The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide 2021
A comprehensive guide to gift-giving this holiday season.
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As another year draws to a close it’s ‘that’ time again. Time to show those close to you — those with specific, heightened tastes — that you care. Here at Robb Report, we’ve taken the kind of stressful dread that comes with not knowing what to gift away with our ultimate gift guide.
GEAR
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T Astell & Kern
If you’re more the type to carry around your entire collection in your pocket, this little number from Astell & Kern is for you. It was designed specifically for hi-res audio and has a built-in vacuum tube amplifier so your music sounds exactly the way it was recorded. It’s got 256 gigabytes of space to store your albums, and it’s also expandable in case you need even more room for your favourite tunes.
Approx. $3496; astellkern.com
Leica D-Lux 7 Vans x Ray Barbee Edition
Snap your travel pics in style with this new, limited-edition camera from Leica, fashion label Vans and skater-musician-photographer Ray Barbee. Covered in Vans’ iconic checkerboard pattern, the compact camera has the same technical specifications as the serially produced model (like a large Micro Four Thirds sensor, a fast zoom, Bluetooth connectivity and a lens with a full-frame-equivalent range of 24 –75 mm), plus a specially designed carrier strap and other flourishes. Compact and just 12.7 ounces, the camera also comes with a matching dust bag emblazoned with a travel-appropriate quote from Barbee noting that “the joy is in capturing the journey.”
Approx. $2365; leica.com
Gaggenau 400 Wine Cabinet
For the wine connoisseur, storage is paramount and using any old wine cooler won’t do. Here, the Gaggenau 400 Wine Cabinet offers a fully integrated wine climate cabinet. Inside the usual blonde beech is eschewed in favour of oak and boasts advanced humidity regulation, a charcoal air filter and controlled climate zones depending on what is in your collection. The 400 is available in a range of sizes and did we mention how good it looks?
POA; gaggenau.com.au
Wrensilva Loft Club Series All-in-One Hi-Fi System
Wrensilva Loft Club Series hi-fi system Wrensilva
Building a home audio system can be intimidating. Luckily, Wrensilva has created a device that features everything you could want in one stylish package. The audio company’s retro-inspired hi-fi system includes a Pro-Ject turntable, a solid-state pre-amp, Bang & Olufsen amplifier and powerful two-way bass-reflex speakers. Best of all, it’s smaller than your parent’s old system, making it perfect for homes and apartments where space is at a premium.
Approx. $8378; wrensilva.com
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO turntable Pro-Ject
Sometimes it can be a relief to disconnect your device and go analog. What better way to do that than with this refined turntable from the specialists from Pro-Ject. Its precise motor has been fitted with a new suspension that reduces vibration, as does its height-adjustable aluminium feet. A heavy steel platter also helps ensure quiet playback. If you’ve yet to jump on the vinyl revival, maybe now’s the time…
$893; projectaudio.com.au
120″ Samsung The Premiere LSP9T Ultra-Short Throw Projector
While the streaming era has brought the cineplex to our laptop screen, any movie buff knows that a serious home theatre is made better with a projector. And few projectors are better at making you feel like you’re at the movies than Samsung’s latest, the Premiere LSP9T. Just place the ultra-short throw projector at the base of a living room wall, and it will produce a stunning, crystal-clear 120-inch image. The device, the first of its kind to offer HDR10+ support, also features a special UHD Filmmaker Mode which does away with any smoothing effects so that you can watch your favourite movie exactly as it was meant to be seen.
$5999; samsung.com
Sennheiser Momentum 2 Earbuds
Despite its rep among pros as one of the best manufacturers of headphones and speakers, for 75 years Sennheiser steadfastly remains independent. The family owned German audio specialists continue their leadership in true wireless earbuds with their latest Momentum 2 offerings—the ergonomically shaped speakers feature five ear tip options for a perfectly snug fit and comfy all-day use. The 7-mm dynamic drivers supply superior sound with active noise cancelling—perfect for music or calls in a noisy environment—IPX4 water-resistance and up to 28 hours of playtime on a single charge via its charging case. The Sennheiser smartphone app also lets you further customize your listening experience by adjusting the built-in equalizers to emphasize deeper bass, natural mids and/or detailed treble.
$325; sennheiser.com
GoPro Hero 10 Black
For the coming holidays, GoPro released its most powerful model ever: the Hero10 Black. The brand synonymous with extreme filming loaded its new apex model with a GP2 processor (designed to deliver faster and smoother performance), advanced stabilisation via HyperSmooth 4.0 technology, enhanced low-light capabilities and can live stream directly in 1080p. It can record in slow motion (up to eight times slower than actual moment) with improved 2.7k resolution, and can handle time-lapses at night and low-light environments. The Hero10 Black camera features 5.3k resolution video (93 per cent sharper than previous 4k models) at double the frame rate, can capture still images at 23MP and grab hi-res 19.6MP frames from videos. All your extreme filming needs in an easy-to-use compact 71 mm x 55 mm body.
$529; gopro.com
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Emerge Bookshelf Speaker
If you’re looking for a speaker that you can slide inconspicuously onto your bookshelf, look no further than Bang & Olufsen’s Beosound Emerge. The compact speaker (25.5 by 16.5 by 6.7 cm) supports Apple Airplay 2, Google Chromecast, Bluetooth and Spotify to stream whatever your heart desires. It can also be paired with any of B&O’s connected speakers to deliver music throughout your home, and features a built-in radio and microphone for voice control. The Danish company known for its design doesn’t fail here, offering either a gold version of the Beosound Emerge with oak wood “cover” or Black Anthracite high-grade aluminium with a pearl-blasted grill.
$1050; premiumsound.com.au
WATCHES
Omega The Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition
What better gift for Christmas than the same Seamaster as MI6 agent James Bond. To celebrate the 25th official James Bond film, No Time to Die, Omega has created a 42mm timepiece with titanium and a mesh bracelet for a watch light on the wrist. The Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition has been built with military spec in mind and features the “tropical” brown aluminium for the dial and bezel ring complemented by the vintage touches of the SuperLumiNova, which fills the driving scale, blackened hands and indexes.
$14,025; omegawatches.com
Rolex Explorer I
Time for the return of two-tone. The new Rolesor (the Rolex name for the combination of the dual 18-carat yellow gold and Oystersteel alloys) Ref. 124273 may be heralding a return to the blend of metals that saw its height of popularity in the ’80s. The model also marks a comeback of the 3mm size in a nod to the original model launched in 1953 after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first explorers to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
$15,250; rolex.com
Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer
The lagoon-inspired timepiece is available in only 200 examples and boasts a 42mm case and bezel—both of which were crafted entirely from satin-finished and polished anodised aluminium. The distinct tonal theme is also made visible on the dial and hand, as well as on the figure’s markers and chronographs. Even more notable, Hublot’s HUB1280 in-house flyback column-wheel chronograph movement is able to be seen on the model’s titanium case back and offers a 72-hour power reserve and 100 meters of water resistance. For comfort, the figure sports a velcro strap in a turquoise knit with the same colour stitching, while its sports buckle in polished turquoise anodized aluminium provides a secure clasp.
$29,200; hublot.com
Piaget Polo Skeleton
Utilising the same 42mm steel case of the Polo line, the skeleton watch arrives at an astonishingly svelte 6.5mm thick, down from an already thin 9.4mm of the Polo S. The Piaget Polo Skeleton sees the openworked design arrives here in graphite grey and is further elevated by the in-house built movement with the watch acting as a testbed for its new 1200S1 microrotor automatic skeleton movement – which offers a 44-hour power reserve. A number of strap options are available including the Polo’s mirror-polished h-link bracelet – in stainless steel – alongside alligator leather straps matching the respective dial colours.
$45,500; piaget.com
Baume Et Mercier Riviera
A sense of refinement drapes the return of Baume & Mercier’s Riviera, a robust piece famed for its 12-sided bezel, and which debuted in 1973. That ’70s spark remains and the reissue feels right in regards to its timing, given the ascendancy of integrated steel bracelets. It is in that 42mm case – available in stainless steel or black steel – that the calibre Baumatic BM13-1975A provides 100m of water resistance and 120 hours of power reserve. The premium option arrives with extensive perlage on the bridges, Cotes de Geneve across the skeletonised rotor all visible through the sapphire transparent dial available in either deep blue or smoky grey.
A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone
When A. Lange & Sohne reintroduced its Time Zone timepiece, there was a resounding cheer from watch nerds around the world. Here, the pink gold with argente dial can cleanly tell the time in both a home time and a second time zone based on 24 reference cities. The watch sees a new manufacture calibre L141.1 with a 72-hour power reserve fitted neatly into a 41.7mm case.
$84,500; watchswiss.com
Patek Philippe Calatrava 5297G
Discover the Calatrava 5297G-001 from a collection of Patek Philippe watches at J Farren Price. The Calatrava is a supremely elegant round wristwatch with self-winding mechanical movement and an ebony black opaline dial. The Calatrava instantly stands out with its diamond hour markers and elegant 38mm diameter case set in white gold and sapphire crystal. This classic piece is decorated with 68 diamonds on the bezel and shiny black alligator strap -making it the perfect dress watch for day to night. Distinguished and timeless the Patek Philippe Calatrava 5297G is engraved with the Patek Philippe Seal, paying homage to the rare handcraft and flawless integrity upheld by the maison.
Globe-Trotter Centenary Leather-Trimmed Twelve-Watch Box
For serious watch fanatics, Globe-Trotter’s handsome Centenary case is a must-have whether using it for travel or simply to elegantly display your watches in your home. It can carry up to 12 timepieces and will slide right into the overhead compartment on your flight and you can even add an over-the-shoulder strap to turn the case into an attaché for extra security while on the go.
Lockable latches on the side of the vulcanised fibreboard and leather trim case add an extra level of protection, while the interior compartment is removable in case you prefer to display your prized wrist candy outside of the box.
$3457; mrporter.com
Chopard Mille Miglia Table Clock
If your dearest has all there is in horology, try something off-track with a Chopard quartz desk clock. Reminiscent of the speedometer on a car dashboard this handsome piece pays homage to Italy’s legendary Mille Miglia car race. Designed in stainless steel with a palladium finish, it furthers its automobile narrative with superluminova detailing and a tyre tread-inspired rubber base
$2530; chopard.com
WINE & SPIRITS
Glenfiddich Grand Cru
Glenfiddich’s stunning new Grand Cru is matured initially for 23 years in a mix of American and European oak, and neatly finished in rare French cuvée casks, it fuses flavours and delivers an elevated and heady statement (heightened by its presentation in opulent black glass, within a black box). Each drop is the result of six months final marrying time, adding new layers of aromas —think apple blossom, candied lemon, fresh bread. On the palate vanilla, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape build an alluring harmony of flavours; enhanced by a long, opulent finish.
$395; glenfiddich.com
Yamazaki 55 Year
Every so often a special whisky is released that makes the industry take notice. Suntory’s Yamazaki 55 is that whisky. With only 100 bottles every produced by the famed Japanese distillery, many have already made it to the second-hand market and are selling for well beyond the $90,000 price tag. Get your hands on a bottle and experience the deep amber colour, robust nose of sandalwood, blossom palate and bitter finish of the Yamazaki 55, if you don’t mind paying a smidge over retail.
Auction; dekanta.com
The Macallan Red Collection
The Macallan Red Collection is a true landmark release of rare single malt Scotch whiskies. This exquisite range features a selection of ongoing aged expressions, available in limited quantities worldwide. The Red Collection includes The Macallan 40yo, The Macallan 50yro and The Macallan 60yo, which are the oldest ongoing expressions offered by the whisky house. The Macallan 71yro, The Macallan 74yro and The Macallan 78yo being the oldest bottlings ever released by The Macallan– making it a highly exclusive and sought after series.
Created from some of the worlds oldest and rarest casks, each expression is delivered in an oak presentation box created from the same sustainable European oak used to craft The Macallan’s casks. Lined with sustainably-sourced soft red leather from Bridge of Weir Leather, this permanent release has been hand-finished and signed by The Macallan Master Whisky Maker 2019 Kirsteen Campbell. This distinct and one of a kind series features striking graphic art from globally acclaimed artist and illustrator Javi Aznarez who portrays the key characters that shaped the history of The Macallan distillery.
Learn More: themacallan.com:
Beluga Gold Line
Beluga Gold Line is a limited-edition vodka. Best paired with Black Caviar of course —It is dedicated to the true connoisseurs of strong spirits. Unlike other Beluga varieties, in this series the trademark blend of artesian water and malt spirit passes through not three but five rounds of filtering. Each bottle of Beluga Gold Line comes with its own serial number and an elegant hammer and brush to conveniently remove the cork stop and sealing wax – emphasising its 100% authenticity and individuality of this limited series vodka with an imposing attitude.
$174.99; danmurphys.com.au
IXSIR Grande Reserve
There’s no better time for a quality rosé than the Australian summer. The holiday period is one for celebrating and the warmer climates make us want to reach for the Ixsir Grand Reserve Rose with its light French style, subtle mouthfeel, firm acidity and delicate finish. The drop is available in both 750ml and magnum and I think you know which we’d opt for.
Magnum $89; vinsduliban.com.au
STYLE
Paspaley Ring For Men
In a first for the Australian jeweller, Paspaley unveiled a men’s ring earlier this year. Here, the Men’s Dive Chain ring draws inspiration from the colours of the ropes and chains of its pearling vessels. A two-tone black, rhodium and white gold chain wraps around a yellow gold ring band.
$2680; paspaley.com
Van Cleef & Arpels Zodiac Pendant
Van Cleef & Arpels produced a range of zodiac charms in the 1950s through 70s that have become one of the hottest collectibles on the secondary market. Finding one is even harder than nabbing a vintage Daytona but, luckily, the French jeweller recently reintroduced the astrological gems to its collection. These new pendants faithfully recreate the ancient coin look of the originals for the ultimate good luck charm.
$3450; vancleefarpels.com
Louis Vuitton Imagination
One of 2021’s best cologne launches, Imagination instantly landed in the fragrance stratosphere for its uplifting and mind-opening blend of amber and black tea. Bergamot, neroli and cedar broaden its wingspan, and together make Imagination a candidate for his new signature scent. It’s especially suited for guys with big ideas and—as its name suggests—colourful imaginations. Consider it wanderlust, bottled.
Penhaligon’s Racquets EDP
Bright, bold and fresh, this limited-edition EdP pays homage to that favourite summer sport: tennis. British perfumer Penhaligon’s composes this fresh scent from a base of strapping leather and guaiac wood, with zesty lemon and citrus fruits coming together.
100ml $289; libertineparfumerie.com.au
Tom Ford Patent Leather Midlands Zip Boots
Like Santa, Tom Ford always delivers. Here, a beautiful evening appropriate boot with a side zip detail, vintage-inspired centre seam, gold hardware and zipper arrives in a deep, chocolate brown tone. The patent leather finish adds further allure to the boots that offer black construction and are made in Italy.
$2233; harrolds.com.au
Bulldog island Life In Yellow / Green
These bold Bulldog shorts from Orlebar Brown offer the label’s signature mid-length fit. The printed recycled polyester woven short features a nickel-effect concealed snap closure, adjustable branded nickel-effect side fastener.
$475; orlebarbrown.com
Modern Man Collective Suave Beard Oil
Should your facial fuzz be clinging on post-Movember, or in dire need of a little TLC try the Suave beard oil from the Australian owned Modern Man Collective. Here, Suave takes its cues from Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille — think warm, spicy, sweet — and brings together a hybrid blend of essential oils, scent and anti-bacterial agents to help keep your facial hair looking, well, suave. The blends are vegan, paraben, alcohol, cruelty and sulphate free and a portion of revenue is donated to Beyond Blue and Movember.
Loro Piana Summer Walks
Is there a more perfect shoe to give an Aussie over Christmas? We think no. Loro Piana’s ‘Summer Walk’ loafers are set up for comfort. Handcrafted in Italy from suede, the shoe is treated with a water-repellent finish and have rubber soles.
$1038; mrporter.com
Beechworth Short Sleeved Polo
Add this fresh shade of olive green to someone’s stocking this summer. Knitted in Italy from ultra-soft linen and cotton the lightweight blend is perfect for weekend wear. With Kimber at the helm, and shell buttons fitted it’s an ideal fit for Australian summer.
$365; christiankimber.com
Moscot Bluma Sunglasses
The Bluma, here in Citron and Tortoise is handcrafted using Italian acetate and sees glass lenses fitted in Calibar Green. This stylish pair features the Moscot temple engravings acetate nose pads and fit comfortably to the nose via a keyhole nose bridge.
$455; moscot.com
EXTRAS
Baccarat Backgammon Set
Baccarat unveils a premium rendition of timeless games – like backgammon with its Jeux collection. Here, Dutch designer Marcel Wander reimagines the ancient game with a limited edition set crafted from precious marble with crystal playing pieces. Made in France, the set cares not who is playing as everybody wins.
$24,652; baccarat.com
Pent Raxa Boxing Bag
Kickboxing is hard-core, fitness-wise, but it requires some heavy-duty equipment. The Pent punching bag resembles a svelte leather midcentury-modern floor lamp, one you
can beat to a pulp whenever you want. Even the bag’s filling—castaway leather scraps—is suitably upscale (as well as sustainable). Blowing off steam doesn’t get much better-looking than this.
Approx. $1,840; pentfitness.com
Ybell
YBell? Why not we say.
Each bell acts as kettlebell, dumbbell, push-up bar and medicine ball in one. The design provides four unique holding points — allowing the user to seamlessly pivot between a wide range of exercises across a routine. While YBell provides various classes through its channels and app including free introductory workouts through to paid programs aimed at differing fitness levels Plus, they are locally owned.
Smythsons Panama Writing Folder
Whether one is working from home or back at the office, an organised, attractive desktop is key for productivity. Smythson’s folder has room for all his big ideas, jam-packed itinerary, addresses and more—and housed in a sleek grained leather case, it’s a far chicer personal assistant than an iPhone. Spring for monogramming to make it extra special.
$818; harrods.com
Montblanc Pen
Some of the best gifts are luxurious upgrades to everyday essentials, such as this sleek rollerball pen. It combines vivid green resin with platinum for a writing instrument that’s worthy of the most brilliant thoughts—or just scribbles.
$410; montblanc.com
Robb Report Annual Subscription
Award-winning luxury delivered for the next 12 months – is there anything better? We say no, this is the gift that literally keeps on giving with quarterly print and digital issues included, so too exclusive offers, access to Robb Report’s VIP concierge services and more. This is the ultimate subscription.
$75; robbreport.com.au
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Watch of the Week: TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith
The legendary sports watch returns, but with an unexpected twist.
Over the last few years, watch pundits have predicted the return of the eccentric TAG Heuer Formula 1, in some shape or form. It was all but confirmed when TAG Heuer’s heritage director, Nicholas Biebuyck, teased a slew of vintage models on his Instagram account in the aftermath of last year’s Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva. And when speaking with Frédéric Arnault at last year’s trade fair, the former CEO asked me directly if the brand were to relaunch its legacy Formula 1 collection, loved by collectors globally, how should they go about it?
My answer to the baited entreaty definitely didn’t mention a collaboration with Ronnie Fieg of Kith, one of the world’s biggest streetwear fashion labels. Still, here we are: the TAG Heuer Formula 1 is officially back and as colourful as ever.
As the watch industry enters its hype era—in recent years, we’ve seen MoonSwatches, Scuba Fifty Fathoms, and John Mayer G-Shocks—the new Formula 1 x Kith collaboration might be the coolest yet.
Here’s the lowdown: overnight, TAG Heuer, together with Kith, took to socials to unveil a special, limited-edition collection of Formula 1 timepieces, inspired by the original collection from the 1980s. There are 10 new watches, all limited, with some designed on a stainless steel bracelet and some on an upgraded rubber strap; both options nod to the originals.
Seven are exclusive to Kith and its global stores (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Hawaii, Tokyo, Toronto, and Paris, to be specific), and are made in an abundance of colours. Two are exclusive to TAG Heuer; and one is “shared” between TAG Heuer and Kith—this is a highlight of the collection, in our opinion. A faithful play on the original composite quartz watch from 1986, this model, limited to just 1,350 pieces globally, features the classic black bezel with red accents, a stainless steel bracelet, and that creamy eggshell dial, in all of its vintage-inspired glory. There’s no doubt that this particular model will present as pure nostalgia for those old enough to remember when the original TAG Heuer Formula 1 made its debut.
Of course, throughout the collection, Fieg’s design cues are punctuated: the “TAG” is replaced with “Kith,” forming a contentious new brand name for this specific release, as well as Kith’s slogan, “Just Us.”
Collectors and purists alike will appreciate the dedication to the original Formula 1 collection: features like the 35mm Arnite cases—sourced from the original 80s-era supplier—the form hour hand, a triangle with a dot inside at 12 o’clock, indices that alternate every quarter between shields and dots, and a contrasting minuterie, are all welcomed design specs that make this collaboration so great.
Every TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith timepiece will be presented in an eye-catching box that complements the fun and colour theme of Formula 1 but drives home the premium status of this collaboration. On that note, at $2,200 a piece, this isn’t exactly an approachable quartz watch but reflects the exclusive nature of Fieg’s Kith brand and the pieces he designs (largely limited-edition).
So, what do we think? It’s important not to understate the significance of the arrival of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 in 1986, in what would prove integral in setting up the brand for success throughout the 90’s—it was the very first watch collection to have “TAG Heuer” branding, after all—but also in helping to establish a new generation of watch consumer. Like Fieg, many millennial enthusiasts will recall their sentimental ties with the Formula 1, often their first timepiece in their horological journey.
This is as faithful of a reissue as we’ll get from TAG Heuer right now, and budding watch fans should be pleased with the result. To TAG Heuer’s credit, a great deal of research has gone into perfecting and replicating this iconic collection’s proportions, materials, and aesthetic for the modern-day consumer. Sure, it would have been nice to see a full lume dial, a distinguishing feature on some of the original pieces—why this wasn’t done is lost on me—and perhaps a more approachable price point, but there’s no doubt these will become an instant hit in the days to come.
—
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith collection will be available on Friday, May 3rd, exclusively in-store at select TAG Heuer and Kith locations in Miami, and available starting Monday, May 6th, at select TAG Heuer boutiques, all Kith shops, and online at Kith.com. To see the full collection, visit tagheuer.com
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8 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Aston Martin
The British sports car company is most famous as the vehicle of choice for James Bond, but Aston Martin has an interesting history beyond 007.
Aston Martin will forever be associated with James Bond, ever since everyone’s favourite spy took delivery of his signature silver DB5 in the 1964 film Goldfinger. But there’s a lot more to the history of this famed British sports car brand beyond its association with the fictional British Secret Service agent.
Let’s dive into the long and colourful history of Aston Martin.
The origin of the Aston Martin name
The company that would become Aston Martin started out as a car dealership. In 1912, Englishmen Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin partnered to sell cars, but soon after they decided to build their own models. Their first prototype debuted in 1915, named in honour of Martin, a racing driver, and his favourite racing venue, Aston Hills. Thus, the name Aston Martin was born.
A speed-demon co-founder banned from driving
Aston Martin co-founder Lionel Martin wasn’t just a keen racing driver—he was an all-out speed demon. As a student, Martin won numerous gruelling bicycle racing records, including riding nearly the full width of England in one 22-hour stretch. He competed in motorcycle and sidecar races and automotive hillclimb competitions. It seems he also brought that need for speed to the public roadways: In 1909, having neglected to pay a previous speeding fine, Martin was caught driving 41.5 km/ph in London and was banned from driving for two years—during which he set yet another cross-country bicycle record.
A tractor company takes over
The years after World War I were tumultuous for Aston Martin, with financial difficulties and numerous takeovers. In 1947, Aston Martin went up for sale and was purchased by David Brown Limited, a company that specialised in farm tractors and industrial gears. Sir David Brown, grandson of the company’s founder, was a lifelong car enthusiast and racer, having built his own competition cars while working as an engineer at the family company. The first car built by Aston Martin after this takeover was called the DB1, named after the tractor company (and the man) that had saved the carmaker.
An indirect connection to Bentley
Around the same time that Sir David Brown took over Aston Martin, he purchased another struggling British carmaker, Lagonda. The company was developing a revolutionary twin-cam six-cylinder engine called the LB6, and Sir David wanted the engine for his new line of Aston Martin sports cars. The Lagonda engine had been designed by none other than W.O. Bentley—the man who co-founded Bentley Motors, who had long since been pushed out of the company bearing his name.
The history of the DB Series
Aston Martin built seven vehicles named in honour of owner Sir David Brown: The DB1, DB2, DB3, DB4, DB5, DB6, and the combo-breaker DBS all bore Sir David’s initials. In 1972, Sir David sold the car company, and the new owners ended the DB series of vehicles, but the name was revived in 1993 with the DB7 in honour of Sir David—who himself was given an honorary position at the company that same year.
Bond, James Bond
Of course, the most famous Aston Martin of them all is the DB5. Just over 1,000 examples were built between 1963 and 1965, but millions worldwide know this as the James Bond car. In the books, author Ian Fleming had specified an earlier Aston Martin DB Mark III as Bond’s car. Still, the DB5 was introduced in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, equipped with gadgets including machine guns, smoke screens, oil slicks, an ejector seat, and rotating license plates. Bond has driven several Aston Martin models over the years, including a V8 Vantage, a V12 Vanquish, and two DBS models, but the original DB5 will always be considered the quintessential Bond car.
The angular years
Today, the Aston Martin badge is most closely associated with swooping, evocatively curvy car designs, but in the 1970s the company was obsessed with angular, wedge-shaped designs. The trend began in 1976 with the Aston Martin Lagonda, a shockingly unconventional four-door luxury sedan with “folded-paper” body styling and the world’s first all-digital instrument panel. The Lagonda’s styling was further evolved in 1979 with the Bulldog, a radical concept car with gullwing doors and a sharply pointed nose. The Bulldog was meant to become the fastest road car on earth, but the project was abandoned before production could begin.
For Bond’s eyes only
While most of James Bond’s Aston Martins have been commercially available to anyone who could afford one, the DB10 seen in the 2015 film Spectre was exclusive to 007. As Aston Martin executive Marek Reichman explained to Variety, director Sam Mendes, producer Barbara Broccoli, and Bond star Daniel Craig were touring Aston Martin’s design studios when they saw a concept sketch on the wall. The Bond team insisted that this should be 007’s next car, and Aston Martin spent the next six months furiously working to turn the drawing into a real-world car. The DB10 was unveiled during the launch of the film Spectre, and eight of the 10 examples built were featured in the movie, with the remaining two used for promotional appearances.
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What Venice’s New Tourist Tax Means for Your Next Trip
The Italian city will now charge visitors an entry fee during peak season.
Visiting the Floating City just got a bit more expensive.
Venice is officially the first metropolis in the world to start implementing a day-trip fee in an effort to help the Italian hot spot combat overtourism during peak season, The Associated Press reported. The new program, which went into effect, requires travellers to cough up roughly €5 (about $AUD8.50) per person before they can explore the city’s canals and historic sites. Back in January, Venice also announced that starting in June, it would cap the size of tourist groups to 25 people and prohibit loudspeakers in the city centre and the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
“We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,’ Simone Venturini, the city’s top tourism official, told AP News. “We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”
During this trial phase, the fee only applies to the 29 days deemed the busiest—between April 25 and July 14—and tickets will remain valid from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Visitors under 14 years of age will be allowed in free of charge in addition to guests with hotel reservations. However, the latter must apply online beforehand to request an exemption. Day-trippers can also pre-pay for tickets online via the city’s official tourism site or snap them up in person at the Santa Lucia train station.
“With courage and great humility, we are introducing this system because we want to give a future to Venice and leave this heritage of humanity to future generations,” Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) regarding the city’s much-talked-about entry fee.
Despite the mayor’s backing, it’s apparent that residents weren’t totally pleased with the program. The regulation led to protests and riots outside of the train station, The Independent reported. “We are against this measure because it will do nothing to stop overtourism,” resident Cristina Romieri told the outlet. “Moreover, it is such a complex regulation with so many exceptions that it will also be difficult to enforce it.”
While Venice is the first city to carry out the new day-tripper fee, several other European locales have introduced or raised tourist taxes to fend off large crowds and boost the local economy. Most recently, Barcelona increased its city-wide tourist tax. Similarly, you’ll have to pay an extra “climate crisis resilience” tax if you plan on visiting Greece that will fund the country’s disaster recovery projects.
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Omega Reveals a New Speedmaster Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics
Your first look at the new Speedmaster Chronoscope, designed in the colour theme of the Paris Olympics.
The starters are on the blocks, and with less than 100 days to go until the Paris 2024 Olympics, luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega was bound to release something spectacular to mark its bragging rights as the official timekeeper for the Summer Games. Enter the new 43mm Speedmaster Chronoscope, available in new colourways—gold, black, and white—in line with the colour theme of the Olympic Games in Paris this July.
So, what do we get in this nicely-wrapped, Olympics-inspired package? Technically, there are four new podium-worthy iterations of the iconic Speedmaster.
The new versions present handsomely in stainless steel or 18K Moonshine Gold—the brand’s proprietary yellow gold known for its enduring shine. The steel version has an anodised aluminium bezel and a stainless steel bracelet or vintage-inspired perforated leather strap. The Moonshine Gold iteration boasts a ceramic bezel; it will most likely appease Speedy collectors, particularly those with an affinity for Omega’s long-standing role as stewards of the Olympic Games.
Notably, each watch bears an attractive white opaline dial; the background to three dark grey timing scales in a 1940s “snail” design. Of course, this Speedmaster Chronoscope is special in its own right. For the most part, the overall look of the Speedmaster has remained true to its 1957 origins. This Speedmaster, however, adopts Omega’s Chronoscope design from 2021, including the storied tachymeter scale, along with a telemeter, and pulsometer scale—essentially, three different measurements on the wrist.
While the technical nature of this timepiece won’t interest some, others will revel in its theatrics. Turn over each timepiece, and instead of a transparent crystal caseback, there is a stamped medallion featuring a mirror-polished Paris 2024 logo, along with “Paris 2024” and the Olympic Rings—a subtle nod to this year’s games.
Powering this Olympiad offering—and ensuring the greatest level of accuracy—is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9908 and 9909, certified by METAS.
A Speedmaster to commemorate the Olympic Games was as sure a bet as Mondo Deplantis winning gold in the men’s pole vault—especially after Omega revealed its Olympic-edition Seamaster Diver 300m “Paris 2024” last year—but they delivered a great addition to the legacy collection, without gimmickry.
However, the all-gold Speedmaster is 85K at the top end of the scale, which is a lot of money for a watch of this stature. By comparison, the immaculate Speedmaster Moonshine gold with a sun-brushed green PVD “step” dial is 15K cheaper, albeit without the Chronoscope complications.
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The Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope in stainless steel with a leather strap is priced at $15,725; stainless steel with steel bracelet at $16,275; 18k Moonshine Gold on leather strap $54,325; and 18k Moonshine Gold with matching gold bracelet $85,350, available at Omega boutiques now.
Discover the collection here
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Here’s What Goes Into Making Jay-Z’s $1,800 Champagne
We put Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noirs Assemblage No. 4 under the microsope.
In our quest to locate the most exclusive and exciting wines for our readers, we usually ask the question, “How many bottles of this were made?” Often, we get a general response based on an annual average, although many Champagne houses simply respond, “We do not wish to communicate our quantities.” As far as we’re concerned, that’s pretty much like pleading the Fifth on the witness stand; yes, you’re not incriminating yourself, but anyone paying attention knows you’re probably guilty of something. In the case of some Champagne houses, that something is making a whole lot of bottles—millions of them—while creating an illusion of rarity.
We received the exact opposite reply regarding Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noirs Assemblage No. 4. Yasmin Allen, the company’s president and CEO, told us only 7,328 bottles would be released of this Pinot Noir offering. It’s good to know that with a sticker price of around $1,800, it’s highly limited, but it still makes one wonder what’s so exceptional about it.
Known by its nickname, Ace of Spades, for its distinctive and decorative metallic packaging, Armand de Brignac is owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy and Jay-Z and is produced by Champagne Cattier. Each bottle of Assemblage No. 4 is numbered; a small plate on the back reads “Assemblage Four, [X,XXX]/7,328, Disgorged: 20 April, 2023.” Prior to disgorgement, it spent seven years in the bottle on lees after primary fermentation mostly in stainless steel with a small amount in concrete. That’s the longest of the house’s Champagnes spent on the lees, but Allen says the winemaking team tasted along the way and would have disgorged earlier than planned if they’d felt the time was right.
Chef de cave, Alexandre Cattier, says the wine is sourced from some of the best Premier and Grand Cru Pinot Noir–producing villages in the Champagne region, including Chigny-les-Roses, Verzenay, Rilly-la-Montagne, Verzy, Ludes, Mailly-Champagne, and Ville-sur-Arce in the Aube département. This is considered a multi-vintage expression, using wine from a consecutive trio of vintages—2013, 2014, and 2015—to create an “intense and rich” blend. Seventy percent of the offering is from 2015 (hailed as one of the finest vintages in recent memory), with 15 percent each from the other two years.
This precisely crafted Champagne uses only the tête de cuvée juice, a highly selective extraction process. As Allen points out, “the winemakers solely take the first and freshest portion of the gentle cuvée grape press,” which assures that the finished wine will be the highest quality. Armand de Brignac used grapes from various sites and three different vintages so the final product would reflect the house signature style. This is the fourth release in a series that began with Assemblage No. 1. “Testing different levels of intensity of aromas with the balance of red and dark fruits has been a guiding principle between the Blanc de Noirs that followed,” Allen explains.
The CEO recommends allowing the Assemblage No. 4 to linger in your glass for a while, telling us, “Your palette will go on a journey, evolving from one incredible aroma to the next as the wine warms in your glass where it will open up to an extraordinary length.” We found it to have a gorgeous bouquet of raspberry and Mission fig with hints of river rock; as it opened, notes of toasted almond and just-baked brioche became noticeable. With striking acidity and a vein of minerality, it has luscious nectarine, passion fruit, candied orange peel, and red plum flavors with touches of beeswax and a whiff of baking spices on the enduring finish. We enjoyed our bottle with a roast chicken rubbed with butter and herbes de Provence and savored the final, extremely rare sip with a bit of Stilton. Unfortunately, the pairing possibilities are not infinite with this release; there are only 7,327 more ways to enjoy yours.
