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Aston Martin kicks off Q bespoke service at Geneva Motor Show 2012
As per the sattement released by the company in the press, The Virage and Cygnet models presented at Geneva have been enhanced and personalised to include unique colour and trim finishes, each car is a one-off showcase for the possibilities offered by Q by Aston Martin. The Virage with a bespoke Mariana Blue satin paint finish with an interior that includes blue carbon fibre, saddle leather floor mats, and striking yellow detailing, together with exclusive concept components, including a header mounted track-day HD video camera, luggage rack and striking forged, diamond turned wheel, all of which have been developed by the team, illustrating the scope of the service and the lengths to which customers can go with their individual requests.
The Cherry Tree Cygnet translates this bespoke service to Aston Martin’s acclaimed Tailor-Fit city car. Finished in Cherry Tree raspberry paint with a kestrel tan interior, the Cygnet includes specially developed photographic leather headlining, as well as a tailor-made colour-matched three piece luggage set, unique brogue leather detailing on the seats and a colour-matched Brompton bicycle for extra urban manoeuvrability. In 2012, Aston Martin offers customers a remarkable fifteen models, including Rapide, the DBS Coupe and DBS Volante, Virage Coupe and Volante, DB9 Coupe and DB9 Volante, the V8 Vantage Coupe and Vantage Roadster, the Vantage S Coupe and Roadster and the V12 Vantage. In addition, there is the Cygnet city car and One-77 supercar, and the line-up will be joined by the V12 Zagato in mid-2012.
Hublot sold the $5 million watch to The Hour Glass Singapore
If you are fond of bling and watch collection is your hobby then you will be able to recall the astonishing $5 million timepiece created by Hublot. Given its bejewelled make and a worthy price tag to match, this timepiece is making news ever since it was announced. A head-turning creation, the $5 million watch shined at the recent Baselworld as not only the most exquisite timepiece but also the most expensive. The Hour Glass Singapore is all smiles as it has bought this exclusive timepiece at the fair. Yes, the bejewelled diamond studded timepiece will be on display at all Hublot corners in The Hour Glass boutiques after the timepiece completes its stint at the Hublot boutique in Marina Bay Sands, where it will be on display.
A unique creation, the $5 million watch was made following an unusual approach wherein the diamond cutters started with a design and then found the diamonds which best matched the complex construction of the case, dial and bracelet. A total of 1282 diamonds, more than 100 carats of baguette diamonds and over 14 months of work is what went into making this grand $5 million timepiece. This is the most precious watch ever created by Hublot and its long-standing partner, Atelier Bunter in Geneva with all individually selected diamonds being of top quality only and graded A VVS in clarity and Top Wesselton in color.
The Hublot 5 Million Dollar Diamond Watch
Hublot, a subsidiary of French luxury goods group LVMH, will use the high-profile event to unveil “The $5 million” a watch comprising no less than 1,282 diamonds. As per Hublot, this is the most precious watch ever created by Hublot and its long-standing partner, Atelier Bunter in Geneva.
The piece is the result of 14 months work, including that of a “master-cutter” from New York who fashioned the largest stones.
According to Jean-Claude Biver, president of the watch company, it would be difficult to make a more expensive watch “because the surface of the watch is limited.” The watch will be displayed under very tight security, and only select Baselworld attendees will even be allowed to view it.
400 year-old rare Beau Sancy diamond to go under the Sotheby’s hammer
Can you even imagine in the wildest dream of yours that a huge diamond being pawned by European kings to set off royal debts? The sparkling new stone will go under Sotheby’s hammer at Geneva on May 15. The gem named the “Beau Sancy” has been a part of the fluctuating European royal family’s fortunes for well over 400 years. The 35-carat modified “pear double rose cut” diamond original was owned by to Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia. It is estimated to earn between $2 million to $4 million. The stone has its origins at the mines in India near Golconda which was acquired by Nicolas de Harlay, Lord of Sancy, in Constantinople in the 1500s from where it gets its name. In 1604 the stone was purchased by French King Henry IV for 75,000 livres for his wife, Marie de Medici. Other such rare stones that went under the hammer include the vivid pink, rare yellow diamonds and pink and purple ones among others.
Fabergé Oeuf Cadeau
Fabergé introduces the Oeuf Cadeau, a polished 18 ct rose gold egg, tied with an exuberant ribbon of diamonds and fastened with a bow. Measuring all of 22mm in height this keepsake pendant is also available in white and yellow gold with the message of I love you, Jet t’aime and Ti amo. All Fabergé collections are available through the Fabergé transactional website or in stores in London, Geneva and Hong Kong.
Top 10 Most Expensive Cities In The World
Geneva, the other Swiss city surveyed saw a 30 percentage point rise in the cost of living to move up six places into joint third alongside Osaka. The authors of the bi-annual report said both Japan and Switzerland have seen strong currency movements over the last few years which have made them relatively more expensive.
Hong Kong, which has long been noted as an expensive place to live, is surprisingly ranked at 22, much lower than its third-placed position a decade ago. The survey of 130 cities worldwide compares more than 400 individual prices across 160 products, including food, clothing, transport, rents and private schools. The price of a litre of petrol for example varies hugely from city to city. In its breakdown, the EIU shows that it is $2.17 in Paris but only $0.96 in Moscow.
Despite eurozone weaknesses, Western Europe still accounts for 24 of the most expensive cities in the top 50, with 14 hailing from Asia.
Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in the World – 2012
1. Zurich, Switzerland
2. Tokyo, Japan
3. Geneva, Switzerland
4. Osaka, Japan
5. Oslo, Norway
6. Paris, France
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Melbourne, Australia
9. Singapore, Singapore
10. Frankfurt, Germany
Infiniti “Emerg-e” electric sports car concept
Infinity has recently launched further details of a major new sports car concept set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Nissan-owned brand revealed February 3 that the model will be called ‘Emerg-E’, promising a low-emission, high-performance and high-technology car, with several firsts and a new design direction for the brand.
A range extender will be used in this concept car called drivetrain, meaning that it will contain an electric motor and a gas-powered generator, as opposed to Nissan’s proven 100 percent battery technology used by cars such as the Leaf.
The first partial photos of the model appear to show a low-slung form, with a two-seater cockpit and a shape which appears to have been at least partially inspired by the Infiniti Essence concept, revealed at Geneva in 2009.
The Essence was designed to celebrate Infiniti’s 20th anniversary, and while there have been no noises from Nissan on whether the Emerg-E will hit production, the trend seems to indicate that Infiniti is working towards a very specific goal. The Geneva Motor Show runs March 8-18 in Geneva, Switzerland.
A vintage pink gold Patek Philippe keyless pocket watch
There is good news for all the vintage watch lovers as Antiquorum Auctioneers will soon put more exquisite pieced of vintage watches in the 13th edition of the “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces” that will be conducted at The Mandarin Oriental in Geneva. The highlight of the show that aims to put 603 exceptional modern and vintage timepieces under the hammer will be a rediscovered Patek Philippe set in 18-carat pink gold. Originally sold to Monsieur E. Hoesch, Villa Barbaia, Mergellina, Naples, in 1894 the keyless pocket watch with perpetual calendar, chronograph, moon phases, and lunar calendar was sold at $4,250. Under the hammer along with the original certificate of origin and Patek Philippe sales receipt, the timepiece is touted to fetch between $226,700 and $340,160.
Rolls Royce 200EX
Rolls Royce’s baby 200EX (RR4) debuts at Geneva. Quite considerably smaller than the existing Phantom four-door, it will become one of the marquee’s most affordable models ever. Rolls-Royce isn’t yet saying. But it is definitely the right time to launch the car during recession. With a new V12 upfront it’ll certainly sit well above your ordinary average top spec Mercedes S-Class or long wheelbase BMW 7 Series.
Previous reports suggest that a V12 engine will be sourced from parent company BMW, and a chassis based on the BMW 7 Series. The 200EX has been penned as “a modern car that is immediately recognizable as a true Rolls-Royce, even from angles that obscure the grille and the Spirit of Ecstasy,” according to Chief Designer, Ian Cameron. Rolls-Royce says the new RR4 will have a new 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 unique to Rolls-Royce, producing in excess of 500bhp, and mated to an 8-speed automatic ZF gearbox.
Rare 1957 Maserati Mille Miglia
A 1957 Mille Miglia Maserati 200Si with custom coachwork by Carrozzeria Fantuzzi, is being offered for sale by Kidston in Geneva for about $2 million. With classic cars of this caliber fetching record auction prices and future appreciation a given, it represents an alluring investment opportunity.
One of only a handful of examples built for high-end late-1950s European and American sports car racing, the 200si is an enticing combination of rarity, beauty and speed with an impeccable and nearly unbroken competition pedigree. It captured frequent class victories in the world famous Mille Miglia, Mont Ventoux, Castell’Arquato Vernasca, Aosta-Gran San Bernardo, Trieste-Opicina and Bologna-San Luca races.
In 1959, the car was sold to a gentleman racer in the U.S. and has since been entered in various historic events, stopping for a full restoration in 2000 and culminating with an appearance at the Mille Miglia in 2005.
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