Nine gifts that can help you turn back the clock

That could mean an adult upgrade of a classic skateboard from Hermés, or a private skin-care consultation with the scientists at La Prairie in Zurich.

By Janice O'leary 11/12/2017

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to turn back the clock a bit. Whether that means an adult upgrade of a classic skateboard from Hermés or a private skin-care consultation with the scientists at La Prairie in Zurich, we have something here that will help you look as young as you feel.

## Roe versus age

Price: US$25,000 ($A33,300)

When La Prairie unveiled its caviar-based facial treatment 30 years ago, it was a revolutionary concept that harnessed caviar’s rich protein to nourish and revitalise the skin. It set a new standard for using precious ingredients in skin care and quickly gained a cult following. In celebration of its anniversary, the Swiss brand is offering an immersive 2-day Skin Caviar Experience in Zurich during which the gift’s recipient can learn firsthand the benefits of caviar for the skin and the senses. The recipient and a guest will enjoy a 2-night stay in a suite at the Dolder Grand hotel and a caviar dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant as well as a specially prepared caviar tasting menu.

The skin experience starts with a thorough evaluation and consultation with La Prairie specialists who will analyze your skin and design a customised skin-care regimen, followed by a unique opportunity to learn from the company’s director of innovation and director of science how your new products will help improve your visage. On the second day, at La Prairie’s incredible spa within the Dolder Grand, experience a series of customised facial and body treatments that use the brand’s range of caviar-based products. The spa can be totally privatised for you on this day, if you wish. To maintain your fresh and revitalised look, La Prairie will provide a year’s worth of skin-care products that specifically target your needs, delivered in quarterly installments. That includes La Prairie’s newest and most exclusive cream ever: Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Millésime, which was created using a special blend of caviar water, caviar extract, and caviar DNA. Only 300 jars have been produced; this gift’s recipient will receive no. 30 personally engraved.

## Becoming Benjamin Button

Price: US$1.1 ($A1.46) million

Bulletproof cult-coffee entrepreneur Dave Asprey has spent decades creating hacks to his own health — targeting weight loss, increased energy, improved mental and physical performance, and especially longevity. This past fall, he made it possible for others to try to age backward too with the launch of his first Bulletproof Labs. In these “bio-hacking” centres, members can use cutting-edge equipment in short increments to improve muscle tone, brain power, and cellular health.

As a special gift for Robb Report’s Ultimate Gift Guide, Asprey is offering to curate the installation of a Bulletproof Lab in one reader’s home. The equipment includes an atmospheric cell trainer, a cold HIIT machine, a virtual float tank, a Breathe EZ hypoxic stationary bicycle, a neurofeedback brain charger, cryotherapy, and a Cheat Machine — a unique weight-training apparatus that maxes out muscles in just a few reps.

Certified Bulletproof Labs technicians will come to the recipient’s home, install the equipment, and provide him or her with proprietary protocols and 2 weeks of personal training sessions. The gift also includes a year’s supply of Bulletproof coffee and a copy of Asprey’s book Head Strong.

## Be Royal-portrait-ready

Price Upon Request

New to the U.S., Royal Fern skin care was created by German dermatologist Dr. Tim Golueke and is based on compounds found in the humble fern. The fern has incredible anti-aging properties, and its extracts have been found to protect skin against the effects of UV light, stimulate the production of new collagen, renew skin cells, soothe and moisturise through its anti-inflammatory properties, and reduce hyperpigmentation. The neutral scent and minimalist packaging make this collection ideally suited for either men or women.

## A better body in a bottle

Price Upon Request

Skin-care line Kayo offers body creams that you’ll want to use on your face. Until now, multiproduct routines have dominated the realm of face care, but Kayo takes that level of quality attention to the skin on our limbs and torsos. The debut line, free of harmful preservatives, includes layering serums and rich creams to both protect skin from aging and help it recover from environmental onslaughts such as pollution and sun damage. The daily vitamin boost, which includes vitamins B3, B5, C, D3, E, and K, is like feeding fresh-pressed juice to your skin and should help fade spots of sun damage. The Body Beautiful Crème is luxuriously silky and hydrating without being greasy and has a mild, pleasant scent. Layer that over the daily skin serum, which skin soaks up thirstily. Skin feels velvety and looks radiant after just a week of use. The whole set makes for a luscious gift that will keep giving all year long.

## Art board

Price: US$3,850 ($A5125)

An unexpected combination of 1970s California youth culture and refined French equestrianism, Hermès’s take on the skateboard is as whimsical as it is luxurious. Handcrafted in the house’s French Sur-Mesure atelier, the board’s maple deck features a mandala-esque pattern of Hermès’s signature bridles. Printed using a special sublimation technique, the bridles’ bright pigments will remain in place for years to come — even if the recipient is brave enough to take it out for a spin or two.

Available as both a shortboard and a longboard, the skateboard makes the ideal gift for the art-savvy adrenaline junkie in your life. And since it is made in the same workshop where all of Hermès’s special orders are completed, the design of the deck, wheels, and hardware can be customised to suit the particular tastes of the recipient. Moreover, the vibrant, slightly psychedelic design dreamed up by Hermès artistic director Henri d’Origny is sure to make a stylish statement in just about any space.

The board can be ordered at Hermès boutiques throughout the United States.

## Alpine edge

Price: Starting at US$6,745 ($A9000)

The slopes are infinitely sweeter on a board made especially for you. Enter Franco Snowshapes and its founder, Mikey Franco. A seasoned snow sports coach, Franco has more than 35 years of experience on mountains from Jackson Hole to Japan.

For this gift, clients will have a “Franco Experience” in which Franco will meet them in person at his Wyoming workshop at the base of the Teton Range and take them through 4 days of one-on-one coaching and analysis on the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. From there, a distinctive Rider Genome Profile will be crafted based on a series of specific questions that will assess what kind of board will best meet clients’ needs. This profile touches on “biometric, psychometric, and envirometric” factors. “The biometrics will seek answers to questions regarding data such as height, boot size, weight, and physical fitness. Psychometrics ask what motivates a rider, such as why you like to ride, how fast or slow, and overall feelings about a day on snow,” explains Franco. Finally, envirometrics refer to terrain, weather, favourite conditions, and preferred resorts. Franco will then go to work on the board, which can be made from a wide range of woods, including white pine, poplar, and maple. It’s also outfitted with vibration-dampening materials like basalt fibres and curve-supporting aluminum alloys. Franco uses hand-cut wood stringers taken from the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and the GPS coordinates of the exact site from which the stringers were sourced are etched on the board. Toward the end of the process, custom artwork of the client’s choosing can be added. The bespoke snowboard takes 6 to 8 weeks to complete.

Franco Snowshapes, 307.690.3732.

## The eyes have it

Price: US$210

The rich emulsion fights dark circles and under-eye puffiness, as well as fine wrinkles in the delicate skin lining the eyes and lips. This new addition to the line includes a clever Ridoki massage tool to prepare skin prior to application.

## Two-wheel transmutation

Price: Starting at US$8,300 ($A11,000)

Founded in Denver just under a decade ago, Alchemy Bicycle Company — which offers premier bespoke and off-the-rack road, mountain, and cyclocross bikes all
constructed by hand from carbon fiber, titanium, or steel — has quickly become recognised as the producer of some of the best frames in the world. The go-anywhere Helios is Alchemy’s carbon-fibre flagship, a road bike with slightly oval-shaped aero tubes inspired by triathlon models. The bespoke beauty’s hybrid design lets it climb, descend, and sprint in Tour de France fashion while offering the plush comfort needed for a long charity ride or an idyllic wine-country tour.

Like a Savile Row tailor, Alchemy starts the bespoke build process with a custom fitting that takes personal preferences into account. The company uses that information to create a computer-aided design and then build a scientifically advanced yet charmingly artisanal carbon frame from precisely machined, digitally plotted parts. Alchemy’s endless custom options include fade, mask, pearlescent, and tri-coat finishes, and buyers can cherry-pick the best components to complete their truly one-of-a-kind ride. A complete bike comes fully equipped with top-shelf components and a drool-worthy paint job.

## A facialist’s secret weapon

Price: US$110 ($A150)

We love summer — but not the fine lines those sun-soaked beach days leave in their wake. Sonya Dakar’s new SuperLift eye serum helps counteract your time in the sun. Its collagen-boosting formula aims to replenish tired skin around the eyes, improving radiance and diminishing lines. The serum is made with Dakar’s Copper Complex, a proprietary combo stocked with energy-restoring edelweiss plant cells; tamarind, which helps to create a barrier between the skin and the environment; and maca root, to enhance the skin’s youthful firmness.

Dakar, a clinical esthetician, began treating patients out of a converted guest house in 1984. As her following grew, she launched a product line and later opened the legendary Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic in Beverly Hills. The facility’s devoted clientele includes many in the entertainment industry, from actors to executives. Presently, Dakar applies the SuperLift serum in her clinic at the end of every facial for a final dose of luminosity.

Here’s a tip from Dakar: Tap on the serum (morning or night) as if you were wearing large sunglasses — start at the inner corner of the eye, work your way below the eye to the top of the cheekbone, continue out to the hairline and around and above the brow, and then apply directly to the upper eyelid.

ADVERTISE WITH US

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Stay Connected

You may also like.

Tom Brady Wears a Jacob & Co. Watch Decked in Yellow Sapphires to the Super Bowl

The $740,000 Caviar Tourbillon was an opulent choice for the former NFL star.

By 17/02/2025

Tom Brady was on the field tonight at the 59th annual Super Bowl game, and while the retired NFL hero—a seven-time Super Bowl winner (the most of any footballer in history)—wasn’t playing, he came dressed to impress with a $116,400 Jacob & Co. watch on his wrist.

Brady, who is a notable watch collector, recently sold off several of his timepieces at a Sotheby’s auction called “The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady” this past December. Those timepieces ran the gamut from a Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 to a unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with his name spelled out in diamonds across the salmon-colored tapisserie dial. His Rolex Daytona sold for over $1.5 million, and, in total, his auction raked in around $7 million. So, he’s well-equipped for a new watch purchase.

Whether or not he owns the six-figure sapphire stunner or it was a paid spot, the watch certainly stood out against his conservative but immaculately fit gray suit. “Tom Brady is the epitome of excellence, both on and off the field,” said Benjamin Arabov, CEO of Jacob & Co, in a press release sent out by the company shortly after Brady’s appearance. “We’re thrilled to see him wearing two of our most prestigious timepieces on the biggest stage in sports. The Billionaire Mini Ashoka and Caviar Tourbillon embody the precision, luxury, and innovation that define Jacob & Co. We’re honored to have him represent the artistry and craftsmanship behind every piece we create.”

Like much of Brady’s wrist candy, his 44 by 15.8 mm Caviar Tourbillon is not easy to come by. It is limited to just 18 pieces. It features hours, minutes, and a one-minute flying tourbillon in the JCAA43 movement with 216 components and 72 hours of power reserve. The movement itself is set with 338 brilliant-cut diamonds, while a total of 337 yellow sapphires adorn the case and dial. The clasp is decorated with another 18 baguette-cut yellow sapphires, and the crown comes with 14 baguette-cut yellow sapphires and one rose-cut yellow sapphire. As far as gem setting goes, this is one extraordinary piece, but it certainly seemed like a surprising choice for Brady, who was otherwise dressed like he just stepped out of a boardroom or a Ralph Lauren catalog.

Benjamin Arabov, son of Jacob & Co. founder Jacob Arabov, is now the CEO of the company. The 32-year-old recently took to Instagram to post that he was looking for a rebranding agency with experience in visual identity and packaging. As far as marketing goes, however, with Tom Brady, he’s golden.

Buy the Magazine

Subscribe today

Stay Connected

This Vintage Rolex Day-Date Has an Ultra-Rare and Coveted ‘Bark’ Design

The ultra-cool piece from Wind Vintage also comes in pristine condition with a desirable patina.

By Paige Reddinger 17/02/2025

Over the last four years there has been a resurgence in interest for 18-karat yellow gold watches. Much of that is due to fatigue over the long-running craze for steel tool watches, but it is also in part due to the rising value of gold (which shows no sign of slowing), rendering these once undesirable pieces increasingly worth collecting. Add to that the fact that, in some niche and stylish circles, unusual bracelet treatments, gem-setting, and interesting dials are becoming increasingly appealing and you have a new wave of watch collecting emerging. Steel sports watches are still the bread and butter for most dealers, but as pockets of interest in more unusual timekeepers, often from younger and fashion-forward collectors, continue to rise we’re seeing some really fun pieces pop up on the market. Case in point: This 1980s Rolex Day-Date in 18-karat yellow gold with a sapphire and diamond dial from Wind Vintage currently available exclusively on The Vault.

It wasn’t that long ago that dealers had a hard time unloading an all-gold gem-set piece. Eric Wind, the notable dealer and founder of Wind Vintage, says five years ago he would have sold this piece for around $23,000 to $28,000. The asking price today? $45,000. “It is very rare,” he tells Robb Report. “I think that was all clearly hand-done. Funnily enough, bark watches were not very desirable in the past. You know, even five to 10 years ago, they were very, very hard to sell. But, over the last three to five years, there’s been such an emergence and interest in jewellery and watches and work like that engraving and other kind of artistic forms that the watches took.” The style of engraving he is referring to on this watch can be seen on the bezel and middle links of the bracelet that is referred to as “bark” for its rough tree-like appearance.

“Bark” engraving on the bezel and bracelet of the Wind Vintage 1980s Rolex Day-Date
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

And while the bracelet is certainly a notable feature that will stand out in a sea of Submariners and Daytonas, the dial is also worth bragging about. Its diamond minutes track and sapphire hour markers are executed in what is known as a “string dial” because it looks like a string of pearls. “They’ve become very popular,” says Wind. “They were very expensive back in the 80s, just because of the cost of the stones, and there are just not many that exist on the planet.” Likewise, Wind says the canary yellow matte dial is not something he comes across often, having only seen a couple of others.

An up-close look at the patina and “bark” engraving on this 1980s Day-Date from Wind Vintage.
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

Part of what makes this watch so hard to find on the market is that pieces like this often didn’t survive past their ’80s heyday. “A lot of times these watches were so undesirable that dealers would replace the bezel inserts and put on fluted inserts, or smooth bezels or fluted bezels and melt down the bracelets or polish the center link so they looked like a standard Day-Date. Those dealers should have learned that what goes around, always comes around. Now with these interesting Rolex watches on the rise, they’ll become even harder to find.

A Wind Vintage 1980s Day-Date with “bark” engraving and a gem-set “string dial”
Courtesy of Wind Vintage

If you’re interested in the piece and want to speak to Wind about it IRL, he will be at Robb Report’s House of Robb event in San Francsico today during the NBA All-Star weekend.

Buy the Magazine

Subscribe today

Stay Connected

Soccer Star Kylian Mbappé Is Now an Investor in Watch Marketplace Wristcheck

Just like Jay-Z.
Published on February 7, 2025

By Abby Montanez 11/02/2025

Kylian Mbappé just went from brand ambassador to investor.

The celebrated French footballer, who currently plays for Real Madrid, has taken a stake in luxury watch trading platform Wristcheck, Hypebeast reported lat week.

Off the filed, the 26-year-old soccer star is a known timepiece collector and has served as an ambassador for Swiss marque Hublot since 2018. With this new partnership, the forward joins a growing group of influential backers, including Jay-Z. The rapper and business mogul took an equity stake in the Hong Kong-based company last summer as part of a recent funding round of $7.9 million.

“I’m thrilled to join Wristcheck as an investor through Coalition Capital,” Mbappé said in a press statement. “As a Hublot ambassador and someone passionate about watches and innovation, I see Wristcheck as a platform that truly understands the next generation of collectors. They’re reshaping the watch industry with a forward-thinking approach that blends technology, transparency, and creativity.” Mbappé did not immediately respond to Robb Report‘s request for comment on his new business endeavor.

Kylian Mbappé is an investor in online watch shop Wristcheck.
Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Launched in 2020 by renowned horophile and Instagram personality Austen Chu, Wristcheck offers a platform for collectors to buy and sell pre-owned watches that have been authenticated by Swiss-trained watchmakers. Since it was founded, the company has raised more than $21.6 million in funding from investors including the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, Gobi Partners GBA, and K3 Ventures.

Mbappé, meanwhile, has achieved remarkable success in his soccer career. He won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, becoming the youngest player to score in a final since Pelé. At PSG, he has secured multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups. Individually, Mbappé has earned the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award and regularly features in top European scoring charts. And in 2020, he was ranked the world’s highest-paid player, surpassing rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Buy the Magazine

Subscribe today

Stay Connected

Sotheby’s Will Put on the Largest Auction of Breguet Watches in Decades This Fall

To celebrate the revered watchmaking house’s 250th anniversary, the sale includes rare collectibles belonging to living Breguet family members.

By Paige Reddinger 11/02/2025

Interest in Breguet has experienced a quiet resurgence among savvy collectors who appreciate the brand’s deep-rooted watchmaking heritage. This growing enthusiasm will soon take center stage with an upcoming auction that shines a significant spotlight on the storied Maison.

Founded in Paris 250 years ago, Abraham-Louis Breguet was one of the most influential watchmakers in history, best known for inventing the tourbillon and the automatic winding system—along with many other groundbreaking innovations. His legacy continues to inspire modern masters such as F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour. You can see Breguet’s influence pointedly in pieces like F.P. Journe’s famous Chronomètre à Résonance timepiece, voted one of Robb Report‘s 50 Greatest Watches of All Time.

Now, Sotheby’s has announced “the largest sale of Breguet timepieces in three decades.” Though the auction won’t take place until November, the auction house is already working to build anticipation. In the meantime, it might be wise to brush up on the most coveted Breguet references.

Breguet 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact watch made for King George IV Breguet

What may pique collectors’ interest is the sale is being curated in conjunction with Breguet and Emmanuel Breguet, the vice president and head of patrimony, who happens to be a descendant of the original Monsieur Breguet. So far, the only timekeeper publicly associated (at least visually) with the auction is the 1827 Perpétuelle à Tact watch made for King George IV. Still, it hints at the historic level of pocket watches, wristwatches, and clocks that will be on offer. Abraham-Louis Breguet was a frequent supplier of high-end and state-of-the-art timepieces for royalty, including Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, and King George III.

Other highlights include an open-faced montre à tact (a watch that replicates the internal hour hand on the cover of the pocket watch via an arrow so that time could be read via touch) with a calendar and moonphase indications that was the inspiration for the Ref. 3330. A pendulette with alarm, perpetual calendar and repeater, and a two-color gold open-faced tourbillon watch is said to be a part of the sale, although no images were provided as of press time. More info on what will be in the sale will come this spring.

Buy the Magazine

Subscribe today

Stay Connected

Capella Brands Their Own Caviar to Mark Chinese New Year

Capella Sydney continues its commitment to exceptional luxury experiences, with a high tea and caviar upgrade all part of its 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations to usher in the Year of the Snake.

By Belinda Aucott-christie 07/02/2025

These days caviar bumps are on the menu at all the best seaside restaurants, and now guests checking into a suite at Capella Sydney will be saved the trip to the beach with a tin of caviar conveniently stationed in their mini bar.

Downstairs at the chic lobby café Aperture, caviar is also part of their elegantly indulgent high tea. Expertly crafted by Head Pastry Chef Arthur Carré. This bespoke menu features a delectable selection of delicacies, including Capella Kaluga Caviar, sesame prawn toast, Peking duck pancake roll cornetto, fried pork dumplings, and pandan and mandarin lamingtons. The experience is complemented by the delicate notes of white rabbit jasmine tea from Zensation Tea House, with an optional upgrade to a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne for a truly indulgent experience.

It’s all part of a chic lunar collaboration with Kaluga Caviar (from central China) which supplies 21 of the 26 three Michelin starred restaurants in Paris. Kaluga caviar offers a balance of luxury, flavour, and sustainability. Its rich, creamy texture and large pearls make it a close alternative to Beluga caviar with a lovely walnut aftertaste.

Even if you are a guest just for the day at Capella Sydney you can indulge your palate with a high tea that pairs Oscietra black caviar, from Russian Sturgeon stock, with champagne and traditional accompaniments.

Ask for the Capella Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea when you make you reservation, and take your place at the table. Each set comes with a 10g tin of Capella Sydney x Kaluga Queen Caviar.

Capella Sydney

Buy the Magazine

Subscribe today

Stay Connected