BOUTIQUES FIFTH AVENUE • BEVERLY HILLS BAL HARBOUR • MIAMI • LAS VEGAS PALM BEACH • DALLAS • ORLANDO HOUSTON • SAN FRANCISCO • SCOTTSDALE TORONTO • VANCOUVER Tel: 1 800 536 0636
BIG BANG Ceramic case. Self-winding chronograph movement.
LU X U R Y W I T H O U T C O M P R O M I S E
CAR OF THE YEAR Make room in the garage for the 2020 champ
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Breguet La Marine Tourbillon Équation Marchante 5887
BREGUET BOUTIQUES – NEW YORK 646 692-6469 – BEVERLY HILLS
3 10 8 6 0 - 9 9 11 – L A S V E G A S 7 0 2 7 3 3 - 74 3 5
T O L L F R E E 8 7 7 - 4 0 3 - 8 1 6 0 – W W W. B R E G U E T. C O M
O
AL JEWE LE
R
F
CI FI
2 020 N
AP
N A E XPERIE
CE
NE WPORT BE ACH | ASPEN | PALM BE ACH | 866. 584.2666 | LUGANODIAMONDS.COM
EVERY DAY AMPLIFIED INTRODUCING THE HURACĂ N EVO SPYDER A true evolution of the Lamborghini V10 range, the HuracĂĄn EVO Spyder redefines the pinnacle of Italian taste and daily usability, while maintaining the elevated performance of a true super sports car. Featuring a revolutionary command center, the Lamborghini Integrated Vehicle Dynamics (LDVI), you can experience the thrill of exceptional performance and dynamics, coupled with rear-wheel steering capabilities to make EVO more agile than ever. With a redesigned front and rear to improve aerodynamics, it speaks only one language: that of a natural evolution, capable of adapting to the most state-of-the-art technologies, but without neglecting the beauty of pure lines that stand out against the backdrop. All it takes is 17 seconds to open its ultra-light convertible top and allow driver to become one with the sky above. Contact your preferred Authorized Lamborghini Dealer today to schedule a private drive experience.
lamborghini.com HURACĂ N EVO SPYDER
© 2020 Danjaq and MGM. NO TIME TO DIE, and related James Bond Indicia © 1962-2020 Danjaq and MGM. NO TIME TO DIE, and related James Bond Trademarks are trademarks of Danjaq. All Rights Reserved.
x
CHOPARD BOUTIQUES NEW YORK 709 Madison Avenue – MIAMI Bal Harbour Shops, Brickell City Centre COSTA MESA South Coast Plaza – LAS VEGAS Wynn Hotel & Resort 1-800-CHOPARD www.chopard.com
february 2020, volume 44, number 2
C A R of the Y EA R 92
124
132
2020 Car of the Year
The Exacting Mind of Donald Judd
On the Rocks
For Robb Report’s annual bicoastal competition, 171 readers drove 11 cars with a combined total of 6,375 hp. Their votes determined the best new wheels on the market. Will Lamborghini snag the top honors for the fourth year running?
Before decamping to Marfa, Texas, sculptor Donald Judd filled a former factory in SoHo with furniture that embodied his clean aesthetic. Next month’s show at MoMA will celebrate his artistry.
BY ROBERT ROSS AND VIJU MATHEW
BY MARK C. O’FLAHERTY
ROBB RICE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBB RICE
Greenland is looking more green than icy white as the effects of global warming make themselves known. Glimpse the country’s next, uncertain— but still beautiful—chapter. WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER BAGLEY
Departments THE GOODS
38
50
TRAVEL
WATCHES
Resorts for the whole fam, plus a new, remote fly-fishing lodge in Patagonia.
Rare, under-the-radar, holy-grail timepieces; Urwerk’s new UR-100 SpaceTime.
56 ART & DESIGN
42 STYLE
54
Handmade jeans in the spotlight, plus three ways to wear a wardrobe essential: the denim shirt.
Traditional Chinese dishes infiltrate the US; Chenin Blanc’s second life.
FOOD & DRINK
Artist Nicolas Party’s bright LA exhibition, two Italian designers unite on functional furnishings and how the design fair—and gallery—is changing.
P. 54
22
DREAM MACHINES
GENIUS AT WORK
CONTRIBUTORS
80
24 ED IT OR ’S L E T TE R
MAGIC CARPET RIDE
27
Follow the process behind Kyle Bunting’s vibrant cowhide rugs and wall coverings in his Texas studio.
OB J E C T IFIE D
A shapely Champagne tumbler, a cubic clock and a muscular light fixture.
34 TH E DU E L
Jordan Belfort vs. Jho Low
60 THE ANSWERS
with Moncler CEO Remo Ruffini P. 64
168 T H E D E C ID E R
How to Be Secure
64
70
WATER
WHEELS
Superstar boats to look out for at this year’s Miami Yacht Show; grand support vessels that serve a very specific need.
Test-driving the hybrid Polestar 1; snowmobiles for every terrain.
LU X U R Y W I T H O U T C O M P R O M I S E
72 WINGS Cyberattacks in the air, Jet Edge’s pair of new BBJs and Cirrus introduces a new system for its Vision Jet.
76 CAR OF THE YEAR Make room in the garage for the 2020 champ
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
C OVE R IL LUSTRATIO N BY MATTHIEU FORICHON
P. 70
FIELD NOTES
87 How Robb Report’s previous Car of the Year picks have fared, the new ethos behind Burgundian wines and forging a new peace by uniting enemies in Italy.
THE BUSINESS
TECH
163
The cutting-edge simulators for off- and mid-season training.
The Croatian upstart that’s shaking up the automotive world, plus Out of Office with Olivier Jolivet, CEO of COMO Group.
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
17
Robb Report is owned and published by Penske Media Corporation in partnership with Rockbridge Growth Equity.
Paul Croughton EDITOR IN CHIEF
JAY PENSKE
NOEMI LAZO
Josh Condon DEPUTY EDITOR
CHAIRMAN & CEO
VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND
Janice O’Leary EXECUTIVE EDITOR
GEORGE GROBAR
MARKETING OPERATIONS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Robb Rice CREATIVE DIRECTOR
VICE PRESIDENT, REVENUE OPERATIONS
GERRY BYRNE
John Vorwald DIGITAL DIRECTOR
VICE CHAIRMAN
Julie Belcove FEATURES DIRECTOR
SARLINA SEE
Ken Gawrych MANAGING EDITOR Paige Reddinger WATCH AND JEWELRY EDITOR Jeremy Repanich SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR & EDITOR, CULINARY Viju Mathew EDITOR, DREAM MACHINES & AUTOMOTIVE
BRIAN LEVINE
JUDITH R. MARGOLIN VICE PRESIDENT, DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL
CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER
JULIE TRINH VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL TAX
CRAIG PERREAULT EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
LAUREN UTECHT
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES & CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
TODD GREENE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
CHRISTINA YEOH
Irene Opezzo PHOTO DIRECTOR
BUSINESS AFFAIRS & GENERAL COUNSEL
VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNICAL OPERATIONS
Marina Grinshpun ART DIRECTOR
DEBASHISH GHOSH
JULIE ZHU
MANAGING DIRECTOR
VICE PRESIDENT, AUDIENCE MARKETING
Jim Cholakis SENIOR COPY EDITOR
& SUBSCRIPTIONS
JENNY CONNELLY
Justin Fenner DEPUTY DIGITAL EDITOR
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT
Sam Gutierrez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
KEN DELALCAZAR
Lucy Alexander STAFF WRITER Bryan Hood DIGITAL STAFF WRITER Rachel Cormack, Martin Lerma DIGITAL STAFF WRITERS Helena Madden JUNIOR WRITER Nicole Hoey JUNIOR COPY EDITOR Ryan Ishimaru JUNIOR DESIGNER
NICI CATTON ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT DELIVERY
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE
GURJEET CHIMA SENIOR DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
TOM FINN SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
EDDIE KO SENIOR DIRECTOR, ADVERTISING OPERATIONS
NELSON ANDERSON VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE
ANDY LIMPUS SENIOR DIRECTOR, TALENT ACQUISITION
JONI ANTONACCI VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION OPERATIONS
AMIT SANNAD SENIOR DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT
REBECCA BIENSTOCK
Robert Ross AUTOMOTIVE CONSULTANT
VICE PRESIDENT, TALENT RELATIONS
Mark Ellwood EDITOR AT LARGE
STEPHEN BLACKWELL
KARL WALTER SENIOR DIRECTOR, PMC CONTENT
HEAD OF PORTFOLIO SALES
Sara Schneider CONSULTING EDITOR, WINE & SPIRITS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Christopher Bagley, Jon Bonné, David Coggins, Claire Coghlan, Aleks Cvetkovic, Marco della Cava, Jason H. Harper, Rohit Jaggi, Judy Koutsky, Mark C. O’Flaherty, Ben Oliver, Nicolas Stecher,
SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC PLANNING
GERARD BRANCATO
CONSTANCE EJUMA ANNE DOYLE
LAURA ONGARO
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES
EDITORIAL & BRAND DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL
KATIE PASSANTINO YOUNG KO
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE
DEREK RAMSAY
Celyn, Matthieu Forichon, Israel G. Vargas, Gustavo Viselner
PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION
DIRECTOR, SEO
VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES
MARA GINSBERG
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS
& ACQUISITIONS
VICE PRESIDENT, PMC DIGITAL ACQUISITION
Naomi Tomky, Franco Vaccari, Basem Wasef, Julia Zaltzman
Helenio Barbetta, Julia Robinson, Joshua Scott
MIKE YE
GABRIEL KOEN
SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER
VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY
MIKE PETRE | DIRECTOR, DISTRIBUTION KEVIN HURLEY | PRODUCTION DIRECTOR ADELINE CIPPOLETTI-SAEZ | PRODUCTION MANAGER
KEVIN LABONGE VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND LICENSING
ALEX SHARFMAN | RETOUCHER
FINANCE CHARLES GAWARTIN | CONTROLLER DAVID BORNSTEIN | CREDIT & COLLECTIONS SUPERVISOR YULIA PIESMAN | SENIOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REPRESENTATIVE
OPERATIONS GLENN KRONICK | DIRECTOR, IT NETWORK & INFRASTRUCTURE
LOS ANGELES OFFICE 11175 Santa Monica Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 310.321.5000
NEW YORK OFFICE 475 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017 212.213.1900
INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS Arabia, Australia & New Zealand, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, UK, Vietnam Printed in the United States For reprints and permissions: pmc@wrightsmedia.com Subscription inquiries and back issues: 800.947.7472, +1.386.246.0137 (international), robbreport@emailcustomerservice.com
CONNECT TO OUR WORLD OF LUXURY
David Arnold MANAGING DIRECTOR 212.201.1132, DARNOLD@ROBBREPORT.COM
Colette Alderson EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS 310.589.7747, COLETTEA@ROBBREPORT.COM
Cristina Cheever SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, LIVE MEDIA 310.589.7713, CRISTINAC@ROBBREPORT.COM
Gregory Bruno OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR 212.230.0284, GREGORYB@ROBBREPORT.COM
ADVERTISING SALES SARAH ANSARI | JEWELRY/EAST COAST 212.201.1120, SANSARI@ROBBREPORT.COM DAN BORCHERT | AUTOMOTIVE DIRECTOR AND INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER 212.201.1124, DBORCHERT@ROBBREPORT.COM BRIAN CASH | WINE, SPIRITS, CIGARS & AVIATION 212.230.0295, BRIANC@ROBBREPORT.COM STEVE DINUNZIO | REAL ESTATE (DEVELOPMENTS) & HOME FURNISHINGS 978.264.7561, STEVED@ROBBREPORT.COM JODY DUNOWITZ | MARINE, SOUTHEAST TRAVEL/CARIBBEAN & CIGARS 561.417.1616, JODYD@ROBBREPORT.COM EARL ESTEP | WATCHES 978.264.7557, EARL.ESTEP@ROBBREPORT.COM DANYA GERSTEIN | TRAVEL, CONSUMER ELECTRONICS & GROOMING/EAST COAST 212.230.0215, DANYAG@ROBBREPORT.COM ABBE JACKSON | REAL ESTATE (BROKERAGES) & HOME FURNISHINGS 978.264.7567, ABBEJ@ROBBREPORT.COM SHARI LANG | FASHION DIRECTOR 212.230.0207, SLANG@ROBBREPORT.COM MARION LOWRY | AVIATION, TRAVEL & AUTOMOTIVE/WESTERN REGION 310.589.7732, MARIONL@ROBBREPORT.COM SAURABH WIG | INDIA 647.633.8844, SAURABHW@ROBBREPORT.COM DANIELA SARTORI | ITALY +39.02.77717812, DANIELA@BERNARDINI.IT ALEXANDRA YOUNG | MIDDLE EAST +971.52.688.2622, ALEX@KONEXINTERNATIONAL.COM KAREN KO | ASIA +852.3911.1239, KAREN.KO@NEXUSMEDIAASIA.COM
MARKETING & LIVE MEDIA JOHN YAN | DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED MARKETING & CREATIVE SERVICES TRISHNA PATEL | CONTENT MANAGER, BRANDED & INTEGRATED MARKETING DARIN GREENBLATT | DIRECTOR, LIVE MEDIA EVENTS MONICA LENGKONG | DIRECTOR OF BRAND EXPERIENCE & MARKETING LIVE MEDIA RONNIE SHANKLAND | DIRECTOR, RESEARCH & INSIGHTS KALI SMITH | DESIGNER, CREATIVE SERVICES MARYELENA VOORHIS | INTEGRATED MARKETING MANAGER NANCY BROOME | INTEGRATED MARKETING ASSOCIATE BENJAMIN KATZ | INTEGRATED MARKETING ASSOCIATE CAROLINE BARRY | LIVE MEDIA COORDINATOR
AUDIENCE MARKETING ELLEN DEALY | VICE PRESIDENT, AUDIENCE MARKETING & SPECIAL PROJECTS
DIGITAL OPERATIONS FARDIN PAKRAVAN | SENIOR WEB DEVELOPER JAKE HAGEN | CAMPAIGN MANAGER, DIGITAL AD OPERATIONS
Robb Report© ISSN – 0279-1447 is published monthly by Robb Report Media, LLC, 11175 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Subscription rates $65 U.S. per year, Canada $75 U.S. per year, International $105 U.S. per year. Canadian GST 125220368. For change of address, send both old and new addresses to: ROBB REPORT SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT, P.O. Box 422554, Palm Coast, FL 32142-2555. Allow six weeks for changes. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, Calif., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ROBB REPORT SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT, P.O. Box 422554, Palm Coast, FL 32142-2555. Back issues are available for $25 each. Call (800) 947-7472 to order. Occasionally we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services that we believe would interest our readers. If you do not want to receive these offers, please advise us at P.O. Box 422554, Palm Coast, FL 32142-2555. Please include your exact name and address. Advertising rates furnished upon request. SEND ALL ADVERTISING INFORMATION AND MATERIALS TO 11175 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025. DIRECT ALL SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES TO 800.947.7472. All advertising is subject to approval before acceptance. ROBB REPORT reserves the right to refuse any ad for any reason whatsoever. Only actual publication of an advertisement constitutes acceptance thereof, but does not constitute any agreement for continued publication in any form. California law applies to and controls all materials contained herein. ORDERING FROM ADVERTISERS: Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. ROBB REPORT assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. ROBB REPORT, Robb Report Media, LLC, its offices, directors, employees, and agents make no recommendations as to the purchase or sale of any product, service, or other item. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of ROBB REPORT. All letters and their contents sent to ROBB REPORT become the sole property of ROBB REPORT and may be used and published in any manner whatsoever without limit and without obligation and liability to the author thereof. Canada Post International Publications Mail (Canadian distribution) Sales Agreement No. 0560502. Copyright © 2019 by ROBB REPORT, a Robb Report Media, LLC, publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or storage in any data retrieval system or any transmission by any means therefrom without prior written permission is prohibited. ROBB REPORT ® and FOR THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE™ are trademarks of Robb Report Media, LLC.
RÉCITAL 26 B R AI N STO RM ® CHAPTE R ON E THREE TIMES INTERNATIONALLY AWARDED SAPPHIRE “WRITING SLOPE” CASE, PATENTED DOUBLE FACE FLYING TOURBILLON, THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOON PHASE, BIG DATE, 10 DAYS’ POWER RESERVE, PATENTED SPHERICAL WINDING SYSTEM. LIMITED EDITION OF 60 MOVEMENTS. MORE THAN SWIS S MAD E , SWIS S HAN DCR AFTE D
bovet.com CELLINI JEWELERS, NEW YORK CITY, NY · EBILLION, TORONTO, ON · STEPHEN SILVER, MENLO PARK, CA · WATCHES OF SWITZERLAND, BOSTON, MA · LAS VEGAS, NV
Contributors
Basem Wasef Wasef’s fascination with all things vehicular can be traced to his early childhood, when he would sing “Happy Birthday” to his Matchbox cars. He has since written three books on cars and motorcycles, and been a regular contributor to publications such as Wired, Men’s Journal and Automobile. For this issue, Wasef flew in Cirrus’s Vision Jet and experienced its new landing system for “Many Happy Returns” (p. 74). “It was a fascinating opportunity to see how this remarkable machine has evolved,” he says. “Innovation is fundamental to the evolution of private flight. These safety features can only help the aviation community grow.”
22
Claire Coghlan
Mark C. O’Flaherty
Julia Robinson
Naomi Tomky
Coghlan has written about style and entertainment for The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Variety and other publications. In “Magic Carpet Ride” (p. 80), she spoke with rug maker Kyle Bunting about his custom carpets. Coghlan says the two bonded immediately, as Bunting’s rugs are made of cowhide and she grew up on a dairy farm in Ireland. “He was always mesmerized by rugs,” she says, “ever since he was a child and his father, a furniture maker, was tasked with making two custom carpets for a client.”
For Robb Report, O’Flaherty paid a visit to Donald Judd’s old house on Spring Street in New York City and chronicled the late artist’s less-is-more influence in “The Exacting Mind of Donald Judd” (p. 124). “I was fascinated by the African masks that line the stairway,” he says. “There’s something so surprising about his interest in them, but at the same time not at all—his works are totems in their own way.” O’Flaherty writes regularly on design for the Financial Times and shoots for Elle Décor and international editions of Architectural Digest. He’s at work on a book about fashion collectors in London and New York.
An independent photojournalist based in Texas, Robinson covers the Lone Star State for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and other publications. For Robb Report, she shot Kyle Bunting’s carpet manufacture in Austin for this month’s Genius at Work (p. 80). “The factory was a technological revelation for me,” she says. “The scanning and the precision laser cutting were very impressive.”
From trailing a street-food hawker in Singapore to navigating the ancient roads of the Mayan jungle, Tomky explores the world with a hungry eye. In “China’s Culinary Empires” (p. 54), she surveyed the chain restaurants bringing highend Chinese food to the US. One of the entries bears a special significance to her: “A decade after first eating at the Haidilao flagship in Beijing, my most vivid pregnancy dream was that the hot-pot palace opened an outlet in Seattle, where I live,” she says. “This year, that dream is slated to come true—just before my daughter turns five.” Tomky’s work also appears in publications such as Food & Wine, Saveur and Fortune.
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Kalpagraphe Chronomètre Titanium Manufactured entirely in Switzerland parmigiani.com
MANFREDI JEWELS 121 Greenwich Ave Greenwich, CT 06830 T +1 (203) 622-1414
GLEIM THE JEWELER 111 Stanford Shopping Center Palo Alto, CA 94304 T +1 (650) 325 3533
Call or text our concierge service to find out more (786) 481 1996
RADIANCE AT ARIA 3730 South Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89109 T +1 (702) 590 8725
Editor’s Letter Welcome to our February issue, which is dominated by our annual Car of the Year competition. As ever, this event is unlike any other Car of the Year in that the judges are . . . you!
24
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Paul Croughton Editor in Chief @paulcroughton
for fuel. Now, as Bagley says, “they get their local fishing updates on Facebook.” If the name Donald Judd is familiar to you, it might be for a few reasons. The artist, designer and architect is perhaps best known now for his colonization of the small Texas town of Marfa during the ’70s and ’80s, when he bought up all the buildings he could to display his and other artists’ work—turning the locale into a mecca for art lovers. By then, however, he had reached the autumn of his career: More than 20 years earlier he had gained a reputation as a painter and later a sculptor, but he also went on to be a designer of minimalist, spare (and, frankly, uncomfortable-looking) furniture. He died in the ’90s, but his influence on contemporary industrial and furniture design can still be felt. As the first US retrospective of Judd’s work in 30 years opens at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, writer Mark C. O’Flaherty examines his life, work and legacy on page 124. Enjoy the issue.
JOSHUA SCOT T
Last November and December, 171 Robb Report readers— rather than professional journalists—had the chance to walk in our car editors’ shoes as they road-tested our 11 world-class vehicles, back to back to back. Why is that distinction important? Because it’s the men and women who own and drive these cars, and other luxury automobiles, whose opinions really count here. So we’re proud to hand over one of our flagship events to you. And it’s a pretty mind-melting experience, taking out car after car, comparing them to one another across multiple categories—this year there were five convertibles, four sedans and two grand tourers. I know it sounds pretty much like the perfect day for many of you—especially once the world-class food and wine at the judges’ dinner afterward at Meadowood Napa Valley or the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida are considered— but we make these poor readers work, I promise you. Each judge must answer nearly 150 questions on the cars by the end of the day as pros and cons are debated. It’s one of my favorite events, because there is so much experience, knowledge and passion on show from all the readers who take part. I recommend it if it’s not yet been ticked off your bucket list. Turn to page 92 to see if Lamborghini could make it an unprecedented four victories in a row, or if the challengers from Aston Martin, Bentley, Mercedes and the rest could steal the show. I will say it was closer this year than anyone can remember, but in the end, there can be only one. . . . There are plenty more great auto stories in the issue, with a review of Polestar 1, the new high-performance electric-hybrid vehicle from Volvo, on page 70, a rundown of the best snowmobiles for when winter really kicks in, and a fascinating piece in our business section on page 163 about the 31-year-old Croatian behind Rimac Automobili who has built a phenomenal $1.2 million electric hypercar as well as powering electric vehicles for Koenigsegg, Pininfarina and Aston Martin. Elsewhere, we take deep dives into two very different subjects: travel and design. On page 132 we head to Greenland to experience firsthand how this extraordinary destination, the world’s largest island, is dealing with the seemingly relentless pace of both climate change and modernization. “It’s scary what we’re seeing and how fast things are changing,” a local says. In between whale adventures and the Northern Lights, Christopher Bagley ventures far off the beaten track, ending up in a village with a population of about 100. There he listens as the elders share their experiences of going “from the Stone Age to the iPhone age” in a few short decades. Some remember growing up in one-room huts with just seal fat
TWI N TU RBO FU RIOUS B UGATTI Channeling incredible Bugatti supercars, the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti Edition features its signature twin triple-axis tourbillons, column-wheel chronograph and decimal repeater, but adds Bugatti touches throughout. The blue of the French flag around the dial, a special engraved case back, the Bugatti logo proudly and prominently in the center of the dial, and the French flag colored “fuel” gauge all celebrate Bugatti’s 110-year anniversary. This timepiece is limited to 18 pieces worldwide. You better move fast, just like the Bugatti Chiron.
N e w Yo r k
4 8 Eas t 5 7 S t reet , New Yo r k , N e w Yo r k +1 .2 1 2 .7 1 9 .5 8 8 7
F o u r S e a s o n s H o t e l D e s B e r g u e s G e n e v a 33, Quai des Bergues, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland +41 22 316 00 96 jacobandco.com
CALIBER RM 037
RICHARD MILLE BOUTIQUES ASPEN BAL HARBOUR BEVERLY HILLS BOSTON BUENOS AIRES LAS VEGAS MIAMI NEW YORK ST. BARTH TORONTO VANCOUVER www.richardmille.com
Objectified
Curve Appeal To create a top-of-the-line Champagne tumbler, call in an expert on Champagne. That’s the house of Puiforcat’s line of thinking anyway: The 200-year-old Parisian silversmith joined up with celebrated winemaker Bruno Paillard to create Champagne vessels that enhance the overall sipping experience and look spectacular at the same time. Choice among the collection of bowls, buckets and accessories they created is this sterling piece, coated with a gleaming 24-karat-gold finish. $2,315, puiforcat.com
RROOBBBBRREEPPOORRT. T.C O M
27
A Moment in Time Crafted by acclaimed Japanese designer Oki Sato for fine-watch retailer the Hour Glass’s 40th anniversary, the brushed-aluminum Cubic Clock is simple geometry: a cube, for all intents and purposes, with two slivers taken from a corner. These pieces serve as the clock’s hands, moving about hour after hour, until they appear to fold back into the cube, as if never apart, at midnight and noon. Not broken, but still complete only twice a day. $44,000, limited edition of 10, thehourglass.com
28
HIROSHI IWASAKI
Objectified
Big Flex Niamh Barry has gained design-world renown for her artful renderings of bronze and LED, and her latest, Muscularity, proves no exception. With a shape reminiscent of muscles expanding and contracting, the striking fixture is composed of four horizontally arranged rings, and within each, a half sphere holds a light. These LEDs emit a warm, nuanced glow, courtesy of their polished bronze surroundings. The unique piece is just now available at Maison Gerard in New York. $225,000, niamhbarry.com
Objectified
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
31
Epic real estate. With a focus on real.
Just east of Atlanta at Reynolds Lake Oconee, you’re not just owning a lake home. You’re living in a remarkable destination, a southern resort with a lakefront Ritz-Carlton and community where friends and families gather for weekends—and stay for lifetimes. The Ritz-Carlton®
•
6 Championship Golf Courses
•
10 Restaurants
•
Sporting Grounds
•
350 Miles of Shoreline
*Excludes holidays and subject to availability; club credit for promotional purposes only. Real estate and other amenities are owned by Oconee Land Development Company LLC and/or other subsidiaries and affiliates of MetLife, Inc. (collectively, “OLDC” or “Sponsor”) and by unrelated third parties. Reynolds Lake Oconee to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy OLDC-owned real estate in Reynolds Lake Oconee by residents of HI, ID, OR, or any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. As to such states, any offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy applies only to Resale Properties. Access and rights to recreational amenities m operator. For OLDC properties, obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Void where prohibited by law. WARNING: T
from OLDC upon request. OLDC properties have been registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen at 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-6100 and the IN AN OFFERING PLAN AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR. FILE NO. H14-0001. Notice to New York Residents: The developer of Reynolds Lake Oconee and its principals are not incorporated in, located in, or resident in the state of New York offering, or purchase or sale of real estate by or to residents of the state of New York, shall take place until all registration and filing requirements under the Martin Act and the Attorney General’s regulations are complied with, a writt
Priced at just $289* per night for two people.
Our LIFESTYLE VISIT provides up to three nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or in a Cottage or Condominium, two rounds of golf, two-hour boat rental, breakfast each day, $75 club credit for a two-night stay and private preview of real estate opportunities.
4 Marinas
•
21 Miles of Walking Trails
•
Tennis Center
ReynoldsLakeOconee.com/Robb (855) 285.9157 •
Homesites from $100k-$2.5m
•
Homes from $400k-$5m+
Properties, LLC (“RLOP”) is the exclusive listing agent for OLDC-owned properties in Reynolds Lake Oconee. RLOP also represents buyers and sellers of properties in Reynolds Lake Oconee which OLDC does not own (“Resale Properties”). OLDC is not involved in the marketing or sale of Resale Properties. This is not intended may be subject to fees, membership dues, or other limitations. Information provided is believed accurate as of the date printed but may be subject to change from time to time. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is a private commercial enterprise and use of the facilities is subject to the applicable fees and policies of the
HE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR DISQUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. An offering statement has been filed with the Iowa Real Estate Commission and a copy of such statement is available e Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection at 1700 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. Certain OLDC properties are registered with the Department of Law of the State of New York. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS ARE k. No offering is being made in or directed to any person or entity in the state of New York or to New York residents by or on behalf of the developer/offeror or anyone acting with the developer/offeror’s knowledge. No such ten exemption is obtained pursuant to an application is granted pursuant to and in accordance with Cooperative Policy Statements #1 or #7, or a “No-Action” request is granted.
g fraudsters Jho Low and Jordan Belfort ripped off thousands of people for millions—even bil nd his illicit fortune through Malaysia’s 1MDB, a state-owned investment fund that diverted m former prime minister Najib Razak and others. Meanwhile, Belfort’s brokerage Stratton Oakm ed by buying stocks low, pumping up the price, dumping them on investors and profiting from ted value. Low and Belfort are inextricably linked, but how do their crimes actually compare
rdan Belfort
Jho Low
VS.
A . K .A .
The Wolf of Wall Street
The Billion-Dollar Whale
F IR ST HUSTL E
Between high school and college he made a tidy $20,000 selling Italian ice on the beach.
He helped Kuwait buy an $87 million luxury high-rise in Kuala Lumpur.
HE STOL E HOW MU CH?
$200 million $4.5 billion FAM OU S L AST WOR DS
“It was awful what I did, but I was under the influence of massive quantities of drugs.”
“I've nothing to hide.”
$2.4 million for his Long Island mansion
$24.5 million for his Hollywood Hills estate
W HAT HAPPE N S IN VEG AS
Belfort had his bachelor party at the Mirage Hotel in Vegas along with around 200 attendees. It got so out of hand that he had to pay to refurbish an entire floor afterward.
A regular in Vegas, Low once celebrated the New Year’s Eve countdown twice: once in Sydney, then again in Vegas via private jet with Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Leonardo DiCaprio and others.
JAIL TIME
Twenty-two months. Belfort served in a minimum-security prison in California.
None. He faces eight counts, each with a maximum sentence of five years.
S U PE RYAC HT OF C HOIC E
Nadine
(167 ft)
Equanimity
(300 ft)
KNOWS LEONARDO D I CAPRIO BECAUSE
DiCaprio played Belfort in the biopic The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
Low helped fund The Wolf of Wall Street. He claims he helped DiCaprio, a friend of his, secure the role.
DOWN FALL
After years of scrutiny, the National Association of Securities Dealers finally shut Stratton Oakmont down in 1996.
Xavier Justo leaked to the press 230,000 e-mails from his former employer PetroSaudi, exposing 1MDB.
C UR R E NT N ET WORTH
$100 million $150 million DID HE PAY IT ALL BAC K?
Nope. Since his 2003 sentencing, Belfort still owes about $97 million in reparations.
No, he settled with the US in a $700 million deal that will drop the government’s case against him.
WHER E AR E THE Y NOW ?
Belfort travels the world as a motivational speaker. 34
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Who knows? A fugitive, he’s believed to be hiding out in China.
BELFORT, LOW, DRUGS, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, EQUANIMIT Y, DOLLARS: SHUT TERSTOCK; LOW ’S HOLLY WOOD HILLS ESTATE: DOUGLAS ELLIMAN
VALUE OF HIS OL D DIGS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
FANTASTIC VOYAGE A sailing journey along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, also known as a “blue voyage,” is a magical way to visit this fascinating country.
Turkey boasts more than 5,000 miles of coastline spanning four seas—the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Marmara Sea—but it’s the Turkish Riviera in southwest Turkey, also known as the Turquoise Coast, that has proven most enchanting to travelers with a love of nautical adventure. Wealthy and diverse, the region brims with undiscovered beaches, picturesque islands and a varied landscape suffused with limitless sunshine. For a sailing enthusiast, there’s no better way to explore this beguiling land than by boat, cruising into hidden coves by day and sleeping beneath the stars at night, each day ushering in a new maritime quest.
Adrasan
Insiders know this experience as a “blue voyage,” a reference to the rich cerulean hue of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. But the simple pleasure of being on the sea is just part of what makes it so special. The legendary hospitality of Anatolian people combined with the ancient history of Turkey’s cities are the backdrop to any trip to the Turquoise Coast. Blue voyagers start their days with an invigorating swim followed by breakfast. In the late morning, they may embark on a coastal nature hike or an archaeological excursion. Every day includes a few hours of sailing. Those who prefer to lounge on the yacht and read a book or relax in the sun are welcome to do so. For anyone wishing to enjoy a more active holiday, however, water sports such as swimming, rowing, diving, fishing, jet skiing or water skiing are always on the agenda. Of the many blue voyage routes in Turkey, the journey from Marmaris to Antalya is ideal for travelers who like to move about and prefer a combination of nature and history.
MARMARIS TO ANTALYA Day 1: When Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent set out to defeat the Knights Hospitaller of Rhodes, he ordered a new castle to be built. When he saw its disappointingly small size, the sultan flew into a rage and ordered that the architect be hanged. The name of one of Turkey’s most popular resorts is derived from his command: “Mimarı as!” (“Hang the architect!”). Leaving Marmaris behind, you’ll enjoy a three-hour cruise to Ekincik. As soon as you arrive, you’ll board a small boat to Dalyan. There you can visit the ruins of Caunos and İztuzu Beach (Turtle Beach), where caretta carettas (loggerhead turtles) still lay their eggs.
Day 2: You’ll depart early in the morning
Ölüdeniz
for Ağa Limani’s harbor and take a leisurely after-breakfast walk. Climb up to Lydae and you’ll find yourself officially in Lycia, the ancient Land of Light. Here you can explore a few temple ruins and walk down through the woods, following part of the famous Lycian Way. At the end of the road, you will
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Iztuzu
arrive at Batik Hamam (Sunken Bath) in Göcek. Continue to Bedri Rahmi Bay in the afternoon, looking out for the spirits of the country’s earliest blue voyagers along the way.
Day 3: It takes about an hour and a half to get to Fethiye from Göcek. Once you arrive, you’ll shuttle to Ölüdeniz immediately. After soaking up the sun on one of Turkey’s most beautiful beaches, continue on to Soğuksu and walk to Kayaköy. You’ll spend the night at Gemiler Adasi (St Nicholas Island), home to the remains of an ancient monastery.
visible underwater. After lunch, you will reach Simena (Kaleköy) within an hour. Climb up to a citadel at the top of the village, which dates back to the Crusades, and enjoy the view from one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey. Then sail out over the extraordinary remains of a submerged city called Kekova. As the boat slowly cuts through the water, be on the lookout for more wonders, both underwater and on the land of this magnificent city destroyed by an earthquake in the second century. You’ll spend the night in Karalos Bay. Should there be a full moon, count your blessings—the coast doesn’t get more magical than this.
Day 7: From Myra’s harbor, Andriake (Çayağzı), walk to the Church of Saint Nicholas in the town center. Myra is the last place Saint Paul visited before he was taken to Rome as a prisoner. The ruins of the theater and the tombs carved into the rocks are fine examples of the region’s ancient architecture.
a-half-hour cruise is Kalkan, one of the most beautiful coastal towns, now chock-a-block with British settlers.
Day 5: A two-hour cruise, bypassing
Day 9: On this day, you’ll reach the
Kaputaş Beach, brings you to Kas and its numerous diving schools. Souvenir hunters will delight to walk through Uzun Çarşi (the Long Bazaar), one of Turkey’s loveliest shopping streets.
romantic ancient city of Phaselis, which is best visited in the morning; by noon, the site is overrun with day trippers. As you sit in the ancient theater, look up at Mount Tahtali. Perhaps it will share one of its thousand-year-old secrets or recount the story of Bellerophon, who rode his winged horse Pegasus over the Chimaera to slay it.
Day 6: After leaving Kas, you’ll pass Uluburun, where the oldest shipwreck in the world was excavated. Be sure to stop at Aperlae to enjoy a dive. You will be amazed at the ruins
The poet Bedri Rahmi Eyüboglu wrote: “The Blue Voyage is a fairy tale, never told, never written, never depicted.” The story is up to you.
Day 8: A three-hour morning cruise will take you first to Adrasan Bay and then to Olympos, one of Turkey’s most intriguing ancient cities. Its ruins peek out from amid the undergrowth. Up above, the Chimaera (Yanartaş) is a breathtaking sight, both for the myths attached to it and its mysterious, ever burning light. Afterward, you’ll spend the night at Port Ceneviz (Genoese).
Day 4: The reward for a three-and-
Antalya Finike
Olympos
Bodrum Gullets
Visit www.goturkey.com to plan your next Turkey voyage.
THE GOODS THIS MONTH’S WHO, WHAT AND WEAR
Have Kids,
NIELS VAN GIJN
An attentive new trend
Will Travel (Yes, Even Here) in luxury travel means you no longer have to choose between high-end escape and family vacation.
In the bush with Elewana Collection
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
39
The Goods | T R AV E L
F
amily travel doesn’t have to mean kids’ menus and long lines for the roller coaster. High-end locations around the world are elevating their offerings to include unique and exciting options for children of all ages, from survivalskills courses to zip-line adventures, all while adults enjoy the type of superlative accommodations, cuisine and attractions they would expect from any luxury destination. Here, four ways to truly get away—without leaving the kids behind. Hawaii: Four Seasons Resort Lanai Located on the unspoiled southeastern coast of Lanai, the five-diamond Four Seasons Resort Lanai is beach luxury at its best, whether for spotting humpback whales from a private catamaran or having a cliff-side dinner at Nobu Lanai. “The aerial adventure course allows kids to traverse over 70 obstacles in a two-tiered adventure tower,” says Larry Icalla, island activities manager for Four Seasons Resort Lanai. “Or they can soar through the air on the zip-line course that offers sweeping views of Kaiholena Gulch.” The Lanai Archery and Shooting Range offers bow-and-arrow lessons for youngsters, while the ranch gives kids a chance to interact with miniature
FOR THEM:
Bund from the Shanghai Edition. BELOW: ATV adventuring in Hawaii. BOTTOM RIGHT: Making friends at Paws Up, in Montana.
horses, donkeys and goats, as well as private rides with an instructor. High-flying couples can learn to pilot their own Cirrus SR22 aircraft with Maui Flight Academy, with several flight-path options over sea cliffs, volcanoes and waterfalls. Or enjoy the Jack Nicklaus–designed Manele Golf Course, a breathtaking par-72 track built with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. In the evenings, retire to the $21,000-per-night Alii Royal Suite to enjoy its views of Hulopoe Bay as well as the master bathroom’s Japanese soaking tub and double walk-in steam shower.
FOR YOU:
Montana: Resort at Paws Up Families come to Paws Up for its wide variety of activities and adventures, such as cattle drives, hot-air-balloon rides, dogsledding and ATV excursions. But the Montana resort doesn’t skimp on the amenities: The property’s 28 luxury homes include 10 Wilderness Estates, each with about 3,250 square feet of living space that encompasses a private outdoor hot tub, a fireplace and three master bedrooms equipped with soaking tubs and heated slate bathroom floors. “Kids can mine for sapphires in the river and experience rustic ranch cooking classes, including learning how to make churned ice cream,” says Will Smith (no, not that one), director of activities for the Resort at Paws Up. There are also
FOR THEM:
40
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
THE SHANGHAI EDITION: NIKOLAS KOENIG; FOUR SEASONS LANAI: RICK COLLINS; PATAGONIA: ALEX FENLON
ABOVE: A view of the
T R AV E L | The Goods
go-karts, treasure hunts and a wildernessskills course called Gettin’ Primitive, which teaches survival techniques such as building a fire and shelter, identifying edible plants, tracking and more.
convenience, the SkySafari private charter service will fly you directly from lodge to lodge; families can rent the entire plane to customize the safari experience to their needs.
Grown-up fun includes sporting clays, fly-fishing and helicopter rides, but “food and wine lovers should partake in one of the many year-round event weekends with renowned chefs from around the country,” says Smith. The 2020 lineup includes stints by chef Courtney Park, from legendary Michelin three-star restaurant French Laundry, and featured vintners from California’s Holus Bolus Winery and Jelly Roll Wines.
Shanghai: Shanghai Edition From the landmark Oriental Pearl TV Tower to boat rides along the Huangpu River, Shanghai is a great city for families. The Shanghai Edition is walking distance from many of the top sights in this Asian metropolis, including the West Bund, “the largest art zone in Asia,” according to Shanghai Edition general manager Matthew Cooper.
FOR YOU:
“The nearby Shanghai National History Museum has a 4-D cinema and a 140-million-year-old complete dinosaur skeleton, as well as specimens of animals that are found only in China,” Cooper says. On the property, children can enjoy afternoon tea or an under-the-stars movie on the rooftop garden while snacking on local delicacies.
FOR THEM:
Tanzania: SkySafari by Elewana Kids will delight in seeing elephants, lions and rhinos up close, while parents can enjoy a sundowner cocktail in the bush. At SkySafari, families are accommodated not just with luxury lodgings—think butlers and spacious en suite tents—but also with flexible menus and mealtimes. Little ones will love bingo safari on game drives, while older kids can go horseback riding through coffee fields and learn the bush skills of local Maasai warriors, who teach archery and the technique of throwing the Maasai spear known as the rungu. FOR THEM:
Enjoy a private dinner and wine pairing in the cellar at the Manor at Ngorongoro and butler service throughout the various outposts. For exceptional FOR YOU:
“The West Bund is home to over 20 cultural and art institutions such as the Long Museum, Yuz Museum and Tank Shanghai,” says Cooper. Foodies and late-night revelers have endless options nearby and also on-site, including the Edition’s two rooftop bars and its 27th-floor Japanese restaurant with incredible views of the Bund. There are also the dance-ready Electric Circus nightlife venue and the Club Room, which features two lounges, a screening room and a karaoke area. Judy Koutsky FOR YOU:
From the landmark Oriental Pearl TV Tower to boat rides along the Huangpu River, Shanghai is a great city for families.
ON LOCATION
Fishing From on High The Rio Palena Lodge, the newest property from Eleven Experience, is set on a scenic stretch of river in the dramatic Lake District of Chilean Patagonia. It’s isolated in the best sense, an hour or so down a long dirt road reachable only after three or four flights from America. And it takes advantage of the secluded location, whisking anglers by helicopter to nearby lakes for truly extraordinary fishing. These hard-toreach lakes, otherwise accessible only by horseback or arduous daylong treks, can be reached by a helicopter ride of 15 memorable minutes over lush green Andean peaks. (Our chopper was captained by Gabriel, a former pilot in the Chilean Air Force with over 2,000 hours in the cockpit.) Land next to remote Lago Cofré, for
example, and you’ll find that your guide has already prepared an inflatable raft. In crystal-clear water you cast along the reeds and, if you’re lucky, catch huge wild brown and rainbow trout that put up extraordinary fights. (Lake trout eat well and have the dimensions to prove it.) Any fish you haul out—and it is a haul—will be one worth remembering. The lodge provides more than just a fishing paradise. After the angling is done, the helicopter drops you at an open-fire cooking spot by a nearby river for cocktails and a delightful asada grill. Back at the lodge, you can celebrate over a pisco sour and soak in a cedarwood hot tub. For anglers who like to catch large fish in spectacular settings—which sounds like every angler I know—this is fly-fishing at an elevated level. David Coggins
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
41
STYLE
It’s Time to Consider Jean Replacement Therapy The truly elevated wardrobe includes superlative denim, masterfully cut with an eye toward tailoring.
F
or some men, denim is a teenager’s game, a strange world of skinny fits, unflattering materials and rippedand-faded affectation that’s best left to the kids. And while the majority of mainstream brands do focus on the younger end of the market, artisanal denim has enjoyed a renaissance over the past few years thanks to a new generation of independent brands stitching jeans quite unlike their entry-level counterparts. That means worldclass selvedge fabrics, roomier fits
42
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
The Armoury’s collaboration with Brit denim connoisseur Nigel Cabourn.
F I N E W I N E S & G O U R M E T F O O D S S I N C E 19 6 8
WE SPECIALIZE IN FINE DINING & COCKTAILS FINE & COLLECTIBLE WINE RARE SPIRITS FUTURES CATERING WINE BASKETS WINE CONSIGNMENT ARTISANAL CHEESE & CAVIAR WORLDWIDE SHIPPING
WALLY’S BEVERLY HILLS |447 N. CANON DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 WALLY’S SANTA MONICA | 214 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SANTA MONICA, 90401
SHOP AT WALLYWINE.COM FOLLOW US ON:
The Goods | S T Y L E
and superlative attention to detail. Because of these indie makers, denim is also transcending its utilitarian roots. Take Blackhorse Lane Ateliers, located in a quiet corner of northeast London, which has spent the last four years making jeans smart enough to pair with tailoring. “Jeans have been around for over 150 years, and every age group, from 15-year-olds to 100-year-olds, has worn denim,” says Blackhorse Lane founder Han Ates. “Over the past decade we’ve seen the perception of denim change from a workwear staple to an important part of a well-dressed man’s wardrobe. We make lots of high-rise jeans
This new denim scene is reframing the discussion over what makes a cool pair of jeans.
specifically to pair with blazers and tailored pieces.” Blackhorse Lane’s NW1 Relaxed Straight fit, available in a variety of reassuringly solid raw denims, is a case in point, designed with a higher back rise and roomy legs that straighten from the knee down for a classic 1950s look. New York’s bastion of classic style, the Armoury, had a similar idea: Last summer, the shop collaborated with British designer Nigel Cabourn to create a sartorialist’s dream jeans, with a higher rise to sit beneath a sport coat and tapered but generously cut legs,
44
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
so even those with adult-size frames can wear them comfortably. Also in New York is Blue In Green, an independent men’s store specializing in imported artisanal denim. There you’ll find pairs from the likes of Resolute, Syoaiya and Fullcount & Co., three big names in Japanese Okayama denim, which is woven on the unique, midcentury shuttle looms sold off by Levi’s following WWII. In Los Angeles, brands like Freenote Cloth and Buck Mason have set out to modernize American wardrobe staples, with denim at the center of both collections. Crafted denim is a versatile investment, too. A big part of the pleasure of good jeans is the way the fabric improves with age, the weight and heft of the cloth softening and molding to your body with each wear. In terms of fit and feel, there’s practically no difference between quality high-
FROM TOP: The
workshop at Blackhorse Lane Ateliers, in London; the Armoury’s sartorially minded denim works seamlessly with tailoring; black jeans from Freenote Cloth.
rise jeans and a pair of flat-front navy chinos: Wear with an opencollar shirt and a plaid sport coat— or a merino turtleneck and suede bomber—finished with chunky, lace-up ankle boots. This new denim scene, with its focus on quality over quantity and subtle details over brand names and distressed finishes, is reframing the discussion over what makes a cool pair of jeans. In fact, with so many elegant, high-quality (and decidedly grown-up) takes on the blue jean, there’s never been a better time to be a denim-head. Aleks Cvetkovic
B
VER Y
MA
I
•
OM
NEW
ORK
•
6 72 0
S
S FI
TH A
E
E
S
The Goods | S T Y L E
THE WORKHORSE Denim shirts have evolved beyond ranches and rodeos, but the new luxe version might still be the hardestworking piece in your wardrobe. Market Editor: LUIS CAMPUZANO Photography by JOSHUA SCOTT Styling by JOHN OLSON
A SARTORIAL PROMOTION Denim can be workwear for the boardroom, too. Just add some textural touches with a woven leather belt and handsomely sturdy ankle boots. Kiton cashmere, silk and linen suit ($10,130); Brunello Cucinelli western denim shirt ($795); Ralph Lauren leather belt ($195); Smythson leather briefcase ($1,545); Dunhill leather zip boots ($1,195).
46
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
S T Y L E | The Goods
GOING WALKABOUT Neutral chinos let the myriad materials at play—sleek bomber, chunky knit tie, smooth leather knapsack, suede kicks—get along together. Brunello Cucinelli leather jacket ($6,245) and tie ($280); Ermenegildo Zegna cotton trousers ($385); Tod’s cotton shirt ($495); Mansur Gavriel calf backpack ($995); Officina Slowear suede leather sneakers ($495); Montblanc sunglasses ($600).
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
47
The Goods | S T Y L E
CITY, SLICKER For a fabric that’s been around since 1873, denim works remarkably well with high-tech materials. Keep things grounded with complementary shades of blues and browns. Herno waterproof linen hooded parka ($1,070); Slowear Glanshirt cotton shirt ($310); Salvatore Ferragamo bag ($1,590); Aspesi cotton pants ($340); Orciani leather belt ($160); Loro Piana calfskin loafers ($1,045).
48
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
WAT C H E S
Sleeper Grails Under-the-radar collectibles for in-theknow connoisseurs.
G
rail watches are called grail watches because everyone’s chasing them. Even casual collectors know enough to lust after a Patek Philippe 1518 or a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona. But these collectors’ darlings are all about lowkey cachet, with the type of insider cred that will prompt a double take from true aficionados. Because if you know, you know. Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute Ref. 809
Breitling’s re-edition of its original 1959 Navitimer Ref. 806, created in partnership with noted Breitling collector and historian Fred Mandelbaum, was one of 2019’s biggest releases, and early editions of the iconic pilot’s watch are already worth a look. But the Ref. 809 Cosmonaute model is extra-special: Worn by American astronaut Scott Carpenter, who requested modifications such as the 24-hour dial, wider bezel and simplified slide rule, it was the first Swiss chronograph taken into space, as part of the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission in 1962. Fewer than 30 examples were produced, and Carpenter’s original was lost. Paul Boutros, head of watches for the Americas at Phillips, says an “identical model and configuration,” manufactured in
50
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
A space-going Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute Ref. 809
The ultra-rare Tornek-Rayville TR-900
June 1962 and worn by another MercuryAtlas 7 astronaut, sold for $156,250 at the auction house’s Game Changers sale in December. Boutros says, “Its rarity, remarkable state of preservation and impeccable provenance make it among the most important Breitling watches ever to appear at an international auction.” Tornek-Rayville TR-900
You may notice this watch looks suspiciously similar to Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms diver, invented in 1953. That’s because in the 1960s, Blancpain— known at the time as Rayville, following a name change several decades prior— manufactured the TR-900 for the US
Just 1,000 TR-900s were produced, and most were lost in combat or destroyed by the navy; only between 30 and 50 examples are believed to still exist.
Navy’s Experimental Diving Unit, to be used by the elite Underwater Demolition Team, a group that would later evolve into the Navy SEALs. Due to the Buy American Act, which promoted the use of domestic equipment, the name of the US distributor, the Allen V. Tornek Co., was added to the dial. Just 1,000 were produced, and most were lost in combat or destroyed by the navy; only between 30 and 50 examples are believed to still exist. “The Tornek-Rayville is the ultimate sleeper grail military watch,” says vintagewatch specialist Eric Wind, of Wind Vintage. “It’s something only top vintagewatch experts would recognize on your wrist.” Surviving models have recently sold at auction for up to $150,000. Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer Ref. 2443
An Abercrombie chronograph from the brand’s heyday
The Abercrombie & Fitch name may rightly conjure mall-cruising American adolescents, but it was once a purveyor of fine adventure gear and watches, catering
to explorers like Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. Ernest Hemingway was even known to buy his hunting equipment there. This Seafarer was created for A&F by Heuer in 1949 and remained a niche production model through the 1970s. The watch was aimed at hunters and fishermen with the inclusion of a tidal indicator—basically, a moonphase complication that helped time expeditions according to the Solunar Theory, a scientific hypothesis that suggests fish and other animals move according to the position of the moon. The Ref. 2443 also comes with a regattacountdown subdial that clocks the 15 minutes before sailors can cross the starting line of a yacht race. This watch sold at Christie’s in 2016 for $32,500, more than twice its top estimate, and is coveted even by serious collectors used to shelling out six figures and more. Paige Reddinger
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
51
The Goods | WA T C H E S
URWERK’S SPECIAL RELATIVITY since its inception in 1997, Urwerk has specialized in wildly futuristic timepieces that look like mini spaceships for the wrist. The UR-100 SpaceTime, available in a gunmetal version launched in mid-January, encapsulates the brand’s outof-this-world philosophy by tweaking its orbital-satellite mechanism with a pair of astronomical indications. At 10 o’clock, a red-tipped pointer hand passes beneath a subsidiary dial that marks the distance a fixed point on Earth has moved through space, based on the average speed of rotation at the equator, which comes to 555 kilometers, or 345 miles, every 20 minutes. The second display, at two o’clock, marks how far the planet has traveled in its orbit around the sun within that same time frame (that would be 35,740 kilometers, or 22,208 miles). It’s a reminder that time and space aren’t fixed ideas but interconnected phenomena, which can appear drastically different with nothing more than a change in our perception. P.R.
52
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
A place to do nothing. And absolutely everything.
FOOD & DRINK
China’s Culinary Empires With award-winning brands arriving Stateside, it’s never been a better time to experience authentic Chinese specialties.
54
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
F
orget Chinese food. Now is an excellent time to explore highend Chinese cuisine. But first, a point of translation: While in America the term “chain restaurant” conjures spiral-bound menus and endless breadsticks, in China it can mean expert chefs introducing authentic, flavorful and technically challenging Chinese dishes to cities around the world—sometimes with Michelin-starred results. Here, a guide to the top three styles making noise Stateside. Soup Dumplings The first American outpost of Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung opened in Arcadia, California, in 2000, well before its Hong Kong location received a Michelin star in 2009 for its xiao long bao, soup dumplings of preposterously thin, pleated
dough encapsulating tender pork in rich broth. Now, Din Tai Fung’s 13 West Coast locations face stiff competition: Singapore-based Paradise Dynasty has announced plans to bring its Instagramfamous array of colorful soup dumplings, including ones made with foie gras and truffle, to Southern California this year. Meanwhile, California and Las Vegas each celebrated a 2019 opening for the Hong Kong chain Tim Ho Wan—in New York since 2016—which is known both for its refined, expert brand of dim sum, the dumpling-centric Cantonese morning meal, and for its title as “the world’s most inexpensive Michelin-starred restaurant.” Hot Pot Hot pot started its life humbly: a simple soup into which diners dipped noodles, vegetables and sliced meats to cook and
F O O D & D R I N K | The Goods
eat at the table. Szechuan chain Haidilao helped pioneer the haute-hot-pot trend by replacing standard protein cuts with Wagyu beef cubes, adding a menu of premium seafood and hand-pulling the noodles tableside. Though the first US location opened in Arcadia in 2013, the company’s Hong Kong IPO in 2018 raised $963 million, funding a New York City
Peking duck is meticulously prepared over the course of several days. opening in 2019 and expansion plans for Seattle and other locations. Other highend hot-pot chains have followed Haidilao across the water, including Da Long Yi, the Dolar Shop and Liuyishou.
ABOVE: An array of hot-pot options at Haidilao. BELOW: Din Tai Fung’s Michelinstarred soup dumpling.
Peking Duck Until the late 19th century, only Chinese emperors were allowed to enjoy the sweet, crisp skin and tender meat of Peking duck, which is meticulously prepared over the course of several days. More recently, only those who traveled to its point of origin could enjoy the full glory, as expat imitations paled in comparison. (Or simply failed, as was the case with the New York outpost of famed Beijing specialist DaDong.) Hong Kong restaurants Mott 32 and Hutong both recently opened US locations—the former in Las Vegas and the latter in New York and Miami—bringing decades of Pekingduck expertise across the water. Hutong’s head chef, Fei Wang, hangs his duck for 24 hours before marinating it and stuffing it with fruit, while Mott 32’s executive chef, Alan Ji, first brushes his with a sugar coating “to give it the dark brown color” before leaving it for 48 hours. Both restaurants carve the duck tableside and serve it with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce and cucumbers. Naomi Tomky
The Other White Wine It’s hard to name a West Coast wine whose demise has been so nearly complete as Chenin Blanc. With its roots in France’s Loire Valley and an important outpost now in South Africa (where it’s called Steen), it can be a complex, aromatic white. But demand has plummeted: In 1980 there were some 32,000 acres of Chenin Blanc planted in California; by 2017 there were fewer than 5,000. Of course, the Chenin of the ’80s was largely uninteresting. The bulk came from California’s Central
Valley, where the vines were allowed to crop many tons per acre, much of it funneled into cheap white blends (remember all those jugs of Chablis?), while the varietals were generally simple, with a hefty amount of residual sugar. But there are producers who have held a torch for the crisp, dry, aromatic Chenin style, including John Skupny, co-owner of Lang & Reed Napa Valley, who calls Chenin “one of the truly noble white varieties.” A number of West Coast producers are using surviving pockets of old Chenin vines to create wines at once delicate and vibrant— and fantastically undervalued. Some of the best bottles are among the most affordable wines on the West Coast, despite the involvement of serious winemaking talent.
Try the Chappellet 2017 Pritchard Hill Signature Chenin Blanc Napa Valley ($42), a perfectly balanced tapestry of peach and pear flavors, vibrant minerality and interesting textures produced from a precious block on the winemaker’s Pritchard Hill property. Or, for phenomenal value, seek out the refreshingly crisp and dry L’Ecole No. 41 2018 Old Vines Chenin Blanc Yakima Valley, with gorgeous texture unfolding from delicate white blossoms to exuberant citrus, white peach and apple. It might be the best wine 15 bucks can buy in the States. Sara L. Schneider
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
55
Party Time Multidisciplinary artist Nicolas Party brings his colorfully subversive work to Los Angeles.
W
ith colors as electric and saturated as a Matisse and dreamy imagery of landscapes, animals and people that carries a hint of surrealism, Swiss-born, Brooklyn- and Brussels-based artist Nicolas Party has become a favorite of serious curators and speculating auction-goers alike. On February 13, he makes his Hauser & Wirth debut with a gonzo exhibition in Los Angeles, featuring figurative sculptures, a site-specific installation resembling a chapel and a new series of his signature pastels that pay homage to Dutch old masters Rachel Ruysch and Otto Marseus van Schrieck, known for their moody paintings of flowers and the dark forest floor. Don’t let the visually stunning—some would say decorative—appeal of Party’s work fool you: There’s subversive thinking at play here. Party is out to earn respect for pastels, which he notes have long been denigrated as a woman’s medium. “Even the word ‘pastel,’ ” he says, “makes you think of light colors, softness and curves.” He also cleverly obscures the sex of his portrait subjects. “I’m never defining a gender. The person is not based on anyone who exists—this person exists only on canvas.” In other words, everyone is invited to this party. Julie Belcove
Portrait with Cat, 2016
56
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
ISABELLE ARTHUIS
A RT & D E S I G N
I F YOU R I DEA OF HAWAI I IS GOLF,
why would you live anywhere else?
At the Mauna Kea Resort are Hawaii’s last and most spectacular oceanfront residences — absolute beachfront where you live steps to the water’s edge. From $3.2M to $8M, first owners will move in early in 2020. Now 40% sold — phase one pricing still available.
808.557.8689
Info@MaunaKeaLiving.com
MaunaKeaLiving.com
The Goods | A R T & D E S I G N
MASTER GLASS when bernd goeckler gallery tasked two designers—Simone Crestani, a glassblower, and Roberto Rida, a metalworker—with creating a collection together, the duo were given just one rule: Make at least two mirrors. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The Ursula
Chair, the Avatar Chandelier and the Hubble 9000 Screen. All blend glass’s delicate form with rigid metal.
“I told them this because a mirror isn’t just a usable thing,” says gallery director Katja Hirche. “It’s something that could replace a piece of art and still add dimension to a space.” The Hubble Bubble and the Scarabei mirrors—adorned with glass orbs and colorful scarabs, respectively—serve, like the rest of the Duetto collection, as both functional furnishing and statement artwork. Hirche paired Rida and Crestani because she felt each would complement the other’s material expertise. The two
share a fascination with shapes found in nature, spurring works such as the Hamami Coffee Table, a twisting glass tree within a transparent box, and the Scarabeo container, which, like the Scarabei mirror, renders the scarab beetle—a favorite of Crestani’s—in elegant glass. But for the collection to work, each piece must retain its function, no matter how avant-garde the final shape. Take the Ursula Chair: At first glance its preponderance of glass orbs, reminiscent of octopus eggs and running along the back and underside, seems like a livingroom nightmare. But Crestani’s glasswork is sturdy borosilicate, strong enough to withstand day-to-day bumps and bruises; it fosters a motif of fragility throughout Duetto without the threat of actual breakage. “To do good collectible design, the idea is important, but so is the execution,” Crestani says. “Craftsmanship is something that we must preserve.” Helena Madden
Each piece in the collection retains its function, no matter how avant-garde the final shape.
Selling furniture needn’t be so by design. Once a circuit plagued with white walls and labyrinthine booths, the design fair has recently broken from its one-note mold, creating dynamic displays that are more reminiscent of the lived environment. Here, four names changing the way collectors experience—and buy— rare works.
58
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Gabriel & Guillaume A Gabriel & Guillaume exhibition at 111 West 57th Street’s Landmark Penthouse in New York City
For cofounders Nancy Gabriel and Guillaume Excoffier, home is where the Hadid sofa is. Rather than settling on a single brick-and-mortar space, Gabriel & Guillaume hits the road year-round, displaying its collection of vintage and modern works in residential environments from Beirut to New York City for only a month or two at a time. The Future Perfect If you want to peruse the Future Perfect’s latest contemporary works, you’ll have to key into founder David Alhadeff’s home. The aesthete lives bicoastally
among the gallery’s designs in the company’s two Casa Perfect locations: Los Angeles and New York City. Paying a visit feels like entering the home of an exceptionally refined friend with superb taste in furniture. Nomad Circle Typically held twice per year—once in St. Moritz, the other either in Venice or Monaco—each Nomad fair takes over a glitzy, old-world mansion for a long weekend. Every participating gallery gets a room to itself, with works laid out as if for someone who lived there. The
catch? Once invite-only, attendance is still strictly regulated, with a limited number of tickets available at the door. Object & Thing A still-young fair that will celebrate its second year this May, Object & Thing does away with display booths entirely. Instead, works are shown alongside one another, without organization by gallery or era, in a sun-drenched warehouse in Brooklyn. It feels more democratic, open and accessible—and, most importantly, it’s an enlivening antithesis to the onset of “fair-tigue.” H.M.
G ABRIEL & GUILLAUME: ROBERT GRANOFF
Fair Play
The Answers with . . .
REMO RUFFINI For the last 16 years, Remo Ruffini has been the chairman and CEO of the FrancoItalian ready-to-wear and accessories company Moncler, turning its puffer jackets and skiwear into a must-have luxury product for the slopes and the streets. The brand has since reinvented the notion of the down jacket beyond its standard best sellers by tapping big-name designers like Thom Browne and Giambattista Valli to reinterpret the cold-weather staple. He’s even gone so far as giving Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli free rein to re-create the jackets as regal floor-length capes. Here’s how he keeps his cool outside the office. PAIGE REDDINGER
1
Enduro riding is a form of mountainbike racing in which riders are timed in stages, which are primarily downhill.
What have you done recently for the first time? I had a beautiful enduro ride on Moroccan dunes.1
What, apart from more time, would make the biggest difference to your life? A sense of lightheartedness.
What apps do you use the most?
Instagram, Spotify and weather-forecast apps. At Moncler we love the cold.
First thing you do in the morning? I check the latest news.
What in your wardrobe do you wear most often? I have worn the same belt for almost 30 years.
What do you most crave at the end of the day? Silence.
Who is your guru? Obama.
What song is currently in your head? The Gladiator soundtrack.
What’s the most recent thing you’ve added to your collection? A hangtag on my travel bag.
The most recent thing you regret not buying? A candelabra I saw at Frieze London.
Who is your dealer, and what do they source for you? Christophe Charbonnel sculptures.2
What’s the most impressive dish you cook? Beef bourguignon.
What does success look like?
Being yourself and doing what you love.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
2
Christophe Charbonnel is a French figurative sculptor whose works have been acquired by the Ritz in Paris and the Four Seasons de Terre Blanche in Provence.
To play the piano.
Where do you get your clothes?
Around the world, from Italy to Japan. I buy most of my clothes tailor-made and others when I stumble across things I like.
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y H E L E N I O B A R B E T TA
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
61
The Answers with . . . REMO RUFFINI
Drive or be driven? Can I have both?
Which are your regular tables in London, New York and LA? In London: Dinings. In New York: Carbone. In LA: Matsuhisa.
Are you wearing a watch?
I am wearing an Apple watch.
If you could stick at one age, what would it be, and why? Forty-nine. The perfect age—experienced and young enough.
Last box set or Netflix binge? La Casa de Papel.3
When was the last time you completely unplugged?
My last trip in South and Central America, across Colombia and Mexico.
How would you describe your look?
Repetitive . . . even if I continue to design new collections at work.
What’s your favorite hotel?
Chiltern Firehouse in London.
3
La Casa de Papel is a Spanish TV series, known as Money Heist in English, about a criminal mastermind intent on pulling off a scam involving printing billions of euros in the Royal Mint of Spain.
hom do you admire most?
Those who never compromise with their ideas.
you could be anywhere in the world right now, where ould you be? Exactly where I am now.
hat is your e-mail etiquette? Short and to the point.
hat’s always in your hand luggage?
Cables for devices so I am never unplugged.
hat is the car you are most attached to? What’s worth paying for?
As you know, the most important things in life cannot be paid for even if they cost a lot, like energy.
Do you still write letters?
Little cards in selected circumstances.
Wine of choice?
Not wine, sake.
What’s your most treasured possession?
Good-luck charms looking like a chili pepper.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in your favorite city? All Istanbul neighborhoods.
What was your favorite children’s book? Alice in Wonderland.
What are you afraid of?
Lack of creativity and ideas.
What was the last live performance you saw?
Vanessa Beecroft at the Moncler House of Genius opening event in Milan.
What causes are important to you? The protection of kids.
Bowie or Dylan? Lucio Dalla.4
62
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
4
Lucio Dalla was an Italian singersongwriter and jazz musician. He is best known for his hit songs “Attenti al lupo” and “Caruso.”
RUFFINI, CHARBONNEL SCULPTURE: HELENIO BARBET TA; ALICE IN WONDERLAND: GET T Y IMAGES; SAKE: SHUT TERSTOCK
My Land Rover.
AVA IL A B L E F O R 2 0 2 0 D E L I V E R Y
I N T R O D U C I N G T H E R E C E N T LY R E S T Y L E D 5 0 M E T E R
THE W SERIES OF YACHTS W112 | 34M W117 | 35M
Built upon a refined hull form that affords ample interior volume and ocean-going performance,
interior light. Utilizing advanced engineering technologies with a handcrafted interior designed
IT WITH WESTPORT.
+1 9 5 4 . 3 16 . 6 3 6 4 | W E S T P O R T YA C H T S . C O M YACHTS SINCE 1964
HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA
W 1 72 | 5 2 M
THE WORLD AWAITS. DISCOVER
W164 | 50M
by our expert in-house design team, the new Westport 164 is now available for 2020 delivery.
W130 | 40M
the Westport 50M is now restyled with helicopter-capable deck spaces and even more natural
W125 | 38M
NEWLY REDESIGNED. EXPERTLY STYLED. INFINITELY ATTRACTIVE.
GUILLAUME PLISSON
64
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
DREAM MACHINES A DEVOTION TO MOTION
The Super Bowl for Superyachts Forget the gridiron. The Miami Yacht Show and the Miami International Boat Show team up this month with their own impressive field. The 279-foot Bold from Silver Yachts
Dream Machines | WA T E R
The 48 Wallytender X gets a boost from four 450 hp outboard engines.
W
ill you be waiting at the Island Gardens Deep Harbour marina when the nearly football-fieldsize Bold makes its US debut? Or will you be chatting up fellow owners and yachting enthusiasts at the Windward VIP lounge and bar? The 279-foot Bold, the newest super-vessel from Australia’s Silver Yachts, will be one of more than 400 in-water boats scattered across 60 acres for the annual Miami Yacht Show from February 13 to 17. The largest boats will have their own dedicated space at the deepwater docks on Watson Island. The exclusive Windward VIP Lounge will offer airconditioning, gourmet grub, a daily happy hour, valet parking and—most welcome—a water-taxi
service to zip you between the Miami Yacht Show and the Miami International Boat Show. This is the second year that the two shows have joined forces, with a combined 2,000 boats on display. Most anticipated will be Silver Yachts’ Bold, completed in 2019, with an exterior designed by superstar architect/designer Espen Øino and the inside by Vain Interiors. It has a top speed of 24 knots and can sleep up to 16 guests in eight staterooms, taken care of by a crew of 21. Also anticipated is the latest from Monacobased brand Wally: the 48 Wallytender X, differentiated from last fall’s 48 Wallytender day cruiser by its four cranking 450 hp (each) outboard engines, which give this open yacht a max speed of 55 knots. Besides its topside
sunning and lounging pads, the boat features a galley, bathroom and daybed belowdecks. Exterior styling and interior design are both by Wally founder Luca Bassani. Over at the Miami International Boat Show, at Miami Marine Stadium, Hylas Yachts will have a world debut of its H60 sailing yacht, with styling and construction design by Germán Frers and an interior by Hot Lab. Owner options include three- and four-stateroom layouts. The stylish Polish catamaran builder Sunreef Yachts is also set to debut a couple of models, the Sunreef 50 and Sunreef 80, both sailing cats and both ready and able to cruise the globe. miamiyachtshow.com, miamiboatshow.com Danielle Cutler
The Sunreef 50
2,000 BOATS ON DISPLAY (BOTH SHOWS COMBINED)
60+ SUPERYACHTS FOR 2020
15 EXPLORER YACHTS
$115,000,000 COST OF MOST EXPENSIVE YACHT SHOWN IN 2019
312 4,450 BOLD’ S RANGE IN NAUTICAL MILES
32,000 NUMBER OF SHOW VISITORS IN 2019
66
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
SUNREEF: K AROL K ACPERSKI
LONGEST BOAT IN THE 2019 SHOW, IN FEET
PA RA D I S E
I S
A
P L ACE
ON
E A RT H
AT L A N T I S PA R A D I S E I S L A N D B A H A M A S
T H E C OV E AT L A N T I S B A H A M A S .C O M
|
1.877.COVEVIP
Dream Machines | WA T E R
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
The shadow vessel . . . will arrive first and deploy the toys before the guests arrive. sole purpose of enhancing the original yacht’s capabilities and includes a 56-foot tender (yes, yet another boat), Jet Skis, quad bikes, a submarine garage, a helipad and a hospital with a decompression chamber for divers. Designer Cor D. Rover, who has collaborated with Alia Yachts to build a 118-foot buddy boat to Royal Huisman’s
180-foot Project Phi, says that the real estate volume on a superyacht is “extremely valuable,” but he believes the biggest advantage is the saving of time. When the main yacht leaves for a new anchorage, the support boat’s crew collect, hoist and seafast all recreational equipment. “Because the shadow vessel is faster than the mother ship, it will arrive first and deploy the toys before the guests arrive. Holidays have never been more efficient!” Rover says. “But I have to admit,” he adds, “if I tell this to my non-yachtie friends, they think it’s a bit extravagant.” Julia Zaltzman
The 217-foot Hodor assists its mother ship by carrying a tender, submarine garage, helipad and hospital.
68
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
CLINT JENKINS
it’s not just superyachts that make the marine world big business. The market is currently awash with newly launched shadow vessels or tenders, and some of them, such as Incat Crowther’s Shadow Cat Hodor, can almost claim superyacht status on their own. But does anyone actually need a support vessel on this scale? “At first glance it may seem an extravagance, just a trend, but it responds to a real need for owners of fantastic yachts,” says Filippo Rossi, sales and marketing manager at Lynx Yachts, which considers its YXT series a “yacht extender” solution. Rossi identifies three types of buyers: the owner of a 98-foot boat who wants to carry more gear; one who has a 160-foot vessel and needs another tender and storage; and the owner of a 230-foot craft who would like a helipad but doesn’t want to change up the mother ship. Hodor, however, addresses all three of Rossi’s types. It was customized for the
V A
A P R I VAT E R E S I D E N T I A L G O L F C O U R S E C O M M U N I T Y 800.551.5578
•
P A L M D E S E R T, C A L I F O R N I A
W W W. B I G H O R N G O L F . C O M
WHEELS
A Star Is Born
MAGIC SLEDS Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE
if you feel that skiing has lost its edge, how about another form of adrenaline fix this winter? Snowmobiles are like flying carpets for the slopes; they’re powerful, fast and can float you over blanketed terrain. The following machines, developed for trails, mountains or a bit of both, will unleash your inner Aladdin—just dressed in more layers.
PRICE:
The choice for Speed Racer, this is the fastest production model on the market. TOP TECH: The turbocharged, fourstroke engine. It makes a minimum of 180 hp and has no discernible turbo lag. WHERE TO GO: A frozen lake. The insane acceleration and responsive steering cry out for doughnuts on the ice.
Jason H. Harper
Arctic Cat M
70
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
$17,999
CLAIM TO FAME:
POLESTAR: MIKE DODD & PATRICK GOSLING; ARCTIC CAT HARDCORE JUMPING: KEVIN ARNOLD
Our time behind the wheel of the hybrid Polestar 1 was a thrill ride with more ups than downs.
W H E E L S | Dream Machines
N
control; Hybrid optimizes efficiency of orthern California’s Skyline the power-train combination; Individual Boulevard is not a forgiving allows for customization; and Power place for cars that haven’t bolsters performance and handling. gone to finishing school. The We set out in the last and further two-lane road, which crests fine-tuned the setting to boost the the Santa Cruz Mountains just west of regenerative braking prowess and Silicon Valley, features incessant offpromote more one-pedal driving, even camber turns, frequent elevation changes though the vented and drilled Akebono and constantly shifting shadows. Horse brakes (front) and Conti EPB brakes and rider must be one. Fortunately, (rear) come on fast. The car coursed the very first automotive offering along Skyline as if it were on rails, with from Polestar—the high-performance yin a minimum of drama from the chassis to sister company Volvo’s sensible yang— and immediate communication from the instills confidence from the get-go. steering wheel. The suspension smoothed Named Polestar 1, the two-door out the road ruts without taking away hybrid is aimed squarely at the Porsche critical driver 911 Turbo and Mercedes-AMG The car coursed along feedback, as opposed to many of today’s GT GT crowd. And it Skyline as if it were coupes, which err on competes with those established models on rails, with immediate the side of coddling. One letdown in price (starting communication from was that, with too at $155,000), the steering wheel. much time spent in performance (600 Power, we drained hp and 738 ft lbs the battery to zero of torque) and in a surprising 90 minutes. The coupe predictability (available all-wheel drive then had to rely solely on combustion. and a dialed-in Öhlins suspension). While that’s good for 326 hp, the absence A day spent hammering a matte-gray of the two electric motors on a car version revealed a sports car that begs to packed with heavy LG Chem batteries be driven and presents five drive settings was noticeable—like listening to Guns to do so. In Pure mode, one can expect N’ Roses in stereo and suddenly losing a about a 93-mile range on electricity speaker. Electricity is key to this vehicle’s only; AWD maintains the all-wheeldynamic persona. drive configuration for greater traction
Taiga Atlas PRICE:
$15,000
One of the first electric snowmobiles to market, the Atlas allows for nearly silent, nonpolluting rides through pristine environments. TOP TECH: Electric motors mean full torque on demand, and there’s no oil or conventional transmission to be affected by high altitudes. Taiga promises a range of up to 90 miles, even in frigid temps. WHERE TO GO: Hills of the eastern US. The Atlas is a crossover meant to handle trails and powder. CLAIM TO FAME:
Ski-Doo Summit X with Expert Package PRICE:
$14,499
CLAIM TO FAME: A machine meant for deep snow and extreme exploration. This one is for the powder hounds. TOP TECH: The significantly reworked sled is perfect for the thick stuff, with a slim design meant for stand-up riding and a trick suspension for carving turns. WHERE TO GO: The remote woods of Alaska.
A total of 1,500 examples of the Polestar 1 are planned; each starts at $155,000.
Regardless, if the crowds that gathered around whenever we parked are any measure, the marque has already built good buzz. Later this year, the company will release its all-electric fourdoor Polestar 2, a far more proletarian ride with echoes of the Tesla Model 3 and a price of $63,000. When it comes to the halo model, however, you’re more likely to see a shooting star than one of these on the road. Only 1,500 will be made. polestar.com Marco della Cava
Arctic Cat M Hardcore Alpha One PRICE:
$13,245
Developed for freestyle riders who like to do big jumps in rugged conditions. TOP TECH: The unique single-beam rear suspension. It allows the track greater flexibility for riding on the sides of steep hills and is reinforced to handle hard landings. WHERE TO GO: Big mountains that can launch you high in the air. CLAIM TO FAME:
Polaris 850 Indy XC 137 PRICE:
$12,099
Massive breadth of on-trail capability—the smooth ride and overall stability ensure it won’t bite a novice but will also keep a skilled rider entertained. TOP TECH: The chassis, which provides an ideal seating position. Unlike others, the Indy puts riders in the center of the rig for greater comfort and control. WHERE TO GO: Groomed trails in Vermont or upstate New York. A zig-zagging forest road will feel like a racetrack. CLAIM TO FAME:
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
71
WINGS
One for Work, One for Play Jet Edge builds out two super-midsize BBJs to customize charter flights for business and leisure use.
I
length of three London buses set end to f you’re something of an aviation end and about one and a half feet wider. enthusiast, you may already know The first jet delivered to the charter that of the 159 Boeing Business company boasts an interior that Jet (BBJ) 737s in service, only 23 accommodates 16 passengers in club seats are available for charter. These big (which can lie flat) and is divided into three planes aren’t all that easy to find for private zones—each able to be made completely flights, but Jet Edge International has just private. The forward two sections can acquired two. The Los Angeles–based double as boardrooms, while the area private-jet service now offers the BBJ—in toward the back is intended for downtime, a unique VIP configuration—as part of its with a couch and furnishings that seat as fleet of 60 or so planes. many as six guests. Based on the Boeing 737-700, the Jet Enhancing both work and play Edge BBJ is not the same version as the are amenities that include two fully currently grounded 737 Max type—which provisioned galleys and a private chef, made headlines after two fatal crashes— high-speed internet, and has different flightsatellite phone service, control systems. And Cabin height iPads loaded with more while not a new model of aircraft, the current reaches seven feet, than 1,000 movies, in-seat video-streaming generation is more almost a foot more displays, services and four large eco-friendly. “This than competitor BBJ is 15 to 20 percent flat-screen TVs. With a range of more efficient than its Bombardier’s Global 7,215 miles, the jet is also predecessors, consuming Express aircraft. suitable for overnight less fuel and producing hauls and has sleeping lower emissions,” says berths for nine people complemented Boeing spokesman Captain Alex Fecteau. by three showers, one within the master Much of the reductions are due to the bedroom. addition of alloy winglets (for improved “This is optimized for both business airflow), carbon brakes (for weight and leisure travel,” says Jonah Adler, Jet reduction) and higher bypass ratio turbo Edge’s chief revenue and marketing officer. fans (providing better thrust). “And [the He says the company will add a second jet] can certainly use biofuel without being plane early this year (although not as of modified,” notes Fecteau. press time) that will be configured for Adding to guest comfort levels is the entertaining in a lounge-like atmosphere best-in-class headroom: Cabin height that includes a bar and a theater. reaches seven feet, almost a foot more The cost to charter most large aircraft than competitor Bombardier’s Global usually ranges between $8,000 and $13,000 Express aircraft. Room to move extends per hour, but this one’s hourly rate is in all directions, thanks to a fuselage that’s $15,000. flyjetedge.com Viju Mathew 80 feet long and 10 feet wide—roughly the
72
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Jet Edge’s new BBJ features a cabin that can be divided into three private zones.
BESPOKE KITCHENS
FLORENCE
MILAN
COOKING SUITES
NEW YORK
LOS ANGELES
SINKS & TAPS
LONDON
MOSCOW
APPLIANCES
TEL AVIV
HONG KONG
ACCESSORIES
SHANGHAI
LAGOS
Dream Machines | W I N G S
you are alone in your private jet, cruising at 45,000 feet, laptop open. Unless Superman is standing on the wing, peering in through a window, there’s no one looking over your shoulder at sensitive company or personal information. Or is there? Although internet connections on aircraft lagged behind even refrigerators and doorbells for a while, they’re pretty much a given now. The secure flow of information, however, is not. “If you can see the internet, then the internet—and its hackers—are most definitely able to see you. Altitude does not make you safe,” says Josh Wheeler, senior director of cybersecurity at aviationconnectivity specialist Satcom Direct. The US-based company saw a recent spike in cybersecurity attacks on business aviation. Of nearly 600 planes signed up to Satcom’s threat-monitoring service, more than four-fifths experienced a cyberattack that the firm’s software and human experts had to fight off. Connectivity firms like Satcom, Gogo and Honeywell all offer security measures to protect their jet clients. Satcom reported a 54 percent jump in critical and high-level threats in the first five months of 2019 compared with the same period in 2018. When business jets are used routinely as offices, online risk multiplies. “Inflight threats are real,” says a spokesperson for Gogo’s businessaviation operation. The company constantly monitors its broadband network to detect and deflect any potential attacks. Honeywell also agrees
Many Happy Returns
74
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
link used to connect to the internet. The US Government Accountability Office and aviation regulators around the world have warned of the risk posed by connected technology and relatively insecure devices such as iPads, which are used more and more by technicians and pilots as well as passengers. Wheeler cautions that “command and control” attacks and ransomware are the biggest problems right now. “It’s not uncommon for a device with C&C malware to be unwittingly brought on board by a passenger,” he says. “If this software is activated, it can do everything from copying files to replicating itself and spreading across a network.” Safety-critical systems on aircraft have not proved vulnerable so far. But some commercial flights have reportedly been grounded by problems with satellite navigation signals or the automatic twoway communication kit that all aircraft now
“If you can see the internet, then the internet—and its hackers— are most definitely able to see you. Altitude does not make you safe.” have to carry. If cyber pirates could break into flight-control systems on business jets, the risk of ransom demands—with only minutes to formulate a response—could reach stratospheric levels. The bottom line is that there are precautions and services out there—Satcom’s will run you about $795 a month, depending on specific needs—that won’t leave your data’s security up in the air. Rohit Jaggi
It’s been said that flying is the second-greatest thrill known to man—landing is the first. In the unlikely event that a pilot becomes incapacitated, the Cirrus Vision Jet’s new automatic landing system, by Garmin, keeps that thrill alive by initiating a complex sequence of events to ensure a comfortable arrival. Dubbed Safe Return, the innovation considers virtually every eventuality that might keep the jet from successfully reaching the ground. Armed via a button
within reach of passengers, the system assesses all the aircraft’s pertinent data— such as fuel level—selects the nearest viable airport and communicates with air-traffic control. It then automatically maneuvers the plane around any terrain and weather (while monitoring wind conditions) to formulate the best flight path and approach for the appropriate runway. In addition, flaps are deployed before the aircraft flares and touches down, and brakes are applied to bring it to a complete stop.
If no airport is detected within the determined range when the system is activated, an onboard prompt instructs passengers to pull a latch that deploys the Cirrus Aircraft Parachute System (CAPS), which is designed to arrest the rate of descent and minimize impact. And if Safe Return was engaged unintentionally, the pilot can immediately take over via the Autopilot disconnect on the yoke. “Safe Return provides the first time a passenger can land a Cirrus just by
pressing a button,” says Matt Bergwall, director of the Vision Jet’s product line. The safety measure and the aircraft were developed at the same time, as the system must integrate seamlessly with the avionics and flight controls. But the Vision Jet won’t be the only one to carry the autonomous feature; a similar one is being devised for the propeller-driven Piper M600. From there, who knows where the technology will land? cirrusaircraft.com Basem Wasef
ILLUSTRATION BY GUSTAVO VISELNER
CYBERCRIME IN THE CABIN
on the scale of the threat. “Cybersecurity is critical in the age of the connected aircraft,” it says. Like Gogo, Honeywell has a monitoring center that gives operators a chance to “stay a step ahead of the threat and take preventative action rather than waiting to respond after a cyberattack occurs.” The hackers, of course, know this and grow ever more sophisticated. Satcom says it’s seeing increased attacks from criminals looking to steal money or valuable information such as passwords, and jet owners or high-flying executives are obviously prime targets. Hackers can break into onboard Wi-Fi via the satellite
RAISE YOUR GL ASS Join us for our second annual Wine & Food Classic, May 21-25, 2020. Connect with celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina and Francis Mallmann, along with master vintners from GAJA, Opus One, BOND and Dom Pérignon—just to name a few. Intimate wine dinners, interactive masterclasses, breathtaking views and an exclusive Oceanfront Gala reveal why our inaugural event, developed in partnership with Wally’s Wine & Spirits, was awarded Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” New Wine Festival 2019. Book now by calling 1-800-311-0630 or visit fourseasons.com/mauiclassic
Break away from the pack with the Bkool cycling simulator.
capture the moment when club hits ball, providing high-def feedback of details like ball speed, direction and launch angle to improve your swing. (fullswinggolf.com) Starting at $54,900
FightCamp
TECH
Think of FightCamp as the Peloton for boxing. The interactive personal gym includes a heavy bag and two punch sensors that you insert into your hand wraps, under the gloves. Via Bluetooth, they track the number, velocity and intensity of jabs and hooks, training you to knock out the competition. Follow along with more than 300 workouts (at least four new ones get released weekly) created by professional fighters and trainers, so you can improve your uppercut before you have a chance to get back in the ring. (joinfightcamp.com)
Sim City These state-of-the-art sport training systems will keep you competitive regardless of season.
W
hen the pursuit of sporting excellence becomes more passion than exercise, practice happens all year round. But chasing seasons and shifting hemispheres to ski Patagonia’s peaks or play Australia’s links isn’t always practical. Which is where the high-end simulator comes in.
Nicolas Stecher and Janice O’Leary
Bkool Spanish-born Bkool claims to be the most realistic cycling simulator on the market. Using your own smart bike (or trainer) and display, Bkool beams the world’s best cycling routes right into your home. Bike the Arctic Race of Norway, the famous Milan–to–San Remo route or the stunning peaks of the Alpe d’Huez—and jump off at any time to grab a smoothie. Views can be either 3-D computer-generated or high-def video in POV. Bkool allows you to engage in everything from traditional spin classes to competing in live leagues and racing actual stages of the Tour de France. The simulator controls resistance based on the chosen route’s real-life characteristics. (bkool.com) $11/month
Full Swing Pro Series Golf Simulator A golf simulator that’s endorsed by guys like Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth? OK then. Full Swing wins with hyper-realistic renderings of more than 80 top courses projected in cinema quality and features some of the best ball-tracking software out there. Its Pro Series system is the only sim that combines infrared tech—via two tracks of 360-degree light waves—with high-speed Ion3 cameras. The result is a ball flight of the highest accuracy, shifting from the real world to the digital screen instantly. The cameras are also able to
76
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
$1,219 plus $39/month
Get a blow-byblow analysis of your workout with FightCamp (above), or play the world’s top courses with Full Swing (left).
Skier’s Edge QS7 Even if you cross-train in the off-season with cycling and weight lifting, your ski muscles will still scream those first few runs of the year. As the premier ski simulator out there, the QS7 gets that. It mimics the lateral movements required to chase moguls and carve deep powder turns as well as giving you the cardio endurance you’ll need. Eight settings allow you to quickly change your stance to bomb speedy corduroy cruisers or powder and glade trails. Attach the BootMaster and you’ll create the core and leg muscle memory needed to keep your position centered over your skis. The only thing the Skier’s Edge can’t simulate is the lower oxygen levels at altitude. (skiersedge.com) Starting at $3,694
UNSURPASSED EXPERIENCES IN THE CENTER OF THE LAS VEGAS STRIP. Indulge in luxury at ARIA Sky Suites, a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rated and AAA Five-Diamond experience that offers the finest hotel accommodations and experiences.
ARRIVAL
THE SUITES
From the moment you arrive at McCarran International Airport, you know your experience with ARIA Sky Suites is going to be different. Sit back and relax as you’re whisked away in your complimentary private luxury car before being greeted at the hotel’s intimate porte-cochère, where your personal concierge welcomes you before escorting you through the check-in process in the comfort of the private Sky Suites lounge. Relax with a glass of wine before heading up to explore your suite via private elevator.
The stunning AAA Five-Diamond awarded Sky Suites are available in one- or two-bedroom, custom-furnished layouts and feature a separate living area ideal for entertaining friends and family. Serene spa-like bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views of Las Vegas are just part of the reason this distinctive hotel was named one of the Most Luxurious Hotels in the World by Forbes Travel Guide. Within, the Sky Villas are the pinnacle of the Sky Suites experience. The Villas range from one- to three-bedrooms with with as much as 7,000 sq ft of space across one or two stories. Enjoy incredible amenities such as a dedicated 24hour butler, private gym, saunas, steam room and in-suite salon or barbershop services to ensure you look your best when hitting the town.
SKY POOL
ENTERTAINMENT & FINE ART
The Sky Pool is reserved exclusively for guests of Sky Suites. Sink back into a plush chaise lounge before enjoying a special selection of cocktails. Every 90 minutes, you’ll receive complimentary amenities such as a refreshing Evian mist, mouthwatering fruit skewers and chilled towels. There’s also delicious infused water on tap and Coola Suncare stations throughout the pool area.
During the day take in the first major permanent collection of art in Las Vegas to be integrated into a public space. The ARIA Fine Art Collection features work by acclaimed painters, sculptors and installation artists, including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, James Turrell and Julian Schnabel, among others. At night, if entertainment is what you seek, the biggest events in the city are located just steps away at T-Mobile ® Arena or Park Theater. Experience the show before the show with dinner and cocktails at ARIA, and at the end of the night head to the energetic ALIBI Ultra Lounge.
THE DINING DESTINATION Dining at ARIA is exceptional. Headliners include Jean Georges Steakhouse, CATCH, Carbone and Michael Mina’s BARDOT Brasserie. Enjoy shareable authentic bites including imported Spanish Pata Negra at Julian Serrano Tapas. ARIA brings the show to your table with experiences like a delightful Banana Flambé prepared right before your eyes at Carbone; tableside presentations of Smoked Wagyu Brisket and Wagyu Tomahawk at Jean Georges Steakhouse; and standout Beef Wellington at BARDOT Brasserie. CATCH Las Vegas brings epic renditions of Asian-influenced sushi, seafood and steak.
LUXURY SERVICE UNLIKE ANY OTHER Recognizing the need to cultivate truly high-end activities beyond the casino floor, ARIA and MGM Resorts International has created Chairman’s Club Luxury Access. This first-ofits-kind program in Las Vegas provides access to our Luxury Experience team, a dedicated department making stays for guests nothing short of amazing. From the private sportsviewing parties and New Year’s Eve galas to hard-to-get tee times at the exclusive Shadow Creek Golf Course and more — all activities traditionally reserved for the highest rollers. Through both Luxury Experience and Sky Suites, ARIA has created the most over-the-top and exclusive way to experience the entertainment capital of the world.
AriaSkySuites.com
Genius at Work
MAGIC CARPET RIDE Kaleidoscopic colors and unusual mosaics are the hallmarks of a custom Kyle Bunting cowhide rug. BY C L A I R E C O G H L A N P H O T O G R A P H Y BY J U L I A R O B I N S O N
twenty years ago, Texas-reared Kyle Bunting, a television executive living in San Francisco, bought his first home, hired his first interior designer and ordered his first handmade carpet. The rug, a hand-knotted Christopher Farr, provided him with a eureka moment. He asked himself, “What if I was to make a carpet that was contemporary and colorful but made of hide, like my dad did?” The elder Bunting was a cowhide hobbyist, and around 1978, he made two rugs for a man in Irving, Texas. Although he never made another rug, his mosaic cowhide carpets left a lasting impression on his son. After his revelation, Bunting jetted across the country to beg his father to show him how he’d produced those designs. “I left 24 hours later with the tools, went and picked up a studio space and started experimenting.” While skeptical friends and family—Dad included—saw his new career as a boutique endeavor, nothing deterred Bunting. Today, having returned to his Texas roots, he’s known for making handmade hide rugs out of his studio in Austin. And he continues to innovate by using cowhide in creative ways (think pillows, upholstery, wall coverings, selfie walls and framed art in unexpected patterns, depths, shapes, sizes and colorways). To date, Bunting and his team have made more than half a million square feet of custom rugs—more than enough to cover the floors of Windsor Castle—and a total of $100 million in revenue. His pieces have been featured in the homes and/or offices of Tommy Hilfiger, Kris Jenner and Carole Radziwill, among others, and are the darlings of many interior designers nationally and abroad.
80
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
LEFT
1
Circles of Trust Bunting’s motto is “Any size, any shape, any color.” Once a client brief is received, the design team gets to work on drawing, rendering and realizing the client’s vision. BELOW
2
Live the Rainbow Bunting uses ethically sourced hides that are bred in France and tanned in specialized boutique tanneries in Italy—a combination that produces some of the finest leathers in the world. In his designs, 90 to 95 percent of the hide is used, so waste is minimized.
Genius at Work
LEFT
3
Full-Body Scan Upon arrival at the studio, each pre-dyed hide is digitally scanned, measured and painstakingly analyzed, with every defect entered into a database so the cutters know precisely what spots to avoid. BELOW
4
Seaming Is Believing One of Bunting’s hallmarks is the lack of stitching. He’s developed a proprietary “seaming” process that avoids matting the hair down and instead creates a signature smooth finish. Bunting also uses his own adhesive compound that makes the rugs nonslip.
82
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Genius at Work
LEFT
5
Geometry Lesson Each piece of hide is labeled, numbered and plotted onto a diagram that serves as a road map for the artisans who assemble the rug. Bunting explains: “All those little pieces that need to be cut have been pre-engineered.” BELOW LEFT
6
Chaos Theory During assembly, the artisans will pore over each piece, flipping, trimming and improvising, so the result has that “random and chaotic” aesthetic, which is another of Bunting’s trademarks. The edges are hand-trimmed, and each rug is examined minutely for flaws. Any imperfections are carefully “chiseled” out. Then the edge of every piece is hand-painted and coated. BELOW
7
Roll ’Em Bunting rugs have been shipped to almost 40 countries. The biggest rug to date was a 930-square-foot carpet for a project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Figuring out how to make—and ship—something that large was a seminal moment for the team.
84
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
YOU PAT T ULTIMAT LUXURY
7KH %HQWOH\ )O\LQJ 6SXU
([SHULHQFH WKH À QHVW LQ VXSHU SUHPLXP YHKLFOHV DQG XQFRPSURPLVLQJ SHUVRQDOL]HG VHUYLFH IURP RXU WHDP DW 3HQVNH/X[XU\ FRP :LWK DQ LPSUHVVLYH OLQHXS RI EUDQGV DQG QHDUO\ H[TXLVLWH YHKLFOHV ZH RIIHU XQULYDOHG RSWLRQV DQG D ZRUOG FODVV H[SHULHQFH DW HYHU\ WRXFK SRLQW
Ben Oliver on cars, p. 87
|
Jon Bonné on wine, p. 88
|
Franco Vaccari on philanthropy, p. 90
BEN OLIVER
Car of the Year— How Many Did We Get Right? A (semi) impartial observer reviews previous COTY winners, to pass judgment on our judges’ verdicts. Turns out time has not been kind to all. CARS
T
he editors of Robb Report have bravely asked me to cast a cold eye over the results of previous Car of the Year contests and tell you where they goofed up. I guess I can make some faint claim to the judicial independence required for this task. Yes, I’m a proud Robb Report contributor and wish to remain so. But living in England, I haven’t yet participated in Robb’s annual luxury-car test to end them all. I’ll try not to let envy sharpen my judgment. The overall winners are mostly hard to argue with, although I wouldn’t have given last year’s win to the Lamborghini Urus, on the grounds that it’s an SUV and thus fatally flawed to a stubborn purist like me. But that just shows the value of having Robb readers judge Car of the Year, as they’ve done since 2005. They vote for what people actually want to drive, rather than what ivory-tower motoring journalists like me think you should. Their choice of the Urus reflects the explosive growth of the superpremium SUV market. In fact, for the real howlers you have to go back to when Robb’s professional testers still influenced the decisions. In 2004, a Maybach 62 somehow ranked higher than a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Within a few years, that attempt at reviving the Maybach brand had itself died, whereas the peerless new
Phantom went on to spawn an entire range of new Rolls-Royces. I tested both at the time and can’t explain why the seminal new Rolls was outpointed by what looked and felt like a bloated Mercedes S-Class. Looks might explain how in 2000 the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage somehow beat both the Ferrari 360 Modena and the BMW M5, cars that simmered with tech and defined their classes at the time. The creaky DB7, by contrast, was based on a Jaguar XJS chassis from the 1970s. But it was clothed in bodywork by designer Ian Callum and described by one critic as having “an automotive beauty we see once in a generation.” I can only assume the judges were sufficiently smitten with the car’s styling to ignore its dynamic failings. The DB7 is remembered as the car that saved Aston with its sales but not as a great car to drive. And back in ’94, the Mercedes-Benz C280 sedan ($34,900) beat the Porsche Speedster ($60,000). That was a good call at the time. It’s harder to make a great sedan—which has to do lots of things well—than a great sports car, which just has to look great and go hard. And with its cut-down screen and getyou-home roof, the open-air Speedster was a particularly compromised sports car. So props to the judges for getting that one right. My issue is with the relative values of those cars now. If you can find a C280 that someone has bothered to keep in concours condition, you won’t pay more than $8,000 for it—
normal for a car of its type and age. But you’ll need at least $200,000 to buy the Porsche, the market having gone crazy for low-volume, special-bodied 911s. Car of the Year isn’t meant to be investment advice, and nobody was ever choosing between the two. But still, ouch. And while I respect the editors’ instinct to mix things up by including left-field contenders beyond the usual supercar superpowers, these interlopers’ performance has been abysmal. Since 2000, when the candidates started being ranked from first to last, American cars have finished plumb last in 10 of the 16 years in which they’ve competed, taking the bottom two spots on four occasions. Not that a Brit like me can afford to be smug. The US would have finished last on three further occasions had it not been for the rather optimistic inclusion of two Morgans and a Lotus. But this is Robb Report, not Consumer Reports, and Car of the Year is a celebration of automotive variety as much as it is a test of quality. The team here entered a three-wheeled car like the Morgan for its entertainment value—the rare opportunity for enthusiasts to drive a three-wheeler— and not because they expected it to win. I just hope my judgment on their judging hasn’t wrecked my chances of one day joining them. Ben Oliver is an award-winning automotive journalist, consultant and speechwriter based in the UK.
Illustrations by CELYN
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
87
Field Notes
JON BONNÉ
The New Burgundy The recent vintages coming out of this legendary region owe their finesse to the sins of the past.
WINE
F
or wine people, Burgundy is a kind of Eden, a place where the gods conspired to bring together the raw materials of perfection. That sense of divinity isn’t a stretch. At least that’s the bedtime story we like to tell ourselves—and with good reason. This part of France is enjoying a moment of quality and extraordinary success. In the past two decades, Burgundy has been the birthplace of some of the most expensive—and collectible—wines. Liv-ex’s Burgundy 150 index, which tracks resale prices of the region’s most actively traded bottles, has risen 450 percent since late 2003. But that success is the result of a painful few decades. In the 1980s, Burgundy was still an insider’s wine— hard to understand, often hard to drink. While the 1982 vintage revived Bordeaux’s fortunes, the Côte-d’Or remained closed to most outsiders. This was not an auspicious time in Burgundy. Yields had been rising for decades, as growers made their vines more productive with fertilizer and heavy-bearing clones—good for quantity, not quality. Widespread fraud persisted even into the ’80s: thin, sour wines bulked up with stocky, tannic grapes from down south, or blends that stretched or abused appellation rules. The market was stable, but it became clear to the Burgundians that these old ways weren’t working. The thought was that red wine especially needed to be flashier—more hedonistic, as the critic Robert Parker might put it. But how? Of all grapes, Pinot Noir didn’t lend itself to power. There were a few ways to solve this problem. Some tried to grow riper grapes, but it’s a northerly region, and global warming hadn’t yet shown itself in obvious ways. So a lot of Burgundy flirted at the edge of ripeness, with too many green, raw flavors that I still taste in wines from that era. What about a fix in the cellar, then? That became popular, thanks in particular to the guidance of oenologist and consultant Guy Accad. He became an
88
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
influential voice for winemakers in the 1990s who dreamed hedonistic dreams. Some of his advice, like a return to higher-density vineyards, turned out to be useful correctives. But it was his advice in the cellar that, unknowingly, may have put the reputation of many Burgundy reds at risk. The Accad method involved far riper grapes—not inherently a bad thing. But they were then dosed heavily with the preservative sulfur dioxide, often twice the typical amount, and soaked for as long as several weeks at low temperatures, to extract every last bit of flavor and tannin. This extended “cold soak” has become common, but Accad took it to extremes. He promised a deep, purplish wine, believing color an indicator of perfect development. The
that era now, they’re either too diluted (a holdover from bad farming) or just monotonous. An aura of oak and inky fruit is all that’s left. No layers. Burgundy realized it had to retrench. Its whites were already being reined in, becoming less flashy, more acid-driven, more age-worthy. Thankfully, over the course of the 2000s, its reds, too, reverted to a lighter and more subtle style. The result of these growing pains is visible as a new generation takes charge, young vignerons like Thibaud Clerget of Volnay and Amélie Berthaut of Vosne-Romanée. They understand Burgundy is hardly as unchanging as we perceive it to be. Indeed, its wines from the 1700s would barely be identifiable today, usually a mix of white and red grapes akin to a dark rosé. We think we
It was his advice in the cellar that, unknowingly, may have put the reputation of many Burgundy reds at risk. wine was then aged for years in mostly new oak, a familiar choice today but one usually balanced with second-use barrels. The resulting wines certainly made a splash. Heady, tannic, gushing with fruit, many received exceptional ratings. “When my father was working, Burgundians were trying to get known in the world,” recalls Arnaud Mortet, who runs one of the top properties in GevreyChambertin. “There were always two or three domaines per village charging more, trying to make an impression.” The good vibes didn’t last. It became clear, after the millennium, that these efforts rarely aged well. When I encounter many red Burgundies from
know it, but Burgundian style has shifted repeatedly over the past two centuries. So nothing is constant, not even in Burgundy. And those growing pains had their benefits: Farming today is leagues better; organics are widespread. And if Burgundy was known for its heartbreak— one majestic bottle to four miserable ones—its average has improved a lot. (It better have, given the prices.) When pressed, even the Burgundians acknowledge that the excesses of the late 20th century set them on the right path. Jon Bonné writes for Punch and is the author of The New Wine Rules and the forthcoming book The New French Wine.
BEAUTIFUL IS RELENTLESS
DBX, is a new kind of Aston Martin. Ready to go anywhere, it’s powered by the spirit of adventure. Visit astonmartin.com to discover more about DBX
Model Shown: 2021 Aston Martin DBX with optional equipment. Vehicle available summer 2020. © Aston Martin Lagonda North America Inc.
Field Notes
FRANCO VACCARI
Peace Around the World Calls for Both Optimism and Action In Arezzo, Italy, a center for conflict resolution is turning enemies into friends.
PHIL ANTHROPY
I
am an optimist; I believe we can achieve peace in the world. That’s why, a year ago, my organization, Rondine, launched the Leaders for Peace campaign at the United Nations in New York. We called upon each of the 193 member states to subtract a symbolic sum from their defense budgets and put it toward the training of a leader who may one day be able to intervene in a conflict situation somewhere in the world. At least 40 member states have now signed up. We’ve come a long way. Our story began more than 20 years ago in a medieval hamlet in Tuscany, but in truth, it started long before that. When I was a boy, my father would talk to me about his six years as a prisoner of war in India at the hands of the English. He never recounted his experiences to me with any hint of rancor. For me, that was the beautiful thing. He expressed his pain, and it was transformed into something positive. I trained as a psychologist and got involved with volunteering, teaching young people how to use dialogue to deal with confrontation. In 1988, I wrote a letter to Raisa Gorbacheva, conveying a message of peace—and Rondine grew from there. In 1997, we started taking in young people here in Arezzo, and the Citadel of Peace was born. We set up the World House, a place where enemies come to interact with one another in order to build a tangible relationship of peace. More than 200 students have now passed through our gates. They stay with us for two years, learning our method for the creative transformation of discord. We accept, from all over the world, those from conflict and postconflict situations—be they national or international, religious, social, personal or interpersonal. To come here, you must
90
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
be someone’s enemy. Our goal is to turn h i iinto ffriends. i d those enemies Our students always come in pairs: We’ve had Russians and Chechens, Pakistanis and Indians, Palestinians and Israelis. We currently have young people from Mali and Nigeria, where migratory flows and economic and environmental pressures have led to internal upheaval. First, everyone must learn Italian, then they branch out into team-building, communication and
youngg people who are readyy to wash dirty water h their h i clothes l h iin the h di of the enemy. We’ve had real successes, too: a young woman from Armenia who participated in the 2018 Velvet Revolution in that country and now sits in parliament; a student who set up an initiative for peaceful and democratic elections in Sierra Leone, training 12 educators to go out into the community; a project that
The ultimate goal of all these people is to remove the culture of “the enemy.” conflict resolution. They need great strength to look beyond the wounds of hate and the poison of enmity, to become bringers of hope, to free the future from the weight of the past and generate change. It doesn’t always work. I could write a book about the failures. The first year, we had three Chechen students and two Russians. After six months, the Chechens told me they were leaving. Why? Because they didn’t want to wash their socks in the same water as the Russians. I thought they were joking. They’d been working together for weeks, talking to kids about the importance of peace. Rondine is not for empty declarations. It’s made for
aimed to reopen the peace dialogue in the Caucasus after the RussianGeorgian war; a group of Palestinians and Israelis who established a tourism organization together. The ultimate goal of all these people is to remove the culture of “the enemy.” It’s a social construct. It’s also a premise for war. We can prevent that, even if we can’t ever defeat violence. There’s a beautiful quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Franco Vaccari is the founder and president of Rondine Cittadella della Pace. To donate, visit rondine.org.
PR ESENTING THE
T H E BEC K E R M AY B AC H I N S PI R E D M E R C E D E S - B E N Z M E T R I S VA N
© 2019 Becker Automotive Designs, Inc.
2019 BEST OF THE BEST
WORK, REST AND TRAVEL IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS PRIVATE, REFINED AND ABOVE ALL, DISCREET. Becker’s advanced suspension and enhanced sound reduction deliver a level of comfort and quiet that will amaze you. Becker’s distinguished family of custom-crafted vehicles also includes Cadillac’s all-new Escalade ESV in regular, stretched and raised-roof configurations, as well as the new Lincoln Navigator L and the latest Mercedes-Benz Sprinter JetVan.™ For virtual tours please visit our web site at www.beckerautodesgn.com
TECHNOLOGY | CR AFTSMANSHIP | PRODUCTIVITY | SAFETY
B E C K E R A U T O D E S I G N . C O M | 805.487. 5227
BY
ROBERT ROSS PHOTOGRAPHY BY
AND
V I J U M AT H E W
ROBB RICE
Pho
And then there were two: Aston Martin and Lamborghini battle it out for first place.
C A R of the Y EA R
oto Finis
Could there be a four-peat? The question of whether Lamborghini would prove victorious for a fourth year running drew scores of car lovers to multiple Car of the Year sessions in Napa, Calif., and Boca Raton, Fla., for the chance to put a wide assortment of automobiles to the test. It was quite the evolution from our first competition, in 2003, which involved just a handful of people—a small group of friends, really—wagering on a few sports cars. Acting as “editors for a day,” 171 judges joined gatherings in November and early December 2019 to drive and vote on which among 11 new models would become the 2020 Robb Report Car of the Year. Distilling our judges’ oft-provocative written comments, we noted much consensus within the groups when it came to the positive and negative attributes of each contender. This year brought together an interesting selection of five convertibles, four sedans and two GTs, insofar as the Rolls-Royce Wraith might be considered such. Notably absent were hard-edge competitors to the Lamborghini. Specifically, latest models like Ferrari’s F8 Tributo, Chevrolet’s Corvette and McLaren’s new GT simply weren’t yet in the media fleets, while Porsche’s
new policy no longer allows loans of the duration required for our Car of the Year program. Other excellent models aren’t sufficiently different from last year’s versions but were featured previously when new. And, while we select the cars to be included in COTY, we allow manufacturers to make substitutions based on availability. For 2020, sedans were especially well represented, despite the fact that traditional four-doors have been losing substantial market share to SUVs and crossover alternatives. Their enthusiastic reception by our judges—especially of the big Mercedes-AMG—suggests that rumors of the sedan’s untimely disappearance are, like the report of Mark Twain’s demise, “greatly exaggerated.” No hybrids or all-electric vehicles were present, though we suspect a few important models barely on the horizon in late 2019 will arrive to shake things up for 2021. Still, a total of 6,375 hp proves that there remains plenty of internal-combustion excitement to be had. The “race” was closer than ever this year, with four cars well ahead of the pack—and without the occasional landslide results we’ve seen in the past. Proof, perhaps, that there are many great cars and, surely, no losers among this group of automobiles.
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
95
“Sleeper car here. What a surprise! Go get 'em, Kia, . . . stingers out :).” CARRIE FREEMAN
Kia Stinger GTS Special Edition
ENGINE:
3.3-liter, twinturbocharged V-6 POWER:
365 hp 0-60 MPH:
sure what it’s doing here” was how Mike Bilek put it 11 “Not when he initially saw our Kia GTS. He wasn’t alone in his skepticism. Indeed, bringing a sub-$50,000 car to an A-list party was a bold move, but we wanted to see how the Korean manufacturer’s best sporting effort fit into our rarefied automotive landscape. The Kia’s styling has a refined Euro look, not the clownish grilles of some brands from the Far East. You might even think it German-made—until you catch sight of the logo on its hood. Apart
96
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
4.7 sec TOP SPEED:
167 mph BASE PRICE:
$46,400 OUR CAR:
$46,500
from earning high design marks, it demonstrates that engineers paid attention to sharp handling with an electronically controlled suspension and an all-wheel-drive system with drift mode, which affords the pleasures of rear-wheel-drive dynamics while ensuring all-weather capability. It trailed the other cars in popularity, but the resounding majority of drivers were seriously impressed. “Although not a top performer,” said Bryan Hunter, “it is surprisingly good considering its price.” “It’s a lot of car for the value,” remarked NASCAR veteran Casey Mears, while Jacob Spencer thought the Stinger GTS delivered a “sleek design and great torque response.” John Conover said it “over-delivers. Light and lively, it’s really a fun car.” The accolades were almost universal, with Nick Linca recognizing the “great look, feel and attention to detail for that price point,” and Najeeb Thomas weighing in with, “There’s probably not a better value on the market.” Tim Trauth put it best, saying, “You know that hole-in-the-wall restaurant with killer food at 1990s prices? That’s like this Kia.”
C A R of the Y EA R
Ford’s Mustang has been an American icon since 1964 and in recent years has acquired genuine sports-car-handling attributes to match its power. Roush Performance gets cars directly from Ford, adds modifications and then sends the cars to Ford dealerships, which are the only places you can order them. Roush’s objective is to start with the excellent Mustang GT and build the most capable Mustang possible. Boasting 250 hp more than a stock Mustang GT, Roush’s Stage 3 version is about “brute power,” according to Simon Firth, who was wowed by the acceleration. “The roar of the engine is like a fantasy coming to life!” Ryan Brandsma said. And Tom Montgomery opined, “If you’re buying this car, it’s for the power and responsiveness.” Some, however, found it lacking in refinement. “The ride feels like a blender,” mused Roger Cary. Others, including Stuart Winston, remarked on the “cheap-looking interior.” Jon Huertas said, “I’m not a fan of the [10-speed automatic] transmission,” while Roy Arnold said it “needs a manual.” (A 6-speed stick shift is available.) Differences of opinion notwithstanding, perhaps Peter Wright said it best: “When in doubt, peel out.”
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody
“Doughnut heaven!”
10
LARS HENRIKSEN ON THE DODGE CHARGER
Roush Stage 3 Mustang
Almost as polarizing as today’s political landscape, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody elicited the strongest reactions from our voters. One point all could agree on was that it had plenty of bravado. Developed by Dodge’s Street and Racing Technology team, the four-door owes its ferocity to a 6.2-liter, supercharged Hemi V-8 corralling 707 angry horses. “It’s the quintessential muscle car,” said Peter Li. Similarly, Bryan Hunter was seduced by the “sheer thrill when you punch it. The response is almost instant, and it’s only too happy to let the tires spin while screaming off the line.” All that brawn led Scott Simon to caution, “It’s an easy car to underestimate.” The opposition was equally opinionated. “American muscle with no manners,” was how Mike Davis put it. Tim Trauth was also not a fan. “This car is like a bar at 2 a.m.,” he noted. “Loud, obnoxious and sloppy.” Nathan Tan painted an even more colorful picture: “Driving the Hellcat is akin to Wile E. Coyote with a rocket on his back and roller skates on his feet—prodigious power but no control.” Perhaps its unbridled nature is what Harry Lange related to when he quipped, “I should have bought it when I was 18.”
9
Dodge (near left) ENGINE:
6.2-liter, supercharged V-8 POWER:
707 hp 0-60 MPH:
3.6 sec TOP SPEED:
196 mph BASE PRICE:
$69,645 OUR CAR:
$83,205
Roush Mustang (far left) ENGINE:
5.0-liter, supercharged V-8 POWER:
710 hp 0-60 MPH:
3.3 sec est. TOP SPEED:
180 mph est. B A S E P R I C E ( M U S TA N G G T WITH ADDITIONAL FA C T O RY O P T I O N S ) :
$51,530 OUR CAR:
$77,900
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
97
“Don’t be fooled by its relatively compact size. A welterweight that packs a heavyweight’s punch!” NAJEEB THOMAS
Audi RS 5 Sportback ENGINE:
A sensibly sized daily driver that delivers impressive per8 formance, Audi’s RS 5 Sportback offers four-door practicality with the styling and handling dynamics of a coupe. The car is distinguished by an aggressive front end with a capacious grille and lower air intakes, but its sporting spirit is really apparent from behind the wheel. Tuned by Audi Sport—formerly Quattro division—the all-wheel drive maximizes traction and hustles the car around corners while directing more power to the rear wheels in dry conditions to provide the driving excitement of rear-wheel drive. Most drivers shared Jared Silver’s appreciation for “the well-balanced chassis, transmission and power.” Silver concluded it was “the most confidence-inspiring car that wasn’t a super-
98
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
2.9-liter, twinturbocharged V-6 POWER:
444 hp 0-60 MPH:
3.8 sec TOP SPEED:
155 mph, limited / 174 mph, optional BASE PRICE:
$74,200 OUR CAR:
$97,220
car.” While a few drivers were unsettled by the stiff suspension, Riccardo Spagni found the RS 5 “surprisingly aggressive, letting you play with it but still making sure you are in absolute control. Driving it is incredibly reassuring.” Francois Grand remarked on the “great power and responsiveness,” while Kimberly Worsnop appreciated “its ethereal feel—quick yet light on its feet—like driving on a cloud, and it gets better with speed.” Like every Audi, the design is sophisticated yet understated, which no doubt suits the personality of many owners who appreciate highly engineered automobiles with vault-like build quality and a car that Jeremy Hand called “conservative yet promiscuous.” Many also thought the Audi’s price was conservative, relative to the car’s performance. But its low-key styling underwhelmed more than a few drivers looking for a little more visual panache, including Kelley Jones, who said, “The exterior design could be more distinctive.” A last-minute snag prevented the Audi from making an appearance in Florida, so its overall ranking reflects the reduction of votes from those three sessions. Its eventual absence aside, John DePaola was emphatic about the Sportback: “It was the most fun car to drive of all 11!”
C A R of the Y EA R
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Wraith
ENGINE:
6.6-liter, twinturbocharged V-12 POWER:
624 hp 0-60 MPH:
The bespoke Black Badge series from Rolls-Royce not only offers a brooding, edgier aesthetic but also a bump in performance, with an additional 37 ft lbs of torque. Rolls developed the Black Badge option to attract a younger demographic—and it’s worked. Currently, one out of three cars sold in the Americas by the marque features the elite presentation, and the average age of that buyer is now under 40 years old. But the Black Badge– enhanced Wraith in our contest bridged any generation gap.
4.3 sec TOP SPEED:
155 mph, limited BASE PRICE:
$380,000 OUR CAR:
$450,050 Napa / $380,000 Boca
R U B E N O L I VA
“If a Rolls-Royce is a land yacht, then this is a Ferretti.”
7
According to Jeremy Oster, the vehicle combines “opulence with flawless execution and is a lot more fun than past Rolls models.” Both the cabin and the drive experience garnered praise. “The interior is beyond compare; everything is done immaculately,” observed Ryan Brandsma. Jill DePaola’s favorite aspect was under foot: “The plush carpets are the bomb!” Millicent Puglisi was equally enamored of the pampering, noting, “As a passenger, if I were to close my eyes, I would feel as though I was in the most luxurious spa in the world.” The Wraith did not win everyone over, however. “An armored vehicle crossed with a couch” is how Amy Mullally described it. And Daniel Maas likened it to a “beautiful tank.” There were also a few nautical references. “The suspension is not super-tight—it felt like I was sailing, not driving,” said Nicole Huertas. “It’s like a cruise ship,” agreed John DePaola. Although personal preferences varied, the baronial two-door remains in a class by itself. As Tom Montgomery pointed out: “It’s a Rolls. Enough said.”
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
99
C A R of the Y EA R
With a look and lineage that harken back to the Golden Age of motorsports, the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster would be equally at home competing alongside the famed 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL in that era’s Mille Miglia and Targa Florio endurance races as steering through any of today’s torturous freeway commutes. The convertible’s elongated front end, missile-like silhouette and impressive power-toweight ratio had many from our field of judges proclaiming it the definitive road rocket. “The engine note was amazing,” gushed Jared Silver. “It sounds like it’s ripping a hole in the space-time fabric!” Both the car’s drive dynamics and body styling—shaped in classic
4.0-liter, twinturbocharged V-8 POWER:
550 hp 0-60 MPH:
3.6 sec TOP SPEED:
196 mph BASE PRICE:
$162,400 OUR CAR:
$179,795
“I loved driving the hell outta this car!”
6
ENGINE:
100
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
J E N N I F E R S TA N T O N
Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster
lines without being overly sculpted—were appreciated by David Alan, who noted that the roadster was “sporty, fast and powerful without making too much fuss over itself.” Ron Newman felt similarly, saying, “It has the perfect amount of performance combined with practical technology.” Jon Huertas was taken by how it “conveys excitement in a beautifully wrapped package, as was Bill Varner, who noted that “the long hood and short trunk on this car look terrific.” Scott Sullivan’s only complaint was “I don’t own one.” Weighing in at 3,660 pounds, the GT C Roadster was the second-lightest car in our lot, which a few evaluators felt hampered its performance when considering the engine and suspension pairing. “The acceleration lifted the car instead of making it grab the road,” said Adam Dornbusch. James Field deemed the handling “inferior,” explaining, “Going into corners, I did not have confidence.” But those turned off by the roadster were in the minority. Hillary Simon called it “the perfect daily driver,” and Craig Stull compared the vehicle to what Napa is known for, referring to it as “big and bold, like a fine Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“Nicest BMW I’ve driven. Impressive.” GEOFF FEAR
BMW M8 Convertible
ENGINE:
4.4-liter, twinturbocharged V-8 POWER:
After a two-decade absence, BMW brought its 8 Series back 5 full throttle with the 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, a car that finished sixth in our rankings last year. This time around, it competed as a roadster with M-badge bragging rights and jumped up a notch. Based on the M850i platform, the 2020 BMW M8 Convertible gets an additional 77 hp and all the finer tuning expected of the German automaker’s M performance division. Though the model was recalled due to a transmission problem shortly after our sessions ended—a roughly one-hour fix at an authorized BMW center—it certainly hit a high note with fans of the marque.
600 hp 0-60 MPH:
3.1 sec TOP SPEED:
156 mph, limited / 190 mph, optional M Driver’s Package BASE PRICE:
$142,500 OUR CAR:
$157,195
“Everything works so well together,” said Dan Zepponi. “It is a symphony, but with Led Zeppelin as backup.” Scott Sullivan also sang its praises: “Dollar for dollar, it’s the best high-performance sports and luxury car by far.” Handling was a hit for Jared Woolf, who thought it was “shockingly fast and agile, with amazing brakes.” And Mark Komine lauded its “highly intuitive drive.” But not all opinions were in sync. Sam Akabas was disappointed in what he felt was “late throttle response,” and Jerónimo Guzman found “the exhaust note a little numb for my taste.” More than one driver thought that the M8’s styling hadn’t kept up with its engineering. “Seems to have stopped just short of refinement,” said Milo Benigno, and Ruben Oliva joked that the vehicle was for “somebody who likes to go fast on Throwback Thursday, since both the exterior and the interior seem stuck in the past.” One of the fairest assessments came from Christopher Carpenter, who said the M8 is the perfect choice for those who “want to make a statement, not necessarily a scene.”
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
101
4
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-door Coupe “The most unassuming beast on the road.” JARED WOOLF
102
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
C A R of the Y EA R
104
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
C A R of the Y EA R
ENGINE:
4.0-liter, twinturbocharged V-8 POWER:
630 hp 0-60 MPH:
3.1 sec TOP SPEED:
195 mph, limited BASE PRICE:
$159,000 OUR CAR:
$184,285
The GT 63 S our judges tested features 64-color LED ambient lighting and the marque’s Air Balance cabin fragrance system.
The four-door coupe is the design du jour of manufacturers looking to blend practicality and performance in a package with more pizzazz than a traditional sedan. In usual AMG fashion, a hand-built engine is massaged to maximum output and delivers blistering acceleration and massive torque, which many drivers found quite addicting. All-wheel drive keeps the big AMG glued to the road, and despite its sedan pretentions, the firm ride and raucous demeanor feel more dynamic than one would expect, as noted Samir Mitra, who described the entry as “a four-door sedan that acted like a sports car,” while Karen Stull saw “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” But David Reis mentioned that the “rear end can be squirrelly in Sport Plus and Race modes,” while Sam Akabas observed that “traction control in Race mode allows too much to go unanswered.” Acknowledging that the large AMG did most things well, Ricky DeCastro said, “It’s everything you would want in a vehicle.” Jean-Marc Bories dubbed it “the rocket Pullman sedan,” with Scott Simon imagining a mix of automotive DNA: “Tesla meets Maybach.” “One of the most incredible combinations of power, luxury and performance, all while still being somewhat practical,” said Avrum Elmakis, and Mark Spencer called it “fantastic all-around.” Though the GT 63 S was the overall winner of a few sessions, some drivers remarked on its uninspired exterior styling, which Mike Davis found “a little bulbous.” Rear seating was not generous, according to some back-seat drivers, and many disliked the platter-like rims (optional, thankfully). But from a bird’s-eye view, Larry Mueller summed things up, saying, “It sets a new bar for performance sedans under $200,000.”
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
105
3
Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible “Not your grandfather’s Bentley.” CRAIG DOOLEY
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
107
C A R of the Y EA R
ENGINE:
4.0-liter, twinturbocharged V-8 POWER:
542 hp 0-60 MPH:
3.9 sec TOP SPEED:
198 mph BASE PRICE:
$218,350 OUR CAR:
$293,670
The famed Bentley Boys may have won five times at Le Mans between 1924 and 1930, but imagine what those gentlemen racers could have accomplished with a machine like the Continental GT V8 Convertible. The 542 hp roadster is the new sibling to the 12-cyclinder coupe that came in third place in our contest last year, and, once again, the British marque’s entry had few detractors. “I feel like I’m in a cocoon of tranquility while sitting on top of a rocket,” said Sean Hayes. For Daniel Stern, the open-top tourer blew the roof off its predecessors. “The refinement is heads above the previous generation,” he said. “The engine is more responsive at first touch of the pedal and also has more pull on the higher revs.” But the fact that the car tips the scales at 5,163 pounds was a concern for some, especially on the closed autocross course in Florida, where Samir Mitra noticed the Bentley was “heavy on the turns.” Eric Thompson agreed, noting that the “steering was a little too soft for such a big car.” Still, the majority of judges were smitten. “The most exclusive English gentlemen’s club on wheels,” lauded Roy Arnold. Its appeal, however, had no gender barrier. Jill DePaola asserted that “you will not find a sexier interior,” and Millicent Puglisi admitted, “I think I love this car more than my husband.” The combination of posh detailing and performance, a hallmark of Bentley’s 101-year legacy, was perhaps best summed up by Christian Navarro, who called the convertible “a perfect car to take Grandma to brunch—at 90 mph.” Bentley’s sustainably sourced wood veneers, 20-way adjustable seats and rotating instrument display fine-tune the convertible’s interior.
ROBBREPOR
COM
109
2
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante “Drop-dead looks with mind-blowing power.” MARK NEWMAN
“It’s perhaps the best combination of luxury and performance that I have ever driven.” DANIEL STERN
C A R of the Y EA R
ENGINE:
5.2-liter, twinturbocharged V-12 POWER:
715 hp 0-62 MPH:
3.6 sec TOP SPEED:
211 mph BASE PRICE:
$328,100 OUR CAR:
$386,886 Napa
The clear winner in two sessions and a strong second in others, the DBS Superleggera Volante nearly nabbed first place, offering a visceral driving experience with dashing looks that make it a superstar in the company of some very capable competitors. The Volante—convertible in Astonspeak—is the company’s only drop-top with a V-12 engine and is priced $18,000 more than the hardtop. Delivering 715 hp to the rear wheels, the Volante was also the most powerful car in this year’s competition, prompting Jeremy Oster to pronounce it “the most engaging and exciting car to drive, with pure adrenaline on tap. The engine sound and overall feel encourage driving harder and exploring what this machine can do.” Indeed, the car had drivers enthralled, and when asked what they didn’t like, many remarked, “Nothing!” Moti Ferder said, “It gets your blood boiling, and you can drive it every day.” William Waesche appreciated the dual nature of the beast, calling it “the perfect combination of luxury and sport.” Remarking on the Volante’s relative understatement, Julian Rizzuto said, “I love this car because it’s one of the most amazing cars I’ve seen and driven, but still under the radar and stealth.” Naturally, James Bond references abounded, and like the spy, the Volante employs state-of-the-art tech like a carbon-fiber-and-aluminum chassis, yet its fabric top is a nod to tradition, in the spirit of a Savile Row suit. The car’s cabin, on the other hand, received mixed reviews from more than a few drivers, including Bill Varner, who thought “interior details were lacking for a $400,000 car.” Milo Benigno suggested the “interior could be reworked,” and John Conover called it “busy.” Others remarked on the car’s cost relative to perceived value. “The price is too high—come on, guys, fancy it up!” was Hillary Simon’s assessment. Still, consensus was in the big Brit’s favor, aptly expressed by Tamara Stanfill, who said, “It totally left me craving more.”
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
113
C A R of the Y EA R
1
Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder “It is like driving your own roller coaster.” T H I B A U LT V E R D O N C K T
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
115
The Evo Spyder’s center console frames the same 8.4-inch HMI touchscreen—with multisystem controls—that debuted on the coupe.
116
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
C A R of the Y EA R
ENGINE:
5.2-liter, naturally aspirated V-10 POWER:
631 hp 0-62 MPH:
3.1 sec TOP SPEED:
202 mph BASE PRICE:
$287,400 OUR CAR:
$349,345
We waved the checkered flag this year for a convertible at the crossroads of automotive innovation and artificial intelligence: Lamborghini’s game-changing Huracán Evo Spyder. A raging bull with a true brain, the 631 hp Evo debuts the Italian marque’s Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI), a super-processor that anticipates driver inputs and correspondingly adjusts the torque vectoring, all-wheel steering, advanced traction control and related systems every 20 milliseconds, give or take. Basically, the car predicts your next move and sets you up for success, often despite yourself. And it’s all complemented by 10 cylinders of naturally aspirated fury. “The sound of that V-10 can cure depression,” said Jerónimo Guzman. “I’m recording the engine noise for my phone’s ringtone.” Nathan Tan concurred: “Every downshift, I found myself giggling along with the pops and crackles. The life worth living exists north of 7,000 rpm in Corsa mode.” The experience elicited the same childlike enthusiasm from Christopher Carpenter, who said, “I believe there are two things that are impossible to do with a frown on your face—skipping and driving this Lamborghini.” For Lee Gossett, the Evo is “as close as the average human will ever get to Formula 1.” Still, although it did tally the top score and nearly everyone heralded the vehicle’s engineering, the ergonomic considerations were another story. “It’s like a cheap seat on an airline—no legroom,” said Craig Stull. Erik Hagstrom warned, “If you’re over six feet, visibility is an issue.” Our editor in chief, Paul Croughton, was equally disappointed by the interior’s height limitations. “I don’t fit,” he said simply. “There were so many blind spots,” mentioned Shaunmarie Gutbezahl. “It made driving stressful.” A daily driver? Tamara Stanfill didn’t think so. “It would be lots of fun for a day or a weekend—a one-night stand, but you wouldn’t want to marry it,” she concluded. In the end, however, the vast majority of our judges would have opted for long-term relationships with the model. “The Lambo is the most impactful vehicle I have ever driven,” declared Peter Wright. It’s hard to compete with that.
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
117
“Does exactly what it’s supposed to do and more—it’s excellent at being a Lamborghini.” D AV I D A L A N
While racetracks and precision stopwatches are the tools of engineers, the reality is that not many drivers race to dinner or time their acceleration to the
uate the cars as one might a wine at a tasting: sipping, swirling and, finally, spitting, lest one become intoxicated before the flight is finished. So, instead of attempting 0-to-60-mph burnouts, heroic corner carving and violent braking, we urged drivers to consider more realistic variables, providing a structured and highly methodical list of questions. Using a scale of A to F, they graded the cars on performance, suitability as a daily driver, value, fit and finish, and a variety of other criteria to paint a wellrounded picture of each one.
JEFF ASELIN
Judging What Really Matters
next traffic light. A few horsepower or tenths of a second are not nearly as significant in deciding which car to own as a vehicle’s shape or sound or the character of its interior. Composed of Robb Report readers, this year’s judges were enthusiasts, not automotive journalists or (with one exception) professional racecar drivers. Which is why the roads in Napa and the closed course in Boca Raton were charted to provide realworld driving experiences. Referencing the viniculture that makes Napa Valley famous, we urged our judges to eval-
“The top cars in the world, incredible cuisine and lunch in the Dolphins’ locker room. Does it get much better?”
C A R of the Y EA R
Competitors ready for their drivers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami
Vernon Adams Sam Akabas David Alan Jim Allen David Arnold Roy Arnold Mehran Aryafar Jeff Aselin Jim Bailey Paul Bartolotta Steve Bassett Linda Bell Milo Benigno
120
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Reed Bergman Jeff Bianco Aaron Bickham Mike Bilek Steve Blue Jean-Marc Bories Seth Box Josh Brandsma Lee Brandsma Ryan Brandsma Shai Burstein Gerry Byrne Christopher Carpenter
Roger Cary Luca Castellani John Conover Dale Crighton Paul Cummings Steve Daiagi Kishore Dass Mike Davis Benedicte de Boysson Roberto de Jesus Ricky DeCastro Jill DePaola John DePaola
Craig Dooley Adam Dornbusch Howard Dvorkin Craig Eddins Michael Edelman Allan Edelson Avrum Elmakis David Emmes Peter Farmer Geoff Fear Moti Ferder James Field Simon Firth
Carrie Freeman Peter Gary Sandra Gomez Ron Gorda Lee Gossett Francois Grand Mitchell Green Katie Griesbeck Shaunmarie Gutbezahl Jerónimo Guzman Tarek Hafez Erik Hagstrom Jeremy Hand
Jose Hane Diane Harrington Nathan Haydon Sean Hayes Tim Hekker Lars Henriksen Bill Herren Brent Holden Cheryl Holden Jon Huertas Nicole Huertas Don Hughes Wayne Huizenga III
Wayne Huizenga Jr. Bryan Hunter Stanislaus Idzi Earl Ishbia Rene Isip Claudia Jawher Kelley Jones Shane Jones Mike Kartsonis Hicham Khodr Elie Khoury Ed Kinney Ken Kladouris
STEWART COOK
2020 Car of the Year Judges
PERFECT RECOGNIZES PERFECT. Congratulations, Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder, on being the 2020 Car of the Year.
The perfect way to enjoy Patrón is responsibly. ©2019. Patrón, its trade dress, and the bee logo are trademarks. Handcrafted in Mexico. Imported by the Patrón Spirits Company, Las Vegas, NV. Tequila – 40% alc. by vol.
C A R of the Y EA R Of course, automobiles aren’t the only aspect of the Car of the Year experience, the allure of which is due in no small part to the hospitality of luxury resort Meadowood Napa Valley and Waldorf Astoria’s historic Florida property, the Boca Raton Resort & Club. In Napa, prior to the main event, judges and their guests spent the evening enjoying cuisine at the Charter Oak, a foodie destination owned by chef Christopher Kostow, the man behind the Restaurant at Meadowood and its three Michelin stars. On the opposite coast, fine-wine-paired dining was served on the Boca Raton Resort & Club’s scenic croquet lawn and at Italian restaurant Lucca.
The drive format also varied depending on location. The California contingent stretched out on the open roads along Lake Hennessey while Florida test-drives were conducted on a closed course at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins (a presenting partner) and this year’s Super Bowl. During afternoon breaks, judges at the latter were treated to exclusive tours of the stadium’s playing field, private clubs and VIP boxes, as well as lunch in the team’s ballroom-size locker room. Regardless of region, at every session’s concluding dinner, microphones were passed, welllubricated opinions expressed and the group’s Car of the Year winner decided.
Putting one of the contenders through its paces on the closed course at Hard Rock Stadium
Wine & Spirits Partners Arietta Wine Beaulieu Vineyard Benchmark Wine Group Cade Winery Cakebread Cellars Cardinale Winery Crown Point Vineyards
Partners
Cuvaison Winery
Armand de Brignac
Davis Estates
Boca Raton Resort
Gemstone Vineyard
& Club, a Waldorf
Marciano Estate
Astoria Resort
Patrón Tequila
Carl F. Bucherer
Penfolds Wine
Delta Private Jets
Sinegal Estate
Gläce Luxury Ice Co.
Spire Collection
Gunther Werks Human Touch Isaia IYC: The International Yacht Company Le Chemin du Roi Louis XIII Lugano Diamonds MB&F Miami Dolphins Parmigiani Fleurier Provident Jewelry Stephen Silver The Private Suite at LAX Yeti
In Napa, Michelin three-star chef Christopher Kostow (top) hosted all six of our welcome dinners at the Charter Oak restaurant. After their day of driving, Napa judges (above) dined at exclusive wineries.
2020 Car of the Year Judges
122
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Casey Mears Samir Mitra Carl Monje Thomas Montgomery Teddy Morse David Mosteller Jim Mueller Larry Mueller Amy Mullally Christian Navarro Mark Newman Ron Newman
Ruben Oliva Jeremy Oster Melissa Oster Gary Owen Matthew Pechman John Puglisi Millicent Puglisi William Reilly David Reis Harry Rindler Julian Rizzuto Sergio Rizzuto
Jon Robinson David Rosenberg Paul Ross Gary Scholl Scott Schultz Jared Silver Stephen Silver Hillary Simon Scott Simon Mickala Sisk Mike Sisk Riccardo Spagni
Jacob Spencer Mark Spencer Tamara Stanfill Jennifer Stanton Michael Stellmach Michael Stelluti Daniel Stern Ron Stoll Mike Stroh Craig Stull Karen Stull Scott Sullivan
Nathan Tan Najeeb Thomas Eric Thompson Tim Trauth Bill Varner Thibault Verdonckt Ioannis Vitsentzos William Waesche Jack Waldie Amy Way Jonathan Weizman Neil Welsh
Jack Whitmore David Willens Richard Winkelman Stuart Winston Jared Woolf Kimberly Worsnop Peter Wright Dan Zepponi STEWART COOK
Ryan Knoth Mark Komine Steve Kris Harry Lange Peter Li Nick Linca Daniel Maas Tessa Maas Mike Maples Lindsay McArdle Jim McGuigan Mike McWhorter
1000 HP HELLCAT V8-POWERED JEEP
WWW.HENNESSEYPERFORMANCE.COM/MAXIMUS | 979-987-6084
The Exacting Mind of Donald Judd The mercurial artist is celebrated for his cerebral, modular sculptures, but as an upcoming retrospective at MoMA makes clear, his stripped-down sensibility also transformed furniture design.
ARNOLD NEWMAN/GET T Y IMAGES
By MARK C. O’FL AHERT Y
COURTESY DONALD JUDD FURNITURE
Donald Judd’s Forward Slant Chair 84 in pine. OPPOSITE: The artist in his SoHo studio, September 15, 1973.
When visitors arrive at the first Donald Judd retrospective to be mounted in the US in 30 years—opening at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on March 1— the first thing they encounter won’t be any of his iconic sculptures. Instead, just outside the exhibition entrance, they will see what he created to furnish his homes, erasing any doubt as to his furniture’s importance in the eyes of curators. Judd, who died in 1994 at the age of 65, railed against the term “minimalism,” but his wall-mounted stacks of galvanized iron boxes, and warehouses full of meticulously lined-up reflective cubes, did a lot with a little. And the artist was never one to surround himself with baroque curlicues or any kind of superfluous dec-
oration. The furniture that he designed for himself is graphic and austere, but as quietly beautiful as it is prosaic. You can see his mind at work with stubborn, muscular practicality: If you can sit on a cube, then there you go . . . that’s a chair. If you can sleep on a platform of wood, that’s a bed. His uncompromising furniture designs—now commercially available— have been as influential as his artwork. “It was important to us to indicate that Judd’s vision extended from sculpture to design,” says Ann Temkin, the chief curator of painting and sculpture at MoMA. “We want our visitors to experience that aspect of his practice firsthand.” Judd’s furniture has had a major impact on the aesthetics of the 21st cen-
WILLIAM JESS LAIRD/COURTESY DONALD JUDD FURNITURE
W
alking around Donald Judd’s old house at 101 Spring Street in New York’s SoHo is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the artist’s spare aesthetic. His enormous bedroom, which is so bare-bones that it makes a Japanese ryokan look gaudy, is the highlight. Sitting dead center is the wooden bed, low to the floor, with no headboard. It is the stuff of minimalist dreams but comes with a question mark as big as the statement it makes. Flavin Judd, son of the late, great artist, has the answer. “The bed is plenty functional,” he starts. “But, yes, . . . the pillows will fall off.”
Donald Judd
tury. You can see echoes of it in the linear simplicity of the Apple stores, in Muji’s stacking shelves and in John Pawson’s hard-edged furniture. He made us want to live with less, at a variety of price points. You can buy into the lifestyle by investing in some extraordinarily executed contemporary craft or by sitting on a wooden crate. Craig Bassam is the cofounder of Bas-
samFellows, the modernist design studio behind the sleek, linear Tuxedo Bench for Geiger/Herman Miller, recently installed throughout the newly expanded MoMA. Bassam has a great appreciation for what Judd achieved with his furniture. “It’s important because it’s a continuation of his art and was made for his personal use,” he explains. “It wasn’t designed as art, but it is like art. It embodies his minimalist
“IT WASN’T DESIGNED AS ART, BUT IT IS LIKE ART. IT EMBODIES HIS MINIMALIST SENSIBILITY AND SENSITIVITY TO MATERIALS.”
sensibility and sensitivity to materials. We find that inspiring—we also design products that are for personal use, so they are meaningful and not what we necessarily think the market wants. You have to love what you design and make.” he story behind Judd’s furniture is entwined with that of his fascinating, often turbulent life. Necessity, fueled by an inability to find anything that suited his ideal environment, inspired Judd to turn his hand to carpentry to create beds for his family, as well as chairs and tables. Much has been written about his volatile marriage
T
19.75-Inch Frame Chair 67, 19.75-Inch Frame Stool 68 and 49.5-Inch Frame Table 70 in cherry, installed at La Mansana de Chinati/The Block, Judd Foundation, Marfa, Texas
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
127
to choreographer Julie Finch when they lived at 101 Spring Street, which he bought in 1968, eons before the arrival of Apple, Prada et al. That same year, the SoHo Artists Association was formed to legalize what many of its members were already doing: living in old industrial lofts. It wasn’t a lifestyle choice per se but more a practicality. One significant anecdote concerns Judd’s outrage at a brown corduroy sofa Finch acquired from Bloomingdale’s. There would be no whimsical upholstery in the house. Not on his watch. The symbol of the TV-watching bourgeoisie stayed, but their daughter, Rainer, has said the marriage frayed soon after. Judd began making his own furniture, and with five stories of what had been a 19th-century factory to play with, he fashioned a paradigm of stark, chic loft living. Some astute current SoHo loft dwellers, including the fashion designer Phillip Lim, have mixed vintage Judd pieces with contemporary luxe furniture. “I found a set of Judd chairs in a vintage store,” says Lim. “I was amazed and asked them if they had any idea of how
128
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
important they were. I got them for $1,000 but would have paid $10,000.” Judd’s way of living still looks as fresh as ever. It represents true modernism as much as it does minimalism: The materials used, whether plywood or refined black walnut, come to the fore visually, and the simple shapes accentuate the volumes of large living spaces. “It was clear to me from when I was small that I was living in a different kind of home from most Americans,” says Flavin Judd, now the artistic director of the Judd Foundation. “People were proud to live in shoeboxes on the Upper West Side, and I felt sorry for them. Don designed what he needed, and he did so consistently. He made his own style.” isillusioned by the changes to the neighborhood and the art scene, Judd abandoned SoHo in 1977 for Marfa, a six-and-a-half-hour drive into the desert from Austin, Texas. The big skies, laser-sharp sunlight and
D
Flavin Judd, Julie Finch and an infant Rainer Judd on the fifth floor of 101 Spring Street, 1971–72. OPPOSITE: Judd in 1982 with one of his “Stacks” at La Mansana de Chinati/The Block.
DONALD JUDD/JUDD FOUNDATION/ART RESOURCE, NY
“IT WAS CLEAR TO ME FROM WHEN I WAS SMALL THAT I WAS LIVING IN A DIFFERENT KIND OF HOME FROM MOST AMERICANS.”
remoteness are extraordinary: Marfa was, and still is, the middle of nowhere. The cult filmmaker John Waters created an artwork in 2004 in the form of a mock tourist-board poster: “Take the whole family to Marfa, Texas. ‘The Jonestown of Minimalism.’ See Donald Judd’s Bed! You can’t fly there! It’s a L-O-O-O-O-N-G DRIVE!” Here was the perfect landscape of nothingness for a man who liked to be surrounded by as little as possible. Judd’s departure from New York was abrupt, disappearing with Flavin and Rainer before any custody battle had started with Finch (he subsequently won). Today, much of Marfa (population: 1,714) is given over to both the Judd and the Chinati Foundations, and it has become an art-world mecca. Chinati is the contemporary art museum that has taken over the sprawling old Fort D. A. Russell military base and that was conceived by Judd as a place where the natural landscape could be married with his large-scale artworks and those by his friends Dan Flavin and John Chamberlain, exhibited both inside and outside. German text, weathered but visible on some of the interior walls, is a reminder that the buildings were used to house POWs during World War II, but today they are full of works by those three men as well as by other artists, including Roni Horn and Ilya Kabakov. Outside, there are pieces by Richard Long, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. When Judd moved to Marfa, he continued to create furniture for his family’s new life, collaborating with a closely knit group of fabricators whom he gave exacting specifications. He worked with several carpenters in Marfa—including brothers Celedonio and Alfredo Mediano, and later Ramon Nuñez—and from 1984 he had his metal furniture fabricated in Switzerland, at Lehni AG in Dübendorf. “He had made desk sets for his children,” says Christopher Longfellow, director of operations at Donald Judd Furniture. “He also made a metal desk for gallerist Paula Cooper and other unique designs for friends.” Slowly, Judd’s furniture evolved into something that was, if far from commercial, then at least accessible to a select group of people outside of his direct family. More than 70 of the furniture designs have been available, made to order, since he first conceived them. In 2017 Donald Judd Furniture began to offer the collection ready-made, with designs from his archive added periodically and all proceeds benefiting the Judd Foundation. It is still produced to the same specifications. “The decision to introduce an online platform, and in-stock designs, was a result of demand,” explains Longfellow. “It allows
JAMIE DEARING/JUDD FOUNDATION/ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIET Y (ARS), NEW YORK
Donald Judd
for the full catalog of Judd’s designs to be seen in all materials. Production is limited to the designs Judd provided, so we are not actually ‘adding’ but researching existing designs made during his lifetime. We are constantly looking at pieces in the archives, for example, with finishes in metal that have not been produced in many years and also frame metal designs. All require a high amount of craftsmanship: There is a precision with the slant of chairs in wood and plywood, and materials like copper and pine demand patience and considerable expertise.” That expertise makes for expensive pieces. The Single Daybed 32, which boxes the user within five simple wooden panels and is still made in the same woodshop that has been run by carpenter Jeff Jamieson since the 1980s, starts at just over $17,000. For comparison’s sake, a vintage example of the design was sold at auction for $47,500, at Phillips in New York in December 2018. “Simplicity is usually expensive, and the cost to make the furniture is just what it is,” says Rainer. “We are not willing to make bad examples of his furniture just to sell more of it.” n 2018, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art staged Donald Judd: Specific Furniture, bringing together 30 pieces made during Judd’s lifetime and eight newly fabricated ones, alongside Judd’s drawings. Curator Joseph Becker was inspired to organize the show after discovering just how serious Judd’s interest in modernist furniture—beyond his own—was. “He had a collection of crucial pieces, and his research was encyclopedic,” says Becker. “In recognizing his deference to the achievements of Rietveld, Aalto, Mies van der Rohe, Schindler and others,
I
an architectural twist. For instance, the Forward Slant Plywood Chair 84’s front panel below the seat is angled inward. It is an iconic design object in an age when the term has become cliché through misuse. As Becker says, “The nuanced shifts in how he treats the volume under the seat reflect his sculptural works, such as the 100 untitled works in mill aluminum on permanent view at Chinati.” The current version of the chair is available for $3,500. When you consider that some of his wall-mounted artworks change hands for millions at auction, the furniture is entry-level Judd, but still rich in resonance. “Judd’s furniture satisfied his desire to explore production, utility and form in an explicitly more hands-on way than his sculpture,” says Becker, referring to the fact that Judd conceived his artworks meticulously but outsourced them for fabrication. “He was also thinking deliberately about how furniture in a room defined the movements and the points of focus within a space, just as his works of art would. It’s clear from the ways he organized his own spaces in Marfa, New York and Switzerland [where he turned the Eichholteren hotel on Lake Lucerne into a private residence] that the entirety of the architecture was considered simultaneously.” MoMA’s Judd show arrives at an interesting time for art and design, when dealers and practitioners are regularly challenging old definitions. The Pavilion of Art & Design (PAD) fairs in Paris and London, for instance, have put edition furniture and contemporary art on a shared platform. “More clients who would traditionally be ‘art buyers’ in galleries and art fairs are crossing between the two camps,” says Longfellow. Among the most popular makers in this category are the Haas Brothers, whose furniture, though, is rarely used as such. “Most furniture-as-art pieces are impractical
“MOST FURNITURE-AS-ART PIECES ARE IMPRACTICAL OR UNCOMFORTABLE TO USE. JUDD’S WORK IS DIFFERENT. IT WAS ALL ABOUT FUNCTION.” I was able to understand his approach to designing his own furniture in a way that made it distinct from his art.” Taking inspiration from those earlier designers, Judd fashioned objects for use with the same purity of vision. For Becker, it is the 20 permutations of Chair 84 that represent “peak Judd.” At first sight it looks like a simple cube with a back panel that extends up from the rear of its core box, but each incorporates
130
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
or uncomfortable to use,” says Bassam. “Judd’s work is different. It was all about function.” Look at the Seat/Table/Seat Bench 26 (from $10,500), which combines everything it says it does with economy and élan. Or the Shelf Plywood Stool 95 (from $2,900), which you can sit on or use for display or storage. Numerous contemporary designers have taken inspiration from Judd’s work and philosophy of late. When the School
of the Art Institute of Chicago commissioned Navillus Woodworks to create seating for the dean’s office, the local design-build firm supplied walnut modular chairs inspired by Judd’s Library Chair 42. At Salone del Mobile last year, Draga & Aurel showed a series of “Judd” wall lights, with the simplicity of form of the artist they reference but elevated in tinted glass. Rarefied homage follows rarefied homage, but you can also see Judd in more commercial areas, such as Philipp Mainzer’s stark woodwork for e15. ut are Judd’s pieces art, and are PAD and their ilk indicative of a blurring of the lines—or full-on erasure? Flavin Judd says no: “Unless you plan on sitting on your Baselitz painting, there is no inevitable merging of art and design. They do different things.” His father defined the difference adroitly in his 1993 essay “It’s Hard to Find a Good Lamp”: “The art in art is partly the assertion of someone’s interest regardless of other considerations. A work of art exists as itself; a chair exists as a chair itself. And the idea of a chair isn’t a chair.” Furniture can’t exist solely as a concept, Judd is saying. You have to use it. Jasper Morrison offers a strikingly different take on the subject. Morrison is responsible for some of the most pared-down designs of the 21st century, a result of research that focuses on the pure function of an object, not unlike Judd’s approach. Still, he admires what he sees as the conceptual artistry running through Judd’s designs. “The interest for me is observing what an artist whose work I admire imagines furniture could be,” Morrison says. “They are not so much furniture as sculptures of furniture existing in a parallel object universe, inspired by the basic constraints of what makes a chair or a table. Nonetheless appealing for not being furniture.” With that, Morrison points to where the tension and visual excitement are in Judd’s designs. No matter where you fall in that argument, Judd’s tables, chairs and such are utterly uncompromising objects. They are profoundly pleasing to look at, but you’re never going to binge-watch anything while on your Donald Judd daybed, unless it’s festooned with (incongruous) cushions. These pieces sacrifice certain practicalities for a literally rigid aesthetic. They pose questions. They make you think about what furniture actually is, and they transcend style. In their own way, they are masterpieces.
B
Judd: The Legacy
1
2
1. Apple Antara in Mexico City 2. Philip Mainzer’s stools for e15 3. Jasper Morrison’s Lepic kitchen, produced by Schiffini, 2016 4. Tuxedo Bench for Geiger/Herman Miller by BassamFellows 5. Judd’s Single Daybed 32 6. Navillus Woodworks’ chair commissioned for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
JASPER MORRISON’S LEPIC KITCHEN: MIRO Z AGNOLI
3
4
5
6
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
131
ON THE ROCKS A journey to the remote reaches of Greenland yields equal parts unrivaled beauty and an unmistakable Words and Photography by CHRISTOPHER BAGLEY
A beached iceberg in Johan Petersen fjord. OPPOSITE: An iceberg in Sermilik fjord.
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
133
On the Rocks
134
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Going with the floe: A Zodiac and kayak navigate past the icebergs in Sermilik.
At first, I don’t even notice the two Remington shotguns tucked among the trekking poles and gear bags at the front of our boat. There’s no obvious need for firearms in the Sermilik fjord, a pristine inlet dotted with icebergs on the east coast of Greenland, where a dozen of us, outfitted in neon-orange flotation suits, are zooming past glaciers so numerous and so remote that many of them haven’t yet been named. But then we pull up beside a wide, sandy beach with an unexpected display of glistening ice formations. This morning’s extreme high tide has swept the blue-white masses right onto the shore, where they’ll remain for a few hours before the afternoon tide pulls them back out to sea. Our two guides remove the rifles from their cases and quietly step off the boat. The guns, it turns out, are for their own protection as they scan the shoreline for polar bears. We wait on board, watching a black guillemot fly overhead until the signal comes over the radio: All clear. Once onshore, we gawk at the beached icebergs before sitting down for a picnic lunch in what has to be the world’s most ephemeral, and most remarkable, outdoor sculpture park. Anyone looking for all too obvious symbols of global warming—the chunks of ice melting in the sunlight, the lack of prowling predators, the muffled sonic booms of glaciers calving in the distance—will find plenty of them in this extraordinarily isolated place, right at the edge of the Greenland ice sheet. But one thing you quickly learn in Greenland is that the less blatant signs of climate change are often the more significant ones. A few weeks ago, a group of seal fishermen in a nearby village were perplexed by the sight of a strange creature in their harbor: a lone porbeagle shark, never before seen in these waters. Every summer, people are noticing little (and not so little) waterfalls gushing in places that used to remain frozen year-round. Julius Nielsen, a seal hunter and guide who grew up in the region, tells me his friends and family have always been able to confidently predict the weather, based on knowledge inherited from their Inuit ancestors. Now they routinely get the forecast wrong. “It’s scary what we’re seeing and how fast things are changing,” he says. To get a front-row view of these changes—and
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
135
of some magnificent arctic landscapes, plus a few humpback whales and very hardy wildflowers—I’ve joined an eight-day expedition organized by Natural Habitat Adventures. In 2015 the Colorado-based travel company inaugurated a safari-style tent camp on the shore of a glacial valley. It’s open only during the two months of the year when the ground here is completely free of ice and snow, allowing roughly 100 visitors annually. (Natural Habitat was the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company and is partnered with World Wildlife Fund; the camp is dismantled every September and reassembled in July to minimize environmental impact.) To reach the site, we must take a two-hour flight from Reykjavík, Iceland, followed by a helicopter ride to the region’s main settlement, Tasiilaq (population: 2,000), then a four-hour boat trip up the fjord. Our group of 12 first meets at dinner at a hotel in Reykjavík, where one of our two American guides, Mike Hillman, briefs us with some essential intel. In all of Greenland there are only 12 towns and 56,000 residents, making the island’s population smaller than that of Dubuque, Iowa. Our destination on the east coast is all but uninhabited, with just a couple of tiny settlements besides Tasiilaq and no roads connecting any of them. For much of the year, people get around by snowmobile or dogsled, though when the waters become navigable in the spring, the residents get in their boats and start plying the fjords for their traditional food sources: seals and fish and the occasional narwhal. When our helicopter lands in Tasiilaq the following afternoon, it feels like we’re dropping into a child’s drawing of an arctic wonderland, with colorful little homes overlooking a serene bay backed by snowy peaks. Racks of drying fish dangle from the eaves, and teenagers practice their penalty kicks on the town soccer field. Despite the air of serenity on this 45-degree summer day, there are extreme social problems faced yearround by the town’s largely Inuit population. With few local jobs available and the communal fishing culture outmatched by the forces of the global economy, many families have no income beyond handouts from the Danish government. This lack of opportunity partly explains the unusually high rates of alcoholism, suicide and domestic violence here and elsewhere in Greenland. Climate change is yet another modern-day trouble requiring constant adjustment. Of course, around here most human concerns, whether social or economic or political, are ultimately governed by the powers of nature. Eighty percent of Greenland’s landmass is covered by the ice sheet, and it remains almost two miles deep in some sections, despite the huge summer melt-offs now making headlines. (If the whole thing suddenly turned to liquid, sea levels world-
136
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
wide would rise 23 feet.) We get a preview of the island’s spectacular vastness when we hike east from the center of town and soon find ourselves in a wide, empty valley with several deep glacial lakes. That night, after darkness finally sets in around 11 p.m., there’s a surprise sight in the sky: the leaping green arcs of the aurora borealis. “If you think this place feels otherworldly, wait until we get to base camp,” says our other guide, Colby Brokvist, during breakfast the next morning. Sure enough, our half-day sail up the dazzling Ikasagtivaq fjord feels like a slow glide into another dimension: The dark, glassy waters, 2,000 feet deep, serve as a giant mirror for the granite peaks that line the waterway as we make our way toward the only man-made objects on the horizon, a dozen vinyl cabins below a ring of mountains. Our group is a well-traveled, adventure-ready bunch—mainly over-50 Americans who can casually swap opinions about their favorite and least favorite parts of Namibia—but we’re all wondering just how rustic
the situation will be in our middle-of-nowhere encampment, whose perimeter has an electric fence to keep out the polar bears. A quick walk around assures us that our set-up is as luxurious as things could be around here, so we’ll face none of the hardships recorded by Knud Rasmussen, the polar explorer and anthropologist who made several harrowing sled trips across this part of Greenland a century ago. (“Only two things were certain,” he wrote about one expedition’s low point. “We had nothing to eat but eleven lean and hungry dogs, and the dogs had nothing to eat.”) Our tented cabins are snug, comfortable two-bed structures on raised platforms, with gas heaters, eco-friendly toilets and porches with unobstructed fjord views. Three larger group tents house a lounge area, a block of showers and a kitchen-dining room with a full-time chef, who prepares meals starring delicious local fish and abundant fresh vegetables (relatively rare in Greenland) flown in from abroad. In my own tent the next morning, I can see my
On the Rocks
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A cottage
in Tiniteqilaaq; its mayor, Paulus Larsen; a humpback whale near Natural Habitat’s seasonal base camp.
breath as I don an extra set of underlayers while getting ready for breakfast. But none of us is complaining about the chill as we pile into two Zodiac inflatable boats and see our first whale spout within minutes of setting off. Brokvist and Hillman, like all good naturalists, have a freakish ability to spot distant wildlife even while looking in the opposite direction. We’ll see nine more of the humpbacks before the end of the day, including one that bobs and slithers in a solo feeding ritual. When we hike up an outcrop for a view of the massive Hann glacier, Brokvist tells us that the hundreds of scarlet chunks embedded in the rock beneath our feet are actually gemstones: red garnets. (Greenland’s huge array of natural resources, and its strategic location along new shipping lanes created by melting ice, are what gave President Trump the idea of buying the island, which is an autonomous territory belonging to Denmark.) Periodically we stop the boat and just listen to the pops, hisses, booms and trickling sounds made by the ever-shifting chunks of ice. On our way back to camp, Hillman reaches overboard to grab a block of it. He’ll chop it into cubes for use in the evening’s gin and tonics. One day we leave camp to explore the only settlement in the area: Tiniteqilaaq, whose population is about 100. Brokvist and Hillman introduce us to a few residents, who explain some of the local nuances that we could only guess at in Tasiilaq. East Greenlanders who speak English like to say they’ve gone from the Stone Age to the iPhone age in a few short decades, and it’s no exaggeration. Many elders remember growing up in one-room sod huts, with only seal fat for fuel; now they get their local fishing updates on Facebook. These days, according to the town’s 71-year-old mayor, Paulus Larsen, the most momentous and possibly most regrettable change is that the individual, rather than the community, is considered priority number one. On the plus side: Daily life is much easier than it used to be, thanks to the introduc-
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
137
On the Rocks
WHILE GREENLAND MAY BE THE PLACE ON EARTH WHERE THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ARE MOST GLARINGLY APPARENT, IT’S ALSO A SPOT WHERE THE PLANET’S BEAUTY IS AT ITS PUREST AND MOST INTENSE. A view of Tasiilaq, the region’s main settlement
140
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
On the Rocks
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
Sled dogs in Tiniteqilaaq; the tented cabins at base camp; a typical house in Tasiilaq; the town’s soccer field; and its cemetery.
tion of things like motorized boats, plumbing and dentists. In the old days, Larsen says, all men fished and hunted full-time, and “basically, if you didn’t do your work, your family would die.” As for climate change’s effect, uncertainty remains the rule. A national quota system has kept the populations of polar bears and other species at sustainable levels, and for now seals remain plentiful around Tiniteqilaaq. But fishing itself is fading in importance, with packaged snacks and frozen meats for sale at the supermarket. Nielsen, who keeps about 20 sled dogs in the village and still hunts regularly (a few months ago he and his brother-in-law tracked and shot a polar bear, then divided up the meat), tells me that, in the past, the most important person in the family was the most skilled hunter. Today it might be the kid who goes to Copenhagen for university and stays there to find a well-paying job. Nielsen also points out that village life itself is a relatively new concept for the Inuit. “It’s actually not our culture to stay here, in one place,” he says. “Our ancestors moved all the time to find an easier life. If young people, even my children, want to leave, I won’t discourage them.” As I wander among Tiniteqilaaq’s picturesque wooden cabins, many of them empty, two unleashed sled dogs start following me. We end up in a hilltop cemetery, where decades of violent snowstorms have left the rows of white crucifixes pointing every which way but up. Looking out over the glorious fjord and mulling this country’s extreme contradictions, I’m struck by another paradox: While Greenland may be the place on Earth where the effects of climate change are most glaringly apparent, it’s also a spot where the planet’s beauty is at its purest and most intense. A few times during the past week, Brokvist has read excerpts of Inuit songs and stories, many of which place equal emphasis on the bliss and the terrors that come with life here. One poem, by the female shaman Uvavnuk, evokes the feeling of being set adrift in rough seas: “The arch of sky / And mightiness of storms / Encompass me / And I am left / Trembling with joy.” Before we board a plane back to Reykjavík, a storm moves in from the northeast and we walk through the fog to a tiny family museum in the village of Kulusuk. Owner Justine Boassen has arranged the displays of inherited regional artifacts, from sealskin boots to arctic fox skulls. On a low shelf there’s a carved wood sculpture that Boassen’s son made for a school project when he was about 10. Called Noah’s Kayak, it’s an arctic answer to Noah’s Ark: a narrow boat carrying a musk ox, a snowy owl, a polar bear, a narwhal and a few other local species. Her son wondered if the animals are unprotected from climate change because they never made it onto the ship described in the Bible. When I ask Boassen if her family and friends see reason for optimism, she looks out the window and mentions a few positives. Some people like the fact that the fjords are melting earlier in the year and freezing later, lengthening the fishing season. There’s now more accessible land in summertime, when the snows melt. Also, the dolphins come closer to the shore than they used to. She shrugs. “We can hope, but we don’t know what will happen,” Boassen says. “It seems like nobody knows.”
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
141
WHERE YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY
Wake up to a world of breathtaking possibilities. See how Belgard paves the way to your own personal sanctuary. Belgard.com/dream
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
YAC H T I N G LIFEST YLE The sea holds delightful memories and meaning for many: moments spent on beautiful beaches and swimming in pristine waters, the serenity found while sailing in open seas, soaking up exhilarating watersports adventures or a submarine excursion— and anything else you can dream up. Imagine enjoying all of that and so much more by yacht.
Photo courtesy of Breed Media/Benetti Yachts
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
OCEANCO The 295-foot DreAMBoat, with its elegant profile and sophisticated appointments, represents a first-time collaboration between Espen Øino for the exterior styling and Terence Disdale Design for the interior. “For me, DreAMBoat represents perfection— or at least the pursuit of perfection. From the first-concept general-arrangement plans and sketches to the final product, the journey has been a rewarding one, with relentless
pursuit of perfection through hard work and teamwork,” says Øino, a prolific and preeminent yacht designer. DreAMBoat indeed represents perfection to the yacht’s owner, who wanted a timeless yacht that would not appear dated in the years to come. DreAMBoat was designed to accommodate a multigenerational family, and it does so in spades. It offers a variety of spaces for all ages, from shade, sun, pools
and balconies to an outdoor cinema, bars, alfresco dining, game tables and lounging areas, and even a gym, spa, water toys and high-tech A/V equipment. There’s something for everyone.
BUILTBYOCEANCO.COM
Yachts deliver you to harbors,
joining this enchanting lifestyle,
itinerary or blaze a new path as
in yachting. Choose to build to your
resorts and beaches in infinite
you expand the universe of experi-
you explore unknown waters;
specs, style and interior design,
locations, all in impeccable comfort
ences to enjoy on your own or with
the freedom to stick to a specific
or purchase a pre-built vessel and
and style. Some places can only be
family, friends and colleagues.
dietary regimen or throw it all
add your personal touches such as
out the sliding aft door and dine
favorite textiles or furnishings. Or
accessed by yacht, like a secluded cove or uninhabited island. Cruising
Now is your chance to find your
on whatever delightful menu the
charter a yacht with the decor and
makes for incredible expand-your-
freedom at sea—the freedom to
talented onboard chef creates
amenities that you love.
world-view experiences of new
explore every inlet, island and
from fresh, local fare. You have
destinations and cultures, while
beach bar; the freedom to just
the freedom to decide.
changing the perspective of a
be you in precious privacy in
favorite location when viewed
the Jacuzzi on your own private
Freedom of Choice
plete contentment of yachting
through the lens of a yacht. By
deck; the freedom to follow a set
Customization plays a starring role
before you decide to buy or build.
STORY CONTINUED
Chartering gives you the freedom to experience the bliss and com-
DREAMBOAT 90m / 295ft
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
BENETTI Founded in 1873, Benetti is an Italian shipyard with a rich history in luxury yachts. It is an icon of timeless Italian style and streamlined building techniques. Benetti’s newest yachts— the 120-foot B.Yond 37M, 134-foot Oasis 40M and 145-foot Diamond 145—are striking for their outstanding exterior and interior design, technology and eco-friendly features. Benetti’s B.Yond 37M is the first model in a new line of expedition yachts that features a steel hull, aluminum superstructure and interior volume comparable to a 164-foot megayacht, with a volume of almost 500 tonnes. The B.Yond 37M is the result of a radical revamping of onboard space, with guest usage and privacy top of mind for all of the yacht’s four decks. Clever planning gives as much square footage as possible to the owner, guests, crew and onboard services,
ensuring comfortable, leisurely cruises with reduced environmental impact, thanks to the new E-Mode propulsion system developed by Siemens for A zimut|Benet ti Group. Developed with UK-based studio RWD, the Oasis 40M is a superyacht designed for sophisticated owners who want a 360-degree experience of the sea. The interior design features the imprint of New York firm Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture. RWD designed the imaginative exterior. Full-height windows, the use of natural light and the unique layout of large, welcoming spaces—not to mention the large, foldout beach club with an infinity pool within a toe’s distance from the sea—facilitate the joy of being close to nature. As a bonus, because the upper deck can be accessed only via an internal stairway in the center of the yacht,
owners and guests can enjoy their privacy. Benetti’s Diamond 145, the flagship of the builder’s Class category, is the only 145-foot fiberglass yacht available on the market. Designer Giorgio M. Cassetta’s work on the exteriors, combined with interiors by the Benetti Interior Style Department, is attentive to detail and celebrates balanced proportions. The yacht has an outdoor area of more than 3,700 square feet, with sliding glass doors that open out onto the beach area, which can be upgraded with a hammam or sauna, or used as a playroom with easy access to the water.
BENETTIYACHTS.IT
DIAMOND
145
T I M E L E S S,
BENETTI CLASS RANGE EXCLUSIVE DEALER FOR THE AMERICAS.
C LASS
DELFINO 95
MEDITERRANEO 116
FAST 125
DIAMOND 145
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE ADVENTURERS, ROMANTICS, INNOVATORS, TRADITIONALISTS, PLEASURE-SEEKERS, PIONEERS. TO EACH THEIR OWN BENETTI. BENETTIYACHTS.IT
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
HEESEN The sister ship to the award-winning yacht Home, Project Electra is currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in April 2020. Like Home, Electra sports a glamorous interior designed by Cristiano Gatto and boasts four cruising modes: hybrid, economic, cruising and boost. When in electric mode, propulsion is so smooth and silent that guests will feel like they’re gliding over the water.
“Project Electra is one of 13 yachts that we currently have under construction at Heesen,” says Arthur Brouwer, Heesen’s CEO. “Our impressive build program is indicative not only of its success in offering advanced, attractive designs that span the gamut from platform-based yachts built on spec to full custom projects, but also of the positive state of our key market for aluminum-and-steel yachts between 40
meters and 80 meters in length.” Electra’s te c h n o l o g ic a l h e a r t is w ra p p e d in a contemporary exterior design by Omega Architects that comes in just below the 500GT threshold.
HEESENYACHTS.COM
Seasoned yachters often charter
broker can make navigating ship-
If personalizing your yacht from
well as on-deck fun like hot tubs,
while their boat is being built,
yards around the world a breeze.
the hull up is appealing, builders
pools, bars, dining areas, fire pits,
and owners exploring faraway
Each yard collaborates with
like Benetti, Oceanco, CRN and
outdoor cinemas, beach clubs—
waters may opt for the conve-
renowned designers who listen
Heesen can help you realize your
the sky’s the limit.
nience of chartering rather than
to your dreams and needs
seafaring dreams. Decide how
transporting their own vessel. If
to determine if styling a series
many staterooms you will need.
When it’s time to launch your
you want to accommodate a larger
yacht or customizing from above
Consider your favorite fabrics,
yacht, the emotional sendoff will
group, chartering can provide
the hull is the best choice. Interiors
woods, stones, metals, art,
be a memorable one. Hundreds of
that extension as well.
may reflect your other homes,
showerheads—you name it—as you
employees—architects, carpenters,
favorite resorts or even the feel
develop your private oasis. What
electricians, plumbers, designers
of being at the beach.
about tenders and toys? And don’t
and crew—may cheer on your
forget engines and stabilizers as
creation’s introduction to the sea.
Call in the Experts Working with a qualified yacht
STORY CONTINUED
SILENCE: THE ULTIMATE LUXURY HYBRID POWERED PROJECT ELECTRA Drawing on the innovative technology behind 50-metre Home, her award-winning predecessor, Project Electra’s hybrid propulsion is not just about performance and efficiency. It is also about peace and quiet. Like listening to the sound of your own heartbeat underwater. For more information contact Thom Conboy - Director of sales North America, Mexico, the Bahamas and Caribbean - M: +1 561 441 6131 Home, sister ship of Electra
heesenyachts.com
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
SANLORENZO Asymmetrical like nature—and the human body—the SL102 Asymmetric model from Italian yard Sanlorenzo rethinks the well-established layout of a yacht, eliminating the port-side corridor and keeping the starboard side, while providing a fresh approach to onboard space and maximum enjoyment of the surrounding water. There’s no doubt this yacht is a Sanlorenzo, yet there is something striking about the shape, something just barely visible to the perceptive eye. Sanlorenzo daringly offers something not seen in the world of yachting: a boat with differently configured sides. Looking like a wide-body hull—with a much larger volume than the usual
102-foot yacht—Sanlorenzo’s SL102 Asymmetric allows for more space, sunlight, serenity and straight-up fun than a traditionally laid-out yacht. In fact, the asymmetry makes possible full-height windows for endless views on one side and a living room that opens to a balcony over the water on the other—like a modern villa on the sea.
SANLORENZOYACHT.COM
Owners enjoy showing their yachts
Show work closely with LYBRA
check out the latest technology—
and inspiring to see how people
at private yachting events such
(Large Yacht Brokers Association,
like installing larger windows
have personalized their yachts.
as the Superyacht Show Palm
lybra.org) and SYBAss (Superyacht
or using solar at sea. Smart
Beach in Florida, March 26–29,
Builders Association, sybass.org),
technology is abundant. Most
If You Build It …
(thesuperyachtshow.com) and the
both of which encourage excel-
yachts utilize tablets to open doors
“Building the most beautiful,
Superyacht Show in Barcelona,
lence in yachting. These gatherings
and watch movies, open the blinds
reliable, technologically advanced
May 6–9, to share the lifestyle
are a must for buying and selling
or dim the lights—or even request
and innovative yachts. And pro-
with qualified individuals who
yachts, and discovering brokers or
a glass of water.
viding assistance anywhere, and
hope to build their own yachts
companies for future charters or
or are looking for one to charter.
yacht management.
Qualified yacht brokers at these events or February’s Miami Yacht
STORY CONTINUED
Yacht shows also allow you to
at any time.” That is the mission If you enjoy touring open houses,
of Viareggio, Italy–based shipyard
you will love touring vessels at
Benetti (benettiyachts.it), which
shows. It is downright fascinating
specializes in both custom and
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
CRN Ancona, Italy–based CRN recently revealed its CRN M/Y 138, currently under construction at parent-company Ferretti Group’s superyacht yard on the Adriatic Sea. This one-off yacht combines elegance with contemporary style and represents the creative collaboration of CRN, Omega Architects (for its exterior profile) and Pulina Exclusive Interiors. Frank Laupman, head of Omega Architects, dreamed up CRN M/ Y 138’s leitmotif of
flowing, sporty lines, while Pulina Exclusive Interiors imbued the megayacht’s interiors with a zest for the onboard lifest yle. The layout was devised to maximize the spaces. The living and dining areas, owner’s suite and guest staterooms all reflect an elevated modern-living concept, where comfort is complemented by chic details. Large windows, like the 180-degree glazing in the owner’s suite, flood every
room with light and seascape views. The best example of this 203-footer’s charm is the main-deck living area: a single eyecatching space encapsulating all of the style elements that define this yacht’s design.
CRN-YACHT.COM
semi-custom yachts. In 2019, the
built in steel and aluminum, and
yachts up to 460 feet, is all custom,
sailing system and a hybrid-
shipyard launched three bespoke
includes a beach club.
all the time. With the tagline, “The
propulsion setup that regenerates
perfect yacht can only be the per-
the batteries when under sail.
gigayachts (those greater than 328 feet), each built to the owners’ pref-
The company, like many, has an
fect yacht when it is the owner’s
Oceanco outfits yachts in
erences, from its Livorno location.
eye toward preserving the oceans
perfect yacht,” the company works
Alblasserdam and constructs
through supporting organizations
with noteworthy designers as well
or refits them in Zwijndrecht,
Benetti’s B.NOW series is a new
that champion marine reserves and
as those of your choice. Oceanco
both in the Netherlands.
concept “for those who want only
via developing hybrid-propulsion
regularly sets the mark for clever
the best and who want it now.”
systems and other technologies.
engineering and environmental-
CRN (crn-yacht.com), based in
protection solutions, such as those
Ancona, Italy, takes an intuitive approach to building your yacht.
The line consists of four models ranging in size from 164 to 223
Dutch shipyard Oceanco
on the 350-foot Black Pearl sailing
feet; each is fully customizable,
(oceancoyacht.com), which builds
yacht propelled by a DynaRig
STORY CONTINUED
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
BAHA MAR Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas, on Cable Beach’s pristine sands, ushers in the next era of Bahamian glamour. Considered one of the most sought-after residential and vacation destinations on the globe, this $4.8 billion Caribbean luxury resort is also the only development with homes from both five-star Rosewood and playfully hip SLS hotels. The sophisticated properties feature one- to six-bedroom oceanfront
residences and villas priced from $726,500. With stunning ocean views and enviable water experiences to be had, residential owners enjoy a spectacular array of benefits including complimentary golf at the Jack Nicklaus Signature course; a 15-acre secluded private island with a saltwater pool, butler service and a highly anticipated oceanfront spa facility and restaurant; access to the members-only Nexus Club and a 213-foot
superyacht; the Caribbean’s largest casino; preferential pricing at Baha Mar’s boutiques, flagship ESPA spa and wide-ranging gourmet offerings, not to mention VIP privileges worldwide within Rosewood and sbe, SLS’s parent company.
RESIDENCES.BAHAMAR.COM
Working from the company’s
Whether it is a steel displacement,
delivery was the 164-foot, all-
every detail. They all provide the
motto, “Made by you with our own
aluminum semi-displacement or
aluminum super-efficient fast
freedom to make your yacht truly
hands,” your build representative
super-efficient fast displacement
displacement yacht Erica .
listens to your likes and dislikes as
hull, Oss, Netherlands–based
yours without the overwhelm of infinite choice.
you create your vessel. The yard
Heesen (heesenyachts.com)
No Need to Reinvent the Wheel
collaborates with designers like
custom builds each yacht either on
If minimum customization to an
Azimut Yachts (azimutyachts.com)
Nuvolari Lenard, Omega Architects
a proven platform or fully bespoke.
already-proven concept is alluring,
is part of the Italian Azimut
and Pulina Exclusive Interiors (as it
Heesen’s motto is: “We don’t just
shipyards Azimut, Sanlorenzo,
Benetti Group, formed when
did for its recent 203-foot M/Y 138)
build yachts, we turn dreams into
Sirena Yachts and Westport offer
Azimut acquired the historic
or whichever designer you choose
reality.” Known for its aluminum
forward-thinking designs with
Benetti shipyard in 1985. With four
for your home away from home.
construction, performance and
customizable features that don’t
production sites—Avigliana (Turin),
efficiency, Heesen’s most recent
require you to have a vision for
Savona and Viareggio in Italy and
STORY CONTINUED
D OES YOUR P ORTFOLIO IN CLUDE PR I STI N E WH ITE SAN DS AN D A BR I LLIANT BLU E S EA?
On the white sands of Nassau’s Cable Beach, the next era of Bahamian sophistication has arrived. So, too, has this opportunity for unique residential ownership. At Baha Mar, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts ® and SLS Hotels offer a limited collection of turnkey, ocean-facing one- to six-bedroom Residences and waterside Villas. Indulge in the life that these exceptional Residences can bring: unsurpassed comfort, personal service, and a spectacular array of experiences and owner entitlements, all with the stunning beauty of the archipelago’s islands at your doorstep. With New York less than three hours and Miami a 30-minute flight away, it’s time to complement your legacy with a home at Baha Mar. And, rest assured that your Residence is in safe hands with Baha Mar’s dedicated management team, bringing peace of mind and a seamless experience with every visit to your island home. Prices from $726,500 to $25 million
+1 242 788 8866 residences@bahamar.com | residences.bahamar.com B A H A M A R C AS I N O
R O YA L B L U E G O L F, A J A C K N I C K L A U S S I G N AT U R E CO U R S E E S PA
RACQUET CLUB
S E N S E ® , A R O S E W O O D S PA
These materials do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy to residents of any jurisdiction where prior qualification is required unless the Developer has previously met such qualifications and no marketing or sales literature will be knowingly forwarded to or disseminated in such jurisdictions. Offers may only be presented and/or accepted at the sales center for Baha Mar. Any offering or programs contained herein are void where prohibited by law. Notice to New York Residents: The complete offering terms are set forth in the New York Offering Plans, as amended, for Luxury Residences and Hotel at Baha Mar and Lifestyle Residences and Hotel at Baha Mar available from the Sponsor. (File Nos. CP13-0215 and CP13-0216. For New Jersey Residents - This advertisement is a solicitation for the sale of Units in: Luxury Residences and Hotel at Baha Mar: N.J. Reg. No. 19-33-0006; and Lifestyle Residences and Hotel at Baha Mar: N.J. Reg. No. 19-33-0007. For California Residents - WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT EXAMINED THIS OFFERING, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE CONDITION OF TITLE, THE STATUS OF BLANKET LIENS ON THE PROJECT (IF ANY), ARRANGEMENTS TO ASSURE PROJECT COMPLETION, ESCROW PRACTICES, CONTROL OVER PROJECT MANAGEMENT, RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES (IF ANY), TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND PRICE OF THE OFFER, CONTROL OVER ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS (IF ANY), OR THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER, SERVICES, UTILITIES, OR IMPROVEMENTS. IT MAY BE ADVISABLE FOR YOU TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY OR OTHER KNOWLEDGEABLE PROFESSIONAL WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT LAW IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THIS SUBDIVISION IS SITUATED. Any purchase of a Residence should be for personal use and enjoyment and should be without reliance upon any Brand identification or potential for future profit, rental income, economic or tax advantages. Baha Mar is not owned, offered, marketed, sold, constructed or developed by Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, L.L.C. (“Rosewood”), SBE Hotel Management, LLC (“SBE”) or any of their affiliates (collectively, the “Brands”) and the Brands do not make any representations, warranties or guarantees whatsoever with respect to the Residences, Baha Mar or any part thereof. There exists no joint venture, joint enterprise, partnership, ownership, agency relationship, broker relationship or similar relationship between the Developer and Rosewood or sbe as to the Residences or the development, offering, marketing, sale or solicitation of Residences. The Developer’s use of the names of the Brands (Rosewood, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, sbe and SLS) is pursuant to limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable and non-sublicensable licenses from the Brands (the “Licenses”). The Licenses may be terminated or may expire without renewal and without the consent of, the Association or any owner of a Unit at the Condominium, in which case neither the Residences nor any part of Baha Mar will be identified as branded project affiliated with such Brand. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF DEVELOPER. Prices are subject to change without notice. All illustrations and depictions are artist renderings used to depict lifestyle only and are not intended to be scenes from or within Baha Mar. Actual improvements may be subject to change and views may not be available from all Residences. Future development can limit or eliminate views from a particular Residence. Any description or depiction of furnishings or fixtures is intended to be illustrative of the quality of furnishings and fixtures to be provided in the Residences and is not intended to display what will be available in the actual Residences. Copyright © CTF BM Operations Ltd. One Baha Mar Boulevard, Nassau, Bahamas 2020 - All rights reserved.
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
SIRENA YACHT S Sirena Yachts debuted the Sirena 88 at the 2019 Cannes Yachting Festival in September and was honored with the Best Innovation of the Year trophy by the World Yachts Trophies event at the close of the show. Boasting a timeless and functional design, the Sirena 88’s innovative, fuel-efficient package makes possible long-distance journeys with unbeatable comfort, inside and out.
“ The Sirena 88 is designed with lines that are unique but recognizable; not exaggerated but surprising. Lines that are as beautiful today as they will be tomorrow,” says world-renowned yacht designer Cor D. Rover, who created the interior. With a 23-foot beam, the Sirena 88 is the widest yacht in its segment. It offers enormous space and headroom as well as a five-cabin layout for up to 12 people, including
a panoramic main-deck owner’s suite—all wrapped in an elegant and stylish decor. “It is a low-resistance, seaworthy hull that performs efficiently with minimum fuel consumption at all speed ranges,” says Germán Frers, who developed the exterior.
SIRENAYACHTS.COM
one in Brazil—Azimut offers
version; and Verve is Azimut’s
owner’s deck. Sanlorenzo builds
demonstrating Sirena’s expan-
multiple platforms upon which
outboard weekender. “Made-to-
the 64Steel, along with its other
sion into larger yachts, as well as
you can customize your yacht. Its
measure yachts since 1958,” says the
superyachts, at its La Spezia
its forward design and building
Flybridge collection focuses on
website of Italian yard Sanlorenzo
shipyard.
program.
agility and large windows; Magel-
(sanlorenzoyacht.com), which offers
lano is more about the journey than
fully bespoke and customizable
Sirena Yachts (sirenayachts.com)
Boasting a long history of building
the destination. Azimut’s Atlantis
yachts. Recent designs include the
specializes in semi-displacement,
vessels that consistently please,
models tout yachting’s sporty and
yard’s largest yet, the 64Steel, which
seaworthy motor yachts from
Westport’s (westportyachts.com)
adventurous nature; the Grande
merges the aft main deck and the
56 to 100 feet, all built in Bursa,
superyachts are all “designed,
collection represents Azimut’s tech-
lower-deck beach club so guests
Turkey. Current models include
engineered and hand-built in
nologically advanced yet sophisticat-
may experience both areas simul-
the Sirena 58 and 64, along with
the United States.” They are
ed yachts, adding an S for a speedy
taneously. It also offers a private
the new fuel-efficient 88 explorer
constructed in the company’s
STORY CONTINUED
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
BURGESS Founded in 1975, and now with 14 offices globally, Burgess is a market-leading fullservice superyacht company, specializing in yachts greater than 100 feet in length. Known for its professional yachting services, the company leverages its expertise to guide clients through every aspect of the yachting experience, from sale and purchase to charter, new construction and management, c r e w s e r v i c e s a n d e ve n i n s u r a n c e.
Burgess has been involved in the sale of many of the world’s most significant yachts, and its technical division is currently project-managing the build and development of a diverse spectrum of large yachts. The company’s highly qualified yacht managers have ex tensive seagoing experience and can take care of every facet of managing a superyacht. Burgess’ firstclass charter service offers a portfolio of
the most spectacular yachts in the best cruising destinations around the world. The superyacht credentials of Burgess are top-notch, ensuring that clients enjoy consummate customer service.
BURGESSYACHTS.COM
Westport or Port Angeles, Wash.,
top-deck VIP suite with its own
Too Many Choices?
around. Cruise aboard a different
shipyards. Its Seattle location
sundeck and a 21.5-knot top
Flat-out freedom can be daunting.
superyacht every year or charter
handles sales and design, while its
speed. Solid seafaring traits give
Burgess (burgessyachts.com) helps
the one with the amazing chef you
Fort Lauderdale boatyard takes
this yacht the freedom to cruise
you build, buy, manage, charter and
follow on Instagram. Your choice.
care of sales, support and service.
almost anywhere.
sell your yacht—and it can hire your
Your time away. Your freedom
dream crew, from a capable captain
at sea.
Westport’s team worked with
Westport also offers a charter
for piloting the way to a talented
naval architect William Garden
division for owners who want
chef for navigating guests’ palates.
and designer Donald Starkey to
to generate revenue. It charters
develop a solid, oceangoing hull
yachts of various sizes, brands,
And because owning a yacht is
form. The company’s flagship,
amenities, locations and crew.
not for everyone, Burgess offers
a 172-foot tri-deck, features a
STORY CONTINUED
some of the best charter yachts
Where to Begin?
Robb Report ’s Yachting Lifestyle section provides an introduction and highlights of the wonderful world of yachting for you to
Playtime. by Burgess
For sale and charter
SECRET 270.6ft (82.5m) 2013, Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany EUR 119,000,000 Email sales@burgessyachts.com | charter@burgessyachts.com
New York +1 212 223 0410 Miami +1 305 672 0150 Beverly Hills +1 310 424 5112 14 offices worldwide I Europe I Americas I Asia Pacific I Middle East Not available for sale or charter to US residents while in US waters. Worldwide Central Agent for sale and charter.
Discover the difference. burgessyachts.com
YAC H T IN G L IFE S T Y L E
SPECI A L A DV ERT ISING SEC T ION
LY BR A The Superyacht Show The Large Yacht Brokers Association (LYBRA) is bringing the Superyacht Show to Rybovich Marina in West Palm Beach, Fla., March 26–29. The Superyacht Show—in cooperation with the Superyacht Builders Association ( S Y B A s s) a n d t h e S u p e r y a c h t L i f e Foundation—will offer buyers and charterers, as well as their brokers and representatives, the opportunity to climb aboard some of the
most beautiful superyachts in the world amid a private, luxurious and no-stress set ting. Complementing the on-water display will be a selection of new designs presented by leading international shipyards. “For the last two years, we’ve organized the Superyacht Show in Barcelona with very positive results. This event is completely different, with a lineup of top-quality yachts available for private viewings,” says Raphael
Sauleau, president of LYBRA. “There are no crowds, no queues, no trade stands—just a relaxed, elegant and enjoyable experience for all. The final lineup will be a carefully curated showcase of the finest yachts available.”
THESUPERYACHTSHOW.COM
explore and enjoy. Discover here
Where to?
commune with nature at the resort’s
Paradise islands. What better way to
which yachts inspire you.
Head to the Bahamas. The Baha
sanctuary, and dine and dance the
assist our beloved Bahamas and its
Mar (residences.bahamar.com) re-
night away.
residents than by visiting Baha Mar
While You Wait
sort, perched on the white sands of
During the build process, consider
Nassau’s Cable Beach, offers three
Many find that owning property
chartering so you may envision your
oceanfront hotels—the Rosewood,
at the Baha Mar Residences is a
Whatever you decide—to charter,
yacht, with its inviting interiors and
SLS and Grand Hyatt—each with
worthwhile investment, where
buy or build—visit the Yachting
on-deck spaces for relaxing around
stunning views and multiple pools.
owners can charter time on Baha
Lifestyle participants’ websites
the Jacuzzi or reading in the shade
Play a round on the Jack Nicklaus–
Mar’s 213-foot yacht Eternity.
for a full list of offices and find a
as you sip craft cocktails created by
designed golf course, pick up a
your expert crew.
match at the racquet club, win big
Fortunately, last year’s Hurricane
have offices in South Florida,
at the casino, relax at the ESPA spa,
Dorian missed Nassau and
the yachting capital of the US.
STORY CONTINUED
and other resorts in the region?
location close to you. Most also
A BETTER WAY TO GET ONBOARD
THE WORLD’S LEADING YACHT COMPANIES ARE COMING TOGETHER TO CREATE TWO UNIQUE SUPERYACHT EXPERIENCES IN 2020. The Superyacht Show is a private event for yacht buyers and charterers that provides exclusive access onboard some of the largest and most impressive superyachts available on the international market. The stunning collection of yachts has been carefully curated by a team of top international brokers and shipyards in order to showcase the very best vessels, as well as giving visitors a chance to experience the superyacht lifestyle first-hand. THESUPERYACHTSHOW.COM
Image © Zeelander Yachts / Breed Media
USA 26-29 MARCH 2020 RYBOVICH MARINA PALM BEACH
EUROPE 6-9 MAY 2020 MARINA PORT VELL BARCELONA
LIVE
The Dolce Vita
GRANDE 32 METRI _ Carbon-Tech Exterior Design _ Stefano Righini Interior Design _ Achille Salvagni Architetti AZIMUT YACHTS OFFICIAL DEALER: MARINEMAX - marinemaxyachts.com
A brand of AZIMUT BENETTI Group azimutyachts.com
The Business
If You Can’t Beat Him, Join Him WHY SOME OF THE WORLD’S GREAT CARMAKERS ARE TEAMING UP WITH A 31-YEAR-OLD CROATIAN TO MAKE THEIR CARS OF THE FUTURE. By Ben Oliver Illustration by Israel G. Vargas
C
roatia likes its upstarts: It is one itself. Less than three decades old, the country has a giant-slaying national soccer team, which almost won the World Cup; an ascendant tourism industry buoyed by Game of Thrones fans flocking to Dubrovnik, a.k.a. King’s Landing; and now its first carmaker, founded by a dynamic entrepreneur who’s barely older than this tiny nation of 4 million. Mate Rimac’s eponymous car company has turned him into a rock star in his homeland, and its technology is forcing the established players to catch up. The 31-year-old started Rimac Automobili in 2009 and has built an acclaimed $1.2 million electric hypercar, in addition to
supplying power trains for electric and hybrid hypercars from Aston Martin, Koenigsegg and Pininfarina, among others. We learned how popular he is within minutes of landing in Zagreb. After we told our taxi driver that he was taking us to Rimac, he enthusiastically recounted its founder’s backstory and nearly refused to accept the fare. When we meet Mate, he seems genuinely pleased that the city’s cabbies are acting as unpaid influencers for him, a broad grin appearing through his dark, bushy beard. He is pleasantly, mildly nerdy and seems unaffected by his success, lacking the slightly messianic air which some tech pioneers affect. But his energy and intelligence are apparent in the way he sits bolt upright in an
R O B B R E P O R T. C O M
163
The Business
easy chair as we talk, and how his quick, dark eyes dart around the room. There are more tangible measures of his success than the adulation of cabdrivers, however. He has already worked with 15 major global carmakers— some openly, most in secret. Hyundai and Porsche respect Rimac enough to have bought in, and at its most recent funding round last summer, the business was valued at $726 million. Mate (his name is pronounced MAH-tay REEmotts, but like Porsche, he doesn’t really mind how you treat that final syllable) still holds 43 percent. That stellar valuation has two main justifications. The first is the explosion in new hybrid and electric sports cars and supercars, a trend with three main drivers. Some, like the forthcoming Tesla Roadster, exist purely for their own sake, because electric performance, with its instant acceleration and eerie silence, is so, well, electrifying. Others, like the Pininfarina Battista, also serve as attention-grabbing halo models for new carmakers that plan a range of more accessible EVs. And hybrid supercars such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie add electric motors to their gasoline engines to maximize performance while that hybrid tag makes them more acceptable to an eco-conscious public. Whatever the reason for making them, every major auto show brings a fresh crop. And some, including Rimac’s latest, top $2 million.
The second reason Mate now has a nine-figure net worth is that any carmaker wanting a piece of this electrichypercar action likely needs his help. Mate may be young, but he has been developing his electric power trains for 13 years now, since he first ripped the engine out of his rusty BMW 3 Series, turned it into an EV, painted it green and set a Guinness World Record. Although a brilliant engineer, he’s always been a car guy first. His initial motivation was simply to build a crazy-fast electric car under his own name and, in doing so, show that EVs can be exciting, encourage their adoption and thus cut emissions. By 23, he’d founded Rimac and designed the Concept_One, which claimed at its launch in 2011 to be the world’s fastestaccelerating electric vehicle. But Mate soon saw that building extreme EVs in very small numbers was a tough way to make a living and that there was a better business in selling his world-beating tech to established carmakers. Intrigued and maybe a little skeptical, those carmakers booked flights to Zagreb. The airport taxi drivers might already have been giving them the hard sell back then, but once those execs saw the performance numbers, they no longer needed convincing. Rimac’s electric propulsion systems boasted power and energy density—and thus performance—which even Porsche couldn’t replicate without vast budgets
and years of development time. Mate and his small team had done it start-up style, with a combination of genius and obsession that you just don’t find in big corporations. His own cars will only ever be built in tiny numbers, but they serve as a shopwindow for his tech, which he licenses to the big players. His deals with
THOUGH YOUNG, HE HAS BEEN DEVELOPING HIS ELECTRIC POWER TRAINS FOR 13 YEARS.
The World’s Leading Electric Hypercars 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Rim c
$
HORSEPOWER
164
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Rimac C Two
$2.1 MILLION
TOP SPEED (MPH)
Hispano Suiza C
$2.3 MILLION
RANGE (MILES)
$1.7 MILLION
businesses like Aston Martin now provide around two-thirds of his turnover. “The fact that we are in Croatia and I was a 20-something-year-old guy was too high a risk for some,” Mate says. “And I understand that, because their companies are huge. Hyundai has four times more revenue than Croatia has GDP. So I grew a beard to look more serious. I have a baby face. Maybe it helped. I still have it.” Aston Martin wasn’t worried. “The Valkyrie project has been an exercise in extreme-performance engineering,” its vice president and CMO, Simon Sproule, told us. “Our partners needed not only the same ‘moon shot’ vision but the necessary hardware and technical depth. Rimac had all of these. It’s a testament to Mate that he has created all this in a short space of time.” At Pininfarina, CEO Michael Perschke agrees: “Mate’s age is irrelevant, as is the fact that his business isn’t based in one of the usual automotive superpowers. In fact, it may be an advantage. He is a brilliant engineer, and the performance we can give the Battista by using Rimac-developed technology is unanswerable.” As Mate leads us around his workshops, we see the last of eight Concept_Ones being assembled. It’s more like a race or restoration shop than a car factory in here: a small, busy space with a couple of four-post lifts and everything done by hand. Production of the C_Two will start later this year in a dedicated, rather slicker new workshop. Rimac’s primary work—making complete electric propulsion systems for other manufacturers—is done at a site a few miles away, though Mate plans to bring everything together in a Silicon Valley– style campus. “The two cars are worlds apart,” Mate says. The Concept_One has 1,224 hp and will hit 62 mph in 2.5 seconds. The final version of the C_Two will be shown at this year’s Geneva motor show. It will cost $2.1 million, have 1,914 hp
For your piece of paradise SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA
Offered at $8,900,000 until 3/27/20 Original Price $14,900,000
1430CountFleet.com
Sotheby’s International Realty Santa Ynez Valley Brokerage
Brady Group | Mike Brady MikeBrady46@gmail.com
LYFORD CAY, BAHAMAS
+1 805.391.0587
GREATER TORONTO AREA, CANADA
PARADISE VALLEY, ARIZONA
1150 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
3801 E. Berridge Lane
Lyford Cay Sotheby's International Realty
Sotheby's International Realty Canada
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Nick Damianos
Paul Maranger and Christian Vermast
Frank Aazami
PARADISE VALLEY, ARIZONA
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
5720 E. Cheney Drive
4615 N. Royal Palm Circle
11008 N. 60th Street
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Frank Aazami
Frank Aazami
Frank Aazami
ASPEN, COLORADO
BRIDGEHAMPTON, NEW YORK
Littlegate
$1,975,000 SIRbahamas.com
PROPERTY ID | NZKWYK
Nick.Damianos@SIRbahamas.com
+1 242.376.1841
$5,000,000 CheneyListing.com
$9,750,000 931NHayden.com
PaulAndChristian@SothebysRealty.ca +1 877.960.9995
$3,895,000 RoyalPalmCircle.com
frank.aazami@sir.com +1 480.266.0240
931 North Hayden
$59,000,000 CAD PaulandChristianAssociates.com
PROPERTY ID| X9BK9Y
frank.aazami@sir.com
944 Mecox Road $16,495,000 MecoxEstate.com
$8,500,000 ParadiseValleyLuxuryEstate.com
frank.aazami@sir.com +1 480.266.0240
$2,950,000 AZFineGolf.com
+1 480.266.0240
frank.aazami@sir.com
+1 480.266.0240
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
WEB ID | 47DSJM
240 Park Avenue South, Penthouse Pavilion $30,000,000 240ParkAveSouthPH.com
WEB ID | 5KYTDJ
Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty
Sotheby's International Realty Bridgehampton Brokerage
Sotheby's International Realty East Side Manhattan Brokerage
Stephanie Lewis
Beate V. Moore
Nikki Field | Benjamin Pofcher
Stephanie@AspenSnowmassLiving.com +1 970.948.7219
Beate.Moore@SothebysHomes.com
+1 516.527.7868
© MMXX Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.
Nikki.Field@SothebysHomes.com
+1 212.606.7669
sothebysrealty.com
The Business
and reach 62 mph in just 1.97 seconds— fast enough to cause you serious physiological disturbance. His obsession is still apparent. He gestures at a prototype C_Two being disassembled on the other side of the shop. “Even between that prototype and the final car we show at Geneva, almost everything will change. Our company’s really about pushing the bar, and that’s actually a problem we have. We always have a new idea and maybe pursue this one rather than finishing the previous one.” Perhaps predictably, Mate has been called Europe’s answer to Elon Musk, but Rimac quickly points out the gulf in their respective enterprises’ valuations and that he has delivered only the promised eight Concept_Ones so far. But the comparison is at least partly valid. Both founders are driven by a sense of mission rather than financial gain. Both are intimately involved in the tech. And both lead businesses that are highly reliant on the founder’s mojo. “If everything goes right, my share of the company will be worth billions,” Mate tells me. “But I’m not in this for money. I have a very normal salary. In the US the average CEO earns 287 times more than the average employee. I earn three times more than our average employee. And that’s all the income I have. I’ve had offers to buy the company, but if I walk away now with a hundred million euros in my pocket and the company doesn’t achieve the clear goals I have for it, I wouldn’t feel satisfied.” His five-year vision, as he relates it, is to have his technology in a series of electric supercars from the major carmakers and a range of such cars from Rimac, with volumes limited to a hundred or so each year, so his most important customers don’t see him as a threat. But he’s almost there already, and at the rate his business is growing he ought to be well beyond this perhaps deliberately modest goal by 2025. Mate says that his focus is on very high-performance electric drivetrains, giving his business a clear point of difference from other exciting but mass-market start-ups, such as Rivian in the US. But he’s already working on an affordable fuel-cell vehicle for his investor Hyundai. And although he’s a car guy, he says he can see a need for cars without steering wheels in time and has a small team working on autonomous driving. It’s easy to imagine his inventiveness turning to EVs for everyone and Rimac having a significant presence in a far bigger market. Instead of enthusing about Rimacs, Croatia’s cabbies might one day be driving them.
166
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
Out of Office with
OLIVIER JOLIVET CEO OF COMO GROUP
Olivier Jolivet has spent the last two decades devoted to the hospitality industry. For eight years he led Aman resorts before taking the top spot at COMO Group, which owns COMO Hotels and Resorts, in 2017. Now based out of Singapore, the French businessman oversees a portfolio of 15 locations, including two in the heart of London and a resort in the Maldives where you arrive by speedboat. Many of the retreats, most notably Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos and Shambhala Estate in Bali, immerse guests in a luxe wellness-focused setting. And, last year, the brand celebrated a new milestone under Jolivet’s leadership: opening its first property in Italy, Castello Del Nero, which drops visitors within the walls of a 12th-century castle in the heart of Tuscany. HELENA MADDEN
What is the one thing you do every day to stay sane? Exercise. I run or play tennis daily. It allows me to take on the day with a clear head. What is your biggest annoyance at work? Delaying or hiding bad news. Bad news is part of business, and it must be communicated quickly in order to find the right solution. What do you look for in an employee? The three I’s: Integrity, Intensity and Innovation. How long should a meeting last? No more than one hour. I don’t believe people stay engaged any longer than that. Do you prefer e-mail, phone, text or Slack? To be honest, none of these. I prefer engaging face-to-face. What people tell you is important, but
what people don’t tell you is even more important.
distractions. It’s easier said than done.
What’s one adjustment everyone can make in their lives to be more successful? Set up clear objectives and timelines for yourself. If you hold yourself accountable, you’ll reach your goals.
What was your first job, and did you learn anything from it that has influenced your career? I worked for a leading management-consultancy firm. The job taught me about the importance of passion and how, if you implement effort and intensity into your career, you will succeed.
What’s the best advice you were given? Remember the “sense of time,” meaning that life is never black or white but rather in the gray area, and that gray will change its shade over time. What would you tell your younger self ? Remain patient and enjoy the present moment. What’s one thing you want to improve in your work life? I would love to be able to find time to fully disconnect. No technology or
How has your experience at Aman informed your leadership at COMO? The inspiration behind a brand is stronger than anything else, as long as you stick to it and employees are passionate about it. It takes time to build an undeniable brand identity, but I’m confident that COMO can reach that level of recognition. Which COMO resort are you most proud of ? The next one.
Unleash the Power of Robb Report robbreport.com/subscribeoffer or call 1.800.947.7472 *Savings based on our $239.40 annual cover price.
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE
$89/YEAR, SAVE 62% Subscribe and get one year of Robb Report magazine for only $89. Plus, receive free access to the iPad and iPhone editions.
Ho t B Secure Do you suffer from a lack of self-esteem? No, I just want to avoid a break-in
Yes
Where do you live?
I’ve heard a therapy dog works wonders Bond-villain fortress
Penthouse
Desert compound
Tried-and-tested security or new tech?
Alexa, trigger lockdown!
Paranoia is a problem for you, isn’t it?
Old-school Obviously I’m locked and loaded for the Singularity
No, but I expect the Rapture hourly
Stop worrying and tip your doorman How’s your claustrophobia these days? Does your state have a stand-your-ground law? I can fly in my jet again Yes
Get me out of here
No
Smart-home perimeter intrusion-detection system
Rottweilers and razor wire
Moat and drawbridge
Nuclear escape bunker
168
F E B R U A RY 2 0 2 0
SHUT TERSTOCK
Armed ex-Mossad agents
Coffee pleasure –
freshly ground, not capsuled.
Roger Federer Greatest tennis champion of all time
Featuring state-of-the-art JURA technologies, the new GIGA 6 inspires even the most discerning coffee lovers and design connoisseurs – like Roger Federer. With two electronically adjustable ceramic disc grinders, two pumps and two heating systems, the GIGA 6 can prepare two specialty coffees simultaneously at the touch of a button. The impressive quality of the iconic new automatic coffee machine is emphasized by its clear design features and the solid front section made of 3 mm-thick aluminum. Intuitive to operate thanks to the 4.3" high-resolution touchscreen color display, the GIGA 6 offers 28 different specialties, all prepared to perfection. JURA – If you love coffee. JURA offers a full range of Swiss designed and Swiss engineered automatic coffee machines from $799 to $5,999.
jura.com