THE CIRCLE MAGAZINE | ANNUAL JOURNAL 2022/23

DAVIDOSCARSON

DAVIDOSCARSON

DIVINACOMMEDIA

DANTE ALIGHIERI: PARADISO | 48

FEATUREDINK

VICTORIA & ALBERT GREEN MINT | 56

Horology

HAUTEHORLOGERIEDEL’ANNÉE

OUR CHOICES FOR THE YEAR’S BEST HIGH HOROLOGY | 76

ASTONMARTINDBX

REDEFINING THE ART OF EXPLORATION | 104

WAYFAIR

SUNSEEKER’S NEW 100 YACHT | 114

Boutique News

ÀTOURNERLAPAGE

CARTIER CAPTURES THE SEASONS IN ITS NEW BLOOR STREET BOUTIQUE | 90

MAESTRODELLASARTORIA

THE HOUSE OF STEFANO RICCI | 94

BIJOUX

PIAGET ON RODEO DRIVE | 100

REACHINGPERIHELION

THE RISE OF GLOWBAL | 126

After Hours

LAPARTDESANGES

LOUIS XIII: A JOURNEY OF EXCELLENCE | 138

COSASNUESTRAS

COHIBA EDICIONES LIMITADAS | 146

At The Club

THENATIONALCLUB

A HIDDEN OASIS IN THE CITY | 134

The Last Word

THE MYSTERIOUS MR. BANCK | 150

THE CIRCLE

THE ART OF CONNOISSEURSHIP ANNUAL JOURNAL 2022/23

Publisher

J D Banck

info.thecirclemagazine@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief

J D Banck Photography

H Derksen

THE CIRCLE

Copyright © 2022 by the publisher, Joel Derksen. All rights reserved.

THE ART OF CONNOISSEURSHIP

Copyright © 2022 by the publisher, Joel Derksen. All rights reserved.

圈子 | 普通話

Copyright © 2022 by the publisher, Joel Derksen. All rights reserved.

鑑賞的藝術

Copyright © 2022 by the publisher, Joel Derksen. All rights reserved.

THE CIRCLE magazine Print Edition and Digital Edition are subject to copyright. Copyright © 2022 by the publisher, Joel Derksen. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

THE CIRCLE

ISSN 2563-786X (Print) ISSN 2563-7878 (Online)

THE CIRCLE magazine is published annually in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, by Joel Derksen

Publisher’s Message

GENERATIONS

Continuity and longevity are no doubt the hallmarks of any great civilization, culture or empire. In the world of luxury goods, the transmission of an object ‘from generation to generation’ is a badge of the highest esteem, invoked by pinnacle brands like Patek Philippe and David Oscarson. And, in our own lives, the personal transaction between generations often bequeaths our most intimate and precious memories. However sentimental and intangible this process may be, often what is passed down to us is linked to objects, keep sakes or photographs. Whether truly valuable or merely sentimental, these objects give us footholds in time, by which we crystalize our intangible possessions within a reality that is relentlessly transient.

In The Last Word, I describe this connection to my own Grandfather – a solitary figure, disconnected from much of my childhood and from most of those around him Distinguished by his trademark tortoise shell glasses, he is recorded on old family photographs as the dashing man in a dapper suit, who descended from Silesian Patricians Thus, I was surprised to come across the work of our partners at Focusers.com, whose vintage-inspired frames recreated both my Grandfather’s glasses, and a pair of tortoise shell frames that have become an expression of my own personal style. It is our greatest pleasure to represent thework of brandswhose creations will last from generation to generation, and our hope that you will find your own treasures here, also

THE CIRCLE

THE ART OF CONNOISSEURSHIP

In a tribute to its ancient namesake, Montblanc commemorates the conquest of Western Europe’s highest peak with its 2022 High Artistry Collection.

n August 8th , 1786, Jacques Balmat and MichelGabriel Paccard set off to scale the heights of Mont

Blanc The first to conquer its summit, the duo have now been immortalized in Montblanc’s latest High Artistry Collection: The First Ascent of the Mont Blanc Crafted in rhodium-coated, solid Au 750 gold, the skeleton overlay adorning the cap and barrel of the collection’s LimitedEdition 333 tracesthe shape ofthe Mer de Glace glacier, near Chamonix. Beneath the overlay, which has been finished with a frosted surface, translucent blue lacquer resembles the icy shades of the mountain’s famous glacier Crowning the top of the rhodium-coated, solid Au 750 gold cap is the iconic Montblanc emblem, now crafted out of granite from the mountain range where Mont Blanc is found. Set in polished black onyx, this delicate work of artisanship draws from the rawest nature, uniting the ancient and the modern within one of the world’s most enduring emblems of luxury and prestige.

Referencing the year of the expedition, the collection’s Limited Edition 86 features the date, ‘8 Août 1786’, engraved on its clip ring. Solid Au 750 yellow gold fittings include a sculptured clip of miniaturized alpenstock and axe, with mountaineering shoe rivets providing the motíf for decorative trim throughout the cap and barrel.

Wrapped in vegetable tanned leather and embossed with an excerpt from Balmat’s handwritten account of the expedition, the barrel of the Limited Edition 86 resembles the leather-bound diaries carried by the adventurers and explores of the time. And, in a tribute to the alpine tradition of wood carving, a walnut wood cap depicts images of ibex and chamois, both native to the slopes of Mont Blanc. Completing this edition, a handcrafted solid Au 750 yellow gold nib is embossed with a three-dimensional relief depicting the edelweiss flower, emblematic of the alpinist.

Crafted from granite sourced from Mont Blanc, itself, the Limited Edition 10 is ensconced within a solid Au 750 white gold overlay, sculpted as a three-dimensional depiction of the Mont Blanc massif. Set into the rock’s surface are brilliant-cut diamonds, tracing the expedition’s route to the summit

The golden age of miniatures, the first ascent of Mont Blanc brought acclaim to Jacques Balmat, who was celebrated with a medallion bearing his portrait in enamel Drawing inspiration from this portrait, a hand-crafted micro painting on the cap of the Limited Edition 10 is encircled by a frame, crossed tools and mountain scene.

Reminiscent of the mountain’s elemental nature, the cap of the Limited Edition 10 is crowned bya detachable, domed rock crystal, with the raw and natural shape of the Mont Blanc massif artfully worked out of its center. Within this space is a rough nugget of solid Au 750 yellow gold, paying tribute to Balmat’s search for gold within the mountain. Covered with a sapphire glass, a green aventurine – native to the Alps – is set within the barrel cone of this edition.

masterpiece of precious metals and gemstones, the Limited Edition 5 is a solid Au 750 rose-toned gold writing rowned with a smoky quartz, itscap top opensto reveal a skeletonized version of the Mont Blanc massif, set with a diamond of approximately 2 carats Recessed within the barrel’s cone, and under sapphire glass, a magnificent malachite completes this bejewelled edition.

Winding around the cap is a scene of Mont Blanc, set in rare artisan marquetry Using a colour palette of seventeen different shades and materials – including parchment, motherpearl, leathers and a selection of precious woods – the landscape of the mountain unfolds in subtle gestures and hues. n the barrel, seven different types of wood form a inspired by the Savoy rosette – a traditional decoration of the region – set with cognac-coloured tourmalines And on the section, a string of jewels mark the route taken by Balmat and Paccard to the summit, while rows of brilliant-cut diamonds are set within the barrel’s rings.

At the pinnacle of Montblanc’s 2022 High Artistry Collection sits the coveted Limited Edition 1. Rendered in handcrafted miniature grisaille enamel, a mountain-top scene unfolds within the window-pain frames of the solid Au 750 white gold cap

Withglimmering bandsof sapphiresand diamonds, the cap transitionsthrough the blue hues of a mountain atmosphere to a pavé diamondbarrel. Adorning the cap,a domed rock crystal opens to reveal a skeletonized version of the Mont Blanc massif, which holds the Limited Edition 1’s crowning solitaire jewel. Spurring on the first successful expedition to the mountain’s summit withthe offerof aprize, the Limited Edition 1’s secret tribute to Horace-Bénédict de Saussure is an interpretation of a cyanometer (used to measure the intensity of the sky’s blue colour at varying altitudes) Invented by the Swiss naturalist, the device is mounted to the cap’s side, in a commemoration of ingenuity and innovation.

Drawing inspiration from the past through the interpretive work of its High Artistry atelier, Montblanc’s The First Ascent of the Mont Blanc is a collection likely to spur all who behold it on to ever greater conquests of their own.

World renowned penmaker David Oscarson innovates with guilloché and hard enamel to create an homage to the sage of electrical power.

t could be said that the 20th Century was born in 1856.

An ethnic Serb, raised in Smiljan (modern-day Croatia) Nikola Tesla’s pioneering work in the field of electricity paved the way for our modern world. Studying advanced engineering and physics in the 1870s, and gaining practical experience in the new electric power industry while working at Continental Edison, Tesla would go on to develop more than 700 patents. Although most famous for his work on the alternating current, Tesla’s experimental work included X-rays and short-range radio communication – a capability he demonstrated two years before Guglielmo Marconi.

An innovator in his own right, penmaker David Oscarson has taken the art of hard enamel to new heights, with a stunning new collection in Tesla’s honour. Applying traditional guilloché techniques to solid sterling silver, the collection recreates electrical currents in melding streams of frozen glass. Using a mortar and pestle, a composition of glass, water and metal oxides is ground for hours by hand. When settled, the water is removed, leaving the fine paste that is the basis for hard enamel. A quill is then used to apply each coat of the mixture to the surface of the metal, ensuring that the entire guilloché area is completely covered in enamel. The components are then fired in a furnace at temperatures exceeding 1,000° F, fusing the enamel to the metal and forming a layer of glass.

After cooling, the pieces are manually ground with a diamond file, restoring their proper shape and surface. This tedious process is repeated at length until the level of enamel reaches the depth required to cover the peaks and fill the valleys of each intricate guilloché pattern. When the final stages of firing are completed, the pieces are polished and buffed, revealing the glassy finish of translucent hard enamel. Production of translucent hard enamel demands the highest levels of patience, experience and skill. A five-year apprenticeship is required to ensure that the highest levels of quality will be met in each individual collection piece.

Paying tribute to its namesake, the collection feature’s Nikola Tesla’s signature prominently displayed in high relief on its barrel Also included on the collection’s barrel is a rotating electromagnetic field and the symbol for the Alternating Current, with the Tesla Coil engraved in low relief on both the cap and barrel’s background

On its section are engraved Tesla’s own AC generator and induction motor schematics. And on the pen’s cap, a high relief electromagnetic field surrounds the Tesla Tower clip, with an X-Ray of Tesla’s hand in the background’s low relief. Atop thecrown inhigh relief standsa Teslaunit of measurement formagnetic induction, or magnetic flux density (equivalent to one weber per meter squared). And, resting against the breast can be found the beloved white pigeon which kept Tesla company in his latter years

The 35th collection in the David Oscarson™ series of limited edition writing instruments, the Nikola Tesla Collection will be produced in three colour variations, limited to 86 pieces each: (1) translucent white, lavender, deep purple and opaque black; (2) translucent red, orange, yellow, white and opaque black in gold vermeil; and (3) translucent white, grey, mossy black and opaque black.

An innovative work in hard enamel and guilloché, David Oscarson allows collectors a glimpse into the life and work of Nikola Tesla through a threedimensional canvas of precious metal. An investment for generations, this collection affords the opportunity to own a rare, hand-worked example of the decorative arts –and for those who dare, not only an investment, but a tool of their own innovation.

To discover more about the legendary inventor honoured in this collection, use the QR code portal to visit the Nikola Tesla Museum online, or explore it in person at their permanent installation in Belgrade, Serbia. (NikolaTeslaMuseum.org/en)

Returning with a creation of unparalleled beauty and provenance, the Maiora Pen Company brings back DELTA, under the management of its legendary co-founder, Nino Marino

“Verba volant, scripta manent.”

– Caius Titus

poken words fly away, written words remain” – the now proverbial declaration of Senator Caius Titus to the Roman Senate Today, there is perhaps no one better suited to manage a company that gives permanence to the written word than Nino Marino: Commendatore of the Itallian Republic, legend of the fountain pen industry and co-founder of the DELTA pen company.

Now celebrating 40 years (1982-2022) after a brief hiatus, DELTA has returned to global markets with a stunning masterpiece in rare celluloid and vermeil Breathing new life into the legendary brand is the handmade “39+1” fountain pen collection Crafted in Naples, Italy, and released in a limited edition of only 399 pieces, this collection offers a handful of collectors the opportunity to be custodians of history.

Born out of the tradition of fine Itallian penmaking, the “39+1” collection is less a symbol of the rebirth of DELTA than of the immortality of culture and art Neither modern nor familiar, the “39+1” embodies the truest nature of culture, as an evolution of tradition, demonstrated by the collection’s innovative and newly patented “Write Balance System” .

Designed to offer the user a personalized writing experience, adjustable for comfort, the barrel cap of the “39+1” features a threaded cone with a twogram gold-plated removable weight. With the weight inserted into the cone, the fountain pen’s balance is shifted toward the back the fountain pen, meaning that the user’s hand is more involved in writing. This centerofgravity is often preferred by calligraphersand lettering artists, for greater control of the fountain pen’s movement. With the weight removed from the cone, the balance shifts toward the front of the pen In this position, the pen’s own weight drives it forward – great for long writing sessions and more casual writing. Although this difference in weight could appear minimal, it becomes significant in terms of sensation and comfort of use. The weighted “Write Balance System” offers the possibility of being able to choose the best personal balance according to one’s grip and writing style

The DELTA “39+1” is a cartridge, converter or eyedropper filled fountain pen, with an 18-karat gold DELTA nib engraved with the signature DELTA logo (available in extra fine, fine, medium, broad and stub 1.1 mm widths).

Aesthetically, the new DELTA “39+1” is an extraordinary combination of technical consideration and artistic sensibility. The mottled brown and black celluloid is hand turned, highly polished and matched with gold-plated appointments. The barrel features a deeply curved grip section leading into gold-plated threading. From there, the barrel flares into a rounded body that feels substantial in the hand, ending in the severely conical blind cap containing the two-gram weight. The postable, straight-bodied cap ends in a taper, found commonly within Itallian pen-design. The upper end of the cap is enriched by a 925 sterling silver gold-plated band, on which is engraved in high relief an ancient decoration from the Pompeian era – a typical design used on the most prestigious fountain pens produced by DELTA in the past.

Undoubtedly a collection that will disappear into the hands of DELTA’s devoted collectors, the “39+1” is destined to return to the cultural history and artistic tradition from which it arose. Ironically, that which gives permanence to our words is, itself, only lent to our hands.

Montegrappa completes the Divina Commedia trilogy with the heavenly Paradiso, a finely sculpted masterwork of the highest order.

elebrating the great Itallian poet and political figure, Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), Montegrappa’s trilogy limited edition writing instruments (Inferno, Purgatorio and now Paradiso) have been three years in the making. Exiled from Florence in 1302, it is said that the subsequent travels of Dante Alighieri inspired his masterpiece, the Divina Commedia Readers of THE CIRCLE magazine will have followed the journey from the Inferno up to Mount Purgatory, through the previous two stunning creations from Montegrappa. Regarded as a wonder of the literary world and the foundation of modern Itallian, Dante’s great work is captured here in either solid gold (9 pieces) or sterling silver (333 pieces). Depicted with intricate micro-sculpture, the virtues Dante encountered grace the pen’s barrel, with coloured stones representing each celestial sphere described in Paradiso Creating masterpieces in its own right, Montegrappa has reached for the celestial with another wonder for collectors and lovers of literature, alike.

reated to celebrate Montblanc’s 2022 Patrons of Art, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Homage to Victoria & Albert Green Mint is perhaps the year’s freshest colour. Resembling a vivid take on the refreshing herb – or for those more inclined to city life, the green of a Tiffany’s gift box – this green will light up the page. Released as a special edition ink in Montblanc’s collectable square glass bottle, we added Green Mint to our collection, and are naming it this year’s must have colour Coinciding with Tiffany green watch dials and a rising passion for inks among collectors, this shade of green may find itself in a perfect storm of literary proportions. Add to this the pure pleasuring of laying down this magnificent colour on a piece of fine stationery, and who could resist? A personal indulgence, and a luxury you can use, this ink is a must have for us!

CONNOISSEURS

We bring you a selection of the best high horology trends and timepieces of the year. From rugged titanium to stunning jewels, this is your guide to the superlative releases and show stopping creations of 2022.

ringing refinement to popular models and expanding collections that are already in demand seems to be the approach of a post-COVID watch industry. Not at all timid, however, watchmaking houses have demonstrated their willingness to invest in substantial transformations of the collections we love.

Beginning our high complication category with a bang – or, perhaps, a more subtle ‘gong’ – A. Lange & Söhne has brought its Richard Lange to the table with the most seductive of complications, a minute repeater in the manually wound L122.1 movement. Measuring 39 millimetres, the Richard Lange Minute Repeater is balanced by a size reducing white enamel dial, hiding a solid-gold core crafted in-house. Bringing the world on a platter, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Grande Tradition Calibre 948 features a flying tourbillon, which circles its dial in 24 hours. Central to the dial is its domed, open-worked and enamelled globe, around which a world-time display of 24 time zones gives its user the ability to fluidly transition from one region to another.

And taking the top score for best dressed movement, Cartier’s Masse Mystérieuse with floating calibre 9801 MC is literally self-winding. With the movement forming its own oscillating weight, this platinum creation is limited to 30 pieces and is set with a ruby cabochon crown

At 43.5 millimetres in diameter and 12.64 millimetres in thickness, the delicacy of this complication is off-set by the substantial size of its case, showing why Cartier is not only a serious watchmaking house, but also the master of aesthetics

Leading our category of daily wearable men’s watches, Parmigiani Fleurier has introduced the PF777 calibre PF Skeleton version of its hot, semi-sport Tonda. For the frequent traveller, the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante offers push button time-zone change, with a second hour otherwise housed beneath its home hour counterpart.

Taking the daily wear watch to new levels of refinement, Patek Philippe has seized on the vintage theme, inspired by the colours and textures of old photo cameras Guillochéd with the hobnail pattern around its flank, the new, more rugged Calatrava now features a textured charcoal gray vintage dial. Available in two models, the Ref. 5326G-001 Annual Calendar Travel Time offers a full calendar, requiring only a single manual adjustment per year. For those seeking a time-only daily timepiece, the Ref. 5226G-001 Calatrava provides the same styling with the self-winding calibre 26-330 S C movement.

And then there are watches that so defy categorization that that they become archetypical, and eventually legendary in their status. If this is your game, surely nothing will set you apart from the crowd more than MB&F’s HM10 Bulldog. Measuring 45 millimetres across and 54 millimetres from nose to tail, this faithful companion indicates the time on two domes and reports its power reserve with open or closed jaws. Micro-engineered to be impressive on the smallest scale, Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept (AUC) celebrates one of the world’s thinnest mechanical watches, which took its first “beat” on February 7th, 2017 at 7:47 pm. Commemorating this moment, Piaget has created a special dial, featuring SuperLumiNova® stars that replicate the sky above La Côte-aux-Fées at the exact date and time of the AUC’s birth.

Released in platinum in 2002, but not in gold, the Vagabondage I Gold completes a trilogy 18 years in the making. With an updated reference 1504.2 movement and a 45.2 x 37.5 millimetre case, the Vagabondage I Gold is a new creation to fill an old gap in collections around the world. As François-Paul Journe says:

“The first Vagabondage can be considered as a prototype at the time. We now have the experience to make a better, more reliable calibre and so the movement is a new and more updated movement compared to the first attempt. The first was Calibre 1504 and this new one is 1504.2.”

Novices to the brand need not apply, however, with F. P. Journe advising that, as with the previous Vagabondages, this model will be on application only. Instead, the brand will give priority to collectors with matching serial numbers of the Vagabondages II and III in Gold

Is it a sport watch? It’s complicated. The Vacheron Constantin Overseas tourbillon skeleton certainly gets the nod, with its calibre 2160 open-work movement, housed in an 18-karat 5N pink gold or grade 5 titanium case. Although not truly a sport watch, we have included the Historiques 222 here, as it is the forebearer of the Overseas With its integrated bracelet and sleek design by Jorg Hysek, the 222 “Jumbo” has a slim 37 millimetre yellow gold case,and is fitted withthe calibre 2455/2 movement.

Perhaps the sportiest of this selection, the titanium A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus measures 40.5 millimetres in diameter, and can handle a pressure test of 12 bar. Having positioned themselves at the top of the watchmaking world with superlative movement design and finishing, Lange is now taking territory and planting their flag, with a reference as rugged as it is refined.

‘Not to be out done’ may be an understatement when describing our last category. Designed to ensure their wearers are never outdone, these exceptional timepieces marry horology with high jewellery, in stunning examples of wearable art.

Always willing to dazzle, Piaget unleashed its Limelight Gala Tsavorite in 18-karat white gold with trademark Palace Décor finish. Set with 20 brilliant-cut diamonds (approximately 1.47 carats) and 22 brilliant-cut Tsavorites (approximately 3.24 carats), the Limelight Gala draws attention with its bezel and mesmerizes with its contrasting malachite and snow-set diamond dial

Bringing organic beauty to mechanical automation, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Lady Arpels HeuresFloralesCerisier draws inspiration from the floral clock concept imagined by Carl Von Linné in 1751. Brought to life by a special module opening and closing 12 corollas on the dial, flowers tell the time by blossoming to show the hours More than just a way of telling time, the menagerie of blossoms and vines is a theatrical display which is sure to captivate audiences who gather just for the hourly show.

Blossoming in its own right, the Coussin de Cartier Innovation is a rhodium-finished white gold bouquet of 1,011 brilliant-cut diamonds, weighing in at an impressive 5.45 carats. Measuring an imposing 39.3 x 31.9 millimetres, this supremely elegant timepiece will be available in a numbered, limited edition collection of 20 pieces

From flamboyant and fanciful to daily wearable, this year brought a welcome assortment of updated favourites. Bringing to you proven timepieces that will likely find their way into the daily rotations of collectors and enthusiasts, our selection may reflect the increasingly comfort- seeking mood of the post-COVID era. But, as the niche art of collecting continues to grow into a mainstream obsession, we hope that brands will take the lead next year, before the innovation that defines this industry is over run with demand for more of the same.

THE CIRCLE

THEARTOFCONNOISSEURSHIP.COM IN ASSOCIATION WITH

MY FIRST TIME

aster jeweller, watchmaker and creator of iconic accessories, Cartier leads the world in the curation of modern luxury. Stepping inside the Maison’s newly redesigned Toronto boutique, the language of luxury takes on a poetic tone, as seasons unfold within warm salons that cascade with ethereal light. Enlisting local Canadian craftsman, Moss & Lam, to produce the gold leaf and plaster ceiling found throughout the boutique, Cartier has employed the time-honoured techniques of plaster and marquetry to ensconce guests within its world

Greeting guests, The Feminine universe pays homage to the springtime, with touches of light green, purple and gold Flowing into the Diamond universe, shades of white and mother-ofpearl are combined with blue, to illustrate the winter season. Commissioning the Parisian Atelier Midavaine with the creation of a curved panel in lacquered wood, Cartier chose its iconic panther to be depicted here in an array of maple leaves.

Inside the VIP room, custom hand-painted wallpaper by De Gournay brings touches of green in a representation of summer And finally, in seasonal precession, guests enter into the Men’s universe Accented with a chandelier designed by Lindsey Adelman, the area’s tone is set by a palette of autumnal colours.

Showing a future that is guided by an evolving style, but which takes shape through the traditions of craftsmanship, Cartier reveals a key to the future of luxury in general: In a popular culture of accelerating technology and fashion, it is the timeless that is most exclusive of all.

Photo Credits: George Pimentel

We visit the home of Stefano Ricci in Vancouver, to talk with President Manuel Bernaschek and brand CEO Niccolò Ricci, about the family-owned fashion house that became an icon.

“The Stefano Ricci brand is an expression of a comfortable lifestyle that is elegant at every moment of the day.”

I– Niccolò Ricci, CEO of Stefano Ricci t was a crisp fall day in Vancouver, when we entered Canada’s only Stefano Ricci boutique. Reclining on elegant leatherclub chairs, VIP clients chatted amongst themselves, while a small jazz bandplayed music Ensconced in fine marquetry and roughly hewn stone floors, the event’s atmosphere was more akin to a soirée at a Medici palazzo in Florence than a gathering at a West Coast boutique. With the boutique’s President, Manuel Bernaschek, greeting guests at the door, and champagne sipping clients having their measurements taken by visiting master tailors, the bacchanal festivities seemed almost like a scene out of The Great Gatsby. These events, however, are just one of the many touches that make Stefano Ricci a superlative brand, sought out by the world’s most discerning clientele. Catching up with the brand’s new CEO, Niccolò Ricci, THE CIRCLE magazine asked how the brand orients itself, today, and about the future of luxury menswear in an increasingly modern world.

Stefano Ricci has truly made a niche for itself as a superlativemenswearbrand,uniquein itsexquisite aesthetics, from your fabrics down to the design of your boutiques. In your own words, how would you describe the ethos of the Stefano Ricci brand?

The Stefano Ricci brand is an expression of a comfortable lifestyle that is elegant at every moment of the day. Everything is founded on absolute quality, deriving from 100% Made in Italy production that exalts the luxury lifestyle of the SR man.

Having taken the reigns of the family business from its founder and patriarch, how does your approach differ from his, and what areas of the brand do you anticipate will change, pivot or evolve under your leadership?

After a significant experience working abroad, I began working with my family company’s commercial and financial aspects. Later, I became CEO. In every professional experience you always feel ‘under examination’, but especially so when working with a parent. However, this can also be constructive if you aim to grow what they have already built. I am operationally in charge of many of the company's strategic choices, but decisions are largely made within the family – that is, with my father Stefano, my mother Claudia, and my brother Filippo, who is Creative Director.

As you survey the future of luxury menswear and luxury goods in general, how do you balance adaptation to changing technologies and shifting trends with conservatorship of a very traditional industry?

We have to innovate within traditional practices, understanding that even sophisticated machines need to be run by hand at some point. We respect manual processing, and we demand perfection in every item. However, we are also open to what is new, and we compare the needs of different markets in order to create items for a cosmopolitan client.

They were used to entering our boutiques and appreciating the service of our SR team, and they also noticed the artisanry of the boutique furniture, the balance of pietra serena sandstone against Californian briar-root wood, and of course, the extreme attention to detail in every facet. These clients have asked to live in the SR world at 360°, from their executive offices to suits and superyachts. Our team of architects is available to customize and follow every request.

0

It was a pleasure for us to meet and talk with you at the boutique, along with many of your loyal clients. Are there any highlights from your recent visit to Vancouver that you would like to share?

Perhaps less known is your bespoke home furnishings service, through which clients can order custom furniture or even bespoke yacht interiors. Can you tell us about the special services you offer to your clients, which they may not find in boutiques?

We began offering these bespoke services based on client requests.

My recent trip to Vancouver was the first trunk show we did since the pandemic started. I was really excited about this ‘new start’, and I wanted to be present to meet our loyal clients personally. I experienced a very positive vibe, and everyone was really excited about the new collection. We are definitely looking forward to a great year and a return to well deserved ‘normality’

A part of the bespoke services offered by Stefano Ricci, ‘trunk shows’ are an opportunity for clients to meet with the brand’s Itallian master tailors Having their measurements taken, and offered a wide selection of fabrics, clients are walked through the time-honoured process of bespoke tailoring Those interested in having custom garments made should inquire with their local boutique about bespoke tailoring services, or this year’s event. And, perhaps you, also, will find yourself in a scene out of The Great Gatsby.

Photo Credits: Elvis Yang

n a move that signals a new era in retail

, the revolutionary new at 465 North Rodeo Drive shows Piaget’s penchant for blending the real and the surreal Creating an immersive experience for clients and visitors, the watchmaker and jeweller has brought together art, music and personal interaction, in an innovative landscape that showcases its craft.

Designed to imitate the Milanese Mesh for which the Maison is renowned, the façade greets visitors with a glistening veil of gold. Melding physical architectural with the digital world, the ‘jewel box’ on Rodeo Drive will no doubt become the perfect backdrop for Instagram posts from Beverly Hills.

Adding layers of interactive experiences, guests enter the boutique to encounter the Piaget Digital Mirror. Sharing the Piaget story, the installation turns the user’s reflection into “A luminous form made of gold particles,” says Piaget, “Becoming a work of art that can be printed as a keepsake or shared on social media channels.”

Continuing their journey within the boutique, an interactive display greets guests who wish to try on one of the Maison’s iconic timepieces. Using their phone with the installation’s screen, guests can photograph their chosen watch with a special filter for online sharing.

Hosting curated art exhibits alongside its collectionsof high jewellery, the Maison hasentered the digital world, while remaining true to its heritage. Purposefully connecting his brand to the modern art world, Yves Piaget once remarked, “I wanted to show that our watches and jewelry are real works of art and that the people who make them are real artists.” Now, creating a world of its own, Piaget invites guests to experience its creations in a realm that blends art with reality.

Crafted from the ground up, the journey begins where the road ends with Aston Martin’s bespoke DBX.

Blazing a new trail for the 106-year-old British icon, Aston Martin’s DBX shows that technical mastery and bespoke craftsmanship can coexist in the 21st century. Long-time Aston Martin enthusiasts will remember the days when the sound of hammering echoed through the brand’s factory, as fabricators hammered aluminum sheets into body panels by hand Adapting this heritage of craftsmanship to a new, technical age, Aston Martin has delivered a truly singular creation for lovers of motoring freedom.

Built from the ground up on an all-new SUV platform, the DBX is not merely an SUV variant, but a purpose-built off-road vehicle. In the words of Aston Martin, it is the purpose of the DBX to bring “Both the versatility and indulgence expected of a luxury SUV with sports car levels of dynamic performance.”

Constructed in Aston Martin’s new manufacturing facility in St Athan, Wales, this new platform is the foundation of a driving experience which marries handcrafted luxury with the capability of going off road – or, more likely, traversing whatever weather conditions you may encounter during your daily routine. Using bonded aluminum in a method Aston Martin has refined through the development of its sports cars, the body structure of the DBX is both light and stiff, allowing for a sleek profile with maximum cabin space.

In the words of Aston Martin Lagonda President & Group CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer: “I can’t emphasize enough how incredibly exciting and significant DBX is for Aston Martin. Through its development alone, this beautiful SUV has already taken the company into new territories and in inspiring directions We have delivered this model through our expertise, but also by garnering invaluable experience and knowledge from external counsel, including our Female Advisory Board. This is a real landmark for this great British brand and I promise that DBX will reward all who experience it in their everyday lives.”

Trimmed in full grain leather, sourced from long term partner, Bridge of Weir, the DBX’s handcrafted interior boasts class-leading headroom and legroom With a full-length glass roof and matching Alcantara® finished headliner and shade, the spacious cabin is both bright and luxuriously appointed. Making the DBX one of the most custom-tailored SUVs on the market, Aston Martin offers a contemporary selection of wood, composite and metal veneers, and a range of innovative materials for interior surfaces. These materials include an industry first application of an 80% wool fabric, and a new composite made from flax – an alternative to carbon fibre, which gives a distinctive design aesthetic. For those who truly wish to customize their DBX, Aston Martin’s personalisation service, ‘Q by Aston Martin’, allows clients to add such options as a centre console machined from a solid piece of walnut

Living up to Aston Martin’s claims of having created an SUV capable of delivering ‘sports car levels of dynamic performance’ , a 4.0-litre V8 twin turbo power plant producing 700 Nm (516 pound feet of torque) is capable of 0-60 mph times of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 181 mph (291 km/h). Whether luxury in your world is high performance moments after the morning school run, or the touch of full grain leather on a rough road to the cabin, the DBX’s truest versatility may be tailoring luxury to the unique lives of its varied owners.

This may be the end of our article, but it is only the beginning of an opportunity to explore Aston Martin’ s DBX. Turn the page, and step through our digital portal for a virtual presentation of this magnificent machine.

Combining trademark sporting style with luxuriously designed interiors, Sunseeker’s new 100 Yacht is an ideal vessel for those who take their journey seriously

With a history of making sporting boats, Sunseeker brings a unique touch to the luxury vessels that make up its larger, Yacht range. Aggressively styled, with technologically managed performance and handling, these boats combine serious off-shore or ocean-going capabilities with luxurious accommodations rivalling anything found on land.

Between sport yacht and superyacht, the 100 Yacht’s raised pilothouse allows for a sporty profile,

while providing voluminous interiors befitting a much larger vessel For owners who wish to reserve their time for family and friends, without the intrusion of a large crew, the 100 is a flexible fit. Most likely to be used as a hub for entertaining, the 100 is large enough to host social gatherings, with the added stability of a 22’ 8” beam. With guest areas on two levels and generous outdoor gathering places spread over two decks, the 100 Yacht provides every type of guest with their ideal environment.

On the main level, the 100 boasts an airy main saloon and dining area, which opens onto its aft deck. With floor-to-ceiling windows and easy access to outdoor areas, interior and exterior meld in a freeflowing experience of nature’s most dynamic landscapes. Outdoors, an entertainment area situated on the flybridge invites guests seeking the thrill of expansive views – either from a jacuzzi, or a seat near the action. While secluded on the bow, a breakfast area beckons those seeking a more serene experience

away from the daily bustle of activity aboard.

Proper yacht-like work areas make the 100 an enviable environment for crew, who have the pleasure of running state-of-the-art technology and equipment from a space-aged pilothouse Below it, a wellappointed and separate professional galley is entirely the chef’s domain. Designed for uninterrupted guest privacy and fluid crew movement, the 100 allows everyone aboard to be at ease, whether at work or at play.

A rarity in the world of naval architecture and design, Sunseeker has brought true innovation to the layout of its new 100. Not only boasting a main-deck owner’s stateroom, the suit has access to a private forward deck. Ascending steps lead through a sliding glass door, which opens the full-beam stateroom to an outdoor space, nestled in the 100’s imposing bow. With room for free standing table and chairs, owners will have privacy outdoors, and access to the main deck level with sun pad and forward-facing settee.

A further four guest staterooms provide flexible single or double layouts, with ensuite heads for every cabin. With a staircase located in the midship lobby, forward of the dining area, movement to and from guest quarters aboard the 100 afford a superyacht experience. Continuing the superyachtlike amenities are forward crew quarters, accessed through the main deck galley Providing abundant space for up to five crew members in three cabins, this area is equipped with a separate crew mess and galley.

Weighing in at 94,119 kg (207,497 lbs.) of displacement, and measuring 29.85 m (97’ 11”), the Sunseeker 100 Yacht is a serious cruising vessel with a range of 1,300 nmat 12 knots. Not slow or heavy by any means, the 100 is capable of reaching maximum speeds of 29 knots, with dual MTUs producing up to 5,280 ps. A technological union of performance and luxury, the Sunseeker 100 Yacht shows that you can have it all, in a flexible package that can be tailored to every nautical need and desire.

Whether curious about entering the world of boating, or seriously planning to upgrade your current vessel, we recommend M & P Yacht Centre for Sunseeker products in the Pacific North West. M & P Yacht Centre has been serving boaters since 1957, and their knowledgeable staff and fullservice capabilities make them an indispensable partner for those navigating the waters of yacht or boat ownership.

(Telephone: +1 604-692-0333) For other regions, we invite you to find a dealer near you. (Sunseeker.com/find-a-dealer)

SPECIFICATIONS

Length Overall 29.85 m / 97’ 11” Beam 6.90 m / 22’ 8” Draft 2.10 m / 6’ 10” Engine Options MTU 5,280 ps

Range (@12 knots) 1,300 nm

Maximum Speed 29 knots Drives Shafts Accommodations 10 guests and 5 crew

Born in Egypt and made in Canada, THE CIRCLE magazine asks hospitality icon, Emad Yacoub, about the restaurant empire that became a West Coast institution.

“

My daily routine is to sit with my chefs and managers, and to explain what an institution is all about – having the feeling that the restaurant has been around for years and years. Every day you must bring on that feeling.”

– Emad Yacoub, President of the Glowbal Restaurant Group

ver the past twenty years, chef/restauranteur Emad Yacoub has been building one of the West Coast’s most enduring restaurant empires. Ever relevant and always on trend, the contrarian entrepreneur has managed to create culinary experiences which retain the warmth of home, in an industry of changing fads Directing an ever-evolving strategy to remain at the forefront of an industry that has defeated so many, we ask the man behind the Glowbal brand how his collection of restaurants has risen to become an institution

Firstly, congratulations on Glowbal’s 20th anniversary! People know you as one of Canada’s leading chef/restauranteurs, but can you share a little about your roots? How did you come to Canada from Egypt, and go on to create a West Coast institution?

I immigrated to Canada when I was 18-years-old, not knowing a word of English I felt myself to be extremely lucky to get a job as a kitchen helper at the Harbor Castle Hilton in Toronto, where my job was to squeeze oranges. I was fascinated with professional chefs such as Mark Thuet from London, and Jack Lamont. The kitchen captivated me, so I requested and was granted an apprenticeship. And, as they say, the rest is history.

You are now expanding Black + Blue into a 9,000 square foot location in Toronto, where your career as a chef began. What can you tell us about the future of Glowbal? Are there plans to expand anyof your other brands?

We are starting with taking Black + Blue to Toronto. We are looking forward to seeing how we are received in the Toronto restaurant scene with our food, service and performance. We will then bring Italian Kitchen, Glowbal and Rileys to Toronto

Glowbal strikes a finely tuned balance between the traditional and the modern in all its restaurants, with the authentic Italian influences of Executive Chef Matteo Fontana at the Italian Kitchen, and the more modern flavour of your flagship, Glowbal. How do you anticipate restaurant ‘culture’ and cuisine in North Americawill evolve in the next ten years?

There is a fine line between classical institutions and modern restaurants. My daily routine is to sit with my chefs and managers, and to explain what an institution is all about –having the feeling that the restaurant has been around for years and years. Every day you must bring on that feeling. That feeling separates us from the flash in the pan restaurants. The flash in the pan restaurants need to change their concepts every couple of years or they lose their edge. For us to not lose our edge and to have restaurants that provide stability and recognition of being the place to go, we are continually evolving to meet trends with our food and cocktail menus – while still hold true to our brand.

With so manynewrestaurants opening and closing on the West Coast, to what do you attribute the long-lasting success of your brands? Is there a secret ingredient?

Our mission statement is: “Work as a Team to create loyal clientele by rising above and beyond their expectations. Offer great food at a great price. Service… Service… Service ” We treat our guests like they are a guest in our home.

Having visited and reviewed several of your restaurants, we can say that each one has a distinctly warm atmosphere. Your restaurants do create the impression of entering someone’s home – an experience reinforced by your staff. While others are creating a ‘vibe’, how do you create restaurants that resonate with their local patrons?

It starts from the top and we truly believe no job is too small and no request is beneath us. Our guests are welcomed into our ‘home’ and our staff are our family. There is no magic secret. If you enjoy people, and enjoy looking after people, it resonates with the guest. They don’t need to go anywhere else if you treat them well

The Glowbal group of restaurants currently includes Five Sails, Black + Blue, The Roof, Italian Kitchen, Coast, Glowbal, Nosh, Trattoria and Rileys. Use the QR code to discover their collection of fine and casual dining venues, or contact the Glowbal Restaurant Group to plan for your next special event.

FEATURED CLUB

The National Club

A HIDDEN OASIS IN THE CITY

Step inside The National Club, the Canadian institution that has served as a sanctuary and second home to business leaders since 1874.

We, at The National Club, are looking forward to a full season of interesting and exciting member events on our exclusive rooftop patio – it has been said there is nothing like it in Toronto’s downtown core!

The National Club Team has been busy planning festivities such as Barbeque Nights, Summer Rose & Wine Evenings and Cigar Dinners, to name a few. Join us for a look at the latest from the club!

Hosting an exclusive dinner event featuring LOUIS XIII, Shayne Stephens (Private Client Director of LOUIS XIII forRemy Martin Group in Canada) will be offering our members a rare opportunity to indulge in a tasting of LOUIS XIII cognac. Beginning with a champagne and caviar reception, and followed by a four-course gourmet dinner, all those attending this incredible evening will receive a monogrammed 700 ml decanter of LOUIS XIII and two rare Christopher Pillet “Prince” crystal glasses.

Throughout this year The Wine Committee and our team of Sommeliers will arrange various wine tasting events, pairing exclusive wines with gourmet tastes from around the world Our diverse culinary team are not only passionate about what they do, but excited to share flavours from their own cultural backgrounds

Our events are a perfect opportunity for our members to socialize, network within the business community and contribute to philanthropic endeavours One such event is The National Club’s Annual Giving Back Gala Dinner which, since its inception, has raised over one million dollars for local charities

In 2021 our board launched a Diversity & Inclusion Committee that is now being written into our bylaws. The entire board along with management and staff are committed to this initiative which, in many ways, began several years ago when board members and management openly discussed the benefits of building a future that better reflects our community.

Today, the club has more diverse voices at the table than at any time in the club’s history, voices that will help propel the club in a direction that may have seemed impossible just a few years ago. We are proud of what has been achieved, and we continue to strive for change and greater diversity and inclusiveness in every aspect of our club’s activities.

Looking ahead, The Platinum Clubs of the World® election results for 2022-2023 have once again placed The National Club in the World’s Top 100 City Clubs, as we plan for our 150th anniversary in 2024 All of the club committees and The National Club Team will be involved in organizing a “Year of Celebrations” to mark this exceptional milestone, making this a year to remember. (TheNationalClub.com)

La Part des Anges

LOUIS XIII: A JOURNEY OF EXCELLENCE

The exclusive Grande Champagne cognac that became a symbol of exclusivity, itself. We explore the legend and the legacy of the world’s most coveted digestif

Pioneering the frontiers of exclusivity since its inception, the cognac producing dynasty established by Rémy Martin in 1724 has grown beyond a Maison, a brand or even a symbol of success. Becoming an experiential portal into the ultra-rare world of the finest luxury and the best private clubs, LOUIS XIII has achieved the status of an almost initiatic passage into the most coveted lifestyles in the world.

With not so humble origins, it was a rare right granted by King Louis XV in 1738, that permitted the planting of new vines. By 1830, Rémy Martin was producing its first Grande Champagne cognac. Giving the brand its signature flavour profile, the lighter and more subtle Grande Champagne eau-de-vie endows this rare cognac with is inimitable complexity

It may be said, however, that the House of Rémy Martin began its journey to become the world’s most prestigious producer of cognac in 1874, when Paul-Émile Rémy Martin created the LOUIS XIII label. Selecting the finest eaux-de-vie from his cellars to compose this unique blend, LOUIS XIII represents the pinnacle work of the Cellar Master – responsible, in turn, for setting aside the best new eaux-de-vie for a future generation.

“LOUIS XIII is an exception in the world of spirits, a truly unique experience,” says Dominique Hériard-Dubreuil, Chairman of the House of Rémy Martin “One tasting is never enough to take in its extraordinary complexity and breadth of pleasure. Crafting LOUIS XIII is like building a cathedral: each perspective offers a different approach to the masterpiece.”

Photo Credits Title Page: © LOUIS XIII / Benjamin Colombel

Opposite P age: © Benjamin Colombel

From the chalky, limestone terroir of Grande Champagne, nestled within the Charente valley, Grande Champagne grapes are nurtured between the Massif Central mountains to the east, and the Atlantic air blowing from the west. Taking its name from the Latin word Campania, Champagne refers to open lands of limestone subsoil, and now pertains to 13,000 hectares in the heart of cognac winegrowing country.

It is only after several decades of maturation that select Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie are placed in the rarest casks in the LOUIS XIII cellars: the tierçons. Made of oak sourced from forests in France, these centennial casks cannot be replaced, but are carefully restored and repaired by every generation of Cellar Masters.

Inspired by a royal flask found on the battlefield of Jarnac, and acquired by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin in 1850, the LOUIS XIII decanter is hand crafted by no more than eleven craftsmen. Unique and individually numbered, the final resting place of LOUIS XIII cognac is adorned with hand-pinched dentelle spikes and a 20-karat gold neck ring

A product of its environment, from open fields to ancient casks, LOUIS XIII emerges from decades in dark cellars to become an almost mystical conveyance. Touching those who experience it with the tacit impression of its heritage, LOUIS XIII is a literal gift from previous generations. Once the singular dream of Paul-Émile, this most prized of cognacs is now a defining experience shared by ardent connoisseurs the world over.

We visit the humidor to bring you the 2017 Cohiba Edición Limitada, and a range of limited edition Cohiba accessories from legendary French luxury goods house, S.T. Dupont.

alled the Talismán, and perhaps for good reason, Cohiba’s 2017 Edición Limitada shows why the best quality luxury goods are, today, becoming bankable investments. Originally released in London, on November 8th , 2017, the Talismán was such a success that production continued until 2019. Today, with boxes of ten now largely unavailable, a single Talismán can command as muchas$348.93 USD – compared with itsoriginal UK price of £69.00

Revisiting the humidor, this highly sought after Edición Limitada rewards with the richness endowed by Cohiba’s third, wood barrel fermentation Tightly wrapped and heavily filled, the pigtailed Toro measures 6 1/8” with a ring gauge of 54. Spicy at first, and warming to hints of chocolate, the Talismán increases with strength to finish with oaky notes that show its formative years.

Released to the accolades of afficionados around the world, this rare and highly prized cigar is now maturing in flavour and value, as a new generation of savvy connoisseurs are driving demand across all luxury goods markets. Adding value to their collections and their lives, these increasingly sophisticated bon vivants are exploring a landscape

that was in danger of decline. With a younger generation discovering the sartorial world, bespoke shoemaking and fine whiskey, even the art of lighting a cigar has emerged as a mark of distinction. With such a resurgence of elegant pastimes and gentlemanly etiquette, purveyours of luxury goods and smoking accessories will no doubt find a new generation of clientele beating a path to their door Famous for its iconic lighters, legendary luxury goodshouse, S.T. Dupont, has recently released a collection of limited edition pieces, based on the Cohiba brand. Central to the collection is a classic gold lighter in lacquered Cohiba livery Numbered and presented in a black lacquered box, the lighter may be paired with a weighty cigar cutter, distinguished by a comfortable grip and solid mechanism. And for the true Cohiba aficionado, the set is completed by an elegant desktop humidor, finished in gleaming black lacquer and Cohiba brand colours.

Pastimes and accessories are just some of the ways we find our style on the connoisseurial journey And, while we may find investments of monetary value, what we acquire along the way becomes a part of our existence – as the greatest luxury is always an investment in ourselves

We recommend handling these fine accessories for yourself, available at City Cigar. An international destination with an A-list clientele, City Cigar’s wide selection of fine tobacco products and knowledgeable staff make it an excellent place to find the next investment for your humidor (Telephone: +1 604-879-0208)

TheLastWord

THE MYSTERIOUS MR. BANCK

Borrowing from generations before us, we catch again what is eternally ours.

Born in Prussia, to a family that descended from Silesian Patricians, my Grandfather belonged to a time now relegated to personal stories and history. Stories he rarely told, and a history shrouded in mystery Once emissaries of the King of Poland, the Banck family negotiated territorial disputes with the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, were signatories of a peace treaty, likely members of the shadowy Polish Lizard League – to which Nicolaus Copernicus’ father was anecdotally Treasurer – and can even be found in the Regesta Imperii of the Holy Roman Empire.

My Grandfather’s life as an immigrant in rural Canada reflected only vestiges of a world now lost to time Dressed occasionally in a dapper suit on aging family photographs, he was best recognized by his trademark pair of German tortoiseshell glasses.

Distant from even his own family in later years, it was his few and carefully guarded words which I would later follow to find the history of our family. Distinguished only by personal style and a strong sense of honour, there wasnothing to giveaway that the solitary figure I knew was the 21st cousin of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, or the descendant of a family that had financed the Archduke of Austria and hosted a Holy Roman Emperor in their home.

It was years later, after having compiled a book of family history and having become the Publisher of this magazine, that I came across the passion project of a fellow collector. Recreating vintage inspired eyewear, often linked to historical figures, Focusers.com has built a portfolio of styles that revive the past and make it a part of our living present. Searching through their catalogue of frames, I found what I was looking for, a distinctive pair of tortoise shell frames. Scrolling yet further, I stopped in disbelief at what I found. My Grandfather’s glasses

Sometimes we have the privilege of taking into our possession the most important information, objects or keep sakes, through the easy and sentimental conveyance of relationships. Other times such discoveries are the result of long journeys, struggles and apparent accident. But always, when we discover what is somehow ours, though lost through time and space, there is an immediate recognition. And, it is often in these moments that our history bequeaths to us a key, which unlocks yet another piece of our future.

THE ART OF CONNOISSEURSHIP