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FA S H I O N | D ESIGN | J EW ELLERY |
your life
TR AV EL |
in luxury
BUSINESS | P RO PERTY
2015’s top watches • 40 years of porsche turbo • futuristic fireplaces red carpet fashion • bmw goes electric • Tanzania’s great wilderness R49.00
Issue 81 – 2/2015
Africa’s Premier luxury Lifestyle Magazine
The S-Class CoupĂŠ. Welcome to the view from the top. A sight of beauty and triumph. The S-Class CoupĂŠ, with industry-first curve tilting technology, leans itself into bends for ultimate driving comfort. Unveil a vision of performance, poise, and unparalleled luxury that can only be described as breathtaking. Welcome to the view from the top. Visit www.mercedes-benz.co.za/s-coupe Vehicle specifications may vary for the South African market.
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24. 10. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
Upfront Ed’s Letter – Page 6
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Inside
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Lifestyle – The latest luxury products – Page 8 Nunquam non Paratus – Dr John Demartini guides us through managing uncertainty and change in business, “never unprepared” – Page 28 Best in Show – Highlights of the Geneva Motor Show 2015 including a plug-in Koenigsegg and a track-only Aston Martin that will make your toes curl – Page 32 Like a Prayer – Paternoster is by far one of the most romantic and peaceful places the West Coast coastline has to offer and one of the last traditional fishermen villages on this coast of South Africa – Page 38 City to City – Steyn City is a lifestyle estate north of Johannesburg that is bold, ambitious and Utopian, and harks back to neighbourly living within green spaces and children playing outdoors – Page 42 Italian Kisses – The woman who founded the company that makes Italy’s most popular chocolate, the Baci, also founded the fashion house that bears her name, Luisa Spagnoli and the Fall/Winter 2015 Collection is now available in South Africa – Page 48 Whimsical by Nature – The Red Carpet Fashion Show is a big fundraising event on the Cape Town fashion scene and Prestige is delighted to be the media partner – Page 56
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Getting Away from it all
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Wild Ones – Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve is a huge tract of conservation and you’ll find absolute luxury at Azura Selous Lodge – Page 60 City Oasis – The Shangri-La hotel in Singapore is a green lung in the city of Singapore with a luxury suite in the heart of an urban forest – Page 66 Country Garden – There are a lot of accommodation options if you need to be close to the Sandton CBD when on business or holiday. Chris Buchanan found an oasis that brings the country into the city – Page 72
Food and Wine
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Conversations on Whisky – The Kirstie McCallum episode. Patrick Leclezio interviews one of Scotch whisky’s pioneering women – Page 76 Painting the town red – The Mother’s Ruin episode. Patrick Leclezio reviews a seminal Cape Town nightspot – Page 80 250 Years of Hennessy – To celebrate its 250th anniversary, Hennessy has launched the Hennessy 250 Collector Blend – Page 84
Getting Around
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Seven Seas – A visit to the Dubai International Boat Show 2015 and what Gulf Craft presented to buyers on the marina – Page 86 X-ceptional – Vivien Natasen tackles the scenic routes of Mpumalanga in the new X6 – Page 90 Future Shock – The launching of the BMW i3 and i8 is an object lesson to other manufacturers on how to go about the electric car business – Page 94 T stands for Turbo – The classic Ferrari V8 format is still very much at the heart of the new California T, and it looks as good with the roof up as it does down – Page 102 Life after 40 – The very first Porsche Turbo, as it was quite simply badged back then, went on sale in the second quarter of 1975, forty years ago, as we head into winter here in in South Africa in 2015 – Page 106 World in Motion – What’s in a smartwatch? Well with Apple entering the market and all the hype, there a few who are accepting the challenge of combining tradition with innovation – Page 110
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Final Say From the Publisher – Page 112
PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
PRESTIGE
UPFRONT
Publisher Vivien Natasen +27 11 484 2833
ED'S
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Editor Chris Buchanan chris@prestigemag.co.za
Mutual Respect
ne of the perks of being associated with Prestige Magazine is to be hosted in some of Africa’s exclusive hotels and lodges. They all have their own style, situation and procedural quirks but there’s a standard in service that is consistent in these luxury facilities and it’s of the best you’ll get. That’s not to say that standards in exclusive hospitality on other continents is shabby. On the contrary, you can expect the best of staff attention and pampering at this level, but there’s a personal touch that resonates in African luxury. We need to remember that the staff within five star establishments are generally from the poorest communities in the countries they operate. The porter who delivers your luggage on arrival and the housekeeper who turns your bed down at night and cleans up after you, have never spent a night being pampered at this level. You can be sure that he waiter who serves you a R2000 bottle of champagne has never had the privilege of tasting the wine. The merging of absolute poverty with absolute wealth in any other context would surely only breed resentment. But in this context the resentment is often shown by the affluent guests and not by the minimum wage workers. Heard in the breakfast restaurant at a leading Cape Town establishment: Waiter: “Good morning sir. Can I offer you something to drink?” Guest: “I want a cappuccino.” Cappucino arrives, Guest: “And I’ll have the eggs benedict, soft eggs.”
So it seems that the privilege of money overrides the need to say please and thank you when interacting with serving staff who are perceived to be lower on the social ladder. Staff will have the fundamentals drummed into them, to ALWAYS be polite, smile and uphold the reputation of the hotel brand, after all, they are the face of the brand and will often determine whether a guest returns or makes a booking elsewhere in future. The aforementioned waiter must have been holding back the urge to tell the said guest to &%*$ off! I could imagine an Italian or Australian waiter doing this but African hosts and hostesses are able to maintain their humility no matter how badly they’re treated and more often than not they remember your name, your favourite cocktail and simply smile when guests articulate their frustrations. A trip to Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve really brought that home to me recently. I like travelling with fellow journalists, sharing perspectives of the industry and enjoying a few drinks together as journalists are wont to do. But I am too often appalled at their treatment of the hosting staff and how they expect to be served without a please or a thank you, or calling the staff by their name. Whether a paying guest with a truck load of money, or a journalist on a freebee, we owe it to the staff to treat them with the same respect of which we ask. They will always smile at you but it’s more worthwhile when the smile is from the heart and not merely a fulfilment of procedure laid down by management.
CHRIS
PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
Layout and Art Direction Daniel Jonathan info@danieljonathan.co.za Advertising Sales Carly Natasen carly@prestigemag.co.za Calvin Pillay calvin@prestigemag.co.za Operations and Circulation Farhana Suder farhana.suder@neoafrica.com Digital Chris Buchanan chris@prestigemag.co.za Contributors Stuart Johnston, Patrick Leclezio, Gillian McLaren Printing Typo 011 402 3468 Subscriptions: To subscribe please go to www. prestigemag.co.za click on the Subscribe tab and submit the form. An invoice with banking details will be sent to you. Your first issue of Prestige will be despatched as soon as payment is made. Costs: 6 Issues = R350 per annum excl VAT, other countries are subject to a postage surcharge and will be calculated accordingly. PUBLISHED BY Neo Publishing (Pty) Ltd Tel +27 11 484 2833. Fax +27 11 484 2899 All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or any of its clients. Information has been included in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. 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 therefrom. No part of this publication may be used, or reproduced in any form, without the written permission of the publisher. All copyright for material apearing in this magazine belongs to Neo Publishing and/or the individual contributors. © 2014
digital
T
diaries
heft is theft, no matter how you spin it. These days of ombudsmen, particularly in the media, create recourse if one media agency steals content from another and publishes it without consent. But this process in South Africa is only supported in print and broadcasting. If I steal your content or libel you online, it has to go to a court of law for necessary recourse, which is costly, time consuming and only makes lawyers rich.
solutions
The protocol with online content, if you want to curate from other sources, is to publish a headline, teaser and thumbnail with a click-through to the source’s website to read the full story. There are few, if any, legal guidelines or precedents apart from copyright law to police this and precedent could have been set had Moneyweb taken Fin24 to court over theft of content instead of settling the dispute. Moneyweb alleged that Fin24 was publishing the full story verbatim, and included a line at the end of the story to say, “Source Moneyweb” with a click-through to the website. Theft. There are few websites publishing
luxury content locally and it’s a difficult niche to serve because of the geographical diversity of luxury news. To cover a story on fashion in Milan is a challenge when working out of Johannesburg. So when a website pops up out of a leading news curator, calling itself luxury, we sit and take notice. The content is interesting, diverse and there’s a lot of it, but when you start reading the content you soon realise that it’s stolen – published verbatim with a source link at the end of the article. Is there an ombudsman in the house?
www.prestigemag.co.za
Consulting A Neo Africa Company
Neo Solutions is a leader in innovative solutions to public and private sector organisations in Africa. Our decade of experience has proven that we are a powerhouse in turnkey solutions covering strategy, business process re-engineering, human resources management and information technology. Our industry expertise spans many sectors including ICT, Banking, Mining, Manufacturing, Transport and Logistics. Neo Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Neo Africa, which is a formidable 100% Black-owned and managed group of companies in Southern Africa. We have successfully implemented and managed several large scale projects, some amounting to several hundred million Rands. The key to a successful consulting business is having the right people and equipping them with the most innovative tools and expertise to deliver outcomes that surpass client expectations. As Neo Solutions we have the right people and the right tools in our arsenal to be able to get your project to a successful conclusion.
Solutions… not just answers Tel: +27 11 484 2833 • Fax: +27 11 484 2899 • Email: info@neoafrica.com • www.neoafrica.com
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Browns With three generations of
diamond jewellery expertise; we are often asked what the
essentials in a woman’s jewellery
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wardrobe are.
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ashion trends come and go but every woman knows that there are certain classics that never go out of style. These pieces look elegant and sophisticated dressed up or down. At Browns we offer a variety of styles and designs that are available in either platinum or gold and can be set with various combinations of diamonds or colored gemstones; in this way a woman can customize her top five and create a look which is uniquely hers. The test of a true jewellery essential is that a woman will never want to take it off!
Engagement Ring The Browns Protea engagement ring is our signature classic solitaire styled after the King Protea which is South Africa’s national flower making it quintessentially South African. The Protea symbolises courage, flexibility & transformation. This collection symbolises Nature’s astounding adaptability, a reminder that growth and change are essential elements in building a lifetime together. The patented design of the delicate petal setting sets this solitaire apart. The petals cradle and protect, whilst optimal light enhances the diamond’s brilliance and shine. The Protea ring is available from 0.25ct to 5ct.
PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
The Right Hand Ring Inspired by the classic Browns Protea engagement ring, the Protea dress ring is a striking yet elegant interpretation of the flower in full bloom. The design stems from a split band influenced by the bold leaves of the flower to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. Available in a fully diamond encrusted 18ct white gold, half diamond paved petals in the 18ct yellow gold and the polished 18ct rose gold. The intricate petals design gracefully open and lead to the diamond centre stone, cradled in the bloom of the ring— staying true to the design inspiration. Diamond Studs Undoubtedly the starting point of every woman’s diamond jewellery collections; we have introduced the Protea Diamond Studs. A single diamond perfectly surrounded by the petals of the Protea flower. The Protea design is a signature design by Browns and is inspired by the South African national treasure that is the Protea flower. Hand selected, our diamonds are perfectly matched in size, color and clarity, the setting sits flush against the ear leaving all the emphasis on the diamond. Ideal for every day wear or special occasions; making them a must for every woman’s jewellery collection!
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The Eternity Ring The Browns Protea Eternity Ring is the latest addition to our signature collection inspired. The 7 Stone eternity is a great band to wear next to your engagement ring, the full eternity is best worn on its own and the 5 Stone is a classic dress ring. Each collet cradling a diamond in this eternity ring has been fashioned as a Protea petal making this unique to Browns and unlike any other eternity ring. The Protea eternity is comfortable and offers versatility. It is available in yellow gold, platinum and rose gold.
Tennis Bracelet Termed the “little black dress” of diamond jewellery, during the 1987 U.S. Open; tennis player Chris Evert changed the course of history when her diamond bracelet clasp came undone and scattered her bracelet onto the court. The match was paused until her bracelet was found and that moment subsequently named this fine piece of jewellery. From that day onward, the tennis bracelet became one of jewellery’s most definitive and sought after pieces. The Browns Tennis bracelet is flexible and smooth with a tapered setting to emphasise each diamond. Our bracelet also features a clasp with a safety mechanism to give you peace of mind. In the Browns 5ct tennis bracelet, a woman receives 58 diamonds!
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Mediterranean
Garden A High Jewellery collection inspired by the
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intense beauty and the glamour of the Riviera
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elebrating the free spirit of the 1960s and 1970s, the Extremely Piaget collection recalls a stellar period of creativity and innovation in the history of the Maison, marked by an explosion of colour and new shapes, and enhanced by the most precious materials: diamonds, colourful stones and exquisite gold. During these carefree years, with its bold creations, Piaget established itself as the brand of choice for celebrities and the international jet set who enjoyed the glamour of life on the Riviera, and regularly frequented its extraordinary parties, some organised by Mr Piaget himself. Finding inspiration in its rich heritage, the new Piaget Mediterranean Garden collection brings a contemporary twist to the captivating lifestyle of the Riviera with its elegant festivities and stylish fashions. Exploring the elaborate marriage of brilliant stones and intricate gold techniques, these surprising designs for the sophisticated modern woman embody the distinctive elegance associated with Mediterranean living since the 1960s.
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1. Ring in 18K pink gold set with 1 oval-cut bluish-green tourmaline (approx. 18.74 cts), 382 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 6.49 cts) and 7 pear-shaped green tourmalines (approx. 1.96 cts). – Page 10
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2. Watch in 18K pink gold. Case set with 668 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 8.68 cts). Silvered dial. Piaget 56P quartz movement. Bracelet set with 12 pearshaped green tourmalines (approx.9.43 cts) and 488 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 6.92 cts). – Page 11 3. Bracelet in 18K pink gold set with 1 oval-cut black opal (approx. 14.82 cts), 8 marquise-cut blue tourmalines (approx. 2.88 cts), 6 marquise-cut emeralds (approx. 1.86 cts) and 12 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.73 ct). – Page 11 4. Necklace in 18K white gold set with 224 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 44.82 cts), 45 marquise-cut diamonds (approx. 14.78 cts), 3 cushion-cut emeralds (approx. 7.66 cts), 3 cushion-cut green tourmalines (approx. 6.85 cts) and 2 marquise-cut emeralds (approx. 1.86 cts). – Page 12
www.piaget.com PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
Time
Flies
The two most anticipated watch shows in the world, Salon International (SIHH) and Baselworld, have come and gone for 2015 with a few stand out highlights innovation and traditional craftsmanship.
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in technological
ll the talk this year was about the marriage of traditional horology with technology – Montblanc’s Time Walker Urban Speed, and Frederique Constant and Alpina’s Swiss Horoligical Smartwatch the only true attempts despite all the hype of the Apple Watch, which is really a marriage of devices rather than technologies. So tradition stood tall and the hype took a back seat and a glance of the top luxury and watch media put a few watches as standout for SIHH and Baselworld 2015. Constantly in the top 10 at Baselworld was Breguet’s Tradition Chronograph Independent 7077, while SIHH saw Panerai’s Radomir Equation of Time attract attention.
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de la Haute Horlogerie
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BREGUET TRADITION CHRONOGRAPHE INDÉPENDANT 7077 The chronograph occupies a choice position in watchmaking as a complication in its own right. Measuring elapsed times provides immediate visualisation of the desired function, but making it work is an additional mechanical challenge, because starting a chronograph disturbs the main gear trains. To alleviate this problem, Breguet has fitted its new Tradition Chronographe Indépendant 7077 model with two independent trains. The first is the going train for the hours and minutes, regulated by a 3Hz balance and having a power reserve of 50 hours. For the chronograph, the second transmission has a 5Hz frequency to ensure more precise readings, in harmony with the one devoted to measuring the passing of time. Breguet’s research into high frequencies shows that a higher rate of oscillations improves the stability of rate, since any disturbance is corrected more quickly. The two trains are entirely disconnected and the movement remains unaffected when the chronograph is started. Case in 18-carat white gold with delicately fluted caseband. Sapphirecrystal caseback. 44mm diameter. Welded lugs with screw bars. Water resistant to 3 bar (30m). Dial in silvered 18-carat gold, engine-turned and offset at 12 o'clock. Individually numbered and signed Breguet. Hours chapter with Roman numerals. Power reserve indicator at 2 o'clock and 20-minute counter at 10 o'clock. Breguet open-tipped hands in blued steel. Hand-wound chronograph movement numbered and signed Breguet. Power reserve indicator and 20-minute counter engraved on the back of the movement. Chronograph running indicator at 6 o'clock. Cal. 580DR. 16 lignes, 62 jewels. 50 hours power reserve. Symmetrical inverted in-line lever escapements with silicon pallets. Breguet balancewheels on Breguet springs in silicon. Movement frequency 3Hz; chronograph frequency 5Hz. The two oscillators are adjusted in six positions. Leather strap. Also available in 18-carat rose gold PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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BREGUET RÊVE DE PLUME HAUTE JOAILLERIE The Plumes collection draws its inspiration from the story of Queen Marie-Antoinette of France, wife of Louis XVI and the Breguet company’s effective ambassador for ladies’ jewellery watches. This guardian of time never stopped writing to her husband the king as well as to her family in Austria. Marie-Antoinette used her pen to express the desire for freedom that pervades her correspondence. This universe led to the creation of very poetic timepieces developed on such ancient decorative methods as engraving or uncommon gemsetting techniques that recall the featherweight delicacy of a quill pen. Case in 18-carat white gold, ovoid. Caseband delicately engraved with feathers. Bezel and flange set with 94 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 2,42 cts). Quill motif paved with 20 baguettecut diamonds (approx. 0,42 ct), a clawset trapeze-cut diamond (approx. 0,24 ct), as well as 76 brilliant-cut snow-set diamonds (approx. 0,778 ct). Crown set with a briolette diamond (approx. 0,28 ct). Attachment paved with 22 brilliant-cut snow-set diamonds (approx. 0,41 ct). Sapphire-crystal caseback. Dimensions 33 x 24.95mm. Dial in engine-turned natural motherof-pearl. Breguet medallion inset at 12 o'clock. Chapter ring with Roman numerals. Breguet open-tipped hands in blued steel. Self-winding movement, numbered and signed Breguet. Cal. 586/1. 6¾ lignes, 29 jewels. 40 hours power reserve. Rotor in engine-turned 950 platinum. In-line Swiss lever escapement. Breguet balance on a silicon spring. Balance frequency 3Hz. Adjusted in 6 positions. Satin strap with a folding clasp set with 26 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0,14 ct). More than 4 cts of diamonds in total. Also available in rose gold
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RADIOMIR 1940 EQUATION OF TIME 8 DAYS ACCIAIO – 48mm MOVEMENT: Hand-wound mechanical, P.2002/E calibre, executed entirely by Panerai. FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, month indicator, equation of time, power reserve indicator on the back. CASE: 48 mm, AISI 316L polished steel. DIAL: Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date and month indicator at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock, equation of time indicator at 6 o’clock. POWER RESERVE: 192H. WATER-RESISTANCE: 10 bar (~ 100 metres). PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
LUMINOR 1950 EQUATION OF TIME 8 DAYS ACCIAIO – 47mm MOVEMENT: Hand-wound mechanical, P.2002/E calibre, executed entirely by Panerai. FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, month indicator, equation of time, power reserve indicator on the back. CASE: 47 mm, AISI 316L polished steel. DIAL: Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date and month indicator at 3 o’clock, seconds at 9 o’clock, equation of time indicator at 6 o’clock. POWER RESERVE: 192H. WATERRESISTANCE: 10 bar (~ 100 metres).
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Blancpain and les MÊtiers d’Art, Shakud Renowned for its engraving and enamel painting workshops as well as its Damascene timepieces, Blancpain is presenting shakud. Japanese in origin, shakud is an alloy principally composed of copper and gold, which acquires a dark patina between blue and black, according to variations in its composition and texture. The black patina is obtained following a process called passivation, which calls for the application of a solution. This solution, which is composed of copper acetate (green gray), has been traditionally fabricated in Japan where it is known as rokush. According to the number of applications of the rokush solution, the black becomes successively deeper and more intense. The shakud was used historically among other things to create swords, decorative objects and jewellery. The artisans who practiced shakud often added engravings and ornaments. Recognizable from his elephants head, the image of Ganesh is portrayed on the dial. For Hindus, Ganesh is the God who conquers obstacles. He is also the God of wisdom, intelligence, prudence and the leader of the schools and academics. This is illustrated with a hand engraved gold throne placed in the centre of the Hindu motifs. Finely detailed, the ornaments represented on this piece have been crafted in Damascene. This technique consists of fashioning troughs upon the dial surface into which fine threads of soft metal, in this case gold, are hammered in place and hand engraved. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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Blancpain Ocean Commitment Limited Editions The Bathyscaphe is a legendary name at Blancpain. Three years after the 1953 debut of the original Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain introduced the Bathyscaphe as a smaller diameter diving watch alternative adapted to daily wear. Over the years, the Bathyscaphe evolved in parallel with the Fifty Fathoms and became a part of the Fifty Fathoms legend. This patrimony is fully honoured with the debut of the Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback, as it is a fully featured underwater chronograph, which at 43 mm in diameter is smaller than the core models of the Fifty Fathoms Collection. Although it reflects 60 years of Blancpain Fifty Fathoms diving watch tradition, the Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe Chronographe flyback features Blancpain’s latest in-house movement, the F385. This entirely new column wheel controlled flyback chronograph movement runs at the high frequency of 5 HZ – 36'000vph, ideal for a chronograph, as each second is perfectly divided into 1/10th of a second intervals. The F385 is further distinguished by its use of silicon for the balance wheel spiral. Because silicon is a-magnetic, its use provides the same degree of protection from magnetism as constructions which rely upon a soft iron inner case. However, whereas soft iron inner cases foreclose use of a clear case back, as the movement would be hidden, the F385’s use of silicon allows both protection from magnetism and view of the movement. In common with all of the 33 new in-house calibers which Blancpain has introduced since 2006, the F385 has a freely sprung balance, with gold screws for fine regulation. Gold screw inertial regulation offers superior robustness and finer adjustment than the more common racket systems.
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Grand Date for the Villeret Collection For the first time in the Villeret Collection, Blancpain’s most classical timepieces, Blancpain is offering the complication of a grand date. Both elegant and practical, Blancpain’s grand date employs two sideby-side windows for a display affording optimal readability. When Blancpain’s watchmakers conceived the caliber 6950, they had as their objective to maximise legibility of the date, while at the same time enabling an instant change at midnight. At the same time, they set out to ensure that the mechanism would not significantly increase the movement’s profile. The result: an automatic movement with two mainspring barrels and a date mechanism designed to resist shocks. It further distinguishes itself with its free sprung balance with a silicium spiral and regulated by gold regulation screws. Fully having proven its capacities, this is the movement that powers the new Villeret Grande Date timepiece. This new timepiece fits harmoniously within Blancpain’s classical Villeret collection. The timepieces within the Villeret line express the timeless values of traditional watchmaking with their understated refined design. Key Villeret signature elements have been woven into this newest timepiece with its red gold 40 mm double pomme case, opaline dial with applied Roman numerals, red gold hands, date display at 6 o’clock, and a clear sapphire caseback offering a view of the finishing of the movement and its honeycomb-pattern oscillating weight. Completing the ensemble is a chocolate brown alligator strap. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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Blancpain core collection women Equipped with an exclusive movement incorporating two retrograde indications, the Day Night distinguishes itself with substantial technical innovations and by the fine craftsmanship of its disk. Based upon the caliber 1150, the movement of the Day Night is larger in diameter. The winding rotor, decoratively engraved and polished, has been enlarged to enhance the view of the complex movement through the sapphire case back. With a diameter of 40 mm, this timepiece offers a harmonious balance between its diameter and thickness. The dial is fashioned entirely in mother of pearl and is divided into three parts on four levels. The differences in height create an impression of great depth. Careful work was called for to fashion the mother of pearl surface upon progressively descending levels, as the mother of pearl material on a base of German silver becomes progressively thinner with each level and, therefore, more fragile. The Day Night disk turns twice per day. Each rotational change takes place over approximately four minutes, as the decoration presents itself, allowing the discovery of all of the details of the day and the night. Many different artistic techniques were used in its creation: la dĂŠcalque (depositing material), le champlevĂŠ (contour forms in relief), and le marquetage (integration of superimposed motifs in mother of pearl). Gradations in the colour blue, achieved by deposit upon the mother of pearl, marks the change from day to night. The moon is composed of 50 diamonds; the sun is fashioned with 50 yellow sapphires. Placed upon the surface are several yellow coloured mother of pearl dots as well as 14 diamonds which represent the stars. The gear train of the Day Night disk is secured, meaning that it can be set at any time of day. The setting of the time and the disk are independent. The setting of hours and minutes by the crown, through a lever, disconnects the indication from the running train of the watch. The bezel is set with two spiral shaped rows of 140 diamonds around its exterior. The Day Night is fitted with a white ostrich strap.
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closedS People have used timber shutters for
their windows for hundreds of years, primarily because of the durability, classic style and easy maintenance that shutters provide. They are still thought of as a standard fixture on historical buildings - from Italy to New England.
t is difficult to determine the exact origins of shutters, but it is widely believed that they were first used in ancient Greece in order to provide light control, ventilation and protection in their tropical environment. Shutters were originally constructed with fixed louvres made out of marble. Eventually, the concept of shutters spread throughout the Mediterranean, and the form began to
PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
"plantation shutters" is derived from this era. Plantation Shutters are durable, have a timeless classic style, and are maintenance free. Their stylish design combined with practicality, which stretch from light and air control, to added security have made these shutters a desirable item in any home. Today, you no longer need to be a sugar or cotton baron to have your own plantation shutters, with Plantation Shutters producing a high quality, personalised and
custom-designed solution. Their shutters have been installed in some of the top celebrity and designer homes and hotels in South Africa. Plantation Shutters can also be used as partitions or room dividers within the home, as well as externally to enclose a patio. Plantation Timber and Security Shutters all come with a standard five year guarantee.
www.plantation.co.za PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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change. Wood started to replace marble as a more suitable material, and designers started developing movable louvre shutters to allow varying amounts of light and air into a room. Woodwork, such as window shutters and moldings, became the main decorative elements in smaller houses in early 18th century England, and as the Spanish started colonising in America, they brought shutters to the New World. Decadent mansions in the South used shutters, and the term
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hearth and home The warmth of the hearth has been the most appealing
way of softening the bite of Winter’s cold for thousands of years. Now there’s a range of fireplaces that brings the hearth into the 21st century.
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orget the concept of blocked stone chimneys, smoke billowing into the room and the ashen aftermath of the chimney sweep that traditional open hearths bring. Not to mention the stale smell of wood smoke that finds its way through your furniture, clothes and your hair. Things have become more efficient in the business of fireplaces with design improvements in traditional vented wood installations and the use of biofuels.
Things have also become a lot sexier in design, placing your fireplace anywhere in the room, as a design feature, and a little like something out of a science fiction movie. With names like Gyrofocus, Bathyscafocus and Anthrax Bubble, the range from Beauty Fires is about award winning design, efficiency and innovation in burning fuels that are a bit more kind to your living space. The Focus range by French self-taught sculptor/designer Dominique Imbert, and particularly the Gyrofocus, has been exhibited in the Bordeaux Contemporary
Art Museum, the National Centre of Contemporary Art in Grenoble and in New York's Guggenheim Museum. In 2009, it won first prize in Italy's Pulchra design competition, in which 74,425 international online voters chose the Gyrofocus from a selection of 100 designer objects as the 'World's most beautiful object'. The entire Focus range is available in South Africa, just in time for the cold snap of Winter through Beauty Fires.
www.beautyfires.com
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Nunquam
non Paratus The nature of business is one of uncertainty. You can plan, set goals and aim for a certain outcome but the uncertainty is likely to change the course of any direction you might have steered your ship. Dr John Demartini provides some insight change summed up in the headline “never unprepared”.
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The executive centre vs the animal brain. The executive centre is the mindset that keeps focus on the vision and mission, that maintains the objectivity and works through challenges despite the adversity. The animal brain, or what Dr Demartini calls the lower brain or the amygdala, creates a natural instinct away from challenge and an impulse for pleasure and sport, one that’s not adaptable and more generalised in perspective. He uses the analogy of being new to the stock market and you’re ignorant, letting your amygdala run you – when the
market goes up you become elated and when the market goes down you become depressed. The animal brain can’t break the confirmation bias to keep buying when the market goes up, instead of being objective and recognising that stock is getting too expensive, and selling on the high. The executive centre sees the drawbacks of a market above the mean and the benefits of a market below the mean, letting the investment strategy and not the emotion influence investment decisions. An example he sets of the executive centre is the CEO of an American capital funding corporation who was informed that the company had taken a seven billion USD hit. “I watched that CEO just sit there and execute a strategy on the spot. I was more emotional about it than he was but he took it, he processed it and immediately thought of how to use it to advantage, and just gave the answers. He never got emotional about it” He says that in leadership you need to go for challenges that inspire you, or you will keep setting challenges that don’t. Leadership in the mould of Donald Trump who surrounds himself with people who analyse everything that can go wrong with a project in order to plan for the contingencies. “When a businessman is living by their highest values and the executive centre is online, they have a more evenminded goal that is balanced, and they’re
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he origins of the objective are a good place to start and according to Dr Demartini, your plans, goals and aims will remain resilient if they are attuned to your highest values. This provides the incentive to keep the end in sight no matter what changes in direction are forced upon you by fluctuations in circumstance. Your highest values set the point at which you are objective and even minded, able to see a strategy and execute that strategy. Goals that are set below the highest values tend to be less focussed, less objective and less resilient to changing environments.
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inspired to solve the problems and be prepared with foresight. They’re the ones who are least likely to get undermined by outer circumstances.” It’s when you’re working toward a fantasy that you’ll be blind-sided by the challenges that present themselves and you’ll work in hindsight. Make sure the goal is balanced from the beginning is the first step in switching on the executive centre. He says it’s your mind and body that will give you feedback if the goal is pleasure without the pain and revolves around a fantasy. Anxieties, uncertainties, fears and panic reactions are all feedback mechanisms to tell you that there are too many unrealistic and unobjective components to your goal. The importance of balance that Dr Demartini is so persistent about is illustrated in our insatiable appetites for Ponzi schemes. Red flag number one for recognising a Ponzi scheme is constant, unrealistic upside returns with no downside – there’s no balance toward a mean. Know what your values are; Set goals that are aligned to those values; Make
sure those goals are balanced; Know what the challenges are; Have a contingency plan in place for the downside as well as the upside. Most important perhaps is the result of having to institute a contingency plan at a challenging time. Dr Demartini says that resorting to a contingency plan often opens your eyes to potential weaknesses in your existing structure. If a head salesperson resigns and leaves a hole in revenue, you would want to re-look at your sales force and structure it differently to prevent it happening again. “It’s like having one client and when that clients leaves you’re bankrupt.” Thinking in the future will always provide solutions to potential problems. Then there’s the question of shifting the goal or revising the goal in response to the challenge posed. Dr Dematini says you have two options so, if the goal was to reach a certain revenue in 12 months, and a challenge sets you back, you can revise the revenue target downward, or shoot for the same goal by increasing the intensity. Time and intensity equal the goal.
And so the seven questions you should ask when setting an objective or goal to minimise disruption: • What would I absolutely love to do in life? • How do I become handsomely or beautifully paid to do it? • What are the seven highest priority actions steps I could complete today that would enable me to do it? • What obstacles might I run into and how do I solve them in advance? • What worked and didn’t work today? • How can I do what I love more effectively and efficiently? •H ow did whatever I experienced today, whether positive or negative serve me? Dr John Demartini is a human behavioural specialist, educator, internationally published author, consultant and founder of the Demartini Institute.
www.drdemartini.com
Presented by Dr John Demartini: Human Behavioural Specialist, Educator, Author and Business Consultant
Powerful Solutions! It’s All About The Results!
Best in show motoring
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It seems that manufacturers (or their well-heeled customers) were not satisfied with super cars so we have seen the emergence of hyper cars in recent times and for good measure a mega car or two. This was clearly evident at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. Here are our highlights in no particular order. by: Vivien Natasen
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Ferrari 488 In developing a successor to the exceptional 458, Ferrari has taken a V8 and bolted on a twin turbo and melded it to a beautiful body. In doing so, a new era of turbocharged Ferraris is commencing. The 488 houses a 3.9 litre V8 delivering 661 horsepower. Although design cues are drawn from the 308 GTB the focus has been on improved downforce and better aerodynamics. The 488 is a highly anticipated vehicle for fans of the marque and from what Ferrari has come up with, they are unlikely to feel short-changed.
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Koenigsegg Regera The Regera is Koenigsegg’s shot at the hybrid super car – nay, hyper car to show that the marque is not lagging behind the other marques in this territory. With 1500 horsepower this is no slouch and with beautiful looks to match, this is likely to be a winner. The Regera has a 9.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi, power-adjustable memory foam seats, and doors that can be opened remotely. The car is powered by a 5.0 litre DOHC twin-turboed V8 mated to an electric motor and can be used in either or both modes. Only 80 examples of this car will be produced at the marque’s new production facility.
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Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Lamborghini has realised that the best way to intimidate the competition is just name its cars as such – enter the Aventador Super Veloce which translates to “super fast”. With a 0-100 kph time of 2.7 seconds, it definitely lives up to its name. These kind of performance statistics are delivered via 750 horses under the hood with 170 percent more downforce than a standard Aventador.
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Aston Martin Vulcan Aston Martin has now targeted the select market of track-only cars, competing with the P1-GTR and Ferrari FXX-K with its new Vulcan. The front-mid-engine model is equipped with the most powerful iteration of Aston’s V-12 powerplant. With a massive displacement of 7.0-liters from a naturally aspirated block the Vulcan’s V-12 delivers at least 800 horsepower, delivered to the 345/30 R19 rear tires through a transaxle, six-speed, sequential transmission. Every detail about the Vulcan is racespec, which is why you will sadly never see one on the street.
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With unspoiled shimmering white beaches, Paternoster is by far one of the most romantic and peaceful places the West Coast coastline has to offer. Paternoster is one of the last traditional fishermen villages on this coast of South Africa.
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Where to stay? Paternoster has a variety of beautiful cottages to choose from when making your decision on where to stay. All
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aternoster is a sought after tourist destination and is known for its crayfish and white fishermen cottages. Although Paternoster is a small village away from big city life, it is filled with culture, rich local cuisine and blooming investment opportunities. Paternoster has many choices for top class accommodation and fine dining. Don’t forget to visit during spring flower season (Aug-Oct). The annual pilgrimage is a South African tradition to experience the blooming flowers at Columbine nature Reserve, just less than 3kms from Paternoster.
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are unique and true to their fishermen village surroundings, with beach house décor and spectacular views. But for a place that truly stands out from the rest, Abalone House is a must.
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Abalone House & Spa This 5-star boutique hotel will instantly wow you from the minute you walk in. Lavishly designed with luxurious bohemian decor by Cape Town interior designer David Strauss, Abalone House & Spa delights with its grandeur, eclectic visual tapestry and divine cuisine. Set amid indigenous gardens, an air of quirky decadence pervades this sophisticated haven with its ten luxurious suites. The outside areas of Abalone House & Spa have their own seaside appeal reminiscent of the Greek isles, with wooden walkways and decking, comfortable wicker furniture, umbrellas and potted plants. With its unhindered views of the beaches of Paternoster, the rooftop Jacuzzi is the perfect spot to enjoy sundowners or a midnight dip. A charming garden courtyard – complete with antique birdcages, wind chimes and pond – surround the swimming pool. Visitors can enjoy a true fine dining experience, at Reuben’s Restaurant, located inside Abalone House. The vibey Bar is ideal for socialising over cocktails, wine, French champagne or one of the single malt whiskies and brandies on offer. Abalone House & Spa guests can enjoy Breakfast, Lunch and afternoon Tea at Reuben’s, but the restaurant is also open to the public for lunch and dinner. Looking to Invest? Investment opportunities in Paternoster are soaring. With visitors traveling from all parts of the world, year after year, Paternoster is a hot tourist destination. Most guest houses in Paternoster are booked out all year round, with travel agencies making bookings up to a year in advance. Not only will investing in a guest house became a great source of easy income, but simply buying in Paternoster as one of your holiday home destinations, will be one of the best decisions you will make. If you are thinking of investing or making Paternoster your next holiday destination, Contact Neo Estates’ Paternoster property consultant, Jene’ Stander today!
jene@neoestates.co.za 021 554 4652 PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
A charming garden courtyard – complete with antique birdcages, wind chimes and pond – surround the swimming pool.
Where to Eat and Drink?
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For fine dining, visitors can enjoy Reuben’s Restaurant in the beautiful Abalone House, or enjoy a dining experience of local dishes with a twist, at Gaaitjie Salt Water Restaurant, owned by one of South Africa’s great Chefs, Suzi Holtzhausen. For a true local experience, visitors can enjoy Voorstrandt Restaurant, located on Paternoster’s beautiful beach. Enjoy locally caught crayfish (when in season) accompanied by one of their many choices of local West Coast wines or beers. Their menu caters for all, with dishes ranging from burgers to Cape Malay seafood curry, to seafood platters and more. This is a family and dog friendly restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere. Booking in advance is essential at all restaurants, especially during peak season summer months.
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Joni Mitchell’s ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ puts development into perspective when she says, “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot”. Well, Steyn City north of Johannesburg is a development that’s not about paving anything, nor will you see a parking lot anywhere. Chris Buchanan went and had a look. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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he past year and a half have been frustrating if your commute includes a drive into Fourways on the R511 and while the road works might drive you mad, they’re part of a R300 million investment by Steyn City Properties to upgrade the infrastructure along this road. There’s more to come, both on the R511 and on Cedar Road on the western perimeter of the development. The view of Steyn City from the R511 is an Auto & General head office, a perimeter wall that would make Jericho proud and a number of tower cranes on top of the hill. You don’t see beyond the ridge and into the PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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valley where 2000 acres of innovative urban design is creating an environment of residential parkland focussed on pedestrians, not cars. Most of the land was earmarked industrial and owned by Steyn City Properties CEO Giuseppe Pulmari. The remaining tracts were acquired by businessman Douw Steyn and he and Giuseppe shared a vision to create an environment that mirrored the ideals of a time long past; a space where children could play and roam freely in a safe environment and ride their bicycles comfortably with no fear of traffic flow. A place where individuals could work and have no need to commute, where the habitat encouraged a sense of community, neighbourliness and an interaction with your immediate surroundings. Giuseppe took us on a tour of the property starting at the first phase of residential development consisting of one, two and three bedroom apartments, ultra-luxury apartments, cluster homes and the first homes on freehold stands. The pedestrian pathway leaves the residential node and makes its way into the centre parkland that comprises half of the total area of the state – 1000 acres. These pathways link the entire estate together and crossing a road is not part of the equation – a series of underpasses navigates this hazard. Traffic is the reason we live our confined lives behind walls with no sense of community says Giuseppe and traffic is kept to one main arterial ring road circling the periphery, keeping cars away from the residential core. Smaller crescent and cul-de-sac roads feed off towards residential villages, or pods, linked by a 15km pedestrianised promenade that meanders through resort, with coffee shops, play areas and outdoor gym stations planned at designated points. They have planted 500 000 trees overseen by landscape architect Patrick Watson and have incorporated wetlands, indigenous forest, stocked dams and savannah. Each underpass has been transformed into a piece of art in an artistic development programme with local communities curated by Charles Gotthard. There are interactive sculptures throughout the estate by the same artists, as well as bike trails, children’s parks, skateboard half-pipes, riding stables and trails, and benches where you just sit and enjoy the view. There’s also one hell of a golf course.
A vision to create an environment that mirrored the ideals of a time long past; a space where children could play and roam freely in a safe environment and ride their bicycles comfortably.
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I told Giuseppe that I loved the game of golf but I’m no good, and he still insisted I played in his four ball on the day the golfing media turned out to announce the opening of The Club at Steyn City to the public. In retrospect I think he might have chosen a more competent partner to take on Derek Watts and Mark Taylor, the latter a scratch golfer and the former off a handicap I think is far too high for his ability. It was tight through the 18 holes but Giuseppe and I lost R100 between
us, which is now the stake on a double or nothing rematch. The launch of the new 18-hole Steyn City Nicklaus Design golf course and clubhouse in the last quarter of 2014 has generated unprecedented interest and seen its management team inundated with requests from interested members of the public who wish to play a round of golf. Steyn City’s Management’s original strategy was to host invitationals for VIPs and potential buyers until the
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official launch of the lifestyle resort in March 2015, after which golf course membership would be open to Steyn City homeowners. The huge interest in ‘The Club at Steyn City’ is understandable given that it’s a stand out course. This is as a result of a substantial initial investment that saw the course constructed two to three years ahead of property sales, allowing for a lengthy growing in period, prior to the course opening. This is a reflection of the broader strategy underpinning the resort’s development that has seen an initial R6.5-billion investment so that the public has access to an already built product and fully functioning infrastructure. Commenting on this novel approach Golf Course GM Ken Payet says; “We’re letting golfers see exactly what they’re buying into up front. This is one of the key reasons there has been such a surge in interest in the course and requests from individuals and corporates to play the course.” It’s also home to an award winning, fully operational clubhouse that is home to the new XIX (Nineteen) Restaurant. A fully stocked boutique Pro Shop complements the clubhouse with its custom-made, wooden displays and hanging-rails to display the finest golf merchandise and apparel for all players. Interestingly ‘The Club at Steyn City’ will also offer the option of playing a PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
shorter round of nine holes. This is based on the appreciation that globally, leisure time is shrinking and people are therefore seeking out faster sports that take up less of their time. The daily guest rate is R800, plus R350 golf cart hire. The course will be
closed on Mondays to allow time for in-depth maintenance, ensuring a consistent, first class golfing experience. Individual bookings can be done two weeks in advance while group bookings (min 32 golfers - max 80 golfers) can book six months in advance.
Steyn City communicates a changing attitude within the secure ideal, and although it might seem elitist, it’s really an attempt at living a life around community and neighbourliness.
Property info for Phase One: 93 Apartments: 1, 2, 3 bedroom 74m2 to 149m2 R1.650-million - R3.9-million 25 Ultra-Luxury apartments: 350m2 of floor space (incl 100m2 to 120m2 patios and 2mx 3m plunge pool) R13.9-million Cluster homes: 19 clusters built, 45 clusters to be built off plan 350m2 floor space (stands 400m2 to 600m2) R6.2-million - R8.4-million 220 Free Hold Stands 1 300m2 - 4 000m2 R2.3-million - R16-million Six Show Homes 800m2 – 900m2 R16-million - R22-million The proliferation of development along Johannesburg’s northern corridor has created a rabbit warren effect of mixed density estates catering to the mid-high level income groups. Dainfern was the pinnacle golf/residential estate but made the biggest mistake of enclosing an existing attitude into a secure ideal. Steyn City communicates a changing attitude within the secure ideal, and although it might seem elitist, it’s really an attempt at living a life around community and neighbourliness and in our current societal dynamic, this comes at a price.
www.steyncity.co.za
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The woman who founded the company that makes Italy’s most popular chocolate, the Baci, also founded the fashion house that bears her name, Luisa Spagnoli and the Fall/Winter 2015 Collection is now available in South Africa.
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legance does not mean to stand out; rather, to be remembered…” Both class and impeccable taste are the common threads of an elegant and sartorial collection: the Spagnoli woman enjoys distinguishing herself throughout the day with an original and refined style, embellished with precious and irresistibly fine detailing, though always of a “bon chic bon genre”, as befits a true lady. The collection incorporates timeless fabrics from the English sartorial tradition and are presented, from tartan to tweed, Prince of Wales check to Houndstooth – in classic white and black or in a new vibrant orange – for dresses, kilts and blazers. Knitwear will always play a leading role in the Spagnoli world, with accurate treatments and top-quality raw materials, in keeping with the brand’s great tradition. Oversized sweaters and cardigans, intended to be matched with muffs and necks, dresses that wrap around your body where colours and jacquard, floral and geometric patterns stand out. This season, Luisa Spagnoli features clean-cut jackets with the classic masculine shape, which can be paired up with a sophisticated wide or slim-fit black trouser. An interplay between soft and hard fabrics are key to this collection, with lace-effect jacquard trench coats, goose down jackets and Murmasky fur detail.
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are seeking a wardrobe staple it would be the brown wool boucle coat, versatility and comfort is a key winter necessity. Luisa introduces the rabbit fur cropped coat which can be worn with smart wear, evening wear or just dressed down with a pair of jeans. Due to the soft tones of this garment it can be paired with colours and textures. When it comes to modern yet timeless fashion, Luisa Spagnoli has just about any garment to suit the everyday Luisa girl. Available at Luisa Spagnoli flagship stores in The V&A Waterfont, Cape Town and Hyde Park, Johannesburg as well as a selected range of Luisa Spagnoli items at Isabella Charlotte Boutique in Franschoek.
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Luisa Spagnoli’s Fall Winter 2015 collection is made up of multiple facets, fashioning various key looks to suit the classic Spagnoli woman; Casual Deluxe, Urban Jungle, Urban Trend, Day Wear, Winter on the Road, Simply Chic, Glamour by Night, Romantic Elegance, Formal Chic. Within these themes, Luisa has created 90 elegant looks. Luisa Spagnoli introduces the top luxury winter ensembles to suit your every wardrobe need. One of the vital pieces this winter season is the tweed blue coat. The coat is 100% virgin wool and this timeless tweed coat can be worn with an angora knit pullover and jeans. The coat is a simple and versatile piece with an updated feel in the depth of colour. If you
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When it comes to modern yet timeless fashion, Luisa Spagnoli has just about any garment to suit the everyday Luisa girl. w w w. p r e st i g e m ag .c o. z a
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Whimsical
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Set amongst the lush vineyards and the rolling green hills of the Durbanville Winelands is this year’s Whimsical by Nature Red Carpet Fashion Show in collaboration with Bisquit Cognac and Prestige Magazine.
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he Red Carpet Concepts production will be taking place on Friday 8 May, 2015 at the multi-award winning Nitida Wine’s Cassia Restaurant and wedding venue, recently featured on Top Billing. Surrounded by three sides of glass concertina doors which spill out onto a tranquil lake, balanced by a large fireplace, the venue accommodates for all seasons with an especially magical ambience in Autumn. Echoing the rich amber hues of the fall leaves and warm glow of the embers, the fashion show’s VIP Bisquit Cognac lounge adds a distinct flavour of sophistication. A plethora of lavish entertainment will regale guests from 7pm, leading up to the fashion show commencing at 8pm, Nitida’s much celebrated Matriarch Methode Cap Classic welcomes guests to a delectable arrival with deliciously complementary canapés by Mediterranean Delicacies, prepared by Cassia’s Head Chef Florent Hameau, combining the fresh flavours of the Mediterranean with the finesse of French gastronomy.
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From high fashion couture to cutting edge street style The Red Carpet Fashion Show showcases leading fashion designers and brands back-to-back. This year’s line-up incorporates the distinctive designs of Stefania Morland, Bo&Luca’s enchantingly bohemian wedding dresses, Port’s cutting edge street statements and debut works from Paris MBA fashion phenomenon Joanna Hedley and a preview of next summers collection by BeachCult, as well as Jagadi Couture, accompanied by strapping Diesel Eyewear and KarenFay jewellery. Industry leading brands Kérastase, Nimue and FoxBox add a premium touch to the emblazon runway models. “The Red Carpet Fashion Show came into inception in the first year I started Red Carpet Concepts, a boutique PR, marketing, social media and events company geared for the servicing of lifestyle and luxury brands. The show is a merger of bespoke brands and leading fashion designers. “A portion of the proceeds has been donated to various charities including the Animal Rescue Organisation, the Fite initiative and the World Wildlife Foundation”, says event organiser and founder, Jade Allen. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
Navigating the evening’s interludes is Master of Ceremonies and internationally acclaimed actress, Natalie Becker, accompanied by graceful ballet performances as well as live music performances by The Marilynz, Nash and ShenFM. An upbeat tempo rounds up the evening with DJ and cash bar option in the courtyard for those with a little more step in their heels. Safe and stylish commute is available with Uber’s RCFS2015 promotional code, offering new users R150.00 credit. Guests will also receive gift bags with Nimue
and Kérastase products along with Prestige coffee table collectables, Bisquit miniatures and other fabulous delights. Early bird tickets are sold out with limited seats still available. Tickets are at a cost of R470.00, and promise an evening of all-round indulgence for the fashion forward elite. To ensure your seat go to the Red Carpet Fashion Show page on Webtickets. Tickets not for sale to persons under the age of 18. To sign for Uber at https://get.uber.com/go/ or visit the mobile site m.uber.com. For more information on RCFS 2015 go to http://redcarpetpr.co.za/rcfs-2015
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WILD PRESTIGE
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We human beings are so out of place in wildlife circles. Hippo barking at each other in pods of 30, laughing at our expense. The look of a buffalo as though you owe him money. And the taunting growl of lion in the shadow, while you dine under the stars with fire an Masai guards (Askari) your only allies. by: Chris Buchanan
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hile on a walking safari through the northern reaches of the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, Andrew Viljoen, the lodge manager at the time and one of the most experienced guides you’ll come across, casually told us that the fling of oxpeckers shrilling behind a row of bushes, was to be ignored at your peril. You see, they were warning the big furry animal they were sitting on, that something very foreign to this habitat was heading in its direction – us. The big furry animal could have been a buffalo, rhino or hippo; like I said, we’re very out of place. Which is why we build luxury lodges in beautiful wildlife sanctuaries so we can retreat to a haven of safety, where the odd animal wanders through and we drink gins and tonic from the verandah and watch nature go about its business. It’s made better if the lodge is on the banks of a mighty river and Azura Selous is just that. The main lodge – the place of the verandah and gins and tonic – has pride of place overlooking a wide stretch of the Great Ruaha River where hippo wallow and fish eagle call and kingfishers add all the colour. Twelve tented villas extend along the banks of the river, each with a vista onto the water and a hippo or two for company. Don’t be misled when I say ‘tented’ because these are robust timber and wattle and daub structures, with tented walls in the sleeping areas to keep you close to the sounds of the bush. Amenities and furnishings are absolute luxury with the personalised Azura touch, including a plunge pool for that special dip to cool you from the 38 degree heat.
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Don’t be misled when I say ‘tented’ because these are robust timber and wattle and daub structures, with tented walls in the sleeping areas to keep you close to the sounds of the bush. The villas offer total privacy and, given the nature of safari escapes with all the action at dawn and dusk, days are easily spent in this seclusion if you would rather be alone and away from other guests. Another Azura touch revolves around mealtimes and the menus. Their properties are all in fairly remote areas and reliant on an external supply of fresh ingredients. The heat is also a challenge so menus are devoid of heavy dishes PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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that weigh you down. Highlights are the special egg dishes for breakfast – eggs benedict with biltong and baked eggs with tomato salsa – and the cold lettuce, tomato and cucumber soups at lunch. Breakfasts and lunches are served in the cool of the main lodge but they offer a few exotic locations for dinner to break the monotony. This is where you hear the voices of predators as you dine under the stars and when the location is on the river bank, you see the red watchful eyes of hippo, caught in the light of torches that the Masai Askari hold, keeping the wildlife at bay. These guys are your protectors when the sun goes down, keeping watch for any animals that get too curious while you dine, and escorting you to your villa when it’s time to turn in. They don’t talk much but they don’t have to – they are among few humans who aren’t out of place here, in fact they’re at home among the animals and have garnered them a respect. We were lucky with the animals on safari, running into a pride of lion, youngsters in tow, relaxing in the late afternoon before the action of the evening. A pack of wild dog entertained us not two kilometres from the lodge, constantly on the move and communicating the strategy for their hunt among themselves, in their particular pack hierarchy. Elephant, buffalo and rhino crossed our path but leopard remained the elusive of the big five. Not to worry because the little guys made up for it and the birds came to the party – carmine bee eaters, lilac breasted rollers, red billed oxpeckers and a committee of vultures watching over a recent giraffe kill.
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Andrew told us there were crocodiles in the river but they kept their distance even when taken up-river on a boating safari that gets you up close and personal with the laughing hippo and life on the water. We even tried fishing for tiger fish but all I managed was a spiny thing, lethal to any poor creature in search of an easy meal. It’s the remoteness of this lodge that appeals most to me. The Selous Game Reserve is 55 000 square kilometres in area, two and a half times the size of Kruger and the only access is via a Coastal Aviation Cessna 208B Grand Caravan – the Toyota Hilux of short hop aviation – once a day from Dar es Salaam. During your stay you only see the lodge staff, fellow guests, the Masai
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And the birds came to the party – carmine bee eaters, lilac breasted rollers, red billed oxpeckers and a committee of vultures watching over a recent giraffe kill.
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Askari and animals. There are no swarms of vehicles dashing to the best animal sightings, just wilderness and solitude. Yes, we are so out of place in wildlife circles and that is how it should be. To experience the beauty from the luxury of the Azura Selous verandah and from the comfort of a vehicle keeps us as observers. One hour alone in this wilderness and I fear I would be the kill the vultures were so intent on protecting. If you go There are a few options getting to Dar es Salaam from OR Tambo and we flew courtesy of Fastjet which operates a low cost option, serving SA, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya from Dar. They operate three flights a week out of OR Tambo leaving Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This region is hot and rarely drops below 30 degrees during the day. The rain comes in March/April/May bringing welcome afternoon thunderstorms to cool things down. Azura Selous is considered a mediumrisk malaria area so consult your doctor about prophylaxis before you go.
www.azura-retreats.com
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City
Oasis Gillian McLaren travels to
Singapore and the Shangri-la hotel.
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he foyer of the Shangri-la Hotel in Singapore is impressive. Marble pillars rise from the vast floor area to the ceiling, where rows of crystal chandeliers reflect the light. Creatively arranged Asian flowers and greenery separate a reception area from the sunken lounge space. To celebrate the Chinese New Year, red lanterns have been hoisted and small red packets hang from a central leafless tree, with a Chinese bridge built next to it. The effect is elegant yet welcoming. From the courteous doorman with his warm smile and the efficient receptionist who ensures I am effortlessly checked in, to the hostesses who gives me information that I need as she escourts me to the Garden Wing suites, I experience personalised and caring service. Privacy in these suites is ensured as only your card key activates the lift to your floor.
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My suite is on the 7th floor, with a bougainvillea laden verandah and a view onto manicured tropical gardens and a swimming pool, where guests are lazing on sun loungers under umbrellas. The spacious, quiet bedroom with king sized bed has an en suite bathroom with an array of Shangri-la’s products –including their signature scent and new white bath sheets.
In addition there is a comfortable lounge with a separate guest toilet. Tucking into the complimentary box of chocolates made by a resident chef, I peruse some of the local and international newspapers placed on the coffee table alongside a spray of glorious orchids. The sizable pool provides a good length for me to do some training in the morning, before I head for the
cornucopia of the buffet breakfast. The pool attendant brings me a fluffy towel as I emerge from the water, feeling like a Bond girl. He offers me a drink and brings the iced spring water with fresh lime that I order. Breakfast in the Line Restaurant is an event in itself. At 16 stations for different types of food – including Chinese, Malaysian and Japanese - each has their
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enough to eat the notorious durian – which is banned on buses and planes for its powerful aroma – you can try durian ice cream, for its exquisite aftertaste. Newly opened Waterfall Ristorante Italiano – situated next to the pool – specialises in cuisine from southern Italy. My Linguine Allo Scoglio, and authentic Italian seafood pasta with prawn, scallop, mussel, clam and cherry tomato is
‘bellisimo’. Served from an oak barrel, Waterfall’s house wine, Nero d'Avola, is made from Boccalino red wine grapes from Sicily. Whether you are visiting Singapore for business or for a stopover before flying on to another destination, the Shangri-la Hotel is a great place to stay for more than just its classic accommodation and tasty food. A few minutes in the hotel PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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own chef. One these open kitchens juices fresh fruit for you, so I tried green guava, which is refreshing and delicious. This is an ideal way to taste many different kinds of Asian food, to see what you like. When I asked the dim sum chef if he had my favourite steamed buns with yam, he told me he would prepare some for me. This is a personalised five star adventure, not just any buffet. For those not brave
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Served from an oak barrel, Waterfall’s house wine, Nero d'Avola, is made from Boccalino red wine grapes from Sicily.
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shuttle - or a short walk - takes you to the vibrant shopping precinct of Orchard Road, where stores are laden with luxury goods from major designers. In addition to towering shopping malls and street level stores, you can walk through a labyrinth of shops below ground, in airconditioned bliss. From the hotel you can take a personalised guided tour, to some of the many attractions in this pulsating City. Gardens by the Bay is a new concept, where displays of flowers and plants from all over the world can be viewed inside and outside two huge covered domes (visible from the vantage points of The Singapore Flyer and the 56th floor of the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park).
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It is a pleasure to be in the cool, dry climate in the flower dome for a few hours, where a few of the over 1000 species of plants are South African. The variety of displays in the Gardens includes a scented walk, a simulated cloud forest -in a cool-moist conservatory with a waterfall plus many rare and endangered plants - and a flower dome. The educational aspect here is multimedia, progressive and high tech which I enjoy. It is a pleasure to be in the cool, dry climate in the flower dome for a few hours, where a few of the over 1000 species of plants are South African. Much as I revel in the abundance of activities in Singapore, returning to the sanctuary of my Garden Suite at the Shangri-la Hotel and an iced drink on the Rose Veranda - served by immaculately dressed and smiling staff – is sheer luxury and a haven from the bustling city.
www.shangri-la.com/singapore
Singapore Tourism Board
www.stb.gov.sg
For travel packages to Singapore
www.thompsons.co.za
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www.singaporeair.com/ SAA-flow.form
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Business Class on Singapore airlines is comfortable, convenient and the cuisine and wine are outstanding. The New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best I have tasted, so far. Service is personalised and discreet.
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There are a lot of accommodation options if you need to be close to the Sandton CBD when on
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business or holiday. Chris Buchanan found an oasis that brings the country into the city. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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had been to Athol Place before. It was about five years ago to interview a patron of the arts and it seemed fairly unique as a hotel in Sandton with a garden setting. But five years is a long time in the hospitality industry and this property has now been transformed into an exceptional boutique hotel, restaurant and exclusive-use villa. It was acquired by a Dutch couple who created the Morukuru Family – a series of properties in Madikwe, De Hoop and Athol – that provided luxury accommodation and an opportunity to experience safari, sea and city within one portfolio. Athol Place offers nine suites, five superior and four deluxe rooms, set within quiet and serene gardens. Their layout and design put you in an environment that reminds you of home rather than being in a hotel, and there’s always a tree outside the window and the sound of birds while the traffic goes un-noticed only two blocks away. The previous owners had their admin offices in a large house on the property next door which sowed the seed for
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There’s always a tree outside the window and the sound of birds while the traffic goes un-noticed only two blocks away.
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Athol Place Villa. Here you have a butler, a chef, a chauffeur and the exclusive use of a four en suite room house with heated pool, extensive garden and all the privacy you and your family need. There is pedestrian access to the main hotel if you want to give your chef the night off and dine in the Athol Place Restaurant. This is the venue that local Johannesburgers should make a date to experience. Chef is Wynand van der Watt who concentrates on flavour sensations using as many fresh ingredients he can get his hands on. His chicken and chorizo Caesar salad was perfect for a scorching Johannesburg afternoon. Mango salsa was the perfect sweet and hot companion for the kingklip line fish and what better way to wash it all down than with a glass or two of Springfield Life from Stone. Morukuru’s marketing manager, Eluisa di Benedetto, told me that the guest reigns supreme, free to treat the hotel like home with no chance of a corporate function or conference intruding on their
space. The only non-residents you’re likely to come across are those who have booked a table at the restaurant which is open to the public for bookings, so they’ll be foodies and they’re not half bad. There are some pretty good things to do in and around Sandton for an afternoon and I can highly recommend a lunch on the patio in the country garden of Athol Place. I spent the afternoon and could have stayed a week. Athol Place, in fact all of the Morukuru Family properties, are members of Relais & Chateaux.
www.morukuru.com
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whisky
Conversations on
The Kirstie McCallum episode. Patrick Leclezio interviews one of Scotch whisky’s pioneering women.
What do you most like and dislike about your job? I like meeting people, seeing new places, and experiencing different cultures. I dislike airports, especially when there are flight delays. What in your opinion are the most important whisky developments and trends impacting the market? Whisky cocktails, the emergence of women – both as consumers and whisky professionals, and the shift in the average age of the whisky consumer – more people are bringing whisky into their repertoire at a younger age. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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You’re the Global Brand Ambassador for Burn Stewart – which, incidentally, is now part of South Africa’s Distell Group. Tell us a little bit about yourself, your work and your time away from the work. My work involves travelling to various
markets to educate consumers, the press, and our internal customers about our brands. In terms of leisure I’m a passionate World Rally fan, and I also enjoy watching ice hockey.
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r Kirstie McCallum is one of a growing number of women occupying prominent positions in Scotch whisky. An analytical chemist by training, she’s worked for some of the leading companies in the industry and was an accomplished master blender before moving into her current role. We were fortunate enough to share some time with her during a recent visit to South Africa.
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This issue of NAS whiskies has been getting a bit of blowback in the whisky press and in social media, particularly in the last year or so, with the increased proliferation of these products, key touch points being a lack of honesty from the industry about the motivation for this trend, the inherent deception (and lack of courage) in these products, and the perception that they’re a smokescreen for excessive profit-taking. What’s your view? Is this a trend that will continue to grow – or will it retreat to a niche at some point? Do you think the industry will continue to phase out traditional aged whiskies even when stocks recover? I disagree. Whisky behaves differently at different ages, and offers different flavours at these various stages. A blender has two key elements with which to play – cask and age. NAS whiskies, by extending the blending palette, allow greater experimentation with flavour, which better serves the increasingly adventurous and knowledgeable modern consumer. This trend will definitely continue.
Glenfiddich cracked the million case mark in 2013 – the first single malt to do so. Whilst this signals the rapid growth of malt whisky, the market remains very much dominated by blends, with malts only making up some seven to eight percent. What’s your view of the future – where will things settle? I think we’ll continue to see malts increasing in volume, but blends will always dominate. Whisky has in fact proliferated to the point where it’s being made in a variety of new countries – case in point being Three Ships and Bain’s, now part of
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The Scotch whisky industry is very traditional, with relatively little room for change and innovation. A guy like John
Glaser has tried, and been somewhat successful at doing new and different things, but with much resistance. Do you think there’s scope for real innovation in whisky? We are closely regulated to ensure Scotch whisky stays true to its traditions and history, and remains a 100% natural hand crafted product. But although we are restricted there is still lots of scope for innovation, with cask finishing, different age and NAS expressions, and also things like different peating levels in the malt used to make the spirit, being prime examples.
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your group. How do you and how does the Scotch whisky industry view these new producers? These whiskies give people new options to try. They complement Scotch whisky and the other traditional styles of whisky. I think that the industry as a whole doesn’t view them as either a threat or as being derivative. They most certainly stand on their own two feet. Is this your first visit to SA? What is it about the country that you’ve most enjoyed? Yes, it’s my first visit. I haven’t seen much since getting here but I can say that I’ve been very impressed by Table Mountain. My grandfather was an engineer on an oil tanker and he’d always referred to Cape Town as one of the most beautiful places that he’s ever seen, so I’m looking forward to seeing as much of it as I can.
Wood is generally acknowledged as the principal influence on the flavour of a whisky. Peat smoke is probably the most obvious. What are the other influences that might be isolated by the casual drinker? Undoubtedly still shape – which is different in every Scotch distillery. Bunnahabhain has the tallest stills on Islay, promoting a lighter spirit. Ledaig and Deanston have lye arm configurations that generate more reflux, resulting in a sweeter spirit. Whisky has seen a phenomenon uptake over the past 20 years. Why do you think that this has been the case? Whisky is distinct because of its tradition and heritage. These are enduring qualities so I believe it will always be relevant in the long term. What makes Bunnahabhain such a
special whisky? It’s a unique style of whisky for Islay. And its accessible flavour – with lots of fruits and nuts – makes it particularly special. What do you drink when you’re not drinking a Burn Stewart whisky? I was previously a gin blender so I like to try different types of gins. I’m also an international rum judge so I also favour the occasional rum, but my main drink is whisky. Are you a purist? How do you respond if someone asks you to mix a dram of Bunna 12YO with Coke? There are no rules. I encourage people do what they like and to drink whisky as they’d best enjoy it. Lastly, how do you prefer to drink your whisky when you’re just having a casual dram with friends? It all depends on my mood. I drink Black Bottle with ginger ale and a splash of lime, I drink blended whisky with Coke, I’ve enjoyed single malt cocktails, and of course I also enjoy whisky on its own. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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The industry’s suffered a setback in one of its biggest growth markets, China, with the recent anti-extravagance policies. This has emphasised the doubts about whether the growth of whisky in China stemmed from true appreciation. Where to from here? How can this be addressed? Where is the next China? I think South America , and South Africa have tremendous potential for growth. China isn’t our biggest market but it is a growth market for us and
for me the answers lie in a continued focus on consumer education, and in products which suit Chinese tastes. An example would be Scottish Leader Supreme in Taiwan where the liquid has been especially blended to cater to the Taiwanese palate.
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Islay seems to have established itself as a whisky Mecca. Its peated whiskies have developed a cult following. Why do you think this is the case? Do you personally enjoy heavily peated whiskies? I need to interject and mention that Islay is not just about peat. The island’s whiskies offer different levels of peating, and lots of differences in character independent of the peat. Our Islay malt Bunnahabhain offers a complex unpeated taste of Islay. Yes, peat plays a part in the appeal, but it’s also about the romance and the remoteness of Islay. The island inspires a very personal experience of whisky. Yes, I do enjoy peated whisky. Within our stable I can highly recommend Ledaig, its sweet peat being particularly accessible for the novice, and Bunnahabhain Ceobanach, a limited edition bottling that comes from the six weeks of the year during which we make a heavily peated (40ppm) spirit at the distillery.
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painting the town
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The Mother’s Ruin episode. Patrick Leclezio reviews a seminal Cape Town nightspot.
y ideal bar– if I could venture to describe it in these terms - would be something between the Korova milk bar from Clockwork Orange, and Cheers, the place where everybody knows your name: friendly and welcoming, but also interesting and verging towards the edgy. I’d obviously draw the line well before lacing drinks with narcotics, and the serving of minors, but you get the general drift… I hope. Anyhow, when a friend of mine started murmuring about opening a niche bar late last year, I felt that this might be the one. Mother’s Ruin was launched in December, to little fanfare, but in the space of a few short months it’s become one of Cape Town’s hottest bars. You might have deduced from the name, especially if you have an interest in history, that this is a gin bar – notably Africa’s first specialist gin bar. Gin wasn’t always the high-brow drink that it is today - at one point in its less savoury past it was referred to as “mother’s ruin”, for reasons that don’t need explanation. Mother’s Ruin the bar somehow isn’t hampered by this association, its harking back is quirky if anything and a nod to the heritage of the spirit that it celebrates. Gin may have travelled a colourful road, but it has survived, it has flourished and, with its multitude of botanicals and flavour permutations, has captured our contemporary imaginations. You could say circa 2015 that it’s the drink of the moment. Perhaps the most appealing feature of Mother’s Ruin is what I’d also consider to be the most important feature of any bar focused on a particular drink – the selection (…in this case of gins, of course). The bar has racked up a still growing
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assemblage of some 90 odd varieties. The standards are all there of course – Beefeater, Bombay, Tanqueray, and Gordon’s – but this is the type of place that offers an opportunity to cut loose and experiment. With exotic gins from all over Europe, from Kenya, the United States, and with a fair few from within local reach, it’s got the makings of many a happy hour - you can read that any way you want - trying a bit of this and a bit of that.
Now, any gin bar worth its salt, no matter how good its collection, would need to engage in all the traditional deployments of this fine spirit: gins and tonic, cocktails, and martinis (which I consider distinct from regular cocktails). Mother’s Ruin excels with each. The Gs and T are offered with a variety of tonics, from the standard (Schweppes, Fitch and Leedes) and the premium (Fever Tree, Fentimans), to the craft (Socks), and also with
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a variety of garnishes: if that means lemon or lime to you, then you’re clearly far too old school – the bar serves up mango (reckoned to be the pinnacle), grapefruit, cucumber, orange, rosemary, lemongrass, mint, and apple. Owner Mark Mulholland, a compulsive tinkerer with a food flavours background, has devised a cocktail menu that teams a few gin classics with his own imaginative creations – his “Klein Slaaitjie”, I won’t spoil the surprise, being the most popular. Last but not least, martinis are a serious business at Mother’s Ruin – twisted, dirty, perfect, the Vesper, they’re all represented, along with a constant stream of tweaks and experimentations. It’s a rich vein of conversation here – with suggestions and ideas welcome as they strive to create the ultimate martini. I should flag that they unfortunately subscribe to the Bond approach – minus points, so if you don’t want to risk an overdiluted, aerated affair, be sure to specify that you want yours stirred. On the plus side I spotted a few bottles of genuine French vermouth (Dolin) on my last visit – a rare treat in South Africa. Get some of it whilst stocks last. Mother’s Ruin is nestled at the top of Bree Street, in an expanding, upmarket, vibrant nightlife district, where it’s kept company by Orphanage, Odyssey, and a few other bustling restaurants. It’s a must-visit venue for all gin loving gadabouts. See you there.
It’s a rich vein of conversation here – with suggestions and ideas welcome as they strive to create the ultimate martini.
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Gin Mare With its principal botanicals being thyme, rosemary and olive, this is a Mediterranean gin indeed. Dirty martini baby.
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Bombay Amber Something strikingly different. Amber has been finished (in this case meaning matured for a short period) in French vermouth oak barrels, which is highly unusual for this typically unaged spirit.
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Inverroche The Inverroche gins from Stillbaai, Classic, Verdant and Amber, are the
three best-selling gins at Mother’s Ruin. The people have voted - local is lekker. Be sure to also try Jorgensen’s gin and the gingery, spicy Musgrave gin.
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No. 3 If you have classical taste then look no further. No. 3 strikes all the right juniper and citrus notes required in a great London Dry symphony. PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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Monkey 47 This fruity gin from the Black Forest in Germany chock-a-block with 47 different botanicals is as complex and layered a gin as I’ve ever tasted. A standout!
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Five gins to try at Mother’s Ruin:
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250 years of
Hennessy To celebrate its 250th anniversary, Hennessy has launched
the Hennessy 250 Collector Blend, an expression of absolute perfectionism and a tribute to the legacy passed from seven generations of the Master blender.
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o create the Hennessy 250 Collector Blend, a selection of a hundred eaux-de-vie were aged in 250 handcrafted, specially commissioned 250-litre barrels of Limousin oak, having already been aged for at least 10 years under optimum conditions. The special release offers aromatic tones varying from herbal and spicy to bitter orange, fresh nutmeg, liquorice, dried peppermint leaves and saffron. The unique blend embodies the Maison’s history and is of great distinction and intensity. Presented in a collector decanter and gift box, this exclusive anniversary blend showcases Hennessy savoir-faire and excellence. The Hennessy 250 Collector Blend will retail at approximately R6 000 and be available at select retail and wholesale stores nationwide from June 2015. The blend will launch alongside The Hennessy 250 Tour, a global artistic and cultural event in celebration of Hennessy’s bicentennial and phenomenal worldwide success.
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Seven
seas Innovation placed at the Heart of the 2015 Dubai International Boat Show, says Erwin
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Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft.
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aritime leisure is one of the most exciting and dynamic sectors in the world – with rapid technological development, leadingedge design and ever-evolving customer demands shaping the sector dramatically from one year to the next. Staying in tune with customers’ aspirations and having the capacity to transform them into a tangible reality is what determines success in the leisure industry. Today, boat enthusiasts are not simply looking for a yacht or boat that will take them to a destination; they are looking for a craft that is the destination – one that offers premium comfort and a memorable boating experience, be it with their colleagues, friends, or loved ones. Of course, what that experience means varies from customer to customer. Gulf Craft leads on all fronts with the technology, design capability, and customer service to make those dreams a reality. They are also within geographic proximity to one of the world’s top four, annual marketing platforms that helps share that experience with passionate seafarers – the Dubai International Boat Show. Gulf Craft considers the Dubai event to be an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the company and what it has to offer, but more important, how they differ from European and American competitors, and what enables us them increase the competitive advantage year-on-year.
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which continue to serve the world’s growing appetite for royal cruising. The superyacht has been designed to suit the Mediterranean lifestyle, with unrivalled lounging areas for entertaining both inside and out, including two decks with lavish interiors, an extended balcony, and a spacious fly-bridge. The Majesty 122 also offers a fully equipped galley and luxurious accommodation for ten guests, with five spacious en-suite staterooms. The garage at the rear of the superyacht can hold a tender and two three-seater watercraft, further raising the bar for recreation and entertainment. Our customers constantly tell us that they want time away from the stresses and strains of their very busy and demanding lives. They tell us that they want to be where they can relax with family, on the water, and in a luxurious environment. The Majesty 112 meets their needs superbly across all these client criteria, and it was, not unsurprisingly, very warmly received at the Dubai boat show, with hundreds of serious buyers touring the boat over the five days of the show. But not all customers are the same, and even the same customer tastes evolve over time. Many customers, for example,
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Gulf Craft is UAE-based, one of the world’s top 10 superyacht builders, and enjoys a 33-year history of producing robust, sea-worthy boats of all shapes and sizes, at widely accommodating price points. The range includes Silvercraft fishing boats and family cruisers, Oryx Sport Yachts and Cruisers, and the increasingly large and luxurious Majesty Yachts. On all three brands, Gulf Craft has continued to improve on previous models, with styling and attention-to-detail that is the talk of the industry. All of this improvement and development has been done without conceding on customer delivery times or budgets. The sophisticated technology, be it our state-of-the-art, eco-friendly plasma and water jets that allow more flexibility in interior designs, the onboard stabilising systems that ensure the comfort of passengers, or the powerful engines with efficient fuel consumption, further enhance the customer experience. At this year’s Dubai show, an increasingly international platform for industry newsmakers, Gulf Craft launched the Majesty 122 superyacht, globally. The Majesty 122 is the latest addition to Gulf Craft’s Majesty Yachts fleet of luxury fly-bridge superyachts,
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Our guests at the Dubai International Boat Show had the opportunity to experience two crafts from the Nomad Yachts range, the Nomad 65 and the Nomad 75. Innovation lies at the core of each design, making aspirations for extended sea travel a reality. The Nomad 65 is designed to meet
www.gulfcraftinc.com
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begin as Silvercraft buyers and grow into Majesty Yachts clients. Other clients come with inspiration of their own, and we are able to semi-customise their wishes into our existing designs. Others have entirely new and challenging aspirations for their watercraft, dreams that will match their lifestyles and, crucially, without compromise. This thinking was behind the new Gulf Craft brand – Nomad Yachts. Gulf Craft premiered this brand new line of yachts – created for boat enthusiasts with an insatiable appetite for sea travel – at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show. This innovative collection features a series of yachts that are leisure destinations within themselves, designed for seafarers who enjoy longrange cruises with friends and family. Offering premium comfort, safety, and oceangoing capability, the Nomad Yachts transform yachting into a journey and ideal for sea travelers who have a genuine appreciation for spending time on water.
an emerging market demand for yachts that enable comfortable long-distance sea travel. It is the first hybrid semidisplacement yacht by Gulf Craft, built to be a luxurious yet efficient mode of transport. Engineered using the most sophisticated technology, the Nomad 65 allows seafarers to confidently sail the world’s waters from the luxury of their own yacht. The craft has an airy loft style apartment feel with white oak parquet flooring, marble counter tops, and cozy soft furnishings, leather sofas crafted from high-end leather in the main saloon area. Alongside the launch of the Majesty 122 and the Nomad Yachts range, Gulf Craft also showcased one of the largest superyachts on display at the show, the Majesty 135, as well as its latest models of Oryx Sport Yachts and Cruisers, and Silvercraft fishing boats and family cruisers, offering a wide range of experiences to everyone and truly making luxury accessible. Having successfully concluded the 23rd Dubai International Boat Show – Gulf Craft were proud founding exhibitors from year one – the ongoing challenge and mission remain the same: to get people of all backgrounds out on the water to enjoy the miracles that it presents. Gulf Craft fully appreciates that not everyone enjoys boating the same way. Some want speed and style; others, quiet luxury. No matter the preference, Gulf Craft will continue to meet client wishes by practicing superlative customer service, and fully leveraging the benefits of the personalized sales and marketing opportunities created by global industry events such as the Dubai International Boat Show.
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X-ceptional Vivien Natasen tackles the scenic
routes of Mpumalanga in the new X6
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aving had the existing X6M50d (quite a mouthful) as a daily commute for the last two years, I was very curious to experience the new version. This model has a unique spin to it – a “sort-of M-badged” diesel with the extreme performance similar, if not better than the V8 petrol and a decent fuel consumption. A no-brainer for a daily commute with lots of power underfoot to produce race car-like performance.
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The X6 has always been the “X-files” vehicle of the marque from the time it was mooted. Its inexplicable sales of over 250 000 units worldwide makes no sense in terms of its perceived lack of practicality and utility when compared to the X5. Yet many aspire to an X6 over the X5. It has a street cred that seemingly far exceeds its bigger sibling. I went through the same debate when disposing of my X5 4.0d in exchange of the X6M50d. With hindsight, the decision came with no regrets. Most X6 owners look past the smaller stowage space in favour of the sportier looks. The South African media launch of the X6M50d and the X5.0i entailed a visit out to Mpumalanga experiencing the vehicle on the panoramic circuits of the outskirts of the Kruger National Park and surrounds with an overnight stay at Royal Malewane Private Game Reserve. On arrival at Kruger Park International Airport we were immediately handed over keys to the vehicles as well as a trip itinerary for the ride out to the game lodge. With hindsight, it seems the traffic officials were handed the same documents as they were out in numbers for the entire trip, a plus for traffic law enforcement but a downer if one wanted to truly experience the vehicles.
My overall conclusion is that the latest X6 is a better, more refined vehicle than its predecessor – in fact in every department BMW has improved the vehicle.
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For those who have never driven the scenic routes of Mpumalanga, I am saying that you have not experienced enough of life. The route took us past some of the well-known landmarks such as God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and many of the great vistas of the panoramic route. There are some interesting motoring museums along the way as well. On to the vehicles and the latest iteration of the X6 is a true refinement of the vehicle that has served BMW surprisingly well (even through their admission) since inception as a “Sports Activity Vehicle” (SAV). On paper, the X6M50d performance is the same as its predecessor. However, in reality it seems a much more refined and faster vehicle. With no discernible turbo lag, it officially
hauls the over two-tonne mass in just over 5 seconds. The new interior is a lot more plush compared with the “bare necessities” of the older model. The introduction of efficient dynamics into this range now allows for much lower fuel consumptions – in Eco Pro mode in the low 6 (litres /100 kms) although with our reasonably heavy feet and with wanting to try out the sportier handling and performance modes, we didn’t experience that at all. The 5.0i is no slouch either. The V8 petrol is aggressively quick and as surefooted as its sort-of-M brother. My overall conclusion is that the latest X6 is a better, more refined vehicle than its predecessor – in fact in every department BMW has improved
the vehicle. I suspect that many loyal followers of the X6 will opt for the newer vehicle, as much as new fans will come about too. The segment seems to have attracted attention though, with marques such as Mercedes noticing how lucrative the “off-road coupe-looking” market is and are developing vehicles for this territory. X6M and X5M Subsequent to the launch of the X6M50d and the X6 5.0i we were treated to the launch of the new X6M and X5M in Cape Town. These monsters took everything we loved of the normal units and made them so much better. Despite their bulk, the M-models deliver 0-100 performance in just over 4 seconds using the new M TwinPower Turbo V8s. Blisteringly quick despite their bulk, these monsters can give many super cars a run for their money, whilst still have the practicality of everyday use. A big thing for me of the old model was the limited range on the fuel tank, I was never able to get more than 400 kilometres from the tank from the old model. BMW claims that fuel consumptions have been significantly improved, although I am not sure if many of the owners use fuel consumption as their primary criteria in selecting this vehicle. This is one of those cars that for their sheer pose value, speed and driving exhilaration – one just as to say: “I want one!!”
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Future shock The launching of the BMW i3 and lesson to other manufacturers on how to go about the electric car business.
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i8 is an object
by: Stuart Johnston
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he Bavarian-based automaker has produced radical looking machinery to showcase its foray into a field of transportation that is in its infancy. And the looks of the new Beemers are just a part of the story. The cars themselves are not merely run-around-shop-abouts, such as the Nissan Leaf and, to an extent, the Prius, with different powertrains. The very construction methods of the i3 and i8 represent a whole new way of doing business in the car field, with the upper-body carbon-fibre-composite-plastic laminates produced in America, before being shipped out to Germany for forming into body panels and subsequent mating with the hi-tech alloy chassis that contains the even higher-tech motivational power units.
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These power units differ radically between the i3, a very-much cityorientated four-seater, and the i8, which has one of the most futuristic-looking supercar-type bodies seen this side of an international motor show. In simple terms the i3 is all-electric, while the i8 is essentially a two-seater with nominal rearseating employing a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, with plug-in charge capability. Is that a complex explanation? Yeah, but nowhere near as complex as these cars, or the philosophy behind them
The i3. The looks of this little four-seater are absolutely sensational in terms of being a city car that needs to make a statement. The design has chunkiness as its bedrock statement, denoting an aggression that is indeed inherent in the performance, at least by city car standard. The i3 has almost zero overhangs front and rear and the wheels themselves are located further outwards than the passenger cell. In other words, there is a slight tapering towards the top of the car.
The body itself is unusual in that there is no B-pillar. The front and rear doors fold together coach-style, the front doors hinged and hung at the front end, the rears at the rear end. This facilitates easy access to the rear in most circumstances. However, if there are a bunch of you trying to get into the car in the narrow confines of a parking lot or a garage, things can get complicated. You have to plan your strategy in terms of using the i3 too. In normal circumstances the range from the lithium ion battery pack gives the car about 120
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It will accelerate to 100 in 7,2 seconds and, most important, race between 80 km/h and 120 km/h in just 4,8 seconds, so it is extremely lively.
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Top speed is limited to 150 km/h and it gets there quickly. You can feel that it is quite heavy for a city car - it weighs around 1 600 kg – and it takes a bit of getting used to as there is a degree of braking effect the minute you lift your foot off the accelerator. This is because the power unit, mounted in line with the rear axle, changes instantly from drawing current from the battery to adding current, as the electronics switch polarity. In practise it works fantastically and you find yourself hardly ever using the brake pedal! The interior is ultra-modernistic as one would expect, and the car is said to be extremely safe, with all manner of traction nannies in place. I liked it very much, and while the base model sells for R525 000 I would shell out an extra R70 000 for the Range Extender model at R595 000.
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to 160 km between battery charges. This sounds adequate, but in South African terms it means you always have to check that you have remembered to charge your car. And if you forget the night before, you are going to have much more of a problem than if you had done likewise regards your cell phone! The battery charger lead pretty much stays with the car at all times, and yes, it is possible to simply plug into a home or office wall socket and charge the car. Again, you have to ensure that you can get
the car close enough for the cable to reach said socket. BMW will also sell you at additional cost a wall unit for placement in your garage, which optimises the charge rate from a normal 220 volt supply. Another option they will sell you at extra cost is the range extender. This consists of a four stroke petrol motorcyclederived engine located near the battery pack with its own separate nine litre fuel tank. Kick this in, and it extends the range of the i3 to around 300 km between charges (of both electricity and a few drops of fuel). I like this option, although I remarked it sounds as if the pizza delivery man is chasing after you at times! How does it go? It will accelerate to 100 in 7,2 seconds and, most important, race between 80 km/h and 120 km/h in just 4,8 seconds, so it is extremely lively.
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The i8. The i8 has a powerful electric engine that delivers around 96 kW, and a perky three cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It looks like at least a million dollars’ worth and in fact costs R1 755 000 here. It features the same mix of carbon reinforced plastic body and aluminium chassis as the i3, but of course the supercar-like body is in another world in terms of visual appeal. People were falling out the back of bakkies just to get a better look at it when I drove it in the Western Cape! It is rated with some impressive performance figures, and with a full battery charge the 0-100 km/h time comes up in 4,3 seconds, while top speed is 250 km/h. But I found on my drive that the performance seemed to fall off a tad even before the battery reaches the critical 25 per cent level, at which point the car operates purely on its little 1,5-litre three-cylinder engine.
I also found that the average petrol consumption was in the region of 9,0 litres/100 km during my brisk drive through the mountains. In the city, it will come down appreciably to a level averaging around 5.0 litres/100 and this, say the pundits, is the way cars are going to be configured in the future. The petrol engine is rear mounted and the electric engine is mounted up front and each has their own drive-lines, connected only by electronics. It is a unique solution and in practice it works okay. I didn’t sense that there was the grip level on this machine that one would expect from a supercar, but on my launch drive I didn’t have the opportunity to wring the beast out to its maximum. There is lots I like about the car, but as my launch drive went on I found myself being less impressed by the driving experience than the visuals. The engine note is okay-ish – at least there is an engine note! But given that to get
the best out of this car it needs to have a full battery charge, best achieved by plugging into a wall socket, although you can use regenerative braking to re-charge the battery, or switch to a mode that motivates the car purely on the petrol engine, while the battery gets a top-up on the move. Using a wall socket enables the battery to be charged up to 80 per cent of its capability in just two hours. The crunch: would I or wouldn’t I? Oh-kayeee.. BMW is to be lauded by leading the way in the electric revolution with these two models. Would I take the plunge and become an early adapter? No way, Hosé. There’s still too much of a sacrifice needed. Give me a high performance diesel for the mean-time, until they develop a battery that can last all week, be charged in minutes and an infrastructure of charging points just like we have with fuel stations. Then maybe, but I will miss the sound of a proper petrol engine.
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People were falling out the back of bakkies just to get a better look at it when I drove it in the Western Cape!
The S-Class CoupĂŠ. Welcome to the view from the top. A sight of beauty and triumph. The S-Class CoupĂŠ, with industry-first curve tilting technology, leans itself into bends for ultimate driving comfort. Unveil a vision of performance, poise, and unparalleled luxury that can only be described as breathtaking. Welcome to the view from the top. Visit www.mercedes-benz.co.za/s-coupe Vehicle specifications may vary for the South African market.
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t stands for
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turbo Ferrari has considerable experience in turbocharged engines, dating back to the mid-
1980s when the intriguing and very quick 288 GTO was launched. That was quickly followed by the F40, a benchmark Ferrari in terms of its amazing raw-edged performance, and both of them used turbocharged versions of the famous Ferrari V8. by: Stuart Johnston PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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he classic Ferrari V8 format is still very much at the heart of the new California T, which made its debut in front of a strong South African media contingent at the new Scuderia South Africa showroom in Bryanston late in February. But rather than just a facelift, the California T has performance that will take this front engined, best selling Ferrari variant into another league. The V8 mounted up front, displacing 3 855 cc, features direct injection and turbocharging, giving the car a massive power boost over the outgoing model. Torque is up a stunning 49 per cent to 755 Nm, while maximum power is now rated at 412 kW, quite incidentally the same peak power output as rated in the latest version of the Porsche 911 Turbo, discussed elsewhere in this edition of Prestige.
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The California is Ferrari’s top-selling model and the new T version should entrench that trend as it is even more beautiful than the out-going model. A thorough re-styling has seen the front end modelled on the classic pontoon styling of the Testarossa 250 factory racer of the 1950s, and the new grille gives the car a sleeker look. At the rear there is a multi-plane diffuser to distinguish the new car and all new wheel styles further distinguish the California T. When the car emerged for its debut onto the upper deck of the impressive new four storey Scuderia South Africa showroom located just off William Nichol Drive, the remarkable aspect of its entrance was that the distinctive Ferrari crackle was still very much in evidence from the new power-plant. Ferrari engineers say that a particular challenge of the new engine was to ensure that it still had the “typically intense, exhilarating Ferrari sound.” Particular attention was paid to the new turbo-engine’s three piece cast
exhaust manifold and turbo housing, as one of the drawbacks of turbo engines is that the turbo unit often muffles some of that good old exhaust magic. So much work has gone into the California T that it is all too easy to
conclude that the T stands for turbocharging alone. This would be very much a misconception, as the chassis has been re-worked considerably to ensure that the new car contains its 412 kW in an appropriate manner. Ferrari notes the use of a new steering box design to improve steering wheel feel, and re-configured suspension. In the ride and handling department, new springs are fitted, along with the latest Magnaride dampers, which adjust damping rates 50 per cent faster than before. These combine with body motion accelerometers to reduce roll in cornering and pitch under acceleration or heavy braking. To contain the serious increase in power further, the California T also has the latest F1-Trac traction control system in place. Braking is via the latest CCM3 carbon-ceramic braking system that uses composite discs and pads and enables the California T to stop from 100 km/h in just 34 metres. As far as performance is
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To contain the serious increase in power further, the California T also has the latest F1-Trac traction control system in place.
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concerned, the 0-100 km/h benchmark now stands at 3,6 seconds, with top speed well over the 300 km/h mark. The cabin has also received numerous upgrades, the most noticeable being the Turbo Performance Engineer display which takes up a prominent position on the dashboard and monitors engine performance. A 6,5 inch information screen offers both touch and button controls. Of course, the most attractive feature of the basic California design is very much in place, and that is its metal roof couperoadster configuration that enables it to change from a sleek coupe to a spider in a mere 14 seconds. The Scuderia SA team demonstrated just that at the launch of the new T, and it remains one of the slickest operations of its type. It is difficult to absorb the fact that this is still very much an “entry level� Ferrari. But that is indeed the case, with a price of R3,68-million, although bear in mind that figure was announced in late February 2015.
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after 40
The very first Porsche Turbo, as it was quite simply badged back then, went on
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sale in the second quarter of 1975, forty years ago, as we head into winter here in in South Africa in 2015. by: Stuart Johnston PRESTIGE: in the lap of luxury
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hat car was possibly the most important model that Porsche has ever produced. Until then Porsche’s 911 was seen as an excellent, super high quality sports car, but with the advent of the Turbo, suddenly the 911 had achieved supercar status, right up there with the likes of Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini in terms of outright performance. The first 911, introduced for sale in 1964, produced a mere 97 kW. Now, in 1975, the Turbo had amped that to 195 kW in its first 3,0-litre form, which gave it 0-100 km/h in the five second bracket back then, and a top speed of 245 km/h.
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Porsches inspired respect, but also a touch of fear. They had earned a reputation for being tail happy with the first generation 911s and with pioneering turbo technology – lag as you put the throttle down followed by a huge ramp-up of torque as the turbo spooled up – well, you had to have your wits about you. There are those who will tell you that only the Germans would have persevered with a rear engined layout for over half a century, because they refused to admit they were wrong in the first place. If that is true or even halfway accurate probably depends on whether you’ve ever owned a 911 and loved it, as close to 900 000 people have done since the first one rolled off the production line in Stuttgart, and set Porsche upon a journey that would see it become officially noted, a few years back, as the world’s most profitable car company.
That very first-gen 911 Turbo, commonly known as the 930 after the Porsche factory code number, was an amazingly successful model. In fact, apart from a hike in engine capacity to 3,3 litres in 1978, and a consequent ramp up in power to 225 kW (and a 260 km/h top speed), the basic 930 continued in production right until 1989, a total of 14 years. During that time, the 911 was in danger of being killed off by Porsche, the management of the period having decided that the future lay in front engined cars like the V8 928 and the much cheaper four-cylinder 924 and 944 models. But the global band of 911 enthusiasts refused to let their favourite sports car die, by the simple expedient of ordering a new one when the time came to trade-in their beloved example. The biggest change in the 911 Turbo’s history came in the mid 1990s
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when it finally received all-wheel drive. A year or two earlier the Turbo had already had a huge power-hike with a 3,6-litre motor producing an impressive 265 kW, and with the new slope-lighted 993 series body, all-wheel drive was introduced with a mind blowing 300 kW, three times the power of the original 911! A few years later the first water cooled series 996 Porsche was introduced, and I was lucky enough to drive a cabriolet version of the Turbo S in Tuscany on the international launch, a car that impressed me hugely thanks to its impeccable high-speed handling and power that had again been hiked to 331 kW! The smooth, svelte 997 series that followed was perhaps a less dramatic design which ran from 1997 to 2012. And, I am happy to say, I was in the World Volkswagen Group model reveal in Frankfurt, the night before the 2013 Frankfurt Show, when the 991 Series Porsche Turbo made its first public debut, watched by a man who has been so intimately involved in Porsche’s history, and indeed a member of the original
Porsche family, Dr Ferdinand Pieche. Power on the latest 991 series Porsche 911 Turbo is up to a staggering 412 kW and 700 Nm of torque from its twin-turbo engine, which makes it twice as powerful as the original 911 Turbo. The latest car weighs some1 600 kg, considerably heavier than the original thanks to all-wheel drive and all the technology
and creature comfort items that are prerequisites of the modern supercar. Thank goodness Porsche listened to its customers back in 1978 and gave the 911 an indefinite stay of execution. Today it still accounts for around 20 per cent of overall Porsche production. And as for the Turbo model, it remains, for just about everyone who is interested in cars, the ultimate Porsche halo model.
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tech/gadgets
world in
motion
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What’s in a smartwatch? Well with Apple entering the market and all the hype, there a few who are accepting the challenge of combining tradition with innovation.
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owered by MotionX, the Swiss Horological Smartwatches are capable of bi-directional communication with iPhone and Android apps. The Swiss Horological Smartwatch is the synthesis of high-tech innovation and traditional Swiss watch craftsmanship; it is the link between modern and classic, and the bridge between Silicon Valley and Switzerland. There is no digital screen on the Swiss Horological Smartwatch. Instead, the beautiful laser cut hands on the watch dial display information in analogue form. The Swiss Horological Smartwatches retain their natural classic beauty and can deliver the benefits of the quantified self, all without ever having to recharge a battery. The first Swiss Horological smartwatches will support the following functionality: Always-on time & date, MotionX activity tracking, Sleeptracker sleep
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Picot and Moss 011 669 0500 www.picotandmoss.co.za
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monitoring, sleep cycle alarms, get-active alerts, adaptive coaching, 2+ years battery life and MotionX cloud backup and restore. The MotionX patented sensor-fusion engine tracks activity and sleep patterns with high accuracy. Activity and sleep information is presented in real-time on the Swiss Horological Smartwatch using traditional analogue dials. The Swiss Horological Smartwatch synchronizes automatically with applications on Apple and Android smartphones. On the iOS and Android apps, simple and easy-tounderstand graphics highlight how much one has moved and slept during the day, week, or month. This data will assist users to better understanding themselves, and along with appropriate goal setting and intelligent coaching, will improve their wellbeing. Better sleep and a more active lifestyle are widely recognized as simple, but effective, positive behavioural changes. The Swiss Horological Smartwatch now combines the features and functionality of the MotionX technology platform with a luxury timepiece. MMT (Manufacture Modules Technologies Sàrl) is a new Swiss joint venture formed by Fullpower Technologies, Inc. of silicon valley and the owners of the Frederique Constant group. MMT’s initial partners are Frederique Constant, the Geneva based luxury watch manufacturer of classical watches; and Alpina, the Swiss sports watch manufacturer founded in 1883. These leading brands will offer 10+ different models in designer collections for both ladies and gentlemen, powered by MMT’s MotionX technology platform, delivering 24/7 MotionX activity tracking and sleep monitoring, with over two years battery life, and compatible with Apple and Android smartphones worldwide. Swiss Horological Smartwatch in styles for both ladies and gentlemen will be available in stores worldwide starting in June 2015.
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last word
scales Tipping the
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ecent developments in the global economy have revealed a widening gap in economic status of the populous. Luxury goods however, have demonstrated some stability. In fact many have shown growth through investment into developing sales in emerging markets and territories. Buyers have become a lot more demanding and selective though, and the strong influence of social media platforms have increasingly kept brands on their toes as the slightest hiccup, could have immediate pervasive implications, especially if these social media utterances happen from bloggers or celebrities with several followers. Of interest in South Africa, in a spate of a few months I have been approached by no less than six companies, many of whom have been established and in operation for well over 15 years, to assist on restructuring of their businesses. Many of these companies are experiencing cash crunches caused primarily by not adapting quickly enough in South Africa to a post-World Cup situation. South Africa was largely shielded from the first wave of recessionary pressures in the period of 2008 onward due to lower dependence on credit, more stringent credit measures, the investment spend on capital infrastructure in the run-up to the World Cup. However, when the circus left town, and the infrastructure bubble burst, the effects of the global slowdown were then felt. Companies in South Africa are now faced with a dilemma of servicing a more selective and discerning public, who are
a lot more cautious of where they are spending their hard earned Rands. With the predicted depreciation of the Rand expected to remain an issue for a while to come, local production of finished goods should start becoming favoured in order to reduce the strain on the balance of payments account as well as create better opportunities for export. Meanwhile elsewhere on the continent, many countries are surging ahead on infrastructure development in transportation, energy and communications. I somehow get the feeling that South Africans are soon to become the poor orphan cousins of Africa. We have only ourselves to blame for this. The conceit and arrogance that many South Africans have conducted themselves with over the decades (even centuries) have come home to roost in that credibility is lost in many instances. To truly transform Africa, one must walk in the shoes of the people, understanding their plight and accepting that colonialism is not an option. We have a social and ethical responsibility to ensure that on any project in any country, a meaningful amount of transformation, employment and localisation is achieved. Only through the creation of downstream opportunities for local residents can one achieve the sustainable growth that will allow Africa to competitively take its place on the world stage. I have been pleased to note on the most recent projects we have been engaged with that there is a definite recognition by leaders to ensure that local citizens benefit materially from large scale projects which will assist in developing skills and wealth in many countries. Finally, the cliché of “Africa is open for business” will start to mean something… Vivien Natasen
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Earrings by Dominic Jones
Mila Kunis wears Zambian emeralds from Gemfields, the world’s leading producer of ethically-sourced coloured gemstones. Beauty, set in stone. www.gemfields.co.uk +27 (0)21 794 2488
Villeret Collection
ELEGANCE JEWELLERS · DESIGN ATILIER · BEDFORD CENTRE · JOHANNESBURG · TEL. +27 11 616 7870 TANUR JEWELLERS · SHOP 147 · V&A WATERFRONT · VICTORIA WHARF · CAPE TOWN · TEL. +27 21 418 5524 www.blancpain.com