Monthly Archives: October 2010

Pagani Zonda 750 For one and only …

After the unexpected attraction Pagani Zonda’s special and highly collectible versions, the company decided to create the 750. If anything, the new Pagani stimulates the senses with a purple body and is based on the Cinque Roadster that produced in just five cars.

The changes are very small and located on the rear aerodynamic diffuser and the design of the crystal. The Italian supercar’s equipped with a V12 engine of 7,3 that will deliver at least 670 PS while 0-100 km / h is in about 3 sec.
This is the third one-off model built by Pagani as the previous two were acquired by a software developer in Chicago and a Royal family in Qatar. The hypercar follows the Zonda Uno and Zonda HH, both two brand new one-off models.

Swarovski, Tiffany Top Jewelry Brands for Digital: L2 Digital IQ Study

By JCK Staff

Swarovski and Tiffany and Co. were the top jewelry brands in the recently published L2 Digital IQ Index: Luxury. The index measured and ranked the digital performance of 72 luxury brands across four areas: effectiveness of a brand’s site, digital marketing, social media and mobile marketing.

The index ranked the Swarovski and Tiffany and Co. in the overall top ten, considering both to be “gifted.” The study credited Swarovski with being at the top of the watch and jewelry category and suggested the company would earn “genius” status if it created a mobile site or application. Tiffany and Co. was praised for threading the needle between commerce and brand building.

Retailers Tag Hauer, Longines and Hublot were ranked as “gifted.” Montblanc, Bulgari, Omega, Jaeger-Lecoultre, Piaget, Van Cleef & Arpels and David Yurman were considered “average.” Cartier, Raymond Weil, Rolex, Movado, Audemars Piguet, Harry Winston, IWC and Faberge were ranked as “challenged.” De Beers, Chopard, Vacheron Constantin, Baccarat, Patek Phillippe, Franck Muller, Graff, Bulova and Buccellati were considered “feeble”.

bonus media : Click image to View the 2010 Luxury Lab Index

What makes a Good Diamond?

Diamonds are classified based on four properties: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. These are known as the four Cs. The standards for each of these intrinsic properties has been set by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Let’s take a look at the first “C” – COLOR

Why does the GIA color grading system start at D?

Before GIA introduced the GIA D-Z Color Grading Scale, a variety of other symbols were loosely applied throughout the industry. Not only were A, B, and C used without clear definition, but some dealers, taking a cue from the poultry business perhaps, started grading their diamonds double A (AA). Other systems used numbers both Arabic (0, 1, 2, 3) and Roman (I, II, III). By far, the most confusing of all the systems relied on descriptive terms like “gem blue” or “blue white.” Terms like these are notoriously susceptible to misinterpretation. So the creators of the GIA Color Scale wanted to start fresh. They wanted symbols that would not have any association with earlier systems. Thus the GIA scale starts at the letter D. There may be some people still clinging to other grading systems, but no other system has the clarity and universal acceptance of the GIA scale.¹

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SSC Ultimate Aero II, Bugatti killer

by Jalopnik, images by Motor Authority

SSC Ultimate Aero II: First Photos Of America's Bugatti Fighter These exclusive first photos show the SSC Ultimate Aero II, the second generation of America’s fastest supercar. It’s gotta new look and a new mission: reclaim the title of world’s fastest production car from the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. There once was a time where the American-built SSC Ultimate Aero TT was the world’s fastest production car, hitting 256 mph with its 1,183-hp 6.2-liter V8. In fact, it was just a few weeks ago. But then ze Germans stepped in to steal the record with their fancy Veyron Super Sport and its 268 mph top speed. As soon as it happened the folks at Shelby SuperCars suddenly started talking about their plans for an even more ultimate Aero.

Its a major leap forward compared to the purposeful-yet-derivative styling of the original, taking the angular look now Saab designer Jason Castriota used on the Stile Bertone Mantide and combining it with the wind tunnel-formed sexy-slipperiness of the Ferrari P4/5 for a look familiar to übercar enthusiasts yet a stand-out from both previous looks.

bonus images by Motor Authority

Top 10 Most Expensive Watches

at Top10List

If you are amongst those who love only the best, no matter what- this list of the top 10 most expensive watches is a must-read!

1. Joaillerie 101 Manchette

These are manufactured by Jaeger-LeCoultre and are considered to be the most expensive watches in the world. The exalted Calibre 101 is hidden below a jewellery puzzle. One can check the time through the onyx, gold and diamond cobochons. The watch adorns 576 diamonds and 18-carat white gold. Other versions have 11 onyx cabochons and 400 diamonds. The price is not known as of now.

2. Tour de I’lle

These are manufactured by Vacheron Constantin and were first designed in the year 2005. These limited edition watches are said to have the most complicated design elements. The dial is made of 18-carat gold and the band is made of alligator skin and is hand-sewn. The buckle is made of pink gold. The features include sunset time, second time zone, minute repeater, tourbillon device and a perpetual calendar.

3. Big Bang Chronograph

These watches are manufactured by Hublot, Bunter SA. These watches are made especially for the elite sections and are known as Big Bang. A particular setting allows the material to disappear and one can only see the diamonds. They cost $1 million.

4. Classical Billionaire Tourbillion

These are manufactured by Corum. The watch shimmers with 850 diamonds and the skeleton hands and dials are dazzling. This manually wound watch has a power reserve of 90 hours and the features are completely unique. These cost $998,000 and only 10 pieces are produced.

5. Tecnica Skeleton Chronograph.

These watches are manufactured by Parmigiani Fleurier. The platinum casing is beautiful to look at and features like a tourbillon, chronograph and minute repeater make these watches truly appealing. They cost $850,000.

6. Grande Complication

These watches are manufactured by Blancpain. Features include split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, a winding mechanism which is automatic, tourbillon and moon phase. The band is made of crocodile skin. These exclusive wristwatches cost $785,000.

7. Opera One

These watches are manufactured by Girard-Perragaux. The band of each watch is made of alligator skin and includes a minute repeater, manual winding, an impressive power reserve as well as see-through backing. The best part about these watches is that it sounds each hour with tunes. They cost $495,000.

8. Double Tourbillion

These watches are manufactured by Breguet and are hand-engraved. An image of the solar system features in the design and the casing is made of 95% pure platinum. The hands are manually wound. The cost is estimated at $329,000.

9. Titanic Watches

These watches are manufactured by Romain Jerome and are created from the Titanic’s hull. The shipbuilding steel and the metal mixes together to create the casing of these watches. The coal that was burned in the furnaces of the ship was recovered and has been mixed with ceramics to make the black dials of the Titanic Watches. They cost $152,435

10. Zadora Timepieces

These watches are manufactured by Andreas von Zadora-Gerlof. Their latest collection includes a bee which is made of micro pave and oxidized palladium. Yellow and black diamonds adorn the bee, its eyes are made of emerald and a baroque south sea pearl peeks out of its mouth. This watch costs $150,000.

The Shops at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore creates new Luxury and Shopping Destination in Asia

Dubbed as Asia’s premium shopping destination, The Shops at Marina Bay Sands also celebrates the launch of its first retail exhibition, Objects of Desire. Showcasing exciting products, including an exclusive 17.43 carat diamond necklace and earring set from Van Cleef and Arpels, Objects of Desire is an exhibition of the diverse range of items available to shoppers heading to Marina Bay Sands. The uniquely designed retail mall with iconic canal running through it will be transformed into a catwalk for the week, where the most sought after items available at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands will be displayed.

The Shops at Marina Bay Sands has attracted leading brands like Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent who are offering shoppers products exclusive only to the Singapore market. Christian Dior’s La Mini D de Dior, a limited edition white gold and jade watch, with only ten pieces available worldwide, one of which can be found at its Asian flagship boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Fashion enthusiasts will discover another first as they enter the Italian luxury brand FENDI’s 340 square meter flagship store – the FENDI Baby and Men’s collection. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is truly a one-of-its kind retail destination. Over 125 stores are currently open with the remaining boutiques expected to open by the fourth quarter of 2010. September will see the target of 150 stores open. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands will feature over 300 retail stores and restaurants when fully completed.

*Video:the shoppes at marina bay sands creates new luxury and shopping destination in asia

Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort fronting Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world’s most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including cost of the prime land. With the casino complete, the resort features a 2,560-room hotel, a 120,000 sq.m. convention-exhibition centre, The Shoppes mall, an Art & Science museum, two Sands Theatres, six “celebrity chef” restaurants, two floating pavilions, a casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines. The complex is topped by a 340m-long SkyPark with a capacity of 3,900 people and a 150m infinity swimming pool, set on top of the world’s largest public cantilevered platform, which overhangs the north tower by 67m. The resort was officially opened with a two-day celebration on 23 June 2010 at 3.18 pm, after a partial opening earlier in April. It was, however, not finished at the time of the April opening, which was marked by numerous service failures. The museum, theatres and floating pavilions are still being built and are expected to be fully completed by December 2010.

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth Royal Naming Ceremony

The newest vessel is the third named Queen Elizabeth.

11 October 2010 -- Her Majesty The Queen officially names Cunard's Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth on Monday officially named a new British cruise ship after herself. “I name this ship Queen Elizabeth. May God bless her and all who sail in her,” she said during the ceremony in Southampton, on the south coast of England, where the Cunard ship is docked.

She then pressed a button that released a lever holding a bottle, which smashed against the side of the tall white ship with the trademark Cunard black-and-red smokestack.

British monarchs have launched seven ships bearing royal names since the Queen Mary in 1934. The newest vessel is the third named Queen Elizabeth.

The bottle used in Monday’s naming was white wine, not Champagne, according to CruiseCritic.com, which said that white wine was also used to launch the first two Queen Elizabeth ships. The wine used Monday, supplied by Rothschild Wines, is served on Cunard ships, CruiseCritic.com said.

The QE is nearly 1,000 feet long and boasts a capacity of over 2,000 passengers. It will embark on its maiden voyage to Portugal and the Canary Islands on Tuesday.

Great News for Space Travellers – Virgin Galactic’s Private Spaceship Makes First Solo Glide Flight

by Leonard David at Space.com

A private suborbital spaceship flew its first solo test flight today (Oct. 10) from Mojave Air and Space Port in California. Though the craft did not reach space, it was a major milestone for the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo, which flew in glide mode for some 15 minutes once released from its carrier plane, WhiteKnightTwo, according Bill Deaver, an eye-witness of the test flight.

”It was perfect landing,” Deaver told SPACE.com. “It looked just spectacular.” Once released from the huge mothership, two pilots controlled the SpaceShipTwo to a safe runway touchdown.Designed to carry six ticket-holding passengers, the suborbital spaceship is named VSS Enterprise. U.K. billionaire Richard Branson is backing the development of the spaceliner, establishing the Virgin Galactic firm to offer passengers suborbital treks at $200,000 a seat. To date, over 340 people have signed-up for flights to the edge of space.

bonus video : Virgin Galactic Unveils Commercial Spaceship

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Walk through some of the best Shows at the Paris Fashion Week ss 2011

The best fashion designers presented their creations for Spring / Summer 2011 Fashion Week in Paris within this week. From the controversial moments these days in Fashion Week, was the appearance of Beth Ditto in Jean Paul Gaultier fashion . The frontwoman of the famous group Gossip appeared on the catwalk with a creation of the French designer and performed the song “River Deep Mountain High”.

John Galliano impressed once again with his creations. Impressive were also the creations of Stella McCartney. Among the fashion shows presented at the Paris Fashion Week are those of Jean-Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Viktor & Rolf, Dior, Cacharel, Stella McCartney, Emanuel Ungaro, Marithe Francois Girbaud, Collette Dinnigan, Veronique Leroy, Vanessa Bruno , Gaspard Yurkievich, Cacharel, Estrella Archs, Lie Sang Bong, Akris, Lutz Huelle, Maison Martin Margiela, Tsumori Chisato, Issey Miyake, Alexis Mabille, Commuun, Leonard, Zucca, Chapurin, Martin Grant, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Shiatzy Chen, Thierry Colson and Marie Bishara. On Wednesday, October 6, last day of Fashion Week in Paris, showed their creations are: Elie Saab, Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Miu Miu.

Take a look in some of the Paris Fashion Week ss 2011 Shows. Enjoy!

Chanel

Défilé Yves Saint Laurent

Alexander McQueen

Dior Prêt-à-Porter

Louis Vuitton Prêt-à-Porter

Sotheby’s enables mobile bids in Upscale Auctions

By Peter Finocchiaro at Luxury Daily

British auction house Sotheby’s launched commerce-enabled applications for iPhone and iPad to let consumers bid on luxury items right from their mobile devices. Auction enthusiasts can use the application to browse current and upcoming auctions, view items and log-in to their Sotheby’s.com accounts to place absentee bids. The application is available for free in Apple’s App Store.

“This mobile application will help Sotheby’s extend its reach and connect with their customers at a regular frequency,” said Patrick Bouaziz, chief visionary officer at ILoveVelvet, New York. “As Sotheby’s is known for its auctions and selling one-of-a-kind pieces, this should help the high-end organization promote and preview these items as well as enhance its overall brand. “This specific application also allows the opportunity for mobile users to bid on current auctions – giving them a direct link to the auction house from anywhere at any time,” he said. “In addition, with most mobile applications of this nature, Sotheby’s has a chance to tap into its customer base to receive real-time feedback on changing wants and needs, allowing the company to meet market expectations.” ILoveVelvet did not develop the application for Sotheby’s, but agreed to speak as a third-party source. London-based Sotheby’s was not available for comment by press time. Sotheby’s is a 266-year-old auction house that specializes in auctioning off artwork, jewelry, antiques and other luxury goods.

Going once … going twice …
The Sotheby’s iPhone and the iPad applications include nearly identical functionality. The homepage lets users choose between sections devoted to upcoming auctions, auction results and Sotheby’s departments focused on different types of auction items, as well as a directory of other services offered by the auction house.

bonus video – not so recent but very significative

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