Winter Toys

Stay in-the-know with these innovative tech toys, from an internet-connected piano to the latest iPhone!

Sky-Watcher Pro 120ED-APO Refractor

Serious Amateurs will love the SW 120mm ED-APO Refractor. Sky-Watcher high-performance refractors offer premium optical performance for the discriminating amateur astronomer, creating superb contrast with a high-definition and coal-black sky background that make stars appear like diamonds imbedded in black velvet. skywatcherusa.com

iPhone X

Apple’s goal has always been to create an iPhone that is entirely screen. One so immersive the device itself disappears into the experience. And so intelligent it can respond to a tap, a voice, and even a glance. With iPhone X, the device is the display. An all?new 5.8?inch Super Retina screen fills the hand and dazzles the eyes. apple.com

Kaleidescape Encore

The most convenient way for movie lovers to enjoy films in the finest available quality. The best movies – from the latest blockbusters to time-honored classics – are available to download from the Kaleidescape Movie Store in 4K Ultra HD with HDR, Blu-ray quality. kaleidescape.com

Yamaha’s Disklavier E3 Piano

This acoustic marvel is much more than a five-foot grand piano. It is elegance intertwined with cutting-edge technology, and a direct internet connection, allowing a world of musical freedom, hitherto unexplored. usa.yamaha.com

From Waste To Wave

Jaguar Land Rover Launches Surfboard Made From Recycled Plastic

For almost 70 years Land Rover has transported people across the world’s toughest terrain, but it is now making its first foray into the ocean with the ‘Waste to Wave’ surfboard, created using recycled plastic derived from early clay design models.

With an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic dumped in oceans every year, taking hundreds of years to decompose, Jaguar Land Rover has strengthened its commitment to achieving its zero waste goal by creating a range of surfboards made wholly from recycled plastic. The surfboard was created in partnership with SkunkWorks Surf Co, a surf company with a focus on minimizing environmental impact, and tested by the English Women’s Open Surfing Champion surfer, Lucy Campbell off the coast of Northern Ireland. It was hand-built to the exact dimensions (5’7 x 18 3/8 x 2 3/16) required by Campbell, who is currently competing on the global circuit. It has carbon fiber rails from the nose and a carbon strip from the tail for additional strength while allowing flex to push through high-intensity maneuvers.

Polyurethane is used in the manufacture of life-size clay models which are modeled by hand at the very beginning of the car design process. The polymer forms the ‘skeleton’ of the models, which is normally destroyed once a car is launched, while the clay is recycled and re-used on site. Now, Jaguar Land Rover is ensuring that all plastic is recovered and sliced into blocks ready for a second life as surfboards or paddleboards.

The very first surfboard, which was created from a Discovery Sport clay model that was broken down in June 2017, was designed and built by SkunkWorks Surf Co in Northern Ireland. Land Rover invited Lucy Campbell, the UK’s number one female surfer, to get behind the wheel of a Discovery Sport before putting the concept through its paces on the waves of Whiterocks beach, Northern Ireland.

Lucy said: “When I first heard about this project I was so excited to be a part of it. The ocean is a big part of my life so helping to raise awareness of the need to preserve it is so important to me. I didn’t know much about the car design process and it’s been fascinating to learn about how Jaguar Land Rover is giving a ‘second life’ to its materials in this way. Getting out into the water and trying the board out for the first time was awesome.”

Ricky Martin, co-founder of SkunkWorks Surf Co, said: “I’m a keen surfer so being able to create sustainable boards that can ride the waves is great. When Jaguar Land Rover approached us with their idea of reusing polyurethane we couldn’t wait to get started in helping reduce their waste – a subject that is very close to my heart. It is so useful to get Lucy’s feedback. Her experience riding some of the best waves around the globe will be invaluable as we continue to develop our processes.”

Geneva Watchmaking Awards: Celebration for 2 Emblems of Contemporary Watchmaking

Octo Finissimo Automatic and Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton win the Mens’ Watch and Tourbillon & Escapement Prizes

The prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG-Geneva Watch Awards) has awarded Wednesday night, November 8th, the expression of Italian style and elegance combined to Swiss watch expertise: Octo Finissimo Automatic and Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton. The first has been awarded within the Mens’ Watch category meanwhile the second won the Tourbillon & Escapement Prize. This double Award celebrates two stylish icons expressing the most contemporary and distinctive aesthetics.

As mentioned during the Awards Ceremony, the aesthetic vision expressed by Octo Finissimo through design, aesthetics and watchmaking contents have made the difference for the Jury members. They are today’s and tomorrow’s watch creations.
As for the Mens Watch Award, Octo Finissimo Automatic – launched at Baselworld 2017 – is the third world record-breaking icon successively presented by Bulgari after the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon (2014) and the Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater (2016). Octo Finissimo Automatic has already been awarded last October in SIAR (Mexico) as the “Best Watch of the Year”.

Octo Finissimo Automatic is to date the thinnest ultra-thin self-winding watch on the market. In 2017. This new creation measuring just 5.15mm thick, 40mm in diameter and housing a 2.23mm self-winding movement. The iconic Octo is once again pushing the boundaries of feasibility.
The Prize awarded by the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) to the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton launched in 2017 watch celebrates a creation which has again pushed back one of the ultimate limits of the watchmaking art, that of thinness, with regard to one of the most delicate and coveted horological complications: the tourbillon. This spectacular creation offers connoisseurs an entirely openworked watch embodying sheer elegance tinged with extreme technical refnement.

The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton watch is driven by an ultra-thin, openworked tourbillon comprising 253 parts, 13 jewels and eight ball bearings serving to reduce the overall thickness of the calibre.
The discerning choice made by the Geneva Watch Awards, regarded as the watch industry “Oscars”, represents a token of universal recognition for the Octo Finissimo collection. Within just a few years, the latter has established itself as one of the most powerful archetyps on the watch scene. First launched in 2012, the Octo line has progressively developed and broadened to the point of now encompassing three world record-holders in the field of extreme slenderness: Octo Finissimo Tourbillon (2014), Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater (2016) and Octo Finissimo Automatic (2017). Its immediately recognizable architectural and contemporary lines have made the Octo one of the world’s most distinctive and emblematic watches.

The Spectacular Nacho Figueras

A perfectly sculpted face, eyes that make you a believer, and a polo player’s athletic physique; he makes a lasting impression. Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras began playing polo at the age of nine and by seventeen was playing professionally in Europe, eventually saddling up on Peter Brant’s White Birch team in Greenwich, Connecticut. By 2009, the Argentinean was ranked as one of the top polo players of the world.
Figueras met Ralph Lauren’s photographer, Bruce Weber, at a Hampton party. He posed for his first Ralph Lauren advertisement in 2000, quickly becoming one of Ralph Lauren’s iconic models. Figueras has always seen modelling as a bridge to furthering his passion for polo with recognition of how the symbiotic relationship of his life represents the embodiment of the Ralph Lauren ideal.
Figueras currently oversees his spectacular horse-breeding ranch and captains Ralph Lauren’s Black Watch team in Argentina, where he and his wife, Delfina Blaquier, a beautiful model, photographer and landscape architect, live with their four children – when not traveling the polo circuit.

“This is a perfect bridge to help me achieve my dream and my vision of polo becoming a bigger, more visible sport.” – Nacho Figueras

Live it – Dream it – Be a Race Car Driver

Sebastian Vettel, from Heppenheim, Hesse, West Germany, is an F1 force to be reckoned with. In 2010 he became the youngest ever Formula One World Champion, and preserved that title for the ensuing three years. He is one of the top contenders still.
One of the lucky people, Vettel identified his gift and life’s motivation at an early age and has been living it ever since. At age 17 he won the Germany’s 2004 Formula BMW ADAC championship with 18 victories from 20 races.

His Formula One race debut came in the 2007 US Grand Prix in Indianapolis where he became the youngest driver to score a championship point. In mid-summer the teenager became a full-time driver with the Red Bull-sponsored Toro Rosso team. He is a Formula One driver to contend with on contract until 2017 with Scuderia Ferrari at a 50 million US annual salary guaranteed along with additional annual bonuses.
The man, at the pinnacle of his class, describes himself as “competitive, private and impatient.” All are great qualities for a born racer. His friends include fellow drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg with whom he is often seen enjoying life. Vettel lives in Thurgovia, Switzerland with his lifelong partner, industrial design graduate, Hanna Prater. They maintain a resolutely private life with their two daughters, Emilie and Matilda.

“Sebastian Vettel’s relentless hunger for victory, as much as his outstanding talent, secured his place as one of the sport’s greats.” – Formula1.com

Special Edition Watches Released by Bulgari and Maserati

Two of Italy’s heaviest hitting luxury brands Bulgari and Maserati have come together once again to create two new and limited Octo Maserati timepieces, the GranSport and GranLusso.

Officially released in conjunction the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the innovative Octo models are specially designed to feature retrograde minutes and jumping hours displays, expressed through an aesthetic evoking the rev counter of Maserati cars. The watch is powered from a mechanical Retro BVL 262 caliber entirely developed and created in-house, just as Maserati engines are made. The 33-jewel, self-winding movement has a 42 hour power reserve and oscillates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The GranSport version displays a textured black dial with silver applied indexes, numeral and hands, while a few blue accents enlighten the design. The other version, the GranLusso model, has a dark grey dial with sun-ray brushing and applied indexes, numerals and hands in pink gold, matching the case. In both variations, the topstitched leather strap is reminiscent of car upholstery, measures 41mm in diameter, and has the Maserati emblem highlighting the round hour display window.
Focusing on exclusivity, the pieces are reserved for owners of a car bearing the Trident brand emblem and will only be available in Bulgari Boutiques.

The F1 in the 1950’s

Formula One began with the British Grand Prix, the first of 67 annual competitions, in attendance with His Royal Highness King George VI, along with Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret on May 13, 1950.

In the beginning it was an aristocratic sport, with many nobles among the drivers, including the German Count von Trips, the Austrian Prince von Metternich, the Italian Count Baghetti, the Thai Prince B. Bira, and half a dozen English lords, among others. The drivers dressed elegantly, not only to feel important, but to look it too – a far cry from this century’s style.

However, the most outstanding figure of that decade was forty-year-old Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio who conquered half the world titles of the decade and was considered the first great champion of motorsports. He helped position racing as a global competition on road courses that eventually became the professional racetracks of today. Times were different then…

By Carlos Jalife

With a launch expected to take place next year, the Neyk luxury submarine is a famous engineering collaboration between industry leaders Ocean Submarine in the Netherlands, Rolls Royce, MTU and Bosch. After eight years of research and development, the 63-foot, fully pressurized sub is capable of reaching speeds up to 15 knots and will offer an unprecedented degree of luxury and personalization for as many as 20 passengers.

The interior has the same diameter as a private aircraft, allowing for the same posh, lightweight elements. Features like air conditioning, disappearing flat screens, a bar with crystal drinkware, library and most other in-flight amenities will be available. The underwater craft can also be customized with furniture, ceiling panels, and design styles to the owner’s personal style and requirements.

Customization options include fitting landing gear so that the sub can come to rest on a beach, adding a dedicated diver lock-out chamber, and transforming the nose area into a 270? underwater observation room. Designed with comfort and luxury in mind, the Neyk submarine promises to take you on the finest ocean adventure imaginable.

Distinguished German luxury automaker, BMW has revealed their all-new Concept Z4 – a true roadster that radiates power and athleticism from every angle. Officially unveiled at the top-ranking collector car competition in the world, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance the vehicle breaks the status quo and creates a new dimension of openness.

The Concept Z4 is roadster with strong character, equipped with a striking exterior and self-confident attitude. Large air inlets at the front and well-defined air outlets on the front of the bonnet crave for speed and the flow of air. So too do the low-lying kidney grilles, which radiate exclusive sporting flair with their honeycomb-like structure and novel mesh inserts.

Inside, the classic sports car with a modern twist theme carries on – reflecting minimalism and eccentricity. The sport seats alternate in a bi-color look: the driver’s seat with its smooth black leather emanates athleticism, the orange Nubuck leather of the passenger’s seat conveys the joy of being driven. Combining all this with the windowless design creates a dynamic, unobstructed sense of space that opens up a view for the essentials: the road and new horizons. BMW is set to reveal a production version of the Z4 in 2018.

The 2018 Maserati GranTurismo has been meticulously restyled to reflect the pioneering spirit of the original GranTurismo concept, a thrilling pairing of race car sportiness with uncompromising luxury. The 4-seater coupé is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s passion, technology and craftsmanship and remains unique in the supercar segment thanks to its timeless design.

Recently unveiled in New York, the refreshed GranTurismo range encompasses two models, the Sport and the MC. Both versions are equipped with the naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 engine, hand-built by Ferrari in Maranello and capable of producing 460 hp at 7,000 rpm and 520 nm of peak torque at 4,750 rpm.

The body of the car has been modified with a sense of striking and unmistakable elegance. With the ‘sharknose’ hexagonal grille inspired by the Alfieri Concept adds a three-dimensional effect to its frontal view. Along with new lower air ducts, the revised grille helps improve the airflow while reducing aerodynamic drag from 0.33 to 0.32.

The redesigned interior picks up on the dynamic themes of the exterior; such as an improved dashboard, Poltrona Frau leather, a premium 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment sound system that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Close attention has been paid to every luxurious detail – this is a car for those who defy convention, those who dare to be different.