The flyback chronograph P’6920 Rattrapante Limited Edition from the luxury brand Porsche Design has just received a sought-after award at the international Red Dot Award Product Design 2010 competition. The P´6920 has been honoured in the category “watches and jewellery” with the “red dot” seal, recognized around the world for high design quality. The awards are handed out each year by an international jury of well-known design experts. This year more than 1,600 companies from 57 countries entered the competition. The award ceremony will take place on July 5th, 2010 in Essen (Germany).

“Porsche Design focuses on technically inspired products with a timeless, functional and purist design”, said Dr. Juergen Gessler, CEO of the Porsche Design Group. “We do not follow fashionable trends, instead we offer our customers long-lasting products which are created to be lifelong companions. Trends come and go – design endures. Our products do without bells and whistles. They are always credible and genuine. Since the foundation of the brand, we have already won more than 130 national and international awards and we regard this as our duty.”

The Porsche Design P´6920 Rattrapante Limited Edition is a mechanical flyback chronograph, which is available in a limited edition of 200 watches in the titanium version. The chronometer allows the user to precisely measure and display intermediate times as often as required. The Rattrapante has a striking 45 millimetre casing which is made of titanium, a metal known for its light weight and resistance to corrosion. The casing gets its black surface thanks to PVD technology: this vacuum-based process causes a matt black layer of metal nitrides to condense, protecting the watch from external influences. The sapphire glass back provides a view of the Valjoux 7750 automatic mechanism with Porsche Design rotor system.

Additionally the flyback chronograph comes with a certificate of precision issued by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) and offers a power reserve of 48 hours. “The P´6920 Rattrapante Limited Edition combines venerable Swiss watchmaking with the purist Porsche design in an exceptional way”, says Patrick Schwarz, CEO the Swiss watchmaking company Eterna SA, the licensee for the production and sale of Porsche Design watches. “The split-second mechanism is a complicated function which is not easy to realise.”

In a recent interview with the German Magazine Automobilewoche, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said that Lamborghini is planning to launch a hybrid Gallardo.

Winkelmann said that, while Lamborghini is planning to go green, it isn’t about to forget about performance and the pleasure of owning a supercar.

The new hybrid will consist of a small electric motor for slow moving urban traffic but will switch to its V-10 or V-12 engine when on the open road.

Recently Lamborghini has cut tailpipe emissions by 18 percent with the latest Gallardo, achieved through conventional refinements in the existing V10 powerplant.

Winkelmann said the company will spend $50.3 million between now and 2015, to reduce emissions in both its vehicles and its production facilities.

He also confirmed that they will not be producing an all-electric car like the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing.

Interestingly, Ferrari has already announced a Hybrid model, schedule to appear in 2015 as well.

Designed by French master craftsman Fred Pinel, this celebratory gift box will be unveiled at the Baselworld 2010 in Switzerland. Priced at $20,000, the coffer will be limited to just 150 units, each for the number of years the company has existed.

From the very beginning, the Franc Vila brand positioned itself as the haute de gamme sector player with entry-level models starting at a respectable CHF 20,000 mark and going through the roof to eye-popping CHF 500,000 for the highly-exclusive models with tourbillons, minute repeaters and such.

Although the company openly refuses to become a Manufacture, they have a number of models powered by extremely complicated calibers developed in-house but produced by third-party independent manufacturers. These are designated from non-original movements by a FVN index, while the former bear a normal FV in their model number indices. The model in question is powered by the FV Cuatro movement featuring three complications. Namely, a single push-button chronograph with column wheel, a power reserve indicator and a tourbillon.

Built on 32 jewels and beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph, the hand-decorated FVN Cuatro caliber consists of 262 parts and features an impressive power reserve of 120 hours.

The watch is coming in FVs trademark Esprit Unique case featuring a figure-eight dial with a chronograph seconds indicator visible at 2 o’clock, tourbillon escapement at 6 o’clock, power reserve dial at 9 o’clock, and a chronograph minutes indicator at 10 o’clock.

Unlike most skeletonized watches, this one is quite legible thanks to the use of contrasting materials for the hands (gold) and the movement (steel).

Like all Franc Vila watches featuring a tourbillon complication, the Tourbillon Dial-Side Column Wheel Monopusher Chronograph watch will be limited to just eight units.

If you’re looking for a single pilot certified jet that can whisk you away on a variety of short flights – the CJ1 could be for you.

It’s built around five seats, furnished in leather and ivory, and includes an RH and LH executive table.

The CJ1 can hit 704 km/h and fly around for 2,750km. If you do fancy skipping those airport queues, Business Aviation Services are selling them for $2,490,000.

As ever, aesthetically they’ve got it spot on. The tablet’s aluminium body is about as pretty a piece of gadgetry as you’ll find. And because it’s so slim (0.5in) and so light (1.5lbs) it will compete with the regular, much simpler e-readers that are out there. Unsurprisingly, it does a whole lot more.

It’s a perfect product for browsing the Internet. With over 1,000 sensors embedded in it, the touch screen is both sensitive and intuitive. Combined with the large screen (9.7in) it will make browsing feel great. Checking emails and replying with the virtual keyboard looks extremely simple too. The ease of use appears mind-blowing.

It will be a great platform to watch videos on as well as look at pictures but perhaps it’s greatest revolution is with the written word. Apple has entered partnerships with a number of publishers so you can simply download books and read them instantly. It’ll do for the book what iTunes did for music. Likewise to peruse newspapers you’ll just click and read. Ironically, it could be a screen that saves traditional print media.

There are over 140,000 apps available on the iPhone and they’re all transferable to the iPad. Which leads us on to perhaps its greatest asset: because it looks and works just like an iPhone (just on a bigger scale) to many it won’t appear new and alien. Even if you don’t have an iPhone you’ve probably played with one, so the upgrade to the iPad is a simple one.

www.apple.com

Most people who drive a Bugatti Veyron use it for special moments and not for a two-minute trip down to the shops.

That certainly must have been what this Dutch owner was thinking when he bough a Mercedes truck to carry around his beloved. After all, you wouldn’t want it getting grubby or using up precious miles just as it bumbled along to where you wanted to play with it.

The car in question is a 16.4 L Bugatti Veyron and the transporter is a Mercedes Atego 1523. They both come in the same shade of blue, which is awesome.

The car is fitted with dark blue leather and has done 7,728km. The price tag for the pair – € 895,000.

Always a force for technical innovation in traditional luxury watchmaking, Swiss manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre proves a point at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva with the automatic Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2.

Like its predecessor the Extreme LAB three years ago, this watch pushes horological boundaries in service to extreme environments and tribute to the Le Sentier-based manufacture’s 1958 Chronomètre Geophysic.

Take a moment to study the dial-side picture and take in the universe of timekeeping on display, all in the limited space afforded by a 46.8mm diameter wristwatch dial (specifications on the actual display area are not available).

Briefly, the functions are as follows, according to the press release: hours, minutes, small seconds, date, second-time zone hand and counter, chronograph with large minute counter, manual stop second, functions selector (three-position indicator: winding, date and dual time zone adjustment, time-setting), amagnetic silicon escapement. The silicon escapement applies to Calibre 781 only. This model also features Calibre 780, which is identical in almost every other way.

What’s displayed are the hours, minutes, small seconds (as movement functioning indicator), sweep chronograph hand, date, function selector (this is a one-crown operation proposition), digital chronograph minutes, chronograph hours, second time zone (24-hour scale) and power reserve (60 hours).

Peugeot are redefining themselves as the ‘Sporty’ part of the PSA partnership, leaving Citroen to go the ‘Luxury’ route. And so far they’re making a pretty credible job of things if the Peugeot RCZ is anything to go by. But the Peugeot SR1 Concept they’ve just revealed takes them on a big leap, no mistake.

The SR1 Concept is a 2+1 Roadster destined to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March. And from this writers point of view it’s drop-dead gorgeous. More than a hint of Aston Martin going on with the long nose and squat rear-end – and praise doesn’t come much higher than that.

We all know that a ‘Concept’ car indulges in flights of design fantasy, and the SR1 is no different. The interior is full of bits that will never make it in to production, but no matter – it looks good. The 2+1 seating will probably never happen and the ‘Crystal Tube’ instruments are too off the wall for a production car. There’s black nickel and chrome; wood and leather inlays and a Bell & Ross Clock.

The roof is a removable plastic lump apparently inspired by the world of sailing. The doors have strong indentations which are echoed in the front and rear facias and we finally see the end of the Peugeot ‘Gaping-Mouth’ school of design which, as Peugeot are saying the SR1 heralds a new design direction, should see a return to more elegant design at the French company.

Power comes from Peugeot’s Hybrid4 Technology which will show up in the Peugeot 3008 from next year. In the SR1 the engine is a 1.6 litre turbo diesel producing 218bhp coupled to an electric motor in the rear axle delivering a further 95bhp. When working together these produce 313bhp, 4WD and speed-sensitive four wheel steering. It can run in EV only mode and manage 57mpg with emissions of 119g/km.

Showcase your stellar music collection in a 24-carat gold audio player with the help of Amosu. The London-based firm will turn your iPod from white to wow, and even engrave your name or favorite song lyric on the back.

Nearly 7,000 customers have used the popular service to pimp their iPods since it launched in February, and the company plans to add gold iPhones to their offerings later this month. Currently Amosu will also upgrade a wide range of other cell phones from Motorola, Nokia and LG with gold and even diamonds. The options — and price tags — are nearly limitless.

source: cnnmoney

After the success of  Wavepiercer “Spirit”, New Zealand Yachts came with a new beautiful 50-meter yacht .
Built with advanced 3D modeling technique, great fuel efficiency, space and stability, the S50 has a 22 knot cruise speed, topping out at an estimated 26 knots. Like all wavepiercing vessels directional stability at speed is excellent, deceleration forces from wave impact is minimal, vibration and sound are well insulated, wake signatures are low and stability at rest is amazing.

A firm in Oxford, United Kingdom has recently released plans for a hypersonic passenger airplane able to travel at speeds up to Mach 5 with a range of 20,000 km. Reaction Engines of Oxfordshire says the A2 plane could be in service within 25 years, carrying 300 passengers at a top speed of almost 4,000 mph, which is twice the speed of the Concorde. It would be able to reach Australia from Brussels Airport, Belgium non-stop in just five hours.

It is 143 meters (469 feet) long, which is approximately twice the length of the Airbus A380 and would be the first man-made object to cruise for extended periods at such speeds within the Earth’s atmosphere. Man-made aircraft have travelled this fast before; they, however, were inefficient rocket powered aircraft, that were only capable of short range.

The cost of a trip on the A2 is expected to be comparable with current first class tickets on standard flights, of around US$6,900 (£3,500), although it is possible prices will drop in the future.

“The A2 is designed to leave Brussels international airport, fly quietly and subsonically out into the north Atlantic at Mach 0.9 before reaching Mach 5 across the North Pole and heading over the Pacific to Australia,” said Alan Bond, the head of Reaction Engines.

Due to the heat generated in high-speed flight, the plane would have no windows. Instead, television screens connected to video cameras on the outside of the plane will be placed in front of passenger seats.

The jet may be more environmentally friendly than other plans because it uses liquid hydrogen for power rather than fossil fuel, and thus would not necessarily produce any pollution during the flight. The energy to produce the liquid hydrogen could come from anenvironmentally friendly source.

“Our work shows that it is possible technically; now it’s up to the world to decide if it wants it,” Bond said.

Chow Tai Fook enters the picture
Following the dissolution of the Peace Mark group that, in 2002, had purchased Milus from Paul Junod, a descendant of the founder (who was a true pioneer, giving Milus an uncompromising design in the Bauhaus style, but who was way before his time, and who saw his ideas pilfered by the large fashion brands), Milus passed into the fold of another Chinese group, Chow Tai Fook.
Belonging to Dr. Cheng Yu Tung and his family, the Chow Tai Fook group is huge, with assets of more than US$32 billion, and 100,000 employees. Besides the financial investment branch, Chow Tai Fook is number one in jewellery and high jewellery sales in China, where it enjoys a 29 percent market share. The group manages 750 points of sale in more than 200 cities, not only in mainland China (including the networks acquired from Peace Mark and Tourneau), but also in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its sales in this sector are around US$2.5 billion. As a major retailer, the group also plays a central role in China and Hong Kong for many Swiss watch brands, including the most prestigious.
When Peace Mark failed, Chow Tai Fook saw the purchase of Milus as a rare opportunity to internationalize its strategy and to complete its portfolio of products by directly owning a brand in the haut de gamme sector. Milus was already well established in China, had a Swiss essence, and a palette of products that could complete or add to the group’s offer. (The group has publicly affirmed this strategy and interest in order to refute certain apparently unfounded rumours that it had only purely opportunistic motives.)

“Highly Personal” luxury
In any case, the acquisition of Milus is heatedly defended by Jan Edöcs who continues as head of the brand. Since he took over its management in 2002, Milus has undergone a profound transformation that has changed the entry-level “hard and fast” design brand into an original player in the luxury realm—a luxury under the sign of “Highly Personal”.
From a stylistic point of view, Milus’ offer is quite original and combines a mechanical refinement—the successful Tri-rétrograde line comes to mind—with a certain design boldness—as seen in the Monocera line among others—and a definite artistic refinement in the execution and decoration of the pieces. This strategy seems to have worked well for the brand. Since its actual relaunch in 2004 (the expected launch in 2003 was postponed, as you may remember, due to the SARS scare that greatly disrupted the participation of Asians at Baselworld), Milus has enjoyed a continuous rate of sales growth of around 200 percent per year, according to Edöcs.
Sales are also fairly equally divided between men’s (40 percent) and women’s timepieces (60 percent). The markets are also well balanced with Hong Kong and China accounting for 20 percent, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan for 10 to 15 percent, the Middle East for 20 percent, and the USA for 20 percent (where Milus has a subsidiary). Russia and Eastern Europe account for about 15 percent, with the remaining sales divided between Europe and various other markets.

Honours to the Tri-retrograde
The current economic situation is certainly not helping anyone but Jan Edöcs, caught up in the turmoil of the dismantling of Peace Mark, has been forced by circumstances to anticipate and to closely analyze the brand’s “sell-out”. Already a few months ago, he was able to determine that buyers were primarily interested in the most “classic” pieces in his collection and that the high jewellery pieces and the most extravagant watches were less popular.
Milus decided therefore to concentrate on the essential during 2009, focusing mainly on the Tri-retrograde in steel or gold (average price: 8,900 CHF) as well as offering some limited series of fine watches mixing skeletonising and enamel. The brand will also launch a new line called Tirion that is round and also Tri-retrograde.
Playing on the contrasts between materials, colours, and levels, the open-work dials of the Tirion are set in very clean round cases made of nine component parts. By their continuous comings and goings between the three different segments where they are displayed (from 0 to 20 seconds, from 20 to 40 seconds, and from 40 to 60 seconds), the three seconds retrograde hands provide permanent animation for the watch with their continuing metronomic ballet. This mechanism, on an ETA base, was developed by watchmaker Jean-Marc Wiederrecht, who received the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie for the best watch constructor in 2007.
In this spirit where the number “3” dominates, Milus is also launching a new campaign, centred around the product, which will be available in three themes: Body, Soul, Time. Come see it at BaselWorld 2009.

Source: Europa Star February-March 2009 Magazine Issue

For the luxury yacht owners, the world is one big playground and they have the toys to prove it. I have earlier introduced you to some high-tech luxury travel yachts.  The pictured above is the latest concept from Sabdes, a 230-foot megayacht that has been given the sports car red treatment. Offering a perfect balance of delight, leisure, and exploration activities, the concept megayacht delivers speeds of 25+ knots and offers accommodation for 12 guests on its five decks. Other than that, the luxury yacht offers room for a mini-submarine, a helicopter landing pad, lap and spa pools, scuba diving facilities, a ‘float-in-dock’ for the guest tender, an observation deck and sea-level gymnasium. The yacht has been designed in an unique way to endow with a great flexibility with large open-plan areas that are multi-divisible into smaller formal spaces. The all-embracing owner’s suite of rooms has been festooned with its own deck comprising a master stateroom, en-suites, dressing rooms, office and library. Why don’t they call me for a test ride?

McIntosh is celebrating its 60 years of audio excellence and is giving its fans a chance to rejoice too with a range of ultra-luxury home entertainment solutions like the $15,000 Classic System, we have told you about in March. And the latest one that joins the party is their first-ever standalone $7,500 McIntosh Integrated Tabletop Audio System. The sleek casing is in metal with aluminum accents and a backlit glass faceplate. It features a 75-watt-per-channel amplifier, CD/SACD/MP3 player, vacuum tube preamplifier, as well as a built-in AM/FM/RBDS tuner and high performance, two-way bass reflex loudspeaker system for ensuring high-quality audio.

This could very well be the last Big Bang of the year. We love this model and their desire to help world collectors by introducing multiple variations and limited editions of their Bang series. The Aero Bang Drive ACF Watch features  a microblasted black ceramic case measuring 44.5mm. It has an AR-coated sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 100 meters. “The rotor is tungsten carbide with black PVD treatment.” A ‘banger’ for sure. 250 units are being produced!  Get your own while you can!  Big Boy Toys!

For a beautiful gift there is always a beautiful price. For $250,000 you and a special partner can enjoy a one of a kind training session in the blue sky’s above.  But the training session isn’t going to be the only thing that’s one of a kind, the aircraft you’ll be training in will be nothing of the ordinary.  The Icon A5, designed by the same team who created the X-Prize winning SpaceShipOne, is made of lightweight carbon fiber and features several James Bond-like touches including “spy-movie wings” that fold up, as well as the ability to touch down on land or water.  *Stanford Business Graduate Kirk Hawkins, founder of Icon is an accomplished engineer and former Air Force F-16 pilot oversaw the creation of the A5 Sport Aircraft.

This luxury aircraft is also features an incredible state-of-the-art GPS system and the best part about all of this is…(drumroll) you and that special partner get to enjoy receiving your FAA-certified Sport Pilot License during this experience.

Via www.ThePoshReview.com

A modern American-made supercar? It’s about damn time. The 2010 Devon GTX ($500,000) takes aim at the Lambos and Ferraris of the world with striking looks, an 8.4-L V10 putting out 650hp, a six-speed manual transmission, a steel structure and carbon fiber body, 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels, large StopTech brakes, a McIntosh Audio System, center front air intake, and more.

The ultra-thin Altiplano model is a standard bearer for Piaget and this variant doesn’t get much press so it’s nice to see the watch out and about. Aside from the dial color and the 18 carat pink gold of the case, this model is the same in every way as the regular Altiplano.

After a long drawn-out publicity campaign that lasted a year, boutique automaker of luxury premium sportscars Vermot AG announced that its Veritas RS III Roadster is heading for series production.

But “series production” is a relative word for the 15-man team from Grafschaft-Gelsdorf, Germany, who will hand-build each of the 30 Veritas RS III (scaled down from the previously announced 50) in the series – a job that will require eight weeks, with three cars concurrently built at one time.

Five of these classic 1+1 roadsters have already found buyers in Monaco, Australia, the U.K., Spain and Switzerland, while the company says they have received eight more reservations and over 100 enquiries.

With a BMW-sourced 5.0-liter V10 paired with a choice of 7-speed SMG transmission or a 6-speed manual, the Veritas RS III sprints to 100 mph under 3.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 215.6 mph.

The supercar has already done the laps around Nürburgring Nordschleiffe, and underwent further extensive testing at the Brands Hatch racetrack in England. Its five new owners will no doubt be eagerly awaiting their turns around the track come January 2010.

TAG Heuer in History: Pioneer of Swiss watchmaking since 1860

For 150 years, TAG Heuer has challenged traditions, defied rules, and set major Swiss watchmaking milestones. The world leader in luxury sports watches and chronographs since 1860, it maintains this preeminence by ceaselessly reinventing itself, and, in the process, changing the world of watchmaking — revolutionizing what watches and chronographs can do, how they work, and the way they look.

In 2004, the company unveiled the Monaco V4 Concept Watch, the world’s first watch with belt drives, linear mass and ball bearings. In only 5 short years, the dream comes true… On the eve of its 150th anniversary, TAG Heuer has achieved the unbelievable, unveiling to the world what many industry insiders said would never see the light of day: The Monaco V4 in commercial production. Double-patented Monaco V4, 100% TAG Heuer-made, outdoes its own legacy. A bold technical masterwork unlike any watch ever seen or imagined, it both exemplifies luxury Swiss watchmaking tradition at its finest, and completely turns that heritage upside down and inside out.

Once again, with this boldest creation yet, TAG Heuer stakes claim to the leading edge of design innovation and honors its world-famous motto: “Swiss Avant-Garde since 1860.”

TAG Heuer and the MONACO V4: Revolutionizing the fundamental principles of mechanical watchmaking

Transmission

Until the V4, all modern mechanical movements, regardless of their complications, were generally based on “classic” watchmaking components, most of which date back to the 18th and 19th century. The principal components of this traditional system are: an energy reserve, by means one or several springs; a transmission, using gears; and a regulatory function, usually organized around a recoil escapement.

Gear transmission and automatic rewinding: the V4 team set these aside and started from scratch. The result is a complete paradigm-shift, 2 worldwide patents, and a completely new generation of mechanical movements.

In a world first, TAG Heuer award-winning team of watch masters and engineers replaced the pinions and wheels of the traditional mechanical movement with a belt-driven transmission: a high-yield relay of 5 notched micro drive-belts whose tension is controlled by 2 turnbuckles. The transmission belts in polyether block amide have a 0.07mm section, about the same size as a single human hair, and are 10 times smaller than any belt ever manufactured. Unlike a traditional calibre, this modular synchronous drive belt system requires no extra gears to send motion from one point to another. More efficient — less vibrations, optimizing movement — and much easier to maintain, it allows power to be transmitted wherever it is required, allowing for more complications, with no obstacles.

Energy

The TAG Heuer team then garnered a second worldwide patent by revolutionizing the oscillating mass, which traditionally is superimposed on the movement and moves in a rotational manner. The Monaco V4 is the world’s first wristwatch with a linear mass, which is mounted on the world’s smallest ball bearings (2.2 to 4 mm diameter and a thickness of 0.6 to 1 mm). The 12g tungsten ingot doesn’t move back and forth but up and down on a track between the 2 pairs of v-shaped barrels in series, set in parallel and inclined at +/- 13°. A gear system on the long side of the weight engages a cogwheel and converts the linear motion into a rotating movement. Each barrel series stores 450g of energy for a total strength of 900g.

The Monaco V4: An avant-garde design for an avant-garde movement

Winner in its concept stage of many design prizes and awards, the Monaco V4 is the revolutionary new incarnation of the iconic Monaco — the audacious, square-faced watch first seen on Steve McQueen’s wrist in the 1970 race classic film Le Mans.

The original Monaco’s big, squared-off case captured the imagination of a generation and signaled a complete break with conventional watchmaking aesthetics. It thus made sense to borrow from this iconic heritage to showcase TAG Heuer’s newest breakthrough in high-end luxury design. Like the original Monaco, the world’s first automatic chronograph with a micro-rotor (launched in 1969 by Jack Heuer, today TAG Heuer’s Honorary Chairman), the powerful new movement housed in the Monaco V4 is a tribute to the high-tech, high-performance world of motor racing.

The name derives from the V-shaped platinum main plate on which the movement’s four spring barrels are mounted. The 2-by-2 belt series on ball bearings are angled at +/- 13 degrees, and look like the cylinders in a high-end motor-racing engine.

The Monaco V4’s avant-garde look outside matches the revolutionary movement inside. Every complex surface and dihedral angle is fine polished to the highest haute-horlogerie standards. The beveled and arched sapphire crystal, manufactured in 3-D, curves down to join the sides. The case is in platinum 950, as is the caseback, which is trisected with 3 glass apertures. There is no reading dial per se — the polished beveled indexes are fixed directly to the bridges, with the small second hand distinctively off-centered at 4 o’clock. The ball bearing systems are visible on both sides, while the movement’s unique escapement and 3 transmission belts can be seen from the front, and the 2 barrel drives from the back. The stylish strap is in large-scale alligator, hand-stitched with a titanium insert. The overall design is breathtakingly new, unlike anything ever seen, yet the influence of Steve McQueen’s square-faced Monaco is apparent at a glance, as is the spirit and DNA. This is what truly drives TAG Heuer and the Monaco V4: audacity, performance, and a passionate devotion to the avant-garde.

TAG Heuer and the Monaco V4: Pioneering new forms of human and technological innovation

Above all, creating an entirely new paradigm for mechanical movement dynamics requires men and women of vision and passion, committed to pushing beyond limits.

TAG Heuer’s best engineers and watchmakers, working with the inventor Jean-François Ruchonnet, begun delving into the fundamental concepts of mechanical watch movement, under the strictest terms of confidentiality. Then the Monaco V4 story became a real human saga involving an extraordinary team of dedicated thinkers, watch masters, engineers and craftsmen working in Switzerland but also collaborating with a unique international network drawn from renowned high-tech companies, universities and research institutes.

The techniques used in the design, prototyping and production of the V4 are the same as those used to develop complex aerospace systems. Tools, techniques and expertise were drawn from an eclectic fusion of disciplines, such as the automobile and IT industries, applied mathematics, chemistry, climatology, computer engineering and micro-mechanical sciences. New TAG Heuer-designed machines and methods were specially created, including proprietary software (TAG Heuer is a pioneer in 3D modeling and digital synthesis), automated micro-couplers and rheologically controlled high-pressure injectors.

Today, the Monaco V4 are hand-assembled at TAG Heuer by “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” watch master Denis Badin, thus bringing the timepiece full circle: from the most cutting-edge techniques of the present era to the most time-honored traditions of artisanal craftsmanship.

This exclusive luxury edition of only 150 pieces in platinum 950, launched at the occasion of the 150th anniversary, will be sold at 100,000 CHF.

This is something we can expect from a £70,000 a week footballer. Stephen Ireland, the 23-year old Irish midfielder, has splashed out a cool £264,000 (US $422,220) on a pimped-up Bentley for his Wag girlfriend Jessica Lawlor. The occasion was Jessica’s 24th birthday and the premiership star wanted to make it really special and unforgettable for her. The coupe is decorated in the red and white colors of his rival Manchester United, and it comes complete with embroidered love hearts. A minimum of £1,000 was spent to change the Bentley’s B winged insignia to Jessica’s initials, JL. Stephen Ireland further spent £2,000 on customized red leather seats with a romantic message “To Jess Love From Stephen” that is surrounded by a heart shape. An extra £5,000 went into the tailored bright red alloy wheels rims has Jessica’s initials.

The luxurious pimped up Bentley of the lovebirds features a 6-liter, 552bhp engine with a top speed of 198mph and can go from 0 to 60 in just 4.8 seconds.

Called the “Gulfstream G250,” the mid-range aircraft can travel 3,400 nautical miles at maximum operating speed of 0.85 Mach. The G250 is capable of climbing to a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet.

Featuring the largest cabin in its class, a larger lavatory, an improved galley and increased storage to ensure comfort to the passengers, the G250 also touts 19 panoramic windows and enhanced sound levels, together with a vacuum toilet system and in-flight access to 120 cubic feet of usable volume in the baggage compartment.

Scheduled to be launched in 2011, the aircraft combines state-of-the-art engineering with cutting-edge design for $24 million to $28 million, depending on the internal accessories. Check out the image gallery after the jump.

PK Boo II was built by the Tréhard Constructions Navale Shipyard in France in 1982 and has just completed a major refit in 2007/2008 at Hamble Yacht Services.

Amongst the new features on PK Boo II you will find the addition of a new guest Twin cabin to ensure more comfort for the charterers.

The layout is now as follow: a double and a twin cabin, sharing a central bathroom with marble top, this arrangement is mirrored to starboard. All the way forward is the full beam master cabin with its ensuite bathroom also with marble top.

Beautifully proportioned, the stunning cabins made of newly varnished Sapele and Mahogany reinforce the elegance of the guests’ area which is now entirely separated from the Crew and service area.

The saloon is amidships, with direct access from the central cockpit. To port it has a comfortable sofa whose upholstery has been renewed with leather and to starboard a large dining area with a folding table.

Add to that a state of the art entertainment system including a new Sony 32” flat screen T.V with a new Alpine media centre. Plus some additional speakers for use on deck and you will find the great combination of traditional and modernity onboard!

The new sails and fully serviced rigging should provide amazing sailing experience for those who appreciate performances!

The cockpit area under the Bimini is perfect for a sociable cocktail hour, quiet breakfast, as well as dinner for 10. Whether you are relaxing on her forward sunbathing area or taking full advantage of her water toys, her professional and experienced crew will ensure that your holiday will be one to remember!

Ulysse Nardin “Chairman”

You would think it is a symptom when a watch manufacturer’s main novelty at a fair is a mobile phone. If it is, then I am certain that it is not a good one. When Ulysse Nardin presented the “Chairman” I was sort of surprised to see then embark on this route. Actually, the last watch manufacturer y expected to see in this battle. The design was interesting initially although after further inspection it turns out that the product is flawed in many, many ways.

The first flaw is what in a way makes it special. The kinetic rotor. For one I do not think that this would be an adequate power source for a mobile phone. There is no way that a mobile phone gets the activity that your wrist does. Inside your pocket or on a table the rotor is completely redundant. Hence, if you wish to charge it by means of the rotor you will end up embarking on a rather “obscene” workout. Quite stupid for a phone that will most likely be priced in the absurd range. So, the result is that you paid a whole lot of money to look like a fool once your battery is down… I wonder how this would look in a bar when you are trying to pickup a girl and she has a friend. You need to call your buddy to team up for the kill… It’s 2 o’clock in the morning… your battery is almost dead… will you go to the bathroom to give it a good, jerk? I guess I have no need to go any further.

The second flaw is the software. Support will be highly doubtful. Believe me, if they say otherwise they are lying! Software support was less than satisfactory when Vertu first started and they had Nokia behind them. It is a fact that all smartphone software is still crapy and buggy unless you are an iPhone. Lest face it, if you want a smart phone you would go with and iPhone or a Blackberry. If you want a good looking high-end phone you want a Vertu with a straightforward, clean, not-so-buggy Symbian 40 software.

The third and fatal flaw is its size. It just HUMONGOUS! Way larger than an iPhone, any Blackberry, all HTCs and even Sony-Ericsson’s P1. Hell, it’s practically the size of a PSP!!! In these days you really have to be a whole new level of retarded to come up with something like this and think it will sell. Believe me, in the mobile phone business the LAST thing you want to do is go Panerai!

The design on the other hand is a matter of personal taste. Personally, the more I look at it, the less I like it.

Lamborghini will be revealing yet another boast-worthy super car at the Frankfurt Auto Show coming up this month.  This Lambo will be sporting the same stealth fighter-inspired angular bodywork as the standard Reventón that was unveiled two years ago at the Frankfurt auto show.

The new topless Lambo will reportedly make use of its all-wheel drive system to help the run to 60 in just 3.4 seconds. Top speed is expected to be well over 200 miles per hour, as you’d expect from an Italian supercar with a mid-mounted 650-horsepower V12 powerplant.   The car, as a coupe model, redefines style and elegance with alcantara upholstery, carbon fiber trim and body panels and aggressive 18-inch wheels.  As well as unique aviation-themed LCD instrumentation.

There will only be 20 of these made at this time, making this an ultra exclusive car. WOW.

via – www.theposhreview.com

Amanresorts is going dragon spotting this summer as it launches the 2009 Komodo Expedition, a seven-night adventures into Indonesia’s World Heritage Site, the Komodo National Park where these fearsome creatures roam in their natural habitats.

And to take you there, you will board the spanking new Amanikan, a custom-built 32m cruiser modeled after traditional Indonesian Phinisi spice trading vessels, which dates back as early as prior to the 1500’s.

The vessel houses three cabins above-deck, all air-conditioned and luxuriously decked in Aman fashion, and with wraparound windows that offer sweeping vistas of the Flores Sea. The teak and rattan furnishings complement antique brass fixtures and crisp white upholstery, transporting you back in time to the seafaring days of the spice trade.

Of course, you’re here on a mission – to suss out the Komodo dragons, so keep your eyes peeled to your binoculars for them, and other exotic wildlife like macaque monkeys and banteng as the cruiser weaves through the necklace of islands that collectively forms the Nusa Tenggara. You’ll be glad to know that after all the gruelling jungle trails and island hopping, it’s back to new world comforts inside the lavish tents of Amanwana.

Not content with just owning Manchester City Football Club, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan has reportedly agreed to invest USD280 million in Sir Richard Branson’s space travel project, Virgin Galactic.

The Sheikh’s investment vehicle, Aabar Invesments, is set to spearhead the partnership where Aabar will be granted the rights to host Virgin Galactic tourism.

Already, plans are in motion to develop Abu Dhabi into a hub for science technology and space travel with USD100 million pumped towards launching satellites into space.

The Sheikh’s investment is a huge vote of confidence for Sir Richard, whose project has garnered attention from illustrious personalities such as Stephen Hawking. So far, an estimated 300 people have reserved seats on the pioneer tourist flight out into space to the tune of USD40 million in deposits.

The long tradition linking the Officine Panerai to the Yachting world is celebrated once again this year with a special edition dedicated to the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.

This international vintage boat event sponsored by the Florentine company sees the most incredible yachts from years gone by, restored and returned to their ancient splendour and ready to battle it out in a series of regattas on an international circuit, with stages in both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

As in the past, just 500 numbered examples have been produced of this special limited edition watch, the Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante 44 mm, DLC (PAM00332). It is a split-second chronograph, complete with chronometer certificate, that counts down the 5 minutes to the start of the regatta. A highly specialised model and therefore a real sailor’s instrument, not just by name but also due to its technical content.

The new Luminor 1950 Regatta Rattrapante has a leather strap with burnished buckle bearing the Panerai logo. It comes complete with a spare strap that can be fitted with the tool provided.

Source: Panerai
www.panerai.com