In our weekly series, we bring you the latest in luxury news around the world. This week’s highlights: Chivas Brother’s largest single malt collection, Richard Mille’s RM 33-02 Automatic and Versace’s got balls
Parmigiani Fleurier wants you to wear the Islamic calendar on your wrist
Why you should care: We’re used to seeing plenty of Chinese calendar watches at this time of the year, but thank God for Parmigiani Fleurier breaking tradition. The Swiss luxury watchmaker has taken a different route, creating its first Hijri Perpetual Calendar; the Hijri calendar, mostly used by the Muslims for keeping track of the holy days, is based on lunar cycles with lengths of 29 / 30 days, and can change annually by up to 12 days. Set in a weighty 44.5mm platinum case, the Hijri Perpetual Calendar links everything to a moon phase indicator, and is based on technology used in its 2011 Hijri Calendar Table Clock. Inside you’ll find the in-house PF009 automatic calibre with a 48-hour power reserve, delicate Islamic architecture and a rotor in black-coated platinum, decorated in barleycorn guilloche.
Anantara’s private sacred inking sessions by Bangkok’s revered bamboo tattoo master
Why you should care: Thanks to celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Jesse Bradford, the traditional Sak Yant tattoo has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Engraved into the skin entirely by hand using a Khem Sak (handcrafted metal rod), these tattoos are seen as sacred blessings and believed to bring you magical powers for luck, charisma, fortune and other powers. Want one? You can now enjoy a private session with Ajarn Neng Onnut, one of Bangkok’s most famous Sak Yant masters, at Anantara Siam. Each session includes an extensive consultation the day before, a ceremony to bless the body and art pre- and post-inking, and the tattooing, which can take place in the comfort of your own suite. Prices begin at US$800 (S$1,079) for a small print or US$1,000 (S$1,349) for a one-line Yant.
Reserve via +66 2 126 8866 or siam@anantara.com.
A sweater made for the adventurous photographer
Why you should care: Heading out into the chilly winter on a photography adventure can be cool, but the cruel frost can be unforgiving. Thanks to a collaboration between Shackleton and Leica, we are greeted with the world’s first jacket engineered to weather extreme conditions, the Frank Hurley Photographer’s Jacket. Made in Italy, the sweater allows complete freedom of movement and comes attached with the following: pockets for battery storage, hard-wearing Cordura to protect you from harsh weather, 800 fill power European goose down and a graphene lining that protects you from weather as cold as -25°C.
Chivas Brothers unveils its largest ever single malt collection, to roll out next summer
Why you should care: The Secret Speyside Collection, Chivas Brothers’ largest single malt collection to date, features a 15-bottle selection of 18- to 30-year-old single malts from four of Speyside’s most elusive distilleries – the vanished distillery of Caperdonich, the pioneering Longmorn distillery, the landmark Glen Keith distillery and the remote Braes of Glenlivet distillery. Expect rare single malts like three peated expressions from Caperdonich, which distilled its final single malt in 2002 and got demolished in 2011.
Richard Mille’s RM 33-02 Automatic
Why you should care: Combining the fiery adrenaline of sports and charming elegance of haute horlogerie can be tricky, but Richard Mille manages to find the balance with its RM 33-02 timepiece. Overseen by Richard Mille’s technical director Julien Boillat, the exclusive RM 33-02 is a reinterpretation of the RM 033 that was introduced in 2011. As the first round automatic watch in Carbon TPT, it combines the curves of a tonneau shape with a sporty round form, and is powered by the skeletonised automatic-winding RMXP1 calibre. Priced at approximately S$195,651 and limited to 140 pieces only.
Versace’s fancy schmancy soccer ball
Why you should care: We’re not sure how willing you are to beat these bad boys around, but if you need an upgrade on your sports gear, Versace has just delivered their rendition of a basketball (£175 / S$309) and soccer ball (£145 / S$256). Dressed in gold and Versace’s iconic baroque print, they are undoubtedly a little over-the-top, yes, but hey, that’s fashion for you.
Muji’s new prefabricated home, the Yō no Ie House
Why you should care: With Japan’s growing demand for low-profile homes, Muji continues to explore the dynamics of space with the Yō no Ie House (Plain House), its fourth offering in its line of prefabricated homes. Marking Muji’s 15th anniversary in the architectural industry, this single-story home follows traditional Japanese architecture, ensures low maintenance and maximises any space it’s got. It features an open layout for the freedom to configure space and an 18.6-sqm outdoor wooden deck fitted with a recessed area, which can be used for a fire pit or vegetable garden. Find it also wrapped around with Japanese cedar, topped with a Galvalume steel roof and furnished with Muji’s line of home goods.
In case you missed it:
Bloomberg billionaire’s Index 2019: Eight Singaporeans have made the cut
Who are these billionaires and what do they do?
These two hotels in Cambodia have gotten a whole lot better
Where to stay in Cambodia? Where else but the newly revived Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Raffles Grand d’Angkor?
