Signe - Edition 42

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S I G N É

HAPPY TALK

WITH JULIA ROBERTS

FOR THE SAKE OF ART

RICHARD MILLE’S COMMITMENT TO ARTISTIC CREATIVIT Y

NO.1 GROSVENOR SQUARE THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER RESIDENCES IN LONDON

TIMELESS STYLES

THE BALLY A/W 2021 COLLECTION

A RETURN TO COACHBUILDING

The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail represents the marque's return to its roots

Shot in a villa at Sobha Hartland

Exquisite. Flawless. Crafted.

A few words you don’t hear in the real estate world.

Rera 1544, 1949

At Sobha Realty we see the big picture, by focusing on the little details. This attention to detail flows from a legacy of craft - from designing for the royal family, to the name behind the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. As the only real estate company that guides a project from concept to completion, we ensure that even our materials are personally sourced. The result is a flawless living experience. We find that it all adds up to a finer living experience.

We spare no effort to ensure that your home is perfect when you move in, and for generations to come.

@ sobharealty

800 999 999 | sobharealty.com

FLEURS DE JARDIN RAINBOW

BY JACOB & CO. The new Rainbow version of the ground-breaking Fleurs de Jardin adds varying hues to this stunning feminine complication. Designed to recreate a beautiful garden of flowers on your wrist, this amazing timepiece is powered by a delicate butterfly tourbillon movement. The tourbillon, time display and upper level multicolored Sapphire flowers all turn around the dial clockwise, while the Mother-of-Pearl base set with Rainbow Sapphire flowers below turns counter-clockwise. The 18K Rose Gold case features a bezel and inner ring set with Rainbow Sapphires, and sitting atop the movement is a 288-facet Jacob-cut Tsavorite. According to legend, treasure is found at the end of the rainbow, but with the new Fleurs de Jardin Rainbow, you need look no further than your wrist.

New York 48 East 57 Street, New York, NY 10022, USA +1.212.719.5887 Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues Geneva 33, Quai des Bergues, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland +41 22 316 00 96 jacobandco.com

SUPER CHRONOMAT

The Cinema Squad Charlize Theron Brad Pitt Adam Driver

Publishers’ letter AED AED 30 AED 30 30 KWD KWD 2.5 KWD 2.5 2.5 QAR QAR 30 QAR 30 30

EXPO 2020 DUBAI

Edition 42

As summer comes to an end, Signe’s 42nd edition appears on the horizon. Britain, one of the most popular summer destinations for well-heeled travelers, has a strong presence running through these pages. Starting with the cover story, where we explore Rolls-Royce’s return to the art and science of coachbuilt cars. Bentley is going through a similar experience with its Mulliner Coachbuild division starting production of the bespoke Bacalar and Blower customer cars.

The newest petrol-powered Lotus, named Emira, is about to enter production, so we took a look under the hood. Aston Martin’s long-standing relationship with James Bond gets the miniaturisation treatment by The Little Car Company. Lodha UK’s No.1 Grosvenor Square offers luxury living adjacent to lush greenery, in the midst of London, one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Richard Mille celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a focus on art, with its new watch as well as its support for Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 initiative. Chopard’s global brand ambassador Julia Roberts speaks to us exclusively about Pure Happiness. We close out with the thought of Dubai Watch Week returning to once again be the highlight of the watch industry.

As always, enjoy the read!

All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. SIGNÉ does not take any responsibilities for incorrect information. The advertising appearing within this publication reflects the opinion and attitudes of their respective brands and not necessarily those of the Publisher or SIGNÉ.

ISSN 2410-4523

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HAPPY TALK

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with Julia Roberts

26 FOR THE SAKE OF ART

Richard Mille’s commitment to artistic creativity

COMBINING PERFORMANCE & PRACTICALITY

RECALLING THREE LEGENDS Breitling’s Top Time Classic Cars Capsule Collection

AMG adds a new member to its line-up – the GLB 35 4MATIC

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BONDING GENERATIONS

CRYSTAL OF PRECIOUS TIME

THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

Limited-edition electric-powered scale model of James Bond’s DB5

Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang Cristal d’Or features man-made gold crystals

Bentley Mulliner and their ultra-limited-edition models

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COUNTING THE LEAPS Panerai debuts its new perpetual calendar movement

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THREE SPECIAL AVIATORS

Three aviator watches based on the US military pilots

A RETURN TO COACHBUILDING

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Rolls-Royce Boat Tail represents the marque’s return to its roots

The Outlierman supports The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive

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FOR A WORTHY CAUSE

APPROACHING INVISIBILITY

The latest thoroughbred to emerge from Lotus’ fabled stables

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Lindberg’s Nikolaj Schnoor introduces the Thintanium collection

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Nature is a gentle, prudent and just guide

www.brunellocucinelli.com

Montaigne

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SUSTAINABLE & FUNCTIONAL

FIVE STAR-ABODES

OBJECTS OF DESIRE

Five super-exclusive villas & suites from around the world

We bring you a selection of our favourite must-have possessions

Introducing Montblanc’s new Sartorial Eco Capsule Collection

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A PRECIOUS RITUAL

TAKING SLEEP SERIOUSLY

REMEMBERING THE GRAND TOURERS

Dunhill’s new collection pays homepage to its automotive past

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Henry Jacques introduces three fragrances to its Les Brumes line

Hästens is dedicated to delivering the best sleep ever

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FOREO launches the LUNA 3 MEN

GOOD VIBRATIONS

LONDON’S FINEST

THE STYLE EDIT

Fashion-forward buys, picked by Signé for you

No.1 Grosvenor Square, the most sought after residences in London

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Technogym’s home fitness model – the Kinesis Personal

Our top product pick is the Galop d’Hermès bag

A delicious and expansive breakfast spread on offer at L’ETO

LATEST

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FITNESS WITH AESTHETICS

CITY’S BEST BREAKFAST

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DUBAI WATCH WEEK RETURNS

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TIMELESS STYLES

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

The Bally A/W 2021 blending outdoor sensibility with functional styles

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

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The watch industry reunites for the 5th edition of the horological event

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www.brunellocucinelli.com

WA T C H E S • H A P P Y T A L K W I T H J U L I A R O B E R T S

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HAPPY TALK with Julia Roberts

Something that makes you happy instantly?

The sunrise. Instantly is very specific…

A movie that makes you happy?

The Philadelphia Story is a movie that makes me happy, to think about or to watch.

Your happiness tips?

• be kind to others; • surround yourself with loving, kind, compassionate people; • kissing, followed by dancing as a close second.

Your favourite qualities in a woman?

Depth, soulfulness and just a real personal strength.

Your greatest extravagance?

Travel.

Art Director: Xavier Dolan Photographer: Shayne Laverdière Stylist: Elizabeth Stewart All watches and Jewellery by Chopard

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WA T C H E S • H A P P Y T A L K W I T H J U L I A R O B E R T S

What makes you laugh?

Cleverness; not so much things that are funny, but things that are clever: a thoughtful thread to humour.

What do dancing diamonds evoke to you?

Perhaps the idea that something is going to happen!

How does your Happy Sport watch make you feel?

There is something about having a watch and every time you look at it seeing all these sparkling diamonds whirling around; it’s pretty awesome and truly good stuff.

What does being a free-spirited woman mean today?

Being comfortable in your convictions and sharing your convictions with those around you. Not all women have those liberties and I am very grateful that I have them.

Art Director: Xavier Dolan Photographer: Shayne Laverdière Stylist: Elizabeth Stewart All watches and Jewellery by Chopard

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How important to you is responsible luxury?

I would say that the idea of responsible luxury is something that not enough brands pay attention to. The thing with a Maison like Chopard is that it has really pioneered the idea of having a conscience, leading the charge and setting an example for other brands to follow.

What is so special about Chopard?

Chopard just represents this timeless idea of elegance and sparkle and being ladylike. You kind of think: “When I grow up I want to be having a great time and wearing watches and earrings by Chopard”… and now look at me, I’m all grown up!

Your favourite motto?

The motto that I repeat the most is “no way out but through”.

What’s your present state of mind?

I am really happy right now; it’s been such a beautiful day and I have felt such a really great sense of kinship that I had not expected today, so I’m superhappy.

Art Director: Xavier Dolan Photographer: Shayne Laverdière Stylist: Elizabeth Stewart All watches and Jewellery by Chopard

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WA T C H E S • F O R T H E S A K E O F A R T

FOR THE SAKE OF ART We focus the spotlight on Richard Mille’s commitment to artistic creativity, both on its timepieces and in the artistic community

One of the core elements of Richard Mille’s approach to watchmaking, from the very inception of his eponymous brand in 2001, was to make each timepiece a canvas to explore design, art and architecture. The brand’s association with art and creativity goes beyond its watches. While its association with sports, motorsports and sporting personalities is well documented, the brand has also been a consistent supporter of artistic initiatives worldwide.

This year, the spotlight seems to be firmly back on the artistic side of the brand, with the release of its latest masterpiece, and with its partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021.

This July, the brand debuted three models in the new RM 07-01 Coloured Ceramics collection: RM 07-01 Pastel Blue, RM 07-01 Pastel Pink and RM 07-01 Pastel Lavender; each limited to 50 pieces.

At the artistic centre of the three models is a first for Richard Mille: hand-crafted guillochage. A decorative craft that has its origins in the 16th century, guillochage consists of individual repeating lines, cut by a hand-turned lathe, that intersect and overlap to create a graphic motif. Practitioners of this art,

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known as guillocheurs, can train for decades before they are considered masters of their craft.

On the new RM 07-01 models, the rhodium-plated red-gold dial elements featuring the guillochage, display patterns that recall botanical, sunburst and Art Deco motifs. The lines of the pattern subtly align with the floating hour markers on the micro-blasted titanium flange.

When Cécile Guenat, the brand’s Director of Creation and Development, considered incorporating the guillochage technique within a Richard Mille watch, she wanted to present it with “a unique fresh pop of energy.” Her inspiration, she reveals, came from Florida’s largest city. “I was inspired by the Art Deco architecture you see in Miami, these pastel colours and bold patterns are so distinctive, and convey such an amazing vibe and attitude.”

Surrounding the guilloché dial segment and reinforcing the collection’s theme of modernity blended with tradition, are geometrically shaped elements of ceramic and rubber, in perfect complement with the ceramic case and bi-colour rubber straps. The result is art that adorns the wrist.

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WA T C H E S • F O R T H E S A K E O F A R T

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Dr. Souraya Noujaim

H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan

Christine Macel

Hala Wardé

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Beyond its watches, the Richard Mille brand’s commitment to artistic expression has been through its support of several prestigious art initiatives around the world. These include the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the contemporary art biennial Desert X, collaborations with choreographer Benjamin Millepied and composer Thomas Roussel, and the acquisition of Éditions Cercle d’Art - a publishing house created with the support of Pablo Picasso in the 1950s.

Closer to home, Richard Mille has partnered with Louvre Abu Dhabi this year to present the Art Here 2021 exhibition, on view from 16 November 2021 to 27 March 2022 in the museum’s Forum. For this inaugural year, UAE-based artists were invited to submit proposals around the theme of ‘Memory, Time and Territory.’ The exhibition hopes to shine a spotlight on local talent as part of the UAE’s wider 50th National Day celebrations.

The artworks received through the open submission process, are to be shortlisted by the four-member jury, drawn from diverse artistic spheres including curatorial, architectural and institutional.

The 2021 jury members are H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of UAE Unlimited, an art collector and patron of the Centre Pompidou, the British Museum, Sharjah Art Foundation, and an honorary patron of Art Dubai; Christine Macel, the Chief Curator

at the Musée national d’art moderne, Centre Pompidou and an art critic; Hala Wardé, founding architect of HW Architecture, long-term partner of Jean Nouvel and the lead of the Louvre Abu Dhabi project; and Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management Director.

Commenting on the event, Dr. Noujaim said: “We are happy to launch this new chapter in collaboration with Richard Mille, marking Louvre Abu Dhabi’s continued extension into contemporary art and highlighting our ever-present dedication to local artistic talent.”

Following the exhibition’s inauguration, the jury members will also select the winner of the Richard Mille Art Prize and the cash prize of $50,000.

In the course of the past twenty years, the Richard Mille brand has evolved from a fledgling start-up to one of the most sought-after names among watch connoisseurs, particularly among the younger generations. Much of this success has to be credited to the brand’s distinctive and uncompromising approach to watchmaking.

A key component of this approach has been the brand’s commitment to the artistic expression of its timepieces. However, its commitment to art and artists, in general, has played its part in helping creative individuals to realise their potential.

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CRYSTAL OF PRECIOUS TIME Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang Cristal d’Or features the first man-made gold crystal on its dial

Hublot has set another benchmark in its mastery of rare and challenging materials with the Spirit Of Big Bang Cristal d’Or or Gold Crystal.

Set within the contrasting black tonneau case, the crystals dazzle in a play of light.

This is how Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, explained it: “Fusing and creating new materials is nothing new for Hublot: it is part of the brand’s very essence. But now, the Manufacture has entered a new universe – the transmutation of metals – with its metallurgy laboratory and R&D department reproducing the rarest form of gold on earth: the crystallized native gold known as gold crystal.”

With its double limited edition Spirit of Big Bang Cristal d’Or available in 39 and 42 mm, Hublot is not only transmuting gold, but it is also transforming the DNA of its watchmaking signature – the Big Bang – into the tonneau shape of its Spirit of Big Bang.

Alchemy of materials and spirit.

The natural crystallization of gold occurs in the crevices of mountain ranges as they are formed.

Sometime later, jets of pressurized heated water enter these crevices, often transforming the crystals into metallic gold and dislodging them. The metallic gold eventually ends up as nuggets in riverbeds. On rare occasions, the right natural conditions allow the gold to remain in its natural crystalline state: the rarest form of gold on earth.

Hublot has innovated a new technique that produces gold crystals in their laboratory. It begins with heating the purest 24-carat gold to its melting point of 1064.18 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, some of the gold atoms are vaporized into a gaseous mixture before interlocking as the temperature is lowered, forming an open angular structure.

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Thousands of small crystals then join together to create an architecture that is random, unique, and impossible to reproduce.

The most perfect of these crystals are then carefully selected, with no more than 20% of the crystals produced making the grade. The expert hands of the master dial-maker apply the highly delicate gold crystals to a black dial covered with a fine layer of transparent lacquer. The application must be undertaken in a controlled atmosphere to ensure no air bubbles can form on the surface.

It takes around twenty layers of lacquer to encapsulate the gold crystals, and the dial is then polished to render the lacquer invisible, perfectly smooth and uniform. We

are informed that this manufacturing process took a year to research and master.

To provide the perfect contrast to the gold of the crystals, the Cristal d’Or’s case is covered in black ceramic and paired with a black alligator strap stitched onto rubber.

The Spirit of Big Bang, Hublot’s tonneau-shaped watch, adopts all of the design codes of the iconic Big Bang the six H-shaped screws on the bezel, the lugs on either side of the case, the over moulded rubber screw-down crown decorated with the iconic H, and the sandwich-type construction. The masterpiece is powered by the Caliber HUB1710 automatic mechanical movement, which has a 50 hours power reserve.

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WA T C H E S • C O U N T I N G T H E L E A P S

COUNTING THE LEAPS Panerai debuts its new calendar movement, the P.4100, in two proprietary precious metal cases

Panerai has added one of the horological world’s most challenging complications to its portfolio with its new P.4100 movement. This perpetual calendar is able to indicate the date, automatically recognize months with less than 31 days, and indicate the leap years. It makes its debut at the heart of two references: the Luminor Perpetual Calendar Goldtech and Luminor Perpetual Calendar Platinumtech.

Both are available as limited editions.

The new P.4100 automatic movement was created in-house at Panerai’s Laboratorio di Idee, and crafted at its Neuchatel manufacture. Changes to the day, date, month, and year are done with intuitive adjustments made through the crown, eliminating the need for a tool or corrector.

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Inside, the movement has dual barrels, capable of storing power for up to three days. An off-centre, micro-rotor winds the movement that beats at 4Hz. The rotor’s size and placement allow the calibre to measure only 7mm thick despite the number of features it supports.

Elements visible on the dial have been kept to a minimum to maintain Panerai’s characteristic clarity. Along with the central hour and minute hands is an independent 12H GMT Hand. A subdial is at 9 o’clock has two hands, one for the 24H indicator and another for the seconds. The date and day of the week are displayed at 3 o’clock.

Above the 6 o’clock marker, one finds the words “Calendario Perpetuo,” the only indication of the degree of

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complexity within. The key indications of this perpetual calendar - month, year and leap year – along with power reserve indicator are only visible through the sapphire caseback.

Customers can choose between two 44mm sized cases. One is the Luminor Perpetual Calendar Goldtech (PAM00742), available in a limited edition of 270 pieces. A blue sun-brushed dial beautifully contrasts with the proprietary gold metal. Two straps in coordinating deep blue tones, one in a supple patina alligator and a second in rubber, provide the option to display either a refined or sporty look with the same watch.

The second model is the Luminor Perpetual Calendar Platinumtech (PAM00715). Panerai has produced few references using this proprietary platinum material. This case has a complementary green sun-brushed dial. This case also comes with a choice of two straps in matching dark brown colour – an alligator Patina or rubber. This model is limited to just 100 pieces.

Both the Goldtech and Platinumtech models are water-resistant up to 5 bar (about 50 meters deep) and will be available exclusively at Panerai boutiques.

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THREE SPECIAL AVIATORS IWC recently unveiled three aviator watches based on the exclusive timepieces it produces for the US military pilots

Since 2018, IWC has been licensed to produce watches for the US Navy and Marine Corps aviation units, including Blue Angels, and the 247 active and 100 inactive squadrons.

IWC has since collaborated with more than a dozen squadrons to create special editions that are exclusively available to present and former members.

Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, while explaining the importance of IWC’s military programme, said: “It is an important platform for our engineers and designers to exchange ideas with elite pilots from the US Navy and other armed forces around the world. These pilots put our watches to the test every day in the harsh environment of the jet cockpit.

Their feedback is invaluable for us not only to improve the quality and durability of our timepieces but also to create unique and appealing designs,” explains.

This year marks the 75th founding anniversary of the “Blue Angels” US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron in 1946, as envisioned by the then Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.

As part of their celebrations, the squadron invited actor and IWC brand ambassador Glen Powell to spend a day at their Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. Powell was given the rare opportunity to fly in the back seat of the Blue Angels jet for a demonstration ride. He also visited the National Naval Aviation Museum, one of the world’s largest aviation museums, displaying more than 150 aircraft.

As part of its contribution to the “Blue Angels” anniversary commemoration, IWC has added three new chronographs to its Pilot’s Watches collection. One dedicated to a marine squadron, one naval squadron, and a third to the “Blue Angels.”

All three are directly inspired by the brand’s collaborations with these squadrons.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Royal Maces” (Ref. IW389107) is dedicated to the Strike Fighter Squadron 27, known as the “Royal Maces.” Stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, this squadron forms part of Carrier Air Wing 5.

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This chronograph features a black zirconium oxide ceramic case, while the pushers and the crown are made of Ceratanium. Developed by IWC, this material is as light and robust as titanium while being similarly hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic.

The dial features the “Maces” patch at 6 o’clock, and a yellow day-date indication at 3 o’clock. The yellow stitching on the strap, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, and the small seconds add details in the signature “Maces” colour.

The case back is made of grade 5 titanium and features an engraving of the squadron’s F/A-18E Super Hornet jet next to the official squadron denomination “VFA-27”.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Tophatters” (Ref. IW389108) honours The Strike Fighter Squadron 14, nicknamed “Tophatters,” and based at the Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. Having formed in 1919, VFA-14 is the Navy’s oldest active squadron.

Similar to the 107, this chronograph also has a black zirconium oxide ceramic case and Ceratanium pushers and crown. The squadron’s patch with the classic top hat at 6 o’clock and engraved on the titanium case back.

The day-date display, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, the small seconds, and the stitching on the black calfskin strap is in the squadron’s characteristic red.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Blue Angels” (Ref. IW389109) commemorates the 75th anniversary of the “Blue Angels,” currently made up of 141 members from the Navy and Marines. It is based on the military-exclusive watch developed with Blue Angels members stationed at Pensacola.

Unlike the previous two examples, this chronograph features a blue ceramic case. The bright blue colour is the result of mixing zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides. Here too, the chronograph pushers and the crown are made of IWC’s Ceratanium.

The iconic “Blue Angels” crest with the US Navy Wings of Gold is at 6 o’clock with the squadron’s characteristic lettering engraved on the titanium case back. Yellow details are found on the chronograph seconds hand, the small seconds, and the day-date display at 3 o’clock. This watch is fitted with a blue rubber strap with textile inlay.

All three models are powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre. Consisting of 231 individual parts, this mechanical chronograph movement was engineered with a focus on robustness, reliability and precision. It has a bidirectional pawl-winding system to supply the movement with energy. It has a power reserve of 46 hours. A soft-iron inner case offers extra protection to the movement from the effects of magnetic fields. To avoid displacement in the case of sudden drops of air pressure, the front glasses are specially secured.

This is the first time that IWC has offered these designs to non-pilots, with the annual production of these three chronographs limited to 500 pieces each.

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RECALLING THREE LEGENDS Breitling’s Top Time Classic Cars Capsule Collection honours three automotive icons from the 1960s

Breitling’s Top Time Classic Cars Capsule Collection, comprising three racing chronograph models, pays homage to three of the most iconic American sports cars from the 1960s - the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Mustang, and the Shelby Cobra.

“It’s about the journey, not the tempo. And that’s true whether you’re tinkering under the hood or hitting the road for a Sunday ride celebrating these beautiful machines,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern.

The timepieces are themselves a nod to the original 1960s Breitling Top Time models, designed for the young and active professionals of those days. The modern-retro interpretations of those originals are perhaps even more youthful and free-spirited.

The three chronographs in the Classic Cars Capsule Collection are distinguished by their bold dial colours, racing-themed calfskin straps, and engraved stainless-steel casebacks that showcase each car’s logo in impressive detail. All three watches are water-resistant up to 10 bar (100 meters).

The Top Time Chevrolet Corvette has a red dial, with the sub-dials, the peripheral tachymeter scale, and the strap in contrasting black.

This colour scheme is based on the promotional colour scheme of the Corvette C2 from the mid-1960s, often referred to as the “Sting Ray” by aficionados. Coincidentally, Louis Chevrolet, co-founder of the Chevrolet Motor Car Company, was a Swiss racing driver born in the watchmaking city of La Chaux-de-Fonds.

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The Mustang version was inspired by the car developed in record time in 1964, sparking a new genre of compact and affordable sports cars. It soon reached iconic status at the hands of rock stars and Hollywood actors. It even became a star in its own right on the silver screen. The watch honouring Ford’s Mustang contrasts a green dial with black subdials and a tachymeter scale. The strap on this watch is brown calfskin.

The Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang versions have 42 mm cases. Inside is the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 25, a self-winding 1/8th of a second chronograph movement with a power reserve of about 42 hours. Both watches feature a tachymeter scale and three subdials. The cars’ respective logos are displayed at the 12 o’clock position.

The third watch in the capsule collection is the version honouring Shelby Cobra. This watch could only have been in blue and white. The inspiration for this watch was none other than the car created by the iconic American race-car driver and manufacturer Carroll Shelby for competition in the 1960s. It blended classic British chassis design with American performance. His racing colours? Blue with white stripes.

The Shelby Cobra version has a slightly smaller 40 mm case, housing Breitling’s COSC-certified Caliber 41. The selfwinding 1/4th of a second chronograph movement has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. It has a blue dial with a white tachymeter scale and two white subdials. Unlike the other two, the car’s Cobra logo is at the 6 o’clock position.

Like the Mustang watch, the strap here is also brown.

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A U T O M O T I V E • B O N D I N G G E N E R AT I O N S

BONDING GENERATIONS A quick look at the limited-edition electric-powered scale model of James Bond’s DB5

The Little Car Company, Aston Martin and EON Productions have announced the launch of a “No Time To Die” special edition Aston Martin DB5 Junior. The two-thirds scale replicas are inspired by and named after the 25th James Bond film in which audiences will see the return of the iconic Aston Martin DB5 to the big screen.

Extensive development and months of collaboration between the three companies have resulted in a true gadget-laden

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collector’s item. The two-thirds scale version of the original James Bond DB5 - which has become a much-loved character in its own right - comes with a fully electric powertrain.

“Regarded as the most famous car in cinematic history, the gadget-laden Aston Martin DB5 awed audiences around the world over fifty years ago,” says Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company. “Now, that story continues. As part of an exclusive partnership with EON Productions and Aston Martin,

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we have had the opportunity to create something truly unique for James Bond fans and collectors. We can’t wait to see the adventures these cars take with their owners.”

The Little Car Company is a world leader in producing exceptional and authentic “junior” cars, in partnership with car manufacturers. The company hand-builds its cars in the UK, at its Bicester Motion HQ, as a homage to the most coveted classic vehicles in automotive history.

The James Bond special edition is based on The Little Car Company’s Aston Martin DB5 replica, which was itself produced after 3D-scanning the original for reference. This method allowed the company to accurately reproduce the body of DB5 at two-thirds its original size.

Many design elements of the DB5 have also been replicated faithfully, such as the Smiths instruments on the dashboard,

Silver Birch paintwork, individually numbered chassis plates, and Aston Martin badging. However, some elements have been repurposed for the electric powertrain. For example, the fuel gauge has been converted into a battery meter, while the oil temperature now monitors the motor temperature.

The special edition boasts even greater power and range over the standard DB5 Vantage Junior, according to the company, giving it a higher level of performance. It also has multiple driving modes and a “range of up to 80 miles.”

The No Time To Die Special Edition has been designed as a convertible, and not the fixed head coupe driven by 007. This was done to allow an adult and child to sit side by side, to allow generations to share the love of driving. A quick-release steering wheel facilitates speedy entry and exit for the driver.

When they need to stop in a hurry, they can rely on both the

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regenerative braking and high-performance Brembo disc brakes. Bilstein dampers and coilover springs ensure the suspension can handle the performance squeezed into this two-thirds scale car.

No true Bond car would be complete without Q style gadgets, and the Junior No Time To Die edition is no exception. Chris Corbould OBE, the Oscar-winning special effects supervisor – who has worked on fifteen James Bond films since the early 1980s – has consulted with The Little Car Company to develop the car’s complex gadgets in miniature.

All the gadgets are operated by individual controls in a hidden switch panel in the passenger door. At the push of a button, the headlights drop to reveal a twin set of simulated Gatling guns, complete with imitation barrel blasts and flashes. The skid mode comes in handy when caught in a tight spot.

The car has a unique digital number plate activated through the hidden control panel. It can also produce a smokescreen

to aid a successful getaway. Ejected through the rear ‘exhaust’, the smoke has a supply tank with an hour’s worth of safe smoke juice. There are also some secret ‘Easter Eggs’, we are informed, hidden within the car for the lucky owners to find.

The DB5 Junior is obviously not road legal. However, as an authentic Aston Martin model, every owner will receive automatic membership of the respected Aston Martin Owners Club. In addition, all clients will receive complimentary membership of The Little Car Club, allowing them to participate in exclusive events where they and their family members can drive their DB5 Juniors on the most prestigious racetracks.

Existing Aston Martin DB5 Junior clients have the first refusal on upgrading to a No Time To Die edition, while the remaining build slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bookings for the remaining cars, from the total 125 cars being built, can be secured by visiting 007junior.com and placing a fully refundable deposit.

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A RETURN TO COACHBUILDING The recently unveiled Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is more than a unique masterpiece. It represents the marque’s return to its roots.

“In 2017, we stunned the world with our first fully coachbuilt motor car of the modern era, the spectacular RollsRoyce Sweptail,” says Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. He then goes on to reveal: “This was, by definition, an entirely unique commission; but in our minds, it was the start of a journey.”

This journey reached its first major creative milestone this year with the unveiling of the unique Rolls-Royce Boat Tail – “a collaborative exploration of luxury, design and culture” between the marque’s new Coachbuild division and its commissioning clients. According to Müller-Ötvös, Boat Tail is also “the confirmation of coachbuilding as a permanent fixture within Rolls-Royce’s future portfolio.”

Coachbuilding combines art and science to create a bespoke bodywork on a pre-assembled chassis. This is by no means a new concept. It is, in fact, how all the earliest cars were built, when cars were a preserve of the elite. Then, in 1908, Henry Ford ushered in the age of mass-produced cars with his Model T. In 1924, the Lancia Lambda became the first car to use a monocoque construction - a lighter and better-performing architecture than the previously common “body-on-frame” approach.

The luxury brands, Rolls-Royce in particular, persisted with the body-on-frame construction as it offered their clients far greater customization options than the new monocoque

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architecture. As a result of this commitment, the pre- and post-war years gave us some exceptional one-off creations that are highly sought after by collectors to this day.

As the years passed, the ever-increasing physical demands placed on car chassis eventually led Rolls-Royce to adopt the monocoque architecture, starting with the Silver Shadow in 1965. However, the body-on-frame tradition was carried forward by the Phantom VI platform until the early 1990s.

While the old method of bodywork customization ended with the Phantom VI, a new approach was born with the Phantom VIII. Unveiled in 2017, it became the marque’s first car to be built on its new “Architecture of Luxury” platform.

At its core was an all-aluminum spaceframe chassis, designed and engineered from the ground up to be scalable for a range of different model sizes.

The “Architecture of Luxury” has thus far proven itself quite brilliantly. It forms the architectural core of the Cullinan SUV, launched in 2019, as well as the second generation Ghost launched last year. These two cars have distinctly different body shapes and sizes, yet both are built using the same core architecture. The flexibility of this new approach, therefore, offers Rolls-Royce designers and engineers the freedom to construct almost any body shape that a patron can imagine, constrained only by fundamental design and engineering requirements.

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“At nearly 5.8m long, Boat Tail is generously proportioned, and its clarity of surface presents a graceful and relaxed stance. Its profile lines, wrap-around windscreen, the gentle rearward lean of the A-pillar, the large and crisp volumes at the front and the tapered rear are all rich in nautical references”

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While the old body-on-frame approach was abandoned because it lagged behind the innovations of the day, the new approach is just the opposite. Using sophisticated 21st Century technology and materials, Rolls-Royce’s “Architecture of Luxury” has set new industry benchmarks.

The new Rolls-Royce Boat Tail became the first coachbuilt car to be created using the “Architecture of Luxury.” At nearly 5.8m long, Boat Tail is generously proportioned, and its clarity of surface presents a graceful and relaxed stance. Its profile lines, wrap-around windscreen, the gentle rearward lean of the A-pillar, the large and crisp volumes at the front and the tapered rear are all rich in nautical references.

According to Rolls-Royce, “the clients’ fascination of the Boat Tail form was furthered by a motor car in their private collection; a 1932 Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, lovingly restored, by them, in time for their modern Boat Tail’s completion.”

One of the best-preserved examples of such a car seen in public recently is the 1934 Phantom II Continental Drophead Coupé, built by Gurney Nutting & Co of London. It is a beautifully balanced car, with sweeping concave curves at the rear and topped by a varnished rear decking.

The new Boat Tail’s “aft deck” is a modern interpretation of the wooden rear decks of historical Boat Tails. Its gently sloping surface incorporates large swathes of grey and black Caleidolegno veneer, specially adapted for the exterior.

The open-pore material features a linear wood grain that is visually elongated by brushed stainless steel pinstripe inlays.

The exterior of the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is swathed in a rich and complex tone of the client’s favourite colour – blue.

This colour also makes a direct reference to a coachbuilt car commissioned by Henry Royce himself. Wanting to highlight the performance capabilities of the original Phantom platform, he commissioned the EX series of experimental cars. They are all open top and lightweight with highly streamlined bodies. The fifth car in the series, the 17EX, was built by Jarvis of Wimbledon and finished in brilliant blue.

The aquatic hue on Boat Tail goes a step further with embedded metallic and crystal flakes. A hand-painted, gradated bonnet, a first for Rolls-Royce, rises from a comparatively subdued deeper blue and cascades onto the grille.

The Boat Tail was commissioned, we are informed, by “a globally successful couple” - reminiscent of the “The Phantom Of Love” commissioned by an American businessman as a gift for his wife. The interior of the 1926 Phantom I Brougham De Ville, built by Charles Clark & Son, recreates the Rococo ambience of a salon in the Palace of Versailles, with polished satinwood veneer panelling, Aubusson tapestries and a painted ceiling. It also features a French Ormolu clock mounted on the cabin partition.

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Like “The Phantom Of Love,” Boat Tail’s lower cabin and floor area feature Anthracite coloured veneer. Its dashboard clock is, in fact, a pair - his and hers – and two-sided. The custom-made Bovet 1822 timepieces can be worn on the wrist, or alternatively, placed within the car’s fascia. RollsRoyce and Bovet 1822 collaborated over a course of three years to develop a ground-up remastering of the Swiss Watchmaker’s Amadeo convertible system.

The interior leather of the Boat Tail reflects the bonnet’s colour tone transition, with the front seats swathed in the darker blue hue while the rear seats are finished in the lighter tone. A soft metallic sheen is applied to the leather to accentuate its pairing with the painted exterior.

At the press of a button, the rear “deck” of the Boat Tail opens, in a sweeping butterfly gesture, to reveal its party piece - an intricate and generous hosting suite. This feature pays homage to a car that is considered the swansong of the coachbuilder’s art - a 1972 Phantom VI limousine coachbuilt

by Mulliner Park Ward.

Based on the production model, the Phantom VI limousine includes numerous additional lavish features. Among them

are a pair of detachable burled walnut picnic tables that can be fixed to the front wings for alfresco dining, along with a pair of ‘toadstool’ seats clipped to the front overrides.

The new Boat Tail’s deck opens to reveal a treasure chest of select dining artefacts that offer themselves to the host “at a precise angle of 15 degrees.” A double refrigerator has been developed to house the clients’ favourite vintages. Housed beneath the rear centre line is a unique parasol that deploys effortlessly. Cocktail tables elegantly rotate to open on either side, while two minimalist stools are discretely stowed below.

Following the unveiling of Boat Tail, Müller-Ötvös elaborated on what a Rolls-Royce Coachbuild project means to the luxury carmaker and its clients: “Historically, coachbuilding had been an integral part of the Rolls-Royce story. In the contemporary Rolls-Royce narrative, it has informed our guiding philosophy of Bespoke. But it is so much more.

“Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is a return to the very roots of our brand. It represents an opportunity for the select few to participate in the creation of utterly unique and truly personal commissions of future historical significance.”

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A COMMANDING PRESENCE The Lotus Emira is the latest thoroughbred to emerge from Lotus’ fabled stables

The Emira is an all-new mid-engined premium sports car from Lotus that builds on the legacies of Elise, Exige and Evora.

It is the first Lotus to be delivered under Vision80 – the brand’s strategic plan as it moves towards its 80th anniversary in 2028.

It is also the first Lotus to have AMG as a technical partner.

Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, commented: “The Emira is a game-changer for Lotus. It stands as a beacon of everything we have achieved to date in the transformation of the business, the embodiment of our progress. It is a highly significant milestone on our path to becoming a truly global performance car brand.”

Emira has been developed on a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis, a technology pioneered by Lotus and which remains an intrinsic part of the company’s sports car DNA. Building on this architecture, Emira carries forward the new design language first showcased on the award-winning Evija. Overall, Emira sports a contemporary look with sculpted surfaces and technical detailing.

Russell Carr, the brand’s Design Director, says: “We always wanted close visual and philosophical harmony with the Evija.

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It was important that both products looked related to each other, but also performed technically in their own way given they are very different cars.”

The influence of the Lotus Evija is plain to see through the fluid surfaces and crisp feature lines. The unique-in-class exit vents - integrated into the bonnet to guide airflow over the car and optimise aerodynamics - are also derived from the Evija.

The biggest challenge on the Emira, says Carr, has been “finding the right balance of sportiness and sophistication from a visual perspective. It needed to look light, focused and agile without ever looking too aggressive or intimidating. It also needed to look premium without being too conservative.”

Lotus car interiors have always been about putting the driver at the very centre of the experience. Emira is no exception. The wraparound nature of the dashboard as it blends into the door trim creates a cossetted feeling. There are several soft-trimmed surfaces, along with ambient, wraparound and map lighting, that are designed to create a premium experience for the driver.

Emira debuts a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel with metallic spoke detail and integrated controls. The raised gear shifter, along with the semi-exposed gear linkage visible at the base of the centre console on V6 manual cars – reminiscent of the Elise and Exige – add to the sense of occasion.

The car’s two seats have been designed to offer lateral support for high-speed cornering, and comfort for long-distance journeys.

The standard seat comes with a four-way electric adjustment, while the optional premium sports seat has a 12-way electric adjustment.

Jon Statham, the man responsible for Emira’s Interior Design, commented: “I see the Emira as a big step forward on many levels.

We’ve had a massive push on quality, technology, functionality,

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“The influence of the Lotus Evija is plain to see through the fluid surfaces and crisp feature lines. The unique-in-class exit vents - integrated into the bonnet to guide airflow over the car and optimise aerodynamics are also derived from the Evija.”

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useability, desirability – it’s all there. It has a contemporary interior with good proportions. It isn’t too hardcore and will have broad appeal whilst still being ‘For The Drivers’.”

Emira owners will have a choice of two petrol engines.

One is the 3.5-litre supercharged Toyota V6 that powers the Exige and Evora models. This engine will be available with the limited-production ‘First Edition’ models. Scheduled to make its debut on a Lotus next summer is AMG’s turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder ‘i4’ unit. It has been modified - including a new air intake system and exhaust - to suit the character of the Emira. This will be the first new Lotus sports car engine for more than a decade. Both engines will be available with a manual, automatic and Dual Clutch Transmission.

Across the Emira range, Lotus claims that power output will vary between 360 and 400bhp at launch, with 0-100kmph acceleration in less than 4.5 seconds. The reported top speed

is 290kmph, and the maximum torque is 430Nm. The car has a target weight of 1,405kg in its lightest form.

Matt Windle adds: “The Lotus Emira is the most accomplished Lotus road car ever to roll through the Hethel factory gates. Beautifully proportioned with a stunning design inspired by the Evija all-electric hypercar, it’s the perfect package. The Emira is a junior supercar with all the thrills and head-turning characteristics found in the greatest Lotus cars, but at the same time is an everyday sports car that’s high on comfort and functionality, packed with the latest technology demanded by the discerning driver.”

Manufacturing will take place at Lotus’ home in Hethel, Norfolk, following more than £100 million of new investment in the company’s UK facilities. First customer cars are scheduled to be delivered around the world from next spring.

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COMBINING PERFORMANCE & PRACTICALITY AMG has introduced a new member to its “GL” model lineup – the GLB 35 4MATIC

Sporty design, excellent practicality and dynamic performance are the USPs of the new Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC. As the lettering in its name suggests, its base model slots in between the smaller GLA and the larger GLC. However, compared to its GL-siblings, the GLB has a boxier body shape, giving it a silhouette closer to the iconic G-Class.

The new AMG GLB 35 has a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 225 kW (306 hp) of power. It is complemented by the AMG Speedshift DCT 8G transmission and the variable AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. As a result, it is reported to accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 5.2 seconds and deliver a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 3000 rpm. The Speedshift dual-clutch transmission’s versatility means it can deliver fast gearshifts for sporty driving style or comfortoriented gearshifts for relaxed long-distance journeys.

AMG GLB 35’s performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system is designed to continuously ensures the best possible ratios for dynamism, traction and efficiency. This is achieved through a multi-disc clutch with AMG-specific electromechanical controls. This setup can deliver variable torque splits, meaning it can be “changed instantly” according to the driving situation. The variance ranges from purely front-wheel drive to a 50:50 distribution to the front and rear axles. The driver has a choice of five AMG Dynamic Select drive programs - Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.

The wheels are 19-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke in light-alloy, and finished in tantalum grey with a high-sheen finish. They are paired with AMG’s high-performance brake system with silver brake callipers and black AMG lettering at the front. Three further wheel variants from 19 to 21 inches are available on request, each with a choice of two colours.

The GLB 35 is distinguishable by several AMG Specific and modelspecific design elements. The AMG-specific radiator grille is used for the first time in a 35-series model, and emphasises membership of the AMG family. The front splitter, the prominent rear apron with two round, single tailpipe trim elements, and the AMG roof spoiler in the vehicle colour also distinguish the SUV. The optional AMG Night package with

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design features such as the front splitter and rear apron trim in high-gloss black, plus black chrome-plated exhaust tailpipe trim elements, provide extra eye-catching highlights.

The sport seats are upholstered in black Artico man-made leather or Dinamica microfibre with red double topstitching.

The seat belts are in contrasting red. Two optional Leather packages are available with a choice of two-tone upholstery; for example, in classic red and black, with topstitching on the beltline and dashboard. The second seat row has a 40:60 split.

The overall seating capacity reaches up to seven occupants, if the third row is added.

The new GLB 35 4MATIC is the first compact car by Mercedes-AMG to be optionally available with a third seat row. It consists of two additional individual seats that can accommodate passengers up to a height of 1.68 metres in comfort. The fore-and-aft adjustment of the second seat row enables easy entry. Convenience features in the third row include two drink holders between the seats, two stowage compartments with rubber-lined inserts on the left and right, and two USB charging sockets. These seats can be lowered so that they are flush with the floor, thus extending the load compartment.

The multifunction sports steering wheel, in Nappa leather, is designed to be intuitive. Its rim has a flattened bottom

section. The leather is perforated for better grip, while the red contrasting topstitching is both attractive and pleasant to the touch. The galvanised steering wheel gearshift paddles add to the sporty driving experience with manual gear shifting. The optional AMG Performance steering wheel and accompanying buttons are visibly and tangibly configured for performance. This allows fast and confident operation of specific dynamic functions.

The new GLB 35 comes with the latest version of the AMGspecific MBUX infotainment system, comprising two displays - the widescreen cockpit and the central controls. Being under one shared glass cover visually blends the two displays. The MBUX system can be operated with the touchpad, the touch control buttons on the steering wheel, by voice control or gesture control.

This is what Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, had to say about the brand’s latest addition to its SUV line up: “With the new GLB 35 4MATIC, we are extending our product portfolio by adding a highly attractive model for an active target group that attaches special importance to versatility.

This also includes the optional seven-seater capability of our new compact SUV, though without having to sacrifice the genes typical of an AMG. Because in its segment, our GLB 35 likewise fulfils our brand promise of Driving Performance.”

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THE PAST & THE FUTURE Bentley Mulliner is about to deliver the first customer cars from two of their ultra-limited-edition models

Bentley Mulliner, the British luxury carmaker’s uber-customisation division, has announced the completion of the first customer cars in both of its current projects.

Bacalar “Car One” will be Mulliner’s first coachbuilt Barchetta to be delivered to its customer. Similarly, Blower “Car One” is the first customer car of the “millimetreaccurate” mechanical recreation of Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin’s 1929 supercharged four-and-quarter-litre, making it the world’s first pre-war continuation series. Both cars are the first of their respective 12 vehicle series.

Mulliner currently offers its services under three segments.

“Collections” focuses on producing limited-editions or bespoke customisations of current Bentley models. “Classic” specialises in the restoration or recreation of Bentley’s from the past. Restoration of a 1939 Bentley Corniche or the abovementioned Blower Continuation series are recent examples.

“Coachbuilt” reconnects the Mulliner name with its true heritage - coachbuilding, but using contemporary techniques

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and sustainable materials. The Queen’s State Limousine, Mulsanne Grand Limousine and the Bacalar Barchetta are the recent creations of this segment.

The Bacalar and Blower first customer cars are, in fact, the second cars of both models. The first being their engineering prototypes, known within Bentley as “Car Zeroes”. Each has completed significant durability, mileage, performance and climatic testing in various locations. The engineering sign-off of both projects was successfully achieved before commencing customer builds.

Blower “Car One” exemplifies classic design, with a body trimmed in “period-correct Rexine.” The car is finished in bespoke Birkin Green paint, a recreation of the colour used on the original Blower on which it’s based. The green bodywork is complemented by identically coloured wire wheels, with colour-matched leather trimming the interior.

According to Bentley, the car is mechanically “identical to Birkin’s original, save for two safety-critical features.” The

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two being the modern electric fuel pumps and a foam baffle to the fuel tank. In addition, a reworked alternative to the original dynamo has been added. Dubbed the Dynator, it offers a more powerful and reliable charging system whilst retaining the look of the original dynamo.

The engine is a brand new example of W.O. Bentley’s own four-and-quarter-litre design. It features aluminium pistons, an overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and twin spark plugs. Attached to the front is the iconic supercharger that gives the Blower its name. It is an exact recreation of the one created in the 1920s by renowned engineer Amherst Villiers. Power has been measured as part of engine sign-off, with the near-100-year old design “reliably making 240 bhp.”

Bacalar “Car One” has a carbon fibre body, finished in a bespoke colour for the lead customer – “champagne-tinted satin silver” called Atom Silver. The car sits on 22-inch Bacalar Tri-Finish wheels, with polished faces, dark grey satin spokes and gloss Moss Green accent highlights. The

same Moss Green accent is applied to the front grille centre bar, the insides of the headlamps, the upper body chrome surround and around the gloss black “power humps” to the rear. Gloss black also provides contrast to the A-pillars, grille meshes and surrounds, bonnet vents, side vents, lower body, rear bumper insert and brake callipers. The rear of the car is finished with gloss black outer exhaust tips with Moss Green inners.

Naturally, the black and green sequence extends to the interior. Beluga leather is accented with Moss Green hide to the wings of the console. Moss Green is also found on the outer seatbacks and throughout the cabin as contrast stitching through the unique Bacalar quilting pattern. The seat centres use fine Nappa leather, while the carpets are beluga diamond-carved overmats with Moss Green binding and stitching.

Open Pore Riverwood over Gloss Black veneer with unique satin bronze detailing flows across the cockpit into the

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doors and behind the front seats, creating a circle of 5,000-year-old veneer. The details of the cabin are truly special. There are bronze finishes to the steering wheel and headrest bezels, upper ventilation bullseye vents and accent rings. A satin nickel finish has been applied to the clock and Bentley Rotating Display dial faces. There are black anodised interior brightware, bright chrome Bentley wings, and gloss black finishing to the speaker grilles. Bespoke Bacalar luggage, that fits behind the front seats, are crafted in Beluga hide with contrast Bentley embroidered emblems.

Commenting on the two cars, Bentley’s Director of Mulliner and Motorsport, Paul Williams, says: “Seeing these first two cars now finished has given the whole team an enormous sense of pride. Years of work have gone into the design and development of these projects, and seeing them together is incredibly rewarding. Mulliner is truly the only place in the world that could deliver a 21st century, coachbuilt grand touring Barchetta at the same time as recreating an iconic road-going 1929 race car. I’m excited for our customers to take delivery of their new cars, and to see the rest of the orders in both series come to life.”

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L A D O L C E V I TA • F O R A W O R T H Y C A U S E

FOR A WORTHY CAUSE The Outlierman will be supporting The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive by supplying luxury driving accessories

The Outlierman, makers of handcrafted luxury driving accessories, is supporting The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive by donating Outlierman Dapper Packs for their top five highest fundraisers.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive is a celebration of classic style, an on-road motoring event, uniting pre-80’s classic cars, designed to encourage enthusiasts and vintage car owners around the world to dress dapper and drive for men’s health. All funds raised by their Distinguished Gentlefolk support their charity partner, Movember.

For the top five fundraisers, they will each receive a complimentary gift pack, courtesy of The Outlierman.

Contained in every Dapper Pack, supplied by the luxury

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Italian brand, will be a carefully selected assortment of handmade items, all produced in Italy. Valued at $350 each, these packs include a World Beater Pocket Square, Type 75 Atlantic Silk Tie and Heritage Fingerless Stringback Driving Gloves.

The Outlierman will also supply The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive with a luxury giveaway pack for social media. This pack – fit for any gentleman – includes a Posh Silk Tie, Gentleman Driver Silk Pocket Square and Gran Turismo Leather and Cotton Crochet Driving Gloves.

All money raised will help build vital programs and fund lifesaving research into prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention programs.

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The Outlierman company was formed with a mission to handcraft a range of accessories inspired by the breath-taking beauty, supreme quality, and timeless appeal of the world’s most iconic cars. All items are handcrafted by artisans in Italy, chosen for their worldclass expertise in their relevant field. The Outlierman produces collections for discerning drivers, including driving gloves, scarves, ties, bow ties, braces, pocket squares, bags and document cases.

Andrea Mazzuca, Founder of The Outlierman, said: “My team and I at The Outlierman are extremely proud and thrilled to support The Distinguished

Gentleman’s Drive ahead of their inaugural event this weekend.

“The values of The Outlierman are wholly aligned with that of The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive and with gentlemen at the heart of both organizations, we felt it was entirely appropriate for us to work together in aid of such a worthy cause.

“Bringing together gentlemen from all over the world for one day in support of Movember, is very important. Sadly, many men are affected by prostate cancer, mental health, and suicide, and by supporting the The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive, we want to help them change that.”

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FA S H I O N • A P P R O A C H I N G I N V I S I B I L I T Y

APPROACHING INVISIBILITY In an exclusive with Signé, Lindberg’s Nikolaj Schnoor unravels the brand’s latest collection - Thintanium

Lindberg, the premium Danish eyewear brand, recently launched Thintanium - an all-new eyewear concept which it claims is most likely the thinnest full-plate titanium eyewear collection in the world.

The collection gets its name from the patent-pending thin titanium strips developed by Lindberg’s engineers.

The eyewear constructed using the hypoallergenic Thintanium looks essentially rimless in appearance, while still maintaining the stability of a full titanium front. The designs in this collection can weigh as little as 3.0 grams.

The collection also debuted a brand new, fully integrated screwless hinge, a prominent visual element to the design. The collection carries the added benefits of the Lindberg building system, which means everything can be tailormade to one’s preference and comfort, and this includes a selection of tinted lenses.

Lindberg is a family-run business cofounded by architect Henrik Lindberg and his optometrist father Poul-Jørn Lindberg more than three decades ago. An embodiment of Danish design, every Lindberg eyewear is ultra-

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lightweight and constructed with a minimalist approach - without screws, rivets, or welded parts.

Signé spoke to Nikolaj Schnoor, Lindberg’s Global Chief Commercial Officer, who has been with the brand since 1997, to get a better understanding of the brand and its latest titanium innovation.

Why has titanium remained the metal of choice for Lindberg?

At Lindberg, we pride ourselves on using titanium. It is one of the most ingenious natural elements, high in quality and possesses unique properties – it is ultra-lightweight, flexible, durable, hypoallergenic and non-corrosive. Because of our experience and special treatment of titanium, we can bend and work with the material within very minimal tolerances. Our use of titanium is rooted in the Scandinavian design tradition that we belong to, where a substance to good design is choosing the right material.

Another useful feature the element holds is the way it can naturally change colour. Lindberg has a highly specialised and manual method that

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can result in slight colour variations of the rainbow. Currently, we have 36 different titanium colours where the wearer can choose their colour options for each part of their frame as part of the Lindberg customisation process.

What are the challenges involved in the design and manufacture of the new Thintanium collection?

This product is a success because of the collaboration between our in-house designers, engineers, toolmakers, production and commercial departments.

For the Lindberg Thintanium, we have developed patented techniques and advanced technologies to craft the eyewear that meets the highest quality standards using our customised tools and equipment. New technology means that the right tools have only been available for a few years when our designers and engineers started developing the Thintanium concept.

In addition to our high-tech machinery, we depend on a team of skilled internal craftsmen to make our frames. Every pair of Lindberg glasses is individually assembled and handfinished in our finishing lab – this

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includes a five-step polishing process followed by two rounds of hand polishing. We believe that premium eyewear, by definition, should always pass through human hands and never be mass-produced.

For the Lindberg Thintanium, the biggest complexity was the brand new hinge system, which was successfully developed based on our experience of working with titanium and investing in new technology.

What are the different aspects of customisation possible on the Thintanium collection?

Thintanium carries all the benefits of the Lindberg building system, which means everything can be customised to your preference and comfort. The customisable elements are many and varied, with your own choice of colour, size, temple length, nose pads and more. You can choose different groove colours to highlight the lenses or even opt for tinted lenses for a stylish look.

So consumers can have fun exploring

the possibilities and create their oneof-kind Thintanium eyewear.

Take us through the process of customising with the Lindberg building system?

The first step the customer should take is to visit an authorised Lindberg dealer.

Our specialist opticians will guide every Lindberg customer through the collection and help them choose the perfect model, size, colour and material combination. Customers will also be fitted for the correct temple length and select the most suitable nose pad shape and size. In addition, every pair of Lindberg glasses is embossed with a unique identity number, and the wearer’s name can even be engraved on the inner side of the temple for the ultimate personal touch.

We see the need for customisation as the building system allows the wearer to have the ultimate fit and a one-ofa-kind look. This supreme building system had never been seen before, and it still has not in the world of mass-

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market. With this building system, we can tailor-make our eyewear down to the smallest detail. These details are what matters to the wearer; to have everyday comfortability and style.

How have the industry observers and aficionados reacted to the Thintanium collection?

The new Thintanium collection has been well received within the eyewear industry and within the whole design community across the world.

Lindberg Thintanium has already achieved huge recognition so far, gaining two of the most sought after design awards: “The Red Dot” Best of the Best” – the highest award in the competition, reserved for the very best products, and the “iF Gold Award” – the best award by iF design where Lindberg and 74 others received the honour out of 10,000 applicants.

The feedback we received is that the Lindberg Thintanium collection is the distinguishable benchmark for the future of titanium eyewear.

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SUSTAINABLE & FUNCTIONAL Introducing Montblanc’s new Sartorial Eco Capsule Collection The Montblanc Sartorial Eco Capsule Collection features pieces crafted from leather obtained by processes that minimize the use of water and reduce carbon footprint.

Featuring simple, geometric lines and subtle, contrasting leather textures, the “eco-sustainable” collection supports Montblanc‘s fight against the depletion and pollution of natural resources.

Elegant and versatile, each piece exhibits thoughtful design and functionality. They also feature a signature outer pocket and a distinctive geometric construction made with a combination of jet black Saffiano printed and plain leather, that has undergone a CO2 neutral tanning process.

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Montblanc Sartorial Pocket holder 3cc Finally, we have a pocket holder and a business card holder as smart daily companions in very compact sizes.

Montblanc Sartorial Wallet 10cc A bifold wallet that can hold up to ten credit cards in a regular 6cc wallet size.

Montblanc Sartorial Wallet 12cc zip around with removable card holder The zip-around wallet has 12 credit card slots, ample compartments to hold all daily essentials, and a front pocket with a removable cardholder.

The zip around wallet offers greater functional versatility and can be worn over the shoulder or cross-body thanks to its removable strap. The strap is an optional extra.

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FA S H I O N • R E M E M B E R I N G T H E G R A N D T O U R E R S

REMEMBERING THE GRAND TOURERS Dunhill’s new collection pays homepage to its automotive past

Dunhill introduces GT, a new collection for its men’s wear lineup, as a celebration of its automotive heritage. This limited edition range draws inspiration from classic silhouettes stretching from bags to shoes and scarves, giving each a new look ahead of the change in season.

Inspired by the leather seating and vibrant paintwork associated with modern grand tourers, this season’s

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evolution of the Lock Bag is crafted in padded leather and is available in an array of arresting colours.

Impactful Chrome Yellow and Neon Pink animate this new era House icon, alongside understated Alloy Grey and Chrome Black - a perfect complement to the existing Lock Bag offering.

Experimenting with texture to achieve an elevated finish, the GT Top Handle Lock Bag features the same solid frame construction with an elegantly elongated

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silhouette, whilst the capacious GT Lock N/S Tote offers everyday functionality.

Luxurious footwear and accessories embrace a similar aesthetic language.

The Aerial GT Runner is crafted in quilted Nappa leather, whilst the GT Leather Scarf is realised in padded calfskin – both evoking the same motoring sensibility synonymous with the collection.

The collection is now available in store and online.

The Aerial GT Runner

GT Leather Scarf

GT Top Handle Lock Bag

Lock Bag GT

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EDITOR’S PICKS THE STYLE EDIT Sunglasses, Saint Laurent

T-Shirt, PS by Paul Smith

Coat, Celine Homme for Mr.Porter

Pants, Cotton Citizen

Sneakers, Onitsuka Tiger

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LATEST

HERMÉS

Galop d’Hermès bag in tartan tweed and Evercolor calfskin AED 18,300

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TIMELESS STYLES The Bally A/W 2021 collection taps into the brands’ mountain heritage, blending outdoor sensibility with functional styles

Autumn/Winter 2021 pays tribute to Bally’s remarkable 170-year heritage of excellence in design and leather craftsmanship, which first began in Switzerland in 1851. The Bally Legacy Continua collection draws out Bally’s artisanal processes at their most sublime with relevance and care. Through a multitude of inspirations from modern art, architecture and the environment, the new season collection explores the consistent and continuous techniques that have come to define Bally for generations, fusing modern utility with unexpected layering. What results is a timeless yet timely range of functional sartorial styles for today’s world.

Demonstrating its brilliance as leather architects for 170 years, crafted silhouettes feature patchwork leather, supple grains, vegetable-tanned leather and shearling. Wool jerseys also meet Peruvian alpaca yarns and recycled blends, dyed with pomegranate and tree bark using low-impact, GOTS-certified processes.

The designs also stay true to the brand’s mountain heritage, expressed through its support of early expeditions around the world, from the Himalayas to the Andes of Peru. Two particular climbing expeditions to the Cordillera, led by France’s Lionel Terray and Switzerland’s Raymond Lambert in 1956 and 1957, respectively, inspired consummate hiking boots with a recreated take on the Grip sole, produced by Bally since the 1940s. A nouveau Bally red evokes the rich and variegated landscape of Rainbow Mountain in Peru and Laguna Colorada in Bolivia.

From the Swiss Alps, native forget-me-nots get abstracted into graphic, cellular prints, as a warm, earthy color palette features bone, ebony and deep moss. Integrating the city and the outdoors, raw forms are contoured and shaped with a contemporary take on tailoring, while reconstituted leathers morph into beguiling silhouettes; natural dyes meet alpaca yarns, making each piece singular and unique.

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Bally looks to its most iconic hues for A/W 2021 with colorways found in nature, like a lusher, heritage red inspired by the Andean landscape, referencing historical mountain expeditions that Bally helped sponsor in the early 20th century. Warm, earthy tones also include deep moss, stone, ebony and clay.

House icons are further reinterpreted, like the Bally Stripe, streamlined through a raised bombé technique, while the 1851 symmetrical hardware graces across footwear and accessories. A celebratory monogram, created especially for the anniversary by Offshore, a Swiss graphic studio features the signature B-chain interlocked ad infinitum, purposefully resembling shoelaces as a creative nod to Bally’s founding as a shoemaker.

Sartorial sportswear mirrors the spirit of the women’s collection, as Bally’s menswear redefines classic tailoring for greater utility and function. Ready for anything, modern styles, including wool canvas separates paired with aviator shearling, or casual jackets with large patch pockets are luxuriously layered. Quilted gilets, leather-crafted cardigans and structured outerwear signal contemporary comfort. Easy separates, like biowool knits, use recycled and traceable yarn.

Hiking boots are inspired by archival designs from former climbing expeditions with B-chain Grip motifs on the sole.

Sneakers and men’s dress shoes are expertly leather-crafted, reflecting a color palette rooted in nature, whether bone, ebony, or heritage red with technical Vibram soles on Chelsea boots.

A/W 2021 introduces the Cliff family of bags in smooth, vegetable-tanned leather, free of synthetic finishing. The range celebrates Bally’s heritage in leather craftsmanship, with a depth of quality and know-how that is incorporated into new eco- forward techniques. This new season represents innovative and versatile luxury with multifunctional designs featuring performance-based materials, such as water-resistant nylon. Conscious sourcing also replaces PVC with TPU and regenerated leather. All plastic elements are 100% recycled.

As a committed signatory of the Fashion Pact, Bally is dedicated to mitigating its environmental impact as a fashion brand, and the A/W 2021 collection takes important steps to integrate Bally’s Sustainability mandate, from sourcing 100% recycled materials to introducing natural, eco-friendly dyes.

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OBJECTS OF DESIRE

RS BARCELONA DIAGONAL POOL TABLE This outdoor version of the Diagonal Pool Table is adapted with special materials to withstand the elements. It is contemporary yet true to the principles of professional pool tables. For the lucky few that have a garden, terrace, or patio large enough to accommodate it. We particularly love the fact that with the use of the Dining Table Top (available as an extra) it converts into a regular outdoor table when it is not used for playing. This awardwinning pool table is handmade to order in Spain.

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COLMIA DUMBBELL SET

BY PENT The COLMIA is a stainless-steel hand-made dumbbell set with a production lead time of 8 – 12 weeks. Available in 4 configurations, these exquisite dumbbells are available in combination with 5 wood options (Black Ash, Natural Ash, Natural Oak, Natural Walnut, Dark Walnut) and 5 leather colors (beige, brown, black, grey, white).

RACKA SET OF ESSENTIAL FITNESS ACCESSORIES

BY PENT RACKA stand is a customized equipment that suits the consumer’s athletic and aesthetic needs and consists of a beautiful stand and accompanying sophisticated fitness accessories: skipping rope, push up bars, fitness mat, fitness ball, balance ball and stretching roller.

HYPERICE HYPERSPHERE

RAXA PUNCHING BAG WITH GLOVES

BY PENT One plus one makes two but, in this case, it turns out to be much more than the simple sum of the two. The combination of Pent’s punch bag with their boxing gloves produces the most luxurious training setup. Don’t let the premium look fool you, this is professional boxing equipment. The use of the same color combination for bag and gloves creates a training duo look extraordinary.

Powerful yet small, the Hypersphere helps unlock the body using high-intensity vibration and pressure. Great for improving grip strength, flexibility, range of motion, and circulation.

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TAKING SLEEP SERIOUSLY Hästens is a brand dedicated to delivering for its customers the best sleep ever

Founded in 1852, Hästens has handcrafted the finest beds from its atelier in Köping, Sweden for generations. Hästens’ rich history started in and around the Swedish town of Köping and goes from its roots as master saddlers to being Royal purveyors. Recognized for making the finest handcrafted beds in the world, every Hästens bed is handmade using only premium sustainable natural materials and techniques handed down through six generations.

Six generations of master craftsmen have led Hästens to where it is now a family company still driven by the virtues of sleep and humble pride over its craft. Each generation has played its part in shaping Hästens, overcoming challenges on the way. Hästens, still a family-owned business, handcrafts each of their beds with the same natural materials as when the first beds were made, over 160 years ago.

Every material used in the manufacture, according to the brand, has been selected to help clients get the highest quality sleep. These natural

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materials work together to absorb the warmth and humidity generated by the body, keeping it cool when it’s hot, and comfortably warm on cooler nights.

Hästens also claims that its beds are free of chemicals, static electricity, and any substances that can harm one’s sleep. As a result, clients fall asleep quicker and enjoy deep, uninterrupted, rejuvenating sleep at the perfect temperature. Chief among the natural materials found in every Hästens bed is horsetail hair. These natural fibres are transformed into millions of tiny spirals, which act as micro-springs. This arrangement makes the horsetail hair fluffy, such that air can easily circulate around the body, thus transporting any excess heat and moisture away while sleeping. The ease of air circulation allows the body to better regulate the temperature around it, which in turn increases the possibility of having a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

The horsetail micro-springs are complemented by the other natural materials found in a Hästens bed.

Cotton and wool contribute to an

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optimal sleeping climate. Flax diverts and prevents static electricity from occurring and provides a quiet sleep environment.

The slow-growing northern pine gives stability that lasts for generations.

Hästens beds are crafted with environmental awareness and meet the most stringent requirements.

This proviso applies to both when the bed is made and when it is no longer needed. All the natural materials used in a Hästens bed are naturally biodegradable, and thus, can be recycled, upcycled, or safely returned to nature’s own natural cycle.

Hästens has come a long way since its early days as a court-appointed Master saddle-maker. Today, it is a top brand in the manufacturing of beds and bedding accessories by combining traditional know-how with the latest science to manufacture truly exceptional beds. We speak with Jan Ryde, the Executive Chairman and Fifth Generation Owner of Hästens about what makes their beds amongst the finest.

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Define ‘Handcrafted Mattress’.

What are the various stages in the process of manufacturing a Hästens mattress? Which of these stages can be described as done completely by hand?

Making a bed requires a number of special occupations including midstitchers, fabric- rackers, cotton-tassel tiers, or horsetail-hair-rufflers. We methodically train each specialist ourselves. There are five different workstations where different elements of the mattress are worked on. The horsetail hair is bedded completely by

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hand and all materials are hand-layered by our craftsmen. All stitching is also done by hand. The only machines we have in production are to help lifting the beds.

Tell us about the Sleep spa that is part of the new Hästens showroom on Shk Zayed Road.

What is the process for getting a Private Sleep Consultation? What are the different steps involved in the session from begging to end, and what role does the Sleep Coach play in this process?

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How does this session influence the buying journey?

The team will start by discussing the customer’s challenges and needs, and search for optimum and bespoke tentative solutions. A proper bed testing is then carried out for feeling, touching, and understanding the specifics of various options and solutions. Thereafter a short list of options is defined, from which the customer can then select a bespoke model with adapted features.

The added value of the sleep coach is their capacity to discover and understand what the sleep pattern of a customer

Hästens Executive Chairman and Fifth Generation Owner of Hästens, Jan Ryde

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can be, to improve and provide a variety of dedicated solutions from a bespoke bed selection.

The simplest way to get a private sleep consultation appointment is either to call the Hästens Sleep Spa directly (971 4 547 90 10), visit the Hästens Store Dubai, or visit www.hastens.com and request a bed test online.

keep you cool when it’s hot, and comfortably warm during colder nights. The millions of comfortable natural micro-springs in Hästens beds transport any excess heat and moisture from your body during deep sleep. As a result, you’ll fall asleep quicker and enjoy deep, uninterrupted, rejuvenating sleep at the perfect temperature.

Are there any variations in the products manufactured for customers in the region due to the differences in the weather?

No, all our beds work excellently to

How long does it take for a new Mattress to be delivered to a customer in the UAE from the time of order?

In general, we should consider about

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10 to 12 weeks to get the bespoke bed delivered and installed at the customer’s place. A faster supply by air, within certain terms and conditions can shorten this lead-time by about 4 to 5 weeks. Certain bed configuration can be supplied faster (configuration permanently available in the factory on top selling features). With the most premium lines such as the Vividus and Grand Vividus being on a waiting list, delivery can take up to 5-6 months.

There are also some bed configurations that are available immediately, as the factory’s fresh inventory is available in Dubai for same week delivery.

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L A D O L C E V I TA • L O N D O N ’ S F I N E S T

LONDON’S FINEST No.1 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, has been rebuilt, and is set to become one of the most sought after residences in London

No.1 Grosvenor Square - located in the heart of London’s Mayfair district, facing the greenery of the 2.5 hectares Grosvenor Square garden – is a luxurious development offering 44 elegant residential units.

The historic building has been meticulously reconstructed by the award-winning Eric Parry Architects, under Lodha UK’s stewardship - one of London’s most active prime residential property developers with £1.9bn of properties under development or completed. The building’s interior is a creation of Yabu Pushelberg - the worldrenowned design studio with over 40 years of experience in redefining modern luxury worldwide.

The Grosvenor Square’s heritage dates back to the 1700s when the Grosvenor family – credited with the development of large areas of Mayfair – created several green squares lined by luxury townhouses.

One of the largest and most prestigious of these is Grosvenor Square.

No.1 Grosvenor Square has an elegant west-facing façade that benefits from casts of light from dawn till dusk, with grand balconies to enjoy the views. Its interiors boast some of the highest ceiling heights of any new residential offerings in London. Each residence facing west onto Grosvenor Square enjoys its own private lift and entrance foyer, unfolding into the expansive living spaces.

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At the heart of each home lies a grand drawing room, classically designed with a combination of materials including velvet, silk and tweed. The imposing silk rug commands the centre of the living room and is complemented by a marble and gold centre table and plush sofas to create a comfortable family environment. For large entertainments and extra seating space, window seats have been added, making the space multi-functional.

The adjoining dining room is designed to create a vibrant, entertaining space. Elegant yet striking, the room stands out with vividly patterned hand-painted wall covering by Fromental, which are offset by an antique French art deco console table. All residences at No.1 Grosvenor Square feature an expansive kitchen with integrated, state-of-the-art appliances, natural stone floors and marble worktops.

The intimate and warm study rooms are bathed in natural light, with views of Grosvenor Square. Bespoke bathrooms have underfloor heating, warm lighting and the highest quality fixtures and fittings, offset by the classic elegance of Italian marble and natural stone.

The master bedroom space is designed with a mix of natural wallpapers made from linen and natural handdyed Raphia. The four-poster bed, its centrepiece, is complemented by side tables and bedside table lamps custom-designed by Kelly Wearstler.

Most homes located on the lower floors feature a private terrace, the perfect setting for outdoor dining. On the upper floors, residences enjoy uninterrupted views facing east, towards Bond Street and the world-famous landmarks of The Houses of Parliament and The Shard.

The Feng Shui and Vastu-compliant property are fully serviced by Lodha’s private management subsidiary, Saint Amand, with a team of 30 hospitality professionals. The team’s responsibilities include, among others, residence management, bespoke international travel itinerary creation and the booking of exclusive entertainment options across London. A separate Private Office takes care of any business or family matters.

The Residents’ private Club & Spa includes a private gym, swimming pool and cinema. It recently announced a partnership with leading health professionals Kyros Project, to offer “evidence-based, holistic and integrated wellness solutions.” Kyros has an extensive track record with a tried and tested methodology that spans luxury health clubs, elite sport, corporate wellness and internationally best-selling nutrition books.

With views of green expanses in the heart of a vibrant global city, and located in the heart of Mayfair - home to some of the world’s foremost business leaders and entrepreneurs - a residence at No.1 Grosvenor Square offers the rare combination of heritage, prestige, luxury and location.

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R E S TA U R A N T S

CITY’S BEST BREAKFAST Start the day right at L’ETO, with a delicious and expansive breakfast spread on offer What started out as a bright café in Soho, London, L’ETO has quickly become one of the MiddleEast’s most talked about cafes. Whether it’s the morning after a night out, catching up with friends first thing in the morning or grabbing a bite after a school run, L’ETO has something for everyone. The upscale establishment, where the main star is the food and the rich selection of salads & mains, as well as coffee and desserts, the luxurious and homely ambience makes L’ETO the perfect fit for epicureans looking for an exceptional dining experience to share, especially breakfast.

Open from 9 AM every day, L’ETO has an amazing selection of breakfast favourites. The English is an elevated version of the classics with a choice of eggs, homemade fava beans, beef

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bacon, succulent sumac sausages and an assortment of veggies.

For those looking for healthier options, Do-It-Yourself Avocado Toast features full avocado in basil olive oil ready to be smashed on the plate by a

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guest, the Fit & Lean Avocado Quinoa, Poached Eggs Bowl - pure and carb-free dish and the Green Breakfast Halloumi Bowl will keep you healthy stuffed. Yet the absolute healthy stars are The Vegan platter which includes scrambled tofu & sumac & miso baby aubergines, and the Açai Granola Bowl with coconut yoghurt and more.

While those looking to indulge, rich choices like the Lobster Benedict are aplenty. Complete with the perfect kick of sugar, the menu features fluffy Ricotta Pancakes, Strawberry and Banana Pancakes, Caramel Crust French Toast and ¬House-made Crêpes

L’eto Caffe City Walk 2 04 345 2209

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S P O I LT F O R C H O I C E

SPOILT FOR CHOICE The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, is a luxury beach resort that has so much to offer Located on the pristine beach of Saadiyat Island and framed by the distinguished Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, is a destination for the discerning and the well-travelled. The city’s first true luxury beach resort combines a unique blend of refined elegance with exceptional offerings.

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The resort has 376 guestrooms. Each one has a private terrace with panoramic views of the turquoise-blue sea, golf course, or resort gardens. Spaces range from the intimate to the grand. Standard rooms offer 55 square metres with a 10 square metres balcony. The majestic Royal Suite, a 2,000 square metre duplex, is the grandest of them all. Lavishly

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appointed, the suite offers one to three bedrooms, a private pool and a spacious, ocean-facing terrace.

Situated within the grounds are Iridium Spa, Sandcastle Club for children, tennis and squash courts and the 3,500 squaremeter St. Regis Athletic Club.

A modern mix of cream, beige, and black hues, greet the guests at the Iridium Spa, complemented by tactile, natural materials, and soft, golden lighting. The Spa has twelve serene treatment suites, including couples treatment rooms and three themed Spa Suites with private terraces and soothing water features.

Additional spa facilities include a sauna, steam room, Hammam, Experience Shower, Jacuzzi, and Vichy treatment room.

The highly trained and experienced staff offer a bespoke, transformative spa experience that can last from half-an-hour to half-a-day. The therapies on offer blend traditional remedies with modern technologies, including total mind, body, and spirit rejuvenation.

“Detox and Relax” is the newest of these treatments, introduced this summer. The two-hour treatment is designed to offer a relaxing experience for the whole body. The treatment, which includes Iridium’s ultra-luxurious traditional hammam, is a carefully crafted process that is designed to increase cell renewal, reduce water retention and thoroughly detoxify and cleanse the body. The treatment concludes with a fabulous fullbody massage, and a visit to the state-of-the-art sauna, whirlpool and wellness facilities.

The St. Regis Athletic Club offers a state-of-the-art gym with smooth wooden floors, bright white walls, and ample natural light to illuminate an impressive array of Technogym machines.

Additional activities include yoga, and other studio-based classes, as well as professional personal trainers upon request.

The resort has no fewer than six restaurants and bars spread across the expansive resort, where guests can pamper their palates.

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Buddha Bar Beach

Couple Treatment Suite at Iridium Spa 108

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Wok Fried Crab at Sontaya Restaurant

Treatment Suite at Iridium Spa

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Sontaya serves a culinary mosaic of Southeast Asian fare complemented by signature cocktails and captivating artistic accents. Its pavilions and terrace float amongst a series of interconnected pools, overlooking the resort’s beach. The culinary creations from its kitchen earned Sontaya the 2019 FACT Dining Award for ‘Favorite Southeast Asian Restaurant.’

Singaporean Pot Stickers, Char-grilled Satay, Tom Yum and Vietnamese Fish Soups, Malaysian Sambal Seafood, Crispy Duck, Green Prawn Curry, Wok-Fried Lobster, Mango Sticky Rice Pudding, Molten Chocolate Cake, as well as signature and traditional cocktails are some of the highlights from the menu.

The Mediterranean-influenced Oléa offers a cultured yet relaxed indoor and outdoor all-day dining, featuring live cooking stations and myriad à la carte menu options. Oléa was named ‘Best Brunch in Abu Dhabi’ by BBC.com and Best International Brunch by Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards in 2018.

Mazi makes its Middle East Debut at St. Regis. Abu Dhabi. Mazi, which means “together” in Greek, revives the sharing culinary tradition of Greece and is at the very core of the restaurant’s concept. Created by husband-and-wife duo Adrien Carré and Christina Mouratoglou, the venue can house up to 120 guests.

The Manhattan Lounge is the place to start the evening or finish the day on a strong note, with curated

beverage offers. The Drawing Room, with its open lounge and inviting sofas, offers the delightful tradition of afternoon tea.

Chic, sophisticated and elegant, the world-renowned brand Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi brings exquisite Asian-fusion cuisine and cocktails right to the seafront. The remarkable venue has received multiple awards since its launch in 2018, including the highly coveted Asian Restaurant and Best Romantic Restaurant at Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards 2018.

The recently introduced Nazka concept offers a curated menu that combines authentic Peruvian ingredients with Japanese cooking techniques. Highlights include colourful maki rolls, softshell crab tempura, tori robatta and many more fabulous recipes. The menu also introduces a new range of refreshing Pisco Sour cocktails, featuring a combination of Japanese and Peruvian herbs, botanicals and speciality beverages.

Buddha-Bar’s sharing-style menu is served on the venue’s pristine beachfront. Guests are served a myriad of dishes from different countries and cities of the Pacific region, including the finest quality sushi, salads, gyoza and more tempting light bites. The menu is served every Friday, from 1 pm to 4 pm, with a special night brunch service starting on the same day from 7 pm onwards.

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FIVE STAR ABODES Our Selection of five superexclusive villas and suites from around the world

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Beach Villa at Emerald Maldives Emerald Maldives Maldives Resort & Spa - a member of The Leading Hotels of the World - is a new 5-star all-inclusive resort.

Located on the Raa Atoll, in the northern part of the Maldives archipelago, this resort is on a lush private 20 hectares island, surrounded by 1.5 km of soft white sand. It comprises 120 villas, 60 of which are located on the island and 60 directly on the sea.

The resort was designed to blend in with the surrounding environment, using materials such as bamboo, natural stones and Langhi Langhi leaves. The resort combines tropical scenery with modern design to create an atmosphere of natural and informal elegance.

This spacious 176 sqm Beach Villa at Emerald Maldives features a private garden, a bedroom and covered and open patios to unwind. The beach villa provides the perfect location to enjoy warm and calm turquoise waters that surround the island.

Facilities include The Emerald Spa and the Dolphin Kids Club for children aged 3 to 12 - the largest in all Maldives.

The all-inclusive resort also offers guests an exciting range of restaurants with all three meals provided. Traditional Asian cooking to international delicacies, the package includes culinary offerings from nearly every continent.

The kitchen is headed by Chef Aldo Cadau, adding an Italian flair to the restaurants.

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Ultima Grand Villa at Ultima Geneva, Switzerland The Ultima Collection premium hospitality brand has its origins in the award-winning Ultima Gstaad hotel in Switzerland. The brand now owns and operates a total of seven ultra-luxury chalets and waterfront retreats that stretch from the Alps to the Mediterranean – Corfu in Greece; Cannes, Courchevel Belvédère and Megève in France; Gstaad, Crans-Montana and Geneva Grand Villa in Switzerland. Each of these properties has access to its own extensive, state-of-the-art wellness amenities and has been designed to reflect its natural surroundings.

The Ultima Geneva Grand Villa offers the perfect environment to enjoy the city in the privacy and tranquillity of the villa. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, 20 minutes away from Geneva city centre and 10 minutes away from Geneva International Airport, the villa is a private eight-suite villa designed to be a quiet retreat in a suburban setting.

Built over three floors, this extraordinary villa covers an area of 2,000-square metres and comes with a separate

guest villa for guests to enjoy their privacy. With its exceptional amenities, the villa comprises seven rooms, a master bedroom with a private terrace, a grand cinema, as well as a 200-square metre wellness space with a jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, pool and fitness gym. Additional features include a wine cellar, an underground lounge and a private club with a state-of-the-art sound system.

Perfect for summer with friends and family, guests can have lazy relaxing days by the pool or on the private terraces, then enjoy dinner and wine pairings prepared by the villa’s experienced private chef, all while enjoying complete privacy and a calming view of Lake Geneva or enjoy a day out in the city before returning to the peace and quiet.

Guests can also enjoy personalised treatment on a minimum month-long retreat to Ultima Grand Villa with Ultima Collection’s ‘The Ultima Escape’ in partnership with VistaJet.

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Villa One at One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius Bejewelled with swaying palms and carpeted in white sand, One&Only Le Saint Géran nestles within the renowned and dramatic Belle Mare coastline, at the northern tip of Mauritius.

Located just off the eastern coast of Madagascar, in the warm Indian Ocean, Mauritius - the “the land of rainbows, waterfalls and shooting stars” is an island blessed with seemingly endless beaches, azure lagoons, enchanting folk music and rich cuisine.

The transformed Villa One at One&Only Le Saint Géran is the most desired address in Mauritius. The private two-bedroom secluded island home is ideal for up to four adults and two children. With sensational views over the Indian Ocean, Villa One guests can wander through tropical gardens to reach their private beach cabanas positioned on the shore.

The exceptional interiors exude light and freshness, while bespoke furniture, locally-crafted artwork, handmade ceramics and opulent natural materials including marble, silk and leathers create a luxurious residential interior – for a home-away-from-

home feel with a Mauritian influence and a celebration of the destination.

A private welcome and check-in await guests of Villa One as they enter through a private driveway and majestic wooden gates to be warmly received by their personal butler. The entrance, with a cream marble mosaic floor and suspended chandelier, opens onto a spacious living room with an inspiring view of the private infinity pool and the Indian Ocean. With a dining room for ten and a large, cosy salon, it is the perfect retreat for an intimate evening with friends and family.

Blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, the lounge, dining and bedroom spaces open onto comfortably furnished terraces with mesmerising ocean views perfect for sunrise breakfasts, sunset cocktails and dinner under the stars.

Freshly cooked delicacies are served in the shaded outdoor dining area, prepared by Villa One’s personal chef in the fullyfitted kitchen or dedicated outdoor kitchen and grill. The night can end with stories around the fire, under a blanket of stars.

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Penthouse Suite at Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria, Italy With a commanding view over the Eternal City, Waldorf Astoria’s Rome Cavalieri seem to have it all. La Pergola, the hotel’s signature venue, is the first and only 3-star Michelin restaurant in the city. On its premises is one of the world’s most prestigious art collections found in a hotel.

The prestigious Cavalieri Grand Spa Club boasts two glittering outdoor pools, a peaceful indoor pool, and a swimming pool just for children. On offer is a wide selection of La Prairie’s exclusive Swiss Treatments and Aromatherapy Associates’ unique Essential Oils, or unwind in the amethyst Turkish Bath.

The award-winning Spa also has a state-of-the-art gym and fitness centre.

The property also includes two red-clay tennis courts and a 15 acres of private park. A thrilling Italian supercar experience, an exploration of Rome with the hotel’s City Navigator tour or local food guides, or some ‘Gladiator training’ are just some of the exclusive experiences that can be tailor-made upon request.

The 415-square metre, bi-level Penthouse Suite at the Rome Cavalieri offers a sublime mix of antique furnishings, modern

artworks and highly polished woods that together present an elegant style with unique features. On the first floor, the elegant king-size bedroom boasts four original pieces of Andy Warhol’s Dollar Sign series and a ceiling decorated with an array of fibreoptic stars. Its master bathroom offers a walk-in rain shower, and an oversized whirlpool bath elevated to provide views through a double-height interior window into the bedroom and the cityscape of Rome and beyond.

The separate ornate living area includes plush couches designed by Karl Lagerfeld, a four-seat dining table, large screen television and a bathroom for visitors. The suite has four balconies on the first floor spread out across the various spaces, but its most generous outdoor space is the private rooftop terrace reached by a staircase in the living room. This spacious wooden terrace features a large Jacuzzi, outdoor shower, bathroom, lounge chairs, private bar, six-seat dining table and exclusive direct access to La Pergola, the hotel’s three Michelin-star restaurant. Guests of the Penthouse Suite are also provided with access to dedicated VIP elevators, the Imperial Club, where refreshments are served throughout the day and the Grand Spa Club.

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Silverback Suite at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is cocooned within Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park - home to the highest number of Mountain gorillas, and part of the lush and oft-mist covered Virunga Mountains. Despite its remote location, the resort is just a half-hour by road from Kigali International Airport.

The resort is a beautifully designed private sanctuary that seamlessly blends into the mountain that nurtures it. Its gardens not only welcome guests with fragrant flora, from roses bushes to eucalyptus trees, but also contribute to the menu. Every plant and tree in the garden is chosen to encourage flourishing wildlife, with the aim of creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that is constantly growing.

The name of the largest suite at One&Only Gorilla’s Nest celebrates its size and location. The Silverback Suite, is the name

of the leader in each gorilla family. The Silverback Suite, at 409-square metres, is a luxurious, elegant, and spacious retreat surrounded by trees, with outstanding views of the lush forest.

It offers a master king-bedded room, large en-suite bathroom with freestanding tub, and private deck with rain shower. The decor showcases beautiful handwoven African baskets on the walls in black, white and cream.

The spacious lounge features a sofa-bed, large enough for two children, a dining area, fireplace and a private covered viewing deck with an outdoor bathtub. The suite has its own private pool and a cozy fireplace with views of the lush landscape. The suite has a private kitchen with a 24-hour inresidence chef and butler on call. The suite is ideal for those travelling with staff as it offers a smaller second bedroom with an attached bathroom.

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GROOMING • A PRECIOUS RITUAL

A PRECIOUS RITUAL Haute Parfumerie Henry Jacques introduces three iconic fragrances to its Les Brumes line: Merveilleuse de HJ, Fabien Absolute and Mandala (a Dubai boutique exclusive).

A lighter expression of its signature and most loved line of essences, Les Brumes offer a more casual and modern way of enjoying great perfumery with a unique ‘Splash & Spray’ convertible flacon.

For almost half a century, Henry Jacques has been crafting the world’s finest essences by virtue of its immense savoir-faire, respecting traditions whilst never ceasing to innovate. With beginnings as a bespoke house in France, the maison has created an endless array of fragrances over the years in keeping with its art of living philosophy and constant quest for perfection.

Previously available only in the more traditional Essence form, Merveilleuse de HJ, Fabien Absolute and Mandala now take on a fresh dynamic thanks to the new Les Brumes variation - feeling brighter and airier, while still possessing

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the strong heart that makes every Henry Jacques creation so distinctive.

While diffusing with a spray has become second nature, Maison Henry Jacques has long sought to bring meaning to this gesture, wishing to infuse it with a refinement and precision in accordance with the Maison. With its Les Brume line, the Maison has transformed the practice that has become almost mechanical into a sensory immersion of delicate precision. This contemporary and ecological version of a spray allows everyone to adjust their application of Les Brumes: whether, according to their mood, they prefer to caress the skin or form a cloud, permeating the silhouette and the hair like an invisible cocoon.

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Merveilleuse de HJ AED 2520 (75ml) A classic Chypre with an alluring floral presence, timeless and elegant. Citrusy in the opening and complimented by spices, while deepened by the strong earthy green scent of vetiver and patchouli.

When such precious flowers as rose, jasmine and ylang ylang meet the traditional Chypre accord, it creates the perfect balance between comfort and energy.

Fabien Absolute AED 2785 (75ml) Captivating with a burst of freshness and green leaves, an instant signature of this fragrance, followed by mossy and woody notes and a touch of oud. An elegant yet strong character, whilst peaceful in the serenity of oakmoss, musk and the rich sandalwood that close at the base.

Mandala – Dubai Worldwide Exclusive AED 3265 (75ml) Leather, Dehen el Oud, Incense... a perfect blend for a night in a Cigar lounge or a cozy evening with friends with Bukhoor swinging in the air. Sweet leathery notes take charge at the opening, turning warm and woody with an exquisite Oud and Incense – adding a magical impression to the whole olfactory journey.

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G R O O M I N G • G O O D V I B R AT I O N S

GOOD VIBRATIONS FOREO has recently launched an upgraded version of its most popular beauty-tech - LUNA 3 MEN FOREO, the wildly creative Swedish beauty-tech brand, witnessed record demand for its Men’s Beauty Solutions range of products last year. This was largely due to the increasing number of men focussed on taking care of themselves, especially during the pandemic.

The multi-award-winning skincare brand has answered the demands of this growing demographic with the launch of LUNA 3 MEN. The latest upgrade is designed to meet every man’s skincare needs by giving a superior cleanse and facial massage in a minute flat.

Convenient in size and functionality, the LUNA 3 MEN is specifically designed for the busy man’s lifestyle. In less than a minute, it claims to remove sweat and oil build up on the face and beard throughout the day, whether from a long day in the office or hitting a sweaty gym session.

Its 8,000 T-Sonic pulsations provide the face with a deeper cleanse than washing by hand, lifting away 99.5% of dirt, oil and dead skin, leaving the user with a clean complexion.

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The multi-functional device also works as an anti-ageing facial massager. Its gentle T-Sonic pulsations deliver a relaxing massage to tone and help diminish visible signs of ageing.

The T-Sonic pulsations also deliver a deep yet gentle cleanse to prep the skin for shaving. The pulsations reduce breakouts, remove ingrown hairs, prevent razor burn, and help razor blades last up to twice as long.

“What makes the LUNA 3 MEN the best is that it is both refined and powerful. Robust and sleek. Think Daniel Craig as James Bond, but as a skincare device. The LUNA 3 MEN offers a powerful transdermal pulsation massage that stimulates the facial muscles and blood flow while relaxing the skin and facial hairs and dislodges dirt and grime all at the same time. It is fast, efficient and makes you look damn good using it, all while delivering the results promised.” says Ryan Saddik, FOREO MEA General Manager.

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FITNESS WITH AESTHETICS A brief review of Technogym’s home fitness model – the Kinesis Personal

Kinesis Personal by Technogym is a designer home or office training equipment that offers more than 200 workout moves in less than one square meter.

Established in 1983, Technogym is a world leader in supplying fitness and wellness products, services and solutions. The Italian brand exports 90 percent of its production to more than 100 countries, including more than 100,000 homes and 65,000 wellness centres, in addition to numerous offices, hotels and spas.

In the sphere of professional sports, Technogym is an eight-time official equipment supplier to the Olympic Games, including the 2021 games in Tokyo.

It has long-term partnerships with Ferrari F1 Team, Luna Rossa and Alinghi sailing Teams, as well as AC Milan and Chelsea football clubs, among others.

Technogym’s Kinesis Personal was developed by Technogym’s R&D Department in collaboration with the renowned architect and designer Antonio Citterio and his assistant Toan Nguyen.

Explaining the reason behind this collaborates, Citterio says: “Technogym was the first to introduce fine design into the fitness and wellness world.

Technogym has grasped the importance of design and decided to invest in it. Consequently, design is now a fundamental element of the product and is an inseparable part of the industrial process.”

Made for coordinated movements using resistance, Kinesis Personal is engineered for workouts that combine strength, flexibility and balance. Kinesis Personal takes what the body does naturally, and then adds the appropriate amount of resistance, as determined by its innovative formulation.

Kinesis Personal also incorporates Technogym’s patented three-dimensional Fullgravity technology, which allows for resistance to vary in accordance with the increase in range and angle of movement. As a result, it activates complete kinetic chains, rather than individual muscles.

Kinesis Personal is available in two different versions. The first version called Heritage is fitted

with oak wooden bars and is available in 4 colours: Black, Cream, Brown leather finish and the new Gold Limited Edition.

The Gold Limited Edition is manufactured using a gold leaf technique inspired by Florentine craftsmanship. The second version is called Vision, covered with polished steel and perfectly mounted panels that create a mirror finish.

“With Technogym,” says Citterio, “we strove to implement the design content of fitness machines to allow them to become an active part of interior design projects for domestic spaces. I believe every object should be a pleasure to look at. The idea is that working out should be something you do because you enjoy it.”

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WA T C H E S • D U B A I WA T C H W E E K

DUBAI WATCH WEEK RETURNS Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), Dubai Watch Week will see the global watch industry reunite at a purpose-built event space under The Gate in DIFC, for the fifth edition of the event from 24th to 28th November 2021.

Dubai Watch Week’s diverse programme is also set to return with event highlights including the renowned Horology Forum — a thought-provoking series of panel discussions exploring themes and topics from “Alignment of online personas with actual identities” to “NFTs and

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cryptocurrencies in luxury”; masterclasses — hands-on workshops led by expert artisans; as well as the Creative Hub. “This year’s event will be the most engaging edition yet as we continue to transform and drive forward innovation within the watch industry. We look forward to reuniting for a moment in time with our local and global community as we celebrate our fifth edition alongside the UAE’s golden jubilee. We look forward to hosting everyone onsite – from collectors to curious residents to the youth – who can all get involved with the exciting programme,” says Hind Seddiqi, Director General of Dubai Watch Week.

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ALPINE EAGLE XL CHRONO The pure yet bold Alpine Eagle XL Chrono is a column-wheel chronograph equipped with a flyback function. Its 44 mm case houses the Chopard 03.05-C chronometer-certified automatic movement, for which three patents have been registered. This exceptional timepiece is made of Lucent Steel A223, an exclusive ultra-resistant metal based on four years of research and development. Proudly handcrafted by our artisans, it represents the expertise and innovation cultivated in our Manufacture.