide powder with a grain size of approximately 1/50th of the diameter of a human hair. The pre-shaped forms are heated in a special Verneuil furnace at a temperature of 1,450 ºC. Depending

on the surface desired, the individual elements are polished, given a satin finish or further decorated.

Hardmetal 1,400 – 1,700 Vickers

In 1962, Rado astounded the world with its first scratchproof hardmetal watch. Initially used as a tool in industry, hardmetal drills can penetrate the Earth’s crust without suffering any damage. Tungstencarbide powder is the basis of this legendary material. Numerous steps follow before the unmistakable Rado brilliance is created by polishing the surface with diamond powder.

Sapphire Crystal 1,900 - 2,200 Vickers

A key design feature of all Rado watches is their use of high-tech sapphire crystals. Convex, domeshaped or faceted, they emphasise the watches’ seamless continuity of bracelet, case and glass. Sapphire is manufactured industrially, based on ultra-fine aluminium-oxide powder crystallised in the Verneuil furnace at 2,150 ºC to form a single sapphire nugget. Each nugget is cut into disks with diamond saws, then calibrated, faceted and polished in a fourweek process.

High-Tech Lanthanum 2,300 – 3,200 Vickers

The Lantano watch’s high-tech lanthanum takes its name from a metal found in Western Australia,

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Central Africa and Brazil. With only 200 pieces made, they are rare beauties. At 3,200 on the Vickers scale, high-tech lanthanum is one of the hardest materials in existence.

The raw material is first cleaned, refined and pulverised. Rado’s hightech lanthanum is then created by mixing lanthanum boride with boron carbide. The metal is subjected to extremely high pressure and brought to its final form in the sintering furnace at temperatures over 1,600 °C. The final polishing with diamonds, which takes several hours, gives Rado high-tech lanthanum its mysterious radiance and deep purple colour.

High-Tech Diamond 10,000 Vickers

For years it was Rado’s dream to create the ultimate value in hardness: 10,000 Vickers. After decades of research, they use advanced nanotechnology to create the hardest watch in the world. By recreating the atmosphere of the planet Jupiter in the Verneuil furnace, Rado made it possible for a chemical mixture to create and accelerate the growth of particles into a thin coating of high-tech diamonds on hardmetal components, effectively transforming carbon into nanocrystalline diamond. 

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MAGNIficent Magni Gyroplanes

If you’re born with avgas running through your veins, gyroplanes are the only way to fly, even if you have to fly 747s for a living.

Words: BUTCH BROWN Images: © KEVIN BARKER; iSTOCKPHOTO.COM

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our first flight in a Magni M22 Voyager is always unforgettable. The wind is pumping and the temperature is rising, you’re strapped in and wondering how the hell you landed up in the passenger seat in the first place.

The pilot has given you the run-down on how safe gyros are, so now he starts the engine, does the checks, winds up the rotor and off you go.

White-knuckled you sit behind this “aviation lunatic” only to find

that the gyro gently lifts off and heads for the clouds. Peering down you realise that this machine really performs; the gyro has climbed quickly without you even noticing.

The pilot levels off and you cannot believe how stable the flight is. (What happened to the wind?) The visibility is fantastic with a horizontal arc of around 270 degrees. You look straight up through the rotor and see the blue sky above. Looking down at the landscape below as it whizzes by gives you a sense of freedom. This is not flying in the earthly sense. This is how you fly in your dreams.

Reality strikes as the gyroplane is pulled into a steep turn. You feel the Gs forcing you into the seat. You hear the rotor beating like a helicopter as the blade speed shoots over 400rpm (rotor tip speed is 650km/h). Your body is pumping more adrenaline than the twin altitude compensating carbs are pumping fuel. You’re hoping the pilot doesn’t go crazy and make use of the turbo charger.

As quickly as it started, you suddenly find the gyro at zero forward speed and descending vertically under full control. This is enough to make a

The Voyager is not only a high performance gyro but also a docile pussycat, as this is the touring model of the Magni gyroplane stable.

With an 80-litre fuel tank and 150 litres of baggage area, not to mention a full fuel load translating into a 500-kilometre range of blissful flying, the Voyager is an ideal plane for safaris off the beaten track.

It is not just the take-off or the flight itself that are exhilarating and memorable, landing is the next unforgettable experience. The approach speed is 97km/h with a to-die-for "ground rush." Just when you think your final hour has arrived, the pilot moves the control stick gently backwards, landing like a feather and stopping in 10 short metres. This is where you leap out with the biggest smile ever, tell everybody how fantastic the flight was, and run for your cheque book.

“Gotto have me one of these.”

The Magni range starts at €22,500 for the single seater M18 Spartan and tops out at €53,900 for the M22 Voyager (excluding special options, freight and VAT). If you are interested in doing flight training, it takes 25

fixed-wing pilot reach for his parachute. Of course, most fixedwing pilots don’t know the rotor acts as a kind of parachute for the gyro anyway. The control stick is moved gently forward and the airspeed picks up to 96km/h, as the pilot levels off and opens the throttle smoothly, sending the M22 Voyager into a cruise speed of 150km/h.

hours to become qualified, with lessons costing R25,000 (or R7,500 if using your own gyro).  For more information on lessons or purchasing a craft, contact Magni Gyro SA: • Tel: +27 11 753 2261 or +27 11 754 1115 • Email: gyrosa@mweb.co.za • Visit: www.magnigyro.it

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Montblanc Trusted for Centuries There are pens, yes, and then there are the gems of the writing culture which those in the know prefer to call “writing instruments.� For centuries, the Montblanc pen has been, and still remains, an expression of the individual taste and style of its owner.

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anguage and writing are the foundations of civilisation and culture.

Enlightening experiences and exciting discoveries have to be recorded before they can be built on and developed.

Knowledge, ability and will transcend the individual and define the cultures of mankind. It is thanks to the creation of writing that culture and art are expressed in a virtually inexhaustible diversity of forms.

Hamburg-based Montblanc has long been held in the highest esteem by collectors and connoisseurs for its

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Words: CARL MARKS Images: Š MONTBLANC

delicate designs and creative special editions. Its embeddedness in the field of writing has inspired Montblanc to make a special commitment to cultural advancement and the company therefore promotes many different international activities that each contribute in their own way to the cultural life of society. In a world where our fingers have grown more accustomed to QWERTY keyboards and rapid-fire thought, the timeless feel of a Montblanc pen between your fingers gives pause for the thoughtfulness on which our enlightened culture has been built.

One such endeavour is the Young Artist World Patronage project, which gives upcoming artists a platform from which to present their name and talent to a broader public and the international art scene. The concept is to have more than 330 Montblanc boutiques worldwide act as a gallery and simultaneously exhibit a single artist's work for a period of almost six weeks. The common theme for the artworks is the creative interpretation of the world famous Montblanc emblem. The individual "star" works are reproduced and exhibited in the Montblanc boutique windows.

SCRIPT

Montblanc Limited Edition 2009: Thomas Mann

These original artworks become part of the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection – one of the various Montblanc initiatives to support contemporary art and demonstrate the brand's commitment and contribution to art and culture. Since 2004, Montblanc has presented 18 young artists from all over the world.

Each Montblanc model or edition has a story worth telling – one of the reasons why people are so easily captivated. The Bohème Collection comes in combinations of black resin, platinum, precious gold metals, precious white metals, and diamonds.

The most jewelled Bohème fountain pen is set with 1,430 brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of approximately 15 carats. The barrel and cap are made of 18-carat white gold and the clip is crowned with a paramount-cut diamond. The Greta Garbo Collection, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the famous star’s

birth, is made of black and cream coloured precious resin featuring an Akoya pearl and Garbo's signature. The Marlene Dietrich Special Edition captures the soul, charisma and beauty of this acclaimed actress of the golden age of Hollywood.

Who would better represent the world of the written word than famous authors? For this reason, Montblanc presents an annual Limited Writer’s Edition that has included literati legends like Oscar Wilde, Voltaire, Alexandre Dumas, Dostoevsky, Edgar Allan Poe, Proust, Schiller, Charles Dickens, Jules Verne, Scott Fitzgerald, and George Bernard Shaw.

Montblanc might be best known for their writing instruments, yet they also carry highly fashionable ranges of watches, jewellery, leather products, fragrances and other luxury items.

For a review of all their offerings, visit www.montblanc.com. 

Every year Montblanc pays tribute to those great writers whose contributions have ascended the ranks of world literature, interpreting the lives, spirits and works of these outstanding authors.

In 2009, the genius of Thomas Mann was honoured, acknowledging one of Germany’s greatest novelists and essayists. Mann gained worldwide renown with his epic Buddenbrooks, a 20th Century masterpiece that garnered him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929.

Later works, including Magic Mountain and Death in Venice established his role as one of Europe’s most noted authors and intellectuals.

The Thomas Mann Limited Edition is inspired by the age of artistic creativity in which Thomas Mann lived: the art deco era.

Featuring a cap and barrel made of black precious lacquer with multilayer inlays and platinumplated fittings, this unique interpretation aims to symbolise the different relationships between the characters of Buddenbrooks by using a stark contrast in colours and materials.

The fountain pen boasts a rhodium-plated, 18-carat-gold nib, delicately engraved with the Buddenbrook house, Mann’s birthplace in Lubeck, Germany.

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Functional

Design

Algae and the Vegetal Chair – Bouroullec Brothers

the Old-Fashioned Way Box in Red, White and Blue – Bouroullec Brothers

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rom London to Tokyo, Stockholm to Milan, Barcelona to Paris; the world of design continues to grow, without following a single, overriding trend but rather, developing as creatives and buyers see fit. Established names, new collectives and fresh talent straight out of design school all contribute to this whirlwind of ideas. A recent trend, however, is a return to functionalism – a concept that was cast aside in the late sixties – but which is now seen as a powerful weapon for combating overconsumption and promoting sustainable development through high-quality, practical, enduring products.

In this, the 21st Century, this design vision incorporates timeless

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Words: INGRID KENMUIR Images: © WALTER GUMIERO; PAUL TAHON; R & E BOUROULLEC; MARC EGGIMANN

forms, extreme simplicity and, of course, the concept of sustainable development. A return to the precepts of “good design and form” is now a given, and designers and labels concentrate on creating liveable spaces that rethink form in terms of function. They take great care to treat pieces of furniture as what they are: useful, attractive, household objects.

While there are plenty of international designers trying it, only a handful seem to be getting this right: Tom Dixon, Konstantin Grcic, Jasper Morrison and brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.

Tom Dixon feels that the contemporary furniture market is “totally outdated.” To remedy this, and move in the direction of increased environmental consciousness, he

proposes “encouraging people to consume less” and to become more aware of their consumption patterns.

His new collection, Back to Basics – Utility, uses the most fundamental, even primitive, materials to convey the value of longevity, durability and substance in spare, pared-down furniture. Dixon is also working on a “luminous” collaboration with Veuve Clicquot.

Konstantin Grcic has held a strong presence on the international design scene since 2001. He takes an uncomplicated, practical approach to his work, describing his aesthetic as “simple.” His pieces are unfussy; modest, though often incorporating complex technical features. What distances him from minimalism, however, is his work on the concept of

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functionality in human terms through a combination of extreme design rigour with a remarkably sharp mind and a great sense of humour. Ever the thoughtful optimist, Grcic sees the current economic crisis as an opportunity to implement radical decisions and change people’s lifestyles – for the better – with design playing a key role.

“My guiding principle is: no waste!” says British designer, Jasper Morrison. Morrison, who shares Dixon’s beliefs on usability, is the leading proponent of “Super Normal”

that are practical to say the least. The pair designs for numerous manufacturers, including Vitra, Kartell, Ligne Roset, and Issey Miyake, while still maintaining time for experimental activities essential to the development of their work.

French designer and architect Philippe Starck says he does not see the point in creating products that end up being useless, expensive and a danger to society. He claims he has never understood those designers attempting to become artists, arguing that the items they produce are costly,

Swiss Chalets is situated in the quiet area in the eastern part of Windhoek.

Our accommodation offers you comfortable rooms equipped with aircons, safe, minibar, dvd player and with more than 70 DSTV channels on a LCD tv.

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Garden with pool, spa bath, BBQ, bar and lapa as well as secure parking, laundry services, wireless internet, car rental and airport transfers are available.

Our rates include a buffet breakfast: Double roomN$ 600.00 per day Family roomN$ 800.00 per day

We speak English & Portuguese

Bac Armchair, Cappellini and Basel Chair – Jasper Morrison

design, and supports the creation of ageless objects as a way of combating waste and promoting sustainability.

His approach has won the approval of several furniture houses, particularly now that sustainable development has become necessary as well as fashionable. This year, Morrison is collaborating with Magis, Flos and Cappellini on new products.

Brothers Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec are freelance designers with an aptitude for creating items that are straightforward and intelligent. They are innovative, and distinguish themselves for the way they combine analytical clarity with technical understanding. Their pieces are functional, ranging from uncomplicated items such as a box on which to rest one’s television set, to entire office furniture arrangements

unnecessary things. Thus, he advocates that when creating an object, designers should always focus on the way in which its use can meet the daily needs of others. Giving a lecture recently, in Florence, Italy, Starck told his students to develop objects “with a spirit of service towards the people,” so as to help create an easier and more satisfying daily life.

While a functional design ethos certainly takes seriously the principles of reducing consumption and privileging the efficient use of resources, this by no means translates into mundane pieces of furniture. In fact, most products are not only comfortable and practical but are aesthetically pleasing and a welcome addition to one’s everyday living space, too. 

Contact: Natasha on: +26481 433 3185 PO Box 86484, Windhoek Cnr. Christa Davids and avis road, AVIS Email us on swisscha@iway.na

relaxnature

tranquility

quality style

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Risk Benefit

Solutions

Marine Insurance Specialists

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PEACE OF MIND

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Words: RAJ DEV Images: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

arine insurance is a complex business, and one with endless permutations. Boats, unlike most other motorised craft, are hardly parked in your own lock-up garage at home every night. The standard insurance company who underwrites your home, cars and content may simply not have the requisite experience to assess your marine risk effectively when it comes to your yacht. The most likely result is that they might overprice in order to err on the conservative side. Wouldn’t you too?

Furthermore, people buy yachts in order to be mobile on the water. Not just on the Vaal this weekend, but possibly also setting out on a lifetime dream to sail around the world.

Entering Somalia’s pirate-infested waters, or getting to the roaring forties a week or two too late will add more than adrenaline to the tales you will someday tell.

It is comforting to know that you can hedge against any unforeseen risks by sitting down with a group who have specialised experience in marine insurance, as well as the global reach to underwrite you anywhere in the world. Thinking of mooring the new power yacht in Antibes or Bodrum rather than here at home? You can still get the insurance settled locally with RBS. Lest these exotic locations make you believe that you are not in the same class, fear not. RBS has competitive rates for typical smallcraft insurance, and their knowledge of this market has prompted them to assess risk on details such as the age of the hull, the engines, and even down to the trailer with which you transport your toy. Third-party insurance is included, given the likelihood of one suddenly gaining several new friends once in possession of a boat. And several of the inland waterways do get quite congested on sunny weekends, with an increased possibility of some unforeseen incident that could really spoil your weekend and bank balance

if you had to pick up the tab for someone else’s mess.

South Africa has a vibrant boatbuilding industry, and proudly delivers to global destinations some of the best yachts ever made. For commercial industry incumbents, RBS has developed solutions that cover their facilities and stock, as well as some of the operating risks associated with this trade. When a novice yachtie wants to kick the wheels and take a boat for a test drive, the commercial operator is covered in the event of something going wrong. Trans-Atlantic deliveries to clients, or movement of yachts on land for trade shows, are all negotiable under their goods in transit policies.

Marina insurance tops out the full suite of solutions anyone in this industry will ever require. For the importers of larger foreignmanufactured yachts, import/export insurance has often been arranged for the leading local agents. And stuff does, unfortunately, happen. One local agent saw the very expensive, custominstalled Bose sound system on a client’s yacht mysteriously disappear en route for delivery in Cape Town.

Another, who had imported a yacht so large that it had to perch on top of the containers on a container ship, had to hear that this very expensive yacht took a nose-dive into the ocean during a spell of extremely stormy weather with huge swells. Talk about taking the fun out of your day!

Headed up by Singeon Green, RBS’s Marine Insurance division forms part of a larger group of dynamic insurance brokers, with expertise in corporate, commercial and personal underwriting, as well as wealth and health management instruments. The names behind the company are well known and well respected in the industry, and have assisted RBS Marine in developing solutions that few other local operators can match.

If you are heading anywhere close to the water this summer, get hold of RBS and put your own peace of mind in place from day one. Contact Singeon Green on +27 83 459 6989, or email singeon@rbs.co.za. 

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Caveat

Vendor The Case for Buying Agents

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urchasing property in South Africa hasn't changed much over the last few decades. The market is dominated by only a few brands, which have developed and maintained a system that effectively dictates how buyers purchase property. The traditional process for buying a new house entailed paging through the weekend newspapers’ property

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sections, attending show houses on Sundays, and visiting local real estate offices. The competitive imperative for agencies, however, has always remained the same: to list as much of the stock as possible. The buyers will come.

“He who controls the stock controls the market.” Every realtor has this drummed into them and, until recently, this was very much the case. Prior to the recession, buyers

bought at will, good stock, bad stock – it didn't matter so long as they didn't miss the boat. It was so easy to sell property you could almost do it yourself. In most cases, buyers bought stock sold by agents who had only one mandate: to look after the seller’s needs.

Agents will tell you that they balance the act of looking after both the buyer and the seller. To a degree, there is logic in this, or the system

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Words: SEAN BIDEN Image: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

would not have functioned as well as it did for as long as it did. Ultimately, though, buyers will always question the loyalty of the agent, and no matter how you look at it, the agent will always service the needs of the seller first, as the seller is their signed mandate and the origin of their income after all.

Look at the commitment between the agent and the respective parties.

The agency will sign a mandate with

the seller, spend money photographing the property, take time listing it, and spend considerable money and effort marketing it through the respective channels – all done at risk. The reason for this is simple: if the property is priced correctly it is likely to sell and the agency can bank on a good probability of income derived from the sale. But what do buyers get? No mandate, no resources aimed in their direction – apart from the agent's time and best efforts to find the property best suited to their needs.

Every property transaction requires two parties though: a seller and a buyer. And frankly, no single professional has been looking after the buyer’s interests.

But, over the past three years, times have changed. Newspaper property sections have been replaced by the Internet, which lists far more stock to look at, and from which to choose. Almost too much, actually. But this is still a tool to draw you to an agency, which lists stock as their primary motive. We are seeing so much stock and such a limited number of buyers that the buyer should have become the prized commodity. Yet, the system still heavily favours the seller.

In the US, there is a strong use of Multi Listing Systems. Stock is placed on the system by an agent, inviting other agents to bring their buyers to the property. This has proven to be a very effective system, and one we do see in South Africa, though only on a small scale for now. This leads to listing specialists and buyers’ specialists working together, with agents splitting commission if a sale is successful. In fact, in the US, their total cost will hardly ever exceed 6

percent, compared to the whopping 7.5 percent extracted in our local property regime.

The buyer’s agent adds significant value through selecting available stock for the prospective buyer to look at; by running data on house and land price averages in the same suburbs to determine accurate pricing; by negotiating with, and on behalf of, the buyer; and by handling technical matters such as legal contracts, document retrieval, and house inspection follow-ups. At each one of these moments, the needs of the buyer take precedence, and the random arbitrage opportunism that often emanates from the seller’s agent market-pricing system is neutralised.

Expect to see two developments in the South Africa property market: firstly, the strengthening of current Multi Listing Systems and the sprouting of new ones; and secondly, the emergence of a new breed of agent – the buyer’s agent. Irrespective, both are good news for buyers. The major role-players will remain but the systems will change. Those agents who adjust and adapt to these changes will increase market share, not because they control the stock but because they are servicing the buyer too. And if you feel that, as a seller, you may suddenly get additional pressure to accurately dispose of your property, rest assured, because you will be a buyer again in the future, and a more efficient market will benefit everyone in the long run. Contact Sean Biden, Head of Sales, Quintessentially Estates, on +27 21 446 3869, or visit www.quintessentiallyproperties.com. 

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361 Mt Blanc Penthouse Durban

Situated on Durban’s Golden Mile and with immediate beach access, this state-of-the-art double storey penthouse offers living space of almost 750 square metres and a massive entertaining area, suitable for intimate parties or large celebrations. Arguably the highest penthouse on the coast of Africa, this luxurious suite has 360-degree views – on a clear day you can see the Drakensberg. The penthouse features three large bedrooms and a massive master bedroom with its own private study. Two lounges – one formal, one casual – plus a fully-fitted kitchen with high-tech Miele and Siemens appliances. An upstairs bar and expansive outdoor entertainment area, swimming pool and sauna suggest a lifestyle of leisure at your fingertips. All furniture and fittings, excluding artwork, are available as part of the purchase price. Full servants quarters with own entrance, ample parking and top-end security features offer peace of mind and ease of occupancy. Only 20 minutes from the airport, 10 minutes to the soccer stadium and five minutes from city centre, this property is ideal for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Asking price R25 million with immediate occupation on transfer of funds and no transfer duties.

Contact: Margaret Hirsch: +27 82 770 0007 Email: penthousedurban@hotmail.com

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Namibia

This large, three-level family home with two onebedroom flats on the property is situated 50 metres from the breaking waves.

Asking price N$9 million.

Upmarket three-bedroom apartment situated within walking distance of all modern conveniences.

Uninterrupted sea view.

Asking price N$5.4 million.

Newly-built, 420-square-metre home with superior finishes, situated in a quiet, upmarket area; perfect for the modern family.

Asking price N$3.5 million.

Game farm situated in northern Namibia. Full particulars can be viewed on the website.

Asking price N$6.5 million – for 60 percent of the company.

New, fully-licenced guest house with nine guest suites and manager’s apartment, as well as conference facilities, entertainment facilities, garages, and parking.

Asking price N$7.5 million.

Buy off plan and save – industrial units measuring 250 square metres available. Completion early 2010.

Asking price N$1.375 million.

Contact: Abel +264 81 247 2661 • Dominique +264 81 233 1514 Visit: www.swakopproperty.com • Email: mytern@iway.na

Let us be your gateway to owning a property in the thriving holiday capital of Namibia.

From our rich cultural heritage and booming economy in the mining and tourist industries to the endless panoramic views of sun, moving sand dunes and breaking waves a truly unique home or investment opportunity. Our services include the sale and letting of properties both commercial and residential as well as agricultural farms and lodges.

Take advantage of our 15 years of experience in this vibrant metropolis, our knowledge

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Family Home Bryanston

This is a chic and lavish double-storey Georgian home set inside an exclusive, sought-after enclave. From double volume entrance hall and sumptuous reception to romantic terrace, heated pool and garden gazebo; this house also has three luxury bedroom suites with private lounges and dream bathrooms, in addition to an English country-style kitchen, office suite, double staff accommodation and triple garage.

Asking price is R6 million.

Contact: Manuela Coelho: +27 82 552 7119 Ester Fernandes Kruger: +27 82 771 8389 Office: +26 11 463 8337 Visit: www.sothebysrealty.com

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Mansion On The Lake

Glücksburg/Northern Germany Located on a beautiful lake in Glücksburg, Northern Germany, overlooking the castle of Glücksburg, this mansion is built in the classic style, and has 985 square metres of living space and 667 square metres of floor space spanning three levels. The interior is luxurious, with beautiful furnishings of the highest standard. The grand staircase is made of granite, though there is a lift, too. The modern, eat-in kitchen is fully-fitted with high-tech equipment and has an additional service kitchen. The bar and living area is spacious, and well suited for private functions or social gatherings. The bedrooms, of which there are eight, each with an en suite bathroom, are reached via a “hidden” hallway behind the gallery on the first floor. The master bedroom, on the top floor, has two bathrooms en suite – one for her and one for him. The top floor has an additional two rooms, including one with an open fireplace and splendid view. The basement has a luxury wellness area with large swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna and whirlpool. The garage has space for five cars, accessed through the basement, with further storage and utility rooms here too. The house is surrounded by a private, cultivated park, with direct access to the waterfront. The building also features sophisticated safety features and alarm systems. Nearby Flensburg has a small airport for private planes.

Asking price is €6.8 million.

Contact: Karen Roos: +27 11 502 1900 Email: karen@sothebysrealty.co.za Visit: www.sothebysrealty.com

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TEXTOPHOBIA

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There are lots of things to be scared of. Insurance needn’t be one of them.

At Alexander Forbes, we’ve learnt a thing or two over the years about putting motor and household insurance-related fears to rest. We provide the widest cover with the least exclusions, and we give you the option of an up-front discount on your premium when you sign up with us, which puts money back into your pocket immediately. We also give each of our clients their own personal consultant who deals exclusively with their policy and all matters pertaining to it. Simply, we make insuring as effortless and as comprehensive as possible. Because we believe that while some fears in life might need to be accepted, insurance-related fears are just irrational. www.afi.co.za

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