Golf experiences you will want to do more than once

We tee off at the three best golf experiences in each of Australia, New Zealand and Asia

By Matt Cleary 07/10/2018

The notion of a ‘bucket list’ is a worthy one, but it presumes finality; that an experience is so good you’ll do it just once before you die. But if you so loved the pyramids at Giza or rafting the Amazon or skydiving nude (more popular than you might think), then why not experience it again and again? Among great golf experiences, even those on our Austral-asian doorstep, there are some that might only be done once. Tara Iti, north of Auckland, is so beautiful it exhausts the thesaurus. As such, the owners are discerning; non-members need to write a letter to secure a one-time invite. Shanqin Bay is considered the best in all China; befriending one of its handful of members may be the only avenue to play there.But the rest of these world-class courses are more than playable. Melbourne’s ‘Sandbelt’ holds the highest concentration of championship courses on the planet. Tasmania has four of the world’s best courses within a few puddle-jumping plane trips. New Zealand’s courses make great use of their ‘Middle Earth’ movie locations. And Asia is blossoming with brilliant courses you’ll want to play again. And again and again …

Australia

## Tasmania

Barnbougle Dunes was once a chunk of non-arable dune-side ‘links’ land owned by Angus cattle breeder and potato farmer Richard Sattler. An hour’s drive northwest of Launceston, it’s now a storied piece of golfing real estate: windswept dunes, rolling basins and bowls, multi-tiered greens, plenty of theatre, adventure, fun. The course that Sattler built here, Barnbougle Lost Farm, has chutes, fairways like polo fields, bunkers like chasms, greens like amoebae. It’s polished by wind and carved from the Marram grass. And the 270-degree views of Bass Strait and the golf course from its brilliant restaurant – try the scallops, oysters and rib-eye steak – are jaw-dropping.Ocean views and outstanding golf are no less in evidence on King Island’s Cape Wickham – which was slotted straight into Australia’s number three and world number 24 by Golf Digest – and Ocean Dunes, which opened in September 2016.These latter two courses make superb use of the ocean, the shores and the greater topography, with crescent-shaped holes curling around beaches and bays.

## Victoria

Melbourne’s Sandbelt holds the greatest concentration of world-class golf courses on the planet. Within 30 minutes’ drive of Melbourne’s CBD lie Victoria, Royal Melbourne (host of the Presidents Cup), Kingston Heath (host of the World Cup), Metropolitan, Commonwealth, Huntingdale, Yarra Yarra, Woodlands and Peninsula.The famous course architect Dr Alister MacKenzie (1870-1934; architect of Augusta National) had a hand in many. Tiger Woods said the Sandbelt was his “favourite place to play golf”. “The bunkering is just phenomenal,” said Woods. “You don’t get to see bunkering like this in any other place in the world.” Woods described Kingston Heath as “an unbelievable golf course”. Adam Scott says he “could play Kingston Heath every day for the rest of my life”.To play the Heath or any of the above-mentioned Sandbelters, one should stay at Victoria Golf Club, which has 15 comfortable, stately guest rooms. As a guest, you’ll enjoy the same privileges as the club captain. Thus you may play the course, drink from a tankard that belonged to former premier Henry Bolte, and dress in dinner jacket to enjoy a three-course meal.Perhaps best of all, while a guest of Victoria GC you will share reciprocal membership with other Sandbelt golf courses. So there’s no excuse to not play them all.

## New South Wales

No other course in Australia, nor perhaps the world, pays such homage to the famous Augusta National as Bonville, six hours’ drive north of Sydney. With glorious, long white eucalypts called ‘flooded gums’ and a subtropical feel, Bonville is not without its challenges and your ball may find its way into sclerophyll forest a time or two. But it is two things: super-fun to play; and beautiful. It’s like playing golf in a rainforest, which it is. It’s like someone tried to carve Augusta National out of the NSW Coffs Coast hinterland, which they did. Its restaurant, Flooded Gums, shares chefs with Jonah’s (overlooking Sydney’s Whale Beach) and thus has its menu been awarded ‘hats’ from various good food guides and ‘glasses’ from gourmet magazines for its wine list. Accommodation is on-site.

New Zealand

## Tara Iti

Tom Doak is the enfant terrible of golf course design, borrowing heavily from Dr Alister MacKenzie to create the planet’s most photogenic golf courses. The 57-year-old American’s masterpiece – Tara Iti – could be his most stunning yet. Though it’s full of sand, there are no bunkers. The greens are made from the same tight fescue as the fairways – they’re just mown shorter. The fairways are undulating and wide. It was once a pine forest. Now it’s equal parts fescue, sand and spinifex. In fact, Tara Iti might just be the most beautiful landscape you’ve ever seen.As with many Doak designs, the best approach depends on where you place your ball. Certainly Mr MacKenzie would approve. As he would the views: out to sea, on the course, from tee-to-fairway-to-tight-mown-green.Tara Iti is highly exclusive, borrowing from the United States model of equity membership. Yet there’s a limited number of one-time tee-times for which non-members may apply, conditional on their staying in the on-site, luxury accommodations.

## Queenstown

Courtesy: Jacks Point Website

This is a great town: superb restaurants, funky bars, a cool, almost ‘European’ feel. Queenstown is a snow-lover’s winter wonderland, a Mecca for adventurers and a golf tourist’s dream.The most photogenic golf course is Jack’s Point, the John Darby design framed by the craggy, snow-capped Remarkables, on super-blue Lake Wakatipu. It offers golfers views they will never forget (and will photograph and keep in scrapbooks). The Hills, co-host of the New Zealand Open, is owned by jeweller Michael Hill and is dotted with sculptures of hungry wolves, massive horses and a weta, the huge local grasshopper. Set in a glacial valley, The Hills is all rocky outcrops and elevations, with sand and grass and waterways, and stunning vistas.The NZ Open’s other host is Sir Bob Charles’ Millbrook, voted the best golf resort in Oceania at the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards and World Golf Awards. Today, its 27 holes are a mixture of ‘parkland’ and ‘links’ styles, set against the dramatic alpine amphitheatre of the Remarkables and New Zealand’s greater Lord of the Rings set.

## Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers

The websites of Cape Kidnappers and its sister course, Kauri Cliffs, don’t do justice to the majesty of their settings – but they have an almighty good try. Drone camera technology enables visitors to enjoy almost ethereal views of these mega-courses.If you’re a golfer, chances are you’ve seen Kidnappers’ long ‘fingers’ of land that jut into the Pacific. The mighty gorges, the chalky cliffs, the contrasting greens, browns and blue seas. Like Kauri, it looks forbidding, enticing and beautiful all at the same time. From the air, they look like golf heaven.Players can arrive at both courses via the owners’ E130 helicopter, direct from Auckland Airport. It whisks passengers between courses, over the stunning Bay of Islands, across the Coromandel Peninsula, the beaches of Tauranga and the vineyards of Hawkes Bay, in a flight that takes a little under three hours. The ‘lodges’ on both sites are world class. Flying between them is like going from heaven to nirvana.

Asia

## Nikanti

Nikanti Golf Club, an hour out of Bangkok, eschews the traditional dual nine-hole configuration for three six-hole loops. Within each set of six are two par-3s, two par-4s and two par-5s, all pristine and manicured. On arrival, golfers are greeted by dozens of staff in smart, clean kit. The $30 million clubhouse is all smooth lines, glass and timber, and objets d’art. Architects would swoon. The change rooms are the latest in luxury with a mighty spa and sauna, the linen and toiletries assortments like those of a luxury hotel. The course is all green with flashes of white sand, purple wheat and orange jacaranda. There are swales and lakes and amoeba-shaped bunker complexes. There isn’t a jaw-dropping ‘signature’ hole at Nikanti. The par-3s are long and strong. There are short par-4s and long ones. The par-5s are reachable in two for the bombers.For value, grooming, conditioning, change rooms, pro shop, restaurant (particularly), cabana bars and staff, Nikanti offers arguably the best golf experience in Thailand

## Els Course Teluk Datai

Langkawi Island, a short flight from Kuala Lumpur, is filled with monkeys, monitor lizards, Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, and eagles that soar and dive for fish. There are thousands of species of birds and butterflies. It’s like a scene from Avatar.Set among the rainforest is Ernie Els’ Els Club. Wide fairways, a cathedral feel and holes routed upwards through the bush and downwards to the coast. Most holes have a view of knife-shaped Mount Mat Cincang. Many are tree-lined corridors. The course doesn’t have a ‘signature’ hole, per se, because they’re all quite unique. Double-greens on the water. Crystal streaming across fairways. Five of the holes buffet the Andaman Sea.The Beach Villas of The Datai are appropriately luxurious, each with a private garden, direct access to the beach, a 10-metre private swimming pool with sundeck, indoor and open-air rain showers and more.A must-do is a sunset sail on the Naga Pelangi with champagne and scallop canapés. Watch the red sun slowly sink through the heat haze with fellow guests from many lands, hosted by a charming German couple, Christoph and Ulrike Swoboda, who built the junk and sail it, and live many dreams.

## Hainan Island

There are dozens of golf courses on Hainan Island, including 10 under the famous Mission Hills banner. Elsewhere, there’s The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula, a gently undulating, seaside, 36-hole ‘links’-style course designed by US Open champion Tom Weiskopf. There’s Jian Lake Blue Bay, also by the seaside: tropical feel, coconut trees, sand dunes, red-sandpot bunkers with riveted timber faces, native grasses, flowering bougainvillea, volcanic stone walls and fast paspalum fairways and greens.But the best on the island – and the best in China, according to Golf Digest – is Shanqin Bay, a former pineapple plantation bordered on three sides by the South China Sea. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (of Lost Farm fame), it’s an interesting mix of long-bomb par-5s, driveable par-4s and scenic par-3s by the beach. Holes run in all directions: upwards to the rocky bluffs, across escarpment, downwards to the coast. There are sand dunes, canyons, wind and water. It’s the best course in China. It (reportedly) only has 20 members. To join costs US$1 million. And that might just be the last word.

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Escape from the Ordinary

Ponant, the luxury cruise line known for its meticulously planned itineraries and high-end service, ups the ante on their upcoming European Journeys that promise an unrivalled exploration of the Mediterranean.

By Robb Report Team 19/02/2024

Not all cruises are created equally. Ponant, the luxury cruise line known for its meticulously planned itineraries and high-end service, ups the ante on their upcoming European Journeys that promise an unrivalled exploration of the Mediterranean. From the stunning Amalfi Coast to the pristine Greek Islands, the narrow Corinth Canal to the picturesque Dalmatian coast, historic Istanbul and beguiling Malaga, each destination is a unique adventure waiting to be unravelled. With Ponant, these aren’t just locations on a map; they’re experiences that come alive with the intimate knowledge and insight that their expert guides provide.

Ponant’s luxury cruises are renowned for their individuality, with no two journeys the same. This is not by chance. Itineraries are scrupulously designed to ensure that each passenger is left with a feeling of having embarked on a journey unlike any other.

Athens-Venise. Photograph by N.Matheus. ©PONANT

In 2025, their fleet will set sail for a combined 56 departures from March to October, exploring the dreamy locales of Greece and the Greek Islands, Malta, Italy (including Venice and Sicily), Croatia, France, Turkey, Spain and Portugal. These European Journeys offer an intimate encounter with the Mediterranean, its people and culture. As you cruise in luxury, you’ll dive deep into the heart of each destination, exploring historic sites, engaging with locals, sampling scrumptious cuisine and soaking in the vibrant atmospheres.

The company’s small, sustainable ships, which can accommodate from as few as 32 to 264 guests, have the exclusive ability to sail into ports inaccessible to larger cruise liners, affording privileged entry into some of the world’s most treasured alcoves. Picture sailing under London’s iconic Tower Bridge, crossing the Corinth Canal, or disembarking directly onto the sidewalk during ports of call in culturally rich cities like Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice and Venice, among others.

Photo by Tamar Sarkissian. ©PONANT

This singular closeness is further enriched by destination experts who unravel the tapestry of each locale’s history and traditions.

Onboard their luxurious ships, every guest is a VIP and treated to refined service and amenities akin to sailing on a private yacht. Whether at sea or ashore, their destination experts guarantee a fascinating experience, immersing you in the rich cultural and historical diversity of each region.

Indulge in the finest gastronomy at sea, inspired by none other than gastronomic virtuoso and Ponant partner, Alain Ducasse. Each voyage offers an expertly crafted dining experience, from a-la-carte meals with perfectly matched wines by the onboard Sommelier at dinner and lunch, to a French-inspired buffet breakfast, featuring all the favourite pastries, fresh bread and quality produce.

Chef Mickael Legrand. Photograph by NickRains. ©PONANT

For a more intimate discovery, consider Le Ponant, with its 16 high-class staterooms and suites—perfect for private charter—sailing eight exclusive routes between Greece and Croatia, offering guests unparalleled experiences both onboard and ashore. Ponant’s commitment to crafting unforgettable experiences extends beyond itineraries. Aboard their ships, the luxury is in every detail. Unwind in opulent cabins and suites, each offering private balconies and breathtaking views of the azure water and destinations beyond.

Ponant’s upcoming European Journeys are more than just cruises—they’re your passport to a world of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and unrivalled luxury. Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on the voyage of a lifetime: the Mediterranean is calling.

To book European 2025 sailings visit au.ponant.com; call 1300 737 178 (AU) or 0800 767 018 (NZ) or contact your preferred travel agent.

 

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Saint Laurent Just Opened a New Bookstore in Paris. Here’s a Look Inside.

The chic new outpost is located on the city’s arty Left Bank.

By Rachel Cormack 14/02/2024

Saint Laurent is taking over even more of Paris.

The French fashion house, which only just opened an epic new flagship on Champs-Élysées, has launched a chic new bookstore on the Left Bank. Located in the 7th arrondissement, Saint Laurent Babylone is a mecca of art, music, literature, and, of course, fashion.

The new outpost is a tribute to the connection that Yves Saint Laurent and partner Pierre Bergé had to the Rue Babylone, according to Women’s Wear Daily. (In 1970, the pair moved to a 6,500-square-foot duplex on the street.) It is also inspired by the house’s original ready-to-wear boutique, Saint Laurent Rive Guache, which opened in the 6th arrondissement in 1966.

The exposed concrete in contrasted by sleek marble accents. SAINT LAURENT

With a minimalist, art gallery-like aesthetic, the space is anchored by a hefty marble bench and large black shelves. The raw, textured concrete on the walls is juxtaposed by a soft blue and white rug, a wooden Pierre Jeanneret desk, and sleek Donald Judd stools.

The wares within Saint Laurent Babylone are the most important part, of course. Curated by Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello, the collection includes everything from photos by British artist Rose Finn-Kelcey to books published by Saint Laurent itself. Some tomes on offer are so rare that white gloves are required for handling.

The store also offers an enviable selection of records that are no longer being pressed. Highlights include Sade’s Promise, Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love, and the debut studio album of electronic band Kraftwerk.

Other notable items on the shelves include Leica cameras, chocolates made in collaboration with pastry chef François Daubinet, prints by Juergen Teller, and brass skull sculptures. You’ll also find an assortment of YSL merch, including pens, lighters, and cups.

To top it off, Saint Laurent Babylone will double as an event space, hosting live music sessions, DJ sets, book readings, and author signings over the coming months.

Saint Laurent’s latest endeavor isn’t exactly surprising. With Vaccarello at the helm, the Kering-owned fashion house has entered new cultural realms. Only last year, the label established a film production company and debuted its first movie at Cannes.

The space is fitted with a Pierre Jeanneret desk and Donald Judd stools.
SAINT LAURENT

Perhaps Saint Laurent film reels and movie posters will soon be available at Babylone, too.

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The Best Watches at the Grammys, From Maluma’s Jacob & Co. to Jon Batiste’s Vacheron Constantin

Music’s biggest names sported some outstanding watches on Sunday evening.

By Rachel Mccormack 08/02/2024

Weird yet wonderful watches punctuated this year’s Grammys.

The woman of the moment, Taylor Swift, who made history by winning Album of the Year for an unprecedented fourth time, wore an unconventional Lorraine Schwartz choker watch to the annual awards ceremony on Sunday night. That was just the tip of the horological iceberg, though.

Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma elevated a classic Dolce & Gabbana suit with a dazzling Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon and a pair of custom, diamond-encrusted Bose earbuds, while American musician Jon Batiste topped off a stylish Versace ensemble with a sleek Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon. Not to be outdone, rapper Busta Rhymes busted out a rare Audemars Piguet Royal Oak for the occasion.

There was more understated wrist candy on display, too, such as Jack Antonoff’s Cartier Tank LC and Noah Kahan’s Panerai Luminor Quaranta BiTempo.

For the rest of the best watches we saw on the Grammys 2024 red carpet, read on.

Maluma: Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon

Maluma busted out some truly spectacular bling for this year’s Grammys. The Colombian singer-songwriter paired a classic Dolce & Gabbana suit with a dazzling Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon and a pair of custom, diamond-encrusted Bose earbuds. The sculptural wrist candy sees a four-arm movement floating in front of a breathtaking dial adorned with no less than 257 rubies. For added pizzaz, the lugs of the 18-karat rose-gold case are invisibly set with 80 baguette-cut white diamonds. Limited to just nine examples, the rarity is priced at $1.5 million.

Asake: Hublot Big Bang Essential Grey

Nigerian singer-songwriter Asake may not have won the Grammy for Best African Music Performance for “Amapiano,” but did wear a winning Hublot Big Bang at Sunday’s proceedings. Released in 2023, the Essential Grey model is made purely of titanium for a sleek, uniform feel. The 42 mm timepiece was limited to just 100 pieces and cost $37,000 a pop.

John Legend: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding

Multihyphenate John Legend wore a legendary Audemars Piguet with silky Saint Laurent on Sunday evening. The self-winding Royal Oak in question features a 34 mm black ceramic case, a black grande tapisserie dial, and striking pink gold accents. The watchmaker’s signature is also displayed in gold under the sapphire crystal. The piece will set you back $81,000.

Jon Batiste: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon

American musician Jon Batiste received four nominations but no wins at this year’s Grammys. The “Butterfly” singer can take solace in the fact that he looked ultra-sharp in Versace and Vacheron Constantin. A tribute to the spirit of travel, the Overseas Tourbillon features a 42.5 mm white-gold case, a bezel set with 60 baguette-cut diamonds, and a blue dial featuring a dazzling tourbillon cage inspired by the Maltese cross. Price upon request, naturally.

Fireboy DML: Cartier Santos

Fireboy DML’s outfit was straight fire on Sunday night. The Nigerian singer paired an MCM wool jacket with a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, several iced-out rings, and a sleek Cartier Santos. The timepiece features a steel case, a graduated blue dial with steel sword-shaped hands, and a seven-sided crown with synthetic faceted blue spinel.

Noah Kahan: Panerai Luminor Quaranta BiTempo

Best New Artist nominee Noah Kahan wore one of Panerai’s best new watches to Sunday’s festivities. The Luminor Quaranta BiTempo features a 40 mm polished steel case and a black dial with luminous numerals and hour markers, a date display at 3 o’clock, and a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock. The timepiece can be yours for $14,000.

Busta Rhymes: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Legendary rapper Busta Rhymes busted out a chic Audemars Piguet for this year’s Grammys. The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in question is distinguished by a 42 mm rose-gold case and a matching pink méga tapisserie dial with an outer flange for the tachymeter scale. The face is fitted with three black subdials, large black numerals, and a black date display at 3 o’clock. You can expect to pay around $61,200 for the chronograph on the secondary market.

Jack Antonoff: Cartier Tank Louis Cartier

Producer of the year Jack Antonoff took to the red carpet with a stylish Cartier on his wrist. The Tank Louis Cartier in question appears to be a large 33.7 mm example that features an 18-carat rose-gold case, a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and blued steel hands, a beaded crown set with a sapphire cabochon, and a brown alligator strap. It’ll set you back $19,900.

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This 44-Foot Carbon-Fiber Speedboat Can Rocket to 177 KMPH

The new Mayla GT is available with a range of different powertrains, too.

By Rachel Cormack 03/02/2024

We knew the Mayla GT would be one of the most exciting boats at Boot Düsseldorf, but a deep dive into the specs shows it could be downright revolutionary.

The brainchild of German start-up Mayla, the 44-footer brings you the blistering performance of a speedboat and the luxe amenities of a motor yacht in one neat carbon-fiber package.

Inspired by the go-fast boats of the 1970s and ‘80s, the GT sports an angular, retro-futuristic body and the sleek lines of a rocket ship. Tipping the scales at just 4500 kilograms, the lightweight design features a deep-V hull with twin transversal steps and patented Petestep deflectors that help it slice through the waves with ease. In fact, Mayla says the deflectors decrease energy usage by up to 35 percent while ensuring a more efficient planing.

The range-topping GT can reach 185 kph. MAYLA

The GT is also capable of soaring at breakneck speeds, with the option of a gas, diesel, electric, or hybrid powertrain. The range-topping GTR-R model packs dual gas-powered engines that can churn out 3,100 hp for a top speed of more than 100 knots (185 kph). At the other, more sustainable end of the spectrum, the E-GT is fitted with an electric powertrain that can produce 2,200 horses for a max speed of 50 knots. The hybrid E-GTR pairs that same electric powertrain with a 294 kilowatt diesel engine for a top speed of 60 knots (111 km/h/69 mph). (The GT in the water at Boot sported two entry-level V8s good for 650 hp and a top speed of over 70 knots.)

The GT is suitable for more than just high-speed jaunts, of course. The multipurpose cockpit, which can accommodate up to eight passengers, features a sundeck with sliding loungers, a wet bar and BBQ, and a foldaway dining table for alfresco entertaining. Further toward the stern, a beach club sits atop a garage with an electric transom door.

The garage has an electric transom door. MAYLA

The GT is even fit for overnight stays. Below deck lies a cabin with a double bed, sofa, wardrobe, vanity, and en suite. You can also expect a high-tech entertainment system with TVs and premium audio.

As for price, the GT with the entry-level powertrain will cost between $2.7 million and $2.9, depending on the final configuration. (You can fine-tune the layout, hull color, and interiors, naturally.) Interested buyers can set up a sea trial with Mayla, with test-drives set to begin this spring in Europe.

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Red Centre

First Nations artist Shaun Daniel Allen joins forces with Chopard to create a timepiece inspired by the Australian landscape.

By Horacio Silva 29/01/2024

Shaun Daniel Allen does not look like your typical collaborator on a prestige watch. For one, Shal, as he prefers to be known (“There are many Shauns but only one Shal,” he explains), is more heavily tattooed than your average roadie. His youthful appearance, bad-boy ink and all, belies his 38 years and leads to a disconnect. 

He recounts being recognised on the street recently by a journalist, who, unable to remember his name, shouted out, “Chopard!” “I was with a friend,” Shal says, holding court in his apartment in Sydney’s inner city, “and he’s, like, ‘What the hell? Does that happen to you often?’”

Perhaps because of his body art, he reasons, “People don’t put me and Chopard together.” It’s not hard to understand the confusion, Shal adds; even he was taken aback when Chopard reached out to him about a potential collaboration a little more than a year ago. “When I first went in to see them, I was, like, I don’t know if I’m your guy. I’m not used to being in those rooms and having those conversations.”

He’ll have to adapt quickly to his new reality. Last month Chopard released Shal’s interpretation of the Swiss brand’s storied Alpine Eagle model, which in itself was a redo of the St. Moritz, the first watch creation by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (now Co-President of Chopard) in the late 1970s. 

Previewed at Sydney’s About Time watch fair in September, to not insignificant interest, and officially known as the Alpine Eagle Sunburnt, the exclusive timepiece—issued in a limited edition of 20—arrives as a stainless steel 41 mm with a 60-hour power reserve and a burnt red dial that brings to mind the searing Outback sun. Its see-through caseback features one of Shal’s artworks painted on sapphire glass.

When the reputable Swiss luxury brand approached Shal, they already had the red dial—a nod to the rich ochre hues of the Australian soil at different times of the day and gradated so that the shades become darker around the edges—locked in as a lure for Australian customers.

Shal was charged with designing an artful caseback and collectible hand-painted sustainable wooden case. After presenting a handful of paintings, each with his signature abstract motifs that pertain to indigenous emblems, tattoos and music, both parties landed on a serpentine image that evoked the coursing of rivers. “I have been painting a lot of water in this last body of work and the image we chose refers to the rivers at home,” he says, alluding to formative years spent at his grandfather’s, just outside of Casino.

It says a lot about Chopard, Shal points out, that they wanted to donate to a charity of his choosing. “Like everything else on this project,” he explains, “they were open to listening and taking new ideas on board and it actually felt like a collaboration, like they weren’t steering me into any corner.”

In another nice touch, a portion of the proceeds from sales of the watch will go to funding programs of the Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation—an organisation, established in 1995 by Bundjalung elders, whose work Shal saw firsthand after the 2022 eastern Australia flood disasters ravaged their area. “Seeing Ngunya Jarjum suffer from the floods,” he says, “and knowing how much they do for the community on Bundjalung Country was heartbreaking. I want to see Bundjalung families thriving and supported.”

So what’s it been like for this booster of Australian waterways to be swimming in the luxury end of the pool? “I’ve done a few things with brands,” he offers, referring to the Louis Vuitton project earlier this year at an art gallery in Brisbane, “but nothing on this scale. It’s definitely fancier than I’m used to but I’m not complaining.” Neither are watch aficionados.

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