Further to our previous chronicles on South African social life, the Watch & Jewellery Gallery in Nelson Mandela Square opened an exclusive Patek Philippe Exhibition on Monday the 28th of June, which was celebrated with a ‘by-invitation-only’ VIP Cocktail on Thursday the 1st of July. The event saw leading Southern African industry leaders and watch enthusiasts come together in celebration. The event also marked the re-opening of The Watch & Jewellery Gallery after a major 6-week renovation with a now much bigger Patek Philippe store-in-store boutique.

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Luxury and art merge once again in a recent collaboration between Jeff Koons and BMW. The artist recently paired up with BMW for the 17th BMW Art Car held at the Centre Pompidou in Paris on June 1st. Like his predecessors, artists Calder, Stella, Lichtenstein, and Warhol who also designed BMW art cars, Jeff Koons raced his creation on June 12th and 13th where his fellow artists raced: The 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.

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On Sunday May 23rd, 2010 ‘The Ultimate Event’ hosted by Grant Torrens International Marine showcased over 65 million dollars worth of luxury motor yachts… The latest Sunshine Aston Martins marveled with the V12 Vantage, DBS & Roadster along with the Grant Torrens R44 helicopter…

J.C. Le ROUX champagne flowed freely while VIP guests enjoyed Julie Tengdahl’s fashion show on the floating runway with a backdrop of multi-million dollar luxury motor yachts & Sunshine Aston Martins… Read the rest of this entry »

If you were one of many thrilled at Porsche Design Studio’s announcement, back in September 2009, regarding the development of their latest RFF 135 yacht in collaboration with renowned yacht builders Royal Falcon Fleet, then brace yourselves! The futuristic superyacht (see another superyacht post on SQUA.RE) was recently moved to Nynäshamn in Sweden for final touches, bringing it even closer to completion.

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Have you missed the WHY launch? Ever since the launch of this Wally-Hermès collaboration in October, we have been avidly following such good taste and avant-garde grandeur. Here is a sight into the yacht that is inspired by the hulls from the Greek age, a yacht that looks like a dream concept but is a whole new reality. And this is not only because it is a living space, similar to a small private island on the sea, but because it can cross the Atlantic four times with no refueling, and is the most environmentally friendly a yacht can be today. Since its launch last Fall all the way to the recent Abu Dhabi Yacht show this past month, the WHY yacht has been proving its timeless and limitless potential.

WHY Wally Hermès Yacht - View from Behind

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Following on the heels of the regatta in Nice in November 2009, the Louis Vuitton Trophy — a world-class sailing and racing series — moves on to its next venue, Auckland, rightfully known as the City of Sails. The event will be held from March 9-12, 2010, and will feature eight participating teams. The Trophy series will then move on to La Maddelena, Dubai, and finally Hong Kong.

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Magnum Marine, the Italian-owned, Florida-based manufacturer of high-performance yachts has announced that the production of their latest project, the Magnum 100, has commenced.

The Magnum 100 will be the most luxurious yacht produced by Magnum Marine yet. It will include a range of indoor and outdoor seating, dining and viewing areas, along with an expandable top that allows adjustment of shaded areas. The four staterooms, reception and salon areas, and all other interior spaces will be custom-designed and built based upon owner specifications. An outdoor cockpit gives the 100-foot vessel a glamorous touch. Read the rest of this entry »

Ferrari has just announced that the brand-new 458 Italia, unveiled in September 2009 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, will be available for a starting price of £169,145. Additional options available include LED indicator lights on the steering wheel, Alcantara microsuede trim for the trunk, and electric seats.

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Just as for Formula One, it’s all about the skill of the driver and his team. And there’s no exception to the rule at the recently completed 2009 Series of the Super Trofeo at the highly acclaimed Circuit De Catalunya and in the sunshine of Provence, in France. As explained in a recent post, on top of contributing exciting new dates to the existing racing calendar, the series symbolises a fascinating alliance between two legendary brands: Lamborghini and Blancpain.

The series began with a quick start where its corporate sponsor, Blancain and the brand’s President and CEO, Marc A. Hayek, became quick on the mark on the race track to make him win third place in round two of the first race along side with his co-driver and Le Mans Champion and Dutchman, Peter Knox. Read the rest of this entry »

Before the turn of the century – one brand has made an international acclaim to a high-end luxury series of leather goods, jewellery and now a lifestyle that people of the 21^st Century aspire to and its name is: Louis Vuitton.

This Paris based Fashion House has come 360 in its efforts to become a leader in its own accord but to now lend its name and its weight to an international series of regatta that has been called the ‘Louis Vuitton World Series’. And as such it is trying to reach new heights to become one of the “world’s most prestigious series in yacht racing”; however not forgetting it is not in competition with the America’s Cup. Read the rest of this entry »

Michael Schumacher, 40, agreed earlier this summer to drive in Felipe Massa’s place as Massa’s accident preventing him from staying on the race circuit. However, Schumacher had to cancel his return this week due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier this year. Ferrari says Italian Luca Badoer will replace Schumacher at this month’s European Grand Prix at Valencia.

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Ever since the designs have been revealed by the legendary brand, the world has been buzzing about the Ferrari 458 Italia. This is probably because the vision behind the innovative new car is one we value most: it pays homage to its heritage and to its country of origin, Italy — the country whose unique values simply are creative flair, exceptional quality and highly refined style.

As simple as it sounds, it is just as much highly powerful and we love and fully endorse the style of the 458 Italia. World-champion Michael Schumacher, whom we have just heard was going to stop his retirement for Ferrari, has been involved since day one on the conception of this exciting new model. Read the rest of this entry »

Unlike earlier statements on the topic, it is now being confirmed, subject to a medical check, that the Scuderia Ferrari team will put F1 seven-world champion Michael Schumacher back on the track as a one-off occasion to stand-in for the injured Felipe Massa at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on 23 August.

Schumacher is still an ambassador and adviser to Ferrari and wishes to support the team for which he won five of his titles but also his close friend Massa himself. Read the rest of this entry »

Various high-profile car racers have been linked as potential replacements ahead of the European Grand Prix in Valencia at the end of next month since the Ferrari team’s Felipe Massa underwent life-saving surgery at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix accident.

The seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who still remains a Ferrari ambassador and adviser today has been linked with a comeback. Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest marked a comeback for Lewis Hamilton, who took his and the McLaren Mercedes team’s first victory of 2009.

It was a tense race, following Felipe Massa’s accident on Saturday, the Ferrari driver. Massa was sadly struck in the head by a spring that had come off another car.  He was in stable condition yesterday in the intensive-care unit of a military hospital. Read the rest of this entry »