The much anticipated Rolex Explorer designed by fragment design via the Bamford Watch Department has gone on sale today.

The watch is available in black/blue and black/green at colette and goes for 15,000 €.

This year has seen the launches of several new ocean-going passenger ships, defying the weakened economic climate with new levels of luxury such as an on-board circus, a 4D cinema and an “aquatheater.”

After launching the famous éclair Mona Lisa, Fauchon introduces its latest gourmandise from its Tribute Collection featuring French actress Brigitte Bardot.

The patisserie is delicately flavoured with rose and almond and decorated with a photo of BB from 1959 by Sam Lévin.

In 2008 Fauchon created a new chocolate printing technique that enable to display images. And this is the first treat of their French classic collection.

The Egyptian design studio Pharos Marine has unveiled plans for a 60-meter dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel electric superyacht, the Orcageno.

Dual-fuel engines can run on either diesel or liquid hydrogen, that latter fluid being stored in specially designed tanks in the bow.

The Orcageno has room for 12 guests and 14 crew. It contains a spa and health center, sun deck Jacuzzi, and an open-air lounge for the owner’s cabin.

This spring, Hermes plans to launch a new brand, called Shang Xia (meaning “topsy-turvy” in Mandarin), in the lucrative Chinese market.

It’s an interesting move from Hermes, who generally tends to buy all or part of existing brands.

Shang Xia will include ready-to-wear and decorative arts inspired by Chinese culture and traditions of craftsmanship.

Tourism in 2009 defied the credit crunch, gave us even more spectacular resorts and offered up unparalleled levels of luxury.

A round-up of the year’s best luxury travel places and openings.

1 -The New Yorker Hotel

Located in an 80-year-old Art Deco building, the legendary New Yorker Hotel completed a five-year $70 million renovation project in January.

2 – Mandarin Oriental Sanya, China

Private villas with individual plunge pools are standard lodgings at the Mandarin Oriental Sanya resort on Hainan Island, just off the Vietnam coast.

The resort opened in March.