NOT O N LY MINE BUT A PART OF ME www.francvila.com FV EVOS 18 “Cobra” Suspended Skeleton & FVq80 Tribute to Ladies FRANC VILA HEADQUARTERS & SHOWROOM Grand Rue 6 - Geneva +41 22 317 07 27
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In support of
NOMOS Glashütte has produced two limited edition timepieces in support of Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières. Each watch raises £100 for the Nobel Peace Prize winning humanitarian organisation. And still these handcrafted mechanical watches with the red 12 cost the same as the classic Tangente models from NOMOS Glashütte. Help now, wear forever.
Time for life.
£100 from every product sold is paid to Médecins Sans Frontières UK, a UK registered charity no. 1026588. NOMOS retailers helping to help include CS Bedford, CW Sellors, Catherine Jones, Fraser Hart, Hamilton & Inches, Mappin & Webb, Orro, Perfect Timing, Stewart's Watches, Stuart Thexton, Watches of Switzerland. Find these and other authorized NOMOS retailers at nomos-watches.com, or order online at nomos-store.com
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ISSUE
THIRTY FOUR
From the editor Editor
Dawn Alford
dawn@curvecontent.com 020 3617 4693 Designer
Marcus Leitch Commercial Director
Jay Boisvert
jay@curvecontent.com 020 3617 4697 Business Development Manager
Ashley Collin
ashley@curvecontent.com 020 3617 4687 Head of Sales & Partnerships
Ray Fieldhouse
ray@curvecontent.com 0203 617 4684 CURVE CONTENT TEMPUS IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY CURVE CONTENT LTD, 3-7 HERBAL HILL, LONDON EC1R 5EJ PRINTED BY
We unapologetically embrace all things romantic this issue. Indeed, on my first day in the editor’s chair here at Tempus I fell head over heels in love with our cover star – a diamond-set Girard-Perregaux Cat’s Eye Tourbillon. Women’s timepieces have evolved immensely in recent years and watchmakers are taking haute horology to the heart of their ladies’ collections. In this issue we feature an array of mesmerising styles – all so much more than just a pretty face and certainly worth considering for a Valentine’s Day gift. The Tempus team have had a whirlwind start to the year, visiting worldwide launches, shows and events to gather a plethora of luxury know-how. We were at CES in Vegas deciding which boys’ toys are worth an investment, the Detroit Auto Show coveting the new Porsche range, and enjoyed front row seats for the best fashion shows at London Collections: Men. With such a gruelling schedule behind us we needed some well-earned rest. You can read our reviews of two of London’s top hotels, and a luxury spa, inside. However, if you prefer your spa retreats to be a plane ride and warmer setting, then indulge in our special wellbeing feature beginning on page 90. Take it from me, a surprise Valentine’s Day gift of a visit to any one of these fabulous retreats will be very, very well received. To sign off my first editor’s letter and in the spirit of romance, I wish you lots of love…
Dawn Alford Editor - 15 -
Contributors
Tempus is proud to work with some of the UK’s finest timepiece and luxury writers, including: Peter Jenkinson
Technology writer Peter Jenkinson writes for Britain’s national newspapers and regularly appears on TV and radio, including Sky, the Gadget Show and CNBC. On page 70 he reveals the top picks from his trip to CES in Vegas
Laura McCreddie
Laura is the editor of Eve’s Watch and was formerly the editor of Retail Jeweller. Laura also writes a monthly column for City AM’s lifestyle magazine, Bespoke. She visited the SIHH show in Geneva and wrote our feature on the best new women’s watches
Peter Dean
Peter likes to seek out the best fine wines on our food and drink pages. In this issue he also goes in search of truffles – see page 38
M CLASS 30M . 35M . 40M To make an entrance. Arrive in style
WWW.PRINCESSYACHTS.COM PRINCESS YACHTS INTERNATIONAL 路 MCLASS@PRINCESSYACHTS.COM
BASELWORLD.COM
A unique window to the universe of watches and jewellery where all key players showcase trendsetting creations and innovations. Seize this opportunity to experience passion, precision and perfection.
M AR C H 19 – 26, 2015
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Inside ISSUE THIRTY FOUR
22 Take Me There
70 Gadgets for Gents
The perfect romantic location for a Moroccan adventure
Because what happens in Vegas… get’s reported here
25 Luxury Briefing
81 SIHH
Great Valenine’s gifts for him and her
We reveal the best from the Geneva watch show
37 Food and Drink
90 Stunning spas
New hot-spots for eating and drinking out
Our guide to six of the world’s top retreats
41 The Word
98 Wellbeing
Jay Patel on pre-nuptial agreements
How to turn back the clock
44 Watch Snob
107 Truffle-Hunting
Peter Dean goes on a search
AskMen’s watch expert is brutally honest
112 Roman Baths
46 Men’s fashions
A perfect stay at Rowhill Grange
What stylish men need to be seen in this year
115 Art Deco style
48 Objects of Desire
The Wellesley hotel
The new perfect Porsches 51 Style Advice
Which bag to buy, and how to care for it
34
Valentine’s gifts / Women’s Watches / BAG S O F STY LE / Gent’s gadgets / Truffle-hunting in France / LU X U RY WO R LDW I D E S PAS / The Savoy
London’s most famous hotel
PO RS C H E P R EV I EW
122 Moments in Time
55 Women’s Timepieces
Laura McCreedie reviews some beautiful new faces
119 The Savoy Thrill
Special thanks: Graeme Allen
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Chris Hemsworth and his stunning Bvlgari wristwear
SPORTY GENT COLLECTION MECHANICAL AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT. CALIBRE AN 2846-10 WITH DATE FUNCTIONS. THIS COLLECTION BLENDS SPORTY APPEAL WITH CLASSY AND REFINED LOOKS. THE RUBBER PARTS WISELY INSERTED IN THE CASE, CROWN, PUSHERS AND BRACELET HAVE DEEPLY INCREASED THE COMFORT AND RESISTANCE TO SCRATCHES OF THIS AMAZING TIMEPIECE. THESE WATCHES ARE THE EXCELLENT ACCESSORIES ON A MAN’S WRIST DURING THE STRONGEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WHILE THE POLISHED STYLE MAKES IT THE PERFECT TIME PIECE FOR ANY OCCASION!
FOR INFORMATION: E-MAIL INFO@ARMANDNICOLET.COM PHONE +39 030 3772892
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Take me there Sultana Oualidia, Morocco
This very special romantic retreat quite frankly demands romance. Perfect for a Valentine’s treat or holiday-a-deux, the hideaway spa destination is both unusual and relaxed. Situated by a mesmerising lagoon on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, halfway between Marrakech and Casablanca, the lagoon forms part of a rare ecosystem with its sandbanks, oyster beds and saltwater marshes. The pace here is leisurely. There’s even a vast treehouse suite hidden among thick foliage, although each of the 12 suites enjoy stunning views of the aweinspiring sunrises and sunsets. Private dinners for two can be organised under a beautiful and graceful Berber tent, which seems to leap from the pages of the One Thousand and One Nights folk tales. The sandy beach is covered with a beautiful oriental carpet and lanterns, while the menu is fresh, local and contains the ultimate aphrodisiac: fresh oysters, grown only a stone’s throw away in the lagoon.
lasultanahotels.com
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Over 25 years ago we introduced the world’s first digital loudspeaker. Our Special Edition loudspeakers represent the pinnacle of our achievement. Don’t just take our word for it: call 0330 1346931 now to arrange a personal demonstration.
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Because the best things in life aren’t free Safe and sound
SAVOY SA FES
Your collection of jewellery, timepieces and treasures deserves to be housed in a work of art, and what better than this handcrafted one-of-a-kind safe, which dates back to 18th-century Italy. Completely restored by expert craftsmen, it features five keys and three hooks, plus a code to activate the original 200-year-old opening mechanism. The interior is finished in black leather and is equipped with 42 automatic watch winders and nine drawers, which can hold up to 120 watches. With a price tag of around ÂŁ550,000 the safe, created by Savoy Safes in partnership with Scatola del Tempois, is the perfect home for Valentine gifts, past and present. savoysafes.com
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- va len t i n e's g i fts -
To melt her heart
T R ES O R PA R I S
Weighing in at just under 20 carats, this stunning handcrafted 18ct white gold heart-shaped diamond necklace is a one-off piece. Set with graduated series of hearts, this stunning piece – at a little under £40,000 – is the ultimate Valentine’s gift. tresorparis.co.uk
The eyes have it
P U R LI N G LO N D O N
It may be February, but it’s never too early to invest in a great pair of sunglasses. These Sabel Marant glasses from designer du jour Oliver Peoples also nod to romance with their stunning red lenses. oliverpeoples.com
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Great Scott!
B EG G & C O
Cuddle up under this luxurious cashmere throw. Priced at just under £800 this Arran throw is woven in Scotland and hand-finished. Founded in Paisley in 1866 and now based in Ayr, Begg & Co is quintessentially Scottish. The revered label also handcrafts premium scarves from the finest cashmere, silk, wool and angora yarns. beggandcompany.com
Say it with rosés
N Y ET I M B ER
Can buy me love
There is something fabulous about being able to boast you are drinking English wine, and there is none better than Nyetimber. Try this special rosé on Valentine’s Day and you should taste red mango and honey, along with hints of star anise, cardamom and alyssum. The finish is long with redcurrant and, according the the tasting notes, hints of shortcrust pastry. What’s not to love about that? Nyetimber wines are available from Waitrose, Majestic, Berry Brothers & Rudd, Farr Vintners, Fortnum & Mason and Harvey Nichols. nyetimber.com
S M YT H S O N
To celebrateValentine’s Day, Smythson has launched its keepsake Valentine’s book and cute heart-shaped coin purse. Also from its special Valentines range, ‘The Heart That Has Truly Loved Never Forgets’ notebook is bound in supple cross-grain calf leather. The purse is also made from soft leather and is perfect for carrying those pesky coins. smythson.com
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- va len t i n e's g i fts -
Seduce your senses
A LI LA V I LLAS
If you’re looking for a last-minute romantic holiday you’d be hard-pressed to find a more picture perfect location than Alila Villas in Uluwatu, Bali. The hotel is located on a stunning cliff-top retreat high above the Indian Ocean and enjoys mesmerising views and golden sunsets. alilahotels.com
Off the cuff
AU G U ST I N E J EW ELS These gorgeous cufflinks will look elegant against a white shirt and are classic, yet modern. Made in England with natural hessonite and garnet cabochon stones, the cufflinks measure 13mm x 18mm and the garnets weigh 14.5cts. augustinejewels.com
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SAXONIAN HERITAGE...
...timeless elegance, focused to the essential
AUGUSTUS I. case 18 ct rose gold L&H manual winding movement Caliber VII more than 350 individual parts custom-made complex calculation- and switchmechanism for 12 individuall dates and anniversaries
Uhrenmanufaktur LANG & HEYNE www.lang-und-heyne.de
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Perfect papers
W R EN P R ESS
Celebrate your family by indulging in some luxury bespoke stationery. You could use a personally designed monogram or family crest and have it embossed on the finest-quality paper. The Wren Press celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and is renowned for producing truly luxurious bespoke stationery. It holds two Royal Warrants, for both Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Prince Of Wales, and is the official Stationer and Printer to The Royal Household. wrenpress.co.uk
The Year of The Goat
G R A N T M AC D O N A LD
Why not combine Valentine’s Day with a gift that also celebrates the Chinese New Year? This sterling silver Mountain Goat On A Rock piece is handcrafted with 24ct gold plating, mounted on a Lapiz Lazuli stone base and decorated with a fresh water pearl. This piece is fitted with a gold-plated clock. It is on show now in the Harrods boutique of Grant Macdonald and retails for £23,700. grantmacdonald.com
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TIME TO SWISS MONTE ROSA MOUNTAIN PEAK – CANTON VALLIS 10.26 p.m. - He gradually began to unwind. After all, he had given three encores in Zurich yesterday. Now all that remained for him to do was to take in the unforgettable view. He looked at his Manjaz watch. Sadly it was already time for him to go back to the airport. He should remember to book a longer trip next time.
MORE ABOUT THE WATCHES, THE LOCATION AND THE STORY: WWW.MANJAZ.CH
SHARPLIGHT SERIES 6212M XRR-B
BULANGANDSONS.COM
Image: Rob Truijen
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Strawberry fields
G O D I VA
Sublime strawberries dipped in chocolate are the ultimate indulgence and these, available from Godiva, are both stunning and delicious. The only downside is that (of course) you can only buy them in-store. But we think they’re worth the trip. godivachocolates.co.uk
Red alert
AS P R EY
It’s red, it’s leather and it’s practical. A great gift for men of all ages, he’ll love this medium-sized cufflink box in red English saddle leather with soft red-suede lining. Great for the dresser, bedside or for travelling. asprey.com
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The original artworks - Roma - Amor (80 x 100 cm) & You are Enough (80 x 100) - are part of Sirenes Flower Power Collection
The original artworks - Happy (80 x 100cm) & Thank You All (70 x 100 cm) - are part of Sirenes Flower Power Collection
Find more exclusive artwork and print at : www.sirenes.no +47 478 89 841 post@sirenes.no
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- fo o d & d r i n k -
TRENDS AND NEWS FROM THE BEST BARS AND KITCHENS SEA CONTAINERS
Reviewed by Jay Boisvert
On breezy, wet, Wednesday afternoon I find myself marching over Blackfriars bridge en route to check out the restaurant in the new Mondrian Hotel at Sea Containers House. Just walking through reception immediately brightened up my otherwise dull afternoon – an amazing space with walls steeped in copper, and lines and curves that would have made Marilyn Monroe green with envy. In the restaurant the first thing that hits you is its sheer size; a huge dining area with superb views of the Thames and London. The menu is different to other hotels, with plenty of sharing dishes and healthy options to choose from. To start I went for the seasonal oysters, six succulent fresh oysters which tasted as if they had been farmed that morning. For the main I decided to go for the sharing option (with my dining companion, not alone), a dry-aged bone-in rib-eye steak. It was served in tender slices, ready to be polished off, and was truly superb. It also came with bone marrow, which was a first for me but something I will certainly look out for again. To accompany the steak we went for a selection of ovenroasted wild mushrooms served in a garlic butter. From start to finish the service was impeccable, nothing was too much effort and the waiters’ knowledge of the menu and its ingredients was second to none. Excellent food in a beautiful setting is all you can ask for on a otherwise miserable Wednesday afternoon. I will most
HEAVEN SCENT The famous Café Royal this month launches an exclusive Atelier Collection of Cocktails in collaboration with Parfums Givenchy. The collection will be available in the hotel’s vibrant Green Bar and has been developed by mixologist Tiziano Tasso. Designed to mirror the seven Givency fragrances, each cocktail has a distinct colour, and a unique personality and taste. Perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day pre-dinner drink, the cocktails are only available until the end of March – so they’re also perfect for fabulous winter drinks with friends. The recently renovated Mayfair establishment has recently returned to the centre of London’s social scene following a renovation. hotelcaferoyal.com
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certainly be going back – it’s definitely one to enjoy as the evenings get lighter and the views become even better. morganshotelgroup.com
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AMETSA WITH ARZAK INSTRUCTION Despite my self-confessed foodie pretensions – I own pink Himalayan mountain salt, a set of Global knives and a copy of Larousse Gastronomique – I have never made the pilgrimage to the dining mecca that is San Sebastian in Spain. This stunning city sits on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and is renowned for its high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, chief among them being Arzak. For those unwilling to wait a year to get a reservation, why not enjoy a taste of what the restaurant has to offer by visiting the awkwardly named, but really rather wonderful, Ametsa with Arzak Instruction. Based at London’s Halkin Hotel in Belgravia and part of the stylish Como group, it’s had Elena Arzak consult on the menu, resulting in a restaurant that’s already gained itself a Michelin star and a host of plaudits from experts. The room itself is muted and tasteful, although the test tube-laden ceiling gave
Reviewed by Scott Manson
the first hint at the molecular gastronomy that was about to commence. We chose the tasting menu because, frankly, when you are about to try food that has been raised to a high art, it makes sense to experience the best that the kitchen has to offer. It was all beautifully presented, much of it like abstract painting on a plate, but also, crucially, totally delicious. From the wonderful lobster, served on a bed of lichens, to sea bass with a celery ‘illusion’– the illusion being that it was a mousse cleverly designed to look like celery – and small, moist squares of suckling pig served on carob crumbs, this was one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in London. Each course was matched with a wine and, like the waiting staff, the sommelier combined the right level of friendliness with a genuinely educational approach, describing each wine in a way that even non-oenophiles could understand. I came away with the names of at least two new wines to seek
out from my local merchant. Before we came, I’d worried about how busy the room might be, given it was a wet Tuesday evening after new year. The restaurant was packed – a glowing testament to the prowess of the kitchen and, of course, the guiding light from the culinary beacon that is Arzak, pride of northern Spain. A must-check. comohotels.com
The fine art of perfection By Peter Dean It’s not every day that you meet a perfect wine-maker, but that’s what Pierre Seillan is. The wines Pierre makes in Sonoma County, St Emilion and Tuscany might not be to everyone’s taste but to the palate of the world’s number one wine critic, Robert Parker, the Californian Verite wines are perfect and have been honoured as such with 100 Parker points – a score that’s as elusive as a perfect 10 used to be in gymnastics until Nadia Comaneci hit the bars, the non-drinking ones you understand. Parker has awarded Verite wines 100 point scores on no less than seven occasions. Pierre is committed to the concept of terroir – “my role is to translate the message of the soil” – and has a micro cru philosophy whereby he divides each vineyard into small areas defined by specific qualities of the grapes. This he then uses to make blends according to many different possibilities, “like the conductor of an orchestra”, he smiles. Pierre left Bordeaux to join Jackson Family Wines
in California 20 years ago , a move influenced by his desire to break free from the stifling restrictions of the French appellation system, a move that clearly has borne fruit in more ways than one.
Three of the best Verite La Muse, 2007 La Muse is one of three Verite wines and in 2007 all three were awarded 100 points, an unprecedented achievement. La Muse is merlot-dominated, and in line with the micro cru philosophy the grapes have come from four different parcels and been blended superbly. Given merlot is to the fore this wine is totally approachable now but will age for at least another 30 years. Parker called this “a perfect wine, thrilling to smell, taste and drink”. La Joie and Le Desire are the other blends and are available for £280 and £320 a bottle respectively in the 2007 vintage. £373 a bottle, awc-wine.com
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Lasegue, 2006 Pierre loves his cabernet franc that makes up a third of this Merlot Right Bank blend. It therefore tastes green and young, although by picking late (unlike most) in what was a tricky harvest, he managed to get plenty of ripeness into the grapes. Given that Pierre moved to California to escape French vinification regulations, this is a surprisingly ‘by-the-book’ St Emilion that has black fruits, coffee and firm but fresh tannins. £205 for 6 bottles, frw.co.uk Arcanum, 2008 Pierre also oversees wine-making in three international locations. Deep in Chianti Classico country,Tenuta di Arceno produces five Super Tuscan style wines with Pierre having overseen the planting of 2,500 acres into 57 different blocks of grapes.The 2007 I tasted (unavailable in UK) was a humdinger of cherries, black fruit and spicy tobacco. £24.99 a bottle, ashdownwines.co.uk
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For richer or poorer
Why pre-nuptial agreements now hold some sway Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and love is in the air. Perhaps you’re considering proposing, or hoping to become the lucky recipient of a brand new diamond sparkler. But once the engagement notice has been placed in the Telegraph and the venue and honeymoon booked, it’s worth having a full and frank chat with your partner about your joint finances. The good news is that divorce rates are falling. Unfortunately, some marriages will end. When this happens our clients can experience a great deal of acrimony as they fight over the spoils of marriage. But this can be avoided if you take professional advice. The notion of entering into a pre-nuptial agreement may not be romantic, but it is prudent. After all, finances are integral to a marriage and discussing these matters beforehand may prevent considerable problems in the future. I recommend that advice is sought at an early stage as any agreement will come into force from the day of the wedding. And for the agreement to be upheld it should be entered into at least 28 days before the big day. Both parties need to provide full and frank disclosure of their assets and secure separate, independent advice before an agreement is reached as to how much financial provision is made for the weaker party. It is worth noting that the agreement has little prospect of being upheld unless the reasonable financial needs of the weaker party are met. A pre-nuptial agreement can also clarify – and provide certainty – for the financial rights and responsibilities you have to one another during your marriage, and the distribution of property in the case of divorce or death. For the wealthier party it can provide an opportunity to protect family wealth, while for the financially weaker party it can secure a guaranteed provision that meets their needs.
Of course, life changes. You may go on to have children or experience a change in wealth. It is therefore important that the agreement has provision for review in what is called a post-nuptial agreement. Another popular misconception is that prenuptial arrangements are only for the wealthy. This is not always the case. You should consider entering into a agreement if you have assets such as a home, stock or retirement funds, or if you own or part-own a business. You should also get advice if you are expecting an inheritance or want to protect the family wealth for future generations. Lastly, if one party is much wealthier than the other, or if you have children and grandchildren from a former marriage, then a pre-nuptial agreement may be worthwhile. In law, such agreements remain ‘persuasive’and not mandatory. A court still retains the jurisdiction to determine how assets and income should be divided upon divorce. But interestingly, a case from 2010 led to a sea change in how pre-nuptial agreements are viewed by the courts. The wife in this case was the financially wealthier party, even though the husband had assets of his own. She had net assets worth £300m at the time of marriage and stood to inherit considerably more from her wealthy parents. She was persuaded by her parents into entering into a pre-nuptial agreement to protect the family wealth for future generations. The agreement provided for a separation of the party’s assets and neither party making any financial claims against each other on divorce. Following divorce, the husband received £5.56m, including £2.5m for housing so the children could stay with him in London. He also received a lump sum. However, the Court of Appeal reduced the settlement, awarding him only the provision of a home, the ownership of which would revert back
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Jay Patel Partner, Family Department, Howard Kennedy LLP to the wife when the youngest child turned 18. The Supreme Court refused the husband’s further appeal and upheld the terms of the agreement. It meant the husband received a lump sum in lieu of monthly payments of maintenance. This meant that the wife successfully protected her family’s wealth from substantial claims by her husband. I certainly believe the courts are attaching more weight to such agreements, and in time legislation will be introduced to make such agreements legally binding. With that in mind I would recommend all newly engaged couples tie up an agreement before they tie the knot. We sincerely hope they can then shut it away in the safe – and never need look at it again.
WWW.BORGIONIS.COM
The
Got a question about timepieces? Put it to AskMen.com’s Watch Snob. Be warned: you may not like what he has to say… Learning to love Longines What are your views on Longines? I’ve carried out research on the brand but feel I need the opinion of an expert. In a related question, what do you think of the Longines Legend Diver? Longines is one of those great names that fell on hard times thanks to the so-called Quartz Crisis (which in my opinion was not such a bad thing, as historically the only thing capable of shaking the Swiss out of the lethargy, habitual greed and self-satisfied complacency that is their natural birthright is an existential threat). I grudgingly admit that in recent years it has produced some reasonably interesting watches, interspersed among the more flaccid designs so characteristic of Swiss design at its best. The Legend Diver is a not an entirely unappealing watch, although I find the tendency of men who will never dive to wear dive watches endlessly amusing – in this case the more so thanks to the appearance of the inner rotating bezel, which was abandoned on modern dive watches for a reason. Still, we all find ways to solace ourselves on the meanness, smallness and narrowly circumscribed limits of our own quotidian lives, and if the Legend Diver will help steel you against the yawning vacuity of your own existence, who am I to judge?
Upgrading my dive watch I want to start with the fact that I am actually a diver and also a US Special Forces veteran now working in the private sector as the CEO of a company.
That said, I’m still into dive watches. Right now I’m wearing an Omega PO 42mm on steel. One of the reasons I got it was the fact that everyone here has a Rolex, but I prefer more distinct pieces. Although I love the PO, I feel that I’m getting too old for it; at 35 I would like to upgrade to a safer choice, such as theJaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph or the IWC Charles Darwin Bronze. I really like the new IWC Aquatimer line and the Bronze is fantastic. I salute you, stalwart Warrior Of The Deep. This is not an easy decision to make because although there are many diver’s watches, there are almost as many bad diver’s watches. IWC is not the technical powerhouse it was; it prefers to fiddle around with film stars than make good watches these days, and I have no doubt that if Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is spinning in his grave it’s IWC’s fault.Avoid. The Jaeger LeCoultre is not a bad watch but it has always impressed me as a trifle fussy for a diver’s watch. Here are two suggestions for watches you will not find yourself running into every day: the Cartier Calibre de Cartier diver’s watch and the Seiko Marine Master 600. The former is a surprisingly good dive watch from the last company from whom you would never have expected such a thing, and the latter is the latest in a long line of truly serious tool watches from one of the few watch companies that still takes making a good diver’s watch seriously. Incidentally, the fact that many knuckledragging mouth-breathers wear Rolexes
should not necessarily deter you. It makes a good watch.
Should I choose Glycine? I saw on your Reddit thread that you recommend Seiko as a brand to consider for those who can’t afford luxury watches. What is your opinion on its line of hybrid movements it refers to as ‘kinetic’? If someone wants a mechanical watch, does this qualify? The Seiko Kinetic is not a mechanical watch that would satisfy a purist’s definition, but it is an interesting piece of technology in its own right. After all, what do we really object to in quartz watches? The problem with the damned things is that the moment you begin to use it, the battery starts to slowly go flat – perhaps over several years. I have never cared for the feeling of something dying a long, slow, inevitable death on my wrist (it reminds me of the months-long gradual decline and death of my favourite pet tortoise, Pitt The Elder, when I was of tender years. Away, dark memory). The Kinetic solves this problem neatly; the only real problem is finding one that is reasonably attractive. Seiko, for all its technical prowess, occasionally produce, for reasons best understood perhaps through a perusal of its popular graphic novels, some of the most bizarrely ill-advised and peculiar designs in the history of watchmaking; the Kinetic watches seem to be especially the recipients of these dubious efforts. Of course, if you are looking for an incredible variety of flat-out weird designs, look no further.
To read more from the Watch Snob, head to askmen.com - 44 -
FOUNDED 1985
Celebrating 30 Years of Pre-eminence in Print Personal Stationery . Corporate Stationery . Weddings & Events
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Style upgrade London Collections: Men, the UK’s biggest menswear showcase, was hailed as the most impressive gathering yet, with global brands returning including Alexander McQueen, Belstaff, Burberry Prorsum, Margaret Howell, Moschino, Paul Smith and Tom Ford, plus new additions that included Aquascutum Men’s, Barbour, Coach, Kilgour and Todd Lynn making their debuts. The showcase celebrates the creative and commercial importance of the British menswear industry - as well as giving us some firm predictions on what the best dressed men will be wearing this year. Tempus, of course, had front row seats.
Gieves and Hawkes Fashion designers often pick a part of the body to accentuate and this year they’ve gone for the waist. Classic cut suit jackets paired with higher waisted trousers. A waistcoat is optional, of course, but recommended. A crisp white shirt creates the perfect finish. Bespoke two-piece suits from £1,895 gievesandhawkes.com
Ancient Greek Sandals Making their debut at LC:M, this brand has brought an incredible amount of creativity to a footwear category that had been static for quite some time. Yes, they are sandals. Yes, we will want them – and no, on no account should they be worn with socks. AGS pour Carven Homer – €340 ancient-greek-sandals.com
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- fas h i o n & ac c ess o r i es -
Words – Peter Jenkinson
Burberry An exemplary waterproof coat is a wardrobe essential, and this new Burberry Prorsum coat retains the brand’s sky-high standards. This mint-green version is definitely the stand-out in the collection, the full-grain leather collar adding further definition – one very sharp garment. Caban coat – £1,695 uk.burberry.com
Tom Ford Quite likely one of the most intense scent ranges for men to appear in years, the aroma was sported by many fashion editors attending the shows. This set holds half a dozen mini decanters, including the Neroli Portofino, Jasmin Rouge, Oud Wood, Tuscan Leather, Tobacco Vanilla and Noir. Tom Ford Private Blend Collection – £220 harrods.com
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Mauijim Floral has been hanging around in the background for some time now, but this year it will take centre stage. A Sauvage and Givenchy were among the names with powerful prints on show. For a more subtle way to join this blossoming scene these Hawaiian-inspired sunglasses are ideal. You move me – £312 mauijim.com
- D et ro i t Au to S h ow -
Dateline: Detroit, January. The new flagship Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS was unveiled, boasting performanceoptimising GTS package with the Targa body style. Porsche’s hallmark horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine generates 430bhp and 325lb/ft pound-feet of torque. Buyers can choose between a seven-speed manual transmission or Porsche’s PDK automated-manual transmission, also with seven speeds. With the PDK transmission, Porsche claims the 911 Targa 4 GTS will accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds, while its top speed is 186mph. Porsche’s latest iteration of the Targa concept automatically lifts the rigid centre roof section up and out of the way, stowing it in the rear cargo area. Prices have yet to be announced, but this headturner is due go on sale in the UK soon, with the first customers expected to receive their cars in May.
Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS
o s t c
e j b o
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d f o
e r i s e
Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
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The 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is the latest reinvention of the company’s most powerful Cayenne and boasts a powerful 562bhp and 589lb/ft of torque. The four-wheel drive, eightspeed automatic can reach 62mph in just 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 176mph. Thankfully, it also sports huge carbon ceramic brakes to haul it back down from the ear-popping high speeds. Cosmetic newbies include gloss black highlights, yellow brake callipers, 21-inch alloys, sports exhaust, body-colour wheel-arch extensions, rear spoiler and carbon-fibre trim. On the inside there’s a new two-tone black and cream upholstery option. It should arrive in the UK in April and it’ll cost you £118,455 – without the extras.
How to Create the World’s Finest Luggage...
Accept no compromise // Design with passion // Innovate without boundaries //
//Insist on the finest materials //Work only with the most dedicated and skilled craftsmen
An uncompromised synthesis of function, aesthetics and the finest materials including the best Italian leather, carbon fibre from Formula 1, aeronautical aluminium, polished Titanium and solid Rhodium plated English sterling silver. Available exclusively in the UK at Harrods’ travel goods & luggage department. For the rest of the world, please contact QoW direct.
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We will send a matching set of accessories with our compliments to all Tempus readers who purchase a Charlie (pictured above left) or Lungo (pictured above right) by June 1st 2015.
- sty le a dv i c e -
Move over, man bags From the latest trends to accessories that will last a lifetime, our experts explain the importance of choosing the perfect luggage arsenal
Ettinger Robert Ettinger, CEO of Ettinger, on how owning the right bags for the right occasion can create the perfect impression. Here at Ettinger we create leather pieces that get our customers noticed. I myself experience this every day, whether working or travelling. I guarantee that if you walk into a meeting carrying one of our St James attaché cases from the Heritage Collection, your business colleagues will be impressed. They are hand-stitched and bespoke and come in a choice of colours and linings for both men and women. In meetings they cannot fail to set the tone. Equally important is to carry documents or presentations in a portfolio case that is striking and we’re proud of our new Bakerloo case, which comes in a range of colours with foldaway handles. I believe it’s important to have the right armoury of cases and bags that perfectly fit different situations. They should be classic, hardwearing and beautifully crafted. Essential is the perfect weekend bag. We have recently launched the Cotswold canvass and leather bag, which is both stylish and strong.
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This bag is made with leather so soft and supple that it can be squeezed, if necessary, into the boot of a sports car or the overhead storage compartment on a plane – and yet emerge at the end of your journey looking like new. I have real wanderlust and find travel one of life’s biggest joys. I also firmly believe it is important to balance business and leisure time. When I travel I carry all my documents in our new large travel wallet. Called the Paddington, it’s big enough to carry everything you need – even your phone or jewellery – but also fits into most hotel safes. Again, it creates the right impression. When our customers arrive at a hotel reception desk and produce their confirmation or passport from this stunning wallet, the staff certainly notice and, I’m pretty certain, treat them with even more reverence. It’s always good to be noticed and we’re proud that our Ettinger collections can help. ettinger.co.uk
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QoW Fernando Jordan, founder and designer of QoW, explains why it’s important to invest in high quality luggage. As a global traveller and designer I wanted reliable, practical, great-looking luggage. Unfortunately, I was offered form or function, but never both. Just superficial good looks, low-cost materials and poor workmanship, or a bomb-proof construction with little or no regard to visual appeal. Even renowned brands often turn to the East for cheap plastics and cheaper assembly-line manufacturing. Many cases (regardless of logo or price) feature mass-produced, standardised telescopic handles and other components bought off-the-shelf – just one reason why they are easily and profitably faked. I have therefore dedicated the past four years to creating the very luggage I sought, based on a simple philosophy: no compromise. Combining passionate design, innovative engineering, the finest materials and the collaboration of the most skilled craftsman, I created a handmade, bespoke luggage collection that appeals as much to the demanding traveller as to the discerning collector. Mass-produced cases can never offer that, but then such manufacturers do not feature the finest Italian leather, Formula 1 carbon fibre, aeronautical aluminium, polished titanium or rhodium-plated English sterling silver.
More than a dozen prototypes were tested – one catching the eye of Amsterdam’s Tassenmuseum Hendrikje. Finally, late last year, the QoW Carbon Couture Collection was introduced. Some are drawn to the tactile pleasure of the materials, others to the trompe-l’œil of our hubless, silent wheels, or to the hidden engineering of the world’s first carbon fibre telescopic handle. There is a price, though, to owning the finest
All hail the duffel bag Dominique Siby, owner and designer of Felio Siby. Every man should own a beautiful duffel bag as they are so versatile and should last a lifetime. The original bag had a drawstring top but today’s bags vary in style. The name comes from Duffel in Belgium, where the bags were first made. They were made with a very thick cloth and originally used by the military. The duffel bag acquired real fame in the surfing communities in California and Australia in the early 1960s. The bags I design are similar in shape, but I have added luxurious twists. Some feature python, alligator, ostrich or crocodile skin, although my favourite leather to work with at the moment is bull shoulder from Scotland, which I pair with hard-wearing carbon fibre. I think it is worth investing in and paying a little more for the perfect duffel bag. You can use them as overnight bags, sports bags or luggage holdalls. I always think of a duffel bag as being your luggage version of a best friend. feliosiby.com
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luggage. Just as the latest Lamborghini is prone to be flagged down by traffic police keen to peek under the bonnet, so I have attracted the polite attention of customs officers curious to see inside my case. Invest in the best and you will be rewarded with the pleasure of ownership and a lifetime of service – unless, of course, you happen to be a smuggler. qowltd.com
THE M E T R O P O L I TA N COLLECTION
ETTINGER.CO.UK
Grand Tourbillon Oculus
Sapphire Tourbillon Bridge & Silicon Escapement
www.ateliers-demonaco.com
- wo m en's watc h es -
Words – Laura McCreddie
Women’s hour Switzerland has started to take women’s watches seriously. Laura McCreddie looks at some of the brands leading the charge
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Y
ou know you’re on the cusp of a major paradigm shift when someone does something unexpected but captures the zeitgeist completely. There was Marc Jacobs who, in 1992, defined grunge and nearly ruined his career by sending supers down a catwalk with bedraggled hair and bare faces; the moment everyone thought Radiohead had lost it when they released Kid A and, last year, when IWC, a brand that prides itself on being ‘engineered for men’, announced to the world that is was launching a women’s watch collection. And what a collection it was. The watches were a masterclass in how to make a desirable timepiece for the discerning female. Yes, there were diamonds, but in delicate bands around the bezel, and by bringing in complications such as a second time zone on its Automatic Day/Night, IWC showed that it was thinking about the practicalities of modern life for women.
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Female customers specifically requested this kind of watch from IWC
Then there was the accompanying photography exhibition shot by Peter Linderbergh, featuring Cate Blanchett and Emily Blunt in dinner suits – the epitome of sophisticated womanhood. And all this came about because IWC had taken the time to find out what its customers actually wanted. “Female customers specifically requested this kind of watch from IWC,” explains Georg Kern, the brand’s CEO. “Lots of women don’t like a particularly girly style, which is why we’ve gone with the midsize and why we’ve called it the Midsize.” IWC may have been the brand making the boldest statement but it wasn’t the only one launching women’s watches that looked as though some thought had gone into them, rather than just opting for the usual approach of taking a man’s watch, shrinking the dial diameter and throwing some diamonds at it. Emily Blunt (above) and Cate Blanchett were the two stars chosen to showcase IWC’s new range for women in a campaign shot by renowned photographer Peter Linderbergh
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Montblanc’s Boheme collection was in complete contrast to the women’s watches the brand normally launches. There was none of the simpering prettiness of its previous Princess Grace-inspired pieces; instead we got straps in riotous colours, serious movements under the dial and its first-ever perpetual calendar for women. And again, it was created to satisfy a demand. “There is an increasing demand from women for watches that combine feminine elegance with watchmaking precision, especially mechanical movements,” says Alexander Schmiedt, Montblanc International’s managing director for watches. “When we created the Boheme collection we had a woman in mind, who we called the Boheme lady. She knows who she is and what she wants. She goes beyond just external values and looks for substance.” In other words, move over Grace, there’s a new broad in town. It’s interesting that all this has happened against a backdrop of women finding their voices, both politically and socially, and being more confident in expressing their wants and opinions.
It is this forthrightness that Christoph Behling, TAG Heuer’s lead designer and the person who reinterpreted another very masculine watch, the Carrera, for a female audience, believes delineates how men and women buy watches. “When men buy watches it’s the story behind the product that inspires them. It’s things like whether it’s the fastest chronograph in the world or if it’s the diving watch that can go the deepest. They like things that are real and engineered; where science, art and romance are merged together,” he explains. “These narratives aren’t relevant to women. It is more direct – ‘I like it’ or ‘I don’t like it’. There is a much stronger confidence in the aesthetic decision. Because women have this confidence from a much earlier age than men, it means they will take bigger risks and just buy what they like.” And it looks as though the Swiss watch industry is finally responding to that confidence and seeing women as a separate sector of the market, with different wants and needs that can’t be satisfied with something pink and sparkly. It’s about time.
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Designed by Fiona. Crafted by artisans. Made for you.
Available exclusively from
Lasting values crafted by masters.
The name “Meister” has stood for classic watchmaking at Junghans since 1936. The Meister watches of today follow in this tradition, for they are a result of both passion for precision and close attention to quality. Choosing a Junghans Meister demonstrates appreciation for these values and for beautiful watchmaking – like our sporty Meister, the Meister Chronoscope.
www.junghans.co.uk · info@thebluecompanylondon.co.uk
- wo m en's watc h es -
Which watch? And when? Now that women have more choice, that means looking at building a watch wardrobe. Here are five watches for different occasions
The ‘everyday’ watch You can’t go wrong with TAG Heuer’s newly designed Carrera. The predominant story was that the original was inspired by the Carrera Panamerican Mexico race, which was incredibly dangerous. However, Behling discovered it was also influenced by a particular type of modernist architecture that was popular in California in the 1960s and that Jack Heuer was fond of. So Behling took the latter as the starting point for his female interpretation. The Carrera comes in numerous iterations, but the pared-back elegance of this white dial with rose gold indices makes it the must-buy of the collection. RRP: £2,195
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The intelligent evening watch There’s something about a moonphase that makes it perfect for a night out. It illustrates a brand’s technical prowess, but has a wonderful whimsy to it that softens a watch. Of all of the timepieces in IWC’s Portofino Midsize collection its Automatic Moon Phase stood out. It has diamonds, a beautiful mother-of-pearl dial and is kept from tipping into being overtly feminine by its leather strap. This version, with the silver-grey dial and contrasting blue moonphase, is the one to have. RRP: £10,250
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The quirky weekender You’ve got your Carrera for everyday, when your outfits are slightly more sober, but when you want something that has a sense of fun you need look no further than Nomos’s Tetra Kleene. Nomos is well known for its well-made automatic watches at reasonable prices and this is no exception. For starters, it just looks cool. The green dial is unusual but not in a scary way, its delicate proportions look elegant on the wrist and it contains Nomos’s new escapement or ‘swing system’, which it spent seven years developing with the University of Dresden. The very definition of brains and beauty. RRP: £1,850
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Rapport Watch Winders The Ultimate Winder for Prestige Automatic Watches
Exclusive online offer for Tempus readers
10% Discount off the website collection Use the offer code “TEMPUS” at the checkout – available for a limited period only
www.rapportlondon.com
- wo m en's watc h es -
The sporty number For a watch that will stand up to anything you can’t go wrong with Rolex, or more specifically this gorgeous blue-dialled update to its Milgauss range that it launched last year. It’s waterproof to 100m, the steel is corrosion resistant and, as it is a Milgauss, you can stand next to a massive magnet and your watch won’t be affected in the slightest. And, just as importantly, it looks great on the wrist. RRP: £5,500
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Blow the budget Women used to have to make the choice between spending money on diamonds or on complications when forking out serious sums. However, this Girard-Perregaux combines high jewellery with fine watchmaking to exquisite effect. The diamond-set case shows off the brand’s jewellery prowess, while the tourbillon at six o’clock illustrates its haute horlogerie heart. No compromise necessary. Approx £30,000
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KINGS ROAD
JERMYN STREET
ELDON STREET
www.emmettlondon.com
CANARY WHARF
- T EC H & toys -
Words – Peter Jenkinson
The world of technology last month besieged Las Vegas for CES, the global showcase of what’s hot in the tech area. More than 20,000 new product announcements were made, and of course Tempus was there to bring you the low-down of 2015’s best buys
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- T EC H & TOYS -
resso Regal range
Intensely tactile, this Android smartphone achieves ultra-slim status of just 8.8mm inside a titanium case. Add white gold or opt for the 18ct gold option, but be aware that this is a a limited-edition run. Each phone is hand-finished and retains a feature list as impressive as its looks. gresso.com
elestron CGEM DX 1400 HD
Offering observatory-level viewing, this premium machine is the choice of professional stargazers. Perfect for the home or yacht, once set up and initially aligned, you simply set the onboard computer. astronomia.co.uk
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Ferrari 250 GTO
Lamborghini Miura
SWISS ARTIST
presents a unique collectible 1:24 sculpture of the most famous iconic sports cars The Ferrari 250 GTO and the legendary Lamborghini Miura are the third and fourth in the award winning artist series of iconic sports cars after the Mercedes Benz 300SL and the Aston Martin DB5. The latest release is the Ford GT 40. A limited edition of 50 pieces from each car will be made in solid silver finished with 24 karat gold. One special edition of each iconic sports car will be made in solid gold of 18 karat finished with 24 karat gold.
Every art piece comes with a piano black lacquered case containing a solid silver USB Stick finished with 24 Karat gold, containing the certificate and a number of videos of Dante’s artwork. Now available DANTE USB stick pure silver 46.5 g and 24 karat gold plated, supplied with a piano black lacquered case. The ultra-fast USB 3.0 stick has storage space for 64 GB of data.
Design by Dante GmbH | Murtenstr. 34 | CH-3202 Frauenkappelen | Switzerland | info@dantedesign.ch | www.dantedesign.ch
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aria cart
Vegas has some incredible golf courses and what better way to carry your clubs than in this incredible Danishbuilt golf cart. More car than cart, the award-winning design has a multitude of customisable options to further enhance its looks and is also available with a 2+2 seating option. garia.com
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JI Inspire One
Introducing the only remote-control drone that records in ultra high definition. This flying machine has retractable legs that move upwards in flight, thereby offering the camera an uninterrupted 360-degree view. On-board GPS allows live mapping of your journey and just one click brings your machine back to base. flyinggadgets.co.uk
sim uInfinity Chair
Every man needs his own special chair for watching TV or gaming, and this one is about the best on the market. The leather seat offers superlative comfort from the moment you sit down and delivers the best auto-massage on the planet. Built-in stereo speakers add a cocoon-like element to a chair that is also guaranteed to annoy the wife. osim.com
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ontblanc e-Strap
The movement toward smartwatches will only ever be at a snail’s pace unless there is a paradigm shift in design. This interesting solution enables the benefits of mobile alerts to your wrist but on a unit that’ll embrace your existing timepiece. The 0.9-inch monochrome OLED touchscreen display will handle basic notifications and features an activity tracker that’ll feed into an accompanying iOS and Android app. montblanc.com
G EG9900
With the battle for TV set supremacy being fought on the 4k ultra-high definition front, South Korean outfit LG has really outflanked the competition with this 77-inch model that transforms from curved screen and back again at the touch of a button. In addition to the shape-shifting screen, the EG990 is loaded with LG’s latest WebOS+ smart hub, a 10-core processor and Harman/Kardonbranded speakers. lg.com
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p ro m ot i o n
Born for serious fun LuxuryWaterToys provides yacht standing watersports services, sales and Rental. Our innovative and exclusive products are selected and designed to meet your high expectations. Our Jetsurf is the lightest powered surfboard ever built. Made from high tech materials such as Carbon Fibre and Kevlar, the Jetsurf will bring a whole new, thrilling experience to your time on the water. The Jetsurf combines physical effort and pure fun, mixing the world of extreme sport with the world of Luxury. VIP Training: We offer you an exclusive service with personal trainers. Wherever you want - in villas, hotels or on a boat. Whenever you whant - our teams are avalaible at any time to show you the perfect match between serious action and fun. As Jetsurf World Champions 2013, we guarantee you the highest quality instruction. Let us show you a new form of leisure - we know you will be amazed.
www.luxurywatertoys.eu - info@luxurywatertoys.eu - +33(0)6.18.93.07.57
- T EC H & toys -
alypso Reference
Your CD collection may not be getting the airtime it deserves but this, the most advanced CD player on the market, delivers unparalleled sound reproduction through highly advanced engineering. By isolating the internal components, vibrations inside this piece of kit are vastly reduced and the sound quality improved, resulting in impressive decibel levels. absolutesounds.com
byss AB-1266
Taking an orchestra around with you is an inconvenience and strapping speakers to your head is mildly ridiculous, but wanting superior sound isn’t too much to ask, is it? The creators of these headphones certainly didn’t think so and produced a set that outpaces all its rivals. They come complete with a stand to show off their intense style when not in use. audioaffair.co.uk
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etsurf GP 100
Stood astride this two-stroke surfboard you can achieve speeds up to 55kph and reach a grininduced status that is off the scale. Engineered with minimum environmental impact in mind, this carbon fibre and Kevlar creation is light enough to transport manually – not that this thrill delivery system will spend much time out of the water. luxurywatertoys.eu
aramotor
For an airborne adventure that’ll be hard to surpass this new piece of kit has everything needed to hit the skies in style. Part of the package includes a 10-day session with the creators. After that, you’re set to take-off for breathtaking views without the need for a private runway. parajet.com
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- T EC H & TOYS -
Board
Who doesn’t remember their first skateboard with fondness? New for 2015 is the E Board, a gyro-stabilised platform that contains an acceleration sensor so you control your direction and speed via the pressure pad with your feet. Weighing in at just 10kg and with a top speed of 10kph, it’s the ideal time-saver between flight transfers, easy to use and looks cool too. spycatcheronline.co.uk
eridian Explorer2
Meridian’s Explorer2 is a portable, compact and rugged pocket USB DAC delivering best-in-class audio performance. Developed from the highly successful and acclaimed Explorer, Explorer2 features a significantly more powerful DSP capability, allowing the full range of Meridian’s powerful enhancement technologies to be included, along with native 192kHz/24-bit playback. It’s also the first product offering decoding and rendering for Meridian’s unique MQA ‘Master Quality Authenticated’ process, which delivers the true sound of the studio to listeners for the first time. meridian-audio.com
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Tourbillon-6, limited series of six pieces. Handcraî‚?ed in Voutilainen workshop. www.voutilainen.ch
- sihh -
Words – Dawn Alford
There were celebrations in Geneva, and rightly so as SIHH celebrated its silver jubilee
The first major event of the year, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, has come a long way in 25 years. So far, in fact, that the initials SIHH speak for themselves. In horological circles they have become a byword for quality and authenticity, and the event is widely recognised as the most luxurious trade show in the world. Only 16 brands show at the invitation-only event, 13 of which are owned by the Richemont Group, and experts and owners alike agree that the event sets the tone for the coming year and supplies its fair share of surprises and new discoveries. Here’s Tempus’s guide to some of the best new faces in town.
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Panerai
Heritage-inspired pieces were on display at Panerai with its roots as suppliers to the Italian navy shining through in the new pieces. Most talked about was the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 Carbotech. The material is made by compressing thin sheets of carbon fibre with a high-end polymer called polyether ether ketone, which creates a lightweight, ultra-strong material that is anticorrosive and hypoallergenic The manufacturing process of carbotech gives each watch an uneven, matt black finish, meaning no two are the same. panerai.com
Zenith
To mark its 150th anniversary and to pay homage to its founder, Zenith has introduced the new Academy Georges Favre-Jacot. The timepiece’s 45mm rose-gold case houses a highfrequency hand-wound El Primero 4810 movement beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. Blued steel hands for hours, minutes, seconds and power reserve indicator create a nice contrast with the grained, silver-toned dial. The watch is 14.35mm thick and production will be limited to 150, priced at approximately ₏66,000. zenith-watches.com
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Roger Dubuis
Having firmly established itself as the pioneer of contemporary skeleton calibers and specialists in architectural and technical mechanics, Roger Dubuis has declared 2015 as ‘the year of the skeleton’. Debuting at the show was the Excalibur Spider Flying Tourbillon The new timepiece is presented in an ultralight titanium case with a black aluminium case-band and measures 45mm by 13.75mm. The dial is fully skeletonised with a black chapter ring, a white minute track and titanium screws that mark the hours. The hour and minute hands are in a black DLC treated gold and have been skeletonised. rogerdubuis.com
IWC
In 2015 IWC Schaffhausen celebrates the 75th birthday of a watch family steeped in tradition: the Portugieser. Its collection comes with a host of technologicalanddesign modifications, as wellas new features. TheSwiss luxurywatch manufacturer is developing more of its own in-house movements and plans to launch three new caliber families in the years ahead. iwc.com
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best of british Peter Wilson Mbe, olympic Gold Medallist London 2012, with a holland & holland ‘sporting’ over-and-Under shotgun. A gun made entirely in our London factory.
shop online now at www.hollandandholland.com
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Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin unveiled seven first models of a new collection christened Harmony at SIHH. Issued in limited editions to celebrate its 260th anniversary, these watches feature a cushion shape and a design inspired by a chronograph first introduced in 1928. Special editions also bear the prestigious hallmark of Geneva and are adorned with the finest haute horlogerie finishing. vacheron-constantin.com
A. Lange & Sรถhne
This Datograph has benefited from some new additions in 2015, including a version of the Datograph in 18ct rose gold. The Datograph Perpetual adds a perpetual calendar to the chronograph, date and power complications. The pairing of a solid white-gold case with a grey dial adds elegance and charisma. alange-soehne.com
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Mont Blanc
Inspired by the spirit of Mont Blanc’s iconic Meisterstück fountain pen, the Mont Blanc Heritage Spirit Collection embodies traditional craftsmanship, timeless design and outstanding functionality. The Mont Blanc Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum literally adds a global perspective to the collection. The world itself, in Latin ‘orbis terrarum’, is at the core of the manufacture complication and is in the centre of the dial. montblanc.com
Greubel Forsey
While a number of astronomical indications could be driven by the Mechanical Computer of the QP à Equation, Greubel Forsey has chosen to focus here on one of the rarest and most mysterious astronomical complications, one that is directly linked to the perpetual calendar: the equation of time. This measures the difference throughout the year between solar time (also called sundial or true solar time) and mean time that is conventionally fixed at 24 hours a day throughout the year. The length of a day in solar time varies according to the position of the earth on its elliptical orbit around the sun. The difference between the two time scales reaches around +16 minutes in November and about -14 minutes in February. greubelforsey.com
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etonshirts.com – facebook.com/etonofsweden
• Official Service Station for Agusta • A dedicated and professional team for an efficient follow-up after-sales
• The leading expert in providing safe and secure helicopter transportation • A specialized helicopter management team with a professional and discreet service • One of the most exciting European helicopter fleet for a unique service from its bases of Monaco, Geneva, Courchevel, Paris, St Tropez and Le Castellet
• A large fleet of single and twin engines helicopters for business transfers and VIP transportation • A dedicated helicopter management, from flight operation with a customized handling service to the maintenance support • The perfect helicopter/yacht interface to support yacht’s owners in helicopter management operation
MONACAIR
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SKYCAM
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Jaeger-LeCoultre
The new Master Calendar dress watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre is out of this world, quite literally, setting its astronomical complications within a physical piece of space – a meteorite. It features a revised case and meteorite dial. The meteorite used comes from a single stone, both found and registered in Sweden. It began life in the asteroid belt somewhere between Mars and Jupiter. jaeger-lecoultre.com
Richard Mille
Richard Mille really impressed with the incredible new RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur for women. This exciting timepiece’s beautiful petals open and close, revealing or hiding the tourbillon escapement. And, when the magnolia opens, the entire flying tourbillon with its gemstone-set stamen actually moves upwards by a millimetre when fully opened, just as the stamen of the flower in nature when fully opened arches upward. Beautiful and limited to 30 pieces worldwide. richardmille.com
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Spas
Sit back, relax and enjoy the Tempus guide to six of the world’s most luxurious retreats - 90 -
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Ananda Spa
the Himalayas, India This stunning 24,000 sq ft spa offers an extensive menu of more than 80 body and beauty treatments, integrating the traditional Indian systems of ayurveda with the more contemporary Western spa approach. With a unique focus on the traditional Indian sciences of yoga and ayurveda, Ananda Spa creates a skilful synthesis between age-old therapies and modern spa technology. The personalised therapy and activities programmes are designed to meet individual needs and health goals – de-stress, detoxification and cleansing, deep relaxation, anti-ageing, and weight and inch loss, while also offering guidance on nutrition and exercise.
 Of course, if you tire of treatments and the stunning views, Ananda Spa also offers a temperature-controlled outdoor lap pool and a state of the art 16-station life-cycle gym. anandaspa.com
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Asia Gardens Hotel and Spa
Alicante, Spain This beautiful spa is located in one of the most privileged spots on the Mediterranean coast, 150m above sea level on the slopes of the Sierra Cortina. The hotel itself combines contemporary luxury with the opulence of Indian and Thai palaces – transporting guests into another world where Asia meets the Mediterranean. From the Balinese influence in the rooms to the private Thai spa cabins and exotic expanse of Asian-styled gardens, with spectacular views over the Mediterranean, everything is designed to bring complete peace of mind. With more than 160 different botanical species and rambling cascading water features throughout the resort, the subtle Eastern scents and soothing sounds of Asia Gardens promises the ultimate in exclusivity and relaxation. barcelo.com
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specialists in the retail of niche perfume & luxury home fragrance
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WITH OUT
Ultrasound Non-invasive Break the face-lift sound barrier with this treatment, which rejuvenates the deeper layers and reactivates the radiance of the skin. Stimulated by ultrasound energy, skin starts to produce new collagen, causing it to tighten naturally. By working more deeply than any of the other existing techniques, this method regenerates skin tissue by restoring the skin’s memory. Among other things, ultrasound treatment is very efficient for the rejuvenation of eye contours, the oval of the face and double chin.
AESTHETIC DERMATOLOGY LASER TREATMENTS ANTI-AGEING PLASTIC SURGERY PREVENTIVE MEDICINE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE HAIR EXPERT CENTER
SURGE RY
Exclusively
Exclusively
Bio Hair Implants
Haute Couture
at Clinic Lémanic
Natural aspect Biocompatible implants (BHI), unique because of their structure (monofilament), their physicochemical properties and their solidity, represent an elegant solution for overcoming hair loss of all origins in both women and men. They also increase hair density and volume. This non-surgical treatment provides immediate and lasting results.
at Clinic Lémanic
Face-lift without surgery HAUTE COUTURE offers face tightening, in one or two sessions, to rejuvenate and redefine the oval of the face through the use of original absorbable threads, combined with adjuvant effects of enriched autologous plasma and light therapy. This represents a giant step in regenerative medicine.
In recognition of its excellent medical aesthetic services and its innovation, Clinic Lémanic has been awarded several international prizes, including an IIPP distinction at UNESCO in Paris in 2012 for merits in the development of medical and cosmetic technology.
Clinic Lémanic | 2 Avenue de la Gare, Lausanne, Switzerland | Tél : +41 21 321 20 85 | info@cliniclemanic.ch
www.cliniclemanic.ch
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Desroches Island
Seychelles Idyllic and independently owned, this coral island is surrounded by white, sandy beaches and a protective reef. It’s the ultimate island destination, with luxurious accommodation in a heavenly setting of unspoiled beaches and lush, green forests. At the Escape spa, guests can enjoy relaxing treatments or energising exercise in this haven of luxury and tranquillity. Escape is run by experienced and fully trained Balinese, Indian and Thai masseuses, who offer a range of soothing and energising spa treatments using Elemental Herbology products; it also offers Dr Hauschka facials. In addition, Escape boasts a yoga platform, the perfect place to take a relaxing exercise class and breathe in the island air. desroches-island.com
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lift up If you’re considering a French Lift, then there is no-one better than The Master of the French Lift himself- Mr Peter Cumbo Otherwise described as Non surgical face lift, or french lift or One stitch lift or No scar face lift, the french lift is an excellent treatment for both men and women who have mid face and cheek drooping. it is a minimally invasive procedure that gives you a youthful jawline which lasts up to five years. The major benefit to the French lift is that it leaves small hidden scars and there is less than two weeks downtime! the results are fantastic. facial tiredness is erased giving you a younger and very natural appearance.
BefOre
After
The Harley Street Skin Clinic 48 harley street, london, w1G 9pu www.harleystreetskinclinic.com 020 7436 4441
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Shanti Maurice
Mauritius Nestling between sugar cane fields and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, Shanti Maurice satisfies all the senses. With exotic gardens, pristine white sands and a sublime spa, you’ll find a place, and people, devoted to pleasure. Unashamedly indulgent, the spa comprises 75,000 sq ft of unsurpassed, restorative, soothing, invigorating and rejuvenating perfection. Every element of wellness is harnessed, from personal mental health to enhanced spirituality; from positive dietary changes to re-energising exercise. The peaceful haven presents a unique world of relaxation, serenity and wellness through four distinct deluxe spa stations: The Holistic Bio Experience, The Indian Experience, The Oriental Experience and The Fitness & Wellness Experience.
Bliss. shantimaurice.com
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Edition Hotel
Miami Located between South Beach and North Beach on a 3.5-acre private enclave stretching from Collins Avenue to the ocean shoreline, The Miami Beach Edition Hotel is an elegantly designed, intricately interlinked complex of structures, spaces and settings. The spa offers guests a wide range of services in a soothing, relaxing environment. It features nine private treatment rooms, including a Hammam room, a detox room with a steam shower and far-infrared sauna, a beauty lounge for nail, hair and make-up services, spacious locker rooms, a steam room and a spa shop, should you fancy some retail therapy. The beautiful central relaxation area features custom-designed day beds and is surrounded by drapery and vintage Moroccan rugs. The resort also offers a state of the art 24-hour fitness centre ,should you tire of all that relaxing. editionhotels.com
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Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
Switzerland A stylish, traditional atmosphere awaits you, in keeping with the hotel’s rich history. The Bad Ragaz’s thermal water’s soothing powers are kept at 36.5C, while its therapists strengthen the body, mind and soul with targeted exclusive treatments, including cleansing and detoxifing. Pampering skin treatments are also available, with high quality products tailored to your complexion. Total rejuvenation in a heavenly setting. resortragaz.ch
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time
We’d all love to stay young-looking forever – and have a body and stamina to match. But can you really turn back the clock? Tempus investigates - 100 -
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Can baldness be cured? The amount of hair we have, how healthy it is and how we wear it can tell a lot about our age and our health. Most people – both men and women – lose hair as they grow older, but for some the hair loss can be extreme. Male pattern baldness is common, while alopecia can affect both sexes. Thankfully, easy and painless hair implants can provide immediate and lasting results. Experts at Clinic Lémanic in Lausanne have perfected the BHI procedure in which biocompatible implants are used, generally under local anaesthetic, until the desired density is obtained. BHIs have the same chemical and physical properties as natural hair, meaning the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection is almost zero. The long-lasting results are soft and very strong and it can be washed or styled, just like natural hair. Can I achieve a face-lift without going under the knife? Regenerative threads is the treatment du jour and can be used on both the face and the body to rejuvenate, lift and reshape with the use of absorbable threads in conjunction with plasma lifting and light therapy. It’s been hailed as a breakthrough in non invasive aesthetic and regenerative medicine. Injections are delivered layer by layer and are positioned at an exact depth. It’s especially good for thin skin and works well in the neck area. According to Clinic Lémanic the results are visible immediately and actually intensify over the following three months. cliniclemanic.ch
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Are there tests I can have that can prevent future illnesses? Much has been made of DNA testing in recent months but our genes are not the only factor determining whether we live happily into old age. Many people are now combining a weekend away with a few hours stay at a clinic, and the Medical Prevention Centre in Hamburg is one of the world’s leading diagnostic clinics. It offers a diverse range of cutting-edge tests aimed at diagnosing treatable diseases as early as possible. The clinic’s four-step programme to better health is a unique approach to the ageing process. It aims to slow down the biological clock by influencing the occurrence of agerelated diseases, mental and physical well-being, and physical appearance. Under the supervision of medical professionals, patients are given advice and encouragement to take personal responsibility for their lifestyles, with the support of comprehensive medical check-ups and diagnostic tests. Following an extensive diagnosis, a detailed programme tailored to the individual is drawn up, encompassing everything from hormone medication to suggested lifestyle changes, stress-reduction counselling and personalised nutritional supplements. mpch.de
www.desroches-island.com
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Should I join a gym and get a personal trainer? Fitness experts and doctors alike agree that by taking part in regular exercise you can significantly increase your heart health, mental wellbeing and strength. With demanding lifestyles, today’s professionals can struggle to prioritise fitness and exercise in an effective regime. But help is at hand at SIX3NINE, where hand-picked trainers ensure you are working out at the right intensity, in the safest manner and with the most effective exercises to achieve your goals. It doesn’t look or feel like a normal gym. The company has created a bespoke area, free of traditional gym equipment so that clients can move freely in as much space as possible. Gone are the traditional fixed-resistance machines, replaced instead with kettle-bells, free weights, cable machines and gymnastic equipment. In addition, all members have a dedicated personal trainer who will ensure the necessary techniques are mastered in order to maximise fitness regimes. six3nine.com Can I get just as fit at home – and what’s the one piece of equipment I should invest in? The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill is engineered by NASA and is the latest must-have, high-tech piece of gym equipment. Used by a huge number of professional sports people, including Paula Radcliffe and Mo Farah, it’s also perfect for people who are injured or
recovering from surgery or illness, overweight/ obese people, or for those who simply haven’t exercised for a while. It’s also great for fitness fans, allowing them to push themselves further and harder. The treadmill utilises the latest in Advanced Differential Air Pressure Technology (ADAPT) to ‘unweight’the user by as much as 80% in precise 1% increments, enabling them to accelerate weight loss, recover faster from injury or train like a professional. Allowing people to run and walk at a fraction of their body weight (reducing up to 80% of a
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person’s weight), the treadmill applies a precise and comfortable lifting force to the body, so people can move naturally and free from pain. “Whether you’re using exercise as part of a rehabilitation programme, pushing your limits to improve race times or simply trying to get back into shape, removing the physical burden of weight bearing has significant results,” said Trevor Donald, European sales director at AlterG. “As soon as people experience the benefits of the AlterG they want it to be a regular part of their exercise regime.” alterg.com
Since 1920
Paris - Saint Barth - New-Yor
www.cuveecarbon.com
k - Moscou - London - monaco
L’ A B U S D ’ A L C O O L E S T D A N G E R E U X P O U R L A S A N T É , À C O N S O M M E R A V E C M O D É R A T I O N
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The truffle hunter Finding this ‘black gold’ is just one of the many delicacies on offer in the Dordogne, as Peter Dean discovered
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here is a large Frenchman crouching with a plastic bucket in a muddy orchard. His companion is the sort of dog that you wouldn’t want to meet alone, day or night. And the temperature, which was already close to freezing, has plummeted, with a headwind piercing little shards of ice into every pore of my skin. And yet, this is a truly uplifting moment. Why? Well, for only the third time in my life I am hunting truffles, and for the first time in my life I have actually found one. In truth, I had nothing to do with it. Pif the dog and his owner, François, should take the honours for this conker-sized black Périgord truffle and the two others that quickly follow, but I like to think that the ‘third time lucky’ principle was my contribution to the discovery. We are just outside Bergerac, in one of seven truffle orchards owned by the region’s finest wine-maker – Luc de Conti of Chateau Tour des Gendres – and Luc’s wife Martine has promised to reveal her secret black truffle recipe that just happens to go perfectly with an aged bottle of Luc’s top sauvignon blanc, Anthologia. Quelle chance! A match made in heaven. Luckily, Pif ’s nose is as reliable as ever which, given his £20,000 value, is hardly surprising. He circles each oak, and then, with absolute certainty and a look of near boredom, pats the ground under which a black beauty is located. François then scoops a handful of earth close to his nose to check the validity of the find, and to ensure that the truffle hasn’t decayed, before hand-digging a few inches to reveal the treasure. Another option is to look for the small flies that hover over the patch, indicating the location of the tuber, but the wind is too strong for them today.
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TOM MERRIFIELD
www.tommerrifield.co.uk 020 7431 0794
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The truffle we find will be worth £30 in one of the region’s many farmers’ markets. Given that the hunt stops when the plastic bucket is full – a successful day could be worth several thousand pounds – and the largest truffle that this intrepid pair have ever found was the size of a melon. It’s a deceptively skilled art, starting from impregnating the oak roots and waiting for the truffle to take, through to training Pif. As a pup, truffle was sprinkled near him when he suckled so he has deep and pleasurable associations with the smell. Touchingly, if he does happen to have an off day he may still
The best of Bergerac Eating and drinking well is de rigueur in Bergerac. Home to confit de canard and foie gras, and a range of wines that are back on the map and ready to be discovered. A two-day visit was the perfect way to sample a range of fine eating and drinking, and to recharge the batteries with bracing walks followed by relaxing in front of open log fires. There are elegant chateaux to visit and stay in, but
be rewarded, or a truffle planted for him to find so he doesn’t start doubting his abilities. Fast-forward an hour and Luc is in his kitchen, stirring a bain-marie containing eggs, cream, butter, heaps of grated truffle, seasoning and a pinch of sugar. Still liquid, the eggs are then loaded with yet more truffle, placed in the centre of his homely kitchen table and then heaped onto crisp hot toast and topped with a thin slice of yet more truffle. What follows are wafer-thin slices of smoked magret stuffed with foie gras and topped with truffle, and apple tarts made with a merlot reduction gelée and petits fours served with a ridiculously good Armagnac. Even Luc’s seasoned palate is succumbing, shaking his head as he does and staring at his plate in quiet disbelief. I think I have left my body and gone to some astral gastronomic plane. Finding the ‘black gold’ at its source is a must-do trip for every foodie. chateautourdesgendres.com
without the pretence and haughtiness that you come to expect of some neighbouring regions. We took our own wine to Tour des Vents, for example, where Marie Rougier Salvat, one of only 13 female Michelin-starred chefs in France came up to welcome all the guests before serving a gastronomic delight, with a view that takes in the imposing Chateau de Monbazillac and the Dordogne valley beyond. This is laid-back with a capital L. We travelled to Bergerac Airport and stayed
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in Chartreuse du Bignac, ten minutes away. Also recommended for a quirky but delicious feast is La Villa Laetitia in Bergerac town centre, where the foie gras was served in slabs and the black truffle liberally applied. Chateau Les Merles is also highly recommended if you want to include golf in your stay. This is a country club hotel 15 minutes from town with a terrific restaurant. Try the signature dish of chicken cooked in a pastry case with a morel sauce.
HATTERS SINCE 1898
73 JERMYN STREET LONDON
252 RUE DE RIVOLI PARIS
+44 (0) 207 930 2329
+33 (0) 214 260 3609
www.bates-hats.com
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Words – Jay Boisvert
Sleep like a baby at Rowhill Grange Although only just outside London, this country-house hotel provides an oasis of tranquility, with high-end food and a spa that offers treatments designed to relax and refresh – especially if you’re a sleep-deprived parent...
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This was not just any night away, this was the first prospect my wife and I had of getting a decent night’s sleep for more than two months as we’d recently become parents. She deserved a treat so we’d left the little one with her doting grandparents and headed to Rowhill Grange hotel, a stone’s throw from London. Situated in Dartford, this stunning country house-style hotel is everything you’d expect from the Alexander Hotels Group – a beautiful retreat set in amazing, picturesque grounds. From the moment you walk in there is a sense of calm. We were met by a friendly member of staff who checked us in and showed us to our room, then gave us a quick tour to show us what the hotel had to offer. Before dinner we decided to check out the spa. It was immensely impressive and designed like a Roman bath, with two separate swimming pools, a Jacuzzi and a steam room, which was the perfect place to be while Jack Frost had his wicked way outside. At dinner we were spoiled for choice but opted for RG’s restaurant, an a la carte offering with an impressive choice of food, as well as a fabulous wine menu. Choosing the food was tough going, with numerous items taking my fancy, though I was quite happy sitting there sipping my wonderful Chilean sauvignon blanc without being rudely interrupted by our newborn. Executive chef Luke Davis has done a wonderful job with the menu, selecting local produce where possible and putting together dishes that complement the ingredients
excellently. For starters I went for the roasted Shetland scallops. The dish was superb and led nicely to the main course of fillet steak, cooked to perfection, with hand cut-chips and one of the best white wine and mushroom sauces I’ve ever tasted. The service was superb; the waiters were completely up to speed with the menu and how/where the ingredients were sourced, as well as offering excellent wines to match. The food was so good I was unable to leave enough room for a dessert. However, the staff kindly let me go off piste and have a taste of blackberry sorbet, which finished the meal perfectly. Now, at any other time in my life this would now have been the time to retire to the bar for a nightcap, but having been deprived of sleep we decided to use the time to relax in our gorgeous room and
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prepare ourselves for the spa treatments the next morning. I woke at 8am to sheer silence (bliss), something I knew I shouldn’t get too used to. My wife was equally excited about the idea of breakfast being made for her and as went downstairs the smell of succulent bacon filled the air. I went straight for the full English. It didn’t disappoint. All that was left before heading back to the general chaos that is parenthood was the full body massage. I spent the next hour melting into the bed, drifting in and out of heavenly consciousness. A perfect end to a perfect 24 hours at Rowhill Grange. We arrived home, happy to be reunited with our little girl having both slept like a baby. alexanderhotels.co.uk
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Words – Scott Manson
Small but perfectly formed
With an Art Deco style and a stone’s throw from London’s premier shopping district, the 36-room Wellesley hotel has quickly put itself on the map of the capital’s most prestigious luxury boutique hotels
L
ondon’s cab drivers pride themselves on their exhaustive knowledge of the city and it’s rare that you can catch them out when it comes to tourist landmarks. Our request for a taxi to The Wellesley hotel had our driver foxed though, despite the fact he was reluctant to show it. “Oh yes, that’s on the Strand isn’t it?” he said with confidence. “No, it’s near Hyde Park Corner.” “Hmm, yes, that’s what I meant – Hyde Park Corner…,” he said, looking slightly perturbed. He followed this by diving in and out of back streets around the area, looking carefully in his mirror to see if our reactions could give him a steer on directions. After a minute or two of this I felt a little mean, and told him to head to where Pizza On The Park used to be. Bingo, he had it placed on his mind map and I could almost see that famed black cab driver’s memory vault mentally adding it to his ‘places I should know’ list.
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In truth, it’s where anyone who enjoys a boutique, bijoux luxury hotel should know. With its glossy Art Deco interiors, sumptuous rooms and Rolls-Royce transfers, plus a location that’s within walking distance of Harrods, Harvey Nichols, the West End and Hyde Park, this is arguably one of the capital’s finest hotels. This 1920s-style townhouse launched as a hotel at the end of 2012 and no expense has been spared on its design. From the handsome bronze doors at the entrance to the beautiful marbled lobby, illuminated by shimmering crystal chandeliers, and the warm, covered cigar terrace, this is the perfect place for a well-heeled tourist to plot up for few days. It’s a small place, with just 36 rooms, which helps make for individual service. Our suite had its own personal butler, who very kindly offered to have our evening wear pressed for us before we headed down for dinner. In truth, we could happily have stayed in the suite all night, enjoying a deep soak in the large freestanding slipper bath before retiring to the plushly furnished lounge for a night of room service and champagne. Instead, we headed down to the jewel box-like environs of the Oval Restaurant. The space was small but perfectly formed – the only quibble being the unflattering blue light that bathed the restaurant. There’s a reason no one eats blue food, guys – it’s just not an appealing colour.That said the food, served by a predominantly Italian waiting team, was superb. To a backdrop of live jazz in the adjacent room, we enjoyed the likes of beef tartare with black truffle sauce, salt cod ravioli with almond and aubergine pesto, and a beautiful wild sea bass cooked in a salt crust. This is a hotel that, on the strength of this visit, deserves to do well. The staff are excellent, particularly our female Australian butler, the location is second to none and the design style is glamorous and indulgent, without losing a sense of taste and aesthetics. Visit the bar for a drink and you may well find yourself coming back for dinner or, who knows, perhaps even a night in one of those wonderful suites. thewellesley.co.uk
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own the
Mountain
Powder Byrne Original Skiing Individually made luxury skiing escapes to unique destinations across the Alps and Dolomites. Own the mountain with our dedicated in-resort service.
www.powderbyrne.com
+44 (0)20 8246 5300
Taste the history at London’s most famous hotel Sinatra, Monroe, Garland, Astaire – the world’s most famous names have all stayed at the Savoy, which boasts Art Deco glamour in spades
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here will you find the only street in Britain where cars are allowed to drive on the right hand side of the road? The answer is the street leading up to London’s Savoy hotel. For more than 100 years now, vehicles, be they horse-drawn or mechanical, have entered and left Savoy Court on the right hand side of the road. This curious quirk in Britain’s road regulations is just one of several beguiling features of the Savoy, arguably the capital’s most iconic and beguiling hotel.
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Built by theatrical impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte in 1889 and run by noted hotelier Cesar Ritz, who later became general manager, it also included August Escoffier, ‘king of chefs and chef of kings-, in the Savoy kitchen. Foodie fans will no doubt be aware that this venerable French chef invented the Peach Melba dessert at this very hotel, to honour the Australian soprano Nellie Melba who was a guest at the time. 2007 saw the hotel officially close its doors for business for the first time in its 118-year history, in order to begin the restoration of the entire building. At the time it was slated to cost around £100m, and take about 15 months. As anyone familiar with employing builders won’t be surprised to hear, it finally reopened its doors on October 2010, following a refit that had spiralled in cost to £220m. On the strength of my visit though, it was money well spent. From the freshly scrubbed mahogany to the gold-leaf opulence of the Beaufort Bar and the polished marble floors to the new stained-glass cupola that floods light into the afternoon tea area, this a renovation that former regulars such as Dietrich and Monroe would be proud of. An in-house chocolatier also sits in pride of place in this ground floor area, with large windows next to her workstation helping to draw constant crowds who watch her weave her gastronomic alchemy. Warning: it’s hard to walk past her without popping in to buy half a dozen choccy treats.
My room itself was similarly delightful, with its superb bed linen, marvellous mattress, personalised notepaper and high quality bathroom goodies. One slight quibble was the view, which looked out at the walls of surrounding buildings, but rooms with fabulous river views are also available for those looking to spend a little more. Dinner that night was taken in Kaspar’s restaurant, named after the hotel’s famous Art Deco sculpture of a cat, said to ward off bad luck. The setting was Art Deco elegance and the wine was sublime – a big, bold Barolo suggested by the sommelier, which proved the perfect accompaniment to the rich beef bourguignon I enjoyed for a main course. Seafood is something of a speciality here – we are on the bank of the river after all – so a fruits de mer platter was also ordered, comprising a bountiful selection of oysters, poached prawns, Cornish crab and scallops. Before retiring to that super comfy bed, it’s essential to take a nightcap in the theatrical setting of the Beaufort Bar. With an awardwinning head bartender, nightly cabaret and a characterful, vintage atmosphere, it proved the perfect end to a stay at one of the world’s best hotels. fairmont.com
Words – Scott Manson
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THE LUXURY
CHALET COLLECTION
info@kitzbuehel-lodges.com 路 +49 170 799 1032 www.kitzbuehel-lodges.com Kitzb眉hel Lodges is a brand of Rhein Property GmbH See worldwide rental property portfolio on www.rhein-property.de
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BIG SCREEN STYLE Action man Chris Hemsworth is one of the hottest stars in the world thanks to movies such as Thor, where he played a superhero, and driving Formula 1 cars in Rush. His latest role sees him starring as a computer hacker who tries to prevent a sinister global cybercrime from taking place. Blackhat was shot in Chicago, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Jakarta. The father-of-three, who is married to Elsa Pataky, was recently voted the world’s sexiest man by a US magazine People, though he clearly disagrees, saying: “That’s pretty funny. I think actually I might have already hit my peak – now I’m on the decline.” Looking stylish in Dolce and Gabbana at the US premiere of the movie, he wore a a Bulgari-Bulgari Velocissimo-integrated chronograph in pink gold. Boasting precise mechanical manufacture high-frequency chronograph (5Hz) with automatic winding, this timepiece has an impressive 50-hour power reserve. Decorated with perlage, côtes de Genève and chamfering finishing, the timepiece is built with a transparent case back and luminescent hand-applied indexes. Complete with an integrated alligator strap, the watch is secured by a steel folding buckle.
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Photo: Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
bulgari.com
THE HYDRO MECHANICAL HOROLOGISTS H2 | titanium Black Dlc HYT is the first timepiece ever to combine mechanical and liquid engineering. H2, unique Swiss technology and movement made in cooperation with Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi - manual winding and 8-day power-reserve - driving a unique high-tech fluidic technology. HYT - a new dawn in watchmaking.
Harrods | 87 - 135 Brompton Rd, London | t.+44 20 7730 1234 | www.harrods.com Kronometry 1999 | 106 New Bond St, London | t.+44 20 7499 1434 | www.kronometry1999.com
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