Damian Hurley was born famous. Even though his mother, Elizabeth Hurley, put her career on hold to look after him, paparazzi would harass them on a daily basis. His teenage years were tainted with the death of important people in his life, the mark of which is palpable in his short film The Boy on the Beach and his debut feature-length film as a director, Strictly Confidential. Our Editor-in-Chief, Julia Pasarón, had the chance to catch up with him recently and learn who Damian Hurley really is.
Blessed with ridiculously good looks and having had his every need always catered for, Damian could easily have become an insufferable brat. Instead, this young man is devastatingly charming and easy-going. He has been obsessed with the world of celluloid since an early age, which is no surprise given that his mother is an actress and his godparents include industry giants Hugh Grant and Sir Elton John. Growing up, Damian used to hijack every holiday, torturing his long-suffering family and friends to act in his mini-movies, shot on a Flip Video camera given to him…
Located on the hills of Sotogrande, one of the most sought-after destinations in southern Europe among lovers of golf, polo and luxury life in general, Villa Noon is billed as the world’s first zero-emissions villa. Not only that, Villa Noon also generates its own water… from the sun. Viewed as a ground-breaking achievement in sustainable […]
The signature elegant luxury of Rocco Forte Hotels has been transposed to a beautiful new setting with the unveiling of Rocco Forte House Milan. After the plaudits received by Rocco Forte House Rome, the group is now opening eleven graceful new apartments on the highly desirable Via Manzoni in the very centre of Milan. They […]
A stone’s throw away from Kensington Palace and Holland Park, this all-luxury apartment, puppy friendly residence is total heaven with its state-of-the-art contemporary boutique design and sophisticated surroundings. Who wouldn’t want to be almost next-door neighbours to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge?
“Racing Green”, “Luxurious Regal Red” and “Cool Neutral Equestrian” are the three stylish creative themes running through the interior décor of Lexham Gardens, honing- in on the quintessentially British history of the South Kensington property. In order to bring it into the 21st century, the building was stripped back to brick by Guarnieri Architects while Monika Tyborowska’s London based design lab Mojo Concept provided plans for the complete interior design, which includes spectacular murals, leather belt-strap headboards and cosy kitchen window seat snugs. Guests benefit from modernised finishes and features including a beautiful ground floor reception, a landscaped atrium garden and a sophisticated fitness centre with equipment from Precor, including a treadmill, elliptical and stationary bike amongst other training machines.
All properties are decorated to the highest spec. Here is the bathroom of a one-bedroom apartment.
The beauty of this fabulous property is that you can stay for a night, a week, or a year! The 30 exquisitely appointed and fully equipped apartments spread across six floors and are as ideal for a short city break as they are as a temporary residence if you are in London on a short-term contract or if you are fully relocating and you haven’t yet found your ideal home in town. Available as one or two-bedroom apartments, the flexibility, privacy and privileged location of Lexham Gardens together with the reputation of Cheval Maison make them in my view, my address of choice should I ever needed another home for a while in our capital (last year our boiler broke in the middle of January so good to have a plan B just in case…).
On arrival, guests are treated to a delicious and indulgent picnic hamper for two, featuring fresh baguettes, cold meats, stuffed vines and an array of delicious dips and spreads from Odysea. Everything was delicious, accompanied by a perfectly chilled bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne. I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it to dessert but temptation got the better of me and I managed to polish the decadent brownie which was as delicious as it looked. Call me a romantic but I truly enjoyed our picnic in the famous Kensington Gardens, where my nanny used to take my sister and I when we were little.
Guests at Lexham Gardens are treated to a delicious and indulgent picnic hamper with champagne.
Lexham Gardens by Cheval Maison joins eight additional serviced apartment residences in London and offers a stylish, spacious, and private alternative to hotels. With a beautiful collection of serviced apartments, townhouses, and penthouses in some of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, all just moments from key travel networks and transport links, Cheval Residences offers more than just a home and makes a delightful haven for their guests.
One-bedroom apartments will start from £260 per night. For further information about Cheval, visit: www.chevalcollection.com
Words: Lavinia Dickson-Robinson
Opening picture: Reception of a one-bedroom apartment at Lexhan Gardens.
Matthew Williamson is an award-winning, British interior designer known for his bold use of pattern and colour. Having begun his career in fashion under his namesake brand 25 years ago, Matthew slowly but steadily moved towards interior design.
He now develops several homeware collections to sit alongside his growing residential and commercial interior design portfolio and does regular collaborations with world leading brands. Growing up in Manchester in the 1970s, Matthew’s passion for colour, aesthetics and design was catalysed by his mother. “I love her sense of style,” he says with affection, “full of life, colour and optimism. She encouraged me to be creative early on and to this day, my mum remains a huge influence and inspiration to me. I always want to make her proud of the work I do.”
In 1994, he graduated from Central Saint Martins in Fashion and Textile Design and two years later founded a label with Joseph Velosa, which was an immediate success both among fashion lovers and the press. Other exciting projects followed with Dame Zandra Rhodes, Marni and Monsoon, including the creation of dance costumes for Studio Wayne McGregor, which set the tone for Matthew’s debut collection, Electric Angels, at London Fashion Week in September 1997. The collection of just 11 looks made a huge impact on the fashion world. “At the time there was a lot of androgynism around, lots of black and grey in fashion and I guess my work was a breath of fresh air,” reflects Matthew, “my point of difference was noted and picked up by buyers, press and celebrities worldwide so the show and collection put me right in the forefront of the global fashion stage.”
I love to collaborate with like-minded brands to create exciting new homeware propositions…
– Matthew Williamson.
In the early 21st century, Matthew worked as Creative Director at Emilio Pucci and even collaborated with H&M on a summer collection which comprised men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories. Also in the noughties, Matthew started collaborating with brands outside the world of fashion, the first one of which happened in 2003 with The Rug Company; a collaboration with Coca-Cola followed, as well as others with Smythson, Bvlgari, Swarovski and Osborne & Little to name but a few. “I love to collaborate with like-minded brands to create exciting new homeware propositions,” explains Matthew, “currently I’m working with amazing companies who are all experts in their fields such as Pooky Lighting, Obeetee rugs, Roome London furniture and Osborne & Little wallpapers.”
With Pooky he has created a quintessentially Matthew Williamson collection of decorative lampshades with a heady mix of Ikats, florals, animal and palm prints which launched in October 2020. “Great lighting is key to any beautiful interior,” he says. “It’s like the accessories to an outfit and can elevate a space. All of my rooms at home are filled with interesting lights, and I use them to create little pockets of warmth to give a sense of intrigue to each and every corner.”
In his second collection of rugs launched in spring this year, Matthew partnered with Obeetee, the world leader in handwoven rugs. Matthew’s collection features his joyous designs inspired by the natural world, from starry skies to the dense undergrowth of tropical forests interpreted by Obeetee’s skilled weavers in India.
Matthew Williamson’s Tamara drinks cabinet showcasing Sunburst for Roome London.
Statement-making furniture can be found in any of Matthew’s design schemes. His collaboration with Roome London, launched a few months ago and comprises a collection of exquisitely manufactured furniture featuring graphic and colourful patterns and visuals. From bar cabinets to divider screens, the collection fuses Art Deco silhouettes with contemporary design.
One of the latest brands benefiting from Matthew’s creative talent is the alcohol-free drinks company Jukes Cordialites. For them, he has designed a box for their best seller, Jukes 8, inspired by the most elegant Provencal rosé wines. The design is very Matthew Williamson, with a stunning array of pink and orange palms that evoke both summer and the colour and subtle flavours of the drink. “Jukes Cordialities is such a great concept. I love the idea of non-wine wine for those occasions when you want to have a drink but you don’t necessarily want the fuzzy head or a hangover. I like the fact that the brand is small yet ambitious and I wanted to create the prefect print for them to embody their delicious rosé-pink blend. I took swaying palm leaves as my inspiration for the pattern and washed the design in soft pink watercolours. I wanted to evoke a feeling of lazy summer lunches merging into dinners in warm and sunny climes.”
Swaying palm leaves were the inspiration for this special edition box of Jukes 8 designed by Matthew.
As interior designer, Matthew has worked with the likes of Hotel Blakes in London, Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire, Nama Bar and Belmond La Residencia – both in Deià, Mallorca, where he currently lives – and many more. His reputation in the field was sealed when in 2019, he was asked to be a guest judge on the BBC’s Interior Design Masters. From all the projects he has worked on, his favourite seems to be the suite he designed for Belmond La Residencia. “It’s such a wonderful hotel,” he exclaims, “it has a rich history and aesthetic and it was a pleasure to add my touch to this landmark hotel in the beautiful setting of Deià.”
Suite 67 La Belmond Residencia by Matthew Williamson
Currently, Matthew is filming a couple of episodes of Interior Design Masters, creating an interior design book for Thames and Hudson and will be speaking on stage at the Financial Times festival in London this September. As if that wasn’t enough, he adds, “I love working on my website. It’s great to now have a place where you can find all my interior design projects to date and my growing collection of homeware products. I work on it almost every day with a very small team and I am loving seeing it evolve.”
In Matthew’s work though, not everything is about creativity and design. Increasingly, the protection and preservation of our planet have become paramount factors to consider. “In every design project I undertake, environmental and social sustainability come first on the agenda,” he states with conviction, “all Matthew Williamson products are created, packaged and sold with sustainability in mind.” The brand uses innovative materials to minimise waste, fund and support craftsmanship and have an eco-friendly approach to packaging and shipping. “These are all key factors to ensure the success and longevity of homeware in the modern-day. We strive to ensure that sustainable standards are met during the process, creating pieces that last a lifetime.”
If Cinderella had been born in this age, she would have probably arrived at the palace in a Mercedes S 500 4MATIC like the one I had the pleasure to be driven around in a couple of weeks ago, when I decided to follow on the steps of Perrault’s character and take a day off to indulge in all Mayfair has to offer before a day at the races.*
I started the day being picked up by Dave in a sleek black new Mercedes S 500, with enough space at the back to organise a party if I had wanted to. Since its launch in 1978, the Mercedes S Class has represented the epitome of what a big, luxurious car should be. Now in its seventh generation, the new S-Class proves the brand’s ongoing appetite for technological and mechanical improvement.
On the outside, the car looks extremely sleek and elegant. Following the current trend among car manufacturers, the grille is bigger than before. Other design improvements include the head and taillights which now look cleaner, but inside, they are quite complex, with multibeam LEDs and an option to have digital lights that illuminate any obstacles that may appear on the road. The seamless door handles are hidden and only glide out when the car detects the key-fob.
The seamless door handles in the new Mercedes Benz S-Class are not just cool, they also help with the aerodynamics of the car
The new S-Class is available in different equipment lines with two wheelbase length and different engines, Mine was powered by a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, petrol-powered engine with an added turbocharger, electric compressor and an integrated starter generator (EQ Boose) which does several things, among them, turning the car into a mild-hybrid. It comes with a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission standard across the range and the option of 4MATIC all-wheel-drive for the first time in the UK.
But let’s face it, if you are reading this, you are more likely to spend more time at the back of the car than at the front, so let’s talk about how it feels to be driven around in this modern-day Cinderella carriage.
Our Editor Julia Pasarón makes herself comfortable at the back of the S 500 4MATIC.
As you step into the car, the first thing that surprises you is the elegance of the interior and the ambient lighting, which uses 250 LEDs to bathe the interior in a calming warm glow. The cabin of my S500 was all cream, from the leather seats and consoles to the interior of the doors and even the matts. The car’s extra-long wheelbase shows in the amount of space you enjoy both at the front and at the back. At 5’5’’, I am not the tallest so I could practically stretch my legs all the way (there are footrest extensions at the back, luxury head restraints as soft as pillows and climatised seats) and have a siesta if I had wanted to; the car is incredibly quiet.
I can imagine how cool it must be to look at the stars through the panoramic sunroof coming back from Prince Charming’s party.
The interior is completed with all kinds of gadgets, including a seven-inch touchscreen tablet, mobile charging dock and even Wifi. So, if instead of taking a day off shopping like I did you have to work, it is all fine. The “Hey Mercedes” virtual assistant is also more intelligent than ever, now recognising instructions from any seat in the car. Imagine how much fun that can be for you and how annoying for your driver…
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes! Being driven into Mayfair in Comfort mode (that was my favourite but there are another three: Eco, Sport and Sport+). First stop Hirsh of London. I love what Sophia and Jason Hirsh have done with the family’s company and what they stand for. Jason goes all over the world sourcing the best and most sustainable gemstones and Sophia lets her imagination fly to come up with the most exquisite designs. However, what makes Hirsh different – at least to me – is that they treat you like family… and they mean it. Now, that, you won’t find everywhere.
Our editor Julia Pasarón wears Hirsh’s Saturn white gold and diamond earrings featuring 364 white diamonds (1.35ct), including 12 set in a Hirsh suspense setting.
As my Fairy Godmother had given me carte-blanche, or should I rather say, her Amex Centurion card, I just walked next door to Lalique, to see what my dear friend Frederique Fischer “had in stall for me” at their flagship store in Conduit Street. The name Lalique has evoked the brilliancy of crystal since René Lalique opened his first workshop in Paris in 1885. Today, Lalique produces not only beautiful crystal jewellery but all kind of home accessories, perfumes and they just acquired a whisky distillery in Scotland!
Julia keeps hitting her Fairy Godmother’s credit card hard. This time with Lalique’s earrings and bracelet from their 1927/28 collection.
All I needed afterwards was my outfit for the party (in this case at Ascot rather than Prince Charming’s palace). Months ago,I had the chance to interview Daisy Knatchbull, founder of The Deck, the only tailoring firm for women in Savile Row. With a choice of over 7,000 of the highest quality cloths and the opportunity to bespoke your lining, buttons, styling details, thread and any monogramming, chances are you’ll step out of The Deck with an outfit that will feel truly yours.
A far cry from Cinderella’s original outfit, our Editor picked this morning suit by The Deck to go to the races.
My Mercedes S 500 had a boot the size of a small football pitch, so it didn’t matter how many bags and packages we put into it. There was always space for more. Safety-wise, this is the car any mother would dream of for her children since it comes equipped with every single safety feature you can think of, including technology that recognises driver drowsiness, warnings if you are about to jump a traffic light, breaks if you are about to crash into something, active steering intervention (all part of the Driving Assistance Package) and an insane number of airbags. Mercedes version of wrapping Cinderella in cottonwool. Oh! And if you dance too much, you can always get a massage. No kidding, the seats have 19 massage points with ten different configurations.
With such an enormous boot, the S 500 can fit all the boutique shopping you could do in Mayfair and then some more.
The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class starts at £80,450 OTR for the S350 d AMG line. The petrol-powered S 500 4MATIC L featured in this article starts at £101,995 OTR.
One of the most beautiful smiles in Hollywood, Julia Roberts jumped to stardom after her role as Vivian in the blockbuster romantic comedy from 1990, Pretty Woman. In a career that expands over more than three decades, she has won three Golden Globe Awards and an Oscar for Best Actress in the year 2000 for her performance in Erin Brockovich.
Roberts was the highest-paid actress in the world throughout most of the 1990s and in the first half of the 2000s. As of 2020, Roberts’s net worth was estimated to be $250 million. People magazine has named her the most beautiful woman in the world a record five times. Not bad for a girl born in a small town in Georgia who as a kid, dreamt of becoming a vet.
She debuted on the big screen in 1988, in the film Satisfaction, along with Liam Neeson and Justine Bateman but it was her performance in Mystic Pizza (also in 1988) that brought her critical acclaim. In 1989, she was featured in Steel Magnolias as a young bride with diabetes and received both her first Academy Award nomination (Best Supporting Actress) and first Golden Globe Award win (Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture) for her performance. The prolific actress has taken part in more than 50 cinema films besides appearing in several television films and series, including the grand-finale of Miami Vice and the 2018 Homecoming, an American psychological thriller based on the Gimlet Media podcast of the same name created by Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg.
Julia Roberts won Best Actress at the Academy Awards in 2000 for her performance as Erin Brockovich.
She is happily married to cinematographer husband Daniel Moder since 2002, with whom she has three children – twins Hazel and Phinnaeus (16 years old), and Henry (13).
Far from slowing down, Julia is as busy as always. In early March she flew with her family to Sydney to start filming the political thriller Gaslit, alongside Sean Penn and Joel Edgerton. Gaslit is based on Slate’s Slow Burn podcast, a modern take on the 1970s Watergate scandal, focusing on untold stories and forgotten characters of the time, from Nixon’s opportunistic subordinates, to the deranged zealots aiding and abetting their crimes, to the tragic whistle-blowers who would eventually bring the whole rotten enterprise crashing down. Julia plays Martha Mitchell, a celebrity Arkansan socialite and wife to Nixon’s loyal Attorney General, John Mitchell (Sean Penn). Despite her party affiliation, she’s the first person to publicly sound the alarm on Nixon’s involvement in Watergate, causing both the Presidency and her personal life to unravel.
Also in Australia later this year, Julia will be filming Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney. They play a divorced couple who travel to Bali to stop their daughter from getting married and in so, preventing her from making the mistakes they made in their relationship. The motion picture is set to release in September 2022.
Despite her busy professional schedule, Julia has given lots of her time and resources to UNICEF as well as to other charitable organizations. In 2000, she narrated Silent Angels, a documentary about the neurodevelopmental disorder, Rett syndrome. In 2006, Julia became a spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels, as well as chair of the company’s Advisory Board promoting the use of renewable fuels. She supported Gucci’s “Chime for Change” campaign aimed at promoting female empowerment and in 2014, she was the voice of Mother Nature in a short film for Conservation International, intended to raise awareness about climate change.
In December 2001, she travelled with Ocean’s Eleven co-stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Andy Garcia to Turkey, to the Incirlik Air Base, to show their support for U.S. and coalition troops serving overseas.
Considered by many the epitome of an American sweet-heart, Julia was chosen by Lancôme to be the face of the brand back in 2009. Her famous long legs made her the perfect ambassador for hosiery company Calzedonia in 2015. This year, she lent her image to Swiss jeweller and watchmaker Chopard, for the launch of two new limited editions of their celebrated Happy Sport watch.
“The idea of responsible luxury is something that not enough brands pay attention to.”
-Julia Roberts
When the innovative timepiece was first brought to market in 1993, Chopard Co-President Caroline Scheufele explained, “I wanted a watch that I could wear all day long: at the gym, in the office or for a dinner in town.” With its “dancing” diamonds on the dial and its “pebble-link’ bracelet, the watch became an instant success.
The new “Happy Sport the First” comes in a series of 1,993 watches (as in the year the collection was first launched) and a further 788-piece limited edition, graced with a diamond-set bezel and a textured mother-of-pearl dial. Innovations include a new case in Lucent Steel A223 redesigned in a 33 mm diameter inspired by the principles of the golden ratio, as well as the Manufacture Chopard 09.01-C movement with automatic winding and 42-hour power reserve.
Original Chopard Happy Diamonds watch collections from the 1970s.
Invented by Chopard in 1976, the dancing diamonds adorning the Happy Sport watch collection constitute a technical feat that only a few artisans can achieve, ensuring that each diamond in its spinning- top capsule is arranged in such a way that they “dance” around the dial.
Firmly committed to sustainable luxury, Chopard uses particularly innovative steel for the case of these two new “Happy Sport the First” series. Lucent Steel A223 is an alloy that combines anti-allergenic virtues with the brightness and sturdiness of ordinary steel. It is 70% made from recycled metals in a state-of-the-art workshop located in Austria, thereby limiting the carbon footprint relating to shipping materials to Chopard’s Swiss workshops.
The new “Happy Sport the First” 788 is graced with a diamond-set bezel and a textured mother-of-pearl dial.
To celebrate the release of “Happy Sport the First”, Julia Roberts speaks about what happiness means to her and her affinity with Happy Sports and Chopard.
I-M : What makes you instantly happy ?
J.R : The sunrise. Instantly is very specific…
I-M: A movie that makes you happy?
J.R: The Philadelphia Story is a movie that makes me happy, to think about or to watch.
I-M: Which are your favourite qualities in a woman?
J.R: Depth, soulfulness and just a real personal strength.
I-M: Your greatest extravagance?
J.R: Travel.
I-M: What makes you laugh?
J.R: Cleverness; not so much things that are funny, but things that are clever: a thoughtful thread to humour.
I-M: When you think of dancing diamonds, what do they evoke to you?
J.R: Perhaps the idea that something is going to happen!
Dancing diamonds evoke in Julia the idea that something is about to happen.
I-M:How does your Happy Sport watch make you feel?
J.R: There is something about having a watch and every time you look at it seeing all these sparkling diamonds whirling around; it’s pretty awesome and truly good stuff.
I-M:What do you think being a free-spirited woman means today?
J.R: Being comfortable in your convictions and sharing your convictions with those around you. Not all women have those liberties and I am very grateful that I have them.
I-M: How important to you is responsible luxury?
J.R: I would say that the idea of responsible luxury is something that not enough brands pay attention to. The thing with a Maison like Chopard is that it has really pioneered the idea of having a conscience, leading the charge and setting an example for other brands to follow.
I-M: What is so special about Chopard?
J.R:Chopard just represents this timeless idea of elegance and sparkle and being ladylike. You kind of think: “When I grow up I want to be having a great time and wearing watches and earrings by Chopard”… and now look at me, I’m all grown up!
I-M: Your favourite motto?
J.R: The motto that I repeat the most is “no way out but through”.
I-M: What’s your present state of mind?
J.R: I am really happy right now; it’s been such a beautiful day and I have felt such a really great sense of kinship that I had not expected today, so I’m super happy.
Feadship and Nauta Design unveil the future of superyacht innovation
Yacht design has become increasingly imaginative and futuristic. What was once a relatively staid world of one design fits all, irrespective of the length of the vessel, has in recent years developed into a discipline akin to conceiving Captain Nemo’s Nautilus – “the sword of the sea” – or the latest Bond villain’s command deck from which to plot world domination. The new sleek designs are eye-catching and intuitively appealing.
Created in partnership with Nauta Design, Project 2024 is Feadship’s answer to what the future of yachting is likely to be, responding to requests from owners looking to enjoy the luxury of Feadship in the shortest timeframe without being closely involved in the technical aspects of a custom build. These are discerning customers who have no wish to compromise neither on quality nor on facilities.
The 72.60 metre superyacht is up for grabs for those quick to make their mind up. As the essential engineering and naval architecture aspects have already been determined, this unique project can be ready for delivery in time for the 2024 summer season, completely customised according to the way you may like to cruise.
Formed as a group in 1949, Feadship has roots that can be traced back a further century. Characterised for their relentless pursuit of perfection, Feadship have built some of the most famous superyachts in history, including Henry Ford II’s Santa Maria and the wonderful Wedge Too, which set a new size record and featured an incredible Phillippe Starck-designed oval superstructure clad with oiled teak. In the 2000s, Sea Owl re-drew the map for bespoke interiors with her 200 hand-carved statues and four-story “tree of life” staircase. One can arguably say that Feadship has become synonymous with excellence and those who can afford the best know to look no further.
Feadship and Nauta Design have worked together on previous builds so Project 2024 integrates their shared expertise in an exclusive design dedicated to enjoying close proximity to the sea. A prime example is the spectacular transom with foldout side wings, an island playground with a 3.3-metre pool, sun & shade seating zones and steps into the sea. This is a perfect spot for breakfast since it can be accessed without passing through any crew areas. The main deck above is connected with gently sloping stairs, making it safe to have children playing on the platform and in the pool while the adults keep a restful eye from above.
Project 2024’s spectacular transom includes a 3.3-metre pool and steps into the sea.
The beach club continues forward into the lower deck interior, with an extra lounge area and another fold-down terrace on the starboard side. More room for relaxation is created once the tender and toys are launched, while steam showers and a sauna create an alluring wellness space.
Another smart aspect of Project 2024 is the way forward areas are linked to optimise the owner’s experience. The full-beam main deck master suite is an oasis of privacy with a giant bedroom, his & her walk-ins and bathrooms, and a lounge with a balcony. A stairway offers direct access to a sequestered outdoor area on the bow, complete with pool, sun beds and intimate dining.
The giant Master bedroom enjoys his & her walk-in wardrobes and individual bathrooms.
The owners will have at their disposal many high-class facilities to share with family and friends in the available 564 square metres of luxury spaces. There is a seamless flow of movement between the large main deck aft and the main saloon. This social hub is divided between a lounge and dining area, with full-height windows and 270-degree views. There is the option to add fold-out balconies.
Project 2024 offers 564 square metres of luxury spaces.
The amidships sky lounge on the upper deck is another fine spot to mix with outdoor dining facilities aft. The sundeck offers three further zones to unwind while an elevator and a full-height food lift covers all decks. The design for Project 2024 envisages sleeping 12 guests, divided between the master stateroom, a VIP and four further suites. This configuration can be altered according to the client’s wishes. You can even add a helicopter platform to the upper deck and completely redesign the entire interior style. There are also fine accommodations for 16 crew members in the eight cabins on the lower deck while the captain’s cabin is found on the bridge deck.
The jacuzzi on the top deck is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy views of the ocean.
Like all aspects of Project 2024, the impressive exterior is fully future proof with a low profile, harmonious lines and clean architecture. Understated bulwarks and large windows further optimise visibility and connection with the boundless ocean. In the current rendering, the front area of the sundeck is a serene space set up for sunbathing and/or relaxing in the jacuzzi. The central dining area includes a table for 12 that can be completely sheltered by sliding transparent windbreaking panels. A fully stocked bar and service area are at hand for those taking it easy on the comfortable lounging seats of the aft section.
This, surely, is the life… and it is only three years away.
Cars and watches go together like strawberries & cream, Bonnie & Clyde or champagne & oysters. The association makes sense. Motorsport and horology share key elements: mechanical precision, innovative materials, complex engineering and the most refined aesthetics.
By the mid-20th century, watch brands were not only timing famous races around the world but were also sponsoring drivers and incorporating split-second timing into their creations. As the decades produced ever faster, lighter-weight cars so the watch industry kept pace using high-tech materials and mechanics that could rival those of their petrol-propelled partners.
Sir Malcolm Campbell appeared in Rolex’s adverts wearing an Oyster he paid from his own pocket…
Ever since Sir Malcom Campbell (holder of nine land speed records) appeared in Rolex’s advertisements wearing an Oyster paid from his own pocket in 1933, Rolex have continued their affiliation with automobile racing becoming official timekeeper of Daytona in 1962 and releasing soon after their first Cosmograph chronograph ref. 6239, the Rolex Daytona, which became one of the most collectable watches ever. The latest features a dial made from metallic meteorite with black chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock and is available in 18kt white, yellow or Everose gold. All three new versions are equipped with calibre 4130 and range in price between £27,350 and £35,100.
New Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, 40 mm, 18 ct white gold.
Rolex’s passion for motorsport is as vivid today as it was in the 1960s. They are Official Timekeepers of many races, sponsor events such as the Pebble Beach Classic Car Week and the Rolex 24 at Daytona; and are involved with Le Mans and F1 racing.
However, one could argue that the very first car-watch collaboration was that between Aston Martin and Jaeger-LeCoultre in the 1920s as Aston Martin cars were equipped with Jaeger Speedometers (although they were not the only ones). It wasn’t until 2005 though that Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin released their first watches together under the generic AMVOX name.
A total of seven AMVOX generations were produced. The most famous is probably the second generation, which consisted of three chronographs, one of which carried the transponder that opened the wearer’s car. They were equipped with the patented Jaeger-LeCoultre vertical-trigger chronograph system, which activated the functions simply by pressing the sapphire watch crystal.
A total of seven generations of AMVOX watches were created during the partnership between Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin…
Since the break-up with Jaeger-Le Coultre, Aston Martin had a brief affair with Richard Mille in 2016 and in February (this is the year of the car-watch weddings!), they announced that Girard-Perregaux would become their official watch partner “effect immediately”. The first timepiece borne of this association is the Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges – Aston Martin Edition (just 18 pieces). The watch features a 44mm case made of Grade 5 Titanium, the same material used for the bridges finished with black PVC treatment and polished angles.
Titanium suffused with black DLC bestows the watch with a stealthy appearance.
Another watch brand that jumped early into the driving seat of motorsport was Heuer. Jack Heuer was a big fan of racing and his brand was official timekeeper in many races. He fell in love with the Carrera Panamericana, which prompted him to design his eponymous chronograph, inspired by the instrument panel of a racing car. The Heuer Carrera was launched in 1963, the same year that the Porsche 911 Carrera made its first appearance.
One of the Monacos worn by Mc Queen in Le Mans sold at auction in 2020 for $2,208,000.
Jack Heuer enrolled racing driver and Porsche dealer Jo Siffert as his first brand ambassador to promote his chronographs. Siffert (known as Seppi) became “the face” of the Autavia ref. 1163T, aka “Jo Siffert”. In fact, Seppi was McQueen’s mentor in the preparation of his “Le Mans” character and the reason why the actor chose a Monaco to wear in the legendary movie. Unfortunately, Siffert died in a tragic accident the same year the film was released (1971) and the relationship with the German car manufacturer faded away.
For most of the 1970s, Heuer partnered up with Ferrari, giving a Carrera to all their F1 drivers and stamping his logo on the cars. In this decade, Heuer was the official timekeeper for Formula 1 racing. Almost all drivers carried its logo on their race overalls.
In the years since, Porsche and TAG Heuer worked together on and off until a few months ago, when the watch manufacturer announced that it was teaming up with Porsche for a long-term partnership.
In the merry-go-round that is the world of affiliations between watches and cars, relationships often don’t last more than a couple of years. Ferrari is a very good example. After working with Heuer in the 1970s, the house of the prancing horse struck a partnership with Girard-Perregaux when it was bought by petrol-head Gino Macaluso. The “pour Ferrari” collection was launched in 1995 with a limited edition of 499 watches, ref. 9015, an automatic 3 register Chronograph with Rattrapante.
In the 10 years of their partnership, they produced some remarkable limited editions, such as the Pour Ferrari F50, a perpetual calendar Chronograph with automatic movement available in all precious metals and in titanium. The highlight was its stunning winder box, a Ferrari-red stand with an acrylic display case. In 2005 the cooperation came to an end – rumour has it – due to commercial interests denting the relationship beyond repair.
Moving on, Ferrari turned their eyes to fellow Italian brand Panerai. They worked together for almost five years (2005/6 to 2010) and saw the production of a collection branded “Ferrari Engineered by Panerai” that included two lines, “Granturismo” and “Scuderia”. Granturismo models featured the prancing horse at 12 o’clock, while Scuderias were detailed with the famous yellow shield that Ferrari racing cars have always worn. None of them carried Panerai’s name on the dial.
Panerai and Hublot had very different approaches to their creations for Ferrari. Left: Panerai Gran Turismo 8 days GMT. Right: Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari.
Next on Ferrari’s dating list was Cabestan, and then Hublot, which came along in 2012, three years after their collaboration with Morgan for their 100th anniversary. Hublot were required to produce a watch for both Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari.
The first watches produced for this partnership were Big Bangs with a larger than standard case (45.5mm) and cylindrical bezels. The show-stopper has to be the MP-05 “LaFerrari” from 2013. It was designed and developed in tribute to “LaFerrari,” itself one of the most extreme of Ferrari’s limited edition road cars. The triangular shaped reminisced of Ferrari’s shield and everything in and on it reminded of car parts. Its shell was made of black PVD titanium, with a titanium and carbon insert at its centre.
The partnership finished at the end of last year and less than three months later, Ferrari and Richard Mille announced a multi-year deal, extending from the pinnacle of motor racing in Formula 1 through WEC endurance programmes, Competizioni GT, Ferrari Challenge, Ferrari Driver Academy to the fast-developing Esports category.
Richard Mille is no stranger to the world of Formula 1, having sponsored 40% of the current teams over the years. At present he sponsors Kimi Räikkönen (even if he doesn’t back Alfa Romeo), who bears his own signature model in an RM 50-04, and 2020 F2 Champion Mick Schumacher (Haas). Felipe Massa (now racing in Formula E) even wore his own Richard Mille in the cockpit of his Oris-sponsored Williams car. Cheeky!
Since 2017 (straight after the partnership with Aston Martin came to an end), Richard Mille has been a partner of McLaren with a 10-year contract. Their debut RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph was an immediate success. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide, the watch was powered by two barrels and the movement (caliber RMAC3) had an impressive 55-hour power reserve. Both the bridges and the baseplate for this caliber were made of PVD-treated grade 5 titanium, to ensure the stiffness and functioning of the going train.
The bridges and the baseplate for this caliber were made of PVD-treated grade 5 titanium, to ensure the stiffness and functioning of the going train…
Despite the new deal with Ferrari, it seems that Richard Mille will keep working with McLaren. Their newly launched MCL35M carries the watchmaker’s name and both Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris wear a Richard Mille watch. The fact that Ferrari and McLaren are now sponsored by the same company is going to be pretty interesting since they’re – respectively – the first and third most successful Formula 1 teams of all time and at present, fierce direct competitors.
If you feel a bit dizzy following Ferrari’s dance-book, let’s take a break and examine which I believe it is the oldest and longest-lasting car-watch affiliation still alive: Breitling and Bentley, which started in 2002 when the former commissioned the latter to design the onboard clock for the very first Continental GT due to debut the following year. Breitling produced a unique wristwatch for the owners of the new supercar. Soon a collection known as “Breitling for Bentley” was created with levels of personalization to match those of the car.
Breitling Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition.
The Breitling for Bentley Mark VI was the first of many significant watches produced by the Swiss manufacturer in honour of Bentley. The Breitling for Bentley Premier B01 Chronograph in British Racing Green became a particular fans’ favourite with its green dial and grey subsidiary dials for the counters and matching hand-stitched green leather strap. The watch, fitted with their in-house Caliber 01 movement, also offered a tachymeter and was a COSC-certified chronometer.
Since 2018, Breitling has been integrating special Bentley editions into its core product offering. This year we have seen the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition, produced in an exclusive series of just 25 pieces. A reinterpretation of the original Breitling Premier wristwatches of the 1940s, it features a 42 mm case in 18k red gold, rectangular chronograph pushers, a gold-brown alligator strap, and a transparent sapphire caseback revealing the Caliber B21 movement with its 22kt gold oscillating weight.
Bremont and Jaguar haven’t done badly either. They first work together for the launch of the Jaguar C-X75 in 2010, for which Bremont developed a unique analogue dashboard clock.
Over the last decade they’ve produced several watch series. This year, to celebrate Jaguar E-Type’s 60th birthday, Bremont developed an exclusive limited edition box set, each of which includes one of the two different coloured bezel chronographs (60 in green and 60 in grey), as well as Bremont’s first ever rally timer, which can be displayed on a desktop stand or fitted into a car. Furthermore, the 120 proud owners of these watches will get the chance to take the wheel of three iconic E-Types and put them through their paces at Jaguar’s Fen End facility.
To celebrate the 60th birthday of the Jaguar E-Type, Bremont released two chronographs and their first rally timer.
Bremont’s involvement with the motor world goes even further. Over the years, they had employed several individuals from the Formula 1 world to assist them with the complications presented by machining to very high tolerances. This year they became official Timing Partner to Williams Racing.
Much more recently, in 2017, Roger Dubuis struck a deal with Lamborghini Squadra Corse. The goal was what they called “Raging Mechanics” – high-tech three-dimensional watches made from new materials as screaming bold as the cars themselves. The partnership began with the introduction of the Excalibur Aventador S and there have been several models since, the latest being the Excalibur Huracán STO launched last December. Priced around the £20k mark and limited to just 88 pieces, the watch boasts a Pirelli tyre pattern on the inside of the rubber inlay. The 45mm titanium case is coated in black DLC titanium and features a strut bar that is designed to recall the struts on the V10 engine.
The Excalibur Huracán STO debuted a new skeletonized movement with 233 individual parts, the Caliber RD630.
A year earlier, Swiss watchmaker Zenith kicked start their collaboration with Range Rover. The latest product of this fruitful relationship is the DEFY 21 Land Rover Edition, brought to market to celebrate the launch of the new Defender last year. Possibly the most emblematic all-terrain vehicle ever, the Defender needed a watch a bit “rougher” than what Zenith got us used to. They rose to the challenge and the result was a stealthy reinterpretation of the 21st century El Primero high-frequency chronograph, limited to 250 pieces, crafted in a microblasted titanium case paired with a matching closed grey dial.
Not satisfied with their partnership with the British car manufacturer, this year Zenith revealed they would be Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner of Extreme E, the electric off-road racing championship which debuted in Saudi Arabia this past April.
Bell & Ross have teamed up with the Alpine F1® Team this year, after five spent alongside Renault DP World F1® Team. As their Official Watch Partner, Bell & Ross have started this marriage with a collection of six watches, including three ultra-sporty chronographs.
The ultra-sporty chronographs produced by Bell & Ross for their partnership with the Alpine F1® Team.
We couldn’t finish this article without mentioning the Grand Dame of the automobile world: Bugatti. Jacob & Co. produced for them several watches, among them the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti 300+ watch, which boasted the brand’s eponymous movement with two triple-axis tourbillon escapements rotating at different speeds per axis. As if that wasn’t enough, the watch was also equipped with a decimal repeater that chimes the time and a monopusher chronograph that times laps. Created in high-tech forged carbon, just three pieces were made.
The Parmigiani Type 390, after the Bugatti Chiron, felt like wearing a supercar on your wrist.
Parmigiani Fleurier also worked with Bugatti, producing for them two stunning pieces of horology, the Bugatti Type 370, in honour of the Bugatti EB 15.4 Veyron and the Type 390, after the Bugatti Chiron. The watches were not available for sale but given as gifts to the buyers of the cars.
How technology has changed from one Tokyo Games to the next.
When American Bob Hayes crossed the finish line at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, winning gold in the Men’s 100 metres, there were two times measured. One manually by the stewards, one via a fully automatic timing device. Although it was not evident as Hayes celebrated his triumph, in that moment Olympic timing changed forever.
Before the 1964 games, Olympic and world records were measured by officials with stopwatches to the nearest tenth of a second. Fully automatic electronic timing was used in Tokyo for the first time, but the times were given the appearance of being manual by an arbitrary rule of subtracting 0.05 seconds from the automatic measurement and rounding to the nearest tenth of a second. On the official’s stopwatches Hayes recorded an averaged time of 9.9 seconds. Under IAAF rules this would have given Hayes the first official sub-ten second world record for the 100 metres. However, with the automated timer Hayes stopped the clock at 10.06 seconds, which after conversion was rounded down to 10.0. Hayes had been denied an historic world record by idiosyncratic rules and the new electronic eye.
The brave new world of impartial timing for sports events had been introduced. Watch brands such as Omega, Heuer and Longines had a long run association with the Olympics. Omega, in 1948, produced the first ever photo finish equipment on the occasion that the stopwatch brandishing stewards could not separate the winner from the second place. But despite the progress made with manual timing, it was Seiko and their work for the 1964 Olympic summer games that was a juncture point for sports event timing. With the Olympic Games taking place in Tokyo once again this year (delayed for obvious reasons), there was a chance to look back and evaluate how timing has developed.
There were three areas that required work for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics: mechanical stopwatches, portable quartz clocks, and display size clocks for the main stadiums. In terms of the stopwatches, Seiko used their formation of Grand Seiko and their participation in observatory timing competition to refine and develop mechanical mechanisms.
Second, Seiko refined the technology on quartz clocks that were the size of a small cupboard in 1961 to a portable box that could easily be located at a track event or some other sporting venue by 1964. However, they continued to push the technology even further. Not only was it the case that events could be accurately timed, but the outcome was electronically recorded on a printed readout. To integrate all systems Seiko developed dot-matrix printing and with it, the new product line ‘Epson Printers’ was formed.
The final problem to solve was getting the readout to giant electronic notice boards so all spectators could see the results for themselves. Seiko developed large clocks and display units that could be activated manually along with the interconnected electronic boards with starter pistols, phototube equipment, and wireless devices, depending on the type of sport.
Over the intervening decades the quartz technology was refined even further. The ability to time events ever more accurately was brought into stark relief in the final of the Men’s 400 metres medley swimming event at the 1972 Olympics. At the finish, where swimmers touch the pad to stop the clock, Gunnar Larsson (Sweden) was there at the same moment as the American: McKee. Both stopped the clock at 4:31.98. Initially it looked as if the result was the first shared victory in Olympic swimming history. But on examining the electronic time officials then declared Larsson the champion at 4:31.981 by two thousandths of a second from McKee. The difference in time being the depth of a tile that lined the Olympic swimming arena. A difference that was arbitrary and could be attributable to the lane rather than the swimmers. Never again would such a distinction be made and deciding events by such a narrow margin was ruled inadmissible.
Since 2008 Omega has taken over the duties with a long-term arrangement with the IOC. Now one of the world’s top brands for mechanical watches, they continue to accelerate the change in technology, propelling the future of sporting performance along with it.
The changes and improvements are now constant and almost imperceptible in terms of what is seen within the technology but have effects in terms of time. Leading up to the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Omega have developed devices used in precision sports timing across a range of events, among them the Scan’O’Vision, MYRIA photofinish cameras, starting blocks, false-start detection technology and high-speed video systems.
In conversation with Alain Zobrist (Head of Olympic Timing at Omega and CEO of Swiss Timing), he listed three ways in which the time for the 100 metres had been made more accurate in the intervening decades. First, the starting blocks and start gun capture false starts by measuring the pressure on the blocks at 2,000 times a second. If the pressure is different for any sprinter within one tenth of a second after the start gun it is declared a false start. Second, the photocell finish camera can record 10,000 pictures a second as the runners cross the line to record the exact moment and time. Third, the equipment now allows the time to be recorded to one millionth of a second.
Asked about his favourite Olympic timing moment Zobrist named the Women’s downhill skiing at Sochi in 2014. Echoing the events surrounding the finish of the Men’s 400m medley swimming in Munich in 1972, both skiers recorded the same time to the nearest 1/100th of a second. Although it is now possible to refine timekeeping down to one ten thousandth of that difference, the joint winners result stood. Despite small variations in speed and the exact course taken by both Tina Maze of Slovenia and Dominique Gisin of Switzerland, they fittingly shared the gold medal and the title.
The resources required for Olympic timing are now considerable. Gone are the stopwatch brandishing stewards to be replaced by a small army of over 530 officials that include engineers and software specialists and approximately 400 tonnes of equipment. Even though electronic hardware can fail, the Atlanta Games in 1996 being the most prominent example, Zobrist does not lose any sleep over it. There are backup systems on backup systems and all eventualities are covered. It is an undertaking he is honoured to undertake.
It is interesting to reflect that had Bob Hayes been competing in this year’s Tokyo Olympics, with the modern track, equipment and technology, what would his time have been? Was he fast enough to have run the first sub-ten second 100 metres? One indication is the Olympic record he still holds. In the final leg of the 4×100 metre relay, Hayes ran the distance in 8.60 seconds from a rolling start. Not even Usain Bolt could beat that.
Fathers are men who dared to place the world’s hopes and dreams in their children. As such they guide us and help us shape our personality and attitude in the world.
I remember fondly how Scout refers to his father Atticus in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, “It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.” As we grow up, I think it is fair to say that most of us miss not spending more time with our fathers. This thought led me to consider presents that would be symbolic of time. I have selected five watches under £5,000 which I believe would cover a wide range of tastes and pockets.
First, I’d like to bring your attention to a brand relatively new to our shores, NUUN, and in particularly, to their new N200 Nautical watch. Inspired by the world of sailing, this timepiece looks sleek and refined despite its robust built, which allows it to withstand the harsh elements when at sea.
The N200 is available with Hindu-Arabic dials and standard indices as options. Very cool…
The 40.5mm stainless-steel case of the N200 features a gradient translucent dial with applied indices, and its sapphire crystal is coated with an Anti-Reflective treatment. The indices are filled with Lumibrite lume for readability in the dark. The movement, a Seiko calibre NH35A is visible through the caseback. It comes with a 20mm integrated organic-rubber strap featuring a depth scale at the back. As the name indicates, the watch is water-resistant to 200 metres, with a power reserve of 41 hours. Furthermore, the N200 harnesses kinetic energy from the movement of your wrist.
The collection comes in two coatings, gunmetal and titanium grey. Both are fitted with an open case-back sealed with sapphire crystal and are available with Hindu-Arabic dials and standard indices as options. At just under £500, this watch is a real steal. More HERE.
If your dad has a thing for design, he is probably fond of the Glashütte-based watchmakers NOMOS. With their Bauhaus approach and “democratic luxury” attitude, NOMOS watches are a prime example of design at the service of functionality without the need to compromise. In the Tangente 38, every part of the watch is in proportion, from the diameter of the case to the length of the hands and the spacing of numbers and markers.
€100 from the sale of each watch was directly to providing emergency aid…
For many years now, NOMOS have supported Médecins sans Frontières. The red 12 references the emergency aid organization, which has fought for 50 years against the consequences of epidemics, natural disasters, and forced migration. To celebrate this anniversary in 2021, NOMOS is producing a special edition of the Tangente 38 limited to 2,021 pieces. The watch features a dark grey textile strap and on the dial, at six o’clock there is the inscription, “50 ans de Médecins Sans Frontières”. £1,620. More HERE.
For those dads who love a bit of nostalgia, the VERTEX Bronze 75 couldn’t be a better choice. Founded in 1916 by British watchmaker Claude Lyons, Vertex watches were one of “the dirty dozen” commissioned by the Ministry of Defence for military use, together with brands like Longines, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre and IWC. Vertex closed the doors of its Hatton Gardens headquarters in 1972 but nearly half a century later, the founder’s great- grandson, Don Cochrane, brought the brand back to life.
The Vertex Bronze 75 pays homage to the British Armed Forces during WWII.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, Vertex launched the Bronze 75 last autumn, in a 40mm case made of the traditional alloy metal as a tribute to the British Armed Forces during WWII. Bronze shows the passing of time and so the patina of the Bronze 75 will change as the next three-quarters of a century go by. The only concession to modern times is the use of Super-LumiNova® on the dial, in a tone that compliments the colour of the case. The movement is the excellent ETA7001. The case back is an exact replica of the Cal 59 WWW of 1944 and 1945, with its broad arrow and WWW markings, military serial number and edition number.
As with all Vertex watches, the Bronze 75 comes presented in a Pelican box, originally designed for the American military. It is water and pressure proof and according to Cochrane, you can run it over with a tank and you wouldn’t even dent it. The watch comes with three straps: vintage brown leather, Nylon Zulu Alpha and cotton AF0210. RRP. £2,700. More HERE.
As you can see, we are following a bit of an adventurous theme here. The new edition of the Bell & Ross BR 03-93 GMT stays true to its iconic square shape whilst making functionality and legibility are its defining axioms. This is a watch for international travellers, able to keep track of multiple time zones simultaneously.
Its black sunray dial contrasts with its large white photoluminescent numerals and indexes. This colour scheme echoes that used in on-board flight instruments for optimal reading.
The new BR 03-93 provides the time in three different locations around the world.
The GMT hand now stands out with its large red triangle perfectly visible both day and night. Spinning around the dial in 24 hours, this fourth hand displays a second time zone (or the local time on a 24-hour scale). For the first time, the iconic square shape is completed with a bi-directional bezel. It enables the reading of the second time zone, but it can also show a third one. Rotating it clockwise subtracts hours and anti-clockwise adds hours.
The bezel is equipped with a 24-hour scale graduation. While the red section indicates daytime, the black backgrounds nighttime. Thus, the two-tone bezel provides a visual contrast / effect for discerning time reading and is made of anodized aluminum. £3,500. More HERE.
If your dad is a bit of a petrol head, the new special edition of the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph will certainly hit the spot. The original Carrera from 1963 was inspired by the instrument panel of a racing car.
The sporty design of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Special Edition is full of references to the history of the two brands…
This new version stays true to the original heritage of the watch, with a few variations to make it a bit more contemporary, such as its bigger size – 44 mm – and the red/black/white styling that mirrors Porsche’s racing colours. The asphalt effect on the dial was created especially for this watch to mimic the road. It even features a display caseback showing a winding rotor design that looks like the steering wheel of a Porsche 911.
Powered by the brand’s Heuer 02 automatic movement, the watch showcases a power reserve of 80 hours and a maximum 12-hour measure for the chronograph. Here featured with a stitched leather strap, it is also available on a steel bracelet. £4,850. More HERE.
Words: Julia Pasarón Opening picture: Olya Adamovich
Once again London Concours delighted us with an incredible display of nearly a hundred of the finest classic and performance cars ever produced.
Hosted at the Honourable Artillery Company garden in the heart of the City and basked in gorgeous summer sun, London Concours have gone the extra mile and besides a fabulous collection of cars, they’ve brought some really interesting pop-up boutiques like Anthony Sinclair (James Bond’s tailor), a marquee by Breguet displaying some of their finest timepieces and some other very interesting tents to help you lighten your bank account. Furthermore, the London Concours team even managed to arrange a solar eclipse for the closing day!
The iconic Jaguar E-Type, one of the most beautiful cars ever designed, turned 60 earlier this year…
From dazzling Bugattis to Jaguar E-Types (called by Enzo Ferrari “the most beautiful car ever made”), Porsches galore and even a Ferrari LaFerrari (a machine that makes 0-100km/h in under three seconds) and a Lotus Elite Type 14, an elegant two-seater coupé produced between 1958 and 1963, famous for its fiberglass monocoque construction.
With so much to admire and such beautiful weather, a visit or two to the Veuve Clicquot bar was a must (in my case… three, but who was counting?). Lunch was served by Searcys, Britain’s oldest catering company and total experts in organizing summer parties. I am sure their ancestors catered Gatsby’s parties.
On the first day, Awards and VIP day, car owners, VIP guests and media were invited to attend, complete with formal judging, an evening cocktail event and prize-giving. There were seven class winners and a best-of-the best presented during the evening party.
The proud owners of the Lotus Eleven LM50 which went on to win Best of Show. @CharlieB.
The Best of Show Award went to a Lotus Eleven LM50 which was a Team Lotus works entry, which raced at Rouen and Reims in 1957 driven by Herbert Mackay-Fraser. Other class winners included a Maserati Ghibli, a Ferrari F40 and an early Porsche 356 Carrera Coupé.
This year the Chairman of the Judges, Peter Read, also awarded the Chairman’s Award, based on the car that he would most like to drive home himself. This year the winner was a 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB/Comptezione Sefac Hot Rod, due to its wonderful pedigree and rich history in the hands of Stirling Moss and Graham Hill. I wouldn’t mind driving this home either.
The Chairman’s Award went to a 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB/Comptezione Sefac Hot Rod.
Day two was themed “Style Edition” and as such the focus was on design, fashion and luxury. On the final “Supercar Day”, we saw a collection of the latest performance innovators roll into the HAC, including Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and more, joining the collection of 70 vehicles already at the heart of the London Concours.
Our Editor Julia Pasarón and her friend Yvonne Francas wonder if they could take the Lotus Evija for a spin…
It has been indeed a remarkable three days. I can’t wait for Concours of Elegance in Hampton Court in early September.
