Private Edition Issue 40

WITH

UNEXPECTED INGENUITY Art as an asset | SUVs in the luxury space | When in Hong Kong… | The business of spa travel | Private clubs redefined | Long live the suit

ISSUE 40

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Classic Fusion Blue Chronograph.

Case and bracelet in 18K King Gold. Self-winding chronograph movement. Blue sunray dial.

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hublot.com

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 info@illusso.co.za www.illusso.co.za

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 info@illusso.co.za www.illusso.co.za

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 info@illusso.co.za www.illusso.co.za

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 info@illusso.co.za www.illusso.co.za

GOLDEN PASSPORTS FOR l e

LIVE CYPRUS

LIVE MALTA

LAVENDER VILLAS KONIA, CYPRUS. €335,000 Lavender Villas is a select development of 24 three bedroom detached 2-storey villas located in the prime, established residential area of Konia, just a 5 minute drive to Paphos and with both local and private hospitals close by.

Permanent Residency is afforded to the purchaser, children under 25 plus parents of both husband and wife when buying a new property worth €300,000 + VAT or more. Citizenship on a property purchase worth €2,000,000 + VAT or more.

ST. JULIAN’S, MALTA. €495 000.

High Floor 95m² two bedroom apartment situated in small block just off Seafront with magnificent sea views. Sold fully furnished.

Citizenship by a certificate of naturalization is given to foreign individuals and their families who acquire a property in Malta with minimum value of €350 000; or lease a property for a minimum annual rent of €16 000.

SELL | COLLECT | FLY Sell your property through us and earn Avios Global Travel Rewards that can be used for flights, hotels and car hire. T&Cs Apply.

SOUTH AFRICAN BUYERS

LIVE MAURITIUS

HERITAGE VILLAS VALRICHE, MAURITIUS. Priced from $833 000 - $1 275 000.

Set within an exceptional 2,500 ha estate is an elegantly designed luxury residential beachfront golf development of freestanding villas, ranging in size between 250 m² and 900 m². Purchase yours today and start participating in the successful Heritage The Villas rental pool.

Residency is afforded to the buyer and their dependents providing they purchase a property for US$500 000 or more that has approval for international investors.

LIVE PORTUGAL

LOULE, ALGARVE, PORTUGAL. €990 000 Magnificent 3 bedroom house located in the heights of Vilamoura with panoramic sea views.

Set on a plot of 4000m² with swimming pool, tennis court, mature garden with fruit trees & automated irrigation supplied by borehole.

Permanent Residency is available with the acquisition of real estate to the value of €500 000 or more.

For further information on any of these opportunities, please contact Yael Geffen on 082 578 4777 or yael@sothebysrealty.co.za T&Cs Apply. Each office is independently owned and operated.

CONTENTS

58 32 TRUE STORY Ethical luxury designers are bringing sustainable collections to label hounds everywhere

CREATIVE DIRECTION: KIMBERLEY REID PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERON MCDONALD STYLING: KIM WARRINGTON (SIXLOVE ARTIST MANAGEMENT)

GROOMING: CHERYL PARKER (SUPERNOVA CREATIVE MANAGEMENT)

MODEL: GERRIT D (TWENTY MODEL MANAGEMENT)

SHIRT: EMPORIO ARMANI WATCH: PANERAI RADIOMIR 1940 POST-PRODUCTION: JEAN-PIERRE GOUWS

15 NEWS Intriguing new events, design and products 18 OBJECTS OF DESIRE How art has driven wine off the top alternative investment lists 22 ACCESS OVER EXCESS Private clubs are no longer about stuffy lounges and cigars

26 BOY FROM THE WILD African wildlife conservationist Peter Meyer on why sanctuaries are crucial to man and beast 28 BALANCING ACT Lagom is the SwedishScandinavian notion of balance and it’s upping happiness quotients 30 FASHION NEWS Jackets and coats that convey sartorial sophistication and status

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34 EVERY MAN NEEDS A SUIT Step aside chinos and trainers 36 DÉCOR NEWS Décor and design news to spark direction and creativity 40 BEAUTY, BUT NOT FOR THE SAKE OF IT Giuliano Galimberti on the trends that emerged from Salone del Mobile 42 SCENTS OF SPACE Roja Dove can create a

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

12 ED’S LETTER Thoughts from the editor

scent for your home, and your home only

44 ACCELERATE NEWS The latest on the modern classics and super performers 46 JEWELS, CROWNS AND CONTRADICTIONS Richard Webb talks to Rolls-Royce at Lake Como

60 WHEN IN HONG KONG… The hot spots to visit in this urban wonderland

62 A TRIPTYCH: BEACH, BUSH AND TREETOPS A meander up the east coast of South Africa’s celebrated garden route

68 THE PATH TO PEAK PERFORMANCE AND PROFIT Contemporary health tourism is being regarded – and experienced – as an attractive lifestyle choice

70 TASTINGS NEWS Fine food and wine trends from around in the world

50 AUTOMOTIVE PILGRIMS GATHER FOR THE SEASON We visit Concorso d’ Eleganza Villa d’ Este, the Silverstone Classic and the Goodwood Festival of Speed

56 LET THERE BE LIGHT Headlights are crammed with technology, and fast evolving 58 TRAVEL NEWS Your guide to far-flug places and exotic spaces

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73 100 YEARS IN THE MAKING Louis XIII and Pharrell Williams have created a song called ‘100 Years’ 74 ‘TO COOK, YOU EITHER LOVE IT OR NOT’ Sharon Feinstein spent an intense night cooking in a Venice restaurant 79 THE VERY BEST...

Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen on the very best meal he’s had

EDITOR’S LETTER EDITOR CATHERINE DAVIS cdavis@tppsa.co.za PUBLISHER SUSAN NEWHAM-BLAKE CREATIVE DIRECTOR KIMBERLEY REID COPY EDITOR CHRISTINE DE VILLIERS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER NIC MORKEL nmorkel@tppsa.co.za 021 488 5926, 082 468 6490 PRINT ADVERTISING MANAGER SAMEEGHA WOLHUTER swolhuter@tppsa.co.za 021 488 5938, 078 356 9521 ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES EXECUTIVE NICK LUMB nlumb@tppsa.co.za 021 488 3518, 060 736 4386 ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR LESLEY GREEN lgreen@tppsa.co.za 021 488 5944 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK BEARE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JOHN MORKEL

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HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER JOLINDA KEMP FINANCIAL MANAGER NAEEMA ABRAHAMS ACCOUNTS LAETITIA BOTHMA RECEPTIONIST FAGMIEDA WILLEMSE

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ISSN: 2218-063X

PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERON MCDONALD

I’m writing this note the night before we go to print. My team is not impressed with my last-minute tactics, but I knew I would want to write about this evening’s dinner.

Not your average Thursday-night dinner at home with the family – although I appreciate those every night too. No, this one was at the Higgovale home of South Africa’s only Michelin-starred chef, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen. Jan Hendrik was the chef and very gracious host – no celebrity chef ego here. His creations included biltong lamingtons with rooibos, sweetcorn, mushroom and cognac; and langoustine with naartjie, cabbage, champagne and passion fruit. It was sublime.

How did we end up there? Through the incredible partnerships Private Edition has with its clients and readers – this was an intimate Chef’s Table dinner for eight, with Panerai.

Earlier in the year, the chefs of Nobu at One & Only Cape Town prepared a six-course tasting menu, paired with 100-year-old Louis XIII cognac for a handful of Private Edition clients and readers. Guiding us through the pairing was Louis XIII’s master cellar, Baptiste Loiseau, visiting South Africa from, well, Cognac in France. Back in 1874, founder Paul-Emile Remy Martin named it ‘Grande Champagne Tres Vieille, Age Inconnu’ which translates as ‘very old, age unknown’ – even then it was considered precious. Louis XIII is an exquisite blend of more than 1 000 eaux de vie - the aromas from the amber liquor evoked myrrh, dried rose, leather… It made me think of my grandfather.

Both events reminded me that Private Edition has had the privilege of years of support from these brands and others, giving this magazine – and now our digital platforms – glamour and worldliness.

And we like to think we meet them on the luxury and exclusivity stage, with a creative mix of compelling features, fashion, décor, fine wine, fabulous cars, collectables, art, industry leaders and ‘news you can use’. In this edition, in particular, we offer Private Time – a special section that’s a window into the highly complicated world of haute horlogerie.

This issue promises to be warm, welcoming, filled with enticing experiences and some of the most beautiful and prestigious brands in the world.

JULIA FREEMANTLE With an unashamed affinity for the finer things in life, Julia’s school career as a bona fide English nerd and Vogue magazine hoarder led her down a path of lifestyle journalism. As part of a family whose ranks include a number of chefs, creatives and artists, she feels most at home when sitting around a table with inspiring people sharing good food and even better conversation.

Now a freelance agent, she’s relishing the chance to dip her toe into different topics in the lifestyle spectrum.

RICHARD WEBB is a luxury lifestyle and automotive journalist. His stories appear in magazines as diverse as GQ, The Sunday Times, Sawubona, House & Garden, Destiny, and other global luxury publications and in-flight titles, as well as on high-end digital platforms. Married and a father to five, he divides his time between London and Cape Town, travelling widely in the process. He attends the world’s most exclusive events and car launches, creating original luxury content.

SHARON FEINSTEIN is a London-based writer-journalist who has interviewed global stars such as Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio over three decades. Her abiding passion is writing about the mysteries of travel – Venice in autumn, Berlin’s spring, Greece’s baking summer. Sharon has also written an acclaimed newspaper series of interviews with surrogate mothers and lottery winners. She’s spent the past six months in Venice writing a literary thriller that promises to be a new Death in Venice.

DEBBIE HATHWAY specialises in crafting stories about fascinating people, innovative craftsmanship and extraordinary experiences. By immersing herself in the luxury sector that has been her focus for over a decade, she has developed a reputation for producing insightful, engaging copy, particularly about high-end watches, travel, business and the arts.

It is Cape Town photographer CAMERON MCDONALD’s love for marketing and advertising that helped him avoid getting stuck in a specific genre of photography.

His versatility was born out of a unique approach to every project – seeing it as a challenge and opportunity to shoot the best shot of his life. He is passionate about beauty and portrait photography, inspired by the intimacy created between subject and camera, and always aims to discover the true beauty in every moment.

SAMEEGHA WOLHUTER Sameegha’s ability to develop relationships and grow the client base underpins her position as advertising manager. She has a wealth of experience in the sales industry that manifests in each issue packed with beautiful advertisements. Private Edition continues to set the publishing benchmark for global luxury through its engaging, original content and top-quality advertising.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

CONTRIBUTORS

NEWS

A MODERN PAVILION FOR ART There’s much excitement about art in Africa currently, and Cape Town is central to the world-wide rise of private art museums: first the Zeitz MOCAA and now the Norval Foundation in Steenberg.

The gallery and its situation – in a landscape dominated by mountains and vineyards – are quite something. The building itself is constrained by its linear site between a busy road and an existing wetland. The shape of the building is a direct response to this, with the galleries and public spaces facing the natural landscape and capturing framed views of the wetland, vineyards and mountains beyond. So the building shields the wetland, creating a private space for the sculpture park and forming a threshold between public and private zones. A triplevolume atrium establishes a deliberate visual connection between these zones – one urban, the other natural – and provides a physical transition between contrasting environments.

The Norval Foundation, financed by property investor Louis Norval, is quite literally a celebration of art, architecture and landscape, and museum director Elana Brundyn’s take on the soft power of cultural institutions and how culture becomes a partner in transformation and building bridges is yet another reason to support the museum.

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NEWS

REFLECTIONS OF AN URBAN LANDSCAPE

ROYAL BLUE

PERSONAL SOUND

The Farnese Blue, a historic diamond unearthed from the Golconda mine in India and presented to the second wife of Philip V of Spain in 1715, fetched $6,7 million (after just four minutes of bidding) at the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction on 15 May in Geneva. The 6.16ct blue diamond has been passed down through four of Europe’s most prominent royal families over three centuries.

The Vinci 2.0 will reinvent the way you interact with your audio and mobile devices. The standalone smart wireless headphone is voice-activated (simply say ‘Hi, Vinci’ to wake it up) and powered

by AI technology. Choose a tune, genre or artist, make calls and send messages, receive alerts and weather updates, and hear the news. It’s a personal assistant and a music studio. No cellphone required. en.vinci.im/2.0/

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WORDS: CATHERINE DAVIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Do our activities define our city spaces or do our city spaces define us? An immersive installation at MINI’s A/D/O creative space in Brooklyn, NYC, encourages visitors to challenge their perceptions with a highly emotional visual representation of urban surroundings titled ‘Spirit of the City’.

Created by London-based art practice United Visual Artists, the site-specific artwork is a configuration of 16 dynamic, mirrored, revolving columns 2,7m high that create an ever-changing composition of light, shadow, reflection and movement. The motion of the columns constantly transforms the space, creating an organic atmosphere that is poetically linked to New York itself, serving as a metaphor for the underlying forces that keep a city in constant transformation, reflecting its moods, energy and daily patterns. The installation is open until 2 September 2018. uva.co.uk; a-d-o.com

NEWS

A HARD ACT TO FOLLOW

HIRST X LALIQUE A long-running project between French crystal house Lalique and contemporary artist Damien Hirst came to fruition towards the end of 2017 in the highly collectable limited-edition ‘Eternal’ series of panels and sculptures.

Emblematic of the cycle of life, each one is formed from crystal using the complex and slow lost-wax technique to create the moulds that lend such exquisite detail to the final pieces. Pictured here is Eternal Truth. lalique.com/en/art

Planning a round trip – world or otherwise? The Latitude carryon, Tumi’s most lightweight and durable hard-side case yet, will be your classiest accompaniment.

Crafted with layers of specially woven self-reinforced polypropylene, the outer shell can bend and flex in response to its surroundings, and a streamlined, modern design including a nifty new wheel system means smooth – and quieter – manoeuvring no matter the landscape. Building on a solid foundation of innovation, functionality and engineering standards, Latitude is designed to handle any journey with the utmost style, much like you do.

Available at Sandton City and Canal Walk. tumi.co.za

A RIFT IN TIME You might be forgiven for thinking the sculptures on display at Eskenazi in Mayfair, London, are the works of a manic potter.

They are, however, a natural phenomenon. Known as gogottes, these rare and intriguing sandstone concretations found in northern France have been shaped by the movement of water around them underground. eskenazi.co.uk/en-gb

STRIKING GOLD Devialet’s general manager, Adrien Da Maia, is, unsurprisingly, very enthusiastic about the company’s Gold Phantom speaker. While listening to Stevie Wonder’s ‘Isn’t she lovely’, he was struck by how clearly he could hear the singer’s daughter playing in the bathtub.

Everyone should have access to such quality sound, he believes.

Using ADH amplification technology, the sound system combines the quality of analog and the power of digital to produce rich bass, crystal-clear vocals and a few background surprises. devialet.com/soon

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OBJECTS OF DESIRE AND WEALTH A contrasting pair of record-breaking portraits helped art drive wine off the top of the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index in 2017.

The numbers are fascinating, says ANDREW SHIRLEY.

PASSION INVESTMENTS

I

f Untitled by Jean-Michel Basquiat, which was sold via Sotheby’s to the Japanese collector Yusaku Maezawa for $110,5 million – a record for a US artist – had been the most expensive painting to go under the hammer last year, it still would have been an amazing story.

However, it was the Christie’s sale of Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci (pictured) that really focused the world’s attention on the art market. Some experts decried its condition while others doubted it was even by Da Vinci – but that didn’t stop a buyer from the Middle East who believed it was worth a staggering $450 million. The sale price smashed the world record of $179 million set by Picasso’s Women of Algiers in 2015.

While these two diverse headline grabbers may have been an extreme, the wider art market also performed very strongly.

For some time now, art has lagged behind asset classes such as classic cars and wine in the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index (KFLII), but 2017 was the year of its comeback. According to data from Art Market Research (AMR), the average value of art sold at auction rose by 21 percent.

HUNGRY FOR ART ‘Volatility in the art market has been driven by prices of post-war and contemporary art in the past few years. After a depressed market in 2016 caused widespread concern, consignors were tempted back by auctioneers last year,’ says AMR’s Sebastian Duthy. The desire among wealthy art enthusiasts to add to their new museums carried on through 2017, while the appetites of great institutions such as the Louvre, which opened a new franchise in Abu Dhabi, put more pressure on supply.

‘As prices for the very best 19th- and 20th-century art continue to hit the headlines, there is hope within the industry that the sensational Da Vinci sale could attract a wider audience to Old Masters in 2018.’

Wine, which was KFLII’s top-performing asset class in 2016 with growth of 24 percent, put in another double-digit performance last year to clinch second place. The value of the Knight Frank Fine Wine Icons Index, compiled by Wine Owners, rose by 11 percent.

‘Since the summer the currency effect caused by sterling’s devaluation has dropped out of the picture, and this in part could account for the moderated growth in the index for 2017,’ points out Wine Owners’ Nick Martin.

Scarcity driven markets remain particularly strong, he adds. ‘Burgundy markets rose 16,5 percent, on the back of

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PASSION INVESTMENTS

more or less insatiable global demand for the top wines, and a series of short harvests culminating in the 2016 release where some communes were down in volume by as much as 70 percent due to frost damage.’

Much of the increase in demand is coming from Asia, says Andrew Gordon, managing director of Private Cellar, which provides a bespoke cellar management service for high-networth collectors. ‘Our Fine Wine List has seen unprecedented turnover in recent months with particularly strong demand for stock with perfect provenance from discerning Asian customers,’ says Gordon.

‘While partly due to the devaluation of sterling against other currencies, I do not believe that it’s a simple currency issue – buyers in the Far East have extremely sophisticated tastes and an ever increasing depth of knowledge, which makes it an exciting time for buyers and sellers alike. Demand for top Burgundies is stronger than ever, driven by the scant quantities produced in recent vintages, but blue-chip wines from Bordeaux, Italy and California do not linger on our list for long.’

BREAKING RECORDS Even those asset classes that didn’t perform as strongly overall as art or wine in 2017 produced some record-breaking sales.

Classic cars, which are still by some way the best performing asset class in KFLII over a 10-year period, saw a number of striking auction results, with Bonhams dispatching a 1995 McLaren F1 for $15,6 million, whereas

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PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

An 1956 Aston Martin DBR1, raced by legendary driver Stirling Moss, set a new record for a British car when it was auctioned

by RM Sotheby’s for $22,5 million

PASSION INVESTMENTS

a 1959 Ferrari 250GT California Spider LWB made $18 million through RM Sotheby’s.

But it was a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 (above left), raced by legendary driver Stirling Moss, that was the year’s top seller. It set a new record for a British car at the same time when it was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s for $22,5 million.

Although some have been suggesting for some time that the classic car market might fall significantly, Dietrich Hatlapa of analyst HAGI, which provides the KFLII car data, isn’t expecting anything quite so dramatic in 2018.

‘It’s hard to make predictions, but what I can be fairly confident about is that strong prices will be paid for the best cars by knowledgeable collectors this year.’ The results from the year’s first major classic-car auctions in Scotsdale, Arizona, seem to bear this out.

SMALL OBJECTS, BIG PRICE TAGS Luxury investments don’t need four wheels to benefit from the glamour surrounding the world of motor racing. The highly cherished Rolex Daytona worn by actor and keen racing driver Paul Newman was another record breaker.

Given to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward (above, with Newman), and inscribed ‘Drive carefully’, the watch, guided at $1 million, was sold by Phillips for $17,8 million.

Chinese luxury investments and buyers were firmly among the record-breaking action in 2017. Hong Kong jeweller Chow Tai Fook paid a record price for a piece of jewellery, snapping up the Pink Star, a 59.6ct vividpink diamond for $71 million, while a strikingly small and simple 1 000-year-old Ru Guanyao ceramic brushwashing bowl doubled its presale estimate by fetching almost $40 million. Sotheby’s handled both sales.

Even furniture, which brings up the tail of KFLII, has the power to defy expectations when pieces with the right provenance catch the imagination of buyers.

Bonhams sold an exceptionally rare set of four 16thor 17th-century Chinese huanghuali folding chairs, estimated at about £200 000, to an Asian buyer for almost £5,3 million.

Whether we will see such a slew of record prices in 2018 remains to be seen, but it will take some work of art to overtake Salvator Mundi. 

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ACCESS OVER EXCESS What springs to mind when you think of a private members’ club? Chances are it’s a stuffy old lounge with a leather wing-back by the fireplace, cigar smoke curling out from behind a broadsheet. Cutting edge it is not…

WORDS RICHARD HOLMES

TREND

(Below) The historic Rand Club in downtown Johannesburg is moving with the times, offering bespoke events and on-site business facilities (Opposite) Members pick up internal mail from brass-and-oak postboxes at the entrance to Mesh in Rosebank, Johannesburg, where the focus is on connecting entrepreneurs in a luxury environment

P

rivate clubs have been a staple of the world’s great cities for centuries, conferring an air of belonging on those allowed within their hallowed walls, and the slam of a front door to those who don’t pass muster.

Exclusivity (and exclusion) was part of the package.

Riding a wave of popularity abroad, a boom in private

members’ clubs across South Africa – Johannesburg in particular – has seen a new breed of club emerging.

It’s a club that blends luxurious bells and whistles with a need for inclusivity, an openness to new technology and an eye for the fastchanging world of business.

The closest thing South Africa has to the traditional clubs of London is the historic Rand Club in the heart of Johannesburg.

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Established in 1887, in the heady days of the gold rush, it was inspired

by London’s iconic Reform Club and became a home-from-home for mining magnates and randlords.

With a handsome staircase and stately columns, ‘it was designed to be a little bit of London in the mining camp of Johannesburg’, explains Brian McKechnie, an architect and heritage consultant, and a respected member of the Rand Club.

TREND

In its heyday the Rand Club had thousands of members, and more clamouring to join, but today active members number in the hundreds. Because, as membership criteria have evolved, so has the commercial landscape.

‘Most clubs used to have large business memberships but the world of business has changed,’ McKechnie confirms. ‘You no longer have long, boozy lunches down at your club.’

To keep up, clubs have had to box clever: some boast fine-dining

restaurants with big-name chefs; bespoke events are crucial – the Rand Club hosts regular talks by global politicians and authors; onsite business facilities and meeting spaces have become standard.

THE NETWORK IS EVERYTHING Yet private clubs are often less about the bricks and mortar than the human capital at play.

Networking has long been a benefit of membership, and private access to both leaders and disruptors

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in a diversity of fields can make the annual fee a worthwhile investment.

The antiquated idea of luxury is about excess. Right now luxury is more about access, says Rahim Rawjee, who, along with Londonbased businessman Ronald Ndoro, is launching the exclusive QSL SA in Milpark this October.

The first phase of QSL SA includes a stylish communal area, a fine-dining restaurant (with the menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Galmiche), a wraparound

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

The elegant Brasserie of The Stack in Cape Town prides itself on a refined yet authentic menu, including this starter of fresh oysters with a red-wine shallot dressing and lemon

TREND

‘It’s a great endorsement of a club and its members, knowing that you have access to these amazing locations around the world’ deck, a cigar bar and a whisky lounge. Phase two, planned for late 2019, involves the addition of a rooftop bar, an African-fusion restaurant, a screening room, gym and personal grooming outlets.

And while clubs of old would often examine the bank accounts of prospective members to ensure their good standing, at QSL SA the criteria are more nebulous.

‘What are you doing for South Africa?’ asks Rawjee. ‘What do you want to do, and what can we do to help you achieve that? It’s about accessing great minds. It’s being in an environment where you can thrive, evolve, network and build.

At QSL we stand for the ideology of collaboration and networking and diversity.’

CURATING MINDS, NOT BANK ACCOUNTS Promising ‘common ground for uncommon people’, MESH takes a similar approach, blending a luxurious environment in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with the aim of connecting entrepreneurs.

‘Beyond forum-based networking organisations, there isn’t an opportunity for entrepreneurs to connect in an interesting space,’ explains MESH CEO Jonathon Meyer, who says the club is two-thirds of the way to its goal of 500 members.

‘We do curate our members, as we want to have like-minded people in this space,’ he says, ‘but our members also come from different walks of life, which I believe leads to different conversations with people from different industries.’

Unsurprisingly, the facilities at MESH are geared towards productivity. Along with concierge services, there are boardrooms and an on-site screening room.

A dedicated concierge team facilitates meetings between members, and a mobile app is being built to find synergies and match members with common interests.

There’s a more relaxed approach at The Stack, Cape Town’s only private club worthy of the title.

A stylish creation by hotelier Nigel Pace and acclaimed interior designer Sarah Ord, The Stack fuses the idea of a private club with the trend towards co-working spaces.

While there’s an elegant brasserie downstairs, and a private bar where members can network if they choose, there’s been a subtle shift towards the club being a productive space during daylight hours.

‘It’s really opened the door to people giving up their offices and using The Stack instead,’ says Pace.

In an increasingly globalised world, reciprocity with members’ clubs overseas is another selling point. Many clubs resemble boutique hotels, with overnight rooms available, offering a true ‘home from home’ while travelling for work or leisure.

QSL SA has an exceptional array of reciprocal arrangements: LIBRARY in London, Seafarers in Auckland, The Explorers Club in New York and Griffin Club in Los Angeles, to name a few.

Members of The Stack have access to more than a dozen clubs worldwide, such as The Hospital

Club in London and Brody House in Budapest.

‘It’s a great endorsement of a club and its members, knowing that you have access to these amazing locations around the world,’ says Pace.

There’s that word again: access.

Too often it’s something money can’t buy and, while modern-day clubs tread carefully around notions of exclusion, once you’re in the front door you might just find it’s something to be treasured. 

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THE BEST OF ABROAD WHITE’S, LONDON Founded in 1693, White’s is the quintessential London club, counting Prince Charles amongst its members.

Controversially, women are still not permitted to join.

THE GROUCHO CLUB, LONDON Since launching in the 1980s, it’s become the club of choice for those in the media and creative industries.

THE REFORM CLUB, LONDON The Reform Club on Pall Mall was the first, in 1981, to admit women and has long been popular with a more liberal membership.

THE METROPOLITAN CLUB, NEW YORK Founded by JP Morgan in 1891, the icon of Manhattan occupies a prime position on Fifth Avenue. Be mindful of the strict dress code.

HONG KONG CLUB, HONG KONG The finest club in the ‘fragrant harbour’, this club boasts four restaurants, extensive fitness facilities and a spacious library. It’s well positioned in Central, Hong Kong’s business hub.

PROFILE

THE BOY FROM THE WILD

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

The need for dedicated space for wildlife has never been so important. Author and African wildlife conservationist Peter Meyer tells KATHY MALHERBE how his childhood has made him realise that sanctuaries are crucial to man and beast.

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PROFILE

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frica is in Peter Meyer’s DNA, the quintessential roots of where he is most at home. It’s unsurprising, as the boy with the British heritage and African soul grew up in the wild. Karkloof Game Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal, now known as Karkloof Safari Villas, was his playground. For a young boy, the bush was wild, fascinating and fierce, and around his childhood home his companions were a baby elephant, warthogs, a pet nyala and an ostrich that considered herself part of the family.

‘I didn’t realise how incredible my life was then because it was all I knew,’ he says. ‘It was only when I saw how other children lived that I realised how lucky and privileged I’d been. Adventure was in my blood from as early as I can remember.’

Meyer’s autobiography, The Boy from the Wild, was cowritten by Graham Spence, who is celebrated for his book The Elephant Whisperer.

The Boy from the Wild has received more than its fair share of accolades too and is being punted as ‘a gripping tale of remarkable people fearlessly living out their ambitions with honesty, vigour and courage’.

But it is much more than that. It is also is about a granite-strong bond between a father and son. Meyer says telling the story of his father’s love of Africa and fulfilling his dream of making his home in the bush helped give him closure after his father’s death from cancer.

‘He was my best friend, mentor and inspiration – a man who not only lived his dream but by a process of osmosis also passed on his passion, vast wisdom and sheer gusto for life to all those around him.’

PHOTOGRAPHY: WERNER KRUSE

SHARING THE DREAM This love of Africa began when his father, James, attended boarding school at Hilton College in the Midlands. At a young age, he was standing overlooking the wild terrain in a place the local Zulus called ‘The Valley of Heaven’ when he vowed to return and make this part of Africa his home.

As fate would have it, the African homecoming was delayed by some 30 years because he was called back to England when his father fell ill. James quickly learnt the ropes of entrepreneurship and grew the family business into a global property empire. But his heart was still in Africa and after a very early retirement he returned to the bush he loved. His vision to create Karkloof was soon realised and he started bringing wildlife out of captivity and back into the wild.

James was the first to bring disease-free buffalo into South Africa from the US, and his cosmopolitan mixture of animals, apart from local game, included roan and sable, and other wildlife from around South Africa.

‘We even took in orphaned baby elephants who became celebs after starring in the IBM advert.’

The rest is, as they say, history – a rambunctious one at that. The young boy’s charmed life in the bush was unpredictable. Peter is a natural storyteller and you feel as though you are living with this family through their adventures, which are sad, uplifting and terrifying in equal measure. It’s hard not to covet the freedom of his childhood in the wild.

Not the parts, however, when he miraculously survived an unobserved plunge into a swimming pool, fended off wildebeest, survived ‘uncomfortably close’ encounters with rhino on a few occasions (three on his dad’s dodgy offroad motorbike), and being bitten, twice, by local venomous snakes.

Misadventures and entertainment aside, this easy read is about the importance of protecting wildlife for future generations. ‘The book is the beginning of my ambition to share and educate the world differently about our wildlife, especially those who only see animals on the news or who have never seen wildlife at all,’ Peter says.

As a young adult, he went on to study hotel management in Switzerland and within a few years became of the Hilton hotel chain’s youngest directors. He believes, ironically, that the wildness of Africa helped him in dealing with the concrete jungles of major cities around the world.

The siren of Africa never stills, though, and 17 years later Peter returned, guided by the spirit of his father.

‘I love Africa,’ he says, ‘but especially South Africa. Born and raised into her means it’s always hard being away from her. Africa offers so much history, diversity, culture and wildlife.’

Today he actively raises awareness of and funds for orphaned baby elephants in Zambia – a consequence of poaching – in conjunction with International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals. ‘Currently I am embarking on an international group tour series to Karkloof to raise more awareness so people, especially children, are exposed to the beauty of wildlife and believe in its preservation.’

Peter is not naive. He realises the challenges Africa faces, which is why his favourite quote is these words of the late Nelson Mandela: ‘I dream of an Africa, which is in peace with itself.’ 

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LIVING WELL

BALANCING ACT Lagom is the Swedish-Scandinavian notion of balance – be it in a considered menu with quality ingredients, carefully curated and thoughtful interiors or a developed sense of community – and it’s having a profound effect on the happiness quotients of those who follow its mores.

PHOTOGRAPHY: FLO P ON UNSPLASH

WORDS JUSTINE HEWITT

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he law of lagom is about things being ‘just right’ or ‘just enough’. That said, it’s not necessarily about upholding a minimalist or ascetic approach to life but more about cultivating a sense of contentment where moderate practices are behind one’s decision-making processes, be they what one eats or buys or how much one sleeps or exercises. It’s about how a focus on moderation in key areas can actually bring happiness to one’s life – not in a euphoric sense but as a warm and comfortable sense of satisfaction.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH The psychological benefits of lagom and having balance in one’s life have been well documented. These touchpoints range from getting enough sleep to investing in thoughtfully designed furniture where form meets function, as well as appreciating slow food, where provenance and farm-to-table are the watchwords.

Lagom is all about having one or two pieces with serious pedigree rather than a plethora of substandard knock-offs, be they shoes or sofas. It’s no wonder then that Scandinavian design is so soughtafter around the world.

One of the focuses of lagom, which the world embraced before we had even heard of the concept, is the emphasis on food, specifically ingredients, methods and producers with integrity. Thanks to the likes of former world number-one eatery Noma in Denmark’s Copenhagen – lair of chef René Redzepi – where Nordic cuisine is championed and only local ingredients used, the concept of serving locally sourced, artisan-made victuals is now commonplace. And, although not Swedish per se, it is a quintessentially lagom notion: everything you need is close by and that if you can get to the essence

of something without overcomplicating things, then the level of enjoyment will be that much greater. It’s why the global band of cheesemakers, beer brewers, bread bakers and gin distillers looks set to grow even more over the next few years.

MYTH BUSTERS At first glance, lagom’s desire for contentment might seem to be a praise of mediocrity; however, it is the very search for the essence of an object, foodstuff or activity, that is at its heart. Some might say it seems to be miserly and anticonsumerist but it’s more about seeking out the best tried-and-tested item in its class (think Bang & Olufsen, Volvo and LEGO, all of which are Scandinavian, have serious pedigrees as products but are low on flash). It’s less about ascetism than it is about conscious minimalism and it’s more about taking regular coffee breaks in between bouts of hard work than pulling all-nighters at the office.

The benefits are tenfold – from improved mental space to happier relationships and improved finances.

In fact, Sweden’s happiness quotient among its citizens is rated one of the highest in the world and despite their shorter working hours (some of the most desirable Swedish companies around offer six-hour work days), they are ranked sixth in the world for productivity.

Making time for the things that make us tick, buying, eating and operating from a place of integrity and care, and making an effort to make meaningful connections with family and friends sound like words straight out of a clichéd self-help book that’s all about working smarter and not harder. But it’s certainly working for the Swedes and their Scandinavian neighbours. Maybe it’s time to start integrating some ‘less-is-more’ methodology into our own lives?

FASHION SEEING DOUBLE A well-cut suit is a symbol of sartorial sophistication and status.

WORDS: JULIA FREEMANTLE. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Tailored to perfection, Brioni suits are the pinnacle of this style choice. Less corporate than black, grey is the way to go for midseason dressing and offers more scope for being a little adventurous. It’s best to layer a suit with complementary tones and textures: the better the quality of the design, the greater your freedom to take some style risks. Here a classic doublebreasted suit in a window-check pattern over a formal shirt in light-blue cotton poplin with a narrow knitted tie in cashmere silk has been given a little attitude with the addition of elk-leather desert boots. brioni.com

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FASHION - NEWS

COAT CHECK

SHADOW GAME The premium denim label Dark Shadow (DRKSHDW) from Parisbased US designer Rick Owens proffers sleek jeanswear for the urban sophisticate. This cotton-blend bomber in a cool steely updated shade of grey features the irreverent designer’s signature play on proportion with an exaggerated lapel detail – the perfect amount of edge for those who are both fashion- and comfort-conscious. rickowens.eu

Long revered for its classic aesthetic, the iconic fashion house Givenchy has acquired a more daring edge under the current leadership of Clare Waight Keller.

Combining elements of the maison’s legacy for timelessness and Waight Keller’s brazen approach, this classic trench gets the Keller twist courtesy of a contrasting grey pocket and immaculate lines. givenchy.com

WALK THE LINE Immaculate lines are what Tom Ford does best. This tan calfskin suede jacket brings together classic simplicity and contemporary sex appeal – the designer’s calling cards.

But despite zero superfluous details (zip side pockets are just about the only visible details), it speaks volumes thanks to perfect proportioning, touch-me texture and a nonchalant retro attitude. tomford.com

FLIGHT SCHOOL Paying homage to its founding principles of youth and freedom, Saint Laurent’s shearling collar jacket from its Spring/Summer ’18 collection is elegant rebellion embodied. The impeccably constructed garment’s use of black shearling (as opposed to the traditional cream) against the black lambskin gives it a sleeker and streamlined effect, while knitted ribbing details keeps the look sporty. ysl.com

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FASHION - TRENDS

TRUE STORY

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o longer relegated to tree huggers or those seen to wear garments closely resembling hessian sacks, ‘clean’ fashion has gone mainstream thanks to high-profile crusaders like Gwyneth Paltrow who’ve proved it’s anything but goopy. Sustainable and ethical luxury fashion is probably best understood and translated by Stella McCartney (above). If it seems as though she’s been doing vegetarian couture (don’t snigger) for years, it’s because that’s how she established her solo career in 2001. A lifelong vegetarian, McCartney doesn’t use leather or fur in her designs, and her commitment to sustainability is very much part of the brand’s ethos: responsible, honest and modern.

And it’s certainly not just meat-free McCartney who’s the poster girl for ethical and sustainable fashion. Now that more shoppers are starting to question the story behind their garments (‘Where is it made and by whom?’), more ethical and sustainable luxury fashion labels are coming up with the answers. Established players are responding too. Hugo Boss now produces a new men’s shoe using a natural-based material made of pineapple leaves.

Harvested as a by-product of existing agriculture, the leaves require no extra resources to grow, thus farming communities are provided with additional income. And it gets better: the textile is coloured using plant-based dyes.

In combination with a recycled sole, the shoe is 100% vegan and makes a minimal impact on our planet while looking très chic, we assure you!

In the luxury segment of fashion, it’s about a holistic approach, says fashion designer Lisa Storer, founder of lifestyle brand The Storer in

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Johannesburg. A specialist in sourcing sustainable apparel from around the world, she explains that fast fashion doesn’t have the luxury of using 100% natural fabrics like wool, silk and cashmere. ‘Luxury is in the fabric used, and drawing on these fabrics to appreciate the architecture of the piece. Feel the maker’s love for their craft and handwork, as well as the skill passed down through generations.’

Very importantly, each piece is unique because it’s handmade rather than mass-produced, and therefore stitched and dyed by hand, she says.

‘Each garment becomes individual, even though there may be two or three of them because of these processes,’ she says. ‘That gives you more to think about as to where you got your piece from and how long it took to get to you. There’s a certain freedom in sustainable fashion rather than the throw-away kind, although there is a place for that too,’ says Storer.

So what should you be buying right now? Obviously, Stella McCartney…

However, branch out a little and support new designers with a stellar (forgive us the pun) ethical and environmental footprint, such as Maggie Marilyn. The brand’s collection of preppy-infused pieces are jaunty and bright, and can be mixed and matched with corporate wear.

Ultimately, though, invest in pieces that resonate with you, says Storer. ‘Whether it’s a beautiful silk gilet made by a group of women in Cambodia helping to uplift their community, or a garment that has been upcycled and is therefore sustainable, buy something with a story to tell.’ 

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

As throwaway fashion makes way for sustainable style, ethical luxury designers are bringing environmentally conscious collections to label hounds everywhere, says fashion writer HELEN CLEMSON.

Derring - Artist Editions Inspired by studio pottery, the Derring collection celebrates the inherent beauty and authenticity of handcrafted ceramics. Each sink is a one-of-a-kind creation, finished with unique artisanal glazes that produce fascinating surface effects. A hand-carved texture accentuates the glazes’ subtle tonal variations. Featured in neutral hues, this sink can be the centerpiece of your bath, or it can serve as a unifying element that pulls everything else together. africa.kohler.com +27 11 050 9000 | contact.africa@kohler.com

FASHION

WHY EVERY MAN STILL NEEDS A SUIT

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S celebrity stylist and designer Rachel Zoe is dead set against the modern concept of denimwith-everything, sneaker culture and ‘dressing for comfort’. Her mantra is dress to the nines, which most people, probably ensconced in oversized coats to conceal yet another pair of blue jeans and no doubt shod in athleisure shoes, would find alarming.

‘In my mind, being overdressed is not a bad thing at all,’ she explains. ‘What’s the worst-case scenario: that you’re the best-dressed person in the room? Who cares!’

We do care, however, and it’s become particularly cool not to look smart.

‘This modern philosophy of it being “old school” to wear a suit has become a point of pride,’ suggests personal stylist Candice Ilic of With Style. You’re too much of a traditionalist if you’re wearing one, so abandoning the suit is seen as an act of rebellion, setting your own fashion rules and being non-conformist, she explains. ‘It’s independent sartorial thinking. However, a good suit is a sure way to guarantee style credibility.’

Sir Paul Smith (opposite) agrees. In an interview with Vogue.com, the suit designer supreme – knighted by the Queen in 2000 – was reportedly ‘relentlessly optimistic’ in the face of the current belief ‘that the power of the suit is waning.’

A NECESSARY SUIT ‘The reality is, good suits are still very necessary – there are weddings, funerals and high-powered meetings to go to,’ says Ilic. And those in the know do notice when you arrive at an important do in your ol’ faithful denim-and-tired-shirt combo.

‘It seems disappointing that there is no sense of occasion now,’ Smith told fashion editor Suzy Menkes in the Vogue.com interview. ‘Why do we make all of these clothes if everybody looks like a scruff the whole time? You go to the opera or somewhere nice and there is not any effort made. And designers come out at the end of a fashion show where you’ve been looking at £1 000, £2 000, £3 000 and £4 000 dresses, and they’re wearing a Uniqlo T-shirt and a pair of scruffy jeans!’

Is the perceived agony of the retail experience putting off potential suit buyers from wearing something smarter than weekend togs? Unfortunately, suits do not the ideal online shopping purchase make – they have to be tailored personally, so there is schlep involved. However, the rewards are significant.

‘Even after 10 or 20 years of accelerated trends, men still don’t approach shopping with any excitement,’ says Ilic. It’s a case of, “I’d rather hang on to what I have than go shopping.”’ Doing this – wearing a 10-year-old suit you’re still able to get into but that doesn’t fit you well – is missing the point completely, she adds. ‘In essence, it shows a complete lack of regard for your personal brand. As you do with a watch or a car, you invest in the best suit. Don’t muck about. A suit is a statement and you need to be clear on what you are stating.’ And that, Ilic reports, is a James Bond-like strategy: confidence, success, panache and a subtle eroticism.

DRESS UP, GO OUT Let’s face it, there isn’t a more seductive an analogy that can be drawn on in the world of casual tailoring and sportswear.

And while these, according to Menkes, ‘may reign as kings of the closet right down to sporty shoes, Paul Smith has a whimsical wish for the elegance of dressing up’.

Now doesn’t that encapsulate James Bond perfectly? Oh and, to his meeting with Menkes, Smith wore a great suit, of course.

She writes, ‘It goes without saying that to meet me in London and to greet clients at his new Berlin store, Sir Paul Smith was wearing a smart suit and a pair of lace-up leather shoes.’ Obviously, whether he’s aware of it or not, Smith is a follower of the James Bond strategy. And good for him. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

Manners maketh man? So, too, does a great suit – step aside, chinos and sneakers… WORDS HELEN CLEMSON

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DÉCOR A CUT ABOVE A brand underpinned by a legacy three centuries in the making, Gaggenau was born in the Black Forest in Germany in 1683 as an ironworks outfit – and even then it was a ground-breaking enterprise

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Constantly striving to forge new solutions to current design and perennial challenges, Gaggenau proved itself a forerunner of innovation in kitchen design and technology. Always mindful of blending aesthetics with functionality, the selection of materials is of paramount importance in the manufacturing of its appliance range, which encompasses all aspects of cooking and catering, from ovens to dishwashers and refrigerators. Stainless steel, brass, aluminium, cast iron, enamel (its speciality) and glass are used for their durability as well as their ability to deliver on the design language of Gaggenau – four principles that every product embodies: authentic, sculptural, present and generous. As a pioneer in its field, and cognisant of the fact that kitchens are increasingly becoming the centre of the home socially and spacially, the design team considers the effect of an appliance and how it relates to the room, and views its products as objects of beauty designed to enhance the space visually and complement the existing architecture of a kitchen. gaggenau.com

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DÉCOR - NEWS

COUNTER BALANCE Unveiled at Salone del Mobile in partnership with Wallpaper, Rossana’s K-IN/K-OUT kitchen, designed by architect Massimo Castagna, plays with volume and mass to gravity-defying effect.

Solid in stature, the heavy sliding tops of the island offer a surprising element of seamless mobility, while the counter overhang creates the illusion of weightlessness. The system comes in indoor and outdoor versions (visually identical, but with slightly different structural make-up to counteract the elements). Rossana is supplied by Eurocasa Cape Town. eurocasa.co.za

SHELF LIFE Part of Bulthaup’s freestanding series of furniture designed to allow customised living spaces, the b Solitaire shelf unit offers all the sleekness of the brand’s signature silhouette along with a versatile approach to storage and display. It can be configured to suit your purposes: the shelves, pull-out trays and grids are height-adjustable, allowing you to populate the frame to house your books, show off treasured objets d’art and artefacts, or serve simply as highly efficient kitchenware space. bulthaup.com

FINE CHINA An icon of whimsy and romance, Spanish porcelain artisan Lladro’s innovative approach has seen it expand relatively recently into functional artworks for the home, proving its ability to diversify and affirming its position as a purveyor of a contemporary, elegant and exclusive lifestyle. Bridging the divide between heritage and progress through the combination of traditional handmade processes and cutting-edge fibre optic technology, German designer Bodo Sperlein created the Niagara chandelier, a fantastical pendant piece inspired by Lladro’s iconic fairies. Each figure is handmade, and cascading points of light interact with the hand-applied golden lustre (which involves a double firing process for optimum luminosity) in a magical dance between technology and craft, making it an ideal statement piece for those who appreciate the capacity for artistry in the everyday. lladro.com

MIDCENTURY BUT MODERN Debuting additions to its range in Milan, SCAB Design’s new collections included the standout Lisa chair, an ode to simple, curvaceous 1950s and ’60s lines that celebrates the material of the moment – metal. Designed by architect Marcello Ziliani, the brand’s newest collaborator, the Lisa comes in standard and barstool height and with a wooden or padded seat, its slim tubular structure enveloping and supporting the backrest of the chairs. scabdesign.com

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DÉCOR OPEN-AND-SHUT CASE Luigi Massoni’s Xila ST design for Italian kitchen manufacturer Boffi is a testament of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

Simplified down to the essence of kitchen essentials, each element combines form and function in harmony. Playing with the concepts of revealing and concealing, open shelving, handleless doors and seamless sink integration gives the system a sense of balance, while the mix of glossy and matt materials (wood, aluminium, steel) creates an interesting play on textures. boffi.com

FARM FRESH

SILVER SERVICE Bringing Alessi’s innate sense of playfulness to the table, the Columbina cutlery collection, designed for the studio by Massimiliano Fuksas and Doriana Mandrelli, gives classic dining implements a contemporary twist. Pared back to their most minimal form, this interpretation is an ideal reboot for modern entertaining.

The set comprises 12 each of spoons, forks, knives, dessert forks, dessert knives and coffee spoons, as well a ladle, serving spoon and fork in 18/10 mirror-polished stainless steel. alessi.com

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WORDS: JULIA FREEMANTLE. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Dutch design atelier Studio Job is known for creating expressive pieces, often one-offs or limited-edition collector’s items. Its now iconic Farm range reworks the rural aesthetic of traditional farm implements and objects in a seemingly incongruous material.

The glamorous incarnation of spades, pots, milk pitchers and pails into a glossy bronze gives them an entirely new character.

The collection that combines functional and merely decorative items as a collective offers a glimpse of rustic life reimagined.

This pan mirror blends a humble pastoral and more high-end urban aesthetic through a simple silhouette and fabrication in either classic polished gold or on-trend rose gold. ghidini1961.com

DÉCOR - TREND

BEAUTY, YES – BUT NEVER FOR THE SAKE OF IT

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lexform debuted its new collection at the recent Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan. Running through this collection was the concept of Good Design – best illustrated by pieces such as the new Campiello sofa, Leda armchairs and Ascanio occasional tables. The Good Design school of thought has its origins in the US during the 1940s and ’50s, but its influence has spread far and wide – it embodies myriad inherent qualities like innovation, functionality and, of course, artistic beauty – although never beauty merely for beauty’s sake. Good Design is honest and made to last because it is ultimately meant to improve daily life.

While at the fair, we came across certain design directions that cropped up repeatedly. The prolific use of marble and stone, for instance, signals that these surfaces are still very strong. Likewise the bold mix of patterns was noticeable across the exhibition, as was the use of several shades of powder blue.

As always, our interpretation is with long-lasting style in mind, so while marble is popular right now, Flexform has translated it in a way that won’t date – for example, our Ascanio occasional tables from the new collection combine very pure lines and shapes with the material for an enduring aesthetic.

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AS TOLD TO JULIA FREEMANTLE. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Giuliano Galimberti from Italian design furniture design stalwart Flexform on laid-back elegance, lasting style and the trends that emerged from the Milan design show Salone del Mobile 2018.

DÉCOR - TREND

Our new range from the Mood Collection – created as a channel for pieces with traditional shapes but a modern twist – is inspired by modernism and the far-reaching stylistic transformation it sparked in the world of design. The architecturally influenced and rational geometric approach of this school of thinking is coupled with our quest to incorporate just the right materials: quality timbers, luxurious marbles and lacquer finishes in sophisticated colours. As the style ranges from retro to Art Deco, there is a more formal decorative imprint along with the introduction of geometric shapes.

As befits a collection that will furnish public as well as private spaces, each piece works in perfect sync with the next, creating an ecosystem of objects – a coherent design journey that has the potential to adorn a single room or an entire building. Responding to an increasing demand for classically elegant furniture, this year’s ‘Mood’ can transform any space into an intimate place of reflection and relaxation.

Interaction with different countries and cultures has no doubt enriched us but our production philosophy has not been influenced by market trends. The kind of Italian style that Flexform represents is light and measured – it’s aimed at discerning customers who would rather live in a beautiful environment than show it off.

Designer and architect Antonio Citterio, a longtime associate of the brand, says what sets Flexform apart is the fact that ‘every product is easily recognisable, conceived for everyday use and always easy to use’.

With this in mind, new ranges by the brand always keep abreast of industry trends, but at the same time place longevity and accessibility above staying current at the cost of these principles. With a heritage of half a century of design excellence and craftsmanship, the company has thrived for so long as a result of consistently adhering to its core values of quality, comfort and coherent design. 

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DÉCOR

SCENTS OF PLACE

WORDS HELEN CLEMSON

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here comes a time in every fragrance lover’s life when they have to make the frighteningly grown-up decision about a signature scent that makes their olfactory heart sing. If this isn’t enough pressure, homes, too, have their perfumed mark to make. Yes, customised fragrances for one’s property is very much a thing.

And there’s no greater master of scent to do this than Roja (pronounced Roger) Dove, British master perfumer and creator of some of the finest fragrances in the world.

While Dove’s exquisite fragrances are available in South Africa, the bespoke scents he creates for private clients’ homes are made to order. The process, however, isn’t necessarily the same as when a scent is matched to skin.

‘A client might not want the smell they carry around on their skin all day to be the smell that they come home and relax to,’ says Dove. ‘We like to employ scent to fit with our moods, uses and needs. Therefore, a skin scent has a different function to a home scent.’

He explains that you might want something more refreshing in the bathroom, more relaxing in the lounge and, of course, a more sensual fragrance for the bedroom. ‘In finding a home scent, I would not only have to take into consideration my client’s personality, style and taste but also their interior design choices, way of living, and how the spaces in their home function.’

IMMERSED IN SCENT It’s a painstaking process, and one that isn’t farmed out to a subordinate scent

creator that, at the last minute, gets Dove’s whiff of approval. ‘Initially, I like to meet a new client for a cup of tea before we start work, so that we can get to know each other a little and make sure they are more relaxed when we begin the first consultation. This meeting will last for a number of hours and I will essentially blind-test the clients’ reaction to a large number of raw materials. The point is to discover their true olfactory fingerprint completely devoid of any preconceptions they might have around particular scents.’

Dove then gets to work on the formula that will be captured in candle form eventually – no spraying home fragrances with spritz bottles for his clients. He doesn’t necessarily work on it constantly but keeps coming back to tailor it until he’s satisfied. ‘It’s like having a fitting for a couture dress,’ he explains. ‘The whole process will take anywhere from three to 12 months to complete.’

THE FINEST NOSE IN THE WORLD What makes him and his ultra-luxury home scents worth the wait? A perfume academic, historian and author, Dove is known as one of the world’s most famous noses and is the sole ‘Professeur de Parfum’. (He was also the first nonfamily member of the house of Guerlain to be given the title of global ambassador after a career of nearly 20 years with the company.) Josephine Fairly of the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine says of him, ‘In years to come, when future generations are chronicling fragrance history, alongside the Guerlains, the Chanels, and the Jean Patous, chances are that Roja Dove’s name will appear too.’

A master needs to concoct his magic with master ingredients, of course. ‘It’s

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

A property speaks volumes about its owner. Take it a step further with masses of finely perfumed candles created for you, and you alone, by the world’s sorcerer of scent.

DÉCOR

my opinion that only the best will do – I don’t see the point in doing anything by halves,’ Dove says. He refuses to compromise, using nothing but the finest-quality raw materials in each and every one of his creations – and in abundance.

‘For instance, when I use rose, it’s Rose de Mai from Grasse,’ he explains.

‘It takes about 300 000 roses, picked in the morning before the sun gains strength, to produce one kilo of oil, costing £32 000 per kilo, that smells dramatically different to rose that costs £150 per kilo.’ But that’s child’s play compared to other

components. ‘The most expensive material I use costs me about £100 000 per kilo and is called ambergris, a pathological secretion of the sperm whale.’

The sweet smell of success seems to have a hefty price – that’s more than gold per ounce – but Dove insists that his clientele is not limited to the rich and famous. ‘There are those who scrape and cobble everything they have because fragrance plays such a central role in their lives.

‘I use these types of materials because once you have smelt the best that nature has to offer, how can you ever go back?'

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ACCELERATE THE IMPOSSIBLE MADE PROBABLE Not long ago most enthusiasts would have cringed at the thought of Porsche making an SUV. Then – horror of horrors – Bentley, Maserati, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and even Ferrari follow up with their take on the theme.

WORDS: RICHARD WEBB, MIKE FOURIE. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Now Mercedes-Maybach is at it. It’s just a concept for now, and although it’s likely based on the next generation Mercedes-Benz GLS, it will be a lot less ordinary. The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury, as it’s called, will to some be a triumph of overstyling. The design team would like us to value its ‘balanced proportions’ and ‘sensual purity’. For now, let’s just say it has presence aplenty.

The affable Gorden Wagener, Daimler AG’s design boss in Sindelfingen, AMG’s headquarters, said recently, ‘It is a totally new archetype. This concept has the DNA of an SUV combined with a saloon to create an ultra-modern SUV of three-box design.’

I blame China for all this. Buyers there have lined up to buy more than 500 Mercedes-Maybach cars a month, and is now by far the brands’ biggest market.

Aimed squarely at billionaires, it includes a porcelain tea service embedded into an electric ebony-wood tray, while white nappa-leather lie-flat seats pamper plutocratic bottoms with aromatherapy and massage functions.

Whatever you think of its looks, it does reflect Maybach’s design language, which will no doubt continue the marque’s current renaissance.

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SHARPENING THE SWORD A crossover is a point of crossing from one side to the other. If that sounds tedious, it’s because some crossovers are just that… Until Lexus pulled a fast one and lifted the veil on it Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept. This crossover just upped a segment with some new thinking.

Apparently, Lexus found inspirational design cues from Japanese spiritualism to reflect ‘molten katana’, the creation process of the legendary samurai duelling sword. ‘This is our vision for a new kind of flagship vehicle that embraces crossover capability without giving up the performance and luxury delivered by today’s top sedans,’ said Kevin Hunter of Lexus’ California design studio.

Compared to current signature Lexus designs of the LS and LC, the LF-1 combines real drama without being over-the-top. Expect the LF-1 design language to shape the next-generation LX – and possibly the future of the Lexus range.

CHURN UP SOME DUST

RANGE ANXIETY? NOT ME I have a dog-eared copy of Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends & Influence People that exalts 12 ways I can win people to my way of thinking and six ways to make people like me. I needn’t have bothered. I should have just bought a Tesla Model S instead.

Everywhere I went, people talked to me about it, gave me their opinion, said ‘well done for caring for the environment’. I won instant friends without the effort. Sorry, Dale.

Would I want to swap a hearty petrol engine for this soundless machine? I was hooked almost immediately on Tesla’s turbine-smooth power, rocket-ship acceleration and that fighter-jet-like whine as it accelerated from 0-100km/h in under three seconds.

Off the motorway, on fast, sweeping ‘A’ roads and country lanes, it soon had me giggling in delight at its otherworldly performance. The interior is light and airy, with a giant touch screen for rich content and connectivity. With no gears to distract you, driving the Tesla is as simple as pointing this big, wide car where you want to go.

Despite remarkable efforts from other EVs, few offer a 450km range, sufficient for ‘real-world’ trips like my recent one from London to Rugby and back on a single charge.

The Porsche Cayenne III is now available in South Africa and the line-up comprises three models.

The Cayenne and Cayenne S are powered by turbo-charged petrol V6 engines (250kW and 324kW), and the Cayenne Turbo is said to be the first SUV to feature an adaptive roof spoiler for improved aerodynamics and braking. The Cayenne feels like an engaging driving machine from the moment you are ensconced behind its shapely wheel and acquaint yourself with its elegant, feature-rich 12.3-inch full-HD Porsche Communication Management touch-screen interface. And it can switch effortlessly from urban pottering to churning up dust on a rural dirt road, or from high-speed cruising to carving up a mountain pass.

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OF JEWELS, CROWNS AND CONTRADICTIONS

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he label ‘SUV’ now applies to anything with a two-box silhouette and a hint of off-road capability.

But all generalisations are false, of course – including this one – because the most unlikely protagonists are changing the rules.

Previously it was Range Rover’s exclusive domain; then Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari, Bentley and now RollsRoyce have joined the melee. These brands are associated with luxury, performance, style and exclusivity rather than ‘utility’, so why are they risking their hard-won brand heritage and identity by making SUVs? Are these deep-set contradictions or do we simply have to unlearn what expect of the future of super-luxury mobility? RollsRoyce has named its SUV after the world’s largest raw diamond, found in Pretoria more then 110 years ago and now part of the Crown Jewels of the UK. The Cullinan (above) comes with high expectations.

Quality and craftsmanship are a given, but why are Rolls-Royce and ‘SUV’ in the same sentence? I went to Lake Como with BMW Group SA for the world premiere to get some answers from Giles Taylor, then RollsRoyce director of design, and Torsten MüllerÖtvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

‘We envisioned an authentic, threebox all-terrain high-bodied car with a convention-challenging design and absolute capability that would satisfy adventurous clients,’ Taylor tells me in front of the world’s press. ‘I knew the car would meet expectations – it has an iconic design with proper Rolls-Royce proportions and uncompromised levels of luxury.’

Sure, it has purposefulness, ‘but it’s not pretty’, I say.

‘There is an uncompromising sheerness of the typical Rolls-Royce long bonnet profile, and it’s meant to communicate greater toughness,’ he responds.

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There’s no denying that it has a bold, confident character, but how will this dramatic departure impact the brand?

Müller-Ötvös follows up: ‘It’s an incredibly important car. It reimagines the parameters of super-luxury travel. Our clients have been asking for a car that provides uncompromised luxury wherever they venture.

Cullinan delivers this.’

Is this a reach too far for the Rolls-Royce brand, I wondered?

‘The response to Cullinan shows that our brand values are well understood,’ says MüllerÖtvös. ‘Yes, Cullinan is a huge departure for us. We’re moving into the very top echelon of a fiercely competitive and very populated sector, and we will win more active, younger buyers we’ve not had before.’

Plans for exotic SUVs have outraged some brand purists, but profitability trumps any dissenting sentiment. There appears to be solid business logic behind the plan – because if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.

The Cullinan’s 6.75-litre twin-turbo petrol V12 powertrain echoes that of the new Phantom.

It’s famous for smoothness and should achieve 0-100km/h in five seconds effortlessly – a perplexing achievement for such a huge car. Deliveries should begin just in time for a wellheeled Christmas. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: SOURCE ©GIMS.SWISS.

Sports utility vehicles have become so mainstream, they’ve become homogenous, says RICHARD WEBB. But help is at hand, as he talks to Rolls-Royce at Lake Como.

Sheer Driving Pleasure

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AUTOMOTIVE PILGRIMS GATHER FOR THE SEASON

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RICHARD WEBB suggests three very stylish events for every automotive socialite’s bucket list.

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s the South African winter sets in, people across the northern hemisphere have begun their sartorial preparation – shaking out summer frocks and checking vintage suits for moths – in readiness for the summer’s exhilarating dash through the events collectively known as ‘the season’.

In defining a modern season event, class has long ceased to be a factor, replaced instead by a sense of being one of a cast rather than a crowd, of watching and being watched, and that fizzy sense of self-awareness that turns a gathering into a social occasion.

And there’s nothing like a shared love of cars to bring like-minded people together to preview the latest releases, rediscover old classics and watch adrenaline-filled races featuring the world’s best drivers.

ON LAKE COMO For me, the official start of the European summer is the Concorso d’ Eleganza Villa d’ Este that takes place on the shores of Italy’s Lago di Como, where Rivas and vintage seaplanes taxi through the sunshine-dappled water.

This iconic BMW Group event dates back to 1929 and represents one of the most intoxicating displays of exquisite cars and motorcycles in automative history. Infinitely superior to the commercial clutter of other events, the Concorso is epitomised by the beauty of the setting and the impeccable hospitality provided by the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba.

The focus here is on design, originality and perfect preservation. Fifty-one cars and 30 motorcycles built between the 1920s and 1980s are

organised into different categories and judged by a panel of experts who select the Best of Show prize, the BMW Group Trophy. This year’s event, themed ‘Hollywood on the Lake: Camera and Action’, featured a host of cinematic classics.

In leafing through the past, it becomes apparent how some vehicles are designed to stir things up, to polarise opinion. In appreciation of this nostalgia, some people may regard yesterday as being better than today. But in a modern twist, BMW debuted their Concept M8 Gran Coupé. It unmistakably takes luxury out of its comfort zone by combining the motorsport DNA of the BMW M with the luxury of the 8 Series. If the Salève Vert paint – reminiscent of the northern lights – doesn’t get your attention, then the matt-gold detailing will.

Not to be outdone, the low-volume, high-value specialist BMW Motorrad unveiled its extreme lightweight motorcycle Concept 9cento (read: ‘novecento’) with its electromagnetically attached panniers. Buoyed by record global sales for the past seven consecutive years, this motorcycle surely represents a new direction for the marque.

‘It doesn’t always have to be about “bolder, bigger, brighter” nowadays: this concept bike focuses on achieving a sense of balance,’ says Edgar Heinrich, head of design at BMW Motorrad.

Infinitely superior to the commercial clutter of other events, the Concorso is epitomised by the beauty of the setting and the impeccable hospitality provided by the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba

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BRITISH RACING GREEN

ROAD AND RACE

Seemingly a world away from the playboy playground of the Concorso Villa d’Este is Silverstone, which has a welldeveloped sense of the dramatic all of its own. Home to the hi-tech British Grand Prix, it goes pleasingly analogue with the world’s biggest classic motor-racing festival – the Silverstone Classic.

But just because the cars are historic, it doesn’t mean the racing’s not close. The cream of historic racing action features touring cars, Formula 1 and sports cars taking part in more than 20 races and demonstrations – more racing action than anywhere else in the world over one weekend. It is everything that today’s mass-produced, sleek technology-saturated culture is not.

Every centimetre of the parking area on the circuit infield was covered by classic cars – in a display worthy of its own title – thanks to the 120 one-make car clubs that participate. Trackside, in a celebration of ‘going quickly’, Daytona at Dusk paid homage to the annual 24-hour sports-car race for period sports and GT cars at Daytona 24 Hours. The sounds and sights of immensely expensive AC Cobras, Ford GT40s, Lola T70s and Porsche 911s being hustled around at anything but ‘gentleman racer’ speeds were magnificent.

If Silverstone is all about classic cars, then the Goodwood Festival of Speed is about style, grace and speed (in equal measure). Clustered around a 1,9km hill-climb course set in nearly 5 000ha of beautiful Sussex downland, this sell-out event marked its Silver Jubilee this year in consummate style. As well as the action on the hill, there was a panoply of star drivers and riders, classic cars and bikes, and rally and racing cars from just about every marque. The high-speed drama at the Forest Rally stage provided incredible entertainment to complement the racing glamour.

The legendary Festival of Speed attracts motoring enthusiasts from all over the world, and for good reason – it offers unparalleled access to history’s very greatest cars and motorcycles.

In revelling in the history of the past and considering the future through these ‘big three’ events, it helps to collect our own thoughts and the thoughts of others.

The stories, the endeavour and derring-do all come together with a quiddity – an inherent nature of the genre. It’s not that these automotive treasures come alive in us – rather it is us who come alive in them. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY: BMW PRESS, JEP, GETTYIMAGES.COM

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As well as the action on the hill, there was a panoply of star drivers and riders, classic cars and bikes, and rally and racing cars from just about every marque

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FOCUS ON LEXUS

GREAT PHILOSOPHY IS ALWAYS GROUNDBREAKING RICHARD WEBB reckons Lexus is redefining guest experiences in the luxury family SUV market with the brand’s first seven-seater in South Africa.

YOU ARE an executive board member about to launch a bluesky luxury automotive brand into a super-competitive global market.

What’s uppermost on your mind?

Technology? Design? Manufacturing?

Profitability? All of the above, sure, but just shy of 30 years ago Lexus executives put ‘guest experience’ at the heart of its new business. If this sounds brave to the point of folly, think again. It is what sets Lexus apart.

Faithful to the traditions of Japanese hospitality represented

by omotenashi, which means hospitality, each client is treated as an individual and welcomed with the courtesy afforded to a visitor in your home – where the guest’s needs and preferences are recognised and anticipated with seamless, personal service that goes beyond their expectations. These principles are clearly central to the Lexus brand, influencing every touch point.

And that brings me neatly to the all-new Lexus RX 350L. This seven-seat SUV is no me-too

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product – Lexus invented this entire crossover SUV segment in 1997 – and the RX has since found 2,7 million customers over four generations in the past 21 years. The RX 350L shows the brand has become a pioneer of the future rather than a prisoner of the past, as it now has more space, flexibility and convenience for seven guests thanks to the addition of a one-touch power-folding two-seat third row.

Lexus has managed to engineer additional crash protection like

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

curtain-shield air bags, an additional child-seat anchorage point, as well as one-touch folding, dedicated vents, and controls for the threezone climate control to include the third row. The RX L has received five stars in the Euro NCAP safety ratings, but all this additional safety and convenience adds only 125kg.

Handling and manoeuvrability remains taut and sporty when driven with spirit, thanks in part to the refined V6, which deploys its 216kW and 358Nm through a turbine-smooth eight-speed sequential automatic transmission.

Even more wizardry happens in the boot. At 495 litres with the third row of seats up, space extends to 966 litres if you fold down the second row of seats, which are positioned slightly higher for the third row, creating more foot room for rear passengers.

Given Lexus’s propensity to offer fair value and high levels of equipment across the range, all RX models are very highly specified. They are bristling with driver-assist programmes like Electronic Multi-vision, Navigation, vehicle stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes, brake and hillstart assist. Other standard features include LED headlamps, daytime running lights, front fog lamps, 12 speakers, 20-inch alloy wheels, smart entry and start, roof rails and rear privacy glass.

So many of the car’s touch points feel pleasing. It’s all soft-touch, quality materials – from the door grab handles to the quality and suppleness of the leather, and the sublimely smooth headliner. It’s a tactile experience often missed in other cars.

Outside, Lexus has done well to apply its evolutionary L-Finesse

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Lexus design language too, and it shows in the sleek and sporty origami sheet-metal of the RX 350L. The 110mm extension to the RX’s body has been accomplished without detracting from the vehicle’s coolly elegant design and a coupé-like profile, or its highly manoeuvrable character. The front end is characterised by a distinctive interpretation of Lexus’s signature spindle grille, which is referenced in the rear end design for a balanced, coherent look.

The philosophy of omotenashi may be hard to define – but for Lexus, anticipating the mobility needs of its customers is at the heart of the concept. If some of the new seven-seat Lexus RX features leaves you wondering ‘How did they think of that?’, consider yourself ‘omotenashi-ed.’

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LET THERE BE LIGHT WORDS JIM FREEMAN

D

riving home one night in fog recently, I became aware I was being hunted

down by something quite frighteningly malevolent. It came up right behind me and leapt … and as it flashed past, I knew it was an Audi R8.

There is a saying that ‘eyes are the mirror of the soul’ or, if you don’t like Cicero’s classicism and prefer computer-speak, WYSIWYG – pronounced ‘wizzywig’ and meaning ‘what you see is what you get’. Watching the Audi as it surged up behind me in the mist made me think that, in many cases, you can tell the character of a car by the shape and styling of its lights – sometimes even by their colour.

The V10 Audi, with its 5.2-litre engine, is one such vehicle with a ‘come hither’ mien that delivers fully on every lustful promise of acceleration (0-100km/h in 3,2 seconds) and top-end performance (330km/h). McLaren’s 570S Spider (pictured) not only sports distinctly lupine eyes front and rear but also McLaren’s trademark dihedral doors. There are about half a dozen of them on South African roads.

A new model showcased in a Marvel Studios release is the Lexus LC500 sport – the two-seater appears in Black Panther. The LC 500’s headlights are unashamedly feline in their styling, wild and glittering rather than ‘Ag, sweet little kitty-cat’.

The acme of elegance is the new Aston Martin Vantage, which the British manufacturer describes as ‘a born predator’. Equally stunning in appearance are the Vanquish and DB11,

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Headlights are the eyes of cars. They are also crammed with technology, and fast evolving.

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and you just know when you look into their ‘eyes’ that it will be you who blinks first.

While some eyes might be beguiling and beautiful, others hold another kind of promise.

The Mercedes-AMG GT coupé stares you down and lives up to its aggressive promise. Mercedes-Benz calls it ‘the Beast of the Green Hell’… Personally, I’d liken its appearance and nature to that of a ratel – once it gets hold of you, it doesn’t let go!

No matter how much creative thought goes into their design, however, car headlamps are by no means a triumph of style over substance: there’s a lot of serious science going on behind the lenses.

Audi has long been at the forefront of automotive lighting development, and an earlygeneration R8 pioneered (along with the Lexus LS) the use of light-emitting diode (LED) headlights a decade ago. The new R8 utilises laser technology, as does BMW’s plug-in hybrid i8 sports car and 7-series sedans. Lasers beams are not projected directly from the vehicle but are diffused and converted into tightly concentrated cones of brilliant white non-laser light that are reflected onto the road. The advantages of this technology are twofold: it is far more powerful than that

Equally stunning in appearance are the Aston Martin Vanquish and DB11, and you just know when you look into their ‘eyes’ that it will be you who blinks first powering conventional LED headlights and much more energy-efficient. The laser-diodes are also much smaller, which has distinct implications for vehicle styling and, therefore, streamlining.

Technological development in the field has accelerated as fast as a McLaren over the past century and a quarter. To think that the first integrated headlamps were just that – lamps.

Introduced in the 1880s, they were fuelled by oil or acetylene – the latter being popular because it was more wind-resistant.

It took a while for Thomas Edison’s light bulb (invented in 1879) to be used in cars, and the first electric headlamps were introduced in 1898 as an optional extra. The sealed beam headlight found its way into the automotive industry in 1940 and held sway around the world for decades until the late 1960s, when halogen bulbs began to be used. 

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TRAVEL

SO VERY NORDIC Above the gentle slope of Syväsen hill, on slender struts, the cubic cabins of the Arctic Treehouse Hotel are an ingenious solution to combining snug and luxurious comfort with Northern Lights viewing.

The hotel’s warm interiors (the temperature outside can drop below -30˚C) are clad with blonde timber and oiled oak parquet floors, and furnished with low-slung wire chairs swathed in fur and white linen. The bedrooms are framed by large windows offering views of the forest, which, in summer, is festooned with lingonberry and cloudberry bushes.

Keeping close to the Nordic playbook, the menu at Rakas restaurant includes fillet of wild reindeer with forest mushrooms, and sea buckthorn curd scented with juniper and pine – a perfect prelude, especially in winter, for a turn-down with the Northern Lights to lull you to sleep. arctictreehousehotel.com

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SENSORY SENSATION LUX* Grand Gaube in the north of Mauritius reopened earlier this year with a new retro-chic look led by UK-based South African designer Kelly Hoppen. There are many reasons to go, all designed to surprise and delight, incorporating an array of sensory touches that ensure you never forget the LUX* magic. It begins with the scent of botanical fragrances and coffee blended at the group’s flagship property in Belle Mare, as you walk in through the grand entrance looking straight out at the sea. Among the new dining options, Inti impresses as much with its Peruvian and Argentinian menu as it does with its striking décor, whereas Bodrum, perched on a rocky outcrop over the sea, offers tasty Turkish fare. Try a few of the 88 rums on offer at the Rum Treehouse on the way to the outdoor Creole Smokehouse, and be sure to work off your indulgences on the beach, in the pool or at the gym if you’re health conscious. It’s all about balance. LUX* Grand Gaube is a home away from home without trying to be – and that makes all the difference. luxresorts.com

IN THE BUSH

WORDS: CATHERINE DAVIS, DEBBIE HATHWAY. PHOTOGRAPHY: HAMISH NIVEN, SUPPLIED

There’s an unmistakable odour along the path to our villa – the calling card of an elephant bull in musth. We missed his visit while on a bush walk from the malaria-free Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo. The reserve has Big Five appeal, and conservation and anti-poaching efforts are a priority. Elephant, zebra, warthog and impala are some of the regulars at the waterhole in front of the lodge, their activity best viewed from an underground hide. The elephant also have a penchant for the salt water in the lodge swimming pool –we stood quietly on the veranda, marvelling at their trunks reaching over the wall, drinking, splashing, spraying and even blowing bubbles.

Seeing brown spotted hyenas on safari was an unexpected novelty. Back at the lodge, each meal surpassed the last. The staff and guiding team share a wealth of experience in hospitality and game viewing, the latter being paramount during any bush stay. mhondoro.com

A GENTLE, CLASSY STAY Tucked away in sprawling gardens on 10 hectares of land, La Rive – a traditional, privately owned Cape manor house in Franschhoek – is sumptuous.

Owners Brett Gage and Gordon Jones spent two years transforming their vision for the property from a dream into a reality. The result is a gorgeous home in the Winelands that sees colonial English heritage mixing perfectly with Dutch tradition. Designed with deep verandas and a covered terrace with several lounge and dining areas set around a magnificent swimming pool, La Rive is a warm home to families or groups of friends travelling together.

La Rive Villa accommodates up to 12 guests in six luxurious suites with private bathrooms, and the fully equipped, integrated kitchen is staffed by a professional chef. larive.co.za

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Not much beats this urban wonderland with its luminescent skyline against the backdrop of The Peak. Here’s where to stay, eat and drink, and what to do

SPA ESCAPE While most spas cater mostly for women, the Mandarin Oriental Spa is a distinctively unisex escape. The 1930s styling appeals to an elite clientele seeking the ultimate tranquil indulgence ranging from healing traditional Chinese therapies such as Chinese meridian massages using acupressure to improve your chi to more modern treatments like the Digital Wellness Escape that helps guests to digitally disconnect and alleviate stress. mandarinoriental.com/hong-kong ROOFTOP COCKTAILS Hong Kong is the city of rooftop bars. In the Central district, Sevva takes pride of place in Prince’s Building. However, if you are looking to explore the sin side of the city or are up for a romantic date, wander through to Wan Chai to Wooloomooloo Steakhouse. Above this iconic eatery is the ultimate viewing deck overlooking the heart of Hennessy Road that offers the background tinkle of a DJ while guests sip stylishly on cocktails. sevva.hk; wooloo-mooloo.com EXPERIENTIAL DINNER Global chefs have applied their signature to Hong Kong, bringing a constellation of Michelin stars to

ensure that gourmands can explore the likes of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Joël Robuchon and Pierre Gagnaire. But those in the know are seeking out Uwe Opocensky – he has worked for Ferran Adria at El Bulli - who has opened his eponymous restaurant, Uwe, which he personally steers. It’s been sold out since it opened with a highly considered six-course tasting menu that challenges the senses. Book well in advance to avoid disappointment. uwe.com.hk URBAN SLEEP Hong Kong’s highly competitive hospitality offering ensures a choice of iconic five-star hotels that have taken prime real estate including The Peninsula, Island Shangri-La, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Conrad and InterContinental. But for true luxury, the Swire Hotels group is certainly making waves in elite cosmopolitan cognoscenti circles: those in the know now stay at The Upper House, where the ‘butlerstyle’ of thoughtful attention to detail pervades every level of hospitality. Situated in the heart of Admiralty above Pacific Place, the hotel was designed by architect André Fu, who’ has created a luxury destination that optimises every vista. Head to Café Gray Deluxe (above) on the 49th floor for exquisite views of Victoria Harbour. upperhouse.com

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WORDS: SILVANA BOTTEGA. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

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M A T E R I A L

A TRIPTYCH: BEACH, BUSH AND TREETOPS A meander along the eastern edge of South Africa’s celebrated Garden Route uncovers three destinations for the most discerning traveller. WORDS KATHY MALHERBE

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mmerse yourself in a trio of unique experiences in or near Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth: take time out to enjoy the respite of Tsala Treetop Lodge, soak up nature’s stillness at Inzolo Exclusive Game Lodge, or experience the old-world charm of the grande dame that is The Old Rectory hotel.

IN THE TREETOPS Tsala Treetop Lodge is a retreat where your mind becomes quiet and your senses alive. While you are able to withdraw from your hectic daily life into the five-star luxury of your

cocoon elevated in the trees, there is nothing monastic about rejuvenating at Tsala.

The lodge is 10km from Plettenberg Bay, but you can be forgiven for imagining that you are much further from the madding crowd. The treetop villas, perched in an enchanted forest, are connected by a web of elevated walkways spun between massive indigenous tree trunks.

The sense of spaciousness is achieved by double-volume glass-and-wood structures, and a 360-degree view from the outdoor shower, bath, bedroom and living area. Even the loo has a view over the forest.

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Tsala is a magical place encircled by lush forests – the perfect place to do … well, nothing. You can listen to the trees creaking rhythmically in the breeze; hear the birds, some above and some below you, tweet their mates; watch curious vervet monkeys peer with soulful eyes through the branches; or drift away to the sound of water trickling over the edge of your private infinity pool.

If it’s a bit chilly, the indoor fire, crackling as the moisture in the wood boils and bursts free, exudes a gentle explosion of warmth. There are piles of sweetsmelling logs to keep it going all day if you want to.

You can curl up with a good book, nibbling on homemade cookies or enjoy a complimentary drink from the mini-bar.

If, however, adventure is what blows your hair back, you have myriad choices close by. For those wanting to explore the Garden Route, options include swimming with seals, organised by Offshore Adventures in Plettenberg Bay; visiting Birds of Eden, the world-class free-flight bird sanctuary; bungee jumping from the Bloukrans Bridge; hiking around Robberg Nature Reserve; and abseiling, skydiving, mountain biking or sliding through a canopy tour. You know you can return to your treehouse bubble to rejuvenate and indulge yourself after.

Meals at Tsala are exquisitely presented. Guests are able to enjoy the cuisine at Tsala’s glass-walled dining room

(including choosing a bottle of wine from the cellar).

The Lodge breakfasts are sumptuous. The chefs take great pride in their continental breakfast – home-made muffins, fresh croissants, cheeses, cold meats and fresh fruit, washed down by freshly percolated coffee. For those with a hearty appetite, there is a selection of egg dishes, including gourmet omelettes, as well as sweet treats finished off with a glass of bubbly or Tsala’s specialty coffee.

You can also walk a short distance on the boardwalk to Zinzi restaurant. It’s not surprising zinzi means ‘abundance’ in Swahili. The restaurant, in a fairy-lit garden, offers a diverse menu in a relaxed environment with wholesome food, warm service and a home-fromhome ambience that ensures a relaxed yet vibrant dining experience. The passionate Zinzi chefs have created distinctive dishes with international flavours, using only the freshest ingredients. Wandering back to your villa along the boardwalk, replete and mellowed, you can enjoy a peek into the busy nocturnal life of the forest.

Then it’s back into your cocoon of luxury – indulged, laid-back and closer to heaven than you ever could have dreamed.

Find out more: tsala.com

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The treetop villas, perched in an enchanted forest, are connected by a web of elevated walkways spun between massive indigenous tree trunks. The sense of spaciousness is achieved by double-volume glass-andwood structures and a 360-degree view from every room

TRAVEL

HERITAGE CHARM Place a grand old lady in the hands of the best contemporary interior decorators and architects, and you will end up with a hotel that is the perfect fusion of historic grace and modern living. The Old Rectory is a beautifully restored National Heritage building situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in one of the most iconic destinations along the Garden Route – Plettenberg Bay. Dating back to 1777, it is the oldest building in this popular coastal town. Originally the barracks for the Dutch East India Company, it was later bought by the first Anglican bishop in Cape Town, Bishop Robert Gray. Four years ago Rare Earth, a small luxury hospitality company bought the fairly rundown property. The Old Rectory now has pride of place in Rare Earth’s portfolio, which includes luxury game lodges The Outpost and Pel’s Post, as well as the Country House at the award-winning Kay and Monty Vineyards.

‘For every one of the eight properties in the bush, beach or countryside,’ says Lauren Richie of Rare Earth, ‘we have incorporated design and construction that have had the least impact on the environment. The renovation of The Old Rectory is unique in that it is a national monument and had to comply with certain regulations.’

The architectural and interior design teams saw this as an exciting challenge. Dael Fairbairn of Erasmus Fairbairn Architects and Merylle Legh and Helen Wood of Align Design came on board to refurbish the main house and add on the rooms. ‘For the new structures,’ says Dael, ‘the idea was to design contemporary buildings that would be sympathetic to the historical landmark but not detract from it.’

The combined vision was spot on. The pool and deck are built around a centuries-old milkwood and one of Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe’s Swimmer Girl sculptures is at the edge of the pool. They’ve chosen their artwork carefully and it really adds something to that outdoor space. The 18 luxury suites built in the lush garden are unique in their design. They incorporate the flora-fauna-inspired theme of the spectacular Garden Route vegetation and have a rich texture and colour.

For those who quite understandably want to enjoy The Old Rectory as a destination, it’s a two-minute walk from your room to Central Beach and an easy stroll into the town of Plettenberg Bay. If you don’t want to leave the sanctuary of this grande dame for dinner, enjoy a drink at the bar with its deep Chesterfield copper piping and centuries-old fireplace, before dining at The Old Rectory’s exclusive restaurant.

No hotel villa or guesthouse, however, can excel only through décor, location, amenities or fine dining. The staff is pivotal. At the Old Rectory, every guest’s whim is taken care of by a team providing service that is anticipatory, not reactionary. They are friendly, hardworking and clearly passionate about this hotel’s growth and reputation.

The Old Rectory is a Greenwich meridian between the unhurried living of yesteryear and everything a luxurious contemporary boutique hotel can offer. It’s a tough goodbye…

Find out more: rareearth.co.za

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SERENITY IN THE BUSH When you arrive at Inzolo Exclusive Game Lodge you can’t but be mindful of the advice of well-known spiritualist Paul Brunton: ‘Let us accept the invitation, ever-open, from the Stillness, taste its exquisite sweetness, and heed its silent instruction.’ There is a kind of hush over Inzolo that makes you be still and at one with the African bush.

An African safari is high on most people’s bucket list but it’s often associated with travelling long distances.

The good news is that 80km from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, a new five-star lodge has been launched.

Inzolo is close enough for convenience yet offers an authentic African experience.

Three years ago, businessmen Paul Lynch and David Hurr fell in love with the position of the original dwelling, which needed a makeover. Inzolo is set on 10 000ha, with access to a game reserve. Unlike reserves further north, the area boasts five biomes – forest, grasses, renosterveld and two types of fynbos. It is enough to attract a smorgasbord of wildlife and, of course, the Big Five.

Lynch and Hurr had the vision to create a small exclusive lodge, where guests could ‘truly capture the feel of a day in the African bush’. It was an ambitious project but they had the foresight to bring in Artichoke, an interior design company known the world over for its exquisite designs of lodge interiors. The result is breathtaking – an East African influence mixed with modern design to create a bespoke African elegance that retains the warmth and comfort of home. ‘That is what we are trying to create,’ says Lynch. ‘We have four chalets so it is a small and personalised experience for guests.’

The chalets are perched on the edge of a cliff, rather like a beautifully appointed eagle’s eyrie, from where you have a view of the valley and the waterhole below.

Sheer cliffs with inaccessible caves whisper of the padded paws of a leopard safely surveying the undulating hills and valleys for potential prey. Perhaps they, too, are just languidly enjoying the view…

Usually the elephants come down the steep slope to slurp up the 20 litres of water they drink at a time, or to cover themselves with mud to cool their skins.

Sometimes they simply play. A large tuskless female pauses, delicately picking off new leaves with her trunk.

She was born without tusks in an astonishing last throw of the evolutionary dice to survive human cruelty.

A nyala grazes peacefully next to the deck, stopping intermittently to look up, doe-eyed, leg raised and relaxed

while the brightly coloured birds flit, without fear, from bush to bush. Their twittering are your wake-up call, while your lullaby as you fall asleep is the sound of the bush.

There are more than 200 species of birds, including the bittern and marsh owl – enough to turn twitchers into a pretzel of happiness. A cosmopolitan collection of birds, including storks from Germany, swallows from Europe and the Amur falcon from Russia, also chooses this as their summer destination.

Whether you decide to go into the bush for a couple of hours or prefer a quick Ferrari safari, you are not going to be disappointed. We saw a herd of elephant gathered protectively around calves ranging from newly born to teenagers; the protected rhino with their ‘fitbits’ attached to their legs so that the Rhino Squad can keep a watchful eye over them; a lion and lioness deadbeat in the grass on the fifth day of ritual mating every 15 minutes; a large male giraffe silhouetted against the setting sun; and little warthogs trotting through the bush, the tufts of their erect tails waving like tiny flags showing the way through the often body-high grasses.

Inzolo enchants your senses and it is no different with your palate. Chef extraordinaire Sebastian Sibiya loves nothing more than taking rosemary and sage straight from the herb garden or preparing the fresh leafy spinach and kale from the vegetable patch. Guests are encouraged to wander through his veggie garden but should keep a sharp lookout for the watermelonstealing elephant. Chef Sebastian also has a reputation for consommés, beautifully plated foods, home-made jams and magnificent high teas. It takes willpower not to eat everything in sight. For those who prefer photographing animals to eating them, vegetarians and vegans are easily catered for.

But Inzolo is not only pampered luxury. Lynch and Hurr, together with the team on the ground, are passionate about and committed to the conservation and sustainability of the land as well as supporting the local community.

Hunting is verboten, of course, and the lodge has successfully launched two special conservation initiatives – the interactive buffalo-breeding project and the protected enclave in which the Cape mountain zebra can breed.

If conservation is truly a harmony between man and bush, then Inzolo is an African symphony. 

Find out more: inzololodge.co.za

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

TRAVEL

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THE PATH TO PEAK CONDITION AND PROFIT Contemporary health tourism is being regarded – and experienced – as an attractive lifestyle choice. Experts say industry is listening and delivering on growing market demand.

WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY

TRAVEL – INDUSTRY TREND

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PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

he One&Only Le Saint Géran reopened in Mauritius in December 2017 after a multimillion-dollar renovation. ‘She’s back – bigger and better,’ says One&Only Le Saint Géran general manager Charles de Foucault.

The iconic property has a contemporary new look, coaxing more light and space from the shell of the well-loved structure, which includes an award-winning spa. Indoor and outdoor fitness programmes as well as beauty, grooming and wellbeing are the major focus points, and the best news is that Harmonia by Francesc Miralles is back.

A sought-after consultant in personal wellbeing, Miralles has fine-tuned his programme since it was introduced to resort guests in 2013. Acknowledged as the Best Indian Ocean Detoxifying Programme by Harper’s Bazaar Singapore in 2014, his Harmonia method draws on Eastern and Western philosophies to offer clients personalised nutrition plans, methods to improve posture, cleansing and detoxifying experiences, spirituality, mindfulness and relaxation.

Is there a need for wellbeing centres in luxury resorts and hotels? ‘Our guests are more educated in healthy habits and natural ways of improving and recovering their health than 10 years ago. High-end spas matched most of the guests’ requirements at that time but today this is not enough. They demand a comprehensive wellbeing “culture”,’ says Miralles.

It’s about seeking solutions for the long-term prevention of disease rather than a temporary quick fix. Depending on your location, and your zest and capacity for travel, Austria’s Vivamayr health resort is one of the best in the world if you’re looking for a customised organic diet, combined with health diagnostics and applied kinesiology.

London-based consultant orthopaedic surgeon Simon Moyes is a ‘massive fan’ of Vivamayr. ‘I lost 5kg in a week there – and I’ve kept the weight off since. They are very good about teaching you how to eat, when to eat, what to eat – and point you towards an alkaline diet.’

Switzerland’s Clinique La Prairie is another top destination, says Constantine Constantinides of ‘think and do tank’ healthCare Cybernetics. ‘Conventional medical tourism that mostly relied on those seeking medical care at a lower cost has had its day. Very simply, health tourism is defined as health-related services involving some travel.

Every tourist is potentially a health tourist.’

THE BUSINESS OF SPA TRAVEL Medical tourism (travel for surgical procedures and medical treatments abroad) is one of eight health tourism segments, and the terms must not be used interchangeably, largely for economic reasons. Constantinides says it dawned on him early on that it is a ‘dumb move’ for destinations to bet exclusively on just this one segment of health tourism.

He’s not alone.

In February 2017, the Global Healthcare Travel Council unanimously voted in favour of the eight-segment approach to health tourism in what has become known as the Amman Declaration. Health Tourism 8 (ht8) encompasses medical, dental, spa, wellness, culinary, sports, accessible and assisted residential categories, designed to expand the industry and create more business for all. Ht8 is essentially an insurance policy for destinations. Should demand in one of the segments decline (even temporarily) the other seven will sustain them.

THE WAY FORWARD While there is no question that the industry can generate sizable turnover for health-related service providers and supporting industries, exactly how much is up for debate.

Constantinides says that, without proper measurement tools, none of the attempts to value the industry (amounts running into unsubstantiated billions of dollars) are reliable.

This is because no one is really counting – nor can they – until the proposed Health Tourism Satellite Account (HTSA) devised by healthCare Cybernetics is adopted as the standard ‘accounting system’. Importantly, the HTSA is segment-specific, meaning it facilitates the counting in each of the ht8 segments, including medical tourism.

Health tourism in Africa is set to contribute significantly to the global framework, given the continent’s pioneering role in the medical field, highly-skilled doctors, exceptional medical care and state-of-the-art facilities, and its wideranging appeal as a travel destination. South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Mauritius are top choices, with Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana competing with some of the best destinations in the world.

However, Constantinides cautions against the expectation that the same players who brought you the medical tourism ‘boom’ will now bring about the growth and expansion of health tourism. ‘Expect to see fresh faces – with fresh insight, money and vision – who understand that health tourism should be a lifestyle choice rather than an activity dictated by financial circumstances.’

ON THE MOVE In Alicante, Spain, the Sha Wellness Clinic creates programmes for physical-mental wellbeing based on natural therapies and therapeutic nutrition ‘without neglecting the advances in Western medicine’ as regards preventive medicine, genetics and anti-aging. Miralles has worked there and enjoyed its treatments. ‘I wanted to experience it first-hand – they did a great job,’ he says.

If you can get to the Himalayas in India, though, Miralles recommends visiting Ananda to restore balance and harmonise energy. At this luxury ayurvedic retreat guests can benefit from traditional ayurveda, yoga and vedanta (an ancient spiritual philosophy) combined with international wellness experiences, fitness and healthy organic cuisine.

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TA S T I N G S JAPANESE CRAFT

WORDS: CATHERINE DAVIS, RICHARD HOLMES. PHOTOGRAPHY: CLAIRE GUNN, GETTYIMAGES.COM, SUPPLIED

For beautiful Japanese cuisine, Kyoto Garden Sushi in Cape Town should be in your local little black book.

This shrine to Japanese cuisine offers much more than sushi and sashimi. Fresh seafood is the speciality, with no net unturned in sourcing top-quality, unusual ingredients from around the world – from farmed abalone to Mozambican conch, eel and even Alaskan king crab, deep-sea scallops and wild salmon.

The space is warm and minimally decorated, with Pennsylvania-born Scott Wood, the handson owner, ensuring his diners are treated to the ultimate guest experience.

Kyoto’s 2018 Tasting Menu for Two (six courses) includes only the finest ingredients from all the four corners of the globe that are treated with the respect they deserve by the team of chefs. It’s uni (sea urchin) from Spain, lobster from Maine and deep-sea scallops from Japan. kyotogardensushict.com

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TASTINGS - NEWS

GALMICHE AND THE GOLD ROOM

PINOTAGE PIONEERS Riding the current wave of premium Pinotage, Stellenbosch winery Lanzerac has released the 2015 vintage of its spectacular Pionier Pinotage.

In 1924 Prof Izak Perold cross-pollinated Pinot Noir with Hermitage (also known as Cinsaut), and the proudly South African cultivar of Pinotage was born. But it took another 30 years before the first bottled Pinotage was produced, and the cellar to do it was Lanzerac Wine Estate.

It’s from a single 19-year-old vineyard in the valley that wine maker Wynand Lategan sourced grapes for the estate’s flagship wine, a limited release of only 4 700 bottles.

The 2015 vintage is widely hailed as one of the best in recent memory. In fact, Lategan says, ‘the Pionier Pinotage 2015 is probably the best wine in the history of the Lanzerac Wine Estate.’ Little wonder the Pionier 2015 has already bagged five stars in the prestigious Platter’s guide.

Matured in barrel for 18 months, this is a wine built for investment, so aim to leave it in the cellar for at least another five years, preferably longer. lanzerac.co.za

For celebratory dinners or business deals, Johannesburg’s fine-dining scene is set to sizzle this October: Michelin-starred chef Daniel Galmiche will be bringing his world-class Continental cuisine to Gauteng with the launch of The Gold Room at Milpark’s new private members’ club, QSL SA. French-born Galmiche has clocked up four Michelin stars over a 30-year career cooking in high-end restaurants across the United Kingdom so far, and is today the culinary force behind 190 Queen’s Gate at London’s iconic hotel The Gore.

With an emphasis on local produce and seasonality, The Gold Room by Daniel Galmiche will dish up artful plates of modern French-Mediterranean cuisine with an Asian accent, says Galmiche. ‘For me [produce] is the key… We never compromise with the food.’

Although Galmiche won’t be based in Johannesburg full time, he’ll curate the menu, consult on changes and work closely with a local head chef who will manage the restaurant day to day. Watch this space. qsl-sa.com/restaurant

DINING IN HONG KONG At Ecriture, executive chef Maxime Gilbert draws on French cooking techniques and inspiration from neighbouring Japan, selecting seasonal ingredients from both France and Japan to craft an ever-evolving menu. It’s atop H Queen’s in Central, and the minimalistic interior is like an artist’s blank canvas, blending soft organic wallpaper with a symmetrical copper ceiling. The beignet of Hokkaido scallop and black truffle is a must-taste. lecomptoir.hk/ecriture

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TASTINGS

WORDS: CATHERINE DAVIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

100 YEARS IN THE MAKING Louis XIII and Pharrell Williams have partnered to create a song called ‘100 Years’. It hasn’t been released yet – and unless we make some steady gains in the war against climate change, it may never be heard.

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ognac is wine made into very good spirit. But it’s not drinking wine – the source wine needs to be acid to make the chemical reactions work. It distills in old-fashioned copper stills over a long time (100 years, in fact) in Limousin oak casks. The wood imparts not only colour but a chemical magic that results in the exquisite liquid.

Figuring out which newly distilled eaux de vie are going to get better with age and earn their place in the special cellar is the tricky part.

‘Nature and time are at the heart of what we do – each decanter of Louis XIII represents the life achievement of generations of cellar masters, so we must always think a century ahead,’ says Ludovic du Plessis, global executive director of Louis XIII. ‘If the environment is unstable, even the greatest cellar masters would not be able to

compose the exceptional Louis XIII blend. This project [with Pharrell Williams] is an exciting creative exploration of the way our actions today shape the world of tomorrow.’

Williams’s exclusive track is engraved on a record made from the chalky soil of Grande Champagne cru within Cognac, and stored in the Louis XIII cellars in a state-of-the-art safe designed by Fichet-Bauche that is only destructible when submerged in water. If sea levels continue to rise at such an alarming rate due to climate change, scientists project that in 100 years a significant portion of the earth’s surface may be underwater. The only way to guarantee this original music will be heard again a century from now is to address the consequences of global warming.

‘100 Years’ by Pharrell Williams will be out in 2117 – but only, says the campaign, #Ifwecare.

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‘TO COOK, YOU EITHER LOVE IT OR NOT’ Writer-at-large SHARON FEINSTEIN spent an intense night cooking in the kitchen of Do Forni restaurant in Venice. If nothing else, being a chef is an exercise in lifelong sleep deprivation.

TASTINGS

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very table is full at Do Forni. It’s one of the best restaurants in Venice, the city of magic. The list of famous people who have eaten here fill three leather-bound books. The Pope, British and European royalty, and the biggest Hollywood stars. Princess Diana and Prince Charles chose it when they were still in love. Impeccably dressed waiters glide round the tables in white jackets and black bow ties holding silver trays piled high with the freshest fish from the Adriatic, home-made risottos, hand-cut pasta, all perfectly presented.

It’s a different story in the kitchen.

I’m the only outsider to have been let into this inner sanctum with the best chefs in Venice. I’ve been given a white apron and hat.

HEATED DEBATE The flames are left on constantly, the seven gas stoves burning with heat, and it doesn’t take long for the blistering temperature to start seeping through you. Head chef Mimmo, who has been cooking for 42 years – the past 19 at Do Forni – says fit, young men throw down their aprons and run away after two days in his kitchen because of the sweltering atmosphere.

‘If a man manages a year in my kitchen he’s never afraid of anything again. He can go anywhere and do anything. We cooked dinners for 3 000 people in Canada and Russia, but we were relaxed about it because of our experience at Do Forni. In summer it’s 70˚C in here. I’ve seen colleagues with 30 years of experience come to work and after two days they say, “I can’t do it, I’m going.” We change our uniforms twice a day. You can fill a glass squeezing out your jacket. But you get used to it; I don’t even think about it now. I drink four litres of water while I’m in the kitchen.’

There are seven stations and I’m assigned to the fish station. The 11 cooks are divided into the specialities on offer. Lucca makes up to 15 types of risotto, with cuttlefish, seafood, scampi, truffles. Michele only does pasta: rigatoni, spaghetti, tagliolini … made fresh

every morning when they arrive at 10 for a 12-hour day. I’m cleaning an enormous sea bass to be baked in salt. Seconds later I’m over a pan frying seafood. The bass will need to come out soon, but I’m pulled over to another flame to pour alcohol over scampi and artichokes.

PRESSURE-COOKER ATMOSPHERE The huge array of vegetables is brought by boat from Sant’Erasmo island or from other mainland markets early in the morning.

Everything here is so fresh you know it’s either been in the ground or in the sea 24 hours ago. As Mimmo shouts out the orders, bits of paper are pinned to the board and waiters come to hear their plates called out. I bellow, ‘Table 15, ready,’ and hand over another immaculate dish. This one is castraure – baby artichokes – with scampi.

The lagoon islands are famous for their small, tender castraure. It’s chopped fine with scampi, jewel-like, and the plate is decorated with a dash of green jus and a small spring viola. Do Forni’s owner, Eligio Paties, glides round his dining room, lightly kissing the hands of the glamorous women arriving.

The guests are oblivious to the organised chaos in the kitchen.

A towering chocolate cake goes by. Then an enormous sponge cake layered with custard. Stephano is on desserts. He hands me a piece of each one, carved out of the remains, and I am briefly in heaven before rescuing the sea bass from overcooking.

More orders are coming in – five a minute, and on a busy night 60 at the same time, each one different, and the timing has to be synchronised perfectly.

‘Angelina Jolie ate granseola [crab], vegetable pasta and sole. Most Hollywood stars want to taste our local cooking; they don’t want what they could get anywhere’

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TASTINGS

‘You have to remain lucid and only think of the work,’ Mimmo says. ‘Everyone is focused; they have to be because if one cook makes a mistake it resonates down the line.

Sometimes there are issues – guests are in a hurry and the food isn’t ready. The timing is the most difficult part of the work.’

FOOD AND PASSION ‘To cook, you either love it or not,’ explains Mimmo. ‘It’s the same as with a woman: either you love her or you don’t. If you love her you’ll do everything for her with passion and it comes easily and spontaneously.

‘When I cook for the Pope, kings, the royals of Britain, France, Hollywood actors, it’s all the same… Pope Benedict XVI, Ratzinger, said the food was exquisite and ate everything. He chose typical Venetian dishes like baccala [salted cod], vegetable risotto, veal, a glass of Veneto wine.

We had photos together and shook hands. You think these people will be unapproachable, but most of them are normal and friendly. Angelina Jolie ate granseola [crab], vegetable

pasta and sole. Most Hollywood stars want to taste our local cooking’ they don’t want what they could get anywhere.

‘You can’t afford to have nerves or tension when you cook for greats; it won’t go well. You have to be calm and do it with love.’

To feed someone is to wish them well, offer them warmth, comfort and hospitality. Being in this very special kitchen I can see the distinction between a cook and a chef.

The chef does it for money, the cook does it for love. These are cooks. I’m exhausted.

Do Forni is a restaurant you want to go back to and that’s the highest accolade for a kitchen. Some of the guests come here every night when they’re in Venice, and many locals are staunch regulars.

Mimmo says, ‘If you moan, things go wrong and time passes slowly. It doesn’t work. Even when we finish late we have a beer, we joke. When you’ve done 10 hours in the kitchen you’re with your colleagues more than your family.

My rules are cleanliness, respect, everyone must pull their weight, and problems remain outside.’ 

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PHOTOGRAPHY: JORGE ZAPATA AND MARIE-FRANCE LATOUR ON/UNSPLASH

‘If a man manages a year in my kitchen he’s never afraid of anything again.

He can go anywhere and do anything’

BACK PAGE

THE VERY BEST…

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

To be taken up in the Michelin firmament is arguably the culinary world’s highest honour.

But to venture to France and receive this accolade in Michelin territory is a rare feat.

JAN HENDRIK VAN DER WESTHUIZEN has done just that, yet his favourite taste is still mieliepap with tomato-and-onion relish.

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s the executive chef of a Michelin-star restaurant on the French Riviera, saying you have a certain standard to uphold would be putting it mildly. And it doesn’t begin and end with the food: everything is scrutinised, from your choice

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of glassware to the folds in the tablecloths, so it’s easy to get lost in overly complicated techniques and fussy presentation.

I grew up on a farm near Middelburg in Mpumalanga and developed a unique relationship with food. I spent my youth evading a certain destiny as a tractordriving farmer’s son, instead taking to a life in the kitchen, where, nurtured by my mother and grandmothers, I refined a talent that would one day see me open my Michelin-starred restaurant, Jan. I recently expanded Jan’s borders by introducing Maria, a bespoke dining concept named after one of my grandmothers because she had a profound impact on my cooking.

To stay true to my roots, I always go back to the simple flavours of my childhood.

The best dish I’ve ever tasted was mieliepap with tomato-and-onion relish. I can’t remember the first time I had it; it was just part of growing up and always reminds me of home.

Although my personal style as a chef is strongly influenced by French and Italian cooking, my best dishes are the ones with an unmistakable South African flavour.

This is what inspired my Tuna, Mieliepap Panna Cotta and Chakalaka dish served at Jan, and featured in the début issue of Jan the Journal. Light and delicious, it features three local classics – mieliepap, biltong and chakalaka. The mieliepap, which is similar to polenta, adds texture to the panna cotta, while the biltong and chakalaka complement its creamier textures and elevate the flavour of thetuna. It almost beats the original. 

Private Edition guests had the chance to taste some of Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s creations at a Panerai Chef’s Table dinner in June.

F R O M C O R P O R AT E T O C O M F O RT

FAIRCITY QUATERMAIN HOTEL Sandton, Johannesburg - 011 290 0900

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WELCOME TO PRIVATE TIME

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he list of technical records that the best watch brands love to aspire to – the lightest, the longest-running, the thinnest (I’m looking at you, Piaget) – has a new addition this year: the world’s first triple split chronograph. The new Triple Split by A. Lange & Söhne is the only splitseconds chronograph that can measure additive and comparative times for up to 12 hours. For example, the watch can compare the times of two opponents in a Formula 1 race or a Tour de France leg.

Yet very few of us need to time two triathletes, or know the phases of the moon or, for that matter, how to fly a light aircraft. The value of watch faces that include extra dials and hands is not utility but personality: you can display adventurousness on your wrist even if the rest of you is in a business suit.

But complications inside needn’t mean complications outside. In the case of watches like the Piaget Altiplano, little remains but the hands and the straight lines that mark the hours, all set against plain backgrounds.

So even if the watch is a perpetual calendar, an extremely complex mechanism with more than 400 parts, the point is a balance of complication and practicality. Turn the watch over and you can see its highly engineered inner workings. But on the front you just see what you need – the time.

Enjoy the read ahead of 2018’s most talked-about watches.

CONTENTS Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, on SIHH 2018 and the Triple Split 92 INTRICATE RARITIES From paintwork to marquetry, we look at the people and timepieces that shine in the decorative arts COVER WATCH: A. LANGE & SÖHNE TRIPLE SPLIT

86 MARKING TIME Green is rivalling blue as the mode du jour for watch dials

90 KEEPING TIME RELEVANT

96 WRITING YOUR OWN STORY Writing instruments are used to record our stories, but what if the pen is part of the tale?

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98 THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS The timepieces top athletes wear often mirror their own star quality

104 TO THE MOON AND BACK Astrology and astronomy inspire some elaborate creations in watchmaking

PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERON MCDONALD; SUPPLIED

84 ED’S LETTER Thoughts on haute horlogerie

# W A T C H B E Y O N D

BR 03-92 DIVER BLUE · Bell & Ross Sandton Boutique · Adara · Bellagio · Big Five Duty Free · Cajees Time Zone · Makgalas · Murdocks · Roma Gioielli Piajeh Jewellery & Objects D’Art · Sedgars · The Watch and Jewellery Gallery · Vesuvio · Information: +27 (0)11 783 88137 · www.bellross.com

2018 TRENDS

MARKING TIME Green is rivalling blue as the mode du jour for watch dials.

WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY

W

hile many fine watchmaking maisons ignore seasonal trends in colour and style, particularly if they take a more classic approach to design, it’s interesting to see what commonality emerges among the new releases for the year.

Blue as a dial colour has been an enduring trend over the past few years but green is a dominant alternative for 2018. Both colours feature in the Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report, which is released ahead of New York Fashion Week for the Spring 2018 season, contributing to a palette that is fun, playful and dramatic.

Piaget picks up that theme, believing that colour is inherently communicative, emotive and expressive of self-affirmation and the sheer joy of living. ‘There is not one blade of grass, there is no colour in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice,’ wrote John Calvin. The sentiment resonates with the Piaget family, which draws natural inspiration for their creations from the Neuchâtel region in the Jura Mountains of Western Switzerland. The Piaget Possession collection incorporates bold colours on the dial for the first time, bright green malachite being one option framed with a rotating red-gold bezel set with sparkling diamonds. There’s also a haute couture creation featuring a woven pink-gold cuff.

Cartier continues to reference the animal kingdom with its iconic Panthère collection, this time with a little extra magic. Watch how the Révélation d’une Panthère mimics an hourglass as, with a flick of the wrist, tiny gold beads map a trajectory across the green dial to

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gradually reveal the big cat’s head. This timepiece features a pink-gold case, a diamond-pavéed bezel, and a winding crown set with a diamond, emerald or ruby. This work of art, revealed at this year’s Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva is limited to 100 individually numbered pieces.

Another model that caught the eye of aficionados at this year’s SIHH is Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore Diver. The house celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore this year with some new pieces they refer to as ‘outside the box’. I love what they call the ‘khaki-has-character’ dial with ‘Méga Tapisserie’ pattern and khaki rotating inner bezel, enhanced by contrasting white gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. A khaki rubber strap completes the look.

Hublot has opted for a warmer tone with its stylishly understated Classic Fusion Green. The satin-finished sunray dial is set in a satin-finished and polished titanium case with a bezel sporting the same finishes. The Classic Fusion models are available in titanium or king gold, in regular (time only) or chronograph options. These timepieces are completed with a green alligator straps lined with rubber for extra comfort.

Slightly more subtle on the green dial decoration is Bell & Ross’s BR 03-92 Nightlum. Well known for its professional aviation timepieces, Bell & Ross has redesigned the ‘circle in a square’ – the iconic shape of the house – reminiscent of the silhouette of a plane cockpit clock.

The green-tinted Super-LumiNova C3 makes for easier reading of the indexes and large numbers, day and night, offering

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Well known for its professional aviation timepieces, Bell & Ross has redesigned the ‘circle in a square’ – the iconic shape of the house – reminiscent of the silhouette of a plane cockpit clock

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Limited to 100 pieces, Montblanc’s 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 100 features numerals and hands coated with Super-LumiNova for easy reading at night or in adverse weather conditions

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

2018 TRENDS

a continual reading of the hour even in complete darkness. The minimalist design of the BR 03-92, with its black matte ceramic case, ultra-phosphorescent green numbers and greygreen calfskin strap is bound to appeal to fans of the pilot watch.

Meanwhile, Breitling introduced a timepiece with a green dial at Baselworld. Inspired by Reference 637, a stopwatch that World War II bomber pilots wore strapped to their thighs, the Navitimer Super 8 (top left) is available in a titanium or stainless-steel case and fastened to the wrist with a brown NATO leather strap.

Luminescent Arabic numerals and hands aid readability in all lighting conditions.

History takes centre stage for Montblanc’s 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Limited Edition 100 (opposite) with its Minerva calibre. Its vintage look is cemented by the smoked green dial and matching green alligator strap with beige stitching from the Montblanc Pelletteria in Florence. Limited to 100 pieces, the watch features numerals and hands coated with Super-LumiNova for easy reading at night or in adverse weather conditions.

The Classic Worldtimer Manufacture by Frederique Constant (bottom left) incorporates a hunter-green colourway to offset the world map etched on the dial and the 24 cities circling the outer edge. Fitted on a matching green alligator strap with white stitching, the Worldtimer, date and time functions are all adjustable via the crown, with no additional push buttons.

If you’re after something extra special from the ‘master of world time’, Jacob & Co, look no further than the Epic X Chrono Rose Gold Green Dial (top right). Elegant yet avant-garde, these sports watches challenge the limits of design in their quest to deliver constant creative evolution.

And for the minimalist look, there’s little more refined than the Swiss Alp Watch Concept Cosmic Green (bottom right), which forms part of the H. Moser Concept Series of watches.

Available in a limited edition of 20 pieces, its design is a nod to today’s connected watches, but without interface or embellishment.

It’s an instrument for measuring time rather than consuming it. 

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INTERVIEW

KEEPING TIME RELEVANT

BY CATHERINE DAVIS

D

espite being part of luxury conglomerate Richemont, A. Lange & Söhne has always found ways to stand out – be it the fact that it’s German, not Swiss; its exquisite in-house complications; its strict, limited production; or its unwavering loyalty to craftsmanship and quality – championed by its charismatic and focused CEO, Wilhelm Schmid, and highlighted in its fierce stance, even in the face of changing markets.

‘We don’t design watches for 20-yearolds or 70-year-olds or millennials… We make watches in line with our brand DNA. There’s also no discussion about the demand of craftsmanship that goes into every watch. We don’t accept any shortcuts,’ says Schmid.

He’s not joking about shortcuts. The brand’s special double-assembly practice of each watch is testament to this. Indeed they make it, test it, take it apart and make it again. Each watch.

‘Our clients know this and appreciate it,’ says Schmid. ‘Keeping this traditional aspect of the watchmaking is important.

Although, we are open to innovation and we look at new materials, but we also don’t want to forget what has been done.

Because the beauty of watchmaking is that you can keep your watch for centuries.’

A COLLECTOR’S BRAND Schmid readily admits you don’t need a watch for the time any more but a certain timepiece offers the opportunity to express your personality. He shrugs off e-commerce too: ‘It’s not relevant for this brand now. Our clients will do their research online but they want the expert, face-to-face interaction – that’s a valuable part of the transaction. And they have someone to go back to if need be.’

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At a time when many brands are altering their sales tactics and designs to best cater to emerging shifts, Schmid’s approach could well be classed as novel.

It’s effective too. At this year’s SIHH, the brand had no trouble meeting and even exceeding expectations. They used the full extent of their collection, paying homage to the perseverance of the man who resurrected A. Lange & Söhne to its current glory, Walter Lange, and introduced a unique complication – the Triple Split.

A WORLD FIRST It’s the only split-seconds chronograph in the world that can measure additive and comparative times for as long as 12 hours. With a precisely jumping rattrapante minute counter and a continuous rattrapante hour counter, the Triple Split multiplies the measuring range of the rattrapante function by a factor of 24. This covers many more diversified applications: the Triple Split can compare the times of two opponents in a Formula 1 race, a Tour de France leg or a marathon. It can record the times of consecutively starting events, such as the outbound and return legs of a long-haul flight. A. Lange & Söhne even managed to keep this highly complicated movement modest in size, as it is housed in a 43,2mm 18ct white-gold case, with a power reserve of 55 hours. Only 100 pieces will be made. The watch asserts Lange’s ambition to enrich precision watchmaking with useful innovations. ‘It’s very German like that,’ says Schmid. ‘It’s understated practicality – it has to work.’

They produce no more than 5 000 watches a year and there are only 12 wholly owned A. Lange & Söhne boutiques worldwide. In SA, the exclusive timepieces can be found at a new A. Lange & Söhne lounge in The Vault in Melrose Arch. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, is adamant there will always be collectors who cherish quality in timepieces, automobiles and art, which is why he’s quietly confident about the brand’s place in the market.

ARTISTRY

INTRICATE RARITIES From paintwork to marquetry and enamelling, we look at some of the people and timepieces that shine in the decorative arts.

WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY

E

very year, at the top watch fairs of the world, watchmakers reveal novelties that incorporate rare artistic skills. Coveted for their display of technical and creative expertise, these limitededition masterpieces demonstrate a level of skill in design and execution that few craftsmen possess today.

Among them are timepieces honouring the animal linked to the Chinese zodiac and 2018 is the Year of the Dog. The Chinese believe that when a dog enters a house, it symbolises the arrival of good fortune, and that people born in the Year of the Dog are loyal, good-natured and brave. Harry Winston chose a chow-chow to grace the dial of its limited-edition 18ct rose-gold watches. There are only eight (a number also considered lucky by the Chinese) each for men and women.

Using skills traditionally reserved for enamelling, Harry Winston’s artists ‘painted’ the dial with mother-of-pearl while the chow-chow took shape through marquetry, a demanding technique that sees mother-of-pearl pieces being introduced to an underlying gold base. That base forms the outline of the dog, with mother-of-pearl giving shape to the body within contours created using a technique borrowed from cloisonné enamelling. Gold accents set in expertly carved hollows and fine lines engraved in the body highlight the chow-chow’s coat, giving the impression of volume and vitality.

ANCIENT ARTS MEET TRENDS The art of enamelling in watchmaking dates back to the 15th century. The process involves glass that is reduced to fine grain and laid on a gold, silver or copper plate being melted at 800°C. The finish is unpredictable, as it is influenced by the colour of the glass combinations and their reaction to the heat. While several enamelling techniques are used to decorate dials and cases, only a few master craftsmen are skilled in their application.

An exceptionally challenging enamelling technique is plique-á-jour, which Vacheron Constantin has used in its Métiers d’Art Les Aérostiers collection. Five flights undertaken by balloonists in France between 1783 and 1785 are depicted, with miniature balloons micro-sculpted and hand-engraved on translucent plique-à-jour dials. To get this right, the craftsman must predict the thickness of the enamel layer that is stretched across a thin frame, compared with regular enamel that is applied to metal.

(Left) Chow-chows in mother-of-pearl enamelled onto a gold base grace Harry Winston’s exquisite limited-edition tribute to the Year of the Dog

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A fine example of plique-á-jour, Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art Les Aérostiers collection depicts five historic hot-air balloon flights undertaken in France in the 1780s

FIRE, METAL AND GLASS Modern artists who shine in this field include Vanessa Lecci, who counts Cartier and Patek Philippe among her clients. She was also worked for Anita Porchet, who has created for Piaget and Hermès.

In an interview with Haute Time, Lecci, a specialist in grand-feu, cloisonné and champlevé techniques, explains the role of the enameller as ‘the artisan who tries to manage fire, metal and glass with art and technique’.

‘Coloured, transparent and opaque glass, thin gold threads, define the subject, even infinitely detailed like a portrait,’ she says.

‘Gold leaf, gold powder, motherof-pearl powder et cetera are ingredients needed to realise the idea.’

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares (Rare Handcrafts) Reverso Tribute Enamel series honours Ferdinand Hodler with miniature reproductions of his paintings on the 100th anniversary of his death. The work of the Swiss artist, whose depiction of his country’s lakes and mountains, was a clear and simple expression of nature’s order, posed challenges for Jaeger-LeCoultre’s enamellers that included reproducing an original

(Above and below) A miniature reproduction of Ferdinand Hodler’s painting Lake Geneva with Mont Blanc in the Morning Light (1918), decorates this edition of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Métiers Rares Reverso Tribute Enamel series

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painting on the 3cm2 surface area of the Reverso.

On the front of the piece, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s artisan guillocheur has used a century-old machine to embellish the dial with small lozenges that seem as though they’ve been woven. The engraving was then covered in translucent enamel to match the painting’s colour tone on the reverse side. There the engraving continues, with lines tracing out an elegant frame for the painting.

There are eight pieces only of three different models, each set in a white-gold case that serves as a canvas for the miniature artwork. The handcrafted detail took more than 50 hours per watch to complete.

The new automotive-inspired GyroGraff Drive timepieces, which capture the Graff family’s passion for cars, incorporate intricately handcrafted dials. These are complemented by an extremely complex movement that hosts a watchmaking first: a hand-carved 3D gold moonphase working in harmony with two more complications, a double-axis tourbillon and a 72-hour power reserve indicator. Each GyroGraff timepiece has a domed dial on which there are three to four levels of relief, allowing Graff’s master craftsmen to build enough detail to achieve an incredibly realistic 3D quality.

One design shows an insidethe-cockpit view of a race at night, using marquetry to carve out the carbon dashboard. A second model featuring a vintage car depicts the driver and steering wheel through different levels of cutout appliqués. Each element has been hand-painted using the peinture miniature technique.

The third version showing a car speeding through the city incorporates a masterful miniature painting of blurred lights against a night sky.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

ARTISTRY

ARTISTRY

Graff’s GyroGraff Drive watches feature 3D depictions of racing scenes in astounding detail (below) (Bottom) Ulysse Nardin showcases both new technology and painstaking handcraft in its Freak Vision Coral Bay timepieces

The details on the dashboard of each car have been achieved using a technique known as decal, or transfer printing. Each element – a layer of ink – is meticulously transferred from an engraved plate to the dial using a silicone pad. The process requires a completely dust-free environment, steady hands and infinite patience.

MICROPAINTING UNDER A MAGNIFYING GLASS Meanwhile, Ulysse Nardin has released two one-of-a-kind Freak Vision Coral Bay timepieces showcasing an exciting new decorative bonding technique and micropainting, for which the Swiss Manufacture is well known.

Computer-chip manufacturers use bonding to convey electricity; Ulysse Nardin uses it to surprise and delight. One version uses the bonding technique to coax thousands of 24ct gold threads into delicate patterns. A bonding machine squeezes gold thread from each side, one thread after another, to draw a coral reef motif on the

watch movement’s barrel spring bridge. Each thread is a different size, and all are tied only at the top and bottom, not in the centre.

The other Freak Vision Coral Bay model features micropainting on the hours and barrel cover. Minute details are hand-coloured using extremely fine brushes under a magnifying glass.

The complexity of the motif requires approximately 20 hours of painting time.

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INSPIRATION

WRITING YOUR OWN STORY Normally we use writing instruments to record our stories, but what, RICHARD WEBB asks, if the pen itself is part of the tale?

S

ome the greatest creations began life in the most unassuming ways. Alec Issigonis penned his historic design of the 1959 Mini on a napkin. JK Rowling formulated her blockbuster ideas for Harry Potter on serviettes in a café. What binds these and other inspired thinkers are their writing implements.

Ernest Hemingway (opposite) favoured pens by Montegrappa, whose ‘Mightier than the Sword’ collection celebrates the US novelist’s intimate relationship with the brand.

Montblanc has named a pen in honour of Winston Churchill, who was a dedicated fancier of its writing instruments. Stephen King wrote at the back of Dreamcatcher: ‘One final note. This book was written with the world’s finest word processor, a Waterman cartridge fountain pen.’ He was referring to the Waterman Hémisphere.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

LOOKING BACK, LONGINGLY Just two decades ago we led analogue lives and digital was relatively rare, but today the opposite is true. Why then, in a world where everyone owns computers and smartphones, are expensive, handcrafted luxury pens enjoying something of a resurgence?

I think the ritual of selecting a pen and the ink colour, and deciding which style to write in is much like the

choreographic ritual associated with the Japanese tea ritual chanoyu. It’s not just a sensuous rebellion against modernity, you’re given the time to think about what you’ll write, and there is something active and personal about the feeling and the sound as the pen glides over the paper.

I’ve owned a fountain pen since I was 11 and I am increasingly interested in collecting them.

Nowadays younger collectors are seeking a more authentic and tactile connection to the act of writing – the antithesis of the electronic devices on which they spend so much time. This conscious choice among millennials also seems to be driven by a desire to express themselves through craftsmanship rather than mass-produced items.

Collecting fountain pens is not nearly as complex as collecting watches or cars, and there’s a special joy in owning a beautifully crafted instrument. For those who value the artisan approach, the pens of LE Waterman, the ‘father of the modern fountain pen’ will be on the wish list.

Waterman is regarded as one of the few remaining first-generation luxury fountain-pen companies.

TELLING STORIES A gold medal of excellence awarded at Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900 saw Waterman adopted by the French

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public – a sentiment that continues today, with all Waterman pens being French-made. Founded in New York City by Lewis Edson Waterman in 1884, the manufacturer’s earlier pens were made of hard rubber and equipped with 14ct gold nibs, often with precious metal trim and overlays.

Many 100-year-old pens still give excellent writing performance and are in regular use, and their nibs are prized for their smoothness and flexibility. Far from being the exclusive domain of collectors, the current fountain-pen renaissance sees interest growing in limited editions like the Blue Obsession Collection by Waterman. Since 1940, when the first blue ink bottle was produced, blue has been emblematic of the Waterman brand.

Each pen in this range is inspired by this provenance and is obsessively designed with precise details and encased in a striking blue hue.

It isn’t just a matter of materials and styling, however: the art of craftsman-made pens has been characterised by constant technical innovation. For example, the iconic Hémisphere pen is part of La Collection Privée by Waterman.

In line with contemporary runway trends, these fashion-forward metallic shades create an array of fine writing options for the style-conscious writer.

Much of Waterman’s work is about telling stories, and this is where a good story makes all the difference, enticing both new and experienced pen connoisseurs to look at writing instruments in an unconventional way. These are pens for people who love beautiful design as much as they love the art of writing.

For me, handwriting with a fine fountain pen will always beat predictive text, and when you’re using a pen with some history behind it, the mundane can often become extraordinary. 

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS The timepieces top athletes wear often mirror their own star quality.

WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY

SPORT

A

s I complete this article, it’s 21 days, 8 hours and 36 minutes until kickoff at FIFA World Cup Russia. It’s significant in timekeeping history because football fans who manage to purchase one of the Hublot Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia watches (opposite), limited to 2018 pieces, will be able to experience ‘connected football’ on their wrists for the first time. ‘The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia offers all the usual features of a smartwatch, of course, but that’s not where Hublot has applied its innovation and audacity. It brings together everything that inspires the passion of football lovers!’ says Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO. Fans can get match updates on the watch, including the score, number of cards, names of goal-scorers, player substitutions and match time. ‘The football aficionados from among the brand’s friends have been waiting for this watch for a long time,’ Guadalupe says.

Moreover, referees wearing the watch on the field will be connected to goal-line technology, an electronic video assistance system that follows the trajectory of the ball and determines whether or not it crossed the goal line.

WATCH SPOTTERS Arguably the greatest athlete of all time and the only footballer to win three World Cups during his career, Pelé is one of the leading sports personalities with whom Hublot has partnered in its creation of unique limitededition pieces; Usain Bolt is another. The Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt was released to mark the Jamaican sprinter’s participation in the 2016 Olympics, during which time he added more gold medals to his collection.

The watch features a lightning-bolt chronograph hand, the embossed outline of the Jamaican flag on the strap, and a goldoutlined figure of the athlete himself within the running seconds subdial.

While many sports professionals don’t wear watches while they’re competing or training, there was much excitement among watch spotters who noticed South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk wearing the RM 27-02 on the track at the 2016 Olympic Games.

The watch was originally designed by Richard Mille for tennis player Rafael Nadal, who at time of writing is number one in the ATP rankings. The task set for the watchmakers was to ‘bring a tourbillon into the arena that was capable of withstanding the shocks incurred for hours on end on clay courts, which can involve forces of several hundred G, while remaining totally comfortable and ridiculously lightweight (less than 20 grams)’.

That’s an immense challenge for any tourbillon movement but Hublot did it, launching the lightest tourbillon wristwatch in the world.

Quill & Pad online magazine founder Elizabeth Doerr quotes Richard Mille describing Nadal as a human test bench, an integral part of the research process for this wristwatch. Simply bumping your wrist against a table creates an energy wave of about 200 Gs in your watch.

Sensors worn on Nadal’s wrist recorded his serve measuring between 800 and 1 000 Gs. Richard Mille certified the RM 027 RN up to 800 Gs and eventually the RM 27-02 up to 5 000 Gs, which Nadal confirmed was ‘hardly needed’ on court.

Doerr spotted another Jamaican sprinter, Yohan Blake, as well as left-handed golfer Bubba Watson wearing Richard Mille timepieces during the Olympics that year. ‘Watson’s go-to watches include the RM 038, the RM 38-01 outfitted with a G-sensor to record the force of the golfer’s swing, and the RM 055,’ she writes.

Doerr notes that Chinese badminton player Lin Dan, the only player to win badminton’s Super Grand Slam comprising nine major titles, wears a specially made Montblanc TimeWalker Pythagore Ultra-Light Concept watch. Legendary Olympian and Omega ambassador Michael Phelps had been seen wearing the stainless-steel Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Co-axial Chronograph as well as the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Master Chronometer Chronograph during the 2016 Olympic Games, and has said that he’s ‘very fond of the Speedmaster “Dark Side of the Moon” Black’.

The football aficionados among the brand’s friends have been waiting for this watch for a long time

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SPORT

MAKING WAVES At this year’s Baselworld watch and jewellery fair Omega unveiled a new collection of the popular Seamaster Diver 300m as well as its latest ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ timepiece in the Speedmaster collection, 50 years after the Apollo 8 mission. The latter has several prestigious attributes, including a specially decorated version of the Moonwatch movement, visible through the skeletonised dial. Laser ablation has been used to decorate the bridges and main plate of the blackened movement, producing realistic imagery of the lunar surface.

The Seamaster Diver 300m, admired for its design and ocean technology, has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with James Bond, is now available in 14 new 42mm models. They incorporate a Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 for greater precision, performance and magnetic resistance. The diving bezel is now made from ceramic with the diving scale in Ceragold or white enamel (for longer-lasting whiteness and durability) and the indexes have been raised and filled with Super-LumiNova. The helium escape valve has been given a conical shape and has been patented

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SPORT

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME IWC Schaffhausen’s Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition ‘Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’ is the 12th special edition launched by IWC as part of its commitment to support the foundation. The back of the watch features an engraving of a drawing by Ana Claudia (11), winner of an annual competition that IWC organises. The theme for 2017 was ‘Time to Be Healthy’. Ana Claudia participates in an Instituto Reação project that helps to improve the living conditions of Brazilian children and teenagers through education and sport – relying particularly on judo to communicate values such as respect, discipline and determination. Currently, Laureus supports more than 100 programmes that are using sport to create social change in about 35 countries.

The helium escape valve has been given a conical shape and has been patented

by Omega, with an ingenious technology that allows it to be operated underwater

by Omega, with an ingenious technology that allows it to be operated underwater.

French freediving champion Guillaume Néry stars in the Panerai Traits series chapter, ‘Mare’, wearing the Luminor Submersible 1950 Amagnetic 3 Days Automatic Titanio (above left). Néry has broken four world records and won two Constant Weight Freediving

World Championships. Panerai Traits is a digital series that honours the Italian watch manufacturer’s historic association with the ocean. In the video, which can be viewed at paneraitraits.com, Néry shares his passion and flair for diving in the waters of Villefranche-sur-Mer, the bay near Nice in France where he was born.

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SPORT

Motorsport is another field that attracts massive sponsorships from watch brands. TAG Heuer has partnered with Formula 1 team Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Hublot works with Ferrari, Richard Mille with McLaren, Oris with Williams, and Bell & Ross with Renault Sport, while Rolex is the global partner and official timepiece of Formula 1.

The design of the Bell & Ross X1 R.S.18, which is worn

by Renault Sport Formula 1 Team drivers Carlos Sainz Jr (above) and Nico Hülkenberg, was inspired by the new Renault single-seat race car. It’s one of three mechanical chronographs in a series that pushes the boundaries of mechanical engineering, technical skill and innovative

As in Formula 1, where the car’s chassis supports everything from the engine to the bodywork with extreme lightness and rigidity, the case of the watch was designed with a focus on high performance watchmaking. As in Formula 1, where the car’s chassis supports everything from the engine to the bodywork with extreme lightness and rigidity, the case of the watch was designed with a focus on high performance, using materials with tried-and-tested features to convey elements of racing style into the engine (movement) and bodywork (dial). 

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

ON THE TRACK

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ASTROLOGY & ASTRONOMY

TO THE MOON AND BACK Astrology and astronomy play their part in inspiring some of the most elaborate creations in watchmaking history.

WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY

T

he ability to dream up and produce complications that track the path of the moon across the sky may set one fine watchmaking maison apart from the next, depending on the mechanical complexity and artisan crafts involved. These are the things serious watch collectors want when looking to add to their collection, and it’s a challenge that has been taken up readily by master watchmakers over the centuries.

‘Their timepieces have all paid tribute to astronomy, the guiding light at the heart of our perception of the world around us, from the very first astrolabes to today’s perpetual calendar watches, which may be equipped with countless, more complex functions such as sidereal time indication, a chart of the heavenly bodies, or even a mechanism for anticipating lunar and solar eclipses – without forgetting the times of sunrise and sunset,’ says Fabienne Lupo, chairwoman and managing director for the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH).

The prices? Eye-watering, to say the least, when you’re looking at a masterpiece such as Vacheron Constantin’s Reference 57260 pocket watch.

The most complicated watch ever made was commissioned

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for €10 million and took eight years to produce. Revealed in 2016 at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, with the kind permission of the owner, its 57 complications include a world-first Hebraic perpetual calendar, nine astronomic calendar functions, a lunar calendar and a religious calendar. There was an offer to purchase by a keen investor who, despite having tripled the commissioned price, had to be content with an emphatic ‘not for sale’.

For those who chose to wear a watch for its intricate design and technical features rather than simply to tell the time, and are drawn to the science and romance of the solar system, top watchmaking maisons have some exquisite options.

A STARRY SELECTION De Bethune this year released the DB25 Starry Varius, which offers the possibility to customise the sky chart on the dial for a specific date and location. ‘The stars are gold pins, each one individually profiled and positioned by hand. The hazy band of the Milky Way is obtained using laser beam micro-milling combined with the traditional technique of gold-leaf gilding,’ writes the FHH. Officine Panerai’s latest dedication to Galileo Galilei

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ASTROLOGY & ASTRONOMY

is L’Astronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT. The first Panerai model to include a moonphase indicator, it can be personalised according to the geographical coordinates of a place selected by the client.

Dutch watchmaker and astronomical mechanism specialist Christiaan van der Klaauw recently revealed his Planetarium watch, incorporating the smallest mechanical heliocentric planetarium in the world. ‘It reproduces in real time the movements of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun. The Planetarium also displays hours, minutes, date and month on a black aventurine glass dial – a world first – whose incredible depth creates an almost three-dimensional starry sky,’ writes the FHH. Van der Klaauw’s previous collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels to produce the Midnight Planétarium watch led to a version for women, the Lady Arpels Planétarium. The Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Moon orbit the dial, made of seven aventurine discs, at actual speed.

Blancpain’s complete calendar moonphase timepieces with the placement of a moonphase window at six o’clock are a signature of the house. The incorporation of the GMT function in the Villeret Quantième Complet GMT launched this year elevates the timepiece to a high-complication category. The calendar indications are linked to the local time display shown on the main hands while home time is shown with a red-tipped hand.

Bell & Ross takes inspiration from the night sky for its collection of BR S Diamond Eagle ladies’ watches this year.

It has referenced the constellation Aquila (eagle), one of the brightest clusters of stars in the Milky Way, and covered the dial with sparkling diamonds that twinkle like stars.

Contemporary and classic, the Rolex Cellini Moonphase displays its lunar complication on a blue enamelled disc at six o’clock on a white lacquer dial. An indicator set at 12 o’clock on the subdial allows you to read the moonphase as the full moon, shown as a meteorite appliqué, and new moon, a silver ring, rotate through the lunar cycle.

A Lange & Söhne, founders of Saxon fine watchmaking, have in their collection the Lange 1 Moon Phase, with a newly developed movement and a moonphase display with an integrated day/night indication. The moon orbits against a bright-blue sky by day and a dark-blue starry sky at night.

The special quality of the Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon watch is that it uses its tourbillon and a moving lapis lazuli disc to reveal the moon phase on demand.

A white-gold Roman numeral grid and map of the earth sits on top of the lapis lazuli dial, and beneath that is the tourbillon. All you need do is press the pusher at four o’clock if you want the small lapis lazuli disc to partially cover the complication. The disc displays the current phase of the moon, while the visible part of the tourbillon represents the shining moon. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

(Above, from left) Blancpain’s Villeret Quantième Complet GMT; De Bethune’s DB25 Starry Varius (Previous page, from left) Vacheron Constantin’s Reference 57260; the Rolex Cellini Moonphase

UMHLANGA ROCKS, KWAZULU NATAL Magnificent classic home, immaculate with grand proportions and luxurious finishes. The epitome of elegance, refinement and luxury awakens all ones senses, evokes the allure of romance and entices one to dream. Private entrance hall, two lounges, Italian style kitchen, dining room, large study and double atrium all leading out onto the most spectacular patio/deck area with a sparkling pool and built-in jacuzzi, overlooking the tennis court with uninterrupted seaviews. The covered entertainment area includes a built-in pizza oven and braai area. This magnificent Mediterranean beauty boasts 7 bedrooms, 3 lounges, 5 bathrooms, 2 guest suites, a fully equipped bar with a full sized billiards table as well as a yoga studio. Staff acc, 2 outside storerooms, automated irrigation and state of the art security. Asking R39 million. Contact: Maurizio Dalle-Vedove 083 301 1946 Web ref: 2748753

UMHLANGA ROCKS, KWAZULU NATAL Teremok. A unique opportunity to acquire this luxurious Steffan Ahrends designed family home featured as one of Sotheby’s International Realty’s “Exclusive homes of the world”.

Nestled amongst palm and giant Milkwood trees this eight bedroomed home is a feast for the senses. Set in a beautiful landscaped garden with refreshing pool and self contained guest cottage. The sale includes all furniture and is inclusive of VAT. Asking R32.5 million. Contact: Mandy Testa 082 337 6257 Web ref: 2792700 To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

SPANISH FARM, SOMERSET WEST, WESTERN CAPE A creation of glass that gives an abundance of light designed for the executive entertainment and luxurious living. Triple Volume ceiling living areas lead onto pool and lush green landscaped garden enjoying spectacular sunsets and panoramic views.

Asking R25 million. Contact: Chantal Botes 083 702 5460 Office: 021 851 4450 Web ref: 2430022

PEARL VALLEY AT VAL DE VIE, WESTERN CAPE

BOSCHENMEER GOLF & COUNTRY ESTATE, WESTERN CAPE

STELLENBOSCH LIFESTYLE FARM, WESTERN CAPE

Endless views on Boschenmeer Golf & Country Estate. This home boasts professionally designed interiors, state of the art finishes and views over Paarl Mountain. The open plan living areas flow out onto an entertainment patio and braai area with perfect size pool and access to the course. Asking R8.2 million. Contact: Marinda de Jongh 082 573 2204, Marilize Brown 083 241 1580 Office: 021 870 1011 Web ref: 2718434

A secluded country lane traverses established vineyards to arrive at the commanding entrance gates of this impressive residential vineyard estate. Tucked away in a private location overlooking stunning gardens and with breath-taking vistas, this is an exceptional retreat surrounded by native oaks, gently sloping hills, and vineyard rows.

The property boasts a privileged position in the much sought after Devon Valley surrounded by a hillside of olive groves and vineyards and breath-taking views across the Boland mountains. Asking R42 million. Contact: Chris Cilliers 082 568 1122 Office: 021 809 2760 Web ref: ZLYD6H www.sothebysrealty.com

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Pearl Valley Golf Course stand with magnificent views. Make the Valley of Life your home. Very few remaining opportunities available in this unique position on the 12th Fairway. Pearl Valley Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course now part of the Val de Vie Estate offers the ideal lifestyle with the best security and an abundance of leisure activities available. Various Plot & Plan options available. Overlooking the 12th fairway.

Price includes vat & Infrastructure & Capital Reserve Fund fee. Asking from R2.96 million Contact: Jacques Nortje 082 084 0860 Office: 021 867 0161 Web ref: 2772069

STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE

STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE

Just move in and relax in this well secured private home where each member of the family will have the space to enjoy his privacy. Close to top schools and on the doorstep of any nature- and fitness lover’s dream surrounds. Only thirty five minutes from Cape Town International Airport. Asking R22.95 million. Contact: Marelise Visagie 072 776 2645 Office: 021 809 2760 Web ref: 1202624

This immaculate home has recently been renovated and reflects a skillful blend of simplicity and sophistication. Situated in an established leafy suburb close to schools and the centre of town makes this a very popular address. With an open floor plan that really works, this could be just what you’ve been waiting for! The facilities are superior and the property lends itself to easy living and great entertainment. Asking R9.9 million. Contact: Marelise Visagie 072 776 2645 Office: 021 809 2760 Web ref: 2686834

VAL DE VIE ESTATE, WESTERN CAPE

PEARL VALLEY AT VAL DE VIE, WESTERN CAPE

Prime north facing open plan dream home in quiet cul de sac circle with greenbelt area. This Val de Vie Estate home boasts with superior detailed finishes, wood finish vinyl floors, Air-conditioners and Aluminium windows and doors. Easy flow entertainer with spacious dining room, lounge with wood fireplace. Val de Vie has been rated the top residential estate for the last three years by New World Wealth. Asking From R7.8 million. Contact: Sandra Steenkamp 083 659 2988 Office: 021 867 0161 Web ref: 2784117

On entering this home you are struck by the views through the glass doors, over the patio and pool on to the golf course and beyond. Positioned overlooking 3 fairways with uninterrupted views directly on to the iconic Simonsberg mountains this is an immaculate 4 bedroomed home that has been planned & maintained with such attention to detail. Asking R10.95 million. Annelize Reinmuller 076 788 9918 Leigh Robertson 082 882 8243 Office: 021 870 1011 Web ref: EQ5LJT on www.sothebysrealty.com

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

BISHOPSCOURT, CAPE TOWN

CLAREMONT UPPER, CAPE TOWN

Beautiful country-style home in leafy Bishopscourt, for an active young family, their pets and hobbies, within walking distance of Kirstenbosch Gardens. With four north facing bedrooms (all en-suite), sunny living / dining area with braai fireplace, TV room and gym (or 5th bedroom). Well fitted eat-in conservatory kitchen leads out to established garden and pool. Special features include freestanding cottage, dual work from home and wrap around security. Asking R16.5 million. Contact: Barbara Manning 083 407 3656 Office: 021 673 1240 Web ref: 2821905

Contemporary style double-storey, north facing property with loads of natural light & sun. The energy & soul of this home is tangible & is a must view. Modern, fully equipped kitchen opens to the dining and living areas which flow to a covered patio, beautiful water-wise garden & pool. All making for easy entertaining on grand or intimate scale. Separate family room & study leading to wooden deck offers a perfect work from home opportunity. Four spacious bedrooms (all en-suite). Master bedroom with walk-through dressing room and private balcony with stunning mountain views.

Walk to Herschel & Wetpups schools. Asking R9.4 million. Contact: Anne Goddard 082 777 7107, Ruth Leach 082 323 7550 Office: 021 673 1240 Web ref: 2775379

NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN

TOKAI, CAPE TOWN

This modern home was designed to optimise the spectacular views afforded by the elevated location. Double volume living leading out to established garden, deck and pool. Lovely large double bedrooms, all with access to balconies, leading to garden Fully fitted kitchen. 3 generous bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en-suite) additional 4th bedroom with separate entrance. Fitted study. Double garage with direct access.

Fully alarmed and secure. Asking R10.5 million. Contact: Nina Smith 082 774 4596 Office: 021 673 1240 Web ref: 2725274

Don’t just dream – come and experience it for yourself- no further water shortage worries – stunning brand new and totally off the water grid! Open plan living areas; 3 bedrooms - all en-suite; covered patio; double garage and private garden: Asking price Unit 2: 204,7m² R4 650 000 plus VAT Unit 5: 211,5m² R4 950 000 plus VAT Unit 7: 204,7m² R4 750 000 plus VAT Contact: Herculene Visser 083 658 2686 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2094651

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

CONSTANTIA RURAL, CAPE TOWN

CONSTANTIA UPPER, CAPE TOWN

Modern and immaculate contemporary home. This stunning Constantia family home has been modernized to the highest standards. State of the art open plan kitchen, versatile reception areas and perfect indoor/outdoor flow are just a few of the best features. This home is perfect for anyone that loves to entertain or spend quality time with friends and family throughout the year. The stunning patio and pool combines perfectly with a manicured garden and has uninterrupted mountain views. 4 spacious bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, triple garaging and the option to create dual living completes the perfect picture. Asking R8.995 million. Contact: Eileen O’ Sullivan 082 410 7204, Peter Stingl 071 671 0821 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2788487

There are four spacious bedrooms with plenty of room for studying, sleep and storage and all with en-suite bathrooms. The master bedroom complete with dressing area and en-suite bathroom ensures private space with a view. A stylish kitchen with built in wine store and open plan TV area flowing into separate dining and formal lounge areas plus separate playroom. Asking R17.995 million. Contact: Jo Thomas 084 404 4120, Rouvaun McKirby 071 671 0821, Phyl McCance Price 082 593 1624 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2685571

STONEHURST MOUNTAIN ESTATE, CAPE TOWN

ZWAANSWYK, CAPE TOWN

This quality built family home is well situated on Cape Town’s finest eco estate set on 100 hectares of indigenous vegetation. To the south one sees the majestic mountain scenery of part of the Table Mountain National Park, whilst to the north there are sweeping unobstructed views across the Constantia Valley. Continental sophistication is everywhere to be found throughout the home boasting superior bespoke finishes and both German appliances and Italian cabinetry. Asking R15.995 million. Contact: Dave Burger 083 458 3333, Brenda Pretorius 083 442 1318 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2821916

Magnificent double-storey 6 bed residence is an Entertainer’s Dream Home with an easy indoor/outdoor flow between the 2 lounges, o/plan dining room, modern kitchen, covered entertainment deck and sparkling pool. The verdant garden leads to a guest cottage with own entrance. Dual living, AirBnB and rental opportunities abound. Asking R23.9 million. Contact: Dawn Bloch 072 496 9458, Lee-Ann Davis 082 412 6597 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2732544

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

FRANSCHHOEK, WESTERN CAPE

FRANSCHHOEK, WESTERN CAPE

Built on the banks of the La Cotte River on the exclusive Fransche Hoek Estate, this immaculate North Facing, single storey property consists of 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, separate study, eat in kitchen and large open plan living areas. Also with double garage, swimming pool, beautiful deep covered patio with exquisite mountain views and beautifully landscaped water wise Fynbos garden. Asking R9.9 million.

Contact: James Penlington 076 356 4993 Office: 021 876 8480 Web Ref: 2631295

Equestrian Estate in idyllic location, comprising luxurious main residence with 5 bedrooms, a separate 4 bedroom lake house, stable complex, veterinary room, manager’s accommodation and a loft apartment. Also with 2 dams, 4 boreholes, grooms quarters, implements barn, staff cottages and ample garaging. A truly breath-taking offering in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley. Asking R83 million. Price excludes VAT. Contact: Bev Malan 082 901 6966 Office: 021 876 8480 Web Ref: 2601466

HOUT BAY, CAPE TOWN

SIMON’S TOWN, CAPE TOWN

Come and experience a new lifestyle! Purchase a plot and build your own home in accordance to the architectural design manual or let the developer do your building for you • 20 Freehold stands (6 sold) • Magnificent mountain views • Modern open plan design and layout • 4 Bedrooms • Fibre connectivity • 4 Communal boreholes • Beaches, trails, Hout Bay lifestyle on your doorstep. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Asking price Plots from R2 950 000 Incl. vat. Plot & Plan from R7 412 129 Incl. vat.

Contact: Anne O’Kelly 082 491 0029, Terri Steyn 082 777 0748 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2302688

This beautiful home offers the ultimate coastal position & location. Sheltered from the Summer South Easterly winds, North facing with unobstructed views across False Bay. With natural stone finishes, unique architectural detail, beautiful landscape rare cactus feature garden it offers instant curb appeal. The open plan living & dining area leads out through glass stacker doors to curved sea view balcony. Fully fitted granite top kitchen. Private back courtyard with sea-view patio. Two sunny sea facing bedrooms with main en-suite plus separate apartment suite. Secure covered off street parking for 3 cars. Asking R5.49 million. Contact: Bev Goldhill 082 445 7239 Office: 021 784 1940 Web ref: 2736377

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

MALMESBURY, SWARTLAND

LANGEBAAN, WEST COAST

Modern three-year-old double storey home. Fully carpeted, three bedrooms with three bathrooms. Tiled open plan kitchen / living and dining room. Beautifully appointed and spacious with ample built in cupboards. Neat staff quarters outside with bathroom, also to be used as an additional bedroom suite. Inviting garden, pool and patio area, with a "boma" braai – ideal for entertaining your guests. Double garage and much more. Asking R2.995 million. Contact: Anet Thompson 082 399 3872 Office: 022 713 2858 Web ref: 2571682

Birdsong Manor has possibly the best views of the lagoon and Skaapen Island with views all the way to Saldanha Bay and beyond. This home offers day lounge and formal lounge both with gas fireplaces. Large kitchen with granite tops, separate laundry and outside purpose built braai room in the kitchen garden - ideal for use as an art studio with excellent light. Office with bay windows, hardwood floors and beautiful views.

3 Bedrooms all en-suite and upstairs landing large enough to be used as small office area. Automated garage, outside toilet and separate store room. Asking R4.95 million.

Contact: Melanie Mouton-Creugnet 079 378 0000 Office: 022 772 1186 Web ref: 1656574

FERNKLOOF GOLF ESTATE, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE.

KWAAIWATER, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE

With quality finishes throughout and splendid proportions, this five bedroom, four and half bathroom, entertainers paradise in Fernkloof Golf Estate encapsulates a living experience both aesthetically pleasing and spaciously rewarding. Modern designed entertainment spaces include oak panelled bar, impressive wine cellar, sophisticated surround sound system, glass enclosed patio overlooking the beautifully landscaped garden, pool area and spectacular views of Hermanus Golf Course and surrounding mountains. This unparalleled lifestyle, as well as its unmatched investment track record, is one not to be missed. Asking R14.7 million Contact: Brent Hill 083 441 9045 Office: 028 312 4970 Web ref: 2702056

Unique opportunity to own this primely situated property on large grounds measuring ±3500m² with uninterrupted sea views of Walker Bay. Virtually unheard of in Kwaaiwater the property is a blank canvas with loads of space to develop the rest of the stand into your own family estate. The slate roofed home consists of three bedrooms, three bathrooms with a totally separate one-bedroom cottage. Extras include double automated garage, storage rooms, outside shower and a mature nature lover’s fynbos garden. Asking R24 million Contact: John Quincey 082 798 0221 Office: 028 312 4970 Web ref: 2750402

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

MELKBOSSTRAND, CAPE TOWN

EVERSDAL HEIGHTS, DURBANVILLE, CAPE TOWN

An exquisite 5 bedroom beachside family home with uninterrupted views of Table Mountain and Robben Island. This home comprises ±750m² of family living designed to maximise the breath taking views. Open plan reception rooms, indoor pool, entertainment lounge, 6 person lift, cherry wood gourmet kitchen, top of the range appliances, jacuzzi & sauna room are a few of the luxuries you can expect upon entering this home. Melkbosstrand is located 35km north of Cape Town and is a mere 35 minute drive from the International Airport. Asking R19.995 million. Contact: Dawie du Plessis 083 293 0449 Office: 021 910 1697 Web ref: 2089431

Perfectly designed family home in secure estate. Double volume entrance area leads to open plan kitchen, dining & lounge. The spacious open plan kitchen has granite tops, porcelain tiles, scullery and hob. Large open plan dining and lounge with aluminium doors to a covered outside patio. 3 Bedrooms downstairs all with ample built-in cupboards, carpeted and spacious. Quality fully tiled bathrooms. Upstairs entertainment area with built-in braai, kitchenette and doors leading to a balcony with lovely mountain views. Could also be used as a work-from-home office. Asking R4.195 million. Contact: Christine Oosthuizen 082 871 6550 Office: 021 979 4396 Web ref: 2737515

VALMARY PARK, DURBANVILLE, CAPE TOWN

CENTURY CITY, CAPE TOWN

This architecturally designed home presents private, secure and tranquil up market living in the heart of Durbanville. Built to meticulous standards, it is set on a prime stand featuring gracious open plan living with a double volume dining area creating a feeling of space. Generous reception areas are effortlessly presented offering the executive buyer every modern convenience. 5 Bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 garages. Located close to good schools including Eversdal, Gene Louw, Durbanville Primary, Fairmont, Stellenberg, Durbanville High School & within easy access to the N1 and other main routes & main shopping centres. Asking R10.5 million. Contact: Nicole Viljoen 084 579 1126, Dawie du Plessis 083 293 0449 Office: 021 979 4396 Web ref: 2602858

Knight’s Bridge. Be on top of the world with this double storey prestigious Penthouse.

Look out onto Table Mountain and enjoy 360-degree views of what Cape Town has on offer, with the sunrise above the Tygerberg mountains and the sunset across the Atlantic Ocean. Accommodation: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 entertainment areas, 2 basement parking bays. Knight’s Bridge well managed sought-after sectional title building located in the centre of Century City next to Canal Walk. Secured with 24hour armed security at the gates. Offers 20m heated pool and equipped gym with lifestyle centre. Asking R7.695 million. Contact: Leandré van Rooyen 082 943 8735 Office: 021 979 4396 Web ref: 2458348

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

LEISURE ISLE, KNYSNA, GARDEN ROUTE

PEZULA PRIVATE ESTATE, KNYSNA, GARDEN ROUTE

Understated from the exterior, once inside - the 'Wow' factor! 4 Spacious en-suite bedrooms. 4th Bedroom with kitchenette, living area and additional separate access.

A gourmet kitchen is at the heart of this home with Caesar-stone finishes, built-in coffee machine and microwave and separate scullery/laundry. Lovely flow, open-plan living, with oversized windows overlooking the village green, to the lagoon beyond. Covered entertainment patio, dine next to the sparkling pool. All furniture included in the sale of this upmarket home, plus double garage. Asking R13.5 million. Contact: Sheena Mare 082 432 5180, Candy Mare 082 928 8507, Grant Alexander 082 676 4626 Office: 044 384 0134 Web ref: 2793863

A cleverly-designed home, enjoying panoramic ocean views is built in a square around a protected courtyard with sparkling heated pool. An open-plan kitchen with scullery leads into a dining area, flowing to a covered patio with gas braai, overlooking the ocean. The lounge, enjoys a fireplace for warmth in the cool winter months with a separate study next door, both maximising the sea views. The master suite boasts a huge luxurious bathroom and dressing area. Downstairs are a further two very generously-sized, en-suite bedrooms, with their own living areas. Two garages. Asking R9.8 million. Contact: Barbara Wilson 082 377 1830, Samantha Osman 072 356 9245 Office: 044 384 0134 Web ref: 2795602

THESEN ISLANDS, KNYSNA, GARDEN ROUTE

KNYSNA CENTRAL, KNYSNA, GARDEN ROUTE

This outstanding home with four en-suite bedrooms and three reception rooms each with its own fireplace is well situated on Thesen Islands, Knysna. The amazing main suite with large dressing room has a huge bathroom with sauna and jacuzzi. With modern kitchen and open plan patio leading onto the large private jetty with gazebo this outstanding home lends itself to entertaining. The double automated garage which is attached to this home offering 3 phase electricity, air-conditioning, a water filtration system, 12,000 litre water tanks with pump and a generator are some of the features that add to this special home. Asking R11.95 million. Contact: John Lees 083 626 6077, Joey Scheffer 082 901 4090 Office: 044 382 4700 Web ref: 2678943

This magnificent Victorian building has been a landmark in Knysna since it was first built as the Mayor’s home in the 1900’s. This beautiful building with its original Yellowwood floors, Oregon pine door frames and ceilings as well as Blackwood banisters exudes charm & history. The Knysna Manor House is a popular well established guesthouse boasting 14 comfortable en-suite bedrooms and a two bed roomed owner / manager’s flatlet. The wooden bar and sunny dining room have wonderful views over the lagoon.

With private pool and secure off street parking there is great potential to develop it into an exclusive boutique hotel. Asking R8.6 million. Contact: Contact: John Lees 083 626 6077, Joey Scheffer 082 901 4090 Office: 044 382 4700 Web ref: 2791579

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

FERNRIDGE, GEORGE, GARDEN ROUTE

WILDERNESS, GARDEN ROUTE

Set within a magical garden, this historic and characterful home offers wide appeal. The large family room with fireplace, is open-plan and inter-leading to the living room and features stacking doors which open out to the covered verandah and pool terrace.

The spacious kitchen, complete with granite tops and ample storage space is the heart of this extraordinary home. A comfortable study creates the perfect work from home space. Beamed ceilings add to the warmth of this exceptionally comfortable, five bedroomed home. Two garages take care of your parking needs. Asking R3.35 million.

Contact: Liezl Joubert 076 910 2723 Office: 044 873 2519 Web ref: 2790551

A multi-purpose home, with a Spanish flavour positioned in Wilderness Village. It offers 4 en-suite bedrooms with own entrances and patios. Conveniently situated opposite restaurants and shops, and only 300m from the Wilderness beach. Spacious living areas flow to the sunny terrace. Kitchen with breakfast nook with rosewood counter top, walk–in pantry and separate scullery / laundry. Separate TV room leads to private patio. Fitted, combined his-and-hers study & separate guest toilet. Exposed ceiling beams, wooden sash windows and combustion fireplace. Landscaped garden and expansive paved areas complete this picture-perfect property. Asking R3.495 million Contact: Maria Coetsee 082 343 4030 Office: 044 877 0767 Web ref: 2757403

BUNKERS HILL, EAST LONDON

PORT ST. JOHNS, TRANSKEI

Truly unique home for the connoisseur of life... This home has taken Bunkers Hill to a new level! An opulent and extravagant residence in prestigious Bunkers Hill. Six beautifully appointed bedrooms with 4½ bathrooms, recently renovated with imported light fittings and top class finishes. The open plan kitchen with integrated Smeg appliances, the high gloss soft closing doors is state of the art in kitchen design and finishes. This home is perfectly positioned for a relaxed and seamless indoor / outdoor flow to pool, patio and garden. Asking R6.5 million. Contact: Ann Nel 083 455 1163 Office: 043 726 0111 Web ref: 2818937

Magnificent jewel of the Transkei! Nestled on the banks of the Umzimvubu River lies the magnificent Cremorne Estate, which offers 4 distinctly different accommodation options. For Wild Coast hospitality, it offers bed and breakfast in their cosy timber cabins with en-suite facilities. For the “Do it yourself” holiday maker they offer fully equipped and serviced luxury self-catering cottages. For the outdoor type the caravan and camping sites are fully serviced with water and electricity. For the avid fisherman it offers the Fisherman’s cottages. Asking R18 million. Contact: Martin Godfrey 084 799 5585 Office: 043 726 0111 Web ref: 2134746

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

Plett Quarter consists of a secure & exclusive penthouse and luxury apartment development in the heart of Plettenberg Bay, overlooking the sweep of the ocean & lagoon estuary from its upper levels. It will create urban renewal and be a landmark in one of the most prominent locations in Plett. This prestigious new secure development consists of 12 luxurious penthouses with ocean views & entertainment terraces & 27 luxury apartments, equipped with modern, sustainable & state-of-the-art amenities & services, setting a new standard among the premier properties of the Southern Cape. Payment is only on completion, so discount the asking price accordingly. From R2.3million to R8.94million incl. vat. Contact: Hein Pretorius 083 701 3159 Office: 044 533 2529 Web ref: 2735811

This North facing home situated in Whale Rock Ridge comprising 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en-suite), boasts quality finishes and offers well-appointed living rooms flowing out onto a covered outdoor patio for entertaining and alfresco living; with a crystal clear swimming pool. This stunning family home consists of a large double volume entrance hall, lounge, dining room, guest bathroom, custom built kitchen with pantry and separate scullery with laundry, large office with storage room, staff bathroom and 2.5 garages. With the added features of under floor heating, heated towel rails and a full security system this property is for the discerning buyer. Asking R7.5 million.

Contact: Paul Jordaan 082 876 0577 Office: 044 533 2529 Web ref: 2788230

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

New on the market this spacious, multi-level, private and elevated family home with access from 2 streets is located in sought after 'Old Plett' / Look Out, and is full of possibility. It comprises of 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (2 en-suite). The 5th bedroom on the lower level could be a separate self-contained flat. The sea, lagoon and mountain views are spectacular and uninterrupted. From the upper level you feel like you are on top of the world. This home has enjoyed years of family memories and now it is time for a new owner to make it their own. Asking R16 million. Contact: Carrie Maclean 082 566 1881 Office: 044 533 2529 Web ref: 2507873

This Villa is situated in the front of Thulana Hill giving it a feel of total privacy. The duplex comprises 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (3 en-suite), spacious patio with covered dining area, jacuzzi and built-in braai, with a separate private patio leading from the main and second bedrooms, garage, carport and stunning uninterrupted sea views over Robberg Beach. The open plan living area has a jet master gas fire place for those chilly evenings. The development features 24 hour security, swimming pool, luxury finishes, and is 5 minutes easy access to all amenities, attractions and beaches. Asking R4.2 million. Contact: DesrĂŠ Reck 079 497 0008 Office: 044 533 2529 Web ref: 2754932

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

BRYANSTON, SANDTON

SANDHURST, SANDTON

House. A dazzling chic palatial Georgian mansion. Boasting a fluid floor plan, set in glorious manicured and romantic treed garden in an exclusive gated estate (on approximately 1 acre). Many gracious reception areas and cocktail areas to covered patio and heated swimming pool. Chandeliers and marble floors, fireplaces – 8 bedroom suites with dream bathrooms, upstairs family room, library and study. 4 Garages, staff accommodation and many more features. Top, top security. Asking R15 million.

Contact: Manuela Coelho 082 552 7119, Ester Kruger 082 771 8389 Web ref: 2698113

Timeless Neo Classic with a contemporary palette of excellence! Vistas of verdant greenery & views of Sandton skyline! From the triple volume entrance the tone is set for a home that invites whispers of sophisticated elegance. A lifestyle of grand entertaining in a sumptuous environment of luxury, ease & comfort with numerous receptions opening to patios and outside entertainment area for al fresco surprises. Separate entertainment centre / movie theatre with own wine cellar, cigar bar. 6 Luxurious bedroom suite, 3 garages and extra parking. Top quality finishes throughout. A home with an exceptional ambiance ideal for the perfectionist. Asking R40 million Fully furnished.

Contact: Tasha Rossen 082 561 1675 Office: 011 886 8070 Web ref: 1906473

HOUGHTON ESTATE, JOHANNESBURG

BRYANSTON, SANDTON

Grand elegance of highest quality. This superb, well maintained home is awaiting your arrival. Lock up and go glamourous lifestyle. Double volume entrance, beautiful flow, graceful living for the rich and famous. 5 Bedrooms en suite with the guest wing downstairs. Upstairs lounge, 4 garages, state of the art security, pleasant swimming pool, good staff accommodation, generator and so much more and taking all your offers.

Asking R16.9 million. Contact: Sabina Seeber 083 254 6981 Marula Proto 082 570 2975 Office: 011 886 8070 Web ref: 2697012

Cluster. Sublime residence under slate in most sought-after avenue with spectacular views! Lavish French-style villa on half an acre featuring elegant living rooms opening to generous extensive covered terrace onto landscaped gardens and pool and pavilion.

Gourmet dine-in kitchen open-plan to family room, dining room and lounge. 5 Double bedroom suites with private lounges and studies. 3 Garages, lux staff accommodation, garaging for 4 cars. A unique property in best residential estate. Asking R12.95 million.

Contact: Manuela Coelho 082 552 7119, Ester Kruger 082 771 8389 Web ref: 2822586

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

SIMBITHI ECO ESTATE, BALLITO, KWAZULU NATAL

SIMBITHI ECO ESTATE, BALLITO, KWAZULU NATAL

Fantastically positioned, well designed and superbly decorated family home with glorious forest views situated in the popular Simbithi Eco Estate. Open plan living areas lead to a large, protected patio with built in braai and balau covered pool deck. The delightful kitchen is the hub of the home with solid wood counters and a large separate scullery. High ceilings, white wooden beams and large sliding doors, which allow natural light to flow in, create a feeling of space. Simbithi is an upmarket, secure, eco-friendly estate offering a variety of activities for families. Enjoy a perfect balance of nature and lifestyle. Asking R6.3 million. Contact: Sabrina Errico 082 414 8955 Office: 032 946 1818 Web ref: SEE079

Masterful design and modern luxury are uniquely embodied in this triple storey executive home. The front entrance with soaring ceilings draws you into a voluminous layout made for entertaining. Sliding doors to the rear deck and infinity pool create a dramatic focal point, accompanied by an elegant formal dining room, lounge and spectacular chef’s kitchen. The master suite presents 180 degree vistas of the estate with an opulent en-suite. The lower level houses a large rec room with its own putting green and level, established garden. Simbithi is an upmarket, secure eco-estate boasting an executive 18-hole golf course. Asking R18.3 million. Contact: Sabrina Errico 082 414 8955 Office: 032 946 1818 Web ref: SEE081

WESTBROOK, KWAZULU NATAL

WESTBROOK, KWAZULU-NATAL

This home was built and designed with luxury and style in mind. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, and split over 2 levels, this home boasts ample accommodation and reception rooms; superbly ideal for entertaining. Sit on the covered patio and enjoy watching the sun set from the comfort of your private patio. Immaculately maintained with top finishes and tiled throughout. Lush tropical plants in the garden, excellent security, staff accommodation and easy access to beach. Inclusive of furniture and no transfer duty. Asking R9.85 million. Contact: Colin Moses 082 553 7576 Office: 032 943 2008 Web ref: 2668778

“This is the Life!” – that is the resonates with you from the moment you step out the elevator and into this inviting beachfront penthouse. Designed with free-flowing spaces and modern architecture, it is superbly maintained with immaculate finishes and exceptional furniture that compliments it all. You have access to all the complex amenities. Best part - selling fully furnished! All you will need is your suitcases just ready to move in. Asking R8.5 million. Contact: Colin Moses 082 553 7576 Office: 032 943 2008 Web ref: 2361643

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

EAGLE CANYON GOLF ESTATE, ROODEPOORT

HELDERKRUIN, ROODEPOORT

A property of rare distinction that needs to be viewed to be fully appreciated. An enormous entry space offers views through the home to the golf course, in one continual gaze. Your lift gives access to all 3 levels, where each bedroom boasts a balcony with breath-taking horizons. The lower level offers a state of the art cinema room, games room and indoor swimming-pool. Enjoy an abundance of natural light and high ceilings in every room, even the incredible chef’s kitchen. To round off this immaculate property, an authentic fully fitted bar creates an ambiance that takes you through to different places around the world. POA. Contact: Debby Woodward 082 889 7903, Pat Wallace 082 443 8801 Web ref: 2833456

Offering the most spectacular views from a beautifully crafted wooden deck, this elegant multilevel home boasts both a swimming pool and jacuzzi. All 4 bedrooms have private access to the verandah, which overlooks the immaculately landscaped garden. Magnificent wooden cabinetry and gleaming granite counter tops make your kitchen a showpiece, and a state of the art glass fireplace in the living area makes a statement all of its own! An outdoor, covered verandah overlooks the lush garden via glass stacking doors, making for the perfect place to entertain. The ±4561m² stand can potentially be sub-divided into 3 erven. Asking R5.595 million. Contact: Chris Liebenberg 074 117 4971, Gert Nell 072 437 0812 Web ref: 2763840

PHALA RANCH, THABAZIMBI, LIMPOPO

MAURICEDALE, NELSPRUIT, MPUMALANGA

Own your own piece of Africa when purchasing this luxurious 4666ha Game Farm.

An exquisite lodge with 5 fully equipped chalets, boasts an in-ground pool, jacuzzi, lapa with braai facilities & manager’s house. The hunting lodge sports international standard facilities, along with 1780ha of farm allocated solely for hunting purposes. Phala Ranch consists of 4 consolidated farms, one offering 17 breeding camps for exotic game. The farm is easily accessible via a large airstrip & 5 helipads, along with a hangar that easily accommodates a helicopter & fixed-wing aircraft. Featuring top of the line infrastructure, inclusive of solar powered boreholes, generators and impeccable electric fencing. Sold as a going concern. POA. Contact: Chris Liebenberg 074 117 4971 Web ref: 2825578

This unique 6 600ha game ranch features beautiful serene areas working in harmony, making it a unique modern business development. It has been zoned into a Nature Estate consisting of 100 private 1ha residential stands and also boasts 2 agricultural orchids, 34ha of Litchis and 45ha of Paw-Paws. The farm hosts a 26 room fully operated lodge with a wide range of outstanding facilities as well as an amazing array of wildlife to appreciate; Buffalo, Nyala, Giraffe and Hippo, to name just a few. Bird lovers will be in awe of the 1.9ha enclosed bird aviary (15m high) plus an elaborate garden feature system with a large flock of more than 50 flamingo. POA. Contact: Henno Mentz 082 800 2132. Web ref: 2820164

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

BOSKRUIN, RANDBURG

NORTHCLIFF, JOHANNESBURG

All the elements for a convenient lifestyle! Classy, contemporary, creation for the modern family. 5 Bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and guest loo. Entertainer’s lapa, pool, tennis court, huge under cover entertainment patio with built-in braai. Open plan kitchen, laundry, dining room and TV room, formal lounge with built-in bar. 3 Auto garages, store room & 2 spacious staff quarters. Asking R5.6 million. Contact: Zona Coetzee 084 626 6119 Office: 011 476 8303 Web ref: 2647964

Perfection has been achieved with this masterpiece. From the perimeter walls to the finest details on the finishes of the interior it is very evident that no cent was spared and every measure was taken to create an exceptional contemporary French Provence habitat for the discerned owners. Symmetry was used, not only in the design of the building, but also in the layout of the immaculately kept gardens to establish an eye-pleasingly balance. The home offers all the bells and whistles you would expect in a modern mansion. Although this definitely is a mansion the owners created a warm and homey feel which will entice you stay longer than you planned to. Asking R13.5 million. Contact: Gert Bekker 082 570 0222 Office: 011 476 8303 Web ref:

SOUTHDOWNS ESTATE, CENTURION

SOUTHDOWNS ESTATE, CENTURION

Is there anything more beautiful than a sky full of stars. When darkness falls, you are treated to beautifully clear views of the incredible nightly shows. This home offers breath-taking views of the stars where you can witness the night sky in all its glory.

Summer has faded away and winter has approached with all its force. With a large boma fire fit in the back yard, you can still enjoy those crisp, winter evenings with your friends and family. The open plan living rooms glow with the warmth of concrete polish flooring, and dark wood exposed beams crossing the ceilings. The braai room boasts a strong country cabin feel with a massive stone fireplace. Asking R10 million.

Contact: Samir Jhina 079 812 9007 Office: 012 460 9261 Web ref: 2823176

Sunsets are not just beautiful and a spectacle of colours, but they are also fleeting.

Watch mother nature put on her nightly display from the back yard of this home as the sun drops into the horizon – take advantage of the free show that plays out every night. In case you are looking for some inspiration for your next sunset-spotting adventure, this is the best place to watch the sunset from any place of your home. You will be drawn with the tranquil living this home has to offer. The entire pasture is yours.

POA. Contact: Samir Jhina 079 812 9007 Office: 012 460 9261 Web ref: 2823455

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

LOMBARDY ESTATE, PRETORIA

MORELETA PARK, PRETORIA

This amazingly well-built home welcomes you into a double volume entrance hall which flows to the various reception rooms. The large open flowing lounge / dining room is served by a fireplace and enjoys easy access from the designer kitchen, which is well fitted with cupboards and enjoys a separate laundry / scullery. The spacious braai room enjoys spectacular views over the garden and pool through large folding doors. The guest bedroom suite downstairs could be utilised as a study. The elegant staircase leads to the pyjama lounge upstairs where three double sized bedrooms are served by two, full bathrooms. Exquisite, luxury finishes are fitted throughout. Asking R4.45 million. Contact: Juanita du Plessis 082 322 3407 Web Ref: 2742354

This modern Mediterranean delight is suitable for the discerning family. It offers open plan living space which flows from lounge to dining to outdoor patio seamlessly with sophisticated style and elegance.There are four bedrooms, a luxurious air-conditioned master bedroom with a dressing room & full en-suite bathroom. Both the master bedroom & media rooms have aluminium sliders which open up onto the patio / entertainment area with gas braai. Kitchen with clean lines and vast cupboard space plus a separate scullery. The professionally landscaped garden has interesting water features, a fire/conversation pit with built-in cocktail benches & pool. Asking R3.29 million.

Contact: Unita Conradie 084 441 8711, Karien de Jongh 082 900 4065 Web ref: 2755690

HAZELWOOD, PRETORIA

SILVER STREAM ESTATE, PRETORIA

Arrive at one of the most exclusive real estate addresses in trendy Hazelwood and let an elevator whisk you to your own private entrance into luxury Penthouse living. Soft down lighters enhance this 3 bedroomed, 2 bathroom luxury sectional title apartment.

The private roof top terrace frames a view of the top of the world. New and innovative designs including a magnificent master suite, automated blinds and a state of the art kitchen, allows for easy entertainment and contemporary living. For the discerning buyer who invests in the future of modern city living. Asking R4.2 million.

Contact: Sandy Mckenzie 082 829 0255, Corlize Viljoen 079 348 1998 Web ref: 2759904

Situated in the tranquil Silver Stream Estate and within walking distance to the beautiful lake & picnic area. This distinctive property offers the buyer a refined residence with state of the art architectural elements & luxury finishes throughout. The reception areas consist of a formal lounge, cinema, family, dining room, entertainment lounge with wood burning fireplace, pyjama lounge, study & gym area. Elegant kitchen & wine bar in Partridge wood, granite, stainless steel and porcelain. The outside patio with braai & boma enjoys great views of the landscaped garden & pool. 4 Garages, generator connection and extra space for storage. Nanny's room en-suite with private access.

Asking R4.95 million. Contact: Juanita du Plessis 082 322 3407 Web ref: 2726677

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

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