Rolex is refining its classics for 2010. The new Explorer I for 2010 has been given a slightly wider new dial (39mm) and comes complete with polished numeral indexes, and a whole heap of luxurious refinement.

In the watchmaking world, the Oyster is iconic and mythical. Introduced in 1926, it is the first waterproof wristwatch.

McLaren will be launching a completely new car brand “McLaren Automotive.”

In co-operation with Headstream, A press conference will be hosted by Chairman Ron Dennis and Managing Director Anthony Sheriff on March 18 , 2010.

They will tell the story of McLaren Automotive and the MP4-12C and cover topics such as investment, manufacturing, production, development, design, heritage and the Formula 1 process and technology transfer.

For this occasion McLaren will be doing something they have never done before, they will be hosting a live webcast of the entire event.

Paris is the most expensive city to live in according to the latest survey from Economist Intelligence Unit, a sister company to The Economist.

The survey assesses the cost of living by comparing housing, food, clothing, transport and utility bills and the like in 132 cities around the world.

The study is aimed at helping companies calculate allowances for executives and their families being sent overseas.

Tokyo comes second, up from sixth place a year ago. The fall in Russia’s currency against the dollar has made Moscow cheaper than it once was.

First image of The Hourglass designed by Marc Newson for Ikepod. The “sand” is composed of carbon or nickel plated nanoballs.

After beauty retailer Sephora targeted the French capital’s metro system with vending machines, it is now furniture giant Ikea that has chosen the tunnels for an unusual advertising campaign.

The Swedish chain has furnished the Saint-Lazare, Champs-Elysées Clemenceau, Opéra and Concorde metro stops with lamps and sofas from its new Ektorp and Karlstad collections.

With Ikea being associated with affordable and disposable furniture, it is likely that the campaign aims at demonstrating the durability of the designs.

French luxe brand Chanel says that there is currently no plan to replace head designer Karl Lagerfeld.

“KL is Chanel’s creative director and has a long-term contract that is by no means reassessed,” a representative said. “His succession is not on the agenda.”

Rumor, first surfacing last summer, has it that Lanvin’s creative director Alber Elbaz is in talks with Chanel to take over once Karl Lagerfeld, now 76, retires.