Switzerland’s 11 most spectacular spas

To experience some of the country’s most beautiful spots, you have to head inside to one of its world-class hotel spas.

By Sandra Ramani 12/08/2017

From the majestic Alps to the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland is renowned for its natural beauty. But as wellness enthusiasts know, to experience some of the country’s most beautiful spots, you have to head inside to one of its world-class hotel spas.

As the birthplace of high-end skincare lines like La Prairie, Valmont, and La Mer as well as the home of cutting-edge aesthetic centres and performance-driven wellness clinics, Switzerland regards wellness as much a part of Swiss tradition as cheese and chocolate.

Here are 11 gorgeous places to relax, refresh, and get pampered—Swiss-style.

The Dolder Grand

With its lush hilltop setting overlooking Zurich, museum-quality art collection, and striking design by London-based Foster + Partners, it’s clear the iconic Dolder Grand holds aesthetics in high regard.

You’ll find further proof in the award-winning spa — a 43,000-square-foot oasis with a sleek central pool, outdoor hydrotherapy and relaxation nooks, and a spa library and café. Head to the Aqua Zone to detox in the stream or sauna, refresh in the ice room, and settle into an oversized tub filled with hundreds of heated rocks — a take on a Japanese therapy designed to ease tight muscles. Treatments feature products from Kerstin Florian, La Prairie, and Amala and range from mineral soaks and marma-point massages to targeted facials performed with ingredients like gold and caviar.

Treatment to book: The 90-minute Nature’s Organic Seasonal Facial, which starts with a foot bath infused with herbs from the Dolder Grand’s gardens, using ingredients like wild blue lotus and Swiss mountain herbs to leave skin glowing.

Park Hotel Vitznau

Don’t let the Park Hotel Vitznau’s 100-year-old, castle-like exterior fool you: Inside lies a sleek and modern haven with a Michelin-starred restaurant, unique themed suites, and James Bond–level technology. You’ll certainly feel as if you’re in a Bond film when swimming in the spa’s heated infinity pool, which juts out toward the Rigi mountains high above Lake Lucerne. Sweat it out in the Finnish sauna before taking a dip in the main pool or indoor-outdoor whirlpools, or relax in the low-humidity sanarium (kept at a constant 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Treatments pamper skin with luxurious Swiss-made La Prairie products and massage sore muscles with warm stones or herb-filled heated pouches.

Treatment to book: The Ultimate Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Facial, a 90-minute service that works anti-ageing magic on the face with La Prairie products and healing rose-quartz crystals before relaxing the back with Hawaiian-style lomi-lomi massage.

Tschuggen Grand

Starchitect Mario Botta didn’t want the 54,000-square-foot Tschuggen Bergoase spa to disrupt the lush mountain landscape above the town of Arosa. So, he hid it underground, making its striking, sculptural skylights the only perceptible structures among the forested hillsides.

Inside, however, is a wellness wonderland, with 12 treatment rooms, a gym with Techogym and Kinesis equipment, yoga and meditation areas, and multiple terraces and lounges, including one with a fireplace. Relax in indoor and outdoor pools or take a turn in the therapy circuit, outfitted with a Kneipp foot-massage track, a rock grotto bath, a “snow terrace,” and saunas of various temperatures. The menu includes everything from anti-cellulite treatments to milk-and-honey baths to traditional Indian Ayurvedic oil massages. A full medical-wellness program is also available.

Treatment to book: The Skier/Mountain Climber Massage, which soothes weary muscles with a mountain-pine-infused soak and a foot and leg massage.

Kulm Hotel

For more than 160 years, the Kulm Hotel has helped define winter travel in St Moritz, attracting generations of jet-setters and VIPs with its proximity to snowy activities like skiing and tobogganing. Whether you visit in winter or summer, save time for the spa — a pioneer of the Swiss wellness scene. The 21,500-square-foot space focuses on water-based therapies, with an indoor pool (where music pumps through underwater speakers), outdoor pools with massaging jets, a saltwater grotto, and a variety of steam rooms and saunas, including an infrared cabin. Best of all, you can soak up the panoramic views of Lake St Moritz and the Engadin Mountains while soaking in the warm waters.

Treatment to book: The LPG Lipomassage by Endermologie uses a vacuum-suction roller to stimulate the skin and connective tissue, helping to drain fluids and tighten skin. This can be performed on the body or face to smooth skin and diminish the appearance of wrinkles.

The Chedi Andermatt

Head nearly 1500 metres above sea level to find a little slice of Asia in the heart of the Swiss Alps at the Chedi Andermatt. As a nod to the roots of the GHM hotel brand, which is based in Singapore, noted architect Jean-Michel Gathy infused this 123-room hotel and residential complex with plenty of Eastern design touches, along with warm woods, soft leathers, and glowing lanterns, resulting in one of the most unique versions of Alpine chic in the country. The hotel’s spa is Asian-inspired, too, with 26,000 square feet of serene amenities including a dimly lit Tibetan Relaxation Lounge and services that draw from Indian, Balinese, and Himalayan traditions. Hot and cold plunge pools, bio-saunas, and a sleek indoor-outdoor pool add to the calming vibe.

Treatment to book: One of the four Indulgent Oriental Rituals, which run from 120 to 180 minutes. Some use imported techniques and ingredients—like Balinese- and Thai-style massages and Himalayan crystal scrubs—while the Alpienne Mountain Ritual uses regional high-altitude herbs in a body scrub, facial, and whirlpool bath.

Grand Hotel Bad Ragaz

In the mid-13th century, Benedictine monks discovered hot mineral water gushing from between the rocks of the Tamina Gorge at the foothills of Pizol Mountain, in what is now known as the St Gallen Rhine Valley. Though the monks’ original bathhouse was a bit treacherous to access — bathers had to be lowered into the gorge by rope or be carried down in sedan chairs — by the 1800s, Bad Ragaz had become home to one of the top mineral-spring centres in Europe, and the site of the continent’s first indoor thermal pool.

Today, the Grand Hotel Bad Ragaz offers plenty of distractions for guests — from golf to gambling — but wellness is still at its heart. In addition to a full medical-health and dermatology clinic, there are two spas — one open to the public, another exclusive to hotel guests—that offer dozens of treatments, multiday itineraries, fitness programs, and thermal springs therapies. With Thermal Water World, Sauna World, bathhouses, and more, you’ll need a few days to explore it all.

Treatment to book: The recently launched two-hour haki Grounding Ritual, which begins in the mineral-water-based Room for the Senses and Rain Hall, and then continues to a hotel-guests-only treatment room for a full-body cleansing, scrub, warm oil treatment, and a special massage-stretch therapy designed to align the back, neck, and core.

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

What started as a small inn at the foothills of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau mountains has more than 150 years later grown into one of Switzerland’s top hotels. Enjoying a prime location in the charming town of Interlaken, the belle époque–style Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa has hosted royals, artists, and regular folk alike looking to ski, hike, or golf. Since its spa’s opening in 1991—and subsequent expansions in 2002 and 2009—the resort has also attracted wellness seekers.

Today, the 59,200-square-foot complex features a large main pool; beautiful hydrotherapy, sauna, and steam areas; a gym; and a spa café, along with a warren of dimly lit treatment and relaxation rooms. Most services use products by Nescens, an anti-aging brand created 15 years ago at the Centre for the Prevention of Ageing at the Clinique de Genolier in far-west Switzerland. Personalised multiday programs overseen by a team of experts in nutrition, fitness, osteopathy, anti-aging, and preventative medicine are also available.

Treatment to book: One of the signature Nescens skin treatments, which range from 1-hour facials focusing on hydration to a 105-minute firming body massage and anti-ageing facial.

Grand Hotel Kronenhof

Located just outside the village of Pontresina, in the lush Engadin Valley, the Grand Hotel Kronenhof has been a Swiss favourite for more than 165 years for its proximity to summer and winter activities, its gourmet dining options, and its historic wine cellar, which kept guests and locals supplied with Veltliner wines through both World Wars. To find the hotel’s 21,528-square-foot spa, guests pass through a modern, all-glass rotunda with windows framing views of the valley and mountains. Inside lies a vast pool, multiple saunas, and a hydrotherapy circuit with a salt inhalation steam room, Kneipp foot baths, and a muscle-easing salt grotto. The treatment menu ranges from high-tech (anti-cellulite machines) to traditional (hands-on services using local honey and alpine herbs).

Treatment to book: The Private Spa Suite, where couples can indulge in a 50-minute de-stressing massage before enjoying an extra hour to make use of the hydro-jet tub, water bed, and steam shower — all while sipping glasses of bubbly. Guests looking for even more privacy can book the entire pool and hydrotherapy areas for themselves after 8 pm.

Le Grand Bellevue

Though Gstaad’s elegant Le Grand Bellevue — one of only a handful of Swiss hotels with a “palace” distinction—underwent a total revamp in 2013, the news didn’t stop there: In June, the property unveiled its 32,300-square-foot Le Grand Spa, a wellness facility whose soothing décor is inspired by the hills and valleys of the surrounding Bernese Oberland. The veritable spa playground features 17 different wellness and thermal areas, including a hay sauna, a Himalayan salt grotto, and an invigorating ice fountain. Head outside for the large pool and hot tub, Kneipp foot bath trail, sun terrace, and fragrant alpine garden. Treatments use products from Swiss brands like Cellcosmet and the British organic line Bamford, which is based on sustainable ingredients and botanical healing.

Treatment to book: To ease body pains, jet lag, and altitude headaches, try the Alpine-tradition-based Alp Hay Bath in which you’re wrapped in warm blankets and placed on a bed of scented local hay.

Bürgenstock Resort

Even a country full of five-star hotel spas has room for one more. Slated for completion this October, the Bürgenstock Resort will house three wellness facilities in one location, making it one of the largest of its kind in Switzerland. The centerpiece will be the 107,000-square-foot, indoor-outdoor Bürgenstock Alpine Spa, set within the frame of an original 1981 building crafted in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Spa will boast 15 treatments rooms; private spa suites; a 24-hour fitness center with Matrix equipment; yoga, Pilates, and barre studios; and a wet area with saunas, hydrotherapy, and a hammam. Both the 1,400-square-foot heated infinity pool — which will wrap around the exterior — and the glass-walled indoor pool will look out onto sparkling Lake Lucerne and Bürgenstock mountain. Treatments will use products by La Prairie, Ligne St. Barth, and Susanne Kaufmann — the latter created by a local of the Alpine Bregenzerwald valley.

Treatment to book: The official menu is still to come, but we’re excited about the signature Susanne Kaufmann skin treatments, which use products full of organic and active herbal ingredients, along with targeted massage techniques.

Eden Roc

Set on the banks of Lake Maggiore, Eden Roc is a slice of the Mediterranean in Switzerland, with a private lakeside beach that invokes a sense of the Amalfi Coast — albeit with snowcapped mountains in the distance. Though the resort’s 21,500-square-foot spa might seem small compared with the behemoths at Dolder Grand and Bürgenstock, it packs a big punch in the world of wellness with a hydro-pool, a Kneipp foot massage circuit, a large indoor-outdoor swimming pool, and both mixed-sex and women-only steam rooms and saunas.

Treatment to book: The 90-minute Swiss Contour Body Firming treatment, which smooths and firms skin using Swiss-made Cellcosmet products high in potent cellular, marine, and herbal ingredients.

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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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