Hublot and Sports: football (Manchester United), Ski (Bode Miller) and Polo ( Miguel Novillo Astrada).

(Hublot Red Devil Bang, Manchester United)

In 1980, when Carlo Crocco created the Hublot watch in gold fitted with the first natural black rubber strap in the history of matchmaking, the watch proved to be a market success and laid the basis for the watch manufacture. It took 3 years of research to create the strap and to preserve Hublot’s personality and extend its range to include an array of collections.

In 2008, Hublot agreed a sponsorship deal with the football club Manchester United, worth £4 million a year. Manchester United Football Club is an English football club, based at Old Trafford in Trafford, Greater Manchester. It is one of the most popular football clubs in the world. Manchester United was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, and has played in the top division of English football since 1938, with the exception of the 1974–75 season. Average attendances at the club have been higher than any other team in English football for all but six seasons since 1964–65.

In order to celebrate Manchester United’s 130^th anniversary, Hublot issued the Red Devil Bang watch, crafted from satin-polished black ceramic, the Hublot Red Devil Bang measures 44.5mm in diameter and features a strap in ribbed black rubber. Unique to the Red Devil Bang are bezel lugs in red composite resin; these eye-catching accents echo the dial details, most notably the Manchester United logo at 3 o’clock. It also features a 45-minute chronograph counter, specifically engineered to measure the halves of a football match, and it is fitted with glare-proofed sapphire crystals. It is water resistant to 100 meters.

(Hublot All Black Skis)

Hublot is also related to ski and so, related to ski manufacturer Zai, they produced their All Black skis which bring carbon fiber, fibreglass, steel, rubber and Graubunden stone together for a “faster and more dynamic” glide down the Alpine slopes.

In addition to ski, Hublot is Bode MNiller, the American 2008 Overall World Cup title holder, sponsor.

(HublotBig Bang Chronograph from the Polo Gold Cup Gstaad limited series)

According to other sports, in August Hublot became familiar to polo field for the first time lending its name to an Argentinean polo team headed by ambassador Miguel Novillo Astrada.

Before Polo Gold Cup held in Gstaad, the company presented winners of the Gstaad Palace with a Big Bang chronograph from the Polo Gold Cup Gstaad limited series.

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Filed under: Hublot, Hublot and Manchester United, Hublot and Polo, Hublot and Ski, Hublot Big Bang 41mm, Hublot Big Bang 44mm, Hublot Big Bang King, Hublot Bigger Bang 44mm, Hublot Classic, Hublot Watch, Hublot Watches, Manchester United, Manchester United and Hublot, Mens, Timepiece, Watch, Watches, Watches and Sports, wristwatches

King Alexander I of Yugoslavia’s Vacheron Constantine

Alexander I Karagjordgevic of the Royal House of Karagjordgevic, was the first king of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1929 – 1934) as well as the last king of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (1921–29).

Alexander was born in Cetinje in Montenegro in December 1988 as the second son of Prince Pietro Karagjordgevic , the later to become King Peter I of Serbia and also of Zorka of Montenegro.

Even though he was not the first in line for the throne, his elder brother, Crown Prince George, was considered unstable by most political forces in Serbia and after two notable scandals (one of which occurred in 1909 when he kicked his servant, who consequently died), Prince George was forced to renounce his claim to the throne. So, Alexander, became heir to the throne in 1909. On 8 June 1922, he married to Princess Mary of Romania, the daughter of King Ferdinand of Romania.

Alexander I Karagjordgevic

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 412770, case No 256398. Made in 1931.

Three members of his family died on a Tuesday, so Alexander refused to undertake any public functions on that day, But, on Tuesday 9 October 1934 having no choice while arriving in Marseille for a state visit to the Third French Republic, together with the French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou, a man in the crowd shot the King, the Minister and the chauffeur. This was the first assassination captured on film.

After Alexander’s assassination, as his son Peter II was still a minor, Peter’s uncle Pavle Karagjoordgevic took the regency of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia until Peter reached adulthood. Peter was to become the last King of Yugoslavia, fleeing to London in 1941 when the Nazis attacked and occupied his country.

Alexander I Karagjordgevic

Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 412770, case No 256398. Made in 1931.
18K white and yellow gold jump hour, wandering minute keyless Art Deco presentation dress watch with enamel coat of arms for Alexander I Karagjordgevic.

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Filed under: Luxury, luxury watches, Vacheron Constantin, Vacheron Constantin Watches, Watch, Watches, wristwatches

Audemars Piguet and Sports: golf, basketball, cricket or sky

Even though when having to relate Audemars Piguet to ssport we would usually think about it Royal Oak Offshore and its connection to the ocean, the luxurious wristwatch company is also related to other sports such as: golf, basketball, cricket or sky.

According to basketball, the company has honoured the dominating championship Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal with its Royal Oak Offshore Shaquille O’Neal edition.

(Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal)

Audemars Piguet’s legendary Royal Oak Offshore proves that this design is one of the greatest in high luxury sports watches. Introduced more than twelve years ago as a variation to their already successful Royal Oak watch collection, Audemars Piguet produced a watch which further expanded boundaries in both luxury and size, paving the way for much of todays current celebration of boldly dimensioned watches, as well as the enthusiastic acceptance of unconventional materials such as carbon fibre or rubber for luxury timepieces. The Offshore watch collection from Audemars Piguet encompasses everything from an automatic chronograph with date, to an automatic chronograph with full perpetual calendar and moonphases. Stunning limited editions such as the Offshore Alinghi Polaris or the Offshore Rubens Barrichello series incorporate innovative materials or technical solutions that are refreshingly unconventional, yet perfectly in tune with the ethic of perfection that Audemars Piguet has pursued as a manufacturer of haute horlogerie since its founding in 1875.

Regarding to cricket, Sachin “Little Master” Tendulkar was Audermars Piguet’s ambassador for years because of its exceptional punch style of hitting the ball.

(Sachin “Little Master” Tendulkar)

According to golf, more than ten ambassadors represent the company like the open champion Cristie Kerr, Nick Faldo, Vijay Singh or Morgan Pressel

(Cristie Kerr)

The Royal Oak Offshore watch line from Audemars Piguet demonstrates Audemars Piguet’s ability to cultivate classic designs which continue to captivate watch lovers. Offered in a variety of metals, including steel, titanium, gold, and platinum, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watch collection shows off the immaculate finish work that has long distinguished the Royal Oak watch line.

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Filed under: Audemars Piguet, Audemars Piguet Watches

Omega’s 40th Lunar Landing Anniversary: Buzz Aldrin and the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph.

Edwin Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin was born on January 20, 1930. Buzz is an engineer, retired United States Air Force pilot and astronaut who was the Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 11, the first lunar landing. He was the second person to set foot on the Moon, following his mission commander Neil Armstrong.

Aldrin was selected as part of the third group of NASA astronauts in October 1963 being promoted to back-up crew for the mission. According to different NASA accounts, he had originally been proposed as the first to step onto the Moon’s surface, but due to the physical positioning of the astronauts inside the compact Lunar Landing Module, it was easier for the commander, Neil Armstrong, to be the first to exit the spacecraft.

Aldrin is a Presbyterian and an active freemason. After landing on the moon, Aldrin radioed earth: “I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours, and to give thanks in his or her own way.” He received Communion on the surface of the Moon, but kept it secret because of a lawsuit brought by atheist activist Madalyn Murray O’Hair over the reading of Genesis on Apollo 8.

Buzz Aldrin joined Omega CEO Stephen Urquhart at Omega’s Flagship Boutique in New York last June in order to mark the anniversary of the lunar landing. He spoke about the importance of keeping and active speace tourism programm and, of course, lunar exploration, including artists and writers so that thet can reflect on the experience.

Omega has been an active participant on NASA’s programs and, because of being moonlanding’s 40th anniversary, the wristwatch company focuses on its iconic Speedmaster Chronograph along with President John F. Kennedy (the one who promoted United States’ lunar landing.

Omega Speedmaster Chronograph

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Filed under: Buzz Aldrin, Luxury, luxury watches, Moon, Omega, Omega Moon, Omega Moon Watch, Omega Speedmaster, Omega Watch, Omega Watches, Ref., Stainless Steel, Watch, Watches, wristwatches

TOP FIVE: Sports Watches at BASEL 2009

HAMILTON Khaki GMT Air Race Watch

Model Number – H77695733

Case – Stainless Steel

Bracelet – Leather

Sapphire Glass

Dial Colour – Black

Movement Type – Auatomatic Cal. 2893-1

Case Width 42mm

Water Resistant to 200m

Swiss Made

Available – February 2010

Price: $1.045
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Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch

Tribute to American captain Philip Van Horn Weems.

Movement: Automatic L699 /ETA A07 111)

Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds, moving central dial to synchronize the second with the radio time signal.

Case: 47.5 mm rose gold

Dial: Lacquered white with silvered opaline central dial and blued steel hands

Bracelet: Brown alligator with Charleston buckle and an extension piece

Price: $3,950.

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Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M

Created to withstand deep dives.

Movement: Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500, COSC certified.

Case: 45-mm x 54 mm steel with automatic helium escape valve, locking bezel with orange pusher.

Bracelet: Brushed mesh or rubber strap in a choise of black or orange, divers extension with safety claso.

Dial: Lacquered black

Price: $8,800 to $9,000.

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TAG Heuer Aquaracer 500M

Movement: TAG Heuer Calibre 5 (ETA 2836-2) automatic

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date

Case: 43mm steel with rubber-topped unidirectional bezel and six gripping studs, 500 meters water resistace, automatic helium release valve, rose gold case available

Dial: Blue or black with vertical streak effect

Bracelet: Steel or black rubber with driving extension

Price: $2.450.

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Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Titanium

Movement : Automatic UN-26 Caliber, COSC-certified

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, large date, power reserve indicator

Case : 45mm titanium and pink gold, 200 m water resistance

Dial: Black guilloche with wave motifs and red accents

Strap: Rubber with two elements in pink gold or titanium with matching folding clasp

Price: $18,900

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Filed under: Hamilton, Hamilton Khaki, Hamilton Watch, Hamilton Watches, Longines, Longines Watch, Longines Watches, Longines Weems Second-Setting Watch, Omega, Omega Seamaster, Omega Seamaster Ploprof, Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M, Omega Seamaster Professional, Omega Watch, Omega Watches, TAG, tag heuer, Tag Heuer and Sports, TAG Heuer Aquaracer, Tag Heuer Watch, tag heuer watches, Ulysse Nardin, Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver Titanium, Ulysse Nardin Watch, Ulysse Nardin Watches, Watch, Watches, Water resistant, wristwatches

Watches in Movies: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), Stranger Than Fiction (2006), Pulp Fiction (1994), Rambo (2008) and Push (2009).

Anthony Zimmer (2005)

In Paris, the international police force together with the Russian mafia is trying to chase Anthony Zimmer, a man responsible for laundry of dirty money in France. The only means of reaching Zimmer is through his beloved mistress Chiara, who is under surveillance of the police and the mobsters.

IWC Limited Edition Portuguese Chronograph

Chiara (Sophie Marceau) is wearing a IWC Portuguese

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Agent James Bond 007 is on a mission that includes a media magnate, his former lover and a Chinese agent. Bond gains the helping of Wai Lin on his quest to stop him, but how will Bond feel when he meets up with his former lover, who is know Carver’s wife.

Omega Seamaster Professional

An x-ray of an Omega Seamaster from the opening credits.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Harold Crick is your average IRS agent: monotonous, boring and repetitive. One day Harold begins to hear an author inside his head narrating his life.

Timex Ironman

Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) wears a Timex Ironman

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega are two hit men up to retrieve a suitcase stolen from their employer, mob boss Marsellus Wallace. Wallace has also asked Vincent to take his wife Mia out a few days later when Wallace himself will be out of town. Butch Coolidge is an aging boxer who is paid by Wallace to lose his next fight. The lives of these seemingly unrelated people are woven together comprising of a series of funny, bizarre and uncalled-for incidents.

Lancet WWI Trench Watch

A close-up shot of the watch worn

Rambo (2008)

In Thailand, John Rambo is living peacefully capturing snakes and transporting people and cargo in an old boat. But when he joins a group of mercenaries to venture into war-torn Burma and rescue a group of Christian aid workers who were kidnapped by the ruthless local infantry unit. Rambo refuses, but is convinced by another member, Sarah Miller, to take them up there. When the aid workers are captured by the Burmese army, Rambo decides to venture alone into the war zone to rescue them.

Panerai Marina Base PVD

Rambo (Sylvester Stalone) wears a Panerai Marina Base in PVD

Push (2009)

A group of young American ex-pats with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities are hiding from a clandestine U.S. government agency. They must utilize their different talents and band together for a final job enabling them to escape the agency forever.

Swiss Navy Chronograph

Filed under: 1, Luxury, luxury watches, Omega, Omega Seamaster, Omega Seamaster Professional, Omega Watch, Omega Watches, Panerai, Panerai Marina Base PVD, Panerai Watch, Panerai Watches, Pulp Fiction, Push, Ramb, Ref., Stranger Than Fiction, Timepiece, Timex Ironman, Tomorrow Never Dies, Watch, Watches, Watches in Movies, Watches in Series, Water resistant, Womens, wristwatches, WWI Trench Watch

Bulgari-Bulgari Collection The New Sotirio 2009 and The First Bulgari-Bulgari Moon Phase Ladies Watch

The New Sotirio 2009 collection comes in three versions: an annual calendar, a perpetual calendar and a Tourbillon. In all of them, tradition and modern design, get to be the unified elements for an elegant look. The new Bulgari Sotirio watches are new versions of formal watches, in this collection, particularly without the double Bulgari logo. They emerge like unique pieces featuring manufacture movements, dials finished with exclusive treatments and a distinctive design of their cases. On its 125th anniversary, Bulgari dedicated this collection to Bulgari’s founder, a multicultural pioneer businessman called Sotirio Bulgari.

One of these three special models is the Sotirio Bulgari Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel. This Bulagari model merges the functions of an automatic Tourbillon function with a perpetual calendar and an innovative display that features double coaxial retrograde hands. It also features a BVL 465 Caliber movement. This movement can be appreciated through its transparent case-back. This sophisticated Sotirio Bulgari Tourbillon Quantième Perpétuel watch is offered in a limited edition of 30 pieces.

Another watch coming from this new Bulgari collection is the Sotirio Bulgari Quantième Annuel model. This wristwatch is equipped with the Bulgari 360 Caliber movement and enriched with by an annual calendar function with 225° retrograde date. It is available in a limited edition of 250 pieces for the 18Kt pink gold case version or 125 limited pieces for the version in 18Kt white gold, both with elegant crocodile leather straps.

Finally, the last of the three new models is the Sotirio Bulgari Date Retrograde, which 150° retrograde module, has been developed and produced by Bulgari. Made for commemorate the Bulgari’s 125th Anniversary, this special tiempiece carries the Sotirio Bulagari’s signature on its flip-over back case studied to reveal the movement. This model is offered in three limited editions of 125 pieces each one: in 18k pink gold, yellow gold and white gold, all equipped with the Bulgari 250 Caliber.

Bulfari 2009: The First Bulgari-Bulgari Moon Phase Ladies Watch.

The new 2009 Bulgari collection resumes the brand’s philosophy: exquisite craftsmanship, original design details and technical excellence. This year the Bulgari-Bulgari collection, the icon of the Bulgari watch line, was updated with a new ladies model: the Bulgari-Bulgari Moon Phase. This watch has a unique rotating indicator that depicts the phases of the moon. This complication continuously tracks the movement of the moon and also appears against a background of shimmering mother of pearl.

In this exclusive version, the 38 mm case has the characteristically linear and contemporary design of the Bulgari-Bulgari collection. The white mother-of-pearl dial is decorated with diamond pave and hand-applied markers. This Bulgari timepiece is water resistant up to a depth of 30 meters and it features an automatic B77 Calibre mechanical movement with a 42-hour power reserve. It also marks the phases of the moon and is decorated by Cote de Geneve and Perlage treatments. A white alligator strap with folding steel buckle completes the ultra-feminine appeal of the watch.

The Bulgari-Bulgari line, characterized by the famous double signature on bezel, has been expanded in 2009 with this luxurious model that unites the glamour of diamonds and of mother of pearl with the prestigious watchmaking complication of the Moon Phase. Moreover, this is the first time that Bulgari creates a Ladies model with this complication.

Filed under: bulgari, Bulgari Watch, bulgari watches, Bulgari-Bulgari Moon Phase Ladies, Bvulgari, First Bulgari-Bulgari Moon Phase Ladies, The First Bulgari-Bulgari Moon Phase Ladies Watch

Luxurious Hotels in Movies: Lost in Translation, Casino Royale, The Darjeeling Limited, Pretty Woman and The Rock

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The Park Hyatt Tokyo

The Park Hyatt is one of the top 5 hotels in Tokyo and, because of this fact, Sofia Coppola included it in her film Lost in Translation, starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The movie is set in this luxurious hotel where the main characters look to discover their true selves exploring themes of loneliness, alienation, existential ennui and culture shock against the background of the modern Japanese cityscape.

Lost in Translation is a 2003 comedy-drama film starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson which was the second feature film written and directed by Sofia Coppola, after The Virgin Suicides. Lost in Translation was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Bill Murray and Best Director for Sofia Coppola. Coppola won Best Original Screenplay.

The Bellagio Resort, Las Vegas

The Bellagio Resort has seen some of the most on-screen time of any hotel. Aside from all of the Ocean’s films, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, you can find the Bellagio in numerous places. Check out Dodgeball, Head of State and Knocked Up to see this great hotel.

Grand Hotel Pupp, Czech Republic

This hotel was the fictional Hotel Splendide in the Bond film Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig. In reality, the Pupp is in the Czech Republic in one of Europe’s leading spa towns. Grand Hotel Pupp is the premier getaway for stress relief near Prague.

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming is the first James Bond novel. It would eventually pave the way for thirteen other novels by Fleming himself in addition to two short story collections, followed by many ‘continuation’ Bond novels by other authors.

Hotels de Chevaliers, France

In Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited, Natalie Portman and Jason Schwartzman star in Hotel Chevalier. This short film reveals a long-term relationship between the characters and it sets the groundwork for Anderson’s latest feature. From the beginning, the hotel can easily be seen as one of the luxurious locations in France.

The Darjeeling Limited is a 2007 drama-comedy film directed by Wes Anderson, and starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman. It was written by Anderson, Schwartzman, and Roman Coppola. The film also stars Waris Ahluwalia, Amara Karan, Barbet Schroeder and Anjelica Huston, with Natalie Portman, Camilla Rutherford, Irfan Khan and Bill Murray in cameo roles.

Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills

This Beverly Hills Four Seasons is the location for most of Pretty Woman. Julia Roberts enjoyed all that it had to offer and throughout the film and it has become an icon in this Hollywood city. Roberts, alongside Richard Gere, show the audience why the Beverly Wilshire is the place to stay.

Pretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy film. The film centers on down-on-her-luck prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) who is hired by a wealthy businessman and corporate raider, Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) to be his escort for several business functions, and their developing relationship. Pretty Woman was such a critical success that soon became one of the 1990’s highest grossing films, and today is one of the most financially successful entries in the romantic comedy genre, with an estimated gross of $464 million USD.

The Fairmont San Francisco

San Francisco’s iconic hotel since 1907, the Fairmont is considered the White House of the west coast because nearly every president has stayed there. The Rock, starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage, features this hotel as Connery’s place to stay throughout the film. His $12,000 a night, 6,000 square-foot suite even features a grand piano.

The Rock is a 1996 action film that primarily takes place on Alcatraz Island, and the San Francisco Bay area. It was directed by Michael Bay, director of Bad Boys, and stars Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, and Ed Harris. It was produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, producers of Top Gun and Crimson Tide, and released through Disney’s Hollywood Pictures. The film is dedicated to producer Don Simpson, who died five months before its release.

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Filed under: Luxurious Hotels in Movies, Luxury, Luxury Hotels, Movies

Perpetual motion reinvented. Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos 56

(Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos 56)

The world’s only clock movement that runs on thin air has reached its eightieth birthday. The Atmos 561 was created to celebrate this landmark occasion; it is completely balanced and simple according to its design.

Since its invention, the Atmos has embodied the passion of its creator, Jean Leon Reutter. Designer Marc Newson, who has always been fascinated by the Atmos clock, has designed its case as a Baccarat crystal bubble, which brings out its ethereal nature, lends it a futuristic elegance and catapults it into the ranks of today’s great designs. This exceptional clock is being made in a limited series of 888 pieces. The Atmos 561 illustrates the creativity of its designer.

Born in Australia, 44-year-old Marc Newson was the one who, long attracted to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s legendary clock, one day contacted the Grande Maison and offered a design for it. This suggestion was greeted with immediate enthusiasm: Jaeger- LeCoultre accepted his offer. In the Atmos 561 Newson managed to capture, in the staggering innovative power of his interpretation, the very essence of the Atmos clock, which for eighty years has symbolised the dream of quasi perpetual motion.

TECHNICAL DATA:

Movement:
mechanical,
almost perpetual,
Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 561,
crafted and assembled by hand
284 parts
annular balance,
60-second oscillation period

Functions:
hour,
minute,
month,
moon phase

Dial:
metal moon with circular-polished finish
white and black metal moon disc

Hands:
Blued aluminium

Cabinet:
bubble shaped, made by the Baccarat crystal makers

Dimensions:
276 mm x 250 mm x 163 mm
Limited series of 888

Reference: 516 51 01

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Filed under: Jaeger Lecoultre, Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos, Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos 56, Jaeger Lecoultre Watch, Jaeger Lecoultre Watches, Luxury, luxury watches, NEW, NEW Jaeger LeCoultre, Ref., Timepiece, Watch, Watches, wristwatches

The quietest Orange County Chopper: the electric Siemens Smart Chopper

The Orange County Choppers surprised us when Paul Teutul, Snr, presented the company’s – and perhaps the world’s – first all-electric chopper. Commissioned by Siemens and built using recycled steel, LED lighting and environmentally-friendly water-based paints, the Siemens Smart Chopper features a 27hp brushless motor good for a top speed in excess of 100mph and enough battery life for a 60-mile range.

The Siemens Smart Chopper is perhaps the most unusual sticking to a reasonably familiar set of lines – raked-out front end, fat, exposed rear wheel, wide bars and swooping curves – but there’s no gas-guzzling, roaring power plant to act as the centerpiece.

Siemens plans to auction the bike off in 2010 to support environmentally focused charity groups.

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Filed under: Electric Siemens Smart Chopper, Luxury, Luxury Motorbike, The quietest Orange County Chopper

The Park Hyatt (Shanghai): the world’s highest hotel.

The Park Hyatt, Shanghai, has just taken the mantle of the world’s highest hotel. The Jin Mao Tower it’s about 40 meters taller than the Empire State Building in NYC in which the Park Hyatt Shanghai occupies floors 79 to 93 of the Shanghai World Financial Center (the tallest tower in China at a massive 492 meters). Its stand rates start at around US$320 per night and ramp up to nearly US$13K for the stunning Chairman Suite.

There may be hotels with nicer views, but there’s no hotel on Earth that lets you look down from a greater height than the brand spanking new 6-star Park Hyatt Shanghai. Situated on a bend in the Huangpu river, every room at the Park Hyatt makes full use of its positioning, with floor to ceiling glass windows. You can look out on the misty city below, the enormous Jin Mao tower across the road – which is the second tallest building in mainland China – and the Oriental Pearl TV tower.

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Filed under: Luxury, Luxury Hotels, The Most, The Most Expensive

Ayrton Senna da Silva Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date No. N333668, Ref. 16613

(Rolex Oyster Perpetual No. N333668, Ref. 16613. Sold on July 17th, 1992 to Ayrton Senna da Silva)

Ayrton Senna da Silva, was born in São Paulo on March 21^st , 1960 and died in Bologna Italy on May 1^st , 1994. Ayrton was a Brazilian race car driver and three-time Formula One world champion. He was killed in a crash while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and still remains the most recent Grand Prix driver to die at the wheel of a Formula One car.

Senna began his motorsport career in karting and moved up the ranks to win the British Formula 3 championship in 1983. Making his Formula One debut with Toleman in 1984, he then moved to Lotus-Renault the following year and won six Grands Prix over the next three seasons. In 1988 he joined Frenchman Alain Prost at McLaren-Honda. Between them, Senna and Prost won fifteen out of the sixteen Grands Prix which took place that season, with Senna winning his first World Championship, a title he would go on to win again in 1990 and 1991. McLaren’s performance declined in 1992, as the Williams-Renault combination began to dominate the sport, although Senna won five races to finish as runner-up in 1993. He moved to Williams in 1994, but suffered a fatal accident at the third race of the season at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Italy.

Senna is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One. He was recognised for his qualifying speed over one lap and held the record for most pole positions from 1989 to 2006. He was among the most talented drivers in extremely rain-affected conditions, as shown by his performances in the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, and the 1993 European Grand Prix. He also holds the record for most victories at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix (6) and is the third most successful driver of all time in terms of race wins. However, Senna courted controversy throughout his career, particularly during his turbulent rivalry with Alain Prost, which was marked by two championship-deciding collisions at the 1989 and 1990 Japanese Grands Prix.

Active years 1984–1994

Teams Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, Williams

Races 162 (161 starts)

Championships 3 (1988, 1990, 1991)

Wins 41 Podiums 80 Career points 610 (614)

Pole positions 65

Fastest laps 19

First race 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix

First win 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix

Last win 1993 Australian Grand Prix

Last race 1994 San Marino Grand Prix

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Filed under: Ayrton Senna da Silva, Ayrton Senna da Silva Rolex, Luxury, luxury watches, Rolex, Rolex 2009, Rolex Ayrton Senna da Silva, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, Rolex Watch, rolex watches, Watch, Watches, wristwatches

The most designed boat in the world: Coming soon, the new and improved Auto Express 102.

Shipbuilder Austal is launching a refined version of its past trimaran boat that improves sea-keeping, passenger comfort and fuel efficiency. Austal trimaran next generation: the Auto Express 102 it’s a 102 meter boat which will be launched in October. It will be able to carry 1165 passengers, 245 cars and 190 lane meters for trucks, travel at 39 knots, and has a 630 nautical mile range.
Even Austal delivered the worlds fastest and largest aluminium boat to the Canary Islands in 2005, the work didn’t stop there. Benchijigua (the previous model) operated for over a year with a lot of instrumentation on board, getting-together data and as the same operator runs both catamarans in the same area, Austal could make direct comparisons.
In developing the trimaran, Austal discovered a number of unexpected pluses along the way. It is said to have greater speed for the same cargo weight and the same power compared to a monohull and a catamaran. Of course it also has better passenger comfort (less sea-sickness) and also a better sea-keeping ability.
Austal also found the trimaran could operate at high speed in much higher wave heights. There also proved to be less slamming, water hitting the hull, which causes huge loads on a catamaran’s structure making the whole structure vibrate.
A number of refinements will make the 102 an even better ride. Among these, the radical use of T-foil stabilizers, horizontal wings that help control pitching, on each angle. This T-foil stabilizers will feature sensors on board that sense that one corner’s coming up, so it sends a signal to the wing to provide a force down.

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Filed under: Auto Express 102, Luxury, Luxury Trimaran, The Most

Watches in Series: America’s Next Top Model, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, Dr. House, Heroes and Grey’s Anatomy.

America’s Next Top Model

America‘s Next Top Model (known as well as Top Model or ANTM) is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America’s Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modelling industry.

Nigel Barker – Rolex DateJust – America’s Next Top Model.

J. Alexander –  Rolex –  America’s Next Top Model.

CSI: Miami

CSI: Miami (Crime Scene Investigation: Miami) is a spin-off of the CBS network series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The series is an American crime drama television series that trails the investigations of a team of Miami-Dade forensic scientists as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths and other crimes.

Lieutenant Horatio Caine (David Caruso) – Ritmo Mundo Ponce.

CSI: New York

CSI: NY (Crime Scene Investigation: New York) is an American police procedural television series premiered on September 22, 2004. It was the second spin-off, indirectly, from the popular CBS show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and directly from CSI: Miami, during an episode of which several of the CSI: NY characters made their first appearance.

Dr. Sheldon Hawkes (Hill Harper) – Kobold – CSI: NY.

House

Gregory House, M.D., is a fictional character and protagonist of the American medical drama House. Portrayed by Hugh Laurie, the character is a maverick medical genius with two specializations, in infectious diseases and nephrology. He works as the Chief of Diagnostic Medicine at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital heading a team of diagnosticians.

Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) – Hamilton Khaki King

Heroes

Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring. The series begins by telling the stories of apparently ordinary individuals who mysteriously develop superhuman abilities and who then seek to use them to prevent the end of the world as foreseen in images produced by a precognitive painter.

Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar) – Rolex Submariner

Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy is an American medical drama television series that follows the lives of five surgical interns, later residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. Besides their careers the series also follows their personal lives.

Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) – Panerai PAM 196 Chronograph.

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Daniel Roth’s history

Daniel Roth is a watchmaking company based in the Vallée de Joux, in Switzerland. The company was created in 1989 and was acquired by the Bulgari Group in 2000.

Daniel Roth has workshops in both Le Sentier as well as in Geneva, which it shares with its sister company Gerald Genta.

Daniel Roth is known for its complicated watches, including a tourbillon with an 8-day power reserve, the instantaneous perpetual calendar and the Westminster Grande Sonnerie Carillon, which is the only automatic four-gong chiming wristwatch in production.

When Daniel Roth, a talented watchmaker trained in traditional Swiss fine watchmaking decided to found his own brand, he was already known and acknowledged among connoisseurs and collectors of complicated watches. He soon created a distinctive brand merging an inventive spirit and a passion for complications with a keen sense of aesthetics and refinement, particularly expressed in the dial workmanship and movement decoration. In 2000, the Bulgari group acquired this exceptional brand and developed it in harmony with its founder’s inimitable style and expertise.

It was in 1989 when Daniel Roth Launched the first Tourbillon Double Face developed by Daniel Roth in cooperation with Nouvelle Lémania (Calibre 187).

One year later, the Automatic Column-Wheel Chronograph (Calibre 147) was launched in its classic and skeletonised versions, as well as an Hours and Minutes model (Calibre 107) with ultra-thin self-winding movement, measuring just 2.4 mm thick and 27.4 mm in diameter.

In 1991, it was the ultra-thin self-winding calibre’s turn (Calibre 167) with only a 1.73 mm thick and 23.3 for its diameter.

In 1992, the Retrograde Jumping Hours model was created with small seconds at 6 o’clock (Calibre 127).

Daniel Roth Perpetual Calendar was launched in 1993. (Calibre 117).

Two years late, the Brand’s first striking model was launched, together with the Minute Repeater with Perpetual Calendar and Moon Phases (Calibre 189).

Minute Repeater Ultra-Thin watch was launched in 1998 by Daniel Roth (Calibre 307), an exceptional timepiece just 7.35 mm thick.

1999: Creation of the Papillon (Calibre 317) with Jumping Hours, retractable Minute hands and central Small Seconds.

The Metropolitan was launched with the beginning of the century in 2000. The Calibre 857 was developed in-house by the Manufacture. This model enables ideal visibility and simplified time-zone change.

The 8-Day Tourbillon (200-hour power reserve) was created in 2002. With its twin-faced movement and pivoting case (Calibre 197), this model symbolises the Daniel Roth brand.

The first Grande Sonnerie Tourbillon Automatic 4 hammers was presented by Daniel Roth, to mark the Brand’s 15th anniversary.

In 2005, the new Ellipsocurvex Minute Repeater was launched, entirely developed, built and assembled in-house.

In 2006 was the first Athys model launching with shaped case, Roman numerals, precious materials, three-armed seconds hands and finely decorated movement. Launch of the new Metropolitan Dual Time. Launch of a new improved version of the 8-Day Tourbillon.

2007 was the year in which the Tourbillon Lumière was launched, a unique model featuring “all-gold” movement design specially for this skeletonised model, in order to ensure a maximum of transparency and lightness.

2008: For the first time, Daniel Roth presents a dice-playing automaton named “Il Giocatore Veneziano”.

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Filed under: Daniel Roth, Daniel Roth History