BLUE DANUBE by GRIEB & BENZINGER

 

“This amazing new GRIEB & BENZINGER is based on a gorgeous base movement originally made by Patek Philippe for Tiffany in about 1890. With a diameter of only 36.5 mm, this tremendous assembly of complications including a minute repeater and a split-seconds chronograph is rare in such a small movement. Keeping in mind that this movement is already about 120 years old, it is doubtlessly a sensation and tribute to historic watchmaking.

This extraordinary, complicated watch well displays the intense workmanship associated with the hand-engraving and guilloché as well as the hand-skeletonization modifications of plates and bridges which are also finished with rose gold or rhodium coating. Every single component must be treated and restored, some had to be entirely replaced and, of course, they all had to be reassembled to form one functional unit after treatment. The detailed restoration of the more than 400 components of this movement required intense attention and took more than 6 months. Taken comparison to the production of new movements, the treatment in the GRIEB & BENZINGER workshops is so intensive that it comes even close to a brand new production than just a restoration. And in fact it is not just restoration – it`s art at its finest.

A signature element of every single GRIEB & BENZINGER PLATINUM is the blue platinum coated base plate. This is to honor famous Abraham-Louis Breguet student Charles Oudin who has already built movements with blue base plates about 1820. The GRIEB & BENZINGER workshop is proud to own one of these rare original blue Oudin movements.

Since there were a striking amount of timepieces with blue base plates supplied by Swiss watch manufacturers (through Bovet and Charles Oudin among others) to imperial China of the Qing Dynasty under Emperors Jia Qing and Dao Guang, the BLUE DANUBE also symbolizes these historical roots.

The dial is another highlight and signature element of the BLUE DANUBE. Skeletonized by hand and with a rare Breguet frosted finish it unequivocally shows the connoisseur the technical prowess needed to turn such an historic movement into a new masterpiece.

The BLUE DANUBE is once again a breathtaking collector’s item: a minute repeater split-seconds chronograph in typical GRIEB & BENZINGER finish – a real one-of-a-kind watch. In a solid 43 mm diameter case, this unique timepiece is not only a design statement on the wrist but again the heaviest platinum watch of its kind worldwide and of course a piece of art for only one lucky collector worldwide for 350.000 € / US$ 450,000 

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Naeem Khan Spring 2012

            

Naeem Khan has done a great deal of connecting in his illustrious career. Now in his eighteenth season, his identifiable gowns are in stores and on women all over the world. His calling card is his special sense of how to fuse Indian textiles and techniques with Western glamor. In his Fall 2012 collection, that matchless fingerprint was on display for most of the show but their were two uncharacteristic elements that muddied the waters.

The collection for the most part was pure Naeem Khan, brilliant embroidery and bead work in metallics and jewel tones played off of dark backgrounds. The silhouette was primarily long and tight which, although it has emerged as the look of the season, has been Mr. Khan’s preference since he began. His focus this season was, as it always is, on the heavy and intricate ornamentation that he uses with great flair all over his work.

 Incredible prints that resembled tile mosaics were softened by their use on a delicate felt, which helped them achieve a luxurious easy elegance. Black, gold, silver, and pearl were in abundance, often done in very transparent looks which added a strong feel of sexuality, which is often lacking in glamorous evening wear in general. Naeem Khan doesn’t mind getting the heart racing a bit, and it’s a nice jolt when he does it. The odd deviation in the middle of the collection into high-volume bottom dot print dresses and skirts was a jolt of a different sort.

 

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By Kristina Mitrovic

The Leela Palace Udaipur India

When traveling to India there are only few properties that capture the essence of India combined with an ultimate luxury hospitality.

The Leela Palace in Udaipur overlooking the hills of  Aravalis on the banks of lake Pichola will indulge you in romantic atmosphere , beautiful landscape and high-end services. With only 80 rooms this boutique property offers complete privacy and calmness to travelers visiting it. All the rooms are spacious from 580 to 3552 square feet of the Maharaja suite in modern style combined with traditional elements.

You will find everything for perfect relaxation within the property a pool, ESPA spa, private gym and if you cannot be without contact with your business, all modern facilities as meeting rooms, business center etc are there.

Personal butler on every floor will make sure that nothing is missing during your stay.

 

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Bentley & St. Regis announce a global partnership

Bentley Motors is delighted to announce a global partnership with St Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The partnership underpins the heritage and world-class excellence of both brands, creating signature experiences for guests, residents and customers with driving programmes, special events, brand initiatives and house fleets at flagship hotels around the world.

 

Starwood’s luxury brands continue to grow globally and so does the global nature of our guests, said Paul James, Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. We are committed to providing experiences that far surpass their expectations, and this partnership with Bentley enables our discerning guests to explore must-see destinations in unparalleled style.

 

Bentley Continental Flying Spur models have been chosen as the house fleet for a new generation of luxury travellers at St. Regis hotels and resorts around the world, from The St. Regis Singapore and The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi to the brand’s flagship in New York. In October 2011, St. Regis hosted a bespoke Italian driving tour for Bentley model owners and guests of The St. Regis Rome and the newly opened St. Regis Florence.

 Bentley Continental Flyng Spur outside The St Regis Singapore

 

The Continental Flying Spur combines the exquisite design and peerless craftsmanship for which Bentley is renowned with the dynamics and power of the Continental GT to provide a luxurious and potent motoring experience that has attracted a new breed of discerning customers to the marque.

The ability to undertake long journeys in great comfort has been the hallmark of every Bentley, and never has that been better demonstrated than in the iconic R-Type Continental from 1952 and its four-door descendant, the Continental Flying Spur.

  Continental Flying Spur

The model has continued the Bentley bloodline of sporting Grand Tourers derived from the original elegant yet powerful 1957 Continental Flying Spur. Similarly inspired by the most desirable coupé of its day, it delivers awesome performance as well as extraordinary comfort and elegance. Both attributes harmonise with the expectations of discerning Starwood guests.

At Bentley, we are committed to maintaining our position as the definitive British luxury car company said Joe Ashworth, head of customer relations at Bentley Motors. It is therefore important that we partner with a pinnacle brand that underpins our own values of craftsmanship, style and sophistication. Our current and prospective customers recognise the heritage of both brands, and with Starwood’s Luxury Brands we aim to broaden the appeal and experience of Bentley.

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, a portfolio of 80 hotels and resorts in over 35 countries, offers unparalleled engagement with some of the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Through this partnership, Bentley staged its global media drive of the Continental Flying Spur in 2005 at the Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Venice. In February this year, Bentley unveiled its newest Continental GT and GTC V8 models at the award-winning Marques de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Ilciego, Spain.

This month, The Luxury Collection and Bentley extend their partnership to Austria with an inaugural drive. The scenic Springtime Bentley Grand Tour from Vienna to Salzburg will last two days and offers guests an incomparable way to experience the country. The journey will showcase four iconic Luxury Collection Hotels including the Hotel Imperial in Vienna and the Schloss Fuschl in Salzburg. The participants of the exclusive drive will have two astonishing options to explore the route through Austria. Both the Continental W12 and the Continental V8 impress with their very own distinctive drive characteristics.

Through signature programmes such as St. Regis Aficionado, Journeys by The Luxury Collection and SPG Moments, Starwood will continue to create opportunities for its guests to experience exhilarating driving programmes around the world with Bentley and offer insider access to once-in-a-lifetime St. Regis and Luxury Collection experiences.