Monthly Archives: June 2008

Submerge Yourself in Luxury

For the first time ever, you can own your very own luxury submarine. The Phoenix 1000 makes underwater travel for adventure-seeking billionaires a reality.Phoenix 1000 is the biggest and luxurious private submarine ever designed. It is the top of the line model produced by U.S. Submarines Inc., the first company to bring luxury submarines to the commercial market.

The 65-meter personal luxury submarine has 460 sq meters (5,000 square feet) of interior space on four levels and is able to dive up to 1,000 feet. The Phoenix is capable of making trans-Atlantic crossings at 16 knots yet can dive along the route and explore the continental margins of some of the most fascinating waters on earth.

And unlike surface yachts, when the water gets rough, the submarine can submerge into a perfectly smooth and quiet environment, continuing on toward its destination, assuring long journeys in most luxurious and comfortable way.

On board, it offers accommodation for around 12 guests divided into 6 cabins with private bathrooms; while on the main deck have a fantastic deck saloon from which they can admire the unusual and fascinating landscapes of navigation in depth. The luxury amenities include Jacuzzis, gyms, wine cellars and the clients even have the option of going for a basketball court.
 The uppermost level of the vessel is the flying bridge. This area is similar to its equivalent area on most yachts, with the exception of the fact that the materials selected can stand immersion.

The utmost depth is reached 305 meters but if you want to go down even more, the integrated docking mini-sub can take 8 passengers to an extreme 610 metres below the surface. Additionally, in the unlikely event of an emergency at depth, the minisub could be used to take passengers and crew to the surface.

The estimated price of the Phoenix is $78 million and this luxurious undersea vehicle takes about three years to build.

Source : ussubs

A country retreat outside of Tokyo

Takei-Nabeshima-Architects (TNA) designed a country retreat in the town of Karuizawa outside Tokyo, Japan, wrapped in rings of glass and wood and has an uninterrupted 360 degree view of the forest.

TNA designed rings around the facade so that areas of private spaces and utilities could be met. The height of each ring was decided by the function concealed behind it.
The glass between the rings allow you to look straight into the forest, so the whole house appears to dissolve into the forest.

Built on Owners’ Hill, a resort in the Karuizawa forest near Tokyo, Ring House occupies one of the hundred or so plots set aside for city dwellers to build weekend retreats.

Santos Triple 100: The 3-D watch by Cartier

The Cartier Manufacture has created a new timepiece that is a true symbol of horological innovation.

The oversized Cartier Santos Triple 100 watch delivers a great surprise due to the first-ever rotating-dial mechanism united with a skeleton movement : Turn the crown, and you can select between three unique identities!
The three different dial faces of the Cartier Santos Triple 100 watch appear in succession: from a classic face featuring 12 Roman numerals, to a face completely paved with round diamonds and black sapphires in a marvellous jeweller’s chessboard, followed finally by a face engraved with a tiger’s head, which required over 40 hours’ work.

The team of watchmakers developed mobile prisms in 18K white gold. The prisms get activated simultaneously with help of the crown. They are operated by a miniature-gear-trains system that makes them swivel gradually in one direction or the other, thus allowing the Cartier watch reveal three different dial faces.

Moreover, the timepiece with the case crafted in 18K white gold is entirely set with precious stones.
It will be available to most avid watch connoisseurs in a numbered limited edition of only 20 pieces.

$200,000 Yin Yang kitchen

This beautiful central island design by Stefan Price for kitchen specialist Evitavonni is based on the ying yang icon.

The principle behind this central, freestanding unit is that all the cool, water-based and calm parts of your kitchen – fridge and sink – are stored within the Yin (the white area) and the hot more aggressive elements – hob and oven – are in the Yang (the black area).

The design is innovative and the feel is very “oriental”, perfect for Chinese cooking. The price is £102,577 ($200,000) for the complete, including the majestic Elica Star extractor fan.

Swarovski Coated LG Fridges

Lately, LG has launched this Swarovski crystals encrusted fridge into the market in a limited run of 200 units, released in the Taiwan market only.

LG have brought home with its R-U719GWN three door fridge.

It looks like an ordinary fridge with its usual high tech features such as an ice-maker and LCD panel, but fridge’s handle and logo are diamond studded with 4900 Swarovski crystals.
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Luxury VIP Airbus Corporate Jet

VIP Airbus Corporate Jet

Airbus offers a complete range of aircraft for corporate, VIP and government aviation – from its A318 Elite, Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) and A320 Prestige to the widebody A330 and A340, and the A380.

In 2007 Airbus corporate jetliners won 38 firm orders from customers around the world and a total of almost 50 orders and commitments. But what make them so successful?

Airbus attributes its success in the corporate jet market to the greater comfort and space that its aircraft offer over traditional business jets, as well as to their more modern designs.

Consistently rated as one of the world’s best corporate and VIP aircraft, the Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) combines the largest cabin in its class with Airbus reliability and intercontinental performance.
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XSMG XSR48 luxury Speedboat

The XSR48 Speedboat from XSMG is hailed as the “world’s fastest superboat”. It is a supercar on water, a luxury powerboat with supercar looks.
With a total of no less than 1600hp from two bi-turbo diesel engines, the XSR48 has supercar acceleration with a stablization and propulsion system meant to handle this insane amount of power.

But style has not been sacrificed for speed. The XSR48 combines the DNA and high performance of a supercar with superyacht styling making it the “Bugatti Veyron” of the sea.

The XSR48 has been developed in collaboration with a number of world class design and construction partners including legendary hull designer Fabio Buzzi, award winning superyacht designers Redman Whiteley Dixon and High Modulus the world’s leading exponent in composite marine structures.

The interior is filled with smooth, modern lines, high-grade materials, and niceties like flat-panel TVs.

No price has been specified yet

Most expensive bicycle in Britain

An online contest organized by ETA, a UK-based insurance company, is offering a custom-made 24K gold-plated Charge Plug bicycle complete with customized seat, handlebars and chain as a prize to mark the Green Transport Week.

To enter the contest, You must be eighteen years old, live in the UK, and get a free quote online for cycle insurance in order to enter the contest. The contest will end on October 21st and a random draw will determine the winner.

This amazing bike is worth £9,500 ($18,750) and comes with a security guard!

Sotheby’s Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art

Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s are holding significant Impressionist and Modern evening sales in London this week. “We’re seeing a very strong market for top quality Impressionist paintings this summer,” the vice chairman of Impressionist & Modern Art Worldwide at Sotheby’s, Helena Newman, said.

On Wednesday, Sotheby’s will put up Monet’s “La Plage à Trouville” expected to fetch between $14 million and $20 million. “It’s an iconic work,” Ms. Newman said. “Monet was exploring the effects of the wind and the light on the water, all quintessentially Impressionist effects.”

Monet completed his painting in 1870 while vacationing with his wife and son at the tony French resort town of Trouville.

8-8-2008 collection : Gucci celebrates Summer Olympics in China

Gucci has just announced the creation of a special collection, 8-8-2008 Limited Edition, using the opportunity to contribute to the Summer Olympics in China, so as to increase its brand awareness in label-conscious Asia.

In total, Gucci has produced 8 accessories, conceived by Gucci’s creative director, Frida Giannini, each inspired by competitive sports. The entire line plays a numbers game, since the Olympics will be held on 8-8-1008. (eight is the lucky number in Chinese culture).

For all eight accessories, the color red permeates the collection. “Not only does red evoke happiness and celebration, two emotions that couldn’t be more appropriate to describe the excitement brought by the international sport games, but it also happens to be a very fashionable color for 2008,” Giannini said.

“A noteworthy product in this collection is the 8-8-2008 I-Gucci watch ($1,415), the company’s first digital timepiece, boasts a black dial, steel frame and a clean digital face with a red and green logo commemorating the year 2008 on the back. The exterior of its red rubber strap is engraved with the Gucci logo, while the interior has been engrossed with Gucci’s iconic GG pattern. The timepiece allows the wearer to select a dedicated Beijing time zone code on the display too (source).”

The “8-8-2008 Limited Edition” collection includes other accessories such as a unique bicycle ($3,420) with bold red double GG leather details, and some collectable items such as a luxurious Mahjong ($3,150) set covered in red La Pelle Guccissima leather, and, to pay homage to China, the country’s iconic panda animal offered as a soft leather teddy bear for $1,050.

Also included in the collection are two pieces of luggage in “La Pelle Guccissima” (a sturdy leather duffle for $2,795 and a $995 soft leather messenger bag with Gucci’s iconic green-and-red web on the shoulder strap) ; sports shoes ($660), for both men and women, articulated in a fresh patchwork of suede, patent leather and gold trim and a $445 necklace inspired by military tags, in sterling silver.

The I-Gucci watch will be offered worldwide but all other accessories of this special collection will be sold exclusively in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Bureau Triskel: A luxury desk made from wood

The French designer Loïc Keriselhas created this beautiful piece of architecture which is a piece of art in itself.

More than just a piece of furniture, this is the materialisation of a great artist’s inner world. It is a painting and a sculpture crafted into a single object. It is a reference and devotion to the great tradition of French cabinet-makers.

Bureau Triskel is made using at least three different kinds of wood to make the individual shades of brown that give this desk its pattern.


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Maitres du Temps – new luxury watch brand

Luxuo would like to introduce a new and highly exclusive luxury watch brand called “Maitres du Temps”:

Launched this year during the week of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Switzerland, Maitres du Temps is a new luxury watch brand that is unique in its kind.

Based on the concept of bringing independent master watchmakers together in a collaborative effort, Maitres du Temps launched its first watch “Chapter One” last April.
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RIVA and Veuve Clicquot Design Collaboration


Veuve Clicquot have launched a new limited edition champagne collection in collaboration with Italian yacht maker Riva, called the La Grande Dame by Riva Collection.

Following Globalight’s success, this is the latest in a string of high profile collaborations between Veuve Clicquot and the likes of Andrew Putman, Christian Schwamkrug of Porsche Design Studio, Pablo Reinoso, Pucci, Karim Rashid and Jason Bruges

Riva is the luxury speedboat company behind the iconic boats of the 60’s and the golden age of the Dolce Vita lifestyle. Today they continue to make some of the most beautiful boats in the world.


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Most expensive flat in Asia sold in Hong Kong

A luxury flat in Hong Kong has sold for 225 million Hong Kong dollars (28.8 million US), the most expensive apartment per square foot ever sold in Asia ($41,000 HKD per square foot), a report in the Sing Tao Daily said.

The 80th floor penthouse has a private swimming pool and spectacular view of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. The 5,497-square-foot (511-square-metre) flat, with its own roof-top terrace, is located in a new complex called The Arch, in Hong Kong’s Kowloon area.

The new tower is attracting multinational firms away from the central business district, where rocketing property prices have scared away even the world’s richest firms – Source : AFP.

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The world’s most expensive champagne glasses

The Daily (Australia) has reported that an Australian jeweler recently unveiled what he says are the world’s most expensive champagne glasses, valued at $400,000 and blinged out with 1700 white and pink diamonds.

Designer John Calleija said five jewellers spent more than three months finishing the two glasses, which were chiselled from huit kilogram blocks of crystal.

Each glass stands 15cm tall, weighs 250g, and together encrusted with 15 carats of white diamonds and six carats of rare argyle pink diamonds. They are finished with platinum 18 carat white and rose gold.

Mr Calleija said he was experimenting with his designs when he came up with the idea, but it just as easily could have been a pair of diamond-encrusted chopsticks.
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The most expensive and largest ship in history

It’s destined to be the world’s largest cruise ship when launched next year, Royal Caribbean’s US$1.24 billion Project Genesis will be 1,180 feet long, and carry 5400 passengers.

One key of attraction is a lush, tropical park in the center of the ship which opens to the sky. Central parks which are size of a football field are also developed on the ship with an intention of giving the travelers a public gathering place.
The aim is to make the park a public gathering place like a town’s central park, with pathways, seasonal flower gardensand a canopy of trees. Aiming to give the ship a number of distinct districts, the Central park neighborhood is one of seven neighborhoods to be unveiled on Project Genesis.

Central Park’s central piazza will be the ship’s “town square” which will evolve from a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere during the day to a gathering space for alfresco dining and entertainment in the evening, where guests will enjoy concerts and street performances. The neighborhood is lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks high with views of the Park below and the sky above.

Project Genesis is not only the most expensive ship in history buy also the longest the widest and the tallest ocean liner ever built (43 per cent larger in size than the world’s largest cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas) and even bigger than any military ship ever built, aircraft carriers included.

Via gizmag

Japan Airlines Introduces First Class Suites

Another airline to offer individual private suites to its first-class passengers is JAL (Japan Air Lines) who has created along with London-based James Park Associates the new “JAL Suite”. The first class compartments are now 20% more roomy.

Upholstered in grey leather, the seat’s shape is basically a bolted down traditional armchair with facing ottoman, above which is a 19-inch TV screen.

Passengers can enjoy the latest movies, music and games using JAL’s state-of-the-art audio-visual-on-demand (AVOD) in-flight entertainment system,” according to JAL.
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Icon A5, the sporty amphibious plane

The ICON Aricraft, a consumer sport plane manufacturer founded by Kirk Hawkins, an engineer and former US Air Force F-16 fighter pilot, recently unveiled a sporty amphibious plane called the Icon A5.

The A5 features a high-strenght, lightweight carbon fiber airframe and is powered by a reliable, 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS engine that runs on both auto and aviation gasoline at an estimated top speed of 120 mph. There’s a 20-gallon tank, putting the range at 345 miles.

The two-seat sport plane features an amphibious design with retractable landing gear for flying off both land and water, plus several patent-pending technologies highlighted by folding wings that allow the plane to be easily stored and towed on the road with a trailer.

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Space Wedding

Space will now be the ultimate frontier for grooms and brides in 2011, when Rocketplane Kistler Japan who teamed up with wedding planner First Advantage begin hosting weddings aboard a 1-hour space flight that reaches an altitude of more than 100 kilometers (62.1 miles).

The cost of $2.2 million per wedding includes a photo and video album, “original space wedding dress”, wedding certificate, transportation cost from the launch site, accommodation, four days of rehearsal and live broadcast of the ceremony to those making up to the running reception on ground !

The space wedding services are scheduled to begin in 2011, but the group will start accepting applications early next month.

Puredistance – Crystal Masterpiece by Swarovski

Pure Distance is a new luxury brand located in Vienna, They recently launched a limited edition Crystal Masterpiece that holds a wonderful perfume: ‘Puredistance I’, a fragrance created by Annie Buzantian (Firmenich).

It consists of a Crystal Column with a crystal cap made made of Swarovski crystal and 24 carat gold-plate. Both the Column and the cap are engraved with a unique number.


The retail price of the ‘Crystal & Gold’ Limited Edition including the perfume spray and 24-carat gold, is 2.750 euro. The ‘Crystal & Steel’ Limited Edition including the perfume spray and high-polished steel is 1.750 euro.
The refill, a 17.5 ml perfume spray, costs 165 euro and is only available for registered owners of the Crystal Column.

The fragrance concept is available in the Puredistance Perfume Lounge in Vienna, in the online boutique and in selected stores worldwide.